My parents are driving me insane!

I just need to vent because my parents are driving me up the wall.
What they did tonight is so typical of what happens between us on a regular basis. They invited me and my teen to go out to eat with them yesterday. I said I would love to go, but it would have to be an early dinner (around 5pm or 6pm) because I had made plans with a friend last week to meet her at 9pm. My Mother said "no problem" to the time and place (I said any restaurant between my house and hers, so I didn't have to drive for hours back and forth.) She said that sounded good to her. Then she called today and said the only restaurant my Father wanted to go to was 40 miles past their house (adding an hour and a half onto my drive). I said "Ok" to that, but I still need to be back early to meet my friend, so we would have to meet there no later than 6pm. *Then* my Mom called back again and said the only time my Dad would go to that restaurant was around 7pm. If I met them at that time, (at that restaurant) there is no way I could get home to meet my friend on time and the cost of gas to drive that far in my truck would add about $15 to the cost of me meeting them. I don't have a lot of extra money right now, so $15 is a lot of money to me. I told them all of that, but they refused to budge. So, I drove to their house, dropped off my teen and drove away. I didn't do it out of rage or anything (although, I wasn't thrilled with this). I did it because I feel so backed into corners with them. They make so many situations so difficult for me. They seem to go out of their way to frustrate me on every level. They'll ask my opinion of something, just to take the other side to start a fight. They know I'm pretty religious and they deliberately go on and on about how bad the "religious right" is. I respect their opinion, why can't they respect mine??
Thanks for letting me vent. I would of been bald by now from pulling my hair out if I had not written this thread out.
I'm not sure any advise would help (other than to pray) because my parents have been like this their whole lives and I don't see them changing.
But, any comments or prayers would be welcome.
Thanks,
C J

Thanks so much! I really needed that hug!

Thanks everyone! It's nice to know I'm not alone in this situation.
Sophia7,
My mom started out Baptist, but became somewhat atheists later. My father is Catholic. They both go to church, but don't put much heart in it. I think that's the root of a lot of our conflict. (Like with your in-laws.) My mother even said that the bible was a book "of myths and fairy tales". Why does she have to say such hurtful things when she knows I'm a believer? It's sad. I definitely need to set more boundaries when they start-in on my beliefs. It's just hard because they become so defensive.
homeschooling_Momma,
So sorry to hear that you have lost your mother! *hugs* When I think about all the time that's passing by and the coming day when I don't have my mother in my life anymore, I feel so sad. That's why I'm so desperate to have a good relationship with my parents. But, they are so mean sometimes. They act like they want to destroy their relationship with their kids. (Most of my siblings have moved out of state and don't talk to them much.)
The nicer you are to them, the less they respect you. They think being nice is a 'weakness'. They only respect when you stand up to them--but, I don't want to do that. I want to honor them, not yell at them! But, they think you're a wimp if you do that.
RoseofLima,
The term 'soul sucking' sounds right. I feel so drained after a visit with them. Why do they have to make every little thing in life so difficult and negative?
ProfessorMom,
I think it's a great idea to look at my parents past to see why they act the way they do. I did that years ago and I think that's what gave me the ability to put up with their behavior long after my siblings had given up and walked away (only to visit once every 2 years or so for a few days). I'm basically the only child they have left that visits on any regular basis. You'd think they'd act right to hang on to the one they have left...
I've tried calling my parents to ask them to dinner and no matter what I suggest they put it down so much until I just give up and say "forget it!" out of frustration. The last time I tried to ask my mother out, I told her where I wanted to go and she said "That dump?!" like it was the grossest place in the world. Then I suggested another place and she said "Greek food?! Who eats that?! I'll get indigestion!" So, I threw up my hands in frustration and told her to call me if she could think of a place she liked. She didn't call me back for a month, and then suggested a really expensive place. I said that I thought that was kind of high priced, but I went to please my parents. They ended up paying for it and calling it my birthday present. (And that was nice of them, but why put me through all of that mental run-around?)
(I'm also so sorry to hear that you've lost your mother....*hugs* to you!)
I wish so much that my parents would be nice, so we can enjoy what years we have left together! I know I have to pray on this issue, as what is impossible with man is possible with God.
Take Care All & thanks again!
C J

Thanks bliz and Princessperky!
I feel control has a lot to do with it too. I was watching that show "Dr. Phil" and he said that a lot of times when a person feels out of control as a child, the become very controlling later. That's probably true with my mom because her family was pretty dysfunctional.
I just wish I had a 'normal' family that I could enjoy good times with...
But, God is good and He will see me through this and hopefully my parents can change for the better.
Thanks again,
C J

Thanks Kelly, jusluvm, icbeckyc and Momma2H. I really appreciate the support and that you shared your own stories.
It's so painful to try again and again to have a nice relationship with my parents, only to be deeply disappointed.
They are nice to me, then they jerk it all away. It drives me crazy because is would of been easier if they were mean all the time, then I could of walked away a long time ago. But, right after they do something wrong--they turn around and do something nice. (Like paying for my car to get fixed with-out me saying anything, they just gave me some money in a envelope.) But, I don't want their money--I want them to love and respect me. I hope I'm not barking up a empty tree.