Enjoying Las Vegas!

A week ago, my husband and I traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate his birthday, to meet friends and to see the "Doobie Brothers".  We all had a great time.  Vegas is many things to many people.

When one thinks about Las Vegas, you normally thinking of gambling, drinking and acting crazy.    You know the phrase "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".

Vegas is a lot more than gambling and drinking.  The strip always reminds me of a theme park, but for adults.  There is something about the hotels and their decor.  The hotels are visually appealing with the various themes.  

One of those spectacular hotels is the Bellagio.  Once you visit the Bellagio, you will never forget it. Your eyes are drawn to the front of the hotel with the fountain swaying, enhanced by music and light.  You are looking at more than 1,000 feet of water with the water rising as high as 460 feet into the air.  The music flows with the dancing of the fountain. Those are the best photos at night.  Capturing the water as it escalates in the background brings a chill to you.  There are so many angles for photos.  My favorite is at night with the fountain soaring into the dark sky with the bright lights of the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

As you enter into the hotel, your eyes are drawn to the ceiling.  Fiori di Como is Dale Chihuly's interpretation of Italian flowers in the spring.  There are over two thousand vibrant colors of glass flowers one stands under as you check into the hotel.

The Bellagio is one of many.  You definitely want to check out the hotels as you cruise the Vegas strip.

Some of the spectacular hotels you do not want to miss are:  Caesars Palace; Paris Las Vegas; The Venetian Resort; New York-New York Hotel; The Mirage and so many more.  You could spend the day going from one hotel to the next.

When I think of Vegas, I think back to the 60's and all the different performers.  The Rat Pack(Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop) performed at the Sands for many years.  Wayne Newton performed more than "30,000" shows in Vegas.  And one of my all time favorites was Elvis Presley.  He performed "636" consecutive shows at the International and Las Vegas Hilton.

Now days, Vegas is known for the following performer, Celine Dion  who had residency at Caesars Palace.  She performed there for sixteen years.  Other well-known performers have been Rod Stewart, Elton John, Katy Perry and many more.  Miranda Lambert has announced a 24-show residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in September.  There is always someone performing in Vegas.

During the day, one can enjoy day trips to Hoover Dam, which is only about 45 minutes from Vegas.  This dam is one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world.  You can stop here on your way to the Grand Canyon, which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.  This incredible canyon is a four hour drive or a 45-minute flight from Las Vegas.

In January, my husband and I enjoyed a four day trip to Las Vegas to get away from the cold and snow in Colorado.  On this trip, we drove two and a half hours to explore Death Valley.  January is the perfect time to visit.  Death Valley is known for extremes.  It is North America's driest and hottest spot with fewer than two inches of rainfall annually and a record high of 134 degrees fahrenheit.  Also, it has the lowest elevation on the continent at 282 feet below sea level. 

If you are wanting to stay in the area, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is a great exhibit.  It is home to 2,000 animals, including saw fish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha, jellyfish and sharks.  There are more than "100" sharks, including "30" in the 1.3 million gallon main tank, one of the largest in the US.

As you can see, there is a lot to do in Las Vegas with the hotels, museums, restaurants, shows, tours and so much more.

If you are needing a nice get away, Las Vegas is the place to go.

Will I Live to 100?

The last few weeks I have been reading articles about Betty White.  She was a remarkable woman who missed living to the age of "100" by seventeen days.   

From everything I have read, she lived a remarkable life and lived it to the fullest.  Some of her famous quotes:

* "Realize how good life is while it's happening, because before you know it, it will be gone."

* "Accentuate the positive, not the negative."

* "Don't lie about your age."

* "First of all, keep busy and don't focus everything on you."

* "A sense of humor."

* "Don't lose your zest of life. Age doesn't define you."

I know I am not getting any younger and I am definitely aging.  When I look in the mirror, I notice my face and how that has changed.  I have a few more lines, wrinkles and spots.  My skin is beginning to sag. There are few gray hairs here and there.  My energy level to walk and ride my bike has changed.  I can still get out and do all of this.  Just not for the hours like I use to.  

So my question is "Will I make it to 100?"   

At the age of "68", I feel that I will.  My mom is "87".  She has some health issues, but she still has her mind and she is still moving around.  My dad died at the age of "61" due to his lifestyle of drinking and smoking.  I have surpassed my father's death age and I am striving to obtain my mom's age.

If I can be of sound mind and be in good health, I would like to live to "100!"  

The truth is no one knows when they will die.  The good Lord holds the keys of "Life & Death"!  Also, God knew before we were conceived, our date of birth and date of death.  Now that is very hard for me to conceive.  I live by the promises He has given me and I treasure each day.

I do try to practice all that Betty White lived by.  Our attitude makes a difference on how we treat life.  And what is "stress" like in your life?  Do you get upset over everything?  Or do you look at life and realize there are opportunities in everything, including when situations go a different direction than planned?

None of us are perfect, but we can "love" each day.

If I am going to live to "100" that means I have "32" more years of life.  How do I plan to live those years?  A lot can happen during that time.  I look at the past "32" years and the accomplishments, the places I have lived, new friends, new goals, places I have traveled, the deaths of family and friends and so much more.

My life is before me.  Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things."  I will live each day to the fullest and do my best to make a difference.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life!

2022 - A Year of Possibilities!

As I woke up this morning in my warm, comfortable bed, I thought to myself "Happy New Year!"  A new year of possibilities!

It isn't only a new year, but it is a new day and a new month.  Am I ready to tackle all that today will bring?

As I peeked outside, it was so refreshing to see the white, fluffy snow.  This was the first snowfall for winter.  The past several months have been exceptionally dry with no snow.  Normally, the area has received at least two feet of snow by now.  No one has been upset over the the warmer temperatures and no precipitation.  Everyone has enjoyed walking, biking and hiking in the fabulous weather.  

