SPOT SUCCESS... to the POINT!

Me on my last
year end Dance Recital
in May 2008 with
my daughter JANA
PROUD of the end of a
chapter of SUCCESS!
(and wearing DOTS!)

Me and my friend, Brenda today
at a WEIGHT WATCHER meeting
Today's topic... PAL POWER!
(note my polka- dot jacket!)

The FADING FAST
snowman only 2 weeks
after building him!
(note: polka dot scarf!)

My adorable grandkids
 are constant reminders
of how it feels to be a
 SUCCESSFUL
GRAMMIE!

Sometimes being a LOSER makes me feel like a WINNER!!!

 In May of 2008, on the night of my final dance recital of my dance teaching career ...
my daughter was there in the audience to cheer me on to the next chapter of my life.
She gave me a very special journal, which I mentioned in a previous blog post already...
it states

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.
-Thoreau

She also gave me a lovely bracelet with that same message as well...

The Christmas of 2008 I received a great
LuLu Lemon polka dot jacket from
my hubby,
Brian as one of my gifts.
This jacket was super tight on me...
infact I was
literally... "BUSTING" out of it!...
and the polka dots over the bust-line
became ovals because
they were stretched to the max!!!
I was determined to fit into this jacket, however!

By January of 2009 I joined my good friend and employer, Brenda, from BSOBAD dance studio in going to WEIGHT WATCHERS.
I decided fitting into my polka dot jacket was good incentive to lose some of the chubbiness!!!
I used the journal that Jana had previously given me as a gift to record and
"SPOT" my
Weight Watcher "SUCCESS".
I was a keener, determined to lose the weight  that was quickly mounting on my body since retiring from teaching dancing!

I used the journal to put my weekly "trackers" and a photo of me
(wearing the polka dot jacket) each week, into!

Anyone who has ever been a weight watcher member knows the food is translated from calories to a POINT SYSTEM. The food is added daily in a required amount of points.

Anyhow... long story short(ER!!!)...
I went on to become a Life Time member...
and lost a total of 27 pounds.

Now two years and a bit later after attending my one meeting a month...
I continue to WEIGH in... however...
I am noticing the weight is
finding it's way back...

There is now a new
POINT SYSTEM.
This means I am having to RE- LEARN again to SPOT more SUCCESS!!!

Today's topic at the meeting was about how having a buddy helps to get SUCCESSFUL results. There is usually some form of inspiration to the meeting and today's was PAL POWER.
My photo will show you both Brenda and I as we continue to try to SPOT SUCCESS as PALS
at WW by following the POINTS!
(note me in my LuLuLemon polka dot jacket!)

After being inspired again in today's WW meeting I went out for lunch with Jana and the kids... (hmmmmm)... didn't remember to track my points though! oops!

Then I brought Beau back here with me as Jana was the helper/ snack mom at
Mariah's pre-school today!
I always feel rewarded by being GRAMMiE D!

Today I took another picture of my SNOWMAN built a couple of weeks ago... too bad we couldn't all lose the weight as fast as a snowman can!!! If only the SUN could melt off our pounds and we didn't have to count daily POINTS!!!

This weekend... I am looking forward to SPOTTING SUCCESS in a different way.
I am adjudicating a dance competition in Kindersley, SK. I have adjudicated a lot over my dance career... but never with my daughter!
So my POINT is this... this is yet another chapter in my book of life, making yet another memory to cherish within it!
I'll do the tap and jazz while Jana does the ballet, lyrical, character... etc!... and maybe even some POINTe!!!

