Before I Do Anything Else...

I'm going to blog! I swear, if I so much as glance at anything else on my way to this site, I'm a goner. I get lost in reading something and I use up all my time and energy before I can post. This time I closed my eyes, and that's what I'll have to do from now on, I guess. Why was that not a problem before? Must've been less interesting news. Hmmm. I'm going to make a list of things we've done or that have happened. I'll elaborate on some: Today we went on a drive to Red Rocks park, only we didn't get there. We couldn't find our way, so we'll look at a map first next time. Of course, we didn't ask for directions; I mean, you can see them from here, so why not be able to get there? Ha ha. But we had a nice drive, then stopped at Wal Mart, and then came in and ate salisbury steak and taties and peas, and a little bit of cake. Now my tummy is sooo full! Today I wore a bracelet and necklace that DeeDee gave me, that were given to her by the jewelry-making resident's daughter. The mother had died recently (I can't get used to that), and she donated her supplies to the bldg. There was some jewelry that was already completed, and DeeDee gave me a few necklaces and a couple of matching bracelets! I'm really happy about that, first of all because I liked the jewelry lady, and, secondly, I am bereft of jewelry compared to the Las Vegas residents. That's interesting how people in diff. areas wear diff. makeup, jewelry, clothing, glasses, shoes, perfume, etc., isn't it? Here, they wear tons of jewelry, so it's nice to have more. It feels like playing dress-up again! We went to a hamburger joint that Melissa likes, for her birthday. It was fun and I liked their milkshakes. Sadly, Melissa put in her notice and will be leaving here in a couple of weeks. Her mother owns a house where some renters died in a fire, and now she's entangled in legal difficulties before her ins. co. will give her the money to fix it back up. It's very stressful for her mother, because children died in the fire. The authorities need to make sure there was no arson involved before it's not considered a crime scene. How awful! Melissa is going to help her mom and spend more time with her kids and husband, and I'm happy for her about that. She says she'll come and eat lunch with us sometimes. I'm going to miss her. I did karaoke last Wed. We didn't do our skit because Aaron (Gilligan) was hit in the eye by a soccer ball and it actually made a hole in his eye. His eye looks pretty normal, but it's bleeding and the pressure has gone down (they said it's "collapsing") (isn't this a cheery little post?). The last I heard, it should heal and be all right. I certainly hope so. We can do our skit later on. At karaoke, I sang Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend and I Wanna Be Loved By You, and I imitated Marilyn Monroe. They really loved it, and it was fun to do. Tut has started watching tv when it's on near him. He really follows it, and he acts like he's just one of us, watching tv. Tut loves routines. They came and inspected Mark's bldg. last week, and it went well. Mark finds out Monday whether he got an A or a B. His boss seemed pretty happy about it. I went over there Friday to help them decorate cookies. The two elderly people beside me ate their cookie dough before it was baked, and they ate the frosting after, rather than use it on the cookies. It was hilarious, and they seemed to enjoy themselves. The Valentine's Dance was wonderful and I'll get you pictures as soon as Mark gets them from Melissa in Marketing. We ate delicious pork roast and they had a pretend Elvis who was quite a good singer. Most importantly, they had cool desserts and we had the best one - Bananas Foster. It's bananas that they flame and serve with ice cream. Yum! I was given some clothes by a resident that was moving to the other bldg., by way of DeeDee. The lady must have a huge wardrobe, because there was so much to choose from and they were her extras she didn't need. Mark is washing them now - I got a few tops, a couple of slacks, and a bunch of pjs that are in nice shape. Yay! I needed pjs! Last Saturday, Mark and I drove to the Green Valley area of Vegas, which is really nice, with lots of stately palm trees and a gorgeous carrousel. There are some big-name stores there we looked at: Whole Foods, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Coldwater Creek, Talbot's, and Sonoma Williams. I loved just looking around. I got pictures from that, too. Let's see...we've been watching American Idol. The talent is outrageous this year and I love the new judges. I went with Mark this a.m., before our long drive, to investigate whether four inactive families still lived where they had. The two he found hadn't been active and didn't want visitors, but they were cordial to him. Mark's birthday is coming up. Maybe we'll get to go to the movies. It would be the first time in a really long time! I know I'll remember more later on, but at least that's some news. I hope you are all feeling better and that Phillip is all right in Afghanistan (he just shipped out, but he doesn't like us making a big deal about it). I also hope that Seth is all right and that he can call us sometime, when he gets to use a phone. We love you all! xoxoxo

Skit Script - Hope You Like It!

