Guest Blogger: Kellicious!!!

Hey everyone! I am crazy busy at work. My friend Kellicious will be guest blogging for me today. I gave her my log in and password and this little note but I have NO IDEA what she is going to blog about! Enjoy!

-D.S.

D.S. is swamped at work and with life, so I will be guest blogging today and possibly tomorrow. Let me begin by introducing myself, I am Kellicious. I met D.S. over four years ago in a Communication Theory class. She was the only student to get an A on the first exam but she was too modest to tell the class – the professor ratted her out and her face turned Crimson red. A few weeks later I ran into her in our Advisor’s office, he told us we had a lot in common, we exchanged email addresses and the rest is history.

The pseudonym Delightfully Sassy fits her perfectly. Her friendly personality and classy demeanor make her Delightful and her quick whit makes her Sassy. From the flower in the title to the posts, D. S’s personality shines through this blog. I truly enjoy reading it ….well, most of it. The posts I dislike are about her weight. Listen up readers, D.S. is not being honest when she blogs about her body. If I made a list of every person I know and categorized them from thinnest to heaviest D.S. would be on the thin list. Simply put, she is not bony, she is not flat chested, she has a butt and she has hips, she is 5’2 but often wears heals. My Mother once said that she has a beautiful collarbone. My brother says she is so adorable he could put her in his pocket. My boyish figure would die for her hips and chest. And maybe if I had them, the boys would be calling.

I guess what I am trying to say is the way D.S. sees her body and the reality of it are very different. At least she is only a Debbie Downer about her body on this blog. Until I read it here, I never realized that she didn’t love the way she looks. Isn’t it comical, that the people we think are the prettiest or the people we aspire to be, may have a very different view of their self?

Until the next time,

MelKel, known to D.S. readers as Kellicious

Boomtown II

As you know, I was apprehensive about returning to my hometown but looking forward to my Engaged Friend's party. The apprehension started when Engaged Friend sent a panicked email that read, "You all have to call the new dress place and give them your measurements and a deposit for the dress. The dresses must be ordered TODAY!!! Thanks, Engaged Friend." It immediately annoyed me because I had no idea that she had chosen a new bridesmaid dress, what store to call, how much it was going to cost and I didn't have my measurements. All of this took place mere hours before I was getting in the car to drive to her party in Boomtown. Thankfully the bridal shop owner is a sweetheart and everything worked out. This is so typical of Engaged Friend but I love her anyway.

Engaged Friend's party was fabulous; I didn't run into to any old Boyfriends and, I got to visit some of my favorite places! When I returned home Saturday HB and I had a date night and Sunday we spent the day on the boat. The weekend turned out to be great! Isn't that usually how it works out; when you expect a weekend to suck it turns out to be great?! Here are some more pictures of my hometown and our Sunday Boat Day.

This is a sno-cone from my FAVORITE Sno-Cone Stand. I got Wedding Cake Flavor and loved every. single. bite.

This is my favorite bar/restaurant in Boomtown. The food is not exceptional but the atmosphere is perfect. It's my "Cheers".

I grew up in this house. The picture is off center because I was taking it as I was driving. I tried not to look like a stalker but I think I did....

This is my dog enjoying the boat on Sunday. She LOVES to swim.

How was your weekend?

Favorites from back home...

I am headed to my hometown this weekend to attend an engagement party for my best friend - who just annoyed me, but more on that later. I am preparing myself for run ins with old friends, high school classmates and ex boyfriends. In my hometown, people don't grow up and they never leave. Despite some of the residents, my hometown is a beautiful, and rather fun, place. Here are a few of the things I love about Boomtown:


The Cathedral is a beautiful church on an oak tree covered property. HB was lucky enough to attend this church every week with his school and my engaged friend, with the party this weekend, will be getting married here.


This tiny little burger joint has been delighting residents with their secret sauce since 1947. The burgers are so good, they don't even need to serve fries.


This little area is new to Boomtown but it is my favorite place to shop and grab lunch with old friends.


By far the best donuts I have ever eaten. Nothing compares.


The homes in Boomtown are beautiful! This is one of my favorite. A classmate of mine grew up in this house.

Am I Toned Yet???

Last night, after two years, I returned to Pilates training with a new instructor and new understanding of my body. My new instructor is very knowledgeable and assuring. She made me feel at ease while reacquainting myself with the intimidating machines. She has three of them: The Reformer, The Cadillac, and The Chair (which is by far, the scariest!) As I was working out on these machines I could feel my muscles burning and stretching. By the end of the workout I felt taller – I’m sure it was just my imagination.

Once we began our workout the memories of my previous Pilates training came flooding back. Previously, my sessions were on the Reformer with four coworkers. I was flustered by their experience and abilities on the machine. In the first few sessions I felt self conscious and tried to prove that I too can bring my leg strait up in the air with two blue springs and one red. But I quickly became familiar with the ballerina type movements and everything started to feel natural. I felt strong and acrobatic. My balance and flexibility greatly improved. My favorite thing about Pilates isn’t the elongating of my muscles or the strengthening of my core (but I do LOVE those things) it is being able to have a challenging 60 minute workout without feeling weak and exhausted after. After I complete a Pilates workout I feel longer, more flexible and much stronger. I feel like I could run a mile or lay out by the pool. Even today, while my muscles are sore it doesn’t feel like I beat them.

