Weekly Flylady Thread 28th July 2021

Natty68

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 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

Ok here goes this week!

Monday Melee ~ Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One...
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Clear 1 window sill
Open windows and let in that summer sun!!!!
Level Two..
Sweep and mop floors
Scrub out the sticky fridge!
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 cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Clean out your mankiest kitchen cupboard..
Extra Mission : help yourself

• Clean the hob
• Wipe down any tiles and shine those taps.. a toothbrush is great for cleaning away the gunk!
• 32 fling boogie..
• Phone someone you love just to tell them so!
• Empty the bin.. wash it out.. and make it smell SWEET

Tuesday Twister! ~ Living room, halls and stairs
Level One..
Vacuum floors and sofas and hall and stairs
Level Two...
Dusting, even if around everything
Remove clutter making sure stairs especially are safe and no-one can have any accidents falling down them...
Clean TV, other electricals and cabinets
HHI
Level Three...
Wipe and water plants
Sort through a dumping drawer/cupboard
Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself
Extra Mission: Pick one or more of the following tasks –

• Clean windows & any other glass like mirrors, pictures etc
• Sort through shoes and coats and bags
• Binbag dance.. Get a binbag.. fill it and bin it!!!
• Wash any cushions, throws or curtains that need it

Wednesday Winging & Flinging ~ Bathroom and Study/Pc Area

Level One...

Clear floors of guff and stuff

Muck out any pets.

Level Two...

Clean baths, toilets, don't forget the outside! 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, shower curtains etc

Wipe down tiles in bathroom.. defragment your pc while doing this.

Empty and clean out all the upstairs bins!

Sweep and mop and deslop the floors in these rooms.

Collect all the dirty laundry

Extra mission: Take your pick!

• Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms
• Wipe the tops of the cabinets and cupboards in therse rooms
• Fling all those empty bottles and tubes replace any sponges, flannels, toiletries that need it
• HHI... a bit more gone!

Thursday Thllliiing!~ Master Bedroom & Landing
Level One...
Check fire alarms are working
Remove and wash bed linen and duvet covers.
Fling open the window and let in the fresh air
Level Two...
Dust surfaces & make sure no cobwebs..
Vacuum & turn mattress before replacing with fresh linen..
Air the duvet
15 minutes floordrobe clearance
Level Three...
Vacuum floors in bedroom and on landing
Sort through the cupboard and fling everything that no longer fits
Clear a hotspot.. or spend 15 minutes clearing one.
Extra tasks list, as usual choose one or more

• 34 fling boogie time, go on grab a bag and clear that clutter
• Clean all the upstairs door frames
• Clean windows in these rooms
• Clear the top of a bedside cupboard/chest of drawers or shelf

Friday Frenzy ~ those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms

Level One...

Open the windows and let in the fresh air...

Clear away anything that isn't in it's place, clothes, toys, books etc

Level Two...

Make an appointment for some ME-time.. hairdressers? manicure? night out with friends? .. whatever just do it!

Level Three...

Vacuum the floor

Dusting.. all those shelves and flat fluffy surfaces!! Don’t forget the light shade and curtain pole!!!

Strip beds, turn and vacuum mattresses!! and replace with fresh linen .. check if duvets need freshening up too!!

Got an hour...

Clean 2 windows

Grab a toy box and throw/rehome anything that is no longer wanted.. it'll be chrimbo before we know it and we need the space!!

Wipe any sticky marks off walls and doors

Extra Task List

• Wipe the radiators, skirtings and window & door frames!
• HHI
• End of week fling!! grab a binbag and fill it with stuff to leave the house.. rubbish or charity shop or to donate to a friend!
• Vacuum the floor
• Update bank accounts/finances
• Bake a cake/buns/twinks hobnobs with the children..

Valli

Thanks Natty - I'm properly in (well beginning of the week - end of the week I will be getting ready for the thrills that await me in the endoscopy dept on Saturday).

My adapted list.

Monday Melee ~ Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One...
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Clear window sills

Open windows and let in that summer sun

Clean widows

Level Two..

Sweep and mop floors
Scrub out the sticky fridge!
Wipe & polish 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 cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Empty bookcase, pull out, vacuum behind it, Plug in radio & Alexa

Put everything back

Extra Mission : help yourself

• 32 fling boogie. - Take bags and boxes to CS

ionafan

Thanks Natty - I'll be in as much as possible and as much as the house needs it this week.  Upstairs is still free of dust, but Rosie has continued to shed fluff everywhere.

Tomorrow I hope to
- do 2 days' worth of reading before breakfast
- do a quick financial update
- clean out the fridge
- clean the kitchen
- tidy the utility
- hoover the study, LR, DR, kitchen, hall and utility
- steam-mop the kitchen floor
- complete at least 10 of 48 personalised letters that need to be delivered this week
- go out for coffee and chat with a friend
- take Rosie for her walk
- water the neglected pots and lawn

Today I went to see DS1 & Co for half an hour, so I have drunk fresh lemonade made by DGD1+2, paid for and picked up the item DS1 bought for me at the Swedish shop, decluttered the old laptop [fer-ling], given DS1 the coffee and pecan sponge cake which has been sitting in the fridge for 5 days, and given DDiL1 some flowers and fresh cherries (she is vegan so can't share the cake, much to DS1's delight).  DGD1+2 will get their treats when we take them out next Sunday

Hope all poorlies feel better soon.
Sleep well, everyone xx

pigpen

Meem is sounding a bit less hoarse today.. we took her ice cream, it is all she can eat right now.

