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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledglings summer holiday and fly their way through August into tidy organisation.

200 replies

HillsBesideTheSea · 31/07/2022 14:23

Welcome to the August Thread for the Fledglings. This is a long running thread, some of us have been here from the start, we have had many posters come and go. We love when new people join us. We just request that you respect the thread community and understand that familiarity can make it seem clicky sometimes. There are inside jokes, there are phrases and terms we use specifically that others would not use in the same way. If we confuse you, ask. Someone will always explain - although these days the glichiness of the new platform means you may have to wait til someone wanders by as we are not quite as active as we used to be and the summer holiday always sees a quieter thread because people are quite rightly enjoying their selves instead of chores. --We encourage enjoying yourself, housework is not your life!

Now the formalities are done, lets me explain: we loosely follow the Flylady system. We DO NOT advocate signing up for the emails, experience tells us flylady is a little email happy and you will have more than you know what to do with.

If you are new to the system start with the baby steps. These are designed to get you into a routine so you know longer think about doing the chores they are just habit. Set time, set day - do the thing. We do recognise that this is not a good system for quick decluttering and many of us in the past have combined this system with other systems for getting the heavy duty sorting out and cleaning out done. We don't judge.

And lastly my favourite part of the threads - the naughty corner. This month the naughty corner is decked out with a pool, deck chairs sunshade and what ever cool drink and calorie free treat you need to survive the chaos. It is the perfect place to park if you need a chat and 5 mins from the kids, to restore your spirit on a Sunday or if you have been super active and need a break. You will notice we are a chatty bunch and don't stick to topic.

We start a new round of baby steps on the 1st August. If you join us mid way through the month you can jump in where we are, or start from the beginning as you chose. The babysteps repeat each month, and Flylady says that you are NEVER behind.

OP posts:
Doyathinkhesaurus · 09/08/2022 10:33

Morning

Cupboard wiping is on.
Hot spot tackling in the kitchen is on my list today.
Got to put clothes away from yesterday's laundry marathon and pluck up courage to take them to the charity shop.
The cat is fine thanks... she is sleeping on the hot tub! Such a hard life.

BloomingHazel · 09/08/2022 14:40

hills DS goes back to school in 2 weeks! I have to take him over to get him registered for the new year today. I'm not ready for this - he's starting Jr High 😱
You accomplished a lot yesterday! What is the new meal you made?

No ta das yet from me, but will be a jam packed day! It's just gone 7:30am though.

To Dos:
☕️ 2nd cup of coffee (always important so no one gets hurt!)
☕️ cook DH his eggs for the week
☕️ take DS over for registration for school
☕️ take DS'S trombone over for a deep clean. I have been procrastinating about this since he started the summer hols the end of May 🤦‍♀️
☕️ go to next big town to replenish bulk shopping. I have to sort my list out before I go.
☕️ start back to school shopping. Although most of the supplies list is given to the students after starting school as it's for each class. I never remember having to buy a lot of supplies when I was at school, other than for art, but here you're expected to buy enough for the whole class to use (4x12pks of pencils, 4 rubbers, 2 glue sticks, dry erase markers, etc.) Then there are some parents who don't buy anything, other than a pencil case, as they know others will supply for their kids 🤬
☕️ grocery shopping, but first I have to meal plan and create my list.

On top of all that, I really need to sort my kitchen out. I have handwash dishes that I haven't washed yet (rinsed but not washed), alcohol on the counter that needs to go downstairs, sugar container that needs to be refilled and take back downstairs. I know it will only take me a few minutes to do each task, so why do I put it off for so long?! 🤔 counter has been cluttered for over a week now 😳

Well, I best get ready for my day, starting with my 2nd cup of coffee that I'll savour on the couch!

HillsBesideTheSea · 09/08/2022 23:26

I took a wrap, filled it with some couscous/meat/veg filling and turned it into a parcel. Filled tray with lots of parcels and dumped a tomato based sauce and then bread crumbs over the top. Cooked it in oven for half hour. Pretty certain it has a name, no idea what the name is. It would work with cheese on top (but not for my lot's mixture of allergies)

Today i have been dealing with professional bodies, examiners reports and course admin type stuffs. Now have dates for next to exams...

