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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Flylady Fledglings February: Thawing out of winter

279 replies

freezingpompoms · 30/01/2023 19:08

Hello everyone, iWelcome back to our regulars, and if you are new or returning, a huge welcome to you as well! Please feel free to post or lurk, whatever helps you most.

This is an incredibly helpful thread and the system can be confusing but someone on here will be able to answer your questions and get you on track.

So, Flylady. That mysterious system that promises a lovely clean house! This link is a good place to read about the basic principles, but we strongly recommend ignoring the first bit - do not sign up for emails as you’ll be inundated!

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/

If you’re new to the system, or are wanting a refresher course, the baby steps may be a good idea. Some are more useful than others, we’ve found, and stuff like affirmations may not work for you, so pick and choose what you want to try. You don’t have to do it all! Perfectionism can be left at the door, we celebrate any achievement here no matter how small it seems (this is why you’ll see our Ta Da lists as well as To Do lists!).

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/

There are parts of the house called zones, each taking a different part of the month, and missions in those zones to do little tasks we may have neglected. If you don’t feel ready for those though, a good way to start is doing 15 minutes decluttering in that zone! Remember it didn’t get messy in a day so it won’t be fixed in a day either. Slow and steady.

Then there’s the daily focus - each day of the week has a theme, although many of us switch them around to suit our own lives.

Each day I’ll provide the link to the launch pad, which is where you can see what is meant to be done that day (but again don’t feel you have to do all of it! That way lies burnout!).

A couple of principles we talk about on here are:
Future Friend - the idea of doing something today that benefits you later, such as choosing your clothes or making your lunch the night before.
Power of Three (po3) - if you’re overwhelmed, just pick three easy tasks - no matter how small - and forget about the rest until they’re done. Then reassess and decide another three.

Finally a few acronyms:
DW - dishwasher, not dear wife!
LOL - load of laundry, we aren’t finding washing hilarious
WM - washing machine
TD - tumble dryer

OP posts:
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freezingpompoms · 30/01/2023 19:12

Here's the plan for the rest of the week:
Zone 1 is entrance, front porch and dining room.

Flylady Fledglings February: Thawing out of winter
OP posts:
EspeciallyDetermined · 30/01/2023 19:21

Thank you @freezingpompoms amd thanks also to Perry for last month Flowers

UsernameNotPresent · 30/01/2023 19:30

Place marking!

GreenWillowAndFairyLights · 30/01/2023 20:19

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

HillsBesideTheSea · 30/01/2023 20:59

Thanks for the new thread Pompoms

HungryHazelEyes · 30/01/2023 23:48

Thank you for the new thread pompoms
Thank you for running January thread Perry

HungryHazelEyes · 01/02/2023 04:35

I figured I'd just stop by here since it's almost morning for you lot!
pompoms I hope everything is okay with baby, it's scary when you have to take little ones to A&E!

Ta Das (Tuesday):
🥘 prepped chicken for Chicken Tikka Masala
🥘 bleached kitchen
🥘 video chat with Mum (while busy doing other stuff)
🥘 washed our bedding (dried it & remade bed)
🥘 cooked DH his eggs
🥘 went over to ILs to help MIL take down her tree and put it away (yes, her Christmas tree! 🎄)
🥘 went out for lunch with MIL, her treat!
🥘 cooked chicken, put the rest of the tikka masala in the slow cooker
🥘 vacuumed main living area (especially living room)
🥘 washed blankets for couches
🥘 mopped kitchen & dining room floors
🥘 cleaned dog kennels
🥘 bathed Dobby
🥘 cooked rest of dinner (keto naan bread, cauliflower rice, regular rice, keto onion bhajis amazing! )
🥘 rotated DW x2
🥘 got lunch ready for tomorrow

To do:
💤 shower (including washing my hair)
💤 get clothes out ready for tomorrow
💤 go to bed before 11pm!

freezingpompoms · 01/02/2023 07:11

@HungryHazelEyes what's the keto food about? Is it a type of lifestyle diet?

Eveyone is fine, she was running round until 10:30 at the hospital but still up at 5:30. I should look at it that she had half an hour lie in 🙄

The great thing is my soup was ready and still hot in my wonderbag when I got back near midnight. I was tempted for McDonald a drive through (which I have about once a year) but I couldn't even be bothered to stop at that time. So glad I had a lovely hearty minestrone instead.

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freezingpompoms · 01/02/2023 07:23

Launch pad:

www.flylady.net/c/lp.php

Zone 1: Mission #1 Wednesday
Dear Friends,
We are in the Entrance, Front Porch, and Dining Room for three days this week.

The Mission for today is we are going to clean our furnace vents which I think must be any vents like in the bathroom.

Its. Anti-procrastination day too.

February habit is to declutter for 15 mins a day. Keep shining your sink each day too though. Things you can do for this is the 27 fling boogie where you bin 27 things or 27 things for the charity shop/give away.

