Birthday Freebies

So I've been really behind on my posts but a few months before my birthday I got this idea that I would try and do everything I possibly could that was free. The internet is a beautiful thing - here are a couple of sites I used to find all the freebies (these are only national ones there are also alot of local ones too). About a month before the big day, I signed up for so many clubs (one of the requirements to cash in on some of the free things). I actually only ended up using one of the national things, everything else was local (you'll see what I mean).

http://www.hustlermoneyblog.com/eat-free-on-your-birthday/
http://www.ehow.com/how_4518275_stuff-birthday-over-places.html
http://www.guidespot.com/guides/free_birthday_stuff

Started off the day with a Red Carpet premium car wash FOR FREE. Only on your actual birthday though (they check your license).

Then it was off to Red Robin with my friend, Shannon. One of my gifts from Jen was Shannon's 35 Things I'm Thankfulness Cards in which I was supposed to write on each of the cards things I'm thankful for. Worked on them while I was waiting for my burger and fries.

FREE Bleu Ribbon Burger and Garlic Parmesian Fries



I was supposed to go to Disneyland cuz you get in free on your birthday (if you sign up ahead of time on their website) with Jen and Travis but Jen's sister had her baby on my birthday so we didn't get a chance to go. Next best thing...go to the Disney Store (which just happened to be at the Galleria with Red Robin).

Poor Shannon...she was a great sport though, I think just cuz it was my birthday.

I kind of felt like I was in high school.

Apparently the clothes from when I was in high school are back in style. Playing around in Hot Topic.

Low key afternoon - no freebies, just went to the gym to work off the burger and the upcoming FREE food.

For dinner a few friends and I went to Mama D's in Hermosa Beach for FREE dinner and dessert (they check your license here too) for the birthday person. Oh and I got a free appetizer at my next visit.

Last freebie stop - Lotus Frozen Yogurt in Hermosa Beach for FREE yogurt. You have to pay for the toppings.

That was my birthday freebies. Essentially it was alot of free food and I didn't even get the Orange Julius, Cold Stone, BJ's Pizookie, chocolate chip cookie from Quiznos, Denny's breakfast, Islands dessert or Baskin Robbins free scoop of ice cream. Good thing I don't like dessert very much.

Friday went to a new restaurant to celebrate my birthday. We were out on the patio and the food was amazing.

Jen got these cute napkins a few months ago. Interesting how we were color coordinated with them.

Some of my Wednesday small group girls

Group pic

Always love the fun ones.

Roadtrip to Oregon with Ellie

So at 10:46p on Saturday, May 4th Ellie and I embarked on what we anticipated to be a 15 hour journey from El Segundo up to Portland, Oregon (aka her new home). Yes we intended to drive straight because we wanted to see the Outlet Comedy Night but needed to get up to Portland by Sunday afternoon for her to sign apartment lease papers so she could move into her new apartment that she rented entirely by internet. Crazy huh - yeah that is what everyone else said but we figured we could do it.

Here's a pic of just how packed her Nissan Armada was. Seriously there wasn't any room. We actually had to do a bit of rearranging and stuffing things through windows just to make my bag and a few other things fit.

Not kidding when I said it was packed - see the spices in little areas of the car.

At about 5:40a I'm "flying" through Redding, Ellie is sleeping, and I see "lights" in the side mirror because again seriously it was so packed from floor to ceiling that there really wasn't a rear view mirror view. Yep got a speeding ticket - traffic school here I come. Never gotten a speeding ticket before which I guess is the bright side of things. Tried a few excuses but he wouldn't let me off.

Few hours later we hit Oregon (we wanted the welcome to Oregon sign but its so small and there isn't anything that gives you a hint that you are going to drive past it in two seconds) but of course it was raining in Oregon which was a big enough sign that we had entered the state.

About an hour left until we get to Keizer, Oregon where I was going to stay a few days with my best friend, Gail and her family. At this point, I've had 30 minutes of sleep and we're high on Monster and Starbucks. But I'm allowed to drive again!!!

Got to Keizer, OR which is about 40 minutes outside of Portland. Boys are so fun - got Collin, Gail's son who's 11 to climb in this bush so I could take a picture. Then we all headed up to Ellie's new place to help her unpack.

Ellie's new place.

the view from her balcony and bedroom - so beautiful and serene

After we helped her unpack, I headed back to Keizer with Gail and the family. Here we are on Monday night BBQ'ing Oregon style. Yep of course it was raining again and of course I didn't want to get wet but did want to BBQ so we turned the grill inward.

Tuesday Gail's daughter didn't have kindergarten so I took a lunch break from work and we went to lunch and did a Target run. For those of you who know that I love the minivan, I'm so sad - Gail doesn't have one anymore for me to drive the kids around when I'm up there.

Camie got to pick the lunch location - of course what would any 6 year old pick but McD's.

Me and Courtney, Gail's oldest at 14, almost 15.

Me with Collin and Camie after his baseball game - guess what it rained throughout...

After the game Gail, Collin, Camie and I met up with Ellie half way and had a little Cinco de May celebrating at Chevys. How cool are those hats!!!

Afterwards we headed over to the Portland City Grill to see the nightlife in Portland - not much going on but it was a Tuesday.

Wednesday we worked from home - this isn't my usual work from home attire - usually its gym clothes but they didn't fit in my little bag that had to cram in the car so you get pajamas.

Here we are looking a bit more professional before heading out for lunch and to our flights.

Oh yeah it only took us 13 hours to get to Portland in case you're thinking of a road trip and that was with a sit down breakfast of tacos from Jack In The Box, several bathroom and gas breaks including one where we couldn't figure out how to get back on the freeway and of course the speeding ticket pull over.

Bye Bye Ellie

One of my good friends, Ellie, took a new job in Oregon so Jami threw her a going away brunch two Saturdays ago. We were well fed with Nickki's famous Baked Caramel French Toast, egg casserole with sausage or veggie, bacon, sausage, fruit, orange juice and coffee.

We thought this would be very "Ellie" and Jami just happened to have some at her middle school for us to have a bit of fun with.

Next up Ellie & my crazy 13 hour road trip from the Gundo to Portland, Oregon later that evening.