Labor Day

Kevin and I look forward to Labor Day every year, but for very different reasons. I’ll start with my weekend. I, with my sister, head to Bakersfield. Now Bakersfield may not sound like the most exciting place on earth, but it has everything we need; Target, Kohls, Mervyn's, Gottschalks, and J.C. Penny’s. The weekend to Bakersfield actually stems from the opening of dove season on September first. In fact this was the only question my father asked Kevin when he asked permission to marry his eldest daughter; “What is the significance of September first?” So while the guys get together to at the crack of dawn to shoot, as my mother refers to them, “little innocent creatures”, the girls spend the day shopping for back-to-school clothes. My favorite part is that my grandmother and aunt spoil us rotten. I try on all kinds of clothes, and they buy them as my birthday gifts! I am really am so appreciative. It always comes at a good time, when money is tight, and fall is about to start. I love spending time with my family.

This year was a little different. Missy, my cousin, started her second year at Westmont College, and classes started on the September 1. It was different without her there. The other change was little Brendan. Rachel brought the baby for his first Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, I don’t think that Brendan was quite ready for all Dad had planned.

We spent Sunday afternoon at Brendan’s Great-Great Aunt Norma’s house in Old River. For anyone not from Bakersfield, that’s code for “out in the country”. My mom’s cousins came out and passed the baby from person to person.

Kevin’s weekend was a little different. Mostly spent at Steve’s house eating and talking football – fantasy football. This is the weekend where it is hard to determine the actual age of Kevin and his friends. They played wiffle ball on the front lawn, pool basketball, dice games, and board games. In all actuality, the boys didn’t do much . . . and they loved it. They sit around, eat, sleep, and talk. But they call this guy time, and he craves it. So for one weekend a year, I give him a three day weekend to hang out with the guys and pig out. I came back to Kevin bragging about how he won the home run derby and all the wonderful food Kris made. I think he was trying to make me jealous.

However, I was not jealous of "the draft". Labor day weekend is the kickoff of fantasy football season. He has two large drafts this weekend, one of which he is the commissioner for. Have you ever sat through a draft. I thought the NFL draft was long and boring. The guys go in a pre-picked order calling out the player of their choice, whining when their choice is picked by another. They heckle each other, and undoubtedly, one guy can't make it and is picking players by phone. The same jokes are made every year, and favorite commercials quoted repeatedly. They keep telling me that the live auction draft is so exciting, but I don't think it's worth the risk. Granted, the draft was at Landon Donovan's house in Manhattan Beach last year . . . but, I wasn't invited to attend.

I think Kevin and I will stick to our separate weekend.