Sept 11, 2001

I pulled this from an email my mom sent me. Made me cry.
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you . But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

Ground Zero, New York City, N.Y. (Sept. 17, 2001) -- An aerial view shows only a small portion of the crime scene where the World Trade Center collapsed following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Surrounding buildings were heavily damaged by the debris and massive force of the falling twin towers. Clean-up efforts are expected to continue for months. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Eric J. Tilford. (RELEASED)

Yesterday's Viva La Vida

Yesterday Adam had to rush over to work and as the afternoon progressed I decided it would be fun to visit him at work when I was off and I wasn't sure if he had time to grab lunch or not so I decided I would swing by Starbucks and pick up a banana chocolate Vivano for him on my way to his store. I took the time to order something for myself as well, a grande iced mocha with 2 pumps of hazelnut. Yum-O as Rachel Ray would say.

Fast forward to 10pm.

I was in such a great mood! Seriously I should drink coffee more often! I told Adam if he ever needs me to stay awake with him to just get me a drink like that and we will be set for the night. But I also was a little louder than normal. My brain was FLOODED with versions it had created of Viva La Vida. I sang them all to Adam.

By flooded, I mean 4. The Erin-Playing-Double-Stops-On-Her-Violin-Mimicking-The-Amazing-Strings-In-The-Song Version, The Karaoke Singer Version - not off pitch, just someone who can't sing it the same way as Coldplay does, The Jazz/Lounge Version, and The Hart ShowChoir Version. These included clapping and snapping.

In honor of the song I was going to post the youtube video of it, but the embed link is disabled, and I am realizing that is a good thing because the dancing in the video just does NOT jive with the song. Sooo, in keeping with the theme, here is a different version (it's pretty cool! and if you know me well you will understand why I like this.):

Article.

Over the summer I was helping Adam with one of his homework assignments by researching some articles for a paper he needed to write. I found an article titled:
TOO MUCH, TOO SOON, TOO OFTEN : Raising children in America - Brief Article
Commonweal, Oct 20, 2000 by JO McGOWAN.
I read it fully (it's not long) and thought it was great. In the meantime Adam's classes have ended and summer has continued to move on but I keep thinking of this article.

Today as I sat in Subway I was again reminded of the article. The emphasis it has is on raising children in America and offers 3 topics to think on. It's not extremely well written but has some really thought provoking items to chew on.

The 3 topics and a quote I like from each topic are:
Too many choices - "Having too many choices...inflates our sense of self-importance."

Portions that are too large - "The idea that more (much more) is better persuades children that they are entitled to whatever they desire. But isn't the secret to treats limiting them?"

Too many distractions - "The average American can do all of these things simultaneously: drive, talk on the phone, drink coffee, eat a bagel, listen to music, and smoke a cigarette. In India, most people do one thing at a time. Maybe they could do more, but they don't. This gives their lives a stillness, a mindfulness, rarely seen in the United States...[C]hildren, who are, after all, the world's original conservatives..Much as we may hate to admit it, to a baby there is nothing boring about the same old mother or father putting her to bed every night, over and over in exactly the same way."

And .. Some quotes for free:

"The distractions which are an inherent part of life in America make it seem that we are never accomplishing all that we can. There is always some other activity we could add to the one we are engaged in to make it more productive and efficient."

"Fewer choices, smaller sizes, one or two things at a time. "

A Ponder

2 mornings ago on my way to work I watched a leaf blow across my lane.

Yesterday I noticed myself singing Jingle Bells.

I'm starting to get that holiday fever.

Hello September. Why are you only September.

Life in Technicolor ii

I LOVE this song. It gets all stuck up in my head and there is no way around it so to make it easy I just listen to it on repeat.

Things

-It's just been impossible to blog lately. Work has been insanity. I worked Saturday and Sunday. Celebrated my B-Day. Had family in town. Travelled to San Diego. And Adam and I have been sick. Adam is better now but I am still feeling crummy.
-On top of the busyness that leaves me a LOT less time to think about things and ponder blog topics and so I'm coming up empty handed as far as new things to write that are even remotely interesting or thought provoking.
-In light of that though, I realize that it's at least better to just get on here and blab a little and make my presence known rather than just continuing to post nothing.
-My lungs are having a hard time dealing with the smoke from the fires. I'm sure it's because I've had a cold and been run down, but more than ever my lungs have been bothered. Plus I work in Canyon Country which is closer to some of the fire than the house is. I've been thankful that I've had my inhaler.
-I've successfully turned 26. I was able to have my free Birthday Burger from Red Robin. Adam and my folks and I went there on my BDay and it was a really nice time. I also made peanut butter pie and this year I added some extra peanut butter to the mixture PLUS mini chocolate chips. The pie was the best it's ever been. I highly recommend the extra PB.
-I was unable to go to Disneyland for free on my birthday because of work. I tried to convince my boss to give me a free ticket to make up for the mandatory work schedule =) I knew it wouldn't happen.
-Adam started school. He's taking 4 or 5 classes. Be praying for him as he takes those and also looks towards Clepping. Masters just increased the Clep fee by like 300%.
-Work is going super well for him. His boss is giving him an overarching training on running the store and also really encouraging him in his photography. He refers to Adam as his "Right hand man.' and told Adam that as long as he is in Santa Clarita he will make sure he has work. We are so thankful for this!!
-Our Monday night Jesus study has 2 regular attenders.
-Wedding planning
-Pre-Marital Counseling
-Started looking for wedding rings
-Working on bridesmaids still
-Netti-Pot

