Visited My Sister in Daytona Beach

I've been so busy I haven't had time to post about last weekend!  We decided to get out of town so we went to Florida for an end of summer trip.  We visited my sister, Glenda and her husband Vic in Daytona Beach.  It was great to see them and we certainly needed some time away.

We stayed on the beach at the Atlantic Cove hotel.  Twenty one years ago we stayed at this same hotel (it was the Coral Beach hotel then) on our honeymoon - so we have sentimental reasons for staying there.  It's not a high end hotel, but it does have several things we like.  It's not very expensive, it has rooms that face the beach and it has with rooms with kitchenettes.  Here's a picture of our room:

Here's a picture of the view from our room.

 

One of the things that we like about Daytona is the blend of the nicer areas and the really tacky, beachy stuff.  Here are two pictures of our favorite tacky tourist shops - the Ocean Club and the Big Shark Gift Shop.

 

How can you possibly pass up a shop with a huge shark out front!

Anyway, here are some pictures of my sister Glenda, Vic, Paul and me.

It was a very relaxing trip and we really needed it.  A good time was had by all!

Star Wars Exhibit

The Indiana State Museum is hosting a Star Wars exhibit and I just had to go today.  I'm a huge Star Wars fan and have been since 1977 when the first movie came out.  I don't know how many times I've seen the original movie (let's just say it was a bunch).  I've always been a sci-fi buff and the first movie seemed to come along at a perfect time (age-wise) for me.  The first time I saw the opening scene with the star cruiser my jaw dropped.  I was hooked.  I know I'd be expected to identify with Princess Leia but I always identified with Luke.  I know it sounds nerdy but I just love Star Wars. 

I can't include all of the pictures I took but here are a few:

 

Here's a picture of Princess Leia I'll bet Paul would've liked to have seen today :)

 

 

 

Indiana State Fair

We made our annual trip to the State Fair yesterday (Saturday).  I know that it sounds kind of red-necky (E-I...E-I...Oh!), but it really is a lot of fun.  I'm a city girl and I'm used to just cats and dogs so I enjoy going to the fair to see the animals.  I also like shop at the stalls (I am a shopaholic after all).  And the food is great!  I'm sure it's not the best for you, but it really is good.  There is one place that makes the best apple dumplings that I've ever eaten!  We have to get one every time we go.  This is a picture of the main thoroughfare at the fair:

 

And these are some pictures of the animals.

 

Look at the newborn piglets.  They're so cute!

 

The worlds biggest boar is actually kind of unappealing, but here he is:

 

We love to see the chicks, ducks and the rabbits.

 

They have an area where you can feed goats.

 

I asked Paul to win me a prize.  He tried the basketball game, but no luck.  Maybe next year.

 

All in all another great year at the fair!

My Friends Marina and Joella

I got to see my friends Marina and Joella today.  It's always great to visit with them.  They're two wonderful ladies!  Here's a picture:

Our Weekend in Cincy

We just got back from Cincinnati.  Yesterday (Saturday) we went to a Reds baseball game.  I'm still not used to the Great American Ballpark.  I grew up going to Riverfront Stadium.  My Dad used to take me to games back when the Big Red Machine was in its heyday.  (I guess that gives away my age.) 

The Reds played the San Diego Padres.  We went to root! root! root! for the home team but, as seems to happen every time we go, they lost :(  In the last ten years we've seen them win exactly once!

Today (Sunday) we got together with my nephew, Brett.  I hadn't seen him for a very, very long time and it was great to see him again.  As we talked, I found we had a ton of things in common.  I know we're related, but it was a pleasant surprise.  Here's some pictures.

It's always fun to go back home to Cincinnati.  But it's good to sleep in my own bed with my own kitties.

Maroon 5 Concert

Tonight we saw Maroon 5 in concert.  It's the last concert we'll be going to this summer.  It was a fantastic show!  We've seen them before (twice) and they always seem to put on a great show.