Thursday, October 7, 2010

LAS VEGAS

I am SO glad to be home. Vegas is a blast but after awhile the noise gets to you and today as I sit in my quiet kitchen typing this, I am relishing the peace and quiet. Even the plane ride was relaxing and I am not crazy about planes. Now I am going to stay put until next spring and insist we take a vacation to a secluded beach somewhere.

We stayed at the Rio and above is a picture of some of us ladies; Carol, Brenda, myself and Mary. Below are some of the husbands. These are actually friends that are also clients of The Husband's that provide a lot of business to his law firm...not just their own {!}, but through referrals. They really are a great bunch. This trip is our way of thanking them.

We played a lot and gambled a lot. here we are in the All American bar & Grille, one of my favorite restaurants in the hotel. I didn't get a lot of pictures because the casino is so dark...This is The Husband and below is me, Blondie.
It's a tradition to go to this little 'hole in the wall' every year, and it is just that. Really authentic Italian food that they sort of slam down in front of you and a lot of cheap wine...
Here is the whole gang, taken by an innocent bystander that we nabbed outside the restaurant.
I didn't take many pictures as we rarely left the hotel. We have been here so many times, staying at a different hotel every year that we pretty much stayed put. Did I win at all? The answer is yes and no and only I could do something like this. I won $192.00, but forgot to cash it in before we left. So...I have a slip of paper that says $192.00 on it. I have a year to cash it in and I am sure I will find someone going that can redeem it. I just wish I had it NOW. I like to give a little of my winning to the kids along with the requisite T~shirts. What a bummer.

So that is my trip and now it is back to normal, thank goodness. Does anyone ever feel this way? Just glad to be home? It felt so good to sleep in my own bed last night with the dogs curled up next to me!

Off to the lake we go this weekend. It will be nice and peaceful and hopefully the leaves have started to change there, not so much here. I will try to get some good pictures. Happy Thursday, everyone!! ;-)

48 comments:

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Yes, I feel the same way. Vacations are nice, but home is always best!!!

Helen said...

Isn't it lovely to return home, take a big deep breath and give thanks for everything you have in life?

Debbiedoos said...

Welcome Home Jane! I hear ya on Vegas...when I was in my 20's it was great...now, not for me at all. I do like the shows though! Have a great weekend at the lake.

Anonymous said...

Fun times Jane. I agree...I could not wait to get home, from our trip last week. We had a great time, but home is wonderful!

Theresa said...

Welcome back my friend! Ya know... I am packing right now to go out there tomorrow. If I had your ticket, I could cash it for you:) We are going to stay in Vegas but will be driving around seeing some sights outside the city! Have a blessed and peaceful rest of the week and weekend! HUGS!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Jane I could travel all day so long as I'm in my own bed at night ha ha!! What a fun trip girl...I love Vegas and try and go every 2 years...sorry you forgot your pay ticket bummer...Hope you find someone to cash it in for you...Hey wait maybe I should go and take care of it for you double your money ha ha!! Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Hey, Janie!

Sounds like a fun time, and that is so sweet of you and your husband to do this for his clients! I know that they appreciate it.

I am becoming more and more of a homebody. I understand the need for peace and quiet. I have craved it lately.

Hope all is well there and that you are enjoying nice weather. It feels like the Chamber of Commerce ordered ours!

Trying to blog some this week. Nothing like getting back in the saddle! Do you think I'm going to be saddle sore???

XO,

Sheila :-)

Daydream Living said...

Hi Jane and welcome back!
I was ones in Las Vegas and loved it, but I was only 3 day there. It is nice to come home isn't it? Enjoy the peace,
All the best,
Maureen

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Definitely no place like home! And no bed like your own. I went to Vegas once and that was enough for me. After a while, I felt like it was all one giant smoky casino. My husband had a business conference there for 8 days. It was probably just too long of a stay. Very nice of you and your husband to thank your clients with a trip. I'm sure being in a group made it a lot of fun. Glad you're back!

Charlene said...

Sounds like a FUN trip Janie! It is nice to go places you are framiliar with & with friends that you are comfortable enough with to be yourself. I haven't been to Vegas in over 20 years. OH MY that makes me feel OLD! I'm so glad you liked my post about Magnolia Pearl. It's quiet a place for sure. Have a great weekend. HUGS! Charlene

Kathleen Grace said...

