Heart Day

I think I've mentioned before that my husband is sweet, kind, and giving, in his own way. He isn't overtly romantic, but he does surprise me at times (like last year he got me a telescope for my birthday, and for our anniversary he got me one of those cool bike trailer thingys so my girl could ride behind me). Today I received 2 dozen red roses at work. And he ordered a cute little bear and Hershey Kisses for my girl. And here's what really got me: He ordered flowers for 'all the girls in (his) life'-his mom, grandmother, my mom, my sister, me, and my girl. How sweet is he? That just warms my heart, even if he is an ass sometimes. (LOL)

But, years ago, before my girl was around, we would do the same thing right around Valentine's Day: We would go do our taxes. I know, I know-so romantic. But while we waited our turn, we would go eat at Taco Cabana (because it happened to be in the same parking lot as the tax place). We would beat the rush and the mayhem at other restaurants. Again, I know-so romantic.

It was just me and him. I loved that. It was simple, but it was 'us'.

Now, we have a CPA do our taxes, since my husband owns his own business. We don't go to any special place. My husband views this holiday as a gimmick. He doesn't want to wait 4 hours for a table at a restaurant. He doesn't view this as romantic, or time well-spent. I can't ever find a card that quite conveys how I feel about him; I end up picking up some silly card, in the hopes that it will crack a smile. Now, we have my girl. We don't have date nights; we don't have romantic evenings. He is too busy at work. But he did take the time to order all those flowers, and get my girl something special.

There are times when I wish for the simpler days. No juggling of multiple activities: cooking dinner, playing Barbies with my girl, reading for class, catching some sleep, trying to watch a few of my favorite shows, trying to catch some downtime with my husband when he's not working. Things get so complicated; time is so precious. It goes by so fast. I like that right now, my girl is just excited to give Valentines to her preschool friends. I don't want her teenage years to hit me in the face just yet, when she is aching for a valentine from 'that one guy' (or girl, I suppose). I want time to slow down a bit, so I can enjoy her smile as she opens all these little Scooby Doo & Sponge Bob cards from her friends. I want time to slow down so I can sit with my husband, both of us awake, alert, and attending to each other, and smelling these beautiful roses he ordered for me.

I know there are lots of men out there that would have a whole evening planned (or maybe a whole weekend since Monday is a holiday?)-roses, rose pedals, romantic candlelight dinner, hotel room, presents, jewelry (And of course sex, right? Because that is the one and only thinga man really expects on Valentine's Day, right??)? I don't want that. More than anything, I want to know that my husband loves me by his actions and his words, not by the things he buys.

He has worked extremely long hours the past 2 weeks, which is not really out of the ordinary, now that I think of it. Several nights, he didn't get home until 1 or 2am. He's had such little sleep that he woke up with a serious cold this week, which is about par for him. But, he remembered to order flowers for all of the women in his life, among deadlines, drawings, floor plans, phone calls, and projects.

Although we don't have the same Valentine's Day tradition, I am okay with that.

The replacement Christmas present: 1 of ??

Since my husband decided he wanted to put our house on the market, I sorta complained that the Christmas present of a beautiful backyard was not such a great present if I don't end up getting to enjoy it! I do love my backyard and all the gardening I may or may not get to do in it, but my husband bought me this to make up for it:

Isn't it GORGEOUS!? My favorite color! And omg, the pillows!:

13 comfy pillows, not including the 4 we sleep on!

He has such good taste!

And under that beauty of a comforter is our new mattress. Aaaahhhhhhh. It is wonderful!

So now my excuse for not posting daily is that I have fallen into this bed and don't.want.to.get.out.

(Sorry for another boring post)

Swapfest

Awhile back, Just A Girl decided to throw a swap party. I of course, signed up, and Jannie Funster was the person I would be swapping with. I spent too much time figuring out what I would get the lovely Jannie after I got the email of random questions that would give me ideas. Eventually, I sent the package off, and I hope she enjoyed it.

I got my package from her recently, and I wanted to share with you:

I've already brewed a cup of the throat coat tea. It's yummy! And the lavender soap smells heavenly, but sad news: My husband is allergic, so I can't use it. Booooo!
There was an adorable butterfly calender, but my little sister jacked it. And the little bag with the peppers on it? My mother-in-law jacked that. Luckily, I have already started putting pictures in the teeny photo book, so no one can steal that from me!

Thank you, Jannie! Oh, and dear readers, you should go check out Jannie's site. She is talented and snarky, and I know you will enjoy yourself cruising through her posts.

Thoughtfulness gets me every time!

It's been a hectic week, so yet again, my blogging has fallen by the wayside. Anyway, here I am now, so...

I turn 30 tomorrow. Like, 3.0. wow. I don't feel old, other than the fact that my body is not really my best friend anymore. I still feel 17, really. And, just sometimes, yes, I do still feel smokin'-hot. But not so much.
So, last night I got the most awesome birthday present! My husband really thought outside the box, and really put some thought into this one. And, for me, it's the thoughtful-ness of a gift that means something to me. Give me a store-bought card, and I won't complain. It's the small things in life that mean something, right? But, put some major thought into giving me something that will make my heart melt...well, that's a whole 'nother story!!
My husband bought me a telescope! I have one of my very own, currently in my bedroom, facing the east! I was soooo excited, and in shock! And he gave it to me last night, early, so that I could see the full lunar eclipse. And do you know what? I never would have bought one for myself, or probably even asked for one, but it is sooooo me!
And the fact that he took the time to think about things I like, and buy me something I would totally love, is just wonderful to me.
So he set it up in the backyard for me, showed me how to use it, and zeroed in on the moon. It was beautiful! And then, the coolest part, was Saturn!! I could see the rings!
Now I have to come up with some cool outside-the-box gift for him.
Darn.

Today I went on a tiny shopping spree. I bought 2 dresses, 1 pair of dress pants with a matching shirt, and 2 other shirts. I really reined myself in, because I totally wanted this cute suit, and two other dresses that looked stunning on me, if I do say so myself! I wanted to get some matching jewelry, but I had to get back to work! Maybe tomorrow I will hum 'Happy Birthday' to myself and go back for jewelry...or shoes....or the other clothes I wanted. What the hell, right??
You only turn 30 once!!!!