My MIL lives in another part of the country but is coming to stay for a couple of days next week and I can already feel myself getting wound up when I think about our meals together. No one else has ever had this effect on me.
Throughout every meal we must endure her incessant speaking with her mouth full of food. This occasionally results in morsels flying out towards an unsuspecting diner. Everything is chewed with her mouth open leaving us in no doubt of the current state of the contents. This is accompanied by wild gesticulation using her cutlery, usually knife, to ensure no one misses her constant interruptions of whoever is talking. Her bright hair is unfortunately not matched by her intellect and the overall effect could well have come from a Roald Dahl tale.
Unfortunately, I do not get on very well with my MIL, although she is blissfully unaware of this. She is a self-centred, domineering woman who shows no interest in her grandchildren. I have smiled sweetly throughout her visits over the years but am finding it harder to remain perfectly tolerant as the children are getting older. They have not yet asked why their granny is allowed to get away with such shocking table manners whilst they are not, but I worry that this day may not be far away.
AIBU?
Is there anything I can do to stay sane during her visit? Or suggestions for recipes which could minimise the unpleasantness? What can I say to the DC? If DH had shared her eating habits we would not have stayed a couple for very long!
I have NCed for this as I realise I'm probably being unfair, but it feels great to vent for a change!!