Let's Make a Deal Delivers the Goods

Just a recap, Donna and I went on Let's Make a Deal when it was taping here in Las Vegas last year, Sept 25, 2009 to be exact. They no longer tape here, they've move to Los Angeles. It was almost a year before they aired our show, which meant no prizes until then. Our show # 1011 aired last week so I was wondering how long before they would ship out the prizes, since the contract you sign states they have up to 3 months to deliver on them. Well, lo and behold, I received the prizes less than a week later. I was out of town for work, but when I got home, my husband ushers me into the office and there were some rather large boxes. I'm like, I didn't order anything, whatever could they be when it dawned on me that it was from LMAD. We excitedly opened the boxes. Yep there was the Beatles Rock Band for the PSP3 that we won, and also the Beatles's collection of CD and the Beatles Vision Box. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the shipping labels on the boxes. The PSP3 stuff came directly from Amazon.Com, but the Beatles Vision box came directly from 3 Doors Productions (in Burbank) the Let's Make a Deal production company. There was something used about the vision box, it was opened, the back of the box was soiled and the precious laminated to hold the CD's were bent. Like the TV (opened and used), the Beatles Vision Box was opened and had been used on the set as display. I'm hoping they are not expecting me to pay taxes on used goods, because someone at 3 Doors Production Company will be getting an earful-ya you Shannon! Well, at least my daughter is happy that she finally got her Beatles's Rock Band. Have to go now, I'm being called to sing!

Let's Make a Deal Finally Airs Our Show # 1011!

Well, it was almost a year that we were contestants on Let's Make a Deal and all I can say to CBS is, what was the big deal in holding up the earlier shows? After our taping on Sept 25, 2009, we were so excited that we were picked and won prizes, we told our friends and family to watch for the taping. After checking the airdates, we were so disappointed that our show was not listed. We were told that the early tapings were not as good and therefore were probably going to air at the end of the season which was August. At first they gave us the run around saying they weren't going to air during sweeps, then it was something else, then it was the move to L.A. and by then I was so fed up, I had given up all hope. Finally someone said that it would probably (operative word there, probably) air in August (she could have added when no one is watching). Well, it did air last week and after watching it, I'm like thinking it was no big deal. It was the same as all the other shows. Maybe the prizes weren't that great, heck I didn't win the $6,000 trip to Puerto Vallerta, but hey, I won a TV, Sony Playstation and other goodies. And maybe the camera added the 10lbs and 10 years to my look which I was willing to expose on national TV without pause, and maybe I came off as some Krazy Kooky Asian lady, and maybe in trying to get my co-worker (the other Donna) on the stage with me so she could get some air time, Wayne took it as she was my "life partner" (which there is nothing wrong with that) but we're friends, co-workers and not "partners". So in essence, old, fat and lesbian, I was willingly to have this all out there on TV, so CBS, what was the big deal? You disappointed a lot of contestants that participated in good faith during the first months of taping here in Las Vegas at the Tropicana, and yes, we are still waiting for our prizes. I just got stuff but Pocahontas on our show won the car. I guess she must be relieved that she will soon get it.
Watching our show, we were tickled, we giggled every time we saw ourselves and I was mortified to hear that my relatives taped it so that they could watch my royal kooky oldness over and over. Am I happy that we did it, yes but still disappointed that it didn't air sooner. Well, I guess that's Hollywood baby. I'm glad that it's over and now I can't wait to get the prizes-stay tuned!

Sedona, AZ

(view from our room!)

For a last hurrah for the summer, we took a short vacation, weekcation, to Sedona, AZ. We had been there years before staying only one night just to soak in the local beauty, but I really don't remember much beyond that. This time we stayed 3 nights. Booked The Best Western Inn of Sedona online. They had a good rate of $119.00 per night which is pretty middle of the road. At first I was like, I want to stay some place in town, but everything was so expensive closer to $200.00 per night and hey, this is not a major vacation, so $119.00 was just in my price range, even if it was a short drive out of town, which turned out to be only about less than a mile and really not a necessity to stay in town if you have a car. We drove from Las Vegas. Mapquest said 288 miles, or 4 1/2 hours with a warning about the dam construction. We took the dam anyway, hoping the delays wouldn't be that great, which it did slow us down for about 45 minutes. We stopped in Kingman for lunch and then it was about another 1 1/2 hours to Sedona. The drive after you turn off 40 to 17 and then to 89A was magnificent. The drive winds down from an elevation of 6500 to about 4500 in Sedona. I had to reign in my impatience at the slow cars that seemed to crawl even if it was posted 30 mph and just soak in the scenery and boy it was beautiful. We arrive at the Best Western and the nice lady said she upgraded our room to the second level terrace. Definitely ask for either the 2 or 3rd level rooms, they have the best views. We climb a short flight of stairs to be greeted with a magnificent view of the red rocks. It was gorgeous! The room was spacious and clean enough. The only bad comment I have to make is that the air conditioning unit roars rather loudly and therefore, I didn't have restful sleep. But all that aside, it was the view that made the room worth it. A large front of the room terrace was nice where you could sit out and watch the sun rise over the mountains and at night count the stars. They have free continental breakfast from 7-10 and free Internet in the rooms, which my daughter loved. The pool is small, but adequate with a nice hot tub.

But enough of resting, the next day it was off to Slide Rock State Park about 6 miles up the mountain you came down the previous day. Entrance to the park is $20.00 per car (up to 4 people). We were told to make sure to head out early because once the park fills up, they stop allowing cars in. We got there at 11:00 am dressed in surfer shorts and tankini's, water shoes and towels, we made the short trek to the river bed. On the way is a market where you can get snacks, drinks and stop for a pee break before heading down. There are no words to describe the awesome beauty of this place and imagine that they actually let you swim and slide your heart out in what should be a historically preserved park. It was beyond me. To be swimming among the red rock, walking over rocky shelves and swimming in nature's river was amazing. Be careful tho, the rocks are really slippery and you could break an arm or leg. The water is really cold but it didn't matter, because it was so beautiful to be swimming in such a natural place. We stayed till about 2pm, by then we were so starving. We drove back and stopped at the Dairy Queen, which turned out to be some popular tourist spot with a few local vendors selling jewelry. The service is excruciatingly slow so be patience. I think the guy takes the orders, makes the orders and takes the cash all while mopping the floors!

We wanted the next day to do the tubing, but unfortunately, we started out too late. The tubing company, Sedona Adventures Outfitters along route 89A suggest to get to the tubing location by 10:30-11:30. It's about an hour drive from Sedona toward Camp Verde, off highway 17. Tube rentals are $25.00 pp CASH only. We got side tracked by seeing all the monuments at Village at Oak Creek, Bell Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, that we never made it out and by the time we got to Camp Verde it was nearing 1:00. So instead we had a nice lunch at the Sonic in Camp Verde across from the Indian Casino. Get the foot long chili dog, yum!

Dining tip, the best Mexican restaurant in Sedona, The Javelina, try the green chile tamales, to die for! Nice patio dining.

Sedona, a beautiful place, wonderful scenery, and amazing fun, what more can one ask for?