A Jolly Good Week!

Here's to a Summer Filled with Awesome!  Now, I realize that really doesn't make sense but I like the saying :) 

After one week of Little being off of summer, and me on Day 4 of Summer break - we already accomplished three popsicle activities!

One of my most favorite purchases after the holidays was a Martha Stewart chalkboard. The board has a wonderful border already printed on, but it's not too easy to write and erase.  The cuteness factor makes up for the moments of frustrations!  

After we pick a few activties for the week off of the twine line of popsicles, we  stick them on the board with clothespins.  After we accomplish the task, we check it off and initial the date.  

This week's Checked list: 

Summer pedicure

Drive In Theater

See a baseball game

Eat Breakfast for Dinner

I just love how it's turning out!

Date Night Rejuvenated

How predictable am I? My first few posts of the year are typically about what I would like to accomplish....lose...create...find...restore..read..so on and so on.
If I was to list all of my 2011 goals, it would be overwhelming not only for me to type but for the reader (you my little darlings) as well! And since I am not here to torture you, I decided to spare you the nitty gritty and get on with my life/year.

One goal I  WOULD like to mention is  Date Night (and I definitely  am not referring to the movie..thought it was good).  Before the vow exchange, Mr. and I would go on "dates" every month.  Not just your movie and dinner date (we had those too), but like an actual planned out date - whether it was to a bed and breakfast, musuem, scavenger hunt, bird watching - we had actual legit dates.  It was fantastic and romantic.  Then we got married....dunt dunt dun.  That seriously seemed like the end all and be all of our fun times. Who knew?!

2011. Let that be our year to reconnect (Are you there B? It's me, your wife).  I would like to bring back the inventive date nights/days/weekends.  If that means we will have to say no to some other plans, or not attend every practice or game, or not tutor as much - then so be it!  I can handle that - and I think the people around us can handle it too.

According to a recent study, just the plain ole' dinner and a movie isn't enough anymore to keep marriages sparkling.    According to NY Times, "Rather than visiting the same familiar haunts and dining with the same old friends, couples need to tailor their date nights around new and different activities that they both enjoy, says Arthur Aron, a professor of social psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The goal is to find ways to keep injecting novelty into the relationship. The activity can be as simple as trying a new restaurant or something a little more unusual or thrilling — like taking an art class or going to an amusement park."

I think we can handle that....I'm going to put my thinking  headband on (I like to wear it like Rambo), and brainstorm neat-o things to do in January....and Mr. can plan for February !! (hint hint!)

Friday Night Date Club

You've lost that loving feeling...now it's gone. gone gone. oh no!! What to do?

Perhaps instill a Date of the Month Club featuring you and your sweetie. Each month, you swap between who plans one night out/in.

Something cheap and easy? I found this on The Whimsical Princess. For Valentine's Day, she gave her husband something wonderful. A Date of the Month membership.

On a certificate, she wrote the following:

Congratulations
Prince Charming
You have received a gift subscription to the
Date of the month club

This exclusive offer is only available to loving couples like you and your wife. Once a month you will receive an exciting date package in the mail including two destination dates. As a special offer to you we have included our exclusive love notes mailbox. We ask for nothing in return, simply complete the confirmation card and place it in the love notes mailbox. This mailbox is linked directly to your wife’s heart and when you put the flag up she will receive a special signal. Hurry don’t wait, these exciting dates are in high demand and we are certain you will be pleased with each one. We are so certain that you will enjoy being a member of the Date of the month club that we offer an automatic renewal with every paid membership. If you are enjoying your membership do nothing we will automatically renew your membership after 12 months, and provide 12 more exciting dates. But you must hurry this exclusive club is filling up quickly.

There is more! Because you have joined in the month of February we have included 10 Romance reward coupons. These coupons are exclusive of our club and you can not find them anywhere else. These coupons can be used at anytime throughout the year. Simply place the coupon you wish to use in the mailbox and it will be honored!

But wait there is more, for our very special customers we have included 20 kisses that can be redeemed at any time for a real kiss. Our clients find these especially rewarding and we are sure that you will use them up quickly. We know you will want your dates to start right away, and as an added bonus if you return your confirmation card within the next 48 hours we will rush you 10 extra kisses!

As we mentioned our exclusive mailbox is linked directly to your wife’s heart so we encourage you to leave notes for her, and she will do the same for you. Simply place the note in the box and place the flag up it is that simple.

I thought this was so neat! The certificate went inside a mini-mailbox, which would hold other goodies, in addition to "love notes".

Inside the mailbox, there was the certificate, a confirmation card, 20 coupons, and 20 kisses.

What I love the most is the Confirmation Card which has two boxes to check, which say the following "I can't wait to start my subscription please rush me my first date package right away!" AND " I am submitting this within 48 hours so please also include my extra Romance Reward tickets."

How thoughtful and romantic. Kudos to you Whimsy Princess!

