oh yeah

For those of you who read my blogs from Romania, you probably remember the big deal I made about my potted plants, and how stressed Terry was to not let any of them die! Of course, he did a perfect job, and all the plants not only survived, but thrived beautifully....we've already eaten beans, lettuce and tomatoes, and of course lots of fresh basil, rosemary, parsley and cilantro!
Suddenly it dawned on me last week that with both of us gone.....I'll be in Nashville for the first part of Terry's international travel, and then after we both return to the states, I'm staying in Chicago for 4 days while he has another gig in Nashville.....so it's over 2 weeks that we're both gone from the mountain.
Problem solved!!! We have a lovely neighbor Deborah, who will be watching the house and watering the plants while we're gone. She enjoys working in her own garden so she joyfully agreed to help with ours! I appreciate her cheerful attitude and friendliness, because, to tell you the truth, the rest of the people in this mountain community haven't been the least bit outgoing. I'm a people person and I love to connect, not just communicate, so you'll always see me smiling and waving if I pass you in the car. Down at the mailbox when we get out of the car.....no one even looks us in the eye! No kidding. We always say hi, and sometimes someone will respond in kind, but still continue looking down or at the mail in their hands. I think both Ter and I have been taken aback a bit by this "closed" behavior because both of us love to be friendly....whatever.
I've been in Franklin since yesterday....drove Terry to the Nashville airport and then came back to Franklin to stay at our good friends Troy and Rhonda Madge's home. They're coming back from Salt Lake City tonight.....so I've been here with the kids. What fun I'm having! Today, after doing a few necessary errands, I came home to just Rachel and her friend Grayson....they wanted to put on a play for me about Tinkerbell and asked me to record it. It was hilarious! They each had to be at least 2 characters, and at one point, dear, sweet Star (the family's rescued husky) had to endure wearing the fairy wings because the girls needed 3 "people" in one of the scenes! I hope the camera didn't shake too much as I was laughing. Star is purely a lover, not an actress! But she walked around the "stage" (prompted by treats) to suit the girls' vision for the scene.
I do miss those days with my own kids. My favorite time of year was June thru August, and I was the one crying when school started up again. This family has truly "adopted" both me and Terry and always makes us feel SO welcome when we stay. I walked in with a couple bags, and after Taylor hugged me, she asked if I had any more bags in the car to be carried in! She is so full of the beauty of Christ and it's very evident in her actions.
I haven't heard from Terry yet, but I'm sure he's arrived in Paris. They were to be picked up by bus and taken to the UK, so I'm certain there aren't a lot of "internet" stops along the way. Unless someone has an air card.....
Each day it seems my sister has another question....it's so fun to be planning this trip together and I think I've said it before, but I will probably enjoy seeing everything through Debbie's eyes even more than my own experiences! She and I always do a LOT of giggling.....it's pretty contagious, and wherever we are, people usually end up laughing with us (or is that AT us? Oh well, as long as they're laughing.....)
But, it's time for me to crash. I'm always amazed that even with only the one hour difference, I'm very ready for bed around 8:30-9pm here in Tennessee....so, off to dreamland, one day closer to the trip.