I throw my hands up in the air sometimes

A decade. 

Jack Jack is now more than just a collections of days, weeks, months and years.

 He's got a decade under his belt. 

He's a young man now.

2 years away from the priesthood.

 8 years from his mission.

 Maybe only 10 or so away from marriage. 

My gosh. 

I love him so much.

 He's smart, he's curious, and he's kind.

 He's everything I hoped for when I found out that my sister was pregnant
 on a bitterly cold February day all those years ago.  

I love all of my sister's children equally
 (most of the time..I'm looking at you, Kat Rat!)

 However, there is a certain magic to Jack Jack.

We had him all to ourselves for over a year and those were some crazy, beautiful days. 

Anyway, on the hopes that one day he'll read this,

I write this just to my nephew.

I love you, kiddo. 

You are so much brighter than I ever could have imagined.

 You bring so much love and happiness to our family.

 We all fell in love with you from the very start.

When I first saw you in person, I swear my heart stopped. 

I hope that life is everything you ever dreamed and hoped it would be.

 Thank you for being the best nephew an aunt could wish for! 

Love,

Aunt Lori

Like the colors in autumn

My new computer sign in at work is

 Hinslor. 

Doesn't that sound like some kind of mythic beast?

"Oh no, beware the rabid Hinslor! It devoured an entire village last month!"

Completely epic. 

I am really, really, really liking my new job.

I have a recliner for my clients to sit in!
 (and by "clients", I mean me)

Anyway, I will fill you in on all the amazing details this weekend.

Try to not let the suspense kill you or anything:)

Also this weekend, or hopefully before, my tribute to the first man I ever fell in love with.

He turned ten yesterday.

I get the nostalgia now.

I get why mothers say "My baby is growing so fast!"

It really just FLIES by.

Where did my beautiful baby nephew go?

 Who is this crazy smart, well read, handsome young man I see at my sister's house?

Where did the time go?

Lori Ann

I was thinking about her

It's my birthday, people. 

I usually have a list of goals.

I love lists of goals.

 Specifically the list making process.

It's all downhill after that. 

So; in lieu of a long and crazy list...

 hHre is my goal for my 33rd year. 

Every single day, I want to be present, live in the moment, and be happy. 

Like this moment.

I am sitting in the awesome red chair I got at the Goodwill, which is comfortable and perfect for my room.

I am drinking diet coke, which I am back to loving as much as ever.

 And I am listening to "Just a Dream" by Nelly.
 (Which I am re obsessed with after seeing the movie "Pitch Perfect" yesterday)

My dad made me breakfast and everything that man cooks is amazing.

 My parents got me this assortment of fall magic.

In this moment, I am pretty dang happy. 

It's going to be a great year

. I really, truly believe that. 

May your October 7th be as magical as mine!

Lori Ann 

But I do

I am sure that you can't tell, but we Hinsdale's love fall.

Especially

  Fall in Pennsylvania

 Anyway, I love my sister Danielle's decorations this year!

 (Which; surprisingly, turned out better than my idea for orange twinkle lights and covering everything with black glitter.)

I guess this means I have to bring my A game to decorating my parents house.

 Huh...I don't know if my dad and I are on the same page when it comes to glitter. 

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY FALL!!!

Lori Ann

Loving him was red

Oh my gosh,

My week of unemployment is almost up.

A strange week of orientation, being my fake "I'm new here, let me make awkward jokes" self, and adapting to a new schedule is approaching. 

But there is so much I haven't gotten to accomplish in my week of sweet, sweet freedom. 

Here's what I still need to do with the 3 days I have left. 

LORI'S UNEMPLOYMENT LIST

1. Eat spaghettio's straight out of the can

2. Forget what day is is  ACCOMPLISHED TODAY!

3. Start a lot of talk about becoming an artist or a writer.
 But get really invested in day time TV

4.  Finish reading for the love of all that is holy Moby Dick

5. Burn Moby Dick

6.  Make my own Romney/ Ryan yard sign.
 Mostly like the ones they sell.
Just with more glitter.

7. Wear my pajamas out in public DID IT! 

You guys, wow. I didn't realize how much I had done.

I've not just talking a big game, I am living my unemployment dreams!

 2 down, 5 to go. 

In all seriousness though, I have become somewhat disoriented from watching WAY TOO MUCH political coverage.

 I've been in my pajamas for 24 hours. 

I am kinda in love with Mitt Romney.

And I am dying to see what SNL does with the first debate. 

I suspect Big Bird will be heavily featured. 

( cover your kids eyes!! )

Lori Ann

Since maybe October of last year

Ok, so..

I have been officially unemployed for 2 full days.

 It's been magical.

 Since my unemployment is only going to last one week, I have been enjoying it by doing as little as possible. :)

It's Rocktober, people.

My absolute favorite month of the year.

I am only slightly OBSESSED with fall in PA.

 It has already been so amazing.

The leaves are slowly changing, there is a chilly breeze, and the scent of burning leaves is everywhere

. It makes me so unbelievably happy.

I have also brought out my sweet cinnamon pumpkin lotion!

 If you've never tried this scent, it's amazing and it smells like happiness!!

Do you see what I mean about seasonal affective disorder?

 I am SO MUCH HAPPIER in the fall.

T minus 37 hours until the first Presidential debate.

 I can hardly stand the wait.

 I am also just slightly OBSESSED with politics.

 My dad keeps telling me

 "It's not going to matter who gets elected to our pocketbooks or lives all that much"
(I don't know why I talk to him about politics... he won't even acknowledge that Bill Clinton is hot!)

This is what kills me about my father.

 He raised me to be this way.

 To be anxious about sports and politics.

 He railed against various candidates, threw things at the TV during games, and now....now that he has mellowed with age, he tells me to just

"Relax, because whatever happens, happens."

What he fails to realize is that I can personally change the direction of a game or an election by projecting my anxiety on everyone in the house and glaring at the TV and ranting.

I think know it's the reason that the Giants missed their last field goal on Sunday night, leading to an Eagles victory.

So...I'm off to a day of pajama wearing.

 And eating tasty cakes.

 And googling "Why is Paul Ryan so hot?"

Lori Ann

Ok, so...

Ok so,

I've gotten 8 fillings, 2 root canals, 2 extractions, and 2 crown preps over the course of 5 dentist appointments.

 In a 2 week period.

 Note to self: Put down the jolly ranchers

My new red chair has been taken over.

By my (recuperating) father and his little minions.

This is my last week of work at my present job.

 I am thinking that it will be the longest/shortest week of my life.

 It's almost like time slows down once you get close to the end.

I will have an entire week off
 (which will include my birthday!!)

 between jobs.

 Oh yeah...fall crafting, here I come!

 Plus, I was thinking of getting my hair cut like this.

What do you think?

Oh my gosh, I just fell asleep for 10 minutes.

 I guess its lights out for now. 

Lori Ann