In cases like this I always like to think "I'm probably not their cup of tea either". You might want to attend at least one party though, even if briefly. You seem to care about the host so just be honest and say you are not much on big crowds but consider her a good friend so are making an exception. Then, she probably will not expect you more than once a year. Also, sometimes when you get to know a blowhard a bit better there are some good qualities hidden below the surface. I have a friend who's SO is too embarrassing to go to dinner or public places with (we won't) but after getting to know him find him to be a very caring kind person with a heart of gold. He's simply used to places in the Bronx or with his large family where he can be loud and say anything that pops in his head. We were once almost kicked out of a restaurant if you can believe it. We do go to their house for dinner about once a year though. The woman has been a friend for years and years. Sometimes getting to know people you wouldn't normally hang with can be interesting fun once the top layer is peeled off. In your instance (someone else's party) you can always leave when you want.

It looks like a picture winged fly. I see them around, don't think they cause any trouble.

I knew it looked familiar but couldn’t come up with a name. Thanks! debra

I can't tell if there is enough space, but I would change the kitchen table from running vertically to run horizontally (in line with the peninsula, pushed up against that right wall (the wall that the kitchen uppers are on, where the vase is). The way it is currently placed is right in the walking path from kitchen to LR. At the least, push it to the other side of the room where the vase is. For a new couch, if you go with the L shapes, I would have the "L" part that sticks out on the opposite side (so it's on the window side and opens up the room). The TV looks a little small for being so far away from couch and the table under it is lacking bulk. Perhaps a larger buffet pushed up to be flush with the wall to the left of the fireplace. Put the TV on the wall with a hinged TV mount so that tv can still be set at an angle like she has it now?