Weekly Flylady Thread 28th July 2014

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

I am really struggling at the moment. The house is a tip and I am behind on job number 2 which I am supposed to fit around everything else but its just not happening at the moment.

Some of this is just because the kids are on holiday - but then again they are old enough to help, but dont do anything. Every so often I have a major rant at them both (DS1 slams doors and DS2 goes off crying). Then they both say they will help - but nothing changes.

What is really bugging me is that DS2 keeps his bedroom beautifully tidy and shiny - but treats the rest of the house like a skip. Which is kind of like saying, I will do it if it benefits me but not for you.

Sorry guys, the rest of you seem to do so much and I am sitting here looking a dog hairs and dust all over the floor and feeling like I could cry.

But in true flylady spirit I will go off and have an hour now doing what I can.

Rant over x

Honey_Bear

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

Sorry guys, the rest of you seem to do so much and I am sitting here looking a dog hairs and dust all over the floor and feeling like I could cry.

I'm really sorry to hear you feel so down, Yorkshire Lass. It's horrible for you and I can't just read and run.


There are strategies for getting people to understand that they have to help, but as I don't have kids I can't suggest any for you. There are wise Flyladies that have managed to get their skids to understand that they don't have a right to a free ride, and no doubt one or two of them will be along in a bit and might be able to suggest a possible way forward.


I know that if I blow my top with OH nothing changes. If I tell him that I think it is wrong to expect me to do all the work, he agrees. If I then suggest that a very specific task could be his responsibility so that I don't even have to think about it, that task is often done (especially when I 'forget' to do something he expects me to do without asking). In our case, he turns out the fridge and empties the kitchen bin, amongst other things.


(((Hugs))) for you. Everything here is covered in dog hair, too.

FizzWhizz

YL, I too am sorry that you're feeling down, it sounds as though you are running yourself ragged and that's bound to take its toll.

An far as my skids are concerned, they are less than helpful but when I get to the end of my tether, I tend to ask for specific jobs to be done; rather than getting cross and shouting at them just to do SOMETHING, I delegate specific tasks. DS1 is 12 and more than capable of doing most jobs, DS2 is 9 so I need to cherry pick his tasks a little more. We often all start in the same room at the same time, e.g. kitchen, DS1 will go and throw the rubbish in the big bin while DS2 wipes the table, DS1 will put the WU away while DS2 has a stab at sweeping the floor, in the meantime I will scurry around doing the "bits" which are quicker to do myself than to have to instruct. Once it's done to my satisfaction we'll move onto the lounge and so on.

Timers help, you can either say "we are all spending 15 mins tidying this bedroom", or alternatively set the timer going when you start and then you can say afterwards, "Look, that only took 6 and a half minutes, you spent longer than that whinging about it"; this is my most common tactic as DS2 is a beast for crying and saying, "but it's going to take HOURS!!", little toad.

I'm trying very hard not to get cross about the constant mess but it's not easy and I really do feel your pain; in moments of calm I try to explain to my boys, daughter and step skids that yes, they're on holiday but I'm not, I'm still working but I then have to come home, wash clothes and dishes, cook, iron and try and keep everything clean and it makes me stressed and grumpy. They have all day to please themselves during the hols and really, is 30 mins of help really that bad? Especially if it makes for a happier mummy.

Sending you loves, chin up m'dear xxx

YORKSHIRELASS

Thanks HB.

Have written up my flylady list of jobs for tomorrow and told the kids that if they do some of them I will give them extra pocket money. I know that not everyone agrees with this idea but I need some help and if this works it will be worth it.

I have also gently pointed out to OH that there will be a list of jobs that need doing on the fridge and no reason why he cant pitch in.

I threw myself into cleaning and feel loads better. Have scrubbed the downstairs loo, cleaned the desks and dusted in the office, hoovered and washed the kitchen and utility floor, cleaned the inside of the worst 2 downstairs windows, washed and dried the dogs bedding, and given the kitchen worktops and sink a good going over. At least when I finish work at job number 1 tomorrow I am not coming home to a complete disaster zone.

YORKSHIRELASS

Oh thanks Fizz too, it means a lot and its nice to know I am not alone. I have just got a lot on my plate at the moment and if I am honest I would rather be at home chilling out with the kids rather than working. Mind you DS1 has just come in from footie and wants me to make him a bacon sandwich while he gets a shower!!!

pigpen

Yorkie.. mine are the same.. they are a right lazy bunch.. DD2 to give her due she loaded the dw and cleared the kitchen and did a load of washing and hung it up today.. I scrape all their crap into a heap in the middle of the floor, hit the timer and give them 15 minutes to make it disappear.. anything still there is binned.. you only have to bin once and they know you mean it.. Mine tried walking away and I followed and kicked them back to where I wanted them.. in here there is 1 of me and 10 of them and I cannot as a one person do the decluttering of 11... they help or they find their stuff in the bin.. I am absolutely ruthless!

Dustykitten

Hi all

Just empied the WM and thought of you lot.

YL I have come to accept that mine will rarely do anything without asking so I ask alot and repeat until it is done. There is no right or wrong you need to find what works for you and work out what they will do best ie DS2 is not good at gardening jobs (but DS1 prefers these) but is good at cleaning inside the car, DW loading/emptying and washing up (DS1 even at 20 is useless at washing up, doesn't mean he doesn't have to). DS3 will moan at every job but that's tough. Hugs for you.

lynnejk

Hiya everyone :hello: and WELL DONE all those losing weight !!

I am having to work Wednesday and Thursday this week - was looking forward to days off but money will come in handy


Monday Mayhem - Living Room, Hall
Vacuum through the living room, hall
Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself
Extra Mission: Pick one or more of the following tasks...
Wipe down any paintwork that needs it.


