What we have been up before the big move!

 Isaac graduated from middle school. HOORAY! I cannot believe he is going to be in High School. Man how time flies. A day before the last of school they had their graduation.. I didn't think nothing of it since the school is so small and they never do anything for the middle school kids. Well they had a big tada for them. And so Isaac decided to go ahead and wear his nice clothes for the graduation all day. Apparently a bunch of them were doing this. So we let him.

 

He asked his dad if he could pick out some clothes from his dads closet to wear which he does often now. It is sort of a bonding thing for them. He is so dang big he could fit a lot of Jorge's clothes that are too small at this point of our lives. HA! This was what he came up with. The suit that Jorge had custom made from Korea 10 years ago. It fit him nicely! He looked so damn handsome in it. So glad they are getting some use. Think Jorge wore them once!

 I couldn't get enough of him so I had to take another pic of him in the car on the way to school.

 

Going to BBQ's with friends. I am always assigned to make this. I'm kind of famous for it at this point. And I don't argue I just do.

 

Our friends are doing a Luau party in July and we will be missing it. So they decided we will do a test run on the roasted pic they are doing. Really its just an excuse to have another party. LOL! So this is our final party with them and a going away at the same time. Man it was yummy! Plus it is always fun and we get a little crazy after a few drinks.

 

Went to my friend Kathy's wedding celebration. She and her hubs eloped to Vegas but decided to have a party for the family and friends to be able to enjoy with them. Love these girls and I am so gonna miss them so much.

 

Chabella cheered at halftime for the San Antonio Stars Ladies basketball team. They did an amazing job. She looks so beautiful in her cheer outfit. This was her last cheering commitment.

 As crazy at it sounds we did a MUD RUN!

May 31st Gladiator Rock & Run

6k

17 obstacle courses

3 bands

 I tried to prepare as best as I could but I was horrible. It was so hard "FOR ME" but I did it. I was literally ready to give up on the first obstacle we finished. I was thinking "how in the hell am I gonna do this? I don't think I can do this? How do I tell my group I cant go anymore? Where is the nearest exit? It is freaking HOT AS BALLS out here! Jesus help me! I think I am gonna have a heat stroke and die! Please don't let me die?" Yeah, that's what I was saying to myself. And then Jorge came behind me and really never left my side. He told me I was doing good and keep going. And then my other friend came by and asked how I was doing. I told her " I don't think I can do this!" She said "I don't think I can either!" Then we kept walking, yes walking.

 

Then I told myself... "ONE OBSTACLE AT A TIME!" I figured I can always quit but I will try and do one more. One after the other and another until we were at the finish line. It was not easy for me at all. I am not in the best of shape to begin with, I am the heaviest in my team but they helped me through it all. All the guys really helped us out. I don't think I could have ever done this with any group of people. Never once did my team make me feel bad for being the slowest, they always helped me out, they had encouraging words the entire time and most of all we had fun. YES! After it is said and done and looking back I HAD A GREAT TIME. I cant believe at 36 in the worst shape of my life I did it. HA! I DID IT! I did it and I am live. lol

 

Team so fresh and so clean, clean!

Waiting for our run to start. Nitro from American Gladiator who created this was there to start us off. He even yelled out our groups name cuz there was so many of us.

Stopped to take a group picture. This was right after we crossed the beam. And I am proud to say that I crossed it without falling. Gloria and I did. hehehehehe

 

 This is my fave pic of us as a group. All of us carrying this giant log and ALLAN hanging out and leaning on top of it. NICE!

 

Another obstacle done group pic.

 

Oh the last mud crawl. This baby was a pain. It was full of small rocks that grind your knees as you crawl through it. I said "OUCH" the entire time. That's me behind the guy with the black tank.

 

 

 

Our finish line photo. GOD I am so glad that was done. 

Our professional finish line photo including our fabulous photographers, support cheer team Carol, Vicky and my daughter Chabella. It was so nice cuz they gave her a medal too. Everyone had a little bit of injury from this day. Jorge and Lisa had the worst I think. I for one have a giant bruised in my ASS from falling on a rock after the climb of the steep hill obstacle. Man it hurts. But we did it.

