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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Flip, flap, the Fledglings are back! April 2022 Flylady thread, all welcome!

456 replies

SingToTheSky · 31/03/2022 20:38

Hello everyone, and welcome to the April Flylady thread!
We welcome newbies and returnees - if you are curious about the system feel free to ask questions or lurk! We do follow it, erm, loosely to say the least. So there is a lot of chat about random life stuff as well as housework, decluttering and organising.

A key element of flylady is not being a perfectionist!
I don’t think the regulars would mind me saying that most of us here are not naturals at housekeeping etc, so please don’t feel we are some intimidating group who demand perfectly shined sinks. We are human. We fall off the wagon. We commiserate and help each other climb back on, and we stock the virtual naughty corner with snacks and blankets for the days when adulting is just too hard.

So, the system:
🔹Some baby steps which are designed to help you build up a routine.
🔹Daily missions to help with sprucing up particular areas in the zones, for example the first zone of the month is the entry/porch and dining room if you have one.
🔹Try and do 15 minutes decluttering a day. It didn’t get cluttered in a week so it will take a lot longer to clear it!
🔹Daily focuses to help shape the week.
🔹Here on the thread many of us post to do lists, but also “ta da” lists of things we’ve achieved that day.
🔹We also recommend the Power of Three technique - if you’re overwhelmed with too much to do, just pick three things and don’t think about the rest.

Anyway, I will post some links each day (hopefully) but whether you follow the system or not - many of us just take the bits we like or build our own flylady style system to suit our own lives - do join in if you want a place to chat about keeping a house and family running!

Finally, thank you hugely to the lovely willow for steering us beautifully through March! 💐

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
BeanAnTae · 26/04/2022 12:07

Also my hearing aids have a lovely new welcome tune and there is an app that controls them 😁. It also has a handy find hearing aid function. (Does dance)

TidyHouse2022 · 26/04/2022 12:13

Tbh, I leave brambles in strategic corners and along our fence to repel cats and any other intruders. An added bonus is that the fruit is delicious stirred into a little plain yogurt, or on its own straight from the bush.

MrTidyHouse is away with LB to a hospital appointment. I'm hoping no-one mentions parents or heredity. He'll shut them down quickly if they do, but LB doesn't deserve the upset.

A teacher did a lovely thing yesterday. He sent a message to everyone in the class about an activity, and said to ask "...your adult at home..." which was so thoughtful. Much better than feeling the LOs tensing up with every message that refers to "Parent/Guardian".

BeanAnTae · 26/04/2022 12:39

Lovely teacher mrstidyhouse. You'd be Mrstidyhoose in NE Scotland!

BloomingHazel · 26/04/2022 17:38

Up I would love to clean your car! I do actually enjoy it, a little far for me to go though 🤣
Wild I'm not sure if there is an equivalent over there, but I've attached a pic of the stuff I use. Once dry you just vacuum it up with a regular vacuum

Ta Das so far:
✂️ cooked DH his eggs for the week
✂️ haircut & dye for me (I had a lot chopped off and added a lot more blonde in my hair) it feels good to make a change!

That's it so far. I say down to finish my coffee that I took with me, but need to get my sheets in the washer.

I will need to meal prep today as well. It's a little dreary out there, but not too cold so it's hard to get motivated to do anything today.

zoo it sounds like you're starting to feel yourself again, hopefully you're feeling much better.

Flip, flap, the Fledglings are back! April 2022 Flylady thread, all welcome!
SingToTheSky · 26/04/2022 20:09

I think I would quite enjoy cleaning a car if we had one! Nice activity for kids to help with too.

Have been sneezing all day and my throat is scratchy, I’m shivery etc so I am feeling immensely grumpy and sorry for myself. 😳

OP posts:
BeanAnTae · 26/04/2022 20:17

Oh I'm sorry sing - you don't think it is Covid do you?

Dancingtomusic · 26/04/2022 20:45

Bean- hope your hearing aids are comfy.

Sing- hope you are feeling. You batch cooking sounds amazing.

Up- brill you are in routines of cleaning.
Willow- paper ticket! Yay!
Hazel that sounds so nice cooking with your dd.
Waves to everyone.
I am shattered- i volunteered at my first primary school today. I loved it.

