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Weekly Flylady Thread 4th March 2019
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Valli
Posts: 25,464 Forumite
Welcome to the Weekly Flylady Thread
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
Hotspotsare 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!
Some of our abbreviations: DH- dear husband, OH- other half, KH/CF- affectionate term for ex husband or partner
DS/DD- dear son/daughter, DGC- dear grandchild, WM- washing machine, DW- dishwasher, LR/DR- living/dining room, RoD- room of doom, 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
Manic Monday - Kitchen Kapers/Dining Room
Level 1
Clear sides and wipe down
Replace what lives there, wiping as you go
Empty bin and clean it out too
Wipe sill, sockets, door handles and switches
Clear and clean sink and accessories - don't forget those out-of-sight places - under plugs and under draining racks
Clean/polish table - wipe mats/change cloth
Check fruit and wash bowl
Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts, not forgetting handles
Clean hob - thoroughly. Wash all detachable parts too.
Sort fridge and wipe seals; weave stuff that needs using up into your meal plan
If you have a self-defrosting fridge make sure drainage holes are clean and clear. Check fridge temperature too. We don't want any nasty bugs
Dust dining area/room
Level 3
Clean oven
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
make sure your meal plan includes using up foods.
Clean windows
extras
MAD half hour call one or join one
HHI
S&S bathroom
Tuesday Twinkles - Brighten that bathroom
Level 1
Fling open the windows
Clear the bins, remove empties
Flush the loo and squirt something down it to start the cleaning process
Fling the towels in the WM
Vacuum extractor cover and/or wipe
Level 2
Clear lotions and potions from around bath and scrub inside and out.
Prod a brush down the plughole to remove the ratty tails
Polish the taps
Slug of bleach down the drain
Scrub the loo inside and out - and bleach it
Thoroughly clean bath taps and plugs - especially hair traps
Wipe shower head
Level 3
Scrub the sink
Polish the taps
Dust sills and shelves
Wipe anywhere fingers linger with a clean cloth or an anti-bac wipe
Mop the floor
Polish mirrors
Extras
Clear out a cupboard, drawer or shelf
Wipe light pulls
Scrub tiles
Clean windows
HHI
S&S kitchen
Wednesday - hump day - time to put yourself first so make sure your bedroom is a relaxing, clean, tidy place
Level 1
Open the window
Strip the bed
Fling the sheets etc in the washbasket
Go and get your breakfast/kids off to school etc
Level 2
Close the window (like you haven't already)
Dust the headboard or vacuum as appropriate
remake the bed
Clear the floordrobe/chairdrobe or any other clutter
(see - looks better already)
Dust all horizontal surfaces - vertical too, if you have time
Polish any mirrors
Level Three
Clean the windows
Vacuum the floor
Make sure bedside cabinets are clear of clutter - both on them and in them
Use a damp cloth to wipe those lotion and potion bottles.
Extras
HHI - don't let it build up (we will gloss over my little heap then) - could do as part of a HHC
S&S bathroom
S&S kitchen
Make some me-time plans - meet up with a friend or get yourself primped and polished
Thursday Thrills Double Bubble - hallway, stairs landing and lounge
HALLWAY/STAIRS/LANDING
Clear floor
clean windows/door glass
Dust any wood
Clean door mats
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Dust/wipe lighting
Vacuum stairs
Living room
Level 2
Clear any rubbish
Deal with flowers/plants
Tidy coffee/lamp tables
plump cushions
Level 3
Clean UNDER sofa/chair seat cushions
Clean Windows
Dust all round - inc skirting boards
Clear and clean floor
Extras
HHI
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
Find a recipe you haven't tried before (in one of your many cookery books) and add ingredients to your shopping list
Friday Frenzy - pick a room - any room
Conservatory, dining room, kids room, spare room,...
Level 1
Open the windows
If there's a bed in here strip it and wash the bedding
If it's other soft furnishings vacuum
Throw out any obvious rubbish
Clear the floor
level 2
Wipe the windows/frames/sills
Remake the bed (if there is one)
plump cushions
Level 3
dust and vacuum
Extras
Buy fresh flowers and put them somewhere you will see them, often
Wipe and water houseplants
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
MAD half hour - Toots list reduction
make sure you've got your preferred tipple chilling
Have a lovely weekend.
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
Hotspotsare 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!
