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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:
Thread gallery
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Redsquirrel5 · 22/02/2023 09:03

Failed to achieve my list.

Have decluttered some magazines about 5/6. I found some more puzzles so kept that one and some short stories that I think I will read then it is out.

Bed wasn’t changed but I ironed the sheets, duvet cover and pillowcases so ready for today.
Dusted chest of drawer and ornaments. Some are from my childhood so like those on their. It looks quite pretty as I had a change around and all similar colours. Put faux hydrangeas in a Victorian jug( DH’s nana owned it) and so it is all soft pinks, mauve and blues on there.
Vacuumed rug.

Made that Moroccan Chicken though I couldn’t find her recipe but found a very similar one. It was delicious, easy and didn’t take that long. We ate it again last night.

Bank was great though he was running late and it took longer than half an hour so DH was furious when I went out he was there steam coming out of his ears. I had a text from DS1 while waiting and he wanted to check something in our supposed to be joint account BS but they wouldn’t let him so he wanted me to go down. It is a bit of a walk with my sore foot so I asked DH if he could collect me ( he was already muttering about the car park) but no he refused. He expected me to walk down there then back and down to the car park I couldn’t believe it just because I had been ages at the bank. I think it is more that he doesn’t know how much I have in there and I don’t discuss it. He knows what is in my other account as I didn’t understand it all- stocks and shares - but he opened it one day when I was at work and he also told someone so I hide it now. I have good reason I think and I may leave him at some stage which is why I saved a lot for years. I stayed because of the children.

More ironing and vacuuming. Didn’t need to do top shelf as it has two shoe boxes with good shoes and good handbags on it.

Went to craft card making yesterday and leant two new ones. Had lovely time. Visited Ukraine friend on way back.

Thai soup needed to use the prawns.
Morrocan Chicken
pancakes and lemon.

stuffed!

Must get up as going to Mass Ash Wednesday and it is early service near us.
Change Bed
LOL
General tidy
Vacuum stairs

Food not sure, fish or veggie.

Hi that. I mentioned you this week to Sunny. Still wonder how you are at times. See you still busy and you let the manchild back. Bet the kids are lovely and you still working. Presume you finished your degree?

HungryHazelEyes · 22/02/2023 13:41

Welcome Amore it sounds like you're making a good start on flying so far!

Red you really sounds miserable with your H (I'm not even going to call him DH because he doesn't sound very nice!). Do you think you will ever leave him at this stage? I feel like you would be happier without him.

that I did see you briefly stop by 👋 then I got the phone call from MIL and shit hit the fan.

I took today off work so I can keep MIL company (and sane). I'm not expecting to be home much at all today and will probably not get any flying done

🍒👋 to everyone. I know I missed a few of you, I'm sorry!

freezingpompoms · 22/02/2023 19:58

Great lists everyone! I'm exhausted just reading them.

Not much flying but house has been cleaned this week and washing is being done each day. Other than that it's half term fun fun fun. Which of course is exhausting and endless picnics which involves endless lunchboxes and endless unpacking of bags and washing up of lunch boxes and tuppawear.

OP posts:
freezingpompoms · 22/02/2023 20:04

THURSDAY: www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0&d=1 flight plan link_
_
⏰ errand day so go get things done.

⏰ clean off bedside tables in master bedroom

⏰ 15 mins decluttering

⏰ shine sink

⏰ reminder: swish and swipe the first time you go in the bathroom. Toilet and sink.

⏰pamper mission: get warm!

OP posts:
Searchingforsunnydays · 22/02/2023 21:49

Pompom enjoy half term , I’m already on the countdown to ours 5 weeks and 2 days!

hazel how is your FIL?

red sounds like you’re in a tough situation, I hope you’re ok 💐

amore welcome! I have only started this week and feel so much better even if I’m not able to do the full to do list - something is better than nothing.

dafodils thankyou I’ve added it to my goodreads like ! I’m currently reading the hidden beach by Karen Swann which is good so far !