Willow Creek Skit - Revised (To be performed during Happy Hour, a karaoke/fun hour at this bldg. that is held once a week) “What Really Happened on Gilligan’s Island?” Setting Tropical desert isle Palm fronds are waving around the sides of the stage There is a sheet hanging stage left, representing ‘offstage’ There are two chairs in the clearing, stage left Jill, Kat, and Aaron stand stage right, downstage, holding a mike Jill, Kat, and Aaron sing: Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale A tale of a fateful trip That started from Port Willow Creek Aboard a tiny ship The mate was a mighty sailing man The skipper brave and sure Five passengers set sail that day For a three-hour tour A three-hour tour... (emphasis on bold words, with the last line drawn out) As they sing the last line, one of the marketers crosses the stage, smiling and winking at the audience, possibly with extras trailing, holding a sign saying “Willow Creek Tour” Aaron (in a loud, dramatic voiceover): Did the passengers really ever leave Gilligan’s ill-fated island? Did they ever reach the safety of the mainland And return to their normal lives? No one really knows… Until Now!!! At this point, a resident (or Kat) crosses stage front, with a sign that says in frightful letters “What REALLY Happened…?!” As they cross, the crowd is encouraged by Jill, Aaron, and Kat to moan and shiver loudly Aaron, Kat, and Jill step back (Aaron dons a Gilligan-type hat) We see Mark stage left (wearing the skipper’s hat, half-lying under a light sheet) Mark sits from the chairs he is lying on He stretches and looks around Mark (singing energetically): Oh what a beautiful morning! Isn’t this island the best? I’ve got a beautiful feeling No one suspects how I dress! As he sings the last line, Marks leans backs and takes one leg out of the cover Mark lifts it to the sky Revealing a stocking-covered leg and a high heeled shoe Mark sits up, throwing back the entire cover (We see that Mark is dressed in a t-shirt and shorts, along with seamed stockings and heels) Aaron (Gilligan) enters and steps up beside Mark Aaron: Oh, hi, Skipper! Mark: Where have you been, little buddy? You always get up so early! Aaron: Yeah. I’m an early riser. Mark (making motions of fishing): Hey! Why don’t you go out on the boat with me? We’ll do some fishing! Aaron: I’d sure like to... But it’s too darn hot! Jeff (the professor) comes out into the clearing Julie (Ginger) and Dee Dee (Mary Ann) join him in the center Aaron moves to the other side (The girls and Jeff are dressed in their choice of costumes) We are hearing the introductory music to It’s Too Darn Hot Aaron, Dee Dee, Julie, and Jeff (singing, maybe dancing): It’s too darn hot! It’s too darn hot! It’s too darn hot! The four of them stop dancing and take turns singing these lines: I’d like to row to the main land tonight I’d like to go to the main land tonight I’d like to row to the main land tonight I’d even stow to the main land tonight But I can’t go to the main land tonight ‘Cause it’s Too Darn Hot! They join in together to dance and sing the last lines as before: It’s too darn hot! It’s too darn hot! It’s Tooooo Darn Hot!! They end on a lavish note Girls step back and sit down, stage left Aaron steps up by Mark Aaron: I’d be glad to row us all home, Captain There’s just one problem…We don’t have a rowboat!! (he throws a meaningful glance at the audience) Aaron: AND I prefer to stay in the shade! (We hear a little Twilight music) The audience is encouraged to gasp and moan again Aaron pulls his hat down and departs stage left Jeff and Mark exit stage right (Jeff gets his radio prop and Mark goes to change clothes) Dee Dee and Julie step forward and stand side by side Each looks longingly out to the sky… Dee Dee sings: Where is love? Does it fall from skies above? Is it underneath this jungle tree That I’ve been dreaming of? At that point, a coconut falls and hits her on the head (‘thwonk!’ noise on the mike) She plops to the floor Julie steps in front of her (kind of shoving her out of the way with her foot) Julie (singing and getting more wistful as she goes): Looking for love in all the same spaces Looking for hope in all the same faces Looking for someone Showing the traces Of what I’m dreamin’ of… Julie closes her eyes Aaron enters and steps right up to her face (Pause for audience reaction) Julie opens her eyes and gasps Julie: Oh, Gilligan! Aaron smiles a wicked smile as she falls back Aaron carries her off stage left Meanwhile, Jeff enters, holding aloft a cobbled-together radio Jeff (yelling): I did it! I did it! I made a two-way radio! We’re saved! Dee Dee is to the left of Jeff as he sings dramatically Jeff: Did I hear a spark? Yes I did! Yes I heard a spark! There’s something deep inside this set That all mankind can hear! Dee Dee and Jeff (facing each other and almost jumping for joy): Our rescue’s near! They clap Dee Dee: Oh, Professor! I knew you’d invent something That would save us! Dee Dee leans towards Jeff with her face beaming up to his Dee Dee (singing): The minute you climbed on to shore I could see you were a real inventor, a real big thinker Good looking, oh so kind Wouldn’t you like to find a girl Who loves a good mind? Dee Dee beams at Jeff Jeff ignores her and steps forward triumphantly, brushing her aside Jeff (loudly): I can’t wait to get back in the lab With all my favorite rodents! (Pause, while he looks puzzled) I wonder how long the life span of a mole is? Jeff stands there, caught up in wondering Dee Dee, unfazed, sings: So let me get right to the point I don’t bat my eyes At every guy I see Hey, Inventor! Spend a little time with me... Dee Dee: After all, we might not be rescued And then we’ll have to populate this island You can’t go spoonin’ with a rat! Dee Dee is still smiling, but somewhat disgusted Aaron approaches Jeff from stage left, walking in front of Dee Dee Aaron: Hey, could you give me a closer look at that gadget of yours? I’ve always wondered how a radio works… Jeff pats Aaron on the back, they both smile, and they exit stage left Dee Dee trails behind them Mrs Howell (off stage): Scream! Mrs. H. enters, stage right (She wears a big hat, hand-held glasses, scarves, a lei, and lots of jewelry and makeup) Mrs. H.: Thurston has been murdered! Everyone offstage gasps dramatically, with audience participations Aaron appears onstage with a fake torch Aaron steps up to Mrs. H. (Mrs. H. holds in her lap two starfish, dressed in Barbie clothes) Mrs. H. (mysteriously) I found him sitting at his desk, surrounded by his seashells He’d found two unusual starfish… And he named them Ken and Barbie (She holds them up and they are very spangly) Mrs. H.: And this is the strange part… Aaron leans in closer Mrs. H.: The murderer had dressed them as Thurston and I! Audience gasps (Maybe we could have ‘Gasp!’ ‘Moan!’ and ‘Shriek!’ signs that Jill or Kat hold up) Mrs. H. What do you suppose that means? Mrs. H. looks around mysteriously Aaron is seen to be stuffing some Barbie clothes into his back pocket Aaron looks off to stage right Aaron (singing slowly and sadly): Thurston is dead, a candle lights his head He’s looking oh so sickly and so pale It’s true he played with dolls… (pause) And his mother never calls… (pause) But he flosses his incisors without fail! Mrs. Howells peers up thru her glasses towards Aaron Mrs. H. Gilligan, would you escort me back to our hut? You know, I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers… But, you’ll do… (She winks at audience) Aaron pats her arm and escorts (or wheels) her off, stage right Mark and Aaron enter from separate sides of the stage Facing each other and joining hands Mark is in a dress now, with makeup, wig, and hat and lei Mark and Aaron sing happily: It’s just the two of us Aaron (singing to Mark with a smile at the audience): But it won’t be ‘Us’ very long… Mark looks puzzled Aaron cries out passionately: Captain! My Captain! And Aaron leans Mark back and attacks his neck Dramatic music plays Aaron looks up, with bloody fangs showing Mark is lifeless Aaron (looking towards audience triumphantly): You wonder how I’ll fare All alone on this island, Don’t you? Thriller musical chords play Aaron: I was able to leave all along! Aaron disappears behind Mark (maybe under a cape?) Aaron’s voice rings out with an evil laugh: Bwahahahahaha! A bat appears and flies out over the audience The cast comes forward and sings: So join us here each week my friends Come up and take a bow The karaoke never ends At Willow Creek’s Happy Hour At Willow Creek’s Happy Hour! (Last line drawn our and emphasized) We throw out confetti or candy into the audience Everyone bows (THE END…OR IS IT?) BWAHAHAHAHA!

