Weekly Flylady Thread 30th October 2023

Natty68

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.

Welcome to the weekly Flylady Thread. 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.

Thanks to Valli for last week’s thread.

Every room comes back around next week so please don’t stress about catching up

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 (ooh a compound adjective) content!

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- thats 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 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 stooping, 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!

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

Last posting dates for Christmas 2023 

Monday Mayhem - Living Room, Hall and Stairs

Level 1
Vacuum floors and sofas
Level 2
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 3
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:
Pick one or more of the following tasks –

• 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
• Binbag dance.. Get a binbag.. fill it and bin it!!!·
• Ring someone you love, just to tell them you love them!!

Deep Clean Challenge
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!!!

Terrible Tuesday - Kitchen and 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
Choose one or more of:

• 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.

Deep Clean Challenge
Get in that minging cupboard. Give it all GOOD scrub out before placing the things you need to use soon at the front. If no manky cupboard do a different one! Feel free to get carried away and do more cupboards!!!

Wacky Wednesday - those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms
Level One
Vacuum the floor, even if it's just where you can see
Spend at least half an hour doing something for yourself!!!!! paint your nails, make an appointment to have your hair done, a lovely soak in the bath.. whatever you feel like!!
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, turn and vacuum mattresses!! 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
• Wipe the radiators, skirtings and window & door frames!
• 30 minutes ironing.. you love me & you know it!
• Grab a binbag and fill it with stuff to leave the house.. rubbish or charity shop or to donate to a friend!

Deep Clean Challenge
Sort the book shelves.. and toy boxes.. what can be flung? We are making room for those lovely new things Santa will be bringing soon if we are all being good boys and girls!!.. So get rid of all the things that are no longer required!

Thrilling Thursday - Master Bedroom & Landing

Level 1
Check fire alarms are working
Remove and wash bed linen.
Level 2
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 3
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, as usual choose one or more

• 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!

Deep Clean Challenge
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' If you did this last week.. you can do the under the stairs cupboard!!!

Freaky Friday- Bathroom and Study/Pc Area

Level One
Clean floors in these rooms
Level Two
Clean baths, toilets and sinks
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
Wash your bathroom mats, nets, clean blind/curtains etc
Wipe down tiles in bathroom..
Delete 10 links in your favourites which you no longer use or are dead!
Clean shower screen/curtain if you have one/if required
Clear a mega hotspot!.. shred it.. and fling it.. or just burn it! .. Does anyone have a pulper to make logs from their old papers??
Extra mission:
Pick whichever you want to attempt:

• Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms
• Check through those bottles.. what can be flung/decanted/and do you not need to buy until the year 3000??
• Clean the radiators and woodwork in these rooms
• Get those uniforms, games kits, coats and things in the wash which you will need on Monday

Deep Clean Challenge
Scrub down the dirty marks on the walls in these rooms, and any dirty marks on the walls. When did you last clean 'under the rim'? Get a mirror and check it out.. how gross??? Wash any chair covers/throws/blinds etc. When did you last replace the bath sponges & toothbrushes??

If you are wanting to take part in the flylady christmas card swap please PM me your details!! .. Mse name, name and address .

 

pigpen

TY for Fred.. back in a bit when i am vaguely functional

Monday Mayhem - Living Room, Hall and Stairs

Level 1
Vacuum floors and sofas
Level 2
Level 3
Wipe light switches, sockets (make sure they are not switched on!!) and banister
Extra Mission:

• Binbag dance.. Get a binbag.. fill it and bin it!!!·

Terrible Tuesday - Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One
Level Two
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Level Three
Extra Mission

• Wipe down any tiles and shine those taps.. a toothbrush is great for cleaning away the gunk!

Wacky 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, turn and vacuum mattresses!! and replace with fresh linen
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

• Grab a binbag and fill it with stuff to leave the house.. rubbish or charity shop or to donate to a friend!

Thrilling Thursday - Master Bedroom & Landing
Level 1
Remove and wash bed linen.
Level 2
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 3
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

• 27 fling boogie time
• 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!!

