Springing into April - Flylady style

[BloomingHazel]

Are you looking to finally getting into a new routine with housework? Something simple to start that can be easy to add to over time? Flylady may be the answer for you!

This is a long running thread, but we are a friendly bunch and all are welcome to join in.

Do NOT sign up for the Flylady emails - it's an excessive amount sent every day. you have been warned! 😁
There are Baby Steps for starting out, add one thing at a time to start good habits and routines.
There are 5 zones that we will rotate through, don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!
Daily missions: each day of the week has a different mission.

• Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
• Tuesday: plan & play
• Wednesday: anti-procrastination
• Thursday: errand day
• Friday: clean car & purse out a week. It's also date night (with your significant other, or friends, or yourself!)
• Saturday: family fun day
• Sunday: renew your spirit

Common acronyms we use:

• LOL: load of laundry (washing is certainly NOT funny!)
• DW: dishwasher, we are not rotating wives by any means, although an extra pair of hands could come in handy sometimes 😆
• LMS: lose/lost my shit
• DNLMS: do/did not lose my shit

There are more, but I can't think of them all. Feel free to ask us to explain something. I'll try to update links every day, although if you can, it's worth downloading the app, you can even have it send you notifications (although I only have it for when the zones change). You can also modify the tick lists to suit your home & lifestyle.

Links are below 👇 if I happen to not add links in time, they do update at midnight for you.

Zones: https://www.flylady.net/d/zones/

Baby Steps: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/

Had a lovely weekend, we had excellent weather so really took advantage of that. Our weekend wins:

🎉 3x LOL washed, dried, put away
🎉 Stripped B2 bed and changed sheets
🌱🥳 Emptied garden shed
🌱🥳 Trip to the dump
🎉🥳 Bought replacement wooden garden table screws
🌱🥳 Put wooden garden table together
🥳 Rearranged garage for shed things!
🥳 Fixed bird feeder stand
🥳 Painted bird feeder table
🥳 First coat of paint on back fence (going from dark brown to pale green!)
🥳 Mowed lawn
🥳 2x washing up
🌱 Deadheaded daffodils
🌱 Sorted through boxes of plant pots
🌱 15mins weed picking between patio bricks
🎉🥳 Returned lawn aerator to my parents
🎉🥳 Collected metal bistro set

Balanced out by the fact that nearly none of last week's bathroom tasks got done at all 🤣 Our neighbour is taking our shed and dismantling it himself so now we just need to wait a bit for the next phase, but I'm delighted with what we managed to get done.

Haven’t been messaging on here for a few days but have been making progress with home bleurghs and maintaining what I’d managed previously.

Todays tada’s so far
⭐️ morning routine
⭐️ nursery run
⭐️ dropped off 2 x parcels
⭐️ picked up 1 x parcel
⭐️ workout
⭐️ washing up
⭐️ lol
⭐️ dance class with 2 year old
⭐️ lunch and tidy up

I don’t have an under the bed so will try and move it for vacuuming. I might also tidy up the drawers that are in the divan base later.

I have twine clothes to list on Vinted later as a lady asked if I had some specific items in a specific size … so will give her first refusal and hopefully declutter some more !

Jones there are a couple people I know who gets their eyebrows micro bladed. It looks really good!

cabbage that's some good progress you've done outside!

Hemax I don't have an under the bed anymore, to the disappointment of Dobby (our youngest dog). He loved to bring sticks in the house and tear them apart under there, along with his lamb chop toys. It looked like a murder scene under there with all the fluff! I do not miss that 😆

I've got to get going to work 😩
With such a busy weekend out of the house, it's been neglected, so I'll be busy attacking it tomorrow.
🍒👋 to everyone

Tuesday is plan & play day.

Tuesday's mission is to attack the clothes pile. Fold, hang up or wash that pile of clothing. While picking it up, get rid of whatever you don't love to wear. Only spend 15 minutes on this, you'd be surprised at what you can get done.

Baby Step: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-23/
Add to your routine: getting home from work/get dinner ready routine. This is your afternoon routine.

Hello everyone, hope you’re all ok. Sounds like everyone was very outsidey over the weekend!

I had a productive day yesterday, big supermarket shop, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning bedrooms, vacuuming throughout etc. then forgot to post my mega list!

