Share Your World – Week 14

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Mama Cormier

If you had to describe your day as a traffic sign, what would it be?

I would be yield or proceed with caution. As much as I love teaching I always have to be careful about what I say, how I say it and to whom I say it. I think it is much worse for male teachers. Young children love to hug their teachers and I always hug them back but I know that my male colleagues feel that they would put themselves at risk if they did that.

Is your hair short (total neck and ear showing), medium (covering ears and neck), long (below shoulders), extra long (at least halfway down your back) or bald?

My hair medium in length. When I was younger I had very long hair and in my 30s and 40s I wore it shorter but not really short. For some reason in my 50s my hairdressers convinced me to wear my hair very short. When I look back at those photos I feel that I look older than I am now. The hairdresser that I go to now convinced me a few years ago to start wearing it longer again. I’m much happier with medium length hair.

When you are with your friends, do your interactions include much touching—for example, hugging, kissing, rough housing, rubbing backs? Would you like to have more of this? (Note: the answers may vary depending on where you live on this wonderful planet.)

I greet my friends with hugs but we’re not really into kissing. My daughter’s partner and her family are Italian and they always greet me with kisses on both cheeks. I like it but I find it awkward and I invariably I lean in with the wrong cheek and if the other person wears glasses I’m always smashing my lenses into theirs. It can actually be painful.

What do you feel is the most enjoyable way to spend $100?

I think the best way to spend $100 is with my husband or good friend over a nice meal and a decent bottle of wine.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful that the weather is finally starting to warm up. Today I noticed that the grass on my front lawn is actually starting to turn green. This week I’m looking forward to more warm weather, a concert in the afternoon, and reading some of the new books that I picked up for the library at the book fair today.

For more Share Your World posts check out Cee’s Photography.

Share Your World 2014 – Week 13

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Mama Cormier

……crayon colours, aliens, transportation and pets I wouldn’t fancy

Do you believe in extraterrestrials or life on other planets?

The simple answer is yes. How can one believe that only the planet Earth would have living beings when the universe is so incredibly enormous? I definitely believe that there is a parallel universe somewhere out there with intelligent life.

What type of pet or pets do not want to have?

I’m not a big fan of reptiles of any kind. Lizards and snakes do nothing for me.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

I would definitely be red. Such a vibrant and warm colour. I love it.

What type of transportation would you be? Why?

I think I would be a luxury train. What a great way to travel. Comfy seats, great views and if you’re travelling business class very good food. Safe and relatively quick without the worries of traffic. Very relaxing.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful for a week of artistic expression. I finished my on-line abstract art class and I participated in a 6 hour workshop on Saturday learning how to use indigo dye to create beautiful fabrics.

I’m looking forward to a week of quiet and catching up on my reading. Maybe I’ll sew something with my new fabric. I’m not looking forward to going to the dentist tomorrow. Last night my molar decided to break apart. Luckily it doesn’t hurt.

Share Your World – Week 12

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….are these questions getting harder or am I just too tired?

When I saw this week’s questions, nothing popped into my head right away. I really had to think about some of these questions.

What is your most favorite smell/scent?

This one wasn’t too difficult. I love the smell of cinnamon. I think it brings back memories of Christmas baking and mulled wine. Last week in Calgary my sisters and I went to a great spice store called The Silk Road Spice Merchant. Who knew there were so many different varieties of cinnamon? Well I didn’t and I discovered a very aromatic variety called Vietnamese “Saigon” Cinnamon. Heavenly!

How do you write: computer, longhand or other?

I do most of my writing on the computer. This would include lesson plans, e-mails, essays, blog posts, etc.. I do, however, use longhand when writing thank you cards, birthday cards and most cards in general.

Your favorite blog post that you have written? (add link)

This one is really hard. I’ve written over 600 posts in the last two years. How does one choose? I think I have to go way back when I wrote about one of my most memorable Christmases as a child. Here is the link.

What’s one of your favorite books from childhood?

Another difficult question. I don’t remember being a big reader as a child. I do remember liking non-fiction and books about random facts. I also liked children’s cookbooks. My first cookbook came from Carnation Milk and I think I made every single recipe in that book and not just once but several times.

Bonus question: I’m too tired to write more. It’s time to go to bed. Good night, all!

