August 24th, 2006 - Last Day in Vegas

We get up around 8:30 a.m. After we showered and dressed, made sure that our bags were properly packed. Headed down to the front desk and checked out. We had the hotel hold our bags because we still had a few hours to kill before our shuttle bus was coming to pick us up. So we went for breakfast in some restaurant off of the Kahuna Lounge. After that, we went back to the Venetian where I bought a couple of tank tops that I had taken a liking to. Then we went back to TI and Dawna and I played some slots. Not sure if it was because it was Dawna’s birthday that day or if it was just a chemistry thing, but Dawna found a nice slot machine that just wanted to keep paying her money.
She gets enough points on her player’s card [never mind how much money she won] to get a free t-shirt.
Finally, it’s time to go and catch the shuttle bus. Off to the airport.
When we get to the airport we have to wait in a long line to get our tickets. We talked with the other folks waiting in line. After that, it’s off to go through airport security. Not sure if it was because it was Dawna’s birthday that day or if it was just a chemistry thing, but Dawna was the lucky recipient of a random search. Which was probably a good thing, because it distracted her from getting too worked up when her carry-on luggage was also being flagged at that moment for a more thorough search too.
The airport security person went through everything until we finally came down to a small plastic bag in which Dawna had accidentally left a very small lip gloss. She was heart broken. A brand new lip gloss [MAC make-up]. The thought of it going in the garbage made her feel sick so she was asking the security person if she wanted it. She politely explained that she couldn’t [against regulations]. Then the security person went above and beyond the scope of her duties and gave us an option of Dawna being able to mail the lip gloss back to herself. She pointed us to a machine where we could buy stamps and address an envelope and then drop it in the mail box right there. She helped us get that all together and mailed off. She made an embarrassing and frustrating situation so much more bearable [dare I even say “almost pleasant”?]. I have to remember to write to her employers and tell them to give her a pat on the back.
We found the smoking room and sat down. We encountered a gentleman who had come in to Vegas at the same time as us. He told us that he had come to Vegas with $5,000 and that he had gambled all but $25 away. That morning, he figures he might as well finish it all off so he plays his last $25 on the slots and ends up winning over $4,000. While he was still down, at least it wasn’t as bad of a loss as it was shaping up to be.
On the way to our boarding gate we pass a police officer stationed in the hall. I ask him if he’d mind if we took pictures of ourselves with him. You know, a tourist thing. So I take a picture of Dawna with him. Then Dawna takes a picture of me with him. Next thing I know, an airport security guard is marching over to us quickly. I’m thinking “Oh, crap. We’re doing something wrong; we’re going to get in trouble.”
Security guard stops in front of us. Stands there for a minute, then says “Don’t you want a picture with both of you in it? I’ll take it for you.”
So we were able to get a photo of us both with the officer.



We board our plane. It takes off and we head home. I don’t actually get to my front door until around 1:00 a.m., where two oldest boys and my husband are there to greet me with great big hugs.