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

Five ways to win your heart

Without question, Al’s definitely won my heart. Here’s five things (out of a long, long list) that he does or has done that makes me melt and fall more in love with him!

1. Lots of forehead kisses – They’re immensely comforting to me.
2. Stroke my hair – This calms me almost instantly. It’s so soothing.
3. Sing along with me in the car when a good song comes on the radio.
4. Being an awesome cook, and wanting to cook and try new recipes!
5. Always finding a way to make me laugh.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Image Credit: pinterest.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

List 5 places you want to visit

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

Photo collage of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Image Credit: en.wikipedia.org

I’ve always wanted to see my Packers play a home game at Lambeau Field – Just not in a blizzard!

—

• Hawaii

Image Credit: trafalgar.com

Ever since my parents went to Hawaii for a week in the summer of 2009, I’ve wanted to go! There are so many things I want to do there: Attempt to surf at Waikiki Beach, climb Diamond Head, go to Pearl Harbor, see where Jurassic Park was filmed, and more!

—

• Italy

Image Credit: cntraveler.com

Just search “Italy” in Google Images and you’re instantly flooded with amazing sights! I want to visit Venice, Rome, Pompeii, Naples, Florence, and all the famous monuments. I have several friends who have honeymooned in Europe, including Italy, and I’ve always been jealous of their photos!

—

• San Francisco, California

Baker Beach. Image Credit: californiabeaches.com

I want to see all the tourist spots: The Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, the Full House house, Chinatown, and more!

—

• Alaska

Image Credit: ncl.com

Ever since I was 10, I’ve wanted to go on an Alaskan cruise! The scenery up there is absolutely breath-taking!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Image Credit: qualitylogoproducts.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 someone who inspires you

My Grandma Grace was my mom’s mom. I’ll admit, she was my favorite grandparent. I was fortunate enough to have all four of my grandparents until the age of 20, which is exceedingly rare among my age group.

Born in 1917, she survived the Great Depression in Ripley, West Virginia. Her mother was Laura Bethany Powers (My namesake), and Grandma’s childhood was shaped by farming, gardening, cooking, grit, perseverance, and determination. She went to college in Ohio and earned a degree in Social Work.

She married my Grandpa Madan in June 1944, just before D-Day. My Grandpa was in the Army, and they married on the Army base right before he left for Europe.

After the war ended, she struggled to get pregnant. She ended taking DES in the belief that it would prevent miscarriages and other complications. At the beginning of the fifties, my Uncle Richard was born first, and then my mom came along two years later.

My head is full of stories of their adventures in Kendall, Florida. She was a devoted wife and mother while my grandpa owned furniture stores and other businesses. They had many animals, and traveled extensively. They were faithful Christians, volunteers, and wonderful friends to almost everyone.

Because Grandma took DES, my mom had immense trouble having children. My mom endured three miscarriages and other medical issues before I was born prematurely. I ended up being the only grandchild. Grandma was 71 when I born, but was an amazing grandmother from the very start.

She taught me so many things:

• Cooking – I can almost taste her leg of lamb every Easter.
• Keeping a beautiful house – The two houses they owned in Coral Gables were always immaculately decorated!
• A love of traveling – She and Grandpa cruised all over the world!
• Patience
• A love of reading, newspapers, libraries, and bookstores.
• Sets of dishes / china are practical, but also collectible.
• How to play Scrabble and complete the hardest crossword puzzles.
• Frozen Oreos are the best Oreos.
• Keeping the faith.
• Calling family and friends on the phone on a regular basis.
• Getting old with grace, peace, and acceptance.

Grandpa, the first of my grandparents to leave this world, passed away on August 25, 2008. Although sad, Grandma Grace was incredibly strong and forgiving. She endured multiple estate sales, and the eventual sale of the home they shared for nearly 10 years on Palmarito Street. After the house sold, she moved in with my Uncle Richard, who only lives a few miles away in Miami.

She passed away peacefully on July 31, 2013, at the age of 96.

Next July marks what would have been her 100th birthday.

I want to do something special then.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Image Credit: quotesgram.com

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 top 3 pet peeves?

1. Spelling and grammar errors. I’m not perfect, but I’m one of those people who will do my absolute best to keep my written communications as error-free as possible. This is what happens when you grow up enjoying English class, actually liking spelling tests, working on a newspaper for your university for eight semesters, and minoring in Rhetoric and Professional Writing, among other things. I’m also one of those people who spells out every single word in text messages!
2. Lots of things about driving – Distracted drivers, tailgaters, people not using their turn signals, etc. Full disclosure: I am a reformed tailgater. My ex-boyfriend John was a very aggressive driver, and I picked up a lot of his bad habits. In December 2010, I rear-ended an SUV, five minutes from my house. There wasn’t a scratch on her SUV, but I did $4,000 in damage to my Camry. That sobered me up real quick. Then, I wrote a post about my car sliding off Route 460 in terrible snowy weather in 2014 – You better believe I’m never doing that again! In essence, I try to treat my car very carefully, and I wish other drivers would do the same. But, I shrug my shoulders, do my best to keep at least a car length in front of me at all times, and attempt to drive defensively.
3. Beating around the bush. I really appreciate it when people don’t dance around an issue or telling me if they have a problem with me. Brutal honesty is, well, brutal – But it’s BETTER. Again, full disclosure, I always feel guilty when I’m put in this position. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and sweat-inducing. However, for me, it’s better to tell me what’s wrong, or whatever it is, from the get-go.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Image Credit: pinterest.com

I added something else to this challenge – I’m going to put the links to the previous prompts every day!

