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Posted on December 16, 2011 by claytonhill

This Elf is Ready for a Break

I’ve been working hard this week … shipping packages daily, cranking out personalized ornament orders (both of which I love), getting the computers talking to each other (networked – so I can access pictures/info in the new studio), loading drivers and photo-editing programs, cooking … WHEW! And – I still have some Christmas shopping to do …

But – I will take some time (a couple of evenings) to meet with friends this week for some much needed R&R … Oh, and take the kids to a movie. OK – next week I’ll wrap up the Christmas dash …

Both storage rooms are done … Just a few final finishes to go in the studio, but it’s all functional now! I LOVE IT!! I have both kilns running, the stereo playing and a glass of wine in hand … Earlier, DH was tinkering with stained glass. He’s combining a slumped bottle with a glass window … I think it’ll be pretty sweet once done, but here’s a quick pic:

slumped-bottle-stained-glas

All of the Neo pups have moved on to their new homes … But Lil Miss is starting to interact and play … She’s a cute little fluff, eh? And, Zeus and Tess came through their surgeries (cherry-eye removal) perfectly and their eyes look beautiful (again)!!

Lil-Miss-7-wks  Zeus-n-Tess

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Posted on December 13, 2011 by claytonhill

It’s still a full moon … WWU

While the lunar status doesn’t quite mean what it did at the hospital ER, you can still tell when the moon is full … bizarre and unusual people were out in full force this weekend.

fear factorHad a great family night – in the new studio, munching on popcorn and cream puffs (kids’ choices).  We were planning to watch Sherlock Holmes, in preparation for the new one hitting the theater this week, but ended up getting sucked into the new, improved Fear Factor.  My kids have a great sense of humor, and it made for a wonderful Monday (anyone that knows me, knows the significance of enjoying a Monday – flipping back to a day schedule with too little sleep, switching gears, changing hats and jumping into the week)!  Love it!!

Earlier in the day, I was taking pictures of new ornaments for the shops … Got another ‘lucky shot’ – with the light streaming in from the window, and my large kiln in the background.  I like this one! Smile

snowmen-ornaments

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Posted on December 8, 2011 by claytonhill

And She’s Off …

FINALLY have the production kiln running – as I type.  AND … the coffin-kiln is loaded – ready to start tomorrow morning, when I can be in the studio for at least the first 8 hours (until we hit the magic 1500 degrees) to make sure it’s new home can take the heat.

running kiln            loaded coffin kiln

We got such a late start in the studio today, as we had a small adventure first … Down to the last storage room (in the renovation), we made the decision to buy more of the original flooring (so the maple would be throughout the entire studio) – which meant we needed to buy more.  As the store was just around the corner from my grandparents house, we popped in for a visit.  I am glad to report they are doing well in their 87th year of life.  My grandma gave me a surprise gift – a beautiful mirror and ‘hair receiver’ that belonged to HER grandmother.  I’d never heard of a hair receiver before – so had to look it up, even though my grandfather told me repeatedly what women used it for … after brushing your hair, you place the stray hairs from the brush in it.  “But Grandpa, why not just throw it in the garbage?  Why save the hair?”  He didn’t have an answer for me, but … turns out women of the Victorian era were very GREEN.  They would recycle the saved hair into JEWELRY … No, really!  Here’s a link to a little history about Hair Jewelry – if you’re interested … http://whitneybria.blogspot.com/2011/05/victorian-hair-jewelry.html

hair receiver     victorian_hair_snake_bracelet

Huh … Who knew???  I think I’ll pass on “hair art” as my next hobby, though … And yet, who doesn’t want a hairy snake on their wrist???  😉

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Posted on December 7, 2011 by claytonhill

Evil Strikes Again … (WWU)

cruella devilleWhile I was trying to get through my weekend at work – doing good deeds, like starting IV’s on septic infants (SUCCESS!) – the dark side struck … Yep – the biological mother rose up from the depths of Hades to mess with me and mine again!  While I may be one sarcastic gal – I do live by a moral code/cosmic karma:  What goes around comes around … AND, I believe that certain behavioral medicine (Psych) disorders are completely within an individual’s control, but maybe someday the ‘magic pill’ that makes her civil will appear … ‘Nough said.

