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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledgling Flyers - Mad as March Hares

620 replies

MiniMarmite · 26/02/2010 20:07

Welcome to the spring(ish) edition of the fledgling flyers.

Some of us will be flapping falteringly and others flying faultlessly towards making our homes look perennially spring cleaned!

Here you can do any of the following:

  • repeat or start baby steps (again!)
  • repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

  • reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering

This is what it's all about - Babysteps each day to try to get some order back into our home with LOADS of support from our regulars.

So join in! We start this thread on March 1st, but you are welcome to dive in at any point in the month.

Hop along to reserve your place...

OP posts:
swanriver · 25/03/2010 12:40

everything done in kit
and some singing p
now
todo
bank
book tickets for cinema for party dd
party food
hoover playroom still
deliver ds violin to school
take dd to singing lesson with ds2 in tow
pick up ds1 from friend
finish twins Mexican homework [Optimistic tis just the effect of the double homework that makes it seem a lot - ds1 for some reason has none, and now does it himself anyway..most of the time)

pushmepullyou · 25/03/2010 13:47

Oops, went for a lie down to try to get rid of my headache, fell asleep and only woke up when it was time to pick DD up from nursery

She's asleep now, but only likely to remain so for another half hour or so and I have still done nothing!

I am going to start small with writing my packing list!

optimisticmumma · 25/03/2010 16:42

SR - As a teacher I shouldn't really say this I suppose but 2 heads are better than one! . If I was their teacher I wouldn't mind if a lot of it was same ish as long as both had put in the work! I do have a set of twins in the class....

ChairmumMiaowGoingItAlone · 25/03/2010 20:44

I've been racing through my routines the last few days, and they seem to cover pretty much everything so I don't get round to posting a list (if I did it would be huge, with each item being quite small)

It still helps me to stay focused to read this though.

I've also been thinking about adding useful single-parent things to my control journal (which has just converted itself to a nice little card box, I do like things like that ) like stuff I never had to deal with - such as where the fuses are and how to deal with one when it blows, and where the stop tap is and stuff.

Can anyone think of essential house maintenance / emergency stuff that should be in there?

I guess a list of emergency numbers in case my phone / laptop aren't working. Anything else?

MrsDinky · 25/03/2010 22:00

Evening all,

Productive day today, lots of hotspots put out, and lots of grotspots cleaned up with the good old microfibre cloth. DCs both in a good mood and have played nicely and been a lot of fun today too, which is always a bonus. Just before bedtime DS pulled a book off the shelf on the landing and asked if I could read it to him (it was How to Garden by Alan Titchmarsh) ended up recounting the tale of how I nearly ran over Alan Titchmarsh in my car once which they thought was hysterical.

Chairmum - not so much in your control journal, but good idea to have an emergency box, with spare fuses, candles, matches, torches, quick drying putty somewhere safe but accessible. Also maybe the name of a reliable plumber and electrician.

Hi Tallulahbelle, I remember talking to you about how much of your DCs keepsake stuff to keep with going off to Oz, glad you made it safely. A clean slate on the clutter front, how lovely!

Waves microfibre cloth at everyone else, night night!

MiniMarmite · 25/03/2010 22:21

Evening ladies,

well from one disaster to another here! Had to collect DS early from the CM today because her daughter was unwell so have to catch up with paid work over the weekend (although I didn't mind really as it was good to spend the afternoon with DS) and our elderly neighbour was brought home from the care home where she has been staying for the past few months to collect her post and a few personal belongings but then refused to go back in...so DH is now trying to get her heating up and running and I'm heating up some food for her, she's freezing .

Just back from a really enjoyable singing lesson though so that's something good . Plus, mini minimarmite is in a much better way today, phew. Thanks for asking after him everyone .

Feetheart don't worry your biscuit mixture eating secret is safe with us (I do that too)! Sounds like you had an extremely busy day after a disturbed night...hope you have a better night tonight.

PA, well I must make some of these chocolate oaties that everyone is raving about! The internet shopping did help a lot, thanks . Hope you feel better soon.

MrsD is that the Delia brownie recipe? I keep meaning to try that (and then accidentally make the Nigel Slater 'more fat than you could possibly imagine' version instead).

