Borrrreeeeed....!

Borrreeeed! So, I just quit my job, poopy :(.  And we leave next week.  In the meantime, we are bored.  I am going to need some exciting topics to blog about. If I do not start blogging.  I am going to make more baked goods.  And...trust me, I cannot have any more!! (already made more peanut butter cups today)...So suggestions? I say I could clean my house, but we are in a tiny studio...not much to clean, took about 10 minutes this morning. I could go workout...but since my husband and I are on this wake up really early kick,  I already went to the gym before work this morning...I could take the dog for a walk...but it's stormy outside...movie...watched Halloween marathon last night...over it : ) hehehe, so..I must write, I just need some help. Oh here's some news. Me and Jordon are going to Chicago this weekend for Halloween.  We are going to be Little Red Riding Hood (me),  Big Bad Wolf (Jordo), and the Wolf as Granny (Champ)...we are going to be so super cute, I cannot wait!

Secretariat!

Okay, so me and the hubs went to watch a movie last night.  We had actually planned to see Red with Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman.  However, after going in and realizing that we would have to watch from the first row, we decided to go to something different.  The only thing left open within the next hour was Secretariat.  I was hesitant to watch because I have this incredible soft spot for animals. All movies, even Disney movies, have some tragedy involving the main animal that breaks my heart and then I cry.  After looking up on the internet and realizing that this horse lived a fantastic life, I decide that it will be an okay choice.  And boy did I cry.... tears of Joy!! This movie was by far one of the best movies I have ever seen.  It was so inspirational.  This movie shows what happens when you have passion about what you do and never give up.  Every person, and especially every child should go see this movie, it was incredible.

Going along with this theme of having passion and the attitude to succeed I want to talk about a few things that have been bothering me.  Today at church we learned about having a good attitude about life and being passionate about Christ and being a Christian.  This attitude will help you to see each day with wonder and excitement.  Also, when you have an attitude like this you begin to rub off on others, affecting everyone around.  You inspire them to be better and more positive. If everyone in the world were to change their attitude, even minutely, something amazing would begin to occur.  I can see this point so easily reflected in our lives.  This morning, the news reported on a story about referees in a pop warner league in Washington.  These referees were using pink whistles in support of breast cancer awareness.  This was a huge problem for the league and owners because they were not allowed to.  Okay, they were tiny whistles.  Who in this league is so miserable with their own life that they cannot just let it go and see this as great that our whole nation has come together to support this effort. This could have been an incredibly positive thing.  Instead it has turned into a problem and made a lot of people mad, some may even lose their jobs, and now this will then affect their attitude. 

The next story bothers me even further.  A women in Michigan, who belonged to a church, posted, on the church's bulletin board an ad for a roommate.  On the ad she wrote that she wanted a Christian roommate. Well this also did not go over well.  It is against the fair housing...blah blah blah ...act. The woman had to remove the ad, and is now being fined, and ordered to go to classes on this particular act. What person, within her church, was so badly offended by this woman asking for christian roommate that they made this such a problem. Okay, I'll tell you, no one was offended.  This person has such a bad attitude toward life and their own problems that they want to bring down everyone in their path.  Don't be that person.  Look at the good. Let the small things go.  If it doesn't affect you, don't make it.  Be inspiring!

Old movies...

So, if you know me, you know I have this great obsession with old movies.  My all-time favorite being Bye-Bye Birdie (thanks to mom) & Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (painful for you~ I know).  These movies amaze me.  I used to dream about being in the movie Seven Brides, I wanted to be one of those girls (preferably Milly or Dorcus) helping out on the farm...up in the mountains...and say something like "Nice day for marryin'"  or "you look like a bunch of love sick bull-calves" (7brides)...or "Oh Hugo, be more matuer"..."Se Le Vee for now", or "did you hear they got pinned?"...(Birdie).

Well with that being said, I am often trying to get Jordon to watch these movies with me.  And, to say the least, he has not made it through one...he even hated The Birds, can you believe that.  So, I thought I would find a Disney classic.  I found Swiss Family Robinson (not too old, but from the 60s).  Now I grew up on this movie, I love it.  I finally talk him into it and he is sound asleep by the time they reach the shore!!! I do not know if it was the calling of the mom "mother" or the extremely bad New Ginuey accents, or "can I keep the baby elephant, anyhow" talk that did it.  But I had no luck! I need suggestions :)

Dear Detroit...

