Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day: Show, Don't Tell
It’s the day of love. Cupids abound, hearts of every shade of pink and red, and people buying their special ones loads of chocolate in an attempt to prove their love through excessive caloric offerings. Those out there with no one to buy them chocolate do it for themselves – or should – resulting in the majority of us being edgy and sleepless this evening from too much sugar and caffeine. Harness that energy as you will, dear wenches.There are mixed emotions about Valentine’s Day. Not just among the population at large, but here on the boat as well. The range of course runs from “awh, it’s sweet” to “if I have to see one more red paper heart I’ll stab my eyes out.” (Feel free to try and figure out where each of the pirates fall on that continuum. Could be entertaining for all of us.) *g*
My husband despises Valentine’s Day, claims that if you love someone that you shouldn’t need the day exploited by Hallmark to “prove” it to them. This might sound like he’s just trying to get out of buying me a gift, but this is the same guy who never let me run out of my favorite ice cream while 8 months pregnant (Turkey Hill Mint Choco Chip), remembers to scrape my car off if it’s snowing, does the vacuuming and laundry (though admittedly doesn’t fold well), and has scaled back on his snoozes from 6 to 1 – on most days – because he knows I sleep so lightly. So, while he makes a fuss and boycotts Valentine’s Day, I let him happily, knowing that he’ll do plenty of things all year long that show me he loves me best.
*A skirmish breaks out aboard the ship as pirates equal parts retch and threaten to throw their gunner overboard. Gunner Marnee attempts to hold them at bay, tossing the crew a bag of truffles and a fifth of rum as a distraction.*
Gimme a second wenches! I swear I’m not trying to touch any nerves today. *The testy pirates settle into the chocolate and liquor, placated for now but casting suspicious glances in GM’s direction.* Let me just get to the point. *Captain Hellion, mouth full of chocolate, gestures a grudging go-ahead with her pistol.*
*GM continues quickly before they change their minds.*
One of the reasons so many hate Valentine’s Day is because it can tend to feel fake. Grand gestures one day that aren’t supported by the day before or the day after and plenty of empty words.
This is a huge case of show don’t tell if I’ve ever seen it.
When heroes, or heroines for that matter, act uncharacteristically in novels, our mind and our hearts rebel against them. For example, we mentioned yesterday that we doubt the happy ending when a hero and heroine who fight the entire book have a miraculous make up at the end. Without enough support, enough characterization, we don’t believe it –just like at Valentine’s Day.
Characterization has to be built in the little things characters do quietly, even when no one else is watching. We can believe a rough-around-the-edges man with a soft spot for a stray dog would develop a similar soft spot for our heroine. We can believe a tortured widower who’s afraid to love again, but is tender and loving to his children can eventually find room in his heart for our heroine. Because if we build their characteristics appropriately, their grand profession of love isn’t a stand-alone moment; it’s the culmination of many smaller moments.
Just like Valentine’s Day’s grand gesture should be a culmination of a year’s worth of small loving gestures.
So, wenches, what authors do this creation of character through small acts well? Any practical ways to help build characters? How does everyone else feel about V-Day? Any big plans today?
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91 comments:
Totally off topic, you won the prize for my 100th blog party. So Happy Valentine's Day! I'm vastly indifferent to the day. Bought no Valentine's. Received one from a cyber-friend. Have no plans. But like yours, my husband is good on the day-to-day showing so I don't need no stinkin' card and candy.
Schools on a two hour delay so I'm here earlier than usual. And smiling (even though I haven't had my coffee) because you have captured us so perfectly. LOL! I love this blog!
Never been big on Valentines. Even when I had one. I did get three valentines in the mail from some very sweet cyber buddies. I even got Captain Jack twice!
I read a book (or half of it anyway) last year that had this problem. The two argued constantly, there was no chemisty or sexual tension then bam, they're in bed. When morning came and the chick took off while he was in the shower, the book hit the wall.
The book I'm reading now has a guy who claims he wants nothing to do with people but he's taken care of a runaway girl, a stray dog and saved the heroine more than once. I doth think he protesteth too much. LOL! Oh yeah, and he's freaking HAWT! Get thee to a Toni Blake book!
Hoorah Maggie! I knew I liked Mr. Robinson, even without having ever met him! And, I'm with you, I like the way I have it much better.
