Not without a star

Ok, so I went to Valley Forge today. 

It was intense. 

Because you all couldn't be there with me, I have graciously prepared a somewhat dizzying 2 minute recap of my trip.

You're welcome.

Lori Ann

I don't know about you

Ok,

I have 22 items on my weekend 'to do' list. 

I've been home from work for 5 hours now and accomplished NONE of them.

I did; however, eat some cookie dough ice cream and rewatch the first 3 episodes of The Blacklist.

And I antagonized my mother's cat. 

So there's something to be said for that.

Anyway, my purpose in writing this is to serve as a source of inspiration. To get my feet moving.

By tomorrow I want to have:

Worked out

Carved a pumpkin

Made a new fall craft

Walked the five mile trail through the historic sites at Valley Forge

Gotten everything I need to finish my two packages

Cleaned my room

Done all my laundry

Planned my workout schedule for next week

Written a big life 'to do' list- you know, all that stuff that stays on the back of your mind. " get my hair trimmed, get a dental check up, etc"

Baked something for someone

Read Frankenstein under the stars

WISH ME LUCK!!!

Lori Ann

I can't wait much longer

*Feel free to press play and listen to a little Kanye as you read this exciting random thoughts update*

Today I ran a mile. Not consecutively. I walked a mile, ran a half a mile, walked another half mile, ran a half a mile, and then walked one more half mile for a total of 3 miles- 2 walked, 1 ran.

Kanye always comes on my ipod just when I think about giving up.

I made a candy corn wreath last night. Because I'm kind of in a manic phase. I've been thinking about going to the movies tonight at 10 pm. On a Thursday.

Last night I also watched the newest episode of "The Blacklist" out on the back porch under the stars. *sigh* Why do men get so much better with age? I loved 16 Candles James Spader but the Blacklist James Spader is #sohotIcannotthinkstraight. (some things just call for a #)

I am currently working on assembling two packages. So if you live in either Jersey or Australia- it's time to start freaking out:)

Well, not so much Australia. It takes like 7 weeks for stuff to arrive over there.

Someone gave me a partially eaten Baby Ruth bar today.

I wrote a whole long ranting blog post about why conservatives are like the strict mom and liberals are like the every other weekend fun times dad but decided not to publish it. Because I feel like I have a huge liberal audience- possibly in the millions at this point- and I don't want to antagonize anyone:)

I think I am going to Valley Forge this weekend. It's on my fall goals list to see somewhere in PA that I have never been. I live 35 miles from Valley Forge and have NEVER been there. How sad, eh?

Lori Ann

If you had one shot

You guys.

Today I ran half a mile. 

RAN.

I was out doing a short two mile walk around the park when I thought 'eh..I'll try jogging for a second'.

I went all the way around the half mile track without stopping.

The sweat was getting in my eyes.

I was breathing like I was having an asthma attack.

I was having a crazy inner monologue battle with myself- "Just do it. You can be a runner" "Shut up with all that inspirational crap" " I can be inspirational if I want to be!" "I will kill you!" 

(All my thoughts arguing with each other)

I probably looked completely deranged. 

People with short legs do not graceful runners make.

But I did it. 

I DID IT!!

You guys, it's ok if you want to call me "your runner friend" from now on. I'm cool with it.

Lori Ann

All good things are wild and free

Another picture post. 

Today, my infamous nieces and nephews and I went to the park for a little while.

 Where I proceeded to 'borrow' (it's still in my possession- ha ha!) my sister's nice camera and take literally 260 pictures.

 It was on that continuous picture setting...and this kind of cuteness cannot be over photographed, let's be honest.

Oh saints above.

I've become one of those people.

Those weirdos who think everyone WANTS to look at 72 pictures of their children with accompanying stories. 

If it's this bad with my nieces and nephews, let's pray I never have my own:) 

Of course I couldn't catch both of them mid-air

The true relationship between siblings is revealed :) 

I love running pictures. I know it's cheesy but I can't stop.

Elly Bean in mid air

This is one of my favorite pictures I've ever taken. 

They agreed to this one as long as I photoshopped in a creeper chasing them. Whatever that is. 

JUMPING!

Jack, expressing his feelings about being over photographed;) 

The rat- always with her hair in her eyes. Danielle tries so hard to keep it neat but it's nearly impossible

Aren't they beautiful? 

Don't we live in a beautiful place?

There are some things about my life that I wouldn't trade for any amount of money. 

Lori Ann

I know you want it

A few random things I've been meaning to put on my blog.

Yes. You know you love these kinds of posts!

This was the bruising below my dad's knee after his recent double knee replacement. I'm sure he won't mind that I'm posting his business on the Internet. 

My Halloween lights. *sigh* I love this time of year!

I have very few pictures of just me and my mom. I love this one.
(even with a lurking Elly bean in the background)

Fall sunsets are the best. Everything is the best in the fall.

Earlier in the month I tried to make German mac and cheese. I tip my hat to you, Germany.
(as I return to culinary safety of my boxed macaroni)  

The pink hair. I'm still in love with it. I think it makes my clients a little nervous:)

No post is complete without a picture of the Sugar cookie! We are both going to be witches for Halloween!!

Also, I just heard that song "Blurred Lines" today.
 (because I'm not young and hip anymore. Well, I'm still kinda hip, let's not lie to ourselves)

Anyway, I can't stop the "hey hey hey, cause your a goooooooood girl" from playing in my head.

 Over and over.

Thanks, Robin Thicke. And Miley- I blame you too.

 Lori Ann

Time will be sweet for thee

Things I would rather be doing at this moment instead of sitting in my office.

1. Watching "the Village". I know people say it's a 'lesser" M. Night Shyamalan movie but there is something about it I love. Maybe it's the fall in PA scenery or the early American life. It makes me feel like fall is magical and a little spooky. Also, Joaquin Phoenix.

2. Walking through the cold rain, listening to my tragic love songs play list. (the one my sister Erin calls 'the suicide mix')  I love the rain in fall. I tried to recapture this feeling by laying on my office floor between appointments and listening to "a little fall of rain". But it was not the same.

3. Laying on my parent's couch, covered by the really warm fur blanket thing they have, watching the news with my dad and the cats. Drinking hot chocolate. Sounds like heaven.

4.   Baking something. Something that smells like pumpkin or apple but tastes like new york cheesecake.

5. Anything, really. Anything but work today.

It's my long day too. I still have 5 1/2 hours to go.

And I'm almost out of tic-tacs.

Get here soon, weekend!!

Lori Ann