Birthmas 2011

Okay finally. Here it is in all it's anti-climatic glory....because someone (me) left their memory card in their laptop and therefore could not take pictures with their camera. EPIC FAIL. However I managed to document a few things with the old Blackberry. And here they are.

Friday night we went out with Drew's brother and his wife to The Melting Pot. I have never experienced fondu before, but as Drew said "it's fonnnn to du it!" so I knew all would be well. It was so delicious I ate so much bread and broccoli covered in cheese. Then there was dessert. Ohhhh the glorious pot of chocolate and all the amazing things you could dip in it. I need a fondu set. Going on the Birthmas list for next year.

Christmas eve day was spent at Target because I forgot how to pack and left some necessities at home, and at Cub Foods to buy groceries for the weekend. We made black bean soup and grilled cheese sandwiches and listened to Christmas music to get in the festive mood before heading to family Christmas. Drew even wanted to wear this sweater.

While I appreciated his holiday spirit...I just could be seen with him like that.

 Now, I've been used to pretty small Christmas gatherings since 2005. Maybe 8 people tops. Prior to that my Christmases consisted of family gatherings at my grandparents house where there were maybe 25 people 30 at most. Drew has 21 first cousins. TWENTY ONE. Add him and his brothers that makes 25 grandchildren. It was overwhelming at first but after the second drink I was a-ok. 

Now on to the gifts!

First up, something I've been pining over at REI for I don't even know how long. And now, they're mine!

No, I have never gone snowshoeing before. However, I love hiking and snow hiking seems like fun. Now we just need some GD snow so I can use these and also use my other gift....

Patagonia snowpants! Despite it being 40 something degrees Christmas Day, I wore these home to Minneapolis. I cant wait to actually use them. 

I also got a Columbia fleece jacket, a North Face half zip fleece, annnndddd....

A flying lesson! Thats right in spring I will get a crash course in flying and actually get to sit in the cockpit and wear my aviators and bomber jacket and only answer to Maverick. 

Christmas evening Drew took me out to dinner to our favorite Indian restaurant (and I do mean favorite) Gandhi Mahal. I ate so much palak paneer I actually thought I was going to puke on the sidewalk. No joke. It really was touch and go there for a while. 

So there you have it. Birthmas 2011! I could not have planned it better myself. Full of food, family and friends and love :)

Cheers!

Marisa

Birthmas Aftermath

Remember that time I said after Birthmas I would do a sweet recap and catch up with you all? Well about that. See I drove back from Minnesota Monday late morning, got home did all my laundry, unpacked and all that good stuff. Then had to go to work...until after midnight. THEN today I had to get up go to work and then after work go to my OTHER work until 11pm. Needless to say, I'm exhausted and feeling ill. Tomorrow though I'm planning a much needed rest day and will then finally be doing a recap and catching up with everyone. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Cheers!

Marisa

25 Days Of Birthmas Day 23: Running on Diet Coke and Hope

I am a wreck. As in I haven't slept well this week AT ALL, have already worked 44.5 hours in 4 days and haven't had a decent well balanced meal in who knows how long. But! Things are looking up, as today is a half day and I get to head up north to spend my Birthmas with my favorite boy. I'm just so ready for this all to be over so I can get back to my regularly scheduled program. You know the one where I actually work out, eat something other than black beans and Ramen and sleep through the night. And don't fall back into old habits. I'm looking at you Diet Coke. Oh well could be worse, could have gone back to cigarettes right? 

Sorry I'm being a Grinch right now. What is my problem? It's Festivus, I'm heading to Minneapolis, and Birthmas is only TWO DAYS AWAY! Enough woe is me, bring on the festivities and the food. (And the presents too!) I think I said I was taking a hiatus like two posts ago. This time I mean it. I'm out Des Moines. See you when I'm 27!!!!!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas Day 22: Guest Posting on Birthmas Cheer

Hello my loves! I'm over here today. Go check it out. Very big thank you to Marilyn for including me in her 12 Hours of Christmas Cheer project!!!!!

Keep spreading that Christmas Cheer, we're almost there!!!

Cheers!
Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas Day 21: Only 4 Days Left...