And yay I won, I won!!
Fun blog...
I can never recall moments in books. sad but true. I can't even recall all the moments in my own books. Don't know what I'm doing tonight. Hubby will make dinner, as he usually does, and I bet I go off to the bedroom he watches tv in the living room. And Friday will be upon us...lol! I do love valentines though, the kids got to fill our their cards for the kids int he class, so they'll have fun and I'm sure they will get chocolate.
What I really want for valentines doesn't have commercial value... *g* and can happen any place any time, well there are some restrictions with kids.
Oy, I'm rambling! Off I go.. to work, really I'm off to work.
I love authors like Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas, Jill Marie Landis and Haywood Smith because their character arcs are so well crafted. A hero who shows only the tiniest spark of heroic possibilities in the beginning of the book will make that grand gesture by the end and there's your big payoff.
My hubby is a lot like that...he'll do a lot of little things during the year; turn the heater on in the bathroom before I wake up because he knows I hate being cold, make sure my car is gassed up every Sunday for the week ahead, he even made tea for me the other morning. And today I have a beautiful bouquet of mums, roses, batchelor's buttons and calla lilies AND "Becoming Jane" on DVD.
I can't say I hate Valentine's Day, but I kind of wish they didn't make such a big deal out of it at school. J Perry Stone and I were talking about this the other day. I was the kid who didn't get valentines in the "mailbox" I'd worked so hard to decorate, because back then, you weren't required to give one to every kid in the class. Now, the kids ARE required to do so, and I wouldn't like the idea of asking the kid who swiped a booger on the back of my shirt to be my valentine. KWIM?
Come on Pirates,don't spoil my rosy illusions with this 'I'm indifferent to Valentine' stuff!
I know that pirates have to be tough and macho so I understand that for appearances sake, cold water must be poured on poor St Valentine.
The whole ethos of derring-do on the high seas however, simply oozes romance and rum. I just know that you are all waiting and praying that a gorgeous ship wrecked sailor will turn up on a raft bearing flowers and kisses *g*
As a small concession to your inner souls, please accept my bunch of roses and best wishes for a stunning romantic future.
OK guys, no need for kisses but gimme a scotch before I walk that plank for love!
Q, babe, you are hilarious! Happy valentines to you. You're walking a line with mostly women, I'm sure these women get lusty stuck on ship together. They've only name three crew members... you sure you can handle the other two wenches? hehe
I should have known my Q Baby would come through for me on the big day. LOL! You're getting kisses whether you like it or not.
A tip from me to you - the other ladies are tougher to crack than I am. Flowers won't do it. They like *big weapons*, if ya know what I mean. Find something cocked and loaded and you'll be in like flint. *g*
Tiff has a great point btw, we may be lovely lady pirates but we're a ballsy bunch. In other words, goid your loins! LOL!
Ter - I love the books like that, where we're clued in before even the h/h is! I feel like The Raven Prince was like that. :) I haven't read Toni Blake yet, but she's on my TBR list.
Tiff - LOL! Your evening sounds similar to what mine will be. Though, I cook and the hubby cleans. And I think those kinds of gifts are the best too. :)
Cinthia - I agree about your authors! Those are some really good ones! And your husband sounds like a day to day darling too. They really are the best kind.
The whole everyone gets a Valentine thing is a lot nicer, but a bit unrealistic, as you pointed out. The thought's a good one, I guess, but I think they definitely have to be on booger watch. :)
Q - awh... shucks... Aren't you the sweetest? We wenches know better than to turn down flowers and best wishes. Happy Valentine's day to you too! And I think you're right; beneath all the rough exteriors around here hide some soft, squishy romantic natures. We're romance novelists, after all, a bunch of suckers for love. :)
Can't wait to read the Captain's response to be called "squishy". LMAO!!!
Mar - I have The Leopard Prince on my TBR. I really need to get to those ones. I've heard people rave about them for the last year.
Awesome blog, Marnee! What a great way to tie your ideas together. I so agree about the showing throughout the whole book. That's the best - when a character keeps saying they're no good and that they hate everyone, but then you see them pick up a stray dog or help a little kid. That always puts a little smile on my face.
