We got the message this last weekend.  News we knew was coming, and are so very happy about.  Mary and Martin are officially engaged.  Woo Hoo!  Let the wedding plans begin!

I can’t even begin to express how happy this makes us.  Martin is so much the right guy for Mary, in every way.  This match is most excellent and we couldn’t be happier to have him join our little troupe.  We love you Martin.  Thanks for being the lovely man you are and for loving Mary the way you do.

After a Day of Spraying Paint, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

… you clean the sprayer. And you clean the sprayer. And…you clean the sprayer.

Sunset, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Since returning from Vegas we’ve, as I think I said in one of those posts, been working on the rental… a lot… almost every day… for hours. LOL Yes, it’s been quite the experience. This last weekend we had some great help, other than Kev’s usual fantastic assistance that’s saving our butts from utter financial ruin but that’s another story, from Mom and Don. Those two always come through. They hauled crap out of the yard, used a chainsaw to cut some small trees up for us and then haul those out, carried out large pieces of what used to be decking or something else perhaps with nails and screws and who knows what still in them, put up a storm door, put in a lock set, and made several trips to the dump for us. They rock. And Kev… I don’t know how we do this without you. I don’t know how you get any of your own tasks done when we we all are constantly asking you questions about how to do things. You are such a patient and kind man. From the bottom of my heart, from the bottom of our hearts, we love you Kev…. and thank you.

I happen to catch this sunset off the back deck of the rental with my iPhone. I was lamenting the fact that I had not “real” camera with me. Even so, I think this turned out OK.

Coming to a Close, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We had such a good time in Vegas. It was so good to see Karen’s family again so soon (thanks again for the lovely meal on turkey day), and it was really good to get away. To not have any responsibilities for a few days. To be with friends we haven’t seen in a long time. To wander the streets of Vegas in search of good ice cream. To try and find hookers for Charles (not really… well yes, really, but it was solely so he could see them, they do exist, and maybe even get a picture of one… we failed him. They weren’t out. A friend suggested they might be in, working. Alas, we will never know. They only lady of the evening we got a glimpse of was the one walking home in the late morning as we left the Starbucks drive thru. Sorry Charles.) To ride the monorail. To enjoy the sunshine. To be alone with each other a bit. To play. To rest. To be. Thanks Sin City. We will, definitely, enjoy your hospitality again in some, I hope, not too distant future.

Cleanliness Is Next To…., originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Why a photograph of a sink? Why not? It was nice. Different. Beautiful. And no one was in there at the time. At least, I didn’t think anyone was there. Until I whipped up the camera and started shooting the place. Suddenly one of the housekeeping staff, who was in some secret room in the back, came out and smiled at me saying that yes, the sink was lovely. It was hilarious.

Vegas, Decked Out For Christmas, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We saw some Christmas decorations going up at the Golden Nugget. Karen took  this one.  I love it.  She’s so talented.

Wonderful Water, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We actually went back, with our friend’s Dan and Linda, having already been there the previous evening with Cathy, Clem, Charles, and Elizabeth. I can’t get enough of it. This shot was taken from the Bellagio side, facing the strip. Can you tell I really like this? If you get a chance, and are in Vegas, go. You won’t be disappointed. It’s the simple things in life…

Water Ballet, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This is my favorite thing in Vegas. It costs nothing, happens on a regular schedule, and is kinda awesome. Seriously, what could be better than music with water that’s choreographed to it. A nice way to spend some time.  Karen took this one.  Ain’t it grand?

Riding the Rail, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Getting around Vegas is pretty easy. We had a rental car, but sometimes you just don’t want to have to deal with parking, even though valet is a fantastic thing. We decided to try the monorail our last couple of days and it was cool. Get on and go. I like it.

18th Floor, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Our hotel had really long halls. Our room was, of course, at the end of this one. Every time we went up there and had to walk down this thing I thought of the movie the Shining. I half expected to see Jack Nicholson running around wielding an axe. We didn’t see him. Seriously though, I don’t necessarily think it was because he wasn’t there. Redrum… Oooo, scary.

Sphinx, Vegas Style, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

During our trip we came across the Sphinx. Yeah, I could hardly believe it myself. We thought… how did they get that thing all the way to Vegas from Egypt. Technology is amazing, isn’t it?

 

Born to Be Wild, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Our sojourn next took us to the Freemont Experience…. and that it was. I’d actually been there before, but Karen hadn’t, and she enjoyed it and took this photo.  It’s a pretty unusual and kinda cool thing. Music, moving video on an enormous screen, and it’s all over your head, Casino lights shut off during the course of the show. Not bad…

Hamburger as Art, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The food section of our story wouldn’t be complete without including this baby. Direct from the Garden Cafe, or the Terrace Garden Cafe, or the Garden Terrace Cafe (whatever it was called) at the Wynn. This is food as art. Plus, it was, again, PDT. Catchy isn’t it? Trust me, you’ll be using it soon. You will. Though you won’t be able to use it regarding this tasty tidbit unless you venture to Vegas for a bite.

Good Wine and Food to Boot, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We enjoyed a fine night out with our friend’s Dan and Linda, while we traversed sin city. They suggested this fine establishment, Metro Pizza, where we had some lovely wine and some PDT (pretty damn tasty) food. Thanks guys for coming out to meet us, spending some time, and hanging out.

Talkin’ Turkey, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This scrumptious Thanksgiving turkey cooked by Karen’s dad… was found to eat as we wandered the city. Our two travelers never went hungry. Not for a second.

A Spoon Full of Sugar, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Along this path there were treats of all kinds, including this one found at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop near the Imperial Palace. We didn’t see anyone Imperial, nor did we find a Palace, but the ice cream was damn good.

Hippie Holiday, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

OK, I’m finally getting around to blogging about our recent Thanksgiving festivities in Las Vegas. I know, is this a late few entries or what? I get it. Lame. However, since we did come home and hit the ground running with working on the rental, what can I say? No time to blog. Last night we finished our day jobs, went to the rental, worked there until 11:00 or so at night, came back to our house, and went to sleep only to get up today to do it all again. Like I said… no time. It will, I promise, get better soon. We’re over the hump, I think anyway, and will be finishing up with this project in the next month. Woo Hoo.

But, that’s another story… back to Vegas, Thanksgiving style.

Karen took this one, I think at the Palazzo or the Venetian. Not sure. I liked it. Fits for the tokenhippygirl, though to be honest you couldn’t catch me in one of these outfits. Just saying. Not me.