Jamaican me thirsty, Jamaican me crazy...Jamaican me laugh

I've just returned from a fabulous trip to Jamaica for my cousin's wedding and I know you are all jealous of my tan, beach time and adventures. I'm not gonna lie. You should be. I'm pretty brown (for me) and I spent a lot of relaxation time on beaches.

Jamaica is beautiful and the resort we stayed at was wonderful! (Iberostar Rose Hall Suites shout out and high five!) This was the first time I've been with an all inclusive package and let me tell you...they make some delicious cocktails. The bartenders do not spare on the booze.

A stop to good ol' Canadian Tire before the flight out was necessary. My Bubba and I were really tight all 5 days and he kept my drink cold and strong the entire time. I highly recommend purchasing one for your all inclusive needs.

The atmosphere in Jamaica is completely relaxed ("ya mon") and everything really is "no problem". Well that is until our family shows up.

Trying to leave the restaurant with a plate in hand. Problem

Trying to eat at the buffet with no shoes. Problem

Leaving a show with glass cups. Problem.

Walking into the more expensive hotel attached to your own. Problem. (Except if you're walking the bride back to her room. We are very good babysitters and smooth talkers).

Dancing on the dance floor with drinks in your hand. Problem. (Although to be fair...we did break some glasses and an announcement had to be made and the glass area cautioned off.) Oops!

We are such a bunch of trouble makers.

We really only had time to do one excursion while we were there. So we hired our taxi driver from the airport to take us to Negril. 'Oneness' (Del Roy) drove us and educated us along the way to the white sand beaches and shopping of Negril. After playing in the water and along the beach we headed to Rick's Cafe for apparently one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. While there, some of us decided to partake in a little cliff diving. Resulting in some mean bruises along my legs.

I needed brave cuz Lolo to hold my hand on the way down. Note: before you jump 40ft, don't look down.

We sat and ate and enjoyed the lovely sunset (although I must say, the Grand Bend sunset is pretty spectacular too).


It was such a memorable holiday with a beautiful wedding to boot! Drinking, dancing, eating, laughing...too much fun!

Freaky Friday

As a server in a restaurant that serves alcohol and is located in a small town, and is walking distance for those without vehicles or licenses, I have the pleasure of talking daily with some interesting folks and listening to their opinions. Yesterday was no different.

To protect the insane and potentially dangerous I'll call the particular man Mr. Instant Coffee. (I should have known he would be slightly off-kilter when he was okay with drinking instant coffee. Yuck). Here is our basic conversation while he sat and enjoyed his microwaved brew.


Mr. Instant Coffee: You know there are only two people in this world. Extroverts and introverts. Extroverts spend their time looking at tv and looking at people. Introverts spend their time looking into themselves.

Me: I thought extroverts were social people and introverts were more shy.

Mr. IC: That too.
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Mr. IC: You wouldn't by chance be a mother?

Me: Umm....no. Why?

Mr. IC: You just seem very mature for your age.

Me: Well, I am 26.

Mr. IC: That's a haunting age for me. I had a friend kill herself at 26.

Me: Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.

Mr. IC: Well, people knew she was suicidal and didn't stop her. So she was basically murdered.
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Mr IC: People that drive white vehicles have black hearts and are greedy.

Me: That's an interesting theory.

Mr. IC: I like to share what I know with people.
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Lucky me.
This glimpse into my life was brought to you by Bud Light. Because after that shift I definitely needed quite a few of those.

Gimmie some Mo'

One of my favourite times of year is upon us. Yes, ladies and gentlemen it is that special month...Movember. The time when only the manliest of men grow ridiculous facial hair to support prostate cancer.

I'm not quite sure when my obsession started. Subconciously it had to have begun when I was young. That's probably why I enjoyed playing Super Mario Bros. so much. Mario and Luigi running around saving the Princess and squashing mushrooms. You can't get more macho than that. Or maybe it started when I realized how much fun it is to wear silly staches and make videos with your crazy friends. It's always funny. But in a serious kind of way.

