Grand Trip to Dover, OH

Desperate for something to do I started flipping through the Entertainment Book for ideas. I discovered that there were TWO activities in Dover, OH that looked interesting.

Now, Dover is a village of 12,466 people. So it’s quite amazing that there is one something to do, but TWO, that is just phenomenal. So we had to go.

The first stop is the Warther Family Museum. When I first saw it in the book I thought it was the Werther family. You know the caramels. But instead its a family full of carvers and knife makers. I had no idea what to expect. It had a high potential of being very lame, but it wasn’t. It was really fascinating.

Ernest Warther was quite the man. He only had a 2nd grade education but transformed his hobby of whittling into a passion that became a celebrated career. that is still earning money for his family. In the 1920’s he was declared a master carver after his ebony, walnut wood and ivory mini trains toured the United States on a special train exhibit . Every train is intricately carved inside and out. They are an exact replicas of the original, operating on a leather pulley system with actual working parts.

What was most intriguing about the Warthers is their commitment to family, tradition, and love. He didn’t carve these beautiful pieces for the money but his love of his craft and trains. He refused an offer of $50,000 plus $5,000 a year in the early 1900s to keep his trains in Grand Central Station. He said nothing shouuld live in NY for more than a week. He also said that his family was not hurting for money, so if people wanted to see the trains they could come to Dover. 

And we did.

 Second, on our grand tour of Dover, was the J.E. Reeves Victorian mansion.  I had no idea who J.E. was or why he could afford a mansion. It was all a mystery.

Turns out he was from England and was a trained boiler maker. He and his brothers settled in Ohio and took over a failing steel plant. Together they turned it around and made a ton of money. The brothers then opened a bank and hotel. Times were good for the Reeves, hence the mansion.

When arrived and a small wedding was taking place in the side yard. So we were ushered into the carriage house. It seemed like everything was really casual. There were no set tour times, they just offered them when there were enough for a group or you’d been waiting a sufficient period of time.  After a short 10 minute wait we began our tour, around the wedding photos.

Reeves purchased an 1870 farmhouse and created a beautiful Victorian masterpiece. He spared no detail on moldings, furnishing or woodwork. He even put a bathroom in his study. As a member of the Electoral College he held many business meetings in his large study and his private restroom showed his wealth. What as really amazing to me is that they have original Edison-designed lightbulbs in the study, which have been burning since 1976. I think we’re getting robbed with new technology.

AAAAAHhhhh what a delightfully rich day in the land of Dover. Downtown is picturesque. It is mere moments from Amish country and contained so much history, who knew. We even got a treat on our way home. The GPS took us a funky way back to Canton for some reason. We went surface streets instead of on the freeway. About two minutes outside of town was the Dover Dam.

There’s a dam in Dover?! YES! It was a relic from FDR’s New Deal. Built in 1935 on the Tuscarawas River.

Not much else to say about dam. There was no dam tour. I did take some dam photos. LOL had to do it. National Lampoon Vegas Vacation, if you’re wondering where those lines are from. However, in researching the dam history, I did discover the Zoar Village nearby that looks interesting. It was founded by German separtists escaping religious persecution. The Ohio Historical Society owns most of the village now and has restored the buildings and gardens. The village is open from April through October.

Another day trip to be had.

Filed under: Living in Ohio , Dover, Dover Dam, J.E. Reeves Mansion, Ohio, trains, Tuscarawas River, Warther Museum, Zoar Village

Ohioaversary

Well I have now officially been in Ohio for a year. Hmmmm….

It was a non-event. Or as my dad said to me when I reminded him, “so.”

So what? I don’t know.

I thought I’d have more answers by now. I thought I’d have more direction, but i don’t. Same questions. New state. Colder weather. Maybe these are just the questions that will plague me for the rest of my life. I will always wonder what I want to be when I grow up. I’ll always be restless. I will always be vaguely bored. LOL. Who knows.

The year itself has been good. I’ve been back to California four times. I’ve stayed in touch with all of my favorite people. I’ve met amazing new people. I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with my nephews and my parents and I haven’t killed each other. All good things.

