Happy Love Day

the boyfriend gave me pretty flowers...aren't they lovely?

Valentines day events:

Sidney said he did not get caught by the guy that shoots the hearts at people, what's his name again? I asked him what happens if Cupid (oh yeah, Cupid) catches you and he sort of rolled his eyes, smirked at me and said "he makes you fall in love".

Seth was given the option of giving valentines out in class or not. He decided he didn't want to. Perhaps he is too cool now that he is 10.

I received a call from Seth's teacher around lunchtime today saying that they were having some sewage backup problems (eww...I know...they were super quick to get the children out of the building) and all the children had to be picked up as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I didn't have the car today and had to have the boyfriend pick us up, take us home, then scat back to work. He told me on the way that I wouldn't be able to get my present now because it was going to work! Ahhhhh! I need my present, it's Valentine's Day for the love of Pete (whoever that is). He picked them up for me when he went to pick Sidney up at daycare. He really is great and I sure do feel loved today.

Just Like That Commercial...

It's been a couple of years since it aired, but one of the jewelry stores ran a commercial where a man was proposing in an courtyard near stone buildings...and after she says yes, he declares:


"I love this woman."


then louder...


" I LOVE THIS WOMAN!'


Then, all the birds fly away as the newly engaged couple watch...the end.


Well, there was no proposal...is that where you thought this was going? Don't be silly, not yet! Anyhow, we had a picture taken that I absolutely adore. When I look at it, I think...

I Love This Man

Giving Thanks

Today I am thankful for many things.

I am thankful for my children. I am grateful that they have no health concerns and that they are able to live happy, active lives.

I am thankful for Blake. I am happy that he understands me so well and is able to make me feel better when I am downhearted. Thankful also that we have chosen a life together.

I am thankful for my family and the support that they offer me as I raise my boys and live my life.

I am thankful for my friends. For their roles in my life and for the love that they share with me.

I am thankful that I am able to live in a house instead of an apartment so that we can enjoy a yard of our own and more than one level inside...even if it is only a rental.

I am thankful that I have had the experiences in life that I have because I feel it makes me a stronger, more capable person.

A Beautiful Rustic Wedding--Adair Style

This past Saturday, I attended Adair and Mark's wedding held at the beautiful Mountain Gap Inn and Resorts in Digby, Nova Scotia. In an old-fashioned wooden chapel high on a hill, we all watched as they exchanged the vows they had written for one another. Cool breeze filtered through the partially enclosed church, adding an element of past history...you could close your eyes and imagine weddings from years past, quaint little religious ceremonies held in that very spot. Of course, these thoughts were more of my own imagining than reality perhaps. I don't even know how long that chapel has been standing, but it sort of had an 1800's feel to it, I think.

Of all my female friends, Adair has the most "earthy" quality. She loves the outdoors, and all things natural. She is also the very BEST planner of events. She made cupcakes instead of wedding cake (decorated differently with white/chocolate cake for personal preference). Each family was given a maple tree to plant at their homes, and beautiful name cards at each place setting with special quotes on the inside. Because the wedding and reception were held at the same place, there was a chance to just relax and have a drink or two while the new bride and groom (along with their entourage) had pictures taken. I would have liked to take more pictures, but it was so hard to get a good shot as everyone else had the same idea.

All I kept thinking about while watching my lovely friend all evening was how typically "Adair" everything was. You did a beautiful job, my friend. It is a day we will surely not forget. Congratulations on your marriage...many happy years to follow I am sure. Owen is a lucky boy indeed to have such a loving, caring stepmother in his life.

My Gay Friend's Wedding

One of my best women friends, Brenda, married her long-time partner Linda in a small ceremony in Halifax this past Friday night. I had the honor of standing next to her and being a witness of the union. The Justice of the Peace gave a lovely service, and the ladies wrote their own vows to one another. When she originally approached me about standing for her, she said it would just be she and Linda, me and another witness. I was a little surprised that she didn't want to include more family and friends, but she just wanted it to be small and then have a party later. I was so pleased when she called 3 weeks ago to say that they had invited their families and a few friends. It really was a very unique and touching night. I have met her parents and siblings many times over the years, so it was wonderful to spend time with them. It was also nice to meet Linda's family, and all their friends. I could clearly see the love and support of each person in attendance.

I thank you, Brenda, for always being such a great friend to me and for allowing me to be a part of your special day. I couldn't be happier for you.

Adrian, Linda, The JP, Brenda and Me

The First Kiss

Pure Sweetness

Just wanted to share with you a moment in my day that I really love.

Part of my bedtime routine includes taking off my beautiful necklace and hanging it on the lampshade so that I don't twist it when I sleep. Every night, as I do this...move my hair aside and raise my arms...Blake watches and smiles at me. Sometimes I only catch it in the peripheral, but I know he's doing it.

