THE BLAKE FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Move over Griswold's the Blake's are getting ready for Christmas. 

I have been preparing my mind and body for month's for the celebration that is Christmas in our house.  You have the biggest kid (my husband) who loves to have every inch decorated in preparation for the big day.  We begin by downloading the many boxes, and when I say many, I mean back up the moving van because there are literally 50-100 boxes to open, unwrap, repair, hang, string or set somewhere.  The collections begin with the nutcrackers.  Not just any nutcrackers, the German Steinbock nutcrackers for which we are the proud owners of 50+.  They line the television console, the kitchen garden window, and tables around the living room.  Next is the fairy collection.  This is a new collection but has grown exponetially since last year.  It has it's own dresser and window shutters for display.  The Leo Smith collection are carved Santas and other characters that have been collected throughout the years.  We have Santa's of all kinds, (two favorites "the gambler Santa holding four aces and the wine Santa holding what else...).  There are bear, snowman, and a Dept. 56 monk collection.  A new addition last year is a handmade sculpted Santa, reindeer, sleigh and elves from an artist in Seattle, very beautiful and one-of-a-kind.  There are three nativites for which my mother steals baby Jesus out of the mangers and hides him until Christmas Eve because "he's not born yet".   Our son's rocking horse from childhood has been converted to be a large Christmas accessory and his wooden train set has been repainted and decorated for the holidays.  There are a pair of antique wooden ski's that grace the family room wall.  The bathrooms, kitchen, hallways, and bedrooms all have decorations too.  The Christmas tree is nine feet tall and is chocked full of ornaments that have been collected for 33 years.   Time to unload, decorate and put empty boxes back on shelves - 2 people @20 hours - satisfaction and Christmas spirit - PRICELESS.

The pinnacle of our Christmas "stuff" are the gnomes.  They are four feet tall, soft stuffed and lifelike.  Over the years we have used them in many creative ways in fact, when our daughter was coming in too late during her teen years we set them up in the doorway so when she tried to sneak in she was greeted with a large pointy headed creature with a stick in his hand.  Remembering her shreak has been good for laughs for the last 15 years.  My mother will tell you she was ordered up at the crack of dawn on a black Friday so many years ago to stand in line so we could buy Mr. & Mrs. Gnome.  They were well worth it and I have never seen anything like them again.

Outside the house there are lights, not overdone, just right, but... we have a six foot tall toy drum soldier that is lit up with colored lights.  He is the crown jewel of the yard.  Our patio has a lighted palm tree, wreath, and grape lights hung on an arbor.

Now that the decorations are in place the table service (holiday tartan plaid) comes out to grace the dining room table.  Matching glasses, tablecloths, serviceware, etc.

Christmas Eve is traditionally our open presents to one another and Christmas day are presents from Santa.  On Christmas Eve we have the traditional Italian fare with many dishes made from some form of fish.  Grandma make shrimp scampi, stuffed muscles and antipasta.  I make linguine with clam sauce and our son and daughter-in-law make several gourmet delights.  The wine and champagne has been flowing throughout the day complements of our head sommelier - my husband.

We usually have anywhere from 7- 10 people for dinner.  After dinner is clean-up and once that is done the presents get passed out.  When our son was little he literally couldn't eat his dinner and only on this night did he willingly participate in kitchen cleanup.  Anything to get to the presents faster. 

All kinds of cookies, Chex Mix (made by grandma, anticipated by her grandson), bread pudding and other treats are made ahead of time.

We usually exchange treats or homemade goods with several of the neighbors.  This tradition started many years ago when we bought our home in 1985 in our brand new neighborhood and we all moved in at the same time.  The cool part about this is we still have many of our same original neighbors.  We left for 12 years when the Navy moved us but came home to roost in our home and neighborhood that means so much to us.

Christmas Day is lowkey and "the kids" still wake up to see what Santa has left in the stockings.  All of us have stockings and little extra treasures are stuffed into each.  We have a breakfast casserole and pizza fritta in the morning.  There will be cider from Julian and coffees spiked with holiday flavors.  We have a Christmas meal with whatever the chefs feel like preparing, this year will be a Harrington's ham and other yummy stuff.  Most of all we eat, drink and play fun games throughout the day and evening.  We play bingo and Pablo (fun card game) and there is a bag with prizes for the winners of the games. 

Most years we can spill out to the patio to enjoy the warm sun and relax.  Thank you San Diego. 

Family and Fun - everything Christmas is supposed to be. 

BLAKE FAMILY CHRISTMAS

BEE MERRY 

FREE BEE'S

Aloha everyone just got back from an incredible trip to Maui.  We have talked about going there for years but never really found the time.  Then the stars and moon seemed to align.  My husband, because of his extensive travel had enough points to stay at the Marriott Ocean Club Maui for four nights free, free executive rental car and upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines which now flies non-stop from San Diego to Maui.  So on November 11th, we climbed aboard, relaxed in our large leather seats (no babies kicking and crying behind us) and strapped in for a beautiful flight.  They brought us water before we even became airborne, served us a gourmet meal, gave us free digiplayers (with which I finally watched Leonardo DiCaprio in "Inception"), free alcoholic drinks with fresh pineapples and umbrellas, macadamia nuts instead of peanuts, warm handtowels and best of all a first class toilet that only 10 people could use.  When I sit in coach I stare and hate the people in first class for the petty, elitist, shallow, panty wastes that they are.  I must now admit that I have been easily swayed to the dark side and I loved it so much that I would do it again if I ever get the chance.


Once we landed we got off first and sashayed down to the baggage area in the beautifully native open air airport.  The warm breezes blew through our hair, we felt refreshed, rested, pampered and ready to play.  We got our bags and even though I forgot to make our car reservation my husband did what he does best and got our original deal and we walked out to get in our Chrysler 300. 


Our first stop was Costco, because we heard that the islands are very expensive so we stocked up on water, soda, Maui potato chips, Maui vegetable chips, macadamia nuts, wine, sliced cured meats, cheeses, crackers and pumpkin muffins.  It was so crowded in there and after checking out it was about 20 deep before the door checkers did their once over on our cart.  Little did we know that Veterans Day is a big Costco party on the island and EVERYONE goes there.


We drove along the coast to our hotel for about 40 minutes and enjoyed the beautiful coastline and unimproved mountainsides.  Then all of a sudden like a scene out of the "Wizard of Oz" the towering hotels appeared.  One after another more beautiful than the next.  We pulled into our hotel and let the bellman load up the luggage and Costco supplies for which they had a large plastic container ready for the occasion.  We were pleased to find out that valet parking was only $12 per day (my husband had just paid $23 a day to self park in Washington DC the day before). 


Our room wasn't ready so we hung out at one of the 3 very large elaborate pools and had pinacolatas until our oceanfront room on the 8th floor was ready.  The room was equipped with a frig, microwave, dishes, king bed, couch, desk, flatscreen tv and a lanai.  I must say the room was adequate but the view was priceless.


