Weekly Flylady Thread 26th September 2022

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
Display Birthday Cards neatly in dining room (just me then?)

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
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean chairs (and highchairs) - don't forget under the seats where sticky fingers linger.
Clean windows in both rooms.

EXTRAS

HHI
S&S bathroom

A new month begins this week -

Are your financial spreadsheets/notes up-to-date?
If you need to keep accounts make sure they're up-to-date with receipts logged and filed etc
Do you need any cards for October? - might be an idea to get those for Nov and Dec, too
Check smoke alarms, CO monitors and outside lighting
Make sure all drains are clear - we don't want any overflows!
Do you need to insulate outside taps or pipes?

Terrific Tuesday

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.
Dust anywhere that needs dusting - wipe any 'on display' bottles down 

Level 2
Clean out baths and/or showers
Clean shower heads and hoses
Clean handbasins including taps - don't forget the out of sight bits!

Level 3
sweep and mop or vacuum floor as appropriate
clean windows
polish mirrors
dust and polish where necessary
Chuck any lurking potions that are not being used/are old
Clean light pull

Extras
Wash showercurtains (if any) and put outside to blow dry - possibly!
HHI
S&S 

Wonderful Wednesday - the boudoir, your sanctuary

level 1

strip bed and remove bedding to WM or basket
open window
remove rubbish
clear floor and chairs of clothes

evel 2
remake bed
clean windows
clean floor

level 3
dust all round
polish mirrors

extras
s&s kitchen
s&s bathroom

Thursday Thrills - love your lounge

level 1

remove anything that lives elsewhere
empty bin
clean widows

level 2
clean sofas and chairs 
clean floor inc under sofas … and behind them

level 3
dust everywhere inc skirtings and light fittings
sort flowers (I’ve got 4 lots…)
water plants


extras
S&S bathrooms
HhI

Friday flourishes… hall, stairs, landing plus a neglected area eg utility, study

level 1

clear floors - bang any mats outside
mop, sweep or vacuum as appropriate

level 2

ckean windows
wash down doors = outside and in
clean doorframes, lintels etc - those dust raps need emptying once in a while!

Level 3
check coat hooks - remove anything unworn, too snall
tidy shoe racks etc
dust fixtures and fittings
pur mats back tidily

extras
S&S bathrooms & cloaks 
HHI

Narc0lepsy

Surely I'm not first? Comes of making sure all essential links are somewhere I can find them on the new computer, and you lot count as essential.

Expecting to work at uni Wed and Thurs although when I spoke to admin last week they were in chaos so who knows....at least I seem to have transferred my 'work' files and templates successfully although I won't know until I try to write something up. email now working but 'contacts' don't want to transfer.....this is why I get a new computer only when absolutely necessary. 

Now entering my last 5 days opportunity to finish my sponsored swim; just over 2km to go. I did a marathon 1500m yesterday so it is doable, if exhausting.  I've messaged about your link Kaz. 

Have a good week everyone.    My priorities are going to be continuing putting out all winter veg so I can start moving summer pot plants into the greenhouse for the winter; setting up the computer; really must give master bedroom a good clean. Other than that, hoping to stick to the list at least a little bit. 

babs

Hi All, 

I am rejoining from long ago and flying with you all again hopefully. I had a cleaner until recently, but now workload is easing I am back to doing my own housework.

I tend to follow the list posted completely and not stray from it too much. 

Happy Birthday Valli! 
 

pigpen

TY for Fred

I have all the things to do.

List 5 things to sell.

fill recycling bins.. I have flung so many empty boxes today!

Empty large box of wool and put it in other wool boxes
Sort food tech stuff for Tuesday..
If I can summon the mental energy I need to ring docs and try to sort different medication.

I have been nurturing a huge mouth ulcer under my tongue.. just to go with all my grottiness.

I JUST got the washing off the line minutes before it started raining.

