Heck Of A Valentine's Day - 2020

Another Valentine's Day in the books!  For the first time in umpteen years, I asked Jason that we not exchange gifts.  We were going on a weekend trip the next day, so I figured the money would be best spent on that.  We kinda sorta listened to each other.

Jason and I spent a couple hours getting our taxes done, which is no fun in and of itself.  It's the first time we've had to go to someone rather than do it for free online.  Luckily, the tax preparer was pretty chill and didn't make it a horribly arduous task.  

When I returned home, there was a tray of chocolate covered strawberries and a Reese's Holiday Gift Set on my coffee table.  Jason had purchased the strawberries from a friend who made them as part of a fundraiser.  And not with just ordinary chocolate, but with Godiva chocolate!  That same friend gave me the Reese's set as a gift.

Earlier in the day, before taxes were done, I went with a friend to the mall to help her purchase a Valentine's Day gift for her fiancee.  While there I found a stress ball and a V-Day card "from the cat" to give Jason.  So, technically, the ball and cat weren't from me; They were from WowWow.

Not necessarily Valentine's Day related but, y'all, I found Jersey Shore pasta sauce and marinara sauce on sale for .99 cents.  I think I've watched the show maybe twice in my life but I know a good deal when I see one!  

For curious minds, I've already tried the pasta sauce.  Worth the clearance price but wouldn't be happy if I would've paid full cost.  Needed to be thicker and more robust. 

What about you?  How did you spend Valentine's Day?

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Calico Critters Cute Couple Set - Review and Giveaway

Calico Critters is a line of miniature animal figures with homes, furniture, and accessories that are sold in playsets.  The globally popular series, first introduced in 1985, features beautiful, richly detailed animal figures that live like humans with a focus on “Nature, Family and Love.”

The Calico Critters Cute Couple Set that’s made just for wholesome dates.  These beautiful and richly detailed critters are part of globally popular Calico Critters Town Series.  Join Stella Hopscotch, the stylish Hopscotch Rabbit and her boyfriend William Cinnamon as they hold hands around town! Love is in the air as William Cinnamon gifts his adorable girlfriend Stella a large rose bouquet on their lovely date.

I have a small collection of Calico Critters and playsets in my home.  The young'uns like to play with Calico Critters when they come over.  The Cute Couple Set is, of course, cute.  The couple have an elegant royal look, and the plastic bouquet has a handle so it can be held in the hands of the rabbits.  These are perfect to add to a Calico Critters collection or for imaginative play.

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I received products for review.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

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Power of Prayer Thursdays - Week 200

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I believe in a God that hears prayers and answers them. I've witnessed the miraculous gift of answered prayer. And, I want to pray for you. I've started weekly Power of Prayer post every Thursday. We are now on week 200. If you are needing prayer in an area of your life, please leave a comment and I'll commit to pray for your need or request. You can be as general or as specific as you like. Whether it be for healing, salvation, finances, emotions, or another area of life, I'd like to lift it up in prayer.

"God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh."
–Luke 6:21

St. Louis Weekend Trip

ordered chicken strips for my first time there

 My husband's birthday was February 15th so he and I went out of town with two other friends to St. Louis for the weekend.  We left on Saturday morning and came back Sunday evening.  Gotta say, we had a lot of fun!

overhead view of lobby at Drury Inn

Jason and I ate at a Chick-fil-A for the first time ever!  I don't understand the overhype but admit it was pretty good.  Then we all went shopping for a bit.  We stopped at Michael's, TJ Maxx, and Target to throw some money down.  Then, we ventured to St. Louis Aquarium.  It opened on December 25th of last year.  There's been a lot of mixed reviews about the place, but we all enjoyed it.

Tasha enjoying the food and drink during Kickback at Drury Inn

Saturday evening we stayed at the Drury Inn - St. Louis Southwest.  As far as hotel chains are concerned, Drury Inn is my overall preference.  They're always clean and updated.  Kickback time of free food and adult beverages in the evening is a big bonus.  The only downside to this stay is the gajillion trillion 7th graders from a school trip running all over the place.  Oh, the energy!

school of fish among a shark at the aquarium

Sunday we headed to St. Louis Mural Mile.  It's a floodwall that expands over a mile long and it's covered in grafitti. Most of it is actual grafitti art, with just a few areas that were slander or "vandalism".  It's a great place to visit, to see local talent for free.  Judging by the trash of the surrounding area, I'd say it's best to go during the daylight.

me and Jason doing the "prom pose" in front of a mural

City Museum was our next stop.  I loved it; Jason didn't.  You definitely can't be afraid of heights or claustrophobic.  There's so many tunnels, slides, nooks and crannies that you could spend hours in there.  And, we did!  (Of all places for the school kids from the hotel to visit the same day as us, it happened to be the City Museum!)

Our trip ended up back home in Quincy with a delicious meal at Kelly's Tavern, a local eatery with Irish decor.

Have you ever been to St. Louis?  What's your favorite place to visit while there?

City Museum was "electrifying"!

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Our Agency Won The Golden Bucket

working the night away

Every year there's a competition among first responders as to who can raise the most money for the Salvation Army's Christmas Campaign.  Whichever one wins receives The Golden Bucket for the year.  This year, 9-1-1/EMA raised the most.  We got The Golden Bucket! (I'd like to say I helped but I'd be lying.  I slept while some fellow co-workers did the work. So, it's them that get the kudos.)

Each agency gets a full day to go out to a specific location and try to bring in money.  Agencies included are 9-1-1/EMA (Emergency Management), local police department, local fire department, and local ambulance service.  Our agency is the smallest but we came away with the most money.

A small ceremony was held at our agency and the announcement was on the news.
#NotBragging #ButBragging