*Hiding behind Marnee, sheepishly raising my hand* I have to confess that I, too, have a husband like Marnee, Maggie and Cinthia. So, like them, I don't feel the need for the grand gesture on Valentine's Day. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't (the grand gesture, that is!). Today I'm getting it!!!! The DH is taking me out to frame some prints I purchased a couple of month ago for my family room. Hurrah! I'm very excited.
I have to agree that Lisa Kleypas does a wonderful job showing the true characteristics of her H/H. SEP also does a knock-out job. SEP is really good at making you think a person is one way and then showing throughout the book that they are the complete opposite of what you and everyone else believes.
Ter - the prince trilogy is great, though I liked the first two better than the last. Simon was a little too intense and vengeful for my liking.
Irish - I knew Mr. Irish wasn't going to let us down either! Happy Valentine's day to you. And SEP is another great one in this category. Isn't it funny how understated characterization works sooo well?
Marnee - I also have to commend you on your graphics. I think I'm gonna spend the whole day looking for comparable goodies at the grocery store and bakeries in town!
*goes back to check out the picture*
Those do look good. I love chocolate but a good sweet confection is hard to pass up. I need to find a good bakery on the way to work. LOL!
Cinthia - I definitely agree about the whole Valentine's Day in school business. We've been talking about this on Maggie's blog this week, too. I think it's hard enough when you're in school, you don't need the added pressure of public popularity contests. Someone always loses.
I thought those looked yummy too! Thanks! I was thinking I wanted to bake today, but I might just break down and hit the bakery too. It's so much easier. That'll be my Valentine's gift to me. :)
And I agree about the popularity contests. No one wins, I think.
I may be in the minority but I love V-Day! It comes from being a sappy romantic girl from way back.
I don't have anything special planned, but I did get a surprise card this morning. My DH has been working a lot of OT this week so I'm trying to figure how he managed this one:)
I love the little moments in books that make you fall in love with heroes. I'm in a hurry so I can't name any specific book, but I love a reformed rake that befriends a child or has a soft place in his heart for his grandmaother:)
and that's supposed to be Grandmother...sorry.
This was a brilliant blog! I laughed hysterically at the beginning (though I think the correct quotation is: "If I have to see another red heart, I'll stab *your* eyes out." But who's niggling?) and went AWWWWW at the end.
I'm so glad you did it; you did it perfectly. (Being it was the topic I was going to attempt Tuesday and changed course entirely. You're much better researched in this area, I think, than I am. I would have fucked it all up. *LOL*)
You're right; it IS out of character to do something grand ONE day a year and nothing the rest. No wonder everyone gets so bent out of shape about it. Think of the guy who does go all out for Valentine's Day--but nothing else at all all year--his wife probably wants to kill him too. What an unfair holiday.
It's the LITTLE GESTURES that mean the most. And not even from heroes, but your friends. When I won my first contest, I told Pam excitedly about it...I'd WON top prize. Then a day or so later, I got a big bouquet of flowers from her and Chris. (I never get flowers. Ever.) I'm pretty sure I burst into tears. But when people acknowledge the things important to you, validate you--that means more than any trip to a foreign island or strings of diamonds.
When your honey calls you by a pet name or makes an inside joke that has only the two of you laughing like loons... Someone who says the right thing after a really bad day. Or at least doesn't say the wrong thing like "Well, that was your fault, wasn't it?"--when obviously that wouldn't help. Those are the sweet gestures that matter.
*hands Q the scotch, plants some kisses on his face* That's too bad. You're just going to have to explain the lipstick to Mrs. Q. If you weren't so dashing and rakish, this wouldn't be a problem.
Terri, must say your pirate puns and innuendo are dead on.
Irish, Cinthia, Maggie, Marnee--I should be jealous, but you guys do their laundry I think, and men's laundry kinda scares me...so I think I'm better off at the moment...
First of all, who the hell are you and what have you done with the Captain?!? I wrote shit like that in an email yesterday and YOU told me I was crazy. Bah!
I just arrived at work to find candy on my desk. But no one will tell me where it came from. Hmmmmm....very strange.
Great blog, Marnee!
I can't imagine any woman would choose the grand romantic gesture on Valentine's Day over the day-to-day stuff that prove love is a verb. I have one friend whose NSDH always makes really grand gestures on special days but who is an unfaithful bastard most of the time. Yeech!
