I wrote a story before we went to Las Vegas, Nevada for Thanksgiving, 2000, and then a six part story about the trip. So this page will contain these stories. I hope you enjoy. In keeping with the Thanksgiving theme, I've added one for the year 2001. As always, any comments are appreciated.
It's the day after Thanksgiving, more commonly known as the biggest shopping day of the year. I should have gone shopping, but I'm did not. I had thought I would be up early, head out to Target, then to the Mall of America, for a full day of buying and spending. Instead, I am back in my apartment in Portland. I left yesterday. I couldn't take anymore.
I dreaded going back to Minnesota. I had been away for three months and was settling into my routine, as I figured the kids did with school and living with their dad. I didn't look forward to having Thanksgiving dinner together as a once family unit. I lucked out that he had to go to California the day after I arrived, so I did have 3 days alone with my children. Almost. Greg had school on Monday and Tuesday, and work almost all those days too. I had doctor appointments and other things I wanted to do.
The arguing and fighting began almost right away. He took Lowell to get something on his car fixed, and the Greg and Evelyn were going to go with me to Famous Dave's.We agreed on where to have dinner that night, but Greg wanted to drive. I had already said I was going to drive, but Greg got angry and stormed back inside. He and Evelyn had words, and in the end, Greg ended up not going. By the time we got to the restaurant, he and Lowell had already ordered. Evelyn and I got in line, but it was not a pleasant meal. Afterwards, I took the kids to Target, and he went off to a party. When we got to the house, Greg was gone, no note. He ended up spending the night at a friend's house.
Sunday, Lowell and I had a fight. I asked him to unload the dishwasher, and he absolutely refused. Evelyn ended up doing the task, as Greg was at work. But Lowell made me very angry, and I sent him to his room for most of the afternoon. Eventually, he apologized, but he ruined that day.
Monday, it was Evelyn's turn to fight with me. She wanted to go out with her friends, and I wanted her to stay home. Then she decided I didn't love her, and went into one of her moods. I walked away from her, and took Lowell out with me. She used to have the major mood swings before she started seeing a therapist and went on medication. So this was quite unexpected, and I was not in the mood for her nonsense. She did go out with her friends, and Lowell and I went out together, since Greg went home from school with a friend.
Tuesday we had our Thanksgiving dinner. We went to the Boys and Girls Club and celebrated the holiday with the kids there. You would have thought that would have reminded my kids how fortunate they were, but it didn't. They helped in the kitchen and Greg, Lowell and I sat together at the same table, but it was more of the same. Greg and Lowell can't seem to be in the same area without fighting and trying to get in the last word. And of course, when we got back to the house, Evelyn and Greg both went off with friends again.
Wednesday, however, was the end. I had gone through many of my boxes of stuff the previous days, trying to decide what to ship now, what to keep there till I decide what I'm doing, and throwing things out I no longer wanted. I had 2 boxes of sweatshirts, and offered some of them to Evelyn and Lowell. Greg was at work. They decided on a few, but neither took them to their rooms. When it was time to pick up Greg from work, Evelyn and I went and did some grocery shopping before it was time for him to be off work. We got some things for dinner, too. Once we were in the car, Greg told me all I had done was yell at him since he got off of work, and I don't believe I said 10 words to him. But he said he was going to stay home with me that night, unlike his sister. As soon as we got into the house, the fireworks started. I asked Evelyn and Lowell to take the sweatshirts they had selected to their rooms. Apparently, there were 3 neither wanted, and Lowell and Evelyn start fighting over that. There was name calling, hitting, and general nastiness. Lowell decided he wasn't going to eat, but wouldn't go to his room. Immediately after dinner, Greg asks me if he can go out with his friends. I looked at him, and said, didn't you just tell me you were staying home tonight? He seemed to have forgotten that from the short drive from the grocery store. We had words, and I told him to do what he wanted, as he wasn't going to listen to me.
I decided to call the airlines, and got a flight for the next day. The same flight I would have been on the next week. I booked it, and started to pack. All of a sudden, Lowell was in the bedroom apologizing. Not Greg. He just left with his friends. Evelyn told me she was sorry, but still left shortly after that. I made a few phone calls, and went to bed early. I was so frustrated with them. They were totally out of control and I had only been gone three months. They didn't seem like my children anymore.
They didn't believe I was really leaving on Thanksgiving, but I did. His plane got in about an hour before mine left, so it worked out quite well. But I couldn't even leave without a scene. Greg walked away from me, no goodbye. I cried a bit, but read my book and waited till it was time to leave. Somehow, I knew they would all come back to where I was sitting, and they did. He was surprised I was leaving, but not upset about it, just thinking about the court date next week. I told him I was not going to change my mind on permanent maintance and the per centage I wanted of his annual bonuses. But Greg wasn't with them, and he wanted to know if I knew where Greg was, and I said, no, he had walked away from me. I asked them to please leave, and they did. Before I boarded the plane, I called to see if they had found Greg, but there was no answer. When I landed in Boston, I phoned again, and talked to Evelyn. They found him, and everything was the same. He was out with friends, and she was getting ready to go.
