Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Final Stretch
Sorry it has been soooo long since my last post. We have been without Internet for about a month. This was due in large part to the difficulty of communicating in German. Since my last post, the household goods have been delivered and the temporary furniture picked up. Everything arrived sealed and in good condition. We have yet to discover any badly damaged items. Bailey is missing a two dollar bill and dollar coin that were kept in her jewelry box. She had taped it closed, and the tape was gone along with her treasures. Oh well, I guess the woman that packed her room was really desperate. We have yet to find the binders that hold our collection of DVDs and Music. I am hoping they turn up. All that is left is the endless unpacking and sorting and finding the right places for everything. The living room is free of boxes though there are some living room boxes in other rooms. We purchased shelves for Bailey's room and it looks awesome though it is not quite all put together. The boys room has their beds and shelves put together, but all the stuff is stacked/piled up because they thought they would "help" unpack and dumped the contents of about 5 large boxes of toys in the middle of their room and played with everything. For a week and a half you could barely walk into the room. There is still much sorting and reorganizing to do in there. That's all for now, in the next few days I will try to post some family things we have been up to with pictures and such.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
On the other side of the move.
We arrived safely in Germany about three weeks ago. We are staying in a two room accomodation on the post called Patrick Henry Village or PHV. There is one bathroom and a small kitchen with a little fridge, coffee maker, microwave, two stove burners, and a toaster. The kitchen is also outfitted with a set of dishes and some basic cookware and utensils. The past few weeks have been rough as far as transportation. Dave will finally pick up our van today. It has been 7 weeks. They have a lovely free community bus here that goes to all the little posts in the community and when that fails we know how to use the German public transportation. We rented a car last week and that made for more ease.
Let's see what else do I need to update you on? Well, there is housing. Dave attended the briefing our first week here and received the first two listings for us to view. The first was very urban, nice size and in good shape and close proximity to work, but no yard. I couldn't see myself staying very sane there, homeschooling the kids and the dog needing a little freedom also. Next was a big house far from work with an ok yard, on a really busy street, with mold in the basement. It was a no go, for allergy reasons. We had to wait a day to go back to the housing office and get more listings. Ms. Luney gave us one in Ketsch and one in Schlierbach. We made viewing appts for both. Our wonderful sponsor, Norm, worked with us to get us to see these houses as we had no transportation yet. The one in Ketsch was surprisingly nice inside and had a lovely garden out back. The layout was really neat, but the access to the house was difficult and it just wasn't quite right. We had a rental the day we went out to Schlierbach and the people who were supposed to meet us there failed to show. We waited for a while then made some calls and left a little disappointed, but intrigued. We liked it already. We got a call later the next day for another try at seeing the house. We loved it! The only bad thing is the commute for Dave is not simple or direct. It is by no means the hour one way he had in DC either. So Monday we told Ms. Luney we like this one and want to make a contract on it and we did. There is a tax assistance office where we signed up to have our utilities managed. They set up the accounts for us in our names and the automatic billing through our bank and we don't have to pay the 19% tax on our utilities.
So now what? Now we are waiting. We are waiting until the 31st when our temporary furniture will be delivered to the house so we can start living there. Our household goods have not arrived yet, nor do I know when they will arrive. They are also bringing some 22ov. appliances to the house as these are not furnished. In the mean time, there is new student orientation for Bailey and Mikey. They get to take "electives" like art, PE, music, Host Nation (German) at the Middle and Elementary school. We must decide on a phone carrier for a house phone, handi, and internet.
Let's see what else do I need to update you on? Well, there is housing. Dave attended the briefing our first week here and received the first two listings for us to view. The first was very urban, nice size and in good shape and close proximity to work, but no yard. I couldn't see myself staying very sane there, homeschooling the kids and the dog needing a little freedom also. Next was a big house far from work with an ok yard, on a really busy street, with mold in the basement. It was a no go, for allergy reasons. We had to wait a day to go back to the housing office and get more listings. Ms. Luney gave us one in Ketsch and one in Schlierbach. We made viewing appts for both. Our wonderful sponsor, Norm, worked with us to get us to see these houses as we had no transportation yet. The one in Ketsch was surprisingly nice inside and had a lovely garden out back. The layout was really neat, but the access to the house was difficult and it just wasn't quite right. We had a rental the day we went out to Schlierbach and the people who were supposed to meet us there failed to show. We waited for a while then made some calls and left a little disappointed, but intrigued. We liked it already. We got a call later the next day for another try at seeing the house. We loved it! The only bad thing is the commute for Dave is not simple or direct. It is by no means the hour one way he had in DC either. So Monday we told Ms. Luney we like this one and want to make a contract on it and we did. There is a tax assistance office where we signed up to have our utilities managed. They set up the accounts for us in our names and the automatic billing through our bank and we don't have to pay the 19% tax on our utilities.
