Monday, April 30, 2012

"T.J.C."... The Journey Continues!

"Success is not a place at which one arrives 
but rather the spirit with which one 
undertakes and continues the journey."
-Alex Noble

"A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles."
-Tim Cahill

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; 
but in the end it is the journey that matters most."
-Ursula K. Guin


"A.H."...
At Hopkin's

Here was the finishing night of the
28th Invitational Dance Carnival in Moose Jaw
Hosted by the 2 Dance Teachers in the centre
Denise and Barb

I adjudicated with the gal on the left, SARAH. 


I love this restaurant in Moose Jaw...
"HOPKIN'S DINING PARLOUR" 


DAY ONE of the Adjudicating JOURNEY last Thursday
"I.T.B."... In The Balcony
at PEACOCK HIGH
L to R...
My writer, Kendra, me,
the other adjudicator, Sarah, and her writer, Megan.
(we had several writers throughout the four days...
and they were all WRITE ON!) 

D.B.A.M. ...
"Diane's Big Adjudicating Mess!


DAY 2
at the TURNING TABLES
... Same adjudicators and writers once again!
"S.S."... Still Smiling!


"Q.N." by the "P.P."...
Quiznose by the Plant Pot!



DAY 3
"S.B."...
Supper Break 


"T.M.J.C."...
The Meal Journey Continues...
"B.P.... S.B. and F!"
Boston Pizza , Starbucks and Fruit! 


"R.C.P." ...
Really Cheesy Pose!
... ok... it is now DAY 4 we are tired!


"B.C.O.F."...
Big Chuckle Over Fork!!!!!!!!!!!!!
... that was "O.T.B."...
ONE TOUGH BURGER!!!!!!!!! 


A.T.A.T....
At The Awards Table!

Final day BARB and DENISE
handing out the AWARDS and DOOR PRIZES! 


"S.A.G." ...
Special Adjudicator Gifts

I have done this festival before and
 always get treated so well !


"O.T.T.S.C."
Over The Top Sticker Collection

This is my Adjudicator Sticker Binder before competition
... it is a little lighter now!!!


However... I will never run out of STICKERS...

I have enough to last me for the entire
JOURNEY of A LIFETIME!!!!!
This is where I replenish my supply!!!

YEP... I am an "O.T.T.S.Q."
OVER THE TOP STICKER QUEEN



Last Wednesday I was on a little
JOURNEY
to Moose Jaw to Adjudicate
The 28th Annual
Invitational Dance Carnival
hosted by
Barb from "Dance Images by BJ"
and Denise from
"Denee School of Dance"

On my Journey there and home
I did lots of REFLECTING of my
DANCE JOURNEY in life!
So many memories for me revolve
around trips to Moose Jaw.


Growing up I danced in many
Moose Jaw Dance Festivals
held in PEACOCK HIGH SCHOOL.
In fact one of the CARNIVAL hostesses, DENISE, and I grew up competing
in the same age bracket all our lives,
so we had a little time at the end
of this festival to go down
memory lane a bit!

I did my very first ever TAP SOLO
on that stage at Peacock in Moose Jaw...
to "Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue"
by Mrs. Millar
when I was 12 years old
(many moons ago!)
That song was kind of a description
of my looks then too!

We had a big chuckle over some
of the things that have changed
since then... such as
how the dance teachers used to
play their music on a record player,
which often would skip
(sometimes on purpose!!!)
The dance teachers even
were seen smoking back stage
at Peacock High School!
OH... the memories...
and the JOURNEY continues...

I was very fortunate to have met a
great dancer from Vancouver
named SARAH. She and I had fun
adjudicating this Carnival together.
I did all of the TAP along with
some Jazz and all of the
Lyrical and Hip Hop.
She did most of the Jazz,
all the Ballet and
Musical Theatre catagories.
 ... and I provided the stickers!
(ofcourse I did!) tee hee

We had many laughs between numbers
over this and that...and believe me,
after the long hours we did tend
to get a little PUNCHY!!!! hehehe
We were constantly thinking of
CODES for things...
and one that stands out is of a number I watched on the TAP SIDE of the page...
It was a tap group #, seeming somewhat
T.L. (Too Long) and
just as I thought it was over
and they were on their
JOURNEY off stage,
there was about an 8 count
space of music with no dancers,
when all of a sudden there was that
T.E. (Teaser Ending)
when the dancers all returned
to the stage to
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY
dancing!!!
I am laughing just remembering
that moment, but it might be
one of those
"HAD TO BE THERE" moments!

