Getting Personal #32: August Goals Recap

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Hi, everybody!

This post is a recap or review of my August goals! I cannot believe that September starts tomorrow!!

Here’s the link to my August Goals post:

Ready?

Here we go!


  1. Build up some cash – Accomplished!
  2. Thoroughly enjoy my birthday! – Accomplished!
  3. See Star Trek: Beyond, Jason Bourne, and maybe one other movie with my husband – Semi-achieved.
  4. Prepare for the start of my Trial Prep & Discovery class at the end of the month – Accomplished!
  5. Finalize our first wedding anniversary getaway for November – Did not accomplish.
  6. Read Harry Potter and The Cursed ChildAccomplished!
  7. Β Keep blogging! – Accomplished!
  8. Paint as much of the house as possible – Accomplished!
  9. Hopefully move my furniture! – Did not accomplish.
  10. Find at least five new recipes – Semi-achieved.
  11. Start tracking our monthly expenses via spreadsheet – Semi-achieved.
  12. Check out geekgirlpenpals.com – Accomplished!

Here’s the breakdown:

Build up some cash – Accomplished!

  • I took a hard look at my credit card statements from July and almost fell on the floor. Plus, my main credit card was hacked in the beginning of the month, so that sobered me up too.
  • I hardly spent any money on personal items this month, with the exception of some American Girl books that were deeply discounted on Amazon! Currently halfway through one of the new Mysteries, and I love it so far!

Thoroughly enjoy my birthday! – Accomplished!

  • On my actual birthday, Al made cinnamon rolls for breakfast! Yum! I was also treated to an amazing dinner at Olive Garden, celebrating with Al, my parents, Mom’s best friend Debbie D., and our friends Kathy and Perry. Debbie D. gave me this amazing no-bake pie-making kit that came in Mason jars! I’m so excited!
  • I took off work on Monday, August 8th, and enjoyed myself immensely. I didn’t go see a movie solo, but I did purchase Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, stocked up on LUSH items (I love the Ocean Salt scrub!), and went to lunch with Al and his co-worker, Kathryn. We went to this amazing Thai place near where they work. I had their orange chicken that made Al salivate!
  • Then, the big birthday surprise came later in the week – Al bought me my third American Girl doll, Kit Kittredge. She’s the historical doll from the 1930s. I couldn’t believe it! I’m over the moon, and I’m so excited to de-clutter my future office space and make a home for my desk, files, future window seat / reading nook, and permanent haven for Stephanie, Molly, and Kit!

See Star Trek: Beyond, Jason Bourne, and maybe one other movie with my husband – Semi-achieved.

  • We did see Star Trek Beyond on a Tuesday night with Al’s dad. It was an awesome movie! I won’t post any spoilers, but if you’re a fan of the newer movies, this one is a must-see.
  • We decided to wait for Jason Bourne to come out for rent or on the streaming services.
  • We saw Suicide Squad during the Thursday night release. It was good!

Prepare for the start of my Trial Prep & Discovery class at the end of the month – Accomplished!

  • I ordered my textbook as an e-book for my phone and iPad. I got my paper workbook too, through Amazon, well in advance.
  • I’m really enjoying the class so far. The second class of the semester was last night, and I’m actually excited to dive head-first into the Homework Folder and Trial Notebook assignments this weekend. I have to do Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 before the next class. My professor is awesome!

Finalize our first wedding anniversary getaway for November – Did not accomplish.

  • This didn’t happen this month, for multiple reasons. We’ve been so busy with the house, that our weekends just slip away. However, I love the idea of going to Key West, Florida for a few days, so hopefully we’ll book everything very soon!

Read Harry Potter and The Cursed Child – Accomplished!

Keep blogging! – Accomplished!

  • I’m super proud of myself. I published a post almost every day in August. I did have a five-day break between the 24th and 29th, but I needed it. I was stressed and overwhelmed. I’m happy to be back at it!
  • I’m currently working on posts containing house updates and book reviews, plus a 30-day challenge series!

Paint as much of the house as possible – Accomplished!

  • This could not have happened without Nick and Savy. They came over on Saturday and we powered through two of the bedrooms! It looks amazing. I’m so happy with the color – Monorail Silver – and it looks different than the gray that’s throughout the house. We bought the paint for Al’s office and our master bedroom – Storm Cloud – but we’re going to wait until the weather cools off a little, so we can open the windows and properly ventilate the house!

