a painfully honest post

When I wrote my blog post telling you guys that Mississippi Hippy was changing directions last week, I meant it. So I need to be totally honest with y'all, and this is NOT easy for me AT ALL. Today has been a rough day.  I've been thinking about throwing up my dinner for the past hour.  It just dawned on me that I should blog about it.  I promised transparency and honesty, so here it is.

I had a LONG day at work. After working late to tutor one of my 5th graders, I had to run some errands.  With Valentine's Day, Nick's birthday, and my mother-in-law's birthday all falling this weekend, I had some shopping to do. While running errands, I found out some tragic news that a college friend had lost her fiancé. I needed to hug my husband, and I needed to hug him right then.

On the way home, I decided to stop by the grocery store to get the groceries to make Nick's favorite cake for him for his birthday since we won't be home this weekend to do it. I wanted to start celebrating him. I hung up his Avenger's Happy Birthday banner and had dinner and beer waiting when he got home. I was so happy to see that man walk through the door.  We ate the healthy dinner I made, and Nick played some Donkey Kong on the WiiU (his birthday present). 

Then came the cake.  The sugar-free (mostly), coconut cake.

When it came out of the oven, I cut a piece off for me before I put on the sweetened condensed milk, sugar-free vanilla icing, shaved coconut, and Coco Lopez on top.  I finished Nick's part of the cake and cut him a piece.  I then sat down with him and ate my icing-less piece of sugar-free cake.

Now, I feel GUILTY.  Terrible guilt.  Guilt enough to consider sticking my finger down my throat--something I haven't done since 2008.  It is still a battle.  Every. Single. Day.

You see, I've been trying to drop a few pounds lately.  Not because I'm fat, but because after I have gained 20 pounds since my wedding last March.  For my health, I needed to drop the weight and get back to the healthiest me.  I'm down 11 pounds.

It is absolutely ridiculous for me to be having the guilty thoughts for eating a sugar-free, icing-less piece of cake.  Deep down inside, I know that BALANCE is the key to a healthy and happy life, and I know that I will get through these feelings I'm having right now.  I will not throw up my dry piece of cake, and I REFUSE to waste the rest of my night feeling bad and being mad at myself.

I am stronger than the guilt. I am stronger than the anger, and I am most definitely stronger than Bulimia.

This, too, shall pass.  I'm human. Tomorrow is a new day. A dry piece of cake will not define me.

/////

Why I Love Being Southern...

Hi hippies! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Although it was way too short, (aren't they always?) it was great!

I've been thinking about all the reasons why I love being from the south.  Although it's hot and humid most of the time and it's not always shown in the most positive of lights, I love every bit of being a native to the states south of the Mason-Dixon line.  I love the traditions, the hospitality and everything in between.  Being southern has been a privilege and an honor.  Here are a few reasons why I looove being southern.

The Manners

Yes mam/sir, No mam/sir, Thank you mam/sir, and Please

You just can't beat the sweet sound of southern manners.  There's nothing cuter than an a small southern child or a handsome man saying "yes mam."  Southern manners get you so much farther and are just so polite.  I just love it.

The Cooking

Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, fried okra, biscuits, sweet tea, and homemade bread pudding....are y'all hungry yet?  It's so fattening, but goodness gracious there is no better meal than a southern one--especially on a Sunday afternoon.

Small Towns

I grew up in a small town called Brandon.  God knows that I couldn't wait to get out of that town, but he also knows how much I miss small town life now that I've moved away.  Going to the grocery store and running into everyone you know, church with all your friends and family, and Friday night football games are some of my best memories.

Memorial Statue in downtown Brandon, Mississippi

Sunday Afternoons

Every Sunday after church is family time.  You go to lunch or Mamaw cooks and then you sit on the porch or play in the yard with the ones you love.  Playing in the front yard with my daddy after church are sweet memories.  Now, I love going home and spending Sunday afternoons in the rocking chairs catching up with my parents and Mamaw.  It's times like those that I will cherish forever.

and last but CERTAINLY not least...

The Boys

Y'all..it's no joke.  Southern boys are the hottest, and I can totally prove it.  Take a look at these two hunks from the south that are all over everything right now!

Matthew McConaughey

Longview, TX

Channing Tatum

Cullman, AL

and not to mention my handsome beau, Nick! :)

So I rest my case.  The south is amazing, and I love being a southern belle!  What are some of your favorite things about the south or wherever you're from?? 

Lets all have a great week, everyone!

xoxo-Chelsea Eli

USA! USA! USA!

The 4th of July is rapidly approaching, and I'm excited.  This star spangled holiday has always been one of my favorites.  It's full of fun, food, fireworks, family, and friends!  Since my roommate and I are having a 4th of July/house warming party, I thought I'd share some of the best decorating, food, and drink ideas as well as some fashion inspiration for this patriotic day.  Here we go!

Food/Drink

to spice up the already delicious burgers and hot dogs on the grill...

How easy and creative?  Click here for directions!

For those of us 21 and over, go here for lots of delicious drink recipes!

Throw this on the grill with those burgers and hot dogs, and you will not regret it.  Grilled corn is so delicious, and here is a simple how to.

How cute are this chocolate covered strawberries?

Decorations

I'm in love with these cute little cans I found on Pinterest!

This decor looks so simple and easy.  Mason jars are so popular right now, too.  Stick some sand in them and add a dash of red, white and blue, and you have simple, chic, and inexpensive Independence Day decorations!

How perfect would these be hanging in the trees outside at a 4th of July party?  Here's a super easy tutorial on how to make these patriotic, tin can windsocks!

Love this cute and classy wreath, and it's super inexpensive to make!  Go to the simple tutorial here!

I don't really know if these is considered a decoration, but I just love sparklers!

Fashion Inspiration

In honor of the 2012 Olympics that are also rapidly approaching, here are two pictures that I just had to had to this post!

Go USA!!!

This one is just too funny!

So there ya have it! I'm so ready to celebrate the country I love with the people I love!  Lets all remember the reason why we celebrate the 4th of July, and remember to thank those who fight to keep us free.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! 

God Bless America!

xoxo-Chelsea Eli