**sigh***

Skating on History

This past weekend, I had a chance to pretend I was living in the 1920's. It was magical. It all seemed very convincing, minus the DJ blasting "Thriller" and Lady Gaga. We live very close to the Morris Canal, a little piece of history that use to carry items to different locations across the tiny state of New Jersey. By the 1850s, it was replaced by railroads, but the canal way is still mostly intact.

My lovely town, once a year, holds a Valentine's Day Canal Skate. They have bushels of hay, small bonfires, a DJ - and you are allowed to skate across the water that over 200 years ago, brought coal from one end of the state to the other. The town decorates the trees with Christmas lights, and a waterway - no wider than 20 feet - you are permitted to skate up and down the area to the wonderful sounds of modern music.

It was a fabulous way to ring in Valentine's Day weekend. I sadly only have a picture of the area in the summertime, but use your imagination and visualize Christmas lights in the woods, every 50 feet a small fire with hay to sit on (along the path), and snowy lightly falling.

Romantic Snow Globes by WiddlyTinks.com

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend, and enjoyed it with those they love!

Displays of Affection

This is the big weekend for lovers. Or so they think...really every weekend should be a weekend for lovers, not just the 14th of the second month of the year.

I fall in love with the holidays - and Valentine's Day is no exception. But I feel there is added pressure on relationships to do something "romantic". I fall right into that category, because my parting words to my dear husband this AM was something along the lines of "I hope you have something roMANtic planned for tonight or Sunday..because this IS our first Valentine's day as husband and wife." humph. Didn't leave much choice for the poor guy. And why is that? I want to feel romanced. I want to be swept off my feet from our everyday life. And while the rest of the world is celebrating, I want to feel special. Though really, I should feel that way everyday....but sometimes our everyday lives get the best of us - and we forget to say simple words. Like I love you. You look lovely. Thank you.

So on this day, much like every other day in the year, I say this "Be Bold. Be romantic. But be that way all year long. Not just on the 14th. "

Ten ways to show your affection when your wallet is empty:

1. Leave a note under her/his windshield wiper at work.
2. Pack "I love you" notes in her suitcase or lunchbox.
3. Complain less, compliement more. (Gee I should follow my own advice)
4. Wake up every morning fifteen minutes early to cuddle with each other.
5. Make breakfast in bed.
6. Start a journal of your thoughts and present it to your love. Perhaps write letters back and forth to each other. (I can not take credit for this idea, as it was my husband who suggested it)**
7. Make a list of 100 reasons why you love your wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend.
8. Create a jar filled with "Love Coupons." Make the coupons redeemable for hugs, kisses, back rubs or any number of special favors. Give the jar to your lover and let him/her redeem the coupons over time.
9. Read a book together (My husband and I do this, but it always puts me to sleep. I find it fabulous...not sure about his feelings!)
10. Make a mix cd...this NEVER gets old for me!! I think I will forever have every mixed cd/cassette tape ever made for me because I admire the work it takes to put it together.


Hope this list helps you a bit come up with ways to show your sweetie how you feel. It doesn't take jewelry, flowers, or fancy dinners to display your affection. (Though it never hurts!) It just takes some time and creativity. On that note my friends, have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Stop Dating? I dare say not.

After you are married, the honeymoon is over.....the actual vacation and then the phase. I read recently that dates are the most important part of any relationship. I would tend to agree.

Just because you might dress in sweatpants and clean up dirty diapers all day, doesn't mean you should stop dating. Just because you wear a suit and tie, drive a 4 door sedan, doesn't mean you should stop dating. (Though this does not apply to me yet, I have friends that complain of this exact situation).
When you get married - keep dating! (Hopefully each other :) Dates are utmost important to keeping your relationship in tact and fun.

This section is labeled "Romance Me"- because let's face it, who doesn't like to be romanced? In my mind, I always replay the scene from "Say Anything" where Lloyd Dobler stands in the rain, playing Sting's "In your Eyes". What a moment! Now, I don't expect my husband to catch a cold in order to prove his undying love, but a little spark every now and then would just wonderful.

Why not have a Hot Lunch? (Not the kind from 2nd grade served with mashed potatoes!) This is a service that creates a lunch box full of your date. I believe my favorite is "Night at the Drive-In"(see above). In the very stylish lunch box, it includes an invitation for the date, step by step instructions, candy, camera to document your fun, popcorn, two mugs, and a coupon for a movie. But the catch? Watch it in your garage! Now, this takes some planning on your part - but doesn't all dates?

They also have a box called "Cartoons and Cupcakes" - perhaps combining my two favorite things! Be a kid again - and watch cartoons, bake cupcakes - maybe even eat the icing first...and just enjoy the company of your loved one.

Love your Honey with No Money

Not everyone can shower their love with candies and flowers (though it would be nice!) - so finding cheap ways to show your love on the 14th is ideal.

The typical date on Valentine's Day consists of dinner and a movie. To make this a little easier on the wallet, why not decide on cooking at home?

If you are looking for a little wine and chocolate, how about the Alba Wine/Chocolate Tasting? My kind of event - get to sample different wines and chocolates....all for a whooping $5! I did this last year, and their dessert wines were so delicious - I dreamt about them for many nights after.

