Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

MIL has stolen my shoes!

469 replies

ratherbeshowjumping · 26/09/2018 11:43

This is not a joke...!

Historically I've had a very difficult relationship with Satan my MIL. DH pops his head in once a week on his way home from work but we otherwise have little to do with the witch. We get on OK when we do see her.

Last week I had to work away and she did massively help us out by popping in and checking on the puppy.... and since then I cannot find my very, very naice pair of wellies that my lovely DM treated me to.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, DH went in to say hi yesterday eve and my wellies were there, neat by my backdoor. He immediately said "are they showjumpers wellies?", she laughed and said "no, of course they're not." DH then said "oh showjumper has lost hers, exactly the same."
She then laughed and commented how absentminded I am!!

(I am but that's not the point!)

With risk of sounding awful, I do not think she would be familiar with the brand and even if she was, she would have the money to spend £300+ on a pair of wellies.

WWYD? All suggestions appreciated Grin

OP posts:
BestestBrownies · 26/09/2018 12:28

x-post Mummyoflittledragon

steppemum · 26/09/2018 12:32

and I was just thinking the same as the others - what else has she taken?

It is really odd though, as she had them sitting out quite visible when DH came round, it is as if she wanted him to know that she had taken them Confused

HeckyPeck · 26/09/2018 12:34

I really really don't want OP to quietly re-steal, I do think MIL needs calling out on this, but maybe in real life I would be less confrontational!

I’d like to imagine I’d stroll round there, put them on and walk out with them, but in real life I’d go for the quieter option I think!

DanglyBangly · 26/09/2018 12:34

Just ask her if you can borrow them as you’ve lost yours. Then never give them back.

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/09/2018 12:35

BestestBrownies
Yes and let’s hope we are just too suspicious!

Original poster
ratherbeshowjumping · 26/09/2018 12:36

I've checked everything - to what I can see, everything of value is still here.
There is a possibility that she popped on the wellies to put the puppy out but surely her shoes would still be here? And they aren't!
Dementia is definitely a possibility.

I think the most likely explanation is her trying to cause an argument between DH and I... and failing as DH is as dumbstruck as me.

She does like to rile me up and I've learnt that the less I react, the less satisfaction she gets. Hence why I'm not ranting to her but ranting on here instead!!!

OP posts:
Gottagetmoving · 26/09/2018 12:38

If I had wellies that cost over 300 quid I would keep them in a safe Grin
Ask her where she bought them.

KeiTeNgeNge · 26/09/2018 12:40

Stroll over in flats with the puppy , use the puppy to divert her then pop your feet in the wellies and your flats in your bag and act puzzled - no I wore the wellies over - you must be confused...

Original poster
ratherbeshowjumping · 26/09/2018 12:41

@steppemum yes exactly, surely if you steal something you'd hide it Confused

OP posts:
flumpybear · 26/09/2018 12:42

Do the manufacturers have some sort of number system to ensure that fakes don't get on the market? Just thinking you could check this out if so

Not sure if this is even a think but if you're paying £300 for wellies I'd want a full postcode assigned to my boots!

DarlingNikita · 26/09/2018 12:43

yes exactly, surely if you steal something you'd hide it

Well, unless she's banking on you and your DH being too scared to confront her properly about it.

WhatchaMaCalllit · 26/09/2018 12:44

How old are the boots OP? Are there any labels inside the boots?
You could put some sort of number somewhere on the boots and say that the boot care kit that you were expecting for boots number #12345 has been delivered and you're sure that your boots are in her house and that you want them back.

Doingreat · 26/09/2018 12:45

I really hope you get your wellies back op. Not only are they super expensive but also a present from your dm! Some people are unbelievable.

steppemum · 26/09/2018 12:45

given the odd way she has them in full view, I would think

  1. she is really starting with dementia
  2. she is deliberately stirring and wants to see what will happen
  3. she is mad, literally a bit disconnected to reality
  4. actually I can't think of any other reason, it is so odd!
GummyGoddess · 26/09/2018 12:45

You can't re-steal them. You can't steal your own property! Just take them back, they're yours.

I would be tempted to take them and steal a pair of her shoes to be honest. Probably wouldn't as I'm not quite that petty but would be nice to imagine doing.

RollerJed · 26/09/2018 12:46

I'm sorry OP but I have to follow this thread just to see how this turns out 😂

HowlsMovingBungalow · 26/09/2018 12:47

I wouldn't abide stealing. Even from MIL.
And I wouldn't be stealing them back - I'd be ringing my MIL and asking why she thought she could take £300 worth of my personal items and that I would have them back asap. CF!

AnneProtheroe · 26/09/2018 12:49

I would be tempted to take them and steal a pair of her shoes to be honest. Probably wouldn't as I'm not quite that petty but would be nice to imagine doing

Temptation would be to take one shoe from every single pair she owns.
"oh how absent minded of you, MIL. How can you lose one shoe out of each pair?"

Bluelady · 26/09/2018 12:52

What a lovely idea, Anne. Just take them back and change the locks, OP. She's trying to mess with your head.

SirVixofVixHall · 26/09/2018 12:52

I would also worry about dementia. It is so bizarre to have them in full view that I wonder if she really believes they are now hers. Your DH could ask her where she bought them, as he wants to replace yours ? Buy some of those £15 garden centre old farmer type wellies and swap them ?
No one buys wellies like that to walk the dog around the park. Joules wellibobs maybe, I could believe then that she’d bought the same pair, but these ? No.

steppemum · 26/09/2018 12:53

Anyone else seeing a bad sit com playing out in their mind, as OP's DH creeps in to take the boots, marks them with pen etc and takes them home. Then goes into garage and trips over REAL pair of OPs boots there, and then, in typical bad sit com fashion lots of trying to return correct boots to MIL, etc.

(sorry OP)

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 26/09/2018 12:57

Dementia is definitely a possibility

How old is she? Has there been other instances that might point to her having dementia?

Aprilshowersnowastorm · 26/09/2018 12:57

Take the puppy over (with a full poo bag to hand) get your boots and empty bag in a pair of her shoes.. Make a hasty retreat to the car. With your boots of course!!

60sname · 26/09/2018 12:59

No one buys wellies like that to walk the dog around the park.

So what kind of thing do they use them for?? (Proud owner of a £10 Amazon pair here)

ChasedByBees · 26/09/2018 12:59

I hope you do get them back OP! When you do, expect fireworks though.