On going problems with mother-in-law

My mother in law is one of those people that is "polly anna" sweet...always helping people always cheery and "positive". I've been married to her son for 17 years now, but have had a very hard time feeling close to her because she seems to only really care about appearances and how she appears to others. She just doesn't seem genuine.

Recently (9 months ago) my husband got in an argument with his manager the owner of his company and he was fired. He had been with the company for 10 years. I work, but his income was double mine and our family depended on his income. I tried not to panic, and actually was quite calm about it until we hit the 5 month wall when we ran out of all our savings. Then we ran out of credit on our credit cards...and things looked very bleak.

Meanwhile, when his mother called she was always ask in her very cheery voice "Hiiiii How are you guys?"....but if I ever alluded to his unsuccessful look for work or our financial situation, she would pause, and then change the subject. This went on for 8 months. A month ago, I finally asked her point blank "you really don't want to hear about this do you?". And she said "no, no I don't....but I do care".

I haven't felt the same since that phone call. I am angry and frustrated, because my husband feels I need to continue to be a cheerful and loving daughter in law to her. I feel like our relationship is a sham and that she has never really been a true friend.

Am I wrong and what would you do if you were me?

I would accept my mother in law the way she is and try to have as good relation with her as possible. Having an open conflict is even worse.