aaahhhh, put MIL on the train back home this morning, phew. Lovely and wonderful as she is in many ways, my goodness she's hard work, and it's just rillly good to have our wee home back to ourselves again.
DCMB - hello by they way, I don't think we've met before -my MIL is of the same ilk as your PILs in terms of thinking our darling RBoy can do no wrong. Which is lovely, but oh it can be wearing when she will keep saying "oh he's no trouble" when actually it is sometimes very hard work being his mum, despite the fact I really do think the sun shines out of his big boy pants encased bottom.
Actually, even MrR has commented sometimes on how competitive she can be - she does this thing where she talks about him as if she knows him better (and by subtle implication, loves him more) than anyone else in the world, which is clearly just silly. Ah well, she genuinely does have a lot of good points too, and she genuinely adores RBoy, so mustn't grumble, etc.
Tee, I'm with you on the not automatically respecting one's elders thing. If someone is rude and ignorant and has no consideration for the feelings of others, why should I respect them? Age does not automatically confer wisdom. If only it did.
Bean - fingers crossed for you, and I'm with you in agreeing that the signs sound hopeful - not that I know anything of these things, but all the people on here who do make a lot of sense!
Oxeye - yes, zoo trip next Thurs (30th), I think it's just me and Serpent so far with the possibility of an added Maud and maybe Scout? Hope you can make it too, with or without OxBoy! And AandO, sorry it's a wee bit too far for you!!