Shmalentine's Day

Valentine's Day is dumb. Yeah, I said it. This is coming from a happily married woman, and to be honest I can't remember the last time my husband and I celebrated, if ever. That's how I prefer it to be. I know what you're thinking, I'm a cynic, I've had a bad Valentine's Day experience, etc.

Yes, I have had two bad Valentine's Days in my youth, but I'm glad I did. First of all, it means I'm not with men who don't value me. Secondly, those experiences opened my eyes to how dumb this holiday really is.

We put such high expectations on people that this one day a year has to be perfect or they don't love us enough. It makes people put labels on relationships. It makes single people feel bad about their lives. The whole concept is idiotic to me.

When I walked out of work today for lunch I saw a slew of red roses at the reception area. I think it's funny. Men send the flowers to work early so 1) They can mark her desk. Let all of the other men know that she is taken. 2) Let her announce, but not, that someone loves her. Make her the envy of all of her coworkers. She wants them everyone to see, guys know that. This gesture is often followed by a Facebook status update so she can be sure that EVERYONE knows she got those flowers. 

Pfffffttttt.

I'm looking forward to (but not really) all of the Facebook posts this year. The check-ins at whatever crowded restaurant people are at. The double in price chocolates someone received. The blanket 'Happy Valentine's Day!' posts that are sure to fill my newsfeed. I know I sound like a grumpy old lady and I don't care. Everyone puts on facades for social media, but this time of year amplifies it and it thoroughly annoys me. 

The point of this post is to say that I think we as a society need to take some emphasis off this holiday. As I type this I'm sure that Hallmark and Russell Stovers are simultaneously plotting to murder me. In all seriousness though, do you really need to be showered with gifts and gestures one day of the year to feel loved? I think people should make each other feel loved and appreciated every day. I'm the first to admit I'm far from perfect in this area. I think everyone, including myself, has room for improvement.

Instead of flowers that break the bank on this one day, how about flowers on a Tuesday just because? What if you got or gave love note any day of the week? Wouldn't that make it more meaningful? For me it would. So, have your day if you must, but stop making it define you, your relationship and your self worth.

For those of you who disagree, I hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day, I truly do. I will be doing what I always do and I'll be content. I'm thankful to have a husband that makes me feel completely secure and loved every day. 

Yesterday a news story came on talking about Valentine's Day came on. My husband said, "Happy Valentine's Day, that's your present. Are you good with that?" I gave him the thumbs up and said "Works for me!".

Because it does. I know he loves me. I don't need a designated day for him to tell me that.

Besides, everyone knows Cadbury Eggs are hitting stores right now and those are way more delicious than biting into one of those gross assorted chocolates that are filled with something unexpected. Am I right?! I like raspberry, but not like that. Not like that at all....

I'll end this post with a Will Ferrell quote.
"EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY!" every day.

Burger Day

It's burger day in the work cafeteria. I have to use EVERY ounce of will power in my body not to give into the savory deliciousness that burger day is. Grilled onions, every topping available that you could imagine, different cheeses, potato buns all envelop this smoky, charcoal grilled burger. Sigh.

I miss the days when I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain a pound. I would get so upset about how skinny I was, drink protein shakes to gain weight, cry....

That's not the case anymore.

While I am one to cheat and reward myself on occasion, today was not the day.

The smell of burger day lead me to think of what my favorite food smells are. French fries, freshly baked bread and cookies, fried chicken, carmelized onions, browned butter, grilled beef - Burger King. What do they do to make that smell travel what seems like 10 miles in each direction? Whatever they do I both hate and love them.

I'm not a foodie. I eat to live more than I live to eat, but this weekends cheat meal is going to be a burger and I'm going to savor it. Not scarf it like I've been on a survival show for three weeks. Well, at least I'm going to try anyway. 😊

Secret Chocolate

So, I know this is a strange post to start with. But, I feel the need to share this experience. This one is for all the moms out there.

It was almost 8 p.m. on a weeknight. Mason was winding down for bed and was (unfortunately) watching Calliou next to us. (If you've ever seen the show, then I'm truly sorry. It's terrible. But, Mason loves it, so I do my best to tune it out.)

Suddenly, I got hit with a massive chocolate craving. I think, "It's too late to eat anything, especially junk. If Mason sees me eating chocolate he's going to want some and I'm not in the mood for a late night toddler meltdown". How could I explain to a three year old that that chocolate would cause his little bowels to explode?! I couldn't.

Then I ignore those thoughts and carefully sneak out of the room and down the stairs.

I scour the pantry and find a 90 calorie fiber one brownie. That's not too bad right? I sneak back up the stairs, brownie in-tow and head for the bathroom.

Let me pause here and say I had just cleaned the bathroom and that I know this sounds disgusting.

I sat on the toilet, pretended I was going "potty" and slowly enjoyed my little brownie. I giggled to myself and wondered. How many other moms have had to enjoy secret chocolate to avoid a toddler meltdown? I know of at least one.