Monday, April 28, 2014

LiVE in the MOMENT!

"The past is behind learn from it.
The future is ahead prepare for it.
The present is here live it."
-Thomas S. Monson

"Live life for the moment because everything else is uncertain."
-Author Unknown

"Live every moment, Love every day 'cause before you know it, precious time slips away."
-Author Unknown


Last monday we did lots of LIVING in the MOMENT
 when we had a full
day of babysitting BEAU!
Everything from snuggles, to smurf pool parties,
and lots of of things in between!

Last Monday Beau wanted to build a snowman…
 but there wasn't much snow left to work with…
he would have done better this monday
with at the big dump of snow we got today!
He did, however manage to create a mini snowman,
we also took Shuffle for a walk and
did some puddle jumping along the way, too!

I made macaroni for Beau for lunch but he thought Shuffle could eat it,
he would rather have "Bugs N Cheese" at Boston Pizza, so that is
where we ate lunch. HE watched every episode of PEPPA PIG
on the Treehouse channel on TV and bonded with Shuffle until he
fell asleep nearly with her on his lap.

Fast forward from Monday to Friday…
when I had a day with Mariah. I had her bring her tap shoes so
we could maybe do some tapping together, but this is as far as the shoes got…
only into some photos!

Mariah did do some dancing on her own though while I did up
some bulletin boards at BSOBAD on Friday…
this is always her "GO TO" pose for a photo!

Also on Friday with Mariah… she loves to spend time on the computer,
and wore her cute Panda hat when we went out to studio…
she was ready for some snuggles with her mom when she came for her, too.

In honour of a couple birthdays last week…
I found this great photo of my nephew Jeff with Jana… Jeff had a birthday on Saturday.
Our good friend, Vern turned 65 last Tuesday, and here he is holding up a birthday
card he got yesterday at our Fuddrucker's breakfast gathering.

This week Colin's girlfriend, Caro has a birthday on Wednesday.
I crafted a card with a photo of her and Colin from Thailand on it,
and got it in the mail last week…
hope it gets there on time this year!

Saturday Mariah went with her great Auntie Bev to a dog adoption,
held at Cowtown in Fairhaven.
We stopped by and snapped a few pics of Mariah looking after doggies.
She loved that day, and  would be a great dog owner one day, too!

Saturday night Mariah had her little friend, Drew over for
a sleepover, so Beau was feeling left out, and he invited me over
to do some sticker pictures with him… who loves stickers more
than his Grammie D?! I felt honoured to be asked over to share more time with
my little man! 

Had a nice visit with my cousins, Gwen and Bev last week
 at sister-in-law, Arleen's house.
Gwen gave me this nice wedding photo from my parent's wedding,
mom's bridesmaid, Florence just passed away, and I will be attending
her funeral next Sunday.

Another Sunday morning gathering at Fuddrucker's for breakfast, yesterday.
Here are the girls and guys sides of the table…
fun mix of people, always good times!

The girls at Fudd's decided it would be fun to do an impromptu
girlfriend bond day… so we went straight from breakfast stopping first
at the Albert community centre for a pottery sale,
then onto to Bay Day to shop, and then a relaxing tea time at Starbucks.


While at the Albert Community Centre… where BSOBAD Dance studio is located,
I showed my friends, Ella and Jacquie some of my bulletin boards there,
and Ella snapped some pics of me with them!
I was just there on Friday updating them.


Today when deciding what my THEME of the day was for this week's blog, I couldn't really decide on a common theme for my past week of adventures, except the fact I really do try to just LIVE IN THE MOMENT…
thus my theme for this week.



Once again thanks to each and everyone who pops by from time to time to read about my little journey of life as I live it out from day to day, often flying by the seat of my pants!


This past week had a real mix of things going on from babysitting grandkids to attending funerals, to tea parties, to our regular visits we make every two weeks, to updating boards at the studio, our weekly breakfast at Fuddruckers, to getting to the gym and girlfriend bonding… 

just to name a few things.


My brother, Brian just popped by here minutes ago as well and is very enthusiastic about a church he recently purchased in Harris, Sk.
He is so pumped… hope it goes well for him.
He is one who lives in the moment and definitely in his own little world, I must say.