Some of our abbreviations: DH- dear husband, OH- other half, KH/CF- affectionate term for ex husband or partner
DS/DD- dear son/daughter, DGC- dear grandchild, WM- washing machine, DW- dishwasher, LR/DR- living/dining room, RoD- room of doom, 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
Manic Monday - Kitchen Kapers/Dining Room
Level 1
Clear sides and wipe down
Replace what lives there, wiping as you go
Empty bin and clean it out too
Wipe sill, sockets, door handles and switches
Clear and clean sink and accessories - don't forget those out-of-sight places - under plugs and under draining racks
Clean/polish table - wipe mats/change cloth
Check fruit and wash bowl
Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts, not forgetting handles
Clean hob - thoroughly. Wash all detachable parts too.
Sort fridge and wipe seals; weave stuff that needs using up into your meal plan
If you have a self-defrosting fridge make sure drainage holes are clean and clear. Check fridge temperature too. We don't want any nasty bugs
Dust dining area/room
Level 3
Clean oven
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
make sure your meal plan includes using up foods.
Clean windows
extras
MAD half hour call one or join one
HHI
S&S bathroom
Tuesday Twinkles - Brighten that bathroom
Level 1
Fling open the windows
Clear the bins, remove empties
Flush the loo and squirt something down it to start the cleaning process
Fling the towels in the WM
Vacuum extractor cover and/or wipe
Level 2
Clear lotions and potions from around bath and scrub inside and out.
Prod a brush down the plughole to remove the ratty tails
Polish the taps
Slug of bleach down the drain
Scrub the loo inside and out - and bleach it
Thoroughly clean bath taps and plugs - especially hair traps
Wipe shower head
Level 3
Scrub the sink
Polish the taps
Dust sills and shelves
Wipe anywhere fingers linger with a clean cloth or an anti-bac wipe
Mop the floor
Polish mirrors
Extras
Clear out a cupboard, drawer or shelf
Wipe light pulls
Scrub tiles
Clean windows
HHI
S&S kitchen
Wednesday - hump day - time to put yourself first so make sure your bedroom is a relaxing, clean, tidy place
Level 1
Open the window
Strip the bed
Fling the sheets etc in the washbasket
Go and get your breakfast/kids off to school etc
Level 2
Close the window (like you haven't already)
Dust the headboard or vacuum as appropriate
remake the bed
Clear the floordrobe/chairdrobe or any other clutter
(see - looks better already)
Dust all horizontal surfaces - vertical too, if you have time
Polish any mirrors
Level Three
Clean the windows
Vacuum the floor
Make sure bedside cabinets are clear of clutter - both on them and in them
Use a damp cloth to wipe those lotion and potion bottles.
Extras
HHI - don't let it build up (we will gloss over my little heap then) - could do as part of a HHC
S&S bathroom
S&S kitchen
Make some me-time plans - meet up with a friend or get yourself primped and polished
Thursday Thrills Double Bubble - hallway, stairs landing and lounge
HALLWAY/STAIRS/LANDING
Clear floor
clean windows/door glass
Dust any wood
Clean door mats
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Dust/wipe lighting
Vacuum stairs
Living room
Level 2
Clear any rubbish
Deal with flowers/plants
Tidy coffee/lamp tables
plump cushions
Level 3
Clean UNDER sofa/chair seat cushions
Clean Windows
Dust all round - inc skirting boards
Clear and clean floor
Extras
HHI
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
Find a recipe you haven't tried before (in one of your many cookery books) and add ingredients to your shopping list
Friday Frenzy - pick a room - any room
Conservatory, dining room, kids room, spare room,...
Level 1
Open the windows
If there's a bed in here strip it and wash the bedding
If it's other soft furnishings vacuum
Throw out any obvious rubbish
Clear the floor
level 2
Wipe the windows/frames/sills
Remake the bed (if there is one)
plump cushions
Level 3
dust and vacuum
Extras
Buy fresh flowers and put them somewhere you will see them, often
Wipe and water houseplants
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
MAD half hour - Toots list reduction
make sure you've got your preferred tipple chilling
Have a lovely weekend.
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 Bear
Janice 1964-2016Thank you Honey Bear
0
Comments
-
Thank you Valli xx And thank you Natty for last week xx
Cupboard (from landing) and head board (outside) have gone to the skip.
Gave GF a duplicate photo of DS taken at secondary school - it's not much, but it's another item out of the house
Hugs to Narc0lepsy xx
RxxIT ONLY TAKES SMALL DAILY ACTIONSFOR MAGIC TO HAPPENRosemary Ikpeme0 -
Thank you, Valli. I will try to fly properly this week, as my diary is (amazingly) fairly empty. Don't think I am worthy to compete with Flylady Extraordinaire Round, though!
