8-22-09 Overlooking the lake
Friends:
My 19 year old daughter moved back into the LSU dorms today. This dorm is significantly better than last year’s dorm, which was a barracks. Soleil was on the 3rd floor with no elevator and no lobby! This year, there is a lobby and it is spacious, with plenty of table for eating and studying. There is also an elevator, which made loading in so much easier. The dorms overlook a beautiful lake and is next door to the best dining hall (designed like a restaurant) on campus.
8-22-09 The lobby
By default, I was given the job of organization. My mom brought my brother’s three girls and, along with Eliana and my hubby, helped unload the vehicles stuffed with Soleil’s belongings.
8-22-09 Nana and the girls
This room is also significantly better than last year’s room, with only one other roommate (she had two last year). While the room itself is smaller, there is plenty of deep, built-in storage. Soleil has one and a half closets and I took advantage of these closets by first creating a pantry in the half closet.
8-22-09 Pantry
The other closet was organized and turned into clothes storage.
8-22-09 Clothes closet
She has a shared desk area. It is long desk with two chairs and 2 shelves above. We decorated our side. 
8-22-09 The desk
There wasn’t much room for the refrigerator so we had to place it in the corner behind the desk. It’s Soleil’s kitchenette center.
8-22-09 Kitchenette Center
Finally, we come to the bed area. The extra long twin had plenty of underbed storage. I used this to store 4 large Rubbermaid tubs (three empty and one full of shoes) so there is plenty of room for growth. On the other side of the wall behind Soleil’s bed is the desk. We used last year’s color scheme – hot pink, black and white. It came out so cute. Command Strips and Command Strips hooks were used to affix the wall art. (Yes, she loves Marilyn.)
8-22-09 Soleil's bed
So that’s it. We survived last year, which was her first year in the dorms. This year is already going to be better (her room is right by the hall bathroom, which sports a nice size shower area and multiple sinks). Go Tigers and Go Soleil!
7-25-09 Soleil & Eliana in Cancun
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
