Baby Got Back (problems)

THE CHIROPRACTOR

This is starting to feel like my home away from home. 

*******************

A few weeks ago I went to the Chiropractor for the first time because for the last several months, my back has HURT. I went in with the expectation of bad news, because that is just how I work in medical settings, I'm either a medical mystery, or its some form of bad news. In this case, I guess it was both. But at least I was prepared.

My first visit, there, my doctor (who i like very much, btw) took a scan of my spine. This scan looked at each vertebra in my back and assigned each one a color. White=no pain. Yellow=slight pain. Green=pain. Blue=heavy pain. Red=severe pain.

With my intro to this post, I bet you can guess what color my whole spine was..with the exception of two vertebra. Yup, my entire spine was red, except two that were blue. Lucky me, eh?

So now, the Chiropractor employees and I are getting real close, seeing as I visit them 3-4 times a week. It isn't so bad, though. My family and Craig keep reminding me the pain and all the popping (i especially loathe neck-popping) will be worth it when, one day, my back feels better. I know they're right..I just like to whine, sometimes. :)

bruises and bunnies

I have two stories and two pictures for you from this past week.

Story One: I was drying my hair, listening to music through headphones like I do every time I dry and do my hair and make up. You know how when you dry your hair you kind of shake the hairdryer? Well, that is what I was doing when I turned my head and smacked myself in the eye with the front of the dryer. Almost as quickly as I hit myself, it turned into a sexy little black eye. Its a week later now, and its just slightly yellow, thank goodness bruises heal because I was tiring of looking like I didn't know how to do my make up. The picture does't entirely do it justice, but you get it, basically. Right? 

Story Two: Angus, or as I like to call him, Bunny, is the funniest, cutest, most psycho puppy. I love him. The other day I took Walter and Bunny outside in the back yard to lay on a blanket and read. Bunny Puppy hadn't been feeling very well, and I think he's afraid of wide open spaces (aka, the backyard--he will typically just stick close to the house, on the porch when he goes outside without a human escort) so he stuck close by me while I laid on my belly and read Hunger Games. (i'm trying to finish it before the movie i am seeing thursday..thats right, a day early) As I was sitting there reading, I noticed Bunny was sitting right next to my shoulder just staring at me. I looked at him and probably asked him what he was doing. He scooted closer. I thought to myself, "Self? This is a kodak moment." So I grabbed my phone and stuck it out in front of Bunny and me. Then what did he do? The little cutie-head leaned closer towards me and looked right at the camera! Made for one darling picture, if I do say so myself. Sweet little chicken Bunny Puppy, Angus. 

The End

All Smiles

It happened.

The braces came OFF!!

Well, the top ones at least. 

Below is a weird cheesy smile of mine - attempting to show the bottom ones are still here.

But hopefully only for a couple more weeks.

I always knew this day would be glorious.

And it has been.

My teeth feel smooth and small.

I feel like my lips are too big for my face, now..

And I look really different.

My teeth look huge.

But the bottom line is, the braces are (basically) off

And I'm all smiles.

to spark your interest...

Take a goooood look, loves.

Something is about to change.

10 Things on my Mind

1. I'm going to make a quilt. I already have the fabric picked out and cut - all thats left is me getting enough motivation to actually start  it. 
2. When I signed up for my 8am class this semester, thinking it would be so much easier to wake up for than last semesters 7am class...I was dead wrong. I will never be a morning person no matter how hard I try.
3. I haven't exercised good and hard in a long time. No more laziness, ChelseaKate.
4. Angus the Bunny Puppy is a stinker - I am bound and determined to get him to be a well-behaved little man. (don't doubt me mom, miracles happen)
5. My boyfriend is the best boyfriend. Ever. And I like when I get home from being with him and find out my clothes smell like him :)
6. Soccer is very fun to watch and also quite intense to watch.
7. "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz and "Kiss Me Slowly" by Parachute are my favorite songs and I will listen to them as much as I'd like, tomorrow.
8. Maybe I don't hate cats as much as I sometimes think I do.
9. When I'm done with this pointless post I'm going to pick out what I'm wearing tomorrow, otherwise I won't be able to sleep because my mind will be so occupied in stressing out over what I'll wear and if it will be cute or not. (because that is important)
10. I really thought I'd be asleep before 1am, tonight. (this morning?) I've got 12 minutes to try and accomplish that goal. Goodnight. 

