TaPpiNeSs brings HaPpiNeSs!

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born."
-Dale Turner

"Dance is like DREAMING with your feet."
-Author Unknown

...and for me that means 
"TAPPING" with my feet!

Here is a "HAPPiNESS/TAPPiNESS" photo turned into a
Thank You card for my Dance teacher friend, KRISTY.
The card has me along with my assistant , KELLY,
in our Tappiness shirts and Tap shoes! 

Here are Kristy and her mom, Wendy, with me at her
SUMMER FUSION DANCE INTENSIVE 2012
dance camp.
I love all the quotes on her studio walls! 

Here is Kristy in her front waiting area of her studio,
with her adorable 2 sons, Tyce and Cole. 

Another picture another quote!
Jazz/contemp/Musical Theatre teacher ... Gillian is in this one
with Kristy, Kelly and me...
we were doing this tiny tot squat pose so
we could read the quote!!!

The Jr. Tap class with Kelly...
check out all the super star splits!!! 

The intermediate Tap class "TOAD-ALLY" Rocking On! 

I taught my "SATIN DOLL" tribute to my parents...
to this group of Sr. Tappers!
 

Hip Hop teacher, Vince, Ballet teacher,  Christina
and Jazz, etc. teacher, Gillian.
The sign behind them got cut off... but it still reads...
"It's about Dance in!"

My old shoes on the left above are "TAPPED OUT" ...
so I borrowed a pair on the right!
Those ones from a former student, Courtney,
still have stickers on the bottom from her tapping
with me as her teacher!
I was grateful for those these last few days,
they brought me such TAPPiNESS!

Many many TAPPiNESS notes from my years gone by.
I felt like I was studying for an exam leading up to this dance camp
 in prep for my little teaching stint.
It has been a while since I taught something like this...
I'm glad I hang on to all my notes.

My cute little doggie, named after the TAP step, "SHUFFLE",
 this morning had to go to the vet.
She has a little case of Kennel cough,
so we are keeping her Calm and SHUFFLING on...
as the T-shirt states... here shown with her two bottles of meds.

Whether you are a first time blog reader or one who pops in from time to time... I just want to say THANKS for TAPPING by!


I have just completed a 4 day dance camp where I was extremely honored to be invited to teach the TAP at Kristy's Dance Fusion here in the city. She had so much to offer her students at the intensive... as well as the Tap I taught, classes were given in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Conditioning, Nutrition, Injury Prevention and Body Alignment.She had an amazing teaching staff for the intensive, and I just came from the showcase where they showed a demo of all the little combos they learned. I was very impressed with all the material they learned in only 4 days.

Teaching after being on a break from it, certainly renewed my enthusiasm for my passion of dancing... and especially of TAP!  She had a great group of students in 3 different levels taking everything. Her studio was such a beautiful facility to teach in with many inspiring dance quotes featured on many of her studio room walls.

It was like studying for an exam leading up to the intensive when I got out lots of my old notes to review what I might be teaching. I was ever grateful to have the assistance of former student Kelly Woodley helping me with the Tap classes. He has gone on to become a teacher now too and is very keen. For us it was a bit of a blast from the past!

This week was a reminder how fun it is to be around people who share the same interest and hear their take on it. I enjoyed my teaching  and the whole summer school, however, am feeling relieved that it is now behind me. 

Tappiness will always bring me Happiness... 
But I am glad I am no longer a full time dance teacher any more!

           I love the quote as you enter 
             Kristy's studio which states...
         
           "It's more than just DANCE... 
          it's about developing qualities 
           every child needs to succeed."

     On that note... my rhyme of the day...

It truly isn't all by chance,
That I'll always LOVE to DANCE.
Whether in slippers or in TAP SHOES,
It's all about the dance I choose..
It brings me smiles and HAPPiNESS,
When my feet do TAPPiNESS!
When I'm lost in the SHUFFLE...
I don't get in a FLAP!
Just try my best, 
then give myself a clap!
Really from the very start...
It's all about the piece of heart,
That I leave out on the floor...
TAPPING into what I adore!
Sharing my passion with each friend,
TAPPiNG until the very end.

