By Georgia Osten
It’s been a whirlwind weekend! My daughters treated me to a weekend at Coushatta doing one of the things I love to do. I’m no whiz at gambling, but I sure do give it my all. I took my three LUCKY $100 bills with me, and no, they didn’t come back home with me. As my grandson, Grant, remarked when he called me Monday morning, “I guess they weren’t that lucky Grandma …” You got that right buddy! But I sure had fun getting started with them. Too bad they didn’t last throughout the weekend, But thank goodness Texas First Bank declined my use of my debit card at Coushatta. I guess because they knew that wasn’t one of my regular hangouts. I’m not sure, because there wasn’t anyone “home” at TFB over the holiday weekend to talk to. At any rate, I ended up leaving all that money at home.

Leigh and Kelly were a hoot! Mel, Barbara & Sandy joined us. We’d meet up for meals and the pool bar and the stupid Fish Slots. Kel and I are addicted to blackjack, the real blackjack, not the video blackjack. Kelly doesn’t trust computers. Leigh is addicted to blowing up fish! We had some really fun dealers from time to time. And it’s amazing how everyone wants to help you. At the first table we all three sat down to play together, “Buddy” was at one end, we tried to gather as far away as possible from his chain smoking. The “Roughneck” was at the other end, Alida was the dealer. Alida’s husband, sister, brother-in-law, and her mom all work at Coushatta. We surmised, “everyone living in Kinder, Louisiana, probably worked at Coushatta.” I think if I lived in Kinder, I’d want to be in HR at the casino.

Everywhere we went, people were so friendly, especially on Saturday when I wore my sash “75 And Fabulous.” I wore the tiara for about 4 minutes until it dug into my scalp. The Pit Boss, Shaun, talked us into getting Playing Cards so we could get comped for all our winnings and $10 off a game of slots. That was a joke, but he did announce my birthday over the loudspeakers at the casino. He even pronounced my last name correctly. Go figure, I have to go clear to Louisiana to have someone pronounce it correctly. I told him his accent reminded me of Harry Connick, I don’t think he knew who Harry Connick is?

It’s been 18 years since my daughters and I went on such a venture. Eighteen years ago, we went to Las Vegas together. I hope we can make it in another 18. Unfortunately for them, we shared a room and they had to put up with my snoring. My husband says I “purr.” They totally disagreed!

Dinner on Saturday was at a very fancy Steakhouse there at the casino. All the girls joined us. Leigh & I celebrated with Dirties, the other girls had other equally exotic concoctions. I was surprised by a decadent chocolate explosion. The waitress brought 6 spoons so we could all have a bite.

After dinner, we “went back in!” Kel & I to the Blackjack table with our remaining funds. We got up there, but we couldn’t stop when we should have. I ended up cashing in my $79 and Kel took her remainder back to Blow up some more fish with Leigh!

When we realized it was after 11pm we all decided to go back to our room to get those mandatory showers and wash our hair. Thank goodness for laundry bags in our closet to stash away our smelly smoky clothes.

Sunday morning, up early to head home. Then, Leigh found a voucher she hadn’t spent. Nothing would do, we had to go back out to the not-so-empty casino (still smoky) to play the remaining $65.

Home to Leigh’s, where Paul had lunch ready. Jambalaya’s, one spicy and the other not so spicy, and Beans & Rice. He had picked up the Bundt cake for my birthday. E & Chyna, Matthew, Camber & The Littles and of course my dear Hubby were there. What a treat! So relaxing, so familiar, such a wonderful family.

Yep, I’m truly blessed!

[GO: Sept-3-2024]