GO A TEAM!

 

And lastly, I have finally found some live blue crabs yesterday. Man oh man have I been wanting to eat me some. So yesterday I got me almost 9 lbs. and went straight home and steamed them.

 

Here they are getting ready for their HOT BATH! YUMMY!

 

 That's it for now!

Auf Wiedersehen

 

PCS to Germany update



So as of right now we have about a month from flying out to Germany. Still so many things to prepare for. We still have to ship Jorge's truck (which will be $1700 not including port fee 100 euro when we pick it up), our storage will be getting packed in about a week or so and then HHG is getting packed last close to the end of the month. I don't really know if Jorge wants exact dates put out there so I am just generalizing. I am still sorting, giving away, throwing and donating as much as I can. I have to really start putting my priorities straight but things are falling into place. Knock on wood I don't jinx it!

 

 

After I thought I waited too long to get my kids tourist passports they showed up at our doorsteps 2 weeks early than was told. YAY! Please people if you are doing your passport don't wait too late obviously but if you do it a month and half before your trip you should be ok. I was freaking out on the phone asking so many questions and was really worried I would have to rush them cuz I was afraid of them shipping so late I was told on the phone by this nice lady from the passport office that they are coming in 2 weeks after being process. She said don't waste your money expediting them honest. I was like OK, should I be the freak that I am and not listen or trust her. So when we went to get them done I told myself just relax everything will be ok and listen to her. I saw other people paying up the yinyang for expedite shipment. I am so glad I didn't waste that money. Cuz just like she said they showed up within 2 weeks. Whew!

 

Our UB (unaccompanied baggage) has been packed and shipped. It was kinda funny cuz the other packer looked to be like my sons age so I was kind of shock. And he didn't really know what he was doing. He didn't know how to wrap and I had to help him out and give him pointers. Having had to move so many times I can call myself an expert in packing. HA! But they were nice and tried their best to make me feel secure that everything will be alright.

 

What I packed: plates, coffee cups, tall & short glasses (4 each), 2 pots (small and big), pan, cooking utensils (didn't pack spoons or forks I can just buy there), some plastic bowl, colander, Tupperware, knife, cutting board, napkins, towel for drying dishes, 3 lamps and shades, folding chairs, linens, bedding, comforters, towels, jackets, sweaters, shoes, sewing machine, my cameo, 2 TV's, exercise equipment, board games, laundry basket 2 types, spices and medicine. 

I think that's it. I tried to think of what else we would need and that's all I can come up with. I figured what ever else we might need I can always get at the commissary or PX. And I shall leave at that and not stress about it, its done.

 

Now I just need to get ready for the next packers which should be here in the next week or so and I just need to sort our stuff for that to make it fast and easy. I like to get it done ASAP. I find that it helps the movers out and keeps me from stressing. Really! I felt so much better after my UB got packed up and left. I am going to do that for the next 2 shipment coming up. FAST AND FURIOUS! Usually I stress and stress and stress. Now that it is coming to an end I am trying to relax, get things done one at a time and it is what it is. Just gotta think positive and hope that everything will fall into place.

 

Oh, the one thing I am worrying about it Ruby! We are still trying to find a new home for her. Here in San Antonio all the NO KILL places I have called are full. No one is taking in adult cats. Which is so sad. To top it off it's baby kitty season. Dang it!  I cant compete with cute baby kittens.

 

Before you judge here's why we are trying to find her a new home. A year after saving her we found out we are highly allergic to her and the doctors have urged us to find her a new home. We have been going back and forth to the ER, my son's Asthma has gotten worse and taking tons of crazy meds just to tolerate her. Since last year I might add. We have had to lie to the doc cuz we just cant leave her or get rid of her until we know she has a safe home. As soon as we knew all this we have been looking for a home for her so this is not a last minute we are going to Germany lets get rid of her. Gosh! I am really stressing about her. I really hope we can find her a family and a home soon.

