Trying to hold on

The cat bed he created for our McMuffin

Today's Topic:

Things I have learned about Richard Allen Walker in the Year and Two Days we have been married!

1. He hates mustard and pickles and anything the LEAST bit spicy. Never take him to a Mexican restaurant. He will shame you. 

2. He never asks for anything for himself. 

3. He never misses work. Never. 

4. He is obsessed with local politics. Like community agitator level obsessed. 

5. He doesn't hold grudges. Not even for a minute. 

6. He never yells. (except at other drivers)

7. He loves old stone farmhouses and PA history as much as me. 

8. He does not clean. Unless I threaten him. 

9. He wakes up at the drop of a pin. 

10. He has never analyzed his childhood and it KILLS me. 

11. He doesn't like ice and drinks from a frozen mug. 

12. His favorite go to food is corn dogs. 

13. He and I have VERY different senses of humor. 

14. He tells me every single day that I am beautiful and he loves me. 

15. He treats our cats like gold. Seriously, they are so spoiled. 

There are a million and one other things. It really is true that you don't know someone until you marry them. 

Here's to year number 2!

Mrs Walker 

I can't help

I have been married one year and one day. 

And I have completely neglected this blog. 

I'm sorry. 

My goal is to blog more. 

Because there are so many stories that I didn't record this year. 

Like Jack Jack telling me he has to live under my sister's evil dominion. 

Rich buying me orange roses for valentines Day. 

Getting our new kitten Mcmuffin. 

Starting a new job. 

Adjusting to married life. 

Rich's obsession with local politics. 

And his bizarre hatred of mustard. 

And how we always listen to Funky Cold Medina in the car and sing along. 

There is so much I don't want to forget. 

Wish me luck in blogging more. 

Mrs. Walker 

Just let her have it... she's got stuff that belongs to me too :)

 

My niece Katy turned 9 today.

 

She is the sweetest AND craziest girl I know.

 

I cant imagine our family without her.

 

Happy Birthday, Katy-Cat!

 

Love,

 

Aunt Lori

You were there with me

 

"My sisters remind me by their very steadfastness that truth, beauty and goodness exist in the world, and that, no matter what there and always will be people loving people through thick and thin"

 

I've used this quote in the past but nothing expresses so well my thoughts on my sisters. They are the biggest blessing of my entire life.

 

Lori Ann

(younger sister of Danielle Christian and Erin Leigh)

Let's talk about all the good things...

Random Life Updates

(the picture edition!)

 

Sugar December received high quality cat nip from her aunt Erin. Yeah- she's starting 4/20 a little early:)

A picture that captures their relationship perfectly. *sigh* He's so going to get her in the divorce :)

More projects! This table is really old. We have no idea what we are doing but we are excited!

Ignore my strange reflection. Sunsets in the spring are just stunning.

A rare jump shot of the Katy Kat!

Jack Jack's expression when I asked him to give me a look that said "YOLO"

I can't believe how fast they are growing up. I know that's clichéd but its so true.

If I can't have PA in fall, give me PA in spring!

 

Rich and I take the back roads everywhere!

 

A few quotes from the kids I want to remember...

 

"I am the literal definition of Caucasian trash! I am eating ice cream, carrying crap from the dollar store down the road!" (Jack Jack)

 

"I know where babies come from...my mom told me! Have you done that? (I hesitantly answer..."um, yeah") "Good! Now you have to do that all the time until you have a baby! I want a cousin!" (Elly Mae)

(I had no idea that my first and only ever experience of being peer pressured into sex would happen with my 11 year old niece...:) )

 

"Good, so we're settled on names. Hermione Lily Walker if it's a girl and Luke Sky Walker if it's a boy" (Elly, choosing names for my future children)

 

Lori Ann

When nothing but the stars appear

The suspense is over....I give you

The Wedding Day

 Part 2 (of 3)



4:20 PM until 7:30 PM

4:20 PM

I arrive at the barn where we are getting married. I wonder where I should store my purse and chug a 5 hour energy. (Classy til the end)

4:21 PM

My sister Erin appears and informs me that I will NOT be going into the barn until I walk down the aisle. Meanwhile, my mom and brother have wandered off and I am seething with rage as I see Rich taking fun pictures with his groomsmen and family.

