JAZZ… and more JAZZ!!!

"JAZZ does not belong to one race or culture, but it is a gift that America has given the world."
-Ahmed Alaadeen

Since my last blog post over two weeks ago…
we have become grandparents to this standard poodle…
named JAZZ… and here are my happy grandkids with him!

Also since my last post… I have been at many concerts at both
Saskatoon and Montreal's Annual Jazz Festivals…
so above are the two programs.

Saskatoon's Jazz Festival began on June 25th and ran until July 5th,
which I managed to take in several of the free outdoor venues,
before going off to catch some of Montreal's festival.
Above is a concert on first day  I attended two conserts…
one in the little Pocket Park… and another  down at
Potash club jazz…
with Brian and friend Ella and Cousin Gwen.

The second night of our festival it was a perfect night to take in
a great intimate dining experience at Mano's with friends, Vern and Ella.
Our favourite local piano player, Maurice Drouin and his singer,
Tatrina Tai entertained while we ate out on the patio.

My nephew alec was working at Manos that night, and popped by our table to say hi.
Ella and I enjoyed our drinks and did a special cheers to summer and jazz festival time!

I did a few little pieces of Saskatoon free concerts
before heading off to Montreal…
and took Shuffle, my doggie for a few walks before
going, too…
while enjoying JAZZ on my iPhone for the walks!

When we arrived in Montreal…
this program and lovely hand crafted card were
waiting for us in our Bed and Breakfast room.
Colin had dropped it off for us in advance…
and the card was crafted by Caro's mom,
I loved that thoughtful gesture!

With the Jazz Festival only 13 and half blocks from our Bed and Breakfast,
I made several trips to and from while in Montreal,
noticing many Jazz signs along the way each time!

Out of the hundreds of shows to choose from in Montreal,
I was lucky to
get a ticket to this concert…
I bought a ticket for 90.00 bucks from a scalper  to
this sold out concert of JAMIE CULLUM.
The theatre is amazing in the round,
and I was in row 4… wow… what a seat.
Jamie is a 36 year old British jazz sensation, and he performed with
about 20 Montreal jazz musicians… all amazing…
he put on such a high energy concert and really included his fans.
I loved this concert.

Last year while at the Montreal Jazz Festival, I scored a ticket to Earth Wind and Fire,
and sat beside a Montreal Jazz fan named Pat.
We instantly bonded and kept in touch year round and once again met this year for a
LATTE fun and catch up at a little Jazz venue on the Montreal Jazz Festival site.
Was so great to reunite with her again… and catch up on our year since we last met.

I made several trips to and from the Jazz Festival site in Montreal…
and was able to catch many,many free venues along the way…
From the big out door stages to the smaller venues
and beer tents along the way… many bands were amazing…
so much jazz music… so much talent.

From beer tents to malls… and everything in-between…
Montreal was alive with JAZZ everywhere I went!

There were buskers out in full force playing their music everywhere,
Some in metro stains and some in front of them
and others just on the streets as I passed by.

Brian and I enjoyed music in OLD MONTREAL
as well as at the free little venues at JAZZ FEST…
we even met up with a friend of Colin's for a lunch, too!

One of my favourite JAZZ venues in Old Montreal is the restaurant called
JARDIN NELSON…
 where they have an in house four piece smooth jazz band at all times.
We ate supper there one night and then enjoyed
the sights and sounds in and around Old Montreal.

On another trip to Old Montreal
we had some one snap our photo in this
picture frame… while JAZZ played in the background!

We loved the times we spent with our son, Colin's girlfriend, Caro.
(I will do another blog post with more on her and her family
 visit we had while in Montreal.)

My son, Colin doesn't like his photos shared on the internet…
but I thought I'd include this one, as you cannot really see him much!!!
Here he is walking down the street with his dad, by where he lives …
This village in Montreal is always bustling and this trip happened to
have an art exhibit going on while we were there.
I will post more on our time shared with Colin in the next blog!

Our Bed and Breakfast in Montreal called Sir Montcalm
was AMAZING… we had delicious meals daily.
They had a resident little doggie named
Boogaloo, too who we became pretty attached to as well.
More on this place in the next blog post too!

Yesterday upon our return form our Montreal trip…
Jana and Beau came over with JAZZ… to meet SHUFFLE for the first time.
The meeting went well… always fun to return to family at a home again!

