Well, it’s been a fun trip so far, with more excitement coming soon.
Wednesday night, when we arrived (we being Jenni, Wendy and me), we checked in at the Venetian and basically crashed, we were all so worn out. The flights themselves were pleasant enough, but travel is a hassle any way you look at it. All that hurrying, and the security stuff, and the checking of bags–well, you know what I mean.
Thursday (yesterday) was the much-anticipated Justin Crisis Luncheon out at South Pointe Casino, a happenin’ kind of joint for sure. The luncheon was great–Michael and Paula Gaughn, owners of South Pointe, are generous enough to donate not only the space (which is huge), but the food as well–to this very special cause. You never know who will be in the audience…yesterday, it was Sarah Palin. She’s seriously skinny, that woman, and very nice.
After lunch, I caught a cab to–wait for it–the Gem and Bead Mall, where I promptly went flat-out crazy. What a great shop that is!! After a couple of blissful hours, Misha the cab driver came back and I headed for the hotel, dropped off about 700 pounds of beads, and attended the Cowboy Christmas-type show downstairs–it was such a hike from the lobby that I wound up taking off my shoes and carrying them around with me. Trust me, I’m bringing home some fun jewelry to give away on this blog in future contests–along with a pair of seriously sore feet.
I played slots for a while yesterday afternoon, and I actually did all right. I don’t usually win in Vegas, though I’m lucky as heck back home at Northern Quest. I’m carrying a couple of slot tickets around in my wallet, one of which is fairly good-sized. I’m planning to play a little while longer before heading back out to South Pointe for the art auction I mentioned before.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. I met up with friends for the second annual dinner at Ferraro’s–this time, Bob and Lynn Massi couldn’t join us, because there had been a death in their circle of friends (Bob and Lynn, we missed the two of you big-time)–and Robin Black couldn’t make it, either, though her wonderful husband, Steve, was there. Buck and Goldie Taylor were in attendance, along with Mike and Nancy Berland, Bill Francis and Renae Kinsey, Wendy and Jenni and my favorite (and only) brother, Jerry. This year there was a fabulous new addition–Adrian Zmed, of “Grease” and “T.J. Hooker” fame, along with many other parts. Adrian is warm, funny and very intelligent–a pleasure to know.
Buck, who as you know is an artist as well as an accomplished actor, brought my Michael Landon/Little Joe painting to unveil it, and I nearly wept. My friends, it is AMAZING. Goldie is going to frame it and bring it to me, since she doesn’t trust the mails, and I have a place of honor awaiting it in my office back at the Triple L. If they can get permission from the Landon family, there will be a limited edition of prints eventually, but this is the ORIGINAL. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a museum piece.
Needless to say, by the time we got back to the room, I was up for a hot bath with mineral salts and not much else.
I’m actually blogging in a hotel room! Will the wonders never cease?
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TOO much fun and TOO little time to truly enjoy it – can’t wait to see the Little Joe pic = he is also my favorite!!
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What a wonderful trip for you!
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Sounds like a really fun trip so far and I hope the remainder is just as fabulous. Have a good trip home!
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Did you meet Sarah Palins husband? Great eye candy!!!!!
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Can’t wait to see/hear about all the gems you bought! How well does 700 lbs of gems/beads carry on the plane?? Enjoy your trip, I’m certainly enjoying it along with you! Have a fabulous time.
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Sounds like you are having a wonderful time! Enjoy!
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Sounds like your having just a wonderful time, glad you got to see your friends. Its great that you can blog now from wherever you go!! Enjoy and Blessings.
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I had a big crush on Little Joe too, Linda!
Glad your trip to Las Vegas has been fun.
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What a wonderful evening!! Any more fun planned?? Lets us know! Oh, Adrian Zmed did a really funny movie called ” Bachelor Party” with Tom Hanks!!
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Linda, the jewelry sounds fun, but I don’t know if I’d want your feet. I can barely afford shoes for my own, and I seriously need a pair right now.
(“I’m bringing home some fun jewelry to give away on this blog in future contests–along with a pair of seriously sore feet.”)
I’m just kidding, except for the part about needing, but can’t afford new shoes, but…I just had to PLAY with your words and change them to look as if you’re giving your sore feet as a prize. I’ll bet if they were that sore, you’d have been glad to give them away, though. I’ve felt like swapping mine a few times.
Have a good and Godly, and safe weekend.
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What’s your snail mail address?
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Please contact me ASAP with your snail mail address. llmfb@msn.com. Thank you!
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Gloria-please resend your snail mail address to llmfb@msn.com.
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Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Sarah Palin is also a beautiful lady. I would love to see that pic of Michael Landon I use to love that man. Have a safe trip home..
Ruby
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Sounds like your having fun. My sister lives in Vegas. Wish I was there.
Merry Christmas. Waiting for new book to come out! 
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Glad you are have a good time. Hope it is nice there. Glade you got all of those beads. 700 hundred lb. is a lot of them. Be safe going home. Merry Christmas.
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I also thought that you were planning a Giveaway of your seriously sore feet. Please keep your hands and your creativity for your writing so that we can all enjoy the output! It’s such fun to read of your adventures.
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Sounds like fun! I could tell from photographs that Sarah P. Has lost some serious weight….sometimes curves are a good thing. have fun and safe returns home.
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Glad you’re having a good time! It’s a dream of mine to go to the NFR and have adventures in Vegas!
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Enjoy your time in Vegas !!! Have a safe trip back home so you can enjoy the beads and gems you bought.
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What a fun trip! You’ve inspired me to go to the bead store in the town I am visiting!
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So much fun reading your adventures. Thank You
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I love the “Lost Wages”…although you did say you are ahead for the moment.
Keep having fun!
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I do love your blog! Would love to see the 700 lbs of beads!! Still have some favorites from our years in NM at AFB in Roswell & NORAD in Colorado Springs. I know would love to be along on this trip!!
Enjoy & rest your feet
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I hope you enjoy the rest of the time that you are in Las Vegas. Looking forward to seeing the picture of Michael Landon. I always did like him. Have a great weekend.
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Have a great time. Win big. But not big enough that you feel like retiring from your day job. Which is bringing a million plus readers joy and happiness reading your books.
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Could you post a picture of that painting? What a wonderful time you are having & even winning @ slots! Looking forward to hearing from you next week – enjoy
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Will be glad to post the picture of Michael Landon/Little Joe as soon as I receive!
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Sounds like your having a great time. I loved Bonanza and I am now enjoying all the reruns on tv. Loved little Joe. Hope you post the painting would love to see it. Enjoy the rest of your trip !
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I see you are having a wonderful time
wish I was there with you.Michael Landon aka little Joe was my favorite Cartwright.Glad you’re having a nice time Linda,until next time God Bless
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Hi Linda; Sounds like a fun time. I can sympathize with the sore feet. However congrats on getting to the craft store. Now you can be in your glory once you get home. Congratulations on you new painting. I so loved
Michael Landon. He was such a dear man.
Enjoy your holiday. A very Merry Christmas
Jeannette
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Glad you’re having fun. Don’t wear yourself out to much. But one way to look at it, is you only live once so enjoy the check out of your time there!! I’m so jealous of you right now.

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Sounds like you are having a wonderful time.
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looking forward to seeing that picture once you have it in it’s “special place”
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Did anyone win the drawing this past Friday? I wish it was ME.
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Boy, Linda, sure sounds like you are having a lot of fun. I hope your whole trip, is that way. Be safe and hope the rest of your trip is very enjoyable. Blessings to all.
As always your friend,
Norma
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Nice break…Fun ! enjoy !
Happy holidays to all !