Off to Bubby's House I Go - I Hope

So life has gotten away from me in the last few weeks. Let's just say that "stressed" is an understatement as I have a mental breakdown about every other day haha.

Work isn't too bad, as games in aspen came to a close today. The stressful part has been coordinating the rest of the summer travel for ChukkerTV for the remainder of the summer. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. You would think I would be used to that by now, and I am. Just on top of life right now, I wanted to pull my hair out.

 Emily came down about two weeks ago now to help clean out the apartment (tear). Our lease was up so we are all moved out. That's where the stress comes in. I moved all my stuff into Bubby's and was ready to move myself in and discovered that the bathroom was wet. After hours and hours with the plumber, I found out the AC pipe was condensed and leaking and ruined both bathrooms, along with mold. Needless to stay, I'm now homeless.

Land of Fire and Ice

On Sunday I got back from the trip I had been waiting for- Iceland. Grandma took Ben, Noah and myself to Iceland for over a week to celebrate her 88th birthday. We had the best time and I was so excited to be able to celebrate that way with her. Grandma was so excited to be there and the trip was fantastic. 

Friday: As soon as we landed and retrieved our luggage, we made our way to the Blue Lagoon. It was pouring (as it did the majority of the vacation) but it was still beautiful. The water was so nice and made your skin feel silky smooth. Grandma got a massage and the boys and I put some algae masks on and just roamed around the lagoon for a while. After lunch, we went to the hotel and just relaxed until dinner. 

Here Comes The Bride

“You make me happier than I ever thought I could be, and if you let me I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way.” -Chandler proposing to Monica on TV show Friends

That quote may be cheesy in all that it is, but it's very appropriate for the past weekend. The time finally came and Kelsey's wedding weekend was here. I flew home Friday morning and the wedding festivities began. I still can't believe she's married, and now no longer Kelsey George. The weekend could not have been more perfect and she looked absolutely stunning. 

All Grown Up

Well, he did it -Benjamin graduated from Parkland High School. My little brother is all grown up. I went home two weeks ago now for his graduation and I'm so glad I did.

I got home and started helping mom decorate the house, as we had Ben's graduation party at home. A bunch of his friends, the guys from the barn, neighbors and Katie, came over, so it was fun. we had a bungee run too which was fun and entertaining. Sunday was a pony-filled day- I went out to Millstone with mom and rode Caden (whom I am in love with) and then we went out to see Pudge and gave him a bath. He looks old, but still his old self, looking for food and attention.

Letting Loose in NOLA

This past weekend was the final countdown to Kelsey's wedding. Six of us met up in New Orleans to celebrate her bachelorette party and send her off in style. We had the best weekend ever and let me say, it was a much-needed girls' getaway, for all of us.

We all arrived on Friday morning/early afternoon and started the day with drinks and walking around the French Quarter. We tried all the amazing food that New Orleans had to offer, such as Gumbo and Beignets. Everything was so good, and when I say we were all eating and drinking our way through the weekend, I am not exaggerating. For dinner, we checked out Bourbon House, which was right down the street from our adorable apartment (props to Kathryn for finding and organizing everything). Then for our first night on the town, we checked out Bourbon Street. A few bar hops and we made our way to the Bourbon Bad Boys, aka Magic Mike of New Orleans. OMG we had the best time- I mean, it was Kelsey's bachelorette party, of course we had to go.

Let Summer Fun Begin

Polo in Wellington is finally over for the spring season. For some reason, this season just seemed to last forever and be busier than before. Even though polo may be done in Wellington, that doesn't mean we get a summer vacation. There is a Veuve Cliqcuot event in NYC next weekend and then polo continues in Aspen all summer. I'm staying in Wellington this summer, which is fine by me, as I get to ride and stay in my own bed.

Last weekend Sarah and Christine came to visit for Sarah's 30th birthday. I worked most of the weekend, but was still able to go to the beach with them on Saturday and dinner each night after work. They had the most perfect weather and we had a blast all weekend. I haven't seen them probably since Sarah's wedding, so it was a very nice visit and we had a good time catching up. Plus Sarah looks fantastic for just having a baby fairly recently.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

The last few week's have finally started to slow down with work. There are only three more weekends of polo and I am actually getting some time to do some things outside of the polo field and the office. The spring season isn't as busy as the rest of the year, but with games last minute and always changing, it will be nice to have a break for a little bit. Until the summer season at least. 