Your Better Self
There's a  far greater person inside you,
Longing for you to release and set free...
Confident, strong, healthy, bouyant and new:
The person you've always wanted to be!
-William Arthur Ward

Here is my Poem of the day...
Less is more so many times,
especially when I eat!
And eating healthy is much better
than reaching for that treat!
When writing down the food I eat
by keeping real close track...
Helps prevent that extra fluff
and rolls all down the back!
It's easier said than done, I find
and with no back up plan...
It's so much easier when there's no snacks
around here for my man.
It is always sort of better, too,
when having good support...
And having to weigh in each week
and give the weekly report.
Some times when the path I'm on
veers off a bit to the side...
Those pounds creep up and find their way
back where they used to hide!
So I have a POINT... and it is this
I need to add the POINTS again...
Another POINT I need to stress
is to EXERCISE now and then!
It's not just about what I eat...
It's also what I do.
It's way more fun with some PAL POWER
to help me follow through.
Another POINT I have to make,
it's all about feeling great...
I know I feel way better,
when I'm carrying way less weight!
If only the extra weight I have
could melt off with the sun!!!!
Just like Mr. Snowman...
that would be quite fun!
But some of the pride of losing it...
and what makes me feel a bit thinner...
Is when I work real hard at it...
To feel just like a winner!

little things make a BIG DIFFERENCE!

LITTLE THINGS... do make a  BIG DIFFERENCE in DAILY LIFE!

A Couple "LITTLE" examples
of making a difference in my life
Sept. 13th, 2008
MARIAH holding SHUFFLE
the day we got her!

This little verse written in my autograph book
by my dad in 1965
has made a HUGE DIFFERENCE in my life

Getting BEAU to GIGGLE
Dec. 2010
I cherish the times I spend with both grandkids

QUOTE books and statements galore
I do LOVE a quote for a difference!

I purchased this today and realized when
I got it home by purchasing it,
it allows a young girl attend a
SELF ESTEEM CAMP!
I hope my purchase makes a difference!

Today I was on my way to my Tuesday morning Body Flow Class at the gym and thinking about a blog theme for today! I try to go a bit early so I can walk a bit on the treadmill first, and always take my ipod to listen to while on it. I have a big variety of music on my ipod... DIFFERENT styles and genres... and the first song to play today happened to be
"WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES"
So that kind of gave me an idea for today's theme. It is so true every day in our life makes some kind of DIFFERENCE!
Today the gym was the start of the DIFFERENCE in my day!

I posted a great song on my face book page today as well called "KINDNESS IS TIMELESS".
The message in that song is more or less talking about how kindness is timeless... it just takes a moment to show someone you care, and that LOVE never goes out of style. This is such a true message... and one that surely makes a DIFFERENCE! If you are not on Face Book... you can youtube the song... it is by
Sergio Mendes off his TIMELESS CD and it features a guest singer INDIA ARIE.

This theme is pretty VAST...
so many people as well as things have made a DIFFERENCE in my life over my years.
It is hard to know where to even begin to expand on this theme.

I would say that my parents were the first to make a DIFFERENCE in my life... I could easily do a long blog on each parent alone... infact, I have so much to say about them I could likely write a book on each one... and who knows, maybe one day I will! I am ever grateful for what they taught me in life and it definitely contributed to who I am today.

My husband Brian has had a huge impact on my life. We have gone through many stages as marriages do... from newly wed to grandparents together... and every thing along the way and in between.  Together we brought up our kids, and I hope we made a difference in their lives as they have in ours.

So many friends I have in my life along with all my relatives near and far have made a DIFFERENCE in how I feel about what I do.

I was reminded on the past weekend how much impact the dance world has had on me... and hopefully I have had on it, too! I have learned so much from all my mentors there...
 from teachers to judges to students!

School teachers along the way in my life in all my own schooling and activities ...
as well as teachers in my kid's lives have all had an impact on the DIFFERENCE
we make in our daily lives.

So many little things make  a DIFFERENCE for me... this just really scratches the surface, really!
My grandkids have been amongst the many things in my life to bring rewards... and to make my life DIFFERENT... for the better ofcourse!
Even though I raised my own two kids,
 Colin and Jana...
watching my grandkids, Mariah and Beau
grow from little babies through each
day of their lives, makes me grateful for the
BIG DIFFERENCE they have made in my life.

I got to thinking just how DIFFERENT each one of us in our family are... but it is a known fact OPPOSITES ATTRACT! ... I guess those kinds of DIFFERENCES are to be expected...
and a good thing!

