Weekly Flylady Thread 20th January 2025

Natty68

We often see new flyers (gents welcome!) around this time of year so please don't worry if you feel you cannot keep up.  Similarly if your house has been neglected it won't be turned around in a day - but if you stay you will get into some good habits which do help!  Happy flying.

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

Manic Monday - Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One
Clean floors
Level Two
Clear and wipe kitchen surfaces
Clean cupboard door fronts and the kick boards
Sort fridge bringing what needs using soon to the front
Wipe dining table (clean table cloth if necessary)
Check your car is topped up with anti-freeze, radiator water, oil,petrol. Check your tyre pressure too.
Level Three
Sort the utensils.. half melted spatulas are not necessary!
HHI.. then wash the ironing board cover!
Dust any extra furniture in dining room, checking for cobwebs on way round
Wash the washer drawer out if it's gunky
Clean oven - because I know it wasn't on the list last week

Extra Mission
Choose one or more of:

• Wipe out the fridge, make sure the drain is clear
• Wipe over little appliances, wipe under them before putting them back
• Clean dishwasher, cooker hood (if washable) and tumble drier filters
• Wipe window sills, clean any marks off windows if required
• Wipe the front of large appliances

Tuesday 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
Level 3
Wipe light switches and banister
Clean any other glass like mirrors etc
Tidy shoes, coats and bags
Vacuum under furniture (only if you won't hurt yourself doing it, don't want any injuries)
Get a winter emergency box for your car.. it's still not too late SEE HERE for ideas!

Extra Mission:
Pick one or more of the following tasks –

• Clear one hotspot or spend at least 15 minutes clearing it a bit
• HHI
• Give the inside of the front door a wipe (if it's not snowing you could do the outside too)
• Wipe the leaves of your plants
• Sort through any magazines or paperwork lying around
• Clean windows and sills in these areas

Wonderful Wednesdays - 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, air the bed if possible
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

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
• Clean windows in these rooms
• Check the airing cupboard, anything that is way past it's use by (maybe recycle for rags if possible, you could donate old sheets or towels to a local animal rescue for bedding)
• Clean the bed frame where you can, vacuum if cloth covered, wipe with a cloth if wood/metal etc

Thursday Bathroom and Study/Pc Area
Level One
Clean floors in these rooms (even if it is around the clutter)
Level Two
Clean baths, toilets and sinks
Clear any clutter from desk
Dust PC and desk, wipe with damp cloth if grimey
Wipe keyboard, house phone, sockets, switches and mouse etc
Level Three
Clear clutter from floor
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

Extra mission:
Pick whichever you want to attempt:

• Wipe the skirtings, door and window frames in these rooms
• Wash your bathroom mats, nets, clean blind/curtains etc
• Clean/wash the brushes/dust box/filters on the vacuum cleaner (ensure these are dry before using again)
• Clean the radiators in these rooms (and behind them if you can)
• Defragment PC, or at least do a disc clean up
• Towels & Flannels- wash any manky ones, make ones which are ''beyond repair'' into something else (flannels, cloths etc) or get rid!

Freaky Friday - Frightening Kids Rooms and Spare Rooms
Level One
15 minutes clearing clutter!
Spend at least 15 minutes doing something for yourself, whatever that might be
Level Two
Vacuum floors (even if it's around the rest of the junk)
Strip beds and replace with fresh linen
Level Three
15 more minutes clearing clutter!
Dusting - all those flat surfaces which have become fuzzy!
Clean window, sill and frame

Extra tasks, if you have extra time and want to do more, you could try one of these

• Clean skirting boards in one room
• Wipe down a childrens bed frame/cot
• 15 minutes ironing
• Paperwork sorting, spend 10 minutes on it, little and often! Anything need dealing with urgently?
• 27 fling boogie, time for the Friday Fling! Grab a bag and clear that clutter.

Please stay safe everyone during the horrendous storm that is predicted for the UK on Friday.

Jazee

Thanks for the list Natty.  I'm in although not expecting to get a lot done tomorrow as DGD2 is here until 6pm.  We're planning to bake a cake, go dancing and do some artwork.

Tonight I've tidied the kitchen and put the little one to bed.  Sleep well everyone.

roundtuit

I'm in.

Thank you to Natty and Valli for keeping the thread going.

Back to the paid stuff on Tuesday but I'm hoping to do a little every day.

Rxx

MadamMim2013

Thankooo to @Natty68 & @Valli for keeping the thread going, always much appreciated ☺️

Had written a long post on the previous thread, looked back and it’s vanished.. 😬
Ahh well, must be the gremlins 🫥

I’m in for this week.. need to hold myself more accountable for my lack of motivation..
Darn PA, my B12 is rock bottom at the moment, the wonderful menopause isn’t helping with its added in symptoms.. 🫨
Hopes for a kind and restful sleep for all.. 💗

ionafan

Thank you Natty.  I shall be in as much as possible this week.

Tomorrow I have until 10.30 to fly though the kitchen, but would also like to hoover and dust all of downstairs if I can.  Then I'm going out for coffee and maybe lunch with a friend - DH has said I may take his car.  DS1 is coming to look at mine on his way home from work, then we can work out how (and  whether) to get it repaired.