For now, I have been able to ride at least two times a week, which has been fantastic. I've been riding this little Thoroughbred of Alan's names Maguire and I love him. He's so much fun and I think we've finally come to figure each other out (it took a few weeks). I have also been able to ride a few others in the barn, which is always good to get on other stuff and keep me going. Hopefully one of these days I'll find one I love enough to make the leap again and take for myself. Even though George is my one true love and I can't wait to see him in a few weeks!

The one and only George Bailey

Anyone who has sat in a saddle has had the one horse who set their hearts blazing. That one horse that gave them the “horse bug” and set their equine career in motion. For some people, it may have been the lead-line pony they rode at a fair, the horse that they won their first horseshow with, or the one that they went to the Olympics with. For me, it was George Bailey.

I had a few horses before “Pudge” came into my life, but none have had such an impact as he has. I started riding before I could even walk, riding bareback on my mom’s horse before getting my own little grey pony. Gabby taught me all I needed to know to get started and to make my way into the show world, even making our lead-line debut at Devon. After Gabby, I moved on up to horses with “Everybody Loves Bob.” Bob was the one who I thought I would never get over. You never forget your first horse- the one who teaches you the basics of riding and how great the sport is.

Getting back to business

I have been super busy with work that I don't have much time for too much else. I spend time with Joe at home and on the time off that I have, but other than that, I haven't been doing too much else this season. 

The past few weeks however, I have been able to start to get back into a rhythm. I have been going to pilates about four days a week which is my new favorite thing, and recently started riding more frequently. A few weeks ago I took a polo lesson with Melissa and Juan and had so much fun. I rode with them this summer in Aspen, but this was an actual lesson, with the mallet, where I learned what to do and how to play. Being able to trot towards the endzone and score a goal was fantastic. I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again. 

Just Keep Swimming

Rihanna said it perfectly, "Work, work, work, work, work."

That seems to be my life these days- work, eat, sleep, work- with some relaxing and pilates strewn in. Season is in full force and is not letting up any time soon. There are two tournaments going on right now at IPC and at least three at Grand Champions. So, yeah, that's a lot of games happening.

Thankfully I was able to schedule my massage and facial that Joe got me for my birthday/valentines earlier this week and it was the most relaxing two hours ever. Two uninterrupted hours of pampering-both of which were fantastic. I've never had a facial before so it was a little weird, but once I got used to it, it felt nice and my skin feels amazing.

Who doesn't love getting visitors?

I love having visitors, even when I have to work the majority of their visit. A few weeks ago Katie and Joy told me they were coming to visit- to get away from the cold and a belated birthday celebration. Since I don't get home very often, having them come to sunny Florida, was a welcomed trip.

The girls flew in on Friday and since I worked all day, they spent the day browsing around Ft Lauderdale. When they got to Wellington we went to Santa Rita for what is now going to be a monthly asado. They didn't understand that was my version of a BBQ and I think were a little overwhelmed. We had a good time and just had time to catch up since Christmas

Taking Some Time to Catch Up

I'm finally taking the time to catch up on the last few weeks and sit down and write. I told myself I was going to blog more, well that clearly didn't happen. I've been going back and forth and writing some here and there and finally made myself sit down and write. I mean, before I know it, New Years will be here and it will be time for another post.
 

The fall season just came to an end with the International Cup at Grand Champions and I have some time to breath. The last few weeks, or months I guess, have been go go go and I am finally having a second to sit an relax. The season was great, although a bit hectic. I wanted to sit down so many times and write, but each time, I felt like all there was to say was "games are going well and busy." So games were good and season was busy haha.

Heading Back East/ #Halberfest

* I know, I know. I was supposed to post this last week and time got away from me. So here it is now :)

After a long summer out in Colorado, I am finally beginning my trek back East. I was originally supposed to be driving, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, I ended up sitting on a plane heading to Greenwich, Conn. (Not that I am complaining about not driving 30 hours). After flying back, I have rejoined the rest of the ChukkerTV crew for the remainder of the East Coast Open.

It was a very long two months in Colorado, but I did manage to do a bit of sightseeing and ended up having some fun. Ally and I did a bunch of hiking and tried some of the local restaurants. Keep an eye out for a facebook album soon from my summer adventures.