Here we are with our DOGGIE… JAZZ and SHUFFLE yesterday…
and this morning we went to let JAZZ out mid day
while his family was all out at work and other places!
JAZZ is such a calm dog… and we love him… he fits right into the family!


Greetings to all my blog readers…
and sorry for the delay on my blog posts… I was busy enjoying life and felt JAZZED about the last two weeks of events in general. Between our Jazz Festival and Montreal's… it is always a favourite time of year for me.
I have also had many other things in the past couple weeks to blog about as well, so decided to group them into different blog posts… so stay tuned for more blog photos and stories revolving around our fun the past bit.


As the photos above reveal… we have enjoyed not only JAZZ music,  but we are excited to share that since my last blog post we are now proud grand parents to a new
GRAND DOG also named JAZZ!


My daughter and her family adopted this 3 year old standard poodle from a dog rescue by the name of
"We all need a K9 Rescue." My grand daughter, Mariah has worked at an adoption for them the past year or so off and on and she fell in love with JAZZ the last time she worked… and so worked on her mom and dad… and the next we knew… they adopted JAZZ… he is a perfect member to add to the family for sure… such a calm and gentle not to mention a handsome dog. Mariah said the fact it's name was JAZZ was surely a sign that it was meant to be!


We always miss our doggie, Shuffle, when away… but were happy to pick her up from the doggie day care yesterday again upon arrival home.

The day we left for Montreal happened to be my mom's birthday… so as we flew through the clouds on route, I felt that much closer to her up in Heaven. I evened played a little tribute to her through my earphones on my iPhone on the plane on our way. My parent's favourite song was always the Duke Ellington classic sang, "Satin Doll"… so that is what I played … and felt her spirit and my dad's too.
My parents are the reason I love JAZZ music so much and even though they are not with me anymore… their spirit lives on through JAZZ among other things.


Our trip to Montreal was outstanding… everything seemed perfect this trip… not just the JAZZ music as shared in this post. I do hope to report in the next blog post or two about the other things from our trip, as well, because we had a fun time all round.

We enjoyed visits with Colin and his girlfriend, Caro… who live just two doors away from the fabulous bed and breakfast we stayed at this trip called "SIR MONTCALM". I will be sharing much more on all of that in the next post, too.
I just have to say the food was fabulous at Sir Montcalm, as well as the accommodations and all the fine people we met there, too, from as far way as Germany.


The weather was not too hot… just a perfect 24 degrees
celcius or so… which was perfect for roaming around.
The Jazz Festival was only a 13 and half block walk from where we stayed too, which was a bonus!


A highlight of this trip was meeting Caro's family when they welcomed us to their lovely home in Repentigny.
Although her parents speak little English and we speak no French… we  totally bonded with the help of translations from Colin and Caro… such a fun meal  and visit we had with them. I will share more on that soon as well.


I loved the JAZZ festivals here and there… just wish there was more time and money and I would take in more!


This year has been a year of milestones… one of those was good friend, Jacquie's 80th birthday. We attended a great tea in her honour the day before leaving for Montreal,  which I took several photos at… so hope to do up a blog on that sometime as well. We felt honoured to be included at that special celebration.


  Just this past weekend, my dear Auntie Mary turned 95 years old…and her grand daughter, Elaine turned 30… and soon my cousin Gwen will be 60… so many milestones to celebrate here, there and everywhere!
Hope their celebrations went well.


Today my brother Bob and his wife, Arleen are celebrating their 43rd Wedding Anniversary. I remember their wedding like it was yesterday… I was a bridesmaid at it.
Today we were at their grand daughter's swimming lessons… Little 7 month old Jorja was adorable in the water… and I took many photos of that as well,
to hopefully share sometime soon, too!


Well… I know I am full of excitement and enthusiasm on  this trip and all the things leading up to it including all the JAZZ…
nothing better than JAZZIN' IT UP
in the SUMMER!


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

It's summer time… and the living is JAZZY…
Music fills the air and it's both snappy and pizzazzy!
JAZZ is a big part of my summer life , I find…
Once JAZZ FEST is over, I want to just rewind!
Whether at a concert… in doors or outside,
Jazz just make me smile, it's like my happy guide!
Whether I'm in Saskatoon or on a holiday,
Jazz is just the music for me along the way.
Jazz has many styles, from mellow to upbeat.
Whatever style I listen to, I think it's really neat!
Any season's right to me, to have some Jazz tunes on,
I know I'll still be jazzing it up…
long after summer's gone!

