Saturday, February 14, 2009

Crotchety's Tips for Valentine's Day on a Budget

The economy is in the toilet. Money is tight, and we are looking at hard times. But that doesn't mean we can't surprise our special someone with a really nice Valentine's Day chock full of gifts and tokens of love.

I'll share with you what I've done for the Crotchety Old Lady, and you are welcome to use my ideas for your true love.

First, remember, it's not the gift, it's the thought that counts. Anyone could just whip out the charge card, book a flight to Paris or Rome, and have romance ensue. But that has been done to death, at least according to those American Express commercials. And unless you have recently been given a billion dollar bailout, you are like me, and can't afford such extravagance.

We need to go the more traditional route. We need to be more practical. The Mrs. is getting a nice gift, you can be sure of that. Quite a few, in fact.

Before anyone suggests a new snow shovel, I did just get her one last month, and Christmas she got a new blender.
Perhaps a vacuum? Nah, that is more an anniversary gift.

For Valentine's Day, something more frivolous, like flowers. Yeah, I know, you're thinking that they are expensive, but I know where to get them cheap.
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And you only need to take rose petals.

And this is key, don't just place entire roses willy nilly about the bed.
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Mind those thorns


But the best gift of all is one that is homemade. It comes from the heart, it has meaning.
That's right, you can make your own Valentine's Day card like me.

Do you think Hallmark has ever made anything like this?

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It evokes memories of the path that we have gone down. Life with the Crotchety Old Lady is like a sunny day. Every day is like Christmas. With cows.

I'm going to need a moment.............





Thanks.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Check out the entire Valentine's Day carnival at
http://www.humorbloggers.com/

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love it...I hope I get that card today ...

jana said...

Stu and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. I figure that since he's actually *nice* to me *all year long*, I don't have to make him jump through hoops to "prove" his love on a made-up holiday.

He did give me a box of candy... but that's just 'cuz we both like candy.

Lola said...

My partner snuck into my blog and made a blog post for my Valentine's Day for all my blogger buddies to see. It was the best surprise.

http://lolasdiner.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-love-lola.html

Unknown said...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! (From someone from Arkansas.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rpZ6PqwvV0&feature=channel_page

Marie said...

I can only hope that someday I find someone as romantic as you Joe. Sigh.

But I'm afraid they may have broken the mold.

lol

Happy Valentine's Day to you and Mrs. Crotchety!

Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

That is just the most romantic card I have ever seen. *tear.

I hope when my husband is old like you he will still be so romantic - HA!!!

Happy Valentine's Day buddy!

Da Old Man said...

@ Dani: It was special for the Cotchety Old Lady. I hope ypou get one similar.

@ SpeakDog: Aww. That is such a nice sentiment. And candy is always a good gift.

@ Lola: I saw that yesterday. It was so thoughtful.

@ FishHawk: Thank you, and the same to you.

@ Marie: Same to you. Yes, I'm sure the mold was broken. :)

@ Petra: One can only hope.
Happy Valentine's Day

A New Yorker said...

Just because he's nice to me the rest of the year....ICK BARF...that's just being a good person. Why do men use this holiday as some lame excuse NOT to go the extra mile for their partners?? Don't you guys WANT to have the pleasure of watching your partner feel good because of you!?

Michelle said...

OLD MAN,
You have finally rendered me speechless!!!

Perhaps Old Lady will be speechless as well??? Because otherwise I am afraid of what she may be saying to you right now!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY OLD MAN!!!

Donnie said...

Bah humbug. No, that's another holiday. Love the juicy pic with the bloody knife wounds. There's a Valentine's gift to be proud of!

ReformingGeek said...

Um...I nearly lost my breakfast with the torso pic. So guns and roses really don't mix, do they?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Anonymous said...

I think many of us are going to need a few moments after reading this...uh, excuse me. I don't know how much more I can type. ;)

Anonymous said...

You had me worried with you said "whip out" something...I closed my eyes. Happy Valentines Day Old Man.

CastoCreations said...

Ahhh...that is cute. I don't celebrate this day because I think it's dumb. Hubby should be nice to me every day, not just once a year (and I to him).

But I do like the last card. :)

Oh...and I read before dropping too. *grin*

Jackie said...

My hubby is on the road so I am spending this day at home with my cat and dog.

But they are pretty good company.

I love your card and your post for your wife.

Happy valentine day to you!:-)

Hey my Dad is from Arkansas and I lived there for quite a while when I was a little girl!!:-)

Unknown said...

Best. Card. Ever.

Happy commercial holiday day!

Lin said...

You are such a catch!! She is so darned lucky to have you--cows and all. Happy V-D old man! :)

Janna said...

Every day is better with cows.

Where else would we get tacos and steak fajitas and double cheeseburgers and veal parmigiana and Italian meatballs?

Anonymous said...

Looks like you've got a lucrative career waiting for you in the greeting card industry. If you can create something equally as heartwarming for Christmas time, I'll buy them in bulk.

Suzanne said...

My husband gave me a bowling bag for our first Valentine's Day together, so I've never really expected much over the years. But damn, that card makes me jealous.

Anonymous said...

Wow. When you care enough to send the very best. You DID IT, MAN!

Chat Blanc said...

I'm jaded about love and v-day, but you finally got me at "cows". *sniff*

Anonymous said...

Oh, how funny! Nice card! We didn't spend a lot this year but had a nice day together--exchanged cards, I got Malley's chocolates (the marshmallow/carmel kind) and shared a valentine cookie. Went to the gym and worked out together, walked through the rain forest and relaxed at home.

Kevenj said...

Mrs. Crotchety is sure lucky to have such a sensitive and giving man such as you!
That card is priceless!

Kevenj said...

..."with cows."

haa haaa haa!! stop! stop!
ROTF.

Da Old Man said...

@ Lauren: I'm always good to the C.O.L. I just make Valentine's Day extra special

@ Michelle: Most days I wish I could render her speechless.
Actually, the card made her happy. I've conditioned her after years to have low expectations.

@ Don: Yes, it's a made up holiday.

@ Reforming: Happy Valentine's Day

@ Unfinished: Take all the time you need

@ MA: I write most of my posts with my eyes closed.

@ Stacie: Happy Valentine's Day to you.
:)

@ Casto: Thanks. It's good to be nice to one's spouse every day.

@ Shinade: Thanks. And Happy Valentine's Day to you and your husband

@ Shadow: Glad you liked the card
:)

@ Lin: I keep reminding her of that.

@ Janna: Plus cows are so darn cute.
And tasty :(

@ Lee: Zelda, the Christmas cow. Hmmm.

@ Sue: Thanks. The C.O.L. really likd her card. It made her laugh. Kind of a Hallmark moment.

@ Crabby: Thanks. It made her happy because came from my heart, or some organ.

@ Chat: Glad you liked it.

@ Karen: You don't have to spend a lot to make it a good day.

@ Kevin: I keep reminding her of that.

Unknown said...

hahahahaha~

ewwwwwww

ahhhh sweet....

I didn'y get a thingy for VAL's day

dang Ol man you get hella comments.. I get em about once every 2 months

xx
hb
ps stumbling you

Da Old Man said...

@ Harley: Thanks.