Damned if I do....

I am trying to turn over a new leaf and reconnect with old friends in an effort to be more outgoing. Our calendar for next month is filling up faster than you can say, "Playdates and pot lucks."  To save money, I have invited two couples over for an informal dinner at our house and planned a birthday brunch for my husband with his immediate family.  Nothing crazy or extravagant, although my girlfriends (without kids, who still live it up and drop loads of cash on drinks, food, entertainment and fashion) have invited me to a night out that I plan on going to... just for the first part: dinner and drinks at a fancy downtown restaurant, which is sure to be expensive. And the hubbie ain't happy about any extra spending.

But, I have to keep my foot in the door, right? I have to at least try to keep up.  I feel I'm already on the edge of being dropped off the evites and Facebook messages.  I imagine someone pausing and hesitating to add me to the list, considering that I haven't been able to make it out to much in the past four years.  I'm one overpriced meal away from being an outcast! And let me just say it's a bummer not being tagged in any photos and seeing the news feed filling up with comments about how much fun was had by all.

So, I'm making an effort.  Yay, me...Or not. Money is tight and we are over-budget... who isn't these days? I definitely don't want to stress my husband out over this.  I'm going to try to cook inexpensive meals for us and our guests. Despite my best efforts, I'm afraid I'll still be in the doghouse for theoretically overextending us this month. You can't please everyone and I'm always trying. Too bad it never seems to make me happy!