I go down to Speakers Corner

Well people,

its two days away from 2010...11 months until the 2010 mid terms.

Let the political bickering begin.

Consider this blog your up to date source for completely unbiased* political observations and critique.

*as unbiased as a conservative Mormon gets!*

Lori Ann

p.s.- Is it just me, or is it nice for us Republicans to finally have the victim status back? Democrats had a death grip on that thing since the Reagan administration..now it's all ours!!!

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill..

I know what you all want.

And trust me, I would love to give you all a long and detailed account of my Christmas at home..alas, you shall have to wait for my memoirs. (anticipated publish date: 2035)

 Between the semi confrontational trips to Macaroni Grill, the 'no, you shut up' fights with my sister, the magic of my dad's cooking, and the cats inexplicably avoiding me, this Christmas promises to be a great chapter in the memoir!

Anyway, in keeping with the theme of this blog (the theme being 'best blog ever') I have decided against listing my new years resolutions and instead will be listing everything that

I have absolutely no plans to change.

Here we go:

1. Stalking Taylor Lautnor- as a matter of fact, not only do I plan NOT to discontinue this activity, I plan to take it up a notch. He'll be 18 in February so it will be all above board and legal:)

2. Watching "teen mom" on MTV... man, this show keeps getting better and better.

3. Online shopping. My savings account is getting close to double digits..I would never forgive myself if it got to like 10 dollars. There are too many over priced etsy crafts out there that need a home for me to be that selfish with my money:)

4. Wearing my snuggie. My goal for the new year is to find more and more ways to wear it in a variety of settings and situations. By 2011, I should never even have to take it off. Then, once I get the snuggie situation under control, I plan to move on to other 'as seen on TV products'. (I'll probably start with the juice maker..I love/need/despise/envy/covet the juice maker)

Peace out, girl scouts.

Lori Ann

Tonight is the Night

Me, drinking hot chocolate under the tree! 

Tonight is the night. For the last 5 years, I have had the goal of sitting under the Christmas tree, at midnight, drinking hot chocolate and listening to "Oh Holy Night" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Every year I have failed.

But not this year.

This year I am crossing this goal off my list.

Because I need to move on to my next goal of going to a Midnight Mass.

Merry Christmas!!!

(for some reason I am always tempted to write "whores" after celebratory greetings..it's my inner 13 year old!)

p.s.- Jack, James, Elly, and Rat-Rat...don't stay up too late! Santa is coming tonight!!!

*THIS GOAL WAS ACCOMPLISHED!!!..BRING ON THE MIDNIGHT MASS!!*

The weather outside is frightful

I've always thought that if I was snowbound one day, it would be in some romantic lodge with a man who looks like (or is) Matt Damon.

 We would spend our snowbound days watching Harry Potter, drinking hot chocolate, and reading trashy novels by the fire.

This weekend I was snow bound.

The only thing missing from my snowbound fantasy was the hot Matt Damon guy.

 And the romantic lodge.

 And the fire place.

And the trashy novels.

 And the watching of Harry Potter.

 But guess what?

We had hot chocolate. *

*the following are 10 things truly fabulous things I DID get as part of my snowbound weekend!*

1. Witnessing Elly's determination to sled in spite of the reality that here in Reidsville, there are NO hills...

2. Soup and bread lunch with Jack-Jack

3. 13 walmart phone calls from Jack "cell phone virgin" Monroe

4. a "Hinsdale" cheese and crackers platter by J-dog and some truly unique baking by mom..umm, Danielle.

5. Underwear on our head party, with Elly and James, (just a witness, not a participant!)

6. The socialist propaganda that is the "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" movie

7. Mexican food like I haven't had since the mission!

8. 1 iPod touch (My Christmas present to myself!)

9. One smack in the face by a slinky, courtesy of Elly "the hammer" Monroe

10. A warm, festive, and truly magical early Christmas with my favorite peeps in all the world!

Lori Ann

Nobody knows it

It was my sister's birthday today!!

There is so much I could say about Erin.