I did see some fabulous work at the
Carnival  and the event was
so efficiently run and organized.
I was ever grateful for my amazing writers
 who caught my every word and thought
as I tried to TAP into some
encouragement as well as construction
for each adjudication paper!
I must say I was also appreciative
 of my daily meals, snacks
and STARBUCKS, too!
All of those things contributed
to this fun little JOURNEY.

When adjudicating I am only
one person so someone else
might pick it differently than I do.
I'm am hired for an opinion!
But truly for the dancers competing...
it is ALL about THE JOURNEY
in the end!

As I JOURNEYED  from my stay at
"COMFORT INN" in Moose Jaw,
to my COMFORT ZONE
back here at home sweet home,
this morning....
I tuned into some
"smooth jazz" on the
Water Colors XM station in my car.
It is "International JAZZ Appreciation Day" today, and believe me,
I was grateful for the help of the
smooth jazz to make my journey
home more relaxing!

Life itself is really a JOURNEY...
I could hear my mom's voice
saying...
"'DUNDURN' good to get this far!"
as I passed through "Dundurn "
both ways on my journey!
She ALWAYS said that as
we passed that town !!!
(one of the many memories
of my mom in my life journey!)

Many of my dancer friends
were at dance festivals and competitions
this past weekend. Lots of them made
new memories on their
JOURNEYS as well.
This is always a fun time of year
in the season of a dancer!

The studio I am a part of
"BSOBAD"
(Brenda's School Of Baton And Dance)
Competed in Sherwood Park
this past weekend and continues
their festival journey this week here in town.
Congratulations  and continued success
as the JOURNEY CONTINUES!

My daughter adjudicated with our friend, Mandy, this weekend, in Biggar.
Mandy's Adjudicating Journey
continues this week here in town at
"THE PERFORMER" competition
which begins on Wednesday.

Later today I will see my grandkids again
after being away for the past five days!
I am invited to have supper
at Jana's with her family...
and hear about some her
little weekend Journey!

"The roads of life twists and turns
and no two directions are ever the same.
Yet the lessons come from the journey,
not the destination."
-Don Williams,Jr.



On that quote...
may the JOURNEY CONTINUE
with my rhyme of the day!

Life's all about the JOURNEY
 in the end...
About every memory and every friend.
And as the road of life continues along,
It helps to have some spirited
DANCES and SONG!
Every day is closer to the next one,
So make them all count
and keep having fun!
Life is a stage with action and lights,
Keep SHUFFLING ON
from mornings through the nights!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

PERSPECTIVE through many STAGES!

"You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing"
-Arthur Ash


"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
-Dr. Wayne Dyer


"ABILITY -is what you are capable of doing.
MOTIVATION- Determines what you do.
ATTITUDE- Determines how well you do it."
- Author Unknown



A Back STAGE photo from last season's DANCE RECITAL
with my precious grand daughter, MARIAH.
This widens the circle of dance for me and puts my life into
full PERSPECTIVE! 


A special memory of my daughter JANA, and me
giving our PERSPECTIVE at a dance competition
in Kindersley last April.
This weekend JANA and I will be giving our
PERSPECTIVES again at Dance Competitions.
She will be adjudicating in BIGGAR
and I will be in MOOSE JAW!


I am with Dance Teacher sisters, NADINE and NICOLE.
We were asked by BRENDA from BSOBAD
 to come and give our PERSPECTIVE
and some constructive comments
 on her solo/duo show last Friday night.
(Nadine taught ballet at my studio for 4 years  and
Nicole is not only a dance teacher,
she teaches at Goodlife Gym, too
and is one of the SH'BAM instructors!)


Some of the dance family I belong to!
Here we are celebrating a belated birthday lunch for BRENDA!
Today they are off to a competition in Sherwood Park, Alberta. 


A look of admiration between
my hubby, Brian and my grandson, Beau...
shots like this give my life perspective on
the simple things in life that make it all worthwhile! 


