Move to Ohio, and the first few weeks here...

So I haven't been near a high speed connection lately, and thus, have not been writing.

Sarah and I have made the move to Ohio from Colorado. It's been a short fuse, high-impact couple of weeks. We came down to the end of my training at the Hilton, and at the same time, our lease on the apartment came up. I had been in contact with a wonderful hotel in northwest Ohio for several months, and while they hadn't offered me a job yet, we were confident that after all the discussions I'd had with the upper management, and our all around positive-ness about me working there, they would be very likely to offer me a great job once they got to meet me. And if not, I'm very confident that I could get a job elsewhere.

Moving out seemed to be the best path. Mainly, getting to be with family, and having access to Chicago and our family and friends there. The only real tie to Colorado Springs was our fantastic church and the great friends we've made there. I enjoyed the Hilton, but the money just didn't seem to be there for what was going to be required of me. I turned down two offers in the last month, and it just didn't seem to be coming together. It was nice to be wanted, but it didn't turn out that they wanted to spend what we would need to stay. After all, we were figuring in what it would take to buy a house, settle down, and still be able to come visit family more... all in all, we ended up deciding to make the move out here.

My hotel was really cool about it. My GM even set up a free night's stay in the Omaha Hilton on our trip here. (BEAUTIFUL hotel, by the way...) The restaurants staff threw me a going away costume party, and the hotel as a whole signed a photo of the hotel for me to keep. It's a neat way to remember everybody, and I hope to soon be hanging it in an office.

Our small group in Colorado Springs threw us a going away party as well. It was awesome! They even took up a collection that enabled us to replace the tires on the Civic before the move. They were much needed, and I felt alot more secure taking them on the trip. We are going to miss everyone at the Vineyard soooooo much! We definitely made some friends for life there, and I truly hope to see them all again soon. Perhaps on vacation. :)

The trip out was anything but uneventful, and included getting a bit lost in Omaha, and a blown tire in Iowa (thanks to the rib of some unfortunate road-killed animal). I ended up getting the tire repaired in Iowa and replaced the next day in Illinois. I highly recommend Discount Tire. They are really nice, and totally took care of everything.

Upon arriving in Illinois, we loaded up our Budget rental truck (Awesome value!!! Very good truck.) with what we had left in Illinois several years before, and rested a day before heading on to Ohio. (So good to have the grill back!!!)

When we got to Ohio, we unloaded a bit into my parents' house. Mom, dad and the boys cleared a "suite" for us as the boys surrendered their room and its adjoining toy/junk room. We have Kiah all set up there, and he's been sleeping quite well. We took the rest of the stuff to a storage place, and honestly, it doesn't even fill a 10x10!

Returning the truck was an ordeal, as the Budget rental place in Toledo that we were supposed to return it to had closed two weeks before... Would've been nice had they told us... but after a bit of wandering around, and some angry calls on my part to Budget, we dropped it off at a different location.

On our first full day in Ohio, the hotel I've been looking into called me for an interview. The ops director asked me if I could come in sometime. When I said absolutely, he asked if a half hour from then was good! Why yes! The interview went well, and set up a second interview the following Monday. The second interview was with the Director of the property and the human resources director. We had a great time, and really enjoyed the discussion. Many good things came from it, and while we were completely unable to determine where I would be best used at the hotel (they're even considering me for sales/marketing! Must be my sparkling personality:) we did establish that we all want to work together. I left in high spirits.

The following day, I dropped off thank you cards to the three folks who took the time to speak with me. (A practice I've adapted. It seems to be an extra sign of hospitality, and shows gratefulness.) I took Kiah along. (Good to get cute kid brownie points!) The scheme worked perfectly, and everyone ooohd and ahhhhh'd at Kiah. It was all good.

Funny Story: To purchase the thank you notes, I stopped in at a local drug store. At the counter I was informed that unfortunately, they did not accept credit cards. Alright... well, I didn't have any cash, so where was I to find a place that did accept cards? "Well," said the cashier, "You should just charge it, and come in and pay it later." Matter of fact-like. Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I have never "charged" anything to myself before. I've worked with a business account to charge stuff at Kinkos, but the idea of simply coming back later to pay is an odd one to me. All the same, minutes later I walked out with a little yellow receipt with my signature on it, and I now owe them about $8. We are truly in a different land!

Today I heard back from the hotel, and I am to come in on Monday or Tuesday to solidify things. Something that will make Sarah and I very happy. We need $. However, we're staying rent free, and just got my last check from work... so while we need your prayers, we have high hopes that we'll soon be in a much better situation.

In addition to the above, it should also be noted that my Grammie Hutchins, now 91, is staying at my parents house as well. She is a joy, and is constantly reading and learning and talking. I hope to be half as lucid and amazing at her age. The boys have been awesome, and very helpful. We've been playing football at every available moment. Mom and dad have been great, and are extremely busy all the time. The whole family is gone from early morning until late afternoon every day. For me, not working is odd enough, but to be alone at someone else's home adds to it considerably. It has been nothing short of WONDERFUL to spend the time with Sarah and Kiah. I love them so.

Well, that's all I've got in me now. I love and miss you all. Hope to be back to write soon.

Jim/James