SUMMER… from SpECiAL to JaZZy!

"SUMMER…
Hair gets lighter.
Skin gets darker.
Water gets warmer.
Drinks get colder.
Music gets louder.
Life gets better."
-Author Unknown

"Some people make the world more special 
by just being in it."
-Author Unknown

Jazzy-Something lively or
 suggestive of jazz.
-Dictionary

With Father's Day and the first day of Summer yesterday…
 Dear friend, Jacquie's birthday today
… and Jazz Festival beginning this week…
There is a whole lot of SPECIAL to celebrate!

 &...The SPECIAL message on the loving card from Jana to her dad!

Last week we met up with friend, Spence, for a breakfast outing at Fuddrucker's.
I love summer for little outings…
we had a trip to Broadway for sone yummy drinks… Cafe Broadway and Booster Juice.
Mariah got a hair cut after dancing ended for the season…
 We had Beau on Saturday for the day!

Sharing lunches and happy hours on patios
 is another fun thing about summer time!

Beau managed to talk us into a trip to Dollarama
on Saturday when we had him
with us for the day… He loves to get treats…
and I am the Dollarama-Gramma!

Mariah had another fun day of working at the dog adoption
with her Great Auntie Bev on Saturday and we came to visit!
Bev is such a SPECIAL auntie for the grandkids…
and has shared some pretty
special memories with both of them!

Mariah fell in love with this standard poodle who
co-incidentally is named "JAZZ"…
she even wrote a note to her parents with hopes they could adopt her.
I think her dad was on board… but not so sure about her mommy just yet!

Yesterday at Fuddruckers… we did an early celebration
of our friend, Jacquie… who has a birthday today.
Ella and I both took gifts for her to open at Breakfast!
Jacquie is such a SPECIAL lady!

I created a memory book on the computer for Jacquie
in honour of her milestone 80th birthday today…
She is such a special friend to us, and she was so grateful
for the gifts yesterday!

Here are some special FATHER'S DAY memories in honour of some
the best dads I know!
Brian and our kids way back when they were 7 and 9.
My dad and me when I was only 3 or 4!
And my father-in-law, Greg on his last Father's Day
with my grandson, Beau… just last year, June,  2014.

Fathers and grandpas are are special people in our lives…
and these 3 are some of the most special I know!

Yesterday we shared a lovely FATHER'S DAY supper out in the
sunshine on the first day of summer…
here on Nels and Jana's deck.
Jana was chatting with her brother on the phone here
when he called to wish Brian Happy Father's day.
Nels is another favourite dad we know…
We feel so lucky to have him and Jana and the grandkids
so close by too!

I asked the grandkids for a photo with their grandpa…
but only Mariah co-operated!!!
Beau was too busy playing!
I love the special name stones in their backyard…
They were gifts we gave the kids years ago.

Here are a few more examples of summer special!!!

Brian received this lovely bouquet of flowers from Jana's store partner,
Melissa in honour of Father's Day.

I saw this cute little family of ducks while out for a dog walk
yesterday in the park by our house.

The bucket of fun stuff for Nels was his father's day gift…
but I think Beau was more into it, than Nels!

And another flashback memory…
this photo of my mom, and my good buddy, Linda
and me was at the Jazz festival back in 2008.
We traditionally went together… and with the Jazz festival
starting this week, and mom's birthday next Monday
it seemed like a SPECIAL memory to share!



HAPPY SUMMER TIME …
and here's to all the SPECIAL things it brings!


Last week we noticed a guy out trimming a tree across the street from us. When we looked closer it was long time friend, Spence who now lives in BC but was in town visiting and just happened to be hired to do some yard maintenance while in town. We met him last week one day too for a catch up and visit at Fuddruckers. Spence was one of our best men at our wedding nearly 39 years ago. 
So nice to reconnect!


Yesterday was another FATHER'S DAY… and another chance to remember many special memories of the dads no longer here, as well as the ones still here with us.
I have nothing but fond and cherished memories of my dad and father-in-law, as well as the grandpas who have been gone for even longer!


Also yesterday...Brian and I went to Fuddruckers as we do most Sundays for breakfast where we shared some Birthday fun with friends…
Jacquie, Bob and Ella.


