Domestic Goddess …

Yep – that’s me.  At least today it is …

I’ve cleaned the kitchens (both), scrubbed sinks and toilets (and beat the battle with the rust stains and whatever other things were in there???) … scrubbed candle jars (since I want to make more soy candles) … and cleaned my studio!  Wow … it must be Spring!

Got a few things listed in the shops; started another ‘pressed glass’ blank in the kiln; added to my growing collection of dichro cabs (almost enough to do a fire-polish round in the kiln); photographed more projects; paid bills … Now I’m beat, and ready for a glass of wine.

Yorkie News:  Yoda Kei is routinely terrorizing the adult Yorks – barking like a wild man.  Here he is … doesn’t look so much like the little heathen that he is … cute little snot!  He’s 4 months old today.

YK4mos       YK&Lou

It’s Official – I’m ‘Out-There’ …

Yeah – probably that too, but what I’m specifically referring to … my site is published!  YAY!!  Here’s the link:  www.claytonhillstudio.com.  I know – it’s not complete yet (the shop), the gallery format leaves a little to be desired, and you have to hit your back arrow from this blog, but … it’s published!  Did I mention YAY!!  Smile

Clayton Hill Studio link

And now a request … if you’re a facebook user, would you please click this link for Clayton Hill Studio on facebook AND ‘like’ us … ?  Once we reach a magic ‘hit/counter’ number, we can have our own fb url/link.

Meanwhile – the studio has been productive.  Small mishap with my nurse plaque (burnt the image off … OOPS), but the badge reels came out nice.  Here’s round one and here’s a completed reel.

     DSC02664      badgereel

My coffin kiln is running with a de-bubble program.  Hope to have 2-3 night lights, 2 spoon rests and some new bowls soon.

DH has been productive too … He’s updating our surveillance equipment/cameras … here’s a shot of our family room (that doubles as the Neo whelping nursery when we have pups) … technology – I love it!

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AND … (I know, right?!)  I got out of testifying for a legal blood draw (was not needed) … what a great week!!  Smile

A New Endeavor … ?

Maybe … but for me, it starts with books – so, I’ve just ordered a few:

I’ve always said that someday I want a hobby farm … not a lot of animals, but definitely chickens, a couple of pigs, goats, and maybe a cow.

We’ll start with chickens … so starts the research phase: Building a great coop, food, learning about their diseases/illness, types of chickens, etc.  It’s not that I’m egg-crazy, but I do like the idea of organic … and the Neo’s will love them, I’m sure (… the eggs – not the chickens!)

Now that the last of our Neo pups have joined their new families, I have a little more free time.  And with my kiln loaded and running … it’s time to research.

When the time comes, I’ll start with standard, Michigan-hardy chickens, but … aren’t they cute?  Smile

polishfrizzles

Zeus Bigelow … ???

Yesterday was a long day for me – but overall, a good one.

We brought our new member of the family home – racing against the clock, so that I could make it to work on-time … all while dealing with the fact that he isn’t too keen on riding in the car right now.  The good news – I made it to work, with 3 minutes to spare.  The even better news … we love our new addition.

We’re thinking ‘Zeus Bigelow’ for his name, as DH is hung up on Zeus, and he (the pup) will hopefully be our next Neapolitan stud.  Thus, a ‘life of Riley’, with little to do but perfect the art of procreating … some day.  We’ll see – time will tell.

In the meantime, he’s our baby … And we’re cooing and carrying on with him as we did our human babes …

Zeus says ‘Hi everyone!’ … Happy Easter!!

zb

It’s raining, it’s pouring

But I’ll take it over snow, anyday!

This post is a work-in-progress – like so many things in life … to be followed-up-upon later.

It’s 2am.  I’ve had such a ‘highs and lows’ kind of day:  Major insomnia, combined with web design had me enthralled ‘til about 4am last night.  I was on a roll, creating some really good stuff.  Then, a 5am surprise text had me worried about a coworker (do not fear, all is well – or will be with the healing powers of time).  I was able to put my head/body to rest at about 7am.  My wake-up call came at 11am, as the kids were home to celebrate Good Friday – the only way they know how – LOUDLY.  I moved on to motherly, wifely, domestic duties.  That part of my day was a good day.  At 10p, I retired to the studio – to produce and create!  And I DID – for a bit.  But, even though it’s not-entirely-complete, I was eager to get my new website ‘out there’.  That’s when I discovered all of my hard work from last night IS GONE!  Lost in cyber-space somewhere … Oy Vay!  I have an email in to the ‘systems department’ of my web hosting company … time will tell.

