What would you do? (Long) **UPDATE #19

[oneplustwo]

P.S. Your DH ROCKS. We already knew that and you already knew that, but it's nice to have another reminder. Glad he's there for you on this.

[StantonHyde]

Originally Posted by Corie

DH said he would steal everything for me.

You married a good man!!!!

[Corie]

Originally Posted by StantonHyde

You married a good man!!!!

He might have a hard time sneaking out my great-grandma's old Victrola.

[DietCokeLover]

Your step mother and DH's step mother must be the same woman. She has some of his late mother's antiques and will not part with them. It's mind blowing and extremely hurtful. She wants everything for her daughter.

[nrp]

Originally Posted by codex57

Very true. Which still leads to the result that it's dad's to do whatever he wants with it. Say it's mom's china solely. When she passed, if it didn't go to the kids in a will (nothing we've heard suggests that), then it went to the dad entirely. Stepmom doesn't have a claim to it, but dad can still do whatever he wants with it.

Yes - I didn't mean to sound like I was contradicting you. I just meant to add that even in a community property state, very likely Corie's dad could specifically devise the china to Corie and her sisters in his will without Corie having to worry about any claim the stepmother might assert.

[wencit]

Wow, I can't imagine how people can be so petty and mean. Your stepmother is a witch.

If I were in your shoes, I would be so tempted to take your DH up on his offer to steal the china. Seriously. It's just beyond my comprehension what your stepmom is doing.

I hope karma pays back that woman tenfold.

[DrSally]

That's horrible. i'm so sorry.

[Momit]

Ugh. So sorry. Losing a parent at a young age is hard enough, but having someone who tries to get her grubby paws on your mom's special things makes it even worse.

[infocrazy]

I had a stepmonster once...if it's any consolation they split up and my dad is now on wife number 4 who is very nice!

I'd probably start the tradition with your DD. You can still explain WHY you are and what the tradition means to you. At least that way you'd still have some china and then hopefully you'd get the real china someday.

I would also buy stepmom Christmas china for every single gift from now on...since she obviously likes it so much...maybe she will finally give up the pieces that mean so much to you...

[billysmommy]

Im so sorry Corie!! I like the idea of talking to them both at the same time so your step-mom can't hide what she says. I hope you get the china sooner than later!

Originally Posted by oneplustwo

P.S. Your DH ROCKS. We already knew that and you already knew that, but it's nice to have another reminder. Glad he's there for you on this.

:yeah that:

And if he does steal the Victrola....I want a picture of how he manages it