Throw Back Thursday LOVE!

"A kiss is only a moment, but that moment forever lasts in your heart."
-Author Unknown

"Love is like the wind, You can't see it but you can feel it."
-Nicholas Sparks

"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
-Robert A. Heilein

Here is a Throw Back to Valentine's time last year...
Although this is a blurry picture...
I absolutely feel the LOVE that shines through!

I continue to feel the LOVE from ABOVE...
this is my mom's locket filled with pics that throw back to my parent's teen years!

This is Valentine's Day 2013...
here are my adorable grandkids showing off their Valentine treats.
I am missing them now because they are now away on a little vacay,
 and will be visiting Disneyland... a place that is always close to my HEART!

Here is a little throw back to when my kids first visited Disneyland
when Colin was 7 and Jana was 5...
This is one of my all time favourite holidays...
A Throw Back picture filled with LOVE!

Jana's very first dancing costume was a big HEART!
Here she was at the age of 3 when she danced to the song
"Buttons and Bows!"
Loving memories for me on so many levels!

Another page out of Jana's dance scrapbooks...
photos of our first ever mother/daughter duo...
to the Shirley Temple hit...
"On Account of I Love You!"
Jana was 5 here... and so adorable!

Another throw back favourite... here is Mariah at the age of 4
when she danced her very first TAP number to "I LOVE YOU"!
The costume was just like a Shirley Temple Dress!

Above is a special doll from my Mom's Shirley Temple Doll collection,
wearing the dress like Mariah's costume!
Also is a video collection I have of Shirley Temple movies, and I am posting
in honour of her passing  earlier this week... she was a cherished childhood
star who will live on in the hearts of many... myself included.

A little artwork made by Mariah and that I snapped on her school wall last year around this time
... I now have a photo of this on my fridge... how sweet is her sentiment?
I love this little throw back!

Here are but a few of my crafted valentines last year... but I did not get around to
making any this season.
Crafting does hold a special spot in my heart none the less!

Here is a throw back of Shuffle on Canada Day 2013...
showing off her CANADIAN PRIDE...
I love that she is always so willing to be so in fashion!

Mariah sharing her pride as well last summer in Montreal.

These cute special Valentine edition of Starbucks cups came out in
2012... but they have not used them since... glad I kept one...
might be worth something some day...
I love the passionate words on it...and also love STARBUCKS always!

This CD was a special VALENTINE related one by my favourite all time
artist, Paul McCartney, which came out in 2012.
I absolutely loved the special on the Beatles on TV this past week, too...
so many memories... so much LOVE!

Scrabble has been a game we have been passionate about for a long time.
I have fond memories of mom when playing... now my new favourite scrabble partner...
is my all time VALENTINE and LOVE of my LIFE!
I love these scrabble mugs I found as gifts to us for this years valentine's day!

This is a throw back to last summer in Montreal with my family...
We hope to walk this walk again this coming summer... as our journey in life continues!
So much love in memories of family!

Thanks for popping by my blog post today to check out my little bit of nostalgia!

With my grandkids away this past week... I have not taken as many photos... so decided to do a
THROW BACK THURSDAY kind of post!

I originally was going to do a repost onto Facebook
 of a blog from March of 2011 that I wrote called
"SHIRLEY TEMPLE and the SEVEN DWARFS"
... however after trying four times to repost it... I gave up.
Then I decided to create my own little throw back...

Childhood star, from the depression era, Shirley Temple, now aged 85... passed away this past week.
It brought so many memories for me.
I watched many of her movies with my mom growing up. My mom really got me into loving her... and the art of tap dancing too! Mom had a huge collection of Shirley Temple dolls as well... the one I photo I shared above was a favourite from the collection, which we displayed at mom's funeral. Unfortunately the head of that doll broke off when the display was dismounted... but can still be propped up for photo purposes!

I watched a Beatles special on Tv which I loved... it had many throw back memories of them making history back in the 60's when they came to perform on the Ed Sullivan show.
I will always hold them as an all time favourite musical group of mine... ever close to my heart.

Dance will always hold a special spot to my heart as well... and I only shared a very few of the LOVE related photos above in this blog... but lots of my dancing life revolves around a huge passion.

