How Examiner.com is Helping Me Work from Home

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about how you can earn money for your writing and work from home.  For me, this is a major deal because, as those who follow this blog know, I am due in July with my first child, and I am really trying to figure out how to be able to stay home with him, even if it means working during his naps and when he (hopefully) sleeps.

Shortly after writing that post, I left for a trip to Spain and Ireland.  When I returned, I set about the task of really making the most from my Examiner.com writing role.  The first thing I did was take advantage of the resources that the website has available to help me improve my writing and tailor it to their standards.  I discovered that certain types of articles and media include incentive pay, so I decided to make sure that I completed as many of those article types as the site allows each week in order to get that pay.

Next, I studied what the site defines as newsworthy content.  For writers who consistently produce newsworthy content, the site will sometimes promote your content and eventually submit it to news partners. In the past week, I worked hard to find content that was both on topic and newsworthy.  This included such articles as "Couple weds after 21-year engagement", "Bakery refuses to supply wedding cake for same-sex couple", "Former Facebook president's $10 million wedding raises red flags", and a personal favorite, "Wedding invitation blown up after police suspect it is explosive device".  I am now eligible to have my articles promoted in the news section of the site, and with continued diligence, I can work towards even more exposure.

My earnings have continued to increase even just over the last week.  I still have a long way to go, but the more I learn through the information provided by Examiner.com, the more I can focus my writing to maximize my full earning potential.  I requested an additional title this week, and it is my hope that in a few months, I will be able to earn a significant income from my writing there, as well as here.

As I said in my previous post, Examiner pays a $50 referral fee for writers who apply through my referral link and are accepted.  THERE IS NO COST TO JOIN.  If you are interested in joining Examiner.com as a writer, please use my link to do so and then email me once your application has been submitted.  If you are approved, I will share $10 from the one-time referral fee with you once it is paid to me.

Earn Money for Your Writing and Work from Home!

If you like to write like I do, the idea of finding a paid writing job sounds ideal, but unfortunately, the competition for such positions is fierce.  That is why I love Examiner.com!  Examiner.com is a website that brings together the work of many different local writers from all across the country and helps to promote it.

Because the website management promotes the site and site content, writers get much better earnings on their writing than they do when starting out with a blog.  Earnings can vary depending on a variety of factors, but I am currently earning about 1/2 a cent per pageview, which is significantly more than what I earn writing for Spare Time Super Mom.  I also earn incentive pay for certain types of content.  For example, you can currently earn $2.00 per list article that you create.  An example of a list article is shown here.  You can do 3 per week, so as long as you get the lists done, you earn a base of $6.00 per week.  Each view of the items in the list then count as a pageview, so the earnings can stack up pretty quickly on these.

Since I am trying to find a way to make some extra cash from home so I can spend more time with my son when he arrives, I am trying to focus more on Examiner.com as a job rather than a hobby (although it is definitely both!), and I have really seen my pageviews and earnings increase as a result, even after just a few days.  My topic is Herndon Wedding Planning, and I am committing myself to writing at least one article every two days from this point forward, at least when I am at home.  (I do leave for Spain and Ireland in a few days, so I may not be able to keep up while I am away, but when I get back, I plan to be all over it!)  I would like to eventually get to two articles per day, and I have some plans up my sleeve to help me get there.

There are a ton of topics to choose from, so whatever your hobbies, interests, or areas of expertise, I am sure there is something for you.  Go ahead and browse the site for available topics, but make sure to come back here before you sign up because Examiner.com pays $50.00 per referral.  If you sign up through my referral link and get approved, I WILL SHARE $10.00 OF THE REFERRAL FEE WITH YOU!

Examiner.com also provides access to a ton of photos that are free to use for your articles on their website, as well as the comprehensive Examiner University, where writers can learn about all kinds of topics to improve their writing and their earning potential.  They have a vested financial interest in seeing their writers do well because the more you earn, the more they earn.  Their support for their writers is awesome!

It is really easy and, of course, FREE to sign up, and they usually process your application within about a week or two.  If you do submit an application, please email me at sparetimesupermom@gmail.com with your name and topic choice so I can watch for your application to get approved.  Happy writing and happy earning!

Back to Work, For Real

Last week, I got a phone call inviting me to do some work as a contract attorney again, something I have been doing on and off for the last year and a half.  Just a few hours later, I got another call saying that the project wasn't starting as soon as they expected, so I would just have to wait and see when it would start.  I was at first elated to be going back to work, then crushed when I realized that payday had just been put off once again.

