LoVE & SuNSHiNE

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."
-Roald Dahl

"A good laugh is like sunshine in the home"
-Author Unknown

"It's the little things we share that add up to big love."
-Author Unknown

Right now with Mariah and Beau's parents are on a little vacay,
and the kids are sharing special bonds at their Grandparents.

This photo (which was taken back in June of 2013)…
represents the beginning of a journey filled with
LOVE and SUNSHINE!

This picture represents the LOVE and SUNSHINE my heart was filled with
while watching the STEVIE WONDER TV special last Monday night.
I believe he was playing my all time "Stevie" favourite song here
"You Are The Sunshine of My Life"
and… forever he will stay in my heart!

Last week I made a couple of my favourite comfort foods
to keep me warm during the cold weather…
Banana chocolate chip muffins and Chilli!
I had brother Brian for lunch (no photo).
 and cousin Gwen for supper
to share those on Thursday… had warm visits with both!

Also last week shared a starbucks with Mariah and Brian on Wednesday.
All of  those bring me love and sunshine!

Mariah and I share a common love of scrapbooking and crafting.
I discovered a fun little handwriting project in my basement  and Mariah was
loving working on it… It warms my heart to see her take on some
of the passions I also have!
We will share them all week  as Mariah  spends this week with us.

Beau was so excited to go to Edmonton and share a week filled with
LOVE and SUNSHINE… at his other grandparents
while his parents are gone on their little vacay.
His grandma Nancy (AKA NANA) posted 3 of these photos on her FB
page this weekend… so I am sharing them, too.
He had a fun tobogganing session and has enjoyed
the family toys, too!
I know he will be getting lots of special loving there!

We have caught a few different expressions of Mariah while out dining…
Friday night at DQ… Sunday morning at Fuddrucker's for breakfast,
and last night at Earl's for pizza!

Saturday Mariah was a lucky girl to share some girl bonding with her
great Auntie Bev and  cousin, Rowen.
They shared a lunch at Boston Pizza for "Bugs'n'cheese"
and then a fun pottery painting session at "Wet Paint Pottery".
That was just so THOUHTFUL of Bev to treat the girls…
I'm sure it was an afternoon full of love and sunshine for them all.

Yesterday Mariah had a 2 hour ballet lesson,
but she was busy dancing with our dog, Shuffle
in her boots before going!
She is always dancing around and she also loves  Shuffle so much
and Shuffle loves her too!

Last night Mariah had a little half hour session of jumping on
trampolines at a place called APEX. I was tired just watching the output
of energy from all kids jumping as we watched.
You can see by Mariah's red face that she had not only a good
workout, but a lot of fun!

Some of the inspirations for today's blog theme!
The new scent from Bath and Body Works also same name as my
post "LOVE & SUNSHINE"

Today's calendar saying…
"HELLO SUNSHINE"

And two of the quotes I chose to share at the beginning of todays'
blog post… I do love a quote…
they always bring me LOVE & SUNSHINE!



Thanks for stopping by for my weekly blog post…
I truly look forward to gathering all the things that have brought me love and sunshine and sharing them with you.
Mondays have really become one of my favourite days of the week… as it is a reminder of the great things
I've done in the previous week.
So here's to another MAGIC MONDAY!!!


While Jana and Nels are off to Mexico for a little vacay filled with LOVE and SUNSHINE… they have left their two kids with the two sets of grandparents to help fill our weeks full of the same! Beau went to  stay with his grandma Nancy and his grandpa Arvid in Edmonton, while we have Mariah here with us for the week. I just love the times I can bond with the grandkids… and even better when it is "One on One".
There is no competing for attention…
we can focus on the one who is here at the time.


Mariah is quickly becoming a little copy of her grammie D … if I do say so myself… she loves many things that I love.
She has developed a love of dancing from little on, which is not surprising as both her mommy and grandma grew up with that in their blood! But Mariah is becoming quite the little crafter as well, she is not only good at it… she truly sincerely loves it as well. A real little girl after my heart…
she is the "SUNSHINE of my life!"


