angel81chick
Abuelita
Driving Señoras Daisy's
Some background info…
My aunt and my mom’s godmother had flown in from Central America to partake in this year’s Christmas activities. Seeing as how neither of these two ladies had ever been to Vegas, and my mom looking for any excuse to go, well, we decided to book 2 rooms at the Rio. The only understanding for this trip was that I wouldn’t have to pay for car rental or hotel stay so long as I drove. Fine by me….I love the drive to Vegas
Oh, and I would be allowed to take one friend on this trip….thank god I did!!!
Friday...
Mom went with my best friend, Brian, to pick up the rental. Since there were a total of 7 of us, we decided to rent a minivan via Enterprise. Not the cheapest, but the most convenient, as most specials I saw were for airport pick up. It was 8:30a, and we were on our way to pick up the last 2 old ladies…my grandma and my other aunt. Thank goodness for my Tetris skills b/c with 7 ladies and a small trunk…well, I had to get creative on how exactly to fit all of the luggage! Mind you, we had a wheelchair as well.
By 9:30a, we were on our way. For those that live in LA, my usual route is the 10 East to the 605 North to the 210 East and finally to the 15 North, a straight shot up to Vegas. At approximately 11:17a, my grandmother starts making these weird noises. She is completely incoherent and starts going into a somewhat comatose state. She is a diabetic. With all of the excitement of her going to Vegas, she failed to eat breakfast and still took her Insulin shot.
Needless to say, this was inevitable. 2 exits before I was supposed to stop so that we could eat, is when I had to pull over into the emergency lane. First thing we had to do was check her sugar levels….which at this point, I had one aunt crying and the other yelling. Despite them being my elders and always showing them respect, I lost it and told them to Shut the F___ Up! 
They listened and got out of the way. As my mom and Brian checked my grandma, I called 911. Their response time was the quickest I have ever experienced, and in my short life, I have had far too many to compare to. CHP showed up first, asked what was wrong, and immediately gave me some sugar based gel….yuck! I tasted the gel…ughh…no wonder my grandma didn’t eat it…haha! Anywho….the paramedics and firemen arrived shortly and whisked her away.
For whatever reason, all of this happened one exit away from the hospital.
My immediate thought was, OK, trip is cancelled and what is the fastest route I can take back to LA. Apparently, as we were waiting for my grandma’s condition to get better, she told my mom, after only 15 minutes, that she was fine and we could leave for Vegas. :confused2: She could have been dying, and her only concern was that she was losing precious Vegas time….go figure!
The love for Vegas definitely runs in my family’s blood. In addition, her fingers starting hurting from her hands cramping, and she asked my mom to ask the doctor to check them because she was worried she wouldn’t be able to push the buttons on the slot machines. You gotta love her. At almost 88 years of age, she knows what priority is. 
Finally, after about 4 to 5 hours in Barstow, CA, we get the OK to leave and we are off to Vegas. So what should have been a 5 hour drive at the most, turned into a 9 hour drive. From then on…we kept telling my grandma that the next time she wanted VIP treatment, to let us in on it. Furthermore, if any one of us started to feel hungry, tired, sleepy or anything, we blamed it on our low sugar levels. Yes, we are a mean family! :evillaugh
Me taking a much needed nap in the Waiting Room at the Hospital
We arrive at the Rio a little before 7p. We check – in, and I make sure to ask for the Ipanema Tower, pool side view, and connecting rooms. Well, the only thing I didn’t get was the pool side view, but everything else we got! The rooms are great. We were in connecting rooms 1818 and 1820 with a gorgeous view of the mountains. Really, thanks for the advice Greg and Scott!
We all head up, unpack, get ready and head out for dinner.
[B]Picture of one of our rooms. [/B]
Well, by this time, Brian and I have had our fill of little old ladies, so we dropped them off at Paris, and Brian and I decided to go have dinner at Ellis Island. It was our first time going there for the both of us, so mind you, we were a bit skeptical. Yes, as many times as I have read on this board about EI, it still looks like a dump. We figure out where the restaurant part of it is, and we ask for the steak special. We both ordered ours medium – well, because, again, we weren’t too sure, and also ordered the potato skins. He had the amber ale and I had the root beer. OMG!!! The food was great! And best of all was the price. With appetizer, soup/salad, meal, and 2 drinks, our bill came out to $20.56. It was awesome! We were both so shocked and as you can tell below, Brian almost had a heart attack.
