Buying Things for Others Makes Me Happy

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…..especially when it’s not my money

Every year in the library we host a book fair and all the profits go to buying more books for the library and to support the curriculum across different grades and subjects. I had a nice sum of money from the last two book fairs to spend. Routinely the company that runs the fairs sends me catalogues and flyers of all the products that they sell. When I see something that I think would benefit a class or a specialty teacher I pass it on to see if there is any interest.

Today I actually found the time to order everything that a number of teachers expressed an interest in and the best part is that I still have more than half of my credits left. I’m looking forward to approaching more staff to help me spend the rest of the money. I love children’s books and I know it will feel like my birthday when this order comes in. So far half the order will stay in the library and the rest will go into different classrooms.

I have students that are library helpers and they love helping me unpack new books. Next week when this order comes in I’ll have a group of very happy children.

Yesterday I went to a meeting for girls’ soccer and track and field. The good news is that extra-curricular sports are back in the TDSB and I’ve volunteered to coach soccer again. So on days when I’m not coaching Girls on the Run, I’ll be out with the soccer team. Luckily I have some parents that are eager to help me coach the girls and their expertise and dedication are greatly appreciated.

The third reason to be happy today is that the temperatures went into the double digits today and I was able to wear my spring jacket. We had our best day so far for Girls on the Run until the rain started but we were able to get in most of the run before we had to head back inside. It looks like the rain is going to stay with us for a few days and unfortunately we’re being threatened wit a winter storm warning. Really???????

Anyway, new books, warmer temperatures (even if only for a day) and bringing back extra-curricular sports are in my Happiness File today.

Cheers!

January 2013 Photo a Day – What You Do

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…. do you go to school? Train elephants at the circus? Write at home? Play mum to your kids? Act as CEO to a big business? Paint in your spare time? Dance when no one is looking? Take a photo of what you do {something that makes you ‘you’} and share

In my professional life I teach library and art in a junior school.

In my personal life I love to read, paint, walk, shop, craft, can and take photographs.

Taking photographs while walking with my husband and dog

For more photographs of what other people do check out http://www.nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com

Friday Drabble: Ikea

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Mama Cormier

A drabble is a very short story of exactly 100 words. Feel free to join in and write your own drabbles on Fridays and tag them with “friday drabble” and on Twitter with the hashtag #fridaydrabble.

Ikea

Did I need two new coffee mugs? Could I’ve lived without those rye crackers? Who needs, not one but two new bud vases?

What is it about merchandise at Ikea that makes it so appealing? Is it the price, the design, or maybe the strange name that each item carries?

In one week I’ve made three trips to Ikea. Did I really need any of the items that I ended up purchasing? Maybe one.

The new desk for my library was delivered today. It sits in eight boxes waiting to be assembled. Ugh! Time to get out the Allen key.

Shop Till You Drop

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. went into stores that I never dreamed I would step into never mind try on clothes and actually buy from.

Yesterday I needed to buy my sister and husband some gifts so I headed out to Sherway Gardens with my 20 year old guests. I made all my planned purchases in one shop and returned an item in another and then my cousin and his girlfriend ushered me into numerous trendy stores that I’d never looked twice at in the past.

One of the reasons that I never set foot in them was that they were dark and forbidding and seemed to be inhabited by mainly young people who were more interested in the brand name and willing to pay a hefty price for the privilege of wearing it. The second reason was that these stores would never have carried anything in my size, 27 pounds ago.

Well it seems that this time of year there are actually some very good deals to be had in these stores where half naked men are displayed at the entrance and perfume is misted throughout the store. I tried on a shirt in a large that was okay but then I found a cropped sweat shirt in large that was perfect for my yoga classes and an excellent price to boot.

While waiting for my cousin to pay for his shirt I found a comfy leather chair to sit in and had a lovely conversation with a young lady who had obviously done a great deal of shopping that day as well and she was excited to show me some of her purchases. I found it very interesting that she was so open and friendly towards me and engaged me in conversation. I was at least the age of her mother or older.

Later that evening my sister and her son came to the house to meet our cousin from Germany and his lovely girlfriend. I gave her the present that I purchased earlier that day and then I proudly modelled the sweatshirt that I bought at H…..

As I slipped the shirt over my head I felt something hard under my arm and discovered that the security tag had not been removed. How I got out of the store without setting off the alarm I’ll never know. So much for security. I guess I’ll be returning to the store when I come back from the cottage. Who knows maybe I’ll find something else that I like and more importantly that fits me.