Our Trip to Vegas

My first trip to Vegas went way too fast! From the crowds of people and the way money was being spent you would never know the economy is as bad as it is however I am not sure how many people were from the states. Everywhere we went there were many people speaking a language we could not understand or spoke with an accent. The one thing I was very surprised at was all the people who bring there kids! In my opinion Vegas is not a place for kids. They do not call it Sin City for no reason, and "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", although I would say not exactly true, but it kind of suggests that people do things there they would not do at home.



The minute you step off the plane you realize you are somewhere different. The slot machines, and not just one or two, are right there in your face. It is a big airport but really very easy to get around in. Not like Denver where I get nervous every time.



Sunday began VERY early. Up at 3 am and on the way to the airport by 3:45. Plane was on time so by a little after 5 we were on our way to Minneapolis. In Minneapolis we had just enough time there to get something to eat make a restroom stop then head for the gate to catch our flight to Vegas. Shelby and I did not have seats together on this flight. Shelby had a window seat and for her it was a short flight. She was down for the count before the plane ever left the ground! I had a middle seat so I settled in for a long flight with my book, every other page I read I found my chin on my chest so I did get a little snoozing in.

We got to Treasure Island about an hour before we could try and check in so we found something to eat. Checked in at 11:00 and we were lucky enough to get a room that was ready so we got our room right away, and took a nap.................... well we were tired and we thought if we were going to go out that night we had better rest a little.

Once we had out nap in we kept pretty busy the rest of the time. We saw a few shows. Cirque Du Soleil Mystere was definitely the highlight. We saw Fat Elvis, that was a free show definitely not a highlight. We did a lot of walking, shopping, spent time by the pool where I decided I don't look too bad in a bathing suit, people watched and just had a good time. The last night we took the double decker bus down to the original Vegas Strip. Went into the Plaza were the Rat Back performed and we did a little gambling at the Golden Nugget I lost $20 and I think Shelby won maybe $5. That is about the only gambling we did.

If you had plenty of money to spend you could stay in Vegas for a long time with out running out of shows to see and things to see but after a few days you kind of get tired of all the casino noise everywhere you go. I would go there again but it would not be my first vacation destination choice. I can at least say I have been there and nothing I did in Vegas needs to stay in Vegas! But there was the stalking incident...... The night we were waiting in line for Mystere Shelby pointed out this you guy who she was absolutely convinced was somebody she had seen on TV. American Idol, maybe the Disney Channel. To me he just looked a young guy. For the rest of our time there it was like either we were stalking him or he us because we always seemed to be in the same place. It drove Shelby absolutely crazy that she could not figure out who he was! The morning we were leaving again he showed up where we were eating breakfast. Shelby actually made me take a picture of him while pretending to take a picture of her! Still she could not figure out who he was. Me I had not a clue. Then he showed up at the airport to get on the same flight as us! Since the pictures from the restarant were not very good she decided to pretend she was texting but really used her cell phone to take more pictures. She was convinced that her daughter would know who he was. All of a sudden she started laughing so hard I thought she was going to fall off the chair. She had figured out who he was.............. WHEN SHE STARTED HER OLD PART TIME JOB AT HY VEE HE WAS IN ORIENTATION WITH HER! Are you kidding me.............. She even lost sleep over this! At least the mystery was over.

I may not have won big but I did come home with three new pairs of shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

37 1/2 Hours and Counting

That is approximately how long on until I am on a plane on my way to Vegas!! I cannot wait to feel the hot sun! Gosh it just seems like it is never going to get warm here!

I made it through the week at work. I feel really bad because I am leaving at a really bad time. We has a few major changes this week mandated by CMS (a government organization that controls Medicare and is responsible for HIPAA, the reason you were asked about a hundred times if you had signed a HIPPA Release and why you have to give up your first born to find out medical information about that first born) and we have 6 new Rural Health (yuck) clinics going live July 1st and I could go on and on............let's just say I have job security. I feel bad for my co-workers left behind to clean up my issues that just couldn't be resolved by the end of the day.

I did have one really nice surprise this week. We have this thing called Service Excellence, a program to recognize employees each quarter who have been nominated for exhibiting excellence in what ever the cornerstone is for the quarter. I think this one was Teamwork. Anyway if you are nominated you are invited to a luncheon with door prizes and the winner of the award gets $500. Well to toot my own horn I was nominated.

