"FALL" in Love ... "TAP" into your Passions!

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, all with the same person."


-Mignon McLaughlin

"Only passions, great passions 
can elevate the soul to great things."
-Albert Didero

"There is harmony in autumn, and a luster in it's sky, which through summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been."
-Percy Bysshe Shelley

I met my hubby, Brian, on September 27th, in 1973.
This photo is taken on September 27th, 2012... (39 years later).
We try to remember this date each year and celebrate it.
Here we are at the KEG for a nice evening out together. 

Brian and Shuffle yesterday out for a beautiful FALL walk.
I LOVE when the leaves change color,
and the weather is lovely and warm. ..
SHUFFLE LOVES to go for a walk!

We ran into my friend, Cathy along the walk so even managed
 to get her to take a pic of the two of us with  our dog, Shuffle,
on yesterday's lovely FALL walk by the lake in the park. 

Here is SHUFFLE on our deck yesterday enjoying the nice FALL weather.
We got our doggie 4 years ago in September...
and we are very in love and passionate about her.  

A little glimpse into our back yard yesterday
with the FALL colors...and yet
some flowers still in full bloom ! 

Yesterday we picked up Mariah for lunch, and her mommy joined us, too.
Mariah usually picks Boston Pizza but changed her mind yesterday and chose McDonald's!
We LOVE all the time we can spend with her... she is growing up so fast. 

Following the McDonald's lunch yesterday we stopped by Dutch Growers.
Another beautiful place to go at this time of year.
 I fell in LOVE with a very cute
Halloween Pumpkin wearing a black polka dot witch hat, and bought it!

Here is the adorable pumpkin... which we can burn a tea lite candle in later. 

Something else I'm PASSIONATE about... is this great scent called
 "FALLING IN LOVE"
... (so 'Theme' appropriate!)
Here is a little boxed set with
body wash, cologne, and hand cream...
with this saying on the box...
philosophy:when it comes to love, you need not fall but surrender.

We LOVE the Farmer's Market at this time of year, and here are some of our finds today.
The tomatoes in this photo are all from my Brother Brian's garden though...
I LOVE Tomatoes at this time of year!
 

My friend, ELLA, invited me for a delicious Turkey supper this Wednesday.
WE both LOVE the X FACTOR so we watched that while enjoying the great supper. 

A rather BLURRY photo from 1983 of my dad with my two kids...
Colin here age 4 and Jana age 2... wearing little clown costumes I made for them.
This was KIWANIS APPLE DAY... which my dad often sold apples for back in the day.
Today is KIWANIS APPLE DAY this year...
and when I purchased an apple from a clown at the farmers market...
he remembered dad.
This is one of the very memories I LOVE of my dad!

Yesterday I was asked to teach a little grade 1 Tap Class at BSOBAD.
 At the end of their class I had the 6 little girls form a
heart shape with their shoes on the floor.
I will always love tap... and continue to ...
TAP INTO MY PASSIONS!


As I thought of a perfect theme for today's blog I got to thinking just how PASSIONATE I am of FALL for so many reasons.

I LOVE that 39 years ago I met my husband, Brian on SEPTEMBER 27th on a blind date in Edmonton, while there to attend a
Brian Foley Dance Workshop there.
This was the start of so many great new beginnings ahead...


The following September I opened my dance studio, DIANE WILL DANCE STUDIO,
 in 1974... which went on to reopen each  September for 28 years.

Many fresh starts to many new seasonal things always start new in the FALL.
I LOVE that.

The weather is so beautiful in the FALL...
with the changing leaves and warm sun
with a little hint of crispness in the air.

Today I was reminded how many years my dad dressed as a clown and sold apples for the annual Kiwanis Apple day. I dressed as a clown a few times myself, and my kids did too.
 The apples seem to taste even better when purchased from a clown, too... LOVE it!
I enjoyed every bite of my apple today as well.

I have eaten so many meals out lately which is good and bad... I have loved all the yummy tastes where ever I have gone to eat... however... the weight is catching up again...
so time to begin to track points once again... maybe I'll kick it up a notch in OCTOBER!

