It was good, but it could've been worse.

I am back from my planned 'thank you tax refund' trip. Jenny and I went to Las Vegas for a few days. I love doing stuff like this, on a limited budget, because I need to get away from life for a while.

I will start off with the bad news, as I would just like to get it out of the way. We were on day ONE in Vegas, when Scotty called and said the transmission was out in the car (i was in a rental). Thank God that the tax refund was in the bank, or who knows what would have happened. 1700 dollars later, the car is as good as new. It could have been worse, but it wasn't, and thats where I'll end this.

I planned this trip within an inch of its life, and it was a blast. I found wonderful deals for the rental car and the hotel. I booked us into Harrahs for 32 dollars a night. For those of you that are Vegas challenged, Harrah's is smack dab in the middle of the strip. the room was bigger than our apartment. Jenny and I walked up and down the strip (stopping a lot for my back), and took a zillion pictures. I gambled a couple of times, winning at Keno.

I also did my Wayne Newton stalking. Years ago, when i chatted on AOL in a Parents Chat Room (PRU for you that are interested), we were talking about my strange attraction to all things Wayne Newton. Yes, I am a Wayniac, having seen him in concert 17 times. I mentioned that i'd been to Las Vegas many times, but was never able to find where he lived. Someone in the room actually gave me his address and location of his ranch. I was skeptical, but in 1998 hub and I followed the directions, and there it was! My Waynes ranch. The walls are really high around it (hmm, probably to detract stalkers such as myself). We stopped along side the road so that i could take pictures. Then the police showed up, and shooed us along.

This year, i knew better. Jenny and I parked at Jack in the Box, which was across the street, and snapped away. There's double the amount of traffic as in years past, so it was more difficult to get pictures. I know he's probably got photographs of me posted at all security vantage points, so that i dont get on the property LOL.

We visited The Liberace Museum. I've been before, and as always, its truly an inspiring visit. Here's a little trivia for you. My grandma played piano with Liberace back in the 40's.

As for the rest of the trip. we did the usual tourist stuff, taking pictures, walking around and just enjoying the sites. It was sad to leave, but I know we'll be back next year. My pictures are on my Facebook, if you'd like to see them.

It snowed here while i was gone. Hub said he couldn't get the car out of the driveway, and had to use a sick day, since he couldn't get to work. I hated that I missed it, but at least I was somewhere that i loved!

My cat, Monkey has been pretty sick. Her kidneys are having issues. She is looking just like her momma did, right before she passed. I know she's on borrowed time, but isn't in any pain, and continues to eat. I feel her time to go is up to God, and I just cant bring myself to make this decision. So, if you've got it in you, please say a prayer that she continues not to be in pain, and that if its her time, please make it peaceful. You know how much I love my Monkey. She'll be 13 this year.

Oh, and get this... we get to Vegas, and i had forgotten 2 days of one of my diabetes medication, Glyburide AND my nightly shot of Levamir (also for my diabetes). But my sugars were good considering. only in the high 100's. I ate a pretty good diet while i was there, and the walking seemed to have helped. As anal as I am about packing and making lists, i cant believe I messed this up!

Thats it for now. XOXO Here are some pictures

Wayne Newtons Ranch. Taken from my stalking vantage point across the street
Jenny and I in front of Harrahs on a rainy night.
Jenny and I in front of the World Famous Las Vegas sign.