Good morning, everyone! Just popping in to say hi, and to vent a little bit.
I've told y'all about my MIL and how she is a passive/aggressive manipulator. Well, this time she's done it! Alan's niece just got married in England, and MIL wanted to go. However, she can't afford it on her own, and her health is awful. That kind of trip might just do her in. However, she really wanted to go. She kept hinting around, hoping that Alan's sister would foot the bill, and get her there, and take care of her while she was there. SIL didn't fall for it, so MIL didn't get to go.
While SIL was in England, MIL and her husband make the monumental decision to move to Arkansas where another sister of Alan's lives. This sister is the biggest enabler to her mother. It's quite disgusting to watch. MIL went crying to SIL, about how none of us ever visit her, we never invite her to anything, etc. Really, the whole 9 yards. She really spread it on thick. Of course we visit her! She's been invited to everything that's happened to any of the kids or grandkids since she moved to this current house. Of course, she doesn't tell SIL any of that, so SIL sends a scathing email to all her siblings, telling us all how awful we are that we won't make Mom and Bob feel welcome! She tells us how she is going to move Mom and Bob to Arkansas where she and her kids can take care of them in their declining years and we all ought to be ashamed of ourselves.
Anyway, a week passes, and MIL gives notice at her current house, and starts getting ready to move, all the while making little comments about how she'd really like to stay, but she needs to be "closer to family". At this point, we are all DONE with her manipulation! We just let her comment, and don't say anything, which really riled her up. SIL in Arkansas lets us know that unfortunately, she can't come out and drive MIL and Bob to Arkansas, so we are going to have to pack her up and figure out how to get her there. We found a person willing to drive her, so all we have to do is pack them up.
We rented a POD and as of last night, it is full. Today we get to go up there, finish packing their car with the last of what they will take with them, and load up a trailer full of furniture she wants us to sell at a yard sale and send her the money.
I'm trying to have a good attitude, but it's getting really hard. This move will kill her and her husband. Both of them are in very poor health, and have been advised not to move by their doctors. They won't listen. I would really rather not go to help, because it's really hard for me to hold my tongue when she starts in with her digs on her ungrateful children. However, she's not my mom, and it's not my place to yell at her! I also have to take into account that this will probably be the last time my children will ever see their grandma alive again. So, I get to put on a happy face, help pack their car and trailer tonight, and throw a farewell party for them.
Send me all your good thoughts today and tomorrow! I'm going to need them!
Elizabeth got in late last night! Almost time to see some more old friends! Hurry up and get here! 
