When you wish upon a star..

I know there is a God.

  I know it.


Here is how I know.

 This morning, when I woke to a cloudy, gray day, I thought to myself:

Oh man, I wish I were a stay at home mom, I would be able to relax, stay in my pjs, eat some ice cream, maybe watch some rainy day movies.

Then I trudged off to work, heaving the heavy sigh of a martyr as I went.

At work, I had crisis after crisis and could not get anything accomplished on my list.

 I couldn't sit down for 1 minute without someone calling my name, I couldn't even go to the bathroom without people hovering around, waiting for me to help them with something.

 Then the light bulb came on.

God had granted my wish.

 I was living the life of a stay at home mom.
(just without the pjs).

 Running around, putting out fires, looking sadly at my "to do" list as I ran by, and not even being able to go to the bathroom in peace.

So, today, I salute you, stay at home moms!

 I don't know how you do it.

I hope you get to spend the evening, in your pjs, eating ice cream and watching classic rainy day movies!
 (because that's what I am going to be doing!)

Lori Ann

Yesterday

 Yesterday was one of the most important days of my life.

After 6 years of college

 2 years of clinical supervision

 and over 3000 hours counselling families and individuals

 there remained only one last task to accomplish before recieving my licensure.

 (LCSW- Licensed Clincal Social Worker)

The dreaded state exam.

170 questions.
 (covering everything from Freud to elder abuse)

I didn't tell anyone I was taking it because I was so sure I was going to fail.

I didn't fail.

I passed with flying colors!

 The testing lady said she hadn't seen a score like that in a long time.
  (Maybe she was just trying to rein me in, as I was practically hyperventilating and crying at having passed!)

I can't tell you all how much I appreciate all of the warm wishes, positive comments, and shout outs that I have received.

 I am the luckiest girl in the world, and I have some amazing friends!

So yes, in case you've been wondering, I will diagnose you all free of charge!

 Just leave your mental health issues in the comments section and I will have you committed..diagnosed ASAP!

Lori Ann, LCSW

*Thanks Mom and Dad for the flowers! I was so surprised and excited! Party at the shore in my honor!!!*

Ode to Joy

Step 1:  Please press play on this video (ignore the images, its all about the music)..move the cursor to the one minute mark..

Step 2: Read the following
(well, really just the part that says I passed)

Step 3: Have a weekend of celebration! 

Lori Ann

that I'd be lost without you

You don't even have to ask.

You can totally come to my house for dinner.

 (BYOGCTSAC)
 *that stands for Bring your own grilled cheese, tomato soup, and coke*

Lori Ann

p.s.- I miss those babies.

 I miss seeing them run to the door yelling "Aunt Lorlee!!"  

57 days until Thanksgiving vacation!

Random Thoughts: The late Sunday Afternoon Edition

I haven't made any more progress in Moby Dick.

 Maybe because I keep reading it while laying across my bed.

 Inevitably, I wake up 3 hours later with my glasses on and the book still clutched in my hand. 

I plan to finish it tonight though- look for my review tomorrow!!

I also plan to finish up all of these craft projects for my fall packages and SHIP THEM OFF!!

I may or may not have eaten some candy from the fall packages.

Maybe.

 But let's say I did.

Am I really to blame?

 Or is it, in fact, the CANDY ITSELF that is to blame, calling my name from the depths of the fall package boxes?

I love social work, but there are so few social workers I like.

 I find most to be smug and self loathing.

 It's exhausting to deal with.

I don't like to do product endorsements, but I have to say that the pumpkin spice candle from Walmart totally rocks! 

My sisters have been chatting and talking about what a terrible pet owner I would be.

 Are you kidding me?

 I am the daughter of the "cat whisperer".

 I would be an excellent pet owner!
 (and yes, I HAVE killed a number of houseplants. Or should I say, they have killed themselves, due to their own lack of initiative!)

People need to update their blogs more often!

 Put down your children, responsibilities, and hobbies and entertain me, people!

What I focused on during my last training..sneakily reading and GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!

The strange lunches social workers eat when we all get together

I was tired of waiting at this light
 (which is literally like a 3 minute wait)

 until I realized I was missing the chance to see an amazing sunrise!

Lori Ann

Sail Away

"Whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul.."

"as a rather good sort of God, who perhaps meant well enough on the whole, but in all cases did not succeed in his benevolent designs" 
(referring to a small carved wooden pagan idol named Yojo)

"commend myself into the care of Heaven"
 (author describing the act of falling asleep)

"Ignorance is the parent of fear"

You may be wondering what all of these fabulous quotes have in common.

Well, wonder no more, my good people!

I am reading Moby Dick!!

This was another one on my list that I was hesitant to read because it sounded DEAD BORING.

 I knew it was about a whale and someone named Captain Ahab and blah blah blah.

However, in reading all of the books on my 100 greatest books of all time list, I have been, more often than not, pleasantly surprised.

 I adore Don Quixote, I am obsessed with Pride and Prejudice, I never have laughed as much as I did with Huckleberry Finn.

Maybe, I thought, Moby Dick will surprise me.

And let me tell you..it has!

I am 1/3rd of the way through, and they have just set sail for a three years journey, Ishmael and his tattooed pagan "bosom friend" Queequeg.

  I have been alternately laughing over their strange adventures and marveling at the poetic and inspiring words of Herman Melville.

I can't say it enough.

 Classic literature is classic for a reason.

 Every single one of the books I have read
 (except the creepy Heart of Darkness)

 has struck a chord with me.

 Has made me laugh, cry, and see the world in a whole new way.

Lori Ann

You'll have new Septembers

What it is, people?
 (I love saying that, it makes no sense)

Anyway, I have been asking my clients questions from my infamous

  book of questions

 and so I thought I'd ask you all too!

 Please choose at least one
(or maybe all of them!!)

 and tell me something about yourself.

Aren't I paying you people to keep me entertained at work?

I'd hate to have to lay any of you off in this kind of economy!! 

Question 1

What would you most like to hear from your father?

Question 2

Who do you think was the worst criminal in history?

Question 3

What's the most disgusting thing you've ever had to do?

Answer or don't.

 Your silence will be just as intriguing as your answers:)

p.s. On a side note, my fall decorating has now spewed over from my apartment to my office.

Check out my office door
 (the thing in the middle is for putting pics and decorations..don't worry..I'm getting to that next!)

p.p.s.- Don't be alarmed.

 It's supposed to look like that:)



                        Lori Ann