[B]Brian and I enjoying our Dinner at EI[/B]
[B]Brian in disbelief over the EI bill![/B]
After our fabulous meal…we still had to go to the mall, and then grab drinks at the Wynn, as Brian had never had any of my favorite Mojitos. We got to the store maybe 3 minutes before they were due to close, and so we got we wanted and headed back to the Wynn. On our way back to the Wynn, I decided, hey might as well look around….and thus, I had to promise Brian I would only go into 3 stores. I decided I wanted a Wynn keychain, so I got myself that. It really is my favorite hotel. We then walked into ShoeIn and Chanel…where, by some miracle, I did not buy anything.
We grabbed seats at the lounge downstairs and inside of the Lake of Dreams bar, as it was beyond cold for us LA people. We started off with a Strawberry Mojito, followed by a Pineapple Mojito, to which Brian made me question our friendship. He was already buzzed with 2 drinks….freaking lightweight.
I let it go….and at this point, he was winning on the slots and I was down $80. This couldn’t be, so we took off to my favorite casino….the Hard Rock. I broke even on Roulette…mostly due to the fact that as a No Doubt song played, and them being my favorite band, I placed my bet on 16, as that was the age I attended my first No Doubt concert, and sure enough, it hit. We called it a night around midnight, and headed back to the casino. Sure enough, the little old ladies showed up about an hour AFTER us….we got out partied by them….it was a sad sad night…haha! 
[B]Such a pretty view from our seats...[/B]
[B]Mmmm....Pineapple mojito[/B]
Saturday…
After getting little sleep because my back hurt throughout the night, everyone wanted to go to downtown Vegas. Again, we load up the car with the ladies and the wheelchair. Decide to go eat at the Golden Nugget to have their Brunch buffet. It was good, and not sure if it was because I was starving by the time we got there, but I, as well as everyone else thoroughly enjoyed the buffet. After eating, they decide they want to gamble for a minute….well, that minute turned into an hour and a half, by which at that point, Brian and I were ready to kill them. We finally rounded them up and made for the exit, when my grandma decides she wants to play the really huge slot machine at the entrance….argg!! Well…she ended up winning, to which she gave me $20, so I let it go. We left downtown and they wanted to be dropped off at MGM. I oblige, and we leave them there.
I wanted to go to the forum shops and the Bellagio to see the Christmas decorations….but parking was horrible! All the Valet’s were closed, and at that point, I realized I had left my $25 Harrah’s chip in the room (a “keepsake†from NSF). We head back to the Rio and decide to take the shuttle over to the strip. If it wasn’t for it being so cold and having to wait outdoors, and the buses smelling really badly, I would take them again. They really are convenient to travel to and from the strip. We take the Harrah’s shuttle and luck was just not with me. I bet the $25 on black, and red hits.
Oh well…off to the forum shops to do some major damage…which I did Brian got me a margarita by the yard that was oh so yummy, but had me freezing. Finally made it to the Bellagio and it was absolutely beautiful. Super crowded, but nonetheless, absolutely a delight to see. We decide to head back, and I had to take a picture of one of the most beautiful backdrops I have seen…..made you feel like you were really in Paris with the moon glowing directly behind the Eiffel Tower.
[B]Yet another picture of the Bellagio XMas tree! [/B]
[B]Such a Beautiful Night[/B]
Head back to the hotel room and wait for Mizz Kittie’s call. Yup, that’s right…Mizz Kittie is spending a night in Vegas on her way up to Aspen. We take a much needed nap, and we get the call that she’s in town and to meet her at the Venetian. It took her 7 hours to get to Vegas as there was a really bad accident in Barstow. At least this time, it wasn’t my grandma. :evillaugh Her room was gorgeous. She was staying in the Towers, as were the UCLA basketball team. Hmm….seems like they get just a tad more funding than say Idaho or Iowa State, seeing as how they were at the Rio. Oh well..go figure! We decide to eat at the restaurant in Saint Mark’s square (can’t seem to remember the name….guess it was forgettable), where the food was OK, but the people watching was GREAT! We had some good laughs seeing a bunch of people stumbling…er…walking around. Especially the group of girls….ahh, brought back great memories…heehee! Finally called it a night and arrived back at the Rio, only again, to be out partied by the ladies. So sad.
