Thank My LUCKY Stars!

"When you realize who the good people are in your life, you're so lucky."
-Sophia Bush

"A best friend is like a four leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have."
-Author Unknown

"When life knocks you down, roll over and look at the stars."
-Author Unknown

I thank my lucky stars for my good friend, Linda...
We share not only a wonderful friendship... but many interests, as well...
one is STARBUCKS!!!... Last weekend I was thanking my lucky stars
she came to the city for a girlfriend bond...
and ofcourse a traditional trip to Starbucks!
We felt LUCKY to find these T-shirts in Winners then, too!!!

Last Sunday Jana and her kids were anxiously awaiting the arrival
of my son, Colin who came home for a quick visit from Montreal.
We were thanking our lucky stars he came  to see us...
and although I captured some fun pics of him, he prefers to not be seen here...
But I will share that he looked great...and to us he is a STAR!

Mariah is thanking her lucky stars for her mommy's flexibility...
here she is kicking to the stars when she popped by on her way to ballet last week.

I thank my lucky stars that Mariah loves to dance...
here she is doing a little living room performance
before heading to her dancing
last wednesday.

Mariah always loved to dance... here she is at the age of two
in her little tutu!
This is a pic in the little book I created years ago, called
" Beena Beena Ballerina"...
Here she is already reaching for the stars!

Here is a little photo with our grandkids when they popped by on Friday.
We thank our lucky stars for all the times we can share with them.

Beau stayed with us for a little bit on Friday while Mariah went to her friend's.
We had fun making cookies, eating cookies and crafting in the basement.
I am always thankful for this little guy in my life!

This morning at Fuddrucker's ... my friend and boss, Brenda, came out for
breakfast with us...
I thank my lucky stars for her friendship and for my job at her dance studio.

It wasn't long before our breakfast group turned into a party today!
So many of our friends were joining us today...
and our good friend, Mike, from Regina happened to be in town,
and even treated us to our breakfast today...
what a fun group we had!  

Also joining us today were Mariah and her friend Drew...
 they needed a separate table for they little crafts...
these two are inspeparable buddies...
they spent much of their weekend together.

Jana, Nels and Beau also accompanied the little girls this morning to our big
ongoing party group at Fuddrucker's for breakfast!
They do not join often... but we were thankful they did today... fun! 

Last weekend when my friend, Linda came, she brought a belated
birthday and Christmas gift for me...
all lovely things... a Believe bracelet, a Grandkid picture frame,
a little "Be Strong" book and a very cute star dangler!
on the right are some nice tulips  and a little polka dot book
called "instant happy", with a Shamrock headband... all things I
got last week in my travels!
Sometimes it is the little treasures in life that make me smile
and THANK MY LUCKY STARS!


Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day... a day when we thank all our LUCKY stars for all the LUCKY things in our lives.

I am always THANKFUL for so many things in mine.
Just this past week alone has been a week filled with LUCKY things and stars as well.

Last Saturday... we had a nice visit from our good friend, Robin... followed by a visit from my good friend, Linda, from Lanigan. We stay in touch daily but do not see each other that often, but when we do... I THANK MY LUCKY STARS... for her friendship and the fun we can
share every time we unite.

Sunday we were so LUCKY to have a nice little quick visit from my son, Colin... who came for a few days from Montreal where he lives. He shared his wonderful pics from his recent Asian trip... to Thailand and areas around. He was there for 2 months with his girlfriend, Caro...and they had a fabulous time. I only wish I could share some photos of Colin, but am respecting his wishes
to avoid posting him here.

He did get in visits with his grandparents, and his Aunts, Bev and Brenda, as well as Jana, Nels , Mariah and Beau...
as well as our friend, Vern.

This week I have also shared a couple outings with friends, Ella and Brenda. I am always grateful for great friends... in fact I thank my lucky stars always for them.

Yesterday I was really thankful for Ella, as I had a little dizzy spell at the gym and she was able to get me home safely...
She has been such a good help to me in many ways this past year... and for that I am also lucky!