Hopefully move my furniture! – Did not accomplish.

  • This didn’t happen this month, mainly because the weather has been so stinking hot! Ugh!

Find at least five new recipes – Semi-achieved.

  • I found about three new recipes to make, but not five.
  • I made Honey Balsamic Chicken and Veggies earlier this week, and it was amazing! Thanks to Tony for sharing the link – Perfect timing! I definitely want to make this again, especially for a potluck gathering! So yummy. I’m excited and proud that I prepped everything on Sunday, and I baked it in the oven on Monday night. Lesson learned: I’m definitely marinating meats for at least 24 hours now, if at all possible – So juicy!

Start tracking our monthly expenses via spreadsheet – Semi-achieved.

  • We started this spreadsheet very early on Tuesday morning. We’ll be refining it this weekend, figuring out and tying up all the loose ends. It feels good to see it on paper, but it’s also absolutely terrifying.

Check out geekgirlpenpals.com – Accomplished!

  • I registered for the site, and looked at it a little bit over the course of one weekend in the middle of the month. I haven’t signed up for a pen pal yet – The site is a bit complicated and overwhelming (So many amazing things!), so I hope to do that soon.

Final Thoughts

  • I was thrilled to be able to put Accomplished next to so many things! 7 out of 12. Yay!
  • The three goals that were Semi-Achieved: I’m happy with the progress!
  • The two goals that were Not Accomplished: That’s okay, too! There were certain circumstances that made these goals nearly impossible to achieve this month.

Did you have any goals for August?

If so, how did you do?

Come back tomorrow to see my September goals!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Getting Personal #25: August Goals

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Several bloggers I follow do monthly goal posts, and I’ve always enjoyed reading them. It’s good to put yourself out there, to hold yourself accountable!

When I read Brey’sΒ post this morning, I knew I wanted to start doing my own.


I commented on Brey’s post with my goals, so I’ll share those first:

  1. Build up some cash
  2. Thoroughly enjoy my birthday!
  3. See Star Trek: Beyond, Jason Bourne, and maybe one other movie with my husband
  4. Prepare for the start of my Trial Prep & Discovery class at the end of the month
  5. Finalize our first wedding anniversary getaway for November
  6. Read Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
  7. Keep blogging!

Between writing that comment and starting this post, I came up with a few more:

  1. Paint as much of the house as possible
  2. Hopefully move my furniture!
  3. Find at least five new recipes
  4. Start tracking our monthly expenses via spreadsheet
  5. Check out geekgirlpenpals.com (Thanks, A Girl’s Voyage!)

Here’s the breakdown:

Build up some cash

  • Last month, I got bit by the American Girl bug. I have two dolls – Stephanie and Molly – and I happened to find several American Girl groups on Facebook. Let’s just say I went a little crazy / overboard (Neither doll has made the trek from Mom and Dad’s to our house yet, either). So, in August, I’ve pledged to slow down on the personal spending and try to rebuild some of my cash.

Thoroughly enjoy my birthday!

  • My birthday falls on a Sunday this year – So that’s awesome. I worked on my actual birthday for several years, and I hated it. Finally, I decided that I would take my birthday off from work if it fell during the week, or a Friday or Monday if it fell during the weekend. This year, I’m doing the Monday route, and I’m so excited. The last few years, I’ve treated myself to a movie, solo, one that Al may not want to see. My plan is to go to LUSH at MacArthur Mall and then see a movie there. We’re (Al, me, and my parents) also going to Olive Garden for dinner on Sunday night – Yum!

See Star Trek: Beyond, Jason Bourne, and maybe one other movie with my husband

  • We’re hoping to see Star Trek: Beyond this week. Jason Bourne also looks very good. We are considering seeing Suicide Squad on Thursday night, but it may be later this weekend or next week. I have roughly three weeks before my fall class starts, so I’m very excited for the break!

Prepare for the start of my Trial Prep & Discovery class at the end of the month

  • I have a short break before my Trial Prep & Discovery class starts on August 22nd. It’s another on-campus class in Virginia Beach, but the class is held just once a week, on Tuesday nights. I’m really excited for this one! We get to learn about trials, the discovery process, and how you prepare to go to trial. I need to get my books and make sure everything is squared away long before the 22nd!

