Last dance at the Sahara

In October 2003, on my last night in Las Vegas, we were in search of $1 Blackjack, and we found it at the Sahara hotel and casino. Little did I know that night, that I would meet one of my best friends.

As the story goes, our table was having so much fun, that a really nice guy was watching from across the pit. As soon as a seat was available at our table, I called him over to sit down…and the rest they say…is history!

That is the very abbreviated version of our intial meeting. Who really knew on that night, that almost eight years later, we would be sitting playing blackjack at the Saraha on the last night that the hotel was going to be open.

Several months ago Brad emailed me that the hotel was going to be closing their doors due to the hard economic times hitting Las Vegas. At the time we had our west coast road trip planned, and Vegas wasn’t on the list of stops….but things changed, and there we were.

It was rumoured that the doors were already closed, but I said that we should drive by and see what was going on. We were happy to see that the lights were on, and they were open. So, we parked and went inside. It was quiet and the people that were there playing, were just like us, taking in the last night of a historical hotel.

We played some blackjack, and shared a shot – a sour apple shooter – the first one we had together back in 2003, so we had to have one for old times sake!

 Somewhere late in the evening we walked around and just took pictures of everything that said Sahara on it. I even went behind a table in the pit, and was ‘scolded’ by security. That even though it was the last night, itwas still against Nevada Gambling Laws. What would they do – ban me from the Casino? Bring it!
Everything happens for a reason – and that holds true for this story. We were not supposed to be in Las Vegas on that specific day, but our travel plans changed, and there we were. Couldn’t have asked for better!

walking vs. biking

This is just a quick side note to the use of the stationary bike in the gym.

It takes me just over 20 minutes to walk a mile on the treadmill at a reasonable pace. I can walk two miles now in over 40 minutes.

Today I was on the bike for about 10 minutes and I biked two miles in that time. So, if it take five minutes per mile, then in the same 40 minutes I could bike 8 miles – YIKES!!!

I think I will start at two miles in 10 minutes.

I will climb the mountain, one mile at a time!

Empty Hangers

I have worked from my home for the last two and a half years. During that time, I haven ‘t had to buy a lot of ‘work’ clothes, because when you work from home, it consists of a very casual wardrobe. Yes, I get dressed every day, but it could be leggings and a t-shirt.

One thing I can say about being a plus size person over the years, was that I had a lof of clothes. When I found something that I like and it looked good on me, I would buy it in every colour that they made the item in.

My closets and drawers were always full. A couple summers ago I had my bedroom closet organized with new shelves and hanging areas, and Martine was shocked about how much clothes I actually owned. At one point I didn’t have any empty hangers in my closet, every one was filled with a shirt, skirt, or pair of pants.

Until now…..

Back at the start of the year, I tried on everything in my closet and finally decided to get rid of everything that no longer fit me. That was practically everything. Old mother Hubbard, went to her cupboard, and her cupboard was bare – that is now my cupboard, and my drawers.

I am not complaining about becoming a smaller, better me, but at the same time, it is a struggle emotionally. To try on clothes, and see the person you were at one time and now the person that you are (are becoming) it very emotional.

This past weekend I had Edna take a picture of me wearing a jacket that used to fit me. I haven’t worn it in a LONG time, but yes, I used to wear this jacket.

Thankfully, I have wonderful friends, who gave me gift cards for the mall, and for two clothing stores that I shop at so that I can buy some new clothes for the spring. But the problem is when you need everything new, you can’t go crazy, because this is not the end of the journey, it is just a pit stop.

I am looking forward to shopping, but with trepidation. I tried to buy a new pair of jeans about a month ago and it was a very stressful experience. After trying on 12 pairs of jeans, two meltdowns (one with tears) in the dressing room, I left the store, unsuccessful. So, I decided not to buy anything new until spring…..

So, with this new season, comes new clothes to hang in my empty closet!