Any Frames For Me


I have no idea how many pairs of frames I tried on yesterday. There are so many styles, shapes, colors and the variety seems endless. I was able to narrow my search to one pair that I really liked. What I did do however is take my new prescription and I plan to visit other Eye Dr.’s in the area and try out frames at several stores till I hopefully find the perfect pair. Hubby is too cute as he really likes the pair that I currently have and these glasses have grown on him. Every time I try on a different pair of frames…He says, I’m just not used to seeing you in those. What a dilemma here, well I guess that’s just small potatoes.

Go Cardinals


It’s BASEBALL Season! There is something about baseball that I love. From the time I met Hubby, I’ve been a St Louis Cardinal fan. He’s been a Cardinal fan since his early childhood. Hubby and I like to go to the Cardinal games when we can. When the Cardinals play in our hometown, you better believe, we are there.

In the meantime, we watch every Cardinal game from the comforts of home. The Cardinals have won the first 2 games so far! Woo Hoo! Hubby has satellite and we are able to view the games wherever they play. He is also fond of his “high def” and surround sound. When it comes to our games, he wants to make sure he has all the bells and whistles up to date. I’m still back in the old ages when it comes to equipment and can’t figure out how in the world to get everything on. If I had to figure out his remote, I think I would be in a sea of confusion the rest of my life. I’m one of those wives who can’t figure out their husband’s remote to save her life. I’m happy he has everything under control and I must say, I love sitting next to him watching my favorite sport of all. I absolutely love my team and know each player and new players who have joined our team. I also know what position each one plays and am serious about this baseball business. GO CARDINALS!

Crocheting Out The Door


Today I busied myself with a little more crochet. I actually love it very much and I know the work is not perfect and I need Monica’s help on the corners which I’m having trouble with.

That said, my crocheting days are over. I am not able to continue with the crochet due to the arthritis in my hands. My hands are so sore and my fingers hurt too. I’ve had arthritis in my hands for many, many years and I get too cramped with my hands staying in that position for short periods of time. Guess I’ll stick strictly with pottery.

A Day With Monika


What normally would take me 20 min to get to Monika’s took me an hour and ½ . The first interstate I was going to take was closed due to an accident between two trucks. One was filled with hazardous waste so they had the interstate completely shut down. The accident happened at 4AM and the crew did not get it cleaned up till early afternoon. There was yet another accident on a different interstate that I took with a cement truck that had a flat and his cement truck turned over on the highway leaving cement everywhere. We learned from the 5:00PM news that the man in the cement truck died from the accident. How tragic for the loss of an innocent man, leaving his loving family behind.

I called Hubby with my dilemma from the first interstate where my problems began and he sent me to another interstate heading north and the next interstate heading west. When I arrived to the final interstate, the traffic was completely stopped or should I say it took 30 min for me to go ½ mile to the next exit. I called Hubby with my dilemma and he advised that I get off at the next exit. He kept asking every few min if I was there yet. I said, honey, I think I should call you when I get there as I think I’m going to be stuck here for quite some time. I called Hubby back when I was able to get off and he and the map on-line was able to guide me safely to Monika’s via the back roads and yet 1 more interstate.

When I finally arrived we said our hellos and Monika offered me a drink. We then went out on her back patio with drinks in hand to just sit chat enjoy the birds and beautiful scenery out back. That was very relaxing and took my mind off the crazy traffic of the early morning. She has the most beautiful flowerbeds with tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and loads of fresh herbs amongst her plants and bushes.

Monika fixed a fabulous lunch which consisted of fish vegetables and rice. We were able to enjoy our lunch out on the patio and do some more relaxing, chilling and chatting. The temperature was in the upper 60’s and just a beautiful day to be outside.

After our lunch settled we went on to learn a bit about knitting. I could see already that knitting would not be my “thing” and seemed far too complicated so she went on to teach me how to crochet. I like to crochet so much better as it’s something I can actually grasp.

So while I was learning my steps and getting consumed in what I was doing, Monika got all wrapped up in her knitting and we sat out on the patio crocheting and knitting till 5:00PM. It was a glorious day and the above picture is a little sample of what I learned yesterday. She let me bring it home to continue working, so I’ll see what happens. Who knows, maybe I’ll take up crochet in the evenings while Hubby and I are chilling.

Unpacking More Boxes

Hubby and I worked on the stack of boxes in our garage this weekend. Yes, it looks like we are moving in as the boxes are stacked so high and fat chance of us getting our cars in the garage. Hubby and I just finished bringing all the things we had in storage for the past year home to our garage.

We have quite a bit of my mother – in – laws things. Ma lives in a nursing home, it’s more like a hospital/nursing home. She’s had trouble with her knee for several years and had to have a knee replacement and the leg just gave her fits. A few years ago she had a fall in her home as her knee just gave out. Infection set in a couple years ago and she had to have that leg removed. She is such a character and calls that leg her stub.