So now what? Now we are waiting. We are waiting until the 31st when our temporary furniture will be delivered to the house so we can start living there. Our household goods have not arrived yet, nor do I know when they will arrive. They are also bringing some 22ov. appliances to the house as these are not furnished. In the mean time, there is new student orientation for Bailey and Mikey. They get to take "electives" like art, PE, music, Host Nation (German) at the Middle and Elementary school. We must decide on a phone carrier for a house phone, handi, and internet.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Perfect Day
It starts with the smell of crisp morning air filtering in my window. The smell of freshly brewed coffee calls from the kitchen. The sound of the shower running. The preparation of the day. Stretches to get the kinks out and get the blood flowing. Then time spent breakfasting with my love, making fun of the news or talking about plans for our nest vacation, or for the weekend, or the events of the day. We kiss and embrace as he parts to go then the bustle begins as the kids start to wake. Get up, get dressed, there's so much to do. Good Morning hugs and I love yous. Eat your breakfast we don't have all day. Let's go outside and play. The air is so fresh with the green grass smell. Sun is shining and the temperature is just right for a day spent together just living life. Dinner together with talk of the day, the new adventures, the people we meet, new things we can do. Everyday is perfect when spent living life.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Packing Out
Wednesday night, Mimi Donna and her kids decided to throw a kinda surprise going away party for the kids and it was sooo nice. We have moved so many times and haven't had a going away party really. It was awesome. We are going to miss the new friends we made here.
Tomorrow I have a few more errands to run, pack up the suitcases again. Saturday will be our last Sabbath here. It will be so sad. Then Sun. we will begin the new journey. I will probably be off line for a week while we adjust to the time change and get our bearings, but look for more on the continued adventures of our family.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Advance Baggage
This is the week before the week that will be most stressful. With that in mind, here is a sampling of the things that must be accomplished. Pack suitcases, get TX driver's licenses, hound the car dealer to make the payoffs on the cars we traded in almost 3 weeks ago, see if I can get physical appointments for 3 children, clean some more, sort and purge some more, set aside the advance baggage, and continue to empty the pantry, fridge, and freezer. Most of this is self explanatory to the non-military person except for that advance baggage. So what is it, you ask? It is a shipment of stuff. They give you a weight limit of 1000 lbs. You choose what goes in it and they come and pack it up in boxes and ship it air freight to your destination. We are shipping things like David's bike and fall clothes, and extra pairs of shoes. Also any equipment or reference material that will be needed on short order upon arrival. One time we shipped the xbox and games and a bunch of movies in the advance. Some people send pots and pans and a set of dishes or bedding. I can't remember our no later than date for receipt of household goods (HHG) in Germany, but I think it is in September. Imagine you had to pack your house up for a move and would not have access to your things for two to three months. You pack your suitcases and those travel with you. The advance baggage is like being able to pack a car trunk in addition. It will not travel with you , but you will have access to it sooner than the larger HHG shipment. OK? The first time we did this our HHG got stuck in storage for 3 months in South Dakota. When we in processed they missed an important step that would release the shipment for transfer to the new duty location. As a result, we went six months before our HHG arrived and the season had changed from spring to summer and into late fall. Oh and at the beginning of that move I had a two month old baby. It was interesting to say the least. So this week, I will try not to stress out too much and get all this done. Maybe, I will post as I complete certain tasks.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Moving: POV
I decided that I should blog about moving since I do it so much. I thought perhaps it might give a little insight to those who; 1. Don't move, 2. Have never moved across an ocean, 3. Non military.
