"It's so hot out, I decided not to wear any underwear."

That was my immediate thought.

I would've had so much fun!

OSD- What's up with the shoes? You knew this was a backyard party.

ME- Oh, I'm so glad you noticed! Your daddy had to pay a fortune for these. Isn't he a dear?

OSD- (I handed her custom back to school shirts for the SGK's first day of school tomorrow she wanted me to make) What's up with you and white shirts! I only got to wear the baseball shirt you made once.

ME- Then we're on lucK since it will only be his first day of school once!

YSD- Why are you dressed up?

ME- Oh,this little old thing? It's just a rag.

SDIL- No comment. Just shot daggers at me all afternoon because I told SS I couldn't come to SGD's party because it's 4:30 on Monday and we live 2 hours away.

ME- I would've stared back and smiled until she looked away.

OSD- (Holding up dragon blanket I crocheted for SGS that she picked out) Why's it so heavy?

ME- Why, I intentionally purchased the heavy weight yarn in case y'all decide to move far away to a bone chilling climate like, I don't know, Alaska? Have you all given that any thought?

Just wondering if DH heard any of their catty comments and if he had any reaction to them. I used to get those kind of comments from SD too. Just wish I had been fast on the come-backs - it would have been fun to give her a few Madhatter replies. LOL

Ya, you've been going through this for a while. Maybe it's time to let DH visit with them on his own.

Oh, I know, the rude adult skid comments. My DH and I get those also. I too wish I was quick on some good responses to them and love the ones mentioned already. Whitty responses to the rude steps and in-laws will at least make going to events where dreaded adult skids are at at least tolerable when we have to attend.

In the future, I am sure I will be asking for ideas on responding to different adult skids comments and actions when the all dreaded holiday party comes up at the end of the year. DH has already told me he won't go without me and I didn't go last year, so he didn't. I felt bad for him not seeing his relatives. This year I want to go, (I say that now), and want to make it at least fun to play the adult skid games right back at them and come up with great comebacks to all their snarky little comments.....more to come on that.

Why do you keep making stuff for them?

The few times my SD26 has tried to make a snarky comment, I ignore her as if I didn't hear her. She's rarely said anything directly to me, she tries to be subtle. She gets disappointed because she thinks she's being so clever and brave, and it goes unnoticed.

so we have a couple of days thinking of life threatening illnesses before you have to go to a family event again...?

I wonder.. best solution is always upset stomach and you do not have to go to the doctor for it... but you can only use this excuse once in a while.....

...and that's the last time I'd ever give them a gift.

My SDs were terrible, really terrible at Xmas when they were 10 & 12. So last year I got them a few stocking stuffers and a gift certificate each. I think DH talked with them because they were polite last year. If it happens again, that's it.

If they don't like it fine, but don't be rude about it.

I do not know how you can stomach this treatment at all....just brings back my nightmarish step hellish memories. Been there, done that scene....but not now. If they cannot get to me, that cannot mess with me. It is better, much better now....at least for me.