Category Archives: Personal

04.30.18
by

Getting Personal #118: April Goals Recap

BeautyBeyondBones 5

Image Credit: BeautyBeyondBones

Welcome back! April was a relatively busy month. But, the weather has finally started to stabilize, several rains have washed away the nasty pollen, and we’re already a full quarter through 2018. How crazy is that!!

Here’s the link to my April Goals post:

Ready?

Here we go!

  1. Give blood. — Accomplished!
  2. Celebrate Dad’s birthday! — Did not accomplish.
  3. Participate in Camp NaNoWriMo, April 2018. — Accomplished!
  4. See Avengers: Infinity War. — Accomplished!
  5. Continue working on my Lady Lounge. — Accomplished!
  6. Read at least two books. — Did not accomplish.
  7. Enjoy time with Melissa! — Accomplished!
  8. Attend the TAPA Spring Luncheon. — Accomplished!
  9. Attend Olivia’s bridal shower! — Accomplished!
  10. Visit LanternAsia with Al, Casey, and Beth. — Accomplished!
  11. Attend the P.E.O. Family Gathering. — Accomplished!
  12. Update my TBR. — Accomplished!

Here’s the breakdown:

Give blood. — Accomplished!

  • We celebrated our 18th Anniversary blood drive on Saturday, April 7th.
  • I was able to give a Power Red donation for the first time! Yippee!
  • What is Power Red? — Power Red is where you essentially donate two units of your red blood cells. Everything is spun through a centrifuge, and you’re given back your platelets, plasma, and some saline. You have wait 16 weeks to donate again, which is okay because I’m going to be out of town for the June blood drive. I don’t feel guilty now!
  • For more information: Power Red Donation – American Red Cross Blood Services

Celebrate Dad’s birthday! — Did not accomplish.

  • Dad’s birthday fell in the middle of the week. We’ve offered to take him to dinner at some point, but our family experienced a series of crises the week after his birthday (Family illnesses, and Mom and Dad needing to travel down to care for said family).
  • So, we’ll officially celebrate some time in May!

Participate in Camp NaNoWriMo, April 2018. — Accomplished!

  • I feel SO GOOD that I did this!
  • I can’t wait to do it again in July!
  • I’m writing a Getting Personal post about my experience, so look for that on May 2nd!

See Avengers: Infinity War. — Accomplished!

  • Al and I went to the Peninsula Movie Bistro on Saturday, April 28th.
  • No spoilers, but if you’re a fan of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this movie is a must. We’re already planning to see it again in the next week or so.

Continue working on my Lady Lounge. — Accomplished!

  • Oh, man! I’m so excited!!
  • Al’s dad delivered the custom doll cabinet he built for me on Saturday, April 14th. So, I hustled my butt and got all the boxes cleared out for him during that Thursday and Friday.
  • The last piece is to move the remainder of the boxes that are along the wall where my standing desk is going to be. Almost there!!
  • Look for an upcoming Home Improvements post soon, with photos!

Read at least two books. — Did not accomplish.

  • With the aforementioned family crises toward the beginning of the month, I’ve been so exhausted by bedtime that I fall asleep pretty quickly.

Enjoy time with Melissa! — Accomplished!

  • Al and I drove up to Richmond on Sunday, April 29th.
  • We had such a nice visit. Her mom made amazing paella, and then we hung out with Melissa for several hours, just catching up. I didn’t want to leave! We finally left, reluctantly, at 8:00 p.m. to drive home.

Attend the TAPA Spring Luncheon. — Accomplished!

  • The luncheon was held on Saturday, April 14th. It was a gorgeous day!
  • One of my sorority sisters, Beth McOsker, was honored as the “Greek Woman of the Year.”

Attend Olivia’s bridal shower! — Accomplished!

  • Olivia’s shower was hosted by my mom on the afternoon of Saturday, April 14th. It was so wonderful!

Visit LanternAsia with Al, Casey, and Beth. — Accomplished!

Attend the P.E.O. Family Gathering. — Accomplished!

  • The Family Gathering was held on Saturday, April 28th.
  • Although I arrived a little late, it was a very spirited, positive discussion. We met until noon, and everyone came away with several great ideas!

Update my TBR. — Accomplished!