TidyHouse2022 · 26/04/2022 21:37

LB got on really well today at the clinic. He is taking a real interest in his condition, and answered all the questions he was asked. No awkward questions either, which was great!

Somehow I've managed to get my ipad into into split screen mode without knowing how, and can't get out of it now no matter how much I search youtube and apple support.

i really must go to bed or go daft. I feel like stamping my feet and having a wee tantrum, lol!

hope you're all having more success than me with adulting today.

Oh I just thought of one good thing. I found a charity bag stuffed with clean black socks left behind by DS when he moved out last year. Phoned him to ask if he wants them. He said no and, I quote, he's buying "proper socks now". I'm not sure what a proper sock is, but I suspect he was trying to be polite and tell me that he doesn't want me buying him bits and pieces from Asda any more. So I blagged the best slightly shrunken ones for myself and LB. That was a kind of sideways declutter.

And I really am off to bed now! Nightt all.

StillUp · 26/04/2022 22:05

Grin At ‘proper socks’ Tidy. The Asda ones with the thick padded sole are the best ever in my humble opinion. Glad LB’s appointment went well.

Hope you feel better in the morning Sing. If I can’t have Hazel’s valeting skills then you’re welcome to let the DC loose on it.

I love that your hearing aid has a welcome tune Bean, I’m imaging a really happy little jingle.

First day of volunteering, how exciting Dancing. Hope it went well.

My day did not really go to plan. My DDad turned up unexpectedly this morning so ended up going for a walk with him and his dog (I didn’t mind, that was much better than housework). Then MiniUp was really clingy after her injections. Fine in herself but just didn’t want to be put down. DH took both DD’s for a walk after tea so I managed to get all downstairs floors hoovered and mopped, and also hoovered the stairs. I did some ironing before bed too. The pile is shrinking Smile

TidyHouse2022 · 26/04/2022 22:05

PS
Phew! One final search on youtube, and I found exactly what I needed to get rid of that split screen. Such a relief. I can relax now and get to sleep.

Dancingtomusic · 27/04/2022 00:19

Tidy- weldone for finding out how to get back a single screen.
Up- hope mini up is feeling ok after her injections! Aww, it must have neen nice seeing your dad. Wow you have done so much while hour dh took the your dc out.
Ed- love your Easter themed name.
That- !

Yes Up, volunteering at the school was great fun, the kids were just soo lovely and accepting that another person was in the class. I am really looking forward to going again. The headteacher was asking if there where any more days I could volunteer- I would like to but my house like its been burgled- so that is hindering me.
No flying achieved here as unfortunately, I had to try sort out some important documents.
Also, now my dfraggles school is going back to 'changing at school for PE' - i am trying pack up everything that is needed.

To do-
Dejunk sitting room.
Take donated toys to a charity shop.
Get out house and go to a gym and try swim to get healthy.

Flappy wings 🍒 to everyone 👋

Red- how are the chickens doing?

BloomingHazel · 27/04/2022 05:48

Not much more to report, but here's more ta das:
🌸 washed sheets, remade bed
🌸 Skyped mum
🌸 washed towels, dried & hung back up
🌸 rotated DW
🌸 pulled clothes out for tomorrow

I really lost motivation today, even though it got warm & sunny I just wanted to be curled up on the couch.
Must get to sleep so I can wake up in the morning. 🍒👋 to everyone

swallowedAfly · 27/04/2022 07:29

Blimey, it was all quiet then poof 3 pages of posts to catch up on.

Sounds like everyone has been productive if not as productive as very ambitious lists aimed for.

Didn't achieve much on day off - laundry obviously, dw, cooking but other than that more work stuff and filled in the bulk of my application for head of dept role 'just' have to do the personal statement part now (hate selling myself, hate trying to strike a balance between sounding enthusiastic and just plain wanky etc). Up early this morning marking and early, for me, start at work today so if I manage lol, cook a proper meal, leave kitchen tidy and clean toilet today I'll be satisfied.

Was hoping for some sunshine today but it does at least look like it's not going to rain so that'll do.

BeanAnTae · 27/04/2022 07:38

Dancing the hearing aids are brilliant and my hearing has not got much worse at all. Delighted with swanky aids. Am also getting new glasses soon and a new haircut next week. You all won't recognise me on the thread!

