Just in case you've forgotten my recent rants, I am not a fan of February 14. There's just something about the big love day that makes me feel like a big loser. The red roses mock me. The singing cards ring a chorus of my rampant singleness.
If love is indeed all around, how come none of it has gotten on me?
Oh well. Believe it or not, I managed to make it through another V-Day without suicidal thoughts.
Two years ago, I was driving through Little Rock on February 14 after having dinner with Lon, Jen and the boys at Mi Burrito, feeling quite sorry for myself, and I got the strongest sense that God was telling me 2008 was my last Valentine's Day alone. I interpreted that epiphany to mean that I'd be meeting Mr. Right before 2/14/09, which obviously didn't happen. Nor has it happened by 2/14/10.
Amazingly, I'm okay with that. So I don't have a Valentine and I'm still paying taxes at a single rate. I don't feel alone. I have the best friends anyone could ask for. I have eternal salvation. I love my job and have great fashion sense (if I do say so myself).
And that's enough for now. So here's hoping if you're going to bed alone like me or with someone else, you're content with where you are and who you are. Because, after all, that's the secret of life. It's not in having what you want, but wanting what you have.
Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
It ain't easy being green
I hate Valentine's Day.
There are two nights out of the entire year that it really sucks to be single. One is New Year's Eve. The other, Valentine's Day.
The other 363 I don't mind being alone. Right now I'm watching a cheesy show on the CW in my flannel pajamas, wearing glasses and Crest white strips. My legs aren't shaved. My hair's in a clip. My top and bottoms don't match. Ah, the fabulous life of the single gal.
I just painted a purple accent wall in my bedroom. No man would let me do that.
Glamour aside, my life is going pretty well right now. I have plans with great friends three nights in a row this weekend. My job is good (and I'm grateful to have one). But Valentine's Day looms. That Hallmark, red rose and haiku festival of love. In 13 days. With no man on the horizon.
Without a doubt, the worst part of this stupid holiday is the pity others seem to think I deserve. Last year one of my coworkers felt bad that I didn't get flowers, so she left one of the 18 she received from her husband on my desk. Yeah, thanks for the pity rose, pal.
I usually get some cursory gifts from friends, with comments of "Well we didn't want you to not get anything today...." Seriously. I'm okay with that. It's much less painful than others wrapping stuff up because they feel sorry for me.
My pal Lori B, who's also single (and amazing, which makes me realize boys are really stupid) sent me an email today from a local restaurant, detailing their Valentine's Day plans. This is a first-rate joint, with servers and assistant servers and reservations and bottle service. They also have a great bar area that they're trying to establish as the permier Happy Hour locale of NWA.
So, on Thursday, February 11, they'll be featuring a fabulous mixer after work, and are encouraging patrons to color code themselves for easy identification. If you're taken, you're to wear red. If you're in a relationship but it's not serious, you're supposed to wear yellow. Single? Wear green.
What the heck is the significance of green? Red is the official color of Valentine's Day, so I suppose that makes green the color of mold? Not the bloom from the rose, but the extra leaves that get cut off. Why don't we all just stamp our forehead with a big "L" for loser and call it a night?
I can tell you one gal who won't be wearing green for Valentine's Day. I'll be in black in protest of this stupid holiday.
And no, I'm not online dating. Shut up.
There are two nights out of the entire year that it really sucks to be single. One is New Year's Eve. The other, Valentine's Day.
The other 363 I don't mind being alone. Right now I'm watching a cheesy show on the CW in my flannel pajamas, wearing glasses and Crest white strips. My legs aren't shaved. My hair's in a clip. My top and bottoms don't match. Ah, the fabulous life of the single gal.
I just painted a purple accent wall in my bedroom. No man would let me do that.
Glamour aside, my life is going pretty well right now. I have plans with great friends three nights in a row this weekend. My job is good (and I'm grateful to have one). But Valentine's Day looms. That Hallmark, red rose and haiku festival of love. In 13 days. With no man on the horizon.
Without a doubt, the worst part of this stupid holiday is the pity others seem to think I deserve. Last year one of my coworkers felt bad that I didn't get flowers, so she left one of the 18 she received from her husband on my desk. Yeah, thanks for the pity rose, pal.
I usually get some cursory gifts from friends, with comments of "Well we didn't want you to not get anything today...." Seriously. I'm okay with that. It's much less painful than others wrapping stuff up because they feel sorry for me.
My pal Lori B, who's also single (and amazing, which makes me realize boys are really stupid) sent me an email today from a local restaurant, detailing their Valentine's Day plans. This is a first-rate joint, with servers and assistant servers and reservations and bottle service. They also have a great bar area that they're trying to establish as the permier Happy Hour locale of NWA.
So, on Thursday, February 11, they'll be featuring a fabulous mixer after work, and are encouraging patrons to color code themselves for easy identification. If you're taken, you're to wear red. If you're in a relationship but it's not serious, you're supposed to wear yellow. Single? Wear green.
What the heck is the significance of green? Red is the official color of Valentine's Day, so I suppose that makes green the color of mold? Not the bloom from the rose, but the extra leaves that get cut off. Why don't we all just stamp our forehead with a big "L" for loser and call it a night?
I can tell you one gal who won't be wearing green for Valentine's Day. I'll be in black in protest of this stupid holiday.
And no, I'm not online dating. Shut up.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Tuesday vows
And no, I don't mean marriage vows. Hell hath not frozen over yet.
I vow to continue to go to yoga, even though it makes me feel like an uncoordinated elephant and makes me sweat profusely which does weird things to my hair.
I vow to stop eating fast food for lunch every day while wondering how my butt got so big.
I vow to stop feeling guilty for canceling my Weight Watchers online membership. No more counting points. (To be fair, I haven't counted 'em in months.)
I vow to clean out my closet and get rid of anything I haven't worn in six months, giving it to those who have less clothes (i.e., 99.9% of the world's population).
I vow to stop talking about LB like he's my imaginary boyfriend. He is my friend. Just like he's told me in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Sorry, no more LB posts.
I vow to start making my morning quiet time a priority instead of forgetting about it until halfway through the day.
I vow to stop getting my feelings hurt when friends tell me someone sent me candy last Friday because he felt sorry for me because I was alone on Valentine's Day.
I vow to continue to go to yoga, even though it makes me feel like an uncoordinated elephant and makes me sweat profusely which does weird things to my hair.
I vow to stop eating fast food for lunch every day while wondering how my butt got so big.
I vow to stop feeling guilty for canceling my Weight Watchers online membership. No more counting points. (To be fair, I haven't counted 'em in months.)
I vow to clean out my closet and get rid of anything I haven't worn in six months, giving it to those who have less clothes (i.e., 99.9% of the world's population).
I vow to stop talking about LB like he's my imaginary boyfriend. He is my friend. Just like he's told me in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Sorry, no more LB posts.
I vow to start making my morning quiet time a priority instead of forgetting about it until halfway through the day.
I vow to stop getting my feelings hurt when friends tell me someone sent me candy last Friday because he felt sorry for me because I was alone on Valentine's Day.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Love, life and the pursuit of the perfect blouse
I can't believe the weekend's over.
After spanning two states and multiple stores, I finally found the perfect blouse to go with my (size smaller) navy suit to meet the governor on Thursday. It's weird; when I was in high school and ran for state office in FBLA, my mom and I picked out a navy power suit and cream-colored blouse. The new suit is more fitted and pants instead of a skirt, but still... the more things change the more they stay the same. Nothing says powerful like a navy suit and pearls. A Southern lady always has a great set of pearls in her wardrobe.
Yesterday Amanda and I trekked to Tulsa and waited for 2.5 hours to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. That place is great, but geez. And it wasn't just Valentine's Day couples. Old people, young people, families, singles... everyone in the great state of Oklahoma was in that restaurant yesterday afternoon.
We thought it appropriate to celebrate our V-Day singleness with "He's Just Not That Into You," but it was sold out, so we saw "Confessions of a Shopaholic" instead. Today we caught "Into You" in Siloam among a packed house of four other people. I was a bit disappointed in both movies, having loved both books, but I give them both a solid one-thumb up. Passable entertainment, but not stellar. Perhaps my expectations were a bit high. And you know what they say... never judge a great book by its movie.