Isn't it funny how excitedly we anticipate our vacations and how often the vacation gives us a new appreciation for the comfort and familiarity of home? Glad you had a good time, and I'm glad you love the home you returned to:>)

Unknown said...

Looks like a lot of fun with your friends and that is what matters. As much fun as it is to go out and about, there is no place like home (and your own bed!).

blueberries in the fields said...

it is fun to travel, but always so good to be home. thanks for such sweet feedback Jane and yes,you can surely find this magazine in your area as it is from stampington and company, based in california. here we can't find it,i got a free copy. :)

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

It is nice to get away but always nice to get home...especially to my own bed! I have never been to Vegas...hope to at least see it once in my lifetime! Glad to have you back and enjoy your quiet weekend at the lake!~Hugs, Patti

Kat said...

I totally understand. The only time I'm not glad to come home is when we've spent a week at the beach and it's 110 when we get home LOL. I crave peace and quiet too, and am becoming more and more of a homebody. Have a relaxing weekend at the lake, sounds like the perfect antidote to Vegas! Kat

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
That is a cute pic of you! It looks like you had a great time but your right, it's always good to get back home.
And I hope someone can fetch your winnings for you!
Big Hugs my dear,
Cindy

Bonnie said...

Welcome home, Jane. It's fun to take trips but being home is always the best. Would you believe I've never been to Vegas. Never had the inclination plus gambling is not for me. I would like to see Cher's show though!

~Bonnie

Donna said...

Looks like sooo much fun and the hotel is so pretty! Can't believe you forgot to cash in...did you drink too much cheap wine at Battistas?? ---Just kidding!!!!Welcome home!

bj said...

Oh, Blondie...you are such a cutie..and your hubby...a HUNK..:))
So glad ya'll had a good time..I just love going to Vegas. I love to play those dang slots sooo much...just love 'em. So much fun.

Now, let me ask ya...I deleted my playlist off my blog and now I WANT IT BACK...my account is still a Playlist.com but I can't find out how to get it back. Any ideas??

bj said...

bwaaaa and I want a lake house...

Gypsy Heart said...

I agree! I can do Vegas in very short order. I'm not a gambler, the smoke in the casinos kills me and the noise gets overwhelming at times. Now, I do like a lot of the food you find, some of the shows, a spa and the Bellagio fountains. :-) So glad you enjoyed your trip!

I have a friend I used to go to school with that might be willing to cash in your winnings & forward to you. He's leaving in a few days for Egypt and will be away a couple of weeks. If you don't find anyone, I can ask him when he returns.

Enjoy your time at the lake ~ ahhhh, peace & quiet and beauty.

xoxo
Pat

Olive said...

Welcome home Jane. I agree that it is always wonderful to get home and sleep in your own bed. hugs♥O

Melanie said...

Glad that you had a good time and I am really happy that you are feeling better. Enjoy the lake this weekend.

Leslie said...

welcome home. Looks like it was a good time. I can't wait to go to vegas!!!!!
Have a happy weekend.

Hearts Turned said...

So glad you had a great time! And yes--I ALWAYS feel that way about coming home again...I usually need a few days at home with just silence to decompress!

Hope you have a wonderful night!

Julie

Kathy@ Gone North said...

Looks like a great time was had by all. LOVE Vegas...
There is a casino near our "Up North" place, so we go enough.. :)
I would offer to take it back for you, I could make an excuse to go:)
BUT isn't the Rio part of Harrah's?? You might be able to do a quick stop on your way to the lake & cash it in there ???
It is going to be a BEAUTIFUL Michigan weekend... we are going north, trust that you will have a wonderful, relaxing weekend at your beautiful place!!!

xinex said...

Congrats on winning, Janie, sort of I guess, until you get the cash. Sounds like you still had fun but welcome home and you can relax now! There is no place like home!...Christine

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Jane,
I'm glad that you had a nice time. Vegas is always fun even if I do lose money. I cannot believe that you forgot to cash in your ticket! LOL.

I never leave Vegas with money!

I'm like you, I prefer to be home in my own bed and someplace relaxing.

hugs
Sissie

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Yes, I've had trips like that where I just couldn't wait to get home! I've never been to Vegas but I am sure it would be fun for a bit and then fun to go home too! What a bummer about forgetting to cash in, I hope you find someone to cash in for you. Mostly, I just wanted to say how wonderful I think it is that your husband does this. That's so neat. I would love that hole in the wall restaurant too, I like places like that. Glad to hear you had a good time!