Dear Detroit,

I am sad to be leaving you soon, but I know I will be back one day. You have served me well during the last few months, but I am afraid I must go. While California will be sunny and warm, I know you will be happy under the fresh white snow. Thank you for keeping the skies sunny and showing me the many colors of fall. Thank you for having chilly evenings so I could cuddle up to my honey. Thank you for allowing me to see the world from a different view. Thank you for allowing me to see many football games in a beautiful stadium. Thank you for letting us be close to friends and family like Joel & Stacy and Jamie & Cory.
 Thank you for changing my skin from golden tan to snowy white. I will miss your dangerous downtown and scary streets. I will miss your crumbling buildings and cloudy skies. Thank you for keeping us terrified for the downtown raids on Devil lane. Thank you for allowing us to be introduced to one of the most intersting mayors in state history, Kwame Kilpatrick (just look it up :)).
 I will miss our friends here and Jordon's teammates. But most of all, I will miss your beautiful fall!

Love, your friend, Chelsea

California Dreamin'.....

(This video is from Scary Movie 4, and it is hilarious!)

Holidays

I am totally getting Holiday Fever!! Ahh I cannot wait...Christmas trees, Christmas Vacation!, smell of Cinnamon, pies, apple cider, hot chocolate, presents, cards, family! I seriously want to start Christmas music like now :)...here is a picture of my goal for my tree this year...

"She'll see it later honey, her eyes are frozen"

Where in the world are Jordon and Chelsea?

Everyone is always asking about what we are up to now and when we are doing this or that...so here is our plans for the next few months (until the end of the year)....1. Jordon leaves on Nov. 1 to go to CA for a 2 week firefighting class (pre-req)...2. I will follow a week later, Nov. 6, with our little buddy (this means I have to quit my job in Detroit, terrifying)..3. I will hopefully be getting a job in the Carlsbad or Vista SD (prayers)... 4. Jordon comes back to the D for rehab until thanksgiving..5. Huge Thanksgiving at our place, you are all invited :)...6. I decorate the H$*% out of our house for the holidays (literally so excited that I might pee a little)...7.Come back to the D for one last game....then home for Christmas!! Everyone come for that too...8. Steamboat for New Years, even more exciting!....

Wishes....

1. To get my amazingly awesome car out to California that my baby surprised me with this fall...

2.  To say goodbye to Detroit...

3.  To finally get a good paying job in Cali...

4. To make it out there safe

5.to find something to occupy my mind and body for the spring, or a competition

race, triathlon, hurdles? help!

5. To get going on my book(or books), I need to stop thinking & write

6.  To create an amazing Holiday experience

7. For Jordon to absolutely love Fireman school

8. To spend as much time with my family this holiday season as humanly possible

9. To plan out trip to Hawaii for many many weeks :)

10. To plan our trip to Barbados

11. To bake as much bad carbs as I can because they are incredibly yummy, preferably pumpkin bread...

12.  To get my tan on....Dear Detroit, you have made me pale as a ghost...

That's enough for now :)

Chhhhh-iiii-ccc-aaaa-gooo!!! "Gotcha"

We had a fantastic trip this last weekend to visit our friends, Joel & Stacie.  I got to finally see what everyone has been talking about in regards to Chicago. It is truly a beautiful city! However...all beauty aside...we had quite the eventful weekend. 