 She has literally been there since the beginning.

 I always feel a little bad for girls who grow up without sisters.

 I've heard them say "Oh, this friend is just like a sister to me".

No friend is like a sister.

 And no sister is like Eri.

Erin is the funny one.

 I always tell people that she is the smarter, funnier, snarkier version of me.

Erin does genius impressions of my dad.

 I think she does him better than he does himself:)

Erin has the best insight into people of anyone I have ever met.

There are so many hours upon hours she has listened to me, and she always clarifies things and makes me feel understood.

Erin is also the only person in our family who can dance.
(although Dad makes unfounded claims that he can)

 It's like she got all the rhythm that was supposed to be divided between all six of us.

There is so much I could say about my sister.

She is an example to me, she knows the 'real Lor', and she has always been there for me
 (cliched but true).

I thing there is only one way for this blog tribute to end..with the immortal lyrics of Elton John:)

This one is for you, Eri!

Nobody knows it

When I was down

I was your clown

Nobody knows it

Right from the start

I gave you my heart

Lori Ann

And there are storms we cannot weather

"Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.”

August Wilson

I like this quote because it speaks to how I am feeling today.

Today, I feel like there are so many parts of me that I want to change.

I crave the approval of others.

I lie to myself, all the time.

I rarely follow through on the things I say I am going to do.

I consistently chose comfort over happiness.

I think that we so rarely know other people.

 Maybe its because our own psychosis is so overwhelming or our lives are so busy, that, in reality, we don't really WANT to know other people.

It's too exhausting.

I am all too pleased with a nice surface acquaintance.

Almost no one really knows me.

 Not that I am some sort of psycho or anything..much of what I present to the world is me.

Just not all of it.

For example, this very blog post.

 I know tomorrow that I will be regretting it, because I prefer to blog about my love for my nieces or nephews or Taylor Lautnor:)

I hate that people will be reading this, feeling uncomfortable, wondering "yikes, do I leave a supportive comment, or just wait this moody phase out?"

Yet, this blog is much more representative of the real me than any I have written before.

I don't know what I am saying anymore.

Goodnight:)

Lori Ann

The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing

Ok,

I LOVE Christmas music.

 Well, most Christmas music.

 Before I get into that, I should begin at the beginning..

My parents are music people.

Not band geek, Broadway musical type music people, but more eclectic love of and appreciation for all kinds of music people.

 My dad tends toward classic rock, classical, and alternative.

 My mom is more of an oldies fan.

I grew up listening to Elvis, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Peter Gabriel, Cher, The Beatles, Beethoven, Pink Floyd, and a million others.

Despite this, I have a mostly surface relationship with music.

Whatever is popular at the moment is what I like.

I think it's a source of some shame for my father.

It's different at Christmas. I don't know if it is the nostalgia that accompanies the holiday season, but Christmas is when I feel the musical influence of my parents the most.

Having said that, I will now compile my list of MUST LISTEN TO Christmas favorites, as well as my PUKE, WHY IS THIS CONSIDERED Christmas music list.

MUST LISTEN TO:

Carol of the Bells- MoTab

Oh Holy Night- MoTab (or Celine Dion)

Anything and EVERYTHING by Manheim Steamroller

Anything and EVERYTHING by Transiberian Orchestra

It came upon a midnight clear- MoTab

I'll be Home for Christmas- Bing Crosby

All I want for Christmas is You- Mariah Carey (you know you love it!)

PUKE, WHY IS THIS CONSIDERED Christmas music list:

That shoes for momma to wear to Jesus song

That one about the guy who meets up with his ex at the grocery store

Santa is coming to town- Bruce Springsteen (sorry, Dad!)

Santa Baby- Madonna

Wonderful Christmastime- Paul McCartney

What's on your Christmas playlist??

Lori Ann

Rockabye, sweet baby James

So,

My sister and I exchanged blogs for the week of Thanksgiving.

She is an evil genius.

