Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh. I am refreshed as I can be, the week before April 15th.

Yesterday was uplifting. We did decide to go out to dinner. I wanted to go to Cheesecake Factory since we were right there, but the line was OUT THE DOOR. We had only braved it once - a weeknight in December - but we were like the only people there. Of course, as recently as last week we notice no one goes out week nights any more. Which is kind of odd. So peeved as I was that we couldn't eat there, & that I wasn't going to wait an hour for dinner (would cost an extra $12 in childcare) I do admit it was nice to see so many people out spending their money. We saw a lot of limos to boot. Some people were out splurging!

You could say the same for our second choice. We eventually ended up at a slow restaurant next to a HOPPING brewery restaurant.

Along the same lines, everyone I know who has lost their job has found better, higher paying jobs. So the news is uplifting around here, so far.

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But yes, I typed yesterday that our weekend was so filled with work that it could be an easy No Spend Weekend. But though we couldn't go to the matinee I just wanted nothing more than to go to the movies as we originally planned. We decided to make it spendy.

It was fun because we went to an older movie theater and dh commented, "I think this is one of the older movie theaters in the area. I have never been here." I said, "Well if you haven't been here - don't think I have either." He goes to the movies far more than I. IT is at the mall. The funny thing is the place had a million signs about not admitting people under 17 to R-rated movies. I laughed when we walked inside and I had deja vu. I said - "I have been here - they are really strict with that 17 and under thing." Dh was like, "Were you here with a kid?" I look young but haven't been mistaken for 16 for a while. I said, "No. We came here in college once and they almost wouldn't let me in because I didn't have my ID - they thought I was under 17." I think since all my friends were in their 20s they gave me the benefit of the doubt in the end. LOL. It was just funny - brought back some college memories. Don't ever remember being carded at a movie theater otherwise. We didn't live here but some of my friends went to college in the area and is part of the reason I was happy to choose this area as our low cost of living haven. I knew the area somewhat; had spent a lot of time around here.

Anyway - movies $20. We couldn't swing the matinee this time. Babysitting $35. Dinner $35. Makes for a $90 date. Oh yeah, why we don't do that very often. It was nice to get a break though. AND to get OUT of the house. I just needed a break from the routine.

The drop-in childcare place was not hopping as I had seen it on a Saturday. They had a "free registration" sign up. I hope they can hang in there - not sure what we would do without them. The place appeals to us much more than searching out someone we trust with both our children and our home. All the good people are always booked solid anyway, so lord I hope this place stays in business. At least there were people there.

They messed up the bill last time and dh caught it so they had given him a full hours' credit (more money than the mistake - but all they could do with their system). We also had a 10% coupon. 3.7 hours would have cost about $52 otherwise. But we spent $35. Kind of why we decided to go to dinner after all. Since we had an hour credit. Usually it's hard to justify more than 2 hours of babysitting.

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Today the limitations of my cheap gym are getting to me. Was thinking of going to gym at 7, before work. But they don't open until 8. Dh is "working" rest of day but the gym daycare is closed on Sunday. Figures. I will probably be able to sneak in before lunch, but would have just preferred to go to the gym before work.

I'll get over it. Can't beat the cost.

I am not sure I made it to the gym or aerobics at all last week. *sigh* I have done good most of the year, but off the wagon last week. We will see about next week. After April 15th I do intend to hit it all full force again.