In an effort to actually maintain my 2020 goals, because they are in fact good for me, I figured I would blog about them. This seems to be a good medium for reflection and accountability for me. Soooo let’s see how I did in August, shall we?
1. Find a morning prayer routine
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
*I have an extra special private intention this month.
2. Travel internationally relatively cheaply at least once
I mean do I even need to answer this anymore?
3. Finish our master bathroom renovation
-____- really want to be done with this….
4. Work out at least twice a week
Week 1:
- Saturday, August 1: 30 minute walk around the neighborhood
- Sunday, August 2: 30 minute walk around the neighborhood
- Tuesday, August 4: 1.5 hour hike
- Thursday, August 6: 3 mile jog/walk
- Saturday, August 8: I cleaned the whole house
- Sunday, August 9: Will & I worked in the patio moving, cleaning & pressure washing palettes to prep them for painting
Week 2:
- Monday, August 10: Quick Butt Toners (24:20 minutes)
- Tuesday, August 11: 3 mile jog/walk
- Thursday, August 13: 30 minute walk around the neighborhood
- Saturday, August 15: spent the morning doing yard work
- Sunday, August 16: spent the morning doing (more) yard work
Week 3:
*this was the first week back with students I was gassed!
- Thursday, August 20: ~2 hour hike with a friend
- Sunday, August 23: spent the morning doing more mulching & yard work
Week 4:
- Monday, August 24: 30 minute walk around the neighbor to recenter my mind
- Wednesday, August 26: same as Monday
5. Build a bookcase for our library
Negative.
6. Do not purchase new clothes unless I get rid of something first
I purchased a black midi/maxi skirt from Jane.com & got rid of a faded/ill fitting black maxi skirt.
I bought 7 new masks & 2 new ballet flats for some COVID back-to-school shopping. I am not counting these as part of my 2020 goal but I did toss a pair of flats that we so past due.
7. Reduce our grocery bill by $100 a month (it’s like $800 right now!)
We are officially back to work, so let’s see how this changes the leisurely cooking pattern I got into while social distancing.
Week 1:
- Monday, August 3: $187.88 at Winn-Dixie
- Thursday, August 6: $59.26 at Publix
- Friday, August 7: $20.37 at Winn-Dixie (totally forgot to put paper towels on my list for Thursday and had to go back -__-)
Week 2:
- Monday, August 10: $42.84 at Winn-Dixie
- Friday, August 14: $70.34 at Winn-Dixie
Week 3:
- Monday, August 17: $58.49 at Publix
- Thursday, August 20: $69.77 at Winn-Dixie
Week 4:
- Monday, August 24: $111.97 at Publix
- Thursday, August 27: $53.24 at Winn-Dixie
Week 5:
- Monday, August 31: $109.36 at Winn-Dixie
Grocery TOTAL for August: $783.52
Restaurant TOTAL: $7.22
8. Finish decorating the living spaces in our home
Will made a few shelves from extra palette wood & he stained them to match our desk. They look really good! He put them up by our desk and now we just just have to frame things we’ve been holding on to.
9. Read and/or listen to at least 30 books
I do a big book review at the end of the year but these are the books I have read or listened to in August:
- Every Sacred Sunday Year A: 2019-2020
- Paradiso (finished)
- Salt Fat Acid Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking (finished)
- Ship of Theseus
- The Lost Art of Scripture: Rescuing the Sacred Texts (audiobook; finished)
10. Blog at least once a week (or 52 times over the year)
I successfully blogged 6 times this month:
- Pestilence & Prayer: Vita of St. Roch (12)
- 2020-2021 School Year: Thoughts on Week 1
- What do I do when I teach history?
- Why I cut my aunt out in 2020
- 2020 Summer Plans: A Review
- AP Art History: Interactions Within & Across Cultures in Ancient Mediterranean Art
11. Transform part of my backyard into some kind of garden
No, still too hot but we’re making LOTS of progress on the patio furniture. I can’t wait until the weather gets cooler and we can use our outdoor living room more.
12. Practice yoga at least once a month
Here are the following times I practiced yoga:
- Hatha Yoga for Beginners: Better Balance (34:30)
- A Gentle Hatha Yoga Flow (23:33)
- Bedtime Lullaby (26:09)
13. Cook a meal 100% out of my pantry at least every other week
Now that I am back to full work we are scheduling out meals again. I keep this goal in check I am specifically scheduling two days for leftovers/pantry meal: Tuesday & Thursday. Even if one of those is a bust, it should still help me stay on target.
√ 14. Apply to (& get accepted) to one summer program
Summer is done for us, back to work, so this goal is DONE! Checked off.
15. Host someone over for dinner at least once a month
No, sadly not but our neighbors (essentially quarantine buddies at this point) did invite us over for a last minute bring-whatever-you-were-going-to-cook-for-dinner-anyways meal. 🙂
16. Write a letter (& mail it!) at least once per month
sooo I guess I have to participate in this now to #savethepostoffice! We mailed in our ballots so that’s good (although I am NOT mailing those suckers in for the November election!) and I mailed postcards just for fun.
17. See at least 5 artworks from the AP Art History 250 Curriculum
18. Have a cheap date with my hubby at least once a month
We were down in Kissimmee one weekend & had a little outdoor pastry date. Now that we’re back at school, instead of just home together, it will be extra important to be intentional about having little date moments.
√ 19. Get at least a 65% pass rate for my students in AP World History
DONE!!! My kids got an 85.2% pass rate – way to go!!!!!
20. Vote Trump out of office (!!!!)
I literally don’t know what to DO for this anymore, like if you are still dumb enough to vote for Trump I won’t convince you. Do article, common sense discussion will change your mind. I can only hope to help people register to vote, but everyone I know is registered (& those who aren’t would vote for Trump so it can stay that way personally!).
JMF
