Gimme Shelter ....and so we did

So this week Greg and I decided to adopt another kitty, yup call us crazy but we both really missed Rizzo  around the house, and with Greg being sick we figured it would give us something to be happy about. We found him at our local shelter and he was "The One" from the moment I picked him up he snuggled right up with me and I knew he was ours. His name is "Jagger" of course how could we not go with that name?
He is 7 weeks old and such a nice kitten and just knowing he will be safe and sound with us makes it all the better.

Bad Boys Bad Boys...whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

A few months ago I set up a tour for the Seniors at the Cora Coleman Senior Center where I work to take a tour of the Detention Center with my good friend "LT" ...Lieutenant Wiseman. Last week a bus load of us drove into the parking lot to meet our tour guide. Wow! what a eye opener that was, Ronna took us just about everywhere and told us so many facts about the system and what each department does at the detention center. I must say it was a little scary being around all the inmates and then to top it off we had a "COPS" moment when Ronna was giving us the tour in the booking area. One of the inmates waiting to be taken upstairs started mouthing of to her on how she shouldn't be telling us everything....well one word from Lt Wiseman and 2 other cops took him out and put him in "the hole" ...well not really the hole but it was an isolated cell. These cops really work as a team and Ronna is "the Big Boss" over there. Thanks Ronna everyone was so impressed with you and all your fellow officers and we are so lucky to have you on the force and as our friend.

Keep Portland Weird.....I didn't say it "They did" but I do own the t-shirt.

Just home from a quick 3 day trip to Portland to see my sister and brother in law. I didn't go to Voodoo donuts this trip but I have been there...long lines most every day for these donuts.
Beautiful weather the past few days it was so nice to get out of our Las Vegas Heat. Thanks Dennie & Steve for a great trip and all the moral support - love you both.

Cottonwood Cove

What a wonderful way to relax just an hour away from town. This is our second time staying at Lake Mohave and it won't be our last.
The weather was just beautiful and the water was so so warm. The hotel is nice and the rooms are clean, only 24 rooms and each room has it's private patio that is open right on the shore. You can bring your own boat, rent a boat, rent a kayak or a paddle boat. There is also a small cafe and store on the property.  If you live in Las Vegas and want a nice inexpensive get away this is the place to go.

The Big 60

Well ...it happened, I turned the big 60 on Sept. 25th. What did I do for my birthday you ask? The very first thing I did was treat myself to a shingle shot. My father had shingles for a good many years until the end of his life and my 2 sisters have also had shingles in the past few years. I also have know several people who have gone through the pain of shingles and I had decided as soon as I grew up I was getting that shot. Did you know that one in 2 people will eventually get shingles? My gift to myself this year is to do whatever I can to stay healthy.
After that experience my birthday was in full swing, I had a really nice breakfast with some of the girls at the Omelet House and then off to the Apple Store pick up my new IPhone 6 and later in the day Memphis BBQ with my husband and then the next day Greg and I were off to Lake Mohave for a wonderfully relaxing 3 nights at the lake...Beautiful weather, room right on the lake and our own private beach ....who could ask for more? Thanks to EVERYONE for the all the wonderful cards, phone calls, emails, texts and gifts and helping me celebrate my big day. Hey...being 60 really ain't all that bad.

Last week was just too much fun!! Each year the County invites any senior to Mt. Charleston for a retreat we call "Camp Silver Pines". They have 9 cabins that sleep 14-16 people (yes they are huge) in the Lee Canyon area. Any and all people who are 50 or older may attend. I have been working with the county for the past almost 3 years at one of the Senior Centers that head up this trip and have been invited to teach/work for the 3 day event for the past 2 years.
It is such a great deal for these people. 2 nights, 3 days, transportation to and from the camp area, all meals and lodging and tons and tons of work shops, speakers and parties all for $125.00

Classes this year were so great, I taught 3 jewelry workshops, there was yoga, aerobics,art classes, archery classes, high ropes and low rope challenges, jam canning classes, knitting classes, card making, dutch oven cooking, botany classes, tai chi classes...I can't remember all the classes but we also had a speaker who talked about horse therapy, we had a reporting speaking about the day in the life of a Las Vegas reporter. The first night we had a country western duo come for a singing camp fire with smores and sing along ...and a little line dancing, the second night we had a DJ "2 tons of fun" come to help with the music for our final party/dance.
It was so much fun and I have already been invited back for next year.

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Waiting outside the main lodge for busses

I honestly work with the best people that I am so lucky to call friends

Kinky Boots

Last night was another fun filled night at the Smith Center. Kinky Boots is one of the best musicals I have seen, based on a true story and being a British story it has you laughing the entire night. The music was great but then what would you expect with Cyndi Lauper writing the music and lyrics. I love the theater and always have ever since my very first play  my parents took me to "Damned Yankee's" I think I was about 8 years old and it was a theater in the round....I was hooked. I even volunteered at the Performing Arts Center in Orange County California in 1986 every weekend the first year it opened just to be able to see the performances.
I always buy the mugs from the most memorable plays I go to and this was no exception. I have mentioned how much I LOVED this show? Go see it.

