Share Your World 2016 – Week 19

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Mama Cormier

….thank you Cee for some very unusual questions this week

You win a pet monkey but this isn’t just any old monkey. It can do one trick for you whenever you want from getting a pop out of the fridge to washing your hair. What would be the trick?

When I saw this question I couldn’t help but think about the Ikea monkey and all the grief the owner went through for owning a monkey. Washing my hair? Never! I’ll think I’ll pass on this question. I could never own a monkey regardless of the talent it may have.
What caring thing are you going to do for yourself today?

Today I went to see a chiropractor. In the last two weeks I’ve had chronic pain in my upper thigh and the side of my hip. It all started on the day that I walked 18 000 steps. I thought it would go away on it’s own but the pain persisted. I discovered that I have bursitis in my hip as a direct result of that long walk. I was tugged at, pushed and pulled. It hurt! The good news is that it felt better when I was done. My homework is to do some exercises, apply ice and not start any new exercise program. No running or long walks. With a few more visits my hip should be ‘all cleaned up’ before I go to Italy in July.
What color do you feel most comfortable wearing?

Believe it or not I love wearing bright colours like royal blue and red. I also like white, peach and periwinkle.
Complete this sentence: When I travel I love to….

….check out quaint little shops, markets and art galleries. I love outdoor cafes and restaurants that the locals eat at.
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 wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. I drove to the finish line for the Sporting Life 10k Run that my oldest daughter, her partner and her brother-in-law participated in. All three finished in great times.

We then drove to Hamilton where we met up with my husband and our youngest daughter and her little family. We had a great time playing with the baby and enjoyed a wonderful meal together.

It’s been a great week at school. The children did really well at the West Conference track and field meet and many of them are moving on to the city finals. All the plans for our Forest of Reading book club celebration are now in place and the silent auction contributions from the classes have been completed by the students and are ready to be fired. Here is the platter that my grade 3 class designed and painted. I did the black lines. I can’t wait to see what it looks like after it’s been fired.

The other thing that I’m grateful for was the amazing lunch that the parents put on for the staff for ‘Teacher Appreciation Day’. They really go all out. They used the library and came in the night before to set it up and decorate it. The food was over the top and there was so much left over that we had a second meal the next day. I also appreciated the fact that there were lots of things that I could eat and still stay on my ‘diet’.

I’m looking forward to a great day on Friday when the students who earned their 12 reading credits come to our Forest of Reading Celebration. We have an author coming to talk to the students, a drama workshop and a hands on journal making workshop plus a pizza lunch for the successful students and the staff who participated as expert readers.

I’m also looking forward to creating more paintings. I’ll write more about that in another post in the next few days.

Cheers!

Share Your World 2016 – Week 17

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Mama Cormier

….thanks Cee for more great questions

When writing by hand do you prefer to use a pencil or pen?

As I was writing with a pencil today, I decided that I prefer to write with a pencil. I like how it flows smoothly over the paper and doesn’t smudge like ink does.

What’s your choice: jigsaw, word, maze or numeric puzzles?

I used to love jigsaw puzzles but now my puzzle of choice is numeric. I can’t pass up a Sudoku puzzle when I see them in the newspaper or magazines.

Do you prefer long hair or short hair for yourself?

I definitely prefer medium length hair. I saw a photo taken about 10 years ago when my hair was very short and I instantly went ‘yuk’.

List five or more of your favourite blogs.

Cee’s Photography https://ceenphotography.com/2016/04/28/cees-black-white-photo-challenge-hiding-or-camouflaged/
Life In-between https://lifeinbetween.me/2016/04/28/the-rusty-old-bridge-in-watercolor/
Jill’s Art Journal https://artjillkuhn.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/creative-play/
My Guilty Pleasures https://mygulitypleasures.wordpress.com/2016/04/25/big-girl-trying-to-be-a-bit-smaller/#comment-41729
Curious to the Max https://judithwesterfield.com/2016/04/26/frankly-freddie-parenthetically-speaking-2/
My Life Lived Full https://mylifelivedfull.wordpress.com/2016/04/27/w-washington-dc/
The Year of Living Non-judgementally https://annkoplow.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/day-1214-relationship-managers/

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 time spent with my daughters. On Saturday my oldest daughter and her wife came to the house to sort out some financial issues with their financial planner (my husband) and we enjoyed a wonderful lunch together. My daughter also helped me put together a dresser that I bought months ago. Earlier in the day my husband and I went for a very long walk. With the nice weather we’ve been inundated with midges so K made us coverings for our mouths and noses so we wouldn’t breathe them in. Luckily it was a bit cooler when we headed out so we didn’t have to use them very often. My neighbours were right when they said we looked like a couple of bandits.

