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!

I married my best friend. Okay, it’s past midnight, and therefore our anniversary is over, but I can still post about it!

We started out the day today with Matt getting an email that I wrote him a few days after our wedding at Future Me. This was a nice thing!

We hung out around the house for a while, he went and got my gifts, then we got ready and went out!

We stopped at the park we got married at, then we went to Mexicali Rosa’s - the place we went the day after the wedding - and had a fantastic dinner. I’m eating leftovers as we speak, and I have churros hanging out in the kitchen! Yum!

Then, we went to Wal-Mart to get a few things, and ended up getting a new camera! No more blurry, out of focus pictures for me! And it’s -so- nice to have a memory card that holds more than fourteen pictures at a time.

It was an amazing day. I wouldn’t have it any other way. You can look at some pictures of the wedding here, and our first anniversary here!

Matt brought me home Taco Bell (My fave! Mmm!) and it turned out that after making my crunchwrap, they ran out of beef, so I got a chicken taco! Apparently chicken is better than beef, so I’m happy. And it was yummy, so I’m happy!

Amy and I went out again tonight. It was fantastic! We went out for coffee (I had a smoothie) and chatted. We’re going to do it more often. I’ll be uploading pictures later!

As of right now, it’s mine and Matt’s first anniversary. More on that later! <3

I didn’t sleep last night. It started out with me leveling Thaelani. Then, Matt had me watch a scary scene in a movie. Then, I ate some Doritos with refried beans, so I decided I’d have to wait to sleep for a while. Then I kept leveling Thae. I finally got super tired, so I decided to go to bed. As usual, I went to put on an on-demand movie, because I sleep better. I chose Little Miss Sunshine. Bad idea.

I got so intrigued by the movie that it is now quarter after eight in the morning, and I’m awake still! I may take a nap later, I may not. I suppose we’ll see.

Amy and I were going to go to the beach today, but the weather forecast looks pretty bleak. All day it says “overcast” and “rain” and that just will not do! I suppose we’ll see, though. We might do something.

I intend to bake a cake at some point today. Why, you ask? Because mine and Matt’s one year anniversary is tomorrow! The top of our wedding cake didn’t last the whole year due to a fairly disappointing wrapping job, so I’ll just make an easy cake for us, and we can eat that!

I’ve been reading more of You: On A Diet, and I really like it. One thing that has really caught my eye is the fact that they say that the amount of fat around your belly is a pretty good indicator of how much stress you have been dealing with. This explains a lot.

I was relatively tiny all my life, up until college. I started gaining weight as I went through an awful relationship with a guy that I’d rather just pretend doesn’t exist, was kicked out of my house, and then I went through a few different jobs and the emotional and mental stress with dealing with them, and the weight just kept coming. Then, I met another guy, went through some other life-changing events, got engaged, called off that engagement, met a man, fell madly in love with that man, moved out to Nova Scotia, then had to leave again after six months. Five months of living with my family, who I didn’t really get along with, then coming back out to Nova Scotia, getting married and then moving one more time. That’s a lot of stress for about five years. I have moved a total of seven times since I was 17. I’ve been engaged twice and married. I’ve dealt with bad jobs and good jobs, and family problems, and deaths in the family (four in the past year alone!). I planned a wedding 1400 miles away from my family, and none of them showed up, which was stressful. I haven’t made very many new friends, and I spend a lot of time alone in the apartment, because I’m shy and have low self-confidence. So, I’d say this weight around my belly is very justified. I’m not saying it’s good. I’m not saying it’s healthy. But each pound has a story of its own in a way, right?

That said, my life is settling down. I have an amazing husband and a wonderful marriage. A fantastic best friend who is there for me no matter what, even though she’s far away. An awesome pet who always knows just when I need her to cuddle with me. And so now, it’s time to get rid of the stress, let myself work through my mental issues, and get rid of this stress that’s built up, both emotionally/mentally and physically.

It’s time for a new me! But right now? This new me needs some breakfast and a cup of tea.