jet setter

Before Sun Country is no longer my official airlines I’d like to share a most recent adventure.

One night I was sitting around work and I got to thinking. I bet New York City is beautiful this time of year. With all the window displays, festive storefronts, the rink Rockefeller Center… then it hit me. I SHOULD FLY TO NEW YORK FOR THE DAY. I phoned my friend Leni and a few days later we boarded a sun country flight at 7:00 a.m. headed to JFK. When we landed and before we hit the streets I realized I had misplaced my phone. [that’s another story… fast forward]

With my phone in my hand we took a train to the city walked a few blocks and then found our happy selves at Rockefeller Center. We had 15 minutes to lace up our skates before they opened. It was like a scene out of a movie. I think we only spent a fraction of the time actually skating and the other taking pictures of each other on skates. I looked amazing out on the ice! It was such a fun experience and once pictures had been taken, and facebook had been updated we were on our way.

We did another photo shoot in Times Square before retreating to Starbucks for a bit of relaxation. [after all we were on vacation] Leni worked on her 2012 year in review and I signed Christmas cards. Now you must be thinking who jumps on a plain to fly to NYC just to sit in a coffee shop and write out Christmas cards. Well that’s easy… The rich and DREW & Leni!

After that we headed to 5^th Avenue and then over to the Empire State Building and back once more to see Times Square at night. I’ve been there many times, and always find “the glow” simple beautiful!

Then it was back on the train and to the airport where I listened to a bit more of Tina Fey’s audio book. Who knew I also love iBooks?

Then I picked up a snow globe for the boyfriend [I should have bought two] and boarded the aircraft. What a day in New York City!

naughty or nice

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, I hope this form letter finds you and yours doing spectacular!

You may already be wondering what happened to London & Cupid and who might these delightfully pretty people be. Well, you can rest assured the animals are alive & well. The handsome young man is none other than Steven Neil Patton [my boyfriend], and the lovely lady is the ever so beautiful Kristin Kraabel [Longtime female friend a.k.a. Monica]. They are great examples of Nice & Naughty…. I’m not going into details.

Lets take a look back at the Naughty and Nice of 2012 in no particular order.

NICE: Way back in January, I started back at Xcel Energy and worked another outage that not only paid my car off, but also paid for another six months of auto insurance, my credit card balance, a trip to China, a new water heater for my mother, and believe it or not there was still money left over to put towards my next trip.

NAUGHTY: In February, I got my first speeding ticket... in a long time. I’m okay with this, because I speed a lot and get caught very little. When I do I can usually talk my way out of it; however, this time I got what I deserved.

NICE: In March & April I traveled with my friends Shelley and Leni to China and visited Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. I had never visited Asia before and I’d go back in a heartbeat. Two continents left to visit [Africa & Antarctica] before I can say I’ve been to all seven!

NICE: For my birthday I returned to New York City and had a chance to see the Statue of Liberty a bit closer, and watch a play on Broadway. Both breathtaking experiences made possible by my awesome [and nice] friends David, Bitsy, & Dan who just happen to live in the city.

NAUGHTY: I was able to take three weeks and just chill with friends James, Julie & Nick who have cabins with waterfront property. 

NICE: I participated in the happiest 5K on the planet with eight of my friends. This was my first time running 3.1 miles, and I had a great time.

NAUGHTY: I ate my way through the Minnesota State Fair in five days.

NICE: I helped plan my best friend’s wedding in two weeks. I wish Monica & Peter a happy and fun filled marriage.

NAUGHTY: Sarah D. and I decided to be spontaneous and buy tickets off the street to see Madonna live in concert!

NICE: Steven and I started dating in November. Good things come to those who wait. I honestly feel like the luckiest guy in Minneapolis to have a boyfriend like him.

NAUGHTY: I played hooky from work and flew to New York City for the day to skate at Rockefeller Center with my friend Leni.

NICE: With Sun Country being my official airlines this year I was able to fly to New York City twice, San Francisco twice, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas! Special thanks to Joan for making this happen.

I wish you all a very merry & bright holiday. May 2013 be as NICE or NAUGHTY as ever!

DREW PELEHOS

weekend update

I enjoy photographing toy dinosaurs

Since it’s only a matter of time before my holiday greeting makes it into your hands, I’ll keep this update brief.

OUTAGE

I’m back at Xcel Energy for yet another outage. I’ve done nothing but save my earnings while daydreaming at work of far of places in distant lands to travel to next. It’s honestly the only thing that gets me through the work day, now that so many of my friends have been laid off.

HOLIDAYS

I’m not used to working in the month of December, so this has been quite a change for me. In the past I’ve found December to be a month of merriment… a time to sip wassail, or sing carols while shopping for that perfect gift for that special someone on your list. It’s a time to eat sugar cookies by the fire and gather with friends, not a time to be working. Well now my December has come down to shopping online and wrapping when I can find a spare moment. I’m finding the holidays just as wonderful as ever and the stress of work annoying as ever.

BOYFRIEND

As if working 54-60 hours a week was not enough, I started dating a dude. Shocking right? Well Steven has proven to be a lovely distraction from the sad reality of the working day. I’m both amazed and shocked with how quickly we’ve fallen for each other. It is my hope that in time you will all have a chance to meet him. He truly is a great guy and I feel lucky to have him in my life.

PETS

I couldn’t ask for better animals, unless I could find a guinea pig that could clean out their own cage. Cupid and London are very patient with me being in my current state. Cupid’s time outside of his cage has been limited to 15 minutes most days and London and I spend our quality time together after I get off work at 12:30 a.m. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up on the floor nose to nose next to her before retiring to my bed. I simply don’t know what I’d do without them.

