Tag Archives: Personal

12.01.18
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Getting Personal #149: December Goals

BeautyBeyondBones 14

Image Credit:BeautyBeyondBones

Holy moly. It’s already December. December of 2018. This year absolutely FLEW BY!

Here are my goals for the month of December:

  1. Finally reach at least 50,000 words for my 2012 WIP.
  2. Finally send my 2012 WIP to my best friend for the first round of editing.
  3. Make an outline for the remainder of my 2013 WIP.
  4. Start planning next steps for my 2014 and 2018 WIPs.
  5. Decorate for Christmas.
  6. Read at least three books.
  7. Enjoy Al’s company holiday party.
  8. Seriously send some snail mail!
  9. Be a Secret Santa!
  10. Take donations to the library and thrift store.
  11. Make an “essentials only” spending list for 2019.
  12. Enjoy Christmas and New Year’s!

Here’s the breakdown:

Finally reach at least 50,000 words for my 2012 WIP.

  • I’m seriously *this close* (Imagine me making a small space between my thumb and index finger) to reaching 50,000 words!

Finally send my 2012 WIP to my best friend for the first round of editing.

  • Once I hit 50,000 words (or more), I’ll send the Word document off to Melissa! I’m so excited that she agreed to do the first round of editing!

Make an outline for the remainder of my 2013 WIP.

  • Doing all these writing projects and endeavors in 2018 is inspiring me to pick up my other WIPs. I really want to flesh out the rest of this one, tentatively titled “Specialton.”

Start planning next steps for my 2014 and 2018 WIPs.

  • Along the same lines, I want to set deadlines for outlines and fleshing out my 2014 WIP, tentatively titled “Discussion of Differences,” and my newest WIP, tentatively titled “Tunnel Vision.”

Decorate for Christmas.

  • We are going to decorate this weekend!

Read at least three books.

  • I’m nearly finished with my current book. I’m itching to finish it, and start on the next one. My nightstand stack needs to decrease!

Enjoy Al’s company holiday party.

  • I’m excited to attend the “Masquerade” on Friday, December 7th.

Seriously send some snail mail!

  • I’ve been a pen pal to an 8-year-old boy in another part of Virginia since the school year started. I can’t wait to send him a birthday card this month.
  • I also want to send some other mail to a few friends that I enjoy corresponding with throughout the year.

Be a Secret Santa!

  • I’m excited to be a “Secret Santa” to three teenagers this year!

Take donations to the library and thrift store.

  • This is self-explanatory. Clearing out the Lady Lounge and garages!

Make an “essentials only” spending list for 2019.

  • My savings account has been woefully depleted since the middle of 2017, due to high credit card bills. I’m determined to commit to saving as much money as humanly possible during 2019, so I want to make this list and stick to it.
  • A few examples: New glasses, new prescription sunglasses, a new pair of black flats/dress shoes.

Enjoy Christmas and New Year’s!

  • Both holidays will be here before we know it!

Do you have any goals for the month of December?

If so, I’d love to hear about them!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

11.30.18
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Getting Personal #148: November Goals Recap

BeautyBeyondBones 16

Image Credit: BeautyBeyondBones

November felt like a long month, but it was a good one!

Here’s the link to my November Goals:

—

Ready?

Here we go!

  1. Participate in NaNoWriMo 2018! — Accomplished!
  2. Celebrate three years of marriage with Al! — Accomplished!
  3. Switch over my wardrobe. — Accomplished!
  4. Take my lunch to work every day, except Fridays. — Accomplished!
  5. Donate items to Project Beauty Share. — Did not accomplish.
  6. Continue work on my Lady Lounge. — Semi-Achieved.
  7. Write at least two Book Reviews. — Accomplished!
  8. Focus on de-cluttering. — Semi-Achieved.
  9. Enjoy Thanksgiving! — Accomplished!

Here’s the breakdown:

Participate in NaNoWriMo 2018! — Accomplished!

  • I enjoyed starting the story. I didn’t make nearly as much progress as I wanted, but I did write a good chunk! Look for my NaNoWriMo 2018 recap on the blog soon!

Celebrate three years of marriage with Al! — Accomplished!

  • We enjoyed a lovely dinner at The Vintage Tavern in Suffolk. A beautiful dress and coordinating sweater arrived just in time for me to wear it!

Switch over my wardrobe. — Accomplished!

  • It felt really good to finally do this. Plus, I pulled out a good pile of stuff to donate, too.

Take my lunch to work every day, except Fridays. — Accomplished!

  • Saving money is awesome!

Donate items to Project Beauty Share. — Did not accomplish.

  • I didn’t do it this month, but I need a bigger box now. I found more things to give!

Continue work on my Lady Lounge. — Semi-Achieved.

  • I didn’t make as many progress as I wanted, but I did spend some time reorganizing a few spaces.

