…..this is fun to play with
Chris Donner over at Cee’s Photography introduced my to Get Peanutized. The new Peanuts movie is coming out this November and this website lets you create your own Peanuts Character. Of course I had to have long blonde hair and those cool red heart shaped glasses. I also loved school so my setting is in front of the lockers with my sidekick, Snoopy. Give it a try!
Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge 2015 – Week 23
……an impromptu visit to the museum earlier this week furnished me with some very odd ball photos for Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge
The nice thing about having a membership to the museum or the art gallery is that you can walk in at anytime and spend as much or as little time as you want and not worry about getting your money’s worth. Last Monday after my husband’s procedure at a downtown hospital we met our oldest daughter and enjoyed a nice lunch with her and then proceeded to walk to the museum to see if there were any new exhibits. We checked out an exhibit of Mexican textiles and then discovered a floor with African and South American masks, tools, sculptures, paintings and other artefacts. The blue woman sculpture and the specialty designed coffins from Ghana, I thought, made excellent photo subjects for this week’s odd ball challenge.
A south Asian sculpture using teak and indigo to represent the region.
Coffins in Ghana are specifically designed to honour the deceased’s past while alive.
The owner of this coffin may have been a car dealer or used a car to earn his living.
This coffin was designed for a fisherman. My husband said that his coffin would be a guitar case.
…..Cee has changed up the format for this week’s post
Instead of four questions, Cee has asked us to choose topics and list at least four items for each topic. Here are my choices:
Favorite Songs
Favorite flowers or plants: Gerbera Daisy, Sunflowers, Tulips, Gladiolas,
Favorites types of tea
Favorite types of animals: dogs, elephants, snow leopards, zebras
List of favorite blogs
Stuff that makes you laugh: silly jokes, funny movies, my husband, absurd answers that kids write on tests
Movies to cheer you up
Favorite actors/actresses
Good restaurants to eat at
Best desserts: anything with fruit and whipped cream, creme brule, real Black Forest cake, ice-cream
My broken birthday cake. It didn’t travel well on my husband’s bike.
Games to play with friends
Fun things for a rainy day: playing board games, reading, painting, talking on the telephone, baking, 
Books I want to read
Things I want to have in my home (paintings, hot tubs, book cases, big screen tv etc)
Places worth shopping
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 I was able to organize the activities for Monday’s Forest of Reading Celebration. On the weekend I made my samples for the hand made journals, shopped for the gift bags and purchased some books for the students that had done an outstanding job with our reading challenge. I’m thankful for all the help from two of my colleagues, M and B who stayed late on Friday and helped me set up the supplies for the workshop. A special thanks to R for running the drama workshop and my boss, M for purchasing the pizza lunch for all our reading experts and the 40 students who qualified for our special day.
One final thanks goes to the parents and the school council for making this program possible with their generous contribution. Without their financial support we wouldn’t have been able to purchase the books for the program and hire the author who came to speak to the boys and girls on Monday.
This week I’m looking forward to our Jump Rope for Heart activity on Friday and to the Fun Fair on Saturday. This year the goal was to sell at least 400 wristbands before this Saturday. If that happened I agreed to go into the dunk tank. The children have been taunting me for weeks that I was going down into the tank but I replied that unless they sold those wristbands that wasn’t going to happen. Today they met the goal. My principal is over the moon that it’s going to be me this year and not her going into the tank. Stay tuned. I’ll keep you posted as to how I survive the ordeal.
I leave you with a few images from last week. On Saturday my husband and I took a trip to the Junction to check out the first day of the weekly Farmers’ Market. I looked up and photographed some of the interesting facades of the older buildings in the neighbourhood and we checked out a few interesting stores and of course stopped for coffee.
…..I saw this flower from a distance and just had to take a closer look
I was completely shocked to discover that it was a tulip. I had never seen one so full. I thought I was looking at a peony.
…..thanks Cee for four more thought provoking questions
What is the most important thing that you ever learned? (I bet it’s not something you learned in school)
I learned early on in my adult years that not everyone you meet will like you. The first time I discovered that someone really didn’t like me it took me for a loop. I get along with most people so when someone dislikes you for simply being yourself it can be somewhat hurtful. I don’t let it bother me anymore and figure that the problem lies with them.
I also learned that friends you make in school won’t necessarily be your friends later in life and sometimes if you’re lucky you can rekindle old friendships as you get older. In recent years I’ve been fortunate to be able to do that.
What feeds your enthusiasm for life?
I love to learn and try new experiences. I get joy from reading, doing art, teaching art, taking photographs and spending time with family and friends.
What’s your most memorable (good or bad) airplane commercial or private flight?
