I've always been one to plan for the future. All of my biggest dreams are things that I want later in life, like when I'm in my mid-twenties, graduated from college, living on my own, completely free and independent.
I struggle to live in the moment to just enjoy life as it comes. I'm always telling myself the time for that will be later.
But what if there is no later? I could walk out of work tonight, get in a horrible car accident and die. I mean, I hope not, I've got fun plans this weekend, but it's a possibility. You don't know what life is going to throw at you.
And while planning for the future is always a good idea, sometimes we've got to just live in the moment. Whether it's just enjoying the fact that I've got a good job here that I'm learning a lot from, or the fact that I get to live at home for the summer.
Sometimes all of us just need to enjoy today and the beauty today holds.
At the beginning of every semester, there's a collective sigh from college kids everywhere as the price tag of their textbook collection goes up and up and up. I worked at a textbook store back in January during the spring rush and I saw several price tags in the $700-$800 range.
Thankfully I got a pretty decent discount on all my textbooks.
But I don't work there anymore and that means no textbook discounts. And there's no way I'm spending $700 on textbooks if I can avoid it.
Which is why I was excited to see that a textbook rental company wanted to work with me. What college kid doesn't want to save money on college books (40-90%)? And let's be real here, how many of us actually get around to selling textbooks to other students?
Great part about renting is that once the semester is done, you can ship it off (free shipping both ways anyone?) and never have to worry about that book again. It won't sit on your shelf collecting dust. Or if you're more like me, it won't sit on your floor and therefore you can't stub your toe on the corner as you stumble across your room at two in the morning going to the bathroom.
The one thing that's always kept me from renting textbooks is the fact that I can't highlight in them. Whenever I wanted to make a note, I'd have to stop what I was doing and go find a sticky note. With these textbooks, you can highlight in them to your heart's content.
They also have this great new program called Rent Back where you sell your book to them, but you get paid every time your book is rented out. Pretty awesome, eh?
This video explains rent back in a pretty awesome way.
And just a note from a former textbook store employee, what he says about textbooks being sold back at such ridiculous prices is true. Not the bookstore's fault!
Needless to say, I obviously need to start renting more!
Do you prefer to buy textbooks or rent them? And why?
1. I'm a speed demon on the road. But I can't stand being in the passenger seat with one. I've got trust issues.
2. I absolutely can not for the life of me stand silverware. The sound it makes hitting plates, hitting other silverware, someone scrapping it off their teeth. Silverware is the devil, I'm tellin' ya!
3. Every year I was in Girl Scouts, I was one of the best cookie sellers in my troop. I wouldn't take no for an answer!
4. When I was ten or eleven, I spent two weeks trying to convince everyone that I would now only answer to "Elizabeth" and "Laura" no longer existed (Elizabeth is my middle name).
5. In ninth grade, at the end of the year, we had a big re-ranking tournament, I ended up being the #1 girl on the JV team. And then I quit to go do theater (which I quit too).
6. Speaking of theater, my old music director at church used to write plays every year for the Christmas concert. One of them would end up being published and sold to other parishes. There was a character named "Laura" and I originated that roll.
7. For years, people told me I needed to watch Dexter because I would be hooked. I finally started a few weeks ago because I found it on demand at home. I'm halfway through the second season, but I doubt I'll finish all 7 before the new season comes on.
8. I've tried every trick in the book to get organized. Planners, books, binders, to-do lists but I just can't do it. And it drives me nuts. I find it ten times more work to stick something in a to-do list and remember to cross it off than to just remember to do it.
9. On that note of to-do lists, I'm trying really hard to get into the habit of keeping a list of the "6 Most Important Things" every day. It's a Mary Kay idea (well the phrasing at least) and I love the idea, I just have to keep up with it! Praying I have the strength and the remembrance to keep it up.
10. When I was.... four? I sang at a dance recital. Chuck Norris was in the audience (I danced with his granddaughter) and here I am, still not famous!
I don't really know where to start with this post, and I'm sure by the time I'm done writing it, I'll be bawling my eyes out, much to the discomfort of my co-workers.
So, I'll start with what I know to be fact.
I love my sister. She's one of my favorite people in the whole world.
I also know that I don't always let her know that. I know that we fight a lot lately and things have been tense.
She's 13 and we all know how hard it is to be a 13 year-old girl.
I just moved back home for the summer and that's hard too. I feel like there's no room in my family anymore. I know that me moving back home has been a huge adjustment for everyone in our family, especially Amy and I.
And I know that things have been tough for us, we're both going through such big changes in our lives. (Just so you know, the tears are already sliding down my face. Can we say crybaby?!) We but heads like a bunch of mountain goats (they're the ones that but heads right?!)
But despite all of this, I still love her. Yes, we fight, yes we say horrible things to one another and we make each other cry a little too much.
Back in junior year, my dad was always traveling, to the point where it felt like he was never there. Not his fault, the guy had to make a living. But we all struggled at first. I became a carpool mom.
There would be nights I'd take Amy to dance, run to pick up my baby brother from basketball, and turn back around to pick Amy up before we would all go home.
