Driving, Donuts, Diamonds, Food, Friends and Ladybugs

WILynn · **WILynn**

Well, another trip completed and in the books! All that's left is the crying and the trip reports. LOL.

Got up Friday morning early to try to finish the last 3 cases at work I had to enter. Tried several times, but the system was down and finally just had to email the info to the nurse that was covering for me. Got ready to go, and headed out the door. Stopped at Target for a couple of last minute items. To Dunkin Donuts for my "Jean bribe", filled the tank with gas and hit the road.

Hit quite a bit of construction in Chicago, but, amazingly enough my time was pretty standard for the course. After hearing about the weather issues, I was glad I'd elected to leave on Friday. Got to Jean's around mid afternoon and we chatted and she took me on a tour around Springfield. Jean, Cathi and I visited and had dinner. I also found out I hadn't brought Cathi's favorite donuts this time. Next time I'll bring them!

We hit the sack and actually slept fairly well for the night before leaving. We were both pretty amazed!

Up Saturday morning, got the rest of the car packed up, made sure we were awake and hit the road. We were plenty early, so we found the hotel in Southaven and got checked in. I iced down some Tab for Jeanine, and we hit the road for the airport when it was time to get Jeanine.

Stopped on the way to the airport to fill up the car. The Memphis Airport has a cell phone lot. We're heading to the airport, and I was originally in the correct lane, but the signage wasn't too great, and I changed lanes and we realized I was on the road to return rental cars. Did what may have been an illegal left turn and came around to the airport. Saw the sign for the cell phone lot and turned. Somehow missed the entrance and ended up in a hotel parking lot. Could have actually just waited there, but wasn't sure we could get to the airport from there, so we went back, and, of course, I missed the entrance to the cell phone lot and ended up making "the loop" again. By this time Jean and I were laughing hysterically. Finally got to the right lot and Jean says "JUST PARK THE CAR!" I think she was getting a little testy. LOL I have a prime spot on the end and we're waiting for Jeanine to call when a stupid truck with a frickin trailer on the back pulls in right next to me. Now, we'd noticed this truck before and the trailer was swinging around and we could just picture him getting his call before we did and pulling out ahead, smashing my car with his trailer. Time to move again. Pull the car into another spot, and Jean starts whining about how it's next to a diesel truck. Who knew she could be such a complainer? ROFL. Get the call from Jeanine, go get her and her bag loaded and we head to Interstate for BBQ. None of us could decide what to order. I should have stuck with my original thought and ordered the rib platter, but I caved to peer pressure and ordered ribs and pulled pork. It was really very good. I prefer more sauce on mine, but Jeanine ordered some extra sauce, so all was good. Just TOO much food! Next time, stick with one meat. LOL

Back to the hotel where we visited, showered and all that good stuff and finally hit the sack. Jeanine and Jean were making secret bets on what time I'd get up. It was about quarter to 3, and Jean had to get Jeanine's tab. Contrary to the complete fabrications they were making up, I was extremely quiet and considerate when I woke up. Somehow they just managed to be awakened anyway. Totally not my fault!

We all got ready, packed up and headed to Tunica. Got there. Met with everyone, gambled, ate, and had fun. Great trip!

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WILynn · **WILynn**

Guess the joke would be funnier if I just left that up for a couple of days, but then I'd forget everything.

All I can say about gambling at Fitz for me on Sunday was "IT SUCKED!" I couldn't hit the side of a barn with a truck. It didn't matter what I played: quarters, dollars, nickels, pennies. Just hoovered any money I put it. Of course you can't get your room before 3 pm on Sunday, and there is NOWHERE to go at Fitz to just sit. We took a break to eat, but that just slowed the hemorrhaging slightly. When all was said and done, I had lost 2 days worth of gambling money at Fitz on Sunday. I was crossing other casinos and plans off the list quickly. I have NEVER had that bad of luck at Fitz in one day.