Final Thoughts

  • I was able to put Accomplished next to 10 out of 12 goals! Yippee!!
  • The two goals that I did not accomplish: Family illnesses suck, so much. But, it’s okay. We’ll get through this!

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

Come back tomorrow to see my May Goals!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

04.17.18
by

Getting Personal #117: “Writing Table, Leeds, England” (Reblogged)

As I think about my experiences with my first Camp NaNoWriMo so far, I found this photo from England very fitting for today. I see photos of desks and libraries often, and I think this setup is perfect. It’s romantic, in a way.

It’s a little different, knowing that a desk like this would, in 2018, most likely hold some sort of computer rather than a journal, parchment, or stationery.

But, I like to wax nostalgic, thinking back to the days of my childhood when we didn’t have the family computer. I filled up notebook after notebook with random thoughts, song lyrics, the beginnings of stories, and more. I remember throwing out a bunch of them when I was a teenager, feeling ashamed at the time that I was holding onto the “childish” journals. I so wish I had kept them! But, I have memories. I made up stories about my Barbies, my stuffed animals, and eventually, Stephanie, my one American Girl doll I loved and treasured for many years. It was so innocent.

It fills me with happy memories, knowing that those journals and notebooks led me to writing longer stories. I have those stories in a blue binder covered with stickers – I did keep that. It makes me think how far I’ve come in my writing pursuits and endeavors. It makes me proud.

If I were sitting at this desk today, I wouldn’t have my laptop. I would have a notebook, or loose-leaf paper, with several pens, daydreaming and writing the day away. It makes me feel peaceful and pleased.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

04.16.18
by

Getting Personal #116: Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad V.!

Image may contain: 3 people, including Al Vardaro, people smiling, people standing and suit

With Al on our wedding day, November 2015.

Image may contain: 7 people, including Savy Beng Vardaro, Nick Vardaro, Laura Beth Vardaro and Al Vardaro, people smiling, people standing and indoor

I’m pretty sure this is the most recent picture of us. This was taken at Andy Boy’s, a local pizza place, for Momma V.’s birthday, March 2018.

Happy Anniversary to Al’s parents, Mom and Dad Vardaro!

It’s easy to remember how many years they’ve been married, because my parents have been married for the exact same number of years. Crazy, right? Both sets of parents got married in 1982, just in different months!

Bruce and Debbie, I hope you both had a great day today!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

04.10.18
by

Getting Personal #115: Sixth TBR Recap

Ebook Friendly

Image Credit: Ebook Friendly

Welcome back!

In case you’re interested, here are the links to my previous TBR posts:

Here’s what I’ve read since my last TBR update in January:

  1. The Woman in Cabin 10, Ruth Ware
  2. Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America, Barbara Ehrenreich
  3. A Winning Spirit: A Molly Classic 1, Valerie Tripp
  4. Stars, Stripes, and Surprises: A Molly Classic 2, Valerie Tripp
  5. Chances and Changes: My Journey with Molly, Valerie Tripp
  6. Victory in the Valley, Domeka Kelley

And, here’s my updated list!

Laura Beth’s To Be Read (TBR) List, as of April 2018:

  1. The Language of Silence, Tiffany Truitt
  2. Black Rabbit Hall, Eve Chase
  3. Gone With The Wind, Margaret Mitchell
  4. The Red Tent, Anita Diamant
  5. Tropic of Cancer, Henry Miller
  6. New Boy, Julian Houston
  7. The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling
  8. 11/22/63, Stephen King
  9. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
  10. Hollow City, Ransom Riggs
  11. Library of Souls, Ransom Riggs
  12. Tales of the Peculiar, Ransom Riggs
  13. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, J.K. Rowling
  14. Quidditch Through the Ages, J.K. Rowling
  15. Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, Emma Straub
  16. Modern Lovers, Emma Straub
  17. In the Unlikely Event, Judy Blume
  18. You Will Know Me, Megan Abbott
  19. Dare Me, Megan Abbott
  20. The Fever: A Novel, Megan Abbott
  21. Give Me Your Hand, Megan Abbott
  22. Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov
  23. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, Laura Hillenbrand
  24. Valley of the Dolls, Jacqueline Susann
  25. The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson
  26. Loving Day, Mat Johnson
  27. American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes, and Trial of Patty Hearst, Jeffrey Toobin
  28. The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson, Jeffrey Toobin
  29. The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future, Gretchen Bakke
  30. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, J.D. Vance
  31. A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression, Jane Ziegelman and Andy Coe
  32. Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney
  33. Bright, Precious Days, Jay McInerney
  34. Underground Airlines, Ben Winters
  35. A Good Month for Murder: The Inside Story of a Homicide Squad, Del Quentin Wilber
  36. Teardrops of the Innocent: The White Diamond Story (True Colors – Volume 1), Allie Marie
  37. The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
  38. Caraval, Stephanie Garber
  39. Jefferson’s Sons: A Founding Father’s Secret Children, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
  40. The War I Finally Won, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
  41. Read All About It: A Kit Classic Volume 1, Valerie Tripp
  42. Turning Things Around: A Kit Classic Volume 2, Valerie Tripp
  43. Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit, Valerie Tripp
  44. Autumn Street, Lois Lowry
  45. The Giver, Lois Lowry
  46. Gathering Blue, Lois Lowry
  47. Messenger, Lois Lowry
  48. Son, Lois Lowry
  49. Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
  50. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
  51. Mansfield Park, Jane Austen
  52. Emma, Jane Austen
  53. Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen
  54. Persuasion, Jane Austen
  55. The List, Patricia Forde
  56. Hello Me, It’s You, Anonymous; edited by Hannah Todd
  57. Use The Force: A Jedi’s Guide to the Law of Attraction, Joshua P. Warren
  58. Digital Fortress: A Thriller, Dan Brown
  59. Deception Point, Dan Brown
  60. Inferno, Dan Brown
  61. Origin: A Novel, Dan Brown
  62. The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
  63. Camino Island, John Grisham
  64. The Rooster Bar, John Grisham
  65. Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, Manoush Zomorodi
  66. Lost Laysen, Margaret Mitchell
  67. Before Scarlett: Girlhood Writings of Margaret Mitchell, Margaret Mitchell; edited by Jane Eskridge
  68. Mystic River, Dennis Lehane
  69. Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
  70. Uglies, Scott Westerfeld
  71. Pretties, Scott Westerfeld
  72. Specials, Scott Westerfeld
  73. Extras, Scott Westerfeld
  74. Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery, Robert Kolker
  75. Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and For Those Who Want to Write Them (P.S.), Francine Prose
  76. Reading Like a Lawyer: Time-Saving Strategies for Reading Law Like an Expert, Ruth Ann McKinney
  77. Into the Water, Paula Hawkins
  78. All The Missing Girls, Megan Miranda
  79. The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien
  80. In the Lake of the Woods, Tim O’Brien
  81. July, July, Tim O’Brien
  82. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Jenny Han
  83. P.S. I Still Love You, Jenny Han
  84. Always and Forever, Lara Jean, Jenny Han
  85. Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn
  86. Dark Places, Gillian Flynn
  87. Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn
  88. Ready Player One, Ernest Cline
  89. The Glass Castle, Jeanette Walls
  90. Half Broke Horses, Jeanette Walls
  91. The Silver Star, Jeanette Walls
  92. Because You Exist (Light in the Dark Series) (Volume 1), Tiffany Truitt
  93. Among The Hidden (Shadow Children #1), Margaret Peterson Haddix
  94. The Goldfish Boy, Lisa Thompson
  95. Postcards from the Edge, Carrie Fisher
  96. Shockaholic, Carrie Fisher
  97. Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher
  98. The Princess Diarist, Carrie Fisher
  99. Trell, Dick Lehr
  100. In A Dark, Dark Wood, Ruth Ware
  101. We Can Be Mended, Veronica Roth
  102. Carve The Mark, Veronica Roth
  103. Sing, Vivi Greene
  104. West End Quartet, Ariadne Apostolou
  105. Defining Sexism in the U.S. (Sexism in the United States) (Volume 1), Elizabeth Hall Magill
  106. Sexism and U.S. History (Sexism in the United States) (Volume 2), Elizabeth Hall Magill
  107. What Yo Mama Said, Elizabeth Hall Magill
  108. Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy, Seymour Reit
  109. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, David Foster Wallace
  110. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, Becky Albertalli
  111. The Upside of Unrequited, Becky Albertalli
  112. Words in Deep Blue, Cath Crowley
  113. Turtles All the Way Down, John Green
  114. Lea Dives In, Lisa Yee
  115. Lea Leads the Way, Lisa Yee
  116. Lea and Camila, Lisa Yee & Kellen Hertz
  117. Mary Jane’s Ghost: The Legacy of a Murder in Small Town America, Ted Gregory
  118. The Dark Lake, Sarah Bailey
  119. The Innocence Treatment, Ari Goelman
  120. Haunting the Deep, Ariana Mather
  121. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, Barbara Ehrenreich
  122. The Secret, Bryon Priess
  123. Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, Patrice Banks
  124. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford
  125. Jesus’ Son: Stories, Denis Johnson
  126. Tree of Smoke, Denis Johnson
  127. The Largesse of the Sea Maiden: Stories, Denis Johnson
  128. The Real Z (American Girl: Z Yang, Book 1), Jen Calonita
  129. Z On Location (American Girl: Z Yang, Book 2), Jen Calonita
  130. The Legend of the Shark Goddess: A Nanea Mystery, Erin Falligant
  131. Warcross, Marie Lu
  132. Nothing But Sky, Amy Trueblood
  133. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
  134. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, Margot Lee Shetterly
  135. My Name is America: The Journal of Rufus Rowe, Witness to the Battle of Fredericksburg, Sid Hite
  136. My Name is America: The Journal of Joshua Loper, A Black Cowboy, Walter Dean Myers
  137. My Name is America: The Journal of James Edmond Pease, A Civil War Union Soldier, Virginia, 1863, Jim Murphy
  138. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Mackenzi Lee
  139. The Hazel Wood, Melissa Albert
  140. Husband in Hiding (The Unde(a)feted Detective Series), Karina Bartow
  141. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer, Michelle McNamara
  142. With Malice, Eileen Cook
  143. The Year They Burned The Books, Nancy Garden
  144. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, Matthew Desmond
  145. Last Night, Kerry Wilkinson
  146. Sister Carrie, Theodore Dreiser
  147. The Life of Jesus, Ernest Renan
  148. A Doll’s House, Heinrik Ibsen
  149. Winesburg, Ohio, Sherwood Anderson
  150. The Old Wives’ Tale, Arnold Bennett
  151. The Maltese Falcon, Dashiell Hammett
  152. The Red and the Black, Stendahl
  153. Victory, Joseph Conrad
  154. The Revolt of the Angels, Anatole France
  155. Sanctuary, William Faulkner
  156. Swann’s Way, Marcel Proust
  157. Within a Budding Grove, Marcel Proust
  158. The Guermantes Way, Marcel Proust
  159. South Wind, Norman Douglas
  160. The Garden Party, Katherine Mansfield
  161. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
  162. Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  163. The Great Alone, Kristin Hannah
  164. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
  165. We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson
  166. The Dinner, Herman Koch
  167. The Time-Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
  168. Green, Sam Graham-Felsen
  169. Bonfire, Krysten Ritter
  170. A Girl Named Rosa: The True Story of Rosa Parks (American Girl: A Girl Named), Denise Lewis Patrick
  171. A Girl Named Hillary: The True Story of Hillary Clinton (American Girl: A Girl Named), Rebecca Paley
  172. A Girl Named Helen: The True Story of Helen Keller (American Girl: A Girl Named), Bonnie Bader
  173. A Girl Named Misty: The True Story of Misty Copeland (American Girl: A Girl Named), Kelly Starling Lyons
  174. The Boston Tea Party (American Girl: Real Stories from My Time), Rebecca Paley
  175. The Underground Railroad (American Girl: Real Stories from My Time), Bonnie Bader and Connie Porter
  176. The Titanic (American Girl: Real Stories from My Time), Emma Carlson Berne
  177. Pearl Harbor (American Girl: Real Stories from My Time), Jennifer Swanson
  178. Luciana, Erin Teagan
  179. Luciana: Braving the Deep, Erin Teagan
  180. Luciana: Out of This World, Erin Teagan
  181. Menace at Mammoth Cave: A Kit Mystery, Mary Casanova
  182. Emergency Contact, Mary H.K. Choi
  183. Prez: A Story of Love, Margaret Garrison
  184. North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell
  185. Before I Let Go, Marieke Nijkamp
  186. Picture Us in the Light, Kelly Loy Gilbert