This is the 3rd time writing this so hopefully it’ll post this time 😂

Searchingforsunnydays · 22/02/2023 21:55

Tada

✔️ LOL
✔️ Quick tidy downstairs
✔️ Everyone ready for school / work
✔️ Breakfast pots
✔️work
✔️ Rang dentist to change appointment
✔️ Landing and stairs clean
✔️ 15 mins clearing a clothes drawer , few things for the charity, couple of things thrown
✔️ 15 mins clearing out hair and makeup - lots of things thrown , I don’t know why I held onto half of the stuff !!
✔️ Tea made - homemade burgers 😋
✔️clothes out and ironed for tomorrow
✔️ Dd2 reading
✔️ Dd2 bedtime routine

I’m really tired today, still not sleeping great but I’m hoping as the house gets more organised , I’ll relax more and hopefully settle quicker !!

UsernameNotPresent · 22/02/2023 22:04

Red I am sorry H is being extra tedious. I am a little worried we might be in the same position few years down the line. Your Moroccan chicken on the other hand, sounds delicious!
Hazel i am so sorry about your FIL. how is he doing? Did you manage to get to visit him?
Pompoms I don't envy the lunch box galore. Well done for keeping on it with laundry and cleaning!

First night at new house tonight! All our stuff will be delivered tomorrow, so it's camping out on a pull out sofa tonight. McToddler is having a tough time adjusting with all these changes (heck, I am having a tough time adjusting and I am a fully grown fairly resilient adult!).
I was very impressed with packers today. They managed to pack our entire 4 bedroom house in 4 hours. It would have taken me at least a week!

Ta das:

  • first LOL in new house! Airer is not with us yet, so it had to go onto heater bathroom rails and 2 radiators. Not a fan of laundry on radiators, but today needs must.
  • future friended for tomorrow getting mine and DS' outfits ready, nursery bag sorted, my work stuff sorted.
  • quick run to a recycling centre to drop off cardboard boxes. It was a lot easier than I thought, don't know why I was putting it off for so long. It might become one of my regular places now 😂 what a sad life I have

Looking forward to unpacking and setting up the place properly.

DitzyDaffodils · 23/02/2023 01:41

Hope your feet haven't fallen off with all that walking Red. Hmm, no doll emoji...have a voodoo teddy 🧸and a pointy stick 🗡️

Sorry to hear about your FIL Hazel. Hope you and DH get to see him tomorrow ❤️

At least you get to enjoy the picnic part Pompoms, it does sound tiring being out every day though, must be at least 3 times the usual amount of work when they're off school 🤹

UNP I'm impressed by the 4hr packing too 🏡

I can't relax in a messy house either Sunny. One of the reasons I'm decluttering is so there's less to tidy 🗑️

Ta-da's:

🌾 Morning routine
🌾 Finished the novel
🌾 Decluttering
🌾 Bought some hair clips
🌾 Prepped for tomorrow
🌾 Life admin
🌾 Evening routine

I felt so lazy today I'm surprised I even did this much. FlyLady is definitely helping me stay on track.

HungryHazelEyes · 23/02/2023 04:32

FIL feels a lot better. He's still in the hospital, he'll have blood work tomorrow and as long as that looks good, he'll get to go home. He did have a heart attack, unfortunately. However, he took an aspirin anytime he didn't feel good and the doctor said that saved his life!

I saw him today, with MIL. DH won't see him until he's home.
I will be back at work tomorrow, apparently today was a really bad day so I feel bad for not going in.

Ta Das:
🧚‍♀️ washed sheets, dried and back on bed
🧚‍♀️ bleached both bathrooms
🧚‍♀️ cleaned bedside tables
🧚‍♀️ wiped ceiling fan blades in master bedroom
🧚‍♀️ relaxed!

I just have to get my clothes ready for the morning, take a shower and get ready for bed

HungryHazelEyes · 23/02/2023 04:37

username how exciting to be in your new house already! Hopefully it won't take long for McToddler to settle in (as well as you!)

sunny I often come across things and wonder why I kept them. Sometimes it's because I think I might need it, other times I just can't decide or don't know what to do with it or where to put it.

Sorry for lack of other personals, it's getting late!
🍒👋 to everyone

freezingpompoms · 23/02/2023 07:25

@UsernameNotPresent it's incredible how fast it's been since you found you had to move and have them already stayed in your new home. Congratulations

@DitzyDaffodils it is more work and I'd carefully planned activities only for Monday Wednesday and Friday leaving us quiet home days inbetween but the world has conspired against us and everything moved to Tuesday Wednesday Thursday.

@HungryHazelEyes don't feel bad. You are only one single person! You can't be cloned and you are doing enough as it is.

