Lemondrop

I got a letter from the IRS today. They're auditing me ... for 2007. Are you friggin' kidding me? I actually keep a pretty good record of all my receipts and deductions, but it's still freaking me out. I've never been audited before, and I know it's going to be a lot of work to get this stuff in order.

Did I mention that I also got a notice that I have jury duty in a couple weeks?

In the last nine months, my dog ran away, I broke my leg, my mom got cancer, I lost my job, my mom died of the cancer, someone egged my car, I got a horrible haircut that will take at least a year to grow out, and I just got a notice of audit and a summons to jury duty. I eat when I'm stressed, and I have gained a lot of weight.

So, uh, how do I stay positive?

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I would say the world is testing me, but I don't believe in that kind of stuff. Things happen. People die, people get bad haircuts, people gain weight, people break bones, dogs run away, cars crash, planes crash, sweaters unravel, dogs pee on carpets ... bad things happen all the time. I say: Bring it.

It's just life. My boyfriend said, "You're going to look back on this and say, 'Remember back in 2009 when all that bad stuff happened and the economy was in the crapper and the country was at war? Man, I'm glad that's over!'" Who knows? He's probably right.

When I got my letter from the IRS today, I took an Atavan and rented a rug doctor. The sh-t may be hitting the fan, but my carpets are sparkly clean.

Also, it may be corny, but I've been thinking about the Serenity Prayer a lot.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. I can't change any of this stuff. It's all out of my control. I can't stop cancer, the IRS or corporate layoffs.

The courage to change the things I can. I can focus on my health and fitness. Eating better and exercising. Continue to volunteer at the cancer center. Make sure my résumé is up to date and in order.

And the wisdom to know the difference. Sometimes just realizing that something is out of my control is enough to make me feel a lot better.

And if all else fails ... I've always got my knitting.

And now this week's unemployment update ...

To-do: Get my paperwork in order for my audit. Look nice for jury duty.