Share Your World – January 29, 2018

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Cee for posting more interesting questions on Share Your World

If you had an unlimited shopping spree at only one store, which one would you choose? Why?

I would choose a store where I could buy a variety of items, like clothing, household items, accessories, toys, and make-up. Even though I’d have unlimited amounts of money (I’m assuming that’s what an unlimited shopping spree means) I still think of Marshall’s first. Maybe I should be adventurous and say Nordstrom’s.

What is the worst thing you ate recently?

I tend to avoid foods that I don’t like and there aren’t too many of those. I would have to choose something that was badly prepared or didn’t meet my expectations. The only thing I can think of is the oatmeal my father made and he wanted me to try it because he had some left over. Is it possible for something to be too salty and too sweet at the same time? Well it was and I politely declined to eat the rest. My Dad doesn’t read this blog so I’m not too worried that he’ll be offended.

Name five things you like watching…

Watching my granddaughter playing
A game of professional soccer, rugby or lacrosse
The Olympic Games, summer and winter
Live theatre
On TV – Coronation Street, The View, Young Sheldon, Survivor, The Crown and most British detective stories

What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

This week I managed two visits to Hamilton to visit my daughter and granddaughter and my oldest daughter came over with her Frenchie, Olive on Sunday. Time with my family always makes me smile.

Photo credit goes to my daughter-in-law who took this photo back in November.

On Sunday Olive and Frances had a great time playing together and we were able to go for a nice long walk.

I’m also happy that I finally got my art studio in working order last week. I put together the last piece of furniture and started filling up the drawers. Even though I’ve been doing art almost every day since the beginning of the month, I can now do it in a neater and more organized space.

In conclusion I need to thank my husband for taking me on one of his business trips this week. It was only up to Collingwood but I had an opportunity to take some photographs of the town and together we enjoyed a wonderful meal before heading home. We had such a nice time that we’re thinking of doing this once a week or at least twice a month. Any suggestions where we should go next? No more than two hours from Toronto, please.

Cheers!

Share Your World – Sept. 25, 2017

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Mama Cormier

….thanks Cee for more thought provoking question on Share Your World

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I think that it would have to be walking where ever I happen to be, with or without my dog, but always with my camera or iPhone close by. Here are some photos I took on this morning’s walk.

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

It really depends on who’s driving and where I’m going. When I’m with my 90 year old father I’d rather be driving because he’s too distracted when there’s someone else in the car. When I’m with my husband and on a long trip I like it when he drives but I don’t mind taking turns.

If you could have three wishes granted for you alone, what would they be?

#1 – I’d like to take off my excess weight and maintain that loss (is that 2 wishes?). I’ve been on a roller coaster diet all my life. I feel much better when I’m thinner, my clothes look better on me and I want to be able to enjoy my walks and time with my granddaughter without feeling the aches and pains in my feet and joints.

#2 – I’d like to have enough money to finish some projects around the house and still be able to take at least one trip a year overseas or across the country without worrying about how the bills are going to be paid.

#3 – I’d like to have more grandchildren but I guess that’s not really up to me.

What inspired you or what did you appreciate this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

These past two weeks I appreciated spending time with friends in the middle of the week. When I was working this would have been out of the question. Two Tuesdays ago I went to the AGO (art gallery) with my life-long friend, Arlene. She’s been patiently waiting for me to retire so we could do this. The show we saw was called Every. Now. Then. Reframing Nationhood. In honour of Canada’s 150th birthday, it explores three urgent questions through the eyes of some of the country’s best emerging and established artists: where has Canada come from, what it is now, and where is it going?

Last Tuesday I spent the day with my daughter and granddaughter. We went to the mall together, had lunch and just hung out. I finished a hat for Winnie while I was there and apparently she didn’t take it off for two days. My daughter had to hide it from her. We’ve been experiencing a heat wave here and a wool cap is the last thing she needs on her head.

On Wednesday I drove to St. Catharines with my friend Diane to visit her father at the retirement home. We met her sister there and went for lunch at a great place close by. After that we got back in the car and drove to Niagara-on-the-Lake where we took in an afternoon show at the Old Courthouse. Walking through this town is always such a visual treat for me.