I looked back on some old poetry I have written through the years and came across a couple that sort of sum up today's theme.

I must say POETRY has made a big DIFFERENCE in my life and helped contribute to my creativity. My BLOG has given me a place to share many aspects of my life, too...
which have been both rewarding... and made a DIFFERENCE through the years!



My first poem actually shares things I like and things that have really made a DIFFERENCE to and for me to make my life better, and although it was written in 2006... oddly enough a lot of the things I like today are still the same...
so very little DIFFERENCE there!!!


WHAT I LIKE BEST

This little VERSE will tell you,
the things that I like BEST.
I like the things in MY WORLD,
that bring me lots of ZEST...
There are so many things I like,
I'm LUCKY and I'm blessed!
I love a COZY BED at night,
So I can get some REST.
I love to HUG and CUDDLE...
with people that I love...
I love my little GRANKIDS...
sent from up above,
When it's snowy and it's cold out...
I'm thankful for a GLOVE...
Anything that keeps me WARM,
you know I also LOVE!
I love the nice WARM FEELING
I get from  a BIG SMILE,
I like to stay real HAPPY...
and UPBEAT all the while.
A DAUGHTER, WIFE, MOM, FRIEND and GRAMMIE is a big file,
I try to fill each one of those,
each role with all MY STYLE!
Ofcourse I love a STICKER,
and I rarely ever fail...
To put them onto to every CARD,
I send out in the MAIL.
I add them to a STORY,
or when I tell a tale,
Or when a page just NEEDS A LIFT,
because it's looking pale!
I really like a CIRCLE...
infact a POLKA DOT!
I love to write a POEM or two...
including any thought.
I love to have a BUBBLE BATH...
especially when it's hot!
It's FUN to go out SHOPPING
and bring home what I've bought.
When it comes to COFFEE...
STARBUCKS gets my vote,
I love WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA,
though after I may bloat!!!
I like to drink COLD WATER...
it's YUMMY on my throat...
I like a RHYMING word or two,
I also like a QUOTE!
MUSIC keeps me HUMMING,
all throughout the day,
I like a SONG WITH MEANING...
and SOMETHING GOOD to say!
JAZZ is my first preference...
but there's SWING and SOUL, and hey...
There are so many types of TUNES,
that get me on my way.
I like to TAP my feet a lot...
I really like to DANCE,
I've done it for so long now,
so it is not by chance!
I like to MOVE around the house,
I GROOVE and move and PRANCE...
One might call me CRAZY...
or maybe DANCY-PANTS!
I like to WRAP a PRESENT
with RIBBONS and with BOWS...
When it comes to what I wear...
everybody knows...
I'll have on my BLACK T-SHIRT,
I have a lot of those,
I also wear my BLUE JEANS,
and don't have much more CLOTHES!
But when it comes to COLOR,
in my clothes, check out my SOCKS...
I love a THEME... oh yes I do...
I think it REALLY ROCKS!
I like a little VISIT... in fact
some lengthy TALKS...
I also like to WALK the DOG...
And take her for LONG WALKS!
I like to write an EMAIL...
and RECEIVE ONE even more,
I like to hang with PEOPLE WHO ARE FUN,
and not a bore!
When it comes to DOGGIES...
SHUFFLE's who I ADORE!
I like to eat some CHOCOLATE,
I love the bar called SKOR!
I love to TAKE A PICTURE
of many things... I do!
I have so MANY PICTURES...
some of ME and some of YOU!
I put them into SCRAPBOOKS,
and SCRAPPING, I love, too.
I like the little EXTRAS,
you can add ... the  OLD... the NEW!
I love to stay on top of things,
with all the latest TRENDS...
On TV I love ELLEN,
for the COMEDY she sends.
When it comes to PEOPLE...
I love FAMILY... I love FRIENDS...
There really are so MANY THINGS...
my LIST just never ends!!!

My second poem is just about the people who make a DIFFERENCE in my life...

