No Confrontation With MIL, Phew! That Was A Relief!  

Thank you so much for your lovely response, it's much appreciated. Wow, fancy using a remote in someone else's home; I've not heard of that before. Not good is it? Yes, I was pleased with myself yesterday as I really was dying to say something but chose not to. I only hope she has "got the message" as this house just isn't designed to have a lot of stuff in it. It's alright for them, they have more room, we haven't. Her daughter is a messy so-an-so (at her house) as well. If that was me Mum would've mentioned it to me by now..something like, "get this mess cleaned up!"

He isn't a big boy, that's his problem (in their eyes, not mine). Always been treated like a 12 year old. It's them that don't trust him. He actually fixed our fire a few weeks ago and what did the in-laws do? Send someone round anyway just to undermine his efforts. The guy just looked at the fire and said, "well done mate, you've fixed it!" When he'd gone I said to John, "I told you didn't I?" I actually see potential in my husband. I am sure he is capable of far more than his parents think he is capable of and it annoys me. He does have problems with shaky hands due to a condition he has but if he really concentrates on something (like the fire) then he is able to finish the job. His mother has the same condition so she (of all people) should realise that he isn't an invalid.

The reason why I have to go with John to their house from now on is that they plot things behind my back. If John is there on his own he feels powerless against them because he can't say "no" whereas I can.

You see, that's exactly what I don't want to happen here...accummulating their junk as our house is a terrace and not as big as their semi. They have a garage full of junk too! The car is on the driveway because it can't fit in anymore!

We have a huge quilt in the airing-cupboard (MIL gave it to John in our house when I was still in bed) and I'm not kidding you, it would cover the Wembley pitch, it's that big. I'm not sure if she bought it for herself or for us as a "present" but either way she should've realised (and John should've said "no" and given it her back) that it is WAY too big for any bed in the house. I want to donate it to Shelter as it would cover at least 6 homeless people...plus a dog.

My widowed sister in law has the same problem.
There was so much stuff and her garage and sheds and house are chock a block too plus her late hubby loved cars and bikes and they are also everywhere.
My hubby was over there helping clear some room for her in the shed and he said there were so many packets of tools all the same and just one used or even still unopened because it was so cluttered that if he wanted a tool, he found it easier to go and buy one than look amongst all the stuff.
That is a definite trait picked up from their dad.
MIL was a hoarder of materials,wool,trinkets,china etc etc.
Mostly unusable bits of nothing.

This is why I have to keep my eye on hubby, otherwise he will turn out exactly the same as his parents. My Dad does it too so it's not exclusive to his side of the family but Mum tells him off hehe lol.

Food, yes, my MIL's favourite subject! Is the soup good? If it is then fair enough but if it isn't...you're stuck with it lol. It's the same with us. When John went round on his own (he won't from now on) he would come home with horrendous cuts of meat. Most of the time I couldn't even tell what the meat was. I have some in the freezer and I know for a fact it won't taste of anything. When we were round yesterday the FIL kept going on about the meat in the oven being "a bit tough." He said something like, "well, that does happen sometimes, it can't be helped!" Er, I'm sorry but it can be helped! They have the money so they've no excuse to come home with cr*p. We've bought better meat than they have. Honestly, they've no taste in food lol.

I have to say my mother-in-law has never cooked anything bad in her life. The most annoying thing about her and cooking is that she complains, "oh it wasn't quite right this time or I did this wrong, etc.". And there's never anything wrong with any of it.

Wayhay, well that's a result then my friend! I love the silence too and it will frustrate MIL no end that I'll be going round with John from now on. She won't be able to plot anything now without my say-so...which is how it should be. John is married for God's sake, he's not a single guy anymore. I really thought they'd "give us some slack" once we got married but it hasn't happened. The silence may be the start though, hopefully!

Well, John must like my Mum (or maybe just tolerates her, who knows?) otherwise he wouldn't keep picking her up 100 miles away, bring her back for her to stay here so many times a year lol. I can't stand being around my mother-in-law for 2 hours, never mind 2 days so I'm grateful that my own Mum isn't as stressful to get along with. In fact, she gives John encouragement (just like I do) which is something his own parents should be doing.