Monthly Archives: September 2016

09.30.16
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Writing Prompt #36: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 30)

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Image Credit: livingalifeofwriting.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Your highs and lows for the month

My highs:

  • Celebrating a wonderful dating anniversary with Al!
  • Chipping away at the work that needs to be done on the house.
  • A mini-getaway to the farm to see family.
  • Making plans for friends to come and visit us!
  • Finally cracking into Go Set A Watchman.
  • Blogging every single day for a whole month! Woohoo!
  • Going back to the gym!

—

My lows:

  • Not getting to finish Go Set A Watchman.
  • Getting irritated at minor things.
  • Feeling stressed with things getting busier at work.
  • Having a panic attack at work earlier this day, basically in front of my manager AND system director. Ouch!
  • Blisters, everywhere on both my feet. Breaking in new running shoes – Oww!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.30.16
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Getting Personal #37: September Goals Recap

if-the-plan-doesn-t-work-change-the-plan-but-never-the-goal

Image Credit: askideas.com

Hello, everyone!

I can’t believe we’re at the last day of September. This month seemed to fly by!

Here’s the link to my September Goals post:

—

Ready?

Here we go!

  1. Complete my first full 30-day blogging challenge! – Accomplished!
  2. Enjoy my six-year dating anniversary with Al.- Accomplished!
  3. See Emily G. before she jets off to London! – Accomplished!
  4. Keep on track with my Trial Prep & Discovery Practice assignments. – Semi-achieved.
  5. Attend the Chambers Family Reunion.- Accomplished!
  6. Work on an exciting wedding anniversary surprise for Al! – Accomplished!
  7. Join the Portsmouth Public Library. – Did not accomplish.
  8. Play catch-up with my 2016 Reading Challenge. – Semi-achieved.
  9. Read the September book and attend my first book club meeting with Sarah H. – Did not accomplish.
  10. Make at least three new recipes. – Did not accomplish.
  11. Sign up for a pen pal through Geek Girl Pen Pals. – Did not accomplish.

Here’s the breakdown:

Complete my first full 30-day blogging challenge! – Accomplished!

  • I did it! I had a lot of fun with this challenge, overall.
  • There were a few days where I almost didn’t post, mainly because I had forgotten to write it up in advance and came home dead tired and didn’t feel like I had any energy to write anything. However, I keep thinking of this goal, and it kept me motivated!
  • If you’re curious, here’s the post that started it all: Writing Prompt #7: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 1)
  • I’m not planning to do a challenge in October, but I would like to do one in November. I’m thinking every other month from here on out. Suggestions / recommendations are welcome!

Enjoy my six-year dating anniversary with Al! – Accomplished!

  • Our dating anniversary fell on a Sunday this year, and it was lovely. We enjoyed a quiet day at home, and then we went out to Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake to the Cinema Cafe. We discovered that on Sundays and Tuesdays, the tickets are only $1.50! Score!!
  • We enjoyed seeing Independence Day: Resurgence while we stuffed ourselves with glorious food. We split the spinach artichoke dip. Then, I had the amazing beer-battered shrimp and a hulking amount of popcorn, while Al had the gyro and a salad.

See Emily G. before she jets off to London! – Accomplished!

  • Al and I drove up to Williamsburg to meet Emily and three other friends (Her boyfriend, Andrew; Emily’s good friend, Michelle; and Michelle’s husband, Brett) for lunch on Saturday, September 10th. We ate at this great place called Food For Thought. Yummy!

Keep on track with my Trial Prep & Discovery Practice assignments. – Semi-achieved.

  • I made excellent progress with my Homework Folder this month, but not so much on my Trial Notebook. I’m playing catch-up with that one right now. Hoping to get ahead in October!

Attend the Chambers Family Reunion. – Accomplished!

  • This will be explained in a new Adventure Time post, coming to the blog next week!

Work on an exciting wedding anniversary surprise for Al! – Accomplished!

