Weekly Flylady Thread 3rd October 2022

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 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 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

Ok here goes this week!

Magical Monday - Barnacled Bathroom and Sociable Study/Pc Area
Level One...
Clean floors in these rooms (even if it is around the clutter)
Throw away all those empty bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray etc. I know they make the room look pretty but they are just cluttering up the place..!!
Level Two...
Clean baths, toilets and sinks
Remove and bin all those slivers of soap that you have been saving, do you really need them?
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...
Clear clutter from floor
Wipe down tiles in bathroom.. defragment the pc while doing this (programs.. accessories..system tools.. defragment!.).. if you do the disc cleanup as well, clear all the cookies and temporary files too
Delete 10 links in your favourites which you no longer use or are dead!
Clean shower screen/curtain if you have one/if required
Clean/wash 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!!
Change hand towels and flannels
Extra mission:

• Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these room
• Wash your bathroom mats, nets, clean blind/curtains etc
• Grab a binbag and fill it with stuff to leave the house.. rubbish or charity shop or to donate to a friend!
• Clean the radiators in these rooms
• Pull out the pc and desk and clear under and behind it.. how much money did you find? Clean windows, hang up clean nets and draught-proof curtains and any table cloths/throws or other dust and grot gathering bits of fabric!
• Wipe sticky and dirty marks off the walls and doors

Tantalising Tuesday ~ Masterful Master Bedroom & Loopy Landing

Level One...

Check fire alarms are working

Remove and wash bed linen.

Level Two...

Dust surfaces & make sure no cobwebs..

Vacuum mattress before replacing with fresh linen.. do you need that winter duvet yet?

15 minutes floordrobe clearance

Level Three...

Vacuum floors in bedroom and on landing

Sort one area of clothes or linen storage making sure only what should be in there is, anything that's 

had it's day or doesn't belong there is removed

Clear a hotspot., or spend 15 minutes clearing one.

Extra tasks list:

• 27 fling boogie time, time for that midweek fling, go on grab a bag and clear that clutter
• Put away those summer clothes from someones cupboard and get out the winter woollies.. don’t store anything that is past its best! Make a list of things you need to buy!!
• Clean windows in these rooms
• Check house for places where draughts are getting in.. doors, windows etc and see if there are ways to stop it!
• Clean out that airing cupboard!!!!!! Get rid of those things you don't need.. use dead towels as cleaning cloths etc.. be ruthless!!!! You REALLY don't need that 'thing' you've saved for 10 years.. 'just in case'

Wishful Wednesday ~ those frightening 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 and curtain pole!!!
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, duvet or throw
• Time for the Flylady Fling, in the toy box!!!! aim for 27.. if no toy box you’ll have to choose another area!
• 30 minutes ironing
• Pull out the beds, furniture and clean all behind them.. the skirtings and light fittings and everything.. get rid of all the things that are no longer required!

Tantalising Thursday ~ Kooking Kitchen and Dancing Dining Room
Level One...
Clean floors
Level Two...
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Sort fridge bringing what needs using soon to the front, clean out any spills or grots in there!
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
Descale kettle and iron
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..
Check those washing machine filters and drawers for ickiness!! Tumble dryer and dishwasher filters need to be done too!!
Extra Mission...

• Wipe window sills and clean windows in these rooms
• Wipe down any tiles and shine those taps.. a toothbrush is great for cleaning away the gunk!
• Clean oven if you didn't do it last week
• 30 minutes ironing.
• Get in that food cupboard. Give it all a GOOD scrub out before placing the things you need to use soon at the front. Check dates and freshness on older things, and See if you can incorporate these into next weeks meal plan! Feel free to get carried away and do more cupboards!!!

Friday ~ Luscious Living Room, Handsome Hall Stupendous 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
Water any thirsty plants, wipe their poor neglected leaves!!
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 in preparation for cold weather!! See if there are any that don't fit, past their best or just plain uncomfy which could leave the house!
Put up linings or winter curtains to keep out those draughts.
Extra Mission...

• Paperwork clearance.. spend 15 minutes minimum sorting through those piles of paper.
• Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself
• 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
• 30 minutes ironing
• Get those uniforms, games kits, coats and things in the wash which you will need on Monday
• Clean light fittings, skirtings even the ones behind furniture. Clean fire-surrounds. Wipe sofa's down. Clear as may hotspots as you can.. see if you can get it all into one pile instead of 15!!!