Our next three days we explored, walked along the beach, shopped, ate, relaxed under the palm trees and read, reveled in the beautiful sunsets as the waves crashed. We didn't set an alarm and slept until we wanted.   Heaven. 


The air was so clean, and to my surprise the ocean didn't have that awful fishy, salty smelly aroma.  So when the last day arrived I reluctantly packed and tried to drink all the rest of the sodas and water before we checked out at 10 am.  Our flight was at 2:30 pm and as everyone in our family knows my husband must be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.  All of a sudden we weren't looking at each other with "island eyes" and we had our first tiff on the way to the airport.  We dropped off the car, went through security and I looked at my watch to reveal it was 11:15 am.  Only three hours til takeoff.  We ate at Burger King and that took up 15 minutes and gave me heartburn.  Got out our books and read for the next 3 hours.


Our plane was on time and I began looking forward to the first class treatment again.  The signs were there for this day but I was ignoring them - tifs, Burger King, and once on board the food was not real good and the ride was bumpy.  We began to approach our desinated arrival time when the pilot made an announcement.  "We are sorry folks, we have been watching the weather for the last 45 minutes but it looks as though San Diego is socked in with dense fog and we are going to be diverted to LAX (Los Angeles)".  


What happened to "and they lived happily ever after"?   Here's your happily ever after.  We landed at LAX on the south 40 where we had to take a bus to the tarmac, climb two flights of stairs with all our carry-ons (plus one little old lady (Betty) who needed help) walk 1-2 miles through the airport to a baggage claim, get our bags and try to figure out what they were doing with us.  It was determined that Alaska hired buses to take us back to San Diego.  It was now a 13 hour trip and we are staring at another 3-4 hours before we could get in our home. 


We schlepted our bags and  Betty's bags and Betty (84 years old) and made our way to the bus.  It took 45 minutes just to get out of LAX and get on the 405.  Our bus driver must have been a former NASCAR wannabee as he put he foot on the accelerator and never let up - even when we hit the fog  - even when there were cars in front of us.  This took about 10 years off my rapidly declining life.  The island breezes only a distant memory and I wished I had gone to the bathroom (a lesson I should have learned from my last bus ride!) and gotten a bottle of water.  Where were the warm hand towels, the drinks with umbrellas?  Forget that stuff I was concentrating on my prayers as I was convinced that the beautiful trip we just took was our swan song and now came the payment for our FREE trip.


By the grace of someone we found the airport - not before our driver almost missed the exit and swerved 3 lanes to get off.  We told him to follow the other buses in front of him and like a scene out of the Keystone Kops we (all ten buses) drove through the commuter terminal and wound around in a circle and out again to Terminal one next door.  It was now 2am.  We got off the bus, collected our luggage, Betty's luggage, Betty and walked across the bridge to the shuttle pickup place.  No one was there to get Betty so we found her a shuttle, got her settled on a bench and crossed our fingers.  We found our shuttle to the parking lot that stored our car and of course we were the last ones to be dropped off.

The old explorer didn't want to start, but with a little perseverance it starts and we drive home without stopping.  We get in the house, throw our bags down, don't unpack and jump into bed.  3 am.  At 6:45 am the phone rings and my husband is off and running back in the real world.  I call my eye doctor and tell them I can't make my 10 am appointment and go back to sleep.  I wake up at 10 am, start the laundry, go to the eye doctor, unpack, go to the bank, go to the grocery store, go to the drug store and then...

start packing cause tomorrow at 7:50 am I fly to Sacramento.  I have set the alarm for 5am (3am Hawaiian time) cause we have to leave for the airport to meet the two hour window.  YIKES.

BEE AFRAID - If it looks too good to be true...

GROWING OLD IS NOT FOR SISSY'S

Today is the 10th anniversary since my father passed away.  Seems like yesterday, seems like a hundred years ago.  He was a good man and I loved him very much.  He struggled for seven years with lung cancer but finally lost the fight after a brief stint of relatively good health his last couple years.

Two days ago, my husband's father was taken to the emergency room by ambulance.  He became very ill, dehydrated and virtually passed out.  He remains in the hospital being tested for everything and yet they don't know anything.

Today, my mother-in-law had to go to the doctor because she is severely congested and "coming down with something".

This all happens as we were preparing to go to Oklahoma and celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this weekend.  We leave tomorrow, and as it turns out is a  blessing that we will be there to help them with this latest, in a long line, of health crisis.

My in-laws have an execeptional ability to withstand and persevere all that is thrown at them and the list is of biblical proportions.  To date they have battled:  breast cancer, colitis, heart surgery, colostomy, illiostomy, diverticulitis, broken bones, infections, pneumonia, gallbladder removal, hysterectomy, prostate surgery,  compartment syndrome (almost lost her leg), pacemaker, pagets disease, severe arthritis, jaw and face reconstruction, bowel obstruction emergency surgery, shingles - not to mention all the regular stuff.

We joke that they have a wing at the hosptial named after them (not really) but they could.  They have looked the devil in the eye on many occasions and spit at him.   If you ask them how they are doing, they will say "fine".  They will be in more agony and sincere pain when the Oklahoma Sooner football team loses a game - or the basketball or baseball teams. 

They are tough, midwestern, hardy people.  Part Indian, and part everything else.  I think the Indian blood, makes the difference.  I have seen it in my son and husband.  High pain tolerance, never complain when sick. 

My hope tomorrow is to get to Oklahoma and go straight to the hospital and cheer up my father-in-law.  At 84 it's not the optimum place to be for your 60th wedding anniversary party.  We will do what we can while we are there but it won't be enough. 

They still live in their own home and between the two of them manage to keep things going.  It's much more difficult for them but they don't complain.

True to their Oklahoma mentality they will not give up, they will pick themselves up, dust themselves off and march forward. 

Seems to me after living so many years it should be the other way around.  You should feel great, be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor and be relaxed and fulfilled.  Instead you have a medicine cabinet full of pills, a walker to help you get around, difficulty sleeping, eating and doing everyday chores. 
Beside your own condition you worry about your children, grandchildren, family members, neighbors and friends. Should be that we only worry about what fun thing you want to do or see that day. 

Many seniors are lonely and fall into the trappings of unscrupulous sales people or scammers who take their money and prey on their weakened conditions.  There should be a special place in hell for those people.

As I near the senior life, I realize how important living everyday like it is your last is really good practice. 

Next time you think about the elder/senior in your life give them a little extra time and care, they have earned it and really appreciate it cause... 

YOUR TURN IS COMING!

"BEE" WARE OF POCKET KINGS

I played in two major poker tournaments this weekend in San Diego.  The LIPS (Ladies International Poker Series) and the California State Ladies Championship.  I was sponsored for LIPS tournament by River Card Clothing poker wear and appreciated the opportunity they gave me.  This was my first sponsored event, other than my husband, so I was very execited.  I hope to earn more sponsored slots with them in the future.  They are a young company with a great logo which I believe will do very well.  Go see their stuff at http://www.river-card.com/. 


