Oh how I forgot what's its like

So...

I have been officially vegetarian for 8 days now.

And off facebook for 7.

It feels strange. Good strange,  I think.

I spent twenty minutes today watching the sunset from my sunroom window. I feel like everything isn't such a rush anymore.

I guess what I mean is that eating better and getting off facebook has given me more clarity of thought.

So, week one down. 51 more to go!

 Being off facebook has reignited my love affair with youtube. This was making me laugh all week! Jimmy Kimmel is the BEST.

 Lori Ann

I told you so

All the ingredients you need for the BEST. DINNER. EVER.

First step: Add the butter

Next Step: Add the Mayo

Third Step: Parmesan Cheese, baby!

Last Step: Hot sauce!!!

Finally...Enjoy. This is what I would request if it were my last meal on Death Row. Well, this and a variety of things cooked by my dad. 

It just got real in here.

Lori Ann

Love me do, I think it was

"The key to change...is to let go of fear."

 Rosanne Cash

This is so going to be my motto for 2012.

Lori Ann

p.s.- 3 days of vegetarianism down. 363 to go. (It's a leap year)

p.p.s.- In the spirit of letting go of fear, I have stopped trying to photoshop artsy pics of myself and put a pic of me that is representative of what I look like every day in my blog header. Disheveled hair, bent glasses, round face, one eye bigger than the other. Yep, that's me. I'm going to make it a point to put awkward and unflattering pics on here. Oh yeah..this is just the beginning! 

Just close your eyes

Obviously I am changing the format of my blog...AGAIN. So, for the next few days I will be messing around with it. Ignore the picture of me that looks like my face is melting. Photoshop is the devil!

Also, all of the blogs I read have disappeared, but fear not. I will find you and return you to my sidebar!

Also ,beware..I got the instagram app and I plan to be instagramming all my photos. This one is the last night  with my beautiful Christmas tree. *sigh*

Now on to the Valentines Day decorations!!!

Lori Ann

So live your life

I think I write about my New Years Resolutions every January. 

I like to make plans, so New Years goals suit me really well. 

This year; instead of my usual 3 million goals, I have only a few. But they are kind of intense.

Without further ado..my Goals/Resolutions for 2012

1. Go vegetarian for all of 2012. This one has been on my Bucket List for 10 years. It's not really about animal rights for me (although I do believe animals deserve better treatment). It's more about being conscience of what I am eating and sacrificing. Today is day two. Only 363 more day to go!

2. Get off Facebook for 2012. I deactivated my account a few hours ago. I could never completely erase it. It's the only form of contact I have with some important people. Mission companions, cousins I never see, etc. I'll be back in 2013. It's just...facebook; for me, is too much like pretending to live. This year, I want to live. Like Walden Pond live. 

3. Go to Therapy. The longer I am a therapist the more wrong it feels that I have never been to therapy. I need to learn more empathy for my clients and maybe work on my anxiety or something.

4. Write my book. Even if it's never published, read by anyone but my family (oh yeah..don't try to get out of that, family. I'll be printing you all copies), I want to write. It's just something I need to do.

5. Volunteer. I haven't been very charitable for a while. I have been blessed in so many ways and I need to do good for others. 

And Last But Most Important...

EMBRACE THE AWKWARDNESS. 

I want to live the rest of my life so that; when I am 80, and I look back, I won't regret too much. So, I want to do things that are hard, or awkward, or daring. Like talking to people in elevators. And going hiking.  And being more real, even on this blog. More honest. 

I don't know. I guess what I really mean is that I want to LIVE MY LIFE, you know?

Lori Ann

That glorious song of old

Here are my Christmas Highlights. It just got real in here, yo. 

The English dinner at Jack and Danielle's. Jack made Beef Wellington and Yorkshire Pudding. And treacle tart. I normally avoid pie like creations like the plague, but my loyalty to all things Harry Potter forced me to try it. It was actually really good:)

Christmas at Milford Branch. I always forget how much I love singing Christmas Hymns.

The amazing gift from my parents. (I don't have pictures for some reason)

An incredible Christmas dinner and quality time with 'crazy Danielle'. I LOVE crazy Danielle.

24 hours with the 4 craziest kids on Earth. We made more than one anniversary cake. We barked like puppies in the Walmart parking lot. We laid on the grass and looked up at the stars. It was...amazing.

Watching another hour of 'Jane Eyre' with my brother. We have made it through 2 of 4 hours. I had to explain AGAIN what a governess does. At which point he said " I am watching Jane Eyre, but I don't have to understand it". Oh Junior. 

An untold number of hours at my parents; watching low quality TV, wrapped up in a blanket, drinking hot chocolate and feeling completely at peace. 

Lori Ann

Bells will be ringing

It's almost time for me to go home for Christmas! 

Of course, I was home last weekend, so it's not exactly a call to roll out the red carpet:)

My dad's making steak and shrimp on Christmas day, we are opening presents after church and probably spending a fairly crazy day with the kids. Everyone will be home. 

Only one thing will be missing. 

Erin.

Christmas isn't anywhere near the same without Eri. 

She listens to me, does projects with Danielle, and always makes plans with Junior. 

She brings light and happiness to our home. 

Spending one day with Erin gives me the feeling of having taken a two week vacation. 

She is Christmas magic. 

I wish you could be home, Eri. 

Merry Christmas. 

Lor