Only two days in the office this week, then I'm off to Little Rock for a tour of the Presidential Library (I've never been, believe it or not), the Capitol and the Governor's Mansion. And guess who'll be there? The boy.
After spanning two states and multiple stores, I finally found the perfect blouse to go with my (size smaller) navy suit to meet the governor on Thursday. It's weird; when I was in high school and ran for state office in FBLA, my mom and I picked out a navy power suit and cream-colored blouse. The new suit is more fitted and pants instead of a skirt, but still... the more things change the more they stay the same. Nothing says powerful like a navy suit and pearls. A Southern lady always has a great set of pearls in her wardrobe.
Yesterday Amanda and I trekked to Tulsa and waited for 2.5 hours to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. That place is great, but geez. And it wasn't just Valentine's Day couples. Old people, young people, families, singles... everyone in the great state of Oklahoma was in that restaurant yesterday afternoon.
We thought it appropriate to celebrate our V-Day singleness with "He's Just Not That Into You," but it was sold out, so we saw "Confessions of a Shopaholic" instead. Today we caught "Into You" in Siloam among a packed house of four other people. I was a bit disappointed in both movies, having loved both books, but I give them both a solid one-thumb up. Passable entertainment, but not stellar. Perhaps my expectations were a bit high. And you know what they say... never judge a great book by its movie.
Only two days in the office this week, then I'm off to Little Rock for a tour of the Presidential Library (I've never been, believe it or not), the Capitol and the Governor's Mansion. And guess who'll be there? The boy.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Love sick
I think I must be allergic to Valentine's Day.
It all started on Tuesday, when I woke up stuffy. Stuffy turned to sniffly, which turned to sneezy, which turned to achy, feverish and miserable.
Yesterday I had to speak at a luncheon, and I've been in bed since then. I tried Nyquil, Vick's on the feet, and cough drops. I do feel a bit better than I did last night, but I still sound like I could make $3.99 a minute on a 900 line. Thankfully LB called last night and I got to talk sexy to him.
Sickness aside, I am in a great mood because God granted me the best Valentine's gift of all, answered prayer. So what if I sleep alone... I've got the unwavering love of an awesome Savior, and sometimes He just blows me away!
It all started on Tuesday, when I woke up stuffy. Stuffy turned to sniffly, which turned to sneezy, which turned to achy, feverish and miserable.
Yesterday I had to speak at a luncheon, and I've been in bed since then. I tried Nyquil, Vick's on the feet, and cough drops. I do feel a bit better than I did last night, but I still sound like I could make $3.99 a minute on a 900 line. Thankfully LB called last night and I got to talk sexy to him.
Sickness aside, I am in a great mood because God granted me the best Valentine's gift of all, answered prayer. So what if I sleep alone... I've got the unwavering love of an awesome Savior, and sometimes He just blows me away!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy everything!
Tonight I spent my Valentine's night with three sweethearts: Brady, Avery, and Peyton. We went to eat dinner at Mi Burrito, and the waitress gave Jen and me and rose when we left, the only V-Day flowers I've been given in about a decade. I stopped at Wal-Mart in Russellville after visiting Alisa at ATU this afternoon to buy V-Day trinkets for Huey, Dewie and Louie. The store was packed with men, all trying to figure out what to get their wives/girlfriends/significant others at the last minute. So I ventured to the candy aisle and got some pop rocks and M&Ms. I realized, after I gave them to the boys, that although I was on the holiday aisle when I bought the stuff, it was actually Easter candy instead of V-Day candy. My first clue? The pop rocks were in eggs.
But it wasn't just me. Joe sent Estella and me e-mails today telling us "happy birthday." Yeah, mine's in June and Estella's is in December.
So happy everything!
Right now I'm chillin' in my hotel room in NLR. It's pretty sweet with a flat-screen TV and a big bed, but every tub after my new one is a disappointment.
Oh, and to update you on the job... I made it 13 days before the first person quit. And he quit to go to Iraq to diffuse bombs (I kid you not!). When someone chooses diffusing bombs over working for you, should that make you feel bad about yourself?
