Catching Up

I've had a bunch of personal e-mails and Facebook messages sent to me asking how I'm doing.  Some say they miss me and wish I still blogged every day.  I think that's sweet.  I appreciate that you reach out; it means a lot to me.

I thought I'd take a few minutes to spend with you.  I'm heading to Bailey's soon to watch the new TV show "Splash".  Have you seen it?  Ironic that a celebrity diving show came out this season don't you think?  Diving is Bailey's passion.  Did you know that Greg Loughanis called her when she was in the hospital recovering from the accident and now here he is coaching the contestants on this new ABC television show?  I find it fascinating.  Why did this show come out now????

On another note;

I love Easter, it's probably my favorite.  It's not stressful like Christmas tends to be with all the commercialism attached to it.  Easter is fun to shop for, it's enjoyable and affordable!  It means so many things religiously and seasonally. Spring is here and Jesus has risen, very refreshing to stop and reflect on.

So, I spent some time the other day dragging out all my Easter stuff.  Yes, I know I don't have little ones in the house anymore but they made some wonderful window decorations as kids and so I still display them yearly.  

Chris and Jeremy would roll their eyes at me and were probably somewhat embarrassed at their artwork as they got older but I always loved it. Each year I'd drag out the box of treasures and tape things to the windows.  I put the new tape over the old tape marks... there's years and years of it!  If I tried to remove it the construction paper would rip so I don't bother.  I can't take the chance of damaging it after all these years of preservation.  The colors have faded in the sun but who cares. The boys would make fun of their, um... lack of talent? But I was always quick to shush them.  They loved to make fun of how the other one didn't stay in the lines or colored poorly but I found their projects to be masterpieces!  

I texted Jeremy this picture the other day, I got no response, which tells me I got the eye roll when he saw it.  I thought that was pretty funny!  :-)  The exact response I was expecting to be honest.  A twenty-one year old most likely doesn't want his first grade artwork displayed on his bedroom window overlooking the neighborhood.  I do though!  And I'm here; he's at school and can't remove it, YET.

I'm sad I won't hide Christopher's Easter basket for him this year.  I found that in the box too of course.  It brought back great memories but a sense of loss too.  Mike and I made the boys search for their basket every year.  They'd do it reluctantly as they got older but we knew in actuality they loved it.  We had some really creative hiding places over the years, the dryer, the shower, inside the coat closet, out in the car in the garage and even outside on the porch.  If they found the wrong one they'd have to keep going until they were lucky enough to discover their own.  I don't know why, or how it started but we, I mean the Bunny, gave them new pajamas every Easter.  The "Bunny" never hid the pj's, he hung them on the kitchen cabinet knobs.  But the bunny gave exceptional baskets if I do say so myself.  Those lucky boys got XBox games, McD's gift cards, cash, candy, movie theater certificates and toys.  I don't remember getting a basket like that as a kid!  That bunny even found their room on a cruise ship one year.  Man was he thinking ahead!

This year Jeremy will get his blue and yellow basket again.  I don't know if he'll want to search for his without his brother but I'll ask him.  Maybe he'll surprise me and hunt through the house like he used to?  If not, that's OK, I understand everything is new now.  Both baskets will be out to see this year one way or the other.

I've been watching "The Bible" series on TV these past several weeks.  I know a lot of people have, I've seen Tweets and Facebook posts about it.  I'm glad the conclusion falls on Easter night.  I realize that was done by design and not a coincidence.  It's very good.  Took a little time for me to get the gist of how it was shot and directed but it has hooked me and I'm looking forward to Sunday nights conclusion. I have a feeling many of you have been watching it too.

I went to the SHEN Memorial Garden meeting on Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to working with all the students, faculty and parents interested in revamping the existing garden for all the deceased at SHEN.  I think it's a wonderful project to honor those who have passed and it will make a great resting spot right out in the main entry to the high school.  The initial meeting went well and we are batting around ideas for the layout as well as the financing and the varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers.  We have begun what will turn into a lovely and inviting garden to greet everyone at the high school.

So, this is a small glimpse as to what I've been up to lately.   Here's hoping you're doing well.  I'm always interested in your notes so feel free to reply here or on the RIP Chris Stewart Facebook page.  I'll be back in touch again soon!

Thank you for reading.