FAMILY is what holds us together through the JOURNEY of LIFE...and they hold the biggest part of my heart... so regardless of whether it is VALENTINE'S DAY or not...
LOVE is what makes the world go round!

So in honour of VALENTINE'S...
I share a little passion with you today in this little rhyme of the day...

TAP INTO A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

It's throw back thursday and time for some love,
From my "Besties" on earth... to my loved ones above!
Time to recall lots of love from the past...
And remember how special, and also how fast,
The ones we hold dearest and close to our heart,
Live on in our hearts every day from the start.
Memories and Love are always in fashion...
Especially at Valentine's...when we share our passion!

PASSION, HOPE & PRIDE

"PASSION-There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but few will catch your heart... Pursue them."
-Author Unknown

"We all mold one another's dreams. We all hold each other's fragile hopes in our hands. We touch other's hearts."
-Author Unknown

"Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude that separates excellence from mediocrity."
-Author Unknown

PASSIONATE about our CANADIAN TEAM... and sharing our
Olympic mitts with PRIDE and HOPE!

Mariah stopped in to share some Passion on route to her dancing
last week... and I love these colorful flowers
to add some brightness to the mid winter chills!

Out for lunch last week with dancer friends, Brenda and Melody.
... we managed to share
some of our dance passions together before they returned to more
tap exams for the TAP HOPEFULS!

More meals shared with friends... both impromtptu!
A supper with friend, Brenda, at McNalley last Wednesday...
and a supper we had here last night cooked by my hubby
and shared with friend, Ella!
I LOVE when I can spend fun times with friends... especially over yummy meals!

A belated birthday celebration with my two sisters-in-law,
Brenda and Bev last Saturday...at a restaurant called
Bon Temps... with this cool jazzy pic on the wall!
We enjoyed our visits together as we always do!

Sharing an early VALENTINE'S DAY TREAT visit with the grandkids
before they headed off on their little vacay!
They LOVED their little packages!!!!

My very excited grandkids... BEAU and MARIAH
last thursday the night before leaving on their trip.
I love when they can share giggles and laughter together!!!

A ticket and caption from the STARS OF HOPE program held yesterday.
This is a great dance event hosted annually by two of my dance friends,
Sisters, Nadine and Nicole Riehl...
show casing provincial dance talents to raise money
FOR CANCER.

I attended the Stars of Hope with two friends who know the CANCER
journey all too well...
my friend, Jacquie, who lost a son to cancer years ago and
my friend, Ella, who also lost her husband to cancer.

A texted photo I received yesterday from my grandkids at the San Diego Zoo,
with Jana's caption...
"3 of a kind!"
Looks like they are having a fun trip, so far.

Last night I watched the special on TV about
 the 50th year anniversary of THE BEATLES
in the year they came to perform in America... a
show I was very PASSIONATE about!
Above is a great poster of the Beatles, I received from my friend, Linda.

Also with Valentine's day coming up... I am remembering this anniversary
VALENTINE specialty cup from starubcks!...
some thing else I am passionate about
... LOVE all the sayings on this cup!

Thursday my brother Brian stopped by with these
" funky-ish"hat and mitts!!!!
He has a soft heart and always likes to share
things he is passionate about!!!
My coffee cup in front states...
"WHOEVER SMILES FIRST WINS!!!"

This week is filled with PASSION, HOPE and PRIDE
with Valentine's day coming, round #15 for Brian,
 and many more Olympics to watch on TV...
This little grouping includes my LOVE blocks, and HOPE wall hanging,which states...
"Live for today, Hope for tomorrow"
...and our Olympic Mitts
to help us HOLD onto all of our
LOVE, HOPE and PRIDE  in our hands and our hearts!

February is always a month that revolves around LOVE and PASSION and this year is no exception to that!
In fact in addition to that is our CANADIAN PRIDE as we passionately watch team Canada compete in the Winter Olympics in Sochi. What's better than watching the world come together to cheer on the countries as they watch their HOPES and DREAMS come to life with 
a whole lot of PRIDE!


With VALENTINE'S DAY coming up this week... there will be many reminders to be passionate.


