The wheels go round and round

I wish I had something super exciting to blog about. 

But I don't. 

I've been hanging out with these people lately...

The missionaries! 

I love our missionaries and they try sooooo hard and it's not easy to be a missionary in PA. 

People are pretty set in their ways. 

And it's summer now so it's hot. 

I try and go out with them a few times a week and remind them to take care of themselves. 

And I take a million pictures because every missionary should have a million pictures :) 

Other than that, my life is pretty much the same as always. 

Work. 

Fighting with my cat. 

Sleep. 

And REPEAT. 

I will work on getting the scandal going for you people. 

This blog needs a little livening up :) 

Lori Ann 

Love...True Love..is what brings us together today

You guys...it's been FOREVER since I updated this blog. 

My niece Katherine Danielle turned 7.

I met my now brother in law, Daniel Douglas Waters.

And MY SISTER ERIN GOT MARRIED!!!!!

There is so much to tell you. 

I was so blessed to be there and to be the maid of honor. 

Erin has some incredible, funny, helpful friends who really made this wedding happen. 

It was kind of surreal to see my sister as a bride. 

I am sooooooo happy for her though. 

She deserves to be SO HAPPY every day of her life. 

I hope this means I get more nieces and nephews but even if it doesn't, I did gain a brother in law. 

Erin gained a really cool niece and nephew. 

And I now have memories I will cherish all my life. 

I am going to post about everything. I don't want to forget any of the small, funny details. 

Look for that one next! (in the next day or two, I promise) 

Yours truly,

THE LAST HINSDALE SPINSTER!!

Lori Ann

The last picture I have with a Hinsdale sister :( 

And you're beautiful

So... 

My sister Erin is getting married! 

Before I talk about how excited I am, let's revel in the fact that I will soon be the very last of the 

Hinsdale spinsters!!!  

I don't think Erin will even be able to claim 'crazy cat lady' status once she is married. 

It's all mine! All the titles and honors of true spinsterhood will be all mine at last! 

ANYWAY....

She is getting married on May 8th to a man named Daniel Waters. 

I have been thinking of him as "Danny boy" in my mind for a long time. 

Similar to how I think of Danielle's husband as "Jackie boy". 

Not sure what is going on there. 

Her colors are black, red, and gray. 

She got a dress. 

It's beautiful. 

And most importantly....

She got a maid of honor. 

ME!!!!!!

You guys....we all know how long I've waited for this day. 

To be NOT just a bridesmaid, but a maid of honor. 

Missing my sister Danielle's wedding is one of the few things that I really regret about my life. 

I know I was where I needed to be (on my mission in Chicago) but I still feel a void where that wedding day and celebration of my sister should have been. 

I am glad that I won't have that same void when it comes to Erin. 

I am so happy for my sister. 

She is one of the best people in the whole world and I wish her all the happiness in the world. 

I am glad she has found a guy who appreciates her and is willing to stick with her in good times and in bad. 

Now to just get them to move out east....

Yours truly...

Lori Ann

Maid of Honor

(You know that is how I will be signing off during every entry between now and May) 

I wish I owned a three legged groundhog named sneakers

I spent a few hours hanging out with my cousins and scrapbooking today. 

And somehow the only picture I got was this awful selfie. 

Why do I have such a manly jawline? 

And eyes that are two different sizes?

ANYWAY, 

Then I went teaching with the sisters. 

My favorite thing about teaching with the sisters is this cat Trixie. 

She is the feisty calico of one of our new members. 

Trixie is the most mentally unbalanced cat I have ever encountered. 

She will be sweetly sitting on your lap (see above) and then BAM

She is scratching you across the face. 

So, another Saturday of scrapbooking, cats, and missionary work. 

It just got kind of wild up in here!

Lori Ann

(Cousin to some legit awesome girls!) 

(President, Founder, and currently only member of the Trixie Fan Club!)

I am Constance's granddaughter...

My dad has been organizing the basement. 

It looks amazing. 

And the coolest thing is the stuff he is finding. 

Like these pictures! 

Without further ado...a little of my Hinsdale Family History. 

 This is my Grandpa Hinsdale.

 He was a Marine Pilot in WW2.

 One of my few memories of him (he died in 1995) was him flying me in this little plane. 

He never talked about the war and it wasn't until after his death that we learned he had earned a Silver Star. 

I am so proud to be the granddaughter of an American solider. 

 This is my Grandma Hinsdale. 

(She died a few years ago). 

You can see where I get my crazy cat lady side from.

 She was a nurse and an amazing cook. 

My dad still talks about her cooking with a tone of intense fondness and nostalgia. 

 This is my Dad's grandpa Sparhawk. 

(My great grandpa).

 His name was Elmer. 

He looks like a total badass. 

 My dad!

 You can see how he looked like his decreased brother and you can see how my sister's sons look like him. 

I have 27 cousins on my mom's side.

 I have 2 on my dad's.

 Melanie and Tiffany

. Here is a picture of them and their husbands with my dad's brother Don and sister in law, my aunt Karen.

 (about 20 years ago) 

We have a book on Hinsdale Genealogy that dates back to the 1200's. 

 Hinsdales are known for their excellent memories and intelligence. 

(I got the memory thing...)

On my Hinsdale side I am a 14(?) generation American. 

Every day I am proud to be a Hinsdale. 

Coming tomorrow....my Wilson family history! 

Brace yourselves! 

Gingers, Irishness, and 27 cousins! 

Lori Ann

The cold never bothered me anyway

People,

It's a 'quasi' snow day. 

My office is scheduled to be open- tentatively- at 3 pm.

It might still close. 

Now, this might be more thrilling if I wasn't scheduled until 8 pm tonight. 

I have never been good with things in limbo.

It rackets up my anxiety. 

I need a yes or no. 

Yes, there is work.

Or, no there is not. 

When I am not sure, I feel frozen. 

But I am not going to let that stop me from baking some cookies right now. 

Let's do this!

And pray that we stay closed. 

Because I really, really need this snow day to stay sane. 

Lori Ann

This isn't the best picture but the drive home was foggy and awesome yesterday. I have said it before but I will say it again...I LOVE IT HERE. It's so beautiful and every day I thank my Heavenly Father that this place is where I call home. 

If you ever change your mind..

Random Thoughts on Life

#1 I feel like the Target has some kind of gravitational pull...I am always like..."I've got to get to Target..." and like something is off if I don't go at least once a week. To buy crap I do not need. 

#2 My groups are starting back up next week. Yikes. I am NOT ready. I just wish I had an assistant to prepare things for me. Like a hot, younger one. Who would also fan me and validate everything I said. 

#3 I have not been training at all. Because once you've done a half marathon twice, what is really left? Did anyone ask Beethoven to keep composing after his 9th Symphony? I didn't think so.

#4 My cat has been hiding from me. I think this is some kind of message but I can't figure out what. Maybe it's because I kicked her out of scrapbooking. Or she's a cat and does what she wants. Whatever.

#5 My new favorite thing to tell my clients is "Behavior has to change first. Then thoughts and feelings follow it"....Can I do that? No. But I can tell others to! 

Sorry today is kind of boring. I am trying to get back into the habit of blogging. 

I will try and have a more exciting day tomorrow! 

I am going to the post office so you know it's bound to get pretty wild and crazy!

Lori Ann