I am still coughing a lot and haven't achieved anything of note today except cook 2 batches of chicken (it was on special offer) and boxed it up for the freezer, thereby managing to avoid exceeding the Use By date.  Tomorrow I shall cook a batch of beef stew, for the same reason.

Hope that everyone has a good week and Pop's improvement continues xxx

Dizzy_Imp

I'm in too please.  Not sure how much I'll get through this week as it's manic at work, but I will try my best!
Continued Get Well healing vibes to Pops - glad to hear he's feeling better Round

TTFN x

Narc0lepsy

Thanks for the list, even though I'm doing entirely different things.   I have a huge list for this week as I'm back down at Mum's.  Fairly good journey, had a quick bacon sarnie after church and was on the road just before 1pm. After a shortish stop just after half way for a coffee and to get a few things from Mr T, I arrived at about 4.30. And did I rest with a cuppa? NO! You would be proud of me.   
- I have now gathered together most of the china around the house which I'm listing for possible auction. 
- looked many things up via G**gle Lens and each item is now on the dining room table with a yellow sticker saying what it is.    I'm going to spend a little time tonight typing them on the list I already started, with my aim being to email the list to the auction house tomorrow so they can advise what will sell. Original aim was to send email tomorrow evening but as I've got off to a good start, I may be able to send it during working hours which will be a bonus. 
- I've set up a box for ornaments which are destined for charity shop.
- While washing up after dinner (which I ate during Midwives so as not to lose time), I also emptied 2 of the pottery storage jars I'm hoping to sell and have washed them. 

I'm not going to rack my brains thinking of anything else I've done, but I'm going to spend half an hour typing that list. 

eltee2

Evening All 

My head is not usually so organised, but I have a Monday plan already 😮

Open windows
Air & remake bed
WM x2
TD if needed 
Shopping
DW x1 and WUDUPA excess
S&S bathroom
🥷NSCCTDSNXR🥷
Sow those chillis & peppers

Kitchen
Clean DW door, seals, filter etc.
Run DW on empty with cleaner stuff
Clean oven properly (not like last time 🙊)
Clear/wipe worktops
Clear & clean sink, taps & draining board
Jollops down the plughole
Descale & wipe over kettle
Empty toaster crumb tray & wipe over
Clean hob, splashback & extractor hood
Wipe over kickboards/door/drawer fronts
Fridge shuffle & clean
Sweep/mop floor
The freezer inventory from last week
Empty bin, clean & leave outside to dry
Stand in kitchen feeling smug - it'll look lovely for a good 10 minutes 😏

Ottoman of Doom Daily Delve
Day 6 ?????
Day 5 Small box of figures - donate to CS
Day 4 Chilli/peppers growing kit - sow 🌶🫑
Day 3 Toolbelt - returned to OH 🔧🛠🔨
Day 2 New pillowcases x4 - keep
Day 1 Denim tote/shoulder bag - keep 👜

🙂

Valli

been busy as I had the family round for a roast dinner.  Remembered to put care home brochures out of sight.  DW stacked and on delay, there’s more stuff to go in.  I have oranges for more marmalade so the kitchen will get done later.  Plus i’m at work tomorrow. 

Thanks for the new thread.  

roundtuit

Morning all xx 

Thank you for the continued support for Pops. I'm told he's looking a lot better. I'll be glad when DB gets out there and I'm not reliant on Babs for updates. 

I'm up, made my bed, taken my meds, turned over the calendars, got weighed* and I'm supping my first brew.

*STS....pretty much another miracle after eating all that carp on Saturday.

I'm not looking forward to returning to work tomorrow = feeling antsy. And breathe....

Plan To Do Today List

Get dressed 
Feed the birds 
Put out the recycling 
WUDUPA 
Put fresh towels in bathroom 
Wash towels and tea towels 
Mr Al shop 

Remove one item from box 
Remove one item from bin bag 

Monday = bathroom
Hoover bathroom floor 
Mop bathroom floor 

P & S are coming for coffee this morning 

Shower 
Wash hair 

And I'll take something from the Flylady list as it was on my hit list too:

Wash WM drawer 

Well. That's the plan then. 

Hope your cough soon clears iona. My aunt and uncle have decided not to fly out to see Pops as they've been told that the virus that floored Pops is rife in Benidorm. My uncle isn't a well man and darent risk it. 

Didn't realise before that I'm surrounded by people who are not well even when they're not being ill iyswim: Pops, Babs, DB, Babs' DS, P, P's DB, uncle. It makes me grateful that I'm just mental!! 🤭🤪

Love to all.
Rxx

MinnieMousesMummy

Good morning, Thank you for the new list @Natty68  

My list for today
Get DS to school
Take DD to her nurse's appointment
Attend uni lecture
Spend 2 hours on uni work
Take the cat to the vet appointment (follow up after dental surgery last week)
Do paid stuff
Check and organise the diary for the rest of the month
Sweep the kitchen floor
HHI
Sort fridge bringing what needs to be used soon to the front.
Check over the car - anti-freeze levels, radiator water, oil, petrol and tyre pressure.
Bring the bins back in once they have been emptied.

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