GENERAL STRESS

For the most part I act as if I have the world by the tail. The sad reality is it takes a team of well skilled and talented people to keep me inline and in check. That’s right it takes a village! Without this team of well trained people I would not be the DREW so many of you have come to know and love. When I get stressed I forget to thank them. When I get busy I forget to thank them. When I get sleepy I forget to thank them. This is not acceptable.

I’m constantly reminding myself to not sweat the small stuff and that everything is small. I hope you all can all do the same this holiday season and throughout the New Year.

Peace & love, DREW

boyfriend

This is Steven Neil Patton. I’m thrilled to announce he is my boyfriend!

us

christmas tree shopping

2012 winter wonderland photo shoot

Anniversary: 24NOV12

Our Story: We met in the basement of a seedy bar in Minneapolis. Both mesmerized by 

the others good looks we started talking.

Favorite Color: Green

Dislikes: Olives

Shoe Size: 10

Any questions? If you have them I’d love to hear them. Feel free to leave them in comments below.

thankful thursdays

I am thankful for the friends I have who have shaped me into the person I am today and grateful for the family who inspires me.

I am thankful to be a hero, gymnast, and uncle to Katarina & Gabe. I’m grateful for fruit snacks, play-doh, and hopscotch.

I’m thankful for cold noises, long walks, and London the wonder dog!

I am grateful for the many jobs I have that allow me to live the life I live.

I'm thankful for kisses that mean something and lives that do too.

There is a lot to be thankful & grateful for this Thanksgiving and throughout the year.

I raise me glass to you, my faithful blog reads. What are you thankful for?

the material girl in minnesota

 We sat in the gray section of 118, row 4.

The Madonna 2012 World tour of MDNA began 29MAY2012 in Tel Aviv, Israel and Saturday 3NOV2012 I witnessed Madonna live in concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota with my friend Sarah Dudgeon!

REWIND! Saturday morning I received a message on facebook asking me if I was interested in being spontaneous in going to St. Paul and trying to get Madonna tickets to her sold out show! I was ready for this adventure after I made a few calls to have someone cover my shift at the Sheldon.

We agreed to meet at Cossetta's for dinner where we both ordered the Mostaccioli, which was amazing.
Then we hit the streets to find tickets. Both willing to spend $100.00 we found good seats for $140.00 in section 116 however, I personally believe that one can never sit to close at a concert unless you're on stage. We quickly abandoned our first seats for Row 14 in section 118. When the ticket holders showed up we kindly forked our/their seats in row 14 and moved down to row 4 same section. A much better view in my opinion.

The show was stellar! Drummers suspended in the air, stunning visuals, Like A Prayer sing-a-long and so many of my friends there to enjoy it all with made for a great and spontaneous evening!

*photos from getty images unless noted otherwise.

happy faces

At this festive time of year it's all about pumpkin carving and candy!

vote no this november

I’m not one for being political or forcing my opinion down others throats, but after careful thinking I understand that voting NO on the marriage amendment is not a political issue, but rather a human rights one!

If you know me at all, then you know I have trouble ordering off a menu. So much trouble the idea of finding the one person I want to spend the rest of my life with seems rather daunting! That aside, I’d like myself and everyone else in America to have the same rights, privileges, and trials as married people do.

Please take the time this NOvember to vote NO. If you are not convinced by me that is understandable, feel free to learn more at Minnesotans United for All Families.

ate like a pig

This year at the Minnesota State Fair I ate: Apple Crisp, Carmel Apple, Vanilla Ice Cream, Cinnamon Roll, Ham & Cheese Stromboli, Sausage Stromboli, Oriental Wrap, Cheese Curds, Deep Fried Cookie Dough, Deep Friend Pickles, Deep Fried Green Beans, Onion Rings, Chicken Kabobs, Steak Kabobs, Granny Smith Apple, Corn Dog, Chili Dog, Corn on the Cob, Cotton Candy, Dippin’ Dots, Mini Donuts, Guacamole, Popcorn Chicken, Fudge, Watermelon.

*Special Note: This eating binge took place over five days of fair.

rauterkus/johnson wedding

For years I've been catering in one capacity. This year I decided to start my own business, and like that Events by DREW was born.

One of the 27 table centerpieces designed by Inspired.

The ceremony took place at the Depot Renaissance Hotel in the Winter Garden.

The reception took place in the Great Hall. Here is a picture of the delicious cake.

The happy couple... Julie & Brandon Johnson.

 The table numbers I designed and art directed myself.

 The view from my seat.

I would be nothing without my assistant Kristin Kraabel.

Months of planning paid off... Julie & Brandon's wedding was such a beautiful celebration of love. We over at Events by DREW wish them a lifetime of happiness!

down highway one

After being back from my most recent trip to San Francisco for only three days on a whim I jumped on a Sun Country plane and flew back out to SFO. This time I would be on a road trip with “new friend” Ben Johnson.  We started our journey in San Francisco and ended days later in Los Angeles. Such a great experience. Here are a list of memories and photos I don't want to forget anytime soon.

-walk down Lombard Street… San Francisco’s crookest street.

-I’ve been to San Fran many times, yet this was my first time in the Castro district.

-1st photo together and aren’t we friendly.

-The place I stayed my first night in the city; man I love couch surfing! 

-There is so much to see and capture when traveling in distance lands. Here is a picture of a fence that captured my attention.

-Año Nuevo State Park where we watched sea lions.

-The drive and views down highway 1 are amazing.

-Some of the best strawberries I’ve ever tasted.

-Lofty Redwoods.

-Eating lala berry pie with a view.

-Hearst Castle offered breathtaking beauty.

-Modonna Inn, room 218-Carin.

-Fresh catch of the day at Neptune’s Net for lunch.

-LAX, Los Angles.