Climbing out of the Rut ~ Reviving Date Night

It is so easy to get into a rut...and before you know it, you are just existing day to day. One day turns into one week, a week turns into a month, and then a month turns into a year. Suddenly you're faced with everyone's "Year in Review" letters and you don't have anything to say about your own year...well hardly anything. How does that happen?

{via}

Six years ago I decided to go back to school...full time. About a year later, Rick also jumped in full time. I had already been running a small accounting and business coaching firm part-time and Rick was working more than full-time on a major satellite telecommunications project. We both belong to the "average is not good enough" club so needless to say, we both put our work and school before our social lives. After graduation, I put the effort I had been spending on school into a new coaching and hypnotherapy business and Rick put his effort into a new position at work. Lo and behold, it's a year later and we have two trips and two new cocker spaniel puppies to report. We haven't entertained much, haven't really traveled as much as we would have liked, and date night...what's that?

What we can say is that we both graduated Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors) and that in this economy we are blessed to be secure in work that we love. And oh yes, I also "went gray", got my passport, and planted a mini orchard in my backyard. But.......there's still something missing and I'm gonna get it back! :-)

My 50@50 progress

Rick and I used to love to wind down our busy weeks with an early happy hour, dinner, and sometimes a movie. I loved taking those lazy Friday afternoons to just reconnect, and I miss them. So, today marks a revival. We're starting with happy hour at our favorite little neighborhood Greek style restaurant, Pitta Souvli.  

Pitta Souvli's lovely intimate patio dining

It is like walking into a soap opera, but in the best sense. We are greeted by owner, Jacqulyn Contreras and extraordinary servers who know us and what we drink. Often, even the kitchen staff calls out a happy hello. It's a friendly, casual "sit where you want to", yet sophisticated and intimate atmosphere. And the food...ahhhh they have the best chef. Not only does he get it right every time, his non-Greek specials are also amazing. We've never been disappointed. Oops, this isn't a restaurant review...but you get the idea. It's really, really good. Do you have a favorite neighborhood spot in your corner of the world?

Next, we are off to see Gwenth Paltrow and Tim McGraw in Country Strong. Should be a fun evening.

Gwenth Paltrow in Country Strong {via}

Now that feels like a good start to a New Year! What are your plans?