1. Walk at least 500 miles this year (21 miles down and 479 to go)
This week, I made my kids go and walk at the mall with me for 30 minutes because we were getting a little stir crazy from being stuck at home all week. The other miles were completed doing a few Bodyfit by Amy videos (on YouTube) from the comfort of my living room. *I can tell I am not feeling 100% yet because it took me forever to catch my breath after a few of those workouts.
2. Eat at least five fruits/vegetables every day
I averaged around 3 fruits and vegetables for most days this week. This has continued to be a struggle for me since I am still recovering from the flu. My appetite has not returned 100%, so my meals have been small and vegetables are just not that appealing to me lately. *On a positive note, I could actually taste my coffee this morning somewhat:)
3. Learn Spanish this year
This week I did Duolingo for 50 minutes, which is simply awful, so I will have to step it up a bit this week.
4. Take a family outing each month Accomplished
This week, we went to Applebee’s to use a gift card that we received at Christmas and enjoyed a rare dinner out together.
5. Have more family game nights
So far this month, we have played:
-Apples to Apples and Pass the Pigs
*If you need ideas as to what games are fun for families here is a list of our current favorites.
6. Buy more used items and keep track of the savings
This week, we found a pretty sweater for my daughter ($3), a Gotham city jail playset for my son ($2), and a copy of Two Weeks Notice on DVD ($2).
Total spent: $7
Estimated running total saved by buying used for the year: $63
7. Finish my 2019 NaNoWriMo novel (~35,000 words) and publish it before November 1st.
13,696 words and counting…
If you want to check out my novel from last year it is Murder at Kelsey Hall and is free right now with Kindle Unlimited on Amazon.
8. Complete one home improvement or project each month Accomplished!
I have been on a decluttering kick lately so I am counting that as my project for this month. Every year I go through each room and closet in our house and physically lay hands on everything we own. This way I know what we have and what we need to get rid of. (I usually do this following the Christmas season due to the influx of new items we receive as gifts. Somethings just need to be rehomed before we reach hoarder status….)
This month, I cleaned out under our stairs (so creepy), reorganized our laundry room/utility room, cleaned out every closet, and straightened out my pantry. I got rid of a lot of trash and made a huge donation to the local thrift store. Now all I need to do is find somewhere to take our broken electronics and we should be good for the year.
9. Make a spiritual checklist to do with my kids each month
For January, we plan on:
Attending the Mary, Mother of God mass on New Year’s day
Attending one daily mass
Praying the Rosary on the way to mass
Going to an adoration
Going to confession
Cleaning the sanctuary
Washing the altar linens We luckily did that this week before we became totally bedridden
The Thrifty Educator 