That’s all, for now!

I’ll publish my next TBR update / recap in July!

What have you read recently?

Happy reading!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

04.03.18
by

Getting Personal #114: Happy Birthday, Dad!

Father-daughter dance. Dad and I danced to "Carolina In My Mind" by James Taylor. This was a surprise for my mom as well - Dad played this song when he proposed to Mom!

Image Credit: Stellar Exposures

Today is my Dad’s birthday!

Writing this post makes me realize we need to take more pictures.

This is one of my favorite photos. This was taken during my birthday dinner last August, when Mom and Dad surprised me with “the gift I’d always wanted” – So many laughs!

I think this is the most recent photo of us, taken in October at Nick and Savy’s wedding.

Have a wonderful day today, Dad! We can’t wait to see you on Saturday for the 18th Anniversary blood drive, and take you out to dinner to truly celebrate soon.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

04.01.18
by

Getting Personal #113: April Goals

Hello, April! I’m so happy that you have arrived. Bring on the warmer weather!!

Here are my goals for the month of April:

  1. Give blood.
  2. Celebrate Dad’s birthday!
  3. Participate in Camp NaNoWriMo, April 2018.
  4. See Avengers: Infinity War.
  5. Continue working on my Lady Lounge.
  6. Read at least two books.
  7. Enjoy time with Melissa!
  8. Attend the TAPA Spring Luncheon.
  9. Attend Olivia’s bridal shower!
  10. Visit LanternAsia with Al, Casey, and Beth.
  11. Attend the P.E.O. Family Gathering.
  12. Update my TBR.

Here’s the breakdown:

Give blood.

  • Our 18th Anniversary blood drive is this coming Saturday, April 7th.
  • If you’re in the Hampton Roads area, come on out and Give the Gift of Life.

Celebrate Dad’s birthday!

  • Al and I likely going to take my dad out to dinner to celebrate his birthday very soon!

Participate in Camp NaNoWriMo, April 2018.

  • See my announcement post from March 27th: Getting Personal #111: Camp NaNoWriMo.
  • I’m SO PUMPED to do this. Seriously! I haven’t felt this invigorated to write in months. Bring it on!

See Avengers: Infinity War.

  • We’re definitely seeing this on either the Thursday night it premieres, or Friday night. We’re so stoked!

Continue working on my Lady Lounge.

  • I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

Read at least two books.

  • I’ve finally broken out of my reading slump. I stopped reading the book I was attempting to finish, set it aside, and moved on to a different one.
  • It was an excellent decision – I’ve been powering through 5-6 chapters per night!

Enjoy time with Melissa!

  • My best friend is coming home for a visit!
  • She’s invited Al and I to drive up to Richmond on a Sunday, to eat lunch with her, her mom, and her stepdad.

Attend the TAPA Spring Luncheon.

  • I am part of the Greek Woman of the Year Committee, so I look forward to being part of the award ceremony on Saturday, April 14th.

Attend Olivia’s bridal shower!

  • After the TAPA luncheon, I’m headed to my mom’s to celebrate Olivia! She’s getting married in July. She’s one of the first friends I made when we moved to Chesapeake in 1992.

Visit LanternAsia with Al, Casey, and Beth.

Attend the P.E.O. Family Gathering.

  • This is something new we’re trying as a chapter. It’s not a formal meeting, but a space and place to harbor open discussion and idea sharing.
  • I’m hoping for a good turnout and positive discussion about the upcoming year!

Update my TBR.

  • It’s that time of year again! Look for my post within the first two weeks of the month.

Do you have any goals for the month of April?

If so, I’d love to hear about them! Comment below!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

03.31.18
by

Getting Personal #112: March Goals Recap

BeautyBeyondBones

Image Credit: BeautyBeyondBones

So far, 2018 is turning out to be very busy. Most of our weekends have been chock-full, although we have had a blessed few where absolutely nothing was on the calendar. March seemed to drag on a little bit, probably because of the crazy weather! At least now it’s a bit more spring-like. Temperatures in the 60s and 70s – I’ll take it!

