Because its just too funny not to share

Ok, normally we're all rainbows and sunshine over here. Positive attitudes, nice things to say, all that jazz. Well, I want to share something funny with you. And what I am about to share will likely make me look a bit... tacky/bitter/some word that starts with a capital B.....

Very Very long story short, my SIL (Jason's brother's wife, not to be confused with Jason's sister Michele, whom I adore)Gina, can sometimes be a bit difficult. The Easter before Jason and I got married, she decided that not only were she and her family not coming over to the In-laws for Easter Dinner, but the In-laws were also forbidden to come deliver their grandkids' easter baskets. Apparently I was allowed to come over, but not Jason's parents. It was a horribly awkward situation, and one that I felt I need to bring up to Gina the next day on the phone. Me- a then 23 year old with no kids, and her a 30 something with 2 kids. I told her it wasnt fair to Jason's parents to not get to spend time, espeically holidays, with their grandkids (they live a mile down the road people!). Anyway, she took it as me telling her she was a bad parent, and from that day on she and Jason's brother didnt talk to the family for 3+ years.  Didnt come to our wedding, returned gifts and cards we mailed them, didnt acknowledge Emma's birth, didnt come visit Jason's parents on their birthdays or Mother's/Father's Day (again! they live a mile down the road!), didnt visit Jason's dad when he had a heart attack 3 years ago.nothing.

(In my defense, the problems with Gina started long before I came into the family, I was just the one to...call her on it)

So, fast forward to this May. We move back to town, I call them up randomly and leave them a mesage that we are in town and do they want to meet Emma?

Well, I think my MIL nearly had a heart attack when they called back and said, "Hey! Let's all go to dinner together! Tonight!".

And every since then, everything has been normal.  Eeerily normal. As if nothing ever happened. As if everything has always been rainbows and sunshine. The grandkids get to spend lots of time with Jason's parents, Gina and Scott (J's brother) spend lots of time over at the in-laws. normal.

Sometimes, the change is a bit mind boggling. Here's an entire family that we are suddenly speaking to again and talking about exchanging presents with and doing holiday dinners etc.

(Hmm... I just realized I really gave you the long version of all of this didnt I? Well, you're all better for it.)

So, I have no idea what to get my neice and nephew (6 and 10) for Christmas. I don't know them that well, and I don't know what that age likes or needs. So I emailed Gina yesterday and simply asked, "Do the kids have Christmas Wish Lists?"

This is the email I got back:

I do, but they really did not ask for much of anything and what they did ask for is out of everyone’s price range.  He is really hard to buy for, he does not like any type of art / craft kits.  Something that you could do is a gift certificate to Book’s-A-Million.  Even buying him books is not easy, this way he could pick out what he wanted to read, with my approval.  Please do not do movies or music, as he is really reaching an age that we need to be very careful about what he is watching and listening too.  We keep a very close eye on what the kids watch.  No Pokemon, Shrek, Power Rangers, SpongeBob, etc. 

As for Sid, books (chapter books for beginners), art/craft projects…she really likes to make things, color with markers.  Anything pink, she does not really play with toys or baby dolls.  No hair stuff as she will rarely wear it now.  She likes her hair up in a pony all the time.  It stays out of her face.  If you do clothes, please make sure that it has nothing written across her on the bottom of pants and that if it says something on the front that it is appropriate, or she can not wear it to school.  We only do positive messages.

I am sorry there is so much information, but the kids are not the easiest to buy for, even for me.  They really do not ask for a lot of things, especially toys. 

I hope this helps, if not…call me. J

So? What do I go and do? I forward her email to my MIL and say, " Gosh, I guess I'll have to take back those shorts I bought for Sid that say Nice A$$ on the bottom..."

And more halariously, my MIL shows Gina's email and my email to everyone in her office. As in, "now you can understand Gina's personality."

Seriously? Does she think I have no common sense what so ever? She needed to say, "We only do positive messages"? Come ON!

Thanksgiving Dinner tommorow (yes, with all of them) should be an... event.

Comments

[sandy]

Oh my stars...honestly....she must not even be thinking straight. That is a personality that would be hard to deal with for long periods of time. I'm glad they came around finally to be part of your family again for your MIL and FIL's sake and the grandkids sake. I hope all goes well tomorrow! I have to say that a gift certificate is so easy...and that's a plus if you don't have to go "find" a toy that's already sold out.

I think I have no choice BUT a gift certificate! I wouldnt want to buy the wrong thing...

[girlville]

wow. i think you should cut out some felt letters that say something ('juicy' maybe) and stick them on the back of emma's pants/skirt tomorrow. just to stir the pot. wonder what gina will get for emma???

LOL! I totally thought of doing that to! Too funny. I dont know what Gina will get for Emma, but I guess she thinks she knows better than me because she didnt return the request for a wish list !

