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Housekeeping

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Flying into Spring - The Fledglings are no Fools

237 replies

ExtremelyDetermined · 31/03/2023 23:09

Time for the April Fledgling Flylady thread - regulars, returners and newbies are all very welcome, post as little or as often as you like, or just lurk, whatever suits you, but please feel free to ask if there is anything you don’t understand. Also feel free to chat!

Flylady is a system for running a household, it is a system which covers housework, a bit of self-care and quite a lot of just general organisation. It runs on a monthly cycle, hence a new thread at the start of each month. Links will be posted here daily, but do go and have a good browse of the website, just don’t sign up for the emails unless you want to add to the clutter in your inbox.

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
BRC - box of random crap

A big thanks to @icypompoms for running the previous thread Flowers. The system starts properly on Monday, but the weekend is a good time to have a look at the website and start planning.

Getting Started | FlyLady.net

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
HungryHazelEyes · 24/04/2023 23:44

Ooh Ditzy what colour did you paint your nails?

ExtremelyDetermined · 25/04/2023 07:18

Got a better night’s sleep this time. Phew.

Tuesday - the weather here is looking lovely but I will be at work all day, might go for a walk at lunchtime. Flylady says Tuesday is Planning Day.

The Flight plan is here http://www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-60

The mission for today is to declutter the surfaces in your living room - things that may have been there for years such as pictures and ornaments. We have some floating shelves which aren’t very strong (can’t take books etc) and we have framed photos on them but most of them are very old now, I only ever really look at the ones on the bottom shelf, but if took the ones off the higher shelves I’m not sure what we would put there instead. The shelves would look odd if we left them bare. Food for thought. To be honest that whole room needs gutting and redecorating too but probably not this year.

FlyLady.net

http://www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-60

OP posts:
HungryHazelEyes · 25/04/2023 21:12

Thank you for the reminder ED I put away a few things I got out last night and left next to the couch. I still have more to do though.

Ta Das:
🐶 took dogs to groomer
🐶 4th lol currently in the washer (sheets- done, blankets from living room- done)
🐶 cleared out fridge 🤮 enough said.
🐶 rotated DW, started it
🐶 called to get a 2nd wheelie bin delivered. I wish we had a recycle pickup, but there isn't a service locally 🙄 it's already been delivered!
🐶 had lunch with DH
🐶 filled a box with donations to take to the charity shop
🐶 made a plan with DH to start making space for DDs things, starting tonight
🐶 meals planned
🐶 grocery list made

I need to bathe the dogs, clean both bathrooms, pick DS up from school & go grocery shopping. Once I'm back home I'll take a shower, scrub, get self tanner on, before working on dinner and clearing spaces in the house.
Ugh! Where oh where is my motivation today?! The sun is shining, so I'm not sure why I can't get stuff done today!

ExtremelyDetermined · 25/04/2023 22:38

Busy day @HungryHazelEyes

My day turned out to be more productive than anticipated too. Got a call from the garage at 10 saying my car was ready so I popped out at lunchtime to pick it up. I had left all the charity shop stuff on its back seat and one of my colleagues told me that a local charity had a depot for its shops on the same trading estate as the garage so I went straight there and got rid of my stuff, much easier than trying to park in town to do it. Have loaded up another lot to drop in tomorrow as its very close to work. Also managed an hour at the allotment after work today.

OP posts:
partypompoms · 26/04/2023 04:21

Still here plodding on with an ancient phone. I really don't want to fall of the thread so must try and download the app

1 tutored maths child
2 sent vinted item
3 food shop and meal plan: aiming for cheap and nutritious

HungryHazelEyes · 26/04/2023 05:55

Ta Das:
🐶 bathed dogs
🐶 bleached both bathrooms
🐶 cleaned the kitchen bin
🐶 picked up DS from school
🐶 went grocery shopping
🐶 showered, scrubbed, shaved
🐶 applied self tanner
🐶 sorted a bunch of stuff in the laundry room (there's mostly stuff that DH keeps), we threw a bunch of things away, DH listed stuff to sell, and added to the donation box
🐶 moved a tonne of stuff from the spare bedroom to the laundry room
🐶 2 more LOLs
🐶 cooked dinner (we took a break from moving stuff for a few minutes, so I could cook)

The spare bedroom just needs to be vacuumed and mopped as well as a couple more little things to be moved out of there. It'll be ready for DD moving in Friday evening!

ExtremelyDetermined · 26/04/2023 07:43

Morning all,

Wow you are doing well @HungryHazelEyes

@partypompoms no, please don’t fall off the thread!

Wednesday’s flight Plan http://www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-60

The mission for today is to dust picture frames and ornaments in your living room, yay, I did this at the weekend so I am let off.

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day - what have you been putting off? I need to email our floor fitting person, only been putting it off since the weekend. That’ll do.

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 26/04/2023 11:52

Good morning,

i have been stocking the batch cooking meals, working around building work, trying to figure out how to resolve scheduling conflicts.

