Valentine's Stardom

OK... So, yesterday was Valentines Day. A holiday I associate with other women receiving romantic gifts and gestures of affection from their men. It's a Hallmark created Holiday that I have celebrated with not-so-special people. It's typically a season, where waiting on customers at my dad's flower shop and experiencing the romance of other couples was the closest I could come to getting butterflies in my tummy. It's a holiday where my wonderful daddy never fails to put a smile on my face with a special delivery... and this year was no different. If I had put expectations on cupid, this year, he would have exceeded them... in spades.

My Valentine's started weeks ago when I met Dr. Yummy… My 6’-6” Canadian born Ukrainian Chiropractor boy with a heart of gold, an intelligence that blows me away, a sensitivity that I thought only existed in me (and my dad) and arms that give the most perfect hugs I could have ever imagined (those of you who know me, understand this is an extremely strong statement).

Continuing on with my Valentine experience, Monday I received a special delivery from my dad. This was no ordinary special delivery though. A stunning tropical inspired arrangement with protea, birds-of-paradise, bamboo and orchids was delivered to me by Ashland-Addison Florists… with a WGN News crew in tow! WGN’s Ana Beneval was doing an “Around the Town” expose on the flower industry during the Valentine Holiday and chose to focus on Ashland-Addison, one of the oldest and most successful flower businesses in the Chicagoland area. Obviously, WGN had no idea that my dad used to be a florist. They had no clue that Bill Sheffield, the owner of Ashland Addison and my father are friends. They just hopped on one of the delivery trucks and drove to my work… to deliver my flowers.

So… I was on TV yesterday morning. Blushing and receiving beautiful prettys from my dad. (Thank you daddy!). I have not seen, nor will I see, my second ever television appearance (I was on the Bozo Show when I was 10), but I know it existed because I got 3 phone calls from friends and co-workers proclaiming me a “superstar.” I will say that I made a valiant effort setting the DVR to record the WGN Morning News… I was told that the segment would air at 8:45 so I set it to record for 15 minutes being fairly confident this would suffice… It didn’t. I think my subconscious sabbotaged me… I REALLY didn’t want to see myself on TV. I was not at all dissappointed when I returned home to find that I’d recorded most of the segment but missed seeing myself embarrassed and blushing… Whew… now I don’t have to show anyone!

Anyway, my wonderful Valentine’s journey continued when my new beau drove for 2 ½ hours to take me to dinner and then 2 ½ hours home… on a “school night.” We went to La Cantena @ the Italian Village and had a fantastical dinner. I felt like a queen... and yes, there were butterflies. Thank you, honey.

I don’t want to imply that I’ve been soured on all pink and lace that typically surround this holiday. It’s just that the most magical one I’ve had occurred when I received a pink heart cut out of construction paper attached to a carnation... and that was in high school! I was due for a little magic! And thanks to my two favorite men, I got it!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

My hiatus was longer than Dave's!

Many apologies folks (all 3 of you)… I have been remiss in posting. Excuses… none. The holidays were fabulous. We (yeah, dad, that’s you) did Christmas in Cincinnati with my sis and her husband-to-be. It was lovely. She created the perfect Christmas dinner and was a perfect hostess. (Sorry if I forgot to tell you that Stac.)

Just before the holidays I moved into my new condo! It’s fabulous! I promise that someday I’ll have a party so’s I can show off the new digs… I’ve just been so busy… that’s a lie. I’ve just been so lazy… But, we (Laura, Dingo and I) are appropriately settled in and I’ve managed to put the ‘ol Jenny spin on the place to make it my own!

Let, see… what else… OH, for those of you who haven’t been blessed, I got to meet Mike and Abby’s new addition… Little Miss Sophie Marie is beautiful! Congrats you two!

Ok, so I’m really posting because I do have news… my sisters up coming wedding! It’s going to be beautiful and I’m so excited for her. John is a great guy and they are going to be sooo happy! I’ll be honored to have him as my brother-in-law. I think that I’ve got all of the maid of honor responsibilities taken care of. And of course, the most important part of being in or going to a wedding is having the right date… right?! Guess what…hang on folks… this one’s a shocker… I have a date! Yup, you heard me right! Pardon me whilst I do a dance of joy! I found me a 6’-6” Canadian born Ukrainian Chiropractor boy and somehow convinced him that I’m the shit! So, hopefully you’ll be hearing more about that!

That’s all I’ve got for now… Dr. Yummy is coming to visit this weekend and I’ve got work to do before I can go get myself “cutified.”

I’ll try to be more entertaining next post!