Tuesday trauma - Kitchen and Dining Room
Sweep and mop floors

Wednesday Wishes- those frightening spare rooms
Vacuum the floor



Thursday Thrills- Bathroom and Study/Pc Area
15 minutes...
Clean floors in these rooms
30 minutes to spare...
Clean baths, toilets, don't forget the outside! and sinks.. shine the taps with a toothbrush
Clear any clutter from desk
Dust PC and desk and wipe off those cup rings!!
Wipe keyboard, house phone, sockets, switches and mouse etc
Got an hour...
clean blind
Wipe down tiles in bathroom.
Extra mission: Take your pick!
Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms


My list for this week

Empty suitcase and rucksack
Put away clean stuff
Wash holiday clothes
Check bookings for September holiday
Check 'holiday' essentials bag
Buy new swimmies
Buy some more cotton socks
Put away frozen batch meals
Look for new breakdown cover
Look for new travel insurance
Check bank statements
Check credit card statements
Monthly accounts
Sort out CDs
Catch up on Spanish course
Make Spanish flashcards
Sort recycling stuff and take away
Cane Toad in spare room

July challenge - so far
Do some Leslie Sansone - DONE TWO
Lose at least 2lbs - LOST ONE POUND
Clear toad in spare room/study - MADE A START



Hope you all have a terrific Thursday
Lx

just_the_two_of_us

Good Morning all! I am up bed stripped and showered - already!!!

Aim to be in Mr Al*i by the time the doors are opening at 8 am. Then have to come home unload shopping and go back in for 9 to do more banking moving about. I am still determined to sort this disaster this month so we know exactly where we are at!!

Have added all the week's lists so far and will delete all that have been done or are not necessary. It is my whole day at home today so have lots to do - including preparing for next week away. I even have to think about what we're eating in case DS doesn't have the necessary kitchen equipment to cook it with!!!!



Monday Mayhem - Living Room, Hall and Stairs
15 minutes...
30 minutes...
Dusting, even if around everything
Clean windows and all glass.. including the tv screen
Got an hour...
Wipe and water plants
Put all your hotspots in one pile and work your way through it..
Extra Mission: Pick one or more of the following tasks...


Wipe down any paintwork that needs it.

• Binbag dance.. Get a binbag.. fill it and bin it!!!

Tuesday trauma - Kitchen and Dining Room
15 minutes...
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
30 minutes to spare...
Sweep and mop floors
Clean the oven.. now you can't moan it hasn't been on for AGES!!
Wipe dining table.. (clean table cloth if necessary)
Got an hour...
Dust any extra furniture in dining area, checking for cobwebs on way round
Wipe and replace all those small appliances.. kettle, toaster etc
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Clean out your mankiest kitchen cupboard.. mine is the baking cupboard.. what is yours?
Extra Mission : help yourself

• Run the WM through 'clean cycle'.. hottish wash with a splosh of vinegar, soda crystals bleach.. whatever you fancy just clear those pipes of gunge!
• Wipe down any tiles and shine those taps.. a toothbrush is great for cleaning away the gunk!
• 31 fling boogie..
• Empty the bin.. wash it out.. and make it smell SWEET

Wednesday Wishes- those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms
15 minutes
30 minutes to spare...
Vacuum the floor
Dusting.. all those shelves and flat fluffy surfaces!! Don’t forget the light shade and curtain pole!!!
Got an hour...
Clean 2 windows
Wipe any sticky marks off walls and doors

Extra Task List

• Wipe the radiators, skirtings and window & door frames!
  
• HHI

Thursday Thrills- Bathroom and Study/Pc Area
15 minutes...
Clean floors in these rooms
30 minutes to spare...
Clean baths, toilets, don't forget the outside! and sinks.. shine the taps with a toothbrush
Clear any clutter from desk
Dust PC and desk and wipe off those cup rings!!
Wipe keyboard, house phone, sockets, switches and mouse etc
Got an hour...
Wipe down tiles in bathroom.. defragment your pc while doing this.
Empty and clean out all the upstairs bins!
Clean shower screen/curtain if you have one/if required
Extra mission: Take your pick!

• Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms
• empty out the bathroom cabinet.. clean it.. fling what you don't need and stash the rest in a beautiful manner.. make it all nicely colour cordinated so you have a cupboard rainbow..

Well that should keep me busy until we go - plus more paperwork sort and more garage tidy/sort!!!

Have a great day everyone. x

Fmess

Whoops, forgot to check back in after HHCx2 yesterday. Promise I didn't clean all night!

Monday Mayhem - Living Room, Hall and Stairs
Vacuum through the hall and stairs
Dusting

Wednesday Wishes- those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms
Vacuum the floor
Dusting.. all those shelves and flat fluffy surfaces!! Don’t forget the light shade and curtain pole!!!
Clean 2 windows
Wipe the radiators, skirtings and window & door frames!

Thursday Thrills- Bathroom and Study/Pc Area
Clean floors in these rooms
Clean baths, toilets, don't forget the outside! and sinks.. shine the taps with a toothbrush
Clear any clutter from desk
Dust PC and desk and wipe off those cup rings!!
Wipe keyboard, house phone, sockets, switches and mouse etc
Wipe down tiles in bathroom.. defragment your pc while doing this.
Empty and clean out all the upstairs bins!

• Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms
• empty out the bathroom cabinet.. clean it.. fling what you don't need and stash the rest in a beautiful manner.. make it all nicely colour cordinated so you have a cupboard rainbow.

Also
Walk dogs
Go to gym
Go to Aldee and Mr A
Get keys cut
Get passport photos
Clean garden
Load and put on dw
Post passport
Prune bushes
Water new plants