2020 October Goal Reflection

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 October shall we?

*Not related to any of my goals but I was in the local news! Seriously. I was in the local news for bitching about how awful the school year has been for teachers. It was not pretty. But it was honest and raw and true. Wanna read the news article? HERE YOU GO!

1. Find a morning prayer routine

In addition to my daily Memorare & occasional St. Michael the Archangel prayer about the state of American politics, October is the month of the rosary. I am not awesome at the rosary (my mind wanders) but since I have started my weekly allergy shots I started saying the rosary (I usually don’t totally finish) the 30 minutes I have to sit in the office after my shot.

Check out a simple rosary booklet from Catholic All Year.

2. Travel internationally relatively cheaply at least once

Not international, but I am planning for a winter break road trip to *maybe* Pennsylvania. Right now, leaving Central Florida feels like leaving the country.

3. Finish our master bathroom renovation

I thought we were going to do SOMETHING here but Will is patiently ~~dragging~~ his feet.

4. Work out at least twice a week

Week 1:

Saturday, October 3: 3ish hour hike with a friend

Week 2:

Thursday, October 8: 40 minute jog with the hubby
Saturday, October 10: ~30 minute weights while watching “To Call a Midwife”

Week 3:

Wednesday, October 14: ~90 minute hike with a friend
I stupidly fell and hurt my knee Saturday so icing it and staying off it a bit

Week 4:

Monday, October 19: short neighborhood walk
Thursday, October 22: 20 minute run + walk with my hubby
Saturday, October 24: 1.5 hour hike with a friend

Week 5:

Tuesday, October 27: stroll around the neighborhood

5. Build a bookcase for our library

6. Do not purchase new clothes unless I get rid of something first

I bought a DOPE shirt in memory of RBG from Jane.com & now I have to find a crappy t-shirt to get rid of (does it count if it is a work out tee I no longer use?). I think so.

I also bought a pj t-shirt & tossed one that had holes in it.

And then lastly I made a “today-is-shit-I’m-going-to-TJ Maxx” trip & ended up with a cute blouse. I returned a romper that never hit right instead. I don’t remember the price but it was inexpensive.

7. Reduce our grocery bill by $100 a month (it’s like $800 right now!)

Week 1:

nada

Week 2:

Monday, October 5: $185 at Winn-Dixie
Thursday, October 8: $99.66 at Publix (I also bought a lot of staples for next week and spices I was out of, that’s why this week was extra pricy)

Week 3:

Monday, October 12: $92.93 at Winn-Dixie (the ONLY reason it was this expensive is because I bought wine for the month – 5 bottles)
Friday, October 16: $145.97 at Publix (ok so I’m making more excuses, but I bought a lot of stuff for next week and a bunch of beer)

Week 4:

Monday, October 19: $63.27 at Publix
Friday, October 23: $18.85 at Cavallari’s Italian Market
Saturday, October 24: $129.59
Saturday, October 24: $22.38 at Winn-Dixie
I have no excuses this month lol maybe I blacked out at the grocery store

Week 5:

Monday, October 26: $44.40 at Winn-Dixie
Thursday, October 29: $38.08 at Publix

Grocery TOTAL for October: $840.13 (yepppp we were really really bad this month!)

Restaurant TOTAL: $146.58 (part of this was sushi we bought to have a virtual sushi date with my parents for my mom’s birthday)

8. Finish decorating the living spaces in our home

We bought new door knobs for all the interior doors, closets, and front door and man what a difference that makes!!! Highly recommend for a simple upgrade. And in the kitchen we are in the process of covering our crappy pink (yes pink) laminate countertops with surprisingly good-looking faux marble “contact paper-like stuff.”

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 October:

Every Sacred Sunday Year A: 2019-2020
Ship of Theseus
Outlander (audiobook; finished)
Fifty Shades of Talmud: What the First Rabbis Had to Say About You-Know-What (finished)
Martin Luther: Renegade and Prophet (audiobook)
A Future of Faith: The Path of Change in Politics and Society (audiobook)

10. Blog at least once a week (or 52 times over the year)

I successfully blogged 7 times this month:

11. Transform part of my backyard into some kind of garden

12. Practice yoga at least once a month

Here are the following times I practiced yoga:

Breathe Better: The Side Body Class (35:12)

13. Cook a meal 100% out of my pantry at least every other week

About mid-month I hit a point where my freezer and pantry was overflowing so I made a pledge to do all pantry meals that week & only buy a few fresh produce and snacks for work. Yet my grocery bill was stupidly high…

√ 14. Apply to (& get accepted) to one summer program

15. Host someone over for dinner at least once a month

Not dinner, but we have been inviting a friend or two over for our neighborly “drinks in the driveway.” I’m selfishly enjoying COVID procedures are all BYOB :))))

16. Write a letter (& mail it!) at least once per month

I was going to mail in my ballot but f*ck Trump!!! I dropped that shit off during Early Voting. I cannot wait until he is out of here. It’s either him or us.

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 had two paddleboarding/hiking/picnic lunch date and it was lovely.

√ 19. Get at least a 65% pass rate for my students in AP World History

20. Vote Trump out of office (!!!!)

This blog post is coming out on election day – TODAY IS THE DAY! Go vote. I’d prefer if you vote blue – but honestly, this system only functions if everyone is equally able and free to vote for whomever they choose. Even if you vote Agent Orange back in. I will fight for your right to do so. Always.

JMF