Peanut Butter Jelly Time

Tonight I decided to explore the whole 'eating vegetables' part of vegetarianism. I made this premixed stir fry. 

I can proudly say that I ate about a third of the plate before my gag reflex would not let me have another bite. I'm going to have to figure out another format for vegetables because stir fry is not it. On a less depressing note, I did get about 8 serving of vegetables because I kept refilling my glass of V8 to wash the vegetables down:)

All hail Vegetarianism Day # 25! 

Lori Ann

All about the Benjamins, baby!

I have been feeling really inspired lately. 

Maybe it's the meds. Who knows?

Anyway, my newest idea...

Spend only 100 dollars in the month of February!

That includes gas, food, etc. Anything that is not a bill. 

Of course this means I will have to dial down my Ground Hogs Day and Leap Day party plans.

I'll keep you posted!

Lori Ann

Jackie Boy

Thanks to my brother in law Jack for his amazing black bean burrito recipe. I didn't get to process the beans (because I was hungry), but I followed the rest of your steps and it was AMAZING. I think this vegetarian thing is going to work out ok. 

Lori Ann

I need somewhere to begin

This is the view outside my window this morning. It makes me want to write a Gothic novel. All we need to complete the day is for the night to be dark and stormy!! 

Lori Ann

p.s.- It's ok to be jealous of my superior photographer skills. Believe it or not, I took this picture laying on my living room in my pajamas:)

Randomness

There has been a lot going on in my life lately. Well, kind of. 

In some ways it's the same old routine, but I feel different. So, that's good, right?

Anyway, here's your completely Random Lori Life update!!

I've gone vegetarian for 23 days now. I'm so proud of myself. It's had the desired effect. Making me think about what I am eating. Today I made myself this fancy semi healthy dinner! 

 It was shrimp bisque. Which actually isn't SUPER healthy, but I only ended up eating 3 bites, so that should count for something.

 I finished my black bottomed cupcake though. It was a struggle, but I persevered. 

After working for so many years in mental health I finally decided to hop on the bandwagon and get myself on some meds for my "I hate when people don't like me, I can't stand to be in trouble" anxiety. and Oh. My. Gosh. Why did I wait this long? You know that really good way you feel after getting an amazing nights sleep? Like NyQuil quality sleep? I feel that way EVERY DAY. 

I've been decorating my apartment for Valentines Day. My friend Jennie made me this amazing wreath!

Yes. It says what you think it does. It's kind of a strange office joke. What can I say?
We're therapists.

I have altered my Ground Hogs Day goal after finding out the truth about Punxsutawny. Apparently it's not  like the movie. It involves a 3 am bus ride into the woods and lots of drunkness. Not how I care to celebrate the groundhog. So instead, I've convinced my mom to dress up my dad's cat  Thomas in a cape and bring him outside at sunrise. We'll see if he sees his shadow!

Well, I am off to finish my Valentines Craft project (featured above), take a bubble bath, and watch Season 2 of the Big Bang Theory!

Lori Ann

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