17 hours is a long drive inside a car

01.01.13

Happy New Year! The drive home was long, tiring and mostly uneventful.  Rather than pay money to sleep a few hours in a crappy motel we did the whole 17 hour stretch straight through stopping only for snacks and bathroom breaks.  No better time to get Atlas Shrugged out of the way! We listened to the book on tape for almost the entire drive.  I missed some parts when I dozed, but I got the gist of it.  The highlight of the drive was definitely the sunset in New Mexico.  

We finally got home around 4 a.m. and spent the following day cleaning the house and trying to get our lives in order and resolutions rolling. 

This year, I am resolving to go to the doctors I haven't seen in years (general, lady, skin, teeth) and be able to touch my toes and do an unassisted pull-up. 

  

king for a day

12.31

Guy's birthday is New Year's Eve so I do my best every year to make sure we have something fun planned. This year something fun was being in Durango with his family! We slept in late and made a big breakfast and another round of Red Snappers.  Afterwards, we went across the way for a swim in the the Trimble Hot Springs which are naturally heated mineral pools.  Swimming as the steam rose and the snow fell was a fine way to spend the last day of the year and Guy's birthday.  Later that afternoon, we walked around downtown Durango.  There are so many cool shops and art galleries there- especially this one photography studio owned by Claude Steelman who is an amazing nature photographer with the coolest name ever.  We sampled some beers at the Steamworks Brewing Company and went back to the house to make some cocktails and get ready for dinner.  Guy was too tired to stay up until midnight, but Thomas, Kristi and I drank champagne and played Rummikub until about 2 a.m.  I am addicted to that game now! If you see it on sale at Target, please buy it for me. It's a game where you have numbered tiles and you put them out in different sequences- it doesn't sound fun but it is very addicting, you can play forever.  It was the low-key New Year's I was hoping for, and not a bad way to spend the evening before setting out for our 17 hour drive home to Houston.

getting to Durango

If you didn't notice, the post below ended with a cliffhanger! Or so I thought...

world's best airport

12.30
Having checked-in for my flight on my phone the night before, I woke up early to print my boarding pass. As I attempted to do so, I got an error message that said online check-in was not available for my flight- upon further review, it was cancelled.  How do they just decide "No, that flight's not happening. Sorry!" ?? What do you do in this situation? I called the customer "service" phone number and was placed on hold due to their current large volume of incoming calls. My parents were both awake to take me to the airport and we decided it was best to head out there in case I never got through on the phone, I could talk to a real human at the check-in desk, or maybe get rebooked on a new flight.  50 minutes later, as we were pulling up to the passenger check-in row, I was finally connected to an agent who rebooked me on the next flight out at 3:50 p.m. While I was disappointed I was going to miss a whole day in Durango, I was glad that at least we were able to turn around, go home and go back to bed.  Later that morning I went to Costco with my mom and she bought me an amazing set of luggage as a late Christmas gift (tip: Costco's luggage is awesome). When we came home, I re-packed my bags, took a shower and was finally ready to move onto the next leg of my trip.
 The Broncos game was starting at 3, and I was glad to know I would be able to watch it in the airport. When the girl at security checked my ID and said "Texas??" I almost lost it.  "I'M FROM HERE! MY WHOLE FAMILY LIVES HERE! I'VE LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE! I JUST LIVE IN TEXAS NOW!" said the girl in the Peyton Manning t-shirt, blue button-down shirt, and bright orange Patagonia jacket. The TSA agent said "I was wondering why you were such a big Broncos fan." ugh. One thing I did not love about being in Colorado were the sideways glances I got from everyone checking my ID. Coloradoans don't love Texans, but it sucks when you're a native with a Texas ID and everyone judges you.

