Day #143: Holiday Fun

Today was pretty uneventful. Bob and I went with my family to an annual Christmas party today. It was pretty fun! It's always nice to see everyone. Plus, it's entertaining as usual.

Anyways, time for Sunday Social!

1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials? Oh, there's so many to chose from! My favorite Christmas TV special is A Charlie Brown Christmas. Favorite movies: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Love Actually & The Family Stone

2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do? I have had time to volunteer for a few years. One year I adopted a family and bought a mom and her two little girls Christmas presents. Another year I wrapped Christmas presents. However, between work and school I haven't had time :( I would love to have more time to volunteer though.
3. Favorite toy received as a Child for the Holidays? Barbie Dream House. For sure.

This is the version I had. Not the new condo looking one.

4. What was your must have item in high school for the Holidays? Oh gosh, I can't remember. Clothes I think. I remember going shopping, picking out a ton of clothes and getting them for Christmas. 
5. Item you begged for the most and never got? Santa Claus was always good to me. I always got everything I asked for :)

Meet this month's awesome sponsors!

Day #130: Sunday Social + Ad Space Special!

Time for Sunday Social!!!
1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life. McDonalds (7 years)

Meijers (like...2 months?)

Clinical instructor

Registered Nurse (various areas) since 2006

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over. Bridesmaids

The American President

Charlie Wilson's War

Footloose

3. Name 4 places you have lived. Saginaw, MI

Big Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids, MI

That's all...I'm a homebody...

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods. Steak (medium rare...yummy)

Sushi

Lobster

Chicken Teriyaki 

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you. My cell phone

My purse

My keys

Chapstick

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation. Florida (all over) Salt Lake City, UT NYC Chicago
***HOLIDAY SPECIAL! USE THE PROMO CODE: HAPPYHOLIDAYS TO RECEIVE 50% OFF ALL AD SPACES IN DECEMBER!!***

Meet this month's awesome sponsors!

Linking Up:

Day #117: Sunday Social + Shopping!

Well, I made it through night shift last night. I only slept until noon-ish, which isn't too bad. Now I work at my normal 7am, sooooo I took benadryl to aide me in getting back on track. I went "shopping" with Sheri today. By shopping I mean, I went with her and watched her spend money while my frugal-self searched for clearance items. I did find the kids some nice stocking stuffers  at Target.

I love Target.

Sheri, being...strange.

Target has Ugly Sweater ornaments. LOVE it! 

Time for Sunday Social!

Favorite Thanksgiving Memory: I don't have one in particular, but every holiday I always color with my cousins kids. It's tradition now!

Favorite Thanksgiving Food: Turkey. 100%.

What is a Thanksgiving Tradition you and your family have?: Dinner + Football + Nap

Show us a favorite Thanksgiving picture(or 5) from years past

Sadly these are couple of the only pics I can find! I know I have more, just don't know where!

What are you most looking forward to about this Thanksgiving? Not having to work and being able to be with my family!!

Linking Up:

Day #96: Sunday Social and Awesome Giveaways!

I have won in a few giveaways now and I have to say, no matter the prize...I enjoy winning! :) I have received ad space, gift cards, jewelry and nail polish. Every girls dream!! The key to giveaway success? Enter as many as you can and fill out as many entries as you can. Simple enough?

Here are some giveaways I recommend entering before they are done in a few days:

"You Are Awesome Giveaway" with Neely @ A Complete Waste of Make-Up

October Sponsor Giveaway at The Vintage Modern Wife

A Crafters Dream Christmas Giveaway @ Leroy Lime

Pinktober Giveaway @ Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink

300 Followers Mega-Giveaway @ The Wright Stuff

Head on over to Perfectly Imperfect Mom for the Great October Giveaway! Over $100 worth of giveaways.

And of course, my 100 Follower Giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, on to Sunday Social!

1. What do you value most in life?

My family and friends. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today.

2. What do you think is the greatest invention in your lifetime and why?

The internet. Can you think of anything that has changed life so significantly? I remember going to libraries and looking stuff up in encyclopedias. Who needs those anymore when you can get the most up to date information online?

3. What do you think is the secret to a good life?

Take each mistake as a learning opportunity. The harder you work towards something, the more worth it it is.

4. What would you most like to be remembered for when you’re gone?

Making people laugh. Being a semi-decent person and nurse :)

5. What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?

When I graduated nursing school, I was the shy student that barely made it through because I was scared and unsure of myself. Many people didn't think I would make it, as I had a rough start to my career. I'm successful and I'd like to think, I'm good at what I do. I am proud of that.

6. If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you?

Someone cool like Jennifer Garner or Natalie Portman. Girl next door type.

