Valentines Day

As always my most hated holiday rolled around again... John had some 'use or lose' leave, so he took off to Buffalo to see his family, so Zack and I were home alone for the weekend.   I was looking forward to a weekend of catching up on my DVRed shows and scrapbooking.

I started the morning off with a run.  I really didn't want to do it, but the weather is supposed to get hellish in the next few days.  I tried out my brand new Nike running vest (that I forgot I had).  The temperature was low 20's and cloudy, but my vest was awesome!!  I was warm enough that I had to unzip a little bit.  I ran 6.5miles and it was great!  Seriously... probably the best run I've had all year. I didn't stop to walk at all, only paused at 2 stoplights.  I wasn't speedy, but about 10:33min, a good, solid, steady pace.  I was very happy, I felt good, strong!  

Treated myself to a muffin, haven't had one in months, but I think Valentines day is the perfect excuse  for a muffin!  And it was GOOD!  A little wine and some Project Runway and Top Chef and the day was a success!

At work, I shared the story of the genesis of my hatred for Valentines Day.  Year after year in high school, watching Suzy, Buffy and Sissy get flower, after flower, after flower delivered until their arms were full and they needed help from their sycophant admirers to help carry them all day. While the rest of us poor schmucks sat in first period and tried to get their classwork done among the exited squeals and giggles.  Whatever.... Anyway, I shared that story, much like performance art, and the next day I found this waiting on my desk at work.  The Library Ladies are so sweet and so kind!

Meanwhile in Buffalo....

John is having fun in the snow in Buffalo!  Literally, he is enjoying the snow... thank goodness it's in Buffalo and not here.  While I know we haven't really had a bad winter, but I'm done.  I don't want any more snow. I'm ready for Spring to arrive.  

He's been visiting with all the family, dinner, bowling, beer and fun.   Zack and I plan to end the evening with the classic... 16 candles!

Happy Belated 3rd Aunt Clare's Day

I've discovered that ever since I rededicated Valentines Day to be Aunt Clare's Day, I really don't mind the holiday at all.  I actually look forward to finding silly, fun ways to celebrate it for other people.  This year it was pretty low key, if you don't count the emergency vet trip.  I sent Brenna 2 silly care packages  and gave the boys in my life food with goofy notes on them.  I still maintain that it's a ridiculous holiday, but as long was we don't do anything mushy I guess I'm okay with it.

My Aunt Clare's Day Present to myself!

I realize that you are supposed to give these out as Valentines to, say a whole class of children.  But when it comes to Rice Krispy treats I AM like a whole class of children.  So I kept them hidden in the basement and   I. ATE. THEM. ALL. MYSELF!

Enough said.

Happy Aunt Clare's Day

This is the first anniversary of the official Hyzy renaming of Valentines Day!  Instead of succumbing to the complete commercialization of what is a retarded holiday, last year in honor of my wonderful Aunt Clare I renamed it.  And now I approach Aunt Clare's day with her spirit in my heart.  I think one of her greatest pleasures must have been buying, collecting or making gifts for other people.  She never forgot anyone and her gift packages were sometimes hilarious, sometimes over the top and always filled with the spirit of love.  So... now I spend the days leading up to Aunt Clare's day thinking about what sorts of small silly gifts and surprises I can leave around the house and hidden for my family.

This is what I came up with, with a little help from Pinterest...
I painted these rocks which I will take on our walk today and drop in various yards and put on various mailboxes for people to find on Aunt Clare's Day.  Just a little random treat for strangers.  Zack laughed at me and said I was goofy, but I don't think he means it. :o)  I also made these really cute bookmarks for all my favorite readers.  Keeping with the bookmark theme,  I found the perfect bookmark for the Zman as well... no sissy hearts for my boy! What else speaks to my Zackman's heart....bacon!  So, here it is... Bacon Hearts!  I mean really could I have hit it more on the head for my boy...Zombies and bacon.  I say Aunt Clare's Day...SCORE!

For John, I put a heart of sticky notes on his mirror and wrote something I loved about him on every note.  I know, nauseatingly mushy, but he likes that kind of thing and I am NEVER mushy!  He's a mushy guy and sometimes I feel like he got the shaft when he married me.
Brenna missed out a little, but I did send her a care package with candy, nail polish, quarters for laundry and a pink toothbrush!
All in all, I gotta say this has been the best Aunt Clare's Day ever!  Probably the first in my life that I've actually looked forward to with anticipation.  I've enjoyed the weeks leading up to it planning and shopping, crafting and making.  I was so excited when everyone got up to see the things I had hidden around the house.
Me, enjoying Valentines Day??!!!  I can't think of a better testament to my Aunt Clare's spirit of love and giving.  She was an amazing lady and is missed everyday and while she may be gone I think she has managed to give me the best Valentines/Aunt Clare's Day present ever!

Happy Aunt Clare's Day

It's "that" day again. I've made no bones about the fact that I HATE Valentines day. Always have since middle school or high school at least. I won't go into the details, but basically it's a holiday crafted to make 90% of the population feel miserable. Either you don't have someone special and you wish you did or you do have someone special but they are a schmuck or like me you have someone wonderful, but it's too late to make up for past "injustices" :o). Either way you have to listen to people swoon and simper and goo and gush. It's enough to make one vomit! Bleeck... so anyway, I had the most brilliant idea in the shower (it's one of the few quiet, private places - I do some of my most brilliant thinking there). Not only is it Valentines Day, but it is or was my Aunt Clare's Birthday. Sadly she died just a few months ago and has left us a much sadder, duller world. She was one of the most kind, generous, loving giving women I ever knew.

John always called her Mrs. Claus. She had 6 of her own children and I can't even begin to count the number of grand and great-grand children. But the most amazing thing is that she treated all of her extended family as if we were her children. Birthday cards, anniversary cards, get-well cards, and a Christmas box that rivaled Santa's bag. It was never-ending. So, who better to usurp Valentines Day, than the most generous, loving, self-sacrificing woman I know. Henceforth... I will no longer recognize Valentines Day, but instead will celebrate Aunt Clare's Day by trying to live up to her example of loving, giving and generosity of spirit.

That being said, much to my dismay I can't just ignore the day. Just as I attempted to not pass on my prejudice about brussel sprouts, soggy cereal and vacuuming to my children; I have tried not to ruin Valentines Day for them. Therefore, everyone received a new toothbrush, with a loving note! :o)

John also jumping on the "can't just ignore Valentines day" bandwagon, bought me my favorite candy and included a loving note! :o)

That's the way the HyzyHouse rolls on Valentines Day... Toothbrushes and PostIt notes. We are "stickin' it to the Hallmark Man" one Valentines Day at a time!

And henceforth we will be able to celebrate whole-heartedly Aunt Clare's Day!