Just last weekend as I was cleaning up my crafting area in my basement, I came across a very cool little kit on handwriting which was still in the cellophane wrapper, so I was unsure how long I had it or what it had inside!!!
When Mariah and I decided to check it out, to our surprise, it provided us with a weekend full of fun crafting entertainment!
It teaches skills for different handwriting as taught by a famous scrapbooker, Heidi Swapp.
Mariah was so into it… and proceeded to not only create many new fonts of writing and printing,
but she crafted some cute cards, too.


We decided to journal her week with us… so she can share her week of events with her parents when they return from their holiday. In addition to the journaling, we have decided to have a THEME "word of the day."
Friday's word that we practiced writing in different fonts was "HAPPiNESS"
Saturday Mariah chose "THOUGHTFUL" as her word of the day… and it was just so thoughtful of her Auntie Bev to treat her and Rowen to the fun girlie outing, too!
Yesterdays' word of the day for Mariah was
"WiSH"… and her wish came true when she got to go jump on trampolines at the place called APEX.
I'd say lots of WISHES came true for her this weekend.
She is a lucky girl…
and I know Beau will be a lucky boy, too.
 Those kids are very fortunate to have two such loving sets of grandparents that is for sure!
The feelings shared between grandkids and grandparents are very mutual!!!



I have decided to tuck a little message into each of Mariah's school lunches this week… and pick a matching THEME word for each one, too. I am all about a theme!
I know Mariah gets into that idea, too…
so today I have entitled "MAGIC MONDAY"…
my themes are all ready and printed out… and each theme has the same letter as the day itself…
so there is
"TAPPY TUESDAY"
"WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY"
"THANKFUL THURSDAY"
"FUN FRIDAY"
I had fun creating little messages to go with each one…
I am kind of a kid heart when it comes to stuff like that!



I am pretty sure our week will go by fast. Mariah has to be at school each day by 8:35 with her lunch and some days she is there till 6 with her after school programs… and the other days she dances after school… she is a busy little girl!


She loves to watch movies and tv too. We watched 3 movies and some of the Oscars last night, too.
She watched
"MALEFICENT", "SPY KIDS" and "PETER PAN"
After the great tribute to "SOUND OF MUSIC" on last night's Oscars, by Lady GaGa, I wondered if Mariah ever saw that movie, so I asked her on her way to school today, and she said she hadn't seen it. That is a movie I know she'd love… and I'd love to watch it with her.



Tonight is the start of the new season of the tv show,
THE VOICE… and apparently there is even a fellow from Saskatoon trying out on the show this year.
I enjoy the music related shows on TV.

As I mentioned above the Stevie Wonder Grammy Tribute last monday night was fantastic and was a reminder of just how much I love him and his WONDER-ful music!



I know Jana and Nels will be enjoying the SUNSHINE in MEXICO this week… and I am actually enjoying the warmer winter weather here today as well… and of course, SUNSHINE makes me LOVE it even more!


Our lives are not always filled with LOVE and SUNSHINE… but when we focus on the positives it helps us keep moving forward in our journey of lives whatever
directions they are headed for.



We spent a bit of yesterday afternoon helping clear out more stuff at the family home before it goes on the market to sell.
While there I found many cute photos from our past that not only brought a smile to my face… but they filled my heart with SUNSHINE and LOVE too!
I love looking at the special memories from the past…
and they all hold a warm spot in my heart, too.


Our good friend we meet for breakfast with on Sundays,
Bob... will be hitting a milestone birthday this week…
HAPPY 85th Birthday BOB!… today he and his partner, Jacquie are off on a little SUNSHINE filled vacay, too.
Wishing them a vacay filled with all the
love and sunshine they deserve.


Next Sunday, my good buddy, Ella will be celebrating a birthday as well… so I hope to celebrate with her at some point between now and then…
A week from today our good friend, Vern returns from his month away in the sunshine of Hawaii.
We will look forward to his rerun, as well.


Today after dropping Mariah at school, I stopped and picked up a little latte from starbucks, and then headed to feed Mariah and Beau's fish at their house!
I think the fish was glad to get fed!!!

