He cooks AND cleans!

So I came home after a LONG day of working (on a Sunday might I add) and was thoroughly exhausted and not looking forward to spending more time on my feet in the kitchen.  Well...I walked in my door to a CLEAN apartment and caught the aroma of sautéed garlic, onion, tomato, and most importantly, butter!  But no food in sight!  Alas!  Taylor was quick on his feet and had me close my eyes as he pulled out freshly made salmon with said fixings melted and drizzled on top....oh my gosh.

Let me just take a minute here to let the full extent of how happy I was sink in.  We plopped on the couch and I tried my best to devour my meal as slowly as possible (and yes, I licked my plate).  It was soooooooo good!  5 stars!!  The dessert was a full foot rub while I laid back and got to watch what I wanted to watch!!!!!  Fabulous end of the day thanks to my wonderful boyfriend :)

Happy...23? Really??

This weekend was absolutely wonderful and I so appreciate all of the warm wishes from everybody!  It's hard to believe another year has gone by and yet, I still get asked what high school I attend.  Sigh.

Progression of day: 

• sleep in
• wake up to Bailey's nose in my face sniffing for signs of life
• went out to lunch at my favorite little eatery in Fairview: Sugar Beet Cafe!  best eggs benedict EVER
• Ryan, Taylor, and I went into downtown to walk off eggs benedict
• came home and played card game: He** yes!  I lost...there should be a rule about that on one's birthday..
• ate favorite dinner: grilled hamburgers and artichokes
• digestion
• ate cake! (y mother made a home-made lemon cake with fresh lemon-sugar icing (see below) in the shape of my favorite flower: the sunflower.  and yes, it was eaten quite quickly...yum!)
• deep sleep

Bailey, our choc. lab, excited about her new toy

Complete destruction of new toy..

On our way to Sugar Beet Cafe!!!!!!
(by the way...this is right after I curled my hair...notice the slow progression of 'straightness' my hair undergoes!!!)

Ryan and my grandfather, D-daddy

Mom and Ryan...and this look would be how I describe their relationship..

Me and my grandmother, Bam(a)
(literally 30 minutes after said 'hair-curling')

Delicious sunflower lemon cake :)

Yay!  23!
(straightness overcomes all)

Resourceful use of birthday balloons for uncles' sake :)
(notice proper placement of "outie" bellybutton) 

This is why I'm HOT

It is officially WAY TOO HOT here.  After only 10 seconds of literally walking to my car from my amazing air-conditioned apartment, I start to melt.  As of right now, I am currently watching the weather man show me a big red blob around Charlotte and a "continued high of 98" and a "heat index of 105" and "humid"...This is why I'm hot.

And on a side note...Happy Friday the 13th!

Our Apartment

Okay, so it's been since March that Taylor and I have moved into our little apartment in Charlotte, but I had to wait until we had some furniture before taking some pictures.  Granted, the walls would've been painted had I been allowed to do so, but the pictures are coming soon, I promise!!  The cleaning process has begun!

Kayaking is harder than it looks

So whilst at the whitewater center with my mom and stepdad (Roger), I took the opportunity to kayak.  It goes without saying that the first lesson brougt the painful realization that I need a lot of practice.  Luckily, my photographer of a mom got some great shots (mostly of me being stuck in the rapids).

Stuck...in...rapid....so..much...energy...to...get..out

Practicing combat rolls (mind you I was under for a good 15 seconds before flipped)

Finally!

My. Hot. Job.

Okay, recently...meaning June...started working at the US National Whitewater Center.  And no, my job has nothing to do with anything whitewater, but I do get to look at the water whilst working (and all the rafters and kayakers that seem to be sarcastically floating by) in the Charlotte heat.  I am the all-encompassing Landsport guide.  What is that, you ask?  I ensure the guests have an excellent outdoor experience in all land activities including MegaJump (right), High Ropes Course, Climbing Wall, and MegaZip.  I am a professional carabiner-handler...or in simple terms, I clip people in.  However, I do get to work with the best people whose jokes and riddles keep me going despite the heat!