Yesterday's 8th annual STARS OF HOPE annual fund raiser for CANCER was a huge success once again. I believe I have only missed one of these shows since it began. This show is co-ordinated by two dance friends of mine... sisters, Nicole and Nadine Riehl. I love  this event... as it brings dancers, dance teachers and friends together to raise money and HOPE for  a cause that touches nearly everyone 
in one way or another.


This weekend... we are thinking of our grandkids and their parents who are enjoying a little vacay. We had HOPED to be on that trip with them, but we had to put that trip on hold for this year due to circumstances beyond our control.
 They had quite a journey to get there, with cancelled flights and airport delays, etc... so for that reason, I am grateful we were not on the trip... but I know they will have a wonderful time now that they ave arrived in their destination...and many memories to cherish for a long time.

Colin has decided to stay on for an extention on his trip to Thailand for an extra 3 weeks as well... so we are HOPING he continues to share his enthusiasm and PASSIONS through his emails with us while he is there.


I enjoyed times spent with family and friends alike over meals, gym and shopping outings, and more this past week.  Brian also had a couple of friends stop by this weekend...
Scott and Steve... and we always enjoy times we can share with all friends and family.


Tonight we will be sharing some time with my nephew, Brad and his wife, Janelle when we join them 
for a sushi supper outing .



Last night I watched one of the best shows ever on TV. It was special salute to the night THE BEATLES arrived in America. On February 9th, 1964, THE BEATLES performed for the first time on the famous Ed Sullivan show.
There were several musical artists coming together to celebrate the BEATLES...and the show was such a show of
PASSION, HOPE and PRIDE for me... recalling all the memories surrounding that special time in history that continues to live on in time.


I have loved all the Olympics I have managed to watch on TV all weekend so far with more to come. The opening ceremony was spectacular, too... also lots of moments of PASSION, HOPE and PRIDE!

I continue to watch other tv shows I enjoy where I can fit them in!!! One of those shows is American Idol where
singers can share their passion, hope and pride as well.


I have been into playing scrabble lately...
it brings out passionate memories of my mom as we played it a lot together back in the day...
now I try to get in a game a day if I can...and have a mix of passion, hope and pride while playing it as well!!!


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

In my life... each day is like a ride...
Filled with passion, hope and pride.
Dancing through life from day to day,
With a song in my heart along the way.
Cheering on the many hopes of others,
From little ones... to fathers and mothers.
Watching a world come together as one,
Enjoying all the love...and also the fun!

TaPpInG into HAPPiNESS!

"Today I Tap Dance across the stage of life."
-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

"What you need to realize is, life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes cruel; but you are well equipped for it as long as you tap into your inner strength in the present and allow it to flourish forward."
-Suman Rai

"It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."
-Charles Spurgeon

I was excited when I saw this in last Monday's newspaper!
Former Saskatoon Idol, Theresa Sokyrka,  2004 CANADIAN IDOL runner up...
dancing with former Tap student, Kelly Woodley.
Both these two were special people in my life...
they both helped me TAP into Happiness!
They were dancing at a fund raiser event
called SWINGING WITH THE STARS  which raised lots of money.

I am always HAPPY to help out my father-in-law...
last Wednesday I took him to an eye appointment and he picked out these new glasses!

Saturday Mariah called to see if she could come and hang out with us for the day...
we always TAP into lots of HAPPINESS with her here!
Brian and I got beat in a game of YATZE here... she whooped us!

Mariah had fun teaching Shuffle to do some tricks...
here they are TAPPING into a little HAPPINESS together!

Beau and I had time for one little smurf parade set up
when he came to get his sister on Saturday night!
He isn't into photos lately... so hard to get him to smile
on camera anyway... but he was happy off film!!!

Yesterday my dance buddy, Joanne, found me at Fuddrucker's
and shared this adorable hand knit scarf she made me
as a belated birthday gift! ... so thoughtful of her.
We have TAPPED into lots of HAPPINESS... and TAPPINESS
together over the years!

I had a real "HOOT" doing up this theme for the
BSOBAD TAP EXAMS taking place today...
I hope the tappers will be WISE OLD OWLS...
and TAP into "OWL" they have got !

