Peace, Content, Love

These aren't conditional. I will not wait until things are exactly my way to reside in these gifts I want to call my home.

I give up control, submit- yes, submit, without fear of feeling hollow or losing my spirit.

I will love unconditionally, contribute to a peaceful home, and give up worry, control and false securities. Be still in contentment.

If I love, I will feel love, I will see love, and I will share love.

Our God is an awesome God. He reigns with widsom, power and love.

Last Fling Before The Ring...

"You need a white dress and a tan and that's all you need to know!" - Michele- my best friend and co-bachelorette party planner. She and Alex had planned a memorable evening of fun that began with a day of pampering for myself. I took the day off from work, for no reason other than, to shop for a dress, get spray tanned, a manicure and pedicure. It was just fabulous. I hadn't taken that kind of time for myself in a very long time and doing so put me in that empowered and confident place that left me feeling beautiful, sexy and ready to have a GREAT time.

Saturday evening rolled around and I met my girlfriends in our downtown suite. Missy, Amye and Stacie in from out of town. Miranda, Alex, Michele, Nichole, and Jennifer made us the perfect 10 to celebrate the night away.

Michele had the evening catered by the Hub and the food was great. We had martinis and girl talk while we played games to dirty too mention on a blog and opened girly gifts and that will keep on giving. We laughed continuously and enjoyed the kinship, silliness and respect we share for each other. I basked in the surreal moments of this celebration trying to take it all in. Each one of these friends brought a kaleidoscope of memories from my past leading up to this night. As I looked around this circle of friends, I acknowledged- again- how amazing it is to be loved and taught and supported by other women along the journey. Women are often shamed for being catty or manipulative- but thankfully- my circle is full of love, support, and authenticity- ingredients for life-long friendships and God-mothers.

After our shenanigans at the suite- we headed out to bounce around town to our vip reserved tables and bottle service Michele had arranged for us. We danced, laughed and sang the night away before turning in just before the sun made us. Brunch at Moonshine was much needed and lovely. My only regret is that it didn't last just a little longer. What an unforgettable night- thanks friends.

My Cup Overfloweth

Last Saturday was my bridal shower hosted by Sallie's super-fun girlfriends- Vicki, Debbie, and Roberta. It's was Ladies only, and my girlfriend Alex joined me to make it an even 10. The perfect number to circle Vicki's festive and elegant table for a delightful brunch of casseroles, fresh berries, mini-sandwiches, green salad, and Roberta's curry chicken salad. We were greeted with mimosas and fresh strawberries- then chatting, introducing and admiring the decor and spread Sallie's friends had thoughtfully arranged to make it a special day.

Brunch abounded with conversation, stories and laughter. We heard of Katie's Maddie- adventures in college, Vicki's grandson Andrew, Beatriz and Alex swapped stories of life in Monterrey, Ana listened to baby name origins, Debbie and Barbara traded experiences of the adventures of education, and Sallie cracked us up with wisdom & witticism on the birds and the bees. We covered a lot of ground as the memories, conversation and wine flowed.

We opened gifts- mostly dishes, which reminded me of shopping in the mall with my mother as a young girl. She'd ofter linger in the dishes department prodding me- "Which dishes will you choose when you grow up? Which ones do you like best?"
"I don't know...." I reply puzzled. "Who cares about dishes?"

Well, here I am all grown up and thrilled about dishes- Butler's Pantry- unique, elegant, and ready for any occasion. My how time flies.

The best thing about all this is, no, not the dishes. It is these treasured moments, landmark events that build us up to do our best in this life and warm our hearts. So ladies, thank you for making me laugh with your toilet paper bridal gowns, thank you for allowing me to be the "Queen for a Day." My Cup Overfloweth.

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.