That being said... I did go to the gym this morning and LOVED the Body Vive class I attended with my friend Ella.
One of the best tracks currently is a little disco type song to a great FALL related tune...
and one of my all time favorites, too...
 "SEPTEMBER", by Earth, Wind and Fire.

Ella came back here for a quick coffee and visit following the gym this morning.
Today is NATIONAL COFFEE day...
however I pretty much
drink coffee everyday!

We got our little doggie, SHUFFLE,
 in September of 2008, which is another FALL fond memory of PASSION for me...
really there are so many!

Yesterday we enjoyed another fun lunch with our Grade One Princess Mariah.
She is growing up so fast with all her new
FALL beginnings this year.

We will enjoy some of the yummy veggies we purchased at the Farmer's Market today for our supper... I really do LOVE this time of year!

I have so much to LOVE about my life ...
not just in the FALL... but always...
and I am going to continue to
TAP into my PASSIONS!

So on that note...

Of all the seasons... I really LOVE FALL...
I think it's my favorite of them all.
So many memories bring out the PASSION,
Many a thought and many a fashion!
Memories of beginnings of so many things
Makes me smile, and what joy it brings.
Thoughts of dad dressed like a clown,
As he sold apples all around town.
And with my toddlers also in tow...
Making fond memories that would just grow!
Meeting my husband on a blind date,
So much LOVE for me to celebrate.
Starts of so many things all brand new,
And I LOVE the colors of this season, too!
I know the snow will be coming real soon,
But for now I'll enjoy all the
LOVE of FALL'S tune!

Eventful LiFE!

"To enjoy the flavor of life take big bites."
-Robert Heinlein

"Life is short. Eat dessert first."
-Jacques Torres

"Our friends add color and meaning to our lives... & of course a whole lot of FUN!!!"
-Jennifer Gayle

Here is Mariah yesterday.
I babysat her because she had a throat and ear infection,
so she couldn't go to school.
That did not stop her from wanting to dance and perform...
she put on her favorite costume of her mommy's, and some make up
 and came out of the bathroom saying "TAA DAA!"

Here is another project from Mariah's day here yesterday...
She crafted a great JUSTIN BIEBER POSTER
to take to his concert  in a couple of weeks!

Here is Mariah looking not sick at all yesterday in a fit of laughter...
We were playing a little game of  drawing the rhyme!
It was a little fun we made up together!!!

Here is Beau while waiting for his sister at her dance lesson on Monday.
He was pooped out after a little play outside on the big slide beside the studio.

Here is proud Beau in his bedroom at home.
 He is now out of the crib and into a big boy bed
which he was excited to share when we popped by on Sunday night!

Here is Mariah's new amazing bed which replaces the one now in Beau's room!
It is also an activity centre as well!!! 

BALLET Teacher, Miss Michelle,
with her sweet baby boy, CARTER,
at the BSOBAD Baby shower held
on Sunday at the studio. 

Here are two other dance teachers (both have taught Mariah).
Miss Amber with her little girl, Alexandra and Miss Cara with her little boy, Mason.
We held baby showers for both these teachers in the past year as well,
now their babies are growing up fast! 

Miss Brenda explaining the games at the baby shower,
while dance teacher Miss Joanne looks over her shoulder! 

After the baby shower on Sunday...
a Studio barbeque was held to kick off the 30th dance season
 as well as to Honor Miss Kellie who will be retiring from the secretary job
she has done for the past 13 years at BSOBAD.
Here are Kellie and Brenda holding one of the many
delicious desserts of the events of the day!

Here is our good friend, Bob modeling his apron and hat
before barbequing a delicious meal we were invited to his place
 for on saturday evening. 

I am seated with friends Diane and Jacquie here at the lovely meal
 Bob and Jacquie hosted for us 3 couples! 

Another outing ... here I am with friends Brenda and Kellie
at a charity luncheon last Friday. 

