This is your song

Random highlights from the last 24 hours 

(The "I'm blogging to avoid cleaning" Edition)

Last night and this morning have been busy.

We had our annual church Spaghetti Dinner and Dessert Auction.

(it's the only fundraiser we do all year. It's to help the youth program raise funds for their activities)

I got to spend the first part of the evening with my family and the rest of the night in a wild and crazy sleepover with Miss Elizabeth Mae Monroe.

Here are the highlights!! 

(Completely out of order)

Our sleepover.

We ate popcorn, watched Peppa Pig and Say Yes to the Dress and had the best time.

We made rainbow pancakes for everyone!

We're both kind of obsessed with sparklers.

So we did like 5 packs at 10 pm.

Because we're gangster like that.

Then we chased fireflies and made even more secret plans.
 (Elly and I are big on secret plans!)

I know I take too many pictures.

 But before I lost weight, I never took pictures with the kids.

 I am kind of trying to make up for it now.

 So, I go a little overboard at times:)  

Earlier in the night we ran over to Richlandtown and got ice cream at my friend Michele's AWESOME restaurant.

 Then we met her dogs, bird, daughters (minus one), talked about underwear and massages and sexual dsyfunction.

You know, normal casual visit conversation:)

Coolest friends ever!

This blurry picture represents the best moment of the night.

 My nephew Jack made a homemade chocolate cake for the dessert auction.

It made more money than any other dessert!!

My mom bought it after getting into a bidding war.

 It was one of the coolest moments ever to see her standing up yelling "100 dollars".

 I think Jack Jack will always remember that.

So, all in all, a very fun Friday night and Saturday morning.

Now, off to my cleaning projects..

Lori Ann

13.1

Today is a day that will live in infamy, people.

The day I walked 13.1 miles by choice.

Let me run you through all of this.

It's an emotional journey, so you may want to strap yourselves in.

(this is a long rambling post- be warned!)

Let's start with how I didn't even really want to get out of bed.

My bed is really insanely comfortable.

 It cost me 1600.

The most expensive thing I own.

 Well, besides two college degrees.

ANYWAY

So, I didn't want to get out of bed

I'm back in that phase of thinking of reasons to call out every morning.

But then remembering that I hate to be at home and spend all day thinking about my work and harassing my coworkers by text anyway.

So, my dad dropped me off at work about 6 hours early (Monday and Thursday are my 'late' days) and I started walking.

I knew I wanted to try for the 13.1. I packed two waters and my music and off I went.

I walked to the top of this ginormous hill (which was around mile 2.5) and ran into one of my coworkers, who cheered me on!

So, I was feeling pretty good at this point.

The little town I walk through is called Sellersville and it was founded in 1738.

 It has all of these old stone churches, which I love.

I saw this one around mile 4 or so.

Still feeling (mostly)ok.

By the time my phone died at mile 12.6 I was no longer ok.

And here is where the emotional journey part comes in.

 I am going to walk you through my mental state at each mile of the 13.1 journey.

 Think of it as a weird form of stream of conscientious poetry.

 Only much more painful.

Let's do this!

Mile 1- "Yay, one mile down! We can do this!"

(I'm singing along in my head to my music, feeling like an empowered feminist who can conquer the world)

Mile 2- "Ok, it seemed to take a while to get here, but that's two miles! We are on our way!"

 (I'm already imagining the emotional scene of completing 13.1 and what everyone will say to me)

Mile 3- "I feel kinda of overheated"

(This is where my mind really wanders. I mentally envision things like myself running for senate and what my campaign song would be. It's always a Salt and Peppa song)

Mile 4- "You know, 5 miles is a great accomplishment. Let's just do 5. Why do you set these crazy goals?"

(This is where I hit my first real mental wall and usually stop for water and whining)

Mile 5- "Is that a blister?I shouldn't keep walking on a blister!..oh..it's just a rock. But it COULD become a blister"

(This is what I call the bargaining mile- telling myself all the reasons why it's probably just better to stop now)

Mile 6- "Hummm"-

(I've zoned out again for this mile. Now I am saying overly loud "good mornings" to all the older men I pass on the trail and noting anything out of place in case there has been a murder and I have to tell police the details of what I noticed on the trail) 

Mile 7- "Half way!"

( I get a mild half way done buzz and start thinking of myself like some amazing woman. Like Eleanor Roosevelt or that girl who still surfs with only one arm)

Mile 8- "No. Just No."

(This mile usually finds me taking another water break and starting to feel angry. Mile 8 is ALWAYS my biggest mental wall. I do NOT want to keep going and 5 more miles sounds like FOREVER)

Miles 9-11 "I hate everything"

(These are the miles where I begin to hate everything. The trees, the other people on the trail, myself, whatever random treat I've been mentally bribing myself with "Why do I even eat skittles? They are horrible and I hate them!"- I recognize I am experiencing irrational hatred but can't stop myself from ranting. Mostly mentally. Occasionally verbally.)

