Hi!
I had a wonderful Beatle Birthday. It was a nice celebration with family, plus we made a quick trip to Portland to see our son. It has been 19 months since I last got a hug from him. It was a ten-hour drive, and we only had one day to visit, since I had to get back for an appointment. It was worth it, though, and we packed a lot into that one day. We had a nice lunch, swam in the river, and enjoyed a tasty shrimp-and-steak dinner his girlfriend and friends prepared for us. It was nice to see where he lives, works, and just visit!
After that end-of-July vacation, I was getting back into my routine when a busy period came up. We got in lots of family time. Started with taking the younger grands to the fair and watching them dance with their dance school, and then watching them do more rides.
The younger ones stayed with us a couple of times, and that meant back-to-school shopping and, of course, ice cream and finding those squishy toys they all love.
We also attended a party for my sister-in-law’s 70th birthday, and the next day we had a celebration at our house for our grandson, who turned 18.
Things were about to calm down as school started, but one of my grands got sick and couldn’t go to school after the first day. She stayed here, and after a doctor’s visit, we found out it was strep throat. So she hung out here until she was better and could get back to the first week of school.
Then it was quiet. I worked on the poetry I’ve written this year on my computer, then finished my newsletter when I got a message from my youngest daughter, Danielle, that she had to evacuate her home. She works from home, and her husband was at work. So I hung out with her and her kitties. My cats weren’t big on socializing with them. Luckily, they got the fire under control after a few hours, and she was able to return home. She found that the fire line they bulldozed was at the top of her property. They live at the bottom of a slope. That was way too close. My other daughter, Desiree, who runs a preschool, had to shut down as they were in the warning zone.
So that was an eventful day for everyone. They did arrest the person who started it; it sounds like he burned down his own house, and it spread to 13 acres. It is definitely fire season here, but when it’s intentionally set and not from lightning or an accident, then it makes it all the worse.
That is just part of living in the forest and foothills, and more so the last few years. We started a firewise group in our neighborhood, and we have two-way radios to communicate. Everyone has cleared around their houses, and we’ve discussed putting sprinklers on our roof. Plus, we’re lucky to have some of the best firefighters around and the planes nearby. Although I prefer not to test out all the precautions we’ve taken to stay safe.
This week, I’m becoming a dance grandma, picking the younger ones up from school and getting them to dance. I will be brushing up on my ballet bun skills.
Right before this all got started, I got my book to the editor too. Whew!
So that’s where I’ve been. Now I can finish my blurb and set a release date.
I’m hoping to be back on schedule; I’ve missed visiting everyone!
Here are some pictures from the last few weeks:
Embrace your inner child by looking through their eyes. Denise
What a busy summer you have had. Any time spent with our sons is great, especially when they live so far away! I know the feeling. The picture of you and your girls is wondeful. You all have the same smile!! Enjoy what’s left of the summer and stay safe. xo
Very busy summer, Darlene 🙂 Yes, when they live far away every moment with them is special, like you said. Thank you, the fair does bring smiles. Xo
Busy, busy, busy, Denise, and so many birthdays. Good to spend some time with family, and great pics to mark the occasion. Thanks for sharing and keep on making the most of the season. 🙂
So busy, reminded me of my younger days. Always good to spend thst family time and I usually never miss getting pictures of it. I will, thank you, Laura!
It’s great to see a catch-up, Denise. It’s uncanny how often our lives run parallel with transporting grandkids to their activities. 🙂 I’m picking up my dance girl today. 🙂 Glad the fires didn’t get any closer and glad they arrested the person who started it. Take care!!!
I should do catch ups more often. You are good about it, Jan. Yes, we do seem to be on a similar grandma path. I like seeing what they are doing and dance is s big part of it. Thank you, relieved about the fire and the arrest. Xo
Wow! You’ve had a great summer. Thank you for sharing the highlights with it. And happy birthday!
Thank you, Liz 🙂 It was in so many ways! Xo
You’re welcome, Denise.
Oh goodness you have been busy! I’m glad that Danielle and Desiree are okay after the fires. We’re dealing with wildfires in our area, too. The closest is 50,000 acres and only 5 percent contained. We’re praying hard for rain and for the brave firefighters! I look forward to reading your new book. Since you mentioned the poetry you’ve written this year, maybe it’s a poetry collection??
So busy, Priscilla but a happy busy. Yes relieved this fire didn’t take off. The closest big one is about an hour and half away near Reno. 50k is a big one! I hope they get it under control and get some help from rain. Hopefully you aren’t dealing with smoke. Can’t say enough about the brave firefighters. They are amazing. Yes, thinking about a poetry collection next 🙂 xo
It sounds like you had great family time, Denise, with good deeds done by you for the family. Sprinklers on the roof could be helpful. It’s good that you have another book getting ready.