I enjoyed complete days with each of my grandkids this past week with it being Easter Break week and no school for Mariah or daycare for Beau last Monday. I do love the times I can spend "one on one" with the kids… zooming in on what they enjoy most without having to juggle  

and spread myself all over with both of them 
at the same time.
They are both at fun ages and stages of life, 

and truly live in the moment, always.



I enjoyed a nice visit with my cousins, Bev and Gwen at my sister-in-law, Arleen's place on Thursday.Thanks to Arleen for always hosting fun get togethers and also offering up some of her yummy baking, too! I did not take a photo this time of our gathering, but my nephew, Jeff, also joined us briefly, too. We always enjoy those moments we can share together.  Gwen and Bev are sorting through their parents' stuff now following the recent passing of their dad, (my dear Uncle Charlie) who passed away in March. 

They plan to host a big garage sale this coming weekend out at their dad's house in Montgomery Place.



I was happy for the return of my friend Ella to the gym this week again after she recovered from recent illness. The gym is always more fun with her there, too… and of course the coffees which follow as well. I did also make an attempt to go to a Zumba class at the gym this week… but that day it was cancelled… so living in the moment… I just walked a bit on the treadmill that day instead!




Brian and I went to see Mariah as she was helping at a dog adoption this past Saturday. she did such a great job and took her role very seriously. Her great Auntie, Bev, had done this two weeks prior and thought it might be something Mariah would enjoy with her, too… and so they enjoyed that together… Bev is such a great auntie to both Beau and Mariah always doing fun stuff with them.


Saturday Brian and I also took Dairy Queen treats to my in laws and had a short visit with them on Saturday. Greg is very excited about his up coming exhibit to open in Humboldt. He has many photo exhibits he has done… from Barns, to Churches, to Homesteads… and now this one of his photos of Grain Elevators in the province. His photography is always stunning, but his pride in his work and his knowledge of each and every location of
his photography is amazing.
We will attend this event when it opens at the Humboldt Museum this coming, Thursday, May 1st.

Yesterday's Fuddrucker breakfast was a fun gathering as it always is. Sometimes our group is bigger than others. This week, we were joined by friends, Bob and Jacquie, Ella and Vern along with friend, Leon. Following our breakfast … us girls decided it would be fun to go on an impromptu shopping extravaganza.

However without realizing it at the time… in this spontaneous idea… I totally forgot to attend a wedding shower for our friend, Robin,
which I was invited to yesterday, too.
I guess I was just too busy living in the moment, and had not remembered about the shower till it passed by.




Brian and I attended a funeral on Wednesday as well… for a long time friend of his family, Marie, who lived to be 98, so her life was well celebrated at her funeral.



I do find living in the moment is often the best way to live.

I enjoy the spontaneous events as they unfold, often being the most fun ones. They are such reminders to always live in the moment and enjoy life as it happens. 




I do consider myself so lucky to have the wonderful people in my life that I do, which makes living in the moment even more enjoyable. However that being said, I do enjoy time to myself as well. I truly look forward to writing each blog post and sharing my story of the positives in my day to day life.




Tonight I will look forward to one of my favourite TV nights… and watch Dancing With The Stars followed by The Voice.
By evening I am always ready to put my feet up and enjoy TV after whatever adventures I have been 

through in my day.

I am wishing Colin's girlfriend, CARO a
Happy Birthday this Wednesday. Colin has been on tour with his band the last couple weeks, so I think he should be back to Montreal just in time to celebrate
Caro's special day with her.




On that note… here is my poem of the day!

Live in the moment… make the most of your best,
Just enjoy what you do, forget about the rest!
Make light of the worries, and build up the joys,
Enjoy time spent with loved girls and boys!
Whether with family or out with some friends,
Just live in the moment, enjoy all the blends.
Life is short, be spontaneous each day,
Just follow your heart…
it's the only way!



Monday, April 21, 2014

EXTRA…" EGGS-TRA"… HaPpY!

