Week 7 - Day 1

Are we tired of the snow yet?  I'm not!  I love Winter.  I love snow and sledding (when I get the opportunity), and watching ice skating, and hot chocolate, roaring fires, chunky sweaters, and those brief shining moments during the day when I'm not completely overheated.  I like wintertime because of all the wonderful holidays, getting to look forward to Superbowl and all the award shows.  I know most people love summer more that anything, but in the Winter, I love that most bugs are sleeping or dead, pollen is not plaguing my sinuses, humidity is not ruining my hair and skin, and I'm not in a perpetual state of sweaty ick.

Plus, in the summer most of my favorite comfort foods like beef stew, lasagna, mac and cheese, pot roast, all feel too heavy to eat when it's warm outside.  Plus, I hate that my electric bill goes up during the warmer months because I require an Eskimo chilled home.  Not to mention when it does snow, I get SNOW DAYS!  You just don't get that in the summer...

After Valentine's Day the weekend was pretty quiet.  Saturday I had a lot of stuff to catch up on and managed to get all of my outside errands done before we got more snow and wintry mix.  It's always preferred to be safe and cozy in your house watching the snow.

Sunday was much of the same, with slightly less ambition.  The roads were cleared up, luckily, before I went over to my Mom's for some delicious bouillabaisse.  It was supposed to be a "family Sunday dinner" of sorts, but it ended up just being me.  No complaints!

I also got a lot of texts from my husband during the evenings which was so comforting and yet teasing.  He is still in limbo pretty much doing scut work until he gets assigned to a proper unit.  He will (hopefully) get the all clear from the surgeon on Wednesday and hopefully not have to repeat too much of his training since he's been made to wait.  I wish he could have spent this limbo time with me instead of being cooped up.

On this sunny Monday, I'm very much wishing that my company had President's Day off.  However, my drive in to work this morning was delightfully quick.  No traffic.

Flower puppy from my Dad!

My Valentine's Day

Chocolate!

My Valentine orchid from my husband

Week 6 - Day 5

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  I'm sure many of you have some varied opinions on this holiday, both good and bad.  I would like to share some of my thoughts about why I have always, in times of heartbreak and heart full, enjoyed Valentine's Day.

First and foremost, I truly believe and try to exude the idea that Valentine's Day is a sort of alternate Thanksgiving, only more specific to being thankful for the people in our lives who love us.  I don't mean spouses, girlfriends, boyfriends, lovers, crushes, exclusively, but also friends, family, mentors, all of those people who you may not share a romantic meal and red roses with, but who are every bit as deserving to know that you love them and they are important in your life.

In today's world where communicating is active yet some how cheapened in it's deliveries, I think Valentine's Day is needed as a reminder to remind those in your life that they make your life meaningful.  That's what all holidays should really be about in mind my.  Celebrating life and love.  In a world where we are all so busy trying to tread water, February 14th should be the day that you call your parents and say you love them, call a friend you haven't spoken to in years and tell them you miss the wonderful times your shared.  Should this behavior be restricted for one day, no, but sometimes our priorities get a little shifted in the chaos in life.  It's nice to have a day to kick start a year of good habits.

Finally, as a girl who won't be spending Valentine's Day with the love of her life, I plan to indulge in a little single girl behavior.  I will be spending the evening cuddled with my blankets, drinking wine, eating chocolates, and watching romantic movies.  I'm not bummed about it, I'm kind of excited.  I celebrated my couples version Valentine's with my husband back in January, and I haven't had a single girl Valentine's day in awhile.  Now anyone single here reading this might be annoyed with me but as someone who is a hopeless romantic, there is something wonderful about fantasizing about your next crush or imaginary romantic interludes with your favorite literary characters.  Valentine's Day for the single girl (or boy) should be a day to dream and maybe a day to be a little bolder about asking out someone you like.

It looks like the "surprise" my husband says he sent was delayed due to weather, but I did enjoy some surprises on the day:

Yummy chocolates

From my Dad!

Wine, chocolates, and Parade's End = Awesome Valentine's Day