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Weekly Flylady Thread 20th August 2018

Valli
Valli Posts: 25,583 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
edited 23 August 2018 at 8:08PM in Old style MoneySaving
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 Natty 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'
WUDUPA ~ washed up, dried up, put away
WUALTD ~ washed up and left to dry
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 Munchroom Mess - Kitchen and Dining Room

Level 1

Empty bin and wipe/wash it out - keave it outside to dry in the sunshine to freshen and deordorise it
Clear sides (worktops) and wipe down
Wipe stuff as you put it back - kettle etc Don't forget the toaster crumb tray
Clear table; dust, wipe/polish - don't forget the legs
Clean whatever you sit on - and turn them over and look under the seat...told you! How icky does it get where fingers go and eyes don't see!

Level 2

Rinse out that cloth and wipe sockets and switches and door handles
Wipe down cupboard fronts and fascias - paying special attention to handles
Spring clean - pick a neglected drawer or cupboard, empty it and wipe it out.
Wipe window sills and clean the windows
Clean out fridge and weave anything on its last legs into your mealplan
Wipe splashbacks/tiles

Level 3

Dust any dining room furniture
Wipe skirting boards
Sweep/mop/polish floor
bang doormats outside and replace

Extras

Binbag Dance
HHI
S&S bathroom
check diary for the week - have you got all the cards you need?
Deal with a pile!
MAD half hour
Kiddies will be back at school soon - make sure uniforms/kits/bags are where they should be and ready for the new term


Tuesday - make your lounge worthy of being lounged in - Living room loveliness

Level 1


Open the windows!
Empty any bins.
Sort through the magazine rack - and fling.
Give the cushions a good plumping.
Remove anything that doesn't live here.
With a damp cloth wipe remotes, light switches and the bit just above and below the door handles, where sticky fingers leave residues.

Level Two
Lift sofa cushions, swap around if you can and vacuum all those crevices
Dust everywhere - check for cobwebs!
Clean flies out of light fittings...I use an air can (as used for zapping dust in electronics

Level Three
Dust/wipe curtain tracks
Move all the furniture you can and vacuum

Chillies - - your home will be lovely if you help too!
Make your own bed.
Remove anything icky from your rooms and bin it.
Lift everything off the floor and vacuum it.
Put your clean clothes away tidily and your dirty clothes in the laundry. Make sure your PE kits is in the wash too! We don't want a panic come September!

Extras
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
Water parched plants
Sort out all your plastic containers - make sure you have all the lids; throw anything not in good condition. Then put everything back tidily - VALLI! (yes it's a Toots list job !)


Wishy Washy Wipy Wednesday- out on the tiles
(Bathrooms and en suites)

Level 1


Remove shower curtains and towels - wash that shower curtain!
Wipe down shower screens and cubicles
Scrub bath
Give shower heads a bath in lemon juice
Polish all brightwork (chrome bits - taps & hoses)
Clean shower tray
Slosh a good glug of bleach down drains/overflows

Level 2

Flush loo and spray bowl with cream cleaner and SCRUB - under the rim, below the waterline and all over the bowl.
Flush loo again
Wipe seat, lid and outside of loo - including where you can't see...
Slop some bleach all over the inside of the loo
With a clean cloth wipe switches, pull cord, door handles and loo roll holder
Rinse loo brush and dry it outside in the sun

Level 3

Scrub the sink = don't forget the underneath the plug!
Bleach the drain
Wipe the pedestal/cupboard over
Polish and mirrors, glass and your heated towel rail
Clean the floor - vacuum or mop
Put out fresh towels

Extras

HHI
S&S kitchen
Cook a 'double' meal and freeze the spare ready for when you need/deserve a lazy evening
Book out some me time...or some couple time...or both
MAD half hour
If you're working your way through your kitchen cupboards (Natty asked us to clean one last week!)clean out another one!


Thursday Thrills - clean your retreat - bedroom

Level 1

Open windows w-i-d-e
Strip bed
Allow to air
Turn mattress if (a)necessary (b)you have assistance or (c) muscles
Remake bed

level 2
Clear floordrobe and chairdrobe
Clean windows
Vacuum, sweep or mop floor

Level 3

Dust all sides and shelves
With a just damp cloth wipe all your lotion and potion bottles, hairdryers (especially if you use product while blow drying) etc. and put all perfumes away in a drawer. Take it from a former lab. tech.
Polish mirrors

Extras
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
HHI
MAD half hour - hit that TOOTS list


[B]Friday Finale

High traffic areas

hallways, stairs, utilities, lobbies...mix it up[/B]

Beat any door mats
Clean any windows
Dust dusty spots
Move excess coats and shoes
Polish any mirrors
Wipe any sills
Wipe all light switches and door handles; make sure all lighting is fully functional
Sweep the door step
Wash OUTSIDE of front door
Polish door furniture
Sweep/mop/vacuum floors
Clear any gibble
Binbag fling...all that stuff you put down and left - can it go?
Put all junk mail in recycling - cut windows out of envelopes first - SHRED bits with personal information on first
Make sure plants are dust free and watered


Extras
HHI
S&S Kitchen
S&S bathroom
Meal plan for the long weekend (unless you're in Scotland)
make sure everything is in its home...tidy is half the battle!
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
:heart:Janice 1964-2016:heart:

Thank you Honey Bear
«13456789

Comments

  • Valli
    Valli Posts: 25,583 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    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
    Natty
    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
    :heart:Janice 1964-2016:heart:

    Thank you Honey Bear
  • pigpen
    pigpen Posts: 41,152 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    ty... Sunday came around quick... not in but I might be reading so no calling me names!
    LB moment 10/06 Debt Free date 6/6/14
    Hope to be debt free until the day I die
    Mortgage-free Wannabee (05/08/30)
    6/6/14 £72,454.65 (5.65% int.)
    08/12/2023 £33602.00 (4.81% int.)
  • kazwookie
    kazwookie Posts: 14,341 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'm here.