My grandkids Beau and Mariah enjoying the sunshine
in our backyard here on sunday.
SUNSHINE makes us all have a happy perspective on life! 


Enjoying our first meal on the deck of this season here on Sunday.
Family always keeps me grounded
and gives me a grateful perspective. 


My" OVER THE TOP STICKER" file!
I have earned myself a reputation of being the
"STICKER QUEEN"
when ever I go to adjudicate a dance festival or competition.
I take this with me and try to match the stickers to the dances I judge.
It helps gives me a FUN PERSPECTIVE on the job...
and hopefully brings
FUN REWARDS to the dancers who receive them, too!


Today I am off to adjudicate
a dance festival in Moose Jaw.
I am always honored to be
asked to share my
"PERSPECTIVE" on things!

I have adjudicated many many
times over the past 20 or 30 years.
I think I have become more efficient at it,
too, in that over time
I have really been on
all sides of the STAGE!

I have gone from being a competitive dancer growing up, to working for a competitive studio in my teens, to opening and running my own studio for 28 successful years.
 I taught and trained dancers, and lots went on to professional dance careers,
including my daughter, Jana.
I successfully put students through
many dance exams, dance competitions,
and festivals along the journey.
Really it is all about
the JOURNEY along the way!


When I closed my own studio in 2002,
I became the Tap director for BSOBAD
in the city and worked for my good dance friend, BRENDA.
In addition I have taught many
workshops and dance summer schools over my years in the business.

All sides of the STAGE have been fun for me. Now one of the most recent STAGES is being the proud grandma of Mariah in her early STAGES of DANCING.
She is currently in a little combo class
and one day I hope she will be off to competition too!

So many things in my life have
revolved around my life as a DANCER!
Being in the dance world always puts a great PERSPECTIVE on all things in life.

I practice my judging skills weekly as I watch the reality shows on TV such as
"American Idol", "Dancing With The Stars",
and "The Voice".
I even have an ongoing book that I give them marks in to keep track of how my PERSPECTIVES stack up against
the voting public of America!

This week is international DANCE WEEK...
and Friday is International Dance Day.
So what better way to spend it than by giving my PERSPECTIVE on some of the little upcoming talents at a dance festival!

Today I am thinking of my mom.
It is exactly one year and a half
since she passed away.
She always DANCES on in my heart.
She was always my biggest
FAN and supporter
in my dance career.

Tomorrow is my nephew JEFF's Birthday,
so I am sending him some
warm wishes in this blog!

"You can dance anywhere,
even if only in your heart."
-Author Unknown


So on that quote...
My rhyme of the day,
to help put things into PERSPECTIVE!

I'm always honored to be asked
to share my perspective,
I TAP into the comments,
I hope to be effective.
I also bring my stickers
to add sparkle and pizzazz.
To every single paper,
whether TAP, BALLET or JAZZ!
I feel I have something to offer
as I've been through many ages...
And I have had experience
on many sides of STAGES!
So as I share my expertise
with generations to come,
I hope to be real helpful
and not to sound too dumb!
I just never stop learning,
it keeps me wanting more,
And DANCING lives inside my heart
and earns a great big score!
My PERSPECTIVE tells me
it's also about making new friends,
And truly festivals come and go,
but the JOURNEY never ends!





Sunday, April 22, 2012

GRANDKIDS make me SMiLE!

"Grandchildren are God's way of 
compensating us for growing old."
-Mary H. Waldrip


"A child's smile is one of 
life's greatest blessings."
-Author Unknown


"Smile, it is the key that fits 
the lock of everybody's heart."
-Anthony J. D'Angelo



Last night with my 2 grandkids
squeaky clean after their baths! 


Brian this morning with the kids eating chips for breakfast!
... no rules at GRAMMIE D'S! 


PINK popsicles! 

A little quick visit from my niece Rowen
... I think Beau was wanting a bit more space! 


Supper last night at Boston Pizza
BEAU saying "CHEE"! 

Another popsicle... this one for breakfast!


Brian and Mariah walking Shuffle
 toward the park this morning. 


Mariah excited to be at the park...
bravely trying the monkey bars! 


BEAU on the slide at
Lakeview park this morning. 


Mariah loves to write with sidewalk chalk! 


Beau having a little driveway picnic with his
leftover BUGS N'CHEESE from BP! 

