More Birthdays

Yesterday was Hendra and Kailani's birthday.   It seems like yesterday Kailani was born!   Now she's walking and doing all kinds of cute things.   I have been busy making pottery items for my two galleries.   Sailing today was great!   Life is good.

Amazing!

I have had such an amazing week!   It started on Sunday when the family came over and took us out for our Birthday dinner.   Then we all played games, had cake, gifts, etc.   Just them being there was a gift!

Then on Wednesday  (my real birthday) I met with Warren from the Largo Community Center.   He wanted to know what I needed for the pottery program?   I showed him how cluttered the pottery room is  (with other things they've stored),  and drew a diagram showing how it could possibly be.   We really need a good wedging table with perhaps storage underneath for future buckets of glaze.  

Yesterday I came in to meet with him to go shopping for supplies.  I was in the pottery room writing down which glazes we already have so I didn't duplicate when he walked in.   He had a big smile.   He said,  "so what do you think?"   The room was totally cleared out!   (except of course for what we have in there so far)...... I said,  "Wow,  it's really great!    I can breathe in here."    Then we went shopping.    Eileen joined us.   When we got to St. Pete Clay Company,  I gave them the grand tour.   I first showed them the outdoor kilns and explained what each one was for.   I spoke about the technique of Raku firing,  and how they have had Raku on the 2nd Saturday of the month in the past.   I said I thought the students would really enjoy that.  Then we went inside.   He was already impressed with the historic Train Station that houses the Clay Company.   He said,  "I wish I had brought a camera" when we walked in.  I said,  "I have one.  Here you can use it."
He took photos of a lot of the building.    The works of art there,  the kilns,
etc.   I will get them put onto a Photo CD to give to him to keep.   Then we shopped.   He really spoiled me and the citizens of Largo.   We got all kinds of glazes, underglazes, extra throwing bats, brushes, tongs, calipers, a stamping system, clay, etc.   Afterwards he took Eileen and myself to lunch.   What a nice day!

The kids (Gabby and Anthony) had been calling me wanting to come over, etc.
I went over to their apartment after getting fininshed with Largo.   I picked them up and let them come over.

What a nice week!       

Birthdays and More.......

Tomorrow is my birthday.   My family gave us the best birthday ever!  Thank you so much,  my grown up kids, and grandchildren!

Rob's birthday was on October 3,  and mine on the 12th so we combined the celebrations.  Once you're our age,  it doesn't matter.   The kids came over and said,  "Lets blindfold Mom and Dad".    I said,  "wait,  let me change my clothes first!"   I was getting ready to glaze pottery with Allie when everybody else came over.   They loaded everybody up and Allie actually drove my van so she could surprise us where we were going.   We ended up at the Olive Garden.   One of my favorite restaurants.    We had a nice dinner.  Amie, maybe not quite as nice because Kailani was wanting to run around,  driving her crazy!

Luckily the waitress made a roadblock with chairs and Kailani was corraled.  Then Hendra came in.   He helped.   Dinner was saved!

We went back to the house afterwards and had cake, ice cream, and gifts.
It was a fun day.

Thank you,  family!   I love you!

Allie's Birthday and More

Allie, Kyle, and Jaxon and ? came over on Sunday to celebrate Allison's 27th birthday.   I may have mentioned in the previous post that we recently discovered Allie is pregnant.  It'll be nice for Jaxon to have a sibling to grow up with.    She requested lasagne for her dinner.   Earlier in the day she came over and just hung around.   Allie asked me if I'd show her how to use the potter's wheel.    I did,  and she made a couple small pieces.   Then I came into the house for a few minutes and when I got back out into the garage/studio,  she had a huge hunk of clay!     I asked her if she was going to attempt that?    She said,  "yes".     I had to help her a little bit,  but ended up creating a pretty large vase.    I think she had fun.    Sonda, Terry, Gabby, and Anthony,  and Robbie were here later for dinner and cake and ice cream.    Jennifer from next door,  and mother,  Paula came over for cake and ice cream,  too.  

This was my second week of teaching my two students at the Largo Community Center.  Pam is catching on,  but Janis is pretty much a natural.    I am enjoying teaching them and hope for more people soon in the classes.

