Big Weekend Ahead…HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

It’s almost here…one of my absolute favourite days of the year…

I am indeed a proud Canadian.  That’s the reason I joined our town’s Canada Day Committee, and have helped to fundraise and organize the celebrations for our community.

And I must say…we put on a damned good party in honour of Canada’s birthday.

(Pictures from last year)

Tomorrow, our small town will be decked out in Red & White, and absolutely bursting with Canadian Pride!!  The community BBQ kicks the party off at 4 PM, followed by the parade at 7 and the flag raising ceremony down by the Ferry dock.  At 8 PM, C Kidz Kan will be presenting Little Ray’s Reptiles for the kiddos in the park.  At 10 PM, the Fireworks will be going off down at the river – the reason we work so hard to raise money is especially for this reason, to continually put on what is considered the BEST fireworks display in our area!

After that?  It’s party time.  That’s when De’Mos will take the stage in the Lions Hall, and the wild & crazy shenanigans can begin.

Can’t.friggin.wait.

It’s going to be a full weekend – on Sunday, we have a family reunion to go to, and on Monday I’m hoping to finally see Magic Mike.  You can bet that I’ll be chatting about that next week…

mmmmmmm Magic Mike….

Anyways…yes…where was I…?  OH yeah.  Canada Day! ha!

To all my fellow Canadians – do it up large!  And to my American friends who will be celebrating the 4th of July, I hope you have as much as we will be :)

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

WWTKW: I posted a lot of pics of hot boys. You’ve been warned.

Time for a little Wednesday Q&A – and this time, it’s the participants asking the questions!!

Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama

Scriptor @ http://allstarme.wordpress.com wants to know:
{one}Hmm, I’d love to know how many tattoos our readers/bloggers have and if they don’t, do they want one and of what?

I don’t have any tattoos…yet.  I wrote a blog post about this not all that long ago, which you can find here – but basically, I’m contemplating having “Forever Young” inked somewhere, possibly my ankle or foot.  It’s obviously for my last name being ‘Young’ (and my pride in my family name), as well as my love for Bob Dylan’s song “Forever Young”, and in honour of my cousins Troy & Jeff, and my dad too. 

Now I just need to get up the nerve to actually do it. ;)

Jenn @ http://joshandjennhaas.blogspot.com wants to know:
{two}What is the best present you ever received?

I’m drawing a blank here… I love all presents! haha!  It’s the reason why I won’t let my mother abolish Christmas!  I remember when I was a kid, the year we got our very first computer – that sticks out as being a pretty big one.  I also remember the very first Sens jersey I got, from the family of a boy I was tutoring at the time.  And of course, I think I wrote about my best birthday present ever last year – when my friend Brenda got me tickets to a gala where Wade Redden was the celebrity guest.  That was very special!!

 

Chelsea @ http://createinspirejournal.blogspot.com wants to know:
{three}Tall dark and handsome or pretty boys?

I think it’s safe to say I like my fair share of both. But, if you check out that picture above, you can see I clearly have a thing for the Tall-Dark-and-Handsomes.  Here are a few more of my current faves…

Ian Somerhalder + guitar = I swoon…

Josh Duhamel…um, yes, please.

Adam Levine.  He can sing to me any day.

James Marsden.  The reason I watch 27 Dresses once a week.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan + guitar = I swoon some more…

Jo @ http://willthekidsturnoutok.blogspot.com wants to know:
{four}How did you meet your significant other?

Well, I met him at this little imaginary cafe in my head.  He was ahead of me in line, buying his imaginary muffin and coffee, and when I stepped up to order my imaginary latte, he offered to pay for it (with imaginary money, of course).  Then he asked for my imaginary phone number, and I wrote it down for him with an imaginary pen on a piece of imaginary paper.  And we have lived happily ever after in our imaginary little world ever since.

Oh, and did I mention…he looks like Ian Somerhalder and plays guitar too?

