After a week of family and friends here for Thanksgiving took off this morning for Bellagio. 249 started their $500 event, 27 get paid. I was 28th at midnight. Lost a pretty good race with AQ vs AK and my AK vs 10’s but overall very pleased with my game. Amazing how comfortable I am finally getting at every move at the poker table. Good feeling indeed.
Been offline as getting ready for Turkey Day. Don’s sister came in on Sunday and his son and two grandchildren arrived on Tuesday. All told, by today, we had 13 for dinner. In an unusual move, I had help today as Linda was tremendous. We divided things up easily and we both clean as we go along so little left to be done later. Thanks tons. Also had some new friends and old to join us today, Jason Karsh and Chris Bigler and his wife. I’ve gotten to know Chris through poker but had the pleasure of meeting his wife today. Was a terrific day, lots of good food and great fellowship.
My favorite shopping place starts Black Friday at midnight tonight so if we can all corral together we will head there to see if we can find some bargains. There are four children here, 12, 9, and my 8 year olds so it ought to be something to remember. Will report tomorrow. Had planned on playing Bellagio tomorrow but have to see if this shopping spree leaves me wiped out – or refreshed. Not sure which yet …
They say a man can count his blessings by the number of good friends he has. I am blessed indeed. I am constantly reminded of the people who continue to remember me and Hayden and my family – and to check on me during such a trying time. I feel blessed indeed for the flowers and heartfelt cards (thanks Carol) and texts and emails which appear faithfully every year. My next door neighbor is always there (thanks Deana) and my siblings too … you all are great and I know I am doing something right in this world to get to this stage and to be surrounded by so many quality people. Thanks …
Well it’s the 21st of November and for the rest of my days on this world this date will be tough for me. It’s the day Hayden crossed over and I miss him terribly. Five years, so hard to believe. I was touched beyond words when my beloved Florida Tribe dedicated today to Hayden and the other warriors who have crossed over. Their words touched me to the point of tears and my love and respect for them runs so deep.
Today we left from the front door as the motorhome was blocking the garage. We have two large lions in front of the gates and the one on the left had a pink construction paper heart taped to it. With the wind blowing and the way the heart was taped the sides of the heart flapped and it strongly resembled a butterfly. Lincoln found it and he and Sierra quizzed why someone would put that there. “It’s someone who knows we are having a rough day today.” “Why?” they asked. “Because this is the day Hayden died guys and someone wants us to know they are thinking of us today,” I say. Lincoln, in a way only Lincoln can, quietly tapes the pink heart back to the lion and says “I think it was Hayden who put it there to let us know he was thinking of us today.”
Let me just say I had to put my sunglasses on .. and there wasn’t any sun out this morning.
I miss you Hayden. I’m glad you’re safe and in a good place, but I never thought I’d have to do this world without you. Mom
Well been looking at a motorhome, a Queen of Diamonds motorhome no less and today we pick it up. Although we bought it before I went to Paris Don has been handling all of the details to get it ready, direct TV in two spots and details upon details. We spent the day picking it up in some not too nice for Las Vegas weather. Unusual for us to have cold and rainy but we need the rain so hard to complain. In between getting the motorhome to the house had the usual gymnastics, etc. run. Fun Saturday. Had a lot of fun fixing up the bedding and sheets and everything the way I want it to be. This is going to be great. Wish I had had it in L. A. recently I would have saved staying at The Biltmore, what a sucky place. Beautiful lobby and rooms were just awful, terrible indeed. I checked out of it as soon as I could, and gladly. Will have my own personal space soon to take to tournaments and that will be nice indeed.
Got to have lunch today with two of my best buddies in town. We were laughing about when we met and it was at Caesars one night when, green as I was at poker, some guy was berating me to no end. The floor had to be called over, I kept my mouth shut, but I asked for security to take me to my car after the tournament ended. I remember it was a $200 second chance and I left there with $8k and a poker player who was very very mad at me. A deep and enduring friendship ensued from that ….. nice.
