Forgetfulone

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to my Confessions.  Are you linking up with Mamarazzi, too?

I confess...

I haven't been keeping to my eating plan very well this past week or so.  I've limited myself to one coca-cola per day and one half of a diet soda (been doing this for months), and I've cheated a little on the cokes recently.  And I've dipped into some Valentine candy that is around the house.  And instead of cooking a healthy meal last night, we went out for pizza!

I confess....

I have been craving Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream lately.  I resisted last weekend.   It would have been easy to stop at Walgreens and pick some up, but I have a feeling I'm going to cave in and get it this weekend.  It's what I call a pint of ice cream Heaven!

I confess...

I was in a terrible mood all day Wednesday.  I had strange dreams the night before, and I woke up in a bad mood, and it stayed with me all day.  All better now, though.  I think!

And I confess...

I am tired of hearing about Whitney Houston.  Yes, she was beautiful and talented and relatively young.  She did it to herself, though.  And I will scream if I have to hear "I Will Always Love You" one more time.  I don't really like that song, and they are playing it ALL the time!  Besides, it was Dolly Parton's song first, and she has such a sweet voice.   Have you heard?   Whitney's funeral is "by invitation only" and will feature "performances" (their word) by Aretha Franklin, among others.  That doesn't sound like a funeral to me!  Invitations and performances?  Yes, people sing at funerals, but performances?  It's not a concert event!  Well, I guess it is.  Anyway, I'm sad for Whitney, but I wish the TV/media would move on.  She could have prevented her own death, so she's not exactly a great role model anymore.  I really mean no offense.  I'm just tired of turning on the news or TV and hearing nothing but that.  I'll get off my soap box now!

This is Mamarazzi's weekly link-up!  What are you happy about today?

I'm happy for this...

The hubz and I "celebrated" our Valentine's Day early with dinner at Olive Garden this weekend.  I received these gorgeous flowers today, and we'll be going to lunch togther since I'm taking off half a day to have a medical prodecure done.  I'm thinking there will be bath stuff, candles, or candy to follow!

Trivia:  Parlement of Foules is a poem written by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1318.  This is the first recorded evidence linking Valentine's Day to romantic love. Chaucer wrote:

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

I am resurrecting a post I wrote two years ago in honor of the upcoming Valentine's Day "holiday" with a few minor changes.

This edition of Thursday 13 is brought to you by Valentine's Day. I'm not necessarily a huge proponent of Valentine's Day, as you can read in this post, but to my male readers (although I think most of my readers are female) you need to know that when a woman says, "Oh, you don't need to get me anything," or "Oh, anything will do," it is a good-natured LIE. Women just don't want to TELL you they expect a gift. They want it to be your idea. So, Men, here are some things a woman might like to receive for Valentine's Day, based, of course, on her personality. Ideally, you'd choose 3 or 4 of these things. If so, you can't go wrong!

1. A card - Not a Hallmark card. A card you have either made yourself, or one that has a super-sweet or sexy sentiment handwritten by you, or perhaps a love poem is tucked inside.

2.Candy - But here's a tip... Skip the Pangburn's and go straight to the really good stuff like Ghiradelli or Godiva.

3. Flowers - This works especially well if you know your lady's favorite flower. For me, it's the Stargazer Lily.  I also love the color pink, carnations, roses, etc.  And I like Cala Lillies, too.  Try to send them to her at work where her friends and co-workers will see them. That'll earn you extra brownie points. And make sure they come in a vase, not a box!

4.Stuffed Animals - Again, I don't mean the ones you get off the shelf at CVS or Walgreens. Get the good stuff! Go to Build-a-Bear workshop, probably in every mall near you, choose a cute bear, record your voice giving her a message, and the Bear-Builders will place the message so she can hear it when she presses a button in the animal's paw. She'll see you as thoughtful.

5. Pajamas or lingerie - Nothing too risque. A pajamagram is a great gift idea, and I've already found the link for you.. I heard about this on the radio.