A DIFFERENCE
Some people make a difference
to turn my life around,They make the world a better place,
they make it more profound.
They strive to be the very best
that they can always be...
So others will just follow them
and very often see,
That when you put an effort in,
it brings out just the best,
It inspires me to be like you,
and not like all the rest.
It's little things that make a difference,
little words you say.
It's often just a compliment
that goes a real long way.
Or even just a nice warm smile
that brightens up the face...
It is that warmth that helps
to make a difference to a space.
I only wish there were a lot
more people just like you...
Because you make a difference
with everything you do.
I thank my lucky stars
that I can say you are my friend,
And I hope to make a difference,
  like you until the end.
Thanks for all you've done for me
and also for so many
The difference that you've made for me,
is worth a pretty penny!
So keep on doing what you do
for others and for me...
That difference will show up in others,
too... you soon will see.
Keep climbing up that hill of life
and with that great big smile...
The difference that you make along the way
will last a while.
For making a big difference...
and making it real tall...
I thank you for the many things...
I thank you for them all!

written in 2007...and dedicated to anyone who has made a DIFFERENCE in my life!

FULL CiRCLE... of PRiDE!

Just when I think my dancing career has come full circle... the circle widens... to become...

                   A BIGGER POLKA- DOT!!!

Me with my daughter, Jana
and my grandaughter, Mariah
on her first day of
the combo class
of TAP and BALLET!
September 2010

a CIRCLE of fun with shoes from a little tap class

Another memory out of Jana's scrapbooks of dances
This is a large tap group called
"LET'S GO FLYING"
in 1995
In this photo...

Some students who have kids dancing, some who have
professional dance careers, and ...
also in this group 4 dancers from Lanigan!

Me in my final year of teaching

Me and my friend Linda this weekend
CHEERS to a friendship made over so many
WONDERFUL DANCE MEMORIES!

This weekend I made a trip out to LANIGAN
to see my very good friend, LINDA!
This was the weekend of their annual dance competition, too which I always enjoy being a part of in some way or other!

Linda and I met years ago when she approached me at a dance competition in
North Battleford to see if I would consider coming to Lanigan to teach a summer school...
and let's just say we have been making
HISTORY ever since!

Linda often had a house and a camper full of out of town kids staying with her during the week of summer schools that I taught in Lanigan,
 over the years. I stayed there for many of those years as well! That is just the kind of warm and generous person she is, and it is no wonder I've grown to like her more and more, with every memory we create together along the way!
She was in the adult TAP group for a few years in Lanigan... but always was a big part of what went on in and around the community and wore the "MRS. DANCE" banner proudly!

I was reminded again how much PRIDE I have in the dancing community in that small town.
 I was going down a little trip of memory lane all weekend, and especially on my way home when I began to sum up how many connections I have with not only the dancers there...
but also in my LIFE!

I taught at least 8, possibly 9 summer schools in Lanigan.  I trained some dancers who went on to become dance teachers in Lanigan...
Jill, Leslie, Vanessa... and currently Ashley!
I taught some choreography for various kids and groups there over the years.
I adjudicated 4 or possibly 5 competitions there.
I even had dancers compete there, too!
And for my first time ever...
I wrote for an adjudicator this weekend there...
(fun experience... just to help out!)

So it is no wonder I have such a special spot in my heart for the dancers and people I've met there over the years through the dancing.

LINDA is the one I have just stayed the most connected with. Her youngest daughter, Teresa and 3 other dancers from Lanigan, Tasha, Jaylene, and Karen travelled into Saskatoon weekly for lessons over a few years.
They dedicated themselves to a long trip in every thursday night to learn from me after meeting me at summer school!

Teresa and Karen now have girls dancing, too!
I watched Karen's little girls perform this weekend in the competition in Lanigan!

I saw other kids I taught... who now have dance students competiting in Lanigan this weekend, too. It always makes me feel so proud to see them go to that next level. I feel blessed that I had any kind of impact on their career!
 Once again bringing me a sense of pride, satisfaction and accomplishment!

