 127 Blog Posts! This is my 8th blog post of 2018. Last year I blogged 127 times, that makes 10.58 blog posts per month, almost 2 blog posts per week. HEY THAT’S NOT BAD. Considering that it is a luxury to actually have time to sleep. I even made the effort to update the look of the website and added video headers, plus some new pages. I have also opted to add a few affiliate links. I’m actually not sure if I want to continue them, we shall see. I also tried to refrain from bitching about work and being constantly exhausted all the time. My 2018 new year resolution is blog at least 3 posts per week. I have never really cared if anybody reads this silly little blog, it has been more about documenting some of the places I’ve been and the insights I’ve had. So I am always surprised that people do follow. I want to say a BIG THANK YOU! 🙂 for your continued support. Okay back to reviewing 2017...  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...  No, actually it was a good year. I spent most of it in New Mexico.  Which is a state in the USA, not the country of Mexico. Confusing, right?  We are still in the same house. Which we love very much.. This is somewhat surprising. We are still here, on the outskirts of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. I post mostly landscapes and of course food picture from here or random selfies, lol. Honestly I am so in love with the mountains and the blue sky here and of course the house. We have a nice garden and mostly this feels like heaven. So I try to keep the house tidy and minimal even though it's big 2 story with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a huge bonus room I use for an office, but I don't actually talk much about the house. The kitchen is nice, much better than what we had in the UK, but not as well thought out as the kitchen in France. But it works for us, as you may have noticed I am sharing more food picts and recipes. More Vegan Food I have posted more and more vegan recipes and cooking stuff in general this past year. Mostly because I have been home more and have the ability to cook more. I still want to remind you I am NOT a food blogger.  #MsOneCooks  (Avocado pudding.)  (Mango & Chili Nice Cream) 2017 hair I think I have taken more selfies in 2017 than all the past years combined. Remember when you wondered what I looked like? Yeah, those days are long gone. But back to my hair, it is still blonde - And yes, I’m bored with it. I considered cutting it off this year, but I think I will wait another year. It grows pretty fast though and if I do not flat iron it you can see it is really thick. Using the flat iron may make the style look better - but I hate how thin and flat it looks. :(  See? It's everywhere.  Vs Flat Ironed and styled. Travel in 2017 Travel this past year was sparse. Well, compared to other years when I'm running back and forth to NOLA, Florida or France. But I did mange a few adventures...  Another day, another hotel room... Janurary here in central New Mexico started out snowing... I am still impressed with snow. It was fun for a few days and then it was over. #Goodtimes  Snow around my yard. Jan - left the odd snow storm and headed to New York City. It was dark, cold and snowing there too. But New York is always amazing no matter what the weather is like. This trip was part busines/part fun.  In February we left the dark and flew to Iceland. This was a destination that's been on my son's bucket list for years, but I was not that excited. But guess what? I LOVED IT!  It is so friggen' awesome! And totally not what I expected. It did snow while we were there, but we still managed a night trip to see the Northern Lights. We stayed 7 days and it was not long enough. I'm sure we will return soon.  There was much more Vegan food than I expected and while the shopping is costly you can still find inexpensive gifts too. March was a short Vegas get away and April was me at home planting a garden and experimenting in the kitchen. May I had company and showed them around the area here. You can read about it here. I also started a mini food diary to share what I eat (people still ask) and what I typically purchase at the market.  This is the Isleta Resort and Casino - which my guest always want to visit.  Where I seem to spend 99% of my time..  August I began "What Are You Reading?" A quick review of my recent reads and such. Work was still very busy, but I made my mind up I was going to make time to read and relax more.  I'm an eclectic reader, so people seem interested in what I've read and my reviews. It has been nice comparing notes with fellow readers.  I'm still doing book reviews here and there. September another review and of course the hurricane hitting my home in Texas. I actually didn't talk much about it. Maybe this year I will be able to share more, it's just completely overwhelming. STILL. October was Halloween and I was supposed to go to NOLA for a right old party, but I came down with a bug and spent it in bed. #FML (But look out this year!) November I blogged about American Myths and more book reviews. We debated on going somewhere exotic for Christmas, but decided against it. After spending the holidays in Europe and other amazing places it was nice to just stay in and chill for a change. We did explore around the area, here some. Check out this short video if you want to see an ancient Native American site we hiked. I also posted more about my not so secret love of flowers and house plants this past year.  The bright side of being home more is I am able to garden. So I posted more about gardens and houseplants than ever before. It's not quite an obsession, but almost.  Rescued succulents from the "dead" tray at Home Depot. So all in all it was a great year. We didn't travel as much as usual, but that's okay too. I'm so thankful we are able to live in a nice place, with lots of natural beauty and good people.
