Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledglings bolt into Spring! Fresh air, fresh flowers, fresh sheets – No fledgling left behind…

708 replies

BeanAnTae · 30/01/2022 16:20

Thread starts on 1 February, but you are welcome to land and say hello until then
Thank you to Hills who has given us a tour-de-force thread for the deepest, darkest days of January when we were all flagging. We all know you are really busy and appreciate the time you took to go in depth with the baby steps.
Welcome to Flylady if you are a newbie or a regular fledgling– it is a zone based cleaning system, spread out over 4-6 weeks (depending on how the month falls.) The zones cover different areas of the home so we concentrate on a particular zone in a given week. But there is also a weekly hour of cleaning (can be split into 10 min segments) to make sure the bins are emptied, main areas hoovered, sheets changed – you get the drift…
And each day of the week has a focus – Thursday is errand day for example.

So , today is Tuesday 1 February – the first day of Spring if you are joining us in the North Hemisphere or Happy Autumn to those in the South. This thread brings you right up to Pancake Tuesday which is 1 March 2022.
Flylady site
This week we are in 2 Zones:
Zone 5: The Living Room
Zone 1: The Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room
February Habit: Decluttering for 15 Minutes a Day

Monday – Weekly Home Blessing
Tuesday – Plan and Play
Wednesday – Anti-Procrastination Day
Thursday – Errand Day
Friday – Clean-out your Purse and Car Day
Saturday – Family Fun Day
Sunday – Renew your Spirit Day

It is plan and play day on Tuesdays – I usually plan menus and things to do on Tuesdays but the system is customisable to what works for you and your life.
Feel free to jump onto the thread and post your To Do list of household and family stuff achieved and, if you like, post your Ta Da list when you’ve got stuff done. We all encourage each other along and we all have different lives, pressures etc and we are not at all precious about the system – it can be used as you see fit. For example I don’t clean my dining room in zone 1 as it’s part of my living area so I do it in zone 5.
There is a general mantra of ‘No fledgling left behind’ which basically means you can’t fall behind in the system – you just start up again. So there’s no need for a massive Spring Clean – you just jump in.
Some jargon has evolved over the years, for example – cherry waves was an autocorrect of cheery waves, the pointy stick ---> is sometimes requested if you are having particular problems with procrastination and the naughty corner which is where we collapse to take a break.
As well as ‘To Do’, I’m going to try ‘To Be’ because I’m a Human Being not just a Human Doing. So my aim is to be more present (on the thread and in my head!) and more positive. I live far north in the UK so it is pretty dark here at the moment and I am SO looking forward to more daylight. And a shiny sink!

[Exit stage left pursued by a child]

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
SingToTheSky · 19/02/2022 10:27

Not much of a family fun day here either! Had to persuade DD1 to go to her fave dance lesson - she isn’t able to do the show as she’s missed so much with her wrist, and it will be hard to be doing exam prep while everyone else is rehearsing over the next few weeks. But we talked about how she still has to show up and demonstrate maturity and commitment. Proud of her making the grown up decision in the end.

Usual lazy morning here, now Cagbunny has hopped back into her hutch I’ll go upstairs for a bit as DS has commandeered the tv for YouTube crap 🙄😴

I’m going to continue listening to Atomic Habits as I’ve neglected it for a couple of weeks now.

BeanAnTae · 19/02/2022 11:32

I saw that YouTube channel too wassail - amazing watching them hover into landing. But glad I wasn't on one!

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 19/02/2022 11:58

Family fun - supervising the people getting the car packed and leave HmmGrin

Got to say i am impressed with the people. They are getting proactive at looking as systems that are not working and figuring out sensible solutions. And they are getting settled into the structured not panicked method of packing the car with good communication. Back to the way it was when we were all little and we had touring holidays bouncing between localities. It is nice that there is no shouting and high level stress.

Wassailing Sorry you are having to put so much energy into getting FIL sorted - I hope that you are able to get it all sorted without too much stress.

Another one that watched the planes landing, impressed at the skill levels of the pilots, glad not to be on the planes.

ta da
get DW running
1 lol through machine
help find missing bits for the packing process
have several discussions about processes and plans that have nothing to do with the packing process
collect the crafting WIP that will be going downstairs to be completed in front of the wood fire tomo.
Wash up the bread tins
Make breakfast - flapjack mix
consider migraine meds - have headache in one eye from lack of sleep the last 2 weeks

To do - the collective tasks
tame kitchen
empty bathroom
deal with plants
sort paperwork
hoover through
laundry

Needles to say each of those has steps and sub tasks but yeah. busy day here once the people leave at one. But a quiet i am the only person in the house one.

merryhouse · 19/02/2022 12:17

Wild having moved from a tall-window place into a 60s box, we spent about ten years with curtains full of safety pins Blush before MiL finally cracked... (I had cut several inches off, I just never got round to the actual stitching).