Tomorrow is not only St. Patrick's day...
and a day where we sport green and think of shamrocks and all things lucky... it is also a birthday for two special people I know...
My brother Brian and my good friend, Linda.
I consider myself very LUCKY to have them in my life.
Hope they both have a
SHAM-ROCKIN' GOOD BIRTHDAY!

Tomorrow is the start of the new season of
"Dancing With the Stars"...
looks like they have some good STARS on it too...
so I'm excited to watch that show.

This past week... my father in law, Greg,
and Uncle Charlie
both landed in hospital...
We will all be thanking our LUCKY STARS
for the good care they will receive there.
I am sharing lots of love and healing vibes
for a comfortable stay for them both.

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

I just thank my lucky stars...
For friends and family of mine and ours.
Not only on St. Patrick's days,
But all year round in many ways.
I say it lots, but I'm so blessed,
My family and friends are just the best.
Through good and bad, I thank them all,
For all things whether great or small.

HaPpY!

"A happy thought is like a seed that sows positivity 
for all to reap."
-Mirium Muhammad

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."
-Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Life is not always what one wants it to be, but to make the best of it as it is, is the only way of being happy."
-Jennie Jerome Churchill

Here is Mariah looking HAPPY when here one day last week...
she has a little Canadian flag temporary tattoo on her cheek
... her llittle toothless smile always makes me HAPPY,
as does her kind and caring little personality! 

Beau on the fly last saturday...
he had Shuffle's leash wrapped around him...
and was running around
saying he was a power ranger!...
his little personality and smile just make me HAPPY!

Ellen DeGeneres always makes me HAPPY... here she was on OSCAR day
getting ready for her big day... which she was brilliant at!
The little book here sits by my computer for me to browse through daily...
it is called "Just for today be HAPPY!"...
it is filled with inspirations and cute art by
Mary Engelbreit... and those both make me HAPPY!

We shared another HAPPY evening and meal with our good friends,
Vern and Ella after they returned from their Hawaii trip last weekend.
Like the napkins say... "Why limit HAPPY to just one hour!"

The poster in our kitchen states...
"We Tend To Seek Happiness"...
which is exactly what the two Brians were doing here...
This was when Brian Foley was our guest over a week ago,
he and my hubby Brian enjoyed many good and happy visits!
...Shuffle was looking HAPPY here as well!

Yesterday was a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend, Ella.
at BLISS RESTAURANT.
I am always HAPPY when I get the chance to craft a card, too!

I enjoyed sharing HAPPY FRIENDSHIP with friends Heather and Ella
yesterday at a belated birthday lunch for Ella...
The food was delicious  and looked very HAPPY as well!...
and a note on the table said this was Friendship Week, too!

My high school buddy, Margo  is crafty and makes doggie coats...
(among other crafty items)... now she is even knitting sweaters for Penguins!!!
Yesterday she stopped by with two she made to fit Shuffle...
we ended up purchasing both of them... because we know
how doggie clothing makes Shuffle so
HAPPY!

Even though it was hard to capture Shuffle in her new knitted sweaters...
we did have a fun little visit and HAPPY HOUR with friend Margo while she was here!

I am both excited and HAPPY that my buddy from Lanigan is coming to visit today.
This photo is an old one of us together...
but shares just how HAPPY we are when we get together...
I know we will make a point of getting another photo together
later today when we go for our traditional visit to STARBUCKS!


First of all thanks to all my blog visitors whether old or new...
I am HAPPY you could stop by!

My blog writing has brought me lots of hours of HAPPY times while sharing the HAPPY times I have been through in my life... kind of like my HAPPY journal! Although I do have days when I am not quite as HAPPY... I choose to only share the HAPPY moments and memories!

We have had several of those this past week...
I enjoyed watching the Oscars last Sunday night hosted by my favourite talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres...
I thought she kept the show moving along in such a HAPPY fashion as she is so good at doing. Even though I am not a big movie goer, and have only seen one out of the many nominated shows... I was still interested enough to hang in from start to finish! The show I had seen "FROZEN" won for best animated film and also won for best song.
However I was really loving the song "HAPPY" sung by Pharrell Williams, which was also nominated for best song... and also from an animated film, "Despicable Me 2".
The song was not only well performed and choreographed with dancers on the oscars... it left me in an upbeat mood and kind of singing and dancing along!

