I've got a ways to go before I can call myself a potter.

Spent some time on the wheel last night working on bowls. Up to this point, I've basically been making cylinders. I like the shape of these bowls, but my problem always comes when I have to cut them off the bats and dry them. I lift them off and then so many problems happen. First, my "scissor" fingers dented the bottoms, then when I was wrapping the board in plastic, the plastic sheeting pulled on the rim and made one bowl less than circular. What should I do?

Can I just leave them on the bats to dry or does that ruin the bat? Tonight I'm going to try the tile trick if I can find some old tile in the basement. Let ya know how it goes.

From the dark to the light...

I've decided to return from my hiding place. I've had a difficult time and wasn't willing to share when my daughter's health was in jeopardy. The cancer returned in December and we have been on a constant struggle to control it since. I had nothing to post so I closed the blog to spare my (very) few readers from checking in only to find that nothing had changed. I can't stand blogs that I'm hooked on just stopping.

I've got a new hobby that has re-energized my spirit. I'm taking a weekly pottery class with my friend Mary and it is the best therapy in the world. Now I want to be a potter! I'm hoping to resurrect my blog with my newest endeavor.

I would love to see this couple win a vacation from E-Harmony!

http://tinyurl.com/9u489c

Brett recently finished Ewing's sarcoma treatment. He has this awesome love story, and he and his fiancee are in the running to win a vacation based on their story. So read their story, and if it inspires you, please vote for them. You can vote once a day until January 23.

Strive to be better...and to get better

Ben Franklin, "Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man."

(Or woman) Then add to that, "and reach the day when there is a cure for childhood cancer."

One Child with Cancer is One too Many

People Against Childhood Cancer and Curesearch are jointly supporting a petition to bring awareness and funding to childhood cancer research. Please sign and forward to everyone you know. Right now the signatures total 27,000, but the goal is 1,000,000!

Thanksgiving

I hope that everyone had a glorious Thanksgiving. Mine was ever so special as we were able to spend it renewing friendships and bonds with loved ones that are usually so far away. The Make-a-Wish Foundation generously offered to grant my daughter's wish. She chose to reconnect with her beloved Au Pair, Pavla. A week of love, sharing and cherishing really emphasized how thankful we all are, to have each other.

Halloween Costumes

The girls had a violin recital on Sunday, and we went trick-or-treating in a small downtown near us afterwards, so I had to get these furry beasts ready a week ahead of time. My werewolf looked a bit cuddly like a bear, so we had to add a toothy mask for the 'real' Halloween last night. The gray cat was soft and wonderful to hug. I was a witch.
Sewing that fur was neither fun nor easy. It slips and sheds a mess all over. I don't need to complain though. I was the one who thought it was such a great idea!