Monday, December 30, 2013

Cherished Joyful Memories

"You will never have this day again with your children, tomorrow they will be older, the days you have with your children are a gift. Relish and cherish the charms of 
presence each and every day."
-Andrew Guzaldo

"This day and your life... are God's gift to you, 
so give thanks and be joyful always."
-Author Unknown

"The divine spirit does not reside in any except 
the joyful heart."
-The Taimud Quotes

A cherished Joyful memory from Christmas afternoon at our house,
 as photographed by our 7 year old Grand daughter, Mariah!

Cherished and joyful moments on Christmas morning at
Jana's with the grandkids opening their gifts.

A little snuggle ...and another captured memory by Mariah!

Mariah asked for a Journey girl doll so here she is with her doll and her mom.

Another cherished and joyful memory was the journey we took last summer to
Montreal...and here it is captured to remember forever in this photo book
I gave to Jana and Mariah as a Christmas gift.
(I sent one to colin and Caro, too!)

Many loving and cherished memories were shared with family
at Jana's on christmas morning.
Here is Beau having a moment of love with his daddy!

Mariah chose to come here to our house to spend some quality one on one
time with us on Christmas afternoon.
I love this moment captured of her with her Grandpa Brian
by the BEIEVE pillow!
I do believe this is a cherished and joyful memory in time.

My brother Brian stopped by Christmas afternoon... and I love this photo, of
him and shuffle with a big smile and me...
another memory captured on my camera by Mariah!

Here is a little photo after our Christmas dinner here... with the grandkids
in their new jammies... We have so many
cherished and joyful memories in our PJs at Christmas time!

A cherished and joyful memory of Jana, Nels and their darling kids
on Christmas night after supper here.

Jana with her grandparents... and my sweet in-laws,
Greg and Blanche at their place on Christmas Eve.
We have shared many cherished and joyful memories with them
and family on Christmas Eves in the past several years. 

This is both cherished and joyful...
I love this moment in time captured on Christmas Eve with
my sweet niece Rowen, and my darling  grand daughter, Mariah.
(notice how Mariah is missing her top 4 teeth here... I love this age!!!)

Lots to cherish about this memory...
This is an all time favourite photo of my husband Brian and his brother Bruce (on the left)
from their childhood... I crafted some special Christmas cards this year from
this CHERISHED And JOYFUL MEMORY...
Bruce now lives on in our hearts.

Here is a very CHERISHED and JOYFUL memory of Christmas time
with my dad and my very last EVER photo taken with him and my puppy,
Mocha.
This was taken in December 1999 before he passed away suddenly
on January 2nd, 2000.
My dad and dog, Mocha also brought many cherished
and joyful memories but live in my heart forever.

Here is a Cherished and Joyful memory  made yesterday...
when I spent an afternoon bonding with my dear Grand daughter, Mariah.
We went to the Disney movie called "FROZEN"...
and had we spent the day outside we would have been frozen,
but instead we were making memories to warm our hearts forever.


First of all may I once again say a big heartfelt thank you to each and everyone who pops by from time to time to check out my little blog of sharing my many life memories.

Christmas came and went and left us with many more CHERISHED and JOYFUL MEMORIES...
in fact I posted most of the above photos and more on my Facebook page as well, so many of you will have seen these ones already. For those who are not on FB and just want to see a glimpse of our Christmas fun... this blog is for you!

We made memories on Christmas Eve at the Raskob house while sharing delicious appies, and treats a plenty with all the in town relatives. It has been tradition in my entire married life to spend Christmas Eve there with family. I took lots of photos... maybe more to share in next blog as well... and Mariah was busy snapping many too... (she is a girl following in her grammie's footsteps!!!)

Christmas morning was spent sharing the Christmas magic at Jana and Nels's place watching the grandkids open their gifts and seeing how much fun they had. They were such a fun age for Christmas this year... Mariah is now 7 and Beau is 3 and a true believer in Santa Claus!

Mariah chose to come back with us and share in our afternoon as we opened our gifts to one another here. She also helped us get ready for the Festive supper we had for their family and ours. We cooked a yummy turkey and had Jana, Nels, Mariah and Beau and enjoyed that time spent together.

Colin and Caro took a flight to Vietnam on Christmas Eve. They are gone on a trip of a lifetime to make many cherished and joyful memories together. We got a very wonderful updated email from Colin on Boxing day saying how much they are loving the trip so far. He will be gone 6 weeks, and Caro will stay on an extra 6 more weeks and do some scuba diving in Thailand. What a memory for them.

We have always hosted a traditional boxing day open house here over our married years. We made many cherished and joyful memories in the years we did that. However this year we chose to make a new memory of just relaxing on that day. With Brian's health this year... it was a wise decision to make. We feel so blessed to share time with friends and family on a regular basis so the extra gathering was not necessary this season.

