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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledglings Flying into the Festive Season

729 replies

ExquisitelyDecorated · 30/11/2021 22:18

Well here we are, December is upon us and we are settling in for the winter. We aim to follow the fly lady system, it does work if you follow it, but many of us have found that it works better if you combine it with an additional decluttering system to speed up that process. Flylady is more of a maintenance system, some combine it with other systems such as TOMM. Links at the end of the post.

These threads have been running for years, many posters have been here for a long time but new Fledglings and returners are always welcome, just jump in and ask if you don't understand anything.

Experience has taught us that these threads are only loosely about housekeeping, they are more about keeping good company and looking out for one another. So we have the naughty corner fully stocked with cushions, blankets, hot water bottles, comforting drinks and snacks, with a few sausage rolls and mince pies in a nod to the season (gluten free, vegan etc all catered for).

A few of our abbreviations and sayings:

BRC = box of random crap
Mount Washmore = out of control laundry
CHAOS = can't have anyone over syndrome
LMS / DLMS = lose my shit / didn't lose my shit
It's all gone a bit Pontypridd - it's all gone pear-shaped (some sort of spellcheck error)
No Fledgling Left Behind - there is always someone here to lend a listening ear, whether you want to have a grumble, let off steam, or just feel a bit behind or out of sorts. We recognise that many people have a lot going on in their lives, caring responsibilities, work, health conditions, general family life

So, with that, I will pop a couple of links to Flylady pages here:

www.flylady.net/ - homepage

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/ - getting started

We suggest you do NOT subscribe to the emails, unless you want a very cluttered inbox. Ask here instead.

www.flylady.net/d/cruising-through-the-holidays/ - seasonal stuff

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
HillsBesideTheSea · 04/12/2021 15:56

I do not want to grown up.
I do not want to christmas shop
I do not want to acknowledge the world

I am still in bed cos i feel like crap

ta da
pull out some stuff that dsis is having transported to her
watch a load of crap youtube
sleep
disappear into pinterest
question life choices
drink some coffee
drink some decaff coffee
consider reading a book/stay put. feel guilty, procrastinate and neither read book nor do something productive.

HalfHolly · 04/12/2021 17:24

Sounds like a perfectly valid list for a Saturday Hills. I wouldn't angst at all.

The only thing I'd quibble about is the decaff coffee - it would be caffeinated for me.

HalfHolly · 04/12/2021 17:26

I am currently catching up on 'work' work and that's going well.

Dh is cooking dinner. The Christmas decorations are not up as ds has had a cold so we have postponed having his friend over for an epic Christmas decoration playdate. It's for next weekend so. Neighbours have their decorations up so it is officially Christmas now.

HillsBesideTheSea · 04/12/2021 18:07

Tbf I had already drunk 3 caffinated coffees, and all the coffee i have been drinking of late has been throwing my sleep schedule out. Switching to decaff after 3pm will hopefully help me sleep tonight as I have a new alarm clock so I actually get out of bed. I stop hearing alarm clocks after a few months and just sleep through them, so have decided to rotate between types of alarm clock to see if that helps.

Stilllivinginazoo · 04/12/2021 18:24

Mad busy day yesterday
Xmas shopping with "d"p,home for lunch,put stuff away in bags of who's who(in my room stacked up)D's had a bad day at school
Took lil zoo get ears double pierced (part Xmas gift) and finally sourced advent calenders#epic mum fail

Today
Found living room
Put up tree
Help D's make paper chains for his room and put up
(Girls did theirs and now putting up)
About tackle mantle garland.i thought I took photos of last year(first attempt) alas,I did not.zo I cannot remember wtf I did.i suspect the fake flowers on dining table were involved...
Time to faff and flounce and basically try and make a decent display..here goes nothing!....

SingToTheSleigh · 04/12/2021 18:51

Damn just lost a post. Was basically saying I’ve not done much today 🤣 weekends seem a bit more defined now that I have work in the week (which theoretically I can still do on the weekends if I want to spread my hours out that way) and I’m relaxing more, although I’m also aware I should be getting house stuff done then…

po3.2
❗️Phone a friend
❗️Make and send homework for maths pupil along with Monday zoom link
❗️File expenses if I can figure out the form!