"No one is born happy but all of us are born with the ability to create happiness so today make others happy and flash your sweetest smile."
Anurag Prakash Ray

"Life only comes around once, so do what makes you happy, and be with whoever makes you smile."
Author Unknown

"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."
-Jimmy Johnson


Here is a picture that says… EXTRA "EGGS-TRA" HaPpY!

Good friends add EXTRA HAPPY to my life!
I went for a HAPPY BIRTHDAY lunch with friend Brenda, last Thursday…
then ran into my friend, Gailene and went for a coffee with her…
she is super happy, too as she just welcomed a new grandson into her world on the weekend.
Friday I visited my friend, Ella, who is nursing herself back to health after
a bout of pneumonia… and look at the flowers she got…
those would make any one happy… they are so EXTRA special,
from an EXTRA special someone in her life.

We enjoyed an EXTRA SPECIAL BBQ supper last week  with
these two friends… Robin and Alex… they are soon to tie the knot…
that will be an EXTRA HAPPY day for sure!

Friday was an EXTRA HAPPY day for my father-in-law…
when he celebrated his 89th BIRTHDAY.
He loved having family around to help him celebrate it, too...
I consider myself EXTRA lucky to have such a wonderful
FATHER-IN LAW in my life!

Greg's HAPPY BIRTHDAY celebration with lots of family around!

More HAPPY BIRTHDAY FUN!

BEAU loved these EXTRA HAPPY Bunny glasses on Friday
while decorating EGGS here!

More EXTRA "EGGS-TRA" HAPPY here….
Friday EGG painting with my grandkids and niece, Rowen…
EGGS-TRA Special traditions continue year after year!
Beau painted the most eggs, but his were all yellow!

Beau and I were the only ones who wanted to wear the EGGS-STRA
Fun Glasses… some BUNNY wanted to have a little EXTRA HAPPY!

Saturday night… Mariah and Beau came and spent the evening here.
while their mommy and daddy could have an EXTRA HAPPY
Date night!
Mariah loves to play with Shuffle…
Beau was doing an EASTER PARADE…
which included not only easter ornaments… but also snowmen, too!!!
(Kinda went with the EXTRA SNOWY weather we had this Easter!)

Some BUNNY-else wanted to get in on the
EXTRA HAPPY Easter fun!
Shuffle , my diva dog… loves to dress up for all occasions!

EXTRA HAPPY EASTER TREATS
for Beau and Mariah!
Did not craft cards this year… printer is out of ink!

Beau and Mariah were EXTRA HAPPY to pose for this photo yesterday
when they came for Easter supper here!

They were extra happy with all the treats and treasures they found…
and lots of EGGS-TRA EGGS, too!

From Fuddruckers in the morning to supper in the evening…
EASTER had a lot of EXTRA- EGGS-TRA HAPPY in it!
Unfortunately our friends, Jacquie and Ella
were both sick and missed out on the fun!
Steve's Cindy was out of town so also missed out!

We had an EXTRA HAPPY crew joining us for Easter supper…
We really HAMMED it up big time this year!
With friends, Steve and son, Billy, and our friend, Vern…
along with Jana, Nels and the grandkids, too…
EGGS-TRA EXTRA HAPPY times were had by all!

Extra flowers, too…
I had tulips already… but Vern brought some more tulips…
and brother Brian popped by with a couple of big bouquets of
artificial flowers on route to brother Bob's yesterday for his Easter
supper there.
 He dropped off EXTRA special CDs from his
"SUNBAND" days in the 70s-80s!
He always brings many EXTRA treasures with him…
He has an extra special heart!


This blog post has a lot of EXTRA… in it…
From Birthday to Easter fun… and more!


Thanks for "HOPPING" by for this edition of  my blog… it has been and EXTRA busy week filled 
to the brim with a "BASKET" of fun.


The pictures pretty much speak for them selves… In fact I take so many (as you all likely know)… that I sometimes run out of room on my iPhone and take some on the camera until more space is cleared on the the phone again…I do like to capture everything… there is something EXTRA special about getting that little EXTRA photo here and there…if you see what I mean!



