Our Very Awesome Very CHEAP Date Night

One of Tad's new years resolutions was to institute a weekly Date Night. Now the problem is coming up with a date every week. I was in charge this week and this is what I came up with. I think it's pretty awesome, especially since it's about as cheap as you can get!

First copy down this list (twice, once for each of you), next head to your local bookstore/library. Once you're there each of you take a list and start making your way through the sets.

via Love Actually

After each set find a place to sit and chat through your choices. Each new set begins after you return your previous set's books.

I would follow this activity up with this list of questions from Zack Terry while you are munching on some treats from the BN Cafe. Questions 28-31 are a little....intimate, so just be warned!

50 Questions to Ask your Spouse on a Date Night

By Zach Terry

Today I met at Starbucks with a few guys to discuss how what we have been studying on Sunday mornings at Capshaw practically applies to our lives. One of the big things we discovered was the need for very open communication and date nights with our spouses. To help with that I want to share this list of 50 questions that are to be discussed with your spouse while the two of you are alone. Don’t try to tackle too many in one setting. It’s actually best if you just get through a few but really talk in detail. Let me warn you that a couple of the questions are specifically only for married couples.

1. What are your 5 favorite foods, with the most favorite first?

2. What are your 5 favorite kinds of meals, with the most favorite first?

3. What are your 5 favorite desserts, with the most favorite first?

4. What are your 5 favorite restaurants, with the most favorite first?

5. What is your favorite color?

6. What are your 5 favorite hobbies, with the most favorite first?

7. What are your 5 favorite recreations, with the most favorite first?

8. What are your 5 favorite sources of reading, with the most favorite first?

9. What gifts do you like?

10. What is your favorite books(s) of the Bible? Why?

11. What is your favorite verse(s) of the Bible? Why?

12. What is your favorite song?

13. What makes you the most fulfilled or happiest as a woman/man?

14. What makes you the most fulfilled or happiest as a wife/husband?

15. What makes you the most fulfilled or happiest as a mother/father?

16. What makes you saddest as a woman/man?

17. What makes you saddest as a wife/husband?

18. What makes you saddest as a mother/father?

19. What do you fear the most?

20. What other fears do you have?

21. What do you look forward to the most?

22. How much sleep do you need?

23. What do you consider to be your skills?

24. What do you believe to be your spiritual gifts?

25. What are your weaknesses?

26. To ask wife: What things (personal, home, car, etc.) need repairing?

To ask husband: What things around the home need to be cleaned?

27. To ask wife: With what chores and responsibilities do you like my help?

To ask husband: How can I make it easier for you to lead our family?

28. What caresses do you enjoy the most?

29. What caresses do you enjoy the least?

30. What action of mine provides you the greatest sexual pleasure?

31. What other things stimulate you sexually?

32. At what times do you need assurance of my love the most?

33. How can that love be shown?

34. What can I do that will make it easier to discuss and work on areas or problems that are uncomfortable to you?

35. What concerns do you have that I do not seem interested in?

36. What things do I do that irritate you?

37. What desires do you have that we haven’t discussed?

38. What do you enjoy doing with me, with the most enjoyable first?

39. What things can I do that show my appreciation of you?

40. What varying desires (spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, social, worth,

appreciations, recreational, security, etc.) would you like me to provide?

41. To ask wife: In what ways would you like me to protect you (physically, spiritually, socially, emotionally)?

To ask husband: In what ways would you like me to respect and reverence you?

42. In what ways would you like me to sacrifice for you?

43. What things do you see by my actions that I place first in my life?

44. What implied or unspoken desires and wishes of yours would you like for me to

fulfill?

45. What concerns and interests of yours would you like me to support?

46. How much time would be good for us to spend together each day?

47. In helping family members to use their skills and develop their abilities, what

motivating factors would be helpful for me to use?

48. What can I do that provides the greatest comfort and encouragement for you when

you are hurt, fearful, anxious or worried?

49. What personal habits do I have that you would like changed?

50. What ways demonstrate to you that you are a very important person who is as important or more important than I am?

I would love to hear some of your date night ideas! And I hope at least one of you will have a good time with this plan, we sure did!

