Safe arrival
We are finally in Columbus. I’ll quickly recap what we’ve been doing…we decided not to buy a condo this time around. There were too many road blocks that were being put in our way last minute, that it just wasn’t worth the stress or worry…or the fact that I don’t currently have a job :) So we opted for yet another fun year of renting - joy! I don’t know where our camera is yet, but here’s the outside of the condo we’ll be in for the next year:
Our realtor hooked us up w/ her friend who has tons of rentals and we signed the lease and got our key and garage door opener on Thursday! The best part is that we only have ONE key! I took 4 keys at our old apt - I was happy to turn those in.
James started school on Monday and is really enjoying his classes! Right before school started we got a letter stating that James had been awarded an academic scholarship that he’ll get a certain amount for the next four years as long as he keeps his grades up! It won’t pay for the whole year, but man, every little bit helps! I stayed in Cleveland last week till Thursday to finish up packing, but mostly to go out to dinner w/ friends and say “see ya later” - I don’t like good-byes.
Thursday we were both in Columbus to sign our lease and get the keys. Friday began the adventure packing and organizing the move for Saturday morning. We rented a 16′ truck, did all the change of address phone calls and secured some help for the move.
I need to give a special shout out to MATT BRITT for taking time out of his extremely busy schedule to come help us move!! THANKS MATT! (p.s. Sarah - your husband makes a good maid! 
) - Also an amazing thanks to my parents, Tony & Greta, Ken and of course James! Thanks to Mike, Catherine and Terry who made a stop at our place before heading back to Cleveland they came to help me with the feng shui of our living room!
We were all moved in by about 4 p.m. on Saturday. Right before my dad left he went with us to Appliance Smart a scratch and dent place where we got a brand new washer & dryer for $400 (with no dents!)!
Long gone are the days where I have to share a washer/dryer with anyone else! If I want to do a load of laudry at 10 p.m. and leave the clothes in the dryer, I can!!! I am very thankful we got a really good deal!
After the troops headed out we headed out too, we got James some OSU Gear (which there’s a store on like every corner) went to a fancy dinner at Golden Corral - we were HUNGRY! Then off to grocery shop at Meijer! We are so close to everything! We are 5 min to a target, blockbuster, movie theatre, my brother’s house and tons of restaurants! (like Pei Wei, Baja Fresh, Grinders, mmmm). We still have lots of boxes all over the place, but our bedroom, clothes and bathroom stuff are all setup!
Church today was great, our new ward is the Hayden Run Ward - ironically we ran into a bunch of people I knew that I had no idea they were living in Columbus! We are really excited the ward is super friendly and has lots of young couples and even a few with no kids! I was worried we were going to be “that” couple with no kids…thankfully I didn’t have to give the speech why we don’t have kids…yet! I have to admit, I had a melt down around 11 p.m. last night…no job, new ward, all of our friends are in Cleveland…not getting to see my parents every week…but it was all washed away today at church. I also got a very promising email today from an old colleague about a company that’s interested in me for several open positions one of which involves “strategic intelligence” (yikes!) Oddly, I am really not that worried about getting a job, not that I think I’m stellar or anything, just I have this calming feeling it will all workout very shortly.
We are celebrating our new adventure tonight with a bottle of sparkling grape juice! We hope that lots and lots of people come visit. And seriously if you ever want to go to the temple, but need a babysitter, just give me a call!!! Please everyone keep in touch and know we’ll be back in Cleveland soon!
Uncategorized | Comments (12)Tagged by K to the J (Kaneischa, not Kerrie :))
I can . . .
1. Laugh loud enough to be heard in East Guadalajara, Mexico (ditto KJ)
2. Forgive in 5 seconds
3. Speed walk faster than your mom
I can’t….
1. Cut straight
2. Play the piano
3. be quiet
I should . . .
1. Workout
2. Finish packing
3. Go to bed before 1 a.m.
I could . . .
1. Be 30 lbs lighter by my bday
2. Respond to all the emails I need
3. Apply for more jobs
I would . . .
1. Never work a day in my life again if I didn’t have to
2. Love to hug James right now
3. Like to have all my besties live on the same street forever (that’d be a long street!)
I will . . .
1. Think positive thoughts about myself
2. Make as many friends as possible
3. Go to hair school someday
I won’t . . .
1. Ever like onions, mushrooms, or scallions. Ever.
2. Complain everday (just every other day)
3. Settle for less
I want . . .
