From Down to Better

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Mama Cormier

….funny how one person’s mood can affect your own

For the last few days my husband hasn’t been feeling well. I think he’s fighting the same cold that I’m just getting over but he doesn’t have the cough. It seemed like every day he had a new complication and I knew that all his aches and pains were getting him down. After what he’s been through I understand why he’s worried and depressed.

Today K’s worries and discomfort took a toll on my mood. When I got to school I was frustrated that I couldn’t do anything to help him. I had a heart to heart with a colleague at work who is experiencing similar worries about her husband and at the end of the day I poured out my frustrations to my friend L. I felt better just being able to talk about how I was feeling.

Later in the day when I called home I offered to come home early but my husband said it wasn’t necessary. I wanted to do something so I offered to make dinner. Normally K does 90% of the cooking. He took me up on my offer so I opted not to go to yoga class because I knew that I wouldn’t get home till 7:30 and dinner wouldn’t be on the table till well after 8:00.

I made nice lightly breaded pork medallions, baked spaghetti squash and stir fried mushrooms, spinach and kale. K enjoyed the meal and I could see his spirits were lifted. Amazingly, I started to feel better as well.

For my happiness file:

I’m happy about having good friends who are willing to listen and comfort me when I’m down.

I’m happy that my husband finally made an appointment with the doctor.

I’m happy that I was able to make a nice meal for my husband so that he had one less thing to worry about.

I know that all of this will eventually pass but what are we going to do about this weather? Temperatures are suppose to hover around freezing tomorrow and there is a possibility of 5 to 10 cm of snow, slush, sleet or hail. Double yuck!!!!!!!

Coming up on my One Year Anniversary

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…. I can’t believe that I’ve been blogging for a whole year

When I started on this new journey I didn’t know exactly where I was going with this blog. It’s taken me in many directions. It’s been a weight loss journey,

My official ‘before’ picture taken in March 2012 just before I started my weight loss journey.

In February, 2013, 33 pounds lighter.

a site for reflecting on my past, an experiment with writing stories and prose, a place to share my new hobby of photography, a gallery for my art work and the work of my students, a cookbook of recipes and a journal to experience and share what makes me happy.

: Grade 3

: Grade 3

: Grade 2

: Grade 5

Blogging has kept me on track with my new fitness and eating journey. I’ve never felt better (not counting this cold I’m battling) and I think I look better. I’ve never been happier with myself than I am now. I feel that life has so much more to offer and for me to experience. I look forward to each new day and can’t wait to see where it takes me.

: Trillium

: Seed Heads

: Sunset at Christian Island

: August: Niagara Falls, ON

I’ve met the nicest people from all over the world. Thank you to all of you who have liked and commented on my posts. You have no idea how much joy I get from hearing from you. You lift me up when I’m not feeling well or when I’m down in the dumps and you honour me with your compliments and awards. I hope some day to be able to meet some of you when I start to travel more after I retire and I hope if you come to Toronto you’ll look me up and we can meet for coffee or share a meal.

Before the end of the month I hope to reach 10 000 views. The month has started off slowly but that is my own fault. I haven’t had much energy or interesting things to blog about because of my cold but starting today I’m going to try to publish every day. There are 23 days left so that means I need about 30 views a day to reach my goal. Last month I averaged 42 views a day so 30 I think is very doable.

I’m delighted with how many people are following me on mamacormier. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that so many people would want to read what I have to say. Just before the New Year I put out a plea to reach 200 followers and a few kind people made that dream come true. Since then I’ve been steadily getting new followers and am currently sitting at 281. Before the end of the month I’d love to reach 300. Any takers?

So where do I go from here? Well, I’m definitely going to continue with my weight loss and fitness journey. One thing that I’ve learned is that this journey is and will be a life long commitment. I want to live a long and healthy life. I don’t want to live my last 10 years as a statistic and be a burden on society. I have too much I want to do and accomplish in life.

: Abstract monoprint 5×7

: Abstract monoprint

: Three of my 6 prints, plus the wood block. I started with the orange but wasn’t happy with the colour so I switched to the blue.

: Frances guarding the tomatoes for Sunday’s sauce.

: August: Celebrating my 60th birthday.

I love the challenges that wordpress and other bloggers put out there so I know that I will continue to participate in some of them, especially the photography ones. I’ll also continue to share the art that my students create and hopefully I’ll find more time to create more of my own art. Who knows, maybe something new will cross my path and I’ll share that with you as well. I can’t seem to focus on any one thing so I tend to do it all. That’s just the way I am. I wouldn’t be happy any other way.

