The whirlwind that is my life

Sitting in a not-so-comfy hospital chair, listening to the sounds of an machine pumping Potassium Chloride into Scotts’ veins through an IV in his arm, watching him wince in pain as he tries to find a comfortable position in the sterilized bed, I can’ t help but think that I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.

And some might think he should be my worst enemy right now.
If we’re friends on Twitter you probably know what I’m about to say …

We broke up. Well, technically he broke up with me. While we were on vacation. Yep, Thursday night it all came out. He wasn’t happy, he wasn’t sure if we were right for each other, he had apprehensions about things, about me.  Friday was a complete struggle as I tried to absorb what had just happened and make sense of it, but Saturday (the day we spent nearly 16 hours in transit on our way home) was surprisingly easy. I’m not sure if it was my extreme desire to be anything BUT that girl who broke down in the airport, or if it was just my natural instincts kicking in.

You see, early on in the day while on the bus heading to the airport from our resort in Negril, Scott (commonly referred to on the blog as HJ) started complaining of back pain. I commented that he probably just tweaked it when we hit a bump or something, and offered him advil. He didn’t say much else until we boarded our plane out of Montego Bay. Let me back up to say in the time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him take pain medicine nor complain about being in pain.  The fact that he readily accepted a couple Advil sparked concern.

Once we touched down in Orlando I knew it was going to be a long 5 hour layover. Before we even made it through Customs he was complaining of back spasms, and you could visibly watch the goosebumps come and go after each one hit. We stopped for a bite to eat and he complained of nausea.  While sitting at our gate he was constantly shifting in his seat, trying to find some sort of relief from what he described as “sharp, shooting pains”

He (as most guys do) refused to go to the hospital on Sunday, saying he was just going to tough it out. Still thinking it was just some freak back injury.  But the real surprise came Monday morning when I woke up to a text saying he had gone to the ER at 2am because the pain was so excruciating it was a struggle to even stand up, and that they were running tests and surgery may be on the horizon depending on the results.

Maybe I wasn’t “supposed” to care, considering he had broken things off, but I couldn’t help it. As if everything that was unfolding around him wasn’t bad enough, there was one text message from him that just reconfirmed my previous thoughts that I NEEDED to be there for him. It simply read “ironic that 3 years ago today my father was leaving the hospital to take his walk to heaven while i get admitted on the same day"

I left work shortly after lunch that day and went to keep him company. He kept apologizing for it being boring, and there being nothing to do but I knew I wasn’t going to let him be alone on that day, going through all that. His sister lived nearly 2 hours away, and his mom was over 3 hours. It was the waiting game all afternoon. The doctors confirmed that he had pancreatitis, an infection of the pancreas, and it would either  be combated with surgery to remove gall stones or the gallbladder, or he just had to let it run its course.

It’s been nothing short of hard watching him go through all this pain knowing there’s nothing I can do to help but be there for support and a distraction from the monotony of the hospital.   Today marks his third day there, and there is still no real plan of action.  Yesterday things were looking up but last night brought back pain of the same intensity that forced him to the ER to being with.  More tests are being done as I type this, with mentions of kidneys and gallbladders and nothing that sounds upbeat. 

I’ve snuck him in gummy bears and milkshakes, word search games and pirate boxers all as desperate attempts to put a smile on his face.  I can tell it’s working and can sense his appreciation when I’m there, and receive numerous texts expressing his gratitude after I leave. I’m not trying to play nurse in hopes of him “taking me back”, I’m just doing what seems natural to me. I can’t stand to see someone going through all that, especially someone I care a lot about.

So… now you know what I’ve been up to! It’s been a whirlwind past few days around here, emotionally and physically, to say the least

Did you know I was in Jamaica?

Sorry... I've been a bit busy with lounging in the sun, enjoying fruity drinks, and just being away from it all in general! Now that I'm back in the "real world" I am trying to get back into the swing of things soon!

Mixer & Mingle Fridays : Blueberi Lemonade

Mixer & Mingle Fridays are really growing on me... they fell off the map for a little bit but it seems like ya'll are enjoying them, no?? I love sharing all my favorite drinks with you guys! Workin in the liquor industry I get to try lots of fun liquors and cocktails, so Fridays are my chance to pass along the best to you!

