Here's the situation.
A family member has asked us to keep the next few weekends free for a special event, which is being bought forward because someone has to have an operation and there are concerns for thier health afterwards.
Of course we will attend and be moral suport for this person and the rest of the family and we are looking forward to going and taking part.
However the organisation for the event has yet to even start because venues etc are trying to squeeze it in around all other pre-booked stuff. Therefore as yet we dont even have a date for the 'do' just a "within the next 4 or so weeks"
In this 4 week period we have a friends milestone birthday bash and another party.
Because we need babysitters for the birthday party - as it's a big do, no children etc we have cancelled this because the IL's are our only option for babysitters and MIL does not want to commit herself or be away from said family member - we understand this and in a round about sort of way it has actually done us a favour because of what we would have had to rent/buy to wear. Although we feel terrible for the friends in question as they are such good friends - but we are making it up to them later by taking them out for dinner etc.
The other party is also a catered event and they want numbers - like us money is tight so it's either yes or no now. So again we have said no just in case, as both events will be on a Sunday. I am a bit resentful of this though this because this was a child friendly party where DD's friends would be and we would be cathcing up with all our friends who we hardly see as a big group anymore due to kids and work etc.
Not for one minute am I annoyed because I would rather go to our parties. There is no question that in this case family comes first.
However what has cheesed me off is my MIL's attitude that we should be happy to just sit and wait and let our friends down. Bearing in mind that we might be able to go to both events if the 'do' is after them. She hates our friends and has insulted them many times at our wedding and DD's Christening. I think this is because she is jealous as she has no friends of her own anymore. The trouble is if I say anything back to her she will twist it to sound like we dont want to attend the family occasion which is'nt the case at all.
I just want to slap her round the head with a big wet fish right now!