20 Before 20

Hello Lovelies!

Well, what can I say, the fact that my birthday was in March and I'm just now posting this isn't very promising...

I was looking through my drafts today and I realized that for some reason I never posted my 20 Before 20 list!

Plan a trip.

Visit somewhere new.

Read 20 books for pleasure.

Purchase my first pair of high heels.

Lose 30 pounds.

Get my nose pierced.
Get a small tattoo.
Buy a new car,

Start apartment hunting.
Pay off my credit card debt.
Save $400.
Start college.
Maintain a good GPA in my first semester back in a traditional school setting.
Visit a trampoline park.
Go to my first concert.
Be able to run a mile.
Get a real haircut instead of a trim. (Maybe go red too!)
Say yes more!
Actually do what's on my list!

I'm gonna try to do an update in a few months to show my progress, I've actually crossed a few off already! It's go time! Can I complete my 20 Before 20 challenge before March 13, 2017!

Have you attempted a challenge like this before?

Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

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May Goals

Hello Lovelies!

I cannot believe I haven't posted a monthly goals in months! Actually, I can believe it. I didn't realize until yesterday that I only posted Links to Love and Weekly Inspiration posts last month. 

Anyway, here's my goals for May!

Read 3 books.
I've been slacking in the reading department, so maybe this month I can get back to it.

Write 5 blog posts this month.
Last month I posted five times, but I only posted Weekly Inspiration posts and Links to Love. I didn't have any real content. I want to do my best this month and try to branch out.

Get back to blogging.
I want to get back into all things blogging. Reading other blogs, commenting on other blogs, link-ups, posting more, etc.

Work on Blog Design.
I still haven't got my blog design fixed from my major screw up a few months ago.

Finish my FAFSA.
I know, I know, I'm late on this one, but I already had the financial aid office at my local community college tell me that I won't qualify for any free money, my only option is loans.

Send in my high school transcript.
Now this is an easy one.

Work on managing my anxiety.
Here lately my anxiety has been acting up a lot. I'm hoping that this month I can focus on learning to manage my anxiety.

Lose 2 pounds. 
I've been going to the gym for a little over a month now and I can feel myself getting stronger and I love it!

Buy a new pair of shoes.
My current tennis shoes are worn out, between working 8 hour shifts on my feet and going to the gym 4-5 times a week, I need a new pair.

Find a new car. 
Let's be honest my Suzuki sucks, it's time for a new car.

XoXo,

Lori

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A Little Bit of Inspiration + A Big Life Decision

Hello Lovelies!
Need a little bit of inspiration? I've got you covered. I've been feeling a bit uninspired lately, so I thought I'd share with you some quotes that always get me inspired.

I've been thinking and I'm tired of putting off things I want to do and I'm tired of settling. I've been working on myself and I'm trying to do better for me, I'm doing what I think is best for me mentally and physically at the moment.

Lately I've been feeling a little bit down, I feel like every time someone asks me about my plans for the next few years all I get is negative feedback or snotty remarks. But I'm done with that. I'm done caring what other people think, I'm going to do this my way and if they don't like it then I don't need them in my life.

I think the biggest decision I've made that is causing me to get the most negative comments from the people around me is that I decided to put off college for a year. I didn't come to this decision easily, but at the end of the day I think it's what's best for me and my health.

I'm going to spend this next year working, saving money, and studying so that I can retake the ACT and get a higher score so that I can get better financial aid and scholarships.

It's taken me a few months to make this decision, but I think I'm finally at peace with it and hopefully everything goes the way I want it to.
XoXo,
Lori

I'm 18, Now What? College? Gap Year?

Hello lovelies!

As some of you may know my 18th birthday was on March 13th and since then I've been thinking a lot. I'm an adult now, but I don't feel any different. 

I've been thinking over the past few weeks about what I want to do with my life, and honestly I have no freaking idea what I want to do!

Do I want to go to college this year? Or Should I take a gap year?

The problem isn't that I don't want to go to college, I do, but I don't want to settle and go somewhere that I'm not going to be happy at.  I only applied to four colleges, and I'm only seriously considering two of them, one I've been accepted to, and one I'm still waiting to hear back from.

Here's what really got me thinking, I got my financial aid package for the college I've been accepted to a few weeks ago and it looks like for freshman year alone I'm going to have to take out a $15,000 loan just to attend. Next year will be worse because my mom just re-married. I don't want to be in debt for the rest of my life, and if I attend that college by the time I graduate I'll be over $50,000 in debt. I don't like that and since I'm thinking about going to Graduate school or Medical school after getting my bachelor's it makes the decision harder.

So what's the plan?

I'm thinking about taking a gap semester or gap year to get my finances in check and once I do I'm going to move to Nashville, Tennessee. Once I get there I'll spend a few months working and then enroll in college. If I get rejected from Belmont University, then I plan on applying to Nashville State Community College, it'll be cheaper and then later on I can transfer to a bigger school.

