Back from Vacation

Well I am back and I am exhausted.   I will try to catch up with everyone over the next few days.  Plane did not land until 1:30am this morning.  By the time we got luggage and car and got home it was 2:30 AM and then unload car and go to bed at 3AM and got up at 7:15am.  So I am going on 4 hrs of not good sleep.  Paul and David picking up dog now.  I really missed her!  I worked today.  Had 1 appt for a water loss.  Now have to go to bowling tonight.  2 more fire appts tomorrow and bowling tomorrow night.
 
Trip was great!  Stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton.  Only got to bet $20 in 1 poker slot machine.  Played it for a while but did not win anything.  Paul was up $35 in blackjack.  Walked around, saw a lot on the strip, including the Mirage Volcano eruption.  Went to 2 shows:  Criss Angel Believe at the Luxor, magic show.  And also Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur where you eat with your hands, bang on tables and cheer on your knight with horses and sword fights and jousting.  David REALLY enjoyed both.  David got his picture taken with 2 scantilly clad "wenches" and paid $20 out of his allowance to show off to friends.  And they both signed it.  Paul won a guitar at Excalibur for David.  You should have seen us carrying that on the plane home!  We got breakfast and dinner buffet free with the hotel since we are Hilton Honors members.  Eating was very very bad.  I overate most days and those other days was take out!  But I did work out on treadmill a few times and got LOTS of walking in.  Did over 10,000 steps almost every day except yesterday, which was spent all day in car and in plane.  One day, I did over 17,000 steps!  I think my new all time high.  Have to download my pedometer steps in a few so I can update my walking support group spreadsheet. 
 
We went to Sedona Red Rocks State Park one day and did lots of walking.  Went to a train ride in Boulder City one day.  Went to Flagstaff for a few days.  It was cold in Vegas- high of 63, although one day did get to 72.  Hard to imagine it was colder in Vegas then here!  It snowed in Flagstaff!  high of 46 and we were freezing and did not pack winter stuff!  Snowed on Monday night, just a heavy dusting.  Snow at the Grand Canyon!  It was cold, 43 degrees but beautiful.  All that walking I did, but I was really sore from the one day at that Grand Canyon.  Also, the few days in Flagstaff and Grand Canyon I was forever tired due to over 7000 ft elevations.  It is almost sea level where I live.  So  a lot of running around.  5 hr ride from Flagstaff yesterday back to Vegas, couple of hours in airport, 6hr + ride home due to detour around a storm in the middle of the country.  So I am exhausted.
 
Paul and David for the most part were good.  A couple of problems here and there.  Paul was in tears on Monday in Flagstaff as he was homesick.  But then we got out and walked around and did the Grand Canyon, etc and rode that train.  My 2nd time at Grand Canyon.  Read part of a book, listened to some music. 
 
Work is brutal.  More layoffs but thank God not in my area.  I have really good job security right now.  But they keep loading us with work.  Have to stop stressing so much.  Have to focus on me now- eating better, getting back into exercise routine, etc. 
 
Well, puppy coming in back door!  Will try to catch up with you guys later or tomorrow or over the weekend!  I need my puppy kisses!
 
On the down side, I lost a dear friend here on DS while I was away on vacation:  JuliaRae.  I was so saddened to hear she lost her valiant battle with cancer.  I was so grateful that her mom sent everyone a message.  At least now I know why I had not heard from her in a long time.  Her loss truly made me appreciate how much my friends here mean to me.  Eventhough I have never met any of you, you are all a part of my life, a part of my heart!  I love you guys!  I will miss Julie terribly.