Forward Thinking

I meant to post yesterday, but instead I took the few minutes of spare time that I had and used it starting another Schibble.  Boy they are sure addicting.

The big event for the day was our Transportation appointment.  When you are in the militray and you are going to PCS (move) that is the most important event.  You first have to estimate your weight based off of the most out-of-date, inaccurate checklist.  Sofas and beds are easy to estimate, but how about entertainment centers (not on the list), or...   fabric?  Yeah, it is a struggle.  I've always wondered why they cannot access your previous move, so you only have to change some of the items according to what has been acquired or disposed. (Insert all the new fabric here...)  Instead, you have to start from "scratch" each time.  I learned yesterday, though, that they have a new "system" which should keep track of all your moves--and eliminate this problem, but of course it came out after our last move, so we had to create everything again. 

Once you finish the inventory, you contact the transportation office for an appointment (usually about 2 weeks or so.)  So our appointment was yesterday and we scheduled our moving dates.  When you are overseas (Hawaii and Alaska are both considered overseas) you have the option of sending "Unaccompanied Baggage" also known as "Hold Baggage."  It used to be between 300-600 pounds of "neccessities" but not any furniture or large appliances.  So you can include some dishes and other kitchen items like pots and pans, clothing that won't fit in the suitcases, sheets and blankets, toys (if you have kids), etc.  They send the hold baggage at a faster speed so that you can get it and have such things as will make it able for you to function.    The balance of your stuff is called your "Household Goods (HHG)"  I should insert an explanation here that if you are not familiar with the military, be aware that they have an acronym for everything:  PCS (Permanent Change of Station)  HHG (Household Goods), TDY (Temporary Duty), PX (post exchange) QD (quilting dependant)--okay, I was just kidding about the last one, but I think you can get the idea.

So we scheduled the hold baggage to be picked up on the first of June, and the HHG will be packed and crated 4-7 June.  I cannot express how much the packing and loading represents my version of Hell.  I just hate the process and if my husband truly loved me, he would surely book me into a dayspa or on a short cruise or something.  Right???  Actually, I'm needed to help "keep an eye on things" (making sure no one steals anything) and having them point out every little dent and scratch on everything I own!!!  This frustrates the heck out of me because I really don't want to be reminded of how my stuff has been damaged in the past.  Oh, and I really like old, primitive, "paint peeling" stuff and they feel the need to write all of that down.  On that stuff, I really don't mind some more "distressing"  LOL.  So anyway, by the end of the first week of June, I will have nothing except what I'm taking in the suitcases (or mailing).  We will be "camping" in the house with borrowed furniture--it is called "Aloha furniture" here.  I will photograph it for you!  It isn't too bad--it beats sleeping on the floor.  And they give a washer and dryer, too! 

The appointment was up at Schofield Barracks, so we had a little bit of a drive.  By the time we got home, it was 3:30-4.  I didn't quite feel like quilting, but I was bored, and so I decided to tackle the guest bedroom.  I have been putting off going through it, because I thought I needed a Whole Day to do it.  Also I was procrastinating.  Anyways, yesterday afternoon seemed to be The Time, so I went in with a black trash bag.  It only took an hour and a half (and that was factoring in supper prep, too.)  I first tackled The Closet, and then Under the Bed, and finally, The Cabinet.  I now have such a nice pile to take to the thrift shop!  Best of all, it wasn't hard and now it is over so I have that "self righteous" feeling I get when I've finally done something unpleasant.  You know that feeling--like when you finally go to the dentist when you've put it off, or gotten that mamogram, etc.

I will leave you with a picture of a quilt.  This is one that I quilted last week.  It is also one of the two that I found under a pile.

I made it at our last house--the kitchen was painted blue and I made this to match.  I didn't really like it though.  I pulled it out to maybe use as the back of the other quilt, but decided against it, so I quilted them both individually.   I think it is a Jo Morton pattern, from one of her books.  Now that it is quilted, I'm liking it better.

Aloha,
JoAnne