"TAPPiNG" into SPECiAL MEMORiES

"Memories are the key not to the past, 
but to the future."
-Corrie Ten Boom

"Keep all special thoughts and memories for lifetimes to come. Share these keepsakes with others to inspire hope and build from the past, which can bridge the future."
-Mattie Stepanek

"Music is a way we can tap into that power. that is why we feel music with our whole being."
-A. Robbins and C. Madanes

Here are my parents 63 years ago today
on their WEDDING DAY.
Today they will be celebrating
 together in HEAVEN!

A more recent pic of my mom and dad.
I am sure thinking of them today
on a day they will
be dancing to their song
"SATIN DOLL"

Today I am certainly thinking of my parents
on what would be their 
63rd Wedding Anniversary.

For as long as I can remember their very favorite song has been the Duke Ellington classic, "SATIN DOLL". It was played at both of their funerals, too, as a grand farewell song.

I am not sure why, but I never ever got around to choreographing anything to that song. So it was my mission to do so one day even with them gone. It seemed appropriate to do that in sync with their anniversary.

On this past sunday night I looked up Satin Doll on itunes and there are nearly 1200 versions there! I remember doing this last year around this time of year and being overwhelmed to the point of not even trying 
to find a version to tap to. 
However this year I followed through 
with my mission!
I ended up buying 7 different versions and picking one to create a tap combo to.

I then tried to video tape myself in my basement from behind into a mirror. 
That did not turn out well... 
infact it was kind of a "BUMMER!"... 
which goes with my new name 
that Beau calls me(BUMMA!). 
The video only picked up images of my rear end and the sound of taps and 
the music in the background.

My next attempt of video taping was on Wednesday at the dance studio when my cousin Gwen came to tape me 
doing my combo on my camera. 
She recorded it twice, but when I got home 
and watched it, the sound and actions 
did not play back in sync!

So I then attempted one more time to video 
the combo I created to SATIN DOLL in mom and dad's honor, yesterday at the dance studio, this time on a different camera, sitting on the studio stairs! Again I recorded it 2 times... and they turned out the best of all my attempts.

It is almost a shame I waited until 
mom and dad were no longer living 
and until my tapping skills were not as strong 
to do this... but as the saying goes...
Better late than never!

I am glad I have made an attempt to dance to their song...and I believe they watched it from HEAVEN, too... so for mom and dad...
TAPPY ANNIVERSARY today!

This has been a rather eventful week for me as I have been "TAPPING" into preparations for a summer school I will be teaching next week in the city. I will be doing the TAP classes at KRISTY'S DANCE FUSION, 
which is a local studio, 
at her 4 day dance camp.

I am both nervous and excited to TAP into one of my passions once again, and even though I have been away from the teaching for a bit, it will be a fun MEMORY for me.

The studio I am involved with, BSOBAD, has their fall registration next week, too. My job there the past 4 years has not been teaching, but in creating their bulletin boards... 
which are all big and somewhat like doing large scrapbooking pages! 
I did TAP into some of that 
creativity yesterday, as well.
I love themes, and got back into one we have used before... "FROGS".
It was a "TOAD"-ally un "FROG"-ettable one
for sure! I've continued to include "BEES"
because they go so well with the studio name "B"SOBAD!... 
So much fun, so many memories.

I enjoyed a visit with my cousin, David and his wife, Elena over a nice supper this week, and had a visit with my cousin Gwen, too.

I also did some babysitting of my darling grandkids. So really this week I have been TAPPING into many kinds of memories...
old and new!

Another TAPPING memory,
 Yesterday would have been GENE KELLY's 100th birthday had he still been alive.
He was my all time favorite dancer and certainly a wonderful inspiration to my passion for TAP!
So I took some time to watch a few of his greatest TAP numbers on youtube yesterday.

The rest of these photos will tie my week together... enjoy!

My cousin Gwen when she came to the dance studio
 to video tape me on Wednesday.
Co-incidentally the photo behind us has Mariah in it, too!

My miss-matched Tap Shoes on the patio table,
I went from a little "TAP-iccino"...
 to a FRAPICCINO... from Starbucks! 

Supper wednesday night with Brian and my cousin, David and his wife Elena,
when they were passing through Saskatoon from
where they live in Ontario on route to the coast to visit more relatives.