4:22-4:25

Erin tightens my corset backed dress, all the while ranting about me about how I don't need to breath. People are pulling into the makeshift lawn/parking area and I am waving at them from behind my mom's car. I get my nieces to take some jump shots with me.

Somewhere around 4:30

Everyone is in the barn and I am standing outside with my nieces and dad. My dad is ranting at me about something...probably saying "Stop worrying about your dress! Are you here to get married or be a princess?"

 

The instrumental version of hallelujiah begins to play. I hop over the door entrance with my dad and then proceed to almost kick up the aisle runner. I feel like my dad's grip tighten like it used to when we wandered too far in the Qmart.

 

My dad walks me down the aisle.

 

Rich looks like a deer in headlights.

 

We have the shortest ceremony on record. All I really remember is being happy to see my sisters waiting for me at the front and trying to keep Rich calm.

 

We didn't do a rehearsal, so he is facing one way and I am kind of facing another.

 

Which makes all of our ceremony pictures look like we are two strangers standing at a bus stop together.

 

We say "I do".

 

I then remember yelling at everyone to hurry outside with us to take some selfies before the sun went down.

 

4:45-5:30

 This whole time is a blur of picture taking (I didn't have an official photographer- just friends who brought their cameras and selfies) and talking to everyone and my feeling like I didn't want anyone to feel left out.



Me and my friend Janelle



My family (and likely a lot of people from the branch) were switching the inside of the barn from a wedding setup to the reception.

 

I remember feeling very manic and running around all over.

 

5:30-7:30

 The reception. It was COLD inside the barn. I should have planned better for that. All I could see as I looked around were things I was worried were not good enough. The forgotten ink guest book thing, the long line for food, the lack of pictures of me and my sisters, the people who looked out of place, the family I hadn't seen in a while who I really should go talk to- I honestly didn't slow down and enjoy my reception. I wish I had.

 

I didn't eat anything or even get a sip of the apple cider I had wanted to have there so desperately.

 

I wanted to make sure everyone was ok.

 

There were a few magical moments.

 

Erin gave an amazing toast for me.

 

My sisters got even by making me dance to Butterfly kisses with my dad.

 

I twirled Rich to our song.

 

I got to introduce Rich to my grandmother (who would die exactly one month later)

 

I got to use the phrase "My husband" for the first time.

 

By 7:30 everyone was freezing and heading out the door. But the after party invites had just gone out...

 

Stayed tuned for 7:30 to 10!

 

Lori Ann

 

 

You can run free

 

I am interrupting the hour by hour rundown of my wedding day to bring you this quick tribute to Katherine Danielle.

 

Our little Katy Cat.

 

She just found out today that my parent's cat Sour Krout had to be put down
(several weeks ago) and she was devastated.

 

She showed up at my parents house crying her eyes out.

 

The love for animals gene is very apparent in a certain line in our family.

 

It goes from my dad to my sister Erin to Katy.

 

So we sent her up to talk to Dad.

 

As I dropped her off to talk to him, he was giving her a big hug and saying "It's ok".

 

I love that they have that connection and my dad always knows the right thing to say.

 

I am lucky to have people in my family who are better than me in so many ways. That make me want to be a better, kinder person.

 

Lori Ann

Today's the day, we'll say I do

 

Even though its only been a few months, the details of my wedding day are already slipping from my mind.

Which is why I want to take the opportunity to write down all the details of the day before I completely forget!

Let's do this, people!

The Wedding Day
From 7 AM to 4:20 PM

7 AM
 My wedding day begins with Rich and I waking up in our new apartment. We've already broken rule # 1- no seeing your spouse before the ceremony. It feels good to break the rules, baby!
 