After shopping for Baby shower stuff...
I crafted a little banner and Baby card for
Miss Michelle and her baby Carter's shower! 

Last thursday I met dance teacher friend Kristy for a Starbucks.
Her 5 year old son, Tyce took this photo with
his little buddies behind our drinks on the table!
(I also snapped a photo with Tyce in it, too, but my photo was a blur!)


I think this is the longest lapse between blogs ever for me since beginning to write blogs
back in Dec. 2010!

For those of you new to my blog welcome...
and for those popping in time and time again... thanks!!!

My cousin, Gwen called yesterday to see if she missed a blog  because she hadn't seen one in a week! As you can see this past week has been eventful... to say the least...
thus the reason behind a big lapse for me between posts!

In addition to the photos above there have been other things going on such as...getting to the gym, enjoying coffees with my gym friend, Ella... walking my dog in the beautiful weather with my neighbor, Heather,... going for lunch with my wonderful daughter, Jana...
teaching a couple of dance classes as a substitute teacher for a friend...
getting a hair cut and color from my hairdresser friend, Marla... and so much more!

I also helped with decorations and take down  of the shower and BBQ at the studio on the weekend as well as shop for those events, and plan games for them, too!


My life has been full lately...
and on top of all that, my commitment to the TV programs has been another time filler.
I have been pre recording the TV shows.... ELLEN, THE VOICE, X-FACTOR, and DANCING WITH THE STARS...and now a new addition to that is a show called
OVER THE RAINBOW
 where icon ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and guest judges are searching for a gal to play the role of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz as well as a dog to star as TOTO!

Yesterday as I babysat Mariah, we enjoyed the "Over the Rainbow" shows I recorded Sunday and Monday night. We both had a little cry together when they voted off the dog not suited for TOTO! It is sad when they take the red collar away. I find it sad when the Dorothy getting voted off has to turn in her shiny shoes, too!

Mariah and I had a great bond yesterday and created games and crafts along with dances and just had a fun day of events all round.

My life just seems like a series of events lately... But keeping busy helps me stay happy...
(not to mention somewhat chubby, too,
 with all the celebrations revolving around dinners and special food events!)

Hard to believe that 37 years ago I became an auntie for the first time. My nephew BRAD, celebrated his birthday on Sunday.

Tomorrow is another celebration for me...
September 27th, 1973 is the date I met my husband, Brian on a blind date!
WOW... and the beat goes on....in my EVENTFUL LIFE!

Friday I am being a substitute tap teacher for a grade one tap class at BSOBAD...which will be fun to once again get on my tap shoes to try to burn off some of the extra eating
I've done this past week!

My calendar says this today...
"Let your enthusiasm show."
-Irwin Greenberg

So on that note... here is my rhyme of the day!

My life has been real busy
in every single way,
But it has brought me happiness
throughout each passing day.
Sometimes we just need to stop
and live it while we can...
And I just love to live it full...
In fact I am a fan!
So if my blog is put on hold,
it means I'm having fun,
Doing things with family, friends,
or somewhere with someone!
Fall is such a pretty time
and such a colorful season...
It makes me want to walk my dog
in this fine weather for that reason!
TV has so many things
that get me so drawn in,
That I can not do everything,
and sometimes don't begin!
My life is so eventful...
and for that I'm ever grateful,
Each day is like a reason to
feel blessed and celebrate-full!

HAPPiNESS ... Repeating!

"Life is not about seeking happiness. 
Life is about creating happiness and 
it starts from within."
-Memories of the Soul

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

"Life is better when you are happy 
but life is best when others are happy 
because of you! Be an inspiration, 
give peace share your smile."
Author Unkown

Here I am today at noon with Mariah
... we repeatedly have HAPPINESS when we eat at Boston Pizza 

This picture says HAPPINESS all over it!
This was Mariah today when we picked her up from
Grade One at noon to take her out for lunch. 

I love the new Boston Pizza menus...
they say
"HERE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY"
on them!

