My Valentines...Two Of Them Anyway

First, we have the big elephant:

And then we have the little elephant:

In spite of having the flu, I had a really nice Valentine's Day.  The kids gave me the big elephant as a joint gift, and then they gave me individual gifts.  Ryan gave me a beautiful jewelry box.  Kasi gave me a Carvel cake (the kid knows the way to my heart).  Brandi gave me a little elephant box of chocolate covered animal cookies, which were delicious. She also is in the process of making me a wood sign, but she didn't get it finished in time, because she also had the flu. Bob gave me the little blue elephant, which is adorable.  February is a great month for me...first it's my birthday and then it's Valentine's Day.  I am pampered and showered with love on both days, and I eat it up.  That's right...I do. 

A Single Pink Rose

Beautiful, right?
Junior got this for me over the weekend, just cause he loves me.
And because we had a little fight.
It's amazing how a $2 rose from the supermarket can make a girl feel loved.

So, I am thinking about taking the day off tomorrow from blogging. My eyes have been bothering me, and I think it's from sitting here all day long, every day.
But, if I know me, I will still be checking opps, so you might hear from me.
Hopefully not, but you never know.

Paying Our Respects

This afternoon, Lance Corporal Chris Fowlkes arrived at our local airport, and was honored with a police escort from the airport to his hometown. Fowlkes was killed a week ago in Afghanistan. I wanted my kids to witness this outpouring of love and respect, so we headed to the closest overpass, and watched as he passed underneath. As you can see, we weren't the only ones there.

So sad.

How Do People Live With Hate In Their Hearts?

Big question, huh?

I bet you're wondering why I'm asking, right?

To be honest, there is no reason other than my own curiosity.

It has been a long time since I have used the word hate about a person. I hate things, like spiders and having to get up so early every morning. I hate that I am unable to commit to a diet/exercise regimen so that I can lose weight and get healthy. I hate that I have no willpower. But I don't hate people, and I'm going to tell you why.

Hate hurts.

It consumes.

I know this, because I have seen what it can do. It becomes all you ever think about, and all you ever talk about. It makes a person feel better about themselves to downgrade another person, which is just sad. I would rather feel good about the things I do to improve the lives of others, not the things I do to tear other people down.

Now, I do hate things people do. I have no patience whatsoever for people who stay in abusive relationships, and I think there is a special place in hell for people who hurt children. Okay, so maybe I do hate people who hurt children. I guess there is an exception to everything. I am not trying to make myself look like this perfect woman who loves everyone. I don't love everyone. In fact, I dislike a lot of people. I have been guilty of talking about people, and it is not something I am proud of, and it's something I have worked hard not to do.

The hate I am talking about is the stuff that makes you do stupid things. The hate that makes you hurt people, not only physically, but emotionally. I watch everyday as hate hurts someone I love, which hurts me.

Can I do anything to make these feeling go away? No, because I can not change someone else's heart. I can just love with all of mine, and hope that somehow makes a difference.