But, an obsession it is. I LOVE Movember and the men that support it. All the different shapes, sizes and colours of mustaches is enough to make a girl croon/cringe. This is the time when it is acceptable and even encouraged to let the hair go.

So, ladies, I beg of you this. Don't shy away or scowl at that upper lip. Behind that hairy man is a supportive and fun loving dude. Be a Mo' Hoe. Show some love and recognize that his face has made a sacrifice for his bros. There's a reason women all over the world share a love for Tom Selleck and Burt Reynolds. Obviously, it's their manly stache.
Please visit the Movember website for more information or show your support.

Separating the men from the boys one face at a time.

It's a good thing I can't grow facial hear. For everyone.

Random Awesomeness. On a Tuesday. In Toronto

About a month ago I found out The Civil Wars were doing a show in Toronto. I bought tickets, got a date, planned the day/night. YES!

When that Tuesday finally rolled around I was so excited to be doing something new and fresh in the middle of the week. Everyone needs to have more randomness in their lives, whatever form it may come in.


My friend M. and I made the road trip to Port Credit and pick up our friend J. We walked around the cute town as we waited for her to be done work and chatted while getting in some impromptu exercise. Once we got into Toronto we didn't really have much of a plan from there. I parked the car and as we were about 3 hours early before the concert started, we had some time to kill. Being the ever so technology savvy ladies that we are, we used our phones to check out local pubs. Specifically, we searched for an Irish Pub. Because really, who has ever had a bad time involving beer, food and the Irish? Not me!


We stumbled upon an amazingly fun pub in Cabbagetown called Stout. We grabbed one of their games available to play at our table. Nothing like a flashback of your youth playing Uno while drinking beer. We really had found a gem of a place. They had an extensive list of beers brewed in Canada and a special on Pumpkin beer. Yum! Gotta love fall, everything turns into pumpkin flavoured goodness, even the alcohol. So of course, I had to try it. I wasn't disappointed.

This random Tuesday happened to be their "Pubstumpers" quiz night so after some time the place was packed. But, we didn't have time to partake in the quiz night. We would definitely need to make another visit to this place someday. There really is nothing quite like testing your trivia knowledge amongst friends while eating and drinking. So after a couple delicious ales, a great dinner, and multiple pick up 10s in our neverending Uno games, we were ready to make the short walk to The Phoenix for some wonderful music.

Some of the most ruthless Uno players you'll ever meet.

Milo Greene was the opening act for The Civil Wars and I was pleasantly surprised. They had a great sound were super fun and energetic and their songs were very catchy! I kind of wish I bought their EP....dang. Watch out for them!

As The Civil Wars came on, there was a quiet that came over the entire audience as they played. Their voices are both amazing and together they have such good chemistry. The show was so simple, charming and just beautiful. Their music speaks for itself. For those of you who haven't heard of this band. Honestly, Youtube it up. They are amazing. They don't need crazy dance numbers or light shows (because first of all it would be ridiculous for their music) but their music speaks for itself. I can't say enough good things about them.

Joy Williams and John Paul White make up The Civil Wars.

Check out them playing my favourite song, Poison and Wine . They also came on for an encore and played Billie Jean. I didn't catch the very beginning but you get the drift. Love!

Sugar High

Growing up in the boonies, my Halloween experience was so much different than town or city kids. One year I went into a town to do trick or treating so I know from first hand experience both the subtle and obvious differences. As a country kid, you needed your parents everytime. They drove you from house to house because walking was out of the question. (It would take you an hour to reach 2 houses). Also, you knew everyone's house you went to. There was no fear of poisoned candy or homemade treats. In fact, one of the best spots handed out homemade caramel corn! The best candy is of course in the country. We took around pillowcases stuffed with goodies because people handed out an insane amount of sugary goodness. Full size chocolate bars, cans of pop, and very large treat bags. So unnecessary. So awesome. We don't do fun-size here.

