If 2020 has taught me anything it is that I have much less control over my life than I could fathom. Without further ado, my somewhat boring goals for 2021!
1. Build proper storage in our garage &/or attic (to finally get the stuff junk out of all our closet
Nothing new to add to this goal this month.
2. Travel outside the state of Florida at least once.
Still have not even left Central Florida lol
3. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Now that the weather is cooling down a bit I forget to do this more. Hot weather is an easy reminder to drink water. However, my sister did show me
4. Spend an average less than $650/month on groceries.
**Note: my sister spent the month at our house to help with the baby so the groceries look a little abnormal.
Week 1, October 1-9
- On list:
- $84.12 via Kroger Delivery
- Off list:
- $0
TOTAL: $72.54
Week 2, October 11-16
- On list: $49.39 at Publix
- Off list:
- $21.91 at Publix
TOTAL: $71.30
Week 3, October 17-23
- On list:
- $84.73 at Winn-Dixie
- $94.64 via Kroger Delivery
- Off list:
- $52.21 at Winn-Dixie
TOTAL: $231.28
Week 4, October 24-31
- On list:
- $111.39 via Kroger Delivery
- $78.82 at Winn-Dixie
- Off list:
- 3.99 via Kroger Delivery
- $1.19 at Winn-Dixie
TOTAL: $195.39
- Monthly Grand Total On List: $503.09
- Monthly Grand Total Off List: $79.30
- MONTH GRAND TOTAL: $582.39
5. Write 2 art history blog posts a month.
6. Keep my potted herbs alive (& maybeeee add more green things to my backyard).
THEY’RE (STILL) ALIVE!!!!
7. Use my slow cooker at least every other week.
- Week 1: no
- Week 2: no, but I really need to
- Week 3: still no
- Week 4: negative
- Week 5: I made a Loaded Potato Soup!
8. Go for a jog or long walk every week.
Yes, a ton of walking but only one jogging session (I just hate running!).
9. Practice yoga at least twice a month.
- Power Yoga for Beginners (43:00)
- Yin Yoga for New Moms (38:00)
10. Read at least 5 books classified as “classic literature.”
Downloaded Meditations by Marcus Aurelius as an ebook on my phone but when I went to read it, I hated. So I need to go back to the paper version, but I’ve been lazy about it.
Finished:
- Time Machine by H.G. Wells
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
11. Grow my emergency savings account to at least $5,000.
This will be a no all year because I liquidated my savings to cover me while on unpaid maternity leave.
12. Vacuum at least once a week.
mmmm I think I’ve hit this as an average. Some weeks I vacuum a lot, others not so much.
13. Focus on working out my arms more.
I did a workout during nap time & focused on abs & arms. But carrying the baby for sure counts!
14. Finish our patio decorating.
yuppp – now to incorporate my plants into the design
15. Spend an average of LESS than an hour and a half on my phone per day.
Certainly not, the video monitor alone is a lot of time (I love watching him wake & put himself back to sleep). But in November I am going back to work so it should get better then.
16. Buy no books (unless I have a gift card of course).
I bought one book at a local used bookstore because Will used their bathroom to change & I thought it was rude to not buy anything. It is a book on Mother Teresa’s private letters – something I’ve been dying to read actually. The book is called Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the “Saint of Calcutta” by Mother Teresa, edited with comments by Brian Kolodiejchuk.
17. Do no school work on Sunday.
Obviously not, I’m still blocked. November will be important to keep this up though!
18. Call someone out of the blue to chat at least once a month.
Ummm I think so, probably someone in my family to talk about the baby tbh. lol
19. Finish decorating our two extra bedrooms.
Yes. Totally.
20. Organize an intentional date with my hubby once a month.
Goodness I’m terrible at this. We’re homebodies & with my sister here, her and I have been getting out and about while Will is a work but him & I haven’t done much. I need to do better with this.
21. Start a family.
So when I wrote this list initially, I had down “have a baby” but I don’t know why, that seemed crass to me. So I changed it to “start a family.” But then I remembered a homily by our old priest in which he said all married couples are families, children do not make you a family. Your marriage is the sacrament, children are the fruit of it. And he’s so right! I was waiting for “a family” when I had one all along with Will. Now, we’re just a family of 3 instead of 2.
Not related to my October list but here’s the goodies from the Catholic All Year Liturgical Living Subscription Box for (the best season of) Advent!
P.S. I have strong thoughts about Advent vs Christmas – READ HERE!
- Christmas Anticipation Prayer
- Advent Wreath Candles
- Manger & Straw for Jesus Cradle
- DIY Advent Book Wraps
- St. Nicholas Hot Mulled Wine/Cider Recipe
- Bisschopwijn Mulling Spices
- DIY Gingerbread House Kit
- St. Lucy Print
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Rosary
- St. Lucy Saffron Buns Recipe
