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Weekly Flylady Thread 9th December 2019
Valli
Posts: 25,590 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 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'
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- that’s 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...
FLYLADY THREAD PICK'N'MIX
I'm not going to list the rooms by day, just by room but you are free to either do a whole room (all three levels) or mix up the levels across the week - so, for example, you might pick level 1 to do for all rooms. Just post what you HAVE achieved! Sharp-eyed flyladies will notice there are six lists...because YOU are picking and mixing. You might choose the worst room to really make a difference (and because you have the time) or the least minging because you're short of time.
Bathroom, Cloakroom, En suite
Level 1
Remove all rubbish (bin bag dance)
Clean windows
Dust all furnishings
Polish mirror, shower screen
Wipe shower cubicle out
Level 2
Clean loo - and bleach
Clean basin - don't forget to clean the underside of the plug
Wash toothbrush holders/toothmugs
Wipe loo roll holder
Level 3
Clean bath
Clean floor
Wipe door(s) down paying special attention to handles
Wipe pull switches
Check cabinets - wipe sticky shelves
Hall, Stairs and Landing
Level 1
Clear rubbish/binbag dance
Clean windows
Wipe all handles and stair rails/banisters
Wipe sockets and switches
Level 2
Dust skirtings
Attend to plants
Dust everywhere
Level 3
Sweep, mop, vacuum floors
Clean mats
Check outdoor/security lighting is fully functional
Check smoke alarms and CO monitors
Kitchen/dining room
Level 1
Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances
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
Throw away your manky dish cloth or sponge and replace with a new one!
Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts, not forgetting handles and tops and bottom as well as fronts!
Clean hob
Clean microwave
Sort fridge and wipe seals; weave stuff that needs using up into your meal plan
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clear WM , TD and DW filters
Level 3
Pick a cupboard or a drawer; empty it, clean it out and put back its contents tidily
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean windows
Master Bedroom
Level 1
Open windows w-i-d-e unless it's persisting it down/freezing
Strip bed
Allow to air
Remake bed
Level 2
Clear floordrobe and chairdrobe
Clean windows
Vacuum, sweep or mop floor
Empty bin
Put as much stuff as you can away - clear the clutter
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. The sun/heat will damage the contents.
Rinse the cloth and wipe sockets and switches
Polish mirrors
Vacuum/dust light fittings and lamps
Living room
Level 1
Open windows
Empty out any rubbish
Clear and clean coffee table/side tables
Recycle old newspapers and magazines
Rehome anything which is out of place
Wipe coasters
Deal with any flowers/water & wipe plants
Level 2
Dust and polish any wooden furniture or just dust
Check corners for cobwebs/spiders and remove
Dust skirting boards
Wipe handles/sockets/switches
Dust electricals
Level 3
Lift chair/sofa cushions and vacuum under them
Wipe leather furniture/vacuum sofas
Dust lightfittings - and bulbs!
Dust skirting boards/dado rails etc
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Kids room/spare room/guest room
Level one
Open widows
Strip bed (if needed)
Remove rubbish
Deal with flowers
Remake aired bed
Level 2
Clean window
Dust level surfaces
Check lighting functional
Level 3
Dust skirtings
Wipe mirrors
Vacuum floor
Daily little tasks that keep the whole house running smoothly
S&S kitchen (unless it's kitchen day)
S&S bathroom(s) (unless.. you get the idea)
HHI
Other key tasks
Pick and choose if/as necessary
Check smoke/CO detectors if you haven't done recently - we don't want any Christmas catastrophes!
Get those cards and gifts posted ASAP.
When you're meal planning double up and freeze for busy days.
Check all car lights are fully functional; top up oil and screenwash as required. Make sure you have de-icer to hand.
Lots of lurgies are lurking - wipe switches and handles with antiseptic wipes/disinfectant.
Make sure you won't run out of meds/inhalers over the holiday season.
Clean all machine filters - TD, DW and WM and run WM on a hot wash to clear gunge.
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'
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- that’s 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...
FLYLADY THREAD PICK'N'MIX
I'm not going to list the rooms by day, just by room but you are free to either do a whole room (all three levels) or mix up the levels across the week - so, for example, you might pick level 1 to do for all rooms. Just post what you HAVE achieved! Sharp-eyed flyladies will notice there are six lists...because YOU are picking and mixing. You might choose the worst room to really make a difference (and because you have the time) or the least minging because you're short of time.