Hold On...

I'm comin'...Just have to type up this script, e-mail it to Mark, and go to karaoke. After that, I will get a break and fill you in on our happenings! xoxoxo

Happenings and Thoughts

I'm trying to remember what all we've been doing...I had symptoms of a virus yesterday, but I'm feeling better ever since I ate some of the Cheetos we bought last week. Isn't that funny? We went for lunch, a couple of days ago, with Deedee, Jessica (her asst.), and Melissa (the nurse). We call it the Brat Pack now. It includes Julie and Jeff and basically anyone; those are the people that have done things with us so far. We went to the Mac Shack and got macaroni and cheese. I got a baby portion and still have some left over, in the fridge. It was good, when you got extra cheese sauce. :D It sounds like we're spending a lot of moola, but we aren't, because Deedee and Julie usually pay. Once we paid for Melissa and Deedee, and a few times we've paid for our own. It's kind of what you do here, very fun and good for everybody. I really enjoy the people. The owner and his girlfriend haven't joined us yet - they are kind of to themselves. I hope they do join us some time. I think they'd enjoy it. I looked on the Internet for tips and then I changed shampoo to Aussie Aussome 2-in-1 Volumizing. It's worked so well on my hair, making it fuller and smoother and shiny. Wahoo! I hope it keeps working that way. I love to find tips that help me look better or to save money or find what I'm looking for. The Internet is great in lots of ways, but can take up too much time if you're not careful; then you're finding out all these great ways to live, but not spending time living. Anyway, I'm going to pass on the tips that work. And please return the favor! Tomorrow is a big day: first of all, it's Seth's birthday. He's at the house for now, and he's trying to get a job and pay rent to us; however, if he finds a job he might rent somewhere else. Also, if we find a good renter that can pay more rent, he would probably need to change his base of operation. The Harts are looking to rent in Pocatello. I would love them to rent our home, furnished or unfurnished, at a really good price for them. Everybody tell them about that! That would help us survive if we couldn't stay here at some point (you have to prepare for future possibilities, and I want to stay in Vegas if we can, with our new associations and ward - it feels like we are doing good things here). Anyway, we have some plans for Seth's bday., which I'll tell you later. It's also a big day because they're having a big Valentine's Dance tomorrow evening, from four to seven p.m., and Deedee is taking me to get my nails done, and she's going to fix my hair for me! I'm going to wear the red top I wore for Haley's wedding, and some black velvet pants that I got from Wal Mart, if we can wash them in time, lol. With the right jewelry, I should be good to go (I don't have to worry about the right shoes - shoes are so cute now, it would be great to get some!). Won't that be exciting? They'll probably have a band, and they'll have a setup for photos. Cool! It'll be like our prom we never had! I'm glad they're not having it on Sunday this week. Monday is the real Valentine's Day. Deedee and Julie will be sad, because they're single. But they're planning a trip to Cancun in March, I think. And I'll make them cards and we could get them candy or something. Don will probably get them flowers or something. He seems to be a thoughtful person. Monday is also Don's birthday. They have his cake in the refrigerator, because they were going to celebrate it Saturday, but then they went out of town. They'll be back Sunday. I'm not sure if we should get him something or not. I can make a card, at least. Mark's going to tell him about an idea I had for marketing the Memory Care unit, something that is a new concept and might be very successful. I hope so! I love marketing, and one of their marketers said I should be one. I'm cooking up ideas, at least. Oh, we completed our 24-hour fast, and Deedee participated. (Did I already tell you that?) I think that was so wonderful of her. Mostly we were fasting for Don - he's going through a rough time, and they are also changing quite a few of the staff (I hope none of our Brat Pack!) We fasted, too, for all of us. I believe it really helped us feel peaceful about whatever comes. Fasting is so cool. When you do it as a group, it draws down the powers of Heaven, just as promised. The pure gospel is so cool too. I found our what Megan is having (boy or girl), but I'm not telling! She's probably already told everyone anyway. I'm very, very excited, and also thinking how cool the next one will seem. Either she'll have a big string of girls, or she'll have a break from girls and have a cute little boy this time. It's one or the other! When any of you get married and have children, it makes me feel younger. I love babies and children! And I love to see what you do in your life; just make sure that you keep your head on straight and remember what we're here for. We have great opportunities to serve God, as parents, as missionaries (with the nametag or without), as friends, as coworkers, as help to the sick, needy, single moms and dads, little children and teens, and through our callings. People are watching what we do with our lives. They are seeing new possibilities, as we make our choices and decide which attitude we will have towards life. Any one person can choose a path that is new and untrodden. Isn't that exhilarating and energizing? Well, I'll close for now. Please remember to let go and let the Spirit flow. Let go of worry and let go of fear. Think about the Plan and look forward to seeing glorious things - you will witness the wrapping up of time, whether from this side or the other. Think about watching it! It will put you worries and fears in perspective, if you remember. Love you! xoxoxo