I'm also thankful for you, taking the time to read my silly little blog. I appreciate it and the encouraging emails I get from ya'll. Thank you for your friendship and support! Do you have big plans for this year? I can't wait to see what adventures 2018 will bring! See you at the airport-  On the countdown to Vegas! I'm so ready for some R & R and Vegas is a great place to just chill! I can't wait! It's hard to believe I haven't been since Sept 2013! What!?! Read about past Las Vegas Adventures here.  See you at the Casino!  Soon I have been suffering from a most severe case of Wanderlust lately. *Whines to anyone that will listen, "I never go anywhere." Sob ~ Sob ~ Sob There are so many good travel deals currently passing through my mail box and don't even get me started on cruise specials! OMG! I feel like just picking a direction and leaving today. Did I mention my bag is already packed? Have luggage and passport, what else do you need? Oh right, time off from work! 2016 was the year I had planned to go to Asia, but that's all up in the air right now. Who knows where I will be by this time next year? :( #MightSettle4Vegas So where are you going in 2016? Do you have a "bucket list" goal coming up or is it just time to splurge and take a real vacation for a change? I don't have a bucket list, but I do have a few places I seem to miss when I travel, so maybe 2016 will be the year to finally visit them. IDK. maybe I should just shut up crying and go back to France and just stay there?  I always seem the happiest in France. What about you? What's the number one place on your "must visit list" or do you have a spot that just make you super happy to visit?
See you at the airport- 
Hey!
This may not be the BEST but it was the "most clicked on" posts of Sept. Looks like I need to go to Las Vegas and write in French more often? Oui? 
The Most viewed this month was..
1. Is the front page of the blog...I hope you clicked here just to see what was new and read my Multiple entries for any given day, (it could happen) 2. Viva Las Vegas *The most pictures of any of the Vegas posts. 3. Les Filles Film Nuit (Girls movie night) And I so apologize (not) if you thought any of this was porn..it wasn't. Perv, :X 4. September archives 5. Las Vegas Day 5 (last day there - 22 pictures - mostly of the airport) 6. Girls Movie Night (another I hosted in Sept) 7. Insta-explained (My crazy instragram picts) 8. Warning there's cake (Also a Vegas Post) Thanks for reading and continuing to come back. I would like to hear from you about what I should post (Porn, sorry no!) and not post (I know my spelling is bad) but what do you want to see/read about? Let me know. I have trips coming up, shopping post, more organic food reviews and of course girls movie nights. I maybe should post what we watch? Should I take more pict I must run now, I am about to book another trip! =) Catch you later-- 
The Deal..
Hi, How is it going? I'm finally doing the Hotel Review for my Las Vegas trip. (It was last week, so I'm not THAT far behind, lol) This was the hotel I booked via Groupon. It was a king or 2 double beds for $14.00 a night. (Yes, $14.00USD) The deal expired, but I am sure they will run it again..just watch Vegas deals. My roundtrip airfare from Austin, Texas to LAS was $224.00 including all taxes. BUT I really shopped around. Still the was a cheap 5 day holiday. 
Arriving - another story
To read about my trip & adventures start here. 
Palace Station Hotel & Casino
So go to their website, even without a coupon they are very reasonable. And yes Ladies, it's safe. I went alone. Some friends from LA did show up for a couple of days to hang with me, but the rest of the time I was all alone. 
I bet you were missing my maps, huh?
Floor in lobby & now on to the room..
Room was quite large & clean. But it was not ultra modern.
Tile work was nice in bathroom, but sadly missed the tub. :(
Internet - every day had to call front desk to reconnect me. :( they were nice. All staff were super & no one in hotel I talked to complained about staff (which is mostly unheard of) but it was a pain. There was a "resort fee" of $15.00 a night added on for free net, shuttle service. They also asked for a $100.00 security deposit. I gave them cash and had no problem getting it back when I left. 
