Lorie and Company

EVAWI

2011-08-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

I work for a wonderful organization, EVAWI, who's mission statement is: "We inspire and educate those who respond to gender-based violence, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable. We promote victim-centered, multi-disciplinary collaboration, which strengthens the response of the criminal justice system, other professionals, allies, and the general public -- making communities safer." I am grateful I live in a small town, am able to work at a job that makes a difference, and one that I truly enjoy. Here is a video our executive director made of our conference held in Chicago and of our upcoming one in San Diego 2012. Just had to show us off a bit . . . .

What's one of your lessons?

2011-08-28T20:45:00.001-07:00

On a recent trip to Chicago, I was reading a Real Simple magazine that asked the question: "What is one lesson you learned in school that you'll never forget?". Of course this got me to pondering for myself. A few popped into my mind like in the 5th grade, my teacher Mr. Kubalek taught us the words to the National Anthem. To this day, I'm grateful I know every single word. In the 7th grade, I asked my health teacher what a boner was ..... He showed me a slide with an illustration..... Good to know. Good lesson. Haven't forgot that lesson. But Ms Faber taught me in the 6th grade that everyone is an individual and we learn differently. She let me take my tests laying on the floor rather than sitting in a chair, which never fit me. I appreciated her acknowledgement that everyone is different and what works for others may not work for everyone. She gave me that consideration, and I try to give the same consideration to others.
As we buy back to school items and prepare for our children to return to the classrooms, recall your greatest lessons learned from school. I hope you smile.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone4

Glee Project

2011-08-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

This is Cameron from the Glee Project on the Oxygen Network. He was my favorite and my pick to win. He didn't. He didn't because he quit. Let me back up a little. It is surprising I liked Cameron because he is a conservative Christian from Texas. I do admit I have a thing for nerds but I liked Cameron because he has a soulful, unique voice that I love.

Cameron quit because the acting portion of being a Glee start was difficult for him. He wasn't comfortable with his sexuality and doing anything that challenged his morals. I admire his conviction even though I don't share his convictions. I appreciate he followed his heart. Afterall, following our hearts is what is what life is about. . . . it really is. Cheers to you Cameron.

How I've been Feeling lately . . .

2011-08-22T20:10:00.001-07:00

Mercury Retrograde??

2011-08-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

It has been one of those months. . . . shit has hit the fan in many ways. Luckily for me, I'm use to shit hitting the fan. ;-). Mercury retrograde could be causing it or it could just be bad luck . . . whatever it may be. It doesn't really matter. What does matter is how we deal with crisis. I try very hard not to judge people on how they handle their personal journeys. Afterall, everyone's journey is not the same and no one can truly understand it. What I see as petty may same huge to someone else. What I see as whining could be someone's way of asking for help. I try to understand and be empathetic. Crisis sucks. I watch people carefully on how they pull themselves up by the bootstraps. How someone reacts is more important to me. I'm rambling. . . . thats just how I deal with shit hitting the fan. :-)

Chase hits homerun!

2011-08-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do is watch my boys play baseball. I absolutely LOVE it. This is my 12 year old.

Enjoy your Weekend

2011-07-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

A Special Shout out to my friend, Anne. We've been friends since first grade, when she walked up to me and asked me why I was brown. . . . :-). Friends ever since. (longovonge yongou)

Favorite Things:

2011-07-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

Cetaphil ResoraDERM is one of the best moisturizers I have ever used. I use it daily. I tend to have dry skin. It leaves my skin feeling soft but not greasy. Plus this is really cheap! I try to teach my kids about the importance of facial moisturizing and the benefits of it.

You need a SPF to wear with it though.

And . . . .of course, drink lots of water for healthy skin. :-)

FACEBATTICAL

2011-07-29T17:24:00.001-07:00

When you take time out from Facebook because you realize its ruining or running your life. A Facebook Sabbatical.

Coffee Corner

2011-07-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

When I was going through a tough time, I had a routine of getting up each morning and going to the coffee shop. It made me get out of the house. I cultivated a "coffee family" there, and I am grateful for those relationships. We talk about the best things. My coffee family is has diminished over the years. Some have moved. Others got new jobs that didn't allow for coffee time. Some out grew the coffee shop. I have also made new "family members". I enjoy going when I can which ends up being about once a week. Sometimes we do the crossword together. Sometimes I leave there not knowing what we talked about. I'm going to have a "coffee corner" post once in a while that reflects some of my thoughts from the coffee shop conversation. I'll start with a joke I heard yesterday thanks to MJ:

There was a grocery worker stocking produce. A woman came up to him and asked him where the broccoli was. The stocker replied that they didn't have any broccoli and they might the next morning and continued back to arranging produce. Shortly, the woman asks again, where is the broccoli? The stocker a little annoyed, again told her that there was no broccoli and continued to arranging produce.

The woman got into his face and forcefully asks, "Where's the broccoli?".

The produce man asked her, "Ma'm how do you spell dog as in dogma?"

The lady replies "D-O-G".

"How do you spell cat as in catalyst?" he asks.

"C-A-T" was her reply.

"How do you spell FUCK as in broccoli?"

The woman thinks and says, "There's no fuck in broccoli!"

The man says, "That's what I've been trying to tell you!!!!"

LOL.

Sanctum

2011-07-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

I recently rented the movie SANCTUM produced by James Cameron. I admitedly was drawn to this movie because it was produced by James Cameron. TITANIC and AVATAR were amazing to me. I was even more drawn to it when I read that it was about an exploration of cave diving. One of the reasons I feel in love with Star Trek is because of the exploration aspect. I had a love affair with the idea of "boldly going where no man had gone before." So most movies about exploration draw me in. It is true, this movie is about exploration. It is about a team of individuals exploring a complicated cave in the south pacific. A mass storm collapses the cave and this movie is about this group of individuals journey to see daylight again. It wasn't the exploration that I thought about after watching this show, it was each individuals ability to deal with stress. Each person dealt with adversity and survivial differently. Of course, upon reflection . . . . you hope if you were put into a similar situation you would be the sane and non-crazy (word?) one. I do know that life brings us adversity all the time. Big and small. Humans handle it differently. Believe me, I have witnessed people handle crisis differently. Not that one persons way is right or wrong -- it just is. Adveristy requires us to be patient, figure out the next step, and decifer what gains outweigh the losses. How would you react? Truth is . . . . . you never know until you're put into that situation.

Legacy

2011-07-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

I sometimes think about what I want my kids to remember about me if I was ever not around. And then . . . .the hard part is to act accordingly. I would want them to think I listened to them. That I cared about others and lived my live in service. I want them to know that although I do not believe in a "god" per se but that I believe the universe can work with them. I would want them to think I made every effort to support them. That I love being their mom. Although life may be difficult and throw you curve balls . . . . I never gave up. I would want them to know that I love them. I love them always.

Why I Write

2011-06-16T21:56:00.001-07:00

I write because I have thoughts that just tire me until they are released. I write because it gives me a sense of "forever". A sense that even when I'm physically gone, these words will not. I write because I'm opinionated. I write because it was the my first love. I write because people have a choice to read it. I write because I can.