finish this | link up week 6

This is my first link-up with Nicole {Three 31}, Lisa {The Coastal Chicster}, Becky {The Java Mama}, and Jen {The Arizona Russums}) for the weekly series called Finish This.  And with this being Valentine's week, the prompts are all about love-y dove-y stuff :)

via

 1. I celebrate Valentine's Day by...

making some sort of love notes or something handmade.  Usually Valentine's Day, while important, does not get any room in the budget for gifts, so my instincts are to go to something handmade or service-y to show my love.  This year I made coupon books for my boys with little coupons for one-on-one time, extra video game time, and even a mandatory family dance party :)  Hubsy is getting little love notes hidden around the house, in his car, etc.  It will be fun to see how long it takes him to find them all :)

2. My heart goes pitter-patter for...

eyes that express adoration.  You know...."that" look.  The one Hubsy gives that says "you are awesome, I'm so hooked on you".  Yep...that one.

3. When looking for romance, my best advice is...

initiate.  Since I've been with Hubsy for almost 20 years, my advise is more for those already in a relationship.  Hold hands, even if your just running errands.  Be sure to hug him and take a moment to re-connect when he gets home from work.  Even just for those few seconds.  Give his bum back a little rub when you pass by ;)

4.  My favorite love story (real or fiction) is...

The Notebook...enough said.

5. The best relationship/love/dating advice I ever received was...

Hmm....this one is a toughie.  I don't think I've really been given much in the way of relationship advice but here are a few things I find to be true and inspiring.

Wishing you all a love-filled (in all its various forms) Valentine's day!

Never thought I would...

Duck Dynasty

My Hubsy's guilty pleasure.

Many a night we are laying in bed, me reading and Hubsy watching episodes of Duck Dynasty on his iPad.  He graciously watches with his headphones on so it doesn't distract my reading.  I'll be all engrossed in my book and he'll be next to me snickering and snorting.  Sometimes he can't contain it and laughs out loud almost waking up Bubba. I usually just roll my eyes and go back to my book. 

Yesterday was Hubsy's birthday and after gorging ourselves on dinner and ice cream he wanted to veg and watch Duck Dynasty together.  This was the ONLY way he was going to get me to sit and watch an entire episode.  Yep, he played the "but it's my birthday" card.

Ends up I watched 3 episodes in a row with him.  And you know what?  I actually liked it.  Oh sure there was plenty of played up redneck antics to roll your eyes at but you know what I found to be the redeeming quality?  The emphasis these people put on God and family.

What really struck a chord with me is how every episode ends with Willie Robertson summarizing the events and sharing a lesson learned.  Then the family gathers around the table praying together and sharing a meal and fellowship.  In these days of reality TV, it is refreshing to see some traditional values and hearing a "moral of the story" at the end.  A rare find indeed.

I may not watch every episode but I'll be much more willing to indulge Hubsy when he wants me to watch it with him.  It was kinda fun....ssshhhh....don't tell anyone I said that ;)

Happy Friday all!

**Thank you to all who offered prayer and condolences for the passing of my sweet Gram, it was so very appreciated**