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Friday was the fish fry I had thought we'd hang out a bit longer than we did--I met them at 4:30 and we went our separate ways at 6:00--but Sis, who'd worked part time at H&R Block for years, spent the afternoon doing my bro's apparently complicated taxes and she was ready for an early night.

Saturday, I had to work 1:00-7:15 and had to leave the house by 12:30. Sis and BIL were supposed to be over around 10:00-ish...they didn't show up until 11:45. I'd debated ordering us all lunch from Guido's, the local pizza place that almost everyone who moved away from my town MUST go to at least once when they return, but with them running so late, I started assuming they wouldn't show at all and didn't order anything. I wound up getting to chat with them for only 45 minutes Saturday before leaving for work. They stayed until around 2:00 and then left...and got lunch at Guido's. I'd deliberately not ordered from Guido's in a while, figuring I'd get some Guido's pizza when Sis and BIL were up but that didn't happen.

Sunday I had a "celebration of life" service for a friend's father than I wanted to attend. I told Sis and BIL I was free in the morning and evening. Despite not being particularly religious (especially BIL), Sis and BIL like to attend my nephew's church when they're in town, mainly because he performs the music. So I said I'd go to Nephew's church as well, despite it being a 40 minute drive. I got there five minutes before the start of the service...no Sis/BIL. I waited until the service began and snuck in, seating myself about midway down on the right side. I was silently fuming, thinking I'd driven all the way for nothing, when Sis/BIL came in. They didn't see me and sat elsewhere but I was able to move over to near them. Of course we didn't talk during the service but we managed a short chat afterwards. Interestingly, one of the things I enjoy about attending my nephew's church--which I've done several times over the last couple years--is the music. Nephew is old-school and chooses hymns to sing. So of course yesterday was one of four times a year the church features a praise and worship group (for which Nephew plays keyboards) performing contemporary songs. There was actually no congregational singing at all.

After church, the others went to brunch while I went to the celebration of life event. I'd never been to one and was assuming it was similar to calling hours, just in an event center and not a funeral home. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was a three hour luncheon. I'd already ate, I was there by myself and knew nobody but my friend and her husband, and Sis/BIL were supposed to come back to the house after brunch to see Dad one more time, so I awkwardly excused myself just before the meal began (they started at 1:00 with appetizers and socializing, then there was a short speech, a toast to the deceased and then the lunch actually began around 2:00). I've been second-guessing myself...my friend was very understanding, and apologetic that I misunderstood the situation, and I had family visiting from out of town but maybe I should've just stuffed down my discomfort and stuffed down a second lunch?

Anyways...Sis/BIL were at my house when I got home around 2:30, and they stayed till 5:00. I was unsure whether to offer to go grab dinner for all of us somewhere; they eventually assured me they were just going back to Nephew's house (they'd had an Airbnb the first three nights but were staying with Nephew the last night) and eating leftovers from brunch. I suggested we meet this morning before they left (I have a dental appointment in a bit, then I close tonight), at a coffeehouse right by Nephew's house that we all like quite a bit. That was met with approval so I told Sis to text me when they were up and at 'em. Aaaaaaand...no text. I knew they were leaving around 10:00 and started worrying around 9:30 that they were sitting at the coffeehouse wondering where I was, but I got a text around 10:30 from Sis saying they'd woke up late and opted for coffee to go before getting on the road. Which was fine but again, I've been deliberately avoiding coffeehouses the last week or so, thinking I'd be going to one SOMEWHERE with them on SOME morning...and then didn't.

It was a short and slightly strange visit, and certainly cheaper than usual, but a nice visit nonetheless 😁