Weekly Flylady Thread 19 May 2025

Valli

Welcome to the weekly Flylady 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.

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.
Thank you Natty for last week's thread.

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 content! (i.e. it should be on-topic)
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- 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 former Flylady 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 stopping, 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!
Frog (or other amphibian) ~ google 'eat that frog'
Spoons ~ google 'but you don't look sick' and/or 'The Spoon Theory'.

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

Marvellous Monday - Kitchen and Dining Room

Level 1
Open some windows (not just in the kitchen!) for some fresh air 
Check fruit bowl - add to washing up if necessary!
Wash up, dry up and put away (or remove all pots to DW) 
Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances and caddies etc.  Don't forget the splashbacks or tiles!  Is it time the tea/coffee/sugar caddies were washed out?
Empty bin and clean it out too - put it outside to dry in the sunshine, if you can.
Clear and clean sink and accessories - don't forget those out-of-sight places - under plugs and under draining racks - and shine those taps - or clean them!
Glug some bleach down the plugholes.
Clean/polish table - wipe mats/change cloth - don't forget the legs and places where sticky fingers can reach.
Clean chairs/stools/high chairs - and don't forget legs and rails!
Throw away your manky dish cloth or sponge and replace with a new one!  Put out a new hand towel and a new tea towel too
Clean cruet, salt and pepper, wipe any sauce bottles that are used on the table

Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts inside and out, not forgetting handles and tops and bottom as well as fronts!
Clean hob
Clean microwave
Sort fridge and wipe seals; weave stuff that needs using up into your meal plan; update shopping list as appropriate, wash shelves etc and check running temperature 
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clean WM , TD and DW filters; remove WM detergent drawer and wash it out.
Wipe inside of washer drawer and DW door paying particular attention to manky crevices

Level 3

Choose a drawer, shelf or cupboard for special attention.  Empty, clean out, replace what is needed or useful and fling what is unused and/or out of date
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean chairs (and highchairs) - don't forget under the seats where sticky fingers linger.
Clean windows in both rooms.  You could also wipe frames & sills inside and out!

EXTRAS

HHI
S&S bathroom 
Give your make up brushes some tlc, gently wash them in soapy water or use shampoo, rinse them well and pop them outside to dry in the breeze.

Tuesday -  The Lounge, Hallway, stairs and landing

Level 1
Deal with cut flowers and pot plants - top up water/wipe leaves/remove drooping or dead blooms
Empty bins/ashtrays
If you have a woodburner/real fire attend to that first - do you need to book a sweep?
Clear gibble
Plump and straighten cushions
Wipe sofas with leather wipes or vacuum - look for all those dust-catching crevices.  Lift seat cushions if you can and vacuum underneath
Wipe/dust coffee tables and leave tidy

Level 2
Clean windows and mirrors 
Vacuum floors - and use an edging tool to get into all the nooks and crannies - and stairs!
Clean doormats
Dust/wipe electricals - use a just-damp cloth.  Don't forget the remote controllers!

Level 3
Dust all round - don't forget sills, skirting boards, tops of curtain rails and/or battens and top and frame of door.
Wipe door handles, banisters, light switches and sockets - and the bits of the door where people hold to close it.
Check for cobwebs and eliminate!
Clean lightshades and lampshades; check all lighting is functioning as it should 
Wipe lightbulbs (if cold)
Dust pictures/paintings on walls - and dust behind them too!
Stand in the doorway and look back into the room - is it clean?

Extras
HHI
S&S bathroom
S&S kitchen

personal… pay deposit for wake


Wipey Wednesday  Bathrooms, cloak rooms and en suites

Level 1
Open window
Remove towels and fling in WM
Scrub Loo inside and out, slug some bleach or descaler down afterwards.  Pay special attention to under the rim.
Dust anywhere that needs dusting - wipe any 'on display' bottles down.  Don’t forget window sill

Level 2
Clean out baths and/or showers
Clean shower heads and hoses
Clean handbasins including taps

Level 3
sweep and mop or vacuum floor as appropriate
clean windows
polish mirrors
dust and polish where necessary
Chuck any lurking potions that are not being used/are old
Clean light pull

Extras
Wash showercurtains (if any) and put outside to blow dry and/or give the loo brush a rise and put it - and it’s container (washed) out in the sunshine to benefit from the natural bleaching action of the sun
HHI
S&S kitchen

Personal PAY DEPOSIT

Thursday- Master Bedroom/Boudoir

Level 1

Open windows, 
Clear the floordrobe/chairdrobe
Strip the bed and leave to air
Take out the rubbish
Bedding in WM
Wipe all switches, handles, rails, light pulls etc.

