#3. Just like Cheers, they knew our name!

The third morning that they arrived at Della’s, they were greeted by name by the hostess, and led to one of Liz’s tables.  They’d lounged in the room for a while so it was busy already, and did have to wait for a few minutes, but as always, she brightened their day immediately.  Yes, they ordered the same shared breakfast again, and Kodi asked if she might have some honey for her coffee ( but she sneaked some of it onto her toast). Liz said she was the second person to suggest honey in coffee, and she was going to try it herself.

As they walked away into the casino, Toos admitted that this gambling thing wasn’t going like she’d hoped it would, and she just might have dipped into her food envelope the day before.  Kodi had hoped her friend would have some birthday luck in Vegas, but there was still lots of time for her to get a jackpot, right?  She also suggested cashing out her tickets if she doubled her $20 keeping it for the next machine she played.  Toos said she’d try that.  And she did…a couple of times.😂

They played for couple of  hours , both staying even.  Then, since it was early and their canes had a good rest overnight, they decided to do some exploring, instead of gambling more right then. ( Probably missing a big jackpot they were meant to win)

The headed in the direction of the high end restaurants, and passed the walkway to the Arena, Convention areas, and overlooking pools ( yep, 5 miles away) making it almost as far as the Aquarium area, before they began to suffer.  Strangely, it was way down there that they discovered Mandalay’s Food Court.  They staggered to a table, and looked around at the offerings.  Kodi offered to buy lunch…and they split chicken wings, with fries, at Nathan’s .  (Soft drinks were $3.98 plus tax.)  They stayed there an hour or so, eating and talking ( until Kodi began to shiver from the chilly air, even after buying a second coffee ) and then made their way back to the casino area VERY slowly.

They went to the room to rest for a while, and may have doubled up on the pain pills that day.  Kodi also rinsed a top out, knowing it was light enough to dry overnight.   Toos phoned her Daughter, because she’d had to attend a vigil for some young men and women (6) that she and Toos’ Granddaughter knew, who had died in a tragic auto accident just before the trip began, and she knew the difficulty they were having accepting the entire situation.  

It was a reminder to hold those you love closely while you have the chance.

After putting an extra layer of clothing on, Kodi was ready to tackle the darn Dragon Link machines again,  50cents at a time…watching everyone around her bet $5 or more and get decent bonuses.  (She’d be happy to do that if her budget wasn’t so limited ….)  She also planned to check out the  Money Moolah Machines she’d discovered the night before, which were full every time she checked.

Before that happened, she needed to check Messenger.  Oh…there were a couple from Kiddo.  She said that she had booked the Birthday Surprise, and it was paid for and non-refundable.  Oh Hell!  It really was going to happen, it seemed.  That girl was too generous for her own good.  Kiddo also said that the car company seemed reliable, but she’d had to go with the most economical option and she hoped “they bonded their drivers and didn’t have any ax murderers on staff, haha.”  

Kodi messaged back and asked if now that she was in Vegas, couldn’t Kiddo tell them what was planned?  Nope she said…this way was too much fun.  She’d give them details the night before.  “Don’t worry, Kodi. Didn’t Tom tell you it would be okay?”   Yes, Kodi thought..he did, but wouldn’t break his vow of secrecy, so she could be prepared, damn him. He knew how she hated to have no control.

Kodi , when it was ‘time to eat again’ wasn’t particularly hungry, and wanted to get away from the casino for a bit.  She suggested RiRa, the Irish Pub up in the Mandalay Shoppes.  

The went up the escalator from the casino and walked the short distance down the Mall, to the restaurant and only had to wait for about 10 minutes at 5:30.  It was extremely busy and loud  in the front area and Kodi asked if there was a quiet table anywhere.  They were led to the back room, which was lovely. It was quiet , well appointed and nearly empty.  Toos decided on fish and chips and Kodi enjoyed some scotch eggs.  Service was good and the meal was tasty, though Toos found the fish a little oily rather than crispy, which she prefers.

After the meal, they walked a little farther down the mall, checking things out, and then headed back to the casino for the evening, considering the Gelato at the foot of the escalator, but they were surprised at how pricey it was, so passed it by. 

They frittered time away in the casino….Kodi playing 5cent video poker, people watching ( and people ‘glaring’ when she couldn’t get near a few machines she wanted to try..cause of course, she would have been able to win on THEM.)

They headed up to the room to organize stuff, and Kodi needed to analyze why it appeared she had many more belongings that when she’d arrived.

On the holiday Monday, it was obvious that a number of people probably had late checkout. Della’s was busy, the casino was busy, and Kodi and Toos had to pack up for a move to their next casino…at regular check out time. They surprised Liz at breakfast, when they ordered something different.  They split a delicious omelette, once again bypassing the potatoes for an extra piece of toast.  The photo is of half the omelette, since Toos was hungry,  and cut and grabbed, before Kodi could snap one. They ordered one with ham and cheddar, and it was excellent.

After they ate, they returned to the room, to finish packing.  Kodi had booked Mandalay Bay next, so all it would cost for transportation to that lobby was wear and tear on their feet and canes, and some frustration as they dragged their bags across multiple carpeted areas.  

And Kodi’s secret weapon?  She’d been told when she checked in, that at the Delano checkout, she also would be able to Check IN to Mandalay Bay. Hooray!