Yeah
King size bed was comfy.
More of the SUPER large room, I think it was the size of 3 French Quarter rooms.
I immediately thought you could fit a motorcycle in here. WTF? We are up stair? Where on earth did that come from? Anyway, I Don't know... 
It worked -- I turned it on to see. See how much I love you?
I checked while hanging up my clothes.
Key is a discount on a show, I think. But how to use & get back in room!?
Astonish the kids...
Phone worked too. As I said I was calling front desk to fix Internet daily, WTF?! But the A/C was Cold and the room was comfortable. It wasn't posh, but it was fine for the cost. I didn't expect much and was pleased over all. Anyway, all the reviews say the same thing. Stay in the tower (I stayed in courtyard) because the courtyard is a dump. So was it worth $14.00 a night? OF F*%KING COURSE! Was it worth $100.? No. Would I stay here again? Maybe. I miss being on the strip more than I thought I would. But on the other hand the food was much cheaper here, and by cheaper I mean it was ridiculesly cheap. So again, maybe. Look at this in house bakery. People come from the strip to eat here. :O 
Lots of goodies
OMG! Lots of goodies!
Something for everyone.
This is the bakery my cheese cake came from. Was wonderful!
Sorry for the blurry iphone picture. The case was huge & there were people waiting to order. I tried to be fast.
Spot my cheese cake?
The casino is large enough. 
And very clean.
But honestly the smoke got to me. I have never been a hater on smokers (I used to smoke --- see Tmi for this & many more embrasshing facts) but at one point I had to just go back to my room. It was bad. :X 
Man walked in as I was snapping.. Sorry.
This was taken from the Starbucks area. It's small, but services was excellent. 
Same with the Subway and
The other cafes - small but good, quick service. There were a few men that talked to me & a couple that followed me around. But there was plenty of security & they quickly left me alone when I explained I was waiting for my MMA boy friend. (Lol that was a lie, but if you know of a MMA cutey I might be in the market). *wink* Most of the people here are of the AARP set, which is not bad, mind you. But as we got closer to the weekend more of a "younger crowd" rolled in. Most of the older set talked to me & were friendly enough. The was some Hardcore Bingo happening (according to one nice lady I met) but IDK I don't play. Lol and yes, I won enough the 1st day to pay for the trip. I didn't gamble much after that (rubs wood, don't press your luck) kind of girl. 
Panda was watching everything :0
Area right outside my door. Big enough for a dance?!?
Stairs only could find. :/
Exit
See space outside HUGE. Can have dance?
There was a limited room service menu & a Vegas guide.
Starbucks is small, but very clean.
Jacks
Random
That was taken on the way to the pool.. Don't ask..lol 
Grounds
So yes, more than likely if I could get a cheap flight and had some time off I would go back for $14.00 a night (even with the $15.00 a night fee, thats cheap.)
Catch you later- Hey, How is it going? I have now been back in Texas 1 week...(seems like 4 ever) lol Been really busy with work, so I haven't posted that much on Twitter or instagram. But what I have posted may need some explanation. So here goes.. 
Instagram explained maybe
This was really recent (Note to self: Post something asap this looks like shit!) The orchid is actually explained in this post. The Ipad case: (2nd picture above) I really like Izak. It was marked down on Ideeli and I bought it. Truth be told, I buy quite a bit from them. The down side of Ideeli is 1) limited selection 2) limited time to purchase 3) they never have the shit you want again. :( So if you see something you want JUMP on it. The other case is fine, BTW but I do like to change it up some. The Izak was marked $30.USD and I paid $19. & free shipping. It arrived while I was away. I guess that's the 4) downside of Ideeli it may take a month to receive your order or not. Some item ship the next day, others not. It's listed in the info about the item and they do email you when it ships so you can track, but if you are planning on getting something as a gift, I advise you to shop early. 