Yeah.  Imaginary. ;)

Mamarazzi and Crazymama  want to know:
{five}OK..YOUR turn, what question your you like to see featured on a future WWTK?

If you had to pick one song that you consider your absolute favourite of all time – which one would you pick, and why? 

(And I have no idea WHY I’m asking this question, because I honestly don’t know if I COULD pick one…but I’m curious to see what others might pick!!)

Happy Wednesday, y’all :)

The Single Girl Files: You can’t tell the boys you want a baby…

I knew this would happen.

I knew that as soon as my new niece arrived, I would become completely smitten – addicted – and instantly start dreaming of my own “someday” babies.

It happens every time someone I know has a baby.

There’s nothing more heavenly to me than sitting with my arms filled with this itty bitty soft pink new person swaddled in cozy blankets, watching baby sleep, gently running my fingers over her fine, silky hair, inhaling that glorious new-baby smell, letting her curl her tiny little fingers around mine.  I could do it all day – just sit there and hold her, gaze at her, admire her, love her.

I honestly think this first few weeks, when the world is so new to her, and all she does is sleep in your arms, and no one’s harping at you to put her back in her bassinet…it’s my favourite part.

I crave having my own to cradle in my arms.  My own little person to fuss over; to love unconditionally; to be mine.

So.  That’s the goal.  1) Find a man  2) get married 3) have babies.

Easier said than done, though, right?  I mean, it’s not like I haven’t been trying to find ‘The One’ – that guy that I’m going to fall in love with, settle down with, and have super-cute babies with.

But we’ve already covered the small-pond problem.  And the great expectations problem.  And the standards problem.  And the on-line dating problem.

WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE ALL THE FRIGGIN NICE, SOMEWHAT ATTRACTIVE, NON-CREEPY, SINGLE MEN???

I can trumpet all damn day about how independent I am, and how I don’t need anyone to cut my grass or kill my spiders, but fact of the matter is, this is one job that I can’t do on my own.  

The boy is kind of key in making the babies. 

Ah!   But here’s the really tricky part:  When you’re trying to find the man to spend the rest of your life with and to be the father of your future children, you’re NOT ALLOWED TO TELL HIM YOU WANT BABIES, LIKE, STAT.

Scares the bejeesus out of them.

Seriously.  I know.  From first-hand experience.

But it is certainly a “criteria” that is very important to me.  And while I realize it’s not exactly something you want to drop on the poor lad on Day 1 - (“so, who’s your favourite band?  what kind of cookies do you like best?  oh, by the way, do you want to have babies in the not-too-distant future??”) – it’s something that I need to find out fairly quickly.

There’s absolutely no point in me wasting time with a guy who’s not even close to ready for that stage in life, or has no interest in ever reaching that stage in life.

Babies are the end goal, here.

I want to be a mom.  So badly.

I know there are a lot of steps to take between here and there.  And I know it won’t be easy. 

I also know there are other, less conventional ways of achieving that end goal.

But my heart really wants conventional.  My heart wants traditional.  My heart wants a husband, and a family.

And if it’s at all possible, I’m going to do my best to get it.

It’s all I can think about these days.

***

Linking today’s Single Girl Files post up with Impulsive Addict and Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday!

Thrilled & Excited :)

A few weeks early, but Baby Young has arrived…

Neve Stephanie Young arrived on June 21st at 11:59 am, weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz., 21 inches long.  In this picture, she’s about an hour and a half old.  Isn’t she just beautiful?!?

My little brother is a dad…  (a very tired looking one here!)

Neve caught us all by surprise, arriving well before her due date of July 3rd.  She’s absolutely perfect – just a little doll, and I can’t wait to hold her again!   She arrived just in time for her little cousin Ryla’s 1st birthday!!

Luke & Amanda did a wonderful job…she’s such a cutie, very much like her mommy in looks, with lots of dark hair, and such sweet little features.  It was definitely love at first sight for this auntie!!

