Who knew that my “99 Problems” post would turn out to be so problematic? This last week was the busiest my little ol’ blog has been in a long time. My seemingly harmless post (about music choices in the car) apparently sparked a firestorm. A reader, who I don’t know, left some pretty accusatory remarks about my decision to leave my husband.

Even though the comments were from a woman I don’t know, who doesn’t know me, it made me feel a little like Fozzie Bear when his audience would hurl tomatoes at him on stage. Her accusations simply weren’t true–they were just squishy, messy distractions.

I didn’t just “throw my family away.” But sometimes it takes a stranger telling you are a “failure” to make you even more resolute.

Like I mentioned in my comment to this certain reader, I am totally open to dissenting opinions–I truly believe that this blog SHOULD be a conversation. And that’s why I put myself out there. I just ask my readers to keep an open mind. What’s right for me and my girls might not be what’s right for you. And therein lies the beauty of it all–I get to call the shots in my own life.

Nobody knows what happened in my marriage except me and him. Divorce is a big freakin’ deal I am not taking lightly.

The amazing part of all of this was how quickly my friends (and readers, too) came to my defense. So many jumped right in to stick up for me including my Tri Delta sisters and former CSULB classmates, previous roommates and coworkers, fellow members of the BLOGfia, moms I know, Facebook friends, my boss–and even a few dudes.

I know I mention it often, but I really do have an AMAZING village of people holding me (and my girls) up right now. There has been, and will continue to be, an outpouring of support from those who know me best, and still love me IN SPITE of it. No matter what.

In every experience there’s an important lesson. The lesson here is that I can take a hit and keep going. And, regardless of the fact that she called my writing passion-less, I will continue to share my experiences here on this website.

So go ahead, hide behind a keyboard and pelt tomatoes at me. It’s going to take a lot more than some random woman (from an IP address in Santa Ana, of course, I looked) to get the best of me. Bring it.

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Winston Churchill once said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” Let’s just say that I am taking the ol’ bulldog’s advice to heart.

I have been very intentional about who I am surrounding myself with these days. In the midst of utter chaos, it’s amazing how quickly you learn who your real friends are. The ones that can hold you up, and more importantly, push you through hell when you are tempted to stop and just take a nap.

Lisa is one of those friends. She’s a pusher. We’ve been friends for over ten years, and she’s always had her “Team Pam” hat on. No matter how weary, wounded or angry I get, she won’t let me stop. She’s there to get me to where I need to be, even if it’s sitting on her teeny tiny shoulders.  And she has taught me to find the humor in all of this nonsense, and we laugh about it together. Sometimes until we cry. Or pee. Whichever happens first.

This weekend, I attended the uber-fab OC Blogger Ball. I was so excited to go and get a much-needed mom’s-night-out some of my favorite members of the blogfia. But I was a bundle of nerves just thinking about the impending questions. So, where is Mr. Momisa4LetterWord? Why the writing hiatus? What’s going on with you, Pam?

Wanna hear the amazing thing? Nobody asked about HIM. They wanted to talk about the campy wristlet corsage that Lisa gave me. You see, she was my date for the night. And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have spent the evening with.

Falling in love with her yet? Well, don’t. SHE’S TAKEN. But you can check her out here and here.