Las Vegas 2014 - Part 2

The 1st show we went to that week was Cirque du Soleil's "O". They don't allow pictures during the show, but I loved their ceiling and couldn't resist taking a picture before the show began. The show was awesome! It was the most expensive one we did while there, but it was worth the money.

The other highlight of the trip was Bass Pro Shop. Since it was my 2nd time there, I didn't take as many pictures. But I still had to take a few for Josh. 

I wanted to get Josh's Christmas shopping done, but since they are located in a warmer climate, they didn't have the things I wanted. So I'll just have to order it online. But I did buy Christmas for most of his family there. I'll wait until then to post those pictures. I did buy Josh a few things while I was there. He has declared the coffee mug is his new favorite because its so big. I think the Hershey one is just as big, but he hasn't used it yet. 

The 2nd show of the week was at Treasure Island Casino. My mom's condo always does a sales pitch to get you to buy or upgrade. The reward we chose was 2 tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Mystere, including dinner at The Buffet in the Treasure Island Casino. I've never tagged along for the sales pitch, but decided I would this year. We got the SLOOOOWEST lady. She would literally walk 5 steps and have to stop and catch her breath. She was an older lady and I think she just does it to get out a few times each week so she can eat bacon without her family getting after her. I actually left early, but my mom had to stay for the whole pitch before they would give her the tickets. We looked at the tickets online and we got a screaming deal, which was a good thing since it took a few hours!

Since my mom had paid for all the gas to travel and the condo fees, I decided to buy us both tickets to see Wicked. While we were waiting for the show to start, we learned it was the last night the production would be there. Neither of us had seen it before and we loved it! I'm so glad we were able to go. 

Our last day in Vegas was very relaxing. I decided to spend the morning at the Spa located in the South Point Casino, which is right next to the condo. They wouldn't allow you to have your phone turned on inside, so I didn't get any pictures. But let me just say it was pure heaven! I spent some time in the Jacuzzi before my massage. And again after my massage. As I was leaving I asked them if I could just buy a day pass in the future and found out I could. So if I go again, I'll probably spend a lot more time there.

The last night, we decided to eat out at a Mexican restaurant a friend suggested called Ricardo's. It was really good. I'll spare you the picture of my dinner, but I couldn't resist this gorgeous cake they had on display to promote their catering business. 

Las Vegas 2014 - Part 1

Once again, I was able to spend a week with my mom in her Condo, in Las Vegas. Originally, my brother was supposed to go with her. But a week before the trip, he started a new job. So then she asked my sister, but she couldn't make it work with her job either. So in the end, it was just me and her. I keep joking one of these times she'll invite me, before I invite myself.

We had a pretty laid back trip. We were able to go to a few shows and enjoy lots of shopping. 

The thing I wanted to do the most was to go to the Pearl in an Oyster place again. 

My first pearl, I had put into a ring setting. Then they let me choose a 2nd pearl for free, so I had it put onto a necklace pendant. They were trying to get me to do a 3rd free pearl, but I knew I would just spend more money having it put onto something. Instead, I decided to complete the set with matching earnings that were already made up. 

My mom's favorite casino is Paris. I hadn't been up their Eiffel tower yet, so we did that. We were hanging out waiting for the Bellagio's water show to start and the guard showed us how to use the slits in the floor to take pictures with our phones. 

After that, we headed over to the Bellagio. We had purchased tickets for "O" and needed to pick them up. While we were there, we checked out the world's largest chocolate fountain. 

They had so many cool cakes, but I only took a picture of a few of them. 

And I couldn't resist them cute cupcake. 

The Bellagio also has a really cool conservatory they change each season. 

I got some dragon books for Valex & Daxsen and also Preston & Tyler to share.

Pez candies for the older nephews.

I couldn't resist this cute outfit for Colt. I also found a matching burp rag and binkie holder. 

While we were driving down the strip, we saw they now have a Hershey's Store. 

I bought each of the older nephew's a shirt. I couldn't find one for Colt. I asked the store manager and she said the baby stuff flies off the shelf; they can't seem to keep it in stock.

A new hoodie for myself.

I got Josh a coffee cup. I couldn't decide between the pretty glass cup and the thermos for me, so in the end I bought both. 

Las Vegas 2013

While I was at the zoo with my family, my mom mentioned she was going to Vegas with my grandma and she would only be using half of her condo. She was telling my grandma, she was thinking of trying to sell the other half, but wasn't sure how to find someone she could trust.