TaDa
gave the shower "glass" a scrub with an almost-dead green scourer. Brainwave. Much better results than the cloth.
read a fifth book!
listed the leftover meat in the freezer
wrote menu plan for next month using up freezer stuff

ToDo
whizz the extra butter beans from Thursday and turn them into a pate
make felafel
damn, need to soak the chickpeas first
then cook them
and defrost the mint
work out when the oven will be on to cook some crackers for the pate (should have done that this morning, it will have to be tomorrow's dinner cook now)
make chicken soup
need to get chicken bits and leek out of freezer too
decide what to read next
ironing?

SingToTheSky · 19/02/2022 15:09

I’ve done my usual “relax all Saturday morning, then struggle to get going” thing. Oops. Pointy stick needed.

po3.1
❗️Find a safe space for nice clean storage boxes now they’re dry, so they’ll stay empty until I actually need them
❗️Make booking for work thing
❗️See if I can phone student finance

HazelNuttyElf · 19/02/2022 16:38

wassailing good luck with FIL & his paperwork. I couldn't imagine having to look through other people's papers, I have a hard enough time with ours!
Sing it sounds like cagbunny is settling in nicely, do you feel like you have a routine with her now?
hills that's good the people have finally grown up! Enjoy your time alone. How long are they gone for?
Sorry to hear about the storm affecting a lot of you, they really can be scary & destructive.

Sorry I've been AWOL this week. I've read along, but not had the time to type anything until now. Tuesday really wasn't very busy, I did get 4 LOLs done, including our sheets, which I've seemed to not put on right as my corner keeps popping off (fitted sheet) 😡
Thursday I texted DD asking her to wash the towels, in 2 loads so they smell fresh, I get home, one is done - by DS, so I did the 2nd that evening. I really need a talk with DD, she's home all day and not doing anything but watch TV all day. She's at work in the evenings, but she can manage an hour of housework, if that, during the day. I'll be having that chat with her later. Wish me luck.

I'm currently on a 4 day weekend! It's sunny outside, a little warmer than it has been and I'm itching to do some spring cleaning. I know that goes against flylady, but it's an urge that I'm not going to ignore!

Today's To Dos:
🎂 buy the few things I need to frost a cake (SILs birthday dinner tonight)
🎂 make said frosting & fruit compote for the cake
🎂 put cake together
🎂 shower, including defrosting legs
🎂 go swimming with family to hot spring about an hour away
🎂 rush home, get ready to go to ILs for dinner
🎂 pick SIL up and head to ILs for dinner tonight, taking cake with us

🍒👋 to everyone

swallowedAfly · 19/02/2022 16:57

Good luck with the talk Hazel Hot springs are actually worth defrosting legs for!

Not very productive here and still suffering with cold so have been doing the 'can be done from bed' jobs. Have been working on a unit of lessons I have to rewrite for my department and doing a bit of planning for Monday. I'm also cooking an early dinner as ds woke up mid afternoon and has declared himself starving and I realised I haven't eaten anything today and barely ate yesterday.

Felafel sounds good right about now Merry I will be in Egypt in about 6 weeks so will eat plenty then.

Sorry about the state of plaster Wassailing but well done on your productive day yesterday, now rest those knees!

Cheery waves to everyone else - on laptop so only have mn emojis to play with - leaving [coffee] Wine and Cake in naughty corner for anyone who needs it.

frankiefirstyear · 19/02/2022 19:48

I'm a bit lost with personals sorry, Friday date night for me which was wonderful as always 🥰

Thanks to those showing concern for situation with dc dad. My youngest wet the bed for first time since 2 years old! Not sure if she's also been rattled by the terrorising (through erratic contact and possibly my stress, though I try to shield the dc from it all). I'm trying to get advice on what I can legally do but won't be able to speak freely until Wednesday when I all dc's are in school.

So the bed wetting caused a mountain of washing (loads of teddies/cushions etc plus waterproof protector takes ages to dry!). I only have one airer so this will take a few days to turn it around, praying there's not a repeat tonight too 🙏 and I'm so tired after having dp staying over that I'm going to bed shortly myself, so baseline not achieved today but a wonderful night last night has kept me going feeling 🥰.

Wondering if bunny has cracked toilet training?

Can't remember who asked about hoarding but I'm terrible for hoarding things for dc. Once a month I go round the house with a big bag for life and pick up things that haven't been used, I then store it out of sight in downstairs loo dumping ground adding things as I sort through cupboards etc, then take to charity shop. I used to do this weekly but much better now I've caught up (took about 4 months) and basically I've stopped buying kids stuff, I now have a wish list in notes on iPhone and add to that if I see something I think they'd like. I ❤️ it on Very and Argos etc and if it comes on offer I might buy it to stash for birthday/Christmas, but I've found by the time xyz comes on offer, it's no longer wanted/suitable.

