Do you go in for the Valentine's thing? I've already described my cynical attitude, but I must admit to being a little partial to some Valentine's Day love. Yes, I know it's awfully commercial and theoretically our loved ones should just do nice things for no reason at all except that they love you and want you to know. Nice, in theory, but really we all get so caught up in busy, busy, rush, rush that thoughtfulness sometimes takes a back seat.

So this year, I really wanted to do something nice and a little fun for P.

My hubby and I are fanatical cyclists; one of the reasons I find myself sewing at a much slower pace than some others. I simply can't do it all. Sometimes it's a choice: "I can go out for a 2 hour ride, or sew for 2 hours". Hmmm, sometimes the weather decides for me.

My hubby loves the fine things in life, often those considered as luxuries - don't we all? In particular he likes this...

Image courtesy of Brooks England (www.brooksengland.com)

Huh? I know, it's a boy thing - leather, vintage, hardcore uncomfortable whilst your wear it in. Ugg, me man, me like primitive things. I, however, see: expensive, uncomfortable, science has progressed things so my butt no longer has to suffer.

But it's a luxury we wouldn't normally extend to and I thought I'd order one. Every year Valentine's Day seems to creep up on me and CRAP EEK, I haven't organised myself. Needless to say P's gift is still winging its way across the seas and will be with us imminently.

How to communicate his gift without simply inserting a picture in with his card? How to make it a bit of fun and maybe a bit of work, something to up the excitement factor? (we live very simple lives, it doesn't take much to excite us).

A cross word puzzle! Ta-da!

I used Crossword Labs, a free online crossword creator. All you need to do is enter your words and your corresponding clues and hey presto, here's your crossword! Too easy! And P was blown away (easily pleased?). Even better he was able to work it out... P isn't really a "word" person. Crafty!

Between this and the bespoke Negroni shirt I'm so in the good books.. not that it's about point scoring... 'cause it's not.... truly

With gratitude...

You know, I do recognise I am a bit of a cynic. I have never been the type to comfortably undertake the reflection and introspection propounded by the mainstream self-helpers - well, I've tried on occasion, but I usually find myself groaning in cyncism.

It's just not... me.

Those of you who have read my blog over the past year will know it's been a bit of a tough time. But that was merely the start of the year that was. My long absence and low mood wasn't just about that redundancy. I fell into a deep dark hole after a number of subsequent challenges that came my family's way.

But this year has felt... fresh... there is a different sense in the air, like we have all taken a cleansing breath and the world is perhaps exactly as it's meant to be at this time. Profound, hey? Especially for a cynic like me.

And I feel strangely compelled to immerse myself in gratitude...

I have to start by saying this idea was not generated on my own little lonesome. The lovely Yana of White Mouse Creations blogged about this kikki.K 365 Journal back here, and her intent to write one line a day, every day. Once the year is over you start all over again and in a few years you have a lovely memory box full of the little and not so little goings on in your life. There was something in Yana's post and project that just spoke to me.

For my endeavour, I decided I'd write one thing that I feel grateful for on that given day, each and every day. Yes people, I recognise this is not an original concept and I am surely very late to this happy clappy party. But it's just so easy, and you know it's also a little uplifting. Who'da thought it?

I love that this journal's pages are simply numbered 1 through to 365, with no days, months or years to confuse issues. You can start whenever, wherever, for whatever reason you want...

And so here I am, with my journal and pen, ready to start my journey. And it feels pretty damn good.

What do you feel grateful for today?