Then I went to my DARN SANE meeting, and realized again how pathetic the birth mother is on the ‘21st century Creep-O-Meter’.  It helped me to shift focus and remember how lucky MY family is – while I said a prayer for those families-KIDS-women-people that truly need help.

Studio News:  The main work table is done.  It’s beautiful and exactly what I wanted.  DH has moved forward with the first storage room – flooring is in and the first row of storage shelves in place:

work-table-1               storage-1

Hope to get the kilns and heat press fired up this week (I mean it this time) … but we are having major issues with internet connection in the new space that’s proving to be really time-consuming … ARRGGHH!!!!

Lil-Miss-5-wksFour-legged news:  I think I feel tooth buds popping up in Lil Miss.  Hopefully, within the next week or so, I can introduce some solids … ‘And Then There Was One’ (Neo news):  Marco (our blue male) is all alone – and LOVING it!  All the extra one-on-one time, belly rubs, etc.  Two of our Neo’s (Zeus and Tess) go in for (final) cherry eye removal on Friday [fingers crossed for great outcomes] …

Zeus-Marco

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Posted on December 2, 2011 by claytonhill

Painful – but in a good way …

Walking in a winter wonderland … It snowed most of Tuesday night, but it was so beautiful Wednesday – I couldn’t stay mad …

first-snow-fall-at-my-house-2011

My new fridge arrived on Tuesday – in the middle of multiple power outages/the snow-storm.  “OK guys – the kitchen is this way,” as I wielded the flashlight like a crazed air-traffic-controller meets Jedi knight … But the fridge is in, the walls unharmed, and ‘Cooking Central’ is back in order.  And – the power has been on (uninterrupted) since Tuesday night.

As the granddaughter of someone that reupholstered furniture for a living – one might think I’d have better skills.  Sadly … I don’t.  But I still like my little bathroom chair with it’s fabric make-over.  The bathroom is officially done and open for business … Smile (PS – that would be the NEVER-used-and-relegated-to-the-barn scale that magically appeared in my studio bathroom you see hiding out under my little chair … WTH???)

chair---before       chair-done

My work-table:  4’x8’ of carpeted surface will go on top of this base.  DH decided (and I’m still not sure why) it should have oil-based enamel paint.  He voted for black (over white) and I agreed.  Of course, that was before I painted the base.  I am now sporting black-stained hands that refuse to clean up with any amount of paint thinner (and my manicure is shot – AGAIN!!)!

rough-work-table      black-work-tabe

Spent some time shopping on Wednesday … found some cute knick-knacks for the studio:  Love these …

 bathroom-jazz   chocolate   flyingpig

DH got my cabinet wall and full-sheet glass-caddy completed, while I was putting the finishing touches (paint) on the partial wall … LOVE IT ALL!!!

wall-complete sheet-caddy moldshelf-n-wineart

We’ll be moving on to the storage rooms (the last of the major interior renovation), hopefully by this weekend …

exclamation question II

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Posted on November 28, 2011 by claytonhill

WWU … Did you know … ???

Did you know that you can’t squish/step-on a tic to kill it … Nope, it’ll keep on crawling right under your shoe.

Did you know that dogs/pets can get MRSA too … Yep, they get it from their infected humans.

These are just some of the pretty cool (while somewhat gross) factoids I learned from my patients this weekend.  Meanwhile, I was able to stay in touch with co-workers from the hospital ER.  Little Sister and I decided that bleeding out (exsanguinating) would be much preferred over receiving posterior nasal packing for treatment of a nasty nosebleed … (Picture a GIANT  ballooning tampon sitting at the back of your throat running up into your nasal cavity and landing out your nostril … Hmmm, no thanks!!)

Moving on … Slow but steady progress in the studio renovation.  The plan is to fire up the kilns by Wednesday.  I’ll be playing at the grinder in it’s new home later tonight.  This is much needed therapy after so long without producing!

