When I see stars

Ok, so I have gotten more interested in politics as I have gotten older.

 I think that's probably the case with most people. 

Something about looking at your pay stub and seeing hundreds of dollars sent here and there makes you think...

"Wait..who decided I needed to pay for this?" 

Anyway, I decided to watch the RNC tonight
 (Republican National Convention)

 because I am fairly conservative
 (with a few exceptions)

 and I just felt like being lulled into a false sense of security by "mom, American, apple pie" campaign rhetoric.

Then it happened. 

Or I should say HE happened.

Watching Marco Rubio speak, I felt the same as when I watch the last scene with Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.

 He was hot and his words inspired me.

 I keep fanning myself with my notebook.

 I think my parents must think I've gone mad.

Anyway, here's to us Republicans finally being the hotter party.

Win or lose, we can comfort ourselves with that on election day!!

Lori Ann Rubio 

We will find our way home

Ok, so I am kinda bored with the

"I'm living at home, look how strange my life is"

 posts.

 But it's not going to stop me from writing another one!!

 But before we get to the exciting pictures with their snappy captions, let me say this.

 I've got plans for this blog.

Crazy plans

The blogging world has been crying out for a single/living at home/non skinny jean wearing/ no crafting type voice.

 I give myself 2-3 weeks to be on nienie level fame.

 As always, brace yourselves!!

 Anyway, on with the post..

I have been reunited with my devil cat.

She's as sassy as ever

. But with less frisky adorableness and more megalomania now.

Don't ask

. Do. Not. Ask.

We got my mom some new scrubs to go with her fancy new(ish) job.

 Nothing like an exciting Saturday night in the uniform store.

Score one for my mom in the Cat War of 2012.

Thomas has yet to respond to my bribes.

I'm keeping a copy of this for the trial. 

Lori Ann

And so it goes

I can't stop listening to Billy Joel's Storm
 Front album.

Leningrad makes me feel like I'm 10 again, listening to my dad explain about the Cold War.

I really need to write him a blog tribute.

 Especially with him going into surgery soon.

Maybe I'll make him read my entire blog while he recuperates.

I've got a new plan for dealing with my long commute.

 It involves taking every Thursday off, hiding from the cleaning people, and breaking into the regional directors office.
 (not for espionage or anything)

I wouldn't blog about espionage.

I would just do it.
(but only for a good cause. Like being a whistle blower. Or taking down Canada. Or lots of money)

I'm kind of officially over my love of gay romance novels.

There's just too many 'shape shifter' ones out there- you know, werewolves, etc.

 I blame Stephanie Meyers.
 (I should do a whole blog about what I blame Stephanie Meyers for. Because it's a long list. )

There's a little bit of a cat war going on here.

 Loyalties are being questioned.

 Backs are being stabbed.

 For my part,  I'm bribing all the cats, but most especially Thomas.
 (I can't resist his gizmo face.) 

This blog is all over the place.

 When I get done with work this weekend, I am going to get this thing organized!
(this is what happens when I don't take anxiety meds. I cope by making grandiose promises to organize things that really require no organization)

I am mildly obsessed with Paul Ryan.

 If he were from somewhere other than the cheese wheel of the US I might consider stalking him.

But that's a lot of jail time to possibly face for a Wisconsinite.

Lori Ann

We grew up strong

Sunday Night Updates

I have to go to my mom's job to give an in service about conflict resolution tonight.

There are only two provisions.

 1. I have to pretend she's not my mom

 2. It's at 2 am

All I know is that there is going to be some healing...maybe a few tears shed, a few lives changed.

ANYWAY

I have been listening to a lot of Peter Gabriel lately.

 That's so not mainstream.

 Yep, I'm reviving my hipster ways.

Even though my sister Erin told me that "you can't be a hipster unless you are really skinny".

Whatever.

 She's just mad because she is busy listening to Justin Beiber and working for the Man.

She doesn't get us edgy, non conformist types.

So,  I've officially moved into my parents house.

 Yeah...
(Once again, picture me saying "yeah" like Snoop Dogg...yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhh)

 It's so rad to go from saying "my apartment" to "my room".

Already my mom has told me I need to get on a regular sleep schedule
 (except, apparently, for her middle of the night in services)

 and my dad has been bossing me.

Ahhh...all of the joys of being 17 again.

I got a NEW JOB!!!

 It will be at Penn Foundation.

 It's about 10 miles from my parents which is GREAT because this is the area I want to live in for the rest of my life and I feel like it's a company I can stay with long term.

 I will still be doing Out Patient Therapy.

But I might be working with addicts and doing some group therapy.

YEAH! I love Group Therapy.

 My personal policy is that no one leaves until we've all cried!

I saw Halloween candy at Walmart yesterday.

 You know what this means..

Summer is almost over, for the love of all that is holy.

Blah, blah, blah...when did I get some long winded?

I will leave you with my favorite clip from a movie I am dying to see this fall...

Yes. I wish I had more opportunities to shut my enemies down with my hip hop skills.

This girl is living my dream. 

Anyway,

Lori Ann

I remember when we broke up

Life lately, according to my iPhone.
 (I am so the next Rock star Diaries, I swear)

My cousin Emma was really obsessed with baking and decorating cupcakes.

 Maybe it's because she's 8.

This one was my favorite.

 It was kind of a crime to eat it.

That's art, baby!

My mother giving James kisses against his will.

 It's her favorite thing to do.

The student and the master.

 If only Ann (my grandmother) were in this picture, the evil trifecta would be complete!

Emma and my sweet baby Sugar.

 See?

I told you all of my cousins were gingers!

 They ALL look like this.

I am sooo jealous!

The oldest and youngest Wilson cousins.

Junior is 36 and Emma is 8.