So for now I am still working with my dad and just plugging along.

Filed under: Living in Ohio , anniversary, Ohio, parents

First Big Snow

While we didn’t have a white Christmas we are greeting the new year with plenty of the white stuff.

Over yesterday and today we got eight inches. Our driveway was excavated by a friend’s son and his giant truck and even bigger plow. So I’m glad we didn’t have to shovel, but our time is coming.

There is something innately beautiful about snow. It adds a layer of purity, newness and light to the dark, barren, dead ground. There is finally something to reflect the sun. It can recharge you a bit in the middle of this dreary season.

What is not fun is venturing out onto unplowed streets. Yesterday we slid from one location to another as we loaded up on groceries and did other last minute shopping. You never know when you’re going to be housebound so you gotta be prepared.

For now I’m going to enjoy the fire, some warm soup and a movie.

Filed under: Living in Ohio , light, plow, snow, winter

Ode to 2008

The time has come to bid a fond adieu to 2008.

It was the best of times and the worst of times.

I’ve blogged about the big-bad things ad nauseum – leaving California and all my wonderful friends, adjusting to Ohio, and visiting California as much as possible.

I’m choosing to focus on other things that happened this year. I decided to do some marketing as a contractor. It was great to have my own schedule but dealing with different personalities was challenging. Basically I’m not enough of a diplomat to do it. I don’t like having to be so nice and accomodating all the time. It just isn’t in my nature. I’m not that nice. However, I did get to go to Georgia, a place I’ve never been. It also faciliated my trip to Savannah. I have been dying to get to Savannah for years, and I got to go with one of my favorite people, Debbie.

I’m working with my dad right now. He bought two businesses in August. We were working 16-hour days trying to get ahead and figure out what the heck we’re doing. We’re finally starting to get some traction. I am believing that 2009 will be a good year for us. We have some great ideas and good help. Phew.

My sanity, at two points in the year, came in the form of two friends that braved the wild frontier and visited me here in Ohio. Lisa came in May, her first trip to Ohio in her whole life. Shocker, can’t imagine never having been to the great state of Ohio. We had a whirlwind tour of all the highlights. Erika came in September. We went to Pittsburgh and to visit her grandma who lives in nearby Elyria. How great is it to have friends that you can just pick up where you left off. There is no pretense, entertaining or BS. It’s just honesty, sincerity and unconditional love.

The past 10 months in Ohio have also been a tough yet good time with family. I have gotten to babysit for my nephews a lot. They are both crazy, so much fun and test every nerve I have. Yet, when I don’t seem them at least every other day I go through withdrawls. I have also seen a different side of my parents. Rather than slipping into the role I’ve played my entire life I’m able to just be me, which is so much easier. Another sign all the therapy paid off.

There are also things that stay the same regardless of where I am – I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. I still have no idea where I’m going to end up. I’m still single. These familiar friends are still with me. No idea when those will be resolved. I am learning to be more comfortable with the ambiguity.

I don’t regret my decision to move here to Ohio. I am beginning to make new friends here. I’ve nearly stopped comparing everything to California. I’m trying to move on and embrace this season of life right where God has me now – Ohio. I don’t want to miss the good because I’m wishing I was somewhere else.

I am looking forward to 2009 with anticipation and excitement. I believe its going to be a good year, perhaps not what we expect but full of new adventure and opportunities for growth. How is that? LOL. I’m downright pollyanna and optomistic. Not bad.

Filed under: Friendshipping, Living in Ohio, Mi Familia

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I turned 34.

What the heck? What is that about. I realize we keep getting older every year whether we want to or not, but I was not prepared to be 34. LOL. My dear cousin Joe informed me that 33 is officially the end of your early 30s and 34 starts the short season of your mid-30s. Nice.

I did have a great day. I woke up late, ate some cinnamon bread (my favorite). Then for lunch I went to tea at the First Ladies Tea House here in Canton with some friends. For dinner I went with my brother and fam to Red Robin. My birthday cake was a red velvet from Cold Stone with cake batter ice cream. So yummy. It really was all about food.

