Won't another minute buy

So we went to Washington's Crossing on Christmas Day.

 You know, the reenactment of when Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised the hessian soldiers on Christmas Day?

Usually I go through all of the pictures (I took 227 of them) and then photoshop the best ones and put them on the blog. 

Today, as part of my plan to 'honest blog' I just randomly picked some. 

 Prepare to experience the real, unfiltered version of our Christmas Day historical adventure! 

We spent most of the trip staring at the back of other people's heads- jumping up and down trying to see the boats.

Danielle waited for me because it was a sharp incline down to the river bank. That was so nice:) 

I wish it wasn't so cold. Elly had this amazing side ponytail but we couldn't really see it under her coat hood. 

Danielle and her mini me.

This is the most adorable picture (taken by Jack Jack). I told Danielle that Elly and James look like a miniature version of some sweet old married couple. 

There are about 10 pictures of this la la loopsy pony laying on the ground. It's very avante garde. 

Probably a random attempt of mine to capture the magic of Danielle's kids gathered around her.


So, it was a festive, educational, cold, only mildly rage inducing holiday adventure.

Here is to many more to come.

Lori Ann

p.s.- This blog post title is dedicated to the fact that the Christmas music was FINALLY off the radio and I was totally psyched about it and then Dust in the Wind came on. If you have any hope about life, that song will kill it. 

Willie and the Hand Jive

Erin is home.

I made Danielle's kids pose in weird Christmas pictures for me.

My dad is talking about making steaks.

We're going to the movies later.

and I'm playing Carol of the Bells by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on repeat track.

NOW it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Lori Ann

When it starts to snow

An early Friday evening slash first day of my Christmas break Random Life Update

My Christmas vacation has officially begun! I am stuck in a weird place of wanting to both relax and to run around and get stuff done. 

I am starting to refind my love for Chris Christie. And this represents my dilemma- pajamas or an apron.

Even though I have been counting down the hours until my vacation, it's already making me feel anxious to be away from the office for that long.

Tomorrow I am getting the last of my Christmas shopping done. Tomorrow will be a bad day because it's when I start impulse buying stuff. (and by "stuff" I mean "total crap") The closer it gets to Christmas, the more easily I'm swayed by sparkly things and Christmas "deals".

This is the year- and it only took 34 years- that I realized that I don't even really like gifts. I just don't. I'm not sure why I always thought I was such a gift person.

I just added "Watch Twilight buzzed" to my Bucket List. Since I don't drink, I am not sure how I am going to get buzzed. Especially since the use of drugs and such baffles me. (not just why people do it but how- like huffing. What does that even mean?) So, let me know if you know of any word of wisdom friendly natural buzz creators. 

I am going to try and walk 9 miles tomorrow. Wish me luck!! My plan is to walk to my friend Michele's house (which is almost exactly 9 miles away) and then collapse on her porch. Then climb into and break her third tub in less than a week. Then lay on her coach and watch Twilight. Then have her drive me home:) 

I am working on my post for this Sunday- the "Free Therapy" segment I started and then never continued from a few weeks ago. This weeks topic "Subconsciously finding relationships and situations that reinforce our dysfunctional core beliefs" That's cognitive behavioral therapy, son!

Anyway,

Lori Ann

y felicidad

Random Thursday Afternoon Update

(because I just can't concentrate on my work at this moment)

So, I thought I was doing so much better with my Christmas mania. In years past I have made lists and thought of presents that were unrealistic and unreasonable. This year I have been kind of chill. Like 'it doesn't matter what I get or anyone else gets". Then last night I talked myself into making everyone a cape. Because, my Christmas brain said, everyone NEEDS a cape.

Let's hope I can talk myself down from that one.

Work has been a series of parties and treats and craziness lately.

Well, it's fair to say that the craziness is always present. We are in mental health, after all.

But I have completely od'd on cookies, cake, cheesecake, buffalo chicken dip, pulled pork, and sherbet and juice punch.

Not to mention the chocolates.

My favorite thing was this box of cookies from my friend Dawn. That girl is a crazy good cookie chef.

I've already demanded that she make peanut butter cookies at my next birthday.

My trainer is MAKING ME come in for two sessions next week. One on Christmas Eve. I told him "That's Christmas Eve!" to which he replied "So?".

He is merciless.

