We were driving back from our walk in the New Forest one Sunday and decided to drop in on the In Laws. As we approached a roundabout close to their house, we saw there was a car parked in the middle similar to Dad’s.
As we got closer, we saw it WAS Dad’s and stopped.
We changed drivers so that Hubby could drive Dad’s car with a very shaken father in law in the passenger seat.
There was no damage done to him or the car, but apparently he’d been carved up on the roundabout and ended up in the flower bed in the middle.
After a long and in depth chat between father and son, it was decided that perhaps Dad should hang up his car keys. He was almost 80 after all.
He said he’d think about it.
As things turned out, we needed to replace Hubby’s car which was starting to cost us serious money to keep on the road.
When he was offered his Dad’s, we said we’d be happy to buy it off him.
This did not go down well with Mum who said somewhat angrily that we should just take it.
Don’t get me wrong, it was very nice being offered a three year old vehicle for nothing. BUT, I have principles, and so does Hubby.
One is we don’t take advantage. Another is we don’t take things for granted and third we pay our way. So. Whilst we definitely needed another vehicle, I did not want it said (especially by sister in law) that we had taken advantage of the situation and got something for nothing.
It was obvious his Dad wanted us to have the car, so the problem was how to keep everyone happy.
He wouldn’t accept our money, so I asked him if there was something he specifically wanted that we could buy to exchange. He said he’d like a new computer.
Now this was something we COULD do, especially as Hubby is a computer guy, so for what we were prepared to pay, we could get a really good package for him.
Mum heard what we’d decided on and was quite happy too. It meant that she could watch her soaps in peace as Dad played on his computer or corresponded with his friends by email. She also let slip that her shopping trolly had broken, so we bought her a new one of those as well.
Over the years, his Mum has finally come to accept me as I am.
I have no hidden agenda, and I genuinely care about people and family. It makes no difference to me if they are millionaires or don’t have tuppence to rub together, I treat them all alike, will laugh and joke with them and can hold my own in conversation (OK, I admit I talk about the dog a lot!!) .
When she had an eye operation, I insisted she come and stay with us for a few days. She didn’t want to as she likes her independence, but I wouldn’t take No for an answer, especially as it was recommended that she not be alone for 24 hours after the surgery.
Whilst I find her extremely trying at times, this is just the way she is.
She always enjoys herself if I take her shopping as I make it fun (!) and not a chore. She’s the only person I know who shops in the order of her list regardless of where things are in the shop. Nine times out of ten I end up saving her money too (I tend to read labels and check weights) and that always makes her VERY happy.
Hubby on the other hand takes her up and down all of the aisles just in case she’s forgotten to put something on her list, and then he’ll make her buy two!
pensitivity101 
Sounds like your hubby has the devil in him!