I realize how that sounds but it is a post about Vegas so I’m gonna let it ride! Oh I’m cracking myself up with this stuff. I think I’m still drunk from the weekend…and I’m not just talking about alcohol. I’m drunk on freedom from the word “mommy” and on sleeping in and the independence of only worrying about me for a few days! Vegas is such a place of fantasy with it’s larger then life casinos, people and shops. After landing in my little town across the country where it’s rainy, cold and gray, I can definitely feel my Vegas hangover.
So, here goes – the good, the bad, the ugly and the unexplainable:
THE GOOD
Oh there’s so much good to be had. At the top of my list is always food! There were so many fantastic restaurants. We tried very hard to have a bad meal but we just couldn’t do it. Even ordering a Margherita Pizza at 1am in a bar. It was one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. I wanted to box it up and send it to Ilene at Fierce Diva Guide to Life since she’s currently in withdrawals and resorting to drastic measures like eating pizza from Walmart!
I got carded. That’s right. As I posted on FB, after just one night away from my kids I looked 18 years younger.
Come to teen mama Hibiscus Martini
Going to the gym! Don’t roll your eyes you haters. You know I’m going to the gym, especially when I’m one week out from a half-marathon and three weeks from the Duathlon! I also like to balance my eating and drinking with sweating.
The view of the pool & palm trees from my treadmill made the workout go by quick. Plus my girlfriend joined me most mornings and I never get to run side by side with her so that was awesome.
The nightlife is amazing. I got some much needed time with the hubs and we danced and danced!
At Paris listening to a great decent band and dancing with strangers.
Three things said to us on the dance floor mostly by intoxicated, cougar-like women from the midwest:
1. Who do you look like? vigorously pointing to my husband Um, Mike? Oh Deborah, who is it? You know that guy from MTV? Oh, I know – Carson Daily!
2. You guys make a really cute couple. Ya think? We’ve been married for almost 8 years. I think we’re just starting to look like each other.
3. Oh honey, he’s a keeper! Since he’s the father of my twins, I guess I’ll keep him because I can not do that shit alone!
THE BAD
I feel like I rant on this too much so I’m just going to say it once. Smoking. Must we indulge all the sins in Sin City?
Drunk assholes yelling at dealers. I couldn’t believe some of the stories my husband was telling me about how some of the players yell obscenities at the female dealers! Pit boss anyone? It’s called gambling for a reason. If you’re not prepared to lose then you’ve come to the wrong place!
Did I mention I don’t gamble at all? Not one dime. Why am I here again? Oh yeah…
THIS
THE UGLY
Most of the ugly happened in one place and that one place is Freemont Street in “old” Vegas. It’s best explained through a series of pictures:
This guy rocks hard. Trust me.
If only it were brighter…
Even Elmo is getting his drink on!
Man eater.
There are no words. Yes, this is a man and yes, he posed for this picture.
THE UNEXPLAINABLE
After only three days in Vegas I started to not notice every Louis Vuitton bag or Jimmy Choo store, I stopped staring at all the characters you could take your pictures with for tips, I took the homeless people’s signs in stride like these:
Bad advice $2 Insults $1 (with middle finger drawn in)
Aliens kidnapped my weed and I need a lot of money to pay the ransom!
But what is still unexplainable to me is this:
What every gym needs
That’s right, this beautiful fireplace was not in a log cabin in Vermont, it was just outside the doors of the fitness center at our hotel. I mean when you’re dripping in sweat from a hard workout you really just want to cozy up to a nice warm fire while you stretch. Are they trying to actually melt the fat off you or is this their nice way of saying “Get the hell out of the gym and go lose your money on the tables you freaks!” How about some hot chocolate while you’re at it? Shouldn’t this be an ice luge? Maybe with all the money my husband “donated” they can make this a smoothie bar by the time I get back there next year.
Where’s the last place you took a vacation? What was your worst vacation destination?
Just one night away from the kids and you were carded!! If that isn’t the best advertisement for a weekend away, I don’t know what is!!! (you and your hubs ARE a cute couple. The cougars were right)
I’m thinking “Bad advice $2 Insults $1” is the best sign asking for money ever. EVER! –Lisa
I know, right? I never thought being carded could make me so happy!…of course it was dark in there:-)
Thanks Lisa!! I should have asked that guy for some bad advice just to see what he said!!
