So you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower

Ok, so I admit it. My blog has gotten a trifle BORING, as of late.

I wish I had more exciting things to blog about.

But, I don't.

 Not that it will stop me from blogging anyway!

 So, prepare to walk the plank and read yet another AMAZING post from the infamous Lolee. 

Today's exciting topic: My goals for the month of January. 

I'm going to let the excitingness of this blog topic sink in.

I'm going to let it marinate...then I'm going to hit you with some knowledge!

LORI'S GOALS FOR JANUARY 2011!!!

1. Complete my entire to do list EVERY DAY

2. Read 1 therapy related book PER WEEK

3. Recognize good in other people (and tell them!)

4.Clean up before bed

5. Have a morning/evening beauty routine

6. DeClutter

Each one of these goals are things that have been nagging me for years, things which I think about DAILY and yet, have never mustered the energy to do. 

Wish me luck, and good luck to you with your goals, resolutions, and happiness projects!!

Lori Ann

p.s. As usual, my blog titles, now movie quotes instead of song lyrics, will probably only have meaning for me. Oh yeah. 

Ummm... I can't think of a good title, dang it!

Ok, as part of my New Years Resolutions, I have developed a series of Personal Commandments
(an idea from "the Happiness Project")

These commandments are guidelines I want to live by.

 I think that, by living by these, I will be happier.

Lori’s Personal Commandments

• Be Lori

• Don’t let fear slow you down

• It’s ok to like what you like- you don’t have to be like everyone else

• Give yourself credit when it is due

• Clean- it will make you feel better

• Think Positive, Speak Positive

• Dress nicely, do your hair, wear makeup

• Do something uncomfortable weekly to grow

• Finish what you start- it will give you a buzz

• Don’t make promises you can’t keep

• Embrace your annoyances

• Be the change you want to see

Lori Ann 

I wish I may, I wish I might..

My follow up from the last post.

 Because, once again, I've got you on a "NTKB"..a Need To Know Basis..and you all need to know the details of my holiday adventures!

A surprise visitor

MY DAD! aka "the Christmas Elf" 

A NICE Christmas dinner

 My dad made steak, potatoes, trifle, a bread bowl, and all my Christmas dreams come true!

An unexpected trip

Due to some car issues (my dad's car), he was delayed in NC..so instead of slowly going insane in my one bedroom, we took the four days it was being fixed and headed up to sweet home Pennsylvania!

It appears that some were excited, while others were not!

A life changing book

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT.

 BEST BOOK I'VE READ SINCE HARRY POTTER.

Changed my perspective on resolutions, communication, and how to be happy.

A bread bake off

I started making bread a month ago.

 This; I felt, qualified me to challenge my mother
 (whose bread has been renowned for over 3 decades)

and my sister
(who has about a decade under her belt).

 I am thrilled to tell you that I won the bronze medal in that competition:)

A quest to make a mini snowman with large stick arms

This involved my niece Elly who is a genuine megalomaniac.
 (I've officially diagnosed her)

 We made a snowman the size of three stacked tennis balls and she wanted to attach large branches

for his arms...what happened next will live in Mill St
 (my sisters street)

 Christmas folklore for years to come.

Learning more than I wanted to know about french Canadian soup

All I will say about this is; I don't care how cute you are, or how good you make leek based soups.

You are Canadian.

Which makes us enemies.

The hands down best game of Settlers of Catan
there are no pictures, but I will say this much..

I smell fear. That is to be expected.

Lori Ann

Christmas has been cancelled due to a lack of hustle

What started out as my quiet, reflective Christmas in the South has turned into one of the craziest weeks of my life.

It involves:

A surprise visitor

A NICE Christmas dinner

An unexpected trip

A life changing book

A bread bake off

A quest to make a mini snowman with large stick arms

Learning more than I wanted to know about french Canadian soup

The hands down best game of Settlers of Catan

And so much more.

It's going to be a seriously sweet year. I can tell already.

Lori Ann

Christmas is Here!

Top Left: my bread bowl- Center: driving through the snow with Dad- Top Right- Dinner at the Monroes
Middle left: My Christmas Gifts- Center: My Christmas El,f cleaning my car, Middle Right: Midnight Mass
Bottom Left: homemade tamales from my clients- Center: the elf at work again!- Bottom Right: it freaks my family out that I am baking:) 

Christmas, Oh Christmas.

It has been a strange and fabulous holiday. 

While you were all opening gifts with your family, sipping hot chocolate by the fire, and eating Grandmom's green bean casserole...

I was attending Midnight Mass, opening the most random assortment of gifts from my Irish twin, eating with other people's in-laws, getting hit on by drunken Mexican men riding their bikes through the snow, and cracking the whip on my personal Christmas Elf. 

The Christmas Elf being my dad.

 Who showed up by surprise.

 And has been cleaning my apartment, driving me all over the county, watching Twilight movies with me, and cooking me the best late night Christmas steak and potato dinner ever!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

I hope your day has been as festive as mine!

Lori Ann

Tidings of Comfort and Joy!

Happy Festivus, people!!

I called my sisters for the airing of grievances, wrapped foil around a paper towel roll for the aluminum pole, and put my laundry away for the feats of strength.

It was truly a festivus miracle!!

Anyway, I have finally figured out my

  Christmas menu

Here we go..

Beverage: Cranberry Ginger Ale on ice

Appetizer: Homemade spinach dip, in a homemade bread bowl

The bread bowl just  came out of the oven! Is it just me, or does this bread bowl look like a spaceship? Oh yeah..this is gonna be the BEST Christmas dinner ever!! 

Main Course: Steak, a Twice baked potato, and some fancy salad

Dessert: Trifle made with strawberry cake and strawberries.

The only thing on this list that I have made before are the twice baked potatoes, so it will be a celebration of experimental cooking!

 Wish me luck!

Lori Ann

Scones and Sisters

I rarely remember to count my blessings.

As my sisters always say, I like to be the martyr.

Today, I am thankful for two things.

One, for my sisters.

Erin

 for sending these:

yay for presents, it's nice to see something under my tree! Thank you for knowing what makes me happy, Eri!

And

Danielle

for making me laugh with a story that will go down in Hinsdale family folklore for years to come!!


Also, I am thankful for my new desire to bake.


Today I made scones.


Bread dough, rolled out after rising, cut into pieces and fried.

OH. MY. GOSH.


I ate ALL  of them with honey butter in about 2 minutes.

 Literally.


It's been a magical Christmas season and I couldn't ask for more!


Lori Ann