Mile 12- "hey, little guy. What are you up to?"

(This is the mile where I start talking to the little woodland creatures I see. And my hands are kind of twirling around . I feel apathetic and mildly nauseated but like life is ok. It's ok if this walk never ends because whatever.)

Last mile- "Never again."

 (I chant these words to myself over and over and over and crown myself with official martyr status)

Laying on the floor in my office after I'm done.

 (after washing myself down in the bathroom, changing into work clothes, blow drying my hair, and eating a handful of skittles and drinking about a gallon of water)

"LIFE IS AMAZING! I am going to do that again tomorrow! Now let me go blog about this..."

Sorry for the long, rambling narrative.

 Telling myself I was going to blog about the experience was one of the mental tricks I used to keep myself going through all of the miles :)

13.1, baby!!!

Lori Ann

(two time half marathoner- only one official, of course)

It's my life

Things that are making me so very happy about my life at this moment

Spending time with this sassy pants.

 We are having a sleepover tonight and it's going to be WILD. Like getting arrested wild.

(If I don't fall asleep by 8 pm)

One of me and Elly's 'secret projects'

. She made me pinky swear and do some elaborate lip sealing ceremony related to this secret.

 I miss being 8 sometimes.

After my shower, I wanted to run around and get ready and do my hair..but NO.

That is when the Sugar cookie wants to come and lay right next to me for a full half hour.

I love it.

She is such a sweet cat.

(when she is not fighting in the woods, eating strange things, hooped up on cat nip, or scratching me up so bad I look like a cutter)

I am trying to thank God every day for the many, many, many blessings in my life.

I have a job that I love.

(most days)

I have a healthier body and motivation to keep going with my fitness goals.

I have an amazing, supportive family.

I get to see my sister Erin this month!

Summer is only 7 more weeks.

 (Ugh..7 more weeks.)

I just got a raise.

I'm going to Michigan this summer for the first time in 20 years.

I've got amazing, funny, really seriously wonderful friends.

(who listen to me whine, support all of my crazy goals, and let me prank call them) 

And, most importantly,  I'm really, really hot.

So, there is a lot to be thankful and happy about.

I love my life in this moment.  

Lori Ann

As they walked, and walked, and walked...

Here are the most important updates of the day- today, July 7, 2014!

(only 3 months until my birthday..it's probably best to start your shopping now and avoid the rush!)

My mother and Katy have struck up some kind of evil alliance.

They currently have a scam going where they are charging my dad for the cheese snacks he bought with his own money.

I don't think profit is their motive, as much as power.

Don't be fooled by the sweet and innocent picture they present- these two women scare me more than anyone on Earth! :)

My mother made Elly a firework dress for the Fourth of July. Somewhat appropriate as Elly is colorful, loud, and very, very sparkly.

This one matches Katy's Paul Newman blue eyes. I've never seen anyone with brighter blue eyes than her.

Today's walk was BRUTAL.

I started out in a mentally good place, thinking "I'm going to try for 10!" and enjoying the music (the same mix usually drives me nuts) but after about 5 miles I just didn't want to keep going.

I felt listless, tired, weighted down...you know, all the signs of dehydration. I am getting one of those camel things (water backpacks) I swear.

I will not let lack of preparedness stop me from reaching my goals EVER AGAIN!!

Lori Ann

When it's cold outside

My six mile walk with Elizabeth Mae Monroe:

A Picture Post

Our somewhat successful panoramic picture at the church- we walked there and back. 

Elly was such a trooper. She would just ask to stop every once in a while in the shade. I felt like a horrible aunt, dragging her down the side of the road in the hot sun. She was the one, in the end, who kept us going. 

After we couldn't break into the church to get more water (we still had some, don't worry) or use the bathroom (we came up with an 'alternative' which shall not be mentioned) Elly decided to climb some trees! I wish I had the action shot of her jumping from this branch!

She must have rolled down that hill ten times. I may have joined her for the last one. And immediately regretted it:) 

We always stop by 'the old cemetary' when we get a chance. Most of the gravestones are either too worn to read or in German. We found one for a little 7 year old named Emma who died in 1863. Elly speculated that she felt Emma may have been shot. But it was sad:/

Elly added flowers to her hair all along the way. I think she had about 6 of different colors by the time we got home.

Right before my unwise decision to roll down the hill :)

Elly is a strong woman already at the age of 8.

When we were at the church, I was saying to her

 "You know 3 miles is a big accomplishment, you don't have to do 6. Let's call your mom and she will come and get us"

To which she replied:

"We're not calling her. We are walking home!"
(then she gave me the same crazy determined look that I've seen on my sister's (her mom's) face a million times)

Then, about a mile from home, she says to me "What are the signs of dehydration?"