I felt a great sadness and loss sitting on the plane, but also a sense of relief. I now know I will be alone for the rest of my life, and while the thought doesn't thrill me, I have resigned myself to that. I have no plans to ever return to Minneapolis unless I absolutely have to, as there is nothing there for me anymore. The flight back was uneventful, and I ate the turkey sandwich I had fixed when they passed out the beverages and pretzels. I was thankful for the peace and quiet. I was thankful that I arrived in one piece in Portland. No wonder people hate holidays so much. They aren't worth it. I am thankful they only come once a year. I didn't go shopping here in Portland today, because I don't need anything and I didn't want to be in a crowd. I am finally getting used to my own company, and finding that is enough for me.
©28 November 1998On this coming Wednesday, I am driving up to Las Vegas to meet my ex husband, and my son and daughter. We are going to celebrate Thanksgiving there. Why there? It was my son's idea. I took Lowell to Las Vegas a year ago and he fell in love with the city. He's been bugging his dad to take him back and since my ex waited, as usual, to the last minute to decide on Thanksgiving plans, he gave in to Lowell's request. They all fly in on Wednesday too. Evelyn from Hartford, CT and Lowell and my ex from Minneapolis. He was going to make plane reservations for me when I called him and told him, no thanks. It's a five hour drive from Prescott and to fly, I'd have to somehow get down to Phoenix which takes two hours, and since you have to be at the airport an hour early… well, you get the picture. It is easier for me to drive then to fly there.
The first time I was ever in Las Vegas was in 1964. We'd moved to Southern California the year before for my brother's health. He had polio and the winters in Chicago were too hard on him. Soon after we got to Los Angeles, the doctors there decided he needed another operation, and as he was recovering and they were teaching him how to walk again, his hip broke. I wonder now why my mother didn't sue the hospital, but I suppose people didn't sue everyone back then. She decided she needed to get away and off we went to Las Vegas. We stayed at the now demolished Riviera Hotel. I don't remember much of the trip except for swimming a little and standing at the edge of the casino area and having a silver dollar roll towards me. No one came to claim it, so I took it. I came away with a profit. We also visited the Hoover Dam and she took me to one of the fancy dinner shows. The trip was more for her than it was for me.
My mom loved Las Vegas and used to take frequent trips there, either driving or by bus. They had junkets where it cost practically nothing and you came back late that night. The casinos sponsored them and the plan was that once you were there, you'd spend a lot gambling. My mom wasn't much of a gambler, so that wasn't the big attraction for her. I think she liked the escape to a fantasy world. She would mostly watch and gamble a little and take advantage of the inexpensive meals. She had hoped to retire there, but that plan didn't work out.
I'm not much of a gambler either. Once gambling became available pretty much everywhere, it was never anything I sought out. One time on the way back from driving the kids to camp in Northern Minnesota, my ex and I stopped at a casino for the buffet dinner and a little gambling. I had $20.00 to start and was lucky enough to win that back, so I continued playing till I lost what remained. That twenty dollar bill was in my wallet for years and thinking now, I don't remember when or why I spent it.
When Lowell visited me the first time here in Arizona last year, I assumed he would bug me about going to Los Angeles and Disneyland. Instead, he wanted to go to Vegas, so I planned a three day trip. We set off early and the drive was pleasant and the scenery, as it is all over Arizona, incredible. We stopped at Kingman for a break and continued on. Traffic slowed to a near stand still at the Hoover Dam. It's windy and steep but it was the people all over the place that really slowed the traffic. Finally we reached the outskirts of Vegas and our adventure began. We found an automobile club office and got a map and a guide book and the woman there recommended we visit the chocolate factory and the cranberry farm. After we left, we agreed on the chocolate factory and quickly forgot the cranberry farm.
Lowell wasn't good at reading maps, but eventually we found our motel. I picked one at random and he was disappointed it wasn't one of the fancy ones on the strip. For two nights, we could suffer. We hit most of the casinos once Lowell discovered you could get free cups for your winnings. He had thirteen by the time we were done. We took a tram from hotel to hotel and ate at a wrestling themed restaurant. We did do one all you can eat buffet. We visited dozens of cheesy souvenir shops and the M&M store. The highlight of the trip for him was the time we spent at the water park. I let him go off by himself with the understanding he meet me at 6 PM. I spent an hour searching the park for him and finally went to get the staff to help me find him. I guess I'm finally not angry at him for disappearing and worrying me half to death. We wandered past dozens of stores in the hotels stopping in only a few. One night we had dinner at the Stage Deli in Caesar's palace. Lowell ordered a sandwich that would have easily fed five people. It was a good foot tall and I bet it had three pounds of meat in it. He wants to go back and order the same thing and I told him that I'd share it with him and just have a piece of one of the cakes they had on display. Neither of us finished our sandwich that night and the leftovers were picked at but mostly thrown away.
