Touching Base

Friday through Sunday 12 noon

I guess it’s best to write some “Vegas Time” here and then put in my personal journal later so I can re-cap as best as possible here. Jason and I arrived in Vegas on Thursday night stayed with my folks until Sunday morning. This is what happened……. nothing raunchy yet….

FRIDAY- it was my Mom’s b-day and I haven’t spent time with her on her birthday since June 2000. I was extremely overdue. We went to the Garden Buffet at South Coast Casino for Brunch. It was a really good buffet. I had Chili with cheese (all ooey gooey all over the place, salad, prime rib (yes, for lunch), mashed potatoes (they were instant, but good), garlic prawns with small serving of rice, chilled prawns with spicy cocktail sauce, pulled bbq pork, grilled corn on the cob and a small bowl of frozen yogurt. After lunch, we “fed the monsters” (Mom, Dad, Jason and I). This is a term that Jason and I used when we fed the slot machines with money and the “monsters” took our money. There is always a slight possibility that feeding the monster could result in a win. Which I received twice- Yes, I received 500 quarters two separate times, both after 1 am. My Mom decided to go to Elephant Bar for her birthday dinner. Elephant Bar is across the street from Green Valley Ranch also known as “The District”. We had an array of appetizers. My Dad said he was stuffed from lunch and couldn’t possibly eat anything but once he saw the fried food, he couldn’t resist :). Coconut prawns served with a spicy orange marmalade sauce served on a bed of wild greens with a Thai vinaigrette, Thai spring rolls, not deep fried but with the white semi-transparent wrapper filled with cilantro, bean sprouts, jicama, shredded carrots, shredded zucchini and chicken breast- the dipping sauces were so good (macadamia nut/cilantro& Thai peanut- YUMMY). The last appetizers was just the assorted one- chicken tenders with panko breading- not the heavy deep fried batter more of a mix between regular batter and tempura batter (it’s light in consistency and light on the palate), potato skins, nachos, deep fried butterflied shrimp- the dipping sauces were cocktail sauce & ranch, sour cream and salsa for the nachos. After Lunch and before dinner we had gone to a few places for my folks to pick up their free gifts- compliments of Casinos that they play at.

SATURDAY- initially my Mom had wanted to take Jason and I to Mesquite Utah to go to the Casa Blanca hotel since she had a free complimentary night stay. We were to visit her sister and my cousins in St. George and then off to Bryce Canyon for some site seeing. A wrench was thrown into our plans and we had to change them. First we headed off to Green Valley Ranch because my folks had free laser levels to pick up. Jason and I thought we were going to eat breakfast but once we realized that was not the case, we indulged in a huge smoothie, which we shared. It was really refreshing; at 11:30 am the temperature outside was 102. We then headed off to Fiesta Casino. This casino is down the street from Jennifer’s place. My folks picked up these really nice his/her polo shirts. We then headed over to this really fabulous isolated off the freeway casino, golf and resort called Montelago. My folks had free slot play and a chance to win up to $50 is free slot play for a friend. Jason and I each received $5 in free slot play once we became members. Outside the resort, there are cobblestone pathways between shops, restaurants, the surrounding hills are bone dry and brown but inside the perimeter it’s lush green with real grass. Please note that a lot of homes or commercial property have invested in the “turf” grass. Higher grade is not shiny in appearance but better for the realistic look while lower quality is shinier and cheaper. It’s great for desert conditions. I had just not seen so many homes, commercial property with this type of grass. Very interesting With our stomachs rumbling we ate at the sports book for some old fashion ballpark food- sliders, hot dogs, salads and sandwiches. We were all happy it was not served “buffet style”. After lunch my folks mentioned that we could receive a free gift. I saw the coupon my Dad was referencing and they mentioned they didn’t need the free gifts and that I was more than welcome to take them. So, I received a free cookie jar and pie plate with matching serve ware. Both are adorned with olives and leaves and are a light gold in color. They are cute. Jason thought- just more stuff to lug around. Yes, it did add weight to my luggage. But it’s free; I can’t turn up free and cute. Finally we headed back in the direction of Henderson to go to Galleria Mall. My Mom had bought this cell phone holder with a clip that fits well on her purses. She bought it at one of those cart Kiosks. It was leather, it fit my phone and while my husband and Dad circled the parking lot, we were in and out of the mall in less than 10 minutes, a new record for me. Back to my folks house to take a nice long nap (2 hours). After stretching and yawning my folks wanted to take us to yet another buffet. This time we ventured over to Silverton. This place has a huge Bass Pro Shop, check out this site. This store has an Archery range, a fine gun shop, and a firing range. Inside they have 4-5 pontoon boats on display, 10 ATV’s, 3 swamp boats, 2 speedboats & 2 paddleboats. This is off hwy 15; you can see this big gigantic place off the hwy. They have remodeled it within the past 8 months. It’s huge! The casino and the bass pro shop. My folks eat and play here frequently so they are invited 1-4 times a month for free dinner at the buffet and free concerts every Friday they get complimentary tickets. Also, the Bass pro shop has a huge fish tank with stingrays, baby tiger sharks, all the tropical fish you can imagine and this fish tank is larger than the one in the Mirage. There are a few motorcycles designed specifically for the shop by local shops and I have never seen such large black bass or catfish. The largest catfish in the tank weights over 180 pounds, it’s huge and UGLY!!!!! As far as the buffet, I can’t say much; the food was divine, very good especially for a buffet, nothing to complain about. There was a western theme throughout the whole place so the pork was good, the prime rib was good, the ribs were excellent, the mashed potatoes were REAL and oh so good. My fav thing was the Gelato. Pistachio is my all time favorite flavor along with vanilla bean. Gelato is so much more refreshing than ice cream and less filling. With our bellies full we headed back to the house. Each night while visiting with my Mom and Dad we played a game, either Mexican Train dominos or Mah Jongg, mostly Mah Jongg especially since my Dad wasn’t into playing games much this time around. She has taught me this fun and very stratetic game; it’s quite complicated to explain. All those that know me, there is no way in hell I can explain this game. I am horrible with explanations of games or juggling patterns.

