I'm a Democrat living in rural MAGA country. Less than 50% of people here are vaccinated. We've been in a bubble here, it hasn't hit too bad. But now it's starting to. Last weekend a client at my job died of covid. He wasn't vaccinated. He was my age. His kids are about the same age as mine. And it took everything I had in me, to just sign my name to the card. I wanted to write that I hope you all will get vaccinated now. (His family) And that a FREE vaccination that would have maybe made him sick for a couple days would have given him the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle, meet any future grandkids and just BE THERE. And not be dead. But he's dead. And he basically suffocated TO DEATH all alone in a hospital bed surrounded by strangers. It's so senseless and tragic.

I could have written this. I'm going to a Divorce for Women informational seminar next month to see what my options are and how to start the process. The thing that really pisses me off is that my DH is the most helpful person ever when other people are here. He'll clear and wash dishes, clean the kitchen, cook, whatever. He won't do any of that normally. He knows he doesn't pull his weight. He only does it when people are here so he doesn't look like an asshole. He's got everyone fooled into thinking he's a model partner. He's not. And it makes me look like the bad guy if I ever say anything or complain.

Two years until my youngest kid graduates, and I file for divorce. DH is going to be shocked and devastated even though for the past 20 years I've told him how I'm sick of doing damn near everything. We've had the "You should have asked" discussion 100 times. I'm not going to have it 101 times. I'm just going to keep going through the motions until I can move on. He will beg and say he didn't know, he will do better. Nope. You've had 20 years to do better. And I've told you a million times, including during marriage counselling. Bullshit on the I didn't know thing. Unloading the dishwasher twice a month instead of once a month is not really trying or doing better. Already have it worked out how all the money and the house will be split. And I'm not even going to feel bad. If course, he's going to tell people that I blindsided him. And say things like, "Not unloading the dishwasher doesn't make me a bad person." Just two more years...

Respectfully, I disagree. I think we're more than willing to cut people off for even the most minor of inconveniences. We're even praised for doing so. But nobody wants to talk about the aftermath and consequences of cutting people out of your life. My mental health is no better than it was before, and my mom was abusive and did cause me to be suicidal. Everything she did to me affects my every day decisions even when I don't want it to. Obviously, everyone experiences things differently, but it's important to highlight the bad parts as well as the good.

I have had an all around horrendous day. Started a migraine in the middle of car line, 1st kid was late to pickup bc he was "talking", which caused us to be late for 2nd kid and late for 2nd kids doc appt. Then we had to grocery shop, H couldn't be bothered to help, and I get home and H has a WHOLE PERSON at the house. So I'm unloading all the shit, helping the kids, trying not to panic. My house is 1ksqft. I haven't been home all day, its a mess, I have a migraine, and they're expecting dinner. So i do that and now they're hanging out at fucking 9pm making a racket and drunk. But when I pitch a fit tomorrow, which I will be doing, I'm going to be the bad guy. I fucking hate how clueless and self absorbed he is when he's drunk. It's got to stop. I can't do it anymore.

The UK police are now telling women basically to resist arrest if they suspect an officer might be a sexual predator. Seriously. They are blaming a woman who was raped and murdered by a police officer because she didn't know better than to, I guess, not resist arrest? Because they can't weed out the so-called "bad apples" in their midst apparently, even if the officer in question was given the nickname "The Rapist" by colleagues because he was such a creep. What happened is disgusting, but it looks like we're getting the police brutality misogyny edition, and it is long, *long* overdue.

Today I had lunch with someone who was my best friend 20 years ago. Life happened, I moved away, etc. After six years of not seeing each other we decided to make time. She looks SO bad! She walks with a cane, can hardly move, has a myriad of medical problems, an ex-con son who lives with her and his puppy who has chewed through her furniture and clothes. We had an awesome 2 1/2 hours together and I walked away making a promise that I will not complain about sore knees or neuropathy again.

My 22yo DD just got back a few weeks ago from a cross-country road trip with her BF. On the trip, they got into a few major blow-out fights and she called me more than once crying. I think for them it was just all the nonstop togetherness and never having spent that much time together with no break. They're back, and they're absolutely fine. But this horrific story about the 22yo girl who was (presumably) murdered by her BF on a cross country road trip is affecting me pretty bad. It's just really freaking me out. Just knowing that things like that can and do happen. You can bet I'm hugging my girl more often lately.

DH and I have been spending the summer near my Dad. Every year, just before we head home, he gets a little ‘clingy.’ His cardiologist told us a week ago that his tests revealed blockages in his heart, but wouldn’t do surgery. Today he tells me he can barely walk because his legs hurt so bad, and he’s decided that it’s because of the 80% occlusion in his femoral artery. The doc said NOTHING about percentages or the femoral artery! Five years ago he wouldn’t admit he had any medical issues. Now he’s taking his BP 8 times a day and checking his pulse ox at least 10.

Recently started working for a remote call center. I needed a job bad so I took whatever I could get. Some of THE most unprofessional people I've ever worked with. Trash talk/gossip in the chat, bullying each other while on video... the worst part is we have to be on video for half the day for materials that I mostly already understand. It feels like a waste of time and I'd honestly rather be working. Being on video all day is absolutely stressful, worried about how you look to others, positioning yourself to sit a certain way. Oh man, I HATE HATE HATE it... I can't wait 'til I can find a new job.