Awake and up all night

Helen, apart from really, really having to get dressed to go out shopping, I've lived in my filthy, sweaty jamas all week! xxx

No, you wouldn't Sonia, and neither do I. I managed to avoid her as much as possible for almost 17 years before OH had his stroke. Then it was brought home exactly why I'd been avoiding her.

Jesus wept xxx

I would avoid her at all costs. My ex mother in law was like that all me me me. She was a hypochondriac and would phone at midnight to tell us all her ailments. Sending hugs and love.xxx

Thanks sweetie  If nothing else I'm certainly not alone in the awful in-law stakes.

Good grief yours must have been a nightmare. I bet you felt like banging the phone down on her.

It's tricky here though, as although OH knows what she's like there's always the blood thicker than water guff going on. I've often thought some parents seem hell-bent on making their offsprings lives as difficult as possible. That's unless they're compliant and become younger carbon copies of them. It's the biggest reason I let my two do their own thing and didn't interfere once they reached a responsible age. They knew they could always confide if that's what they wanted.

I've spent 20 years trying to sever mother's apron strings from OH and she doesn't like it. Tough xxx

Narcissist is the world.

If you look at the traits listed they should sum him up perfectly.

Sounds like you've got your own Mr Markel. We've got Mrs xxx

I am the same Gill with mine. I don't interfere. I knew my sons girlfriend was toxic but eventually he realised for himself. My daughters OH is lovely. I have nothing against him. My son has now got a lovely girlfriend. Gill try and keep her out of your lives. Your OH will be sympathetic you don't want to admit your mother is bad. My ex was the same with his mother. He caught her once with the rag and bone man in the kitchen. Sending big hugs to you xxx

Omg! Sorry hon, the rag and bone man story made me snort with laughter!

Don't worry Sonia, OH has heard me telling her to her face how I feel. After initial indignance she conveniently 'forgets' what I've said to her. I've got no respect for age with folk like that but will never forget how she's treat OH through both times during his illnesses. She's content to let me do everything for him but that's fine by me as I don't want her round here with her vitriol. In his heart neither does OH my poor lad. xxx

I bet she does nothing for your OH. No worries Gill you are better off without her. Are you watching the Footie? We have just had the heavens open here. A welcome relief. Good evening Gill. Take care.xxx

Hi again sweetie, yes I've just done an early TLC before the football, so if OH gets tired he can go straight up. 

Oh never mind the old crab hon. What concerns me now is that we haven't had a drop all day but everyone else has! Maybe it will head east from yours and we'll get some refreshing rain, unless the Pennines are big spoilsports and block it off.

Will you be seeing Lorraine for her birthday tomorrow hon? xxx