Saturday, November 7, 2015

Patty, The Saga Continues






 For those of you that have never read my post from last July, Patty is my sister-in-law.  If you care to read about the Patty and Selma debacle, start HERE.  Selma is back home in Florida, which is just where she should be.  But Patty lives here, and the problems I have with Patty will never go away.  I may not blog about her all the time, but as far as escalating my irritation level or causing me to slip into an abyss of bad temper, she is always there.  Sometimes it feels as if she thinks up things when she is not with us just to have bossy, nosy, or egotistical comments ready and available at a moment's notice.  

             Patty is my nemesis.  My Waterloo.  My undoing.


Sometime during my teaching career, I heard a funny story about how if you were the mother of 3 boys, you automatically got into heaven.  There was no waiting at the Pearly Gates.  Three boys was like having the American Express Gold Card at boarding time at the airport  Saint Peter just lets you in over on a side door and you
bypass the A, B, and C groups completely.  I knew several moms who did indeed deserve heaven to welcome them this way.  I may have had all 3 boys from one family, but it was spread out over the years.  I didn't have them all at once.

Sam and I have 2 grown up boys ourselves.  I always said that I would agree to a third child if God, himself, would come down and guarantee in writing that I could have a daughter.  When He did not make an appearance, I decided it was time to stop the baby production.  Two boys was enough for me.  But, I digress.




Anyway, where I was heading with this was to explain that even 26 crazy, little 9 and 10 year old children have never tested my patience as much as Patty.  So if there is a way for me to get to heaven, being kind to this SIL ought to give me a head start.



Patty is a well-to-do woman who lives in a fancy retirement community.  She does not want to work, shop, cook, do dishes, clean, garden or do laundry, but she is an expert at all these activities.  Thank goodness, I say.  I simply don't know how I made it all these years without knowing how to fold a T-shirt or scrub dirty pots or plant geraniums.






Several weeks ago when everyone was pitching in with the dishes after a big family dinner, I heard Patty say to the others in the kitchen, "Ella doesn't like me to help with the dishes."  My head whipped around and my eyes narrowed.  I only said, "What!?" but my tone caught Sam's attention.  He just pointed at me with his finger.


In Sam's defense he often thanks me for being kind to her and knows very well how difficult she can be.  And I am most grateful that lately, his HOH powers seem to be showing even with Patty, who is 11 years older than Sam!  I started to wrap a birthday gift to
a little girl we know on a Sunday afternoon with Patty over.  She started right in telling me how to do it.  I didn't engage or look up, and I mumbled something generic about the color of the paper.  Twice more she began to tell me what I was doing wrong and twice more I did not take the bait.  When her mouth opened once more, Sam looked her straight in the eye and said, "Stop."  And she really did shut up!  Amazing. 

Patty Actually Shuts Up


When I know I will be seeing Patty, I talk to myself about kindness and making sure I am a good listener.  Sometimes Mr. Paddle talks to me about it, too.  Saturday morning Sam decided that a "Weekend Adjustment" was a good idea.  This is a spanking dedicated to my keeping a positive attitude, staying focused on Who's The Boss, and the general happiness and peace of our weekend.



While Weekend Adjustments are not quite happy spankings, they usually aren't really serious either.  For some reason, Sam felt this spanking needed to address my patience with Patty firmly.  He chose the Paddle-Ball paddle that has, "It's Fun!" printed on one
side.  (That is a stinking lie, BTW!)  Sam does not really get the point of warm-ups.  He's more of a "Get 'er done" kind of guy.  Lordy, I just about came up off the edge of the bed.  It was very intense from the get go, and tears sprang to my eyes.  Believe me, I answered every question and suggestion, but finally I just pleaded, "Sam, it's just too hard!"

Wrong thing to say, I discovered.  There was a flurry of strokes and that damn paddle came down even harder!  "Who decides how hard?" Sam asked.  "You do!" I quickly replied and then I shut up but good.  In the middle of that type of spanking, I am only in the moment.  The world is narrowed down to just me and the paddle.  It is not like I have trouble concentrating.  I have trouble staying still.