My most memorable airplane flight took place last year when my brother-in-law treated my middle sister and me to a complimentary flight, first class, to Calgary. The seats were comfortable, the food was good and our wine glasses were never empty. The flight took place on Air Canada.
If you were a great explorer, what would you explore?
I would explore all the great museums and art galleries of the world. That of course would take me to the most amazing cities in the world as well so I would check out all the historic sites and local markets and artisans.
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 an interesting day in Hamilton last week. I discovered a whole slew of interesting stores, restaurants and galleries in my daughter’s new neighbourhood. I can’t wait to go back and check out some of these places more closely.
I’m grateful that my husband’s biopsy went smoothly and that there weren’t any complications. The results were inconclusive so we have to wait for another test.
This week I’m looking forward to watching the girls play in their soccer tournament and meeting the author that I booked for the students’ activity day. Forty students met their goal of reading at least ten books in the last five months and earned a special day where they are excused from class to attend a drama workshop and bookmaking workshop, are treated to lunch and in the afternoon spend time with one of the authors whose book was nominated for the 2015 Forest of Reading Collection. It should be a lot of fun.
I’ll end with some photographs that I took the last few days.
….thank you Cee for another four great questions
What type of pets do you have or want? Or do you not want pets?
I have a lovely little mutt. She is a cross between a Dachshund and Australian Shepard. We inherited her 8 years ago when our daughter discovered that a new job made it impossible for her to raise an 8 week old puppy. My husband agreed to look after Frances (a name that our daughter picked out) until A could find a new home for her. To make a long story short, my husband bounded with Frances so quickly that he couldn’t give her up and she’s been with us ever since. 
What was or is your favorite cartoon?
Before I read Cee’s answer I immediately thought of Casper the Ghost which I used to watch as a child. When I was a bit older my favourite cartoon had to be the Flintstones. I don’t watch cartoons anymore.
Courtesy of: https://yuq.me/tv/03/344/5785.jpg
When you’re alone at home, do you wear shoes, socks, slippers, or go barefoot?
I do all of the above. On a cold winter morning or when I sleep in a lodge I like to wear slippers. When I enter my house I usually leave my shoes on. I never worry about my floors or carpets. When I know that I’m in for the evening or when I’m on the computer like now I like to wear socks and when the weather is warmer, go barefoot.
Are you a traveler or a homebody?
I’m not really a homebody, even though I do like to spend quiet evenings at home. I would love to be more of a traveller. The only thing holding me back is the money to travel and my full time job. I’m hoping to travel more when I retire and when the mortgage is paid off.
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 our daughter and her husband moved safely and without incident to their new home in Hamilton last week. We had an opportunity to drive there on Saturday and check out the neighbourhood.
This week I’m looking forward to spending Mother’s Day with my daughters, their significant others and my husband. I’m also looking forward to more warm weather. It seems like we’ve gone from winter straight into summer.
….four more thought provoking questions from Cee
What is your most favorite smell/scent?
I love scents that are citrusy, light and fresh.
Do you prefer long hair or short hair for yourself?
I prefer hair that is shoulder length or just above the shoulder. Anything shorter and I feel older. These photos were taken six years ago, four years ago and last summer. Each year my hair has gotten a little bit longer. I also lost a fair bit of weight between the second and third picture so that might also influence my decision about hair length.
older
Do you plan out things usually or do you do them more spontaneous (for example if you are visiting a big city you don’t know)?
My husband and I tend to be spontaneous. We might have an area in mind or a food we’d like to experience but we don’t plan to the nth degree. If something better comes along we’re just as likely to drop our plans and go with our gut feeling.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
I’d have to say my favourite outdoor activity is walking or riding my bike.
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 positive visit to my husband’s endocrinologist. We thought we were facing a tour of radioactive iodine treatment in the next month but his thyroglobulin levels were so low that the doctor didn’t think the treatment was necessary at this time. They will check his levels again in 6 months. Now we don’t have to worry about being around our pregnant daughter or having to give the dog away for a month while he’s radioactive.
This week I’m looking forward to more nice weather. The only downside is that the grass and weeds are growing so quickly that I’m going to have to do some heavy duty yard work over the weekend. Our daughter and her husband are also moving this weekend and I’m looking forward to helping them set up their new home in Hamilton.
…..four more great questions from Cee
What was your favorite subject in school?
I want to say art but I didn’t take one art class in high school. Not because I didn’t want to. If I could have chosen any subjects I wanted I would have taken music, art and Family Studies but I was restricted to Latin and one other elective. I ended up taking Family Studies because I knew from the time I was twelve that I wanted to be a Family Studies teacher. So I guess I’d have to say that my favourite subject included cooking and sewing.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away” (George Carlin). When have you had such a moment?