I have an under bed area and wish I didn’t because it’s a constant war between us! I’d want it to be completely empty so you can see through the room underneath as I think it makes the room look bigger and clearer (and then it’s easy to vacuum underneath) but dp thinks that’s dead space and a waste of storage space. I’ve agreed to our balcony furniture cushions and parasol being under there as it makes life easier not having to keep going to the basement for them (the balcony is off our bedroom) but keep finding other random stuff shoved under there as well.

Today I’m being a little slower due to work being cancelled and giving me the illusion of having loads of time but have so far mopped all the hard floors and folded the laundry. Next stop is to put it away and then get some dinner in the instant pot ready for later.

Hi all.

We have a divan bed so no under bed area. I've made do with vacuuming the master bedroom and mopping the floor in the ensuite.

Also done are:

👣 Morning routines (dishwasher emptied, laundry into the dryer, vitamins taken, beds turned down and rooms aired etc.)

👣 Some exercise (3 mile walk)

👣 Purchased some presents for DD2's birthday

👣 Did a 5 minute room rescue in the utility room

Planned for the rest of the day is:

📝 15 minutes of sorting out some clothes for the charity shop. I'm terrible for keeping things I never wear (about half of my wardrobe!)

📝 Taking DDs to their karate lesson. Dinner is always something very quick as we get in at 6.30pm and they're always ravenous by then. Scrambled eggs on toast today.

📝 Evening routine of putting away dry laundry, putting another load on to wash and starting the dishwasher.

character the under bed would annoy me too. We never stored anything under there in this house, had to in the last house as it was a lot smaller. If we had to go back to that I would only agree to storage on wheels or baskets that can be easily moved out of the way, although I prefer the empty space also.

Jones I need to do some sorting of clothes today as well, but then put them in my Jeep so they can leave the house. I actually have a plan to declutter quite a bit today throughout the house, it's just getting it all done!

Ta das so far:
☕️ started a lol (new sheets I got for our bed)
☕️ took DS to school
☕️ sittiing enjoying my 1st cup of coffee of the day (it's not quite 8am here)

I have a tonne of things I want to get done today, including lots of laundry. The sun is shining though so is motivating!
🍒👋 to everyone

Ta das so far:
🧚‍♀️ rotated DW
🧚‍♀️ handwashed dishes
🧚‍♀️ wiped countertops
🧚‍♀️ wiped microwave
🧚‍♀️ cleaned fridge out
🧚‍♀️ put clean clothes away
🧚‍♀️ sorted out closet (decluttered)
🧚‍♀️ bathed dogs
🧚‍♀️ vacuumed
🧚‍♀️ new sheets washed & dried
🧚‍♀️ mattress & pillow protectors washed & dried
🧚‍♀️ 2 other LOLs currently in washer & dryer
🧚‍♀️ bicarb on old mattress from DD
🧚‍♀️ vacuumed mattress

It's almost lunch time so I'll take a break for a few minutes.

I've fallen off the thread ...... again!

No flying as such done since being back to work but some daily routines are such a habit that I don't even have to think of them which is progress ! It means that when I drop off with the zone work , the general day to day things keep ticking over .

I hope everyone is doing ok 💐

Ta das:
🧚‍♀️ LOLs x3 more
🧚‍♀️ dusted
🧚‍♀️ dentist appt
🧚‍♀️ grocery store for a couple of things
🧚‍♀️ mopped floors
🧚‍♀️ bleached bathrooms

sunny it's nice when the routines come naturally! It's good to see you back here again!

We got some edging done around our firepit area in the back garden this evening, it's looking so good! It's not done, obviously, but it's turning out better than I thought it would.

I'm at work the rest of the week, so there will be less ta das from me (if any), until the weekend.

Pics of edging we did..

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day.

Wednesday's mission is to clean your bedside tables. Throw away the used tissues, put away/clean any glasses/cups. Dust the surface and put something nice/pretty on it.
(I actually did this today <straightens halo 😇>)

Baby Step: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-24/
Today, learn how to swish & swipe to have your bathroom be guest ready every day, in 2 minutes. This should be added to your morning routine.

🍒👋 to everyone. Have a great day!

