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February 14, 2007
A Materialistically Great Valentine's Day in Photos
I used to be one of those anti-Valentine's Day people. I'm still not a fan of materialistic aspect of the holiday - or any holiday, for that matter - although I don't dislike it enough to stop participating in it. Basically, I think it's cool to have a day of affection. Sure, we shouldn't need a day to express love and affection, but let's face it - some people have a hard time doing those things on a regular basis. Basically, I've gotten over myself and learned to just make Valentine's Day whatever I want it to be.
It doesn't hurt that two of the coolest things in my life happened on February 14th. In 1999, that was the day B. and I accidentally got engaged. In 2004, I spent the day in labor. How can I begrudge a day that made the two people I love most in the world permanent fixtures in my life?
This is what was waiting for me when I awoke this morning:
Cliche? Perhaps, except I love roses and chocolate-covered strawberries. Our wedding cake was covered in such berries. It's also much less cliched when you consider that my husband, who wakes up at 5 AM every morning to make it to work on time, gets up extra-early every year and hikes his butt down to the local flower stand to purchase this for me every year, all so I can sit in our cozy house, gazing at my flowers, and eating those berries for breakfast. They're divine with coffee.
I also got these goodies:
I've come so close to buying that teacup set for myself every single time I've seen it, but hesitated. The drawing? Another Clara Jane original. That's her on the left, B. with his fuzzy face on the right, and I'm the ever-present, looming, giant head that rules the universe from the center. She brought it to me while I was in the bathroom this morning, told me it was a "valentime", and then said, "Oops! I forgot to draw your ponytail! I'll be right back!" She ran back to her desk and added the ponytail, which tells me I'm way overdue for a haircut and I need to quit being so damn lazy about my hair. It also tells me I have the most observant not-quite-three-year-old ever.
Speaking of which, she got goodies today, too. I took her out for a snack and let her pick out two new books. Her daddy gave her this:
That's right. I'm not the only yarn artist-type in this house. B. can crochet like a mofo granny. He's been crocheting for about four years longer than I've been knitting. He's been working on that blanket for her for ages, and she adores it.
I got some goodies for the crocheting mofo:
What? Your granny doesn't listen to ACDC while she crochets baby blankets? Well then, she's obviously not a mofo granny like B. I hope this inspires him to create a Back in Black/You Shook Me All Night Long afghan.
B.'s employers gave us enough imported Italian chocolate to kill a St. Bernard:
If you're going to work for a giant, multinational corporation, it might as well be one that's based in Switzerland and imports a variety of fine European chocolates.
But the coolest gift of all this year? When B. got home and all the gifts were open, he said, "I've got one more gift." I started to say something, but he beat me to the punch and said, "No, this one's free," and then he leaned in to kiss me.
Oh, come on. I may not be anti-V-Day anymore, but that's just fucking cheeseball, Mister.
But that wasn't it. This was:
It's not ours yet, but B. got a message from our agent today that one of the major roadblocks that prevented the sellers from accepting our offer is no longer an issue. We're one huge step closer. And while this means that next Valentine's Day, B. will have to get up around 2 AM in order to get back to our old neighborhood to get my roses and chocolate-covered strawberries, I think it's worth it. Don't you?
Posted by Robin at February 14, 2007 04:18 PM
Comments
I love that your husband crochets. My uncle crocheted my first baby blanket in suitably '70s colors of avocado, orange, and brown. He tossed the blanket over his shoulder and delivered it on his motorcycle. Men like that rule.
Posted by: Moose at February 14, 2007 05:33 PM
Robin, you married the coolest dude! I do remember you saying that B crocheted (something I fail at miserably so I'm extra envious!) and he did a beautiful job with Clara Jane's afghan. Don't you love the idea of her treasuring that Valentine afghan from her daddy?
And it's hard to beat roses and chocolates. Bless that guy for getting up early for you.
That cup and saucer is lovely. Really perfect. Same with Clara Jane's drawing. Have you and I ever discussed who has the bigger head, you or me?
You got me with the kiss. I let out an audible "awww!" and everything, but then you know I'm a sucker for true love.
Posted by: Dixie at February 14, 2007 05:39 PM
Ohhhh...I clapped when I saw the house....I will keep my fingers crossed!!!
Posted by: Kathie at February 14, 2007 06:00 PM
That is a great vday! And the house? Awesome news. I truly hope things will continue to move forward for you.
Posted by: Tiffany at February 14, 2007 06:03 PM
Good for you Robyn. I imagine you being very content in that house, with Clara Jane smacking on yogurt pops, you canning and knitting socks and B crocheting his little heart out.
Posted by: m at February 14, 2007 06:58 PM
YAY! What wonderful news!!!!!!! :)
We had a great V-Day here as well, though I'm a bit jealous of Clue and CJ's blanket!
Posted by: Exena at February 14, 2007 08:12 PM
Totally jealous over the afghan... That's just too cool!
I had a little moment last week when I wondered if I was the only person in the world who was knitting with a Widespread Panic CD; the AC-DC makes me so proud! :)
Posted by: Debbie at February 15, 2007 10:38 AM
That just rocks. I love the choclate covered strawberries, roses before he went to work. But the hole issue with the house just absolutely rocks! Woohoo!!!!!!
Cassie
Posted by: Cassie at February 15, 2007 01:05 PM
Awesome & wonderful! What a beautiful family you have - so thoughtful!! (all of you!) And I love that house. I am definitely sending all the good vibes in the world that it becomes yours sooner rather than later! :)
Posted by: carrster at February 15, 2007 02:05 PM
I have nothing new to add....I mean, xfhoa6co said it all!
But, seriously, what a great day for you and your family!
Also, I think Clara Jane has a future as an artist.
Posted by: carrie at February 15, 2007 02:58 PM
Moose, B. totally needs a motorcycle for delivering his crocheted goods.
Dix, the whole reason B. took up crocheting is because I kept failing at it. I'd bought all the stuff to learn for the bazillionth time, sent it flying across the room for the bazillionth time, and an hour later, he'd figured it out. He approaches it like an engineer. As for our noggins, I think we might have touched on that in Memphis. It's definitely close.
Kathie, completely off-topic, but I'm finally reading "The Memory of Running" and absolutely loving it! Thanks so much for the rec.
M, you just described my idea of the perfect life these days.
Exena, next time you visit, you and B. can have a little Cluefest.
Carrie, Clara Jane has a passion for art, that's for sure. It's a passion that's been demonstrated all over my hallway walls. How people parented before the advent of washable crayons/paint/markers is beyond me.
Thanks for the house wishes, everyone. We got a some more reassuring news yesterday. If all goes well, we'll have an answer over the weekend.
Posted by: Robin at February 15, 2007 09:03 PM
I used to work in the Merchant Marine and my bosun was a big scary guy that had a beautiful fisherman's sweater. When I commented how nice it was and asked where he go it, he glared at me and muttered "I made it and if you tell anyone, I'll kill you". After that, we got along really well. Whenever he tried to intimidate me, I pictured him with his knitting needles.
Posted by: Tina at February 16, 2007 06:05 AM