Please Refer To Me As Master Delin

I did it. After two very long years of studying and hard work, I finally walked across the stage and received my Master's degree. It took lots of late nights of projects and studying, but all of the hard work was worth it. My parents and mostly Joe and Emily had to listen to me complain about group projects, coding problems and how much I hated some classes, but they were all there (and grandma) to watch me graduate and help celebrate. I am so excited that all of it paid off and I can't wait to see where this takes me. I now have my MAMC in web design and online communications, so as Joe and Emily were jokingly saying, please refer to me as "Master Delin."

Summer in the Rockies

I know, I know, it's been a while. I needed the push to start writing again and Joe told me I needed to sit down and do it. Writing is something I love to do, one of the things that keeps me sane and focused and blogging has been a way to keep everyone connected and a part of my life for the past few years. I just get caught up in the grind of daily life, but he gave me that push to sit down and get back to it. So here, it goes.

The last few weeks I have been in Colorado with ChukkerTV. Ally and I drove from Florida and let me tell you it was the longest drive ever. People say that cross-country road trips are fun, I have no idea who those people are

Waking Up in Switzerland

January came and went, but it went in a big way. I turned 27 on the 27th which was crazy. I can't believe that I am 27, and have no idea where the past year went. I only had a mini panic attack, mostly directed at Joe (I'm sorry) but it wasn't as big of a panic as I was expecting. Getting old sucks haha. For my birthday, I got lots of flowers from mom and dad, Emily and Joe. Joe also got me a city-pass for when we are in Atlanta in a few weeks for my cousin's wedding. With it, we can go to a few of the museums and other touristy things, all for one price. It's really cool and since it's something we can do together, I was very excited.

After a half-day at work, and pampering myself getting my nails done, Joe made me a birthday dinner. Spoiling me as he does, he wouldn't let me help with anything, but needless to say, our birthday dinner got cut a little short. In the middle of dinner I got a call from Mike at work asking if I would want to go to Switzerland the next day. 

Making Our 3' Debut

This past weekend, Lorenzo and I were back in the show ring, ready to redeem ourselves from our first performance at Venice. Yes, we did well, but I was ready to come back and do even better, as we have been wonderful at home. Our lesson on Friday was fantastic so I knew that we would be ready to show what we were made of this time around.

Saturday came around bright and early, yet as every horse person know, horse shows are a lot of sitting and waiting. It was finally our turn in the show ring as the Low Working Hunters began. We did 100 times better than in Venice. Yes, we had a few issues with one fence. Lorenzo got my number and took advantage of my lack of thinking/riding. But overall, we were so much better and I couldn't have been happier.

"We Found Love Right Where We Are"

Last week Joe and I took off for a few days and jetted off to Alexandria, VA. Not only just for a few days vacation, but for Eric and Rebecca's wedding :) :) :)

The first of our group from PHS was finally getting married. We all knew that he would be the first to tie the knot and I was thrilled to be a part of his big day. Joy and I were Eric's groomswomen, and in addition to Chad and Rebecca's brother, that was his side of the bridal party. We had a blast and I couldn't be more happy for the two of them.

We landed on Saturday afternoon and after Eric and Rebecca grabbed us from the airport, Joe and I took off for downtown Alexandria.

Catching Up On Life in Wellington

Yet again, I have been horrible in keeping up to date with my blogging. First off, this past weekend was the 4th of July, which is insane. Not only was it the Fourth, but it was Joe and My 2nd anniversary :) Of course, it was raining, which is nothing unusual for the Fourth of July in Florida. So we spent the majority of the day relaxing, with a trip to the movies for Jurassic World.

It was really good, so I guess now I should see the other ones haha. It finally got nice out, so we were able to go to Harbourside for dinner and fireworks which was perfect. It was the best ending for the holiday and for us to celebrate. However, the "celebrating"continues, because I got Joe a gift to go to Flotopia Spa next weekend. It has the submersion tanks and massages, so it'll be fun. (PS. He got me gorgeous Tiffany's earrings and a Minion from Build-A-Bear. Have I mentioned how perfect he is?)

High-Goal Season, Graduate Classes and Ponies

I know it's been a while and I have not been very good with updating my blog posts. Now that the high-goal season has ended, I should have some more time to breath. Here is a quick wrap-up of my last few weeks.

This season was a whirlwind. The first six weeks of season, working for Anne at the horse show was a crazy mess. I loved every minute of it and wouldn't change that experience for anything. The last half of season was filled with non-stop polo. I love my job and even though it was work every day, I had fun doing it. I learned tons this season and am looking forward to the spring season at Grand Champions and the upcoming summer. Read more at http://lfeinhorseheaven.blogspot.com/