Here’s the link to my March Goals post:

Ready?

Here we go!

  1. Work at least one hour on my Lady Lounge every weekend. — Semi-Achieved.
  2. See A Wrinkle In Time. — Did not accomplish.
  3. See Ready Player One. — Accomplished!
  4. Attend a meet-and-greet with Old Dominion Greyhound Adoption. — Accomplished!
  5. Update the Household Bills spreadsheet by the end of the month. — Accomplished!
  6. Prepare for my P.E.O. officer transition. — Accomplished!
  7. Make chocolate mousse for the office. — Accomplished!
  8. Make at least one thrift store donation run. — Accomplished!
  9. Continue to make progress with my 2012 NaNoWriMo endeavor. — Accomplished!

Here’s the breakdown:

Work at least one hour on my Lady Lounge every weekend. — Semi-Achieved.

  • I was able to do this for a few weekends, but not all.
  • I spent two solid hours on one Sunday afternoon, and I was immensely proud of myself. I’m slowly carving a path through!

See A Wrinkle In Time. — Did not accomplish.

  • This wasn’t a priority for us. Maybe one day soon!

See Ready Player One. — Accomplished!

  • We have tickets to see it TODAY! Cannot wait!

Attend a meet-and-greet with Old Dominion Greyhound Adoption. — Accomplished!

Update the Household Bills spreadsheet by the end of the month. — Accomplished!

  • It feels good!

Prepare for my P.E.O. officer transition. — Accomplished!

  • I was officially elected and installed as the chapter’s treasurer!
  • Thankfully, almost everything is logged and recorded through Excel. That makes me happy!
  • I’m excited for this new role!

Make chocolate mousse for the office. — Accomplished!

  • Al helped me make it, and I brought it to the office last week. Out of three I’ve made since Thanksgiving, this one was the best of them all. It was awesome!
  • My department director was even able to find the original recipe online, and sent it to everyone.

Make at least one thrift store donation run. — Accomplished!

  • We dropped off all the clothing donations, plus the big boxes of books and DVDs.
  • Then, after that solid two hours of work in my Lady Lounge, I had quite a bit to donate. We loaded up the car and dropped it off at the CHKD Thrift Store near our house.

Continue to make progress with my 2012 NaNoWriMo endeavor. — Accomplished!

  • I signed up for CampNaNoWriMo for the first time, with a singular focus on this endeavor.
  • Read more in my March 27th post: Getting Personal #111: Camp NaNoWriMo
  • Feeling inspired, I went on an awesome sprint this past week. When Al was in the shower on Thursday morning, I wrote over 1,100 words! Woohoo!
  • And then, last night, I wrote another 884 words!
  • I’m up to 37 pages now. It’s really starting to come together, and I’m enjoying writing again.
  • I wrote approximately 2,025 words!! Happy dance over here!!
  • Current word count: 13,241 words.

Final Thoughts:

  • I was able to put Accomplished next to seven out of nine goals. More than 75 percent – I call that a win!
  • The one goal that was Semi-Achieved: This was mainly due to time constraints. However, I’m happy with the progress I made.
  • The one goal that I did not accomplish: I’m not too worried about this one. Movies will always be there to watch.

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

Come back tomorrow to see my April Goals!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

03.27.18
by

Getting Personal #111: Camp NaNoWriMo

I’m so excited to say that I will be a camper at Camp NaNoWriMo this year, for the very first time!

What is Camp NaNoWriMo, you ask?

Well, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, which is typically held in November of every year. However, there are camp sessions, too!

You can be placed in a “cabin” of certain preferences. When I signed up, there were different options for cabins. For me, I wanted to be placed in a cabin with writers that are around my age.

Here’s the landing page: Camp NaNoWriMo

It’s basically a writer’s retreat, in April!

It’s summer camp in the spring.

I’m loving it!

My main goal, like I commented on someone else’s blog recently, is to make significant progress with my 2012 NaNoWriMo endeavor / attempt. The last time I touched it was in September 2017, where I was on a great writing streak for a weekend.

Current word count: 11,216 words.

Goal: Write 20,000 more words by the end of camp.

