looks pretty darn good if you ask me!

I knew this would be a fun weekend for John and I was happy to be by his side, but I didn't expect it would be so much fun for me!

I had forgotten how many of John's classmates I had gotten to meet when we very first met. So much fun to see old friends and familiar faces. Flashbacks to freshman year! I loved getting to see my next door neighbor from my dorm, as well as Trai who I give the credit of introducing me to the love of my life. Had he never needed a wing man..my little world would be so different!

Below is not a great picture, but the only picture of the actual reunion I have so far. We didn't take our camera so sadly we are at the mercy of facebook tags for memories.

Going to Hartselle for the reunion meant we also got to spend time with our precious nieces (and the rest of the family!). They are growing so much and so much fun. It has been even more fun lately since we have gotten to see them several times. I love that they are getting old enough to remember us from visit to visit. Of course Uncle "Gohn" has stolen their hearts and I'm hoping one day they love me as much as they love "BA-lay"!

Something about the sun on Alyson's office wall Sunday morning made a neat snapshot backdrop!

Alyson doesn't get much "face time" on the blog because she is the super talented one typically behind the camera! Meet Aly blogosphere!

I have so many fond memories of great times with even greater people.

I count it a blessing that I am still proud to call these "greater people" dear friends after all these years.

As cheesy as it sounds, it is an honor to not only have dreamed life's dreams with these girls, but also have the privilege of watching so many of these dreams come true. What joy as life hands us answer after answer to the questions we wondered together as we set out on the little adventure we call life.

Over hot boxes of krispy kreme doughnuts we wondered where we would go, what we would do, what "the one" would look like and when on earth would he come to sweep us off our feet. Would have ruined all the fun if I could tell those 16 year old girls the answers, but sure would have been nice to let 16 year old me know that even your "fat" size 6 jeans will be a WAY distant memory when the hot sign goes off!

We dreamed big. We laughed a lot! We lived life full out! ...and we still do!

10 years later our high school reunion gave us another fun excuse to get together.

To kick of our reunion weekend Ashley (and her hubby James) had us over to cook out and get together. ALWAYS so much fun. In this crazy world, I'm thankful some things in life just don't change.

The "official" reunion started with a cook out Saturday at Homewood Park. Our reunion was the same day as "We love Homewood day", so all the days' events added to our fun. So much fun to get together and see so many faces I hadn't gotten to seen in years...ten years.

Everyone enjoys a little before and after right?! I do for sure! This treasure of a cabinet was another generous hand-me- down that came to live with us in much need of a little TLC. 

The cabinet had fabric on the back as well as the bottom along with two very thin wooden shelves also covered in the same fabric. It was missing glass on the side and needed a little structural attention. Little dings and scratches from years of love just added "character".

In hopes of using this piece as a bookcase, Dad built these much sturdier shelves out of pine to replace the thin shelves that were original to the piece.  I know these were tricky because the cabinet has a curve to the front and needed to allow enough space for the doors to close. Good job Dad! (not a surprise to anyone!)

The picture below shows the side that had the most damage. There was a large crack that needed to be re clamped and refinished. You can also see where the detail on the front needed a little loving too.

I knew the fabric had been in there for a long time, but I wasn't sure if it was original to the piece. I come from a long line of wild women, so I did not think it was too unlikely someone down the road thought adding a little fabric would be fun.

The VERY first thing I did when I got the piece home was remove the old fabric. I loved the color and pattern, but it was old and mildewed and had to go. I was a little surprised to see that underneath the fabric was unfinished wood, meaning most likely, this fabric was original to the piece.

I would LOVE to say I was able to create the after on my own, but I ended up calling in help from a professional. The VERY talented Michael Dickey picked up the piece and worked his magic. I was floored by the transformation! 

I honestly think it is even prettier in person. He recovered the back in a linen similar to the fabric on our headboard, stained the bottom, replaced the glass on the side, stained and mounted Dad's shelves, repaired the damaged wood, and re stained to add new life. phew! 

The cracked side of the cabinet looks brand new! The flash in the picture below brought out spots you can not even see in person.

The bottom corner, before yucky fabric and unfinished wood...now brand "new"!

Didn't Dad's shelves turn out great?! Michael stained them and mounted them were the original shelves once were.

It makes me so happy! Now the hard part is deciding what books are "worthy" of living in it!

Scott and Julie Ann!

I was WAY more thrilled with their FIRST visit than they were.

Surely it wasn't my boring company, but all the anticipation of such an EXCITING adventure that wore them out!

If Barley's "school picture" doesn't make you do just that, I don't know what will!

and HAPPIEST birthday to one of my best! Sarah Beth!!

Perfectly fitting (not at all, SB is an animal "unlover"!) to have a picture of my dog on your birthday!