Enjoying the SUNSHINE on the deck on this fine EARTH DAY!


Mariah enjoying her new book on the deck in the sun!

HAPPY EARTH DAY everyone!
...and what a beautiful sunny day
it is here, too!

I had my two grandkids here for a wee sleepover last night, which always adds SUNSHINE and SMILES to my life!

We spent much of this
morning out in the sun both
at the neighborhood park
and in our front and back yards.
The kids love to be outside!

The weather definitely got nicer
out from the very cold weather
we experienced on Friday.

There is never a dull moment
when I have the kids here,
from movies, to crafts to snacks,
to stories and songs, to general fun and games... it is non stop activity from
arrival till when they go home.

The grandkids will be back
later again too as we
have a barbeque supper.
We might even eat outside... yippee!

I have had a busy few days with going to the gym, and birthday events, along with being asked by BSOBAD owner, BRENDA,
to come and critique her
solos and duos before they head
to competition next week.

I felt honored to watch the kids
strutt their stuff on Friday night
while I wrote a little paper for each number.
This is like a warm up for me before
heading to Moose Jaw next weekend to adjudicate a dance festival there.

I like to share my comments
and perspective on dance
when ever asked...
and always feel honored to be asked.

I have been enjoying the new SH'BAM
class at goodlife gym lately, too.
It is kind of like dancing but
it is fitness, too... all good!
I have enjoyed a few coffee outings
with my gym friend, Ella lately as well.

I received shocking and sad news of a
Dance Teacher friend losing her husband suddenly this weekend.
He passed away just as my dad
did 12 years ago, to a brain aneurism.
Nothing can prepare a person
for that kind of death.
This always comes as a reminder
to cherish all things and people who are important in my life, everyday.
It certainly makes me realize
there is no  rhyme or reason to
when a person's time on earth is over.

My heart goes out to DEBBIE
along with the FOLEY FAMILY...
my thoughts and prayers are
with them at this very sad
time in their life.

So on that note...
my RHYME of the day,
this fine EARTH DAY!

There is nothing I can say
that is better on this EARTH,
Than having two sweet grandkids,
and all that they are worth!
They really do know how to tire me out
when here for a while,
But I can honestly say this much...
They ALWAYS MAKE ME SMILE!
Singing little happy songs
and going to the park...
Staying up at sleepovers...
until way after dark!
They help to keep me feeling young,
as I do grow old,
And give us all some memories
to be shared and later told!
Grandkids truly are a gift...
that truly keeps on giving,
And I am ever grateful,
'cause they make my life worth living!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Impromptu FUN!

"Fun is good."
-Dr. Seuss


"Our days are happier when we give people 
a piece of our heart rather than 
a piece of our mind"
- Author Unknown


"Each day comes bearing it's own gifts... 
Untie the ribbons!"
-Ruth Ann Schabacker



A moment in time... very impromtu...
and ever so SPECIAL!
At my father-in-law, GREG'S
87th BIRTHDAY yesterday
Beau went to give his great grandpa a kiss!
The sun shining through the window
adds a visual effect to the photo...
This is the oldest member and
youngest member of the family
sharing a moment...
This spells LOVE!


Mariah with a special Birthday hug
 for her Great Grandpa Greg.
(This is Greg's first GREAT GRAND CHILD)
another SPECIAL moment!


A very sweet impromptu little photo of a hug
shared by Mariah and her great Grandma Blanche...
Memories like these just make my heart SMILE!


Who doesn't love a CUPCAKE! 


Greg and his oldest Grand daughter, Jana,
Sharing some LOVE...
and another impromptu photo opportunity! 


Beau sitting on Great Grandma Blanche's walker
eating a cupcake!
This impromtu photo also says so much
about the generations of LOVE we share in the family. 


My friend LINDA from Lanigan made an impromptu little trip
to the city to pick up a computer that was being serviced.
No trip here is complete without a little stop at STARBUCKS!
... and we get a photo of that every time,
even when we have to take it ourselves!
I love impromptu days like this!