  • I can’t say much about this one, but a lot happened, and I’m eagerly awaiting our anniversary getaway!

Join the Portsmouth Public Library. – Did not accomplish.

  • Every weekend in September was jam-packed. I didn’t have any time to read much of anything new this month, either. Hopefully, if I get my car back in time tomorrow, I’ll go sign up tomorrow afternoon!

Play catch-up with my 2016 Reading Challenge. – Semi-achieved.

  • I barely had time to breathe this month!
  • I did make progress with Go Set A Watchman, but I haven’t finished it yet.

Read the September book and attend my first book club meeting with Sarah H. – Did not accomplish.

  • The book club moved the meetings to the beginning of every month, and I won’t be able to attend the one in October, since it falls on my mom’s birthday!
  • I wasn’t able to pick up a copy of the book, since I haven’t yet joined the library and the price of the book online was a little too steep for me this month.

Make at least three new recipes. – Did not accomplish.

  • We stuck to staples this month – Pizza, a few frozen meals, salads, and a few marinated meats. This will come up again in October!

Sign up for a pen pal through Geek Girl Pen Pals. – Did not accomplish.

  • Having hardly any time to breathe, this didn’t happen. However, I’m determined to make it happen in October!

Final Thoughts

  • I was able to put Accomplished next to 5 out of 11. Not bad!
  • The two goals that were Semi-Achieved: I’m happy with the progress!
  • The four goals that were Not Accomplished: This was frustrating, but there were certain circumstances that made these goals nearly impossible to achieve. I just need to carve more time to read!

Did you have any goals for September?

If so, how did you do?

Come back tomorrow to see my October goals!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.29.16
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Writing Prompt #35: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 29)

writing-quote-3

Image Credit: quotesgram.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

What are your goals for the next 30 days

Well, this is convenient!

Here’s a sneak peek at my upcoming post of my October goals! The full post will be up on Saturday. I cannot believe it’s the end of September!

  1. Prep the house for our first overnight visitor!
  2. Donate blood!
  3. Plan our Halloween costumes!
  4. Decorate the house for fall!
  5. Clean up the clutter and plan my office space!
  6. Recap my 44 for Bill Movement participation.

I’m so excited that the weather is starting to shift. I love the cooler air and the crispness in the air!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.29.16
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Tag #13: “Which Do You Prefer?” Book Tag!

preferbooktag

Image Credit: B.G., Getting Through Anxiety

I was tagged to participate by the lovely B.G. of Getting Through Anxiety!

Here’s the link to the original post:

—

Ready?

Here we go!

1.) Writing or reading books?

Argh. I hate this question!

I think I like to read more, because reading got me interested in writing from the get-go. Example: I read almost all of the American Girl historical novels before I received my first doll, who came with six blank books where I could write her own stories. I remember filling separate notebooks with stories about Stephanie, but I left those six books blank for a long time. I wanted to keep them pristine, plus I didn’t want to mess them up with errors and cross-outs. The American Girl books fostered my love of historical fiction.

2.) Reading hardbacks or paperbacks?

I prefer hardbacks – I don’t like it when the paperback spines get all crinkled!

3.) Reading E-books or books you can actually hold?

Books you can actually hold, hands down. I’ve tried a few school textbooks on my iPhone and iPad, but every time, I wish I’d paid more money to get the tangible version!

4.) Reading books with the protagonist of a woman or man?

Excellent question. I’ve tended to be drawn to women protagonists.

5.) Reading books written by men or women?

Another good one. Most of my favorite authors – Grisham, Sparks, Fitzgerald – are men. I enjoy their perspective.

6.) Reading books or listening?

Reading. I’ve listened to audiobooks in the car while I’m the driver, but I can’t imagine doing it any place else!

7.) Reading out loud or in your head?

In my head, although I’ve been caught reading out loud before!

8.) Getting books from the library/borrowing them or buying them?

