We had a nice Memorial Day weekend. Pretty much we did nothing but play gin, watch a couple movies together, and take long walks in the country (we have grown especially fond of this). We went back to a church, and will probably continue to check it out for a couple more weeks before deciding if it's right for us. 

One of Ron's work buddies invited us to a get together Monday night. It was small... seven people and I was the only girl. And the only non-kiewit employee. I don't want to knock it for what it was, a nice little get together. But I am really looking forward to meeting married couples about our age, with or without kids, that obviously don't live the life of a bachelor. I want people that I can swap recipes with, play board games with, and discuss things other than where the really great pubs are in Ireland. I miss our married friends from Kansas. I miss friends in general. I can be very isolated and be fine with it most of the time, but I'm looking forward to getting really plugged into a church and getting to know people. I don't mind meeting a friend outside of church, either, it just doesn't seem too likely at the moment. 

It'll be nice to come home for a week. But then I will miss Ron!

Ron is smart.

This is the chimney stack at Ron's power plant, at sunrise. 

He got to see the whole thing being made. 

country living

I have decided that I definitely like living in the country. There's much to be said for small town living, but less here, since there are no sidewalks in our part of Texas. Also, our little town is chopped up very strangely. 

I have found that I really enjoy walking. Just last Saturday, I dragged Ron on a two hour trek. We have easy access to some lovely and relatively quiet country roads. Also, there are enough houses so that I don't feel too isolated, and anyone that passes me is sure to wave. It's been enjoyable to spend my mornings and workouts this way. I do run a bit sometimes, and would probably be proud to call myself a true runner, but I'm not sure that I am. For now, I'm enjoying the scenery.

This past weekend was pretty close to perfect. The weather was great. Ron was home from his trip up to Kansas City, and we never strayed far from each other. It was a weekend of sleeping in, being outside, and eating at cozy cafes. A particularly cozy cafe we tried I would love to take Mom and the girls to when they visit. It's the perfect place to have afternoon tea, nestled in the quaint downtown of Lorena, which I just discovered. It's one of those tiny downtowns that tries a little too hard to be quaint, but they got me. 

Also, I killed a wasp today that startled me out of the shower. Sorry if that was too much information, but it was a little inconvenient for me, too! And we are still trying to catch a very elusive mouse. We think, after all we have tried, that it is either really smart or really dumb. I actually am leaning toward smart. Dumb would jump on the peanut butter. 

Love to all :)

Jo 

the end of the day...

After a long day at the zoo, trekking through nature trails and gawking at the various and often very large rattlesnakes on display (hoping we don't run into their cousins outside of the zoo)... It's time for a break. Also, it is important to keep Ron happy :) It was getting hot at this point, so ice cream and a lemon ice was a great way to wrap things up.

Still at the zoo :)

Silly happy Goodmans!

a little cagey

For some reason, we're not allowed to learn about these birds...

zoo trip!

We went to the zoo one lovely Sunday afternoon, it was perfect. Ron loved his roast beef sandwich. Waco isn't very big, but it has a nice little zoo. Our favorite animals were probably the merekats. 

 

campfire cooking

You guessed it. Ron loves to make a big campfire and we roast over it. This is the appetizer course... as we toast mushrooms!

In case you'd like to know...

I got a library card today! It was thrilling to say the least. I plan on spending some quality time at the library in the future, as I did today... Perhaps I'll be inspired to read something deep...

Jo ;o}

the happy goodmans

isn't he adorable? This is just after mowing the lawn for the first time.

3825

aw, our new little house! As the days pass, it is becoming a nice little home.

Still during repainting the kitchen

By the end of it, Ron thought we should keep the blue tape on the walls for an added touch.

Repainting the kitchen

This is during repainting. The green is our new trim.

the crates were everywhere.

Ah, the crates. There were many more than these, too. Ron burned most of them in his proud Goodman fire ring.

Poor Bob.

Bob is being used as a light switch...

dirty dirty garage

the garage, before cleanup. It was actually worse than this, and when we were done cleaning it we both couldn't breath properly for a day or so.

sporting the wife's jersey

proud husband.

what's country living without a little fire?

This is our proud Goodman "campfire ring". 

country backyard

This is our beautiful backyard. Ron has since mowed all but a few flowers (bless him).

More Junk.

More junk... 

Messy tenants--not us, them!

This is the pile of junk out back. More has since been added. It should be removed this week... All of this was left by the previous renters.

well, I've done it.

I've finally decided to join the ranks of bloggers. I sit in my Texas farmhouse, ready to tell you all about it and the life I lead. I'm not sure who all will end up reading my thoughts, but I'm doing this primarily for my lovely family and then for any friends who are interested in what I'm up to.

Ron and I have been in Texas for just under a month now. The first week in this little house was a bit scary. Out of daft ignorance or complete denial, I wasn't expecting to have to encounter large insects (in an old house with holes in it that has been filthily--is that a word?--abandoned for two months...in Texas). They say everything is bigger in Texas. They weren't kidding. 

The insects are definitely bigger. As are the mice. I can testify to this since just this morning I saw a large one run across the love seat. (Sorry Sarah). I don't care anymore what the Orkin man told me, we are setting real traps next to his sticky boxes. The reason we still have mice is because they aren't attracted to his sticky boxes, and if they don't happen upon them, they just get fatter. But my brave husband will get them, I just know it. 

I am going to post a few photos to show you a bit of the house. I still have to develop some that are the "before" photos. It's an old house that needs TLC, and hasn't been taken care of for years. So keep that in mind when you see some of the "after" shots! 

Love you all. Jo