I saw something while scanning my stores this week. Disney (as in cartoons, theme parks, movies, and 50 thousand other things) has added a new product line. No, it's not a toy, or a new food or juice drink, at least not for people. The latest offering? Old Yeller dog food, by Disney. Am I the only one slightly disturbed here?
OK, this is pathetic. I've had a few topics kicking around in my head for about a week or so that I really want to do entries on (I've just been procrastinating- bad Jenni, no cookie), and what finally gets me writing? The mother-in-law. And the full sink of dishes waiting, but mostly the mother-in-law. In this particular case, some of the comments she's made.
The first was some off-handed remark when we were all (her, Tim, Sherri, and the three of us) for some god forsaken reason out to eat last week. During dinner the munchkin wasn't exactly on his best behavior, but he wasn't bad. Afterward, when we were almost to the mall parking lot, he wanted to give her a goodbye hug, not understanding that we were (thrill) going back to the condo. She wasn't paying any attention, and Tom let go of his hand so the munchkin could go to her. Instead, he took 3 steps toward the road (never making it off the sidewalk). We told him to stop, and he did, immediately. No harm, no traffic, 'nuff said. She then spends the ride with Tim and Sherri back to the condo talking about how "something has to be done" and that he's "out of control". Bad enough that she doesn't know what she's talking about, but she didn't even have to balls to say it to us. I only found out about it because she was talking about it all the next day at work, making it sound like he'd almost been killed by a non-existant car. This upset my mom (who also works w/ the MIL) enough to call and ask if he was ok. When I asked why he wouldn't be, she was kind enough to explain that Theresa had my 2 year old sounding like a candidate for a Jerry Springer show- the same child that complete strangers are constantly complimenting us how well behaved he is.
Yesterday was the MIL's birthday. When Tom called to see what she would like to do for her birthday, she said she was going out with Tim and we could get together Sunday. Off the hook for a few days, after I finished working we spent the afternoon and evening relaxing, and planned to order her a cake and get her present after Tom got paid today. Then, about 8:30 last night, she calls and announces that she's home and coming over to see the munchkin. A half hour of unplanned cleaning by me and an unsuccessful trip to Kroger's for a birthday cake by Tom later, she shows up. Tom called me on his way home from the store, unsure what to do, and admitting that he didn't even want to come home since he would have to deal with her empty handed. He wasn't sure who to be mad at- her for coming over at the last minute after saying she was spending the evening with his brother, or himself for not just going out and charging her gift to credit. Now granted, he could in theory have told her that it was too late to stop by, but if you've ever met the woman, you'll know that theory doesn't work, especially not from her sons. I can get away with it via some quick thinking, and the fact that I generally don't care what she thinks of me. I tolerate her for Tom's sake.
So she shows up, stays for about 15 minutes bragging about what everyone else got her, accepts Tom's apology and explaination, then takes him with her to get gas for her car, apparently for the same reason that she thinks it's OK to ask her grown sons to come over just to carry out her trash now that she's the only woman ever to have to live alone. After kicking out her husband. For thinking she was having an affair. That we're all sure she was having. But I digress...
On a final note, I have a problem with people bragging about how they cannot pay their bills, especially when it's their own fault. I know not everyone thinks that money and its troubles are private matters, but if you literally brag about it while trying to play the "poor pitiful me" card, you deserve to be in debt. Ever since she threw Bob out (and f*cked over my schedule), Theresa's been talking about how she can't afford anything. Mind you, her chief complaint about Bob was that he wouldn't give up his home business (that turned a small but very real profit) to go work at Walmart or the like full-time. She couldn't even afford her house payment, even though she bought the house before she met Bob. So, does she make any effort to earn more money? Nope, she hits up the boyfriend and one son for an extra birthday gift. Total value? $800. She didn't ask Tom since, as she was explaining to everyone she works with, "he has a family, so he doesn't have any extra money." Ah the things I could say. Let's just all be glad I wasn't there at the time to make Chernobyl look tame. I'm all for helping family when they need it, but I don't do financial bandaids. If you're activly trying to bring in money to meet your bills, and I can help, great. If not, don't even ask.
OK, having vented, I feel much better. I also have a deep understanding of why the giant mutant engineered spider from the cheesy sci-fi movie was called "Mother-In-Law".