I’m not one of those people who are majorly into Valentine’s Day. Growing up, Mom and Dad would get us each a box of chocolates, a card and maybe a stuffed toy. It was never a big holiday with any of my boyfriends, either.

James and I started dating a few weeks before Valentine’s Day, so our first one together was pretty low-key. I got him a chocolate frog (which is still sitting on his desk at work) and a card. He did something similar for me.

Last year I think we made dinner together.

This year our plans kept evolving. He said he wanted some chocolates. The only candy he really eats are those filled chocolates–Russell Stover’s, Whitman’s, that kind of thing. I said I wanted flowers, but not long-stem red roses. The mark-up on those, especially at this time of year, is ridiculous.

So I got him a Whitman’s sampler and he got me yellow tulips and pink roses. We were both happy.

When we first started talking about celebrating Valentine’s Day, I said I wanted to go to the Colonial for dinner and a movie. But the only thing playing was Alvin and the Chipmunks and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Not particularly romantic choices.

So then we decided to stay in. I found this recipe for creamy curried vegetables that I’ve been dying to try.

But then at lunch time, James said he wanted to go out for drinks. Our favorite place is The Woodland, in Lakeville. It’s just about everyone’s favorite place around here. You need reservations for a regular Thursday night; we were never going to get them for Valentine’s Day. But we like to go right after work, sit at the bar, sometimes order dinner. It’s our thing.

So, though I was really excited to make my veggies, I didn’t mind going out. But as we’re leaving at the end of the day, James says he doesn’t want to go out any more.

Anyway, we ended up going out, after a short discussion about how I didn’t want to cook any more. It was very nice. It always is. And James makes sure to leave generous tips in local establishments, so we get along well with the bartenders there. A nice night.

But I do have to say, coming in this morning and seeing my wedding orb saying only 6 months and 20 days, I started to freak out a bit. We need to get on invitations!

I was excited to update with all the progress we made this week — we booked a DJ, Music in Motion out of Seymour (their website is not the best, but they seem to be excellent DJs) and we put a deposit on a horse and carriage from Loon Meadow Farm to take us from the church to the Wake Robin — but James just walked in and said he hit a deer.

Now, he’s all calm about it. ‘Hey, I just hit a deer.’ When I slid off the road on the way to youth group Sunday night, putting a hole in my brand new bumper, I had to hold back the tears. Not to mention the tire went flat and I have to get new ones.

He’s now proudly showing off the dent to our coworkers.

So I’ll save the wedding stuff for tomorrow afternoon, after the papers go out and I’m bored.

I was so sick this weekend, and it came on so fast. I didn’t even get out of bed on Saturday.

James was wonderful. He ran out to get me all kinds of things I needed, like apple juice and vanilla pudding, and even dragged a TV and DVD player into the bedroom so I could watch my newest set of Angel DVDs. So sweet.

Anyway, I’m feeling much better now but am still using the sickness as an excuse for not posting about Sharon’s shower earlier than this.

Her shower was beautiful. It was held at Gaetano’s Tavern on Main in Wallingford, her home town. I’d never eaten there before, but the food was great and the dinning room we were in was beautiful. It was a brunch, so we had breakfast and lunch foods. I think the potato puffs were the biggest hit. The chicken marsala was even better a couple days later (my aunt got to take home all the leftovers, and boy, were there a lot).

Ellen, Susan and I, as the majority of the bridal party, had to do all the gift opening and recording. I was lucky enough to pull the job of making bow bouquets from the wrappings.

I was not familiar with this tradition, but apparently you’re supposed to take the bows from the gifts at the shower and make bouquets for the wedding party to hold during the rehersal. I’ve also hear that this is supposed to be good luck.

I’m on the far left, Sharon is second from the right (more and larger photos at The gallery).

I can’t believe her wedding is in less than two months. The shower was a lot of fun, and she’s supposed to have another one this weekend.