But I do think it's great to see a man who combines the everyday show with a once-in-a-while telling. :)
One of my favorite scenes from a novel is not romantic in the strict sense of the word. It's in EJ's Pleasure for Pleasure when Josie is weeping at Rafe and Imogen's wedding and she feels even sorrier for herself when she sees Lucius hand Tess a handkerchief to dry her tears. Then Lucius gives Josie a handkerchief too, and Josie thinks that Lucius is the kind of man who can be depended upon to have a second handkerchief. I adore Lucius Felton, and that scene says much about why I do. In RL and in fiction, I think women who win the two-handkerchief men are blessed indeed.
No, you wanted UNSPOKEN conversations. You even wanted UNSPOKEN conversations of MEANING. I wasn't asking for that (why ask when they barely can understand what I want when actually spoken words are used?)--I do like pet names and I do like inside jokes.
You got all mushy, Nicholas Sparks, wanting to turn your husband into your girlfriend.
There's a difference. And I don't think of men as "best friends" because men will *never, ever* understand the importance of shoes. Ever. That right there negates them ever being able to be my best friend. But we can share a beer occasionally.
Janga, that is one of my favorite scenes too! My friend Pam's husband Chris is a two-handkerchief man. *LOL* He's just...a good guy with slightly rough edges and a great heart. I remember I was leaving yoga one Saturday; had just put spanking new tires on my car--and got out to my car to see one of the tires was FLAT. Boy was I pissed! And it started to rain. Of course.
I pull out the stuff from my trunk, but can't find the lugnut device. Anywhere. Now I'm ready to cry. I call Pam, and they happen to just be coming to town and yes, of course, they'll swing by. Chris doesn't just locate the lugnut device; he changes the tire, shows me where the stupid tool had been hiding, and says, "You better go to McEwer's before they close today." He's COVERED in dirt (I never wash my car) and it occurs me today is their wedding anniversary.
And he doesn't lecture me about my crappy tires...or the fact I never wash my car. He's just really nice.
To be fair - you're dates would probably understand shoes completely. hehehe And I didn't get the shoe thing until recently so I could live without that.
Trust me, there are distinct additions to *my* wants in a man that could not be fulfilled by girlfriends.
*sticks tongue out and runs away*
No, Mikey still wouldn't give a rip about my shoes. He'd be too busy criticizing my wardrobe.
Sorry, Nic...I mean, Terri, I didn't mean to touch a nerve...
OMG Fran... Pam's hubby sounds perfect.
And he has a brother.....
*whistles*
Bah-humbug.
Marnee, as always honey, great job today! You're DH is the most wonderful hubby in the whole world. You're a lucky wench.
I don't even want chocolate today.
I will respond later when I'm in a better mood. I watch Becoming Jane last night and I'm still wanting to drown myself in the nearest puddle.
*passes Sin some rum and a large knife to clean muddy puddle dirt out from under her nails*
*throws empty rum bottle at Terri's head*
Becoming Jane does that, Sin. Actually I watched Blow last night (or the second half of it) and I was so depressed. ONLY Johnny Depp could make a *drug dealer* someone you could feel sorry for and wish things had turned out differently for him--you know, that his last drug deal *hadn't* gone down badly. *LOL* I mean, SERIOUSLY. I cried at the end; it was just sad. Then I started watching Don Juan DeMarco--and I laughed hysterically at the lines Johnny Depp kept saying. I'll have to quote some...they're too good not to laugh at.
hehehe...I had that one coming. *g*
This one so far is my favorite--I swear I laughed and laughed, then my breath caught a little at the end when he talked about the sound of your voice...You know, my Alan Rickman fetish.
"You want Don Juan de Marco, the world's greatest lover, to talk to you? What do you know of great love? Have you ever loved a woman until milk leaked from her as though she had just given birth to love itself, and now must feed it or burst? Have you ever tasted a woman until she believed that she could be satisfied only by consuming the tongue that had devoured her? Have you ever loved a woman so completely that the sound of your voice in her ear could cause her body to shudder and explode with such intense pleasure that only weeping could bring her full release? "
Oh my. I've only seen parts of that one.
*running off to add this to her Netflix queue*
I watched Becoming Jane last night too. That last scene especially just breaks my heart. Those folded hands are a great example of a small detail that reveals so much.
