Weekly Flylady Thread 24th April 2023

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
Have you cleaned your utensils pot lately?  If not - do so!

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 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
Pick an appliance to deep clean

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
It'll soon be May - do you need any cards?  
Update finances/budgets
Post any postal votes or make sure you know where your ID is
Check prescribed medicines - we don't want to be caught out by the Bank Holidays
How is that TOOTS list looking?  Anything you can chip away at?

Tuesday Twinkles - bathrooms, cloak rooms, en suites, wet rooms

level 1

open windows
empty bins
remove towels etc to the WM
scrub out the loo and wipe the outside
Rinse the brush/holder and dry outside in the sun to bleach

level 2

scrub hand basins incl. taps and under the plug
de gunge plugholes prod a brush down and twist.  
clean window

level 3

scrub shower/bath
wash curtain or wipe screen
dust all round
sweep and mop floor

Extras

HHI
binbag dance
clean and wash hairbrushes and combs

Wednesday - hump day
Living room, hall, stairs and landing

Level 1
Open lots of windows and let that fresh air in while beds are airing
Deal with cut flowers and pot plants - top up water/wipe leaves/remove drooping or dead blooms
Wash out vases
Empty bins/ashtrays
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
Sort newspapers/magazines

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

Level 3
Dust all round - don't forget sills, skirting boards, tops of curtain rails and/or battens and top and frame of door. 
Dust radiators - use a towel or a radiator brush
Wipe door handles, banisters, light switches and sockets - and the bits of the door where people hold to open/close it.
Check for cobwebs and eliminate!
Clean lightshades and lampshades; check all lighting is functioning as it should - vacuum fabric shades; wash glass shades 
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?

Extras
S&s kitchen
s&s bathroom
HHI


Thursday Thrills  - The Boudoir

level 1

open windows
strip bed
clear floordrobe and chairdrobe
empty bin

level 2
make bed with fresh bedding
clean bedside tables
vacuum/sweep/mop floor

level 3
clean windows
dust all round
Use a damp cloth to wipe lotions and potions bottles to remove sticky blobs

extras
S&S bathroom
S&S kitchen
Time to get those make up brushes washed - use soapy water, rinse them well and leave to dry in an airy place

FRIDAY FLOURISH - Kids room/spare room/guest room 
Level 1
Open window
strip bed
clear detritus from floor
occupant of room to assist if available
Empty bin

level 2
anything that needs to be homed -put away occupants of room to help
vacuum floor
If spare/guest room check all lighting fully functional

level 3
clean window
wipe sockets and switches
dust all around

extras
S&S bathroom
S&S kitchen
HHI
make a plan for some me time…. hair appointment?  natter with a mate? 

pigpen

Cheers me dear... we live... mostly.. TY xx

ionafan

Thank you for the list, Valli x

Glad to hear that you are surviving, pigpen, even if (it would appear from your comment) not everyone in your household is showing signs of life - or rather no more than they usually do!  I sincerely hope the lurgy has now left the premises xx

I have been up and at it since 6.30 and made some more progress with sorting out a pile of paperwork that I should have sorted as it came in - it goes back to the 2018-19 tax year but gets worse around lockdown, when I had plenty of time to deal with it but didn't.  It was hidden in a cupboard because I thought I had dealt with it adequately each year, but I never realised that in the warm darkness a tiny tadpole had grown to an enormous cane toad.  It will be dispatched this week [she says through gritted teeth] 

I must get to the gym early today as I have another of my regular 6-monthly horse piddle appointments this afternoon (nothing to worry about).  Will try to do the kitchen before I go...

Round, I have already drunk 2 cuppas and eaten a hotXbun - how about you? x

Hope everyone has a good week xxx 

roundtuit

Morning iona 👋 xx I've supped my first brew. I made my bed when I got up - as always, and I've completed a trio of Sudoku and read a chapter of my book. 