Inside-
It reads: "Whimsical elegant funny sexy, always glamorous and certainly not pretentious. With a smile on your face, here you go for the big life." Izak The next photo was of Whoppers Candy. I left the office to go run errands and return shorty to find no work being done, candy everywhere, LOL I don't know, I thought it was funny... maybe you had to be there.... * ____ * And I didn't post the photo below on Instagram, but have been asked over and over if I won any $$$ while in Vegas..Yes, I did. To read about some of my Vegas adventures click here or here or just click the link on the right titled "Las Vegas" 
A wee bit of $$$
I won enough to pay for the trip. I won more than is shown, but forgot to take pictures of the rest of the tickets. Sigh I'm really not much of a gambler, I repeat for the 30,000th time. I mainly went to get away and rest.
I won the money on penny slots, the one shown bottom right I didn't win anything on, but it makes clip clop horse running sounds when in play, so I took a photo, (It made sense at the time, don't judge me). IDK . Talk soon- 
On the way to the airport. :(
Hey, So hows it going? Busy, as per norm here. I have the hotel review left yet and then I shall be finished with the Vegas Adventures. :( This was day 5 or the day I left. I checked out early because I had a mid morning flight. For more on that adventure click here. LOL its short, but sums it up. lol 
1st stop me..
The shuttle was extra early & I was the 1st stop. (so extra, EXTRA early) I was in the lobby getting my room deposit back* And getting mega amount of phone calls while waiting in line to check out, etc...So was much chaos :X Driver had to wait on me...sorry. *I will explain in the hotel review. 
I really like this Airport.
Airport is clean, good selection of food and shopping. On and there are slot machines. 
Gambling in airport
Don't know them, but hope they won..
Lots of shops.
There are high end shops & small places with the stuff you need while traveling.
Or not, lol
Was looking for this shop.
I always buy my last minute, tourist gifts here.
See?
They really wrap your stuff up well in this shop. I don't like to buy something then worry the rest of the trip if it is broken in my backpack...You know? This is what I bought: 
D collects these...
Mandatory shot glasses
Tshirts
 Charging station I did my shopping and then ate and charged my phone & Ipad. I'm so glad I did (and ate) as all I had time to do on my next layover was RUN through the airport! 
Then JUMP on next plane.
And fly away..
Sadly, my bag did not make the jump. :( Read about it here. The next day my bag was home! Yippeeey! You know in all my travels this is the 1st time (that I can remb) this has happened? So that's pretty good odds all in all. 
Everything was ok inside.
For more Vegas fun read back or click here. or search Las Vegas under topics.. 
Goodbye for now ;(
Day 3
Hello, Let's call this day 3.( I think it was..). So I headed down to the strip to do some shopping and people watching. So this is mostly a photo heavy post--little typing.. 
Headed to the mall.
Too busy shopping to take photos..
This is hotel that shows behind Mall in above picture.
Penn & Teller kinda scare me...
Not many people out & about.
Random wandering around..
More shops
And more..
Mr. Grumpy
It's a steak house, so I didn't eat here. But had to see the Lions..
Up & Over to Treasure Island
Taken from the walk up shown in the above pictures..
What I wore..
Me demonstrating that the hem gets caught on the sandals..
The ship at Treasure Island, with fancy edit
In treasure island..
Winning..
In the Casino
Don't know the people...
Senor Frogs..
Meanwhile shopping inside TI
Weather report..
It was warm, but not bad. Had a lot of fun just roaming around and visiting the shops & casinos...