I stewed on it for a little bit, and decided I would really like to go. It was the same week Josh would be hunting, so I was going to be alone anyways. I just needed to make sure I could get off work for that week. She was leaving in like 8 days, so I didn't have long to plan.

I had 2 plans. I could go alone, and craft to my hearts delight, hanging with my mom and grandma when I wanted. Or I could get a friend to go with me.

I called one friend, but she couldn't go. I was bummed to be going alone, but was still determined to go and have fun. I was telling Josh about my plans when he said, "why don't you invite who ever that was you were talking to on the phone the other night?"

That person would be the amazing Ashley. We grew up close when we were young, and during my sophomore year, we were really good friends. I still have great memories of hanging at her house, making our own milk shakes.

But as life does, we had grown apart. I got married and she moved away and we lost touch. A few years ago, we connected on Facebook, but that was about it. After my 6 month hiatus from Facebook, I got back on and learned she was going through a tough time. I reached out to her online, and she in turn called me. We instantly picked back up where we had left off all those years again.

Since deciding to live my life free of the church, it has been really hard on me to connect with people. I still maintain the fact that I haven't changed that much, but I guess I must have, because I feel left out. Or like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. I've struggled through some depression over it, but didn't know what else to do. So when Josh suggested inviting Ashley to meet me in Vegas, I thought it was a brilliant idea.

I was going to arrive Saturday afternoon, and stay through until the following Saturday morning. She recently  moved to LA and was able to ride the bus to Vegas. I picked her up on Sunday and she was able to stay until Thursday night.

Honestly, I was excited to see her, but also nervous. It had been over 14 years since I last saw her. What if we didn't connect and it ended up being a miserable week? But it was just the opposite. When I saw her, I was so happy I could feel myself tearing up.

She is such an amazing lady and I'm so glad I got to spend the week with her. I feel like I have a new best friend and I hope we can keep it going strong this time.

We pretty much ran non stop the entire week. So much so, we didn't take any pictures. But it was a blast.

Notice our matching necklaces she bought for us.

Sunday night, we went to Sin City Comedy & Burlesque at the Planet Hollywood Casino. It was so funny! We were still laughing days later.

Monday was spent shopping and running a few errands. We were going to go to a Magic Show, but real life got in the way and we had to miss it. But I did get to meet another one of her friends and I'm glad to know she has some amazing people around her right now.

Tuesday, we went to Zumanity. It was AMAZING!

On Wednesday, we did something I've been wanting to do for over a year now.

Yep, I got inked!



I've been looking at pictures for over a year now. I knew I wanted a flower, and I was pretty sure I wanted it on my foot. I wanted it were I could see it often, but also where I could cover it if I needed to.

I looked at hundreds of pictures, but I always came back to this one. Its actually just a henna drawing, but I loved the design. When we got to the 3 Lions Tattoo Parlor, my phone wouldn't work, so I couldn't find the picture. But they had a computer and after scrolling to a gazillion pictures, I was able to find it again.

Holly did my tattoo and she was awesome. When she started, I warned her I was ticklish. She warned me, that it didn't matter, it wouldn't tickle.

I've heard the foot is the most painful area and I'm now convinced that is true. It hurt like HELL! I was sober when we started, but my friend, tequila, had to help me finish. 

I love how it turned out. I was only going to do one flower and let the vine go up my ankle, but after Holly drew it on, it didn't look complete, so we added another flower. 

That night, we took a limo to a club. And I was even able to wear these shoes that Ashley bought for me.

 

Our last day together was spent relaxing and getting her ready to catch the bus home. I was so sad to see her leave. Even more so when the bus stop was at the airport and all I could do was drop her off to the curb. I wanted to soak up every minute with her. LA feels so far away, but I'm hopeful we can keep our friend ship going. And its encouraged me to reach out to other friends from my past and reconnect with them.

Friday night, I went to Freemont street with my mom and grandma. When we went last year, the light show had been cancelled, so I wanted to try and see it again. It was pretty cool.

I'm glad I decided on this trip last minute. It was just what I needed to distress.

Josh also had an enjoyable week in the mountains, but didn't get an elk this year. But he was determined to shoot a big one. He did pass up several small ones, so he's ok with it. He does have a cow elk tag in December, and I'm sure he'll get one then.

Fuel to drive to and from Vegas by myself: $200

Food: $150

Gambling money: Actually, I broke even on that one. ;)

My first tattoo: $180

Making a new best friend: PRICELESS!