So now I have been a spectator, a young dancer, a dance assistant, a dance teacher, a studio owner, a tap director in another dance studio, a teacher of clinics, workshops and summer schools, and adjudicator, and adjudicator's writer, a parent of a dancer, a parent of a dance teacher, a parent of a professional dancer, a grand parent of a dancer, an auntie of a dancer,
...and this coming weekend for my very first time will adjudicate as a team with my daughter, Jana in Kindersley.

And the beat goes on...
and the circle becomes rounder!
It is no wonder I feel such a huge sense of pride when I look back over these
and the very many memories I have.

When I retired from my teaching career in May of 2008, my friend Linda was there cheering me on as I entered the next chapter... and so was my daughter, Jana...along with very many other important people in my dance career.
Jana gave me a nice journal to begin the next phase of my life journey with that
says  this on the cover...

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.-Thoreau

A SENSE of PRIDE!

Again I was reminded of my sense of pride...While watching some dancing
and through every stride.
I grew up as a learner,  beginning with TAP...
I sat in the audience, and I always would clap.
I moved onto other forms of dance...
I grew to just love it, and not just by chance!
I went on to assist the teachers who taught,
Then I owned my own studio,
and what PRIDE that brought.
I had many students throughout all the years,
All very special... and so many dears!
I watched and taught my daughter dancing, too,
She then was a teacher,
and dance pro straight through.
I have judged many dancers competing, as well.
Experiences that made me feel
honored and swell!
This watching of so many dancers
TAKE FLIGHT...
Just brings me such pride,
and makes me feel bright!
Now I'm a GRAMMiE...
feeling new pride some more,
My grand daughter dances...
and she makes me adore!
I've watched many dancers go on to careers,
Performing as pros...
or teaching dance to more dears!
I feel I have been on all sides of the fence,
Each side is different, but
I LOVE them all, hence...
I'll always feel such a huge sense of PRIDE,
It's there in my heart... and never to hide!
I've met many people along the way...
They all seem like FAMILY to me to this day!
And many have families who are dancers, too,
The circle continues, as we all follow through!
To me it is special how DANCE can appeal...
And bring me such PRIDE in the way that I feel.
Dancing is something where you can express,
All the feelings of LOVE ...
and then enjoy SUCCESS!

FRIEND-ships!

HERE'S to FRIENDSHIPS... 

and I have so many... I love them all for many different reasons...

CHEERS to FRIENDS!
Here is a celebration pic with a couple of my
"BESTIES!"
Linda and Lynne

Another dear friend who I have been bonding
with so much lately
 is my "soul" sisterfriend, Gailene

in honor of my "Friendship" theme today
another memory from Jana's dance scrapbooks.
This is a dance she did with her friends,
 Jenn, Jenn and Kim...
in memory of their good friend, Jaime,
who passed away in august of 1994

There are small ships and big ships... but the best ships are FRIENDSHIPS!-author unknown


First of all I want to thank each and everyone of my FRIENDS and relatives, too, who have been tuning into my little blog world! I love writing it and love to tie my life together in themes!...and today's theme is a good one about FRIENDS... 
I have way too many to personally mention all of them today, but you all know who you are... and believe me I CHERISH each and every FRIEND 
I have in my life.


Today's Oatmeal package 
happy heart tips were this...


"Invest time in friendships"


"Be an eternal optimist"


My seize the day calendar said this...


"To LOVE and Be LOVED is to feel 
the sun from both sides."
-David Viscott


I am doing this in a bit of a rush today as I am excited to be heading to Lanigan to visit my good buddy, Linda. The Lanigan dance competition is also on there this weekend. I hold a special spot in my heart for the Lanigan dance community... as I taught 8 Lanigan dance summer schools there in the 90's, and that is where I met my good friend Linda, in the first place. I have since had dance students perform in that competition as well. I have also adjudicated at least 3 or possibly 4 of the competitions there over the years, too! I think the dance talents in that area are great and I enjoy keeping my DANCING FOOT in the door, so to speak! 