Also this past week… we popped by to visit my mother-in-law, Blanche at her new residence. I know she is always happy when Brian and I pop by to visit.
Yesterday we heard from our son, Colin, who just returned from a week in Mexico…
so I know he enjoyed his get away as well…
and I always am happy to hear from him
when ever he calls us, too!


Wishing everyone a week filled with
SUNSHINE and LOVE!



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

This week will be filled with sunshine and love…
As we feel the warmth around and above.
Feeling inspired with the week that just passed,
And filling this week up with memories to last.
Sharing some love and having such fun,
With my girl, Mariah, she's such a sweet one!
Although at times we seem like such nerds…
We have so much fun when we play with words.
Keeping a theme for every day…
Adding some meaning along the way!
Before we know it, the week will be done,
Then we can share what we did, and all of the fun!
Hope the other grandparents enjoy little Beau,
He'll keep them busy,too... I just know!
My wish for the week is for
LOVE & SUNSHINE…
Just know we will share it and all will be fine.

SnOw MUCH FAMiLY LOVE!

"FAMILY Where life begins and love never ends."

"Family is like music, some high notes, some low notes,
but always a beautiful song."

"Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything it covers."

"Snowflakes are kisses from heaven."

All the above quotes in today's blog theme 
were found on the internet  as 
-Author Unknown

This wonderful family photo was taken in December by our
evergreen tree in the back yard.
Thanks to friend Jorge for taking this!
I thought it went well with today's theme… and seeing as it is
FAMILY DAY…
I felt I should share it once again.

The bottom two photos were taken this morning with way more snow
than  we had when the above photo was done!!!

More FAMILY LOVE was shared this past week…
we had supper at Jana and Nels's place.
After supper a trip to dollarama …
after Beau played with his new planes while
Mariah was so into doing her  valentines for her class mates!

It always makes my heart smile to see my grandkids…
and see them loving life!

I shared a delicious meal and friend bond last week with these two good buddies.
Brenda treated both Ella and me to a fun filled friendship lunch
at a little place called "D'Lish!"

The mugs there are filled with fun quotes and sayings about life…
hard to read in the photo… the meals truly were D'Lish!

I posted these photos to my Facebook for throwback Thursday last week…
when my friend, Ella's dad was only  99 and a half!
This weekend he turned 100.
I feel privileged to have met and to know her dad, Bill… he is a real gem!

Many Friend- Family Celebrations filled with LOVE this past week…
Good friend, Nichole became a first time grandma to her little grandson,
RYKER JAMES SHANE…
Friends Joan and Gerry were thrilled to welcome their fourth
grand daughter… GEORGIA GRACE.

Friend Ella and her family celebrated her dear dad, Bill,
on the weekend when he reached the milestone age of
ONE HUNDRED YEARS YOUNG!

Lots of families lots of celebrations all filled with love!

Another LOVE FILLED CELEBRATION of life
was for my friend, Heather's sweet mom, Mildred.
Her funeral was held one day before what would have been
her 97th Birthday.

Heather did such a lovely and loving tribute to her mother,
and I know she will now remain in her heart forever more.
I loved the lovely quote on the back of the obit card,
"AWAYS WITH YOU…"

Here are the FAMILY VALENTINES!
I am always in my "HAPPY PLACE" when I can craft a card or two!
 Brian gave me a beautiful card as well, with such a
heartfelt message on and in it!

I was happy that the kids liked their valentines…
We gave them shirts  and hats with sayings on them
as well as little heart boxes of chocolates!
They put on the shirts and hats right away… and looked
AWESOME and COOL in them!

After crafting … my craft table needs major cleaning…
so while cleaning I came across these little
Valentine goodies from years ago, of Mariah!

I was going to make some cookies on Saturday, but was
really craving chocolate… so skipped the cookies, and went straight to
the chocolate chips!!!

Sunday we joined good friends…
Bob and Jacquie along with her cousin, Lori,
and our friend, Steve, too… this week at
Rembrandt's in the Senator… for a yummy  Valentine's breakfast.
Bob treated us all… so sweet of him to share the love!



HAPPY FAMILY DAY!

Today is a special holiday designated to family… and I am ever grateful for my family and extended families and friends always. With the snow we got on the weekend… I even felt the love from above from our family who were blowing kisses our way all weekend in the form of snow flakes!
Lots of family love was shared.


