CELEBRATE ON!

"If we celebrate the years behind us they become stepping stones of strength and joy for years ahead."
Author Unknown

"Celebrate love. It is the breath of your existence and best of all reasons for living."
-Author Unknown

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make everyday a holiday and celebrate just living."
-Amanda Bradley
(I know this quote was in my previous blog post, too, but it went well with this one, too so it's in here again!)

Whether celebrating with friends at an early birthday lunch,
or turning a cappucinno into a "HAPPY- CAPPY" at home...
I continue to "CELEBRATE ON!"

Last Friday was my friend, Joanne's Birthday, and my friend
Brenda threw a little Surprise Birthday CELEBRATION for her at Earl's.
Also last week my friend Ella dropped by on her way home from the gym
for a little coffee visit CELEBRATION! 

Any time the grandkids pop by is a reason to celebrate...
Here are Beau and Mariah when they stopped by for
a little visit last weekend!

Sunday we have made it tradition to meet friends for breakfast,
usually at Fuddrucker's... and this past Sunday we did that.
Later on Sunday we did a little special CELEBRATE supper
with Melissa and her mom, Betty along with Jana, Brian and myself
at Mano's. This treat was on SWANK SHOE LOUNGE...
Thanks to Jana and Melissa for that! 

This past Monday I had yet another CELEBRATION...
and early Birthday lunch with friends, Ella, Brenda, and Kellie at
McNalley Robinson's Prairie Ink cafe.
Brenda even had a little knitting lesson there!!! hehehe

Tuesday I turned the house from MERRY to HAPPY by taking down the tree...
It is one CELEBRATION I do find hard... as I love my Christmas decor...
but luckily for me... I got right from MERRY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATING
to HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATING!!!
The room does seem somewhat bare, though
after having the tree up nearly 2 months!!!

Yesterday I did more CELEBRATING...
in fact it was simply "SPEC"-TACULAR...
I was treated to another Birthday lunch with friends,Heather, Jacquie, and Ella
and my cousin Gwen... we shared chicken fajitas at Montana's...
I even wore the birthday head piece and had the birthday chant too!

Although these party glasses are rather unflattering...
my friends were such good sports, to not only put them on, but to get several photos
in them too!... I truly have the best friends!!!

I continued to just CELEBRATE ON... yesterday when we met up with our
good buddy Vern who just returned from his month long trip to Australia.
We first met up with him at Starbucks when he treated us all to coffee...
then we kept the party going... when Ella purchased a meal from Dinner Rush
that we shared at our house... fun day all round...

It has been on going with me trying to clean up my big stash in
the basement...where I do many things I love to CELEBRATE...
like... TAP, WRAP, SCRAP...and here is evidence
I actually tidied up my SCRAPBOOKING table somewhat!!!
My birthday isn't actually until tomorrow, but already
I have received many heartfelt gifts and cards, and have felt very
CELEBRATED all week!
Thanks to all my friends and family for all the CELEBRATIONS,
I do love to CELEBRATE...and continue to CELEBRATE ON!


I do feel very lucky in my life that I am surrounded by such loving people who enjoy CELEBRATING!
I certainly have done a lot of that especially this past week with the lead up to my birthday which is tomorrow.

I think of my parents at every birthday I have and am ever grateful for them for giving me my life in the first place...and what a wonderful life it has been.

Tomorrow when I CELEBRATE my last year in my fifties, I am also going to celebrate with my daughter, Jana, who will turn 33 on Saturday. We are doing a traditional mother/daughter birthday bond by going for manicures and pedicures followed by a birthday lunch together.
More than anything I treasure the time I can spend one on one with Jana as in her busy stage of life, it is a treasured time that doesn't happen that often in a year. Most of our time revolves around our families!... (which is also nice, but the one on one is truly special to me!)

My photos are pretty self explanatory with all my special outings and celebrations this past week.
I do enjoy Celebrating always...
whether it is birthday time or not!

Next week I need to kick it up a notch and get going back to the gym once again on a more regular basis. I always celebrate the fact that the gym I go to is simply the best...
GOODLIFE GYM is not only a great place to work out... they have so many great instructors, classes and nice people who choose to workout there as well.
I actually met my good friend, Ella, there around 3 years ago, and we now have become such good buddies.
Something else to CELEBRATE!

I know I say this often, but I feel very lucky to have such a good life...and why not celebrate it? I feel the more I celebrate the good... the less emphasis there is on
the not as good stuff... if that makes sense!
It comes back to making the most of the best
and least of the worst!

