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Original poster

Surprise but what could it be?

173 replies

RockSocks · 27/04/2023 14:29

Dm has decided in her infinite wisdom I am in need of a surprise

Her last surprise was to refloor my kitchen and bathroom

While I did agree to the flooring being replaced I was told it would be a surprise with the type and I trusted her she is usually very good with decoration ect

I came home to laminate (I have nothing against laminate) that looks like wood but it's blue, dark blue.

I have a 200+ yo cottage it matches absolutely nothing but I smiled and said thank you and internally curse her every time I mop it

Tomorrow she has arranged another surprise but won't tell me what it is only that I have to be out of the house for 2 preferably 3 hours so I can't be home between 2.30 though preferably 1.30 and 4.30 and whoever is doing it is a she.

I have found out it will be done in my dining room only because she asked me how far our puppy cam covered and this room is a black spot.

It can't be more flooring as there is a marine tank in there and can't be moved.
We are in the process of finishing the garden but it can't be to do with that as it would be outside not inside.
I have only just finished painting so can't be that.

I'm driving myself mad trying to think what it could be!
Any guesses are welcome

OP posts:
chocolatehoovering · 28/04/2023 18:51

I don't understand why you would allow her do do these "surprises". You could end up with something really not to your taste (you aren't keen on the flooring for a start). Maybe you didn't want/need the garden turfed.
It's just bizarre.
If she wants to help and has interior design skills that's great but these things should be done in consultation with you so you get input into what is done and what the end result looks like.
Lots of people on here saying how wonderful she is and in some ways I don't disagree - but it's just a bit off (in my opinion, seems like many disagree) that she tells you to go out for a certain number of hours and then does home improvements without asking you if that's what you want. Personally, I would put a stop to the "surprises"

moomoomoo27 · 28/04/2023 18:53

I would change the locks and refuse to give keys on the grounds it would invalidate the insurance (even if not true).

What a nightmare.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 28/04/2023 19:07

I think this is quite funny! Sounds like the turf looks good.

Am also puzzled by your dark blue laminate, it's clearly light grey!

nettie434 · 28/04/2023 19:12

At least there won't be any disagreements about returfing the lawn in terms of colour. Hopefully it will be nice in terms of sitting outside when the weather improves.

'nothing matches apart from the dog and one cat who have very similar markings'

That really made me laugh!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 28/04/2023 19:24

RockSocks · 28/04/2023 17:27

She turfed my garden! The dining room was a red herring
I'll be honest it's not great but it's alot better than it was as we had just had a conservatory built and the garden was collateral damage as we had the drains done at the same timeand all the rubble was piled high for several months

Well at least it was grassy grass not astro turf grass.

The cats will be uber judgey at the loss of the gravel litter pit .

viques · 28/04/2023 19:26

So on a bank holiday weekend when the weather is supposed to be more or less decent you can’t go out in your garden because you can’t walk on the new turf.

but thanks mum!

Justhereforthebotox · 28/04/2023 19:29

Op, your mum is awesome! Lucky you.
ps, forgive me if this has already been suggested, haven’t rtft, but could you be colour blind? It might explain your dp’s rule 🤣

Justhereforthebotox · 28/04/2023 19:29

Justhereforthebotox · 28/04/2023 19:29

Op, your mum is awesome! Lucky you.
ps, forgive me if this has already been suggested, haven’t rtft, but could you be colour blind? It might explain your dp’s rule 🤣

This is in relation to you insisting that your grey kitchen floor is blue!

AspidistraFlying · 28/04/2023 19:41

What colour is the new turfed area, OP?

GoodChat · 28/04/2023 19:46

AspidistraFlying · 28/04/2023 19:41

What colour is the new turfed area, OP?

Pink, like all turf, obvs Wink

AgrathaChristie · 28/04/2023 19:47

Beachbreak2411 · 28/04/2023 17:48

How wonderful is your mum?

my parents have a huge construction firm. Millionaires.. I live in a shitty council house and they won’t ever help me with anything. I needed shelves putting up and I didn’t have the drills etc (and they wouldn’t lend me them) so had to pay loss of money to get someone to do it for me.

@Beachbreak2411 Thats really sad, I’m sorry your parents are such a let down. 💐

LittleBlueBrioTrain · 28/04/2023 20:01

Is it just me that thinks this whole surprise thing is utterly batshit?!

TheChosenTwo · 28/04/2023 20:12

No @LittleBlueBrioTrain - I do too 😂
But OP seems happy and relaxed enough not to be too bothered either way and her mum must think she’s being helpful so fair enough!!
I wouldn’t be okay with giving anyone free reign in my house to do as they pleased because we’ve spent a lot of time and money getting it to how we want it but we’re all different.

Emotionalsupportviper · 28/04/2023 20:52

tatteddear · 27/04/2023 14:55

It doesn't look very blue?
My money is on feature wall paper!

I thought the same.

That's light grey, not dark blue.

SirVixofVixHall · 28/04/2023 20:56

Your Mum sounds brilliant. My friends have a Mum who would do things like this - I love her.

simonthedog · 28/04/2023 21:05

I just couldn't accept this. I hate surprises anyway but it is in your home and you have to live with it. I wouldn't allow any changes to my home unless I knew what they were in advance.

PlantKi1ler · 28/04/2023 21:11

New dining table and chairs?

Iwasafool · 28/04/2023 21:36

My lawn is in awful condition, not helped by me spraying the dandelions with the wrong spray and killing a circle of grass round each dandelion and there are bloody millions of them. I can't even claim it is a one off as I did exactly the same thing 12 months ago. I do worry about dementia at times like this. DH hasn't noticed yet.

I wish someone would come along and surprise me with turfing the lawn preferably before DH notices that oops I did it again.

muuummypig · 28/04/2023 21:43

Jewelanemone · 27/04/2023 14:39

A mural!

This!

ScreamingInfidelities · 28/04/2023 22:00

LittleBlueBrioTrain · 28/04/2023 20:01

Is it just me that thinks this whole surprise thing is utterly batshit?!

Batshit in a very charming way 😊

JudgeJ · 28/04/2023 22:57

Sparkletastic · 27/04/2023 20:57

That's a grey floor and I can't express how much I'd hate someone else doing things to my home.

I'd be round to her house with a tin of purple paint to improve at least one of the walls.
Wonder if this would have judged slightly amusing if the OP's MIL had done it or would that be a 'husband problem'?

Beaverbridge · 28/04/2023 23:06

I'd love that flooring.

Helpmeimtired · 29/04/2023 00:39

What an odd family.

PinkButtercups · 29/04/2023 06:08

Helpmeimtired · 29/04/2023 00:39

What an odd family.

Why?

AspidistraFlying · 29/04/2023 06:51

PinkButtercups · 29/04/2023 06:08

Why?

Show quote history

Well, why is everything a ‘surprise’? Why not offer to refloor the OP’s kitchen and choose a colour and type of flooring together? After all, the OP is the one who will be looking at it daily. Why not ask if she’d like her lawn returned rather than making a big deal about her having to be out and throwing in red herrings about the dining room to throw the OP off the scent?