My turn to host the Easter dinner - after I had to convince the "fam" that no, the gastric band procedure did not remove my abilities in the kitchen! Par for the course - despite the fact that I had a whole dinner arranged, my m-i-l had to bring not only the scratch rolls(which I asked her to make - but not enough to feed 20 people), but also a pie and two dozen sweet rolls - for six people?! My s-i-l brought a salad(which I asked her to) but also a pasta salad and a fruit salad in heavy, sugary sauce - again, we're talking 5 adults and a toddler. Of course my s-i-l has DMII but doesn't "believe" she's a diabetic and doesn't like to eat the "healthy stuff" I make. That's defined as veggies you can recognize, not hidden in over sauced cassoroles. So she has to bring her own "contributions" which load up most of her plate.

Upon arriving my m-i-l says, "How's your little diet going?!" (still clueless no matter how many times I've explained the procedure) and my s-i-l; aka the MegaPhone Mouth from the Motor City starts the questions - "How much have you lost?", "Are you going to eat?", "Can you eat this?", "Can you eat that?" I just about lost it!

So, when everyone arrived and was hanging out before chow time I said something to the effect of, "This is it - get your questions in now, because I'm not going through this at every family get together nor am I going to give you material to gossip to any and everyone about me, my procedure, why I had it, what I eat, don't eat, wear/no longer wear etc! It's getting boring for everyone and since some of you can't respect my privacy, I simply am not going to put it out there."

No sooner than I left the room, my s-i-l is grilling my husband! God love him - I could hear him tell her, "You heard with Jill said - let it go!" Later my nephew caught me in the kitchen and thanked me for having the "balls" to stand up to the "gossip girls"!:tongue:

i am thinking of getting lap band would love to hear from you melissamae97481@yahoo.com

Melissa - What would you like to know? Jill

Loved reading your post. Not because of the pain these people tried to inflict, but because of your attitude. My in-laws are fantastic, supportive, understanding, and accepting; now my family (mother and both sisters) are more like your in-laws. (How about negotiating a trade?) There are always people that thrive on the failures of others, that in so doing feel they are better than they really are. Most of it comes from a basic ignorance and lack of empathy or interest in anything other than themselves. Fortunately, there are others who will be understanding and encouraging. You will be happier with those who make you happy.

W B

My in-laws aren't looking for me to fail so much as they are unrepentant gossips and not the sharpest tools in the toolshed. My s-i-l's best friend (Marge)from childhood confided in her that her daughter was diagnosed w/schizophrenia - of course my s-i-l ran to tell everyone but always with the caveat, "...But don't say anything in front of Marge - I'm sworn to secrecy!" So I said, "Then why are you telling me?!" My s-i-l just looked at me like a deer in the headlights. It never occurred to her to keep her trap shut.

My m-i-l is what they would call a "flibbertigibbit" - airheaded, flightly and always in need of rescue. She can't figure out her phone bill, taxes, etc and runs off to make dumb and expensive mistakes which her kids and son & daughters-in-law pay for. She is probably the oldest example of ADD I have ever seen.