HalfHolly · 05/12/2021 06:46

Morning - coffee and really nice porridge in naughty corner. I'm having blueberries and raspberries on mine.

Need to prepare today's to do list.

SingToTheSleigh · 05/12/2021 09:19

Morning!

po3.1
❗️Breakfast
❗️Find out what time we need to be at ballroom (competition/display day)
❗️Write a list of what needs doing/taking etc

THATlittleCRACKER · 05/12/2021 09:21

< crawls into naughty corner >

Had my booster yesterday. Feel like death.

HalfHolly · 05/12/2021 09:39

Comfy blankets in naughty corner for that. May the protection be long and the side effects short. That's not an Irish saying by the way. I've always found the Irish blessing words 'May the road rise up to meet you' really alarming (I'm from Dublin)

THATlittleCRACKER · 05/12/2021 09:51

Yeah i dont think i would want to meet a road! Sounds like a car crash Blush

I need to find some energy

Ta da (i might have to count every tiny thing today
🐧baby up, fed, changed, dressed
🎅 toddler up, fed, changed
☃️ woke other dc
🌲 folded and put away towels
🐧took pain killers
🎅 made a brew
☃️ checked prices on items i'm saving for later on amazon

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 05/12/2021 09:54

Morning! WillowHound let me sleep until five to eight this morning, I am counting that as a lie in.

I need to get on with stuff.
PO3

  1. Throw clothes on
  2. Breakfast
  3. Walk dog
ExquisitelyDecorated · 05/12/2021 10:49

Morning all,

Sorry to hear about jab after effects That, which sort did you have? Anecdotally amongst people I know the Pfizer seems to be giving more side effects than the Moderna.

Sorry to hear about Brexit / postage woes Half and SC, sounds like a massive PITA.

Just having a quick catch up on emails and to do lists for the week, no matter how much I tick off the list seems to fill up again just as quickly. Washing on, need to do 2 or 3 loads today.

DS got a negative for his PCR but another of his classmates did test positive so he will be doing more LFTs this week and hoping to stay well.

We went and bought a tree yesterday, got it up and fairylights on but no other decorations, will do that today, I also need to put up the outside fairylights (just draped over the hedge, no ladders needed) and other decs. At the tree place someone had chosen a tree so big it got stuck in the cone of netting and they had to get a tractor to drag it through with a whole team of people standing on the cone base to hold it down, this drew quite a crowd.

OP posts:
SingToTheSleigh · 05/12/2021 11:49

po3.2
❗️Shower and dressed
❗️Washing into dryer and new LOL on
❗️Get everything ready

HillsBesideTheSea · 05/12/2021 11:53

Brexit woes with postage stuff here too.

People are being peopley and I have maxed out my caffeine coffees before 10am due to the amount of stress that was going on. I am now on cup 3 of decaff coffee.

Sorry you are feeling so rough That hope the side effects disappear quick

Ds tried to sleep through the drama earlier, i am sure he will have words about all the noise later...I have no sympathy as he was noisy last night with his up and down 50 billion times last night.

ta da
bedding in washing machine
all stuff to leave the house gone
people out the door without anyone LT(heir)S
plan for today sorted
Some things moved from lounge windowsil for their Christmas storage
Plant discussion had
too much coffee drunk
Sorted a plan for this next week with people in/out/appointments/to do lists
Consider tea, food prep plans and the things that need to be done food wise
Laugh at the shopping mix up. Apparently the people are well trained and get exactly what is on the list, which works except when i put an item on the list twice. Thankfully long life and we will use relatively quickly.

Right people are gone. Going to have a quick bath and get clean, throw some clothes on and then getting going properly. There is a lot! to do. But always easier without people under foot, and a lot of it is stash and dash. but i still have the sodding tupperware to sort because I. don't. want. too!

