Weekly Flylady Thread 31st January 2022

Valli

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 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 (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- 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 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...

FLYLADY THREAD PICK'N'MIX - Bringing it back as we seem to be flagging/exhausted/overwhelmed/sick (Delete as appropriate)

I'm not going to list the rooms by day, just by room but you are free to either do a whole room (all three levels) or mix up the levels across the week - so, for example, you might pick level 1 to do for all rooms. Just post what you HAVE achieved! Sharp-eyed flyladies will notice there are six lists...because YOU are picking and mixing. You might choose the worst room to really make a difference (and because you have the time) or the least minging because you're short of time.



Bathroom, Cloakroom, En suites

Level 1

Remove all rubbish (bin bag dance)
Clean windows
Dust all furnishings
Polish mirror, shower screen
Wipe shower cubicle out
Change towels

Level 2

Clean loo - and bleach
Clean basin - don't forget to clean the underside of the plug
Wash toothbrush holders/toothmugs
Wipe loo roll holder

Level 3

Clean bath
Clean floor
Wipe door(s) down paying special attention to handles
Wipe pull switches
Check cabinets - wipe sticky shelves

Hall, Stairs and Landing

Level 1

Clear rubbish/binbag dance
Clean windows
Wipe all handles and stair rails/banisters
Wipe sockets and switches

Level 2

Dust skirtings
Attend to plants
Dust everywhere

Level 3

Sweep, mop, vacuum floors
Clean mats
Check outdoor/security lighting is fully functional
Check smoke alarms and CO monitors

Kitchen/dining room

Level 1

Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances
Replace what lives there, wiping as you go
Empty bin and clean it out too
Wipe sill, sockets, door handles and switches
Clear and clean sink and accessories - don't forget those out-of-sight places - under plugs and under draining racks
Clean/polish table - wipe mats/change cloth
Check fruit and wash bowl
Throw away your manky dish cloth or sponge and replace with a new one!

Level 2

Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts, 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
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clear WM , TD and DW filters

Level 3

Pick a cupboard or a drawer; empty it, clean it out and put back its contents tidily
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean windows

Master Bedroom

Level 1

Open windows w-i-d-e unless it's persisting it down/freezing
Strip bed
Allow to air
Remake bed

Level 2

Clear floordrobe and chairdrobe
Clean windows
Vacuum, sweep or mop floor
Empty bin
Put as much stuff as you can away - clear the clutter

Level 3

Dust all sides and shelves
With a just damp cloth wipe all your lotion and potion bottles, hairdryers (especially if you use product while blow drying) etc. and put all perfumes away in a drawer. The sun/heat will damage the contents.
Rinse the cloth and wipe sockets and switches
Polish mirrors
Vacuum/dust light fittings and lamps

Living room

Level 1

Open windows
Empty out any rubbish
Clear and clean coffee table/side tables
Recycle old newspapers and magazines
Rehome anything which is out of place
Wipe coasters
Deal with any flowers/water & wipe plants

Level 2

Dust and polish any wooden furniture or just dust
Check corners for cobwebs/spiders and remove
Dust skirting boards
Wipe handles/sockets/switches
Dust electricals

Level 3

Lift chair/sofa cushions and vacuum under them
Wipe leather furniture/vacuum sofas
Dust lightfittings - and bulbs!
Dust skirting boards/dado rails etc
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor

Kids room/spare room/guest room

Level one

Open widows
Strip bed (if needed)
Remove rubbish
Deal with flowers
Remake aired bed

Level 2

Clean window
Dust level surfaces
Check lighting functional

Level 3

Dust skirtings
Wipe mirrors
Vacuum floor

Daily little tasks that keep the whole house running smoothly

S&S kitchen (unless it's kitchen day)
S&S bathroom(s) (unless.. you get the idea)
HHI

Other key tasks

Pick and choose if/as necessary


When you're meal planning double up on at least one meal and freeze for busy days  
Lots of lurgies are lurking - wipe switches and handles with antiseptic wipes/disinfectant.
Clean all machine filters - TD, DW and WM and run WM on a hot wash to clear gunge.
Plan in some me-time - visit to a salon, long bubbly bath, snuggle down with a good book, time for crafting - whatever makes you feel relaxed and less frazzled
Month end looms.  Spreadsheets up-to-date?  Do you need to get any February cards?  
If you self-assess for tax MONDAY is deadline day
Check smoke and CO alarms

pigpen

TY for Fred.

I've done a huge slowcooker of corned dog to fill OH's belly on a lunch time fo the whole week.

Pack up's done, PE kits found, Clarinet found.. book bags sorted.. and now I am going to throttle the bloody neighbours who keep leaving the side gate open so it is slamming every 5 seconds.

And it is freezing cold and raining.

elbree

Thanks @Valli
Very grumpy 8yo asleep (over excited/sugared from a long day party) and school prep done. Altered Mr T shop for tomorrow, meal plan done because tomorrow is payday 🎉🎉 after 81 days of January.