OP posts:
WeegieGranny2022 · 10/08/2022 01:02

Brought a sideboard in from the garage for the front room. It took me about an hour with the sack barrow. It fitted exactly into the space, and looks great after polishing. Well worth the effort.

Got the kitchen looking reasonable in the evening. Ate my tea too late, had a snooze, and now wide awake, watching Netflix.

BloomingHazel · 10/08/2022 01:10

Sounds delicious hills 😋 good luck with your next round of exams 🤞 although I'm sure they'll go well.

Ta Das:
🦋 cooked DH his eggs for the week (I'll probably eat some for lunches too)
🦋 trombone dropped off for deep clean
🦋 DS registered for Jr High
🦋 1 lol washed and dried
🦋 drove to next big town for bulk shopping and back to school shopping
🦋 had lunch out with DS
🦋 rotated DW with help from DS
🦋 put things away where they belong, instead of on the countertops in the kitchen
🦋 handwashed dishes
🦋 wiped countertops, including moving microwave, Kuerig etc.
🦋 deadheaded roses
🦋 watered outside plants
🦋 chatted with mum

I still haven't done full grocery shopping or made a list to do so, but I did get enough to cook for dinner tonight, I just have to get started

BloomingHazel · 10/08/2022 05:02

Last lot of ta das for today (Tuesday for me):
🛁 wiped front of cabinets and drawers in the kitchen
🛁 prepped dinner for DH to smoke (chicken and zucchini) I roasted asparagus
🛁 rotated DW again
🛁 handwashed the sharp knife
🛁 figured out meals for most of the week at least (camping food for this weekend)
🛁 grocery shopping
🛁 groceries put away in record time with everyone's help

I'm currently in the bath with some Epsom salts trying to make my back feel better. I think I pulled a muscle a couple of days ago. I thought it just needed to be popped, but nothing happens and it's getting worse. Tomorrow is the busiest day of the month at work and I'm not looking forward to it. I know the time will fly by, but I have a feeling it'll be stressful, hopefully my back will feel better by then so I don't have that to deal with as well.

🍒👋 to everyone

BloomingHazel · 10/08/2022 05:06

Weegie I hope you fell asleep not long after posting! It's crazy what a difference moving furniture around can do, or giving it a different purpose altogether. I used to look at Pinterest for ideas, got out of the habit, but I need to get back on there for some fresh ideas.

HillsBesideTheSea · 10/08/2022 08:21

Babystep
Launch pad
Missions

OP posts:
Dancingtomusic · 10/08/2022 11:09

Morning
Took fraggles to park yesterday for 45 scooter and try to learn how to ride a bike. Running along in this heat nearly killed me off 🤣 only managed 6mins.

Today Dh taken kids to thomasland. I am missing the fraggles- but had a stern word with myself. Got to sort all the house. Clothes need to be folded and declutter out stuff kids hv grown out.

2 charity bags on the go.
Sorted usable dd passed on uniform- cardigans too big - chucked into charity bag.

I hv been decluttering
Sorting junk in dining room.

1 wash done- need to hang.
Hand washing dishes.
Dw filled up.

Trying to sort boxes filled to go into storage.
Currently sorting through millions of hats, gloves and scarfs. Not needed/or not used- into charity bag.

I am on a mission until a late lunch.......
Going to post on here for accountability.

Waves a big hello to everyone! Hope you all keeping well! 💖

HillsBesideTheSea · 10/08/2022 12:48

<Wanders in waving sicknote from physio> Apparently i am excused cleaning for a good couple of weeks... no idea how that is going to work! Sore and grumpy now though... And one handed typing sucks Sad

OP posts:
BloomingHazel · 10/08/2022 13:36

Oh no hills I guess it's time for everyone else to clean the house! I hope you make a quick recovery.
dancing you've accomplished a lot already, well done for getting on with it. Starting is the hardest part!