GreenWillowAndCatkins · 27/04/2022 07:59

How lovely that the HT asked if you had more time available to be there, Dancing! Also, re: house looking like you've been burgled - I see this as a strong anti-burglar device, as they'll either think we've been turned over already, or break their neck trying to get in!

Blooming that ta da list does not read like a zero day to me! Hope you've got to bed and are sound asleep now. If you're flying over to do Bean's car in northern Scotland, it's only (comparatively) a few miles more to come Down South and do mine, right? 😁

Sing I hope you are feeling better enough to go to DD1's meeting today. Good luck!

StillUp poor MiniUp, I know inoculations are important but they were my least favourite bit of having tiny children. Hope you all got a decent sleep and she is less clingy today.

MrsTidy arf at Proper Socks. Ideas above his station, that one! 🤣 I am by no means above "repurposing" usable socks sideways through the generations. Glad LB's appointment went well, and great that the teacher found helpful language to communicate.

Zoo I hope you can rest, don't exhaust yourself before you're back to full strength.

YesTaDa
❤️ Useful morning at the archive
🧡 Lunch with DM
💛 House still standing on my return!
💚 Fell asleep for an hour 😳
💙 Went to Pilates
💜 Staggered home, DH cooked

Ta Da
🐑 Brew
🐑 Made a smoothie for DD's lunch
🐑 Ached everywhere.

Still to do:
All The Things

SingToTheSky · 27/04/2022 10:09

Morning everyone.

it’s anti procrastination day!!!

I don’t think I’ll be managing the meeting. Still feeling rubbish, it’s not got to my chest yet but feels like it might IYSWIM (it’s what usually happens with colds for me).

Sadly I have a fuckton of work calls to make so will try and crack on, as I need the hours this week anyway.

MN still playing silly buggers so I haven’t read back!

OP posts:
merryhouse · 27/04/2022 10:37

TaDa
delivered S2
ate chocolate

TaDidn't
everything else

GreenWillowAndCatkins · 27/04/2022 13:00

They sound like entirely sensible Ta Das, merry.

Sorry you are too unwell for the meeting, Sing. Hope you can get your calls made and then rest, and DH can go with DD1.

Right. I have Achieved Things, powered by strong coffee, painkillers and a hot bath to unlock my lower back after Pilates.

Ta Da
💖 Morning routine
🧡 LOL on line / in dryer
💛 Telephone appointment
💚 Missing school text book ordered on 17 December for 6 Jan start of term finally arrived in the post 🤷‍♀️. They got the address wrong by 1 number, which has meant it has been half a mile down the other side of the road since early January I think 🤦‍♀️
💙 Spoke to DM and arranged a Birthday Visit for Saturday
💜 Found the cable for charging my wireless mouse - some cheeky scrote had half-inched in into the kitchen chargers!
💖 Found my pension information for the IFA and emailed it (anti-procrastination!)
🧡 Discovered DS3 does have tennis today (hooray) but his coach is leaving (harrumph). Need to decide whether to follow the coach or stay with the club. DS3 very upset (does Not Like Change)

To do this afternoon:
🤹‍♀️ sort out information and photos from yesterday
🤹‍♀️ main meal menu plan for two weeks ==> finalised Tesco order
🤹‍♀️ go round with a Big Black Bin Bag and empty bins

SingToTheSky · 27/04/2022 13:01

I have done some work stuff. Also phoned a FE college and spoke to them about potential 14-16 courses for DS!!! Scary but exciting.

My nose seems to have cleared and I’m not feeling so bad now, so I’m going to go to the meeting. I’m sure DH would do fine but what can I say, I have control issues 😳🤣

I am going to get dressed now - Cagletini helpfully reminded me “make sure you put a bra on” 😳🤣

OP posts:
Dancingtomusic · 28/04/2022 01:36

Sing- awww cag is funny! 🤣👙

Williow- 🤣 yes i think they would think the house has already been burgled! 🤣

Stilllivinginazoo · 28/04/2022 05:12

sing she's a funny one🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Up I would leave it but it's smack bang in the middle of the garden!!next doors over run and I suspect it's escaped for more room...(I cut everything back 3summers ago whilst she was on holiday-3 days of 6ft wall brambles full length of her garden)as a suprise.she was very pleased,but as she works full time,has elderly mother and legal responsibility for her granddaughter it's slid again.
Willow change doesn't go well here either,have you made decisions over tennis?
Tidy glad LB app went ok.
bean🤣bionic woman.
Dancing reception years cry out usually for help with listening to reading etc.i did it for a few years when mine were little.loved it!