Just this past saturday we had visits from our friends, Robin, and Steve in addition to my sister-in-law Bev and her son, Sam. Just yesterday we met friends Jacquie and Dan along with Jana and Mariah at fuddrucker's for breakfast, too.
Later Mariah spent an afternoon of fun bonding, as well as we made many more cherished and joyful memories.

We have stayed pretty low key over the holidays mostly just enjoying each other's company and staying in the warm and cozy indoors.

It is at this time each year I recall my final Christmas memory with my own dad in 1999. I posted a photo above from that time in my life. I did not take as many photos back then... but the cherished and joyful fond memories are with me always. My dad died suddenly of a brain aneurysm on January 2nd , 2000.

Tomorrow is another New Year's eve... and we have been invited to good friend's, Bob and Jacquie's for their annual dinner party event. They always do up those so well... we have many cherished memories of the times we spend with them, and look forward to that and will attend with my good buddy Ella, too.

Our good friend, Vern, has been enjoying warmer weather in Australia as he visits family there. He once again became a grandpa to his 4 th grand daughter, Carmen Dee, born on boxing day to his son, Jason and his wife, Andy on boxing day here in Saskatoon... Congrats to them.

Tomorrow is a special birthday celebration for a couple of my relatives as well... HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY to my dear Auntie Phyllis... what a milestone! Happy 21st Birthday to my nephew Luke, too... here's to many more
Cherished and Joyful celebrations!

I have hopes for a great year in 2014...and on that note, here is my poem of the day!

I am ever grateful for the life I live,
Also what's done for me and the love it's had to give!
Oh what joyful and cherished memories this brings,
This has been a real full year, filled with many things.
Another Christmas has come and has gone,
Soon a new year to look forward to and move on.
When i think of blessings, there certainly are a lot,
The people in my life, and the love they all brought.
Although this year had set backs,
the positives do outweigh...
There's always some joyful to every single day.
As long as i can focus on the things I love to do,
And do them with the ones I love,
it helps me follow through.
I sure am looking forward to new year that is bright,
In hopes of health and happiness...
and all that seems just right.
Although the cherished memories live on with in my heart,
I am ready for a brand new year...
and a brand new start!


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

HaPpiNeSs & CHeeR!

"Christmas time is here,
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of year."
Lyrics from the song in...
"A Charlie Brown's Christmas"

"The joy of brightening a child's heart 
creates the magic of Christmas."
-W.C. Jones

"To be kind to all, to like many and love a few, to be needed and wanted by those we love, is certainly the nearest we can come to happiness."
-Mary Stuart

HoHoHope you all Believe in the
HAPPiNESS & CHEER
this season brings!
Thanks to my sweet neighbour, Heather, for
SHUFFLE'S SANTA SUIT... she truly loves it!

Brian and I at friend Ell's for a festive and fun supper
Thursday... sharing Happiness and Cheer!

Wrapping up gifts at Friend, Brenda's last week...
Part of the seasons' HAPPINESS and CHEER for me
is gift wrapping!

Me with Brenda at the Staff BSOBAD Christmas Party
this last weekend....
more Happiness and Cheer!

Sunday's breakfast with dear friends, Jacquie and Bob...
Jacquie's flashing snowflake necklace was so festive and fun!

Sunda my good friend, Gailene, was celebrating her
birthday in style... and shaing her
HAPPINESS and CHEER with her entire family!

My sweet cousin, Bev and dear Auntie Mary on
Sunday when I stopped by her nursing home to share some
Happiness and Cheer!

Brother Brian stopped by for a little supper on sunday...
Shuffle loves all visitors!!!
We enjoyed our evening together.

My sister-in-law, Bev talking to Mariah on the phone the other night when she
stopped by to drop off some treats!
Mariah was sharing her good news of her dance exam results.

We stopped by SWANK SHOE LOUNGE on Wednesday,
to drop off a gift basket for MELISSA, Jana's store partner.
She has shared so much Happiness and cheer with us year round,
so we decided to share some with her, too!

Friends, Robin and her fiance, Alex dropped by Saturday to
share more Happiness and Cheer!

Friends, Brenda , Kellie and I were treated to a special lunch from our friend, Cathy,
at Moxies, on Wednesday...
These 3 gals shared gifts with me as well... such a sweet bunch!

Thursday morning this lovely bouquet of flowers
came for us from our sweet friends,
Joan and Gerry...
We have received many special gifts and cards
lately both in the mail and in person...
Thanks to each and every one for all the
HAPPiNESS and CHEER...
as well as all the love and continued support.

Beau and Mariah with Santa at  the Wheaton Party a week ago...
I know they are extremely excited today while they wait anxiously
for Santa to come tonight!
These two munchkins bring so much
HAPPINESS and CHEER
to our life year round.
Two very excited munchkins on Friday night...
how expressive they are!
My sweet friend, Ella, last Thursday at her beautifully decorated home
when she had us for a fun and festive supper and lots of happiness and cheer!