Hurr

Sooo...

I changed my hair color. 

I'm still deciding if I like this change. Although, I think I do.

Its my attempt at getting back to my natural color - and its pretty dang close.

Its a dark blonde and it has some red to it. Maybe a dark strawberry blonde?

Anyway, take a looksie. Whaddya think?

*this just in. its hard to take pictures of your new hair and have the light hit it just right as to show the real new color of it.

but i did my best..

Resolutions

Every year, around December, I always think about new years resolutions. But that is as far as I go. I just think about them. Maybe I'll even set a few goals and sort of do them the first few days of January or at least think of them, but I'll be honest, they never last long... So who's to say this years resolutions will be any different? Regardless, here I am, promising I'll stick to them just like I do every year. Maybe this time I really will come through and not give up on these goals.

In thinking of ways to really accomplish these new years resolutions, I thought maybe writing them down would be a good motivation. Perhaps some of you readers can check-up with me occasionally and make sure I'm still working on them, yeah? (please?!)

So without further ado, here are my 2012 New Years Resolutions:

1: Do my New Years Resolutions
2: Have more meaningful personal prayer morning and night
3: Read my scriptures every day, no excuses - even if its just one verse
4: Get good at playing the piano again
5: Write in my journal at least five times a week
6: Be more charitable and look for more opportunities to serve
7: Exercise at least 5 times a week
8: Eat healthier/drink more water
9: Keep a 'thankful journal'
10: Go to the temple once a week
{and a few more personal ones i choose not to publish, publicly}


Wish me luck!

Ruptured

photo credit: craig

December 10th, 2011. It started off like any other day. I woke up, I was tired, blah, blah, blah... I dinked around for a few hours, keeping in mind I had tithing settlement at 2:30 but should get there around 1:50 because Dani {my best friend} had her appointment then and it never hurts to be with her more...

So I got in my car and I started driving to my church in Provo. I was feeling fine and was excited to see Dani, Craig and our two other friends, Eric and Ryan.

Then it happened.

I was probably two minutes {or so} away from the church when all the sudden the WORST pain I've ever felt pretty much attacked my lower abdomen. I don't know how to explain it, really. Cramps x1,000,000,000... something like that except it was more on the side of my body than the middle.. Annnnnyway..

I've had weird pains shoot through my body before so I just convinced myself it was nothing to worry about and I'd be fine in a few minutes. When I had parked my car and started walking towards the church, I sort of started to figure out this wasn't a normal pain I'd had before and 'a few minutes' wasn't going to heal me. I couldn't stand up straight for the life of me, the pain was constant - it never let up, and I couldn't think clearly. In short, I was in a whole lotta pain.

I let Dani know that I was hurting but wasn't trying to make a huge deal out of it. Wellp, I guess I don't have a good poker face because next thing I know, everyone was asking me what was wrong. I explained my symptoms and my friends were worried, telling me I should go to a doctor. Dani and I went into the bathroom to check it out, you know, see if there was any visible problem. I was kind of bruised but nothing too serious.

I had my interview with my awesome Bishop, then went back into the hall where Craig, Dani, Ryan and Eric were, also. I sat on the floor, trying to roll into a ball without drawing too much attention to myself and staying modest..

Sooo...You know you have a good best friend when she starts reading your mind and is saying the things you are too prideful to say. Dani told the boys I wasn't doing too well and thats when they started really pressuring me to go to the hospital. At first I was fighting it, telling them I'd be fine, but then I caved to the pressure. I was hurting and I wanted to be better...so the hospital seemed like the right place to go. After I received a blessing and some well-wishes, Craig and I were off.

