I do not need more stress in my life.  So when I saw my mother with the broom, dustpan, and her garbage can, I was worried.  No, let's back up.  I woke up to see the light on in the bathroom under my door.  That means the door was open.  I waited to see if the light turned off, and it did not.  So, I let my room and saw my mother in the bathroom, at the exact time my husband and I wake up everyday, in our only working bathroom, cleaning every inch of it.  Well...with a broom.  She wasn't actually "cleaning" anything, she was sweeping.  And hogging the bathroom, knowing damn well get up at that time.  She's up at 3 am, why not clean the  bathroom at 5?  Or some other ungodly hour when we're sleeping?  Nope.  Gotta do it right when Shay and Mr. Brooks are out of bed and need to pee.  

She wants attention, see.  She wants to make a big deal out of what she's doing, and point out exactly what she's doing, so people give her praise.  I never give her praise, as she never gives me praise when I clean anything (she does usually remark on it, in a rude way, though).  She also wanted to annoy us.  Which worked.  So I used the other bathroom.  The one that doesn't work.  And I made it work for a single time use.  She followed me down the hall saying "Oh, it's clear Shay!  You can use it!"  I just took my toothbrush and said "I'm good".  And I stayed in there until I thought she'd left.  Nope.  She was in the kitchen cleaning now.  

Oh no.  

Do you remember last Thanksgiving?  When she got a rageful hair up her ass to "clean" the second bathroom, even though she's not allowed to?  (if you're wondering why she's not allowed, there are so very many, many reasons why)  And then shoved a door into my back after I got home from the ER and I was in excruciating pain?  Yes.  That is why I was having so much anxiety over this. 

So, I took the baby gate and blocked off the bathroom door, hoping she'd get the hint.  

We had to leave to go return my library book, get a sparkly bird for my wreath, and get groceries.  And I said to my husband "Well, I hope she just chooses the right thing here, I can't stop her when I am not home."  And we left.  I didn't even think about it while I was gone, thank goodness.  But when I got home, the bathroom was not swept.  Phew.  

Normally she'll get out a bunch of cleaners and other shit I can't breathe in and fuck up the whole room, but this time, she just choose to do the right thing.  She may not think it's right, and that's okay.  The right thing, in this instance, was to listen to the fact I've told her over and over and over that she's not allowed to clean that room, period, ever.  

My mother has ZERO respect for my choices.  But this time, she didn't do it.  Thank goodness.  

Today is our anniversary.  I assumed she was gearing up, per usual, on a holiday of sort.  But she didn't.  She didn't even remember today is our anniversary.  She has it written on her calendar, along with two weeks ago her BFF's wedding anniversary, too.  She gave them a card (she had me send it) and my hubby and I got nothing from her.  Not even words.  THANK GOODNESS!  I am very glad to not include her on our private day.   I wish she'd always forget, whether it be on accident or on purpose.  Does it bother me?  Yes and no.  Yes, but because it's weird, but no, because that means that's less of a chance of her doing something stupid to ruin it.  

Why can't we have normal parents?  Or normal family members?  Why does everyone have to be so fucking narcissistic?  

Sigh. 

Oh well.  Life deals us what we get and we just have to deal with it.  

Well, happy almost 20th anniversary to my hubby!  At least he, and I, and the kids are semi-normal.  Though we all love each other and that's all that matters.  

Well, crisis averted.  I am glad, for once, she's given up on the whole bathroom thing.  The thing is?  She would go in there to clean it, when her bathroom was fucking filthy, all because I'd tell her not to and she was looking for a fight.  What a childish baby she is.  Well, last year, I threated to call 911 on her and have her committed and be sent to be evaluated for being violent, so I think that got into her brain enough to make her stop that horseshit.  

So, I am glad to see it's still working.