Friends!

I have to admit I was a little nervous to have them come visit. After all, it had been YEARS since we'd actually spent time together. Would it be awkward? Would they still like us? Have they changed? Have WE changed?

Someone told me that having someone come stay at your house is like standing in a public place in your underwear. There's no way of disguising the real you! They'll see it all...the good and the bad!

In the days leading up to their visit, I found myself remembering some of the things we've done together. I remembered the many times we would go out and our kids would play. I remembered our many, many craft projects. We made Christmas Caroler ornaments one year. They were made out of smashed soda cans, and it was so cold outside that the spray paint we were using wouldn't stick to the cans. We persisted though! We were going to make those silly things even if the fumes killed us! I also remembered when we made our girls matching dresses for their eighth birthday. We even did a combined eighth birthday party for them at the Lion House.

Such fun memories!

With memories like those how could I possibly be nervous?!

When I finally saw them walking down the terminal, a feeling of sheer happiness poured over me as I realized these are our friends! I mean really good friends! I knew in an instant that everything was going to be just fine. As a matter of fact, it would be much more than fine...it would be great! We were in for a weekend of great reminiscing, catching up, and lots of laughs!

I don't know too many people who can say that their plumber is such a good friend that he would fly across the country to help with a plumbing project. Yes, you read that right...a plumbing project! That's the kind of friend Dave is. He's not only the cleanest plumber on earth, he's the best too!

The guys spent most of their time building, while we girls did what we do best.....shopped, drove around, and went to lunch. We made sure to keep the boys on a strict deadline though because we needed to hit some of the Nashville hot spots like The Bluebird Cafe, and the Grand Ole Opry.

I don't have any pictures at the Bluebird, but did get some at the Opry.

Grand Ole Opry highlights: The Virginia Boys, Ashton Shepherd, Riders in the Sky, Keith Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Hal Ketchum, Gary Mule Deer , Little Jimmy Dickens, and Gene Watson. Little Jimmy Dickens is 88 years old and still going strong!

The funny thing is that Vicky is the one who got me hooked on country music. Now we can say we've gone to the Grand Ole Opry together! Whoda thought!

And we won't let any of our friends leave Nashville without a trip to The Loveless Cafe. Those world famous biscuits are worth the two hour wait. Trust me! They leave a lasting impression (especially on the thighs)!!

So, it wasn't' awkward, I think they still like us, we've all changed (for the better, I hope), and I never once felt like I was standing in a public place in my underwear! Thanks guys, it was so much fun having you here! Y'all come back now, ya hear! It would be fun to do it again when you don't have to work so hard!

Now for those of you who have been asking... here's pictures of the progress in the basement. As you can see, we're coming right along.

They broke the concrete, moved the spot for the toilet, re-cemented everything and even got the tub set.

Dave made sure everything was done better than just to code. He and Bob built a whole new wall so they could run pipes and not weaken any support walls.

They installed the lift pump (yes...lift...that's what it does). They also installed my favorite thing... a sink in the garage... so Bob the Builder has a place to wash his hands and anything else I won't allow in the house!


Hooray for progress! Hope y'all will come over for movie night when we're done.