However, last night I got a call about another project, one which will last only two days, but which starts this afternoon.  Hurrah!  I am so glad to be back in the game, even though, at this rate, it will take awhile to save enough to start my new business.  The best part is that being a part of this two-day project won't interfere with my ability to be on the other, longer project, so I lose nothing by taking on the short one.

Spoke too Soon

Earlier today, I joyfully reported that I was FINALLY going to be back to work next week on Monday or Tuesday as a contract attorney.  Just a few hours later, I got a phone call saying that the project on which I was supposed to be assisting is being "reevaluated" and may not start next week, after all.  So, I guess I am back in the unemployment line again.

The good news is that while I am free to take on other projects that come up beforehand, I am guaranteed a spot on that project if I want it when it starts, which is a slightly better position than I was in at the beginning of the day.  And it will give me time to get working on this week's cloth diaper giveaways list since the weekend is going to be a busy one!

Back to Work...Finally!

I just got a phone call today from the employer with whom I do some work as a contract attorney.  I have been off for almost a month, which is the longest I have ever been off without getting a project from them, and I have been getting very antsy, especially because I am dying to get started on my new business, which I plan to launch in May.

My husband and I went over my business plan together, and he helped me figure out how to eliminate most of my upfront costs so I can get started without investing a ton of money.  I will be starting back to work on either Monday or Tuesday, which means that I should be able to get started on my business in about a month, maybe two, depending on whether there is any overtime with this project.  I am so excited!

Earn Rewards and Money with Swagbucks

I recently joined Swagbucks.com after hearing about it several times from other people.  I have been looking for work for quite some time, and I have spent a lot of my time at home, trying to find ways to make a little money while I am looking.  Swagbucks is one such avenue that I have explored.  If you are like me, you probably have heard about Swagbucks once or twice, but you're not sure what it is.  I put together a little information based on what I have learned and experienced thus far.  I hope this helps!  If you do decide to join, please join by clicking here, which will give me credit for you as a referral.  Thank you!

What is Swagbucks?

Swagbucks is an online service that rewards members for performing various tasks, such as searching, shopping, surveys, polls, and more.  There are virtually no limits on the ways to earn.  Users can even earn Swagbucks by watching videos and playing games.  There are also a ton of offers to sign up for, such as memberships with various vendors or app downloads.

What are Swagbucks rewards?

Members receive rewards points, appropriately termed Swagbucks, in exchange for performing different tasks.  These points can then be redeemed for a variety of different rewards, including sweepstakes entries, merchandise, charitable donations, and gift cards.

Can I really earn money through Swagbucks?

Yes, you can earn cash through Swagbucks.  Swagbucks can be redeemed for Paypal cash, which can then be transferred to your bank account.  The current rate of redemption is 1 Swagbuck = 1 Cent.  You can redeem for as little as $25.00 or 2,500 Swagbucks.

How much can I earn through Swagbucks?

On my first day, I earned about 800 Swagbucks, which comes out to $8.00 if I redeem for most gift cards or Paypal.  That was a high earning day for me, however, because it included a purchase that accounted for 500 Swagbucks.  It was a purchase I was going to make anyway, though, so it made sense to check Swagbucks first.

When you make a purchase through Swagbucks, you can earn Swagbucks, which is essentially like cash back, for your purchases.  It is good to get in the habit of checking Swagbucks for offers and participating vendors before you buy, especially if you are already planning to buy something.  Offers are available through major retailers, including Target and Amazon.

What are Swag codes?

Swag codes are codes that provide additional Swagbucks to your account.  You can find them in various places, including on the Swagbucks social media pages and blog.  I recommend downloading the toolbar, so you can easily enter Swagbucks when you find them.  (I also recommend downloading the toolbar to help you get in the habit of using it for your searches, which can score you some Swagbucks, too.)

What are the best ways to earn Swagbucks?

The fastest ways to earn are by completing tasks and surveys, shopping, or signing up for special offers.  The tasks and surveys are free, as are some of the special offers.  These types of earning methods offer the most rewards, but they are also the most time-consuming and/or expensive.  The shopping should, of course, only be used when you are going to buy something anyway.  Also, watch out for shopping offers that offer great Swagbucks rewards such as 30 points per dollar.  Often, the markup on the products is so high that it would be cheaper, even after the rewards, to just purchase it somewhere (anywhere) else.