Second brew and breakfast next. Oh yes - I got weighed this morning too 😱

I'll write myself a little list for Monday motivation:

Round 1
Laundry shuffle 
Get dressed
Splosh bleach down the loo
Feed the birds
Put out the rubbish and recycling 
Fit new bin bags
Put away the LTD pots
WUDUPA pots in the bowl

That'll do for starters. 
Love to all 😘
Rxx

pigpen

ionafan said:

Glad to hear that you are surviving, pigpen, even if (it would appear from your comment) not everyone in your household is showing signs of life - or rather no more than they usually do!  I sincerely hope the lurgy has now left the premises xx

I had the bug Friday now I can't eat food, EC had the bug Saturday so it is still dancing about.. Twinkle deposited in her pants, again. back to swimming and dance and my head is full of chipmunks..

I am on top of the laundry and the kitchen is just a S&S to be presentable.. thats a good thing right??

In the middle of Squeak ASD assessment, Twinkles diagnosis additional emergency testing meaning we have no time for anything.. and Squeaks EHCP request.. Dots high school transition and supporting my daughter with the baby and school and everything else.. and DS1 has been exceptionally stupid even for him so I am playing referee there too.

My front door is broken and I growled at OH.. because I did everything for the children, appointments etc when cf was about I found it really hard to let him be involved with ours.. and I am so much better.. then I lost my cool when he decided I had to sort Twinkles medical needs on my own.. like she is less important than the other 3.

I took the plastic protective thing off my fridge on thursday.. the one I have had since November!

YORKSHIRELASS

Morning all

Thanks for the lists Valli.  I am doing my own thing as usual so have dusted LR and kitchen and put some clean washing away.  Will run the hoover around the LR in a minute.  30 minutes kettlebell workout also ticked off the list.

Late start and finish today so dont need to rush which is nice, but I have a tricky day ahead.  Its cold and showery out but I have run some dog blankets through the WM and will stick them out, doesnt matter if they get rained on a bit.

Have a good Monday all x

thriftyscotslass

What a start to 2024 - DM had a Stroke and unfortunately passed away. The vast majority of organisation fell to me and I’m relieved to say that it is almost at an end. I’m at the “I’m okay” stage and starting to lift my head to look at the house and think about flying again. Not looking forward to opening my eyes and seeing what awaits me      Looking forward to catching up with how everyone is doing. (((Hugs))) to all that need or would like one. Will report back.

ionafan

Condolences, sympathy and (((hugs))) to you, tbriftyscotslass.  Good to have you back.  Babysteps, please!  Don't feel you have to do more than the absolute basics until you are past the "I'm OK" stage and feeling truly inspired xxx

Good start, round

I have done more work on the cane toad, cleaned the kitchen worktops and cupboard fronts, and FUPA clean washing.  Going out to gym now.  Catch up later...

pigpen

huge hugs Thrifty.. that is a crappy start to the year..

My brain is agitated.. OH isnt working, Boog is here talking.. it was jumpy yesterday and I don't know if it is Twinkle and hospital or if it knows something the rest of me doesn't but I cannot focus or calm it.. I can't take pain meds on days like this because my body shuts down and my brain spins into a frenzy and I end up feeling rubbish and exhausted.. I need something really interesting to burn brain power.

I found a new knitting pattern I need on £t$y .. DD1 will love it. I have a very similar pattern I can adapt.

eta.. i figured out the dog brain /sloth body... I need information.. i need to know exactly what we are working with for Twinkle so I can research and make changes.. my brain is so dramatic! ..I will do it anyway..

roundtuit

roundtuit said:

Round 1
Laundry shuffle ✅
Get dressed ✅
Splosh bleach down the loo ✅
Feed the birds ✅
Put out the rubbish and recycling ✅
Fit new bin bags ✅
Put away the LTD pots ✅
WUDUPA pots in the bowl ✅

I've also taken 3 envelopes from the stash. 1 for the window cleaner's money. And 2 for foreign dosh to take to cs. A few forints and I'm not sure what the other pile is. That'll be another inch of kitchen worktop cleared 😊

Condolences to thrifty xx Hope you can source all the info you need piggers xx

Love to all xx

kazwookie

Thank you for the lists x

Sorry for your loss Thrifty, indeed a rotten start to 2023, I hope the year gets better for you.

Hoovering done

Bed done

Floors mopped

Bins out

Cats fed

Wm not done as it keeps raining on and off, I really don't want to use the TD, so it can all wait for another day.

Food shop done, coming back from shopping, the police go steaming past me, all blues and 2's, and stop the car in front of me, quite scarey at the time.