Monthly Musings - February 2026

 

1.  Paper planner, digital calendar, or other option?  Paper Planner.  I've used Erin Condren planners for years, but I couldn't resist this diary/planner when I was at the Buckingham Palace Shop in London.  It looks so pretty on my desk.

2.  Meal planning, meal prep, or wing it?  Meal planning is iffy these days.  After being on my own for so long with Vic in Okinawa and then in Maryland, I sort of lost interest in cooking, and I've had a hard time getting it back.  Vic does enjoy cooking so a lot of time he'll come up with something, but I feel bad that he works all day and then comes home to cook.  I'm making a commitment to do better as soon as our new stove is installed tomorrow.

3.  Do you choose your outfit the night before?  Not any longer!  Being retired means jeans and a top on most days.  I did plan my outfits when I was working right down to my accessories because when you get up at 4:30am, you're not really in the mood to put together an outfit!

4.  Tips for managing laundry and ironing.  I do laundry every day which is crazy for two people, but it works.  Whites on Monday, Vic's darks on Tuesday, towels on Wednesday, whites again on Thursday, kitchen linens and dog towels on Friday, and bedding on Saturday.  My darks go in once a week, usually after Vic's on Tuesday.  For the most part, it's quick and easy, I start one load when I get up, have coffee, put it in the dryer, and by the time I get out of the shower, it's ready to hang or fold and put away.  I don't iron but Vic's great at it!

5.  Grocery shop in store or online?  In store.  When I've got it all together, I menu plan, make a grocery list, and head to the store.

6.  Best tips for getting out the door in the morning without chaos?  Have everything ready to go.  Outfit selected, lunch made, handbag with everything in it, and out the door I go.

7.  Share your easiest dinners for crazy weeks.  Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken.  Quick, easy, delicious.

8.  Best tips to keep your house organized during the week.  I've said it before "A place for everything, and everything in its place".  I do a quick ten-minute whiz through the house before I go to bed to make sure that there's no clutter.

9.  Share your easiest breakfast.  Costco's muffins - the cinnamon chip ones are yummy!

10.  Share your best overall tip not covered yet.  Make cleaning enjoyable - Air pods with an audiobook, podcast, or music makes the time go by quickly.