It helps me to get things off my chest - the woman drives me absolutely insane, but the problem is that she's 88, has no brothers or sisters, was married to an only child & adopted one little boy... so we're her only family.
Now, I can be a real and complete and utter bitch at times, but I also know that in her way, she loves both of us very much and she's not ALL bad, it's just that as each year goes by, she gets a little more cantakerous each time.
So, yesterday I drove to collect her from dublin airport - I'd ordered her wheelchair service from the plane as the walk at dublin is horrendous. I met the wheelchair man who was a nice chap & then braced myself......
'Eeeeeeeee! Just look at you! I would never have recognised you! Oh, you clever, clever girl!'..... all screeched in her best soprano voice.....
For those of you that don't know, I had a gastric bypass in March & so far, I've lost 7 1/2 stones..... yes, I look different, but I'm still a bit touchy about it & I also don't do compliments very well..... especially in a packed airport, being stared at by strangers who are wondering exactly WHY I'm so clever (I'm NOT clever, if I was, I woudn't have put the weight on in the first place)
Anyways, on the journey home, I got the story about how she dressed down a waiter in London last month, for daring to add a gratuity to the bill in a restaurant - 'it wasn't printed on the menu, so it wasn't legal to add it', she says....
And how she paid £49 a night in a Kensington hotel & they only allowed her to have a continental breakfast... 'and it's obvious that I'm NOT continental'..... I explained that especially in London, you get what you pay for - £49 was a VERY budget price.... went down like a lead balloon.....
After a 3 hour drive, with a stop at a fast food place
'why do YOU have to clear the table, don't they do that, it must be their job'.....We got home & hubby came out to help get her in.... guided tour around the house - it looks a LOT better at night, she's yet to see in daylight....
In the kitchen... 'are you going to change the colour? It's not really a kitchen colour, is it. I'm surprised you've not painted, Andrew'.... Hmm. my kitchen is light green walls with dark green cupboard doors - no, I don't like it either, but she knows we've been here 3 months & have been outside for most of that time....
In 'her' room... 'Oh, have I to use Leah's room? I thought you had two spare rooms'...
Yep, and I'm using the 3rd bedroom as a store room, because we're tight on cupboard space. And I'm really going to have a separate room to use just for when she visits twice a year, huh?
Then we showed her how we keep in touch with different folks thru the web - my eldest had her webcam on, as did another friend - she still doesn't really get it...... but I kept our webcam on her, so the daughter could share my pain!!
Well, the week starts here, folks!
Don't think you have to reply, I will use this one thread throughout the week for the MIL musings.... and sanity will be preserved - hopefully!!
Wahay!! It's Christmas Eve - I am off to play with the turkey & ham & make fruit cake & cook some mince pies & stuff - have a good day all!!
I dare say I'll post again in a few minutes... I mean, hours
(just to make you smile)
)
(thanks)