On Sunday we drove to Hamilton and watched our son-in-law race in his first go-cart race. The baby didn’t seem to mind the noise or the smelly fumes.

After the race we were treated to a wonderful dinner of BBQ steak and grilled vegetables back at the house. My husband and I are still on our weight loss journey together and a meal like that makes it very easy to stay on program. So far I’ve lost 13 pounds and my husband is down 17.

This week I’m looking forward to do more painting. I’ve redone a couple of paintings I started two weeks ago and have started two more. I’m also looking forward to more success on the scales this week.

Share Your World 2016 – Week 16

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Mama Cormier

….thanks Cee for another great set of questions

Unfortunately I’m more than a week late for this post but I wanted to answer the questions, so here goes.

If you had to have your vision corrected would you rather: glasses or contacts? Or what do you use if you need to have your vision corrected?

In my mid twenties I started wearing contact lenses. I loved them until I reached my 50s. I couldn’t read close-up so I tried wearing bifocal lenses but I couldn’t wear them at night because the lights would turn into star bursts. For the last 10 years I’ve worn glasses and I would take them off to read. In the last 2 years I’ve switched to progressive lenses. It took a bit of getting used to but I don’t need to constantly take my glasses off and on.

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

I think I’m a yield sign. I move cautiously forward and look out for the needs of other people. I get the job done but not at the expense of others.

Was school easy or difficult for you? How so?

School was pretty easy for me. There were periods where I struggled with language in elementary school but I found math very easy. In high school, after grade 10, there were units of math, like calculus that would frustrate me but I learned to love the mechanics of language.

Would you rather take a 1 or 2 week vaction with an organized tour or take a cruise of your choice?

I think if I were travelling alone I would take an organized tour but seeing that I wouldn’t travel alone I would choose to take a cruise of my choice. One thing I’d love to do is take a European river cruise.

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

Seeing that I’m late with this post I have to go back two weeks. I’m grateful for the coming of warm spring weather. For awhile anyway we had very warm temperatures and sunshine.

As always I look forward to spending time with my family, especially my granddaughter. My son-in-law is racing in his first go-cart race this weekend so I’m looking forward to another trip to Hamilton.

Now I’m off to answer the questions for week 17.

Share Your World 2016 -Week 14

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Mama Cormier

….thanks Cee for some great questions this week

If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?

Hands down, I’d want someone to help me with the cleaning. I’d love to have someone clean the bathrooms, wash the floors, dust and vacuum. We already have a family of young boys who cut our grass once a week and we love to dabble in the garden. My husband is an excellent cook and he loves cooking for me and for family and friends. I don’t mind cooking either.

What makes you laugh the most?

A good joke, a funny movie and watching my granddaughter feeding herself.

What was your favorite food when you were a child?

I loved food and was definitely not a fussy eater. It may sound odd but I loved creamed spinach and my dad made a tasty spaghetti with ground beef and peas in a brown gravy. When I was about 11 or 12 my mom learned how to make a real spaghetti meat sauce with tomatoes and that quickly became a favourite meal for me. Truth be told I don’t think I had one favourite food. I loved cabbage rolls, chicken a la king, chicken pot pie, homemade burgers, fruit torts with whipped cream, ice cream and most cakes and cookies.

List at least five favorite flowers or plants.

I love the following flowers: sunflowers, tulips, Peruvian lilies, irises, carnations, roses, daisy mums and Gerber daisies.

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 some beautiful weather last week before winter returned. I enjoyed a wonderful day with the family in Hamilton on the weekend, despite the blizzard we had to drive home in. I’m grateful that I didn’t break any bones when I slipped on the ice when I was going down the concrete steps in front of my house on Monday. Earlier in the day all of the snow on the sidewalks and pathways had melted but there were a few wet patches that froze later in the evening and that’s what caught me by surprise when I took the dog out for one last walk that night. Thank goodness for strong bones and a good amount of padding.