Conclusion

I think joining Swagbucks is definitely worth your time and energy.  If nothing else, just using it for searches and shopping can net you some decent savings.  If you have more time to devote to it, you can also earn through a variety of other sources.

Unlike similar websites, Swagbucks does not fill up your email with tons of stuff you don't want.  Like I said before, if you do want to give it a try, please do so by clicking the link above so that I can get credit for referring you.  Thanks for reading, and let me know what your experience is like!

Following a Dream

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was working on a business plan for a business that I could run entirely out of my home.  I finished it up a few days ago and presented it to my husband.  He helped me work through some of the numbers and think about how I could get started without a huge investment in inventory.  After working through some details together, we figured out how I can get started with a very small initial investment.

So, the first step is to form an LLC, or Limited Liability Company.  As an attorney, I am usually of the opinion that it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer about almost every legal thing you do.  But when it comes to forming an LLC in Virginia, don't bother.  You might want to get someone to help you when it comes to your legal requirements and fees, but forming an LLC is as easy as filling out one page of paper, signing it, and mailing it to the State Corporation Commission, along with a check for $100.

I filled out the paperwork to form an LLC yesterday, and I plan to mail it on Monday.  I expect it will take a week or two for them to process it, but soon I will have a registered LLC in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The next step will be filing for an EIN with the IRS, which I should be able to do online.  Again, a pretty easy step.

After that is complete, I will be able to do other things, such as starting a bank account, adding inventory, and building my online presence.  I hope to be able to launch the new business by the end of May.  More information will be coming in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

Glimmer of Hope

It's been a rough week.  A really rough week.  I still have not fully recovered from my very first pregnancy blues meltdown, and on top of that, I have hardly been sleeping.  I have tried taking an over-the-counter sleep aid recommended by my doctor, but still, I can't seem to fall asleep for more than an hour at a time.  All of this, and some tidbits in my personal life, have really added up to put me in an emotional slump.

I know this is normal, but what makes it even harder is that I am really good at being happy.  Whatever happens, I just grin and bear it.  It makes me angry to think of wasting my time being sad, and I always FIGHT to be happy, no matter what life throws at me.  But this week, I have dissolved into tears several times a day, and I can barely speak to anyone without wanting to cry about something.

As usual, God knows when I need a little pick-me-up.  A few weeks ago, I wrote about the power of proclamation and my use of proclamation in my job hunting.  I must admit that I have not followed it as closely as I should have in the last week, but God is merciful and knows that I am a little beside myself at the moment.  Today, I got another little glimmer of hope, this time about a job that would actually be much better in every way than the real estate attorney position for which I interviewed.

The job is with the federal government, which means the pay would be pretty good, and the benefits would be awesome.  This would be a dream job for me because I could make enough money to support myself and baby boy (coming in July) if my husband were not able to work.  Most importantly, I would have decent hours, which are not easy to come by as an attorney, and I would be able to spend more time with our son.

There is no guarantee of employment at this time.  All I have received are two emails, one which arrived yesterday and said that if I didn't hear from them within 24 hours, thanks but no thanks and one which arrived today and said that my application has been reviewed and determined to meet their qualifications, so it has been forwarded on for further review.  Of course, none of this even means I will have an interview, but it really helps me to keep the faith as I continue to wait.

More to come on this note, hopefully soon!

The Pregnant Interview: Part Two

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my interview for a real estate attorney position in a post entitled The Pregnant Interview: Part One.  At the time, I was full of hope and thought I had a really good shot at being hired.  That all crumbled slowly when Friday, the day they had told me they would have a decision, came and went.  Then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday dragged by without a word.  They had specifically told me they would let me know either way, so when I didn't hear anything, I finally called to try to get some information.  Although I left a message, no one responded.

Okay, I get it.  You don't want to hire me.  Is it because I'm pregnant?  Perhaps.  Or perhaps it's because I don't have experience.  Either way, it would have been nice to have a phone call or even an email.  Just something.

But on to the next thing.  In my frustration at still having no permanent work after being out of school for a year and a half, I have switched gears and am starting to focus my energies on starting a business of my own.  I have an idea what I want to do, and I have been working feverishly on a business plan that I can present to my husband.

