EXTRAORDINARY CHRISTMAS WISHES!

                   I would like to extend
     EXTRAORDINARY CHRISTMAS WISHES
    to all of my dear blog readers near and far 
   and take this chance to THANK YOU all for 
  popping  by to read about my simple little life 
                        here on my blog! 

Last year I crafted over 50 Christmas cards
with family photos... but this year decided to downsize that to a few and here is one which you can consider our wish to you this year!
This photo was taken in September,
of my hubby, Brian,
(or RAB as some of you know him!)
and the grandkids,
Mariah, age 5 and Beau, age 1...
I added the Santa hat stickers to make it more festive... and many of you know
how much I love STICKERS!

As I sat down to write the blog today
I wanted to make it a special CHRISTMAS GREETING from our house to yours.

Yesterday I browsed through the very many photos I have taken this year for clues as to what were the biggest highlights of the year... but after adding the number of photos I took,
 I discovered there were a grand total of
8,467 photos taken by me
from January 1st, 2011 till yesterday...
so needless to say, not only am I a bit
"OVER THE TOP"... (OTT!),
but it did make the biggest
HIGHLIGHTS of the year
harder to pin point!

I made it my New Year's Resolution to begin a "BLOG WRITING VENTURE" with my very first entry written on December 31st, 2010.
I must say, it was a very fun resolution, and one that has helped me share all the goings on
in and around  here for the past year.

Because some of you have followed the blog off and on throughout the journey, the photos in this blog and some of the memories are repeat!

This has been my first year of events without mom in my life, and although she is no longer with me on earth, she and dad are both with me in spirit always. The first occasions are sometimes hard, but I made it through.

Two of mom's sisters joined her in Heaven this year as well... my dear AUNT JEAN passed away at age 95 in May
and my dear AUNT FRANCES
(who I always refered to as AUNTIE FRANKIE!)
passed away in August.
They will both be missed but ever so fondly remembered by many, myself included.

There were a few milestones in the immediate family this year...
Jana turned 30 in January
and Nels turned 30 in September.
Mariah turned 5 in May
and Beau turned 1 in August.

Brian and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary in November.

Mariah did her first season of TAP which made her first TAP recital in May...
I was a proud grammie at that one!

Mariah began Kindergarten in the fall after going to daycare for the past two years.

I baby sat Beau for his first year, and loved every minute of bonding with him along the way. He now goes to the day care
that Mariah used to go to.
Although I miss seeing him regularly, I still get lots of chances to babysit both kids and have occasional sleepovers as well.

My son, Colin, who is now 32, lives in Montreal and does carpentry for a construction company. He still plays in his punk rock band on the side, too. He now has a new
FRENCH girlfriend,CARO,
and the two of them are learning to speak
French and English respectively!
Colin continues to remember us on all the important occasions and calls us on each one.
We miss him but hope to get to Montreal again in the new year.

Jana has completed her second year of owning and operating her shoe store called
"THE SWANK SHOE LOUNGE"
which is located in the old
KING GEORGE HOTEL
building here in Saskatoon.
Her and business partner, Melissa, did a fund raiser in the spring  with another friend...
and the 3 of them along with contributing businesses raised
$11,000.00 for the
Children's Hospital Foundation.
They plan to make that an annual event.
I was very proud of that big accomplishment.

Nels manages "A & B Concrete Pumping" the Saskatoon branch, which is an 
Alberta based company.
He does lots of traveling in and
around the province.
He is a very busy guy, but both he and Jana are doing a great job of raising our adorable grandkids togehter.

Brian is still the "new car sales manager" at Wheaton Pontiac GM...
and is into his 22nd year there.
He purchased a boat this spring and that is his new toy!!! He is such a proud grandpa and always very generous with both the kids and the grandkids alike.

Although I am retired from the dance teaching business since May of 2008, I keep my foot in the door by doing many "STUDIO" related things at the BSOBAD dance studio here in the city. Dance will remain a huge passion for me, but I have chosen to TAP out and move on to the next chapter of life!