Write at least two Book Reviews. — Accomplished!

Focus on de-cluttering. — Semi-Achieved.

  • The biggest accomplishment was clearing off the dining room table for the party of 11 that we had to celebrate several birthdays and our wedding anniversary during the weekend of November 18th!
  • Given how cold it’s gotten recently, I fully expect to fill up a lot more boxes next month!

Enjoy Thanksgiving! — Accomplished!

  • We enjoyed a lovely meal with my parents and several family friends. I made chocolate mousse again. Best of all, after everyone else left, A land I spent the better part of four hours with my parents, catching up and sharing stories.

Final Thoughts

  • I was able to put Accomplished next to six out of nine goals. Yay!!
  • The two goals that were Semi-Achieved: A lot of this was time-based. Plus, most of our weekends in November were completely full!
  • The one goal that I did not accomplish: I’m not too upset about. More things to donate to a worthy cause!

What about you? Did you have any goals for the month of November?

Come back tomorrow to see my December Goals!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

11.08.18
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Getting Personal #147: “The winter is coming, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy” (Reblogged)

I love sharing Just Wunderlust’s photos often. No matter what photo it is, each one evokes emotion or some sort of connection. Sometimes, seeing these photos spark a daydream, or even a potential writing prompt.

Seeing this photo today made me think of several things, aside from the obvious, “Oh, wow, that’s absolutely gorgeous!”

—

I started thinking of the road that leads to this area. The characters that live there, both real and fictional. It reminded me a little bit of Beauty and the Beast, but my imagination ran a little wild earlier today. I love it when that happens, especially when everyday life and the normal routine can become so repetitive and dull.

—

The fog looks so ominous around the beautiful mountains, kissed by early snow.

What are their winters like?

Do tourists come?

Do the children enjoy the snow, the winter?

I’m sure it’s cold, but undoubtedly beautiful.

Italy is such a beautiful country, from what I’ve heard. I hope to be able to visit, someday.

—

As the fall weather is finally starting to settle in, here in southeastern Virginia, I’m enjoying the crisp air, the changing of the leaves, and the coming holidays. We’ll blink and Thanksgiving will be here in a flash. But, I do love one good snow every year – It turns the whole world white and beautiful!

What’s your favorite season? Why do you love it?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Just Wunderlust

The winter is coming, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy

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11.01.18
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Getting Personal #146: November Goals

November - Carrington Academy

Image Credit: Carrington Academy

We’re getting close to the end of 2018! It gets faster every year.

Here are my goals for the month of November:

  1. Participate in NaNoWriMo 2018!
  2. Celebrate three years of marriage with Al!
  3. Switch over my wardrobe.
  4. Take my lunch to work every day, except Fridays.
  5. Donate items to Project Beauty Share.
  6. Continue work on my Lady Lounge.
  7. Write at least two Book Reviews.
  8. Focus on de-cluttering.
  9. Enjoy Thanksgiving!

Here’s the breakdown:

Participate in NaNoWriMo 2018!

  • I’m so excited to finally start fleshing out this new story!

Celebrate three years of marriage with Al!

  • It’s hard to believe we’ve been married for three years!

Switch over my wardrobe.

  • The weather has been absolutely nuts. Today, November 1st, we were expecting a high of 80 degrees. It’s ridiculous.
  • However, I’m ready to pack away the warm weather items and pull out the sweaters!

Take my lunch to work every day, except Fridays.

  • I’m usually pretty good about this, but we’re trying to save as much money as possible right now for some needed home repairs in a few months, so taking my lunch as much as possible will certainly help.

Donate items to Project Beauty Share.

  • As I mentioned last month, I discovered this awesome program in Washington state. I just need to a take lunch break to swing by the post office and get it off to them.

Continue work on my Lady Lounge.

  • This goes hand-in-hand with the de-cluttering goal, but I really want to clear out more boxes and make space for my desk!

Write at least two Book Reviews.

  • I’m super close to finishing my current book.
  • Plus, reading before bed has been helping me sleep better.

Focus on de-cluttering.

  • This goes for my Lady Lounge, our garage, my closet, and cabinets!

Enjoy Thanksgiving!

  • We don’t know our plans just yet, but I know it will be a good time with our family and friends.

Do you have any goals for the month of November?

If so, I’d love to hear about them!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

10.31.18
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Getting Personal #145: October Goals Recap

The End of October - Pinterest

October was a bit crazy. I haven’t posted about it, but we had to re-home Pablo earlier in the month, due to severe separation anxiety. We were both devastated, but we knew he would be happier, and safer, in a home where someone would be there at all times, and with other greyhounds. We’re hoping to adopt a senior dog after the holidays!

Here’s the link to my October Goals post:

Ready?

Here we go!