The best part about my business is that it could be done entirely from home.  It would mean being able to do what I really want to do - stay home with our children.  I know it will not be easy, but I think it is something that I can do and, moreover, that I would really enjoy.  I may have to work for a year or so to raise and save the startup capital.  (I could do it in much less time if I had been fortunate enough to not be accepted to law school and thus did not have huge monthly payments eating up most of my paycheck.)

We shall see how that works out, but I also have a few other prospects on the horizon.  I applied for several positions with the federal government, and I am waiting to hear back on a few of those.  I also applied for a job with a law firm that focuses on internet and technology issues, which includes things like intellectual property disputes, contracts, business, and more.  Although I did not get that job, or even an interview, the founding partner was kind enough to send out an email to everyone who applied and did not receive an interview.  It was a basic form letter that essentially said, "Thanks, but no thanks," but having applied for hundreds of positions and heard very little in response over the last 18 months, I was very grateful that someone took the time to respond to everyone.

So I wrote a short note back thanking him for letting me know and wishing him luck, thinking that would certainly be the end of it.  He responded to my email, however, with an invitation to contact him in a few weeks for a meeting.  He wants to see if there is anything he can do to help me find work, even if it's not with his firm.  Sweet!

We have a busy weekend ahead, with a trip to Pennsylvania planned, and then I have not one, but TWO doctor's appointments next week on two different days.  But it should be exciting to see what's in store.

A New Week and Back to the Hunt

Last week, I posted about my job interview for a position as a real estate attorney.  At the conclusion of the interview, I was told that they planned to make a decision by Friday, so I could expect to hear from them one way or the other by then.  So, of course, I rushed home, wrote out my "thank you" cards and delivered them to the post office for expedited mailing the following morning to ensure that they would arrive by Thursday.

Friday came and went, however, with not a word from my prospective employers.  Now, we are already halfway through Monday, and still I wait.  No phone call.  No email.  Surely, some word must come today, but the longer that I wait, the more I think that the most logical conclusion is that they have offered the job to someone else already.  Perhaps they have just forgotten or not had a moment to let me know, or perhaps they are waiting for their first choice to either accept or decline the offer.  Regardless, each passing minute sucks a little bit of the hope that this was FINALLY going to be the job that helps me break into the field right out of me.

Even so, I am strong in my faith that God is leading me to something great, even if it means starting the hunt for that opportunity all over again.  Jeremiah 29:11 says:  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  I have taken this to heart, and after listening to Derek Prince teach on the Power of Proclamation, I have put it to use in my own life.  Throughout my day, I proclaim out loud, "The Lord has plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future."

Wow!  What an amazing promise, that God has plans to give little old me hope and a future.  It may seem incredible, but I have seen the power of proclamation in my own life, and I continue to see it at work.  Please, if you are struggling in any are of life, look to the Bible for God's promises and declare them out loud, again and again, over your life.  Sometimes, it takes time.  God does not want us to just say it once and walk away.  He wants us to show a commitment to Him, a commitment to holding Him responsible for following through on His Word.  One thing I have learned is that God's promises are not empty.  They are real and meaningful, and if you unlock His power by proclaiming those promises in faith over your life, you WILL see results.

If you are struggling in one particular area and need help finding the right verses that contain God's promises, please email me at sparetimesupermom@gmail.com or leave a comment below.  I have several books that contain promises from the Bible, and I would love to help you find the right one to proclaim over your life.

The Pregnant Interview - Part One

Weeks of worrying about the first real interview for a full-time attorney position that I have had since graduating from law school came to a head this afternoon. At precisely 3 p.m., I jumped in the car and made the short 25-minute drive to Tyson's Corner. (For those of you who are wise enough not to live in a place like the greater D.C. Metro area, a 25-minute commute is like a fairy tale. My current commute is about three times as long.)

I have been both worried and excited about this day since I first got the invitation to come interview. Of course, any interview is bound to make a person nervous. That is just the nature of the beast. But for me, in my situation, it's even more terrifying because so much is riding on it.

First of all, I want my sister to move to Virginia and be our nanny, but if I don't have a job that pays enough, it doesn't make sense to have her do that. Since I am already almost five months pregnant, something needs to happen soon or we are going to run out of time and have to find another solution.

Second, the job market for lawyers is so tight right now, and I have very little experience. It is hard enough to compete in this market, but factor in that you are new to everything, and you are really at a major disadvantage.