Playtime for Mark and Diane

I really need to blog frequently, living here, because so much is going on! I'm not used to that. Since last Saturday, they held the Super Bowl party in the theater, where they could watch on the movie screen. Pizza, chicken wings, pasta salad, chips, and a vegetable and fruit tray were part of the spread. I ate a chicken wing and veggies and fruit; then we left because it was sooo loud! I'm sure you know the Packers won - stinkin' Cheese Heads! lol Then, yesterday, we had a great singer here - Jerome Dean - for Julie's birthday (they used to date). Surprise, Julie! We sang Happy Birthday to her, while they rolled out a cake. She almost cried. I gave her a card from Mark and me, one of my goofy-looking but heartfelt homemade ones. She said she'll always keep it - probably as a liner for her bird cage! jk Jerome sang so many great, classic songs: Teddy Bear, Only You, More, My Girl, Venus, When I Fall In Love, The Hop, The Girl From Ipanema, and so many others. It was just like a scene from My Best Friend's Wedding, and Jerome sings like the man who sang at Cameron's wedding. I'll never forget his "Just the Way You Look Tonight." So romantic! I stayed a while, visiting with the ladies. Then I went to our room and worked on some things. I'd just started relaxing when Mark came in and said they wanted to go bowling, so I grabbed Little Women and headed out the door with him. Turns out, we're going bowling today. Instead, Julie took us to a Chinese restaurant and we had some delicious food. My favorites were the melon balls and candied walnuts that came with a shrimp dish - heavenly! For dessert, we had chocolate cake with raspberry syrup and delicious, unusually-flavored ice cream with fried banana pastry things surrounding it. I didn't eat the cake, but I ate the blueberries and raspberries that came with each dessert. The ice cream/banana dessert was nummy! This a.m. I went and made cards again. I found out that Barbara, our teacher, makes the cards herself, from her own ideas. Then she cuts the stock and prints them out for us to decorate. Amazing! She's going to enter Hallmark's contest this year. Yay for her! I think she'll do well. In a couple of hours, then, we're going bowling with the same group. Julie's 13 yr.-old son is here with Julie this time (she comes here a few days a week). He's very cute and shy. Deedee (whom he has grown up around) loves to give him big hugs and embarrass him. Anyway, he wants to go bowling, so we are going to Red Rocks, a big casino with a bowling alley, this afternoon. Whew! : ) One thing I realized yesterday is that, in the midst of trying to be helpful and sociable, we are playing, something we rarely did before. We had little kids and clients for so many years, and we were scrambling to make a living and establish traditions for the family, and we didn't get to play much. We were happy, but operating under duress. Now we actually play, almost every day. Wow! So this is what playing feels like...it makes me smile. Do you get to play each day? Tell me about it! xoxoxo

