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Sunday, November 22, 2015

Hold Your Head Up High



I thought I would never write about this again.  In fact, I hate writing about the SIL.  Yep, her again. Its not like I go looking for trouble.  Oh gee, I'm so glad I have a blog I can write in, this is hard to keep track.  I wrote about her in late August, the fact that DH went on a holiday to see his brother and SIL and I wasn't invited to.  Something new happened again, and I swear I don't go looking for trouble.

I was just getting back from church.  I saw her on the step coming in.  It looked like she was waiting for me to come in too, I don't know.  She waited for a bit then went in.  We weren't expecting them, I thought that DH went and visited them at his parent's a few days ago.  I thought that since they live so far away, that would be the last I would hear of them for awhile.  I thought I was off the hook.

I must have sat in the truck for the longest time.  I had to think, I had to pray, I had to get my panic in check.  Then I went into the house.  I was very cordial, even offering coffee and lunch which they declined.  Ok, then I made myself a sandwich and went and joined them in the livingroom.  She never looked at me, never talked to me, I talked mainly to the brother.  It was just casual chitchat.

They wanted to go for a walk, and she invited my DH to go with them.  In fact, she stood up and looked up in his face and asked him to join them.  I sat totally speechless, and shocked, she would so blatantly leave me out again.  I thought narcs were smarter than that.  But something else was going on here.

I was hiding.  I was playing stupid.  I think it might be my only protection.  I know I am a target now, and I don't know what would happen if she found out that I'm aware.  So, I just acted stupid.  Well, not really stupid, I can't call it stupid, no ACON is stupid, I just don't know what else to call it.

She doesn't know that she can't snow me anymore.  It's funny.  I got the feeling that if she knew I'm aware she might get more covert and harder for me to track.  Or more dangerous.  Except I might have screwed that one up. lol

I didn't protest the lack of invite.  I suppose back in the day, I would have been physically upset, allowing the hurt parts to show, and the narc would have had a nice source of supply.  So I should have showed I was upset.  Maybe.

I don't know.  Maybe she might know I'm aware.  I just want to stall it for as long as I can.  No sense in giving her the satisfaction.  Mother's words.  Mother taught me, "Don't give them the satisfaction." she used to say this when she was trying to bring down someone and she couldn't so she would play down and say that.  It allowed mother to be the martyr, and for mother, that was as good as supply as anything.

So hubby declined the walk.  When they left for the walk, I went upstairs to my sewing room, and proceeded to work there.  He came upstairs and bugged me and wouldn't leave me alone.  He was being all affectionate.  This means that he was trying to get me out of this state of mind.  He knows how I feel.  Unfortunately, I didn't keep my moods to myself last summer.

When they got back, I stayed in my sewing room.  Shortly after they left.  It doesn't appear that they enjoyed the visit.  I was cordial and nice, I don't know what happened.  Out of curiosity, I asked him what they were discussing.  He told me that they were trying to synchronize their holidays.  Oh, and he is asking me to join him this time!  Oh boy.  I guess I should be grateful.

No.  I am not going on that holiday to spend a week with the freakshow.  I am done with that.  I didn't tell him though.  I don't think I have to do anything.  I just get the feeling she will do something to screw it up, and she will be the one to make sure I don't go.  But I get the feeling that DH felt bad. He noticed my lack of an invite to go for a walk with them, but he was invited.  He noticed that. When she asked him, he just sat down and turned away from her and said no.  That it is cold outside. Perhaps he is a little scared of a narc?  Saying no to them, does anyone ever do that?

I'm just not interested in getting her stirred up.  The narcissist is a conscienceless, soulless being.  As much as I would like to take a revenge plot, I have to live in reality.  This is God's business, not mine. I believe that they are God's enemies, not mine, and since I love Him, his enemies come after me, is all.

And they don't play fair.  Sooner or later, they will win because of that lack of a conscience, which is what would stop me.  Even today, I noticed that when I looked at her and smiled, and she made a slight grin and turned away from me.  There is nothing in there.

I was very high value, only retreating to my sewing room when they went on the walk.  I offered to serve them even.  I hope this isn't the same as casting pearls before swine, but I was trying my best to be myself.  And I will always be myself, even if a narc is in the room, they won't sway me.   I know, I wanted to go no contact and just leave, but it wouldn't have looked good on me.

