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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
Stilllivinginazoo · 08/12/2021 12:03

I'm not poking heavily pregnant lady either
Well church clean didn't happen as the lady with keys has covid in her house.her adult sons are v poorly(they moved back after failed relationships) and she's late 70s and currently ok.hope stays that way as she is like family☹️
Did shop
Didn't do much else

Today's been a non starter
Dd2 still aching hips and knees,painful armpit and exhaustion.shes super ratty today as very tired but can't sleep.hoping these post Vax symptoms bugger off soon so she can go back to school as she's very miserable and cantankerous!!
Lil zoo has migraine
DS wouldn't get up after another badly handled situation at school yesterday.
All three at home and grumpy😭

SingToTheSleigh · 08/12/2021 12:10

po3.3
❗️Add up work stuff for rest of term and see what needs doing
❗️Get DS to sort dishwasher and make lunch (he likes cooking pasta!) and then put his laundry away
❗️Start sorting clean laundry

StillFestive · 08/12/2021 12:25

Send the grumpy Zoolets to me Zoo since I’m grumpy anyway Grin. Thanks for the ginger biscuits.

Hope you still managed sufficient blanket snuggling time Sing.

I did some things:
❄️ Last decorations sorted and boxes away.
❄️ bathroom unit dusted and tidied. Decluttered a little bit and sorted the little cleaning product basket too.
❄️ living room straightened up
❄️ got out Christmas craft things for card making when DD is home
❄️ Laundry
❄️ emptied DW and put breakfast things in
❄️ tidied DD’s room

To do:
⚠️ Find DD’s dance clothes (class is straight from school run which is straight after MW appointment)
⚠️ Carry up pile of clean clothes/random crap I’ve dumped on the bottom of the stairs
⚠️ empty bathroom and bedroom bins
⚠️ few minutes tidying larder as it’s gone to pot.

HalfHolly · 08/12/2021 12:28

I think you may be nesting still 😉

HillsBesideTheSea · 08/12/2021 12:54

You i had issues with getting my covid vaccine cos no one would stick a needle in my arm.

Not so with the flu. Questioned if elligible on NHS with med change otherwise would stalk a private vaccine again yesterday. Answer get thee butt to vaccine centre today. So needless to say, I feel like crap again. But I am amused by the total dicotomy of the whole situation.

Stilllivinginazoo · 08/12/2021 14:54
IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 08/12/2021 16:12

You need to tie the string on the parcel tighter next time, zoo!

I have achieved nothing today. Crashed and burned after delivering DD a birthday yesterday. Went back to bed after lunch to garner enough energy to boil potatoes for cottage pie and collect DD from school at 4.45, calling in at Tesco on the way home. Supposed to be my dog walk tonight but may need to invoke the I Can't paragraph.

HalfHolly · 08/12/2021 17:24

Ah Hills at least it was not your butt that got jabbed but I do understand that feeling crappy will be par for the course now. Hope it is not prolonged and that people are not too peopley so that you can recover.

Wassail (sternly but kindly) you have had dd's birthday, all that organisation, cake baking and the associated propping up in the aftermath - that is a lot to achieve. Ditto running to and fro today.

You are still in recovery after surgery and the complications. Slow down.

Wassailhound can be walked by another human.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 08/12/2021 19:06

Thank you HalfHolly (which half, incidentally?), I have been very sensible and asked for help. DS3 did the kitchen tidying for me and DH has taken WassailHound out. The cottage pie is in the oven, and is only cheats' cottage pie anyway - Sunday's beef whizzed up and mixed with gravy with mashed potato slapped on top and a bit of grated cheese. Will serve with peas and baked beans for the illusion of health.

I was also honest with DM today that I can't do visits at all this Christmas, I need to rest. She understands .

HalfHolly · 08/12/2021 19:26

Not the spiky bit, the berry bit!

SingToTheSleigh · 08/12/2021 20:55

You’re definitely the nicer half Half 😘

Have been tidying the living room a bit although a lot of stash and dashing going on.

po3.4
❗️Register with student loans and write down customer number. Might submit online which would complete my registration with OU I think
❗️Make and send homework/zoom link
❗️Listen to audiobook

Slowchimes · 08/12/2021 22:28

[Distributes fluffy blankets, comfy pillows, ginger tea to everyone suffering with post-jab malaise, advanced pregnancy related symptoms, post-surgery fatigue, migraine, wheezing and various viral ailments.] Hope you all feel much better soon Brew Flowers

Long day in office. Wore proper office clothing for once which was a novelty! I was there at 7.30 am to do Teams conference related admin for five and a half hours straight. Followed by two more Zoom calls and lots of post/billing. Returned home at 8.20pm. Tiring but compressing my hours means I now have Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun straight for cleaning and organising.

Also:

  • packed and sent one of the very few parcels I am sending from here this year
-wrote one of six Very Important Lists -put two loads of washing on -cooked quick pasta supper

Great that your dm was understanding Wassail as those sorts of convos can be tricky!
I had the same thought as Halfholly that you are nesting StillFestive Grin That's a great ta da list!
Hope church lady and sons ok Zoo and sorry that zoolets were not on good form today. Hope tomorrow better for them and you Flowers
Halfholly we always support the RNLI when in Blighty! They do amazing work!

G'night all. So tired I can't think straight and loads of choring awaits in the morning!