Cheers!

Life of Pi and Day 3 of the Cleanse

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…..two more things that made me happy today

Earlier in the week two of my friends and I made plans to see the Life of Pi. Today was the day. It was a perfect day to see a movie. It was overcast and winter temperatures have returned. I guess old man winter is not done with us.

I was surprised that the movie version we were seeing was in 3D. I’ve never seen an entire movie with 3D glasses and I’m pleased to say that it was a very pleasant experience. In fact it was downright beautiful. Having the birds fly towards us and the fish swim in our direction was magical.

I read the book years ago and was curious how such an unusual story could be made into a movie. The animal scenes in the life boat were tastefully recreated but I know some people that would find them somewhat disturbing. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and it was easy to see why it won four Oscars.

The last thing I’m happy about is that I completed the Dr. Oz Three Day Cleanse tonight. As you know I had to do the last two days on my own. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it without my husband’s support but it wasn’t as hard as I thought. Tomorrow I’ll explain the program and reveal my results.

Have you seen a good movie lately?

Cheers!

January 2013 Photo a Day – Together

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…… there are many definitions for together. One is: In or into a single group, mass, or place. Take a photo of together, whichever definition you’d like to use

Best friends for over 20 years, together to celebrate B’s birthday.

A pair of earrings. One just wouldn’t cut it. You definitely need two together.

Young love!For more ‘together’ photos check out http://www.nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com

Spreading a Little Joy

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Mama Cormier

….I decided to save my rant for another day

One of my new followers inspired me to write about events that bring me joy or in her words ‘what delights’ me. Earlier today I started writing about political issues that I feel passionate about but after my delightful afternoon with my husband I decided to put that piece on hold and share with you some of the happier events that I’ve attended in the last two weeks.

My youngest daughter has been working with a friend to promote their blogs and businesses. Earlier in the year I wrote about the stamp making workshop that they hosted. This time around they created a workshop around creative Christmas wrapping and featured numerous ideas for creating your own ties, tags, embellishments and paper. As always they were highly organized and personable and offered their eager clients all the materials they would need to experiment with. My daughter also made some delicious shortbread to serve with a variety of teas.

The group enjoyed the evening so much that the owners of the art store where the event was held allowed us to stay an extra half hour to finish our projects. Some of the things people made were package toppers, tags, bows, tree ornaments and stamped paper. Unfortunately the battery in my camera gave out and I didn’t get any pictures of the finished projects.

The next day my book club had their annual Christmas dinner. Since the book we were discussing was Erik Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts and was set in Berlin, we decided on a German theme. I was in charge of dessert so I brought a tray of German stollen and other festive cookies and chocolates. I posted a review of the book earlier in the year. In the Garden of Beasts: A Book Review On average the group gave the book a rating of 4 out of 5, much higher than what we gave his last book, Devil in the White City.

A week later another group of friends got together for another annual Christmas dinner. We lovingly call ourselves the “Over the Hilltop’ gang because we worked together at Hilltop Middle School over 15 years ago and continue to meet three or four times a year. My friend L hosted the party and cooked the entire dinner. What a lovely gift. Again the food was amazing, the company warm and joyous and presents were exchanged.

The Sunday before this last dinner my husband and I treated our daughter, A, and her partner to a day of wine touring and dinner. We managed to visit 6 wineries, each unique in its own way. The winery that intrigued me most was the one called Organized Crime. The owner explained to us that years ago in the area there were two orders of Mennonites, a traditional ‘old’ order and a more modern order. The traditional order didn’t like that the other order played music during their services so in the dark of night they got in their buggies and stole the organ from the modern church. Hence the name ‘Organ’ized Crime.

The day before the wine tour I found myself at a fantastic craft show in the city. The crafters were all local and predominately young, although there were a few people there closer to my age. The crafts were original and beautifully made and displayed. The show was held in the Great Hall and in two other stores, all in the same block on Queen St. W.. I spent hours browsing and buying.

Today K and I attended the Toronto Christmas Market but I think I will save this experience for tomorrow’s post. Till then, cheers!

Music That Brought Tears to My Eyes

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. I’m very emotional this time of year and music touches me to the core

Today L, K and I went downtown to enjoy the CBC’s Sounds of the Season concert. All day long radio shows were broadcast live with a studio audience and performances from musical guests. This year’s lineup included Nelly Furtado, Maestro Wes Williams, The Skydiggers, Rita Chiarelli, Blind Boys of Alabama, Liona Boyd and many more.

