You know you live in Vegas when...

The latest inspiration for this post hit me recently.  But first, I must tell you a story.

I have a very lovely friend here in Vegas who I met in an, um, well, unconventional way.  She actually met my SIL first, and it was through their chance encounter at a pet store where my daughter and her aunt went for some afternoon time together and a conversation was struck up.  My name was mentioned (as the actual mother of the child my SIL had with her), as was my struggle to get to know people in my new city (I'd been here all of two months and was frustrated and lonely and telling everyone all about it).  So my soon-to-be friend boldly asked my SIL for my phone number and shared her own, no doubt thinking she could help me out and score another play mate for her darling then-three year old. 

(I really think, had it been me, I might have not been so willing to put myself out there with a total stranger, to yet another total stranger, and when I think of that, I am ashamed and sad to think that, because of my insecurities, I would have missed out on a really great friendship.)

Anyway, when my SIL brought my youngest home and handed me a phone number of a woman I'd never met, I truly thought she was crazy.  I then began running through all the possible scenarios that would prove this was a scam or some equally mischievous plot to...  well, I dunno - do something to harm me or my family (not that I'm suspicious, or paranoid, or anything) - but I came up with none.

A few days later, I got a text from my future friend asking me if I'd want to have "a cuppa", and I immediately had a sense this was someone I was going to like (her British accent and random English phrases were endearing, too).  We've been getting together every few weeks for a cuppa (and maybe some good cookies, muffins, or anything chocolate) since.  (If you're reading this, C, it's been awhile!  Let's get together soon!!)

None of this is really a "you know you live in Vegas when...," except for:

• where else would a mom be so willing to reach out to another because she understood the difficulties inherent in trying to meet friends in Las Vegas (which really does have a certain level of difficulty all its own here)?
• where else, but an international community, would I make a friend from "across the pond", who charms me with her British ways and makes me feel so intimidated to make a cup of tea?

Anyway, the point for telling you all that, was to tell you that we were invited to a bowling birthday party for my friend's little one who is turning 4.  And, that day, as I was traversing an insanely huge casino with my two kids in tow - complete with the not-so-fresh aroma of chain smokers, the nauseatingly busy carpet, the overstimulation of dinging and clanging and flashing lights, multiple buffet lines, and not a single clock or window or other way to connect with reality in sight, it hit me.

You know you live in Vegas when you drag your kids through the sights, sounds, and smells of local casinos to take them to a birthday party for one of their friends in the casino's bowling alley.  (Where they have a blast for two hours, life is as normal as it gets, and you meet some really nice people who you've never met before.)  But still, you should have seen some of the looks I got from those who were there to gamble, as if they were saying, "lady, you brought your kids here?"

Next time, I'll know to park right outside the doors that go straight into the bowling alley...

Fellow Las Vegans - Check this out!

So, this morning, I finally got around to participating in the Bountiful Baskets co-op that is organized by my friend, Lindsay. It was so much fun! While I know it wasn't quite the same, it got me feeling a little bit closer to the farmers and the fields where my food was grown (I guess that's simply because it didn't come to me via grocery store, I dunno...).

What I really loved about it (besides the low, low price for a HUGE basket of food) was the sense of community it gave me. There's something about working alongside other people who you've never met before toward a common goal.

Oh, and there is an element of surprise to this co-op that adds a little Christmas morning magic to the mix - you don't know what you're getting until you get there!  You sign up online the Tues/Wed before and pay $15 for what is $50 worth of fresh produce.  (I understand that they also have special offerings periodically, like bread, olive oil, bulk produce (like 25 lbs of carrots), etc.)  It's fun to see what you're going home with every week, and because of this my family will be trying new things that I otherwise don't buy regularly!

I was also thinking it would be a great thing to bring my oldest daughter to - when I volunteer to help out, she could work right alongside me and all the other volunteers. I hope she'd get as much out of it as I do!

Am I reading too much into this Saturday morning activity?? Maybe.

But, it's how I felt - can't help that. I think I've found a new Saturday morning ritual! :) Check it out at www.bountifulbaskets.org!

Here is the list of offerings this week:

• 2 butternut squashes
• 6 ears of corn
• 1 lb of brussel sprouts
• 6 tomatoes
• 1 head of romaine lettuce
• a bag of baby carrots
• 1 watermelon (the little, cute ones)
• 5 mangoes
• 1 bunch of bananas
• 5 key limes
• 10 white peaches
• 1 bag of apples

Plus, because I volunteered (by showing up an hour early and helping to unbox and sort the produce into baskets), I was able to take an additional 2 heads of romaine lettuce, another bag of baby carrots, and more tomatoes than I can count (we'll make a red pasta sauce to freeze this weekend!).  My laundry basket was full and heavy, and we still had enough to donate to our local fire stations!  LOVE IT!

Hope to see you there some Saturday!  :)

You know you live in Vegas when...

This weekend, we had family visiting us here in Las Vegas. Our girls were thrilled to spend ample time swimming in the hotel pool where our family stayed, and playing the wii in the hotel lobby. We spent considerable time at this particular hotel over the last several days.

Now that life has returned to normal, I thought I'd blog about my latest "you know you live in Vegas when..." moment.

We were headed to the pool from the fourth floor room my family was inhabiting for the weekend and both girls were excitedly running toward the elevators. My youngest said to my oldest, "it's my turn!" (to push the buttons) and my oldest said, "ok," then turned to me to explain that she and her sister were "taking turns working the elevators this weekend."

I then caught a sideways glance from my family member (who does not live in Vegas), and cracked up when he said, "I'll bet that's said outside of many an elevator here in Vegas!"

LOL!! Touche.

But, my daughters are waaaaay too young to have any idea what he meant - and I'm going to work to keep it that way!

You know you live in Vegas when...

Last night I was enjoying a mom's night out with my local MOPS group and the funniest thing was said.  It gave me an idea for a new series of posts titled, "You know you live in Vegas when..." 

Anyway, the ladies and I were discussing how it can be difficult to meet neighbors in this city that never sleeps - everyone is on a different schedule, and when it's over 100 degrees outside, most people prefer not to be socializing outdoors.  One of the women in my group was talking about her neighbors, and her comment reminded me that I'm not in Colorado anymore, Toto.

You know you live in Vegas when a friend says (in all seriousness), "My next door neighbor is a dealer, so he works late nights."  Then, sensing an awkward silence, she chimed in, "NOT a drug dealer."

LOL!

There will be more of these to follow, as I'm often struck by some of the things I'm experiencing while I'm getting used to living in the desert.  I thought you'd enjoy them, too!