 (P.S.-No, we were not living (or sleeping!) together but both ended up sleeping at the apartment the night before the wedding because I think my mom was plotting my murder and Rich had left his last place the week before)

7:30 AM
 I send Rich off to the diner for breakfast and go back to my parents house.

(Rich apparently had a leisurely breakfast and then TOOK A NAP....don't get me started on this topic!)

ANYWAY
 

9 AM
 So I get home and we are waiting for my dad's brother and my aunt and cousin to show up. They had driven in from Indiana for the wedding. No one makes me a wedding breakfast. So, I eat a smore poptart. It just feels right.

Between 9 AM and 12 PM
 My sisters are calling and organizing and running back and forth to the barn where we are going to be married at 4:30 PM.

My dad's family arrives and we spend the morning hours chatting with my Aunt Karen and cousin Melanie.

I am not going to lie. They gave me some pretty heavy handed and somber marriage advice. A lot of references to "compromise" and "working as a team".
 (I partially zone out as I rage text Rich about why he is napping!)

I don't think they are impressed with me and my "I'm going to give this marriage a year trial" ideas :)

HIGH NOON

 I escape their clutches and my mom and I go to Ulta beauty where I am getting my hair and makeup done.

I haven't had my hair done professionally since the Prom.

1998, baby!

I spend most of the hour in the hair salon talking to the stylist about her relationship with her stepdaughter and the struggles of a blended family.

Then the makeup...holy Hannah, the makeup. That woman used makeup tools I have legit never seen in my life. It was intense.

Meanwhile, my dad wanders into the Ulta, looking SO out of place.

And my mom keeps saying "You don't have to do this, Lori."

And my sisters are getting ready together...without me.

AND NOT WEARING MY WEDDING COLORS.

A lifetime later...let's say 3 PM

The stylists stop torturing me and we head home.

It's just me, my mom and Jr.

The weirds- united again on my wedding day.

My mom helps me into my dress. As she is lacing me up I am saying "I might be your first divorce, Mom!"

My uncle Walt arrives at the house with his date and tells me to run as far from marriage as I can. I tell him to stop making me cry with his inspirational thoughts, it will ruin my makeup.

It's now 4 PM 

T minus 30 minutes...

 

I realize I have to cash a paycheck so I will have money for the DJ and other things.

 

With no time to go to my bank, we swing by the Walmart on the way to the wedding and Jr and I run in to cash the check.

 

Yes, I ran into Walmart in my wedding dress.

4:15 PM 

Being stared at in the Walmart.

I can't remember if this was before or after my fake eyelashes came off.

 

Meanwhile, I keep reassuring the customer service person that I am NOT marrying Jr, who is standing next to me in a suit.

 

(Which is ironic because on my sister Erin's wedding day she kept telling the valet person that she was NOT marrying me.)

 

While I am in Walmart, declaring to anyone who will listen that I am NOT marrying my brother, my mother receives revelation in the parking lot that this marriage is a good idea.

Whew...just in the nick of time.

4:20
 

To be continued...

Lori Ann

Faithfully

It's always the right time for more wedding pics!

 

A few memories I want to write down so I don't ever forget them:

1. Sitting in subway with my nieces and nephews and Jack-Jack, talking about my sister Danielle, stating "Yeah, well I am scared of her and I have to live in the shadow of her tyrannical rule!"

2. Some skanky woman calling out "Hey Ricky" as Rich and I walked down a back street in East Greenville. At least he had the grace to look embarrassed! Now I keep telling Rich, "I have a hot boyfriend named Ricky!"

3. Rich getting me a bath and body works card and orange roses for Valentines Day. He knew I had wanted orange roses for my wedding bouquet and due to lack of organization on my part, I did not end up with them. So he got me them for Valentines Day.

