Thanks for the advice riotgrrrl; I know she is unhappy but will do nothing to change it. I will try to change the subject and NOT react next time.

hankster, thank you for the input. I am not skinny and I am not fat, I am happily married and just started working on children. This is really what concerns me, I don't want my future children to be exposed to her negativity. I can tell you firsthand that this listening to this all of my life did give me self-esteem issues which I do battle daily; I'm lucky enough to have a husband with the most beautiful personality and sunny disposition that is usually a good buffer. Unfortunately, he is not always around when she is...

My mother has been divorced from my father now for 32 years and is still in love with him. She is bitter that he is remarried to someone who is really not that attractive - Mom doesn't get it that not everyone is obsessed with good looks, healthy teeth and a nice body; a good personality will win in the end.