—

Here’s the synopsis I recently put together for my work, tentatively titled “Experiences From Camp”:

Kristin, a teenager from Kansas, has heard of this experience called “Camp” in Maine. However, everyone who has gone there can’t accurately describe their experiences – Just a lot of mystery, suspense, some thrills, and a lot of chills. When she’s selected to go, she’s excited to meet Brennan, and see “camp” for herself. From the start, Kristin doesn’t get what she’s bargained for, and her excitement turns to absolute terror.

So, that’s all, for now! I’m excited to try something new!

I’ll be sure to make another post at the end of April or beginning of May, detailing my camp experiences and my successes!

What about you? Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo or Camp NaNoWriMo? I’d love to hear about it!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

03.17.18
by

Getting Personal #110: Loving LuLaRoe

LuLaRoe - thepicta

Image Credit: thepicta.com

I had heard about LuLaRoe for a while, but I didn’t start buying for myself until last summer. Several friends of mine were buying it and loving it, so I decided to check it out for myself. I love it! Everything I own is super comfortable. Plus, I’ve started wearing more skirts and dresses!

With that said, I do not intend to become a consultant. I just love what I’ve bought.

Here are just a few photos of what I’ve bought, LOL. Amazingly, this doesn’t reflect everything that I’ve purchased. But, you can see the progression of the last year, in a way. I cut my hair last fall, and I’m so happy that I did – Haha!

Summer 2017 – This is my striped Julia. I wasn’t so sure about the size at first, but I love it.

My Tall & Curvy (TC) Kermit leggings. I’m wearing them today for St. Patrick’s Day!

At first, I mistakenly thought the L/XL size was for adults! Whoops. These are kids’ leggings. But, they’re cute! And my new Carly dress is the exact same pattern.

My One Size (OS) Kermit leggings. So comfy!

This is the first Nicole dress I bought. It’s perfect for the chillier months – It’s almost a quilted fabric!

This is a Gigi top. I love the pattern, and it fits so well. It’s perfect with jeans.

Jenna Stamps, a consultant from Georgia, did a Personal Styling Session on Facebook for me late last year. This combo of the green Lynnae top, coral Cassie skirt, and multi-colored Joy vest is one of my all-time favorite outfits.

This was my first Lola skirt. I love how versatile these clothes can be – The cardigan and tank top in this photo are both from Old Navy.

This is the Randy. It’s a super comfy baseball tee. I love the flowers!

A Gigi top and Lola skirt!

This is my first Sarah sweater – It’s like a duster. It’s super soft – Think ribbed sweatshirt material.

My most recent Lynnae top.

My yellow Gigi, and first Maxi skirt!

I’m totally in love with this Kermit Carly. I love the high-low hem. It may be my favorite in my closet!

I’ve been able to try most of the items that LuLaRoe offers.The only item that I don’t particularly like is the Irma top – All of them have felt gigantic on me.

Not pictured – I also have two Amelia dresses, a second Nicole, a second Carly, several Azure skirts, two Madison skirts, a pair of Jordan workout leggings, and several different Perfect Tees and Classic Tees.

I’m convinced LuLaRoe is taking over my closet, one piece at a time. However, I’ve been able to mix and match pieces that I already own, multiple brand names, and make it all work. I’m also glad I recently scored a pair of solid black TC leggings – They were warmer than I expected, and I was so comfortable all day yesterday with my Kermit Carly.

Plus, everything is easy to wash and take care of – Super simple!

I’m fortunate that I’ve been connected with several different consultants, some in the area, some not. Brittany Beyer is awesome – She lives in Williamsburg!

I have a link to Brittany’s LuLaRoe group on Facebook below. She’s super fun, energetic, and loves these clothes. I need to meet her in person at some point!

What about you? Have you heard of LuLaRoe? Do you own any?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

03.16.18
by

Getting Personal #109: Laura Beth’s Life Through Book Quotes

Pinterest

Image Credit: Pinterest

Delphine inspired me to do my own version of this post! Thanks, Delphine! If you haven’t already, check out her awesome blog, Delphine’s Babble on Some Good Reads.

Here’s the link to her original post:

Here are some quotes from several of my favorite books. Let me know if you’ve read them!

