Date Night - Dancing The Rumba (Rhumba)

Our date night is on Wednesday. We have dance on Wednesday. We almost didn't go this week; J was exhausted from working (wheelbarrowing concrete) and I'd just had my teeth pulled on Monday. But I didn't wanna miss it so we pushed ourselves to go. I'm glad we did. There is just something about dancing that eases the tension but is hard physical exercise too. Maybe that's part of it though.

J really likes the Rhumba. (I've seen it spelled both ways, so I don't know which way to spell it.) I watched some you tube videos of the dance and there is a lot you can do with it; I can't wait until we are really good at it!

We ended the evening off with drinks with friends at our home. I like dates with friends.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Date Night - Our Plans

Hi ladies! (and any gents reading)

My friend, Christi, missed a couple of weeks and therefore so did I on the Date Night thing.

The last couple of weeks my hubby and I have been making a lot of time for each other just because we have been talking and working on issues. It hasn't been fun time all the time; it's been hard work and my head hurts. So we've planned a fun afternoon tomorrow.

Just over a year ago our arena burnt to the ground. In a small town, that's a HUGE thing. So there is a fund raising drive to get the money to build us a new arena / pool complex thing! One of the activities being put on is a theatre production - one showing is a dessert theatre and one is a dinner theatre. We don't have a lot of extra funds right now, so we chose the less expensive dessert theatre that is in the afternoon. My hubby does not like theatre, so this is pretty cool for me that he suggested we go.

Now after this weekend our (dh's and mine) regular weekly activities start.

We've been trying to start our Financial Peace University for a couple of weeks now, but it hasn't gotten off the ground; just trying to make connections. I think we are starting for real this week. No kids allowed. I consider this a date; we are learning and with others and it may not be "fun" but it's time together.

Then the ballroom dancing! I think I've mentioned it a couple of times already, so I'm sure you know how excited I am. J and I have talked about learning for years. This happens Wednesday nights starting the last day of September. We've talked at least two other couples into joining us. It's gonna be a fun group! I can't wait.

So from now until Christmas (and a little after, with the FPU) we will have two outings a week!!!

Go on over to My Chick Flick and leave a comment, link up, or just gather some ideas.

TIP: When considering taking a course like the ballroom dancing or the FPU, divide the cost by the number of classes. When I looked at the cost per person of the ballroom dancing, I was so disappointed; I didn't think we could hack it. Then I thought, let's look at this differently. If we went on a date every week, we'd spend $xx on a sitter and $xx on supper, plus gas. I took the cost of the dance and the sitter and I divided by the 13 weeks (or whatever it is, I forget now) and it came out to less than if we went out for supper once a week.

Just a thought.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Date Night - In Need Of Ideas

For a man who doesn't have a job, my dh sure is keeping busy! lol. This week he has been helping out friends; I am so glad and so happy that he does this. But the last three days have been LONG days of helping! We're talking 10-18 hours. I'm not used to having him gone that much! lol. Needless to say with that much time away there hasn't been much time for a date. He'll come home tonight tired and maybe wet (it's been raining where they are). I need ideas for a date for him in the next couple of days. Please leave your ideas in the comments either here or at My Chick Flick or both!



Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Date Night - Nothing Specific

Well, this week was really busy, or at least it seemed that way. We ended up not carving out any specific time for just us. Instead I turned off my computer a little more and put the kids to bed a little earlier than usual. We just sat and watched tv and podded peas together. We would mute the tv during the commercials and talk.

We did a lot of talking this week even though it was busy. And we needed it. I don't wanna go into specifics in this post (there will be others I'm sure) but let's leave it at this: We came to the conclusion that our relationship has hit a rough patch and has been in a rough patch for a while. We are both at fault, but a lot of it has to do with ME and my attitude and emotions.

I am choosing joy, choosing to be happy, choosing to remember why I love and like this man I'm married to. I am dating him again, even though he may not know it. I am adding spice to our relationship, making it fun again. I am working on me and doing things that make me a better wife and mother.

If you wanna join in or just read a funny (or not so funny) fishing story, jump on over to My Chick Flick.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Don't forget to check out the great giveaways at Simply Sensational Divas Review.

Date Night - A Slippery Night In

I have recently added to my "blogs I follow" list a blog about marriage called Adding Zest To Your Nest. Our date night this week stems from this post from that blog called Slip N Slide. Go read the post and you'll get the idea. This week's date didn't cost me anything because we had all the supplies needed in the house. I put the kids to bed early and told my DH as he left for a meeting that he needed to not be out all night and to not bring anyone home with him. My guy got a well-deserved surprise when he got home.

Join Christi's meme over at My Chick Flick with your date night story or ideas. Just click on the button.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Don't forget to check out the great giveaways at Simply Sensational Divas Review.

Date Night - Quiet Nights At Home

I was so excited to see that Christi's theme was Quiet Nights for Date Night this week, because our dates were spent at home, either while the kids were outside playing or when they were already in bed.