When we left, he vowed to come back and I thought if I never saw Vegas again, that'd be fine with me.
Las Vegas was a fun place to visit and there were lots of families there. It should be interesting this time, as Evelyn has never been there. Fred will be there to pay for everything. The weather will be nicer than the 100 degree days we had in August. We're staying on the strip in New York New York. I'm sure Evelyn and I will wander off to the shopping center while the boys do something male oriented. We'll look like a normal family to the casual observer, but we are far from that in reality.
To be continued when I return next week.
©20 November, 2000Okay. I said I would write about Thanksgiving in Las Vegas. I survived it. I was of course, invisible as I always am around my ex husband. What made it bearable was being with my children. I am beginning to wonder if that is enough, though. It takes me days to get back to being the me I have become.
I drove up on a beautiful sunny day. There are two ways to get to Vegas, and I chose the one I hadn't taken the other time. It seemed longer and was no more interesting. Just past Kingman, I remembered I had brought with me the perfect driving snack, Twizzlers. So I munched on those till I arrived at the hotel. He picked New York New York, which was nice and conveniently located.
At the check in counter, I gave my name and the clerk asked did I want a king size bed or two queens. Thinking there would be four of us in the one room, I said queen. I had the confirmation number, but we always in the past had stayed in one room, even when there were five of us. In hindsight, I should have had him check the reservation, but I didn't. I took my stuff up to the room, and then went off for a walk up the Strip.
One way or another, you will lose money in Las Vegas. I lost it in the stores. At least I got something in return. I walked up to the Bellagio, which is probably a half mile. On one block was an old style casino. In it's prime, it was probably quite fancy, but now, compared to all the newer and fancier ones, it looked very much outdated. They advertise lower prices on food and looser slots. I'm sure it won't be long before it's torn down and something bigger will be built. Less likely to survive are the little strip malls with the cheesy souvenir shops. One can't help but notice all the car rental places where you can rent your dream car for an hour or the day. I had never heard of a Prowler before, but I learned that was Lowell's favorite car.
I window shopped the stores in Bellagio. Chanel, Tiffany's. An expensive jewelry store I didn't bother to notice the name of, knowing I'd never set foot in it. Headed back to the hotel on the other side of the street, stopping in Paris for a coin cup. By the time I returned to my hotel, I was hungry and it was still hours till I had to pick them up at the airport. I ate at a restaurant in the hotel, called America, because I knew I could charge the meal to the room, and that way, I wouldn't have to pay for it. It was weird to be alone in a restaurant, but I did it. Unlike some people, I didn't hide behind a book.
I rested a bit up in the room then went down to wait for the shuttle to take me to the airport. I caught it at 11 pm which was 12 my time. Normally at that hour, I'm sound asleep. But I knew that Evelyn wanted me to meet her, so I fought off tiredness and went to the airport. Evelyn's flight arrived first, so I got a seat and waited. Two young boys sat by me and they were talking about college so I joined in for a while. Finally her plane landed, and it was wonderful to see her. My not ordinarily practical daughter had stuffed everything into her backpack and oversized purse.
We checked where the "boy's" flight was supposed to land, because when I first arrived, they were due at a different terminal. Good thing we did, because it was now due at the same terminal, just a different section. We had a hot dog and waited for the plane from Minneapolis. I hugged Lowell and my ex totally ignored me. We all went down to get their luggage. Unlike Evelyn, they each had a stuffed carryon bag as well as large suitcases.
On the short taxi ride to the hotel, my ex told me he had reserved two rooms. So the holiday visit started off with a conflict. He and Lowell ended up on a different floor and a different tower. Of course, it was my fault. By then I wasn't tired, so after taking Evelyn up to the room, I met my ex and Lowell back downstairs and we had some pizza. This being Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps, you would never know it was the middle of the night. The place was just as busy as during the middle of the day.
Finally, we said goodnight, making plans to call the other at 10 am. I quietly entered the room to find Evelyn sound asleep in the middle of one of the beds. Normally, we sleep in the same bed, even when there are two. Reluctantly, I crawled into the other bed and drifted off.
Evelyn was awake when I finally woke up, and showered and ready to go. I told her about calling the boy's room, so she did and we made plans to meet down on the first floor in front of the restaurant I had dined at the night before, America. The reason we picked this place was it was just to the left of our elevator. Fred and I got breakfasty things from a little bakery type place in the area that was designed to feel like being on the streets of New York. The kids wanted a hamburger, but when we finally got our food and joined them, they were sharing a milk shake and chili cheese fries. Ahh, to be young.
We were all relatively awake and ready to plan out the day and possibly the weekend. It was also Thanksgiving Day. At least the calendar said it was. We had discussed the possibility of having a buffet meal at one of the hotels. Our hotel didn't have a buffet place, but there were certainly lots of other options. I just wanted to pick a place to have a nice turkey meal.
It was decided to start walking up the strip while we thought about dinner. The weather was beautiful, around mid 60 and a bit warmer than it had been recently in Prescott, but much warmer than either Minnesota or Massachusetts. The streets were crowded with tourists, but also with people trying to hand out information on strip joints or call girls. They offered them to Lowell, who since he is 6 feet 4 inches tall, certainly looked old enough at a quick glance, even though he was only 14. He refused to accept any, which he later came to regret.
After wandering around the Bellagio, we crossed over to Caesar's Palace. I stood by the large statue of Caesar and pointed with my right hand just like he did. They went off to the restroom and I stayed there, like that, till they returned. Of course, they were all embarrassed. By then we were hungry, and tired. Lowell had said one of the things he wanted to do in Vegas was eat at the same deli he and I had visited the year before. It must have been 2 pm by then, and when we found the Stage Deli, we gratefully sat down to eat. Lowell wanted the same thing he had last year, a sandwich that was almost a foot high. I remembered how I had wanted dessert last year, but after I couldn't finish my sandwich, I didn't have any. So he ordered his sandwich and I ordered black forest cake. Evelyn had barbequed chicken and Fred brisket.
While you wait for your meal, they bring you a bowl of pickles. The kids got a kick out of the pickled tomato, but it was the people to my left that we couldn't take our eyes off of. It was a woman with two teenaged daughters. The girl opposite me was eating her pickle, however, she was doing it in a very lascivious way. She probably was old enough to be sexually active, but that pickle was getting the blow job of its life. Lowell and I watched and tried to control our laughter. Evelyn was mortified and Fred tried to ignore the entire thing, but this girl took her time satisfying her pickle.
When Lowell's sandwich was brought to our table, everyone in close proximity watched this monster being delivered. There had to be a half pound of roast beef, turkey, ham, salami and bologna on this monster, along with lettuce, tomato and cheese. A Japanese family was sitting next to us, and the tables were very close together, and they all just stared. I guess they hadn't noticed the girl at the other table, Lowell and I split his sandwich, though not exactly in half. I took most of the turkey, some of the roast beef and salami. Lowell ate the rest. Then we shared my cake, and even let Evelyn have a bite.
No longer being hungry, we continued wandering the shops in Caesar's Palace. I bought two Swatch watches at the Swatch store and Lowell got one too. Then we went to F.A. O. Swartz, Lowell and I went together and wandered around all the toys. We got lost on one floor and finally found the escalator going down and saw Evelyn and Fred going up. We assumed they were going to turn around and come back down and we waited. And waited. Finally we went to the main entrance and waited. Lowell got his own bottle of water, and finally they showed up. Evelyn had to buy a pair of Hello Kitty socks.
At the next hotel, Treasure Island, Lowell and I decided we'd had enough, and wanted to go back. Fred and Evelyn wanted to stay to watch the pirate show, so we left them and started walking back. I realized I was getting a big blister on both feet, so we walked to the next hotel and caught a cab. We went to their room and rested. Finally, they returned and it was once again, time to decide what to do next.
Watching television seemed like a good solution to making a decision so we watched Jeopardy followed by the Simpsons. No one was terribly hungry after our huge and late lunch, but food seemed like a good idea. We went out of the hotel to the Excalibur, and there we found a Cold Stone Ice cream parlor. There is one here in Prescott, and ice cream seemed like a good idea. We all had our own concoctions created and watched the people walk by. A lot of our time was spent people watching, because you can see just about everything in Vegas. Evelyn and I walked over to a toy store where I bought her several of the new zodiac beanie babies. Fred also got tickets for the Blue Men show on Sunday night. I didn't have any feelings about it either way, but Evelyn was adamant about not seeing them.
Next we wandered to the Luxor and lastly, to the Mandalay Bay where we waited for a tram to take us back to the Excalibur. The tram was packed, and the doors kept trying to close then reopening. We squeezed on, and rode like sardines to the Excalibur. When we got outside, it was time for their evening show, of a dragon and Merlin the magician fighting. We found spots along the wall where we got a good view of Merlin but it took a while for the dragon to make its mechanical way into our view. He shot some fire from his mouth and Merlin sent some firecrackers his way, and that was it. Evelyn said we had to see the pirates again, but not that night.
Back at the hotel, I said goodnight and went up to bed. Lowell came back with me, while Fred and Evelyn gambled. Finally I told Lowell, I was just exhausted and he went to his room and I fell soundly asleep.
In the morning, I was up ahead of Evelyn and was showered and ready when she woke up. I called the boy's room or so I thought, and when the phone was answered, a groggy voice said, Al?. So I hung up, and let Evelyn call back. I had gotten the right room and it was Lowell who was still very much asleep. We agreed to meet in front of America in 45 minutes. It was there we learned the boys had gone out at 3 am for Fat Burgers. Poor Evelyn. She had missed out on late night snacking two nights in a row.
Evelyn and I went downstairs and found my ex in front of America. Lowell wasn't quite ready, so we had a quick bite at Il Fornaio, where it was decided Lowell needed a new shirt. Fred felt that Lowell had already worn most of his shirts. When Lowell got downstairs, he was informed we were going to the outlet mall just south a few miles. He wasn't told it was to get him a shirt. The Friday after Thanksgiving Day is the biggest shopping day of the year, and an outlet mall was not my idea of shopping, but we took my car and drove there. We found a parking place and went inside. It was crowded, but not too terribly yet. After looking in a few stores for this shirt, Lowell stated he didn't want or need another shirt. Evelyn looked in every shoe store, but then realized she had no way to bring shoes back. Fred however, did buy a pair of shoes, and all I wanted was to get out and away from all the people.
Walking back to the car, we noticed the parking lot was full and cars on both sides of the aisle we had parked in were waiting for our space. Driving back up the strip proved futile. Traffic was stop and stop and then maybe go, so we turned off to a different street and bypassed much of the strip. I don't think we had a clue where we were going, but we were hungry again and decided to stop at the Stratosphere Hotel for lunch. We picked a 50's themed diner where the service was slower than the traffic on the strip and the food was mediocre at best. But Lowell and I wanted to stop at this gift shop around the corner from the hotel, where we had bought some things the year before. Fred waited in the car and the three of us went in.
It claimed to be the world's biggest gift shop, and while it was big, I doubt it was the biggest. They had all the usual junk, but some things caught our discerning eyes. When we were looking at the more adult type items, Evelyn walked away in disgust. Eventually, she left to wait for us in the car. Lowell talked me into buying him a pair of salt shakers shaped like a woman's bosom that he swore he'd repay me as soon as he got the money from his dad. We both wondered over who would buy a fake license plate that stated LOSER. I bought a pen that when it was turned upside down, the man's bathing suit disappeared. Lowell bought a golf towel for his dad that said something mildly obscene, which I can't at this moment recall.
From there it was back to our hotel and some rest and restroom time. Fred called to say he was going downstairs to gamble and signed up for the hotel's frequent gambler program. Evelyn and I decided we would do the same. Lowell went up to the kid's arcade area and played some games while we adults gambled. After two dollars, I went up to find Lowell and played games with him. After what seemed like forever, we went back downstairs to find the big time gamblers.
There was a Chinese restaurant in the hotel and they had chow fun on the menu, so we got in line to eat there. It took about 10 minutes to get a table. Perhaps you've never heard of chow fun, but it's my favorite item on a Chinese menu. Chow means fried and fun means rice noodles. We used to order it all the time when we were first married and living in California. Except for Chinatown in Chicago, we never had chow fun for years, till it suddenly became available in several restaurants in Minneapolis. There is a nice little restaurant in Northampton that served it. Even here in Prescott, there is a place that sells it, even though it is not prepared as I am accustomed to. So we ordered two plates of chow fun, a chicken dish, soup for all and an appetizer. Everything was good, and for once, we had eaten a real meal at the normal dining hour. When we left, the wait probably was a good hour.
I decided I wanted to walk over to Walgreen's and get some twizzlers for the drive home. Evelyn asked for gummi bears if we found a certain kind. Lowell went with me and we looked around at different things and he bought me a Bart Simpson pez dispenser and the twizzlers. Because we were all eating such weird things at such odd times, we had to get back to the hotel so I could use the bathroom. I met up with Lowell again in his room, because Fred and Evelyn were off gambling. We watched some tv until I got tired and went down to my room to go to bed.
Saturday morning we called down to the boy's room and asked for Al. It became a running joke for the rest of the trip. We decided to go for a real breakfast and how could we say no to IHOP (International House of Pancakes). It was not far from the Stratosphere Hotel so we headed up that way. Another mystery was why Lowell found this so exciting but that's where we ate.
