Alot has happened since my last journal entry.

The biggest of which was that on June 1st... my monther-in-law passed away sudenly. But thankfully, we were able to get a flight into London where we could visit her a few days before she left us. This was truly the most emotionally draining experience of my life. I've never lost someone I was this close to.... and was feeling closer to every time we visited. I only wish I could have known her longer, heard more of her stories... she was a child evacuee from London during the WWII bombings.. sent away to live with a strange family far from her own. Oh how I wish I'd asked her more... about herself.. and her seemingly fascinating life as a true born and bred Londoner.

But all I can do now, is light a candle every Sunday morning, at precisely the same time she called every week.. and have my own silent conversation with her. I miss her very much... I wouldn't have considered us incredibly close... but I was starting to feel quite an attachment to her.. I looked forward to her calls every weekend... and would make a mental note of all the things I wanted my husband to tell her about that we'd done since she last called... I would do my groceries early just to make sure I would be home in time for her phone call.

Outside of that.... work has been consuming me. I've basically become essentially THE art director for Orlando Home and Leisure as well as CEO Magazine. It is fun work.... I truly enjoy it and the people I work with there.... the only negative is that it can be up to a 2 hours drive, one way.

I have been playing EVE in my spare time.... not quite as often as I would like.... by the time I get home from work on the nights I am at work... turnin the PC on is the last thing on my mind!

Also keeping my eyes out for more *missmonster work. Just love her to pieces.

OH! And I also finally got my mini. Chili Pepper Red.... white roof, white top... I've named him SGT Pepper and have purchased a euro-plate stating this to put on the front. Cute little thing! I'll post pice eventually!

Well, its Monday for me anyways. Back at the magazine grind.

Theyre wanting to bring me on a part time basis, I'm not quite sure how I feel yet about driving out here more often.... but maybe it can be leverage for a new car! >

So I quit my job just over 2 months back. And I find myself wondering why I didn't make this decision sooner. People said how difficult the first year would be... but I think the fact that I've always kept in touch with pretty much everyone I've worked with in the past, and kept good friendships there.. have really payed off for me. As my husband put it the other night... I literally quit, and gave myself a 100% raise.

I've landed a very nice (but VERY busy) gig as art director for a couple of magazines.... as well as a handful of other small clients who have been giving me enough work to keep me busy in between magazines.

I really enjoy the magazine business... it is hectic... but I am learning LOADS.

But all in all I am only working for them about 6 days out of the month, and in those 6 days... making more than I was in a MONTH at my old full time job. Leaving the rest of the month to other clients smaller jobs... and dedicating myself to ART.

So I've been dabbling in digital art. Bought myself (finally) a wacom tablet... which came with painter essentials (that I LOVE)... and am really enjoying it... if only I didn't have some form of ADD and could actually finish something!

I have also officially become obsessed with *missmonster. I don't think any other artists work has inspired me... or just.... I dunno... wowed me like hers has. For the first time in my life, I am driven to collect another artists works. If you've never seen her work... I highly suggest you do so now!

Anyways... thanks to =bewarecalamity for the excellent journal CSS... I think I've finally worked it out to fit me.