More Classes

I am truly enjoying teaching people how to make things out of clay.  My adult classes have now begun at the Largo Community Center.   It was the first wheel throwing class ever there on Monday morning.   My first student is Pam.   I told her this was the inaugeral class.   My planning and preparing paid off.   The City didn't get half of the things that I needed such as little boards to transport our creations from the wheel head to the shelf to dry.   I went and purchased a piece of leftover drywall for $2.00 at Lowes and cut them into 12 inch square pieces.   Taped the edges with masking tape to seal the edges.   This worked well.    I had one student in the evening class.
Tomorrow morning they want me to demonstrate working with clay in their lobby.  People will be coming in for a luncheon they said.   195 people!   They want me to be out there so I can talk
to people,  they can see what I do,  and perhaps get interested in taking the class.    It's nice they want to promote me,  and give me the opportunity to promote myself!

And the Classes (and Sailing) begin!

This week Wednesday in the late afternoon I began my Children's Pottery class for this season.  I can't really say year, because they run from September thru May.  

My children were really happy to be back,  and I was happy to have them.   I have had Makayla,
Lauren, and Corinna  (the only three that showed up so far) since they've been in the third grade.
Now they're proud fifth graders.    The subject of my class project this week was,  "What we did over the summer."    I found templates at Michaels that were perfect to make photo frames out of clay.
We rolled slabs of clay with the slab roller,  then cut out the frames.    The kids decorated their
frame with the theme.   Lauren's family went to Germany over the summer,   Corinna went to Busch Gardens,  and to coastal North Carolina to stay in a beach house.   Makayla said she went to Canada.   I made a frame telling the story about the bear that showed up at my cabin.

Hopefully the rest of the children and maybe even some new ones?  will show up next week.

The City of Largo has contacted me to say that they have three adults signed up to learn pottery.
I will be teaching classes there on Mondays.   I am just about to get ready to go there today to see if they have everything we'll need to begin classes.   The Largo Community Center is a brand new building this year.   They are just starting their pottery class program.   Guess what?   Looks like I'm the pioneering teacher!    Maybe I'll even be in charge there.   That would be super nice!   At Beach Art Center  Annamarie is definitely in charge.   (and she lets everybody know it)   At Largo I won't have to ask permission to run the kiln.

Sailing began yesterday.   We had a really super nice day to start.   It was overcast which made it not quite so hot.   There was barely wind for the first race which made easing back into it much better.
The second race,  God made the wind just a little stronger.  The third race,  there was quite a wind, but not so much it was hazardous.   Perfect!    I am quite rusty.   I'm hoping to get better as I get back into shape.

Life is good.

ps... And,  I found out that Allison is pregnant this week,  to boot!

Labor Day! Thoughts and news from the weekend......

The Gecko Fest 2011 is now history.   It was really a fun day.   The weather cooperated and the neighboring vendors were friendly.  We sat under a tree which was right across the road for most of the day in between helping customers.   The tree provided much needed shade.   The neighbors to my right were a couple from Gulfport that had gotten into making cast aluminum fish, turtles, and other sealife.   Cliff was telling me how he does it.   He takes used car parts from foreign cars  (his neighbor works on foreign cars) and somehow melts the aluminum parts down.   He forms clay creatures and casts the molten aluminum over the mold.   Interesting.... It was their first show ever.   I told them that his art was beautiful and is fine art.   I suggested he goes for it...... sends into shows that are juried.   I think he has a great future.    Next door to them is a couple who make beautiful wood turned vessels.    They have fine shapes, and resemble fine pottery,  except for being made of wood.  We spoke under the tree quite a lot,  too.   They were telling me that they are from Seminole.  I told them I am,  too.   Then we realized that we are neighbors!    They said they currently have two homes though and are renting the one in my neighborhood out.   They said they are going to be moving back into it though soon.   (downsizing)....   So we had quite a nice little group under the tree.  

It was fun watching all of the people and dogs coming by all day long.   Quite a few of the people were dressed up for the Gecko Fest occasion.   I took quite a few pictures.   Dogs of all shapes and sizes,   dressed up and not,  came by.   Dogs on leashes,  dogs in strollers,  dogs in owner's arms.
Some people had bearded dragons sitting on their shoulders.   One young man walked by with a Cockatoo on his shoulder!    We could hear the squawks of a parrot nearby.    Gulfport is a very colorful city in all ways.......... (if you get my meaning..........)  