One of the Bulletin Boards at BSOBAD with a mix of
 BEES and FROGS and PHOTOS, and
celebrations since the year end show last May!

Mariah when I babysat her on Monday...
TAPPING into a little pose in her new skirt and hat.
She is looking so grown up all of a sudden. 

Beau when he was here last weekend...
stopped long enough for a quick pose for his "BUMMA"
He is all boy...and so cute!

The kids out on the teeter totter on Sunday when they came for supper.
This rusted old swing set has provided many fun memories! 

This is a T-Shirt I have...
I love the saying on it...

After a little 4 year break from teaching
 I will defintely be following this advice...
and I will KEEP CALM and SHUFFLE ON!


HAPPY TAPPY ANNIVERSARY
today to MOM and DAD!

Mom's only living sister, Phyllis, also got married to my Uncle Grant on this date in 1946.

On that note a TRIBUTE to my parents...

Today's a very special day...
And I'm TAPPING into it
in a special way!
On this date in 1949...
My parents were married,
and on a day so fine.
I have memories that go way beyond...
Of these loving people, whom I am so fond.
They paved the way in my life for me,
They set an example as loving as can be.
While they were here,
I didn't thank them enough...
For all that they did... and all of the stuff!
I am so grateful for all that they shared,
I always knew in my heart how they cared.
Their love of music
and the song SATIN DOLL,
Were but a few of the things, big and small.
They shared their love with me of DANCE,
So truly it wasn't at all by chance,
That I would go on to just love it too,
But most of all I love them both
through and through!
So on this day,  I'm blowing kisses up above,
And I can just feel the warmth
of their LOVE.
I share my wishes in TAPPiNESS...
I know they're together so that brings me HAPPiNESS.
They really truly were the very best...
As parents go...
I was sure very BLESSED!

SPECiAL Little HAPPiNESS MOMENTS!

"I'd rather have a moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."
-Author unknown

"This moment is a seed from which the flowers of tomorrow's happiness grow."
-Margaret Lindsey

"Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present."
-Jim Rohn

A special moment yesterday when Mariah crafted a little
card for her brother, while Beau stickered up his sippy cup!
I wish I had captured their little conversation on Video...
Mariah giving Beau the card by saying
"HERE BUDDY A LITTLE CARD I MADE FOR YOU! "
and Beau's response was so adorable in his own little
"BEAU-EMIAN" language of his...
"TANK -EW RIAH"!

A SPECIAL delivery of some lovely flowers came here
on Wednesday morning, from our good friend STEVE
who visited here a week ago and stayed with us.
Very nice little token of appreciation from him.

A SPECIAL little "LATTE" outing with our friends
DALE and MILDRED
 Tuesday evening.
Nice remembering Dear Auntie Frances that day, too.


 

My brother Brian is always great about offering to cut our lawn.
I know my hubby is grateful every time he comes, too,
it brings him happiness to not have to do it himself!
Brian also brought us some delicious beans and a tomato
 from his garden that day, too... yummy and special. 

A very Special moment in time here...
when I took Mariah up to visit my dear Uncle Charlie
who is having some tests done in the hospital.  
Both were in cheerful spirits as Mariah
shared her special Disney book with him!

Yesterday a little walk down to the neighborhood park with
the grandkids when we babysat them.
Every time they are with us is super special! 

A picture of my special grandkiddies
almost at the park yesterday! 

Beau climbing up the ladder over and over to go down the slide.
He always said...
"ARE YOU TUMMING?" 

Mariah enjoying the monkey bars yesterday at the park!

Beau looking tired and hungry here at Boston Pizza.
Both he and Mariah worked up big appetites at the park earlier
and each of them finished their full orders of their favorite meal there called
BUGS ' N' CHESSE!

Mariah wanted to take her own picture at Boston Pizza...
not bad for a self taken portrait! 

Beau is even cute when he is crabby!
Here he is after his nap yesterday,
 ready to eat a chocolate car rapped in tin foil...
he loves his "CHOCK-IT!" 

My niece, Rowen and Mariah last night at a new
SPECIAL place in Market Mall called "CRAVE"
IT is a frozen yogurt place kind of like
 PURE!