Growing up so fast...and so beautiful

Our granddaughter, Kaitlyn looks so happy and filled with joy to be in the 2nd grade

Happy Monday

Busy Summer

It seems like I just don't have a minute to spare these days but I wanted to share a few photos of my granddaughter and my son. My son Tyler and his wife and daughter came to visit last month and I didn't get a chance to post these pictures. They were only here a few days but we made the most of the time we had. We took one morning to go to the beautiful Craig Regional Park here in town, yup the same park I go to on the weekends for my Saturday morning walk. It's just beautiful there, lots of walking paths, large open grassy areas, dog parks, skate parks, tennis courts, community garden areas and lots and lots of equipment for the kids to play on. Kaitlyn loved it but I think Tyler loved the interactive music pipes they have there.

Tyler and Karie and Kaitlyn took a ride on the High Roller at the Linq....they love it.

Book Of Mormon

Last night was another fabulous night out at the Smith Center to see The Book Of Mormon. I
really didn't know what to expect except that everyone I talked to who had already had seen it loved it.
So off we went really not knowing much about the play and OMG it was so funny I loved it. The songs were fun, upbeat and witty and the performers were spot on in their characters. This is one play I would definitely go back and see again.  Of course anyone who knows me or has taken any jewelry making classes with me know that I buy coffee mugs from some of the most memorable plays that I have seen. I'm just so mad at myself for not picking up one a few weeks back when I went to see the play "Once" ... I might just have to get on line and order one.

Something To Think About

Breakfast With The Girls

I am so lucky to have the nicest people in my life and today I had breakfast with 3 of my most favorite people, Kitty, Margaret and Sharon. I have known these ladies for years now and consider them family, thanks ladies for a fun fun morning I look forward to our next outing.

Shania....Yes again

Last night was all about friends, fun and music. Shania is getting ready to rap up her Las Vegas Show after being here for 2 years and what a show it is. My friend Colleen's sister is in town visiting and my friend June has a birthday coming up so this made a perfect excuse to get a Girls Night Out on the town in Vegas on a Sunday night. Fun fun night girls thanks!

Good Morning Las Vegas

Honestly some days don't cha just wake up feeling great and want to dance?

PBR Ride em cowboy

OMG last night was one of the best events I have been to. Got tickets to the Last Cowboy Standing event at the Mandalay Bay. This is a 2 day event that kicks off the PBR circuit, it started on Friday night with 50 of the best bull riders in the nation and by last night they were down to 25. Each rider has to stay on the bull for 8 seconds to advance to the next round until it's only the last cowboy standing ...and he won $100.000. Not only did we have the best seats in the house (5 rows up right in front of the shoot) but we also got to see the legendary bull "Bushwacker" ride in his last PBR.
What a night and what a show, can't wait to do this again.

'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess' 2013 - 2014 National Tour

Last night I was at the Smith Center for Porgy & Bess, it wasn't the first time for me and this show and I'm sure it won't be the last. Great show and great music and great company.

Earth Day 2014

Earth Day 2014 is actually next Tuesday but this years Earth Day movie came out a little early and Greg and I went to see it today. The movie this year is called Bears and it was fantastic. I always go to the Earth Day movies because I love seeing  all the great photography that Disney uses for these movies. Places I have never been and seeing the bears up close and personal is a treat. If you get a chance take a few hours out to catch it, you will be glad you did and you will learn how incredibly smart bears really are.

Tribute to the troops….Doesn't get any better than that

For the past week and an half my sister has been visiting from Portland and we have been on the run the whole time. Shopping,Eating,antiquing,creating in the studio and of course music…there should always be music involved. The AMC's this year were just on Sunday and they were really good but on Monday we went off to the MGM for the All Star Tribute show for the troops. You can say EVERYONE in country music turned up and the show was fantastic and will be shown on TV in May.Just look at the line up. George Strait, Merle Haggard,Keith Urban,Tim McGraw,Carrie Underwood,Toby Keith,Florida Georgia Line,Lady Antebellum,Luke Bryan,Hunter Hayes,The Band Perry,Rascal Flatts,Lee Brice,Kelly Pickler,Dierks Bentley…I'm sure I am leaving a few out but you get the idea …IT WAS GREAT!! You won't want to miss the show when it's on TV in May. Oh and we also went to Toby Keith's bar and grill for lunch one day ….fabulous food great place to eat

Ronald McDonald House

Today I spent the day at the Ronald McDonald House here in Las Vegas. I knew a little bit about the services but really did not know how much this organization does for the families who need it. The house itself is beautiful, located just off Sahara on between Decature and Jones (strange area I know but it's great). The house can accomodate up to 12 families and all their needs. Food is all provided for free as is transportaion to and from the hospitals and they can stay as long as their child is under the care of a doctor. They have a huge beautiful living room, family room full huge kitchen game room and every guest room has it's own bath. This Ronald McDonald house is the only one in the U.S. that has another program called "lunch on us". Volunteers everyday come in and prepare 170 sack lunches for families who are at the UMC or Sunrise hospital during the lunch hour visiting sick children. The lunches are placed in hand decorated up-lifting lunch bags and delievered every day to these two hospitals. So much more goes on at the Ronalad McDonald House I just couldn't believe all the good stuff they offer to families. Anyone is welcome to volunteer for the house or visit for a tour. Really proud to say we have a Ronald McDonald House here in our city.

Happy Monday

Hope everyone had a Valentines Day as beautiful as this