Mothers-in-law

I just wonder if there are other people that have strange mother-in-laws like I do. First, I have to give a little background. Sean's dad died about 16 years ago. His mother moved to Amarillo shortly after his death. She was later diagnosed with manic depression, which I think she had even before his dad died, because of some of the things I saw her do early in our marriage. She has been seeing a psychiatrist for about 14 to 15 years. Now, I may be wrong, but the main thing that she does for my mother-in-law is check her medicine and ask her a few questions to make sure its working for her. I have been told she is on at least 4 antidepressants. Now I am not against meds, because I have been on antidepressants in the past, and also saw a counselor to help me work out my problems. Which I think that's suppose to be how it works, take medicine, talk about your problems, get better. (I do realize that it isn't always that easy.) But I do realize that some people need to stay on medicine for longer or forever, also. My mother-in-law just hasn't gotten better, actually worse. Anyway, on to my story.

This weekend, Sean went to help his mother with sawing down limbs to a tree in her backyard that she is trying to get rid of, the hard way. When he came home he had a list of things on a post-it she had written out for us, and the title of the list was Mothers Day presents for Mom. The list was, 1. Cut down limbs on tree, 2. hook up new speakers to tv, 3. hook up old speakers to computer, 4. put up smoke alarm, and 5. LaJonna, make me a cake, a simple one. The list was for this year, because when we had lunch with her on mother's day, we didn't give her a present. Now, we were going to give her a gift card, but I was sick the day before and couldn't get it and Sean was working. She is just a hard person to buy for, and you really aren't getting the whole picture of her in my blog. It would take years to tell you, or have known our family for a while to hear us talk about it all. When I read the note, I was talking to my mom on the phone. I told my mom as I was laughing, this is one of those things in life you just have to laugh at or I would get mad about it. I have in the past gotten mad about the things she says or does, and they all (I mean all) include expecting us to do things for her. And she only calls when she wants something. I try to not get mad cause it eats at me. So Saturday I chose to laugh. Maybe it will make some of you laugh too. I feel for Sean, because I have a pretty close relationship with my mom. We have had our ups and downs, but we have over come them. I love my mom very much and probably don't show it enough. I can call and talk to her on the phone, (she lives in Dumas) and have what I feel is a normal conversation. If I want advice, I ask. Its just so different from Sean's mom. I hear from different friends about the relationships they have with their mother-in-laws and am a little jealous. I just will never have that kind of relationship with mine. "That's life".