Showing posts with label PCS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PCS. Show all posts
11.14.2011
Pack Out Is Scheduled
I cannot even recap on how confusing the whole getting ready for the overseas pack-out has been. We started our adventure by visiting Personal Property back in this post. We were sent an email with instructions for logging into the DPS website. I am usually by no means technically retarded, but getting registered for use of this website was confusing and made me feel a bit incompetent. I'm pretty sure this had a lot to do with the fact that I couldn't devote 100% of my attention to accomplishing the task. Anyway, getting registered to use it was the hardest part. Then there was a bit of reading before doing a fancy guestimate of how much shit we'll be taking with us for this move. My husband had to complete the last step in person. Our official pack out dates are December 15th to pack it all up...which happens to be the same day as my company's Christmas Party...and December 16th to load it all up. So we'll be living in a near empty house and out of suitcases for the Holidays and until we fly out on February 1st. Nothing gets ya into the holiday spirit like an empty nest!
10.01.2011
Customer Service: Be All That You Can Be! OR QUIT!!
Yesterday was a crazy busy "day off" of work. It could have involved less running around if some people were more thorough at doing their jobs and more willing to provide people with details that could save everyone some time. I like to think this is why I'm great at doing my job...I will take a few extra minutes with each person to give them more information than they probably want so that the feel prepared...especially if they're coming to turn in applications for an apartment. For example, if someone is on the phone with me, I make sure they have easy directions on how to get to my complex. I tell them to bring a picture ID (because that's required to even look at an apartment). I let them know where they can find information/pictures/etc. about us online (in case they haven't visited us online already). I try to qualify them before they get to the property. If they have a certain breed of dog that we do not accept in our community or if we do not have a dog friendly unit available, then there's no point in wasting the gas visiting a community that Buster can't live at. I tell my prospects to bring their proof of income and credit card because if they like what they see they should be ready to put a deposit down and complete applications the same day...apartments go quickly in San Diego! I expect other people to be on top of their game too, especially if you work for the government! You're supposed to represent the Best of America...not the half-ass of America! And I expect you to know your shit!
So here's what happened: Matty was told by some unnamed person that even though we just received our "civilian" passports in the mail, we are required to have "military" passports to travel on military orders. No big deal. Same paperwork for both. Well, this would have been nice to know BEFORE we wasted our time at the Passport Office and had my daughter late for school. Matty was just told that we had to go to the Passports Office on base...they didn't say what to bring, just that they accept walk-ins only and that dependents need to be present. We figured, that since it's the military, all we would need is our orders and Page 2. So we showed up bright and early at 8:00 a.m. ready to get things taken care of. We were "greeted" by a not-so-friendly-bitch who looked annoyed that we'd come without applications. She told us we would have to go to the Fleet and Family Building to use their computers to print out applications (but she didn't bother to tell us where that building is) and that we would need our original Birth Certificates (which we brought even though we were not told to bring...I happen to have them in my Getting-to-Guam Binder along with other important documents) and passport pictures. I was shocked that they don't take pictures there! I mean, you are the PASSPORT office for the military members and their family! You can't help a military family out and take their PASSPORT photos?!! She mentioned some place off-base [which we discovered] that didn't open until 10! (Luckily for me I happened to have extra copies of our passport photos that the NICE lady in El Cajon took of us...but they were 20 minutes away...back at home...in some drawer...)
So we left a little irritated. We drove around and by chance found the Fleet and Family Building. I hollered out the window at some guy that was passing by and he pointed us in the right direction. The Philippine Lady in the Fleet and Family office was SUPER FRIENDLY! She logged Matty and I into the computers so we could print up applications for the kids and me. She mentioned that her husband had been at Guam and we talked about the traveling opportunities available overseas. She kindly suggested that I go to the Fleet and Family Office when I get to Guam so that they can help me with my resume and to find work on the island. She mentioned that it would be a great time to get into a government job which I am excited to hear (even though I still want to take a little time off to spend with my kids)! The kids acted crazy in there...but no one complained. And we got our paperwork printed out.
There's a catch to paperwork....Well, my daughter's biological father lives in Virginia. When I was in VA picking her up at the end of the summer, he went with me to get a Form DS-3053 notarized so that I can get Catalina a passport (this is required if both parents are not present when turning in the passport application of a minor). Well, earlier this month we applied for and received our passports. No one ever mentioned that I would need a separate notarized letter when applying for the military passport...and I certainly didn't think to have Terrence sign and have notarized the same document twice while I was there. On top of that, I haven't been able to reach Catalina's father since August 17, 2011. He hasn't responded to any of my calls/voice-messages/texts/messages-relayed-through-his-family-members. He has recently been subpoena'ed to court for non-payment of child support (real winner) so I have a feeling he's avoiding me until the court date (which I'm trying to get a telephonic hearing instead of flying back east...but that's a completely different story).