I also realized that while my life here isn’t what I wished for, it’s still good. I do have good friends here that love me, too. They don’t replace the ones I left behind in California, but they’re good ones.

I’m ok. Life is ok. I look forward to my 34th year with anticipation and excitement.

Filed under: Friendshipping, Living in Ohio

No Christmas Spirit

I can’t believe its December 21st.

Christmas is in only 4 days. I haven’t even started Christmas shopping. I just don’t feel it this year. Christmas feels like a task. In some respect I feel like I’m just marking time.

Maybe because I’m working 14-15 hours a day, including weekends. In some respects that’s great. It means we’re busy. It other respects it means I have less of a life than I did before.

We didn’t put up a tree or put out any decorations this year. I don’t think that’s helping either. Usually my favorite thing to do is sit up at night and stare at the christmas lights.

I’m just in a whining mood I guess.

Filed under: Living in Ohio , christmas, malaise, whining

Contemplating California

This trip back to California has been great. It has been wonderful to re-connect with friends, spend time in the sun and relax a bit after weeks of hecticness back in Ohio. I’ve felt peaceful for the first time in weeks.

I’m sure its no surprise that I’ve wondered if I want to move back here. Do I really want to stay in Ohio? When I think about it I just feel sad. I love my family but I feel like I’m slowly dying there. I have even blurted out to both of my parents this week that I don’t want to go back. I know they weren’t shocked. I also know this leaves my dad in the lurch with the business. He depends on me for a lot but they both want me to do what makes me happy.

I remember the reasons I returned, to deal with some of the demons from my past, reconnect with family and figure out what it is I want to do with my life. I feel like I’ve accomplished some of those things.

But even as I contemplate the possibility of moving somewhere else, I don’t know what I’m moving towards. I still don’t have a definitive career path. I still don’t have a goal for my life. So would I be returning with many of the same questions I left with?

Now I’m confused, sad, and emotional. I don’t feel like I really belong anywhere. I don’t have a sense of home in any place. I’m always wishing I were somewhere else. When I’m with my wonderful friends I miss my family. When I’m with my family I desperately miss the life and friends I have here. It’s a no win situation. Maybe I’m just feeling sorry for myself.

Filed under: Friendshipping, Living in LA LA Land, Living in Ohio, Mi Familia , California, family, moving, Ohio

Warm Climate from a Cold Perspective

It is very hard to pack for warm weather when you’re in a cold climate. It is a balmy 40 degrees today in downtown Canton, but it is 85 in California, where I’ll be heading tomorrow for a friend’s wedding next Saturday.

I’m trying to pack and all I can think of is, I’m cold. Yet I keep hearing reports of how hot it is in Southern California right now. I can’t fathom that. I have no reference for hot weather in the midst of cold. My memory cells have blocked out the gloriousness of blue skies, blazing sun and warm rays beating down on your face.

I was trying to cram a few more things into my carry-on, since it now costs $15-25 to check in luggage when I realized – hey I can take out the two sweaters I’m trying to pack and free up room. Whi-hoo. Now where did I put the summer clothes, no idea.

Ok, back to packing.

Filed under: Living in Ohio, Travelling , cold, hot, packing, summer, sun, weather, winter

Dream of the Past

I haven’t been dreaming lately but the other night after ranting and raving to God I had a doosy.

I was praying about why I was here in Ohio, why was I still struggling with so much restlessness in my life, where in the world was my prince charming and what did He plan to do about it. I cried. I yelled. I whimpered. I whined. He patiently listened and comforted me enough so I could finally fall sleep.

It was in my sleep that Te answered me. That night I dreamed that I finally met the man of my dreams. Ironically enough he was a rock star of some sort and had long hair, which I hate, but that is besides the point. I could sense that we were really in love. I just wanted to spend time with him. However, everytime we tried to date one of four people who have caused much trauma and destruction in my life would interrupt us. They would end up doing something that would prevent us from speaking to each other or engaging with one another at all. They were literally between us.