After she wrote "Tuesdays Confession and Resolutions",

 I got even by writing a few posts on her blog about her love of Tupac and the joys of self medicating:)

 Anyway, I feel like I owe my readers the truth, so here is the blog she wrote, only updated to reflect the TRUTH!

I admit it. I am a beast during the holidays.
 (I am NOT!)

I fuss about many things when my fam gets together,
 (I would never use the word 'fam' and I do NOT FUSS!)

but this year it will all stop.

I promise.

And you can take that to the bank.

This year,
I won't try to control the TV. We don't have to watch TLC 24/7.
 (Yes we do, they are having a 'say yes to the dress' marathon!)

I won't count presents.
 (I only count because I always get less then everyone!)

I will admit that I am spoiled.
 (I will never ADMIT it!)

I will eat whatever is served.
(yuck, no way)

I will let Danielle nap whenever she wants.
(Danielle's whole life is one long nap!)

I will be especially sweet to Junior.
 (Junior does not respond to sweetness. He responds to a firm tone and promises of treats!)

I will put no pressure on anyone to have the most super magical holiday ever.
(This will be the most super magical holiday ever! Even if it kills us!)

Hope you enjoyed our blog switch!

 It will be back to the same old, same old starting tomorrow..anyone have an idea for Will it Wednesday??

p.s.- On a side note, Happy Birthday to the most beautiful boy in the whole world:)



Lori Ann

Tuesday's Confession and Resolutions

I admit it. I am a beast during the holidays.
I fuss about many things when my fam gets together,
but this year it will all stop.
I promise.
And you can take that to the bank.

This year,
I won't try to control the tv. We don't have to watch TLC 24/7.
I won't count presents.
I will admit that I am spoiled.
I will eat whatever is served.
I will let Danielle nap whenever she wants.
I will be especially sweet to Junior.
I will put no pressure on anyone to have the most super magical holiday ever.

We can all find ways to better our family holidays, and these are mine. I really want to change this year. So, let's hear it for me!! I think I can do it!!!

On the reef of Norman's woe

It's almost Thanksgiving...ding, ding, ding.. let the family squabbles and tears over pumpkin pie commence!!

Anyway, I have been encouraging my clients to think about all of the things they are grateful for, and it occurs to me that I rarely count my own blessings.

I would list them all here, but I don't want anyone to be even MORE jealous of my high rolling lifestyle.

It would make all of your lives seem even more trivial and pointless than you already secretly suspect them of being:)

That having been said
 (in the most convoluted manner possible),

 I will list just one thing of many which I am grateful for.

My sister Danielle.

She doesn't know it, but she is amazing at everything she does.

 She is the reason I served a mission.

 She is the reason I finished college.

 She is the reason I stayed in the church.

 She is the reason I never borrow sweaters from anyone!

 She also happens to be the mother of my four favorite people.

There is so much more I could say, but I think Tennyson said it best when he said:

There she weaves by night and day

A magic web with colours gay.

She has heard a whisper say,

A curse is on her if she stay

To look down to Camelot.

She knows not what the curse may be,

And so she weaveth steadily,

And little other care hath she, The Lady of Shalott.

Lori Ann

p.s.- After you read this, could you finish changing Megan-Peter? :)

I met a man in Tennesse and he was headed for..

One week until Thanksgiving!

We are kinda excited:)

 Off to Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie!

Lori Ann

A little case of History repeating

I love watching the History channel, not necessarily for the programming but for the narration.

Every program is the same.

"And now we will take a look at a mystery that has haunted the world for the last ten centuries."

What makes it funny to me is that sometimes the topics are quite obscure, like "Various early Lincoln assassination plots" or "Did Cleopatra murder her siblings?"

I don't want to speak for anyone else, but neither of these topics have ever really haunted me.

Oh History Channel, why do you make me laugh so much?

Lori Ann 

I lived in Heaven a long time ago, it is true

I get into a lot of strange conversations.

 Maybe because I work in mental health.

However the strangest conversations I have are always with my nieces and nephews.