Last Sunday we were invited to Jana and Nels's house for supper...
I managed to get a couple of photos of the grandkids...
here is Mariah with her Journey girl doll,
and Beau watching the Bubble Guppies on Jana's iPad!

Last Wednesday we got invited to Jana's friend, Shelane's, to meet her
new little baby, BENJAMIN... he was so sweet...and our visit was lovely
in their beautiful home. We have shared lots of
Happiness with Shelane and her little family over the years!

And we shared some happiness at a delicious meal  hosted by our good friend, Vern...
here are Vern and Ella along with Brian and me... and we had this tasty supper and
and oreo cheese cake, too... yum!

We tap into a whole lot of happiness most Sundays when meeting
with this fine looking group at Fuddrucker's for breakfast.
Some days our group is bigger than others!
Joining this time were Vern, Ella, Robin, Jacquie, Judy,
Bob and Dan!

Jana and my father-in-law joined us for a yummy lunch over a week ago
at Brown's Social House restaurant. Greg said that was the best
fish he ever had!!!
Thanks to Brian's sister, BEV, for the gift certificate to this place.
We have tapped into a few meals over time...and all have been good...
so more happiness!

A couple of weeks ago, my good friend, Cathy, treated me
to yet another belated
Birthday lunch at Moxie's.
Cathy has really been helping us TAP into HAPPINESS,
with many things from giving us rides, to making us meals...
and even loaning me  her daughter's TAP SHOES!
She is a very dear friend... and along with many others
I have... I feel grateful always!


I have not been on top of my blog lately... but believe me... I have been trying to TAP into my HAPPINESS and have been keeping busy it seems!

The above photos are just some of the events in the last week and a half or so... but we also do other things
besides dining out!!! It seems I take more photos when gathered for a meal or coffee outing.

I even taught a TAP SOLO last week... sort of feeling somewhat rusty... but TAPPED into my inner happiness while wearing the TAP SHOES!

I do love a theme...and my most recent one for the BSOBAD TAP EXAMS taking place today... was one of my most favourite ones of "OWL" time! hehehe...
I really had a HOOT putting it together for the
BSOBAD TAP "OWL" STARS!
I did a little bulletin board updating yesterday
while there as well.
Just recently I went for lunch with studio owner, Brenda, too...can't believe I missed capturing
that meal outing in a photo!!!

We have been enjoying lots of scrabble games and just this weekend played some yatze with Mariah, too. I think of my mom when playing both those games. I also think of Colin and Caro on yatze which is what we play alot when in Montreal. They are still enjoying their vacay in Thailand, however, that being said, I believe Colin will be returning to Montreal this week some time.

Jana and Nels are off on a little vacay with their family the end of this week. Brian and I were to have joined them but have decided to wait till summer to do our
next get away, instead.

I have been enjoying lots of meal and coffee outings with our good friends Vern and Ella. Vern left just last Friday for another month long trip in Maui. I'm thinking of Vern today as it was a year ago today that his dad
earned his angel wings!

I have been rather slack on my efforts to get to the gym lately... but hopefully things will change this week... I was busy TAPPING into HAPPINESS ... among other things last week... sometimes life just is busy!

I am hoping my Uncle Charlie will be able to TAP into some HAPPINESS s he moves into his new place. After a two week hospital stay, his very caring family have found him a nice home. I am sending him lots of love and them lots of support as the journey continues!

I am sure enjoying the American Idol this year... great panel of judges and a lot of singing talents, too. I also enjoyed Bruno Mars singing at the half time show of yesterday's Super Bowl game... and happy for the incredible win for the Seahawks... mostly because it is my buddy, 
Linda's favourite team! 
( I do not know much about football  
but kind of watched the game in bits!)


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

Life is a journey, this is true,
It surely depends on all that you do.
Giving it your all... is the best way,
To TAP into Happiness every day!

HEART WORK!

"The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart."
-Author Unknown

"The heart has reasons that reason does not understand."
-Jacques Benigne Bossuel

"Follow your heart but be quiet first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart."
- Author Unknown

We have received many pieces of HEART WORK from Mariah this past week.
She loves to draw and print... and sure shares her HEART FELT thoughts
and wishes always!

More HEART WORK from  this past week...
A drawing from MARIAH...
and a car coloured by BEAU!