[Tammy]

She sounds like a LOVELY person. What is her problem? I feel sorry for the kids. She reminds me alot of one of my husband's cousins. What a twit. Just give 'em giftcards and let her take them shopping. Geez, surely you can't go wrong there. Just be sure they are to an APPROPRIATE store. Have a nice Thanksgiving kiddo!

Tammy

[Blue Sunday]

Um? What planet does this woman live on? And I hate to say it, but the kids she's raising? Are going to be very, um, "interesting" adults when they grow up. Because, what's wrong with SpongeBob and Shrek??? Christ, we let our teenager watch Family Guy and Simpsons! I feel like such a bad parent now!!! (not)

Yeah, good luck with her! She sounds like a lot of fun! Lucky you!!!!!!!

Happy Turkey Day!

[Dooneybug]

A simple: "The kids are hard to buy for but they'd really appreciate a gift card to such and such" is all she needed to do. What a pill!

[Goodboy Norman Featherstone]

What if you get her Eyore sweatpants that say "Oh Bother" on the butt. That's still a positive message, no? I thought you all weren't doing presents this year?

Yeah yeah yeah, I thought so to. Well, we'll see what happens.

[andrea]

First, thing first, homegirl is a wack job! Lucky you to be related!

Second, I LOVE your MIL! She is too funny!

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

[pam]

HA! I love your response to her email. Sounds like you have an awesome MIL! So funny! But really...SIL is crazy. I have an aunt that is sort of like that when it comes to my younger cousins. She would email us gift assignments like: this is on their list, you are assigned to buy THIS. One of Jarrett's cousin's wife's will not let his parents see their grandchildren either and hasn't been to a family event in 10 years! So sad.

I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving despite the craziness. Seems like all families have at least one. ;)

[shanny]

You, Jason, Emma- all of you should wear JUICY on your bottoms tomorrow. Or Jason could wear BITE ME. What a piece of work that girl is. Jeesh. I tell ya, every family has one!

[Christine]

She's nuts! Talk about an over-bearing, paranoid mother. Her kids will seriously never call or visit once they escape her house and her clutches. She needs to lighten up and let her kids be kids. Doesn't Scott stand up to her?

[nikki]

I agree with Andrea. That homegirl is a whack job. That and I really wanted to say homegirl.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving despite the nut case relatives.

Maybe adopt those ever so "lucky" children a goat or a cow or a pig through a relief organization such as World Vision or something...'cus it sounds like they have everything they need!!

[Priscilla]

OH....WOW!

I am actually very familiar with women like her. I usually find them to be VERY involved in church.

I'm happy to hear that she is allowing family interaction but my guess is, it wont last long. Someone will offend her sometime because NO ONE is going to follow all of her ridicules rules all the time. Because you stand up to her it will probably be you. (go girl!)

Life is short. Don't let the nutjobs rule your live for one single minute.

[Goodboy Norman Featherstone]

My MIL is a nut about her children and the clothes they can wear to the same extent of your SIL, maybe worse.

My husband's sisters were both in our wedding. My MIL did not approve of the dresses I chose for them to wear. I told her if she didn't like it, then they didn't have to be in the wedding. This is a picture of my SIL in her dress at my wedding. LOL! Look at how revealing that is! I think I see some arm!!!!

http://flickr.com/photos/50325108@N00/452784745/

Maybe you're thinking that the skirts were too revealing. Uh no - floor length.

http://flickr.com/photos/50325108@N00/452763672/

Nut...

[Lisa]

LOL to Shanny!
OH MY! Wordless! I am soo sorry...then again you can choose your friends but not your family....Good Grief!

[Lisa]

LOL to Shanny!
OH MY! Wordless! I am soo sorry...then again you can choose your friends but not your family....Good Grief!

[Chas]

Some people are just too high maintenance. You should probably just do the safe thing and give them gift certificates or money. I'm sure the kids aren't nearly as hard as she's making them out to be. I laughed when she said "No Pokemon, Shrek, Power Rangers, SpongeBob, etc."...I get some of that, but what's wrong with Shrek?? Especially for kids their age. I think he's funny.

[Anth]

Ha ha I am glad she is YOUR s-i-l! I would have a hard time dealing with someone like that. Of course, I have some weird s-i-ls, and I already do make fun of them!

I'm sure you're just so delighted that she thinks you have such questionable taste as to buy tacky sweatpants with words on the butt for a freaking little kid. Whatever.

PS I don't think you sounded b-wordy at all. I think she needed to be called on going drama queen about the Easter baskets. It was just ballsy of you. :)

[kris]

that is some funny stuff. we are having some "issues" with my hubby's family right now relating to the holiday's. it sucks to be on the outs with someone in the family, as we are right now... you can link to his blog (it's not about the badge) from mine. he has a nice angry entry today about his family. i would take your SIL anyday!