The Problem With Family

[bloodsong1]

Specifically, those you really don't get along with.

My mother is coming out next month for a 2 day/3 night visit. In the middle of the week. This does not bother me, as I understand the suckiness of bending to the airline's whims. I'll be informing my boss of this at the end of the month, and I will arrange for IDK to miss two days of school. He will be expected to do homework on those two days, though.

It was when she informed me she MUST have her own room and bed, as she's such a light sleeper, that I started getting a little perturbed. Whokay then. Well, IDK can NOT sleep on the couch, the adults are going to be up later then him. There's also no curtains in his room, and he sleeps on a mattress on the floor, as the bunk bed bought in CO was about 6 inches too high (when informed of this Mother asked why we didn't just chop the legs off. Off a METAL bunk bed. >_<) He COULD be put in The Cuteness' room on an air mattress for three nights.

Wolf, knowing my general distrust and dislike of my mother, suggested we put her up in a hotel instead.

One problem with this. I was also informed that she MUST go to church on Wednesday, as it's Ash Wednesday. Now, there's a church within walking distance of the house, she knows WE won't go with her and I'm not so keen on IDK going either, considering he has no context. I also don't know what time Mass is, but the thought of getting up at 6 in the morning to get her to a 7 am Mass puts my teeth on edge.

So, is the aggravation of having to pickup and dropoff twice a day less aggravating then having her here, sleeping on IDK's floor mattress?

I honestly don't know.

I do know one thing, though. If we're paying for the hotel, I'm not taking her out to eat. Which is probably for the best, as she went sort-of vegetarian on me, thus knocking any idea of introducing her to speedies right out the window. She probably won't want anything to do with The Plaza's Ultimate Desserts either, or Sakura's, the best sushi place in town. At least I can make her perogies.

Now all we have to do is avoid talking about religion, politics, and her bitch sisters, whom I would dearly love to send black envelopes to. And if anyone gets THAT reference, I'll hug you, as I'm out of cookies.

Comments

[kandybar.livejournal.com]

::hugs::

Although I would like to point out that Ash Wednesday mass tends to be in the evening, so people can go after work/school.

[blaisepascal]

Especially since Ash Wednesday mornings tend to be too early after Fat Tuesday night.

Although I distinctly remember seeing folks at work and school with ashes, which would imply they got them in the morning, not evening.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

Truth and truth to both of you. Back in CO, there were usually two-three services, depending on the church. Morning (6-8am), afternoon (12-2pm) and evening (5-7pm). When going to Catholic school, they had it set up for all students to attend the afternoon Mass at Divine Redeemer, which was usually around 2. After Mass, we were free to go.

I'd rather get the obligation over with as soon as possible, but I have to check St. John's schedule.

[blaisepascal]

Is there any place to put an air mattress for her that won't rearrange the children?

Is there any point in which you'll say "no"?

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

The third floor. It WOULD be peaceful and quiet up there, but she won't sleep on an air mattress. "I need my own BED, Sarah," was the direct quote.

Also, Wolf has pretty much put his foot down and said "I don't want her here overnight. It will be less stressful on everyone." He's right, too. I'm just annoyed with her general behavior. Dad was super-cool about sleeping on the couch and declared it the best couch he'd ever slept on.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, and "No" doesn't work on this woman without some form of veiled threat thrown in. Which doesn't bode well for the visit, does it? I realize she's still grieving for her sister, who died last June, but I'll be damned if I'm going to leave her alone with my children.

[blaisepascal]

By making these demands, she's the ones making threats.

What would happen if you said "no" to any of her demands? Will she cancel the trip and refuse to come? Will she come anyway and continue to harangue you? What can she do that will make "yes" preferable to not disrupting your house more than is necessary.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

I don't think she'd cancel, and if she DID, oh gods, would I hear about it, from her AND Dad.

She did mention a hotel offhand during the conversation in question, so I will inform her of our decision and if she doesn't like it, I'll hear about it and bitch about her unreasonableness after the fact. I find it telling of me that I was super-excited and nervous about Dad having a good time when he visited, and I'm waiting for this visit with Mom to be OVER with before it's started.

[page-of-swords.livejournal.com]

Mother asked why we didn't just chop the legs off. Off a METAL bunk bed.

Don't you work in a car shop? Can you take the legs off bring them to work and have one of the guys use the metal chop saw to do it.

Heck I have the tool for the electric drill if you want it. I will never use it again. We might see each other next month.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

This is a bunk bed with a built in desk underneath. To knock it down six inches is to lose the desk space, which he NEEDS. Not to mention the ladder, and the fact it took HOURS to assemble because of all the bits. No, it's not worth it.

And I don't impose on my co-workers for a state inspection, let alone something personal. I get enough nonsense from them as it is.