Beautiful

When I arrived at the apartment yesterday Adam and these flowers were waiting for me.Adam took a very very long time making sure to pick out just the right flowers. He put so much thought into choosing them. He said all the other ones were just too pink and he just didn't think they were right and then after a long while he found these ones.. hidden and he thought they looked like great colors. He also got them because they went with my outfit from yesterday.
I think they are just GORGEOUS. I love every flower and leaf in the bunch. They ARE my colors. These would match the wedding. It was special to me to hear Adam explain the process of him buying the flowers. Most girls just want their flowers, but as he told me the story it just made me love him more. And once more, I cried. He really is softening me and the emotional wall I built for myself these past 4 years.
I can't wait 'til work is over so I can stick my face in these blossoms again.

Anniversary

1 year with Adam. =) It makes me smile. My heart is so happy.

I'd like to celebrate this occasion by posting for all to read, something that only I have read before. I'm going to let you read the very first email that Adam ever sent me..

Adam Howard
August 5 at 5:53pm
so hey!I hear you play the violin.

And he fixed my blog for me.. see? The URL. That was a wonderful surprise!! He's so great. I should probably marry him.

San Diego +Loving Connie +Howard Family

A few weeks ago, Dad and Momma Howard came for a visit so they could check on Connie. Adam and I headed down to San Diego for the day so we could spend time with the fam and so we could support Connie as well. We all met at Omar and Julie's house then tag teamed it (because we couldn't all fit in 1 car) down to the hospital.

Connie had major surgery but made a swift recovery and after a couple weeks was able to go back to her home of care in San Diego. I don't have any pics of Connie, but if you are a Facebook friend you can see some of the pics there.

After visiting Connie the family went out to dinner and walked around a little shopping area.

I was trying so hard to figure out what I wanted to order..

So Omar helped.. except not really.

Then I would get distracted by Adam's good looks...

She must have already known what she wanted to order..

After dinner I took a photo with this man.. I thought he was Adam for a second.. The guy behind us was clapping.. I thought it was for us but,

He was really clapping for Bob Hope.

Adam and I are never ones to pass up a good photo opportunity..

Brother's looking stoic..

Adam took this artsy shot for his Dad..

The parents..

The end.

posting less

so really i'm posting less for 2 reasons.

1. work is insanely busy. like crazy. i worked a lot of overtime last week and its not looking like it's gonna let up until mid-september.

2. i want to get my URL changed. i don't want to post as erin hann, i used to just ignore it, but now i don't want to draw any attention to that.. that chapter is closed.

Suzi was kind and sent me a link that would switch things over.. For lack of a better option I might just run with that.. I'll just lose my feeds off of other blogs and such..
We also discussed the whole 'Turn your blog into a book.' idea.. And then starting fresh..
Does anyone else have any other thoughts or ideas? Any helpful links?

or anything...

Wimberley Finale

From the glass place we proceeded on to the little town of Wimberley. There were lots of little shops. This was a shop in a house. Adam and I went inside and there was an older woman painting a canvas. We chatted with her a bit and she told us the heat was making her grumpy. There was a cat on a chair by her table. It was sweetie - looked like it had been around the block a time or two. We talked with the lady about how we noticed a pile of cat food on some steps at the park. She explained that she feeds 36 cats! Yowza! Guess Wimberley has a lot of cats...



We had lunch at a great little restaurant called Inoz. This picture makes me laugh because the guy on the TV looks like he is leaning in and smiling for the shot. The hamburger buns were homemade at the restaurant and delicious! The waitress - Faith - was super friendly and we got along with her great.

This is a shot on the way back to Adam's folks house. It's a BBQ in downtown Kyle.

This is Adam's folks sitting outside in the heat while Adam and I checked out a shoe store.

Adam's mom after we finished eating at Inoz. Doesn't the pole look like it has a face?

And me and Adam.. we're happy.

This is the Kyle tower. Adam snapped this shot as we were driving.

Wimberley Glass

As we left the Flea Market and headed towards Wimberley we stopped at glass shop. It's a privately owned shop full of custom, handmade, handblown glass items. PRICEY too!

We arrived just in time to sit in on the maker's making a lamp shade. We had to kill a few minutes, so we took pics.