This photo comes out a Christmas each year... but this year it's more special
and also more dear... knowing what these brothers went through this year.
We will be feeling the love from above from BRUCE this year...
this is Bruce and Brian in the early 1950's...
 such a cherished memory.


I want to wish all my family, friends and blog readers a season that is chalk full of
HAPPINESS and CHEER!

My 2013 has been a real mix of emotions, but at this time we reflect on all the blessings in our life.  As you can see this past week was certainly a week full of Happiness and Cheer as we lead up to the big day.
This evening we will share a fun filled night with the Raskob family at their home with relatives. Tomorrow morning we will be at Jana and Nels's house to share in the gift opening there. Later tomorrow we will share Turkey supper here with  their family, too. We traditionally do a Boxing day open house, on the 26th, however this year have decided to for go that tradition. We do see many of our special friends on a regular basis and over the holidays hope to have many more visits as well. 
Our house is all festive and looking full of Happiness and Cheer for not only today and tomorrow but into the new year and we will welcome a year of miracles and blessings and  more happiness and cheer to come.

I would be remiss if I did not mention how missed my brother-in-law, Bruce will be this year. He sadly lost his battle to cancer on August 11th, 2013, so he will be celebrating his first ever Christmas in Heaven this year. He will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts.

Bruce's son, Alec just celebrated a birthday on
December 22nd. My nephew, Lucas will celebrate a birthday on Dec. 31st as well... so wishing those two very special Celebrations and happiness and cheer year round.

We have been on a journey here at our household since mid May of 2013... and I want to say thanks to each and every one of you who have shared love and support continuously throughout our little journey.

My son, Colin and his girlfriend, Caro are on route today to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand for a lovely holiday.
We had a very nice visit with him on the phone last night, and as always it makes my heart smile just to hear the Happiness in his voice!

My daughter, Jana and her family keep very busy with work and all the activities their family is involved in. Her Shoe Store, SWANK SHOE LOUNGE, has had 4 and ahlf very successful seasons. Nels continues to  run the A & B Pumping here in Saskatoon... and works throughout the province keeping very busy always with that.
Mariah is now 7 in grade 2... dances 4 days a week, and is missing her 4 top teeth!Beau is 3 and goes to day care and gymnastics... he is such a funny little gaffer and always keeps us entertained. He has very long hair for a boy... but as he always says... "Long hair... don't care!"

Brian and I feel blessed daily with everything thing and one we have the pleasure of sharing our life with. We see family lots... just this week we had visits from both his sisters and both my brothers, too. We see the grandkids weekly... we are so lucky!

From our house to yours we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very wonderful 2014 filled with
Happiness and Cheer to last the whole year round.

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

This is our wish for HAPPiNESS & CHEER...
And for all the best in the brand new year.
Hoping for miracles all merry and bright,
And things go well and all turn out just right.
We're ever grateful for the gifts, love and fuss,
And share it right back to you from us!
It's a time filled with just SNOW much LOVE!
Shared with dear ones and ANGELS up above.



Tuesday, December 17, 2013

HEARTFELT GIFTS of LOVE!

"May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness and tied with love."
L.O. Baird

"Love is always bestowed as a gift-freely, willingly, and without expectation...We don't love to be loved; we love to love." - Author Unknown

"The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance."
Brian Tracy



Beau and Mariah here with SANTA at the
Wheaton's kid's Christmas party held last Sunday.

Here are SANTA (AKA- STEVE!)... with Brian...
and Steve, Robin and Cindy as well.

Here are the kids thrilled to bits with their gifts...
Mariah got a mini sewing machine, and Beau got a Helicopter.
They made these adorable snowglobe crafts, and got candy out of the
Santa piƱata, too!

Beau was thrilled with his SPIDERMAN tattoo... so perfect for him!

Here is Mariah, with her mom, anxiously awaiting her turn for
her tattoo... she changed her mind 3 times as to what to get,
but ended up with a very cute Betty Boop tattoo!

Also offered at the Wheaton party... was a fun Photo Booth...
Here are some of our photo booth fun photos...
It was a great idea and got so many involved young and old alike!

Our good friends... Jacquie and Trona at the Wheaton party Sunday.

Earlier Sunday we did our weekly tradition of dining out at Fuddrucker's
for breakfast. Above friends, Jacquie and Ella,
Below Brian and I... holding a very cute little gift I got from Jacquie,
These adorable polka dot snowman napkins.
Missing from the photos... friends... Bob and his son, Dan who
were also there!

Later Sunday... the kids came here while their mommy and daddy
shopped for Christmas gifts!
They love to put on jammies when here and get cozy and comfy.

