Weekly Flylady Thread 23rd March 2020

Natty68

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.

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

I have included a deep clean challenge this week. As the majority of us are all either self isolating or looking after the children at home I thought it would be a good time to add in a deep clean. Maybe we can try and bring a positive out of this terrible situation and have a good clean/declutter.  Obviously this is purely voluntary, you do not have to do it if you don't want to..

Killer Kitchen - Monday
Level One
Clear and wipe work surfaces
Open the windows and let in the spring!
Level Two
Sweep and Mop the floor
Clean the guncky filters and drawers from DW's, WM's etc
Wipe the cupboard fronts, appliances and all those manky corners!!
Level Three
Wipe the table, replace cloth if needed
Clean all those small appliances, wipe their home then put them back..
Wipe the icky things out of the fridge.
Extras

• Clean oven/hob if you must.. *rolls eyes*

• HHI .. with your clean iron!!
• Clean windows and sills
• Treat the pets for fleas!!! This is prime time for them to be developing an infestation.. the last thing you need in your house!

Deep clean challenge day one.. I do not want anyone straining themselves so if this is too much or not sensible because you'll hurt yourself don't do it!! Listen to your body.

• Empty the cupboards and clean the entire insides, start with the worst cupboard!!.. shelves, everything.
• Get rid of the chipped plates etc.. the chipped parts harbour germs of disgusting proportions as the pottery but it porous they have lots of places to hide.. revolting.. get rid!
• Figure out what needs using up first and work it into your meal plan this week!
• Clear clutter from shelves and wipe them over.. I want to see empty spaces and shiny shelves!!

Twinkly Tuesday - Living room, hall, stairs and porch!
Basic Flying...
Vacuum hall and stairs.. all the way up to the top!!!!!
Clear the mantle of junk
Wipe and water plants
Wash any nets/curtains that need cleaning.. put up fresh ones!
Deep Cleaning...
Dust those flat fluffy surfaces
Wash the windows
Wash any soft furnishings that need it
Vacuum/sweep under furniture you can safely move!
Dust all the electricals.. carefully.. don't want anybody getting fried!!!
Wipe front door.. inside and out!
Decluttering...
Vacuum sofas
Declutter ALL the floors!!
Wipe down ALL the paintwork!
Clean out your handbag.. how many receipts??
Binbag dance
HHI

Wiggly Wednesday- Master bedroom and landing!
Basic Flying...
Strip and wash the bedding
Air the duvet.. if nice hang it out on the line for a blow!
Quick one.. check those smoke alarms!
Deep Cleaning...
Clear the floordrobe
Deweb and dust
36 fling boogie!! .. GO
Empty and wash out all the bins!!
Wash windows
Decluttering...
Sort through a hotspot
Organise your toiletries and make-up stash
Sort through a cupboard.. make it neat and tidy
Half hour... FILING... meanness I know

Thursday Thrills - Bathroom and Study..
Basic Flying...
Vacuum/mop floors
Wipe down sofas and seats
Collect all the laundry from upstairs
Change any lightbulb you have been leaving.. (I have one that's been dead for ages that I really must change...lol)
Wash towels/flannels and replace with clean ones.
Deep Cleaning...
Wash the windows
Scrub the bath, sinks, toilets, showers and tiles etc
Wash the bath mat and replace
HHI
Wipe down the tiles
Decluttering...
Declutter the floors
Dejunk the desk and wipe off the gunge
Empty out a cupboard clean it out and put back only the bits you need to keep
Defrag the pc and delete 50 useless emails
Sort out the coats and bags and shoes..

Friday is Funky! - childrens rooms! ~ spare rooms or just attack a neglected room!!
Basic Flying...
Strip and wash any bedding that need it
Make half an hour appointment or you time!! you deserve it.. 
Wipe away sticky marks
Deep Cleaning...
Wash windows
Vacuum floors
Dust and deweb the whole room
Decluttering...
Declutter the floor.. inc under the beds and units
Straighten up a chest of drawers or wardrobe
Binbag dance!
Ring someone you've not spoken to in a while..
Delete some of those old contacts and texts off your mobile phone!!
HHI

pigpen

Thank you for Fred.