Another IMPROMPTU moment yesterday
was running into my neighbor, HEATHER,
 infront of Winner's.
I was able to introduce my two friends,
who had never met...
then we had time for a wee shop inside, too!
(Linda was very successful with her impromptu shop,
purchasing a top, a dress and a new purse)


An Impromptu CELEBRATION for
my DANCE BUDDY, BRENDA,
who celebrated her Birthday on Tuesday.
I believe we will do a studio celebration later,
but we fit in a quick  panini and latte on her actual day!


An impromptu little TAP CLASS!
 I was asked by former student, LLOANNE (on the Left),
to come and share some TAPPINESS
with her 3 little tappers she teaches,
above
JOAH,  ESTHER and Lloane's daughter, GRACE.


A very IMPROMPTU photo
of a building that holds a special spot in my heart!
I spent 20 years of my life on the 3rd floor
of this building teaching dance...
Yes this is the Canadian Linen Supply Building,
where I got my start with
"Diane Will Dance Studio."
I was at a stop light at this corner Tuesday and
snapped a quick photo out my window!


An impromptu photo that Jana
texted to me the other day...
I cannot believe how fast
my GRANDSON, BEAU
is growing  up,
and what a handsome dude he is! 


I love an impromptu chance to
craft a card, write a poem and wrap a gift. 


Amongst the impromptu FUN this week...
was updating the dance studio bulletin boards at
 BRENDA'S SCHOOL OF BATON AND DANCE!
(BSOBAD)
I took down EASTER... and put up SPRING,
soon we will watch the
BLOSSOMING TALENTS
BLOOM!


The building where BSOBAD dances...
(Albert Community Centre)
an impromptu photo of Mariah and two little dance friends
after her Wednesday class, April 4th.
These will be some of the BLOSSOMING TALENTS
in this year's year end show
 to be held May 26th.


Right now I am having my
morning coffee out of my
white cup with the red polka dots
that states this inside...
"WHOEVER SMILES FIRST WINS"

I have had a very IMPROMPTU
week of events so far,
thus the title for today's blog.

The pictures above fill
you in on some of the FUN I have had!

Tuesday morning I went for my
TWO CLASS "TWOSDAY"
at GOODLIFE GYM....
but following my Body Vive class,
I chose to not stay for
Body Flow as I often do.
I found out the launch of a new
highly anticipated class
called "SH'BAM"
was to begin in the evening Tuesday,
so I decided to do that instead.
It was a fun class, too,
well attended and very high energy!

I shared some TAPPINESS with
some young budding tappers
Tuesday, too. I had quite an
IMPROMPTU "tour" of the
west end on my way as well...
and on my way back home, following,
I passed by my old studio building
and had an IMPROMPTU
flashback to a flood
of memories from the days spent there!

I was delighted to squeeze in a
wee bit of time with my busy Dance teacher friend, Brenda on her birthday, Tuesday.
I love a little IMPROMPTU
Starbucks moment when ever it pops up!

Yesterday
was a day of IMPROMPTU FUN
from start to finish.
My friend, Linda, informed me
via Facebook in the morning
that she had to come to the city.
We also enjoy a STARBUCKS opportunity,
together whenever we get that chance!
She squeezed in a bit
of shopping time... where we ran into my neighbor Heather, too.

We celebrated my father-in-law,
GREG'S 87th BIRTHDAY
yesterday by going for
cupcakes and ice cream cake!
It was another reminder to me
of how lucky I am to have
four generations of family
around me to CHERISH and LOVE!

Although my own dad is now in Heaven,
I am ever so grateful my wonderful
father-in-law is still with us.
He is such a warm and kind man,
who shares his pride and love
always... paving the way
for generations to come.

I LOVE any opportunities
I get to craft, write and create
and be with family and friends sharing IMPROMPTU FUN!

I also enjoyed all my TV shows
this week, and ever am grateful for PVR
to tape them and watch later avoiding
the commercials!
I think American Idol is especially
good this year, and am wondering
who will be going home
after last night's vote!

I am off to do more gym classes today...
and likely more IMPROMPTU FUN!

So on that note...

Doing things that are unplanned
is often the one...
That brings on the most
IMPROMPTU kind of FUN!
I'm often very side tracked,
so it is no surprise,
That doing things impromptu,
is like a small disguise!
I like when things come along
and pop up with no prep,
I just enjoy the moment...
and take it step by step!
Little celebrations are always fun...
whether big or small,
I "TAP" into the moment...
and I just enjoy it all!