The Olive Garden

We just came back from a weekend in Spokane. It was great - well, the hotel wasn't - but everything else was. I can't believe my husband when it comes to shopping for what he is looking for... he takes so long! I have had enough of surplus and liquidation stores. I got my thrills from Victoria Secret and shoe stores. My only requirement was for us to go to the Olive Garden. Has anyone been? If you like pasta and good food, that is a great place to go. I love it.

Research course is done! Yippee! And one week from today, I will be in Vancouver. Oh, wow, the time has flown so fast.

From out of the dark (momentarily)

For those of you who wondered if I am still around, I came out of my dark hole of study, for the moment. I love to study or learn but this research analysis course is not very thrilling and it takes up way too much of my time; the house is a mess, my banking isn't done, my weeds are winning, and I want time back for myself and my husband (he has been sick so that is kind of good b/c he just wants to be left alone - now, am I awful for saying that is a good thing that he is sick?).

And to top it all off, the final assignment is due the day after my birthday!!! So, there is the panic to get it done ahead of time. EEK!

Anyway, there are 2 more weeks left of school, then I will go down to Vancouver to start my masters, yes, study, but this will be in my area of wanting to learn. Then that month will go by and then it will be August... my holidays.

So, that is it since I last wrote.

Ciao.

Good things

Perks are good things... I went to a conference Thursday to Saturday in Richmond. It has to do with the Provincial Resource Program - Auditory Training Equipment. They paid for everything! The airfare and the hotel plus food for the day. It was very informative especially from the seasoned TODHH (Teachers of deaf and hard of hearing). That I found the most useful.

I also got a couple hour visit with my best friend, Miriam.

Then I got home and there was a letter from the school board. My position has been confirmed from temporary to continuing!!! It is official that I have this job (as long as I complete my Masters). I love that fact that I am going to obtain my goal.

Husbands are a perk too. I got to come home to a welcoming home.

Everyday life

I have time to blog - but what? Ah, I know... how I dislike Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is really the only big store we have here. I hate how their prices are so low that it makes it hard to patronize local businesses. I went to Columbia Gardens Nursery yesterday. I got a bunch of planter stuffers. They cost 3 for 6 dollars. Then I go to Wal-Mart - .97cents each!!! I am glad I went to Columbia Gardens first though because how hard would it be to choose between 1 $ or 2$ for the same? This is just one example but you get my drift.

My rant for today.

I need to balance it off.
I got my homework done early so I have the rest of Sunday to myself :)

Research

Well, I have started my first course... Reading and Understanding Research. So much for understanding it! There is a term 'research synthesis' that from my reading I am unable to determine the meaning. I think I have got it now and answered correctly. I will find out Wed when it is returned. I sure hope that the first module is not an indication of what I will face throughout the rest of the course.

Anyway, I saw fire works last night for "Silver City Days" It was a very nice evening. I had a buffalo burger too! It was good.

Now, I am off to clean, clean, clean... and next week, steam clean the carpets to remove the evidence of our Bulimic cat - who is better now.

Another death but not what you think.

Thanks to all who sent their thoughts and prayers for my Grandma's funeral. It was beautiful, quiet, and a great celebration of her life. Thanks.

On the other side, my car was sent to be buried. It hemorrhaged anti-freeze yesterday when we were supposed to come back to Trail. We came out of London Drugs and noticed liquid dripping heavily from beneath the car. We managed to bring it to the garage where I have gone to before. Well, our choice was to pay 500 to get it fixed or a new one. My car is 13 years old and has been great. However, I have paid already about 2000 in the last 6 months. Dan was also worried that my car would die on me at the most inopportune moment so we decided to look around. Bruce Striker at Don Folk Chevolds was great. A good salesman who doesn't push. We checked out a few cars and chose the Chev Cobalt (Consumer rated as best buy). By the way, anyone who has graduated from University in the last 4 years, the company will pay your first two months of car payments. Anyway, they took another 1000 off the price and Chev Canada will donated 1000 to a charity of your choice. It is called the "Car Heaven" program. So, I have a new zippy car with a/c (never before) and it is a four door, and it has all the doodads for babies (whenever they come) and a bunch more. It is a fun car to drive (also a standard).

So, bye to my Chev Calavier and hello to Chev Cobalt.

Our sadness, her freedom

Today, I got word that my Grandma passed away. It is a sad time for us but not for her. It is sad as we will miss our mother, grandma, great-grandma, and friend. But for Grandma, she is free of the body that was no longer hers. She now is in a place where she can remember everything rather than the select. She is free.

Now in Heaven, she can golf (and get that hole in one), curl, play cards, and even bet on the ponies. She will see all those who left before her. She will see her infant son, her brothers who died too young, her epileptic mother, her father, her step mother and many more. She will be our guardian angel who will look over us and keep us on the straight and narrow.

We will no longer see her with our eyes, hold her hand, or give her a hug. We will instead see her with our hearts, remember her with our memories, and feel warm when we remember.

Nedra Mae Macallister Snelson, we will miss you.
Love, your grand daughter.