I guess I’d have to say at the births of my children.
What’s your choice: jigsaw, crossword, or numeric puzzles?
I like all three. I did a lot of jigsaw puzzles as a child. Now I do the occasional crossword but my favourite puzzles are Sudoku.
If you found an obviously abandoned car with $50,000 in the back seat, what would you do?
I think I would hand it into the police and hope that no one claims it and that the money can’t be traced. Eventually the money would be mine.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last week I took a trip to Oshawa with my husband and daughter, G to visit my Dad. He recently sold his house and it was the first time G and my husband saw the new apartment. It was also the first time that I saw it furnished. Dad and Gu did a great job arranging their furniture in this new space and finding a place for all their belongings. I’m grateful that the move went without a hitch and that my 88 year father withstood the stress of moving. 
This week I’m looking forward to Easter and having the whole family (minus my son and his fiance in England) over for dinner on Saturday. I’m also looking forward to some warmer temperatures, even if they are suppose to be short lived.
….some unusual questions this week
When was the last time you sat on a park or garden bench for more than ten minutes? Describe the occasion.
The last time I sat on a garden bench was two summers ago. My cottage neighbour had built a bench on the beach for anyone to use. I used to love going down to the beach early in the day to have my morning coffee. Unfortunately the powers that be decided that all things left on this ‘public’ beach had to be removed. When we returned last summer the bench was gone.
Would you ever be interested in observing a surgery or do you turn away when the nurse brings out the needle?
When I attended university I had thought about being a doctor but teaching became my chosen profession. I actually contemplated about taking a gross human anatomy class where I would dissect a human body. A 400 level floral design class won out. I used to watch live surgeries on TV but I do turn away when the needle to draw blood comes out.
Where’s your favorite place to take out-of-town guests?
If people are coming from another country I like to take them to Niagara Falls.
For my Canadian out-of-town quests I like to take them to the AGO (art gallery) and treat them to any special exhibitions that are featured during their visit. Luckily most of my friends like art.
If my guest come in the summer and they like a rustic setting I might suggest that we go to the cottage for a few days.
If you had an unlimited shopping spree at only one store, which one would you choose? Why?
It might seem strange that I would choose a discount store but Marshall’s has it all for me. Beautiful designer clothes that fit me and suit me, shoes, purses, kitchenware, gourmet food, dishes, and children’s and men’s wear. What could be better?
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last week I was grateful for being treated to a trip to the new Aga Khan Museum, here in Toronto. My friend, D, is a member and we spent the morning walking through the galleries. I really enjoyed looking at the old Persian vessels, art and tapestries. When so many artefacts are being destroyed in the Middle East because of war and acts of terrorism I was grateful that these treasures have been preserved for all to enjoy.
After exploring the entire museum and checking out the gift shop we had a very nice lunch at the restaurant located in the museum. The space was decorated with beautifully carved wall panels and mirrors and the food was attractively presented and very tasty.
I’m also grateful for slightly warmer weather and sunny days. On Sunday we had the family over Sunday lunch and game day. My husband made an incredible Irish meal in honour of St. Patrick’s Day (only a week late) and A and J brought Zeppole for dessert in honour of St Joseph’s Day.
This week I’m looking forward to doing more art, not only my own personal art but also art with my students. I’ve already started some interesting projects with the kids and today my kindergarten class made wonderful art with objects from nature (last 4 photos). The first six photos are mine. The owls are samples I created for my older students. They are designing their own owls and then transferring the design onto a foam plate and then colouring it and pressing it onto paper. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the kids can do.
……thank you Cee for some easy and some thought provoking questions this week
List 2 things you have to be happy about?
I’m happy to be on vacation. I have time to get a few things done around the house, time to spend with family and friends, time to read and time to make art. I’m also happy for reasons that I cannot share but will in the near future.
Do you prefer ketchup or mustard or mayonnaise?
I like mustard on my hotdogs and sausages, ketchup on my burgers and fries and mayonnaise on my BLTs, turkey sandwiches and sometimes with fries (something I picked up when we were in the Netherlands).
If you were to paint a picture of your childhood, what colors would you use?
I would choose happy and calming colours like blues, greens and yellows with just a dash of red for excitement.
Do you prefer a bath or shower?
I always prefer a shower. Long hot ones in the winter and cooler showers on hot summer days. I have a hard time with a bath because I find that the water cools too quickly and the thought of sitting in dirty water isn’t my idea of relaxing. I guess that’s why the Japanese wash before they get into the tub.
If I wanted a bath it would be in a nice deep tub like this one.
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 warmer weather and that all the snow has melted away. I’m also happy that the last week of school finally came to an end and I’m looking forward to a week of rest and relaxation.
Mama Cormier 