You're gonna be the one that saves me

I am completing my Thanksgiving Day post one day early.

A. Because I am between clients right now and

B. Because tomorrow is not only Thanksgiving but the birthday of one James Ray Monroe and I need to write his blog tribute on his birthday.

So...

Here is what I am Thankful For This Year

 (the unabridged list)

I am thankful for:

My bright pink running shoes.

My middle name. I don't know if you caught it but I am kind of obsessed with the 'Ann'. It's all Ann mania from here on out!

My cat Sugar- who has enabled me to make the graceful transition from odd, awkward older single girl to official Spinster crazy cat lady.

My new friends. The ones that won't let me self isolate and listen to my endless whining. You know who you are!

My religion. The more people I counsel, the more grateful I am to have the Gospel in my life. It's made me who I am.

And of course, my home, family, country, job, etc, etc, etc, etc..... I am truly, honestly, and deeply thankful for all of these things. But the number one thing I am thankful for and am blessed by in my life....

Jack Allen, James Ray, Elizabeth Mae, and Katherine Danielle.

My nieces and nephews. My fellow secret club members. My stealing Uncle Dave's captain crunch co-conspirators. My youtube party dancing partners.

My four favorite people in all of the world.

Thanksgiving won't be the same without you.

Lori Ann

Sugar, Sugar

I am trying to make a Christmas card of me and Sugar. 

But she won't wear a Santa hat. 

Cooperation. That is all I ask for.

I am so,so,so,so,so,so,so glad that I only have to work 3 days this week. 

I am so glad that this time next month Erin will be out visiting!

I am so glad I made myself walk 6 miles today even though it was freezing cold and even though I still feel like I was hit by a bus and my feet are kind of blistered. 

I am so glad that my nice, warm bed is waiting for me. Sweet, blessed sleep sounds so amazing right now.

And yes, it's only 8:15 pm.

Lori Ann

I want to talk about me

This one is for you, Eri. 

Of course, I look hot in all of these, but the one of me in the center square is smokin'!

That brings my November selfie total up to 20!!

And there are still 6 days left in the month. 

YES!

your favorite baby sister,

Lori Ann

Que han de llorar cuando te vayas

It's a wonder I get anything done at work between taking selfies and plotting revenge on my coworkers. 

So, one of the things I know you all love about this blog is hearing me talk about myself.

I'm kind of fascinating like that, I know. 

Therefore, you'll be especially psyched to see me write the following:

In the tradition of the recent facebook trend,

Here are....

10 things you probably don't know about me.

(The weird Wednesday Night Edition!)

10. My favorite album of all time is Songs about Jane by Maroon 5

9. I'd rather have a baby than a dog. Being a dog owner sounds so exhausting.

8. Some of my clients get angry if I don't have candy available. I've set a bad precedent.

7. I never intended to become a therapist. I really just fell into it. Most of my life I planned to be a lawyer. 

6. I judge men who take baths

5. If I weren't Mormon I would honestly consider converting to an Amish lifestyle

4. I know all 4 verses of the Star Spangled Banner. (well, there are 8 really, but only 4 are usually in hymn books)

3. When I go into Walmart I just start walking fast. I can't stop it. I feel like I have to zip around in there. I also tend to forget what state I am in when I'm in Walmart. 

2. If I were 18 again and starting college I think I'd want to train to be a general contractor. I would love to restore old homes for a living.

1. Some songs make me feel angry and even nauseated. Like that Cruel Summer song from Karate Kid. And that weird song that goes "travel the world and the seven seas, everyone is looking for something" 

I hope that helps to satisfy the insatiable curiosity that you all have about me:) 

Lori Ann

I found you here

Random Tuesday Night Updates

This is sunset from my office. It makes staying late at work not as tragic

This is sunrise from the Walmart parking lot. Yes, I go to Walmart before sunrise. I refuse to consider what that means about me and my life :) 

I tried to take a picture of myself with sunrise in the background. But the sunrise didn't show up. I must have outshone it or something:) 

I finally got my ancestry breakdown from 23andme! Who knew that I was part Finnish? So weird.