That is the furnace and other heat chambers as well as a couple work stations.

There he goes... starting to blow the glass...

Putting more melted glass stuff on the end of the poll so he can continue to form it...

Reheating...

After a few more dips and a few more blows and a few more heats and some rolling in color.. this is what we have so far..

Passed off to the owner and master..

He appreciated Adam taking pictures and offered to make a face for the camera.. Check out the blowtorch.

They transferred the glass to another pole so there would be a hole in the end. They got it centered the swung it back and forth -- so that it flared out and scalloped.. Here the assistant is getting ready to take it to the over after the master detaches it..

And one more colorful shot inside the shop. The circles were like $1,000 each..

Dinner

Friends, tonight I cooked dinner at the apartment. Simple and tasty.

Chicken:
Chicken breast, cook in olive oil, pepper, salt, lots of lemon pepper and a clove of fresh garlic.
Veggie:
Fresh green beans, fresh zucchini, saute in olive oil, a clove of fresh garlic, salt and pepper and then at the end squeeze a wedge of lime over it and reduce it down a little more.

Easy and flavorful and Adam liked it a lot.

Saturday in Texas - Flea Market

Saturday - July 15 was our last full day in Texas. We had been planning on going to Wimberley on Friday, but with Connie's health concerns it was best that we stay home. So Saturday we combined the Flea Market and Wimberley.

This pic was taken while I was still asleep. Those birds were so funny because if their mouths were open their tails were down, and if their mouths closed then their tails went up. So it made Adam and I laugh pretty hard to see the tail/mouth rythm.

Adam took this picture as we pulled into the parking lot of the Flea Market. This guy had really large ears.

I didn't even notice this guy until Adam pulled out the camera to take a pic. Pretty random? Made us laugh for sure.

I found this arm and was trying to make it look completely like mine. I didn't realize my arm wasn't hidden completely under it. Then Adam and I got into a fistfight. Ok not really.

We took this picture because of the yellow vinyl chair. It was the little sister to the chairs that are in the guys apartment. I kinda wish we could've bought it. There were a few awesome furniture pieces I wish we could have bought. Unfortunately, Southwest only allows carryons to be 10x16x24.

This was just irony at it's finest. Church pews next to cigarette trash cans.

I liked the colors of these books. And I felt like we had some similar books to these (in appearance) when I was growing up. I seem to recall them being on our bookshelf.

An artsy shot by Adam.

It seemed to me that this clock had stories to tell. I sat down with it. Offered to eat ice cream with it and even found a box of tissues in case the conversation was a sad story. But the clock wouldn't speak up. Maybe the next person will find out it's story.

Hey Gringo!! Hilarious. I wish I could remember the price tag on this item so I would feel better about not buying it.

Dr. Pepper. Yes. Please.

The happy face white flag. So tattered. So happy. Aren't those spools awesome? I wouldn't mind having a few of those around. Not one bit.

The train passed through downtown Kyle right as we pulled up to the light. (Tradition for Erin and her Dad - Pull up. Turn off the radio. Roll the windows down. Listen. Smile.)

Wimberley pics to follow.

Wedding

WEDDING!!

Yay! Adam and I are officially thinking, idea-ing, and planning. It's so fun! I LOVE having him involved.

Things are so kicked back right now. We are just so content to be engaged and while we are talking wedding talk there is nothing stressful or overwhelming about it.

Lots of things to consider though. Lots to think through. Nothing is nailed down or confirmed whatsoever. So it's really just in the beginning stages for now.

OK - I just got an idea.. gotta go email Adam.

This is so fun!

Flights Home

I haven't posted about being home yet because there is still one more vacation post I'd like to do, but Adam has the pics on his computer and I haven't had a chance to steal them for a post. Hopefully tonight he will bring his laptop over and I can steal the pics I want for our last full day in Texas.

Our flights home ran on time. It was great. When we left Texas last year to come home we sat on the plane for 2 hours. And when we headed to Texas this time our plane was delayed an hour and a half. So it was nice to just be on time. The flights were pretty good. Seems there is generally turbulance departing from Austin. I had the pleasure of sitting by someone with stinky armpits. I however was not friends with my armpits the entire week so I felt free to raise my sweaty armpits to adjust my light and air conditioner (and Adam's) as much as I wanted. =)

We had a flight from Dallas to Albuquerque to LAX. When we were en route from Albequerque to LAX the flight attendant came over to us and said, "So, Hey. What is your guys deal? You've been on this flight for a while. Are you dating? Or are you just friends? Or..." Adam raised my hand and said we had just gotten engaged. The guy said, "Wow. You guys really make an awesome couple. You just go together. How about a drink on the house from me?" Adam said, "No thanks, man, we don't drink." And the flight guy said, "Hey. You're better people than I am." Adam was able to say, "It's all because of Jesus." It was such a random and interesting little conversation. I should have asked for another Dr. Pepper.