A little background for those who didn't read the original thread: Saturday was our holiday gathering with the nieces and nephews and I was dreading it because of my Evil SIL. Over the past couple of years we have learned just how Evil she really is. I wasn't sure I could be in her presence and behave myself.
Well, I'm pleased to say it wasn't a terrible day. I was properly medicated (okay, I was more than properly medicated) and was able to have a good time. Evil kind of stayed out of the way. She seemed touched and surprised at the Christmas gift I gave her (handmade soaps and a glittery picture frame). So everything was going well until she started making fun of Chip for being fat. (Chip? FAT???) She was smacking his gut and laughing at him. I said in a frosty voice, "He got that little middle from taking Prednisone." (Which is true, and he's off Prednisone now.) When Chip changed the subject, I walked away lest I be tempted to say something.
The big pain of the day was Jerkoid Nephew. He made a big show of giving Middle Niece a gift — and did not get one for MN's husband GG because he doesn't like him. Now I know that a gift is just that — a gift — but Jerkoid made it very obvious that GG wasn't getting anything. Oldest Niece told me that the previous night, Jerkoid had been saying horrible things about GG, and she pulled him out of the room and said, "If you say one word about MN and GG tomorrow, just one word, I will ask you to leave. You may not like GG, but he's been good to your sister, and I am not going to have you trashing him in MN's presence."
Jerkoid's soon-to-be-Fiancée #4 was sweet and nice, but she was tipsy. She had downed a couple of glasses of very cheap wine before dinner. (Of course, if I were living with Jerkoid, I might be drinking cheap wine myself — or something stronger). She began calling Chip and me Uncle and Aunt on our first meeting at Thanksgiving. She has had a very bad family life and is a bit "needy." She's also a gusher, almost to the point of being over the top. Very emotional, very bubbly. I like her, though. I sat beside her at dinner and we joked about who could eat the most broccoli casserole.
After dinner, I was sitting on a hassock, and Chip was beside me in a chair. Jerkoid came and sat behind me on the hassock and began rubbing my shoulders. Now this kid has never touched me before except for the usual "relative hug" and I got a bit creeped out. Jerkoid asked how my recovery from surgery was coming along. I told him I was doing well. He said, "We've been praying for you." Then he pointed at Chip and said, "Actually, I have been praying for you ever since you married that guy!" I almost smacked him, but I held myself in check and said with a laugh, "You should have been praying for Chip instead." (Mental note: Must not strangle Jerkoid, though his sisters would probably appreciate it if I did.) Chip said later, "It was just another one of his stupid jokes that didn't come off."
So other than those few incidents, everything was relatively calm. And the best thing that happened was a remark from Youngest Niece. Someone said something and YN piped up, "You can't do that! It's bad etiquette."
Has that precious child learned well or what? LOL!!
