~ Happy Valentine's Day ~

I've been checking out some of my favorite blogs today. I really shouldn't let this day get away without throwing some words out there.

I remember being in grade school and making those cute Valentine boxes out of shoe boxes and construction paper. I remember being giddy about how many little cards would fit in the box and how cool it was to get those little hearts that said stuff. It was really fun when there would be a little candy bar or a sucker taped to one. This was before the days of boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. It was all in fun.

When my kids were little I loved helping them shop for valentines for their classmates. I always made sure there was something fun to stick to each one. :)

This is such an odd and strange day in our family. You see, I still love to go out and get something just a little special for the kids....maybe just a little box of chocolate samplers and a cute card. This year I went to Target and got their favorite Choxie truffles. Yumm... I finally let go of the notion of buying those little stuffed animals. I think I was loving it more than they were the last few years. I'm wondering how weird next year will be when Ryan's not here ;-( Maybe there should be a Mom care package. Hmm... yeah... I'll chase him down ~snicker~

And of course I spent some time carefully picking out a card for my sweetie. This is where it gets weird.... He randomly made a comment in front of some friends a few years ago that this was truly just a "Hallmark Holiday" that was created by the card company in collusion with the candy manufacturers to sell candy and cards, and that it was terrible that every year millions of people were shamed into taking part. Well of course word spread of his scrooginess because they work at a large company and now he has this "reputation" that is hard to break. Of course word got out to friends outside of the company also and no one really has let it go. I promise, I'm not the one instigating this!

It's time for me to help him come clean, even if perhaps he doesn't really want to. He might like this reputation but it's time for the truth. There is always a card on our anniversary among other treasures. On this day there have been flowers or chocolates, and sometimes both. Today it was lunch at Applebee's! Tonight I will make the family's favorite lasagna. Guess what? That works for me!! I have been sufficiently spoiled many other days of the year. Those of you who know me know that I truly speak the Truth!

I Love You Gary Wood! You Rock My World!

Happy * Day

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I saw this on two of those favorite blogs. Feel free to cut and paste and pass it on with your own answers. It was good for a giggle or two.....

YOUR REAL NAME: Trudy
YOUR GANGSTA NAME (1st 4 letters plus izzle): Trudizzle
YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (fave color + fave animal): Purple Dog
YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name + childhood street): Ann Fairmont
YOUR STAR WARS NAME (last 3 letters of your last name + first 2 letters of your first name + first 3 letters of Mom's maiden name): Oodtrwar
YOUR SUPER HERO NAME (2nd fave color + fave drink): Yellow D. Pepsi (ewww….)
YOUR IRAQI NAME (2nd letter of your first name + 3rd letter of your last name + any letter of your middle name + 2nd letter of your Mom's maiden name + 3rd letter of your Dad's middle name + 1st letter of a sibling's first name + last letter of your Mom's middle name): Ronarby
YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM NAME (Grandma/Grandpa's first name + Jones): Minnie Jones
YOUR GOTH NAME (Black + name of one of your pets): Black Cosmo (sounds like a wicked drink!)