Vegas – It’s been years since I’ve been – but I think your post recaps all t hat I remember and then some! And really? What’s with the fake fireplace outside of the gym? I’m stumped on that one! I think your take on that must be right. And the pizza – It’s barely 8 am, girl and my mouth is watering for some of that! Thanks for thinking of me – oh, if only pizza could be sent through the mail…
I’m sure it’s the same Vegas as you remember!! I definitely thought of you with that pizza. OMG it was so good that we got it again the next day…only at a reasonable hour!
SO fun!! Been following your pics on FB…I need a Vegas trip one of these days. It’s been WAY too long. Happy you guys had such a great time!
Thanks Mary! You should never go too long without a trip to Vegas. It’s good for the soul!
OMG this post was flipping funny! Looks like a great time. I went to Cancun on my last vacation in 2010. I really need another one!
Thanks Kris!! OMG 2010? Pack your bags and GO girl!!!
Sounds like an incredible trip. So glad you got a chance to relax and have some fun!!
Me too!! Thanks Kate.
Ya’ll seem like so much fun! I can’t believe you didn’t mention the shopping! Vegas has great shopping outlets. The last time I went to Vegas I returned home with two new piercings. Talk about drunk…lol.
I know!! Duh!! The shopping was great. I got a leather jacket from Guess for only $70, some new sweats at Victoria’s Secret and some new LUCKY Brand jeans of course!!
Love that you got piercings last time – that is great!!
Oh Vegas! I go often for work and I love all of the ridiculousness. So happy that you guys got a nice weekend alone and were able to laugh at all that Vegas has to offer. Our last big vacation was to London and Paris this past May. I still dream about the croissants :).
London and Paris – YES!! We always talk about going to Europe but want to wait until the boys are a little older.
Gotta love the ridiculousness of Vegas!
Of course you were carded, that picture of you is smokin’!!!
So glad you had a great time!!
I’m with you – I have to sweat out the toxins (alcohol!!!) from the day before in order to truly enjoy my vacation!!!
Welcome back to reality – I hope it treats you kindly this week!
Thanks Kim!! Ha ha!! I was definitely sweating out the “sin” of Sin City.
I just got back from an 11 miler. My last long run before my half on Saturday. My legs felt good but I am TIRED!!!
LOVED your account! I am a Vegas junkie! I love the food, shopping, “window shopping”, gambling 🙂 , entertainment, and the variety of tourist there! Your husband is very handsome, don’t come looking for me! My eyes work, lol! Yall are a cute couple. That fireplace outside the fitness center is totally bananas! Glad you got to let your hair hang. You aren’t fooling me for 1 second, I know you missed the twins 🙂 !
You crack me up Joi!!! I love when other women compliment my husband. I picked him, after all!! ha ha ha!
Yes, I must confess that I was READY to come home. I missed the boys terribly!!! My dad kept sending me pictures of all the things they were doing at home and I called them everyday…sometimes twice. Sick, I know!!
What a great trip! I can’t believe you got carded. That is awesome! You guys make a very cute couple! I always miss the kids when I go away too….it’s like a given, you know. You need the break every now and then, but then when you get it, you miss them! 🙂 Glad you had a great time!
I can’t either! I thought he was joking but he definitely wasn’t. He was taken aback when he saw 1975!! You’re so right about the kids. I always can’t wait to leave and then I miss them. It’s good to be home!
Getting carded!! You’re too funny. My brother has lived in Vegas for 13 years. However, at the time of writing this comment, he’s moving back THIS WEEK. All that debauchery got the best of him, and he doesn’t gamble at all or drink a drop. Maybe the heat did him in. Fireplaces..sheesh.
My worst vacation destination. Hmm…. I had a miserable time in Orlando once, but that’s a story for another day. I love Orlando mostly.
I can’t imagine living there! The weather alone would drive me nuts. Really, there’s no place like the Northeast in Fall. After being in the desert for 4 days, coming home to all the color was amazing!!
I would love to hear the Orlando story. Blog post maybe??
So glad you got away! Wow, those ladies were really after your husband, huh?! Sounds like some great food, quality couple time and some good stories to tell, too. 🙂
They were funny for sure! I was happy to see them having a good time…and I didn’t mind the compliments either, even if they were liquor induced! Thanks Laura.
Eww the man in the bikini. Glad he shared his back side and not the front. lol. I’ve never been to Vegas but have always been curious. It sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing the good, the bad and yes, even the ugly. But at least you also shared the cute too. You and the hubs 🙂
He was a sight!! There were a few pictures I couldn’t post from there. I mean some of what happens in Vegas needs to stay there! You should definitely go once. It’s a crazy place!
I would have been all over the same good things as you – the food, the gym, the kid-free time with the hubs! So, so jealous of the kid-free time!! (If this is a duplicate comment, feel free to delete). I submitted a comment in the wee hours of the morning, but it may not have gone through.
