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Are any of you planning on going to BlogHer '08 in San Francisco this year? If so--even if you're just thinking about it--let me know in the comments. I may be speaking (with some other great bloggers) about blogging basics. (They've asked me, I just need to respond.)
Thank you for all your kind e-mails and calls.
Things just aren't the same. Life is horribly terrible for Auntie M and her kids. There are no words to comfort them and nothing to do to fix this. That is the hardest part for me: To know that I can't fix this and make my family happy. Auntie M and Dan gave so much to our family and it's been devastating to watch Dan's immediate family try to come to terms with everything that has happened.
If you have a moment, please visit The Green 3 and let her know you're thinking of her and her family. She is working through her grief on her blog and your personal comments have made an impact on her. Thank you.
You know how "they" say you should have either a little black dress or at least a black skirt--or both? I didn't have either.
In January I happened to be shopping and found a great deal on a black skirt that fit very nicely. Having had to attend the funeral of a dear friend's father in December and not having had anything to wear that seemed appropriate, I bought the skirt.
In fact, I have attended many funerals in something other than black or in an outfit that wasn't my first choice because I refused to buy a black dress or skirt. In essence I was declaring my outrage against death.
I bought the skirt.
And now I must wear it.
Already.
And I really don't want to.
I would give anything not to have to wear it.
One of my very favorite people, my uncle Dan, died Friday morning. His daughter is my closest cousin, Green3.
While I was growing up, Auntie M and Uncle Dan were an integral part of my life. The weeks we spent in Iowa were spent shuttling between their house and my grandparent's farm. Their kids--my cousins--were my closest cousins. Green3 was my pen-pal and we still e-mail each other several times a week.
As an adult Auntie M and Uncle Dan opened their house to me and my family any time we visited Iowa--which was as often as we could. Because they live on a lake, my children wanted to be in the boat as much as possible. Uncle Dan never said he couldn't drive the boat. If there was anything we wanted or needed, he jumped up and had it done.
He was young--55. He was going to retire next year.
I took it for granted he would be here for a very long while. Although I'm terribly sad, it's nothing compared to what his family is going through right now. My heart is breaking for me, but it's breaking even more for those I love who have lost a husband and a father.
I'm not going to be around for a while. Maybe a very long while.
A few of you have asked for my low-down on Las Vegas: what to do, where to stay, what to eat. We've been a few times, but trust me when I tell you we've yet to scratch the surface. I'll tell you what I know though.
When we go to Las Vegas, we do like to play blackjack. We just don't feel the need for our entire trip to revolve around our time at the tables. In fact, this time we played blackjack a total of two hours. Yep. That's it. The rest of the time was spent doing stuff.
The Spa
I have only gone to Mandara Spa at Paris. The ginger and lime body scrub is divine. I chose the Paris (and return to it) because it didn't seem quite as New Age-y as some of the others I visited online. The people here are friendly and the spa area is quiet and relaxing. They provide a large selection of teas, water, juices, and fruit.
The Shopping
I'll admit that we used to hop a bus to the Primm Outlet Mall and it sucked. It's about 45 minutes there and back and you have to schedule your departure times (though they are pretty flexible depending on how many people are needing a ride).
Luckily, a new outlet mall has opened near downtown Las Vegas. I believe it's called The Premium Outlet Mall. They have most of the same stores as Primm and it's easier to get to. When we visited last week, most of the stores were in, but a few were still building (e.g., GAP). I think everything is scheduled to be done by this summer.
Cirque du Soleil
We've seen almost all the Cirque du Soleil shows--except O (and for some reason we aren't that interested in that one). We love
them all.
We just saw Ka on this trip (at MGM) and it was great. We sat too close though. The stage and mechanics of the show are great, and from our vantage point we could see all of that. However, I don't think we got the full effect of being immersed in the show because the technology we could see was distracting. If you choose Ka, I would suggest a center section at least in the middle of the theater.
Zumanity (at New York, New York) is quite sexy and hilarious if that's your thing. Be prepared for nudity and the illusion of nudity. And 400-pound women in transparent body-stockings passing out chocolate strawberries. Husband and I are still talking about this one and we saw it at least three years ago!
If you're looking for a show and haven't seen a Cirque show, do it. They are all great.
The Hotels
The Luxor: Where we stayed in 1995 for our first anniversary. It was brand new. Instead of elevators, they have inclinators--because you're going up at an incline. Clever. Whatever. The rooms were nice and well-appointed, but that was 14 years ago and I haven't been in the hotel since then. My guess is that it could stand a remodel. Not really on the must-stay list.
New York, New York: I did not like this hotel. I thought the hallway smelled like feces. Also, because it's NY, NY the casino area is very crowded to simulate the crowds of NY. Yah. I get it. Now get away from me. The roller coaster is OK, but nothing great.
The Venetian: Careful when you walk in. Everyone is looking up and not looking where they are walking. Why? Because the entire ceiling is painted and beautiful. All rooms in this hotel have separate lounge areas. When we were here, I never stepped foot in the lounge area. The Canal Shoppes are fun to browse. I like this hotel.
Bellagio: Very nice. If you can, I suggest getting a room that faces the fountains. It's so great to look out your window and have a show that doesn't include nudie people.
THE Hotel: OK. Normally we would not have stayed at this hotel. However, we were in Wine Country and my grandmother died and we needed to get back. We couldn't get a direct flight and, GASP!, had to spend the night in LV. The only rooms available were in THE Hotel (which is part of Mandalay Bay).
Let me say that this is where the cool, young, hip, rich people stay (well, two years ago, anyway). We did not fit in, but we loved it. There are lots of LCD TVs hanging on walls. Lots of art. Separate living and sleeping areas. Two toilet areas. It's all about the pampering.
