1. I haven’t been actually blogging GiST posts as much as I want to. Life happens. But let me just give you one observation that I’ve made. I’ve noticed that every day I look for Grace in Small Things. The motivation started just because I wanted something interesting in my GiST lists instead of same ol’ same ol’ stuff. But then I noticed that I am actively looking for small blessings as I go through my day. Life gets better when you’re cruising through and seeking for something to be grateful.
2. This new job. It’s lots of hours and it’s overnights– boo. But I can get my online stuff done– answering email, dropping Entrecards, writing posts, reading blogs and commenting, while it’s quiet here and I don’t feel guilty about it like I did when I was doing it at home. YAY! Also, as corny as it sounds, it’s more than just a job. I feel like I’m making a difference in someone’s life at the time they need it most.
3. I got my first check from the shelter and I feel useful again.
4. After a couple days of fitful, restless daytime sleep, Hunky got me a sleep mask. What an amazing difference it makes! Last week after I came through 8 straight overnights, most of them 12 hour shifts, I exhausted myself enough to hibernate. I slept for 12 hours straight! When I woke up, I felt like what I imagine a mama bear coming out of a cave for the first time in the spring would feel like.
5. My iPhone died, Hunky took it to the at&t store, and it was the last day we would have been able to trade it in for a new one on the spot. If we had come in the next day, we would have had to mess with sending it back to Apple and Apple sending us a new one, leaving me without a phone for a few days. YAY!

1. I’m up for Blogtation of the Year Award! I didn’t even realize mine was a Blogtation of the Month! Well, you better go vote… or at least go over there and just read the quotes, because of course they’re all excellent. I’m going to vote for Jenny, because I did actually LMAO when I read that quote in the original post.  P.S. If you vote for me, all of your wildest dreams will come true.*
2. Showering with a friend.
3. Gettin’ PAID for something that’s fun to do.
4. Kind compliments. I just realized that was dumb. Kind compliments as opposed to the mean compliments?!
5. Another Etsy sale!

Wage a Battle Against Embitterment With Schmutzie’s 365 Days of Grace in Small Things

*That was a Napoleon Dynamite reference just then. 

1. Flexing my design muscles.
2. A happy client.
3. Hunky and I cleaning house together this morning. I’m finally feeling… Dory 1, House zip.
4. Trying and trying and then getting that sweet shot; you feel the shutter click and think, yesssss, that’s the one.
5. Sun on a napping baby’s face.

Wage a Battle Against Embitterment With Schmutzie’s 365 Days of Grace in Small Things

P.S. Thanks for sticking with me as I try to figure out how to juggle housework, freelancing, projects, and blogging. Well, that, and keeping Teh Crazie at bay. Have I mentioned lately how much I hate winter? No? Because I do. I hate winter with every chilled bone in my body.

1. Holding a brand new baby, less than 12 hours old. 
2. Healthy mommy, too. There was an emergency C-section and I was really worried for a while.
3. A sale in my Etsy store! 
4. Higher temperatures I can handle a little better than the below zero crap we had last week. Like, a balmy 20 degrees! It’s a freekin’ heat wave!
5. I had been praying for a sign that I was on the right track, work-wise; actively pursuing freelance projects and trying to sell my photography. 

I don’t think I’ve ever gotten an answer this clear before.

Look what came in the mail…

Addressed AND return addressed to me, postmarked from California. That’s all the clue I got. Whoever it was, you’re an angel used by God, and I’m infinitely more thankful for the answer than the cash, but DUH the cash helps! I haven’t decided yet how I’m going to spend it, but it will be something for work, of course.

So that, my friends, is how God makes sure you hear your answer.

1. Perhaps you may have noticed my absence last week. The temp agency called with some work for me (YAY!) and then the snow rolled in and school was canceled (BOO!) so the company allowed me to work from home (BIG YAY!) for three days, which to say I enjoyed that would be a huge understatement. I was also doing work for the radio station, so it was really nice to feel useful again. The temp project was only for a few days, and so I took my time sheet to the office today to get it signed and faxed so I can get paid. I chatted with the project manager, and she said they really enjoyed working with me and were hoping that particular client used them again soon so they could use me again soon!
2. Something that’s come along with this work is a little boost in my confidence. I really feel that the gig with the radio station is the start of something big, and I feel a cautious hope quietly peeking around the corner. I’m almost afraid to hope.
3. Tonight Hunky turned on PBS and there was a show on about polar bears. Listening to him anthropomorphise the animals, and the resulting belly-laughing from the boys, was a joy.
4. I set an old fashion dial kitchen timer on my computer desk for one hour, and when it went off, I closed Google Reader even though it still had (139!) unread. Then I worked on a banner for the station. Too many times I’ve found myself in my jammies after noon with nothing accomplished; or been so tired of sitting in front of the computer reading, I didn’t have the energy to write! I have lots more work with the radio station to complete, I owe Lotus a couple articles, I want to stay on top of the laundry, and twelven bitwoityzillion other things to accomplish, and this was one thing I could do to take control of the situation. P.S. My Linky Love page is auto-updated when my Google Reader is updated, so if you’re on the page, you’re in my reader. If you’re not there, you’re probably bookmarked or just not assigned a folder yet.
5. Usually January is a bad, bad month for The Crazy. February is usually the worst. PMS week in February is most scary. But I’m doing ok. I blame you for this unsuckage. Thank you, mah people. Suck it, The Crazy. Kiss my ass.

Wage a Battle Against Embitterment With Schmutzie’s 365 Days of Grace in Small Things