Before we left base, we stopped by Personal Property. and found out the information for shipping our household goods to Guam and got a number for who to call about shipping our truck. I have to say, the guy at Personal Property was SUPER friendly and very informative. He didn't make us feel stupid about not knowing what we needed to do, and he said "Hafa Adai" to us! He looked like a heavy set islander guy...Samoan or something....and just very nice. He talked with us about the island fruits and said our daughter would become a little chamorro girl. You can tell this guy is satisfied with his life and his job makes him happy. He offered stellar customer service...even to the people after us! He let us know that it will take 55 days depending on weather conditions to ship our bulky items and 25-30 for our express home goods items. He'll be sending us an email on how to go online to make the arrangements for our pack-out.
After I signed Catalina back in at school, we had to make a trip to the bank. Since our vehicle is still being financed, we needed a letter from our bank stating that we have permission to take our Explorer overseas. I was hoping to also have my Form DS-3053 notarized....it turns out that Navy Federals in San Diego are not allowed to notarize documents (very lame)! After Becky, the EXTREMELY sweet older Philippine lady talked with us about her time in Guam back in '86...her husband is a retired machinists mate (so is Matty...well, not retired, but a machinists mate)...after our trip down memory lane and getting our paper for the truck, we went next door to the Postal Annex to wait for the Notary Lady. This is another lady that must not like her job. We waited very patiently for her to finish up with an older couple. We cooed at her baby (grandchild maybe) that was bouncing in his bouncer behind the counter. (Must be nice to bring your kid, his pack n play, and all the baby's stuff to work with you! Apparently, also stressing somebody out.) When it was our turn, she was very snippy about not needing to notarize the document. She said that the section that is supposed to be notarized is ONLY for after the non-present parent signs. I was happy to save a few bucks and for her to not have my business so I left. After that, we went to get an arrangement of balloons to surprise Catalina with. She had a ceremony for being a Star Student and was being recognized by her school for Academic Achievement!
After her ceremony we headed back to base with a truck full of balloons and returned to the Passport Office. I already knew that this not-so-friendly-bitch was going to have something to say about the Form DS-3053 not being notarized....total gut feeling...so I called the 877 number on the passport application for the Passport Agency Call Center during our drive and I explained my situation with my daughter's father to them and how he had recently had a Form DS-3035 notarized. I explained that I could show paperwork stating that I have sole custody of my daughter, my marriage license reflecting my name change since her birth, and a copy of her recently-issued-passport. The Passport Guy told me to complete the bottom section of the form and confirmed that I would not need to get form notarized...the notary is only for the non-present parent's signature.
We got there right at 2:40 pm and the Passport Office closes at 3:00, so naturally the not-so-friendly-bitch looked irritated to have to work. (And of course, while she was in the middle of handling our paperwork, four other people showed up needing to take care of passport related stuff! Bahahaha!) Anyway, she starts arguing with me that the pictures are too big and asked where we had them done at. I said, "Oh really, because I had them done at the Passport Office in El Cajon...and these are the pictures that are on our current passports." She replied, "Well, they ain't the right size but I'll go ahead and send them...they might just put a hold on your passports until you get new pictures." She instructs me to write our names on the backs of the pictures. No problem. She takes our IDs and birth certificates and starts putting our packets together. She has me sign for my paperwork and Ezekiel's and then she starts eye balling Catalina's birth certificate. Our conversation goes something like this:
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well where's the father? He's supposed to be present or you'll have to get a Form DS-3053 notarized."
Me: "I have the form right there. He's not able to be reached. That's why I filled out the bottom portion. I also have a letter attached, my court paperwork showing I have sole custody, and a copy of my marriage license. I'd like for you to make a copy of her passport to send along with all of this."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "The court paperwork has to say you have SOLE custody."
Me: "I just told you it says I have SOLE custody. This is the orders for custody, visitation, and child support showing that I have SOLE custody."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well they're going to need to see the originals. You can't send these copies."
Me: "Are they going to send my originals back?"
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Yeah, they'll send 'em back. But you can't send these copies." (Duh Not-so-friendly-bitch, you already said that!)
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well this form here is supposed to be notarized."
Me: "No, it's only supposed to be notarized after the non-present parent signs."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "No, the State requires that this is notarized. See this spot right here."