My other option is staying in my hometown for a year or two, attend the local community college, save some money, and then transfer out of state. However, I really don't want to do that, I want to be in Nashville, I've known for years that that's where I want to be and I want to make that happen.

Gif Credit

Honestly I don't know what's going to happen right now, I can't predict the future and there's nothing more I can do to convince Belmont to accept me. I just have to wait and see what happens. I have to let go and let God, it truly is up to Him at this point.

So my questions is, I'm 18, now what?

XoXo,

Lori

April Goals

Hello lovelies!

It's April! I have just under three months of high school left and so much to do, I have 10 classes left to finish, plus I'm still trying to decide what to do about college!

This month I'm hoping to get back on track with school, my health, and this blog! I can already tell that this month is going to be great! How do I know? Because I've already accomplished two things that I've been putting off for three years, and at the moment I feel like I'm on top of the world!

Here's the thing, I realized that I'm the only thing standing between myself and success, I'm 18 now, and it's time I start acting like it. So I did what I had to do, and I completed something that I had been terrified of doing, and I realize now how stupid that fear was. I completed the task in an hour, and I felt so much better afterwards!

So, my advice to y'all for the month of April is to do something you're scared of, or something that you've been putting off! Trust me, once you get it done and over with you're going to feel so much better!

Lose 4 Pounds.
I've started working out more and I really want to see some results this month. Four pounds isn't much, but it's a start.

Workout twice a week.
I've been working out twice a week for a month now, some weeks I do more, some weeks I don't. My plan for this month is to keep doing the 2x weekly workouts and I'm really hoping that I can get a gym member ship this month and then I can do more.

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 2.
I finished Part 1 pretty quickly, so I'm expecting to get this one done just as fast.

Start & Finish Vocabulary Studies Part 1 & Part 2.
I wanted to start this class last month, but I couldn't, so I'm starting it now, and it seems like it's going to be a pretty easy class.

Start & Try to Finish Algebra 2 Part 1.
Bleh, I'm not looking forward to this one, but my goal is to do it and get it done as quickly as possible.

Start College Prep US Gov. & Economics Part 1.
I'm pushing it with this one, I probably won't make it to this one this month, but I can try!

Spend More Time On Social Media.
The last two months I've been neglecting my blog and my social media, I didn't do it on purpose, but it happened, and I want to spend more time this month focusing on social media.

Try to get my drivers permit.
I'm actually going this morning to take the written test, so hopefully by the end of the day I'll be driving!

Design A New Blog Header.
It's time for a new blog header, I've been trying to decide on a new header since December, so this month I'm going to finally get it done!

Update About Me Page.
I haven't updated my About Me page in about a year, so it's definitely time to get that done.

Read five books.
I read four books last month, so this month I decided to aim for five!

Open my own bank account.
I have my own debit card and my name is on my moms bank account, but I really want to get my own bank account opened up and start saving some money.

Be employed by the end of the month.
I've put in a few applications already and I'm going to keep putting them until I find something, I really need to start saving some money.

Be Productive.

I have 14 goals this month, I really need to focus on managing my time so that I can make as much progress as I possibly can this month. I have so much to do, but if I manage my time and don't get distracted I can do it!

What are your goals for April? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

Senior Year Madness

Hello lovelies!

Today I want to take some time to talk to y'all about what's been going on. Recently I haven't been on as much and I haven't been keeping up with my blogging schedule. I feel really bad about not being on lately, but things are improving and things will be back to normal soon!

Honestly last month was horrible, I feel like I accomplished nothing and I'm not happy with how things went. But, it's a new month and I'm ready to get back on track.

Basically senior year has been really stressful, but I'm finally starting to get back on track and things are going back to normal!

So here's a little inspiration to get you through till next week! 

Next week I have a few special blog posts planned and I can't wait to share them with you!

XoXo,

Lori

February Goals Update

Hello lovelies!

Sorry I haven't been posting recently, last week's snow and ice messed with our internet dish and so we haven't had any internet for a week!

I've missed blogging so much, it's been driving me crazy not being able to write! I'm hoping that this weekend I can get some blog posts scheduled for next week and get back on track soon! Senior year is really kicking my butt!

Anyway here's this months goals update!

Lose Weight

Buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1

Finish English 2 Part 2

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1
Read two books.

Move and get settled into new house.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

Try to downsize my book collection.

Go through and clean out my closet.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

11 out of 14 accomplished!

Lose Weight.

Yes I did lose weight this month. I really need to make a full post about this, but for now I'll just give you a few details. So when I saw the doctor earlier this month I hadn't weighed myself in about two months and so when  I saw the doctor I found out that I had apparently gained back the 13 pounds I lost last year, plus and extra four pounds.
I was NOT happy when I saw that number on the scale, that is the highest I've ever weighed and I don't like it, so I've been making changes this month and so far I've lost two pounds. I don't plan on doing a weight loss update this month, but I will next month.

