Missing in Action ...

Just popped in to say hello and saw that we have not chatted for two months. We have missed the holidays completely. How did we all survive? I hope the New Year finds you happy and safe.

Just when you thought you were rid of any thought or chat of holiday magic, I appear. Annoying as ever, and in the mood to remind you that Valentine's Day is just one short month away.

I love Valentine's Day. It is my favorite "real" holiday of the year. I find Valentine's day a treasure of hours filled with surprises and delights. It is a chance to say hello. Express love. Devotion. Friendship. Passion. Fondness. Flirt. Or simply a day to have fun to surprise.

One need not be in love to celebrate this day of hearts and flowers. One need only to be present. Be a part of your surroundings. Relationships. Friendships. One need only to interact with people to count ourselves among the pack. If you find yourself an active member of any group, family, office or race and you too can find someone to surprise on this day of hearts and flowers.

With all world chatting about money (yikes!), one does not need to break into that frozen block of credit cards, buried deep beneath that awful non-fat, non-dairy delight in the bottom of the freezer either.

Leave the credit cards on ice, and play in the thought of some new choices to amuse this Valentine's day .... here are a few cheap thrills to get you started ...I will post more ....

• When running through T or your favorite grocer, keep an eye out for their collection of silly kid valentine cards. You know the ones that are oh so kitchy or stupid silly? Gather your favorites week by week and when your collection is large enough to annoy, but cute enough to over joy .... fill a mailbox. Paste them on a bathroom mirror. Pop in briefcases and lunch bags, tape them to steering wheels and ipods ....Anywhere and everywhere your family is ...fill their spaces with these silly little notes of love that cost mere pennies. They will remember this always.



• Gather a few "hearty" gifties from your favorite drug and discount stores, fill a small gift bag and tie this treasure on an appropriate mylar balloon. Box and send to someone away at school, away on business or down the street. This little bit of nonsense will let someone know that you are thinking of them.

....spread some love and enjoy!