Things to do this weekend in Boise

With the holidays in high gear it’s easy to put your relationship on the back burner as you literally shop till you drop, get ready for that big work party, or plan attending the kids’ Christmas programs. In fact, most couples haven’t thought about a romantic evening in weeks because they have full schedules.

It’s important during these stress filled days to spend some quality time together and get away from the hustle and bustle. So why not make it a date night this next weekend? Get that babysitter scheduled, make some diner reservations at your favorite restaurant, and plan an evening of fun and romance.

Per www.boiseonlinemall.com/entertainment/ there are plenty of events going on in the area:

·        Winter Garden aGlow 2011-2012

December 2, 2011 – January 8, 2012

Open daily from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day

·        Hell’s Belles (All Female Tribute to AC/DC)

December 16, 2011

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. / Show starts at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets: $13.00 - $30.00

·        It’s a Wonderful Life

NNU Little Theatre

December 16, 2011 7:30 p.m.

December 17, 2011 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: Adult w/fee $9.00

               Child $6.00

               At the door $12.00

·        Idaho Steelheads Hockey

December 21, 22, & 23 at 7:10 p.m.

December 30 & 31 at 7:10 p.m.

For ticketing information www.idahosteelheads.com/home.aspx

·       Thunder Mountain Line

North Pole Express

Christmas Party Dinner

Holiday Train

For information http://thundermountainline.com/NorthPoleExpress2011.html

These examples are just a slight few of what is going on out there and with so much to do in our area there really is no reason the two of you cannot take the time to enjoy one another. For any relationship the holidays can be a pressing time. Taking an evening to unwind and relax maybe just what you both need.      

Do not tell me I can't, I will show you I can

Today I was told that my aspirations of becoming a professional writer are nothing but a dream and if I chose to keep pursuing this as a career the caring of my children won't be proficient. And I shouldn’t have decided to marry a man with kids because my goals are far to time-consuming. As much of a slap in the face this was, it really shouldn’t have surprised or affected me as much as it did. Every author I have met all told me that no one will understand or support the crazy desires we have to be published. I’m not sure why I thought this did not apply to me, but this afternoon I learned the hard way that I am not immune to such harsh criticism. 

I've heard most of my life that I would never amount to anything because of where I come from and who I've been raised by. My own grandfather told my mother I would end up pregnant before I saw my senior year in high school therefore, I’d be a dropout. Most others figured I would end up just like her, lying and cheating my way through life. I proved them all wrong; not only did I not end up a pregnant teen, I graduated high school, and I am nothing like my mother. Although, I have to value the woman’s opinion of me because she is the only person who has ever told me that I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to as long as I work hard for it and in no way let someone convince me that I can’t.

For years I supported others and stood for their success standing in the shadows waiting for my time. Well my time never came. It never came because I didn’t pursue any of the opportunities that were laid out before me. There’s a hard lesson that I have learned over the last twenty-five years, you are the only one who can set and reach your goals. Nothing is easy and you have to bust your butt to get things done because no one is going to care what you want to do with your life until you go against the grain. So what if others consider your ambition a pipe dream, success cannot be achieved if you never even try in the first place.

Love locked on a bridge

     Everlasting love. Everyone in the world at one point in their life believes they have acquired the power of true love, a seemingly unobtainable sentiment. For centuries men have killed for it and women have submitted to its command. The obsession humanity has for passion is so imperious it can cause man to become a saint or a fiend. Today it looks as if the world has once again united in the commonality of all civilizations; Love.

     Frederico Moccia an Italian author wrote I want you, a novel that has started a phenomenon throughout Europe as thousands of couples have engraved their names on locks and attach those locks to various structures around the world. The most famous is the Hohenzollernbruecke Bridge in Cologne, Germany. Lovers from everywhere fasten their “love lock” on the structure and toss the key into the water below hoping to seal their fate in trying to make certain their love will always endure.

     The mere suggestion to ones mate that they should acquire a “love lock” would be an act of devotion of its own accord. How could anyone not be moved by such a declaration of love? Romantic gestures are nothing new and have been an obsession since the dawn of time. Arthur and Guinevere, Romeo and Juliet, and Adam and Eve, truth or fiction these lovers’ tales have stood the test of time all in the name of love.  

     The emotion itself warms the soul even though the world is suffering such trying times, love still conquers all. In the midst of economic down turns on nearly every continent, violence rampant in many areas of the globe, and corruption at the highest levels; people are still discovering amazing ways to lift their spirits and bond.  

     Traveling halfway across the world to go to such extremes to profess your undying love for someone is the utmost romantic sentiment that’ll send even the coolest of heart into a euphoric state. And what a state it is. Without a care in the world, the overwhelming power of romance is the most wonderful feeling a person can experience.

      You might ask yourself, “Does this really keep couples together?” Probably not however, if a couple doesn’t get anything else out their relationship, they still have an awesome tale to tell about the time they took their love lock abroad with whom they believed was their soul mate. Now that is something to write about.

Reason #1 to give thanks

My day started out like any other day. The ol’ alarm clock went off at 6:30 this morning encouraging me to get up and get the kids out of bed. They proceeded to school as I sat with my cup of coffee attempting to wake up. With the apartment to myself, I head upstairs to apply the necessities to my face and hair so that I may present myself to the world. In my closet I stand there, just as I do everyday, contemplating which garments will I wear. Getting dressed is always a chore for me, too bad we all can’t wear jammies to work. Oh wouldn’t that just be grand? I refill my java, get my lunch put together, and head out the door for the commute to that bane of my existence, called my day job.

Once I am at my desk, I start the usual unloading of my bag which usually consists of my How To books only to discover this beautiful and most colorful note from my nine-year old daughter, Izabella. In an array of all the striking colors of the rainbow were the words, “Love will find a way. Love is gona find a way.” Typically, this declaration may seem odd for a child to inscribe for her mother. However,  it made this mommy’s day and I proudly hung it up on my wall right next to my computer screen for me to glance at when I need to smile. Trust me, at my job there’s not a lot to smile about.

The phrase Izabella is quoting is from one of our favorite 80’s rock bands, Tesla. It’s amazing how our children end up liking some of the same things that are still apart of you. I have a rather bleak opinion about true love and my children seem to think it’s their personal mission to change my mind about the subject. This is one of those ways Izabella came up with. My kids have amazing imaginations and display the grandest of affection towards me. I am so thankful for those in my life.

A big THANK YOU to my kids.