Things I Find Dead Sexy

I can't really tell you why I wanted to do this post today, but here it is. Things I find irresistibly attractive:
Thoughtful Gifts
I would so much rather get a gift like a new up and coming young adult novel than a $100 gift card to my favorite store. I want a gift that tells me my guy has been paying attention to ME and what I like.


Makes Me Laugh
For some reason I always feel a bond with someone who can make me laugh so hard I cry. Yes, I may look a little ridiculous with mascara filled tears running down my face, but it's so worth it.


Hot Dance Moves!
Not just your standard slow dance (although it's like pulling teeth to get Tad to take me somewhere he knows will be dancing) but someone who moves like he's got no bones in his body. Dead freaking sexy.


Nice Arms
Sometimes this is the only scene I remember from The Bourne Identitiy, but I really don't have a problem with that. When I try to think of examples of guys with nice arms, this is always my first thought. Dang Strait.


Awesome Singer
I think this one is fairly cliche, but what can I say. It's dead sexy with a capital 'D'! I am quite fond of the sexy voice of Puck from Glee. There's something gritty about it that I love.


So tell me people, what are you drooling over?

Women to Men/Men to Women Dictionary

I found this on Berro.com and I couldn't help laughing. Sadly, it's pretty accurate. At least I'll fess up to the bulk of the women's side, and Tad didn't raise any objections on the men's.

• What men and women say and what they really mean :-)

What a woman says = what she really means...
- I need = I want
- We need = I want
- It's your decision = The correct decision should be obvious by now
- Do whatever you want = You are going to pay for this later
- We need to talk = I need to complain
- Sure...go ahead = I don't want you to
- I'm not upset = Of course I'm upset, you moron!
- You're so manly = You need a shave and you sweat a lot
- You're certainly attentive tonight = Is hooking up all you ever think about?
- I'm not emotional! And I'm not overreacting! = I have a severe case of PMS
- Be romantic, turn out the lights = I have flabby thighs
- This kitchen is so inconvenient = I want a new house
- I want new curtains = I want new curtains, new carpeting, new furniture, new wallpaper...
- I need new shoes = the other 40 pairs are simply the wrong shade
- I heard a noise = I noticed you were almost asleep
- Do you love me? = I'm going to ask for something expensive
- How much do you love me? = I did something today you're really going to hate
- I'll be ready in a minute = Kick off your shoes and find a good game on T.V.
- Is my butt fat? = Tell me I'm beautiful
- You have to learn to communicate = Just agree with me
- Are you listening to me? = Too late, you're dead
- Yes = No
- No = No
- Maybe = No
- I'm sorry = You'll be sorry
- I was wrong = Not as wrong as you
- Do you like this recipe? = It's easy to fix, so you'd better get used to it
- Was that the baby? = Why don't you get out of bed and walk him until he goes to sleep
- I'm not yelling! = Of course I'm yelling, this is important!
What a man says = what he really means...
- I'm hungry = I'm hungry
- I'm tired = I'm tired
- Do you want to go to a movie? = I'd eventually like to hook up with you
- Can I take you out to dinner? = I'd eventually like to hook up with you
- Would you like to dance? = I'd eventually like to hook up with you
- Can I call you sometime? = I'd eventually like to hook up with you
- Nice dress! = Nice figure!
- You look tense, let me give you a massage = I want to feel you up
- What's wrong? = What meaningless self-inflicted psycho trauma are you going through now?
- You look upset = I guess hooking up tonight is out of the question
- Yes, I love your new hairstyle = I liked it better before
- Yes, your haircut looks good = $50 and it doesn't even look different!
- I like the first dress you tried on better = Pick any freakin' dress and let's go!

I hope you laughed at least once!

Things Men Do In Secret (But They Wont Admit)

As a woman I am often highly confused by the thoughts and actions of the silly man I married. I found this awesome article on Manolith it's got some great secrets to share.

We all have secrets, some that could be monumentally embarrassing if they were exposed to the fairer sex. Since nobody enjoys humiliation evidence of some of your less than manly habits must be deeply buried. So what’s manly? Actually, you might be surprised. There are some things that many men enjoy that they’ll never acknowledge to anyone, for fear of seeming soft. However, they may not realize how common their quirks are because they’re so artfully hidden in order to avoid ridicule. Today we reveal things that men do that they’ll never admit. Go ahead and laugh at the guys who do these things, but we bet you find yourself on this list at least once. It’s okay, we won’t tell.