🍒👋 to everyone and hope the storm is kind to us all over next day or so!

HazelNuttyElf · 19/02/2022 19:52

Ta Das so far:
🎈 picked up the few things I needed from the grocery store
🎈 made fruit compote
🎈 made Marscapone frosting
🎈 put cake together (cake was in freezer)
🎈 made myself a low carb friendly dessert to take tonight
🎈 cleaned up kitchen, including rotating DW
🎈 eating small lunch

About to get into the shower now DD is done. I was hoping to do a workout before, but do not have time

BeanAnTae · 19/02/2022 22:31

wild I'm glad the baby steps are helping. Frankie that's a tremendous amount of laundry Shock I'm glad dp is treating you well. It's always lovely to have something to look forward to - some time away from dealing with kids!

sing no pointy stick for you. I think you keep forgetting all that you have been doing in work this week. Just take a break.

Swallowedafly - I am so jumping on that naughty corner cake. I'm trying to cut down on real life cake as it is finding its way to my hips!

MC - Grin I hope you have booked a really nice holiday this year. How did it go with the childcare and babysitting for ds?

I am 'in work' so to speak. My job is in the middle of a major change which is accelerating now. Very exciting and all that but I have to separate one part of the job from its old home which means splitting off tasks. Might have been easier pre covid but now there is a lot of catchup. So Ive new colleagues and a completely revamped transformed job. I'm sort of doing the paper clear up that wassail is doing for PIL. I think I am getting to the bottom of it but it is a large job. Grin. To that end dh has been keeping things going but I think I will hoover zone 4 tomorrow!

OP posts:
BeanAnTae · 19/02/2022 22:32

aw crikey - my post with the links has disappeared! The Bermuda triangle for posts!

OP posts:
BeanAnTae · 19/02/2022 22:33

www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0&d=1 - we are in zone 4 which is the master bedroom.

Baby step 20 - weave a load of laundry into the morning and evening routine www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-20/

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 19/02/2022 22:41

Hmm fair point bean it is quite easy to forget the work stuff, as TBF it is mostly quite easy, and fun, but then there is also a lot to take in. And this month I’m already into overtime.

Cagbunny is definitely settling in Hazel I’m in a fairly decent routine so far, it’s easy to change her litter tray/hay/water/nuggets every day but want a better routine for veggies and a proper hutch clean (she is good with the tray frankie but not trying to change her hutch yet as she’s only been with us two weeks). Also want to have a proper set up for storing the hay, food etc but getting there gradually!

Fledglings bolt into Spring! Fresh air, fresh flowers, fresh sheets – No fledgling left behind…
frankiefirstyear · 19/02/2022 22:52

She's lovely! Does she only poop in the tray now then?

SingToTheSky · 19/02/2022 22:54

YesTaDa
🚂fair bit of work including a few bits I’d procrastinated about
🚂Cagbunny care
🚂collected a lot of rubbish and recycling
🚂cleaned bunny run and toy
🚂cleaned some baskets

ta da
👻audiobook
👻tesco order
👻grammar/spellcheck on DH’s article
👻phoned student finance
👻bit of digital decluttering
👻uni stuff

Should go to bed. Caglets are bafflingly doing exercise videos together - all fun and games except when DS managed to fall on DD1’s recently healed wrist! But she’s fine now and DS got a laugh when he declared that his Abs are Abs Ent.

BeanAnTae · 19/02/2022 22:57

She's so sweet sing ❤️

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 19/02/2022 23:02

Yeah she’s not too bad really, the previous owners had her from tiny and she has a tray with sawdust and newspaper that she has always gone in. Obviously the rest of the hutch still gets messy. Wondering about having two trays so it’s easier to clean between changes 🧐 but then I do want to change to a fleece thing instead as was recommended upthread!

SingToTheSky · 19/02/2022 23:04

The bits on the mat in front of her are her dried food she has a bit of in the evening, despite looking like something else 🤣

God I need to exercise. The Caglets are putting me to shame. I miss doing yoga and gym!

HazelNuttyElf · 20/02/2022 00:09

Sing cagbunny is so adorable 😍 DS is so witty 🤣 great play on words. I agree with Bean you are working a lot now so need some downtime to recoup.
Frankie that does sound like a mountain of laundry 🤞 for no more accidents.
Bean sounds like a tough situation at work, but it also sounds like you have a plan for it.

We just got done swimming, before we left I had realised I hadn't wrapped SILs gifts yet, so I hurried and got them wrapped before DH got home from work so we could leave.
We need to stop by the grocery store again on the way home, DD wants her cheese sauce, we don't have enough cream cheese for it and need a new cheese grater since the handle broke off the one we have currently. Ugh. And I forgot my bra whilst packing my bag for after swimming (wore my swimsuit there) 🤦‍♀️ at least I'm not heavy chested, but still doesn't feel right

Redsquirrel5 · 20/02/2022 01:07

Your welcome Wild

Bit of tidying up here after pancakes for breakfast no bacon though.