Last week we enjoyed company when our dancer friend, Brian Foley stayed with us for a couple nights. The trip down memory lane left me very HAPPY!

Our friends, Ella and Vern returned from Hawaii last sunday... and I was HAPPY to see them again... both looking HAPPY and tanned, too!
Vern had us for a nice supper on Tuesday as well...
we enjoy the fun we share as a foursome.

I have enjoyed my TV shows this week...
The Voice has some great talent and a happy upbeat spirit to the show. In spite of the fact I love the new judging panel on American Idol... I am not as HAPPY with the talents on that show this year. I will be HAPPY when the new Dancing With The Stars starts up in a couple weeks, too.

I made it to the gym this week... for a fun class with Ella... we both enjoyed our Body Vive class, but shortly after the gym closed for a water main break in the area and has been closed all week... so we barely got going back on track and had to stop again!... it did make me HAPPY I at least got in one class before that happened.

Thursday I got in a quick little shop with my daughter, Jana...and as always I cherish the moments I can spend with her. She is a very busy gal, so it isn't always easy to fit time together in... so we had a fun
and fast little HAPPY visit.

When returning from that morning, we received a call from my son, Colin to say he is coming to spend a few days with us. He is coming tomorrow... so it is short notice and very impromtu... but we are both excited and HAPPY for that visit. He will be here from Sunday to Thursday this week.
He will share his fun and happy times he just returned from on his recent 2 month trip to Thailand.
Although I will take photos of Colin...
I likely will not share any as he has made it clear he prefers to not be seen on the internet!!!

Today my good buddy from Lanigan will be here for a visit, too... she always makes my heart smile! Linda and I go way back to the 90's when I used to teach dance summer schools there and stay with her... we have become life long best buds ever since... and are always there to keep each other happy through good and bad times!
We enjoy sharing a STARBUCKS, too!

I have some friends and family who will be celebrating HAPPY BIRTHDAYS in March...
Ella had a birthday on March 1st... which we celebrated yesterday.
My friend, Lynne, from Regina had a birthday yesterday and her daughter, Carly has a birthday today.
My friend, Linda from Lanigan,
has a birthday on March 17th...
My brother Brian also has a birthday on the 17th... so that makes two special people on the LUCKY St. Patrick's day.
I feel like the LUCKY one just in knowing them!
So I will say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to them all!

On that note...
I am always HAPPY to put a rhyme together in Theme for my daily blog post... so here is today's version...

Some days just turn out better than others,
For family and friends, kids and their mothers!
And my thought is this, it's best to be happy,
Whether feeling draggy, or upbeat and snappy.
The journey we are on, is still the same one,
So why not be happy and just have fun.
Of all the moods, "HAPPY" is best...
So put on a smile and share all your zest!

CHEERiN' & CHiLLiN'

"Heap on more wood the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will..."
-Sir Walter Scott

"I'll be lounging on the couch, chillin' in my snuggie, Click on MTV, so they can teach me how to dougie."
-Bruno Mars

"To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it."
-Mother Teresa

We did lots of CHEERiN' while CANADA did us proud at the OLYMPICS...
these patriotic mitts kept us from feeling the CHILL!

Brian and I were looking very patriotic after watching the final
GOLD MEDAL Men's Hockey Game last Sunday... here
we are at our Fuddrucker's breakfast!

We were giving a CHEER when our friends JOAN and GERRY
asked us to join them for a great evening out to CHILIE'S for
supper last Saturday night...
I was also CHEERING when Joan suggested we get
dessert and it was super yummy, too!...
a good way to take the CHILL
out of the air!

Here is a split screen of photos of me sandwiched between
two of my favourite Brians!
The top photo is from fall of 2006 and the one below is just last week,
when my dance mentor and good friend,
Brian Foley, came to stay with us for a couple nights.

four generations of ADAPT dancers!!!
ADAPT is the name of the dance exam syllabus created by Brian Foley...
He is still going strong examining world wide!

Brian Foley was in town to do some choreography... but also got a chance
to pop by Jana's shoe store...
SWANK SHOE LOUNGE, too while in town.

