Weekly Flylady Thread 23 October 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

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

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

EXTRAS

HHI
S&S bathroom
If kids are on half term this week involve them - let's get some space made in toyboxes, drawers and cupboards in case Santa brings goodies
If it's a dry day get outside and blow away the cobwebs from your mind
Flylady card swap --have you signed up yet?

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 - if in doubt chuck it out (empty it and wash it out and recycle it!) Food banks will take unwanted items.
Clean light pull

Extras
Wash showercurtains (if any) and put outside to blow dry - possibly!
HHI
S&S 
Have you signed up for the Flylady Secret Santa?


Wednesday - Hump day The Lounge, Hallway, stairs and landing

Level 1
Deal with cut flowers and pot plants - top up water/wipe leaves/remove drooping or dead blooms
Open windows
Empty bins/ashtrays - wipe out or wash
If you have a woodburner/real fire attend to that first - and lay fire for lighting
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
Wipe coasters

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
Dust/wipe electricals - use a just-damp cloth.  Don't forget the remote controllers!  Include lightswitches

Level 3
Dust all round - don't forget sills, skirting boards, tops of curtain rails and/or battens and top and frame of door.
Wipe door handles, banisters, light switches and sockets - and the bits of the door where people hold to close it.
Check for cobwebs and eliminate!
Clean lightshades and lampshades; check all lighting is functioning as it should 
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
HHI
S&S kitchen and bathroom
Binbag dance

Thursday Thrills - Master bedroom

Level 1 

Strip bed - and leave to air for as long as you can
Open windows
Clear floordrobe/chairdrobe
Empty Bin

Level 2

Dust/vacuum headboard and/or bedframe
Flip mattress if you are able to and if necessary
Remake bed
Check all lighting is fully functional

Level 3

Dust and wipe - all flat surfaces and sticky pots (lotions and potions) and electricals - hairdryers etc can get yucky quickly
vacuum hairdryer air inlet
Polish mirrors - while you're at it you may as well clean the windows
Vacuum/sweep/mop floor

Extras
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroomr

Thank goodness it's Friday
kids room/spare room whatever

level 1
open window - if not to windy/rainy
strip bed
remove rubbish

level 2
remake bed
clean window and sill
Level 3

dust everywhere
clean floor as appropriate
extras
hhi
s&s kitchen
s&s bathroom

pigpen

TY for Fred.

Monday is V!nted day I think.. I have so much to fling on there!!

I also need to chase Pixies secondary application .. we have decided to switch the schools we put and first and second place in favour of not letting her feel responsible for Dot and hopefully maintaining her joy of learning. We think she will do so much better with Squeak and the more parent friendly school.

Squeak finishes on Thursday for half term so I doubt very much I stand any chance at all of getting Dot out of the house when the other 3 are staying home and she is not.. and one more day of rest will do us all good I am certain.

I need to look at a couple more christmas bits.. I need to sort DS1, DD1, DS2, Boog, Meem, Moom, Tiddles and Twinkle.. I haven't even touched on 2 of the grandbeasts ... 10 people isn't bad.. except I haven't a clue what to get any of them bar DS1 who is getting trainers..

Marvellous Monday - Kitchen and Dining Room

Level 1

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

Level 3

EXTRAS

Terrific Tuesday

Bathrooms, cloak rooms and en suites

Level

Level 2

Level 3

Clean light pull

Extras

Wednesday - Hump day The Lounge, Hallway, stairs and landing

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Thursday Thrills - Master bedroom

Level 1

Strip bed - and leave to air for as long as you can

Clear floordrobe/chairdrobe

Level 2

Remake bed

Level 3

Dust and wipe - all flat surfaces and sticky pots (lotions and potions) and electricals - hairdryers etc can get yucky quickly

Vacuum/sweep/mop floor

Extras

Thank goodness it's Friday

kids room/spare room whatever

level 1

strip bed

level 2

remake bed

clean window and sill

Level 3

dust everywhere

clean floor as appropriate

extras

ionafan

Thank you Valli x

K is unwell, so I can't count on her help this week - and that means I shall need to fly properly every day.  Fortunately my diary is fairly empty this week, so hopefully that means that I will be a lot less busy (and therefore also a lot less stressed) than in the past month.  I have also written my own list of jobs aspirations and will aim to deal with at least one or two of those every day.  The ancestors have been put on the back burner again for a while [ouch!].

