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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
HalfHolly · 06/12/2021 08:28

Horizontal rain up here. Another storm on the way for the west.

It sure feels like Monday

Redsquirrel5 · 06/12/2021 09:06

I woke up early. Before 8am😳I had a mug from last night tea so have just used the old tea maker and had a cup of chai. I fancied lemon and ginger but only had echinacea or Earl Grey tea bags. Now I feel like going back to sleep but ought to get up. Car doors are slamming so must be school time. I haven’t looked out but it sounds wet.

MC glad it made you chuckle. He is threatening to go up the loft today.
The sitting room needs cleaned first and I need to get candles out because we keep them in the cupboard bey the fire...the corner where the tree goes.

sing lemon and 🍯 hope you get rid of it quickly.

To do
Remove crap from my corner of sitting room. Vacuum.Dust
Ditto dining room.

Home bleugh will have to wait. At least an hours ironing. Mix up the fridge cake and put it in. Start another DS2 has decided he would like one.
Sounds awful Holly might get up for a peep now.

HillsBesideTheSea · 06/12/2021 09:10

hope you feel better sing
Good speed SC
It does indeed feel like a monday Half

So i found my control journal yesterday. Past me was organised!

Hightlights of the day yesterday? Playing hunt the leak. Giant puddle inside a cupboard and no source for it

Ds woke me with a start as he is off to school today and needed a mask.

I need to get moving but burnout is strong. And as i was seriously over caffinated yesterdays the most amount of coffee that is wise today is half a cup.

If there is a gently shaking pile of laundry in the naughty corner I may have fallen asleep in it rather than ironing it. Hmm

Redsquirrel5 · 06/12/2021 09:12

Same here Holly dark over Pennines breezy and storm coming says DH. I have just started with a headache damn. DH has brought me a mug of tea so staying here for present.

🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋👋🍒to everyone.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 06/12/2021 09:15

Morning SC, sorry to hear DD wasn't well and you've had to add even more things to your list.

DH and I pulled our socks up last night and got everything done - it took an hour and 15 minutes!

Today is birthday prep day (principal issue - cake!) and DS3's maths test day (principal issue - panic). Just fortifying myself with a Cornish pasty from the bakers before I dive in!

👋🍒 all, and I hope bugs are gone soon!

SingToTheSleigh · 06/12/2021 10:55

Thanks, bit sneezy but nothing too bad now I’m more awake!
Maths was good, meeting was good - had been nervous about the latter as my colleague couldn’t make it, but I think it was a good thing overall because it forced me to just get on with it myself and not overthink it.

po3.2
❗️Change tops and then put another LOL on
❗️Find glue and make sure DS gets on with chemistry homework while I have a proper breakfast
❗️Clean planner board (better late than never)

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 06/12/2021 11:16

Ta da:
❤️ DD's nails painted for last day of volunteering in Y3
🧡 DD driven to volunteering
💛 Bun run on the way home
💚 I hrs maths revision with DS3
💙 2 * LOL
💜 Sandwich cakes baked and cooling
❤️ Hemisphere cake 1 baking
🧡 Kitchen rediscovered under thin film of SR flour

SingToTheSleigh · 06/12/2021 12:51

po3.3
❗️Set DS up with some English and maths
❗️Send zoom link and practice sheets to pupil
❗️Find email from OU and read it

Stilllivinginazoo · 06/12/2021 13:06

For red

Fledglings Flying into the Festive Season
Fledglings Flying into the Festive Season
Stilllivinginazoo · 06/12/2021 13:07

*disclaimer.rest house is usual shit tip,but I have one surface that is clear and social media worthy!!

Slowchimes · 06/12/2021 13:33

Oh lawd. Someone pin me to the wall and shake me. I am in full "rabbit in headlights" panic mode. Dithering from one thing to next, not finishing it, starting another thing, not finishing that.

Or alternatively I am on sitting on office floor with fingers in my ears, rocking, not doing anything, wishing it all away.

I go through this insane battle with myself every fooking Christmas. You would think I would learn with age wouldn't you?

I KNOW that just doing SOMETHING, whatever that may be, and finishing it, will be helpful in the long term. I also know that if I put the hours in now, there will be time to get everything done. And this year isn't even that complicated tbh! It's easy really!

Why can't I just be normal like other people? Why do I build up this huge mental barrier to simply getting stuff done?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! [Pokes self in rear with rusty medieval pike]

Slowchimes · 06/12/2021 13:34

Zoo darlin', your mantel looks so lovely Star

Slowchimes · 06/12/2021 13:35

Sorry, will catch up.with rest of thread when back from toy shop!