The grandkids popped by to see us Thursday night... hard to capture
Beau not in motion... he was on the move, so his pics are blurry!

Mariah created a little journal of their recent trip away, to present to us
seeing as we were un able to join them on their trip like originally planned.
Here are a few of her pages... it is so heart felt and cute!

Mariah loves to dance and perform for us when ever she stops by...
here she is Thursday night creating a little performance for us...
to take the CHILL out of winter!

Here's how we warm up the winter around here...
Mariah's kitchen cartwheels and a little
Beau-lympics right behind!!!
The energy these two shared took the CHILL out of our evening...
and had us all CHEERING!

I had all the wonderful Brians in my life this week...
my brother Brian popped by on Thursday with a couple bagfuls of
treasures he found at a bargain store
especially for us!

Here are the treasures from the two bagfuls of goodies my
Brother Brian shared with us on Thursday...
something to take off the CHILL...
many fun things for us to share with the grandkids...
they will be CHEERING when they see all these fun goodies!

Yesterday I had a full day to enjoy my grandson BEAU... when we had him here
all day. He did lots of fun things from sticker crafts, to Beau-lympics,
to eating on the kitchen matt... and TV as well as many set ups...
a full day from start to finish... it helped to take
the CHILL off our day and had us CHEERING for all the fun!


This last week has been a very CHILLY one for sure... but following our previous two weeks of CHEERING on the OLYMPICS... it helped to warm us up a bit, knowing just how awesome our Canadians did
 in their achievements. I also want to mention how I loved the closing ceremonies as well as the events  during the 2014 SOCHI WINTER OLYMPICS.


Even though time is MARCH-ing on...
it seems the weather is still in WINTER mode!
It is always nice to have something to warm up our spirits even though it looks like it will be a considerable wait till spring officially arrives here.


I really enjoyed our visit from long time friend and dance mentor, Brian Foley from Toronto. He was in town for some choreography at a local dance studio and requested staying at our home during his stay. He always stayed with us back in my studio days... when ever he came to town to do a workshop, some choreography or his ADAPT tap and jazz exams for not only my studio, but for many of the competitive dance studios in the city as well. Our memories go way back...and so we had some fun laughs and a trip down memory lane with his visit this past week.


I have been having one on one visits from the grandkids this past month and find it is so much fun to zoom in on one at a time and get to their level of entertainment and fun. We had a BEAU day yesterday and loved every minute of it!


The kids just stopped in now after Mariah's mock ballet exam this morning... so they had a wee visit on route home again. We always enjoy seeing them... they do take away the CHILL of winter!

Yesterday we had a nice phone call from my son, Colin who has now returned back to Montreal following his Thailand adventure of the past two months. He had a life changing holiday... which he absolutely loved... he talked to us for over an hour on the phone and normally he only chats for around 10 minutes! He said it was hard to adjust to the CHILL in the air after being in perfect weather for two months. He mentioned he might come home for a visit within the next while... he is anxious to connect with us once again.
We are CHEERING about that... as we enjoy any times we can connect with him!

This morning we were out for our weekly breakfast with friends, Jacquie and Bob, and his son, Danny.
Bob just had a birthday on Friday as well... so it was a mini celebration of that today!

Later today we will greet our friends, Vern and Ella when they return from Hawaii... I know they will be feeling the CHILL in the air... but we are both CHEERING that they will be home again... we missed our little get togethers while they were gone. Ella had a birthday yesterday, too... so I imagine we will be celebrating that this week at some point as well.

Tonight we will tune into the OSCARS... there will be lots of CHEERING during that show too as all the movie stars gather together for the most glamorous night in Hollywood. I have not seen any of the movies in the running... but enjoy the show none the less, and love Ellen DeGeneres, who will once again be hosting the show. It will be a good way to take the CHILL out of this evening as we snuggle up and watch on our cozy couch!

I have been tuning into the competition TV musical shows... American Idol and The Voice... and soon Dancing With The Stars will begin too. Lots to warm me up and keep me cheering through  the rest of the winter.


