5

You guys, it's my birthday. 

And the 5 year anniversary of this blog. 

And in typical Spinster Chronicles traditions, I am going to list my 5 goals for the next year. 

But I also wanted to reflect on my favorite 5 moments in the last 5 years. 

It's about to get real. 

Let's start with my favorite 5 moments from the last 5 years. 

1. My 30th birthday party- it was exactly 5 years ago today that my family threw me the most epic surprise party in North Carolina. My parents showed up as a surprise and my sister Erin asked my friends for their favorite memories of me and my sister Danielle got me 30 gifts and had a chocolate fountain and everything. It was magical. 

Here is the link to my first blog post. 

2. Passing my clinicial licensure. I was SO freaked out and SO sure I would fail (though standardized testing is my only super power). It was an incredible moment when the screen flashed in front of me and said "Congratulations!" 

3. Getting the Sugar cookie. I've never really had a long term pet. And I wasn't sure about Sugar at first. She was an Amish cat who had escaped the farm and she made my life crazy from day one. But she has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

4. Completing that first half marathon. The Love Run. Going from not being able to walk through the walmart without having to sit down to being able to complete a half marathon in the cold and rain was one of the most confidence building experiences of my life. 

5. My trip to Utah. I jut got back from visiting my sister in Salt Lake City. I also got to see my mission companions and it was awesome. (And like they said- kind of surreal). I hadn't realized how much I missed them until I saw them again.

And now for my five goals for this year.....

1. Lose the last 70 lbs. I've come a long way but I don't want to get complacent and just stay where I am. I want to be at my goal weight by this time next year.

2. Read all standard works- cover to cover. I got new English scriptures while I was in Utah and I want to spend the year immersing myself in God's words and guidance. 

3. Start and maintain a habit of doing my hair/makeup- I've never been consistent with my appearance but I know I can create a habit if I dedicate myself to it. 

4. Complete 10 bucket list goals- not sure which ones, but I want to keep myself focused on LIVING my life, not just exisisting. 

5. Serve. I am going to get more specific but I want this to be a year (and really a life) of service. 

We'll see how it goes. 

Wish me luck and here is to another 5 crazy years of the Spinster Chronicles! 

Lori Ann

For Pumpkin and Buster

You guys,

I just got back from one of the most epic trips of my life.

Salt Lake City, UT.

There were cats. 

And pastel de tres leches.

And fancy dinners.

And lunches with people who inspire me. 

And more cats.

I will have ALL the details (even the ones you don't want) in the upcoming week.

Also, this week we are celebrating this blog's 5th anniversary!!!

(And my unfortunate 35 anniversary of living..yikes, half way to 70!)

To celebrate this trip, this blogiversary, and my infamous b-day, I made this blog public again.

Tell your friends!

Unless your friends are pedophiles and weirdos.

Then, only tell them if you really, really trust them. 

Lori Ann

Might as well jump

I've been running around with our sister missionaries lately and haven't gotten to blog. 

I had a hard time talking them into 'jump shots' but once they agreed, it spiraled out of control!

Jump shot mania!!

 Sisters Jensen and Adams behind our church (no filter!)

 Sisters Zeller, Simmons, and Bischoff to the side of the church. 

 Sisters Jensen and Adams by the Milford Fall Festival

 Sisters Jensen and Adams in a 100 year old barn

 At the top of the Rocky Stairs! 

 In front of Independence Hall

 By the Bridge! 

 At the Art museum

On the cobblestone backstreets of PA. 

I tried to do a 'jump shot'....this was the horrific outcome. Brace yourselves!! 

 Standing on top of this weird stone things with the Philly skyline in the background. Good start. 

 Preparing to take the leap. 

I can't explain this picture. It's tragic and odd. I guess jump shots, 70 extra lbs and being in your mid 30's just don't mix :) 

I am going to Salt Lake City this weekend!

 I am excited to see my sister, her cats, and my mission companions!!

 Get ready for those posts (I am totally going to photoshop myself to look super hot and leave their side of the pictures untouched...yeah...(that's me saying "YEAH" in a smug, sing-songy way)

Lori Ann

I walked a thousand miles

Philadelphia- The Second Trip

So...yesterday I made my second trip to the city this week.

On this trip, I brought my trusty side kick-Jr

and the two other sister missionaries from my branch.

Sisters Jensen and Adams.

Both of whom are going home next week. :(

Can I just say that this trip ROCKED???



I got to see my only brother live out his dream of being Rocky.

(But better than Rocky because he was wearing a blue silky shirt and aggressive homeless people were trying to hassle him- which he survived quite well)

These sisters are honestly the coolest and best since the missionaries I knew on my mission.

And not only that, but they take an epic jump shot.

Not says "Birthplace of our Nation" like jumping for joy!! 

No city trip is complete without getting completely lost on the way to the Betsy Ross house.

 Because I trust my GPS more than I should.

 But we got Walt Whitman bridge pictures!!

Me and Sister Adams.

 I love this girl.

 She is literally young enough to be my daughter but she inspires me, listens to my long, rambling mission stories, and is such a genuinely kind person.

I kind of ruined this 'original cobblestone streets of Philadelphia' picture by looking like I only have one foot.

 Whatever.

 Like I've said before- 10 toes is overrated.

 We really only need 4 max.

For those of you that don't know, this is my new BFF.

 Her name is Shauri.

 She married this really cool guy from my branch and now she is stuck with me.

 We've already baked weird things together and I socially obligated her to come to the branch last night and have some Amish donuts.