Finalize our first wedding anniversary getaway for November

  • Our first wedding anniversary is November 14th. Yeesh, how time flies! Al and I have been discussing where to go and what to do. We’ve been debating back and forth – Do we go away, or do something local? We probably won’t be doing a whole week off of work, but likely a Friday – Tuesday thing, since our anniversary falls on a Monday this year, due to Leap Year.

Read Harry Potter and The Cursed Child

  • As much of a Harry Potter fan as I am, I was very skeptical about The Cursed Child. However, I’m going to bite the bullet and buy it!

Keep blogging!

  • I really enjoyed doing the July TV Show Photo Challenge! I had a lot of fun with it, and I’m so proud of myself that I posted every day for 16 days! Woohoo! I’m taking a break from daily challenges for this month, but I hope to do another one in September. In the meantime, I plan to keep blogging as much as possible – I have at least three books I want to read and review, plus house updates!

Paint as much of the house as possible

  • Al made amazing progress this weekend on the walls by our stairs and upstairs hallway. I was able to help a little, with finishing my final Legal Research project and all. We’re planning to get the paint for the four bedrooms tonight, and just go to town.

Hopefully move my furniture!

  • We haven’t moved much of my furniture because we’ve been painting, and our garages have been pretty full. So that would be nice to accomplish by the end of the month. Then we’ll be fully moved in, and my parents get two bedrooms back!

Find at least five new recipes

  • I want to pull out our new Crock-Pot and go to town, among other things. I have two recipes that I used years ago, but I want to push myself and find five brand-new recipes that will be healthy and tasty!

Start tracking our monthly expenses via spreadsheet

  • We just made our first mortgage payment! Wow. We decided last month to catalog everything in a spreadsheet, so we’ll sit down and start inputting every dollar.

Check out geekgirlpenpals.com

  • Thanks to her Snail Mail post, I want to check out this site immediately. I love writing letters and cards, so I’m excited to look at this site and possibly sign up to get a pen pal!

That’s it for my August goals!

I’m going to make this a regular thing – Do a “Goals” post around the 1st of the month, and then a “Recap” post at the end of the month. I’m excited!

Do you have any for this month?


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Commentary #36: “July TV Show Photo Challenge” (Day 31)

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Favorite Season Finale

Wow, I can’t believe it. We’re at the last day of July!

I really enjoyed this challenge – Many thanks to B.G. and Carla! They created this challenge together, and I’ve heard that there are more challenges in the works!

If you haven’t already, please go check out their blogs – Getting Through Anxiety and The Melodramatic Confessions of Carla Louise. They’re both talented writers, and they blog about awesome things!

Okay, now to wrap up the challenge.

This one was really, really hard. I had to dig deep.

The season 1 finale of GleeΒ – Season 1, Episode 22 – “Journey to Regionals”

It was harder than I thought to find good photos for this post. The two I found show the climax – Their performance at Regionals, with all Journey songs.

I remember loving this episode, singing along shamelessly at Mom and Dad’s. It aired on June 8, 2010.

I fell in love with Glee with the pilot episode’s rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” so I was thrilled when I learned they were doing more Journey songs.

To this day, the CD based on this episode is one of my all-time favorites. When I need a pick-me-up, I pop this one in my car and turn the volume all the way up. It’s so worth it.

I couldn’t wait for season 2 to begin.


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Commentary #35: “July TV Show Photo Challenge” (Day 30)

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Saddest Character Death

Like yesterday’s post, this was almost too easy. When I was first reading the list a few weeks ago, this one popped into my mind almost immediately.

Glee - hercampus

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Glee – Season 5, Episode 3 – “The Quarterback”

Saying goodbye to Finn Hudson, and honoring Cory Monteith, who played Finn.

Cory died on July 13, 2013, as a result of an overdose of alcohol and heroin in a Vancouver, British Columbia hotel room.

I still remember getting the CNN News Alert on my iPhone. I had to read it twice, and then I burst into tears. It was all over Facebook. Someone else tagged me in a link to one of the articles, and I just remember feeling incredibly sad for his family, Lea Michele (who played Rachel Berry, Finn’s girlfriend, on-screen, and was also Cory’s real-life off-screen girlfriend), and the entire Glee community.

When his death was announced, I knew an episode like this was coming. I spent most of Thursday, October 10th preparing myself.

Al offered to come over to my apartment that night and watch it with me, even though he didn’t watch the show. I thanked him, but declined. I wanted to watch it alone.

I set up my full box of tissues, comfort food, and favorite blanket on my futon before the episode aired. The tears started well before the episode did.