Me: "That spot right there in the middle of the page is for the notary to stamp AFTER the signature of the non-present parent. I signed the bottom. It doesn't need to be notarized. I already called to passport office before we got here."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well the State requires that it's notarized."
Me: "Ma'am the federal government issues passports. The rules are the same for this document whether you're applying for a Tourist Visa or a Military Visa. I already called and spoke to them about this because I knew I'd have this problem here."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well the State is going to want it notarized. I'll send it, but they'll just put a hold on issuing the passport until you get it to them."
Me: "Well, we'll see then. Just send it in along with my letter and all the other paperwork, because I said in this letter that it would be attached. If they want 100 pages of my phone records to prove he's not responding to my phone calls and messages, I'll be sure to send it to them."
Now I can understand that maybe the passport office in DC (Matty assumes that is where our paperwork will get sent off to) might be stricter than the passport office in LA (which is probably where our current passports were issued out of) but do lady, do you have to be such a nasty bitch? If you hate your job, QUIT! Do us all a favor.
The rest of my day was beautiful. We had a great dinner with Matty's buddy Ricky and watched a very lame movie: American Loser. It had its moments but overall it was a flop. I went to work today with a stronger appreciation for why I do my job so thoroughly. I was even complimented today. One of my prospects told me, "Thank you for your time Rachel. You're very good at what you do." And I have to admit, he's right. There are a lot of people out there that half-ass it through life. I'd like to think my parents raised me better than that. I value my time and I respect the time of others. Too bad other people don't all think the same....
So here's what happened: Matty was told by some unnamed person that even though we just received our "civilian" passports in the mail, we are required to have "military" passports to travel on military orders. No big deal. Same paperwork for both. Well, this would have been nice to know BEFORE we wasted our time at the Passport Office and had my daughter late for school. Matty was just told that we had to go to the Passports Office on base...they didn't say what to bring, just that they accept walk-ins only and that dependents need to be present. We figured, that since it's the military, all we would need is our orders and Page 2. So we showed up bright and early at 8:00 a.m. ready to get things taken care of. We were "greeted" by a not-so-friendly-bitch who looked annoyed that we'd come without applications. She told us we would have to go to the Fleet and Family Building to use their computers to print out applications (but she didn't bother to tell us where that building is) and that we would need our original Birth Certificates (which we brought even though we were not told to bring...I happen to have them in my Getting-to-Guam Binder along with other important documents) and passport pictures. I was shocked that they don't take pictures there! I mean, you are the PASSPORT office for the military members and their family! You can't help a military family out and take their PASSPORT photos?!! She mentioned some place off-base [which we discovered] that didn't open until 10! (Luckily for me I happened to have extra copies of our passport photos that the NICE lady in El Cajon took of us...but they were 20 minutes away...back at home...in some drawer...)
So we left a little irritated. We drove around and by chance found the Fleet and Family Building. I hollered out the window at some guy that was passing by and he pointed us in the right direction. The Philippine Lady in the Fleet and Family office was SUPER FRIENDLY! She logged Matty and I into the computers so we could print up applications for the kids and me. She mentioned that her husband had been at Guam and we talked about the traveling opportunities available overseas. She kindly suggested that I go to the Fleet and Family Office when I get to Guam so that they can help me with my resume and to find work on the island. She mentioned that it would be a great time to get into a government job which I am excited to hear (even though I still want to take a little time off to spend with my kids)! The kids acted crazy in there...but no one complained. And we got our paperwork printed out.
There's a catch to paperwork....Well, my daughter's biological father lives in Virginia. When I was in VA picking her up at the end of the summer, he went with me to get a Form DS-3053 notarized so that I can get Catalina a passport (this is required if both parents are not present when turning in the passport application of a minor). Well, earlier this month we applied for and received our passports. No one ever mentioned that I would need a separate notarized letter when applying for the military passport...and I certainly didn't think to have Terrence sign and have notarized the same document twice while I was there. On top of that, I haven't been able to reach Catalina's father since August 17, 2011. He hasn't responded to any of my calls/voice-messages/texts/messages-relayed-through-his-family-members. He has recently been subpoena'ed to court for non-payment of child support (real winner) so I have a feeling he's avoiding me until the court date (which I'm trying to get a telephonic hearing instead of flying back east...but that's a completely different story).