HazelNuttyElf · 05/12/2021 15:57

Red the recipe I use says 2 weeks in the fridge 🤣 I ignore that! I made some over 3 weeks ago, not Dipped yet though, and I tried one yesterday to make sure I can still use them, tastes perfectly fine. I did a test one year though, they are good for about 2 weeks at room temperature, anything longer than that they taste stale or off. I would keep them in a cool place, but don't see why you couldn't make them for crackers. That's a great idea! If you can keep them in the fridge (or a cool place) I would make them next week, too make sure they are nice and fresh.

The tree is decorated, but no pictures yet. I do still need to add lights around the house to complete the decorating though, I may get to that today.

YesTaDas:
🎁 sorted list out for groceries, added online coupons
🎁 went grocery shopping (had to go to 2 shops)
🎁 made rolls with DS, per request from ILs for dinner
🎁 wrapped presents! I got about 6 done yesterday, a lot more to go, but feeling more on top of it this year so far (but also feeling behind at the same time iykwim)
🎁 dinner at ILs (DH & DD would really prefer to have it at our house every week, but we've been rotating for years)

To do:
🎂 bake birthday cake for coworker
🎂 make peanut butter frosting
🎂 make peanut butter truffles for cake & orders
🎂 make GF Oreo truffles to try and get an order ready to mail out to my guinea pigs to tell me which brand of GF Oreos to buy
🎂 go shopping to a couple other stores to get stuff for games (for our party) and have DS pick out a gift for the gift exchange game.
🎂 start putting games together
🎂 wrap more presents
🎂 put Christmas lights up

It's almost 9am and I still need my 2nd cup of coffee before doing anything.
🍒👋 to everyone

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 05/12/2021 17:22

Enjoy your Sunday, Hazel!

Sorry you are feeling rubbish, That.

Ta da
❤️ Initial Po3 achieved
🧡 Got v cold on dog walk
💛 Spoke to friend who spotted me on another thread, dammit (I should not be surprised, she's known me 35 years) and was worried about me.
💚 Had lunch with DS2 who turned up early, then nicked all the hot water for a shower
💙 Had my delayed bath.
💜 Put fairy lights on doorstep blue spruce. Was prickly!
Now sitting in the music room with lamps and scented candle, about to read my book and ignore the F1 DH, DS2 and The GF will be watching. Roast beef delayed til 7pm, but DH has just realised race may not be over by then, so all bets are off!

To do:
🎄 Make Yorkie batter
🎁 Preheat ultrahot oven and whack (packet) roasties, roast carrots and HM Yorkies through it
⛄ Prep carrots, peas and broccoli
🎅 Try to write letter to ill friend that has been churning through my head for weeks
🐧 Sort out Christmas parcel for said friend to post tomorrow
🎄 Plan tomorrow, which involves getting DD to volunteering, posting parcel, making DD's birthday cake, buying her birthday balloon and icing her cake without needing a sleep!

Mc3209 · 05/12/2021 20:07

I don't know if we will survive nursery. Little one brought the most miserable vomiting bug home, that now all three of us have. I do not feel good.

Love reading all festive and cooking ta das. I've just been trying to have 'all fed, no one dead' kinda last few days.

Ta das:
🎉Endless laundry. I am sure WM hates me now. I did not fold any of it yet..
🎉Anti-bac surfaces
🎉Washed most used toys

My covid booster is next weekend. What's up with feeling moribund every weekend, I am not impressed. I did, however, spent a large chunk of day on a sofa watching Friends reruns whilst baby played nicely with his toys.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 05/12/2021 20:08

Urgh I have a comprehensive attack of the Sunday night Can't Be Arseds.

Ta didn't
❌ Remake our bed
❌ Remake DS3's bed
❌ Empty DW
❌ Sort clean washing
❌ Clear up roast
❌ Write to friend and pack parcel.

DH is still watching Sports Things.

I'm going to make the beds, put the food away and crash. I'll get up early tomorrow and deal with it all.

SingToTheSleigh · 05/12/2021 21:59

Similar feeling here wassail I am just full of NOPE

Oh nooo mc nursery germiness does get better, promise, it’s just bloody miserable in the meantime

All immensely tired and achy but it’s been a successful weekend. DS is back from camp and full of chat about the fun he had, and the girls did us proud at their ballroom display including DD1 winning a trophy for waltz 🥰

The week ahead is busy, starting with maths 9-10am and a meeting at 10.05 🤣 I’m regretting not sorting the weekly planner board this morning, I’m too tired now! The house is a mess with camping detritus etc but nope. It can all wait.

merryhouse · 05/12/2021 22:15

Chin up wassail and leave the clearing up till Monday morning.