Tonight, Jack and Danielle were out on date night, and the kids and I were watching Robin Hood (not the Kevin Costner version) when James abruptly asks me:

"Where did I come from?"

Oh boy..I wasn't expecting this one for another 5 or 6 years!

So, I took a deep breath and in my mind rehearsed..

 " Well, it all began when your mom and dad decided to play Russian roulette with their birth control methods."

 From there I was going to hit all the main points..sex, growth of the embryo, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters, labor and delivery.

After an internal debate, I went with "You came from Heaven!"
which is pretty much the same as the whole sex, 3 trimesters, 'don't get gonorrhea' discussion I was going to have, just the condensed version.

Lori Ann

p.s.- Tonight James also announced that when he was older he wanted to marry Elly.

To which Elly responded that she wasn't available because she wanted to marry an elephant.

 I tried to explain some of the legal impediments to both of their choices, but they were really back into Robin hood by that point. :)

Will It Wednesday- The Duet Version.

Well, I didn't get a topic for this Will It Wednesday, but that's ok..I kinda know what people want...and I am going to give it to them.

Without further ado...

more Elly movies!

(and people, this is no run of the mill Elly footage..its the best Mormon duet this side of Donny and Marie!)

p.s.- That wheezing sound in the background is me trying not to laugh at the unbearable cuteness of this duet:)

Lori Ann

I used to live alone before I knew ya

So, as I was in Primary Presentation Practice with my class today, I was watching my nephews do their parts of the presentation and I was so proud of them because they did such a good job when I suddenly realized..

I can't leave them...

How can I move away from my muffin babies?

Who would I have apple cider and brownie parties with?

Who would let me join their secret club?

Who would make me laugh until I feel sick?

I need Elly to boss me around, Jack-Jack to tell me stories, my James to give me hugs and kisses, and the Katy Cat to chase around the house.

I literally cannot imagine my life without them.

Lori Ann

Teach your children well

Ok,

So, you may or may not know that I work with children.

*sigh*

I hate to get all serious..that's not what this blog is about.
(This blog is about chocolate and how I plan to get even with my mother..just to clarify;)

What is UP with kids today?

It is SCARY, the stuff that I see.

I was just rereading the story about that girl who was raped outside her school dance and no one did anything.

 Most of the kids stopped to watch or take pictures.

I started to think about this because of a this blog, which talks about the working vs stay at home mom debate.

A lot of people were commenting on this blog post, like "don't judge, let every family do its own thing" and it made me think...what about the families that raised those boys who committed that rape?

Shouldn't there be a way to intervene in those families?

 Shouldn't someone be judging them or at least evaluating them before these kids get to an advanced age with no real conscience?

 When its too late to help them?

And trust me, social services is overworked, and, for the most part, has no power to make the parents of these kids change how their raising their family.

 Social services is a band aid at best.

Suggestions?

Lori Ann

So you say you want a French Revolution

(James took the celebration to a whole new level!)

Today was "Celebrate November!" day for all of us in the Monroe/Hinsdale clan! (Which is all of the Monroes..and me)

 We make it our mission and duty to celebrate ALL months, but we strive to EXTRA celebrate the months with our birthdays!!

Our celebrations included making a giant calender of important November Events (the most important of which is the 28th..the birthday of the one and only Jamesaroni!), and reading a November poem, as well as generally enjoying the 11th month of the year, which is named, somewhat innapropriately, after the Latin "Novem", meaning 9.

*If you are interested in learning more about the exciting month of November, look no futher than here!*

As a bonus, in the month of November, we will be celebrating Katherine, and her big blue eyes!

Lori Ann

What happens when my sister is not home

I know we told you it was Crystal, the neighbors dog, that teepee'd your creeping myrtles..but it was US!!

                 The Kat Rat, rocking her pink hair..I have a feeling you have some difficult teen years ahead of you!

Jack-Jack did all of his own facepaint:) 

I knew those art skills would pay off when it was really important!!

Elly-Belly. This is only 1 of like 100 crazy photos of her. I will try to make sure that they do not resurface during her political career!!