Now I could sit here and bore you with details about my looong visit to the ER with my super sweet boyfriend, but boring blogs aren't fun to read, so I'll try to just gloss over what went down.

I got there and the funny little moments began. Lets just say, Craig now knows allllll about me and my body. They ask a lot of questions there. When was your last period? Was it normal? How much do you weigh? How tall are you? When is your birthday? Are you sexually active? Any chance you're pregnant? Have you had any pain going to the bathroom? Have you noticed blood in your urine, etc, etc. Ah yeah, that was fun... Oh, and I'm pretty sure they asked those same questions like, ten thousand times.

photo credit: craig

I had to give a urine sample, I was hooked up to an IV (scary) and had some blood taken, I had a cat scan, I was given some weird thing through my IV that made me warm and feel weird and made my fingers and toes hurt and gave me this funky metal taste in my mouth, I was poked and pressed, I was given some morphine...which is an excellent drug. I now see why people become addicted to things. I felt great! No pain after that pumped through my veins.

At first, the doctors/nurses had their suspicions that I could have something wrong with my appendix but it was more likely that it was kidney stones. But of course, it would take a while before we'd really be able to know anything.

photo credit: craig

Craig and I did a lot of sitting around and waiting. Like, a lot. Poor Craig. I'm sure this isn't how he wanted to spend his saturday. However, like I've said before, he's the biggest sweetheart ever! He never complained and he was a great distraction from the pain, sitting there next to me, smiling and ready to talk, always asking how he could make me more comfortable, laughing with me when the drugs took over and I became loopy and twitchy, trying to get me to fall asleep, listening to the doctors and nurses because I was too drugged to really pay attention and the list goes on and on. I'm really not sure how in the world I got so lucky to be with this great guy :) Yay.

A few hours later they finally had a diagnosis for me.. "The bad news,"the doctor said, was that I still would hurt. "The good news?" Its nothing serious. Just some ruptured ovarian cysts which are apparently ranked in the top 10 as far as pain goes. (i agree.) He informed me after a few days I should be as good as new and feel great. Whew. Dodged a bullet there, right?

Oh, and just in case I didn't tell everyone there enough times that there was no chance I was pregnant and that I'm not sexually active, they went ahead and took a pregnancy test anyway. It came back negative. Told ya.

craig's doggie and me, nappin' on the couch
photo credit: craig

After our fun little adventure at the ER Craig took me back to his house where I crashed on his couch for hours! I took a few naps, we watched movies, I ate toast, it was good. Craig and his great family took good, good care of me. Like I've said before, I'm one lucky gal. Very, very.

A few hours later, my cute Craig took me home and I slept pretty decently that night... Now here we are two days later and just like my doc said, every day I'm feeling a little better! The Lortab sure helps me feel better, too :) 

Girl Under the Stars

As I lie under the stars I’m coming to realize just how small I am. Small, but worth something…because here I am, under the stars with a chance, a blessed opportunity, to live life to its fullest and make my mark and leave a legacy. Even if only the stars notice my impact. I am someone. I’ve burned my bridges and broken bonds with tremendous people, but I’ve mended my ways. I’ve fixed myself and seen the bright lights. Perhaps the people I long for the most will never see the change, but I saw it, I see it. The Lord sees it. Undoubtedly, the difficult days aren’t over with and I’ve still got a line of never ending trials in my future days but I’ve learned so much about myself. I have strength. I know I can rise up against the pain, conquer the sorrow and find happiness, peace and grow more in this eternal journey. These stars will forever give me hope. Its like after all this time of doubt and uncertainty I’ve found the respect and confidence in who I am inside and outside. I’m beautiful, strong, worth it and special – someone worth loving and taking care of. Chelsea. I’ll lie under the stars a while longer with these emotions trickling down my cheek. Tears of happiness, finally. Acceptance, relief and joy. I’ll thank the sky for always being there as it twinkles at me. I’ll shine here in the moonlight and feel my heart beat out of my chest. Its my time, now because I’m someone amazing. I’ll leave my mark. My legacy will be one of triumph and courage. Even if only the stars notice. I’ll lay here, thankful. Finally the girl I’ve always wanted to be, the girl I love. Me. Just me. The special girl under the stars. 

a deeper me

Tonight while I was blog-stalking my friends, a particular blog caught my attention. It was the blog of an old, dear friend of mine. The idea of her post came from the blog of her friend, who came from the blog of another friend, I believe. Anyway, I loved it and decided I wanted to do it, too. Its a countdown about myself! Its random, but its cute. 

