Feb
02
I’m not a very fun date. Just ask the only man I’ve dated for the last 13 years. We don’t get out alone that often, and when we do, I tend to be uptight, spaced-out or just a big blob of melancholy. We only have four hours. Then it’s back to the grind. What are we going to do with ourselves? We don’t have any money. We shouldn’t be eating at a restaurant. I wish I were wearing a cool scarf. I hope I don’t see anyone I know. Crowds of people make me hyperventilate. Shopping centers remind me of all the things I want but can’t have. Bookstores make me wonder why I waste so much time writing books when 718 billion have already been written. My mind swirls, my head aches, my stomach churns. A wave of hopelessness washes over me, and I just want to go home and go to bed.
Don’t ask me how I managed to snag a husband. It probably has something to do with the fact that I used to be fun and carefree. More Goof-Off, less Miss Panties in a Bunch.
So anyway, Friday afternoon Gabe’s mom called out of the blue. She wondered if we were up for the girlies spending a couple nights at her house, then we could pick them up on Sunday when we went to watch the Super Bowl. OF COURSE WE’RE UP FOR THAT! So, I got everybody’s stuff ready, the girls came home from school, we ate and met Janelle (my MIL) at a McDonald’s 30 minutes from our house. Then whew. A weekend alone.
“So, what do you want to do?” Gabe asked, as we pulled out of the McD’s parking lot sans kiddos. And I launched into a big party-pooper spiel about having no money and not liking to shop because I can’t buy anything and oh, all the people and the sickening materialism and whathaveyou and let’s just stay at home and read and write and work on the computer and eat biscuit pizzas and organize the basement. Whaddya think?
Long story short, we stayed in on Friday night (and it was relaxing and fun!) but I felt convicted on Saturday to honor my husband, show him I’m crazy about him, and if that meant doing crazy things with him like eating at Chili’s and doing a photo shoot in the frigid snow (?!?!?), then so be it.
It ended up being one of my favorite days in a long time.
We slept in (9:30!), ate breakfast, ran errands, chilled in the library, spent $5 on lunch at Arby’s with a coupon, took loose change to a Coinstar machine, had a BLAST! taking pictures in the snow (it was almost like we were dating! and flirting!), chilled at home for a bit, ate at Chili’s, went to Barnes and Noble (where we relocated all but one copy of Expecting to more prominent spots in the store–shameless!), returned something to Walmart, picked up some gift cards at Target for two lucky winners at Big Mama’s (woohoo!), and watched Fireproof. Gabe wanted me to watch it with him, and I’m sure I’ve over-stated the fact that I think movies are a waste of (my oh-so-valuable) time, but this was Honor My Husband Day, so I gave in. I loved it. Sigh. I cried at least nine times. Yes, it was a little cheesy, but I know the message resonates with so many people, and I’m passionate about husbands and wives loving each other and not just co-existing in the same house. (On a related note, I’m speaking to a MOPS group this AM on l-o-v-e and s-e-x. I’d love your prayers!)
Thanks, Gabey, for reminding me that All Work and No Play Makes a Marriage Boring and Stale. I had a great weekend with you! Love you!
Click on the pics to see ‘em HUGE. And totally off subject, but before I forget, let me randomly generate a winner of a FREE BOOK.
Here are your random numbers:
190
Timestamp: 2009-02-01 20:07:36 UTC
Lisa H., that’s you! Congratulations! (You can e-mail me with your info right over there where it says “Contact.”)
My condolences to everyone who didn’t win, but feel free to order a book (or 2 or 3). And thanks so much for your sweet words on the give-away post. They meant the world to me.
Happy Bright-and-Sunny-Yellow Monday!
This is great.
Sounds like me.
What kind of camera do you have? You always have great pics on here! Mine got sand in it over Christmas and it costs just as much to clean it as it does to buy a new one so, once again, I’m camera shopping.
What adorable pics!
First things first, those photos are AWESOME! Especially the ones with multiple “yous.”
I loved your comment about bookstores: “Bookstores make me wonder why I waste so much time writing books when 718 billion have already been written.” As an aspiring writer, I completely relate to that. I love bookstores and anything literary, but they also make me a bit depressed (for some crazy reason).
One final note: I so want to see Fireproof. It’s in our Netflix queue right now…
Those pictures are glorious! Not a trace of Mrs. Spoil Sport to be seen.
What an amazing weekend. You had me at slept in – HEAVEN! And I am giggling at the thought of you two popping copies of Expecting up for the casual shopper to just happen to happen upon as they walked by. Free PR!
Th pics are oh so fabulous…made my heart smile:)
Those pictures make me want to go on a fun and whimsical date with my husband. Except I live in Texas and instead of snow we would be prancing around in humidity.
I hope the MOPS group went well! Our MOPS speaker had something come up this week but we are talking about good books to help your LOVE life and yours is on the list!
Great pictures!!!!! They are fabulous and you have a fantastic camera!
So glad that you had a fun weekend with your man! I’m excited to have a weekend with my husband as soon as the youngest decides he doesn’t need me for nourishment anymore! 
We decided a couple months ago that dates are important enough to put it in our monthly budget. It’s not a ton of money, but we try to make it go very far–using coupons at Arby’s and getting $5 footlongs at Subway some nights. It takes the pressure off in that sense!
Can’t wait till we can have date weekends! It sounds amazing although I can relate to the we shouldn’t be spending any money on eating out, etc. part of it… We need to come up with more cheap date ideas!!
oh you guys are so darn cute!! Your pictures were precious! So glad you had a great weekend together
YAY for a date weekend! Sounds like you two did just fine.
I think part of being a “bore” is just the weight of the responsibilities you have in this stage of your life. I tend to think/feel many of those same things. Those pics are priceless. Actually, you should see if you can sell the kissing one as stock art! That would make a good B&W photo, too.
I don’t think I know the other person ^^ who is near Ktg/Oakwood, but if it’s all the same place, Jess and I are near there, too. So don’t leave without saying “hi!” to us!!!
1. Who took the photo of you two by yourself?
2. Love the color choices in the shot. (Like you had that planned) They really stand out with the white snow! And it looks like your ice skating!
3. Janelle! You’re the best!
4. Gabe…love the ‘mashed photos’. Nice. Oh…and I also love the butt grab!
5.You make yourself sound like a looser, and you are SOOO NOT! You are a BLAST!
Oh my gosh the, “I wish I was wearing a cool scarf” line was by far the best ever. Mainly because that’s the exact same sort of thing that is running through my head if I make an attempt to go out with my hubby!
Cutest. Couple. Ever.
What a riot!! You two are hilarious!! Great pics.