need to do an "I'm grateful" post

So, most of you know last week was a bit rough...

What I didn't tell you, is that our washing machine also went out, in the middle of doing the camping laundry.  I'm not normally great with laundry anyway (why is fabric so much more fun?), but it's bordering on OOC (out of control) at the moment.

Yesterday, I was intentionally focusing on bits of gratitude... and it was really flowing (I mean seriously -- I was grateful that I could throw away the heel of the bread because it meant we had enough to eat).

This morning, I got in the car to go pick up laundry from my mom, and the Check Engine Light was on... for the third time in six months.  The car is about 1 1/2 years old, with an awesome extended warranty -- that doesn't cover bunnies.

That's right -- I said bunnies.

(We no longer think they're cute)

You see, for reasons I will never understand (it was record breaking heat here yesterday), they like to climb in to the car and chew on the wires that go to the power steering and O2 sensor.  We have already spent $900 on bunnies this year (I actually had to cancel a fabric order after the last time we discovered their dirty work), and I'm feeling pretty sad about the $400 more, on top of the new washing machine (it was already a hand-me-down, and we didn't want to put $$$ in it).

So there you have it.

I need to be grateful again, like I was yesterday...

*deep breath*

I'm grateful for fun people like Krista, who rambles with me about doll quilt woes;
and Natalia, who gets excited for me and even snaps a pic with her cell phone when she sees someone who tried a design of mine;

and then emails me another copy of the tree-skirt her friend made.

(This one Tamara made is hanging in this quilt shop)

(and let's be real here -- I'm grateful there are people out there who like my ideas...not that they're mine 100%; I think everything out there in quilting is just recycled, right?) ;)

and Amy, who I'm hoping will win more than a Go! cutter;
and Kelly, who sends me pretty pieces of linen and cute scraps;
and Erika, who listens to me chat about the fears of mommydom, and even shares some of her own... and...

I'm grateful for pretty Dresden plates, and my new Dresden ruler that can make them even "chubbier" ;)

(For my Quilting Divas group)

I'm grateful that all the cups of clam chowder I ate while here aren't showing on the scale any more.

I'm grateful for my this little darling, who loves to snuggle his bears

and for ice cream on a stick, that can cheer him up when Mommy can't.

And I'm grateful that pickle is sleeping... so I'd better get back to sewing.

And lastly -- I'm grateful that even though we don't have the money for the car and washing machine, I'll be here when he wakes up.

Feel free to make your own grateful list, or add to them in the comments. ;)