IT'S MY BIRTHDAY & WE GOING GAMBLIN'
After a slow go in the morning, I headed out to Cherokee, NC. Making a few pit stops at Random Arts & Mighty Dollar along the way, I made it safe and sound to meet Tony at the hotel.
After freshening up, we headed out to Harrah's casino.
First stop, get registered for a VIP card....and I loved it. It's the YEAR OF THE MONKEY...one of the nicknames Tony calls me due to my sometimes hyper bouncy personality.
Then it was straight to the buffet....have to make sure the man is fed before the "hangry" side starts to show it's ugly head.
I think I tried about every nationality of food on the menu...some good, some super yummy, and some not so good.
And definitely had to save room for my birthday cake :)
Then it was time to gamble...something that isn't a favorite activity for me (since I never win BIG), but I had never been to Cherokee, NC....and it was something Tony cherished with his mother....and I wanted to experience things he did with her, do something new, go for a weekend trip and just have fun on my birthday.
And thanks to Tony, he made it all happen...planned the entire trip. I can't tell you how much it means to have someone do all the planning...to take the thought and time to show me that I am loved and don't always have to be the planner in the family. Love him for that!!
Neither of us won big...I think $17 was my win which I put back into the machines...and Tony didn't win much either. But we had fun spending time together and laughing. But man, did it start to get way to smoky inside and we left for the hotel.
The next day, we slept in which is rare for me when staying at a hotel because it means....I missed the free breakfast ...hee hee. So we headed out to go straight to a matinee movie in town. ( I guess popcorn was our breakfast for that day.)
The movie was okay, but Tony hasn't had the best luck picking them lately, so the next one is my pick...whatever that may be.
We then ventured into town (of course, stopping for some KFC for Tony so he can feel like he ate a meal for the afternoon.) Lots of bear sculptures decorated throughout town and lots of Cherokee art on display (and to buy if you have a need for a high dollar hand woven basket). I purchased a tomahawk for décor reasons.
The shops along this strip were all owned by cousins which was strange as they all typically sold the same things, but didn't want others to know they made a deal with us. Tony got a pocket knife and a cute key chain with my name spelled right...WITH ONE "L".
The next plan was to take a nap and go to the casino; however, the smoky smell in our clothes and hair was enough to deal with for one but not two nights. So it was a night in at the hotel...and I was just fine with that. Love QT.
We did get food from a local diner that was great....and I was beyond excited about the Fried Oreos....better than my birthday cake from last night.
The next morning, we got up for breakfast and then made our way back to our homes. I stopped at the Asheville Outlets as I had a few bday coupons to use....then arrived home to these beauties...
My mom had sent flowers the day before I left, but they were all buds. So when I got home the irises all blossomed and it was gorgeous site!!
My mom also posted a sweet note on FB for my birthday with this picture:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF OUR MIDDLE CHILDREN!! ALI YOU ARE A JOY TO US!! LOVE YA. MOM & DAD
and the flowers as they progressed and I pruned the others...
