i do

in-laws can be at best comfortable, at worst assholes. i know. my earlier ones brought along lots of drama, confusion, and attitude. oh, there were some fun times but some really difficult ones as well. i'm sure i added to the chaos at times but in a scene like that who would notice?

they talked about the hubby's old girlfriends "he was so much in love and was devastated when she left him" gee, did i REALLY need to know that? they asked for money, got jealous if one of their deadbeat boyfriends looked at me, made my relatives feel unwelcome and they conversed in spanish without considering i might want to join in - hell, even understand their conversations. they showed up at the door and stayed for months - "oh, didn't your husband tell you we were coming?" ummmm, no. a physical fight actually broke out at a wedding of all places. I could go on but i won't because this story has a happy ending.

eventually there was a feeling of incredible relief that i didn't have children who would have learned bad manners and unsavory behavior on weekends with their dad and his family.

present day: my in-laws are funny, always make me feel welcome and there is NO drama. on the few occasions where i got a little bitchy, they didn't give advice, didn't judge, and didn't seem to mind at all. sure there are ex-wives, but the current ones are always given the right of way and any scars left behind don't show up at family gatherings.

oh, and there are theme parties. let's see - a white trash party complete with cheese whiz and spam, an 80's party with big hair and cheesy make-up, a 50th birthday with geriatric gifts and white hair, a toga party where sheets tried but didn't quite make a Roman fashion statement, a luau with tropical drinks and sarongs and super bowl parties with crazy ways to pick next years teams. there are ghoul pools, wine-tastings, and just all-around good times. people get thrown in the pool, ride piggyback, play cards, dominos and beer pong.

yep, i lucked out allright. i think a 70's theme party might be in order and we all know what that means. the brady bunch is alive and well and living in our family.