For Dawn on the 28th day

So, as I've talked about many times, the only real life long friends I have ever had have been my sisters.

I do have some people- primarily former mission companions- who, if they lived closer, I would demand that we be best friends. They are all (ok, all except 1) incredible women.

My therapist (I LOVE saying that) said I don't have friendship building skills because I moved so much as a kid and had a built in peer group with my siblings.

Also, I admit, I'm a little sociopathic and am not that interested in other people.

So, my point in all of this painful self analysis is that- you guys- I have real friends. Incredible, kind, wonderful, amazing, real friends.

And one of them is named Dawn.

And, as I mentioned in a previous post, she is helping me count down until my half marathon.

So, every day when I walk into my office, I find something like the above.

She has a son, a husband, a busy, busy job and a million other things to do, but she takes the time every day to support me in my weird goals. Who does that?

She is an example to me of true charity.

This whole changing my life and my health and becoming a better person has been the hardest battle of my life. (well, besides surviving Chicago, Ill for 18 months)

Thank you, Dawn.

You don't know how much your support means to me.

Lori Ann

Hit me with your best shot

So, 

I brought Sugar over with me this morning when I came to hang out with my sister's kids. 

I don't know how they do it but my sister's kids make every life situation hilarious. 

Sugar did NOT like their cat Willow and Willow was not a fan of Sugar. 

So, Sugar is in one corner, hissing, and Willow is backing up and James is saying in a

(I kid you not)

boxing ring announcer voice 

'I would not want to be either one of them at this moment. Look at this, folks "

I was just like "who is this kid?" 

Then, my sweet Katy Kat, starts counseling Willow, saying 'Sugar's new here and she's just a kitten.We've got to give her time to look around". 

It was SO precious. 

She reminded me so much of my sister Erin in that moment. 

I know these kid stories are really only of interest to me, but it's my blog, damn it!

And these are the stories I want the kids to read in my blog book when they are 40 and trying to remember the stories of their childhood. 

Lori Ann

Te regalo mi cintura

Ok, here is what has been going on in my exciting, exciting life..

I've been at the gym almost every day. 

Except yesterday, when I decided that the walking paths were probably ok because we had a warm weekend. BUT NO.

I walked a half mile down the path only to be confronted by huge patches of ice. Then I turned around and marched back and went down a different path. Got about 1/4 mile and MORE ICE.

I tried though. It was a triumph of the human spirit. 

Feel free to cite this story when trying to motivate and inspire others.

ha ha. 

I walked 5 miles tonight. I haven't been running as much because it bothers the metal in my left leg. I hate that one fall on the ice at age 20 affects me to this day. 

Whatever. Hopefully as I get more in shape, running won't bother the metal or the break area as much. 

Ahh..the gym. Why do people choose the treadmill RIGHT NEXT TO YOU when there are 12 empty ones? 

I'm experimenting with weird church clothes. Including high heels. (well, high for me) I wore this odd get up last week. Go me!

I trial ran these shoes at church this week. Other than clumping around like a weirdo, I liked it. Now to wear them to work...

Work has been nuts. Literally nuts. Thankfully I have my favorite coworkers who keep me sane and help me not completely hide in my office, rage eating skittles. 

Rage is my new favorite word. Add it before anything and it makes it sound edgy and cool.

For example, "I am going to totally rage eat this bowl of oatmeal".

 See what I mean?

Anyway, speaking of good friends, I learned something kinda awesome today. 

You don't fill in the blank with the F word here with Michele. 

And you will NOT see Dawn next Tuesday. 

Lori Ann

p.s.- You know your life is in a good place when you hear your nephew say (in the middle of Sunday family dinner) "Dirty Gerty is missing an arm". I love you, James Monroe. 

Just an old, sweet song

Sooooo..... Today was interesting. 

I broke up a fight, speed walked 8 miles, and made rice krispy treats with my successor. 

It was epic. 

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the fight but here is me after 8 miles on the devil treadmill.

I was SO excited to walk today because it was a beautiful day. I drove to the park I always walk at, put on my headphones, laced up my sneakers- Ode to Joy was playing as I started around the 1/2 mile track.....and then...ICE.

All the snow was melting and anywhere on the track that was in the shade was covered in slippery, slippery ice. 

I was enraged. 

