Willie and the Hand Jive

Erin is home.

I made Danielle's kids pose in weird Christmas pictures for me.

My dad is talking about making steaks.

We're going to the movies later.

and I'm playing Carol of the Bells by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on repeat track.

NOW it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Lori Ann

When it starts to snow

An early Friday evening slash first day of my Christmas break Random Life Update

My Christmas vacation has officially begun! I am stuck in a weird place of wanting to both relax and to run around and get stuff done. 

I am starting to refind my love for Chris Christie. And this represents my dilemma- pajamas or an apron.

Even though I have been counting down the hours until my vacation, it's already making me feel anxious to be away from the office for that long.

Tomorrow I am getting the last of my Christmas shopping done. Tomorrow will be a bad day because it's when I start impulse buying stuff. (and by "stuff" I mean "total crap") The closer it gets to Christmas, the more easily I'm swayed by sparkly things and Christmas "deals".

This is the year- and it only took 34 years- that I realized that I don't even really like gifts. I just don't. I'm not sure why I always thought I was such a gift person.

I just added "Watch Twilight buzzed" to my Bucket List. Since I don't drink, I am not sure how I am going to get buzzed. Especially since the use of drugs and such baffles me. (not just why people do it but how- like huffing. What does that even mean?) So, let me know if you know of any word of wisdom friendly natural buzz creators. 

I am going to try and walk 9 miles tomorrow. Wish me luck!! My plan is to walk to my friend Michele's house (which is almost exactly 9 miles away) and then collapse on her porch. Then climb into and break her third tub in less than a week. Then lay on her coach and watch Twilight. Then have her drive me home:) 

I am working on my post for this Sunday- the "Free Therapy" segment I started and then never continued from a few weeks ago. This weeks topic "Subconsciously finding relationships and situations that reinforce our dysfunctional core beliefs" That's cognitive behavioral therapy, son!

Anyway,

Lori Ann

y felicidad

Random Thursday Afternoon Update

(because I just can't concentrate on my work at this moment)

So, I thought I was doing so much better with my Christmas mania. In years past I have made lists and thought of presents that were unrealistic and unreasonable. This year I have been kind of chill. Like 'it doesn't matter what I get or anyone else gets". Then last night I talked myself into making everyone a cape. Because, my Christmas brain said, everyone NEEDS a cape.

Let's hope I can talk myself down from that one.

Work has been a series of parties and treats and craziness lately.

Well, it's fair to say that the craziness is always present. We are in mental health, after all.

But I have completely od'd on cookies, cake, cheesecake, buffalo chicken dip, pulled pork, and sherbet and juice punch.

Not to mention the chocolates.

My favorite thing was this box of cookies from my friend Dawn. That girl is a crazy good cookie chef.

I've already demanded that she make peanut butter cookies at my next birthday.

My trainer is MAKING ME come in for two sessions next week. One on Christmas Eve. I told him "That's Christmas Eve!" to which he replied "So?".

He is merciless.

I think this Duck Dynasty controversy is so interesting. It's interesting (to me) that Phil (the grandfather and beginner of the Duck Dynasty) was so specifically graphic when discussing his objection to homosexuality. I found it refreshing. I think we wrap too many things up in euphemisms in our society. "Love is love" and all that. Phil got really real.

Which leads me to my blog.

I've been getting bored with it lately.

Not of blogging.

I do think that blogging is kind of fading into obscurity but I personally will never stop blogging.

I'm too narcissistic.

But what I've been blogging about has gotten a little bit stale lately.

So, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to do more # honest blogging.

I think I will add that hash tag to posts where I am more open- just to give the reader a forewarning.

So, brace yourself for 2014- the year of my half marathon, skydiving, going back to Europe, and being a more honest blogger.

Lori Ann

Songs of good cheer

It was another crazy Christmas weekend At Chez Hinsdale and Monroe this weekend. 

