Valentine's Day is on my mind. Not because it's such a big deal (truly I'm not all that impressed with hearts and flowers and chocolates) but probably because I work in retail and we've been putting the stuff out since the day after Christmas. Even now, when we've just gotten Valentine's all set, Easter candy, eggs and toys are coming in. It never ends. But, after perusing the shelves (actually stocking them) I've come to the conclusion that I don't want any of the stuff sitting on those shelves. That I would prefer my sweetie to indulge me in things other than chocolate, overstuffed animals, singing frogs or dancing chickens. No, I don't want any 'love coupons', heart boxers, heart socks, heart jewelry or heart t-shirts. I don't even need a mush card or the dreaded so-called 'joke/love' card.

Give me what a woman really wants. A girl's night out...away from the house, the kids, the seriousness of home. Hand me some cash, promise to watch our son, and wave good-bye to me, with a smile on your face, as me and my friends hightail it to the nearest restaurant for eats and drinks.

Give me a gift card to my favorite places; Border's, Bath and Body, Victoria's Secret (a bonus for you as well), JC Penny or Wilson's Leather. These all top my list of places I'd happily waste a day.

Here's a few more suggestions for that day of love that will actually include both of us. Let's go to Home Depot and buy the things we need to finish those projects around the house, you know the ones that've been lying around since the dawn of time, and we'll do them together. I promise not to 'instruct' you on how to do them or 'gently remind' you that you might be doing them wrong. I want to get these things finished too. So, I'll just hand you the tools and muzzle myself. Then after you leave for work, and depending on how well the project was done, I'll either rave or crab about your handiwork to all who will listen.

Another couples thing we could do; clean out the basement..yay doesn't that sound like fun! I mean c'mon how great will it be to shovel through the doodads and whatzits that roll around on the concrete floor and sift through the keepers and throw-aways? Maybe even after we've cleared through your stuff we might have room for more of my doodads and whatzits, which of course can never be thrown away!

And our last project together; how about a home-cooked meal with all the fixins', even a homemade dessert? I'll make the grocery list, you do the shopping. I'll read you the recipes, while you cook it up. I'll set the table, so you can bring the food over. I'll even drink the wine, after you've poured it. See how well we work together? Happy Valentine's Day!

I can't even freakin' believe this...it's snowing like hell right now. Has been since 6am. Not that I fear the white stuff (I've been through enough Maine winters to know it's gonna snow in Jan. in Maine) but we've had it pretty easy the last couple of years and I guess I wasn't mentally prepared for it this year.

And the cost of plowing...dang! I swear I'll be keeping my plow guy in beer and cigarettes the entire winter. I might even have to give him my son to pay off my debt.

And just what are we supposed to do for the next two months? Already I'm sick of staying inside and watching t.v. I used to enjoy the winter months, when my son wanted to do stuff with me. But, he's older now and is more interested in video games and movies. What's a mom to do?

Forward and onward, marching into the New Year with a new determination...for at least two weeks anyway. Just what am I determined to accomplish for 2008? Well, hopefully lots. First and foremost my resolutions are going to be kept. You doubt me? Don’t. Because this year’s resolutions are actually going to be keep-able. Check these out.

Promise to lose twenty pounds? Fuggitaboutit. I promise to keep them. I’ve already gone out and bought new clothes to accommodate the new, curvier me. Why waste good money by not being able to wear them, just because I’ve gotten too thin?

Start an exercise routine? Why change what’s working so well? I promise to continue to cozy into the sofa after a hard days work and enjoy a mindless hour or two of comedic drivel.

Eat healthier? What’s wrong with cold pizza for breakfast and carrot cake for lunch? Both have veggies; tomatoes and carrots. And both have dairy; cheese and whipped topping.

Keep my checkbook balanced? Then how would the bank make all its money? I mean c’mon those charges on my overdrafts have got to be filling the tills in the vault by now.

Visit my mother more often? I'd like to, but she seems to be enjoying my short and sporadic visits; our conversations are full of catch-ups and whatcha been doings? As opposed to if I lived next door, we’d have nothing to say because we said it all the day before.

Be a better worker? Then they might think I’m good worker and may want to promote me and then I’d have all those new responsibilities and I’d have to boss people around and work a whole lot harder than I do. Nah, I promise to continue to do what they hired me to do and do it well.

Keep up on the laundry so that its not piled up on weekends? Why bother? I promise to get a bigger laundry basket and go shopping for more clothes when I can't find anything to wear. Hey this works for the kids, why not give it a try?

Spend more time with the family? I’d love to do this one too, but nobody’s keen on board games, walks or conversing at the dinner table. How about I promise to let my family pursue the things that interest them most? What does it matter that while some are coming, the others are going? They all have a happy smile on their faces as they wave good-bye from behind the closing door.

And lastly more romantic times with my husband? Does a shared beer and a snuggle on the couch, while watching a Star Wars marathon, count? Hubby seems to think so, he just saluted that idea with a raised beer.

Yeh, I’m thinking these New Year resolutions are ones I’m really going to be able to keep this time.