Marla's Mud Moments

2009-11-19T08:22:00.001-05:00

I am a proud member of the TEAM ESST (Etsy Street Supply Team). With over 130 members, Team ESST can cover all of your supply needs.Check out the team blog where you will find clickable links to all of the member's shops on Etsy, interviews with team members and more valuable information. http://teamesst.blogspot.com/ Time to make those Christmas gifts and ESST members have the supplies you need!

New stuff!

2009-11-10T18:28:00.008-05:00

New items listed on Marlasmud! Go check it out!

A Long Cruel Summer.

2008-09-24T15:48:00.003-04:00

Remember that song by Bananarama in the 80's? Some of the words in the song stick in my head today.
"It's a cruel, cruel summer........ leaving me here all alone....." That is how I am feeling. It was a long, cruel summer, and at the end of it, I was left here, with out my dear Mom.
She passed away on July 28th. She struggled so hard with the Cancer. She claimed that she was never in physical pain, but I know that the mental pain must have been horrible. She struggled with the thought of leaving this life, and if God would allow her into his Heavenly kingdom. She struggled with knowing that it was most likely, that her children would split apart from each other. Never having "really" gotten along very well even while she was alive. And she worried about her beloved, Doug. Where would he go, what would he do.
I cannot fathom her anguish. I could only sit with her and try to get her mind on other things. Cheerful things. Even though my heart was breaking, knowing that she would be leaving me soon. No more e-mails, no more Sunday morning phone calls, no more teasing in the winter about how wonderful the weather is in Florida while I am freezing in Michigan, no more "I love you Sweetheart." And no more hugs.
So many wonderful times with Mom. I can't even begin to mention them all. She was my Rock and my best friend. It is hard to imagine my life now, without her. Sometimes I want to just run away and hide. SO much to try to handle with family that can't agree, and in the mean time, trying to grieve. Trying to understand why she is gone. Trying to make sense of it all.
Other times I find myself chatting with her out loud. And giggling about things we did together, and things she told, only me. She shared many things with me, her only daughter. That I can never tell anyone. Sad things, happy things. Just things that she wanted me to know, but no one else. Besides, no one would believe me. I am just the "little sister." Even though I am 46. lol
So it was a cruel summer. Now it is time for me to pick up the pieces of my own life and family, and see if I can make it wonderful again.

2009-04-12T09:32:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter!
We are off to a wonderful party with family, today. I have spent the early morning hours thinking of my Mom and Dad. And wishing they were here. But, also being very grateful for the time that we shared. I am so blessed. My child is growing up so fast. It is a joy to watch the progression from infant to toddler, to a tiny adult "wanna be." LOL And my hubby and I are loving every minute of the temper tantrums, knowing full well, how quick things change.
So, for today, we celebrate Christ. With family, food and fun. It doesn't get any better that that!

www.FiredClayArtists.com

2007-04-02T15:13:00.000-04:00

SOO!!! It's LIVE! Presenting www.FiredClayArtists .com!!!! I have put together a kind of Artist Mall of sorts, for Ceramic (Fired Clay) Artists to sell their work! All together in one place! If you want my beads and pendants or any of my fellow clay artists work, just come on over and start shopping!! I KNOW you wouldn't be disappointed!!

Getting back in the Studio

2007-04-03T19:26:00.000-04:00

WOW!! It's been 2 months since I touched my clay!!! I was going through major withdrawals!!! I was so busy setting up the new www.FiredClayArtists.com site, that doing my own work wasn't an option!
Now that things are getting completed and I am more organized about the running of a web Mall, I can take a breath and enjoy the bliss of working on my own creations for a bit! :-) The Daisy Pendant is my inspiration! I made this pendant set in the dead of winter here in Michigan, to remind me that Spring WOULD come again! Thank Goodness!

So I am off to my Sanctuary to let my spirit fly!

HOT OUT OF THE KILN

2007-06-20T20:03:00.000-04:00

And I do MEAN hot!!! I couldn't wait. It's been so long since I have glaze fired! So here's a quick picture of some of my favorites. All of these that you see are carved designs. All made from White Stoneware clay. It is true what they say about Clay being GREAT Therapy. I am SO blessed to have this option available to me. :-)

Pretty Colors!