 

 

I think that's about it for that. We are just now trying to enjoy the last weeks we have here in the US with friends. This has been the biggest, expensive and hardest move we have done so far. Not to mention harder on the kids cuz they have made some good friends here and so did Jorge & I. We are excited and nervous at the same time. But we are getting there and IT WILL BE WORTH IT! Right? Well I hope so.

 

Oh gosh! My kids bday and fathers day is coming up too. Geesh! I need to get my crap together and think of something for that.

 

Auf Wiedersehen!

Update with PCS to Germany!



Wow I cannot believe that its been 4 months since I last posted. Oops!

 

Gosh, I really thought I was gonna do better than this but, hey life has a tendency to get in the way. Priorities! Anyway it is getting really close to our move to Germany and that is really the main reason why I got back into blogging. I know that communications will not be as easily done and far, few and in between due to $$$. So I am thinking the main communications will be mostly through FB and hopefully here in my blog is where I can share pictures with what we are up to with family and friends once we are there.

 

So I guess I can get started today and share some of the things that we have been going through as far as getting ready for the move to Germany. Besides trying to contact as many people as I can that are now living in Germany that are in the military same as us, here are some things I have been doing for the sake of my SANITY!

*WARNING Long POST*

 

*TEMPORARY LODGING* As soon as you get your orders get your hubby or yourself to reserve a room for you and your family to stay in in Germany. We reserved ours for 30 days. I know some people cant even get a room cuz they are already maxed out. Now people are having to look outside post which there are plenty out there. Its just the convenience of being on post and being close to the stores, offices where you are in processing, to your sponsor and restaurant, etc. specially in a new place where you have never been. I know I feel secure having that.

 

*QUESTIONS* I have joined some FB group that are based in Germany (Ladies of the KMC and Foodies in the KMC) and military spouses. This is a great place to ask questions and get suggestions on anything and everything about PCS or living abroad. They are really friendly and very helpful. Please don't be afraid to ask questions! I'm not! I have no shame in my game. I am the type to plan everything I can. I have a plan A, B, C and D and then try to have back up for my back up. That's just me, but I like to be prepared. The move is hard enough I try to get as much knowledge and info as I can so I an anticipate problems and get them fix before they happen. Are you the same or am I just crazy?

 

*SELL, SELL, SELL*I also have been selling as much as I can of our stuff we can bare to let go on FB garage sales in my area (I joined knowing I would have to be getting rid of as much as I can for this move), Craigslist and had a garage sale. I am nervous about going over our weight limit so this was my top priority. I have living room sets in this house and I know I am only taking one. So besides the little stuff we have also sold one of our cars. Thank GOD! We have 3 so we are letting the military ship one and we are shipping one of them out of pocket. (But now we are thinking of selling my van cuz of shipping cost and just getting rid of one car and buying a new one there. STill not sure though)

 

*PAPER WORK*Do your paper work as early as possible. OH MY GOSH! Did they have fun making me drive around back and forth. I tried to get our paper work done when my hubby was in Thailand so that when he got back he would just turn it in and get our orders out to be approve. No Luck! They still made him run around as well when he got back. Orders will still have to get looked at and get approve but thank God we got it. Make sure you and your kids paperwork (EFMP) as far as medical goes is taken cared of. We had to get an approval for our orders cuz my son has asthma. So they had to make sure he was good to go. This could take some time and was very frustrating for me.

 

*MILITARY/TOURIST PASSPORTS*Do your military passports first! I was debating which one to do first military vs. tourist but found out they changed it  now so the thing they look at is your military one so get that one done first. You do have to have your orders for this. Remember they will take your kids (if they are under 18 years of age) Birth Certificate and send it out and it takes 6 to 8 weeks to get back.  My kids tourist passports are expired that's why I am having to renew them. So what I had to do was order a certified copy of the BC so I can go ahead and renew their tourist passport (which is what you use when traveling outside of Germany which we plan on doing). I don't wanna have to wait around when we are there for their passport. I want to do them here to get them out of the way. Now if I can just get some time for my hubby to take off work so we can do their passport that would be great. We leave in the first week of July so I really need to get them done. Thank God I expedited the BC so they got here in time so even if I do the passport this week or next I would get them back my next month. Tourist passport take about 4 to 6 weeks to get back. I have time, yay! That was close though. So please don't wait around on this you really have to get them done way in advance people.