Before we left base, we stopped by Personal Property. and found out the information for shipping our household goods to Guam and got a number for who to call about shipping our truck. I have to say, the guy at Personal Property was SUPER friendly and very informative. He didn't make us feel stupid about not knowing what we needed to do, and he said "Hafa Adai" to us! He looked like a heavy set islander guy...Samoan or something....and just very nice. He talked with us about the island fruits and said our daughter would become a little chamorro girl. You can tell this guy is satisfied with his life and his job makes him happy. He offered stellar customer service...even to the people after us! He let us know that it will take 55 days depending on weather conditions to ship our bulky items and 25-30 for our express home goods items. He'll be sending us an email on how to go online to make the arrangements for our pack-out.
After I signed Catalina back in at school, we had to make a trip to the bank. Since our vehicle is still being financed, we needed a letter from our bank stating that we have permission to take our Explorer overseas. I was hoping to also have my Form DS-3053 notarized....it turns out that Navy Federals in San Diego are not allowed to notarize documents (very lame)! After Becky, the EXTREMELY sweet older Philippine lady talked with us about her time in Guam back in '86...her husband is a retired machinists mate (so is Matty...well, not retired, but a machinists mate)...after our trip down memory lane and getting our paper for the truck, we went next door to the Postal Annex to wait for the Notary Lady. This is another lady that must not like her job. We waited very patiently for her to finish up with an older couple. We cooed at her baby (grandchild maybe) that was bouncing in his bouncer behind the counter. (Must be nice to bring your kid, his pack n play, and all the baby's stuff to work with you! Apparently, also stressing somebody out.) When it was our turn, she was very snippy about not needing to notarize the document. She said that the section that is supposed to be notarized is ONLY for after the non-present parent signs. I was happy to save a few bucks and for her to not have my business so I left. After that, we went to get an arrangement of balloons to surprise Catalina with. She had a ceremony for being a Star Student and was being recognized by her school for Academic Achievement!
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| I love my girl! She's so smart and well behaved! She LOVES school! |
We got there right at 2:40 pm and the Passport Office closes at 3:00, so naturally the not-so-friendly-bitch looked irritated to have to work. (And of course, while she was in the middle of handling our paperwork, four other people showed up needing to take care of passport related stuff! Bahahaha!) Anyway, she starts arguing with me that the pictures are too big and asked where we had them done at. I said, "Oh really, because I had them done at the Passport Office in El Cajon...and these are the pictures that are on our current passports." She replied, "Well, they ain't the right size but I'll go ahead and send them...they might just put a hold on your passports until you get new pictures." She instructs me to write our names on the backs of the pictures. No problem. She takes our IDs and birth certificates and starts putting our packets together. She has me sign for my paperwork and Ezekiel's and then she starts eye balling Catalina's birth certificate. Our conversation goes something like this:
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well where's the father? He's supposed to be present or you'll have to get a Form DS-3053 notarized."
Me: "I have the form right there. He's not able to be reached. That's why I filled out the bottom portion. I also have a letter attached, my court paperwork showing I have sole custody, and a copy of my marriage license. I'd like for you to make a copy of her passport to send along with all of this."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "The court paperwork has to say you have SOLE custody."
Me: "I just told you it says I have SOLE custody. This is the orders for custody, visitation, and child support showing that I have SOLE custody."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well they're going to need to see the originals. You can't send these copies."
Me: "Are they going to send my originals back?"
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Yeah, they'll send 'em back. But you can't send these copies." (Duh Not-so-friendly-bitch, you already said that!)
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well this form here is supposed to be notarized."
Me: "No, it's only supposed to be notarized after the non-present parent signs."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "No, the State requires that this is notarized. See this spot right here."
Me: "That spot right there in the middle of the page is for the notary to stamp AFTER the signature of the non-present parent. I signed the bottom. It doesn't need to be notarized. I already called to passport office before we got here."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well the State requires that it's notarized."
Me: "Ma'am the federal government issues passports. The rules are the same for this document whether you're applying for a Tourist Visa or a Military Visa. I already called and spoke to them about this because I knew I'd have this problem here."
Not-so-friendly-bitch: "Well the State is going to want it notarized. I'll send it, but they'll just put a hold on issuing the passport until you get it to them."
Me: "Well, we'll see then. Just send it in along with my letter and all the other paperwork, because I said in this letter that it would be attached. If they want 100 pages of my phone records to prove he's not responding to my phone calls and messages, I'll be sure to send it to them."
Now I can understand that maybe the passport office in DC (Matty assumes that is where our paperwork will get sent off to) might be stricter than the passport office in LA (which is probably where our current passports were issued out of) but do lady, do you have to be such a nasty bitch? If you hate your job, QUIT! Do us all a favor.