Took a shuttle and went back to the room and within 20 minutes it was raining! Catch you later-  See? So continuing on with more Vegas stories..(on ipad - sorry no links, you will just have to read back a day or 3) remember how I had a horrible, evil migraine?  Exciting Reenactment And my bestest buddies from LA were visiting me?? So I sent them off to go have fun without me. (So I could lay in dark hotel room & contemplate the meaning of life) when, like two minutes later, there was a sharp knock on door. "Hello?" And it's room service 😱 with the above shown Double Decadent Chocolate Cake! OMG- Try to explain I didn't order any & the nice man reassures me that it was NOT A MISTAKE - it was sent up (already paid for) by my buddies...ahh I know they were thinking the caffeine in the chocolate might help... But shit I already had cake this week :( #damn1stworldproblems  But I did work out that morning... So I eat the cake & promptly pass out. 😲 Do I know how to party or what?! (Sugar induced sleep, no doubt.) Then some time (maybe hours, maybe minutes its Vegas for Gods sake) my friends are back at the door. With this...  A freaking XXL Pizza! They are on holiday & are living the good life! (Which appears to consists of making me blow my diet at every turn, but gotta love their thoughtfulness.) #Truefriends So it's been a day of sumptuous chocolate cake, mind numbing headaches and sugar induced unconsciousness for me. Let the good times roll! But honestly this still isn't the worst trip I've ever had! #Yikes! Meanwhile my friends toured around Vegas, boozed it up, went gambling & shopped. (I know some wild people, right?) I was actually very thankful to sleep and get away from the migraine pain. I felt bad not going with them, since that was the plan, but they understood. So while I was napping they went down to the strip and hit a few of the big casinos (where they won a little) and proceeded to get a good buzz on & decided that I needed Pizza. So they brought pizza to make me well. Ahh good, thoughtful friends 👍😁  It was damn good!  Actually had an awesome time! And you know what? It actually worked! I did feel a little better after all that. So off we go to the strip and ended up at The Luxor... Much fun & dancing ensued. (Had to work off that pizza!) We had a really, really good time! I will leave you with this wise message from a t-shirt I saw in a shop.  True Catch you later-
 Hey How it? Shh, Don't tell anyone, but I got in really, really late last night. So let us pretend I'm still away & don't have to go into work today, okay? My plane in Minneapolis-St. Paul (yes, it seems that is now on the way to Vegas via Texas) was EARLY and left EARLY. Cool right? Err, No. I wanted to shop while there. :( Behold one blurry picture taken as I ran across the airport.  Cute, right? I've been to this airport, mmm, maybe 5 times? It is super nice and has many good shops and I was planning on shopping while I was waiting for my connection, damn it! See, it is an excellent place to try on/buy warm clothes for European Escapes (err I mean trips) but instead I was that Crazy Lady running across the airport to catch plane...No time to shop, no time to pee. Run Forrest, Run!!!  Just started 4square So just make it before they closed the airplane door! (Panting & eweee sweating; sorry, but true.) Queue up & wait in line in breeze way. I should have known something was off.. Pilot was in cockpit & turned & waved to me from the plane window as I watched in line to board. I looked around (no one behind me WTF?!) and I waved back. Little did I know he was planning on leaving my luggage to hang out in Minnesota.  Artistic dramatization (aka I drew on a wiki map!) So away we go... Last part of the trip over! Successfully flew across United States and I arrived back in Austin, Texas! Yeah! So depart from the plane, thinking it is good to be back in my "home airport," barely resisting the urge to immediately buy a taco in the airport, before I even get my bag. So with much self control I make my way to the baggage claim. And wait & wait...  And wait..  Sounds of crickets & wait And wait till everyone is gone, but me. #foeveralone Sadly, drag my backpack & go find airline office. Conveniently located behind a guitar, cause its Austin. (Rolls eyes.) So friendly, smiling guy informs me plane left early (duh, I was there) *__* and bag did not. :( He takes my info & explains a courier will bring my luggage to me. Sounds good so far, but wait for it... Because I live more than 75 miles away (Really? When did that happen?) that tracking would fall off grid after the courier left the 75 mile range. #WTF?  *Not my actual house.  Umm WHAT? When the fuck did I move to the Bermuda Triangle? We did have cell service, when I left home, before this adventure started I swear. What reality am I in? I'm still in America, right ?? Did something BIG happen while I was gone?? :o But by now I am so exhausted I just say "fine", and go buy a damn taco. I'm sure my dirty clothes will appreciate the extra time in St Paul to see the sights. 💼 Whatever. Have fun - I'm going back to the Bermuda Triangle, AKA Home now.  Did I mention I added another 1,000+ miles since I ran through Minneapolis?  Yes, brain dead at this point. So I head off into what is now the Texas Bermuda Triangle... A taco in each hand, luggage less.  Now if I can just remember where I parted the truck?? And look we even have roads out here, lol
Later- |
Author Welcome to my (I'm excited to travel again) blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Visit the "About Me Page" to learn more. 
Archives
September 2023
Categories
All
Most Popular Blog
|
RSS Feed