    Thank you for the lists
    Breast Cancer Now 100 miles October 2022 100 / 100miles
    D- Day 80km June 2024 80/80km (10.06.24 all done)
    Diabetic UK 1 million steps July 2024 to complete by end Sept 2024. 1,001,066/ 1,000,000 (20.09.24 all done)
    Breast Cancer Now 100 miles 1st May 2025 (18.05.2025 all done)
    Diabetic UK 1 million steps July 2025 to complete by end Sept 2025. 1,006,489 / 1,000,000 (10.09.25 all done)
    Breast Cancer Now 100 miles 1st October 2025 82/100
    Sun, Sea
  • Narc0lepsy
    Narc0lepsy Posts: 2,886 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'm here, lists appreciated even though I tend to stray.
    Just had our 1st blackberry and apple crumble of the year with our apples and some blackberries I spotted on my way home from church. Picked loads and froze about 5 bags. Also harvested and froze lots of basil.
    Took mil out to an open garden then coffee at garden centre. All seeds half price so saved loads of money.
    Remember...a layer of dust protects the wood beneath it.
  • Fayolle
    Fayolle Posts: 3,237 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thank you, I'm definitely in, although looking at the calendar for the week ahead, there are lots of errands to fit around, plus 2 days work.

    After my weekly weigh in, it is definitely a case of Must Do Better on the slinky challenge. 6 days away = 6lbs put on, even though I ate lots of salads and walked miles! It had taken me since January to lose 7lb....
  • Dizzy_Imp
    Dizzy_Imp Posts: 2,782 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'm lurking as I have my bestie and her little girl staying all week, so we are having some fun!

    Had Small's birthday party at the Laser Quest place today. They had a whale of a time and the chocolate loaded cake was completely eaten (the mums did help). I have a dog free - except my own - week ahead. A toy poodle is visiting in the morning for a pre-stay session, but this well be the first week since I started my business that I haven't had two or more hounds to stay.

    The owner of the utterly gorgeous collie that stayed until today has booked two further stays in September and October, so that is wonderful!

    Life is good girls, life is good x
  • froddington
    froddington Posts: 6,697 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I'm here - thanks Valli :A

    Thanks for all the hugs and thoughts xx

    May or may not be in - trying to keep head above water and taking one day at a time. Need to speak to MH team asap to talk over things.

    I have - errmmm - made some dinner and dealt with some emails :o

    I am going to try to do a HHC each day - gotta be better than nothing.

    Monday Munchroom Mess - Kitchen

    Clear sides (worktops) and wipe down
    Wipe stuff as you put it back - kettle etc
    Wipe down cupboard fronts
    Wipe window sills and clean the windows
    Wipe splashbacks/tiles
    Vacuum floor
    Binbag Dance
    "There's only one way of life and that's your own" - Levellers

    "I'm feeling like a Monday but someday I'll be Saturday night" - Bon Jovi
  • ionafan
    ionafan Posts: 4,884 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Morning all.

    Hugs and coping vibes to Froddy, dancemum, pigpen, Lame Wolf and anyone else trying to keep their head above water atm.

    I am already flying... down the Chiltern Line towards London, going to meet DD and bring DGS 1+2 to our house for 2 nights, returning them on Wednesday afternoon. I did manage to clear the spare bed, Hoover the floor (half a dog???) And make up 2 beds yesterday evening while DH put some ham and a few bits of ready prepared salad out on plates, having hardly moved off his chair for the rest of the day.

    This week I also have to run toddler group, get washing and mending up to date (tore my cotton skirt on some brambles :(), take Rosie to kennels (because DH can't walk her) and catch another early train up north on Friday. That doesn't leave apt of time for flying, so I shall be making as little mess as possible and trusting that DH's immobility won't raise any dust :D

    Have a good week, all. Help yourself to spoons and sticks xx
  • Morning all, feeling a little rough myself this morning, generous Pickle sharing his germ!
    Yesterday I did the daily necessities (washing, wudupa etc) in the kitchen I decluttered & cleaned the top of three cupboards, the insides of three cupboards, three cupboards worth of worktops and the cooker hood. I'm working my way up to decluttering the baking equipment as I will find it hard to be ruthless.

    This week, I'm going to carry on my 'little and often approach in the evenings this week, I also want to start on my little 'outdoor bar' area in the back yard this week, but that depends on the weather really.
    Outstanding mortgage: £23,181 (December 19)
    MFW 2020 Challenge Member #10 0/£2318
  • Mumof2_2
    Mumof2_2 Posts: 2,694 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Many thanks for the list, much appreciated. Am really going to try to do my best to do it as it honestly makes such a difference (speaking to the converted here I know).
    Trying new tactic of getting up early and getting on with the day - going to grab another cup of tea then get dressed and get out riding in good time then back to housework/kids etc. J left for work at 6am as he does most Mondays now.
    Down to last 2 weeks of school holidays now so need to make sure all uniform is bought etc. Done stationery/bags etc so much more ahead than usual.
    Big hugs to everyone going through tricky times at the moment. I still very much stand by my 'This too shall pass' - it definitely helps.
    Flymarkeeteer: £168 and counting
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