So, I inched back across the ice and drove to the gym. Where I had planned to walk 10 miles but only made it to 8. My legs were starting to feel a weird, icy feeling around 7 miles and I could really feel the metal in my leg. Also, I was done being surrounded by weird gym people.

I'll go for 9 next Saturday. 

One step at a time.

Before all of this, I made rice krispy treats with the infamous Katherine Danielle Monroe. 

We had a youngest child party. It was amazing. Even when Elly joined us, insisting that she had been the youngest child for 2 years and so should be able to help make the treats:) 

Then-later in the day- I saw two of my neighbors fighting. Which I would not normally involve myself in but one was an adult and one was a 12 year old. Child abuse kinda gets to me, I guess.

So, I tried to use my therapist voice and break things up. 

It got kind of resolved and I was able to go home and have some kosher pickles and fruit loops.

The end of a rather magical day.

Lori Ann

He filled my life with endless wonder

Some things I don't want to forget from this crazy, crazy week. 

Seeing these in the hallway outside of my office yesterday. 

They are from my sister Erin. She sends me flowers a few times a year. Just because she is thoughtful like that. 

Erin never forgets me. She always knows when I am stressed or overwhelmed or if I just had a week with 100 back to back appointments in it. (or when someone tells me (like today) that an alligator could do my job better than me)

Best. Sister. Ever. 

This was hanging on my office when I got in earlier this week. It's from Dawn, one of my very favorite coworkers. She left me a card today that said "35".

She's counting down to my half marathon.

How sweet is that? 

She is also holding my crackers for me so that I don't eat more than 5 at lunch time. 

That's true friendship. 

Dawn is amazing.

Anyway...other stuff I want to remember...

James told me that I was "lame" because I didn't have the song Bad Company on my iPad.

Katy was talking about how she wants to be a mom one day. She said she is going to find her future husband in either New York or Utah. She was talking about being a little scared to have a baby in her stomach and so I said "You can always adopt a baby" and she said "I can just go to the hospital and get one?" 

She sounded really excited. :) 

All the marriage and baby talk prompted me to talk about the man I want to marry and I was listing the qualities I want: metro sexual, in touch with his feelings... and Jack Jack states "Someone who will do whatever you say"

How does he know me so well?

Speaking of Jack Jack- today he said that the reason that I get so aggravated with him at times was because I am still upset about not being present at his birth. (which I agreed with!)

(He was due Oct. 1st- I came out Sept. 30th and had to leave on Oct. 8th- the day he was born. My sister was half way through labor when I had to leave)

When I got home from work, Elly and her friend were playing outside in the snow. Elly yells over to me "Aunt Lori, we have ice powers!". Then, after a quick, whispered conference with her friend, she turns to me and states "Umm..never mind. No, we don't!"  They look so relieved when I said "ok". (I guess the ice powers are supposed to be secret. But I am so selling this story to the tabloids)

My parents are sick. This thing was waiting for me when I got home today. My mother has been trying to get her hands on a manniquin for her trainings at work. (she has asked in several stores "What are you doing with that manniquinn?" I told her that she was making us look like serial killers)

Anwyay, I gues she finally got her hands on one and it scared me like 10 times tonight. 

Bizzare. 

I've been to the gym almost every single day. 

I love my new gym. It helps me push myself to work out, knowing that the steam room and hot tub await me at the end!

I went to a weight loss support group and learned about organic stuff. (yuck)

Tomorrow, my goal is to walk/run 10 miles.

Wish me luck!!

Lori Ann

hi, my name is

You guys.

I ran on the treadmill today.

For the first time in my life.

I was running a little here and there outside last fall but I had kind of stopped once winter got here.

And I've never really been able to go faster than 3 miles an hour on the treadmill.

But today (for about 1/2 mile) I was running. Like legit running. At 4 miles per hour.  

That's a 15 mile a minute pace. Which, for me, is incredible.

It used to take me close to 30 minutes to walk one mile.

I could totally finish my half marathon in under 4 hours if I can go at that pace.

I think my official marathon plan is going to be to create a 4 hour playlist and alternate fast and slightly slower songs and run during the fast songs and speed walk during the slower songs.

I will probably walk the first mile as a warm up.

I know I've still got a lot of work ahead but it feels nice to have a plan.

39 days to go.

