yes, that's right. you read correctly.
The Riddell's are moving to OHIO...in MAY.
why, do you ask? because that's been the biggest question we (at least I) have been asked by our fellow californians.
Jordan, who is an American Petroleum Institute (API) Inspector, was offered a position in NE Ohio that was too good to pass up...a promotion, a raise, and a company car. He will be overseeing the building of a natural gas pipeline while also inspecting a local refinery.
surprisingly, the decision was easier to make than I thought. I am working as a school psychologist substitute and the psych I am subbing for may return in the fall, so there is no job security for me, other than my behavioral interventionist job with ACES. Funny enough, I recently received a raise and promotion with them, but I would not be able to be a school psychologist if I kept working for them.
for those of you who know me very well, you know that I defaulted to my favorite strategy in figuring out big decisions: the list.
ohio pro's:
-family & friends...I miss my family...and I miss the midwestern lifestyle. I'm bringing back Sunday dinners...even my dad said, "tina, you are more of a midwesterner than you are a cali girl"
-green grass, trees, and 4 SEASONS. I love fall. sometimes you just need a cloudy sky and rain...and for it be to cold enough to eat a roast beef stew.
-Jordan and I will immediately be able to buy a house. our rent in Long Beach is more than my sister's mortage.
-bonfires and backyard bbq's
-lower cost of living
-we can finally adopt a dog...that will be named zero just like in The Nightmare Before Christmas :)
-our future children will be raised near their ohio grandparents and ohio cousins
-our future children will go to school in enclosed buildings...not open campuses like in California. it still freaks me out than anyone can walk on campus.
-Ohio has better school systems...I've been in many in southern california...
-[hopefully] more chance of me finding a full-time permanent job
-we won't be awoken by drunk people on the street walking past our apartment, or garbage trucks, or listen to our upstair neighbors stomp around in high heels and have parties.
ohio con's:
-saying farewell to jordan's family and our long beach & SoCal families...this will be the most difficult.
-farewell, mexican food. we've had a nice, long run...which is probably why I've gained ten pounds over the past few years ;)
-farewell, 24 hour fitness. it's not like I visited you much anyway
-adios, cool dentist. I recently found a dentist I REALLY like...they sent us movie tickets after our first visit...seriously?! no one likes the dentist, but I may try to schedule another appointment before leaving...weird, I know.
-I have to say goodbye to the best hair stylist I have ever had...I will miss you Nina and will come in when we visit LB. Promise!
-I will most likely get stuck with a new Ohio license plate with a farm on it... I WANT AN OLD SCHOOL OHIO LICENSE PLATE
-the hassle of canceling everything (water, cable, gas, insurance), re-setting up the services, and changing your address...ugh
-no more spontaneous trips to visit our cousins in AZ, Big Bear Mountain, or Vegas
the risk of leaving outweighed the risk of staying...so we are packing our bags and moving. who thought I would convert Jordan, the ultimate Cali boy, to a midwesterner?
the details have yet to be ironed out.
-drive or fly & ship the car?
-hire movers or pack ourselves to save money?
-where is there a storage unit nearby?
-how do we store a month's worth of taco surf and baja sonora in a freezer for future cravings? ;)
-how do we get our first year anniversary cake from lynne's freezer to ohio? ;)
we will be living with my sister & brother-in-law when we first get there. I'm SO ready for that blissful chaos <3 kids screaming & laughing, dogs barking, cooking sessions, cupcakes...(naturally, c'mon)
this transition is going to be a change in our lifestyle, without a doubt, but I think it's meant to be at this point in our lives.
it's been quite the 5-year-ride, California...but as the years will grow, how firm thy friendship OHIO <3