We have had many HEART FELT visits from MARIAH...
this photo was last week with her PAPA...
their LOVE for each other is mutual!

We popped by to see Beau last week... and he was
his LOVING little self... rocking out in jammies and sunglasses!!!

Last Friday we got a special delivery from Jana's friend, and store partner, Melissa.
She always puts her HEART into all she does...
we have had so many friends and family doing thoughtful things lately...
all works of the HEART!

Our new favourite pastime has been playing scrabble...
it is a piece of HEART WORK in so many ways!
Playing this gam brings many heartfelt memories of
playing it with my mom back in the day.
Now Brian and I have shared many HEART FELT moments
over this little travel sized scrabble board...
putting our HEART INTO IT!


First of all thanks for stopping by to read my little blog post of today... I do try to get a new one out each week... but this past week had a small curve in the road, so I was slower to get a new post up this time.

For me writing my blog is sort of my little therapy... it is a little piece of HEART WORK for me! I like to try to zoom in on the positives in my life and journal them here in  my blog. I do enjoy a theme always, too and seeing as I did not take a lot of photos this past week, I thought I would share some of the art work/ HEART WORK we received here from our grandkids. Our grandkids are our pride and joy, and fill our hearts up always with so much love!

I have to also say thanks to family and friends for all the love and support we have received lately. We have shared many wonderful visits, coffees, lunches etc from friends and family a like... and instead of me singling them out I will just give you all a big piece of my heart back by saying
THANKS from the bottom of my HEART!

Life really is a journey and sometimes there are curves in the road... but they do make us all stronger in the end...
sometimes it just takes a little extra
"HEART WORK"!

There are some Birthdays coming up...
Happy Birthday in advance to my
Sister-in-law, Brenda on the 28th,
My cousin, Darcy on the 29th,
and my cousin Jan, on the 31st of January.
I send you all the most heart felt wishes!

On that note...
here is another little piece of HEART WORK...
from me... my poem of the day!

Life is a work of art from the start,
So many things in it are works of the heart.
Life's also a journey, with some curves in the road,
Always made lighter when our heart's in the load!
So long as each day has some heart and some love,
And support from loved ones all around and above...
Life becomes a big piece of artwork,
Coloured with love to make it like...
HEART WORK! 

HaPpY... "Nailed It!"

"Happiness is never stopping to think if you are."
-Palmer Sondreal

"Smile when you have a chance. Not because you are successful in life or because of what you have fulfilled.Just be happy because you have something that somebody does not have."
-Author Unknown

"If you want to be happy, be."
Leo Tolstoy

Here we are mother/daughter"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" bonding...
We "NAILED IT!"... having mani's and pedi's together!
Jana went with blue fingers and toes...
while I did clear fingers and black toes!!!
I CHERISH this time we can share together each year
while celebrating our birthdays which fall one day apart,
on January 10th and 11th!

When it comes to
GREAT KIDS...and JANUARY BIRTHDAYS...
I feel like I NAILED IT!
Jana was born on January 11th, 1981...
and Colin on January 18th, 1979.
Here is a favourite all time pic of my kids
way back in the day...
(I am trying to respect Colin's wishes to not post his face
anywhere on the internet... but this one features his head of blond curls
which he had a lot of as a little boy!)

Jana gave me these lovely flowers for my birthday...
I photographed them... and think they look so pretty!
Thanks Jana... love them...and you, too!

I got so many meaningful cards and gifts for my birthday...
everyone just "NAILED IT" when picking out sentiments for me!!!
THANKS for all the great wishes and gifts... peeps!

Here are my little cards from the grandkids...
the above one from Mariah and the below one from Beau!
I cherish anything they make me!!! xoxoxo

It has become tradition for me to craft cards over the last several years
with a photo and poem to go with the occasion and the  person getting the card...
here is my card for Jana this year!
She gave me a lovely card as well with such a nice sentiment as well.

When it cam to a week filled with
Birthday Celebrations...
my friends really "NAILED IT" ...and helped put the HAPPY into my birthday!
I not only shared several lunches with various friends,
I shared coffee with my friend, Gailene and then got an invite for supper
at my friend, Ella's...and she even made me a chocolate cake!!!

