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The whole leap year thing still eludes me. I mean, seriously. Does that one extra day every four years really make that much of a difference?

I guess it does to the people born that day, but to everybody else it's just another day. 

I've often wondered how I'd feel if I had been a leap year baby - only REALLY celebrating my birthday once in a while. And I don't really think I'd be too fond of it. I mean, as cool as it would be to have one mega, blowout party each four years of your life, the other three would kind of fall by the wayside.

Yes, you'd celebrate on Feb. 28 or Mar. 1, but it's not the same. Maybe i'm putting too much thought into this, but it's true. I think I'd feel like I got gipped out of a real party each year.

How about you guys? Any leap year babies out there? If so, how do you celebrate?

I was looking around online for information on leap year birthdays and had to smile when I found an entire association devoted to those born on the 29th. The World Wide Leap Year Birthday Club is hosting celebrations today through Sunday in Anthony, TX. Sounds like fun.

 Also check out Aprill Brandon's leap year story in today's paper. I know, I know, it's a shameless plug.

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It was about this time each year that - with a little help from the family - Grandma would finish off that last gooey piece of Valentines Day chocolate.

"Grandma, your box is sooooooo pretty," I'd always say, eyeing the lacy box with a plastic rose glued to the top. "It is pretty," she said with that smile that could only mean one thing: I know what you're getting at but I'll play along anyway. "You and Mallory can have it if you want."

It was tradition. Papaw would buy her a beautiful, heart-shaped box of candy each year, we'd help her eat it and then my sister and I would eventually end up with the box.

Mallory and I shared a room through a lot of our childhood, so these boxes became joint treasure chests for us, places to store notes from friends, valentines and even "secret" candy stashes that lost their secrecy once the ants came marching in.

I was thinking about this unofficial ritual last week while perusing the pink and red aisles in a local drugstore. And it made me wonder what people do with their leftover boxes. It's a shame to get rid of something so pretty right away, I think, but what else can you do?

Besides my memory box idea, I'm pretty much out. But others have come up with some pretty interesting ideas. Here are a few I found while digging through the Internet:

*This Web site shows you how to turn those boxes into albums to display valentine cards. This could be a really good way for kids to document the ones they get at school.
*Here you'll find instructions on transforming that box into the template for a heart-shaped stepping stone. Probably more work than I'm willing to dish out, but it's pretty amazing.
*And on this page you can find out how to turn that box into a picture frame.

Well, February has rolled around once again and I would almost bet money - the little that I have - that men's blood pressure levels are on the rise. If you haven't gotten those ever-so-thoughtful reminders that Valentine's Day is just around the corner, expect the onslaught soon.

And even if you don't, it's still implied. It may be a ridiculous holiday, but any man who forgets to buy his wife/girlfriend/whatever something will likely end up in the doghouse.

That said, this blog is dedicated to the men out there. All of them.

I figured this would be a good chance for people to share Valentine's Day ideas - what gifts go over well and ones that ... eh ... not so much. What gifts would you like to receive?

Any stories of horrible Valentine's Days past? Men, don't feel shy - chime in. It's just as hard to buy for a man, I think, so any input would be more than helpful.

In high school I had a Valentine's date to a movie - I pulled the whole nine yards, dressed up (in a pink shirt that had at least one heart on it - hey, you have to dress to the occasion) and met my date.

The chosen flick, though? Final Destination 2. Not exactly the romantic comedy most associate with the holiday, but we still had a really great time.

I think it goes to show that you don't have to stick with the mushy, typical ideas associated with "singles awareness day" - branch out and have some fun.

Here are a couple DIY ideas:
*Make your own Valentine mailbox
*Heart-shaped eggs for breakfast