Random Dozen and Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Sunday is Valentine's Day. I do not go in much for Valentine's Day. I think it stems from being repeatedly dissapointed that during the school sponsored carnation sales on Valentine's Day that I would get carnations from my best friend but never the guy I was dating. However since that best friend ended up dating one of my boyfriends and marrying the other one, whom she dated behind my back, I think the carnations were guilt gifts.

So Hubman will probably get me a card, and I will serve something chocolaty and that will be about it. And I like it that way. Although one year he got me an immersion blender which ROCKS, and then another year he did get me an I-Pod. I am spoiled.

However for my guy readers I thought I would post some V-Day suggestions. I don't have suggestions for the ladies. Sorry ladies:

1. If you are going to buy flowers, send them to the office on Friday morning as an early gift. You might not be quite as shafted and you get extra points for the "public romantic gesture". Besides while getting flowers is lovely, getting flowers and being able to rub it in to everyone who did not get flowers totally rocks. (Don't give me that look ladies, I am right on this one).

2. If you have been dating for more than six months or have recently moved in together, do not get something in an engagement ring sized box unless its an engagement ring. You will thank me for sparing you the inevitable awkwardness.

3. If your partner is working really hard on fitness, do not buy chocolates. If you want to get something sweet, get chocolate covered fruit. And if you are buying chocolates, buy the bigger box.

4. If you are buying lingerie, get something that your partner has been craving like a corset or something decadent. But get something that she likes. Also make sure the size is right. If you are not sure, take her shopping for lingerie, or look in the undie drawer, especially if you are getting a bra type top.

5. Sex toys are fine as long as it is a toy you know she will enjoy.

6. If Hubman surprised me with a tall, rubenesque chick on V-day for a threesome I would be thrilled. I don't know how you gift wrap that though. You might want to check with your partner before you try that.

7. Do not buy her a live animal.

8. If you are juggling multiple women, sign and seal the cards one at a time.

Ok, now that I've opined on that its time for the Random Dozen. Click the picture to play along.



1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?
I don't get sick. I am the mommy and illness is not in my contract.

2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?
I'm kind of glad as I am a big wuss about driving in the snow and I go with, "If its not safe enough for a 20 ton school bus, its not safe enough for my Saturn Ion.

3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?
I would actually like to be able to sew. I watch Project Runway and always wish I could make my own clothes and the kids clothes.

4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?
I bought a cute dish towel with hearts and a dog that says "I woof you". Does that count?

5. What song is on your mind today?
"Put a Ring on It". I heard it in the car.

6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?
I generally like classic movies. I do believe that a movie can be an instant classic though.

7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.
I am pretty good at it. By the time I act like I have moved on, I usually have actually moved on.

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)
His big blue eyes.

9. When was the last time your heart raced?
My heart races every time I see Hubman.

10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?
I remember having parties and pink frosted cupcakes and getting homemade valentines. But once I hit JR High and mandatory cards for everyone stopped, Valentine's Day began to suck.

11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?
Godiva or See's. Dark Chocolate. But I would really enjoy a chocolate covered fruit bouquet since I am trying to cut way back on my processed sugar.

12. Red or pink?
Pink. I love all shades of pink.

The Pigs Fly Over Hell's Ice Rink!

Or, I was pleasantly surprised to have an efficient dealing with a government agency.

Hubman and I are not planning a trip anywhere, but I decided that it is high time I have a passport. I actually decided that months ago, but have not gotten myself organized enough to get the damn passport photo.

However, I did get the photo today and I went to The US State Department website to download the passport application. Much to my surprise, I was able to fill out the application electronically and print the completed application and instructions out. Now I have everything I need and will get my passport application and documents submitted tomorrow.

Just a note to the creators of the 68 Superbowl Commercials that aired during the 2010 Superbowl. The people with Vaginas buy stuff AND watch the Superbowl. Please design the 2011 Superbowl Commercials accordingly.

I also think that the jewelry people missed a great opportunity with the Superbowl being a week before Valentine's Day. Here is the commercial I would have designed.

Interior Night:
A couple is sitting on the couch of their apartment watching television. They are far apart and not looking at each other. There is a lame Valentine's Day gift on the coffee table.

You see a wall shaking with sexy noises coming from the other side. The man looks at the woman and smiles. She gets up crosses the room to leave, points to the wall and snarks, "He went to Jared". (Or other jewelry chain)

Then you see the logo and some voice over about sales the store has.

I wrote the Venus point of view about job loss on In the Real World Venus vs. Mars. It will be up at 6:00am eastern time. Please take a look at my POV and Tysdaddy's POV.