Amanda was amazing, enduring a long labour that lasted about 29 hours in total.  To say that she and Luke were going on very little sleep yesterday when we saw them in the first few hours after their baby girl’s birth, they both looked great and were absolutely beaming with pride!

Welcome to the family, Neve…we all love you so much! xoxo

Hot Child in the City (OK, not quite a city… whatever)

After a short hiatus, We Want to Know Wednesday is back, courtesy of Mamarazzi and Crazymama!

Here are this week’s summery questions:

(1) What is the usual summer high temperature where you live?
(2) How do you keep cool? Do you have central air?
(3) Do you swim? If you get in the water do you get your hair and make-up wet?
(4) What is your favorite summer look? As far as outfit , shoe choice and hairstyle? (Pics are rad or just describe it.) Do you wear less make-up in the summer?
(5) What is your favorite summer meal to make or eat, either way? (Score extra cool points for a recipe.)

My answers:

(1) What is the usual summer high temperature where you live?  You never know what you might get up here, but generally, our summer weather in West Quebec is pretty nice – temps anywhere from 25 – 35 degrees Celsius.  We’re riding a pretty serious heat wave this week, today’s temperature is to be 35, to feel like 45 with humidity.  I believe that’s over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Hot.

(2) How do you keep cool? Do you have central air?  Thankfully, yes, my landlords installed a unit last summer.  Prior to last summer, we had 3 window air conditioners running in the two-storey house, and it was still hot.  Keeping cool isn’t too difficult now; I work in an icebox, and my house is pretty cool, too – so the warmest part of my day is my five-minute drive to and from work in my non-air-conditioned antique car.  If I get an invite to swim somewhere, I usually take it up.  And other than that, there’s always lots of popsicles, freezies, and ice cream in my life. :)

(3) Do you swim? If you get in the water do you get your hair and make-up wet?  I love to swim.  I look like hell in a bathing suit, but I love to be in the water.  And yes, I dunk - my hair is never that important, and my make-up is usually minimal.

Last summer in my neighbour’s pool

(4) What is your favorite summer look? As far as outfit , shoe choice and hairstyle? (Pics are rad or just describe it.) Do you wear less make-up in the summer?  I’m all about the shorts/skirt, tank tops (despite the fact that I hate my flabby arms), shades, flip flops, and you guys know I’ve got my short summer ‘do going!! :)  I don’t wear much make-up anyways, so I don’t generally wear less in the summer – although I shouldn’t put it on at all when I’m outside, it melts off in about 5 seconds…

Circa 2009 or 2010 I think?  I still wear that black tank all the time.

Just this past Saturday, after getting my hair cut

(5) What is your favorite summer meal to make or eat, either way? (Score extra cool points for a recipe.)  This is going to sound lame, but one of my favourite summer meals is a toasted tomato sandwich with mayo and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  That IS summer to me.  Also, strawberries, watermelon, and banana-flavoured popsicles.  YUM :)

I love summer.  I love that it’s finally here.  I love the heat.

BRING IT!!!

A randomly dreary Tuesday.

Not only is it Talk To Us Tuesday with Impulsive Addict and Shawn, it is also Random Tuesday with Stacy Uncorked.

Let’s hit up both on this cloudy, rainy Tuesday, shall we.

• The hair cut finally happened on Saturday morning, and you have no idea how necessary it was.  I’ve been feeling so much lighter and summery, and not just hair-wise, if that makes any sense.  Just what I needed to help pull me out of this current little rut I’ve been in.  Some of you were sweethearts asked me to show it off, so here it is:

This was shortly after the cut…I can’t make it look that good, but I still like it

These were taken yesterday.  My straightening techniques suck.  Slightly fluffier than I’d like it, but oh well.