OP posts:
Redsquirrel5 · 23/02/2023 17:22

OOOH where is everyone? Busy cleaning?

I can't seem to get motivated today.I have done
3 LOL
Stripped and remade bed.
Looked for mouse evidence bloody thing kept me awake and I retreated to the sofa and of course didn't sleep well. Tried sleeping in dH bed after he left but nope I could get off. So lay there for a bit watching the huge TV in his room.It has a great picture and reception not like mine which is small and bad reception. We didn't plan tvs in bedrooms but they were from two of the boys houses.
Lunch was a ham roll and crisps. Tea is Salmon and tagliatelli with Sticky Toffee Pud for after.I made it days ago. We are still eating it.When the kids were home it would have gone in one day.

Hazel Hope FIL continues to improve.

I am considering it. Cost of living here and still waiting for pension payout and I don't know yet how much it will be. I should find out soon.

I went to Mass yesterday and carried on and spent the day out driving around the countryside.My friend was supposed to come but she fell again and was at A&E until early morning.Fractured her arm again. I felt great by the time I was on my way back much more relaxed. Part of the problem is he worked away for 25 years and so only home for 12-14 days a month, now here ALL the time. The other part is HIM. He like his own way almost all of the time. Happy to sit and watch a film even though the house needs cleaning etc. Doesn't like me saying anything. He does chop logs etc so I should be grateful. Get the picture. He also doesn't want to socialise.Then he goes to the pub and socialises, sometimes.

Chickens were very chatting when I cleaned them out. No eggs at the moment but plenty nearby.I heard lack of them in supermarkets. Of course they lay less, Bird Flu means different conditions and some culling but we have lots of people with hens here so surplus goes out and there are now 36,000 on an old dairy farm so they put them at the gate.£5 a tray, £1.50 a box of 6. Hmm they have gone up from£4 and £1. I think locals should get discount! The egg man charghes £1.40 a doz.Feed is dearer though we noticed last time. So drive into the country side if you need them. Chick pea liquid for meringues?

Right he is back so better put the kettle on.He has been walking about 8-10 miles today.
Can't believe you are in UNP Mctoddler will settle when his things are around him.I am still like that from moving so much as a child that is why I still have my childhood things in the bedroom apparently.

freezingpompoms · 23/02/2023 20:12

How is it FRIDAY --already?

Flight plan
www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0&d=1

✅tidy car and hand bag
✅ clean windows in bedroom and bathroom
✅declutter 15 mins
✅shine sink
✅reminder: do one load of washing everyday. (Lol).

OP posts:
DitzyDaffodils · 24/02/2023 00:32

I've gained an extra day Pompoms, I thought it was Friday today

Hope you can build a better life, in time, Red. At least if he's out walking he's not under your feet

Glad FIL is doing well Hazel. That was a stroke of luck him being a fan of aspirin

Ta-da's

🧸Morning routine
🧸Appointment in town
🧸Decluttering
🧸Evening routine

Not much Flying today, I didn't feel upto it. I covered the basics at least.

HungryHazelEyes · 24/02/2023 05:28

Ditzy he knew, deep down, that he was having a heart attack. That's why he was taking them!
He's home now, so that's a relief. You did more today than me too!

pompoms this week is a short work week for me, but has been a long one at the same time. I'm ready for the weekend already! (And I only worked today so far this week!)

Work wasn't great today. Tomorrow may be worse 😪

HungryHazelEyes · 24/02/2023 05:31

After work I want feeling up to cooking so we went out. I had 2 glasses of wine 🤫
When we got home I took a nice relaxing bath with a 3rd glass of wine
I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday!

freezingpompoms · 24/02/2023 21:02

End of term frazzle here so no chit chat from me sorry and not much flying.

SATURDAY:
Flight plan link:

www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0&d=1*
*
family fun day
15 min declutter
shine sink
reminder: the morning routine will change your life...

We are going to build a Morning Routine for your Control Journal or to just post on the refrigerator. Here is what FlyLady does:
1 Get up and weigh
2 Shower and get dressed to lace up shoes, fix your hair and face
3 While you are in the bathroom Swish and Swipe
4 Grab a load of laundry and start the washer
5 Check your calendar for today’s activities
6 Empty dishwasher to start your day
7 Eat something good for you and take your medicine and vitamins
8 Drink your water.
Have some fun today running your errands!