Watching the movie again, I wanted to reread Jon Spence's book Becoming Jane Austen upon which the movie is based. Those of you who know me will hardly be surprised that I find the book superior to the movie. I dug out my notes on the book last night after I watched the movie in order to reread the following passage: “She did not have the time or energy to complete the novel[Sandition]. In mid March 1817she stopped writing, and her business became dying. The body had its way.”
Janga-
I agree. It's the little things in that movie that got to me the first time and even though this is the fourth time I've watched it, I still find myself crying over the same scenes. There is something very tragic about thinking of Jane Austen unable to finish her last book. Even the thought of her not being able to express herself through her words, just tears me up inside.
Janga, I see that book at Barnes & Noble all the time and am tempted to get it...but it just makes me as sad as the movie. (I've read pieces of it, and I find his voice very readable and engaging...)
Hellion- Blow is one of my favorite movies. Matt and I must've watched it a million times. When he loses his first girlfriend/wife to cancer, I bawled my eyes out. The first time we watched it, I told Matt "She's dying of cancer." Matt says, "How do you know?"
A writer just knows. He doesn't believe me. LOL
Yeah, I knew she was dying of cancer too! *LOL* And then when she said she wouldn't be there when he got out of jail... *weepy* And his CHILDHOOD! And I could brain his mother. What an awful woman.
First the Captain now Sin is getting all soft. What the hell is happening to this crew?!
You've all be replaced by pod-people or something. Happy, sappy pod people. I thought I could count on you for cynicism today of all days. Gah!
Okay, just Wiki'd George Jung and it says his daughter finally visited him and she apologized for not visiting him sooner. I feel a little better. All the daddy/kid issues in this movie were tearing me up.
I second Ter.. what the hell is going on here? you are all watering pots.... lol!
Trust me, I'm still the pirate I was. No pod people here.
Would you like me to ninja monkey someone just because? Because I think I could.
Let me check my hitlist for the day. How about whoever came up with the idea of Valentine's Day? I'd like to take him/her/them out.
You mean cupid? I took his ass out years ago. Some ugly pot-bellied fat man took over. I've tried to get rid of him, but he's all slicked up with ultra-strength KY jelly. He's a slippery SOB.
KY. Now there's an invention you can get behind.
What? Just sayin'...
Thanks for trying, Sin.
OMG, Hellion, that Don Juan de Marco excerpt is wild! I got shivers just reading it. I can't imagine what would happen if I saw Johnny delivering those lines. I have to go out and get that movie.
I saw Becoming Jane at the theaters and that was enough for me. I also have the Jane Austen movie from PBS on my DVR and haven't watched that one yet. I got caught up in P&P instead.
ROTFLMAO!!! "There's an invention you can get behind!"
Hey did anyone see the commercial for the new KY? It's suppose to last, something like, 24 hours... what's with that? The commercial is hot, too. I was afraid my kids would walk in and think I was watching porn! (Not that they know what that is...yet - the DS just got the sex talk at school the other day and came home with a nice little pamplet, talking his fool head off - *rolling my eyes and shaking my head* I'm not ready for this!)
Irish - the PBS Jane movie isn't too sad. Didn't make me cry. But I'm thinking this other one is going to whenever I get around to it.
And thankfully my DD still says, "Eeeewwwww" when anyone kisses or shows a bit of skin. You have my sympathy for the road ahead. LOL!
Holy commenting BatMan. Every time I come over here to try and get in on the discussion, there's way too many posts for me to even attempt wading through them, LOL. But that's great!
In my household we have mixed feelings about Valentine's Day. I like a little bit of romance just as much as the next girl, but again I don't need to set aside a special day for hubby to say I love you when he does it so well through all the other little things every other day. Like keeping the five year old from jumping on me on a Saturday morning and letting me sleep, or starting dinner every evening because he gets home before me.
But like I said, a small gesture just to acknowledge the day is often nice as well. This morning I found a lovely poem on my computer from him. So even though we're not going out for dinner and I won't be getting flowers, my day has been perfect, and I couldn't ask for more.
We're SAPPY about a DRUG DEALER. I hardly think it's the same thing.
Aw, I'm a sucker for poetry left for me. That'd make my day too. *sighs*
*gimlet stare at Boatswain* No, your limericks don't count.
It's worse.
*waves through the clutter to Kris*
Heya, girl!
There once was a Pirate from Nantucket.....
Who told her Boatswain to go #*(%& it.