So with only 37 1/2 hours and counting I should be washing clothes, packing or something to be getting ready. That was the plan for tonight but friends called and asked if I wanted to go to a movie at 7:45 and that sounded like a lot more fun. Tomorrow will go fast now since I have so much to do before I leave town. Go to the bank, pick a couple of last minute things at the store, wash clothes, iron, pack, go spend a little time with my Mom, tan one more time, get my haircut, pay my bills..................Am I crazy? I should not go anywhere tonight............. Oh well I work much better under pressure.

Yes I Am Alive

It has been over a month since I last blogged. Yikes time goes way too fast! A lot of things have transpired since then. I moved, went to Prom, attended a few graduations, finished level one of support group, worked, worked some more, went to a few soccer games and saw a couple of movies.
I am all moved in to my new place, pretty much settled just have a few more pictures to hang. It is really nice and quiet here and it is so nice to have an attached garage. I am sure I will really appreciate it this winter. Not all the townhouses are inhabited yet but I think they all spoken for. I am expecting a neighbor this weekend. I am anxious for the weather to straighten up and the sod to be put down so that maybe I can get out and meet a few of my neighbors. I have still been looking for a puppy but I am waiting until I have grass. Not so much in favor of potty training in the mud. I was so excited, I was able to get some of my perennials from the house and got them planted. My bleeding heart was looking kind of sad but it is really perking up. I am really hoping that the day lily will at least bloom. My sister brought me a really nice pot of flowers but I have several pots I want to fill yet. Once they get done with the landscaping I will be able to plant some more. That makes me so happy. I have an extra bedroom now with a very nice bed in it so I do expect some visitors this summer.
The Prom- well it really wasn't a Prom it was an interactive play called 80's Prom Night at Who Dunnit High. I few of my friends and I dressed up in formals and had a really good time. They gave us all name tags with funny names. I was Dolly Llama. My friends were Frieda Gough, Faye Slift, Ella Vader and gosh, I cannot remember Karleen's name. Bill Fold sat at out table too. If you ever get a chance to go to an interactive play, go it is so much fun. I have never been to Tony and Tina's Wedding, that is probably the most well known interactive play.
At the beginning of the year I thought I would not have any graduations this year. Not true. As time marches on I must be in denial about how old I am because I had four! The 10th I traveled down to Randolph for Moriah Lindemoen's and Luke Borst's graduation. Graduation ceremony's in small towns are so much more enjoyable to attend. They are very personal and everyone knows most of the kids. I was very surprised that I found myself tearing up as I watched Moriah walk in all grown up, happy and proud. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday, I held a baby shower in her honor, I just could not believe she is moving on to the next new and exciting stage in her life. Last weekend was my Great Niece Stacy's graduation. She had a beautiful day for it. My sister and I brought my Mom,it is always good to get her out for awhile. Stacy looked so pretty and I know she is looking forward to everything that lays ahead. We did not go to Commencement, in larger schools it is not personal at all and even the parents sometimes wish it to hurry up and get over. This coming weekend is my sister's step daughter Maddie;s. She had the most beautiful announcements. How much more creative they are these days. You rarely see the formal graduation announcements even my own kids had.
Support group is over until fall when I will go back for level 2, although I will continue spending time with the friends I made through it. We have a Canaries and a Storm game planned in June and we are looking forward to the Jazz Fest in July. We can always seem to find something to do. Last Friday night I was just about ready to go to bed when I got a call to go to a late movie. I did not get home that night until 1:30. Now that is late for me.
Kylee and Austen are finished with soccer. It was not the best spring for soccer. Even most of the make up games got rained or snowed out. Austen, despite the short season really improved this season. He scored one goal and had shots at several others but at age eight he still has not quite got all the control he needs. At this age it starts getting really fun to watch, they are starting to figure out positions but still tend to all go where the ball is. Kylee and her little teammates are just having fun. At 6 years old they do not really play positions, there is no goalie so the score really doesn't matter it is about learning and getting used to kicking the ball around. They are so cute and I have noticed that girls are sometimes more aggressive then boys. She started T-ball practice this week so I have those games to look forward to.
So now that I have caught up.... I need to finish packing because on Sunday morning it is off to Vegas Baby!