Red. Velvet. Cupcakes. To. Die. For.

Talk about a romantic treat for

Valentine's Day. I hope I can save one or two for my sweetheart...

(Just wondering...what do skulls and Valentine's Day have in common? Any thoughts on this?)

Don't wear your heart on your sleeve...put it in your mouth!

One more short post about those dumb candy hearts. Besides tasting like chalk, I have found the need for them to update their messages and bring them into the 21st century. I don't mean phrases like, 'text me', or 'nuf' said' or even just plain 'word'. I'd much rather read things that stimulate my mind and make me think. Phrases like, 'meth. not even once.' Or how about 'he's just not that into you.' For all the single ladies, 'if you liked it then you should'a put a ring on it' would be appropriate. Maybe 'yes, we can' in honor of our new President. Or perhaps "yes, Mitt will' in honor of my next president. Just incase you'd forgotten, another popular message of love this valentine's season could be 'bongs are wrong' in honor of the fallen hero Michael Phelps. Maybe Rafael Nadal will send a special 'better luck next time' to Roger Federer. For the circus freaks in our lives, how about 'you don't do that to another carnie, fella'. And for my gal-pal Beyonce, maybe a heart with a 'thumbs up' sign for her style and grace at the Inagural Ball. To Michelle Obama I would send, 'find a better designer'. And to Whitney and Cassidy and Cody, special hearts just for them, saying, 'to the left, to the left'.

"This is Dedicated to the One I Love..."

Just for Phillip...Just Because...Playlist Songs #1-17

"I Want to Make it With You"...

It's that time of year again. Time to break out those famous 'conversation hearts'. They bring back such romatic memories. When I was in the 3rd grade, I had a crush on David Gambles. He was tall and blond, with curly hair; the Greg Brady of I.T. Stoddard Elementary. I remember hoping with all the love in my heart that I would get a special word heart from him attached to my valentine on class party day. Something romantic like, "love you", or "my girl", or even, "be mine". I guess it wasn't meant to be. Not only did he not give me any candy with my card, but if I remember correctly, the card was something dumb like a gorilla eating a banana, or a dog wearing a bandana. The years pressed on. 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grades passed without any indication that he liked me. Except for the fact that he pulled my braids, took my pencils in English, and ocassionally tried to push in front of me in the lunch line, I didn't think he even knew I was alive. UNTIL...Valentine's Day...8th Grade. I had a new red jumper to wear to the dance. I was looking fine. A bit nervous, having never actually stayed for a school dance, but hoping the prospects would be rewarded. At first it was awkward, all the inexperienced 7th and 8th graders standing around, watching the 9th graders and wishing we were just 'that cool'. My friends and I nervously giggled away our disappointment about not being asked to dance, but secretly hoping that one 'special guy' would look our way. We knew our eyes would meet across the crowded floor, our feet would float off of the ground, and we would be whisked away into the loveliness of that 'first' slow dance. Well, don't get your hopes up. It didn't happen for me that day. (*** see side note post at end.) Mostly David Gambles and Mike Haddock kept coming around, teasing us, and throwing those silly coversation hearts our way. It wasn't what I expected for my first Valentine's Dance, but it was fun in a pre-pubescent kind of way. I'll never forget the last song they played that day. It was "I Want to Make it With You" by Bread. (***see Playlist song #10) As we were leaving the gym to go home, a red-faced David Gambles walked up to me, grabbed my hand, put in a conversation heart, and sprinted off, Napolean Dynamite style. I opened my hand, only to find the sweetest heart ever...just two words, "Be Mine." (I saved it until I graduated from high school!) Short of riding me off into the sunset on a white honeymoon steed, no Valentine's Day could've been sweeter for an awkward 12 year old girl who was taller than all of the boys in school. Except of course, for David Gambles, my blond Greg Brady.

***my offical first 'slow' dance came later that year at the 'End of School' dance. David and I were 'way over' by then and I was more into a baseball player by the name of Jay Callahan. When our eyes met across the crowded floor, my feet floated off the ground as he whisked me into the loveliness of that magic moment. Elton John's "Your Song" (See Playlist song#11) provided the background. Perfection on a dance floor. That's what memories are made of.

Save the Cheerleader...Save the World!

Cassidy is getting ready to perform in her high school production of Grease. She has been cast as one of the Rydell High Cheerleaders. You go, girl! Work that crowd! I find it interesting how much uniforms can change in 50 years! No cheerleader at our school dresses like this! I hope Cassidy and her 'cheer friends' can still perform their stunts in these skirts!

Extra! Extra! Google All About It!

Have you ever 'Googled' yourself? Don't be embarrassed to say yes. We've all done it. I find that my name twin is a famous author. But if you go to the second page and scroll all the way down, you'll actually find the real me. Joy Sorensen. Also a published author, with the article "Reclaiming Monday Nights", published in THE ENSIGN. It's probably my one and only claim to fame. I'm just excited to find that it comes up on page 2, not page 757!

Only four words...

Why, Michael Phelps, why?