Lori Ann

p.s.- I have decided that, as a reward for completing the half marathon, I will be getting myself brand new sneakers and a nice ipod with an armband thing!

p.p.s.- I hope no one in the gym can read lips. Otherwise they would have seen me singing a lot of "chica, chica, chica slim shady".  I think my half marathon mix is going to be heavy on the eminem and Christina Aguilera. Both of them make me feel like my feet can fly.

And they worked out a plan

So, not to get too health and fitness crazy here at the Spinster Chronicles but we do need to talk about something serious.

Only 40 days until my half marathon. 

I already have a hotel room. 

It's cost me a total of close to 250 dollars between the hotel and the registration and everything.

There is no backing out now.

It's scaring me a little.
(but all really good goals should scare you a little)

So, I have been going to the gym. Just not that consistently.

And I haven't been walking/running because I LOATHE the treadmill. And there is nowhere to walk outside right now. Everything is covered in ice and snow.

Not a good excuse, I know. 

I did get on the treadmill today for 3 miles. 

But I've got to do a lot more than that. 

A half marathon is 13.1 miles. 

The furthest I've walked in my life up to this point is 7 miles. 

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am going to try and make the next forty days of my life very focused and push myself to achieve this goal.

If I could complete a half marathon (and my only goal is to finish in under 4 hours) I know it would be a huge confidence booster for me. 

So, if this blog goes to a weird fitness-y place, don't be alarmed. 

I'm trying to keep myself motivated and inspired. 

Wish me luck!

Lori Ann

p.s.- I am always looking for good music for my half marathon mix or ideas to keep me motivated if you've got any!!

p.p.s.- I think I'm going to start the marathon with a little "Goodbye Earl"- I feel so inspired listening to it right now. The part where it says "Right away, Mary Ann flew in from Atlanta on a red eye midnight flight, she held Wanda's hand and they worked out a plan" reminds me of my sisters so much:) 

Oh, tell me now

I was looking through my old pictures to try and find a picture of Elly when she was younger. 

Even though I just did a birthday tribute post to her, I wanted to do another one to celebrate her getting baptized tomorrow.

 (Mormons baptize at age 8)

But then I stumbled onto this picture. 

This was me about a year and a half ago. 

Sometimes I feel like I have so much further to go.

 (I'd like to lose another 70 lbs or so) 

But seeing this picture reminds me of how far I've come. 

I signed up for a new gym today. 

A gym with yoga classes and a steam room and a hot tub and lots of weird gym people. 

Hopefully I will be one of them one day. 

Wish me luck!!

People at the gym are going to be so intimidated by me. It's going to be epic!

Lori Ann

And time is frozen

Things and weird thoughts I don't want to forget from Snowmageddon 2014: 

Jack Jack; after being made to pose for me in the snow, stating "You like to take pictures of human suffering, don't you?" 

Finding a sled buried beneath about a foot of snow and convincing Jack Jack to try sledding down the hill. He got about 3 inches. We couldn't stop laughing.

Hanging out for a few minutes with this sassy thing. She told me "Danielle told me I could come out and help". 

She shoveled snow, swept off steps, found all the icicles on Grandpa's truck, and handed me several chunks of ice to "keep in your pocket for later". 

After being out in the snow for a while, she announced "I'm going in for some hot cocoa!"

While shoveling with the Kat, I realized that it's kind of sad that this is my first time shoveling all winter and I've been letting my 63 year old father (with recent knee surgery) do it all the time. 

Yikes. 

I also announced to my dad that all of this snow had to be rattling the Global Warming crowd. He said that they claim victory either way- too much heat or snow. 

At which point I made the announcement that it is my belief that Americans (and particularly those of the white, Angelo Saxon protestant persuasion) love to feel guilty. 

It's been that way since the days of our Puritan ancestors.

We love to feel guilty and make others feel guilty.

So, cries of "you're a witch" or "you're immoral" or "you are different- by race, religion, ethnicity, etc

have been replaced with cries of "you are judgemental" or "you're destroying the Earth" or "you're a racist". 

The same cycle of guilt, shaming, and intolerance- it's just the the groups and topics have changed over time. 

So yeah...I think I have too much time on my hands. 

My cheeks after being out for less than an hour
(I blocked all the color except the cheeks!)

Lori Ann

How she's gonna find her way back home

These are my great great and great Grandmothers- Ada and Naomi

I have learned alot in the last 24 hours as I've immersed myself in family history.

I've learned that through my Dad's family I am a 13th generation American.

