Snarl, Growl, and Other Things You Do to Supress Your Urge to Mouth Off

Well...where do I begin?

My in-laws have done a major kitchen renovation since last we visited in July.  It looks very nice.  The colors are not what I would choose, but they are lovely.  I like the stainless appliances.  I like the idea of their kitchen, but not the practicality...but that is just me, and I am not the one who must use it to cook for my family.  At least, not after the 6th of December.

But I digress...you see, the countertop is man-made "pretend stone".  Now, my parents have a brand in their kitchen that totally rocks (no pun intended).  You can defrost your frozen goods on it in about 15 minutes, and you don't have to use trivets, or pot-holders under hot dishes (but we do, otherwise we forget it's hot and burn our hands).  You can use knives without cutting boards on it.  It cleans like a dream, and is very easy to clean.  They liked it so much, they had their Formica replaced in their bathrooms with this stuff.

Now, my in-laws did NOT use this particular brand of product, and in fact, didn't even use a major brand, because they apparently couldn't find a dealer local to Oregon (this is what I was told, not what I know to be true).  After having it installed, and sealed (at seams and walls etc), it needs to be polished and buffed.  You apparently MUST use a trivet under anything hot.  Not a cloth pot-holder, but a trivet that is preferably made of ceramic or glass, with rubber or felt pads under it.  Don't drop anything on it, or near it, and don't even think of sliding anything on it as it might scratch.

Now, I ask of you, why in the name of all that is holy and good would you ever in a million years use such a product in your kitchen?!?!?!?!?!!?  

I have been biting my lip and tongue so much I have sores...My MIL is, unfortunately, a person with issues.  You know the type...it is everyone else's fault that things are bad in the world, and they are the only one who can do anything anywhere near right.

Now, she did a great job raising my husband as her son (we won't go there today) and is normally very easy to get along with.  She is a strong woman.  Of that, I have no doubt.

My issue is when she belittles people for choosing differently than she would.

I shall not go into detail, but suffice it to say I have never been so tempted to throw something breakable at someone in my entire life as I have been in the last 6 days...

I am glad that our trip is halfway over, and am already looking forward to my bed, my shower, my own vacuum, my kitchen, and knowing that I can talk on the phone with them, and have to go for whatever reason I concoct.

I find myself, as my age progresses, becoming less tolerant of intolerant people.  How's that for irony, eh?