A Belated Birthday Gift for Aurelia

Life was busy in August around the time of Aurelia's birthday so my celebrating with her got delayed until a couple of weeks ago. I had asked her what she would like to do for her special day and she requested going to a ceramic studio like I had done with Annika this past summer.

We got to the location before they opened so we stopped in at a Panera and had a little breakfast. After that we drove a little ways to the studio. We were the first customers there, so that allowed Rellie to take her time to look around to see what she would like to make. The pieces at the studio have already had the seams removed (at the greenware state) and been fired once. So that means the pieces are now bisque and less fragile—ready for glazing. In the past I had a ceramic studio of  my own, with two kilns and about 30 students a week. My students first worked on the greenware, often using underglazes for such pieces as figurines. Then they were fired to about 2300 degrees. The next step would be to glaze the piece, followed by another firing. If gold or platinum was to be added, that would require a third firing.

Rellie chose a mug that was either a whale or the bottom half of a mermaid.

Rellie applying the aqua glaze interior. Once she had one coat brushed on, I set my timer for five minutes to allow it to dry. Then a second and third coat were applied, letting each coat dry for five minutes.

Rellie chose a bright yellow for the exterior. She followed the same procedure as with the interior.

I love the scroll work she chose to embellish the fins on the tail. It was applied with a bottle that has a pointed nozzle.

With the glazes applied to the mug, it was ready for firing. The studio has two large kilns and has the customer return in a week to pick up the finished piece. My brother and I drove there Saturday to get the mug and delivered it to Rellie. She loved it!

Happy belated birthday, Rellie!

I sold my home!

This past weekend was one I'm not keen to repeat. A week ago today my home was listed on Zillow and in the south metro realty association. An open house was set for Sunday afternoon. By noon Friday a showing was already requested, followed by two on Saturday. Then on Saturday two more showings were requested for Sunday—one overlapping the open house. For each of these days I had to make my home look the best I could, having it appear as though I didn't live there. Before leaving the house, I was to turn on every light in the place.

Sunday morning I got up very early to vacuum, make up my bed with the decorative pillows, hide a few kitchen things here and there, and went out to door for church by 7:15. After church I checked my phone and discovered there were two more requests for showings on Sunday! This meant I couldn't return until after 3 pm. Oh, my. So I went to a favorite restaurant for a leisurely brunch and then to a furniture store where I placed my order for new living room furniture.

I came home after 3 pm and slumped into my living room chair. I placed a call to my brother and sister and while I was talking to them, a request came in for a second showing at 5:30. So once again I had to leave for another hour. Lucky Nels got to stay home during all of these showings. I wish he could have told me what went on while I was away.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday brought two more showings each . My stress level was high and my energy level was low. Then Tuesday afternoon I got a message from my realtor letting me know there was an offer for full price. He called me shortly thereafter and we agreed to some terms. He came over in the evening and I signed a document stating I wouldn't have any more showings. The Wednesday showings were canceled and I'm relieved. God is good. He brought the right people to purchase my home in five days. Whew!

Marshall and Corinne Were Here!

Right after Anni left to go home, Marshall and Corinne came to my home. We had a lot of fun together, going over to my pool every day, plus other things. Here are some of the photos of this time together.

The kids loved sitting out in the porch in the evening. Things were quiet then and we were able to chat for a bit.

Marshall took a turn at playing the piano. I taught him to play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

Corinne did a great job of coloring this restaurant placemat

Corinne playing with my dolls. I thought it was fun she remembered me having them.

Marshall did a great job of steering our cart at the grocery store. Isn't this a cutie behind the wheel?

Another visit on the porch

Leo and Corinne playing in the sand at Shoots and Ladders playground

L to R at McDonald's: Felix, Leo, Rellie, Corinne, and Marshall

Near the end of the visit, Nels had warmed up to the kids. Marshall asked if he could try holding him for a bit. I put a towel on Marshall's lap in the event Nels would want to bolt and thus, scratch him. But to our surprise, Nels really enjoyed Marshall holding him and he sat there for a long time.

