Weekly Flylady Thread 6th July 2020

Valli

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.

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 content! (i.e. it should be on-topic)
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 former Flylady 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 stopping, 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!
Frog (or other amphibian) ~ google 'eat that frog'
Spoons ~ google 'but you don't look sick' and/or 'The Spoon Theory'.

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
Marvellous Monday - Kitchen and Dining Room
Sorry to be so predictable but my kitchen is a tip - and cornflour was spilled.  So there it is.

Level 1
Wash up (or remove all pots to DW) and clean the draining rack and board.
Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances and caddies etc.  Don't forget the splashbacks or tiles!
Replace what lives there, wiping as you go
Empty bin and clean it out too - put it outside to dry in the sunshine, if you can.
Empty out caddies/storage jars or tins and wash them out.
Clear and clean sink and accessories - don't forget those out-of-sight places - under plugs and under draining racks - and shine those taps - or clean them!
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!  get a new hand towel and a new tea towel too

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; update shopping list as appropriate
Wash and wipe fridge shelves and baskets.
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clean WM , TD and DW filters; remove WM detergent drawer and wash it out.

Level 3

Pick a cupboard or a drawer; empty it, clean it out and put back its contents tidily
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean chairs (and highchairs) - don't forget under the seats where sticky fingers linger.
Clean windows in both rooms.
Go round the whole house wiping door handles, light switches and banisters - we WILL be germ-free!

EXTRAS

HHI
S&S bathroom
Meal plan for the week.
Involve your small people according to their age/abilities/skill level 
The rain and warmth will have activated weeds - hit them now with 15 minutes in the garden.
Make sure you have birthday etc cards for the rest of this month ... and maybe even the rest of the year.  And check your stamp stock.
Scottish schools will have broken up; England and Wales will not be far behind.  Make sure you are up-to-date with what can, and cannot go into school.  Have you enough lunchboxes etc?  If I had little ones at school I would be having a designated box or bag for lunchboxes etc to live in at home and there'd be a packet of disinfectant/bleach wipes in it.   Check guidance on the Govt. website.
make sure that, sometime this week, there's some self care planned in.  


Terrific Tuesday - Brighten that bathroom/shower room/en suite

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 - and any bathroom wiping cloths too
Vacuum extractor cover and/or wipe
Clean windows and mirrors
Check for webs and flick 'em off

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 - and don't forget under the plug
Wipe shower head or soak in lemon juice to clear scum/scale
Wash shower curtain/wipe screens

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 - don't forget the loo roll holder!
Mop the floor
Polish mirrors
Put out nice clean towels, faceloths etc

Extras
Rinse the loo brush and holder in warm soapy water (use the floor-mopping water) and put it out in the sun to dry - the sun will bleach it nice and clean.  Or wrap it and bin it and buy a new one when you go shopping!
HHI
S&S kitchen
15 minutes weed control in the garden - I need to be able to tick something off lolWipy Wednesday The Lounge

level 1

deal with flowers
water pot plants 
empty bins/ashtrays
clear gibble
plump cushions
wipe sofas with leather wipes or vacuum

level 2
clean windows
vacuum floor

level 3
dust all round - don't forget sills and skirtings

extras
S&s kitchen
s&s bathroom

Wipy Wednesday The Lounge, Hallway, stairs and landing

level 1

deal with flowers
water pot plants 
empty bins/ashtrays
clear gibble
plump cushions
wipe sofas with leather wipes or vacuum

level 2
clean windows - take advantage of the sun's absence to ensure a streak-free shine!
vacuum floors - and use an edging tool to get into all the nooks and crannies

level 3
dust all round - don't forget sills and skirtings
Wipe door handles, banisters, light switches and sockets 
Check for cobwebs and eliminate!

extras
S&s kitchen
s&s bathroom

Thursday Thrills

the boudoir

level 1

strip your bed
fling the window open - at least a crack if it's raining
clear floordrobe/chairdrobe
empty bin

level 2
remake bed
dust/wipe and tidy bedside tables
vacuum/sweep/mop floor

level 3

dust all around
wipe lotions and potions bottles with a damp cloth
clean window

extras s&s bathroom
s&s kitchen
FRIDAY FLOURISH - Kids room/spare room/guest room 
Level 1
Open window
strip bed
clear detritus from floor
occupant of room to assist if available
Empty bin

level 2
anything that needs to be homed -put away occupants of room to help
vacuum floor
If spare/guest room check all lighting fully functional

level 3
clean window
wipe sockets and switches
dust all around

extras
S&S bathroom
S&S kitchen
HHI
CHECK SMOKE DETECTORS

YORKSHIRELASS

Thanks Valli always appreciate the lists even if I do things in a slightly different order.  Not looking forward to work tomorrow at all, have done a mealplan, laundry done, to do list written and a plan for the week.  Bedtime soon but I nodded off this afternoon so not very sleepy.

pigpen

TY for Fred.. much appreciated.

