I want to travel. I want to travel so badly. It seems like everyone and their mom went to Hawaii the past month and it made me so jealous. I don't really want to go to Hawaii, although I should go visit my sister. She lives there, on an old school bus.

No, I don't want to go Hawaii. I want to go to Paris. I know it's so corny and so touristy. I don't want to see the Eiffel Tower or even L'Arc de triumph. I want to go to the Louvre for four days. I want to walk down narrow streets. I want to see architecture. I want to eat croissants and drink coffee, wine and aperitifs. I want to use the 5 years of French that I paid good money for in college (that I'm still paying for). I just want to wander around an unknown city and get lost and feel small.

That's what I want.

I actually have enough money saved up for an adventure like this. But I'm scared. One thing you learn when you grow up without money is how to save it. The other thing you learn is that even a small emergency can leave you with nothing, so hold onto that money with a death grip.

I'm just going to keep holding on and stashing away and dreaming.

In other news I've been working on a new illustration and a commission. The commission piece is for a shop in New York located near Chautauqua Lake. I'm really happy with how this turned out and so is the shop owner.

Happy Blue Heron

Snuggle Pup

Sometimes this dog is completely ridiculous.
Originally uploaded by michele_maule

It's chilly this morning but I see some blue sky peeking out behind the trees so I'm hoping it will be somewhat warm today. My flower garden needs lots of sun and warmth today. It's been raining and chilly the last couple of days, so sunshine and warm weather is welcome.

I'm trying to get ready for my day. Today is a "day job day" and I honestly just want to go back to bed. I try really hard to look at my day job in a positive light, but today is challenging me. I feel like I have so much art related things to do and going to work is really the last thing I want to be doing.

However, art related things are not much of an income source for me right now. So, I am just going to have to put my game face on and push through the eight hours I'm there.

I'm happy I have this cute little dog waiting for me when I get home. I'll gather from that thought while I'm working today.

Workity, Work, Work

I spent the first part of my day in the studio and it was perfect.
I'm tempted to call in sick tomorrow so I can go back...

One day I will be able to paint full time again.
One day.