2007-06-29T06:23:00.001-04:00

Another "Hot from the Kiln" addition! I have been testing a new technique. I think I finally got it right! All of these pendants will be available on my website in the coming week.
Enjoy the Eye Candy!

Buttons in Vogue!

2007-10-18T10:24:00.001-04:00

YAY!!!!! My buttons are featured in VogueKnittings Holiday 2007 Magazine!

I am thrilled and honored to have my humble buttons with so many great artists pieces!

Pick up a copy!

I made it to the cover!

2008-04-30T10:12:00.002-04:00

I have 4 pendants featured in the Editors Top picks! Yaah! Be sure to pick up a copy! And support your individual Bead Artists!

The worst of times and the best of times......

2008-04-06T18:59:00.002-04:00

The title sums up life for me right now. My Mom's cancer is back. Worse that before. She is back home and back doing Chemotherapy. She is frail and sleeps a lot. She can't eat solid foods and lives on a nutritional drink called Boost. This is due to the Cancer starting in her salivary glands. All of which had to be removed. She needs almost constant care now. She is 80. My brothers and I are doing the best we can to take turns being with her. She is my best friend and I promised her long ago, that she would never be in a nursing home. And I intent to keep my promise.
Life is quite a challenge for me and my family right now. But, within this challenge, it has been the most wonderful time of my life as well. I am truly understanding how Blessed I really am. I have been able to be with my Mom and just sit and chat. We giggle at silly things. Or just sit together in a comfortable silence.
We have really become closer than ever. I didn't know that was even possible.
She is such an amazing woman. She has made it through so many difficult times in her life. And come back stronger than ever.
One example was losing her husband to an automobile accident when she was only 30 years old. At that time she had 6 children ranging in age from 6 months to 12 years old. I cannot imagine what she went through then. And yet, she was able to pick up the pieces and move forward.
This strength is a gift from God. A gift that I pray for every day.
After this and many other tragedies, she remains strong of will. No one will ever know the woman I call my Mom, the way I do.
So even though this may be the worst of times for us it is also the best of times for us.
And I will cherish these moments for the rest of my life.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-12T19:51:00.000-05:00

Wow! 2008
If you had told me, 10 years ago, that I would have 3 websites and co-own a forum in 2008, I would have laughed in your face. Yet here I am! And having a blast. The new BisqueBeadSupply Site is going great with little advertising. And MarlasMud is doing very well. Several new wholesale accounts in the last couple of months. Whew! I really need an assistant! How old does my daughter have to be before I hire her??? LOL
The CeramicArtsForum has over 100 members so far. And growing every day. And of course there is FiredClayArtists. Which has a birthday coming up this April. It's FIRST birthday. I have quite a celebration planned! More Artists are joining and the group advertising is really starting to pay off. I think 2008 is gonna be a really muddy year! Go Mud!
My Mom is doing well. She is in Florida for a few months now. And loving the warmth! She is still not 100%. But I keep praying. We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas Holiday and look forward to Spring and seeing her again.
Well, back to work!

Moving forward in 2008

2007-12-20T13:38:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am, ending another successful year. And looking forward to 2008 with a new website opening and many things planned for MarlasMud. :-)
My Mom is doing well. We are having her with us for the holidays. I look forward to long chats and lots of giggling. I plan to cherish each and every moment with her. She is going to be able to go to Florida. She is very excited. And I am so happy for her.
As for business, keep your eyes open! I will be announcing the new site soon!
Merry Christmas!

WOW am I busy!!!!