The rest of my day was beautiful. We had a great dinner with Matty's buddy Ricky and watched a very lame movie: American Loser. It had its moments but overall it was a flop. I went to work today with a stronger appreciation for why I do my job so thoroughly. I was even complimented today. One of my prospects told me, "Thank you for your time Rachel. You're very good at what you do." And I have to admit, he's right. There are a lot of people out there that half-ass it through life. I'd like to think my parents raised me better than that. I value my time and I respect the time of others. Too bad other people don't all think the same....
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| Borrowed from Here. Dededo, Guam Can't wait to get away to some beach like this! |
9.28.2011
Some Excitement, Some Great News, and Top it Off with Some Billsh*t
We finally have are fully approved orders! About effing time too! I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack these past few weeks...since the orders reached admin and waited around on desks for skim throughs and John Hancocks. Yesterday we began our application process for military housing. We've never lived in base housing before and I'm actually looking forward to it. So yesterday we called (671) 333-2081 to speak with someone about housing. I do want to admit that they are not very informative over the phone and I do not completely understand how everything works, but here's my current understanding of it all:
We found the Form 1746: Application for Assignment to Housing online. Apparently you can get it from from http://www.housing.navy.mil/ but I couldn't get that website to even open. So I did a google search and found the Form 1746 here. I filled out the application for Matty...only because I like doing paperwork...not because he isn't capable. He had to get his Page 2 updated today because we realized "someone" never added Ezekiel correctly to Matty's Page 2. So Matty faxed the application, his Page 2, and his orders to the Guam Housing Office and I just called a few minutes ago to confirm that they received everything and that we have been added to the wait list. The guy was quiet. He didn't give me any more info then that so I had to pry for a little more. I want someone to instruct me on the housing procedures. Where's the overly helpful person to explain what needs to be done next?! So I ask...and he says that we need to report to housing within 48 hours of arrival and that we'll meet with a counselor, they'll go over the available housing with us, and then we'll agree on the move in date and do the necessary paperwork. So that's it for now as far as Guam housing goes. Can you tell I'm excited?
We need to contact Navy Gateway Inns and Suits and make reservations for our arrival....but it's a little too soon for a February move...I already tried. This guy was much nicer over the phone. He understood my need to over-plan everything and kindly suggested we try again in late November through December. We also need to get in touch with Personal Property to make arrangements for our pack-out date and shipping the truck...we'll attempt to take care of that tomorrow.
Matty went to PSD to let them know we'd like to fly out on February 1st! Hurray! We won't get our official tickets until sometime in December. Boo! Someone will be emailing them to Matty. Are you ready for some great news? Wait for it...
Wait for it...
The Navy is going to pay for our dogs' flights!! Sweet relief! That was the best news I heard all freaking day!
And here's the bullshit: even though we just got our US Passports less than a month ago, the Navy still requires us to get military issued passports... So we're waking up bright and early to go to that tomorrow ON MY DAY OFF! Catalina will be late to school :( BUT she will still go! She has an award ceremony tomorrow and after I drop her off I want to go pick up some balloons or flowers or something special to give her at her ceremony! I love my girl! She's so smart and she's a good student and she enjoys learning and loves school! My week is finally looking better.
We found the Form 1746: Application for Assignment to Housing online. Apparently you can get it from from http://www.housing.navy.mil/ but I couldn't get that website to even open. So I did a google search and found the Form 1746 here. I filled out the application for Matty...only because I like doing paperwork...not because he isn't capable. He had to get his Page 2 updated today because we realized "someone" never added Ezekiel correctly to Matty's Page 2. So Matty faxed the application, his Page 2, and his orders to the Guam Housing Office and I just called a few minutes ago to confirm that they received everything and that we have been added to the wait list. The guy was quiet. He didn't give me any more info then that so I had to pry for a little more. I want someone to instruct me on the housing procedures. Where's the overly helpful person to explain what needs to be done next?! So I ask...and he says that we need to report to housing within 48 hours of arrival and that we'll meet with a counselor, they'll go over the available housing with us, and then we'll agree on the move in date and do the necessary paperwork. So that's it for now as far as Guam housing goes. Can you tell I'm excited?
We need to contact Navy Gateway Inns and Suits and make reservations for our arrival....but it's a little too soon for a February move...I already tried. This guy was much nicer over the phone. He understood my need to over-plan everything and kindly suggested we try again in late November through December. We also need to get in touch with Personal Property to make arrangements for our pack-out date and shipping the truck...we'll attempt to take care of that tomorrow.
Matty went to PSD to let them know we'd like to fly out on February 1st! Hurray! We won't get our official tickets until sometime in December. Boo! Someone will be emailing them to Matty. Are you ready for some great news? Wait for it...