I made a good showing in each tournament making the final two tables both days.  But both days had something else quite incredibly, agonizingly similar. 


On Friday with the finish line in sight (and having played for over six hours) I had been card dead for two hours when I picked up pocket kings.  Other than pocket aces this is the best starting hand in Texas Hold'em poker.  You wait a lifetime for these hands.  I pushed all-in pre-flop and got one caller.  She turns over pocket nines and I feel giddy knowing I have a much better hand.  The dealer deals the first three cards and I now become an almost certain winner.  The fourth card (the turn) she catches one of only two cards that can beat me (a nine) and beats my pocket kings.  I was crippled to literally one chip - and so with the one chip I keeping pushing all-in til my luck runs out and I finish 18th.  The money was paid to 11.  If my pocket kings hold-up it is almost certain I will cash or better yet go on to win.  I am dejected but know that I played well and did everything I could to put myself in a position to win.  I go home tired and hungry, because I forgot or don't like to eat during play and eat and go to bed.


Saturday, the state championship.  I am tired from the day before but got a good nights sleep.  Believe it or not playing 8+ hours fatigues your body and mind.  I go in determined to win and play my best game.  I play consistent and manage to once again get down to the final two tables.  Then the moon and stars MISalign and I get pocket kings.  This is a crucial make-it or break-it portion of the tournament where chip leaders can go home in two hands and people with small stacks get lucky and become chip leaders.  It is tricky negotiating.  The table folds around to me and I raise to $4,500 with the big blind being $1,500 (a hefty raise).  In the back of my mind I don't know whether I want a call after what happened to me yesterday, or do the right thing and make a bunch of chips with my beautiful hand.  One lady pushes all-in and I have no other option than to call her.  I have her covered (more chips than her), but not by much.  I ask before she turns over her hand if it's aces and she says "no".  Before I can relax and enjoy my good fortune she flips over POCKET NINES!  That sick feeling came over me when you know that even though you should be happy, but instead know that something awful is about to happen, even though you try to push that to the back of your mind and think POSITIVE, it's too late!  The dealer flips over the first three cards (the flop) and there glaring like a freakin beacon of radioactive waste is a NINE! 

My throat closes up, my stomach heaves and a sweat bead trickles lightly from my brow and I think back on my colonoscopy a month ago thinking it wasn't as bad as this.  Lightening strikes me in my nether regions two days in a row.  Are the poker Gods that cruel?  They are.  I lose the hand and once again am crippled to the point where my only option is to push all-in with any semblance of a good hand.  I pick up pocket sixes and get called by Ace, King and lose when a king hits the turn.  Where was that damn king when I had my pocket kings!

So once again, I play many grueling hours, to come up just short of the money but realize that it would be a much different ending if my pockets kings had held up.  It wasn't meant to be,  and any poker player will gladly recount a bad beat story during a critical time in their poker life.  It's part of the game and like Phil Helmuth once said "if it weren't for luck, I would win every hand".  It's times like these where a lot of us say, I'm done with poker, it's too heartbreaking, but the next day or two when the wounds start to scab over you hear the riffle of the chips, or feel the call of poker room after watching High Stakes Poker and you get in the car and before you know it the trip you thought you were taking to Costco ends up at the poker room.

I hate poker today but I know in a couple days I'll be looking at my scab wondering where that came from and head back out. 

Next big tournament for me is in Las Vegas at the Rio for a $75,000 invitational.  My buy-in and rooms for three nights is free and first place wins $10,000 cash and a $10,000 seat to the main event next summer in the World Series of Poker.  This takes place November 3-5.  But just know this, if I get pocket kings -

I AM GOING TO FREAKING FOLD THEM!!!!!!!!

FALL IS IN THE AIR

So is the pollen.  There has been a great deal of sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, headaches, sinus pressure and overall misery.  Along with that there is some sort of viral infection going around which started with my husband, moved to me and then to my mother.  My husband and I are still sputtering stuff up but my mother has had a hard time with it.  It hits a little harder at her age.

The weather has been a factor in San Diego as last Monday, the 4th of October we had record breaking temperature of over 110 degrees.  One week later we are in the midst of another record breaker, this time rain and cool temperatures.  The rain is a welcome relief and everyone knows how scary fire season is here so we are happy to have it.  The problem is along with the rain came lightening which starts the fires.  But we were lucky again, we had three to four days of heavy drizzle and on again off again rain which saturated the area. 

All of this mixed with wind and you've got a perfect recipe for allergies.  It's an ongoing battle here because we never really experience  cold temperatures or snow that kill the allergens.  We have year round plants and pollen.  It's okay, it's the price we pay for living in "America's Finest City".

If you think this is a chink in our armor then call me when you are having your Thanksgiving and Christmas meals wrapped in your Snuggies and we are on our patio in our shorts.  Add that to the fact we never shovel snow, have frozen pipes, barely turn on our furnaces or air conditioners, grill year round and we don't have a mosquito or fly problem. 

If we want some "season" appeal we drive one hour up the mountain to Julian, eat some apple pie, throw a snowball and come home and enjoy the warm sunshine. 

So even though I am aggravated from time to time because of the allergies, I just take a pill and smile knowing this is probably as bad as it is going to get.

"BEE" LIEVE IT OR NOT

I am back from a recent trip to northern California to visit my mother and go to Reno, NV with my husband and mother.   For my husband it was a working trip, for my mother and I it was a gambling trip.  My mother plays video poker and I, of course, play poker.


We arrived on Thursday, September 9th at the Peppermill in Reno (Sparks) NV.  The Peppermill is always very accomodating with "free" rooms, cash slot play and food comps.  After checking into our rooms, my husband went to work at the Nugget for the Tailhook convention and my mom and I went to work in the casino.  My mother has always been very lucky playing video poker and she keeps a royal flush diary in which she has recorded all of her royal flushes over the years.  She now has 64 entries.  I left her on the machines while I went and played in a poker tournament.  When I returned from the tournament (for which I won chopped 4 ways) feeling very smug about my big win, I knew it would be overshadowed when I walked up to her and she started her sentence with "Chris you're not going to believe..." she had  already gotten a royal flush for $1200 plus several four-of-a-kinds that added up to over $3,000.


That was day one.  Day two, she decided to up the odds, being ahead she decided to play the dollar machines.  She started off by getting the four aces for $800.  She cashed out her ticket and came over to me and said "do you think I should play the dollar machine again".  I said "put another $100 in a see what happens".  As I sat one row behind her playing the quarter machines I look up to see her sitting and staring at her machine not moving.  A closer look at her machine revealed she was dealt a royal flush for $4000.  She was stunned and I just shook my head wishing that the video poker gene would be passed down.


She cashed out, I ran her money upstairs and locked it away in the safe.  She moved back over to the quarter machines while I played poker.  When I came back she said "you're not going to believe this...".  That's right another royal flush!  Three in two days. 


She played and played and played.  If I didn't insist she would not have gotten up to go the bathroom or to eat or drink.  She can sit at a machine for 12 hours or more.  She becomes one with the machine.


