Seven

We're here again, this is the time of year where I can't believe how quickly time goes. Well, I say it quite a bit actually. But, nevermind that. My point is that June marks our anniversary of our move to Sin City. Next week, we'll officially have seven fun-filled years here in Las Vegas. It's been a wild ride. The first year and the last were the toughest yet. Still I wouldn't trade even the worst day here for the best day in Chicago. I love my life here too much.

Let's take a stroll down memory lane with a cliff-note history of my life as a Las Vegan, shall we?

Frank and I each drove our vehicles (packed with necessities) cross country. I nearly lost him outside of Denver, just as we headed into the Rockies. Luckily, we found each other before panic set in (he took the exit headed eastbound by mistake - no cells, at least I had the sense to stay put when I didn't catch right up to him). We stayed with Frank's gram when we first got to town. We had no jobs so we immediately began the hunt. Within two weeks we each had two offers to choose from. Neither of us have ever regretted our picks. We are still with the same employers today.

Once we had income secured we began the home search. We were very discouraged by the aggressive market and almost settled with an apartment. Gram wasn't having it, though. She pushed us to buy, it was a good-time to enter the market. Prices were still low. Our perseverance and gram's encouragement was worthwhile. We found a great condo for a great price. Litigation kept the price low, but it made it difficult to secure lending. We stuck it through and eventually closed. Meanwhile, we wore out our welcome at gram's and we lived at the Plaza downtown for two weeks. It was more affordable than any other alternative.

We moved into our condo, our home for five years, just before Labor Day weekend. Within three months of our arrival we nailed down jobs and bought our first home. We did good. We had loads of fun on our modest budget. We worked opposite hours, it was crazy and lonely at times. All my family was still back in Chicago. I was never really homesick, but I did miss my loved ones terribly. Gram passed away late winter. It was unfortunate we didn't get more time with her. We did, however, cherish the moments we had. I still recollect those times fondly.

After that first year the struggles seemed to fade. We were into our routines, there was no more culture shock, we had a handle on bills, etc. Family and friends visited so the distance was easier to bear. Life was better than we could have ever dreamed.

In 2006, my mom and brother moved to Pahrump. Later, my sister and her boyfriend, Jeff, joined them. Just a few short weeks later Nicky was born. I had everything I wished for. It was then, Frank was offered an amazing opportunity in Laughlin. He accepted the offer and chaos began. Real estate was booming. We decided to take cash out of our condo to purchase a second home, it was worth $100k more than we paid three years before. We expected Frank to be in Laughlin for a couple years and it seemed like a smart investment. We purchased the Laughlin condo late-2006. We made it work. I spent my weekends in Laughlin, Frank spent his days off in Vegas and we lived apart the rest of the week. I had two homes to clean and shop for, the double duties and time lost commuting was the worst of it. Frank's time in Laughlin was short-lived, in less than a year's time they wanted him back in Vegas. Luckily, we sold the Laughlin condo before the market completely tanked. On paper we walked away even. We were still upside-down on the deal because of having to furnish the place, not to mention we now owed far more on our Las Vegas condo (that 20% we put down was gone). During this time, my family aside from my mom all returned to Chicago. No longer seeing Nicky grow and develop on a weekly basis was the hardest to accept.

We pressed on, we were soaring in 2008, I was able to fly Amy, Nicky and Mike out for my mom's 50th birthday. It was such a wonderful surprise. Overall, we were enjoying the sweet life. Work was great, gaming and the casino business were booming. We decided to take advantage of the relocation package offered as part of Frank's job transfer, we bought a lovely house with a pool; we moved in June. It had everything we wanted and more. The real estate market had fell 20% we thought we were getting a great deal. We went right to work to make it our own. Not long after reality hit. The real estate market crumbled. Gaming slowed. The picture was no longer pretty headed into 2009.

We gave up the condo to the bank because we were unable to sell it despite our best efforts. I only wish I let go of it sooner. We racked up an insane amount of debt struggling to pay two mortgages for many months. My stubbornness has cost us a fortune. We survived the casinos cut backs and pay cuts. Times were tight, but we made due. This year everything has been looking up, thank goodness. That is until local construction took a tumble. Now, I'm facing cut backs and pay cuts. I have faith we'll get through this time, too.

The good times are more fun, but I've learned a lot as a result of the struggles. Those lessons will only help me in the future. Despite it all, Las Vegas has provided me with endless life experiences, dining and entertainment opportunities and the means to enjoy them. I am forever grateful.