Third, and most obvious, is my very conspicuous and now unmistakable baby bump. Just in the last few days, people have started to comment on it, which makes me realize that gone are the days of people thinking I'm just packing a little extra chunk.

At the end of the day, however, interviewing when pregnant really shouldn't make that big of a difference.  I mean, let's face it, any company that hires a woman in her child-bearing years is taking on the risk that she will be needing maternity leave at some point in the future.  Yes, it's a long time for an employee to be out, but at the same time, if the woman is good enough at what she does, a good employer will recognize that.

So, I went to my interview, which was conducted by a man and a woman, co-owners of the title company.  They were fantastic about everything.  They did not seem at all put off by the fact that I am pregnant, and I know they knew because I saw the woman look at my belly and because we discussed it later in the interview.  (They really shouldn't have mentioned it, but I'm okay with that...as long as I get the job!)  But it really didn't seem to be a big deal, and towards the end of the interview, the man interviewing me told me that they were very impressed with me and with my attitude.

It remains to be seen, of course, whether they actually offer me the job.  They did promise to let me know by Friday either way, so until then, I am planning to enjoy my week off in anticipation that I will soon be working full-time at a non-temp job.  Tune in on Friday for "The Pregnant Interview - Part Two," when I will reveal the outcome!

Professional Maternity Clothes that Won't Break the Bank

This past weekend, I headed to the outlet center in nearby Leesburg to try to locate appropriate interview maternity clothes. I am interviewing for an attorney position next week, so my attire must be very professional.

I dug through rack after rack at the Motherhood Maternity outlet, searching for a nice blazer or suit, but all I found was a nice pair of pants. None of the tops were formal enough, so I headed home with my pants and jumped online.

Well, it turns out that Motherhood Maternity does sell some very nice blazers. Unfortunately, the cheapest I could find was ON SALE for $100. I don't even pay that much for clothes I can wear during the majority of my life when I'm not pregnant.

So I kept up the search, and the more I looked, the more I realized that if a woman wants to maintain her professional experience throughout her pregnancy, she has to really be ready to shell out some serious cash. I suppose if you are a pregnant professional, this might not be too much of a hardship. But when you're still pursuing the opportunity to be one, like me at this point, that is a ridiculous amount of money to spend. What's worse is that other sites were selling blazers for 2-3 times as much. Who would buy that? But I guess people do.

Anyway, I was not about to admit defeat. I kept scouring the Web, and I found a few stores and/or websites where you can purchase professional maternity clothes for a reasonable price.  Also, I found that sometimes the best way to complete the outfit is to go for a nice shirt or blouse and just top it off with a basic, non-maternity blazer.  I am 4 months along, and I plan to wear one of my pre-prego blazers - unbuttoned, of course - over a nice red top.  If you are further along, you might need to buy a size or two bigger, but you don't necessarily have to purchase a maternity blazer.  Selecting a jacket with higher buttons allows you the option of just buttoning one and leaving the rest open.  Or, just leave them all unbuttoned.

There are a lot more options for affordable maternity shirts, including Kohl's, Gap, and even Motherhood Maternity.

There were only two stores where I found nice blazers for under the $50 price point: Target and Matriarch Maternity.  Although they do not offer a ton of options, they do have the basic black that you can pair with pretty much anything.  If none of these work for you, my advice is to stock up on the cheaper, professional tops and pants and move out of the maternity department for your jackets.  Kohl's, JCPenney, and a lot of other stores have great suit separates for a fraction of what the maternity stores charge.

Pregnant Shopping Day Ups and Downs

I ventured out in search of an interview outfit today.  I have a job interview coming up in less than two weeks, the first legitimate interview I have had since graduating from law school a year and  a half ago.  I am wondering how to approach the pregnancy issue with them.  I am far enough along, and big enough, that they should notice, and I don't plan to go to any great lengths to hide my belly because that feels dishonest.

I know that employers are not permitted to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, but as a lawyer, I also know that there is a huge difference between what the law prohibits and what you can prove actually happened.  Much like certain types of racial discrimination, it is nearly impossible to prove what someone's motives were in a pregnancy discrimination situation.  How can anyone say definitively what was going on in someone else's head?