• My mom says it makes my face look rounder (which is code for “fat”).  I say it makes my neck look skinnier.   You win some, you lose some.
• You know what else can boost my mood quickly?  A little on-line shopping.  I’ve been struggling with my summer wardrobe.  Things that used to fit don’t anymore.  Things that do fit are old.  I couldn’t remember the last time I bought new clothes.  So yesterday, I went on the Old Navy website and ordered a whole bunch of summery selections.  I hope at least some of it fits, because nothing can kill a mood any more quickly than tight clothes that need to be returned…*sigh*
• I have a new favourite song.  Can you say OBSESSED??  I love it.  Can’t get enough.  Listen to it three or four times a day.  Adam Levine makes me weak at the knees.

• Father’s Day was another one of those “firsts” I was dreading.   It turned out to be a not-so-bad day.  After church, we went out for breakfast and then on to the cemetery.  Then Mom & I hung out at home, reading and relaxing, enjoying the sun.  I just had to think of Dad scowling anytime he was the centre of attention, and it made the day easier.  We had Mae’s for supper, and when I went down to pick up our order, I found a penny lying on the picnic table.  My mom finds pennies all over the place, but I hardly ever find any…I think Dad meant that one just for me. :)
• I’m still reading Fifty Shades.  I’m dragging the third book, Fifty Shades Freed, out as long as I can.  I know I’ve said it before, but I seriously don’t know what I’m going to do when I don’t have Christian anymore…  I guess I’ll just have to keep watching The Vampire Diaries over and over, envisioning Mr. Somerhalder as the delicious Mr. Grey.

• Baby Time is getting closer and closer!!  There was a mixed shower for Luke & Amanda on Saturday at her parents’ place, and it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon – Texas Horseshoes for the boys, lawn chairs and beverages for the ladies, BBQ’d burgers, dogs, and salads for supper, and a new stroller & car seat for the parents-to-be!  I think Amanda’s really ready for this…

• Let’s hope Luke & Amanda’s baby is as cuddly as their giant horse of a dog.  Poor Yzerman thinks he’s a lap-dog.  Just looking at these pictures crack me up, remembering how hard he tried to sit on Lynn and lie on top of Meghan!!!

Happy Tuesday, gang :)

Time for a change.

That’s right.  It’s time for a change.

Oh, don’t worry.  Nothing terribly drastic.

But I’m getting my hair chopped off tomorrow morning.    And I’m going shorter than I think I ever have before…

This is about as short as I’ve ever gone (circa Summer ‘10):

Yes, that is me on left, next to the ever-handsome karaoke crooner John Henry, with my good friends Sue and Sarah, likely singing “Any Man of Mine” with a giant deer head hanging over us. 

So sad the old Corral, aka T’s Bar, is now defunct…and so sad that I no longer fit in those jeans, I loved them…

I digress. 

Back to the plan…Cutting off my hair into a short bob style, and dying it blonder.   I actually really like how blonde I was in that pic, so that will be the goal.  That was actually my goal the last time I got my blonde highlights put in, but because of the dark colour I went to for the winter, the new blonde didn’t work so well.  It kind of took on more of a red look than blonde.  Hopefully it takes better tomorrow.

See how it’s more red than blonde?  I want blonder…

So, I know I want to go short.  I know I want an inverted or angled bob.  But there are still decisions to make…Do I keep my bangs long or cut them?  A side bang, perhaps?   My hair is so thin that I’m never sure what might work with it.  But these are a few of the styles that have grabbed my attention:

This hair looks like it might be similar to mine in texture…

I don’t think I have the thickness to pull off the choppy look, though I love it…

This is actually quite similar to how I had it the last time, I think, except mine was a bit longer.

Dare I go this short…?? eeee!!!

I think this is probably the closest picture I could find to what I envision on my head.  I like the length, I like the side bang…I think this one might be it!

My hairdresser, Lisa, is excited…she says this style suits my face better than my longer, limp look that I’ve got going right now.  The problem is, every time I cut it short, I want it long again.  And vice versa.  The thing I will miss most is being able to throw it up in a ponytail whenever I want.  The thing I like the best is that doing my hair “curly” is easier when it’s shorter, and I look forward to being able to go curly – sort of a wind-blown, messy, beach look for the summer…

Wish me luck…

And have a wonderful weekend, everyone :)

A good game of TAG should help…

Ever have one of those days??