HillsBesideTheSea · 10/08/2022 13:45

ta da
convinced teen to cook tea
convinced a person to put washing on the line
Also asked nicely for someone to weave in the ends of a present for a friend i am seeing tonight.
heading out to be babysat for a few hours as apparently i am unable to be trusted to actually rest. not sure how they got that impression Blush Hmm Blush

OP posts:
Upsadiddles · 10/08/2022 20:26

Oh no Hills. Hope the people step up and you get the rest you need without chaos descending.

I’ve forgotten the rest of the personals except to say yay to holiday booking Perry.

We have spent most of the last few days on the beach, and it’s been lovely. I didn’t do much flying yesterday or monday, other than usual routines and a bit of ironing. However after a horrifying moment yesterday when an acquaintance on the beach asked if she could nip to our loo (I knew the bathroom was grubby and had no idea what the downstairs one was like as I barely use it and I hadn’t been in) I have resolved to s&s before all future beach visits. Thankfully it was ok when I checked but oh the panic.

So today before heading down I:
🧻cleaned both toilets
🧻scrubbed the bath, sink and shower screen
🧻cleaned the bathroom mirror and window
🧻tidied the hallway
🧻decobwebbed the kitchen, dining room and downstairs loo
🧻wiped the benches, cupboard fronts and hob
🧻put the hob metalwork in the DW

Of course, today no one needed to go - a neighbour was there who lives closer to the steps 🙄.

Tonight I have mastered the art of putting away the pop up beach tent (first time I haven’t worried about impending divorce over it), washed sandy children, hoovered sandy floors, and put the kitchen back together after DH cooked.

I am also almost finished applying for a promotion 😬

BloomingHazel · 11/08/2022 04:12

hills hmmm, I wonder where they got that impression, I just don't see it 🤷‍♀️🤔 I'm glad someone is taking charge though to make sure you get rest.

Up it seems that surprise visits always happen when you're not expecting it, and when you're prepared they never happen 🤦‍♀️
Good luck on your promotion, not that you need it, I'm sure!

Ta Das:
☔️ full 10hr day of work
☔️ stopped off at the shop for groceries they were out of last night
☔️ put cold stuff away
☔️ went to another shop with DH & DS to pick up some bits for camping, like a folding table, so I have more work surfaces in the kitchen area
☔️ loaded DW after dinner, DS had already emptied and started to load it earlier
☔️ DS also washed 1 lol, as he does every day when I'm at work

I'm currently sitting on the couch with my feet up, but will need to get ready for a shower and bed soon, I'm lacking in the sleep dept. 😴
🍒👋 to everyone

WeegieGranny2022 · 11/08/2022 06:46

Need to work on more sensible sleep patterns and meal plans.

Garden first thing this morning, then inside for paperwork and kitchen tidy.

Dancingtomusic · 11/08/2022 07:17

Granny- gardens are lovely in the mornings.

Hazel- hope you got rest.

Up- 🤣 about the pop up tent!

Hills- hope you are ok- and still waving the sick note at the others in your house.

Yestada
-12pm got a last minute hairdresser appt- so hair has been coloured and blowdried- i feel like a different person 🤣

I made very good progress in the utility room. Gloves scarfs away and in the baskets will be bulky paint palettes and all tiny beads with trays to make patterns.

I need to get started before fraggles wake up and distract me. Going out for a family picnic so will have to go buy supplies at some point.

☕ in the naughty area.

HillsBesideTheSea · 11/08/2022 07:24

Didn't end up going out because i sat down on the bed and napped. Then went out did training, and caught up with a friend. And yes i regret training this morning but it is leg heavy training with no shoulders so i thought it would be ok Blush Hmm

Need to be functioning within 20mins. Not going to happen.

links
babystep
launchpad
missions

OP posts:
Redsquirrel5 · 11/08/2022 09:11

Still having trouble on mn. Gave up yesterday.
Third attempt this morning. Log on, lose page, get page 4 up lose log in, repeat.
So attempting on page 1 so won’t be able to scroll back for personals, apologies.

Dancing sounds a great amount you achieved. Everyone out of the house makes such a difference( I even find that with DH) as you can concentrate without interruptions.
Hills sorry to hear that, take it easy not great in your situation.
Up ah reminded me of the sandy house in the summer when we live near the beach.

