Today, my H's crazy ex began compiling more court documents to show what a terrible father he is. She so graciously called and ask us to forward her records she could turn around and send to her attorney- we keep better records than her. My H laughed. The cause of her most recent stint with the courts? My H, because he could not find a job to pay her child support in the MIDDLE OF A RECESSION, joined the military. She views his decision as "abandonment of parental responsibilities" and "abuse."

On Easter (yes, Easter, this woman clearly has zero life), she called and cussed my H out for about an hour because he refused to return to our house to put SD's school skirt in the mailbox for her to come and retrieve. The school skirt is currently the only item of clothing in our house that came from BM house. I am an obsessive clean freak- so I know this. BTW, WE bought the school skirt with extra money provided before H's last deployment. Not to mention SD currently has 3 pairs of shorts, 2 other skirts and 2 pairs of pants at BM house. Somehow, the retrieval of THIS PARTICULAR school skirt became of the utmost importance ON EASTER. Also going into her court filing? That we "hoard" all of SD's clothes and do not "force her to dress up like we should." (I will throw in here that BM was nearly prosecuted last year because SD had over 50 tardies in one semester-while my H was away- and BM lives A QUARTER MILE FROM THE SCHOOL. Why was she late so many times? "Her hair had to be straightened before school." SHE IS SEVEN.)

During her Easter rant, she stated that SD is "afraid of us" and requested that when SD is at our house that I not be allowed to speak to SD. IN MY OWN HOME. Two months ago, she threatened to have me arrested for driving her forty-five minutes across the state line so I could buy her school shoes-her old ones HAD HOLES IN THE TOES. She threatened me with "child trafficking" which I am fairly sure she cannot even spell.

As we were playing Scrabble--yes, we are quite the "terrifying" people, aren't we--the other night my H and I were laughing about how much this will backfire on her one day. BM is unbearably, psychotically rude to me in person, on the phone, behind my back. When she threatened me with "child trafficking?" I threatened her with a very real restraining order if she continues her antics. (It isn't "trafficking" when I bring the child home afterwards and then drop her off and BM house--ON TIME)

For all of you out there living in a BM-induced torture chamber, I will tell you what has worked for me... A) Focusing on the wonderful, fabulous H that she let walk out of her life, Letting my H know clearly and without question what my boundaries are in terms of standing up for me to BM and C) Continuing to be so nice to her it makes me sick... I pick out cards for every holiday for SD to give her; Christmas presents; I wave EVERY time I see her; I speak cordially... When SD says that BM has said something negative? I point out that her relationship with her mother is a precious thing and that I will never speak ill of her mother... And all of my SD friend's mothers? I do what I normally would... I invite them over for BBQ's. Even though they are the BM friends. People will hear her stupid slander. And people will SEE the truth of who I am.

Every time we go to court with this woman, our child support is reduced and our visitation is increased. We are requesting an impartial review of our home by child protective services and ordering all around mental evals-BM has a diagnosed schizoid personality disorder.

Bring it on BM, bring it on.