Brad just dropped daughter Angela at the airport, ending a wonderful and unusual visit. For the first time since she got married 16 years ago, she and I had a whole week together – without her husband or kids!
Now understand, I love to death my son-in-law and grandchildren – and those whole-family visits are a real treat since they happen only a couple of times a year. But at the last minute Angela realized she not only was on school spring break (she is finishing a business degree) but her lawyer boss decided just maybe the office wouldn’t fall apart without her administrative skills. Husband Steve couldn’t get vacation time and the grandkids’ high school spring break was not the same dates as the college one. So Angela hopped on a plane in Atlanta and escaped.
Massages, spa pedicures, acrylic nails – she was here to relax from being the tired “head dispatcher” in the Grand-Central-Station life of a busy active family. She didn’t want to go to shows – she had seen enough of those since she started coming to Vegas with us at age 17. She said she wanted to blend into our regular routine and just enjoy being together. So she went to school with me one day and helped tutor my kindergartners. She tagged along when we had medical appointments. She joined us swimming in our condo’s heated pool.
And sometimes we left Brad at home to do girl things. We spend a lot of time in the Tuscany gift shop, which has a top-notch buyer with good taste – and we have thousands of dollars of comps to share. However, the high point was being able to do something we had done together since she was tiny little girl – shopping at a thrift store. Savers, in Vegas, is probably our all-time favorite. It is clean and well-organized, clothes not only divided by size but by color.
Of course, I don’t need to browse in thrift shops like I did forty years ago when budgets were tight. We could have gone to Macy’s – I have hundreds of dollars of their gift cards casinos have so kindly given me. And sometimes we do go there. But Savers is part of the frugal game Angela and I still like to play – and Wednesdays are Senior Days with 20% off their all ready low prices. We couldn’t resist!
And Vegas being Vegas – and Angela being my daughter – of course she spent some time playing video poker, with her game of choice still being the quarter full-pay Deuces Wild progressive at the Palms. She keeps her gambling bankroll here with us in Vegas and was happy to leave town with it almost still intact, with only a small loss. Her best luck, however, was when she was playing dollars on our money at Tuscany and hit a $4000 royal. She was so excited since she had hit only quarter royals over the past years.
It will be a week we both will remember fondly!
Hi Jean. I love this blog entry. I like hearing about your family visit. I am in Laughlin frequently and have met your sister Star. I want my daughter and I to be just like this when she grows up. I do like hearing about all the freebies because it inspires me to get better at vp.
Vic must be under heavy medication. We hope he/she gets well soon.
I’ve followed your career for years. We met, briefly, downtown at MSS. You are an unassuming, beautiful lady who deserves everything that she’s earned, and I, for one, enjoy hearing about how you enjoy those earnings. Please don’t change a thing.
Douglas
Flower Mound, Tx
I just love reading stories about your special visits, either with your family, or just fun trips out of town. I agree with everyone else on how we appreciate & learn something from every blog post. When you have so many people reading your blog every day, you’re going to get a sour grape comment once in a while. The rest of us who have followed your blog for years know that you are just trying to show how we can benefit from the casinos by practicing proper planning–thanks to your helpful blog! Please don’t change anything! You are a great storyteller & we love to hear about your fun visits!
What a fun life you lead! Your blog brightens my day.
Vic, lighten up, we just got back from the Palms. Using Jean’s advice we had a suite on the 26th floor corner room two bath, two tv’s with views of the strip,& north mountains.
All comp! We used points for all meals. Drinks (No charge for call) were all comp.
Comp your Host. They will take care of you.
Hats off to you for your years of casino education of us who game only several times a year..
G.A.
Thank you all for sticking up for my mom! She is the last person to brag – she only wants to share her knowledge with those who have the same interests – gambling, comps, etc. I should be the one bragging about what a generous, wonderful person my mother is and how she spoils her family to no end by sharing her hard-earned comps. Thanks for a wonderful trip, Mom!
I love reading your blog. Don’t change a thing!
Uhhhhhh…Vic…news flash…”regular people” in Vegas gamble–pretty much on a regular basis. The casinos are the source of entertainment in a town that for its size, lacks other such opportunities. Perhaps you’ve been taken in by someone who is a Vegas local, but said something like, “Oh, I never gamble.” Yeah, right. The only people in Vegas who don’t gamble are those in traction, and even then, as soon as they can move one arm, a portable slot machine is wheeled up to their bedsides.
The fact of the matter is that if you DON’T gamble, there’s not much point in living in Vegas; the climate sucks, it’s getting to be as expensive and as congested as California, it’s not anywhere near anyplace interesting, and it’s horribly isolated–a five-hour drive to civilization.
In any case, your criticism of Jean is misplaced. If you’ve followed her stories over the years, you know that comps is what she DOES. She’s not bragging–she is just relating her daily experiences, which usually involve cashing in comps! And if you’ve gotten Macy’s gift cards (as I have) for playing a game where the house advantage is either tiny or nonexistent, well, then, you should you them. Jean is just doing her thing. (I’ve gotten those same gift cards from time to time, and yes, I use them, and yes, they make great gifts. Sorry to “brag”.)
What a wonderful time! I have fond memories of spending time with my Mother!!! I love reading how much fun you and your family have. Keep it up…and hooray for your daughter for hitting a big bonus!!!
I totally disagree with Vegas Vic. I use your comments to plan where to play. I love knowing who gives what & where to go. Please do not change.
I totally disagree with Vegas Vic’s comments above. I think we all read this blog to hear about your gaming, your comps, and other things Vegas related. If I only wanted to hear about “the kinds of things regular people do in Las Vegas” then I would search for a Vegas Vic blog.
Congratulations – sounds like you had a simply wonderful time!
Really enjoyed hearing about your week with your daughter. I feel like she is a neighbor since she is so close to our home in Montgomery. Glad you had a great time with her. Please ignore the nasty comments by Vegas Vic. You are my inspiration to get as many comps as possible in the most frugal way. We are not in your league, but we have enjoyed week-long stays in Vegas and Biloxi with free rooms and free food, using your guidance. Thanks.
I disagree with Vegas Vic above. I enjoy hearing how much in comps can be accumulated by the truly dedicated.
Is it possible for you to write about your family visits, trips, get-togethers, etc. without mentioning your comps and/or gift cards from casinos? Take it from someone who will never be in your category of comps (but does have interest in your tales of Las Vegas): skip the
braggadocio…it comes across as self-serving. Just say you went out and shopped, ate lunch, etc…you know…the kinds of things regular people do in Las Vegas.
“full pay”? does that even exist any more???lol Glad you had fun.