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!

That Little EXTRA!

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

"Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks. That delivery of the very best you can do..."
-Og Mandino

"You can start right where you stand and apply the habit of going that extra mile..."
-Napoleon Hill

Here is a little book I created of photos of Mariah
back in 2008 when she was Beau's age.
At age 2 Mariah spent a lot of EXTRA time in this little dance Tutu
where her DANCE DREAMS all began!
The book is called "BEENA BEENA, BALLERINA"

Here is Mariah just this past Monday in front
of one of the Bulletin Boards at BSOBAD.
This was her first day of JAZZ...
and she began FULL classes in
TAP and BALLET that day, too. 

Mariah with her little friend Drew
both looking a little apprehensive here
waiting for their classes to begin
on the bench outside the studio. 

A photo snapped through the studio window
 of the girls all giving it that little EXTRA in their JAZZ class.
There were many kids in the class and all appeared to be having fun,
all doing their own take on what was being taught! 

Mariah with that little bit of EXTRA concentration
in the ballet warm up ...
She looks like she is sticking out her tongue,
but she was really focussing EXTRA hard!

Mariah and Beau on Sunday when they came for supper here.
They spent more time playing than eating.
We needed lots of EXTRA kleenex on hand
as Beau had such a runny nose that day!
He made me feel EXTRA special, too,
because he only wanted BUMMA to do everything for him
 including wiping his EXTRA snotty nose!

Hubby Brian and brother Brian fixing up their plates
with all the EXTRA yummy choices  we had for supper. 

Brother Brian giving SHUFFLE a little EXTRA
Love and Attention  before supper on Sunday.



This past couple weeks have had
 EXTRA milestones for Mariah.
Last week she began grade one at school,
and this week she began dancing.
Up until now she has been in little combo classes offering bits of Ballet and Tumbling to begin with and then a little
Tap was added in the second year.

When the dancers at BSOBAD
turn 6 they are old enough for the "INTRO"classes, which means they can take entire classes of each dance subject.
Until now Mariah had not experienced
JAZZ yet, she began that  along with INTRO classes in Ballet and Tap all back to back.

Their was a lot of EXTRA excitement to go with lots of EXTRA kids and parents in the waiting area on BSOBAD on Monday!


That is a lot of EXTRA for her this year...
from full days of school to full classes
in each dance subject!
She came with lots of
EXTRA ENTHUSIASM
on her first day, though.
(I was glad I was there with my camera to capture the first day at Dancing...
I had EXTRA enthusiasm, too!!)

I got remembering how much
EXTRA excitement she had when
I bought her the first little TUTU ...
she loved to wear it around the
house and dance away.
She called herself a ballerina
or a "Beena Beena"
 as she pronounced it.

I had taken so many photos of her
in this little Tutu and ended up creating
my first MAC BOOK on our computer
in 2008.
Since then I have created lots of EXTRA
books of not only her dance pics,
but other subjects as well.


It is my intension to create more books
on other subjects this fall.
It is an EXTRA FUN thing to do for me...
and keeps me creating!


Today I had many EXTRA things on my agenda, to do such as clean up my mess in the basement where I keep re locating all my
EXTRA piles of clutter!


However too many EXTRA things came up
that seemed much more fun!
I ended up going for lunch with
my studio friend, Brenda.
I enjoyed our visit and our lunch, too.

Then I got home and my cousin Gwen called to meet me for a STARBUCKS, so of course
 I couldn't turn down that offer either,
and we also had a great visit.


Another EXCITING EXTRA today...
 was when my hubby called me to say he had purchased tickets to the
PAUL McCARTNEY
concert in Edmonton in November.
I have so much EXTRA ENTHUSIASM
  as PAUL has always
been a EXTRA SPECIAL favorite of mine.

That will be an EXTRA SPECIAL way to celebrate Brian's upcoming 60th birthday and our 36th Wedding Anniversary this fall.


I was feeling EXTRA LUCKY with all the EXTRAS of my day!!!


Fall is the time of year when all the
EXTRA singing shows begin on TV,
 which I plan to TUNE into.
I also enjoyed the EXTRAORDINARY choreography on
So You Think You Can Dance
on TV last night, as well.

