California Dreamin': Barn wedding and the Magic Castle

Light through glass pebbles

We attended the wedding of one of my clients last weekend. It was held at a reconditioned historic barn called Camarillo Ranch. Beautiful day and a very happy couple! Mario and I didn't know a single other person at the wedding, but we had a really nice time and enjoyed the respite from work very much.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin

Inside the barn at the start of the reception -

so pretty the way the light came through the wood slats

Blowing bubbles

(also hours of entertainment for the cats and pugs after the wedding!)

This past week was pretty well described as "brutal" between the opressive heat, dryness and smoke from 2 nearby fires - as well as the packed schedule I had mentioned in "Crunch Time"! Weather reports had predicted Santa Ana winds which, thankfully, we really did not get, and I think that was a huge factor in how quickly the fires were brought under control. Still, I was so relieved when the week was over.

Yesterday after working in 98 degrees, we ran home and got ready for a night out with some friends. It was in honor of my friend Leticia's 35th birthday. That's a worthwhile event to celebrate of course, but it was also special because she has just completed her 6th and final round of chemo and radiation therapy for a rare form of cervical cancer. She's got 3 children, a husband, dog, full time job (which she's been on leave from) and a full life... which has been forever affected by this life changing event. She's an incredible fighter and so brave, I am just in awe of how she's managed herself - strong, brave and tough through everything.

She invited a group of friends to go to the Magic Castle, which is an actual castle in Los Angeles filled with magicians, card tricks, side shows, bars, and a restaurant. It's a really cool concept, you have to be a member or be invited by someone who is, and it's got a strict tie/cocktail attire dress policy. No photos are allowed once you're in the castle... We all met at Leticia's house and she had us picked up by a huge 13 person limo. We partied it up!! Dinner wasn't until 9:30, we didn't get home until after 2am. PHEW ~ I don't rebound like I used to. I'm still in my pajamas as I am writing this at 5pm! Mario and I have napped, ate, drank alot of fluids and done a lot of nothing all day!! ;-)