Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.....

Every move we do begins the search for two things....a new hair dresser and a new dentist....I'm still working on the second one. Considering that we move every 2 to 4 years....you'd think I would be a pro at finding a new hairdresser. It has taken me precisely 6 months to find one....and let me tell you....she is fabulous :) 

A Salon has to tick certain boxes for me to trust them with my lovely locks.

1. Smell fabulous (I know you all agree with me on this one!)
2. Have a website that says "Rich & Luxurious" It doesn't actually have to say this.......it just has to imply that I can't afford to go there.
3. It has to look like it was designed by HGTV
4. It has to offer a selection of beverages while waiting for my appointment. (My last Salon in Halifax, Nova Scotia....wait for it.....had WINE!!!!)
5. It has to have amazing CURRENT reviews on line.
6. Most of all....it has to have hairstylists that look like they shower once in a while as well as have a hair style of their own that I can relate too. 

So, here in Oak Harbor I started my search. It didn't take me long as this place is rather small. And the few that actually had websites, looked like a 3yr old had done them. Hence the expansion of my search to Anacortes (35 min from here off the island) as well as Burlington (45 min - also off island). Anacortes only had reviews that left me wondering how are any of them still open. And in Burlington, nothing really caught my eye. It's too much of a Big Box Store kinda town.  

If you follow my posts, you'll know we were in a  lovely spot called La Conner as few weeks back. Whilst there we stopped for lunch at a wonderful cafe that was a block down from what looked like a neat/trendy salon. So I popped in to see what they had to offer........yes, you guessed it...my senses were assaulted (in a good way) with deliciousness!! I quickly grabbed a "Menu" of their services and left with a big grin on my face. 

Once home I promptly looked them up on line and bingo....folks, I found my new hair home. The reviews were fantastic, and the prices were right. I am also picky in the sense that I have funny hair, so I require a stylist that has more than 2 months experience under their belts. I called and asked for the most senior stylist and they were able to fit me in the following Sat. 

Rachel was wonderful and super easy going. She also new how to deal with the quirky cowlicks that I have :) She listened to what I wanted, but was also able to give suggestions without being over powering. Loved it, walked way with a lovely cut and can't wait to go back.

For any local gals/guys that might be reading this here is their site. Salon Rouge 

Ta Da!!! Road Certified!!!

After my last post your probably thinking (maybe even hoping) that I should not pursue a career as a motorcycle stunt women.....wait....I think that would actually suit me considering....HA! Well, two weeks later.....only 2 of my 7 bruises are still visible....nerves in check....off I went this afternoon to take the bike test. Thank goodness for fantastic sunny weather this time, and awesome supportive instructors (they were pleased to see me back!) I went for it...and I passed!!!! 

Side note: they did inform me that the bike I had used two weeks ago had officially been taken off the training circuit. I'm sure it's gone to a happy place :)

Stay tuned as I explore the world of biking and maybe soon to follow will be an introduction my first ride!

Crash Test Dummie

     So last week I spent two days on a motorcycle course. Not only was I the only girl....I was also the only Canadian (I heard about that for two days...yes yes yes...you Americans are some funny...and you really need to look at a map...just saying!) But that's not the best bit.....On the second day of training I was also the only one to experience a full on crash/incident that had me literally flying over the handle bars and then skidding to halt "banana slide" style on, thank goodness wet grass, on the side of the training course. My instructor (once He had confirmed that I was ok) proceeded to say that in all his years of teaching, he had never seen anything like it and wished that someone had caught it on video! 

                   ~ Honda Night Hawk ~ This is the model/style that I was riding for the two days. 

     My spectacular attempt at show jumping left the bike in worse shape then me. I managed to damage the front breaks, break the front lights and completely ripped off the light switch from the handle bars. BUT, once we had straightened the handle bars I did get right back on and continue the days training (with grass and mud lodged through out various places on the bike). 


     I did however spend the next 3 hours soaked to the bone (and covered in mud!). Oh, did I mention that it also started to rain rather heavily just prior to my "incident"? Therefore I was shivering uncontrollably by the time it came to testing at the end of the day.  I did attempt the first part of the test, but quickly realized that I was now too shaken and had started to lose my focus. The instructors suggested that I come back next week to re-do the test portion.  They did all give me hugs and high fives for even getting back on the bike and finishing the class. So, yeah...I rock :)


     It's now been 6 days and my final bruise count is up to 7 in various places. My right leg certainly took the brunt of my tumble. I am also down a pair of jeans, as they did not survive the "crash".  I can now say that I have been introduced first hand to the dangers of motorcycling. However, even if a little bruised and sure...a bit shaken, I most definitely enjoyed the experience! Now I just need to finish the actual test portion and then start shopping for a bike!!! Fingers crossed!!


     Shawn's says his favourite quote from my experience is when I nonchalantly said "the brakes were never the same after the crash". 

"Trying is failing with honours" 

Theater Room? Yes Please!

While we were here looking for houses to rent, we realized very quickly that one of the most popular features was a "Theatre Room". And no, we don't just mean a space in the house that was decked out with nice speakers and a large flat screen.....we mean full on dedicated rooms (with NO windows) that have been purpose built for watching movies in style.
These rooms were all found on the lowest level of the houses, with built in surround sound, theatre level seating at the back of the room (this means a raised platform.....so your guest on the "floor" don't block your view!) and built in ceiling units to house the projectors, playstations, & sound systems. The front main walls were painted with "special" paint to create the perfect screen. It's pretty amazing.....we LOVE LOVE that we found a house with one of these must have rooms. Not only has movie night taken on a whole new meaning, but so has watching our fav football team LFC on the BIG SCREEN!!!!!
This all leads me to this past Sat movie night. We Perry's love our wine, so when the movie "Sideways" came out it was an instant must watch for us :)

If you haven't seen this movie.....shame on you!

This movie had one of the best casts, well ok that's our personal opinion. But seriously, Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen & Sandra Oh made this a pleasure to watch.

 One of my favourite monologues in the movie was by Virginia's character Maya:  

"I like to think about the life of wine, how it's a living thing.

I like to think about what was going on the year the grapes were growing, how the sun was shining that summer or it it rained... what the weather was like. I think about all the people who tended and picked the grapes, and if it's an old wine, how many of them must be dead by now. I love how wine continues to evolve, how every time I open a bottle it's going to taste different than if I had opened it on any other day. Because a bottle of wine is actually alive --it's constantly evolving and gaining complexity. That is, until it peaks --like your '61 --and it begins its steady, inevitable decline.

And it tastes so fucking good."

Of course whilst watching a movie about wine, you really must have a glass....right? So, since we were watching a movie that pretty much dictates that Pino Noir is the best varietal of wine, we of course opened a bottle. Why wouldn't you? (Just so you know we have a different opinion on what the best varietal is....but I'll save that for another day!)

The bottle we chose to open was from California (we thought that we would keep as close to the movie as possible). La Crema, is La Delicious!!!!

This wine was introduced to us by a friend of ours who surprised us with his love of wine and a wonderful wine collection that left us green with envy!

Another wonderful side effect of our move to the States has been the availability of the wines and the prices. Sheesh....it is so cheap here.....one could easily develop a "problem" if you know what I mean! HA!! Don't worry Mom.....we have it under control!

OK.....that's my rant/update for the day....time for lunch!

Tulip Wonderland!!

So who knew that we had moved a mere 45min drive from North America's largest distributor of Tulips!!!! Yep....indeed.....about 5 min from La Connor, Washington there is place that calls itself "Tulip Town". This weekend was the official Tulip Festival weekend. And lots of surrounding areas, such as Oak Harbor, Annacortes, Burlington, & Mt. Vernon to name a few were also hosting celebrations.

We took the opportunity to go for a bike ride and check it out :) It was not only a beautiful day for a ride, but also a wonderful day to hang out with literally THOUSANDS of Tulips.

The regular people and their cars had to park next to one another.....we on the other hand had a much nicer parking space!

These were my favourite ones of the day....loving the colour purple :)

The rows were endless......sooo pretty!

Magic ~ Another Fantastic Cover by Walk Off The Earth

I am in love with this band. Walk Off The Earth just seem to "get it" and even (in my humble opinion) outdo the "original" songs!!! When their cover of "SomebodyThat I Used to Know" hit the internet they went viral!! I like to think I helped with that :) LOVED that one from the get go and I still get goose bumps when I listen to it. My friend Mike posted this today on FB and well.....wouldn't you know....another awesome cover. Check them out who knows....you may fall in love with them too!  Happy Listening :)

40 Something.....

So, one of the first statements out of Shawn's mouth when we got here was "I think it's time I bought a bike." He owned one way back when we first started dating circa 96' and he promptly sold it. So I though that is was a passing phase. Well, for 15+ years I've heard him fondly talk of one day getting back on a bike. Fast forward to 2012 and tada.....I come home from a trip (which I will post about shortly) to find this beauty sitting in our garage :) He is like a proud father around this bike. And I have to admit, after purchasing me a helmet ( a very cool one at that) he took me for my first ride. Sweet is the best word I can use to describe it. I can see why people love the "sport" of riding bikes. There is a good chance that his parents had minor heart attacks when they saw the bike, and I'm still not 100% sure how my parents really took the news.....since they live too far away for us to have done any more than chat about it over the phone. You can say all you want, but let me tell you that the expression on someones face says it all! LOL!!

So, we are slowly kitting our selves out with gear. It's safe to say this has become some what of a new obsession/hobby. My 40 something husband has officially become a hot biker :) He's looking good with the leather jacket..oh baby....