Here is a little "HISTORY" REPEATING!
The photo on the left is one of my hubby, Brian
and my grandson, Beau about a month  ago.
Beside on the right is a photo 30 years old...
of my father-in-law, Greg with my son, Colin.
Four generations of guys who have made
HAPPINESS REPEAT in my life!  

Here is a great photo of my son, Colin and his girlfriend, Caro,
 about a month ago,
while they visited Nova Scotia.
This photo brought me great HAPPINESS when I received it
and a  lovely note from Colin in my email.

Here is a little more HAPPiNESS REPEATING!
This is the Birthday Card I Created for my son-in-law, Nels...
who celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday. 

Here is some HAPPiNESS & TAPPiNESS REPEATING!!!
Mariah's little tap class on Monday when I went to snap some photos
 for the studio bulletin boards...
I just noticed Mariah (on right here), has her shoes on the reverse feet!!!

Check out Beau's back pack...it's CHEWBACCA!
That is HISTORY and HAPPINESS REPEATING...
My son Colin was so into Chewbacca  when he was a kid,
now Beau loves him, too!
I love this photo of Beau with his shirt tucked in his shorts...
he always REPEATS what his daddy does... so cute! 

Another little photo of HAPPiNESS REPEATING from the weekend.
Mariah was learning to run my beater when
we made cupcakes for their daddy's birthday! 

More HAPPINESS REPEATING!
 Jana used to always make up dances...
now her daughter, Mariah is making them up, too...
 this photo was taken after school last Thursday at Jana's house...
when MARIAH put on a little dance performance for us! 

HAPPiNESS REPEATING with the JENGA BLOCKS!
Beau on the deck a couple of weeks ago...
as he made buildings from the old Jenga game! 

Beau always makes HAPPINESS REPEAT around here...
here he is a couple of weeks ago!




First of all may I say thanks to any one who REPEATEDLY returns to read my little blog posts long the way... that always brings me HAPPINESS!

On Monday I went downstairs to craft a birthday card and began looking through photos,
when I came across the old photo of my
father-in-law with my son.
That is what gave me the idea for
today's BLOG THEME ...
originally I was calling this one
 "HISTORY REPEATING"...
But after seeing many great
"HAPPiNESS QUOTES"
I changed my THEME title!


Brian took today off and we decided to pick up Mariah from Grade One for a quick little lunch outing to her favorite spot to eat...
"Boston Pizza"
For her and Beau both...
 there is always HAPPINESS REPEATING when we eat there!

I had gone to the dance studio on Monday to capture a few more photos of not only Mariah's dance class, but also of the ballet, jazz and baton classes in progress while her tap class was on. I have been doing Bulletin Boards at BSOBAD since 2002... but just recently BRENDA , studio owner and director, decided to give me a NEW title for my job...
she now calls me the SOCIAL DIRECTOR... which involves not only bulletin boards...
but many of the studio events ...
such as the ones taking place this weekend...
a Baby Shower for Ballet Teacher
Miss Michelle...and a studio barbeque to
"KICK OFF" the new dance season at BSOBAD!

I enjoy working on things and decorations for any celebrations...
so for me this is like more
HAPPINESS REPEATING!


Yesterday I was to the gym once again...
BODY VIVE at GOODLIFE GYM...
is also HAPPINESS REPEATING!!!
The instructors are great and the class is awesome... but the friends I have made have brought me much HAPPINESS!

Yesterday I went out for lunch with a friend
from the gym, also named DIANE.
 Also meeting for lunch were
friends Jacquie and Sylvia.
We had a nice outing at
 EARL'S RESTAURANT.


I am loving the TV series which
revolve around competitions.
Last night they crowned the
winners on SYTYCD...
and this being the 8th season of that show...
it was like HAPPINESS REPEATING
when the winners were announced.
The show had tremendous talent this season...
I'll miss that one now that it is done.


However that being said...
I am now quite enjoying the music series...
THE VOICE as well as the X- FACTOR.


ELLEN is in her 10th season now on TV...
I find her witty and entertaining...
watching her show there is always
HAPPINESS REPEATING!