Buy a new stationary bike.

Sadly I didn't get a new bike this month, I had other things I needed more and so the bike took a back burner.

Finish Chemistry Part 1.

I've finished this class and now I'm just waiting to get my final grade back.

Finish English 2 Part 2.

For this class I have four assignments that I'm waiting to hear back on and then I will be done with the course.

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2.

I've started the course but haven't finished because I'm still waiting to get grades back on assignments.

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1.

Nope didn't happen!

Read two books.

This month I read Colton Holiday Lockdown and One Frosty Night. I've also been reading Ethan Frome and I hope to finish it by the weekend!

Move and get settled into new house.

I think I have two boxes left to unpack and then I'll have everything together in my bedroom, bathroom, and office.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

I'm really happy with my new background, but I still need to design a new header. I did add a new header, I just don't like it, so I need to work on it. I also need to work on some of my widgets and re-code a few of them.

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

I went into Victoria's Secret last Saturday while I was in Evansville and I got measured. However, I'm still not going to be able to order online because I had to buy two different sizes. With one of the bras I bought, I was able to get the same cup size I've been buying for years, and for the other I had to go down one size, so really it's just going to depend on the type of bra I buy.

Try to downsize my book collection.

I finished this the first week of the month! In total I got rid of 24 books and I'm hoping to get rid of a few more soon!

Go through and clean out my closet.

I've cleaned my closet out a little. I got rid of a lot of stuff I haven't worn in years. I've also done a lot of shopping this month, buying things I need, and a few things I've been wanting!

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Last weekend was awesome! I had so much fun, I still haven't decided if UE is where I'm going to attend, but I can definitely say that I can see myself being happy there if I choose to attend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

My college apps are completely done, now all I have to do is sit and wait!

So that's it for today, I have a book scheduled for tomorrow, so you have that to look forward to!
Did you accomplish your February Goals?

XoXo,

Lori

February Goals

Hello lovelies,
Today I'm just going to dive right on in because I don't have much time left before I lose access to the internet.

Okay, so I want to let you know that I  probably won't be posting this week. As I mentioned in Friday's post I moved over the weekend, because of this move I'm not going to have access to the internet for about a week or two. I'm going to try to find a way to get on, but for the meantime I will probably only be posting once a week.

Normally I would plan for this, but this move was unexpected and we didn't realize that AT&T doesn't offer internet where we're moving, so we have to find someone else to do our internet through! It really sucks, but there's nothing we can do about it, I just really hope we can get an internet connection back soon!

Here's my goals for February!

Lose Weight

Buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1

Finish English 2 Part 2

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1
Read two books.

Move and get settled into new house.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

Try to downsize my book collection.

Go through and clean out my closet.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

14 Goals!

Lose Weight.
I didn't lose any weight last month, so this month I really want to focus on exercising and getting fit.

Buy a new stationary bike.
In order to accomplish goal #1 I'm going to need some new equipment, I've decided it's time to buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1
This was a goal I set for last month and it didn't happen, but it will this month!

Finish English 2 Part 2.
This is another goals I set last month and didn't finish, but I will get it done!

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2.
I really hope I can finish this class this month, I'm ready to get it done and over with!

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1.
This is a new class that I just got opened, so I'm excited and I hope I can get it finished this month!

Read two books.
I only read one book last month, so I really want to get back on track with that this month.

Move and get settled into new house.
I love out new house, we're moving from a two bedroom apartment into a four bedroom  house, I'm so happy we'll finally have room to breathe!

Work on blog design (Header & Background).
This month I want to work on my blog design. Winter is almost over, so the background isn't going to work for much longer, and overall I'm ready for a change.

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.
This is something I've been wanting to do for a few years and I just haven't done it. This month I'll be going up to Evansville, Indiana, and they have a Victoria's Secret in the mall there, and I'm planning on going in there to get sized/fitted for the first time in my life.

Try to downsize my book collection.
With the move I realized I really need to downsize my book collection, it's time.

Go through and clean out my closet.
Again, this is something I really need to do, I have so many clothes I never wear and I just really want to get rid of them.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.
I'll be spending a weekend in Evansville at the University of Evansville and I really want to make the most of it!

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

I think all I have left is sending in my transcripts, but I want to check in with all the admissions counselors and make sure they have everything they need.

Sadly, that's it for today, I'll try to post again soon, but I don't know when that will be.
What are your goals for February? Let me know below and I'll respond as soon as I can!

XoXo,

Lori

January Goals Update

Hello lovelies,

This month has been great, I feel like 2015 is off to a great start and I'm really excited to see what February has in store for us!

In case you didn't see them earlier this month, here are the goals I set for January, keep reading to see how I did!

New Blog Header

Finish Chemistry Part 1.