I’m also grateful for the support from my husband on our weight loss journey. He’s lost 10 pounds and I’m down 8 1/2. There are 96 days left before the wedding. If I can lose 1 pound every four days I should be able to lose another 24 pounds but I can’t think that far ahead. One day at a time.

Cheers!

Share Your World 2016 – Week 12

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Mama Cormier

…..sorry to be so late this week for Cee’s Share Your World

Wanting something to quench your thirst, what would you drink?

The best thing to quench my thirst is plain old water but if the weather is cold I might take that water and brew up a cup of tea.

What made you feel good this past week?

I made a drawing and painting this week that made me feel very good.

When you’re alone at home, do you wear shoes, socks, slippers, or go barefoot?

In the winter I like to wear socks and in the summer I go barefoot.

Would you rather live where it is always hot or always cold?

I don’t think I’d like to live in an area that is always cold but I do enjoy brisk cool days. On the other hand I’d enjoy hot weather occasionally but I would find it boring after awhile. I like the changing seasons and the variable weather that goes with it here in the northern hemisphere.

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 short work week this week and that everyone at school arrived safely during the ice storm. Last week I was able to do a fair bit of drawing and some painting and I am grateful for that.

This week I’m looking forward to spending Easter weekend with my family. I’m cooking a big meal later today so I’d better get to bed so that I can get up early enough to put the turkey in the oven.

Cheers! Happy Easter everyone!

Share Your World 2016 – Week 11

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World

How many siblings do you have? What’s your birth order?

I have two younger sisters. I am the oldest child in the family.

The three Winkler sisters.

In a car would you rather drive or be a passenger?

I like to drive but I also like being a passenger. I guess it depends largely on who the other driver is. If I’m with my father I prefer to drive and if I’m in an unfamiliar city than my host can drive.

When you lose electricity in a storm, do you light the candles or turn on the flashlight? How many of each do you own?

We are well prepared for a blackout. We don’t have electricity at the cottage so we are well versed when it comes to using candles, oil lanterns, kerosene lamps and battery operated lights. We have flashlights that we use initially to light the candles. I couldn’t tell you how many candles we have, probably dozens because I buy the big packages of tea lights. At home we have two oil lamps and at the cottage we have at least twelve.

List at least five of your favorite types of animals? (any animal to domestic to wild to marine life)

My favourite animals are:

dogs

chipmunks

elephants

rabbits

panda bears

Our Prime Minister with the Panda cubs at the Toronto Zoo

photo courtesy of: http://www.flynewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/667.jpg

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 that my cold didn’t last very long. Lots of vitamin C, liquids and cold medicine and one day off work seemed to help. I’m also grateful for the week off, March Break, and being able to spend more time with my family. I’ve seen my granddaughter twice since Friday and all my daughters were over on Sunday.

My father had another fall last week and he didn’t tell me about it until Saturday. Luckily nothing is broken and he’s just bruised and sore. At least this time he seems to be in a much better mood and isn’t depressed like he was two years ago when he fell down a ravine. He turns 90 this year and is in remarkable good health. For that I am grateful as well.

This week I’m looking forward to lots of rest and relaxation. I’m hoping to visit my father and try to meet my oldest daughter for lunch one day this week. Last week was not a good walking week, partially due to my cold, so I’m aiming to get back to my daily goal of 10 000 steps. If the weather cooperates I’m hoping to get some good photographs on my walks.

Share Your World 2016 – Week 10

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Mama Cormier

…..it’s Thursday and I’m home trying to get over a cold

I don’t like waiting so long to get to Cee’s challenge but it seems like I’ve taken on more than I can manage at the moment so something had to be put aside temporarily. That something just happened to be writing for my blog. I’m trying to rest today so that I’m not sick over my March Break. Plans include drawing, reading and answering the following questions.

What would you ask for if a genie granted you three wishes?

I would ask for good health for me and my family. My second wish would be enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life and take two or three trips a year. My last wish would be for on going happiness for my children. If they’re happy and I’m healthy what more could I ask for?

What experiences are most meaningful to you?