Sunday - Jason and I gathered our belongings and packed up my Dad’s truck to head over to the Riviera for three nights of fun on the strip. I will write more about the strip at a later time.

only 29 hours left…..

before my VACATION starts.  My brain is already in vacation mode just doing the procedures to get shit (pending) off my desk!!! YIPPEE!!!!

AHhhhhh- Leftover overload

The great thing about having a party are the leftovers.  My husband and I had prepped our house for 40 people for Father’s Day yesterday.  This is the normal size because my family is big.  The prepping is time consuming but the leftovers are rewards all in itself.  This is what was left behind.

 19 cupcakes, 4 slices of cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory, Mediterranean salad, potato salad, BBQ chicken,  BBQ meatballs, baked beans, fruit salad, grated cheese, a bottle of 1999 Steling Reserve Cabernet, 4- large fruit juices, 24 hot dogs and buns, a big cauldron of Filipino soup, 1 bottle of Pinot Grigio, 1 bottle of Chardonnay, a big block of Feta cheese and a 5 gallon tub of Neopolitan ice cream.  See the rewards? 

So, by the end of the week, I won’t have to cook dinner. YIPPEE!!!!!

time is running out 4 the knats and mosquitos….. YUCK!!

My branch has a lot of bugs, birds &  insects, we are next to the bay and we can’t spray insecticide because the city of Hayward won’t allow us.  This is not in my work area but out in the inventory yard.  It’s gross- spiders, mosquitos and large knats.  YUCK!! So, the birds eat the knats and the mosquitos, the spiders eat the knats and the mosquitos, the swallows and various birds eat the knats and the mosquitos.  Since we can’t use insecticide, we will be purchasing environmentally safe “bat boxes”.  Each box will house up to 100 bats.  The bats will fly around at night to eat all bugs.  Which in turn will diminish our bug, spider, general insect problem.  Yippee!! 

These are not measily small bugs.  Black widows, California brown spiders, recluse spiders, other small or big hairy black, brown, yellow or clear spiders.  YUCK!!!  Knats fly in your face, if your mouth is open- you swallow them, if you breath too heavy you inhale them and then spit them out- YUCK!!!!  Mosquitos- fly and buzz around your ears, bite, suck your blood and create a bite that itches like crazy, spiders drop down from door ways when a door is opened, certain spiders “commit suicide” by jumping at your face when you look at them too closely.  Seriously, it will look like a spider is doing push-ups and then when inspected closely they “commit suicide” by jumping at you.  Bonzaii, YUCK!  So, my office is fine but the inventory yard is gross.  Bat boxes are key and I can’t wait until they arrive.

Almost confirmed….

I am just “THAT” much closer. That is all I can say for now. Wish me luck. I closed a deal that put me one step closer to my goal.

Haven’t seen but heard from….

Such a joy to hear from a long lost friend since July 2003, my friend Stephen.

 I haven’t seen my friend Dianna since October of 2004 but she sent me pictures of her pregnancy at 5 months and she looks great.

Haven’t seen Meg since September 2005 but heard she just bought a house.

Haven’t seen Lehrbaum since November 2005 but have heard from him from time to time.  Yes, he moved further away but still since November.  Crazy…

All in all, my conclusion to this… Time is short and friends stay with us forever (as long as both parties make a conscious effort to stay in touch) and if we don’t see them sooner they are just another part of my distant memory.

Only one explaination

There is only one explaination for the headache which turns into body aches, shoulder aches on a Saturday. I haven’t had my coffee yet. I proved this two weeks ago by not having any coffee on Saturday. Once I had a cup within a half hour, my headache was gone. At the same time I don’t want my body to be addicted to coffee but it is too late. So, maybe I need to change it up by drinking more tea.
What do you think?

“Honey Dew” list for June 10th & 11th

By writing my to do list here, maybe it will give me the incentive to complete it by Monday.  (Note to self) must make realistic.

Vacuum, dust, laundry, clean both bathrooms (extensively), clean office, clean spare bedroom, change sheets in both spare beds, clean exterior house windows, clean interior house windows, fluff (no heat) all throw blankets, Oil hardwood floor in front entrance, sweep and mop kitchen floor, clean all floor mats, ELIMINATE ALL CLUTTER!

 By eliminating these tasks this weekend, next weekend when my folks arrive for Father’s Day weekend, my house will be clean and ready for them.  Less cleaning for the party and just prepping the fun stuff such as decorations, setting up the backyard and front yard, the food table and prepping all the yummy food with the help of my Mom.

2 stores are out

After my normal journey through Livermore’s Farmer’s Market to buy my weekly produce I decided I needed to take a side trip. I went to two stores in search of 4 Gradutation Cards. Both places Long’s Drugs and the Dollar Tree was completely out of Graduation Cards, what is up with that? How can two stores be completely out of graduation cards? Well, it happened and I am SOL.

off Szabo goes…..

Jennifer is staying at my house tonight. She has already gone to bed to rest herself for her long ass drive to her new home in Henderson, NV tomorrow morning at 5 am. I will be sad that she is moving but really happy that she is looking forward to this next sector of her life. I wish her the best of luck in all her new challenges that will waft her way.