Weekly Flylady Thread 13th November 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

Manic Monday - Living Room, Hall and 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:
Pick one or more of the following tasks –

• (Removed by Forum Team)
• 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. Dust all those trinkets! Clear as many hotspots as you can.. see if you can get it all into one pile instead of 15!!!

Tantalising 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 new mutations 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
Clean the windows in here!
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!
• 30 minutes ironing.
• Clean oven if you didn't do it last week
• Hike through the freezer and make a list of what you have, especially as Christmas is getting closer and you will need the space for all those lovely goodies

Deep Clean Challenge
Get in a manky cupboard. Give it all GOOD scrub out before placing the things you need to use soon at the front, throw out everything you don’t want/need. If no messy cupboard do a food inventory!! Feel free to get carried away and do more cupboards!!!

Wild 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!

Thrilling Thursday - Master Bedroom & 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, 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?? Do you know I’ve not bought any shampoo since 2003!!!!!!!
• 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??

roundtuit

Thank you Natty. And thank you Valli for last week.

I'm in.
Rxx

pigpen

TY for Fred.

I will organise my thoughts in the morning.

Manic Monday - Living Room, Hall and Stairs
Level One...
Vacuum floors and sofas
Level Two...
Level Three...
Extra Mission:

• Paperwork clearance.. spend 15 minutes minimum sorting through those piles of paper

Valli

oh at LAST...

I did a quote reply on Thursday - I was replying to Soappie but messed it up, clicked in the wrong place and have't been able to reply in the thread since...despite trying on 3 different devices.  

Yesterday was a 'bitty' job day so lots of shifting of stuff.  Hung washing it but it merely lightened so I have ironed it today and some of it has dried.  I've used the WM, the TD and the DW too.  I also properly cleaned the LR  DD did the bathroom and the kitchen floor, too

ETA having now read the post I see I’ve already done Mondays list!  Wooty wooty woot woot

I have majorly kicked off about issues at work - my work is 'collaborating' with another charity but, IMO, they are taking the pi$$ over various issues, with the result that I have said I'm seriously considering my future, I pointed out that when I do raise an issue it is because I can see 'my' place being abused by the other group and I'm now refusing to use a group chat.  It might improve now I've made my feelings clear...prior to them working with us I loved this job.  In reality I probably won't resign unless things deteriorate even further.  

ionafan

Thank you Natty x 

Hope all went well for you today, YL.
CoG - we all find that sometimes life gets in the way of flying or posting!

K is coming to help me clean all through tomorrow, but almost every flat surface in my study is covered with photos, which I must clear away before she arrives.  She is also hoping that I will bake some scones for her, so it looks as if I have another early start to look forward to.

I should have ordered the photo book for DS1's 50th birthday by now, but I have had so many interruptions this week that I am way behind with the project.  Having spoken to DS1 today, it is unlikely that I shall see him for more than a minute at a time over the next 5 weeks (and then only infrequently), so hopefully I shall be able to make a better job of it than if I was rushing to get it done.  He and DGD1+2 will all be here for tea on 13th December, so we will postpone the present giving until then.  Unfortunately DDiL1 will miss out on the party as she has to work that evening, but we will keep some cake back for her.

Here's hoping for a calm start to the new week xxx

toochoosey

Thank you for the new thread xx
I do not want to go to work tomorrow!! But who does!!!
Hugs to all xx

Narc0lepsy

Thank you for the lists.
Hugs and admiration to you all coping with difficult health/work/family and general anxiety.

My weekend comprised:
- scraping ice off the car on Saturday am to go for my swim.....lake is getting chilly now but the sun was lovely.
- yet another company came to quote for our conservatory replacement; it has really become priority now the weather keeps getting in through the roof!    So far so good; sales man came on Sat, gave a good quote if we have it done before Xmas (good as it will likely rain again before long); we accepted after liaising with our NDN as their facia needs replacement and runs under our conservatory roof.    Engineer/measuring guy came this morning and didn't hold up his hands in horror at the angle/complexity of the roof (unlike the previous company) so we feel fairly reassured although won't be fully happy till it is done and working.   Deposit paid. Eeek.       
- pruned bed outside conservatory to maximise space for potential workmen to stomp on. Mr N told them we had lots of 'expensive plants' so they would need care and a trestle to stand on....think the expensive was rather an exaggeration but we don't want too much plant-squishing to happen.
- made vague meal plan as BIL arrived today.
- did flower arrangement for BIL's bedroom.
- still plodding on with report writing.
- house fit for visitors.
- had several phone calls and am stuck in between mutual disgruntlement between DB and my Mum!  
- went to remembrance service in the village today.
- made nut loaf, tomato sauce and salad for this eve, enchilada mix for tomorrow (that's where the tomato sauce came from!) and apricot tarte tatin with chocolate custard which will do both days.  Luckily I already had some fruit cake frozen so took that out for afternoon tea when BIL arrived. 

Tomorrow the men are going to London to see the Wildlife Photography exhibition and spend longer in the Natural History Museum.   I'm tempted as I like the exhibition but don't really like museums, so I'm going to stay at home and do zumba, finish reports and do some drumming. 

I hope you all have a good week. 

Jazee

Morning all.  Thanks for the list Natty.

 I'm up and just having a peaceful cuppa before DGD2 wakes up.  It's like a switch turned last weekend when she was two and suddenly she's a real handful!  I don't expect to get much flying done today and Poppet has a vet appointment later for vaccinations.  Still, I have plenty of time to catch up this week.

Have a great day everyone.

pigpen

DD1 hates Mondays, Squeak hates Mondays, I hate Mondays... todays Monday is also dark and wet..

Moomin has hospital at 10.. I have a broken nail.. and life sucks the life out of me! haha

Valli

morning all

doubt i’ll get much done today, i’m taking mum to a garden place with activities for people with dementia.  Then it’ll be outswim cancer.  

DW and TD x1 

pigpen

Now Dot hates Mondays and I hate them more!!!