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Best Friends

October 30, 2011 · by Ari ·

October 30th is one of my favorite days of the year. Why, you ask? My very best friend Bethany was born! I have a few friends that fall under best friend status, but I only have one Bethany. We’ve been friends for about 12 years. She has been there with me through all of my crazy times. She was there when I first experienced true loss. We experienced it together and because of her, I was able to get through it. She understands me in a way no one else in this world (not even Steve) does. We have watched each other grow up, change, evolve and become newer, better versions of ourselves. We have lived across the country, we have lived together, we have had fights ending in tears, and we have laughed harder than I ever knew I could laugh together. She is my rock. My person (for you fellow Grey’s Anatomy lovers). We get each other, and with Bethany I can always just be myself. I never have to pretend or put on a happy face or pretend I’m not excited about something nerdy. I can’t imagine my life without her.

Last night, we went out to celebrate! We started at Valle Luna where apparently the “tall” beer is the size of your head!

Whoops.

There was food. It was okay. Nothing special in my opinion. Well, Jason’s pollo fundido that went in the deep fryer and was then smothered in cheese was pretty delicious, but nothing else that I tasted had me all that impressed. But we sat outside next to the lake with the ducks that Kara and I often run at, which was lovely.

After dinner, we returned to mi casa for present opening, cupcakes and games!

I’m not a good person to share cards with, I took up all the space.

Bethy had been looking for a grey purse, but hadn’t found anything she liked, and she never splurges on nice things for herself, so Steve, Jason, and I pitched in together to get her this super cute grey Coach purse, with just a little color pop!

She loved it!! I was so happy! I LOVE gift giving!!!!

On the way home, we had stopped at Whole Foods for more beer. I definitely did not need more beer and in my tipsiness ended up spending $15 on Larabars and Mojo bars. Whoops. I was done with alcohol for the night 😉 The rest of the group got a few beers to try. Some we knew would be a success

However, some–Le Freak–were an utter failure. Bethany exclaimed “Le Freak sucks!!!” Jason made this face.

The puppies were very excited about all the extra attention company brought them.

“GET AWAY!!!!!! Aunt Bethany is paying attention to ME!!”

“Look, I’m cute, love me.”

“I love you new friend Liz! Please stay here forever. Mom says you might move to AZ. Please make it be true!!!!!!”

We ate NOT Skinnified Tres Leches cupcakes. Not everyone likes their birthday food skinnified, so I try to oblige 😉

And we played board games, laughed, and acted a little like children.

 

Thank you, Bernie for giving birth to the most amazing friend I have ever known and giving us reason to celebrate!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETHY!!!!! LOVE YOU!!!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged: beer, birthdays, clementine, food, friends, winston

A Special Birthday and My Rant About Fez

October 30, 2011 · by Ari ·

Oh my goodness, this weekend things went from busy to crazy around here. Basically every second of every day has been scheduled and with lots of good things, but I am TIRED! Let’s start with Friday. I woke up early to do some birthday baking, then worked, then went straight to see Aladdin, then straight to Mona’s birthday dinner!

I’d been really looking forward to this night because I love Mona and I love Fez. They have pretty much the best black bean burger and sweet potato fries on the planet. So we get to Fez, and I bring in the cupcakes I had made for Mona and they said they weren’t sure if they’d be able to serve them because of health code? Ummm, okay. I bring my own desserts everywhere and have never had a problem. But the guy took them anyway and put them in the fridge.

Dinner was great and I had a super fun time with all my Starbucks friends and ate delicious food. Everything was perfect, until….

Well, let me preface by it was getting late and Kara and I had plans to be up at the butt crack of dawn the next day for our long run, so when we noticed it was 10:45, Steve and I asked for our check and we asked them to bring out the cupcakes. At this point, they refused to open them, and so I asked to just have my container back. Well, 15 minutes goes by. No check, no cupcake container. 30 minutes goes by. No check, no cupcake container. Very grumpy Ari. I was tired from the day, I knew the later we stayed, the worse my chances were of having a good run the next morning, and I turned into a little bit of a Negative Nancy. It was a good 45 minutes after we asked before we saw our check and I good hour from when we asked that we were finally able to leave. It was RIDICULOUS. I love Fez. I really love the food and because of that, I’m sure I will still go back, but I will NEVER do a birthday or special event there EVER AGAIN.

Back to the fun part, the best part of the night was definitely the company

Our  only three boys were segregated on their own side of the table and didn’t make it into this shot haha.

I love these girls!

Are we smiling? Because really we’re filled with anger at our stupid waiter for cutting into our rest before long run day!

Ok, the other best part? Once we FINALLY got my cupcakes back, everyone just opened the container and ate them right there anyway! HAH! Take that bitchy Fez waiter! I didn’t get to taste one because I was exhausted and ran out, but everyone said they loved them and they were a hit! Recipe coming soon! Happy birthday Mona!! Love you!!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged: birthdays, fez, food, starbucks

Bekki’s Birthday Dinner

October 3, 2011 · by Ari ·

Good morning friends! I started off today by returning to bodyworks class for the first time in I think 3 weeks? Craziness. Kara has been working Monday mornings and I have been too lame to go by myself, but today I put my butt into gear and went all on my lonesome. I’ll admit, it is not as fun alone, but I need to be able to go to classes for what I get out of them, and not just when I have plans with someone else to go. Especially considering my gym buddy is going out of town for a whole weeeeeek! Boooo. I’m going to miss you friend! But bodyworks was fantastic as always and it was good to get some strength training in. My solo plan for the week is

Tues and Thurs: Spin

Wed and Fri: Run & yoga

Sat: Rest

Sun: Run for the Cure 5K!! My official first race ever!

Backing up, yesterday I made those fabulous Salted Caramel Mocha Brownie Cupcakes to celebrate Bekki’s birthday. By the time Steve and I headed over to Riga Tony’s at 7:15, I was so hungry I was ready to start chewing my arm off. I don’t do hunger well. That must be why I usually eat all the time 🙂 Thank goodness for the bread and appetizer salad they brought out almost immediately! The staff were so friendly and accommodating of our huge loud group.

I had never been there before, but I’d always heard great things. I loved the way it looked and the atmosphere.

When we arrived, they brought us all our these super cute little wine shots. Have you ever heard of a wine shot? I did not shoot it. I sipped mine. Like a lady. I knew hardly anyone, so I spent most of the evening chatting with the Starbucks crew. I was SOOOOO happy because my amazing friend Amelia came! She was the officiant in our wedding and she also gave us the BEST wedding gift…CLEMENTINE! I’ve hardly seen her since then, so it kind of made my night!

The rest of the usual Starbucks crew was also there of course

Bekki announced that she likes taking pictures where her mouth looks huge.

 

Everyone loved the cupcakes….HOORAY!

 

I love these girls and I am so happy that I’ve been seeing them more lately! I love having lots of different groups of friends that all fulfill different aspects of my personality! And of course, I love this guy and his constant amazing photos! 🙂

Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged: birthdays, cupcakes, friends, rigatonys, starbucks, steve

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