Can’t remember.
Made welsh cakes.
Sent email to lady I met who rubs shoulders with Mary Berry, Carol Kline, several other gardeners including Alan Titchmarsh. My friend and I are going to visit her in spring hopefully.

Made Welsh Cakes x2 for afternoon tea. Ed a lady put them on the Everhot site. I see there is a new marine blue on there. Watched part of Matilda while I knitted some more scarf for Dsis. Mass. I am on an art class in the morning. Gather together some stuff for tomorrow.
Bed after Casualty. Have restless bloody legs now. Blood pressure up I think as heart galloping along.
Tired. Got restless legs now and BP was up today

WildPoinsettia · 20/02/2022 01:16

Aww Cagbunny 🐇 , so sweet!

You've all been busy. Me not so much. Two lots of laundry and a trip to the nature reserve, nothing much to see but nice to get some fresh air and it was very peaceful.

Thanks for the hoarding tips.

The wind is getting up here now. Must go to bed.

Ladyrattles · 20/02/2022 01:44

TaDa

Smilebraved the metro centre to restock on toiletries on the journey back from taking eldest's friend to coach station. It was strangely quiet in there this afternoon.
Smilespent ages looking for a printer wire in the garage 'wires' box but I must have been too zealous with my decluttering. However I found a load of other stuff I was looking for so it wasn't a wasted half hour.
Smilepaid the council tax as they have finally banded the new house
Smileyet again organised the weekly online event with friends as I seem to have been relegated to group secretary
Smilefiled a load of paperwork
Cakeyesterday I completed the weekly flylady zone tasks for the week

Not tackled the guest bedding to wash yet. Tomorrow I'm hoping to set up the new garden hose and cut up the one good section of the old one for the pressure washer so DH doesn't have to turn the car round half way.

Ladyrattles · 20/02/2022 01:58

Wild very brave of you to go walking in this weather. A nature reserve sounds really lovely to visit for some peace and quiet.

Red what kind of art class is it? I'm impressed with your baking & knitting.

Hazel when our grater broke I went out and bought two and it's been really handy when one is in the dishwasher. Hope DD got her cheese sauce.

Sing that bunny is simply adorable. Very envious

Bean I'm imagining you under a giant pile of paper.

Frankie hope you are managing with all the extra washing.

Waves to everyone Brew

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 20/02/2022 07:18

Hazel hope your SIL enjoyed her cake! Erk about forgetting your bra, I could never get away with that.

Sing you are doing so much more than previously, you must allow yourself time to adjust.

Bean separating bits of jobs that have previously been enmeshed is a bit of a nightmare. Good luck.

Hills I'm really glad the People are rediscovering some skills, before you had to batter them.

Ladyrattles hurrah for zone completion.

Wild nature-reserve peace sounds ideal at present.

Frankie extra washing is a nightmare. Hope you can get it dry.

YesTaDa:
❤️ 7.5 hrs sorting FIL's papers. Most of it is rubbish. Oldest document dates to a savings account in £.s.d from 1965. Stack of stuff that needs keeping is less than 6 inches high. Four full recycling boxes of stuff to burn generated. Still not finished.

So, we're trying to finish it today, but there are also other things to do:
🧺 Weekend laundry - bedlinen
🪡 Make lemon meringue pie for teatime
🧺 Roast pork etc, with cauliflower cheese
🪡 Walk dog
🧺 Clear more stuff from study
🪡 Menu / shopping list / Tesco shop order
🧺 Weekly planning / set up
🪡 Write to dear friend's widower. Woke up at 5.30 thinking about this, again, so I need to just get on with it.

But first, pancakes. Because I can.

HillsBesideTheSea · 20/02/2022 09:22

[Shock] i wouldn't batter them. Too many food allergies for that...
Going to be honest it all fell apart before they left, and by the time they left I had a sicky migraine - which is an unusual kind for me. Normally i just get can't see out of my eyes, or move some muscle group migraines.

Spent the day in bed pretty much yesterday, but the people are away 2 weeks.

So.... I have started today with dubious decisions and my double duvet is currently in the bath washing because it is too big for the washing machine. This may go well or it may be terrible! However, the old fashioned grape treading method works well on it.

ta da
fix the doorbell that decided to go off randomly this morning despite having been stuck apparently since Friday Hmm
duvet into bath tub for washing
stretch and pop everything so i have some minimal range of movement.
Find the clean clothes so I can get dressed - I have actually be a grownup and have clean washing!
Drink coffee
Realise there is only 1 week left of feb pretty much and i need to set up March in my bujo
strip the rest of the bedding off my bed.