I actually prefer the library. I love buying them, but there’s money involved there. Borrowing books from friends is fun, but I’m always afraid that I’ll get distracted and so much time passes before I actually read the book and give it back to the person! With a library, their time limit is a good motivator to read the books and avoid the fines!

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve downsized my own personal collection and tried to keep it that way.

9.) Reading thrillers or romance?

Thrillers, now. If you’d asked me this question a few years ago, it would have been romance.

10.) Writing in books or not?

Not! I can’t fathom writing in a book. I didn’t even want to write in my textbooks!

11.) Reading long books or short?

Long books are always more fun. I think of it as a challenge!

I Tag:

  • Everyone, especially my friend who are fellow biblophiles!
  • If you do participate, please display B.G.’s photo of tag on your post!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.28.16
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Writing Prompt #34: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 28)

tobias-wolfe-writing-quote-poster

Image Credit: quotesgram.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud

  1. Anything with The Muppets.
  2. Most anything with the Peanuts characters.
  3. The Big Bang Theory.
  4. Mike Rowe – His awesome posts on Facebook, and his podcast The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe.
  5. Mushu from Mulan.
muppet-mythbusters

Image Credit: pastemagazine.com

snoopy_and_woodstock_camping

Image Credit: peanuts.wikia.com

cc514bd2-9de1-4af6-840e-5dc07bd07b54

Image Credit: hellogiggles.com

mike-rowe

Image Credit: mikerowe.com

mushu_character

Image Credit: disney.wikia.com

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

 

09.28.16
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Tag #12: “Days of the Week Tag”

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Image Credit: pinterest.com

I found this fun tag from the fabulous ladies of Thrice Read!

Here’s the link to the original post:

—

Ready?

Here we go!

Murder Monday: Favorite murder/crime book:

This one was really hard to pick. I love a lot of murder and crime books, but I went with my gut instinct – The Pelican Brief by John Grisham. I love the book, and the movie adaptation is so suspenseful!

—

Tickle Tuesday: A book that made you laugh out loud:

The Vacationers by Emma Straub. I love her writing style, and I want more! I can’t wait to pick up Modern Lovers at some point.

—

Weepy Wednesday: A book that made you weepy/cry:

Most of you know that I love Nicholas Sparks, but for this one, I pick John Green’s Looking for Alaska. It was the first book we needed to read for my Young Adult Literature class in the spring of 2011. It made me bawl!

—

Thinking Thursday: A book that made you really think/reevaluate the world/your life:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I originally didn’t want to read it, but I’m glad I did. Most of Green’s novels have made me reconsider my perspective on life.

—

Fantasy Friday: Favorite fantasy book/series:

Harry Potter. This is the only fantasy book / series that I have truly stuck with and become a huge fan. I was slow to get started, but Rowling’s writing took hold and swept me up faster than a Nimbus Firebolt!

—

Sigh Saturday: A book you just could not get into or finish:

Breaking Dawn. I struggled through most of the Twilight series (I was basically forced to watch the first two movies), and by the time I got around to reading this one, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I bought all four books, but I ended up donating them to the local library because I didn’t want to read them ever again.

—

Summer Sunday: A book you love to read in the summer or makes you think of summer:

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. After months of waiting, I finally got a copy from the library and I read it cover to cover within a few hours while my parents drove home from a trip to Florida.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.27.16
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Writing Prompt #33: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 27)

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Image Credit: en.wikipedia.org

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now

I love that I’m educating myself with podcasts! I’m learning so many different things about different topics.

Granted, most of the podcasts that I subscribe to are from NPR, but it makes me happy.

I listen to them when I’m in the car, and it’s awesome! Just today, I finished an episode on how accidental integration helped one of the worst school districts in the state of Missouri, the journey of opera singer Ryan Speedo Green, and the fourth time Neil deGrasse Tyson talked about everything, in the name of science!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

 

09.26.16
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Writing Prompt #32: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 26)

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Image Credit: quotesgram.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve

I’d love to not procrastinate as much. I don’t necessarily put things off until the last minute, but I’m known to drag my feet and find excuses to avoid certain things (Homework, cleaning, mundane tasks).