Bathroom, Cloakroom, En suite
Level 1
Remove all rubbish (bin bag dance)
Clean windows
Dust all furnishings
Polish mirror, shower screen
Wipe shower cubicle out
Level 2
Clean loo - and bleach
Clean basin - don't forget to clean the underside of the plug
Wash toothbrush holders/toothmugs
Wipe loo roll holder
Level 3
Clean bath
Clean floor
Wipe door(s) down paying special attention to handles
Wipe pull switches
Check cabinets - wipe sticky shelves
Hall, Stairs and Landing
Level 1
Clear rubbish/binbag dance
Clean windows
Wipe all handles and stair rails/banisters
Wipe sockets and switches
Level 2
Dust skirtings
Attend to plants
Dust everywhere
Level 3
Sweep, mop, vacuum floors
Clean mats
Check outdoor/security lighting is fully functional
Check smoke alarms and CO monitors
Kitchen/dining room
Level 1
Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances
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
Throw away your manky dish cloth or sponge and replace with a new one!
Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts, not forgetting handles and tops and bottom as well as fronts!
Clean hob
Clean microwave
Sort fridge and wipe seals; weave stuff that needs using up into your meal plan
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clear WM , TD and DW filters
Level 3
Pick a cupboard or a drawer; empty it, clean it out and put back its contents tidily
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean windows
Master Bedroom
Level 1
Open windows w-i-d-e unless it's persisting it down/freezing
Strip bed
Allow to air
Remake bed
Level 2
Clear floordrobe and chairdrobe
Clean windows
Vacuum, sweep or mop floor
Empty bin
Put as much stuff as you can away - clear the clutter
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. The sun/heat will damage the contents.
Rinse the cloth and wipe sockets and switches
Polish mirrors
Vacuum/dust light fittings and lamps
Living room
Level 1
Open windows
Empty out any rubbish
Clear and clean coffee table/side tables
Recycle old newspapers and magazines
Rehome anything which is out of place
Wipe coasters
Deal with any flowers/water & wipe plants
Level 2
Dust and polish any wooden furniture or just dust
Check corners for cobwebs/spiders and remove
Dust skirting boards
Wipe handles/sockets/switches
Dust electricals
Level 3
Lift chair/sofa cushions and vacuum under them
Wipe leather furniture/vacuum sofas
Dust lightfittings - and bulbs!
Dust skirting boards/dado rails etc
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Kids room/spare room/guest room
Level one
Open widows
Strip bed (if needed)
Remove rubbish
Deal with flowers
Remake aired bed
Level 2
Clean window
Dust level surfaces
Check lighting functional
Level 3
Dust skirtings
Wipe mirrors
Vacuum floor
Daily little tasks that keep the whole house running smoothly
S&S kitchen (unless it's kitchen day)
S&S bathroom(s) (unless.. you get the idea)
HHI
Other key tasks
Pick and choose if/as necessary
Check smoke/CO detectors if you haven't done recently - we don't want any Christmas catastrophes!
Get those cards and gifts posted ASAP.
When you're meal planning double up and freeze for busy days.
Check all car lights are fully functional; top up oil and screenwash as required. Make sure you have de-icer to hand.
Lots of lurgies are lurking - wipe switches and handles with antiseptic wipes/disinfectant.
Make sure you won't run out of meds/inhalers over the holiday season.
Clean all machine filters - TD, DW and WM and run WM on a hot wash to clear gunge.
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
-
Thanks Valli, I'm in.Spend less now, work less later.0
-
Thank you for the list - I'm in too
0 -
TY for Fred.
Today is still sucky..
I broke a nail.
My washing machine is still spewing water all over the kitchen..
And the cooker.. seriously, you couldn't make this shizzle up!
I paid £183 for installation of new cooker and removal of old one..
Delivery guys actually turned up today.. They unwrapped the new one.
Came to uninstall the dual fuel range cooker which was broken to install the ELECTRIC cooker they were delivering..
instally guy says.. 'I'M NOT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN I CAN'T DO IT'
Those exact words.. WTAF!!!
So he rang his supervisor to advise them he couldn't install.. and he passes the phone to me..
I said to her why did they send an installer who was not a qualified electrician to fit an electric cooker? They were fully appraised of the situation and the working of the old one and the new one is fairly self explanatory..
She says.. he is a qualified electrician..
Well he says he is not so one of you is lying so you might want to check his actual qualifications!! (whilst standing 2ft away from said guy.. hahahaha.. his face!!)
