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Weekly Flylady Thread 13th August 2018
Natty68
Posts: 3,487 Forumite
What is FLYLADY? Well, it's our version of the US flylady idea - but we work on the principle that housework is not fun, it's boring, can be time-consuming, is often thankless but, unfortunately, necessary. It's here on Old Style to provide the support we all need and to make the whole task easier and quicker. We also accept that, sometimes, life just gets on top of us and we can't keep up, maybe because we're time-poor, not in the best of health and/or we have littlies who need us. We are definitely NOT control freaks aiming for perfection and utterly spotless show-homes.
Welcome to the weekly Flylady Thread. You're more than welcome to join us in the everlasting battle against dust, grime and gibble. The aim of our thread is to make those onerous tasks less daunting, and to support each other - and to make time for the finer things in life!
Please do remember we have to abide by MSE rules; each post should, ideally, include some mention of flying.
Thank you Valli for last week's thread
Please follow the forum rules on this thread as Flylady has been here a LONG time and is a fabulous support and resource for lots of us. All posts should have some Flylady-related (ooh a compound adjective) content!
The idea is that even if you are really busy you don't need to fall off the wagon!
Every room comes back around next week so please don’t stress about catching up.
These lists are only suggestions and not a must do list; you are more than welcome to post and follow your own lists.
Also adding a declutter mission each day will help to gradually clear the clutter and make flying easier.
A few of the basics before we start the week:
Hotspots are areas where if one thing gets put there, loads of other things follow!
Daily routines are anything you need to do on a daily basis like washing, swish and swipe kitchen and bathroom, ironing, making beds, vacuuming high traffic areas, making meals etc.
Night-time routines are all things which make getting ready in the morning easier, preparing clothes for the next day, making lunches, swish & swipes of the kitchen and tidying the living room before you go to bed plus personals like shower/brush teeth etc.
Fling Boogie - stick on some loud music, grab a bin bag and whiz around the house finding items that can go out with the rubbish, recycling, for charity shop, basically anything that will stop it cluttering your home.
Swish and swipe/S&S means have a quick wipe over an area such as a sink or toilet to prevent the build up of dirt. This is usually done on a daily basis
HHE/HHC/HHI Half Hour exercise/challenge/ironing ... run around for 30 minutes to the Benny Hill music frantically cleaning exercising or ironing.. other music may be used if you prefer!
WM ~ Washing machine
TD ~ Tumble dryer
SC ~ Slowcooker
BM ~ Breadmaker
DW ~ Dishwasher
SOAADFA ~ Sit on 'bottom' and do 'nothing'
KH/XH/FW ~ Ex-husband and other not so polite versions
DH/DD/DS/DW/DP ~ Dear husband/daughter/son/wife/partner/whatever
OH/SO ~ Other half/significant other
NN ~ nice neighbour
Toxic (friend/mother/sister/whoever) ~ person in your life that seems to exist to make your life miserable
AF ~ Aunt Flo 'time of the month'.. nothing to do with flying but it comes up often.
ETA ~ Edited to add
Gibble ~ miscellaneous crap that appears forever homeless
Dot-to-dot ~ pick a small area (not a whole room) like a chair/coffee/table/shelf/worktop or wherever- thats your first 'dot' - totally clear it - clean it - and only put back what should be there - deal with what you have removed (not just move it somewhere else) then if you have time move on and do the same to another 'dot' -the idea is just like a dot to dot puzzle, you aim to join up all the dots and have a tidy room. The trick is to keep each dot tidy until you get them all joined up! All credit to AnW's Mum for this one
RoD ~ Room of Doom, the one room that feels like it is a permanent pit and cannot be used to its potential!
MAD half hour- Mad is the abbreviation for Make A Difference.
The idea is that you have a Forth bridge (ie never-ending - or just huge) task but that you work on it in half-hour bursts. This way you know you ARE stooping, and that you won't get it finished but you will make a difference - so it might be clearing out - the garage or shed, or clothes sorting, or weeding - you get the picture - but rather than keep going until you've lost the will to live you do half an hour...but, eventually those half hours will get the job done!
Mr S/A/T/M/L/Al - supermarkets Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi. You get the picture!!
Click here to read Toots wonderful welcome guide
Ok here goes this week!
Monday Marvels ~ Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One...
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Level Two...
Sweep and mop floors
Sort & clean the fridge
Wipe dining table..put a nice vase of flowers on it to make it look pretty!!!
Level Three...
