Mothers-in-law are great.........

.......................when they are on the other side of our planet, like mine!

We have decided to send a digital photo frame, with about 300 photos on the memory card, to each side of the family when friends of us recently went over for a visit. What do you think was my dear mother-in-law's first words... oh well, I should be honest.... first words after "Thank you" ? Oh wait, let me first say, she hasn't seen me in 3 years. Anyway, the 2nd thing she said:

"The girls are growing up, and your belly is getting bigger by the day"

I was gobsmacked. This coming from a very 'sensitive' lady who can get all worked up if you just look at her the wrong way. I was flabbergasted and couldn't even get any words out. She quickly moved on to the next subject, leaving me lost for words for the next 10 minutes.

And then I suddenly thought of what I could have said. Phrases popped up in my mind:
"It will probably keep growing as I am getting older mommy dearest, as you would know"

or

"I wonder if my arms will also go the way yours are going, like my tummy"

or

"Yes, isn't it funny that we aren't even related"

Why, oh why can't I ever think of nasty things to say when I really need to???? I am forever shying away from confrontation and the only times in my life where I have wished to be different was when I had to hold my own in a conversation with a nasty person.

Now let me explain to you: I am 167cm tall, weigh 58kg, have been wearing the same clothes (chuckle., chuckle... size)for the past 8 years. I am not sensitive at all, but I am wondering where on earth she got that from....... And why would you say something like that to ANYONE?!!! The sad thing is that she really likes me and sees me as her daughter - hubby is one of two boys.

I don't know, but it feels as if this feeling she has had for more than 25 years now, the feeling of me 'stealing' her boy from her, still rears its ugly head from time to time. Years ago, when I was only sixteen, I felt as if I was in constant competition with her when it comes to her first born. The battle (only in her mind) has been won by me, probably 23 years ago, but she still can't accept it and these little nasty things get thrown at me from time to time.

I guess there is always something to be thankful for - the fact that I have hubby on my side. He thinks his mum is crazy sometimes and she manages to push his wrong buttons from time to time as well. There is never a question about where his loyalty lies.

I should probably just shut up and be very glad she is on another continent!