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite summertime drinks - Blueberi Lemonade, or as we affectionately call it- bomb pop!

Seriously, this tastes a lot like a bomb pop (you know, those red-white-blue popsicles??)

And its SUPERSIMPLE!

+

=

Seriously tasty!

Enjoy!!

 Still thirsty? Check out my other Mixer & Mingle Friday features here! 

He knows me too well

(While on our way to his friends house for movie night)
Me: What movie are we watching tonight?
HJ: Limitless
Me: Never heard of it?
HJ: You'll like it, it has a hot guy in it.
Me: Really?! Who??
HJ: That one guy from the Hangover, the teacher. Sandy blonde hair.
Me: Perfect!

Just so you know, Bradley Cooper did not disappoint.

So What Wednesday

It's my favorite blog day of the week!

So What Wednesday

Link up with Life After I "Dew" if you wanna dish too!

 

So what if I had Raspberry Chocovine and Cheerios for dinner last night. I'm trying to use up my milk before vacation!  And it was quite tasty, actually.




So what if I prefer gas station coffee over the 'bucks. 3/4 French Vanilla Cappuccino, 1/4 coffee. Stir and go for $1.77


So what if I would like to make The Band Perry die young just so I don't have to hear that song anymore. Eek, maybe a little harsh?


So what if I was super proud of myself for the Pinterest Success I've acheived lately! 

Crayon Art - CHECK

 Tshirt Braided Headband - CHECK  


So what if I sent HJ a funny little card in the mail and it's taking everything in me not to ruin the surprise by continuously asking "did you get anything in the mail today??"




So what if I started a pinboard titled "Daydream it" with wedding-ish stuff I like. ONE DAY people, ONE DAY I may just get married, and it never hurts to store those cute ideas somewhere, eh??




So what if some dude from Jersey Shore was in town yesterday and everyone was all OHEMGEE over it and I could care less. Reality TV just isn't my thing... don't throw rotten tomatoes puhlease


So what if it makes me mean, but if a storm is rolling in (and believe me, I watched it roll in from my house - about 20 minutes away from the fairgrounds) and even commented on twitter about how dark and windy it was getting outside) you can bet your ass that I'm not going to continue kicking it at an outdoor concert, by huge metal pieces. Yes, it was sad and tragic that it happened but at some point you need to use common sense and trust your intuition people


So what if I'm super excited for Colts season to start -- first home game is Friday! 

 (Hah look at that blue hair!) 

So what if I have probably 8 or 9 Colts jerseys. I've been going to the games for like 10 years! And havent really grown much HAH!

Still wanting more? Check out my SoWhat's from weeks past - I promise there's some good ones that'll keep you giggling!

  

What your pup wants you to know

I came across this the other day and I'm not gonna lie, I teared up.  I'll be the first to admit there are those times that I'm trying to get something done and am so frustrated with Russell acting like my permanent shadow following me everywhere around the house wanting to play. But now I have a refreshed view on things! 

10 Things Your Pup Wants You to Know

1 - My life will probably only last 7 to 14 years. It will hurt me more than you know if I have to be away from you for longer than a day or two.

2 - If you have patience with me and give me time to learn what you would like from me, I can promise you, you will never be disappointed.

3 - Trust me with your life and have faith in our future together. If I don't feel that you honestly believe in me, I will suffer great emotional stress. My sense of self-worth is totally dependent upon your confidence in me.

4 - Don't stay mad at me for long or confine me to a cage to punish me. You have your friends, your job, and your recreation. I HAVE ONLY YOU!

5 - Talk to me about anything you want as frequently as possible. Even if I can't comprehend your precise words, I can understand the meaning of what you're telling me by the tone of your voice.

6 - Remember no matter how you treat me, I will NEVER forget it.

7 - When you consider raising your hand to hit me, remember I have teeth that could break the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8 - Before you scream at me for failing to respond to your commands as I usually do, take time to think about what might be wrong with me that would cause me to treat you differently. Maybe I haven't been eating right or drinking enough water. Or maybe my age is catching up with me and I just can't do what I used to do.

9 - Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels.

10 - Be there for me through good times and bad. Never say you can't handle taking me to the vets for stitches or surgery. Nothing could make me feel worse. Everything in my life is easier for me to deal with when I have you standing by my side. Remember my love for you is unconditional and it will last for your entire life.

