Last year, I suppressed the urge to join in the Valentine's sap-fest by posting a snarky TT about things that I had to explain to my children that week. This year, having undergone the incredible transformation in my mood and attitude in the past couple of months, I am going to succumb and post. (Don't be dismayed, I promise snarkiness and irreverence sprinkled in with the sap.):
Thirteen Things I Love
1. My dog, Toby
Even though he has transformed from the sweet puppy with the big feet on the left to the protective 91 pound lap dog on the right, he is a daily reminder that there IS something called unconditional love. Yesterday I was sitting at my desk in a chair on wheels when Toby poked his nose between my arm and my side to try to get my attention. I was involved in something like doing taxes, so I made the mistake of ignoring him. He proceeded to go under the desk, place his nose on the chair and PUSH ME AWAY FROM THE DESK ON THE CHAIR WITH WHEELS!!!! If you come to my house, be prepared to be nuzzled and laid on, but you will never be barked at or bitten.
2. My children
Sometimes my children can make me crazy, But then my daughter takes my breath away with her tenderness and sensitivity. My son knocks me over with his inquisitiveness and sports savvy. The older they get, the more reasons they give me to love them. Oh, and All My Children. I tuned in this week and Angie is back!!! And Jessie. I'm fairly certain I watched Jessie die on screen 20 years ago, but such is the soap world.
3. My husband
He has been through the wringer with me. He is the man you want on your team if you are ever in a crisis. And he just called and asked me to be his "Valentime!"
Oh...and he makes me laugh!
4. The rest of my family
Too numerous to mention...my Mom & Dad, my sister, my Aunt Mary...and even an aunt that is no longer technically part of the family since she divorced from my uncle. My parents had their share of worries when I was a teen, although they seem minor when compared with the horrors that we imagine as parents. But I am extra special, providing them with ongoing reminders of their earlier parenting years by continuing to have the occasional crisis! My sister is there for me...and always ready to pipe in with, "Oh my God! I remember that too!" when I say something about growing up.
5. Tapas Restaurants
We've gotten through the things I LOVE and now we are into things I love. Choosing is so hard at a restaurant when you are staring at a menu full of ambrosial choices with lyrical descriptions that require a thesaurus. Tapas restaurants are the socially acceptable way to say, "I'll have one of everything!" Favorites are the Falcon House in Delray Beach and Humble Pie in Raleigh.
6. My son again
Because when I just read this to him he said, "Why? Because you like looking at girls?" Tapas, my dear, not TOPLESS.
7. Wine
Although I'm pretty much a two-glass maximum girl these days, there is still nothing like a glass of wine. It makes me think of friendship, comfort and satisfaction. I still savor the process of opening a bottle of wine while preparing dinner. I love that my house is a destination for my hard-working friends if they need to unwind after work before facing the husband and kids. I love that we all have favorite wines that cost $6.99 on special at Harris Teeter. No pretension here...just glasses raised in camaraderie.
8. Crab Cakes
About 10 years ago my husband and I were asked to be test diners for the soft opening of Legal Seafoods at Sawgrass Mills in Florida. Since that evening, I have been on the hunt for the perfect crab cake. I see a menu, squinch my eyes up and say, "Do you think the crab cakes HERE will be good?" My husband gives his best advice based on the location and the quality of the restaurant. And I try...and try...and try. Brunch at The Shore restaurant in Delray was our favorite brunch destination because they had to-die-for Crab Cakes Benedict! Perfection!
9. Sports Night
Sports Night was the most well-crafted sitcom to ever grace prime time. The characters had the perfect balance of quirkiness and intensity. Its creator, Aaron Sorkin who wrote A Few Good Men, The American President and The West Wing, refused to pander to the masses, infusing his scripts with dialogue that left the actors breathless and the viewers trying to figure out how to turn the closed-captioning on. We got the DVD set of the full series. So now when I climb under the covers and say, "Want to?" My husband croons, "Yeah." And I put the next DVD in.
10. My Neighborhood
Here in the South, the neighborhood association exists to put on the annual pumpkin-carving, give awards for Yard-of-the-Month and have a cul-de-sac party with a band once in a while. They don't tell you what trees to plant or what kind of truck you can park in your driveway or where your guests can park or even how much noise you make. Neighbor cranking his music too loud on a Friday night? Drop over and tell him...and end up having a beer, staying for hours and cranking up the music even more. Someone sick? There will be a casserole at your door before you can fill the prescription. When they say "it takes a village," this is the village!
11. Goat Cheese
Tonight I artistically arranged my salad, added some Paul Newman's Balsamic Vinaigrette and something just felt wrong. As I added some goat cheese crumbles, I think I heard my salad sigh, "You complete me!"
12. House
I love the show House. I love the man House. I love the writers for resolving their strike. I love the house we're getting ready to build. "House" is kind of my theme for the next several months.
13. Books and Blogging
The two are intertwined now. I read with more of a purpose now because I blog. I expand my reading repertoire because I am challenged by other blogs that inspire me to read. I read blogs. Going to a bookstore is never an errand....it's an indulgence. Love it!
And I love my readers...wish you would comment more...but love you just the same!
Di
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