I apologize for not using today's word (la valla) properly!!!
Well, it is late in the day and unfortunately, I didn't realize the mistake I made with today's word "la valla" until just now. I had always used the word "la meta" or "las metas" when referring to goals, as in things I would like to achieve, etc. When I saw the definition for "la valla" and saw that it was defined as a fence, hurdle or goal, it never occurred to me that "goal" referred to scoring a point as in sports, rather than an objective to be achieved.
So in my post, I apologize for all of the confusion. 
I will certainly never forget this word, but I do feel bad about misusing the word. So, hopefully I will overcome this hurdle (la valla) and be able to focus on a new goal (la meta), namely to make sure I know the correct definition of a word before posting a question.
¡Tenga un gran primer de noviembre! 
Nicole
14 Answers
My Grandpa used to tell me:
"To make a mistake ain't dumb. But to make a mistake and not learn from it... Now that's dumb!'
So, based on that criterion, I would definitely put you in the 'Not-Dumb' category. 
You guys probably know as well as anyone that a new language is full of booby traps. I bet you this was not the first time this happened and it won't be the last. Take Chinese for example; one word can have ten different applications but not all of them will be exactly as we use them in our language. It is a process of trial and error. That's the only way to learn. The point is that we have to be careful not to become hesitant to use the language because of fear of making a mistake; that will be the real mistake. Then, we will start doubting ourselves and it will slow down our progress. Have Spanish, will travel! (for those who remember) 
Well as least you scored one objective even though it appears to be an own goal.
Is there any non-native Spanish speaker here who hasn't visited Heidita's corner yet?
Amateurs! When you get your own personalized dunce cap with your name embroidered on it and a reserved stool like I have, then we'll talk.
I have been in the "dunce corner" for a year and two months -- since I joined SpanishDict. It has never been lonely here in the "dunce corner".
Shame on you for making a mistake! In the words of Fred Sanford, You Big Dummy!
Hehe, I have a shirt with this saying on it and wear it all the time because I too, am a Big Dummy... 
Look on the bright side. So we made a mistake. What do we do with mistakes? Hopefully we learn from them.
I will never again use la valla as goal (future aims) again.
jejeje, very funny post Moe
Nicole, the definition was confusing, actually, even I did not know what the "goal" was doing there until robertico pointed it out.
In Spain we say "portería" for a football goal.
Never mind, Nicole, you are very nice, no need for apologizing.
"poco a poco se anda lejos"... we've all been there!
I understand that Heidita does not have anyone booked at his time nor is there a reservation for the dunce corner.
Feel free to spend a little time there in sackcloth and ashes. We get an extra hour tonight so that you may spend it in Heidita's favourite Isle of Elba. You are banished for one hour.
Oh, yeah. And don't do it again.
Didja think we'd letcha forget??
She has never put me in the dunce-corner...I believe she had another corner reserved for me, I love this site!!
Is there any non-native Spanish speaker here who hasn't visited Heidita's corner yet?
Aquí es una regla cuál me gusta:
Nunca disculparse. Tus amigos no lo(?) necisitan; las otras no lo crearán.
Somos amigos aquí, Nicole.
(Corrections de mi texto will be appreciated.)
In this worid if we don't help one another we are not going to get too far. - robertico
Did I say we missed you, roberto? Yeah...I think I did. 
Oh, and Phil, you have not been to the dunce corner yet, as you never posted in Spanish
