Weekly Flylady Thread 19th October 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.

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 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'
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

Manic Monday - Kooking Kitchen and Dining Room Dalliance...
Level One..
Open the windows and let in the light
Clean floors
Level Two
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Sort fridge bringing what needs using soon to the front. Compost any manky looking veggies..we must all do our bit for the environment!
Wipe dining table.. and check the underside.. (clean table cloth if necessary)
Level Three...
Dust any extra furniture in dining area, checking for cobwebs on way round
Wipe and replace all those small appliances.. kettle, toaster etc
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances
Clean oven if you didn't do it last week - don't keep putting it off!!!
Eeking out those Extras

• Wipe window sills and clean windows in these rooms

• Scrub down the woodwork.. skirtings, door frames etc

• Put WM's/DW's on a 'clean' cycle.. make sure those doorseals and filters are clear.. soda crystals and white vinegar get rid of unpleasant smells and germs.. Believe me they need doing regularly!!

• MAD half hour if you have the time or engery....

• 30 minutes ironing!!!

Twinkling Tuesday~ Luscious Living Room, Happy Hallway and Sunshine Stairs
Level One..
Vacuum floors and sofas
Level Two
Dusting, even if around everything
Remove clutter making sure stairs especially are safe
Clean TV, other electricals and cabinets
Level Three...
Wipe light switches, sockets (make sure they are not switched on!!) and banister
Clean any other glass like mirrors, pictures etc
Tidy shoes, coats and bags .. wash any that need washing. See if there are any that don't fit, past their best or just plain uncomfy which could leave the house!
Extra Mission:

• MAD half hour...

• Paperwork clearance.. spend 15 minutes minimum sorting through those piles of paper.

• Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself. Please do not attempt if injured or pregnant..that is an order!!!!!

• Clean a window or two.

• Get yourself a bag or box, go around collecting things that are not in the place they should be, then put them back where they should be, or better still give them to their owners to put away themselves

• Groom the hairy pets or children!!!!

Wacky Wednesday ~ Bedroom of Duvet-nia & Landing of Loveliness
Level One..
Check fire alarms are working
Remove and wash bed linen.
Level Two...
Dust surfaces & make sure no cobwebs.. (make sure to do the bed base..)
Vacuum mattress before replacing with fresh linen
15 minutes floordrobe clearance
Level Three...
Vacuum floors in bedroom and on landing
Sort one area of clothes or linen storage making sure only what should be in there is, anything that's had it's day or doesn't belong there is removed
Extra tasks list, as usual choose one or more

• 37 fling boogie time, time for that midweek fling, go on grab a bag and clear that clutter

• Sort through someone wardrobe.. what can you fling?

• Clean windows in these rooms

Thrilling Thursday ~ Bountiful Bathroom and Stupendous Study/Pc Area
Level One..
Clean floors in these rooms (even if it is around the clutter)
Level Two...
Clean baths, toilets and sinks
Clear any clutter from desk
Dust PC and desk and wipe off those cup rings!! (baby wipes are fantastic for this!!)
Wipe keyboard, house phone and mouse (these usually have more germs on than your toilet so important)..
Level Three...
Clear clutter from floor
Wipe down tiles in bathroom
Clean shower screen/curtain/bath mats if you have one/if required
Clean the brushes/dust box/filters on the vacuum cleaner!!!! .. make sure they are completely dry before using it though.. I don’t want anyone electrocuted!!
Extra mission:

• Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms

• Wipe down 2 doors.. room doors.. both sides

• Sort a wardrobe or part of, a drawer or set of drawers making sure it has what needs to be in it and any 'extras' are put where they should be and anything no longer needed is rehomed.

Friday - those frightening Friday kids rooms and spare rooms
Level One...
Vacuum the floor, even if it's just where you can see
Level Two..
Clear away anything that isn't in it's place, clothes, toys, books etc
Dusting.. all those shelves and flat fluffy surfaces!! Don’t forget the light shade!!
Level Three..
Strip beds and replace with fresh linen .. check if duvets need freshening up too!!
Sort through a cupboard/chest of drawers and get the clothes out which are no longer wearable, too small or out of season!
Wipe any sticky marks off walls and doors
Extra Task List

·        Wash a set of curtains, nets or throw

·        Time for the Friday Flylady Fling, in the toy box!!!! aim for 27.. if no toy box you’ll have to choose another area!

