Beat the Heat

The heat in Charlotte has been oppressive for a few weeks, so we decided to spend today in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. It's under two hours drive from our home and the high temperature today was 74 whereas it was 92 in Charlotte. Neither of us had been there before but we had heard from people that it was a neat place. Personally there were way too many rude South Floridians in $400 shoes for my taste, but overall I enjoyed our day. While we were walking around at first, I just thought visitors there, in general, were a little rude and over dressed. Then Jason mentioned all of the Florida tags and it clicked. I do not miss living in South Florida for one hot minute.

We started off at The Blowing Rock, then stopped at Storeys for a tasty lunch. I had a piece of grilled chicken and mac 'n cheese; Jason an applewood smoked bacon, brie and apple panini. We then walked through Art in the Park. The weather was warm, the sun was shining and there was a slight breeze and it all just what we needed on a Saturday: relaxing exploration on the cheap with a little gourmet thrown in. We spent some time lounging under a tree in the park and headed home.

Weekly Recap

This was my last full time week at work. I made it. Praise God!

School starts Monday along with my new schedule. I'm so excited about it all. I have all of my books and supplies laid out on my desk just like when I was a kid. Geez, I'm a little bit of a geek.

Jase and I are going to Blowing Rock tomorrow to spend the day hanging out, exploring and relaxing. An art festival will be in town.

My dad is in the hospital. I'm worried about him. But I know he will be OK. He's a strong person and one of the people I look up to the most in the whole universe. Get well soon, Dad. I love you. I hope you can feel me thinking about you.

I have been very good about working out and have lost a total of 12 pounds. My legs are getting very toned and my midsection is getting smaller. Back fat, shudder, is nearly gone. One thing I know, for sure: there is nothing sexy about back fat.

I'm ready to move to a smaller residence. It's suddenly ridiculous to me that we have one bedroom and a room on the first floor we don't even enter on a regular basis. I was thinking we would have some children to occupy the space but that didn't go as planned so it's now just wasted space with a big mortgage payment attached to it.

I'm coming up on my two year anniversary of not smoking. Not bad for a pack-plus per day smoker for 18 years. At one point I wasn't sure I could make it one hour without a cigarette and now I seldom think of them. I've come a long way, baby. Ewww, that was so cliche. I'm embarrassed for myself. So why don't you just delete it? Because I have come a long way. In just two years, I've come a very, very long way. I feel like I have run a marathon and I'm currently running down a long dock toward a sparkling clean lake. It might be a long dock but at least I can see the water and feel the humidity on my skin.

Napping

Diesel is still tuckered out from the hike yesterday. Right now he's sound asleep next to my desk, half on and half off his bed. He cracks me up.

McDowell Nature Preserve

We opted to forgo fishing since the dogs were coming with us and they're hard enough to babysit without fishing line and hooks around. Diesel, although always excited to get into the car, does not like to actually go anywhere. Maybe he's agoraphobic. He would be most happy driving around the block and ending up back at home. Bean, on the other hand, loves to go anywhere, including the vet.

We hiked for a while, then found a sandy beach to camp. Bean went for a short swim and Diesel even got his feet wet. We sat there for about an hour, then Diesel started getting very whiney so we headed back home. It was a good, relaxing morning. Once the weather cools off a bit we will go more often and stay longer. I can't wait to try camping this Autumn.

We managed one decent self portrait, which Jason took. I feel like I look really pale, probably because I am really pale without makeup since I wear SPF always. Maybe I need some bronzer or something.

Happenings

Jason's Birthday

Jason turns the big 3-5 September the 6th and I wanted to do something special for him. So I have been searching online for a little weekend getaway and have booked a cabin near Blowing Rock, North Carolina for Labor Day weekend. I wanted to keep it a surprise but I'm the worst at keeping a gift a secret. So I told him and he's thrilled and I'm thrilled and we're just going to hope and maybe even pray that it doesn't rain. The last two vacations we have taken (Nova Scotia and Myrtle Beach) downpours fell every single day of seven day trips. And I'm not talking rain for an hour or so, I'm talking rain all day long. I came back from a week at the beach whiter than when I left. If it rains this time I'm just gonna freak out.

This Weekend

Tomorrow we're going to the McDowell Nature Preserve and Park. We will pack the dogs, a cooler full of food and water and the camera up in the Jeep and spend the day there. I can't wait. It's supposed to be very hot, in the 90s with plenty of humidity, but the area is heavily wooded and we can sit and put our feet in Lake Wylie to cool off. The dogs love going there, especially when they get to hike and then cool off in the water. We're also going to try fishing, courtesy of the Charlotte Park and Rec department, which loans fishing equipment for free. Jason knows how to fish but I have never been. I looked up how to humanely kill a fish, should we actually catch something big enough to eat. Lots of pics to come. I'm expecting it to be gross.

Health

I have lost twelve pounds since starting to work out and eat less. All of my "fat pants" are loose and I need a belt to keep them up. I'm also feeling much better mentally. I'm happier and less anxiety-ridden than I have been in a very long time. I know I have made it through the dark tunnel and the light around me gets brighter every single day. I'm excited about the future and I'm elated that I have found my true calling. It's about freaking time!

I Heart The Raptor Center

I worked a late shift at CRC today, from 2-9pm. Just got home and I'm tired and sweaty yet grinning because I learned lots of new stuff. Bullet points because I'm tired:

grabbed a red tailed hawk who was paralyzed and held him while he was fed and given medication

learned how to give fluids subcutaneously

learned that OS is the left eye, OD is the right and OU is both

helped to grab a Barn Owl who was screaming like a banshee

I can't believe how loud Barn Owls can screech

cleaned empty cages, which means lots of birds were released this week :)

got a permanent name tag, to replace my disposable one

grabbed a baby hawk and held her while she was fed and given meds

held a red tailed hawk while it was fed and given meds

Cleaned cages and checked on the Osprey with an amputated wing. He's hanging in there!

high-fived myself when I learned I didn't have to go into the enclosure containing the hawk who wants to scratch my eyes out.

I wish I could go back to CRC tomorrow instead of to work. I'm putting in an extra shift Tuesday after work and I can't wait!

Saturday Night Dog Pics

I love that it's still daylight until well after 8pm in the summer in North Carolina.