Today is my mom’s birthday!
I’m so happy to have been able to celebrate with her. Today was our regularly scheduled blood drive, and she ran it like a champ. Everyone sang to her, and I bought a fun rainbow birthday cake! We had a good time. She was going to take a nap later.
Hoping to take her out to eat sometime tomorrow.
Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Image Credit: BeautyBeyondBones
I used to say that summer was my favorite season, mainly because my birthday is in August. As an adult, my favorite season has been autumn. I love so many things about it: The crisp air, falling temperatures, the leaves changing to beautiful colors, bonfires, s’mores, apples, pumpkins, FOOTBALL!, and more.
Here are my goals for the month of October:
What about you? Do you have any goals for the month of October?
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Image Credit: BeautyBeyondBones
September is a bit of a weird month. The end of summer, the beginning of autumn, and kickoff to the end of the year!
For me, the weather has only felt like fall for a week, a while ago. The mornings are cool, but the high temperatures are still in the 80s and sometimes 90!
Here’s the link to my September Goals post:
Ready?
Here we go!
Here are my goals for the month of September:
I really like my new job. I’m still adjusting, but the biggest difference is the commute. I can get to work in 20 minutes almost every morning! I like my boss, and I have a really good team. I’m so happy I made this decision.
Although I struggled immensely with No-Spend September, I’m much more aware of where my money is going. I now track every dollar I spend, which is my own version of YNAB. I also have a proper notebook now, so I don’t have to write everything on scratch paper. I’m spending a lot less on clothes. I’m also aware of how much I’m eating and snacking, especially at work. My new job has a great cafeteria and a cantina with pick-me-up snacks. And – I haven’t added anything to my credit cards for almost a full month. That’s HUGE!!
I really enjoyed creating the Fall Fridays Writing Prompt series. I have decided to continue it in October, so stop by every Friday for more! (Writing Prompt #239, Writing Prompt #240, Writing Prompt #241)
I wrote one Commentary post: Thoughts on “Mindhunter”
I posted two Book Reviews: “Mosquitoland” and “Glory Be”
With the new job, I struggled with the blog this month. I had a period of self-doubt with my writing. But now, I’m back on the horse, and excited to write about so many things! I’m looking forward to completing my Tag posts, more Commentary posts, more Book Reviews, and continuing my Fall Fridays prompt series.
Al and I cleared a lot of clutter this month! We still have a long way to go, but I’m very happy with the progress we’ve made.
We are really happy with our new mattress, bed frame, and nightstands. We also got awesome under-bed storage drawers. This was also motivating for me to fully clean out my closet, re-organize it, and fill those storage drawers. The last thing I need to do is drop off the donations at the thrift store.
The foster care children duffel bag event was postponed. It has been re-scheduled for the end of October.
Did you have any goals for the month of September? Let me know!
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Image Credit: CNN
Content warning: Some images and descriptions shared in this post may be disturbing.
Today marks 18 years since the horrific terror attacks on the United States. Two planes crashed into the “Twin Towers” of the World Trade Center in New York City, another crashed into the Pentagon, and a fourth went down near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Where were you?
I’ll never forget.
I had just started seventh grade at Jolliff Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia. That Tuesday was absolutely gorgeous – Not a cloud in the sky. We had been in school for a week.
I have to give props to the administration and staff. The students had no idea what was going on, and they held their emotions in check the entire day. By the time I learned about it, it was near the end of the school day. I was heading into Mrs. Owen’s history class, and our principal, Mr. Glisson, was standing nearby.
I can’t remember if he was outside the seventh grade hallway, or outside our classroom door. I just knew something was wrong; it was highly unusual for him to be away from his office or the front of the school. He gave every student a quartered piece of paper, that read, in part, “Due to today’s events, we are cancelling the PTA meeting and all after-school activities. Please spend tonight with your families. Thank you for your support of our school.”
Immediate confusion came over my face, and I walked into Mrs. Owen’s class dumbfounded. I turned to my best friend, Melissa, and asked her what “today’s events” meant.