Rob came by and visited later,  Allie and Jaxon came by and surprised me!   A man with sunglasses and hat said to me,  "Hi Nancy!"    I looked at him and just couldn't place him.   I said,  "oh, I can't quite place you."    Turns out it was Charlie Fant,  the Fire Chief for the City of Treasure Island.
Charlie started out working there back when I worked there.   He was a fireman.   Worked his way up to chief and has been chief for quite a long time.    I hadn't seen Charlie for probably a good 10 years or so.   We talked for a little bit.   His wife was walking a cute little long haired daschund.   Jen and Dan (Jen lives next door and is Allie's age) came by with Dan's parents.   We talked quite awhile.
Chris came by and hung around for quite awhile.   Really fun.  

When I was knocking down the booth,   the guy who does the wood turning came over.   He said,
"Did you go to Boca Ciega High School?"    I said,  "yes,  I did,  why?"   Then he said,  "I didn't forget you."    I looked at him more closely.   Then he said,  "I'm Tommy."   Oh my God!  Tommy Muncie!    Back in my five months at Boca Ciega High,  I met him.   (we had moved here from Michigan right before my senior year).....   Brandon,  my ex,  had moved down here with us.   I was really losing interest in Brandon even before we moved here.   I shouldn't have invited him to move down here.   Anyways.. back to Tommy.   Tommy was really,  really cute!   He has brown eyes,  blonde hair.   His hair back in 1974 was down to his shoulders.    He owned a really neat van.  That was right when vans were coming into vogue.   He had his all decked out with the carpet inside,
etc.   Really super cool!     He asked me out.   He took me out one day in his van for a ride to go and get a coke during school.   We had a schedule that had breaks sometimes and we were allowed off campus.    So while riding with Tommy,  I explained how this other guy came down from Michigan and lived with us.   I am pretty sure I told him I'd love to go out with him.    (however..............)
So it didn't happen.    Back to Gecko Fest.......... When Tommy told me who he was,  I told him,
"I had a crush on you back then and really wanted to go out with you."    I then told him,  "I've thought about you over the years and wondered what you've been doing."   He told me that he'd worked for the George F. Young company for 22 years doing marine surveying.    He said he married (and I can't remember her first name)  ......... Applefield.   That is his current wife,  who by then was walking over to us.    I asked her,  "oh,  are you related to Gary?"    She said "yes,  I'm his sister".
I said,  "small world!  I dated Gary back in the day."    She said she didn't remember me dating her brother.   I asked her if she had another sister?    She said,  "yes".   Then she said,  "I may have been away in college back then."    I said, "maybe.  I do remember meeting one of his sisters when I came over to your house."    (Gary has since died,  which is really sad.)   I didn't ask how.   Didn't want to make her sad.    So,  what a small world!     And here,  we talked all day long  with me not knowing it was my old crush.   Funny!

Today is Labor Day.   I didn't know Allie wanted us to watch Jaxon.   She didn't tell me earlier in the week.    I finally got her message and picked him up.    I already have Gabby and Anthony here.  They are at such a good age where if we want to go out,   they can be left alone.  Gabby will be 13 this week.    They want to go and play mini golf this afternoon.   I will bring them,  and pick up my friend Chris and play.   Chris is the best friend I've ever had.   She called me this morning.   Later Chris said she'd like to go bowling,  too.   I mentioned going bowling.  My first choice for today's activities.
Later we'll grill out.

Happy Labor Day!

Oh No, It Can't be!

Yesterday I went over to Amie's house.   We painted geckos together and had lunch while visiting with baby Kailani.   Kailani walks great now!   It's amazing, as she is only nine months old.    It is so cute watching somebody so small get around...... and get around,  she does!

However,  after all this preparation and anticipation,  the weather people are saying theres some storm out in the Caribbean which will enter the Gulf.
Right now they don't know where it's headed, or how strong it'll be.   NO!
It can't storm on the Gecko Fest!   Please!

Well,  I've got to get my things organized and marked in case we get lucky again.  Bye!

Gecko Fest

Gecko Fest is just around the corner.   Over the weekend the sponsors had a ball titled, "The Lizard of Oz".     It's funny,  I think one of the kids used to call the movie that.   I have created a few ceramic lizards and one iguana sculpture for the event.   Also,  I've branched out into making doggie bandanas and have made some Gecko Fest 2011ones.   I am hoping for a good turnout of people.    The organizers have been doing a great job advertising on TV and in the newspapers.

