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« Paul's Extreme Makeover Blog
November 12, 2006 Episode: The Farina Family
This week the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition bus rolls into St. Meinrad, Indiana. Located in the southern tip of Indiana, St. Meinrad is home to one of only two Benedictine Monasteries in the country. I feel like a broken record when I write these each week, but I have to say that once again I've been overwhelmed by the support from the community. Not only did the locals come out in droves to support the Extreme team, but they also came to support something greater than this show, The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
Shawna Farina, mother of three and a survivor, shows just how strong and resilient the human spirit can be. As a child, Shawna watched her mother struggle with beat breast cancer, and now for the past year Shawna's three children (Lacey, Brian, and Summer) have had to watch her go through the same ordeal. Through it all, she has managed to work, raise money and organize the local Relay for Life walks. Now a survivor, Shawna, Steve, Lacey, Brian and Summer, struggle to turn their drafty 135-year-old farmhouse into a warm and safe environment for them and their children to grow up, and old, in together. That's where we came in.
My fun project this week had to be little Summer's room. Summer had just turned six and was truly a doll so I thought, "Why not give her a dollhouse?" Why not make everything her size? And we did just that. Everything for her room was built 2/3 scale. It turned out great and a perfect size for her. You have to tune in to watch her reaction, it's priceless.
The Farina home literally sits in the shadows of the great spires of the St. Meinrad Arch Abby. The Arch Abby is home to about 150 Benedictine monks who live, study and, as I later discovered, brew beer within. I was lucky enough to be given a tour of the grounds and came across an awesome carpentry workshop, and being of the trade, I needed to explore more. In this workshop was the greatest collection of 120 to 135-year-old tools, all still operated by the 76-year-old lead carpenter, Father Germaine. What a great find. This is the Mecca for anyone who has any interest in carpentry or woodworking, Preston would have loved it.
Speaking of great craftsmanship, a big thanks to our builder this week, Todd Kersteins of Kersteins Home & Design. Todd was a great guy, a great builder and had a personal connection to this family and the Relay for Life. Todd's Mother, who was present for this entire build, also is a survivor of breast cancer, so you know that this build was very near and dear to his heart. The connection really showed in this home, it turned out beautifully.
As I mentioned before, this cause is larger than just our show and the community of St. Meinrad, and the state of Indiana proved that. During the build, the American Cancer Society held a special Relay for Life walk in honor of Shawna. Thousands of supporters came out to walk and light candles for their loved ones who have suffered, or are suffering from, cancer. It was a very powerful and moving week for me and the rest of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew and we were honored to be a part of it.
Get more information about the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition airs Sundays at 8 pm/ET.
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Nov 9, 2006 6:12 PM
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Hi Paul! I live in Indiana, so this was an interesting show for me. I'm sorry that Preston didn't get a chance to see the abby workshop, but I guess he was in WI at the same time you were here.
I was very surprised at how many of the cast had loved ones with cancer. I wish all of the survivors the best, and good health. The Relay for Life and other cancer pledge drives are a great tool to fight this disease.
Keep up the good work and hope to see you again soon. Love to you and the whole design team.
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Nov 14, 2006 9:27 AM
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This was a great episode, as usual. I too feel like a broken record... but every week is always so good, and it is so nice to see how caring everyone on the show, and everyone in the community is. It is very refreshing. Thanks for your blogs Paul! I love to hear your perspective on the episodes, even if it does sometimes take me a couple weeks to get to them in my busy life. I don't know how you have time to even write them with your busy schedule.
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Nov 21, 2006 5:31 PM
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Paul- Thanks on behalf of team Perseverance for the Lincoln NE Relay For Life! Your Extreme Relay for Life was awesome! Here is to turning HOPE into CURE!!!
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Dec 4, 2006 1:58 PM
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Still want somebody to ask Ty to stop calling people "man".
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May 17, 2007 4:32 PM
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Hi Paul,
Just want you to know that some of your families old friends from OLC love watching you on Extreme Makeover!
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Nov 10, 2007 4:18 PM
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i like what r u doing keep it up and good on u and i am frm danbury conn but i now live in new zealand if want to e mail back dodger021@xtra.co.nz and my name and i have adhd have a good one
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Jan 28, 2008 2:44 AM
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and my name is roger
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Jan 28, 2008 2:46 AM
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Paul,
As a pastor in Texas, I want to thank you and the rest of the Extreme Makeover team for what you guys do each week! You truly are a blessing! And not just to those you help, but those of us who watch. My family and I sit together each week and watch you guys transform homes and lives! It is inspiring to me, and honestly, helps me to be a better pastor.
Your love and care is an encouragement for me to continue to do what I do.
Each week I step into people’s lives in their greatest point of need, and ask the Lord to give me courage, strength, and wisdom. It is hard, not just on me, but my family as well. So, for a few moments we get to sit back and be reminded of what "bringing hope" does for people. Sometimes, all we need is a little hope, and to know that somebody is right there with us.
You all are truly an inspiration to us all. Thanks for pouring your heart and soul into these projects each week. As I sat and watched you cry your eyes out this week, know that a boy from Texas was crying right along with you!
Blessings to you brotha!
I pray rest and peace on you and your family. May you guys be filled with all that you need to bring hope, joy, peace, and love to communities all across the US.
Grace and Peace.
Brandon
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Feb 18, 2008 11:48 AM
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I can't watch this show. The overinduldence seems to defeat the purpose of the show itself. Why not help ten families with that money instead of just one? I watched the show with my mother a couple of weeks ago, and as she's just crying and crying I wanted to throw up in my mouth a little simply at the waste of clearly talented resources. I get it...it wouldn't be "extreme" without all the bells and whistles, but you can even see it in some of the faces-- especially children because they can't lie--the show is no longer about having a comfortable, safe house to live in...it's about having a plasma in every room!!
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Mar 27, 2008 12:54 PM
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