My Secret is Out - **ETA Play-Doh Picture Link**

I don't really fish.

Are you shocked and surprised?

I thought not.

So here's the annual vacation recap - minus the fishing stories.

The first week of vacation (August 7-13) was pretty low key, with the exception of Thursday, August 11 which happens to be the best day of the year!!  Even better than Christmas, if you can believe such a thing.  I have to be honest and say that I was not looking forward to my birthday this year because Nana isn't here.  Birthdays were a "big deal" to Nana and any natal celebrations were usually planned with her input and enthusiasm.  But it turned out to be quite a nice little family party.  We had a barbecue at Beth's place, complete with decorations of balloons and streamers and Play-Doh party favours.  I love Play-Doh!!  We had a Play-Doh party after supper.  Unfortunately my camera battery died and I don't have any pictures of the party or resulting works of art, so you will just have to take my word that some true masterpieces were created. **ETA** - Here's the link to the Play Doh Art Gallery; Free Admission.

Friday night I had dinner with two friends, Joy and Julie.  We went to Vivalidi's and had the place pretty much to ourselves, which worked out well seeing as how we were three for three hours.  We solved most of the world's problems in that time, and we would be happy to take submissions for questions/problems for our next Executive Meeting.  :-)

The next week of vacation (August 14-20) was spent at The Cottage.  The weather was great, with the exception of an overcast and rainy Tuesday.  I read three books, "Death of an Expert Witness", and "Devices and Desires", both by PD James, and  "Wheel of Darkness", by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child.  Wednesday evening I came back to the city for another birthday supper barbecue (anyone sensing that I am a fan of flame cooked meat??) and family gathering.  Friday was entertaining day at The Cottage; Josh, Becky & Silas and Raquel came for the afternoon and supper, and then Ann & Jonathan and Shelley & Lori joined us for an evening of games and erudite conversation. Saturday I packed my overnight case and headed to the Capital City to attend the RCMP Musical Ride, courtesy of a birthday gift from the Crossman family.  I had never seen the Musical Ride, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Sunday I came back to The Cottage, cleaned up there and returned to the Cats and the Port City rested and rejuvenated and raring to go. (Nice little bit of alliteration there, what?)

I leave you with a link to some Vacation & Nostalgia pictures - enjoy!!