The third and final day, no royal flush, just a series of four-of-a-kinds that made her overall for the day up over another $1,000. 


We left the Peppermill on Sunday morning and she was up somewhere around $9,000.  An awesome display. 


You may think this is the end of the story, but you would be mistaken.  My husband flew home on Sunday night.  On Wednesday we ventured to another casino (Indian) in CA called Redhawk.  She was plus another $500 or so.


Done - NO - Thundervalley casino on Friday.  Another royal!!


Sunday, I went to play in a tournament at Thundervalley and she stayed home, I won the tournament (chopped for $500).  It's no royal but it's hard to do.


On Monday we take off for Cache Creek for an overnight.  Check in, start playing and she begins to lose.  What?  She turns in early and watches "Dancing with the Stars" that night.  I had had a big day playing poker and had won over $600 so I was pretty happy.  Next day, she hit it hard again and again, no luck - in the morning- by afternoon she is hitting four-of-a-kinds again and making a little comeback. 


We had already checked out of our room when by 5:00 pm I could tell she wanted to stay.  I called the VIP host over and asked if we could be comp'd another night, which they promptly did.  Check back in.


Finally on Wednesday she is doing well and making back some of the money lost the previous two days.  I held my own.  We went to dinner before driving home and as is our custom we played $20 more  in a machine on our way out.  Well she was doing well and I ran my $20 up to $50 and cashed out.  I was sitting watching her play and couldn't stand it any longer so I put my ticket back in the machine and played slowly trying to wait her out.  Then the unbeliveable happened.  My machine locked up and I looked at it and saw that a ROYAL FLUSH WAS DEALT TO ME!!!!!!!


Thank God I really do have the video poker gene.  Thank you, thank you, thank you - Mom.


She still is the all time video poker queen, there is no dispute, but I now have a little hope that the gene may be kicking in and my future is bright.

MRS. BEE'S WILD RIDE

As some of you know I just finished up another trip to Las Vegas.  This time I added a new adventure to my usual Vegas playbook.  While not in the category of  "The Hangover" this none the less was pretty exciting for me.

I flew in on Wednesday by myself because my husband was on a business trip and was joining me later that evening.  I made my way to my hotel (Paris) checked in, unpacked and set out to go play poker.  The weather was a balmy 107 degrees so walking down to the Venetian where I wanted to play would be impossible.  I knew there is a bus on the strip called the Duece (has a second deck) that goes up and down the strip and costs $7 for a 24 hour pass, but I had never used it before.  I considered doing this because the last cab I took for a two block ride (2am in the morning) cost $40.  Not wanting to be ripped off again I decided on the bus which stopped right in front of my hotel.  Got on and without any problems jumped off at the Venetian. 

I played in a 7 pm tournament and was knocked out around 9:30 pm.  My husband was arriving at 11pm so I needed to get back.  Again, I didn't want to walk by myself at night and it was still 100 degrees so I decided to jump on the "Duece".  Found the stop and the bus came by shortly after.  I had a great time riding, talking with nice tourists and reading the funny signage along the way.  My favorite was a tatoo parlor named:  " The Precious Slut".   Before I knew it we were heading north and I began to worry when I heard the bus driver say next stop Fremont Street.  For those of you familiar with Las Vegas, Fremont Street is the old part of Las Vegas, the one you see in the movies, where the Golden Nugget resides.  This part of Vegas is fun and they now have the "Fremont Experience" which is great if you have never seen it.  HOWEVER, comma, this is also a high crime area and a pickpockets haven. 

As the bus rolled to a stop the driver announced that this was the FINAL destination - everyone off.  WTF?  I need to go to the Paris Hotel now about 3 miles away.  I asked the bus driver if I had to get off (I was the only one left sitting on the bus) and he said yes.  I asked where the other bus was that I needed to go south on and he pointed toward an alley.  I reluctantly got off the bus clutching my cell phone and purse very tightly.  I started walking where the bus driver pointed and quickly figured out that it was a parking garage.  I decided to retrace my steps and go toward the crowds.  After some searching and walking admid what surely must have been a carnival act, but turned out was just tourists, I was relieved to find the bus stop in one piece and waited for the southbound "Duece".  It finally arrived and after boarding began to breathe again.  I enjoyed talking with a couple from Ohio who showed me pictures they took of themselves and Gordon Ramsey, who was in the restaurant where they were eating.  We exchanged tidbits of information, where to eat, what shows to see, etc.  This was fun for about 20 minutes then I wanted to hurry up and get back.  After traveling through a pretty shady part of town we reached the Strip again.  I looked at my watch and noticed it was now 11 pm.  Knowing my husband would be landing and wondering where I was I held my phone waiting for the call.   The bus inched forward and stopped every 100 feet or so and waited for 10-15 minutes for loading and unloading.  Agony. 

Then the call came.  "Where are you"? he asks,  "funny you should ask", I say.  I explain my bus ride and tell him I may be a little late.  "No problem, I will meet you at the hotel" he says.  What a great husband I have.  Then the bus inches forward - after an hour and a half later I arrive in front of Ceasars and walk across the street to my hotel.  I meet my husband as he walks in from the parking garage and all is well. 

The rest of the trip was great, some highlights include seeing  "LOVE" the Cirque Du Soleil act done to Beatles music - FANTASTIC!  Going to Primm outlets and acquiring a new Coach purse, cashing in a big tournament at the Venetian where I was the only woman and eating breakfast at one of our favorites Bouchon.

I would however like to leave you with some lessons learned:

1.  Know which side of the street to catch the appropriate bus.

2.  Don't try to save money in Las Vegas.

3.  Wear appropriate shoes.

4.  No need to have a sweat shirt when its 100 plus degrees.

5.  Eat before getting on the bus.

6.  Take a bottle of water with you.

7.  Go TO THE BATHROOM before getting on the bus.

BEE SMART

I NAP... and other things I thought I would never do

I'm not sure when it happened, that corner you turn when all of sudden you are doing things that you laughed at when you saw your parents and grandparents do them.  I can remember as a child watching my grandfather nod off in his recliner in the middle of the afternoon.  I thought "how could anyone sleep right now in the middle of the day"?  Then in my thirties I remember seeing my father nod off in his chair while watching television during the day, sometimes while watching his favorite - golf.  Now granted that could have been from the cocktails and secondly watching golf is like, dare I say it, watching paint dry, so I chalked it up to that.  I personally have never been able to take a nap during the day even after a night or two of insomnia with only a couple of hours sleep.  But lately I have been watching "my stories" in the early to mid afternoon and find myself putting my head back and dosing for about 20 minutes.  That's it - my life is officially on the downslide. 


I have been fighting the age thing with my creams, potions, lotions, vitamins, hair color and fashionable clothes.  I do think the 60 and 70 somethings of today appear much younger than they did when I was a kid.  For the most part grandma and grandpas were white haired and wrinkled and moved slowly.  Today that notion is turned upside down as people are living longer and better.


But there are a few things I do now that I never thought would happen like:


1.  Bending down to get something from a bottom shelf and not being able to get back up without putting my hands on the floor to push.