Jamesaroni..your little nudist! I think he was prepared to paint himself all over and run out there nude! Now, that's the spirit of a true tee-peer!!

Lori Ann

Halloween..because I couldn't think of a more original title

How I spent Halloween

By L. Ann Hinsdale

Yes, my pumpkin says LOL..I didn't plan it that way but apparently carving is not my forte and I lost two E's, changing my LOLEE pumpkin into a disturbing tribute to online acronyms.

So..another Halloween night has passed.

 I spent it in much the same manner that I imagine my mother
and grandmother and great grandmother before me did...

eating the trick or treat candy and watching Matt Damon movies:)

Lori Ann

It's Mischief..Mischief Night

Tonight is the night, people.

It's mischief night.

And I am spending it with 4 of Rockingham County's most notorious hoodlums.

 Rumor has it that between the four of them they have racked up over 30 hours spent in time out, 60 "go to your rooms", and a whopping 14 hours of Dora the Explorer probation.

 Prepare to look into the very face of evil....here you go....

James "Squeaky" Monroe

Jack "Attack" Monroe

"Smelly" Elly Monroe

And the Godfather herself...Katy "Rat Rat" Monroe

Hide your pumpkins, lock up your toilet paper, and put all of your fat and friendly basset hounds back in their kennel.

Lori Ann

I can't help myself, I love you and nobody else

I know, I know..when I see videos on most other blogs I am like "gag..not going to watch the antics of others people's kids whom I don't know or don't care about"

 (and the mean Lori is revealed more and more with every post)

I can't stop myself from posting about my nieces and nephews because they fascinate me.

It's like I've waited my entire life to meet them and no one has ever made made me laugh so much.

And I've always thought that when you find something this good, you've got to share it with the world;)

Lori Ann

If you don't know me by now

I was reading this blog tonight and it was totally boss.

 I love Melissa..she is a funny, insightful, and a very easy to relate to as a blogger.

Anyway, she wrote 10 HONEST THINGS on her blog tonight, and so I am going to do the same..

you know you've been waiting for this..

just when you thought I had confessed everything...here we go..

10 HONEST THINGS ABOUT THE MAGNIFICENT MARVELOUS MAD MADAME LORI
*editors note- I'm neither mad nor a madame, I just like alliteration!*

10. I secretly think of myself as a mean person because of my inner monolouge. I will be saying nice things but thinking mean and sarcastic things in my head. I keep waiting for someone to point to me and say "Are you kidding me? Nice? She is pure evil!"

9. I sincerely find most people's children (especially in the one month to 4 year age range) either ugly or plain. (see what I'm talking about? MEAN). p.s.- I sound so harsh on this..I really do judge people on more than their looks, but I am just saying when you show me your baby's picture, my mean inner monolouge will be saying "eh..not that cute"

8.I don't like anything that is served at Thanksgiving except the mashed potatoes. (and I will eat turkey, but I dont really like it)

7. I voluntarily watched a history channel special on the Free Masons last night and realized that I am slowly turning into my father

6. My two biggest dissapointments in life are not having an accent and not being a twin...I want both so much and cannot have either

5. I genuinely find my nieces and nephews to be the four most fascinating people I have ever met

4. I love being sick because I love nyquil..maybe a little too much.."I feel a slight headache coming on..nothing a good dose of nyquil can't handle" :)

3. I feel like my mission was so long ago, it almost seems like it was in a different life time.
2. I have a love/hate relationship with my name -Lori. If I could change it, I probably would make it something like Grace or maybe Salem or who knows what?

1. I have a tattoo. No confession list is complete without that. It's the one rebellious thing I've done and I regret/don't regret it.


Lori Ann

So I'm breaking the habit tonight...

In addition to the clarity of thought I have been having since getting the flu, I have been blog surfing..oh yeah, that's right.

I want to see what kind of competition if out there for "Lolee" and sabotage it!

 (Or just read and enjoy it, whatever)

I found this quote posted on an amazing blog I just discovered HERE.

