OT- ideas for a "staycation"

Someone suggested that since I don't get to go on my planned vacation since I need to be at home with my recovering kitty, I could plan a "staycation" instead and do some fun things here at home.  That sounded like a great idea.  Only I don't know what to do!

I will need to entertain myself because my partner is just starting a new job, so we can't hang out together.  I'm thinking I'll stock up on reading material and do a lot of lying on the couch reading, but I'd like some other ideas, too.  But they need to be cheap ideas.  Maybe I will go get a pedicure or something.  What does that usually cost?

Anyone got any other ideas for me?

I don't know where you live or what is available close to you. But I tend to go to hotel lobbies and pick up the brochures they have for tourists and see what's close by. I live in the Denver metro area so there are quite often free days at the zoo, or a free tour of celestial seasonings. If there is a park or some area you would like to take a picnic and a new book.

Think about things near your home that you have though, some day I should try X. Or some days I will go to X place. Stay-cations are 'some day'

A picnic and a book at the park would be nice, if this heat breaks.  It's been in the mid-90's lately and I hate to be outside!  I'm sort of in the middle of nowhere but there is a restaurant in a nearby town that serves all local food and I've been wanting to try it.  They also sell local produce and homemade baked goods and stuff.  Maybe I'll go there one day.

Pedicures can range from $20-$45 (from my experience) and they are a great way to relax!  I think it is also fun to get a manicure.  They are fairly cheap - $10-$15ish.  I just get my nails painted or even just a clear coat.  But the hand massage they do is wonderful.  

Other ideas: Maybe rent some movies - Red Box is cheap!  Also, it can be fun to just go to a bookstore (Barnes and Noble, etc.) and grab a coffee (protein?) or bring your own...and read there (just for a change of scenery).  Getting a massage (neck/back/whatever) is a great staycation idea and they aren't badly priced if you go to a local massage school or cosmetology school where they teach massage!  Like $25-$30/hour!!  My husband and I have done that and it is SO great!  I don't know what you enjoy, but scrapbooking can be a fun, relaxing thing to do (or stressful depending on how gung-ho you are about it LOL!).  Planting a small herb garden, doing some DIY projects (I LOVE doing those), or just buying a CD or one song off iTunes that is a vacation sound track....like Caribbean cruise music, etc....these can be fun things to do to relax.  

I was thinking of a massage, too.  I think I'll either do that or the pedicure. 

I'd forgotten about coffee at Barnes and Noble.  I haven't done that in a long, long time.

Beach day with the cats. First put your hair in a pony tail, put on shorts or bathing suit and sunglasses and put on some Beach Boys music  Put out beach towels on the living room floor, take one of your umbrellas and open it up, throw their cat toys around and watch them come out and look at you, like WTH? and then watch them turn around and go lay down somewhere else.   You could really add to the effect of sand with litter, but I don't think that's wise.  Can you imagine how a beach appears to a cat???? Like wowww mom, that's the biggest litter box I have ever seen!  Talk about Nirvana!!!!!! 
Ok, now that beach day is over, a pedicure would be so soothing and get a great color on your toes.  At least when you look at your feet they will be pretty.  Even when your pain kicks up, you will still have pretty feet. Set some time aside for a facial at home.  Get online and there are all kinds of in home products to use.  Then lotion up your body. Go to the drugstore and look for one thing to buy that's inexpensive for a personal treat. It can be anything from make-up to a cute set of hair clips or whatever. Write a letter to the cats and scream  MAIL CALL!!!!!!  Plan on a movie night when your mate gets home.  Plan on the popcorn and whatever treats he likes ( you noticed I put treats in like he is one of the cats.)  Have a book signing of your books and lie about who signed the books  That way when everyone is gone to the great beyond, those that will be cleaning out your house will find these books and think they have found a gold mine. Ok, whatever you do, have fun with it! That's what it's all about!  Your California Friend, Jane  

 Not that any of your books won't be famously known, it's just in case. One must always have a back up plan.  Jane

There are lots of free things in my area from festivals to free concerts in parks.  Is there a state park around?  I love spending some time in the woods.  maybe your milk farm would give you a tour or you could learn to milk a cow.  go to some of the local gardens, farmers markets, etc.  Is there a community pool, nature center?  Chamber of Commerce may have a list of festivals, etc.

I'm sure my milk farm would give me a tour.  The farmer LOVES to talk about his cows!  When I signed up for the herd share program, he went on and on about the different breeds of cows he has and why those are the best breeds to have, etc.  Before my sister decided to go on this trip, she had been planning to bring my seven-year-old nephew up here for a visit and we were going to go on a tour of the farm.  Which we'll still do some day, just not now.

There is a state park and there is a nature center.  If it cools off a bit, I'll do something outside.

Pitch a pup tent in the backyard, or on the patio, grab a sleeping bag and enjoy a "camping trip". Complete it with a battery operated lantern and you can enjoy your reading too!