Where did the summer go????

Here it is almost the end of August and like everyone else I am asking "where did the summer go?" And as far as summers go this is one of the coolest and wettest I can remember.
Now it's time to prepare for fall and then the dreaded winter, the older I get the more I really hate the thought of that first snowfall. I have never been one for going outside and doing any winter activities, so it tends to be a long 5 months.
I have always said that fall is one of my favorite times of the year, but this year I don't feel that way, probably because we have had many summer days that have felt like fall already.
We ran the AC only once this entire summer, that certainly says something.
Ron is on a plane right now as I write this heading to a very hot Texas, he is going to be in Dallas for the next 7 days for work. While he is gone, it will be a busy week for Laura and I, as she is moving into her very 1st apartment. While I am excited for her to spread her wings, I know it's going to be very hard for me. I am always worried about everything. I know she will do fine, she will be so busy between working 2 jobs to pay the rent and going to UND full time. She is going into Graphic Arts,, following in her brothers footsteps. Chris and his fiance Katie are busy working and living in Minneapolis, I foresee
one day Laura living somewhere like that too.
We will post pic's of the new pad soon, it's in an very old building just a few blocks from downtown. It's one of those buildings where the ironing board drops out of the wall. It's just her style, Laura is an old soul and likes things from the past.
So here we are to the next step in Laura's life, and to the next step in Ron and my life, truly empty nesters.

VEGAS BABY!!!!

We finally got to Vegas! We went on Thursday, July 30th and returned Sunday.
We went with 8 other people, 5 of us have, or will be turning 50 this year, so that was our "excuse" for taking the trip. Ron and I have never been to Vegas before, it is hard to know what to expect until you are there in the midst of the craziness.
Eat, drink and be merry was the motto, and for the most part.... and of course some gambling. None of us came home any richer, but it was fun hoping for that big win that would change your life. We went down to Freemont St. on the first night, this is the old part of Las Vegas, and for me I think the most fun. We listened to music from the summer of '69, and they have this amazing light show that bounces to the music. We discovered the bar Hogs and Hefers, which I think was much better that Coyote Ugly which we also visited on another night.
We sat by the pool by 9AM every morning, with pina colada in our hands by 9:05. It was hot but I enjoyed every minute of it, it's hardly been 80 degrees here this summer. It topped out at 107 degrees, but as they say it's a dry heat.
The only celebrity sightings we had were Carrot Top, and our friend Cindy saw Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife Beth, whom she spoke to. Also a sad looking Pete Rose signing autographs in a sports store if you bought something. Oh the fallen heroes!
We stayed at the Luxor, which is the hotel shaped like a pyramid, the hotel itself was beautiful, but the rooms no better than a Holiday Inn, nothing special, but of course you are not in the room much..
We will definitly go back someday, cuz you can always find a cheap flight and find some good deals on hotels, but not anytime soon. I think I prefer the beauty of nature, rather than the glitz of the lights.
It was fun and some great memories with good friends were made!