So.. do we need a corona challenge for those who are tied to their houses? BIG declutter?? I have so much to fling. From now until easter weekend???  a coronalist.. Make a to-do list FOR EVERYONE in the house!.. those horrible bigger deep cleaning jobs or decorating or just a whatever jobs you have put off for being too time consuming.. 10 items maximum!!!! Anyone fancy joining?? I don't have time to be ill.
1. shed
2. kitchen cupboards

3. strip hallway

4. paper hallway

5. sort toys

6. sort clothes Me, S, D, P, T

7. rejiggle backroom

8. de-ice fridge

9. declutter the garden

10. build a catio
... and fit in all the school work too.. I'm getting box files tomorrow for those and clipboard so they can fit in the garden and work. .. new to me stuff, no pennies spent.. Now to transfer list to noticeboard!

When those are done (in about 2000 years time) I have other stuff to add.. scrub mouldy bits in bathroom, big girls room, paper DS2's room, paint ds2's room, replace a couple of strips in big girls room which kittens have eaten.. yes, they ate wallpaper, if DS1 locksdown at DIL's middle room can be repainted.. easy job, everything to middleand paint walls.. Boog can have that job.

I have a list for OH.. He has the shed to tidy and the garden to make pretty. Then he has kitchen cupboards to empty and clean out.. the fridge to de-ice.. and then I might let him in the rest of the house!!

I have ebay stuff to list.. maybe.. I am not sure if now is a good time.  I want to strip and repaper the hallway but I need to purchase paper so we may need to be housebound a couple more weeks.. 3 or 4 should do it. If you don't mind Bozza.. erm.. sort through everyones clothes and all the toys.

My chest feels like it is full of glue.. I hate flowers! ooh clocks go forward next weekend.. that might be useful. extra light of an evening .. nice! A heatwave would kill off those wee germy bugs.. most of them in fact..

ionafan

Thank you Natty for the new thread and Valli for last week's lists.  I did manage to complete the whole-house clean on Saturday, so I can start this week with a clear conscience.  Even the utility looks better, as I put everything back in the cars that belongs there, including Rosie's travelling crate.

I will certainly do Level 1 tomorrow   But first  thing in the morning I must decorate my friend's birthday cake, which I'll deliver to her porch later.

I seem to have spent most of today writing emails, watching live feeds on FB and YT, and looking up some of my German friends - very pleased that I managed to find four of them.  I've had long phone conversations with all my children, and enjoyed a concert given by DGS1+2 and listening to DGD1+2's bonfire (with their Dad's help!) via WhatsApp   And this evening I sat and watched most of Dragon's Den before almost nodding off to sleep.  That was almost an hour ago, and I've still not made it all the way to bed!

Lovely photo, Round - I can see why you're proud of him

Goodnight, see you all tomorrow.  If you can, stay in and stay safe; if you're working, take care xx

Narc0lepsy

thanks for the lists.
This morning we went for a motorbike ride with a friend; I do hope we don't go into lockdown as all we touched was ourselves and the bikes - no coffee stops, sitting on seats etc so we really couldn't have spread or caught anything and it would be a shame to have to cut that out. I can understand the frustration of those living near a park or beach if it is shared by a lot of people. Sadly it may be the few making it dangerous to the many or the vulnerable.
I listened to the on-line church service our vicar had put together; it was really odd sitting in my study singing hymns.....
Had a long chat with my mum.
Now the gym is officially closed they have put links to some on-line workouts so Mr N and I plan to try and do them at the time we are normally at the gym, although we both find it hard to get motivated exercising at home, not to mention the lack of space. I will keep up running for as long as we're allowed.
Finished a report and began another. Emailed my manager to say that I feel it would be against government policy for me to work this week; even if I do the assessments I am not sure that the next stage in the process of providing support, equipment etc will be happening very quickly and it doesn't sound as if exams are likely so no access arrangements to write. I'll see what she says. 3 of my remaining reports to write are very difficult ones and I'll probably run them past the manager in some shape or form - Skype or Zoom or whatever. eek. 
House seems fairly clean - washing up, tidying, hoovering are somehow getting done in between sitting with solemn faces at the news far too often. I think our garden will benefit from the extra attention.  My mum mentioned today that she hasn't got many seeds so I found my packets and will post her a few tomorrow, gives her something to do.
I would also like to declutter but I daresay the charity shops may not be taking anything, so it is going to be bags in the garage I guess. 
Good photo Roundtuit.

kazwookie

Thank you for the lists.

My fingers are well and truly crossed for this week.

I'll be flying in my whole house, to make sure it is empty and clean, (cleaning has taken place as I've gone round, but I just need to final touch it all)

WM is on

Bed is stripped

Bank checked it was off line yesterday.

Loads to do, hugs to you all, I hope all the home schooling goes ok on day 1.

