Weekly Flylady Thread 18th October 2021

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!

Right now the thread is looking very quiet...but 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!

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!!!!

Wednesday Wobbles - 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 rainy sunnyness
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 a cupboard and fling everything that is dead (organic or non organic!)
Clear a hotspot.. or spend 15 minutes clearing one.

Extras

• 32 fling boogie time, go on grab a bag and clear that clutter
• Clean all paintwork on the landing
• Clean windows in these rooms
• Clear out your trousers/skirts

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

Natty68

FLYLADY CHRISTMAS CARD SWAP 2021!!!!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT POST ANY PERSONAL DETAILS HERE!!!!!!!!!
I will be sending out the card list on 30th November 2021 so if you wish to be involved you need to email your name (if you wish to disclose that), MSE user Id.. This is vital or you won't be included.. (just so I know you are really a flylady!!) and address to which you want the cards sending.
Can you please put Flylady Christmas Card in the subject of your email.
Please email to kiwismum001@gmail.com

Or send me a PM
Thanks everyone xxx

Jazee

Thanks for the list as always.  I'm in.

Valli

Well I have had two full days in the house...admin done, ironing *almost* up to date (maiden is full so I have stopped). 
Went out for a curry last night - had a passanda - never had that before. nom nom.
Have also batch cooked and blanched and frozen carrots.  Bank a/c spreadsheet up-to-date; meters read.
I'm in as much as I ever am.  Days off Tues/Weds.  Thank you Natty x

dancemum

Thanks for the thread Natty and to Valli for the last one x

I’m in. 

I have a new leaf rake for my interchangeable garden stick that I plan to be testing out.

I also need to order the last skip for dancegran’s. We have decided that the purchase depends on me getting a job.

pigpen

TY for Fred..

Trialing Dot without the bedtime medicine.. it is NOT going well!!!

[Deleted User]

Okay girls, new week, new attitude.... I’m in.

I’ve stuck last week in the f*** it bucket, and starting afresh! Thank you to all of you for the lovely messages, thoughts... it means more than you’ll ever know xxx

I am still absolutely full of this pants ‘super cold’ that is doing the rounds, so getting adequate rest will be a priority this week. I have finished all of my library books so that is a visit for tomorrow. Also getting some financial bits sorted - finally. 

I will invariably be coughing my guts up in the WAC at some point tonight, I hope I don’t disturb any of you there xxx

Fayolle

Thank you for the thread as always xx In as much as ever, but I always intend to be here more.
ASB - you go girl xx. See you in the WAC, it’s bourbon night tonight - the biscuits, not the whisky! Although, maybe … 🤔

Narc0lepsy

Thanks for the thread, I'm doing a lot of lurking lately.
Good to see you ASB and big hugs to all the struggling flyladies.
It's the usual busy busy busy time of year term-wise; back to 2 assessments each week, my usual workplace student plus I've had 2 enquiries about private assessments - one from a large London uni whose usual EP has no space until Jan. It would be nice if I could fit them in sooner so that's more admin and organisation to do.

I have a huge list of admin tasks ranging from bills to acting on new report guidelines (following a webinar training which I just about fitted in last week).

Have moved this week's assessments to Tues/Wed as I have a funeral to go to in the village on Thurs, which I'm helping doing the flowers for - haven't yet scheduled in when I'll have time to buy them or arrange them.

House thankfully fairly clean and tidy.

GI well done with your resumed ParkRuns......now the lake swimming is on 'winter', the only times are Sat or Sun am so it's either miss ParkRun or church.  I've opted for doing the Sat; having used that as my excuse, I was chatting to a lady at about 11.30 (half way round the lake) and she had actually done a ParkRun at 9am so that shut me up. 

Mr N and I are continuing to prepare the soon-to-be-patio end of the garden so where it was decking with plants it is now mud. We're clearing/pruning/moving quite a few plants so they don't get bashed when the builder starts, so there are pots and 'stuff' everywhere.  We've also had a quote for pruning 5 fruit trees as we no longer have the time or the inclination at our age to get up ladders, prune and get rid of debris.

We're going to my Mum's at the weekend, so even more panic getting the list and reports finished on time. Then we've booked 3 nights with BIL in an apartment in Norfolk to do some bird watching (or just sleeping.......). 

Tomorrow I have dentist at 10am and eye clinic at 5pm, hoping it's not glaucoma. 

YORKSHIRELASS

Morning

Loving that attitude ASB, the only way is up and all that.

Narco/GI I have been doing really well with jogging and cycling this year but I am slipping a bit so I am determined to find ways to keep it going through the winter rather than just exercising indoors - I swear getting outside does help with my stress and anxiety levels.

So this morning will start with a bit of household admin, then a cycle ride, then if I get time a quick hoover around before I need to be in at the paid stuff.  Working 1pm to 9pm ish today.

Washing might have to go over the airer, the forecast is for a bit of drizzle here today.  Oh and I must ring the dentist, I have a bit of toothache which I am trying to ignore.

Have a good Monday all x

roundtuit

Morning xx 

It's a dull morning here, but mild enough not to need the heating on. I'm watching my energy use after reading frugal and prepping threads. But I don't want to be obsessive. 

I'm up, my bed is made,  2 brews supped, and a banana eaten. So much needs doing that I'm inclined to be overwhelmed....and end up doing nothing but think about what needs doing. Time to put pen to paper again - things usually become more manageable when they're written down instead of playing hide and seek in my head. 

Round 1
Shower and wash hair
Get dressed 
Feed the birds 
Put out the recycling 
Coffee and declutter my brain onto paper

Love to all 
Rxx