MORE Fun and Cheap Dates

Good Thursday morning!

There are miscellaneous pics in the Gallery today. (I'm really looking forward to this weekend. There's going to be tons of PEOPLE pics next week.)

RANDOMNESS #1 - I made another Pinterest recipe last night... Pizza Grilled Cheese. It was delicious, and it replaced our regular Wednesday Night Pizza. It didn't cost $20, plus tip, at the door. I had every ingredient I needed except for pepperoni, and Josh picked that up for me.

Check back Tuesday for the step-by-step recipe.

RANDOMNESS #2 - In a few minutes, I'm going to make the Pinterest Peanut Butter and Chocolate Crescent Roll recipe for Roxie and Josh's snack this afternoon. I'll share that recipe next Tuesday, too.

Mark it on your calendars. Tuesday will be a two-fer!

RANDOMNESS #3 - Okay. Mikie was out of town last night (Atlanta). Roxie went to church. Josh wasn't feeling great, so I stayed home with him to make sure he wasn't coming down with something. It was such a nice, quiet evening.

I'll just come out and say it... I finished The Hunger Games. I'm ready for the movie. March cannot get here soon enough!

RANDOMNESS #3 - Things I've Learned While Raising Teens... A Humbling Experience.

Dating Rules - Yep. Dating Rules. Ya gotta have 'em. It's a must. These rules aren't popular. These rules aren't negotiable. According to the kids, they will NOT subject their children (my grandchildren) to these rules. (We'll see!)

Rule 1 - You can double-date or group date when you are 15.

That one doesn't look bad at all, does it? You're in high school. There are church activities and school activities which scream, "Group Date!" However, there are a couple of "sub-rules" that go along with Rule 1.

Sub-Rule 1 to Rule 1 - When you double or group date, unless otherwise noted, a parent will be dropping you off and picking you up.

"Argggghhh! Why can't Barney (fictional friend) drive eight of us to the ballgame? He's been driving two weeks... and he's good. He's really, really good!" (Can you see the reasoning for the Sub-Rule? Can you?)

Sub-Rule 2 to Rule 1 - You're a Freshman at 15 years of age. You need to stay in the 15 to 16 year-range for an acceptable double date.

"Arggghhh! But Mom. He just turned 20 last week. He's practically a teenager!" (Okay. I think you understand the importance of the Sub-Rules.)

Rule 2 - You can single date when you are 16.

Again, not a bad rule. That is, until you get to the all important Sub-Rules!

Sub-Rule 1 to Rule 2 - You can only get in the car with a date if the date has a flawless driving record (no wrecks or tickets) within the last six months. (And the parental units need to know the details of the wrecks and/or tickets acquired prior to the six months.)

"Arggghhh! Dad. That's an invasion of privacy. People learn from their mistakes. No one is a better driver than (fill in the blank)."

Rule 3 - There are NO general curfews.

This one really gets them excited. They think they can live with the other Rules and Sub-Rules because Rule 3 is SO NOT LIKE THEIR PARENTAL UNITS.

Sub-Rule 1 to Rule 3 - Every single date will receive it's own special curfew.

"WHAT?"

"Are you going out to eat and to a movie?"

"Yes."

"Are you eating before the movie?"

"Yes."

"What time is the movie?"

"It starts at 7:00."

"Travel time?"

"I guess 30 minutes."

"Fast food or restaurant-style."

"Chick-Fil-A."

"Okay. You'll need to leave at 5:12 p.m. and arrive home at 9:27 p.m. Have a great time, and remember... You're only young once. Enjoy yourself... but only as it falls under the guidelines of Rules 1 through 3 and any and all Sub-Rules thereunder!"

"WHAT?"

And that, my friends, is how we roll!

Blog Linkage - Okay. You have a lot of reading to do today. The good news... It's all really, really good stuff. The bad news... You probably need to cancel all other plans because you're going to be very, very busy on the computer.

1. Go to The Dating Divas under My Blog List and SEARCH for the post entitled "Flashback Friday" dated February 3. (Just type in "Flashback Friday" in their Search Box and it will take you to the correct post.) The Divas have provided many, many great Valentine's Day ideas. Take your time... pick and choose.

2. Go to eighteen25 under My Blog List and read the last three posts. Again, there are more Valentine's Day ideas than you could possibly use in a lifetime, but that's what I like about eighteen25. Ideas galore!

3. If you missed yesterday's post, go to www.kellehampton.com and read the post entitled "(extra)ordinary" dated February 7. It will change the way you think about everything you do with and for your family today... and every day after.

4. Stay where you are. There's more. Scroll down to the February 6 post entitled "A Tea Party" and get ready to be inspired. There are so many great ideas for a Woodland Tea Party you'll have to read and look at the pictures more than once. I know I did.

5. I've added a new blog to My Blog List. Go to Six Sisters' Stuff and read... EVERYTHING! I think we're going to like this blog.

6. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. Click on Photography at the top of her page. Read the post entitled "So Much Fun." Get your camera. Go outside. Do exactly as she says. (I know I am.)

Enjoy!

MORE Fun and Cheap Dates

These ideas came straight from my favorite new website, Six Sisters' Stuff. Pick one (or two, or three) and date your spouse this month.

11. Volunteer. Sign up to volunteer together at a soup kitchen, retirement home or somewhere that could use a helping hand!

12. Go to a local fair or carnival. Be sure to bring some cash to play some games!

13. Take a free factory tour. You would be surprised what factories are around you! We toured a cheese factory and had free samples at the end!

14. Have a movie marathon. We were able to get the Back to the Future Trilogy and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy for less than $10 each online!

15. Have a Wii Game Night at home. Grab some food and drinks and stay in for the night playing your favorite games! Make some wagers on any sports you might be playing.

16. Make indoor s'mores and read campfire stories. If you don't have a gas stove, you could light candles to cook your marshmallows over!

17. TV show marathon. Pick a TV show and get a whole season's worth of DVDs (or use Netflix), and watch it together!

18. Theme night. Pick a theme for the night and center everything around it. For example, Mexican night. You could eat Mexican food and go salsa dancing!

19. Try a new restaurant. We usually end up eating out at the same places. Pick somewhere neither of you have been and try it out! Who knows, it might be a new favorite!

20. Take some lessons. Try taking a lesson for a couples dance, pottery or a cooking class!

Guess what! I'll have TEN more next week.

Have a terrific Thursday. I'll be back in the morning with Weekend Happenings and a little of this and a little of that.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda