VEGAS, BIRTHDAY'S & EASTER

VEGAS, wow what a wonderful get away. Time with the "SISTAS" - originally from New Jersey... The adventure started when we (Susan and I) left Sunday from Lancaster around 10 am and it was Vegas or bust. Let me tell you Susan (one half of the SISTAS) knows her way by back roads, byways, highways and outlet centers with clean restrooms right to her SISTAS Liz's (the other half of the SISTAS) beautiful home outside of Vegas. Hardly time to unpack and Aunt Liz was whisking us off for birthday dinners at the most unusual Mexican Food Place I had ever been to. The food was not that unusual it was the decor. They had all these religious baby size sautes all over the place stair-stepped. Jesus was there, Mary and probably Joesph too! I wasn't sure if I was in church or out to dinner! After a great meal it was time for our property/casino inspection of the new PALAZZO hotel, that opened in January on the strip. No sooner were we back in the car headed back to the finest accommodations in Vegas (Liz's house - great food served there too!), then Liz was saying "what's on the schedule for tomorrow"? And that was only 1/3 of the first day we arrived. The shopping, trips to Bellagio, tea, gambling- the list goes on and on keeping up with these two ladies is not easy. They only slow down long enough for a glass of tea. I could go on forever about the fun and frolic we had during the time we were there, but most of all the trip was about spending time with these two amazing sisters (and getting away for my birthday and yes, Rich survived and thrived). I have seen lots of sister relationships in my time, even tried one or two myself but these two and their relationship is just awesome to observe and they are the best of friends. Probably one of the most important things I learned was "housework is bad for your fingernails". Another reason not to dust! and to much money in your purse if you happen to win playing slots is called lettuce. Susan's birthday was Wednesday and was for the most part celebrated in the car on the ride back to California. It was a great ESCAPE and one I will treasure for a long time.



BIRTHDAY- I didn't like my birthday's much as a child, teenager and young adult. NOW I love them. My new birthday motto is that the older you get the fewer birthdays you will have so you need to celebrate them for a longer time. I think one to two weeks is good. Of course Rich thinks I celebrate for a month. Part of it is your friends want to take you to lunch or have coffee with you and there are times it could take a month to get that birthday lunch booked and celebrated. I know I am richly (no pun intended) blessed with great friends. Thursday the actual day of my birth according to my mother, my tennis friends took me to lunch and it made me feel good to know the best gift of all is that these ladies are there for me, as I am for them anytime, even though we might not see each other for days or talk on the phone. Cards from friends, by snail mail are always nice too. Knowing someone took the time to think about you by standing in front of the cards at the card store looking for the one that best applies to you and your personality. Mostly my friends give me cards about certain body parts sagging at this age.... I did receive a very special card this year from my Aunt Nancy in Kentucky. I know she reads this blog and I just want her to know that she is in my thoughts and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her too! Thank you for thinking of me! The other unexpected card was from Lisa and the kids (nieces and nephews) in Maryland. I am blessed.

EASTER- Last night we went to Good Friday services at our Church and it was really good. We were invited to hammer a nail into a cross up by the alter and as we did so to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Very humbling. When Pastor Ryan read the seventh lesson from Matthew with a Timpani for sound effects of the earthquake at the end of Christs life you could feel everyone in the Church become very somber, including me. Going to Good Friday services with the church all in black just makes Easter Sunday that much brighter. Makes me think how brilliantly colored life can be all the time if you make that decision every day to let joy, family, friends and the light of God shine in your life. He has Risen - He has Risen indeed. HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE.