Merry Christmas, Darlings

It's never too late to feel brand new

Ok

I am going to get the jump on all of you with my

 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS FOR 2011!!

Luckily I gave up heroin, stripping, and ice tea last year, so on to something new..

Resolution # 1 THE MONEY GOAL

NO DEBIT CARD.

Most of my money goes to pointless crap impulse purchases.

  I want to save money and pay off my evil evil student loans things, so I am getting rid of the card.

 I will keep the number for online payments, etc, but, for everything else, I will have to withdraw cash from the bank.

Resolution # 2 THE PERSONAL APPEARANCE GOAL

I hate my hair.

 Well, I don't HATE it, but all I do is wear it in a sloppy pony tail every single day.

This year my goal is to DO MY HAIR EVERY DAY.

Resolution # 3 THE I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT FOR YEARS GOAL

I have been wanting to write a book for years.

This year, it is going to happen.

 If I write a page a day, it should take me about a year.

Resolution # 4 THE LIFE AMBITION GOAL

As you may know, I have a book of Life Ambitions.

 Everything from sky diving to being in a flash mob to reading the 100 greatest books of all time.

 My goal for 2011 is to accomplish at least 12 of those goals- at the rate of 1 per month:)

Well, there a million other things that I would like to improve, do, etc. but these are the main resolutions for the year 2011.

Boo Yah!

Lori Ann

p.s.- Starting in 2011, my blog titles will switch from song lyrics to quotes from movies/tv:)So get excited for that!

Random Thoughts Thursday: The Snow Day Edition

Ok people!

Here are all the updates you've been clamoring for from the land of Lori

1. the management retreat: I am deeply saddened to report that it was less retreat, more extended management meeting.

 There were some funny team building games and a great lunch, but my dreams of high bonuses and company secrets were shattered. 

 

2. My holiday to-do List

I am making some progress!!

 This has been such a magical Christmas and I really think it is because I am not letting myself stress, but just doing the things I love and trying to find joy in everything.

and last, but not least...

3. Today, I learned how to make bread. 

Left: mixing ingredients and listening to Pandora, center: my favorite part, kneading the dough!, right: It turned out pretty good, I think I took it out about 5 minutes early, because the bottom was a little undercooked, but not bad for my VERY FIRST loaf ever! 

Lori Ann

I get by with a little help from my friends

So, I coordinated my first office party...a Christmas themed Potluck/Baby Shower. 

Here are the FIVE things you need to know about what went down at the 1st annual Monroeton Office Christmas Invitational Potluck and Baby Shower Event:

1. I made up an award for everyone.

 Everything from "best smelling office", to "most infectious laugh".

 My favorite one was to Fred, my 61 year old staff member.

We gave him "the hottest in the office" and I gave him a coupon for a night of hot tubbing with management

. Oh yeah.

2. We talked a lot of trash about other departments, and speculated on high level company relationships. 

3. There was some evidence shredding.

That's all I can say.

4. I finally got to tell the whole office the story about the former tenant (Scott, a non complaint diabetic alcoholic) dying in my apartment before I moved in.

 If I haven't told you that story, you are missing out. 

5. It was a magical Christmas feast the likes of which none of us may ever have again!
 (or just a tepid holiday gathering that gave us a chance to gossip and eat)

Now..on to the management retreat tomorrow.

 Oh man, I feel like Alice in Wonderland.

 What happens at these events?

 Will there be insider trading?

Can you inside trade in social work?

 How much of a bonus is going to come my way?

 what kind of company secrets will be shared?

Fear not, faithful readers.

 We will be taking this journey into the unknown together.

Expect a full report on my management retreat tomorrow! 

Lori Ann

Feliz Navidad!

Wrapping dollar store gifts for my Irish Twin

Admiring the white trash glow of my tree at night

And crossing "watch Love Actually" off of my Holiday to do list.

Pure. Christmas. Magic.

Lori Ann

p.s.- Recibi una invitaction a comer posole con mi gente Mexicano el dia antes de la Navidad! Que emocion! 

There's not a thing that I would change

No one knows me really. Except my sisters.

They are my teachers, my cheerer-uppers, my defenders, my examples, my make me laugh until I criers, my best friends.

Today is one of their birthdays. 

Happy Birthday, Eri. 

You are everything that I wish I could be. 

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double.  

Toni Morrison

Lor

Baby, it's cold outside

This is my second attempt at decorating my tree. Equally bizarre/trashy as the first time:)

I can't stop listening to and watching this!

I initiated an unauthorized Christmas themed potluck at work. 

It's going to be Monday morning at 11 am.

You are all invited!

Lori Ann

p.s.- Once again the South has had the last laugh.

 After an unseasonably hot and long summer, it is now unseasonably cold.

 Apparently there is no benefit to living here.

 You are going to be extra hot in the summer and extra cold in the winter. 

Well, there is the barbecue and hot accents...humm...maybe its worth it..