Mariah enjoying the car ride in Market Mall last night.
Won't be too long and she will have outgrown these little kiddie rides. 

Here is my special PRINCESS this morning
after a little sleepover on our way to get more stickers at Dollarama! 

A cute pic of the grandkids when we popped by for a visit on Wednesday night.
 When we left their house Beau was on the other side of these rails
and gave me a little kiss or "TISS" as he calls it, though each space!!!
Moments like these are all so SPECIAL!!!!!


I have had another busy week of many little SPECIAL moments of HAPPiNESS!

Sunday night I messaged my good friend Joan to see if she would like to join me for some frozen yogurt at PURE and she did. I hadn't seen her all summer so it was fun catching up with her.

Monday night I joined another friend I hadn't seen in a while, Gailene, and we went to a show down on the riverbank called
DANCE on the SASKATCHEWAN...
also a fun experience.

Tuesday night we joined our dear friends, DALE and MILDRED for a latte at
MYSTIC JAVA.
It has been almost a year since we last met up with them, so we also had a wonderful visit.

Wednesday night we stopped by Nels and Jana's house to see them and their kids after their return from their little lake vacay.
As always we loved another chance to see the grandkiddies...and they were all full of life and so sun kissed!

Thursday I took Mariah for a special visit at the hospital to see my Uncle Charlie who is in getting some tests done now.
They had such a sweet rapore with each other... it was a special moment in time for sure!

Yesterday, Nels brought us the two grandkids for a day of fun and babysitting. Jana is in Vancouver now at a shoe show, so we are helping Nels out a bit. Mariah talked me into a sleepover, too! We had our niece Rowen over to help entertain Mariah last night as well... I always love when she pops by to help when my energy runs out!!!!!!

Little Miss "I'm Not Tired Yet"... wore her grammie D out... by staying up way later then our bed time... but it is a special moment in time none the less... one I will always cherish!

This morning she wanted to go shopping at Dollarama for some more stickers...not like I am short of those, but she had some SPECIAL ones in mind!!! Then I delivered her back to her daddy.

Brian and I enjoyed a nice walk around the Farmer's Market then and purchased some rather expensive but delicious looking veggies and fruit this morning! It is always something special and fun to do on a sunny saturday morning.

Yesterday was my flower girl's birthday... hard to believe she was only 3 then!!!!
And today my cousin Pat and hubby Dennis are celebrating a wedding anniversary... so celebrations continue...
all containing 
SPECiAL little HAPPiNESS MOMENTS!

on that note... the rhyme of the day...

Life is really filled with
special little times,
Many little songs and dances,
and many little rhymes!
So many special people,
places and also things,
There are so many memories
that each photo brings.
I like to capture each moment as
it passes by,
I hope it helps remember them,
or even maybe try!
Because later on
when this time is gone...
I'll have some memories
for them to live on!

Cherished Aunts & Uncles

"An aunt is someone special to remember with warmth, think of with pride and cherish with love."
-Author Unknown

"An uncle is a joy to remember all your whole life through."
- Author Unknown

"Families are tied together with heartstrings."
-Author Unknown 

My very dear Auntie Frances...
whom I referred to as "AUNTIE FRANKIE"
all my life.
Here she stands in front of the main branch of the Library in Saskatoon,
which is named after her.
This photo taken long ago was the one on her obituary card.

She joined the fleet of Angels above one year ago today,
but will be CHERISHED forever.

10 days ago these special people celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
This photo of my dear AUNTIE MARY and UNCLE CHARLIE
was taken of us on January 1, 2012 .
Uncle Charlie (my dad's brother) is my only living uncle now.

Mom's siblings taken at a special event long ago...
Jean, Phyllis, Bob, Frances, and mom!

Only Auntie Phyllis (who lives in Victoria) is alive still. 

The only picture I could find of dad with his siblings taken in 1990
at their dad(my grandpa's 99th birthday) ... he went on to have a 100th one as well!

Grandpa in front and his kids...
Betty, Charlie, Ruth, and my dad!

All of these people are still alive except my dad and grandpa.

A sweet picture of my cousins, Bev, Eileen, and Gwen...
with dear Auntie Mary and Auntie Ruth sandwiched in the middle!
This was taken in October of 2006 at Auntie Mary and Uncle Charlie's house,
where I have so many memories from my life growing up.