She will be 80 years old in October and is as lively as some of the liveliest youngsters I know. She does not forget a birthday and as a matter of fact, she does not forget anything. I love being in her company and listening to her stories from years past. She is such a tease and will bring a smile to anyone who is in the room. I never got to meet Hubby’s father as he passed away the year before I met Hubby but from the stories I hear he was quite the character and a tease.

Hubby and his brother met in Arkansas after their mother had her surgery to take care of all of their mother’s belongings. When Hubby got home with a load of things, we realized we needed storage. After dealing with storage for a year, we realize we just need to go thru those things – mostly papers…box by box and get it cleaned out. This weekend was dedicated to getting some of the boxes cleaned out. Just one box at a time and we will eventually have a clean garage once again.

Pottery Hot Off The Press


It was so hard to sleep in knowing there was a load of pottery finished and ready for me to see. At 7:00 AM the kiln temp was 175 degrees, which is safe to open at that temp. I’m sharing a few of the pics hot off the press. Glazing is one of the hardest things for me at the moment. I’m mixing and basically just feeling my way through at the moment. I can’t wait to have my very favorite color palate, until then, I’ll keep trying to find it. I am very much so in love with pumpkin. Pumpkin is the brown color I have on the candle holder.

Yesterday’s Purses


Yesterday I started some of my new designs and adding some more details to my purses. These bags still lack the little feet, which I will add today. I think I will add the little knobby kind to these. Hubby thinks my flap on the basket is just a wee bit too big so maybe next time I’ll make a smaller size for that style. I’m thinking that I may repeat my patterns but change the features of my bags. Who knows, I may just become the pottery bag lady. I’m still trying to come up with a catchy name for myself so if any of you out there have any ideas, I’m all ears. For now, I’m Debbie’s Pottery.

I’m so thankful for Hubby as he always wants to see what’s new and happening in the studio. After his long day at work, he wants to see what I’ve been up to. I’m so glad he’s like that. So many of my other friends out at the studio say that their husbands could care less what they do with clay.

Hubby always helps when it comes time for firing the kiln. He is my official kiln loader and unloader. Whenever I have a batch ready, he’s always obliged to help. I was really tired the last two evenings so we did not load the glazed pieces that I finished Wednesday. However, this morning I was feeling rather chipper about the pieces ready to be fired so I asked him if we could load the kiln tonight. He said, how would you like to load it right now before I get ready for work? Boy, was I all over that! He came down and helped me get the kiln all loaded and it’s now firing! YEA! Thanks to Hubby.

You see, I have a “Monster” of a kiln and I’m too short to get the heavy kiln furniture in and out. Even when I’m on a stool, my arms are too short so he is very happy to assist whenever I need his help. He’s the best and such a GEM!

A Day At The Studio

I got to the studio downtown early yesterday with my truck full of pieces to glaze. Got everything all set up and away I went. I thought I would be finished at the studio sometime around noonish and did not get out of there till 5:30. I had all my pieces unloaded and in the glaze room and was literally in there talking out loud to myself, something like this… that one has the black/red combo, I think that one should have the pumpkin/celadon combo. I think I should do that one in turquoise to match the work on the outside, and on and on I went, with a whole lot of thinking in between. Am I the only one who talks out loud to themselves?

I must say we all had such a great time of it out there. There were around 8 of us total working chatting and just having a great day together. I took Monika several pottery books to borrow and a couple new tools to try out. She has come a long way in just a few months of (pottery) playing dirty with the rest of us. Quite a few of my friends were doing raku out in the back and several were throwing pots and a couple of us were glazing. We all stopped and enjoyed our lunch around the table and had a great time of more conversation. The Wednesday group is so much fun and the time goes by so fast that all I think I had to do was blink and it was 5:30.

I had to make a quick stop by Costco on my way home to pick up some chicken and did not get home till 6:30 Hubby pulled in right behind me and we sat down for dinner together and enjoyed each other’s company for the rest of the evening. I love days like that but I sure could not do it every day.

Embellishing My Pot


I’ve been working in my studio all morning and the early part of this afternoon. I’ve been trying to add some embellishments to some of the pieces I worked on last week. I’m making another pot like the one you saw way back when. I’m adding a few more details to this one like the feet, flower and petals. I’ve wanted to make another one of these pots for quite some time now and here it is. I still have quite a bit of burnishing left to do on this pot before it’s completely dry.

Tomorrow I will start my purses and I really need to get these cranking. I was sent an invitation to sell my work at the Mayfest event which will be held for 4 days the early part of May. I have another gallery interested in seeing my purses so hopefully I can get quite a few of these items made to meet my expectations.

I’ve got to get back to the studio and get a few more things accomplished before the end of the day.