Clear a hotspot: those places that are dumping zones. We have one in every room in my house.

Five minute room rescue. I didn't realise this is about the one room you wouldn't want anyone else seeing. Spend five mins a day clearing a path in there and after 37 days all will be well. Flylady likes the number 27.

Link below for more on February's habit

www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/february/

OP posts:
SpringtimeCherries · 01/02/2023 13:44

Thanks for this. Feeling like renewed energy to keep going for February and get some better habits!

Scourgify · 01/02/2023 15:03

Thank you @freezingpompoms
and perry.

Redsquirrel5 · 01/02/2023 15:30

Thank you Pompoms and Perry for the threads.
Glad little one is ok.

I was not flying yesterday or today so far. Have done two anti procrastination phone calls- GP and bank.

I unexpectedly went to A&E yesterday. Phone call to GP at 10am yesterday. Phone call back at 2pm in at 3:30pm then at A&E by 4pm out at 8:15pm although they did consider keeping me.I actually don't think they had a bed but didn't want to stay.Home with any change back in advice.
During that time the bank sent a message to say overdrawn but I couldn't respond and couldn't ring local branch as no local number so covered by anti Pro call today to a machine wait 20 minutes as I didn't ask the right questions apparently and eventually got a human to speak to and luckily he was fantastic sorted it out and offered to put a note on my account to say I needed extra support at present because I was ill(asked first) bless him.

Waiting for GP call tomorrow as mine is away and new one was lovely and off today to make a plan which will likely involve more tests.

Might try the 27 fling asI have a pile of magazines I still havent sorted.I was going to read short stories and serials but think i will bin last years, bar recipes and patterns, read this years.

I need to go back to the one hour a day read time. It is too cold in summerhouse. If we had electric i would put in an Everhot tiny stove. MMM fresh croissants in the summerhouse. Soup. Warm scones.

DitzyDaffodils · 01/02/2023 18:21

Thanks for doing last month Perry and thanks for this month Pompoms. Glad DC is ok Pompoms.

Hope you're ok too Red.

I love Christmas decorations. Good on your MIL Hazel for keeping hers until end of January. I usually manage until mid January.

Ta-da's:

😈 Morning routine
😈 Been doing FlyLady for a year now, thought I'd mark the occasion with a name change.
😈 Massive fail on the anti procrastination today. For no particular reason I decided to learn to eat my quinoa salad with chopsticks (not as difficult as it looks).
😈 Repaired a facemask, replacing the dead elastic with some fresh.
😈 Parcel arrived, dealt with that.
😈 General tidy up of all rooms.
😈 Lots of recycling taken out.
😈 Lots of laundry put away.
😈 Pulled my spring wardrobe out of storage. A bit early but I'm bored of my winter wardrobe already and wanted to play around with clothes and see what outfits I could make to go with the new items I bought yesterday.

To-do:

💢 Clean the vents. I have never done this before so I expect they're filthy
💢 Take a walk
💢 Evening routine

freezingpompoms · 01/02/2023 18:55

This is why I love Flylady. Who would think of doing the vents? Me...never! So I did the vents!

✅ met friend for walk and picnic
✅ tidied house
✅ cleaned vents
✅ anti procrastination: messaged friend, put outdoor toys away
✅ filled bird feeders. Must wash them before filling them again.
✅ tidied living room and took down kids tent that was dominating the room.
✅ lol

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freezingpompoms · 01/02/2023 19:03

Thursday:

www.flylady.net/c/sp.php#missions

Dust the skirting boards in the entrance and dining room. Should take less than 15 mins

Shine sink and declutter for 15mins

The full zone 1 detailed cleaning list for zone 1 can be found here:

www.flylady.net/d/zones/detailed-cleaning-zone-1/

I'm not sure if we are supposed to do all that's on the list or just go with what the daily mission is relating to that zone? Any more experienced flyers know? I can't imagine we'd get through the list if we are only doing the skirting's tomorrow?

Also Thursday is errand day.

If I'm missing bits please let me know as I'm still finding my way around this myself.

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DitzyDaffodils · 01/02/2023 19:38

I'm not at the stage of doing the detailed cleaning yet Pompoms but I think the general idea is baby steps form your routine, then daily you do your routines, the daily mission, the daily subject so errand day tomorrow, and spend a little time daily in whatever zone it is that week doing the detailed cleaning.

My home blessings is more than an hour and probably includes some of the detailed cleaning jobs. I'd need some serious furniture decluttering before I could clean the whole place. Moving one or two things out of the way occasionally to clean behind them wouldn't be too bad but my place is overly-furnished to accommodate all the clutter so it would be impossible.

