56

I can't explain it, but this is my favorite picture of my mom.

My mom's birthday was three days ago. So, this blog tribute is a little late. In years past I have done lists of interesting facts about my mom or things like that. This year I wanted to do something different. So, here it goes..

Thank you, Mom for...

All the times you worked late nights and long hours to provide for us.

The matching dresses you made me, Erin, and Danielle. 

Teaching me that I can do anything I set my mind to.

Letting us bake with you when we were little, even when we messed up the recipes so badly that dad wouldn't even eat the cookies.

Always telling me the story of how, when I was born, you said "I've got three girls!" and the doctor said he had three girls too. I love to hear that story. 

The time you and Dad bought me the fall wreath and pumpkin spice candle. It made my new apartment feel like home. 

All the times you took us to the ER to ask a nurse if we were ok.

Being one of the smartest people I have ever met. 

Being the world's greatest grand mom. Those are the four greatest kids and I am so happy that they'll have wonderful memories of their childhood with you.

Always letting me live with you if I needed to. And not making me feel like I was a burden or a problem.

Teaching me to love the music of the Elvis, Cher, Lulu, and every single band from the 50's. 

Sending me flowers when I passed my LCSW exam. And that one time on my mission. And when I was an intern at Hedwig House. 

That one time when our car broke down at the doctors office in New Jersey. Do you remember? We spent like 2 hours fixing it ourselves in the dark??? I think about that night whenever I have to do something I'm not sure I can do. It helps me to be strong. .

I look forward to the years ahead and all the craziness. Shopping in Paris for Elly's prom gown. Watching Snapped marathons. Plotting Dad's demise. Trying to get Thomas to lose weight. Your luck of the Irish training. More under cooked turkeys. Bailing Katy out of juvenile detention. Hours of quality criqut time. 

Thanks for everything, Mom. Enjoy the rest of your birthday week! 

Love,

your baby

Lori Ann

I shouldn't blog before 9 am

I guess it's kind of a Random Updates: Tuesday Morning Edition. With the emphasis on RANDOM. 

I saw this sunset when I was driving home on Saturday night. This picture does not do it justice in any way. I love Pennsylvania sunsets. And yes, I should stop taking pictures while I'm driving. 

Jack, Danielle, and I ended our emotional journey of Harry Potter by watching the second half of Deathly Hallows. Jack now has surround sound to go with their flat screen!! It was epic. Despite Danielle falling asleep in the middle and missing all of Jack and my interesting commentary on the differences between the movie and book :)

Despite recent unrest and rumors of mutiny, the secret club was able to meet. It was the best time of my life, as it always is with my muffin babies. 

Elly has begun the transformation into her dream of being a cat. 

Speaking of cats, this is my dad's cat, Thomas. My mom and I like to swaddle him. Dad says it makes him "schizo", but we know he likes it! 

Speaking of my Mom, it's her birthday today! Happy Birthday, mother! Your blog tribute is in the works!!

Lori Ann

He's my brother

Well,

I guess I always knew this day in my career as a therapist was coming. 

I just didn't know it would happen this soon. 

Yesterday, in one of my sessions, I called my brother to answer Star Wars trivia questions for me and my client.

Yep.

And the sad thing is that it's far from the first time I've involved my family in my practice. I call my dad for ideas on working with addicts, my mom for questions about health problems, my sisters for everything else, and now Junior...Junior is my go to source for Star Wars questions.

I guess I should pay him some kind of consultation fee, right?

Lori Ann

Cupcakes, son!

Today I had a very existential experience. I was making cupcakes whilst watching Cupcake Wars. 

It was surreal. 

These are actually black bottomed cupcakes. It's regular chocolate cake mix, topped with a cream cheese mixture and chocolate chips. I don't think I did it exactly right. Oh well. It was fun to bake again. 

10 days of vegetarianism down. I have been doing ok. The biggest thing that I have noticed is my hair. It's really dull and lifeless. I guess I need to up my protein. My diet of ginger ale, cupcakes, and frozen cheese pizza probably isn't getting the job done:)

Lori Ann

p.s.- On an unrelated side note, I went to Bath and Body Works Semi Annual Sale and got a wallflower ( scented plug in thing) that is called "Winter Cabin" and its making my apartment smell like cinnamon and happiness. 

p.p.s.- My post title is what I would name my cupcake shop. But you've got to say it all edgy and street smart, like "Cupcakes, son!" You could add a "You better recognize" after that, if you wanted. 

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!