Spill, I hope you have a blast tonight (and maybe the next one too??? ;)

Holly glad everyone was ok, the little blue car was a trooper!
Ok, girls I need some suggestions. The bf and I are in a tight spot right now, do any of you have any fun "cheap date" ideas? I am at my wits end trying to think of stuff to do around here, since I'm not working and feel bad spending his hard earned money. Eastern Oregon doesn't have much to offer entertainment wise, so I knew the fun loving, resourceful ladies y'all are could brainstorm a few of your favorite tried and true iders! This week has gone pretty well so far, caffine and sugar are tough to kick, I woke up this morning with what felt almost as bad a hang over- could it be the lack of sugar? Yeah, blue sky here again.

Cheap dates...

My boyfriend and I like to make dinner for each other once in a while. We don't live together, but even if you do, you can make dinner at home feel like more of a date by setting a pretty table, lighting some candles, playing some nice music, and just sitting down to hang out with each other - no frozen dinners, no television, no take out. You have to eat anyway, and it's fun to cook together.

I don't know if there are any museums near you, but we have a lot of museum dates. We get student discounts, and a lot of places have one day a week where admission is free.

Another cheap date is what we call "adventure days". Exploring a new neighborhood (or new town) is fun and free. Pack a picnic lunch, pick a place to go that you've never really visited before, and take off for the day (or just the afternoon, depending on your time budget).

Yup - ditto on all of Katia's ideas... picnics/hikes/at-home dinner nights/renting movies/going to the theatre during the day as opposed to night/museums. Something Dave and I have done is "spa" days - we give each other pedicures/manicures/massages, stuff like that... dorky, but fun.

Holly--I'm so glad YOU are okay...sorry about the car, though. I hope you get enough $$ from insurance!
Leslie--welcome BACK, girl! We missed you! It's good to see you on the boards again...and you're right, those 6.5 lbs. will be history VERY soon!
Katia--have a WONDERFUL trip--I look forward to hearing more about your travels when you return! No doubt you'll have such a neat time.
Jamie--WTG on kicking the sugar/caffeine habit! That IS hard, but I know you can do it. I'm sure once you get going on it, it won't be so bad. (-;
RE: cheap date ideas, my DH & I get FREE videos from the library sometimes (don't even have to pay for a rental!). That always works. Another fun thing is to light candles, turn off all the lights, and slow-dance to some favorite tunes. (-;

Hi Everyone,

Mind if I jump in? I am 23..so thought that I could jump in the 20-something board and see how the water is. :coffee:

My name is Jenni. Married to Brian, mother to 3 little ones. I am a SAHM mostly, and also a Doula, CD(DONA) and working/studying towards childbirth education with ALACE. (check out www.dona.org or www.alace.org for more info on either of these orgs if you are interested).

Hope the waters warm cause I am jumping in! ;)

Holly: I'm so glad you are OK. Cars can be replaced.

Leslie: Welcome back!!

Katia: Have a good trip! Tell us all about it when you get back.

Spill: So.... how was date #2???

Jamie: Sugar is definitely hard to kick! Way to go!

Jenni: Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. Jump in anywhere you like. I look forward to getting to know you!

I love everyone's ideas for cheap dates. I'm a big fan of the cooking dinner together or going for a picnic somewhere. They both allow you lots of time to talk. Like Katia said, you can really make a dinner special by adding candles and music.

Hey everybody... is it Friday afternoon yet? No? Darn. Dead week is, well, killing me. :yawn:

Welcome Jenni - we're always open to more Jen's!

great suggestions y'all, thanks so much! Yeah tomorrow is friday, which means finals week is quickly approaching! Off to the library soon, so better get my stuff together.

I've heard that it takes 2-3 wks. to form new habits... and you know what ladies? I think I've formed a new habit! Some old friends came by unexpectantly tonight and we went out for dinner. I'd already eaten, so I prepared myself to be barraged by yummy-yummy food. Just one year ago, I would have ordered whatever I wanted without even a second thought - and eaten every last bit of it - AND dessert, too, of course. But today, it didn't even phase me. I went to a baaaaad restaurant and I am still on plan. Making this 22 days on plan - almost a whole freaking month! I ordered french fries, regular. I ate maybe 2/3 of the basket. They just didn't taste that great. Oh, and I also had one roll. That's really all I wanted - I wasn't very hungry and I knew that I didn't need to eat everything in sight. No big deal. I think I have cultivated a completely new relationship with food! I am so happy! I love the idea that I may have really changed my outlook on my health especially within these last few weeks. I love the idea that I'm now a truly healthy eater. It's just what I do. Who I am. I am in balance - hehehe, so this is zen eh? I love it!

Congrats Jen..what willpower you have developed! I hope tha tit is contagious! He he he. :)

Jenicra!!! Way to go! What a great feeling it must to be not rely on food for fulfillment. Isn't it weird how french fries don't taste that good anymore? I'm starting to become that way. I'm much more inclinded to desire natural foods lately. Yay for us!

WTG, jenicra! I find that the more I eat healthy stuff, the more I crave it!

I was playing around online and found a neat site through browsing the weight loss diaries. It is www.myvirtualmodel.com You can go and design a model and then try on clothes at various stores. You can even type in your goal weight and see what the future might look like!

Later,

WTG Jen

Hiya Jenni; its nice to see ya here as well as in Depression.... I hope u enjoy posting here as well as there.... ;)