DD2 has a bus to catch to Wales at 8:45.. she has been in the pub since 9:30... she is so NOT getting that bus!!

kazwookie

Thanks for the lists x

I'm around this week, but not sure how much of any lists I will do apart from the daily stuff.

OH didn't sleep to well, and is blaming me, I think his mind is in overdrive over things for the middle of this week, not really too sure what I can do, things are calm, dark, quite here at night, we have the window slightly open on the catch.

Bed is stripped needs remaking

WM is on

Hoovering and bins to do.

Weeds to pull

Grass to cut

Have a good week

Fayolle

Morning,
Thank you for the lists x I need to be in but will have to do what I can. Towels swishing in wm, clean washing folded and put away. Recycling out for collection.
DD in meltdown last night - I am now wfh today.
Kaz - I don’t think there is anything you can do for a mind in overdrive except be there.  I always seem to say the wrong thing, or what I say gets misinterpreted, no matter how well intended.
Have a good day xx

[Deleted User]

Morning all,

Thank you as ever for the lists lovelies xxx

Sorry I was quiet over the weekend. The BD was well and truly sat on me on Saturday, and it was just me and the kids - really really awful. I managed to summon up enough energy to go the park, which they loved of course so it made me feel a smidgen better for being out. Yesterday we were at a family party.

Today I have the afternoon off from life and parenting as I am going to a spa - a very belated present! I have packed my book and cossie, my phone will be switched off and for 7 hours I will think of nothing!

I spent all of Saturday evening catching up with chores, and we were out yesterday, so it all looks okay. 

Kaz and Fayolle - thinking of you both xxxx

Have fab days all xx

YORKSHIRELASS

ASB sounds like heaven, you enjoy it xx

Fayolle hope DD is OK.  Wondering if she got that bus Pigpen?  Its amazing what they can do if they need to.

So, I am actually in pretty good spirits this morning.  Made myself do some exercise first thing, have hoovered through downstairs, tidied DHs clothes away because I am so fed up with seeing them on the bedroom floor, one load of washing in, chicken and ham pie made for his tea, kitchen tidied and swished, and have had a general tidy up.

Two back to back meetings at 6pm.  Going to work 12.30pm to 8.30pm, but will do some of that at home as it will be stifling in the office.  First I need to do a bit of home admin, we have managed to overspend and go slightly overdrawn so I need to shuffle some money around. 

Hope your Monday goes well, catch you all later x

ionafan

Achieved so far:
- do 2 days' worth of reading before breakfast
- do a quick financial update
- clean out the fridge
- clean the kitchen
- tidy the utility
- hoover the study, LR, DR, kitchen, hall and utility
- steam-mop the kitchen floor

DH made me a cuppa , and whilst drinking it I have caught up with the news and watched a re-run of the diving gold

Now off to have a shower (still in my pj's because they're cool!!! ) and then get myself into a wfh mindset, to concentrate on completing 10 or more letters before the sun comes round onto the study.

Enormous (((hugs))) to Kaz and Fayolle.  DH frequently takes things that I say the wrong way, and I know how much that can upset our relationship, so I sympathise deeply with you both xx

What a lovely present, asb!  Enjoy!!! x

Pigpen, loads of GWS vibes to Meem, and I hope that your DH enjoys his self-isolation and the rest of you all stay clear of C-19.  Did DD2 make it to the bus?

Glad you're feeling more upbeat today, YL x

Just remembered - I must postpone my shower long enough to email Honey Bear before I forget again.  Someone (Fayolle?) commented last week - or was it the week before? - that she was MIA.
ETA done

Catch up later xxxxx

pigpen

DD2 MADE THE BUS... I did however require OH driving her to the station.. then chasing her through the bus depot to give her her handbag with her phone and purse and Id in.. She is a nightmare!!

Moomins bed stripped and bedding in the washing machine. 3 loads waiting to go in when these 2 loads are done.

TD on with socks etc.

2 loads hung out on the line

DS2 back all clean and hair minced..

OH has shovelled the cat trays, Pudding has lost his new collar.

I need to do more packing.. I have done Twinkles so far and sorted underwear for the other 3.. this is not going ot be done for Monday I am certain.

Valli

Meter readings done and submitted.
WUALTD, grimy cat dishes soaking.
I have washed the outside of the kitchen window and door, both of which were splattered when I pressure washed outside.  I used my new squeegee and it was much more effective than the one from the bathroom - no streaks.  I need to do the inside of that window and a new fly graveyard is needed.  (Flytrap window sticker)
More stuff has made the bin - flingy flingy fling fling (boxes in recycling) and stuff for CS taken downstairs. 
New to me George Formby grill now has a home (friend was getting rid).
Stuff from house put back in shed.
Stuff from filing cabinet drawer brought back upstairs ready to (a) go through and (b) put away.
Since I have decided not to relocate big bookshelf up here I think I will relocate the little one in here, thus clearing space in DD's bedroom.  

Let's check up

Monday Melee ~ Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One...
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Clear window sills

Open windows and let in that summer sun

Clean windows

Level Two..

Sweep and mop floors
Scrub out the sticky fridge! 
Wipe & polish 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 cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Empty bookcase, pull out, vacuum behind it, Plug in radio & Alexa

Put everything back

Extra Mission : help yourself

• 32 fling boogie. - Take bags and boxes to CS - not done but have hauled them downstairs.  There has been lots put into black (waste) and blue (recycling) bins too.

just plucking up energy to mop...