After breakfast, we headed north towards downtown Las Vegas. Somehow, we ended up on a different street that had a gambling warehouse on it. My mother in law used to have this old slot machine and I used to play it for hours, before I probably broke it. I think it would be a lot of fun to have your own slot machine, and this store had dozens of older ones, but the prices were rather steep. The newer ones were too big, and they were expensive too. They had just about everything you'd need to open your own casino, but we all controlled our spending impulses.
Once downtown, we had to find the Golden Nugget. Lowell wanted to go check it out because it was featured in the movie, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I had tried to take him there before, but we couldn't find anywhere to park. This time, driving around, we found their parking lot, which had validated parking. First thing was to get the ticket validated. We went inside and it was of course, older than the other casinos we had visited, and I personally didn't understand the attraction. Lowell did get a cup to take home and before we left, a souvenir key chain. We walked up and down the covered area that was downtown and I went into each casino to get Lowell a cup. We also looked in several of the gift shops.
Fred and Lowell were looking for a silver chain for Lowell to wear some Ferrari medallion on. At one, they found one they liked, but Evelyn and I were bored, so we went outside and then into the next gift shop. There was a big sign overhead saying, ice cream, 39 cents. The wall between that store and the one we were in had been cut out, so I stood there and said, look, I can walk through walls. Then I noticed the security guard who didn't think I was funny and followed us around. Neither of us saw any ice cream at any price.
Finally Lowell's purchase was completed and we were done with downtown. I wanted to go to the shopping center and I knew the boy's would rather not, so they dropped Evelyn and me off and they went to play miniature golf. We agreed on a time to meet. Our first stop was Neiman Marcus where we looked and wished and I bought a bra. We looked in the other stores and realized how tired we were, and were glad to see it was just about time for them to pick us up. There was a stone fence for us to sit on and we laughed and joked while waiting. They got there right at the appointed time and we decided, we needed lunch. Or something like it, because it was 4 pm.
There was no question where we would go to eat. We had seen an In and Out burger place and I told them how much excitement there had been down in Phoenix because one had just opened up there. It's a fast food burger chain from Southern California, but they weren't anywhere near where I lived when I was growing up in the Valley. I do remember my mother talking about them, so I guess one was built near her apartment eventually. Even though it was so late in the afternoon, it was still really crowded . We ordered our food, then we waited. But at least we were sitting down. I had a burger and a shake and they all had combo meals, so there were plenty of french fries for all. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed, because I had expected a gourmet burger. It was good, but it wasn't great.
Fred decided then we should take the helicopter ride over the city and called to make the reservations. The van would be at the hotel at 7 pm to take us to the airfield. As soon as we saw the van, we were up and ready to go. It was a short ride to the airport and there they had champagne (or something that was supposed to be like it). The other people all left for their flight and we were wondering if they had forgotten us or what had happened. Then the attendant said we were getting a special flight and finally it was time for us to go on to the airfield. We could see the helicopter flying in towards us and the man said to be sure we ducked when we walked near it. I made sure Lowell understood that, he being the tallest.
Finally it was our turn. Fred and Evelyn were going to sit in the back and they got to board the helicopter first. Lowell and I were going to sit up front with the pilot, but it ended up I sat in the back next to Evelyn. To say she was frightened would be an understatement. I thought she was going to squeeze my hand till it broke. I wasn't afraid once we got up in the air. I felt closer to Greg and thought if we all were to die, at least we'd be together and we'd be with Greg again. The entire trip took less than fifteen minutes but it was breathtaking. We soared over the brightly lit hotels and saw the city off in the distance. Most people forget there is a real city totally separate from the strip.
We landed and were driven back to the hotel. Everyone was talking about the experience and then we realized, we were hungry again. This time, we ate at the Mexican restaurant in the hotel. The food was good, but I was pressured into having a drink by my now twenty one year old daughter. I don't really care for the taste of most alcoholic beverages, but I do like a strawberry daiquiri. So we each had one. I joked that I would soon be drunk. I wasn't, but I pretended. Lowell came up to the room with me to make sure I would make it upstairs okay. We watched tv again, till I was too tired to stay awake. Only one more full day and it would be over.
How could anyone be in Las Vegas for so long without having been to an all you can eat buffet? That was the question that was facing us on Sunday morning. At least the lines weren't so long. Back we went to Excalibur and another feeding frenzy. They had breakfast items as well as some meats. They had dozens of dessert items. At a table near us was a large group of African-Americans who were having a really good time. We found out they had all gone to the same high school and this was their reunion. We ate, and ate and ate. I was the first one done, knowing my capacity. I believe Fred was finished last. Slowly we waddled out of there.