tap the Rockies

Through security and in a better emotional state than I had been in the past 24 hours, I found a spot at the bar of the airport Chophouse Brewery to watch the game. It was going well, and fun to watch sitting next to strangers. Finished up my beer as boarding time neared, only to see that my flight had been delayed an hour. EXPLETIVE!!! My seat at the bar was taken so I found a different bar and had another beer.  Then I spent halftime wandering (a little tipsy) around the terminal, extremely tempted by all wonderful things for sale at the Denver airport gift shops. Found a third and final bar right next to my gate to watch the end of the game. The man sitting next to me was also going to Durango.  He actually turns the water on and watches the house for Linda! What a coincidence! Being 3 beers deep, this dude was my new bff.  He even got me the seat next to him in first class, and we chit chatted the entire flight. What a nice guy!
FINALLY landed in Durango, and couldn't have been happier to see Guy when he picked me up.  The house is gorgeous, dinner was delicious and I was so relieved to finally be in Durango with the Fitz family.

Bri's day off & my last day in Denver

12.28: Bri is a hard working lady and had a busy work schedule during the holdiays but on Friday she finally didn't have to work until 6:30 pm so that was our day to spend with her. I picked up Kate (in her car) and her dog Izzy was so happy to see me! It made me feel pretty awesome- Kate and I were roommates when she adopted Izzy so she definitely remembered who I was!  Since it was Bri's day off we went over to her house to hang out while she was busy trying to get her post-holiday life in order. I can't tell you how good it felt to sit in the same room in the same house as my two best girlfriends and spend some quality time laughing and talking about nothing for a few hours before going to lunch.

Bri's dog, Nani

one of many Moscow mules

me, Bri & Kate- BFFF (there's 3 F's)

12.29

Saturday was my last day in Denver.  Anne gave me her CU basketball tickets so my parents and I decided to spend the day having lunch and walking around in Boulder (didn't make it to the game- sorry Anne!).  We met up with friends Laura, Luke and Jess and Laura's parents at the West Flanders Brewing Company- a new brewery opened by the owners of the Sink on Pearl Street.  It was surreal seeing my Texas friends in Boulder! And of course, since they're 3rd generation Boulderites, the Pommers knew some people that the Beimfords knew from their time living there in the 50's. Something about a drinking club- shocking (not) and awesome.  Had a beer at the Sink because I had to. On our way home we stopped by the cousins again to see the little kids and this time they were awake! Talk about coming full-circle!

los glorious flat irons

Barack on the wall at The Sink

I had the best time in Denver, and was such a baby when it was time to pack my bags and get ready to leave my parents house for the next adventure in Durango.  I sent my big suitcase with Guy and tried cramming all of my gear into a small duffel and rolley carry-on, so my pack job was a mess.  I was in a bad way. Stayed up way too late and had to get up at 5:45 am for my 8:00 am flight. Or so I thought.

boxing day blur and lunch with Luca

After all of these holiday updates, I am burned out typing the word "Christmas." 

Nothing super-notable happened on Boxing Day so I will just bullet it for my own memory's sake:

12.26:

• Guy spent the giftcard my parents gave him at Second Spin Records
• Drove around Denver
• Lunch with Thomas and Kristi
• Saw Django Unchained with my parents and Michael- it was gratuitously entertaining.

12.27:

Thomas picked up Guy bright and early to head down to their family's new house in Durango.  Kate and I met up with our old high school pal Lou and her adorable son Luca for lunch at CPK (our favorite place). Lou has always been "the cute one" and Luca definitely got her cute genes. It was so great to see them and catch up- lunch with Lou and Luca is a new tradition I hope to continue!

In the bottom right pic, Luca is holding a packet of sugar I gave him to play with- it made a mess haha oops

After lunch, I went shopping with Mom for some new work clothes- the trip was a huge success! I made plans to meet up with Kate and my friend Jenn for pre-dinner drinks, but shopping went long so I was late. But wine was 2 for 1! So we had this many: 

I rushed home to have family dinner, and then Kate talked Joe into driving me back down to the Tavern to meet up with the girls again.  But they were not up for staying too late, and Bri wasn't feeling so hot when she got off work so Kate let me borrow her car to drive myself home. 