I have had a week off from the gym to rest a few little minor injuries, but my gym friend, ella popped by after the gym yesterday  and we enjoyed a nice little visit... so all in all
these past few days have had many EXTRAS!

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

Everyday life has so much
EXTRA it brings...
Sometimes it's found
in the simplest things.
Oh what a difference
can be made in one day,
In what people do
or in what they might say.
Sometimes the EXTRAS
can do so much...
To share with the loved ones,
that right loving touch.
Sometimes it's true
that less can be more...
But often the reverse
is what gets a high score!
EXTRAS in most things
turn ordinary into great,
As long as too many are not
on the plate!
By adding that food,
it goes to the waist...
From each EXTRA mouthful
and each EXTRA taste!
Time that is shared
with EXTRA pics snapped...
Leave less chance of memories
going untapped!
So make every EXTRA
the perfect amount...
Of turning each day into
one that will count.

HaPpY GRANDPARENT DaY!

"Blessed are those who snuggle and hug, spoil and pamper, boast and brag... for they shall be called Grandmother!"

"Grandchildren fill a space in your heart you never knew was empty."

"Grandchildren complete life's circle of Love."

"We may not be rich and famous, but our Grandchildren are priceless."

All the above quotes were found on a Facebook page I found entitled... 
"GRANDPARENTS. COM"

Here is a photo of US PROUD GRANDPARENTS
with our sweet grandkids, Mariah and Beau
 taken August, 2012.

Hoping to get a new updated one today, too,
when they come here for supper later today.

Sharing a snuggle and special swing with my grandkids
in summer 2012 

Brian chalking the sidewalks with Beau last weekend. 

Off to the park with the grandkiddoes! 

Poppa Brian and his kidlets! 

Brian enjoying a special moment with his special little girly!
Father's day 2012. 

A GRANDMA photo of Grandma Nancy and me
with Mariah in September of 2010 the day she
started her dancing lessons and
TAP was added to her combo class.
This was a really special "GRAMMiE D"
moment in time for me!


According to the calendar ... today is once again "GRANDPARENT DAY".
I googled it to check on the details of the origination of this special Celebration.
It became an official day to celebrate back in 1978 in USA and has since been declared a celebration in other parts of the world at different times of the year. Each year GRANDPARENTS all over USA and CANADA celebrate this day on the first Sunday following Labour day weekend.


I know as I get older in life...
all little reasons to CELEBRATE
have become more important to me.
Just being a GRANDPARENT itself is a CELEBRATION for me pretty much any time I am with my sweet two grandkids,
MARiAH who is now 6 and
BEAU who is now 2.


Both Brian and I are so grateful for being able to spend a lot of time with the kids.
Mariah was born in Edmonton and
 then moved to Saskatoon with her
mommy and daddy when she was 2.
Beau has lived here his life!

We are lucky enough to share lots of memorable moments, occasions, and celebrations with the grandkids and are hoping the memories we are fortunate enough to make with them will hold a memorable spot in their lives for them, too.

Although my family doesn't visit my
blog often... (if at all!)...
 I am hoping the times I have shared in it about the grandkids along the way will help keep the those memories alive in mind at least....
because there are just so many cherished ones for me.

Tomorrow Mariah begins another year of DANCING. Up until now she has attended a once a week combo class, but for her first year this year, she will have separate classes in TAP, JAZZ and BALLET 
all with different teachers for each.
I am certainly pretty pumped 
for her about that, too. 
Another MILESTONE
and reason to CELEBRATE!

I was grateful for wonderful memories of GRANDPARENTS in my life. My dad's mom passed away when I was only Mariah's age... but I still have so many vivid memories of her.
 I have such good things in my heart to remember all of my GRANDPARENTS by.

My children were also lucky to share many fond memories of their GRANDPARENTS in their years growing up. Their one set,(my parents) are now in heaven, but their other set of GRANDPARENTS, (Brian's parents) are still living...and I know how special all of them are to my kids and always will be.

There is something so special about being a parent... but the experience of being a GRANDPARENT adds that "GRAND" expression to the word "PARENT" for sure!

I love every stage we have experienced so far and look forward to many more to come.
 I started out as "GRAMMiE D" to Mariah, but she now calls me "GRANDMA",
and Beau began calling both Brian and me "POPPA" until a couple of months ago, when he began calling me "BUMMA!"