[source]

Aww I love my Russell pup, and this reminded me to make sure he knows it!

Want my teal watch??

Anytime I post a picture of my teal Michael Kors watch you all are lusting over it.

Unfortunately, it's not sold in stores anymore... but this morning I stumbled upon a pretty close look alike for way cheaper so I thought I better share!!

Source: hautelook.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

You can purchase it here from HauteLook for a whopping $25! (Only slightly jealous considering mine was nowhere near $25!)

Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake

Back in the spring I was aimlessly strolling through Target (actually, it was the same day my genius tablecloth turned curtain idea struck) and a teal bundt pan hopped into my cart. Honest, I don't know how it happened. I am convinced all things teal are just drawn to me and somehow make sure that I purchase them. It's some crazy intergalactic magnetic force. (hey - bundt pans are metal... work with me!)

Anyways.... said bundt pan sat all cute in my hutch for a few months, then it became a candy dish (super cute one, by the way) for a few months after that... until all the candy got eaten and then it just sat there on the table with a few stray Fun Size Twix's and I decided it was time to actually make it work for it's keep!


And thus the Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake was born.

 (Doesn't it look so yummy on my Fiesta Pizza Tray?!)

Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup white sugar

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Lightly grease one 10 inch bundt pan.
2. Cream 1 1/2 cups white sugar together with eggs until well blended. Add sour cream and butter or margarine and beat well. Add flour, baking soda, and baking powder and mix well. Stir in vanilla and the chopped nuts.
3. Mix the remaining 1/4 cup of white sugar with the cinnamon.
4. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Cover with remaining cake batter.
5. Bake at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes. Lower heat to 350 degrees F  and bake for an additional 40 minutes.  

I also made a glaze to go over the top once cooled, using 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk & 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

I will now proceed to consume nearly all of it this week, because, you know... what else would be a better idea when I'll be spending all next week in a bikini!?

  

Mixer & Mingle Fridays: Brewtails

Do you have those girlfriends that are all ‘ew I don’t drink beer’ or those guy friends that are all “dude I am not drinking a girly cocktail”? Yea? We all do. You know what I do when those people show up at my house??

I trick em. I’m all “aw ok I’ll grab you a drink inside, gimme just a second, you sit back and relax.” And then BAM I show up with a brewtail (that’s just what I call ‘em, make up your own fun name if you want!)

I’m not talking about Shandys… we all know and drink shandys (light beer + lemonade), I’m talking true booze brews!

Hooliaritas* my personal favorite!

1 Corona

1 can frozen lemonade

1 sprite

1 can vodka (use the frozen lemonade can as measuring device… I’m practically MacGyver here people!)

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Serve over ice. Enjoy!

RastaBomb

Red Stripe + shot of Bacardi 151

Drop the shot of 151 into a glass of Red Stripe. Drink.

Flaming Dr Pepper

1 pint beer

3 parts amaretto

1 part Bacardi 151

Pour the amaretto into a shot glass, carefully layer the 151 on top. Light on fire. Quickly drop it into your glass of beer & chug. Tastes just like Dr. Pepper!

Coffee Bomb

1 bottle Newcastle Brown Ale

1 shot espresso

1 shot Jack Daniel’s

1 small can of Red Bull

Pour espresso, Jack Daniel’s and Red Bull into a martini mixer, pour in beer, stir and pour cocktail over ice in a tall glass.

Mexican Iced Tea

1 1/2 oz tequila

3 oz Mexican beer

Pour tequila into a large frosty mug filled with ice cubes. Add beer, stir gently and garnish with a slice of lime.

RedEye

1 beer of choice

3 oz tomato juice

1 dash Tabasco

1 dash salt

2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

Basically just a Bloody Mary, with beer substituted for liquor. Pour all ingredients into a martini mixer, shake, then pour into glass over ice .

Caribbean Night

1 can beer

1 oz Kahlua

Pour coffee liqueur in a tall glass with ice (optional), add beer, stir lightly, enjoy!

South Wind

1 can of beer

1 oz melon liqueur

Pour the melon liqueur into a glass of ice, add beer. Stir. Enjoy! 

What's your take on brewtails? Do you make any booze brews of your own?   Let's hear em!

