Hi! Last installment From Finn’s Forest I had returned from vacation too and had pretty pictures of the ocean and redwoods. This time, it’s just a staycation for us so picture more local.
We reorganized my hubby’s band room after decluttering and getting rid of some things. Much better. We headed to a local casino with no luck. I had a good time testing out the 4D slot machine, though. Fun just to walk around in air conditioning. Then, we visited the mall and continued walking. I was surprised to see Black Friday sales, and I picked up a couple of items. We managed to catch the new movie, Twisters too. Surprised I enjoyed it, wasn’t expecting that. Never made it to the lake to swim or our local Hot Summer Nights. It was too hot for either.
The rest of the time we had to do more clearing to try to hang on to our Home Insurance. Despite the heat, I did well. So, fingers crossed that works out.
Next, I had my birthday celebration. I am the age of the year I was born 😉 I thought that might be lucky, but it didn’t pan out at the Casino… lol. Received a long call from my out-of-state son while my daughters, son-in-law, and grandkids were present. They BBQ’d and I enjoyed a delicious blueberry cobbler. One gift I got early was a portable air conditioner primarily for the kitchen. We’ve never needed central air conditioning in the past, but this summer has been brutal so far. I gave in and got a portable air! Cooking is tolerable now.
I’m happy to be back and sitting at my computer! My newsletter should be in your email if subscribed. It includes a sneak peek at my latest cover along with the book of the month and a birthday poem I wrote years ago.
I’m too far behind to catch up, but know I’ve missed everyone. Also, I felt overwhelming gratitude upon returning to some fantastic posts and reviews! Thank you xo
Embrace your inner child by rereading an old favorite! D. L. Finn
Nice to see you with your daughters, they both look like their mom. Sounds like a great birthday. Nothing like spending time with family. I did just that myself!
Thank Darlene 🙂 I hear that often, epecially with my oldest. She is a mini me. My other one looks more like my hubby yet people always thought the girls were twins for many years. There is nothing like getting special time with family and so glad you got to do that too. xo
I always enjoy your photos. You seem to have so much wildlife to enjoy.
Thanks, Craig 🙂 Always something outside to kerp me entertained.
I vote for “kerp” to be the word of the day.
I second that! Kerp it is.
Happy birthday, Denise! Wow, your cat is 16? That’s amazing!
Thank you, Priscilla 🙂 Yes, he is a very spry sixteen!
Happy Birthday to Chester! Bond is turning 11 next month, and I can’t believe he’s been with us that long. Glad to hear you enjoyed Twisters. We thought about seeing it last weekend but just never got around to it. Glad you’re staying cooler with the new A/C, Denise.
Thank you! Happy early birthday to Bond 🙂 Coco, our bear wrangler, turned 11 in May. It was fun going on opening day and had my attention from the beginning. So happy to have that portable AC. Makes for less grouchy cooking. Xo
I think it’s wonderful that your stay cation was family time.
Thank you, Timothy. Family time is always the best no matter what we do.
What a totally delightful staycation. I’m still muttering over your home insurance requirements, but I do recall years ago, we had to remove the diving board from our pool for insurance reasons. These big companies just can’t trust us-all to act in our own best interests, I guess.
Loved seeing your daughters!
It was a nice break, Jacqui. I’ve done a lot of mumbling with the insurance issues too. Your diving board? No they don’t need to monitor us like that. I agreed we first needed to clear back but yearly? Glad they haven’t bothered you since. Thank you. Always good to be with both daughters. Xo
Great family photo! We’re in Minnesota for a family reunion. It’s our second extended time with our grandson who is now two months old.
Thank you, Pete 🙂 Sounds like you are having fun being around family. Congrats on our new grandson. Enjoy your time there!
Happy Birthday, Denise. So glad you had time with your family. Good luck with the insurance situation. That has to be frustrating. The hot weather makes me cranky! I’m ready for fall!
Thank you, Joy:) Hoping for the best with insurance and they get it figured out. Hot makes me cranky too, anything over the 80s is out of my range. Looking forward to fall! Xo
Nothing like a good staycation! That’s the best getaway….. geta-in.
I don’t know how you survive without AC? I’m glad you got one for the kitchen!
I do get your newsletter.
Cheers!
I agree staycations can be so nice and relaxing, Resa 🙂 We haven’t needed AC it always used to cool off enough at night to stay comfortable. We do have a window AC to provide comfortable sleeping, especially if the air is full of smoke. I’m glad to have one in kitchen now too!
Hope you enjoy the newsletter! Hugs xo
Hugs! xo
Hi Denise! Nice to see you having fun with your daughters. I’m sorry you are suffering so much from the heat. We have it all summer, every summer, which is why central A/C is so important here. I really like spring and fall when we don’t need either A/C or heat. Your cat looks very much like my little Manx, Samantha.
Hi Noelle 🙂 Yes, very fun day! We always been cooler up in the tree’s and nights would cool.us off. So we passed on central air. We use a window AC for those now hot and smoky nights. This summer though has broken some records. I am a big fan of fall and spring too. Much more pleasant and pretty too. I like the name for Samantha, must be a sweetie. Xo
Can’t get better than a blueberry cobbler! Happy belated birthday, Denise. You look wonderfully happy next to your lovely daughters. It sounds like you had a great time together — even with the heat. 🌞❤️🌞
Thank you, Gwen. No, can’t beat a blueberry cobbler and it only lasted one day here. I did have a wonderful day. Those family moments are precious. Xo
Great family photo and the fox is cute. I am confused about Black Friday sales. I’ve heard of Christmas in July but is it black Friday in July too?
Thank you, Thomas! Those foxes are pretty darn cute. I was confused too. I guess they are doing Christmas in July Black Fridays now. Good sale though for something I needed.
Except for the brutal heat, your staycation sounds wonderful!! Welcome back!
Thank you, Liz 🙂 I see we will be getting a break soon from this intense heat!
You’re welcome, Denise. Our heatwave broke over the weekend.
Yay! Good news.
Happy birthday, Denise! So happy you got to spend time with your family!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 It’s always wonderful to get those family moments. xo
My review of “Sounds in the Silence” is now live on my blog, and I’ve submitted the review to Amazon and Goodreads. Cheers!
Thank you, Dawn! I just found it on Twitter! So appreciated.xo hugs
What a fun post. And look at that cute little foxy. So glad you had a good bday and vacay.
scoxox
Thank you, Sandra 🙂 Those foxes are adorable. Yes, had a good one xo
Welcome back Denise. You’ve been busy! I can’t even imagine living without aircon, especially here in our sweatbox city. 🙂 xox
Thanks, Debby:) It was unusual and brutal. Glad for the window aircon in bedroom. Nights have cooled off for now.. much nicer. Xo
Tender mercies. 🙂 xx
I want to see Twisters:) We used to go to Harrah’s Casino in Southern Illinois when my aunt and uncle were still alive.
scoxoxo
It sounds like you had an enjoyable staycation, though a slot machine win would have been nice! We’ve missed the heat up here, but it’s been brutal in so many parts of the country – thank goodness for air conditioners and forests! Happy Belated Birthday!
Sounds like a great staycation, and you were able to spend sometime with your daughters and grandchildren. We don’t have central air here, either. Wishing you a Happy Belated Birthday!
Thank you, Mark 🙂 Yes a very nice staycation for sure when we get extra family time.
What a lovely, homey post, Denise. Thanks for inviting us into your life. Big hugs.
Thank you, Teagan 🙂 Happy you dropping by xo hugs
Belated Happy BDay to Chester. Good job on getting him to 16.
scoxox
Thanks, Sandra 🙂 He enjoyed his day. Xo