Our ancestor Robert Hinsdale came over in 1632- 12 years after the Mayflower.

He was later killed by Indians in a dramatic standoff (along with 3 of his sons)

I've learned that after 4 generations, my mother's family kind of disappears into the ether.

And not that I know everything about even those 4.

The more I learn, the more there is to learn.

I find one relative and that leads me to a million others.

Great aunts and uncles and their children, whom I've never heard of.

Generations of my family.

Most of whom are directly responsible for me even being here.

And I don't know them.

I don't know why I feel so inspired to do this.

I wonder what God wants me to find.

We shall see.

Lori Ann

What she once was to me

So my mother made me see this movie last night. 

Oddly enough, we were the only ones in theater to see this one on Friday night at 10 pm;) 

It was a good movie. It's the true story of an Irish woman who is looking for the son that she lost to adoption when she was a teenager. 

For some reason, when I left the theater last night I was filled with this overwhelming desire to find my great grandmother.

 Some might say that this is not really my story to tell but since I made my blog private and this woman was my great grandmother and her decisions have affected my life in a very meaningful way- I am going to tell the story anyway.

It's a little confusing, but here we go...

Here is the family tree-

There's me- Lori Ann.

Before I hacked all of my hair off

 I am the daughter of Terry Ann.

 Her mother- my grandmother- is Ann.

Here with the Katy Kat

 And her mother- my great grandmother was also Anne. (but with an 'e')

I know my mom (of course) and my grandmother. 

Here is my mom and her mom and 5 of her 8 siblings.

I've never met my great grandmother Anne.

My mom has never met her.

And my grandmother hasn't seen her in about 70 years.

After marrying a man named Wilfred Roberts at age 16 or so and giving birth to 5 daughters, my great grandmother Anne (who was maybe 23 or 24 at this time) left her family and went back to Ireland.

No one has heard from her since. 

My grandmother's father died in an accident shortly thereafter and she (and her sisters) were raised in foster care most of their lives. 

Being raised in foster care in the 40's affected my grandmother. It affected the way she parented my mother. Which affected the way my mother parented me. 

I love both of these women. Especially my mother. They are incredibly strong women.

But I can't deny that the original Anne's actions have affected my life. 

I know almost nothing about her. 

Which is odd because her name is my name. I love the Ann in my name. It makes me feel so connected to the strong women who are the reason I even exist and yet I know nothing of the original Anne.

Seeing this woman in the movie search so hard for her family made me feel like I should do the same. 

My great grandmother could still be alive for all I know. She'd be 98 or 99 right now. 

She's about to be a great-great-great grandmother and she doesn't know. 

If she's still alive, that is. 

Anyway, 

I don't know what I'd do if I found her. Or found out what happened to her.

I'd like to think it would bring some peace to my grandmother or my mom. 

I don't know. 

But I feel like it's important to try. 

Wish me luck. 

Lori Ann

But as long as there are stars above you

Elizabeth Mae Monroe at age 8


To my dear niece Elizabeth on the occasion of your 8th birthday

Elly, you are the magic in my life
I've loved every year of your life and
this year has been one of the best
Everything about you at 8 is awesome

From flippies to stompies
To makeup and break up stories
To singing Lorde and In summer
And seeing Frozen a million times
You are my Elsa, girl

You are a strong, independent woman
Who knows exactly what you want
(and is not afraid to tell anyone who will listen)
You tell me "girls rule the world"
And looking at you, I believe it

You love your pink bike with streamers
And dream of snowmen who love warm hugs
You still laugh like you did when you were 4
(Especially when we watch videos of you at 4)
"Seriously, why are you laughing?"

I've loved our Youtube parties
(what does the sock say?)
And watching movies at Uncle Davids
(and raiding his snacks)
I'll always remember  the night we got your bike
(the cold never bothered me anyway!)
And all our morning fashion and hair fights
(braid..no ponytail..not the scratchy sweater!)




I'll always remember our summer of soccer
(Look out for the girl in pink!)
And our walks through the cemetery
(talking about Puritans and religious freedom)
And our Chopped parties
(who chooses marsh mellow fluff and twinkies?!)
And our many YouTube tutorials
(How to play soccer- step 1)

Elly, I hope you know how beautiful you are
You are the oldest daughter of an oldest daughter of an oldest daughter of an oldest daughter
Every one of them a strong woman
And I see every one of them in you
You are brilliant and original and everything
I asked God for on the day you were born

I can't imagine my life without you, Elly bean.
 