Whatever the grandkids choose to call us, 
I will love. To me they will always be called CHERISHED GRANDKIDS!

Somehow... BRAGGING is all good when one is a GRANDPARENT...and all GRANDPARENTS seem to know that rule...

I want to wish all my GRANDPARENT
friends and relatives near and far
a VERY HAPPY GRANDPARENT DAY!

To me there isn't a better CHAPTER in my book of LIFE!


Of all the chapters in my life,
this one is truly the BEST,
Because being a GRANDPARENT
just makes me feel BLESSED!
On my calendar that is
being honored today...
It's another CELEBRATION,
coming my way!
GRANDKIDS and CELEBRATING
are two favorite things...
I LOVE them both for the
Joys that they bring.
Special is how they
both make me feel, too,
When ever I'm with them
with all that we do.
Being a mom was fun ...
but do understand,
GRANDKIDS just turn that fun
all into GRAND!
I'm grateful for my sweet
MARIAH and BEAU...
Being their GRANDMA,
is the BEST THING I KNOW!

"NOSTALGiA & NEW BEGiNNiNGS!

"Nostalgia is a file that removes the 
rough edges from the good old days."
-Doug Larson

"Every new beginning comes 
from some other beginning's end."
-Seneca

"The journey between what you once were and who you are becoming is where the dance of life really takes place."
Barbara Deangelis

A NEW BEGINNING...and a bit of NOSTALGIA!
seems like only yesterday when Mariah
was beginning pre-school seen here in Fall of 2010.
Now she is starting GRADE ONE...
(Still waiting to see the photo from her first milestone day of school!!!)

More NOSTALGIA!
Here are my two kids on their first day of school in 1987.
Jana beginning Grade 1 and Colin going into grade 3.
(our living room looks much the same 30 years later!!!!!)

A very NOSTALGIC picture for me...
My dad hanging the sign on my dance studio door in FALL of 1974.
Although the photo is blurry, the memory is still very clear,
and such a fond NEW BEGINNING in my life...
which went on to reopen for 28 consecutive falls , too.

Another sort of blurry photo...  here is Mariah showing off
her new backpack and umbrella for GRADE ONE ...
This was taken a few days ago.

Mariah with her other Grandparents Nancy and Arvid,
who were visiting from Edmonton this past weekend.

A special little snuggle with Beau this past Monday in Jana's back yard.

"FANCY GRANDMA NANCY-MADE" Cupcakes
for a belated Birthday Celebration this past Monday...
 for Beau's 2nd and Arvid's 60th Birthdays
which both took place in the summer .

Beau set down his cheese and is eyeing up the Dinosaur cake
 made by his
"BUMMA NANCY"!

The Birthday boys sharing some fun on Monday at Jana's.
Poppa Brian in the back ground along with Nancy's sister, Shelly.

Another birthday boy picture...
This "BATMAN" mask was part of a birthday gift bag,
 and was a huge hit with Beau!

The night before Mariah began Grade One...
I popped over to help label school supplies.
I couldn't believe that they needed 15 glue sticks for the grade one year,
unless that was a typo on the supply list!!!! 

More NOSTALGIA and NEW BEGINNINGS...
one of the many BSOBAD bulletin Boards for the dancers
returning to
BRENDA'S SCHOOL OF BATON and DANCE. 

Another bulletin board in the Albert Community  Centre
where the dancing will be into their 30th dance season at BSOBAD.


This week  has been a real flood of
NOSTALGIA mixed with
new BEGINNINGS.


I always have a lot of memories
in the FALL every year of so many new beginnings from years gone by.


I met my husband, Brian, in
September of 1973 on a blind date in Edmonton while I was there attending a
Brian Foley Dance Workshop.


I opened my
DIANE WILL DANCE STUDIO
in September of 1974.
My studio went on to reopen 28 seasons...
and saw many dancers come and go ...
and many went on to
successful dance careers.


My own daughter, Jana,
was one who went onto a professional
dance career, which began for her
in the fall of 2000.
She did 5 contracts as a
performer/dancer in Tokyo Disneyland.