Here are my adored grandkids with me last week at a little sleepover in their
warm and cozy snowman jammies!These two provide so much pride and happiness in this chapter of my life! 

This year's SANTA photo! Beau was not quite as excited
to sit on his knee as Mariah was!!! 

Here is a professional picture of the kids
taken by local photographer,
Chelsea Klette, this past summer.

Another highlight of the year for us was a fun trip to Waskesui with Nels, Jana
and their kids.
This is one of the many photos from that experience... August 2011. 

A special Berry Barn breakfast with
THE OTHER GRANDPARENTS
(TOG)!
Arvid and Nancy... Nels's
parents from Edmonton.

A dear memory from Christmases gone by of Colin and Jana by our fireplace  in 1981,
30 years ago!
(Colin was nearly 3 and Jana
was nearly 1 in this pic)

An even older memory from
the Christmas of 1958...
a photo of me with my two brothers,
Brian and Bob
by our tinsel covered tree!

And last ... but certainly not least...Our doggie Shuffle in her Snowman sweater waiting for Christmas day.
Shuffle is now 3 years old and is a
 PUG- BOSTON TERRIER mix
which is refered to as a "BUG" breed!
She is an energetic
fun little member of our family...
although hard to tell that from this photo!


I feel very blessed to have a loving and caring family and so many circles of wonderful friends that I am so fortunate to share time with throughout the year.
As I grow older I realize the values of life so much more and cherish the SPECIAL
moments and memories along the way.

One thing I have grown to love so much while doing my blogs up this year are QUOTES...
so here in my EXTRAORDINARY THEME
are a few for you to enjoy!

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

"A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and sparks extraordinary results."
-Wade Boggs

"Children are a wonderful gift. They have extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for whatever they are."
-Desmund Tutu

So on those quotes...
I wish you and your families the
Merriest of wishes for Christmas
and all the best in the new year!

Once again thanks for
TAPPING into SIMPLE
and making it SPECIAL everyday.

Today as I sit down to write the day's blog...
Of highlights from this year,
family, friends and my dog.
It occurs to me... I've left nothing unsaid,
I've written it all in the blogs  you've all read.
I shared many photos
and thoughts from the start,
I left no leaf unturned... I opened my heart!
I wrote about celebrations
throughout the whole year,
I told all the stories of my loved ones so dear.
I took many pictures, and shared lots of fun,
Yes... I pretty much told
all about what I've done!
So now that I've shared
one more time about that...
I should get to the thought,
where this blog should be at!
This one's about wishes so
EXTRAORDINAIRE!
To extend to my readers from here and to there!
I wish you and your family the best
near or far...
Have a CHRISTMAS that twinkles
as bright as a STAR!

(note... Anyone wanting to go back and read any past memories of the season, and or browse the many pictures posted, may do so on the right hand side of the blog page!
 Today's blog entry is number "180"
since my first entry on Dec. 31st, 2010)

BSO ... MeRRy...& "BEARY"!

"Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate. So practice happy thinking everyday. Cultivate the  merry heart, develop the happiness habit, and life will become a continual feast."
-Norman Vincent Peale


"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.
A merry heart doeth good like medicine."
-King Solomon


"Many MERRY CHRISTMASES, friendships, great accumulation of cheerful recollections, affection on earth, and Heaven at last for all of us."
-Charles Dickens

My dear friend Brenda and me by her
fabulous huge tree in her entry way of her home,
 at the BSOBAD staff Christmas party, Saturday.

Her Tree really is "TREE-MENDOUS"
This photo does not do it justice!!! 

Brenda striking a pose while organizing
all the yummy food in the kitchen!
Looks like she is giving it all a "THUMBS UP!"

One of the teachers at the studio,
Miss Amber and her darling
6 month old baby
Alexandra! 

Two more dance teachers expecting
 a wee bundle in the new year...
Ballet teacher, Miss Michelle,
and Mariah's teacher, Miss Cara.