This week I was also inspired to finally reorganize my room so that I can start doing art again. Two of my friends gave me a timeline (end of September) to get my stuff sorted so that I can start putting shelves, a desk and a filing cabinet in my space. Hopefully I’ll really be able to organize my supplies and then get down to doing some serious art. At least now I’m not embarrassed when people go up to my bedroom. I can get to my bed now without stepping over stuff or having to worry about tripping on something in the dark. I’ll post photos when I have more ‘after’ shots.

Cheers!

Share Your World – May 22, 2017

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?

I really want to travel to the east coast and the west coast of Canada and I’d like to do part of it on the train. I’d also like to go on a cruise along the west coast up to Alaska or a river cruise in Europe.

How often do you get a haircut?

I get my hair cut about every two months. I’m hoping to get an appointment for later this week.

In regards to puzzle what’s your choice: jigsaw, crossword, word search or numeric puzzles?

Presently I like numeric puzzles but I’ve done all of them at one time or another. I wouldn’t mind tackling a new jigsaw puzzle but I need a space where I can leave it for a undetermined length of time.

How many cities have you lived? You can share the number of physical residences and/or the number of cities.

As a baby I lived in two locations before emigrating to Canada. In Canada we started in Toronto, moved to Oakville for 4 years and then back to Toronto. After high school I moved to Guelph for 4 years where I went to university and then back to Toronto where I’ve been ever since.

Optional 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 a very busy week is over and all the events that went smoothly. This week I look forward to dinner with friends on Wednesday, a retirement dinner, put on by the board of education on Thursday and a luncheon at a student’s house on Friday. On Saturday I’m attending a baby shower for my niece and on Sunday I’m going to a concert with friends. Sounds like another busy week but this time there’s very little work involved on my part.

Cheers!

Share Your World 2017 – January 2, 2017

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Mama Cormier

…..thanks Cee for continuing to host Share Your World

Would you prefer to receive a unicycle, bicycle, tricycle or motorcycle?

I already own a bike and a unicycle is impractical. I think owning a Vespa could be fun.

photo courtesy of : Just Bikes. in

What is one thing you’d like to accomplish this year?

One thing I’d like to do this year is continue to lose weight and get healthy before I retire in June.

What was one of the highlights of 2016 for you?

There were two highlights for me and they were the weddings of two of my children.

Would you prefer to fly a kite or fly in a hot air balloon?

I’ve flown kites and I like the sensation of getting your kite airborne but I’m curious about hot air balloons. The problem is I have a fear of heights and I’m a bit of a nervous Nelly.

Optional 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 family and being able to talk to our son on the phone. This week I’m looking forward to some quiet down time. I’m hoping to do some art, read a book and visit my granddaughter.

Share Your World 2016 – Week 47 (Grateful List)

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Mama Cormier

….with American Thanksgiving coming up this week Cee has asked us to share what we’re grateful for

What are you grateful for in regard to:

Your home life?

….having a roof over my head and being mortgage free and having a wonderful place to go to in the summer

Your family?

…..that my children are all happily married and that my husband is on the mend
Your blogging community?

…..for my loyal followers who comment regularly
Your city or immediate area in which you live?

…..for being clean, vibrant and safe

The regional area in which you live?

…..that I live close to water that I can see every day and safely drink from

The country where you live?

….. for it’s diversity
You?

…..that I have a husband who loves me, three successful children and a beautiful granddaughter

Optional 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 an exceptionally beautiful week of warm and sunny weather; something that is very unusual for this time of year. I’m also grateful that I was able to get my snow tires on my car before the snow really begins to fall.

I’m looking forward to a three day camping trip with our grade five students. We’ll be travelling about 2 1/2 north of the city. Before you think I’m completely bonkers let me clarify that we aren’t sleeping in tents. We have cabins to sleep in.

I’m also looking forward to seeing my sister from Calgary on the weekend. She’s flying in with her husband to visit our Dad before this big move into the retirement home, spend some time with me, visit friends in Georgetown and visit her mother-in-law who lives in Ottawa. It will be a busy weekend for her.

Share Your World 2015 – Week #16

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Mama Cormier

…..thanks Cee for this week’s questions

What are your favorite spices?

I think I answered this question this time last year and my answer is the same: cinnamon. I love cinnamon ice-cream, cinnamon buns (I never eat them because they’re too high in calories), cinnamon on top of my cappuccino, cinnamon in apple pie and apple crisp and cinnamon in my mulled wine.

What object do you always have with you when traveling and why?

