Weekly Flylady Thread 11th October 2021

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

Level 1
Open some windows for some fresh air 
Wash up, dry up and put away (or remove all pots to DW) 
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.
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!
Glug some bleach down the plugholes.
Clean/polish table - wipe mats/change cloth - don't forget the legs and places where sticky fingers can reach.
Clean chairs/stools - and don't forget legs and rails!
Check fruit and wash bowl
Throw away your manky dish cloth or sponge and replace with a new one!  Put out a new hand towel and a new tea towel too
Clean cruet, salt and pepper, wipe any sauce bottles that are used on the table

Level 2

Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts inside and out, 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 shelves etc and check running temperature 
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clean WM , TD and DW filters; remove WM detergent drawer and wash it out.
Wipe inside of washer drawer and DW door paying particular attention to manky crevices

Level 3

Choose a drawer, shelf or cupboard for special attention.  Empty, clean out, replace what is needed or useful and fling what is unused and/or out of date - herbs and spices all in date?  
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean chairs (and highchairs) - don't forget under the seats where sticky fingers linger.
Clean windows and sills in both rooms.

EXTRAS

HHI
S&S bathroom
Wipe all the handles/sockets switches especially if people are leaving the house
Do something organised - go through your instruction manual file.  Recycle any for appliances/equipment you no longer have.  Staple receipts to those of newly-bought appliances in case you need them later.

Terrific Tuesday - The Lounge, Hallway, stairs and landing

Level 1
Deal with cut flowers and pot plants - top up water/wipe leaves/remove drooping or dead blooms
Open windows
Empty bins/ashtrays - wipe out or wash
If you have a woodburner/real fire attend to that first - and lay fire for lighting
Clear gibble
Plump and straighten cushions
Wipe sofas with leather wipes or vacuum - look for all those dust-catching crevices.  Lift seat cushions if you can and vacuum underneath
Wipe/dust coffee tables and leave tidy
Wipe coasters

Level 2
Clean windows and mirrors 
Vacuum floors - and use an edging tool to get into all the nooks and crannies - and stairs!
Clean doormats
Dust/wipe electricals - use a just-damp cloth.  Don't forget the remote controllers!  Include lightswitches

Level 3
Dust all round - don't forget sills, skirting boards, tops of curtain rails and/or battens and top and frame of door.
Wipe door handles, banisters, light switches and sockets - and the bits of the door where people hold to close it.
Check for cobwebs and eliminate!
Clean lightshades and lampshades; check all lighting is functioning as it should 
Wipe lightbulbs (if cold)
Dust pictures/paintings on walls - and dust behind them too!
Stand in the doorway and look back into the room - is it clean?
Open front door and vacuum then wipe doorframe

Extras
Don't forget the dailies - beds need making, pots need washing
S&s kitchen
s&s bathroom
HHI

Hump day - Bathrooms, cloak rooms and en suites

Level 1
Open window
Remove towels and fling in WM
Scrub Loo inside and out, slug some bleach or descaler down afterwards.  Pay special attention to under the rim.

Level 3
Clean out baths and/or showers
Clean shower heads and hoses
Clean handbasins

Level 3
sweep and mop or vacuum floor as appropriate
clean windows
polish mirrors
dust and polish where necessary
clean sink plugs/stoppers including underneath

Extras
Clean out cabinets/storage
HHI
S&S kitchen

Thursday Thrills - Kids room, spare room or wherever need your attention

level 1

open window
strip bed
remove bins etc
le
vel 2

remake bed
clean window and sill
mop/sweep and/or vacuum floor as appropriate

level 3

dust and wipe
.  
Extras
wipe door handles switches and sockets all round - I know more people with the 'rona atm than at any point so far...and there is no requirement for peopel in the same house to isolate.
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
HHI
Half term imminent - so let's make two and freeze one for a lazy/busy day - lasagne, casserole, bolognaise, chilli, fish pie - something you can freeze and thaw

Friday on my mind - your sanctuary - the boudoir

Level 1

Open windows
Clear the floordrobe/chairdrobe
Strip the bed and leave to air
Take out the rubbish
Bedding in WM

Level 2 (after breakfast/a period of time)

Remake the bed with clean, fresh linen
Dust/clear bedside tables
Clean windows, frames and sills (and wipe the open frames to clear dust and debris)

Level 3

Vacuum any soft furnishings - don't forget the headboard if it's fabric!
Dust everywhere else; as you remove lotions and potions from dressing tables wipe them over with a damp cloth. Make sure perfumes are stored in their boxes or in dark drawers. Minimise clutter/organise essentials.
Vacuum/mop floors

Extras 

Wipe door handles/touch points
HHI
Make sure whatever your tipple is there is some ready (chilling?)