Feeling rather rubbish, I am eating the wrong food and taking too much medication which makes me feel nasty.

So.. this week, OH is back to work, DS1 is back to work, DD3 is back to work.. so a bit of normality has resumed.. So, I shall get myself back to eating properly and doing the things which make me feel better.. that is my goal for this week..so not feel so pap.

I need to take DD1's birthday presents tomorrow.

Marvellous Monday - Kitchen and Dining Room
Level 1
feed the DW until everything is clean!
Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances and caddies etc.
Replace what lives there, wiping as you go
Clear and clean sink and accessories - and shine those taps - or clean them!
Clean table
Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts, .. ooh.. OH has a cupboard door to rehang, again
Clean microwave
Sort fridge and wipe seals
Wash and wipe fridge shelves and baskets.
Level 3
Sweep/mop floor
EXTRAS
S&S bathroom

dancemum

Evening all, thanks for the lists.

Goodintentions

Just checking in before bed time to say thank you for the lists Valli and thank you to Natty for last week. Also thank you for the birthday wishes 😊 I have had a lovely chilled day. DS & I were just saying before we turned in that lockdown birthdays are actually quite relaxing as there is no pressure to go out or entertain others 😁 (although strictly speaking we could have gone out to the pub or for a meal, but decided the 1st weekend wasn't a good idea!)
I got some lovely gifts (I feel bad for worrying about it). I got some gardening bits, including the potting bench 😁 , 2 jigsaw puzzles (the first is nearly finished as we have all been working in it!), some new slippers (I'm officially old!🤣) & some wireless ear pod thingumies. I shall try them out on a run in the morning 🤣🤣 We had homemade afternoon tea (for lunch!) and a chinese takeaway for dinner. DD2 has been a star all weekend, cooking, baking, cleaning up after her & she paid for the chinese!! 
Tomorrow it is back to reality. I need to catch up on laundry, do a food shop & go for a run.
Night night everyone x

[Deleted User]

Morning everyone - WAC here x 
I have been up for a while but kitten decided I wasn’t allowed to play on my phone or tablet up until now

Have filled the sink ready to wash up coffee cups and kitten bowls. Just need to scoop his litter tray once I’ve finished my coffee then that’s all of my pre-paid stuff jobs done x 

Hope you all have a lovely day x 

Jazee

Morning all.  Thanks for the list.  Just having breakfast, I'll try to report back later with progress.

Have a great day everyone.

roundtuit

Morning xx

Thank you Valli and Natti for the lists xx

Not sure if turning screens (apart from tv) off at 8 pm worked last night (but I think it did) -  as I woke up at 4.30 - because my hands and arms were freezing!! Everything else was safely under the duvet. Once everything was tucked in and warmed up I went back to sleep til just before 7!!!!! I'm going to have to start to set my alarm on work days. Fellow members of WAC - it may be worth giving it a go? 

Changed the towels in the bathroom and they are swishing with the tea towel and hand towel from the kitchen. On list - get me!!!! First brew is supped. Bed is made. (Not in that order)

Glad you enjoyed your birthday Goodi xx 

Round 1 =
get washed and dressed
feed the birds
put out rubbish and recycling
WUDUPA a bowl of pots - there's that list again: polish my halo. (Thank you Valli xx)

Also to do today:
refill Sweetie's seed and water
write & post b'day card + cheque to J

Have a good week. Stay safe.
Rxx

[Deleted User]

Morning all,

Happy Monday to you all, and thank you for the lists I am in.

So far this morning I have made some Yorkshire pudding batter which is now chilling in the fridge, and I have a pan of bendy veg and lentil soup simmering away on the hob for my lunches this week. School run shortly, will walk the dog at the same time, and need to nip to PO. Been invited to a friends for a SD cuppa so that will be nice. I have written a plan for the week including what we are eating each day, the jobs I need to do each day, and appointments- it's stuck to the fridge and so far it is working to calm my mind a bit. 

Sending hugs to those who would like one, I hope everyone has the best day possible xx

kazwookie

Morning

Thank you for the thread

I have a sparky here doing 'thing' under OH's direction, as plugs are half way up walls so having some of them moved and USB plus installed as well, so just in case he turns the mains off which is possible, I have been on the move:-

So far WM x 2 on the go, first lot out on line

Hoovering in hallway done, as cat decided to attack the off cuts of carpets we have left down, for work persons to walk on.

Kitchen is done

Later on this morning I have an 'advisory' kitchen fitter coming, as I need to get the costs down on his bosses quote, far far too much.

Very blustery here

Have a good day

Valli

Morning all
Been checking up on the class I am 'teaching' today.  Breakfast scoffed.  DS has been back to pick up his packed lunch, which he forgot.  Cutlery drawer is half empty so it's on my hit list.