Hazel quite simply, an Advent Candle is a candle with 1-24 marked down the side. I think they started being A Thing at some point in the mid-nineties. We have had fancier ones in the past, with holly pictures or Names For Jesus, but this year is just numbers. I always forget to make the final decision in early November so by the time I'm running round trying to find one the few places that actually stock advent candles have usually sold out.

And wassail placed her finger unerringly on the main problem: we finish eating before they're fully burned for the day, so go off and leave them still attended but not watched...

Saw both my babies today! Handed over S1's birthday presents and piled S2's stuff into the car. Abandoned 1, brought 2 back with us.

Redsquirrel5 · 05/12/2021 23:48

You all sound so busy.
ED the 🌲made me 🤣 out loud. I like it drew a crowd.

Damn I meant to go back and count the hens. I shut them in, took boots off, came inside then later remembered yesterday’s antics. We put the cover over re bird flu but I had to undo part of the fence and need a longer tie on it. Forgot. Went down to shut the door and one is sitting on the gate fence and the other is s quaking at the bottom. One was in where she should be. I had to catch them and shove them in. Naughty! Still getting an egg every two days from Persephone.

That hope you feel better tomorrow. DH wasn’t well after his. I am timing mine between flower club lunch/ demo and Ladies night (church) as I don’t want to miss out.

Hazel thanks =

Hillshope things are better soon.

Cleaned some yesterday then bf responded to message and we went to antique shop. I bought a plate I have collected 6 of and a Royal Albert December tea cup, saucer and tea plate.

Today has been busy I slept in to 10:15 pm and had to rush. Quick wash then dressed , then church, coffee and cake. Then went singing in the city for nearly two hours. My feet were cold and killing me. I had a hot chocolate after.
I might have had a little liquor cherry brandy and I meant to soak my feet but dozed off and missed the plus 1 start of the movie set in Yorkshire🤗
We had pork belly, cabbage , turnip and baked potatoes. I was starving as I had no time for lunch but I did had two girdle scones after church.
Washed most of the dishes as well as DW.

Started a new scarf. Not very pleased with it.

Zoo can you track back and see if you said or put a picture on here re decs.

Two ladies were talking about tree up and one not. I chipped in an said we have progress. They wanted to know what that meant. I said the ladder in the shed is now in the hall!

DH asked about tomorrow I suggested shopping. I want to go and buy the Booth bits of yummy stuff. He said”I’ll get the tree and decs down!” So now you know how to get the other half to co operate ...just threaten to take him shopping.
My feet still hurt. We stood for two hours, sang for 1 1/2.
Haven’t done dining room yet.

Has anyone used powertex?

Mc3209 · 06/12/2021 07:17

Red I like your tactics! Your Christmas tree progress made me chuckle 😊
Sing thanks, I am glad it will get better, gosh, can't wait for the time of no snot, no sick, and no explosive nappies.
Wassail took me a tick to recognise name change 😜 I have those days too where it can all WAIT.
Merry advent candle, you say. I like the concept!

Slowchimes · 06/12/2021 08:05

Morning all! Hope everyone had a good weekend. DD wasn't well so I ended up horsing around instead of her, which now means I am even more behind with cleaning schedule in house and I have so much to do I am a bit rabbit in headlights!, Lots of other stuff happening this week too. As ever, it was good to be with HoftheLongFace though bless him Grin

And I am late starting today with creaking knees but just came on to wish everyone a productive week! Will catch up with thread once I have actually achieved something!,

Take care everyone and have a good week! Flowers

Tally-hoooooooo! [SC takes a run up and launches herself physically at Mt Washmore.]

SingToTheSleigh · 06/12/2021 08:14

Morning

Ugh. That is all. Just… ugh.

po3.1
❗️Switch on laptop and PC, bit of research for meeting and set up for maths and meeting
❗️Quick shower and get dressed
❗️Breakfast