Then she called me at 3:45 am. Twice. Woke me up because she was worried about her kindle getting too cold in the glove compartment of the car and would I go get it for her? I did because I'm a nice friend and she was a nice friend for letting me drive her car home. And on my way back inside, I noticed the full moon which was exceptionally bright and beautiful, and so I wasn't mad because if I hadn't gotten up and gone outside, I would've missed out.

the best day of the most wonderful time of th year

As we all know by now, I'm a freak for Christmas. It is my favorite thing. This Christmas was no exception, and it was extra special because I got to spend it with Guy in my childhood home.

Christmas morning backyard, the tree, me, Erika & Brooke

Nobody wanted to get up at 8 am with me so I reluctantly went back to bed. But at 9 am I was banging on doors and opening the blinds in my brothers room so they couldn't keep sleeping.  We had coffee and everyone gave and received a lot of great gifts.  Traditionally we have cinnamon rolls and bacon after gift-opening, but this year mom got suckered into buying butter braids from a neighborhood kid so we had those instead. The snow on Christmas morning was gorgeous, so we took Michael's puppy for a walk in the neighborhood.  When we got home, we helped Mom by organizing the garage. Then people started coming over! The day is more or less a blur, but Kate stopped by to give me a present (a beautiful scarf that coincidentally matched my outfit perfectly- besties) and I loved talking to all of our close family friends and eating a delicious dinner. Everyone was very tired from drinking all day so the evening wrapped up around 10.

Speaking of drinking all day...(amazing segway) on Christmas Morning I made what Guy called "The Best Drink You've Ever Made". Drink-making is high up on my list of skills if not my #1 skill, so this was quite the drink.  Preface: I joke that if there is one thing my dad has taught me, it is how to make an outstanding bloody Mary.  Of course he's taught me a lot more than that, but what could be more important? Anyway, the compliment that really sent me and this drink over the top was from Dad who said it was "The best bloody I've ever had." WOWWW! So what's in it, you ask? Yeah right like I'm giving my secrets away! joke, here's the recipe: this year we swapped the vodka out for gin (aka a Red Snapper which is also an awesome nickname for Guy). At first I was making the drinks custom but then so many people were requesting them so I made a batch of mix- also not everyone was feeling bold enough to try them with gin so they could have vodka with the mix if preferred.
Erin's Christmas Red Snapper:

• lemon pepper
• celery salt
• Worchestershire Sauce (a few shakes)
• Original red Tobasco (a few shakes- I like mine to burn so I give it a little more than a few shakes)
• 1/2 low sodium v8
• 1/2 clamato
• forkfull of fresh horseradish

Fill a highball glass like those pictured with ice and gin (or vodka), top with mix, pour into an empty Plastic cup (over the sink!) and back into the highball glass to mix and ENJOY THE  BEST DRINK I EVER MADE!

Eve of Christmas

Our  house with Christmas Eve snow

The mall on Christmas Eve isn't so bad. I think people think its going to be complete bedlam so they try to avoid it at all costs.  Shopping at Cherry Creek Mall anytime is a treat for me since it has always been "the nice mall" and it didn't suck on Christmas Eve.  Checked off my whole list, and then met up with dad to support him in deciding which ipad mini, ipad case, bathrobe and pajamas mom would like the best.  We recovered with drinks and lunch at Elway's (since it was right next door). One thing that never ceases to amaze me about my dad is how he knows everyone in Denver. We ran into 3 childhood friends of his in the 2 hours we were together.  It always happens. Sometimes it is annoying but I still love it.  We made it to 7 pm mass at our favorite church where my parents got married. It is also where Father Pat is the priest and he is the BEST. He is Fabulous (with a capital "F"). He arranges all of the hymns, sings loud and proud, and spins around a lot during his homilies. And his homilies are always lighthearted and heartwarming.  As we were leaving church, it started to snow and my Christmas cheer went into overdrive.  Once we were home, Guy played some Charlie Brown Christmas on piano as I wrapped presents in my pajamas and Bri dropped off a huge plate of homemade cookies.  After dinner, we each were allowed to open one present (since we were good during church). Joe gave me a bright orange Broncos zip up hoodie that says "Broncos Play Hard" in blue glitter on the back. It is not discreet or subtle and I love it a lot more than Guy does.  In bed early again as far as I can remember- I'm always in bed early on Christmas Eve so I can wake up early on Christmas morning!

