I like to see a man of advancing years throwing caution to the wind. It's inspiring in a way.

My new blog feature has been put on hold so that we can stop and recognize the 13th most important holiday in my life. 

Groundhogs Day.

I wanted to put up a cute pic of a ground hog and maybe a funny Groundhogs Day movie quote, but my friend Laura (aka Intern # 2) wrote some stream of conscious poetry and DEMANDED that I put it on my blog. 

Let's do this thing!!

Ground Hog, Ground Hog

Running so sweetly

Oh how I would love to

Utilize your

No...Ground Hog! Don't run away-run to me

Don't die on me

Heal, Help, Hallelujah

Oh, you're dead

Go to heaven, Ground Hog

So moving.
 I feel as though you have encapsulated all that the groundhog was, is,and will be.

 It's breath taking.

 Thank you, Laura.

 (for your poetry, your attendance at various midnight Catholic celebrations, your willingness to sacrifice a family pet, etc)

And now..tomorrow..we are going to talk about THIS

It cost me 3 dollars to make.

 And may be the crappiest wreath known to man.

 Brace yourself, we are diving head first into some dollar store crafting tomorrow!

Lori Ann

Walk Like an Egyptian: Random Thoughts Wednesday

I can never seem to do my random thoughts on Thursday..sorry, Allison!!

Ok, let's do this thing.

I am super excited to start my new blog feature.

THE POOR GIRL'S FANCY

 I chose that name because it kind of annoys me. And one of my commandments this year is to "embrace my annoyances"

Go Egypt!

 Its a sad commentary on my knowledge of global politics that I had no idea what was going on over there.

I know I need to be better informed about our world, but I have no idea where to start.

I have a new life ambition to get into Mensa.
 (I hear you laughing!)

Now I can't get that "Fancy, don't let me down" song out of my mind!

This is why I didn't want that name!

My new favorite song lyrics for this week are "There are many things I would like to say to you, but I don't know how" from Oasis and "I won't give up, if you don't give up" by Train.

I choose new lyrics every week to obsess over.

Ok, I won't name names, but a certain beloved LDS blogger put a new picture of herself on her blog this week and it was unsettling.

 Her hair was curled and feathered back.

 Can someone please tell me when the eighties came back? 

If the eighties really are back, this makes my mother the most fashionable person I know

 And; according to my calculations, that means the END IS NEAR, PEOPLE! 

Off to finish rereading Half Blood Prince (skipping over Dumbledore's death, as usual) and then off to bed.

Lori Ann

Material Girl

I spend way too much time reading blogs that have pictures like this:

Or this:

 or this: 

I read blog posts with subjects such as: 

HOW I LOST THOSE DARN 5 LBS OF PREGNANCY WEIGHT

JUST WENT ANTIQUING AND GOT THIS TABLE FOR A STEAL- $399

FOR MY BIRTHDAY, MY MOM SPOILED ME AGAIN AND BOUGHT ME A FLAT SCREEN

I JUST BOUGHT MY 107TH VINTAGE DRESS ON ETSY. HERE I AM MODELLING IT BY A LAKE BEHIND OUR HOUSE- WITH MY HUSBAND (WHO IS NOT GAY,EVEN THOUGH HE DRESSES LIKE THIS) -AND OUR 7 KIDS WHO LOOK DOCILE AND WELL GROOMED

If you couldn't tell from the above pics and blog post descriptions, I totally seethe with jealousy and rage when I read these blogs. 

However, I am not one of those girls.

 I will never be a size two, I think antiques are too cluttery, my mom hasn't bought me a present since the 1900s, and I don't have a gay husband to dress up.

*sigh*

But- my jealousy exists for a reason.

There is something that these girls have that I want.

I think its the idea of adding beauty and fanciness to my every day life.

So, I will be blogging about my attempts to have some 'fancy' in my life- whether it be doing my hair in a beehive or doing crafts on a budget (like a 2 dollar budget), or rifling through the local antique store for some junk to clutter up my life.

Get ready people.

 They don't call me the Martha Stewart of Rockingham County for nothing!

(and by 'they' I mean 'me')

Lori Ann

Her tongue appears to be hinged in the middle, but she may turn out all right.

It's not often that I do two new things in one day. 

Today I did.

 I waxed my car.

 I dyed tulle with jello.

 Lucky for you I have pictures of this!

It turned out pretty sweet.

 Just the perfect shade of pink.

It's for Elly. 

I can't believe she is going to be 5.

Where did that red headed baby go?

Lori Ann

p.s.- Here is the start of the pink tulle wreath I am making for Elly!! 

p.p.s. I am kind of a crafting genius! 

You can Google it.

I know probably everyone has googled their name.

 I have.

 It takes me to "Lori's Shoes" in Hinsdale, Illinois

 (that's a fun fact about me. I served in Hinsdale Illinois, though we never went there because there were no Hispanic people living there)

Anyway, I took it a step farther and GOOGLE IMAGED my name. 

These are my favorite images of what turned up. 

So, Google has an image of me as a Revenge seeking monster,  putting on lipstick with a zombie filming, all the while chilling with some cute African American boys.

How did they get into my head?

 That is my life story!!
(minus the monster, putting on lipstick, zombie,hanging out with cute boys part)

Lori Ann

Go on, take the chicken and run!

Intern number 3 and I left this note on the desk of Intern number 2.

 She doesn't know it yet, but she is supposed to help us release a chicken into the wild.
 (one of my life goals)

I know what you are thinking.."boy, those interns are lucky!

My supervisor never left me vaguely threatening letters" 

Lori Ann

p.s.- Laura (aka Intern number 2)- if anyone tells you that I said "if we get caught, lets run and let Laura take the fall" that is completely false. I promise:) 

Random Thoughts Wednesday, because it feels like a Thursday

I love my nieces and nephews.

 And I've got the cheap craft projects to prove it! 

I am obsessed with taking pictures of cool looking light. Like this. 

My sister Erin is probably going to get her LCSW! 

After spending my life following in the footsteps of both of my older sisters, its weird (but awesome) to have one of them follow in mine.

 Go, Eri! 

The trenches await you!! 

I now have three Hispanic clients I provide outpatient therapy too.

 I have a hard enough time providing therapy in English.

 Good thing all I ever really say is "How do you feel about that?

 Como se siente acerca de esto?"

Lori Ann