and silly me...did I say my last day at the contract job was today??? They want me for two more weeks. They just forgot to mention that to me until today. Another client wants to have me come in onsite pretty regularly starting next week too. I am trying to work things out between the two. And how am I uspposed to get my commissions done AND get my book done? Um, I'm thinking sleep might not be something I have a lot of int he next seven weeks. Wish me luck. Thought of the beach will keep me going. I'll be at the beach house in two weeks and in Key West for a week in July. That should help keep me going.

Well, I've done it now. The contract for the book is being finalized and in 7 short weeks I need to finish production of it. The publisher wants it, like yesterday. That's a whole LOT of paintings in seven weeks. Plus, ya know, work to pay the bills. I know I am good with deadlines, and I tell all my clients to give me a deadling, cause if you tell me, whenever, i am in no hurry, guess when i get to YOUR project? After all the people that said, I NEED IT NOW that's when! So *eep!* time to get to work! I have to write a bio and begin the text and start paintings this weekend. I am scared to death, but excited too. My contract job ends tomorrow so I should theoretically have plenty of time. I am going back into my studio next week, and moving from my pink studio into the yellow studio this weekend. We finally found a fourth artist that is a perfect compliment to us other three. She is a soap artist and makes the most incredible smelling soap with the most charming packaging EVER. But my current studio is attached to the kitchen and has a side door for ventilation if need be, plus the yellow studio gets more light which is better for painting for me, so moving studios.

I think the next seven weeks are going to be insane, but I am up for the challenge! I am going to THE BEACH with my whole family the last week of May so I may take some work with me, but then i can imaging THIS HOUSE IS MINE and I am ya know, living my future when I create all my art at my beach house then FedEX all my work to my client. And check out the jacuzzi off the tp of the deck where I will be sipping my margaritas each night...awwww yeeeeah.... You must be able to visualize it first, right? I mean, whay CAN'T i be the Mary Englebreit of the canine world???

Ok, I need to go update a website before I go get my daughter from school.

Hello there all. I simply must tell everyone I know about this amazing jewelry artist in Hawaii I have found. I saw her work on an artist list serve that I subscribe to. I saw her work and fell in love. Then i saw this necklace and know she is a kindred spirit. If I could make jewlery, this is exactly what I would make. I bought it on the spot and cannot wait until it arrives. It is my Mother's Day present to me! Go visit her shop and if something speaks to you, you better get it, I have a feeling she will sell out quickly and each piece is one of a kind. She also does custom orders. I was going to have her make a "Live, Love, Laugh" one for me, but I saw "The Sea Beckons Me" and it was a done deal. Read her description of the Hazlenut Cottage too, it is like she sees what is in my head...simply beautiful.