Five on Friday

Today's "Five on Friday" is only a little Valentine's Day related so as not to nauseate you. 

;-)

Fill your cup with some java and settle in to today's Five on Friday!

1. #Team Teddy

A very important challenge was given to today's Five on Friday participants--one that I admittedly missed. So, I am happily rewriting my #1 on my Five on Friday.

The Five on Friday participants are attempting to spread awareness about a little boy named Teddy, who is suffering from a terminal syndrome known as Menkes Syndrome (also known as "kinky hair syndrome"), which affects approximately 1 in 450,000 male babies. 

For my # Team Teddy sign, I've included my own baby's boys footprints. I never take for granted the fact that we were blessed with a healthy child. 

You can read more about the syndrome and Teddy's story here.

2. House Hunters International

I love "House Hunters" as well, but "House Hunters International" offers a way to live overseas vicariously for about twenty minutes or so per episode (subtracting commercial time). What else is wonderful about this show? The opportunity to escape phrases like "open plan", "soaking tub" and "granite countertops" that might as well play ON LOOP on "House Hunters", save for the few stubborn Americans who are set on having the American house overseas. 

While watching, I regret to inform you that you will still be met constantly with this: "space to entertain". Because every couple that picks up and moves to small towns on the top of the mountains in remote locales has friends and family stopping by alllll the time, right? (Who are these people?!)

3. Padlock Love Messages

In the spirit of what is happening on the Pont Des Arts bridge in Paris, our local newspaper allowed its readers to have a padlock with a love message written on it placed on a bridge on the front of its cover yesterday. Read more about it (and see the message I wrote to my Thomas) here.

4. Hello, Sunshine!

Some people just hate winter. I'm not one of those people. I'm from Michigan and used to all four seasons--in fact, I look forward to them. But this winter has been BRUTAL--ice storms, Polar Vortex, and dumpings and dumpings of snow. Enough, already! 

Mother Nature must have heard our plea. We've had a few days of blue skies and sunshine (OK, maybe not today), right in a row, and the forecast is calling for temps in the 40s very soon! That's practically a heat wave compared to the -20 degrees we've been experiencing!

Oh, and I absolutely loved seeing pictures and status messages in my Facebook newsfeed yesterday about the melting snow. Yippee! 

 5. Homemade Valentine's Cards

Since our son can't very well make his own Valentine's Day cards just yet, (he did truly help with a portion of the card, though) I had to drag out the craft tubs this week and bust a hump. 

It's been a long time since I've made a homemade card for Valentine's Day. While it took quite a bit of time to make them all--and I'll be sweeping up glitter and picking up ribbon bits for days to come--I'd forgotten how homemade cards are so special. It was rather nostalgic and I may make my own next year.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cheers,

Samara