Never, ever change.

Love always,

Aunt Lori

Previous Elly birthday tributes (there are 5 on this blog now!)

Age 4 

Age 5

Age 6

Age 7

It's because of you

It's another snow day!

 This week I will have only worked Tuesday and Thursday. So odd.

Anyway- as promised- today's post is my long awaited next addition to "Free therapy!"

So..today's topic.

 Reinforcing core beliefs.

All of us have things we believe strongly about ourselves. Both negative and positive. 

These are called our core beliefs. 

Most of them are formed in our first 6 years of life.
(the 'wonder years')

We spend the rest of our lives seeking out relationships and situations that reinforce these beliefs. Both the positive and negative.

A classic example would be:

The daughter of an abuser marrying an abusive man. 

Her core belief might be "I am worthless" and even if she intellectually knows different, she subconsciously seeks to reinforce what she has been taught about herself.

 It sounds odd, but we feel most comfortable in that place, even if its negative. 

Human beings are creatures of comfort. We learn something, we understand things a certain way, and we don't like information that changes those thoughts and feelings. 

Not that we aren't open to change our ideas or learn new things. Most of us are very intellectually curious and crave stimulation and new sensory input. 

It's just that our core beliefs are so strongly a part of us that they seem like fact- not something open to interpretation or change. 

Think about when someone compliments you on something you feel like you don't do well. How does it make you feel?

For me, it's when people say something like "You look nice today" or something along those lines.

 I have a strongly held belief that there is something wrong with me- from the way I look to how I present myself.

 I like to be around people who will laugh when I joke about how "fashionable" I am. I frequently say "You want my fashion advice, don't you?" looking to solicit laughs and reinforce the idea that I am a disaster. 

It almost makes my skin crawl to be complimented on how I look or how I dress. My coworkers are super sweet and will frequently say "Hey skinny!" or "You look so cute today". 

It's so hard for me to just nod quickly and say "umm..thanks!" 

I usually start to joke or change the subject. 

Intellectually I know I should look for people, friendships, and situations that reinforce positive ideas about me but I don't feel comfortable there. 

That's why most of the negative things we think about ourselves are so hard to change. Not because there isn't evidence to contradict those negative ideas but because we tend to avoid and discount it and look for things that reinforce the dysfunctional ideas we have about ourselves.

I hope this makes sense. 

There you have it!

 This week's Free Therapy. 

Next week (and now that I've gone private) I'm going to talk about my infamous 'sex homework'. 

Yes. There is nothing more appropriate than a single Mormon girl giving out sex homework. 

Be warned!

Lori Ann

Let's face it though. I am getting super hot. 

But though you're still with me

It's been an odd week. 

My office was closed yesterday. 

Open today.

Closed at least half a day tomorrow- or the whole day, depending on weather. 

Then I have Friday off.

I always dream of having lots of time off work but I really do thrive in a structured, routine environment. Too much time on my hands throws me off.

Anyway, 

I think I am finally ready to let go of my favorite client. 

I was telling my friend Michele that I go through periods of being super focused on people and then not caring about them at all.

My therapist says I am all or nothing.

 (maybe that's her polite way of calling me bipolar?)

I wonder if other people quote me the way that I quote my therapist. 

Yikes. 

I say some crazy stuff. 

Speaking of my clients, there is a lot of depression going on right now. With the crazy weather and everything. 

I kind of pick up on the energy of my clients at times and so I have been listening to a lot of sad songs.

Right now, "Someone like you" is playing. 

It kind of reminds me of my senior year of college. 

When I listened to "My Immortal" about 1000 times. Literally.

I think my roommate was plotting to kill me. 

Now I'm listening to "Carry you Home" by James Blunt

Lori Ann

p.s.- If tomorrow's a legit snow day- be ready. I plan to finally update my 'free therapy' feature on this blog. It's going to be epic!

And if the sun comes up tomorrow

My favorite Superbowl commercial

It's another snow day, people!

It's 10:13 am and I have 17 items left on my 'Snow Day' to do list.

I feel a little crazy right now.

I already filed my taxes.

It was rough having to itemize all of my investments, vacation homes, gambling winnings and such but me and my tax pro- turbo tax- got it done in about 10 minutes.

Is it bad that nothing has changed on my tax returns since I started filing at age 15? Except the income?