A cute pic of my daughter, Jana(as a blonde here!!!),
with mom's sister, Phyllis and sister-in-law, Betty, who both live at the coast.
This was taken in the fall of 2008.
Both of these aunties are still living. ..
and Auntie Phyllis sends out a weekly email every week!

A photo of me with my dad's youngest sister, Betty, from Chicago.
This was taken in the summer of 2007
at one of the many family gatherings we had then.
I still get lots u of updates and emails from this auntie!

A special photo of me with my Auntie Frankie
on her final Christmas of 2010. 

A very cherished memory of me with my Auntie Jean
celebrating her 95th birthday.
February, 2011.
She passed away months later. 

My 2 sweet nieces here  a couple weeks ago.
They call me AUNTIE!
I cherish the time I can spend with
Rowen , age 12 and Emily age 15.
I am also proud to be called auntie by my 6 nephews as well!


Today I decided to dedicate my blog to
AUNTS and UNCLES! 


All of my aunts and uncles were married,
giving me 7 Aunts and 7 Uncles. One uncle I never met as he passed away before I born. The rest of my aunts and uncles I have so many fond memories of .


One year ago my dear Auntie Frankie passed away, so today it seemed appropriate to write a tribute to all my aunts and uncles.


On my dad's side of the family
there is...
RUTH and Dave
CHARLIE and Mary
BETTY and Rudy.
Out of those 6... 4 are still living.

On mom's side of the family
there is...
JEAN and Allan
FRANCES and Harvey
PHYLLIS and Grant
BOB and Betty
Out of those 8...2 are still living.


The only living aunt and uncle from Saskatoon are Auntie Mary and Uncle Charlie...
in fact Charlie is my only living uncle now.
I shared so many treasured and cherished memories with them growing up. Uncle Charlie gave the toast to the bride at my wedding. He was always the family clown... and was the entertainer at many family events keeping us all in stitches with his wonderful humor!
Auntie Mary was born in Scotland and to this day still  has her sweet little Scottish accent. She is such a sweet and kind lady with such a warm smile. I have lots of many cherished memories of time spent with them at their home growing up.


I have lots of fun stories of lots of my Aunts and Uncles and many of them revolve around family gatherings we shared growing up.


I think of BLUE BIRDS when I think of my dad's oldest sister, Ruth... she always loved them... she is like a sweet bird, too!


My Auntie Bettys... are both both sharp bright ladies... I look up to them both and hope  to be as with it when I am their age.


My Auntie Jean was an inspiration to me with her musical talents... she was a lady who was always so proper and yet had a great sense of charm and wit.


My auntie Phyllis is a real charmer... quite a marvel as well still sending weekly emails at the age of 89. She too has such a fun sense of humor, and loves life!


Frances was such a well respected lady and admired by many. Although she was very modest always... she was an inspiration to many with all she did in the library world.


Because most of my uncles did not live here, I didn't get to know them all as well, but have nothing but fond and cherished  memories of all of them. Some of them left this world long ago.


I am delighted to now be called auntie
by my 6 nephews,
Brad, Jeff, Sam, Luke, Alec, and Maxwell.
I also enjoy the time I can spend with my 2 nieces as well, Emily and Rowen.


I only hope I am as important in the lives of my nieces and nephews as my
Aunts and Uncles have been in my life.


I am reminded daily how lucky I am in my life to have had the influence of such loving people, from my family to my friends... I am truly blessed for sure. Everyone plays such an important role in my life.


I have missed my grandkids, Mariah and Beau this past week as they have been on a little family holiday at Waskesiu. Last summer we were there with them to share in the fun.
They return later today and I am sure I will have lots of fun things to share from their trip in my next blog!

on that note...
 my rhyme of the day...

I feel lucky and oh so blessed,
When it comes to family, mine is the best.
I had 7 aunts and 7 uncles, too...
And though some are gone,
I will remember them through...
The many memories all through the years.
I have very many of all of those dears!
Family is what threads us all together,
Whether in sunny or in stormy weather.
The things they shared with me along the way,
Are cherished and held in my heart to stay.
Aunts and Uncles will truly always be,
Very precious and so special to me.
I feel the times times I've been able to share,
Will remain in my heart, and always be there.
Now I am happy to be called AUNTIE, too!
I cherish the fun  with the things I can do.