The Great Gatsby - Complex

Image Credit: Complex

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water, and the history of the summer really begins on the evening I drove over there to have dinner with the Tom Buchanans. Daisy was my second cousin once removed, and I’d known Tom in college. And just after the war I spent two days with them in Chicago.”

—

I absolutely fell in love with The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald, and the 1920s when I was in high school. It was assigned reading, but I went on to do an extensive research project on Fitzgerald, his life, and the culture of the American expatriates in Europe during that time period.

I know I identified with the book because of the setting, since I was born in New York City. This is one book that I re-read every single year. I can’t truly explain why it’s one of my favorite books, but it just is.

Image result for harry potter books

Image Credit: Amazon

Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling

“There are all kinds of courage,” said Dumbledore, smiling. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”  –The Philosopher’s Stone  

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”  –Chamber of Secrets 

“Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.”  –The Goblet of Fire  

“Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.” –The Order of the Phoenix

—

As a kid, I was definitely late to the party when I starting reading Harry Potter. However, once I started, I couldn’t stop. I plowed through all the books that were available at the time, eagerly watched the movies, and waited for the rest to be released. I was lucky enough to be in London, England, when Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released in July 2005. So, I have an American version and British version of that one. It’s definitely a series that has had a years-long effect on my life.

hunger-games

Image Credit: Scholastic Media Room

The Hunger Games series, Suzanne Collins

“May the odds be ever in your favor!”  –The Hunger Games

“For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first.” –The Hunger Games

“So it’s you and a syringe against the Capitol? See, this is why no one lets you make the plans.” –Catching Fire

“I always channel my emotions into my work. That way, I don’t hurt anyone but myself.”  –Catching Fire

“The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol’s plans. The symbol of the rebellion.” –Catching Fire

“Aim higher in case you fall short.” –Catching Fire

“It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.”  –Mockingjay

“Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!”  –Mockingjay

“Some walks you have to take alone.”  –Mockingjay

“Are you, are you coming to the tree?
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things did happen here.
No stranger would let it be if we met up
At midnight in the hanging tree.”  –Mockingjay

—

The Hunger Games series deeply affected my life as a young adult, like Harry Potter affected my childhood and teenage years. I fell in love with Katniss Everdeen, and her fight throughout all three books to end The Hunger Games and spark a revolution, literally. Although The Hunger Games series is fictional, it’s based on the author watching news coverage of the war in Iraq, and a reality show where kids were competing in a survivalist atmosphere.

And, now, with the revolutions taking place in this country and around the world – Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, immigration, refugees, the chaos in the White House, the outpouring of response to the Parkland shooting – The list seems endless – these books seem more “real” to me more than ever. Time to re-read them, I think.

Bridge to Terabithia

Image Credit: Goodreads

Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Patterson

“It’s like the smarter you are, the more things can scare you.”

“It was up to him to pay back to the world in beauty and caring what Leslie had loaned him in vision and strength. ”

“Sometimes it seemed to him that his life was delicate as a dandelion. One little puff from any direction, and it was blown to bits.”

—

This book gives me all the feels. I don’t re-read it often, but when I do, I always cry. It’s such a wonderful story, full of imagination, but also some lessons that everyone can benefit from learning. This isn’t your ordinary kids’ book.

Dear Mr Henshaw

Image Credit: Scholastic

Dear Mr. Henshaw, Beverly Cleary

“I don’t want to be a nuisance to you, but I wish you could tell me how.”

“The best thing about sixth grade in my new school is that if I hang in, I’ll get out.”

“I wish someone would ask me over sometime.”

—

This was one of the first of Cleary’s books that I read – I think it was in elementary school. I’ve read all of them since then! She’s one of those authors who left a big impression on me. I think reading this book in particular helped spark my life-long interest in pen pals, writing letters, diaries, and journals.

Bible

Image Credit: JSTOR Daily

The Bible

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-13 (NIV)

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

—

I was raised in the United Methodist Church. I started reading the Bible in elementary school, through my Sunday School classes. Over the years, I’ve found certain verses that stick with me. For example, I found Jeremiah 29:11 while reading my Bible on a youth retreat in sixth grade. That was the first time I highlighted or underlined something in my Bible. I don’t read the Bible as often anymore, but I read daily devotionals and reflect on different verses.

What about you? Do you have any book quotes that symbolize you or a part of your life? Let me know!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