of a birthday filled with flowers, family, and llamas.

Another year, another birthday.  My parents decided to make their annual migration to NC to spend a couple of days with us and we had so much fun!  This trip we decided to pass on the usual suspects, like the mountains, and try something new...mostly bc it was 139 degrees outside and none of us felt like climbing any mountains.  We found a list online of the top things to do in Charlotte and decided to give some of them a whirl.  First on the list that we wanted to go see was the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, it was so beautiful!

 

 

I must have this in my house someday~!

  

 

Since it was pretty hot out, we decided to do something that would require less time outside and I am utterly shocked that none of our friends told us about a place called the Lazy 5 Ranch!  It is a place where you drive in your own car and animals come up...and when I say this, I mean stick there head all up in your grill...and eat out of feed buckets.  We were literally crying with laughter when we first drove in, we will be taking anyone willing back, however we have to bring a video camera and possibly alcohol next time!

Imagine you looking out another window and then turning back to see this....things of nightmares.

My dad thought the feed buckets were for him.

On the lookout.

Chris didn't want these cows near his car...I wonder why?

Love is a terrible thing.

I can see the resemblance.

I forgot to mention that I made my birthday cake again this year, now don't get all crazy, I wanted to make it myself.  It came out of the food network kitchens cookbook of favorite recipes, it is a Chocolate peanut butter pie and looked like this after it was made:

The crust is made in two layers, the bottom is only crushed up peanuts and butter, then bittersweet chocolate.  The rest is filled with all kinds of peanutty goodness and then whipped cream..........I think I gained 5 pounds over the past couple days.  Overall my birthday was super fun~!  I got some great gifts and have tons of memories of my special day!  Thanks everyone for everything, I am so lucky to have family and friends like you!

This is for your dreams tonight....

of the letter 'A'

Grades.

They are commonly used to measure things, like beef, or alcohol.  It has been some time since I have been graded.  Spring semester has just ended and I am feeling quite confident that I am fully back into the swing of things.  Even though I only took two classes (Physical Geology + the Lab) it brings back that good feeling of accomplishment.  After all of the assignments and tests have been graded it turns out my grade is an "A."  Fiesta!  After my final this week I opened a bottle of wine and had a small peanut butter cup ice cream....nefarious, I know, however if you had to learn about rocks you would be worn out also!  The next round of excitement will have to wait until the fall, bc most all of the summer courses meet every day of the week, and unfortunately that type of schedule does not mesh well with the petco.  It will be nice to have a couple of months off though, I can focus more on the gym, and stuff that I really want to do.  For instance, this coming Saturday, I will hopefully be going to do the beginning flameworking class.  It will be with a 14 year old kid, but hey, it will save me $50 and I can see how much I really enjoy it.

The fall semester is looking like I will be able to actually take more than the two classes, which makes me quite happy.  It will be a little challenging with working the same hours, but I am so ready to get it all done.  The classes that are up for selection are:

Earth History + Lab
Fluvial Processes + Lab
Meteorology and Climatology

I am thinking of doing 4 total, so class/lab combo or something along those lines.  Times are not ideal, and will most likely determine my decision for me in the end.  I am more leaning towards the top for sure bc it is more related to geology and since I just came out of that, I feel I will be in better shape with the material.  My advisor mentioned that I could take some approved electives like Calculus 2..........yeah, thanks for the joke information.  I mean, who would willingly put themselves through more math?  I am done, leave me alone mathematics, go solve your own problems.

I do have to say though, that starting classes again has really made me feel old.  There was a girl sitting next to me all semester and we got along just fine.  I noticed one day that she had a big 19 written in her daily planner, when I asked what that meant she said it was her birthday............yep. 

Anyhow, I will keep you all updated on which classes I take.  Ta-Ta dearies!

of food from the earth.

My veggie garden is coming along great!  I am very pleased to announce that the potatoes and green beans are growing like champs right now!  I cannot wait until they are big enough to eat! 

I will be able to update more after next week, finals, so I am a little occupied with rock knowledge...aren't you jealous.  

Ta-Ta for now~!