Dust any extra furniture in dining area, checking for cobwebs on way round.
Wipe all your small appliances..toaster, kettle etc..
Wipe & declutter all the windows sills in these areas!!
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Wipe door handles..
Check those washing machine filters and drawers for ickiness!! Tumble dryer, cooker hood and dishwasher filters need to be done too!!
Extra Mission : help yourself
Tuesday bluesday ~ Living Room, Hall and Stairs
Level One...
Vacuum through the living room, hall and stairs
Level Two...
Dusting, even if around everything
Remove clutter making sure stairs especially are safe
Clean windows and all glass.. including the tv screen
Clear the mantel and only put back the items which are supposed to be there.. and that doesn't include letters, keys or other treasure!
Level Three...
Open a drawer.. sort the junk within!
15 minutes sort of the junk on the landing!
Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself
Extra Mission: Pick one or more of the following tasks –
Wednesday warts ~ Bathroom and Study/Pc Area
Level One...
Clean floors in these rooms
Level Two...
Clean baths, toilets, don't forget the outside! and sinks.. shine the taps with a toothbrush
Clear any clutter from desk
Polish the monitor drag out the pc case and dust the top and back!
Wipe keyboard, house phone, sockets, switches and mouse etc
Level Three...
Wash your bathroom mats, nets, clean blind/curtains etc
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
Pull out the pc desk and clean BEHIND AND UNDER it!!!!!!
Extra mission: Take your pick!
Thursday Throwout!!- Master Bedroom & Landing
Level One...
Check fire alarms are working.. mine needs a new battery... I didn't think it was working until it alarmed at me the other day!
Remove and wash bed linen and duvet covers.
Fling open the window and let in the rain/sunnyness
Level Two...
Dust surfaces & make sure no cobwebs..
Vacuum & turn mattress before replacing with fresh linen..
Air the duvet
15 minutes floordrobe clearance
Level Three...
Vacuum floors in bedroom and on landing
Sort through a cupboard and fling everything that is dead
Clear a hotspot.. or spend 15 minutes clearing one.
Extra tasks list, as usual choose one or more
Friday Frenzy ~ those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms
Level One...
Clear away anything that isn't in it's place, clothes, toys, books etc
Make an appointment for some ME-time.. hairdressers? manicure? night out with friends? .. whatever just do it!
Level Two..
Vacuum the floor
Dusting.. all those shelves and flat fluffy surfaces!! Don’t forget the light shade and curtain pole!!!
Strip beds, turn and vacuum mattresses!! and replace with fresh linen .. check if duvets need freshening up too!!
Level Three....
Clean 2 windows
Sort through a cupboard/chest of drawers and get the clothes out which are no longer wearable, too small or out of season!
Wipe any sticky marks off walls and doors
Extra Task List
Welcome to the weekly Flylady Thread. You're more than welcome to join us in the everlasting battle against dust, grime and gibble. The aim of our thread is to make those onerous tasks less daunting, and to support each other - and to make time for the finer things in life!
Please do remember we have to abide by MSE rules; each post should, ideally, include some mention of flying.
Thank you Valli for last week's thread
Please follow the forum rules on this thread as Flylady has been here a LONG time and is a fabulous support and resource for lots of us. All posts should have some Flylady-related (ooh a compound adjective) content!
The idea is that even if you are really busy you don't need to fall off the wagon!
Every room comes back around next week so please don’t stress about catching up.
These lists are only suggestions and not a must do list; you are more than welcome to post and follow your own lists.
Also adding a declutter mission each day will help to gradually clear the clutter and make flying easier.
A few of the basics before we start the week:
Hotspots are areas where if one thing gets put there, loads of other things follow!
Daily routines are anything you need to do on a daily basis like washing, swish and swipe kitchen and bathroom, ironing, making beds, vacuuming high traffic areas, making meals etc.
Night-time routines are all things which make getting ready in the morning easier, preparing clothes for the next day, making lunches, swish & swipes of the kitchen and tidying the living room before you go to bed plus personals like shower/brush teeth etc.
Fling Boogie - stick on some loud music, grab a bin bag and whiz around the house finding items that can go out with the rubbish, recycling, for charity shop, basically anything that will stop it cluttering your home.
Swish and swipe/S&S means have a quick wipe over an area such as a sink or toilet to prevent the build up of dirt. This is usually done on a daily basis
HHE/HHC/HHI Half Hour exercise/challenge/ironing ... run around for 30 minutes to the Benny Hill music frantically cleaning exercising or ironing.. other music may be used if you prefer!
