Last night we went to a free movie preview for a movie called 9. How exciting to see a movie that doesn't come out for months!!

I didn't know anything about it, really. Other than it was directed by Tim Burton (and some other people that are apparently big names). There's a trailer available, but I didn't bother watching it. When was the last time you went to see a movie like that? In my experience, seeing a movie with no prior knowledge makes it really good.

We had to wait in line a little while, and the line got really long. But we got in and had seats together - some of the last people let in had to split up. The theater hasn't been refurbished and smelled like a dirty diaper.

I don't want to tell too much about it because not knowing what was happening, I think, made it better. Although I will say it's quite scary, and really not good for smaller children. Take them to the Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D instead (and take me while you're at it!).

When I was filling out the survey, my first impression was, "I didn't like it!" I don't like scary movies. But the more questions I answered, the more I realized it was actually quite good. Even the non-scary parts had that sort of creepy crawly feeling, as to be expected. Some of the acting was great! And the story was creative, even though it had elements that you would think to be over done.

If I were recommending it to myself, I'd say, wait for it to come out on DVD. And don't see it in 3D.

This weekend was the kind of weekend I thought we’d have after the wedding – lots of things to do but not all toward a major goal.

Saturday we spent running errands and watching Iron Man. Cheesy, but fun to watch. Got a lot done with respect to getting the apartment cleaned up and organized.

Sunday we planned a full day of activities with friends. We started with breakfast at La Creperie, ‘cause breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s also a favorite amongst our crowd and should be amongst your crowd, too.

Then to the Natural History Museum. It’s right across from USC, and was free because it was corporate sponsor day. That is a good way to get people to come! Especially when you can charge a lot for parking. After a few hours, though, we’d seen all the exhibits, and I certainly had my fill of taxidermy.

So, back down to our apartment for Wii and drinks before a showing of Monsters vs Aliens in 3D. It was by far the best 3D movie I’ve ever seen, since the glasses never seem to work very realistically to me. The movie was pretty funny, and not all of the funny parts were in the trailer.

We also got approached by the free movie preview guy. Before, he was always hawking a movie that a) didn't sound too good and b) was on a school night. This time, though, he was promoting a new Tim Burton movie! We signed up on a quick stop home before dinner.

For dinner we got hooked up at the Boiling Crab. We’ve talked about going, but never really made the time. It was a really fun new experience, and the crab legs really were good! Next time I’d probably go on a less crowded night, but it’s worth it at least once for the experience. I'll have to watch the calories this week!

And that was the day! Unless you consider my puttering around getting ready for the week. Always time well spent.

Getting married is a big change. Even when you already live together. The biggest of which, actually, is changing your name.

I don’t have that many married friends (the one I had thought I might pester is actually out with a brand new cute little baby … and probably needs a nap). So, like all other wedding questions, I figured I’d just look on the internet ATW. Plus, I kind of knew I needed the official marriage certificate, and I knew you start this epic journey at the social security office.

Plus, it’s easy. I’m not hyphenating. I’m not moving names around. People do this all of the time, and I have a freakin’ master’s degree. Easy, in theory.

I wanted to get on it as soon as we got home from the honeymoon. No foot dragging here! But that first week back was hectic and I didn’t quite get around to it.

Plus, there’s the matter of coordination. Do you change your name before you line up all of your finances, or after? Before, or after you move? I can’t tell you how many times you need a driver’s license with a current address (and a current name!) when you move.

Luckily, the very next week I ran in to a friend who got married a couple of years ago. We’ll call her the wedding planner extraordinaire, because she’s the most organized person I’ve ever seen. Anyway, she offered to send me her list of instructions (always graciously accept any offers of help toward a wedding). I mentioned that I hadn’t gotten around to it yet, because we hadn’t actually gotten the official certificate yet. To which she says, “oh, I had to go pick ours up.”

Say. What.

Sure enough, I look at our marriage license at home. On the back: "You will not be notified that your license has been registered. You do not automatically receive a certified copy."

So … that $70 I paid was for … ? And the extra $13 to file it ... ?

Of course the time I figure this out is 9:30 pm on the one night a month the county clerk is open late.