The best part of Sunday was meeting everyone. Brian arrived first. Then came Pam, Chuck, and Bev. We later met Jim (On the Open Road) and Frank. Jean, Chuck, Bev, Jeanine, Brian, and I played in the slot tournament. Jeanine managed to snag 3 Double Diamonds in her session, which put her in second place at the time. Her score held, and she one $1K in free play at Fitz. She was less than 100 points out of first place. After checking in, we gave Brian his usual gag gifts. A bag of socks so he'd have ammunition for his next sock fight. LOL. Jean and I had also found a bottle of hot sauce called "Smartass Hot Sauce" that just reminded us of him. We all met for dinner at the buffet at Fitz. It was kind of disappointing this time, but I didn't leave hungry. Just hadn't been up to their standards the last couple of trips. My biggest buffet disappointments were they didn't have the hash on the breakfast buffets this time and they didn't have the apple caramel cheese cake. After Brian had posted his trip report from his last trip where he had the room that was "infested with lady bugs", Pam had found some little wooden ladybugs and ordered them. When Brian got up to go get something, we had ladybugs on his straw, and all over his eating area. LOL. We did the slot pull after dinner. Got a few VERY small hits (any bars), but nothing to cash out on. We had our toast during the slot tournament. We had to say good-bye to Jim and Frank. It was great to finally meet you, Jim! Always nice to put faces to names! I went with Jeanine to collect her free slot play and showed her how to download and play it. It was pretty early to bed for me, since I just couldn't afford to lose any more money.

Up Monday in time to make the 7 am breakfast buffet. It was pretty good. Played a little and did manage to score a quarter Blazing 7's progressive for about $475 or so. We played around for awhile, up and down. Late morning we headed over to Resorts. We were there for an hour, and I blew threw $400 like it was water. Over to Hollywood. I had a coupon for a "play $10, get $10", so I stood in line and got it activated. Back to get a soda. Turned around and what do I see but a Stinkin Rich machine? This HAS to be the one Lisa told me about I'm thinking. I sit down and stick $100 into it. Decide to play 100 lines at one per line, since I NEVER win at HW. Well, this machine played and played with me. I was getting bonuses and some good hits. Finally got a really good bonus, and I ended up cashing out a ticket for $500. Hey, I'd made back the money I'd lost at Resorts! Yeah! It was almost time to leave, so I went near the front. I saw Jean and decided I'd download the whopping $10 into a $1 machine and play $1 at a time. Turned that into $40. Took the $40 to another $1 machine and played $1 at a time and turned it into $100. Cashed out and left HW up $500. Woo Hoo! As we were leaving, I hollered out "Hey to HW from Lisa and Luna" Stopped at the cigarette place to pick up the cigs Dave had ordered. Of course they weren't in, which now would make it inconvenient to pick up. Dang it all. Over to Harrahs. We were there about 45 min to 1 hr before we were to meet for Paula Deens. I decided to just play quarters and try to nurse the $100 I was ahead between Resorts and HW for Harrahs. I managed to barely do it, and lost the $100 of course. Up to the buffet. The buffet was pretty good, but I have to say that there is a LOT of fried food there. What isn't fried is definitely full of butter or other fat. I think I felt my arteries harden and my cholesterol raise about 100 points. I had my mouth set on Chicken Fried Steak, so of course they didn't have it. LOL. I ended up with a piece of fried chicken, which was good, but nothing special IMO. The highlights on that buffet for me were the fried green tomatoes, the greens, the hoe cakes and the cheese biscuits. Lowlights were definitely the desserts. I just haven't had a dessert there yet that I was impressed with. The creme brulee was very underdone. Peach cobbler was just so so. No one else was very impressed with their desserts, and we weren't last visit either. All in all, it's a pretty decent buffet, though. If you're on a diet, you might need to stick with the salad bar. LOL

Back over to Fitz for more play. I did stick $100 into a $5 Double Black Tie and hit Double any 7's for $800. A lot of give and take. Up to the room for awhile. Took stock, and I was ahead for the day. What to do? Put the money aside and make up for some of my losses for Sunday, or back down to play. Well, it was a no-brainer. I put aside my "budget" for Monday and decided to play with what was left. Back down to the floor and proceeded to eventually lose my winnings for the day. Did hold onto my original stake for the day, though, so it was a winner for the day.
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WILynn · **WILynn**

Up Tuesday and met everyone in the buffet for breakfast. Had to say goodbye to Brian, unfortunately. He was hoping to stay 2 more days, but the losses prevented that. Darn it all! Packed up and moved over to Gold Strike after checking out of Fitz.