 

*PANTRY and TOILETRIES* My entire family have been using up everything in our pantry that the movers might not pack or would cost too much weight and same for toiletries. And when toiletries I mean lotions, perfumes, soaps..etc. I am trying to use up things in my freezer and ref. Anything at all that would cost me pain later I am trying to get rid of. I guess my candles if they are not pack will be taken to storage. I figured that if we use up as much as we can now the less I have to pack in our suitcases to bring with us. I know my hubby and I are perfume hoarders so we will be packing a ton of them. But the cheapo ones that we could care less are being used as much as possible. I have used up so much lotion my skin has never felt so smooth in my entire life. Hahahahah! Everything else in my pantry can be donated or trash. I hate to throw out something when you don't have to so I am trying my best to use what we have. I am doing great and should be ready by the time movers come.

 

*Organize, organize, organize! I am trying to put things in their areas. Things that are going to be STORED, SOLD, put in UB (unaccompanied baggage)or HHG (main household goods to be shipped in Germany with us) When you get your paper work they will give you a handout on suggested things you can and cannot bring with you. For example anything that is not 220 volt/dual volt will not work in Europe. It will blow up, do a fun sparkly small fireworks show but I think you will get people angry for doing so. NO FUN! Here in the US we use 110/120 volt. Although I have gotten some mix reviews on this I just don't want to risk it. You can I  think use transformers on certain things but they are electricity hogs and its too expensive over there to play around with that. I am EL CHEAPO MASTER! Microwaves, washer and dryers are a big no no and they wont even let you take them with you and will be stored courtesy of the military for you. You can do a quick google on this and tons of stuff will come up. Promise! Just do the work.

Although I had a friend that had the military packed everything they had. Including their micro,washer and dryer  and everything that are totally useless over there. I don't know how that happened. But I know I read and asked questions about which appliances I can take and wisely not to. I will do a more detailed post on this when I have the time but for now I am being really general.

 

*PLAN, PLAN, PLAN*Planning what I need to make life easier when we are in Germany. (This is from asking a bunch of people questions) Like I know I need to get shoes, pants, warm/cold weather clothes for my kids cuz they are growing and we got rid of a ton of them here since its hot here in SA, Texas. I will need to resupply that for them. I have been slowly doing that since last year but since they are still growing as we speak I think a shopping spree is in order before we fly out. I have heard that you do a lot your shopping online when you are there. There's not much selection at the BX or PX which ever one it is and if they do have it, it goes quickly. I don't know how much of this is true but hey I would rather be ready than not.

 

*SHIPPING CARS* Talking to USAA about our car loan getting it ready so when it is time to ship it (military or personal) you have all the proper paper work. Hubby said he talked to USAA and they will do paper ASAP when we need it since they do this all the time for their military customers. I would prefer to have it in our hands but hubby is handling it so I am trusting him on this one. I am still yet to get a quote on how much it will be to ship our other vehicle out of pocket but I know it ain't going to be cheap. It's gonna hurt! I need to do that ASAP.

 

I think that's all I can think of right now. Whew! I know that was a long post but I really want to post as much as I can. I really did got addicted reading peoples blog when I first found out we were PCS'ng to Germany to read and find out as much as I can. I was excited, scared, nervous all at the same time and reading other people's experience and seeing many people going through the same thing I was going through made me feel better. So I hope there's someone out there reading this and getting something out of it. What ever it might be and help you out in any way. That is the purpose of this post. I will try and add to this post as much as I can while I am in the process.

 

Thanks for sticking around and reading this. Good luck, have a good day and be blessed!