Boy Genius

My brother Rodney has a borderline genius IQ. He has actually been tested. We had some encyclopedias in the house. I used to set them all over the floor in stacks and jump from pile to pile for amusement, but he actually read them--cover to cover! We had 2 sets of 24 , 1 set of 10 and 2 large, complete dictionaries. He read all of them by the age of 12. I once had a conversation with our grandfather (our mom's dad) and he said that he is quite certain that Rodney was actually reading and understanding "Archie" comics before he could speak! I have been in awe of him for his academic achievements all this time. He has many degrees, and has spent years teaching others to learn. The man has published works and everything! He is "THE SHIT", so to speak. He is also one of my most loved and admired people. He is this wonderful, amazingly intelligent person. I could call him at any time and ask him a question about...I don't even know, anything...and he would know the answer!

It was a truly amazing thing to have shared my childhood with him. He is kooky, quirky and a little socially inept (though has learned very much in his 39 years) and he has the kindest heart. He has "big love" to give. He is the best big brother a girl could ask for. He used to hang out and play games and stuff with me a lot. There are 4 years between us, but he was very patient. We used to put on puppet shows behind the breakfast bar between the dining/kitchen area for our babysitters. We would make them sit on a chair in the kitchen while we put on a series of plays with assorted puppets and stuffed animals from my toy box. The storey lines varied depending on current movies or tv shows, of course. Now that I am writing this I am helpless to recall an actual theme. Rodney, help me out if you read this please!

When I needed a place to live after high school, all I had to do was ask. When I moved to Vancouver in 1991, I simply moved my things in. He was so very happy to have me there, and I was overjoyed to be with him. See, as it turned out, once Mom passed we went to different places. He was nearly finished high school and went off to dorms at Saint Mary's the following year but I was still in school. We kept in touch and spent time together as often as we could while living in the same province, that is. Wow I miss him! Good times, good times...

We have always been close. I believe the experience with our mother has forever bonded us unconditionally. We are links to her.

A Day for Love

It's Valentine's Day! It is not about the gifts or the cards or the outings as much as it is in recognition of love.

Here are some things I believe about love:

Loving Oneself is paramount.

The very best kind is unconditional.

There are reasons why certain people come into our lives for us to love.

Actions show the abundance of love with much more clarity than words.

Share the feelings you have for your loved ones. Tell them you love them often and with sincerity. It will make a difference in their lives.

Things That I Love

my children running into my arms...

a long kiss from my lover...

the sound of happy talk and laughter...

satisfaction of a job well done...

helping a friend...

Now onto some smaller things, creature comforts if you will.

coffee and a bagel in the morning...

watching a weekly show that I enjoy...

a quiet evening with no schedule...

work to keep me busy all day at the office...

meals that are well received...

I am grateful for what I have. I am so blessed to have 2 healthy boys, a steady job and a great place to live. I am grateful for my new companion with whom I can share my thoughts and feelings quite freely. I am grateful for my experiences as they make me the person I am today.

A Bedtime Story

I Love You So...

"I love you."
"How much?"
"SO much."
"How much is so?"
"Way, Way MORE than you know..."

I love you as BRILLIANT as each sparkling star,
and as WAY OUT as space, I love you that far.

I love you as GIGANTIC as a great lion's roar,
and as DEEP as the ocean, I love you MUCH more.

"That is a lot," you say, "but HOW did it start"
WHERE did love come from to be in you heart?"

YOU put it there, really, when you and I met.
And I knew for certain WITHOUT you I'd fret.

From MY HEAD to my TOES, I was feeling inside
a devotion to you SO DEEP and SO WIDE.

And now it's ENORMOUS and wonderfully real
and hard to describe HOW MUCH I feel!

I love you as AWESOME as a thunder sky,
and as SOARING as mountains, I love you THAT high.

I love you as SILLY as a puppy dog's kiss,
and as QUIET as midnight, I love you like THIS.

"Do you love me EVERY day?" you ask with doubting awe,
"or does love go UP 'N DOWN like a teetering see saw?"

I love you as STEADY as the earth rounds the sun,
thought SOME days of life, are the FARTHEST from fun.

"Like when you feel MAD?" you ask with distress,
"'cause I've BROKEN the rules or made a BIG mess?
Or , when I'm UNKIND, and your feelings are BLUE,
do you love me ALTHOUGH I do what I do?"

I love you being NICE, and when you're CRANKY, too.
I love you without liking the NAUGHTY things you do.

My 'love you' DOESN'T change like the temper of the days.
It's a CERTAIN kind of thing in many DIFFERENT ways.

You're my SWEETIE, my dear, my SMILE and laughter.
You're my PLAYMATE for always, and my JOY ever after.

Hanging out WITH YOU is where I want to be...
eating ice cream sundaes or watching the TV.

UNDER you umbrella, behind you on a bike
By you and BESIDE you is what I REALLY like.

"Do you love me just AS MUCH when I'm FAR away from home?
Is your loving still THE SAME in distant lands I roam?"

I love you NEAR or FAR. I love you HIGH or LOW.
My love is there with you WHEREVER you may go.

"Even when I'm SICK...and I can't get out of bed?
Do you love me better HEALTHY than with fever in my head?"

I CAN'T IMAGINE life before YOU came along...
me there singing senseless, no MEANING to my song.

Call it MEANT TO BE or simply blessed fate,
you fill my heart WITH LOVE and for that I celebrate.

"I love you."
"How much?"
"SO much."
"How much is 'so'?"
"WAY, WAY MORE than you know..."

written by: Marianne Richmond