Sunday….
Got a call from Beaver, who I think I should re-name, Flaky Beaver, but I’ll be nice…heehee!
No longer going to Peppermill for Lunch…it actually turned out for the best as Brian and I were in charge of checking us out, gathering the bags, etc. and the rest of the clan decided they needed to do some last minute slot playing. We finally took off, had lunch at the Buffet at the Gold Strike, and I must say, for $8 bucks, not that bad. Again, what was supposed to be a quick stop turned into a 2 hour stop, OK with me as I doubled my money on roulette….Brian’s number and my number both hit so I was happy. Next stop were the outlets at Primm…this stop was planned for Friday, but seeing as how my grandma wanted to be the center of attention that day, we put it off for our journey back. Shopped, found some great deals….ladies, a coach purse for $89, after the extra 30% off. Finally left Nevada at 3:30p and arrived in LA at 8:30p, this is including a sit down dinner at Big Boy’s!
Grandma and I sharing a laugh at Big Boy's
Overall….would I do it again? NO!!! Not with that many little old ladies to look after. Especially after the scare on Friday, I was not at all looking forward to the drive back home….kept worrying about my grandma and what not. But I did have a good time….experienced new things and places. Learned a few things as well….treat my grandma like a child, always carry around an old room key with you for Valet or a big purse and take a long time searching for the “key,†appreciate Brian even more so as he really did a lot for my family and I this weekend, and find out why Nevada Landing closed.
[B]Driving the Señoras Daisy's back home. [/B]
My last TR for the year….until 2008!
out!
Some background info…
My aunt and my mom’s godmother had flown in from Central America to partake in this year’s Christmas activities. Seeing as how neither of these two ladies had ever been to Vegas, and my mom looking for any excuse to go, well, we decided to book 2 rooms at the Rio. The only understanding for this trip was that I wouldn’t have to pay for car rental or hotel stay so long as I drove. Fine by me….I love the drive to Vegas
Oh, and I would be allowed to take one friend on this trip….thank god I did!!! Friday...
Mom went with my best friend, Brian, to pick up the rental. Since there were a total of 7 of us, we decided to rent a minivan via Enterprise. Not the cheapest, but the most convenient, as most specials I saw were for airport pick up. It was 8:30a, and we were on our way to pick up the last 2 old ladies…my grandma and my other aunt. Thank goodness for my Tetris skills b/c with 7 ladies and a small trunk…well, I had to get creative on how exactly to fit all of the luggage! Mind you, we had a wheelchair as well.
By 9:30a, we were on our way. For those that live in LA, my usual route is the 10 East to the 605 North to the 210 East and finally to the 15 North, a straight shot up to Vegas. At approximately 11:17a, my grandmother starts making these weird noises. She is completely incoherent and starts going into a somewhat comatose state. She is a diabetic. With all of the excitement of her going to Vegas, she failed to eat breakfast and still took her Insulin shot.
Needless to say, this was inevitable. 2 exits before I was supposed to stop so that we could eat, is when I had to pull over into the emergency lane. First thing we had to do was check her sugar levels….which at this point, I had one aunt crying and the other yelling. Despite them being my elders and always showing them respect, I lost it and told them to Shut the F___ Up! They listened and got out of the way. As my mom and Brian checked my grandma, I called 911. Their response time was the quickest I have ever experienced, and in my short life, I have had far too many to compare to. CHP showed up first, asked what was wrong, and immediately gave me some sugar based gel….yuck! I tasted the gel…ughh…no wonder my grandma didn’t eat it…haha! Anywho….the paramedics and firemen arrived shortly and whisked her away. For whatever reason, all of this happened one exit away from the hospital.
