I went for a walk at Oak Openings park in Toledo yesterday morning. On June 5 2010, the tornado that went through northwest Ohio went through the park. We had an opportunity to see where it took out the trees in the park.
It was amazing to see acres of trees uprooted and laying on their sides. Pine trees that were once full are now stripped bare with their needles and branches thrown to the wind. Along one trail, you could see to the horizon the destruction the wind did.
And then a few yards to the north and south – minimal damage. The pictures don’t do the scene justice – I hope to get out at a later date and take some more pictures.
I upgraded my television this weekend and scanned the skies for available television stations. I dropped my cable television almost two years ago after trimming my budget and realizing that there are other options than cable.\
Well, this morning I scanned for digital stations and this is what I got. I live in the Toledo (43615) area:
I’ve been back to work for about 6 weeks now. And while I am making about $200 more a week than when I was on unemployment, my expenses adjusted and I’m just about breaking even.
I’m fearful about digging myself back out. I don’t have as much spending money as I would like (who does?) and I have been used to feeling as though I am behind the 8-ball all the time. I read an article that said it takes about 18 months to get back where you were after a job loss. All said and done, am I trying to recoup where I was in 2007?
I should have my student loans paid off by the end of the year (yeah!) and my credit cards should be zeroed out by this time next year (if not sooner) except for my gas card which I use every week for Speedway. (but that’s paid off every month). No television cable bill, just utilities and housing. I can’t remember the last time I went to the grocery store for something other than beer (I should address that…) so my grocery bill is low.
Today is a “Gibby” day. It’s a nice hot and humid day and while I could (and should) turn the air conditioning on – I opted not to. I’ve been walking around all day in shorts without my shirt. And while I am completely ashamed of my lack of physique, it is a nice feeling. I still harbor feelings of shame and embarrassment that I believe take their roots in my Catholic upbringing and even in my home where I live by myself, I am never (partially) naked for more than a few minutes. I have friends who are more comfortable with their body image and walk around naked all the time – even at some parties… but not me.
I’m still adjusting to this travel/work situation I am in.
I spent most of the week in Cleveland, and the weekends in Toledo. But I own the house in Toledo. I feel a little out of place in both locations. It took a while to get used to the situation last time and I’m sure I will adjust once again – but it’s taking longer than I thought it would.
I’m just getting back into the grove of Monday morning driving the turnpike. I even have the return trip down. It’s just the social aspect that is getting rough. I’d like to get back into the dating scene, but am a bit hesitant because I’m not really around either place. I feel like a gypsy just wandering around with no place to call my own.
I spent much of the week in Chicago. Actually west of Chicago in a wealthy suburb, but close enough.
It was a work-related trip as the company I am working for is doing some renovations on some car dealerships in the area and it was a trip to do some walkthroughs, organize a meeting or two, and to get some specifications down.
First off, this is not to knock the women in either Toledo or Cleveland (my two “home towns” so to speak) but there are a lot of HOT women in Chicago. I was pleasantly surprised at how many attractive women I saw just driving around or at the restaurants we frequented. Call me shallow if you will, but I stand by my words.
We tried to eat at some local/regional places when we could. There was one place, the Bohemian Crystal Restaurant that was just fantastic. I had the chicken papraka and it was just like my mom would make. We also had breakfast one morning at The Omega Restaurant. The food was good. I had the two by four; two eggs (scrambled) and four pancakes. The pancakes tastes just like REAL cakes – you could taste the butter (aka love) in them.
Traffic wasn’t too bad on the way home – I was prepared for worse. But once we got into Indiana it was a clear drive home. We made it in about 7 hours.
I feel like I am finally getting back into a routine. It’s going to take a few more weeks, but it is getting there.
I’m back to driving 2+ hours a week into Cleveland for work and then back on the weekends. I wouldn’t have to do this if (and that’s a big IF) I could find work in the Toledo area – but that seems to be an impossibility as of late. The area seems more interested in spending money honoring Crystal Bowersox that in creating new jobs. It’s nice to know that my taxes are being spent wisely.
It has been tough the last couple of weeks trying to get all of my weekly household duties done in a little over two days. Getting home Friday night to throw some laundry in the machines, getting something to eat, and vacuuming before going through the mail and getting some extra sleep. Even though there isn’t a lot of activity in my home during the week, I still have to dust and tend to my plants. Saturday is spent paying bills and ironing shirts so that I can relax and plan out my week ahead.
I went for a walk at Oak Openings park in Toledo yesterday morning. On June 5 2010, the tornado that went through northwest Ohio went through the park. We had an opportunity to see where it took out the trees in the park.