There were a couple of nights when J's activities (fire department stuff or helping a friend) required him to be away just as I was serving supper. So I decided that I would serve the children, get the meal cleaned up and get the kids to bed. When J got home, I got away from the computer, and sat with him while he ate. We talked and just enjoyed spending time together in a quiet house.

Then yesterday, the children (except Baby R) went to one of the back alley neighbor's homes to jump on their trampoline. We sat and had coffee and chips and dip together while chatting about the week and what this weekend held for us. It was so nice just to spend time with him uninterrupted, in my own home. It was cheap and comfortable.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Don't forget to check out the great giveaways at Simply Sensational Divas Review.

Flowers, Chicken Wings and Fire Trucks

Ok, Ms Christi over at My Chick Flick hosts Date Night. Here's my post:

My DH does the grocery shopping. Every week he goes through the flyer and circles the deals and the things that we need. Then he goes to the store and gets the groceries. I don't. I mean, sometimes we all go, but for the most part this is the job that DH has taken on.

And I love that.

I love that he thinks of things that would make the rest of us smile. Chocolate one time. Ice cream bars another. Fresh fruit - strawberries and cherries. This week he brought me carnations! They are so pretty. He doesn't buy me flowers very often, at my request. Seriously, I love flowers but cut flowers die quicker than I can kill them, so I'd rather he buy me a live plant. But every once in a while, it is nice that he comes home with a bunch of carnations. (And trust me, they are expensive in our little town, because I've considered purchasing them for myself a time or two and didn't because of the price.)

Now, that wasn't really a date night but I thought, "hey, if that's all I get this week, at least I know he was thinking of me."

Wednesday morning he says to me, "Hey, why don't you get a sitter and we'll go for supper tonight?" So I found a sitter and was looking forward to a quiet evening with my man, talking and just being together. Well, as it turns out the new firetruck arrived at the fire hall just as we were getting ready to go! I was kinda bummed. I thought, great, I get to hang out with fire fighters (and if you've read here long, you know I love my fire fighter family, but I wanted a night with J) and look at a fire truck. I wasn't bummed long. J was so very excited; like a kid at Christmas over this new fire truck. All the fire fighters were! And I can't really blame them; it's a nice truck!

So then we all went to the Legion for Wing Night! J and I had never been to Wing Night, but apparently that's the thing to do in our little town on Wednesday nights. There are a lot of people there. We had a great visit, laughing and talking with the others. We dawdled over our meal, even staying later than the others to visit with a mother and grown son that came in late. I enjoyed my date night that culminated in J rushing home from the fire hall (after dropping me off at home to relieve the babysitters) to rescue me from a possible intruder! (My knight in a rusty suburban!) But that's another post, maybe.

Thursday morning Grandma Irene came and kept the five children so we could go out for lunch. We went to Shorty's. It wasn't a great date though; J's so sick. He says that his WHOLE body hurts - fingers, toes, soles of his feet, his scalp, back, gut. Everything. It was good to get out with just J though for a bit.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Date Night - A Plan For The Future

Okay, so dates seem to be few and far between right now. And that's okay; I've come to expect that a little with five little ones roaming around here. It's not a sitter issue; it's not a money issue even; it's a planning issue I think. There are ways that we could have a date without spending money or even getting a sitter. But we just fail to plan.

When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Who said that? Do you know? I guess I could do an internet search for it. . . . . . Didn't find anything. Oh well.

Any who, back to planning a date. So, I'm going to plan one. And this is my plan.

Find a sitter. Check!
Get dressed up like I did today.
Go out for coffee and dessert with my guy at our local sandwich shoppe.
That's it. That's all I need.

I'll tell you all about it in my next Date Night post!

So early next week, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday, that's the plan. Grandma Irene has offered to come watch the kids for a couple of hours.




We spent the afternoon and evening at Grandma Irene and Grandpa Ted's on Tuesday. It was a wonderful break that we all needed I think. It was a beautiful summer day; not too hot but certainly not cold. The kids pushed each other on the swing set; W got to play with tractors and see the pigs and cows that he had been begging to go see. J helped in the barn in exchange for 2 pair of much needed pants! Remember this post?? We had supper together and she and I played a game of Scrabble. We hadn't been out to visit this lovely couple for way too long.

I love how Grandpa Ted calls us "Brother" and "Sister". He is a dear man of God, who loves music and sings the old hymns all the time.

Grandma Irene raised five children. (Well, they both did, but you know what I mean.) She knows the stresses and the joys. When I told her about some of the things J and I had been discussing and dealing with she was so matter of fact and ready to jump in to help. Now, Grandma Irene is getting on in years and she does not jump much any more but she sure would love to. She said, "Just call, if you need help. If I can't come right then, I'll send someone else, that I trust. You know," she said, "You can't just get anyone to help; I'd send someone who I know would be a help." I told her, "You know what, if you can't come right then, you can pray, and that will help as much."

