My mom was born eight minutes after her fraternal twin sister ... so much later because no one knew she was there.

It's Monday and she hasn't let me know if she's babysitting tonight as scheduled. Last time we talked I told her not to bother coming over this week, so we'll see. I have enjoyed not knowing her woes the past three days. I don't want to come off as unloving, like her family was to her. I'd rather she understand the lengths people can go to take care of themselves. I do love the things I miss about her, the person I know she really is.

The most troubling part is that she feeds off the negativity she infects others with. At least a druggie checks out for periods of time. My mom is completely on edge unless stamping B4, a place she goes alone, so we don't even get to know her at her "best." Winning floats her in a high until the money is gone. I haven't seen it happen in awhile because the less she has to play with, the less chance she has of winning.

It's opposite an AA meeting. The big winner in the room has other players wanting what she has, so they keep coming back for more. She claims she went to GA recently and didn't like it. I think she lied. She went to adult-children meetings when I was younger but told me she didn't like it when people talked too much (she likes to be the center of attention).

She thinks she has to go because it might be her lucky night. I told her it might be my lucky night too, and that gambling is designed for the churches to make money, etc., etc.

Ironic thing is that my grandma's twin brother's kids are rich off of their weekly publication called The Bingo Scene magazine. It advertises all the local Bingo venues for the week. I joked with my sister that my mom should get a job with them writing reviews.