Brenda's "BEARY" cute second tree in her basement,
All in POLAR BEAR theme...
(co-incidentally POLAR BEARS were the THEME
of the recent ballet and jazz exams this season at the studio! )

A photo of the staff and class assistants
ready to do the "Traditional" Chinese gift exchange!
(watch for many Christmas party photos on the
 "BSOBOARDS" in the start of the new year!)

Mariah at her final class at BSOBAD  before Christmas,
last Wednesday...
passing out her little decorated candy canes to her dance friends 

Beau, Friday morning here after a little sleepover.
He was eating fruit loops,
while I had my morning java from the
"KEEP IT SIMPLE" mug! 

Dear friends... Jacquie and Bob at a lovely
festive breakfast  at Rembrandt's yesterday.

Jacquie snapped this one of me in the restaurant yesterday,
... looks like Santa behind me in this one!!!
Ho Ho Ho




I had a few celebrations once again this past weekend... 'Tis the season!

My dear friend, Brenda, and owner of
"BRENDA'S SCHOOL OF BATON And DANCE"
other wise known as "BSOBAD"
hosted the annual BSOBAD Staff Christmas party on Saturday,
and a fun time was had by all.

Brenda has a large studio and very big staff of many teachers, class assistants, helpers and organizers. This year's party had a very good turn out  at the party.

Each year we bring something to contribute to a potluck supper, something to donate to the food bank...and a little 20 dollar value gift for the Chinese gift exchange!
The food variety was the best I can ever remember at the party, and the gifts were well thought out as well!

While opening the gifts we draw numbers and go in the order of the number we select. As we have our turn, we must state something we are grateful for. Everyone had lots of GRATEFULNESS to TAP into during that portion. I mentioned how GRATEFUL I was for every generation of life I have been fortunate to go through in my life and how each one tops the previous one...also how all the good and bad things in life have made me realize how important it is to make the most of our best and least of our worst in this life!
I am really GRATEFUL for so many things in
MY life... but do want to say
I neglected to say how GRATEFUL I was for BRENDA and her wonderful party.
Not only is she a gracious and generous host to open up her beautiful home to her staff,
but she is also a fabulous dance teacher
who is so giving and creative year round,
not to mention a very dear friend of mine.

Brenda and my studios blended together to become unified in September of 2002.
I went on to be the Tap Director at
BSOBAD for 6 years.
After retiring from the "TEACHING"
job there in May of 2008,
I continued to keep my foot
in the Studio door, by being involved
with the bulletin boards and other
"odds and ends" studio related little jobs including teaching the occasional
Tap solo here and there!

I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this loving BSOBAD family, and my passion for dance will always remain!

Sunday morning my hubby, Brian and I joined good friends Bob and Jacquie for a very festive and elegant breakfast at the lovely
Rembrandt Restaurant. It was so beautifully decorated and made for such
a nice setting for a
little pre-Christmas breakfast.
A little switch from our normal
Sunday morning venue at Fuddruckers!

I want to take this chance to once again
THANK all my blog readers old and new.
I will be doing my "Christmas Card Greeting"
via my blog this year instead of sending actual cards in the mail. It should appear here on Wednesday or Thursday of this week!
I decided that seeing as I have posted many blogs and photos this season, an actual card wasn't necessary, but I will include
a review of the year in my next blog
if that might be of interest!

Just a reminder to close friends and family
that we will be once again hosting our annual
BOXING DAY OPEN HOUSE
here on December 26th from 2 PM onward
and all are welcome...
the more the MERRIER!

So on that note...
as we continue to
 TAP into GRATEFULNESS...
my rhyme of the day!

BSO MERRY and also so BRIGHT...
Just enjoy the season,
whether morning or night!
Gatherings a plenty with family and friends,
Always so festive... the fun never ends!
Feeling so grateful and also so blessed,
I feel like my peeps are truly the BEST!
It's hectic, it's fast paced,
there's never a lull...
Oh yes it is busy, my life is not dull.
Soon the big day will be here,
then be gone,
Then we'll TAP into New Year's...
and keep moving on!
Wishing the Merriest to all who stop by,
I hope this season brings out a new high.