On a different note... my husband bought a BOAT yesterday... so that is the "ship" part of my theme for today... but that will have to be in another blog as I am getting anxious to get SAILING along here myself right now... so don't want to get slowed down by the little WAVE I have to say about that!... hehehe


Today marks the 5th month anniversary of my mom's passing... and a day does not go by that I do not think of her with fond memories... and I know she would have loved to travel along to watch the dancing with me today as well... but instead she will TAP into it from the skies above.


Once again I want to say how my heart goes out to my dear friend, Lynne, who lost her brother to a tragic car accident this week. I have really been thinking a lot of her. I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like to first lose a child to cancer (her daughter Jaime, in 1994) and now to lose her one and only sibling... her brother, Jeff.


It is just a constant reminder of just how precious life is ... and how we must live each day to the fullest and cherish every thing  along the way... and keep turning SIMPLE into SPECIAL!!!


Here is a poem I wrote a while back...


A TRUE FRIEND
A true friend takes time to show they 
really, really care,
A true friend makes the time to hang out
 and to share.
A true friend shows some interest and is 
always, always there...
A true friend helps you through the times
that are so hard to bare.
A true friend very often puts the other person first.
A true friend helps when things have gone from very bad to worse.
A true friend always has some mints or gum tucked in her purse!!!
A true friend likes to join in on the chorus 
and the verse.
A true friend will remember all important 
things to you,
A true friend always knows just 
exactly what to do.
A true friend will surely go that extra mile or two...
A true friend is a kind of one for anybody's crew!
A true friend is the one who will stretch and 
who will bend,
A true friend is the one who will be 
there until the end.
A true friend is the one whose little 
messages will send.
A true friend is so TRUE... 
and that is why they are your FRIEND!!!
Written in 2006

As TiME Goes By!

Here is Jana this morning
when she dropped off Beau!

I find words in songs often set the soundtrack to LIFE! ... such as these TIMELESS classic words from a famous song...
"A kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by."
-Herman Hupfeld


I got to thinking yesterday as I was babysitting BEAU... how fast the time is going by. 
He is growing so quickly and decided to look back on Mariah at the same age in photos stored on our computer...

MARIAH at 7 months!

Mariah and her daddy and mommy

Beau at 7 months!

Beau and his two toofies!

I feel so lucky to get to know my grandkids and see all their stages... AS TIME GOES BY!


Today my 'seize the day' calendar says this...
"Why not learn to enjoy the little things- 
there are so many of them."
-Author unknown


My Quaker oatmeal package had 
2 happy heart tips again...


"Nourish your emotional heart."


"Simplify your life.
Prioritize what matters most."


I find as I grow older I enjoy quotes and sayings more and more... as time goes by!
That is what nourishes my emotional heart.
I also enjoy the simple things, too... they are often the things that matter most.


Today I will take Mariah to her dancing this afternoon... so decided to do my blog early as I am sure the pace will pick up from that point on. Beau is down for a nap now so he will be up for the trip to get his sister to her lesson!


Shuffle is doing another day of raising the "WOOF" at the doggie daycare today. 
She needs to get more action, and with this ongoing winter weather 
she isn't out nearly enough!


I am looking forward to another episode of American Idol tonight on TV. 
I enjoy that show so much.
I also enjoyed watching Barbara Streisand on Oprah yesterday. Lots of good memories looking at her career. I was always a big fan!
I LOVE ELLEN in the mornings, too... she starts my day off with a good LAUGH or two.


Here is a little poem I had written a year ago or so and had it hanging on the 
studio bulletin board... 
I thought it had a good message for today.


CHOICE THOUGHTS
It's up to you, whatever you choose,
You can choose to win, or choose to lose.
You can go barefoot, or maybe wear shoes.
You can stay awake or choose to snooze!
You can choose to be angry and really be mad,
Or choose to be happy and always be glad.
You can choose to be good 
or choose to be bad.
You can cherish the good times 
that you've ever had.
You can choose to give praise and not criticize,
You can choose to stay fit and get exercise.
You can always de-clutter and just organize.
You can choose all your lows, 
and also your highs!
You can choose to say YAY,
or choose to say BOO!
Whatever you choose, will be all up to you...
So try to make choices for the good they can do.
These are my thoughts,
and I'll stick with them, too!

