This past weekend, I spent with my sister in Reno.
Months ago, a friend of hers had told me she was going out there to go to the annual doll show, and invited me to go along, so I had put in for the time off.
Just a few days before, however, my sister emailed me and said that the friend was sick and not doing well, but wondered if I would come anyway. She helped me to book a flight, and I did go - solo.
I've flown many times, but never by myself, so it was a bit stressful. Especially since I had to change planes in Las Vegas. But I just kept telling myself that once I got this first time over with, it would never be that scary again...
The airline we chose had open seating, so I scored a window seat every trip.
I love the view of the world up there! The ride home from Vegas was the most amazing - the plane flies at a lower altitude, so I could recognize each place we flew over - "there's St. George, Point of the Mountain, etc. all the way home. And the views were so fantastic! I finally saw the Grand Canyon - in it's entirety...
...Not to mention Zions, Bryces, and some other grand vistas that I'm not even sure of the names.
Wow.
At Debbie's, Dana had just obtained a new smoker, so each night I was treated to a yummy treat - smoked salmon, chicken, ribs - wow. And each of the boys came to see me while I was there.
I'm such a dork, I didn't even think to get my camera out and get a picture of Tyson's family - each of her boys have had a new little girl since I last saw them - so I hadn't even met them yet.
Tyson's little Katie was so adorable - such a little lady.
I had brought them each a little gift, (seeing how I am the toy lady,) and Katie carried the little gift bag around with her all night, like it was a little purse. She was more enthralled with the tiny book that came with her pony than she was with the pony. So, so cute.
Tyson had made me some cookies - he has become quite the cookie chef. Debbie says that he concocts his own recipes - and they are amazing! People always seek his goods out at bake sales, and will pay whatever it takes to get them.
I was soon to find out why...
These little babies are to die for! They are tiny, but such a burst of yummy flavor, that you don't notice.
I must have eaten a dozen of them, and even smuggled a few home in my purse, so my family could taste them.
I asked Ty if I could have the recipe, but he said that I would have to sign a waiver.
...He said that they are still in the experimental stage, so that the results are not guaranteed...
Whatever - if I could even come close, it would be so worth it!
Ty is so talented - he works as a fence builder, and he salvages the spare parts to create art pieces like this one:
I was totally in love with this - "steampunkery" at it's finest. =)
The first day, we went garage sale-ing. I saw some great little furniture pieces that I could have used, but the problem of getting them on the plane home deterred me from buying.
When we got home, Debbie suggested a ride up to Donner Lake - something that I had hoped we would be able to do.
There are so many beautiful places outside of Reno - I wanted so much to get out of the city, and just enjoy Fall.
But alas, the previous week's work schedule caught up with me, and I crashed on the couch.
(They worked me HARD the week before I left, to make up for the hours I would miss.)
I am still sorry that I missed that ride, and will be until I get another chance!
Anyway, my second day there was the doll show. I've been to one there before, and didn't find it that exciting - the prices were high, and I just didn't find anything that I couldn't live without.
This time, however - the prices were amazing. I hadn't intended to buy anything, but I just couldn't resist.
I scored a beautiful Victorian Barbie, a few darling Boyd's bears, a fun little Disney "Kim Possible" doll for my daughter (she's been buying the episodes on DVD lately, and loving them,) and she was only two bucks! I mean, really...
I also found an American Girl "Samantha" doll - she is retired now, but one that I had always wished for. She didn't have a box, but she was less than the original price, and in excellent condition.
So how could I not? I've priced her on ebay, and the prices are up into the triple digits now...
Doll people are so funny - they are not only friendly, but almost child like in their enthusiasm.
One lady kept stopping us to show us little things that she found - she would get so excited, I was afraid she would hyperventilate.
...And one of the vendors got down on the floor (even though she must have been in her 70's) just to demonstrate some of her mechanical antique toys (unasked,) for us. It was all too fun. :-)
I was caught up in it too, I guess. I bought all that stuff without even thinking how I would get it home.
I had to borrow an extra bag from my sis to get it here.
When we got back from the show, Nate came to visit with his little girl.
She was adorable too - but soooo shy, that I couldn't get close to her - in fact, if she caught me looking at her, she would bury her head in her daddy's shoulder.
(She looks so much liker her grandma did at her age!)
Dana pulled Nathan away to go "practice" something, and later I learned it was to prepare for a private concert - the audience?
Me!
Just me.
Awesome.
I had a simply wonderful time. Flights from here to there are so economical, and only an hour from here - why have I not done this before?
I will definitely be doing it again.
.