Enjoy a Good Chick Flick

Source

We refused to watch Thelma and Louise. We hated Sixteen Candles. We moaned when we were dragged to the theater to see The Wedding Planner and The Notebook. We watch this crap just to make the girls happy, right? Not entirely true. Some seriously good movies just happen to fall into the “chick flick” genre, and although we put up a fight and profess a distaste for chick flicks, lots of guys secretly enjoy them.

Cry at a Movie

Source

The reason we hate tearjerkers is because, well, they’re tearjerkers. No man really wants to cry in front of anyone, let alone over some stupid movie. Right? It’s okay. We cried during Terms of Endearment and All Dogs Go To Heaven too; we just pretended to have a coughing fit or something incredibly urgent to do in the other room to cover it up. It’s okay to be touched by a film, even moved to tears, just don’t let her see your emotional outburst or you could lose some man points.

Primping, Preening and Grooming

Source

Do you think everyone at the gym and down at the pool thinks your back and chest are naturally smooth and hairless? Men like to look good, but can’t be seen putting as much effort into it as women do. We try on clothes and check ourselves in the mirror from all angles to make sure the look is solid. Some of us even go to the salon for secret waxing sessions to stay smooth. The unibrow has got to go too, so we take care of that privately as well. No one will ever see you looking like the caveman you are, so there’s no need to admit that you do put a lot into your sharp look.

Fake Spray Tans

Source

Of course your skin is naturally orange. We all believe that. No matter how natural you may think it looks and how much you may deny it, everyone realizes that you went for the spray tan. It’s okay, you’re still a man. A bronze man who fake tans.

Look at Women’s Magazines

Source

So you want to keep all of your odd habits a secret, but you’re curious about what’s in Cosmo? We know, those covers do suck you in. Lots of men flip through women’s magazines. They’ll never own up to knowing what this month’s Q & A is about, but they do like to stay informed of the other team’s game plan. It’s cool, if you get caught with one of these mags, you can just say the girl on the cover is so hot you were looking for more pictures of her. Of course that’s going to open another can of worms entirely, so try not to get caught.

Cuddling and Pet Names

Source

Of course your girl knows about this one, because she’s there, but when you’re around the guys, your cute little sugar bear will have to deal with being called by her real name. Privately though, guys do like a little cuddling and a little sweet talk from time to time, as long as it stays private.

Casual Gaming

Source

Zuma anyone? Casual gaming just isn’t very manly, or is it? Simple games are generally perceived to be more of a woman thing, but a recent study found that men love these games just as much – they just don’t admit it. Hardcore gaming is so much more masculine, in theory anyway.

Enjoy Chick Music

Source

You may not have the CDs in your car, but you’ll bop to the Spice Girls if they’re on the radio. It’s okay to listen to Celine Dion if you’re in your girl’s car, no one will know but you, and the people laughing at you at the stop light as you sing along and belt out the high notes. Your secret is safe with us.

Check Out Other Guys

Source

No heterosexual man wants to admit that he notices anything at all about other men. The truth is, you do notice other men, much in the same way women notice other women. You’re not obsessing about his shoes or man purse, but you see that he’s been to the gym. It’s okay, just get your ass to the gym if you want pecs and guns like that.

Confide in Their Mother

Source

What’s wrong with being mama’s boy? Nothing, if you’re asking your mother. Plenty of men confide in their mothers more than their girlfriends or wives. The main reason for never admitting this simple fact boils down to female jealousy. It’s best if mom and your girl get along, right? So they both have to think they are number one. It’s tricky, but this may be one of the most important secrets to keep.

Continue an Argument For No Valid Reason

Source

You’re always 100% right, even when you’re wrong. That’s just how it is. During a verbal sparring matchup, you may sometimes realize your opponent does have a valid point. That’s no reason to back down. Just continue the argument until you can devise a viable exit strategy and end it there – without admitting anything. It’s the man way.