Stilllivinginazoo · 06/12/2021 13:37

My brain fog is so bad I've forgotten everything else except hills needs a hug and a fuck it to everything pass and
That hope the booster meh passes fast(dd1 trying book ours currently and dreading it based how bad I felt other two)

Current sitch-dd2 curled on sofa with 2nd jab mehs.sleot til lunchtime and still feels like been fun over

Yesterday dad came and he ordered most stuff still on Xmas lists for zoolets
I need get tape and make start wrapping what we have
Ment be cleaning church tom

I've slept away chunk this morning.i was planning book doc app as this is start seriously piss me off be so exhausted all the time but surgery currently got issues staff illness(again) so that's not possible.ffs

Must work on D's scarf
Lol zoo and D's had breakfast/chivvied get ready for school
1lol nearly ready drier
S+s bathroom

THATlittleCRACKER · 06/12/2021 13:38

zoo that is so pretty ⭐

Thrilled to report i no longer feel like death 🧟‍♀️ jab was pfizer

Ta da
🎅 all up fed dressed out for 845
⭐ lunch made and eaten
🐧 wash on x2
🌲 dryer on x2
☃️ kitchen bin out
🎅 ordered more presents from amazon
⭐ nipped shop for couple bits and more presents
🐧wrapped presents (total now = 16)
🌲dw empty and reloaded
☃️ started tesco order
🎅 bottles washed and sterilised

HillsBesideTheSea · 06/12/2021 13:55

SC you are not alone.

I have just convinced the people we are taking the same approach Zoo Lounge will be tidy, cleaned AND decorated today! The rest will wait. It will be done one room at a time and it will be fine. The whole house does not need to be straight to start and once started it will be motivating to help finish.

there is a lot of stress in the house, sigh. but all tempers kept and communication efficient, so that is a major win in a house of hot headed people that react first and think second. Shock

SingToTheSleigh · 06/12/2021 14:13

Aah SC the rabbit in headlights feeling is all too familiar here. Although a little bit better since my lovely ADHD meds 🤣 mmmm dopamine

Power of three is always a good one although I know sometimes it’s hard to even decide what to put on that three!

po3.4
❗️Unpack and organise/hide presents which arrived in the mail, and update phone list accordingly
❗️Phone OU!!! I hadn’t missed anything before, the system just hasn’t been updated so should be a simple task to actually enrol.
❗️Email volunteer supervisor to change next call

SingToTheSleigh · 06/12/2021 15:28

Registration done other than student loan bit. Yay!

po3.5
❗️Move laundry on and get DS to sort his
❗️Bit of present hunting… still stumped for a couple of people
❗️Recycling

StillFestive · 06/12/2021 16:26

Ooh lots of festive preparations going on! We put our decorations up yesterday and it feels lovely and cozy.

SC definitely not confusing you with anyone else - you always sound very busy but like Christmas Day at yours would be lovely. Glad you have an easier Christmas this year though. I can leap from one thing to another without finishing anything too. I drive myself mad. We lost part of the roof during the storm the other week but most of the house is still dry except the newly decorated nursery. We came off lightly compared to some near us though (we also have people in the vicinity still without power Hope, and weather warnings for tomorrow Sad)

Hope those fledglings or family with lurgy/jab side effects/generally feeling shit are able to rest and get well soon.

I’ve been grocery shopping today, and also completed my Christmas shopping with the exception of one lot of vouchers I need to order online. One more wrapping session should finish it all. I wrote and posted a few cards today too. Insurance claim is sorted as of yesterday so just need someone to come and do the actual fixing off the roof. We are going to leave the repainting until after Christmas. Otherwise I’ve just stayed on top of my basic routines over the last few days and decluttered many seasonal treats Hoping I wake tomorrow feeling motivated to clean

Redsquirrel5 · 06/12/2021 18:37

Oh Stillfestive what a shame about nursery. Hope you can get someone to fix it soon and nothing happens during this next storm.

Zoo that looks lovely, very pretty. Glad himself is pulling his finger out.

SC hugs.

That glad you are picking up you have done loads. DH was unwell after the booster Pfizer.

I haven’t got very far. Sitting room and dining room look an absolute tip. DH had ideas so that took longer as emptied the bedding box/ coffer then put most back. Kept some fabric out to make a skirt or two. Found some curtains and fancy changing them as rich reds and green and other colours large poppies. Haven’t had them up for ages.

Took all the wine out of the cupboard as the tree goes in that corner. Built in cupboard. Cleaned all the area that it was moved to and washed decanters and found a nice tray to put them on. Sniffed to see what was in two. Other empty might put sherry in there( it is for the cake) and sorted some shelves in another cupboard. Dozed off this afternoon and slept for about an hour. I woke up with a headache and it has been coming and going all day. It has gone now.

I am going to a quiz tonight. So just going to leave the mess until tomorrow. Found some stuff I can take to Ladies evening at church for flower arranging.
Going to gather candles up. Could do with a box to put them in.

Stilllivinginazoo · 06/12/2021 18:50

Scyou are not alone lovely
Can you pick really tiny tasks and write them down?as you tick off it gives a sense of achievement
Some people work better going around one room,others are better doing a bit in each so don't get bored.just do which works better for you
We are always here with pom poms to cheer you on!!