The whole HABIT thing took me by suprise, because I thought they were talking about chocolate..but I guess habit makes more sense..to some people. 

Lori Ann 

You make me sick

The Benefits of Illness

By L. Ann Hinsdale, PhD.
 (well, MSW..but its practically the same thing;)

Being ill does something to my brain.

 It slows it down in a weird and awesome way.

Usually my mind is racing with ideas about prank calls I want to make to my older sisters, craft ideas for my clients, and what I want people to get me for Christmas.

Then..BAM...I get sick, and, as I sit in front of hours of home improvement tv shows, slightly out of it on nyquil, wrapped up in my new pink snuggie (thanks, Eri),

 I get a lot of clarity of thought.

Here is what I have been thinking:

What I miss most from my childhood is the feeling of magic that surrounded holidays.

 Even though we didnt have many "big" Christmases, something about the holidays with my family was so easy, and sparkly, and fun.

Now, I have to struggle to make myself feel like holidays are somehow different from other days.

I have recently been thinking about all of the ways that I have been blessed from my mission.

 My company CEO recently told me that I was one of her favorite people and an "absolute necessity" because of:

1. My ability to set people at ease (thank you knocking on doors and talking to thousands of people and trying to not appear like a crazy person)

2. My bi-lingualness (thank you, MTC for 9 harsh weeks of language training, my "I will not speak English to you" trainer, and all mi gente de Illinois)


It's weird when you start to see the plan that God has for you and the way that He has led you.

You start to think that maybe God knows what he is doing after all.

p.s.- the cold medicine makes me unusually introspective.

 Yuck.

 Back to normal Lori as soon as I get over this flu!

Lori Ann

Sweet Elly Mae, good times never seemed so good

I am so lucky to be her aunt. 

Aunt Lori Ann

I always feel like somebody's watching me

In honor of this, the Halloween season, I will now be presenting my TWO..count 'em, TWO experiences with the supernatural.

You might want to sit down for this one!

# 1- to put myself through college, and because I genuinely love the elderly (except in line at the supermarket), I became a CNA. That's right- Certified Nursing Assistant. Anyway, during my time working in the nursing home, I saw a lot of crazy, funny, weird, and completely bizarre things. I can tell you that there is a strange energy connected with death, and that people in nursing homes all die in 3's. But that's not my story..here we go..


I worked with this couple, Lucy and Joe, for close to a year before Joe died. He died in the hospital of complications of old age and it was peaceful and expected. Anyway, that night I was getting Lucy washed up for bed and I had all the lights off, except for the one over her bed and I was in the bathroom filling up the washing basin. I had the medicine cabinet open looking for soap..when I closed it, I saw reflected in the medicine cabinet mirror, a woman, dressed all in white, with long brown hair walk by. It gives me the chills to just write about it.

I know, I know..I sound like the psychic hotline!

I swear I am not crazy though and this was the only really strange thing that every happened to me in the nursing home.


# 2- I was trying to find the house of someone in my parents branch in Pennsylvania. I had been there only once before, but I knew it wasn't far. Anyway, I got totally lost and ended up driving up and down these crazy backwoods hill roads, just trying to find my way back. I was getting low on gas, did not have a cell phone, and it was dark and foggy. Anyway, in the distance I saw this light, which I followed, and, as I got closer, I recognized it was this old stone Lutheran church which was on the way back to my parents house. It was all lit up and it got me unlost and home. I have driven past that church many, many, many times since that night and never have I once seen even one light on at night.

Strange, eh?

Lori Ann

On a cold and gray Chicago morning

Some of the neighborhood thugs stopped by my place today..
  Elly "Jumping Bean" Monroe

Jack "Little J" Monroe

They were kinda cute, so I took their pictures!

The little one was too fast for me to get a picture, but rumor has it she hangs out at Strawberry Rd and goes by the name of Kat-Rat.

Lori Ann

This one's for the girls..

Every Wednesday, around 430 pm, I hold a teen group for the teenage girls that I work with.