My immediate thought was, OK, trip is cancelled and what is the fastest route I can take back to LA. Apparently, as we were waiting for my grandma’s condition to get better, she told my mom, after only 15 minutes, that she was fine and we could leave for Vegas. :confused2: She could have been dying, and her only concern was that she was losing precious Vegas time….go figure!
The love for Vegas definitely runs in my family’s blood. In addition, her fingers starting hurting from her hands cramping, and she asked my mom to ask the doctor to check them because she was worried she wouldn’t be able to push the buttons on the slot machines. You gotta love her. At almost 88 years of age, she knows what priority is. Finally, after about 4 to 5 hours in Barstow, CA, we get the OK to leave and we are off to Vegas. So what should have been a 5 hour drive at the most, turned into a 9 hour drive. From then on…we kept telling my grandma that the next time she wanted VIP treatment, to let us in on it. Furthermore, if any one of us started to feel hungry, tired, sleepy or anything, we blamed it on our low sugar levels. Yes, we are a mean family! :evillaugh
Me taking a much needed nap in the Waiting Room at the Hospital
We arrive at the Rio a little before 7p. We check – in, and I make sure to ask for the Ipanema Tower, pool side view, and connecting rooms. Well, the only thing I didn’t get was the pool side view, but everything else we got! The rooms are great. We were in connecting rooms 1818 and 1820 with a gorgeous view of the mountains. Really, thanks for the advice Greg and Scott!
We all head up, unpack, get ready and head out for dinner.
[B]Picture of one of our rooms. [/B]
Well, by this time, Brian and I have had our fill of little old ladies, so we dropped them off at Paris, and Brian and I decided to go have dinner at Ellis Island. It was our first time going there for the both of us, so mind you, we were a bit skeptical. Yes, as many times as I have read on this board about EI, it still looks like a dump. We figure out where the restaurant part of it is, and we ask for the steak special. We both ordered ours medium – well, because, again, we weren’t too sure, and also ordered the potato skins. He had the amber ale and I had the root beer. OMG!!! The food was great! And best of all was the price. With appetizer, soup/salad, meal, and 2 drinks, our bill came out to $20.56. It was awesome! We were both so shocked and as you can tell below, Brian almost had a heart attack.
[B]Brian and I enjoying our Dinner at EI[/B]
[B]Brian in disbelief over the EI bill![/B]
After our fabulous meal…we still had to go to the mall, and then grab drinks at the Wynn, as Brian had never had any of my favorite Mojitos. We got to the store maybe 3 minutes before they were due to close, and so we got we wanted and headed back to the Wynn. On our way back to the Wynn, I decided, hey might as well look around….and thus, I had to promise Brian I would only go into 3 stores. I decided I wanted a Wynn keychain, so I got myself that. It really is my favorite hotel. We then walked into ShoeIn and Chanel…where, by some miracle, I did not buy anything.
We grabbed seats at the lounge downstairs and inside of the Lake of Dreams bar, as it was beyond cold for us LA people. We started off with a Strawberry Mojito, followed by a Pineapple Mojito, to which Brian made me question our friendship. He was already buzzed with 2 drinks….freaking lightweight.
I let it go….and at this point, he was winning on the slots and I was down $80. This couldn’t be, so we took off to my favorite casino….the Hard Rock. I broke even on Roulette…mostly due to the fact that as a No Doubt song played, and them being my favorite band, I placed my bet on 16, as that was the age I attended my first No Doubt concert, and sure enough, it hit. We called it a night around midnight, and headed back to the casino. Sure enough, the little old ladies showed up about an hour AFTER us….we got out partied by them….it was a sad sad night…haha!