I’m having one. 

In fact, it started last night.  I was so excited to get home to cut the grass, but for some reason, my mood has been on the decline ever since.  After I cut the grass, I went for a walk, hoping to shake the bad vibes, and instead ended up clumping around town, feeling like an out-of-shape elephant.  When I got back home, I drove to the store to buy more chips and dip – because they always make me feel better – but no.  I felt even worse. AND they gave me cankers.

The reason today?  Not a clue.  There’s no good reason at all.  The sun is shining, and nothing has gone particularly wrong. 

But I’m blah.  For whatever damn reason.  Feeling very “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day”.

I’m trying to self-soothe with a big mug of Twinings Irish Breakfast tea.  Because, let’s face it, I’m no Anastasia Steele.  No English Breakfast for me today.  Plus, I bought the Twinings variety pack, and I’d rather save the English Breakfast for a day when I’m feeling more Ana-ish and less elephant-ish.  Y’know?

So.  Let’s try to turn things around, here, shall we?  Yesterday, one of my favourite bloggy pals, Vandy at The Testosterone Three and Me was playing a fun game of TAG.  You guys know I’m a sucker for a good game of Tag.

Here we go – THE RULES:

1. Answer 11 questions from the person who tagged you.
2. Ask 11 new questions.
3. Tag 11 blog friends--no tag backs.   (In my experience, you guys don’t really like being tagged…so like Vandy did, I’m going off the page here.  Since when do I follow rules anyways.  Anyone who would like to answer the questions, please feel free!!)

My answers to Vandy’s questions:

1. What is your favorite family game, or game to play with friends?  I haven’t played a game with either family or friends in a loooong time.  With the fam, we used to have some hilarious games of Balderdash.  With friends, my game of choice is Texas Hold ‘Em Poker.  I only wish I played it more.  I’m also a fan of Scattergories or Yahtzee.
2. Do you enjoy cooking or find it a colossal chore?  I need to be in the right frame of mind.  If I get in the right mood, I love to cook.  It’s the clean-up after that I find a colossal chore that I’d rather run and hide from…
3. What is your preferred weekend activity?  These days, that would be reading on my beck dack.  Otherwise, I’m always up for dinner and movies with friends or family members.  Going to the movies – or watching them at home -  is one of my favourite things to do.  I only wish I had the time & money to go more often.
4. What is your bad habit?  Picking my lips.  More of a nervous habit than anything, but I wish I could quit.
5. What is your guilty pleasure?  Depends on the day.  But today, I’ll say chips and dip, Drumstick ice cream cones, and Justin Bieber.  Oh, and Christian Grey.
6. Do you have a must see TV show?  Lately, no…I’ve been catching up with TV shows on DVD mostly.  But I love The Big Bang Theory and Grey’s Anatomy.  Those would be the two that I do my best to see.
7. Do you have pets?  One lonely lil’ ghetto gold fish with a giant growth protruding from his side.  Named Marley.  He’ll probably die soon.
8. Tea or Coffee?  I actually like both, but I’m more likely to go for a cup of tea at any time of day.  Coffee usually only on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
9. What is your favorite summer evening activity?  Lately?  Nothing.  Watching TV shows on DVD and spending time with Christian.  How sad is that.   I usually like an evening walk (when I’m not feeling like an out-of-shape elephant), and hanging out at the ball field if there’s something to watch!
10. What is your favorite go to quick dinner that's not take out?  I have several – but all time, the fave is breakfast-for-dinner.  Scramble some eggs with cheese, and toast.  A few strips of pre-cooked bacon if I have it.
11. What is your favorite animal?  I honestly don’t know if I really have a favourite animal.  I like the idea of dogs, but don’t think I could actually put up with one being mine. Seeing how the word of the day is ‘ELEPHANT’, let’s go with that.  Elephants are cool.