2.  Getting out of bed two to three times per night to pee.


3.  Onions give my indigestion.  My grandmother's words haunt me now "I love onions but they don't love me".  I have a full appreciation of that now.


4.  My arms hurt when I blow dry my hair.


5.  Bifocals


6.  Memory - short and long term.  I make notes for everything.


7.  I get winded vacumn cleaning.  (Of course some of these problems could be rectified with weight loss).


8.  My feet, knees, back and neck are almost always in pain.


9.  There are things growing on my skin - brown, ugly blotches and tags.


10.  I have to clip NOSE HAIRS!  and I am a fairly hairless person who shaves her legs about once a month.


11.  I have grey hair other than on my head - enough said.


12.  I say things my mother says.  This may be the worst old age indicator.


13.  We tend to stay in at night, and are home before nine if we go out for dinner or a movie.


14.  I put my pjs on around 7pm.


15.  I have my television lineup memorized and the dvr set.


16.  I look forward to "Dancing With The Stars" as a weekly highlight.


17.  My doctors and dentist are so much younger than me.


18.  My 40 year high school reunion has come and gone.


19.  I can't wear high heels anymore and really never even consider it - and I have a pair of Crocs.

20.  Some words used in our household:  gas, gout, arthritis, snoring, icepack, heatpack, hemorrhoids, indigestion, cholesterol and too tired.


21.  and last but not least my "granny panties" are finally in line with my age.


Life really is an incredible journey that goes by so fast.  Seems like yesterday that we were a young Navy family.  We have made the most of everywhere we lived and had alot of fun along the way.  If there is a lesson to be learned about growing old, I think it would be is take advantage of the opportunities to do things when they are presented to you because there may never be a second chance.


So now I'm exhausted from thinking and typing and I need a nap.  Pay no attention to the time I posted this.


BEE  Young.

GUILTY PLEASURES

Everyone has them.   Most  of us won't admit to them.  The older I get the less I take myself seriously which frees up my ability to share things I never thought possible when I was younger.


Let's start with an easy one - Television.  I am an advid watcher.  Under the heading of guilty pleasures I would put:


Soap Operas - ALL MY CHILDREN & ONE LIFE TO LIVE (since 1970 and 1968 respectively)
    My theory is all actors start here.  There is an impressive line up of big names that have started here.  Tommy Lee Jones,  Kim Delaney, Sarah Michelle Geller, Ryan Phillippe, Mischa Barton, Kelly Ripa, Eva LaRue, Josh Duhamel, Hayden Panettiere, Tom Berenger, Nathan Fillion (currently Castle), Judith Light, Dixie Carter, Lawrence Fishburne, Faith Ford, Blair Underwood, Mario Van Peebles, Phylicia Rishad and Marcia Cross to name a few.


Daytime - REGIS & KELLY (again Kelly Ripa alumni of All My Children), THE VIEW, THE DOCTORS, all HGTV shows, and the FOOD NETWORK.


Reality -  DANCING WITH THE STARS, SURVIVOR, PROJECT RUNWAY, SHEAR GENIUS, DESIGN STAR, THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR, TRAUMA LIFE IN THE ER, BOSTON MED, THE RACHEL ZOE PROJECT, THE APPRENTICE, TODDLERS & TIARAS (the worst of the guilty pleasures), and an occasional MAN VS. WILD.


Premium TV - DEXTER, TRUE BLOOD, BIG LOVE, WEEDS, NURSE JACKIE, THE UNITED STATES OF TARA, ENTOURAGE and one that just finished - THE TUDORS.


Regular TV -  MAD MEN, HIGH STAKES POKER, POKER AFTER DARK, WORLD SERIES OF POKER, WORLD POKER TOUR, (all poker shows), THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, MODERN FAMILY, LOST (crap its off), CASTLE, THE GOOD WIFE, GREY'S ANATOMY, FLASH FORWARD, THE GATES, THE CLOSER, FLASHPOINT, ROOKIE BLUE, V, HOT IN CLEVELAND, RESCUE ME, LOUIE, RENO 911, & LAW AND ORDER (all of them).


Movies - I like a wide variety of movies from drama, to comedy the following is a list of Guilty Pleasure Movies:
CLUELESS, BEST IN SHOW, MR. MOM, MULTIPLICITY, X-MEN, IRONMAN, WEDDING CRASHERS, 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, SUPERBAD, THE HANGOVER, THE WIZARD OF OZ, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (Eddie Murphy version), MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD, WORLD, ROUNDERS, GREASE, SOAPDISH, ROCKY, TOP GUN, CHRISTMAS VACATION, OLD SCHOOL, 4 WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, THE OMEN, GHOSTBUSTERS, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, PRIDE AND PREDUJICE, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, LEGALLY BLONDE, NAPOLEON DYNOMITE, SHREK MOVIES, THE IN-LAWS, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, INDEPENDENCE DAY, BULL DURHAM, FERRIS BUELLERS DAY OFF, BORAT, and SWEET HOME ALABAMA.  There are many more, but just a sampling to see how diverse or perverse I am.


Other guilty pleasures happen every day.  Love to play on-line poker, sleep in late, stay up late, eat popcorn for dinner when my husband is away, shop at Ross on Tuesday to get my senior citizen discount, sit out on my deck and read a murder mystery when I should be doing housework, eat the crispy skin off the Costco roast chicken, reading the Star and the Enquirer at my mom's house, playing poker while my husband is working, and watching all the mindless programs/movies above instead of reading a good book, volunteering my time or in general doing something constructive with my time. 


In conclusion, I have probably wasted a lot of time on guilty pleasures, but I managed to help raise two great kids, keep a clean household and support my husband for 33 years without too many complaints.   So like another guilty pleasure of mine when I was a kid would say "WHAT ME WORRY"?

P.S. Almost forgot my biggest guilty pleasure - hint - it has to do with a particular leather handbag.  For further insight see the blog below.


Leave a couple of your guilty pleasures for me to enjoy.


BEE HAPPY!

COACHMANIA

My obsession with Coach purses is legendary.  I have owned and/or carried nothing but Coach purses for about 20 years.  After a recent trip to a Coach outlet store, I came home and decided to organize and store them in my handmade amish cedar chest.  Out with the sweaters, in with the purses, who cares if the moths eat my sweaters, my leather babies needed a good home.  I have never really counted them before cause it's a number you really don't want to know or I might have to go to Coach rehab or worse STOP buying them.  I did count them and the range is somewhere like two per year.  Did you know they are lifetime warranted?  Anything goes wrong just send them in and they will fix it.  Love that, and I have done it, it really works.


