So my brother I think will foreverafter be referred to as The Big Doofus. Maybe I'll just shorten it to Big D.
Big D called me tonight to say that the reason they didn't send out ceremony invitations is because they've already talked to the people who are coming to the ceremony.
Me: So I'm not invited to the wedding ceremony?
Big D: Of course you are!
Me: When were you planning on telling me about it?
Big D: I thought someone already had.
Me: Well, no one has told me anything, and I think you'd better call Mom because she's just as confused as I was. Can you tell me WHEN the ceremony is?
Big D: Ummmm... well, I think it's at 4:00 that day.
Me: Okay, well that's kind of important since I have to get a SITTER and need to know when I'm supposed to be somewhere. Do you know WHERE the ceremony is?
Big D: Well, it's on the way to the reception.
Me: Ummm... do you have an address?
Big D: Well, it's on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Me: Is it in (city of reception)?
Big D: No, it's in (neighboring city).
Me: Well, maybe you and (fiancee) can figure out the details and let me and Mom know where we're supposed to be and when. Okay?
Big D: Sure thing.
I don't know how this guy has managed to support himself all these years, let alone make it to the ripe old age of 40 and still be so clueless.
Oh, and my mom must have given him a guilt trip about not inviting my kids because he started in on their reasoning for an adults-only party (fiancee's got a ton of second cousins that are young children -- NO nieces or nephews, though). They figured if they invited mine (his only niece and nephews), they'd have to invite them all. Not my wedding, though I disagree.
Anyway -- guess I'll be standing somewhere on a cliff overlooking the Pacifc ocean around 4:00 one Saturday in May with a dozen people I don't know (not counting my parents, Big D and my spouse -- although I'm starting to think Big D should be lumped in the same group as the strangers) to witness a wedding. Better bring my sunglasses, huh? And then I get to party with about 80 more people I won't know. I hope it's an open bar...
My mom said my dad's already said he doesn't want to go (it's the agoraphobia talking) and he was quite taken aback when she said she was going to go anyway. I think husband and I will offer to take her with us. My mom's oldest brother called her today and was just as confused about not being invited to the ceremony, and wondering why only his wife and his name was on the invite, and not his stepson, too. I just had to laugh. Big D has no idea what this is doing to our side of the family!