At which point, I immediately call my mom, saying to Elly

"I'm going to get Nana Terry to come pick us up!"

To which she replied:

"No, hang up! We are almost there. We can make it!"

(I did make her take a break and drink ALOT of water)

But we got there.

And she was so proud of herself.

We talked about everything on that walk.

Chickens. Gymnastics. Missionary work. Living your dreams.Travelling the world. Being healthy. How men who play the guitar are hot but usually not the right choice. Owning a mini van. Blue skittles versus orange skittles.

All the important stuff.

Thanks for being the amazing woman that you are, Elizabeth Mae.

I'll never forget our crazy 6 mile walk.

Aunt Lori

p.s.- I've got 237 miles left to reach my 300 mile goal by August 24th. I am thinking about trying to knock out 37 miles this week! Let's do this dance!!

She was an American girl

Kids make every holiday feel magical.  

Some memorable quotes from this 4th of July day of celebration.

"You're not allowed to nap!" (Said to me, by Elly Mae, followed by her quickly pouncing on me as I lay in bed)

"I notice that the cheese dip is right there in front of you." "yes, and so are the ribs" (A conversation between my dad and brother in law in which Jack revealed his strategy for choosing a seat at the table for our barbecue)

"I tried to warn you about the sparklers, but you didn't listen to me. Now you've hurt my sister! And I'm not coming back here until you apologize to my sister!" (yelled at me by the Katy cat after Elly burned her foot on a sparkler as she was waving one around, assuring Katy they are not dangerous)

"Where did you get a roman candle?!" (My dad to me, assuming that I have some kind of shady fireworks hookup. I do. It's called the walmart fireworks aisle)

" No one said "thank you mom for spending way too much money on the ice cream truck that was hustling me on the fourth of July" (Danielle discussing the large amount of money she spent on overpriced ice cream from the shady ice cream truck)

"Every time I call you and Danielle you are both crabbypants" "but you called me when the power was out and I was hot!" (Me and Erin discussing whether or not a lack of electricity justifies one being a 'crabbypants" or not)

"I want to give another cat a flea bath!" (Elly, after participating in the infamous monthly Sugar flea bath. We asked her mom about giving their cat a flea bath, to which she replied (quite haughtily) "Willow has never had a single flea")

I know these quotes are likely only funny to me. But they are little moments I don't want to forget as the years go by.

Lori Ann

p.s.- I am feeling an intense lack of motivation again about my training. I only have 50 days until the next half marathon and I still have 245 miles to go. I've got to get out there. Cross your fingers for me. I AM GOING TO DO THIS. (the all caps are for you, Grida!)

Home

The Stars and Stripes, baby

It's the

Fourth of July

There is so much I could say. 

But the only thing I really need to say is that I want to live my life in a better, more selfless way. 

Because I'm so blessed to be an American and I want to live a life that is worthy of the sacrifice of those who died for my freedom.

I am so thankful for:

Those early Americans who left their homelands and families to come here so I could worship God according to the dictates of my conscience. 

Those inspired men and revolutionaries who risked their lives and freedom to sign that heaven inspired Declaration of Independence that long ago day in 1776.

The nameless generations of American people who buried their young solider sons. 

Those early immigrants who came on ships, not knowing what they would find. 

Who buried babies when they couldn't survive in this new, harsh land.

 Those early Americans who lost or left behind their fathers and mothers. Who gave up everything they knew for their ideals.

The revoluationaries who threw tea into the ocean on a cold December night in a defense of liberty and the right to be represented by those that govern.

Those brave, tireless men rode their horses through the night to change the tide of war.

Those lesser known women, who supported the most important revolution every to occur by baking, sacrificing, raising kids on their own, housing soliders, and, at the risk of treason, sewing flags for a newly formed country by candlelight.

Those fought for the independence of the enslaved and the preservation of our union.

Those who marched all night over 30 miles and then fought at the top of a hill and changed the course of history.

Those who defended the world against tyranny at great personal cost. 

Those who swam ashore the beaches of France, to save people they had never met. 

Those whofought against the spread of communism in a harsh landscape in Asia.
(and be welcomed home by an ungrateful country with little fanfare)

Those who answered the call of duty after the scariest day our country has ever known in September of 2001.

Those who never got to see their kids grow up.

Those who served and sacrificed without a second thought.

And especially those gave that last full measure of devotion to a dream.

I am so grateful to every one of those Americans. 

And I am lucky to be able to call myself an American every single day.

May this next year be a year of sacrifice, service, and dedication.

Which are, in my mind, the traits of a true American.

Lori Ann

A very lucky American girl

PA fields on my drive home last night. No filter. It's so beautiful here.