The Food
Ah. Mah. Gah. The food.
I love Aquaknox (in the Venetian), as I said. Look for the Jumbo Prawns in Caviar Sauce.
Just about every hotel has lots of little restaurants and counters. There are specialty restaurants and chains. What you eat depends on what you like. I'm pretty sure you can find anything in Las Vegas--ask your concierge.
We had the steak Oscar style at Smith & Wollensky's (across from Monte Carlo) and it was fantastic. Steak Oscar style is a filet mignon with crab meat and a sinfully delicious Bearnaise sauce. Husband and I each ordered one and we each ended up eating half. We could have split one for sure.
If you like Irish fare (or just good beer--ask for Smithwick's but say it 'Smittick's' so you don't sound like a noob), Nine Fine Irishmen (New York, New York) is the place to be. New York, New York is not one of my favorite hotels, but I do love this bar. Just about every night they have a live Irish band playing all the Irish standbys. And a little old Asian lady comes and dances every night. She's a hoot. She's not part of the band, she just likes to have a good time. She was there when we visited three years ago, and she was there last week in her fishnet stockings, purple hat, and dancing shoes (I believe she had on some clothes, too, but hey. It's Vegas. Who knows?). I would LOVE to know her life's story.
The Other Stuff
One of the hotels on the strip (Tropicana?) has both the Titanic artifacts exhibit and the Bodies exhibit. I didn't get to them, but I would have liked to.
The M&Ms store is great fun.
So is FAO Schwartz in Caesar's Forum Shops.
Click on the button below, answer the survey, and enter yourself for a chance to win a FREE PASS to the BlogHer event of your choice! Sweet!
I decided to invite three of Wild Thing's friends over for her first-ever slumber party.
Yeah. I said it: slumber party. She's had sleepovers, but never a slumber party. And isn't it about time?
It is, after all, Spring Break: The Time of All Things Fun.
And I am, after all, Mom: Hostess of All Things Fun.
As my friend Denise pointed out, I am fresh off a spa weekend in Vegas. I should have been prepared for this. And, as a matter of fact, I thought I was.
Four girls, one mom. (Why bring the men-folk into this?)
I'm all about the fun. And the limits. So I figured I had it down: I'd let them watch a movie and stay up late. The term "late" here meaning 10:30pm.
I stayed upstairs until 11:30 and made sure all was quiet. I congratulated myself on the success of a slumber party well done.
They had played board games, played outside, pretended to be dog catchers, school teachers and students, and put makeup on each other. Then we made popcorn and watched a movie.
Oh yes. Fun indeed. Down and asleep by 11:30.
Except that they weren't. Asleep, that is.
Midnight: pitter-patter, giggle. Go to sleep, girls! Quiet. Smug smile. Midnight isn't so bad.
One o'clock: Knock on my bedroom door. "We can't sleep!" Re-tucking of four little girls. Quiet. OK. We're good now. Right? Because really. I'm tired now.
Two o'clock: Pitter-patter, giggle, giggle, giggle, water running. Really? Are you kidding me? Girls! Sleep! No talk! I fall asleep on the chair upstairs in the playroom so I can make sure the sleep took this time.
Three o'clock: I wake up. Quiet.
Five o'clock: I wake up and stumble downstairs to bed.
Seven o'clock: Girls awake. OMG.
Y'all? They totally kicked my trash. Wild Thing wasn't even cranky the next day. And she didn't nap.
She's already talking about the next one.
Help me, six pound, four ounce Baby Jeebus with your Baby Einstein videos.
The winner of this giveaway is Happy Momma!
Last week one of the amazing marketing gals that sends me free stuff to review e-mailed me to see if I wanted a $25 gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse to celebrate their 20th birthday this month. I said, 'Hey, sure, but how about one to give away to my readers? They totally rock.' And she agreed because she's awesome like that.
So here's the marketing spiel from my gal:
Outback Steakhouse is celebrating its 20th birthday this month and with that comes the anniversary of the Bloomin’ Onion, Outback’s signature dish and the first item on the menu 20 years ago.
Here are some interesting facts on the Bloomin’ Onion:
In honor of its birthday, Outback has also created a select number of special menu items that are only available through the end of April.
OK. Now, you want to win that gift certificate so you can order a Bloomin' Onion or one of the other special menu items, right? Here's what you need to do: leave me a comment. Just one comment (duplicates make me annoyed and you don't want to make me annoyed--yes I'm totally aware of the grammar of that sentence. I sacrificed the grammar for the poor Hulk reference.).
Want more than one chance to win? You can post about Outback's 20th birthday and link to their special menu items to spread the word. Then come here and leave your permalink so I can verify that you do you, indeed, have a double entry for this giveaway.
I'll leave this giveaway open all week and choose a winner on Friday. I'll e-mail the winner and then said winner will need to contact the vendor to have the card sent to you. Don't worry--I'll have all the info you need. Good luck!
This is cool. I have never actually seen a bullfrog's tongue. They are really, really long.
Wild Thing: I'm going to marry Zac Efron.
Me: Why?
Wild Thing: He's famous, he's pretty, and he's smart.
Me: Hmmm. Why do you think he's smart?
Wild Thing: Because he's in high school and he didn't get held back!
What I didn't tell her: Never marry a guy who thinks he's prettier than you are.
While some people are enjoying the dawn of spring, I am gagging.
Literally.
I think we have a dead bird in our chimney.
Wanna come over for dinner? The meat's, uh, fresh.
Or at least recently thawed.
My banner artwork is by Larry Jones. His work is copyrighted and for use by permission only. He has no idea how grateful I am to have my juggling girl. I love her.
