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My new appointment was officially announced on April 10 – Bob and I will be moving to Council Bluffs the last week in June. Workwise, it will be strange – I’m going from being a solo pastor of two tiny rural churches to being the associate pastor of a large downtown church. It’s a new position – the church has been growing fast and only has one pastor currently – so I get to help shape the job description. The senior pastor is a guy I’ve worked with on conference committees, and I like and respect him. And there is a staff. Hallelujah!
And it’s in a town with pizza delivery and Chinese food and a grocery store and and and . . .
The downside is, since it’s a brand new position, there’s no parsonage. We’ll get a housing allowance, but we need to find a place to live. And, of course, we'll miss lots of people here.
But mostly, it's a good thing. We're city folk, and it will be nice to be back in one. Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Xav, what you need to be doing right now is looking into housing and such. Bob and Dana will need a list of what's available and what neighborhoods are suited for their needs, etc. Plus a 10-page primer on the cities highlights. Things people need to know. You know, weird utilities (ex. here, our electric and water bill are one and the same,) doggie licensing info, (speaking of which, know any good vets?) Favorite places to eat? Places to avoid? Good schools? What kind of internet access options are there?
We need answers to all the important questions, so get moving!
Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Congratz. who knows, maybe in another 10 years Bob may finally live in a house for more than 3 months.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Actually, you gotta think that after three moves (soon to be four) Bob has whittled down his stuff to what's really important.
I find all the extra stuff clutters your life, mind and soul. Moving often shakes loose the cobwebs and rids us the burden of unnecessary crap.
Of course, now that I'm married to a pack rat, and have reproduced a pack rat, moving sucks. But, in general, moving is great. I'm a firm believer in being able to pack all your stuff in an hour and fit it all into your car. Moving isn't such a hassle that way.
Plus, it's easier to flee from the authorities, or, you know, who ever.
BTW, welcome back Bob and Dana! Didja have a good time?
Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Oh! This is VERY exciting!! Please let us know when you have a few places picked out so Xav and I can scope them out for you!
Council Bluffs is a nice town (even if no one there knows how to drive....but, you'll find that out soon enough..)
We would be more than happy to give you a tour of the CB/Omaha area (they are so close, that they are almost one city).
I can recommend doctors, dentists, vets, and cable companies...all for a reasonable one-time fee of $19.95. I can't wait!!
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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I did indeed get rid of a lot of detritus. But packing everything in one hour? I don't think I could find the packing tape in one hour. Well, packing tape and the giant marker to write ultimate cryptic notes about the contents on the outside of each box. Seems perfectly simple -- "Kitchen" should be a box that ends up in the kitchen, right? Can I help it if that box seemed a perfect spot to add that last-minute very important paper needed for tax purposes that I just couldn't possible lose if I put it right there on top????
Ha!
Looking forward to joining another clump!
I don't ever actually leave clumps, btw... I just expand to include all the clumps I've belonged to.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Things people need to know. You know, weird utilities (ex. here, our electric and water bill are one and the same,) doggie licensing info, (speaking of which, know any good vets?) Favorite places to eat? Places to avoid? Good schools? What kind of internet access options are there?
.... good obstetricians? Day cares? Preschools? Playgrounds?
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hmm...good question. Maybe instead of a college fund, we should invest in a psychotherapy fund...
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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And Bob, an hour is probably over-estimating. I mean, three armfuls from the dresser to the suitcase. A couple of swipes at the medicine cabinet, pushing everthing off into the overnight bag. A suitcase next to the book shelf and you can spend 10 minutes picking your favorite books. And that leaves you a good 40-45 minutes to go around an pick up random junk. Pictures, CDs, knick-knacks.
Or was it the hour closer thing you were talking about?
Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Yeah, people call it Counciltucky here, but I'm not sure what the insult is. I've been told it has something to do with them being hicks or because the town is small or something. Kentucky has four times the amount of people in Nebraska, and less land mass, so not sure that makes sense. And while Omaha is fairly non-redneckish, the rest of the state is not exactly metropolitan.
Oh and here they call people from Iowa "Iowegians" as in Norwegians. No idea what the insult is there either.
As if Nebraska was the coolest state ever. I get asked a lot what we New Yorkers think of Nebraska, and I usually say "We don't, except perhaps when lumping you together as one of those 'square states' which we fly over to get to the pacific".
Omaha is a nice town though, and I wouldn't be surprised if you guys spend a lot of time here. I have mostly good opinions on this city .
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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*giggles* I think that it's something to do w/ the odd rivalry that seems to exist between midwestern states. You'll find similar things between MN and WI. However I don't think that there's necessarily any insult with Iowegians. In fact I am going to guess that it has nothing to do with Norwegians at all. Although there was a large populaton from Scandanavia that did settle in the area of NE/IA. I think it's just because Iowan or some other version sounds strange to people for some reason.
Yeah I have spent a lot of my time living on the East coast teaching people about the geography of those "square" states.
Aww now I'm going to get somewhat homesick. It's weird, I don't know that I'd live in NE again but I do miss it sometimes.
Posts: 872 | Registered: Mar 2002
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But aside from silly name calling, I can confirm that when you see someone do something stupid while driving in Omaha, there is at least a 75% chance the car will have Iowa plates. Why? I have no idea.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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Where are Xavier and Val living exactly? Okay not an exact address but something somewhat descriptive.
Posts: 872 | Registered: Mar 2002
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"Iowegians" definitely has to do with Norway. It's not necessarily an insult though, since lots of people call themselves that. Many, many of the small farming towns in Iowa were settled by Norwegians, and "Norway Days" or "Scandinavian Days" celebrations are common. As is the (mostly) friendly rivalry between the primarily Norwegian descent towns and churches and the mainly German descent towns and churches.
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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yeah, but its a straight shot on the highway, 15 minute drive at the most. Depending of course on where you are looking to live. I know very little about council bluffs, but Niki might be able to help if you want some scouting out or advice.
Edit: Oh and it was only 6 miles from where we used to live. That place was not a good situation for us. We LOVE our new apartment .
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Dan, you've got too much stuff. Plus, why don't you have a box of your favorite book packed already? Get it together, man. I mean, I've got books I like, but I have duplicates in a box of all the books I couldn't live without.
Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I had some friends who lived near your old place. Once they woke up to the police helicopter flying right above their house b/c a suspect had run into their backyard.
The Pacific area is pretty nice. For some reason I thought you guys were going to move to California, the state. I must have been really confused.
Posts: 872 | Registered: Mar 2002
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Is there still a Happy Chef restaurant out there west, not far from Boys Town? I used to work there...um......24 years ago. Wow! It has really been awhile since I've been back up there....
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And, of course, we'll miss lots of people here. ![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
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who ever. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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It's weird, I don't know that I'd live in NE again but I do miss it sometimes.