Let me paint the picture for you.  1.  We get up early Friday morning, the boys leave, me and Stacie get ready to do some damage on Michigan Ave...when...the dishwasher begins to overflow with dish washing soap...we race to stop the disaster...but its too late and we have a knock on the door. Juan, from Tijuana, comes in..assesses the damage..."where are you two from" "California" "hahahahhaa".  Thanks. Juan. anyways finally get that taken care of which leads to 2. I find the most adorable clothes while shopping, I get all ready and we are just about to leave when I put on my new coat...only to pop off a button..I say whatever, I am still going to wear it...however, then I look down and see that I have a hole in my new leggings...dang it..this only begins the night because next... 3.  We are out enjoying a nice dinner and some drinks when I get to a bar...I look in my purse to pull out my wallet...nowhere to be found...we searched the whole city, dang theifs!...however, we did go back and have some amazing grilled cheese sandwiches(thanks Stacie :))...this then leads to 4.  Our afternoon at the Vet...where we learn that Charlie(their adorable little dog) has to get surgery...poopers! We finally arrive home from the vet after about 3 hours which leads to 5. finding out that we locked the keys in the room...after finally convincing the hot head at the counter to let us in...we finally arrive home...which leads to 6. waking up to do fun things Sunday morning...only to come back to the apartment to find out that once again..no keys :)

All joking aside...we still had an amazing trip. We got to go to the Sears tower.  Hang out with great friends. Check out the city.  Have fun. I came back with much more than I went with.  Stacy made amazing breakfasts, and we had great food each night!! Thanks!

( Blog title is from Ace Ventura...all I think about when I hear the name "Chicago")

Insight into the life of Chelsea...

So I have this habit of having the best intentions for the day...everyday.  I always wake up excited and motivated...to which after a short while it dies off.  However, I am always looking for opportunities to work on my goals...with that in mind, I carry around these four books with me everywhere.  It is almost scary.  But, when I do have free time, or a break they are good to have :). They come with me to bed at night, then I move them to the desk in the morning, to my purse for work or bible study, to the car when I leave...etc.  Everywhere.

Here they are...

1. Writing journal.  I am working on a book so I constantly keep this with me to write ideas and to write, well, just about anything I think of, maybe even about you...

2. Jesus Calling. This is a book of daily devotionals.  I have a hard time staying on the day that I am supposed and skip all around. Often I say, Lord turn me to the page that I need to hear about, and then I'll open it up.  Doesn't always work but usually I can apply it to something! It is especially good to have for when life gets hard :)

3.  The Bible. This is something new. One of my goals is to read everyday so I can learn more (remember my self-help post).  As long as it is near me it makes it more accessible for when I have time to read!

4.  My planner. I do not use standard day planners, they bug me.  I prefer to write down my day and to-do list in a journal and then cross everything off.  Old fashioned but it works...maybe one day I'll let you see my lists..haha

A few of my favorite things...

I am a bit of  a product hoarder...and connoisseur...so I thought I would share some of my favorite products...these are my top three!

1 & 2. Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask & Vitamin E Nourishing Cream, both can be found at The Body Shop.  I have been using the Vitamin E line for awhile now, and it is the best.  Only good for night :) It is very moisturizing and feels so cool and smooth on the skin! I use the mask once or twice a week.  At first I thought it was not working, but after a few weeks with it~ I adore it! It had made a huge difference in the brightness of my skin and leaves that bright, smooth, glow after! I have also been experiencing less breakouts.

2. Victoria's Secret Dry Shampoo.  This stuff is incredible and worth every penny! I use it at the end of the day when I do not have time to re-shower, or in the morning, if I want to stick with my blowout from the day before.  It makes my hair look fresh, clean, and oil-free.  And...bonus, it smells great too!

The best dessert of my life!

So...now that I am done with school, I thought, how nice it is going to be to have so much free time on my hands.  Ya, well for some reason I am obsessed with starting new ventures. I have started two writing projects to which I will elaborate on in the future.  And...I have found another time consuming activity, baking! Besides the fact that me and Jordon are gaining weight at rapid speed, it has been quite an experience! I have gone through batches and batches of everything trying to get recipes right.  And I have found the best dessert that I have ever made, and it is so stinking easy! I took the base of the recipe from a book I have by Alicia Silverstone and then tweaked it a bit... It took three times to perfect it...but I think I got it: here goes!
Homemade PB cups...
*3 TBSP of Butter (Earth Balance works best and is a lot healthier, do not use "I can't believe its not butter" or anything with a strong taste).
*1 Cup Peanut Butter, I use half creamy, half chunky...whatever your preference, or whatever you have around.
*1 Cup Crushed Gramcrackers...plain ones
*1/3 cup Sugar..use pure cane sugar or anything thats gritty, works the best :)
*Half a bag of Chocolate chips...dark or milk (Dark is really rich/ Milk is light)
* Splash of Milk
Add butter to a small pot and melt.  Add in peanut butter, sugar and gramcrackers. Here is where you have to do the magic.  The mixture should be gritty and chunky and brown like PB...add more of whatever you want. I love PB, so I always end up putting in more and more in. Taste it and if it tastes like butter (not good), then add a lot of the other stuff... Spoon out into lined muffin tin. (Makes about 12, at about two spoonfuls of the mixture in each.  However, if you want huge ones, make 8 and put in more!)  Place in the freezer for about an 30 minutes, or until somewhat hardened.