When You Come to the End of a Perfect (Satur)Day

Wow. The weather was so perfect here today. Just soooo comfortable outside! Mark and I went to Wal Mart this afternoon and that's all, but we took our time getting ready this a.m., and we had our windows open. Then we spent quite a while at Wal Mart and Mark had to run back to his building for a while (I didn't even know he was gone, I was so wrapped up in looking at $5 DVDs. I found the old Willie Wonka! I've been wanting to get that for a long time! I also found New Moon for $5! We just got milk and bread, but Mark bought a big bag of Cheetos! And he shared them with me! Oh my goodness! I had to send him to the store down the street to get some more (but we haven't opened them yet). We're supposed to fast, but we're doing it later this week, with some of Mark's colleagues here. We're fasting for some of the workers. Some of the fasters won't be LDS, I think, but just joining with us (isn't that nice?). I think we got the 'Oh no, we're going to fast!' munchies. Kind of like the panic that hits before a disaster warning and everyone clears out the store shelves. I know it's not the right attitude, but oh well...we're weak. Mark also picked up some eclairs (bad Mark!). Too sweet, but nummy. : ) Another thing we got (well, two things) were prizes for Tut. For $3, we got a pop up house for Tut to play in, made just like the kids' pop up tents. And we got him a hanging toy on a flexible stick, with feathers and other things hanging off of it. Tut loves it and he loves his house, and he really loves playing with the toy from inside his house. I'll have to get pictures for you, but for around $7 we got Tut exercising and playing. He's in his house on the bed right now. I'll get you some pictures. We also got bobby pins and hairspray for my hair - I'm going to try and fix it like I read about on the internet. Wish me luck! Mark and I have been watching episodes of Firefly, the old Sci Fi Channel series that the movie Serenity comes from. We love that movie! And we love the cast. Nathan Fillian (sp?) is the captain and owner of the ship, and he now plays the lead in the tv series Castle. Browncoats Unite! (Firefly joke) Okay, what have we been doing otherwise? Well, Deedee took us all out for sushi again; Mark and I sang with the staff one night, standing (and sitting) around the piano. There were a few residents who wanted to hear Julie play the piano, which she does beautifully. We finally pulled out the karaoke machine and sang some with that. We all enjoyed ourselves, and we bonded more with each other. The residents here are so sweet, it's a real pleasure to spend time with them. I'm writing a skit that we'll (Jeff, Deedee, Melissa, Mark, Julie, and I) perform a week from Wed., during their 'Happy Hour.' We'll pull some residents into it too. It'll be partly musical, about 15 minutes. These people (and we) are hams, so I'm sure it'll be funny. I'm sure we'll take pictures, etc. to show you, and I can show the script for you off this computer (once I get it done!) So that's exciting. Mark's been really busy at work, since they're making some changes to help with the marketing in both buildings. This place is expensive, and it doesn't take Medicaid patients, so the residents here are wealthy. It's interesting; they're not snobby at all or spoiled acting, although some of them would take your whole day up, just talking to you and getting hugs, etc. They love jewelry (have I written about that before?), and generally love life. It's sad to here them talk about other residents or their spouses who have died. They just mention it in passing and don't really dwell on it, but it's such a stark fact of life for them. One couple I was talking with said that all of their friends and family had died. They're from the east coast, and I was asking them if they have visitors. They are very outgoing, on the whole. I try to visit with the people that are more to themselves. Most of them really appreciate it. Tomorrow we are going to Sacrament mtg., and then coming back here for their Super Bowl celebration. They want all the staff here, and Julie's even flying back from SLC with her son. Her birthday is Monday and they'll be here for it, so it will be great to meet her son and spend more time with her. She's a very fun, giving lady, and so is Deedee. That makes it so nice to work with them. I don't mean to gush about people here all the time; I just want to convey the atmosphere, so that you know it's a good one and know how we live. For the party, they are having little slices of pizza and finger food and probably hot dogs or something else. And they always have popcorn. I plan to just visit with people, but I hope the Steelers win. :D So, the window's are still open and it's still perfect, and we are worn out from playing with Tut, and so is he. So, how is your weekend going? Take care! Love you! xoxoxo

February Memories

I always associate this month with Valentine's Day. I love Valentine's Day, mostly because it involves lots of creativity. I remember our old branch Valentine parties, back in Illinois. We made homemade Valentines with construction paper, doilies and lace, etc. (That was before the days of craft supplies in every dollar store and cabinets full of them in so many homes.) These parties were like a wonderland of creative opportunity! One year, I made a big white Valentine with a window that opened up and revealed the words, "Be Mine," and that is how I make my favorite Valentines ever since. Don't you love big, heart-shaped, frosted sugar cookies for Valentine's Day? I like my frosting fluffy. That's how my sister Sandy's are. Hers are the best! One year she made huge heart cookies for a Primary party, with pink, red, and white frostings and all kinds of candy decorations for the kids to decorate their own cookies. School days brought the usual making of Valentine mailboxes and the card exchanges. Oh, the card exchanges! Back then, cards were based on the latest movie or superhero or cartoon character. They were totally random, with all different sizes and types within a single package. That meant making a decision about who was to receive the largest or flirtiest or prettiest Valentine. It also meant that the Valentines you received were chosen individually for you, and reflected on how your classmates saw you. For me, the opening of Valentines was a time of excitement and anxiety, the latter due to the fact that we opened them at school and everyone soon knew the general size and theme of your own Valentines (since there was always a nosy kid with a big mouth sitting directly in front of you). I remember being in maybe third grade and opening a Valentine with a pretty girl on it; I was so surprised. Why would the sender choose to bestow this choice card on me? (Never mind the fact that it was from a girl.) This opened a new realm of possibilities in how I saw myself. What? Was I actually an attractive or significant person now? What were my responsibilities related to this new position? And should I acknowledge the sender in some way? Were they watching me open it? I couldn't look up. I heard a general murmur. Someone had given out cards with a tiny sucker attached, and they were causing a stir. Good. A distraction. I carefully slid the surely glowing-red envelope beneath the rest of my cards, which were of the standard animal/pun card variety. But that afternoon, as I carefully clutched my decorated shoebox of Valentines on the bustrip home, I knew that, at least to someone, I was special.