Rounding off the HAPPY BIRTHDAY week...
Brian and I joined Ella and Vern at Sabaroso's for supper on my birthday,
and got on the birthday glasses one more time
while out for sunday breakfast at Fuddruckers!
When it comes to Birthday Weeks...
I truly think ...
"I NAILED IT!"... and it was a "HAPPY" one for sure...
not to mention my last one in my 50's!!!

Monday morning began with a little special email from Mariah
with this cute sentiment she dreamt up on her own...and figured out
how to email to me without her mom's help...
she sent it while her mom was in the shower even!

Mariah at her mom's shoe store on Saturday to wish her
Happy Birthday!

Beau at his mom's store Saturday to wish her
Happy Birthday!

I received this lovely photo from Thailand in a HAPPY BIRTHDAY
email from Colin which arrived right on my special day.
He sent other photos as well... but thought I'd share this one and say how
much he and his girlfriend Caro are enjoying their vacation in Thailand,
they have been there since December and are loving every experience
along the way.

I am still in charge of the bulletin boards at BSOBAD dance studio,
so went and did a little updating there this week...
some boards have snowflakes and photos and others I have jumped ahead to Valentines.
I thought this little Valentine dancer was so cute... and she is
certainly NAILING IT... while celebrating the new year ...
as we head toward
Valentine's next month!


Well another birthday has come and gone... but believe me I definitely CELEBRATED it to the fullest!
I feel so fortunate to be able to not only share my special day each year with my family , but also with many circles of friends, too. I was wished HAPPY BIRTHDAY not only in person ... but on the internet and on phone calls as well... many times over... I truly think everyone "NAILED IT!"

Speaking of NAILS... Jana and I have made it a tradition to get our NAILS done for the past few years on our birthdays.
It is kind of a fun thing to do to celebrate together...
seeing as our birthdays are just a day apart. We also went for a mother/daughter and father lunch together on Friday as well to Earl's. I do treasure the moments we can spend together whether it is birthday time or not.

I pretty much ate out every single day last week... with Breakfasts, lunches, suppers and coffee outings all week long. I did manage to make it to the gym on Saturday and yesterday, too... (which is good for the balance of the eating and exercise!!!)... need maybe a few more trips to the gym to balance things out a bit more though!!! hehehe

We also enjoyed a nice visit from Brian's sister Bev on Sunday and our friend, Maxine, on monday to deliver a little something from her daughter, Courtney. I feel blessed always to share my life with so many good people.

Yesterday I drove Mariah to her dancing...and today I will take my niece Rowen to her dance lessons, too... so I am still keeping my foot in that door... even though I do not dance as much myself anymore!!! Dance will always be a big part of who I am as a person... and I continue to TAP into the connections to it where ever I get the chance to!

Mariah popped by on route to gymnastics monday night with her mom ...and just today Brian and I went for a little lunch with Jana and her friend, Shelane. Yesterday I enjoyed a tea and visit with friend, Ella as well. Also this week I shared a starbucks coffee with my good friend 
and neighbour, Heather.

Today my childhood friend, Janice, who I ended up referring to as JAY in older years.... is celebrating her birthday.
She grew up across the back alley from me and we were best of friends growing up. We were each other's maid of honour too at our weddings. Even though we live far apart now we still stay connected...and once a good friend... always a good friend!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY!

Tonight I look forward to the beginning of season 13 of American Idol. I have been a loyal watcher of that show since it began. I do enjoy the competition talent shows for sure...and especially love ones revolving around music and dance...as those are two things that are important to me.

This Saturday I will once again CELEBRATE the day I became a MOM... back in 1979... when I gave birth to my first child... my wonderful son, Colin.
I want to wish him a very
HAPPY 35th Birthday
this year... in THAILAND!


So on that note... here is my rhyme of the day...

When I think of my life... I'm HAPPY most days...
I think I have "NAILED IT" in so many ways!
And though there are days that have the odd cloud,
for the most part I remain HAPPY & PROUD!
My family and friends are truly the best,
I say it a lot... but my life's like a fest...
An ongoing party, which I celebrate,
My life keeps me happy, and for that I feel great!