What To Do When You're Single on Valentine's Day

Bottle Cap Guru : Etsy

The silly day that was created for silly reasons that can be awesome or can just plain stink.

During my first year of High School, my best friend got dumped days before Valentines Day. You know, the day where all the couples are sending each other balloons, candy and stuffed animals. Not only was she heartbroken, but she was going to get painful reminders all day long as people all around her were receiving gifts. I couldn't have that, so I went down to the Orange Krate (our school store) and ordered 15 giant, helium-filled black and pink balloons to be sent to her class with a giant chocolate bar. 

The balloons did their job to keep a smile on her face and from then on, Valentines Day became a bit of a big joke for us as we promised always to be each other's Valentine.

Fast forward about 10 years. I'm happily married, and it's our first Valentine's Day as husband and wife. And I'm laughing out loud because I will never spend Valentine's Day with my husband.

Why is that? Let me introduce you to a little something called the National Farm Machinery Show. This is the 50th year running and it's always over February 14th. Go ahead, click that link. You'll see that they've set the dates out all the way until 2020- who the heck plans that far ahead?!

So, for everyone else out there kicking it single-style this V-Day, here's somethings ideas to spoil yourselves, enjoy!

• Go catch a flick - by yourself. 
• My hair salon is right next to a movie theater and while I was sitting in the chair the other night, I realized that I really wanted to go see a movie. When I was single, I would've had no problem walking right next door to grab a ticket, a giant tub of popcorn and a seat by myself. Some people might call that lonely, but try it! I call it empowering and it makes you feel fiercely independant.
• Host a night in with friends.
• You make the appetizers & turn on the tunes, guests BYOB and their favorite games.
• Take a class.
• Check out Groupon, they've always got great deals on fun activities. Yoga, Cooking, Art, Glassblowing, Dancing, Flight Simulators, Beekeping - you name it! Find that thing you've always wanted to try...and try it!
• Walk dogs at your local shelter.
• Petfinder can help you to locate an animal shelter near you. Plan this one a little in advance because they usually require a short training before you're able to help.
• Pamper yourself with an at-home spa.
• This is the one you've been waiting for, I know it. Fill up your bathtub with hot water, then sprinkle in a couple drops of lavendar oil. Light some candles. Cover your face in a honey-mask. Shave your legs for once, then slather them in lotion. Trim and polish your nails. Do whatever makes you feel like a million bucks.
• Join the dating website Farmer's Only.
• Just kidding- THEY'RE ALL BUSY!

Hopefully these ideas are inspiring. Wherever the day may take you, have fun! 


***Oh hey hey hey PS... I almost forgot the most important part!

Happy Weekend

Carrie got caught hunting wabbits.

Hello Lovelies :)

What are you up to this weekend?

The old, single screen theatre in town is showing American Sniper this weekend. The previews make me cry. Usually I don't like to see emotional movies public (I prefer to cry in the comfort of my own couch) but Honey really wants to see it, so I'll stuff some tissues in my pockets and take one for the team.

Tomorrow we're going to the barn for a 'work day'. The therapeutic program currently runs out of a full-time equestrian facility that is shared with lots of other lovely riders who board their horses there full time. The facility has kindly given our program full access to the arena all day Mondays and Tuesdays, but since the program is expanding so fast, it really neededs more space and arena time. Amazingly, the owners have built the shell of a second barn on the property that Renew will be able to lease all for itself! This means lessons any time, on our own schedule! Very exciting.

Tomorrow is the first day we'll be able to get over there and help work on the inside. My husband very sweetly offered to accompany me and donate his time, tools and building skills to help build the wall that will surround the indoor arena. Cross your fingers that lots of people show up and we'll be able to get it accomplished in one day!

To kick off the weekend, here are some links from around the web;
 

How to grow old with yourself.

 

Here's what 450,000 pound of honey looks like.

 

The Game of Thrones TV series will overtake the novels.

Me, last weekend.

A simple, low cost kichen. I especially like the inconspicuous knife storage.

My sisters-in-law introduced me to the world's cutest frog.

When grandparents call from Arizona.

A recipe for double-stuffed oreo jello shots.

DIY succulent Valentines.

 

 

Have a great one! 

February Reads: The Jungle

Time for a new one! Why don't we make this a monthly thing? Then you can keep me in line with my goal to read more. ;)

A group of us were watching a documentary when they mentioned the book 'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair, Jr.  Kelly's cousin said he thought it was a great read, so I decided to check it out.

Before penning the novel, the author spent two months working undercover in Chicago's meatpacking district. Working under this disguise gave him enough information to turn around and write a novel, one that would expose the disgusting conditions of the meat plants as well as the horrific labor practices. 

Have any of you read it yet? I'm going to try another book review when I'm done and would love to hear your thoughts if you read it with me. The kindle edition is just 99 cents, but the library will have it for free.  

Here's the inside flap:

When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

I had my first Fondue experience this weekend and it was awesome. Kelly's mom invited us over, so we finally were able to break out our brand new fondue pot that was a gift from my bridal shower.

Between all of us cooking and playing cards, I didn't watch one second of the Super Bowl. Okay, that's a little lie because I did sneak in for part of the halftime show. That stage was stellar and I really need one of those giant iron tigers to ride around. Plus, Lenny Kravitz is hunk-a-licious. 

It stormed all day so when we got home Kelly plowed the driveway, then we let all of the dogs out to play while we shoveled the piles and piles of snow that got dumped.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Oh, PS.
We had a sleepover with some crazy girls this weekend. Last night I discovered that during said sleepover, my phone was hacked.

Guess who...?!

 

Happy Weekend

What are you up to this weekend?

Thanks to Kelly's stepdad, we finally have lights in the kitchen again! Can I get a woohoo? I know nothing when it comes to electric and thought they were just running wires and fixing boxes and whatnont. Little did I realize, they were hooking up the lights. When Scott called me in and told me to 'flick on that switch' I about puked rainbows I was so excited. I have been cooking in the dark for about three weeks now. It's hard! I dare you to try it.

I'm heading to the barn this morning, then this afternoon to a baby shower for our sweet newborn nephew. It's absolutely crazy to think that he isn't even suppose to be born yet, everyone is so in love with him already it seems like he's always been here.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Here are some links to enjoy with your morning brew...

Guilty.

The Culticycle. Saves on gas & promotes excersise for farmers. 2,000 acres? No biggie.

Sea Life Michigan Aquarium opened yesterday in Auburn Hills.

A homemade Valentine gift for your four-legged loves.