From a nice BBQ with friends, Robin and Alex… 
to birthday celebrations, coffee outings and more… 
this past week was full. 
We did have lots more times with the grandkids too… and today will have more. With this week being a school break,
 I will have some more time with the grand kiddies.
I know Beau is coming to hang out here today… 
and maybe Mariah too… but she was going to go to her mommy's store and work with her, so we will see
how the day plays out later!





Also this past week, we were excited to hear from son, Colin, when he was on route to his band tour. He is doing a tour in the states, starting in New York… with  his punk band… apparently there are some punk festivals on now throughout the states. He sounded super excited… so his enthusiasm always makes us EXTRA HAPPY, too.



I have not made the gym too often lately… but with all the EXTRA EGGS… EGG-CETRA… that I have been eating  I might need a few EXTRA trips to the gym this week!
I have been missing my good gym buddy, Ella, as she recoups from being ill this past week. It's always more fun with her there… but still no EGGS-CUSE for me not going!




Our good buddy, Vern hits a milestone tomorrow when he turns 65… we will hopefully do some EXTRA celebrations for him this week, too. Also celebrating birthdays this week are… my nephew, Jeff on the 26th… and next week Colin's girlfriend, Caro celebrates a birthday on the 30th!
I wish all of them lots of EXTRA HAPPY
on their special days!




Soon our house will be filled with EXTRA HAPPY 
when Beau arrives for the day… 
so on that note… her is my poem for today….



 Between EASTER and BIRTHDAYS…
This past week was EXTRA  EGGS-TRA FUN,
From all the little EXTRA stuff that we have done!
Spending time with family and with friends is a great way,
To keep that HAPPY feeling… in every single day.
Friends, Family… and yummy food,
Whether dining in or out,
It's all about the shared fun, and happiness no doubt!
Regardless of the weather…
through puddles or through snow,
EASTER was a fun one, as our Easters go!



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Many STAGES through the AGES!

"Life isn't about how high you can kick, 
it's about who is kicking with you."
-Zen to Zany

"Stages of life are different in terms of desires, 
hopes and fortunes."
-Author Unknown

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. 
It's the life in your years."
-Abraham Lincoln

My Grand daughter crossed her first stage as a competitor
in Regina this past weekend… at the CANDANCE Competition.
She won GOLD in her Ballet and Tap groups (in photos)
as well as in her Jazz group (no photo!)


My daughter Jana… did her first dance competition
in 1988… and she received a mark of 90 for her
Musical Theatre/ Tap Large group
called "Marching Up Broadway"

Also in 1988… Jana and I did our second mother daughter duo in
our year end recital to a song called "BOSOM BUDDIES"
… and we have been Bosom Buddies all our life
through the many stages we've been across and through!

Jana performed and competed in the very first ever
CANDANCE Dance Competition in 1996 in Calgary…
here she is 18 years later with her daughter Mariah
dancing in her first competition…
Also a CANDANCE one…this time in Regina…
now there are many CANDANCE competitions across Canada.
Beau is on the fly out front…  the dance competition stage
is not his thing just yet!

Beau playing cars at the dance competition on the weekend.
He wasn't as into the dancing as his gramme, mommy and sister were!!!

Here is Jana for a little visit with her dad last Tuesday…
dealing with a different STAGE…
(stage 4!)

Brian and our good friend, Robin… she popped by for a visit last week.
Soon she will be entering a new stage of her life when she gets married
on MAY 24th… and on that same day…
Mariah will turn 8 years old as well
as dance in her year end dance recital… so she will cross yet another stage!

My good dance friend, Brenda, when we met for a fun lunch last week.
Brenda has crossed many stages as well…
being the dance  and baton teacher that she is.
She will be celebrating a birthday in a couple days…
so will be entering a new age for her as well!

I spent the weekend with our good friends, Mike and Lynne
in Regina… we have been through many ages and stages
with them… as they were once our next door neighbours,
now we enjoy seeing them when ever we can…
and sharing  happy hours and  other  fun times!

I have been through many AGES and across and through many STAGES in my life so far! Lots of my life has revolved 
around dance, too, and so many stages!


So far I have experienced dance from many sides of the stage where I have been a spectator, a dancer, a dance teacher, a dance choreographer, a dance mom, a dance adjudicator, a dance auntie, and dance grammie, too!