Today i went to pick up a bag of 4 balls of wool and my back twinged so i am sat with a hot water bottle working with online stuffs and some strong pain killers.
Which is more than a little bit annoying because the weather is nice and i was hoping to go for a hike.

Redsquirrel5 · 26/04/2023 12:07

Hi,
Himself has gone walking! DD never looked at IPad for me😫
Haven't heard from her since we got back.He has but didn't tell me until I asked.Apparently she has another job so not sure how she will fit in using the studio but up to her.I guess telling her the bank of mum and dad is now closed spurred her on to get another job. I might be waiting for a long time for an apology for the way she spoke to me.I am very hurt so I haven't messaged her since I left. I realise her emotions will be high with being separated from her partner, moving countries, moving back to where they were before etc.No home to call her on (staying with friends) new job, new life etc but no need to treat your mum to sharp words when she makes a simple comment. Son 2 has been in contact so I am seeing him on Friday.

House is a tip so I need to get cracking. We have had an awful S&D bug possible Norovirus and BF confirms it is in the area and in local hospital. She does elderly care and keeps on top of these things though at present is struggling herself.

Sorry I haven't managed to catch up on many threads just a quick flick through but you all seem very busy.I miss all the chat but DH made an unpleasant dig message to my friend about me being on Mumsnet and he is on here loads so hard to get on. I miss him being away.I find it quite claustrophobic having him home all the time and I am relieved when he goes off for the day. He doesn't contribute much to cleaning(just the messing) and I am struggling being with him at the moment. I get out on a Tuesday afternoon to different things and I was taking friend out for the day once a week till DD came home. We will start that again but not this week. I have a Scarecrow to make! Anyone on here made one and can give advice?
Will try to pop back later and catch up on all your news. Hens will be allowed out soon. They are enjoying dust baths.

DitzyDaffodils · 27/04/2023 02:19

I'd take down the weak shelving ED especially if you don't look at what's on it

Hazel they're blue 💅

That sounds challenging Red. Hope DD gets herself straight soon, new job is a good start. I've never made a scarecrow before, you know farmers then? Maybe you can escape under the guise of helping on the farm, always busy in summer

Hope the weather holds and your back recovers quickly so you can get out for that hike Hills. Maybe one day someone will invent a robot clone to do all the dull stuff while you go have fun or study etc

I take it the mobile site doesn't work well on your phone Pompoms?

Yesterday Ta-da's:

🥦Morning routine
🥦Bought a toaster
🥦Decluttered
🥦Phoned the bank
🥦Put in prescription
🥦Reorganised kitchen
🥦Shredding
🥦Took a walk
🥦Evening routine

Today Ta-da's:

🧅Morning routine
🧅Washed car
🧅Tidied bedroom
🧅Decluttered
🧅 Bought some flowers
🧅Evening routine

ExtremelyDetermined · 27/04/2023 09:51

Ooops. sorry, went to work without remembering to post links.

FlyLady.net: Flight Plan

Thursday is errand day, that's a good one for me as I usually work a half day on Thursday and can get to the shops etc.

Our mission is high level dusting, dig out your feather duster and go round picture frames. door jambs, cobwebs high up in corners etc. I do need to do this Blush

@DitzyDaffodils the shelves will come down at some point when we redecorate, but I would probably want to replace them so might as well wait, otherwise we will be looking at holes in the wall which would be worse. The overall appearance of them is nice, with the pictures in frames, its opposite as you come in through the living room door, but better use could definitely be made of the space.

Back later

OP posts:
Porkandbeans1 · 27/04/2023 16:29

Can I join you all please? I did FL years ago after reading about it on MSE but I fell out of the routine. My house was definitely cleaner back then! My DH has been talking about getting a cleaner in but I hate the idea.

DitzyDaffodils · 27/04/2023 20:25

Welcome Pork 🙂. I wouldn't like a cleaner either

Ta-da's:

🌷Morning routine
🌷Tidy bedroom
🌷Tidy walk in wardrobe which was chaos
🌷Exercise
🌷Tidy hallway
🌷Evening routine

To-do:

🍏The feather duster thing. Thanks for the reminder ED

ExtremelyDetermined · 27/04/2023 22:24

Well, I haven’t done my missions this week but I have got tomorrow off work so I can have a blitz.

Welcome @Porkandbeans1 it sounds as though you know the system, this thread is about chat and friendship as well as Flylady, everyone is welcome Smile

OP posts:
ExtremelyDetermined · 28/04/2023 07:37

Morning Brew time for a quick cuppa anyone?

Today’s mission is to place something beautiful in your living room, a bunch of flowers, or something else to make you smile. I need to take down my Easter bunting from the window and try and f ind the one I use in spring which is daisies.

Friday is also the day for cleaning out your car and bag (more than one bag in my case, as discussed earlier). My car is gleaming as the garage valeted it after its MOT on Monday.

Flightplan here http://www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-60

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 28/04/2023 14:54

Does boxes out of the loft count as beautiful? we are fixing a problem by creating more mess this weekend. Because what else do you do on a bank holiday weekend.