Still thirsty? Check out my other Mixer & Mingle Friday features here!

My appreciation for cheaters.

Let's have a toast for the douchebags,
Let's have a toast for the assholes,
Let's have a toast for the scumbags,
Every one of them that I know
(Thank you, Kanye, for those lyrics)


I do my best thinking in the car. Well, that may be a lie... I do my best thinking in the shower... and then on the beach... so in actuality I guess I do my third best thinking in the car. But same difference. I was in a car when I had this revelation, so we'll roll with it. Good thinking = car time.

I am glad I was cheated on. 

I know, you're sitting there goin 'this girl has lost her mind'... but that is the exact thought that crossed my mind as I was cruising along running errands last Thursday evening.

I was cheated on by my high school boyfriend of 2 years, and also by my early college boyfriend of a year and a half. 2 out of my 3 serious relationships ended because he cheated. I'm not condoning cheating, nor am I going 'hip hip hooray that was awesome' because it wasn't. It sucked, and it hurt. But that's not the point of this post. 

In both instances I remember finding out, and thinking "oh well, his loss... dumbass". Whether that's how I really felt, or if I was just tricking myself into being calm... that was my mindset towards it.

I've never been one of those girls who NEEDS a guy on her arm to be complete. I am who I am. I like what I like, I have my own hobbies, my own friends, my own interests. If I stumble upon someone who fits in that mix- perfect, if not - oh well!

In my opinion, if you cheat on me you are a dumbass, because I'm a pretty damn good girlfriend. Consider it cocky if you want, I call it confidence. I know what I have to offer and for 23 I think it's safe to say I've pretty much got my shit together!

Anyways, tangent. I never really held a grudge to those two ex's who cheated. I become really good friends with one of them after a few years of distance, and the other I will still chat with on occasion.

Most people who I tell that to get all appalled, but what's the point of holding a grudge, we didn't work out, we obviously weren't supposed to work out, so move on.

I'm glad I was cheated on because I now know those feelings of doubt and uncertainty, I know what it feels like to be lied to and led on. I've hit rock bottom in relationships, where you're constantly checking his phone and lurking on his facebook to see what pictures pop up from the weekend. It's not healthy and it's flat out nuts!

But if I hadn't gone through those I don't think I would appreciate the calmness and ease that comes with a healthy relationship.


Just some random thoughts for you on a sunny Thursday afternoon.

So What Wednesday

It's my favorite blog day of the week!

So What Wednesday

Link up with Life After I "Dew" if you wanna dish too!

So what if I took HJ to dinner & to see Transformers last night, and he repeatedly asked “so what do you want? I know there is a catch somewhere!!”. Dang can’t a girl just be nice!?

So what if after only being 2 previews deep HJ began to realize why I was agreeing to go see all the ‘man flicks’ they were showing previews for… hello brad pitt, hola daniel craig, holla hugh jackman

So what if we got back to my house to find Russell had chewed up a mix cd that Jenn had sent me, and added a few lovely teeth holes to my laptop bag which resulted in me becoming a crying mess. Frustration and I haven’t been getting along lately

So what if I made my twitter private… sometimes you don’t want the entire world seeing every random thought that goes through your mind

So what if I randomly apply for jobs even when I’m not “looking”. They say you only regret the chances you don’t take… who knows if some random fun job I stumble across may be where I’m supposed to go next!?

So what if I really want a new swimsuit or two before Jamaica… even if I literally have atleast 20 already.

So what if I love vacationing in late summer/early fall because all the summer clothes are on super sale by then!

So what if I bought 4 big things of flowers a week ago and they are all already clinging to the last little bit of life because it’s been so dang hot. And I may or may not forget to water them EVERY day TWICE a day.




So what if had banned myself from Pinterest for like 3 days because it was seriously getting ridiculous the amount of work I WASN'T getting done

So what if I am incapable of going up or down stairs normal. I always skip steps (take them 2 at a time), I run down stairs, and skip up them. Hey, it makes life fun... and apparently others around me get a kick out of it!



Still wanting more? Check out my SoWhat's from weeks past - I promise there's some good ones that'll keep you giggling! 

FBO

Yep.... yesterday this dude and I became FBO. You know, Facebook official. The end-all-be-all of singledom. Because we all know nothing's official until it's Facebook official ;)

(I had a mouth full of smores in this picture, lovely huh!?)