I'm Moving!

Last Friday I got the call I have been awaiting: "We have a unit for you to look at in Valley View." I have been on the waiting list two and a half years. Today I went to look at it and I think I'm going to take it. Here are photos of the rooms.

Master Bedroom Closet

Back corner of the Master Bedroom Closet

Master Bedroom bathroom

Inside Master Bedroom shower

Linen closet in Master Bedroom Bathroom

Master Bedroom Vanity

Master Bedroom Vanity

Large closet inside guest bathroom (perfect spot for Nels' litter box)

Hallway to Master Bedroom and Guest Bathroom

French doors to the Den

Dining and Living Room

Dining and living room

Kitchen

Kitchen

Kitchen

White porcelain kitchen sink. I'm excited about this!

Kitchen. I'm going to have this counter on the left removed. 

View from the balcony. It was dark outside with a storm coming in. This faces east.

Kitchen on the left and dining room and living room on the right

Living room looking toward balcony and den

living room looking toward balcony and den

Laundry room a couple of doors down. There are three laundry rooms on each floor

Laundry room

Laundry room

Storage closet down the hallway

Master bedroom

The co-op will be replacing all of the flooring, which I get to choose. They will paint all the ceilings and walls, replace all the blinds with new ones, replace all of the kitchen appliances, except the microwave, and are replacing the two toilets with new taller ones. I am considering screening in the balcony. The unit is on the top floor—4th floor, so there will no longer be heavy foot steps above me. There is underground parking with a car wash bay. There are more amenities, too. I'm thrilled about this!

Anni Was My Guest

This summer Anni stayed with me for a week following the vacation time with her family. Both Nels and I loved having her here. During our time together, we were really busy.

First off, Anni helped me with hosting a neighborhood picnic. I had been planning to do this all summer, but put it off. I finally got my invitations out for Tuesday, August 7, which is National Night Out. We had 21 gather in my back yard. Each person brought their own chair, beverage, and a dish to pass. We set the food up inside my porch. It was great getting acquainted with some new neighbors and visiting with long time friends.

L to R: Julie, Colleen, Anni and Jennifer

L to R: Mary Jo, Kitty, Susie, Rita, and Patti

L to R: Mark, Susan and Sue

L to R: Alison, Sandra and Gwen

Dave and Kathy

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The next day I took Anni to the Mall of America—one of her favorite places. We shopped for several hours. She bought some things and really had a good time.

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The following day I took Anni to a ceramic studio where each of us chose a piece and began glazing it. Anni chose a cat and glazed it to match the cat she previously had designed in her cartooning program. I chose a 9" Christmas tree. We really had a good time doing this.

Anni checking her artwork on her phone for her cat

Anni and I glazing the first coats on our pieces—requires three coats of glaze

Anni had fun and now her cat will be ready to go into the kiln.

A week later I picked up our finished pieces. Here is Anni's cat.

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The next day we picked up Rellie and I took the girls to the movie theater to see "Christopher Robin." They told me they enjoyed it. After the movie Rellie asked to come to my home to hang out for awhile before going out for pizza. I was happy these cousins could have a good time together.

Anni and Rellie

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We spent as much time at the pool as possible while Anni was here. She is like a fish in the water. My neighborhood ladies pool friends really enjoyed having her around. Some of the time we just sat out on my porch which is so pleasant. Anni loved holding Nels.

On Sunday we got up really early so Anni could sing next to me in my church choir service. While she didn't know the music, she did great! That same day we had lunch with my theater friends prior to going to the Bloomington Theater Artistry to see the live performance "Legally Blonde." Initially Anni was a bit shy about applauding after each scene, but after intermission that changed. She really got into it. When I took her to the airport the following week (she spent the next week with her other grandparents in southern Minnesota), I asked her what her favorite things were while she was here. She said "Seeing the musical 'Legally Blonde' and playing with the kittens at Uncle Eli's farm."

Anni and I at the Artistry Theater