I would be lost without a camera of some kind. I love taking pictures and experimenting with different angles and shots. Taking photos is a great way to share your experiences with family and friends. A trip without a camera is like fries without ketchup. It just adds an extra little zing to the experience.

What is one thing you love about being an adult?

I love being able to go to bed when I want. I’m a bit of a night owl and tend to become most creative in the wee hours of the morning. This doesn’t bode well when you’re working and I’ve been trying to get a least 8 hours of sleep a night. I’ve been averaging 6 1/2 hours but yesterday I was so tired that I was in bed before 10:30.

I also love being able to do things without asking permission. That doesn’t mean that I’m inconsiderate of others. I always discuss what I want to do with my husband but I don’t have to ask permission. My husband has always let me explore my own path, as I do his but we both make sure that there isn’t a conflict of interest with the dates we’ve chosen. We still love to do things together but we don’t do everything together.

What item, that you don’t have already, would you most like to own?

I would love to own a really good camera that isn’t my iPhone. I love the convenience of my camera phone but there are times when I wish I could zoom in closer on some things far away.

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 two days of warm sunny weather that we experienced last week. It was wonderful getting outside without having to wear a jacket, mitts and a hat. Unfortunately the last few days have been cold, rainy and windy. I even brought some plants, that I bought earlier in the week, indoors last night because the temperatures were suppose to go below freezing.

This week I’m looking forward to some more warmer weather on the weekend. I’m hoping to get together with my children for a meal and on Sunday I’m going to another concert with my friend DM.

Share Your World (2014) – Week 51

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….thank you Cee for another week of great questions….will there be a week 52 or do we start with week 1?

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

I’d like something in the middle. A little snow (maybe one good blizzard) and when there’s no snow I’d like mild temperatures. We had a lot of snow back in November but for the most part by the time December rolled around most of it had disappeared and we ended up with a green Christmas. Today is Dec. 31st and we still don’t have any snow but it’s become bitterly cold. I like to walk but when the wind blows and the temperature drops it makes for a bone chilling experience. What a difference from last year!

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?

Rain? The umbrella is always in the car. A lot of good it does me when I have to run through the parking lot at school in the pouring rain to get to my car.

Do you prefer your food separated or mixed together?

I like both but when it’s separated I’m not one of those people who can’t stand to have the different foods touching. That’s just weird. Sorry to those people who feel that way. I also love casseroles, soups and stews. When I need comfort food the latter mentioned meals hit the spot.

…..filled with lamb and a side of fesenjoon (ground walnuts with chicken)

What is set as the background on your computer?

On my computer my background is a photo of the city of Toronto that I took from the park west of the city. This is what I see every day when I walk to the park with Frances.

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 having my entire family home for Christmas and being able to spend another Christmas with my Dad.

This week we celebrated the birthday of my twins and I am looking forward to going to my friends 60th birthday levi on Thursday and bringing the family together one last time on Saturday before my son and his fiancé fly back to London, England.

Happy New Year, everyone. All the best in 2015!

Share Your World 2014 – Week 48

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Mama Cormier

…..4 more shares and we’re done for 2014

What is your favorite toppings on pizza?

Everything on my husband’s homemade pizza is good but if I have to choose it would be mushrooms, caramelized onion, feta cheese and prosciutto.

I want to learn more about …

That’s tough because there are so many things that I want to know more about. One of them would be learning new art techniques and learning to use different tools and materials. As I get older I’ve also become more interested in history and would like to learn more about ancient civilizations.

What are three places you’ve enjoyed visiting?

I’ve enjoyed visiting the Netherlands and Ireland and the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. When I was a child and later as a teenager I visited Germany three times. I would love to go back and see it from an adult’s point of view.

Do you prefer eating the frosting of the cake or the cupcake first?

I’m a frosting person but I like to make sure that I have a bit of cake with my frosting. It’s all about balance.

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 friend L. Her life is rather chaotic at the moment and any time that we spend together outside of school is a bonus. We went to the One of a Kind Show on Friday and the week before we were at the ballet and went out for dinner.

This week I’m looking forward to going to the annual Christmas concert on Tuesday and hosting our United Way Silent Auction on Friday. I’m also looking forward to dinner Friday evening with friends.

Thank you Cee for the questions for this week’s challenge. I hope you get over your cold really quickly so that you can enjoy the upcoming holidays.