Homemaking

Joey the dog, Jordan the horse and I left Abilene Sunday afternoon, arriving in Kansas City around 5:30. I unloaded Jordan, handed over his paperwork to Elizabeth, the barn owner, and didn't stick around for long after that. Joey was tired and it was extremely hot, plus I still had to unload everything in the car and unpack sufficiently to spend the night in the new place!

Mom and I brought furniture over the Wednesday before, so the "big stuff" was all settled in - and the "little stuff" was still in boxes stacked on the kitchen table and any other available surface. But the AC was on, I gave Joey a bowl of water, turned on some music and got to work. By the time I collapsed into bed late Sunday night, the place was starting to shape up.

Joey and I spent Monday investigating the surrounding neighborhoods on our thrice daily walks. It was pretty hot still, but there were indoor activities to do, too. I kept up the unpacking, and starched and ironed all of the sheers for the canopy bed - BIG pain! But it looks great now
!
The other thing that "makes" the bedroom is mom's fabulous jewelry tree, which she "made" for me earlier this summer.





Obviously there are still things to figure out - where did all this clutter come from?? I thought I already sorted out unnecessary things when I was packing it all up?! Apparently there will always be some nicknacks I can't talk myself out of. Luckily there are two big closets with lots of shelves. Also visible in the above wider shot - my wonderful box from Mimi and Aunt Patty!!


I folded up all my boxes until I can take them to the recycling place, so they mess up this shot of the kitchen. Also, my single coffee cup is pictured here. Interesting anomalies in my kitchen:

I have a full tea set, two spring form pans, and a fondue set. However, I have no plates or bowls, knives, and only one coffee cup. (It's a green tin Christmas mug.) There are extras of many things in mom's basement, I'll only have to do without for a while.

There is kind of a foyer inside my green door. Not visible is the space around the utility closet, which makes a pretty room doorway area.

Joey with the housewarming gift I got him. He was very anxious especially the first few days, so I've been showering him with gifts to help him get comfortable here.

The living room with Amanda's fabulous red sofas.

My little bathroom. Add to my list of Things I Need: hand towels and a bath mat.

Joey in his favorite spot.


Today I'm headed to the big city to ride Jordan and the other lesson horses so that I have an idea of what they're like. Also, Wednesday evenings this summer have been "arena games" out there, and this is the last night. They have great participation. Woodson Hill officially claims me on their website! Check it out: www.woodsonhill.org/lessonstraining.html

I am having some guests over tomorrow...I'm not sure how many, probably just a few. I am going to throw together some hors douvres and afterward allow them to take me out to cool places in Lawrence, since I still don't know any specifics, though overall I'm very impressed. This morning Joey and I got up at 7:00 and went on a long walk while it was still cool. We went up and down several hills - we went straight up to campus, wound through the big park area by the football stadium, and then threaded our way to the other side of campus before walking home down Tennessee. I am a little more enthusiastic about these walks than Joey. He starts off strong and fizzles fast. We could both improve our endurance but I'm pretty smug about my head start.