August 2026; Monthly Musings

I haven't been super great about linking up with Patty for her Monthly Musings series but this month the questions sounded like fun and I have way more free time on my hands so I figured why not join in. 

 1. Are you good at managing the weekly laundry at your house or do you need help? Share tips if you're good at this.  

Yes, I really am. The minute my boys could reach the buttons on the washer and dryer, I taught them to do their own laundry and each person has their own hamper and laundry basket. That way those of "us" that don't like to put laundry away and live out of their basket doesn't affect the rest of "us" who are doing our laundry and need a basket to put the clean clothes in. I also enjoy folding clothes since I read or watch TV while doing it and will fold while most clothes are still warm from the dryer. I am just not a procrastinator and am home often enough to tackle these sorts of chores before they become overwhelming. 

 

2. Best tips for containing the kitchen and dishes chaos.

I try to make sure the dishwasher gets emptied almost as soon as it finishes (or first thing in the morning when we run it overnight) so that dirty dishes don't have time to pile up in the sink. I also like to make sure the dishwasher is ready for dinner dishes as I start cooking so that I can just clean as I go and then the boys can put their own dirty dishes in. 

 

3. What grocery items do you always have on hand to make a quick meal? Feel free to share recipes. 

Things like pasta and sauce with either premade meatballs or ground meat/pepperoni,  burger/hot dogs & potatoes for homemade fries, pesto and frozen veggies with pasta, eggs- either we make breakfast for dinner or egg salad sandwiches or quiche, I always have a giant bowl of tossed salad in our fridge that we use as a side dish each night to go with dinner but it makes a great quick meal on it's own with some protein added like canned tuna or a diced burger on top. 

 

4. Best tips for saving money on groceries.

Whelp, sending 2 kids off to college certainly cut our grocery bill by a whole lot (though overall I'm pretty sure we're not saving money! LOL😂)

5. Cleaning service, DIY, or is household cleaning overrated?

DIY

6. Favorite cleaning products?

I did a whole post on this earlier this year (here) 

 

7. Do you try to use "green" products in your house? 

 Yes, though I do feel like there is a lot of conflicting information in what makes a product "green." But I do try. 

8. Do you schedule certain tasks for certain days of the week? 

Nope, I do laundry and dishes and cooking every day but as far as cleaning the house with vacuum, dusting, toilets, etc. that is more of a tackle as I feel like it/as I notice it sort of thing.  

 9. What is the most overwhelming part of your week that you think you need help with right now?

Right now I am mostly consumed by all the admin tasks of dealing with my dad's estate and I just hate admin tasks. Calling people/professionals I don't know, asking for help, filling out forms (many of which I only partially know the answers to), it's all quite stressful. Monday I attempted to set up a rollover IRA and the accompanying paperwork, Tuesday I made it a goal to get to the social security office, and Wednesday I met with a local lawyer to get a better list of what needs doing and how to handle that from afar, what order to tackle things in, etc. 

10. What part of your week do you think you excel at? 

Pretty much everything else. With only 1 young adult left at home with my husband and I and not working a full time job all the rest of my life/household tasks seem pretty easy and manageable.