Giggle at Babies

Source

Cute babies are hard for anyone to resist. However, giggling and cooing at a baby, especially when you’re not the father, can feel a little less than masculine. Babies are frickin’ adorable though and can be quite irresistible. It’s not just the women who are captivated by their charms. Same goes for puppies and kittens too, although nobody needs to know that.

Keep Up With the Latest Gossip

Source

We like being in on the latest news just as much as women do, we’re just not as silly about it. Men like gossip, and if there is no safe and secret outlet to quench this thirst, there’s always TMZ, Perez Hilton and the tabloid rags to glance at in the grocery checkout line. Then there’s the ultimate gossip – the sports gossip – ESPN.

Enjoy Being Nurtured

Source

You’re the man, you’re supposed to take care of your woman, right? Well, sometimes guys like to be taken care of too. You may not admit it, but when she dotes on you it makes you feel cared for and special. Basking in these good times privately is great, but it can be excruciatingly uncomfortable if she insists on smoothing your hair or dabbing at your mouth with a napkin in public.

Fear Rejection

Source

It’s not just women who want to be wanted. For single guys, striking out can be very common. It’s rough out there and the rules of the game are never clear. The last thing anyone wants is to pour their heart out and have it stomped to dust by a four inch heel. When this happens, it can really be a big blow to the ego – so much so that it prevents many men from taking chances they want to take. Just remember: No risk, no reward. Confidence is sexy, own it and never let them see you sweat.

Cravings: Chocolate + Ryan Reynolds

So tonight I was craving 2 things.
#1 Chocolate

I didn't have my standard York Peppermint Pattie on hand so I went to my back up that doesn't make me feel like I'll have to run 3 miles to make it up.

Easy Homemade Chocolate covered strawberries
-Slice up some strawberries
-Heat up some Ice Cream Hot Fudge topping
-Drizzle over strawberries
-Enjoy :)

#2 Ryan Reynolds

I love Ryan Reynolds. He just might be my favorite actor. He's ridiculously handsome, hilariously funny, and unbelievably ripped.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

My obsession started when I got my first taste of Ryan when he starred in Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place. Ryan played Michael Bergen or 'Berg' as he's known on the show. An extremely easy going pre-med college student and his two best friends Pete a neurotic architecture student and Sharon a tough girl with a soft heart. If you have never seen this show you have sorely missed out. It only ran for 4 seasons, and sadly you can't even buy it on dvd right now! So unfair.

Later I saw Ryan in Just Friends and I remembered how funny he is! The movie does have several crude parts, but as a whole it's got a good heart and is very funny! Ryan plays Chris Brander, a fat teenager who's in love with his best friend Jaime Palamino, but stuck in the friend zone. He graduates high school vowing to never be stuck in the friend zone again. It's almost painfully funny to watch, and it's pee your pants funny to see him in the fat suit!

Definitely, Maybe was my next favorite movie of his. It's a very sweet romantic comedy with him playing a loving soon to be single father. He's Will Hayes who's in the middle of a divorce who has a 10 year old daughter Maya, who's just had her first sex-ed class. Maya insists on learning how her parents met. He gives in and tells his story, but turns it into a mystery by telling 3 different love stories from his past. It's a great go-to chic flic movie!

The Proposal combines my love for Ryan Reynolds with my love for Sandra Bullock. She is one of my favorite actresses, and the combination of the two of them is fireworks! Ryan plays Andrew Paxton, executive assistant to Margaret Tate (Sandra) the boss everyone has nightmares about. Margaret also happens to be a Canadian who was too late on her paperwork and is now being deported. To stay in the country she decides to blackmail Andrew into marrying her, but she gets a little more than she bargained for when she ends up in Alaska with Andrews entire family. An awesome choice for any movie night! It's also got Oscar from the office in it, although his role might make you laugh, cry and cringe all at the same time!

The Green Lantern is an upcoming movie set to come out this June with Ryan starring as Hal Jordan aka The Green Lantern. To be honest I know very little about The Green Lantern, but I'll be sitting in that theater opening night just because of Ryan. :)

It also stars Blake Lively who I love from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

So if you didn't already love Ryan Reynolds I hope that now you do. Here's one more picture for you to look at. I know I will!