WEEK 72

GREETINGS & SALLYTATIONS!

Well, it’s that time again. Valentine’s Day. This is the time of year I go to the library basement and dig through my holiday decorations and search for my old vase with three old silk roses with the old beat up ribbon. I’ll brush them off, add a new bow and have them ready for staging purposes. If you’ve ever worked in a place with a bunch of gals, you all wait with eager anticipation when the floral delivery person comes in on February 14th. The head shoots up, you watch, you listen for the last name...Peterangelo? All one word?? No, not for me. By the end of the day, my neck would actually hurt. I was like one of those bobble head figurines. I’m truly happy for those who receive flowers, I really am (keep repeating). I’m typing that last sentence with a clenched jaw. Seriously, Valentine’s is another one of those “lower your expectations” kind of day. I’m like the Bah Hum Bug Valentine President.

I did a bit of research this past week for Valentine’s Day and interviewed several men about their thoughts. Most men felt like they better come up with something. The four items always brought up were a card, flowers, dinner, candy, pretty much in that order. Most men seemed to go with the card and flowers. Not many go for the four

out of four. Little do they realize, most women want the dinner (men, take note). Personally, I think Valentine’s Day should be held the 14th day of every month. Women shouldn’t have to wait once a year to score flowers and dinner out. In Sallyworld, romantic surprises should be at least once a week. This whole Valentine’s Day goes both ways; women should be doing special things as well. As for me, I’ll be at work admiring my staged vase with the dusty old roses with a fresh ribbon. Valentine’s Day. A wee bit overrated. I refuse to let my blood pressure and anticipation go up each time I see a floral truck.

I have a shot at a possible romantic Valentine’s Day. I’m moving in on Date #8 with Metro Man. For my new readers, Metro Man is from Roseville and we started dating back in October. But, the distance factor is the buzz killer. We will most likely have a belated Valentine’s Day. We’ll see if this fellow was born with the romantic gene. I feel somewhat sorry for him as he’s under a bit of pressure. All my Hometown Focus followers will be waiting to see if Metro Man comes through. We could make betting boards. Will he do the card? Flowers? Dinner? Candy? All of the above or none of the above? Place your bets. Have some fun with this and I’ll report back next week. I should give him a hint: I’d rather

have a dozen cookies over a dozen flowers (and, I wonder why I never lose weight).

Okay, I know most of you can’t wait to hear about the eyebrow waxing of 2012. It’s over. Mission accomplished. There was a slight sting, but I’m tough. I still can’t believe I was the victim of a “uni-brow.” I guess when I referred to myself as a cross between Andy Rooney and Martin Scorsese, I was not exaggerating. At least I haven’t spotted any chin hairs. But then again, I didn’t notice the uni-brow, either.

So, Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. This holiday is all about love. Show someone in your life how much you care. Be creative. Make St. Valentine proud. Oh, before I close, I almost forgot! Weight loss: one pound down. The scale is starting to move in the right direction.

Thanks for sticking it out with my weekly battle of the bulge. A parting note: Those who indulge eventually bulge. Until next week....enjoy in moderation!

Sally Peterangelo is Director of the Mt. Iron Public Library and lives in Virginia, MN.