Christmas Escape from Mother in Law & Stepson

margaretclare

Jerryjerryjerry wrote: »

Good post..

By the way, why can't you eat some of the food that is advertised on tv?

Because I'm doing the Dukan Diet, and by the end of the year I'll be on the Consolidation phase. I'll be able to eat fruit, 2 medium slices of wholemeal bread, and of course, lots of lean meats etc as at present. But I'll never again be able to eat all the sweet fatty things that are described in loving lingering tones 'it's not Christmas, it's M&S Christmas'.

DH is being wonderfully supportive and he too is losing weight. He ate the last potato we had in the house a month ago and won't buy any more.

Why can't MIL read and write? Has she not heard of adult literacy classes?

Jerryjerryjerry

margaretclare wrote: »

Because I'm doing the Dukan Diet, and by the end of the year I'll be on the Consolidation phase. I'll be able to eat fruit, 2 medium slices of wholemeal bread, and of course, lots of lean meats etc as at present. But I'll never again be able to eat all the sweet fatty things that are described in loving lingering tones 'it's not Christmas, it's M&S Christmas'.

DH is being wonderfully supportive and he too is losing weight. He ate the last potato we had in the house a month ago and won't buy any more.

Why can't MIL read and write? Has she not heard of adult literacy classes?

Thank you. That explains why you can't eat all that stuff they advertise on the t.v. I suppose after a while, you stop missing it.

She couldn't tear herself away from the church long enough to go to any sorts of classes. The only class she does now and again, is Yoga, and thats only coz its free and takes place at the church.

She goes to church every morning, from 8.00 am until about 12 or 1.00 pm. Then some evenings as well. She's a right busybody.

margaretclare

Jerryjerryjerry wrote: »

Thank you. That explains why you can't eat all that stuff they advertise on the t.v. I suppose after a while, you stop missing it.

She couldn't tear herself away from the church long enough to go to any sorts of classes. The only class she does now and again, is Yoga, and thats only coz its free and takes place at the church.

She goes to church every morning, from 8.00 am until about 12 or 1.00 pm. Then some evenings as well. She's a right busybody.

So, how does she manage with prayer-books, hymn-books etc? DH and I are on the readers' list at our church and we get to read aloud from the Bible.

Why did she not learn to read and write in childhood, when most people do? I can't imagine not being able to read or write. I could read before I started school, and that was in September 1940.

Everything is possible, even conditions like dyslexia can be helped nowadays.

Yes, after a while you really don't want it any more. I haven't even eaten any bread for a month now. DH doesn't miss potatoes. I just don't appreciate having Christmas rammed down my neck for weeks on end, every time I watch TV.

Jerryjerryjerry

margaretclare wrote: »

So, how does she manage with prayer-books, hymn-books etc? DH and I are on the readers' list at our church and we get to read aloud from the Bible.
.

Really glad you asked me this question. As it gives me an excellent chance to show her up again.

When I first got married, only a few days into my marriage, she handed me a bible and asked me to read it. My husband was at work at the time, and I was at home alone with her all day (before we bought our new house), and therefore, I felt totally hijacked by her.

I was highly offended. Highly.

Anyway, I told her I wasn't interested, and husband gave her a good telling off as well and told her to lay off me.

That week-end, we were going to go away for the week-end to stay with MY parents. It was a spur of the moment thing and we packed our bags. As we were leaving, I said to my husband, "lets leave your mum a note so she doesn't worrry". He started laughing and said, "she can't read".

I was utterly shocked.

So then, while in the car, I thought... hang on a minute. She was trying to make me study the bible and yet she's never read a page! I lost a lot of respect for her that day.

I think at church, she just bumbles and mumbles along.. without having much thought or clue about what she's hearing or what's going on around her. As long as she's there - interferring in stuff, she's happy.

Jerryjerryjerry

Why would she learn to read and write? When she's got her son and me around the corner. She just rings us up and makes us read stuff and fill in forms etc. Its another one of those things that we have to do for her and it really bugs me.

Wickedkitten

Jerryjerryjerry wrote: »

Why would she learn to read and write? When she's got her son and me around the corner. She just rings us up and makes us read stuff and fill in forms etc. Its another one of those things that we have to do for her and it really bugs me.

Sounds to me like you are already selfless enough to do stuff for the other 364 days a year because you love your OH.

margaretclare

Jerryjerryjerry wrote: »

Why would she learn to read and write? When she's got her son and me around the corner. She just rings us up and makes us read stuff and fill in forms etc. Its another one of those things that we have to do for her and it really bugs me.

Start using the word 'NO'. It's one of the most useful words in the English language and the most clearly-understood.

It's not just filling in forms. I just cannot understand how anyone can live their lives in a the modern world without at least basic literacy. There are notices, posters, leaflets, road signs, you name it. Everywhere!

BTW, adult literacy classes come under the 'Skills for Life' programme and AFAIK are free.