X- ified!

Admission- one of my goals has been to get back into the best shape I can be! Get myself looking and feeling my best through diet and exercise, in other words- change my lifestyle to one that will maintain my physical health as a priority.

Well, this is easier said than done. This year, I finally reached the breaking point. My clothes were no longer fitting me as I preferred. I confess, the waistbands were a little tight when I sat done to work at my desk. I am not proud to admit this. Like many people, I have a FULL, sometimes over-flowing life. I juggle so many balls that sometimes I just have to put one down! Clean house or work out? Grocery store or work out? Glass of wine or work out? Yard work or work out? Well... somehow, working out just kept getting benched.

Until now! I have started the P90X program to X-ify myself! And today, da da da DAAAA! I am sitting in my skinny pants and I can't feel the waistband. AHHHHH! Sweet rewards! I still have much more to go- but I can feel my life-style changing. I no longer want to bench working out- because look at it this way, no grocery store, no house, no yard, no glass of wine is going to tell me- "Wow! You look great in those pants!" So, I decided to document this moment of victory. So that if I lose my focus again, it won't take so long to recover it.

In addition to exercise, nutrition is key. The golden players are my super shakes.

2 Scoops of Usana Meal Replacement

2 Scoops of Standard Process SP Complete

1 Banana or 3/4 cup of frozen organic fruit of your choice

1/2 try of Ice

1-3 cups total of water and/or organic orange juice

Blend and Enjoy!

These shakes fill me up, give my body wonderful vitamins and give me an energy boost to start my day. Plus they taste great. So, I'm sharing the love. What a great day.

Couples' Shower in Austin

This Saturday was our wedding events kick off- Neil and my couples' shower hosted by Missy, Amye and Stacie. The theme was Mojitos, Margaritas and Munchies with much needed gifts cards from Lowes and Home Depot for our still-in-progress home renovation. The party was a blast- Neil and I began the day with Kempo X and by party time - we had worked out all the kinks and were ready to enjoy some much needed fun with our friends and family.

When we walked in- I have to admit I was completely overwhelmed and humbled by the love and blessings from our friends and family. We are really a lucky pair of people to have so much wisdom, love and support around us- not to mention people who just know how to enjoy life. The mojitos and margaritas flowed- and the mini-tacos, taquitos and queso were a hit for everyone. Surrounded by smiling faces- both long-time friends and new- we celebrated the night away in Steiner Ranch... and then The Ranch, and then home again for one last bottle of champagne and... with house guests- Ryan and Sandra- the night ended with a round of Rock Band.

Here is some of the advice we received: Tips for a Happy Marriage!
1. Keep God First!
2. When in doubt: Jewelry
3. Never go to bed angry
4. Have lots of parties and don't sweat the small stuff
5. Love makes a house a home
6. More to come...

What's your best tip for a happy marriage?

love & marriage, love & marriage, fit together like a horse and carriage...

Planning our life- planning our wedding- my blushing crush grows to the man in my life in only 3 ever-so-short years. Three years ago, this week- I was teaching in an English classroom, receiving a text message from my latest, and hottest, date- Neil... "Let's get together..." Valentine's evening, we laughed through dinner at the Roaring Fork, and walked outside and into a carriage ride around downtown Austin. I'd lived in Austin my entire life, but had never seen downtown from a horse-drawn carriage. He kissed me between skyscrapers and stoplights and a new perspective, a new love, had arrived.

Life flew by between now and then, the details of which I'll save for another day. And here we are feeling the complexity of the life-long commitment we are excited and also overwhelmed by. Thinking about marriage makes for a full plate and sometimes stomach pains- past, dreams, fears, loves, and a side and salad for each. Instead of getting carried away at the pre-martial buffet of questions, possibilities and harsh reality of human nature- let's get back to basics. Find our laughter, our kisses, and just enjoy the ride.

Grandmothers

Both my grandmother and great-grand mother live in Illinois, in an elderly care home. My grandmother is in the stages of Alzheimer's and lives many days in the past. I call her to talk, she never remembers, but still chats away to me about what she did that day- well- what she did that day- in her mind. In our last call- she told me of her boys (her 6 sons- now grown of course) She told me how they piled into their van and headed to the park and went to church. She may not know what's happening all the time in her day- but I am comforted knowing that she lives somewhere happy. She does not remember that she is married- but tells me always that she has a nice man friend who visits her. She says he makes her laugh all day. He still believes that she will get better and come home. Thank you sir- you are a good man.

Sometimes, she'll talk to me about me. Once she described going to my childhood dance recital... She said, "Oh I just loved to watch Melanie dance- she danced like an angel." I don't really think she actually ever made it to those recitals... not at least that I remember. But I don't care- I guess she just loved whatever I did- which is the magic of Grandmothers.

Her mother is there too, Bertha (I was almost named after her). She just celebrated her 97th birthday. I talk with her too- she is sharp as a tack. Even though her husband passed away a few years ago- her passion for life did not waiver much- she learned to play the harmonica. She plays hymns at the church near her home, and for her friends and family.

She says to me, "If the good Lord hasn't taken me yet, then there's a good reason I'm still here. And I'll just keep on going, playing my harmonica, going to church, and I play cards too, you know, but most of the people here can't keep up."