Glee - billboard

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Glee - eonline

GLEE: The McKinley family of the past and present join together to remember and celebrate the life of Finn Hudson in “The Quarterback” episode of GLEE airing Thursday, Oct. 10 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Β©2013 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Eddy Chen/FOX Image Credit: eonline.com

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Kurt (Chris Colfer) wears Finn’s letter jacket. Image Credit: autostraddle.com

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Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) attempts to comfort Rachel (Lea Michele) in the choir room. Image Credit: glee.wikia.com

I thought the choices of music for the episode were good, overall:

“Seasons of Love”

“I’ll Stand by You”

“Fire and Rain”

“If I Die Young”

“No Surrender”

“Make You Feel My Love”

Every cast member had their emotions running high, for obvious reasons. Finn was on the show from the beginning. Seeing his character sing helped me fall in love with the show in the first place! You could tell that everyone was literally singing their hearts out. Singing for Finn.

This is one episode that I haven’t dared to watch again. Not yet.

I’ve seen some of the clips of the songs online, but until recently, I would start to tear up within seconds of the song / video starting.

I can’t believe it’s been three years since he died. Wow.

Santana’s (Naya Rivera) rendition of “If I Die Young” still haunts me. It’s a tear-jerker in general when The Band Perry sings it, but when she sang it, solo, it hit me straight in the heart.

Glee - screencrave

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Finn Hudson

1994-2013

“The show must go … all over the place … or something.”

Thank you, Finn Hudson.

Thank you, Cory Monteith, for helping bring Finn to the world.

You had an amazing voice.

You were funny.

You were human.

I’m so sad that you left this world so early, but you will never be forgotten.

Rest In Peace.


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Commentary #34: “July TV Show Photo Challenge” (Day 29)

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Worst Finale Cliffhanger

This one – It was almost too easy.

The Flash - screenrant

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The Flash - collider

The Flash — “The Race of His Life” — Image: FLA223b_0092b.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Keiynan Lonsdale as Wally West, Grant Gustin as Barry Allen and Candice Patton as Iris West — Photo: Katie Yu/The CW — © 2016 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Image Credit: collider.com

The Flash season 2 finale started out pretty good. But, by the end, I was furious. My jaw was open, watching in disbelief.

The minute it ended, I looked at Al and I said, “I DID NOT want THAT to happen!!”

I was disgusted. Everyone knows, by now, that going back in time or disrupting the timeline will screw things up, usually in a huge, royal, honking fashion.

Argh.

I tried to understand why Barry went back to save his mother – I really did. But now, because of that on action, it will literally change everything. And I’m so sad. To me, it was really selfish and self-centered of his character to do that.

Oh, well. I’ll still watch season 3, but begrudgingly. This episode will always piss me off!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Commentary #33: “July TV Show Photo Challenge” (Day 28)

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Favorite Season Finale Cliffhanger

I hadn’t really given much thought to season finales and cliffhangers, but I found one!

ATTENTION!

SPOILER ALERT!

There are some details in this post that may be spoilers.

If you haven’t watched The Big Bang Theory season 8 finale …

STOP NOW!

Okay. You’ve been warned.

Here we go!

TBBT - cinemablend

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TBBT - ibtimes-co-uk

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TBBT - etonline-com

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The title of this episode was “The Commitment Determination.” It aired on May 7, 2015.

By way of the title, the season finale focuses on everyone’s relationships – Sheldon and Amy, Leonard and Penny, Howard and Bernadette, and Raj and Emily – But all in different ways.

Everyone is facing certain obstacles: Howard and Bernadette want Stuart to move out. Leonard tells Penny that, while drunk, he kissed another woman while on the boat in the North Sea. Raj is having a tough time with Emily’s idea of having sex in a graveyard.

Amy wants to take a break from Sheldon. No surprise there – I would have been immensely frustrated too, on the fifth anniversary of their first date, when Sheldon is debating watching The Flash instead of focusing solely on her. So sad!

Surprisingly, I teared up at the very end. Right after Amy tells Sheldon that she needs to step back and reevaluate their situation, Sheldon is seen, alone, at his desk. Then, he looks at his Gollum statue, as he opens the drawer and pulls out that symbolic black ring box.

“Well, Gollum, you’re an expert on rings.”

“What do I do with this one?”

End of episode.

Maybe it was because this episode aired about halfway between my own engagement and wedding. I can’t really explain it, but in spite of all the emotions, I liked this finale / cliffhanger.