Over the many hours we spent in the car, Amy and I had fun jamming out to country songs. The one song that really became our jam was "Storm Warning" by Hunter Hayes. To this day, that song is our song. Other girls will go on and on about how they love Hunter for "Wanted" or "Somebody's Heartbreak" and Amy and I will have no hesitation to loudly (and off-key) burst into "Storm Warning."
Do I miss those days? Yes, life was a lot simpler and fun back then. But life is about moving forward, not going back. I hope and I pray that through this rough patch that we're going through, I pray that Amy and I can come out of it stronger. I don't know when the hard times will end, when I graduate college? When she graduates high school?
I don't know. And neither does she.
But it amazes me just how sweet my sister really is.
Every Sunday morning, we listen to the country countdown. I like to listen to the American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks on one station and she likes to listen to the Country Top 40 with Bob Kingsley on the other country station.
Both shows have listener requests every weekend. And Amy submitted one and they played it on the radio.
This is what she wrote in her letter:
Hi Bob,
I’m 13 years old and I’m just finishing up 7th grade, and my sister is 19 and just finished her freshman year of college. If you were to ask me, things aren't going so well between us.
Not that long ago, when I was in fifth grade, everything was perfect between us. We rarely argued and I always enjoyed being with Laura. Our dad would go out of town a lot so she would have to help my mom drive me and my 2 brothers around town. We’d jam out to country music as we drove all around north Texas. But ever since she started dealing with everything she had to in order to go to college, things have gotten tense between us.
I wish I could go back to those days where everything was good and have my fun sister back. I know that won't happen, but if you could play "Storm Warning" by Hunter Hayes we might just have one of our old jam sessions that always brought a smile to my face.
Thank you so much,
Amy
When he read that on the radio, I cried like a baby (hence the crybaby part). That dedication hands-down is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. And I'm so happy it was my baby sister that did it for me, I know that she's going to be an amazing woman one day.
So, Amy, through this long post, there's just a few things I want you to remember.
1. I know things are tough, but I want to work through it and I want you with me.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Firmoo.com with opinions of my own and of Firmoo's.
Firmoo June Classic & Chic Models -Free for New Customers
So, I don't know about y'all, but I'm a college kid. My favorite word is "free" which is why I was supper excited to team up with Firmoo and tell y'all about their first pair free system. You've probably heard of it, whether you realize it or not!
Every new customer gets a free pair of glasses (you do have to pay for shipping)! I just ordered my first pair last week and I'm so excited for them to come in (hint, the frames are partly purple!). Here are some of the most popular glasses that Firmoo sells.
Oversize frame (Nerd Glasses):
What Firmoo Says:
Oversized glasses have won wide following and endorsement from celebrities due to their flamboyant and bold impression. The large frames and sleek lenses make that superstar vibe instantly as you put them on. If you want to have a new look, oversized frames definitely worth a try.
What Laura says:
These glasses are lovingly called "nerd glasses" in my house. When they first came out, the looked a whole lot like the big, thick frames that nerds would wear (not hating, I love the nerds!). Of course, they've become a trend and they look a whole lot cuter now, but I still call them nerd glasses!
Rectangle frame:
What Firmoo says:
Rectangular glasses are the most common style you can see on the street. For a simple look, you can never go wrong with a pair of rectangular framed glasses. They are of traditional style, very charming. Sleek and slim rims outline a precise profile.
What Laura Says:
Every pair of glasses I've ever own have been rectangle. They're practical, they're cute (on most occasions!) and they look really good on me! I love rectangle frames just because they're simple and they work.
Vintage style:
What Firmoo says:
We are always fond of wearing stylish and chic glasses but we often ignore one particular type-vintage glass. Sometimes it's just so cool to go back in time and have a feel of what fashion was wayback. They are also the perfect way to complete your vintage outfit.
What Laura says:
I haven't owned any vintage glasses, and I don't think I could pull of the look, but I really like these glasses. I love the round shape and the simplicity of these glasses. Sometimes glasses don't need to be the big focal point and these glasses fit the bill!
Nerdy style:
What Firmoo Says:
A medium sized, round eye frame shows a charmingly studious look. If you want that geeky or school girl type of look, then take a look at the below nerdy style, though simple, these are very stylish and classic too.
What Laura Says:
So, they call these the nerdy style, but I still call the other ones the nerd glasses. These ones wouldn't look very good on me, but I like the circular style. I'm not big on edges and corners and these glasses are very minimal on edges and corners.
Still not sure that eyewear can be fashionable? Then check out how some of these fashionistas style them:
(The above model photos are all derived from Firmoo+.)
New Customers, check more productsfor your first free pair at Firmoo right now! You just need to pay shipping. First come, first served! (Simply clicking "LUCKY DRAW" on this page, you may even get a totally free pair including shipping free.)
About Firmoo
Firmoo is the World's Most Popular Online Eyeglasses Store. We have always been committed ourselves to offering customers the best quality products at the most affordable prices which start at 8 dollars- 80%-90% lower compared to that in local store.