2007-10-05T16:23:00.000-04:00

Mom is doing well. She has stopped Chemo. Possibly for good. Her quality of time that she has left is more important at this point I think. She was so ill from the Chemo. She slept all day, couldn't eat, lost weight, etc. Now she is feeling decent and eating and gaining some weight and strength.
I am happy with what ever decision she makes.
As for the Biz. aspect of my life. I have been wandering away from the clay table lately, to work on the FCA website and start the new Ceramic Arts Forum. We have new folks joining FCA and the forum is going well for it's first week. So I have been in front of the computer screen most of the time. Which has been a blast!
Yesterday, I received 2 wholesale orders and need to work on them as well. SOO I am JUST a little swamped!!! Boy could I use an assistant!!!
I get to have a little surgery on Thursday. I have a mass on my thyroid.
Hopefully it is nothing. If it is something, I will take it one day at a time and fight like I've never have before. If my Mom can be strong, so can I.

Some cheerful days.

2007-09-11T13:20:00.000-04:00

She is out of the Hospital and doing well with home nursing care. I was blessed to spend another entire week with her. And we did a lot of talking. She has decided not to continue the Chemo. She is starting to have a little energy and she is as funny as ever! She has an unbelievable will to live. I hope to be as strong as her someday. So for now.....I am home....back to work.....and enjoying being a Wife, Mom and Ceramic Artist again. :-)

The Battle Continues......

2007-08-31T08:37:00.000-04:00

This past week was spent in ICU with my Mom. She had completed her 4th Chemo treatment and was weak as usual. But it just got worse and worse. She ended up in the Hospital with Blood counts of almost zero, a high temperature, water in her lungs and malnourished . We were losing her. For 2 days we paced the hospital floor, praying for a miracle. By the end of the second day, we were thinking about funeral plans. Then on the third day, she started coming back a little bit. She seemed like she wanted to fight to live. And she did. After 8 days in ICU she was discharged to her home with nursing care. Praise God! He has given our family more time with her. And we are so very happy! Her future is uncertain. Chemo is probably not an option anymore. But we are not giving up. We will do everything we can and spend as much time with her as we can. That is all that matters now.
My Clay will wait.

The Cancer Battle

2007-07-30T06:51:00.000-04:00

Mom is half way through the Chemo Treatments now. She is frail, unable to eat any solid food,has no hair and doesn't remotely resemble, physically, the Mom I knew. She sleeps most of the time. She has had two blood transfusions in the last 3 weeks because of low blood counts. They tell us this can be normal, because of the high dosage of Chemo that they are giving her.
I continue to try to talk to her about things other than the Cancer. Even though most conversations end up back there. My brother from Florida has taken a family leave and is with her for a few weeks now. This has allowed me to me at home with my family. Not that I am here mentally. I am still focused on her. And how she is doing. And if she will make it through this. I am clinging to ever thread of hope that she will survive this. Yet I have to face the fact that she may not. I know that life will go on. It will just be so very strange without her.
So today, I will take one moment at a time and enjoy every moment I have with her. And try not to worry about the future that I have no control over.

Patience is a virtue

2007-07-12T11:31:00.000-04:00

Patience is a virtue! It's SO hard to be patient sometimes. But I am seeing great things happening now. I just landed another new wholesale Account! Yaah! It is so exciting to see my art work starting to really travel! My pieces are making it around the US and now even abroad! What a interesting and fun road I am traveling these days. I can hardly wait to check my e-mail every day. The business is starting to take off!

One day at a time............

2007-07-03T14:08:00.000-04:00

The path my Mom is on with Cancer has been a short one. Not even a year yet. But it seems like forever for me. I can't even imagine how she feels about it. She keeps reminding me that she is a "tough old bird." And I know first hand that it is true! She has had one very interesting life! So here we are..........waiting......wondering.......praying..........and truly taking things, one day at a time.

Feeling out of Control and loving it!

2007-06-11T18:43:00.000-04:00

"Dear God, I am ready and waiting for any test that you want to give me!"
This is what I am praying these days. I have talked with so many people that have dealt with Cancer either personally or with a loved one, that I have no right to sulk! I have had 45 beautiful years with this amazing woman that I call MOM. And any future moments that God allows me to have with her will be greatly appreciated. ANd I know that God is right beside me through all of this. So I say...Bring it on!
She has gotten through her first week of chemo. And she is sick, of course. But even though she is sick, she still can give me that "Mom" look and tell me what she thinks! Which has been great fun! It makes us both smile and giggle. She has 2 weeks off now till the next chemo week. So I am trying to get prepared for that. And I am trying to keep up with Marlasmud orders and get myself into the studio with all these creative ideas that have been flowing!
So here I am God! Just tell me what my next move is and I'll be there!
Hugs to everyone! :-)

Great Hope.