Later we were invited to Jana's for a nice Father's Day supper with her, Nels, the grandkids
and also the kid's Uncle Jens.
We enjoyed a lovely evening out on their nice deck in the evening sun of the first day of Summer!
Colin phoned while we were there, too and chatted with the family members as well…
so it was a SPECIAL day all round.


Today is our dear friend, Jacquie's 80th Milestone Birthday… and there is a party this coming Sunday to honour her… but we chose to give her gift yesterday. She was so appreciative of both the gift 
and the crafted card as well.


I love Summer time… for many reasons… one of them of course is the warmer weather. Another is the Jazz Festival both here in town as well as the one I get to attend in Montreal on our little get away.


My dog, Shuffle loves the daily walks in the park once summer is here… I enjoy those, too along with the soundtrack to life I listen to on our way.
Yesterday's walk I noticed some cute little ducklings on our way as well. Today I have Mariah here and we took Shuffle out and saw the little family of ducks
out swimming on the lake today! So cute!


Mariah loves that dancing is done for summer and she could have a hair cut. Although her hair still fits back into a pony tail… it seems special to her to get to have it cut!


We enjoy more time with the grandkids when it's summer time, too… school is nearly done and so are all the regular activities that go with the school season.


Next week we look forward to our annual trip to Montreal to see Colin and his girlfriend, Caro. We love Montreal and not only is it a beautiful city in the summer time… they have an awesome Jazz Festival which also begins this week, so I look forward to attending some 
of that while we are there, too. Their's is one of the biggest Jazz Festivals in the world.


I think of my parents when Jazz Festival time comes each year. They instilled my love of Jazz music…and we went together while they were both still living.
My mom's birthday is coming up on the 29th of June, too.
She will be celebrating her birthday in Heaven once again,
and I am quite sure she will be enjoying some chocolate cake there, too! I have so many special memories of my mom at her birthday time and jazzing it up together!



With Summer time… I will capture lots of memories for the many blog posts to come… but until then…
I will get out and enjoy the sunshine today, so
here is my rhyme of the day.


Oh I love this time of year…
With lots of special and jazz so near.
Birthdays so special, I know of a few,
Remembering dads and grandpas, too!
Trips to visit our favourite places,
Seeing old friends and special faces.
There's just so much special for us to adore…
Lots to celebrate, and Jazz it up more!

Feel the PaSSiON...HiP HoP HooRaY!

"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focussing on what excites you."
-Oprah Winfrey

"Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion."
-Martha Graham

"Don't count the days… Make the days count."
-Author Unknown

Here is Mariah in her Hip Hop Costume for her number called "ICE"
and kicking it up a notch in her Jazz costume  for her dance called
"CHA CHA HEELS"
Jana took these photos of her on Sunday at her year end show,
and texted me the photos today…
I may be biased, but I think she is pretty cute in her costumes.
Mariah had a lot of PASSiON to share as she performed these dances, too!

Here she is in her Tap costume for her dance called "HAPPY FEET"…
(I love the polka dots on this one!)
and in her Character Ballet costume for her dance called "GRAND HOTEL".
I was such a proud Grandma on Sunday at her year end performances…
and was sitting front and centre at TCU Place for the show.

Here is Mariah looking very happy with her flowers after her Sunday show.
Beau is also looking proud with his Gold Medal he won at his Soccer Tournament
on Saturday last week.
I am so PROUD of both Grand kids… and say HIP HIP HOORAY!

Here was Mariah at BP after her show… with a little Hip Hop pose… and
another pic with her beautiful flowers!

The pics of Beau are yesterday at his soccer game…
He seemed to enjoy his game, once he got there!

Here are the programs for the two dance shows I attended this past weekend.
A show performed by Abiding Lines Dance Company, called "LOVE & WAR"
was so good I went to it twice… Friday and Saturday.
Sunday was the La Danse 30th annual year end show …
and I have been to many of their shows over the years.
These 3 directors , Linda, Heather and Hazel-Ann
all sure know their genres of dance and do a fabulous job of
instructing the students giving them fine technique and skills.
HiP HoP HOORAY for a fun filled weekend full of DANCE!

At Friday's performance of "Love & War"…
I attended with my good friend Cathy,
and her daughter Megan who was a former dance student of mine.
Two of the dancers in the show were also former dancers I once taught…
Kelly and Andrea.
I am always super proud when I see dancers I taught
sharing their passions for dance.
Was an awesome show with great dancing and choreography.

