I just threw away the frozen pizza I cooked for dinner because it turned out to have expired. I just bought it two hours ago. It tasted like ass, which is how I discovered the expired date. And that, my friends, is the perfect metaphor for the past several days.

I have set a goal to blog every Friday. I spend the week accumulating various random stimuli and then try to organize it all into a blog. I also try to make my blogs fairly positive, even if I deal with controversial issues or stressful topics. So, this week’s blog, barely coming in by 11:59 pm Friday, may just be a tad less inspiring than usual.

Which I know is life. Sometimes, as hard as we try, that silver lining is hard to reach. From time to time, we all get beaten down by something or someone and really want to shoot a symbolic bird to the universe. The universe giveth and the universe taketh away.

The news this week is part of my sour mood. Holy mother of crap, the news has suuuuuuuuucked this week! Between Ebola and enterovirus no. something, to war and terrorists and beheadings, to violence towards women by men who should know better, to the freaking Secret Service acting like idiots…it’s enough to put me to bed for the week. However, I have children to raise, dogs to feed, groceries to buy, dinner to cook, blogs to write…so I get out of bed like the rest of you and hope for better days. Anyone else feel like wrapping your kids in a hazmat suit to go to school these days? Anyone else using hand sanitizer to the point that it doesn’t even probably work anymore? Sheesh. It feels like a matter of time til it gets around to my community. Meanwhile, life goes on.

I know, I said it wasn’t going to be lollipops and rainbows, ok?

Another part of my mood is the fact that an old friend of mine is having an affair with another old friend’s husband. You know that is brutal. Everyone knows, so it is what it is. But what I don’t understand is the selfishness of two adults who don’t seem to care about the collateral damage they have caused. By the time you reach your 40s, you should know that any impulsive action you commit will affect not only you, but your ex/spouse/children and even old friends. Granted, you don’t have to care. You can be a total selfish bastard/bastette and go about your disgusting business and simply. not. care. But what about the rest of us? The rest of us care. The rest of us are completely hurting and sad and pissed and grossed out. Every day I have to try hard to be an adult because half of the time I still feel like I’m 25, but come on, every single day I have children and a spouse I have to look in the eye and feel good about myself. I also like to sleep soundly at night. Interestingly, my ex-old friend told me she had problems sleeping. I now know why. Dude. Golden Rule. Use it. It’s pretty simple. That’s why they teach it in preschool. #peopleIwanttopunchinthethroat

In times like these, it helps to count one’s blessings. (See how I’m trying to find the lollipops!!!) I have other wonderful, fabulous friends. I have some old friends who have come together like junkyard dogs to protect and love on our amazing friend who has gone through this hell. I have local friends who make me laugh and who love my children and keep me entertained and connected. I have family who loves me and my little family and drives long distances just to watch my children participate in activities. I have two children who I would die for, and a husband who puts up with my crazy and called me “shmoopy” tonight on Facetime. He was joking, but still! I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food in my belly. Life goes on.

And I surprisingly, shockingly, incredibly have blog readers who read these ramblings and make me keep going. So, blog readers, thank you for being a blessing in my life. Especially during weeks where the lollipops and rainbows are hard to find.

Take care of yourselves and each other,

YDC

This guy says it way better:

http://www.upworthy.com/everything-wrong-with-the-world-in-25-minutes-sorry-if-this-offends-you?c=ufb1