We've been very busy around the yard and house the past several weeks. We had to do some 'fixing' that was necessary and of course as I'm sure you've experienced as well, a relatively small project generally ends up larger in the end....as we've found. Terry installed a new fence around Erin's garden. I am very happy with it. The white lattice was fine, I didn't love it, but it served it's purpose of keeping the dogs out and making the garden a separate space. The thing is though, with that lattice, if one really wanted to view the garden, one had to be either in the bathroom looking down out the window, or had to be physically standing beside or within the garden. This new fence is black 'wrought iron'-ish. The design of the actual fence is simple which is perfect for me...there is alot of openness about the design that allows the entire garden to be seen no matter where you stand. It really changed the whole appearance. Not only of the garden but also of the whole backyard. It looks very classy! As it should be for a garden made for the royal princess Erin.
The relay for life a few weeks ago was very successful! Our site turned out beautifully. It was a very serene and comfortable, beautiful representation of Erin's garden...only more St. Patrick's day inspired. We worked so hard on it, hours and hours to make it what we felt we needed it to be. This being the first year I actually assisted in the building of the site and being physically part of the relay I expected the competition to be as I've heard it's been in previous years....pretty tight. Which made us work even harder. Of course the 'winning' is having the pride and honor of knowing you won....but that means so much when you are replicating something so special to your heart.
The really important part of the whole relay for life...is that I did achieve my own personal goal. (although I didn't care much for being pushed into increasing my original goal once it was acheived...to me that seemed greedy..) and our team reached it's goal as well. Because there was severe storms leading up to that day...and predicted for the day and night as well. Quite a few teams didn't even bother to show up, so there were alot fewer people then would have been. Of course, as Kathy says, those teams didn't know that we had 'inside help'....our whole team had been asking Erin to suck up all that water in the field that was a swamp for days before we were to camp there...and to hold off the rain long enough for the relay to be completed. So as we expected (but not many others did....) the sun was out, it was hot but not really overly sticky, the field was DRY and we were all very successful! Our site did win first place.  As the winners were being acknowledged, they were called by the holiday the team was representing...such as Christmas, Chinese New Year, etc.  And then first place went to "ERIN's GARDEN" not even the mention of St Patricks day.  We thought that was extra cool. And we weren't especially surprised considering the judges and so many members of the other teams came to our site over and again to step inside the fence and feel the change of atmosphere to serenity and peace...everyone said the same...and came back throughout the day and overnight to get their fix of "chi". It was a really good experience. There were some really heart wrenching moments that both Shawn and I felt we couldn't handle, but we got through. Shawn said at one point how hard this was, and I asked if maybe participating this year was maybe too soon...he said no, it's hard but he had no regrets and felt he was 'doing something".
I did go to the stand to hear and be part of the majority of announcements, etc. But I knew for sure I wouldn't want to hear or be part of the lighting of the luminary bags. I stayed at the camp where I could only hear the sound of a voice over the PA, not even the words being said. The rest of our team was there and before the lap was over I was being called by phone....there was a little boy who'd been in Erin's class....he found one of Erin's bags and knelt in front of it crying. Thankfully Kathy saw him and went to talk with him. He was asking if Paul was there...Paul is in school to become a teacher, so he did some of the time he was required to be part of a class in Erin's class. The whole class knew him and was always excited and happy to see him show up. We couldn't locate Paul at that moment, he was walking the lap....so I went up to see this little boy. He didn't immediately recognize me, he saw my face much less often...but when he did he threw himself around my waist and held on tight. He said he loves Erin and that he misses her....he asked me if I miss her.  Don't even recall what words I replied with. Paul ran right into us and so he was able to connect with him and that made his whole face light up ( both faces to be accurate!) This little boy said he felt he needed to do something for Erin. I told him what I felt Erin would be most happy with is for him to work real hard at school, listen to his teachers, do all his work and follow his heart into the career he would love the most. He smiled in a very thoughtful way kind of looking to the sky...his parents standing right next to him smiled as well. I worried for a moment that maybe I shouldn't have said those things without speaking to his parents first...but then realized that nothing but positive could ever come from saying what I had.
Back to now.....we are just about finished with all our projects..one after the other. Terry is wondering out loud what will be next?? He says should we start over?  NOpe, let's not. I am very pleased with how the house looks, inside and out...finally. And really don't think anything more or different is needed. Wow, I've lived here since 1992, and just now am feeling really satisfied with this home.
I've read all your emails and guestbook entries asking for updated pictures of Erin's garden and of the relay....and I promise to get them posted very soon. I think you'll be as happy as I am to see the amazing growth and blooms of everything happening with that fence....Erin still continues to cover the garden with a big pink bubble to protect it from heavy weather...and just as Erin always has done, she continues to break all the rules.  Keep breaking 'em honey....I'm proud of you! We will be having our first 'holiday' get together this coming weekend since....well for quiet awhile. In the past we've had multiple get togethers every year..we love to have people over and to cook for them....Last summer there were no get togethers and that is how that should have been in my opinion. This year we did have our family join us to dedicate Erin's monument followed by food at our house. That didn't seem really like an occasion...but it was all positive, all in attendance enjoyed each other's company and it seemed no one wanted to leave. Which is always a good sign.  Terry claimed 4th of July months ago....he wanted that to be ours to host....and it's a good choice because there is very little attached to that date that could be upsetting. So our plan is to attend the annual parade...a very quaint kind of parade, fire trucks and marching bands, tractors and so on....we like it and it is tradition that has been going for lots of years.....then we'll come back to eat lots of food Terry has already been planning and preparing for....It will be a good day, I know it will....we'll be with family and that always makes any day a good day.
Hoping you all have pleasant weather and a day full of family and love....will talk with you again soon.  With love!