WM ~ Washing machine
TD ~ Tumble dryer
SC ~ Slowcooker
BM ~ Breadmaker
DW ~ Dishwasher
SOAADFA ~ Sit on 'bottom' and do 'nothing'
KH/XH/FW ~ Ex-husband and other not so polite versions
DH/DD/DS/DW/DP ~ Dear husband/daughter/son/wife/partner/whatever
OH/SO ~ Other half/significant other
NN ~ nice neighbour
Toxic (friend/mother/sister/whoever) ~ person in your life that seems to exist to make your life miserable
AF ~ Aunt Flo 'time of the month'.. nothing to do with flying but it comes up often.
ETA ~ Edited to add
Gibble ~ miscellaneous crap that appears forever homeless
Dot-to-dot ~ pick a small area (not a whole room) like a chair/coffee/table/shelf/worktop or wherever- thats your first 'dot' - totally clear it - clean it - and only put back what should be there - deal with what you have removed (not just move it somewhere else) then if you have time move on and do the same to another 'dot' -the idea is just like a dot to dot puzzle, you aim to join up all the dots and have a tidy room. The trick is to keep each dot tidy until you get them all joined up! All credit to AnW's Mum for this one
RoD ~ Room of Doom, the one room that feels like it is a permanent pit and cannot be used to its potential!
MAD half hour- Mad is the abbreviation for Make A Difference.
The idea is that you have a Forth bridge (ie never-ending - or just huge) task but that you work on it in half-hour bursts. This way you know you ARE stooping, and that you won't get it finished but you will make a difference - so it might be clearing out - the garage or shed, or clothes sorting, or weeding - you get the picture - but rather than keep going until you've lost the will to live you do half an hour...but, eventually those half hours will get the job done!
Mr S/A/T/M/L/Al - supermarkets Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi. You get the picture!!
Click here to read Toots wonderful welcome guide
Ok here goes this week!
Monday Marvels ~ Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One...
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Level Two...
Sweep and mop floors
Sort & clean the fridge
Wipe dining table..put a nice vase of flowers on it to make it look pretty!!!
Level Three...
Dust any extra furniture in dining area, checking for cobwebs on way round.
Wipe all your small appliances..toaster, kettle etc..
Wipe & declutter all the windows sills in these areas!!
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Wipe door handles..
Check those washing machine filters and drawers for ickiness!! Tumble dryer, cooker hood and dishwasher filters need to be done too!!
Extra Mission : help yourself
- Wipe down the hob and oven, go on you know you want to!!!!
- Wipe down any tiles and shine those taps.. a toothbrush is great for cleaning away the gunk!
- 32 fling boogie..
- GO! buy yourself a treat.. you deserve it!
- Empty the bin.. wash it out.. and make it smell SWEET
Tuesday bluesday ~ Living Room, Hall and Stairs
Level One...
Vacuum through the living room, hall and stairs
Level Two...
Dusting, even if around everything
Remove clutter making sure stairs especially are safe
Clean windows and all glass.. including the tv screen
Clear the mantel and only put back the items which are supposed to be there.. and that doesn't include letters, keys or other treasure!
Level Three...
Open a drawer.. sort the junk within!
15 minutes sort of the junk on the landing!
Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself
Extra Mission: Pick one or more of the following tasks –
- Name all the school garments!!
- Wipe down any paintwork that needs it.
- Binbag dance.. Get a binbag.. fill it and bin it!!!
- Wash any cushions, throws or curtains that need it
Wednesday warts ~ Bathroom and Study/Pc Area
Level One...
Clean floors in these rooms
Level Two...
Clean baths, toilets, don't forget the outside! and sinks.. shine the taps with a toothbrush
Clear any clutter from desk
Polish the monitor drag out the pc case and dust the top and back!
Wipe keyboard, house phone, sockets, switches and mouse etc
Level Three...
Wash your bathroom mats, nets, clean blind/curtains etc
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
Pull out the pc desk and clean BEHIND AND UNDER it!!!!!!
Extra mission: Take your pick!
- Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms
- Fling all those empty bottles and tubes
- replace any sponges, flannels, toiletries that need it
- Clean the outside of all cupboards in the bathroom
Thursday Throwout!!- Master Bedroom & Landing
Level One...
Check fire alarms are working.. mine needs a new battery... I didn't think it was working until it alarmed at me the other day!