Share Your World – Week 11

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….what ice-cream would I be?

If you were an ice cream cone how many scoops and flavors would you be and why?

This is tough. I love ice-cream and I love having a variety of flavours. I think I would go for two scoops (in a cup, not a cone) and hopefully my partner in crime would have two different scoops so that I could sample some of his. The one flavour that comes to mind immediately is coffee or mocha. My second scoop would be cinnamon (a specialty flavour at Greg’s) or a rich French vanilla ice-cream with a swirl of chocolate, nuts and cherries. Yum!

Are you left or right handed?

I am left handed. My mother was worried about that because as a girl she was forced to write with her right hand and would get her knuckles rapped if she tried to use her left hand. Luckily that archaic practice had ceased to exist when I started school. I’m actually quite ambidextrous and I bowl, bat and knit right handed. Years ago I taught a knitting class at the community school and my mother owned a wool store. One of her customers took my class and she went to my mom to ask for some advice. I use the European method of knitting and since all my students were right handed I instructed them to follow my mirror image. Little did I know at the time that I knit right handed and I was forcing my students to knit with their left hands.

Before making a phone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say?

It depends on whom I’m calling. I never rehearse social calls but when I used to do demonstrations at home parties and I had to cold call people to book parties I definitely rehearsed what I would say. I hated cold calling.

How many rings before you answer the phone?

I usually let the phone ring three times or until the call display comes up. If the number is a 1-800 number I often let it go or I’ll say ‘hello’ twice quickly and then hang up if no one answers back after the second hello.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful for four days with my sisters in Calgary and for the beautiful weather we had last week. Who knew travelling west would be almost as good as going south. This week I’m looking forward to another concert put on by the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto, featuring Yegor Dyachkov on cello and Jean Saulnier on piano.

I’m also taking an on-line art course for the next two weeks and learning about abstraction and how to paint an abstract. I’m finishing my first assignment and will be posting it shortly.

For more Share your World posts check out http://ceenphotography.com/2014/03/17/share-your-world-2014-week-11/

Share Your World – Week 10

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Mama Cormier

…..great questions Cee! I had to think about the second one.

Describe yourself in a word that starts with the first letter of your name.

This sounds like a getting to know you game I play at the beginning of the school year. We go around in a circle and everyone has to attach an adjective to the beginning of their name that is positive and starts with the first letter of their name. I often participate and seeing that my first and last name both start with C I can use the same words regardless of which name I choose to share with the kids.

Words that describe me are: caring, creative, curious, compassionate, and sometimes a little crazy.

If 100 people your age were chosen at random, how many do you think you’d find leading a more satisfying life than yours?

I think that I lead a very satisfying life. I only wish that at my age I didn’t have any debt but in less than 3 years the house will be paid for, I made the last payment on the car last month and one credit card is paid off. So putting that aside I would say that there would only be 10 people out of a 100 that would be leading a more satisfying life than me.

If you were a tree, would you become a book or furniture? Please describe.

I think I would be a piece of fine furniture. A book can be shared but a piece of furniture can be shared by several people at the same time and evoke life long memories i.e. family dinners around the dining room table. If taken care of furniture can be used for a very long time where a book needs special handling and won’t wear as well or as long unless it’s locked away.

You are trapped in an elevator, who would you want to be trapped with?

I would want to be trapped with my husband. We really do like each other’s company and we always find things to talk about. If I were trapped with a stranger, even a famous one, I’m not so sure that I would see the best side of this person. They could be claustrophobic or anxious or down right miserable. I’d rather meet them in more pleasant surroundings.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

My Dad called me last week, thinking I was leaving for my holiday the next day. Other than being a little forgetful, I’m grateful that he is so healthy, physically and mentally. My good friend is going through a rough patch with her parents who are a little older than my Dad and she’s making some very difficult choices as I write this post.

This week I’m looking forward to my trip to Calgary. I leave on Wednesday with my middle sister. It’s been over 20 years since I’ve been there but it’s not the city that I’m excited to see. I have friends who’ve lived there most of their married life and my baby sister has been there for over 30 years. It’s time spent with friends and family that I’m looking forward to.

http://ceenphotography.com/2014/03/10/share-your-world-2014-week-10/

Share Your World – Week 9

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Mama Cormier

……another great set of questions from Cee Neuner

Would you prefer a reading nook or an art, craft, photography studio?