 

roundtuit

Thank you Natty, and Valli for last week xx

I'm in. 

Rxx

[Deleted User]

I’m in too girlies. Bedtime now sleep well all xx

Valli

I’m excused. In a&e waiting to go up to the ward.  Fever.  But I’m fine.  Dad and friend been with food and pyjama bottoms…she thought it was a nightie
I shall be sorting an emergency bag. When I get home.

Fayolle

I’m in too, thank you x
Valli, take care x

Narc0lepsy

Thanks for thread.
Hugs and get well quickly for Valli.

Better weather than forecast today so walked to church and back in the sunshine.
Did a bit of gardening.
Filled bird feeders.
Took village 'welcome pack' round to new family next door but one; seem lovely people but 3 children under 6, eek. Rather her than me.....I don't do little ones!
Booked Covid jab for 10 days time and flu jab the following week.
Cleared a few emails waiting for action.

Glad it is the study tomorrow as I've slowed down on it somewhat and it needs to be perfect ready for the new term as I'm anticipating uni finding me some work for Wed/Thurs although not holding breath.  If I hear from them it means the busy term has started and I'll be in meltdown till Jan!!

Need an early-for-me start tomorrow as I'm taking Mr N to gym then picking him up in time for us to meet a friend for lunch; her daughter and grandson are over from Down Under for a while and will be nice to catch up.    While himself is in the gym, I'll take the car to the garage for its monthly free wash, certainly needs it.   Was going to pick up a couple of things from Mr T which is opposite, but blowed if I can remember what they are.......

Valli

The WAC is a bit devoid of treats - I’ve a water jug with a plastic cover.
just woke up needing the loo - hardly surprising given I’m having fluids by drip as well as orally and 2 minutes later the doc came so at least I wasn’t woozy and incoherent.  Neutrophils fine but low so I may be going home later.  Looking forward to breakfast and have just remembered that, if I had rocked up at the hospital in Steel City, I could have been in line for a cooked breakfast!   Cold toast and solid butter for me I fear.  I’m starving.

[Deleted User]

Morning ladies

Oh Valli wish I was nearer. I hope you’re home very soon. Up and at em (well up)…. Brew in hand, banking checked, leaving in an hour so best get a shift on. Hi ho hi ho… xx

Natty68

Valli, hope you are home imminently, huge hugs honey XX  The main thing that DH is forever being told to do with his chemo is drink a lot, basically more than you would normally. It can dehydrate you very quickly and it sounds very much like this has happened to you. But you are in the best place and hopefully they will send you home later today xxx

Natty68

Morning ladies, I'm up and about although not sure how awake I am..have been up since 6.00am when my alarm went off. Fell out of bed and let the dog out then fed cats, so thought I would make a cuppa and watch GMB, well I wish I hadn't...lol  So I have a fair few bits to do, so I am putting them here so I am accountable to you all otherwise they won't get done....lol

Natty's list...

Drop poorly car to Ray at the garage so he can find where the burning smell is coming from and fix it. (fingers crossed not too expensive to repair)
Sort out clothes that are in plastic boxes
Pack away clothes that aren't in use/summer clothes in packing boxes to go to storage unit
Keep out autumn/winter clothes
Wash load
Clear table top (throw or pack up)
Chicken out to defrost for tea  ✅
Hoover living room
Hoover stairs
Move gibble on stairs to box room
Cook tea
Cook up cooking apples
Rearrange fridge (bits just thrown in any old way when Mr T delivered at the weekend)
Make up packing boxes for storage things
Hopefully pick car up from Ray at the garage
And breathe!!!!!!!!!

I think that's enough for me to getting on with...lol

Sorry I've been awol but have had stuff going on that I have been so overwhelmed...but I'm picking up slowly as I have to.

Spoons to all those that need them, and plenty of hugs to go around too xxxx

roundtuit

Morning xx

Valli - hope you are soon well enough to go home and have hot toast and/or a full English. Xx

iona - ditto Mriona xx Take it easy vibes heading your way. Methinks you were at the back of the queue when they were handing out the self-care quotient xx

Natty - 👋 lovely to see you xx 

I'm up,  made my bed, turned on the heating for 30 minutes, taken last few items off the airer and put on radiators to finish off, put the airer away, and I'm having my first brew. 

Shower, wash hair and get dressed is next.

Love to all
Rxx