  1. Make progress with my Lady Lounge. — Accomplished!
  2. Write at least 500 new words for my WIP. — Did not accomplish.
  3. Prepare for NaNoWriMo 2018! — Accomplished!
  4. Get together with several friends. — Accomplished!
  5. Finish reading my current book. — Accomplished!
  6. Donate items to Project Beauty Share. — Did not accomplish.
  7. Donate blood. — Did not accomplish.
  8. Celebrate Halloween! — Accomplished!

Here’s the breakdown:

Make progress with my Lady Lounge. — Accomplished!

  • Small victories. I cleared out a few more boxes. There’s still more work to do, but I call my small efforts progress.

Write at least 500 new words for my WIP. — Did not accomplish.

  • I barely opened my laptop this month.

Prepare for NaNoWriMo 2018! — Accomplished!

Get together with several friends. — Accomplished!

  • We enjoyed the Halloween party at Kathryn and Tim’s house on the 20th.

Finish reading my current book. — Accomplished!

Donate items to Project Beauty Share. — Did not accomplish.

  • I have the box all ready to go, but never made it to the post office.

Donate blood. — Did not accomplish.

  • My iron was too low. But, it was higher than my iron was in August. I feel confident that I will be successful in December.

Celebrate Halloween! — Accomplished!

  • We didn’t decorate much this year, but handing out candy is always fun.

Final Thoughts

  • I was able to put Accomplished next to five out of eight goals. Yay!
  • The three goals I did not accomplish: There’s always next month!

What about you? Did you have any goals for the month of October?

Come back tomorrow to see my November Goals!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

10.02.18
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Getting Personal #142: October Goals

Fall is here! Yay!

Here are my goals for the month of October:

  1. Make progress with my Lady Lounge.
  2. Write at least 500 new words for my WIP.
  3. Prepare for NaNoWriMo 2018!
  4. Get together with several friends.
  5. Finish reading my current book.
  6. Donate items to Project Beauty Share.
  7. Donate blood.
  8. Celebrate Halloween!

Here’s the breakdown:

Make progress with my Lady Lounge.

  • There are way too many boxes in there! I need to dedicate some time every weekend to make it less cluttered.

Write at least 500 new words for my WIP.

  • I really want to close out this draft!

Prepare for NaNoWriMo 2018!

  • November will be here very soon!
  • I’m excited to write something completely brand-new!

Get together with several friends.

  • We are planning to spend some time with our friends Ashley and Ray, and their son, Adam.
  • We’ve also been invited to Kathryn & Tim’s annual Halloween party!

Finish reading my current book.

  • It’s a really interesting story, and I’m looking forward to finally writing the Book Review!

Donate items to Project Beauty Share.

  • I discovered this Washington-state-based organization through a recent advice column. I want to clear out some unused beauty products, and help others!

Donate blood.

  • The next blood drive is Saturday, October 6th!

Celebrate Halloween!

  • We’re excited to pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters. We love seeing their costumes every year!

Do you have any goals for the month of October?

If so, I’d love to hear about them!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.30.18
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Getting Personal #141: September Goals Recap

September was a blur. We are still adjusting to having Pablo in our house, and we know he’s still adjusting to, well, everything. He’s such a sweet boy.

Here’s the link to my September Goals post:

Ready?

Here we go!

  1. Celebrate eight years together with Al! — Accomplished!
  2. Welcome our greyhound home! — Accomplished!
  3. Write at least 1,000 words for my WIP. — Did not accomplish.
  4. Read at least two books. — Did not accomplish.
  5. Finalize our New York trip plans. — Did not accomplish.
  6. Buy a new crock-pot. — Accomplished!

Here’s the breakdown:

Celebrate eight years together with Al! — Accomplished!

  • Our dating anniversary was a Tuesday after the long Labor Day weekend, but we enjoyed spending time together after work.

Welcome our greyhound home! — Accomplished!

  • Here’s the link to my Getting Personal post: Getting Personal #140: Welcome Home, Pablo!

Write at least 1,000 words for my WIP. — Did not accomplish.

  • Nope. Didn’t happen. I hardly looked at my personal laptop all month.

Read at least two books. — Did not accomplish.

  • After Pablo came home, I could barely keep my eyes open most nights after 9:00.

Finalize our New York trip plans. — Did not accomplish.

  • We didn’t finalize anything. After looking at our numbers, and the calendar, we’ve decided that the New York trip can wait. Hopefully sometime in 2019.

Buy a new crock-pot. — Accomplished!

  • Thanks to a very generous Bed Bath and Beyond gift card that I received for my birthday, we bought a larger crock-pot (Eight quarts versus six), and we only spent $13!

Final Thoughts

  • I was able to put Accomplished next to three out of six goals – I’ll take it!
  • The three goals I did not accomplish: Most of this was time, and spending most of our energy on Pablo.

What about you? Did you have any goals for the month of September?

Come back tomorrow to see my October Goals!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