Thursday, March 6, 2008

Happy Birthday, Crazy Bitch

Today is my mother's birthday. Those of you who've read this blog for a while might remember that I don't really talk to my mother. (You - roll your eyes and leave to read something more cheerful. I - don't blame you in the least. God knows I'm a broken record on this topic.)

Explanatory story about my mother:

She and another lady were organizing a bridal shower for a young lady in their church. (Mind you, I grew up in this church. I'd known everyone attending this shower for about 20 years or so.) The girl in question was a friend of mine, and I had recently helped with a bridal shower for another friend, so I offered to help. They had no decorations, so I offered to bring some. They thought a vegetable tray was too expensive, so I did one. Mother had ordered cake squares, but was afraid she hadn't ordered enough, so she asked me to bring cake mix and icing, so I did. They asked me to bring Supergirl, who was about 6 months old, so I did. Mother spent almost the entire shower feeding her cake. I didn't even ask her to stop. I had to leave before the shower ended, so I gathered up my stuff and got ready to go. Mother came over to offer to help carry something. I handed her what I had in my hand at that time - my purse and the diaper bag. I picked up Supergirl in her carseat and started towards the door. (It briefly occurred to me that this was a good arrangement, as my mother is tall, but very thin and not very strong. Supergirl in her carseat was a little heavy and very awkward. I thought I was being considerate and taking the heavier load.) Mother looks around, makes sure she has an audience, and says loudly, "I see - she doesn't trust me with the baby!"

20 comments:

Alice said...

OH. MY. GOD. passive aggressive stuff like that KILLS ME. KILLS ME DEAD. KAPUT. DEAD. soooo frustrating.

i love the title, though :-)

artemisia said...

Oh, passive aggressive stuff makes me crazier than CRAZY. Bless your heart for whatever patience you have...

d e v a n said...

ugh. My mil is the queen of passive aggressive so I know somewhat how you feel. sheesh

Shelly said...

Thanks Alice! Yeah, she's the queen of passive agressive. Sounds like you might have a little experience with it yourself?

Thanks! It's appropriate.

Shelly said...

Hey artemisia! Welcome. Well, I ran out of patience with her 5 years ago. Have had as little as possible to do with her since then. Right now I haven't even spoken to her in 5.5 months.

Shelly said...

Hey devan, yeah, your mil sounds very similar to my mother. Strength to you!

Jess said...

This story is amazing. She sounds like every mother-in-law, ever. How frustrating to have that same experience with your actual mother.

Shelly said...

Thanks jess, I love that story because it tells so much about our relationship in just one little story.

Heather J. said...

Holy shit, are you sure my mother isn't your mother?
I relate, I empathize.......I also pray for understanding..

email said...

So glad my mom isn't like that, but she is manipulative. I don't even think she's aware of it, though. Pisses me off anyway.

I do love the title of your post.

Shelly said...

Hey Heather J, and welcome! I feel for you if you have a mother like mine. Prayers are definitely in order for you!

Shelly said...

Hey jmc! Being manipulated is never any fun. Hope your mother sees the error of her ways.

Thanks! You know me, I call it like I see it. : )

Pickles and Dimes said...

Oh, man. Stuff like that sets me off (which is what the other person is hoping for anyway), and it's SO HARD for me not to respond in kind: "Well, if I gave you the heavy stuff you'd complain about that too!" But that just makes things worse.

I sympathize.

Shelly said...

shauna, yes, exactly! She'd have found some smartass comment if I had given her the baby. There's no winning.

Thank you!

Sid said...

LOL! I can't help but laugh at this tale. It's funny.

Laura said...

What a brat she is, and a lot like my mother. My mother is upset because I can't find it in my heart to realize that she too is grieving, perhaps harder than anyone else because of the loss of her son-in-law and the divorce from my father. Good God. I have found it is easier to pretend they don't exist for long stretches. Grrrr on your mother.

Shelly said...

Hi sid and welcome.

Shelly said...

Hey Laura, it amazes me how alike your mother and mine are. I so wish we could sit down and talk about them. Best wishes to you.

Constance the Thirteenth said...

Oh my - I think that your mother and my mother must have been taking notes from each other...because that is EXACTLY something that she would say. That would consequently make me want to poke my eyeballs out.

And to answer your question - I won't send the letter...but I sure want to! But I am way too much of a wuss to do it.

Shelly said...

Hey Constance 13! Yikes, your mother, too?!

And I totally understand about not sending the letter. I've written several I've not sent.