Anyway...

Other items on my to do list:

Make Dr. K (my fav psychiatrist) a t-shirt extolling the virtues of libertarianism

Create a scrapbook about my adventures with my sister's kids

Make rice krispy treats with above mentioned kids

Shovel (so I can get some dang cardio in)

Finish Valentines Day wreathes and Erin's package

Bake something

Create an official curriculum for my group therapy sessions

Sing along to some classic Prince. 

Wish me luck and happy, happy Snow day!

 (to all my East Coasters!)

Lori Ann

Oh yeah..let's not forget this one...

Update blog.

p.s.- I spent 2 hours making this for my office (I wanted a love themed quote for February) and it's HORRIBLE. Oscar Wilde deserves so much better!

You are my candy

So...

Today is Sugar's birthday. 

I have no idea when she was actually born, but it was probably around this time and I like the idea of her celebrating her birth on the same day that we celebrate another of our great animal friends- the Groundhog!

My favorite line from Groundhogs Day is "Don't drive angry". I always like the most obscure quotes. "I can see that you're serving drinks" is my favorite Star Wars line and "I've worked for the private sector. They expect results" is my favorite line from Ghost Busters. 

Anyway

 I was going to write a sentimental post about how much happiness the Sugar cookie has brought to my life and yada, yada but then I saw this. 

She has placed herself in the corner. (next to the drywall of all things)

So odd.

I think this is God's way of warning me never to have actual children.

If this is what I get with a cat, who knows what kind of devil creatures I would give birth to?

Anyway,

I have gotten 21 of the 24 items on my weekend to do list done. 

But I'm staying up until they are all done. 

And it might be a snow day tomorrow which means I can get even MORE done. 

I don't know what I am going to do when I get everything done.

 Everything I've had in the back of my mind for months (or years). 

What do people do when they are all caught up?

Is this when I take up golf?

Or recreational pot use?

Is pot use ever not recreational?

I'm not smoking now, I swear. 

Lori Ann

Forever could never be long enough

There have been a lot of important things going on in my life. 

Important like chili cook off victory, teaching my nieces to apply make up street walker style, making strange stuff for my friends, and random mental health diagnoses. 

Michele and I won second place in the chili cook off- let's start there. 

There were nine competitors. We were number 7. Our chili was called "Aunt Annie's Wild Chili Surprise" 

The surprise was that it was just chili. Cool, eh?

Here it is. Right next to "Flaming Freud's Chili"

Made by one of our psychiatrists, Diana.  She is the one who has been George Clooneying me.  Look at her apron!

Anyway- we totally won fair and square. There was none of the following involved in our victory: 

My dad actually making the chili.

Socially pressuring our coworkers to vote for us.

Voting multiple times. 

Absolutely NONE of that occurred. Nope. 

On to the next topic. 

Making weird Valentines Day crafts for my friends. Especially my new BFF- Michele.

 My niece keeps talking about her two BFFs at school and I always tell her about Michele. 

Michele listens to me whine. (I send her minimum 20 emails a day. 19 of them are me whining) 

Michele pushes me out of my comfort zone. ("Lori- you run social skills group therapy. You have to socialize")

Michele is going to hook me up with her hair dresser AND tattoo artist.  

The least I can do is make her weird craft gifts and leave my almonds in her office. 

Sugar is my crafting assistant 

Now that this blog is private, I have been kind of breaking my promise to my sister not to put her kids out there on the Internet. I hope none of you are pervs. Well, not that kind of perv, anyway.You can be an appropriate perv if you want. 

I love watching my nieces and nephews sleeping. They look like the baby versions of themselves and its so magical. 

Speaking of betrayal, look who is lounging with my parents! 

The previously mentioned classy make up. 

I know this post was all over the place. It's probably because of my new meds. 

So, I had my psych eval and I got an official ADHD diagnosis. 

Which doesn't sit well with me because I have always had this idea that you can't be overweight and have ADHD. But I manage both. Don't ask me how I do it :) 

And now I'm on meds for it. 

Which are making me get things done. 

But it's making me want to get TOO much done. Like covering 19 topics in this blog post. 

I'll probably take myself off this one soon enough:) 

I miss the crazy!

Lori Ann

p.s.- I photoshopped the heck out of myself for my new banner. My skin has never looked like that- but the cool thing is my nieces eyes are really that blue!