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OT: Story - It's always someone (usually Mom)

My non-favorite cousin has been here from Germany for the past three weeks, along with his wife and two children. They're not my favorite children, either. As my best friend told me, "they must be something if you call them brats. I've never heard you say that about a kid - ever."

Last time I saw the little darlings, the older one bit me in the boob. I pushed him away (he was about three) and told him, "I don't bite you, don't you bite me."

Within moments, his mother was all over me, telling me that he was a baby, and that I am cruel to speak to a baby like that. Yep, that's it. I'm well known for my cruelty to children.

Anyway, for the first time in a while, I was able to make myself a necklace. It was of lime colored fiber optic nuggets with rainbow acrylic spacers, and everything is an excuse for me to use lots of silver. (It was a lot nicer than it sounds) I wore it with my cool black dress that has a lime colored print on it - the necklace and dress went perfectly.

I wasn't going to see my cousins on this visit, but I was under maternal orders to show up tonight. It hasn't been a good day for pain, but even if I were dead, I had better show up at Mom's. Bob, knowing that Mom will keep me at her house until way past my limit, took the night off to make sure that didn't happen.

So, we get to Mom's house and say hello all around. The kids are bigger, but still pretty rambunctious, tearing a swath through my mother's beautiful home. (Like Hurrican Ivan, but German speaking and with less rain) Their oblivious parents wanted to chat, and never noticed the destruction. Manda was able to grab the kids without anyone noticing, and she speaks enough German to make numerous threats. (All my "in public" threats are in German, and have been all of Manda's life) Things calmed down nicely. (Thank you, Manda)

My cousin's wife openly admired Manda's necklace, and my mother gave the evil look that means "give it to her." Fortunately, I was able to point out that the necklace said "Manda" in lampwork beads, and wouldn't be appropriate for someone named Ursula. (Thank you to Starlia and the bead giver!) Ursula then turned her sights to my new necklace.

Crap. I saved Manda's necklace, but this wasn't going to happen twice in a row. It's customary to give people things they admire aloud, at least in our family. (I learned to keep my yap shut at a very young age, lest I appear greedy) I removed the necklace, and my cousin's wife immediately ran off to put it in her luggage to take home.

Then, to add insult to injury, Mom whined that she wanted a necklace like that, and how come I hadn't made one for her. Too bad there were so many people around or I would have told her _exactly_ when she could expect such a necklace, and where to put it.

At least we got home early. Bob saw I was worn out and practically carried me out the door, despite Mom's protests. I was able to tell my cousin and wife that the kids ae beautiful. They are - spoiled rotten, but beautiful.

BTW, Mom has no clue that I have all the "ingredients" for an identical necklace here on my desk. If I feel well enough, I'll make another tomorrow. She's not getting it, either.

Kathy N-V

Reply to
Kathy N-V
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That'll teach you not to wear yur good stuff outside of the house! ;-)

I'm sorry your relatives are greedy and rotten. I have some like that as well. I avoid them and wouldn't wear anything nice around them for fear that they'd follow me home and rob my house. (I wish I was kidding.)

Reply to
JoAnn Paules

Having just been through out share of Ivan, I loved your description! Lol.

And boy am I glad we don't live in Fla!

Jerri

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Reply to
Beadbimbo

I have to ask--if someone had admired a piece of jewelry that say, Bob had given you on your anniversary, what would have happened?

Reply to
~Candace~

Remember the Seinfeld episode "The Pen"?

Here's a synopsis snippet I grabbed somewhere:

"A pen designed for use in outer space is at the center of this episode, which finds Jerry and Elaine in Florida, where Morty Seinfeld is being given an award. After a fuss is created when Jerry accepts the pen as a gift..."

Essentially, Jerry was shown the pen, admired it, so the owner gave it to him even though he tried a zillion times to refuse it. Then he was attacked by his parents for accepting it. Even though NOT taking it would have obviously been an insult to the pen owner.

I wonder if the pen owner was related to Kathy N-V? LOL!

Tink Check here for available work:

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Reply to
Tinkster

On Sat, 18 Sep 2004 0:35:04 -0400, Candace~ wrote (in message ):

I would have had to provide a substitute gift, as was the case when the woman was unable to snag Amanda's necklace.

It is considered exceptionally rude to admire things of great value or very personal items. If I had say, a big old diamond ring from Bob, I could reasonably refuse by saying that the ring was engraved to me, and that Bob would be upset.

