Well I did it...
I hit my $50 goal. It was a very small goal but it was important for me. I started playing for $$ back in June. I put on $15 and I never got higher than $22 in about 8 months.
After a few months here, reading articles, seeing hand histories etc... I reached my $15 earnings goal in just over a month, playing less than I ever have.
I wish I kept track of how many hands I played but Its probably about 1500 hands. I only started multitabling about 2 weeks ago. I did have some nice flops go my way but I also ran into a couple of beats so it evens out in my books...

I actually hit this milestone by playing 3 sng's. I busted just out of the money in a DON, won a regular SNG and placed 3rd in another. That pushed me to $51...
I decided to go for a quick session in full ring before updating my operation when this happened:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Tool (MP2) ($2.54)
MP3 ($2.94)
Villain (CO) ($4.65)
Button ($5.95)
Hero (SB) ($4.31)
BB ($0.84)
UTG ($0.87)
fishy fishy (UTG+1) ($2.06)
MP1 ($3.12)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K, K
1 fold, fishy fishy calls $0.02, 1 fold, Tool calls $0.02, 1 fold, Villain calls $0.02, 1 fold, Hero bets $0.14, 1 fold, fishy fishy calls $0.12, Tool calls $0.12, Villain calls $0.12

Flop: ($0.58) 5, 4, 9 (4 players)
Hero bets $0.46, fishy fishy raises to $0.92, Tool calls $0.92, Villain calls $0.92, Hero raises to $4.17 (All-In), fishy fishy calls $1 (All-In), Tool calls $1.48 (All-In), Villain calls $3.25

Turn: ($13.24) J (4 players, 3 all-in)

River: ($13.24) 8 (4 players, 3 all-in)

Total pot: $13.24 | Rake: $0.65

Results:
Hero had K, K (one pair, Kings).
fishy fishy mucked Q, 4 (one pair, fours).
Tool mucked 9, A (one pair, nines).
Villain had 6, 7 (straight, nine high).
Outcome: Villain won $12.59

It may have been risky b/c I could have been up against a set or two but I really felt, based on how bad two of them were that I was likely up against worse hands and a draw. The first player only min raised me which to me, given his nature, meant weakness. The two calls behind his raise told me about the same, they didn't have AA's and they had lower pairs or a draw.
The result sucks, maybe I shouldnt have pushed but I was very confident I was ahead and I was right!!
I wasnt too mad, I havent run the math but I think Villain was priced in b/c of the two others that called my shove. Yes sir, a pair of 4's is good enough to take this down....
Oh well. So I jumped back on today and hit some nice hands and really got paid off well.
Thats the whole difference, before, I didnt get paid off, now my bets are getting me more $$. Thats the biggest improvement in my game along with my preflop selection (less limps, raise with better holdings, etc...).

So I will update this: I now want to get to $100 and then move to 5nl...
I hope I can get there within 3 months (I dont play often).

Thanks to all who have helped with feedback!