Being newly married has brougt many new adventures and surprises (Maybe my blog should be titled marriage minutes or some other corny alliteration) , the most unexpected, perhaps, was having less money somehow than when I was single. I make the same amount of money. Miguel even got a raise. But a mortgage somehow outweighs the raise and our dual income!
So we've resorted to some cheap, yet romantic and fun summer dates. I thought I'd share them, incase anyone else is, or ever finds themself in the same boat!
1. Get Rita's Italian Ice followed by a long walk at Mariner Point Park--sitting on the dock as the sun sets adds a little something as well!
2. Pack a picnic lunch--as simple as wraps and some fruit--and head to Kilgore Falls in Rock State Park. If you're adventurous, bring a bathing suit. If not, a nice blanket will do. There is a great spot at the top of the waterfall. Quiet and secluded.
3. For those who don't want to spend any money at all--buy a game (or borrow from us), I suggest Phase 10. Play the night away. It will take several hours if you actually want to complete the game. We've ended with some funny moments and memories that surely don't make me feel like we had a date night at home! =) Lydia suggested trying whatever game it is by candle light?! could be romantic!
Here's to cheap dates and romance!
6 comments:
I think Lawrence and i have about mastered the cheap date night! I remember the good 'ol days when we'd hike to our hearts delight! Thankfully, the Lord did provide a wonderful double jogger ( a must have if you ever have twins, LIb!) and we have gotten to go to the Ma and Pa trail a few times.
OTher cheap date nights:
Lawrence and I love catching local sports games. I especially like Highschool football, and he enjoys Lacrosse. So, we've done that a few times...only a couple of bucks for entry.
One of my favorite dates was to Annapolis. We went to St. Johns' college (I think) and saw a free art exhibit on Job. IT was fascinating. We then walked around Annapolis. It was beautiful.
You can look in the Weekender or Pennysaver or the Internet for local activities that may be free or inexpensive. WE do that frequently.
A few of our other favorites:
Crossword puzzles
rent movie from library w/ a glass of wine (became our staple when the boys were born)
speed scrabble (this can get a bit competitive, but if you have a fight, then you just have to make up, and isn't that somewhat the point of a date night anyway! :)
Oh please explain speed scrabble! Miguel has vowed never to play scrabble with me!
It's amazing that even when you more than double your income you can still have less money than you did before, huh?
Summer movie nights in Little Italy is fun and cheap if you want a night out on the town. Check the schedule out here: http://www.littleitalymd.com/
If you find a free parking place, the whole night can be free! Otherwise, you'd only have to pay for parking. But they close off the square in Little Italy and they show an open air movie with an Italian theme. Take chairs and get there early to mark your spot. Pack yourself a picnic dinner and hang out until the movie starts at 9 pm.
Let's all meet at that quiet, secluded place this Friday night. We won't tell our husbands, but just take them there. Then they'll meet up with each other, start yackin', and we quietly sneak their wallets out of their pockets and have a girls' night out. Whaddya say?
Actually, Paul and I laugh about our cheap dates. Seems we're masters at driving 30 miles out of our way to find a place advertised in the Entertainment book (coupon in hand), only to discover IT's OUT OF BUSINESS. I can't tell you how many of our dates have started out like this:
Him: (opening my car door as usual, making me feel like a real lady, even in jeans and a T-shirt)
Ready?
Me: Yeah! Where do wanna go to eat?
Him: Someplace cheap. (Shuts my door. Gets in his side.)
Me; What are you in the mood for?
Him: I don't care. Something cheap.(Starts engine.)
Me: Chinese? Burgers? Italian? Subs?
Him: Check the Entertainment book for a coupon. (Starts driving.)
Me: Okay. For what? Chinese? Burgers?
Him: Not Chinese. I'm really hungry. And I had a burger for lunch.
Me: Italian gives you heartburn.
HIm: How about subs?
Me: Okay. Know a sub place with atmosphere?
Him: Does it matter?
Me: (The look.)
Him: Just kidding.
Me: Okay, here's a place up in Fallston, all the way up there. We could stop in at Placks' afterwards.
Him: Two for one?
Me: Yeh. Let's go.
Him. (Drive, drive, drive, drive. Little talk except to say how hungry we're getting driving to Fallston.)
Him: Here we are. They're closed.
Me: Closed or out of business.
Him: Out of business.
Me: Figures.
Him: Let's go to the Placks. SEe what they've got.
Me: They've got kids. I want atmosphere.
Him: I want food. What else is in the Entertainment Book?
Me: KFC.
Him: Great. Let's go.
Md: (Praying, "Lord, give me grace to be a happy, submissive wife and let me not let me turn disappointments into demands. You know I'd rather have shrimp alfredo by candlelight, not KFC. Change my heart. Let me be a pleasant date so he doesn't
think twice next time he asks me out. Amen.")
Him (taking my hand): You okay with that?
Me: Yeh, just being with you is great.
Him: (Smiling.) You're a liar.
Me: I know, but at least I'm not a very good one.
Don't forget pizza at home by candlelight. And, so many parks have concerts that are free or cheap in the summer, with a cute picnic dinner. We bought a $25 season pass for the Anne Arundel Co. Parks(although I know most of you guys live up north :))(and it was mostly for the dog beaches). But, every Sunday, they have pretty good concerts and sometimes dancing as well, with a nice playground for kids (dogs are allowed too :))near the concert areas in some of the parks. With the $5 entrance fee each time, we've already saved with the season pass! But, the $5 isn't bad for a nice cheap date of a picnic and concert.
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