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Nova Hokie 95
Joined: 08/14/1998
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My take ...

Neither of you can read the other's mind, but you seem to be trying a little bit. The fact that it bothers you implies that you think there's some sort of negative intention or action behind her switching out the towel dispensers. I don't know nearly as many of the details as you do, of course, but perhaps you can consider the possibility that there is a specific reason that the towel dispenser you selected will not work for her purposes as well as the one she selected. Perhaps she needs a motion-activated dispenser and yours are not; perhaps motion-activated is not ideal for whatever reason and she needs a manual one. Given your confidence that this project is going to be an overwhelming success, perhaps you can direct that confidence into knowing that your DIL likely has a specific reason she needed the towel dispensers she selected. But, as others have said, this isn't really about the towel dispensers. You didn't say in your post whether she's shown and/or stated her appreciation for your huge level of support throughout the process, so it's impossible to say from the outside looking in if this is more about feeling taken for granted. It sounds like this may be just a "final straw" kind of thing and it would have happened with something else even if you'd picked the "right" towel dispensers. If that's indeed the case, it's totally up to you but realize that there are ways to have a conversation about that without having to "confront her" as you put it. You've put a TON of work into this, it sounds like, and you likely have some well-earned sense of ownership. Pitch it as just trying to understand where each other is coming from, maybe even just a look at what role, if any, she may need/want you to have going forward (and that you're willing to do).
Posted: 12/08/2025 at 02:51 PM ET
(In response to this post by Galenahokie)

Thread Replies (26)

Full Thread →
Am I being overly sensitive?
Galenahokie 12/08/25 09:32 AM ET
As a dentista who washed his hands often a few times on every patient the
DonHo-kieHi 12/09/25 01:55 AM ET
Was your financial contribution a gift, or a loan?
MP4VT2004 12/08/25 09:16 PM ET
It was an outright gift, no strings attached. Having read through all the
Galenahokie 12/08/25 09:58 PM ET
If your contributions are simply a gift, there should be no strings
Tank 12/08/25 06:25 PM ET
It was a gift. My purpose in getting the towel dispensers was simply to
Galenahokie 12/08/25 09:51 PM ET
Working in clean room environments, we are pretty picky about that type of
No Clue 12/08/25 02:53 PM ET
My take ...
Nova Hokie 95 12/08/25 02:51 PM ET
There sounds like things in her personality that will probably make her
Hokebury 12/08/25 12:30 PM ET
Giving is tougher then it seems. Learning to give without strings is tough
UTPr0sim 12/08/25 12:25 PM ET
nice humble brag, btw. 👍🏻**
B777Fr8Dog 12/08/25 11:49 AM ET
Thanks in part to all those sailboats I sold in the 80's & 90's**
Galenahokie 12/08/25 02:13 PM ET
You sound like a man that would appreciate what Axl Rose once said about
jdkhokie 12/08/25 11:08 AM ET
remind her politely to STFU and you can change them later if you like **
VT Pez4Life 12/08/25 11:01 AM ET
My question, did you consult her on what you ordered? If not...
vthhhi 12/08/25 11:00 AM ET
Depending on her tone and demeanor it might bother me too.**
HokieNoVA 12/08/25 10:49 AM ET
2 Thoughts from someone completely lacking a PHD in Psych.
Late 80s Hokie 12/08/25 10:39 AM ET
This. To be blunt, get over it. It is her business and she should be
KeithHokie89 12/08/25 11:57 AM ET
Has she been thankful for your contributions?**
BG Hokie 12/08/25 10:34 AM ET
Since it doesn't appear she's fluent in business practices, you should...
EDGEMAN 12/08/25 10:31 AM ET
My wife has spent some time as a vet tech and is licensed so she's
ElbertoHokie 12/08/25 10:21 AM ET
She is what she is. Bite down on the leather strap and move on. She owes
ColoVT82 12/08/25 10:09 AM ET
As a paper guy, I would have told you to have her find a supplier before
reestuart 12/08/25 09:58 AM ET
Scope of work. Everything is outlined in an agreement ahead of time so any
reconhokie 12/08/25 09:57 AM ET
My wife handles the babysitting detail!**
Galenahokie 12/08/25 10:31 AM ET
Maybe a little oversensitive but not entirely....
BleedinOandM 12/08/25 09:44 AM ET
You did all that and she only complained about the towel dispensers?
RhinoVT 12/08/25 09:44 AM ET