Remove and wash bed linen and duvet covers.
Fling open the window and let in the rain/sunnyness
Level Two...
Dust surfaces & make sure no cobwebs..
Vacuum & turn mattress before replacing with fresh linen..
Air the duvet
15 minutes floordrobe clearance
Level Three...
Vacuum floors in bedroom and on landing
Sort through a cupboard and fling everything that is dead
Clear a hotspot.. or spend 15 minutes clearing one.
Extra tasks list, as usual choose one or more
- 32 fling boogie time, go on grab a bag and clear that clutter
- Clean all paintwork on the landing
- Clean windows in these rooms
- Clear out your spare linen.. all those holey sheets, manky duvet covers and stained pillow cases.. FLING!!
Friday Frenzy ~ those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms
Level One...
Clear away anything that isn't in it's place, clothes, toys, books etc
Make an appointment for some ME-time.. hairdressers? manicure? night out with friends? .. whatever just do it!
Level Two..
Vacuum the floor
Dusting.. all those shelves and flat fluffy surfaces!! Don’t forget the light shade and curtain pole!!!
Strip beds, turn and vacuum mattresses!! and replace with fresh linen .. check if duvets need freshening up too!!
Level Three....
Clean 2 windows
Sort through a cupboard/chest of drawers and get the clothes out which are no longer wearable, too small or out of season!
Wipe any sticky marks off walls and doors
Extra Task List
- Find 5 things to ebay/freecycle
- Wipe the radiators, skirtings and window & door frames!
- Binbag dance!!! grab a binbag and fill it with stuff to leave the house.. rubbish or charity shop or to donate to a friend!
Mortgage Free as of 20.9.17
Declutter challenge 2023, 2024 🏅 🏅⭐️⭐️Declutter Challenge 2025
DH declutter challenge award 🏅⭐️
0
Comments
-
Flylady 2018 Challenges - GO FLYERS GO
SCRIMPERS (no spend AUGUST)
atypical blonde
Lamewolf
Pigpen
Natty (was a naughty flylady..lol)
Kazwookie
Jazee
Honey Bear
Valli
Fayolle
Yorkshirelass
Lynnejk
Mumof2
SLINKIES - weight loss challenge
Lynnejk - 9lb
Narcolepsy *some*
Valli 2st/28lb
Dizzy Imp 2st/28lb
FurryBeastOz 2st/28lb
nannygladys 3st/42lb
Fayolle 2st/28lb
atypicalblonde 2st/28lb
Princess Money Penny
Lil_me 5st/70lb
JojotheTightfisted
LameWolf 2st/28lb
Roundtuit 56lb
Jazee 2st/28lb
Pigpen *some*
MrsMoneypenny 1st at least
Froddington 2st
Dancemum 3st
Mademoiselle about 2 st
Ionafan 1st 11lb 9lb (hope that's right!) Excellent work
donnajt 3 st
Rosemary7391
Mrs Chaos 16lb
Faete 2st
Natty 1st 7Ib {6lb lost}
Kazwookie 2st tbc
Honey Bear 5 kgs
Flymarketeers
FurryBeastOz
Pigpen
Valli
Mumof2
donnjt - £1k for hols
H2H (hovel to haven)
HoneyBear
Froddington
Roundtuit
Mumof2
FurryBeastOz
funfairprincess
Mrs Moneypenny
hex2
Fayolle
lynnejk
riotlady
donnajt - by Summer
Mrs Chaos
NattyMortgage Free as of 20.9.17Declutter challenge 2023, 2024 🏅 🏅⭐️⭐️
Declutter Challenge 2025
DH declutter challenge award 🏅⭐️0 -
I'll fly Wednesday... I'm going to st malo pour le jour tomorrow.Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY"I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily Dickinson
Janice 1964-2016
Thank you Honey Bear0 -
I am back!! (But possibly briefly due to hubby attempting to book some more 'away time')
My list for the week:
Keep on top of the washing
Keep the dining room table clear
Some knitting every evening (10 rows would be good)
Have a good wedding anniversary (Tuesday)
Have a good birthday (Thursday)
(I will add more as it comes to me).Outstanding mortgage: £23,181 (December 19)
MFW 2020 Challenge Member #10 0/£23180 -
We have;
Sort out clothes and pack.
Sort out camping equipment and pack.
Deal with felines' little box of Evil.
Keep kitchen clean.
