Good Times

We've had family in town these past days and have been having a great time! I haven't seen my Aunt and Uncle in about 25 years, since I was

First stop of course was food. We took my dad's recommendation to head to his (and my mom's) high school hangout, Macayo's.

After lunch, we went to Fremont Street and walked around, and watched a spray artist for awhile.

Vegas Vic and Vicki

We also went to a lot of the downtown hotels, and I was schooled by my Uncle Carl on where I've lived most of my life! I've also found out that, opened in 1951 and home to the WSOP, Binion's really set the stage for high stakes gambling, offering to cover any bet, regardless how big it was. We did get our pictures taken in front of the $1 million too. :)

Benny Binion came to Vegas the same time that Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo, where Uncle Carl and Aunt Cathy stayed...this time. Apparently, Uncle Carl is quite the poker player!

After lunch and Fremont Street, we went to...

and got a...

Western Special...I made this picture extra big just so you could really see what we enjoyed :)

Mmmmmmmmm.....

OK, let's see I forgot where I was. Oh yeah! After custard we headed over to the Rio and walked around and then called it a day. Well, most of us!

The next day we decided to go to a show and met up about 5pm and went off the Strip to dinner. Those who know this Twosome well know where we went. That's right!

Warm, homemade bread with butter...

Caesar salad and garlic bread...

San Gennaro...(for those who don't know, meatballs and garlic)

Yummy!!

And, just in case you didn't get a close enough look...

After dinner, we headed to the MGM for a night of laughter at Drew Carey's Improv. If you like to laugh and enjoy Improv, this is a must see.

If you have ever seen Whose Line Is It Anyways, it was similar to that. Some of the comedians from the show were there: Ryan, Chip, Greg.  Lots of audience interaction and participation, singing and just great off-the-cuff humor. Great show!

They were filming some of these performances and asked us to stay behind. They asked us questions about how we liked the show and filmed our responses. Maybe it'll be in a promo somewhere, who knows.

We also walked around the MGM a bit and went to the Lion Habitat.

And to finish off the night, we cruised part of the Strip...

Until Next Time!!

Here Comes the Sun

I am sitting here researching material for my other blog. The non-linear environment of the internet has got to be the worst thing for someone who is easily distracted. Adding forgetfulness to that makes me nearly disabled when trying to do a focused search within a limited time frame. I have found no content for my student nurses, but have found a plethora of information on how to improve myself, find myself, change myself, direct myself, market myself, declutter myself, free myself, clean myself, dress myself, zen myself, organize myself, do it myself, embrace myself, prepare myself, create myself. 

Holy cow.

My head is literally swimming with information. It is a little difficult to even focus my eyes on this screen.

Here are some thoughts I have:

I pretty much missed the New Year because there was no end or beginning to my days while Eric had his surgery and was in the hospital. There was no time for reflection on the past year. No time to contemplate what the New Year might bring. It was just a period of minute to minute, hour to hour and what needed to be done next. And I'm not complaining, it's just how it was.

Now that things have settled down a bit, I have had time to reflect (it is never too late to do that). With my primary thoughts being focused on the recovery of my husband, my speculations have also been sprinkled with such matters like friends and family, my dogs, reupholstering my living room chairs, the economy, preparing my taxes, scanning old photos, the flooding in Brazil and Brisbane, selling items on ebay, what errands I need to do, grading papers, volunteer work, what I want to do with my life, etc. So, as I scanned through all of the well-meaning ideas and suggestions on how to make my life, my self, my blog and everything around me much better, I came to the conclusion that doing one or all of those things would seriously de-focus and de-center me.

Then I thought about hope. Honestly, and I am not bragging, I think I have the best job in the world. It has its ups and downs but to see a newly born baby is unlike anything. No matter how completely jacked up things might get, to look into the face of a baby is a solid testament of hope. So much hope (if you really contemplate it) that it is effervescent. I hope you can comprehend this baby face long enough that your heart swells and your eyes tear.

So, regardless of whatever my current circumstances might be or that the world seems to be falling apart at times, I won't worry about what I cannot change, I won't be fearful and I won't concern myself that so many things, including myself, aren't perfect yet. Right now, I will finish this post and think about what tomorrow might bring, especially as I look into precious eyes that are less than a day old. I will be hopeful.

And thankful.

Mommy's Little Monsters

Of course, I would need to add something about our beloved dogs. We adopt from rescue organizations and would not consider, at all, of going to a breeder. There are too many animals that need homes.

There is a Great Dane rescue that we visit in San Marcos, and a friend of ours volunteers with the Las Vegas Humane Society and from both of these we find our pets. We have also gone to the local animal shelters in the past, but to be honest with you, I will probably never go back.

There is a local woman who does what she can to rescue Great Danes in Las Vegas, and I went to the Lied Animal Shelter to scout a potential Dane for her (us actually) that she had heard about. What I saw is unlike anything I have ever encountered. I started my journey in the normal areas where the public can go, but I kept persisting that they had a Great Dane there and somewhere along the line they thought I was the woman from the rescue. I really wanted the Dane so I admit, I let them continue to think that. They took me to the unseen places of Lied and they need to stay that way...unseen. I found him, and had to leave him. He was almost dead. I was sorry I went.

On a happier note, a much happier one, here are pictures of our dogs now.  =D

Diesel was so dang cute as a puppy. Puppies in a rescue...who would not want this dog?? She is very fun and playful, and is a lapdog. She is very tall and thin and at just 110 pounds, her back is almost as high as a standard kitchen countertop. Next time you are in your kitchen, take a look. We don't leave much out on the countertops here. Did I mention she sleeps with us?

Taz (aka Tater) we rescued from the LVHS Christmas of 2009...has to be one of the smartest dogs we've ever owned. His owner surrendered him due to allergies. I think he is about 2 or 3 years old. He is completely lovable, wants to be right up next to you, does tricks and mostly wants to please if you catch him in the right mood, but I tell you what...this dog has a stubborn streak. If there is something he doesn't want to do, no lo hace. He just loves it when the two big girls pin him down and wrestle. What a life.

                         

...and our Honey girl. This sweet, beautiful dog was neglected for the first months of her life, just left out in the back yard with no human contact.  We adopted her at 7 months old and she had severe behavioral problems. She would not interact with us or anyone else, and even the smallest things frightened her, like the sound of me getting a piece of aluminum foil.  At the time, we had two other dogs (different than Diesel and Taz) and they helped her adjust. She is 5 years old now and much, much better with us and getting better with other people. As a matter of fact, we had a friend over today and she went right up to him and was waggin' her tail, lookin' to be petted. :)

There is just nothing like coming home and having all of them waiting at the door wagging their tails.

Snowy Monday

Just in case you had any doubts if this desert hotspot ever has precipitation, take a look below. It didn't stay long, of course...

So this is my go at starting a blog for Eric and I...we'll see how it goes.

I am sitting in front of the fireplace with an extremely soft and cozy blanket wrapped around me and one of my dogs at my feet...and bored. I've been reading a friend's blog - thank you FR for your inspiration over and over to do things I have thought about doing but was a little timid about. Timid no more. :) I also remembered that our niece and nephew as well as a beloved cousin have very witty and charming blogs, and so I am now at the conclusion that I can 1) have yet another way to keep in touch with family and friends, 2) start something new for the New Year, and 3) not be bored. So, there we are.

Happy New Year to you all :)