My search for clothes is only half over.  I did find some super-cute pants that fit me really nicely at the Motherhood Maternity outlet.  They were about half what I would expect to pay in a regular store, and they are petites, which means that unlike most of my pants, I can just wear them without pinning or hemming...or tripping.  The search continues for a top, but I am hoping Target will have what I need.  That is a search for another day.  I do have some nice blazers that I could wear with the pants, but buttoning them is just not an option anymore.

After my clothing strikeout, however, I had time to do some more fun things.  I went to Michael's and picked out two skeins of yarn.  I bought yarn for making baby wipes, which I have never done before but plan to try.  I picked Lion Brand Baby's First yarn in Beanstalk for my first batch of wipes.  The yarn is super-soft, thick, and absorbent, and of course machine-washable and dryable.  If they turn out well, I plan to buy more colors, just to keep it interesting.  

I also bought a skein of yarn for making burp cloths.  For the burp cloths, I plan to use Bernat Baby Blanket yarn.  I bought one skein of white, and I plan to buy one or two more in other colors once we know whether we are having a little boy or a little girl.  (20 days!)  The yarn is also very soft, perfect for wiping little mouths and chins, and it is thick enough to make a very absorbent cloth.  It also has the ultimate necessary feature of being machine washable and dryable.

Finally, I picked up four Snappis from another Craigslist user.  (In case you haven't read my other blog posts, I am a big fan of shopping via Craigslist.)  The Snappis, though used, are in perfect condition, and they only set me back $3.00.  All in all, it turned out to be a great shopping day.

Incidentally, my husband thinks I am a little nuts because I have decided to try cloth diapering and resusable wipes.  He is always supportive of saving money, but he also would not mind spending the extra dough for disposable diapers and wipes.  I keep telling him that I want a Ford Flex after the baby comes, and this is just one more way of saving towards a more family-friendly vehicle.  (We have two dogs, both of whom accompany us on most of our trips, so we are going to need to find some way to split up the dogs and the baby anyway.)  

I am so excited to prove him and the other naysayers wrong!  I am practicing now on stuffed animals to get my technique down, and I am working on a laundry system to make sure that I have enough time to do diapers without letting it get ahead of me.  By the end of the first couple months, I think I may even have some converts to the cloth diapering way of life!

And the hunt is on!

I graduated from law school in 2011, and I have spent the last year and a half searching for a job. Most of the time, I have not heard anything from the places I have applied. I have managed to make a little money by working as a contract attorney. I don't mind the work as much as others, but the pay is terrible. So my search continues.

Now that we are about to add a member to the family, I have become even more desperate to find a job. I wish very much that I could stay home with the baby, and it breaks my heart that I can't, but it just isn't feasible. What I need to do is ensure that if something were to happen to Jesse, I would be able to provide for our child.

So, I have been applying for even more jobs than before, and I have expanded my search to include non-legal jobs.

Yesterday, I finally got a response from my application for a real estate attorney position. I applied for three different real estate attorney positions via Craigslist, so I am not sure which one it is, but I am so excited to finally at least have an interview!

I am a Christian woman, and I recently was reminded of Derek Prince's teaching on the Power of Proclamation. To try to summarize his message would be a disservice, but the basic tenet of that teaching series is that we, as Christians, have the power to activate the promises of the Bible by proclaiming them. So after more than a year of not getting so much as an email in response to my applications, I started proclaiming the promise of Jeremiah 29:11. I put it into my own words and said, over and over, "The Lord has plans to prosper me."

Jesse thinks I am crazy, but I kept going with it, and a week after starting to proclaim this promise, I have an interview.

The next step, of course, is getting then to actually hire me. And that should be no problem with my swollen belly, I'm sure. Who wouldn't want to hire someone who is going to work a few months and then take a 3 month vacation. I am an employer's dream.

Honestly, I sympathize with employers who don't want to hire pregnant women or those who plan to be pregnant soon. Three months is a long time to have to pick up the slack for another employee, and from a business perspective, it just seems unfair. Of course, these are sympathies that I plan to keep to myself during the interview process.

Ideally, I would love to get called for one of the federal jobs for which I applied. Great hours, great benefits, and reasonable compensation. Plus, they take so long to hire someone and conduct their background checks that I could probably delay starting until after my maternity leave time was over. That would mean I wouldn't have to keep working until my water breaks.

For now, I plan to keep the faith that has brought me this far and keep on proclaiming that "The Lord had plans to prosper me!"