Weekly Flylady Thread 9th June 2025

Natty68

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 Valli 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

Ok here goes this week!

Open windows, loud music and hearty singing is an absolute must for every days activities.. it is good for the lungs!

Mad Monday - Kitchen of Kreation
Level One
Open the blinds/curtains and let in the light.
Clear and wipe the worksurfaces & table
Put used teatowels in wash
Level Two
Wipe the little appliances and put them back in their homes
Wipe over the cupboards and large appliances
Clean out drawers and filters
Clean out microwave – a little lemon in a bowl of water heated up for 5 mins makes it a a lot easier to clean.
Level Three
Sweep and mop the floor
Shine the grotty windows
Wipe out the fridge.. meal plan for June!
Drag everything out of the tins cupboard.. wipe it out and put back the bits you are keeping.. Get rid of the things you will never eat or incorporate them into your weekly meal plan!!!
Extras

• HHI
• Run washing machine through a hot wash with white vinegar (in the fabric conditioner compartment). Clean the detergent drawer.
• Shake out door mats, leave outside or pop in washing machine on a low temperature wash
• Fill a bag for charity shop
• Deweb the downstairs of the house!!
• Scrub down the woodwork.. skirtings, door frames etc

Thumping Tuesday ~ Living Room, Hall and Stairs
Level One …
Open the windows and turn on some music!
Wipe and water the plants
Wipe over sticky sofas.
Level Two…
Dusting, even if around everything
Remove clutter making sure stairs especially are safe
Clean TV, any fluffy electricals and defluff behind the radiators!
Cull any old/unwanted magazines - maybe your local Drs/Dentist would like them.
Level Three …
Wipe paintworks and any grubby marks off walls etc
Vacuum under any furniture you can.. please don't injure yourselves!
Clean any other glass like mirrors, pictures etc
Tidy shoes, coats and bags .. wash any that need washing and putting away now we have warmer weather!!
HHC in the porch

Extras

• Clear a hotspot or 3!
• Clean light shades/fittings and lamps
• Clean a window or two.
• Wash any smelly soft furnishings!
• Clear one hotspot, or just spend at least 5 minutes tackling it
• Wash a pair of curtains, or some nets or a throw from a chair or bed
• Say goodbye to any old candles, artificial flowers past their best or broken ornaments.
• Groom the hairy pets... or the children lol
• 29 fling boogie

Hump Day Wednesday ~ Master Bedroom & Landing
Level One …
Open the window and air the room
Strip off smelly bedding and sling it in the wash, replace well before bedtime!
Clear some floordrobe
Level Two …
Vacuum the mattress and air the duvet (I have been known to dangle mine over the whirly gig if it's nice)
Put the floordrobe in the wardrobe
Find 10 things to get rid of!
Level Three …
Make sure those smoke alarms are working!!! (do not set fire to anything.. just press the button!!)
Vacuum the landing and bedroom.. starting at the bottom of the stairs!!!!
Remove anything that should be elsewhere.. your bedroom is NOT a shed!!
Remove some dust bunnies and wipe over the light shades

Extras

• Wash any curtains that need doing
• HHI
• Clean the windows
• 15 minutes sort out of the landing gibble.. see if you can find something to rehome
• Sort out one cupboard, just the one!!!

Freaky Friday- those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms
Level One …
Clear away anything that isn't in it's place, clothes, toys, books etc
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 …
Vacuum the floor
Dusting.. all those shelves and flat fluffy surfaces!! Don’t forget the light shade and curtain pole!!!
Strip beds, turn and vacuum mattresses!! and replace with fresh linen .. check if duvets need freshening up too!!
Level Three …
Drag everything out from under the bed too.. there is floor under there!!
Sort through a cupboard/chest of drawers and get the clothes out which are no longer wearable, too small or out of season!
Wipe the grotty patches of the walls and woodwork
Wipe the radiators, skirtings and window & door frames!

