25 before 25

This past Saturday was my 24th birthday. I can't believe I am 24. Sometimes I really don't feel my age. Ever. Probably because I hang out with kids all day and love watching Disney movies and dance in my car to N'Sync.

Since I have a whole year until I turn 25 I figured I would make myself a list. A to-do list.

Here goes nothing.

1. Meet a stranger and turn them into a friend
2. Get a new tattoo
3. Find a kick ass EMT job
4. This.
5. Run a half marathon
6. See a broadway show
7. Buy a bathing suit that I feel confident in
8. Cut and dye my hair
9. Be financially aware
10. Start to learn a new language
11. Have dinner with myself, no distractions
12. Buy a present for somebody "just because"
13. Visit a family member I haven't seen in a long time
14. Be with my best friend when she turns 25
15. Make a meat lover fall in love with a vegan meal
16. Donate to a charity
17. Take a road trip
18. Have a day of pampering for myself
19. Volunteer
20. Pay for someones lunch
21. Say "I love you" even if it scares me
22. Go to the beach and watch the sunrise
23. Learn a new hobby
24. Read The Hunger Games series
25. Go to a Panthers game with Sarika

Well, there you have it. Time to print out my list and hang it in my room.

Happy Snow Day! (For all of us out there that get them)

This Might End Badly

I just don't have the time. And it kills me to have to think that crossfit won't be in my life for the next couple months. I had to take a break.

I love crossfit. I might dread walking to the box in the snow or rain but once I get there I get a whole new attitude. One that makes me want to jump over boxes, lift heavy weights, and attempt as many dubs as I can during an AMRAP. But damn, I just have too much going on.

You might not think that nannying two little boys Monday through Friday is tough work, but it is tiring. Especially when I'm getting up at 6:00am to head to work and start driving back home at 4:30pm. I love my job but by the time I get home I just want to rest.

I just chased a three year old and a 15 month old around the house and the playhouse. I just spun them around until they were dizzy. I picked up and put them down at least ten times. It's a constant workout, might not be as intense as crossfit but it is exhausting which means my crossfit days are getting less and less.
Then there is my EMT class. My Monday and Wednesdays are dedicated to a three hour class at night. If I'm not in class I am reading chapters, taking quizzes, or doing ride alongs with the ambulance company to get experience. I haven't had a free weekend in awhile to get a good workout in.

The only downside to crossfit is the scheduled times. There are seven one hour workout times that my box runs. It sounds like a lot, but three of them are while I am at work and then depending on the day, I can't even make it to the other four due to class related nonsense.

I know that it might not be the best idea, but I can't seem to logically think that paying for crossfit when I can't make the time is a financially smart choice.

Once my class is over and I take (and hopefully pass) my state exam, then I will get right back into it.
I will still dedicate some time during the week to go to the normal gym (ugh) so I don't start to slack but I know that it won't be the same. The only plus about the gym is that it is open 24/7 so I can go at the most unusual times and still get a workout in. I know that I will never feel that accomplishment that I do when I finish a WOD but I have to do what I think is right for me right now.

Guess I gotta start coming up with some sweet new posts sans crossfit! Maybe some posts about all the people watching that I do while I run on the treadmill!

C Money Learns To Grout

Are you friends with any of your exes?

It always seems to be a difficult topic for most people. Why would you want to stay friends with someone who broke your heart? Or who's you broke? I can tell you why, because they once held a special place in your heart and they always will, at least for me. I think a lot of people think that I am crazy but it is very hard for me to hate someone so much to just let go of everything we once had. I liked that person enough to date them so why would I want to give up that relationship completely.

One of those guys is Brandon.

Brandon is my go to guy when it comes to just about anything (of course, that's not totally why I keep him around!). Rear view mirror got whacked off by a car (totally my fault), he puts a new one on. Can't paint my bedroom wall, looks like a professional did it. Need new locks on a metal door, he brings over a saw and BAM new locks. 

Not only does he fix things, but he has always made me try new things and learn stuff that I never thought that I would ever be interested in. 

Me? Want to read about stocks? HA! Learn about real estate? No way!

Wrong.

Even if I really didn't want to hear about it, I listened. And learned. That I am definitely thankful for.

This weekend I got to learn something else from him, how to grout tile! I know it probably doesn't sound too exciting but I was definitely excited because come on, who doesn't want to learn how to grou... oh wait, probably no one. But hey! Now if I ever need to redo my kitchen tile I won't have to pay someone an outrageous amount of money to do something I perfectly know how to do on my own! My knees and back might hurt today (I feel like I did three hours of crossfit!) but it was totally worth it. It was also my first time in Wildwood, which is probably a big shocker for everyone who lives around me because everyone goes to Wildwood in the summer. However, I think I liked it better this weekend. Complete ghost town. No hot sun beaming down on me, no drunk people bumping into me, and no over priced lunch. And especially no sun burn! I know, I'm that girl who just doesn't like the beach. Sue me.

I hope that everyone else had a great weekend like I did and enjoyed the gorgeous weather on Sunday (boo rain on Saturday).

Now it's time for me to give a shout out to Brandon who can take some pretty darn nice pictures if you ask me! I might just be saying that because they are of me and the little munchkins that I nanny.

First Day Back!

FINALLY!

Who in the world is ever excited about going back to work?! Well, I will tell you who.

This girl.

Technically, this past Thursday was my first day back but it was a lazy day that consisted of the kids staying in pajamas all day. Friday was a snow day (the perks of working for teachers) so last week was kind of a dud. 

