Happy Birthday, Me!

 Zinc Tablets, Vitamin C and Fervent Prayer = Assignments Completed and Happy Birthday Celebrated

February brought a couple of challenging assignments to me.

 I was on pins and needles 

that I would not be able to complete them,

because Roger contracted a terrible, hacking cough 

in early February that hung on forever.

I, usually the bigger target for bugs of the two,

was determined to not get it.

I have a sore mouth from sucking cold-prevention remedies

and sore knees from constant prayer.

First, our branch held its annual conference

and our INSTA-CHOIR provided the music.

What increased the challenge for me was 

I sang a duet, 

the first verse of I Know That My Redeemer Lives! 

with a soprano in our branch who has a lovely voice

and has sung solos throughout her life.

It was so fun to harmonize with her!

Though I have had wonderful opportunities throughout my life 

to sing small solos, duets, trios and quartets,

I have not done so

since moving to St. George over ten years ago.

We are into our seventh year 

of my directing our INSTA-CHOIR,

and, in those years, I have asked several branch members 

to solo within our musical numbers, so I took my turn.

Our core choir turned out in big numbers, 

and with the addition of visitors, 

we had about 50 voices singing their testimonies

with that beautiful hymn.

Our violinist, a string major from DSU,

was superb!

And I didn't have a cough in sight (or sound)!

The following Tuesday, I gave a presentation
about blogging
(with Roger's much-appreciated help 
running the computer and projector that 
put my blog and others up on the screen)

 in the monthly 

week-day Relief Society meeting -

not one hack!

Was it pushing it to hope and pray for 

going on our little annual overnight trip to Las Vegas

to celebrate my birthday 

minus the cough bug?

Yahoo!

Roger and I were blessed with two days and a night 

of shopping, eating and seeing a fun show

and feeling great.

 So, late Thursday morning,
off we went to Las Vegas.
Roger took a pic of me wearing my new birthday top 
that Stacy gave me.

Our family knows that one of our favorite Mexican restaurants 

on the planet is Los Lupes in Mesquite. 

Since we were passing through there at lunch time, 

we had to stop and share their special. 

We have never taken a pic there, 

so the proprietor took this on Roger's iPhone.

A little blurry, but, oh well, it says, we were there!

Roger had found a great deal for us to stay at the Aria.

And their buffet was included.

We try to avoid buffets, because we have no self-control,

but we made an exception.

They serve Jean Philippe desserts.

Yum!

Our room was so lovely,

and, as on our anniversary, they sent up 

these complimentary goodies for my birthday. . . 

. . . chocolate-dipped macaroons and strawberries!

After the buffet,

we drove downtown to Fremont Street to the D,

to see this family, The Scintas, perform.

The music, with brothers singing, 

playing several instruments and doing impersonations 

of past stars who we knew who they were,

was great!

 Tons of money has been poured into 

Fremont Street and the casinos on it, 

 to revitalize it.

It is old Las Vegas, and it had become pretty seedy.

Fremont Street is now a walkplatz,

with groups performing on bandstands

and a giant arched covering overhead

all along the way.

They have refurbished the casinos and hotel rooms.

It is definitely geared for the younger, partying crowd,

but it was fun to see what they've done.

Shopping in Vegas is the best!

I had a ball with the birthday money from my husband, kids,

mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. 

On Valentines Day, we had lunch at Bon Ami Gabi.

This salmon salad was so good!

They brought me this chocolate profiterole

for my birthday.

Chyrrl and Glynn, Scott and Sherie and Roger's mom 

were in Vegas at the same time, celebrating Chyrrl's birthday.  

They saw Donnie and Marie the night before,

which we were invited to see with them,

but we had already seen it.

we met, shopping at the outlets off Charleston Street.

We had a wonderful fish dinner (what's better than fish?!)

at Mastro's Oceans in Crystals Shopping Center.

I wore my new necklace and earrings.

Our appetizer was my favorite guilty pleasure, calamari,

and it was delicious . . .

. . . then we shared salad, clam chowder

and Chilean sea bass and sautéed asparagus.

The complimentary chocolate cake they brought . . . 

. . . was even yummier than it looks!

All that remained of the adventure

was to drive home to St. George after dinner!

Even though I don't really like birthdays anymore,
or, I guess I mean, getting one year older

(though, as my dad always said, 

they are better than the alternative!),

this was a great one!

It has been a time to reflect on and feel grateful 

for my loved ones - 

friends and family alike, 

who have brought so much love to my life.

The Lord has provided countless blessings to me.

I am so very grateful!