On to Ohio

PIVOT! So… I’m not sure if Kansas was a tornado or a non-event. Due to some issues with the site and with the calendar/scheduling, Barry never even went to the job site here. Instead, after just over a week, they decided to send us to Ohio. We had a few complications with timing due to the holidays and some vacation time for a wedding, so Barry had to travel out there first and I stayed behind in Wichita. Fortunately, we have been able to rent a little 2-bedroom duplex in Columbus and after a week in Chattanooga for Christmas, the plan now is to pack up our little house in Kansas and make the 12-hour drive to Ohio. Confused yet? Me too!

My main takeaway from Kansas is that it is windy! Currently as I write this, we are experiencing gusts up to 35 mph. I wish I had some insightful observations or fun adventures to share with you, but we were only here for 6 weeks, and with the holidays and the wedding we were out of town for 3 of those weeks. We didn’t have the opportunity to explore, or go to church, or even visit some of the restaurants we saw around town. Our time here feels so random, and slightly pointless, and I’m still trying to process all that.

But now, Ohio! It looks like we will be there for about 2 months, but obviously that is uncertain. Hopefully we will get a chance to settle in for a minute and enjoy our new town of Columbus. We might even get a visitor or two while we’re there. In the meantime, here are your fun facts about Ohio:

• The Wright brothers, Thomas Edison, and Stephen Spielberg were all from Ohio.
• Ohio gave America its first hot dog in 1900.
• Akron is known as the rubber capital of the world.
• Cleveland boasts America’s first traffic light
• The state ranks number one in the country’s production of Swiss cheese.
• Ohio is home to the world’s largest cuckoo clock! The giant, fully functional clock is located in the town of Sugarcreek, known as the “Little Switzerland of Ohio.”
• If someone loses their pet tiger, they must notify the authorities within one hour. (thank goodness!)
• In 1852, Ohio became the first state to enact laws to protect working women.

Ok, so I probably have to quit procrastinating, and go pack up the kitchen. It’s New Year’s Eve, so we’ll spend tonight at home with some charcuterie and wine, watching a movie, and maybe the ball drop in NYC. We’ll talk through all the changes 2024 brought us, and our hopes for 2025. Maybe a little less mandatory traveling, and a little more recreational traveling?
Ohio state’s motto is “With God, all things are possible.” What a great thought to ring in the new year with!