You'll never see the moon

It's snowing here today. 

This is strange weather. It's probably the end of the world or something. 

Today my parents come home from Paris. 

I am excited to see them and even watch their 700 picture slide show.

I am blessed to have the family that I have. 

Especially my sisters.

My mom must have had a thing for strappy sandals

My parents are great- slightly evil, of course, but great.

But when I think of home, I think of my sisters.

They support me in everything. They are the only two people on Earth who really know me. 

They've told off bad friends of mine, helped me move, listened to me rant for hours, encouraged me when I could barely put one foot in front of the other, called me when a song on the radio reminds them of me, threw me strange and hilarious birthday parties, picked me up off the side of the road when my car broke down, they do my hair when I want to feel confident, they get freaked out excited for me when I accomplish something. 

Danielle bought me a gray sweater dress for when I reach my weight loss goal from all of this crazy dieting. 

Erin sends me festive flowers randomly.

Anyway, I know they don't approve of posts like this. 

But I made the decision that I wouldn't leave anything in my life unsaid. 

Lori Ann

 (the baby) 

Random thoughts on a Saturday Night

So...

This dieting is making me feel crazy. I think it's probably the first diet I have ever been on when I have had to address my actual food addiction. I am dreaming about English muffins. And getting weirdly crabby with people. I think that jolly Lori only functions with a large amount of caffeine and sugar. 

My parents have been in Paris all week. I've decided that I am going to be the next one to go on an exciting adventure. Maybe Jersey. It is; after all, the Paris of the East Coast:)
 (the bay always did remind me of the Seine) 

I miss blogging. I think sugar powered my blogging before. So prepare for a slightly darker tone to my future posts. Instead of song lyric titles, it will be excerpts from my stream of consciousness angst poetry. Wait...that will be what the posts are. The titles will be angry, declarative statements, like " Jelly is death" and stuff like that.

I think this is what this blog has needed for a long time. An edgy, emo undertone. I won't be satisfied until my readers leave every post asking themselves "Was that just a blog post or a cry for help?" Just thinking about it makes me want to go and paint my nails blood red and try to add another piercing to my ear.

We had a 'no parents, no rules' sleepover with the kids last night. (Jr and I). It got pretty wild. Some of the children stayed up until 4 am. (they staggered down the stairs in the morning like they were hung over!)

My favorite moment (besides watching James dance with a corn dog in each hand) was taking them star gazing on the hill behind our chapel. They all ran up before me and all I could see as I walked up was the kids, looking up, huddled together against the cold, against the backdrop of a stunning starry sky. It will always be one of my favorite moments from my whole life. I know it's not the same; because I am their aunt, not their mom, but I love them all so much. I wish I could give them the stars. 

I think I am going to update my blog header tomorrow. Brace yourselves. 

A quote to end this scintillating post...

Lori Ann

Random Thoughts: The me gusta el papa edition

Ok, so I know I've left you all hanging waiting for the tour of my office. Don't worry. It's coming soon.

But on to other random thoughts...

We now have a Latin pope of Italian descent.

If he weren't...

a. Straight

b. Over 60

c. the Pope

He would so be my dream man.

I feel like doing something crazy this weekend. I keep trying to tell Danielle we should go back to NYC. I just feel like getting out and seeing the world.

I have been off diet coke for about a month now. I tried one sip last week and it was sooo gross. I am never going back to soda again. It doesn't even sound appealing.

I have been dieting, people. Which has led me to watching youtube clips at night of people eating delicious food. Sometimes I make my family describe what they are eating and how it tastes.

No food addiction issues there, eh?

The Monroe's and I are going on an epic vacation this summer. First to Palmyra and the Hill Cumorah pagent. Then to Niagra Falls. Then we cross into Mordor...uh...Canada, to see Danielle's mission place- Montreal. We're taking the children out of the country. Holy hannah.

I don't know what has hit me. Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's because I finally have a stable job that I mostly love. Maybe it's an early mid life crisis.

I just want to LIVE MY LIFE.

Anyway,

The office tour is going to be up by the end of the week. I'm still considering adding weird, emo music so it's less of a tour and more of a journey!!

Lori Ann

Baby it's cold outside (Part 1)

You guys.

It's snowing here.

And I got to my office two hours early but couldn't focus on anything.

So I did what any hardworking, professional, career minded girl does in that moment.

 I laid on my floor and read and then I made a video of my office.

Oh yes.

It's going to be featured on this blog tonight!

 It just got real in here. 

Lori Ann

p.s.- As a little preview to further set you on the edge of excitement, here is an excerpt of the dialogue taken directly from the video..

"And over here we have my lamp..I got it at IKEA. It's pretty, right? Anyway, now to the bookcase.."

On a little rowboat to find you

I got to go walking this morning with this handsome guy.

We talked about everything.

All the important life topics that philosophers have discussed and debated for centuries.

Minecraft. Angry Birds in space. Something called Temple Runner 2. Call of Duty.

And somewhere between all the talk of games and apps, we had a great conversation.

We talked about life. About times we have been sad. About how life is not always fair. And about the potential that he has to do anything and be anyone he wants to be.

It made me realize that I need to listen more. Especially to the kids. I really have a hard time listening. It's what I do all day, so I don't have the patience for it once I get home. But it wasn't until we covered all of the gaming things that he wanted to say that he really started talking to me. About stuff that doesn't involve an ipod, ipad, or laptop.

I hope that one day the kids will read these entries and know how much they have always meant to me. Being an aunt is the most important thing I do and the best part of who I am.

Anyway- on a related side note- I walked a mile and half this morning! Holy Hannah- I am so going to get in shape and make you all EVEN MORE jealous. Brace yourselves!!

Lori Ann

Till eternity passes away

We went to Philadelphia again this weekend.

I have seen more of Philly in the last two trips than I did in the entire year that I lived there.

I guess its a little sad that I didn't get around much, but it was grad school, people. I had school, internship, job, and my nightly 9 pm date with a plate of cheese fries to focus on.

Gosh, you people are demanding. It's a good thing you are also incredibly hot too. It balances out the demandingness.

Anyway- the Museum of Art was AMAZING.

We saw some Picasso, Van Gogh, Renior, Monet, Manet, Pollock, and hundreds of others.

And though they whined and dragged their feet for some of it, I think the kids really enjoyed themselves.

And for me there is nothing more magical in this world than introducing my nieces and nephews to new things, new ideas, new places.

Like I always say- I wish I could show them the whole world.

But I'll settle for Philly, NYC, and DC for now.

Anyway, in closing, I have decided that I am going to give a name to all of these recent trips and things we have been doing. It'll be the Spinster Chronicle's first REAL series. (since "poor girl's fancy" never got off the ground.)

Let's call it the "Live Your Life" series.

Look for another exciting update soon. Maybe tomorrow.

Because we are going walking slash kite flying in the park at 7 am.

You know that is going to be epic.

Lori Ann