I've had an extra unwanted job of Dishing out Home Truths to somebody who is just adding to my stress levels with stuff that simply Isn't My Problem. They had better take the not so subtle hints and not try and drag me into their issues again.
And now I am feeling wired despite zero intention of doing anything tonight, when I had been relatively relaxed. :mad:I could dream to wide extremes, I could do or die: I could yawn and be withdrawn and watch the world go by.Yup you are officially Rock n Roll
0 -
Morning all. Have a great holiday Valli.
I'm in and pleased to report that just by chance I've already sorted and cleaned the fridge this morning, so I can cross that off the list.
Have a great day everyone.Spend less now, work less later.0 -
Morning All. I'm in this week, so thank you Natty for the list. Avez un lovely jour dans St Malo, Valli.Better is good enough.0
-
Morning all.
Have just taken Rosie to kennels for 3 nights. We are off on a short break, necessitated by a family funeral later today, but after that it will be visits to friends and a Flymeet
(((Hugs))) spoons and sticks all round, as needed x0 -
Morning all.
House not looking too bad apart from kitchen and main bedroom which is a huge dumping ground and now has a huge airer of clothes in it. I hate airers hanging around the place!!! Come back sunshine!!!
Monday Marvels ~ Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One...
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Level Two...
Sweep and mop floors
Wipe dining table..put a nice vase of flowers on it to make it look pretty!!!
Level Three...
Wipe & declutter all the windows sills in these areas!!
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Wipe door handles..
Check those washing machine filters and drawers for ickiness!! Tumble dryer, cooker hood and dishwasher filters need to be done too!!
Extra Mission : help yourself
Wipe down the hob and oven, go on you know you want to!!!!
32 fling boogie..
1 x wm
Dw
Wudupa
MaD half hr in master bedroom
Hoover stairsGrocery challenge-
J- 52.40/£200 M- 187.56 A- 212.93 M-193.44 F-201.31 J- 240.62 D- £149.27 N- £210.69 O- 196.80
S- 213.68 A- £213.03 J- 249.66 J-206.29, M- 252.91, A-£250, M- £250
debt free as of feb 2015. Now saving for deposit for new house! Moving in June 2015!!!0 -
Morning :wave:
Two more days at home, then back to work on Wednesday. Still not 100% as I occasionally stagger and have to find my balance, but mostly I'm fine now :T
No excuse for avoiding a steady flutter then In my head I have such wonderful plans: if I could just jump the hump from thought to action..... it's that overcoming inertia thing again 
Please feel free to fling fluffy mules in this direction; or a well-aimed boot at the butt might be more appropriate.
I've overcome Mount Procrastination (it crawled out of bed with me this morning) to the point where I am here.... reporting for duty.... I am determined I am not going to sit and do nothing today! My own psyche is against me - 'trying to think lots of things not to do' is NOT a helpful song!!! Please feel free to offer alternative theme tunes
Grrr gremlins - I can't even decide whether to start with a shower or leave it until last. No earthly reason why I can't take two showers in one day for goodness sake!!!!!! Or even live dangerously!!!! and take a shower in the middle!
And breathe....
Round 1=
1. take pile of clean laundry upstairs
2. make the bed
3. shower/ hair wash
4. get dressed
5. feed birds
6. put out recycling
7. WM x1
8. [STRIKE]put one bowl of pots to soak[/STRIKE] WUDUPA one bowl of pots
9. coffee.
It's a start.
Thank you.
RxxIT ONLY TAKES SMALL DAILY ACTIONSFOR MAGIC TO HAPPENRosemary Ikpeme0 -
Back to work on Friday and I swear the house looks worse than before I started to major tidy up as well as painting bathroom woodwork on the cards for this week
Monday Marvels ~ Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One...
[STRIKE]Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces [/STRIKE]
Level Two...
Sweep and mop floors
Sort & clean the fridge
Level Three...
Wipe all your small appliances..toaster, kettle etc..
Wipe & declutter all the windows sills in these areas!!
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Wipe door handles..
[STRIKE]Check those washing machine filters and drawers for ickiness!! Tumble dryer, cooker hood and dishwasher filters need to be done too!!
[/STRIKE]
Extra Mission : help yourself
- Wipe down the hob and oven, go on you know you want to!!!!
- Wipe down any tiles and shine those taps.. a toothbrush is great for cleaning away the gunk!
- 32 fling boogie..
- Empty the bin.. wash it out.. and make it smell SWEET
DW unpacked and PA
HHI
Undercoat bathroom woodwork
0
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