Over on EN, they're talking about Valentine's Day. Most people want to wow their spouses over there without putting strain on their marriages.

Over here, most of us don't have to worry about that.

So, what do you do if you don't have a Valentine? How do you get through all the sappy commercials? The sicky love songs? And the pressure to be in love.

I turn cynic right around now, but I'd rather not.

Well, this year, I get excited about the prospects for Valentine's day since I'll have a date near that time. And unlike my X, my current actually believes in presents, so I get three events in a row: promotion, birthday and Valentine's Day. Dare I tell him that's more celebration that I got in 5 years of M?

And GG forgive me for not keeping in touch with you by phone or email. I've been busy at work and home.

Green,

Don't get down, I know hearing the commercials for jewelry, flowers, chocolates and sappy romance stuff is hard sometimes. Look I met my X on V-Day, proposed to her 2 years later on V-Day and married a year later on? You guessed it V-Day. That whole thing kinda leaves a bad taste in my mouth now for obvious reasons.

So I decided to start a new tradition with my kids. I'm taking them out for V-Day because reality is they are my true Valentines, so the 5 of us are going to have a nice dinner and see a movie.

If you don't have kiddies I'd say invite your parents out or another friend that you care for.

Or you could look at V-Day for what it is, Profit day for jewelers, chocolatiers, flower companies and rest's.

RebornMan

Newly, I didn't know you got a promotion! We'll definitely celebrate on Pres. weekend.

Reborn Man, that's my attitude mostly. It's sooo commercial. I'm doing stuff for the girls' school parties. Heart-shaped cookies and sandwiches.

Still, I'd be for any movement to rid us of the dreaded holiday.

You mean aside from the occasional retching?

I'll do something with my boys or at least get them some candy & cards.

We didn't celebrate this one as a couple really, I guess having to express the emtions was too difficult for H. Sad. I would usually get him a card, sometimes candy.

Green,

Would you like me to start the petition?

Or maybe we ought to start with sweetest day and then begin our assault on the fat cherub.....lol

Reborn

Can I pose perhaps another aspect to this whole Valentines days issue? What do you do with the kids as it related to the XWW? I mean, she sure as hell isn’t my Valentine… but the kids, ya know? They would like to get Mom something I’m sure, and were we still a family I’d take them shopping for her. Nothing big, but maybe let them pick out some chocolates and some flowers.

My question is this. Is this appropriate to do? I’m not so bothered by the hype over the day, I’d just as soon clean the garage these days than do anything special on Valentines day. And I don’t want her getting any mis-guided ideas that I’m trying to win her over via the kids… that is not the case. But the kids would like to do something for her I’m sure.

What is the standard operating procedure for divorced folks in these cases?

I do homemade cards with my kids.
That way, they write their own sentiments.

Well, I don't know what the SOP is for kids. I'm going to have mine make valentines and maybe put their pictures in there. (B, if you're reading this, serves you right for spoiling the surprise.) Their Dad isn't too big on bought stuff. Difficult to buy for.

I'm the strange female who's expectations on Valentine's day are limited to flowers from the SO and maybe dinner out. Being estranged, I want nothing.

Go ahead, Reborn Man, start that petition. Meanwhile, I've got to go bake heart shaped cookies.

Valentine's Day has always been special for us.

This V-Day, we will be meeting at court for our very first D hearing/conference.

So romantic! B---A---R---F!

See? You should never have made it a special day. The best approach is to have NO special days.

On the other hand, this is the perfect oppertunity to show your STBX exactly how you feel about him. I'm envisioning a giant black heart valentine. Cut some big holes in the heart to resemble either stab marks from a stake or bullet holes, your choice. Maybe add in some poison ivy if you can get it.

Just make sure you run it past your lawyer so that it's not construed as a threat.