I think this Duck Dynasty controversy is so interesting. It's interesting (to me) that Phil (the grandfather and beginner of the Duck Dynasty) was so specifically graphic when discussing his objection to homosexuality. I found it refreshing. I think we wrap too many things up in euphemisms in our society. "Love is love" and all that. Phil got really real.

Which leads me to my blog.

I've been getting bored with it lately.

Not of blogging.

I do think that blogging is kind of fading into obscurity but I personally will never stop blogging.

I'm too narcissistic.

But what I've been blogging about has gotten a little bit stale lately.

So, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to do more # honest blogging.

I think I will add that hash tag to posts where I am more open- just to give the reader a forewarning.

So, brace yourself for 2014- the year of my half marathon, skydiving, going back to Europe, and being a more honest blogger.

Lori Ann

Songs of good cheer

It was another crazy Christmas weekend At Chez Hinsdale and Monroe this weekend. 

Having Danielle's kids next door has made Christmas genuinely merry and bright:) 

They are cookie decorating magic!

Elly does not appreciate me asking her to put down her decorating candy and smile. :) 

Last night we went sledding after dark! 

I made soup with vegetables, people. On purpose. 

Another classic Elly jump shot. 

Then church got cancelled.

We went carolling and handing out cookies to the neighbors. It reminded me of the mission. One guy even refused the cookies and carolling. Scrooge.

Anyway,

It was awesome.

The only drawbacks:

My stomach has hurt all weekend. I think I strained a stomach muscle at the gym. That's right, people. I'm getting sports injuries now.

I didn't get my 9 mile walk in due to the ice and snow.

I once got trapped on my bed by all three of the cats. They were literally surrounding me. I felt a little frightened.

Lori Ann

Throw cares away

Random Snowy Saturday Update

Let's do this dance!

The first three pictures are of my office decorations. Nothing says "I'm here to listen" more than jarringly bright, slightly tacky Christmas decorations:) 

There is candy on this table. Which my clients either ignore or literally dump into their pockets. There is no one in the middle. 

The holiday tissues are for display only! If you must cry, I will get the non display tissues for you!

I wrote myself a Christmas card from Sugar and put it on this door so I wouldn't look so lame:)  

The hospital is right across from my office. (the one where James was born!) I love December because I have the perfect view of their Christmas lights from my office window. Which are kinda blocked by my large head. 

Tuesday ended up being a Snow day. I could have gotten into work (my dad was driving me- I'm such a feminist) but all of my clients cancelled. It was magical.

Danielle's kids had a snow day too so we stopped on the way back from my office and got them holiday donuts! I remember being so excited for snow days as a kid and I wanted to celebrate with them:)

In more important news, I GOT A PACKAGE FROM AUSTRALIA!! Thank you so much, Sarah!!!! We were all literally dancing around, looking at everything, eating chocolate pop rocks. I keep having to steal the magazine back from my dad! The Australian flags are above our entertainment center:) You are the BEST!! 

It's gingerbread 24-7 around here. 

Sugar in the Australian Santa hat!

My parents gingerbread houses are always better than mine. My dad has actually accused me of 'dragging the family name through the mud'.

I got George Clooney'd at work again. My coworkers are brilliant. I've got to get a plan together. 

They made me Rand Paul post it notes!!

I hope all of your holidays are merry and bright so far!!

Lori Ann

p.s.- If the ipod shuffler turns on ' top of the world' by the Carpenters one more time, I am going to scream!!!

p.p.s.- Tomorrow we will discuss how I have fallen off the wagon with my exercising again!!

Don't lie to me

Happy Birthday, Erin. 

Rather than a long, mildly disturbing birthday tribute, I decided that this quote really says everything that I want to say on your birthday.

You are an incredible person. 

You are kind.

You are hilarious.

You are insightful like no one I've ever known.  

Every single day I thank God for making us sisters.

Happy Birthday

 I hope you have an insanely awesome day and an even better year. 

And lastly,

Hey. Shut up.

your sister,

Lor

Anywhere I would have followed you

A wild and crazy Saturday Night Update

Tonight was the first branch Christmas Party we have had in a few years. Rumor has it there was some kind of politics or bad blood or apathy or lack of a branch activities leader that caused us not to have one in years past. I hope it was the bad blood.

I love going to church in my 'street clothes'. It reveals my edgier side. Look at the argyle, people. Nothing is edgier than argyle. 

The program was very cute.

