Something Normal

Amid the snow and ice, we did something normal today!! We met another couple for a movie and dinner.

The guys thought this one up for themselves. Believe it or not, they actually picked what could be classified as a chick flick. So you think maybe they just wanted to score points?

Yep, they took us to see Valentine's Day. This one features a lot of well known stars from various age groups, Ashton Kutcher, Shirley MacLaine, Kathy Bates, Patrick Dempsey, Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Hector Elizondo, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Garner, George Lopez, Jessica Alba, Jamie Foxx and more.

The basic premise is celebrating Valentine's Day through the eyes and actions of a variety of couples and singles living and working in L.A. The whole movie encompasses just one 24 hour period. Ashton is a florist who, on the busiest flower day of the year, takes a major step forward in the name of love and finds his world thrown for a loop. Shirley MacLaine and Hector Elizondo are an old married couple (51 years) caring for a young grandson (a 5th grader who's in love with his teacher) but who, ultimately finds a Valentine closer to his own age. There are high school sweethearts, young marrieds and even a lonely hearts club group involved. Some of the relationships are solid as granite, some crumble as the day progresses and a few surprise us but, all in all, it's a light-hearted, feel good flick. We all enjoyed it and left smiling.

Then we crossed the street to a favorite pub. We used to eat there every Tuesday for years but in the last year or two, we haven't gotten there as often. We miss it and it felt good to be " back home."

We had a great evening. What a nice respite from dealing with the weather.

Hope y'all had a good evening, too.

Ain't love grand ?

Love is in the air but there's a lot of smog out there, too!

In addition to all those chocolates, roses, cookies, fudge, etc., maybe we could all use a little "couple advice" . What better opportunity than Valentine's Day ?

I recently came across this excerpt from an actual wedding ceremony. These are the words of the pastor to the couple:

"[Mary] look at [John], [John] look at [Mary]; Neither of you is marrying Mr. or Mrs. Right. Keep that in perspective, work out your differences, and all will be well."

Another minister cautions all couples, "Marriage is not easy." He then follows it with a few tips for a happy relationship. I recently found his "scared straight marriage speech" on line. It was, well, quite basic. I preferred the interesting advice given in the many comments from readers. Check some of these out:

1. Watching television does not count as "spending time together."

2. Never, ever, introduce your current spouse as "my first wife" or "my first husband." Your spouse will not think it is funny.

3. Don't ever tell another person in the presence of your spouse that you are training him or her.

4. In a "discussion" , don't EVER say, "I'm gonna break this down to your level." It just causes all kinds of things to get broken.

5. "I'm sorry" should not REALLY mean, "I'm sorry...until I do it again."

And these are specifically for my male readers (Ladies, you may want to show them to your man.) :

6. Don't ever call any pair of jeans your wife is wearing a "really nice pair of mom jeans."

7. Never ask your wife if she is PMSing.

8. Don't make pig noises while your wife is eating. It's NOT funny. EVER.

-----------

I'm not sure where I found this tidbit, but it does give one food for thought:

Think about what your spouse is living with. How easy would it be to be YOUR spouse? Now, treat them accordingly.

----------

So, go out there and have a great Valentine's Day!!!!

A little shameless self-promotion for Valentine's Day!

Roses, flowers, chocolate, a little romance -- what do you want for Valentine's Day?

Maybe now's the time to place a few good solid hints. (Of course, if your man is like mine, a hint won't cut it. You'll have to be more obvious than that!!)

I consider myself lucky if he manages to bring me a bag of candy hearts that say what he'd never think to say out loud. A card would be a total shocker!!

----------

Speaking of CANDY HEARTS....
O.K., that was just a way of easing you into a little shameless self-promotion for my online shop, Splashin. I've got some really cute lovies for the little ones.

I played with the candy heart concept for some onesie for the very young. These were fun to create.Since they seemed a little saccharine-sweet for the bigger kids, I worked some cuddly animals into the hearts and flowers theme.



Now, I'll admit these seem pretty good for the girls but they don't say "I love my little boy!" Hearts, flowers and lace just don't translate well into B-O-Y !!

