My winter break ends today, and I’ll be back at work tomorrow morning. While I have several projects still left undone and didn’t get to connect with folks I had the best of intentions to get together with during the break, I did get to recharge. Now, I’m ready to leap into this new year and experience all it has to offer. I have PURPOSEFUL plans for 2020. For the third consecutive year, I have created a list of tasks/activities that I would like to complete to add more happiness to my life. Here is my 20 for 2020 list of which the last three items are carried over from last year:
1. Create a vision board.
2. Read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
3. Read So You Want to Start a Podcast by Kristen Meinzer.
4. Try intermittent fasting (Clean & Lean).
5. Lose 20 pounds.
6. Get professional headshots.
7. Take an improv class.
8. Organize the home office.
9. Organize the kitchen pantry.
10. Learn ways of living sustainably to be more eco-friendly.
11. Try 20 new restaurants.
12. Buy new bras.
13. Write a will.
14. Find a new eye doctor to schedule an appointment.
15. Host a Bunco party.
16. Have a Summer of Poe.
17. Take Becky Higgins Classroom: Photo Tips + Workflow
18. Complete Andrew’s Ireland scrapbook.
19. Organize my master bedroom closet.
20. Run a 5K.
Other Plans for 2020:
- On Goodreads I joined the 2020 Reading Challenge, and my goal is to read 50 books again this year. I met my goal of 50 books in 2019 on 31 December, so increasing my goal did not seem like a good idea.
- Shelly and I will be seeing Elton John in concert this June. I’m super excited that he decided to come back to New Orleans on his farewell tour.
- I will be attending my annual scrapbooking convention with my gal pals June 25th-June 28th.
- Andrew and I will be seeing the Impractical Jokers in August.
- I will strive to live each day with purpose.
Do you have plans in 2020, dear reader? Have you made some resolutions or a 20 for 2020 list? Does having a one-word theme appeal to you? If so, what word would you choose? Let me know what plans you have for 2020. Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of this beautiful weekend. I’ll be at Shelly’s house watching the Saints game. Happiness!
“Everything God does is purposeful. And since God is in each of us, each of us has a purpose.” ~ Iyanla Vanzant
Happy New Year’s Day, dear readers! 
month I read Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott. This book was recommended by Gretchen Rubin. I’m an instructional coach, not a boss; however, some of the advice that Scott gives can be used in my position. The book is broken into two parts: A New Management Philosophy and Tools and Techniques. It is basically a guidebook on how to mix praise and criticism in a way that produces better results and helps employees achieve. It is also about building strong relationships between bosses and employees. Kim Scott also cohosts the Radical Candor podcast with Russ Laraway. It is “a show about how not to hate the boss you have…or be the boss you hate.” There are currently 23 episodes. I actually listened to the podcast before reading the book. Interesting stuff!
There are only a few hours left of 2019. It started off on a happy note and ended on a bittersweet one. Today, Andrew and I took the sweet female pup that wandered into our lives last Monday to Northshore Humane Society. Everyone at the facility was very nice; however, it was hard to let her go because I got attached to her. They named her Nova. I contacted Briana later this afternoon to check on her and was told that she was doing awesome. She was picked up by her foster shortly after we dropped her off. While I miss her, I know this is the best decision for my family and for her. Please pray that she finds her forever home very soon. In closing, dear reader, enjoy the rest of 2019. Tomorrow begins a new decade and a wonderful new year of possibilities. Happiness!
In the midst of this jovial holiday season, we were entertaining an unexpected guest who arrived at our humble abode on Monday evening. A sweet female pooch wandered into my garage as I was closing up for the evening. Since she was making no attempt to leave any time soon and was friendly, I gave her some dog food and water and let her be, figuring she would return from whence she came. Wrong! When Andrew came home later that evening, she was still hanging around. I did some research on Lost Pets of Tangipahoa and found a picture of a lost dog that looked just like my new furry friend. I contacted Lost Pets of Tangipahoa to inquire about the dog on her site which was in fact the same dog. She had been found near the Ponchatoula Wal-Mart the week before, secured for five days, and released when no one came forward to claim her. The finder could not keep her because she had a male dog and this little lady appeared to be in heat.
On Thursday and Friday, I contacted local rescue groups to see if they could help me find a place for her. I also reached out to my FB friends and family to spread the word about her situation, hoping for suggestions, guidance, or someone who could take her. If I could not find a good home for her, I was left with no choice but to bring her to the local animal shelter and hope for the best. Sadly, our animal shelter in Tangipahoa Parish is a “limited intake shelter.” I was striking out with some groups (full or no fosters) and receiving no responses at all from others. Finally, I contacted Amanda with Lost Pets to tell her that I was running out of options, and we were going to have to bring her to the shelter by the end of the day on Friday. Amanda contacted Northshore Humane Society to see if they could help. At the same time, Shelly had a possible family that wanted her. The family fell through because they have three cats. Northshore came through with Amanda’s help; however, we would have to wait until Saturday to bring her to the facility.
Well, dear reader, the baby girl is still with us. I spoke with Briana at Northshore on Saturday morning, and she asked if we could keep the pooch for a couple more days until they could find a foster to take her. Of course, I said yes. Although every day that she stays with us, we get more attached to her, and she gets more attached to us. On Northshore’s FB page, it appears a foster was finally found yesterday evening, but we have not been directly contacted, yet. I’m hoping we will be contacted tomorrow morning, so we can get her placed in a good home (without cats) where she can receive the love that she deserves.
WOW! Cher is 73 years old and looks fabulous. Her performance was captivating from beginning to end. Her song choices, the elaborate costumes, the artistic dancers, the detailed set design, as well as the talented musicians and backup singers created a fantastic creative execution. Not being a huge Cher fan, I didn’t really know what to expect. Shelly was the only reason that I went to the concert. She wanted to go, so being the awesome friend that I am and my love of concerts, I said yes when she asked if I would go with her. And, I am so happy I said yes because I was blown away not only by Cher’s performance, but also by her story that she shared with the audience. She has given me a boost of inspiration.
There is more exciting news to announce today. Not only is November 1st the opening night of my play, but it is also the beginning of 
The Kat Files 