I loved the kids choir. If you click on this you will see that every single kid has weird, devil eyes. Not sure what to make of that. 

I promised Danielle I wouldn't keep putting her kids out there on the Internet. But I could NOT resist this one!

Lori Ann

p.s.- I need to walk 8 miles tomorrow before the rain/snow/sleet gets here. I'm going to see if Danielle will do a rap battle with me when I get done the 8 miles. Just to keep it legit. 

If you want me to

This song is my newest obsession.

I'm going to add it to my 'suicide mix' (as Erin calls it)

I like the idea of calling up various acquaintances and playing this song. When they are like "dude, what's up with this?" I will just say "You know". And then hang up. 

On an unrelated note, I plan to be losing a lot of friends and acquaintances in the near future. 

T-minus 5 hours and 50 minutes until I am done work. *Pause*  Make that 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Work keeps interfering with my blogging  Gosh.

I've got 23 items on my weekend to do list.

Getting over this flu and off my anxiety meds has kicked my mania back in.

I like it.

Lori Ann

Her hands are all twisted

I don't know why but this is my favorite picture of my mother ever.


Today's topic: Friendship

My sister's can testify that I am either a horrible friend or an obsessive friend.

I either speak to you only when facebook reminds me it's your birthday
 (and sometimes not even then)

or

I email you 23 times a day.

I wish I could find some middle ground.

Because I think I exhaust people.

Either by negligence or by expecting too much.

I wish I were normal.

That I had a circle of maybe 10 good friends

50 'when you are in town let's hang out' friends

and 100

'Let's exchange Christmas cards and wedding invite' friendships.

But what I have is about 20 'I really should work harder on this friendship' friends
(ex comps, cousins, etc)

and about 200 ' I would defriend you but I'm too nosy' friends.

And my sisters.

Who are and always will be my very best frenemies.

But I've been thinking lately about adding legit friends to my life.

My therapist recommended it.

(is it just me or is it totally awesome to say "my therapist"? I get the same thrill when I talk about "my trainer")

We'll see how this goes.

Nos ir ya,

Lori Ann

That's who I am

When you click on the individual names, it tells you their birth and death date and where they lived

I've been home sick today. AGAIN. That's twice in less than two months. 

The end may be near, people.

Anyway, so I get bored when I am at home sick. It loses it's "I'm not at work" thrill after about 11 minutes.

So I found THIS. Which is actually part of THIS. 

My patriarchal blessing talks alot about me learning about and doing work for my ancestors. That they are waiting for and counting on me.

That's one of the reasons I asked for that DNA test for my birthday. 

I haven't done very well in this area.

I'm sad to say that I don't even really know that much about my grandparents. 

In the last few years I've learned that:

My grandpa Hinsdale was actually a Marine, not in the Air Force like I thought (though he was a pilot during the war) He had a Silver Star. My dad says he would never talk about the war.

My grandma Hinsdale was one of like 10 kids. But her dad left her mom and had 8 kids with someone else. Or something like that. Her only full brother was named David. Which is where my dad gets his name. 

My grandmom Wilson (mom's mom) was the oldest of 5. When she was very young her mother left the family and moved back to Ireland. She never saw her again and knows nothing about what happened to her. My grandmother was raised in foster care. My mom has never met her grandmother.

My grandfather Wilson's mom was married before she married his dad. She always told my mom that her first marriage was to a mobster. Which I think is probably the truth.

And that is just what I've learned about my grandparents. I can't imagine all that I don't know about my earlier family. I wish I knew something. Anything.

So, I know this 

and this

Other Random Things I know:

Hinsdales have been in America for over 400 years. Since the 1600's. My dad says they weren't on the Mayflower but probably the next ship over. I am probably somewhere between a 16th to 20th generation American.

Wilson's came over during the potato famine. I think.

I'm more Irish than anything else. 

In conclusion (of another rambling post): 

It's kind of odd the stuff you think about when you are sick. I've been thinking about my ancestors, Jake Gyllenhaal's hotness, learning to make cold hot chocolate, and how I can convince Sugar to wear a Santa suit. 

So, another amazing and productive sick day under my belt. 

Lori Ann

With the girl I love

                                         

 

Random Monday Night Updates

1. I think I have the flu. I feel dizzy, hot and cold, a little outside of my own body. It probably doesn't help that I've been taking myself on and off of my anxiety meds. 