Fridays on the Cheap

What to do when your wallet is empty and the only thing weighing down your pockets is lint. (must be alot of lint - if its weighing your pockets down!)

You check out the local section in your newspaper (P.S. - Fridays usually have the best info!). There are a TON of fabulous places to go for less than ten dollars!

In the Morris County area of New Jersey I have compiled a list of places to check out. Most weekends these places hold different shows or events.

Friday already?!

How can that be? I feel I am a day off. and usually it is the other way around - I usually think it is a day ahead....

But anyway Fridays on the Cheapside! and what screams cheap more than FREE!

Last week, I reported on the Come Out and Play Festival which takes place in NYC this upcoming weekend. I am going with a couple of friends (two friends = a couple) to the Ravenchase Hunt.
THAT is what I am here to report on :)

The Ravenchase Hunt is a mix between DaVinci Code and Amazing Race. And I love the Amazing Race. However, the hunt is around the city. You have clues and maps and objects to help you decipher codes to the next clue....

Where has the time gone?! Fridays late.

Fridays on the Cheap - a few days late...better than never!

What to do on a weekend - particulary this upcoming weekend. I thought about this moment all year long. Last year when I heard about the festival - I was a day too late - This year, I know in advance - alas...I still cannot attend! I am hoping someone can

give me some feedback!!

Come Out and Play 2008

This festival turns NYC into a playground for the weekend. Not just one park, one building. NYC. yes - the entire city! Hundreds of people congregate to play different games across each part of the city. Players play "life-sized Pong using only their ears to "hear" the ball. Payphones produced points and Tompkins Square Park became a putt-putt course. 200 people performed stunts to display on the Reuters screen in Times Square."(COAP website)

The list of activities seems to be endless....who doesnt want to play a Pacman on the side of a building. Or whiffle ball in the streets.

The best part -

ITS FREE!!!! gosh. I love NYC.

Fridays on the Cheap

Memorial Day weekend. One of my favorite weekends simply because I have four days off and that means I am at the shore the entire time :)

What to do this weekend? My all time favorite activity with my family (because that is the crowd I run with) would be board games, booze and snackies. So today is deticated to snackers around the world (or atleast in the tri-state area)

Tonight's options are the following:

Last Word Board Game:
From what I can gather, you get a Letter and a topic and everyone has to shout out objects from that catergory till the buzzer goes off.......havent played - I will give the full report when I actually crack open the box


OR


Taboo Board Game:
This is one of my favorite games to play. You get a word and you have to try to get your partner to say it. However, there are certain "key" words that you cannot use to describe it...It's fun to play if you REALLY know your partner -
for example - I was playing with Mr. against my mom and my brother and I had to try to get Mr. to say a word. In three seconds flat I shouted "WhatIwishIhadinmybasement!" He barked "dolphins!" The crowd went wild!! We slapped high fives, and I thought gee - he really does pay attention to everything I say....*sigh*

OUTDOOR BBQ GAME:

We were SO excited when this came in the mail. Four people, two hours later - we finally got it assembled. We were ready. However, the game was not. Each time we swung the ball towards the pole - it fell down!!!We are trying to make it a little sturdier - but nonetheless, this is a great addition to our outdoor drinking game collection.

Drink of the Day:

Pomegranate Margarita

2 ounces white tequila

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

1 ounce fresh lime juice

1/2 ounce Cointreau

1 tablespoon fresh pomegranate juice(POM)

Ice

Had this mix last weekend, and it put me on my arse. literally at times. But my my was it tasty :)

Fridays on the Cheap

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WENT TO A DRIVE IN MOVIE?

Delsea Drive-In Movie Theater NJVineland NJWe found a Drive in Movie theatre in New Jersey. New Jerseys only Drive- in There screen is over 100 feet wide and one of the largest in North America. Always a double feature for only $6 adults $3 kidsLove this place! Kind of far for us to drive for a movie….but totally worth it

Warwick Drive-In TheaterOnly 1 hour from Central JerseyLocated just 6 miles east of Vernon NJ and is very easy to get to. They feature a park-like, grassy setting on 11 acres of farmland, first-run movies, home-cooked food and multiple screens for a bigger choice of features. They have three screens with double features.

Shankweilers 1 and 1/2 hours from Central JerseyShankweilers is Americas oldest Drive but it has the The latest in cinema sound reproduction capable of providing awesome surround sound effects

Becky's Drive-In Only 1 hour from Central JerseyListen in Fm stereo connected to your radio. Rent their Boom boxes or bring your own for awesome surround sound which can be received and enjoyed on your car or portable radio.Fair Oaks Drive-In Theatre Only about 1 hour from North JerseyRoute 17M Middletown NY (845) 361-5774 Two screens – and double features on both

If you live near any of these locations – it is a memorable experience. Most nights the tickets are $7 a piece for an adult, and that includes the double feature. Some places even offer a bargain night with tickets between $4-5 dollars.

Come and experience a part of cinema history!!