Happiness Is...

My Furry Valentine
It's Valentine's Day, the most commercial of commercial days. A day when love seems to become a competitive sport. Hallmark meets high school prom. I think this year's Valentine's day is a great way to explain "my love life."

 As I type this on my cellphone, Diego and I are lounging on the sofas. The fire my husband built warms us.

 Lots of people celebrated Valentine's day last night. I did, too. My dad and I drove to my cousins' home and ate a fantastic dinner. My aunt is famous for her cooking, and last night didn't disappoint! We talked family lore and politics. Everyone's favorite subjects.

 This morning I thought I would have a quick breakfast with my mom's cousin. We couldn't stop talking, and hung out for three hours. Heaven.
Valentine's Warmth
Last week I was having a particularly challenging day, and I texted my husband. He had just the right advice, "Help your dad. It will make you feel better... And he needs you." So after leaving my cousin, I spent an hour helping my father set up online billing. Not your idea of romance, maybe, but definitely an act of daughterly love on Valentine's day.

 Driving the four hours that separates my father's home from ours, I had a long heart-to-heart with someone very special. Talking to her made the miles go by so much faster. We don't have to remind each other that we're valentines - we just are.
Pulla
Finally at home, I made the dough for pulla (Finnish cardamom bread) which is rising in the oven. Also in the oven are the chicken breasts that I stuffed. I'm looking forward to feeding my loved ones with a favorite treat for Valentine's. 

 As I wait, I'm texting friends, reminding then that I love them. Sometimes, with corny lyrics from Beatles songs for good measure.

 Soon C will return from her celebration. (If need be, I'll lure her home with pulla). We all be home, under one roof, in a house warned by a fire, good food and family.

 That's what happiness is. Happy Valentine's day.

 "PS I love you!" Emoji hearts for all-y'all.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New decade new post

It's the new decade and I'm already a little unsure about its start. N bonked his head and we ended up in the ER for a STAPLE. It was pretty inhumane - but much faster than stitches. I am directly dreading when it gets pulled out on Saturday! Then this morning the alarm didn't wake us, not because I didn't set it, but because I didn't check the volume level and of course it was silent. Everyone got to school as close to on time as to not call it tardy, but N needs a few minutes in the morning to get his act together if he is going to finish his morning work on time. I am pretty sure his teacher thinks I am a flake of a Mom who can't get her kid to school on time! Flake or not, I spent most of the weekend with N (I brought him to see my Dad, C stayed here for a birthday party and some quality Daddy time). He had a great weekend, despite the ER visit. N loved that I let him run wild where I never thought I would. In a pinch for some kid fun on a cold day?
Read more

What not to say....

My good friend posted on Facebook yesterday that one of her kids' teachers said, " Ok. You all need to stop talking now. I hate this class already." As of now she has 20 comments. Several comments were negative towards tenure (the program where teachers who have worked for 3 years in their position get a "job for life" and it is nearly impossible to fire them). I certainly understand resentment towards tenure. However, I also understand the comments - several left by teachers - saying that this isn't indicative of how the vast majority of teachers feel or teach. Some, like me, begged her to contact the school (I said she should bring it higher, to the Assistant Superintendent). She said her kid didn't want her to. What would have I done? I would have called. Immediately! It isn't in my nature to wait and see. I'm hot headed and I just can't help myself.  Would that have been in the best interest of my child? Probably not. It would be
Read more

Why I'm Voting for Barry Walker

Image
A long time ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away... ... I ran for a School Board. It is not a position to take lightly or to vote for "just anyone".  You've seen the signs... Barry Walker is running a tough, but honest campaign. It's not easy when your main opponent is an incumbent with strong political ties and a tendency to play by his own rules. In fact when I ran against him years ago, he used the Middle School directory to solicit votes. As an attorney and a board member - or even as a parent who can read - he should have known that this was verboten , since a "not for solicitation" clause is printed on all school directories. Misuse discourages families from including their information in the future.  As the saying goes, "it's easier to get forgiveness than permission." Maybe I'm jealous? Since I wrote the elementary school's directory and had every single email on my computer, I was tempted to do the same - it would have take
Read more