Jr and I at Valley Forge.

 In about 3 weeks, I will have to come back.

 The leaves are just now starting to change.

Sister Jensen looking over the rolling hills at Valley Forge.

 This girl loves history and I wish I had time to show her everything that is historical and magical about PA.

 But she has to be a missionary and all. :)

Jump.

 Shot.

 Awesomeness.

And last but not least, this is my favorite.

I have been so blessed by the opportunities I have had recently to serve the sister missionaries and get to be part of their teaching people the Gospel.

I started rereading my Spanish book of Mormon for the first time in 10 years.

I feel God's love for me even more.

I have like 11 appointments today due to being out of work two days, but I would do it a million times over.

Being Mormon is the best thing that ever happened to me.

And not to get too preachy on you...

But I testify that the Gospel is true and it brings people so much happiness.

Like jumping in the middle of historic Philadelphia happiness.

Lori Ann

On the streets of Philadelphia

So...

I took the sisters to the city today. 

It was epic!!

 We ran into other missionaries at the Reading Terminal Market. 

And then at the T-shirt shop. 

 And we saw Independence Hall.

 The tour guide was HILARIOUS!!

And some crazy ginger told me I shouldn't talk to the sisters about marriage.

 Whatever.

 I'm planning their center pieces right now. 

 I kept trying to get them to take "action shots"- but it's like they had respect for the building and all. 

Gosh...you'd think it was where the Constitution was signed or something...wait...

These poor things.

 I had no idea where I was and I literally dragged them all over the city.

 We had to have walked at least 3 or 4 miles by the end. 

It's been such a blessing in my life to be part of the missionary work in my branch.

Whether it's teaching with the sisters or taking them to the city. 

(I take the other set of sisters to Philly on Wednesday)

If you haven't read your mission journal recently (or ever), I advise reading it again. 

I can't count how many times I wrote about feeling lost, alone, and so tired. 

It reminded me that I had promised myself to always help the missionaries.

Which I haven't ever really done. 

Until now.

Now, even if it's something small, I am going to help them. 

I am grateful to live near such a beautiful, historic city.

And I am grateful to see it through the eyes of people who are seeing it for the first time. 

And, most importantly, I am grateful for my religion. 

To be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The same religion which sent me, 12 years ago, to a city I had never seen before. 

I learned more in those 18 months outside Chicago then I have learned before or since.

A part of me will always be there. 

the former

Hermana Hinsdale

p.s- Speaking of my mission, there was a couple at the Liberty Bell who asked me to take their picture. They were so sweet and I realized they were from Spain when I they said "Gra-THEE-is" after I took the picture. I was able to speak to them in spanish and help them figure out where they needed to go next. I love randomly helping people with my spanish. :) 

In and Out

Ok, people.

 

Another exciting update in the life of Lori!!

 

 I LOVE PA sunsets...especially in the fall.

 

 And it really feels like fall now. It's magical!

 

 I've been going out with the sisters a lot.

 

 The poor things.

 

They have this carefully planned and well spoken message they are sharing and therapist and blabbermouth that I am, I am constantly interjecting with weird stuff.

 

 Like talking about where you can get the best pizza in Quakertown.

 

This thing (my niece's cat Hobsy) has been visiting us on and off. Mainly to snooze.

 

 These are our other set of sisters (we have 5 in our branch!) and they set something on fire at our house last night!

 

It was EPIC!!

 

I love this. Hobsy must have slept like this for 2 hours.

 

As exciting as that array of Mormons and cats was- guess what?

 

This blog is about to get a lot more exciting, people!  

 

This is what I have planned for the next 7 days...

 

Friday night craft party with Dawn.

 

We are making our decorated straw hat for the company picnic.

 

 It's a competition and we are going to win this thing!

 

Saturday craft and baking party with my new BFF Shauri- she just married one of the guys from my branch.

 

She is hilarious and I've been texting her pictures of Sugar and she hasn't run screaming yet.

 

Swinging by community day in Coopersburg to see the sisters on Saturday afternoon.

 

Church

 (of course)

 

THEN...

 

Monday I am taking the Milford West sisters to the city. They want to see everything.

 

Then work on Tuesday.

 

And Wednesday I am taking the Milford East sisters to the city.

 

 I think they want to see everything too.

 

Then I am going to collapse.

 

It's fall, people. And the mania is kicking in!!

 

Let the crafting parties and city trips begin!!

 

Lori Ann

Wake me up when September ends

Random Weekend Highlights

 

 We went down to my mom's office to help her clean before their state inspection.

 

This is the first thing I saw upon entering.

 

 It's not just me, right?

 

 Other people HAVE TO suspect her of being a serial killer too.   

 

 The Elly magic slept over on Friday night and Saturday morning, we made scones!!

 

 She was telling me stories of us making scones in years past and it was so cute to hear her telling me childhood stories.

 

 She also did my hair at least 10 times.

 

Excuse the fact that I look NUTS in this picture.

 

I think she woke me up to do my hair at like 6 am.

 (I know...no one should be this sexy upon first awakening, amirite?)

 

The sisters emotionally blackmailed me into coming to our Relief Society Crafting day.

 

 It was so much fun!

 

I feel bad for anyone that reads this blog and is also my facebook friend.

 

You see this crap twice.

 

 I am trying to move my mind to obsessing over my fitness level again by doing before and afters.

 

We'll see if it works!!

 

I hope you had a totally kick ass weekend.

 

Lori Ann