I recently was visited by my two nieces, 10 and 13 years of age.  We gave the 13 year old a Coach purse for her birthday.  Then we took a trip to the Coach outlet store (there aren't any in Oklahoma) where they each purchased purses for themselves.  I had to wait until I was 30 something before I got a Coach purse, but now it is all the rage for the pre-teen and teenage set.  Didn't know I was so cool.  My nieces came into my bedroom and right away admired my lineup of Coach sneakers in all their dazzling colors.  I love sneakers (cause I'm old and can't wear heels - and they look stupid in a poker room), and enjoy matching my jeans, hoodies, Coach purses with my sneaks.  They were impressed.  I have hats, wallets, wristlets, laptop bag, overnight bags, makeup bags, jewelry bags, sunglasses and a coat.  If they gave out reward cards I would be a diamond/VIP member.  My Coach habit is out of control.  I do however, have a Coach pimp.  He enjoys buying them for me and enables me and my obsession.  He also owns several Coach wallets, shaving kit bag, carry-on duffle bag, briefcases, writing pad book, belts, and various other acessories.  If he goes with me to the outlet store (I never buy retail) I come home with at least one more purse or item then I would if I went by myself.  You may say I am spoiled, but he makes it up on his end with his obsession - WINE - for which we have a whole room devoted to and has it's own air-conditioning system.  I may have to store my purses in there soon.


I have started trying to buy only limited edition purses now, those that you rarely see anyone else carrying.  Look around while you are out, one in five women at a mall will be carrying Coach.  Seems like a good stock to buy.  They have good sales at the outlets, most will be 50 percent off retail with another 30 to 50 percent off for the outlet price.  Put the extra 20 percent special coupon on top of that and you have a bargain.  Monday holidays are best weekends for lowest prices.  I have been to outlets where they had lines outside the store and only let a few people in at a time because the fire code would only allow so many customers inside at once.  FANTASTIC.


Here's the best part about a Coach purse - it doesn't judge.  I don't have to slip it over my hips and hope that its doesn't make them look huge.  It's never too tight and doesn't shrink in the wash.  I don't have to wait to lose five pounds so it will fit.  They rarely go out of style and they remind me of horses because of its logo, leather and detailing.  I will never own a horse, that dream has passed but I am satisfied with my leather "saddlebags". 


I know it is indulgent, try not to judge, think of it as being cheaper than 20 years of therapy. 

COLONOSCO-BEE

Yes the time has finally come that all 50 somethings dread - the colonoscopy.  I have put it off for years sighting problems with moving, not having a doctor, "they checked it when I had my appendectomy", etc. but, I couldn't get around it anymore when a good friend of mine was diagnosed with colon cancer last year.  She has gone through her year of colonoscopies, chemo, nasua, all the usual stuff very bravely.  I am pleased to say that she is clear of the cancer but she has also been a pain in my ass until I finally sheduled my procedure. 

Two days before the procedure I was directed to only eat, white bread, white rice, potatoes (no skin), white pasta, chicken, pork or fish.  That was no problem, no one loves carbs better than I do.


One day before the procedure is THE CLEANOUT!  THIS is where I have the problem.  You must drink the most awful liquid imaginable.  They prescribed the "easy stuff" for me and you get to pay extra for it.  It tastes like ocean salt water gelatin with a hint of lemon.  Yummy.  Also on this day you can drink only clear liquids along with the ocean water.  Why didn't I eat that bowl of pasta last night at midnight?

I prepared the first of two liters of poop cleanse for my 3:00 pm feeding.  They will tell you to refrigerate it ahead of time because cold is easier to gag down than warm.  The first round I drank through a straw and drank it almost in one fell swoop.  I was very pleased with myself until the nasua hit.  Only 3 more rounds (every 15 minutes)  to go.  Every 15 minutes?  You literally can't get it down in that time.  I tried putting it in a frozen mug and chilling it, gulping it, sipping it, standing in the sun, sitting down, meditation, hypnosis, holding my nose, eyes open, eyes closed,  and on and on.  Bottom line, it all sucks. 

Now I am in my four hour reprieve before the next liter.  During this four hours I am suppose to drink more clear liquids and take a ducolax.  Ducolax?  What - just in case the poop cleanse doesn't work?  Well it does!!  As soon as I finished my fourth glass of the first liter I was running (not walking) to the bathroom. 

I am 2 1/2 hours after my last dose with and hour and a half to go and there is nothing left to give.  All systems are clear.  Why the second dose?  Are you looking for my intestines to fly out of my ass so you can look at them in person? 

I want a hamburger and french fries and I want them now!

The four hours is up and it is time for the second liter.  My plan works pretty well with the frozen mug and the straw.  I make it all the way to the end (spilling a few ounces here and there) while sipping white cranberry juice in between.  Sound the bells I am done with the worse part.  Now just let it do its thing, try not to eat and go in tomorrow. 

I will continue this tomorrow after the procedure, in the mean time have a piece of pepperoni pizza for me, or a cracker or popcorn - oh my kingdom for some popcorn.

Morning of -- waiting for my husband to get ready.  What do you wear to one of these?  I do know that maybe Depends might be a good idea at this point.  More later.

Got to the hospital early.  Everyone is extremely nice.  Blood pressure right on, all systems go.  The best part a warm blanket over your hospital gown while you are waiting.  The doctor comes in and tells you what is going to happen.  All I really hear is drugs, and you won't feel a thing. 

They are right, it was very easy and no pain involved.  Before I knew it I was in the car directing my husband to the nearest Carls Jr. for a mushroom and swiss burger and fries.  (The nurse told me to eat something easy for my first meal).  We get home, I try to turn off our house alarm and in my drugged up stupor miss a few numbers.  If you have ever witnessed my husband and our house alarm this was a very amusing moment. 

I ate every morsel.  Then I fell asleep on and off all afternoon.  Oh, by the way, the report was all clean and clear and "we'll see you in eight years".    Hopefully in eight years someone can improve the cleanse from hell potion you must drink for this procedure. 

How can we put a man on the moon and not be able to improve that stuff.  I am going to begin my new invention of chocolate peanutbutter shake colon cleanse and will become weathly and the most beloved citizen of the world.

Happy Eating!!

BEE-ING ON VACATION

We have had an exciting summer so far.  Beginning in early June, as you know, we went to Las Vegas where I played in the World Series of Poker.  That was followed up by a visit from our son and daughter-in-law.  We began our adventure as we normally do by enjoying San Diego in all of our favorite haunts and eateries.  We then went to the Padre game on the 4th of July, a departure from our usual 4th of July in Coronado, and then left there that evening for our expedition to Napa Valley.


We drove the first evening to Ventura County, which turned out to be the perfect time to leave while everyone was off the road enjoying fireworks.  The three of us played a car bingo game for 3 hours.  The driver, my husband, never plays games but enjoys giving answers when he is not supposed too.  During home games of Trivial Pursuit and the like,  he will be in another room voicing answers inappropriately much to the chagrin of the players. 


We stopped over the first night and began our trek to Monterey the next morning.  Our first stop in Monterey was a winery which is my personal favorite for Chardonney's called Talbot.  You may have heard of the family they make clothes as well.  We had a great tasting there and then went to our fabulous hotel on Cannery Row overlooking the ocean.  Simply beautiful.  We ate dinner in the hotel that evening and got up the next morning for our next leg to Napa.


