Valentine's Day has arrived with all its expectations, seldom met. Why is it that women put themselves through the wringer over a date on the calender - and all of its advertising? I smile as I say this as I, yes even moi, have done the same thing year after year. I think, however, I've grown wiser over time.

This year, I declared that my Valentine's Day "supper" was to be Pizza Hut Pizza, a real treat for me on this weight reduction diet. And, then when I wasn't feeling all that great on Sunday, I declared that it was time for the Valentine's Day supper. Okay, so the ritual "dining out" experience was taken care of. Of course, we dined in - my preference.

I also let my husband know he was off the hook for anything else since Valentine's Day occurred during his work week and his time and energy is limited. Well, he surprised me yesterday with flowers, a little stuffed dog with a bone in his mouth that says, "Kiss me," and a lovely card. How blessed am I?

But even, yes, EVEN if he had not gotten these things, this year I would have been okay. You see, I'd lowered my expectations to pretty much zero.

So, kiss the dog or hut the cat and move on through this 14th of February just like it was any other day - because that is exactly what it is...another day, another opportunity to rise above the crowd and shout: "Hey, I'm okay!"