[B]Such a pretty view from our seats...[/B]
[B]Mmmm....Pineapple mojito[/B]
Saturday…
After getting little sleep because my back hurt throughout the night, everyone wanted to go to downtown Vegas. Again, we load up the car with the ladies and the wheelchair. Decide to go eat at the Golden Nugget to have their Brunch buffet. It was good, and not sure if it was because I was starving by the time we got there, but I, as well as everyone else thoroughly enjoyed the buffet. After eating, they decide they want to gamble for a minute….well, that minute turned into an hour and a half, by which at that point, Brian and I were ready to kill them. We finally rounded them up and made for the exit, when my grandma decides she wants to play the really huge slot machine at the entrance….argg!! Well…she ended up winning, to which she gave me $20, so I let it go. We left downtown and they wanted to be dropped off at MGM. I oblige, and we leave them there.
I wanted to go to the forum shops and the Bellagio to see the Christmas decorations….but parking was horrible! All the Valet’s were closed, and at that point, I realized I had left my $25 Harrah’s chip in the room (a “keepsake†from NSF). We head back to the Rio and decide to take the shuttle over to the strip. If it wasn’t for it being so cold and having to wait outdoors, and the buses smelling really badly, I would take them again. They really are convenient to travel to and from the strip. We take the Harrah’s shuttle and luck was just not with me. I bet the $25 on black, and red hits.
Oh well…off to the forum shops to do some major damage…which I did Brian got me a margarita by the yard that was oh so yummy, but had me freezing. Finally made it to the Bellagio and it was absolutely beautiful. Super crowded, but nonetheless, absolutely a delight to see. We decide to head back, and I had to take a picture of one of the most beautiful backdrops I have seen…..made you feel like you were really in Paris with the moon glowing directly behind the Eiffel Tower.
[B]Yet another picture of the Bellagio XMas tree! [/B]
[B]Such a Beautiful Night[/B]
Head back to the hotel room and wait for Mizz Kittie’s call. Yup, that’s right…Mizz Kittie is spending a night in Vegas on her way up to Aspen. We take a much needed nap, and we get the call that she’s in town and to meet her at the Venetian. It took her 7 hours to get to Vegas as there was a really bad accident in Barstow. At least this time, it wasn’t my grandma. :evillaugh Her room was gorgeous. She was staying in the Towers, as were the UCLA basketball team. Hmm….seems like they get just a tad more funding than say Idaho or Iowa State, seeing as how they were at the Rio. Oh well..go figure!
We decide to eat at the restaurant in Saint Mark’s square (can’t seem to remember the name….guess it was forgettable), where the food was OK, but the people watching was GREAT! We had some good laughs seeing a bunch of people stumbling…er…walking around. Especially the group of girls….ahh, brought back great memories…heehee! Finally called it a night and arrived back at the Rio, only again, to be out partied by the ladies. So sad. Sunday….
Got a call from Beaver, who I think I should re-name, Flaky Beaver, but I’ll be nice…heehee!
No longer going to Peppermill for Lunch…it actually turned out for the best as Brian and I were in charge of checking us out, gathering the bags, etc. and the rest of the clan decided they needed to do some last minute slot playing. We finally took off, had lunch at the Buffet at the Gold Strike, and I must say, for $8 bucks, not that bad. Again, what was supposed to be a quick stop turned into a 2 hour stop, OK with me as I doubled my money on roulette….Brian’s number and my number both hit so I was happy. Next stop were the outlets at Primm…this stop was planned for Friday, but seeing as how my grandma wanted to be the center of attention that day, we put it off for our journey back. Shopped, found some great deals….ladies, a coach purse for $89, after the extra 30% off. Finally left Nevada at 3:30p and arrived in LA at 8:30p, this is including a sit down dinner at Big Boy’s!
Grandma and I sharing a laugh at Big Boy's
Overall….would I do it again? NO!!! Not with that many little old ladies to look after. Especially after the scare on Friday, I was not at all looking forward to the drive back home….kept worrying about my grandma and what not. But I did have a good time….experienced new things and places. Learned a few things as well….treat my grandma like a child, always carry around an old room key with you for Valet or a big purse and take a long time searching for the “key,†appreciate Brian even more so as he really did a lot for my family and I this weekend, and find out why Nevada Landing closed.
[B]Driving the Señoras Daisy's back home. [/B]
My last TR for the year….until 2008!
out!
And I thought that was just for my kid.