Remembering SPECiAL!

"Special people always travel in our hearts."
-Rishika Jain


"You can close your eyes to reality but not to memories."
-Stanislaus Lec


"Count your blessings, not your burdens."
-William Arthur Ward

Here is a picture from Christmas of 1986
My Mom and Dad looking so happy
after opening another little piano for one of
 their many collections they had!
This is just how I  remember them
and how they live on in my heart!
SUCH SPECIAL PEOPLE

Another SPECIAL little memory...
This was my kids at Colin's
Kindergarten Christmas concert in 1983.
COLIN was so proud to sing his little
"HURRY HURRY to the MANGER"
 song in his little crown!
I made Jana's outfit... which later became
a Strawberry Shortcake dress for
Halloweeen the following year!

Here I am on thursday with my two very SPECIAL grandkids
Beau and Mariah in their cozy snowman jammies,
all ready for a little sleepover! 

Mariah enjoying a special time with her poppa
 by the Christmas Tree eating ice cream and
watching special shows on TV, Thursday night. 

The kids coloring and having fun
sharing special times together! 

Beau enjoying some of the special
Christmas stuff by the fireplace! 

Mariah got too hot in the red jammies so
made a change into some cooler ones!
Here she is making a little set up with
some of the special Christmas ornaments,
with Beau ready to join in!! 

I told Mariah her jammies matched
her nice blue eyes, and she decided to
add the sparkly Santa hat for a little photo! 

Beau is entertained by this special little
AVON snowman musical ornament here! 

Friday morning the kids getting more enjoyment
out of the little toys from our past ...
and the special memories live on!

My father-in-law, Greg, popped by yesterday morning,
Another special photo opportunity for
Mariah and her Great Grandpa!

In the rush of the season it is sometimes hard to put the important things first... but it sure helps when we remember the SPECIAL!!!


This morning my oatmeal package said this for the happy heart tip of the day...

"Simplify your life...
Prioritize what matters most."

I have to admit, I have been feeling somewhat different leading up to Christmas this year...
and I am not really sure why. I still love the festive music and the decor and love to wrap up gifts to make them all look SPECIAL...
but lately something is missing.

OK... well my parents are, but my dad has been gone now since January of 2000, and mom since October of 2010. I do miss them and especially at this time of year!

Today I got to thinking of some SPECIAL memories of my Christmases gone by.
I started looking through photo albums, and the memories of years ago flooded my head.

I loved how we did so much as a family, and how important doing it together was.
I guess I am missing that a bit.

My mom and dad used to put up their tree together always... while making nuts and bolts. They wrapped their gifts together, too...
mom usually wrapped and dad printed out the tags in his wonderful hand writing.
They were such a team!

Lots of thought went into everything.
I loved my stocking as a little girl growing up. We would hang them at the end of our beds, and in the wee hours of the morning my brothers and I would meet in the bathroom and sit by the hot air register to keep warm
and compare our stocking treasures!

I remember helping my dad do his shopping
for mom and then helping to wrap it up
for him too. That was such a special little tradition we shared together.

Mom and I used to enjoy shopping together as well... with her pointing out the things she liked and me showing her what I liked too...
then our hint dropping all came alive
 Christmas morning!!! hehehe

I really have so many memories and
they live on through photos, as well as
in my mind and my heart.

I remember another special Christmas memory for me was when Jana was doing one of her Tokyo Disney contracts in 2003. On Christmas Eve day, I received a package in the mail...
I opened it up to find that Jana had filled a stocking for me with all sorts of cute little things from Tokyo! I loved that memory... it was so special and came so unexpected, too!
That was so sweet and thoughtful of her.

Another special memory was Christmas of 2007.  December 23rd late evening we got a call from the airport that Colin had flown home to surprise us! It was so unexpected,
but so very special and appreciated.
(That is the last time he was with us at Christmas time... and may be the last one, too, as it is really not his thing!...
So I will cherish that memory forever)

I have been blessed with many special gifts over my years... and lots of love from friends and family along the way. It reminds me just how
SPECIAL Christmas really is.