Finish Geometry Part 2.
Finish English 2 Part 2.
Start Spanish 2 Part 1.

Try to go take my permit test.
Work out twice a week.
Get more sleep.
Find a new neurologist.
Finish Belmont University application.
Finish WKU application.

Use Instagram more.
Read three books.

File the FAFSA.

Find out when RoadTrip is for UE.

9 out of 15

New Blog Header.

I did it, I made my new blog header, I'm not 100% happy with it, but it will do till I have a little more time to spend designing one that I love.

Finish Chemistry Part 1. 

I have one more quiz left and then I'm done!

Finish Geometry Part 2.

I'm so happy I'm done with this class, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I still didn't like it.

Finish English 2 Part 2.

Meh, I don't know what happened here. Actually I do, I hate poetry, I love all the other parts in my English classes, but once I get to the poetry parts I procrastinate. Thankfully I've got past that and now all I have left is to read Ethan Frome and Julius Caesar.

Start Spanish 2 Part 1.

Since I haven't got my final grade back on my Geometry class I can't get a new class opened. I should get this class opened next week.

Try to go take my permit test.

I was going to go but honestly I think I'm just gonna wait till my birthday cause then I won't have to deal with the local board of education. If I wait till my birthday then I don't have to deal with them. Plus, there was a 17-year old who was killed in a freak car accident nearby that kind of freaked me out this month.

Work out twice a week.

No. This did not happen at all and I have no excuse for it.

Get more sleep.

I've actually surprised myself this month, I've been trying to get in bed before 3am and I think I've managed to do that about 10 times this month. It's nothing major, but it's a start!

Find a new neurologist.

I did locate a neurologist that I'm interested in seeing and I'm currently waiting to hear back from them so that I can get an appointment scheduled.

Finish Belmont University application.

DONE! I'm really excited about my application, I'm so nervous, I really want to get in, but I'm not sure if I'm good enough, plus I'm applying really late in the application season so that only makes my anxiety even worse. 

Finish WKU application.

I actually decided not to apply to WKU after all. The truth is the only reason I was going to apply was because it was in-state and because of the tuition. I thought about it and I decided that wasn't a good enough reason for me, I'm not going to waste $45 on an application for a school that I don't want to attend, so I didn't and I'm really happy with my decision.

Use Instagram more.

I actually did use Instagram more this month, I still want to post more and get better at using it, but overall I'm happy with this months results.

Read three books.

This month I was in a book slump, I only read two books.

File the FAFSA.
I'm gonna go ahead and mark this one as done even though technically it isn't. I'm planning on doing this tonight, we're moving and I wanted to wait till I knew our new address before filing just to make things a little bit easier and to save a little time.

Find out when RoadTrip is for UE.

RoadTrip is going to be February 20-22, it's closer than I thought it would be, but I'm ready, now I just gotta get signed up!

Did you accomplish your goals this month?

XoXo,

Lori

January Goals

Hello lovelies,
I hope your first weekend of 2015 was a great success! I spent the weekend doing Chemistry, Geometry, and English homework. I also spent some time scheduling some blog posts for this month!

Last week I shared with you my goals for 2015, and today I'm going to share with you my goals for January! Honestly, I didn't even realize till after I had typed out all of my goals and goal explanations that I had picked 15 goals, I think that's very fitting considering it's the first month of 2015!

Here's my January goals!

New Blog Header

Finish Chemistry Part 1. 

Finish Geometry Part 2.
Finish English 2 Part 2.
Start Spanish 2 Part 1.

Try to go take my permit test.
Work out twice a week.
Get more sleep.
Find a new neurologist.
Finish Belmont University application.
Finish WKU application.

Use Instagram more.
Read three books.

File the FAFSA.
Find out when RoadTrip is for UE.

New Blog Header.

I need a new blog header because last month I made a themed one with a Santa hat. After Christmas I changed it to a plain white with black text header and now I'm thinking it needs something more. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but I need something more, I might just make it bigger, I really don't know, we'll see how it goes!

Finish Chemistry Part 1.
I started this on January 2 and so far I'm really loving it, I've already finished one lesson and I'm almost finished with my second lesson, so only five more to go after that!

Finish Geometry Part 2

I should be finished with this in about a week, I don't have much left, but since I took a two week break for the holidays I didn't finish it last month like I'd planned.

Finish English Part 2.
All I have to do in this is write two papers and read one full book and excerpts from two other books. I'll definitely have it done by the end of the month.

Start Spanish 2 Part 1.
I can start this either later this week or early next week, my Spanish classes really aren't that hard, I should definitely be done by the second week of February.

Try to go take my permit test.
I've talked about this before, but basically because I'm not enrolled in school in the county I live in the I haven't been able to get my permit. I'm going to try again and if I can't get it this time then I guess I'll just wait till my 18th birthday in March and then there's nothing they can do about it to stop me.

