Is my mother in law weird or is it just me?

She's a little weird, you are being tough on her, and she sounds really lonely. I'm guessing here, but she's not married is she? For some reason, she feels like she's in a competition with you. You need to have a long talk with your husband. He just can't keep telling her all you talk about. He knows what she's like, and had lived with her for so long, it just doesn't even phase him anymore. He probably doesn't understand why there's a problem either. It's not that he has to pick you over her or her over you. He just has to start keeping family issues with you, with you. As for mom, I think she tries to get your approval, she just doesn't do it the right way, but knows no other way. She wants to be the star of the family, and let's face it, she's not anymore. Her boys have moved on, but she hasn't. Seeing it that way, doesn't it sort of make you feel sorry for her? Hopefully that will give you more patience with her. When you just can't stand to be around her, fake a headache or something. You need your room too.