Wow, I can't believe it's almost here! 4 Days. FOUR!!!!!! This week has been hell as Tuesday was a 13+ hour day and today is a 15+ hour day. However when talking to my best boy he had this to say: "You can do it. Then you can come kick it and let me take care of you." I died. That right there was the best Birthmas present ever. I'm looking forward to pancakes and birthday cake and potato pancakes (Happy Hanukkah!) and whatever other cakes come with Birthmas. I'll take them all please! Eff the gym this week, you only turn 27 once right? And then come January....Ass kicking Pikes Peak Ascent training. Better enjoy being a fatty while I can. And on that note, I would like this cake for Birthmas please

Pink: Check. Crown: Check. Sparkles: Check. Yup this is my Birthmas cake!!!

Happy Holidays to you all and your lovely families! I hope everyone gets everything they wanted and more. I'm going to take a little Birthmas hiatus and will be back Monday to tell you all about it! Hugs to each and every one of you!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

P.S. Check it out, I suck at money and so does my friend so we started a blog about our quest to not suck at it anymore. Read about it here.

25 Days of Birthmas Day 19: OMG 6 MORE DAYS!!!!

Holy crap! Only 6 more days until Birthmas 2012!!! I can't believe it. I am so excited ( I believe I've mentioned it once or twice) to head to Minneapolis. I have the best boyfriend ever who is determined to make my 27th birthday the most special birthday ever. However, all I need to have the best birthday ever is just to relax with him at home...and maybe throw in a bottle of vodka too. Hey it's my birthday after all, and I'm only downhill to 30 now. So you better believe that there will be a cranberry vodka or two (or ten) involved this holiday weekend. What about you guys? Are you excited for Christmas???? If you aren't yet I hope this Christmas picture I drew for Drew (ha!) will fill you with Christmas Cheer!

25 Days of Birthmas Day 15: Weekend and Winner

Quick short post today. I am so excited for the weekend and relaxing. I need it. Not that this week has been particularly rough or anything, perhaps I'm just resting up for next week which will be rough. However, it's almost Birthmas!!!!!!!!! I am really excited to go to Minnesota next weekend, I'm hoping they can provide me with a white Christmas. Don't fail me now Minneapolis.

Moving on it's time for a winner!

Using a random number generator ,the winner is Amy from Tastes Like Red ! Congrats girl I'll be emailing you soon to get your info and mail you your little present :)

Have a great weekend everyone! Last big shopping weekend before Birthmas! Are you all done????

Cheers

Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas Day 14: Shipping Internationally

Well guys, I learned some things today. Like shipping across the pond is not cheap. In fact it will most likely cost more than whatever you're shipping and will take an hour of your time at the post office because you filled out the WRONG customs sheet. Oh well, I"ll know better for next time and at least my Secret Santa gift is on it's way! I hope she likes it :)

Speaking of across the pond, I've decided that if I was to have a Birthmas party and could invite anyone I wanted it would primarily be a British party. For example:

(did someone call for a Doctor?)

David Tennant has to be there because he is pretty. And a Time Lord. 

Music will be provided for all party guests by

These handsome gents and...

These talented blokes

And of course sitting at my VIP table will be my very best friends

HRH The Duchess of Cambridge

The girl who made "short" okay

and last but certainly not least

The worlds teeny tiniest most fashionable mom who will teach me all of her secrets for when I eventually pop a kid out.

So there you have it. My Birthmas Party. Of course you're all invited too!

Cheers!

Marisa

P.S. Don't forget the giveaway ends tomorrow!

25 Days of Birthmas Day 13: Remembering Dad

By now you've guessed that I love the holidays and my birthday, but there are always a few times when my Christmas spirit completely tanks and I find myself in tears listening to The Christmas Shoes driving home from work. It's at these times when I'm listening to these sad sappy songs that I start thinking about Christmas 2006, and how it was the last Christmas I would have with my Dad.

My parents tried to tell me I didn't need to come home since weather was always iffy and they didn't want me getting stuck and not able to get back to school. But my Dad was finally out of the hospital and I was determined to go home. I can't even tell you what I got that year, I didn't care. All that I cared about was that my Dad was home, and that meant things were on the up and up. I slept with one eye open the entire time I was home waiting for something bad to happen but it never did. Feeling hopeful and confident that all would be well, I headed back to school to start my very last semester of college and begin preparing for Miss Johnson and Jackson County.