I told my mom the dream the next day and wondered aloud what it meant. She just laughed and said, “you have to be kidding me, you know what that means.”

After I thought about it for another minute I did. It is my past that is getting in the way of my future. This was God’s answer to me about why I’m restless, why I’m here in Ohio and what prevents me from obtaining his rock star best for me. It’s about dealing with the past to move forward. Ultimately it boils down to forgiveness.

UGH! It’s freeing and terrifying at the same time. After the dream, I stopped asking those questions for a few days. I’m afraid of what dealing with those issues means. I’m afraid of confrontation. I’m afraid he’ll ask me to let them back in my life. But I suppose in those instances he will be there to comfort me too.

Filed under: Dreaming, Living in Ohio, Mi Familia, Spiritual Formation , answered prayer, God, past, revelation, trauma

Nine Months In…Time Marches On

I realized I haven’t given a state of the union address on me and Ohio since May. Hard to believe it’s been nine months since I loaded up the truck and moved to Cleveland Browns country.

I can honestly say the time has gone by really fast. We’re already prepping for winter again. Ok, I can’t believe I just wrote that because it feels like something you’d write on the back of a postcard, doesn’t it?!

I don’t really know what to say. The fall foliage is spectacular. Mid-westerners eat a lot of fried food. Overall, I’m glad I came. I know I needed to be here. I feel like I’ve grown a lot put some things to rest – finally. I’m working on other issues too – mainly issues of forgiveness. Being here has forced me to face things head on. I can’t hide.

I miss my friends terribly. I miss the life I used to live. I miss having my own space. I realized that living with roommates and living with family, namely your parents is VERY different. While my parents try to respect my space, they really don’t have to. My father just might point out to me again that he brought me into the world and he can take me out.

I’ve also realized that marriage after 34 years looks a lot like roommates. My parents have the same conversations day after day. I could almost script them out. It drive me crazy.

Anyway, I digress. There is no real point to this post so I’m rambling. No grand ephiphany. No new news. My days, nights and spare time are spent working on my dad’s new businesses. I don’t really have a life.

Sounds pitiful, but I’m too busy to worry about that I guess. That’s the awful thing about owning a small business – you sleep, eat, and drink it – all the time. There is no down time. We constantly plan for it. All of that would be awesome if it were your dream, passion and desire that you were working on. For me I think I signed up for it because I just wanted to be with my dad. This is his dream, his passion, his desire. I don’t know where that will go or how that will pan out for me.

My dream, passion and desire was for him to get to know me and spend time with me, but all we talk about is the business. I still can’t really talk to him about how I’m feeling about anything. He just keeps telling me it will all be ok. He tells me not to worry. But there is no conversation, just to-do lists. There is no connection just strategic planning. I know he needs me here. I know he’s happy I’m here. I don’t doubt that. But I still feel like my life is on hold. I never came back here expecting to stay forever. But if I’m not careful I could wake up in two years, five years, 20 years wondering where my life went. Wondering if I followed my dreams or continued to spend my life chasing my father wanting him to see me.

I’ve felt such an obligation and duty to help him. Yet even as I write this I realize that I don’t have to do it. I am not responsible for the success of this business. If I stay it should be because I want to. My dad doesn’t need me here, he wants me here. There is a big difference. I’ve marveled at how he has an amazing support network here. His friends are amazing, just like mine are. He has people that would step up. He could find someone else if he needed to. There is freedom in that thought. It frees me to stay or go. There are no chains that binds me here.

Wow! There was a grand ephiphany to be had. I don’t know if anyone will get that but me, but it was a good one. I’m glad I wrote that down.

Now if only I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I was talking with a friend today wrestling with the same question and I jokingly told her that I was about ready to tell Jesus I’d be in Italy waiting for his response to this question.

Now I know he won’t be sending a detailed plan. I realize its about relationships, growth, and learning to love but still, I’d rather be in Italy.

Filed under: Living in Ohio, Mi Familia, Working , dad, family, Ohio, small business