Time for some good exercise walking up the strip again. The first stop was the M&M store. Four floors of nothing but M&M related items. We took the escalator up to the top, past paintings of the older M&M characters used in advertising and then past ones in M&M related movies. What Lowell wanted however, was the different colored M&Ms. I filled a bag, and he filled a bag. Then we realized both our bags were too full, so we emptied some out and filled a third bag. These are just regular M&Ms with different colored candy shells. That, and the price. I think you can buy a pound of M&Ms at any store for about $2.00, maybe $3.00. Here they were $8.00 a pound, but it didn't bother Lowell or me, because Fred was paying. We weighed our three bags, and realized we had over 6 pounds of candy, or almost $50.00 worht of M&Ms. So we put one bag off to the side. I stayed far away when Fred paid for that and the few souvenirs the kids wanted. I knew he wasn't going to be happy.
From there, they went into the Coca Cola store. I sat outside and rested, because it was just too much for me. I sat in the sun and watched the people walk by. There was one woman in leather pants who must have gone in and out of the Coke store a dozen times. There was a man dressed in a long flowing coat and a boa. Evelyn was the first to come out to where I was, and she shared her Coke with me. We watched the passerby's in all their colorful clothing and personalities.
Finally, the boys came out and we headed up the street. We walked through the Aladin and past its myriad of stores. At Starbucks, we stopped for a drink and a rest. Next we went to Paris, where we signed up for their frequent gambling program. Lowell liked looking at the hostesses, in their skimpy costumes. Then on to Bellagio again, where I did my major shopping. And Evelyn and I signed up for the frequent gambling program. It was getting late and we walked back to our hotel.
The boys left us to go to the Blue Men show. Evelyn wanted to show me a slot machine game she particularly liked and had been successful at the night before. It was called Family Feud, and if you were lucky, you got to play the fast money game. Luckily, it was a nickel a play, but you had to play at least three nickels to have any success. That was our only luck. I spent more trying to win for her, so she could show me how the fast money game worked, but I never did see it. We went back up to our room and watched tv till the boys returned.
Lowell loved the show and proceeded to tell everything that happened. They decided they were hungry, so since we met them in front of America, that's where we ate. Another late meal, more strange food. Is it any wonder the whole time I was in Las Vegas my stomach felt like exploding? After we ate, I said goodnight and went up to bed.
I awoke bright and early on Monday. Yes, I was ready and anxious to go home. Evelyn's flight left first and the boys could wait at the airport for their flight. I wanted to leave when I woke up, but I didn't think it would be wise to leave without saying goodbye. I did take my things down to my car and moved it to a different parking level. I woke Evelyn and then we called down to the boy's room.
Fred had been up so he was waiting for us in Il Fornaio. We pulled two tables together, and Evelyn and Lowell sat next to each other on the inside and there was this gap between them. Only I noticed it was for Greg, and tried to keep from crying. Evelyn was in a panic because she was sure the two men sitting next to us were Mafia. Perhaps they were. She was very glad to leave.
Lowell and Evelyn went up to the arcade to cash in their tickets. They got a bunch of cheap junk, but they were happy. I don't recall what we did that morning, except Evelyn and I went back to see the lions at the MGM Grand Hotel. I say back, because she and Fred went sometime on Sunday, but I can't quite recall when. I think it was before the Blue Men show. But as I write this some two weeks later, I can't place in exact order everything we did. I know at one point we went and had Krispy Kreme donutes. . Where I lived in Cary, North Carolina, there was a Krispy Kreme right outside my apartment complex. Lowell really liked them, as did I. We had seen the Krispy Kreme the time before, but it was right after we'd had a big lunch.
I know too, we looked a lot in various gift shops at various times. Lowell tried to get some of those nudie handouts on the last few days, but no one would give him any. Evelyn and Fred went off together to gamble while Lowell and I probably stayed in one of the rooms watching tv. We never went on the roller coaster that ran through the hotel and outside our window. On two occasions, we saw the ice skaters in front of the hotel. There was the incident in the parking lot when Fred couldn't seem to get off the fourth floor and each time he circled around, he got angrier, till we told him to just go up the wrong way. We never had a traditional Thanksgiving meal, nor did we give thanks for what we have. No one mentioned Greg, unless it was me. I had brought Spud with me for comfort.
Most of the time my legs were sore and my knees were hurting. I was tired a lot of the time, because the bed was not very comfortable. The only thing that kept me sane was being with my kids. To my ex, I was invisible, just like I'd been for the last ten years or so of our marriage. We look like a normal family, but that is the absolute opposite of what we are.
