Old people get their day.

Anyone who lives in Las Vegas knows, never, ever gamble on the strip.


It sits all blingy and pretty as it takes your money.. fast!

 I don't gamble to win, but I like to at least play a little on my five bucks. (It is better when you win.)
The local Casinos are much better.
And when you get a players card, you earn points. Points towards all sorts of stuff from free buffets to crappy T-shirts.



Which make great work shirts.

Which brings us to Wednesdays. Senior day all across the valley.
5x your points as your bony fingers hit the slot buttons.


Big money! I pray for big money!

 The buffets offer 1/2 point deals on the mediocre food.. and extra creamed corn and mashed potatoes.

The casino floors are slowly buzzing with the noise of social security checks going bye bye.

So the journey begins.. taking Dad out to play a little.

Don't expect to move quickly, we have to navigate the wheelchairs and walkers.

Watch your step for the oxygen tanks that sit humming next to the old man and his beloved cigarette.

Don't get tangled in the mess of  lanyards dangling from your fellow slot sharks neck, a collection of players cards attached and ready for action.


I drove around the parking lot twenty times, everyone of the hundred or so handicap parking spots were occupied. Seriously, I had to drop the teenagers off and hike back to the front door.



Looks like this on a Friday night.


It's all worth it... Mom and Dad love them some slot action!
So do I.





You just never know.

I think it was the great and mighty Oprah that said "Everyone has a story."


Listen to me.. for I am Oprah!

Hate to admit it, but she may be right.
Days ago a guy came knocking on the door. He said he was just laid off and was willing to do anything around the house for short money.
I sent him on his way knowing that there was a palm tree that need to be planted next door.


Is this deep enough?

Moments later I hear them in the back yard. I knew the Teenagers would have something for him.
They kept his number.
Meanwhile........
The grass they planted refuses to come up and face the desert sun.
Sod it is.
Cheap enough for such a small space. 
They call the guy. He wants the job of laying it.
Says he will ride his bike over.. We are talking a couple of miles in over 100 degree heat.


Am I there yet?

Mom picked him up. Cause that is how she rolls.
On the trip back to the house, she found out he worked at the pet cemetery for 15 years. The place was sold and the whole crew was let go for cheaper labor.
He told of the rich and famous burying their pets there. Vegas icons like Dean Martin.

It even has a little chapel.

Of a woman who spent $2,800 to give her pet rat a finally resting place.



I guess they can be cute.
 But not really, its a rat!

 A woman brought her dearly departed Fido a McDonald's hamburger and fries every day, because he loved them in life. (Dead of a doggy heart attack??)

 People actually get buried in the pet cemetery to rest for all time next to their four legged best friend.

Interesting guy.. with shit luck.

I know his story is true because when I Googled Craig Road Pet Cemetery I got their facebook page and there he was.



Damn if I knew I was getting fired I would have called in for this freak Vegas snow storm.

 So listen to Oprah and don't just dismiss people because your a cynic like me.
Unless he introduces himself as Brian David Mitchell.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_David_Mitchell

The one thing that confuses me though is... how did Dad get so dirty when they hired someone to do the work???? Guess he can't help it, the man needs to be involved.. help where and when he can.. that is just how he rolls.

When you are hot you're hot

Take in some 104 degree heat, add a dose of pancreatic cancer and you end up with tired. Couple of naps a day tired.


It is too hot out to do much yard work. Too hot to sit out and read a book. (for most folks.)
So we look for fun things to do indoors.
Short and cool trips to Costco are always a winner.


Weekend are better because there are more samples, grazing, senior buffet.. whatever you want to call it.
Weekend are the worst, because of the crowds vying for those little morsels of packaged meats and burritos.

A three pack is only $12.99

As we were trolling the delicious free food.
One of the women handing out oatmeal or some other mushy bits, made a comment to Dad.
So he stopped to chat.. Mom looked and me and said. "At least he still feels good enough to flirt."




The other sure cool bet, is a quick drive to the casino... a favorite of the teenagers..
If you want to make Dad smile, take him to the Santa Fe, and watch him win $95.00.

I'm not going to lie, winning makes me smile too.

Way to win some money Dad!!!!

When the sun goes down.

When we were kids, summer was the best.
No school. Warm sun, and the fourth of July!
Independence day was made for sparklers! A stick of fiery bling in small hands.

