1. Leave the state of Florida once.
We went to St. Augustine, Florida for my sister-in-law’s wedding. So so so close to the border. It felt like we were somewhere else.
2. Complete at least 3 arm-specific workouts per months.
- Nike Training Center App: All-Out Shoulder & Arms (36 min) – with lots and lots of modifications
- Nike Training Center App: Shoulder & Core Essentials (27 min)
3. Spend an average of less than $550/month on groceries.
- $67.76 at Publix
- $65.29 via Kroger Delivery
- $7.62 at Publix
- $36.35 at Cavalari Italian Gourmet
- $165.02 via Kroger Delivery (our regular food shopping + pantry products for 2 weeks; my parents are coming up all next week)
- $22.23 at Winn-Dixie
- $98.69 via Kroger Delivery
- $66.49 at Publix
- $81.64 at Winn-Dixie (we got 4 bottles of wine sooo yeah….)
TOTAL: $611.09
*Note: I am assuming we went over this week because my parents were at our house 10 days. Not bad then!
4. Jog at least once a week.
- Week 1: mmm no
- Week 2: you guessed it – nope
- Week 3: lots and lots of walks over spring break & I did *finally* run in the morning with Will and the baby
- Week 4: my parents were in town this week so you’d think I would have had the time (which I did) I just chose to go on walks with them and the baby instead
- Week 5: I was solo parenting it this week while Will was at State Science Fair, so no thank you!
5. Use no more than a roll of paper towel per month.
I don’t even know that we used half a roll this month! Yay!
6. Complete a deep analysis of The Iliad.
I’m finding it hard to find the blocks of time (+30 minutes) to actually be able to sit and read. When reading for a deep analysis, it’s not something that can be done in little chunks stolen here or there. I also find it hard to read difficult text after dinner when I am tired from the day. Still I need to steal the time I can when I have it, something is better than nothing right?
I did finish chapter 2 though! Progress!
7. Grow my emergency savings account to at least $2,000.
So we got $6,276 back from taxes (all that new baby + pandemic money). It’s not all being dumped into savings, we will use that money to go on my Oxford trip (still frugally though) & get us through summer since I am not getting paychecks in June like I normally do (stupid maternity leave rule). Once I get my first paycheck in August, the reminder will go to savings.
8. Use my slowcooker at least 4 times a month.
- Slowcook Cheesy Potatoes with Buttermilk Chicken & Broccoli
- Slowcooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Slowcooker Swedish Meatballs (with Egg Noodles & Broccoli)
- Slowcooker Ministrone Soup
9. Spend no more than $50 on frivolous personal spending.
- $4.58 for a year-long membership to Doyogawithme.com – I bought this in December of 2021 sooo it technically doesn’t count for this goal BUT it should because I am using the membership in 2022 ($55 for a year-long membership, so I am splitting up the cost per month to be fair)
- $2.83 National Geographic History Magazine 1-Year Subscription (6 issues – $34 for a year-long membership, so I am splitting up the cost per month to be fair)
- $24.99 February Catholic All Year Digital Membership
TOTAL: $32.40
- I also bought things for the baby’s Easter basket & his birthday, but I am not counting those are “frivolous”
- We also went to the zoo & had lunch/coffee/drinks on St. Patrick’s Day but I am not counting this as frivolous – it was our spring break. We gotta live a little.
10. Make a meatless dinner at least twice a week, especially Friday.
- Week 1: Baked Salmon with Orzo, Olives, Roasted Tomatoes & Capers
- Week 2: Stracciatella alla Romana (Roman Egg Drop Soup) & Italian Bread
- Week 3: Falafel, Hummus & Israeli Couscous Salad and Bacalao Frito with Homemade Coleslaw & French Fries
- Week 4: Vegetarian Split Pea Soup & Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwhiches
- Week 5: Slowcooker Ministrone Soup with Italian Bread, Southwest Kale Power Salad, and Egyptian Yellow Lentil Soup
11. Go to church every Sunday & Holy Day of Obligation.
- Week 1: Ash Wednesday 4:30 pm Liturgy of the Word (not mass) & Sunday 8am
- Week 2: Sunday 11 am at the St. Augustine Cathedral & a little pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche
- Week 3: I tried to make it do daily mass on Tuesday over Spring Break but the baby was just not having it. Sunday 8am
- Week 4: Sunday 8am
- Week 5: Sunday 8am
12. Send someone a surprise postcard once a month.
Does sending a 1 year old a birthday postcard count? Yes indeed it does.
13. Travel internationally at least once.
Finally got the baby’s & WIll’s passport in the mail so we can book our flights to England for my Oxford trip!!!!
14. Listen to at least 1 hour of Spanish language learning a week.
Why is this such a hard goal for me?
15. Listen to at least 1 hour of Italian language learning a week.
Same existential question as above.
16. Go out on a date with the hubby at least once a month.
We did a couple of things I am counting as dates:
- We went to the Central Florida Zoo with another couple and their baby, afterwards we went out to lunch at Henry’s Depot and walked around Sanford with coffees. The baby took a nice nap in the stroller so I am counting our stroll as a date.
- My parents & aba stayed with us the week after spring break so we took advantage of that and went out to two bars just the two of us
17. Do yoga at least twice a month.
- Gentle Back Mobility (20:57)
- Yoga for a STrong, Healthy Spine (I only got to do 23 minutes of this 34 minute class because the baby was NOT having it & I never picked it back up after dinner)
18. Only shop second-hand for clothes I want (& do not need).
Does it count if my madrina bought be leggings because I did not look at the weather and was unprepared for the cold front we had in St. Augustine? mmm the answer it no. a) because I didn’t buy them and b) they were VERY much needed.
19. Vacuum at least once a week.
- Week 1: Saturday scrub down & vacuum
- Week 2: vacuumed the living areas quickly before friends came over
- Week 3: does hand vacuuming every. single. time. the baby eats count?
- Week 4: my mom vacuumed while she was over (& mopped!)
- Week 5: I was solo parenting this week, so no thank you!
20. Write at least 1 art history blog post a month.
21. Waste more time with the baby (& hubby).
We spent plenty of time walking around, enjoying each other’s company while in St. Augustine for my sister-in-law’s wedding. We also made sure to spend time with friends leisurely over spring break.
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JMF