Now that we are into MARCH... we have hopes spring is not far off in the distance... and on that note here is my rhyme of the day...

The winter has certainly had it's big chill,
But watching the Olympics brought a bit thrill.
Lots to cheer on and be proud about,
From the athletes to all of the fans there's no doubt.
Although the weather's been chilly this year,
I'm grateful for all of those ones oh so dear,
To stay connected when the chill's in the air,
And making us cheer when the sun comes out there!

COME TOGETHER

"Come together right now"
-famous words from the Beatles song written by 
-J.Lennon and P. McCartney...
The Beatles definitely made the world "Come together"
many many times for many many years

"We will try to create conditions where persons could 
come together in a spirit of team work, and exercise to their heart's desire their technological capacity."
Akio Morita

"Never let go of hope. One day you will see that all has finally come together. What you have wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself...'How did I get through all that?' "
-Author Unknown

On Tuesday we had Mariah all day and I took her to see her
great grandparents...
here we are all coming together for some "selfies" snapped
by Mariah on my phone... the bottom two were taken at two times
that day... one before and after I had a hair cut!

I love any times I can come together with the grandkids.
Here are a few pics from Tuesday... Mariah playing scrabble
with her poppa and stretching her leg to improve her flexibility!!!
The bottom two are of Beau when he and his dad came to get Mariah.

Here are some sticker crafts by the grandkids...
They love when they can come together and create
with gramme d's sticker collection!

I got an invite to my high school buddy, Margo's the other day.
I ordered a little doggie jacket like the one she made her doggie, Lexi...
she makes those and other wonderful things... she is so creative and crafty.
Not only did we enjoy a fun visit after a long time ... we enjoyed some good Beatles tunes
while we visited over a delicious chocolate chai tea.
I love when good things make us
"Come together!"

Yesterday I enjoyed another fun visit over a chai tea latte at my sister-in-law,
Arleen's place... my cousins, Bev and Gwen and I have
come together a few times to share stories and good times.
Arleen chose to not be in the photo... but she was certainly a gracious hostess.

On Thursday I went an watched a little baton practice with my good buddy,
and coach extra-ordinaire, Brenda! She is training her team with hopes of a trip
to the World's Baton Championship in England this summer.
Following the practice... we went for a little East Indian lunch at a cool place  called
Black Pepper.
This was the day our Olympic Teams won gold in Woman's curling and hockey,
so in the spirit of that we had our CAN CAN CANADA accessories ready
to come together over the excitement and pride for our team and country!

I happened to stumble into a great TV special on Thursday night
with artists who came together to honour Paul McCartney as he was presented
 "The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song"
at an evening tribute at the White House.
I loved how Paul and Stevie Wonder came together to do their famous
tune and hit... "Ebony And Ivory"... a song that truly depicts a theme
of  "COMING TOGETHER"
These two artists are two of my all time favourites...
so i had to pause my TV and snap a cute pic of them in this "COME TOGETHER"
kind of pose... it is obvious just how much they mean to each other as well.



Here I am sharing another blog...
Thanks for COMING TOGETHER here to read it!

For the past couple of weeks people all over the world have been coming together to watch athletes all over the world
competing in winter sports at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
I personally have enjoyed much of the TV broadcasts of the many events. It has brought Brian and me together as well to watch something we are both interested in watching.
Canada currently is sitting in 2nd place over all with only one day left in the entire Olympics. Tomorrow will be another reason for us to come together and cheer on Team Canada as our men's hockey team battle it out for Gold over Sweden. We are so proud of our Canadian Team events already... with golds in Women's hockey and curling, and in men's curling and a silver medal for our Olympic figure skating team event. There have been so many individual events winning medals as well and bringing so much pride to our country as we all COME TOGETHER.

I am always happy when I can come together with family and or friends for whatever reason... and this past week was no exception to that. I got together with friends and family a like over one thing or another.

I had been concerned about my son, Colin...
He's been away enjoying a holiday... but I hadn't heard from him in a bit... but this morning I woke up to a nice email from him once again which made me smile with a sigh of relief.
I guess once a mom, always a mom... so when i feel disconnected I worry... today I felt like I had
come together again!
Apparently his internet connections have been poor... but it does sound like he has had the trip of a lifetime...coming together in so many parts of  the world he has never been before... making memories with his girlfriend.