We made Napa by 1:30ish, checked into the Napa Valley Lodge, and struck out immediately for some wine tasting.  We went to about five wineries and then went back to the hotel to change for our remarkable dinner at the famous Buchon.  Buchon did not disappoint.  We had several courses of everything.  By the end of the meal (which was our son's birthday) we were bursting at the seams.  Food to die for and I literally thought I might. 


The next day we visited more wineries and the Napa Olive Oil Company.  Fantastic little old garage (which has been featured on the food network) converted into their sales office for the finest olive oil in California.  We also stopped at the CIA (culinary school) and toured and shopped.  We then headed out for a fabulous lunch to my personal favorite, Mustards.  I always get the Mongolian porkchop and the onion rings.  Bobby Flay even featured the Mongolian chops on "the Best Thing I Ever Ate" on the food network.  I could literally die a happy camper after that meal. 


Finished the day with more wineries (I am the designated driver) and drove to my mother's in Sacramento to spend the next two evenings before returning to San Diego.  Mom's house highlighted chicken marsala cooked by grandma Rose and the next day we went to Guy Fieri's restaurant, Tex Wasabi.  We played a two day game of dealer's choice poker which was fun, except for one non player watching PBS in the other room.  At least he couldn't call out any answers.


Back to San Diego and three days later they were gone. 


You may think the adventure ends there, but as we were dropping off our son and daughter-in-law we were picking up my sister-in-law and two nieces.  They actually overlapped by 5 minutes.

For the last week we have been on a San Diego harbor cruise, Coronado beach and shopping, (they went to Seaworld without me (exhaustion was setting in)), North Island Officers Club pool, Seaport Village, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Carlsbad Outlet Mall to go especially to COACH, out to eat several times and finally to a nail salon for mannies and peddies.  Everyone had a great time.


On Tuesday of this week everyone left.  My husband off to Washington D.C., my sister-in-law and nieces back to Oklahoma.


This month has been fun and filled to the brim.  Our home has been remodeled with family in mind.  The large kitchen is the center of love and creativity, especially when we have guest chefs (son, daughter-in-law, mother).  Everyone loves to be in there.  The "Hotel California" bedroom has two queens (non-smoking) and is already cleaned and made up for the next family or friends who come to visit.  Our home since 1985  continues to give us pleasure and memories that have been shared with all that are dear to us.


Today, with a quiet house and no one play with, I head off to my little playground.  Can you guess?  It's called Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino.  I will relax, play and say hi to some friends I haven't seen in awhile. 


Until next time, I apologize for being away from the blog for so long, but as you can see, I've been busy(bee).


Happy Summer.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

Living in San Diego is the best.  I should know my husband and I have lived in all four corners of the United States and some areas in between.  We started out in Oklahoma, he from Norman, me from Del City (after moving there from upstate New York (Rome) where I lived my first thirteen years).  We met in the Federal Building where we worked for Naval Recruiting District in Oklahoma City.  Yes, the one that was blown up by Timothy McVey.  Luckily, we had already met, fell in love, married and moved away.  He will tell you it is the first time he saved my life.  Oklahoma is the hottest hot in summer, the coldest cold in winter, windy all the time, don't even get me started about tornadoes and ice storms.  Wicked weather.  Only hardy souls should live there.

After we married he left Pensacola, Fl. and we moved to Corpus Christi, Tx where he attended flight school and I attended Lamaze.  We were then sent to Beeville, Tx.  One road in and out, no McDonalds (just a Whataburger and a Walmart).  Actually the perfect place to be pregnant except for the 100 degree weather and 100 percent humidity.  I swelled up like a Macy's Day balloon.  

Then Eureka! we were sent to San Diego, CA to complete flight training.  We packed up the kids, dog and two cars and drove out.  What a beautiful place, sunshine all year long, with soft even temperatures.  We lived there from 1980 until 1990 when we had to move to Willow Grove, PA.  Willow Grove is just north of Philadelphia.  We arrived sans winter clothing but soon found out it would be needed.  The winters are both beautiful and cold.  The snow piled up so that our dog had trouble getting through it.  The summers were hot and sticky and when little league began we were still wearing winter coats.  What a shock from living in San Diego.

Two years later we moved again to New Orleans, LA.  Put the winter coats away and get out your white hand towel to wear around your neck to catch the perpetual sweat leaking from your head.  The heat and humidity are stifiling and the rains were biblical.  There was a constant influx of bugs.  Our dog began losing his fur and had skin problems.  If I had fur I probably would have lost it too, it was that bad.

Just when you think the next move would be better than New Orleans we moved to Jacksonville, Fl.  Hot and humid times two with a non-stop parade of cockroaches and palmetto bugs.  Yuk, I hated it!  Did I mention the snake in our swimming pool?

Next stop, Manassas, VA.  Oh, the beautiful countryside, Green, green, green.  Four seasons again.  What a relief from the heat and humidity.  I felt like I could live there the rest of our lives,  but of course the U.S. Navy always has other plans.

Back to Willow Grove, PA.  Loved it, had a lot of friends and decided this should be where we retire.  Had I forgotten about beautiful San Diego?  I think I did.  My husband convinced me that our home in San Diego was waiting for us so we packed up and drove to the west coast.  There were rainbows, unicorns, pots of gold and flowers everywhere as we drove in.  I knew I was home.

But, one final test, there was one corner we hadn't lived in so my husband decided to take a job in Seattle.  OMG, we lived there (me not so much as I commuted between San Diego and Seattle) for five years.  If I stayed too long in Seattle I found bits of moss and mushrooms starting to sprount from my body.  Rain, rain, and more rain.  Soooo depressing.  The people walk around with frowns on their faces.  Women don't wear make-up or do their hair.   I can't live in a place like that - so....my wonderful husband arranged  to keep his job but be able to work from our home in San Diego.  HALLELUJAH!!

San Diego is like no other city.  It is "America's Finest City".  Everywhere I go people ask me where I live and I say "San Diego", they always say "oh I love it there".

You can plan on anything outdoors i.e. picnics, weddings, garage sales and not have to worry about rain.  It stays an average 72 degrees in the summer and rarely gets below 50 in the winter.  No snow to shovel, no sleet to drive in, no humidity and no bugs.  Perfection.  But don't get any ideas, we are all full up and I'm not going to mention the "T" word (traffic) unless I have to. 

I will always live here, you can't pry me from our home and I told my husband he would have to drag me out in a coffin to move again.

So come and visit, bring your money, see our Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Legoland, Padres/Chargers, The Hotel Del Coronado, Casinos, Balboa Park, the USS Midway, and on and on. 

Stay for a couple weeks then you must leave, you probably wouldn't like to live here anyway we have EARTHQUAKES!  ha ha.

GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS

The good news is I had a blast in Las Vegas, the bad news is I didn't cash in "The Ladies Only" No Limit Texas Hold'em event (with six men) at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) this year.  This is the fourth year I have played and with each year I feel I am a better player than the year before.  I trained seriously this year, played in a lot of tournaments with a good percentage of success.  I felt ready.  There were 1050 players from around the world.  Many top professionals (Kathy Liebert, Linda Johnson, Evelyn Eng, Pam Brunson, Vanassa Russo, Vanassa Selbst, etc. and celebrity/pros Jennifer Tilley, Shannon Elizabeth, Tiffany Michelle, Cheryl Hines).  My table had Barry Greenstein's girlfriend and he came over to give her encouragement and find out how she was doing.  He told her "not to play like a girl".  I used to like Barry Greenstein. 

There was commotion at the table next to mine where a "man" player resided.  He was acting out and generally being a real jerk.  The final straw came when he placed a tampon on the table to use as a card protector.  The floorman was called as the women complained at the outrageous inappropriate behavior.  He was only given a two round penalty but was told he would be out if anything else happened.  They (WSOP) then provided all the women at the table with a free massage.

I played nine hours and outlasted 3/4 of the field.  I finished two hours short of continuing to day two.  The last three to fours hours I was card dead (very bad cards).  I was never able to make any big moves to pick up more chips.  At last I got Ace Jack suited on the button and the table folded to me.  It was just the small and big blind to act.  I pushed my short stack in.  I wanted a caller but when the big blind insta-called I knew I was in trouble.  She had Ace King.  Her hand held up and she had me covered and I was out.  I was upset that I finished short of my goal but at least this year I didn't go out with the best hand.  I don't think I could have done anything differently except maybe for one hand.  I am trying not to beat myself up over it and remind myself that it still was a good showing.

I talked to Pam Brunson after being knocked out (Doyle Brunson's daughter and she remembered me from last year and was so sweet).  She was knocked out much earlier than me.  In fact so were most of the other people mentioned above. 

My husband cheered from the rail and gave me updates on other people for all nine hours.  He walked back to our room (about a half mile) twice to get me things I needed.  I don't know what I would do without his kindness and support.  He gives me good advice and encouragement.

The Rio/WSOP has made many improvements since last year the biggest being the room.  It is three times the size of the one you've seen on tv in years past.  So much more room and better organized.  No more long lines, etc.  The Poker Kitchen (food court) is right across the hallway and the bathrooms are very convenient.  During the women's they even closed down the men's bathroom and opened it up to women only.  They have a big stage at one end for speakers and have the bracelets for all the events displayed across the back of it.  As the bracelets are being won the winner's photo is added in the display.

The rest of my weekend consisted of playing live til  four in the morning, getting up three hours later and starting over.  I played in a big tournament at Ceasars ( a two day event) and came in 30 out of 184.  I would have done better but went out when my Ace King was beat by Ace Eight (eight on the turn).  That was tougher to take than the Ladies event.  I played nine hours there also.  Then I went back to the Rio after playing nine hours and decided to play in an 11pm event in which I cashed - coming in 10th.  Finished at 4am, no sleep but it was worth it.  FINALLY!!!

Overall it was a great and fun trip albeit the outcome.  I want to thank my family and friends who continue to cheer and encourage me and listen to my sad stories when I get knocked out or take bad beats.  I always feel like I might quit immediately after being knocked out when my mind is numb and my body is tired from concentrating and playing for so long.  But that just lasts until I sit down at the next poker table.  It is a cruel, frustrating sport but I can't think of anything I have more fun playing.  I have made many friends and learned valuable life lessons.  I will continue to play as long as I am having fun and as long as I can make enough money to keep me going. 

In the mean time our nieces are coming in July for a week so I will take the opportunity to be a good aunt and teach them how to play (as long as they bring their pennies).

SHUFFLE UP AND DEAL

BEING ALIVE

My husband and I recently attended a charity event/auction that was held by a friend of ours.  The charity was for a program called "Being Alive" and they are the HIV/AIDS program established in San Diego.  Our friend is the program manager of Being Alive and works extremely hard in this endeavor without much staff and with very limited resources. 

The event she put together was very well done.  It was held in an old, beautiful hotel called Park Manor where the top floor opens up to the outside and the view of the city, Coronado and the airport was spectacular.  She had delicious food, drinks, and a acrobatic troop that rivaled some of the Cirque teams that I have seen.  She was able to secure donations for auctions (artwork, baskets of goodies, Padre tickets) so that everyone would have a great selection of things to bid on.

Many last minute problems occurred that she handled so well that if I hadn't been aware would never had known anything was wrong.  When her auctioneer couldn't make it at the last minute she filled in and did a fantastic job. 

During conversations in the past  I asked her how difficult is it to raise money for HIV/AIDS these days.  She told me that in the best of times it is difficult to raise money for a disease that many people turn a blind eye to, or that have prejudices toward, but in this economic climate it is almost impossible.  She also said if I had a picture of any child (starving, injured, etc. ) to show the money is easy to raise, but no one wants to see a picture of an AIDS patient, 

I admire the difficult job she is doing and her willingness to continue when times are tough.  Without people like her to do the difficult work who amoung us would? 

I am proud to have her as a friend and admire her for never giving up. 

JOB WELL DONE!

SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED

When I returned from a great trip to Sacramento, where my daughter, two cousins and my mother and I enjoyed a long weekend I was exhausted and became sick.  Still don't know exactly what it was/is only that I had a fever, aches, headache, sore throat, fatigue, insomnia, no appetite (a sure sign I'm sick or dead), and a dry cough.  I dragged around for three or four days before I took some antibiotics stored away in our medicine cabinet thinking it might be strep throat.   After five days of drugs I began to feel better.  I began getting dressed and cleaning up and acting human again execept the sore throat and cough lingered. 

I finally made an appointment with the doctor and went in to get a strep test.  Negative.  She gave me cough medicine with codeine which helped me sleep at night.  It's been four weeks now and even though most of the symptoms have gone I still have a sore throat and cough.  Enough is enough. 

My husband is so sweet and such a good nurse.  He made me stay on the couch and brought me an assortment of eats and drinks.  He even made me homemade bisquits when I didn't feel like eating anything.  He wouldn't let me sleep in the other room when I was coughing and kept him awake all night.

Now I am on the mend (still have a sore throat and cough) but much better, but now my husband is sick.  He travels frequently from the west coast to the east coast and with his sleep deprivation and jetlag he caught something.  I don't think its what I had/have but, bless his heart, he has some kind of crud.  The problem for him is he still has to travel - every week for the next four weeks. 

I don't mean to whine, cause this is just some pain-in-the-ass illness, but it's been a month and I am ready to go full steam ahead.  He has rested this Memorial weekend trying to get ready for another trip tomorrow.  When he was in the Navy, he served 26 years.  He only called in sick - twice! 

We are both pretty healthy and don't get sick very often.  I choose to believe this will be our one time this year crud and be good to go for the rest of the year.  I am, however, impatient and am TIRED OF BEING SICK.


To all of you - take your vitamins, get enough rest, exercise, eat right and WASH YOUR HANDS.  Also if you are coming to our house bring a bottle of hand santizer and a facemask.


Take care - be well.