Just when I thought I had it down....

The Navy throws us a curve ball.  My plan was to do a series of posts about transferring OCONUS.  Tossing out my plethora of knowledge.  Well it is time to rethink all of that.  I have been (trying) to work on a post about shipping your household goods.  Having moved 7 times in 9 years I sort of thought I had it down to a science.  

Go to the outbound shipping office and pick up a packet for HHG shipment.  Fill out said packet, bring a copy of the all important orders (remember your POA) and schedule your appointment to get your appointment.  If you are going OCONUS bring your DEA.   Sounds easy enough, and it was.  Our pack out (for our household goods)  was scheduled for May 6 & 7.  Our express shipment (this consists of sheets, towels, a small TV, a few pots and pans to cook with) would be taken on May 28.  The express was tentative pending a copy of our flight information. They can't take everything until they know you are flying out and will no longer need it. Isn't that nice of them? 

 Having 3 kids to teach part time, trying to coordinate Graduate school in Sasebo, and just daily life has me feeling a little behind the 8 ball.   Yesterday I though I would get a head start on sorting and purging the house.  This is something that I HIGHLY recommend.  Take the extra week and just de clutter.  It makes for happier unpacking on the other end.  Knowing we will live in a Japanese Cho style house is a HUGE incentive.  We will more then likely be moving into a much smaller home.  

I decided the best places to start were the dinning room ( I have a bakers rack and cabinet that seem to play catch all) and Noah's room.  So there Peyton and I were, cleaning and tossing out BAGS of junk.  Singing Bon Jovi and having a merry time.  When the phone rings.  A nice gentleman , Mr. Yamamoto was calling to rain on my parade.  After turning Bon Jovi down to a reasonable level so I could hear the conversation, I learned we are not entitled to an express shipment.  Nope, No Sir E Bob.  Everything has to go at the same time.  What?  Well Shit!!  OK, so just move our pack out date to May 27 & 28.  Problem solved and it gives me more time to sort and purge.  But wait. The only way they can give me those dates are if they have a copy of our flight itinerary.  Remember they have to KNOW we truly will be moving, before they can take away everything. Yeah, right, that is so not going to happen this far out.  Many phone calls later, and with the help of Mr. Yamamoto we have been given the dates on good faith that we are in fact leaving, and will be moving out of our house on the 28 Th.   Now we pray the paperwork goes smooth as silk...

We are down to 42 days left living in our house.  42!  I am no longer doing big grocery shopping.  What we have in the deep freeze, and cabinets needs to be eaten.  I see a lot of Chicken and pasta in our future.  I have placed a moratorium on buying ANYTHING that is not absolutely needed for survival.  With the 1 exception of a portable DVD player.  Chalk that up to keeping my sanity.  Flying for 16 plus hours, followed by driving for days, with a 3 year old we NEED it.   

I have written up  my last list.  Each duty station I write up a list of things I want to do, or see 1 last time.  My list is longer then days I have left.   I want to see Monkey Island one more time.  Take the kids to Kuriama flower world one last time.  Have lunch in Tokyo one last time... You get the point.   Anyone want to come take care of my house for 41 days, why I am out doing my one lasts???   Anyone?