So, I did my best to be the robot, no emotions.  I believe I succeeded in doing that, plus trying to make sure that she didn't figure out I was aware.

Yes, I felt hurt, angry, outraged even.  That's why I sew and it gives me an outlet.  This SIL doesn't stop.  It feels horrible she is such a *****.   It feels terrible that DH is such a narc lover, butt kisser whatever you want to call it.  I still don't know how he managed to see her boobs.  He never told me. I one time spent a night in a small trailer with a few men, (long story about an emergency I was in) and they didn't see anything.  And also I know my mother would make sure she was on display.

But next summer is a long way off, and I have lots of relationship stuff to practice and, well, I have some new information on that.  I'll be making that report soon.  Just been too tired to write.  I have lots to write about but the cold weather is making me lazy.  I couldn't keep this new information about the SIL to myself.

In one way, I think she might be a very stupid person, who just keeps making these mistakes and doesn't mean it.  Isn't that crazy?

25 comments:

  1. Joan,

    I think she is a very stupid person, who keeps making these "mistakes" and TOTALLY means it every singe time.

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    1. Yah, Elli I agree. The craziness of it all. If I let it get to me too much I might go crazy. This is crazymaking for sure.

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  2. Why were they in your area? Were they visiting someone else? Considering they live "so far away" do they typically just come to your house without a call first? Maybe I'm a little more formal than this but if someone who doesn't live in my area-including family-just stopped by without calling, I likely wouldn't let them in. Admittedly I've had to deal with being ambushed by my CB "mother" at my home post NC so I may be hyper-sensitive to this boundary. But there's a good chance I will be otherwise occupied (even if that's just flopped on the couch reading) or not home. Does this happen with anyone else from out of the area, this just dropping by? Is it a social custom or what? I get it if you live close by or it's a quick stop to ask about something but that can all be done without sitting down.
    Joan, is it possible DH extended an invitation to them when he was at his parents a few days ago? This is all before we even get to the whole "Holiday" issue which IMO is the next discussion! ;)
    TW
    BTW, excellent strategy-"cordial and nice" particularly in the face of being ambushed.

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  3. They were down for a few days visiting, the rest of the family lives here. I don't either, that is just show up. I don't think DH knew that they were coming for we talked about going to take the garbage to the dump when I got back. So I don't think he was aware of it. I did feel ambushed, and I wasn't sure, and I couldn't plan how I was going to handle this. Maybe they did call him while I was out, I'm not sure.

    I agree with you, I don't believe I would answer the door when people don't call, thats just rude. And with that, I could have just went up to my sewing room the minute I got home, it would not have been wrong of me for I was busy and they didn't call. And no one drops by without calling first. Not too many drop by. I hadn't thought of this not calling, it is a boundary that people need to respect.

    I did like my cordial strategy, but part of me wishes that I would have answered back rudely the minute she invited him out for a walk but not me. Just say something like, "well thanks for not inviting me, AGAIN." That would have been so funny, and would have opened up everything. I'm tired of playing this covert crap, I'm tired of the bullshit too. But on the other hand, this would have screwed me over, that might have been what the narc is awaiting for. Not sure.

    Oh, on another hand, this might have been a planned ambush. To set me off. But, I'm so tired of the games. Its exhausting. Isn't it more fun to not play games? To focus my energy on more productive things. I don't know why they like screwing with people.

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    1. It seems like a planned ambush to me too. Hmm maybe you can ignore the door next time, sorry she walked up for you. Her trying to divide husband and wife stinks. I think she is doing it for kicks. Sadly your husband doesn't seem to be seeing through any of it.

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    2. She is doing it for kicks or control, anything. They don't need a reason, just because that is what they do.

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    3. I'd be losing some phone messages just because. Don't make things easy on her. Pretend you never got the phone message they were coming. DELETE.

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    4. Oh when you delete the phone messages, we are coming on Sat afternoon, then make sure you and your husband have to go shopping or something.

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    5. But wouldn't that just make me controlling? I want him to make this decision on his own and see her for what she is. If I don't verbally attack her, to him, anymore, then that will surely pave the way to him gaining understanding. I know what you mean though. It would be good, but that only make her look good. I am hoping my good standing and high value will be enough.

