Austria

I don't know about you guys but for me, the holidays are a time for reflection. I think about what's important to me and what I really want out of life. As I've gotten older, I've realized that life isn't about material things and that things I want can't be bought.

I lost my grandmother this past January. We were extremely close and I miss her dearly every single day. Christmas was her favorite time of year and Christmas Eve was, by far, her absolute favorite day of the year. No competition. This time of year is very special to my family, especially now that Grandma is gone. It's been the hardest holiday season of my life because everything reminds me of her and because it is my first Christmas without her. She's been on my mind constantly, as well as the many wonderful memories that we shared together.

The most important thing to her was family and that was something that she transferred to everyone that she knew. I always wanted to be like her and I still do. I know that I always will. She and I had so many wonderful memories together. One of my favorite memories is us watching The Sound of Music together over and over. I spent many weekends at her house and I'd always ask her to play that movie. It was our favorite. While we'd watch it, we'd talk about how beautiful Austria was and how much we'd both like to go. Austria was the one place in the world that she wanted to travel to and she never got the chance. I can't think of The Sound of Music or Austria without thinking about my grandmother and the trip we both would've loved to take. There aren't any words that can describe how much I wish that she could've taken that trip before she passed away.

So when I reflect on what I want out of life, I know one thing is for sure: the one thing that I want most is to go to Austria. I don't know if I'll ever get there but I do know that I'll do everything in my power to try to make it happen.

I miss and love my grandmother and I hope that one day, I can make that dream of going to Austria come true. Although the one thing that I want most can't be wrapped in ribbons or bows, if I ever get it, it'll be the greatest gift that I could possibly ever receive.

I hope that you all get everything you ever dreamed of.

-Chelsea

My Favorite Shows On Netflix

If you're anything like me, you absolutely love Netflix! I'm addicted to many of its shows and have spent quite a lot of quality time with it! Last winter when Kris and I were snowed in for days, we used the time to catch up on our shows! Also, after a long day of work and school, it's nice to unwind with some of our favorite shows!

I'm a little late getting on the bandwagon for a lot of these shows but that doesn't stop me from enjoying them as much as I can! I've found a lot of great shows by reading other peoples' blogs for recommendations. I've got tons of shows on my list that I can't wait to get to once I finish the ones that I'm watching now!

Although you're probably either watching or have watched these shows, I thought I'd recommend my favorites in case you haven't!

These shows are listed in no particular order.

Shows I've Finished:

Merlin- Seriously, go watch it. My friend recommended it to me years ago and I never watched it. Once I got through it on Netflix I couldn't believe that I'd blown it off for so long. It's so different from anything that I'd ever watched before. It was refreshing, dramatic, emotional and full of adventure!

Gilmore Girls- I wasn't thrilled with the last season of it but for the most part, I really enjoyed it! The relationship between Rory and Lorelei reminded me a lot of my relationship with my mother.

Heartland- I'd never heard of this show until a few months ago and once I found it, I binged-watched it! Only the first 6 seasons of the show are on Netflix and I can't wait until the rest of it is added!

Cheers- This show is a classic. It needs no description!

Parenthood- There are not enough words to describe how much I love this show! I've never cried so much while watching a show until this one came around! A lot of the characters reminded of people in my own family!

One Tree Hill- This show will forever be one of my favorites! I watched it because Chad Michael Murray was in it but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did! If you're into basketball, drama and love triangles, this show is for you!

Scandal- If you're not watching this show, why not? You need Olivia Pope in your life!

White Collar- I watched this show on a whim one day and it quickly became a favorite! Neal Caffrey will steal your heart and will always keep you wondering which side he's on!

Grey's Anatomy- I stopped watching this show season 12 but I love all of the previous seasons that are on Netflix now!

Last Man Standing- I'm a huge Tim Allen fan, so watching this show was a give-in. This show is always good for a laugh and always puts me in a good mood!

The Dick Van Dyke Show- I've always been a huge fan of Dick Van Dyke, so I had to check out this classic show! I absolutely loved it and all of the characters! It was funny, sweet, wholesome and adorable! I believe that it's being taken off Netflix but you should definitely try to watch it some other way!

Shows I'm Watching Now And Haven't Finished:

Bones- I'm on season 8 right now and I can't wait to catch up! The show is on season 11 right now and I can't imagine how they're going to keep this show going! But I can't wait to find out! This show takes an unlikely pair and puts them together to solve murders. It's funny, heart-wrenching, dramatic and surprising. My husband and I absolutely love to watch this show together!

Friday Night Lights- I have always been a huge football fan, so when I found a drama that was centered around football, I quickly added it to my list! I'm so glad that I did! Although the show deals with a lot of football, you don't have to be a football fan to watch it as there are a lot of different facets to the show. The characters are lovable and memorable and there is something for everyone!

Scrubs- Kris and I watch this show when we need to wind down and watch something that'll put a smile on our faces. This show is light-hearted and fun with just enough reality to make it well-rounded.