I look forward to my Monday mornings every week when I review all the positives in my previous week, and gather them in a theme to share in my weekly blog. Although I do take many photos, I do not get around to capturing every detail and or event… but I do try to get as much as I can in pictures, when my phone is not full of photos and telling me I cannot take another!!!! 



Like I say… I only share the good news here… and I do appreciate all who stop by to read all about it. 
Thanks for popping by to read my weekly blog!


Because this is family day, we plan to get together with Jana, Nels and the kids later today. I also had a nice visit with my brother, Brian on the phone this morning. 
It is always good to connect with him and he sounded in good spirits, too.

I also enjoy all connections I have on the internet, via emails, Facebook and instagrams, too. It is so great to feel connected… I enjoy your news and photos, as well!
I actually borrowed a few photos in today's blog… 
of newborns and hundredth birthdays! I sure hope you do not mind me sharing them, too… I am always happy to share the fun stuff!


Yesterday after our lovely breakfast outing, we popped by my hubby's family home to help sort through stuff. The family has been doing this the past few months in prep to put the home up for sale soon. It is a huge job, and I am ever grateful that, Brian's sisters, Bev and Brenda, along with my daughter, Jana… have all been doing a tremendous job of going through all of the stuff accumulated in the 57 years
it was the family home.
Brian and I were very little help yesterday, but we felt we should contribute a bit so we stopped by for a bit.
Thanks to the family for all they do and have done so far.
You rock!


I have enjoyed a few meals and coffees out this past week as well as a few trips to the gym. I always say it's a good thing I get to the gym here and there to help balance all the eating and outings! 
I am ever grateful for the fabulous friends in my life … I have so many and love any chances I get to be with them.


Even when we shared in my good friend, Heather's mother's funeral… we saw many good friends there as well. Heather's family was gathered and had lots of family times to bond too.
I was delighted to catch up with dance teacher friend, Virginia from North Battleford while there… wish I captured that in a photo, but missed it!


We are grateful for our next door neighbour, Floyd and his snow blower during these heavy snowfalls we've had lately. He is not only so eager and quick to get out and remove our snow… but he is quick to roll out our garbage bins on garbage days as well. He and his wife, Cheryl are always such good neighbours for us…
and we are thankful they live so close by.


Saturday my gym class was canceled, so I was delighted to get a chance to go watch Beau's hockey … which is on at the same time as my gym. However, his hockey was also canceled… so the kids stopped by for their valentines instead. Then them and their daddy joined Brian and me for breakfast at Fuddruckers. 
Too bad their mommy had to work!


I am always in my happy place when it comes to crafting and wrapping… however my basement gets pretty crazy messy after I have done a few projects, so I spent much of Valentine's day in my basement, cleaning!
It feels rewarding to get it sorted and cleaned up some what… and it will make the next crafting project much easier, as I will be able to find things again.
I do own a lot of crafting stuff, but it gets all mixed together and then I can't find things!!! Now I am happy to report, it is sorted out again … for a while anyhow!
While I was doing that, I had my iPod playing a mix of songs…funny how it just seemed to know it was Valentine's day as most of the songs were LOVE related, so it made the perfect little soundtrack to my little job!


Tonight… I am so pumped to see the tribute to
Stevie Wonder on TV as many artists come together to perform some of his songs in a show entitled
"SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE"
I have always been a huge Stevie fan… 
so I have our PVR set and ready to record the show…
and will look forward to watching that later. 
I LOVE MUSIC… it definitely provides the key to lots of happiness in my life!


I know I say this nearly every blog…
but I am so grateful for my family and my friends…
as they are what make life worth
living and loving!


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


This past week has had a lot to fill my blog,
"Snow" much fun with loves ...
and also my sweet dog!
Time spent celebrating with family and friends,
The joys of life and it's perfect blends,
From dining out… to rolling up rims…
Sharing coffees... at Starbucks and Tim's!
Doing the things that come from the heart,
Living each day with love from the start!

HEART Songs… GRAMMiES to GRAMMYS!

