Erieversible

Journeyed down to the Occupational Health Center on Sassafras this morning.  It was interesting, driving on more snow than I have driven on for many years.  I’m informed that was just a gentle introduction to Erie’s winter.

I’m sure many of you have undergone drugs tests as it seems to be very common in the US.  However, it is very rare in the UK and this was my first drugs test.  Ever!  I have to say the process was very quick and very clinical.  I hope the laboratory that does the processing is as efficient as the staff at the Center.

Getting back to the weather, being unused to the lake effect snow I find it amazing how distinct the boundary can be between the area that got tons of snow and the adjacent area that didn’t.  There’s really no gradual build up of snow as you walk / drive along, it suddenly just “is there”.  Quite strange (to me) and yet quite wonderful at the same time.  As yet we’ve got off relatively lightly at the rental house but our time will come, sooner or later.

The snow does make for some dramatic photos though.

Things are progressing fast, which is good.  We just need to keep up!  So far two banks have pre-approved me for a mortgage.  Yes, there’s corporate agreements in place, but I have no credit history (none worth getting excited about) in the US and lending is tighter than it has been for a while.  However, we are cleared to go house hunting.

Somewhere in Buffalo a realtor has our details and should be in touch soon to learn what we are looking for in a house.  The sooner they can arrange a grand tour of some possible houses the better, as far as we are concerned.

All our personal effects, in storage in a warehouse somewhere since they arrived by sea from the UK, are prepaid to a PA address.  Seems the company concerned will ask for around $250 more to deliver to a Buffalo, NY address.  Can’t win them all.

Now I must get studying for my blood test tomorrow…

After the last few months this is very strange.  I have a job, so that pressure is off, but now need to move to Buffalo to start.  There’s a relocation team on the job and things are moving fast, but meanwhile there’s plenty of time.  Trouble is, the time just disappears!

Today we bought a load of Calphalon cookware.  We haven’t bought much while living in the rental house because we didn’t want to be cluttered up with stuff that we had to move, but as a removal firm will be doing the work we can buy the stuff and simply pile it up ready to go.  We also picked up a set of knives.  Exciting, huh?

Because of moving Celtic Grid has to be shut down.  Some time in the future it may get resurrected but for now, in Erie, it closes.  Putting the shutters up on the website was easy, now the bank account needs tidying up, the PO Box closing, etc.

We need to spend time in and around Buffalo this week looking at neighborhoods.  I need to get a medical and a drug test (I didn’t realize I’d have to take drugs!)

Lots of snow pictures to process ready for the kids’ November web pages.

So much to do…not sure I have time for a job!