      You know, I thought of about 100 different things I could do. But I'm just going to try to make sure I remain as good as possible. Its a good way for me to practice overcoming my fear. He wants to go see them, so be it. He wants to go on walks with them without me, so be it. I will be hurt, and allow myself to feel hurt, even if I'm shrivelling in fear, all in front of him. If I am doing all that authentically, and if it doesn't matter to him, then he is not worth his salt.

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  4. I think that any reaction validates them, positive or negative. What absolutely kills them is to constantly pretend that you didn't hear what was said. Lately, I've been trying this on my MNM and it reduces her to nothingness. I don't even turn my head most of the time no matter what she says. She repeats herself 2,3,4 times and then at some point I tell her indiferently "Excuse me, did you say anything? I wasn't listening.." Hahahah, she unwillingly repeats in the most upset tone of voice and I try to contain myself from rolling on the floor. Guess who I picked that trick from....

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    1. Thats funny, I can imagine her getting upset, sure is funny.

      Cause that takes away their need to feel special, or their god image. They think they are god and not acknowledging them makes them angry. Plus too, they need to be in control at all times. Or what else is funny is to ask them to explain it. That you don't understand, even if its simple, it drives them crazy.


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  5. Did I read this right where they offered to include you but you thought better of it and declined, I hate when they do this. Make an offer that they know will be turned down and it shifts the onus of being difficult onto you. They will after the fact go around and say we offered to include Joan and she turned us down I don't know what else we do to make her feel welcome.......How about stay home Biatch. Just stay home and we'll all live just as long.

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    1. No, I wasn't invited at all. She only wanted the 3 of them to go for the walk, and I just sat there speechless. I told a friend about this and she was shocked. I just share very specific items with my friend she is not an ACON, and she is speechless too. My friend even asked if she was stupid or something. I said even my 7 year old autistic grandchild would have known better, even my 3 year old one too.

      But I can't share too much, the stuff that happens to me in life would make a normal person start to question me. I am careful.

      But I have a feeling next summer I will get an actual non-invite to the camping trip. Not just totally not invited like she did before. She has got to be covering her tracks better, maybe. But this is all designed to keep me upset, and that is what she is trying to do. Even hubby doesn't understand it.

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    2. Reminds me of invites I got, in middle of Jan. They knew I could not physically come so it was all appearances and making me feel bad when I was still NC. Let husband go on walks and just stay out. Next time she comes to the house, do total silent treatment, I would. I wouldn't offer her a drink or anything either. He can do it.

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    3. I might as well, I always look bad anyway. Now, this might percolate to the rest of his family. I look like the bad guy here.

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    4. She's already smearing you to the rest of his family. I would bet money on it.

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    5. Oh, I would bet money on that too. I'll just keep being myself. Hey, if no one sees that she is wrong, they are not worth my attention. And then no one is. I am enough. I don't have to do anything else.

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  6. "...organize the Holidays." Three words that spark terror in the heart of any AC.
    How and with whom do you usually spend the Holidays?
    How and with whom would you LIKE to spend the Holidays?

    Reindeer Games are just around the corner and it may be a white Christmas but mucho metaphorical blood will be shed without some pre-holiday planning. And maybe even with planning. Holidays with CBs are traditionally horror shows complete with Rages, Silent Treatments, Screw You gifts, a couple drunk (or sober) brawls, over-tired kids, long distance commutes to see people you'd prefer to never see again because "Faaammmmiiiillllyyy!" as the coming together of several generations of family dysfunction gather way too close for comfort. There will be Drama.
    If you could do Holidays YOUR way Joan, how would you do them? Draw a word picture of how they would be vs. how they are. What's the best part of the season? And if you think "When it's over" well, unless you can hibernate for the next 5 wks. what's your strategy? I'm a bit concerned about this because it doesn't sound like you were consulted at all.
    TW

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    1. I go to see the kids, hubby too if he is not working. New years I babysit in town, with the kids. We do go to his parents for part of christmas, but the narc is not there. She is 4 hours away, and this is not a problem. She has her own family where she lives, they are not here, thank god. I am getting some mercy there. They won't be around for Christmas.

