Thank God that's over!

The suspence that is. Tonight was my brother Chris's 30th bday party, a good time all around. That's not how I thought it was going to go last night, however. I was afraid it was going to turn into an all out bitch fest between Beth and my dad.

Yesterday, Beth informed me that she was down right pissed off that my dad was so impatient and inconsiderate. She had helped out the campaign at the house during the day, which was nice of her to do. After she got back home, she later called to ask about the folding table and chairs that we said we would bring over to the house for the party today. I was on the phone with her talking about this, and mentioned Chris coming over to pick up the stuff. But my dad was still thinking he'd have to help out, getting something down from the attic, even though he wanted to finish up some campaigning shit (when he really should have called it quits for the day). So he yelled.

Anyone who's met my dad knows how friggen loud he can be. And he was loud enough to be heard over the phone. Beth got upset that he would make such a fuss after she went out of her way to help him with the campaign. So she hung up and said she didn't need his help. I yelled at dad for yelling while I was on the phone and getting involved and messing up something I didn't need his help with to begin with. Of course, then he got mad at me for that. He left the house.

Meanwhile, I call Beth back to talk her down and make sure they have the stuff they need for the party. I talk to Chris, but he opts to hand off the phone to Beth. Great. Beth gets on and she's upset, all crying and shit. She not only is upset about the table thing, but about feeling slighted by not being mentioned on the back of my dad's campaign lit. Not only that, she's upset because she feels there is a history of being slighted, especially now that the baby is around and my parents are all just paying attention to him. First it was Chris getting the attention, now it's little Matthew. UGH.

And I had to listen to it all, and be supportive, when I was just like DEAL WITH IT!!!! My parents aren't perfect, far from it. Especially my dad, who can be a total asshole sometimes. But we all know that. Beth knew that getting into this family. It doesn't mean she has to take his shit; it just means she's gotta either put up or shut up about it. I do it all the dang time. Sometimes I talk back (rationally of course), sometimes I stay quiet, sometimes I just vent about it later. I don't let it fester inside me though, nor do I take it as a personal afront. So he's an asshole. Everyone's an asshole sometimes. Even I am, I'm certain. (alright, no comments on that one please). I can still love and care about someone even if I think he's an asshole from time to time. That's just the way love, family, and friends go.

Anyway, I mentioned the conversation with both of my parents--my dad last night and my mom this morning. My dad got all on the defensive and offensive, saying he's not going to change just cuz she's oversensitive. I agree that she is rather sensitive, but that doesn't mean he doesn't do and say things that are offensive, and that he should try and be more careful about it. He wasn't too pleased about a lecture from me, but he did behave himself today. ::whew:: My mom was much more calm about it, and did think that Beth had some points, though she of course denied that she had much part in it, and did say she was a bit too sensitive. Mom's much easier to talk about that stuff though, cuz she actually considers my advice, and talks with me about it rationally. I think I reached her just fine, and she'll be more careful about it too. ::double whew::

I know this isn't the end of it. IT NEVER IS. IT WILL NEVER END. But whatever. You know, not everyone likes their inlaws. In fact, most don't, I'll bet. I'd say most just stand them for the sake of their spouse. You have to love your parents, and I suppose to an effect you have to at least act like you love your inlaws. But you don't have to be with the more than you want. There's a reason Chris and Beth live in GB, and not in Milwaukee where her parents live. I mean geez, if she wants to avoid her own parents, finding them a pain in the ass, then how can she complain about her inlaws? Why'd they move closer to them? Very interesting...Maybe, just MAYBE, someone's overreacting. Just a suggestion.

God knows I'm out of here as soon as I can.