Work out twice a week.
It might not seem like much, but I'm starting out slow, I don't want to get burnt out and give up. So I'm starting with twice a week and then I'll work my way up!

Get more sleep.
I have the weirdest sleeping schedule and being an online student doesn't help any. I usually stay up till 3am, then sleep till 7am, eat breakfast, then go back to sleep for a few more hours. I'm a nigh-towl and I love staying up late, but I also love to sleep, and I get my best sleep at night when it's dark outside. So this month I'm going to work on getting more sleep and trying to get into bed before 3am.

Find a new neurologist.
I haven't seen a neurologist since 2011 and I really need a checkup. I never was a fan of my old neurologist and sadly he died last year, so I can't see him anymore, to be honest I don't even know how I'm going to get my medical records since he run a private practice and it's now closed. Anyway I think I'm going to look in Nashville and get a doctor down there, Vanderbilt is the best, so we'll see how that goes!

Finish Belmont University application.
Speaking of Nashville, I decided on New Years eve that I was going to go ahead and apply to Belmont. I can't put my application in till Friday when my mom gets paid and has the money for the app fee, but thankfully I was able to get my essay done, and hopefully I'll have an admissions decision by the middle of next month!

Finish WKU application.
This is another one I have to wait till Friday on, but honestly I haven't even started it, thankfully there's no essay or else I would be in big trouble!

Use Instagram more.
Last month I didn't really use Instagram all that much. I want to try to use it more this month because I love discovering new people and because it's pretty much an essential for every blogger.

Read three books.
This should be pretty easy to accomplish, I finished book number one over the weekend, and I have to read Ethan Frome for English class this week, so then I'll only have one more left and my goal for the month will be complete!

File the FAFSA.
Every high school senior and every college students nightmare come January 1st! I'll be doing this one day this week probably tomorrow or Wednesday, it just depends on what day my mom gets off work.

Find out when RoadTrip is for UE.
Road Trip is something that the University of Evansville does every year for high school seniors who have been accepted. We get to spend the weekend in the dorms and experience college life for the weekend!

Whew! That's a lot to do this month, but I can do it! I've made a plan on how I plan to get it all done this month and hopefully I can stick to that plan!

What are your goals for January? Let me know in the comments below!

XoXo,

Lori

Happy New Year + Goals for 2015

Hello lovelies, it's crazy to think another year has come to close, but 2014 was a great year for me! I learned a lot, I grew a lot as a person, and overall it was the best year yet!

I believe every year brings a new opportunity to start fresh, this year is the year I learn to take care of myself before others, I'm going to make sure of that! I believe there's always room for change and improvement, and that's what I plan to do, change and improve!

This new year is a chance to 'get it right', I will graduate, I will learn to drive, I will do so many things I've wanted to do for so long, without caring what other people think about me. This is my year, 2015 is going to be my year, and no one's going to get in my way!

I'm letting go of my past, and I'm letting go of the people in my life who can't let go the old me. I'm ready for a new start, and I'm gonna get it, I'm tired of waiting around for someone to save me from myself. I'm going to be my own hero and I'm going to make my dreams come true, this is me, this is who I'm supposed to be!

Today I decided I would share with you my goals for 2015! Usually I make a very vague list and I never accomplish any of it, so this year I decided to make clear goals! I've organized my goals into categories, and I've decided that I'm going to do a few updates on my goals throughout the year, my first update will probably be in March or April!

Here's my goals for 2015!!!!

Blog Related

- Reach 150 blog followers.

-Write five guest posts.

-Buy a new camera and learn how to use it.

- Network, network, network.

-Clean up everything, blog content, blog design, social media profiles, EVERYTHING!

School Related

-Graduate high school.

-Decide where I'm going to college.

-Sign up for at least one class in graphic design or website development.

-Find a tutor for math.

-Stop being so antisocial and make friends!

Health Related

-Lose 60 pounds or more.

-Be in a size 10 by the end of the year (Currently 18)

-Find a doctor willing to do allergy shots.

-Get fitted for a bra for the first time ever.

-Find and see a new neurologist.

Okay, so you've seen my new years resolutions, here's a few more things I want to do this year!

Things I Want to Do:

-Open a savings account.

-Buy a new laptop

-Find a pair of glasses and start wearing them.

-Read 60 books.

-Get a job.

-Get my license.

-Look into buying a car.

-Go to Atlanta for my graduation!

-Nashville (Taylor Swift concert & maybe move there for college).

-Get my hair back to being completely blonde.

-Clean out my closet
-Put more of an effort into finding a church.
-Try Pilates.
-Buy my blog URL.
-Sign up for Google AdSense.

My #1 goal for the year is:

To get my shit together. I'll be 18 on March 13, it's time to get my shit together!

If last year was a terrible year for you, then I hope you're able to leave it in the past where it belongs, it's a new year, you can do anything, you just gotta go out there and do it!