The experiences that are most meaningful to me are those that involve my husband and my family. They would include getting married, buying a house, having my children, going on vacation, having a great job and watching my children grow up and sharing their happy moments.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was very young I wanted to be a nurse. At the age of 12 I knew that I wanted to be a teacher and not just any teacher but a family studies teacher. I held on to that dream all through school, occasionally contemplating about going into medicine but my first choice was teaching. Well I did become a family studies teacher and did that for 15 years and then switched to become a guidance counsellor for two years and then a grade 5 homeroom teacher for 14 years and for the last 4 years I’ve been the librarian and art teacher.

Complete this sentence: The best day of my life was….

I can’t pick just one. My wedding day, the days my children were born, the day we bought our house, the day I got my first teaching job, the days when my daughters got married, the day my son got engaged and the day my granddaughter was born.

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 spending the day babysitting my granddaughter last Sunday. My husband had a lot of medical tests done this week and I’m grateful that everything looks good and that his cancers are still in remission. We have the green light to proceed making plans for our trip to Italy this summer. We’ve had warming temperatures all week and the rain that we were suppose to get didn’t arrive until today so we’ve experienced very pleasant days.

After tomorrow our March Break begins and I’m looking forward to a week of rest and relaxation. We haven’t made any plans other than seeing our children. Maybe we’ll take in the museum or the art gallery and I’m sure we’ll be doing a lot of walking.

Share Your World 2016 – Week 9

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World

Have you done something you truly want to do today?

I really wanted to draw today and get in my 10 000 steps. I’m happy to say that I’ve done both and I got to see my favourite show which is Survivor. I’m in a pool and I’ve chosen four players that I hope will make it to the end. There have been only three shows so far but I’m pleased that none of my players have been voted off and two of my choices are on the team that keeps winning challenges. As a result I earn extra points and another player found the idol today for which I earn more points.

What can you help the world with?

This is a tall order. I think on a daily basis I can try to be the best person possible and share my gifts and compassion for people. I don’t want to sound preachy but I think we all need to be more tolerant of all people, regardless of their income, race, religion, education and sexual orientation and be fair and equitable to all.

I try to reduce my carbon footprint by using less energy, walking more and using the car less and recycling, composting and reusing items instead of throwing things into the garbage that end up in landfill.

I think the best way I can change the world is by educating people and making them aware of how we can make a difference if we all pull together for a common cause. The argument always falls back to China’s contribution to the world’s pollution and until they change our efforts won’t make a difference. I know for a fact that there are groups of people in China, India, and parts of Africa that are protesting against big businesses that want to change agricultural lands, fresh water bogs, and rivers in their communities and they are making a difference.

If life was ‘just a bowl of cherries’… which fruit other than a cherry would you be..?

I would be a peach. Perfectly ripe and juicy.

Quotes List: At least three of your favorite quotes?

I always quake at the thought of having to write quotes, never mind my favourite ones. I know a favourite quote when I hear one or read one but don’t ask me to remember one, two or three. If I write anything here it’s because I did a little research to jog my memory and if you don’t see anything it’s because I couldn’t find a favourite quote.

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
― William W. Purkey

“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”
― John Lennon

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
― C.S. Lewis

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 getting back on track with my walking. I’ve walked over 10 000 steps a day for six days in a row. Now if I could only get my eating back on track so that some of this weight that I’ve gained would come back off. I’m grateful for my good health. Last night I was able to shovel the snow off the sidewalk in front of eight of my neighbour’s homes and other than feeling a little tired today I feel remarkably well.

This week I hope to continue drawing in my sketchbook on a daily basis, complete the last assignment from Carla’s class and continue walking 10 000 steps a day. On the weekend I hope to see my granddaughter. It’s been two weeks since I’ve held her and I can tell from the photos that my daughter sends that she’s changing by the minute.

Share Your World 2016 – Week 6

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Mama Cormier

….this week’s questions were suggested to Cee by Bridget from the The Happy Quitter

What is your favorite word?

My most favourite word is ‘love’. It’s what makes the world go round, conquers hate, looks beyond your imperfections, accepts you as you are, melts your heart and “love has no age, no limit; and no death”, John Galsworthy
What is your least favorite word?

My least favourite word is so offensive to me that I can’t even print it. I absolutely hate the word Cee u next Tuesday. I find it so demeaning to women.
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Long walks through the wilderness and along the beach and quiet moments at the cottage give me inspiration to be creative and reflect on life.