This week all the fireworks are displayed front and center in all the stores.
Placed just right so kids and fools like me will want to take home a box of fun!
I bought that two dollar six pack of sparklers.
I haven't lit one up in decades.

Around dusk last night I called the teenagers and asked if they wanted to join us in sparkler fun and margaritas*!

A big yes was the answer. Two minutes after it was dark they came over. Dad with a bucket of water in hand. (For red hot discarded wires. Safety first.)

Mom wasn't impressed. "Okay I am done."



Dad on the other hand.. "Can I have another?"

I think Mom came over for the margaritas.


Refreshing in that 100 degree night air.

Dad wanted to lite some more.
When we were kids he didn't get any, let the little ones have the fun.
Best two bucks I spent all month!



*Sans the Jose Cuervo


Can't he catch a break.?

Just because life is cruel. Dad has crown on a front tooth that has decided to come loose.


I'm going to mess you up old man!

Another chance to hangout in a waiting room and see a medical professional.


This might hurt a little.

Today they are going to take a break from visiting doctors.
Ever since they moved to Vegas Mom has wanted to ride the double decker Deuce bus.


Vegas is full of cheap thrills!

 Today is the day.



Looks like this inside!

 


Go get 'em

After Dads visit with the Doctor  Friday, he has a whole new attitude.
More up than down.
Thanks Doc for the ...

And the pep talk!

He even went to Lowes and picked up a few items for some small projects.




Wonder what he is going to do with that stuff?

No matter, glad he is feeling more better..
Little projects and keeping busy are another good prescription.

Fathers Day. Sarah!

Despite the lack of photographic evidence, Dad was always there for me as a child.  Even though there are not a lot of pictures of us together, there are pictures that show that we were always in his mind.  There is a picture of the playhouse that he built for my birthday.  He worked on it after work at some undisclosed location so that he could surprise me with it. 

I don't have any pictures of him at Girls' Camp, but I have a picture of him in his Girls' Camp T-shirt--proof that he was there.

One of my prized possessions is a letter that he wrote to me 35 years ago.  I away from home on Father's Day, so he tucked it in with my stuff so that I could read it and be with him in spirit.

Although I had to share him with 6 siblings, I never felt like I was second (or third, or fourth...) in his heart.  he made us all feel that way.

Dad has been with me through big and small moments, happy and sad.  He has always been my rock and my strength. 

 

 

As I grew up and became a mother, I loved watching dad interact with my son and my nieces and nephews.

 

 

 I know that that generation is as blessed as we are to know Grandpa Bob!

 

 

Dad, Pop, Bob.... the best palidromes ever!

After a pretty hard week.
Yesterday and today have been much better.



Oh there you are happiness!

Being Fathers day also helps...
He gets to talk to all his kids!




On this fathers day,
I want to say.
That after living most my adult life far away from the folks.. These last couple of years have been great.
I am still learning and they are still teaching.
Love those Teenagers!

Fathers Day. Christopher

Growing up i think every kid after one point or another utters the phrase "well, my dad can beat up your dad. 

 The difference with us Udell kids is that in most cases our dad could beat up their dad, their big brother, uncle, etc., Hell, bring it.  There are very few people dad could not have beaten up.  The difference is that we all also knew dad never would, well not unless they threatened his wife or kids.

Dad is the strongest man i know.  He is also the most caring and giving man I know.  Growing up, we all learned that you can show emotion and be strong.  So many people believe that showing your feelings make you weak.  Seeing dad proves those wrong.  I mean the guy falls off a roof and wants to finish the days work, but put him in front of a sad movie and see how he reacts.

Other guys were always intimidated by dad, but he never fooled the kids, any kid.  i remember in church all the little kids were always fascinated by dad and he would always smile or play hide and seek with them.

It says all about how we were raised that when we were thinking about doing something wrong it was not a matter of what will the punishment be.  But rather we were worried about disappointing mom and dad.  I know how luck I am, and I probably do not tell my parents enough, but I truly feel so lucky to be raised by the parents I was raised by.  It's so amazing to have had them raise us and teach us, and be able to let us make mistakes and let us grow, so that when we did become adults we could continue our relationship with them, always being their children but also being their friends and treated as such.

Mom, dad, I love you.  Happy fathers day

Topher