2007-06-05T09:22:00.001-04:00

Mom is having her first Chemo Treatment today. The First in a long series. I spent the weekend with her and had some great long chats about everything under the sun. I was able to talk to her nurse that will be giving her the first treatment. I had loads of questions and she answered every last one of them. She made us feel so positive and gave us much needed hope. Yesterday Mom and I attended a "Look Good, Feel Better" Class, given by the American Cancer Society. It was all about makeup and wigs. We had a really great time. We giggled and laughed and felt so good seeing others that were in the middle of their Chemo treatments that seemed to feel pretty good. A very enlightening weekend. I can really feel all the prayers being answered. I know the God has a plan. It may not be my plan, but I know that it's a great plan. And I will continue to stay positive now and enjoy every minute that God allows me to have with her. And even with all this on my mind, my creative brain is busy preparing a special ceramic design for Cancer. Something that I can give to these wonderful women that I meet along the way that have been thrown into this strange disease.

Pulled apart

2007-05-30T05:22:00.000-04:00

I wish I were able to be in 2 places at once. I feel the need to take care of my Mom, yet I want to be home, with my family as well. We are preparing for the long battle ahead. Helping Mom to get things in order for her comfort while she goes through the chemotherapy treatments. And discuss the "what ifs" with her. I have set up in home nursing care for the time I can't be with her.
She seems ready for this. We know that we have to do it. And I know I have to be strong and help get her through it. And I also feel the pull to spend time with my family. I miss them already. I am Blessed to have a husband that supports me and keeps me positive.
I have to keep telling myself that God will take care of us. I know He will.
No clay for now. Only family. And Prayer. Lots of Prayer

I'm Not Alone

2007-05-24T12:44:00.000-04:00

The cancer is back. Surgery isn't an option. She will start Chemotherapy soon. She is staying positive, even as she faces more pain. That's what Mom's do I guess. And some daughters fall apart, thinking of how strange it will be, not to have that unconditional love just a phone call away.

As I am sharing my pain with family and friends, I am realizing that I am not alone in this. I am surrounded by people that have suffered devastating loss in their lives as well. Some have gone through Cancer with loved ones, others have lost someone to sudden tragedy's. And so many people that I don't even know are dealing with the loss of a child. Loss is part of Life. And I need to remember this, and remind myself of this. Even though it will be hard when it happens, I will get through it as all of the others have. One day at a time. I will spend as much time with her as I can. I will have heart to heart talks with her. I will laugh with her and try not to cry in front of her. I will try to get a lifetimes worth of advice from her. I will do whatever she needs me to do to make her comfortable during the long 16 weeks of Chemo. And I will pray every moment that God will bless her and take away as much pain from her as possible. And I will thank God for all the wonderful years he has given me with her. And I will remember that I am not alone.

Waiting

2007-05-21T09:39:00.000-04:00

Waiting is so hard for me. Waiting for anything makes me feel out of control. Especially when it involves my family. My Moms Cancer is back. They found out that the bruising on her face(her cheek) is another tumor. They did another C Scan on Friday. This time of her whole body above her knees. They are worried it has spread. We find out tomorrow what the C Scan shows. I am going crazy waiting, yet I don't want to know the results either. I don't know how much more she can handle. And the thought of losing her frightens me. I am trying to use my Clay as therapy today. And to think about all the wonderful things in my life. And try to stay positive. And Pray.
For Her. For strength. For a miracle.

Contest Ideas?

2007-05-19T16:30:00.000-04:00

Hi!
I am about to kick of some contests for my website! I want your ideas! Post them here or send your thoughts to my e-mail. marla@marlasmud.com Thanks in Advance! :-)