Ex is bringing 8yo home tomorrow so have made an extra effort tidying up because I like to make the point that I can manage just fine on my own. In fact better than ever!
Childish but satisfying 😂
As a result and productive day yesterday the house looks quite good (if you don't look too hard in the corners). Hope everyone has a good week x 

dancemum

Thank you for the threads ladies x

ironing done by DH
cat snot windows cleaned
DS2 visited, he was very agitated, I cut his nails, changed his bed and swept up. Also asked staff to go shopping as he had hardly any food 😢
Back home
1x WM done
Nap had
work prep done
House sale contract marked up for sisters to sign, sure the solicitor should have done this.
Questions emailed to solicitor and estate agent 
Car is very dirty but can’t get near enough to home to clean it as gas man has fenced off all the parking, tried local car washes but they were rammed

ionafan

Thank you Valli x

All went well today.  I am now shattered, and I shall be having an early night.  My diary for the coming week shows various meetings, a big training session, and some essential admin with a short deadline,  and I shall need my wits about me if I'm not to forget something.

I intend to keep the bathrooms and kitchen clean and not worry too much about the rest - and of course I shall keep decluttering as I box up the books and DVDs from the shelves in the LR, ready for the decorator starting in a week's time.

That reminds me - I shall need to buy paint.  Will go and get some tester pots while we're out tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a good - or at least better - week xx

Mademoiselle

Good morning, sorry to hear so many of you are having a hard time of it here.  

I'm starting the week feeling motivated.  Weekend was productive, 2 trailer loads to the tip, two thirds of the garage cleared, sorted and swept.  Looks so much better. I did think of ASB as we found quite a pile of odd logs and wood from the roof, old pallets etc.  But don't worry it didn't end up in landfill and has gone to be redistributed where needed.  Old tree house also removed from the garden and disposed of.   Managed to finalise our plans for some kitchen units to make a dresser in the dining room in the other house and had an hour or so looking at sofas and storage units for under the TV, before picking DD1 up from the airport.

Today I'm driving DD1 back to hers so that will take up most of the day so not planning anything except a visit to the blue and yellow store with her for a look round (and she has a gift voucher)

Bed made, clothes picked up
WM on, TD on
HHI done, basket empty

Just need to sort out pellet stoves and cat trays before I go.

Hugs & spoons to all

roundtuit

Good morning xx 

Love to all ❤

Thank you for keeping the thread running Natty and Valli xx

I'm feeling sorry for myself this morning - missing DS. Daft but true. Heyho.

I'm up, made my bed,  and supped my first brew. 

To Do Today List 
Shower
Get dressed
Feed the birds 
Put out the rubbish and recycling 
WUDUPA 
Wash and refill coffee jar
Laundry shuffle x ?
Write a shopping list 
Pay rent
Shop
LFT 

Brew 2 and breakfast next- after I've opened the curtains to see if I can work out what is making an awful noise outside! I assume it's something they are doing to the new build across the road. 

Have a good day. Take care. 
Rxx

kazwookie

Morning

Thank you for the lists xx

Very strong hoolie blowing here, somewhere between 50 to 60 mph winds.

Pegged washing out, double pegs, just looked out and it is raining...............what................ not due to rain until 1pm................I'll give it 10 mins to see what happens, then if it keeps up do the mad banshee run to get it in.

Bed stripped and remade

Bins done

Cats sorted

Chicken and noodle soup made

Summer mist paint. touched up, where there were paw marks.

More hoovering done

Got a letter today 'inviting' me to do poo sticks test, it seems the pack and instruction arrives in 2 weeks, so that will be interesting, but I will do it.

pigpen

TD on.. I am going to hang out towels.. if I don't come back I may have blown away like Mary Poppins!

Squeak making fish out of toilet rolls..

OH in week 3 of training.. I will be glad when that is done.

ionafan

kazwookie said:

Got a letter today 'inviting' me to do poo sticks test, it seems the pack and instruction arrives in 2 weeks, so that will be interesting, but I will do it.

Go for it Kaz (and anyone else who might be wavering) - the design of the test has been greatly improved in the past year, and you now only have to send off one sample and not three as previously.  It's very easy and clean to do, and if it saves your life it's worth a minute of effort.

Grey clouds and a bit of rain earlier, but no storm here.... yet.

This morning I have 
- checked finances and paid a bill
- sent three emails
- made breakfast, cleared away and S&S'd
- showered and dressed
- S&S'd the bathroom
- emptied out the cake tins drawer for the second time and decided that I can let more tins go to the CS.  My days of cooking large cakes are over, and the small ones will be very infrequent.  Cleaned the drawer out properly and only put back what I might actually use.
- also decluttered a pair of pie dishes which I'm also not going to use again - we're not eating pies.  Yesterday's Sunday lunch for 5 proved that they are not needed as extra vegetable dishes either, which was their main purpose when I was cooking for 14 of us twice a year.
- downloaded 14 photos of yesterdays baptisms, taken by the Churchwarden.  I'm now about to make a coffee and send them on to the girls' mother before she goes to work.

roundtuit

roundtuit said:

To Do Today List 
Shower ✅
Get dressed ✅
Feed the birds ✅
Put out the rubbish and recycling ✅
WUDUPA ✅
Wash and refill coffee jar ✅
Laundry shuffle ✅
Write a shopping list ✅
Pay rent ✅
Shop ✅
LFT ✅

One more laundry shuffle and I'll be able to put the airer away. Woot woot.

Also finished reading my book and added it to cs pile. P & S have been for a coffee. Ordered a glue stick from the nice man at the PO.

Rxx