Weekly Flylady Thread 23rd December 2024

Natty68

🎄Christmas Week Starts here🎄

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

Because it is the last week it's a long one for the next few days I thought we would do it differently this week, and for those who were here last year will remember my lovely Christmas lists...

Well guess what they are back so I want no excuse on Christmas Eve when you have stuff still to do at midnight...:rotfl:


Please don't feel you have to do EVERYTHING on the lists, they are purely a guide for you..just do what you want whether it be all of the list or just a bit of it.

Monday Mayhem..

• GOBBLY GOBBLY OUT OF THE FREEZER TO DEFROST!!!
• Change any bedding that needs doing
• Spend at least half an hour doing nothing at all!
• Check when payments need to be made, if possible set them up to go on the right date through the bank.
• HHI
• Get out and wash any special crockery you might need to use
• Is your cake iced?
• Dust and deweb everywhere
• Binbag dance
• Wipe down all the worksurfaces in the kitchen
• Wipe all the units and appliances
• Sweep and mop the kitchen and dining area
• Play laundry catch up.. see if you can get it all done!
• Bring in the logs and coal you might be needing the next couple of days
• Wrap, wrap, wrap

• Change pet bedding and wash blankies etc.. we don't want them putting you off your christmas sprouts!

• Dust round the whole downstairs
• Have a crazy HHC decluttering downstairs
• Children... quick.. tidy your rooms you don't want Santa thinking you don't look after your stuff.. he might not leave any presents!
• Vacuum through downstairs.. and the stairs!
• Mop the kitchen floor!
• Get rid of the washing up.. delegation is good!
• Get out any special christmas crockery and make sure it is all clean and nice to use.. placemats etc too!
• Declutter your desk.. or anywhere else that has all your paperwork on.
• Hopefully you have had a skim through the TV guide and decided what you want to watch.. it saves missing bits of stuff if you know what is on and when!! If not then make 5 minutes to do it today. Don't forget to make time for Queenie!
• Toy boxes can be banished upstairs!
• Tidy up coats and shoes and suchlike
• WRAP WRAP WRAP!
• Make a note of when the binmen are coming!!!
• Spend half an hour doing NOTHING!!.. absolutely nothing!!!! Just sit.. and relax with a drink and a treat!

Tuesday - Christmas Eve, it's nearly upon us!!!

• Make sure you have all the shopping you need to take you through to next week.. milk and bread especially! It is Bank Holiday Thursday so some shops are not open.. the big supermarkets are.
• Make sure the last of the presents are wrapped I will not have people sitting up into the early hours on Christmas morning wrapping!
• Have we located stockings?
• S&S the kitchen
• S&S the bathroom/s and loo's
• Make sure your timetable for christmas day is sorted and everyone knows their tasks.. who is spud peeling? Who is stuffing the bird etc..?
• Phone someone you 'forgot' to post a card/present to in time.. just so they know you've not forgotten them...
• Spend at least half an hour doing something for yourself.. reading.. relaxing.. goggling... remember you are important too.

• Change pet bedding and wash blankies etc.. we don't want them putting you off your christmas sprouts!

• Dust round the whole downstairs
• Have a crazy HHC decluttering downstairs
• Children... quick.. tidy your rooms you don't want Santa thinking you don't look after your stuff.. he might not leave any presents!
• Vacuum through downstairs.. and the stairs!
• Mop the kitchen floor!
• Get rid of the washing up.. delegation is good!
• Get out any special christmas crockery and make sure it is all clean and nice to use.. placemats etc too!
• Declutter your desk.. or anywhere else that has all your paperwork on.
• Hopefully you have had a skim through the TV guide and decided what you want to watch.. it saves missing bits of stuff if you know what is on and when!! If not then make 5 minutes to do it today. Don't forget to make time for Queenie!
• Toy boxes can be banished upstairs!
• Tidy up coats and shoes and suchlike
• WRAP WRAP WRAP!
• Make a note of when the binmen are coming!!!
• Spend half an hour doing NOTHING!!.. absolutely nothing!!!! Just sit.. and relax with a drink and a treat!

• Have we located sacks for presents?
• Bake some mince pies and tarts etc.. yummies!!! I know it's a bit late but if I can do it then you can too 
• Sort out the plan for christmas eve.. shop runs, present drop offs etc
• Prepare veg for christmas dinner .. store covered in cold water overnight, it will be fine!
• Mix yorky pud batter for tomorrow and pop in the fridge overnight .. it is so much better if you leave it to stew.. quick whisk as use as normal
• Prepare any other bits.. stuffing, salad etc. Make starters before bed.. sneaky but a great idea!
• Wash pots before bed!
• Bath time to wear everyone out..
• Final clean out of pets/litter trays etc
• S&S the kitchen
• S&S the bathroom
• Straighten the tree
• Prepare eggnog, mulled wine or other festive beverage
• Get the roll of binbags at the ready
• Set up the video & camera!!! Fully charged and ready to roll!!
• Quick whizz over the clutter and carpets..
• Relax, enjoy yourselves and have a lovely time with your family!!
• If it isn't done now you don't need it to be done it isn't important!

