What went on in Vegas....

PARIS? NO.....LAS VEGAS!

I recently recieved an e-mail from my smart cousin who brought up a great idea! He calculated the miles we all walked in Vegas, way back in December. I might be reaching for miles, but there are two good results from this idea.
1. It also allows me to tell about the Divine interaction I encountered through our adoption decision. I bought (me) a book on China in the airport for my birthday on the way home. While reading it on the plane, the woman next to me inquired about a trip there. I was shy to tell our plans at that time (It was still new and seemed crazy), thought telling a total stranger would be a good first step. Amazing thing is her and her husband, who was sitting next to her, have 4 children, 3 biological, and one adopted from China a year ago. I still get chills thinking about how I was placed in that seat at that time in that airplane. This was the moment our adoption became real to me and I gained the confidence to tell the world without worrying about what "they" thought!
2. I get to show off my trip, totally going against all Vegas rules, "What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Which you will see why this is not a big deal. Give me a couple more trips to see it all first and then things might change. In fact REBA is playing there soon. Hmmmm..... By the way, if you checked out the link make sure you check out the South Pacific CD. I was up at midnight the other night (Thank you, LUCY!), and it was on our local PBS. Of course I was captured. I LOVE South Pacific....."HAPPY TALK", "WASH THAT MAN RIGHT OUT OF MY HAIR", "SOME ENCHANTED EVENING".... and Reba as the lead, NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, right....Vegas!
Hoover Dam was awesome. I am so happy Jeremy offered to drive me out to see this. It was something I wanted to see, but did not want to ask. He was being such a great host letting me stay for free (I felt like a kid at the Holiday Inn) and giving me such a great personal in dept tour, of each and every casino. It was amazing how he could maneuver in and around each casino to see everything (including the sports odds) and come out perfectly in line with the next. I know they are designed this way...but he went beyond that! I saw so many things that left my jaw open, all the "vegas" things. Impersonators, show girls, a big time poker player...can't remember his name...Pete Rose, (Good place for him, huh?), lions...



So here is a did and did not recap:
- I did not win a thing. But I was able to annoy everyone with my obsession with the "Wheel of Fortune" slot machines! Do you know how many there are in Las Vegas? I bet the Ranz family can tell you!
-I did eat an outstanding fancy, meal! (Thank you, Jeremy) I wasn't really quite sure what to do with the hot towel thing. Great steaks!







-I did see a very funny improv act "Second City" and a great singer and entertainer, "Clint Holmes". He sang a lot of Christmas music and his duet with his producer of "O Holy Night" brought me to tears...Never have I heard this (my personal favorite) song sung with more emotion and heart! I am proud to admit I am a Clint Holmes fan! -








-I did get free candy at Ethel M's. This is a M & M yummy, fancy candy store. Loved it. I reminded me of the "I Love Lucy" episode where her and Ethel work on the belt line and end up with candies everywhere.










-I did see a great water show at the Bellagio. I was not able to get any great night pictures of all the lights. It could never do it justice.


-I did see lots and lots of cowboys....Rodeo was in town.
-I did see lots and lots of runners....Marathon in town.
-I did not run in the marathon, forgot my running shoes.
-I did not see lots and lots of famous people that were supposedly there for the BIG fight.
-I did eat a lot.
-I did not drink a lot. (I know!)
-I did WALK A LOT. Thus bring me to the purpose of this post. Jeremy estimates 6 miles each for him and me, and 3 miles for his mom and dad and sister, (they came the day after we treked the strip. So drum roll please........................24 miles! Cheating or not....24 miles!
I did see a lot (can you count how many times I use this word in this blog? A LOT) of other things. I just can't put it all on one post, and I will spare you all the details. I had fun. I got away, the kids and Bart survived! So, now I know it is possible and plans are being made....anyone else ready?
Look out Jeremy! Your hospitality just might get taken advantage of!

ADD ON:
I just received this e-mail and now don't I feel stupid...(I really can count, just not today.)

"Now, and this why I'm the accountant, my estimates only come up to 21 miles, but I did say conservatively, so 24 is close enough. 12 for you and me plus 9 for everyone else is 21." directly quoted from Jeremy himself

I will walk 3 miles today to make up for my error! Talk about pressure!
He also sent me more scoop on Reba, from Vegas. Talk about having an inside man....Just let me know what you want to know.....I got connections!