At the show… there were giant photos on a screen on stage of the cast…
I snapped some quick photos as they were going on…
I happened to catch the cast as well as Andrea with the two directors,
and Kelly and Andrea individually, too.

The second night I went to the show with my sister-in-law, Brenda and my niece
Rowen… but didn't get a photo with them… they also enjoyed the show!

Friend Ella came over for a Happy Hour with us on our deck
last week and also Brian and I went to celebrate a 2 year milestone for him
on the rooftop of Yard and Flagen
and got some new plants for our yard
in honour of this date!

Last Friday the grandkids were excited to have their Edmonton
Grandparents in town… we joined their family at Leyda's restaurant for
a fun little lunch… I didn't do well with photos…
but here is my attempt!
YUMMY MEAL there!

On Sunday I was saying HIP HIP HOORAY for my sister-in-law, BEV…
 she babysat Beau
while we attended Mariah's dance recital… and thanks to her, it was calm
in the audience!!! hehehe
Beau had so much fun with his GREAT AUNTIE BEV, too… so it was a win-win!

Afterward we went to BP for a celebration supper with the kids' other
grandparents, Nancy and Arvid, too.
Beau was full of life… as he always is
…here in his helmet and goggles!!!

Mariah was grateful for her dance fans who came  to watch her in the show on
Sunday…
along with her daddy and me in the front row… was Jana's friend, Shelane.
Right behind us in row 2, was Mariah's BFF, DREW and her mom, Mel
 and they all brought flowers or gifts… so thoughtful of them.
Jana spent the day working in the behind the scenes …
helping back stage
and in the dressing rooms.

One day last week I cleaned out my closet and drawers…
I came across 3 of my "TaPpiNeSs" shirts from back in 2008,
my final year as a dance teacher…
These were fund raiser t-shirts…
some of the proceeds of the shirt sales went to
Cancer Cures.

I saw this quote the other day and liked it…
it has a great message and speaks for itself!




Happy Tuesday everyone… usually I do my blog posts on Mondays… but yesterday ran away without me!
HiP HoP HooRaY for Blog days…
It always makes me feel the PASSiON from the week leading up to it. We definitely had another busy fun filled week once again, too. One full of many reasons to CELEBRATE and say HiP HoP HooRaY!


As the photos show… my week had it's share of dance events. I do love dancing and I always feel so proud when I can watch dancers I once taught just loving to perform still.
I always hope that my days of teaching them has given them a little of their passion for dancing in the first place!
The show called "Love & War" was so well done and performed by dancers from in and around Saskatoon. There is a lot of talent in the dance world around here for sure.
I was super proud of former dancers…
Kelly and Andrea in that show.


I was also so proud of my grand daughter, Mariah, in her year end show in her four dances… Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz and Ballet. She did an outstanding job of each one…
if I do say so myself!!!

I have been on many sides of the stage in my life as a dancer… dance teacher… studio owner … dance mom… dance adjudicator… dance Aunt…
and now as a PROUD DANCE GRANDMA!!!!


I had my studio for 28 years and was in competition with the teachers at La Danse, where Mariah now dances.
All 3 of the directors teach Mariah and I know they are doing a great job. They definitely kept me on my toes back in my studio days. They always set the bar high so they kept me working hard to compete with them!
They continue to set the bar very high as they share their passion and awesome technique with their dancers.
Jana did do a few years of ballet at that studio, too, when she was growing up as a dancer…
so nice to see some dance traditions continued.
Also fun to see a little history repeating.


Mariah also dances with a couple dancers whose moms once danced with Jana … more history repeating!


Beau had a very successful week, too… he won his little soccer tournament on the weekend. Although he is only 4… he is pretty excited and proud of that gold medal!!!
Yesterday we were to get him to his weekly soccer game…
I won't go into detail… but it was a challenge,
to say the least!!!
Once he got there, though, he got right into the game!
HipHipHooRay!


Many of my blog readers know we have been on a journey now for the past two years… and we are all delighted that journey continues onward… here's to many more years of life on that little journey… and as my quote above says…
"Don't count the days… Make the days count."

Thanks to everyone for their continued support to us as we journey forward!!! We always appreciate you.


As we continue on our day to day journey of life… we are always trying to make the most of our best and the least of our worst. That is the best way to live… it is always good to be grateful for the good each day brings.


