Dear Diary,

I would like to make and announcement:

I’m loving the men of San Diego this week.  ALL of them!  Big, small, old, young, all colors, all religions.   Let me explain myself:

This week I’ve been helping out  my friend Arnie at Dave’s Flower Box on El Cajon Blvd.  This being Valentine’s week, the place is slammed, so he needed some extra hands.   From what I’ve seen so far, Ladies, your husbands and boyfriends are so sweet.  Oh my gosh, do they ever love you.   You should see their faces when they pick out the perfect arrangement for you, whether it be a dozen long-stem red roses or a bunch of sunflowers with a card.    The men I’ve helped so far are so excited to give you something beautiful to show their love for you. I’m jealous, but very encouraged that there are some great guys out there.

I’m having a lot of fun hanging out a flower shop.  I used to work at Glendale Florist in high school.  I still remember all the names of the flowers AND how to wrap them up  all pretty and stuff.   And, the smell is awesome!  What I’m not used to is standing for long periods at a time.  My lower back is killing me!  Anyway, come by on Saturday and Sunday because I’ll be helping him out again on those days!!!

As far as my regular job goes,  I’m about to jump out of my skin with excitement and anticipation.  I wish I could tell you everything that’s happening, but just trust me when I say it’ll be worth the wait.  That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.  I’d say more, but I don’t want to jinx it.

I want to thank everyone for the support and advice regarding my financial situation.  I’m blown away by the goodness of people.  Wow.  I contacted my landlord, explained my situation and she’s going to work with me.  Perfect.  So happy about that.

At this moment, Evan is parading back and forth between her room and the living room dressed in “new” clothes.  Gina gave us a bag full of her daughter’s old stuff and Evan is in heaven.  It’s not old either.  The clothes, shoes and jackets are in perfect shape.  Some even have the tags on them!   The problem with my sweet, but enthusiastic daughter is that she is wearing almost everything in the bag all at once.  She has a dress over two t-shirts, a sweater over that, covered by a sweater poncho, topped off with a jacket.  She has three headbands on, two pairs of socks and some black sequins shoes that are a little too big.  She wants to wear that exact outfit to school tomorrow.  You know what?  I’m going to let her.  I don’t have the energy to talk her out of that  fashion “don’t.”    Charlie will wearing a fuzzy pimp hat, fringe jacket and wide collared shirt with a gold medallion.  I’m going to draw mutton chops on his face, too, because his class is having a 70’s party.    Gotta make out the Valentine’s cards and tape the “Nerds” to the cards before we go to bed.    Wouldn’t want my kids to be “thoses” kids who “only” give out  plain paper Valentine’s cards without something edible. Sheesh.

My house looks like squatters are living here.  It was clean yesterday before the kids came home.   Now, it’s a nightmare.  Evan has moved every single stuffed animal out into the “dance” room.  When I woke up this morning, she was sleeping out there surrounded by them.

I need to order my kids around now.  I hear wrappers crinkling in the kitchen.  That’s not the sound I want to hear before dinner.

See you later, Diary.