Last year I received a neckalce with the word "DREAM" on it from my hubby, Brian for Christmas... which is a perfect word to describe how my life has had so many DREAMS come true in it along the way.... with him being one of the best ones for sure!

Now with Grandkids in my life, Christmas will definitely be special and fun...
and full of more DREAMS come true!
 
I truly am blessed to be able to be a big part of their lives and they are certainly
a big part of our lives, too!

They are the twinkles in their Grandpa Brian's eyes... there isn't a more proud grandpa than him! I love to watch his pride...
to us those kids are
super special in every way!

We shared some special times with them on Thursday as they had a sleepover here... however between the two of them and me, we didn't get as much sleep as I might have liked! hehehe... but more special memories
were chalked up once again!

I missed some special family birthdays
 this past week... first of all
HAPPY BE-LATED 70th
to my cousin DAVID on the 14th...
and my cousin BEV'S Husband, Bob, celebrated a birthday, too, on the 15th.

Tonight I get to celebrate another family Christmas... it is the traditional
BSOBAD DANCE FAMILY
Staff Party...
so more SPECIAL memories
will be made I am sure!

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

Each year it's hectic, come December,
But it helps so much to just remember...
All the special little things,
Along the way this season brings.
Remembering SPECIAL
from years of the past,
Helps to make the memories last.
Revisiting photos from times gone by,
Reminds of all the reasons why,
Christmas truly should give us a lift,
And not because of each present or gift.
It's to dream and think of the ones who cared.
And family times that we all shared.
Memories of the things to bring out the love,
And to cherish our dear ones here and above!

"TREE"-Lightful ... "PRESENT"-ation!

"Christmas is not as much about opening presents as opening our hearts."
-Janice Maeditere


"Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree."
-Charlotte Carpenter


"It is personal thoughtfulness, the warm human awareness, the reaching out of one self to one's fellow man that makes giving worthy of Christmas spirit."
-Isabel Currier

BEAU-MAN with the SNOWMAN...
in front of Jana's TREE on Tuesday. 

Beau is buddies with the Snowman! 

Mariah on Tuesday with a little snowman broche on...
off to kindergarten with her mommy as helper mom!
She was so proud to have her mommy as the helper that day!!!

I wrapped these gifts for Jana on Tuesday,
while Beau had his nap! 

Beau felt so much better after his nap,
 and was into rolling the paper rolls!
He was ON A ROLL!

He wanted to be a gift here! 

... then he found a bigger bag to get into!
Note Jana's lovely tree in the background. 

Later Tuesday I wrapped 26 more gifts...
these ones from my friend, Brenda! 

Yesterday... I decided to do up some little treats for
Mariah's dance friends and teachers on her last
dance lesson before Christmas. 

Mariah once again stood out to me at her lesson in her big red tutu!
It was supposed to be wear Christmas color week...
but not all participated! 

The cute little TREE at GOODLIFE GYM! 

Some of the Spectacular TREES
at the GARDEN ARCHITECTURE store.
My photo does not do them justice,
but they have a store full of marvelous
TREES and Christmas DECOR! 

Although my little tree seems full to me...
it almost looks empty by comparison to
the above ones at Garden Architecture! 

... and ready for batch number FIVE...
of my traditional Nuts and Bolts.
This batch is being sent to Colin today...
it is the one gift he does actually enjoy!


This morning as I sit down to write up the blog for the day... I am enjoying a coffee called "CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL"
out of my red polka dot mug with this inside
"LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT"
and I have MICHAEL BUBLE'S Christmas CD playing in the background with the song
"IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS" on right now!

It truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, too. It is hard to believe it is only 10 days away!!! I think even though we all know that Christmas always arrives on
December 25th year after year....
the older I become,
that faster it seems to arrive!

Tuesday morning I normally go to the gym
and do my TWO class TWOSDAY...
however not this week!