But it wasn't just me. Joe sent Estella and me e-mails today telling us "happy birthday." Yeah, mine's in June and Estella's is in December.
So happy everything!
Right now I'm chillin' in my hotel room in NLR. It's pretty sweet with a flat-screen TV and a big bed, but every tub after my new one is a disappointment.
Oh, and to update you on the job... I made it 13 days before the first person quit. And he quit to go to Iraq to diffuse bombs (I kid you not!). When someone chooses diffusing bombs over working for you, should that make you feel bad about yourself?
Happy V-Day!
Rather than boycott Valentine's Day, I've decided to revel in my singleness. Granted, I'm not "in love," but there's so much love in my life that it overwhelms me sometimes. So here's to all of you, the ones who I don't tell often enough how very much you mean to me....
I love TAYLOR, CHANCE and HOPE... I've never borne children, but these three are amazing, fabulous, beautiful kids. Taylor's all grown up but still thinks I'm cool enough to text, even when he's on a date. Chance still gives hugs willingly. And Hope is the most precocious child I've ever known. But they all make me smile, make me proud, and make my heart burst with love.
I love BRAD... there are a lot of years between us, and it took us awhile to become friends, but I admire him so much. And I'm proud of him.
I love my DAD... even when he sends a numeric page and leaves a message, or uses IM like e-mail, he's one of a kind. We've had our rough patches, but he can be awesome. And he makes good candy. Plus, I've found out my stepmom can be pretty cool herself.
I love my GRANDMOTHERS... for teaching me about unconditional love, unselfishness, and putting others above yourself. They are class personified, even when they carry yellow purses and wear matching shoes, or have a closet full of bedazzled gear.
I love MEMAW KAT... for worrying about me when I am sick, sending me cookies that Lonnie never delivers, and for teaching me how to boogie to KC and the Sunshine Band. Memaw and PEEP have been like second parents to me.
I love ESTELLA and CHRIS... Estella is warm, gracious, and everyone wants to be around her. Chris makes sure everything works, from my knives to my tires. A visit to their house is like coming home.
I love JOE... because, even when his OCD kicks in and he's tightly scheduling our vacation, he's one of the most loyal, supportive, and loving people I've ever known. I could break down in California, and he'd come and get me. Oh, he'd say, "I told you so," but he'd do it.
I love ALISA and SCOTT... for seeing me at my very worst and still letting me hang out with the cool kids. Our conversations have changed from drummer boys to little boys, but their friendship has always been constant. Even when I didn't deserve it.
I love ASHLEY... for listening to my rants about work, for thinking more highly of me than I do of myself, and for being the most talented person I know. I kinda like LARRY sometimes. And I'm already in love with EMMA and PARKER.
I love SORNE and VANCE... Sorne, because even when it's been too long between visits, we can always pick right back up where we left off. She's loyal, smart, and always fabulously dressed. And Vance grew on me. Now he makes me laugh like no one else can.
I love BRENT and DAVE... who else could appreciate a $70 steak, talk about football and pageants at the same time, and know the lyrics to every good song from the 80s? They make me smile and make me appreciate life.
I love JEN and SHANNON... I have two male cousins who are near my age that I've always been close to, and they both married up. I'm so glad that both of these amazing women are now my friends, not simply cousins-in-law. Because each of them accomplish more each day than I've ever done in my life. They've faced amazing obstacles (and not just their husbands) and come out as strong, smart, Godly women. And I do love LONNIE and SCOTT, too. But shhh... don't tell them... they might think I've grown soft in my old age.
I love DeWOOD... for looking out for me, believing in me, and making me want to live a better life.
I love NANNER... because, even though she's 15 years younger than me, she thinks I'm cool enough to hang out with on a Friday night. And we have the same (good) taste in music, movies, television, and books.
I love all the great kids in my life who shower me with hugs and kisses, even when they don't want to, and who I can return to their parents... BRADY, AVERY, PEYTON, GREY, MASON, and ISAAC. All boys... go figure.
And I love all of those who've gone Home before me... MOM, PAIGE, and both my GRANDFATHERS. How very lucky I am to have known you; how very forward I look to seeing you in heaven.