More Miscellany

I was happy to see the New Orleans Saints win the Superbowl. As much as I like Peyton Manning, I am thrilled for the citizens of New Orleans.

It was a busy weekend here. I took the kids ice skating on Saturday. It was Darling Boy's second time on the ice and Princess Persistent's first. DB was pretty game, and I am hoping to get him to release his death grip on the wall and actually skate next time. I was however, very impressed with Princess Persistent. The first time we got onto the ice, she was terrified, and had a death grip on me while crying. However after all the freakin work it took to get the damn skates on both kids, I was not giving up. And I am glad I did not since this was Princess Persistent on our 4th lap around the rink:
She was pissed when I told her it was time to go. (Note to self, wear tights and pants next time) Then this morning when I took her out to run some errands, she begged to go ice skating again. If I wasn't hurting so badly from kickboxing and holding the kids upright while skating, I would have complied. Hubman and I will be taking the kids skating again next weekend. I need Hubman to help me as I can't help both kids balance and also, ice skating is the only sport I might be better at than Hubman and I want the kids to see that.

A challenge I have been having is trying to find a plain white and a plain black king sized sheet. We want to use the sheets for a backdrop for pictures. I have been everywhere and it is easy to find a set but not one sheet. I will be on the hunt more this week.

I had a funny at work. We are promoting someone to a division head. While we were chatting about the contract, I told the division head that I would email it with my cell so he could call me over the weekend with any burning questions. Now, I do not have a company cell as I never leave the office. However most of the department heads have it in case they really need to reach me for something off hours. My boss starts giving me a hard time about not giving out my personal cell since we work in the public sector and my phone calls could be part of someone's freedom of information act in the future.

Who calls me on my cell phone at 6:30pm on Friday? Yeah, my boss. At first I thought that he was calling to confirm that I was going to pick him up at the car place on the way to work. But nope, he called about work. Yeah, I am going to so give him shit for that on Monday.

I have been enjoying some blogs lately. Britni had mentioned in a tweet a blog written by Gwendomama. She is divorcing her abusive husband and writing about it. Both heartbreaking and funny by turns, I really recommend her for a read.

I also have a vanilla twitter account so I can tweet anywhere and around anyone. I had gotten this quote on my feed: "You are what U think about all day long". Dr. Robert Schuller I wonder if that means that I am sex and cookies? If this is true, than what are you?

Happy Monday all. If you are a reader in New Orleans, I hope that you signed up for a liver transplant before the Superbowl.

Sunday Smörgåsbord

Today I have a couple of small things to hit on, there should be a little something for everyone.

I have been going into Boston for some training lately. The training is not horrible as far as training goes, and once I get past the white knuckle experience of the Boston commute, I do enjoy the city. Here is a sign at the statehouse:

Hey, at least they don't try to hide it. After making a complete lap around the Statehouse though, I have to wonder where the Special Hookers enter the building.

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Hubman and I had a hot date last night. I am sure that many of you are imagining a salacious evening full of orgies, orgasms and assorted nekkidness. Sorry to disappoint.

We went to dinner at Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse since my boss had given us a gift card for the restaurant for Christmas. Its like Outback Steakhouse but with a Canadian Lodge theme. After that we drove out to the local IKEA (4o minutes away) to try to get some ideas about reorganizing our basement. We are trying to make the home office part of the basement (which is where we play) to look more homey and less office like. We also wandered though another furniture store and dreamed of a big kitchen and a formal dining room.

After we finished up at the furniture places, we headed over to Coldstone Creamery for ice cream and then went home where we tucked the kids in, since the sitter lost track of time and the kids were still up at 9:15 when we got home. Once we finish writing our posts, we will head to bed for some nookie and then sleep.

It was actually an excellent date. We talked about planning Princess Persistent's birthday party, and our plans for a family summer vacation. We got to have uninterrupted conversation regarding our career aspirations and frustrations, and our taste in furniture. It was a wonderful evening. There are many days where our conversations do not get much deeper than a brief discourse about our respective days and then a review of our scheduling needs and various housekeeping issues. We do communicate well and frequently, but to really have those in depth conversations where you can let the conversation travel organically to its next destination, you really need to get out of the house without the kids, so you are not distracted.

Now even though it was just the two of us, I still dressed up a little with makeup, a pretty blouse, my non-mom jeans and ankle boots with sexy lingerie underneath. (See Hubman-there might be a picture.)

It wasn't a fancy night out, but it was just what we needed.
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The Lovely Joanna Cake of Having My Cake and Eating It Too, has changed her blog address. Please stop by and give her some kisses and adjust your blogroll as necessary.

