Originally Posted by
ladyscribbler 
Grandma won't live forever- that is pretty bad. Neither will whoever told you that, though it's kind of mean to bring it up in a conversation.
I once told my former MIL that "guilt trips only work if I give a f@$k about how you feel." Not very diplomatic, but it worked. Some people can't abide a simple "no thank you", and silence just leaves them room for nagging and manipulation...
Or you could bite the bullet and go, but leave an upper decker in their bathroom.
After another phone conversation we had, I actually decided to stay silent this year and simply not answer the phone. And you know what? It felt good, not to answer, or even call back. The point is, I have my reasons (this person actually knows my reasons very well, I have expressed my feelings). Guess what? She even said she bought me a present!