However, I'd have to provide another gift - say a pretty bracelet, to make up for the item I couldn't give away.

There's a way to admire items without expressing the desire to have it - Say something like "Bob bought you a beautiful ring. Was it an anniversary gift?" That's a lot different than "I really like that ring you're wearing." It might sound subtle, but in our very extended family, everyone "gets" it.

That being said, it was _very_ rude to admire the jewelry a child was wearing. Incredibly rude, because the assumption is that a child cannot replace the item, whereas an adult can do so.

Yeah, I know it's weird and byzantine, but everyone knows the rules and follows them. I'm tempted to "admire" some items at their house the next time we get there.

Kathy N-V

Reply to
Kathy N-V

Yeah, I was going to ask you about that admiring of a child's item. It screamed of rudeness to me. Dang--in my family, (not counting my mother) if someone admires something someone else has, they are told exactly where to purchase it on their own and how to get the best discount. I'm not sure what that says about us, lol.

Reply to
~Candace~

I think our family is a little of both. If someone admired something I made I'm more than likely going to give it to the said family member. However, if it was out of reason I would tell them where to purchase it, etc.

I think admiring Manda's necklace was extremely rude. Why didn't your mom say something about that?

Reply to
starlia

On Sat, 18 Sep 2004 1:34:48 -0400, starlia wrote (in message ):

She didn't know it was personalized or that it was Manda's. She thought Manda was wearing any of the eight zillion necklaces kicking around the house. Mom was making dinner and only caught part of the exchange, so I can give her a "pass" on this one.

It was extremely rude anyway, and everyone there knew it. OTOH, this couple makes a career out of being extremely rude. (Oh, the stories I could tell you! Bad, bad, thoughtless, rude, selfish stuff. )

Kathy N-V

Reply to
Kathy N-V

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kathy N-V :

]I would have had to provide a substitute gift, as was the case when ]the woman was unable to snag Amanda's necklace. ] ]It is considered exceptionally rude to admire things of great value ]or very personal items. If I had say, a big old diamond ring from ]Bob, I could reasonably refuse by saying that the ring was engraved ]to me, and that Bob would be upset. ] ]However, I'd have to provide another gift - say a pretty bracelet, to ]make up for the item I couldn't give away.

that whole idea is just mind-blowing!!!!!!! i've read it several times and i still have a hard time getting my mind to wrap around it!

Reply to
vj

Your cousin would have lain under an undying curse for such greed! Thank all the powers that be you had good taste to name your daughter something nice!

Poor thing. I would have openly admired your cousin's handbag and wallet and credit card!

-Su

Reply to
Su/Cutworks

Byzantine is right. (and freaking insane!) ~~ Sooz To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~~Joseph Chilton Pearce

Reply to
Dr. Sooz

Or....her husband. hee hee hee hee ~~ Sooz To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~~Joseph Chilton Pearce

Reply to
Dr. Sooz

ROFL.

-Su

Reply to
Su/Cutworks

You cracked me up Candace. That's exactly what would happen in my family too! LOL

Cheri (Bubbee to Emily and Nathan)

Reply to
Cheri2Star

I''m thinking that from now on it might be a good idea to personalize any piece that you really don't want to part with. I don't know how you'd go about this but it bears thinking about. ;-) Diana

Reply to
Diana Curtis

On Sat, 18 Sep 2004 9:21:07 -0400, Su/Cutworks wrote (in message ):

Actually, it's the guy that's my cousin. So, ewwwww. The handbag and money would be a good idea though, since cash is not a problem for them.

Kathy N-V

Reply to
Kathy N-V

Right! Gross 'em out so much they never come back. ~~ Sooz To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~~Joseph Chilton Pearce

Reply to
Dr. Sooz

BTW, Mom has no clue that I have all the "ingredients" for an identical necklace here on my desk. If I feel well enough, I'll make another tomorrow. She's not getting it, either.

oh thank goodness for THAT!

you poor thing -- relatives from hell certainly speak volumes for being from a small family like mine... LOL

Cheryl DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

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Reply to
Cheryl

That'll teach you not to wear yur good stuff outside of the house! ;-)

I'm sorry your relatives are greedy and rotten. I have some like that as well. I avoid them and wouldn't wear anything nice around them for fear that

OHHHH WICKED THOUGHTS KATHY... Next time you go to see relatives -- you should make some "really butt ugly" stuff - and wear it around them -- see if they will show their total lack of taste by taking it.... LOL Cheryl DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

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Reply to
Cheryl

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