MissB hope you like your haircut. We have a hairdresser that comes to us too. So much more convenient now that we have DS, she's a great cutter and charges half the price. Tis fab!

Aberita, oops about the nappy...I always have visions of doing that myself! Sorry you are feeling unwell too.

LPP how did the Easter Egg Hunt go? I feel quite envious .

Glad your bedroom floor is begining to reappear SC! Fruit and veg plot sounds great. I'm overrun with Rocket seedlings at the moment...really don't know where I am going to put them all! Thanks for posting about babysteps for PurpleW

Oh, and, yes where IS MummyD, we miss you!

PurpleW I like those Kipper books - always did wonder about their names.

Don't worry about the master bedroom Frazzled sounds like you are doing well with decluttering elsewhere so that's great .

SR glad your singing is going well, I imagine your house to be full of music at all times! Hope your throat feels better soon.

OM I am going to be one that takes the prize for being the most rubbish at FLYing! Have you noticed how details of my FLYing activities are sketchy at best at the moment?!

PMPY a weekend away, yay! Enjoy yourself and I hope you feel a little less under the weather by then.

NANOS another one with a cold , hope you are feeling better soon. A house move sounds exciting .

Welcome back Tallulahbelle, I hope the move went well. Do you mind me asking where you are in Oz? My DH is from Melbourne (and currently interviewing for jobs over there).

Well done on your routines Chairmum. As for your control journal it would be car stuff for me I think - when tax/ins need renewing, the number of a good garage etc.

Just an early reminder: the clocks go forward this weekend in the UK.

Well, I feel just about caught up with you all now...I think I'm going to have a hot chocolate and pop over to MN Classics for a bit!

Night All x

OP posts:
MiniMarmite · 25/03/2010 22:25

Morning All and happy Friday

Today's babystep is for those of you that have signed up for the FLYlady emails. If not, just keep up your routines and work on those control journals.

It is the last day in the Master bedroom today for decluttering and missions.

Have a good day.

OP posts:
swanriver · 25/03/2010 22:47

Did quite a bit of housework today, walking,
felt pretty fed up with homework though but it is FINISHED. Children hate Mexico now ds still has a passing interest in its volcanoes. Ds1 also refused to believe me when I insisted he was erroneously adding percentage signs to his answers, and kept shouting, BUT MISS WROTE IT ON THE BLACKBOARD
Went to communion meeting too, which was cheery, nice to get out, but dh had had a horrid bedtime hour with dcs so he has gone to bed exhausted...

MM kind words, but I fear noise is the word.
MrsD you made me laugh bitterly - we don't have one of those - possibly a windup penguin torch

swanriver · 25/03/2010 22:50

MM you are very kind to look after your neighbour - you should be proud of yourself.

missbennett · 25/03/2010 23:01

Evening! Very quick post but I hope everyone who was feeling poorly is feeling a bit better and all homework and chores done etc.
Hairdresser has been - I feel tidied up, DD1 had very grown-up cut - looks lovely and DD2 had the ends trimmed and has now done her own dye (black - very gothic striking!) She is such a lucky girl, masses of ringletty curls which look fab - but she spends half her life straightening them!
HAve also got card ready to post, completed music grant application and been to Guides - nice evening as not many there and they all enjoyed making chocolate eggs
Day off tomorrow
PA thanks for email and will reply properly tomorrow - but much appreciated.
Night all

aberita · 26/03/2010 08:18

Morning all,

It's another lovely sunny day here and I'm feeling much better today, but for some reason I'm not feeling very inspired as far as flying is concerned. I think I just need to get on with it rather than waiting for inspiration to strike!

It's the last day of school etc here before the Easter holidays (not sure if it's the same in the UK?) and so the DC went off in great excitement this morning in anticipation of the Easter bunny's visit to school and Kindergarten. DS even took his magnifying glass with him to help on the Easter egg hunt!

PositiveAttitude Made the chocolate oaties yesterday, which went down well with all the family - very moreish

Right, need to get stuck in otherwise I'll be spending the whole morning on the computer. A short list today as it seems more achievable:

Morning routine
Declutter DC's bedrooms
Dust bedrooms
Pay holiday deposit

swanriver · 26/03/2010 09:20

Quick post too,
cracking on with routine now that kids in school
bb20 mins

swanriver · 26/03/2010 10:21

Drat, tried to order comfortable shoes as per advice from friend, as have none, lost order on the web, then tried telephoning then to be told deliveries take 14 days, then found couldn't deliver to Eire, abandoned.... back to the manky shoes again.