[Deleted User]

Morning all,

Thank you Valli for this week's list, and Natty for last week's. 

I am as in as I can be. Please keep the posi vibes flowing if you have any spare. This morning after the school run I need to visit the chemist, deliver some eggs, return some books and then do some food shopping.

Take care all xx

Mademoiselle

Morning all, happy anniversary Fayolle and Mr F.  Congratulations to all of you in fact’ you’re all brilliant.  

Nice quiet weekend here, stayed at home, did a few essential bits and went to cinema with DD1 and OH last night, a lovely treat.   

Lazy start this morning as I’ve taken my coffee back to bed.  Did get up with and sort his lunch although I hope he’s coming home for lunch but sent him with pack up just in case, it’ll keep until tomorrow in his fridge. 

Loads of positive vibes to all of you, it’s a new week, we CAN do this, we’re not alone.

Best SMILES on, it makes people wonder what you’ve been up to.

See you later when I’ve done something 

roundtuit

Morning everyone xx 

I've made my bed, set the WM swishing with towels / tea towels and I'm savouring my first brew. 

Posivibes heading north. Hugs heading darn sarf. 

I'll be back when I'm dressed 
Rxx

kazwookie

Thank you for the lists, I'll be doing what I can.

Cake was sent round to us early evening, NDN seem to think we don't eat, but it is very kind of them.

Today, sort out OH with the hospital.

Pack a VIP parcel up and post

Also post the dog tag I found n the beach back to the owner, text the number on the tag asking if they wanted it back, and for their address, as I would post it back, back came an answer asking me to drop it off, I don't think so 24 miles round trip and next to no petrol around here, my car is 1/4 full, which is saved in case I have to urgently run OH any where, it can be posted on a 2nd class stamp. Some people really.

Stuff to do around the house in a bit .

 

Jazee

Morning all.
Bedding changed, bedroom flat surfaces dusted, hoovered quickly through, second of three wash loads in machine. Dining room as per list next once I've had my breakfast and washed up.
Have a great day everyone.

pigpen

Valli.. TY for Fred.

Kaz.. that is weird with the petrol, there was no huge issue here. A couple of places ran out of diesel but only the supermarket stations shut for about 2 days. That is really cheeky of the tag owner.. I'd not even have expected to get it back never mind expecting someone to do a 50 mile round trip to drop it off!! cheeky blighters!

~~~~ASB vibes~~~~ 

I achieved drs appointments for Meem and myself.. 49 calls it took to get a reply. let's see if/when they ring.

I will set Squeak on with her work and start on my list of phone calls.

I have found a used bike for Dot which I will ask about as her christmas present.. she will barely use it so it will be fine. Cheap is good.. and not new but excellent condition. One less thing to worry about. Just need to sort the other 11!!

roundtuit

I'm dressed, fed the birds, put out the recycling, WM giving the towels an extra spin then towels will be pegged out. Second brew going down nicely. 

Then I'll eat my banana and WUDUPA a bowl of pots. 

Rxx

Jazee

Third wash load spinning.  Dining room dusted etc where necessary and I've started tidying the garden ready for winter.  I'm going to alternate gardening today with indoor jobs.

pigpen

Clothes, laundry and food.. OH has taken Boog to an appointment and Squeak has a lesson so busy for another 30 minutes.. I am replying to emails.

ionafan

Morning all.  Thank you for the new thread, Valli.

Oodles of posivibes coming your way, asb x
Congratulations to Fayolle and Mr F as you set off into your 30th year of marriage xx
Thinking of you, Jazee, as you prepare for not only your own op but also Littleydog's.  I hope both go well xx
Have a good week, Round x- and everyone else of course!

I had a productive weekend, and have now sorted several large boxes, bags and bundles of stuff which were stored in the eaves loft, ready to take to the local scrapstore, if they are willing to accept it - I emailed them yesterday and am waiting for a reply.  The boxes are now cluttering up my bedroom, but hopefully they will go soon.
We took Rosie to the forest for lunch yesterday, as it was a lovely warm and sunny day - though of course it was cool and shady under the trees!
I still managed to get out in the garden for an hour after we got home: tidied up the pots, cut back the buddleia, and admired the Michaelmas daisies.

This week has not started well as regards the Horribly Silly bank problems.  I am now awaiting a callback from a manager, but that may not happen until tomorrow.  I am stressed out by all the hassle.

I have an appointment at the tip at 12.30 (my life rocks!), so I'll fly round the house in the next couple of hours, but this afternoon I'm going out with a friend for tea and cake (my life rocks!) -  I need a treat!

Hope everyone else has a good week xx