Flying through summer with Flylady ☀️

[HazelNotHungryLC]

Summer is here! Or is it?? 🤔
It's time to get our homes in order for the chaos that is the summer holidays!

Whether you're starting to build a new routine, stuck in a rut, or been around for years, join us on the Flylady thread. I'll try to keep us on track for the month, with baby steps, daily missions and weekly zones.

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.

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:
☀️Entryway, porch and dining room
☀️Bathroom & one other room
☀️Kitchen
☀️Master bedroom & master bathroom
☀️Living room

Don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!

Daily focus: each day of the week has a different focus.

Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
Tuesday: plan & play
Wednesday: anti-procrastination
Thursday: errand day
Friday: clean car & purse out day. 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 😆
S&S: Swish & Swipe (wipe the bathroom sink & toilet)
LMS: lose/lost my shit
DNLMS: did not lose my shit

There are more, feel free to ask us to explain something. I'll try to update links every day, it's a new website! 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. There is a paid version and a free version. I use the free version. The missions haven't been updating on the app (although I should admit I haven't looked at it in a couple of months.. 🫣)

Links are below 👇

Daily missions (for the zone we are in):
https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission

Baby steps (on a different website, since the link isn't working on the new site yet): https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, some of us have been doing Flylady for a very long time, as well as others just starting out. We may have other things to add that we have found works for us that could help you too!

Hi, just ready this thread and come for a moan.
I've got norovirus...so skip to the end of you don't want to hear details. well the whole family has been sick. School aged DD vomited Friday night after a did a long shift on my last day before 2 weeks annual leave. She caught it from school that finished on Wednesday. We decided to go on holiday as planned anyway Saturday afternoon it was a self catering cabin we'd paid quite a lot for. DH and I took turns taking DS out to the pool on site etc. then we went out together for the day yesterday when DD was recovered, allthough she still hasn't got her appetite back. Then as we got back to the cabin ds vomited, followed by DH then me throughout the night. We stuck to plan A and checked out today drove the 3 hours to my parents, miraculously no-one vomited. DD, now clear of the bug went out with my parents then our dog vomited on the carpet so I cleaned that..we don't think the dog had norovirus...its been hot and a long drive and he's elderly with a sensitive stomach.. plus side, it's cooler here. DH and I had a nap, DS is ready to play after resting and sleeping all morning.... I've been running on adrenaline and no sleep, feels similar to the newborn weeks. Last moan, being 22 weeks pregnant, my back has been sore since I did something to it either stopping my sleepy 8 year old lie back to vomit then towards her magazines, followed by cleaning her bedding while DH washed her.

To do
Laundry.
So my parents house is big and we're quartintened with ensuites ... She gave me instructions for washing laundry but I haven't managed it yet. I feel a bit more alive so now I've got it off my chest I'll do that.... DS has no pants or shorts sleeved clothes as we packed light intending to wash at my parents. In retrospect, pants and his baby clothes are tiny, I should have packed more.

I meant to add, sorry @HazelNotHungryLC to hear about your local wildfires and smoke inhalation

@Alwaysgrowingcould you order some cheap baby clothes online to tide you over for now

Peony they do taste more like marrow than zucchini, for sure. The name "marrow" is unheard of over here though. My mum used to roast marrow in some butter. I may have to cook some up like that as it used to be my favourite growing up!

Pamela It's really good that your DH is also doing his part to keep the house under control. That is half the battle right there. I'm glad you're finding this thread helpful!

Always that sounds awful! I'm glad it seems everyone is staying to feel better though, other than your back. Be careful with it!

@HazelNotHungryLCi think she just fills it with a mix of ground beef, rice and herbs like you would a bell pepper.

I went to Lidl and bought one of those spinny cleaners like a drill with cleaning attachments. Perfect for shower and bathroom wall tiles amongst other things. Only £9.99 so will save my arms from getting tired with all the scrubbing especially for higher up tiles as those few extra inches means I can reach the very top awkward spots

@Alwaysgrowing hope you all recover quickly. 💐
I've got one of those scrubber things @PeonyBulb , I now want one of those telescopic ones with the different pads.
I didn't get everything done on my ToDo list, cleaned the WM filter, got two LOLs done and washed pots.
I did some Flying at the field, tidying and cleaning.
DP had slept there in the hay shed, he's not said much to me.

I can do next month’s thread if there are no other takers. Going to read through the last few days for a proper catch up, I haven’t posted much (rebound effect after posting the links last month!) but have been plugging away with the routines and lurking.

Whoever was transferring photos from an Imac, I feel your pain, it is on my to do list as well because I want to get rid of it. I’m a bit out of practice at the moment but nave spent what seems like 100s of hours messing around with it all in the past. I have now got them all in the cloud (I think!) but still want them on an external hard drive before doing a factory rest on the mac. It seems a shame to get rid of it, it is perfectly good despite being at least 10 years old but no one ever uses it now and it takes up space so I’m planning to try and sell it or trade it in.

@Alwaysgrowing big hugs, that all sounds awful

@HazelNotHungryLC thanks for this month’s links and sorry about the smoke, it’s probably a reminder you don’t want. My DFIL had a close shave this week with a fire in a neighbours shed, it didn’t get to his property but it was close.

ED I think you're right that it is a reminder, although wildfire smoke is a different smell than shed/house fire smoke, less chemicals.

I really appreciate you offering to run the August thread, if no one else will. August is going to be a busy month for me, between DHs birthday, camping, work, DS going back to school, DSs birthday 2 weeks after DHs, helping at a county fair booth for the band, and trying to keep the house ticking! Running the thread might just push me over the edge!

After work, I baked 2 more loaves of zucchini bread, this time with walnuts and chocolate chips. I'll be taking one to work tomorrow (and made them gf so I can have some too!).
The kitchen is clean and tidy, handwash dishes done, DW running. My clothes are out for the morning, but I'll need to sort my lunch in the morning.

Thursday is errand day.

Thursday's mission: https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission/20260730-zone-5-mission-4-thursday-you-living-room
Go sofa diving! See what you can pull out from between the cushions.
What is the weirdest item you have found in your sofa? Are you missing something? Maybe you'll find it!

Baby Step 30: https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/30/
Look at the calendar to the month ahead. Set your timer for 15 minutes, look to see what birthdays, events and important dates you have coming up. Write your list for cards, gifts, party supplies, etc.

@HazelNotHungryLC I'd completely forgotten about your house fire 💐
Years ago the stables where I was keeping my horses caught fire, no horses were harmed but the state of the place the next day was awful, everyone's belongings destroyed, full barn of hay and straw gone. Fire service said it was probably a tossed cigarette.
Then about 6 years ago, a different stable, the owner tossed a still lit cigarette into a (dead) plant pot, went home, I turned up about half an hour later to find the plant on fire. Quick bucket of water, all sorted, but I had proper jelly legs thinking of what could have been.
I'm tackling the bathroom today, it's in need of a deep clean. Will continue sorting and washing my bedding collection.
Happy flying everyone.

I've got a relatively quiet August @HazelNotHungryLC after a busy July and will be away for parts of September, so it is a good month for me to do it.

@CherryogDog DH and a colleague had to put out a small fire in their workplace many years ago, I think it was from a faulty kettle or similar, it really shook them up too.

Spent some time this morning writing up my weekly zones - areas and what needs doing in each one. The first month of zone cleaning will need more than fifteen minutes per day, and that's fine because having done the first round I think the subsequent ones will be a lot quicker and easier. Fingers crossed anyway!

I struggle still with decluttering - it's been an ongoing thing here for nearly 20 years. My first husband died suddenly leaving me and the dog with a house full of Stuff and clutter (and no storage). It's taken a long time to clear stuff out but it's getting a lot better. The things I find hardest to get rid of are gifts - a plate warmer my dad gave me a very long time ago, we never use it but because he gave it to me, I find it hard to get rid of. A radio that doesn't work properly, but because my husband gave it to me I can't bear to get rid. An iron I never use, but "just in case" - I don't iron clothes so it's never going to be used. Just need to be tougher with myself!

Onwards. Have a good day. And even if we only manage to clean the toilet or shine the sink, then that is a win, surely?

Peony I forgot to ask, did your DC & their partners clear up behind themselves when you got back from your weekend away?

ED I'm glad the fire didn't reach your dad's property, it can be very scary and nerve wracking. I'm actually really glad that by the time I got to the house, the flames were out, I would probably still have nightmares if it was still going. Just seeing and smelling the smoke was bad enough.

Pamela yes, anything you get done is a win. We actually have a saying on here: "all fed, no one dead" that's acceptable too, because we all have days like that, they are needed too!
Well done on getting your zones figured out, and yes, with each month it'll take less time.

Cherry thank goodness you showed up when you did. Some people just don't think!
A couple of weekends ago I spent 4 hours deep cleaning both bathrooms (wiping everything down with bleach etc), it felt great to have it done.

Pamela I'm so sorry for your loss, I'm sure that was truly heartbreaking losing your 1st husband 💐
With regards to your gifts you no longer need or use, have you heard about Marie Kondo and her decluttering system? She thanks the item, then can let it go. That works for some people.
The plate warmer doesn't get used by you, but someone else might find that helpful. It's not doing anything for you not being used, just taking up room. If you take it to the charity shop, or post it on your local Facebook page for free pickup, someone else can get some use out of it.
For the radio, take a picture of it, then get rid. It doesn't work properly, but you would have the picture to remind you of it. You can always look back at it another time, without having the physical presence of it.
I'm not sure if any of that will help, or if it's anything new that you haven't heard before. There are many other ways to declutter as well, it's finding what works best for you!

Thank you - it was a terrible shock, even though he had been a heavy drinker for years. Life has moved on and I have to say, it's great now (it wasn't back then, for either of us). I'm so sad that he didn't find a way to stop drinking and enjoy life; but for the rest of us, life goes on and we must make the most of every day.