I would love an art studio. Presently my art supplies are in three different rooms in my house and I often use the dining room table to work on. I bought a large table a couple of years ago but my husband uses it to spread out his own business papers.

Would you prefer the TV in the living room or another room?

I love having my living room free of the TV. When friends come to visit we aren’t distracted by the large screen and we can actually enjoy each others company. Our TV is downstairs in the rec room.

What color would you like your bedroom to be?

I like warm neutral colours in a bedroom with a few bright accent colours. I recently bought a colour called raffia cream to paint on the walls.

Would you prefer a one floor house or multiple levels?

I live in a two story house with a full basement. I like having different levels. The stairs help keep us in shape and I like being able to escape to an upper corner of the house when I want space for a little quiet time.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful for the pictures my son sent us from his trip to Iran, my oldest daughter’s phone call and our youngest daughter’s visit on Saturday. I’m also grateful for being able to attend an amazing concert last week featuring a recorder player. I’ll post about that in the next few days.

This week I’m looking forward to our upcoming March Break. I’ll be getting ready to fly to Calgary with my middle sister to visit our baby sister. Hopefully my husband and I can get away for a couple of days before that.

Share Your World – Week 8

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Mama Cormier

…..these questions required a bit more thought than normal for me

Would you rather be given $10,000 for your own use or $100,000 to give anonymously to strangers?

At the moment I’d rather be given $10 000. for my own use. I’m trying to pay off some debt and if there was any money left over I’d rather give it to someone I know than to a perfect stranger.

When you’re 90 years old, what will matter most to you?

I guess at ninety my ability to get around and do things for myself will matter the most to me. I don’t want to become a burden to my children. So, therefore I need to stay physically and mentally fit and healthy to achieve this goal.

Candy factories of the entire world have become one and will now be making only one kind of candy. Which kind, if you were calling the shots?

I’m not a big candy eater but if I had to choose one it would probably be chocolate covered nuts. My husband reminded me of a candy called Bridge Mix that our parents would bring out for special occasions. It contained a variety of chocolate covered nuts, mints,raisins and jellies. My husbands choice is jujubes.

So, you’re on your way out and it’s raining. Do you know where your umbrella is or do you frantically search for it all over your apartment/house?

It’s usually in the back of the car or I’ve left it at work. Luckily I have more than one umbrella but unfortunately most of the time I have to search for it.

Cheers!

http://ceenphotography.com/2014/02/24/share-your-world-2014-week-8/

Share Your World – Week 7

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….four more interesting questions

What is your favorite couch potato activity: readings, watching movies, watching sports, napping, anything on TV, computer games, play cards, or other?

My favourite couch potato activity is watching a good movie or documentary. I always feel that I can never get those two hours back again so whatever I watch has to be worth my time. If I’m learning something interesting I always feel that is time well spent and if I get enjoyment out of it all the better.

What is your favorite toppings on pizza?

Pizza is an indulgence and special treat so again it has to be worth the calories. Some of my favourite toppings are: mushrooms, roasted red peppers, ricotta cheese, meatballs

Pizza done in a special pizza oven where it cooks in minutes and the thin crust comes out slightly charred is my all time favourite. Top it with fresh arugula and I’m in pizza heaven.

I have to admit that our favourite pizzas lately have been the ones we make ourselves at home. We don’t have a special pizza oven but we’ve been toying with building one in the backyard. Garden Fork has made a video on how to make a dry fit pizza oven with clay brick. I’ve wanted to make one of these for the cottage. I need to find 96 clay bricks and an old bed frame and I’ll be good to go.

What is is favorite genre of movie or book?

I don’t like horror or action movies. Give me a good drama, love story or intelligent comedy and I’m good to go. Add a little suspense and something with a surprise ending and I’ll talk about it forever. I’m pretty much the same with books. Some of my favourite books are:

The Help, The Rosie Project, The Birth House, Best Laid Plans, The Book of Negroes, Cutting for Stone

Favourite Movies:

The Wizard of Oz, Jurassic Park, Jaws, Toy Story 1, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Sixth Sense, Titanic, Django Unchained (I was surprised how much I enjoyed this), Captain Phillips,

Movies I Want to See:

Philomena, Gravity, Saving Mr. Banks

Do you prefer eating the frosting of the cake first?

