All the news that fits....

Or lack of news...depending on how you look at it. Thought I'd just jot down some general updates.

I sent an email to my ex, concerning Christmas for the kids and dropping the little detail that I will be there, close by. That was three days ago. No response. I can hear him seething and his wife bitching about it, all the way from here. If you don't like it, dumbass, then don't make it necessary.

Oh yeah, and he told me what he got my son for Christmas. Apparently, he had a conversation with my son, asking why he doesn't listen to AC/DC. My son told him the truth -- he doesn't like them. Ex, in all his wisdom, said, "That's because you haven't listened to them enough." My son told me he's afraid his dad will get him an AC/DC CD, to make him listen to them more. The boy is smart -- that's exactly what has happened.

Does anyone out there remember A-hole?? My little alter-ego got another email from him, after he's been silent for so long. And guess what? He's claiming now to be even younger than he claimed before! He's apparently 39 now -- 7 years younger than his last claim and 10 years younger than reality. What an ass.

I've been knee-deep in work and my daughter's Science Fair project. They send home this big packet of what's required, when they start working on it. You have to sign it, acknowledging that you'll be helping with this monster. Now, I am not one of those parents who swoops in and does the work for the child. Still, just being the person who glued things to the board, we've had several late nights. I'm exhausted! In the middle of it all, she had her first basketball game. They won! And she scored! I'm a proud Mommy.

South Carolina is having a hard time. His ex's memory loss is profound. Doctors say that's just part of it. Be happy to be alive. I'm sure he expected it to go much better. He's preoccupied with it. He doesn't like how this is altering his life, but he doesn't want to be selfish about it. He's headed to a conference this week and sounds like he'll enjoy the quiet hotel room for a couple of days.

A friend from the conference we attended posted her pictures online. There's several of South Carolina and I, since we were inseparable for those few days. Old BF happened upon them, looking for pics of me since he knew I presented there. "Who's this guy?" he wanted to know. "Looks like he's into you." Uhm, yeah. He is. Get used to it.

Aspen is being attentive. He IMs a "Good Morning!" even if he's too busy to chat. He called me during his lunch break the other day, which was new, and calls most evenings, on his way home. He's very sweet and funny. Now, if we can just find a time to actually go out....

Fella is in full rollercoaster mode. I had that very nice call from him last week, looking forward to going out on the weekend. I heard from him about mid-day Saturday. His voice was strained. "I'll be tied up here all weekend," he said, being very short. I know he has some serious budget concerns right now, with daughter being unemployed.

"Why don't you take a break and let me get you some dinner?" I ventured. We've developed a system where he pays for the movies and I pick up dinner, or vice versa.

"No," he said. "I don't think I can afford to do that."

"Are you all right?"

"No, but it doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does."

He gave a derisive laugh. "No, it really doesn't."

"It does to me. Is it anything you want to talk about?" I knew the answer, but offered anyhow.

"Not really," he said. "I'm sorry to be short and all. It's trouble with my children. It's a bad day, a bad weekend, and I'll have to stay here the whole time."

I let him know that I'm around if he needs anything, tell him I'm sorry it's happening, and he says he'll call. I haven't talked to him again since then. I can guess what probably happened. Most likely, his son was drinking, got in trouble or skipped work or something, and was being suicidal again. The boy needs help. But that's all a guess. When Fella wants to talk about it, he will.

Until then, I have a Science Fair to attend. And basketball games to watch. And Christmas shopping to do. And other people who want my attention. And so I'll give it.