And – our Christmas present arrives tomorrow – my new fridge is being delivered.  DH and our youngest daughter picked it out on Black Friday (as I refused to enter those crowds) … Can’t wait!

fridge

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Posted on November 26, 2011 by claytonhill

A House Divided …

but getting close to being united!  That’s kind’a how I’m feeling with the new studio.  Most of my glass paraphernalia is moved – but not all … None of my finished pieces are moved yet, so I’m keeping all of my shipping/wrapping items in the house, too.  It’s getting a bit annoying.  But – the bathroom is almost done … I have pictures:

BR2    BR3    BR1

It’s getting there … My storage rooms and work tables are about all that’s left.  So, I predict I will be ‘making glass’ again next week … Yahoo!!!

The (Neo) pups have been able to enjoy the warmer than usual temps we’ve had with some romp-time outside … I’ll leave with a cute pic of Caesar sticking close to DH in the yard … Pups – they make me smile!! Smile

Caesar

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Posted on November 24, 2011 by claytonhill

I am thankful … in my way

My refrigerator died yesterday … but I am thankful that we have more than one! 

DH didn’t realize the ‘puddle’ in front of the fridge was due to everything defrosting … so I am thankful we have the large four-legged family that we do (and I think they enjoyed their pre-Thanksgiving feast) …

Our teenage children are still embracing bickering … but I am thankful they are healthy to do so …

My to-do list is growing to out-of-control length again .. but I am thankful we have the means to accomplish it …

I will spend the majority of today cooking … so I am thankful I have family and friends to share it with …

thanksgivingII

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Posted on November 22, 2011 by claytonhill

WWU … Hmm – I like it!

Got through another weekend … this one completely at the new job.  It is definitely changing grass varieties – had one visitor complain that the magazine selection was lacking and outdated … umm, OK, I’ll work on that … (???)  But it’s good, too.  I have the time to educate and keep my patient’s updated.  I have the chance to talk (more) with our medical providers to discuss cases, learn and assure optimal care.  I like that!

Adam-LevineI also had a minute to watch the American Music Awards – and saw Maroon 5’s Adam Levine (singing with Christina Aguilera – in her itty-bitty aluminum foil dress – very sad).  I like Adam Levine though … cute boy! Surprised smile

Later today will be all about errands: Pups moving on to their new homes, more Home Depot/Lowe’s shopping, post-office, grocery store, etc.  DH is finally done with his jury duty … the case is closed (with a guilty verdict – you just can’t drink and drive in this county!).  So, he can assist with the to-do list, Thank Goodness! 

We got a bit more done in the studio … My coffin is wired and in place on a tiled platform (raising it to a nice working height)!  So beautiful!!  My kitchen – (almost) done, as we were having major issue with the microwave fitting on the shelf due to the outlet placement … And, I primed the bathroom – so it’s finally ready for paint and assembly (installing the light fixture, wainscoting, flooring and sink)!  One step at a time, I know, but I’m getting really behind in glass projects, and the list of requested items is growing out of control!  [Deep breath …]  Here’s Monday night photos:

coffins-new-home   kitchen-done   BR---primed

And a quick pic of Lil Miss … who has opened her eyes.  Smile  This was after a supplemental feeding – so please excuse the wet face … she’s such a strong little thing!

lil-miss-3.5wks

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Posted on November 18, 2011 by claytonhill

When it rains …

What was initially pretty amusing to me is now causing all sorts of grief … DH’s jury duty!  A simple case that should have been resolved within one day (if not half a day) is now dragging out.  Forget my studio – we have final vet appointments, airline flights and new parent visits to attend to.  And, just for fun … our teenage offspring are all acting up right now too!  Anyone want to stand-in to be my child-rearing/kitchen help/general labor assistant – just until DH has fulfilled his civic duty???

I have managed to pack a few more studio boxes … in between re-directing the adolescent aliens that inhabit this house.  My youngest daughter should  be working on her second 500-word essay of the week, this one on ‘why bickering with [read: screeching at] your siblings and ignoring your parents is unacceptable behavior’.  Guess I’d better go check …

teenage werewolf

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