"Your heart is just a beat box for the song of your life."
-Sandi Thom

"Life is a song. Love is the lyrics."
-Author Unknown

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."
-Plato

I am always so happy to be the "GRAMMiE" to these two cuties.
This past week I had each of them over for a sleepover on separate nights…
Mariah stayed here last Tuesday and Beau was here on Wednesday.
Mariah is so independent  now at the age of 8,
where Beau, age 4, is a bit more dependant on us to help him with stuff.
I love them both to the moon and back!

Although these photos are a bit blurry, they still captured the moments
while Mariah posed for me in her Tiger shirt and socks,
before going to school last Wednesday morning...
She is really into her dancing , which is something her and GRAMMiE D
have in common.

Here are some of Beau's poses.
The bottom two he was into doing sticker pictures…
something he and GRAMMiE D enjoy together!!!

I managed to get in a few coffee outings last week…
This is one to Tim Horton's with Brian and our friend, Ella… to roll up the rim to win!
(But we didn't win anything that trip!!!)
I was also out for a starbucks coffee with friends, Cathy and Kellie too last week,
but didn't get a picture of it.
All coffee outings were fun.

Another coffee outing I had last week, was to my sister-in-law, Arleen's
on Friday to share a visit with cousins, Bev and Gwen, along with
Nephew's wife, Savannah and her sweet baby Jorja.
Jorja is Arleen's first grandchild…
making her a very proud GRAMMIE too!
JORJA is my very first great niece, too… so not only do
I love being a grammie I enjoy this role too.

Saturday I was invited to a lovely baby shower to honour  Savannah and Jorja.
On the right here are Jorja's two grandmas… above Barb, and below, Arleen.
Jorja was showered with gifts and lots of love by all who attended the party.

Also enjoying the shower was my nephew, Brad's wife, Janelle,
who is expecting her first child in May…
and one of Savannah's friends shown here with her
diaper cake… which was so cute, hard to see it in the photo.

On the weekend… I got my mother -in -law, Blanche to her
hair appointment, and took a photo when I picked her up…
her hair was lovely. She, too, is the proud GRAMMIE
of not only 8 grandkids but of 2 great grandkids, as well.
She is an awesome lady to all who know her.

On the right… are some cupcakes I made yesterday, and
my doggie, Shuffle, looking up to the counter in hopes one might
fall off in her direction!

I was happy to see some favourites at last night's GRAMMYS on TV…
George Harrison was given a life time achievement award, although not alive to receive it.
Paul McCartney seemed to be enjoying the evening from the crowd,
as well as on stage when he performed with singers,
Rhianna and Kanye West.

PAUL has always loved to perform and it was obvious his heart
was into it on stage last night.

There was something for everyone from young to young at heart at the
GRAMMYS…
I loved that 88 year old Tony Bennett was joined in the audience as well as on
stage by 28 year old Lady GaGa to sing an all time favourite jazz classic
"Cheek to Cheek"
I also loved Usher's tribute and rendition of the STEVIE WONDER hit…
"If It's Magic"…and then 'Magically' STEVIE appeared to do a little
harmonica solo. I am so looking forward to the tribute to STEVIE WONDER
next Monday on TV in a special  to honour his contribution to music.
Lots of other great voices and artists I enjoyed on last nights show, too.

More of last l nights' GRAMMY moments I enjoyed…
HAPPY to see Pharrell Williams win for his song "HAPPY!"
Young 20 year old Ariana Grande performed with such grace,
and 60 year old Annie Lennox "Took us To Church" when she joined artist Hosier!

In a red carpet special leading up to the GRAMMYS last night…
Pharrell Williams was interviewed by Ryan Seacrest… and made a statement
something to this affect…
Life is like a carousel… in spite all of the ups and downs…
Keep going round and stay on for the ride.

That thought really resinated with me last night,
I do like his very positive attitude in life.


HAPPY Monday everyone…
another week has passed by since my last blog post, and many things have also come and gone since then as well.