Here are three things I learned at my session:

• My scoliosis, while minuscule, still has affected my knees and the muscles around my hips and shoulders.

• A woman’s Transversus Abdominus, the deepest abdominal muscle layer, is designed to stretch and cause a “pooch” for baring children. This stretching “feature” in the muscle makes it much more difficult for women to loose the “pooch” after having a child or just simply eating too much. This is one of the reasons why it is much easier for a man to have a flat lower abdomen.

• Slouching and jutting out my chin not only strains the muscles around my neck but it makes me look like a monkey.

It is official, I am obsessed again.

Back to Myself

I will be wearing this dress, in WHITE, made with thin, hip hugging material to a wedding in November. Half of my high school class will be at this wedding. Me, and my hips, will be on alter in this white dress. My heart is racing and my palms are sweating just thinking about it. However, I must thank the dress and my crazy friend who is forcing me and nine other girls to wear it…yes, I typed NINE. Why am I thanking a dress, you ask? I am thanking a dress because it has forced me and my 37 inch hips to get off of our dimply butt and head to the gym.

As I type, my legs ache from Monday’s workout. My days are longer, since I am waking up at 4:45 to head to the gym, but it feels good. My diet has been filled with protein, healthy carbs and veggies – lots of veggies! I haven’t seen a change in my body yet but my attitude is better. I’ve said before that I beat myself up about my weight, lack of exercise and poor food choices but that has changed over the last two weeks. My morning workout encourages me to be healthy all day – mentally and physically. I am proud of myself for my efforts and I don’t spoil it with sweets. I find myself reaching for the almonds instead of a dollar for M&M’s. I guzzle water instead of Diet Coke. I’m not squeezing the skin on my thighs to see if it dimples. I am even attempting private Pilates training – tonight is my first session. I am enjoying this new “feel good about yourself” attitude.

So, thank you little white dress and thank you crazy best friend who would not want to squeeze into this dress either! THANK YOU for pushing me to return to my healthy lifestyle. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.

More on the Pilates training tomorrow…..

10 Things I Did this Weekend

-I slept. Not only did I get 9 hours of sleep on Friday and Saturday night but I also took a 2 hour nap on Saturday. It felt good!

-I bought this dress to wear to an engagement party next weekend. I also went down a dress size!

-I washed 3 loads of laundry.

-I bought this new phone! I am still trying to figure out how to work it.

-Every time I thought about how adorable my husband is I found him and kissed him. I am trying to make this habit.

-I played on Facebook.

-I though about my birthday but not about turning 26. Why does that feel foreign to me?

-I ate cookie dough.

-I went to the neighborhood pool for the first time since we bought our house.

-I put gas in my car.

What did you do this weekend?

P.S. The picture is a boat we saw in Mexico. Dreams....

Funk

I am in a funk this week. I don’t want to work. I don’t want to lunch with my coworker or friends. I don’t want to shop. (HB is pumping his fist in the air as he reads that sentence) Hell, I don’t want to leave the house, or better yet, the couch! I’m not depressed but I am TIRED. It’s more of a mental exhaustion than a physical one. I need three days of naps and girlie movies to snap out of this funk and feel like myself again. BUT, since this is the real world and I have real bills to pay, I can’t do that. Instead, I made a list of things to think about to help me feel rejuvenated.

A massage! I need 90 minutes of warm oil, strong hands and Swedish Bliss!

Flowers! A fresh bouquet to brighten up my office.

Rocky Road Fudge! Yummy! I have been so good with my diet this week but this would be a great treat!

A Swimming Pool! With a good book and SPF 10!

I am feeling better just thinking about those things! What gets you out of a funk?

Party Pooper

I still haven't fully recovered from the 4^th. We had a house (and a boat) full of people all weekend. I feel like I could sleep for a week and still feel tired. Nevertheless, it was worth it! Good food, good fun, good boating, good friends = a GREAT time. We gave this country a birthday party it won't forget. But with every good party comes a good party pooper. And boy, did we have a Pooper. Of course, the Pooper will be what I blog about because let's face it, the drama is much more interesting and I need to vent!

And, the Biggest Party Pooper award goes to ……HB's sister!!! I am going to come right out and say it, she wasn't only a Party Pooper she was a strait up BITCH! At some point during the weekend each of our guests approached HB or I about her behavior. I have blogged about my SIL and her horrible attitude before. Anyone who knows HB's family is well aware of my SIL's rude and often inappropriate outbursts; outbursts that my in-laws often ignore and expect everyone around them to ignore as well. However, in my 6 years of dating HB and being around his family, I have never seen my SIL act as terrible as she acted this weekend. I am utterly embarrassed with her actions and will do my best to keep my friends away from her in the future.

