REally not as bad as it sounds. It was the first time I'd been out of the house since Wednesday, due to the weather, so a skid ball tournament didn't sound so bad... We got there late, so we had to sit in the middle, between the home and away teams. Not too bad; more space. When I stood back up to take off my coat, I did a quick look around. Since it was an afternoon game, I was pretty sure Loca Grande would be there. She was. I have not been on speaking terms with her for two weeks due to her part in Princess's most recent lies... Where does she get off trying to tell me how to parent? She's the one who lost custody...

I pointed her out to Loghead, since I knew he had been wanting to talk to her, but she's been refusing to answer his calls. At halftime, she walked right past us and ignored us. She took the long way back to her seat in order to avoid us. As 4th quarter got started, he turned and said he needed to talk to her about the money she owed him for Lazy Boye 15's lettermans jacket. I told him not to start a scene here, and instead, just talk to her nicely about the skids, and not to mention money. I reminded him it's easier to deal with her if you pretend she's a 6 year old...

They chatted a few minutes, and he came back to the seat. He said he didn't even mention the money- they talked about the game, and she wants to take Lazy Boye home after. He told her it was okay. he laughed and said with the storm coming tomorrow, maybe he'd get stranded with her a few days. "Let her parent for a change," he said.

At the end of the game I was trying to keep Gibby in line, and she came over to us. Ignored me, and talked to him. Offered him a candy bar she pulled out of her purse. "No thanks, Miss Loca Grande. That's above my snack points for the day, and I want pop-tarts later instead," he said and ran off.

She looked at me confused, so I told her about his kids' health class. I was really proud of him for 1) not taking her bribe and 2) following what he's learned in class!

Loghead came over, and she brought up the money! She said he would need to talk to Gullible, her husband, because he has taken over all the money for the household now that she is out of work again. 'I needed to take time off to go back into therapy full time again...." She said she would make sure he mailed it this week.

(She receives disability for BiPolar Disorder, and has been hospitalized twice. (That we know of...) She has bouts where she goes so many times a week she just can't keep up with the little part time job she keeps. Some of you may remember, she told me at Christmas that she really has cancer this time, but she didn't "trust" me enough to tell me what kind, and she's not ready to tell the kids. Maybe she's seeing a shrink for pathological lying.)

She hands me a bag to give PITA 16, who refuses to have anything to do with her. She asks us to have him call her so she can order the tickets for his Christmas present she promised him. She wants to take him to the college basketball game... Interesting that that's exactly what we already did for him, and she knows it. She says she needs to know what dates he is available to go...

Chatted a bit longer. Boys came over with their friends. PITA actually said hello to her, which was impressive. She patted his arm, and I saw her slip him some money. Lazy Boye left with her. As they walked out the building, she tried to hug Gibby, but he ran off. (Smart kid!

Not too bad, I guess. I'm glad she made an effort to be there. At least she was pleasant. I know it's easier to get along with her, since we still have many more years of dealing with one another... 2 more high school graduations. 3 college graduations, if we're lucky. 3 weddings. When we get to grand-kids, she's on her own! And that should still be a REALLY REALLY REALLY long time from now!