Next melt chocolate chips in a small pot and add a few splashes of milk to make it creamy.  Drizzle on the top of the PB cups...freeze for about an hour and then viola! yummy! (It may take a couple times to find your perfect combo!

The LIONS!

We have been with the Lions for the last two and a half years.  Before yesturday, we had won a total of THREE games...out of 29 games we have been through! And now we are at four, and they looked great!! Goooooo Lioooons!! I think we might have broken the spell :).  It was so nice seeing the guys so happy and the fans so proud! Great day to live in 8 mile!

Column of the week: Self Help

I recently made a trip to the Border's Bookstore. I was looking for a book that I had heard about on the today show.  It sounded interesting.  It was about being confident and having good self-image as a woman.  I finally I found myself back in the back of the book store.  The book was under self-help.  I imagine this section is hidden in the back because no one wants to admit it when they need help, nor do they want people seeing them grab "Idiots Guide to a Good Relationship"...or "Idiots Guide" to anything... However, when I did finally reach the self-help section, I stood there in amazement.  There were so many books.  There were so many self-help books it was unbelievable.  There was a self-help book on just about everything.  I've looked at a lot of books like this, however, I did not know the extent to which the American population shovelled out money to get self-help.  From a book.  As I sit there in awe, scanning the books over looking for my book, I thought about the different topics of all the books and was hit with a deafening sadness.  There were books about how to live like a skinny b****.  Who really wants to be a b****?  Or how to loose weight by eating junk food.  Okay, if you pick that book up you may really need an idiots guide-to life.  I was standing there taking it all in.  When something that my mom had once said to me suddenly appeared in my mind, "When I need help with something, I find it in the Bible; That's my self-book".  And how right!  If only all of these people who were about to spend hours reading these books just put their faith in the Bible and sought it out for "self-help" the world might be a better place.  I know one thing, we may not have as many Skinny B*****es!  Anyways, the ending to this story is that I opened the book I finally found, and I think God answered my questions about the book.  After only about three pages they said that you should pick and choose the rules you live by when looking for inner strength. Then they went on to say something like "this is like religion, Christians believe in God, but pick and choose the rules that work for their lives"....While this tends to happen, it is a struggle, definitely not a choice, and not what its about :).  I ended up finding the best self-help book~thanks mom!

Day in the life...

Okay, so our dog lives the lavish life... Let me take you through the day in the life of CHAMP:
Here...he is clearly not wanting to get up...quite yet...

Although, at about 10:30 am he finds his strength and finally greets us with his presence...and we finally get him out to the car...he enjoys himself a nice ride in the convertible to the park...

He gets to take a swim, run the trails, and sun bath with his mommy...

He is so tired he cannot even make it to dinner...

or through the movie... what a pooper...

My new life :)

Yay!! I am a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher!! Finally, I am done with school and have joined the real world! I love the students, they are so full of life and joy! They are 4 & 5 years old....and HILARIOUS to be around!  Life is starting to fall into place~ for those of you still in school/internships, I know it can be hard, but stick with it!

Fall in love with this Season!

For those of you who haven't experienced the fall in Michigan, it is an amazing experience.  This is one of the reasons me and the J don't mind sticking it out all football season. Where we live is a sea of trees and the leaves are finally changing colors and everywhere you look is a picture of browns, yellows, reds, and oranges. Fall screams pumpkin muffins and street fairs.  It tastes like a warm cup of coffee cuddled on the couch like your right hand man.  I absolutely love baking when the air is crisp outside, and you can smell Cinnamon and Spice :).  Enjoy it, every season can be beautiful.  God created each one unique~ !