Extras

• Wash a set of curtains, nets, duvet or throw
• Sort through one box or toys.. if you have no children find a box of junk.. is there anything that needs to go?
• End of week fling!! grab a binbag and fill it with stuff to leave the house.. rubbish or charity shop or to donate to a friend!
• Clean out any pets!

Valli

thanks for the new list.

Had my first Sunday dinner in a while today.. All through my decorating I was hoping to bring mum for lunch and to show off my new carpets and sofas…it never occurred to me we would be where we are.  
Anyway her hot food cabinet came back here to stay, and was used.  I have the perfect space for it in the DR.
I desperately need to do some flying…though DR, which has been dumped in, is now straight.  

 Nice to see Round.

Jazee

Morning all.  Thanks for the list. Thinking of you Valli.

Wordle in four, connections with one life lost and strands with eight hints.

 I need to prep the house for DDs arrival today with her two.  Bottles to sterilise etc.  I'm going to put washing on the line today and hope the rain stays away.

Have a great day everyone.

MinnieMousesMummy

Thank you for the new list!

Morning everyone, it's an early start for me today as I feel that I have got so much I need to get done, but trying to keep my list manageable (some might remember me for my excessive lists, which most of the time were unmanageable).

My list for today
10 minutes on the exercise bike
Get a shower and get dressed
Do the maths coursework that is in the diary for today ( I need to finish coursework and submit 2 assessments by the 4th July)
Do the English coursework that is in the diary for today (I need to finish coursework and submit 1 assessment and an essay by the 4th July)
Add 200 words to the English essay
Do paid stuff (unfortunately, I lost my job through illness but I still have some freelance work)
Phone the doctors to make a review appointment. The doctor wanted to see me 3 weeks after my cortisone injection, so I need to make the appointment
Go to the maths tutor appointment
Remind DH to finish sorting the car, I need it for tomorrow as I've got an interview to attend. Work in Progress
Wipe the work surfaces in the kitchen
Wipe the cupboard fronts
Check banking to see if the refund has been received (last week, the oil company decided to take more than the agreed amount, so I gave them a call, and I'm getting the difference refunded) Still no refund, so the task will be on tomorrow's list. 
Sweep the kitchen floor
Remind DD to take the dog for a walk (since I've been ill, it has become her new chore, but she needs prompting)
Do 10 minutes on the exercise bike (aiming for 20 minutes per day, as I need to build up gradually)
Phone the gym regarding booking a session later this week (I'm working with a coach to try and strengthen my knee following my recent issue. About 10 weeks ago, I went to bed feeling fine, then woke up in the morning unable to bend my knee; it was extremely swollen and painful to the point it was a struggle to move. I got a cortisone injection just over a week ago, and it's starting to improve slowly). 

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

roundtuit

Morning all xx 

Thank you Fayolle and Valli. xx

Ahhhh. Big black dog sat on my chest this morning. Note to self: disappearing from the thread can indicate a downward spiral that I'm not yet conciously aware of. BBD is insidious....it whispers unworthy, unwanted, unloved. And breathe... This too will pass....

So. How is everyone? Lots going on in Flyladyland. Weddings, decorating, jam making, studying, exercising, flying. Cor. No wonder I get Imposter Syndrome. 🥸 

I'm nicely settled into my Saturdailies routine. Just the other six days to work on then 🤣. 

To Do Today List 

Shower 
Moisturise 
Get dressed 
Feed the birds 
Put out the recycling 
FUPA towels
FUPA airer
P & S calling for coffee
WUDUPA 
Visit Mr Al
Put away shopping 
Pay rent
Buy Father's Day card
Buy Father's Day gift
Order repeat prescription 

And 15 minutes on the timer to MAD on top shelf of the shoe rack in the kitchen- which bears everything except shoes 🙄

Have a good day. Anyone fancy a brew? Kettle's on. 

Rxx

Honey_Bear

(((Hugs))) Valli.

That sounds like a week's worth of ambition MMM.  Welcome back.  *healing vibes* for your knee.