This coming Sunday we will be saying
Hip HipHooray for our FATHERS….
as we Celebrate Father's Day.
Although my dear dad, Roy, has been gone now since January of 2000… this will be our first Father's Day without my dear Father-in-law, Greg.
We will continue to cherish the memories of our dads, and remember just how special they were in our lives to not only us, but to our kids, too!


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


Oh what a week… oh what fun…
Right from the start... until it was done.
From dancing to soccer, and milestones too,
With many excitements in all we did do.
Connecting with friends both near and far,
Watching each grandkid shine like a star!
Our week was full of celebrations, I'd say…
We sure felt the PaSSiON…
and say... HiP Hop HooRaY!

Here For The FUN!

"We are driven by five genetic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun."
-William Glasser

"Never underestimate the importance of having fun."
-Randy Pausch

"My philosophy is: if you can't have fun, 
there's no sense in doing it."
-Paul Walker

Last week the grandkids were here a few times…
we had FUN…
Beau found some fun glasses in my cupboard…
and Mariah and I danced in the basement…
she told me that was FUN!

One of my grandkid pick ups …
I had Mariah stand under the big Welcome to Willow Grove School
sign in the lobby of her new school… it is a nice school and looks like
it will be a fun one, too!
Beau was into glasses…and found my old ones which
he said were "burly"… ( his word for "blurry!)
He was into crafting, too… he always has fun
with my stickers and crafting papers!

I always have fun in the backyard… especially on sunny days!
In my wee garden… I have a lilac bush that was planted the summer
of 2000 in honour of my dad… it was his favourite flower!
I also have a little angel cherub sitting since summer
of 2011, after mom passed away the previous fall.
Beside those Mariah planted a little bean plant last monday…
it will be FUN to watch that one grow this summer!

It is always fun to get some flowers to add some colour and happiness.
We got some bedding plants out front to go with our bleeding heart plant.
I also got some gerber daisies for our indoors, too!

Last Thursday, my sister-in-law, Arleen had
my two cousins, Bev and Gwen as well as
her daughter-in-law, Janelle and her her new baby,
Brielle over for a coffee party!
We do have FUN whenever we can connect.
One month old Baby Brielle was the fun
focus of the get together!!!

My brother Bob and his wife, Arleen are over the moon
with becoming grandparents twice in less than six months!
They are loving every minute of FUN it is bringing them!!!
Just as I left their house, my nephew, Jeff, arrived with his sweet
baby, Jorja in the baby bjorn… and more fun for all!!!
I am so happy for the new grand parents…what fun they will have
with their two grand daughters… especially after raising two sons!

I popped by Jana's Thursday night… and the kids were in their PJs already!
Mariah was entertaining me… doing line dancing in the basement…
and showing me her tap dance called "Happy Feet"
 out on their back patio.
Beau was all cuddled under a blankie watching TV!
(I love that Mariah was wearing her PJ's we gave her for Christmas…
they look so cute on her!)

Friday morning we met Jana and Beau for a breakfast outing at Grainfilelds.
Beau was full of life… and made this outing FUN… and full of mischief!

A week ago we had a fun outing to friend's Ross and Trona's for supper.
Here are Trona and her cute daughter, Rae, who just had a birthday too!
What a yummy meal and fun evening we had there.

Saturday Brian and I went to the Farmer's Market…
we ran into his sister, Bev and her sister-in-law, Dianne,
visiting her from Vancouver.
We also saw this very darling little pug, named Lola!
I am sporting my shirt with today's blog title on it…
"Here for the FUN!"

Brian and I often take little drives through the city just for fun…
often we end up stopping by to see Jana and Melissa at
their store…
Swank Shoe Lounge.
Hard to believe they have had this store for nearly 6 years,
and it is just recently renovated to utilize the space better…
looks great!
These two have had a fun time selling shoes together!!!

More drives through the city took us by the big JAZZ poster
on the corner of Acadia and JAZZ street( 21st)…
We stopped and got copies of this year's line up for the jazz festival.
I love the Jazz festival each year… so much fun…
we also drove by a Saxaphone player on 20th…
I snapped a pic of him as we drove by!

Summer adds so much fun to our lives when we can just enjoy
the backyard life on our deck with our dog, Shuffle…
whether having happy hours or BBQ's
…so much fun in the sun!
My hubby makes the yummiest burgers, too!!!