Anne,

Get Bobby Bare Jr.'s "From the End of Your Leash" album. Crank up Valentine. It's very catchy! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> (You can substitute male for female)

Lyrics copyrighted

Inside her feeble mind
She is spinning out of time
Like a hunter who is blind my Clementine

Beside her velvet nest
She humiliates the best
Could not take no more I guess of my valentine

Chorus:
Valentine-I killed my valentine
And I laughed until I cried
For my valentine

Valentine-I killed my valentine
And I am proud to do the time
For my valentine

Beneath her bloody skirt
She does most of her work
Laughing while your hurt
For Clementine

In the middle of every dream
Is a lie that holds the key
To free you from all you think you need
Like Clementine

K, thank you for a wonderful suggestion!

Although it's a bit gruesome.

Hey, did you catch that little gem in my first post? My H decided to read up on my posts here. He, with my permission, brought my thread on the MC session to this week's session.

Ah, the phrase run it past my lawyer...know that makes me want to barf.

GG, how was counseling this week?

Can I mention how sick I am of all the pink and red heart-shaped foo-foo that is out right now? I walked into my grocery store last night and about threw up.

Balloons...and cupids...and hearts...and flowers...and candy boxes...and candles...all in shades of red and pink. The green vegetables almost looked out of place.

And then I come home and log on MSN and see "what to wear on Valentine's Day" or I read "the 10 things he'll love!", or I turn on my Christian contemporary music and on comes a little snipit about improving your intimacy in marriage (okay, that has it's place on a Christian station, but still...not doing me any good.)

I think we need a holiday where people have to get us gifts or do nice things for us or help us out with our burdens because we're SINGLE and it's hard work for ONE sometimes!

We have holidays for everything else. Can't we get that one approved?

LL

I can't complain I got the best date in town for V-day....he's small and compact and goes everywhere I go...we have great conversation *although most of it is gibberish*, He loves the food weather we go out or I cook, and I always get a kiss and a hug at the end of the evening....1.5 year olds are great.

Valentine's Day is over hyped and over marketed. I think the best thing to do is to do something improving for myself. Do something that makes me a better person and therefore, more desireable to others.

Oh, and buy a a few HIGH quality chocolates and eat them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

I was another one of those stupid young kids who got married on Valentine's Day - the most popular day for weddings in the US.

For our 10th anniversary, we went to the winter Olympics in Calgary. For our 12th anniversary, I got pregnant. For our 15th anniversary, I had the second baby. For our 17th anniversary, he announced he wanted a divorce. I have issues with Valentine's day.

I always get my children at least a card. And I told the Diplomat, my bf, that I didn't want him to do anything big. I have mailed him a small gift.

For several years, a friend and I always went out to dinner on Valentine's day. She and I had both married on VD and were grateful we survived the relationships with our husbands. Her's had died and mine had melted down. But, she moved and now she is married to a man I would never have picked for her but they seem very happy together and that is what matters.

This year, it may be just my mom and my children and me. And that is fine. They love me most anyway.

Did somebody say something about.....

SINGLES AWARENESS DAY?????? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

High Flight

GG

It's "What Am I Doing?" here. New reg., couldn't log on the other day, decided it was time for a new me anyway, since I think I know what I am doing now!

I love the idea of the black heart. I'm sure my L wouldn't approve, hee hee, she is very conservative. I woul love to wish him and OW a happy day before we adjourn, though, that would be satisfying, too.

I think I will go shopping today for a superhot new outfit to wear tomorrow at our court "date". I have lost a TON of weight and look better than ever.

I can't believe he's been my Valentine for so long. I doubt he will get OW anything (I know I know, who cares), he never was that romantic, plus he supposedly has no money (except his hidden bank account) since he hasn't given us a dime in 2 months.

I like being alone in a way. Our house is calm and happy and innocent, just like I dreamed it could be (but NEVER was with Fogman around).

My mom is here, and we will be celebrating V-Day with the 3 kids. We were filling out cards for school/pre-school and the boys didn't want to send one to daddy, but I am getting homemade special cards from them. My sweeties!!