Hazel new changes afoot with growing DS.

Well can’t remember if I got it posted but third van load went on late Saturday and should have arrived in Ukraine yesterday. 130 boxes approx. Next van going this month. We may share that one. I did yesterday and some donations coming in and able to give a lady a double duvet and cover. Two people have met up for lunch via introductions which was nice. Posting before losing.

Redsquirrel5 · 11/08/2022 09:26

Boudoir still not tidy but getting other things done. Ironing main problem as two baskets and heat. Thinking I might do it outside today.

Kitchen need to finish cupboard wipe down
Floor needs washed.
Havent done fridge but we keep it clean. DH filled it yesterday while I was out. I was later back on Tuesday than expected. Took lady out for little break in countryside and then she invited me back for tea and chat.
✅Changed a few things around on the wall.
✅work tops still super clean
✅washed and sorted all cutlery for refugees. Need to take to church for distribution.
✅cleared hot spot on table bar on pile on corner. Attempt to do that today.

Soaked feet last night and went to bed early.

Right garden, breakfast and then ironing. Planning to crack one basket and put it away. Choosing plain, quick ironing to get more done then half hour slots for the rest.DH said he would do some...still waiting for that offer to materialise 🙄

Happy flying.

PS. I seem to have managed one post, can I make it two? I don’t know how you manage on phones. Mine is on the iPad. I have no trouble with internet on any other site!

CurseYouPerryThePlatypus · 11/08/2022 11:50

Hello everyone. I am feeling a bit better having submitted my assignment yesterday (deadline is today). Also the online test thing was released today so I did that as well. Have filled in a form to hopefully get a space in the next course.

Next I really need to do some application forms for work. But also need to tidy up TBH as the visitors weren’t coming on Tuesday like I thought, they’re coming tomorrow evening.

Hope you are less ouchy soon hills

HillsBesideTheSea · 12/08/2022 12:00

The new treatment plan is helping. But i walked into the kitchen swore about the fuckers put a new god damn bag in the fucking bin when you empty it. It is not hard, you won't suffer a stroke from doing it, it won't take long Loaded the DW, put a load of washing on, and I am sore again.

ta da
wash a load of washing
unload re load DW
Speak to Ds' dad about contact visit
make a cooked breakfast as too hot to want lunch
Express frustration with people, especially people who say they will do a thing and don't.

to do
Confirm dates of contact with ds
pick up some disinfectant
Ask someone to hang my laundry on line
Study, study, study...
unload and reload DW
figure out tea

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 12/08/2022 12:02

Sorry spent hours writing post and getting interrupted. Just had to post and come back to links

LINKS

babysteps
Launch pad
missions

Friday is clean your purse and car. And date night.

Also for those inclined there is a full moon and we are in meteor season atm so if you get a clear sky look up (although be around 2-3am is supposed to be best time to see them)

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 12/08/2022 12:04

ARRRRRRGH!!! Send snow. lots of snow.

try again

Babysteps
Launch pad
Missions

OP posts:
DitzyBluebells · 12/08/2022 12:10

Well done for meeting the deadline Perry.

Hope you feel better soon hills

Sorry you're still having internet problems red. I'm on android mobile and it's fine. You've been busy as always. I agree it's easier when everyone is out.

Congratulations on the new hair dancing 😁

I've been helping a friend renovate a run down building. Mostly sweeping and wiping. Got a little decluttering done at home too

Dancingtomusic · 13/08/2022 07:02

Ditzy- thanks 😊. What type of house are you helping to renovate?

Red- yay your post worked and it stayed logged on! Its wonderful what you are doing to help Ukraine refugees 🤗

Hills- 🤣 at the bin liner. I hate the heat too!
Hope you recover soon.

Hazel- hope you are ok?

Perry- weldone for sorting your assignment.

To do-
Pack for a day at the beach- dont know what to wear! Might wear shorts so i can sit in the sand and go in the sea.

Wash up all dishes and put all food in frige b4 i left.

Someone pray for me 😆....have to endure dh driving 😑.

☕ or cool versions in the coffee area.
Waves to everyone I missed.