“Didn’t you hear? Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, and another crashed into the Pentagon.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. I was born in Manhattan. I had walked by the Twin Towers many times. I had flown over the Pentagon. All my memories of New York flooded my brain, and I immediately felt overwhelmed and sad. I wanted to go home right then, but I said a prayer for everyone on those planes and their families.
I definitely don’t remember what was discussed in history class that day. For the first time, I felt like a zombie when school dismissed. Thankfully, Tuesdays were the after-school day for the youth at church, and I figured that was the best place we could be at that point.
Mrs. Rouquie picked us up in her gold Dodge Caravan, and I felt fresh tears when I spotted the magnetic American flag on her van door. We sat in absolute silence the whole ride from school to church.
There was a portable TV in the youth lounge. Dawn-Marie, our associate pastor, and Courtney B., were glued to the TV. Local reporter Andy Fox was reporting live from the Pentagon, and we saw the collapsed side of the building, still smoldering.
—
The next few days were a complete blur. Our local paper, The Virginian-Pilot, had “HORROR” in blood-red letters on the front page the next day.
The front page of the paper, dated September 12, 2001. Image Credit: pilotonline.com – Found on Google Images
The coverage by the media was staggering. It felt like it was never-ending.
And, in a way, it is never-ending. Here we are, 18 years later, and there are still troops from multiple nations fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The babies who were born on September 11, 2001 are now old enough to vote, and old enough to fight in those wars.
It’s never-ending for the families of the 2,977 victims who died that day on American soil. More than 6,000 people were injured. Others have died from related cancer and respiratory diseases.
But, in spite of all the tragedy, the U.S. came together as a country. We came together, back then, at least.
I won’t get into politics here. Right now, I’m sitting in my kitchen, thinking of the victims and their families.
God Bless America.
The flag raising at Ground Zero. Image Credit: CNN
The World Trade Center cross. Image Credit: Wikipedia
The reflecting pools, part of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Image Credit: Wikipedia
The Pentagon Memorial. Image Credit: Wikipedia
Flight 93 Memorial. Image Credit: Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Image Credit: BeautyBeyondBones
Welcome back! September is one of my favorite months of the year. It’s our dating anniversary. The weather starts to finally shift from summer into autumn. So much to look forward to as we wind down the year.
Here are my goals for the month of September:
What about you? Do you have any goals for the month of September?
Image Credit: TheloveBits
I love writing these “dating anniversary” posts every year!
Today, Al and I celebrate nine years together!
Here are nine photos that are special to me.
June 2014: One of six weddings we celebrated that year. This was taken at April and Steven’s wedding reception.
December 2014: Al’s first company Christmas party! I loved that dress so much!
Our first Tidewater Comic-Con!
November 2015: I will always share wedding photos.
November 2015: One of our many honeymoon photos.
December 2015: Cheesin’ with my new iPhone.
December 2015: Taken at lunch before seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
December 2018: The day we adopted Phineas and Ferb!
August 2019: My birthday party at Circuit Social!
Happy Anniversary, Al. I love you!
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Image Credit: Found on Facebook
August was a fun month!
Here’s the link to my August Goals post:
Ready?
Here we go!
I was able to give a partial Power Red donation at the blood drive. Because I attempted Power Red, I have to wait 16 weeks to donate again, so that will be in December. We collected 61 units total!
I had so much fun celebrating 31 this year! I wanted to try this new place in Norfolk called Circuit Social, a barcade. It exceeded everyone’s expectations! Great food, so many games, and nearly a whole wall of drink choices – Beer, wine, and ciders! Highly recommend!
All of the food!
Most of the gang! We had so much fun!
Besties! Michaela and I have been friends since she was born!
We celebrated Savy’s birthday and my birthday during the weekend of August 10th. Al’s parents came in for the weekend. We went out to the Chinese Buffet, and ended the evening with Dairy Queen ice cream cake – Chocolate chip cookie dough, my favorite!
The church clean-up day was a rousing success. I helped power wash several sections of the sidewalk at both entrances. I also helped pick up pruned branches and sprayed poison ivy killer. We also got a great lunch out of the deal, too.