Wednesday - CHRISTMAS DAY!

• Bag up all the wrapping paper and put it outside!
• Delegate pot washing/DW loading!
• Slice off the remaining meat and either freeze or refridgerate for tomorrow!
• Save remaining cooked veg for stew! It can be frozen if you don't want to eat it in the next few days.. or sling it in the crock pot with the carcass for stock!
• Before children go to bed they must stack their new things nicely!
• A quick S&S over the kitchen should see it looking fabulous again If you leave it by New year it will be a tip!!
• Prepare any run and grab style food for Boxing day.. I know a lot of families have get togethers on the 26th.
• Wipe the table/table cloth
• Put the best crockery/glasses away, or just out of the way so it doesn't get damaged.
• Go play with the children .. eat lots of junk food and delegate as much as possible!!
• Quick wipe over the hob should see it sparkling again
• Does the breadmaker need to be on for tomorrow?
• Start thinking of those resolutions you will be breaking by the middle of January! lol
• Don't forget to feed the pets!.. 
• Enjoy your day with your loved ones, spare a few minutes thought for those who cannot be with us this year and who have lost loved ones.. I wish you all a happy, joyous, trouble-free fabulous New Year!! Without you lot.. I wouldn't be here either xx

Thursday - Boxing Day

• Do your dailies
• S&S toilets and sinks
• Get somebody to hoover high traffic areas
• Write a list of presents that need thank you notes
• Enjoy your gifts
• Phone somebody you forgot to send a card/present to or just to thank them for their gift
• Keep track of the food in fridge so nothing goes to waste, meal plan if required
• Relax and enjoy the day whatever you are doing!

Friday

• Mop any floors which need it
• Empty all bins and check when your 'revised' collections are
• Clean your kitchen sink
• Check the kids uniform, shoes, coats are clean
• Check which dates the kids are back
• Put receipts with anything which needs returning
• Make some time for you, you've worked hard recently
• Tidy, tidy, tidy - it will make cleaning much easier
• Clean WM/DW filters and put through on a clean cycle
• HHPaperwork - I know it's boring but it needs to be done
• Wipe handles and switches, door, cupboards anything aim for 10 minutes
• S&S sinks and loos
• Sort out your glasses, do you have enough for any get togethers or do you have too many that you never use? Adjust as necessary - lovely ones can be picked up at the charity shop often at a good price.
• Count some blessings from the year gone by

Honey_Bear

Thanks for the lists Natty and Valli.

Vacuumed the top floor this morning and s/and/s'd the bathroom. 

Spent the rest of the day in the kitchen, making carrot and coriander soup, with a lot of extra veggies that needed using up, some spices, a thumb of ginger and garlic and a sweet potato, then some sweet and sour sauce for the left over turkey so I don't have to spend all day on 27 December making that, and finally the sausage rolls I'd been looking forward to making all day. 

We're off to the farm to collect the turkey tomorrow so I need to squeeze all of that into the freezer before we go.  That'll be tricky.

Valli

i have a tidier house and … finally… tree and decs up

1 maiden away, 1 still out with stuff drying off/ airing. WUaltd, kitchen tidied at end of evening.  WM and DW locked and loaded 

Narc0lepsy

Thanks for lists.
2 more flower arrangements done.
Candied orange peel dipped in chocolate and put in pretty box.
Mr N did amazing tetris game getting everything in the car.
Enjoyed carol service. 
House left in reasonable state and achieved planned start time of 2pm. Some traffic holdups but got to DB at 4.30.
Have eaten too much and had a lovely chat.

YORKSHIRELASS

Morning all

Thanks for lists. 

After a slightly bonkers weekend of eating, drinking and socialising, collecting DS from the big city, going to a lovely carol service and trying to squeeze in last minute prep I feel less than lively this morning! 

But there is some paid stuff to do, and nut roast to make after that.  DS asked me yesterday if I would get Christmas crackers for the table as he has forgotten.  I have this feeling that there are some in the house somewhere from last year, but no idea where.

DW emptied, Flying will be keeping on top of the basics mostly.  And yes, I will get time to put my feet up for half an hour!