Level 2 (after breakfast)

Remake the bed with clean, fresh linen
Dust/clear bedside tables
Clean windows, frames and sills (and wipe the open frames to clear dust and debris)

Level 3

Vacuum any soft furnishings - don't forget the headboard if it's fabric!
Dust everywhere else; as you remove lotions and potions from dressing tables wipe them over with a damp cloth.
Minimise clutter/organise essentials -  your bedroom needs to be the place of peace, calm and refuge
Vacuum/mop floors

Extras
S&S kitchen
S&S bathrooms
dont waste these drying days - if you’ve nothing on the line you could wash

throws
coats
cushion covers
tablecloths
Christmas jumpers
loose covers
antimacassars
lace doyleys
crocheted mats
net curtains
cloth shopping bags
pet bedding
dolly's clothes

Make sure PE kits come home - and, PLEASE, check they are complete, are cleaned and that everything fits and is named - especially pumps/plimsolls/trainers (I have lost count of the number of kids who thought I could magic up footwear that fit!) Sports days will soon be here (and, while your mind is on it, pop them in your diary/on your calendar - including back up dates if you have them)

Narc0lepsy

So sorry for your loss Valli, glad there was peace for her at last. 

Catching up from last week: fridge freezer arrived on time, no problems.         
Coffee and cake with friend was triple blessings as it was: a) yummy b) good flying as I managed to declutter some text books and record forms to her and c) unexpected decluttering as she has 2 dogs and would like my old duvets. 
In the afternoon I did 4 flower arrangements for church, took them down and hoovered. 
Saturday I had a lovely lake swim; having had 4 lessons in front crawl last year and practised in the gym pool over winter, I've resumed lessons (promoted to the 'improver' group) - last week was the first one and this week was no lesson but practise and I did manage some.                 
Went to Mr L on the way back from lake.
Final tidy up in house and garden (Mr N had done a lot of flying) before London friend arrived and we went for the afternoon tea, came home with a large 'doggy bag'.
Today was church followed by the open day activities - picnic, watching teddy bears parachute off the church tower, listening to jazz music, listening to a talk on the church (1st priest 1086 according to the Domesday book), socialising.      
Did a lot in the garden - pruning, pulling up bluebells, planting out seedlings, watering, checking greenhouse etc. Was entertained by baby goldfinches plucking up the courage to jump into the bird bath, baby starlings seeing how many of them could fit on one bird feeder (11) and the cheeping of hungry young bluetits waiting for parents going to and from the nestbox. 
Did some drumming practice.
I don't think this week is quite as manic as last week, but who knows?

ionafan

Thank you for the new list, Valli.  I shall try to do some flying every day, but I still have a lot of leftovers from last week to fit in.  Fortunately my diary is a lot emptier than DH's, so I shall be left to get on in my own time.

Hope everyone has a good week xxx

Spikeygran

I'm sorry to hear of your sad loss but glad that she slipped away peacefully.  (((Valli))) 

It was sweltering again today.  Managed to get all the hanging baskets filled, and then cleaned up the mess we'd made on the patio.  The cat was throwing himself around and huffing, apparently we were using "his table", it didn't help that we were laughing at the antics. I've still got a dozen lobelia left and a few petunias, that was a good £18 worth - 6 big baskets and 2 small done.

Just about to fly round and do kitchen level 1 put on dishwasher and put a wash on.  Weve spent so much time outside its started to look good out there and scruffy in here.  Its going to have to wait for the next rainy day. Hoping OH will run the vacuum round tomorrow. 