[Deleted User]

Hi @Natty68, can I please join you this week?  I nominally follow the Flylady system but often fall off the wagon and it helps to have a bit of company along the way I find.

roundtuit

Thank you for the thread. I'm in in my usual slapdash fashion.
Welcome aboard @[Deleted User] 😊

Rxx

ionafan

Second 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 Saturday 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 Sunday 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. 

 

ionafan

Thank you Natty for starting the new thread x

I suspect that I shall be limited to the basics this week, as my almost empty diary has begun to fill up.  I am having after my 9yo goddaughter W here for the day on Tuesday (and making her do her homework!!!) and then taking her, her mum K and her sister M out for the day on Thursday while DH looks after Rosie.  M is being obnoxious at present - to K, W, me and anybody else you care to mention.  I shall not allow her to spoil the day out, which is mostly  happening for K's benefit.  With the weather forecast we have for the coming week, I'd really rather batten down the hatches!

I have been utterly tired today having stayed up far too late yesterday, preparing something needed for church this morning.  I'm still playing catch-up from last week.

Hope everyone get's a good night's sleep.  Just in case, there are Twinks in the tin next to the toaster - WAC members, please help yourselves  xxx

Valli

hi all

well I went to the Artisan Market and swapped my chain for a longer one and admired some earrings then remembered i had my birthday money from the aged Ps so I bought ‘em.  Popped to S@vers  for bargains, not sure bee and emma have reopened yet (got flooded) so can’t go there, came home, cleaned out bunny hutch - hutch itself not too bad but understory grim due to bunny loo, dropped food and rain.  Scraped it up as best i could the flaked out and napped.  No doubt a reaction to yesterdays unwellness.  Woke up, re set hutch, made cottage pie, one for now and one for another day, so that’s a plus, and have almost finished sleeve two, though i messed up the last cable row and had to reknit it.

WM and DW locked and loaded.  

Thanks for the new thread Natty

New work pattern starts this week, so i’m out with my friend who’s birthday is tomorrow, can’t go swimming as the outswim cancer doesn’t run during school hols,

pigpen

*sniffs the twinks..* .. hmm.. delish... *tops up with shortbread and fills the urn with cocoa*

Off to bed.. I've done so muhc on 4 hours sleep I have my babies back in their nests so now it is time for me to sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

soappie

Morning all. Thanks for the new thread Natty

I'm glad it's living room and hall day. 
I always like to get the living room and hall all sparkly by the day before the monthly premium bond draw  just in case Agent Million comes calling...
I also need to finish prepping the side yard before the log delivery on Thursday otherwise they won't be able to get to the log store area. I shall have to do it between the rain showers.

roundtuit

Morning all xx 

I'm up and dressed. So the man coming to service the boiler won't catch me in my nightie this year if he comes early! I've cleared the airer, draped the contents over radiators, and put the airer away. So the man can get in the front door. I've made my bed and I'm supping my first brew.

Five years today since Mum died. Contemplative mood. Second brew required. 

I've brought down birthday wrapping paper so I can wrap P's presents. Hoping P&S will visit for coffee this morning and they can take the card and presents with them. Must remember to give P the present from Pops too.I really should write that list. 

Challenging week expected at the paid stuff (is there any other sort?) and then I'm on Annual Leave for a week. Counting down. 

Have a good day my lovelies
Rxx

mumtoomany

Morning all, manic weekend over. Great niece and nephew, M aged 3, and N aged 2, stayed over. Niece H and great niece E aged 9, stayed here. OH's sister and brother in law, nephew, his partner and the baby T aged 1, stayed at a hotel. But all here Friday Saturday and Sunday morning. 

It is now deathly quiet. DD1 and her family are away till weekend. So only OH and I here. 

Today I need to put away the duplo! It just fits into four big boxes, but you have to stack all the pieces. No room in the cupboard for more boxes, so long job. Also going to Hoover the hall and stairs. @soappie, could you send the premium bonds man here, when he's finished at yours please. There are two big prizes so one each seems fair. Address is the mad house, in the rain, South wales. Also need to name tea. And maybe work out meals for the rest of the week. Tunnel needs watering, and it looks as if the rabbit has broken in again!!!!
That will do for starters.

Hope we're not being too loud and waking pigpen. Have a lovely break asb. Thinking of you round. Hugs to everyone, mumtoomany.xxx