Wait for it...
The Navy is going to pay for our dogs' flights!! Sweet relief! That was the best news I heard all freaking day!
And here's the bullshit: even though we just got our US Passports less than a month ago, the Navy still requires us to get military issued passports... So we're waking up bright and early to go to that tomorrow ON MY DAY OFF! Catalina will be late to school :( BUT she will still go! She has an award ceremony tomorrow and after I drop her off I want to go pick up some balloons or flowers or something special to give her at her ceremony! I love my girl! She's so smart and she's a good student and she enjoys learning and loves school! My week is finally looking better.
9.27.2011
one picture
WARNING: IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED, DON'T READ ANY FURTHER
ONLY FOUL THINGS COMING OUT OF THIS LADY'S MOUTH TODAY
So today is the final day of my 10 Day You Challenge. I mostly did this to try and get myself in the habit of writing every day... that's been a little bit of a challenge... Since I finished my degree three and a half years ago, I don't write as much as I'd like to. For my one picture of myself, I contemplated putting a naughty pic just for shits and giggles and then decided against it. Let's keep it real...I'm not the naughty girl I used to be. Shit, my husband hasn't been laid in like a month or more...probably explains why he's been such a fucking asshole lately...tough shit mister...get a pocket pussy.
So this is me...today...five minutes ago. I'll be honest, I snapped five pictures before I decided on the best one to put out there to everyone...that's one of the joys about the internet and blogging...you can try to put your best face forward...but let's face it, I haven't had my eyebrows done in three+ weeks! In my defense, I'm trying to grow them back out...thicken them back up...because I thought I had to black sperm looking eyebrows on my face...and I want to get them professionally shaped once they've grown in. I've always done my own eyebrows and I do a decent job, but they never look the symmetrical to me....so they especially don't right now. I don't wear a lot of makeup. I usually go NAT-TUR-AL....but this is my make up after 13 hours...no foundation just eye shadow and mascara...well, what's left of it. My hair is always fucking frizzy like this. I know, such a homely looking broad, huh? It's mostly because I also go all NAT-TUR-AL with my hair too...rarely brush the shit and when I do I don't use hair products. Those years when girls were experimenting with their "image" I was a dread head. I showered daily and shaved my legs/armpits regularly, but I wasn't concerned with what I looked like. I put my locks in pigtails or a nice dreadcap. I never had much "style" and still don't. I'm listening to Deadmau5 Radio on Pandora...trying to block out the fact that I'm completely annoyed with my husband right now.
We got into an argument over dog crates... He was trying to squeeze my Bully into a tiny crate because he's a cheap bastard. I've been doing all the research for this move. And for a flat faced dog on an international flight, you have to go with a crate size larger...don't believe me? Call Continental. So anyway, this prick decides to start an argument with me in PetCo and then tried to act like he was going to leave me and my dog there. I know this move is stressful, but I'm really fucking tired of arguing every time we talk about anything related to this move. Fuck you! Goodnight.
9.09.2011
Still No Tickets
That's right, still no tickets. Matty got bronchitis this week. So instead of going into work as planned and getting all our paperwork squared away, he went in Tuesday to medical and got sent home. Can't blame the guy. He's been coughing for a straight week. Wednesday, not feeling much better, he returned to work and turned his stuff in. All we are waiting on is the CMC...everyone else that needed to sign off on our paperwork has. Thursday afternoon there was a massive power outage throughout all of Southern California! You can read about it here.
It was pretty intense. I was sitting in my office with a resident and all of a sudden the entire county was out of power. My phones instantly started ringing off the hook. Cell phone services were down...most landlines were working. I had to shut down my office to go pick Catalina up from school while Matty fought the crowds for ice. I returned and did my rounds to make sure every one was okay and to advise people to get ice and what not. And then we kicked it poolside with all of our neighbors because it was WAY too hot to be in the apartment. We all had a community cookout and enjoyed time with each other. I have some great neighbors/residents!
Anyway, we got our power back around midnight and returned to work this morning. Matty said hardly anyone showed up on base...even though it was mandated by the CMC to go (and supposedly he didn't even show up) but that's to be expected after a big storm...er, I guess. Hopefully we'll know something next week. I'm getting antsy.
It was pretty intense. I was sitting in my office with a resident and all of a sudden the entire county was out of power. My phones instantly started ringing off the hook. Cell phone services were down...most landlines were working. I had to shut down my office to go pick Catalina up from school while Matty fought the crowds for ice. I returned and did my rounds to make sure every one was okay and to advise people to get ice and what not. And then we kicked it poolside with all of our neighbors because it was WAY too hot to be in the apartment. We all had a community cookout and enjoyed time with each other. I have some great neighbors/residents!
