We have our house in Virginia rented to begin July 15th, so we have to be cleared out and on our way to South Dakota before then. This is a good thing. It stablizes this end of our challenges. We now have only the other end - the Sioux Falls end - to stablize. We have another exploratory/house hunting trip to Sioux Falls coming up. Trying to set up face-to-face job interviews while I'm there since trying to get hired from 16-hundred miles away over the internet is like trying to hit a bulls eye blindfolded. I may be wrong but it appears I will have to be on the ground in Sioux Falls, already settled, before I snag a job. Any insider tips on the job market will be greatly appreciated.
See you in Sioux Falls before July 15th!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Wheels Within Wheels
Like wheels within wheels, I have schedules within schedules for our move to South Dakota. The best case dream scenario would be that we leave for Sioux Falls the end of June after the youngest son graduates from high school. But that would require the sale of our home or at least a ratified contract.
The absolute 'drop dead' deadline for moving looks to be August 1st or very soon after. We leave by then even if the home here is still unsold - off we go even if it's vacant.. It may come to that, considering the glacial home market here in the Williamsburg area.
These layers of uncertainty add to the stress or the excitement, depending on your point of view, of moving to a place you have never been before and where you do not know a soul. Of course, my wife's people are only five hours away in Mclaughlin - five hours away in South Dakota on straight roads is nothing, I keep telling myself.
I like those stories in the local media about how friendly Sioux Falls is, about how it's a great place to raise a family, big enough to grow you, small enough to know you. Encouraging words!
The absolute 'drop dead' deadline for moving looks to be August 1st or very soon after. We leave by then even if the home here is still unsold - off we go even if it's vacant.. It may come to that, considering the glacial home market here in the Williamsburg area.
These layers of uncertainty add to the stress or the excitement, depending on your point of view, of moving to a place you have never been before and where you do not know a soul. Of course, my wife's people are only five hours away in Mclaughlin - five hours away in South Dakota on straight roads is nothing, I keep telling myself.
I like those stories in the local media about how friendly Sioux Falls is, about how it's a great place to raise a family, big enough to grow you, small enough to know you. Encouraging words!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sioux Falls Progress Report
The pieces of the Sioux Falls puzzle keep falling into place. My youngest son was awarded just a wonderful financial aid package from USF. We are finding homes within walking distance of USF within our price range. Another son has applied for a transfer from the Wal-mart in Williamsburg to the Wal-mart in Sioux Falls. My home in Virginia has been on the market about two weeks. Only one nibble, but in this glacial housing market I'm not surprised. I keep firing off resumes for job openings for everything from test administrators to property managers to public relations. Early responses have been encouraging.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Jeopardy Question: What Is Chislic?
"American Cuisine" for $500, please!
Question: What is Chislic?
Answer: Cubed pieces of beef on toothpicks, marinated in Lawlors Seasoned Salt, celebrated at festivals in Southeastern South Dakota. Celebrated in Southeastern South Dakota and no where else in the World, apparently. A very local delicacy that even my wife - a West River gal from birth - has never experienced. Thats just how local Chislic is.
I bet I am the only person in Williamsburg, Virginia, who knows Chislic - maybe the only person in the whole state of Virginia, unless Senator Thune lives in Northern Virginia.
Question: What is Chislic?
Answer: Cubed pieces of beef on toothpicks, marinated in Lawlors Seasoned Salt, celebrated at festivals in Southeastern South Dakota. Celebrated in Southeastern South Dakota and no where else in the World, apparently. A very local delicacy that even my wife - a West River gal from birth - has never experienced. Thats just how local Chislic is.
I bet I am the only person in Williamsburg, Virginia, who knows Chislic - maybe the only person in the whole state of Virginia, unless Senator Thune lives in Northern Virginia.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
I'm Not A Nurse
Cruising the online job search sites for Sioux Falls, I find lots of nurses, computer guys, and phone bankers. Tough fiting my square pegs into those round holes. I certainly know how to communicate over the phone, having spent decades in broadcast journalism and in real estate sales.
I think my unique combination of skills qualifies me for customer service, media or public relations, and consulting/counseling jobs. I'll keep plugging away. I would much prefer to talk to someone face to face. The static nature of job applications online can be frustrating at times.
I think my unique combination of skills qualifies me for customer service, media or public relations, and consulting/counseling jobs. I'll keep plugging away. I would much prefer to talk to someone face to face. The static nature of job applications online can be frustrating at times.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Live in a College Town
Sioux Falls is a college town. USF, Augie, etc. We hope to buy a small older home near USF where our son will be attending college, so he can walk to school. Something off 26th or 22nd Streets, maybe. Walk to Panther basketball games. Walk to the Pickle Barrel for a great sandwich. Maybe get a job at the VA hospital. Lots of maybes coming up.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Snow Melts Into Spring
The snow melts. The rivers rise. Spring in South Dakota. We are still coming. . All the usual suspects are subject to flooding in the weeks ahead in the Sioux Falls area. http://www.keloland.com/ will have a weekly flood watch update, even includes a video of the Sioux Falls.
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