SPRiNG has SPRUNG!

Well even though the first day of spring has arrived... the weather does not necessarily dictate that!  But things were HOPPING here none the less yesterday!

Some BUNNY is ready
for Easter early!

not every BUNNY is as excited
 to wear the glasses!!!

FUN moments and funny faces!

Crafting Easter cards!

Mariah helped with the Easter set up...
She has been excited to get the stuff out since
we put the Christmas stuff away!

Proud poppa with Beau!

My little ESKIMOS...
they still need those jackets even though
 it is supposedly SPRING!

Some BUNNY is looking
for some loving!

It seems times have been busy around here with lots of episodes of babysitting  and little sidetracks along the way!


We met Jana, Nels, the kids, and our friends, Bob and Jacquie for breakfast at Fudruckers yesterday. We brought the kids back here afterward for the day. Jana and Nels had a funeral to attend for a friend of theirs.
  
We did some Easter decorating...and some Easter card crafting along with some movie watching and some napping, too!  Mariah still was not quite her spunky self yet after her little flu bug on friday. When Jana came for the kids around 6, I suggested she take Mariah to be checked at the medi clinic.  We kept Beau while Jana took her and found out she had an ear infection, so is now on antibiotics.


Today would have been a babysitting day normally, but with Mariah fighting her little sickness... her mommy stayed home with the kids today. I will have Beau again tomorrow instead and also wednesday this week, too!


Today I did a bulletin board up date at the dance studio... from Shamrocks to Easter bunnies and chicks!  Then I popped by my friend, Gailene's for some chai tea and a little sisterfriend bond...always good for the soul! We sure can chat it seems!!!


My good friend, Linda was to have come for some sisterfriend bonding on the weekend, but she had an unfortunate accident and fell down her stairs. She got kind of tangled in her cat while putting her down the basement... and thus had a little "CAT"-astrophy in the process... poor Linda.
Kind of a BUMMER! So I am going to visit her instead this weekend in Lanigan!


Today I also got sad news of a good friend in Regina losing her brother to a fatal car accident. I feel saddened by that news.


For my birthday I got a necklace from Linda that says... 
"A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart. "
... how true that statement is, too.


I got a forward email the other day that said this...
"Life isn't about how to survive in the storm, but how to dance in the rain. "
...Also a very good point!


Speaking of DANCING... I am now going to tune into the first episode of this season's "Dancing With The Stars" on TV, ... it is a series I have enjoyed since it began. I'm hoping the dancing will be HOT... because I have been sort of CHILLY all day today!


Truly I am ready for SPRING!


Spring has sprung... but the weather has not,
I'm still waiting for sunshine and hot!
Instead it's cold and windy, too...
I'm so ready for SPRING to shine through.
Maybe the dancing will be HOT on TV...
It might warm me up, I'll wait and see.
Tomorrow and Wednesday, I'll babysit Beau...
And HE'S warm and cuddly, that much I know!

RiCHER!

...No I didn't win the lottery ... 
or even make any  money anywhere! 
I just feel simply RiCHER in the memories made in my daily life!


I had a wall hanging given to me in my 25th anniversary year of my studio, which hung in the entry of the studio till it closed. Now I see it every day... as it is in my main floor bathroom. It pretty much sums it all up by saying...


                         P.R.I.O.R.I.T.I.E.S
A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, what sort of house I lived in or what kind of car I drove ... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.

Jana dropping off the kids on friday!
Mariah was so sick.

I normally babysit Beau on fridays... but this week Mariah's daycare was cancelled on friday so I had both kids. I was excited to do some crafts and have some fun adventures with Mariah... but she had the stomach flu. It is so hard on Grammies to see their little ones feeling under the weather... but Mariah was quite a trouper in spite of all the throwing up she did.
I felt so sorry for her.


Luckily, SHUFFLE was off to "doggie daycare"... one less thing to add to the mix! She loves it there and always comes home pooped out by the end of her day, too!