traditions

12.23

Christmas burrito

At the sweater party, my friend Jesse asked me "Still want to go to Little Anita's in the morning? I know how you are about your traditions." Since he is the friend I've had the longest, this really warmed my heart and obviously I was not going to skip our morning-after Little Anita's breakfast burrito tradition. Not as hungover as usual (breaking tradition a little) I called Michelle as soon as I woke up the morning after.  Usually I end up crashing at her and Jesse's place (tradition), but this year Guy drove us all the way home. Since Michelle's phone ended up in the toilet at the party (expected), Jesse texted me at almost the same time I had called her- we were most definitely on the same wavelength.  Little Anita's in Denver serves New Mexican food, and their red and green chili-smothered breakfast burritos are very special. And necessary after a night of Fireball shots and double gin and tonics. And one year when I ordered it with red and green and the lady called it a "Christmas burrito" I was never going to NOT have one after the party. Tradition.

We spent the afternoon watching the Broncos game with some of my favorite relatives.  We drove past Mile High Stadium right as the second touchdown was scored and we saw the flares shoot off! The Broncos won (obviously) and it was great catching up with my cousins even though their kids were napping and that's who I was really there to see (SARAH- I'M KIDDING! The boys were awake!) Shout out to Cousin Sarah who's blog and encouragement are what inspired me to actually start writing this gem.
After the game, we met up with Guy's brother Thomas and his girlfriend Kristi for some dinner and beers in Denver.  They are great and I love hanging out with them- Thomas is the reason I know Guy (ask me to tell you that story- it's my favorite) and he is planning a move to Houston in the spring so we are looking forward to that! I don't even remember what we did that night afterwards but I imagine it involved going to bed early.

Cookies and Sweaters

Adrienne, me & Britt at the cookie exchange

12.22

No time to sleep in! Mom was stressed about having company over for our co-hosted mother-daughter neighborhood cookie party.  It was great to see old friends and catch up on the latest local gossip.  I was especially happy to see some of my best friends: Erika (I will be a bridesmaid for the first time in her wedding in June!), Adrienne (so much to catch up on!) and Kate (my bff-sister friend) and their moms and sisters!


 Things started to wind down around 4, and it was already time for me to get ready to pick up Guy from the airport and go to my favorite party of the year: The Zilis Ugly Sweater Party.  My dear friend Michelle's older brother started having this party with his friends ten years ago as a home-from-college get together.  His friends were hot, so we started to crash it when we started to come home from college.  Years later, our little brothers are best friends and roommates, and now all of their grown friends come to this party too so it is one giant drunken best old friend/sibling reunion and the reason I'm always hungover in Christmas Eve church.  This year did not disappoint.  I accepted that I was not going to find a new sweater and decided that wearing the same one every year is a thing now.  After getting Guy from the airport, we picked up Kate and her boyfriend Parker and went to the party.  I had a blast seeing all of my old friends and my little brothers grown friends and my parents even came!  Eventually reached my "Take me drunk I'm home" point and called it a night before things got too crazy.  Can't wait til next year!
 

                          

                              Bri, Kate & I mid photoshoot

Parker & Guy

Me & Kate

Time to go!

12.21

I needed all of it

FINALLY! Remember when I started this countdown two weeks ago?? I had too much wine the night before my trip because I wanted to get together with the girls one more time before we all left for Christmas, so a migraine hangover woke me up at about 5 a.m. Excedrine Migraine is the only solution for me in that case.  By the time I got to work my headache was mostly gone and I was feeling very jacked with excitement (and caffeine- one of Excedrine's primary ingredients).  The workday creeped on, but at 2:45 I left because I needed to pick up some tp since we were completely out and I didn't want to leave the dogsitters high and dry!  The Super Shuttle was a little late which made me a little nervous but I arrived in plenty of time for the flight to be delayed 40 minutes.  My two little brothers both picked me up from the airport and we met my parents at Elway's restaurant for a late dinner.  It was so nice to cram into a booth with them and toast all being together again!