Yes, lots of great family time, Timothy 🙂 I like that good deed doer! Yes the sprinkler could help if the power doesn’t go out since we are on a well. That would require a different type generator than what we have. Yes, always feels good to get a book ready to release.
😍 Best wishes for you and yours, Denise.
Sounds like a beautiful birthday, Denise. Congratulations and I’m glad you had a good time.
Thank you, it was John 🙂 Yes very good time!
Gosh, our firefighters are overworked enough during the fire season just to deal with other yahoos setting fires. I heard the one in Reno that’s going on was also set by someone.
I’m glad you got to spend some time with your son. It’s tough when we don’t get to see our children for such a long period of time. Thank goodness for ZOOM and FaceTime.
I agree there is enough for them to do without someone adding to it like Reno, Pete. It was good to see him in person but we do have more options with Zoom and Facetime.
Oh Denise, what a full few weeks you have had! I was especially touched by that ten-hour drive for one precious day with your son after nineteen months without a hug. Absolutely worth every mile! And how frightening to have the fire come so close to Danielle’s home. I am very glad everyone was safe. Through all of this there seems to be such a wonderful thread of family running through your days: birthdays, grandchildren, ice cream, dance lessons and simply being there when someone needs you. And somehow you managed to get your book to the editor too! Now, Dance Grandma, it’s time to perfect those ballet buns. 💃
It was very full, Rebecca 🙂 Yes that drive was well worth the hug for sure. Way too close for my comfort but I trusted they would get it out. Yes, I enjpu being there and being a part of it all. I am working on that perfect bun right now!
Sounds both fun and frantic. The fires are terrifying this year. I had a hummingbird resting in my yard during the last rainstorm.
Fun and frantic that fits, Craig…lol Yes. Not a fan of the increasing long fire season. Glad your humming found a place ride out the storm. We had one sit on the feeder doing a snowstorm, I felt so bad for it but it was sheltered under gutter.
It sounds like a wonderful birthday. Happy birthday 🎁🎂🎈
I am so sorry what happened to your youngest daughter. So the guy who started it burned down his own house? That is a strange thing to do. Here in north Texas we are having a lot of wildfires too. Congratulations on getting your next book to the editor.🏆🏆🏆
Thank you, Thomas, It was a great celebration! We are relieved they got the fire out. From what I understand he did burn his own house down, but no one understands the why he did it. I hope you get some rain to help fight those fires. Thanks, it was good to finish it!
Wow! your days were jam-packed, Denise. You seem to have enjoyed the break! Lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to your book.
Yes, A very busy period for sure Balroop 🙂 it was a nice break though. Thank you!
You’ve had so much on your plate. Though your bday and time with your baby boy sounded like all kinds of fun. Loved the pic of you two. I like the idea of the sprinkler. Though, I have no idea of cost. Is your roofing material fire retardant? Can’t wait for your next wonderful book to come out. Hugs
It had been busy, but good busy especially seeing our boy. Jeff could probably put the sprinkler together but we worried about power staying on to use it. Would have to have an auto generator, I think. Yes roof is up to code 🙂 it was old before. Thanks for your help. Hugs back xo
Hi Denise, it’s lovely to see you back. Your birthday and mini vacation sound like lovely events. It’s nice to see photographs of your children. The fires have been really awful this year.
Im happy to be back! It was time well spent. Been a while since I’ve shared the kids. Yes, fires are awful all over!
Hi, Denise. I really enjoyed catching up with you via this wonderful, newsy, chatty post. And I’m delighted that you had a good birthday. <3 Hugs on the wing.
I figured it was time to let everyone know I’m still around…lol thank you, it was a great celebration. Hugs back xo
Definitely an eventful summer! Congrats on getting your book to the publisher, Denise! I barely made a dent on the planning of mine. Lol! 🙂
Bert eventful, Yvette! Thank you and I yours will be here when it supposed to 🙂 xo
You have really been busy, Denise! I’m so glad your daughter and her home were okay! I agree with you that when it’s arson, it’s so much worse. Loved all your photos, especially the sunset! I’m not around as much, but I hope to not miss your book! xo
Yes, very busy, Lauren, but I see a break coming soon? Yes, the thought of someone deberatly setting a fire is attempted murder to me. Thank you! I’m not around as much as I’d like either, but will try to keep up with everyone. xo
A very busy summer Denise and it must have been amazing to have that hug after so long… well worth the drive… delighted to hear there is a new book in the near future… ♥♥
That hug was defintely worth the drive, Sally 🙂 Thank you, excited to get the book out soon xo
So that’s what you’ve been up to! 😂 A tad busy, but good fun and you got your book to the editor! Great pics! Your girls look just like you! xox
LOL! Just a tad busy and it hasn’t stopped…I’m relieved to have gotten my book done. I hear that a lot that my daughter look like me, epecially my oldest. xo
A belated Happy Birthday!
Thank you xo