"Pawn Stars" Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas

On our last vacation day here in Las Vegas, Mark and I decided to check out the Pawn Stars shop. We've watched "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel for a couple of years so thought we'd see if we could get in. Luckily, the line wasn't very long...only about a 15 minute wait or so.

The shop was smaller than I'd imagined and things were quite expensive! Mark recognized a couple of items in there that had been featured on some of their shows. We took quite a few photos and you can see them along with others from our trip if you click on the picture of the shop on the right.

We lucked out and Chumlee came out for a few minutes while we were there. He let folks take pictures of him and he signed some autographs, too! Mark had just bought a refrigerator magnet so Chumlee signed that for us.

He was very quiet...didn't say a whole lot. I asked him to "smile" for my photo and he did albeit a little smile. He didn't exhibit a lot of personality but it was nice of him to come on out for the "fans"! We really appreciated it! (I wonder if Rick or the Old Man was in the back?)

The Wyndham which is our timeshare is probably one of the nicest we've stayed in as far as timeshare resorts go. Really lovely place!

I must admit that Las Vegas isn't my idea of fun. I'm not much of a gambler and really don't enjoy the smoky atmosphere in the casinos. And, I don't enjoy throwing my money away because I have no luck at all when it comes to gambling. But, it's worth coming here for a show or two. We were only here for two nights and didn't take in any shows this time as we are STILL sick with head colds and not feeling the greatest. (This darn bug won't leave!)

We did drive to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to check it out, less than a mile from Nellis AFB. There is a NASCAR Cup race there this coming weekend. We would like to take in one of the races here some day, too!

So, early tomorrow morning, we'll hit the road for our final leg home to Colorado!

A Little Hiatus

I'll be taking a little break from writing in this blog while we are on vacation. We're currently enjoying time with Holly, Erich, Zoe and Ezra in California! Today we'll be celebrating Ezra's 3rd birthday with a "Rock Star" birthday party (even though his actual birthday is on February 24th). Mark has his Led Zepplin t-shirt on and I have on my Rolling Stones one. Should be a fun day!

Getting Ready

It won't be long now before Mark and I hit the road for California! We are really looking forward to visiting Holly, Erich, Zoe and Ezra AND my brother, Tom and Mona!!! It's been about a year and a half since we were in California. (Too long between visits!) We're looking forward to celebrating Ezra's 3rd birthday, too!

Our travels will take us to Grand Junction, CO, Sedona, AZ, Port Hueneme, CA, Merced, CA, and Las Vegas, NV! Southern California has had some really nice warm, sunny days these past couple of weeks. I'm afraid that is about to change according to the 10 day forecast. There is some rain predicted the first two or three days we are there. (I'm sure they could use the rain.) Sure hope the sun makes a return before our trip concludes! But, even if it doesn't, we are simply thrilled to see everyone there!

Are There Only 24 Hours in a Day?

It amazes me how 24 hours--1,440 minutes--seem to fly by! It doesn't matter if I stay home for the day or go out for errands, practice, or classes; time keeps moving at an amazing pace! I thought the days would "stretch out" once I stopped working full time. If anything the hours seem to contract! All the more reason to live each day to its fullest, to enjoy each moment and take pleasure in even the simplest things in life.

Speaking of pleasurable things, Mark celebrated his 58th birthday yesterday but the actual "celebration" was on Saturday with Sara and Zach. Made his favorite meal: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, lingonberry sauce, and chocolate cake! He thought he was turning 59 and when I reminded him he was only turning 58 this year he was thrilled! Too funny.

Wedding Photography

After talking to the bride's parents this afternoon, Mark and I are all set to photograph a wedding next January in Delaware! Whoo-hoo! We are very excited (and flattered) to be doing this most special event!

We'll do an engagement photo shoot for the couple in September, too! This will be a great opportunity to get to know them more. We'll also check out the church and other locations where we'll be shooting pictures.

We'll be taking lots of pictures between now and then to practice our craft! (Of course, this is something we normally do anyway...always shooting pictures!) We'll be taking a bunch of photos on our trip to California and then we'll do a pregnancy photo shoot with Sara and Zach when we return! Fun!!!

Music Goals

I've immersed myself in music these past few months and decided to set some goals. In drums, I want to be the best drummer in the New Horizons Band in a year. I also want to be proficient in swing band music in a year, too. In guitar, I want to build a repertoire of songs that I can play with ease within a year.

I would like to work on the publicity committee for our local New Horizons Band; I hope through a publicity campaign, we can attract 4 new members to the organization in 2011.

In 2012, I want to participate in a band camp for the national New Horizons Band organization.

In my next post, I'll provide more information about the New Horizons Band--how it got started, what its goals are, and how you can join.

Minot Deja Vu!

I woke up this morning to minus 12 degrees outside and the memories of Minot, North Dakota winters became crystal clear once again! Ah, yes, those sub-zero temperatures; the days of plugging in the car and still having to wait 10 or 15 minutes before the transmission fluid would warm up enough so that the stick shift would actually move. When baby Holly never saw the light of day when we went outside in the winter lest she get frost bite!

I remember the old orange 1970 VW bug we had whose heater didn't work. I would be all bundled up in my military cold weather gear in addition to the extra wool blanket wrapped around me while Mark drove the 17 miles to the base. He had to scratch a small hole on the windshield so he could see out the car window since the defroster didn't work either. I dreaded that cold drive, too....brrrrr! Funny thing was, in the springtime as Mark was cleaning the car one day, he discovered a disconnected tube and realized that had he checked it earlier, we would have had heat in the winter! Ah well...it built character. :)

Yes, winters in Minot were particularly challenging. The gas stations and base flight line shut down when wind chills got to minus 65 degrees. It hurt to breathe at that temperature. Skin would freeze in seconds so you basically covered up everything except your eyeballs!

Tonight's temperature is supposed to drop to minus 19 degrees. I'm glad that I don't work outside and I'm not homeless either. (I think Fort Collins does a good job of opening up churches as extra shelters for the homeless when it gets cold like this).

By Thursday, we'll be on a warming trend and temperatures will once again be above freezing! I'll bet the coldest place on earth where we've ever lived won't be above freezing until April.