Let me update you on what my SIL has been up to this summer – she has been touring Europe!!! 6 Countries in 30 days, oh, and a long weekend in NY to wrap it up. Once she arrived home she immediately began her search for a new car and an apartment in the nicest area of town – both of which will be paid for by my Father-in-law. The girl should be on cloud nine. Well, she isn't! She spent the entire weekend moping around the house full of 20+ guests. I didn’t see her smile once. When she would emerge from her cave (a.k.a. her room) she would grunt when asked a question or simply roll her eyes and not respond at all. My in-laws spent the weekend making excuses for her behavior, “She is so stressed about starting law school,” “She is still tired from Europe,” “Her tummy is having a hard time adjusting to American food,” were a few I heard. She left us and our guests feeling uncomfortable and unwanted. I am not sure what was worse, her behavior, or the fact that no one called her on it. But I can promise you one thing, HB and I will NEVER bring our friends around her again – which isn’t such a surprise since we all know I have trouble getting over things.

I hope you didn’t have a Party Pooper at your 4^th of July party.

BABIES!!!

Last night HB and I found out that our good friends are STORKED! They're our first close friends (meaning they live near us) to have a baby. I am so excited for them! They are going to make wonderful parents and their child is going to be beautiful – not to mention extremely well dressed! I must admit I was shocked when I heard the news. I always imagined we would have a child first. And, if I am be completely selfish and honest, I am little disappointed that we aren't the first. HB and I are always doing things 2^nd with this group of friends. For example, the STORKED couple, were the first to get engaged (we got engaged 6 months later), they were the first to buy a house (we bought one 2 months after), and now, they are the first to have a child. This is a selfish thought, I know. I really can't wait to meet their bundle of joy!!!!

Is everyone ready for the 4^th?! I know I am!!!!

Want to know a Secret?!?

The secret is: this blog. Two people in my life know about this blog, HB and Kellicious. HB is my husband so of course he knows and Kellicious is a friend from college. She approached me about the blog, convinced me to do it and is a constant inspiration in keeping it going. They are both very supportive – which is a big deal for HB because he is a VERY private person. Originally I decided not to tell my friends or my family. I want this blog to be a place where I can be completely honest about my feelings and happenings in my life without having to worry if I am offending a loved one. I am beginning to question my decision. I would hate for a friend or family member to come across the blog, figure out it is written by me and think that I intentionally kept it from them. More importantly, I would hate for them to read it and take offense to something I wrote.

In all actuality, the chances of a friend or family member stumbling across my blog are slim to none. But I still can’t shake the debate in my head: to tell vs. to not tell?!?!?! I know HB would say, “DON’T TELL!” and Kellicious would say, “You would get more hits!” but I am conflicted. I am an open book with my friends. They know when I am upset, happy, fed up with my sister-in-law, mad, bored, annoyed with work, depressed, hating my mother, going to slap my mother-in-law, disowning my sister, feeling fat, and every other feeling that I’ve felt. I don’t think they would be surprised with the things I write on this blog. Now, my family and HB’s family, they are a different story. My Mother, the queen of guilt trips, would tell me that I have embarrassed the family; my Mother-in-law, who treats my sister-in-law like she is baby Jesus, would never speak to me again, and my Sister-in-law would give me more attitude than I can handle – and trust me, she dishes out enough already.

This blog is me, my personality, my thoughts, my feelings, my insecurities, my obstacles, my dreams…if they didn’t like it I would feel like they didn’t like me. What would you do? Would you tell?

I heart America!

In honor of America and the upcoming 4^th of July festivities here are a few reasons why I LOVE this Country!

- Freedom of Speech: I can write whatever I choose on this blog or I can shout it from the roof tops. I can tell anyone who will listen that I like or dislike the President or the Speaker of the House. Hell, I can even lie about them if I want – all of the newspapers do! I can voice my opinion of any person, product, celebrity, alien, movie, law…anything, with out persecution. Freedom of Speech is one of the greatest Rights we have as Americans.

- Loyalty: The United States is loyal to its citizens. When I was in a child two men from my home town went hunting in Southwest Texas. They illegally crossed into Mexico with their firearms. They knew better but they had big egos and one of them had a rich Daddy so they thought they would get away with it. They were arrested and held in a Mexican prison for months. Nothing was going to get these boys out of prison; not even a rich Daddy. The United States government got involved and the boys were eventually released. We take care of own!

-Being the Best: Remember the girl in middle school who got boobs, or was allowed to shave her legs, or pierce her ears before anyone else. Remember how all of the other girls would gather together and say mean things about her new lady lumps, or her silky smooth legs, and holey ear lobes when really we were all wishing it was us sporting the AAA white cotton training bra. That is America; we are the first to have boobs! We have silky smooth legs and holes in our ear lobes and they hate us for it! We are a young, magnificent Country! They hate that we are strong. They envy our freedom. They want to take us down but we are the best and they can’t.

-Our Founding Fathers: Their wisdom, their vision, their dedication to a better future for all Americans. I wonder what they think of us now. I wonder if they are proud. I hope so.

I am proud to be an American!