And now, mysteries of the human condition.

I really wonder where the derogatory name "pansy" came from. Of course it means someone who's weak or wimpy like a tiny little flower.

But I tell you what. We have had a super snowy, super cold winter here in Utah. Coldest in 40 years or something (and you know how it can snow here - 40 year record cold is pretty significant).

I also this year decided to be lazy do an experiment where I didn't rip out any of my flowers in the fall. I thought I'll just let them die there and see what happens come spring.

Recent sunshine has just uncovered a flower bed in my yard that has been covered with a foot of snow and ice for the past month, and wouldn't you like to know what I just found...green leaves and stems on several of my snapdragons and at least five green and kicking pansy plants, one with a BLOOMING FLOWER.

Time for the bullies of America to re-examine the name "pansy," because that is one tough little blossom.

How to tell if your kid is wiggly.

I have a wiggly kid. I realized this the other day when I was looking through the pictures on my phone and noticed that basically all of them are J in his high chair, like so:

When the kid's this cute, I'm OK with wiggly. He will even cuddle with me for 3 seconds at a time! So sweet!

Thank you notes

Dear ATM,

I like it when you read my debit card. While the not knowing is exciting, thanks for obliging today so that I could pay for my husband's Valentine's Day surprise. Not that I don't like talking to my favorite teller, Pebbles, but without knowing her shift schedule, it's kind of a crapshoot. Now if only you would let me withdraw $25...

Thanks anyway,
Holly


Dear Person Who Filled My Diet Coke Order at McDonald's Today,

You should give seminars on the definition of "extra ice." The amount of ice you gave me today was most definitely "extra". Thank you for that. Please tell your coworkers that when I take the cup from them and can hear three ice cubes clanking against each other, that is not "extra ice." There is nothing worse than asking for extra ice, and then getting less ice than other people get. People who did not ask for extra. (And don't you hate it when people say "there's nothing worse than..." I mean really, nothing is worse? You can't think of a single worse thing? But then again, I just used the phrase, so what can you do?)

You made my day,
Holly


Dear Living Social,

Thank you for allowing me to get all my carpets cleaned for $99. While the vague crispiness of my carpet now makes me worry it will look twice as dirty in two weeks, for now I am happy, and my new vacuuming habit may land me on an episode of "My Strange Addiction." It is so much more enjoyable to vacuum clean carpet. Kind of like how I'm more likely to clean my bathrooms if they haven't had a chance to get dirty yet.

Self-esteem in my house freshly boosted,
Holly