Hope it's a good Monday everyone xx

roundtuit

Morning all  xx

Thank you to Valli and Natty for the lists xx

I'm up, made my bed, turned over the calendars,  ( it's Christmas Eve Eve doncha know 🎅), taken my meds, whizzed through Strands, completed Wordle in four,  completed all four lines on Connections with no lives lost- Svengali setter must be taking the week off 😉, and I'm supping a brew.

Lost half a pound this week. And hope to do the same again this week so that I'm starting 2025 50 lbs lighter than I started 2024. 

To Do Today List 

Shower / wash hair
Get dressed 
Feed the birds 
Put out the recycling. 
Laundry shuffle 
Write grocery list 
Visit Mr Al 
Drop off A's Christmas card as I pass 
P & S are calling for coffee 
WUDUPA 
Visit Pops & Babs with presents 
8pm Only Connect 

Love to all
Rxx

ETA
Change towels in bathroom 
Wash towels and tea towels 

eltee2

Morning All

Today's plan
•✔️ Go for a walk
• ✔️Collect turkey and fruit & veg
• ✔️General tidy up as we go🫡
•✔️ Change bedding
• ✔️Scrub bath/shower/sink/loo
• ✔️Replace towels & mats
•✔️ Put laundry away
• ✔️Dust everywhere
• ✔️S&S Kitchen
• ✔️Vacuum everywhere
•✔️ relax with a drink and a treat! Mmmm 😋

Also cleaned oven, grill & hob ✔️

Tomorrow/Wednesday/Thursday plan
Enjoy my time with nearest & dearest - we lost someone close to us in August 2023 and last Christmas was painful. My sister loved Christmas and would want us to stop being a bunch of 'wallies' and this year we're a bit further along 🤗 ❤️‍🩹


Merry Christmas everyone, hugs all round, see you on Friday
🍷🎄🍗

Fayolle

Morning all,
Thank you for the lists x
In my head, I am organised. My head lies, but there are only 3 of us and we are all adults. How I ever managed working to the end of Christmas Eve, always hosting the whole family, and young children included, I don’t know. I must be getting old… Christmas and new year can be a really tough time for many for so many of us, for so many reasons, so a big flylady group hug to one and all x
I am up and dressed (achievement number 1 for the day), have played fridge Tetris having cut my teeth for many years on freezer Tetris as DH has been to the butcher this morning to collect his order. I finished wrapping yesterday, so today is about restoring upstairs to order, including tackling the ironing pile which I helpfully hid under the wrapping paper.  Whoops 😊. Oh and I need to decide what to do with the picked greenery, other than stick it straight into the green bin in frustration when I realise that I’m not actually creative at all…

roundtuit

roundtuit said:

To Do Today List 

Shower / wash hair ✅
Get dressed ✅
Feed the birds ✅
Put out the recycling. ✅
Laundry shuffle ✅
Write grocery list ❌ - went commando*
Visit Mr Al ✅
Drop off A's Christmas card as I pass ✅
P & S are calling for coffee 
WUDUPA 
Visit Pops & Babs with presents 
8pm Only Connect 

ETA
Change towels in bathroom ✅
Wash towels and tea towels ✅

All groceries have been put away. Treated myself to a few Christmas goodies. Mince pie anyone? 

Plan is to WUDUPA when P & S leave so that their empty mugs will be included. It makes sense 😊

Pops asked me to go round in my car this afternoon a) so he can see the car b) because he wants me to be Santa for him and deliver a pile of presents alongside my own. Although I'd do it even if it was to people I hadn't planned to visit. Cause I'm nice like that 😇

Rxx

* list wise. I was wearing underwear!!!

MinnieMousesMummy

Morning all,  

Monday Mayhem...
Put the bins out for emptying
Hoover downstairs
Change the hose on the shower
Take the kids to the cinema (going to see Mufasa)
Dust the living room
Take the dog for a long walk
Remove rubbish from the bathroom
Get the last minute shopping
Dust the bedroom including high dusting
HHI
Take the dog for a long walk
Tidy up the clothes that are lying around the bedroom
Sweep the bathroom floor and mop
Schedule payments that need to be made in January
Dust and deweb everywhere
Empty bin in the study
Check the turkey and take it out of the freezer to defrost
Wipe the mirrors
Wrap wrap wrap
Dust around the whole downstairs
Mop  the kitchen floor
Get rid of the washing up
Remember to get a TV guide. 
HHme time - relax and do nothing

I think that is everything that I need to get done, I hope everyone has a lovely Monday

roundtuit

roundtuit said:

To Do Today List 

P & S are calling for coffee ✅
WUDUPA ✅
Visit Pops & Babs with presents 
8pm Only Connect 

Towels and tea towels have had an extra spin and are now draped on the airer.

Finished reading my book so that can go to Pops too. Going to ring before I set off. Make sure they're in. They are in the habit of lunching at Spoons on a Monday.

Rxx