PositiveAttitude · 26/03/2010 14:37

Good day ladies,

Just a quick wave from me today.

Just been to the hairdressers for the 6 weekly Taming session! Feeling lightheaded and bouncy now. Good job I was nice and relaxed as DD2 - my sensible, reliable, teenager (In contrast to the others) has just dropped a bit of a bombshell.
Head is reeling. (At least it is bouncing too, though!) - Does anyone ever understand teenagers?

Not feeling much like doing anything, so "thinking" is my limit for today.

Hopefully the rest of me will catch up with my hair and bounce back by tomorrow.

DreamTeamGirl · 26/03/2010 16:11

Hi Flyers!
Long time no see and I am not back as such, but am sort of tentatively lurking on mumsnet again so thought I would say hi

PA sorry to hear theat your teenager has given you a bombshell to think on, hope it all works out

swanriver Hello!

MM- you are in charge now? How cool and well done!

Nice to see SC still around and PMPY and OM
Everyone else, great to see so many folks finding their way with FLYing! It is such an amazing system to follow. And as naff as it sounds, it changed my life.

Been a wild and crazy few months here and still is going on, but the house remains reasonable which is a huge relief

Oh and DS (now just turned 5) has a new obsession. He was pestering me about why we had to throw stuff away and WHY did mummy have to do tidying nad cleaning instead of playing, so I showed him an episode of 'How Clean is Your House' as what would happen if we never cleaned or threw anythign out. And he then spent the whole weekend watching back to back episodes and playing 'how clean is your house' where he was the skinny scottish one and I am the fat blonde one and 'cleaning' the house and showing me how to clean things using lemon juice and so on
Hugely entertaining!
Any hoo, just thought I would say 'hi', as it is so good to see you all going strong still!!

elliepac · 26/03/2010 16:22

Evening all,

dtg how the devil are you nice to 'see'you even if it is only a flying visit! (geddit...am funny me ) You're still my idol .

Well, thank the lord for the end of a crappy week. You can always tell when work is bonkers because flying falls by the wayside and my house is looking decidedly unloved at the moment. Am going to attempt to get back on track tonight.

pa hope the bombshell is workable with. Working with teenagers on a daily basis tells me that they are very hard creatures to understand but i hope everything works out!

aberita we don't finish till next thursday . WHich will officially make next wek the longest ever.

sr shoes = bugger

All of you having haricuts makes me as I am well overdue. missb my dsis has beautiful ringlet curly hair and I boring straight hair. We spent all our formative years being jealous of each other's hair. I wanted curly, she wanted straight

pmpy have a good weekend and tallulahbelle welcome back and i hope the move hasn't been too stressful.

Anyway, better go.

Stillcounting · 26/03/2010 17:46

Hello everyone

just dashing in and out

Spent most of day out of house on errand that took twice as long as anticipated and I haven't done any flying at all. Yikes!! House a complete tip!! Not a good start to the weekend. No telly for me tonight! Must tidy up ....I'll be Flying with you in spirit
this evening Ellie - well done for surviving the week ...

Am playing catch up - an hour late with everything - off to cook salmon steaks en papillote, new pots, broccoli and peas tonight ....and clear a space on the dining room table on which to serve it

But just wanted to say "heelllllllooo" to DreamTeam - we missed you! lol re "how clean is your house" with you and ds. Well done for keeping up with the Flying despite the craziness of life - as ever - you are our Flying inspiration!!

PA hope not an exploding bombshell - may your new "coif" give you strength

Glad you are feeling better Aberita - we have one more week of school to go - they finish on Good Friday.

MissB - your dd's sound beautiful

Swanriver - sorry - I know I shouldn't laugh but you had me cackling with "children hate Mexico now"

MiniM thanks for keeping us on track and for your terrific daily round-ups - much appreciated - sounds like you have a lot on your plate currently - hope your elderly neighbour OK ...