Just to give a fast rundown of the places he has shared in emails with us that he has been...
-Saigon (saw War museums there that brought him to tears)
-Delta Mekong
-Pnhom Phen, Cambodia-
(saw ancient killing fields there)
Seam Reip-(saw ancient temples there)
Bangkok- (said it was a cool city but hard to get around due to protests there.)
Pak Chong- (where it was $9. per night to stay and $1.50-$2 per meal....Saw natural springs and bat caves there as well... I can't imagine how he could handle the 2million bats flying around... eek!)
He also experienced waterfalls, hiking and a  jungle safari
with monkeys, elephants and wild exotic birds.
-Chiang Mai
-Malaysia...for some beach time!
Pai in the northern mountains... where he met some cool friends at a punk bar... then on to hot springs with new found friends!
Koh Lipe- he said was beautiful
(saw an elephant sanctuary where they could observe and feed the elephants.)
-enjoyed moped riding even though on the wrong side of the road!!!!... and hostel living.
Koh Lanta- lived in a bamboo hut...and caro and her friend scuba dived.
Railay-huge limestone mountains... a rock climbers paradise.
He did try mountain climbing... said he liked it but it was tough... Caro loved it!... they managed to climb up about 100 feet.
Also experienced caves, swimming in a lagoon... seeing spectacle lungars(which are monkeys)...
and water moniters (which are big reptiles)

Today's email came from a place called
Krabi town!... then he is off to Khao Lak... next week back home again... where he lives in Montreal.
Talk about an adventure to last a life time... sounds like he really did
COME TOGETHER
with many new lifetime experiences places people and things!... and as I reviewed his emails over his journey, it was a reminder to me of what an experience it must have been for him. He did share a few photos along the way, but really prefers his photos do not be shared on the internet... so I will respect his wish...
(even though I would love to share them!!!)

My daughter was just in Vegas this week where many shoe distributers were coming together to show off their new fall lines... so Jana and her business partner, Melissa were buying up new stock for their store.

I have been going to Tim Horton's a bit lately in hopes of rolling up the rim to WIN... but o far... no wins for me... except the good company i shared while having my coffee!
I shared a really nice visit this week with neighbour Heather followed by a little shop in target.

Saturday morning I usually attend a class at the gym but today's was cancelled ... I found out when I got there to take my class... so next week... will have to try to come together again in hopes my body vive will be on again!!!


Tonight I look forward to coming together with some friends we haven't seen in a while... Joan and Gerry... when we meet up for a little supper outing.


Tomorrow we will COME TOGETHER for our weekly breakfast at Fuddruckers with
some more good friends, Bob and Jacquie.


Next week our good friends, Ella and Vern return from their wonderful little vacay in Maui...and we will look forward to coming together with them again as well!


I do enjoy any outings that bring me together with the things and the people I enjoy... so on that note...
here is my rhyme of the day.

Regardless of the the place or the time or weather...
It always feels good to just COME TOGETHER.
In games in music... away or at home,
With the ones we love... where ever we rome.
Coming together is a real special thing,
It brings out our spirit, and makes our hearts sing!


-


 

A HuG...and a MuG of CHoCoLATE!

"A HUG is two hearts wrapped in arms."
-Author Unknown

"A hug is the perfect gift: one size fits all, and nobody minds if you exchange it."
-Author Unknown

"There is nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate."
-Author Unknown

On Valentine's Day I joined my two good friends,
Kellie and Cathy at a cute place called "MOKA"
for some shared friendship over a good cup of coffee!
There was some nice valentines, decor and  cute cookies and I loved the sign
which stated
"Good coffee is a pleasure,
Good friends are a treasure"...
so true!

I have shared sweets with many of the sweets in my life the last few days,
From cupcakes with Mariah to cookies with Beau!
Also shared some chocolate, along with many fun set ups...
and lots of hugs and chocolate, too!

Valentines day treats...
I found these scrabble mugs and knew they would be perfect
for the many things we share... including sweet love!

