Sorry- my BS is graduating college this weekend and things have been nuts! I haven't been on here as much, but since you all have waited so patiently for the next installment of The Perils of Ann- here we go!

Ann was fired from her job here after being on administrative leave for about six months or so. Since she is no longer an employee, I was able to ask her about it. Apparently, she was charged with theft of time, and was fined around $5,000 (which is getting off easy) for the time she was paid for and didn't work. (She used to take two-hour lunches when the boss was away, skip out early, that kind of thing, and she insisted no one was keeping tabs on her, but apparently someone was.) What they nailed her for, though, was she took three days off to supposedly attend a continuing education conference, which she needed to maintain her professional license, then could not produce the papaerwork to show that she attended. I remember when she "went" to this, and she admitted to me last night when we talked that she actually went to some festival out of state. Dumbass.

Anyway, she has no idea what she's going to go now, and she honestly doesn't seem al lthat worried. She's going to be hard pressed to get a job in our field again with that on her record, and I know she can't live on the child support she gets for her son. She said for now, she's doing "odd job" type things, like housesitting and whatnot. But what kind of income can that generate? She's a single mother. I'd be freaking out. But not Ann. Ann is the kind of person weho has always been lucky. Things always work out in her favor; she always gets away with everythin. I pointed out to her that no, actually, that doesn't seem to be the case any longer, but she basically pooh-poohed that and said how everything is just GREAT. She's had time to spend writing a children's book. She's been able to go to yoga and spend time with her new baby niece and she's "never been happier."

I know she's lying. I know she's not great. The other friends in our circle know she's not great. But the denial is SO strong in her, she'll never ask for help. We've offered her help many times, and she says she doesn't need it. She hides behind her bottle and that's that. There's nothing we can do for her until she hits bottom, and I think she's still got a ways to go.

WHen I asked about how things are with Hot Tommy, she said it's the "same old bullshit," meaning he's emotionally unavailable and has zero interest in building a life with her. He calls her once a week or so, they have sex, and then she's dismissed until he wants it again. Her self-esteem is in the gutter. She didn't mention Sailor Mouth Mary or Luke even once, so I'm guessing the shine has worn off of those pennies.

Her son, Chris, will be spending six weeks straight this summer out of state with his dad, which he's never done before. Normally he goes for two weeks in July, and another two in August. I think he just wants away from Ann, to be honest. How long until he makes the move permanest? He turns 11 this summer, and I give it 13 at the latest.