·        30 minutes ironing

Valli

I'm here Thanks Natty

I cleaned my kitchen today - technically last week's clean but it puts me ahead for this week.  I'll take that.  I have also put ironing away; today's washing still need ironing and I made a roast dinner for DD and me.  And we have clubbed together for a xmas gift, ordered; free delivery...job done.  Rabbit hutch/understorey also cleaned.  Various bits homed ...

Goodintentions

Good evening!
Thanks for the lists Natty and thanks Valli for last week (even though I didn't do much of it!!
I am in this week, especially as we have enforced time indoors!! DD2's BF has been staying here for the last couple of weeks. He has gone home today (long story short - we were supposed to having SiL & MiL over for dinner and he would take us to 7, but that was cancelled anyway as they are now in a tier 2 area...). Apparently he was coughing last night, so has ordered a home test - the earliest he will get the results will be Tuesday, so we are now all isolating!! 
We were supposed to be shopping tomorrow, but I managed to secure a slot for 9-10pm tomorrow for 50p from Mr S, so happy with that! I have cancelled Tuesday's kiddies, and will let them know more when we have results. DS & DD2 have contacted work. I think they have a day of games planned for tomorrow - I may give them chores instead!   
Annoyingly, I have a mammogram booked in for 9am tomorrow. I was really pleased with myself for booking it as soon as I got the letter - I am a major procrastinator!! I will call them in the morning & rebook. 
Today I spent a few hours at the allotment, as well as a few hours yesterday, so at least that hasn't been neglected if I can't get back for a couple of weeks! 
Looking on the positive side in Pollyanna style - I have at least 2 days where I can't go anywhere, so I can catch up on jobs at home & in the garden. Top of the list is clean out the fridge!!
WMx2 done - 2nd lot is just about to finish in the TD. I may start the DW before I go to bed.

Hugs to those struggling, esp ASB, YL, Pigpen and Round. You are all amazing - you can do this!!
Have a good week everyone!

Loanranger21

Are you feeling better, Natty? 

pigpen

I'm here.. with a new regime in the sty..  I have informed the occupants what will be happening.. I'm in full battle mode.. Lordy help them!

WM's on .. pack ups done.. DW has been run ragged today.. Monday I have a list of phone calls and hopefully a Drs appointment for Dots referral.

TY for Fred!!

Narc0lepsy

I'm lurking still. 
Had a good day at a National Trust garden yesterday but got thoroughly chilled and felt as if I was getting a cold. Bad night, woke in the early hours unsure whether I felt cold/hot/congested etc. Took a decongestant tab and went back to sleep. Woke up convinced I had a cold but coupled with a bit of anxiety in case it was Covid - and of course anxiety blows all things out of proportion. However, temp was normal (in fact low, twice), no new coughing and no loss of taste/smell so Mr N (who I would take advice from as he is the vulnerable one) didn't think it worth me tracking down a test.
Had a fairly easy day: didn't run, didn't go out to church but managed 3 phone calls, checked a report, started another, spent ages waiting for a Chat Advisor from T£lkT£lk to tell me why my refund hadn't been acknowledged (successful yippee), caught up with some emails, did some drumming practice, put a few clothes etc away.  I now feel tired but a bit better and at least feel I have achieved something.
Must say I "enjoyed" having a whole house blitz with Mr N last Monday in preparation for my brother coming on Tuesday so hope we can repeat it.
Have a good week everyone.

Narc0lepsy

Oh and I did quite a lot of my online course too today. Had to add that - where's the edit button gone?

pigpen

Narc0lepsy said:

Oh and I did quite a lot of my online course too today. Had to add that - where's the edit button gone?

It's the flower symbol in the right side of the banner bit at the top of your post... where the date is... but the other side.

Fayolle

Good morning
Thank you for the lists, Valli and Natty.  VERY much appreciated.  How are you, Natty?
Full day at work today. DH is supposed to be dropping the 2 bags at the cs, so they will be gone. Recycling ready to go out when he decides to move from his DR pit, so-called office.
Towels in the wm, pile of ironing from yesterday to look forward to this evening. Easy dinner planned, to use up some of the bits lurking in the fridge.
Hugs, sticks and spoons, please help yourselves x

Mademoiselle

Morning all, very quick wave from me as going out to work all day, colleague lost her father at the weekend so I have volunteered to teach her holiday group of teens afternoons this week, unfortunately I don't think anything has been prepared so going to go in and be inspired this morning.  Benefit is I'll be earning not spending.
 
Bed made, clothes picked up
DW unloaded

[Deleted User]

Morning all, thank you for the thread Natty. I hope you are feeling much better. Off to the coal face, only three more get ups whippee!

Have fab days all, big girls pants and war paint on xx