So as we continue to live in this very chilly winter we live through each year...
I will continue to CELEBRATE
the good stuff along the way...

I love a quote and a poem...and also enjoy sharing my life here weekly on my blog... so on that note...
here is my rhyme of the day!

I live my life to celebrate...
I love to make each day feel great.
No need for a birthday to do that...
No need to have a party to wear a hat!
It can happen in any day in any season,
Everyday there's something to just find a reason.
Usually for me, it isn't all that hard...
With family or friends or just crafting a card!
I have so many people in my life that I love,
And lots of sweet angels in the heavens above.
So I will continue to just CELEBRATE ON...
Right until the day that I'm gone.
Life is precious, so I don't like to wait...
I live in the now...and just CELEBRATE!

Just CELEBRATE!

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

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, there more there is in life to celebrate."
-Oprah Winfrey

"Remember this moment. Cherish this story. 
Celebrate this life."
-Author Unknown

HaPpY NeW YeAr...
Here we are CELEBRATING at friend's New Year's Eve party.

Our friends, JACQUIE & BOB,
 hosted their annual New Year's Eve party
...and it was a wonderful CELEBRATION!

BOB and JACQIE are such gracious hosts...
they know how to turn a party into a CELEBRATION!

More moments of Celebration at the party...
here with friends, Ella and Sylvia.

Any time the grandkids come by to say hi is a day to CELEBRATE!
Here are Mariah and Beau here yesterday...
Mariah fell asleep on the couch while Beau played happily with the
little bucket of toys!

Our next door neighbours, Floyd and Cheryl dropped by
yesterday to help us celebrate on the first day of the new year!

Today I am once again celebrating my dad's life...
he passed away 14 years ago today...
here are some special memories of him.

Two special gifts from Christmas time...
a sweet photo from Melissa, Jana's work partner... and
a sign for Hope from my friend, Brenda.
Live for today, hope for tomorrow!


HAPPY NEW YEAR!

At the beginning of each year it is always a big CELEBRATION for many reasons....

First of all I am CELEBRATING 3 full years of sharing my daily life CELEBRATIONS with you here on my blog... which
 I enjoy to do. Not only is it a way for me to share with you, it is a way of me to reflect back on all the simple to special occasions in my life, too!

When I began writing my blog it was a way to keep track of positives shortly after losing my mom in October, 2010.

Today is a reflection on the day I lost my dad back in 2000. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I had received a nice photo box for Christmas in 1999, from my in laws, not realizing how it would hold the treasures of my dad's life.
Now that photo box has sat in the same spot on my living room shelf for 14 years. Not a day goes by that I don't look at the photo in it and remember all the wonderful memories of my dad. Inside the box are more memories of him... such as the sympathy cards I received after his sudden passing. I also had a sign which was posted on my studio bulletin board. My dad always put the taps on the shoes of the young dancers I taught at my studio... no one could do it like he could. There were just so many things my dad was great at... but mostly I remember him for his positive outlook on life in general... to him every day was like a celebration, and his spirit lives on in me as I carry that outlook.
My dad was the most amazing dad I could have ever hoped for, and he will remain in my heart forever, as I continue to JUST CELEBRATE day to day.

We rang in the new year at our friends, Bob and Jacquie's on Dec. 31st. They have hosted a lovely party for the past several years. We always feel special to be included in those and help them CELEBRATE as they ring in the new year to come. Jacquie cooks a lot of yummy food in prep and it is always a great evening of CELEBRATION
in their beautiful condo.

January is a month of many CELEBRATIONS for our family.
Not only is it the month I was born... it is the month i gave birth to both of my children... So it is the month we all get to CELEBRATE just being here... which is a pretty significant CELEBRATION!

Although 2013 had many bright sides to it... it also had some not quite as bright as well... so I look forward to welcoming the brand new year of 2014 with open arms in hopes of brighter things to come...and many more reasons to
JUST CELEBRATE!

I am ever grateful for the many people and things in my life... so many reasons to CELEBRATE every day... sometimes it is the simple things that are the most special, too!

So to all my blog readers near and far...
Here's To A Happy 2014... and
lots of CELEBRATION moments to come...

I love to read quotes, take photos, and write poetry... all things worth CELEBRATING... so on that note,
here is my rhyme of today!

Another year has come and gone,
But the fondest memories live on and on.
From simple to special I like to celebrate,
Whether it's little, or whether it's great.
I celebrate each passing day,
And things as they happen along the way.
Life is a celebration right from the start...
And Celebrations... like memories
live on in the heart!

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!

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.