Earlier Valentine Memories: Join in the journey

When I was in grade school, I remember being given red construction paper, lace doilies, glue and a shoe box. No specific instructions, except to have fun making a valentine's mailbox for my desk. Cutting that stiff red paper and shaping it around the lid and box was not as much fun as gluing on those paper, heart-shaped doilies. By the end of the activity, our class was abuzz with the excitement of the upcoming silly holiday.


Everyone would get a card and so that meant you had to sign your name over twenty times. Pacing yourself during this activity was the wise way to go. Write a few cards and nibble on a candy. By the end of the time, cards would be finished and your supply of "sharing candy" sampled for quality.

Candy message hearts tasted like hard toothpaste, but it was fun sharing them with friends. Back then, the messages were simple, not like now with technology finding its way onto those sugary messages with things like LOL, JK and BFF.

Finally, on the fourteenth, cards were distributed into the fancy shoe boxes on our desks and party food was served. Opening cards, while eating cupcakes and drinking punch always seemed to work, until someone would spill their punch and make a huge mess. It wouldn't be an elementary party without someone spilling their drink, now would it?

Going home with the card-stuffed box, was always double fun, because my mom would read each card and I would tell her about the person. I got to enjoy the holiday a little longer with the person who loved me first.

Happy Valentines' Day to everyone and all you love.


FUN FERRET FACTS: When considering a ferret for a pet, it's best to get two ferrets. They need the company. Before you settle on the gender, know that it doesn't matter if you get male or female, but make sure that they are neutered first. Leave the reproduction to the experts.

Valentine's Day: Cupid's Memoirs

A few days ago there was an article in the local paper for stories concerning Valentine's Day. I won't write for that paper for free and probably even if they paid me. So here's a little Valentine's story to share.

It was this time of year three years ago that I was frantically making plans, changing plans, drawing plans and pretty much trying to stay sane with all the planning that was going on in my head. You see on that special day, it was a Wednesday that year, would be the next chapter in our daughter's life. She was getting married and beginning to start a whole new life, leaving behind the memories of some very cruel, heartless people. Each decoration I designed and made put more distance between NOW and THEN. All in our family had traveled a very rough couple of years and these creations helped to turn the corner from hurt to hope.

On Tuesday, we decorated the hall as much as time allowed, knowing that we had time to tie up the loose ends the next morning. Plastic bin, after bin were hauled into the hall and the fun began. Talented, helpful hands turned the spools of tulle and ribbon into beautiful, lush bows. Valentine-themed decorations were placed throughout the hall and soon the wedding venue went from County chic into a Valentine Wonderland. All doubts that my daughter had about the place looking special and not "cheesy" went away as the afternoon sunlight shone on the place settings and the effect was just how we had dreamed it would be.

Wednesday morning blew in a cold front and as we hurried about in the hall, a call came that the pastor had come down with the flu. My friend said not to worry and somehow she and the church's secretary found a replacement pastor who wound up doing a very nice job on such a short notice.

When my daughter had picked out her wedding dress, it was the middle of the summer and the dress was long sleeved. I thought that she was taking a chance with such a warm gown, but guess who was perfectly comfortable in the freezing, airy hall that night. Yep, the blushing bride looked beautiful. Her gown and her husband's Western style tux were so perfect for the occasion and the couple. We sure do love the photos of the couple and the guests in the Cupid's Paradise we created with a small budget, large amount of planning and talented relatives who helped.

I have to say that three years ago tops my list of my favorite Valentine Days.


Fun Ferret Fact: Just because ferrets are considered "cute" don't call someone "Ferret Face" as that will cause hurt feelings. "Weasel Face" isn't much better, by the way.