Until tomorrow,

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea

Day #89: Sunday Social

Hope everyone enjoyed the budget tips yesterday!! I am still (forever?) on my quest to save money. It sucks and it's not easy but...it takes will power. I am on a long stretch of work this week...which is hopefully my LAST stretch of work, plus I have a TON of homework this week so I apologize if my posts are a wee bit lacking. Anywho, it's time for:

1. Favorite childhood book

Charlotte's Web by EB White

2 . Favorite Book lately

I can't lie. I'm on the "50 Shades of Grey" bandwagon. I loved each book and want to re-read them. I currently have several books waiting for me to read though, I just don't have time.

3. Book you wish you could live in

Uhm. I have no idea, I never thought about it. 

4. If you could be any character from a book who would it be and why?

I don't know but I know that I probably most closely emulate Rebecca from "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Sophia Kinsella. I spend a lot of money on nothing, for no good reason.

5. Favorite Book turned Movie?

PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern, HOWEVER, I hated the movie. I loved Gerard Butler. But the movie as a whole...sucked. First, Hilary Swank was not who I pictured as Holly. Second, they made her a Yankees fan. EW! Not even close to the story. 

6. Favorite Magazines

Glamour, InStyle, Better Homes and Gardens and most of their publications

Until tomorrow,

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea

Day #82: Loving Fall

I have officially decided that fall is my favorite seasons. For many reasons. A big one? McDonalds Pumpkin Pies. You can only get these during this time of year, and usually they don't roll them out until the end of October. This year however, early September is when they brought them out, around the time I decided we were spending too much time eating out. 

Well played, McDonalds, well played.

The color changes:

Sweaters! I have a million sweaters. I love them.

Source

Pumpkins! I'm talking about the fake ones you buy at the craft store and decorate. So fun and cute!

Source

Source

Source

Until tomorrow,

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea

Day #75: Sunday Social

You may notice some changes on the blog today. The template has once again changed! I won a fantastic giveaway from Finding My Way In Texas and one of the prizes was a custom header by Allyssa (you can find her blog here). She did a great job of creating a wonderful header for me! I wanted purple and something simple but also catches the eye. Her design is exactly what I was hoping for! Thus, the new blog look is being designed around that. Thanks Lyss!

Time for...

What do you miss most about being a kid?

Not paying bills, less stress

Did you have a nickname growing up? What was it?

I haven’t really had any nicknames. I have always been Chelsea…at work people would call me by my last name (Manzullo) but since I got married I am back to Chelsea.

What was your favorite thing to do at recess?

Swing! Or merry-go-round. Or skip-it!! Who remembers the skip-it?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

It changed a lot. First, a lawyer. Then, an astronomer. Then, an athesiologist. Then, a medical doctor. After senioritis kicked in, I decided on nursing since it was less schooling than a doctor.

What was your favorite toy?

Barbies. For sure.

Me and my brother, Brian

What is the funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still remind you about?

Hm, that is a good question. One time while my mom was grocery shopping, I asked her in front of the worker checking us out if the person was a boy or girl. I think my mom was mortified. 


Until tomorrow,

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea

Day #68: Sunday is NOT a fun day.

Today was a very frustrating work day. I was in charge of a very short staffed emergency department. We had 8 total call ins. It was definitely a rough day, but we got through it! Now a few days off. Sweeeeet!

My mom is doing good, her stress test was negative. She is having a repeat CT scan to make sure the blood clot in her lung is not getting worse. She can hopefully go home tomorrow.

The Tigers are really pissing me off. They lost to the Twins BOTH games today. Now they are TWO games behind again for the pennant. AGAIN.

I definitely need new shoes, my feet hurt everyday and they are getting holes in them. Oui.

Okay, enjoy whining...

Time for Sunday Social!

1. What is something you have wanted to do but are afraid of? Sky Dive
2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hopefully teaching, finishing my Master's degree, with babies and still blogging of course!
3. What are you looking forward to before the end of 2012? Earning my bachelor's degree in Nursing (I have an associates already...took me 6 years to go back to school!)
4. What are your hopes for your blog? That people keep reading and leaving positive comments! :) I love blogging so far so I hope to continue having fun with it!
5. Do you always see yourself living in your current town/city? Probably, as long as my family is here, I will be too.



You'll probably see my blog lay-out change a hundred times this week. I am working on lay-outs and graphics and such.

Until tomorrow,

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea

Day #61: Endless Shrimp

So, as a treat since Chelsea (step-daughter) hasn't spent the weekend with us in awhile, we decided to go to Red Lobster for endless shrimp. We LOVE endless shrimp. It was a fun time. We have very random conversations.

