Adventures in Homeownership, Part III

I never thought I'd see the day when I got excited over a major appliance purchase, but here I am.  Today's installment of Adventures in Homeownership involved the replacement of the ancient oven that was inhabiting my kitchen.  Seriously, I think it could have very likely been the original oven.  Maybe not, since the house was built in 1942 and I'm not sure that Kitchen Aid was in the oven business back then, but you get the idea...it was O-L-D.  I'd been putting off buying a new oven until I completely redo the kitchen, but when I made biscuits two weeks ago and the bottoms burned while the tops were still doughy, I knew I had a problem that needed immediate attention.

While I was at it, I decided to mount the microwave in the cabinet above the oven.  Little did I know, the cabinet was too low to hang the microwave, so out the cabinet came.  Now the microwave is hanging on the wall, but it's just kinda there.  Nothing above it but an unfinished two-by-four.  You guessed it...that's going to necessitate speeding up the cabinet and countertop renovation plans.  I hope Uncle Sam sends me a big refund in the spring so that can be next summer's project.  I'm just learning to live with the weirdness of the randomly hanging microwave right this second.

So here's the before picture...the oven was a drop in with the grossest electric eyes I've ever seen.  No matter how hard I scrubbed I could never get those jokers clean.  And the color...oh, it was much more yellow in person.

And then the oven came out.  At this point, Steve the handyman and his helper broke out a saw and a drill and several other tools that I could not identify so I decided it would be best if I just left.  Sawdust was getting everywhere and my blood pressure was going up as they debated whether or not things would fit, how best to get the cabinet out and what have you.

So I did what any normal person would do...I went to Sonic for Happy Hour.  Steve, my new BFF, had to cut out the countertop in the back and redo the plug and many other things involving his saw to get the existing oven out and the new one in, but it was all worth it to walk back in and see this.

Cabinets, counters, a new sink, and paint are next on the list, but for now this adventure is a done deal. 

The Best Girls Ever

How do I even begin to describe these girls?  These are some of the smartest, most Godly women I've ever known and somehow I'm privileged enough to call them friends.  We were all Alpha Gam pledge sisters at Auburn and then lived together in the dorm.  Needless to say, living in a 12x12 cinder block room with someone (or in our case four someones) will drive you to your knees and forge a bond that can't be broken. 

Megan, Sarah, Sarah, Cameron, and Marci are five of the most wonderful friends I could have ever asked for.  The Lord has been so faithful to us as we've grown from 18 year old college freshmen into twenty-something professional women with careers and families.  It's pretty crazy to think about all the adventures we've had and laughs and tears we've shared but it is the common thread of the Lord and His goodness that has woven our friendship together and I'm thankful that it will stand the test of time.


We're all spread out now and don't get to see each other nearly as much as we'd like, but last weekend there was such a fun occasion that landed us all in the same place, if even just for an evening.  Our sweet Meg got engaged and it was SO.MUCH.FUN to celebrate her and Hunter! 

She said YES!  Let the planning begin!

Together again!

We've celebrated birthdays, engagements, weddings, and babies so far.  These girls know how to have a good time, are always up for a run to Chick-Fil-A or TCBY, and have loved me in ways I will never forget.    With that...here are some pictures to help you understand why I love these girls so much!

Throw back to Dixie Bibb Graves Hall...this was the night of my 21st Birthday with Cam and Meg.

Sarah and Adam are engaged!  She was the first, it was a surprise, and we were clearly beside ourselves.  And looking like babies!

Ice skating in Rockefeller Center...right after I busted it.  And they laughed.

Spring Break 2008 in New York...Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity on St. Patrick's Day.

Probably my favorite picture of us of all time.

Marci and Justin's rehearsal dinner in Atlanta.

Meeting the first baby of the bunch!  We love you Luke!

I hope y'all know how thankful I am for y'all!  I pray for you often and can't wait to see you soon!  XOXO.