I don't know exactly where the week is going. I am finding that this winter is just flying by, it's a good thing though, I don't mind at all. It's just odd because ordinarily, I find that January and February last forever.

I'm mildly amused these days by the Valentine's Day fever that is beginning to hit folks. Around our house, we refer to it as "love day," a la The Simpsons...it's a trumped up holiday, manufactured by greeting card, flower and chocolate retailers. It's not unlike New Years Eve in my opinion. In our house, we don't really celebrate either day.

What was once an ordinary day, has evolved into a horrible event which just ends up making singletons feel like they're "sub-par" if they don't have a date on February 14...and puts unnecessary pressure on "smug marrieds" - or similarly attached couples - to contruct strange and elaborate displays of affection (something that, if you are into those sorts of things, you probably do on a regular basis without the aid of the previously mentioned greeting cards, flowers and boxed chocolates).

I also suspect that the hospitality industry is in on it too. Many folks begin the new year with intentions of eating healthy and saving money (after over-eating & over-spending fits that happen at Christmas). If you're like me, you've been happily doing both. Come the middle of February though, hotels and restaurants are hurting for customers. If you have a "romantic" holiday in the middle of said slump, you suddenly create a market for intimate dinners for two and weekends in hot tub suites. This throws you off your healthy eating and thrifty spending routine and you can potentially spiral back into over-eating and over-spending. Tricky lot aren't they?

If you're into romance, fine, enjoy it. Enjoy it on February 14 and every other day of the year. Please though, don't beat yourself if you feel that your personal status doesn't it into this hallmark's holiday ideal of what's acceptable. At the end of it all, it's just another day and you're still the same person you were before!