Brian took today off from work...
he always enjoys a drive in the country...
so he is off doing that now, while I blog away. For each of us those are hobbies that make HAPPINESS REPEAT!


So on that little note ... more poetry from me!

So many things in life come back
and keep REPEATING.
It's nice when they bring HAPPiNESS
with every brand new greeting.
It is really fun when HAPPiNESS
in families is spread,
From doing things we all love... like
sharing memories and books we've read.
History repeats itself over
now and then...
It's FUN when it is filled with lots of
 HAPPiNESS over again!
Every day's a new one,
from starting to completing...
So keep calm and shuffle on,
with HAPPiNESS REPEATING!

CREATING ...Life!

"Life is about creating yourself."
-Author Unknown

"The second you get complacent 
as a creator, you die inside."

-Stacey Tookey

"A child can teach you three things:
-To be happy for no reason
-To always be busy with something
-And to know how to demand with 
all his might what he desires."
-Paulo Coello

Today as I sit down to write my blog of the day
 I realized I take so many photos on a day to day basis it is hard to narrow down
which ones to include in the post!
Since my last blog post written
last wednesday, I have been busy creating many things and memories in my life!

Today's photos focus on the sleepover we had this weekend. Mariah and Beau arrived at our house around 5 on Saturday and we began CREATING more precious memories from the time they got here.

Beau was so proud to carry in his back pack which is nearly as big as he is...
and Mariah was barely in the door and she had her tap shoes on!...

I will write in point form all the fun we CREATED this weekend...
in the order it happened...

-Kids and Brian and I went to
Boston Pizza for supper...
-they ordered their personal favorite meal...
of BUGS'N'CHEESE!
-They were both CREATIVE by
coloring their color sheets there
-Mariah was tired...
and Beau was full of beans!


-came home and CREATED dances
and had fun with toys and balloons
in the basement.

-Mariah and I watched "Little Mermaid 2"
(which we have watched together many times!)
-Beau and Brian played cars on the floor
-we read many stories...
- Mariah practiced her dancing and reading
-the kids slept with me in our bed... while Brian slept in the spare bedroom
-Mariah fell out of bed in the middle of the night, but went right back to sleep
-Beau on the other hand was awake for a long time talking about "RIAH FALL!"
-Shuffle woke us up bright and early by coming in bounding on the bed!
-Mariah fell back to sleep... but not Beau!
-The kids CREATED and colored with stickers and crayons on pictures poppa printed
off the computer
-the kids CREATED dances and watched videos on the computer
-We CREATED cupcakes for the kids' daddy, NELS... who has a birthday tomorrow!
-played out in the back yard in the fresh air on the swings and slide
-CREATED a tent and fort
-CREATED a couch cushion set up!
-had lots of fun CREATING many new precious memories for LIFE!
-Jana and Nels came to get the kids at around 1 PM Sunday...and I know we were ALL POOPED out!
-We gave Nels an early birthday present...
of a World Globe... so they can have fun creating more memories together as they learn about the places all over the world!

With Sleepovers there is always less sleep and more play... and lots of CREATIONS!

Also last week...
I met with friend Nadine for a coffee, bought a new pair of fun boots from Jana's store, and headed back to the gym after a week off from it. I enjoyed a couple of visits with my gym friend, Ella, too. We always enjoy sharing our stories together!


Tomorrow Mariah and Beau's daddy,
NELS will be celebrating a birthday...
I know his kids were sure excited about it
and were practicing their
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" song together for him!
I will likely find some time today to
CREATE a Birthday Card for him too!


Now it is time to CREATE some RHYME!

In my life I love to CREATE...
Some days I really just can't wait!
I truly love to share my blog,
And do enjoy time with my dog,
But I love my grandkids even more,
In fact I truly do adore...
The memories we CREATE are really fun,
Every time we're together is such a great one.
My LIFE has CREATED memories of love,
With ones on earth and ones above!
I'm truly lucky... my LIFE is the best...
Great family and friends...
CREATE a feeling of BLESSED!