(((Hugs))) to Narc0 and MrN. Hope MiL improves soon, Narc0.
Great news that your DS2 is home, mrs-mp.
Good luck to Jojo's OH in his job interview tomorrow.
My DH has finished his courses of ABs, so we shall see how he gets on this week. I just hope he doesn't pick up another infection now, or find that the old one is still lingering like it did in October, when he had multiple visits to the GP - we are due to go to DD's for a few days towards the end of the month.
My list for tomorrow:
- Cut DH's hair
- Levels 1-3, whatever needs doing (not the oven!)
- Put things away in the study bedroom
- WMx2
- Quick shop - in need of coffee and milk
- Rosie's walk
- Family history research for a friend (= relaxation for me
)
Hope everyone has a good (or at least better) week x0 -
Thanks Valli, I'm in.
Glad to see that I'm already ahead having cleaned the fridge and s&sd the bathroom today.
Tomorrow I have work in the morning and meeting with friends in the afternoon but will see what I can get done. Priorities will be walking the dogs and changing the bedding.
See you all tomorrow.Spend less now, work less later.0 -
Kitchen counters swished.
Washing up done with kettle water.
Floor swept.
Must call for boilerman first thing tomorrow, but put up with it until Tuesday. I can't see them leaving it longer with no gas. I hope.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 Roll0 -
Morning all
Thank you for the lists, I'm in but going to try and return to paid stuff today-coz we all know how well that turned out last week!
Hugs to all and thank you for the kind words about ds2 I'm just so glad he's doing so well.
Right better get on I suppose. XSPC~12 ot 124
In a world that has decided that it's going to lose its mind, be more kind my friend, try to Be More Kind0 -
Morning all, I'm in, thank you so much for the lists. I am ready for work, kiddies are eating brekkie, DW to go on shortly.
Determined to get into a positive mindset this week.
Have fab days all xx0 -
Morning everyone.
Thank you for lists Valli, and for last week,Natty.
((Hugs)) to Narc0 and Mr N.
Good news about your DS, Mrs MP. Be gentle on yourself this week. X
It’s work day today but I did at least dust the dining room yesterday so a small contribution to today’s list-crossing-off. DH’s tyre has developed a slow puncture so he needs to sort that out today, which means that I need to leave work earlier than usual to pick up DD from after school revision.
Wm sorted for when I get home, I have WULTD. Everything else will have to wait until later.
Have a lovely day. X0 -
Morning all
I'm here again after a busy visit across the Channel to visit family. Lovely time but loads of driving and late nights and too much food so this morning I've put my best SMILE on and am hoping that (plus coffee) will get me through work and doctor's visit. Should be done by 2.30 and we'll see then how much flying I get done.
I bought a new sewing machine this weekend, after researching and debating for many months, so am now very excited to try it. Not going to help my trying to get the house in order.
Hugs to all,0 -
Morning :wave:
Back to work today
Nothing wrong with work (fingers crossed) but I'd rather stay at home.
Good luck to jojo's Himself with the job interview xxDon't think I am worthy to compete with Flylady Extraordinaire Round, though!
Aww
I'm all embarrassed now Thank you ionafan xx I am pleased with the progress made this week but there is still a lot to do. Keeping the momentum going whilst working full time is an art not yet mastered, but I'll chip away as best I can.Mademoiselle wrote: »I'm here again after a busy visit across the Channel to visit family. Lovely time but loads of driving and late nights and too much food so this morning I've put my best SMILE on and am hoping that (plus coffee) will get me through work and doctor's visit. Should be done by 2.30 and we'll see then how much flying I get done.
Timely advice - I am locating my best SMILE too xx
Heigh ho, heigh ho and all that. Wishing you all a good day
RxxIT ONLY TAKES SMALL DAILY ACTIONSFOR MAGIC TO HAPPENRosemary Ikpeme0 -
Narco, hugs.
WM is on
All house hoovered
Bins out
Kitchen done (will clean oven Weds)
Walking machine done
2.1/2 lbs lost this week.
Bathroom skirting boards cleaned
Bed remade
Of to blood letting monster again today as last week they failed to get any blood out of me, fingers cross they will today from my arm, if not they were talking about the ankle area, which sounds very painful.
Have a good dayBreast 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. 291,815/1,000,000Sun, Sea0
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