Taylorism: Mother-in-Law Edition 1.0

You might be wondering why anyone would write about their mother-in-law.  We have all seen enough Everyone Loves Raymond to know that the MIL/DIL relationship can be notorious for many things, but cherished moments hardly make the list.

While my MIL and I have a few things in common (I mean, hello, I did marry her favorite! It's ok, I think his siblings know.), we have a LOT of differences.  With that said, I have to say that I am blessed beyond measure to have an incredibly supportive, godly woman in my corner backing me as a wife and mother.  

Now, Linda (that's her name, didn't you know?) has three children.  All of whom do their fair share of picking on her.  I am no exception to this family past time, as it seems to be my husband's favorite way of relating to most everyone in his life...including me.

(Here's a hint Sweet P: a nice card and some M&Ms might win some brownie points!)

(Mmmmm...brownies!)

Anyway, Linda comes to visit much more now that she decided that she was too good to work.  Well, not really.  She retired after a very diligent 40+ years as a Deputy Clerk of Court.  Seriously.  FORTY+ YEARS!  She's 61 y'all.  Who does that these days?  

She does so many things that literally crack me up.  I get the biggest kick out of sitting back sometimes and just listening.  And when the time is right (and it's almost always right), I start picking on her for whatever the most recent Taylorism (Taylor is her maiden name) might be. 

Case in point:
Linda just spent five days here (a short tenure compared to the seven weeks she helped us after Everhett's birth).  I came home from the store on Monday evening because it's Labor Day and like all good Americans we were going to cook out, daggum it!

Aside from the fact that it's a holiday, my MIL was on the phone with Verizon complaining about their online system not accepting her payment...FOR OCTOBER.  Y'all, the bill had just come out for September.  She told the kind lady that she just likes to stay ahead on things like that and would like to pay.  The lady told her to check back later.  So, I think it's safe to say that we all know what Linda will be doing next Monday.

Now, what's sad is that this isn't the first run in she's had with Verizon not wanting to take her monies.  

No sir.  

Not at all.  

In fact, just a few short months ago I'll have you know that she went in to pay a bill (because it has to be done in the store, don't you know).  Well, that ornery little kiosk wouldn't take Linda's money.  So she went up to the counter and asked a nice gentleman why.  The exchange went something like this:

Linda: "I can't pay.  I pay on my bill in the store every two weeks when I get my check.  The machine won't take my payment.  I can't pay.  Why can't I pay?"
Gentleman: "Mrs. Harris, you do understand that you have a $200 credit, correct?"
Linda: "Yes sir, but I like to stay ahead on things like that.  So why can't I pay?"

Now, God bless this man.  I'm sure I would have been laughing at her.  Had my husband been there, he would have looked and him and told him to take the blessed money.  I'm not sure how this scenario turned out, but I'm 99.9% sure that SOMEHOW dear, sweet Linda got that man to take her money.  She can't fall behind, y'all!

Ladies and gents, meet Linda.  I hope you have enjoyed what I plan to continue as a new feature on the blog.  Be sure to check back soon for more Taylorisms: The Linda Editions.  I have a lot more where this came from!

In all seriousness, she's the best Grammie to our sons and our nieces...and I thank the Lord that I have this woman in my life.  She is, after all, free entertainment. ;-)


Kristin