A brawling they went
And when they were spent
They drank up the rum and said f*&k it.
Nothing like teamwork....*g*
Except you're not *really* supposed to use f*ck it twice.
How about this:
There once was a Captain from Nantucket
Who told her cheeky Boatswain to go f*ck it
They brawled for some fun
Then made up over rum
Then barfed all their good will in a bucket.
A poem from the hubby??? Are you sure you aren't dreaming up this man, Kris... sheesh... Seems I found the funniest, nicest guy without an ounce of romantic.. sigh...
Oh, I put suck it in the first line. *g*
Including barfing takes the romance out but to each her own.
If I were going to say suck it, I would have just said so.
That probably doesn't sound right out of context, does it?
Jk - I totally understand! I had to run and buy a present for a b-day party this weekend and I came back to 35 more posts! LOL! I'm glad that everyone's in on the chat though, it's always good to hear from everyone.
I agree that a small gesture is nice. Mine bought a card and two chocolate marshmallow hearts. The card had to do with flatulence, but with my DH, it was appropriate. LOL!!
Cap'n - I'm so glad you liked it! *flourishing my feathered cap as I drop into a very dashing pirate bow.* It was late last night and, as mentioned elsewhere, I got diarrhea of the fingertips. I'm glad everyone's weighing in.
I think it's just as sweet when people do things that validate us too. I remember after I got pregnant, someone mailed me a book about it, but no one ever owned up to it. I think that was one of the sweetest things my friends ever did.
Lis - Yay a like-minded V-day girl! And yay stealth husband with the surprises. Sneaky, but so sweet! Hope you guys get some time to yourselves during all the business. :)
Janga - I loved that scene too! Two handkerchiefs *sigh* I love when guys do stuff like that. And your friend's NSDH sounds like a jerkoff. I will take my grumbly, anti-v-day hubby over some slickster trying to make up for a years worth of transgressions any day.
Sin - *passing QS a extra fifth of rum, just cause she sounds like she needs it today*
I haven't seen Becoming Jane or Blow *Marnee - feeling like she needs to get out more* Hopefully they'll hit payperview soon or, better, HBO.
And Irish - good god, I'm not ready for the sex talk and all that happy stuff. Thankfully, mine can't even talk yet. I still have some years left. *sigh of relief*
Ter - I'm glad the wee one is still anti-boys. Maybe you can convince her they've got cooties til she's 30?
Only on the pirate ship does a Valentine's Day conversation end with limericks fit for Andrew Dice Clay.
yeesh. LOL!
And Tiff, again I think your hubby and mine would be good buds. :)
Blow came out in 2001; so it plays on TNT and stuff now. That's how I came to watch it; normally I wouldn't watch one of Johnny's...wait, I nearly said "weird" movies and everything the man does is weird, God love him. Let's just say I didn't think it would come out well. In fact, there was a moment where I thought: "He's going to DIE here...OMG!" and I was freaking out that I'd bought this movie. But the ending turned out much sadder than if he'd just died, actually.
I bet Andrew would love us, wouldn't he? *LOL*
Ah, I could get much more *Dicey* if you'd like. But I was trying to be good. LOL!
Ter- I have no doubt, no need to prove anything to me. :) LOL!!
And Cap'n - Johnny's weirdness makes him cool. If not, he'd be just another boring actor.
I can't imagine Johnny ever boring.
Terri and Hellion, you're gonna have to stop with all the romantic, mushy poetry...you're bringing tears to my eyes! LOL Andrew Dice Clay has nothing on you guys!
So, I was in line at the grocery store picking up essentials for my dinner tonight and I happen to glance in the cart behind me. I really try not to make judgements on people based on their grocery cart, but... 1 case of Miller Lite, 2 frozen pizzas, a chocolate cake and a bunch of flowers! He was a walking "guy" cliche! I smiled at the gentleman. He smiled back. I really wanted to ask if he was serious, but I'm not that ballsy.
Irish - you should have let your inner pirate come out and said, "You don't really expect to get laid with just that, do you?"
LOL!
LOL. I don't think I'm capable of saying the word laid out loud!
Then on the way home I'm thinking. Maybe I've got it all wrong - you know the looks can be deceiving thing we've all been talking about lately - maybe the pizzas and chocolate cake is for the kids and the babysitter, he just happen to run out of beer and he's giving his wife the flowers before he takes her out for a romantic dinner for two? Whaddya think? Could be, right?