4. Having a "truth telling" party led by Katy.

5. Discovering Rich's eye for good lines on buildings and furniture and starting our first "flip" project together.

6. Driving home with my dad, listening to Indigo Girls AGAIN.

7. Erin calling me and telling me "You got married and you rang that bell HARD" and making me laugh until I felt sick.

8. Singing along to Journey with Rich as we drive along the back roads

 

9. For years my sister have listed their petty grievances about their wedding days and my dad always says "Are we talking about your wedding again??" and I am FINALLY part of that club! I was ranting about the orange roses and he was like "Are we talking about your wedding again? You had a NICE wedding!" It made me laugh.

 

Lori Ann

He is standing right in front of me

 

It was the 45th birthday of Richard Allen Walker yesterday.

 

You know, prior to my Harry Potter journey, Jane Eyre was my favorite book.

 

And like Jane, I knew that if I ever married, it would be to an older man.

 

Rich is much better than Mr Rochester though.

 

He's not dark, brooding, he doesn't whore across Europe, and there is no crazy wife in the attic.

 

Although...we do have a door to our attic which we are NOT allowed to open.

 

Oh man.

 

You guys, we are going into the attic tomorrow.

 

Be warned!

 

And happy birthday to the man who single handedly smashed the Spinster Chronicles to pieces.

 

I love you to the moon and back, babe!

 

Love always,

 

Lori Ann Walker

 (the LAW!)

Maybe this year will be better than the last

 

It's my mom's birthday today.

 

I think I have shared every favorite memory and fun story I have about her on this blog over the last 7 years.

 

So, I guess that leaves me with saying that she is one of the strongest women I have ever met.

 

She taught me how to survive no matter my circumstances.

 

She is not afraid of anything.

 

She is in almost every single one of my favorite life memories.

 

I hope to have at least one child...I am not sure what will happen.

 

But if I do get lucky enough to be a mom, I can only hope to be 1/2 as good a mother as she is.

 

She was the one that held her mother's hand and sat with her as she passed away last month.

 

I can't imagine ever being that strong.

 

Thank you, Mom.

 

For everything you've taught me, every sacrifice you've made, and staying with me when I was so completely lost.

 

Love always

 

Your baby

 

Lori Ann

I'll find him next to me

Everything you need to know about the infamous

 

 Richard Allen Walker

1. He is about to be 45- he's almost 8 years older than me. This is both of our first marriages... although he was once engaged.

(to she who must not be named!)

2. He has lived in PA almost his entire life, with a brief stint in Missouri. Not only has he lived in PA most of his life, he has lived in the same county. So have his ancestors for the last 300 some years.

3. He is a school bus driver and loves his job. He has the same job for 14 years.

4. He is not literal like my sisters husbands- we just have very different senses of humor. His is more "Tommy Boy" and mine is more "Caddy Shack". He told me once that most people would say I was odd, not funny.

 (it was said in a caring way but it made me laugh so hard)

5. He is the second oldest of  5. He has two sisters and two brothers, though his brother Kevin died at the age of 3.

6. His hobbies include: watching trains, going for random drives, movie watching, getting involved in very local politics, experimenting with bachelor style food (root beer chicken!) and being on facebook.

7. We met at church about two and a half years ago when he converted. My sister Erin pestered me for years to date him. I just thought we were too different. Until I dated some jerks and thought "I need a nice guy"

8. He is about 3 inches taller than me and has dark hair and green eyes. They are a combination of his German and English heritage. I hope our daughters have green eyes.

9. His parents are divorced and do not like each other. I still have not met his mother but I adore his dad and his stepmom, Jane.

10. He proposed to me in my parents kitchen and gave me the EXACT ring I wanted!

 (with a little guidance from my sister!)

11. He has never once raised his voice to me or said anything mean. Even when I had been up for 48 hours and was honestly a little delusional and I accused him of kidnapping Baron Trump.

12. My family makes fun of me because I like generic food- stuff that is not cooked with love. Rich takes it to a whole other level- He only eats processed things and is suspicious of home cooking.