As you can see by my photos of the week, I had some fun with my grandkids this week. I do enjoy them one on one.
Tuesday I got Mariah from school and fed her supper before delivering her to her 3 hours of dancing. I picked her up and she had her first ever sleepover on a school night with us.
She is becoming so grown up and is such a delight always.
I cherish the days and times I can spend with her.
She is becoming so independent too…
before heading to her lessons, she looked up her dance songs on youtube and practiced some of her steps for me. 
I love that she loves to dance!


Beau didn't want to be left out, so he came on Wednesday night for his little turn at a one on one sleepover at Grammie's. He loves to watch TV, play with the smurfs, do sticker crafts, and is always hungry… I think he is on a growth spurt! He also loves his skating and hockey this year as well, and does know which teams he is more fond of too.
When I took him to daycare on thursday, I had to bribe him with a Kindersurprise… which he refers to as a
"kinder -APRISE"!
We enjoyed Beau here, too.


Jana was in New York last week at a shoe show, so we were helping Nels out with the kidlets while she was gone.
On the weekend… the kids went on to share some time with their other GRANDPARENTS, Nancy and Arvid,  in Edmonton, while Jana and Nels went to a wedding in 
Lake Louise on the weekend.
I know the other grandparents had as much fun as we did with the kids… it is always fun being the grandparents,
even though it can be tiring, 
they do
make our hearts sing!


I had a few coffee outings this past week and enjoyed everyone. I always like the different groups of people I can share that with.

I did not make it to the gym as often last week. One of my instructors from Goodlife Gym lost his father last week, so i am sending my thoughts and heart songs his way.


I love the shows related to music on TV, and of course one of the year's biggest musical events on TV is the GRAMMY AWARDS which were on last night. There was something for every musical taste from the young to the young and heart and everything in between. Where would we be without music in our lives?!!!


Last week, my good friend, Heather, lost her her dear mother who would have turned 97 years old this week.
Yesterday Brian and I made up some lasagne and cupcakes to take over for her, and we will attend her celebration of life this Wednesday. It is always hard to say good bye to our dear loved ones…
sending lots of support to Heather in this time of loss.


Yesterday was the annual Stars of Hope show here in the city to raise money for cancer. I did not make it this year, but know it was a huge success, and it is run by dance teacher sisters, Nadine and Nicole who lost their mom 30 years ago to cancer. Many dance studios came together to perform in that show for such a good cause. I am quite sure there were many heart songs involved in that show.


This weekend is VALENTINE'S DAY and another time for songs of the heart. Also this weekend… my good friend, Ella's dad will be
100 years old on the 15th.
He is the sweetest man and does not look a day over 80…
I wish him the very best as he hits his special milestone in life… many heart songs and heart felt thoughts going out his way when the family comes together to celebrate him.


Tomorrow it will be one month since I had my birthday, so I guess it is time to take down my table full of birthday cards, but I have sure enjoyed them this last month, 
they do help put a 
SONG IN MY HEART!!


On that note here is my rhyme of the day…


It's good to have my grandkids and also have a song,
It helps to keep me happy and moves me a long.
It's truly much better when I do not give up hope,
And certainly it's best when I do not sit and mope!
Through the ups and downs of life, I'll stay on the ride,
And try to keep an optimistic feel within each stride.
I'll listen to the voices and songs within my heart…
And try to stay real upbeat from each morning's start!

So Much CELEBRATING!

"Let time celebrate your presence, you keep smiling as ever."
-Sri Sri

"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road 
- Celebrate the journey."
-Fitshugh Mullan

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

I had another Birthday lunch outing this past week!
And although it is fun being sang to while wearing the crazy
Moose hat… it is somewhat silly too…
but it is a way to CELEBRATE!

Joining me on this birthday lunch outing at Montanna's
were my good buddies
Ella, Jacquie and Heather…
Once again this year… they were good sports and posed
for photos in the Happy Birthday Glasses!

As well as the birthday lunch I shared at Montanna's…
I also shared a birthday lunch with my sisters-in-law,
here on the bottom left…Bev and Brenda.
(this photo was actually taken at my party earlier this month),
but we did enjoy lunch
at The Cactus Club on Saturday
to Celebrate Brenda who had a birthday last week!

