And there are storms we cannot weather

One of my summer goals is to read ten books on my "100 greatest books of all time" list.

Today, I read Night by  Elie Wiesel.

It is his first person account of his time spent at Auschwitz. 

 

Over the years I have read a few books about the Holocaust. Some fiction, the Diary of Anne Frank...then this.

I expected to feel sad...who wouldn't, given the subject matter? 
 

Instead, I felt hollow. 

It was the same feeling I had when I visited Dachau- a concentration camp just outside of Munich, Germany.

I felt as if I were there again, as I read. In that cold, rainy, empty, dark place. Even 60 years of history had not taken the horrible feeling from that place. 

 

The only passage that broke through the feeling of numbness which enveloped me, was when the author talked about his first night at the camp. When he saw children being thrown into a fire. 

 

I felt sick. I imagined it was my precious James, or silly and sweet Elly, or anxious and warm hearted Jack-Jack. Or worst of all, sweet toddling little Katy, still a baby really. 
 

 

Now that I've read it, I will cross it off my list. 

 

And I don't think that I will read it again. 

Lori Ann

Just when I thought I'd said all I could say

It's time for Friday Confessions.

Glamazon has the best confessions. Also her blog has been redesigned..which makes me want to redesign this blog...don't make me fight you for blog superiority, Glamazon! I have like 2 followers, and I am not afraid to get a third!!

Anyway...on with the CONFESSIONS!!

1. My bath mat has been puked on twice this week. Neither time by me. Also, my bed was puked on. You'd think I was having raves and drinking parties here...nope, just Wii parties with my nieces and nephews. Apparently, some people can't stomach a combination of coke, pringles, oreos, french fries, popsicles,chicken nuggets, cheese and starbursts. (I'm looking at you, Katy Monroe...and no, being 2 is not an excuse!)

2. I still keep waiting for the "real" therapist to come to my work. When a child tells me something traumatic that happened to them or that they are depressed, I start looking around frantically, thinking "Shouldn't there be a professional here to deal with this?"....then I remember...that person is me. Yikes.

3. I wish I could spend my life crafting and doing fun service projects for people. I could do that for the next 60 years, no problem. Unfortunately, neither of those activities "pays the bills". Dang it, bills! Why don't you want me to craft??

4. My brother in law is moving up to Pennsylvania today to start his new job on Monday. He's staying with my parents for a little while until he and my sister sell their house. ha ha ha....good luck with my parents Jack...ha ha ha. 

5. It's 7:21 and I am eating the breakfast of Champions...coke. 

6. USA versus England in soccer on Saturday. I love America and am proud to be an American, but when it comes  to soccer, my allegiance is based on hotness (which is also how I vote in major elections). Wayne Rooney plays for England...so....sorry America...(although if you win, I am will jumping right back on board!)

Lori Ann

I'm walking on sunshine

There is a lot going on right now. For the past few months, I haven't had much inspiration as far as blogging, but now I have like 12 post ideas a day. 

I must be in the manic cycle of my bi-polar  ummm....I must be inspired! 

Anyway, today two amazing things happened.

         Amazing thing # 1                                  Amazing Thing # 2

                                                                           

 Amazing Thing # 1
  My completion of a wreath for my door. 

People, I am not crafty. I LOVE to craft, but I have no skills. So, while this wreath is far from perfect, I am just excited to have made something to beautify my home. (And give my neighbors even more reason to be jealous! :)

Amazing Thing # 2 
   Today, my sister and her little posse of tow headed munchkins showed up at my work and brought me flowers! I was so surprised and excited! They are so sweet and I will remember this forever. Sigh...I am going to miss those babies when they leave.

Anyway, as long as this crazy swing is going , I will be blogging every day.
 Every thought that comes into my head.

Oh yeah. Summer just got even more awesome!

 

Lori Ann

The List

Lori’s List of Summer Goals

1. Get a tan

2. Write the first ten chapters of my book

3. Go away for a weekend

4. Read 10 books on the greatest books of all time list

5. Get budget organized

6. Pay off car by September

7. Use entire dental deductible

8. Go to Chiropractor

9. Walk 1 mile
(I hate walking)

10. Write in journal minimum 4 days per week

11. Update and organize blog

12. Go camping at least once

13. Buy myself flowers once a week

14. Get a chemical peel

15. Spend 150 hours outside

16. See 6 sunrises

17. See 6 sunsets

18. Learn 5 new photography skills

19. Test for my LCSW

20. Take the midnight train to Georgia
 

Lori Ann

Don't Stop Thinking about tomorrow

              I got this new Polaroid thing I can't              This is Jack and Danielle's house at sunset

                 stop using..this is my living room

I've been reading other people's blogs again. 

Sometimes I get wrapped up in them, like I am reading a book. I wonder what the next chapter will hold.  

Blogs have been both good and bad in my life. Bad, in that they are an AMAZING time waster, and good in that they inspire me. 

Inspire me in everything from craft projects, to home decor, to testimonies, to living life as an adventure. Chances are, if I have read your blog, I've been inspired by one post or another. 

I think, of all of my gifts from God, that's the one I love the most. The ability that I have to so easily be inspired by others and to not be disheartened by my own lack of talent, but instead feel a rush of energy, like "Oh, I want to do that to!" 

I have had this feeling recently, like change is coming and it is going to be good change. I think I have a lot of growing to do, as a person, an aunt, a blogger, a therapist, just about every aspect of my life.

I am kinda excited for what the future holds. 

So, buckle your seat belts, because the coming months are going to be awesome!! 

Lori Ann

Tonight we're going to party like 2009!

You know, being LDS you don't get to "party" like most young people.

I spent the majority of my twenties working, serving a mission, and finishing 6 years of college.

I've always felt like I missed out on my chance to have some wild and crazy nights.

Well, that feeling is gone because now I've got some younger friends.

And boy, oh boy..do they know how to party!!

Last night...

We totally got "trashed"

We played games all night
(and by 'all night' we mean 930..that's right, an hour and a half past bedtime!)

Then everyone "passed out"

What happens at Aunt Lori's, stays at Aunt Lori's!

Lori Ann

Where I'm coming from

I always wonder where people blog from.

Is it a home office, with big windows and a view of the mountains?

Or is it a toy scattered living room, on a cluttered coffee table?

Maybe its wherever their laptop happens to be in that moment.

I blog from here:

In a strange, wood paneled living room with poor lighting.

It's OK to be jealous:)

Lori Ann

p.s. I may or may not have hidden candy before taking this picture to give myself a better blogging image:)