2. Which I am officially off of now, thank you very much. Look for the crazy to be coming back to this blog soon!

3. I am still working on my marathon training blog. Try to hold back your excitement. 

4. I barely remember anything that happened at work today and I've only been home for an hour. 

5. I do remember using the 'F' word. Maybe this will just sound like a rationalization but my clinical supervisor told me that I need to be comfortable using bad language so my clients could feel not judged and use bad language if that's what their vernacular was. (Kind of similar to how I had to get comfortable talking about sex even though I'm not comfortable talking about sex) Up until I became a therapist I think I had said the F word once in my life. It still makes me feel weird and gross to say it. 

6. My therapist told me that I don't have friendship building skills. I'm trying to work on that. But as friendly as I may seem, I really don't trust people. 

7. I called and rescheduled all of my appointments for tomorrow. I am taking a sick day. I wonder if my clients thought it was weird that I was calling them from my office today to tell them that I would be out sick tomorrow? 

8. Just a heads up, if you ever get your autobiography published on Amazon, I will buy it. Then I will stay up all night reading it. Then talk to various people in my office about it. Beware. 

9. I told my mom that if this flu kills me I want Sugar to be buried with me like old Egyptian rulers had their families buried with them when they died. I wasn't surprised to hear my mother immediately say "Oh, I won't have a problem disposing of Sugar". 

Lori Ann

It's all the answer

Random Saturday Night Life Updates

For the last 3 days I have been off from work. 

So my new job has been to eat like there is no tomorrow. 

I tried to get back on track today but the Captain Crunch knows where I am. It knows my name. You guys...it knows my name.

Anyway...

T-minus 120 days until my half marathon. 

I really, really would like NOT to be the last one done. 

My pink sneakers!

So...

I walked 7 miles today. 

Probably the farthest I've walked in my life at one time.

Unless you count the mission. Who the heck knows how far I walked then. (and in church shoes, no less!)

I think I am driving my family crazy with my training.

I like to get my walk (and/or run) in and then I LOVE to complain about how I feel like I've been hit by a bus for the rest of the day. 

So to spare my family further suffering, I decided to go to my office and I was going to pull EVERY single one of my client's files (all 103 of them) and update things and make notes about what I needed to do for them.

Yeaaaaahhhhhh.....

I was in my office for three hours and I did the following:

Decorated for Christmas. 

Watched an entire movie on Youtube.

Emailed my new BFF Michele. Like 19 times.

Fell asleep listening to sad Christmas music. 

Which led to...

Coming home and watching several riveting episodes of Extreme Couponing. 

Because I focus on what's important, people. There's probably a lot you could learn from me.

So then...

My sister Erin calls me and tells me that what she really wants to do when she comes home is see me dress up like a bear, scare my dad, and then possibly die jumping off the back porch in the middle of the night. 

I told her that I will follow her Christmas to-do list as long as it doesn't involve me dying.

I don't think that's too much to ask. 

And finally...

I recognize that my new blog banner looks like Christmas threw up all over it. I have no power to edit. 

I did resist the urge to photoshop a santa hat onto Sugar. 

This could be the most random random update ever. It definitely ranks among the least coherent and most boring. 

Lori Ann

p.s.- I am starting a temporary blog to track my marathon training progress and blog about health crap. So that I can reserve this blog for important stuff. Like my love of glitter. And my fights with my cat. And how captain crunch should be part of every one's marathon journey.

Look for it to be linked here tomorrow:) 

the 5th President of the United States

James Ray Monroe. 

Of all of my nieces and nephews, James would appreciate a sappy tribute the least. He avoids kisses, runs from hugs, and despises when I call him my 'turkey baby'. 

(even though his birthday is on Thanksgiving today)

So, in his honor, I will try to dial down the sappiness.

James, 

You're pretty cool, dude.

From your classically white dancing skills, to the weird arm pit sounds you like to make, to your recent love of learning bad language- everything about you is pretty dang awesome.

I can't believe you are in the double digits now. I remember the day we picked you up from the turkey aisle...ummm.... you were born at the Hospital.

 I knew that very day that you were going to be the best thing that ever happened to us.

Never, ever change, James. 

I love you so much. 

Umm... I think you're kinda ok. 

See? Not that sappy. 

Happy Birthday to the best d@#& nephew in all the world!

 (that bad language was for you, Jamesaroni!)

Love,

Aunt Lori