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Weekly Flylady Thread 11th September 2023

Valli
Posts: 25,276 Forumite


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 (not just in the kitchen!) for some fresh air
Check fruit bowl - add to washing up if necessary!
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 - pay special attention to grouting.
Empty bin and clean it out too -
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.
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
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 - make sure air can circulate so food stays cool - and safe
Dust dining area/room
Level 3
Sweep/mop/vacuum floors in both rooms
Clean chairs (and highchairs) - don't forget under the seats where sticky fingers linger.
EXTRAS
HHI
S&S bathroom
Wipe all the handles/sockets/switches/banisters/grab rails especially if people are leaving the house
Toots list jobs -
Check your house is winter ready - are all the drains clear? Guttering empty? If you have an outside tap think about frost protection.
And check your washing lines - any wear? We don't want that lovely clean washing landing in a muddy garden or on a freshly cut lawn*.
Check outside lighting is functioning.
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 grouting
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 kitchen
Clean windows if it's not too sunny
Wednesday Woes - Living room, hall, stairs and porch
Level One
With warm (hot if you can bear it)soapy water on a clean cloth - rinsed frequently - wipe EVERY door handle, light switch in the house - including entrance doors. Don't forget the letterbox
Declutter ALL the floors!!
Clear the mantle of junk
Fling any rubbish
Straighten cushions, curtains and throws
Tidy coffee/side tables
Empty bin
Empty ashtrays
Attend to plants and flowers
Level Two
Vacuum/sweep all the floors.. stairs too!
Vacuum/sweep under furniture you can safely move!
Vacuum sofas
Clean mirrors
Level Three
Clean the window and door frames
Dust and polish furniture and ornaments
Clean doormats
Extras
Dust all the electricals.. carefully.. don't want any frazzled flybodies
Binbag dance around the house
HHI
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
Check for cobwebs - the change in the weather drives them indoors!
Thursday Thrills - Master bedroom
Level 1
(spiders, that is, not cobwebs!)
Open windows
Strip bed and leave to air
Clear floordrobe/ihairdrobe - hang anything worn once for re-wearing
Empty Bin
Level 2
Dust/vacuum headboard and/or bedframe
Flip mattress if you are able to and if necessary
Remake bed
Level 3
Dust and wipe - all flat surfaces and sticky pots (lotions and potions)
Polish mirrors - while you're at it you may as well clean the windows
Vacuum/sweep/mop floor
Extras
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
Christmas items are appearing in the shops…start adding items to shopping lists
Meal planning…start to clear items from freezer to make space
Christmas food prep…pickling, preserving, cake making, sloe gin…don’t leave it too late!
Friday Flourish Kids room/spare room/study
Level 1
Strip bed - and leave to air for as long as you can
Open windows
Clear floor
Have a binbag to hand and start dancing
Level 2
Dust/vacuum
Remake bed
Clean windows
Level 3
Dust and wipe - all flat surfaces
Vacuum/sweep/mop floor
Extras
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
HHI
Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY
"I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily Dickinson
Janice 1964-2016
Thank you Honey Bear


