Birthday Weekend Recap

As you guys know, Wednesday was my birthday! Thanks so much for all your birthday wishes through email, comments, Facebook, text, calls, snail mail, etc. I am blessed to have such great people in my life! Here's a little recap of my weekend!

Last minute get-together to Dave & Buster's in the Waterfront with some of my favorites!
Front Row Left to Right: Jodi, Me & Heather | Back Row Left to Right: Liz, MJ & Erin

Me & Heather in the game room of Dave & Buster's

Family & I went to see Despicable Me 2, which you should go see, like today.

My brother was appointed to Pastor four small churches in Corry, Pa - Sunday was his first official day!
The four churches planned a service all together at the park to welcome him.
He gave a great message and we enjoyed meeting some church people at a picnic after the service.

What did you all do for the weekend? Hope it was something fun!

twenty-four

Happy Birthday to me!

Today I'm turning twenty-four and feeling good about it.

My mama got me these balloons and my dad took these pictures. 

Like they have anything to do with my birthday. (Just kidding!)

Later tonight I will be heading out with some friends and MJ to go to the Waterfront 

and this weekend my family will be celebrating at my brother's new house up in Corry, Pa
and we're going to see Despicable Me 2...because I am a child and that's all I want.

I think I've been pretty successful thus far, but am really excited for what this next year should bring!

Hope you all have a great day! I know I will :)

25 before 25

I've seen this on a few other blogs and I like the idea of making goals for the next year of life. Tomorrow I turn 24 so here's a list of what I want to do before I turn 25. We'll see how it goes!

1. Run in something. (I don't care if it's a 5K or a marathon, I'm doing something)

2. Start a career - for real. 

3. Save moo-luh! (Seriously)

4. Live totally solo! (As in no parents, no roommates)

5. Convince MJ to put a ring on it. (If he had his way, we'd be engaged now, so this shouldn't be too hard.)

6. Find & perform at a slam poetry event.

7. Love more deeply.

8. See the Pens play at Consol. (I haven't been to a Pens game since they built  Consol! What kind of Pittsburgher am I!?)

9. Drop some lbs.

10. Grow Chels & the City (In whatever way that goes best.)

11. Attend a zumba class. (Everyone says this is such a great workout that I have yet to try.)

12. Buy more (semi-sensible) heels. (Most of my heels are just fashionable, not work-appropriate.)

13. Learn to make awesome drinks & drink them with friends. (I have bartended a bit in the last two years and I really like it, but want to learn more and why not share with friends?)

14. Use my sewing machine to make something for me. (Since I got my sewing machine, it's been a lot of repairing other peoples clothing, I want to make something for me.)

15. Teach something to someone. (Whatever that means, I felt the need to put it down.)

16. Record some songs with my brother, Eric.

17. Get more ink! (I'm craving another tattoo like a crazy person.)

18. Network! (This is oddly hard for me. So I have to work on it to be a fabulous, young professional.)

19. Mail birthday cards to friends/family. (I did pretty good with this, this year but I'd like to send more.)

20. Speaking of cards, start the greeting card line. (I love greeting cards, but usually spend too much time in the card aisle because nothing is just right, so I want to start making all my own. Might as well sell them too!)

21. Read more. (I was good about this too, but can always improve.)

22. Throw an awesome party! (Why not?)

23. Travel! (Again, why not?)

24. Buy a decent camera. (Because really, I neeeeed one.)

25. Sponsor a blog. (This will go with #10.)

Bowling & Birthdays

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Saturday night, MJ and I joined my friend Jodi and a group of her friends to celebrate her 24th birthday with some bowling at Arsenal Lanes at 44th and Butler Street in Lawrenceville. If you're from the area, you've probably seen their television commercials that say they are "Where old school bowling vibe meets night club atmosphere." (As said by the New York Times.) Which is exactly what it felt like.

Remember a while back when I said I was a terrible bowler? Yeah, well, that's still true, but Arsenal Lanes is a great atmosphere to show off my awful talent. Or your great bowling skills, whichever. The lanes and decor are super old school and awesome. Vintage even. You can see the ball the whole time when it's on it's way back to you and there is carpeting on the walls. They have specials every day. The Smiths play through the speakers and since it's a bar, no obnoxious teenagers are running around and the drinks are cheap. Can you get any better than that in a bowling alley? I think not. Make a trip there soon - you'll be sure to have a great time, even if your bowling ability is sub par, like mine.

Also, wish Jodi a happy (belated) birthday in the comments if you so desire!

Proof that I was beating MJ for a hot second.

Left: some fun pin-up girl bowling pins on the wall. | Right: The birthday girl and me!

Happy Birthday, Eric!

My first ever friend is 25 today!

My first ever therapist.

My first idea of competition.

My first partner in crime.

My first secret-holder.

My first role model.

My first music guru.

My first style protégé.

The first person to call me a poop-head.

The only person to call me sister.

Happy Birthday big brother!

I love you.

"Always remember there was nothing worth sharing, 

like the love that let us share our name."

Happy Birthday MJ!

Happy Birthday to my boyfriend & best friend, MJ!

Welcome to your quarter-life post. 25!

I am so happy to be able to be in your life and share 

this weekend with you to celebrate.

I could never have imagined being with anyone else but you!

 

You haven't aged a day - you little cutie!

Love, Chels