Fred checked us out and Evelyn and I played a few last games of Family Feud. We took the escalator up to the arcade and out to the car. Everyone's suitcases were shoved into the back of my station wagon. I kissed the kids there, in the parking lot, because it is too difficult to do at the airport. I had asked Evelyn to hand me my tote bag when she got out of the car. Even though this was my third time to the airport, it was the first time I'd driven. I found their airlines and the kids said goodbye and see you in a month and my ex said nothing.
I drove away, out of the airport and down Tropicana Boulevard towards the freeway. I put in a tape of Blue Rodeo and started singing. I had Spud up in the front with me. It is just about 250 miles to Prescott, and I figured I could be home by 5, even with the time change. Traffic was slow at Hoover Dam, but not as bad as in the summer. I needed to stop for gas and a bathroom break at Kingman. I had my twizzlers, but I wasn't hungry. I did make it home by 5 and my cat was thrilled to see me and I was thrilled to have gotten through this. Now I am looking at leaving for Minnesota a week from today. Another stressful holiday to get through in one piece and come home to Prescott and become myself again.
©11 and 12 December, 2000Happy Thanksgiving day! A day to give thanks for what you have, eat lots of food, watch football and to be with your family. My day will probably consist of none of these, except maybe giving thanks. What's more important than today, is tomorrow… the biggest shopping day of the year. This is going to be a Thanksgiving of firsts.
This is the first ever Thanksgiving I've not been with my family. It was my choice not to go to Minnesota and be with my kids. I went earlier in the month for health reasons, and now for my mental health, I am still in Arizona. Even growing up out in California, when it was just my mom, brother and me, we always had Thanksgiving together. We didn't have fancy dinners. My mom wasn't a cook and there was no point for the three of us. I can't recall what we did. If I had to guess, I'd say tv dinners or pizza. There probably were a few Thanksgivings when my brother was in the hospital, too. So having the big traditional feast with lots of relatives around doesn't mean too much to me.
When I got married, I did make a traditional turkey dinner one year. I learned that everything I liked, Fred didn't. He wanted pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes. I don't eat that stuff so why should I fix it? That was the first and only time I did that. I cooked and baked and roasted all day, while he sat and watched football. Never again, I swore. Though he did help with cleaning up.
Our first Thanksgiving in Minnesota, when Evelyn was just a month old, we started what became our tradition. We went out for dinner on Thanksgiving. There was a little cafeteria not too far from our place called Becky's. We'd never been there before, and it was mostly old people, but the food was good and Fred and I both got what they liked. Evelyn got breast-fed later, at home. The only drawback with eating out is there are no leftovers. Oh well, I could live with that. It was a good exchange for making us happy and not having to do all the work.
Today I was told they are going to the country club for Thanksgiving Dinner. We did that last year, and it was all I could do to keep from crying. I remember one year, when we went there, and Fred decided we had to stay two hours. Usually, we are done eating in about forty-five minutes, and quite well stuffed. You can't just sit there without wandering back to the buffet for something more, over a two hour period. Oh, was I ill after that! And the kids always had contests to see who could eat the most desserts. What I remember most about that day, was Greg was with us. It just doesn't feel right to be four, not five. It must not feel right for them to be three. It certainly doesn't feel right to be one.
I was invited to three friend's homes for today. It will be a group of her family and friends. If she hadn't shattered her elbow a month or so ago, it would have been for a lot more people we both know. My assignment was to bring a good bottle of wine and dinner rolls. They are ready to go. I'm getting a ride, so I can't escape when I want to, and I'm going to make the best of that. I'm told they like to get home early.
Tomorrow is what is going to be really different, in a way. I've gone to a big mall at the crack of dawn ever since they started opening early. Our mall here isn't even completed yet. Let's not even consider the dead mall. The other day, I think the sign said 112 days till the opening. Not that it's going to be anything to get excited about. Three small department stores, but just one level. That's not a department store. I'm used to going to the Mall of America, downtown Chicago. I have considered going to downtown Prescott tomorrow and looking in all the cute shops there. Two of the oldest stores on Gurley Street are closing, and blaming it on the mall. How can that be? It's not even open yet! It's an excuse. I think downtown needs to get more unique shops and restaurants, like the ones it has now, and people will still go there.
Life is full of changes and today is going to be one of them. What it comes down to is this, my friends are more like a family than my family. At this point of my life, I can count on them more than my children. Evelyn is an adult, but Lowell is only 15, so I can't expect much from him. I also chose my friends, so I found people I liked and could get along with. Today will be fine, tomorrow will be fine, too. Just different than past Thanksgivings. If I really wanted a big mall, I could go to Phoenix. It's not what I want, so up here I'll stay.
©22 November, 2001There are more stories I have written to read. Please remember these are my original stories and thoughts, and to copy or otherwise use them without my permission is a copyright violation. I would love to hear your random thoughts on any of these stories.