XoXo,

Lori

December Goals Update

Hello lovelies,
I can't believe this year is pretty much over! It feels like just last week we were celebrating the beginning of 2014 and now here we are saying our goodbyes!

This year has been, for a lack of better words, crazy! I've learned so much over the past year, and I really do think that 2015 is going to be the best year yet!

But before we get ahead of ourselves we still have a few days left in 2014, and so let's take a look at my goals for December!

Finish Geometry Part 2.

Finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2.

Start and Finish Chemistry Part 1.
Be a better blogger.
Send in ALL ACT scores.
Read two books.
Finish any college apps not completed.
Make final decision about WKU.

Start planning and drafting January posts.

Workout two times a week.

Complete BLOGMAS!

6 out of  11 Goals Finished.

Finish Geometry Part 2.

Almost done, but I took all last week off to enjoy Christmas. Plus I really needed a break, it was starting to give me anxiety and the last thing I want right now is to have a panic attack.

Finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2.

I'm almost done with Part 1, with the holidays my teachers have been out and I they haven't been grading as often. Right now for Part 1 all that's left is my final (super easy) and I have one speech that I have to upload, I've just been waiting because my teacher hasn't been grading, so there was no point in uploading it.

Part 2 I haven't even started yet, but I think it's going to be pretty easy. It's over four units. One unit is poetry, then the other three are books, or excerpts from books I have to read. One full length book (Ethan Frome) and then the other two are excerpts. I should be able to knock that out in about two weeks.

Start and Finish Chemistry Part 1.

I've started the course and so far it seems like it's going to be pretty easy, I don't think I'll have any trouble with it and I should be done with it in 3-4 weeks.

Be a better blogger.

I definitely feel like I was a better blogger this month. I spent more time blogging, I spent more time on all of my different social media accounts, and I spent more time reading and commenting on other blogs!

Send in ALL ACT scores.

Yeah, that didn't happen. Thankfully I only have two left to send in, so it's no big deal. I did send in two others, so progress was made, I just didn't finish it.

Read two books.

Honestly I didn't think I would accomplish this one, I didn't think I would have the time to read, but I actually read more than two books.

Finish any college apps not completed.

I only have one app left to finish and that's for WKU. I wasn't planning on applying, but I decided it would be a good idea to apply to at least one in-state school.

Make final decision about WKU.

I decided to go ahead and apply, I have till January 15 to get everything in, and thankfully my regular app doubles as my scholarship app, so it makes it a little easier!

Start planning and drafting January posts.

I've already started planning for January and I have a few book reviews ready to go up, I just can't post them yet because the books haven't been released yet!

Workout two times a week.

I worked out a few times this month, but sadly the past two weeks I haven't been able to do anything due to my bad knee. My knee has been swollen and hurting really bad, I've been icing it, but it's not really helping any.

Complete BLOGMAS!

YES, I completed Blogmas!

That's it for today, did you accomplish your goals for this month? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

5 Words: Week 98

Hello lovelies,
This week has been incredible, so many amazing things have happened and words cannot express how happy I am! So what has made me so happy this week?

I got into my #1 college pick, the University of Evansville!!! I honestly didn't think I was going to get in, my ACT scores were awful, and I don't have many extracurriculars, so getting that letter yesterday made my year. I've been dreaming of getting into UE since I first visited the campus in sixth grade!

Anyway, here's this week's 5 Words...

Nidificate - To build a nest.

Chansonette - A little song; ditty.

Iwis - Certainly.

Hypogeum - An underground burial chamber.

Immix - To mix in; mingle.

That's it for today! Come back tomorrow for more Blogmas fun!

XoXo,

Lori

December Playlist

Hello lovelies,
I hope you had a great weekend, I spent mine reading and trying to sleep away a cold! This week I have lots of fun stuff coming up for you and I'm really excited.
Today I will be giving you my December Playlist, I hope you enjoy it!

Selena Gomez - The Heart Wants What It Wants

Katie Armiger - One Night Between Friends

Sara Evans - Put My Heart Down

Rascal Flatts - Unstoppable

Carrie Underwood - Something in the Water

Taylor Swift - Silent Night

Jennifer Lawrence - The Hanging Tree

Daughtry - I'll Fight

That's it for today,sorry I don't have much time to talk to y'all I have a college admissions phone interview today that I'm really nervous about!

So what are you listening to this month? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

December Goals

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Decemeber!!!!! BLOGMAS has officially begun!
This month is going to be crazy busy, I have so much to do, plus so much to catch up on from last month! This week I'll be giving you one book review, one beauty wishlist, and three (technically four) holiday gift guides!

Anyway, before I start rambling, here's this month's goals!

Finish Geometry Part 2.

Finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2.

Start and Finish Chemistry Part 1.
Be a better blogger.
Send in ALL ACT scores.
Read two books.
Finish any college apps not completed.
Make final decision about WKU.