Hey if we have been calling each other boyfriend/girlfriend for a few weeks now in real life, might as well take it to the interwebs right?!

The one about a 3-year old melting my heart

Are you ready for me to get all sappy on you?

You know that scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days... where Kate & MattyMc are at his parents house and she busts out the "It's just... when your mom hugged me today, she REALLY hugged me...... for winning a game of bullshit” 

That’s how I felt this weekend. 

HJ & I took a mini roadtrip to his sister & brother in law’s house to visit his little skittles (one of whom you may remember just had open heart surgery about a month ago, and is doing really well by the way – thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!)

The littlest skittle, full of baby rolls and giggles, welcomed me with open arms and a mouth full of slobber.

As most three year olds are, Jayden was really shy around me at first. I had only briefly met him once before and that was when he was in town for his surgery. I hung back and watched as he played with the the new toy Uncle Scott had brought him, and laughed when he started asking me ‘hey you wanna watch me play with this?”

It didn’t take long before he was asking me to open his Capri Sun and telling me it was my turn to hit the ball. I was pretty sure I was a shoo-in at that point. Scott & I spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the little skittles and chatting with his sister and brother-in-law.

Later in the evening as we were playing one last game of “hide seek” before bed, he told me he was scared to go look for his mom, and asked if I would hold his hand.  He gripped it extra tight the further we got into his parents’ bedroom and when his mom popped out from behind the shower curtain he quickly jumped behind me and started giggling like crazy.

As Scott's sister and bro-in-law tucked Jayden in, he asked if Scott & I would come tell him goodnight too, so we did. After he gave his Uncle Scott a hug and kiss, I was the lucky recipient of the biggest smooch ever on my cheek from the little dude.

But that’s not the part that got me all sappy. About half an hour later, as the rest of us were eating dinner, Scott's sister went back to check on him and shortly returned to the table saying that Jayden asked her if “Chelsea could come back and give me one more hug and kiss before he goes night”. 

And that’s when I melted. He didn’t ask for his parents which he obviously loves, he didn’t ask for his Uncle Scott who he adores more than the world, he asked for lil ol me! 

(I found out last night that I am the only girl Scott has ever taken over to his sister & brother-in-law's house. Which makes it that much more special to me)

Mixer & Mingle Fridays : Alize

I had always thought of Alize as a "brotha's" drink. So when I was given a few bottles from work I was hesitant, but anxious to see what these brightly colored bottles were all about!

I instinctively tried the blue one first. I think I even threw the bottle in the car when we were heading downtown to tailgate for a Colt's game! Blue drink, blue team. Perfect.

I always try every light liquor with Sprite (and every dark with cola) off the bat. And I hit the nail on the head! It's this passionfruit, cherry, not syrupy, fun, easy to drink cocktail!

And it's not super girly either... I made a drink for HJ once, and now he asks me to get more all the time!
I've heard of people mixing Alize with champagne or just drinking it on the rocks, but I preferred my Bleu + Sprite version the best!

UPDATED: Apparently, miss Chelsea isn't the only one lovin on the Alize... Miss Jenn over at West Sac Honey, is also a proud fan. She wanted me to inform you all that (and I quote) in her days as an Alize Promo Girl, she did infact meet a lot of brotha's. Proof:

Color my world

Sometimes, at 9:45 on a Wednesday night, I drag HJ to Walmart on a HAVETOGONOW trip triggered by a spur-of-the-moment desire for arts&crafts hour.

He obliges. Smart boy.

The inspiration this time

Source: etsy.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

A rainbowfied canvas created from Crayolas.

I have had a large canvas sitting in my craft room for a few months awaiting it's destiny, so all we had to pick up from Wallyworld was a cheap glue gun and a jumbo box of crayons.

I decided to go with a pinks/reds/purples/golds in my piece... rainbows just aren't really my thing!

HJ became the crayon paper peeling extraordinaire, and I, a master of dripping hot crayon wax on myself. Multiple times.

I absolutely love how it turned out... and I'm not gonna lie, it was way fun process. I already have big plans for creating a few others!

I'm not sure where I'm going to hang this bad boy yet, but I'm sure I can find somewhere!