Read if you'd like to or go ahead and ignore this post. I'll still think you're cool because you read this far...

Now, I'll begin:

Ten Things I Wish I Could Say To 10 Different People

1. You'll never understand what your friendship means to me and what you've done for my happiness.

2. Thank you for talking to me and making me feel amazing when you didn't even have to acknowledge me.

3. I love you with every fiber of my being. 

4. I desperately wish you'd take a hint.

5. We better stay friends forever and ever and ever because you're my other half and the thought of living without you gets me emotional.

6. I wish you saw how incredible, beautiful and special you are. You're as close to perfect as they come.

7. I miss the way things used to be between us.

8. From the moment I laid eyes on you I was drawn to you and felt a strong connection.

9. I miss spending every day with you doing nothing but laugh.

10. I admire the way you live life so optimistically and spiritually and never let anything get you down.

Nine Things About Myself

1. Food scares me.

2. I'm a yoga-junky.

3. I say I love to run, but during the first few minutes of running, I HATE it.

4. You may never get me to admit it, but I like college.

5. I want to live the rest of my life getting people healthy and active.

6. I'm not as shy as people assume I am.

7. I'm a closet cry-baby.

8. I would shop 24/7 if I could.

9. Even though I'm nowhere near marriage, I'm so stressed out about finding my wedding dress.

Eight Ways To Win My Heart

1. Be honest. Always.

2. Sing to me and I'm yours.

3. Support me in my dreams no matter how dorky or far-fetched they may be.

4. Follow through with your promises.

5. Have ambition and be excited about life.

6. Don't be afraid to be silly and laugh at things.

7. Give me a few moments that would be seen in a lovey dovey movie.

8. Have an open mind but keep your standards. (also, have standards)

Seven Things That Cross My Mind A Lot

1. I need to work out.

2. I wonder what my future will be like.

3. He's cute/hot/handsome/gorgeous/etc.

4. Lyrics

5. One day I'll try _______ (usually something i see)

6. I need to write that down.

7. Significant people in my life.

Six Things I Do Before I Fall Asleep

1. Pray

2. Read my scriptures

3. Wash my face/brush my teeth

4. Write in my journal

5. Yoga

6. Think about everything. A lot.

Five People Who Mean  A Lot

1. Daddy

2. Mommy

3. Savannah Klaire

4. Adeline Kayde

5. Every single one of my friends...(its seriously impossible for me to put just one name here)

Four Things I'm Wearing

1. Disneyland sweats

2. Pink and white shirt

3. Glasses

4. A sparkly ring

Three Songs I Listen To Often

1. Just A Kiss -Lady Antebellum

2. I Wouldn't Mind -He is We

3. Turning Tables -Gwenyth Paltrow (originally by Adele)

Two Things I Want To Do Before I Die

1. Go on a service trip somewhere outside of the US

2. Write a book

One Confession

1. I was born terribly worrisome. I can stress myself out to high heaven due to worrying whether it be about myself, a loved one, or a stranger I saw on the street who looked like they were having a bad day or needed help or some luck. I will think and worry about me/that particular person for hours/days/weeks. 

Thankful Day 2

CHURCH.

I am so, so very thankful for church and for the opportunity I have each week to take the Sacrament, feel the spirit, see friends, listen to incredible lessons and learn more about the gospel.

