Fiesta Ware and I go way, WAY back.
My colorful dishes date long before I became “Lesli DeVito” and acquired the honor of being Tate, Phoebe and Cooper’s Mom. I have used my Fiesta Ware dishes for 25 years.
They are indestructible.
TWENTY FIVE years ago…I was living in New York City…trying very hard to be an Actress but spending most of my days…and nights….waiting tables and catering. In the blink of an epiphany I returned to school and began my studies to Become a Nurse Practitioner. I had not taken a test in years and a science class in longer.
Our first test was in a class called Patho physiology. Patho means “ “suffering,” “disease,”“feeling,” and combined with Physiology which is a study of the living body …Pathophysiology is the study of when things go wrong with the body.
Our first test was impossibly hard. I studied for hours …. longer than I had studied for any test in my life…I was paying for college this time and I was not going to waste one cent. I made note cards and recorded myself explaining things to myself…in an attempt to optimize my studies. I sat on the front row to insure that I would catch every word of the professors lectures…WHICH often sounded like Russian to me…and I wrote down every SINGLE thing he said.
The test was hard…but I felt prepared. I knew that I had not Aced it, but I was confident that my hard work had paid off…I was actually excited as the Professor began distributing the grade tests. He lay our graded tests face down on our desks for us to flip over. I slowly turned mine over and my heart sank. 67. 67. I made a 67.
A fat tear hit my graded test and I was embarrassed at how upset a stupid grade had made me. I studied harder than I had for any other test in my life and I had failed. It was official. There was no way I would be albe to pull this “actress – turns – nurse” thing OFF…I was doomed.
I went home that day and as any adult child would do…I called my MOM. Through my sobs I told her how hard I had worked and that I had still failed. She listened and listened and then encouraged me and told me that it would get easier. “When I was in Nursing school, I had some stumbles too…It will get easier…and I am so proud of you for trying…”
I was still pretty sure I was stupid but my load had been lightened. And I went on with my life.
Three days later a HUGE box arrived. I had to get my then neighbor…now husband of almost 20 years… to help me carry the ten ton box up to my second floor apartment. I opened the box and there as a note from my Mom.
It read…”I was saving this for Christmas…but thought you could use some cheering up NOW. Enjoy..for all the years and meals to come.
I love you, Mom” .
My sweet sweet Mom had sent me 6 full place settings of FIESTA WARE….and that is how I got my dishes.
With LOTS AND LOTS of tenacity and hard work I was able to pull off a “C” in Pathophysiology.
Over the years colors and kids have been added… and I have made the leap from Nursing to Mom to Artist…and all along the way..my colorful dishes have served me well. Get it????
Served me!
Go HERE to buy you very own FIESTA WARE!
Corn Ball – I love you!! (And your Mom and your Fiesta Ware, too!)
Thanks Gay! I heart you!
I’m either over tired or its the mom in me thinking of my daughter going through this, but this made me teary.
Good story : ) Love the pics.
Thanks dkburr!!!! xo
Lesli – you should share one of your photos with Country Living, as they have recently done a Fiestaware story line and now having readers share their photos on Instagram by tagging with #MyFiestaWare. Sure they’d love to see your collection!
Thank you Shari, I went right over and posted some pics! xo
What a great story. What’s also amazing is that you’re still using them. Such a great memory for past, present and future. p.s. Love your work.
Thank you Lyn….xo
I love my Fiesta Ware! I started collecting it after we got married because I loved the happy colors and it reminded me of my best friends Grandma (my Grandma was far away and she lived local). We made batches of cookies in her kitchen and it was filled with Fiesta ware and Pyrex and all the colorful things of the 40’s and 50’s. Thanks for sharing your story! karen….
One day I will do a post on my Pyrex ware…another favorite and such sweet memories xo
What a great story! I think this is my favorite post thus far! And I have been following your blog for quite awhile. Made my day 🙂
Thank you Jackie for making MY day!!!!!xo
As an academic advisor at a private college, I can relate very well to that story. I have had MANY a student in my office crying over a test, a class, a mean prof – you name it and I have seen it. Glad you worked through it – and I’m sure you have told your kids this story too. Pushing through the hard makes it worth while, doesn’t it? 🙂
Moms are pretty smart too. 🙂
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I’m 54 and married the love of my life 2 weeks ago. At our ages we had no intention of registering for wedding gifts but did so at the insistence of friends. We registered for every happy color of fiesta ware. I cannot begin to describe how thrilled we’ve been every time we open a box. The bright colors make me smile and set the perfect tone for our new life together. We look forward to enjoying them for many years as you have.
Carol I am so very happy for you…I will tell you a secret…you cannot kill Fiesta ware…it has survived US where far more expensive fancy dishes have chipped and broken. I am so excited for your new life!