My Long Weekend Plans

Yeah, that’s right, I took PTO on Monday so I’m staring a long weekend right in the face.  Three more hours to go until three days off!

Tonight

Bird and I carpooled to work today so after I pick her up we are going out for pizza which will probably run around $30.  Then we are off to the Sara Groves Christmas concert tonight with a couple of friends.  Did I tell you that we LOVE Christmas music?  We do!  Tickets were $18 a piece, but Bird paid for all 4 of them and we are expecting to get paid back by our friends, but you never know.  So $72 for now, but hopefully only $36 in the end.  After the concert we are invited to a friend’s birthday party taking place at a bar down in Dinkytown by the U of M.  We’d love to attend but it will depend on how late the show goes vs. how late the party goes vs. how we’re feeling.  If we go, that will probably be another $20 or so.

Saturday

I always write that I hope Saturday involves sleeping in, but it never does.  Bird has a Christmas cookie baking/swapping extravaganza planned with her cousins for most of the day, so I will be free to do what I choose.  Perhaps I’ll go book hunting, but most likely I will play around on the internet.  This blog sure could use a few tweaks.  And the apartment could use some cleaning.

Saturday night we have dinner reservations here to celebrate that one year ago we got engaged (actually on the 20th, but you’ll see below that we have plans for Sunday).  I’m not sure if that’s something that usually gets celebrated, but what the heck, why not.  We love Levain and this is a really good excuse to go there.  It’s not even the place we went the night we got engaged, but as it turns out, we like Levain more than the other place.  Dinner is probably going to cost about $80-$100. 

Sunday

After church, we’re headed to Bird’s uncle’s place for my in-laws side of extended family Christmas.  Last year was my first year there and it wasn’t so bad.  I’m sure it will be just as not-so-bad this year.  They are smart and always plan Christmas for the Sunday before, so that the guys can watch football while the women hang out in the kitchen.  It’s a wise plan and works out well.  I’m still getting to know that side of the family, but I know one of her uncles is a financial advisor.  We are going to try and talk to him a bit about what we should be doing with our money as we save up for a downpayment.  I’m thinking we’re doing okay with ING Direct at 1.3%, but I’ll let you know if he has any great insights.  On Sunday night when we come home, I’ll be trying to find a place to watch the Vikings game.  Let’s hope it goes a little better than our last Sunday night game.  This should be a no spend day!

Monday

I took Monday off because I needed to use a PTO day or it wouldn’t rollover.  I tried to get Christmas Eve, but it was not available.  I am going to do my remaining Christmas shopping on Monday.  And get my car washed.  And maybe book shop.  And work on Bird’s Christmas present.  And then have dinner made when Bird comes home from work!    It will be a full day, but I’m hoping it makes more sense to shop on Monday than it does on Saturday.  This will definitely not be a no spend day, but I’m hoping to keep my Christmas shopping under $200.  At this point I am only shopping for my brothers, parents, and maybe Bird’s parents. 

What are you doing this weekend?  Do you have your shopping done?