Did you wonder if I dropped off the face of the earth? Well, in some ways I did. I am now living in Kansas (ha, ha). Actually, what has kept me busy this month has been visitors rushing to see this great state before the winter sets in.
I have gotten quite good and "giving the tour." Thanks to everyone who came to see us in our new surroundings. (I have posted photos so you can get a peek at what we have been up to.)
For those of you who haven't quite made the journey let me give you the highlights:
1. The Downtown Core: For most visitors we start the tour with the downtown core. The downtown is laid out in a square and hosts two grocery stores, a library, three museum buildings, three hair salons, two realtor's, two chiropractors, two variety/pharmacy stores, 1 gift shop, two hardware/lumbar stores, a bar, a large (now closed) restaurant, a dentist, the district attorney, the title company (called an Abstract Company) a lawyer, two banks, the courthouse and a flooring and furniture shop.
Most everyone who came to visit was surprised at how many things are in this small town. Brian and I walk to everything. One day I counted him walking back and forth to our Tea Events building and back upstairs to the loft 15 times in a day. (I think that is about average). We get a lot of exercise here and my calves actually have muscle for the first time in their lives.
2. The Loft: The biggest surprise with the loft is its size. At around 2,000 square feet with a full size storage room under it (another 2,000 square feet) we have PLENTY of room. Pictures don't do it justice. Another surprise is Brian's walls. They are very detailed and shimmer and shine in the light with his specialized finish techniques. It really is stunning.
3. Close to Everything But Away From It All: We are within an hour or two of lots of places. You can visit Abilene, Kansas (home of the Eisenhower museum), Lincoln Nebraska (225,000 people plus the University of Nebraska student body), Manhattan, Kansas (around 40,000 plus the students of Kansas State University) etc. etc. Nearby?? Not much. A few small towns. It is hard for people to believe that we go to the "city" at least once a week sometimes two.
(lately it has been twice a week shuttling people to and from the Kansas City airport.)
4. The History: Kansas is filled to the brim with history. Kansas was the "old west" and part of the pony express, the Oregon trail, Jesse James and the Dalton Gang and Amelia Earhart. You could stay for months on end and not explore all that there is in this state. Brian and I are looking forward to exploring the high plains (as they are called) for years to come.
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So other than visitors what have we been doing?
1. Chamber of Commerce
Once a month we meet at a local restaurant to discuss activities and projects sponsored by our local business core. This is usually very disorganized with little understanding of what it takes to get people to visit our small community.
It is amazing to think that Kansas towns do not think in terms of tourists. They don't understand how to reach them and even worse they are not sure they want to. Fear of change keeps communities from moving forward but as the old guard dies off and the towns are left with shrinking populations something must be done to press forward.
In the meantime, Brian and I try to help out with community events. The harvest fest and costume contest was held on October 30th. I went as a Fairy and oversaw the bean bag toss. Brian took photos and I hope to post those shortly.
2. Office Planning and Re-Arranging
Change is good right? Well, we have been doing a lot of change in the Tea Events building. Business has been super slow with the economy pressure finally catching up with the Internet. Fortunately I had some savings to help by some time.
April (my assistant) and I have been developing new projects which we hope to launch in the next few months. We have also been busy re-arranging, adding computers and new technology, adding systems, etc.
Meanwhile, local contractors have finally made some time for the other parts of the building. Doors are being put on. Tile is going in. Light fixtures are being added. Hurray!
3. Bathroom if you please.
The most exciting development in the building is the near completion of my long awaited bathroom! The new floor is in. The new ceiling, light fixtures, paint and texture are all complete. The plumber comes early next week and the bathroom should be finished! Perhaps we will be able to beat the cold weather. (and not travel to the library bathroom in the snow!)
I have been laughing a great deal lately. Male contractors come and go from the office bathroom shaking their head. I imagine that this is the first pink bathroom that they have ever seen. Obviously this is the girls room :) I bet they tell some fun stories to their buddies.
4. An adoption agency
Rural communities do not have humane societies. This of course was news to me. I discovered this fact as I began hearing about hhorrible things were happening topoor, unwanted litters of kitties.
One dark night as Brian and I came home from a long walk, a 5 months old kitten followed us home. Long story made short... he is now the Office Cat. I named him "Keeper." He is the most loving animal we have ever seen. But he is all kitten and keeps us pretty busy.
Now don't get any ideas! We are not starting a humane society and three cats is most certainly enough. Our "fur babies" Mister, Tea' and Keeper are our contribution to a better world.
Well, that is all for now. More news soon. I hope you are all having a super fall.
Dawnya
