Weekly Flylady Thread 28th October 2024

Natty68

Thank you, Valli, for last week's 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.

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.

It is your responsibility to read the forum rules, please follow them on this thread as Flylady has been here a LONG time and is a fabulous support and resource for lots of us.

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 asier.
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 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!

Seeing as many of our children have half term this week wouldn't it be nice if the little (and not so little!!) people helped!!!!.

Monday Mayhem ~ 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 –

• 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 One...
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 know you love doing it!!!!
• GbGrab 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!

Halloween - 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 One...
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??

~ Flylady Christmas Card Swap ~

For anyone that hasn’t put their name forward to me and is still interested….
DO NOT POST ANY PERSONAL DETAILS HERE!!!!!!!!!

If you are wanting to take part in this year's Flylady Christmas card swap please PM me your details!! .. MSE name (if you wish to disclose that), MSE user Id.. This is vital or you won't be included.. (just so I know you are really a flylady!!) and address to which you want the cards sending, or pop a quick comment on here to let me know you want to be added.. by midnight 14 November.    You know the drill!!!!   

I will be sending out the card list on 16th November 2024 as I need to get them in the post by the 9th December so that everyone gets their cards in time for Christmas.

ionafan

And a reminder from me too...

- FLYLADY SECRET SANTA -

Please PM with your details if you'd like to join in the Secret Santa this year.

ionafan

Thank you Natty for the new thread.  I definitely need to do some flying this week  - I can see the dust!  But most areas are tidy, and K is coming to help with the vacuuming and changing the bedding on Tuesday.

The quiz went very well yesterday evening, and everyone who took part said they enjoyed it.  It ended up with a 3-way tie for 2nd place, and the winning team only scored one mark more!  We have raised enough money to twin both toilets in church, or one in church and one in the hall

Hope everyone has a good week xxx

Frizzlef

Morning all, 

Been absent for a weeks with a week long school residential, being poorly and crazy busy last week of half term. Just been doing the basics and you can tell. My house definitely needs some TLC! 

I haven't managed to keep updated on the thread but I hope everyone is well and looking forward to catching upnon everyone's news this week.
DS1 and DS2 are off to camp today for 4 days so just dd for the most of the week. Got some things planned to do with her but should have some time to catch up on the house! 

Today......

Monday Mayhem ~ 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...
Tidy shoes, coats and bags.
Extra Mission:
Pick one or more of the following tasks 

• Clean a window or two

Deep Clean Challenge

Clean light fittings, skirtings even the ones behind furniture.
Clean fire-surrounds.
Clear as may hotspots as you can.. see if you can get it all into one pile instead of 15!!!

Wash bedding
Sort out charity pile that is accumulating in dds room
Sort out dds wardrobe 

Frizzlef

Thank you for the thread natty. It really helps to keep me focused 

roundtuit

Morning all xx 

Thank you Natty and Valli for keeping the thread running smoothly 😘

I'm being dense iona. How do you twin a toilet? I'm assuming it's a predictive text change but I can't imagine what the original word would be. 🤔.  In the meantime I'm imagining twinning with toilets in Germany - like towns used to twin. Do they still do that? See what a rabbit hole you've sent me down 🤣. Well done with the quiz 👏 

I'm up, made my bed,  taken my meds,  turned over the calendars,  failed at Wordle, completed Connections with three lives lost and a lot of pure guesswork, and supped my first brew.

Plan today:
Shower and wash hair 
Get dressed 
Feed the birds 
Put out the recycling 
Laundry shuffle 
WUDUPA 

11.30 Bra fitting appointment 

Mr Al shop

My anxiety is ramping up thanks to the bra fitting appointment today. The actual fitting is the least of it: first I have to drive there, and find where I need to be, park, then find where I need to be inside the Store. 🤢. Whose idea was this anyway? Oh. Mine!

Lost a pound this week. That's 3 stones 6 lbs off. Another pound off and I'll be in a new number on the scales. Citing 🤣

Have a good week.
Rxx

eltee2

Edited to update...

Morning, bright & sunny here (until this afternoon) so washing should get mostly dry✔️.  Might go for a walk as well✔️.

