extreme makeover experience

SOTD: Carrie Underwood - 'Temporary Home' 

What. A. Weekend.

 VIP Access!!

I had the most incredible experience yesterday. ABC's hit show Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been working on a special project just outside Chattanooga for the last week and yesterday I got to attend the unveiling as a special guest of a production crew member, which basically means I got to see everything except the kitchen sink (ya know, cause it's inside the house...)! 

An old production friend helped make it all possible and from the moment he met me and my friend at the special guests entrance I was in a state of suspended disbelief. He has been traveling with the show for a few seasons now and as he pointed out on an actual call sheet, he's known as Ty's wrangler, but truth be told, his work with the show goes far beyond the handling of Ty on set. 

After graciously giving us a quick tour of the entire neighborhood of production (and I do mean 'neighborhood') he helped us find our two other friends and took us back to the area where the talent trailers are located. We met up with another former production colleague and chatted right outside a trailer simply identified with a piece of copy paper with a a large X on it taped outside the bumper window. After a ten minutes or so I saw a cute little boy and familiar, attractive looking guy emerge and head toward one of the four wheelers. A minute later I realized it was Xzibit. The X stood for Xzibit!

Still standing in this area, about ten minutes later, a pretty petite blond lady emerged and climbed aboard one of the four wheelers. This time I knew instantly I was standing three feet away from Leigh Anne Tuohy! My head was literally starting to spin. I knew I would see the cast, but my expectations were pretty low and here I stood just feet from the people who make bring me to tears every Sunday night. 

Just when I thought we had experienced it all, I was told, and I quote "Ty asked if the girls had arrived yet." I kid you not. It seems our favorite former colleague had mentioned we would be on set and Ty was actual interested in meeting us! *cue major blushing* So as not to disappoint Mr. Pennington, the four of us (and some random guy who decided to ride our coattails) proceeded in the direction of his trailer. I am not one to get star struck but again, I was in a state of disbelief.

Ty & the girls: Alicia, Amy, Holly & Anna

He emerged from his trailer the bubbly, energetic person we all know from the show. I was standing first in line, right next to the steps, so of course, I was the fist one he greeted. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I do remember that he was aware of me (by name only) and it made my day to hear him say he had heard a lot about me and was happy to finally meet me! It was short, but so sweet!! He continued down the line greeting each of the girls and then posed for several photos. After our quick meet and greet he was wisked away to prepare for the epic 'Move That Bus' scene.

"Move That Bus!!!!"

We moved locations too, and found a very nice spot right beside the finished house to watch as the limo arrived and eventually an overwhelmed family got their first look at what will be their new home. With my background in production, I was prepared for a pretty lengthy wait, but trust me when I say it was completely worth it!

Once the family was inside the house, the crowd dispersed rather quickly. We found our production contact and made our way back to the area with the talent trailers. After raiding the cast and crew craft services trailer for snacks and water we were ready to head downtown for a nice meal, but not before taking one last opportunity to say thanks to the friends who helped get us such unbelievable access. It was during this time we got our last two perks. First our 'wrangler' friend presented us with our very own blue shirts. Then just as we were leaving we ran into Leigh Anne Tuohy again, this time she actually had a chance to say hello! 

It was a pretty cool day, even for a girl who doesn't get too excited about production related stuff! It's truly unbelievable what goes in to making just one episode of this show and I have a great respect for all the people who donate their time and resources to make it happen!

Photos courtesy of Anna H. & Chaz H.