Mariah called me to see if she could spend the afternoon with us on Saturday
after returning from her little vacay...
We did lots of fun things including...
shopping, crafting and eating cupcakes...and some HUGS, too!

Mariah with her new skate board... and her family by the pool on their vacay.
Jana, Nels and Beau out for supper on Saturday... was a long wait for meals!!!
... and Beau last night at suppertime at his house!

Yesterday Beau was excited to have a turn to do some bonding here, after
his sister spent the afternoon with us the day before.
The bottom photo of him is when he was waiting for his mom to bring him over
yesterday... he was dressed a ready to go long before his mom was!!!

We made many set ups with the smurfs, muppets, hockey players and more,
Beau was so happy to be here sharing time with us
and not having to be in competition with his big sis!
I loved every minute and every HUG, too!

Even Beau likes to craft....
he made some very cute sticker pictures for each family member yesterday.
We spent more than an hour selecting the perfect stickers and colors of paper
to put them on , too. He is such a sweet little guy with a kind heart!

We were treated to a special sushi supper last monday night,
by our nephew Brad and his wife, Janelle.
Nice to catch up with them and give a long over due hug, too!


With VALENTINE'S DAY on Friday...
the past few days have been filled with sweets...
and some chocolate and hugs, too!


I know some people say they do not celebrate the 
14th of February... but I personally hope I will never be too old to outgrow that special day of love... 
and any other reason to celebrate for that matter!!! 
I am one who likes to take every chance I can get to CELEBRATE!


I was sure celebrating this weekend when our grandkids returned from their little vacay. I enjoyed two days in a row of "one on one" time with each of the grandkids, too.
They are both so special to me, and I loved getting hugs from them as well... felt so good!


When shopping with Mariah on Saturday... we went to dollarama, pine and fancy, indigo, and target.
 I wanted to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks while we were in Target... but it was kind of cute... how Mariah told me I was getting sidetracked!


Beau woke up asking his mommy if he could have a day at his grammie's yesterday, too...and once he found out he could... he was dressed and ready to go in no time flat!
I have not spent "one on one" with him for a long time and thoroughly enjoyed that day with my little man.
He has such a sweet nature...we did lots together... 
from smurf parades, watching Bubble Guppies on tv, 
and making sticker crafts!


We joined Jana, Nels and kids at Taverna restaurant on Saturday night for supper. It was a very long wait for our meal... but we had a chance to catch up... 
although entertaining kids when they are hungry... is sometimes not as relaxing! (wink wink!)


Brian and I went to his parents on Valentine's Day 
and took them some cupcakes to celebrate the occasion.I think they liked them!
We were also invited to Jana's for supper last night as well...
we had a tasty meal.



Saturday after my gym class... 
I got a couple extra hugs,too, 
from a couple friends there... 
one can never have too many hugs!


We continue to enjoy the Olympics on TV... I especially like the figure skating even though the judging is seeming to be fairly controversial, again, this year. 
I personally did not think the US and Canadian pairs were more than a two point spread in marks... 
but such is life... it is often how competition goes!
I enjoyed their performances none the less... 
along with many of the others, too.


With the school break this week...Mariah is having a little sleepover tonight and spending another day here tomorrow... then we will need to balance that out with 
Beau some day soon again... 
I do love my grandkids and am loving the times I can spend with them one at a time.

Today is FAMILY DAY... so hoping for some more hugs today... and also hoping to join my friend,
 Ella for a coffee later as well.
Tomorrow she is off to Hawaii to meet up with our friend, Vern. I am both excited and jealous... would be nice to be able to soak up some sunshine on the beaches of MAUI... but I wish them both a wonderful little vacay, none the less while we spend time back home in snowy Saskatoon!


Today I have switched from CHOCOLATE 
in my scrabble mug to GREEN TEA!!!!...
 and another Valentines has come and gone!



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

In life there's nothing as sweet as a hug,
Or something special like chocolate in a mug!
It's always nice to have something sweet,
And lots of loving just can't be beat.
Time that's meaningful and also spent,
With ones we love for a special event...
Dining or shopping with family and friends.
A HUG... and a MUG filled with perfect blends!