There's a unique tie between grandmothers and granddaughters. I don't exactly know how to describe it- an un-bothered love, an intuition that I am strong because women before me were strong, a comfort that if she can do it- so can I. Life is precious, short, and meaningful. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Girls' Night In

You may have noticed the frequent mention of CHANGE in previous blog entries... a few weeks ago, my dear friend Alex and I were perusing the sale racks in the arboretum for some sweaters for all of the upcoming winter events... we drove together there in her sparkling new volvo suv. As we stood in line to check out, I suddenly floated out of my body and looked down upon myself and bf Alex chatting in the check out line... of ANNE TAYLOR. As I snapped myself back into my body, my eyebrows lifted and I interrupted Alex in mid-sentence. "Alex!" I said, "Do you realize we are shopping in a "mom-store" ANNNND we drove here in "MOM-CARS!"

We laughed and thought- we are grown ups, we are really grown ups.

Today comes another moment of notice on my little Melanie pathway... Here it is, Friday night... Neil is working on a new licence in Florida... leaving me to my devices alone in Austin... Instead of painting the town red... my girlfriends and I are painting our toes pink... at home, in comfortable outfits and shoes, sipping champagne, sharing appetizers, watching girlie movies. And after a long week at work... it's sounds divine.

A New Year

Holidays remind us of love and joy, family and celebration, God's love and the excitement of a new year. This 2008 was an eventful year...

Landmark Events of 2008

1. I finished my Master's degree.

2. I began my first house re-modeling project.

3. Neil and I began our life together- engaged to be married!

4. Alexander Brent Boecking was born.

5. Lucky Dog Boecking went to Heaven after 12 years of life.

6. Maisie Boecking was rescued and joined our family.

7. We opened the second Pro-Care Spine Center in San Antonio, Texas.

8. Holly and Mike Neumann were married in Galveston, Texas.

9. Ryan and Lori Gray were married in Puerto Moreles, Mexico.

10. Alex and Kat Olmos were married in Austin, Texas.

11. Ava Royal Gilly was born.

12. Matt and Nichole were engaged.

13. Zach landed his first job as a youth pastor in University Park, Texas.

14. Amar and Emeia were engaged.

15. Brandon and Alex Hall were married in South Padre Island, Texas.

2008 was the year to grow into change.

I grew into the change all around me and within myself.

Growing out of the old and into the new- allowing me to reach new heights- love more, celebrate more, and feel more.

Thank you, Lord for 2008- Thank you for 2009...

Smile. The best is yet to come.

Christmas 2008

Wow- this break was a much needed holiday.

Neil and I enjoyed a romantic evening at Vino Vino- our new favorite wine spot. You grab a bottle from the wall at a great price, tasting is encouraged and the staff was just fabulous as was the food. What a lovely evening. This one is a keeper! ;)

Family Christmas at Mike & Sallie's was FUN as always. We started with dinner at Mandola's Winery on Friday night. Neil and I set the record for the largest steak dinner, but my favorite part, aside from the company, was the pineapple-basil gelato dessert- let the holiday out-of-control-calories begin! The dogs had a blast together- Jackson, Ruby, Little, Maisie and Jenny and slept like rocks after playing so hard all day. The kids were cute, building gingerbread houses, riding scooters and climbing through their pop-up tunnels. B was a pro on the scooter, E and Neil bonded through gibberish language, and A is taking steps on his own! Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed the food and drinks, watching the kids play, and even a little Wii fun too.

Pro-Care Spine Center's Company Party- was hosted by yours truly this year. And I will say, the mashed potato bar was a hit, thanks Clayton & Lindsey for having this at your wedding, thanks Ryan & Sandra for reminding me! My first attempt at meatloaf and meatballs was delish too! Everyone had a great time and Steven even gave Rock Band a shot by the end of the night. Whew! Party planning is fun and tiring!

Girls' Day in Horseshoe Bay- My mom, Sallie and I set off early to take care of some wedding details in Horseshoe Bay. We tasted the wine and the food, viewed the venue again and made sure tables, chairs, and the lot was all placed accordingly. My bouquet is orchids like the one I loved in Amye's Neiman's Beauty Book. And the figuring out the cake... well, was a piece of cake. :) We ended our wedding duties with cosmos and girl talk in the restaurant. It was an awesome day- and it made me excited about our upcoming celebration.

Christmas Eve with my parents was exciting. We attended service at Grace's new sanctuary, my mom sang in the service and it was nostalgic to see some old familiar faces. Then we headed to PFChangs for one of my favorite meals. We celebrated with champagne and enjoyed the company before heading to Jeff's home for a little more Christmas cheer. We toured their masterpiece home and visited, more cosmos, and danced a little as we were pretty merry at this point. I can't wait to see what their next project will be!

Christmas brunch at my parents' house, Zach made it home late and forgot to bring his presents! Regardless, we laughed and enjoyed the morning. Mom and dad headed out to Illinois to visit family and friends- Happy 97th Birthday Grandma! Neil and I headed home to watch movies with our dogs... and ahhh... rest. Zach headed over for some Rock Band and leftovers. I hung back and tried to snuff out my vicious cough with honey syrup and elderberry, echinaecia, night-quill and everything else I could get my hands on at this point.

Christmas with Tom & Marian at Chuck & Monique's house- the kids were busy playing with animals and cardboard bricks- these were a hit and I was happy to see these classic toys are still crowd pleasers. Their new dog Buddy is absolutely precious. He took refuge from the kids' antics in my lap while everyone opened gifts. We enjoyed an awesome lunch at South Congress Cafe on Sunday.

Neil and I and the pups laid low after the dust settled- we cruised the scooter around town, catching lunches here and there, watched movies, and just RELAXED. It was joy, peace and love. The holidays.