God makes beauty from ashes

Hey, I have the cartoon movie "Bolt" on in the background - it's so cute. It's only 7:48pm but I'm already struggling to stay awake. I had a full day of work today (again, loved it!) and then Yoga class right after. I ache all over, but it's a good ache. It means I worked hard. Just a short blog today (Sue would be so proud of me) about how grateful I am to have Alun in my life. I got home from work and the front porch light was shining bright. Such a simple thing, really - but it meant the world to me. It meant that someone loves me and expected me home. Alun left the light on for me and it made finding my way home so much easier. It's just a light - but it said to me: "You are loved" "You are important to someone" And that made my day. I'm too tired to write anything else. Goodnight x

"Joyce" at work is the "EO" (executive officer) and I can tell her job means the world to her because I looked on her hand and there wasn't a wedding ring. It was a huge assumption to make "You're not married - so your job is everything to you" - but it wasn't a big leap to make because everything "Joyce" is - is her pride in working for the Minister. There's nothing wrong with that, but I struggled with all the bullying and intimidation she brought with her to the work situation. Her muttered, nasty comments about me and to me, the way she leaned over me when she constantly told me off at work - her hot breath on the back of my neck *shivers* and the way she always made me feel so unwelcome and unwanted. Joyce put me down a lot, made me feel worthless and stupid and every day I had to get up to go to work - was a day I dreaded. One day last week, Joyce took her bullying and threatening up a few notches and I couldn't take

When I'm depressed, friends I love tell me "count your blessings", "find 3 things you're thankful for", "what things are you happy about in your life?" And when I'm in the first few stages/levels of depression - I can do that. So today, here's what I'm thankful for: A home to come home to. I don't know - something about making a 'home' around me is something I always do. Ever since I was a little girl. I remember we would go camping and at even only 7 or 8 years old, I would make my tent 'home'. I'd bring pictures of my family and put them around my sleeping bag. I'd bring my favourite dolls/teddy bears and set them up right by where my pillows went. I'd arrange my sneakers neatly outside the front of 'my home' and take great pride in keeping my tent neat, tidy and 'welcoming'. I don't know why, but it was very important to me. It always has been. Even my desk at work is gettin