Marvellous Monday - Kitchen and Dining Room
Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts inside and out, not forgetting handles and tops and bottom as well as fronts!
Clean microwave
Sort fridge
Level 3
Choose a drawer, shelf or cupboard for special attention.
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
EXTRAS
S&S bathroom

Terrific Tuesday
Bathrooms, cloak rooms and en suites ~ delegated to Moomin

Wonderful Wednesday - the boudoir, your sanctuary
level 1
strip bed and remove bedding to WM or basket
open window
remove rubbish
clear floor and chairs of clothes
level 2
remake bed
clean windows
clean floor
level 3
dust all round
polish mirrors

Thursday Thrills - love your lounge
level 1
remove anything that lives elsewhere
level 2
clean sofas and chairs 
clean floor inc under sofas … and behind them

Friday flourishes… hall, stairs, landing plus a neglected area eg utility, study
level 1
clear floors - bang any mats outside
mop, sweep or vacuum as appropriate

[Deleted User]

Morning ladies

Up with the lark here. I’ve got a cuppa in bed, then I’ll throw some clothes on and get cracking. The outside thermometer reads 5 degrees, so I’ll be layering up.

Quote to sort kitchen chimney came in, I had a weep, then pulled myself together. I’ll be listing on eBay today. I put the kitchen to bed very nicely last night, so feel a little bit ahead of the game - it won’t last 🤣🤣

Right I’m going to finish this cuppa then make the most of being the only one up. 

Kaz please can you send me the link on PM my lovely xx

Have fab days all xx

ionafan

Morning all, and Happy Birthday Valli - have a lovely day xx  Thank you for the new thread.

Well done on getting ahead of the game, asb xx  When do you start your new job?

We shall be in and out like yoyos this week.  DH has a horse piddle appointment, DS1 has a welcome service, DGS2's school has a Grandparents' Tea, I have an hour-or-so's work to do on Wednesday, the gardener is coming, we are meeting up with several other family members and old friends (not all at once), and it will all involve a lot of driving.  Flying will have to take a back seat, and I shall have to fit in Rosie's walks as and when.  DH couldn't find his horse piddle appointment letter last night, but did discover another for next week which he had completely forgotten to add to our shared diary - and the appointment's on the same day as his car service, which involves me having to deliver it to the mechanics.  His man cave is such a tip!  I refuse to touch his mess. 

Right, I must get moving and pack my bag for today.  Hope everyone has a good week xxx

 

kazwookie

ASB I miss read your post, and thought you said I must get fracking.............I had visions of you in a hard hat, boots, overalls, and very large machinery.......................

Thank you for all the lists and work that goes in to them.

Its raining here, so my cats fed and I'm back in bed with lappy wandering internet.

Link sent (I think) to all those that have requested, thank you

Jazee

Morning all. There's a beautiful pink sunrise this morning.
Just having a cuppa then I'll get dressed and walk Poppet. I'll report back later with any flying. In theory, there should be a lot as DH is at work and I have no plans.
Have a great day everyone.

roundtuit

Morning all xx

I'm not up yet so no flying to report but I wanted to pop in and say Happy Birthday Valli xx

Be back later when I've surfaced 

Rxx

Valli

Cards opened in bed while I’m sipping coffee.  I’m going to work this morning because there are things to do and DD is wfh (online classes) so flying would be limited anyway.  After a do nothing weekend flying is needed.  We’ve eaten so few meals in the house that the DW hasn’t been run since Thursday!  Nothing eaten in at all yesterday as we went to DS’s for birthday brunch (his birthday not mine).  Tea was at the aged Ps.

Doctors appointment booked online in the early hours.  Need a flu jab and mysterious mole type looking at.  Online appointment to start with on Thursday.  

Kaz - I’m so touched.  Great charity you’re supporting.  

ionafan

I spoke too soon.  DH called me - he is running a temperature and has pain in his chest .  It looks very much as if he has got yet another chest infection.  Sadly, all today's plans are cancelled.  DH wants me to go to DS1's service, but it's a long way and I can't leave him for any length of time.  When the chest infections take hold, they get worse very quickly.   I am waiting for the surgery to answer the phone, in the hope that they will give him a prescription urgently - it might save me calling 999 later.  Surgery phonelines open at 8.00, I rang at about 8.00.02 and was 89th in the queue.  It's now down to 49th.

Today I shall
- ring various people and the other horse piddle to cancel everything
- do the washing that I was leaving until Wednesday
- weed the  flowerbed alongside the driveway
- carry on with paperwork.

See you later xx