My friend Michele told me today that she has read my entire blog. All 4 painful years. Yikes. Later in the day she said that she had a headache. I wonder if there is a correlation there somewhere...?
(but seriously, coolest friend ever!)

A new client of mine came into my office today and immediately said "Oh my gosh, you' re so young!" Did I say new client? I meant my favorite client. (p.s.-I told her that I was going to brag to everyone I knew about this and she gave me full permission to do so)

My trainer Tory asked me to write a testimonial for the gym that they can post on their website. I already know what I want to say. "Tory is evil. Run, run, run far away!"

This whole healthy living crap has thrown my schedule out of whack. I've been going to bed no later than 9 pm and waking up around 4 or 5 ish. I'm like Ben Franklin. Or whoever it was that said "early to bed and early to rise make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise".

Except for the 'healthy, wealthy, and wise" that is me to a T.

It's going to be a LONG day tomorrow. Wish me luck!!

Lori Ann

My dentist is evil

I just had my second root canal in a week. Yikes.

I think dental work is killing my manic high.

I didn't walk today.

Which is sad for two reasons:

1. Today is the most beautiful day I've seen all fall

2. I got to the park, with my shoes on, and my music

But then I saw someone who looked like a serial killer. And there was an old, weird van in the park parking lot and I couldn't stop the soundtrack from all of my mom's murder shows from playing in my head...

"Lori probably didn't realize that today would be her final walk when she started out on that brisk, November morning. Her dentist, the last person to see her alive, reports "Well, it surprised me to hear that she was murdered. I thought her teeth would be the cause of death. That being said, I'm sorry to lose my best customer."

So, in conclusion...

Laziness, dental work, and fear of death kept me from walking today.

Come to think of it, those three things keep from accomplishing a lot of my goals.

Lori Ann

p.s.- If I do get murdered, I expect you all to come to my funeral- IN PERSON. (don't be cheap)- Also, prepare to speak for 5-7 minutes about how this blog changed your life. I'd start preparing those remarks now, if I were you. (they can also be used when you are interviewed after I win a Nobel Prize or something)

With the words of a love song

My new favorite quote. 

Random Saturday Update-around twilight

(why do I feel like I should have to capitalize the 'T'?)

Anyway,

First, let's talk about my therapy. Not at all awkward for all of you, I am sure.

I didn't get to address my Harry Potter fixation in therapy...yet. 

Judy, my therapist, told me one major thing which I found really eye opening.

She said that I kind of live in two different places. On one hand I am very tightly connected to my family and religion which can be insular. I completely agree with this. I feel like, to a certain degree, that my family and religious culture is one of 'we don't talk about things'. (which I am not judging at all- I'm comfortable in that place) She said the other place I am is being a therapist- which is almost the exact opposite. I talk to people with all kinds of lives about everything- all the stuff most people don't want to talk about. She feels like trying to balance these two worlds causes me anxiety. 

ANYWAY, 

I know that was super long and detailed but it really changed the way I see myself and the world and I am so glad I put "go to therapy" on my bucket list and I recommend it to anyone!

I did 5 miles today. 2 'running' (if it can be called running as I was lapped by several WALKING elderly people) and 3 walking. My legs still feel strange. 

19 weeks until my half marathon. I've got to get stronger. 

I've lost 5 lbs this week on my mostly protein shake diet. I earned every one of those lbs. That diet was intense! 

This picture if from the Internet! I don't own a coffee maker...I swear!

It was a good jump start though- I lost a few lbs, have been thinking before eating, and my stomach has shrunk. I tried to eat a tiny baked potato and I felt so sick. It was too much.

It was Elly's last soccer game today. I am so proud of that crazy girl!

I am cooking the turkey this Thanksgiving (on my bucket list). Any suggestions?

Lori Ann