NANA NOTES

ON TO BANFF. . .

The drive to Banff was beautiful.  We passed by the Olympic Park and saw some of the venues where the last olympics in Canada were held. We all decided that there was no way we could have gone down those downhill ski runs!  Our arrival at Banff Springs Hotel was like a dream.  Guys came from everywhere with little earpieces to gather our luggage, usher us to the desk, etc.  One even had on kilts. Do you think the hotel looks like a castle?  Oh, yeah!  I was down looking up!  The flower beds all around the hotel were gorgeous.  The colors were so vibrant.  We barely got settled before Beverly was ready to hike!  Bow Falls was a short hike down and back so we started with that.  I have to admit that it was beautiful and I enjoyed it.  A great start to a great trip. We were getting ready for some rest since we had eaten a late lunch after the flight. Tomorrow would be exciting!

SLOW EASY BEGINNING?

With a 3:00 AM wake up going to bed early was not a problem.  It was the midnight call from the alarm company that rattled us.  I don't remember what Ed said to the person on the phone but we went back to sleep.  At 4: 15 AM the house alarm went off and we both jumped out of bed.  I looked at the clock and screamed out words that can't be put on a blog.  I was supposed to be at my friends house at 4:30--ready to ride!  Ed took care of the alarm (and I mean "took care of it!") while I brushed my hair and teeth and threw on clothes.  I was only ten minutes late and it's a twenty minutes drive to town.  Thank goodness I had everything packed and all I had to do was close the suitcase. (I truly can't think of a thing that I forgot.)  There was an accident on the interstate and we found out later that traffic was closed for hours during the early rush hour.  God was truly watching over us.  The flight was uneventful and we arrived in Calgary full of excitement and anticipation of a good time.  Even getting the luggage and rental car went well.  We loaded up our luggage and headed out for Banff.  Guess who got to do the driving?  Thank goodness the Canadians drive on "our" side of the road! Tomorrow--Banff and Lake Louise.

I AM READY--LET THE TALE BEGIN. . .

Tomorrow I will begin the tale of the trip to Canada.  I have the pictures in the computer at least and have "in my head" the way I think I want to tell the story.  I had no idea how disorganized I could be with all of this.  Let the journey begin. . .

CANADA HERE WE COME!

The four fine friends leave in the morning for Canada.  I'm going to try to post on that "newfangled" Blackberry.  I haven't figured out how to do the pictures yet.  I guess those will just have to wait.  Please pray for us as we travel (airports and flying aren't my favorite) and keep check on my family for me.

MASTER GARDENER 2007 STATE CONFERENCE. . .

This past week two friends and I went to the Master Gardener State Conference on the Coast.  We only spent one day but it was a good day. We brought home some good ideas--the best one knowing that WE can do a conference with one eye closed!  We're not boasting--we're that good!  Natchez will have the 2008 State Meeting.  This is their exhibit inviting everyone to come.  Looks great doesn't it!?  I loved it.

I came home and immediately [after doing CORN!! :)] bought some tomato plants and annuals to make some pots like this one.  They had these all over the place and I know they sold them after the meeting was over.  Wish I had been there to get some.  They were gorgeous.  Some even had tomatoes on them.  Lush and lovely.  Here's hoping mine will grow to be that pretty.

Ralph Null is our garden club friend who taught at MS State and is now retired.  He is a great designer and when he found out that most of the MG's had NOT seen his program--well, he went a little nuts!  This is one of his designs using fruits, vegetables and roses.  Sorry his face wasn't showing. He moves around A LOT!

Proof that we were actually there!  CEU's and fun too.

The Best Part of Waking Up. . .

We have been lucky enough to spend a few days at the beach.  Saturday Ed and Howard went fishing.  Myra took Howard to the boat and called to be sure Ed was awake--before 7:00 am!! I was then awake.  She said she was going to Walmart and did I want to go.  Was I breathing? Of course, I wanted to go.  When she picked me up we decided we needed breakfast.  I suggested Starbucks. We drove directly there and had muffins and coffee (frappuchino for me since I am NOT old enough for hot coffee!).  We had driven by the NEW Target and saw that it would open at 8:00 am. Guess where we headed next?

You guessed it--from 8 o'clock to 11 o'clock we browsed the isles of the most wonderful new Target that had just opened the day before.  No time limit--no stress--no nothing but SHOP TILL YOU WANT TO GO HOME.  We kept thinking of things we "needed".  Finally, Myra said we had to leave.  When we checked out, she said we could not come back till next year.  Our debit cards couldn't stand it. LOL

We spent the rest of the day playing cards and lounging on the beach with Nell and Nona and had a great day.  They were just getting up and noon and didn't even fuss about not getting in on our wonderful trip.  Starbucks and Target--what a way to start your day! It doesn't take much to entertain me.