- Walk at least 500 miles this year ( 280 miles down and 220 to go)
This week I swam, walked, and then did kettlebell/dumbbell workouts thanks to Bodyfit by Amy on YouTube. My favorite videos were the AMRAP dumbbell and the Soup Can workout. **To make it even more sweet, its free and fabulous!
2. Read more nonfiction and classic books
Ok, this is not a classic or a non fiction book, but it was my latest five star read (I am really picky too) so I thought I would share it with you in case you are in a reading slump. I would sum up this book as a mix of Rebecca, Jane Eyre, and a healthy dose of magical realism all rolled up in one. If you loved the mystery and creepiness of the old school psychological thrillers then this book is for you. I literally thought I had the mystery figured out, then it got weirder and I started to think I was imagining things in the story. Any author that can hook you that well is amazing in my book. The story is set in Mexico and has a creepy old house, a spunky lady who comes to see if she can help her cousin who may or may not be going crazy, a mean housekeeper (ahem, Rebecca), and a spooky local legend that sets the mood of the whole book. I will warn you that about 2/3rds of the way through the book, the tone switches to a magical realism mode, but if you will just go with it and follow where the author leads you, the book wraps up very nicely. I am going to stop there so I won’t spoil it for you!
3. Keep a gratitude journal
- That the cats got fixed and they have not been through another heat cycle since the surgery. Hallelujah!
- Getting to know my church’s office workers better. I have been a youth minister for over a year now, but since I finally started to work in my office and not at home, I have realized the perks of being around other adults. My office is so quiet!
- I was super happy to find two pairs of sandals at the thrift store this week. I have been looking for awhile in normal stores, thrift stores, and online for a certain type of shoe and I have been coming up dry. I’m not sure if its the pandemic or what, but the selection in shoes has gone way down this year. I picked up a pair of Sketchers sandals and a pair of dressy sandals for $10 each. To make it even better, they looked like they had hardly been worn and I love them.
4. Try new foods and recipes
Oh this recipe was so good! It is called Change Your life Chicken Shawarma and it is easy and delicious. I love that it has a slight Indian food taste to it and is chockful of flavor. I didn’t have coriander, so I subbed in curry powder and it was amazing. Try it and it may just change your life….or at least spice up your meal repertoire.
5. Do more things as a family
I took the kids out eat dinner at a local Mexican food restaurant and then to see Mary Poppins (amazing!)
6. Buy more used items
We found two pairs of sandals ($10 each), a shirt for Ben($4), and a pair of workout shorts for my husband ($4)
Estimated savings for the year: $180
7. Take my children on monthly outings by themselves
I took Emma out to run errands and we swung by Sonic for onion rings and a slush.
Then, my husband is planning to take Ben to see Black Widow at the theatre (complete with sodas and popcorn….a Ben necessity)
8. Finish my 2019 NaNoWriMo novel
No progress to speak of
**If you would like to check out my last novel, Murder at Kelsey Hall, its available to purchase on Amazon as an eBook (or if you have Kindle Unlimited, it is currently free to read with your subscription)
9. Work on my bullet journaling skills
I have been attempting to keep a bullet journal this year and have really enjoyed it. My favorite things to draw involve plants and flowers and I get all of my ideas from Pinterest. Thank goodness there are talented people out there who share their ideas with us.
10. Eat five fruits and veggies + drink 96 ounces of water each day
I bombed on this goal for the week. We have been having a weird stomach thing at our house, so I am eating anything that sounds appealing to me. I hope to get back on the wagon next week.
Have a great week!
The Thrifty Educator 