Start planning and drafting January posts.

Workout two times a week.

Complete BLOGMAS!

Enjoy Christmas!

Finish Geometry Part 2.
This is going to be super easy I don't have much left to do.

Finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2.
I haven't touched Part 2 yet, but Part 1 is almost done, all I have left is two writing assignments, one speech and a short story!

Start and Finish Chemistry Part 1.
This is going to be a tough task to accomplish, first I have to get one of my other courses closed out so I can start, but I have hope that I'll get it done!

Be a better blogger.
Last month I didn't do as great of a job as I wanted to. I wasn't active on social media and I didn't really connect with any other bloggers, this month I want to be better at that, it's really important to me and I'm making it a priority.

Send in ALL ACT scores.
I really need to get this done, but it's so expensive! I think I'm just going to do a few every week and we'll see how it goes.

Read two books.
Because of my heavy school load this month I'm not expecting to have a lot of time to read, but reading is important to me and it keeps me sane, so I'm going to try to read at least two books.

Finish any college apps not completed.
Right now I only have three college apps that need to be finished, two I have to write an essay for and the other (WKU), I haven't even started yet.

Make final decision about WKU.
I decided last minute that I was going to apply to WKU, I'm still not 100% positive about it, but when I think about it realistically I know it's a good idea and I need to.

Start planning and drafting January posts.
I've already started brainstorming a few ideas, I want to stay ahead and not have another situation like this past summer where I barely blogged.

Workout two times a week.
I want to workout at least twice a week, I'm hoping I can get back to the gym, but if I don't at-home workouts will be fine too.

Complete BLOGMAS!
I REALLY want to finish Blogmas, I'm so excited and I have so many exciting things planned for this month!

Well, that's it for today! What are your goals for December? Let  me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

November Goals Update

Hello lovelies, I hope you've all had a great month, it's time for me to update you on my goals for this month!

This month I had a lot that I needed to do and honestly I didn't get most of it done. Unfortunately that means next month I have to do double the work to get back on track. I did accomplish a lot of what I wanted to do but at the same time I was also limited in what I could do, due to being sick.

I know I mentioned towards the end of last month that I was sick and at the time I was getting better. Unfortunately that didn't last long. After I got over that cold I had a stomach bug for two weeks and then I got the same cold immediately after that! The cold I have has all the symptoms of the flu, just without the fever, the first time they treated it with antibiotics, but the second go around they said that because the amoxicillan didn't kill it giving me another antibiotic wouldn't help, so I would just have to wait it out. So that's what I've been doing, Dayquil, Nyquil, and Tylenol have been my best friend this month and hopefully I don't get another round of this mess!

Overall, this month has been both awful and amazing! A lot of good things happened and a lot of bad things, but overall I;d say it was an okay month. I had one really good weekend this month where I felt pretty good and I accomplished quite a bit!

Here's this months goals and below is an update on them.

Finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2

Finish Geometry Part 1 & Part 2

Make final college app decisions

Finish college app essays.
Finish all college apps.

Read six books.

Try to start exercising again.

Use MyFitnessPal for 15 days.

Write at least 5,000 for NaNoWriMo.

4 of 10 goals accomplished this month.

Finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2
Unfortunately I did not finish this, I finished half of Part 1, but I got stuck on the short story I have to write, so I'm running behind. Once I get this short story out of the way I should be done in no time, but sadly it just didn't happen this month.

Finish Geometry Part 1 & Part 2
I finished Part 1, and I've started Part 2, I underestimated just how long this course was going to take me, but I should have it done in about three weeks!

Make final college app decisions.
I've made my final decisions and I'm satisfied with my choices, now the fun begins.

Finish college app essays.
This month was full of procrastination, thankfully only two of my college picks require a essay, so I'm not in big trouble, if I sit down and force myself I could probably have them done by the weekend.

Finish all college apps.
I have four college apps left to do, two of them only need the essays to be complete, and the other two I haven't started yet.

Read six books.
I think I read three books this month, it's not as much as I'd hoped for, but I'll take it.

Try to start exercising again.
I've been doing a little here and there, nothing too dramatic, my foot is feeling stronger and I think I'm ready to get back into a routine.

Use MyFitnessPal for 15 days.
I think I used my app maybe 5 days this month, it's so hard to remember to log everything.

Write at least 5,000 words for NaNoWriMo
I'm really happy with myself, with everything going on this month I didn't think I would have time to write, but I did. I didn't win and write 50,000 words this month, but I did reach my personal goal and I fixed some major problems in my plot, so I'm happy.

So that's all for today, I hope yo enjoyed it and I hope your month went better than mine!

XoXo,

Lori

November Goals

Hello lovelies, Happy November!!!! Can you believe that there's less than 60 days till 2015? I'm freaking out, I'm happy because it's now socially acceptable to watch Christmas movies and listen to Christmas carols loudly, but I'm also kinda scared. I have so much to get done over the next two months, and I'm not ready, I'm really not.

Finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2

Finish Geometry Part 1 & Part 2

Make final college app decisions

Finish college app essays.
Finish all college apps.

Read six books.

Try to start exercising again.

Use MyFitnessPal for 15 days.

Write at least 5,000 for NaNoWriMo.

Finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2
I have to read one book, do roughly ten writing assignments, and take seven quizzes, it's not going to be easy but I can do it, I've already started two of the writing assignments, and I'll take one quiz tonight, so I'm off to a great start.

Finish Geometry Part 1 & Part 2
I have eleven quizzes and one big test to finish and then I'll be done, it'll be pretty easy all I have left to do are the quizzes so not much else other than review.

Make final college app decisions
For the most past I've made most of my decisions, however I do have three schools that I'm still unsure of, so I'm going to give it a few more weeks then make my mind up.

Finish college app essays.
I think I'm pretty lucky, only three or four of my colleges require an essay, so compared to others I'm definitely lucky.

Finish all college apps.
I have two full college applications to finish and half of four that need to be finished. One of those I have short answer questions and a few other details to finish and the other two I just have the essay and then they'll be complete.

Read six books.
I think I'm a little in over my head, I requested a lot of Christmas-y books from Netgalley and I have 18 books that I need to read and review that will be releasing over the next month and a half.

Try to start exercising again.
My ankle still isn't completely healed, but it's getting better everyday and most days I hardly feel any pain at all, so this month I'm going to try to get back into a workout routine!

Use MyFitnessPal for 15 days.
I've noticed that when I use MyFitnessPal I do better with my diet and I lose more weight, so this month I want to try to get back into the habit of using it.

Write at least 5,000 for NaNoWriMo.
I WANT to write 50,000 words and win NaNoWriMo, but I know I have so much to do this month that it's not likely that I'll reach 50,000, so I'm setting a personal goal of 5,000, last month I managed 4,000 words, so I'm hoping I can write more than that!

Well that's all for today! What goals have you set for yourself this month? Let me know below or leave a link to your blog post!
XoXo,
Lori

October Playlist

Hello lovelies, I hope you had a great weekend! Last week was amazing, I got an 85 on my Algebra final, and I also got to start my new English course!

Over the weekend I went to my cousins birthday party and I think I found the perfect place to do my senior pictures at, so now I can finally make an appointment to get that done!

This week I have a lot to do:
Write my college essay for Heidelberg University
Write an English essay
Start my college application for Liberty University
Finish my college application for Trevecca Nazarene University.

So as you can tell I have a very busy week  ahead of me and I'm actually excited and ready to get started!

Here's this months playlist, I hope you like it!

Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

Taylor Swift - Eyes Open

We Are The In Crowd - Manners

Whitney Duncan - Roll All Night

Bomshel - 19 & Crazy
Carrie Underwood - Flat On The Floor

Demi Lovato - Got Dynamite
Black Veil Brides - Heart of Fire

So that's it for today, I hope you like this months playlist! Don't forget to check back tomorrow for my Influenster Deans List VoxBox Review!

XoXo,
Lori

October Goals

Hey Y'all, I still can't believe we're already in October, it's hard to believe we have less than 3 months till we're in 2015!

This month is going to be my busiest month so far, I have so much to do and not enough time to do it in, but I'm up for the challenge! This month I'm focused on keeping up with my blog and school, I also have a lot of college prep stuff  to do, so let's get started!

So there's my goals, what are your goals for this month? Let me know below, or leave a link to your goals, I'd love to see them!

XoXo,

Lori

September Goals Update

Hello lovelies, can you believe we're in the last few days of September? This month has been crazy busy and next month is going to be 100x worse, I actually managed to accomplish more this month than I thought I would, so I'm excited to see how next month goes!

Start using MyFitnessPal again.

Finish Algebra 1 Part 1 and Part 2.

Read 3 books.

Finish college app for Trevecca Nazarene University

Finish college app for Bethel University - Tennessee
Finish college app for Converse College.
Lose weight.
Blog more.
Be a better blogger.
Buy more Fall scented candles!!!

6 out of 10!

Finish Algebra 1 Part 1 and Part 2.
- Sadly I didn't do this, I've been reviewing and so hopefully I'll feel confident and comfortable enough to take my final tests and finish the course.

Finish college app for Trevecca Nazarene University.
- I didn't finish my application, but I did start it and so far I feel really good about it!

Finish college app for Bethel University-TN
-I was going to start my application a few days ago, but then I got an e-mail saying that if I apply next weeks then I won't have to pay the application fee, so I'm going to wait till next week that way I can save $30.

Finish college app for Converse College.
-Honestly I didn't even start my application, I've been really busy and I forgot about it.

So that's all for this months goals! Did you accomplish your goals for this month?

XoXo,
Lori