The elevator door opened from the parking garage to the GS casino, and who is standing there, but Memphis Ed and Cay! We were hoping to run into them, but what were the odds of it happening right then with all of us together? We stood around and chatted and laughed for quite awhile and made plans to eat together at the buffet later that evening, as they were headed over to Sheraton and then Resorts. Played for awhile until it was time to check in. Had a couple of cash-outs, but was still losing money. Checked in, and got a suite up on the 32nd floor. Got the adjoining room next to it and Pam and Chuck were right across the hall. It was a very nice set up! We got settled in, and it was back down to the floor. Got to be time for dinner and we met up. Unfortunately, Cay wasn't up for dinner after all the walking she'd done that day, but luckily Ed was able to join us. Ed has such interesting stories it's a pleasure to have dinner with him. Felt as if I wasn't keeping up my share of the conversation, but was enjoying listening to him so much. I thought the buffet was pretty good, and I don't think I had anything fried on my plate. They had a tuna that had a really good sauce, but, unfortunately, it was either overcooked, or just under the lights too long, or it would have been awesome. I did have a nice bowl of the bread pudding, which IMO is the best in Tunica! After dinner it was time for more play of course. I was playing around, winning and losing. At some point I decided to play the $1 WOF. I stuck $100 in, and was down to about $50 or so, when up came Triple Diamond, Red 7, Triple Diamond for $1800! Of course when they came to pay me I said the traditional "I just wanted to spin" LOL. They wanted me to keep playing that machine. I did the spin off and cashed out. Went to the high limit area which I should have just stayed out of. Couldn't hit anything there at all during the entire trip. I did decide to try the Stinkin Rich at 5 per line again. Picked the machine which had been the best to me. Ended up with some good hits and a few bonuses, and, after all was said and done, was up about $300 for the experience. It was a fun ride while it lasted. I had socked away the pay from the WOF, so I knew I'd be up at least $100 by the end of the night. (for the day, not the trip) Played around without any other real good hits. Late that night Jeanine and I were playing Stinkin Rich side by side. She was getting bonus after bonus, while I was getting nada. It got to where she was embarrassed to get them. LOL. Her bonuses weren't that great for the most part, but she was getting them fairly frequently. It got to be a mission for me to get one. I FINALLY got one, and it was pretty good and actually gave me most of what I'd lost back. Jeanine cashed out ahead of her investment, so she was happy. Up to bed up $100 for the day, because, of course I had spent the other I was ahead. LOL.

Up on Wednesday for our last full day. Played quite a bit, with a few small hits, but mostly losing. I did get Triple Bars with a Triple Triple on Triple Triple Diamond for 720 quarters. We went over to Horseshoe at one point to play for 1/2 an hour to get the free buffet. I managed to lose $200 in an hour. A lady came up to me and gave me 2 buffets, so we didn't end up having to ask for them. I think $100 each for a buffet is very reasonable. LOL. Jeanine ended up with a hit at the end that put her up $5 for the HS. Back over to GS. Played for awhile, then sent myself to the room for a short while. We all signed up for the slot tournament and got to play in the same round. My score sucked both rounds. Walked over to HS when it was time for dinner. It was very good until the end. I got a piece of red velvet cake. Took a bite of it and I think it was just about the worst thing I'd ever put in my mouth. There was this terrible bitter taste. Don't know if it was unmixed cocoa powder or food dye, but I couldn't get it out of my mouth. Of course I made everyone else try it to make sure they got the experience as well. After eating, back over to the GS for more play. They drew a name for $500 free play at 10 pm and announced the winners of the tournament at the same time. No one in the group one the drawing, but there was a winner in the tournament who I'm sure will come forward with their report. LOL. After they announced the winners, I had $400 left to play with for the day, then it was either quit or break into the "take-home" stash. Fortunately I started to get some hits. I hit a little on the Diamond Jackpots and a few other machines. Played the 5 line $1 Double Red White and Blue and got Red 7 Double Red 7 the first spin for $240. I played it down to $300 and cashed out. Also managed a $300 hit on Triple Double Lucky 7's. I decided to play my new favorite Stinkin Rich. Lost on the 1st $100, and stuck another one in. Managed to hit a 10 free spin bonus. About the 2nd spin in, I got a re-trigger for 35 free spins. I was getting some small hits, and then some decent ones as well. I did get a hit for almost $400 dollars on one spin. Ended up retriggering another time for 30 free spins, and then once more for 35 spins, for a total of 110 free spins. When it was all over with, the bonus was worth over $800. Played down to $900 and cashed out. It was kind of funny that my 3 biggest bonuses on Stinkin Rich at GS started with 10 free spins. Go figure. Played to my heart's content, and ended up going to bed up $100 for the day.