Just this past weekend I was at the CANDANCE Dance Competition in Regina where my grand daughter, Mariah, COMPETED for her very first time. She danced in her 3 group numbers… her ballet, jazz and tap groups

 all received GOLD MEDALS.
I was a very PROUD GRAMMIE!!!


I am no stranger to STAGES… in fact I began dancing at the age of 4… and have been seeing all sides of the stage ever since. Although I didn't compete until I was around 10, 

I always loved to watch competitions and recitals alike.
Things have certainly changed since I began competing.
Back in the day when I started going to dance festivals and competitions… they used to play music on records…which often skipped! Then reel to reel tapes were used and cassette tapes, and in later years CDS were used for music.
Categories were much bigger often with forty to fifty entires in a category. Sometimes in solos the same dance was repeated by all… so it was a matter of who danced it best!
Also there was a first place, second place and third place given…and seldom any tie breakers. Now a days the concept is much different… with giving out a standard and a medal for all.



I loved having my own studio for 28 years… and tried to teach that it was not so much what you did… but how you did it. Teaching good skills, and technique was important, and completing levels helped to reach goals… but the bottom line was that dancers had fun while making memories to last a lifetime. It was not so much about the win… but more about the climbing the ladder along the way and improving the skills from year to year… and finding mentors to look up to while doing so.

Life itself is much like a dance … in that it is about aiming to do your best from day to day and making the most of the best and least of your worst along the way.



Sometimes in life we don't always get to pick the outcome for every lifetime event. As we age some things become easier while other things become harder. Through the ages and the stages of life… it truly is a journey every step of the way.

There are ups and downs along the way…. 
and many many twists and turns! 

I still must say I love the dance experience regardless of what side of the stage I'm on. 


I enjoyed watching Dancing With The Stars last night, too…and their tribute to DISNEY… something else so close to my heart. 
I love Disney… and have for a long time. I became even more fond of it when my daughter Jana performed for Tokyo Disney for 5 contracts … another PROUD STAGE of my life as her dance teacher and mom!

I do enjoy a chance to celebrate every stage of life… and birthdays are one of the many celebrations for doing just that…
Just this week… my good buddy and dance studio owner, Brenda will celebrate a birthday on April 17th. My father-in-law Greg will celebrate his birthday on the 18th, and my nephew Jeff will celebrate on the 26th… so Happy Birthday to all of them as they enter a new stage and age of their lives!

This weekend is Easter… another Celebration to acknowledge!…hoping we are at the "SPRING STAGE" by then… 
and not still on winter!!!
That being said… we did have our first barbecue of the season last week… when Spring tried to make a brief appearance!


I am wishing my good friend, Ella a speedy recovery as she gets over her pneumonia and shingles… I hope this is a short lived stage for her! I missed her at the gym today.


I am always sad when we say good bye to special people and they have made their final exit in the stages of life… 
Just this past Sunday my father-in-law, Greg, lost his last living sibling... his oldest sister, ANGE. She lived a very long life and was 100 years old… 
but Greg is now the only sibling living out of the
original 9 he grew up with. 


I guess the ages and stages of life cannot go forever, but while we are living we should live life to the fullest in every 
stage we are in… or on!

Even my blog writing goes through many stages… from finding a theme and photos from my past week to tie together with quotes and my little poem… which is the stage this post is at now!


In my life I've been through many ages…
Through thick and thin and through many stages.
I've seen the stage from many sides…
From front to back and across in strides!
Each age has it's pros and cons…
And also has it's offs and ons.
I can say this about every one,
Each one has rewards, and also some fun!
The older I get the more I appreciate,
The stages of life that are so great!
I've been through many, but more stages yet,
And lots from my past, I'll never forget.
Regardless of age or the stage that I'm in,
Staying upbeat makes me feel like I win!
As time goes forth and I see more stages,
I make the most of my best as I turn the pages!


 

Monday, April 7, 2014

SPRiNG it ON!

"An optimist is the human personification of spring."
-Susan J. Bissonette

"It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

"Spring is like nature's way of saying 'Let's party!' "
-Robin Williams


Bunnies are SPRINGING up everywhere
as we get closer to Easter!