Anyway, we got our power back around midnight and returned to work this morning. Matty said hardly anyone showed up on base...even though it was mandated by the CMC to go (and supposedly he didn't even show up) but that's to be expected after a big storm...er, I guess. Hopefully we'll know something next week. I'm getting antsy.
9.06.2011
Owning a Dog is Effing Expensive
I just want to share with you some of the costs associated owning our dogs - what they have cost us to own them up until this point in time, what we're about to spend on making sure they get to the island with us, and approximate costs on how much we'll be spending when we first get there.
Molly - the apple of mama's eye, English Bulldog born 04/03/2011, weighing in at a whopping 55 lbs and a couple inchess taller than Butternuts; Was supposed to be Matty's birthday present but was really a present mama gave to daddy for herself :)
So are you thinking what I'm thinking? Could they possibly cost any more?! Well, yes! Yes, they can! Here's what we have to spend in the upcoming month's to move our babies with us:
So since these broads came into my life July & December of last year, this is what we've cost us, not including their crates and monthly special food (Buttercup is allergic to chicken we've been told - have you ever heard of such a thing?!) and toys and stuff. This is mostly medical related stuff:
Buttercup - fun, energetic Beagle born 11/03/2010, weighing in around 26 pounds and 13 inches tall, Matty's Christmas present
- $3000 - To have a pin put in her back right leg after Molly knocked her down a flight of stairs when she was a new puppy.
- $275 - We got a great Puppy Package for Buttercup at Animal Medical Center in El Cajon. It included all of her puppy shots, three flea preventative treatments, and for her to get spayed...which we had done at the same time of her leg haul-over.
Molly - the apple of mama's eye, English Bulldog born 04/03/2011, weighing in at a whopping 55 lbs and a couple inchess taller than Butternuts; Was supposed to be Matty's birthday present but was really a present mama gave to daddy for herself :)
- $1200 - To get this bitch a fancy nose job. Oh, did that just come out like that?! Sure did. And again Animal Medical Center worked with us to correct Molly's collapsed nostrils - yes, I mean both of them - and an elongated pallet and spay her at the same time. Bulldogs do not do well under anesthesia so we wanted it all taken care of at one time, after she turned a year old.
- $100? - Shots
- $180 - Random Visits for Molly throwing up, Flea Preventative, etc.
- $500-700 to replace the fucking dining room vinyl she chewed up when we move!
- $260 - For a photo shoot at JC Penney's with the Kids...yes, the shoot where I bought more pictures of the dog than I did the kids...Matty hated me for this.
So are you thinking what I'm thinking? Could they possibly cost any more?! Well, yes! Yes, they can! Here's what we have to spend in the upcoming month's to move our babies with us:
- $320 - ($160 each) To get them microchipped
- $50-$150 To get new crates that can fly in.
- $570 - Molly's plane ticket with an overnight stay at a kennel in Honolulu!
- $470 - Buttercup's plane ticket is cheaper since she's about 26 pounds to Molly's 55,
- $120 - ($60 each) Entry Permits
- $200 - Medical visits - Well puppy check before take off and blood work to send off before we can even get those entry permits
These girls are not cheap. Once we get on the island, we need to be prepared to pay $20-40 per dog per day to kennel them. This does not include quarantine fees or transport fees to get our dogs from the airport to the kennel. If we don't get everything taken of soon, we could be looking at 30+ days of quarantine! :::fainting:::
Being a Dog Owner is a lot of work, but our dogs are part of our family. We are committed to getting them to Guam with us...though it's costing a small fortune. If you want you help us out you can donate to the Getting "the Bitches" to The Island Fund. No donation is too small. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll see where you can cash out.
On a brighter note, I can't wait to have tile floors! It's hard owning dogs and living on carpet.
On a brighter note, I can't wait to have tile floors! It's hard owning dogs and living on carpet.
9.05.2011
One Step Closer to Our Move to Guam!
I know I'm way more excited about this move than my mother is. On Friday my husband turned in the last bit of my medical paperwork that was required for our overseas screening! Phew! Fine-all-lee! So I asked my husband, what's next?! I'm ready to start booking tickets, but I guess all of our overseas screening stuff now has to go through admin...and since we're going into a holiday weekend, that means Tuesday it'll start going through admin...the CO has to take a looksie at everything...and THEN Matty will go to PSD and we'll get to pick a date to leave sometime between January 1st-February 1st! This means they'll be shipping our stuff as early as mid-November...depending on the date we choose to move.