Beau was a sick little baby and Jana was scheduled to be helper mom at Mariah's kindergarten that day...
so it was Grammie D to the rescue!
I missed my gym classes and went to Jana's
to snuggle with my little Beauman!

He was very mellow but thankfully was over the "puking part" of his little stomach flu bug.
While he napped I started in on some of Jana's wrapping for her, but wished I had taken some of my wrapping supplies from home!

Later that day my friend Brenda dropped off a big load of her wrapping for me to do, too.
I truly love to wrap ... so I volunteered to help her out. She has so much on her plate always, so I was delighted to help her.
She brought some lovely paper, ribbons,
and tags, for me to use, along with the huge supply of wrapping stuff
I already have at my house!

So Tuesday was a jam packed day...
with 7 hours of babysitting, 49 photos of my day, and 38 gifts wrapped!!!

Yesterday I decided to do up some quick little treats for Mariah at her final dance class
before Christmas... but funny how often things
I think won't take long to do...
often take way longer.
I was just going to take  candy canes for the friends... but decided to run off little pictures of the class from the previous week to add to  them with a poem and
a little Santa or snowman attached!
My "quick project"...
ended up taking me all morning!
But in the end, it is yet another memory for me to chalk up in the life of my grandkids!

I have two more bag loads of Jana's wrapping to do today along with some more of my own... so I am ready to settle in for another
"WRAP-STRAVEGANZA"
kind of a day!
... and did I mention I love to WRAP GIFTS?
It is a good thing I have time...
otherwise I wouldn't be able to do so much,
but I do enjoy it!

Tonight Jana has her SWANK SHOE LOUNGE CHRISTMAS STAFF PARTY...
so we will have the grandkids here tonight!

Brian took Mariah to her first
BLADES HOCKEY GAME last night.
It was a very special Grandpa- Grand daughter bond for them. Brian couldn't stop raving about what a little sweetie Mariah was
when he got home!

We are both such
PROUD GRANDPARENTS!
hehehe... Can you tell?!

I received a special CHRISTMAS edition of my friend's newspaper yesterday in the mail.
She runs the "LANIGAN ADVISOR".
That was like a special gift to me,
and I was honored that included some
of my poems in her paper, too.
She is such a good friend to me.

Friendship is like a GIFT we give to ourselves!

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

I truly love to wrap a gift...
In fact it really gives me a lift!
It helps me to have fun and just create,
And add on ribbons to make it look great.
I love a Christmas tree as well...
And the more trims on,
 the more it looks swell !
To me a tree can never have too much...
The ornaments are filled with
memories and such.
Every single one... whether old or new,
Can blend together, when hanging there, too!
It's about the TREES and
the GIFTS from the start...
But more important...
it should come from the HEART!
I think it is a lot about  the thought,
Not about how much people spent or bought.
The presents that have been well thought out,
Are sure to please the receiver, no doubt!

FUN & FRiEND-tastic TRADiTiONS Continue!

"All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion , forgiveness, the important thing is that they should be part of our daily lives."
-Dalai Lama


"Good friends are like stars... you don't always see them, but you know they are always there."
-Author Unknown


"Friends are like bras: close to your heart and there for support."
-Author Unknown

My best bud, Linda and me
with our
TRADITIONAL
STARBUCKS
photo of the Christmas season! 

A little impromptu sleepover with
Mariah on Friday night! 

Crafting in Grammie's basement
saturday morning!
SPOT the fun!

A birthday delivery for Rowen
on our way to taking Mariah home
on Saturday morning! 

Rowen's gift was a hard cover photo book
I made of pictures of her and Mariah.
Here they are enjoying the memories together!
"The Adventures of Ri & RO!"

BEAU looking all grown up!
He is at the Wheaton Christmas staff
"KIDDIE'S" TRADITIONAL party yesterday. 

Mariah was one of the first kids to get into the
TRADITIONAL CRAFT TABLE
at the Christmas Party!

Both kids enjoying a little cup of POPCORN TWISTS! 

Mariah and Rowen enjoying the party lunch provided!
Note Beau cruising around in the background!!! 

