b. April 29, 1982

You might be wondering why I chose this particular picture for your first annual birthday bloggy post. That's an easy one! First of all, I heart it very very much because, well, it has YOU in it. Secondly, I think it perfectly captures elements of some of those things I love best about you.

Here are those things in a nice, tidy, and convenient list:
1. Your bravery. This picture was taken sometime during the 9 amazing months you spent in Africa, and while I may be moved to begrudge you that long time away from me, I'm so glad that you went and experienced something so fantastic. I know I will still be hearing new stories about those months for the years to come.
2. Your ingenuity! Finding a comfortable place to sleep when they were few to come by is no small feat, though I'm not sure HOW comfortable those accommodations were for you ;)
3. Your commitment to fashion, even under rough conditions. Isn't that the fancy watch Gerome got you?
4. Your love of music, and of the iPod, which has become an important tool of living to our generation. Some of my favourite memories of our friendship are when you've fitted one of your iPod earbuds into my ear, and the other into yours. Sharing something as everlasting and all-encompassing as music with you has been bliss.
5. Your adorable-ness. Hands-down, you're pretty much the cutest, something that is obvious to everyone - just look at you! Cutie-pie ;)
6. And lastly, your vulnerability. In this picture I see the sweet, soft, and childlike heart of you that I love so much, and that keeps me wishing that I could protect you from all the sad and heart-breaking things that you have, and will, encounter during your life.

There are dozens of other things I could list, other qualities you have in abundance that make you someone so close to my heart. But, you know I've already written all about them, in poems, notes, letters, emails, and Facebook comments. Oh yeah, and I've probably mentioned a few of them to you in person, too. There's no way you don't know that I love you, and that you're my best friend, and that you are someone who keeps me sane by keeping me laughing. But just because you already know those things doesn't mean I can't keep bringin' em up, and thanking you for them.

Thank you.

Oh, and happy birthday, Joshie.

Love Natalie

PS
One more thing... you are so much better of a hugger now than you were when we first met. Can I take credit for that?

Flashback

I am pretty sure that I can't get enough of this song.

Wake Up!

The amount that I love this song cannot be measured by human means.

b. July 8, 1983

If someone had told me back on that fateful day when Dani interviewed me for a job at Carlton Cards that we would one day be best buds, that she would be someone I share all my secrets with, and that we would even travel to VEGAS together, I don't think I would have believed them. But, sure enough, that's what's happened. Working in retail again would not have been bearable if it hadn't been for Double Deuce, and life as I know it would not be halfway as fun if she wasn't a part of it.

Dani, you make me laugh with your crazy sense of humour, and of course, all those times you're just being your unintentionally amusing self ;) You are so sweet to me, and all the little thoughtful things that you do and have done to make me smile are appreciated more than I could ever express. You have the most beautiful smile of anyone I've ever known, can BS with the best of 'em, rejuvenated my appreciation for BSB, and are the perfect mixture of maturing adult and child-at-heart. If this was a yearbook, I'd write "never change"... and I'd mean it. I love you, pretty girl! And if you ever change our plans for an imaginary date again, I'm going to scratch your new blue iPod! And tell Nick Carter that you have Syphilis.

Date With Big D

Dani has a date with a guy named Jordan tonight and is SO nervous about it that she wants Lianna and I to go to the same Second Cup where she is meeting him. The idea is that we would not actually acknowledge her, but that my girl and I would simply sit and have coffee while Dani and her date are having coffee. So, on the first day I get to see my girlfriend in over a month, she wants us to hang out at a Second Cup and watch her get macked on by some random?

This whole plan is amusing to me on several levels, not the least of which is the opportunity I now have to post a horrible pic of Dani here to aid me in the process of making fun of her...

Despite what the above image might lead one to believe, Dani is a beautiful girl - which she sort of gets, but not in situations such as this, where she is arranging a date with a guy who she has met via internet resources. I'm confident that she'll be fine... but I'm still going to see if Li is willing to play along with Dani's request. After all, how can I resist the chance of seeing Double Deuce in action?

Self-Portrait

I love how these close-up self portraits with this camera bring out the green in my eyes. And, my freckles. I forget how many freckles I have... there's pretty much zillions.

Tax Time

Yesterday I went over to Josh and Kent's place (or Kent and Josh's place?) to do my taxes. Well, to hang out, AND to do my taxes. Even though Quicktax is pretty much the easiest program to use, when I mentioned going at it alone, Josh very sternly told me 'no'. He probably said it a meaner way, but I can't remember. The word stupid was probably mentioned, though.

Of course, much laughter was had by all (by me). Josh and Kent are hilarious on their own, but together, their powers reach unparalleled heights! They're pretty great. Every time I think that the amount of love I have for these two has reached it's apex, a new pinnacle of adoration presents itself.

Kent is the hunk... Josh is, well, the other one. *lol*

And the actual tax-related results weren't too bad. The good? I don't have to pay anything back! The not-so-good? I didn't get the $100,000 refund that I was hoping for... :-(

Still Loving It

Best. Dance. Album. Ever.

Snacky Snack

I'm an 80-year-old on the inside...

Can You...

...find the fruit in this picture?