Thank you Honey Bear
7
Comments
-
TY For Fred.
I hope your house move went smoothly Natty
I have no idea if I am in, ot or being shaken all about!
My feet are too swollen to fit shoes on so lord knows how I am supposed to manage a school run.
My house is bear pit.. OH has spent all of today piffling about with mead/cider creations.. it is like having a giant toddler making 'potions'
I need a day off and some new feet.
LB moment 10/06 Debt Free date 6/6/14Hope to be debt free until the day I dieMortgage-free Wannabee (05/08/30)6/6/14 £72,454.65 (5.65% int.)08/12/2023 £33602.00 (4.81% int.)7 -
Morning all. Thanks for the list.
I am working full time this week but in theory should find time today and tomorrow to do flying as normal events have been cancelled.
Have a great day everyone.Spend less now, work less later.8 -
Morning lovelies,
Thank you for keeping the thread going Natty and Valli.
Natty, I hope you are settling in to your new home and getting things straight.
Awake early as although my NWD DD was up and away before 6 and as I left windows open last night I heard her going out.
Yesterdays flying consisted of collecting up dog toys for washing, she was lost put out seeing them on the line! Another load with throws from the sofas and the chair in my office. Flying was done outside, cleaning up the area outside the back door and ,owing things around in an attempt to stop Doogie digging deep holes in the stones (I wonder fif something is lining under the weed prevented stuff as she always digs under the edges of it.). Looked much better out there and managed to get the washing in before the rain started. We didn’t get the storms but could hear some rumbling in the distance. Certainly feels a bit fresher now.
Today should be flying too but DH has an idea to replace the open fire in one of the living rooms with a wood burning stove as the front of the original fireplace has finally broken and won’t hold in place. He things you can get a stove purchased and fitted for a few hundred pounds 😂 and he even things you will be able to cook on it 🤣. I think he needs a lesson today so as the guy he spoke to in a shop locally hasn’t rung back to come round and quote, I think I will drag over to the next small town where there is a merchant who will be able to potentially be a bit more realistic. There is also a reclamation yard where we may be able to find a replacement for the bit that has broken at a fraction of the cost. I really do not ŵant to spend thousands on something unnecessary when we have proper repairs that need doing, as in plaster that is falling off the walls. A food shop for the meal plan this week will also need to be done and maybe some ironing to save time in the mornings before work.
Back later
Mortgage, we're getting there with the end in sight £6587 07/23, otherwise free of the debt thanks to MSE help!7 -
morning all
no doubt i will be a failed flylady this week, i have other plans (you might have guessed).Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY"I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily DickinsonJanice 1964-2016
Thank you Honey Bear6 -
Valli said:morning all
no doubt i will be a failed flylady this week, i have other plans (you might have guessed).
this is why you are here.. you are a busy bunny and have to squeeze this stuff in. I hope all goes well.
I have a very unhappy tummy this morning.
LB moment 10/06 Debt Free date 6/6/14Hope to be debt free until the day I dieMortgage-free Wannabee (05/08/30)6/6/14 £72,454.65 (5.65% int.)08/12/2023 £33602.00 (4.81% int.)8 -
Morning, I'm just climbing out of the unholy chasm of boxes that we are living with at the moment..lol. I seem to be drowning in them..lol, and not sure where to start..lol
DH sorted out some of the boxes in the kitchen, ie food and pots/pans etc for me while I was flat out on one of the sofas sleeping. Unfortunately I had taken really ill once we got to the new house - I couldn't decide if it was low sugar levels, blood pressure, dehydration or heat exhaustion.from the horrendous 8 hrs drive in the searing heat on Wednesday, Whatever it was it totally knocked me off my feet for three days.
I've also got an extremely swollen knee from an injury just before the drive here, and being in the same position for so long while driving, and not having any ibuprofen (or if we do they are packed somewhere!) My feet swelled up as well as my fingers during the awful heat, plus it aggravated my arthritis too which didn't really help.
I unpacked all my clothes and undies this morning finally, well that was once I found the suitcases behind some boxes in the wrong room..lol
I've still got some kitchen unpacking to do as I can't find a few items still..so will be on the hunt for these later. As well as my printer and indoor whirly gig for the washing I need to do. That's once I've figured out how to use the washing machine..I'm ok as long as it's not a smart app washing machine like the cooker and hob are. That took me two hours to figure out how to use the cooker...lol
I'm going to be sort of flying this week in a fashion..lol First shower then fill out new GP practice forms...👍Mortgage Free as of 20.9.17Declutter challenge 2023, 2024 🏅 🏅⭐️⭐️
Declutter Challenge 2025
DH declutter challenge award 🏅⭐️8 -
Morning all xx
Wishing you every happiness in your new home Natty xx
I'm up, made my bed, showered, washed my hair, dressed, eaten breakfast, supped 2 brews, fed the birds, put out the recycling, washed a load and pegged it out, WULTD. And phoned work to say I'll be back tomorrow.
P & S are calling for coffee and then I'll pop to Mr Al for pack up lunch bits.
Have a good day
RxxIT ONLY TAKES SMALL DAILY ACTIONSFOR MAGIC TO HAPPENRosemary Ikpeme8 -
So, I have done dailies, walked Poppet, some paid stuff, admin and ironing. Going on a cobweb hunt next.Spend less now, work less later.9
-
Well done, round xx
Hope you feel better soon, Natty. Don't try to do too much all at once - relax and enjoy your new home xx
Financial check done
WMx1 on
Kitchen tops wiped down
PUPA in LR
Made my bed
S&S'd bathroom
Booked in my PC for servicing while we're away next week; also got advice from my computer man on the one that I was hoping to give K, but it won't connect to the Internet because it's still running on Windows 7
Some Quite a lot of paperwork done
My migraine is still grumbling on, so I shall take a break from my desk, make a couple more phonecalls, turn some plums into jam, and get lunch. Then I have to go to Action Heart, and buy milk and bananas on the way home. We might get thundery showers later...
8 -
I got the cobwebs in the kitchen, then despite hoovering the duster on a stick, it was filthy, so I've washed it and now it's drying in the sun. Bathroom and toilet s&sd.Spend less now, work less later.9
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