Mariah watched the
 2 Little Mermaid movies
and her mom's Little Mermaid
show from Japan

Beau finally figured out how to crawl today!

My brother Brian
popped by for a wee visit!
(Mariah slept through that)

Both kids watching their mommy on TV!

Jana in her video of
"UNDER THE SEA"
From Tokyo!

Some of the things that saved the day

So although the day didn't go as planned, I felt I chalked up more memories in  my life. I feel so blessed to have such sweet grandkids.

My brother Brian popped by for a visit today.
I gave him his birthday card seeing as his birthday was on St. Patrick's day.
He was a life saver, too... because I was able to get him to run to the store and get some
ginger ale and soda crackers for Mariah.
Although Mariah slept through the visit, Brian enjoyed his time with Beau and picked up some banana muffins to take home, too!

I forgot how much I love the Little Mermaid movies. Jana got the VCR running for me before she headed off to work. We do not have those movies on DVD... but should get them!
I enjoyed the memories of watching Jana's little show from Japan, too. Mariah was so proud of her mom and kept saying to Beau...
"that is MAMA! "
Then Beau started to say MAMA MAMA!
It was so cute!

Beau finally figured out how to crawl today. He seemed so proud of himself, too! He is beginning to have a very mischievous side to him, and he has a cute little grin he does that goes with it!

So as I say... I do not make much money these days... but I do feel very RICH with memories !
Ones I could never replace,
and ones I am ever grateful for!

(my poem was written on friday to go with my day of babysitting,
even though it is saturday, now!)

Another day for GRAMMiE D...
Making another kind of memory!
I had both grandkids here today,
But poor MARIAH, was not in a good way.
My sweet little soul, she had the flu,
That's hard on wee ones, and grammies, too!
Beau was just his same sweet guy,
And brother, Brian dropped on by.
Although the day was not quite as I thought,
I still felt richer for the memory it brought.
I know my life is simple, that's true,
But I couldn't trade it for what others do.
The cherished times spent with grandkids now,
Will be worth a fortune in years, somehow!
They really make me feel so blessed...
Cuz family times are just the best!

SHAM- ROCK ON!

Happy St. Patrick's Day 
to all my friends and family today... 
I feel LUCKY to have you all in my world!

Wearing a little Shamrock
My little Leprechaun

doing a little Irish Jig
in the jolly jumper!

Eating a little mum mum cookie!

so close to crawling!

trying to eat the
SHAMROCKIN Glasses!

My seize the day calendar said this today...
"Little pockets of warmth and sun trickle through the leaves, tickling my skin with happiness."
- Robin Pickens


I babysat Beau today. He was smiles and giggles and had a great sleep too! He is such a good little guy... I love him to bits. I tried to get him in the spirit of St. Patrick's day... but he wasn't as into the hats and glasses so much. He is sure determined to crawl now... but really only drags himself along. He just cannot figure out how to put one knee in front of the other... just yet... but soon he will I am sure! 


While he slept I made more banana chocolate chip muffins with our brown bananas... not sure why we can never seem to eat them fast enough before they turn brown on the counter! I was kinda hoping someone might join me for a muffin and coffee today... but no one stopped by.


It was not only St. Patrick's day today, it was my brother Brian and my friend Linda's birthday today, too... and I feel so LUCKY to have them in my life. 


Tomorrow I am babysitting both the grandkidlets... so it will be more hectic around here, I'm sure. Mariah usually keeps me hopping... literally!


"On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined: No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet To chase the glowing Hours with flying feet. "
- Lord Byron


A LUCKY day tis the day of St. Pat,
When wearing a shamrock within a green hat!
Today was a day with my leprechaun,
He rolled and he jumped and tried to crawl on...
He giggled and babbled and had a good sleep,
He slept for 3 hours, I heard not a peep!
My friend and my brother had birthdays today,
They are both special people to celebrate, YAY!
The Irish are cheering and drinking green beer,
And SHAM- ROCKIN' ON until this time next year!