It's a disconcerting feeling being on a cousin level with an 8 year old after being on aunt level with kids the same age for so long.

I didn't even get to testify.

But I did get to sit in the hallway of the Courtroom for 3 1/2 hours.

 With no phone.

Which meant no books.

I can't believe how dependent I've become on my Kindle app.

Beautiful(?) downtown Wilmington, Delaware. 

I really do love that there a few faithful followers of this bizarre blog.

I don't even have craft ideas or friend get togethers with fancy water containers and you still read.

Thanks for hanging in there through the excruciating ramblings of my inner monologue.

 It kinda brightens my life and inspires me to be a better blogger. 

Not a sundress wearing, Instagram photo taking better blogger.

 But maybe I'll limit myself to 3 cat related /obsessing about gay men posts per week;)

Lori Ann

Random Thoughts- Meat is not the answer Edition

Shannon Tyler convinced me to make this blog public again. 

Guapa!!
  (This is how we got converts on the mission!)

The things I do for my favorite former companion. 

(Consider this your payback for all of the times I whined and shrieked "Tracting again? Nooooo!")

Anyway

I really should be in bed. 

I have to testify in court in Delaware in 8 1/2 hours. 

Also, I need to confess that today I ate a cheeseburger.

The stress of life has been getting to me and,,,,like so many before me,  I thought I would find  my answer in meat. 

Boy, was I wrong. 

The (Wendy's) burger was just as gross as I remember. 

It's looking like I may not ever come back to meat.
(except maybe steak on Christmas Eve, made by my dad)

Being vegetarian has completely broken my fast food addiction.

 It's all so gross to me now.

 Even the french fries. 

If someone (a man) tells you that they would be "too sassy" for the military, is it ok to call them out on their sexual orientation?

This is what I got when I googled "sassy military men"!!!

Speaking of gay men, I am still dreaming about the synchronized diving team. 

It's my dad's birthday today.
(or it was about 30 minutes ago)

 He is 62.

His birthday tribute will be like all of the others...late.

OK, so I will write tomorrow.

 Unless they lock me up.

Because I am 99% sure that I am going to yell "You can't handle the truth!" at the judge.
(and I bet they have a zero tolerance policy for that by this time!)

Lori Ann

Let's take the boat out

I feel so frustrated by life at times. 

I wonder if God is testing me or if I just can't handle stress.

I was doing better in some ways; when I was taking anti-anxiety meds.

 But they made me feel kind of numb.

I don't want to have to choose between feeling either extremely anxious or numb.

 There has to be a middle ground.

I wonder if anyone else struggles with the same stuff as me.

As a therapist I have come to realize that a lot of experiences are more common than most people would think.

 But I still think I'm alone in my feelings most of the time.

I sometimes wish I were far away from this life of mine.

That I were somewhere cool and restful and where the stars were really bright. 

(This post is making me sound like I'm high- I'm not, I swear!)

Lori Ann

p.s.- I just read this quote and I love it!

"Forgiveness does not always lead to a healed relationship. Some people are not capable of love, and it might be wise to let them go along with the anger. Just wish them well and take care of yourself."

1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. 5.. 6.. Switch!

It's Random Thoughts Thursday!

 Let's do this dance!!

The crazy weather in PA right now

1. Weasley is dead.

That's my car, in case you were wondering.

Oh Weasley, Weasley... I had a small ceremony at the garage.

 It was pouring rain and my dad was taking the plates off, cursing at me to get my stuff out of the car.

That man has no sense of ceremony.

2. Of course it came at the perfect time.

 Because I am moving 60 miles from my current job.

 It's not like I needed a car or anything.

 Nope. I can totally bike that.
 (I just hope my clients are ok with me wearing spandex)

3. Speaking of which I am moving home.

 As in my parents house.

The twisted thing is that it is completely by choice.

We'll see how things go.

There may be some self medicating happening.

4.I have the greatest big brother ever.

He helped me clean out and move almost my entire apartment in one day.

All in exchange for a value meal from McDonald's.

Thanks a million Dave!!
(then my dad moved everything else and drove me around the county in the craziest rain storm ever. Who needs a hot, Latin, synchronized diving, metro sexual husband when you've got a dad and brother like these?)

5. My birthday video for Danielle needs more work.

 It might not be ready until her next birthday:)

 It's totally worth waiting for.
A little preview: in the video Elly discusses her desire to gun someone down in cold blood:)

6. Is it wrong that I have brought up the men's synchronized diving team in every therapy session with my clients?

7. Other bi-linguals...do you ever have entire weeks where you feel like you are tripping over every word?

 My spanish has been so scattered this week.

 I mean, I have on and off days but I've been off for week and it's driving me crazy!!

So, this was the most random of all random thoughts updates.

Lori Ann

El hermano mio

Things have been really crazy in my life.

I am moving.

 I guess I am getting a new car.

 I might be changing jobs or transferring.

A lot is up in the air right now.

 I am trying to utilize the coping skills I teach my clients.

But that is no excuse for not writing a tribute to my brother.

 His birthday was yesterday. 

David is my only brother.

 The only boy in a family of 4 kids

. He's one of those unlucky smucks who got all sisters.

He's always been a good sport about it though.

That's who he is.

 He's just a good guy. 

He's influenced my life in a million and one ways and I doubt he even realizes it. 

David is smart, funny, financially astute
 (we call him "the Shylock"),

He's got the best memory of anyone I've ever met.

 He's kind and honest and he always does what is right.

 He's got amazing faith and he tries hard at everything he does. 

He just got his black belt. 

He's an incredible uncle. 

He's the best big brother I could have ever asked for. 

Thanks for everything, Dave.

 I hope this is the best year yet!! 

Love always,

Lumpo
(one of the snarfster sisters)