MONDAY MORNING. I have such plans for today. Shall see if they come to pass.
My morning was off to a great start relocating my everyday dishes from point A to point B. They're heavy, so with lifting so many dishes and stretching, I know I got some much needed exercise. Some weight training or cross training. grins.
Moving them off a metal cart to a cabinet. The pots 'n pans will go on the cart until we put extra cabinets in. A temporary fix. It is exhausting trying to fit a 400 pound woman into a size 3 dress. It doesn't work. My kitchen things are the woman and the cabinets the dress.
Making progress. Not there yet. Today the pans will be rounded up and sitting pretty. They came out of the pantry after I returned the pantry into a food pantry. I've got to make this KITCHEN WORK for us. The fridge and freezer are sitting pretty. Made progress with having order here. THIS WEEK WILL BE DEDICATED TO MAKING THE KITCHEN COMPLETELY ORGANIZED. Way passed due.
Yesterday, Hubby and I headed out for a walk. I walked outside in a misty rain wearing my heavy parka coat that has a hood attached. I used it. Chilly at 36 degrees. Hubby and I walked awhile and then he said he needed to sit down on a street bench as his knee and foot were bothering him. I figured if we stop off at a small restaurant on our route, we could have some unsweetened iced tea and rest a bit.
He hobbled with me and we managed to make it to a small restaurant for tea. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon so we went ahead an ordered what we call a HUNGER SAVER. I think if we do this again, we will order tea ($2.5o) or water (which cost nothing $o.oo) and when they bring the complimentary taco chips with salsa, order guacamole and/or queso Mexican cheese dip. This would keep the price down to go along with our budget. OR order a $2.5o taco and drink aqua.
We might get out of the restaurant with a tab under $5 if we don't order tea. Under $10 if we do. Like being on a cheap DATE that we so badly need as a married couple. Big mistake many people make is to stop dating after marriage. We did umpteen years ago. Started back up when we lived in Texas. Weekly outings are necessary, if you ask me. Couples Therapy is not considered a date. If you don't date, you may find yourself in the clergy's office crying your eyes out or bearing your soul to a counselor. Neither is very much fun.
What inexpensive DATES can you come up with that fit the tight BUDGET? Walks.
Rides in the country.
Bike rides.
Picnics.
Sitting on the front porch swing.
An exciting trip to the Library. grins.
Check out movies and go home to watch.
Pop your own popcorn.
Go to a movie matinee with lower ticket prices.
Go to all the free exhibits you can.
Free concerts.
Museums.
Create your own romantic candlelight dinner with dimmed lights and soft music.
Time to chat and visit about what ever floats your boat.
Go fishing.
Camping.
Go to a lake or pond and sit admiring the sunset.
Bird watching together.
Sit at a Shopping Center or Mall and people watch while sipping on a beverage.
Etc. etc. etc.
Years ago, I subscribed to a Cheapskate Newspaper. I don't know if it is still in publication or not. Will check on that. We didn't have the internet then so actual paper magazine type newsletters came in the mail to me. I saved these for years. They were pitched once upon a nightmare as I was decluttering and thinning out to downsize. My Martha Stewart magazines disappeared this way after it soaked into my brain that these magazines are not sacred and I can let go of them. I think I donated some to the thrift store as they sell old magazines. Old magazines go along ways when given to nursing homes and to Kindergarten teachers for art projects.
The author of the Cheapskate Newspaper mentioned how to have a cheap date by going to SAMs when they have their sampling tables out and fill up for the meal. Go to the cemetery for fresh flowers, which would mean stealing someone's flowers. I wouldn't suggest this one. I can't remember what else she suggested. It's been years.
SAMs also sells inexpensive hot dogs, yogurt treats and pretzels in which they provide a table to sit at so you can gaze into your sweetheart's eyes while mustard runs down his chin. Elsewhere in the store, they have perfume and cologne samples to splash on so you smell good while on your inexpensive date.
Having some money set aside for outings doesn't hurt one bit. In fact, I strongly suggest it. If nothing else, go out once a month and make a day of it. Lay in each other's arms and say sweet nothings to one another. Surprise your spouse with a handwritten LOVE LETTER or greeting card. Leave a LOVE NOTE in his lunch pail or in the medicine cabinet next to his get up and go vitamins.
The skies the limit, isn't it? Dating after marriage is something I would encourage instead of just staying HOME doing laundry and washing dishes or working at rearranging the kitchen cabinets. I've done plenty of this. Hello somebody.