Each fall was a mix of emotions as I sent my children to school...and this year I had a new dimension of that with my first grand child beginning grade one.
Jana shared that she was somewhat
emotional as she dropped Mariah off
on her first day of Grade one this week, too.
I could so relate!
Mariah loves grade one so far
after her first two days of it.


We moved into our current home
30 years ago in September.
We have celebrated many things
in this home...
My kids were only 1 and 3 then
and are now 31 and 33.
Although the kids have grown
into successful and happy adults...
the home is still much the same
inside and out... with bigger trees.
I still feel happy living in this home, 
it has really become my comfort zone!


I joined "BSOBAD"
 BRENDA'S SCHOOL OF BATON AND DANCE in the fall of 2002 when they were beginning their 20th dance season.
I was the TAP director there until May of 2008, as well as doing displays on the many bulletin boards in the building. I still do the boards but have retired from teaching dancing.


One of my favorite things about doing the bulletin boards is the many THEMES
we have done. Because of the Studio name "BEES" have always been a part of the themes... but several other themes have past through the studio in my 10 seasons there.
I decided to recycle a favorite THEME again this fall which brought me more nostalgia!
The "FROG" THEME is a "TOAD"-ALLY
UN-"FROG"-ETTABLE
favorite of mine!
I know the dancers and teachers will
"TOAD"-ally ROCK this season as they begin the 30th TIMELESS season at BSOBAD.


Mariah will be BEGINNING
Dance at BSOBAD next week as well.
Up until now she has done combo classes only. This season she gets to do complete classes in TAP, JAZZ, and BALLET.
I am not sure who is more excited
about that new beginning...
her or her GRAMMiE D!


The only thing I do not enjoy about the FALL... is I know it will soon be the 
BEGINNING of WINTER!. 
Summer always goes by so fast!

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

I really do love SEPTEMBER...
when it comes to call.
It brings new beginnings,
and also brings us FALL.
It makes me NOSTALGIC
of BEGINNINGS gone by...
Memories of so very many things...
oh my, oh my!
I remember when I had my studio
way back when,
I sure loved to begin a brand new
dance season back then.
I go way back to when my
kids began school.
Some years were emotional,
and others were so cool!
We moved into our house
where we still live... 30 years ago.
The house hasn't changed much,
but the kids sure did grow!
I also met my hubby in the fall
 on a blind date...
Another fond memory
to recall and celebrate!
As I grow older,
milestones in life mean more...
There seems to be so many
for me to keep and store!
The simple little memories,
I make along the way,
In fall and all the seasons...
add up for me each day!  

STAR QUALiTY CELEBRATiONS!

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss 
you'll land among the stars."
-Brian Littrell

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make everyday a holiday and celebrate just living."
-Amanda Bradley

Here is MARIAH doing a little
driveway performance,
 where she was CELEBRATING
being the STAR of her own little show!

She not only played her dollarama flute,
it also doubled as a microphone
when she did some singing!
STAR QUALITY performer!!!

This costume has done many performances in it's days!
Jana did her very first tap solo in this one in 1989,
and it was on loan a couple of times to other
little dancers along the way...
but now Mariah loves to strutt her stuff in this one, too! 

Here is SHUFFLE getting in the act!
She is a little performer, too,
and as you can see loves a costume as well. 

Mariah posing for me here on Friday in her
 "DANCE DANCE DANCE" shirt!
Next week she will be in full swing as she is enrolled in
 Tap, Jazz and Ballet at
BRENDA'S SCHOOL OF BATON and DANCE 

Here is another little performer...
BEAU when he slept over here on Saturday night.
Can you SPOT his STAR QUALITY SMiLE!!!!!

Beau creating a special piece of art work by adding
STICKERS (or "dickers" as he says)... and STARS to a little masterpiece!

BEAU thought he was pretty funny in his "BUMMA'S" glasses!
( I must say they look cuter on him than they do on me!!!) 

Brian and Beau out for a Sunday morning stroll yesterday
here in front of the house
we moved into 30 years ago!
That is worth a CELEBRATION! 

Brian adding some cars and trucks to the sidewalk art work...
Beau was enjoying
time spent here with his POPPA who was sharing his STAR QUALITY talents! 

BEAU proudly holding his piece of finished
STAR QUALiTY STICKER ART
as he watched for his daddy to pick him up yesterday. 

