ITS OK TO HAVE CERTAIN EXPECTATIONS

I'm home! After two weeks in Perth I am home and it feels so good to be in my own house and to sleep in my own bed.

Just an update on how Ashton is going- in a word FANTASTICALLY. She looks great and sounds great and is busily studying for a university exam next Tuesday. My daughter is amazing. She has just had a seven hour embolisation procedure and she has bounced back into study and an exam.Still one procedure to go but still waiting for a time to be given to us.

My other daughter Ciara is pretty fantastic too! She works her butt off and this week on top of her part time jobs will be back on stage in a production called # A Little Rain must fall. I am so excited to see her back on stage and Mark and I will be going back to Perth to see her next Saturday. So that gives me five whole days at home!

Love, love, love my children.

Which leads me to the whole topic of Valentines Day and expectations. I try every year not to have expectations but just once I would love to open the door to a dozen red roses being delivered to me. I'm 48  and we've been married almost 24 years, so how long do I have to wait? Probably for ever!

Being on a budget this year I made my hubby a batch of Nutella brownies and bought a cute card for him. My husband is the best at choosing cards so I have learned to lift my game in this area. I waited for him to arrive from Geraldton and he walked in and said " Happy Valentines day" (good) , gave me a big hug and kiss (better) and immediately said " I got you nothing" (bad...very, very bad). Not even a card!

Now maybe its the gruff method of delivery but I got so, so upset. I have no idea why I got so upset but as my face dropped, he noticed pretty quickly. See, I believe that no matter how busy you are, you always find time to do certain things - ring people for birthdays, smile at people, attend special gatherings AND buy at least a card for Valentines day. OR, pinch a flower from someones garden for them OR walk in and say " I haven't had time to buy you anything but you know how much I love you".

It's all about the delivery! Never walk in and in under a minute say " I got you nothing". Its terrible!

Anyway, the reason I love my husband is because he hates to see me upset and does everything in his power to remedy his foot in mouth disease. Later while I had a nap he went off to the supermarket and returned with roses and a card. The card made me laugh out loud. The front said something about us clicking, but his comment is what got me laughing - "one click and I got you flowers!" See that's all it takes, a corny card or a verbal card. The supermarket roses - too late buttercup! Thanks for trying to remedy the situation but too late.

We agreed to go out for dinner, but of course everywhere was booked.As a last resort, I suggested we get takeaway and eat at home and he agreed. By the time the food was ready to pick up he was fast asleep. No problem! He had driven a long way, so I went to get the curry. I came back and he was still asleep, but I woke him up for our Valentines day dinner in the courtyard.


I set the table with my supermarket roses and we ate our curry and rice together under the stars. It was lovely and our daughter even went out and bought some red wine for us!

So, the moral of the story is - you don't have to spend lots of money on someone for Valentine's Day. Its nice if you can, but its not important. What is important is showing people how much they mean to you. Words chosen well and simple actions mean so much more - well to me anyway!

And by the way the Nutella brownies were yummy for dessert!

Till next time...xxx

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BY POPULAR DEMAND:

2-ingredient Nutella brownies by diethood.com.
Ingredients
1 cup of nutella
4 large eggs
1. Preheat oven to 175.
2. Line an 20cmx20cm brownie pan with baking paper; set aside.
3. Place the eggs in your mixer’s bowl and beat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the eggs have tripled in size. This may take up to 10 minutes with a handheld mixer on high.
4. Heat the Nutella in the microwave for 60 seconds (in a microwave proof bowl).
5. Remove and stir.
6. Slowly pour a stream of the warm Nutella over the eggs, beating until mixture is thoroughly combined.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with very few crumbs.
8. Remove and let completely cool before cutting.
9. Dust with icing sugar. (Optional)
10. Cut into bars and serve.

Read more at http://www.mamamia.com.au/lifestyle/2-ingredient-nutella-brownies/#TBk1oh9W2lJyjkDh.99