-I always loved receiving Valentine's Day gifts from my mom. I'm not sure when they started, or if they were always there, but they definitely meant something to me. Being that we never had much and my mom probably hates this holiday more than I do, it was never outlandish gifts that we were given the morning of Feb 14th. Yet the knowledge that my mom went out of her way to give us something on this day all about expressing love had a great impact on me. Especially since I honestly have received gifts on Valentine's day from only two other individuals in my life. It was nice to know that not everybody passed me up on this silly day.

-The first year after my mom was divorced I felt so horrible that she'd have to sit at work seeing all the other women get flowers from their spouses/partners on V-day. I truly made me so sad to think that she would have to be reminded all day long that she didn't have a spouse/partner, although in reality none is better than what she did have before. I decided I would secretly send her flowers. I was hoping that they'd brighten her day and let her know that I loved her even though I wasn't her spouse. lol I've tried to do this for her every year since then, but um I kind of realized I forgot to do it this year. Sorry mom!! ha The reason I share this story is because it was this moment I realized that maybe I hadn't always told my mom how much she truly means to me. Maybe with flowers every so often I can express that love for her, and make up for some of the crap I put her through as a kid. Just maybe. I also realized that I knew exactly how she felt, to see others get gifts from their loved ones knowing that you probably weren't going to get anything. But that one time someone did give you something, it meant so very much to you.... Maybe there's a lesson there for one of you in that, who knows...

-I made cookies today for my tomorrow's Valentine's day work dessert party. My mom and I have this killer sugar cookie recipe. If it wasn't for the time it takes to make them, I'd probably be making cookies for every holiday no matter how big or small. While making these cookies I stumbled upon the hilarity of this recipe... In the original recipe book my mom had written next to it "half this recipe." The first time I made the cookies I looked at that and thought to myself about how I really needed quite a few cookies so I'd just make the whole recipe. Bad. Idea. I ended up with easily 200+ cookies. I was so sick of seeing Christmas tree shaped sugar cookies. From then on I always made sure to half the recipe. When I moved out my mom provided me with this recipe, but she made sure it was halved for me so I'd never end up waist deep in cookies again. So today as I'm making these cookies I get to the end and realize...I only have like 30 cookies. How is it that this recipe either makes 600 cookies or 30 cookies. There's got to be something wrong with this math. I just know it!

-As I'm getting ready to frost the cookies Dan points out that I shouldn't use red food dye. I inquired as to why he'd say such. He again explained that red food dye tastes bad. Since I have yet to agree with him or any of the other people out there that say red frosting tastes bad I decided I'd still make red/pink frosted hearts. Then I remember that some of my family members don't eat red food dye because of something or another blah blah blah. Anywho I was thinking to myself.... Now how the heck do you make cookies or any Valentine's day treat if you can't use red food dye??? Really?? Hearts don't come in any other color. What do you make/give your kids? White hearts? Really? That is not only quite boring, but it also is highly anatomically incorrect. I know bright crimson red and pink really aren't all that accurate either, but white is WAY off.

I do believe this ends my list of random Valentine's day thoughts. But I'm still concerned for all the children out there who might be given white frosted cookies on Valentine's day. Someone please help me understand this. Also, why does this blasted holiday still exist? It does nothing good for anyone's spirit when they don't get something. If you're in one of those relationships where you might actually embrass your love on February 14th, can't you just....not? Maybe you should do it another random day of the year. Really it'd be great for the rest of the world, promise. You know how there's Scrooge for Christmas? Well I'm that for Valentine's day. Haha Although I would like to say, this post was written with a smile on my face in an attempt at bringing you all a good laugh or chuckle, not for the sake of being a pessimist. I will be providing some of you with cookies on this silly holiday, so I can't be too upset. I do love to bake.

First, I'd like to announce that we purchased a spiffy new ride for me. We were sort of contemplating buying another car since we don't really live a one car household lifestyle. However we had yet to come up with a plan of action, timeframe, or even an agreement as to what kind of car to get. One day our friends Chad and Heidi posted a classified add for their Chrysler PT Cruiser. We loved the price, we knew it was in great shape, and it met our needs (plus some). I know that I've never been fond of PT Cruisers but this just seemed to fall in our laps just perfectly. We couldn't pass it up. The funny thing is I now adore this car. I love so much about it. *squeal* Her name is Azula, yeah awesome I know. Azula is the princess of the fire nation in Avatar the Last Airbender. She bends blue fire and even electricity which is pretty spiffy if you ask me. Since the Cruiser is sparkly blue and is definitely a girl, Azula just fit perfectly.

Second, we have a completely remodeled shower. It's very nice and I'm so grateful for Dan and his dad for all the work they put into it. It wasn't really planned for but a few things led to another, which led to a total fall out of the old shower and one cannot live without a shower so we kinda had to plunge right into a remodel. We're also very grateful for Dan's parents allowing us to invade their home for a few days while it was being worked on.

Third, I am incredibly grateful for the close friends and family who have been there for us these past few months. I cannot even begin to tell you how every little piece of advice, love, reassurance, and hope helped us especially me. Things have been very hard for a number of reasons and it is amazing to see how many people are willing to rally together for you. I only hope I can return the favor(s) somehow, someday, in some sort of way.

Lastly I'm not going to guarantee that this will be the beginning of me blogging consistently again. Life is just too crazy for that. But I'll definitely try my best.