Everybody else out there was dreading waking up and dragging themselves to work today. Not me. I woke up at 6am and was ready to go! Today was actually one of the first times that I went to work and didn't want to automatically pass out on the couch until the boys woke up. Luckily for me, Max decided to wake up at 7:45 so we got to cuddle on the couch and watch videos on the iPad until Owen woke up at 10. Then it was off to the mall with my roommate and the girls that she nannys. It was a great first day back with only one potty accident! Its hard to remember that you gotta take off the underwear before sitting on the potty. Baby steps, guys.

Some quotes for your entertainment tonight:

As we are getting in the car to head to the mall.

"Hannah's hot!" -Max

"Max what are you doing?" -Me on our way back from the mall

"I'm picking my boogies!!" -Max

"Well that's cute" -Me

"Hi mom!" -Max

"I'm not your mom" -Me

"Okay, hi grandma!" -Max

"What?! How old do you think I am?" -Me

"Seven." -Max

... and my all time favorite question to ask.

"Max, who cuts your hair?"

"Farmer John!" -Max (he means barber, but its so darn cute!)

Hello 2014

Well, today is the last day of 2013. This year has had many ups and a few downs but I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me. Last year I made myself a list of resolutions that I unfortunately can't find right now, but I know there were a few things on it that I didn't get to accomplish that I still want to do this coming year.

I can't believe how fast this year went. Weddings, new jobs, heart break, moving, and starting crossfit all made an appearance in 2013 and without them all I wouldn't be who I am now.

Since now I have somewhere to permanently put my resolutions and look back on them, I decided to do two different lists. One will be my fitness resolutions and the other one being personal resolutions. Don't be surprised when my fitness list is longer than my personal. 2014 is going to be the year of fit Chelsey and I can't wait to get my butt back into gear. These past couple months I have been slacking, but I am determined to get back on the crossfit horse and you all are going to help me, by making me accountable, by reading my blog, and yelling at me when I start to slack.

Without further ado, here are my 2014 resolutions!

Fitness

• Crossfit at least 2 days a week
• 25 unbroken push ups
• 3 strict pull ups (5 would be pushing it)
• RX a whole WOD (I haven't RX'd any WOD so far)
• 100 unbroken double unders (I can barely do 2 as of right now!)
• Deadlift 200 pounds (90 right now)
• Run a half marathon
• 5 hand stand push ups (I'm too scared to even do 1)

Personal

• Stop being so damn nice to people Learn to say no more often
• Keep in touch with my family
• Volunteer more
• Live in the now, not in the future

I told you my fitness would be more than my personal. I don't really make too many personal resolutions because I try to be the best person I can be and live a life I love without doing it strictly because it's a new year. The start of a new year is the perfect time to start making more fitness resolutions because I can look back on what I did this past year and make new goals for myself. And let me tell you, it feels great when you can cross off those fitness goals one at a time. They may take me awhile but hey, I have a whole year!

I hope that everyone has a great night tonight bringing in the new year! Be careful and don't start off the new year making poor decisions. Don't drink and drive!

Florida In Review

Hello lovely blog readers! I hope that you all had a grand Christmas and that you got to spend some quality time with some amazing people (I know that I did!).
I got to spend a whole week in Florida with my mom and brother and I couldn't have asked for a better time.
Lets highlight some of the favorites shall we.

1. My brother and I decided to surprise our momma and decorate the apartment before she got home from work Saturday.
2. We got to meet up with my aunt Roni for brunch in downtown St. Pete which was amazing! (Who would have thought that sunflower seeds in a veggie wrap would be delicious!)
3. Went to the movies and saw Anchorman 2 (I highly suggest you go see it right now if you haven't!)
4. Me and my mom got to have lunch with my aunt Kim and my cousin Kati.
5. I went to crossfit with my friend Rachel at her box. So different than how my box is structured but I totally loved it.
6. On Christmas day I got to FaceTime with Max so he could show me all his presents he got from Santa!
and best of all...
6. I got a tattoo as part of my Christmas presents from my mom!!! (My brother got one too!)

Before and After!

Treys Half Way and Finished!

I was SUPER excited

I was sad to leave Florida but I was also excited to finally be back home in Philly. And unlike a lot of people, I am actually looking forward to going back to work on the 2nd!

I hope that every one had a lovely holiday! Time to put down all the cookies and pick back up some barbells!

WOD Thursday? Or Friday...

This week has been so crazy. I only worked three days and I'm currently sitting on the plane headed to Tampa. I didn't finish packing for my trip until around 2am (I am a horrible procrastinator if you couldn't tell).

I was so determined to stick to three posts a week but it is a bigger challenge than I thought. I don't want you all to miss out on my workouts so a WOD Thursday Friday will have to do for this week! I'm not going to make any promises about next week with vacation and Christmas.

Thursday December 12th

[1] Power Position Snatch (22 Minute EMOT[2]M)

Roast Beast
15 Minute AMPRAP
5 Pull Ups (Ring rows for the weak like me)
10 Shoulder to Overhead
10 Deadlifts

I don't actually have anything to complain about with this WOD. I'm slowing getting better at my snatch but I think it is because we are always doing some sort of snatch on Thursdays which will only make me better. I'm still at a pretty light weight but it's mainly because I'm scared that I'm gonna fall backwards and hurt myself because I am prone to that.

And that is the only WOD I did this week. I had a lot to do in preparation for my week vacation in Florida. I am hoping to get some regular gym time in while I am here and my friend does crossfit in St. Petersburg so I am going to join her on Monday for a WOD which I am super excited for. I have always been curious how other boxes run their programs. I will definitely have to let you all know how that goes!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

PS- This took more than 24 hours to finish as I am currently already in Florida. So much for a sweet mile high post! Maybe next Friday!