Between shows you could take part in the silent auction and bid on many wonderful packages put together by the celebrities at the CBC. All the money raised goes to the Daily Bread Food Bank. There was also an opportunity to meet your favourite CBC personalities and get their autographs and speak briefly with them. I can’t believe that I actually stood in line to do that but I have to admit that it was fun meeting the on air celebrities and putting a face to the voices we hear every day.

Dwight Drummond and Anne Marie M. from the CBC TV news

Mary Ito (left) from Fresh Air. I taught all three of Mary’s children. She’s as charming and outgoing as her picture appears.

The first show that we saw had the Skydiggers as the musical guest.

The Skydiggers

One of the numbers they sang was a cover of 2000 Miles by the Pretenders. As soon as the lead singer started the lyrics I started to sob like a baby. I couldn’t help it. I thought of my son in Amsterdam and how he wouldn’t be spending Christmas with us this year.

I couldn’t find a cover done by the Skydiggers but I did manage to find a video with the Pretenders doing this number in the 90s. I hope you enjoy it!

Things to Celebrate

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. a birthday, a reunion and weight loss

Last weekend my oldest daughter, A, celebrated her 33rd birthday. She invited us over for lunch. It was a small gathering; her father and I, her sister, G and her partner, J were in attendance. It was very intimate and the food was great. Unfortunately a few days later both A and J suffered from food poisoning and we’ve narrowed it down to the buttercream frosting on the birthday cake.

This morning when I weighed myself I lost the weight I had gained after my surgery. So I can now officially announce that I am down 34 pounds. Yahoo!

Today a group of my friends from high school had a mini reunion. One friend, LWC I hadn’t seen since 1978. We spent three hours over lunch reconnecting and catching up. What a great time. Old year books were passed around, photos of our families were shared and funny stories were retold. We’ve already set a date in February to get together again.

Life is good!

Cheers!!!!

Reflections on What I’m Thankful For….

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. as the Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close

It’s been a wonderful weekend with family and friends. I have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to.

I’m thankful for:

• the support and love of my 3 adult children and their significant others

My son is coming home for 4 days this month – something else I’m thankful for.

Thanksgiving dinner at our house.

• for being able to celebrate my father’s 86th birthday this weekend

• for my husband’s renewed health and the strength to fight his cancer

Celebrating the end of K’s cancer treatment.

Middle sister, CJ and baby sister, CS

• for the love of my sisters and the open communication we have regardless of the miles that separate us

• for the freedom to spend time with my friends

• for my new healthier body and the commitment I have to keep going on my weight loss journey

• for having a job that I love

• for a roof over my head, food at the table, clothes on my back and the freedom to voice my opinion

• for this new adventure called blogging and all the new people I’m meeting as a result – it’s literally opened the doors to the world for me

…. and finally

I’m thankful for 37 wonderful years with my husband and best friend. We have our ups and downs like many couples but it’s mostly ups and when it’s good it’s great.

My new favourite picture of the two of us.

Running for Terry

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. and Kevin, Marcia, Kathy and anyone else who has or is suffering with cancer

Terry Fox was and is a Canadian hero. I say was because he passed away over 30 years ago just before his 23rd birthday. Diagnosed with a rare bone cancer at the age of 18 and after losing his right leg above the knee, Terry was determined to do something to help raise money to fight cancer and eventually find a cure.

In 1980, after secretly training on his artificial leg, Terry started his Marathon of Hope on the east coast of Canada and was determined to run all the way to the west coast. Everyday Terry ran 42 kilometres and along the way he collected money from the Canadian people for cancer research. His goal was to raise one dollar for every Canadian.

Unfortunately, just outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, Terry had to give up his journey because his cancer had spread to his lungs. Inspired by Terry’s dream, Canadians continued to raise money while Terry endured more treatments. Just before his death, Terry realized his dream when over 24 million dollars was raised.

Every year since, Terry Fox Runs across the country and in over 50 countries around the world have raised over 600 million dollars for cancer research. For the last 11 years at our school the children, staff and the community have raised over $22,000.

Thursday of this week we had our annual Terry Fox Run. After a short assembly and raising the Terry Fox flag, over 300 students, staff and parents ran around our cross country course. It was a beautiful day and full of emotion. Everyone wore large stickers this year with the names of loved ones they were running for.