I couldn’t wait for season 9 to start!


Did you watch this finale?

What’s your favorite season finale cliffhanger?


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Commentary #32: “July TV Show Photo Challenge” (Day 27)

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Best Special Effects

This one was really difficult to narrow down. There are so many shows that I watch or have seen that use amazing special effects!

But, I wanted to showcase a series that I haven’t highlighted yet.

Sherlock - crimemuseum

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Sherlock - ew

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If you haven’t seen Sherlock, it is an amazing show!

I struggled with it, at first. Each episode is 90 minutes long. Al and I would attempt to watch just one episode, and I would fall asleep!

However, once I made it through the first season, I was amped. I wanted to see more!

The premise of the show is aΒ modern adaption of the Sherlock Holmes detective stories, and it’s basically brilliant.

We just watched the Series 4 promo, and my jaw hung open the whole time. I don’t think I can wait until it premieres! I’m ready now!

The special effects are awesome, among other aspects. My mind is usually blown in some way by the end of each episode. Since each episode is 90 minutes, it’s definitely a bit of a marathon. But trust me, it’s completely worth it!

The last time I checked, everything was still available on Netflix streaming.

Series 4 is scheduled to premiere at some point in early 2017.


Have you seen Sherlock? What do you think?


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Commentary #31: “July TV Show Photo Challenge” (Day 26)

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Favorite Sci-Fi Show

I’ll admit, science fiction hasn’t been my favorite genre.

However, thanks to my husband, I’ve been warming up to it over the years.

As I was researching this post, I realized there are quite a few sci-fi shows that I have enjoyed, within the last six years or so:

  • Firefly (2002-2003)
  • LostΒ (2004-2010)
  • Fringe (2008-2013)
  • The multipleΒ Star TrekΒ series (We’re working through VoyagerΒ (1995-2001) now, which I like a lot, but TNGΒ [1987-1994] is my personal favorite.)
  • The Outer LimitsΒ (1995-2002) [Broadcast on the aptly-named Comet channel through our antenna.]
  • Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997-2002)
  • Futurama (1999-2013)
  • Jessica Jones (2015-present)
  • The FlashΒ (2014-present)
  • Buffy the Vampire SlayerΒ (1997-2003)
  • The X-Files (1993-2016)
  • Doctor Who (1963-present)
  • The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

However, there is one that stands out.

Quantum Leap - soram

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Quantum Leap - avclub

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Quantum Leap - theredlist

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Quantum Leap!


My husband introduced me to this show via Netflix. He was old enough to remember watching several episodes while it was on the air (1989-1993), as well as when it was picked up for syndication.

For me, I’d never heard of it. I recognized Scott Bakula from other shows, but that was it.

I quickly fell in love. I like the concept of time travel, and mash that with history and historical fiction, and you’ve got me hooked.

We stopped watching it on a regular basis because some of the episodes are very sad and depressing. There was one particular episode that made both of us cry!

However, I want to pick it up again and finish the series, one episode at a time. Sad, or not, it’s a really good show!


Have you seen Quantum Leap?

What are your thoughts?


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚

Commentary #30: “July TV Show Photo Challenge” (Day 25)

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Favorite TV Cop

Oh, man. If you couldn’t tell already, I really, really like shows with cops!

But, I gotta go with a girl for this one!

Benson - bitchmedia

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Benson - pinterest

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson Image Credit: pinterest.com

Benson - usanetwork

Law & Order: SVU #07015 “Manipulated” 12-16-2005 Director: Matt Earl Beesley DP: Geoffrey Erb Scene 41 (Int) Interrogation Room (behind the scene) “Stabler & Benson interrogate Tessa” Chris Meloni (Stabler) Mariska Hargitay (Benson) Rebecca De Mornay (Tessa) Betty Buckley (Attorney Walsh) photo credit: Will Hart / NBC Universal Image Credit: usanetwork.com

Olivia Benson, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay, from Law & Order: SVU.


She’s as tough as nails. She’s a bad-ass. She can be ruthless!

But, she’s also human. She suffered a lot, which led her to become a cop.

Read her backstory – It’s fascinating.

I love her character! I’ve laughed with her, and definitely cried with her. Seeing her on the screen has heightened my interest in criminal law and law enforcement.


Do you like Law & Order: SVU?


Until the next headline, Laura Beth πŸ™‚