13. He joined the church after his dad and stepmom were baptized while living in Colorado.

14. He quit smoking after 24 years.

15. He likes to tell me "I'm a convert" with the tone of "I'm a bad boy". I don't have the heart to tell him that I've probably done more crazy stuff than him. He is a such a good, decent guy at heart.

16. He was a volunteer fireman for years. He is as patriotic as me but more from a local level perspective, while I tend to focus on national.

17. We are different in almost every way but have some random things in common- the most difficult commonality is our tendency to hyper focus on things- like this morning I found old lottery tickets and was fixated on checking to see if we had won and he was fixated on FINALLY taking the Christmas tree down to the trash. He kept interrupting me and I was like "Will you let me obsess about this please?"

18. He is so ticklish it's ridiculous. It's my secret weapon against him.

19. He has never analyzed his very dysfunctional family and doesn't seem to understand why I constantly analyze mine. He and his mother haven't really talked in years and I asked him why and he was like "I don't know". 

20. I see hints of this underlying brilliance when I least expect it- we were furniture shopping at the thrift store and he kept commenting on the lines of pieces- he has a good eye for aesthetics and we both love sort of Old American style. Our dream is to own and restore an old PA stone farmhouse.

21. I see this brilliance in him in other areas too- sometimes his comments are so insightful or sometimes his perspective is so unique. I make it a point to tell him when I see stuff like that because I don't think he has gotten a lot of positive reinforcement in his life.

22. I am trying to break him of using the word "yous"

23. He is back in classes two nights a week, working on his GED. I am so proud!

 (especially after I took some practice tests with him online...holy Hannah- the GED is NOT easy!)

24. He has friends and connections everywhere- making him a good balance to my life as a social recluse.

I could go on and on...I just want my daughters (I keep telling him we are going to have two dark haired, green eyed daughters!) to read this one and see all the things that are interesting and great and crazy about their dad.

Lori Ann Walker

(aka Mrs Richard Walker)

Rich baby, kept me from the cold

 

I was looking back on this blog and realized I had captured so many amazing moments that I would have otherwise forgotten.

 

 I don't want to not remember this year.

 

 This crazy first year of marriage.

 

 So, here is what you missed while I have been gone...

 

1. Marriage is interesting. Interesting good and Interesting tough.

 

2. Rich still remains the nicest man I have ever met. I never forget how lucky I am to have such a nice guy. He opens the car door for me and calls me "sexy" when I haven't showered in two days and my hair is literally standing on end.

 

3. I always sleep better when he is there. He leaves every morning at 4:30 and I am always kind of restless until I get up at 6:30.  

 

4. We are kind of a bad combination in that he has been a bachelor for a long time and I am a youngest child. So we kind of enable each other in things like eating popcorn for dinner and not doing laundry. I keep telling him that one of us has to be the adult. :)

 

5. We have memories that are just ours. For example: the lobster claw, the cat sleigh business, the Trump kidnapping, the "when I am dying you leave work immediately!" memory, the ice cream foot incident and so many others. I don't ever want to forget them.

 

6. He calls me 'the LAW" because those are my initials. Lori Ann Walker.

(and because I scare him!)

 

7. I still sign my name Hinsdale half the time. Then I cross it out and write Walker. People must think I am nuts.

 

8. When I am mad he tries to get Sugar to make me happy..."Go to mommy, Sugar".

 

9. We text or email throughout the day. Him with stories of his adorable school children and me with stories of my crazy inmate clients. Our jobs are so different.

 

10. I am realizing more and more how different our families are. In good ways and bad.

 

11. Once he sets his mind on something, he can't stop thinking about it. Like "Where is my screwdriver?" or "I should take out the trash". I have learned its just better to let him deal with whatever is on his mind than try to change his mind or make him wait.

 

12. We have opposite taste in just about everything. Music, movies, food, candy, books, hobbies. But we can watch "the fugitive" and "national treasure" together and do puzzles. So that is a start :)

 

So, it's been 2 months of adjustment, compromise, and fun.

 

 It will be fun to see where we are this time next year.

 

Lori Ann Walker