I quite like this theme. It’s roomy without being overbearing and there’s enough space for everything I want. I feel a bit weird about not having a links bar in the header but to be honest, it’s a good change. I weeded out a few useless links and made a little paragraph about me, and whatever I could fit into that comfortably, I left and linked.

I’ve been playing a lot of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass lately. It was one of the anniversary gifts I got! I’m a HUGE Zelda fan, way back to the NES days, so I’m enjoying it. I have to say that they’ve done an incredibly good job at integrating the touch screen and all of the features the DS has to offer. They’ve done it in a creative way, that has me saying “Oh my goodness, that’s so freaking cool” no less than twice a day when I’m playing it.

The other game I got isn’t so much of a game, but I can say I definitely enjoy it. It’s My Weight Loss Coach and it’s so incredibly cute. There’s a little stick figure on my screen patting me on the back for everything good that I do. They’ve taken advantage of the fact that you can plug in GBA games at the same time as DS games, and made a pedometer that syncs with your game by plugging it into the GBA slot. It’s almost a light-weight approach to weight loss. They give me six challenges per day (no more!) that range from “Do X amount of sit-ups” to “Over the next twenty-four hours, put your salt shaker in the cabinet and leave it there” and if you don’t finish a challenge, instead of beating you over the head with it, they say that there’s no harm in taking easier challenges first.

Speaking of weight loss, I’m pretty sure I won’t be renewing my gym membership for the next year. Don’t get me wrong, I loved going - when I’d go. Because it involved either walking (made difficult by shin splints) or driving there, I’d make excuses not to go. Once the shininess wore off, I was able to justify not going and it didn’t help. Not to mention I’d get there and I’d already be tired, so I would only do a small workout. I lost ten pounds last summer working out at home, and gained it back and ten more while at the gym. While I’m pretty sure there’s a medical reason behind my constant gain and failure to lose, I know that something’s not right when I’m paying bi-weekly for something that isn’t working for me. I figure I’ll work out at home and focus on getting the most I can out of it, and once I’m back on track and have picked up momentum, I’ll consider going back to the gym. That money could be used for better (or more fun!) things. Besides, one of the main reasons for joining was because it’s a social atmosphere, and I’m not getting the social vibe.

So that’s my life lately in a nutshell. I’ve also purchased a new planner, but I’ll be writing more about that in another entry that’s in the making. It’s a planner; it’s like a child to me! I couldn’t just leave it as a footnote!

Last week, we did lists. Various lists that, as I put it, just make sense.

This week I’m doing something a tiny bit more personal. On August 25, 2006, I married my husband. Two years later, I’m still as happy and as in love as the day I married him, let alone the day I met him. So in honour of our special day, this week’s Weekend Wrap-Up is relationships.

• Get In Her Head - This is a very interesting little site I found that takes the guesswork out of certain aspects of a relationship. You put in your sizes, preferred dates, preferred gifts, special dates and other things, and your significant other can look them up when they’re stumped for ideas. It makes romance less of a puzzle, which is good when you’re short on time or just plain lost on Christmas Eve.
• 101 Ways To Show Your Husband You Love Him - This is from the Get In Her Head blog, but it has its own separate entry on my list because it deserves it. It’s an awesome list with little ideas to spoil your husband and make him feel special. Not every idea is for every husband (things like number 2: “If he normally gets up with the kids, give him a morning off.” don’t really apply to us) but some (like number 24: “When he gets home from work, greet him at the door wearing lingerie or nothing but a smile.”) are bound to add excitement to anyone’s day!
• 101 Small Things to Keep the Wife Happy - This is the post that, as I understand it, was the inspiration for the husband list above. I found this post to be so good and truthful that I even forwarded it to my husband! Some seem natural (Give her a hug every day, Say “I Love You” at the end of every phone conversation) and some are just incredible and heart-melting (Give her a back rub (or massage her feet. Or shoulders. Or really, whatever she likes), Bring home a gift certificate for a pedicure or massage) but the whole list is awesome and should be read.
• 100 Great Date Night Ideas - A list of lists, this is fantastic for those nights that you feel like you’re in a slump. They’ve got anniversary ideas, date night tips, a sexy must-read list and even recipes for your special night!
• 20 Key Ideas for a Happy Marriage - Another list (Yes, I like lists!) with tips on everyday appreciation and romance. Instead of tips on what to do, where to go, or what to say, it tells you what to think about to keep yourself happy in your marriage. Tips including remembering your finest moments, writing a list of your spouse’s positive patterns and qualities and being a good listener are all things that will make a marriage last longer and be generally happier.
• Cheat Codes to Have a Happy Marriage - This takes a slightly different perspective on the idea of marriage, with talk of “score cards” and how to raise yours. It’s probably sparked some controversy with people who take their marriages almost too seriously, but it is in good fun and if you look past the “score” thing, it’s got some great advice and tips that apply even when you’re not out to increase your partner’s “score”. A good read!

This wraps up this week’s Weekend Wrap-Up. I hope these links help you gain a new perspective on your relationships, or at least make you think a bit. I know they’ve helped me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an anniversary to plan!

For more information about Weekend Wrap-Up, click here. To suggest a site, email me with your suggestion and why you think it should be included!

“When you’re young, your whole life is about the pursuit of fun. Then, you grow up and learn to be cautious. You could break a bone or a heart. You look before you leap and sometimes you don’t leap at all because there’s not always someone there to catch you. And in life, there’s no safety net. When did it stop being fun and start being scary?” (Sex and the City)

Do you ever stop before making a huge decision in your life and wonder “What if?” Has that ever stopped you from doing something?

I’ve made a lot of huge decisions in my life so far. When the time comes to make it, you have to weigh your options. Does the reward outweigh the risk you’re making? The biggest decision I made was the decision to move out here. Matt and I have our ups and downs like any couple, but I would never in a million years give it up. I wouldn’t move back. I wouldn’t start over. Given the chance, I wouldn’t change a thing. My husband is there for me when I need him, and is everything to me.

He’s the person I come home to on the rare occasion that I go out, and I’m the person who greets him when he comes in from work. He’s the one who surprises me with a taco salad, or makes my plate at suppertime, or smells the air and makes “yummy noises” when I cook. He’s the one who hugs me when I cry and the one who tells me everything will be alright when I get nervous.

I think back and I can’t imagine not doing this. If I hadn’t done what I did, I wouldn’t be here now. I wouldn’t be in this relationship with a man who loves me with his whole heart. I wouldn’t be finding out who I am, or working on my confidence. I don’t know what would have happened, but I do know I wouldn’t be here.

So every day, I think about my choices. I don’t wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t made them, but instead I remind myself that I made the best one for me. I am truly happy with my life this far, and how many people do you know that can say the same?

Today was awesome. Matt and I spent the day together (yay for days off!) and just goofed around. His mom left this morning to go across the country again to work, and his dad had headed off to work, so we had the whole apartment to ourselves. We took some blankets out in the living room and rolled each other up in them like burritos. Silly, I know. But fun. I think everyone should act like a child every once in a while - it takes the edge off of life!

We had pizza for dinner. It was delicious. I ordered a vegetarian pizza, while Matt had a Meatzza and I stole a small piece of his. I figure that’s better than having a whole pepperoni/mushroom/sausage pizza to myself. Also, I stuck to my deal that I had made myself - I was going to grab some Pringles out of the kitchen and didn’t. I really still want them - even typing about them, I can taste them! And there’s three cans in the living room. It’s like torture by salty snack foods, or something.