I spent a lot more time in my office because I broke down the goal so simply. I’m able to walk easier in there now, and I can sit on the couch. I still have more to do, but I’m happy with my progress. I also dressed my seven dolls in back-to-school clothes!
L to R: Stephanie, Molly, Kit.
L to R: Autumn, Chrissa, Z, and Mia.
At the end of the month, I had the opportunity to visit Seminole, Florida, to see my Grandpa and my Aunt Marny. Grandpa is 93 and doing well! It was really nice to catch up with Aunt Marny. The last time we saw each other in person was for my wedding in 2015!
Did you have any goals for the month of August? Let me know!
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
This is my fourth birthday reflection! I can’t believe I started this annual tradition in 2016. I’ve enjoyed reading the posts from 2017 and 2018, too.
Here we are, 2019! This year has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride. But it’s been mostly good!
This time last year, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our greyhound. It was going to be our first dog together, and we were so excited. We welcomed Pablo to our house in September. However, we quickly realized this poor baby was experiencing severe separation anxiety. We had to return him to the greyhound agency after four weeks. Al and I were incredibly devastated. But, we knew he needed to be in a home with someone who was either retired or home much of the day, and with other dogs or greyhounds. By the time we returned him to the agency, there were at least four people who were willing to take Pablo!
We had a short cooling-off period, and gave ourselves time to heal. We continued working, finally got our HVAC system finished and working, and a few weekend trips away.
Around Thanksgiving, Al and I had been casually researching local rescue organizations, thinking we were going to be ready to try again after the holidays. We had heard good things about Saver of Souls Pet Rescue, based in Virginia Beach. A few people we know had great success with them and adopting from them. We fell in love with bonded brothers, older miniature pinschers named Phineas and Ferb. We filled out the application, and crossed our fingers. We didn’t want to get our hopes up, but we felt drawn to them.
Our lives changed on December 2nd. We learned at an event in Virginia Beach that our application was approved, and we could take Phineas and Ferb home!
They have changed our lives for the better! I can’t imagine not having them. It’s hard to believe December will be a year since we adopted them. We’re hoping for many years with them. We believe they will turn 10 sometime in November.
Aside from adopting Phineas and Ferb, we’ve stayed busy! I truly think turning 30 was a huge turning point for me. I’ve enjoyed finding and making new recipes, celebrating many birthdays, taking trips with Al, and soaking up as much time with family and friends.
Here’s a few other big things that happened this year:
Cheers to 31!
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Image Credit: transforminglifenow
Welcome back! August is my birthday month. Every year, it seems like August is far away when the year begins. But, then, it always sneaks up on me! And it seems to go by faster than the other months. I guess time really does fly by when you’re having fun!
Here are my goals for the month of August:
What about you? Do you have any goals for the month of August?
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Image Credit: Centre for Collaborative Health
July was crazy!
Here’s the link to my July Goals post:
Ready?
Here we go!
July was a bit of a weird month. Spurts of productivity, and then a lot of exhaustion. Many nights, I came home from work and didn’t want to look at any screens. Especially the computer!
We loved Spider-Man: Far From Home. I highly recommend seeing it in the theater.
We binged all of Stranger Things, Season 3, between July 4th and 5th. The next week, we started watching it again. It’s spectacular. If you haven’t seen this show, get on Netflix and watch it!
For July 4th, we celebrated the holiday and Kyle’s birthday at their house. Michaela, Kyle’s girlfriend, has been a life-long friend of mine. We hadn’t been to their house before, so it was really nice to go, bring chocolate mousse, hang out, and enjoy others’ company. Kyle’s surprise 30th birthday celebration was fun also.
We also went to the farm to see Al’s parents the following weekend. It was so nice to get away, and much needed for both of us. It was hot! But, the dogs did so much than last time. I think they finally understand that the farm is a “second home” for us, and them. I also read well over 100 pages of my current book. I’m almost done!
This round of Camp NaNoWriMo wasn’t as successful, but still a success. I still wrote, and made progress with my 2014 WIP. I’m going to post a recap in the next few days, so be on the lookout for that.
I have a lot to catch up on for the month of August!
Did you have any goals for the month of July? Let me know!
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
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