Ok, it has been about a week so here is the catch up. It is long, sorry.
Thank you Jamie for not having Max while I was gone.
Mom and I drove Friday afternoon to Mesquite. In the Fillmore-Beaver area we hit a huge hunk of metal that came out of no where. It cracked the rental car bumper in 2 spots. We were lucky it didn’t fly up to the windshield and hurt or kill us! And no, I didn’t get their insurance.
I won in Mesquite, but not all at once. I used $260 in free slot play, so I walked away with about $1000 in winnings from it. I could do no wrong. I played ALL night, I stayed up. I told Mom I was just going to play for a while. I even left her a message that I would be in bed by 11 pm. But then, my decision came about 4:30 am to just not go to bed. I figured since I had appointments starting at 7:15 am; a massage, then a facial. I slept during my massage a little, probably most of it. That is highly unusual for me since I always try to learn techniques from other therapists.
After the spa I met up with my Mom. We checked out. Then everything caught up with me, mainly my tummy. I had a Cobb salad for dinner the night before then didn't eat until after my appt. I had some cheese and fruit, and then it kind hit me fast. My lack of sleep, lack of food, Crown & Diet...I had to go lay down in the shade by the pool for about an hour. I am feeling way crappy and Mom walks up.
Mom - “Here you go”
Me –What is it?
Mom – Margaritas!
Me – Are you kidding?! I have to drive to Vegas still!
Mom – You’ll be fine
Me – Whatever, let me try some…UGGGGHH, that is sick. (It was extremely sweet and the tequila must have been hanging out on the top). Thanks but I don’t think I will have anymore.
She drank BOTH of them and later stated, “I don’t think there was any alcohol in them, and I would have felt it”. This is true, seeing she doesn’t drink except a very small drink occasionally.
We drove to Vegas. We went to Trader Joe’s so I could get an orchid for my booth. I ended up getting 2, it was hard the narrow it down that far. They were all gorgeous and cheap! $12.99 for the biggest ones! I love Trader Joe’s. They have such beautiful produce, fun foods, not to mention great prices on wine. If they didn’t sell booze I am sure we could have them in Utah.
We went to the Wynn and I set up my booth at the conference. I brought WAY to much crap that I didn’t need and I ended up never using. But I would have rather had it and not needed it rather than the opposite.
We checked into Treasure Island, skipping the lines everyone else has to stand in. I go to the VIP room where you can make yourself a top shelf cocktail, have chocolate covered strawberries, you get the picture.
VIP Desk Girl – Checking in?
Me – Yes, Jennifer Wakefield
VIP Desk Girl – Your host has upgraded you to an Executive Suite
Me – Really? Why? Do I gamble that much?
VIP Desk Girl – oh, no, it is just availability
Me – um, uh, ok, just kind of scares me
We had a yummy dinner at ISLA the Mexican restaurant. I used ALL of my $500 Free Play, but kept about half of it.
Sunday, day 1 of conference
I was quite hopeful that today would be the slow day but it turned out that it was the busiest and I earned the most.
The things that took up a fair amount of room in the car were the vibrating foot massagers. They were a big hit! Thank you to Choice for loaning them to me!
It is very fun to meet the NACVA members after talking to them on the phone, shipping to them and making their files. They are a pretty nice bunch! I did learn at the opening reception, that one of the prominent instructors is a double dipper! I got to meet (in person finally) some of NACVA’s vendors that I have worked with in the past; Rita and Mel of Advocate Software. They are the world’s best. What a great couple! I miss working with them.
Dinner at Pho, the Vietnamese restaurant. Terrible service, the food was ok. Café Trang in SLC kicks their butt. Gambled and gave back some money to TI.
Monday, day 2 of conference
Last week one of my good friends lost her Mother. Norma was a beautiful, creative and giving woman. She went through a lot with her health especially in the last year. Her funeral was today. I feel awful I could not be there for Erin and rest of her family. I have been thinking of them a lot.
Today I made less but close to what I did the day before.
Dinner at The Social House, Japanese restaurant. I didn’t get a lot of different sushi rolls but it was good. Mom was quite hilarious with the chopsticks.
Mom - I am going to get slivers!
Me – you use the other ends, see
Mom- I get so confused, I want a fork
Me – no, just use this end
Mom to the server – can I get a fork?
Again, I gave back some money to TI but had fun. I did make up for the losses the night before winning some back on the penny “I Dream of Jeanie” machine.
Tuesday, day 3 of conference
It turned out to be THE slowest day. That was ok. As far as costs to get to the conference I had already broke even yesterday. I also ended up having to leave for a while because my Mom was sick. She was having one of her terrible episodes of Colitis/diverticulitis (don’t tell her I am telling you and the www). I tried to call to get a late check out and it was not possible due to the hotel being 100% booked. So I went to help her, check out, get the car, bring her and all to the Wynn. I worked for a bit more and then we left.
The ride home was very windy. So windy in fact the power was out in the whole town of Beaver. Luckily we bought gas in St. George otherwise we would have been stranded. FYI, the automatic flushing toilets have a battery pack. We got home about 10:45 pm.
Wednesday, at home and returning the rental car
On the way home I ran into several bugs like you usually do. Luckily it rained Tuesday night. I had parked under our snowball bush. There were a ton of dead petals all over the car. I ran the hose over the car again, threw more petals. Naughty I know. As I was doing this I kept thinking, what lengths would I go to in covering up an accidental murder? Too much CSI for me.
Ever since Friday when I hit the metal thing in the rental, I have not told Joe. The worst reaction from Joe that could happen is A LOT of F-bombs and yelling. He would never do anything more. I went into his office before returning the car. I thought I would break the news in his office so he wouldn’t yell so much. I took him out to look at it and he said “oh they will never notice”. I say “you really think so?” He said if they notice, we’ll just have to do a claim on our insurance.
Mom followed me to return the car at the airport (cheapest way online to rent). I pulled up the 2 rental agents waiting. I jump out of the car and wave Mom closer.
Me – hi, I am just returning the car, that is my Mom, I kinda have to hurry, she has to be to work soon (lie)
Rental agent dude – How was everything with the car?
Me – It was just fine, oh wait, there wasn’t even a drop of wiper fluid
Rental agent dude – Oh I am so sorry. (To the other guy, “add that to the maintenance notes”) Is there anything we can do to make up for that?
Me – Buy me a new car (giggle-giggle), well thanks see you later.
Rental agent dude – how was our customer service?
Me- fine, thanks
Me- getting in Mom’s car out of ear shot “Let’s get the Hell out of here before they figure it out!”
All in all it was a great trip. Mom and I had fun, I made money working and playing. I didn’t spend any money that was mine, it was all Casablanca’s and Treasure Island’s this time. I broke even with gas on cost for renting the car vs. driving the truck. MAYBE if I hadn’t upgraded I would have been $20-$30 less in gas. The upgrade was $40 more. But no wear and tear on our vehicles. The Sirius and cruise made it worth it.