Yesterday our Fuddrucker's group was a smaller one…
 but we still enjoyed the fun on their patio!
Later my good friend, Ella and I went to "Art in the Park"
at Caswell Hill park.
Ella bought a very cute little table there…
and also bought me a little special gift…
a tile that says...
"be someone's sunshine when their skies are grey"
Ella adds so much SUNSHINE and FUN to my life
whenever we are together… I am ever grateful
for her friendship!

While at ART IN THE PARK yesterday we also ran into….
My dear Auntie Mary with her daughters, (my cousins), Bev and Gwen,
and also Mary's grand daughter, Elaine with her boyfriend, Mark, too.
We all had a fun filled day in the park… it was such a perfect day for it!



Here it is another MONDAY- FUNDAY for me…
I look forward to reviewing all the FUN from the previous week and sharing it here on my weekly blog each week!
Thanks for stopping by to check out the
FUN times I had last week.


Last week, my son-in-law, Nels, was off to Vancouver to pick up a new pump truck for his new business called "Paragon".
I wish him much success with his new business,
I know he will do very well.


While he was gone, Brian and I were on pick up duty for the grandkids a few times. We always have FUN when around them. We do lots of things from crafting to dancing
and other fun stuff… never a dull moment!
Mariah even told me what fun it was to tap with me…
which did my heart good!


The weather has been especially nice out this past week and it was been so fun to just enjoy the good old outdoors!
We do enjoy sitting in our own backyard when it is nice out.


I had a few  fun outings this past week, too.
My sister-in-law, Arleen had a little coffee gathering at her place. It is always good to catch up with family and see what they are all up to lately. The hit of the that gathering was baby Brielle… she was born on Mother's day, and this was our first time to meet her. She is truly as adorable as ever.
Thanks Arleen for hosting a fun get together… always great to see the cousins and relatives over a coffee!


We did a few other city outings, too, including…  the
Farmer's Market on Saturday, and later a trip over
 to visit my mother in law, Blanche.
She seems to be doing well in her lovely home and always welcomes her visitors when any one stops by.
I also enjoyed the "Art In The Park" on Sunday.
There were over 150 vendors selling and sharing their arts, including some local musical talents…
a very fun and entertaining afternoon all round.

This past week I have noticed many posts on Facebook of people graduating and convocating…
one of those was my nephew, SAM…
Congratulations to him on his convocation…
we are all so proud!

I love all the connections I make and have made on Facebook… it brings me many smiles each day…
and lots of FUN to
share in everyones' happy moments in life, as well!!!


I also enjoyed some fun TV  last week…
America's Got Talent… as well as SYTYCD began.
Last night I really loved watching the
TONY AWARDS on TV…
it almost makes me want to go and watch a few Musicals on Broadway in New York again one day!
I recalled the fun I had on my 3 trips to New York back in the nineties… I think it must be time to go again!!!


Yesterday one of my biggest dance mentors,
BRIAN FOLEY, hit the milestone age of 70.
He has not only been a mentor to me, but he has also been a huge influence to many on dance over time…
 and he is still going strong.
He and I have had so much FUN over the years
in my dance career, too… with all the workshops, dance exams… and he even danced in one of my shows with his son, Ryan way back when, too!
Oh the memories!


This weekend, I have a couple more FUN
dance related events to go to…
Friday I will go watch a couple former dancers,
Kelly and Andrea perform in a little company
called "Abiding Lines"
as they do their annual show this year called
"Love and War" held on Friday and Saturday night
at St. Joe's Theatre.
Good Luck to them… looking forward to going with good friend Cathy to see that.
Also this weekend, I am excited to watch
my grand daughter, Mariah, perform her 4 dances in
 La Danse's 30th milestone
year end recital held on Sunday
at TCU Place at 2 PM.
So many milestones this year….
Just this past weekend, good friend, Barb Jackman,
held her milestone 25th show for her dance studio,
called Dance Images by BJ… in Moose Jaw!
Congrats to all my dance friends celebrating
FUN MILESTONES!!!


We have so much to celebrate in life
 as we journey forward…we count our blessings every day and try to make the very most of all the FUN in it!

On that note… here is my rhyme of the day!

Life is always better… when we focus on the FUN!
Right from the very beginning, until each day is done.
Making the most of the best times,
and the least of all the worst.
Putting all the happy things at the top, and the first!
Connecting with people who add a smile to our face,
Where ever we may travel… at whatever pace.
Life is short so do it right… enjoy the little things,
Just focus on the fun stuff and all the joy it brings!