I took my bath and I finally feeling better. Let me bore you all with an example of my relationship with my mother: I still have about a dozen boxes of books that I haven't unpacked from my move a few months ago. I was so exhausted, sore, and stressed the week of the move that I never was able to finish the unpacking of the books, and I haven't found the motivation to finish the project since. Rarely do I have a conversation with my mother that she doesn't mention at least three times that I need to unpack those books or beg me to let her unpack them for me (beg is not an exaggeration). The more she hounds me about it the less inclined I feel to do it because it stresses me out to think about it. I have explained this to my mother, who doesn't care. So the books remain, and I am not looking forward to the day I finally unpack them so she can smugly say "now isn't that so much better".

I like home improvement stores in theory. The stuff looks great and I could bring it all home with me. But then I'd have to do the work.

I don't know, I think Hec held his own pretty well.

Nora, you're about to buy a house. That means a close, personal relationship with Home Depot.

I spend too much time in Home Depot. I'm always remodeling my house in my head. Sadly, the spirit is willing, but both the flesh and the bank account are weak.

At 51 I just say "Yes, Mother" when she gives me advice. It cracks her up every time. This way she is allowed to do her motherly duty and tell me how to fix my life while not actually expecting me to follow said advice.

I do this. It really pisses my mother off, and she yells at me all the time for saying it.

sj, I moved into my apartment over a year ago and I still have boxes of books to unpack. Three of the boxes are currently stacked with a big scarf draped over them so it's not quite so obvious. Not sure those ones will ever get unpacked.

I am not looking forward to the day I finally unpack them so she can smugly say "now isn't that so much better".

A large part of me doesn't want to lose weight b/c I absolutely DO NOT want my Mom to be proved "right."

Though it's been pointed out to me that there has to be a better "fuck you" to my Mom that *won't* affect my health. Which is true.

Rarely do I have a conversation with my mother that she doesn't mention at least three times that I need to unpack those books or beg me to let her unpack them for me (beg is not an exaggeration).

Now this would lead to me putting the boxes of unpacked books in an appropriately sized mold and pouring concrete around them. Yes, even 'though they're books. My innate contraryness outweighs my not inconsiderable biblio-fetishism.

I do this. It really pisses my mother off, and she yells at me all the time for saying it.

What I am trying to say is that it will improve over time. It is a beautiful thing when you get to the point where you can enjoy each other's company as adults. It will happen. Although it will be on her timetable, not yours.

When the 4 kids are all together we totally torture Mom with the "Yes Mothers." She is hella fun to tease in her old age.

Though it's been pointed out to me that there has to be a better "fuck you" to my Mom that *won't* affect my health. Which is true.

Yes, I am caught there too. Other than the fact that I couldn't find my copies of Deb's books to have her sign them in Ohio, the fact that they are not unpacked hasn't really affected me. I am not currently eating junk food or spending money to get back at my mother, which is an improvement for me.