So my caring husband helps me fill out the form to request copies and writes a check. Yeah, $13 for copy. Oh, and you need more than one, for sure.

I’m hoping it comes soon; preferably before the next late night at the county clerk, because otherwise I just wasted a stamp.

Last weekend Disneyland was so crowded even the overflow parking lots were full.

So we went to the Disneyland for grown-ups.

I don't know what it is but I love going to Ikea. Is it walking through the store with the frozen yogurt? The hot dog? The bright colors? Their furniture isn't the finest, but have you been to a regular furniture store lately? I have yet to see anything I really love, much less would pay over a thousand dollars for, in a "regular" furniture store. We'd have registered at Ikea, if it were a little more friendly to that kind of thing.

Maybe it's just fun to roam around and pretend like your living space was that cool.

And now, despite all of the issues I've been having with money lately (psychological, not physical), I want to go on a $2,000 shopping spree.

Kitchen table, $179

This is where the trouble started. We don't even need a table. We don't even have room for a table. But this is by far, the coolest table I have ever seen. It's modular enough that it might even make our dining ... walkway? room? look less cramped. Compared to other stores, it's ridiculously cheap.

Kitchen Cart, $99

I love kitchens with islands. Well, I love kitchens in general, except ours. Huge living room, generous bedroom, kitchen that is maybe 6" larger than the tiny one in my college apartment (which, by the way, had a similarly sized table as above with four chairs, and still had a pantry). Basically, this is the closest I could get to having an island. All I could think of was putting our new pots on the shelves, which would be ridiculously convenient.

Bookcase, $219

Previously mentioned large living room has one long wall that stretches all the way in to the dining ... no, I will not call it a room. Right now, we have the side table from one of those particle board desks that go on sale at Wal Mart every fall on which to put our keys and my bag(s). I'm not complaining about that; it's worked out really well. That's why we kept it. But this is beautiful and the picture doesn't do it justice. This is where the real trouble started and I started writing down measurements.

TV Stand, $150

I liked this when I saw it before. It comes in the same finish as the bookcase (matching? could we really have matching furniture??). Between the Wii, DVD player, games, controllers, and other stuff, I'd say our TV has outgrown the end table we've used for so long. I'd get baskets rather than drawers for the bottom though. Not a fan of drawers.

Bed, $299

Once upon a time, we were going to get a bed frame. I don't remember quite why we decided this was a good idea, but this is the only one I liked after many, many stores. Excuse me, do you have any catalogs in English?

Dresser, $279

Because this is already a slippery slope. And I'm convinced it would somehow hold more than our current dresser (like the table, nothing wrong with the current dresser).

Comforter, $149

IT SNAPS TOGETHER. We really, really don't need a comforter. Not even a little bit. But did I mention, IT SNAPS TOGETHER?? This must be why I love Ikea.

Storage Boxes, $26

Why double the price? Because I've decided I must have two. These are not so much an imaginary wish list item as they are an "I might go back and get these this weekend" item.

Drying Rack, $40

Quite possibly the most expensive drying rack ever. But if you live in a large apartment that somehow has no space, this is brilliant. Now if we just had any intention of putting anything on the walls...

If you're a nerd you'll add this up and say, "that's only $1,440!" Of course it is. But there's tax. LA County sales tax will make you cry. And then there's the "oh, wait ... we need to buy this shelf separately?" And some kitchen gadget I will suddenly be unable to cook another meal without.

And now you know why I don't have a house.

Hysterical, especially when you consider it's from my new husband! LOL!

I could spend a lot of time describing, in detail, the past month.

The week leading up to the wedding was so much fun. Having both of our families here, and everyone so happy, is something I'll always remember.

The day itself did go by fast, but not so fast that it was all a blur. I remember every happy moment.


The honeymoon was entirely a surprise. We cruised the eastern Caribbean for the first week, then spent a week at the Ti Kaye resort in St. Lucia. It was just as perfect as the wedding.

For now, though, I'll let it be. Life was good before the wedding, and I can't wait to get back to that!

*if you want to see all the pictures, holler and I'll send over the info.

I have no words.


Except that I will be making this. And you can too if you read these really funny instructions.