Monday, January 2, 2017

From Paradise to “the Mansion”

Last year, during our Snowbird Experiment, I told a friend we were wintering here, and she said, “Why Las Vegas?  Are you gambling away your life savings?!”

I wrote back, “I know Las Vegas is called ‘Sin City.’ And people come here and do things they probably wouldn't do in their ‘real’ lives.  But, it isn’t all Neon and noise, glitz and gambling.  Yeah.  That happens on The Strip.  But, where we are, in Paradise, it’s quiet – and beautiful actually.  There’s a mountain, which we see every day.  And, you think because it’s permanent it’s not changeable.  But, it’s different every day.  I thought I’d be trading one desolate environment for another.  (February in Minneapolis can be bleak.). But, the desert isn’t desolate, it's a different kind of environment and different kind of beauty than I’m used to at home, but it really is beautiful. ” 

And in that response, I realized I had fallen in love with Las Vegas.  Tom was way ahead of me, so we started talking about finding a place for “next year.”  To make a long story short, long term unfurnished was the most cost effective.  We found a place on the Legacy Golf Course and LOVE it. 

We had Tom’s grandsons here in October, for the MEA school break, and because of the gate and the pool (and the golf course) they asked, “Papa, do you live in a mansion?”  Of course, we don’t.  But, they called our place “the mansion” while they were here, and the nickname sort of stuck. 


I do miss seeing “Paradise” on my weather app, but "the mansion" is in a much quieter neighborhood, has ore space and better views, and we have our own furniture.  We've both said we can see staying here long term.


Sunday, January 1, 2017

Happy New Year!

It’s my first New Year’s Day in Las Vegas! Tom and I went to “our” casino (the SouthPoint) for dinner last night and then played craps for a bit before coming home to watch the fireworks extravaganza from the comfort and quiet of our patio and dining room.  (We agreed the view was much better from the dining room!)

While we were getting ready to go out last night, we talked about resolutions.  Tom laughed when I mentioned my sister’s perennial resolution to “floss more.”  A worthy goal, even though it is not quantifiable or measurable.  As I had my coffee this morning, I thought that two things on my list for 2017 are read more, and write more. 

The thing that I like best about these goals is that they are ways of staying connected while being away.  I belong to two book groups – neither of which I attended regularly in 2016 because I was trying to get ready for being a snowbird.  Luckily, both groups post their next book online, so I can read along, even though I can’t attend gatherings to discuss.

I’ve been wanting to write regularly for months and haven’t just sat down to do it.  My head is crammed full of stuff, waiting to spill out of my fingers.  So… here is my commitment/resolution for 2017.  I pledged (on Goodreads, so it’s official) to read 50 books this year.  That’s about 1 per week.  If I pick a good mix of murder mysteries and stuff of substance, I should be able to achieve my goal.  I also pledge to write and post 200-300 words per day.  I was able to do this in 2010 (has it really been that long?!) and hope I can do it again this year.

I’m working Central Time hours while living in the Pacific Time zone, so writing in the morning isn’t really an option.  But, I’m hoping I can find a new rhythm in the afternoon.