Monthly Musings: Ways We Make Our Weeks Easier

It's the last Thursday Saturday of the month so it's past time for Monthly Musings which is now hosted by Patty, who blogs at Good, Better, Best. You should join in on this link up because it's super fun!

1) Paper planner, digital calendar, or other option?

I bought a paper planner for a few years, and didn't use it, so in 2026 for the first time, I didn't buy one. Gasp. However, in August 2016 we visited the world's first Target in Minneapolis-St Paul and I bought a reusable monthly calendar. I think it was meant for teachers but we've used it as our family calendar for years. We all count on it and, as we've had nowhere to put it during our reno, our lives have been a little upside down these past few months. I can't wait until we can count on it again.

Each person has a different colour to help with a quick visual check.

 

2) Meal planning, meal prep, or wing it?

I started meal planning when Sam was a baby and haven't looked back since. Sometimes we throw the plan out the window and eat out, or have leftovers, but it really is a lifesaver. Again, we all look at the meal plan and know what's on the menu. Before our reno, our meal planning happened on a notepad on the fridge, but since we've started the renovation, we've resorted to a shared "note" in the Notes app on our phones. I think we'll probably go back to paper after the reno as it's easier to look at.

 

Various menu planning pads throughout the years. 

3) Do you choose your outfit the night before?

I don't really. I kind of have an idea of what I want to wear based on the weather, and what's on my "I've worn it once" pile in my closet, but I don't have a firm outfit picked.

4) Tips for managing laundry and ironing?

I manage ironing by not doing it! Hahaha!

In terms of laundry, I'm usually on top of it, but given our reno, everything is up in the air. I try to do laundry on Wednesdays (when I'm home in the evening) and then on the weekends.

5) Grocery shop instore or online?

I've never gotten into the habit of online grocery shopping. The first time I tried it, it just seemed really complicated. Maybe I would be more into online ordering if Dave didn't do the bulk of our weekly shopping!

6) Best tips for getting out the door in the morning without chaos?

Leave before everyone else does! Hahaha! (Aren't my tips so useful?!?!) I have to leave for work around 7:30 and the kids are just waking up then so it helps me get out the door. Plus Dave has a flexible work schedule so he helps with packing lunches. I try to get the kids moving before I have to leave, but really, the bulk of the work is up to Dave after I've left.

7) Share your easiest dinners for crazy weeks.

Our family loves grilled cheese and tacos. We also eat a lot of tuna melts or tuna noodle casserole. Really, meal planning helps with the crazy weeks because we know we'll have very little time to cook, we pick an easy meal, and we divide tasks up ahead of time.

8) Best tips to keep your house organized during the week?

It's so funny answering these questions while most of our house is being renovated. We are the complete opposite of organized right now! Hahahaha!!! We do try to put things away as we use them/as they come into the house so that we don't have a lot of mess, most of the time. I know that I feel more frazzled when our space is chaotic.

9) Share your easiest breakfast.

I'm not a huge breakfast person so I mostly like "grab and go" breakfasts. If I can make muffins, I love having those on hand but otherwise I take a breakfast pita. I toast it in the morning and eat it (cold) sometime between 9:30 and 11, depending on the day. If it's a lazy weekend morning at home, I really like half a bagel toasted with cream cheese.

10) Share your best overall tip not covered yet.

Doing a major home renovation is not a good way to make your week easier! Hahahaha!!! Otherwise, I really think having routines that everyone in the house knows makes it easier to keep things organized. The kids look at the menu plan and the monthly calendar as often as we do, and they are the ones pushing me to complete it when it's not done. That actually makes me really happy because I know they use it too.

Even though we're not at our planning/organizing best right now, I really do love a good routine or tip to make life a little easier. I'm looking forward to reading the other posts in this link up. And I think it's hilarious that I was not organized enough this week to get this posted in a timely fashion, so you know, take my tips with a grain of salt!