This sort of changes things that I had told my employer...especially since I just finished taking a month off of work. If we're going to have an empty house in mid-November, I'm not so sure if I can continue to work through December. Seriously, I don't know how I'll manage to live in an empty house with two small children and no dishes to prepare our meals on. So now I'm brewing up a lot of questions.
What are my rights as a Navy Spouse? If I decide to stop working in November, will I still be eligible for unemployment? Do I start collecting unemployment now or after we get to Guam? Will I still be eligible in January if I stop working in late November? On the other hand, it would be best financially for me to continue working until near time to leave. We could use every bit of extra income we can earn. Plus, as long as I continue managing this property, we don't have to worry about rent. Would it be best to rent furniture here until we move so that I can continue working? Hmm...that actually sounds like a good idea...but will it cost a fortune? Are they loaner furniture programs available here in San Diego through the military? Or do we need to completely rough it and bust out the air mattress and sleeping bags and live off of plastic cup, utensils, and other camping gear?
I need to start getting my dogs ready for this trip too! I just found out that Continental is the ONLY airline that flies dogs into Guam. It's going to cost around $570 for Molly, our English Bulldog, and around $470 for Buttercup, our Beagle...this price includes a night at a kennel in Honolulu, lucky girls! They'll have to be shipped in separate crates (which we're hoping to find second hand for as cheap as possible) and Molly will need a crate that's at least one size larger than she is since she's a short-nose breed. I need to get these girls microchipped this month and their blood work/tests taken care of now that way they can do the 5-Day quarantine instead of 30-120! I think Buttercup will need one more Rabies shot before we do her blood panel...so we can say that she's had two rabies vaccinations prior to the big move.
Matty gets irritated with me every time I start talking about what we need to get done. He likes to do things one step at a time. I like to be overly prepared and to take it all on at once. Catalina is not excited about the move. She's enjoying her kindergarten class and all her new friends, but I try to remind her that a beautiful bright girl like herself is going to be top of her class no matter where she lives! It's the truth too. :)
Well ladies and gentlemen, I hope to have more news to share after Tuesday. Tomorrow we are having a Labor Day cookout at my father's ranch. I have meat marinating overnight and everything is going to be delicious! Hope you all get to enjoy the day off and share it with family and friends.
This sort of changes things that I had told my employer...especially since I just finished taking a month off of work. If we're going to have an empty house in mid-November, I'm not so sure if I can continue to work through December. Seriously, I don't know how I'll manage to live in an empty house with two small children and no dishes to prepare our meals on. So now I'm brewing up a lot of questions.
What are my rights as a Navy Spouse? If I decide to stop working in November, will I still be eligible for unemployment? Do I start collecting unemployment now or after we get to Guam? Will I still be eligible in January if I stop working in late November? On the other hand, it would be best financially for me to continue working until near time to leave. We could use every bit of extra income we can earn. Plus, as long as I continue managing this property, we don't have to worry about rent. Would it be best to rent furniture here until we move so that I can continue working? Hmm...that actually sounds like a good idea...but will it cost a fortune? Are they loaner furniture programs available here in San Diego through the military? Or do we need to completely rough it and bust out the air mattress and sleeping bags and live off of plastic cup, utensils, and other camping gear?
I need to start getting my dogs ready for this trip too! I just found out that Continental is the ONLY airline that flies dogs into Guam. It's going to cost around $570 for Molly, our English Bulldog, and around $470 for Buttercup, our Beagle...this price includes a night at a kennel in Honolulu, lucky girls! They'll have to be shipped in separate crates (which we're hoping to find second hand for as cheap as possible) and Molly will need a crate that's at least one size larger than she is since she's a short-nose breed. I need to get these girls microchipped this month and their blood work/tests taken care of now that way they can do the 5-Day quarantine instead of 30-120! I think Buttercup will need one more Rabies shot before we do her blood panel...so we can say that she's had two rabies vaccinations prior to the big move.
Matty gets irritated with me every time I start talking about what we need to get done. He likes to do things one step at a time. I like to be overly prepared and to take it all on at once. Catalina is not excited about the move. She's enjoying her kindergarten class and all her new friends, but I try to remind her that a beautiful bright girl like herself is going to be top of her class no matter where she lives! It's the truth too. :)
Well ladies and gentlemen, I hope to have more news to share after Tuesday. Tomorrow we are having a Labor Day cookout at my father's ranch. I have meat marinating overnight and everything is going to be delicious! Hope you all get to enjoy the day off and share it with family and friends.
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