My Mother-in-Law, that is.
she was telling me that when "the girls" came over for bridge at the condo, she gave them a tour, showing them some new furniture. She told me she had taken the pink cashmere shawl OUT OF STORAGE, to drape across the bed so the ladies could see it and admire it.
that's where the talking to came into play. I can appreciate her wanting to show it off - that's pretty cool that she likes it so much, she wants to show it off. The problem is that she had to take it out of storage! "What the hell was it doing in storage?" I asked.
"Well, it's too good to just wear around - I only keep it for 'good' " she said.
Am I the only knitter offended by this? I made it for her to WEAR, not to pack away, and I told her so. I said if she was going to pack it away, then I wanted it back, and I'd loan it to her for viewing purposes only. I then got my FIL involved, and told him to make sure she wore it, and wore it often. She could scrunch it around her neck as a scarf, or drape it as a shawl, but if I found out it was being packed away, I was coming down to get it, and worse, HIS supply of hand knits would stop. That got my FIL's attention, he who loves the handknit socks. I could hear him tell her to "wear the shawl or I don't get any more socks!"
I bet she starts wearing it...
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7 comments:
Oh, I would definitely be offended. Probably more hurt than offended, I suppose. Good ultimatums!!
I understand your outrage. My mom used to do the same thing--wouldn't use the things I made for her, some knit, some stitched. One brother finally just gave her comestibles, hoping she'd use them. That she wouldn't "save" them. Hah--that didn't work either. After she died we found a cupboard full of old jams and specialty teas that he had given her. Marlyce in Windsor, Ontario
I hear you. MIL doesn't want to wear the socks I make her, because they'd be ruined. Isn't that the point?
Sounds like my Mother. She used to keep things for 'good.' Mind you, when it was considered a 'good' time, she looked great.
Isn't that just the way people tend to be? Not saying it's right, and I'm a firm believer that we should eat on the good china often, but still...we get it out maybe three times a year. Yet, why have it if you don't use it? I hope she starts wearing the shawl regularly!
Reminds me of "The FlyLady" (www.flylady.net). Saving the good dishes for 'important' meals. ALL meals are important. Saving perfume for the "perfect" event. That never comes. We deserve to treat ourselves as good as we treat our guests. If it's so great to put out on display, then ALL the MORE reason to use it frequently!!
Too nice to wear is a cop out. If it's nice, wear it! My cousin is getting new blankets cause the baby blamket I knit them was used for all 3 kids and is still in play as a lapghan. so now my sister and i are knitting up blankies for the kids.
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