Finally it was over, and Sam pulled me into him right where I want to be.  Our weekend would be happy and peaceful, and I was feeling so "Adjusted" that it was hard to sit down.




23 comments:

  1. Oh Ella, what a pain in the a** having to deal with such an unpleasant lady on a regular basis. How annoying that she never gets a well deserved spanking.I think I would have to make my attitude to her something he wasn't allowed to spank for, she is his relative after all!
    Hope you have a lovely weekend. Btw I had two boys as well and then called a halt to the proceedings,lol It is so lovely having a grand daughter now :)
    love Jan,xx

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    1. Although our sweet English Rose will not say "ass," I certainly will. And, yes, she is. She does not even deserve a spanking. Sam's spankings are always because he loves me. I doubt that Patty ever had anything like that even when her husband was alive.

      She did the same thing with him and with everyone with whom she comes in contact. She has now alienated everyone in 3 different bridge groups in her retirement circle. She is shunned which means she complains about how horrid and stupid these other women are. I so understand. If I didn't have to ever speak to her again, I so would not. Thank you for letting me let out my frustration.

      I, too, would love a granddaughter, Jan. You are a lucky grandma!

      Hugs from Ells

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  2. I'm glad Sam is there for you to keep you centered and your thinking in the right direction. The people I have in my life that are like Patty are not family and as I get older (and obliviously mouthier) I get to deal with as I see fit. Would it have been rude of you, as you were wrapping, for you to have said "Stop" with firm eye contact? Not hatefully, but seriously? Just wondering. I liked having a son and a daughter, best of both worlds.

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    1. PK, I also am glad that Sam is there for me. He does not let my anger and frustration consume my happiness. Thank the Lord.

      You are so right about the getting older thing! I now rid myself of relationships that are destructive, too. I will try to gird myself to try what you suggest. I guess I am trying to avoid a confrontation, because I know she is not going to change. Still, it is worth a try.

      I love both my boys very much. How different they are. I envy your relationship with Mollie.

      Ella

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  3. I have been there...where the only thing that exists is pain. Sometimes it is necessary...nice that Sam recognizes that. I had a sil like Patty...she is now an ex sister in law...so that solved my problem....lucky me!
    hugs abby

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    1. Yes, Abby. You are wise. It is a release and points me in the direction of being a loving person.

      The only way Patty would be an ex SIL would be for Sam to disappear. Since that is not something that would ever be something for which I prayed, I just have to prove that I am the bigger person. It is hard, and it is so appreciated that you all write with your wisdom.

      Hugs,
      Ella

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  4. Ella,
    Sometimes husbands just know that the spanking needs to do its work. And work is just what they do.
    Meredith

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    1. Meredith, you are the best at bringing the truth down to the fewest words. It means so much when you visit.

      Ella

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  5. Oh Ella, sorry about Patty- Luckily for me Ray has no siblings.

    Sorry about Mr. Paddle and the 'adjustment' period. Not fun on a weekend.

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    1. For some reason, Sunny, I seem to need to be focused when we get to the weekend. Mr. Paddle is a reckoning, but brings me back from the Dark Side.

      Just in case you think that I do not like extended family, I do so love my own brother's wife and both my own BILs. They are good and loving people.

      Sam grew up in a very strange family, and I am still amazed after all these years that he is such a good man. It came from his wonderful father, I know.

      Ella

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  6. Oooooh Patty!! Gah! How she irritates me FOR you! Sorry you had to deal with her harpsihness. Is that a word? If not, I've made it one! Lol. Sorry about Mr Paddle. He sounds a little wicked. But I'm so glad that Sam knows what you need.

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    1. Well, Maggie, if "harpy" is a word, then "harpishness" is perfectly acceptable. Mr. Paddle is pretty wicked, but so is the Paddle Ball one.

