Guests Visit, Bamboo Disappears, A Peaceful New Years

A post Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
As the clock ticked closer to Christmas, we anxiously awaited Will (Ben's adopted brother), and his girlfriend Tracy's arrival. They flew into Orlando Xmas eve. evening and Joe and I picked them up because unfortunately Ben had to work late - (long story). Will and I texted back and forth while they were on the ground two different times before ending in Orlando. It was obvious we were all looking forward to seeing each other again. Because of an unfortunate fiasco at Ben's work-place requiring him to put in over 80 hours Xmas week, Will and Tracy ended up staying at our house 5 nights. We watched movies, drank and played Catch Phrase until wee hours in the morning - good times! 
Toward the end of their stay we had dinner down at the Hurricane restaurant in hopes of catching a good sunset, however there was a pretty heavy bank of clouds out over the gulf and we only got a little bit of color - which was quite pretty anyway.  This first pic is Ben and Jacqueline, Will and Tracy, and on the left, Ben's room mate Josh. I love this picture! It was really fun getting to spend time with all of them. (They even invited us to join them for another dinner the next night).

 

 

Joe had the week off and so we did what any two derranged people would do with their time off, we dug out the rest of the bamboo - which I now think of as bambooboo. Poor Joe did the hard part - cutting a slice (about a foot deep) through woody roots and down the two sides between the roots and steel flashing. Then he got to ("got to" - ha!) dig and pry that peice loose so we could pull it out! Then he got to carry it to the wheel barrow and come back to do it again! What did I do you ask?? I held the canes so they didn't poke Joe in the eyes. It was quite gruelling, really. After two days of that, we rented a truck and hauled it all off to the recycling facility. It was quite a site going down the road.

Will and Tracy are on their way home as I type. When they left here I cried telling Will goodbye. I wasn't planning it but he feels like family. I know how uncomfortable it made the three of them feel, but ya know, I felt a little awkward myself. I look forward to his next visit!