Yes - I've got the Marie Kondo first book on audio, although not listened to all of it. I do like that idea of thanking the item - and you're right, someone else could be using the plate warmer (it's a really good one) whereas it's been sat in a cupboard for years - we've used it once. And my husband (second one) (not making a collection of husbands!!!) bought me the same radio again, which works great so...time for the old one to go. I won't miss the iron 😆

Right. Going to get a bag and stash them in it ready for the charity shop. No time like the present!! Thank you for your reply; it has helped - not least because I'm seeing things from a different perspective :)

@HazelNotHungryLCyes they did all clean up after themselves and are continuing to do so. Although if they’re not quick enough or still eating then I can’t help but do a few things before they get round to it.

@PamelaColmansMustardah yes the dreaded clutter / hoarding situation. A few choice items like the ones you mentioned is normal to keep but get rid of pointless items. I just got rid of lots of mugs that all had meaning but I realised I could do without them.

I watched a TikTok where a daughter was telling her mum to get rid of anything she wouldn’t save if it was covered in poo 💩 😂 which I now have in the back of my mind when decluttering. It works.

The weather is so warm here that every time I clean or clear areas I’m just covered in sweat after.

Im about to bake my first sourdough from a banneton in my le Creuset (Dutch oven) so wish me luck. I usually bake my sourdough in a loaf tin straight from the fridge so I’m hoping it doesn’t get stuck in the baneton or / and the Dutch oven.

I’ll aim to hoover the sofa and landing carpet. And the stairs probably need doing again even though I vaxed them the other day. I want to go over my whole bathroom with my new scrubby machine now it’s fully charged. Plus there’s a ton of other things to clean.

I also put loads of stuff in the loft and by doing so went through a couple of bags of clothes and have a bag to get rid of to charity. I probably could sell them on Vinted but it’s too much effort tbh.

Pamela It's very sad that your 1st DH made life choices that ended his life sooner than it should. He must have been so young! I'm happy to see that your life has got better since then.

I'm glad that my comment was helpful to decide to get rid of those items, and putting them aside right away is a good idea so you don't change your mind.

Peony that's good they do clean up after themselves. Good luck with your bread!

Thank you, Peony and Hazel - yes, he was in his 40s, what a waste :( Peony, the bread sounds delish!

Items now in a bag for the charity shop, along with a couple of old jewellery boxes. I think the bag of clothes with a date 12 months hence can go. I know I won't wear them.

Well done Pamela it'll be nice once the bag has left the house and you have a little bit more space available.
That actually reminds me, I have a box in my closet as well as a couple of bags in the pantry that I need to do something with. It's mostly clothes. DH wanted to have a yard sale, but I'm not so sure that's going to happen this summer.

I cooked dinner after work, cleaned up the kitchen, including hand wash dishes and it took longer than expected. I also did S&S in the en-suite after my shower. My lunch is ready for tomorrow and clothes are out for the morning.

Friday is clean your car and bag day. It's also date night 😍

Friday's mission: https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission/20260731-zone-5-mission-5-friday-your-living-room
For the last day in the living room, set something nice out, like a vase of flowers or a picture frame etc.

Baby Step 31: https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/31/
You did it! You made it to the end of the month. On the link is a useful list of routines, in case you're wanting to review it.

Thank you all for joining me on the July flylady thread!

We also struggle with decluttering as i kind of feel it has to be a family decision... Eg my husband is more of a hoarder and I don't agree with getting rid of my 8 year olds stuff without permission. So maybe we need a system. I couldn't do flyladies fling technique. I wanted to sell my husbands books he's not touched for ages and some he says wants to get rid of, using one of those barcode scanners, then they collect them from our house...but after catalogueg them he says they are worth more and he'll put them on eBay at some point...

A fair bit of clutter is mine, craft based stuff, but sifting through it is draining. We're finding we can get a lot more done on holiday than at home and I think clutter, struggle tidying/finding homes/ missing items in the house steals a lot of time.

I struggle with decluttering other people’s stuff too, once the DCs were old enough to understand I always felt it had to be by consensus and that slows things right down. There are some things stashed away that they are OK for me to get rid of but I haven’t got round to, like their old Brio train track (they are 20 and 22).

@PeonyBulb hop the sourdogh came out OK, I do mine in a Le Creuset but I have a sheet of baco-glide which I put in the bottom, I think it would be fine without though.

@PamelaColmansMustard that sounds like a really hard period in your life, I’m sorry you had to deal with that.

I’m going to get a new thread started today as I will be out all day and evening tomorrow. Will link when it’s ready.

Thank you, @ExquisitelyDressing - I wouldn't wish it on anyone (and certainly not the deceased of course) but....I grew; it's a strange thing but other widows have said something similar to me, that they wouldn't have chosen it but they came out stronger. Onwards xx

Totally agree on decluttering other people's stuff! My now-husband has his piles of cd's and stuff next to his computer - I wouldn't dream of touching it, not even to clean, although my fingers often itch....lol! But it's his. If the rest of the room is tidy, so that's ok!

Right, here we go with a new thread for tomorrow

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/5561085-flyladies-keeping-on-top-of-the-household-in-august-its-going-to-be-a-hot-one