Tuesday was such a blessing. And today was a lot of fun.

Today, I spent most of the day away from the computer and with the kids. Well, the afternoon and evening anyway. It was great. J left in the late morning to work on the seats for our bus (retrofitting (is that the right word) van seats to work in the bus) and called asking me to bring something to him. Since I was planning on going out anyway, I thought it was as good a time as any. The kids were so excited! So we ran some errands, had a picnic at the gazebo just down the block and came home.

It was so very hot. When we got home, Baby R was sleeping in the stroller so I left her there in the shade. I told the girls to get changed and I stripped W down. He has (make that HAD) a resistance to the pool. He did not want to get in, but I carried him and held him and stayed right by him. Well, I think I'm going to have trouble keeping him out now! He loves it! And has made so much progress already! I am so excited! When Baby R woke, I even put her in with us for a little bit. We served supper outside because the house was so hot still. The kids got back in the pool for their "bath" and then off to bed. The house is cooling down and it is quiet. Tomorrow is another day to have more fun.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Date Night - Summer Dates

Well, it's Date Night time again. Check out Christi's date night at My Chick Flick and sign up to the linky with your post (when she gets it working).

We had a date of sorts this last week. My brother came up for the weekend to play in the golf tournament put on by our local fire department. My dh only plays this one tournament a year, so it's kinda a big deal. And the only reason he plays is because the guys (and one gal this year) that he plays with don't care if they win, in fact I think they try to lose. Anyway, a lot of fun is had by all and I was very glad that they invited my brother to play with them. That way we got to see him for the weekend, and not just the day.

While the guys were at the tournament I took the kids to the local outdoor pool. The girls had a blast! W and R and I played on the side. Well, W played on the side while I pushed R around in the stroller and she cried. The free swim time put on by one of the town organizations was followed by a free hot dog supper.

I walked my tired but happy bunch home after we ate; W almost didn't make it and R was fast asleep by the time we got to the door. The babysitter arrived and the three of us adults bolted! lol, just kidding. We went in a calm and respectable manner, driving safely and abiding by all traffic laws, to a friend's home where all the fire fighters and a few of the hosts friends and family were congregating for a party.

There was a campfire and snacks and beverages and more food. And lots of laughs and joking and just an all around good time. Our sitter was prepared to stay as long as I needed, but I think I was home before midnight. J stayed a little longer (my brother brought me home) but he wasn't far behind.

I like dates with friends too. Mutual friends are fun because then we are all on the same page; no one is left "out". And being outdoors with a campfire is always great too! I should have taken my marshmellows and it would have been perfect!

So what did you do with your spouse or special friend this week? Why not jump on over to Date Night at My Chick Flick and let us know?

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Date Night

My friend, Christi, at My Chick Flick has started a meme about date nights. I am so excited to participate.

So, after a rough couple of days (we'd been arguing and both just "off") we actually got some time to talk, to really have a conversation and get to the seat of the feelings and emotions that were going on. We are together all the time, or at least have been for a few months now. And then all of a sudden he's got a part time job (a few days in a row, short term) and the fire fighters need / want him to hang out with them. And I'm "stuck" at home with the five children every evening by myself. (Yes, I had them; yes, I love my job, but . . . ) So, it's Thursday afternoon and we've spent the day together and actually had conversation, getting to the heart of the matter.

Spontaneously, he says, "hire a sitter, we're going out for supper". So we called the pair of sisters that will often babysit (or provide child care, as CJ would prefer me to say) for us and they were able to come. We hopped in the shower, got dressed up nice and went down to the local diner. Nothing fancy. We just enjoyed eating in the quiet; we were the only ones in the restaurant and there were no children spilling pop or dropping silverware or . . . well, you know. We had a quiet conversation and just enjoyed each others' company.

Until the pager went off. "Attention District xx, just a reminder that we have a general meeting tonight at 1900 hours. All members available, please attend!" BLLAHHH! Well, we were almost done, so we finished - not in a rushed manner but not as relaxed as we had been. We were gone just around an hour. He changed into his station wear and left again for the meeting a little late. The sitters decided to stay for a few minutes to help me get bedtime under way and then they walked home.

It's amazing what a little time away, with the man I love, can do for my mommy skills and state of mind.

Plan a date night. And do it!

It doesn't have to cost much, or anything. (We ended up having an emergency budget meeting afterwards; not that it cost a lot, but it wasn't in the initial budget for July.)

If you need ideas, see what you can find online, at MyChickFlick, or come back there each week for new ideas. And then post about it on your blog, or in Christi's comments to give others ideas too.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

A New Meme Starting At My Chick Flick

Next week, my friend Christi is starting her new meme called Date Night. Go check out the rules and get thinking about your post or comment!


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,