Later today – the DH and I go see about a new puppy (Neapolitan Mastiff).  I’m excited.  But – he needs to be the right fit.  So … will be back to report later …

In the meantime – here’s the progress I had going when my ‘fung-shui’/karma was still aligned (???):

My new business card; Latest pressed glass blank;

chsbizcard    DSC02484

And my nursing (future) badge reels (yeah, AND a frog prince – for good measure) and plaque … almost ready for firing:

DSC02482    DSC02486

I hope to come back with great news … and photos of our newest family member … I’m burning candles, rubbing Buddha’s belly … it could happen!  Smile

Good news/Bad news …

So – the good news is … I am plunging forward with my own fused glass website – php, MySQL, CSS and all.  ‘Course it’s very time consuming, as I barely understand what I’m doing, but that’s ok … when my head starts spinning – I step away.

The bad news … since I really don’t understand what I’m doing – I have multiple emails going with various tech support …

The good news … I’m putting my insomnia to good use with all of this website development and coding …

The bad news … even with insomnia, I really haven’t been very productive in the studio.

The good news … my family has been eating like Roman Gods this week: Seafood Alfredo; home made Nachos; grilled Chicken with fresh Vegetable Medley (steamed asparagus, chayote, cauliflower, carrots) and “Mom’s” special baked potatoes (rolled in butter and sea salt before broiling, served with fresh chives/sourcream); and Baked Ziti (with mushrooms, zucchini and ground beef) … I think I’m fighting off a cold, thus trying to feed it.

The bad news … I’ve been eating all of the above as well – I may have gained 20 pounds this week …

The good news … my kiln is running as I type.

The bad news … the weather is lousy this week.  That’s not helping my cold.

The good news … we finally had what SHOULD BE our last snowfall for the season … come on Spring!

The 'logo' for my site

Weekend wrap up … life is hard

My Sunday school teacher says “Gettin’ old isn’t for wimps …”  How true!  This weekend proved over and over how the human body can go through some painful processes … Tracheal erosions with large volume bleeding; cancer-produced fistulas (connections) from rectum to bladder; GI bleeding and kidney failure; strokes with paralysis; dementia/Alzheimers … It’s so difficult what many elderly endure … and yet, most don’t whine about it or carry on …

And then there are the life choices younger people make … so stupid. 

  • Alcohol to the point of needing to be in the ER to monitor/maintain your airway … screaming at the top of your lungs, cursing like a sailor at the staff keeping you safe. 
  • Young adults who insist on Jerry-Springer-drama about their cold symptoms.  The odds of the chest pain being a massive heart attack are small, as you aren’t even 20 yet – regardless of how dramatic you are about it …

We had it all this weekend … along with a larger than average ‘bizarre behavior/complaint’ population … due [I believe] to the very large moon.  Was it a completely full moon?  No idea – but it was full enough for my community …

johnwayne

Off to work I go …

I’m continuing to produce here in the studio … dichro pieces, blanks, nursing stuff … Now it’s time to take a break and actually be a nurse, dang it!

Hoping for a smooth weekend … silly, I know, but … it could happen!

Still needs work – colored glass border and final fusing – but here’s a piece I’ve got going …

nurse

Studio news … I’m on a roll

So it took some doing – a self-imposed time out, locked in my studio – but now I’m on a roll.  I have badge reels and nursing-specific ideas flowing like crazy, my production kiln is kicking, I have bottles soaking for scrubbing, I have finished projects to photograph and upload … projects, projects, projects … I love it!  Smile

I came upon some cute little plaques that I will be hanging in my studio … the right words (in the right color combinations – always a bonus) to keep me inspired.  I like it!

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Boys … arrrggghh!

I’m less than thrilled with the majority of the men-folk in my life right now …

Spent several hours in the ER last night, as DH felt like his throat was swelling (after Benadryl and Motrin).  I’m happy to say – all is well with him.  It appears he’s decided to have panic attacks, I guess … While I am glad he’s not sick – it meant I was up for some 30 hours yesterday.  I had the pleasure of watching over him, while he slept (with the aid of Ativan), snoring contently – as ‘we’ waited for test results.

And this evening I discovered my youngest son surfing for porn on the web … While I suppose it’s some sort of ‘rite-of-passage’ in our society today – I’m majorly bummed.  That’s my BABY (he’s my youngest, by 3 minutes) checking out photos of naked women!

I am now locking myself in my studio.  I don’t want to talk to anyone that has testicles …  Where’s my wine?!?

men