Before I begin, let me thank all the great citizens of JU Land that welcomed me back, even the ones who scolded me for not telling anyone I was going on vacation.  It just means you missed me!

For those who don't know, I took a couple of weeks off to what was originally intended to be, a Wedding.  And a vacation (if you are going to California for a Wedding, might as well make it a vacation too!). 

We spent the first weekend in LA, where the weather was seasonable.  Mid 70s, so not bad.  And some rain too!  But we were inside (as was the wedding), and enjoying family and friends, so the weather was not really a factor.  We landed in San Diego and rented a Minivan (Shame!  What a Gas waste!) to drive to Brawley (Little town in Imperial county).  We got the bigger car so that when we drove up to LA, we could take a couple of my Wife's sisters and their husbands (so we were actually saving money), and indeed the van held 7 comfortably, so we had one car instead of 3.

I met my Wife's nephew for the first time (I had met most of them before, just not the Groom), as well as his Bride.  This is a good match as she is the apple of her father's eye and seems to have a great head on her shoulder (they have been going together for 5 years, so I think they know each other well.).  My wife did warn me that the parents of the bride did like to dance, and sure enough at the reception, before we could even sit down and start socializing, the mother had the band start playing some salsa music, and half of us were dragged onto the dance floor for some Salsa dancing (I was terrible, but at least I had the basic steps down as I have had 2 lessons).

After the wedding, we hung out in LA for a day and then went back to Brawley.  In case you want to locate it on the map, just look for those weather maps that show the high temperatures.  That little bubble down around California and Arizona that are always the hottest spot was where we were (the Highs were 101-105 while we were there). For the record, as some of you know living on the east or gulf coast, we are always talking about our humidity.  And how 90 feels like 100, yada yada, yada.  Having come from that to the 100s (very dry heat), I can tell you with some authority what the difference is.

100 is HOT!  But 100 degrees with no humidity feels OK in the shade.  I actually spent a lot of time outside in the shade and it was pleasant.  Anyone who has survived an east coast summer knows that NO PLACE outside is pleasant with the humidity is up there!  SO end of Argument.

During our extended stay there, we were preparing for a couple of Birthdays as well.  One of my SIL was turning ^&*&Mphhf - sorry, My wife will not let me say - having another birthday and we were going to celebrate it.  And then there is Stefanny.  She is the most adorable little girl (a grand niece) who always has a smile on her face and a hug for you (even tho we only see them about twice a year).  She was turning 4.  Since her father just had an accident and had to replace his car, money was short. 

But My wife was determined to give her a party!  SO we did.  However, I found out my wife has forgotten about 4 year old girls.  She started buying her a bunch of clothes for her birthday, and I scolded her!  I told her if she did not give Stefanny some toys, she would come to be known as the Aunt like in A Christmas story!  So she got her a Birthday Barbie doll, and a very cute denim skirt. Needless to say, that was a rare occasion where I was right, and she thanked me for it! (We guys are so seldom right, right?).

However the cake she got would be a PMS woman's dream come true!  And a child's as well.  It was a Chocolate Chocolate cake, and most of the adults (even my wife) could not eat but a little bit (the children did not seem to mind the fact that there was more for them).

While out in Brawley, we always go down to Los Algadonnes.  That is where I got a crown for a tooth for $160!  You cant beat those prices!  And of course the other prices are similar (I got a leather back pack for $20!).  This time of year is the best time to go if you have a hat. Since the temps are over 100, the snowbirds have not come down yet, so it is not crowded and the vendors are anxious to make a deal, so the bargains are even better.

We were preparing to leave on Monday, so the sisters (my Wife has 3 sisters and 2 brothers - 6 of her brothers are now dead) decided to go to Palm Desert on Sunday.  That worked for the Brothers!  Football!  With the Raiders on first! (don't ask!).  It was going to be an afternoon of Beer, Pizza and Football!  In other words, guy heaven!

But that was when the shock came.  Mid way through game 2, and before the ladies had returned, a Niece called.  Her Brother was found dead in his house. (he was only 36, and I have not talked to his mother yet to find out the cause).  That really put a damper on things.  Once the ladies got back, we went to visit his mother (she is the widow of one of her brothers).  She was holding up OK, but all we could do was to hug her and tell her we were there for her.  None of us can relate to her pain and loss except for one of her sisters who lost their son 12 years ago.  I skipped the last game of the night to go see her and show her I cared.

We flew back Monday into Dulles and got home just before midnight.  The house had not flooded (I was worried about Ophelia) probably because we had not gotten any rain (only .08 inches for the whole month of September so far).  Our neighbor had taken care of the cats and plants (and the cats were not happy we had left them!) very well.  He is a senior this year, so maybe next year we can hire his brother (he looks about 14 or 15) to carry on when he goes to college.

It was a very restful and relaxing vacation, and it was too short.  But it was also very sad that her nephew died.  I will say I am glad we were there and could at least express our condolences before we left.  I guess if it had to happen, better that it was when we were out there, instead of after we came home.

Thanks again to all, and I hope you all are having a wonderful week!