The STAR QUALITY staff
at Kristy's Dance Fusion Dance Summer School
I had the honor of teaching TAP at. 

A former DANCE STAR
I once taught in my early years at Diane Will Dance Studio.
Here is Priscilla and her mom when they met me for a coffee
 at STARBUCKS last weekend.
Priscilla now works for an organization in
 New York called SMILE TRAIN.

Here are 3 STAR QUALITY Beauties!
My daughter, Jana, my nephew's fiance, Savannah, and my nephew's wife, Janelle.
This pic was taken at a Wedding shower held for the
bride who will be STARRING in an upcoming  wedding this fall. 

Here was Beau when he had a sleep over here last weekend.
Once again with his STAR QUALITY little SMiLE!



Today as we CELEBRATE the
Labour Day weekend...
I got to thinking of how every day can be a CELEBRATiON if we choose to turn it into one.  Really LIFE is a lot like a DANCE...
the steps may vary from person to person,
but in the end it is all about doing what makes your heart SMiLE!


I have been doing many little celebrations lately with more to come. Last weekend I met up with former dance student, Priscilla Ma, who returned home for a visit. It was great to connect and celebrate memories of our dance times together long ago.


Also last weekend, I was celebrating my nephew, Jeff's fiance, Savannah at a beautiful wedding shower held for her by one of her bridesmaids. It was to have been held out doors, but due to rainy weather it moved inside the lovely home of her girlfriend who put on the shower.

All last week I was celebrating my
love of TAPPiNESS while teaching at a dance summer school held in the city at a studio
called "Kristy's Dance Fusion".
It was great to connect with some dancers as well as my tap shoes once again and enjoy some STAR QUALiTY dancing... 
by the awesome staff she hired and her students in attendance.

We have enjoyed a couple of fun times with the grandkids this past week. I bonded with Mariah on friday for a little outing to PURE the frozen yogurt place. We also did a little shopping at Dollarama, followed by a fun little showcase she performed for me and my neighbor, Heather on Friday. It reminded me of many of my childhood memories and ones of Jana growing up as well.

We also had Beau for two saturday sleepovers in a row. He slept here this past weekend, 
due to a CELEBRATION Jana and Nels were invited to  in honor of an uncle of Nels, who was retiring. Mariah was good to go for the party... but Beau would be too little!
We enjoyed every minute of having one on one time with each grandchild! 
Beau is so cute... and is becoming a real little cookie monster!

This weekend, I was reminded of how we moved into our current house 30 years ago on September 1st. 
My two kids, Colin and Jana were toddlers then at the ages of 3 and 1 ... 
so many CELEBRATIONS 
have occured in the house 
and journey continues.

Yesterday I CELEBRATED my first day back to the gym with my friend Ella in a while. We shared a little catch up time over coffee at her place. I later went for a catch up with my cousin, Gwen over a STARBUCKS, too!

Today we will be doing another CELEBRATION as we are invited for a belated birthday party to CELEBRATE BEAU's 2nd from August, and his GRANDPA ARVID who turned 60 in July.
With the Edmonton Grandparents in town... it called for a reason to CELEBRATE!

Today my brother-in-law, Bruce, from Vancouver is also CELEBRATING a birthday.

Tomorrow we will have one more thing to CELEBRATE when Mariah begins her first day of school... 
hard to believe she will be in 
GRADE ONE already!
She is super excited for it, too!!!

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

Life really has so many things
worth CELEBRATION...
And I'm all about revealing them
through revelation!
I love to share my life journey as
I go along my way,
In the simplest little fun things
that I do every day.
Life is like a journey,
and it has it's ups and downs.
It also has it's share of laughs
and also smiles and frowns.
But but why not make each day
one that's fit for a STAR?
Make the most of everything...
and who and where you are.
Dancing through the path we're on,
make it lots of fun,
CELEBRATE each memory...
like a STAR QUALITY one!
Although the DANCE is different,
with every step we take,
It's all about the memories
we celebrate and make.
Life is about loving it,
and making it worthwhile...
It's all about doing what ever
makes your heart smile!
Live each day just like a STAR,
enjoy the simple things...
CELEBRATE each and every day
and all the JOY it brings!