I do have things boys love - like hamsters, trucks, cars and tools. So if you're in the market for a little outfit to tell the little ones in your life how much they're loved stop on in and take a look around.

Hearts and Smiles to Y'all !!!

This cute little guy is our family’s very own cupid! (This was taken last Valentine’s Day.) My s-i-l has always decorated to the hilt for every holiday and continues the tradition by “decorating” and photographing the first grandchild for every little occasion. We now look forward to interesting pics celebrating every holiday in full garb!

---------------

Since I don’t always get a chance to chat with you on the weekends, I thought I’d make a point of wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day today. I hope you have big plans - time spent with your loved ones, special treats, lots of fun. Don’t forget to share lots of hugs, cuddles and smiles.

---------------

Here’s some more love laughs and smiles I found to share:



*Sales ad at a store: “You are my one and only” Valentine’s cards, now on sale 4 for $5.” -- Unknown
*”I wanted to make it really special on Valentine’s Day, so I tied my boyfriend up. And for three solid hours I watched whatever I wanted on TV.” -- Tracy Smith
*I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. -- Author Unknown
*”Before I met my husband, I’d never fallen in love. I’d stepped in it a few times.” -- Rita Rudner
*Love is an ocean of emotions entirely surrounded by expenses. -- Thomas Robert Dewar


And my personal favorite:


*Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots. -- A Hoosier Farmer



And a serious thought or two on the subject:


*Love may not make the world go round, but I must admit that it makes the ride worthwhile. -- Sean Connery
*All you need is love. -- John Lennon

--------------

Feeling creative?
Complete the following verse with two lines of your own:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue...
Go ahead and share your version with us in the comments section!


Have a terrific Valentine’s Day, everybody!!

I know what I'm getting for Valentine's Day!

Let me start by saying this will be the 22nd Valentine’s Day I have spent with The Big Guy. I have long since given up on thinking I’ll get candy, flowers, or jewelry. Sometimes, he does come up with a card but only if he finds something humorous and sort of off the wall. He’s not your run-of-the-mill romantic. We usually eat at home on Valentine’s Day as we prefer not to fight the crowds. I usually do prepare something special. Generally, we do go out for a nice meal the weekend before or after and refer to it as our Valentine’s dinner.

This year, I am getting a big present. It’s something I really need and actually, as of today, want. We picked it out tonight but it won’t be delivered for two weeks. I can wait. My new stove will arrive on the 26th! Maybe before, if we’re lucky. (Since I do love to cook it’s not quite like the standard “vacuum cleaner for Christmas thing.”)

Yes, there is a background story.

I added excitement to my life yesterday by blowing up the oven. (No real fire!) The Big Guy worked late and called to tell me when he was heading home so I could start dinner. I immediately turned the oven on to preheat. The kitchen and dining room were dark and I was in the living room working on the computer. Suddenly, I heard some strange sounds coming from the kitchen. It sounded like someone banging around empty cookie sheets. (I make similar sounds when getting them in and out of the cabinet.) Then there was some sizzling sounds and the entire kitchen seemed to glow. The glow rose and fell in degrees! It looked like aliens were taking over!

I rushed out and turned the oven off. The oven was full of thick dark smoke. I left it closed and self-contained. I didn’t need to deal with the smoke detectors going off. I assumed (and turned out to be right) the electric coil heating element died. I couldn’t get to the plug to unplug it so I just kept a close watch on it and kept checking the cabinets on either side and feeling the wall to be sure the fire wasn’t in the electrical wiring in the wall or something.

By the time The Big Guy got home in an hour, the smoke had dissipated and you could clearly see where the coil had burned and melted right through. We pronounced it dead!!

Which brings us to going out for dinner tonight with stove shopping afterwards. I know we can’t eat out every night for the next two weeks, so I’m taking suggestions for creative meals made in the microwave, crock pot and on the Forman or my electric indoor grill. Maybe a gal can have too many appliances. Without them, we’d have to eat out more this week !