A couple with a baby sat in the booth behind us. The baby was sitting off to the side, and was looking around. Apparently, the baby liked Bob because randomly Bob states:

"That baby stared at me for a long time. I think he imprinted."

Bob & Chelsea, enjoying their shrimps!

Me: "He's probably trying to figure out what that thing is on your face." (Note: Bob has recently grown a beard. He doesn't usually have a beard and as such, I have been making fun of him. Secretly, I like the beard.)

Me: "I want a baby."
Chelsea: "I think dad likes having teenagers."
Bob: (makes a face)
Me: "He likes younger kids. Kids who can wipe their own butt but he doesn't have to worry about them getting pregnant."
Chelsea: "I am a good child! Most teenagers are out being prostitutes. But I like apple juice!"
(insert two people blink,blinking here)
Bob: "That's random."

I love family time! 

Anyways, while at Red Lobster, I realized that I did one of the "25 Things Fat People Shouldn't Do"! Actually, not one but two! For those who are unaware of the list, here it is:

25 Things Fat People Shouldn't Do is an unabashed middle finger to the preposterous idea that any human who weighs more than the status quo does not deserve to live a full and well rounded (ahem) life. The list of 25 is composed word for word from direct lists of sheer assholery found on the internet. These range from the absurd to the profoundly shameful, and I will be disproving this offensive notion with style. Feel free to join in on the fun, and if you do, visit the Militant Baker to link-up and share. May the Chub Club live long and prosper!

The List:

Do a cannonball

Swing at the park

Wear a bikini

Drive

Wear animal print

Eat in public

Wear shirts with glitter

Ride a scooter

Make art of themselves

Shimmy

Jump in an elevator
Be straight

Wear an ironic t-shirt

Go to the movies

Me, sitting in a booth AND eating in public. BOOM!

Roll down a hill

Walk through a doorway

Run

Go to bars

Fly in an airplane

Sit on anything plastic

Dance

Wear a mumu

Sit at a booth

Ride a bike

Live.

I sat in a booth and I ate in public. I actually found the list from my friend over PonderWonders, who is unshamelessly checking things off the list! 

Now onto Sunday Social!

1. 5 items you can't live without on a daily basis(water, food, shelter, and clothes dont count) 

Okay, in no particular order: MacBook Pro, iPhone, chapstick, tissues, wedding ring

2. All time favorite book? Why? 

Hm, I think PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. I read this book long before it was turned into a movie (which sucked compared to the book). I loved the story behind it. A dying husband helped the love of his life make it through the first year following his death. So good. I cry every time.

3. Something you'd like to accomplish before the end of 2012

Getting back into a good gym routine. I am so failing at that right now!

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be?

Uhm, this is hard one. Is it bad that I can remember which years I would NOT re-live? Uhm this year and 2006?? Actually, I would re-live 2006 because I would change a lot of it. I needed an attitude adjustment.

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them? 

When I am being quiet at work, it does NOT mean that I am in a bad mood! It means I am concentrating. Ever heard of people saying they can't walk and chew gum? Yeah, I have a hard time chatting and thinking. Weird, I know.

Until tomorrow,
Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea

Day #54: Sunday Social

1. What is the name of your blog and how did you come up with it??
Big, Beautiful & Broke

I started this blog when I hit a low this year and realized that I struggle with two main things: I am overweight and I am always broke. I wanted it to be relatable since it seems that most people, women especially, all struggle with self-acceptance and money. I was hoping to start something people could relate to. I vowed to at least chronicle one year of my life, so I could look back and see that I made it! Hence, the Day # titles.

2. What do you love the most about blogging?
I love having an outlet for my thoughts, especially something outside of my day job as a registered nurse. It is very stressful, on top of all the little things life throws at you, I needed a "get away" so to speak. 

I also love reading other people's blogs and getting to know them in this cyber-world!

3. What are your 2 favorite posts you've written?
Day #36: Now & Then This entry has a quiz I found that I filled out a few years ago. I copied and pasted it word for word, then filled it out again. It was fun to compare the answers from now and then :)

Day #39: Shopping Adventure

4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in blog world?

I am new so this might be difficult...Here's what I have learned so far:
Be patient, building a network takes time.

Branch out and "meet" other bloggers. Comment on posts, enter giveaways, sponsors, etc. Don't be a "phantom" reader.

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had?

I am constantly learning new things during this experience!

6. Give us 3 blogs we NEED to be following that you love.

Kelley @ The Grant Life has really reached out and made me feel welcome! Love her blog!

Rachel, same as above. Reached out and made me feel welcome :)

My mommy @ Happy Life

Until tomorrow,

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea