Man Crush Monday Part 5!

Dark Shadows


How could you not love Dark Shadows!

Johnny Depp plays a wealthy man who pretty much runs the town who broke a womans heart. Unfortunately for him that woman happened to be a witch and she cursed him to become a vampire then buried him alive in 1752. Fast forward 2 centuries and Barnabus is accidentally released from his casket and set free in 1972. He returns to his family home to find what is left of the Collins family desperately needing his help. Together they come up with a plan to get the family back on track and the family company back up and running.

With a stellar cast this movie is sure to thrill all age groups. Winning awards in the kids choice awards as well an award for the film music it is bound to please most people.

Of course what would a Tim Burton film be without his gorgeous wife in it. Helena Bonham Carter, as we know if definitely one of my favorite actresses and she always plays her role perfectly. She is the live in psychiatrist for the Collins family and adds that little bit extra into the mix of weird and crazy that this movie is so full of.

A perfect example of how funny this movie is and how out of place Barabus Collins is in the new world.

Finally Barnabus has a fling with the woman who turned him into a vampire and this is the wake of their destruction. Probably one of the funniest scenes I have seen.

Did you like Dark Shadows? I personally like the dark humor in any of the Tim Burton movies and Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter really make the movie.


What movie would you like to see featured next week?

Man Crush Monday Part 4

This week I would like to mention Sleepy Hollow

Set in 1799, a young police officer named Ichabod Crane who is facing charges for going against traditional methods and solving crimes using finger prints and autopsies deemed useless and a waste of time for the era embarks into Sleepy Hollow to investigate the murders of 3 victims. When he arrives in Sleepy Hollow he is told he is not looking for someone physical, but more of an apparition. A headless horsemen to be exact.

Of course skeptical about the horseman Ichabod searches for meaning and reason behind the murders. As more victims fall, all the pieces start to fall into place about the Headless Horsemen. Ichabod boards with the towns wealthiest family, The Van Tassels, and in doing so starts to fall for their daughter Katrina, the beautiful Christina Ricci. Which of course is deeply frowned upon by Katrina's suitor who later goes to poise as the headless horsemen in an attempt to scare Ichabod away.

What I find to be one of the most interesting facts about this film is that they traveled to England in search of the perfect city to film in. Instead they ended up spending approximately 1.3 Million Dollars to build a small town around a duck pond for this film. They built all the houses and the interiors to have the perfect setting for this movie. They did an amazing job of course.

As the plot thickens and Ichabod is lied to and misled to deter him away from the truth the whole town is in danger.

I think there is a great interest in movies that instill fear in us. I know for a long time I was not fond of being outside when it started getting dark. Not specifically about the headless horsemen of course. Just the fear of the unknown I guess.


As always Johnny Depp is amazing in this Tim Burton film.

What do you like or dislike about Sleepy Hollow?
What would you like to see next week as part of my Man Crush Monday of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp films. Only a few left!

My sorely missed best friend

2 years ago I lost my best friend. He was everything to me. We would talk about everything and anything no matter what time of day or night. He would always be there to encourage me to try harder or keep going when I wanted to give up. He would be my voice of reason and my conscience sometimes. I would turn to him when I had a question or anything really in my life and he would come to me. I feel like he did alot more for me then I did for him even though he assured me all the time that I helped him out too.
I moved away and came back all within a couple years and we still didnt lose touch. I had just moved in with my now husband and Leon was complaining about some ingrown hair under his arm. We made a couple jokes about it and I urged him to get it checked out. A couple weeks passed and it wasnt mentioned again our lives went on as normal, talking about work and the different day to day activities we did. Then one day he messaged me and asked if I was sitting down. I thought he was going to tell me some ridiculous joke or something, I was not prepared for what came next. He had been diagnosed with lymphoma.I didnt know what to do or what to think. I must have been sitting on my kitchen floor crying for about an hour or so before J came home and I had to go over it again with him. I didn't know what to do. I wasn't strong enough to support my best friend through this. I couldn't even handle it myself let alone try to help him out like we always had.

It may sound selfish of me to say that I was worried about how I would handle it but its very true, first you worry about your friend then you worry about yourself then the rest kind of falls into place like the treatments he will be going through, the things he will be missing out on , the things he will have to see and endure. Its all very overwhelming. Im very happy that I can say he met someone during his struggle. They were perfect for each other, she is an amazing person and was by his side through the whole thing. I would be glad to call her my friend. I talked to him through it all. I would drive up to Hamilton after work frequently to bring him food and other assorted goodies. He remained calm through everything but you could tell that it was difficult for him as well.

He finally got to go home and we thought everything was good. For 6 months things were great he was out walking to the store and everything. Then again he messaged me asking if I was sitting, this time I expected the worst. The cancer was back. There was a tumor in his back that he had to get checked out. Then what feels like a crazy whirlwind, he was diagnosed with kidney failure, liver cancer and bone marrow. He had a bone marrow transplant and still through it all he was calm.

Then one day his girlfriend was done visiting and we didnt message as much since I didnt want to cut into his alone time with her since he had been sent home again after finding all this out. For a couple very quiet days on my end I wondered how he was doing, how he was feeling and so on. Then a mutual friend of mine messaged me and asked if I knew Leon had been rushed to the hospital. Which I didnt. I quickly called his phone which had no answer of course. I jumped up and started getting dressed even though I had a huge sinking feeling. It felt like time had stopped. I grabbed my phone again to check to see if I could get ahold of his brother to find out what hospital, I opened my Facebook app and dropped my phone. He was gone. Just like that. In a matter of minutes of finding out he was at the hospital someone had posted on Facebook that he was no longer with us.

There is not a day that goes by that I dont think about him. Something always reminds me. I will always regret that I never got to say a proper goodbye as our last conversation was more joking about his girlfriend visiting and how badly I needed a vacation before starting my new job the next month. Maybe it was better that way, a normal conversation instead of trying to get all the words right. I'll never know though.

I went out and got a tattoo in memory of him the following month I wanted to have something tangible to remember him by and have him with me always.

Spring is in the air! (Finally)

Hey guys!

Noone is more excited about spring than I am! I love to garden, I love being outdoors with my fur babies, and I'm so sick and tired of wearing a jacket!!!

Over the weekend J and I started up our garden at the new house. We did alot of the planting in flower pots so its easier for us to move around once we actually figure out where we want everything in the yard, like the table and such. We started off our vegetables in the house with seeds about a month ago, and I bought some pre started plants as well to fill things out. I only have the pre started ones out right now, my seeded garden took a bit of a hit during the move and is still struggling. Fingers crossed I can get them outside this coming weekend.

We have lots of pretty flowers too. I just haven't had the time to get some photos. Hopefully, I'll get some good shots this weekend when we're out there rearranging the yard.


How's your garden coming along? Anyone started anything up yet? I know you should wait until the long weekend but it's been so warm out lately I was itching to get my hands dirty!

Man Crush Monday Part 3

Alice in Wonderland

Happens to be one of my favorites. I even had an Alice in Wonderland themed bridal shower...

There are many morals in this story even though it just seems like a children's dreamland fairytale.
Alice is constantly asked by the characters who she is, and she doesn't really know. As the movie progresses she own identity and works to overcome her fears.

Cheshire Cat: What do you call yourself?
Alice Kingsley: Alice.
Cheshire Cat: *The* Alice?
Alice Kingsley: There's been some debate about that.
Cheshire Cat: I never get involved in politics.
[disappears]

The Mad Hatter: You're not the same as you were before You were much more..."muchier" You've lost your "muchness"
Alice Kingsley: My "muchness"?
The Mad Hatter: [Points to Alice's heart] In there.

To think outside of the box, think creatively. Alice's father says to her that he thinks of 6 impossible things before breakfast every day. Which Alice later goes on to repeat to herself later on in the movie to give herself strength.

Alice Kingsley: I try to believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast. Count them, Alice. One, there are drinks that make you shrink. Two, there are foods that make you grow. Three, animals can talk. Four, cats can disappear. Five, there is a place called Underland. Six, I can slay the Jabberwocky.

Then there are the characters, costumes and the scenery! Its all amazing!

The talented Helena Bonham Carter - Red Queen

The voice of Michael Sheen - White Rabbit

The beautiful Anne Hathaway - White Queen

Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum

Alan Rickman's voice is the Blue Caterpillar

The versatile Johnny Depp - The Mad Hatter




What are your thoughts on Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland? What morals did you take away from it?

And as always what Tim Burton / Johnny Depp collaboration would you like to see next week featured on Man Crush Monday???

Tell me something good!

Tell me something good Tuesday.


That's the Tuesday theme for one of my favorite radio stations.

So I'll start by telling you something good from my Tuesday and I would LOVE to hear back from you what your good news today is. It can be anything! I would love to hear it. We need more positive in the world!

My new house is fantastic! All my fur babies love it so much! They are all relaxed, and just lay in the field for hours just watching the world go by. My deaf kitten even fell asleep sitting up in the front yard yesterday he was enjoying himself so much. This makes me so happy that everyone is finally happy, there's enough room for us all and we all make very good use of the space. The country life is better suited for my little family.

Also something else really positive. There's a city I grew up in called Welland. It's not too big and not too small. There are some people who love it and some people who hate it. However, lately there has been either a group or an individual who is posting up pink hearts all around the city. Noone is quite sure of the message or meaning but I personally like the idea of it meaning to spread the love.
The Welland Tribune is looking for the person just to talk to them and find out the motive and what it all means. I personally think this person or group should carry on mysteriously and keep spreading the joy and love. The signs are small and not bothering anyone. There have been no complaints about them since they are just pink hearts and I strongly support it! I think it should expand into the surrounding cities and towns until all of Ontario is covered in love!

What do you think about these hearts popping up all over? Voice your thoughts on them and their meanings at #WellandHearts


Let's hear your good news!

Man Crush Monday Part 2

Part 2 of my Man Crush Monday is a little late. I've been super busy with the move and fell behind a bit. I'm trying very hard this week to catch up and maybe get ahead for once... Hahaha I'm just going to focus on catching up right now.

As I mentioned last week I will be posting a Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration every Monday to fall int he theme of Man Crush Monday, as I absolutely love Johnny Depp. I asked for a favorite last week from you and I didn't hear back from anyone so I went ahead with my next favorite.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet St.

What is there not to love about this movie? It's got Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. It's directed by Tim Burton.
It's a story of love and revenge. Mr.Todd returns to Fleet St to find out the fate of his wife and infant daughter after escaping jail on a made up charge. When he returns he works with the baker downstairs who makes notoriously bad meat pies. She claims is due to the high price of meat. The secret ingredient: freshly murdered victims of her partner in crime, barber Sweeney Todd.

Set in 1846 many of the residents of Fleet St are poor and peddle their goods and services out in the street, so that is where Mrs.Lovett (the amazing Helena Bonham Carter) sells her meat pies.

The plot is full of dark sadistic humor and madness. And of course Johnny Depp.

Have you seen this one? What are your thoughts of it?

What would you like to see next week on Part 3 of Man Crush Monday???









And of course as always a last photo of the gorgeous Johnny Depp.