Today's plan

Monday Mayhem ~ 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!

Extra Mission:

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

✔️Vacuum under furniture you can manage to move without hurting yourself

Deep Clean Challenge

✖️Clean light fittings, skirtings even the ones behind furniture

✔️Clean fire-surrounds

✔️Wipe dining chairs down

Clear as may hotspots as you can.. see if you can get it all into one pile instead of 15!!!

2 week MAD project - declutter & deep-clean kitchen cupboards, drawers & cubby holes. Started 28/10

0/11 cupboards

✔️✔️2/5 drawers

0/5 cubby holes

Usual d/w✔️, w/m✔️, S&S✔️

🙂

Valli

roundtuit said:

I'm being dense iona. How do you twin a toilet? I'm assuming it's a predictive text change but I can't imagine what the original word would be. 🤔.  In the meantime I'm imagining twinning with toilets in Germany - like towns used to twin. Do they still do that? See what a rabbit hole you've sent me down 🤣. Well done with the quiz 👏 

https://toilettwinning.org/

Toilet here *points* is twinned.  

DW emptied, kitched S&S and WUALTD before I came to work.

Honey_Bear

ionafan said:

The quiz went very well yesterday evening, and everyone who took part said they enjoyed it.  It ended up with a 3-way tie for 2nd place, and the winning team only scored one mark more!  We have raised enough money to twin both toilets in church, or one in church and one in the hall

Well done on the quiz and fundraising Ionafan.

This morning started well.  I managed to speak to the plumber and gently remind him that we need a new remote thermostat for our boiler.  He's been and gone away to get one (I've been asking for a month), and also walked the dog.  When I got back the garden bin had been emptied so I unlocked the gate to the back alley to get it in, but noticed that the alley was really slippery.  Turning out a cupboard a couple of weeks ago I noticed a tin of J3y3s Fluid, so I reread the instructions and went outside to deal with it.  Filled up the first watering can with the stuff, stepped into the alley and promptly slipped over. 

I am not a happy bunny.

roundtuit

Thank you Valli. Every day's a school day. I wasn't too far out with my guess...just a bit further afield than Germany. 

I've survived being shut in a tiny room with a full length mirror; that was worse than the actual bra fitting. I may have nightmares. 😱

Groceries have been bought and put away. Advent calendars have been bought and put away. Birthday present for my niece has been bought and put away. 

Rxx

ionafan

Honey_Bear said:

When I got back the garden bin had been emptied so I unlocked the gate to the back alley to get it in, but noticed that the alley was really slippery.  Turning out a cupboard a couple of weeks ago I noticed a tin of J3y3s Fluid, so I reread the instructions and went outside to deal with it.  Filled up the first watering can with the stuff, stepped into the alley and promptly slipped over. 

I am not a happy bunny.

OUCH!!!!  I should think not - very painful, not to mention the shock.  GWS xx

roundtuit said:

Morning all xx 

Thank you Natty and Valli for keeping the thread running smoothly 😘

I'm being dense iona. How do you twin a toilet? I'm assuming it's a predictive text change but I can't imagine what the original word would be. 🤔.  In the meantime I'm imagining twinning with toilets in Germany - like towns used to twin. 

 For once my predictive text was not trying to write gobbledegook!  You were definitely not a million miles off: aparently that's where the idea came from.

Today I have dusted and wiped (and disturbed the spiders) all around the upstairs rooms, even taking everything off the top shelves in the study to clean them for probably the first time this year.   It already looks a lot better in here.  K said she would help me do downstairs and vacuum all through tomorrow. 

DH proudly announced that he had cleaned his ensuite with bleach and shower spray!!!!! - except that he hadn't touched the shower tray at all and it is filthy by the plughole.  (He did claim to have bleached the underside of the non-slip rubber mat in the shower yesterday...)   I despair.  Apart from that, he has spent most of the day SOFA-ing and playing mindless games on his tablet.  That makes me despair even more.

ETA: Oh, and I sorted out some donations for the Christmas Fayre and mended a church kneeler.