Unfortunately I never got to compete in Miss Jackson County. February 8th my Mom called early in the morning to tell me that Daddy had passed away. I remember the shock, but I didn't cry. At first I was angry that I wasn't there. I should have taken a leave of absence from school for a while to be back home. I knew though that Dad would have been angry at me for neglecting school and making a fuss over him. I was then so happy that I had gone home for Christmas and got to spend one more Birthday with my Dad. He made sure that I had everything I could ever need growing up and always supported me no matter how ridiculous my plans. 

So while sometimes the holidays can get me down with a sad song or two, I just remember all the happy holidays we had together and how he didn't judge me and just laughed when  came stumbling home after Christmas at the bars on my 21st Birthday :)

Cheers,

Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas Day 12: Holy Holiday Busy!

Well it has been a busy weekend, and the business is just continuing! In true Marisa fashion I've procrastinated until the  last minute, and now have to go go go. I've got my blogger Secret Santa all taken care of and I'm so excited for it! I can't wait to get my present :) I've gotten Drew's present all done. ( It's a half fail. He just told me what he wanted and I bought it....it counts right???) So I'm crossing things off my list and it feels sooo good. How is everyone else fairing in the Holiday Madness? Hopefully everyone's gifts are coming together nicely! Here are a few scenes from the weekend. 

Drew and I enjoying PechaKucha night at the Jasper Winery. It was so much fun as always and Drew really enjoyed his first PK experience.

The next night was our company holiday party that was held at West End Salvage which Drew also absolutely loved. We had a great night full of food, fun and friends. Oh yeah, and I was named employee of the year. Woo!

Keep spreading the holiday cheer guys! Remember it's the most wonderful time of the year!!!!

Cheers,

Marisa

p.s. Don't forget there is still time to enter my giveaway! 

25 Days of Birthmas Days Who Knows What

Oh hello. Yes I'm still here. Still Birthmas-ing it up. A lot has transpired since we last saw each other but I can't share anything just yet. I hope to be able to tell you come Monday. And you know catch up on your blogs. I've been trying but there are seriously not enough hours in the day. I hope everyone is still in the Birthmas spirit and I hope you got snow! If ....it snows where you live. Don't forget there is still time to enter the giveaway! Tell your friends!

Cheers

Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas Days 5&6: A Personal Plea For Help

Okay so this is Drew and I's first holiday and first birthday together. Might as well get both over with right? I feel like I'm pretty easy to shop for. I have various hobbies that require gear and also I like pink and sparkles. How hard can that be? So here is my problem: wth do I get Drew? I had a plan and he shot it down without even knowing that he shot it down. Now I'm stuck, idea-less and feeling like a Birthmas failure. Please tell me I"m not alone and that you too struggled with you first holiday gift for your boyfriend. So, I need your help with gift ideas. Here are things Drew likes:

Commodities like wheat, soybeans, corn etc...

Finance things

Camping things

Cycling things ( I know nothing about bikes. I'm a runner)

Original Star Trek

South Park

Also, he is going to Dubai in January. I feel like there could be some gift ideas in there...

Thanks loves, I appreciate ANY ideas! Also don't forget to enter my Giveaway!

Cheers!

Marisa



25 Days of Birthmas Days 3&4: GIVEAWAY!!!!

Oh hello there! Don't worry haven't forgotten about my Birthmas or anything. Just been busy helping a friend move and start a new chapter in her life and you guessed it, working. However today I pulled myself off my big comfy couch (anyone remember that show and the dust bunnies???) and ventured out to one of my favorite local Des Moines shops: Eden. Which I have written about before here.....wayyy back in my early blog days. Since it's my Birthmas and I'm FINALLY in the holiday spirit I decided to pick up a little gift for YOU!!! My wonderful readers, to show my love and appreciation of you this holiday season. What did I pick up you ask??? Let me show you.

Jen runs such an amazing shop. I seriously can spend hours here. Always something new and unique that you can't find anywhere else. From London to Paris to amazing boutiques across the good old USA, Eden can always introduce you to new perfumes, skin care products and home fragrances. I knew I wanted to include Smith's Rosebud Salve because it is one of my personal favorites and I can't live without it in the winter. After smelling everything there was I finally found something I fell in love with and thought, who couldn't use a little calm this time of year? Lollia's Calm bath salts smell amaazzzing and the pouch was too cute! I'm also throwing in one more thing.....

