Weekly Flylady Thread 2nd November 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

Ok here goes this week!

Monday - Living Room, Hall and 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
Water any thirsty plants, wipe their poor neglected leaves!!
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 in preparation for cold weather!! See if there are any that don't fit, past their best or just plain uncomfy which could leave the house!
Put up linings or winter curtains to keep out those draughts.
Extra Mission:

• If you are wanting to take part in the flylady christmas card swap please PM me your details!! .. Mse name, name and address .

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

• Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself

• Clean a window or two.

• Binbag dance.. Get a binbag.. fill it and bin it!!!

• Ring someone you love, just to tell them you love them!!

• Clean light fittings, skirtings even the ones behind furniture. Clean fire-surrounds. Wipe sofa's down.

• MAD half hour..is there anything that you need to do a.s.a.p.

Tantalising Tuesday - Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One
Clean Floors
Level Two..
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Sort fridge bringing what needs using soon to the front, clean out any spills or new mutations in there!
Wipe dining table.. (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 the windows in here!
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Check those washing machine filters and drawers for ickiness!! Tumble dryer and dishwasher filters need to be done too!!
Extra Mission

• MAD half hour..what needs doing?

• Wipe window sills and clean windows in these rooms

• Wipe down any tiles and shine those taps.. a toothbrush is great for cleaning away the gunk!
• 30 minutes ironing.
• Clean oven if you didn't do it last week
• Hike through the freezer and make a list of what you have, especially as Christmas is getting closer and you will need the space for all those lovely goodies
• Get in a manky cupboard. Give it all GOOD scrub out before placing the things you need to use soon at the front, throw out everything you don’t want/need. If no messy cupboard do a food inventory!! Feel free to get carried away and do more cupboards!!!

Wild Wednesday - those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms
Level One...
Vacuum the floor, even if it's just where you can see
Spend at least half an hour doing something for yourself. Paint your nails, have a lovely soak in the bath.. whatever you feel like!!
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, turn and vacuum mattresses 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
Extras...

Wash a set of curtains, nets, duvet or throw
Wipe the radiators, skirtings and window & door frames!
30 minutes ironing.. you love me & you know it!
Grab a binbag and fill it with stuff to leave the house.. rubbish or charity shop or to donate to a friend!
Sort the book shelves.. and toy boxes.. what can be flung? we are making room for those lovely new things Santa will be bringing soon if we are all being good boys and girls!!.. So get rid of all the things that are no longer required! Just keep flinging, just keep flinging!!
MAD half hour.... How about finding something that needs doing for Christmas..

Thrilling Thursday - Master Bedroom & Landing

Level One...
Check fire alarms are working
Remove and wash bed linen.
Level Two...
Dust surfaces & make sure no cobwebs..
Vacuum mattress before replacing with fresh linen.. do you need that winter duvet yet?
15 minutes floordrobe clearance
Level Two...
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
Clear a hotspot., or spend 15 minutes clearing one.
Extra tasks..

• 27 fling boogie time, time for that midweek fling, go on grab a bag and clear that clutter
• Put away those summer clothes from someones cupboard and get out the winter woollies.. don’t store anything that is past its best! Make a list of things you need to buy!!
• Clean windows in these rooms
• Check house for places where draughts are getting in.. doors, windows etc and see if there are ways to stop it!
• Clean out that airing cupboard!!!!!! get rid of those things you don't need.. use dead towels as cleaning cloths etc.. be ruthless!!!! you REALLY don't need that 'thing' you've saved for 10 years.. 'just in case' If you did this last week.. you can do the under the stairs cupboard!!

Freaky Friday- Bathroom and Study/Pc Area
Level One...
Clean floors in these rooms
Level Two...
Clean baths, toilets and sinks
Clear any clutter from desk
Dust PC and desk and wipe off those cup rings!!
Wipe keyboard, house phone, sockets, switches and mouse etc
Level Three...
Wash your bathroom mats, nets, clean blind/curtains etc
Wipe down tiles in bathroom..
Delete 10 links in your favourites which you no longer use or are dead!
Clean shower screen/curtain if you have one/if required
Clear a mega hotspot!.. shred it.. and fling it.. or just burn it! .. Does anyone have a pulper to make logs from their old papers??
Extra mission:

• Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms
• Check through those bottles.. what can be flung/decanted/?
• Clean the radiators and woodwork in these rooms
• Get those uniforms, games kits, coats and things in the wash which you will need on Monday
• Scrub down the dirty marks on the walls in these rooms, and any dirty marks on the walls. When did you last clean 'under the rim'? Get a mirror and check it out.. how gross??? Wash any chair covers/throws/blinds etc. When did you last replace the bath sponges & toothbrushes??

roundtuit

Am I first? Is that a good omen?