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 ways to win 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 something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot

This one was really hard! I had to dig deep into my memory bank.

Okay – This is going to sound really, really cliché, but I will never forget when my mom first told me, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”

And she wasn’t the only one. It was repeated to me, from several different people, for several months in 2010. This started right around the time I finally gathered the courage to break up with my abusive boyfriend, John. At that point, I had been suffering under his control and manipulation for a little over for four years.

Simultaneously, I was completing my college internship at The New York Times Shared Services Center in Norfolk. My internship supervisor, Emily, was fabulous. She’s one of my many “mothers” – I’m fortunate to have at least six wonderful women in my life that could be my mother from another.

Anyway, Emily adopted “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger” as one of her mantras for our work at the company. So, by way of repetition, it became one of my mantras, too.

Then, in 2011, by complete happenstance, I discovered that Kelly Clarkson wrote a song titled “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites.

Five years later, I play that song at least one week via YouTube as a way to ground myself, remind myself that I’m still here, and I’m a strong woman.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Image Credit: quoteaddicts.com

As I mentioned in my September Goals post earlier today, I’m determined to complete my first full 30-day blogging challenge!

I found this challenge on a WordPress blog. I think it was referenced in another post by another blogger recently, but I can’t remember who, where, or when!

Here’s the link to the original post:

• 30 Day Writing Challenge

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

And, here’s my Day 1!

1. List 10 things that make you happy

Excellent!

This kind of ties into my recent “Happiness Tag” post, but I tried to write about 10 original things for this post.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Nature. I love landscapes, the outside world, sunsets, plants, gardens, flowers – I could go on and on and on. I studied the environment as part of my two-year Visual Arts class in high school, and it gave me a much greater appreciation for this planet that we call Earth. I love nature photography, too. Exploring parks gives me immense joy. I love traveling to my in-laws’ farm, because there’s nature EVERYWHERE!
2. Driving in my car in the spring and fall with the windows down, blasting my favorite music. It’s so wonderful to put my hair up, turn up the radio, and feel the fresh air on my skin as I’m driving somewhere! Bring on the cooler weather, stat!
3. Meghan Trainor. I recently found a mix of her songs on YouTube, and I haven’t stopped listening to it! She’s fantastic. I love the videos, her style, her voice, and the different messages that she incorporates. Al and I saw The Peanuts Movie earlier this year, and I instantly recognized her voice in “Better When I’m Dancin'”. I was bouncing along in my seat!
4. The colors green and gold. These two colors symbolize two of the best things in my life – The Green Bay Packers, and Alpha Sigma Tau! I’m so excited that football season is starting again!!
5. Long phone dates with my friends Lyndsey and Amanda. Amanda was my roommate during our junior year at Longwood, and Lyndsey is a wonderful mutual friend of ours. They are both amazing women, doing amazing things! The only problem is I live many hours and hundreds of miles away from them! We try to do regular phone dates, and just last week we committed to doing them once a month. They’re two of my closest friends, and talking to them on the phone is so personable and wonderful!
6. Pastel paintings. This ties in with #1, with my high school Visual Arts class. I chose pastels as my main medium for my final assessment for IB. I kept most of the paintings I did, and I want to get them out from under my old bed, frame them, and display them in our house! I also want to invest in a set of good pastels and start painting again.
7. The 8:30 service at my church. Right now, I serve on the church’s Media team, where once a month, I run the computers and projectors. I love the contemporary music that the band plays. I always get a rush from the energy, and I always leave the building feeling uplifted and inspired!
8. Podcasts. When I got my personal iPhone back in December, I quickly discovered the Podcasts app, and I love it for my commute back and forth to work. I have a lot from NPR – Serial, StoryCorps, This American Life, Fresh Air, Ask Me Another, Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!, Invisibilia, Embedded – but I have also discovered some other awesome ones: Casefile True Crime, Lore, Myths and Legends, The Nerdist, The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe, Remarkable Lives, Tragic Deaths; and Unsolved Murders: True Crime Stories. 
9. Having the ability to express myself freely, whether through speaking, writing, or any other form of communication.
10. Having a home that is becoming my sanctuary. I love having a place of our own, where Al and I have grown and will continue to grow as a couple and as husband and wife. I’m grateful that I’m able to drive to it every day from work. I feel safe and peaceful. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

That wraps up Day 1!

Come back tomorrow for Day 2!

Are you doing a blogging challenge for the month of September? I’d love to hear about it!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