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 September, shall we?
1. Find a morning prayer routine
Add the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer to my morning Memorare:
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
We could use some serious prayer warriors this month. Lots going on.
2. Travel internationally relatively cheaply at least once
3. Finish our master bathroom renovation
We finally ordered & received the hamper! We were waiting on that to decide where to place the towel hooks, shelves, and other decor. We are chugging along here (finally!)!
4. Work out at least twice a week
*Based on some tests, my doctor told me to back off on serious workouts for the beginning of the month. FYI.
Week 1:
- Wednesday, September 2: 30 minute walk around the neighborhood
Week 2:
- Sunday, September 6: 1.5 hour hike/nature walk with a friend
Week 3:
- Wednesday, September 16: 30 minute walk around the neighborhood
- Saturday, September 19: Nike Training Center – Lower Body Build & Burn (24 min)
- Monday, September 21: 1 hour walk around the neighborhood (while on the phone with my cousin)
- Tuesday, September 22: 1.5 hour hike with a friend
Week 4:
- Monday, September 28: Nike Training Center – Lower Body Build & Burn (24 min)
5. Build a bookcase for our library
6. Do not purchase new clothes unless I get rid of something first
Not part of my goal but I had to spend $54 dollars on underwear. I hate spending money on stupid things no one sees but there ya go.
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:
- Thursday, September 3: $56.90 at Winn-Dixie
- Saturday, September 5: $11.78 at Winn-Dixie
Week 2:
- Monday, September 7: $106.73 at Winn-Dixie
- Thursday, September 10: $85.20 at Winn-Dixie
Week 3:
- Monday, September 14: $141.77 at Publix
- Thursday, September 18: $23.81 at Winn-Dixie
Week 4:
- Monday, September 21: $129.42 at Winn-Dixie
- Thursday, September 24: $90.31 at Winn-Dixie
Week 5:
- Monday, September 28: $25.77 at Winn-Dixie
Grocery TOTAL for September: $671.69
Restaurant TOTAL: $168.16
8. Finish decorating the living spaces in our home
We did not do anything new this month.
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 September:
10. Blog at least once a week (or 52 times over the year)
I successfully blogged 8 times this month:
- Pestilence & Prayer: St. Roch in Art (13)
- AP Art History: The Ancient Mediterranean by Region
- Lesson Plan: The Classical World
- AP Art History: Theories & Interpretations of Ancient Mediterranean Art
- AP Art History: Cultural Contexts of Ancient Mediterranean Art
- Why I Love AirBnb, Part 2
- Abbazia di San Galgano
- Pestilence & Prayer: The Vita of St. Nicholas of Tolentino (14)
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:
- Yoga for a Strong Back (27:56)
13. Cook a meal 100% out of my pantry at least every other week
My go tos seem to rotate around the following:
- boxed mac n’ cheese (don’t worry, we’re classy and do Annies lol)
- frozen dumplings & whatever’s on hand fo salad
- pasta with random veggies I have
- pretend I am making a charcuterie board
√ 14. Apply to (& get accepted) to one summer program
15. Host someone over for dinner at least once a month
16. Write a letter (& mail it!) at least once per month
Not a letter, but I EMAILED Republican senators the following:
Hello,I am a Democrat and my husband a Republican, but I would hope that I would write this same email if the political situation was reversed, where a Democrat is in office less than 50 days away from an election. Let the American people decide! If they want Trump as their next president, then so be it. But do not allow the Republicans to further become the party of hypocrisy.Both my husband and I are voting all blue this year, the first time ever, but I know there are good, if not GREAT, Republicans like you out there. Please stand up for the foundations of this country. Please be a light in what feels like the darkest times. Allow the election to pass and the next president, whoever it is, to fill the seat left by the formidable Ruther Bader Ginsburg.Regardless if you are pro-life or pro-choice, she has left a legal legacy we are both indebted to.Thank you for your leadership!
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
One afternoon on my way home from work Will surprised me by suggesting that we meet up for a free meal (it was free because a local restaurant was giving free meals to teachers!!!). We did buy drinks so the total (with tip) was $30 – still a cheap date by my standards!
Will’s birthday was this month, and definitely not cheap, but we celebrated his birthday at home with an elaborate 7 course Italian dinner then Brioche French Toast for brunch the next day. Thanks to our mindless governor, he disregarded all COVID procedures the night before his birthday and will did not feel comfortable going out so we made do. Here was our menu:
- Cava, hot olives, almonds, and ciabatta bread
- Cava, prosciutto, pancetta, and salami with roasted garlic escargot
- Risotto with Pecorino-Romano
- Pork Braised in Red Wine
- Blue cheese with pears and honey, Pecorino cheese and brandy peaches
- Tiramisu and coffee
- Limoncello
TOTAL: just about $200
√ 19. Get at least a 65% pass rate for my students in AP World History
20. Vote Trump out of office (!!!!)
With the death of RBG, I desperately hope that those progressives or liberals who could not stomach to vote for Biden (why? I have no idea…) will hopefully realize that this isn’t an election of Trump vs. Biden. It is an election that seeks to return the values of democracy and decency back to America. I don’t think we should have the concept of “liberal” vs “conservative” judges, I firmly view that they should be neutral. Do not politicize this branch! However, I firmly believe Trump is a scum and, if given the chance to name a Supreme Court justice, he will pick someone who he thinks we be his pocket judge. Trump is corrupt. Point blank. And if you vote for him, you are a traitor to the foundation of this country. I firmly firmly believe that & I will stand by that.
JMF
