Out of the loop!

Argh! Don't you just hate it when your internet dies on you?!  I do and I haven't been online for almost a week... and I have to admit to being thoroughly miserable! Now, that is not in my nature but when I don't have contact with my family and friends or am unable to get my regular exercise (surfing), it's just not worth speaking to me! We had a power cut last Saturday and it blew my router - AND microwave oven. I thought it may be the fuse in each plug but replacing fuses didn't work on either, so I had to order another router. I spoke with the lady about 6pm Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday morning - whilst I was out! It took almost 2 hours to get back on line though! *Sigh*.

So...I have not been idle I can tell you. August has been and will be the busiest month of the year so far and there's more to come. The first week in August, I had a clean up....it took the whole week just to clean the stairs of the result of my wire shelf unit which had collapsed and I had used the upper flight of stairs to store it all. I intended to organise my scrap room but it's going to be a very long job as life interupts my flow! I helped my husband out with work - 4 days this past week and inbetween we had a family BBQ at my niece's with all of my daughters, son-in-laws and 6 grandchildren! Ooo..it was such a lovely day and I am always so happy when we are altogether. There was much eating, laughing and chatting and the weather was very kind to us - an added bonus. *Ü* I made a Strawberry Pavlova and Tiramisu both favourite desserts of my sister in law and brother in law as a thank you for their generosity in paying for our stay in their apartment in Menorca in June.

They paid for our meals out in restaurants every day! I also painted a canvas last week for them. Karin had seen a canvas of a boat on the sea shore in a sunset and I tried to replicate it. It turned out pretty good in my opinion!

Last week saw one of my grandsons turn into a teenager! Eek! Cameron is now 13 - unbelievable. I remember cutting his cord when he was born! I took him for a ride on the High Speed train to London where we spent some time together.

He got to sit in the driver's seat which he enjoyed.

The rest of the month, I shall have a trip to see the Jersey Boys in London with my eldest sister, a meet up with my 3 girlfriends - always a fun day, a visit to father in law's and then a visit to my sister in Devon. I'm really looking forward to all of the events. Ohh...and I fitted in a visit to the boot fair this morning. Always a bargain to be had. I bought a brand new-still-in-the-box Gino D'Acampo pasta machine, a lovely lime green cardigan, a black wire basket and a real leather jewellery box. *Ü* There is always a bargain to be found. Last time, I bought a lovely wooden jewellery box with an orange velvet interior. Watch this space for a Halloween makeover nearer October. *Wink*.

Can you believe we are almost through August and it will soon be time to get out the Halloween decorations! LOL. I have been gathering yet more ideas as I am hosting a BIG Halloween party for all of my family. Ohh...I am really looking forward to THAT! *Ü*

So peeps, I must heed my own advice - Keep Calm and Keep Blogging! LOL.

Toots for now,