Signing Out said...

What fun! I know what you mean; it's fun to travel, but it's great to be home when you return.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Jane

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Looks like you had a great time! We did too, only two nights but that is enough for Vegas :) Too bad I didn't know you were going to be there the same time, we could have met up! Have a great weekend.
XO

Susan Freeman said...

Whenever we go to the Oregon coast, I never want to leave. The last time we went to Bandon so that David could play the courses there. We rented a house for a week and Bentley and I walked up and down the beach for miles every day. It was heaven and I was very sad to leave. As much as I love our little cottage in Idaho, I could happily live on the beach forever! I'm glad you all had fun, but are happy to be home in your nest!

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

susan said...

Jane-You make me smile. I would NEVER forget to cash in my winnings! But then I never win, and that is why I much prefer the beach unless there is a really good show. We saw Celine and haven't been back for a while! Glad you are back home! Cute pic!

Deb said...

Hi Jane
Welcome back - your Vegas trip looks like lots of fun but I agree... always nice to be back Home ♥
Have a great weekend.

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Well the lake will be a welcome change from Vegas!!! Glad you could enjoy yourself - you must be feeling better!

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Janie! Looks like you all had a great time! And what great pics of you and the hubby! But, yup --- it's ALWAYS soooooo nice to be home again. Sometimes I think I've become a hermit or something in my "old age" because I never want to leave my house to go anywhere! I always think about the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy says, "There's no place like home....". lol! Welcome back, and hope you all have a relaxing time at the lake this weekend. It's supposed to be another beautiful one! :)

xoxo laurie

Anita Diaz said...

Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun! Too bad you "left"
the money behind! Have a great weekend!!

Penny said...

Enjoy the lake Jane. I know what it feels like to do the big celebrations when all you want to do is be quiet and in your own place. But the big things really do enrich our lives, if only to make us appreciate the alone times.

Debbie said...

Hey Miss Janie~~~welcome home! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time in Vegas...you are one lucky lady to be able to vacation there.
I understand about coming home. When I spend a few days downstate, it's always nice to get home and snuggle in my own bed at night.
Have a great time at the lake this weekend! The weather is supposed to be good.
Hugs,
Debbie@houseatthelake

Pondside said...

I'm so glad you had a good time! We're off to Vegas soon - staying at the Paris - and I can't wait! I'll have to look for that Hole in the Wall restaurant.

Carolyn said...

Oh my Jane, I know exactly what you are talking about! I love vacations....but I always love coming home. There is no place like home!!!

Welcome Home!!!!!!!!!! :D

Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

Nancy said...

I love your pup doing the meerkat impersonation! I love the Rio - it's so interesting there - do they still have the overhead parade deal? Wish I was one of your clients :) I'm so glad your asthma is better - that just has to be awful. So when are we heading to the Lakehouse again??? xoxo Nancy

Sarah said...

Welcome home! It's always fun to get away, but also wonderful to return home. As they say, "There's no place like home."
I've missed visiting, but home to get time to do more of that soon. I caught up below on the recent posts I'd missed. Glad you are feeling better now. ~ Sarah

Deanna said...

Hi Janie,
sorry that you came back home without the green but oh yes, it's always great to be back home. I guess I always miss my pillow more than anything. I refuse to travel with my own pillow like my elderly aunt and uncle do but I suppose eventually I will...it's hereditary!! :D

Have a great time at the lake!
Deanna

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

I had to pop over here and check in and see how your trip went! Glad you had a good time and yes, I am usually always happy to be back home...with my kitty cats!!

Hope you have a great weekend at the lake :)

Lou Cinda

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Sounds like fun, but always good to be home! Enjoy the weekend!!

Sue said...

You forgot to cash out...oh no! I've never been to Vegas. We've just started doing a little slot machine playing when in Michigan...I'm happy if I win $20.

It sounds like a fun trip, but I think it is always nice to get home. We have 2 more trips this year...then we are going to have quiet time until spring too.

Unknown said...

I have not been to Vegas in many years. The last time I was there it looked like the old strip. They had not started building the huge destination resorts that they have now. It looks like you guys had a lot of fun! I'm with you though... I love to be home. Vacation is great but home is awesome! :)

~Liz