Vegas, Days 2 and 3

I won't repeat the details of my incredible wine-fueled Vegas bravery detailed on LAL's blog. Instead, I will post a few more pictures from our whirlwind trip.


Our favorite activities included drinking poolside before noon...


Drinking in the Rum Jungle after noon...


Dressing up...



Going out...


And cheesing for the camera.

It was a fun trip. Can't wait to go back.

Vegas, Day 1

Bonnie, Lori, Molly, Carrie and I are on a very quick trip to Las Vegas. We arrived this afternoon and leave early Sunday morning.


We decided to go after we competed in the Genesis Fitness Challenge earlier this spring. Top prize in the challenge was a trip to Vegas. We didn't win, but decided we'd better have the trip anyway. (Coincidentally, one of the owners of Genesis was on our plane today in the seat right in front of us.)


Molly arranged for a limo to pick us up at the airport and transport us to the hotel in the manner we all hope but don't expect to some day become accustomed.


Haven't been in one of these since Prom '91.



You'll be happy to hear that we aren't just staying in ANY hotel.


Had dinner at the restaurant on the top of The hotel tonight. To say it was pricey would be an understatement. Half my garage sale earnings wiped out in one meal.


Here's my curried lobster, which just might have been worth it. Still calculating. Will get back to you.


At the moment, two of the above pictured women are tucked into The beds in The hotel. One is downstairs tossing money around at a poker table.


This one, too. And Molly.

Random Lexi cuteness

Thought I'd post this collection of Alexis adorableness I've captured over the last week.


Here, she models the latest in preschooler sunglasses fashion.



Like any good model, Lexi can find fresh motivation with just seconds' notice.



Her first experience with chocolate milk. Didn't like it.


Cinderelly!

Garage sale from hell

Well, it wasn't that bad. But pretty close.

I had a garage sale this weekend, which went okay overall except for the fact that it was totally rained out on Friday. Soggy stuff. No customers. No $$$$.

I rebounded a little on Saturday. We had a steady stream of customers, who bought a lot of my junk. Still hauled three vanloads to the DAV at the end of the day.


My mom came to town to help and was a lifesaver. She was my cashier and did a whole lot of suggestive saleswomanship. She's good at that kind of thing. In raised $250, which I plan to spend (probably in one day) when the girls and I go to Vega$ this weekend.


Here's mom reading to Lexi on the eve of Soggy Friday.

How we spent our Sunday

One of us (whose mommy forgot about the sprinkler ban till it was too late) did this...



While the other one did this...



We're having the garage sale of the century this weekend, which is why my back is killing me and my living room looks like I'm moving out. Mom, having second thoughts??

The Lady and me. And Joe.

My talented friend Jaime put together a video of me interviewing my favorite Southern lady, Paula Deen. This was on Thursday at the casino meeting in Belle Plaine.

Joe claims I'm hogging his time, but listen, ya'll, he got a lot of questions in. Jaime just didn't find them video-worthy.

Bye, Brenda

The worst part about Wednesday's martini night at Yia Yia's was saying goodbye to good pal Brenda T.

The best part???

Swimmin' pool sux

Shoulda just bought the $7 plastic tub. But no, I had to get the fancy inflatable pool with the showering roof.


Back in the pool tonight, but the roof will no longer stay on. The arms can't support it and it totally collapses. This is in addition to the first problem, when the hose that was supposed to make the shower wouldn't fit correctly and wound up spraying wildly and completely soaking me.



She still likes it.

Swimmin' pool

Lexi is the owner of a brand new swimmin' pool. Not as good as Lori and Dale's, but still fairly awesome. And not too deep.


I assembled and filled it while she was napping. And even though she helped pick it out at the store, she wasn't too sure she wanted to get in.


She quickly changed her mind.


I'm now afraid this is all she's ever going to want to do.

Bluebird

Robin was kind enough to invite us to spend the Fourth at her parents' farm, Bluebird, which is.... well, all I know is it's in Oklahoma somewhere off the Stillwater exit and it takes a very long time to get there.


This place is really more of a well-manicured indoor/outdoor palace of fun than a farm. What else would you expect from Macys?



Lexi and I started the day taking a ride on a Gator. This warning on the Gator struck me as sort of abrupt.


... and our driver struck me as kind of, well, YOUNG! (No death occurred, though we did get stuck once.)


Around lunch time, I impressed the hungry with my mad pizza grilling skillz.



Please note the professional-grade gill marks on the crust.



Sister Stella whosit whatsit a million gazillion names takes a nap.


Lexi and Jaime enjoyed the pool, though Lexi declared that it was far too deep. "WHY IS THAT POOL SO DEEP???" she demanded to know, shortly before falling asleep tonight.


She also enjoyed a little Badminton with her new friend, Emma.


It was down to two teams in the old-fashioned egg toss. This is me just as yolk exploded all over my hands, leg and shoes. Randy, I'll need to see those negs.


We left in the early evening, just as the pickin' commenced.