I did Wordle in 5.  I haven't done one for ages, I'm not sure why, I used to do it most days. 

Honey_Bear

(((Hugs))) Valli. 

Be back later with an update on what, if anything, I manage to get done today other than decluttering Belovéd back to The Smoke for a couple of days.

Valli

Mornin all,  WM x 2 DWx 1.  DW emptied while waiting for WM 1 to finish so. I could put WM 2 in.

Today I have phone calls to make to schedule appointments.  Lots of decisions already made eg 1 car to follow mum, we will get everyone else to meet us there, as they’ll need to park.  I have drawn a calendar for June and blocked out dates we aren’t having…two nieces have birthdays in June and the children have sports days…Niece C said it could be on her birthday but sis and I said no way…I said we would move to July if necessary.  

I’ve got mums clothes from the home so will sort through them today rather than take to stepdad.  I’ve also spoken to him about his suit.  He said it’s ‘clean enough’…I want it tried on and will check.  He also needs to sort shirt and tie.  We should have plenty of time to get the suit tried on.  He went for a long walk yesterday as he’s very tearful, as are we all.  I was worried I wouldn’t cry, as I never wept for my grandma who had Alzheimer’s.  I needn’t have worried.  I have to buy a black dress.  Mum was traditional and we will do her proud.

I hope you don’t mind me sharing this…it’s helping me keep my focus.

Fayolle

Share away, Valli. Anything that helps.
I need to get my head in the game this week. Like Spikeygran, outside is looking better, but inside has paid the price. Having said that, I am intending to go to the allotment soon to plant the beans as DH put the wigwams up yesterday. Then I will focus. It’s an intention. DH is out all day tomorrow, so I will have no excuse then. I am sure that I can find plenty of excuses in the meantime.

kazwookie

Valli, share away, we are all here for you, pm box is open if you need it for any reason. x

Thanks for the lists.

Hoovered yesterday

Wm is done stuff out on whirly

OH is back tomorrow so there will be a weeks worth of washing for Wednesday.

Kitchen done

Bathroom done

Rubbish sorted

Cats fed, cats played with.

Other general stuff is done, suprising what you can get done when getting up at 6.30am and going on with it.

To do:

Walking

Chase bank for yearly statement of interest.

Do tax return, I've started on paper, but need the missing information to progress any further, plenty of time yet.

100 miles for Breast Cancer Now completed.

eltee2

Morning all

Busy this morning so will fly after lunch.  Hoping to get Level 1 kitchen & dining/living room done

✔️Open windows
✔️Air & remake bed
Exercises 1✔️, 2 & 3 (got extras on Mo, We & Fr)
S&S bathroom
Level 1 kitchen & dining/living room
DW

El

Fayolle

Fayolle said:

I need to get my head in the game this week.

Well that hasn’t worked so far.
Quick visit to the allotment turned into 2 hours. DH went to Mr T on way home from the tip and lo and behold they had some bedding plants. I only wanted some busy lizzies, but all plants have been elusive around here. He couldn’t find busy lizzies, but he did find impatiens….bless, they are the same thing 🤣. As he has now bought me 2 packs, I feel the need to make an effort and plant them. As I say, any excuse. Tomorrow looks like a good day for flying…
Well done, Kaz. 

Honey_Bear

Share, share and share again Valli.  Anything that helps is the right thing to do. 

Well done on the 100 miles Kazwookie.

Three large pots decluttered to fab neighbour, who I thought might want them because she drags back all sorts of things from the localish recycling centre where basically if you give them a quid you can have pretty much anything the chaps have managed to salvage so they don't go to landfull.  Saves me having to put the three pots on the Tree of Gum and deal with the timewasters who always surface.  She's turned a right mess into the garden of her dreams and is very hospitable, so it's good to be able to add things that she likes.  My decluttering knows no bounds.

Lots of kitcheny things done this morning, including prepping for making kedgere and mjudarra tomorrow for my brunches for a couple of weeks, and defrosting of things I like eating but Belovéd doesn't particularly enjoy like mushroom stroganoff. 

Finished off with a couple of hours at my desk on the admin backlog.  I'm getting there.