Hi geez, I'd say that was very proactive!!!
Just like you said the holiday's can be really hard, and just as you're recouping (or not recouping!!) from Christmas there's New Year!! So well done!!!

The people who didn't turn up........well maybe New Year's eve to blame?? Then that could have been a bit of a bonus for you.......you know a bit wearing after all of the preparation, things catching up on you...........but just your MIL, well a bit easier to manage, a bit more "breathing" space???
And planning everything, putting all of that food together.......!!!! Well added bonus in still showing yourself that you could do that!!! Big achievement!!! You should be feeling really proud of yourself!!!!

From one perspective, it couldn't have gone better, hey??!!

But as for your MIL coming out of sympathy...........she still chose to spend that time with you, I'm sure she could have made an excuse or left really quickly if she wanted to......but who knows perhaps you did her a big favor by inviting her..........maybe she wanted a break from/to get out of home, maybe it made her feel wanted/special, maybe she appreciated not having to cook/prepare anything, maybe she felt it was nice to have someone else do that for her, maybe she wanted the opportunity to spend some time with you.

And really nice ending to your day!!!



Alison