I would also like to mention something that pisses me off. The Dangerously Sexy Dangerous Lily was the target of an evil troll, who is probably hoping for some additional blog traffic. He is saying nasty things about her and it really pisses me off when people do that. To put yourself out there on the internet and share yourself with strangers is a brave act. To have some douchebag mock you on his blog is just wrong. So Lily, I am sending you a hug. Personally my motto is to not feed the trolls. Soon they will go away. You keep on posting pictures of your hot self and tell your sexy stories.

Friday Foodie-SuperBowl Snacks Edition

In honor of the Superbowl on Sunday I thought I would post a couple of easy dips that can be whipped up and enjoyed during the game, or the commercials whichever you like better.

The first one is for a Taco Dip. If the beans are not your thing, you can omit them. You can control the heat by what kind of beans and taco seasoning you buy.This recipe halves easily if you are having a smaller gathering. Its also yummy if you heat it up in the microwave. This recipe can cause pig outs.

Taco Dip (Serves Many)
2 15oz cans of refried beans
8 oz sour cream
6 oz cream cheese
1 envelope taco seasoning
8oz shredded cheddar or taco blend cheese
Chopped Red Pepper, Green Pepper, Green Onion and Olives (Optional)

1. Spread beans on 12in plate.
2. Combine sour cream and cream cheese and blend well, add taco seasoning
3. Spread cream cheese mixture over beans, top with cheese and veggies

Serve with chips.

If you crave something a little lighter, this Garlicky White Bean Dip might be more your speed.

Garlicky White Bean Dip (Serves Many)
2 150z cans canneli beans
1 minced garlic clove
juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup + 3T olive oil
1/4 C roasted red pepper, diced
1T each chopped parsley and basil

1. Drain and rinse beans, reserve 1/2 cup for garnish
2. Puree remaining beans with garlic, and lemon juice in food processor or blender
3. Taste and add salt and pepper to your liking
4. Slowly drizzle in oil while machine is running.
5. Mound bean dip into bowl, mix reserved beans 3T olive oil, red pepper and spices and then spoon over dip.
Serve with chips

Everyone enjoy the Superbowl!

HNT Here Kitty Kitty Edition

When I was getting dressed yesterday morning, I chose this combo and felt rather feline. Thankfully Hubman was able to grab this photo of me to share today:



I do love leopard print. I have leopard print on a shirt, and some of my underwear. Unfortunately I do not have a matching leopard print bra and thong set because our dog ate the thong, so I wear a mismatched set. (note to self: buy matching set)

I am short on ideas for theme HNT's? Anyone have one they want to share?

Poor Hubman is busy wrestling with the IRS this week. And see Osbasso for the HNT's and the Other HNT.

Random Dozen

I am sitting here with a painful left heel after doing some kickboxing. I had taken my orthotics out of my aerobic shoes as they were annoying me, but I think I will have to at least put the left one in. I am determined to make it through this year working out consistently and not injuring myself. Its only February dammit, I know I can make it 11 more months.

I know, such lofty goals for myself.

Since its Wednesday, its Random Dozen Day for me. Click on the photo of the yummy donuts and play along.



Here are you preview Q’s. Remember, read and write today; post tomorrow. Also remember: "Live Together, Die Alone" (Jack Shepherd, Lost):

The first 6 come from Kelley at I Didn’t Know That! Thanks so much, Kelley! And can you please help us out with #4???

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”
I do. I feel that I did not ask for them to send me the labels, so it is my right to use them. And what are they going to do if I return them.

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?
I like to be caught unawares by a spectacular sky. For example, the other day I was driving home and I look over to my right to make a turn and I notice that the moon is so big and full that it feels like I could have driven into it.

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)
I am always game to try new foods and cuisines. For a food though I would have to say tripe.

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)
Nope.

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?
Italian. I would love to be fluent in Italian.

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?
She had more fun than you could imagine.

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.
Rose. Because I like it.

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?
I was a huge CSI fanatic. I wrote fan fiction and everything. I practically had an aneurysm on the episode where Grissom asked Sofia to dinner. But since my minor obsession with Criminal Minds is what got me into blogging, its all good.

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?
No, I make a big sneeze. Its noisy and everything.

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?
I do. I like my newspaper. It makes me happy.


11. Are you a good speller?
I was when I was a kid. I even placed third on Long Island one year for the spelling bee that leads to the big event in Washington DC. But that was when I was young and before I blew all my brain cells on thinking about sex. Now I am grateful that spell check is so prevalent.

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about Lost lunch?
It depends on how hungry I am and if I packed a morning snack. Today I started thinking about lunch around 11. Some days I look up and go wow, its lunchtime!

I have to admit that I have no interest in LOST. I did not start watching the show at the beginning and feel its too late to catch up now. However, I hope that all the Losties out there are enjoying themselves.