They come to me for counselling, advice, direction, and honest and theraputic discussion..

And I give them

Crafts are so healing though, amirite?

Lori Ann

Cause its Thriller Night..

I went to see Paranormal Activity tonight....

OH MY GOSH



Then I wouldn't be so scared!

Lori Ann
(brave feminist to the end!)

In the cold November rain..

I love this weather.

 I really must have the summer hating version of Seasonal Affective Disorder because I am much more depressed in the summer and I begin to feel SO HAPPY during the fall..

It's fleeting though

. I wish fall felt as long as summer.

I wish people would sit around and moan like they do about winter or summer "When will this fall be over?"

Every day is magical.

 I love the crisp air, the wind, the falling of the leaves, the feeling that Halloween is right around the corner.

My idea of heaven is a bright, chilly fall day spent outside, followed by a night inside, tucked under a blanket, drinking hot chocolate and watching Harry Potter.

I could live that day a million times and never grow bored, never dream of beaches and sunshine, or snow and holidays.

Lori Ann 

I had a feeling that I belonged..

Ding, Ding, Ding..

It's time for WHAT DO THESE THINGS HAVE IN COMMON ?
 (and yes, since it is in all caps, I am shouting it at you!)

1. Men in kilts

2. Ammon

3. Knowing how to change oil

4. Jews

5. Boy band dancing

6. Your dad

{POST EDIT}

Well, the only person who guessed was Erin and I think she said something like "Heath Ledger?" which made no sense to me..anyway.. All of the above are things that are HOT! Better luck next time, there were no winners today!

Lori Ann 

This is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten..

So,

I have gone over in my mind what I want this blog to be. There have been times when I have wanted it to be just a record of my goals. Other times I have thought it should be a format for total honesty and artistic expression...I don't know.

It will be what it wants to be, I guess.

What I can promise you is that I will keep you frequently updated on my goals and that I will write every day.

The goals I am going to work on first are:

Get my visiting teaching done for Rock-tober

Start looking for the people I baptized

Read one of the books on my Top 100 list..I think I will FINALLY finish Walden Pond..Thoreau can be a bit smug, though.

I am thinking that, if the weather is good, I might sleep under the stars this weekend..we'll see.

On a side note, I had an AMAZING birthday and I want to thank my sisters, brothers (y estoy hablando de ti tambien, cunado) and my parents for EVERYTHING. I have been blessed with an amazing family and I hope they know how much I appreciate them...that having been said..

364 days until my next birthday..you might want to start planning now!

Lori Ann

Many years have passed since those summer days..

It's a new decade of my life.

I am 30.

It is both scary and strangely empowering.

With that in mind, I am starting this blog with my list of
30 Things to do while I am 30.
Read it and weep, sweater monkeys.

1. Run 1 mile

2. Find the perfect "little black dress"

3. Read 30 of my Top 100 Books

4. Do 30 sessions at the Temple.

5. Spend one weekend at a Bed and Breakfast

6. Write 30 letters of thanks to people who have influenced my life

7. Become an expert in making 3 dishes

8. Go to Paris with Danielle and Erin

9. Complete my LCSW

10. See a Broadway Show

11. Volunteer at 30 events/places

12. Give blood 6 Times

13. Win money/prizes

14. Write in my blog every day from 10/7/09 to 10/7/10

15. Recieve a genuine piece of correspondence from Alan Rickman

16. Sleep under the Stars

17. Support Autism in some tangible way

18. Refine my theraputic technique

19. Buy myself diamonds

20. Pay off my car

21. Help create magical birthdays for each of my nieces and nephews

22. Cook a holiday meal for someone

23. Grow my hair with only 3 trims for one year

24. Complete 30 "random acts of kindness"

25. Get in touch with everyone I baptized

26. Send out a minimum of 30 Christmas Cards

27. Celebrate the start of each month with a "November Day" or whatever month it is

28. Start my autobiography

29. Write a real book

30. Complete my Visiting Teaching 100% every month for a year

Lori Ann