I am starting with the POV (Privately Owned Vehicle). There have already been other things in the works before this, but this is the most current. Shipment of one POV is allowed for our family. Now if we were active duty, we would be allowed two unless they have cut back all around. We owned two cars, so we had to decide what to do with them. Ship one, store the other; ship one, sell the other; trade them both in on one new vehicle and ship that one? Well, we chose the last option. My van was getting up there in miles and we are short on time to sell Dave's car so we traded them in on our first ever brand spankin' new car. We have had to work closely with the dealer and the bank to get the necessary paperwork for shipping on short notice. We bought a 2009 Chrysler Town and Country. It rocks! Monday we started the trek with the borrowed car and our shiny new baby to Dallas. When we left the house we still did not have all the paperwork needed from the bank. We drove to Killeen and dropped the kids off for the day with their Auntie and printed the paperwork out that we finally received from the bank. Paperwork in hand we set out again with the two car caravan heading North. At this time with no delays we would reach the shipping yard by 3:30 PM. Did I mention the office at the yard closes at 4PM everyday. We made pretty good time until we hit Dallas. A sign at the side of the road blinked, " Accident ahead, two lanes closed on I35EN." I attempted to route a detour with the new GPS gizmo in the new van and we ventured off the freeway. I don't really trust GPS devices and this routed us in a direction that seemed to be taking us back to a point on the freeway just to dump us back in the wait. Some how we got around all the traffic and back on the freeway. We arrived at the shipping yard at 3:51PM. As I pulled in I noticed people cleaning off their cars. One inspector was checking the car next to mine. I asked if the car had to be clean on the outside. The inspector assured me the vehicle must be clean inside and out and the engine compartment must be sprayed down and the wheel wells. My heart hit the ground and bounced back up as tension built in my chest. I asked if they have bucket or hoses there to use for this and he said no you have to go to a car wash before you come. I told him I just drove 6 hours to get there and how am I supposed to have a clean car after that. He directed me to the car wash down the road about a mile. By this time, Dave finally caught up to me. He had fallen behind in traffic and pulled into the parking lot at 3:56PM. As we walked into the building to begin processing I told him I didn't think they would accept the vehicle dirty. While we waited for our turn I removed everything from inside the van. Then, I went in and asked if Dave thought I should take the van to the car wash down the road. He said yes and I left immediately. I used the GPS. It took me down the road. I spied an Exxon with one of those automatic wash things so I went for it. There was no line, but someone was just ending their wash cycle. Dave called, they needed some information off the van. He said just clean the dust off. The green light came on and I pulled forward. The other car pulled out. I pulled up to the place where you are supposed to and then the alarm went off. It told me to back up. I did. All the way back in fact and nothing happened. Then, I pulled back in and drove all the way through and around to the entrance again. It was clear the stupid thing had malfunctioned. I paid my seven dollars and had no time to wait for an attendant to come reset the car wash. I left. When I got back to the shipping yard the only info they had needed was the mileage. I was preparing myself to have to come back in the morning with a clean car. When they inspected my van the guy said don't worry about it I can see there aren't any defects or damages. It's a new car! UGGHHHHHH! All that anxiety!!! I called to check on the kids. They were fine. We decided to spend the night in Dallas and have a date night. The kids stayed with Auntie and Dave and I found a hotel, had dinner out and sang Karaoke. It was just what we needed.
Now our brand new car is on it's way to Germany. We will be able to pick it up there next month sometime before the 25th. Now, the focus changes to the Advance baggage, HHG, and Non-temporary storage. More on that later.
I am starting with the POV (Privately Owned Vehicle). There have already been other things in the works before this, but this is the most current. Shipment of one POV is allowed for our family. Now if we were active duty, we would be allowed two unless they have cut back all around. We owned two cars, so we had to decide what to do with them. Ship one, store the other; ship one, sell the other; trade them both in on one new vehicle and ship that one? Well, we chose the last option. My van was getting up there in miles and we are short on time to sell Dave's car so we traded them in on our first ever brand spankin' new car. We have had to work closely with the dealer and the bank to get the necessary paperwork for shipping on short notice. We bought a 2009 Chrysler Town and Country. It rocks! Monday we started the trek with the borrowed car and our shiny new baby to Dallas. When we left the house we still did not have all the paperwork needed from the bank. We drove to Killeen and dropped the kids off for the day with their Auntie and printed the paperwork out that we finally received from the bank. Paperwork in hand we set out again with the two car caravan heading North. At this time with no delays we would reach the shipping yard by 3:30 PM. Did I mention the office at the yard closes at 4PM everyday. We made pretty good time until we hit Dallas. A sign at the side of the road blinked, " Accident ahead, two lanes closed on I35EN." I attempted to route a detour with the new GPS gizmo in the new van and we ventured off the freeway. I don't really trust GPS devices and this routed us in a direction that seemed to be taking