Thank you for the lists Natty and Valli xx 

Hoping to have spoons left after work tomorrow to carry on the good work started today.

Wishing you all a good week and a good night.
Rxx

Valli

Well despite a whole week off all I managed was the S&S tasks, the laundry 🧺 and I changed my 🛌 today.  Love 💖 clean, ironed sheets.
just knocked out my fire 🔥 training and forwarded the certificate.  Been doing fire training since I was 15, in various formats and was on the fire 🔥 team and have used extinguishers so it's an easy job.  
Going to take a gazebo down on Tuesday before 🔒 down.
must source some 🐇 🐰 food.

Narc0lepsy

Of course it is a good omen roundtuit, now you know we are all behind you!
Within 10 mins of Boris' speech yesterday, I had an email (generic) from uni to say they were having a board meeting on Monday am and would let us know by the end of the day. I take it that perhaps there is some doubt as to whether uni buildings will be open. I'm not majorly concerned either way;  I don't see continuing to work as more of a risk this week than it has been for the last month.  Today there was an email from the principal to say that the 'incident' (unspecified) which happened on campus on Sat is being investigated by the police.........so I don't know what went on, rowdy parties? 
My next dilemma, all helpful suggestions welcome, is about my brother. As you may know (assuming anyone reads my posts without falling asleep), he has had none of his usual work this year, but has had 2 days/week work offered in my area, hence he has been lodging with us for 2 nights.   Clearly under the new lockdown, he is permitted to go to work, and he is permitted to stay 'away from home' for work trips. So that could be with us? Clearly if he stayed at a hotel or b&b, they would be legally working, but as I am neither of those, am I not allowed to put him up? Would it count as illegal staying overnight with family? Risk wise he is minimal - his wife is retired and sees one other person per day (she has a horse and sees that person when tending the horse), DB is not customer-facing at work (servicing bicycles; the boss sees the customers).  I'm perfectly prepared to feel we are doing the right thing; Mr N is not sure. He is happy to have my brother staying but doesn't want to do anything illegal. 

Today:
- went to church, last 'live' one so it was a bit like breaking up for the holidays at the end, with lots of waving and goodbyes and calls of 'see you on Zoom'. So back to church services in onesie with coffee in hand.....
- Mr N did lots of leaf-raking then we both finished clearing out the greenhouse.  Left just 2 tomato plants in, picked all the rest. Shelves brushed and patio pots beginning to be brought in. Picked kale and carrots for a veggie stroganoff this evening. 
- Got a fair way through writing a report.
- Went through a lot of 'flagged' emails which needed attachments reading.
- Did long email reply to a friend's long email.
- Rang mum who sounds quite cheerful, was a bit concerned as she hates living alone but today at leas she is fine. So glad I got her that tablet for her birthday as she is always commenting/asking about various things she's done on it. Happily DB said that depending on his work this week, he will be able to pop down and visit her soon; I told him that even after Thursday, she is alone and she is 89 so I can't see a problem. I was trying to work out whether I could go down there myself but he lives nearer so I'm grateful.  
Sorry long rambling posting but I do feel I am getting more motivated and achieving more at present, long may it last. 
Have a good week everyone, don't panic, I'll join the volunteers to be at the end of a message if anyone wants it. 

pigpen

TY for Fred.

I will sort my list tomorrow. xx

Monday - Living Room, Hall and Stairs
Level One...
Vacuum floors and sofas
Level Two...
Dusting, even if around everything
Level Three...
Wipe light switches, sockets (make sure they are not switched on!!) and banister
Clean any other glass like mirrors, pictures etc
Put up linings or winter curtains to keep out those draughts.
Extra Mission:

• If you are wanting to take part in the flylady christmas card swap please PM me your details!! .. Mse name, name and address ..

• Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself

• Clean a window or two.

• MAD half hour..is there anything that you need to do a.s.a.p.

Tantalising Tuesday - Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One
Clean Floors
Level Two..
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Sort fridge bringing what needs using soon to the front, clean out any spills or new mutations in there!
Level Three...
Wipe and replace all those small appliances..
Clean the windows in here!
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances ..
Check those filters and drawers for ickiness!!
Extra Mission

• MAD half hour..what needs doing?

