I can't do it all (and stay sane).

Really.  This may have been obvious to the outside world for some time, but I'm really just finally acknowledging it.  I've been feeling a bit hollow for a few months can only hope I've been more functional that I feel.  Some of the stress is non-negotiable but in other ways I've just started to offload whatever I can.  Back to basics, priority setting and all that jazz.  Time, money and energy somehow had/has to get split between home schooling, social work, fitness, family, friendships, pottery, house/yard maintenance and maybe even leisure time.  Neat concept.  I'm hoping to find a new balance again over the next few weeks that is more sustainable.  If all goes well, I might even blog again!

Change

This is a draft post I made a few weeks ago for the Tyson Method member site, but it never did get posted there.  For all of the lovely ladies I met there, this is the thank you you deserve.  A special shout out to all the trainers I've had the pleasure of getting to know - rock those Bruce Lee's! 

Change is often hard.  Everyone I’ve been in contact with on this site has felt that, and pushed themselves further than they thought they could.  It has motivated me to look closely at my life goals and dreams.  I still don’t know how they’re all going to fit into one lifetime!  Through this process, I’ve come to a tough decision to move on from the Tyson Method in order to free up more time and energy to pursue some of those ideas. 

I want to thank all of you for giving what you to do this amazing program.  I have been inspired, loved, encouraged and supported.  You are in fantastic hands with the unbelievably generous, energetic and fearless Tami, Charles, and the other amazing trainers you’ve come to know and love!

Abstract

It's amazing how I can love a glaze/glaze combination on a piece, but then appreciate it in a whole new way when it's out of context.  Jeremy's got such a great eye for the abstract.  I hope he posts some of these on flickr eventually, but for now here are a few of my favourites.

Photo Stash

I got out some of my pottery that's stashed away in the cupboard(s) and Jeremy was kind enough to take nice photos of it for me.  It's kind of sad how I limp along with my point and shoot snaps when there's a real photographer and camera in the house.  It does take time though, and it's so hard to get the shots with all that gloss & glare.  Thank you for taking the time!

Jars

All photo credits to Jeremy.

mugs

Wow, how do I do this again? I'm going to slowly see if I can get back into it, starting with a bit of an archive of creative things I've done over the last year. I often give them away and would love to have a record I can reference.

A white glossy mug with a band of "snowflake" crystal glaze.  Some pin holing on the snowflake glaze, glad I kept it to the outside.

I've made a lot of mugs that like this this year. It's a really dependable glaze and it's a shape I enjoy holding (although the top is distorted by the camera angle). This one happens to have a fresh americano ready to drink.

A pair of mugs glazed in purple haze and "key lime", an interesting experiment. I love the effect of the glazes flowing together, but unfortunately, the purple also ran off the bottom and I had to chip them off the shelf. The lime has crazed, you can see details in the second picture off to the right. I love the combo but it will need refining to be functional.

 

Fall Class Update

The fall class schedule has been finalized - please note slight changes in time and a switch to W/F instead of M/W.  This is due to hall availability and I hope it doesn't cause too much inconvenience!

Summerland Fall Classes

September 14 – Oct 21

Wednesday/Friday @  6:15am  OR

Wednesday/Friday @  9:15am

$125 - 12 classes

Location:  Local parks, my  yard (depending on class size) and/or the IOOF Hall