It’s not a dup. What were you doing up in the wee hours? Were you in Vegas too? ha ha ha
Thanks Nicole!!
Ha ha ha, I wish!! The little one was up. Silly girl. Doesn’t she know mama needs her beauty rest?!
If only they knew!!!
I was supposed to go to Vegas around Easter but had to cancel. Still planning on going, just don’t know when.
You and the hubster are a truly cute couple. Those pics of the cray cray stuff (especially bikini dude)… still shaking my head. But hey, it’s Vegas!
Glad you got some “me” time, Allie. It’s always a good thing!
It IS always a good thing. Even though it was crazy Vegas, I came home refreshed and missing my kids. Exhausted but happy to be home. I hope you get a chance to go to Vegas. Everyone should experience it at least once!
THE BAD & THE UGLY are enough to keep me AWAY FOREVER!! I have never been to Vegas. Losing my money voluntarily does NOT appeal to me… As does battling drunk losers. HA HA HA!! Maybe I’d want to go to a show, but I can get Cirque de Soleil here in LA 😉
I can’t believe you’ve never been? I’m shocked! There are a lot of bad and ugly but the GOOD is worth it to go even just once. Plus, you’re so close!! You could probably fly there in 30 minutes with Denzel:-)
I have never been and really want to go! My last vacation was to Toronto..loved it but it snowed and snowed!
You must go at least once in your life. It’s quite an experience!
Snow on vacation is no good…unless you skiing!
I’ve never been to Vegas, but this sure sounds a lot like AC and times square (with the characters). A fireplace in front of the workout room–really?! I can kinda see Carson Daly, but aftera few (dozen) drinks I am sure he will look JUST like him. LOL I don’t gamble either, my money is too precious. I am so traumatized by Elmo with his Jack Daniels!
Elmo was not the only traumatizing thing there – believe me – but the only one I could actually post!!! It was crazy but so much fun!!
As for Carson Daily, I don’t even think he’s good looking!! ha ha
LOL… My last vacation was also in Las Vegas… but we only live a couple hours away. 😉 Bachelorette Party!!!
We saw plenty of those. Some of the girls looked like children. I was like “no! don’t do it!” ha ha ha!!!
Sounds like you guys had a great time! Vegas is definitely an interesting place… My best vacation spot was Maui. Worst is tougher. I did go to a casino in Mohegan Suns, CT. That was very interesting….
Maui? Oh someday we will get there! How many drugs will it take to get me thorough those flights I don’t know!!
We live about an hour from Mohegan. The restaurants and shopping are excellent:-)
I love Vegas – it was my favorite no-kids destination until I fell in love with New Orleans. The worst part of Vegas for me were those people on the sidewalks flicking cards so you look up – then they hand you a card for skanky looking girls. Those cards were all over the sidewalks – gross.
Flicker cards! So gross. There were kids (who are these people who bring them to Vegas?) picking them up from the sidewalk and going “ewwww, gross!” Not sure what the parents were doing…or thinking for that matter!!! Gotta love sin city.
You had me at “one night away from my kids I looked 18 years younger.” My husband and I and another couple went away for a long weekend in Vegas when my boys were little and it was such a blast. Even the “bad” and the “ugly” were better than being used as a napkin all weekend. Not only could I relate, but I really smiled nostalgically through this whole piece.
Thank you so much for letting me know you read and enjoyed the book. That’s another smile you brought to my face. And I have teenagers, those smiles are few and far between these days.
Oh I’m SO glad! Vegas is definitely a great place to forget you have kids since it’s purely ADULT fun!!
I really loved your contribution in Mother of All Meltdowns because my emotions were running right along with the story. Like I said, it makes me very afraid to have twin teenagers!!
Sounds like such a great trip! Even the unexplainable is hilarious! I think every couple needs some serious time away from the kids – and Vegas certainly has a lot to offer!!
I was definitely missing the kids by the time I got on the plane home. It was the perfecta amount of time!
I can take Vegas for about 3 days and then, I’m done. Your recap of your trip was hi-larious! You also looked like you had an amazingly great time!
My worst vacation was in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. It was a cheap getaway in every sense of the word but still, it was away from work and home which was desperately needed.
PS – I can’t believe that GUY posed for that picture!
Three days in Vegas is about all anyone can take. Even with no gambling!
A couple of my friends just went cheaply to the Dominican and said the same.
Oh that guy was posing for everyone! He was dancing and waving, loving every minute. Cray cray.