Last week… I also enjoyed a starbucks/winners outing
with my buddy Gailene…
We liked the prints with sayings on them as photographed here.
I also ran into a friend, Colleen, yesterday and had a coffee with her, too,
but no photo together…
Colleen and Gailene are my "SCOOTER" friends!

Ellen Degeneres Celebrated her birthday on January 26th…
but she had a celebration every day on her show last week.
(She's a girl after my heart stretching out the celebrations!)
I loved the gifts she shared including these LOAFERS
made out of LOAFS of bread!
I loved seeing the SYTYCD top six from 2014
perform on that show as well.

Brian and I joined our friend Vern for a STARBUCKS on Thursday,
and Jana and Mariah ended up popping by there while we were there, too!

Friday Vern treated Ella, Brian and me to a nice
lunch at Earl's before he headed off on  a trip
to Hawaii for the next month.

Friday I picked up Mariah from school and
fed her before taking her to her dancing lessons.
It was WACKY HAIR DAY at her school that day,
so she is modelling
the "DO" she wore here!
She loves her mashed potatoes…
and had those and hot chocolate for her snack before going to her lesson.
She is a girl who celebrates life day to day.

We were invited to a wonderful
SURPRISE 85th BIRTHDAY PARTY
on Saturday for dear friends…
JOE and OMA
seen here with their family… Derek, Barry, Joanne and Janet…
along with a live jazz saxophonist.
The cake and decor were all so fabulous, too…
I loved the musical, dance,  red and black theme!

The party was such a  fabulous celebration…
and a nice chance for many visits for the party guests of all ages
 from young to young at heart!
The party decor was done by Lisa, Barry's wife and it was in their home, too.
I had a nice catch up here with youngest daughter, Janet…
Here also is Shirley, their daughter in law with her newest grand daughter,
born in January.
Lots to CELEBRATE in these photos.

Other babies born in January are seen here…
I saw these photos posted on Facebook…
on the left, Baby UNA JAIME, first child for
friends, Carly and Duncan in Vancouver.
On the right …
baby HARPER LILY first child for Stacey and Gene,
and below shown with grandparents,
Wayne and Shelley.
I know they are all celebrating these new family members,
babies are such little miracles in life!

Here is a very old photo of me… but one I use as my adjudicating
"Headshot"… I will be adjudicating in Edmonton come April.
This week BSOBAD dance studio is doing their TAP EXAMS…
so I do up different themes for all the exam sessions…
I have done so many over the years… but have never used FOXES…
I hope every TAP FOX really ROCKS in their exam this year,
and soon will be celebrating another grade passed.




HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY!
I don't think there will be too many ground hogs celebrating though, today as it is darned chilly out there,
at least here in Saskatoon it is.


This past week has been another one filled with more things to celebrate… including some extended birthday celebrations for my self and other family members and friends, too.

I am one who loves a reason to celebrate anything big or small… even a coffee outing to me is like a celebration, and lately I have had quite a little STARBUCKS SAGA
going on, too!!! hehehe


My good buddy Ella was away at the time of my big 60th SURPRISE party and wanted to treat me to lunch this past week so her along with friends, Jacquie and Heather met at Montanna's for a fun lunch outing. We all enjoyed the meal and visit as well as the fun and shenanigans they do there for birthday celebrations!


My sister-in-law, Brenda celebrated a birthday last week, so sister-in-law, Bev and I treated her to a nice lunch outing at the Cactus Club. It is always fun to do a traditional sister birthday celebration together in honour of our birthdays…
Bev's isn't until July! Due to the fact my phone is often full and says cannot take photos,
I did not actually capture that event in a photo.
(It's a sign to get deleting some more photos
to make room for more new ones!)


As well there were other family birthdays being acknowledged this past week…
in addition to Brenda on the 28th… my cousin Darcy celebrated on the 29th, and my cousin Jan had her birthday on the 31st.
I was reminded of other family birthdays…
Brian's cousin , Gail had a birthday on the 30th…
We sill recall some of those who live on in our hearts as well...Brian's Grandma would have been 125 on the 29th,
My Uncle Rudy would have been 100 on the 28th, and my Auntie Jean would have been 99 on the 1st of February.
Even though some of those birthday relatives have been gone for a while, it is nice to remember them and remember just how special they were to us while they were still with us.


