Like everyone, I love flowers. Guys, I really think every gal loves being brought flowers -- if she says she doesn't, she just means she doesn't love thinking of the $ you spent. Bring something simple ... bonus points if you (legally) pick it yourself.

When we were little, my sister and I used to pick bouquets of these yellow wildflowers for Mom. We probably did that for a few years before Dad told us we were picking ragweed, to which Mom is allergic. Luckily, Lady Bird Johnson made sure Texas springs are full of plenty of other, non-allergenic varieties: Indian Paintbrushes and Black-Eyed Susans and Mexican Blankets. Just make sure you never pick a Bluebonnet within the state borders!

Luke brings me flowers often. :) These are the survivors from a Valentine's bouquet. I'm always trying to get them to last longer: changing water, trimming stems at an angle, picking out the best ones and then finally floating just the buds in a vase or coffee cup. I've heard of adding sugar for nourishment, aspirin as a preservative, or even a capful of bleach or vodka to kill bacteria. Anyone had any luck with that?