Everybody Loves Raymond- We love this show for the same reason that we love Scrubs. What's not to love about a show with busy-body parents that live across the street from their son?

I hope that if you haven't watched any of these shows that you'll check them out and like them as much as I do! If you have any recommendations, please feel free to leave a comment!

-Chelsea

My Favorite Time of the Year!

October has finally arrived and that means that it is officially my favorite time of the year! There are three holidays within the next three months which, for me, means endless smiles! I don't know about you guys but I absolutely love Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas! I think that it's a time that most everyone enjoys, which makes this time all the more beautiful.

 

Now that Kris and I live up north, we get to experience the changing of the seasons. Our days are filled with apple cider, changing leaves and cool temperatures. It's, in my opinion, the most beautiful time of the year and Kris and I love to share it together. I love all of the wonderful traditions that Kris and I get to start and all of the time that we get to spend with our friends and family. A lot of wonderful things are happening in our lives and it just makes this time of year even better, if that were possible!

I really try to be a positive person and spread positivity to the people in my life. So when this time of year comes around, it makes me so happy because all of the people around me are sharing in happiness and positivity. I'm going to make the best of these next few months and I hope you will too!

-Chelsea

Currently

I cannot believe that it's been so long since I've posted! I really dropped the ball and I'm going to try to make sure that this doesn't continue to happen! I've been pretty busy lately, so I thought I'd update you guys on what's currently going on in my life!

       Currently:

• Reading: The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks- I was recently given this book as a gift. I used to read a lot of Nicholas Sparks novels but haven't for a while. So it was very fun to get back into his writing.
• Watching: Heartland and Beverly Hills 90210. Heartland was recommended to me by a friend. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not but I've really enjoyed it so far. I just started season 4, so I'm almost halfway through the show. I started Beverly Hills 90210 because I knew that my mom used to like the show a lot, so I wanted to see whether or not I'd like it, too. So once I saw it on Hulu, I jumped right into it. I'm only on season 2.
• Studying: British Literature. I just started my new course today.
• Loving: Trying new things and meeting new people. I went to my first sewing class today and it was very interesting. I've always wanted to learn to sew but never got around to it. I'm glad that I finally found the time! I also have been going on sunrise walks with some new friends and our dogs. It's been a really great way to get in some exercise and get out of the house. As a bonus, Jax really loves it too!
• Writing: I'm about 6 chapters into a novel that I've started!
• Feeling: Kris has been gone for a little while on business, so I've really been missing him!
• Excited for: Kris' birthday next month!

That's all for now!

-Chelsea

Day at the Waterfall

Yesterday, Kris and I decided to take a spontaneous drive to a waterfall and it was absolutely stunning! Admittedly, we don't get out as much as we should, so this impromptu trip was exactly what we needed! The waterfall was about an hour away from our apartment and it was totally worth the trip! I'm hoping that we'll find some more waterfalls not too far from home because exploring and climbing that mountain was incredibly fun!

I hope that everyone else had a fun weekend as well! 

-Chelsea 

50 Things I Love

I saw someone else do this not long ago and I thought it would be fun! The internet could always use some more positivity, right?

1. My family

2. My dog

3. Coffee

4. Disney

5. Writing

6. Reading

7. Movies

8. Netflix

9. My friends

10. Baking

11. BBQs

12. Trying new things

13. Cooking new recipes

14. The outdoors

15. Lazy sundays

16. Etsy

17. Bargain shopping

18. Getting my nails done

19. Weddings

20. Traveling

21. Hiking

22. Musicals

23. Swimming

24. Football

25. Blogging
26. Snowball fights
27. Autumn
28. Summer
29. Flowers
30. Fireplaces

31. Honesty
32. Dancing
33. Maroon 5
34. Harry Potter marathons
35. Cuddling
36. Date nights
37. Sunshine
38. Waterfalls

39. Double dates
40. Mountains

41. The Nanny
42. Organization
43. Hulu
44. Memories of my grandmother
45. Starbucks dates with my friends
46. My wedding dress
47. Long walks with my family
48. The beach
49. Old movies
50. Long phone calls

Well, that was fun!

-Chelsea 

Getting Out

Finally, after months of an extremely rough winter, the snow is finally gone and the temperatures have started rising! For the past few days, the temperatures have been in the 70s and Kris and I have been taking complete advantage of it. We've spent every spare second that we could in the sun and we've been loving it! Living up north is very different than living in Florida, of course and we've definitely missed the sun! It's been so refreshing to be able to wear shorts again and enjoy the heat! I'm dealing with a pretty bad sunburn right now but it was definitely worth it! After being cooped up in our apartment all winter, getting out and spending some time in the sunshine was exactly what we needed! I hope that, wherever you are, that you're taking advantage of this beautiful summer weather too! 

Brooke and I have also been taking advantage of this beautiful weather!

-Chelsea