"FOOD"-TOGRAPHY!

"Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul."
-Dorothy Day

"Anything is good if it is made of chocolate."
-Jo Brand

"If music be the food of love, play on."
-Shakespeare

Here is a mixture of FOOD-TOGRAPHY!
Top left... a pita and frozen yogurt,
top right...perogies and cabbage rolls from Berry Barn
bottom left...chocolate chip cookies for my Aunt and Uncle on their 67th Anniverary
bottom right...a yummy barbequed cheese burger, and bean salad on the deck! 

These little chocolate cars which I added to Beau's Birthday cupcakes
last weekend were a very big hit with BEAU! 

A tasty Vegetarian Lunch yesterday.
Beans from my brother's garden, corn on the cob and a salad 

Breakfast on the patio this morning at Fuddrucker's 

Appies on the rooftop of Athena Restaurant Thursday night. 

A Starbucks lunch with my friend Lynne last week! 

The "LITEHOUSE" pizza at Rock Creek Tap and Grill
on their patio last week! 

Brian's burger at the Rock Creek grill. 

Cakes in the window of a little cake store in Montreal
the store was called "D'Lish!" 

Bagel and lox while enjoying outdoor free jazz in Montreal. 

Yummy Mexican supper at Colin's on his deck in Montreal 

Frozen yogurt from PURE... a favorite treat in the summer! 

Chocolate chip Banana muffins...
(or FUFFINS as Beau calls them!) 

Refreshing MELON snack on our deck 

Cupcakes!
These ones were from Mariah's birthday with family back in May.


Today I decided to do a
 "FOOD"-TASTIC theme for my blog...
For those of you who pop by from time to time, you will know that most of my blog posts revolve around themes which include many photos of my adorable grandkids... however they have been at the lake this past week, so therefore I have no new updated photos to add of them. I decided this FOOD related theme might be a fun one instead!

I often snap photos of food we are having at meals and or snacks, but those photos never make the blogs as they are outnumbered by grandkid pics. Today is all about those many pictures I have taken to share what a
TASTY SUMMER it has been around here!

I looked up songs about food, too to find a sight with 525 titles of "FOOD" related songs such as
"ANIMAL CRACKERS",
"FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD",
"BREAD & BUTTER"...
and many more!

I do find food in the summer always tastes the very best when enjoyed in the sunshine on a deck or patio outdoors.
And who doesn't love a picnic???!

Those of you who know me, will also know how I like to document my life, so it is not a surprise I was able to find many photos of food alone!
I always figure it is good to 
capture the moment... because we will never get that one again... it is 
FOOD for THOUGHT!!!!

Brian and I were discussing how nice this summer has been while we shared our tasty breakfast on the patio of Fuddruckers this morning. We also shared how much 
we miss our little grandkids 
Mariah and Beau while they are away.

I have eaten more than I need over the past while... food just tastes like "more"
always in the summer! Soon I will need to get back to my WEIGHT WATCHER PROGRAM, though and get back on track with healthier choices before all the TASTES of summer catch up to my waist line!

I am teaching a little TAP at a
summer school in the end of the month,
so hopefully that will help me burn off some of the EXTRAS I have eaten lately...
On that note, 
time to TAP into my poem of the day...

"FOOD- TASTIC!"
When it comes to food,
I'm always in the mood,
And I sure do love pretty much
every kind of food!
From chocolate,
to coffee topped off with fluff,
To healthy and junky...
and all kinds of stuff!
Good for the waist line
can be really good...
But I don't eat as much of that
as I should!
Variety they say...
is really the key,
And if that is the case,
that can really suit me!
Because I like a lot
if it's hot or it's cold...
I like it mild and
sometimes real bold.
Ice cream, cookies and sundaes
are yummy...
But if I eat too many,
They sure add to my tummy!
Soon I will have to get
right back on track,
To eating more healthy,
and give junk food the slack!
Food is what keeps
me all fueled up...
With whatever I eat
and drink from my cup!