My cousin Jan posted a lovely song in honour of her dad, my Uncle Rudy, on her Facebook page last week on the day he would have been 100.
The words were so meaningful and I want to share those here…
"YOU'RE A PART OF ME"
I keep your twinkle in my pocket
Sometimes I put it in my eye
I keep your wisdom in a locket
It lets me know, when someone asks me why
There's your strength in my tone
And your humour in my funny bone
Oh I'm never alone!
For you're a part of me
You may be gone, but you live on inside of me
Your tears and my laughter
Maybe that's what they mean by "the life after"
I keep your twinkle in my pocket
Sometimes I put it in my eye!
-By Jan Horvath


We felt honoured to be invited to share in a wonderful milestone birthday celebration for dear friends, Joe and Oma, on the weekend, too. We go way back to my studio days when I taught their daughters,
Joanne and Janet dancing, back in the 1970's.
Joe turned 85 on January 26th and Oma is 85 today… so in their honour, their second oldest son, Barry and his wife, Lisa (who I also taught dancing back in the day), held a big SURPRISE PARTY at their beautiful home.
In addition to their own family and extended family, many of their friends gathered to celebrate this fabulous couple,
who really do live their life to the fullest.
The home was beautifully decorated in red, white and black with dancers and musical notes everywhere. Both Joe and Oma love music and dancing … something else I have in common with them, so I did love the decorations, and I do love a theme, too, always! We were so happy to be included in this event and it was so special to catch up with not only the dancers and people in their family,
 but with friends we know from years gone by.


We have shared many outings with family and friends by going for coffees and meals here and there, and cherish the memories  we make along the way. Just last week I got to see 2 friends I hadn't seen in a while on separate occasions… Gailene and Colleen.
We call ourselves the "SCOOTERS"!
They were both dance parents of dancers who danced in my studio too. Us ladies took a quiz on Facebook years ago to see which Muppet we most resembled and all got Kermit the frog's nephew and stage hand, Scooter! So needless to say the "SCOOTER" name has stuck with us ever since!


I know many people were celebrating yesterday while watching the Super Bowl Football game. I am not personally a football watcher, but did tune in to bits of the event, and watched the half time show. It was a big celebration event for sure.Next weekend we will be celebrating again as the annual musical awards will be chosen on the Grammy's held on Sunday the 8th of February. It seems there are celebration shows on TV for weeks and months to come…
Always something to Celebrate!


For me, I just like to try to celebrate daily life whenever I get the chance… it is a good way to live. I know we all have good days and bad days, but in the end, it is nice to focus on the good ones and just celebrate them. I truly believe there is something we can all celebrate every day… even if some days we have to search harder to find it.


I am still celebrating the fact that I am making a conscious effort to get to the gym more often… which is a good thing, as with all the celebrations we have been a part of lately I need the gym to help balance things out a bit!


Yesterday Brian and I popped by to say hi to his mom. Brian's two sisters, Bev and Brenda were also there along with my niece, Rowen, and my nephews, Sam and Luke.
It almost seemed like a party, too… not often do we all show up there at the same time just for a little visit!
It is always nice to connect for whatever the reason or CELEBRATION!


I celebrate all times I connect with my family and grandkids, too. I saw a bit of Mariah this past week, but haven't seen Beau in over a week. Hopefully we will see him one day this week. I know I will be seeing Mariah tomorrow when I get her from school and to her dancing. I enjoy the Tuesday bonds we have shared together this year.

On that note…
Here is my poem of the week.

Last month had a lot of celebrations going on,
Some days it started early and lasted through till dawn.
I like to celebrate little things, and turn them to a lot…
 I am one who celebrates each little thing and thought!
We're only here on borrowed time, so why not fill it up,
Make the very most of it… put whip cream in your cup!
Gather with the family, and also with the friends,
Even on the quiet days, have some perfect blends.
Whether it be Starbucks, or a cup of tea…
Life is just worth celebrating, if it's up to me!
From birthdays with a milestone year…
To memories of that someone dear,
Live life to the fullest and do not wait,
Each day has something special for us
to CELEBRATE!