First call for the
***FLYLADY SECRET SANTA***

If you would like to take part this year, please PM me your name and address, together with details of any allergies or food intolerances which Santa needs to be aware of, and ensure that this information reaches me no later than midnight on 11th November.  I will reply to your PM, so if you don't get a response within a day or two, please try again. 
On or asap after 12th November I will inform each participant individually who they will be surprising.  That will give you five weeks [maximum] to prepare, pack and post your gift before the latest recommended Christmas posting dates.
Everyone is very welcome to join in.  If you want more info before deciding, please ask. 

pigpen

ionafan said:

First call for the
***FLYLADY SECRET SANTA***

YES... me me me me !!!! Do you still have ma deets?
I hope K feels better soon and back to helping you. I wish I had someone to help me!

Right.. pack ups and my nest..

Asparklierblonde

Morning all

Yes please Iona! I think you have my details but let me know if you need them. Thank you so much for sorting xx

Back to work for me today, I have a lot to catch up on, especially given that I am off for three days next week on half term. But I do need to be mindful not to set myself back and take plenty of rest breaks.

DD was so upset last night - girl friendship groups from primary to secondary have changed hugely and she is being quite ghosted by a lot of so called friends 😟😟😟

I set  the WM going last night, so I’ll peg that out once it is light. There will be all of the usual chores as well as the paid stuff. 

Have lovely days all xx

soappie

Morning all

Thanks for the new thread Valli.

Did the shopping centre yesterday avo but couldn't find any wine glasses I liked so I'll have to order online I think.

It's household rubbish collection day tomorrow so I will be roaming round the place finding stuff to fling to make sure the bins are completely full. There's also some space in DS's bin next door so I can utilise that as well!

roundtuit

Good morning my lovelies xx 

Another week of rewards and challenges awaits us. We've got this 💪

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

Priorities today
Ring & change boiler service appointment 
Visit Mr Al

I have all day as P&S (who usually call for coffee on Monday morning)are still fighting the lurgie and are staying away.

Round 1
Brew 2 and breakfast 
Get dressed 
Feed the birds 
Put out the recycling 
DUPA yesterday's pots
Check fruit bowl
Clear airer & put away

Foggy here. Stay safe.

Rxx

piggers - I keep forgetting to say: that hat is adorable. 😍 

Valli

morning all

WM x 2, DW x1 and, for the first time in months and months, TD x 1 #FluffyTowels

Its misty atm, and, though it’s due to brighten a bit later I’m not sure it’ll dry towels, though i have the last sheet to peg out.  I’ve been to empty TD and fold the towels before my vertical half hour, which i’m now enjoying.  DW door is cracked open so that can dry. 

And work today, though i’m sticking stuff in the SC before i go.  I ❤️ no longer having to get up while it’s still dark… one of life’s little pleasures.

roundtuit

roundtuit said:

Priorities today
Ring & change boiler service appointment ✅
Visit Mr Al

Round 1
Brew 2 and breakfast ✅
Get dressed ✅
Feed the birds ✅
Put out the recycling ✅
DUPA yesterday's pots ✅
Check fruit bowl ✅
Clear airer & put away ✅

I've also WUDUPA the few pots that had accumulated since yesterday, and the fruit bowl. And wiped the tiles and worktop where the fruit bowl sits.

Rxx

ionafan

Some flying progress has been made, the drizzle has stopped and the sun has come out
- PUPA throughout house (except DH's bedroom and mancave - he is responsible for both of them)
- FUPA all clean washing except the not-very-big ironing pile
- filed or piled all loose papers floating around in my study
- S&S'd kitchen and started DW
- tidied utility and put CS donations ready for delivery later
- sorted my ID for a new bank account
- did 4 other admin jobs out of about 12 that I'm trying to catch up on today.

I shall be off to Action Heart this afternoon to do my prescribed exercise.  Now drinking more coffee and concentrating on remaining admin until lunchtime.  DH informs me that his lunch club is not meeting today, so I can't just snack on boiled eggs (which I prefer to anything else).  Maybe some nice Lancashire cheese and salad bits?

With all surfaces cleared, it shouldn't take me very long to clean all through tomorrow morning when DH *will* be at SW.

Will report back later xxx

roundtuit

I've been to Mr Al. I've put all my shopping away. I bought two birthday presents while I was in there. So I can tick them off.

Most peculiar. I'm not a passy outy person, but several times in Mr Al I thought I was going to faint. I persevered and got it done. Is it me or is it hot and humid?

Bought bleach - dish cloth is now soaking. It would have been soaking earlier but I can't open the other bleach I bought. Having said that I struggled with my usual brand too.

Lunch and a few chapters of my book next

Rxx