If only in my dreams

I think I may have just decorated the most bizarrely awful Christmas tree of all time. 

Too many lights on the bottom, not enough on top. 

Ornaments are strangely placed and the tinsel looks like a 3 year old was in charge. 

But, sitting here in my living room, with the lights off, listening to Oh Holy Night, that all fades away.

I feel almost at peace.

 I have fancy hot chocolate, homemade Christmas cookies, a strange little tree, and Matt Damon movies (my personal holiday tradition). 

There is just one thing missing. 

Well, four things really. 

Lori Ann

A Merry Christmas

You guys! 

Tonight was my office Christmas Party.

 It was hilarious and super fun.

 and INSANE.

# 1- I started and participated in a DANCE OFF!! 

(which was one of my life goals!)

Not me, but the starting team on the dance off!!

# 2- I was offered secret alcohol that was being passed around in green cups! 

# 3- I won the "Michelangelo Award" for the most creative person, for the 3rd year straight!

People were chanting my name!

 My company's Christmas party is the one time a year that I feel what its like to be popular.

 I don't know what it is,
 (maybe the alcohol they are drinking!)

but I genuinely feel like every one's favorite at this party.

 It's a nice feeling.

This party was the kick off to my holiday season, and it looks like it is going to be an amazing Christmas season!!

Lori Ann 

Random Thoughts

Ok, so...

1. I got myself one of several Christmas gifts I have planned for good ole' number 1 this year...

A SEWING MACHINE!

 I named her Hester and let me tell you..she is temperamental.

 She and I have been trying to make a table runner out of sparkly penguin fabric and she is not as enthused as I. 

2. I made my "holiday to do list" today.

 (that was probably an unnecessary use of quotations, but I can't stop, I am the same way with the semi colon. I never know when its needed and I feel a desire to throw it in everywhere)

 ANYWAY, on my list this year: see a choir concert, go to Midnight Mass, get a real tree, have a 'shopping and movie' day, have a baking day, volunteer on Christmas day, etc.

3. I never did review the Harry Potter movie.

 I know my readers are clamoring for my thoughts: I liked it.

 I have come to realize that I can never truly LOVE a Harry Potter movie because of all that they leave out.

 I think my heart will always be most broken by them leaving out SPEW.

 It's what inspired me to write my own manifesto!

 Anyway, I CANNOT wait for the last one.

 Battle of Hogwarts, the Prince's Tale, Kings Cross Station, Epilogue..its going to be amazing!

4. The company Christmas Party is tomorrow night.

 I am going with two agendas.

 1. Revenge. 

2. Win some awards, baby! 

Every year they distribute these random awards.

 I've won the Michelangelo creativity award 3 years running..I don't want my streak to be broken.

5. My James just turned 7.

 And let me tell you something..7 never looked so good. 

6. Happy Hanukkah to all of my Jewish peeps.

 You know who you are, gremlin!

 (Seriously though, I really find almost all Jewish people to be hot.) 

(I'm telling you all this because you are a NTK basis..a Need To Know basis..and you all needed to know)

(look for further personal revelations in the future)

7. My parents are back from Paris and London.

Apparently they had a great time. I am so happy for them.

Lori Ann 

I'm am slowly going crazy

Quotes from today:

"There have been so many broken promises today"- little Jack to his mom, after we didn't get to bake as planned

As Junior(Dave) and I leave the Deathly Hallows:

Dave: "so, who was that weird looking guy at the end, who took Dumbledore's wand?"

pause...

Me "that was Voldemort"

Dave: "Oh, he's still alive? I thought he was killed in the second movie"

pause....

Me: "Ummm...no, he's still alive"

Elly, flying her stuffed bat "Buddy" around the room:

"Aunt Lori, Buddy doesn't ever have to pee OR poop"

Me:  "and why is that Elly?"

Elly: "Because Heavenly Father made him that way"

(let me clarify that I did not inquire as to the elimination needs of Buddy the bat, but Elly likes to keep me informed about things of this nature. I cannot imagine why.)

"I see fear. This is to be expected".

(Danielle, when talking to Jack about her plans to cook everything for Thanksgiving dinner!)

Today was also a banner day for me in my Walmart shopping career.

 I was at Walmart at 8am, buying 5 umbrellas (on a clear and sunny day), 2 pez dispensers, coke, and a pregnancy test.

 With my nieces and nephews accompanying me.
 (You haven't truly lived until you've brought the 8 and under set through the prophylactic aisle!) 

I left my usb cord at home, so you'll all have to wait for pictures.

Try not to let the disappointment ruin your holiday!

Lori Ann

You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream

Today is the day.

The greatest book ever written comes to film.

T-minus 1 hour and 11 minutes until I am watching the Deathly Hallows.

I am SO tired though and I have SO much to do tomorrow. 

Why do I keep thinking that I am 19 and can still go to midnight premieres?

On a side note, I heard from my parents.

 It sounds like they are having the time of their life in Paris.

 It's so surreal to think that they are really there. 

1 hour and 7 minutes.

I better get to the theater before all the good seats are gone!

Lori Ann

Random thought: the Tuesday Evening Edition!

Me, at the top of the Eiffel Tower, circa 2007

Ok,

Here are my random thoughts..two days early!!

1. My parents leave for Paris tomorrow!

 Remember a few months ago, when I wrote about getting them a trip to London and Paris for their anniversary?
(35 years as of December 27th).

Well, after months of paying, the trip is finally here!!

 Good luck and have fun, mom and dad!!
(and remember..what happens in Europe, stays in Europe!)

2. Sunday was National Diabetes Day.

 I was going to blog about it, but I talked myself out of it.

 I just decided to celebrate instead.

 A shout out to my fellow diabetics! 

3. Tonight was our "client appreciation dinner".

It was INSANELY awesome.

 Some of our families came and we talked about ways to get rich.

 One of my clients stated that we should "build ourselves a mansion and make everyone live in a trailer park and give them a bike".

 I can't help but support dreams of world domination!

4. Less than one week until I get to see my muffin babies.

 I can hardly wait. 

5. I am most excited for getting new pajamas with Danielle and staying up late, watching movies and psycho analyzing the details of our childhood!

6. I am super excited to bake with the kids, Christmas shop, and be caught up in the holiday magic.

The only missing thing will be Erin.

 She is spending a fabulous Thanksgiving with her associates, Pumpkin and Buster. 

Well, I think that's it. 

Au revoir!

Lori Ann

Remember this Moment

I graduated high school some mid June day, in 1998.

Now, some mid November day, 12 years later, I have achieved my highest educational aspirations.

Today, I received my Clinical Social Work License.

It took me four years of undergrad, two years of grad school, two years of internship, and two years of clinical practice and supervision.

 Plus one killer state exam.

But, I am here, at last.

I am now making 5,000 dollars more per year than the highest I ever aspired to make. 

I am the only bi-lingual therapist in at least three counties.

I am now technically part of management. 

For the longest time, I feel like I have been trudging forward, with my head down, just trying to reach some distant goal.

For the first time in over a decade I feel like the future is a blank page.

Wish me luck. 

Lori Ann, LCSW