If I've left you off the list it's because I forgot, I didn't think you'd read my blog, or I don't love you. Take your pick.
Keith Craft, one of the speakers at yesterday's conference, said that, in order to be successful, you must align yourself with the right people. People who believe in you, people who challenge you, and people who share your values. Who are your people? These folks are mine. Love you all!
xoxo,
Lori
I love TAYLOR, CHANCE and HOPE... I've never borne children, but these three are amazing, fabulous, beautiful kids. Taylor's all grown up but still thinks I'm cool enough to text, even when he's on a date. Chance still gives hugs willingly. And Hope is the most precocious child I've ever known. But they all make me smile, make me proud, and make my heart burst with love.
I love BRAD... there are a lot of years between us, and it took us awhile to become friends, but I admire him so much. And I'm proud of him.
I love my DAD... even when he sends a numeric page and leaves a message, or uses IM like e-mail, he's one of a kind. We've had our rough patches, but he can be awesome. And he makes good candy. Plus, I've found out my stepmom can be pretty cool herself.
I love my GRANDMOTHERS... for teaching me about unconditional love, unselfishness, and putting others above yourself. They are class personified, even when they carry yellow purses and wear matching shoes, or have a closet full of bedazzled gear.
I love MEMAW KAT... for worrying about me when I am sick, sending me cookies that Lonnie never delivers, and for teaching me how to boogie to KC and the Sunshine Band. Memaw and PEEP have been like second parents to me.
I love ESTELLA and CHRIS... Estella is warm, gracious, and everyone wants to be around her. Chris makes sure everything works, from my knives to my tires. A visit to their house is like coming home.
I love JOE... because, even when his OCD kicks in and he's tightly scheduling our vacation, he's one of the most loyal, supportive, and loving people I've ever known. I could break down in California, and he'd come and get me. Oh, he'd say, "I told you so," but he'd do it.
I love ALISA and SCOTT... for seeing me at my very worst and still letting me hang out with the cool kids. Our conversations have changed from drummer boys to little boys, but their friendship has always been constant. Even when I didn't deserve it.
I love ASHLEY... for listening to my rants about work, for thinking more highly of me than I do of myself, and for being the most talented person I know. I kinda like LARRY sometimes. And I'm already in love with EMMA and PARKER.
I love SORNE and VANCE... Sorne, because even when it's been too long between visits, we can always pick right back up where we left off. She's loyal, smart, and always fabulously dressed. And Vance grew on me. Now he makes me laugh like no one else can.
I love BRENT and DAVE... who else could appreciate a $70 steak, talk about football and pageants at the same time, and know the lyrics to every good song from the 80s? They make me smile and make me appreciate life.
I love JEN and SHANNON... I have two male cousins who are near my age that I've always been close to, and they both married up. I'm so glad that both of these amazing women are now my friends, not simply cousins-in-law. Because each of them accomplish more each day than I've ever done in my life. They've faced amazing obstacles (and not just their husbands) and come out as strong, smart, Godly women. And I do love LONNIE and SCOTT, too. But shhh... don't tell them... they might think I've grown soft in my old age.
I love DeWOOD... for looking out for me, believing in me, and making me want to live a better life.
I love NANNER... because, even though she's 15 years younger than me, she thinks I'm cool enough to hang out with on a Friday night. And we have the same (good) taste in music, movies, television, and books.
I love all the great kids in my life who shower me with hugs and kisses, even when they don't want to, and who I can return to their parents... BRADY, AVERY, PEYTON, GREY, MASON, and ISAAC. All boys... go figure.
And I love all of those who've gone Home before me... MOM, PAIGE, and both my GRANDFATHERS. How very lucky I am to have known you; how very forward I look to seeing you in heaven.
If I've left you off the list it's because I forgot, I didn't think you'd read my blog, or I don't love you. Take your pick.
Keith Craft, one of the speakers at yesterday's conference, said that, in order to be successful, you must align yourself with the right people. People who believe in you, people who challenge you, and people who share your values. Who are your people? These folks are mine. Love you all!
xoxo,
Lori
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