This past week has been very busy preparing my things for this.   Soon it'll be time to get back to teaching pottery classes.    I just love that.   I am so blessed.

Ahhh, Sunday!

Relaxing, reading the paper,  catching up on news.   Yesterday was such a rush.  Gabby's first day of cheerleading in front of a crowd.   Running around getting her last minute items that she needed, taking Jaxon to his Mommy,  then trying to get her up to Tarpon Springs area on time.   All the while being blocked by sloooooooooowwwwwwwww drivers!     Not to mention red lights!   How many yellow lights did I run?    By miracle,  I got here there by 2:00 pm.   We left Indian Shores at around 1:15.    Whew!

Rainy Tuesday

The weather forecasters predicted a 20% chance of rain today.  Well guess what?  It's pouring out!    I am supposed to be getting ready to talk to Vincent from the William-Vincent Gallery around 1:30 this afternoon about possibly being in his gallery.   I was hoping to get out to my shed to pull out a few pieces of my pottery for him to see.   If it'll ever stop raining!

I do have a small photo album of my works from the very beginning, to the present.  I have snapped a few pictures of my current works which are in all phases of construction.   I need to get myself together and get to a drug store to actually print them before I go out there to see him.

Lots to do!

Dog Days of Summer

Summer is just flying by.  This past weekend was the tax free holiday for back to school shoppers.   I avoided it.   Today I did a little bit of shopping.   I went to JC Penney and bought my grandson Anthony two pairs of school uniform shorts.  I didn't buy Gabby anything because now that she's thinking like a teenager I know whatever I bought she wouldn't like.  (most likely)......  She would need to pick out her own clothing.  

I am accepted into the Gecko Fest which will be in Gulfport, Florida on September 3, 2011.
They are having a ball which will be held at the Gulfport Casino  (which is a ballroom)  and the theme is  "The Lizard of Oz".    Funny!    I have made some clay geckos,  an iguana,
and some toad/lizard houses for the event.  

Today I purchased a new pair of Birkenstocks for myself.  This is a major purchase as you probably know how much those cost!   They feel great,  however and I will probably wear them for years to come.  

Robbie will be going back to Gainesville later this week to return for his senior year of college.   It will not be the same around the house without him.   Cooper will miss him greatly,  too.   I offered to help him move.   I do have a "mom's mini van" after all.

It's a New Day

Sleep finally came to me.  It's morning and Cooper is laying right beside me.  He's the most loyal, loving dog.   It's a blessing he's been added to our family.   My daughter Allie had adopted Cooper from Animal Control about two and a half years ago.   She did it on the spur of the moment when Jaxon, her baby was a baby.  Now Jaxon is a very articulate three year old.   They said that Cooper bit Jaxon a few months ago.   I find this hard to believe.   He may have nipped him playfully,  but Cooper is always happy and wagging his tail.   Allie's husband Kyle said that she'd have to get rid of him.   She called me crying saying she didn't want to get rid of him,  but had to.   I gave them a couple hours to try to work it out, but they didn't change their minds.   Then I said,  "well,  bring him over!"   Then Cooper joined our family.  

Cooper seems very happy here.   I am home with him quite a bit,  and Robbie, our son is home for the summer from college.   He has really bonded with Robbie.   I think Cooper will really miss him when he goes back to school in about another week or two.

Today I think I'll make another gecko out of clay.   I am hoping to get into the Gecko Festival which will be held in Gulfport, Florida on Saturday,  September 3.   The organizers have my application and fee,  and I just haven't heard back from them yet.   I think I'll soon follow up with a phone call if I don't hear from them by the end of this week. 

Soon I'll be going back to work teaching people how to make pottery.  What a dream job!  The children's classes should begin around the first of September.   Once the Snowbirds come back to Florida, I have adults.   Locals could come too,  but it seems like mostly Snowbirds do.    Love those Snowbirds!

Tonight

Here it is 3:07 am eastern standard time and I'm up creating my first blog.  What's up with that?   I just keep thinking about creative ideas........ thinking,  thinking.......... what about sleeping?    Where has most of the summer gone?    Time is flying by!   Before we know it school will be back in session.   Guess I'd better try to go and get some sleep.  Good Night!