However, I try to remedy this with motivating myself. I use a reward system. For example: If I work on my homework for an hour straight, without any distractions, then I can play a game on my phone or iPad for 15 minutes.

I also do this with my job. Some of the work I do is incredibly dry, boring, and annoying. But, I try to use the same reward system: If I finish a task early, or make a certain number of phone calls, or work on a project for a certain length of time, I reward myself with getting up from my desk to walk around, stretch my legs, and play a game for five minutes. It’s a good refresher moment.

It really works!

Tonight, I was struggling to get motivated to do my homework. But, with Al holding me accountable, I completed Chapter 4 AND Chapter 5 in less than an hour! I rewarded myself with finishing this blog post and spending a few minutes on Facebook, plus finishing the task in time to watch the new episode of The Big Bang Theory!

Granted, my reward system doesn’t always work. But, I try to put a positive spin on the boring and mundane areas and try to banish procrastination as much as possible.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.25.16
by

Writing Prompt #31: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 25)

68178-famous-quotes-about-writing

Image Credit: quoteaddicts.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.

The word I thought of: Faith

This was the 11th image:

believe1

Image Credit: cubsindia.com

I find so much beauty in this photo. I think of each day that I’m able to open my eyes after sleeping and starting a new day. I think of accomplishments. I think of the sunrises and sunsets that I’ve been able to see on this Earth, in different places.

I also thought of several songs that have “Believe” in the title:

There are so many things that come to mind when I think of the word “believe.”

  • I believe in God.
  • I believe in love.
  • I believe in the power of family.
  • If you can believe it, you can do it.

I’ll leave you with this:

henrydavidthoreau379353

Image Credit: brainyquote.com

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.24.16
by

Writing Prompt #30: “30 Day Writing Challenge” (Day 24)

quotes-about-writing-being-a-bad-writer

Image Credit: quotesgram.com

Here’s the list!

  1. List 10 things that make you happy
  2. Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot
  3. What are your top 3 pet peeves
  4. Write about someone who inspires you
  5. List 5 places you want to visit
  6. 5 wins to your heart
  7. List 10 songs you’re loving right now
  8. Something you struggle with
  9. Post some words of wisdom that speak to you
  10. Write about something for which you feel strongly
  11. Something you always think “what if…” about
  12. Write about 5 blessings in your life
  13. What are you excited about
  14. Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching
  15. Bullet-point your whole day
  16. Something that you miss
  17. Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you
  18. Post 30 facts about yourself
  19. Discuss your first love
  20. Post about three celebrity crushes
  21. What are 3 lessons you want your children to learn from you
  22. Put your music on shuffle and post the first 10 songs
  23. A letter to someone, anyone
  24. What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way
  25. Think of any word. Search it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image
  26. Write about an area in your life you’d like to improve
  27. Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now
  28. Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud
  29. What are your goals for the next 30 days
  30. Your highs and lows for the month

What about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way

Over many years, I was told to lighten up, smile more, be less rigid, be more easygoing, stop worrying too much.

Apparently, for a long time, I was way too serious for my age. I took everything that was said to me literally. The good, the bad, and the ugly – I took all of it personally.

I didn’t truly realize what was happening until I went off to college. Then, I was able to loosen my strings a bit. But, I still held on to my serious side. I was just encouraged to “live a little.”

Unfortunately, “living a little” kept me in the abusive relationship, caused me to drink to excess many weekends, and I lost my virginity before marriage.

I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in the summer of 2015, which answered several questions and lifted a huge weight off of me. The diagnosis came several years after I needed it, but hey, things take time.

Now, I do smile more, I don’t take everything so literally anymore, I’m able to deal with criticism in a healthier way. I still worry, but not as much. I know that I am loved, and that I’m a good place. It just took a good while for me to get here.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