What turns you off?

Gross consumption of anything is a turn off for me. I hate excessive behaviours of all kind.
What is your favorite curse word?

I don’t normally curse but occasionally the sh*t word comes pouring out from my mouth, especially if I’ve messed up or hurt myself.
What sound or noise do you love?

I love the sound of birds singing in the morning and the pitter patter of a light summer rain.
What sound or noise do you hate?

I don’t like sirens, horns and traffic in general.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I’ve often wondered what kind of doctor I would have been.
What profession would you not like to do?

I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want to be a lawyer.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Welcome Carol, your art studio awaits you.
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 good friends and a wonderful husband. After finding a dress for the wedding my husband treated me to a dinner at a new Middle Eastern restaurant called Paramount. The food was fantastic and we had enough left over for another lunch this week.

Tomorrow is our daughter’s wedding so of course that is what I’m looking forward to the most. Everyone is excited about meeting the baby, some for the first time and having a fantastic meal at Torrone’s.

Share Your World 2016 – Week 5

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Mama Cormier

…..thank you Cee for four more thought provoking questions

If you had a shelf for your three most special possessions (not including photos, electronic devices and things stored on them, people or animals), what would you put on it?

I don’t own many family heirlooms. My mother was very much a bare bones kind of person when it came to decorating the house. She, herself, didn’t own a lot of special possessions because so much of what they owned was lost in the war so growing up the only things I remember my mother cherishing were her photo albums. When I got married my grandmother gifted me a blue decanter that she managed to save from the bombings and when my mother passed the only thing that I wanted was an old silver serving spoon with the date 1909 stamped on it and the initials WS. The third item would be a collection of things my children made over the years, such as, paintings, photography assignments and hand made toys.

If you had a box labelled ‘happiness’, what would you put in it?

I would fill it with photos of my family, music, paintings and art supplies and books.

What do you want more of in your life?

I want to travel more, spend more time painting and take classes to learn new art techniques. I also want to spend more time with my family. If I had unlimited resources I would travel with my family and visit my family across the ocean.

Daily Life List: What do you do on an average day? Make a list of your usual activities you do each day.

My husband wakes me up at 6:30 and brings me a cup of coffee.
I shower and get ready for work.
I eat breakfast.
I leave the house between 7:25 and 7:50 (earlier when I have basketball practice).
I arrive at school between 7:45 and 8:10.
I have another cup of coffee and socialize with colleagues before the school day begins at 8:30.
My first period is usually a prep and then I have my first library class of the day.
During recess children help me in the library putting books away.
After recess I have another class or I do library administration work (labelling books, ordering books, putting books away, straightening shelves, removing damaged and old books for recycling, etc.)
Lunch is at 11:15 and I usually bring a lunch from home.
Lunch ends at 12:10 and my afternoon is usually filled teaching library and art.
3:00 the school day ends but twice a week I do bus duty at this time.
3:15 to 4:00 I work in the library or during report card time I’m in the office printing and reprinting report cards for the staff.
Anywhere from 4:30 to 5:00 or later I leave for home.
My husband usually makes dinner so when I get home I have a cup of tea or coffee and we talk about our day while he cooks.
At this time I’ll also check my emails.
Dinner is usually around 6:00. Afterwards I usually wash the dishes or we do them together.
My husband goes to watch TV and I spend time on the computer reading and answering more emails and writing new posts for the blog.
On certain nights I will watch some TV and I have started to knit. I also like to read so if there isn’t anything I like on TV I’ll read a book.
At some point in the evening I take the dog for a walk
Anywhere between 11:00 and 12:00 I get ready for bed.

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 wonderful day spent with my granddaughter. The weather has been warm and there is no snow and on the weekend I managed to get in 30 000 steps over two days. I’m also pleased that I’ve finished proof-reading report cards. On Sunday I met up with 7 friends from high school and we had a great lunch at a Thai restaurant. Then two days later I went out for Winterlicious and enjoyed a scrumptious dinner of South American fusion food.

I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend. I’m hoping to relax, buy a dress for my daughter’s wedding and clean a small corner of my bedroom. The thing I’m looking most forward to is the wedding which takes place next Wednesday.