The edging looks good Hazel

I find the same thing with the basics Sunny

I've been decluttering slowly and it's beginning to make a difference

Thank you Ditzy!

Not much for ta das from me. DS did 1 lol and rotated the DW.
I cooked dinner and wiped countertops. I did shower, scrub, shave & appt self tanner

Thursday is errand day.

Thursday's mission is to clear and clean your dressers. Wipe it down and put back what belongs there, make it look nice. Put things away that don't belong.

Baby Step: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-25/
Read her personal testimonial on how it all began.

Edging looks good @BloomingHazel . Do you use your fire pit a lot? Also I’m always in awe of how much you get done on your Tuesdays, you must move at the speed of light!

@Searchingforsunnydays its good when routines fall into place isn’t it? It’s amazing how much difference those little things make so it’s especially nice if you get them done almost without noticing. I always notice it if I’ve been away for a few days or if I’ve been in bed ill.

Today
Morning routine
school run
yoga class
fold and put away lol
get swim stuff ready
dust living rooms x 2
vacuum ground floor
order dd1 contacts
clean glass door

character last year we hardly used the firepit, the year before we used it more, it depends on weather and if we're motivated to tend to it!
A lot of things on my ta da list only take a few minutes to do, and I use my dryer for almost all my laundry, which cuts time.
You have 2 living rooms?! I guess our basement room would be classed as a 2nd living room as well, but I always think of it as a game room!

@BloomingHazel we actually have three but we rent out one floor so it’s not my responsibility to clean that one (apart from a deep clean between tenants). I do feel like we have too much house to keep on top of, and it’s a townhouse so so many stairs!

I couldn't have tenants, DH & I discussed it briefly and came to the same conclusion. We would be too mad at any damages. You're very brave!

The restoration company stopped by this evening to discuss the brick that still needs to be replaced on the side of the house. The brick we picked out months ago wasn't ordered. Then a few weeks ago another order was placed and the company they ordered from can't find our order 🤦‍♀️
They will be by again next week with different samples, from a different company, so that order can be placed, although this company said they should be able to have it in 2 weeks. We'll see 🤷‍♀️ hopefully this new company would be better.

No other ta das though! I worked all day and came home to going through paperwork before the visit, that's super stressful!

Friday is clean your car & purse day. It's also date night.
Friday's mission is to remake the bed. Flip the mattress over (get someone to help you), or rotate it if you can't flip it over, like I can't since it has a pillow top.
Spray the mattress with fabric refresher (or use bicarb like I did the other day and vacuum an hour or so later).
Take more time & care in making your bed today. Fluff your pillows, add clean sheets.

Baby Step: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-26/
Work on building your routines and today, remind yourself that you are not ever behind, just jump right in where we are!

Happy Friday!

Oh no @BloomingHazel what a nightmare. Hopefully the new company is better.

We have compromised on tenants. Only if we have a house with a completely separate living space is my ruling!

I've been slacking off a lot lately but have done the basics always.

Ta-da's:

🐿️ Morning routine
🐿️ Weeding tree seedlings out of my flowerbeds
🐿️ Loads of recycling scattered around the place so gathered it up and got that out
🐿️ Paid bill
🐿️ Tidied handbag
🐿️ Crafting for an hour
🐿️ Mentally decluttered, the items aren't out yet, they need washing first
🐿️ Went to the park
🐿️ Exercise
🐿️ Finished my latest novel, The Book Of Beginnings, it was quite good in the end
🐿️ Evening routine

Ditzy keeping up on the basics really help.

Yesterday I worked all day, but while there I did manage to go through my wallet/ phone case and threw out receipts I don't need.
DS did a quick home bleugh and mowed for us while we were working.

Today I'm planning on going out to the storage unit with MIL and toss or donate stuff we set aside for a yard sale. It's pointless in having them pay for storing those things, we wouldn't make enough on them to justify them paying the monthly fee. They have a 2nd unit as well with MILs late mom's things in it and it sounded like she's ready to go through it. I did have to encourage this to happen though or nothing ever will be done.
They want flooring replaced in one room before SILs wedding reception in June, but that stuff needs to be sorted and stored somewhere. Hence making room in a storage unit.

It's gloomy outside today, but not cold, thankfully.