us back to a point on the freeway just to dump us back in the wait. Some how we got around all the traffic and back on the freeway. We arrived at the shipping yard at 3:51PM. As I pulled in I noticed people cleaning off their cars. One inspector was checking the car next to mine. I asked if the car had to be clean on the outside. The inspector assured me the vehicle must be clean inside and out and the engine compartment must be sprayed down and the wheel wells. My heart hit the ground and bounced back up as tension built in my chest. I asked if they have bucket or hoses there to use for this and he said no you have to go to a car wash before you come. I told him I just drove 6 hours to get there and how am I supposed to have a clean car after that. He directed me to the car wash down the road about a mile. By this time, Dave finally caught up to me. He had fallen behind in traffic and pulled into the parking lot at 3:56PM. As we walked into the building to begin processing I told him I didn't think they would accept the vehicle dirty. While we waited for our turn I removed everything from inside the van. Then, I went in and asked if Dave thought I should take the van to the car wash down the road. He said yes and I left immediately. I used the GPS. It took me down the road. I spied an Exxon with one of those automatic wash things so I went for it. There was no line, but someone was just ending their wash cycle. Dave called, they needed some information off the van. He said just clean the dust off. The green light came on and I pulled forward. The other car pulled out. I pulled up to the place where you are supposed to and then the alarm went off. It told me to back up. I did. All the way back in fact and nothing happened. Then, I pulled back in and drove all the way through and around to the entrance again. It was clear the stupid thing had malfunctioned. I paid my seven dollars and had no time to wait for an attendant to come reset the car wash. I left. When I got back to the shipping yard the only info they had needed was the mileage. I was preparing myself to have to come back in the morning with a clean car. When they inspected my van the guy said don't worry about it I can see there aren't any defects or damages. It's a new car! UGGHHHHHH! All that anxiety!!! I called to check on the kids. They were fine. We decided to spend the night in Dallas and have a date night. The kids stayed with Auntie and Dave and I found a hotel, had dinner out and sang Karaoke. It was just what we needed.
Now our brand new car is on it's way to Germany. We will be able to pick it up there next month sometime before the 25th. Now, the focus changes to the Advance baggage, HHG, and Non-temporary storage. More on that later.
Conversations From Here to There: Who Said That?
Recently, my best friend forever turned sister was visiting for the Fourth of July. Her and her eldest daughter came down for the weekend. The arrived Wed. night, so on Thursday we took all the kids to the zoo for something to do. After all what is the use of having yearly passes if you only go once or twice. While at the Zoo, our Auntie bought us all ice cream which was most welcome in the afternoon heat of 100 and something degrees.
Now I must confess, every once in a while, I tell my children they are growing entirely too fast and I would like them to slow down or stop altogether for a while. One of these conversations sprang up as I was trying to convince the children that I had heard of an experimental program that the government was working on to aid parents who would like to keep their children a certain age. It was called Operation Neverland. Parents would be able to contact an operations center and request the desired age for their children to stop growing up. Then at night when they are sleeping, they would shine a special light on them and they would stay that age until the parents put in a request for the aging to begin again. The light could also be used on adults, but there are side effects. Some adults turned into bad tempered pirates. Joey listened and enjoyed his ice cream while Bailey, Mikey, and Auntie added colorful details to this tail. Then he stopped and put his spoon down and asked,
"What, did Obama say that?!" And we all started laughing. I assure you that I did come clean and told my little one that we were telling a tail; that there is no such thing as Operation Neverland; that there is nothing anyone can do to stop him growing up, but I do so enjoy him and his brother and sister right this very moment that I wish I could make it last just a little bit longer.
Now I must confess, every once in a while, I tell my children they are growing entirely too fast and I would like them to slow down or stop altogether for a while. One of these conversations sprang up as I was trying to convince the children that I had heard of an experimental program that the government was working on to aid parents who would like to keep their children a certain age. It was called Operation Neverland. Parents would be able to contact an operations center and request the desired age for their children to stop growing up. Then at night when they are sleeping, they would shine a special light on them and they would stay that age until the parents put in a request for the aging to begin again. The light could also be used on adults, but there are side effects. Some adults turned into bad tempered pirates. Joey listened and enjoyed his ice cream while Bailey, Mikey, and Auntie added colorful details to this tail. Then he stopped and put his spoon down and asked,
"What, did Obama say that?!" And we all started laughing. I assure you that I did come clean and told my little one that we were telling a tail; that there is no such thing as Operation Neverland; that there is nothing anyone can do to stop him growing up, but I do so enjoy him and his brother and sister right this very moment that I wish I could make it last just a little bit longer.
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