I am ment to be in all-day tom for deliveries
I am ment to be at church to clean first thing
I am ment to be going shopping tom
Fuckity fuck

merryhouse · 06/12/2021 19:16

Over a decade ago I decided I should make a Huge List of Christmas Things To Do.

Finally got it vaguely sorted for Christmas 2017, which was the last one we spent in the way of the previous 12 years.

Yay for registration success sing!

Got up
squeezed overnight bags into car
travelled up the A1 (not the best idea today, it has to be said)
got call from MiL just as we got in to say S2 has left his laptop. Fortunately it's his secondary laptop which he was using to watch videos, and he didn't seem bothered
Thawed soup for very late lunch
Watched last episode of Dr Who - S2 has not been watching it so we waited till he'd gone out
interrupted by MiL calling to ask if text is a scam (spoiler: yes)
dabbed some glue on candle holder to stop it wobbling
Softened Advent candle on radiator and persuaded it to stand upright Smile
Attempted same with an Advent Ring candle but they must be made differently because this one just snapped Sad - will need to go into loft for another at some point before Sunday
made chili and jacket potatoes

THATlittleCRACKER · 06/12/2021 20:32

I want chilli ffs

One of the dc has been sick ffs

Urgh. Life. Ffs

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 06/12/2021 21:08

Oh no That, not more sicky DC!

Sorry about the headache Red, hope it has gone now.

StillFestive what a shame about the paint in the nursery. I suppose it's a blessing Stilletto hasn't arrived quite yet, so you can repaint after Christmas if you like.

SC I'm really sorry you're struggling. Zoo's idea of ticking off tiny tasks is a good one. I'd also suggest you reset before you start with a very hot cup of tea or coffee and half an hour with a book or a piece of music you know so well you don't really need to read / listen to it. Just take your brain off the hook for 30 minutes and process things at a slower speed. Which reminds me, I must get Frederica (Georgette Heyer) out again for this purpose myself!

Zoo I'm beginning to think cloning might be your only option.

Ta da (from this morning)
❤️ Washed our bottom sheet and my pillow case again after DH let muddy WillowHound up on the bed this morning 🤬
🧡 Baked and iced and iced and baked. Picture of DD's 17th birthday cake attached.
💛 Took DD in for afternoon school
💚 Went for neck physio
💙 Collected DD again
💜 Taught DS3 to do proper wrapping, and got him to buy into the idea of waste-free wrapping this Christmas (gift bags that have been rotating round the family for at least a decade, and fabric wrapping)
❤️ Ate spaghetti Bolognese that DH assembled
🧡 Helped DH reply to an email from FIL in short sentences and without leaving any room for misunderstanding or whingeing.
💛 Retired for a rest.

As soon as DD has gone to bed, I shall go downstairs to help DH put the Birthday Room together, then I'm taking me off the hook til tomorrow!

Fledglings Flying into the Festive Season
Slowchimes · 06/12/2021 22:03

Ahhh thank you everybody, for your kind words and support, which is very much appreciated! I have actually done a few things today, whoohoo, and reading all of your kind comments helped me to calm down a bit! As did listening to some favourite Irish music. The rocking in the office earlier was admittedly a tad over-dramatic! Grin

The reason I am panicking is because with all resources, time etc having been focused on wreck two of late, and dh wfh, and the summer for various reasons having been a choring write off, wreck one is in a right old state. And I loathe organising Christmas stuff on top of all of the chaos of undone laundry and clutter and messy rooms. But I've kind of realised today that it is how it is and I need to finagle Christmas somehow and get a few areas decent and then start properly on the rest in the NY. I am utterly crap at prioritising though! My brain can't do it! Especially when there are lots of other external , general & office things going on.

Ta da:
walked dogs
brought down laundry from all areas of house in to laundry room
washed white towels and undies
triaged dirty laundry (this took ages)
TD wet washing
tried to book appt for booster jab and couldn't find one that I can go to (will try again tomorrow)
did some project planning
served soup & mini bacon sandwiches for everyone
texted and rang friend to sort arrangements
texted friend of friend for address
rang other friend to say thank you
went to toy shop and bought five small presents for small people in my life Smile (wanted to stay longer but needed to get back)
did some admin related to probate process for friend
unpacked Christmas delivery and put away supplies
found missing laptop and plugged in to charge
walked dogs
emptied dw
made appt with dh this week to sort office presents
paper recycling
made massive shaved carrot, flat leaf parsley, fennel, red pepper, potato and rocket salad with honey and orange vinaigrette to eat with leftover cold chicken for supper (dd still with us)

Still to do:
order photos
fill wms for tomorrow
address thank you card
pack parcel rtn
wrap and label some presents
address advent calendars (late)
tidy kitchen\shine sink
organise cleaning help before ChristmasChristmas
text elderly friendfriend
contact architect
make flu jab appts

Back in a bit with personals!