I love frosting but I like it with the cake so I try to make sure that every bite has some frosting on it.

Share Your World – Week 6

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….this week’s questions definitely have an ‘Olympic’ theme….how fitting

Have you watched or plan to watch any of the 2014 Winter Olympics?

I haven’t watched any of the Olympics. I’ve listened to and watched the results on the news. My husband has no interest in these Olympics. The negative politics around the treatment of the gay community in Russia has put a damper on the Olympics for us. I’m glad that there haven’t been any ‘incidents’ and I’m hoping that there won’t be a terrorist attack while the games are on or for that matter, ever. I’m sure that I will sneak a peak at a few events that I love to watch.

What is your favorite winter Olympic event? Would you ever want to be an expert in that sport?

I love the luge and bobsled runs, all skiing events and speed skating. I don’t think that I could ever be an expert in any of these sports. High speeds scare me too much, especially going downhill.

Have you ever met an Olympic Athlete?

My husband’s cousin, Wendy Weibe, was in the summer Olympics in 1996, for rowing. This is one sport that I could be an expert in. About 10 years ago I took up rowing for two seasons. I loved it. I competed in both 8 man and 4 man boats.

Do you have a favorite athlete? Name sport.

I don’t really identify with athletes. I like some team sports but I’m not a huge fan for any one sport. Consequently I don’t really know the name of athletes. Now if some of our teams actually performed well I might become a fan. I do like soccer and if some of the high profile acquisitions actually work out I might find a favourite athlete.

Toronto FC

What is your favorite exercise or sport? Is there a reason why?

My favourite team sport is volleyball because I used to play and now I coach (well I did). I also coach basketball, soccer and running. My personal favourite exercise is walking and running. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up a bit so that I can get back outside and at least walk. I also like cross country skiing but this winter has been too cold and driving to ski trails has been too treacherous. I’m also looking forward to getting back on my bike as soon as the snow melts.

: Walking with my husband and dog

: Hiking in Ireland

: Running Buddies

: Canoeing

: Soccer practice

: Coaching the girls

: Cycling with my husband

: My birthday present

: Basketball practice

Share Your World – Week 5, 2014

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….here’s how I feel in this moment in time…..tomorrow my answers could be different

If you had a choice to live anywhere would be your preference salt water beaches, forest, fresh water lakes, hot tub, ski resort or desert?

My preference would be a fresh water beach. My cottage is on the most beautiful beach in Georgian Bay. The bay is part of the Great Lakes in Ontario. I’m only there in the summer so I might not feel the same way if I lived there in the winter, especially this winter. It’s been brutally cold. So if I were to live in one place year round I might choose a salt water beach in a warm climate.

What was your favorite toy as a child . . . and now?

My mother hated clutter and if our toys weren’t put away they eventually ended up in the garbage. The only toy I can remember having for a long time was a baby doll that I named Dorothy. When you fed her she would wet her diapers and her eyes closed when you laid her down. Now my favourite toys are my laptop and my ukulele. I would be lost without my computer and I’ve only recently pulled my ukulele out of storage. Some day I might actually learn how to play it proficiently. Currently I know only a few chords. I need to practise, practise, practise…..

Which do you prefer sweet, salty or both at the same time?

I initially wanted to say sweet but I actually love both at the same time. My favourite popcorn is Chicago style which is a combination of cheese popcorn and caramel popcorn. Yum!

Would you prefer snowy winters, or not, and why?

I prefer snowy winters but this year has been a bit much. It’s not the snow that bothers me but the frigid sub-zero temperatures and icy conditions have been extreme this year. I love the sound of soft crunchy snow under my boots and it has never stopped me from going for walks. The ice, however, this year has been treacherous and I spent some time in the emergency ward with my husband after he slipped and fell. Luckily he didn’t break anything but he did collapse his lungs and stretched the connective tissues between his ribs, causing him a great deal of pain. After three weeks he is just starting to feel better. Come to think of it, the winter where we had no snow and mild temperatures sounds pretty good right now. We were able to ride our bikes all winter. Hmmmm!!!!!