With the snow, there are new possibilities, such as skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, snowmobiling and so much more.  

So what are your new possibilities for the new year?  Possibilities are endless!  

Everyone is looking for hope, opportunities or for a circumstance to change.  We all probably have several items that we want to be different for 2022.  I am just asking you to think of one possibility you would like to change, or do and finish well.

Make yourself accountable.  Tell a relative and/or a friend about the change you want in your life or a project you want to complete.  By completing something, your whole demeanor changes.  You will look and you will feel different.  I know I do after I complete an assignment or project.

This is the year!  There are twelve exciting, unlived months that are before you.  How will you use those months?  What will be your attitude?  Will you do nothing or will you try something different?  

There are so many people that I know that gripe about their lives but they do nothing.  Are you unhappy with your job?  Are you looking for a job?  Have you always wanted to learn a new language?  Have you wanted to learn to sing or to paint?  Today is the day to say "I have twelve months to do this!"  Start today!

Don't be the person who will be sitting here a year from now griping because of a situation.  Be a person who is going to make a difference and who is willing to try.  

If anything you will have twelve months of enjoying new discoveries and learning what God wants to teach you.  Think of the new people you will come in contact with, the new words you will learn and the joy you will discover within yourself.

Psalm 103:5 - "Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."  

Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wing like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

As the day is coming to an end and I look at the blue spruce tree covered with lights and snow, I know today is the beginning of new possibilities.

My new possibility is to finish the fiction novel I am writing!  This is the year!

New Possibilities!

Good Bye to 2021!

Is it already the end of 2021!  It just seem like yesterday that 2021 was beginning.

How was 2021 for you?  Like all years, it was a rollercoaster year for me.  There were happy times and there were sad times.  It is through the journey that I learn how to enjoy each day.

Overall, 2021 was a year of growth.  A year of learning new things.  This was the year I attended a writers conference and my heart was pricked in writing a book.  A story that needed to be told.  It is a fiction, but based on true facts.  Some dear friends left their country and family to find freedom and to discover a country which would allow them to dream "big"!  For the past twenty-five years, they have dreamed and achieved their dreams.  There story is remarkable.  They lost a lot to gain what they were looking for.

What are your dreams for 2021?  

I jut read dreaming and setting goals does more for an individual than anything else.  The more that you focus, the more powerful you are.  Your goals can make a difference in your walk of life.  It is so much easier to think "What does it matter?", "No one believes in me anyway."  "I am not trained in that particular area or I don't know anything about it." or "I can't do it!".

I am a Christian and my dreams stretch my faith.  The goals help me to trust in a God who says "I am with you!"  Just like an athlete, who trains to be the best they can possibly be.  If you aren't trying to reach a goal, "What motivates you?"  "What keeps you going?"

Philippians 3:12-14 says "do not let anything take your eyes off of your goal..., which is knowing Jesus Christ."  As a Christian our spiritual life is to grow closer and understanding Jesus.

As I grow closer to Jesus, the Lord brings dreams to mind.  He wants me to do my best and to show others that the only way to achieve my goals and dreams are through Him.

Do I get exactly what I dream for?  Sometimes, I don't.  But through the process, I learn more about me and what I need to do to become a better person.

Because of my dreams, I have energy to discover new possibilites and to enjoy the people around me.

Remember "Every ending has a new beginning!"

So as 2021 ends, there is a new beginning in 2022!

Dream big and see what God can do in your life!

Happy New Year!

Praying Mantis

Last night sitting out on the patio, I looked down and saw not one, but three praying mantis.  I can't remember the last time that I saw one.

They are such an interesting looking insect.  If you weren't careful, you would think that is a small twig.  It is the only known insect that can turn its head and look over its shoulder.  As well as having great vision and they see in 3-D.  Pretty impressive!

I am always curious about all the different insects that God created.  Why would God create a praying mantis?  To find out, these magnificent insects help farmers and gardeners by eating moths, mosquitoes, roaches and flies.  

There life expectancy is from a few months to a year.

And also, who doesn't like a little good luck.  Seeing a praying mantis is a sign that you will experience a stroke of good luck.  It is also a symbol of calmness, focus and concentration.  Its magical color is is a symbol of the Earth and it is a symbol of peace and harmony with a nature.

Go out into your garden or look in the shrubby and see if you can find one of God's creatures, the praying mantis!

Celebrate Life!

Today, I am celebrating life.  I am learning not to dwell on the past or being anxious or worrying about the future.  If anything I have learned in life is to enjoy each day and the moment.

One can take life and people for granted.  Don't miss the opportunity to be with family and/or friends.  How often have you wished you would have taken the time to go visit someone?  We have all been in that place.

Sometimes we make life too complicated.  We think that we don't have time or maybe that person doesn't really want to see you, etc.  The question is was your heart picked?  Did you have that thought that I should go see that person?  I want to encourage you to "just do it"!  You can analyze everything later.  You may just be what that person might have needed in their life at that moment.  They are probably exactly what you need.  You will never know.

Just remember "life is too short" and every moment is precious.

Today is the day to celebrate the life that God has given you!

Shana Tova

Shana Tova to my Jewish friends.  Happy New Year!

No, it is not New Year's Eve.  This is the Jewish celebration of the New Year.  And it leads up to Yom Kippur.  Rosh Hashanah will begin this evening and ends on the evening of September 8th.

The two day celebration is the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.  Customs include sounding the shofar(a cleaned-out ram's horn), as well as attending synagogue services and reciting special liturgy about teshuva(repentance).  Eating symbolic foods is also a part of the tradition.  Such as apples dipped in honey, hoping to have a sweet new year.  

May this be a blessed year for you and your family!