Porkandbeans1 · 28/04/2023 15:09

Thank you @DitzyDaffodils and @ExtremelyDetermined .

I've had a brilliant morning and I've been feeling incredibly nostalgic. I last did FL when my DC was little, so around 08.

Normally on my days off I run around like an idiot trying to get all the housework done (well in the areas that visitors see) but having a plan is very calming.

DC is travelling back to uni tomorrow so the house will become considerably tidied without much effort.

@HillsBesideTheSea I dread having to clear out our loft. But bank holiday weekends do somehow get dominated by DIY and gardening.

ExtremelyDetermined · 28/04/2023 15:13

@Porkandbeans1 my DS is on his way back from uni as I type so yeah, more mess for us. He’s only here for the long weekend though.

@HillsBesideTheSea it is two weeks till our renovations begin so there is going to be a LOT of moving stuff here in the next two weekends too.

OP posts:
Scourgify · 28/04/2023 18:59

I fell off the thread a bit there. I felt sad after my birthday earlier this month, and it was hard work to turn my thoughts away from what I had expected for this part of my life, compared to the reality.

H finally replaced the sensor for the garage door, nine weeks after it failed. I can come home and park in the garage and do bits of tidying and decluttering much more easily.

Everyone else is away for the long weekend. I'm looking forward to doing exactly what I want, when I want. I made a determined effort in the garage this morning, and feel all the better for it.

Scourgify · 29/04/2023 07:02

I'm kickstarting the laundry then going into the garage and garden. I discovered yesterday that a table saw had been dumped on top of one of my boxes, so fingers crossed it's not too heavy for me to shift onto the workbench and see if my stuff underneath is still okay. After that, endless tidying and sweeping.

HillsBesideTheSea · 29/04/2023 07:17

Apparently i needed to be up at 3am. I was and still am in disagreement with my body over this. However, as i have not managed to get back to sleep i am giving up and getting on with today.

To do
DW and pots (all the pots)
1st load in the washing machine
start the massive run of batch cooking that needs doing
regret life choices
bemoan the lack of opportunity for a nap and how much adulting sucks
go for a walk
eat chocolate
deal with whatever building work chaos has to happen.
drink own body weight in coffee
try not to fall asleep standing up

All i can say is thank fuck i do not need to be driving anywhere today.

Porkandbeans1 · 29/04/2023 11:08

DC dropped off at the train station, got my morning chores done before leaving.

I have tons of laundry to get through and the sun is out but I'm having a cup of tea and watching Saturday kitchen first.

HungryHazelEyes · 29/04/2023 15:23

Welcome porkandbeans
Scourgify were your things in the box okay?
hills that was a long to do list, were you able to go for your walk as planned?
ED I'm jealous of your daisy bunting!

We moved DD back in last night, it didn't take long, thanks to ILs helping 🥳 we then went out for dinner and we ended up getting free shots from the staff (we're fairly regular!), of course only 2 of us ended up drinking the 5 shots they brought (I had 2!) Needless to say, my head is a little sore this morning, but really not as bad as it could have been.

One thing I did end up doing last night is scrubbing DDs air fryer clean 🤮 apparently the people she was living with used it a lot and didn't clean it each time they were done with it! By the time I got at it DD had it soaking for a few hours, but it was still so nasty! It went into the DW as well, so should be squeaky clean now.

I'm going plant shopping today, with MIL and SIL. DD is going to be gone most of the weekend and we have boxes in the living room for our new decorations 🤣🥰 does that count? 🙃

I have a tonne of laundry as well, I'll have to see what I can get done when I am home this weekend.
🍒👋 to everyone, I know I missed a few personals this week.
I did read your update Red it sounds like you really are unhappy 😢 I have never made a scarecrow before! Would you use chicken wire to help hold it all in place or just the clothing?

HillsBesideTheSea · 29/04/2023 16:18

Not managed to get out for a walk yet hazel however have done over 10,000 steps pottering around the kitchen doing the batch cooking and various bits of washing up. Managed to get at least something over everything on that list apart from the load of washing. And honestly having had to do a food shop run the laundry can wait til tomo.

Currently taking 5 with a hot water bottle because my back hates me. I need to move and stir pots shortly so can't enjoy for too long. honestly i would really like a nap right now and as that is a risk i have set an alarm just in case

Still stupid amounts to do. Supposed to walk this evening but i suspect i shall be passed out if i make to tea time instead.

Scourgify · 29/04/2023 19:27

Hazel things in my boxes were a bit flattened,but not permanently squashed. No harm done, but IMO a bit off that H dumped heavy stuff like that.

H's workbench was covered with ancient rusty tools from both our dads' garages from decades ago, and probably secondhand when they got them. I Shoved them all into one pile, put the table saw on the bench, then tidied the parts of the mess that are my problem.

The exercise did me good. There's a large wheelbarrow full of soil for me to decant into rubble bags tomorrow and find a corner to store in temporarily. Hoping the weather stays dry.

Three laundry loads up on pulleys. A spell of thrashing about in the understairs cupboard this evening and I'll be done for the day.