6. A Restaurant Dinner - Take her out to her favorite restaurant. And don't forget to make reservations so you don't have to wait for hours.
7. Perfume - Find out her favorite fragrance and purchase it for her.

8. Jewelry - Diamonds are nice, but so are earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Ask a salesperson to help you choose something stylish in the costume jewelry section if your budget can't take diamonds right now.  I have fallen in love with Charming Charlie!

9. Bubble Bath - And the time to take a long, hot bath without kids disturbing her! I love the detox rocks from Bath Junkie. And lavendar is a relaxing fragrance.  I also like the "rock-type" lavendar/chamomile bath stuff from Bath and Body Works, but they are usually sold out.

10. Candles - Can you tell that women love fragrance? And again, don't go for the dollar store candles. Choose one at a place such as Yankee Candle Company or Bath and Body Works.

11. Movie Tickets - Take her to see that chick-flik she's dying to see.

12. Theater Tickets - Even better than a movie, buy tickets to the theater. She'll see you have a cultural side.

13. A Professional Massage - Saved the best for less. Massage Envy tends to be an affordable place. Find a day spa near you that gives one hour massages, or better yet, couples massages. She'll be so relaxed! And a relaxed woman is a happy woman!

Ladies, what do you prefer as a Valentine gift?

NOTICE: APPLIANCES ARE NOT ON THIS LIST ANYWHERE!

Happy Valentine's Day!  Visit Thursday Thirteen here.
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Have you joined Mamarazzi for the Happy List link party yet?  If not, you're missing out!  What a great chance to blog about the goodness in our lives.  And after the week I had last week, well, let's just say I did NOT post a happy list last week!  Ha!  Funny how a few days can make everything better.

Happy #1
Dinner with friends and co-workers at Pappasito's last Friday -  with happy hour prices and a free appetizer!  I had such a great time.  Do you have Pappasito's where you live?  GREAT Mexican food!

Happy #2
Getting caught up on my TV shows!  Once Upon a Time, Grey's Anatomy, The Mentalist, and Castle.  I usually don't have time to watch.

Happy #3
My daughter was nominated for National Honor Society.  Woo hoo!

Happy #4 - and my favorite "happy" of the week...
Watching my daughter's first WinterGuard performance.  I was amazed!  I hadn't seen their routine before, and my jaw was on the floor the entire time.  I had no idea the things she could do and how awesome the team looked together!  They are "statues" who come to life.  I recorded the show, but it was a little shaky at first, and my recorder cut off before the end.  But I got most of it!  They got 5th place out of 13 in their class, which isn't bad considering most of them have been doing this for only a few months.  And they're getting better and better.  My daughter is in the middle of the front (not the first one who dances, but just to the left of her).  I wish I had the ending!  Next time!

Here is a picture of the ending.

I confess....

I am so proud of this young man.  He's been raising these rabbits for the livestock show for our district, which was held Wednesday.  He didn't place.  I was heartbroken!  He worked so hard, and I just KNEW he would place!  I wasn't prepared for this.

I confess...

I worked hard, too, and I feel I am partially to blame.  Maybe I didn't buy the right rabbit food, or maybe... I don't know.  This hit me so hard.

I confess...

I was impressed that following this disappointment, instead of saying he was quitting, he started talking about what he wants to do for next year's show.  I love my kid!  Yes, he's hurt, embarrassed, sad, and disappointed (like me), but he's sticking with it.

I confess...
I'm still terribly sad about this.  My husband doesn't seem to understand the depth of my sadness.  I'm not sure I understand why I feel this way, either, but it is still weighing heavily on me.  I wish he seemed more sympathetic to my feelings.  Would he have more empathy if it were one of his daughters instead of his step-son?

And I confess...

Wednesday after the show, I cried like a big baby - not in front of my son - but I cried my eyes out.  It would have been easier if I had lost  the competition rather than him.
What are you confessing today?  Link up with Mamarazzi and Dandelion Wishes.