This past week I have been busy wrapping up gifts... to give from us,
as well as ones I wrapped for Jana to give to her family members as well.
I LOVE to WRAP GIFTS... so I was in my glory.

Friday I met with dance teacher friend, Kristy... and saw her beautiful tree.
Saturday after meeting my friend, Ella at the gym, we went to her home
for a coffee... and I snapped a pic of her by her tree as well.

Thursday we met Mariah and Beau at my in laws' house for a little visit.
Mariah had a little surgery that day, so we brought
 the Kermit the Frogs as a little recovery gift...
As you can see the kids LOVED them!

The kids also cashed in on some spaghetti supper with their great
grandparents, too while there... always cherished times when we can connect
as a family to make more special memories!

Tuesday night following dance lessons, my niece,  Rowen,
popped over for a quick visit to pick up her little birthday gift,
she is such a sweetie... hard to believe she is already 14.

Monday this cute hat came as a gift in the mail for Brian
from my relatives in Chicago.

I also received a gift in the Chicago package... these warm fuzzy
lounging jammies. I got the nice scarf too, earlier as a gift from
Auntie Betty and cousin Dawn when they were in town...
special heartfelt gifts!

Last Monday our friend, Vern treated us to a lunch outing at Montana's.
Later that day he treated us to supper as well before Ella drove him to the airport,
for his little month long vacation to visit his family in Australia.
That was so generous of Vern!

Yesterday Brian and I went for lunch at Broadway Cafe
 where we saw waitress and long time friend, Nichole.
She gave us these little darling home made Angel candles as a special
gift from her, too! They remind me of some my mom used to have
when I was a little girl... so sweet!


First of all to all my blog readers... 
THANKS for stopping by to see my past week 
filled with lots of love and heartfelt gifts.

I usually try not to let so much time pass in between blog posts, but as my photos reveal... it has been hectic around here lately with sharing of  fond memory making with
friends and loved ones.

As well as the above mentioned things this past week...
I attended a funeral for a dear friend... and our hearts go out to Dale and Mildred Morrison on the loss of their beloved son, Ray who passed away on December 7th.

I have also done many routine things around here which include taking good care of my hubby! As many of you already know he has been on a journey since last spring. We have had many treatments...and I am so happy to report he is doing so well. We are staying strong and positive as we continue to journey forth... we take each day as it comes.


I want to say thanks to all the people in our lives who have contributed and supported us along the way.
 Kellie and Cathy are two of those friends who have taken us to and from treatments. For that we are grateful.

Yesterday I was out shopping and ran into my cousin Bev, and we shared a nice visit over a coffee... nice to catch up on her and the things in their family lately. I really need to go visit her parents one day soon... my dear Auntie Mary and Uncle Charlie.

I have enjoyed the lovely cards in the mail lately... really appreciate all the photos and family news and letters included in those, too. I hope to make my next blog post our family Christmas card from us to you!

Among those cards received were two special ones from my son, Colin, yesterday. His girlfriend, Caro's mom is a crafter and  so his cards were very heartfelt and 

picked out especially for us.

I can see why I don't have as much time to write my blogs as often... I am just so busy living life from day to day...

and making the most of each and every moment.

I am still loving the TV shows I have been watching...
the competition music ones... 

The Voice, The Sing Off, and X Factor... 
along with Ellen and Marilyn... 
as well as Modern Family and Big Bang!
It is nice to sit with Brian at night time 

and not only watch TV together, 
but enjoy the twinkling tree lights at the same time.


Tomorrow I am meeting for lunch with good friends at Moxies...and Thursday I look forward to helping my good bud, Brenda wrap up her Christmas gifts, too.
As I mentioned... I do enjoy wrapping gifts... it is one of my most favourite things to do at this time of year.

I thank Brian's boss, Ross Wheaton, for the lovely 

and very generous Christmas parties... 
both the staff one two weeks ago and 
the childrens' one this past weekend.
They truly thought of everything... and I know our grandkids loved every minute of being there, for sure.
Beau is still a bit timid of Santa, but there is comfort in going to sit on his knee, when he is with his big sister,
who he admires so much!



I am grateful every day for the friends, family, and love I have in my life. Although this time of year is a time of many GIFTS... the most precious is time.
I continue to enjoy making many memories along the way, and try hard to capture them along the way, too, whether on the iphone or the camera... I am glad I take lots to keep them fresh in my mind as well as in my heart!

On that note...
here is my rhyme of the day!

This season there is lots to give one a lift,
Whether sharing support or a heartfelt gift.
This is the time for family and friends,
Where faith hope and love just never ends.
And it's just how we share it, in all that we do.
Gifts come in many ways, I believe this is true.
It's not about money... the dollars or the dime,
It's more about the
HEARTFELT GIFTS of LOVE
... and TIME!