Having Danielle's kids next door has made Christmas genuinely merry and bright:) 

They are cookie decorating magic!

Elly does not appreciate me asking her to put down her decorating candy and smile. :) 

Last night we went sledding after dark! 

I made soup with vegetables, people. On purpose. 

Another classic Elly jump shot. 

Then church got cancelled.

We went carolling and handing out cookies to the neighbors. It reminded me of the mission. One guy even refused the cookies and carolling. Scrooge.

Anyway,

It was awesome.

The only drawbacks:

My stomach has hurt all weekend. I think I strained a stomach muscle at the gym. That's right, people. I'm getting sports injuries now.

I didn't get my 9 mile walk in due to the ice and snow.

I once got trapped on my bed by all three of the cats. They were literally surrounding me. I felt a little frightened.

Lori Ann

Throw cares away

Random Snowy Saturday Update

Let's do this dance!

The first three pictures are of my office decorations. Nothing says "I'm here to listen" more than jarringly bright, slightly tacky Christmas decorations:) 

There is candy on this table. Which my clients either ignore or literally dump into their pockets. There is no one in the middle. 

The holiday tissues are for display only! If you must cry, I will get the non display tissues for you!

I wrote myself a Christmas card from Sugar and put it on this door so I wouldn't look so lame:)  

The hospital is right across from my office. (the one where James was born!) I love December because I have the perfect view of their Christmas lights from my office window. Which are kinda blocked by my large head. 

Tuesday ended up being a Snow day. I could have gotten into work (my dad was driving me- I'm such a feminist) but all of my clients cancelled. It was magical.

Danielle's kids had a snow day too so we stopped on the way back from my office and got them holiday donuts! I remember being so excited for snow days as a kid and I wanted to celebrate with them:)

In more important news, I GOT A PACKAGE FROM AUSTRALIA!! Thank you so much, Sarah!!!! We were all literally dancing around, looking at everything, eating chocolate pop rocks. I keep having to steal the magazine back from my dad! The Australian flags are above our entertainment center:) You are the BEST!! 

It's gingerbread 24-7 around here. 

Sugar in the Australian Santa hat!

My parents gingerbread houses are always better than mine. My dad has actually accused me of 'dragging the family name through the mud'.

I got George Clooney'd at work again. My coworkers are brilliant. I've got to get a plan together. 

They made me Rand Paul post it notes!!

I hope all of your holidays are merry and bright so far!!

Lori Ann

p.s.- If the ipod shuffler turns on ' top of the world' by the Carpenters one more time, I am going to scream!!!

p.p.s.- Tomorrow we will discuss how I have fallen off the wagon with my exercising again!!

Don't lie to me

Happy Birthday, Erin. 

Rather than a long, mildly disturbing birthday tribute, I decided that this quote really says everything that I want to say on your birthday.

You are an incredible person. 

You are kind.

You are hilarious.

You are insightful like no one I've ever known.  

Every single day I thank God for making us sisters.

Happy Birthday

 I hope you have an insanely awesome day and an even better year. 

And lastly,

Hey. Shut up.

your sister,

Lor

Anywhere I would have followed you

A wild and crazy Saturday Night Update

Tonight was the first branch Christmas Party we have had in a few years. Rumor has it there was some kind of politics or bad blood or apathy or lack of a branch activities leader that caused us not to have one in years past. I hope it was the bad blood.

I love going to church in my 'street clothes'. It reveals my edgier side. Look at the argyle, people. Nothing is edgier than argyle. 

The program was very cute.

I loved the kids choir. If you click on this you will see that every single kid has weird, devil eyes. Not sure what to make of that. 

I promised Danielle I wouldn't keep putting her kids out there on the Internet. But I could NOT resist this one!

Lori Ann

p.s.- I need to walk 8 miles tomorrow before the rain/snow/sleet gets here. I'm going to see if Danielle will do a rap battle with me when I get done the 8 miles. Just to keep it legit.