[Deleted User]

Good morning all,

What a weird but leisurely start to my week. DW has been unloaded, door mats are in the wash and I too am formulating a Corona list Piggers. Starting with decluttering the garage which will begin today with kids help!

We will walk to the village today, we need a couple of bits and I would rather put my pennies in local businesses than the big SMs. My floors are also mucky so I will be spot cleaning the LR carpet with Elbow Grease. 

Kaz - I really do have everything crossed for you xxx

I know this thread is going to keep me sane. Xx

BadCat18

Morning all

thanks for the thread, I’m in, normal working week for me as I’m at home anyway, I do have to pop out first thing this morning, collect prescription, buy bananas and post a parcel, will do that as soon as places open, I have to be back for a meeting at 10.

its looking like a good day again weather wise so windows will be open to let in the spring, will also do a wash load to stay on top of it. Will start wm now and it will be finished before I head out...

Have a good day, good luck to those homeschooling and dealing with everything else. I will pop back later with a flying progress report x

Mademoiselle

Morning all,  Week 1 of confinement done for us here, lots more to go but all fine.  

I am only going to reflect of what we've done, not what we should have done or still need to do.

Last week I got our bedroom sorted and tidied, it will be thoroughly cleaned this morning  Then I'm going to move on to the landing.  There is a big chest of drawers and loads of cupboards (but a lot of if is DD2 so might leave the cupboards for now).
Over the weekend OH and I worked in the garden, the motivation was they brought forward the start date for collecting our green rubbish to today so we made it worth their while.  Also wathched loads of old episodes of Garden Rescue and have a few free or very low cost ideas.  

Exercise is what we are finding hardest, we are in confinement here so need to try and do better this week, although I am watching portion sizes (both OH and I could benefit from losing a good few kilos)

It's a new adventure where we are all going to learn so much.  

So far today

Bed made, clothes picked up
WM  1
Pellet stove cleaned, reloaded and on

Windows done:  3 of 13 small   1 of 11 big

Off to make coffee for both of us then head upstairs. 

Fayolle

Morning all,
A beautiful but cold day. Wm is on and the towels will go outside when it is done. I have lots of garden jobs to do, but DH has helpfully filled our green bin, and it doesn’t get emptied until tomorrow. 
I’m aiming to make a dent in the lists today, and who knows, maybe even some deep cleaning, although the sunshine may put a stop to that. I also need to dust off my Toots lists, and see what can be done.  DH is muttering about turning out his wardrobe - not sure why that is a priority, but bring it on. He is on leave today (planned ages ago) then back to working from home from tomorrow.
First job - cuppa, then take DD to doctor’s.  Poor lamb is struggling massively with AF, and dr has agreed to see her, as it really can’t go on.  Bad timing in all senses.
Back later to report back.
Virtual distancing hugs all round.

roundtuit

Morning (waves)

Day 10 of my Annual Leave and I'm still not well enough to enjoy it / get anything done   I keep telling myself that I'm ok but my throat looks like the surface of the moon, my chest hurts and I am hot and tired, tired, tired. I've put my symptoms through nhs 111 and it says 'ring your GP today or tomorrow' Hmmm - it's impossible to get through to the surgery at the best of times so that could be fun.

I'm going to ring my supervisor today and tell her that I won't be going back to work on Wednesday. My name is going to be mud but if I catch Covid19 on top of this I'm in trouble, and if it is Covid19 I still have symptoms and shouldn't be going to work anyway. Plus if I give whatever this is to my colleagues they are going to be at risk. DS's dad got firm on the phone yesterday and told me that I'm not going back to work this week and I am ill. Then I saw a video saying 'Don't take any chances'. I'm scared, fed up and I feel lousy. 

That's it - pity party for one is over. I'll make the phone call and concentrate on being well for Tuesday 31st March. Sorry to whinge. 

I will still feed the birds and put out the recycling. The fresh air will do me good. Telephone call first and then a shower. The shower bit is ok, but who knew how exhausting getting dry could be? 

Thank you for the lists and the thread. I'm sorry that I can't fly as much as I want to - I said that yesterday and DS was a bit cross and said 'Mum, you are ill'. 

Hmm maybe I'm not well. I am a nightmare to myself at times.
Be safe
Rxx

Mademoiselle

Pause time here, it's not a sprint.
Bedroom cleaned thoroughly, including getting up on the steps to dust the suspended beams etc.  Floor vacuumed and washed.  All furniture moved including the bed.  Just need clean bedding now.  But as it's such a nice sunny day here I've decided to put the duvet in the WM.  
Going to take OH some water and then go and look at the landing.