      Sam has come to know me better than myself. He can tell when I wear an attitude on my sleeve, and he can lift that burden from both of us. It is amazing that he knows that even before I do. TTWD brings so many changes.

      Ella

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  7. I love how she listened to Sam!
    My Mil and Sil didn't always enjoy my company so I certainly understand! As a matter of fact a neighbor once heard them calling me a B****! Boy how times change. Bring kind but firm in some ways does pay off in the end.
    Glad Sam adjusted the weekend.... And you benefited!

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    1. It was really amazing, Minelle! As I said, Sam is the "little" brother. Patty is not used to him being the boss. He does it just like his father. Never with anger. Just with a "That's enough," tone to his voice.

      I am sure she has said many things about me to others. I will remember that you say kindness pays off in the end. Being "adjusted" is something I feel for the rest of the day, at least. But it grounds me in a way that feels so safe.

      Thanks for your Comment,
      Ella

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  9. Sorry you are having to deal with Patty...as I told you in your referenced post, I had similar issues with inlaws as my ex was the youngest of 6...grrrr. I also had 2 boys and called it quits and now have two awesome daughters of my heart as well as two absolutely fantastic granddaughters! Hang in there sweetie...just smile, thank her for the advice and keep on doing whatever you want. ;) Oh and BTW...she deserves a barn burner to where she couldn't sit down for a few days!

    Hugs and blessings...Cat

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    1. Thanks, Cat. It helps to know that someone else has dealt with a person like Patty. My own boys will tease me by saying something or interfering in the same way Patty does. That usually makes me laugh.

      I, too, have one awesome DIL and am hoping for another soon.

      Hugs,
      Ella

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  10. Oh dear Ella, not good dealing with your SIL, Patty. I know how you feel as I'm the youngest in my family and have a Patty who corrects everything I do. Bear hates the way she puts me down all the time.
    Ouch the paddle-ball paddle sounds like something that needs throwing away. Sam certainly adjusted your weekend.
    Hugs Lindy

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    1. You poor dear! At least Patty is not my own sister. Good for Bear! Perhaps he could be the one to say, "Stop" to your Patty! Bear sounds like he has a very HOHy demeanor sometimes. "Quit picking on my Lindy!" I will write the next time I am fuming about Patty. Glad you understand.

      As far as the paddle-ball paddle is concerned, Sam is fond of it because it has "It's Fun" printed on one side. It is much more fun if used for play!

      Hugs Sent Down Under,
      Ella

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  11. Hi Ella, I'm sorry you have to deal with Patty. Pretty sure I wouldn't have much patience either. Sorry about Mr paddle too, but glad Sam knew what you needed. Hope you are having a great and well adjusted weekend :)

    Hugs
    Roz

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    1. Hi Roz,
      I do my duty with Patty and try to stay kind. Today we are having dinner at my brother's home. His wife is such a sweetie. She is happy and funny and we truly enjoy each other. So I do have one wonderful SIL! We still laugh about a trip we took together many years ago.

      Sam usually does know what I need now. He gets better at that all the time.

      More Hugs Downunder to Roz,
      Ella

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  12. Sorry, Ella, but your "adjustment" made me laugh so much - I think it was the type of paddle!

    As for Patty - I would need to go outside on a regular basis for a hearty shriek!

    Hugs
    Ami

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  13. Welcome Ami,
    That paddle was discovered on a vacation trip to a little old-fashioned town that actually still had a vintage 5 & 10 cent-type store. It was a great time because they stocked all sorts of old toys and sewing notions and household items. The paddle really was supposed to be just for "Fun," but, I have met up with it several times in a more serious manner.

    As for Patty, there have been at least 3 occasions where I simply had to leave the room. I was just livid and afraid I was going to lose my temper in front of the whole family. Usually Sam will come after me with a sweet hug. My sons can usually make me laugh, especially if they are together. I need a few minutes to calm down, and then I am able to carry on.

    That's it! I need one of those Brit signs that says:

    Keep Calm
    &
    Ignore Patty!
    Hugs Across the Pond,
    Ella

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