So.. They left the cooker.. 2x 110cm wide range cookers in my kitchen!
I rang my bestest electrician guy who was here within 30 minutes and I got to pay for installation a second time and still had 2 cookers in the kitchen. SoI almost ruptured my usher hauling it outside by myself.. DS2 came to help get it up the step because I am too little to lift it high enough..
15 minutes later I lost a filling to a cola bottle. See, sucks..
So now Monday.. I am at DD1's helping her sort the childrens rooms 9-3. I have to get OH to DRs for another dressing change.. that 'waterproof' one from dr's was not waterproof and he had no choice but to get a shower, he smelled like a bear at the end of hibernation! I need to ring dentist, make appointments for blood tests for me and DD1, arrange a nail fix, do 4 school runs and get the girls to school at 8:30 for 1 to go on a trip. I also need to ring Boogs prospective employer.
I am done already, I really don't see how I can fit it all in!!
Boog is coming to DD1's to shovel dog poop and strim her grass.. it is too long and wet and poopy to mow but it is getting strimmed unless it is actually raining tomorrow. She needs a big boost to her mental health and getting her house organised will make a bit of difference I hope.LB moment 10/06 Debt Free date 6/6/14Hope to be debt free until the day I dieMortgage-free Wannabee (05/08/30)6/6/14 £72,454.65 (5.65% int.)08/12/2023 £33602.00 (4.81% int.)0 -
thanks for lists.
Oh dear, it does seem to be "that time of year" for domestic appliances doesn't it. Sorry to hear of your dilemma Pigpen; at least we've got the old range still connected and working while the new one is sitting in the garage (latest fitting estimate is 3rd week of Jan). However it has now been joined by the wm and the dw. The latter we dragged out today after Mr N, peering under the units with a torch to see how the drying-out process was going, saw white furry mould. So out we dragged it. Ick. He is now convinced that rather then the 'recommended' putting plywood on top of the existing floor, we need to get at least 4 panels replaced. Which means moving units. Which are holding up a very heavy granite worktop. He's phoning builder friend tomorrow to get a proper opinion. I double checked the insurance to see if the chap we spoke to was misinformed, but it is true; water leaks from appliances are not covered.
So, today apart from inspecting the kitchen I have been to church, cut some foliage to spray silver for this year's Christmas flower arrangement gifts, made 2 Christmas puddings and done a bit more of a report. I'm way behind on reports owing to a lot of admittedly pleasant social events this last week. At least having started the puddings later than I intended, I've got to sit up till 12.30 while they steam, so I should finish a report and start another. If I get off this site that is.
Have a good week all.Remember...a layer of dust protects the wood beneath it.0 -
Morning all
Thank you for the thread, I’m in.
Banishing vibes to all those electrical appliance demons that are having their laughs atm.
Went to bed early last night and pretty much had a full 8 hours. I’d like to say that I feel full of the joys of spring this morning it that isn’t going to happen. Never mind, full day at work today, DH has gone off in a grump as he has lots of nasty carp flying at work, DD is in a grump just because it’s Monday and she is up and has to go to school.
Back later, have a good day all.0 -
Morning all.
Flying, dog walking, dentist, meeting friends, and wrapping presents on the list for today.
Have a great day everyone.Spend less now, work less later.0 -
Morning all
Thanks for the new thread, count me in.
Today’s list for me...
Paid stuff
WM at least one load, basket is about to explode again it’s so full
Presents to post
Parcel to collect for DH
Book to finish for book club tonight... just one chapter!
Out this evening, supper is hm curry from the freezer so DH and I will eat separately
Have a good day all, hugs to those in need x0 -
Thank you for the lists
I'm back in bed with some sort of cold, coughing, etc like a goodun.
I'll be with you hopefully tomorrowBreast 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 82/100Sun, Sea0 -
Hello, can I join in? All on one level here, so today's aim, hoover all through.£71.93/ £180.000
-
Morning, I am flying today. Up as normal, dressed in scruffy clothes and I got stuck into the kitchen straight away. Surfaces all tidied, a few long standing things found permanent homes. Now have a pile of plastic boxes and shopping bags to sort and put in the big platic tubs under the trolley. Floor under the trolley scrubbed by hand as cats had been peeing there. Rest of the floor will get done later. Cooker cleaned too.
WM 1, more to go as popped to see DD1 last night and drop off some potato dauphinois which she swopped for a huge bag of dirty washing!
Phone call made, awaitiing a call back.
Back to kitchen to sort boxes0
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