But, there was a downfall, because you knew everyone a visit was in order. There were pictures taken, 10 minute long conversations between parents and your driver often received treats themselves in the form of cold beverages. Also, the time between houses took all night long. You had to make sure to visit family and friends who often live far away from each other. But you can't risk offending anyone, so you stopped in to everyone. Luckily, the kids are so jacked up on sugar and candy that staying up past your bedtime wasn't an issue.

Halloween as an adult is very different of course. You curse the delicious candy that is leftover in your house as you munch. Instead of wearing a snowsuit underneath your costume, you pride yourself on how much skin you can show and be tough about it. (Even though it's snowing). And, it's the weekend before for the grown ups that has them dressing up in ridiculous clothing they would normally never wear.

Love this new picture idea. Horsemanning - just in time for Halloween! Thank you Ellen Degeneres for introducing this to me.

Do a Little Dance...

I have a confession to make. My family is well known in this area. For what you ask? No, we do not have a reality show. We do not have our own clothing or perfume line. We are not even involved in a small town scandal. But, we are well known for a certain dance move that I will refer to as "The Dee Jig"

It's a simple yet seductive move that attracts men and women alike. My brothers and I didn't realize what a phenomenon it would turn into, but everytime we turn around people are begging for it. You can do it at anytime and I fully suggest it. The jig can be performed for any occasion and can capture a happy, sad or angry moment. Caution should be given though, as it can generate a lot of attention.

The move in all it's glory.

No woman can resist it.

The Dee Jig had truly humble beginnings. It all originated with the head of the family. You had to be quick to notice when it was happening because it did so in a flash. But, when moving between rooms in the house, Dad would throw his head back, open his arms, bend one knee and begin to do the jig as if holding an imaginary towel. Yes, this is how it began.

If you are truly a lucky person, you will be able to see the move performed by the originator himself. But that is rare, and is as sought after as a unicorn, or bigfoot. A bonus of living in a small town area is the possibility that you will have our whole family at an event where dancing will take place. Having my brothers and I perform this move is requested often, but of course, happens once in a blue moon. We don't want to overdo it.

Dance as if no one is watching.

A butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker

I do not claim to be an expert in any of the above mentioned professions. But, over the Thanksgiving weekend, I tried my hand at one of them. Guesses anyone?

Nope, I didn't go out, find a turkey and have it for lunch. Maybe next year. And no, I did not learn the ancient art of wax candlestick making. I made a dessert. Maybe to a lot of you that sounds underwhelming and not a big deal. But I am no baker. I love to cook, yes, but cooking is different than baking. Baking is more of an artform. I found a delicious sounding recipe from "Oh She Glows" here. I couldn't resist, and I don't even normally like pumpkin desserts! (I know, I know, I'm a freak).

Making desserts is so much more stressful than a main dish. First of all, the amount of dishes that I am able to use and dirty up is amazing. I really do a number on the kitchen. Secondly, you can't test the goods! The reason I like cooking is because you get to taste test throughout the process, make sure it's seasoned enough and worthy of serving. With desserts, it's all about presentation, so cutting a sliver out of that cake or pie is deemed taboo. So, I had to leave it in the fridge. (Well hide it actually so it wasn't eaten before the lunch. It's everybody for themselves in this household). And then came the big moment. Serving it to my family hoping that it was edible. Success! This dessert was really quite tasty. I would love to make it again! Even though I did cheat a little and it wasn't completely vegan. I used butter in the pecan topping and chocolate chips instead of grated chocolate.

Not bad for a rookie eh?

Other highlights of the Thanksgiving festivities:

-The weather was amazing! Warm, sun shining with the beauty of fall colours. Magnificent.
-Grandpa made a dig at the empty spot beside my other single cousin and I. Well played sir, well played. Grandpa 1 - Single ladies 0

-Euchre was played, and won by my team! Undeafeted champs of 2011.

-I was once again, somehow, deemed the family drunk. Even though I was clearly sober at that point.

-We all got to stare at our cute little baby cousin and maul her.

-Leftover turkey to boot! Turkey sandwiches here I come.

Happy belated Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!