A Candle in the Wind

Whenever I am job searching, I look at every possible job lead as a candle in the wind.  Sometimes that candle lights your way to a new position and sometimes it gets snuffed out and you have to light another one. 

I lit a candle today totally by accident.  Tony gave me the classified section of the local Wilmington paper on Sunday and I was trying to contact them.  I couldn't find an address or phone number or even a generic email address so I looked them up in the Wilmington yellow pages.  I didn't find them, but I did find a paper called the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.  I looked this paper up online and decided to contact the classified advertising manager.  When I was at the Plain Dealer I ran the classified advertising section. 

I fully expected to get her voicemail, but she actually answered the phone.   After I babbled for awhile, I found out that she is originally from Parma and lived for awhile in Middleburg Heights.  Small world. 

She was very nice and asked me to send her my resume, which I did...and then she said she'd like to get together for coffee in a few weeks.  She also encouraged me to attend a networking event that her paper is sponsoring, so I am scheduled for that later this week. 

I lit a candle today.  It may get blown out, or it may light my way. 

Time will tell.

It's A Wonderful Day in Our Neighborhood

I've been in Wilmington for four whole days now.  I've spent alot of time unpacking and organizing and while I have made progress, I still see boxes everywhere. 

Today Tony and I went walking.  I met Stu and Jan from Brooklyn, NY.  He owned a restaurant for 30 years and she is a Registered Nurse.  Very nice people with two very nice dogs--a white, fuzzy mutt and a red, Ridgeback.  Both dogs loved me....and made me sneeze!    I'm slowly meeting more and more people and fitting into the neighborhood.   On Saturday we're going to dinner with Jim and Rhonda Chinney from Parma and then on Monday, there is a wine tasting at McGruders.  Looks like Leland has a very active night life!!

There's a lot of building going on in the Community.  The house next door is progressing very quickly.  Tony and I walked through it again after the builders left.  I find the whole process amazing.   First the foundation and the next thing you know....walls and a roof. 

I wish my job search was progressing as fast.   True, I've only been here for 4 days, but I feel the panic of unemployment setting in.   Not working is not an option and as each day passes by I worry just a bit more.  

I have an interview on Tuesday, but it's not a job I truly want.  I need practice interviewing and it's always good to meet new business people. 

The weather is wonderful.  It was 60 today and will get warmer next week.  The weather people down here say that winter is just about over.  I hope so!

This is the Zeno house being built next door.  The angle of the picture makes it look like they are very close to our property, but they really aren't.  I really took this picture because it's nice to see my car in the driveway.  It's kind of another way of saying I am home.

Job Search

Well, it's good to know that employers are looking at my resume.  I got a call today from someone who saw my resume online and set up an informational interview for me next Tuesday.  

The caller said that she would send an email with all of the pertinent information--where to go, what time, etc.  And she did....the interview was in Middleburg Hts., Ohio!!  My resume has been out there since before I worked for New York Life and they just now found it.  Swell. 

Needless to say, I sent a note back declining the interview.  The company was Bankers Life Insurance and they are in North Carolina too.  Who knows; maybe they have something in Wilmington!!

Welcome Home

Well, a whole day in Wilmington....68 degree weather and a wonderful day.  Here's what greeted me when we got in last night.   A sign and a mint on my pillow!   I think Tony missed me....I know I missed him.....

The End or The Beginning?

Wow,  life went fast these last three weeks. I quit my job, had a great party, did one last sister lunch, took my sister to see Jenna, Jon and the kids, packed, visited Jon, Jenna and the kids before we left saw Rose and Joe,  went to see Donna, Bob, Chris and Shannon and did a 10 hour roadtrip with Tony.

 But now I am home with Tony.  At last.  This is the beginning of the next chapter of our lives and I can't wait for it to begin.

Check out the highlights of our last few days in Cleveland!

The Next Part of the Journey

Well, the time has gone quickly by.    I'm going back home today.  It was a really nice trip.  Tony and I went to Charlie McGruder's last night....a local bar where they play trivia every Wednesday night and have 7 TV's showing various sporting events.   It was comfortable.  I enjoyed it.  We also had people who are building down the street from us stop by...Pete and Susan.   They are from New Jersey and seemed very nice. 

But now we are at the next part of the journey.  Packing up everything in Strongsville and moving down here permanently.   That will happen in two weeks.  I have been applying to job openings on line with still no luck.  It's depressing. 

But hopefully, things will turn around.   Hopefully, the house will sell and I will find a job down here.  Then it will feel normal.  Then it won't feel like I am just visiting.

I can't blog from work anymore; so you won't hear from me until after January 16. 

Have a safe and wonderful New Year's holiday.

Merry Christmas To All

Well, Christmas in North Carolina is very different from Cleveland!   The weather is perfect--a bright, sunny day with deep blue skies.  Tony and Marie are in and we are going downtown later to see the decorations in the city.    Our day started with blueberry and walnut pancakes which were great.  We opened presents after that and received some wonderful gifts--thank you.  We hope your Christmas celebrations were as nice as ours.  Somehow, I think Jenna's was louder than ours!!

The Finished Product--A Beautiful Tree

In front of the big tree in downtown Wilmington

The Newest Swegle Family

Patio, Palm and Pine Tree!

Who is that handsome guy in the red hat?

Our turn in front of the tree

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!