Weekend Update

Our day began with an 8 a.m. church service at the Lakes Lutheran Church. Helen noted that it was apparently a record-setting appearance by me - the fourth consecutive Sunday that I've appeared in a church. A new indoor record!

After church we came home for a quick lunch - turkey and cheddar in a pita pocket for Helen and leftover pizza for me.

Then it was off to Wal-Mart where Helen wanted to buy some linens in preparation for the visit by her friend Gail, who arrives on Feb. 16. Helen also needed some gift wrapping and other items. We found most of what we needed at Wal-Mart, then made a quick stop at Target to finish out the list.

Unfortunately, we picked up the wrong size sheets and will have to make a return trip to Wal-Mart tomorrow.

When we got home, around noon, I decided to visit the Suncoast to see if they were still giving away money. Apparently they have changed that policy, because they treated me poorly. In about 3 hours, I dropped $35 at the blackjack table and $10 in a video poker machine. I thought about betting an NBA game - the Lakers +5 vs the Cavs - but didn't. Of course, it was a winning bet, AAARGH...

While I was losing money, Helen was on the phone with her sister Nat and her friend Gail, both in TC. They are enjoying a brief warm spell that has some in northern Michigan thinking about spring.

For dinner today, I made lasagna (Thank You, Stouffers) with a side salad of romaine lettuce, red onions, roma tomatoes and shredded cheddar.

Now we're just relaxing, watching TV. Helen is reading a mystery.

Yesterday, I had a disappointing visit to the Imperial Palace where I played poker for about 7 hours and walked out with a profit of $15. Even though I won, it was a letdown because I should have won MUCH more. It all revolved around one hand - the final hand I played.

At the time I had a stack of about $80 and I was dealt A-5 of Hearts and called a $6 raise. The flop showed the 3 and 8 of Hearts and 10 of Diamonds. One guy bet $10 and two of us called. I was looking for either an Ace or a fifth Heart to give me an Ace-high flush. The turn card was what I wanted, the 10 of Hearts. I bet $20 and one guy called. The river card was a jack of Clubs - no apparent help. I bet $20, really expecting the other guy to fold, but he raised me $20 which I quickly called. I showed my Ace-High Flush and he showed me a 3-10. His full house won the pot, which was worth about $200....I never saw the full house - I thought he might have 3 10s, since there were two of them on the board. If I had won that hand, I would have gone home with more than $200, making it a worthwhile day...

When I got home, I went over to a nearby takeout place - Jason's Deli - where I got a HUGE corned beef on rye while Helen got a Chicken Wrap that turned out to be a bit too spicey for her tastes...

So tomorrow it's off to Wal-Mart where, I'm sure, the adventure continues...