(2/14)...streaming

Happy Feast of St. Valentine! Love, love, love...

Last night I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast (though my leg with the nerve problem was burning like mad -- I wore my martyr's crown -- wink, wink) because nothing says love in my house like cinnamon rolls. Each child had a giant heart-shaped envelope filled with goodies and a "prize" this morning, and my beloved has some shoes (odd I know, but he loves shoes) and candy to open later. I have a dinner of steak and potatoes planned, and dessert. I'm all ready for the "love day."

And still I had that dream that I left for class (still in college in my dreams) and didn't know what room I was going to, and thought it possible it was a day of a test and I had not studied. What is it that I am unprepared for?

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Maybe the inches of snow falling this morning? The view from my chair in the living room as I write:

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We are in the midst of a busy, busy time here. I told you that we had two black-tie events last weekend (black ties/long dresses). The hospital foundation (my husband's employer) held their gala event (the doctor's prom we jokingly call it) on Saturday. It was fun despite my attitude (wink). We met Jim Tressel and his wife, Ellen, and talked for a while. For those of you who don't know that name, he is the former sweater vest-wearing head coach for the Ohio State football Buckeyes (who was thrown under the bus by his athletic director when the NCAA starting investigating some players' bad behavior.) Such a humble man. Yes, we only spoke for 10 or 15 minutes, but you know how there are people you can tell you can trust right off the bat? I know he was accused of being dishonest, and playing ineligible players, but I believe in getting both sides of the story before I judge a person and I don't know the story. Besides, I don't think football coaches should also be babysitters, and sadly, grown men of privilege often need babysitters to prevent them from misbehaving. Ok, that's a story for another day. Or not.

I like Jim Tressel. The end.

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This Friday Faith turns 10 and next Saturday Joshua turns 20. How did that happen? I just closed my eyes for a minute, I promise.

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Next week is Lent. Sigh.

I am looking forward to Lent this year. I feel like we need Lent more this year. It's a really good time for fasting and penance. I am trying to identify a good fasting diet. If you use one you can point me to, please do. I have to take care to avoid high acid foods, but I think I can probably modify any diet. I thought about trying the Trappist monks' Lenten diet but decided it might not be conducive to a good prayer life as well (or housekeeping, laundry and homeschooling).

Something like bread, nuts, honey and tea, with some fruit and vegetables thrown in for vitamins.

I don't intend to subject my family to the same fast, but Friday dinner will not be wild Alaskan salmon, if you know what I mean, unless we are talking salmon-from-a-can-patties, which my children hate.

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And to end my post (this has been quite a negative post hasn't it, on this love, love, love day?) I will share with you that I have an awful case (case?) of arthritis in my tailbone. Isn't that an odd place to get arthritis? Oddly enough I had it in college (all that sitting and studying) and it stems, I believe, from a bad fall on the ice in high school, right on my you-know-what. After college and until now I have not experienced this unique kind of pain which prevents me from sitting for any period of time especially on a hard chair. So I apologize to the lovely lady with the little baby for whom I am making a quilt. I am hoping it will be finished before he is, say, three months old. I'm hoping.

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Have a wonderful love-filled day my friends. Just kiss everyone you see to make sure you get enough love in. That old man in the pharmacy? Just walk right up and kiss him. I dare you.