Slowchimes · 08/12/2021 22:37

PS Please send barrels of motivation in the morning. (You can tell how bad the state of my house is when doing mind numbingly dull office admin. seems preferable to chores.)

Redsquirrel5 · 08/12/2021 23:52

Sing a belated happy birthday I hadn’t read all the thread. I was dozing off so just posted quickly. Sorry you have been ill. Hope you recover soon and can have a treat later.

Hills I write mine in batches. Australian& New Zealand. Scotland. England. Church. Friends. I have presents for close friends so the card goes with it. This way it isn’t so overwhelming or time consuming. Or do what a lot of people do now and don’t send any and donate to a charity. I think people accept this.

That I think I have the lurgy. Had to miss a lunch I was looking forward to going to, worse part was that I had to pay for it.

Felt nauseous most of the day worse this morning. Stomach ache.
I have a medical condition which flares up now and then and the symptoms are similar. There was a buffet at the quiz though I only had a few things I wondered if something had upset me. Just had a piece of toast last night and today I had a ginger biscuit and about 9pm some vegetable soup.

Haven’t done much.
S&S
LOL
Put away a few things.

HalfHolly · 09/12/2021 07:56

Definitely take it easy Red. Sounds like toast and ginger biscuits are the right thing. Hope you are feeling a little better this morning.

(Rolls barrel of motivation into naughty corner)

Errand Thursday - husband to get more wrapping paper and labels. 🎶Delegation, delegation, delegation's what you need🎶 (to the tune of Record Breakers by Roy Castle - dedication's what you need)

Have asked DH what's for dinner.

I'm off to work later - negative lateral flow.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 09/12/2021 07:58

Sorry, neglectful thread leader here again. Can't stop, back in a bit....

OP posts:
HalfHolly · 09/12/2021 08:00

My cards are done now - ugly white printed postage page sellotaped to them. Customs' forms on backs of those going to Ireland or elsewhere 😳 (writes repetitively - Christmas card, no value, then signs name. Tempted to write - with 2g of cocaine for Aunt Jo but thought better of it. Better not draw attention)

HalfHolly · 09/12/2021 08:01

Not mistress ed - I was just talking to myself and getting organised when mentioning errand Thursday. I had to think hard about what day it is.

HalfHolly · 09/12/2021 08:02

No STRESS not mistress 😳

Slowchimes · 09/12/2021 08:14

Haha Halfholly about the cocaine notation! GrinGrin And thanks for motivation barrel, just untapping it now! We have received a few cards from.UK so far without any charges (which is correct but charges have been applied so arbitrarily to date post Brexit you never know) , so maybe the powers that be are enacting a Christmas amnesty! Fingers crossed!

Hands over plate of melba toast and weak lemonade to RedSquirrel hope you feel better soon. Take it steady.

Have a productive day everyone and no stress ED! I think we know the links by now! Smile

SingToTheSleigh · 09/12/2021 08:47

Morning all! Still feeling rubbish here but definitely not as bad as I often am when I get colds/wheezing etc so the medicine is clearly worth it.

Last night I managed a bit more Christmas shopping and, rather than just registering with student finance, I actually properly applied for my student loan and thus completed my registration with OU! YAY!!! 🤩 I am of course a bit panicked as to how on earth I’ll fit in studying on top of everything else (any tips that? 🙏) but it’s now or never I think. And although the first course isn’t particularly exciting it’ll be worth it to get to the next bit.

po3.1
❗️Breakfast, meds, painkillers
❗️Curl up on sofa under blanket
❗️Make some decisions re presents

merryhouse · 09/12/2021 09:11

I am up. Which doesn't sound much of an achievement but the rest of the household are still in bed so.

I have whole glasses which aren't going to fall off. I think the minor difference in prescription is an improvement. It's difficult to tell, what with the aftermath of my hole and the varifocal compromises, but I shall get used to it. I always do... ha, that reminds me of the time I made the optician sound exasperated (hashtag LifeGoals) by claiming I couldn't tell the difference between With and Without "actually a very strong lens!"

I did some laundry
I have more Christmas cards.
I have more Christmas presents (one bought yesterday, others finally arrived in parcel)

ToDo
some flying?
finish sorting Christmas presents
ask siblings thoughts on meeting up
make pies

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 09/12/2021 11:24

Right. Had best face the day, I suppose.

Ta da:
❤️ Woke up at 6.30 as DH had a customer call at 7am
🧡 Fed DS3
💛 Did half a Pilates class and stopped because I was tired
💚 Now in the bath hiding from the world.

To do:
🐧 Write Christmas cards
🎄 Do extra client research
⛄ Get salmon out of the freezer for dinner
🎅 Sort and hand out clean washing.

All very basic, frankly.

Red sorry you are feeling unwell. @TheHoneyBadger, not seen you for a bit, hope you are powering towards the end of term.

SC just take it gradually.

HillsBesideTheSea · 09/12/2021 11:35

would someone like to explain how exactly it is the 9th december already?

More builders tomo. Prep work for them today. I am sooooo over building work and we are not done yet for the year.

Have email conversation with tutor as my studies have been neglected this last month with all the bat shittery. She has agreed that next year is a good time to pick up, personally I would like to try to pick it up sooner because i need that focus. But it wont be this week.

SingToTheSleigh · 09/12/2021 12:08

God knows how hills

Not achieving much today other than online browsing/shopping and basically spending too much money 🙈