Oct. 22,06

Dear Eric, Ponddiggers + Joe,
My fixation with ponds and anything aquatic began at a young age.  Being born at Fort McArthur in San Pedro, California, offered me many opportunitys to be near the ocean, Cabrillo aquatics Museum, Marine Land, to just name a few.
My ealiest recollection of a pond, was when I was approx. 6 years old.  The soldiers dug a large hole in front of our house, and filled it with water.  Why it was dug, I never knew.  But I though it was for me.  Oh, how I loved that big pond.  Not a day passed that I did not go to the pond watching the frogs, pollywogs, and small fish, frolicking in the water.  When I was upset, my mother could always find me, by the edge of my pond.  Many happy days were spent there.
Many years later, my children's father and I bought a home in Torrance, high on a hill.  My only request was to have a waterfall, pond.  It was beautiful, water cascading down the hill into a large pond.  40 years later, my son is living in the family home, he has tried + tried to keep the old cement pond going, rocks are falling, cement cracking, the old pond leaks a lot.  One of these days he will have to re-do it. I have wonderful memories sitting with my family by our pond.
I moved to Yucaipa 4 years ago.  Someone at the garden club mentioned a pond tour coming soon.  I was so excited that I called everyone I knew to join me.  Not knowing my way around town.  I talked my wonderful husband to be our tour guide.  My daughter + family from San Pedro, my son + family from Torrance, share my love for ponds, they come up every year as my husband tours us around.
From the day we moved here, I dreamed of getting a pond, visulizing the trickling water, plants, fish, etc. I even started collecting rocks in the area.
Several years ago, Eric came to our home.  He picked out the Perfect spot for my pond.  I was so excited, I was to get my pond at last.  I enjoyed listening to Eric Talking about the benefits of ponds, the beauty, the eco system, the serenity and all that goes with having a pond.
That was 3 years ago.  I started my pond fund.  it seems the more I put money into it, the more I have to take out, with family, grandchildren + some times friends, I feel they need things more than I do.  But I haven't given up on my pond.
I knew about the Free Waterscape, but I felt no one could read my writing, and I wouldn't have much of a chance.  I thought that I would learn how to do it myself by watching the Pond demonstration at Morgans Creek Nursery.  Well so much for that thought!  Seeing how hard the ponddiggers worked and how invoved it was to make those beautiful ponds, changed my mind.  My hope was again brought back, when Joe the fish Man, told us all, that we had a chance to win.  He encouraged us all to try.
So I decided to write a few reasons why I would love a pond.  I hope you can read this.

One of your biggest fans,
Sincerely

Yucaipa, California

Enclosed is a picture of the area that Eric picked our for me 3 years ago.  My husbands official pond tour hat after he took all the fish off of it.  Given to him by grandchildren for a joke!

I love that PondTour hat.

Don't give up on your dreams. They often have an unexpected way of coming true when we stick with them.

Best of luck to you.

Congratulations #22, You are in the FINAL FIVE!

Best of luck!

Congratulations!! This dream may come true after all. Best of luck.

ok wheres mcfly and that delorein
Hey Mcfly

It should all be taken care of. I'm sorry I haven't been here to keep up. Believe me I'm much rather be here, able to listen to the calming sounds of my pond than the humming and beeping of machines in the hospital!

Connie

dont sweat it Connie We all understand and were pulling for you and your husband

No worries. you have more important things to worry about....