Happy 50th, Mr. Cruise

Today, I should be re-capping the weekend and how awesome it was.  Because Canada Day in Quyon rocked. 

BUT I don’t have my pictures uploaded yet, I’m still trying to figure out what I did to get a giant bruise on my knee, and I’m just a bit bitter that it’s all over. 

So I’ll save that (and the Lang Reunion, and Magic Mike) for another day.

Instead, I’d like to take a minute to say…

Holy crap, Tom Cruise is 50.

Really?  Really?!?  When did that happen??

Doesn’t seem so long ago that he was the pin-up boy in my bedroom.  OK, technically he was my sister’s pin-up boy in the bedroom - but we shared a room when I was a kid, and she’s seven years older than me…So I think I may have had the pages of Teen Beat plastering my bedroom walls long before other little girls my age.  (Literally…I think I wrote about how much I loved  Tom Cruise in a Grade 1 journal.)

Top Gun still remains one of my most favourite movies of all-time, thanks to Kara and her Tom Cruise obsession, and the fact that she watched it repeatedly, and played the soundtrack repeatedly, when I was a kid.  Because of her, one of my favourite movie moments of all time is Maverick and Goose singing “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling”. 

I’m also a big fan of Cocktail, Risky Business, Days of Thunder, Far & Away, Rain Man, and, of course, Jerry Maguire. 

And despite the craziness, the Scientology, the jumping on Oprah’s couch, the gay rumors, and now the current Katie Holmes divorce debacle?

Well…Tom’s still one of my main men.

Happy 50th Birthday, Mr. Cruise.

***

Linking up today for Talk To Us Tuesday with Impulsive Addict and Shawn.

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 :)