Monika Comes To Visit

As some of you may recall, I met a new friend (Monika) at my pottery workshop a little over a week ago. Monica and I met last Wednesday at the studio and had a great day together. Last week I invited Monica over to spend the day. She is new to the States as she is from Germany so I told her I would meet her in town at the mall. She suggested we meet at the bookstore right across the street from the mall and our plans were all set. I had her home number and cell and she had both of mine too. I put my cell on the charger last night and everything was in place to meet at 10:00 AM. I left the house this morning at 9:30 and arrived at the Borders Bookstore around 10 min till 10:00. I waited, and waited and waited. Finally 10:15 rolls around so I thought I should give her a call to see if we are still on schedule for today. My cell was completely dead. I tried to hook it up to my car charger and still nothing. I just did not know what to do so I just sat there for another 25 min. By now it’s 10:40 and I thought I should drive around the mall to see if there was another bookstore and sure enough, there was a Barnes and Noble and I saw her car parked out front. I was so happy to see that she was still there waiting on me. We spent the day at my house visiting and had a nice little lunch together.

Pottery For Mom


I’ve been busy trying to fill my dearest mother’s pottery order. She made a request for a purse made with clay. I love making decorative purses and the people who buy them use them for plants or floral decorations or just plain decoration. I used to make purses quite a bid and never repeat a pattern. I like making one of a kind pieces and destroying my pattern when I’m finished. I have not made any purses in quite a while now but mom wanted one so here is my special design just for her.

She also made a request for a planter/box. She gave me the dimensions and I ran with the design and here is the box complete with handles and feet.

Both the purse and box are still in the wet stages and need to completely dry before the bisque firing. I can’t wait to add the glaze to see how they turn out. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Workshop – A Great Success


My pottery workshop was a great success. Yesterday Margie worked on the soy pot and the vase as pictured above. She taught us how to mix it up a bit with the vase by adding a lid and arms. I’ve added a couple more pictures to my workshop album so you can see the demo of the vase changed up a bit. I am so anxious to get started on some more of these projects myself and incorporating some of these techniques on the pieces I create.

I took over 100 digital pictures the step by step method and will be getting the pictures ready for my friends in the class.

I’m pretty much unwinding today. I’m getting a little laundry and housework done. Hubby and his son just left for Olive Garden and then the airport. What a great weekend and I’m getting started off this week on the right foot.

First Day At The Workshop


Monika, My New Friend

I don’t know where to begin! I came home rambling off to Hubby a mile a minute and have had one of my most favorite workshops EVER! I learned so many things, met a new friend and 5:00PM came way too soon!

I’m working on my pictures and it will be a while for me to get them in the album. Check back later if they are not here when you visit. My Album will include some of my fabulous friends, our great instructor Margie (who went to Japan and studied pottery) and her works and to give you a sample of my day. I can’t wait till tomorrow; there is another full day in store for all of us.

Margie demo’d so many different kinds of textures today and I am truly on cloud 9 right now. I’ve always liked adding texture to my pieces and she even took it to another level. She actually adds a very cool bottom to her casserole as seen in my picture album. Her work has inspired me further.

My new friend (Monika pictured above) is from Germany, she knows 6 languages, lived in Spain, and moved here last August. She dated her boyfriend for 2 ½ years while she was overseas and they are now engaged to get married in July. She and I just clicked from the very moment we met. There was just something about her that I just adored so we plan to see each other weekly now. She has joined the studio and I’m a member as well so we plan to meet each Wednesday at the studio and play in the mud together. She is a real gem and a pleasure to be around.

It’s really hard to put into words my feelings but I’m on a high with all that I learned plus the addition of a wonderful new friend.

Magic Gets A Haircut


Magic is our little black furry friend who has the best disposition. Magic has been with Hubby for 16 years now. He is trained well and is not allowed on counters or the furniture, but he does have his very own plush bed that he loves. He has the cutest meow and we have many friends tell us that he sounds like a bird. He loves Doritos and look out if there is an open bag in the house he will be right there begging for a Dorito with his little chirp. Our little feline also has a hair fettish. He loves anyone to let him play with their hair. I sometimes get down on the floor with him to let him play in my hair and he gets so frisky and silly, you would have to be there I guess.

I was never really a cat lover and always loved dogs more. I was allergic to some cats while growing up so I never really hung out with them. I remember waking up and my eyes being nearly swollen shut and from then on I stayed away from cats. Magic has grown on me through the years, and we actually got along too good yesterday.

It was time for Magic to get a bath even though he had one two weeks ago. His beautiful long black hair was matted together really bad. We are upset at the last place we took him to get bathed as I think they left soap in his hair and did not dry him and brush him out well. By the time he dried and after about a week, we noticed he was all matted, poor kitty & Debbie. Yesterday I bathed him and rinsed him out really well, I used the blow-dryer on him and brushed him the best I could. I then proceeded to use the electric clippers on him. Magic, Our beautiful Feline Friend looks a little worse for wear and tear but at least daddy is ok with what I did. He really does look bad as I cut close to two inches off his beautiful long charcoal mane.

Needless to say both kitty and I were completely exhausted last night. I had my shower and pj’s on by 7:00 and Hubby and I were in bed by 9:30 last night. Oh what a good nights sleep will do for the body!