Nothing says SPRING like Daffodils…
Thanks to my friend, Cathy for this lovely bouquet,
it brought instant happy!

A week ago we went out for a nice supper with friends, Ella and Vern…
it feels good to get out and about again, now that SPRING is here!

Mariah went to a birthday party where they did characatures…
here is one of Jana and of Mariah… pretty good likeness to them!

SPRING is dance competition and festival season…
I attended two in the last week…
"The Performer" and "Spring Stars"
both in Saskatoon.
$15,000.00 was raised at Spring Stars for Cancer cures in the city. 

My niece Rowen danced 4 dances in Spring Stars…
here she is in her ballet costume.

I did some babysitting on the weekend.
It was nice to get outside with the kids, too.
Mariah had some dancing on and Beau is showing off how
he looks in his poppa's glasses… and new hair cut!

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday…
he has spent every one in Heaven since 2000.
This year his brother( my Uncle Charlie)
 can celebrate it with him there, too.



I am pretty sure everyone is with me when I say I am happy to see the end of winter and the beginning of SPRING…
SPRING IT ON!!!!

I love Spring for many reasons… it is the start of the warmer weather and less heavy clothes… but it is also dance festival and competition season, too. I have so many fond memories of the years of involvement with my dancing  of competing in festivals and competitions in spring. Both as a child myself, as a dance teacher, and mom… and now as a proud grandma. Mariah is doing her first dance competition season this year… and I am so proud and excited.

I was at two dance competitions in the city last week…and am always blown away with the talents in this province. The teachers and dancers alike… always go above and beyond when it comes to amazing work and creativity. So hats off to all of them for their hard work leading up to this time of year. It is amazing how many memories I have of this time, and the people I know through the world of dancing.

I love Spring because we can get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air outdoors once again. Time to go on some nice long doggie walks with my dog, Shuffle! … she loves that, too…and believe me, we both could
use the exercise as well.

April is JAZZ APPRECIATION month… and I love jazz… so I am appreciating it as I do year round. Soon it will be Jazz Festival time again, too.

Tomorrow I am thinking about my dad… on his birthday in Heaven… I have so many fond memories of him always, not just on his birthday… but it seems so fitting he was born in springtime. My father-in-law,Greg, was as well…

his birthday is coming up on April 18th.


Brian was away on a little guys get away this weekend to Edmonton for an Edmonton Oilers game… and will be home later today… he loved getting away… I know we all seemed to be getting cabin fever from the long winter!



This coming weekend we will head to Regina to watch Mariah dance in the CANDANCE competition run by the Foleys' from Toronto. I have many fond memories of my dance experiences with that well known dance family 

… so excited to see Mariah
perform in that one, too. I know she is pretty pumped to get on the dance costumes and strut her stuff!

I had Mariah for a little sleepover this weekend … I always enjoy times spent with the grandkids. She came to watch the  dancing this weekend, too and was like a little judge… writing her own special comments in the program for each dance. Co-incidentally she wrote:
"My Favourite"... beside a large tap group called
"IN TIME" from BSOBAD. 

That dance ended up getting the highest score of the competition with a mark of 98…wow!
That competition was a fund raiser for Cancer…

 raising $15,000.00  as well… 
so a huge success all round.



Last week I was at the dance studio updating the studio boards from St. Patricks to Easter… and SPRING!
Hard to believe… before we know it another dance season will be winding up again!

I hope to get out for a little SPRING walk today… 

so on that note… here is my rhyme of the day!

I like SPRING for many reasons…
It's also one of my favourite seasons.
I'm always happy when winter is done,
The fun begins, when spring's begun.
The weather is better … the sun is out,
It makes us smile, instead of pout!
There are times and many chances,
To watch so very many dances.
At festivals, competitions and at shows,
My love of performing grows and grows!
Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop… and TAPpiness...
Dancing brings me so much happiness!
I love open windows, and the smells they bring,
The air is so fresh when it is spring.
Bye bye winter… it's just time you're gone,
I'm ready for spring… so SPRING IT ON!