Today I want to:

- plant some seeds,

- !!!!!! out some more volunteer tomato plants

- do one load of washing and get it dried outside

- pull together all the paperwork for a mini holibob I've booked for myself

- research some French polishing courses and

- turn the superking around, and

- clean the shower room.

That should all be do-able.  

I'm finding it difficult to work out what I can realistically manage in a day and I'd dearly love to be able to plan and complete more than I've been managing, so I need to be realistic about my energy levels.

kazwookie

Thank you for the lists, hugs to all those that need them xxx

OH got up at 5am (why??) that woke me up, so it has all been done!

Cats  fed

Bed stripped and remade

3 x WM done all out on whirly

Bins done

Basins / sinks  / shower screen / shower plug thingy all cleaned

All mirrors done

Dusting done

All floors hoovered

Wood floors washed

Kitchen cleaned

Kitchen sink cleaned more with cif / washed over / polished up

Other boring small stuff done

Now sitting for 10 mins 

Then off out walking, and to buy some milk on my way back.

Have a good day 

eltee2

roundtuit said:

Ahhhh. Big black dog sat on my chest this morning. Note to self: disappearing from the thread can indicate a downward spiral that I'm not yet conciously aware of. BBD is insidious....it whispers unworthy, unwanted, unloved. And breathe... This too will pass....

So. How is everyone? Lots going on in Flyladyland. Weddings, decorating, jam making, studying, exercising, flying. Cor. No wonder I get Imposter Syndrome. 🥸 

Sorry to hear BBD is haunting you too round - I get imposter syndrome sometimes, are you me?   🤔🙂

Aiming for kitchen levels 1&2, plus HHI

✔️WM 1&2 line drying, 
✔️WM 3 swishing & swirling
✔️Exercises 1&2 done
✔️Windows opened

Level One
✔️Open the blinds/curtains and let in the light.
✔️Clear and wipe the worksurfaces & table
✔️Put used teatowels in wash
Level Two
✔️Wipe the little appliances and put them back in their homes
Wipe over the cupboards and large appliances
Clean out drawers and filters
Clean out microwave – a little lemon in a bowl of water heated up for 5 mins makes it a a lot easier to clean.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all 

I will join the Imposter Syndrome Gang, although I try hard to not get swallowed up by it.  Everyone seems busy, I am exhausted by MMMs list, you have a very busy day there! 

Thanks for the list, I have hoovered and dusted LR because that didn't get done yesterday.  I am WFH this afternoon then back into the office for a late meeting.

Back to the laptop now for a bit, hoping to get ahead and bank some hours. 

roundtuit

roundtuit said:

To Do Today List 

Shower ✅ 
Moisturise ✅
Get dressed ✅
Feed the birds ✅
Put out the recycling ✅
FUPA towels ✅
FUPA airer ✅
P & S calling for coffee ✅
WUDUPA 
Visit Mr Al ✅
Put away shopping ✅
Pay rent 
Buy Father's Day card 
Buy Father's Day gift 
Order repeat prescription ✅

And 15 minutes on the timer to MAD on top shelf of the shoe rack in the kitchen- which bears everything except shoes 🙄

P took away a bag of books to return to his sister. I've also sploshed bleach down the loo, put cans in the fridge and recycled the box, decanted bird seed into a container, and spent half an hour weeding the drive. Fresh air and exercise 🥵.

eltee - I don't think I'm you. 🤔 I'm not sure I'm me either so 🤷 the possibilities are endless. 🤪

Oooo. It didn't occur to me that I had company and there was an Imposter Syndrome Gang. What fun. 🥸

Pots next. 

Rxx

Honey_Bear

I was hugely relieved when I discovered Imposter Syndrome was A Thing.  I thought it was just me.

3 loads through the WM and dangled.  It's overcast and cold here so it won't all dry and I'll be shuffling it for a good 36 hours but it's done.  I've made the superking bed and done a lot of paperwork shuffling too.  What I've not done is complete my shortish listie.  *sigh*