There were more personals but I still can't navigate the new layout.so sending big wingflaps to everyone

Hope red,hills etc are ok

GreenWillowAndCatkins · 28/04/2022 07:45

Morning!
Zoo DS3 has decided to follow the coach rather than stay at the existing club. I'd be less hacked off, had I not renewed current club membership last week! He's very worried about not knowing the layout / social rules of the new club, so it's going to be a stressful few weeks.

Ooh Sing possible 14-16 courses for DS? How exciting! Except, how can he be big enough to be thinking of that already? 😱

🍒👋 to everyone, hope Red, Hills, foxes, Mc are all ok and new layout isn't keeping you away. It's certainly making me fill my time more profitably than surfing MN!

YesTaDa:
❤️ Tesco order updated so we have a hope of actual meals
🧡 Bins emptied and bins out. Some of you may remember we have the world's most ridiculous bin system here, far more complicated than just general rubbish week A and recyclables week B. The council, in their infinite wisdom, have changed collection providers and the WHOLE SYSTEM is changing days right across the county, over a period of 3 weeks, with addition interim collections etc. I predict chaos.
💛 Sorted out stuff from archive visit and spent so long staring at maps on a screen I couldn't see straight!

To do:
🦔 Get dressed & Walk hound
🦔 Morning routine stuff
🦔 Sort out DD's history syllabus - information is grouped in a way she simply can't process / access and I need to reinvent the wheel
🦔 More map work
🦔 Phone call with county HE dept at 1.30 <quivers>
🦔 Actual face to face appointment with my actual GP for meds review (needs physical assessment for blood thinners etc) 😱
🦔 Tesco delivery 8-9
🦔 Freezer roulette for tea
🦔 Bake birthday cake for lovely friend for tomorrow (finally getting together only 4 weeks after her actual birthday!)
🦔 Wrap friend's present.

A quiet day then! Best get on.

SingToTheSky · 28/04/2022 09:01

I know willow I just can’t believe it! Probably doesn’t help that he is so young in his year (late august) so seems so much younger than other year 8s! TBH the fact he could be off to college in four terms’ time is freaking me out anyway - even though any provision would be part time, and he’d still be technically home educated, I am really feeling like our time is almost up IYSWIM 😩 and I’m dwelling too much on all the things we haven’t done, especially since covid as we haven’t had a lot of the social stuff I hoped for.

Dancing my bedroom definitely looks like it’s already been burgled!

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 28/04/2022 09:56

Right. Bit of work done and found out that time sheets were due first thing so either way I’ll be under hours this month. In a way that’s helped as I’m now not needing to scrabble around for the rest of the week (anything we do today/tomorrow will be added to May). Still got enquiries to follow up though. Bit rubbish that it’s my first month of having more contracted hours but just the way it is really, I would’ve been ahead if we hadn’t had to decline two events due to illness in the team! Got heaps of meetings and events next month though so that will help.

School meeting was really good. DD1 feels a lot better about starting there on Tuesday! None of us are under the illusion that it’ll be perfect - TBH a lot of the difficulties she has will be an issue anywhere - but they seem very supportive and they were so much more welcoming and keen to explain everything to us compared to her current school.

Must get the Caglets started on some work today, it’s been a slow morning and DH is now in zoom therapy.

I am so so behind on uni work too 😩

OP posts:
GreenWillowAndCatkins · 28/04/2022 14:23

Lunchtime check in!
💖 Dog walked (less of a walk, more of a loiter. We were over taken by a dustcart on its rounds. Twice)
🧡 morning routine stuff except LOL
💛 built Imperialism database model for DD. I'm not surprised she's struggling
💚 Spoke to HE person. All well, signed off for another year
💙 Baked cake for friend
💜 Sorted out money into correct places for DH

About to walk to town for DD's prescription while cake cools, then sandwich / ice it and try to do stuff on maps again.