DitzyDaffodils · 01/02/2023 19:43

I don't know if any of the detailed cleaning jobs are small but I recommend cleaning while you wait for the kettle to boil. I get quite a lot done that way.

freezingpompoms · 01/02/2023 19:59

DitzyDaffodils · 01/02/2023 19:43

I don't know if any of the detailed cleaning jobs are small but I recommend cleaning while you wait for the kettle to boil. I get quite a lot done that way.

Yes it's amazing. I try to clear the dishes away or do something in the kitchen in that time. My H just stands staring at his phone on that time and it makes me roll my eyes.

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HillsBesideTheSea · 01/02/2023 20:18

Yes, and cleaning whilst you wait for tea to cook. It is amazing how much i can get done waiting for pasta to cook. the people here are heathens and like it super soft

Thanks for running last months thread perry

had a got nothing done day. Literally a crashed out day. just about to find clothes and get petrol. Tomo's me will thank me although today's me is on a dont wanna...

SpringtimeCherries · 02/02/2023 01:40

👀Failed to go to town, get items and pick up work
👀Failed to do a morning routine
👀Failed to do any house cleaning
👏Got 3 horrible life/vital tasks done that I was putting off for 2 weeks
👏Sorted out travel for family for the next 2 months and Easter
👏Had a real clean of water bottles, taking them apart and putting them back together. A small task but one that never seems to get done enough
👏Did some exercise and a good walk
👏Went through some files on my laptop and ipad - these seriously need de cluttering and I am getting through it by doing a bit every day, even changing old passwords on websites and closing down accounts

Tomorrow I will do a morning routine!
Tomorrow I will go to down and pick up work!
Tomorrow I will reward myself with a coffee in a cafe once I have done everything!

HungryHazelEyes · 02/02/2023 02:46

pompoms keto is the way I eat, so low carb, high fat. I've eaten this way since Jan 2018 (with a little bit of time eating too many carbs 🤦‍♀️). I feel amazing on this WOE (way of eating) and pay attention to ingredients, as well as nutrient content. Lots of veggies and healthy fats with very limited additives.

A lot of the detailed cleaning jobs can be done in a short amount of time IIRC. It's been a while since I've looked at the website 😳 so I probably should look to see what there is. I remember seeing a list of things that can be done, but that's as good as my memory!

Cherries I don't remember if I told you welcome (I'm sorry) - hello! 👋 you have already made a good start with anti procrastination, I'm terrible, and always find the thing I was putting off isn't as bad as in my mind.

Red I hope it's nothing too serious, having to go to the hospital for anything is scary 😨

Ditzy is not really that she was wanting to keep the Christmas decorations up that long, it's just what happened! She had so much that gets put out that she gets overwhelmed when it comes to putting it away. It seems to happen every year!

UsernameNotPresent · 02/02/2023 02:55

Cherries very organised!
Pompoms glad little one is ok. Running around is usually a good sign.
Red fingers crossed it's nothing serious. Sending strength.
Hazel putting away Christmas decorations is my least favourite task.

DH is on leave this week, and I am stepping back from usual housework for a few days to let him participate. House is a bit messy, but hey, I am not backseat driving.

I did organise lots of house viewings. So far, nothing inspiring, even for a temporary rental. One was too big (although I loved the house) and is not practical, other looked like B&B (I irrationally detest sinks in the rooms), next one was way too small, even taking my decluttering aspirations into account. Other two either too far away, or just not quite feeling it. There are several more viewings to go, so I am hoping will be able to confirm something soon.
So that, plus full on work, plus DS, plus doing extra course on top of everything (already blew a deadline for the assessment 🫠), life is a bit busy. Can't wait until it all calms down again and I can get into my routines.

HungryHazelEyes · 02/02/2023 05:00

Username I hope something ideal for you comes up quickly 🤞

Ta Das:
💜 worked all day (7am-6pm)
💜 vacuumed ILs living room while on my lunch break
💜 checked schedule of 2nd job on my way home, I'm not scheduled to work
💜 took Jeep through carwash (we pay monthly for unlimited washes)
💜 had dinner, leftovers
💜 handwash dishes washed
💜 wiped countertops
💜 wiped fronts of cupboards in kitchen
💜 finished loading DW (DS rotated it earlier)
💜 got my clothes out for tomorrow
💜 took a shower

I just have to take my vitamins and medicines before going to bed, I'm tired! 😴

🍒👋 to everyone

UsernameNotPresent · 02/02/2023 06:06

Thanks Hazel. I promise I am not that fussy. However, I work like a donkey and I refuse to live in a grubby place, and what's on the rental market at the moment is tired and a bit grubby.

freezingpompoms · 02/02/2023 06:45

@HillsBesideTheSea a day off is what we should all do now and again. ⭐️

@SpringtimeCherries sounds like you've been very productive time! ⭐️

@HungryHazelEyes that's very interesting I do love some nutrition chat. What are your good fats? Avocado and nuts?

@UsernameNotPresent I find it hard to bite my tongue when the house is messy and other people are not doing it my way.

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