• Clean oven if you didn't do it last week
• Hike through the freezer and make a list of what you have,
  
• Get in a manky cupboard. Give it all GOOD scrub out before placing the things you need to use soon at the front, throw out everything you don’t want/need. If no messy cupboard do a food inventory!! Feel free to get carried away and do more cupboards!!!

Wild Wednesday - those frightening 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
Level Three...
Strip beds, turn and vacuum mattresses and replace with fresh linen .. check if duvets need freshening up too!!
Wipe any sticky marks off walls and doors
Extras...

• MAD half hour.... How about finding something that needs doing for Christmas..

[Deleted User]

Morning all,

Thank you for the thread, I am in. Milkman bill paid, hair washed, dry laundry folded, now time to plaster on my war paint and off I go! Have good days all xx

kazwookie

Thank you

I'm in

Blowing a real hooliee here, the cover over the garden swing is in the field behind us, so I'll get dressed first then go and get it back

Fayolle

Good morning all
Thank you for thread, I am in again.
Lots of flylady vibes and love being sent over the ether to all, and especially to ASB, Round and Valli.
I am off to work shortly, so let’s see what the decision for the rest of the month when I get there. Farming doesn’t stop, even in a lockdown, but we will see where we are going this time around.
Narc0 - difficult one - pragmatically I am with you, but I also see where Mr N is coming from.  Will ponder...

Must dash. Have a lovely day all x

Mademoiselle

Good morning everyone.  

Narco I understand your problem with DB but as he is working legally and that yours has always been his residence whilst working in that area why shouldn't he continue to do so, I also recognise I am not the best person to comment as I don't live in England.  But whatever happened to common sense, I don't imagine you are having wild rave parties with him (but maybe I'm wrong, who knows).  

I am still allowed to work here, but this morning's lesson has been pushed back to Wednesday which means I can join the Zoom meeting with one of my bosses.  (I work for 2 different training organisations)  The other one has just sent me a document that says if I need to I can travel to go to work, but not sure if I will carry on with that one as it's training done at the clients site (a big factory where I teach office staff), they should have put some or most of the office staff on home office therefore they won't be there for the lessons, I could possibly try doing in via online especially as they only have 1 or 2 lessons left to finish the contact.  I'll be glad to see the back of it, we started 20 hours at the beginning of February and haven't finished yet, as you can imagine they haven't progressed with so many breaks.  Once this contract is done I'm going to see how I get on without, or I might just do intensive 1 or 2 week contracts, I've earnt so little this year we won't miss the money.  I am so pleased I decided not to take on any kids groups this year, I've done some sick cover and that's been quite enough.  

Sorry too much rambling, so far

Up, showered & dressed
Bed made, clothes picked up
Bedroom windows open
WM on
DW unloaded
Authorisation to go out done on phone for OH (we have to do one everytime we go out of the house and he couldn't find his glasses)

Breakfast then going to do something in the living room until my meeting

Best SMILE stuck on my face.  Come on, we can do this together, just one little step at a time towards our goals whatever they are.  

Spoons, hugs & SMILES for you all, here we go!

YORKSHIRELASS

Morning all

I was catching up with Strictly yesterday morning and watching that JJ Chalmers who got blown up by a bomb in Afghanistan when he was 25 but then went on to complete in the Olympics, and is now doing Strictly, what an inspiration.  Kind of made me thing about my own problems.

Anyhow, I have decide to approach November with a positive mindset.  .I want to exercise every day, get outside every day, and do regular yoga/mediation in the hope I can start to sleep better.  This will only work if I can not let work overwhelm me.

Up at 6.30, DW emptied, one load of washing in, exercise class done, clean washing folded off airer.  Shower and breakfast now, then on with the paid stuff.  Will go in to the office on Wednesday as planned but that will be it for a few weeks I guess.

Narco I would let your brother stay, so long as everyone is being careful.  DS is adamant that he still wants his GF to come around to ours and its hard to say no after everything he has been though, they didnt see each other in the last lockdown and I know he is really worried about being furloughed and having to be at home 24/7. 

Right, on with the day.  Have a good Monday everyone x

Dizzy_Imp

I'm in this week.  It's wet and wild here.  On flood alert and burst water main, so super duper!
Just off to get animal feed then back to see what I can get sorted today!

Laters x