Up Thursday morning and down to the floor about 7:30 a.m. Played for about 2 hours before breakfast. After eating, up to the room to get everything packed up and checked out. We loaded up the car and had about an hour or a little less before time to leave. Played for a little while, and downloaded my point play and played it as well. When it was time to go, I was even for the morning.

When all was said and done, I came home with a little more than 2/3 of the money I'd brought. ALL of that was lost the first day at Fitz. Other than that, it was pretty much a break-even trip. Had a lot of fun and enjoyed meeting up with everyone. Jeanine had a blast as well! The company sure makes days like Sunday bearable!
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LA · LA

Lynn, great report! Aside from the uncooperative slots it sounds like you had a good time. Of course, you did have some good hits along the way, and the 110 spin bonus round must've been a blast. Just wish you'd gone on one of those golden touch runs you are known for. Oh......it's nice to know that I recommended a machine and it actually paid off. How often does that ever happen? LOL

Of course, it goes without saying how I feel about not being there. Hmmmm, nuff said on that. Just be sure IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN! lol Anyway, I know everyone had a good time, and I'm glad you got to meet some of our new forum members. Good you bumped into Ed and Cay also. I was however saddened to read that Fitz did not have any of that wonderful carmel/apple cheesecake available. What WERE they thinking????

Good to hear you pranked Brian a little too. Socks and lady bugs! He'll be more careful what he tells us from now on. LOL

Congrats to Jeanine on the slot tourney win. WTG!

Hopefully, the others will be reporting in soon. Us "home bound" folks are anxiouisly waiting!
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keno1440 · **keno1440**

Very good report, Lynn. Coming home with any of the money you took with you is a winning trip. Enjoyed reading about the good times you all had. I had the gooey butter chocolate cake when I ate at Paula Deen's and it was very good.

Marcia

LunaToon · **LunaToon**

Lynn I thourghly enjoyed your report! Thanks for posting for us "stay at home weenies", LOL. Sounds like a lot fun, minus the losing. I hope someday I can make it to one of these meets, if not for the gambling then at least for the fun. Glad to hear you managed to keep some of your stake, that in itself is miraculous! LOL

Thanks
LunaToon
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TunicaTraveler · **TunicaTraveler**

Lynn,

That was a fantastic trip report. I just wish you could have come home with big bucks. I am sorry to hear that the Fitz was not good to you on Sunday.

Sounds like everyone had a good time. I am just sorry I could not be there.

Thanks for the great report.

Bobbie

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Jean · **Jean**

Lynn, what a great trip report! You make it easy for the rest of us...since I can't remember what I did yesterday. LOL.
It was such fun having Jeanine and Bev on this trip. I laugh every time I think of Jeanine whipping her HS card out for the GS room key...wtg Jeanine. LOL

Each trip just gets better with this group, sure was sad that some of our trouble makers were missing though. I'm sure they will make up for lost time when we do it again.

My sides still hurt from laughing in that Cell Lot at the airport. Testy??? Hell I thought we'd run out of gas before you ever got to the door to pick up Jeanine..LOL.

Thanks for all the extras...the rooms connecting was a sweet set-up.

It was a great time....which was no surprise. Time and fun with great friends is as good as it gets.
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"Just when I knew all the answers, they changed the questions."

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TunicaTraveler · **TunicaTraveler**

GaPam · **GaPam**

Lynn, what a great trip report. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and better yet, being a part of it. We have so much fun together and it just stinks that we have to wait so long! We sure do try to make every moment count and do a pretty darn good job of it.

I think I'm still gripped in the post vacation blues. LOL!! I'm ready to go back.....NOW even. LOL

Can't wait for a do over! LOL

Thanks Lynn, it was a blast!!

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