      I have a bunch of my own family, children that is. Thanks TW, I will do things my way. I won't go where that narc is. I hope to do lots of quilting this winter. I have normal people I can talk to in life, and those narcs at the foodbank where I volunteer don't even bother me.

      I don't even bother with a lot of people, I have a rather busy life, and I have a small group. Its not bad.

      Its funny when I think about it. DH consults me over a work dinner, any other gathering but when it comes to his narc SIL he seems very complaisant.

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  7. Oh good!
    I was thinking about this SIL and her behavior and I want to ask you-does her behavior remind you of anyone else whose been a part of your life?
    TW

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    1. She reminds me of my own SIL who wears the pants in the family, the bossy one, my brother even said that no one messes with her. It didn't take me long to discover his SIL. I wanted to be respected, but forget that. I would have to put up with being bullied. I'm at a state now in my life, where I don't put up with it in my own family. This is a hard one to deal with.

      Apparently, DH is wanting to take the blame for me not getting invited on the camping trip last summer, for he felt my behaviour was bad the last time I was there. But I had to put up with being bullied, told I was not tough enough, not a bushwoman, watch her be bossy with everyone, take over everything, I was already no contact with my FOO at that time and things were starting to awaken in me. I wasn't verbal, I didn't say anything, but I was told that I spoiled his whole holiday.

      So next time I would be invited, but I am to behave myself? What does that even look like? Well, that means that I am to kiss narc butt too, and not retaliate over the bullying. At this point in my life, that would be impossible. Oh boy, so this is a tough one.

      I do have a new strategy. I'm going to stay quiet and just listen to him, and not say anything. I'm going to pay attention, and just do my relationship work, like I've been taught. I will learn more. You see, this "behaviour" of mine is not working for me right now, I have to do something else. Hopefully, he will let down his guard more regarding his SIL.

      From my experience everyone rallies around the narc, everyone, at my bible study, at the foodbank, everywhere. So why not him too? Have you ever seen the narc CHALLENGED? I have never seen it. So I look like the bad guy. To everyone, even in his family. I am the scary one in all this. But that is not true. I have not done a single thing to hurt anyone, but I'm the scary one. The hurtful one. I guess too that it is the potential for me hurting, and exposing, I think that is what it is.

      Thanks TW, it feels great to talk about this. I didn't realize before that I didn't do anything wrong.

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    2. I have to admit if a husband rallied around a narc, his side of the bed would be growing really cold. There's been two "friends" kicked to the curb in my life in the last 6 months because they rallied around narcs. I have to say this is something I feel less "forgiving of". You know its okay for you to demand some loyalty of him. I call that a boundary. One boundary I have in marriage is you choose me FIRST above all others. [hope I don't sound too harsh in this one] :( I think she is a total you know what to drive wedge between husband and wife.

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    3. I know. I wish this whole thing was easier. It doesn't look like she is doing anything bad, not to him. He just feels like I should just get along, and go along and be happy. It doesn't look like she is doing anything wrong, even though its blatant, in my face. There is a way I can demand loyalty of him, and just tell him that. Tell him how I feel, without blaming, so that he gets it.

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    4. I would demand loyalty. If I was uninvited from walk. I would order my own meal shut the door and they could take care of their own dinner. Maybe getting up leaving the house, getting into the car and driving away may send a message. This stopped overt disrespect for me with the family narcs. It was a pain in the ass but I got tired of being mocked and made fun of. Next time she says let's go for a walk, and leaves you out, get up walk out, get car keys and leave and make yourself gone for a few hours. They deserve nothing less for being cowards and going along with her. I once went back to Chicago slamming the door and leaving my parents house.

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    5. When I pulled in the drive and saw that they were here, I almost drove out again.

      And now come to think of it, I could have mentioned to everyone that day, "Thanks for leaving me out, AGAIN." It would have been legit, then went and left. Of course, I predict I would have gotten a non-apology such as, "Oh, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Or some such bullshit. I'm so tired of these games.

      How come I live so far in the bush, I still am personally attacked by a narc?

      Any narcs reading this? Why do you all bother me so much? Why can't you narcs just leave me alone and go get your own life?

      Sorry, that wasn't for Peeps, I should make a posting just for narcs?

      Sorry, you got hurt by your own family that way. You didn't deserve it. As my heart screams out for justice, I just can't take it anymore. I am done with freaks.

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