1. To go on another cruise…soon!
2. A orange push pop right now
3. Everyone to stop talking about Obama already
I crave . . .
1. Love
2. Sleep
3. Peanut Butter
I hear . . .
1. People on the phone
2. The voices in my head
3. Tapping of keyboards
I smell . . .
1. Good
2. Air
3. Your armpit
I see . . .
1. Sunshine!!
2. My computer screen
3. The picture of the whole Woolf Pack!
I am . . .
1. In love
2. Thankful
3. Grateful for 2 parents who love me
I was . . .
1. A chubby kid (gasp!)
2. On TV in Spain circa 2001
3. Thinking about dinner
I hope . . .
1. I get to be a mommy some day to gaggles of curly heads
2. The years James is in school goes at lightening speed
3. Everyone who is reading this comes to visit us in Columbus
I love . . .
1. The gospel!
2. James & our families
3. Getting kisses from my nephews and niece (even when they’re slobbery and sticky ones)
I tag: Jackie, Brittany, Sarah Britt and Lara E
Uncategorized | Comment (0)I heart mexicans
Mainly, my mexican family. Si, soy parte de mexicana. This past weekend we flew to San Jose, California for a quick family get together all for my prima La Becca…she got married and has a baby bump! So it was a perfect time for some carne asada, jarritos and MUCHO frijoles con laughter (we are a spanglish speaking family). I hadn’t seen most of my mom’s side since my cousin Amy’s wedding over 4 years ago. We landed a great deal from Skybus - which by the way is a great way to fly cheap and non-stop. We left at a perfect time too, right before the blizzard that hit all weekend! It was nice to be in 70* degree weather and in flip flops.
It was nice to introduce the love of my life to the rest of my family - he was well received and fit right in. I have to admit, I feel a little sheepish b/c I have seriously the coolest family on both sides. It was fun to reconnect with cousins, aunts and uncles and meet cute little Changas I’d never met before. Not to mention eating enough Mexican food to feed a small army.
Below are some pictures from the fun weekend with lovely descriptions, I’m only sad that my camera died before I could take more pics…so if you’re reading and you have some more fun pics from the weekend - please pass along!
La Becca and her Betrothed Micheal Mariolis
The serious Chocolate cake
Yo y mi Abuelita (she doesn’t like abuela b/c it makes her feel old)
My hot cousin Patti we look mexican don’t we?
My dad and uncle memo NOTE: this was not staged! I swear they are each other’s twins…dockers and all
Cutest little changa of all! Issa (Marissa Lopez)
{Click HERE for the rest of the pics}
Uncategorized | Comments (5)Moving FAQ’s
As most of you know we’re packing up and heading down south…well, to a more southern part of Ohio (Columbus) anyways. I thought I’d make a quick list of FAQ’s about our moving status.
When are you moving? - We should be in Columbus by March 21st.
Have you closed on your house yet? No, this is a source of frustration as our builder’s agent is VERY unresponsive. Our real estate agent & broker have been FANTASTICALICOUS!!!, but they can’t move forward any further till they get a final call from the builder’s agent. However, our tenative close dates are either the 10th or 14th. (the nice thing about that is our first mortgage payment won’t be due till May which will be great considering I’m moving down there sans employment!)
How’s packing? Most of our stuff is packed up, we’re currently using paper plates and plastic cups (let’s be honest though, we eat out a lot), all of our closets are empty. All that is really left to do is pack up clothes, organize a few bins, and dissmantle our furniture.
Do you need any help? Possibly. I’ve never been shy to ask for help, for anything (just ask James). With that said, stayed tuned if you so desire to help move some boxes out of our humble abode on Friday, March 21st.
Do you have a new job yet? Not really. The work from home thing at my current job is slowly fading away so I’m not sure that’s going to workout (wouldn’t it be nice to get a definitive answer from your workplace as to your status?!?!). But, I have a few job leads and have sent my resume to a few places. Oddly, I’m not stressed out about it….yet
Are you parents moving down too? Contrary to popular belief, Tom & Marina Rice are not moving to Columbus (at least not in the near future). They will however be making more appearances in the C-bus.
Are you excited? YES! It is bittersweet though b/c Cleveland is my home, and I really do love it here (even though there are some annoying things here and there). I know that this is a right move for us and we are excited for MANY weekend visitors!!!
{Got another question? Just comment and I’ll respond!}
Uncategorized | Comments (4)