Moscow Rule 7 - Lull Them Into A Sense of Complacency

Now I really had my plate full:

Lots of gifts yet to wrap.

A couple little items yet to buy for Scott.

An open house to shop and prepare food for.

My house to finish decorating and to clean for goodness sake.

An outfit to select. It will take some doing to find something that transitions from Christmas party to church to date without much stepping into a nearby phonebooth.

And Mom.

So about her change of heart, however small. (The change, not the heart.) She mentioned to Charlotte that she'd like to come to my house at some point in her visit.

I assume it is not due to any big transformation a la the Grinch and the citizens of Whoville. I assume it is simply to continue to conceal the rift from Bill or to see my children. Or some combination of the two obligations.

By now, enough distance and time passed can allow for the objectivity I would have loved to have had a few weeks ago when all of this began.

I am in a great place now. I have a great holiday planned for the kiddos. I have a sweet, attentive, adorable new Someone in my life. I am feeling good about holding my ground. Of course Mom can come.

And of course I will escort her to the door on her tippy toes if she so much as attempts to continue the battle in my home. Or brings my brother with her. Or stirs up any other manner of crap by waving her broomstick around.

Don't think it can't happen. It can.

I can see how it would all unfold.

I am happy as a clam that my kids have had a lovely Christmas morning complete with piles of gifts and ooey gooey cinnamon buns.

My table is set and the food is scrumptious.

My guests begin to arrive and the music is festive and the cocktails are flowing - even at lunch time.

We are all laughing and mistletoeing and fa la la la laing .

Mom arrives. Hugs and kisses and gifts all around.

More wine and spirits.

Mom makes an off color political joke no one finds funny and nearly everyone is offended by.

Charlotte politely mentions to her that Christmas is not the time to discuss healthcare reform OR the NRA.

Mom lashes out indiscriminately and has everyone scrambling to find their coats so they can leave before the fur really begins to fly.

In my head I can visualize this happening.

But somehow, I am not at all daunted.