OP posts:
Searchingforsunnydays · 24/02/2023 21:10

i was so tired yesterday after the kids clubs , I went to bed as soon as the chores were done ! I went to bed at 930 and oh took ds up at 945 and I was snoring 😂 I’m hoping that is the end of the sleepless nights - maybe all the decluttering is helping (although there wasn’t much flying done yesterday)

Tada
✔️beds made
✔️LOL
✔️everyone up & ready for work and school
✔️quick tidy downstairs
✔️school run
✔️work
✔️tea made (spag bol)
✔️another quick tidy round
✔️school uniform washing started
✔️15 min decluttering beside table and surfaces in bedroom
✔️15 mins decluttering paperwork box in bedroom (completed and now I have a spare empty plastic box!! )

Haven’t done much else , I’m super tired , I’m hoping to clean bedrooms and kitchen over the weekend in between kids clubs and presentations!

unp i hope you are settling into your new home !

hazel really happy for you that your FIL is improving

I hope you’re feeling better daffodils

👋 to everyone else , hope everyone has had a good day

UsernameNotPresent · 24/02/2023 21:47

Sunny I am usually crashing into bed around 9.30-10pm. I start off scrolling my phone, but usually fall asleep with it in my hands within 10 mins 😬
Hazel sounds like you had a fab Thursday night, you most certainly needed some down time. Pleased to hear FIL is on the mend.
Red how are you feeling?
Pompoms sending strength for end of term. You can do this.

Ta das:
☕Half the kitchen unpacked. This kitchen is slightly smaller than the old one, so I have to be inventive about where everything should go. Kitchen in the previous house was huge, it spoiled me.
☕Bathrooms are almost unpacked
☕About quarter of the bedroom is unpacked.
☕Cleaned washing machine filter and ran cleaning cycle.
☕ Dishwasher run

More unpacking this weekend. Boxes, so many boxes 🥴

GreenWillowAndFairyLights · 24/02/2023 22:21

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

CurseYouPerryThePlatypus · 25/02/2023 10:55

Morning all. I’ve not checked in for a while, been snowed under with work and uni. But this is the first day off for a while where I haven’t needed to worry about either, so I really really need to catch up on housework and general life admin. I’m short on energy and motivation so it’s going to be a Power of 3 day with loads of incentives.

po3.1
❗️LOL
❗️Clean weekly board (not that there’s much on it as I didn’t get round to doing it properly this week!)
❗️Check bank and chase invoices

CurseYouPerryThePlatypus · 25/02/2023 11:23

po3.2
❗️Take an embarrassing amount of mugs etc down from my room
❗️Empty coat pockets (also embarrassing)
❗️Empty bag (sensing a theme here…?)

At least most of that I can do while watching telly!

CurseYouPerryThePlatypus · 25/02/2023 12:29

Just finishing watching an episode of Sort Your Life out with DS (he likes it and I think he despairs about the state of the house as much as I do!) and then I’ll do the next lot.

po3.3
❗️Find a space to store all my work stuff for now (hope to get a new desk in summer)
❗️Rotate laundry
❗️Collect some rubbish and recycling upstairs

CurseYouPerryThePlatypus · 25/02/2023 13:59

po3.4
❗️Hang up wet LOL (all non tumble) and put on another
❗️Gather empty bottles etc from bathroom
❗️Clean bedroom windowsill

Searchingforsunnydays · 25/02/2023 17:15

Unp sounds like you’re making amazing progress with the unpacking !

willow well done for surviving half term! Did you decorate during the half term aswell?

perry great use of the p3’s ! It’s tough trying to juggle everything!!

👋👋 waving to everyone else , hope you’re enjoying you’re Saturday

ta da :
✔️Dd2 gymnastics class
✔️made a start on the pile of marking I have whilst she was at gymnastics class
✔️took dd2 into town , went for lunch, visited the library , got some T-shirts for the holidays, cleaning supplies and a few bits of stationary . I also bought a lampshade which annoyingly doesn’t match the lamp very well 🤦‍♀️
✔️ Bedroom decluttering 15 minutes
✔️ Bedrooms cleaned and bedding changed
✔️ Uniforms washed and currently drying

I’ve still got a few bits to do, having a 10 minute break then trying to finish up for about 6ish because we are having a mario kart evening with the kids 🤪