Par for Valentine's Day

Jasen and I always struggle with this idea of Valentine's day. On the one hand, we want to celebrate our love, but on the other hand, we detest that Hallmark tells us it must happen on Februrary 14. We have gone from celebrating it up, to not at all, and now back to "I guess we'll do something small." We are both in agreement that it is not the woman's day only, and so I have always enjoyed giving a gift or some other type of small thoughtful gesture to Jasen. Some of our friends think it is only about the girl.....I guess I missed that memo!

So, we maintain that we will NOT pay inflated flower prices or inflated restaurant prices. Therefore, the task is always to find a way to celebrate it in our own way. This year, I decided to cook a surprise dinner the day before V-Day for Jasen, partly as a way to thank him for running the household while I went to school full time and worked a full time job for the last three years. Hehe. I'm pretty proud of myself for figuring out a way to fold a napkin so it would stand up. My apple-almond torte didn't turn out quite as I had hoped, but it was still good with a cup of coffee. :)

The day of Valentine's day, we decided that a golf outing sounded like fun! Jen and Andy went with us, and Matt as well. We are quite the hilarious group of golfers. Not because we aren't good (although, at times, we aren't), but because we are quite boistorous on the course. For instance, on the first hole, I decided that Jen and Andy were a safe distance ahead on the fairway (in their golf cart) for me to hit. Only, next thing I know, the ball is driving straight (right) toward their cart with the loundest THUMP, followed by, "What the hell was that!!!" I screamed. Matt yelled, "You nearly killed someone!" as the golf ball had just missed Jen's head and instead had hit the cart. And so, our golf day began!

 Matt is a pretty good little golfer, and I actually nearly had a hole in one.....I quote Matt in saying, "It roled right by the hole!" So, I had par for that hole. I'm getting better with my slightly used men's clubs.....I gave my women's clubs to Jen because they were entirely too short for me.

So, I have to say that I am very grateful to be golfing in mid-February. :) Today we went for a walk in t-shirts. I heart california!

I'm singing in the rain....

I haven't posted on our blog in a while, and there is a good reason.....not too much new is really going on. I continue to feel that January and February are the most boring and worthless months of the entire year! In northern California, those two months prove to be extremely rainy. Now, I know that I shouldn't really complain too much, given that much of the rest of the country has been covered in snow or also saturated in rain, but we had 10 straight days of rain! 10! Suffice it to say that we have had quite enough of rain. But it is not over.....next week it is supposed to rain....... every......single.......day.

If you have lived in California, you know that when it rains, it doubles the work commute. This is because no one in California can drive in weather other than clear and sunny...and sometimes that is a stretcch. We are a state of baaaaaaaaaaaaaad drivers. Of course I have my theories about that, but I won't share them for fear of offending anyone. :) It is actually so bad on the roadways when it rains like this, that I strategically use vacation time to work 4 day work weeks during these months. Okay, enough complaining. How long 'till spring???? :)

I plan to go visit Meg next weekend for a couple of days. I'm really looking forward to that! Also, Jasen and I have been working diligently on our new year resolutions.....just the usual weight loss, and for me, stress reduction. I joined a yoga/pilates studio two weeks ago, and so far I am loving it! I am particularly loving the challenge and meeting new people!

Roxy has also seemingly been depressed by the rain and lack of walks, so she is currently on a hunger strike (perhaps maybe the first dog with anorexia?). Matt went on his 6th grade trip to SlyPark with his class. He had a great time, but was sad not to have seen any snow....just some rain! I can't belive that he will be a 7th grader and in middle school next year! Time sure goes by with the blink of any eye.

Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary to G'ma and G'pa V.B.! We wish we could have been there for the celebration!