Rowen and Mariah crafting
snowmen Christmas ornaments at the party...
these two love to craft...
(and anything Rowen loves... Mariah loves, too!!!) 

Me in my lovely crafted necklace!!!
Beau was really anxious to get
cruising here once again...
Sitting and being held wasn't his best one! 

Proud Poppa Brian showing off his grandson
at the Christmas party yesterday. 

Beau was a little frightened of Santa...
but he sure loved his gift!
His mommy and daddy arrived at the party
 in time to see their kids get their gifts, too.

Poppa Brian was Santa's helper at the party to help give out gifts.
This is a darling pic of Proud Poppa with his grand daughter and Santa! 

Mariah LOVES her Barbies...
so this is like a perfect gift for her! 

Beau enjoyed cruising around
with his new push toy popper!


This morning as I sit down to write my blog,
 I am drinking my special white chocolate mint coffee out of the white and black dotted mug
that inside says...
"LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE"

My "SEIZE the DAY"
calendar says this for today....
"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching."
-Author Unknown

And so I begin!...

I had a FUN- FILLED weekend... filled with LIVIN, LOVIN and LAUGHIN!

Friday night we had a very impromptu little sleepover with Mariah... she came to watch a cute Christmas show  on TV with us called "PREP and LANDING"... an animated Disney show, followed by "SHREK the HALLS".

Saturday morning we got up and crafted a little birthday card for my Niece ROWEN who turned 12 that day. We stopped by and dropped off her birthday gift on our way to taking Mariah back home again. Mariah just idolizes Rowen and the 2 have such fun whenever they connect!

I missed my 8:30 AM gym class Saturday but did go to the 1 PM class, and saw my gym friend, Ella there. We went for a quick coffee after as well.

Later in the afternoon, Brian and I went to see the BREATH TAKING GLAMOROUS decor at the store called "Garden Architecture".
I took some pics of their spectacular trees...
but my photos do not do them justice...
may post them in a later blog.

Yesterday was a jam packed day, too...
Brian and I joined friends Bob and Jacquie for our TRADITIONAL Sunday morning breakfast
at Fuddruckers... then we were off to get our grandkiddies and take them to the annual TRADITIONAL WHEATON  KIDDIE'S
CHRISTMAS PARTY.

This party is held in the show room of the car dealership... all cars are moved aside and the room is turned into a party room extraordinaire!

This party has food, fun, family, friends, crafts, Santa, gifts, pinatas, games and treats for all young and old!
It is held each year for the kiddies and grandkiddies of the staff.
We took our grandkiddies... and our niece, Rowen was there, too, because her daddy works there as well!

A HUGE HEART FELT THANK YOU
to Ross Wheaton
for his marvelous and generous efforts to put on such a perfect well organized and
thought out party for his staff's kids!

Following the party I met up with my good friend Linda, from Lanigan, who came to the city to shop and meet me for our annual
TRADITIONAL STARBUCKS CHRISTMAS LATTE!
(which we refer to as a "FLUFFY COFFEE"!!!)

We did our visit, and also a little shopping too, before Linda and her friend, Shannon returned back home again! I look forward to any time I can get together with Linda and it is always TRADITION to have a pic at
 STARBUCKS when we get together!!!

Last night I settled in to watching 3 Christmas specials on TV... which I find to be another TRADITION of this time of year!
I watched the AMA Christmas special and 2 movies with similar related story lines...
one called "DEAR SANTA" and the other called
"THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS".

Today I plan to get my shopping all
finished and wrapped up...
I "HO HO HOPE" I am successful with that, too!

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

TRADITIONS continue on & on...
at this time of year,
As we share a lot of fun
with loved ones oh so dear!
Whether it's at parties...
or sharing lattes with some fluff,
There's always many things to do,
oh yes, a lot of stuff!
From sleepovers, to birthdays,
and seeing Santa again,
To having one more STARBUCKS
to hold us over till when...
We get to do it one more time
and share more perfect blends,
Of having festive fun with
all our families and our friends!