Chairmum will get back to you with cj emergency list

Feetheart - hope you are not too tired toda, good luck with your list

Hope you start to feel better soon Nanos

Hope you have a good weekend away Pushme

Welcome back to Talulahbelle - good to see you - glad the move went OK. at being able to start again with an empty house. I've still got boxes here that haven't been opened since when we moved 8 yrs ago ... - Good luck with it all

Waves to MrsDinky, Optimistic LittlePurplePrincess and PurpleWednesday and everyone else

Have a great Friday night and a lovely weekend and KEEP FLYING

Just one or two slots of 15 mins better than nothing

Right ... off to tackle the salmon ..

DreamTeamGirl · 26/03/2010 19:25

Ellieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I missed you too!!

Sorry its been a crappy week hun, but hopefully it will just be surface crap that you can clear with a couple of runs through the house with the timer!!

And yes you are funny sweetie

SC You are as amazing as ever mate, dont know how you keep it up! But I love that you have the same atttitude as me. Grab the timer and all will be right again really soon

Oh and a special wave to MrsD who I missed earlier

Have fun all xx

MiniMarmite · 26/03/2010 20:35

Hello Everyone

Posting early today as DH is out on a mission for chocolate so I should probably talk to him on his return .

DTG

Good to 'see' you. I hope RL calms down a bit soon. DS sounds as cute as ever . To say I'm in charge would be an exaggeration but I'm trying my best at posting links and rounding up everyone's news!

SR what a shame that your DCs now hate Mexico. I remember I had some homework like that - my country was Italy. The reference book I had was full of cliches about pizza and outrageously flirtatios men. All a bit for my 11 year old self!

I have to say, I've kept a bit of a low profile with my neighbour today. In the few weeks before she went in to the home I was taking her a meal most evenings. They are now giving her a one week 'trial' back home. Although it is sad that she has to go into a home I really think it is the right place for her now so I want to avoid giving too much help as it may help her give the appearance of coping. Feels pretty awful to do this but I don't want to be back in the situation where she is wandering at all hours and being brought home by the police and random kindly souls .

MissB I have always wanted ringletty curls, or straight would be ok but mine is 'inbetween' - nightmare!

Aberita how cute that DS took his magnifying glass to hunt for Easter eggs...perhaps he thought they would be particulary small ones!

PA can't offer any advice about teenagers but hope you manage to mange the bombshell.

Ellie you and I will have to focus on that 4 day weekend next week, we will get there!

I love the sound of your very healthy evening meal SC, hope you are not doing TOO much flying this evening.

I hope everyone is doing relaxing Friday night wine drinking etc, .

OP posts:
droitwichmummy · 26/03/2010 21:03
MiniMarmite · 26/03/2010 21:29

Morning Ladies,

Today's babystep is about menu planning or at least having a www.flylady.net/pages/bbd27.asp think about what is for dinner]] before the time comes to cook it! TBH I think everyone is pretty good at this, especially with all those brilliant slow cookers and prolific batch cooking.

No decluttering or missions today because it is the weekend.

But don't forget to put your clocks forward tonight .

Also, as we near the end of the month we need to start thinking about a thread title for April. I'm happy to continue for another month if you'd like me to do so.

Have a relaxing weekend x

OP posts:
MiniMarmite · 26/03/2010 21:30

Aha! There you are

OP posts:
droitwichmummy · 26/03/2010 21:33

BOO!!!

elliepac · 27/03/2010 05:58

This is a ridiculous time on a saturday even for a morning person like me. DS woke at TEN PAST 5!!! shortly followed by DD. Grrrrrrrr.

Too early to think about flying, am just imbibing caffeine. Did do a tidy up last night though so not toooo bad this morning.

DWM you made me jump!!!! Too early for surprises

droitwichmummy · 27/03/2010 07:54

Hi ellie! Have a croissant and mug of coffee. You were up even before me today

Confession time - major bout of cba here hence 'hiding-in-corner' but the washing is up to date and the house isn't TOO bad clutter-wise considering.

So far today I have
put 1st load of washing on
emptied DW, reloaded and switched it on
breakfast
shouted at cat and thrown put her out into the garden (she was trying to eat DS's breakfast)

Other things to do today
get dressed
swimming
more washing
change the beds
vacuum
dust
ironing

PLEASE NAG ME - if I'm not posting I will probably be back in my corner...