Its a short and simple 'thankful' of mine, but I think its one of the most important. :)

10 Days of Thankfull [day 1]

The other day I was reading someones blog and they were doing a blog challenge called '10 Days of Thankful.' I really like the idea of this because I believe everyone could be more thankful or at least pay more attention to the things we should be thankful for. With that being said, I've decided to do my own 10 Days of Thankful.

Day One: MY FAMILY

My family is as good as they come.

I'm so, so, so incredibly thankful for them and often times I wonder why I got so lucky to be a member of the little Walker family tree. 

My daddy is a hard worker and is a spiritual giant and a very great example to me.

My mommy is the most selfless person I've met who puts her kids first in every aspect and wants us happy more than anything.

Savannah-Bug is strong and confident in herself and is the best listener and best laughing partner.

Adi-lu is the most caring girl on earth, keeps things exciting and active and is so optimistic and joyful.

I am also incredibly thankful for my extended family. From day one they've all been the best and I'm fortunate enough to have a good relationship with each member. 

I love you all.

I am thankful for my family :)

13 things you probably didn't know about me (& if you did...good 4 u)

1: bridges & loneliness are my two greatest fears


2: when i get really anxious/nervous/excited i flex my butt cheeks a lot..and it gets tingly and hurts (charming, eh?)


3: i've written a few songs and put them to guitar music


4: i don't care who you are, if i see you crying, hurting, sad, etc. i'll want to fix you somehow. i've always been a very sympathetic soul


5: i don't believe in "leaving the past behind" every day i think of my past-the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly-because i like to remind myself of how far i've come


6: almost always, i look at my phone at 12:34 and i think it means something deeper than i understand


7: for now at least, my wedding is almost completely planned--i think about my wedding a lot


8: tanning beds terrify me


9: when i think about losing someone i love it brings tears to my eyes and my stomach hurts


10: my biggest insecurity about myself? my toes


11: pictures taken in a soft focus always get me


12: socks bring me a happiness that nothing else can do in the same way


13: i underlined all my lucky numbers (yes, 13 is one of them--i've always found luck in that #..& yes i have a few of them but you should know 2 is my luckiest)

nine {btw...pretty sure i'm only doing 10 days}

day 9: the person

that has

got you through

the most

this little person is my mommy.

just a few years ago.

:)

day 8

a picture that makes you laugh

easy. these two.

seven {anyone else think this game is getting kind of old?}

maybe i'll just do ten days.

day seven: a picture of your best friend and a letter to them.

This one was hard because I don't have just one best friend.

So I tried to think of which friend I was currently closest to and it turns out I have more then one in that department, too.

So then I thought of who I've been closest to the longest and thats when the two most beautiful girls popped into my head. 

Dear Savannah & Adeline,

I LOVE YOU. Thank you for being my very best friends and being the best sisters ever, ever, ever. You two are adorable, beautiful and I'd be one sad lady without you two. You two are my heroes and my best examples. I am constantly trying to be like you two, you're both my idols. I love our friendship and the fact that we get along so well. You two help me with everything, even if you aren't aware of it. Your stunning smiles are what get me through the day and your funny personalities are the best. You two are perfect and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise...or else I'll have to whip out my karate ;) LOVE YOU BUG & LU.

Cheoche.

day SIX

day 6: a picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

SHAKIRA

no doubt.

Know what I'd do all day?

Dance.

FiVe

day 5: a picture of your favorite memory


             {this one is hard because i have about 8,000 favorite memories. but heres 5.}

any & any disney trip i've been on

graduation. actually, graduation itself was kind of long and boring...but the fact that i graduated from high school and am now d.o.n.e. with that... :) THATS  a good memory.

temple square with todd

our families arizona/colorado/southern utah trip.

easter is a good memory and all, but thats not what i'm getting at here. the memories of when savannah and adi were born are the best. they're my favorite memory.

four

day four: a picture of your night.

with my best friend

day TWO

day two: A picture of you and the person you've been close to the longest.

My first best friend, Megan, and myself.

The two of us basically grew up together. We called ourselves sisters.

Because basically...we were.

Although we aren't as close as we once were, we still keep in touch.

Love that girl.