Probably not. But you have a great imagination and an endearing streak of goodness to come up with all that to redeem the poor guy.
Then again, if we're using out imagination, maybe his other half is a guy and that stuff would be perfect for V-day. You never know.
I was thinking the guy was gay too, Terr. *LOL* Except the flowers threw it off....
I like Irish's version better.
But the light beer clearly indicates gay. LOL! I think we might be onto something...
Irish - what'cha making us for dinner anyway?
I need a grammar lesson. It should be the pizzas and chocolate cake ARE for the kids...
You guys got me all flustered!
Miller Lite is just good. Straight men drink Miller Lite. I've seen it.
Mikey? He drinks stuff with umbrellas in it. He mocked me when I cracked open a beer next to him at the Mardi Gras party. Whatever. We both knew I was the man in our relationship anyway.
The Menu is Black Angus Sirloin Tip Roast with gravy and noodles and raw veggies with dip (my kids won't eat cooked veggies). I'm making myself a spinach salad with pecans (that's my treat, I hate beef!) Then I'm going to get my favorite pie in the whole world for dessert - European Chocolate Truffle Supreme from Baker's Square.
My brother is not gay and he and his son drink Miller Lite - says he has a bad reaction to the regular. And the DH drinks anything he can get his hands on with an umbrella in it. He drinks beer, he pukes! He's all about froo froo drinks! And he mixes them up too. One of his favorite sayings is - I'm going sailing with the Captain tonight, honey - Captain Morgan's and Coke!
Sorry - need to label things SARCASM. Lots of guys drink lite beer. Chill out defenders of beerdom.
Irish - I'll be there for dessert.
Hell, I'll be there for dessert, dinner...whatever...it all sounds awesome!
If you are a chocolate lover this is the best!!! I try chocolate desserts at every restaurant I go to and nothing beats this pie. It's awesome. And they only have it available during the month of February:( Last year I froze it so I could have some in June if I felt like it. LOL
Did she really just say "If you are a chocolate lover"?
I just checked out their website and there is a Bakers Square right here in Virginia Beach! Whoohoo!!! I'm having some pie this weekend.
There is no Baker's Square near us. I though she was talking about the chocolate--and she'd made the pie herself. *LOL* (It was a recipe on the back of the box or something.)
I see my "local" pie shop (Kimmswick, near St. Louis, yes, YES, that's how far I'd have to go for good pie) does *ship* but the 2 day express shipping is more than the pie. Just barely. Luckily I have the recipe for the pie in question when I bought the recipe book.
Hey! what a party!
AND I got kissed by pirates *g*
Been trying to follow all the erudition on display here but stalled on the Hellion/Terri limericks.......you two should be on stage *g*
Can always rely on pirates to make a party swing.
Forget the glass Cap'n just give me the bottle. Bottoms up and down the hatch!
Happy Valentines all
Irish, I'm stopping over for dinner. Ok, it's probably too late. That Baker's Square thing sounds awesome. Count me in!
No Bakers Square anywhere near me. :( Rats....
Thanks Quantum!! We were so glad to have you aboard. :) Happy Valentine's Day to you!
You can turn your bottom up anytime on this ship, Q.
Mwah!
Oh, Lord. You all make me laugh so much my contacts float right out of my eyes.
LOVED the limerick!
Hellion, I could martyr myself and say I do hubby's laundry, but then I'd go to Hell and burn for lying.
He does his own, thankyouverramuch. Once the kidlets were grown, we made a deal that we'd each do our own laundry and we'd tagteam on the communal stuff like towels and sheets.
He gets grungy, but I'm the one who works with blood, so technically, *I* have the scary laundry. LOL!
Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day! *throws a kiss to Q and swipes the lone remaining bottle of scotch on her way out the door.*
Hey, Cinthia! You said you would share that scotch!
That's the benefit of coming to the party so late, everyone is too drunk to notice she's stealing the good stuff. LOL!
PIRATE!!!
Heh! Swiping the good stuff...love it! Isn't that what pirates do best?
Hope you all had a great day yesterday. I sucked. Eight pints of blood. Add that bottle of Johnny Walker and it turned out to be a Pretty Good Day, all in all. :-)
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