Now, it’s my turn to come up with 11 questions for you.  That’s right – if you’re reading this, and you’d like to play along, consider yourself tagged!  Leave me a comment if you plan on doing it so I can check out your answers.

1. Tattoos – for or against?  If you have one/some, tell me about them.
2. If you could be a character on any TV show – past or present – who would you choose to be?
3. What is your favourite comfort food?
4. Have you fallen victim to Fifty Shades of Grey yet?  If so, love it or hate it?  Who do you picture as your Christian Grey?
5. Blackberry, iPhone, or other?
6. What is your current favourite song – the one you could listen to over and over?
7. What was your favourite thing about the ‘90’s?
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?
9. Do you have summer travel plans?  If so, where are you going?
10. If you could be the best at any sport – think Wayne Gretzky, Babe Ruth, Tiger Woods – what sport would you want to be the BEST at?
11. Your all-time favourite movie – name it & tell me why.

I hope some of you decide to answer these questions…otherwise that was a colossal waste of time!

In other news…my mood is marginally better.  Mainly because we just spent twenty minutes in the office talking about people puking in cars. 

How sad is that puke talk has made me laugh.  *sigh*

Lots to Love this Wednesday…

Several of my favourite ladies have decided to go with the What I’m Loving Wednesday link-up today, and I’m going to join in the fun!

 

Hosted by Jaime at This Kind of Love

I’m loving…the forecast for the next 7 days!  Sunshine and heat!!  This is what you call the PERFECT Canadian summer so far! :)

I’m loving…that I get to cut the grass tonight.  Weird.  Since when do I love cutting the grass?  But honestly, I’m just so excited to get home and jump on my riding mower for an hour.  Really. What is this world coming to…?

I’m loving…reading through everyone’s lists for yesterday’s Tuesday 10 posts!  The ‘90’s theme was so much fun!!  I seriously could’ve done a Tuesday 20!!!

I’m loving…that I heard two of my current favourite songs on my drive in to work this morning.  BOTH from One Direction.  It’s hard on my 5-minute drive to work to hit a good song, if any at all (so much darn talk in the morning).  So it just started my day off right, going from “What Makes You Beautiful” to “One Thing”.  They’re catchy little buggers.

I’m loving…the mug of Twinings English Breakfast tea that I had this morning.  So Anastasia of me, huh?  Well…I bought it on purpose, just for the Fifty Shades reference.  I may never be Ana Steele, but I can damned well drink her tea.

I’m loving…Chips & Dip.  Can’t.get.enough.

I’m loving…the thoughts of upcoming fun summer events!  OH…and of course the baby…I can’t wait to be an auntie again! :)

I’m loving…the Bieb’s new song, “Die In Your Arms”.  I’m so sad that Linds & I missed out on tickets to his concert in November. :(  I still can’t believe I never got through.  I’ve NEVER been frozen out trying to buy tickets on-line before.  Damn kid and his crazy little girl fans.

I’m loving…The Big Bang Theory, Season 4, and The Vampire Diaries, Season 1.  They are bringing me great excitement in the evenings.   I’ve been going through all the seasons of Big Bang, and it’s been so much fun this season watching Sheldon become acquainted with his “girlfriend”, Amy Farrah Fowler.    I’m loving the Shamy!! And Vampire Diaries…well, you know I already love the show, and I ended up going back to the start of Season 1, just because I can’t get enough of Ian Somerhalder these days…Funny how I was all about Stefan before.  I’m definitely now a card-carrying member of Team Damon.

I’m loving…the colour of my nails this week, chipped as they may be right now!!

I’m loving…that the LA Kings won the Stanley Cup.  Was I cheering for the Kings?  No, not really.  I honestly don’t think I’ve watched a game since the second round.  When my Sens go, I lose interest big-time.  But the fact that the 2012 Cup has been handed out means we’re one step closer to the start of the 2012-2013 season…

I’m loving…Christian Grey.  Seriously, what am I gonna DO what this series is over?!?!!