Since I didn't post any sparkles in my Stuff I Want post, I decided to give a little sparkle to you! Be Enchanted is a new fragrance at Bath and Body Works and I am in love! It's the perfect winter scent and that combined with a little sparkle is holiday magic!

So how do you enter? Simple, just be a follower on Google Friend Connect and leave a comment. For additional entries however:

1.) Tweet about my giveaway and leave a comment that you did.

2.) Mention the giveaway on your own blog and leave a comment that you did.

Giveaway ends Thursday December 15th at midnight and the winner will be announced Friday the 16th!

Hope your holidays are going fantastic! Also I need to add something on my Stuff I Want list...a new camera. I think (and I know I've said this like 500 times before) my camera reallllly is dying. For reals this time. 

Well what are you waiting for??? Get entered!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas Day 2: Stuff I Want

Okay so normally I'm not one to ask for a lot of presents because, I feel bad asking for them. I would much rather people donate to the ARL (Animal Rescue League), participate in Toys for Tots or make donations to the local food bank. However, since I need to fill up 25 Days of Birthday stuff, I suppose I can share with you some crap that I wouldn't mind having.

(Kindle Fire)

Yes I want the Kindle Fire. Don't try to sell me on your iPad. Drew has one. It's neat, but this does everything I need it to and only costs $199. Please donate the extra money it would have cost to buy an iPad to one of the above mentioned charities.

(North Face Denali Jacket)

Mine is sadly about to bite the dust. I have worn the shit out of this coat and I love it to death. Also I can wear a child's size XL. They're cheaper.

(New Balance 1520 Gore-Tex Trail Shoes)

I hope to run up a mountain in August so these would be very much appreciated. 

And last but not least

(The North Face Terra 35 Pack)

I also would like to start doing multi-day hikes. So this is necessary. 

What? You were expecting sparkly pretty pageant girl things? Sorry. I'm quite diverse as you now know. Also, I love The North Face. Don't hate. 

Stay tuned for more Birthmas fun!!!!!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas: Day 1

WTF is Birthmas you ask? Well friends first off, you're welcome for getting the day off on my birthday. I had to pull a few strings and collaborate with Jesus and Santa, but it's now a holiday so enjoy it. If you haven't figured it out by now my birthday is December 25th. CHRISTMAS DAY. Hence, Birthmas. I am also okay with calling it Marismas too. I have some excited things planned, including telling you all about my Secret Santa once I recieve my present, a very special Christmas guest post, and ......a Birthmas Giveaway! To kick things off I thought I'd do a list of 10 things you might not know about me. So we can all be better friends and you won't feel so guilty having my birthday off without really knowing me.

1.) I used to save the juice from my Freeze Pops and dump it in a hole in my drive way, throw in some weeds (aka vegetables) and call it Kashi Soup with my cousin. Yeah those A-hole's stole our name.

2.) I did not fly in an airplane until I was 20 years old.

3.) I drive like a grandma, and I don't care. I have never been pulled over for speeding in 11 years of driving.

4.) Tea (hot or cold) makes me want to vom. Yes I've probably tried your special/favorite kind. It also tastes like butt.

5.) I don't wish to own a home. I know it's the American dream, but I detest anything involving home improvements. You can ask D about this one.

6.) I want rollerblading to become cool again like it was in the 90's. Don't act like you don't too.

7.) In the first grade I didn't realize you had to wait for the entire class to go to recess and when I realized I'd be in trouble for leaving early, I hid in the toy bin so I could act like I arrived with everyone.

8.) I've watched Miss America every year since I was 5

9.) My favorite "treat" meal (meaning out of a box and not homemade) was Rice a Roni. We only had it maybe once a month and my brother and I would compete to see who could eat the most.

10.) I miss holidays at my Grandparents because all I want for Thansgiving is my grandmas homemade tortillas and rice and beans.

There, I feel like we're all better friends now. Stay tuned for the rest of the Birthmas Festivities!

Cheers!

Marisa