I've never had a good Valentine's Day. I'd like to, once. But it's not like I'm less of a woman. ETA: It's still too bad that somebody broke up with me then, though.

Congratulations, Fay! That's wonderful news! Now don't go snacking on the chocolate I sent you in celebration. That would be counter-productive. Save it for a celebration that doesn't involve weight. I am so impressed with your fortitude.

(We need to go to lunch!)

Yes, yes we do. And we need to get the beagles together for a playdate.

More importantly, buon compleanno, Maria! Happy birthday, Kristin! (I hope Google was right and that's really happy birthday.)

Google was right. Thank you!

And I despise all of the jewelry store ads. I swear, they're everywhere. I now hate them all. I would stand there and sip a cup of coffee while watching a Jared store burn to the ground, I hate their commercials so much.

Would you like Starbucks or Caribou Coffee? My treat, since I'll be standing right next to you.

{{{GC}}}

Happy kissaversary, Teppy and The Boy! Congratulations on the cohabitation.

I don't think I've ever been with someone who really celebrated VDay, but I guess I understand that since my BDay is so close to it. Still, romance is nice regardless of the day.

Yep. DH and I did a long weekend at a B&B for my bday and Valentine's the first year that we dated. Then it became progressively more low-key, and this year we're both sick so I don't anticipate anything much more romantic than sharing a box of kleenex on Thursday night while waiting for the Sudafed to kick in. Go on, admit it. You're all jealous.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, everyone! Happy birthday, sorella! May it be a day filled with fun and friends.

Squee! DH just told me my present is arriving on Friday. He and my sister got me a Wii!

Edit: I can't properly meara anymore. Happy birthday to the Empress's little sister!

And I despise all of the jewelry store ads. I swear, they're everywhere. I now hate them all.

I hate those "Every kiss begins with Kay" ads....

I got the heart-shaped cakes, too. I made one for DH's birthday this year, because I remembered how. I think I had a "Lincoln's Birthday" themed party once - pin the beard on the president, that sort of thing.

Wii! Woo!

except for the fact that he sent me a card that said "I wouldn't even have sent this, but I knew you'd be mad if I didn't do anything"

The last boyfriend did this. It was as crass as it was incorrect...which sort of underlined the whole "I'm not really bothering to know you" phenom with a line brighter than I could ignore.

Don't get me wrong. I've had some truly lovely VDay, Bday and anniversary events in my life. The great stuff of stories. I just object to the forced march of commercial romance. If you don't feel it, you don't feel it. Pretending you do is such a waste.

I'm right next to Vortex and Maria watching the Jared store burn. The Leo diamond? Why do I even KNOW about that? Brainwashing. That's why.

Hey, how do people shake off the unsettled feeling after a really bad nightmare? My brain was very evil to me last night, and I am *still* feeling twitchy and scattered.

Well, it was one of the reasons why he wasn't the guy I was going to spend the rest of my life with. He was a wonderful guy would bring flowers unexpectedly, etc. but, to him, his "principle" that VD was crap was more important than my feelings.

Hey, how do people shake off the unsettled feeling after a really bad nightmare?

I get into a safe space, close my eyes and try to remember the nightmare. For me, the thing that's scariest is the unknown, so if I can pin it down, I feel better. I am always scaredest of that thing hovering just beyound vison, perception. YNMV.

Hey, how do people shake off the unsettled feeling after a really bad nightmare? My brain was very evil to me last night, and I am *still* feeling twitchy and scattered.

I listen to "Starfish and Coffee" by Prince and "Spirit Voices" by Paul Simon a good half-dozen times each, and then I read the chapter in A Little Princess where Sara awakes from a sorrowful sleep after a wretched and cruel evening, and finds her miserable little garret transformed by unseen, loving hands into a snug, cozy wonderland of late-night tea and comfort. All that, and a cup of cocoa if the weather is appropriate, provide some degree of antidote to brain-venom. I'm very sorry your brain mistreated you so badly last night. May tonight be worlds better.