Last of the Application Paperwork Sent

I sent the last of the official application paperwork to my new boss last night.
He will be turning it over to the human resources department in Huntsville today. Supposedly I will be hearing from someone there within a week. (So I can do more paperwork.)

This has been an interesting process. I'll have to get used to all the red tape that seems to be part of life on Kwajalein.

We visited a bit more about the job, what life is like there, the things I need to get out of my system before I go. I don't cook much so we eat out a lot and we eat good, apparently this is something I will be giving up; good food. Bummer. In the bachelors quarters, I won't even have a kitchen so cooking for myself will not even be an option. Oh well, that's what vacations are for I guess.

They still seem to think that I will be on my way out there by the end of November. That will be great timing. We've already gotten snow so I'll be leaving right about the time winter really sets in.

Now I have to get serious about the packing. The stuff that gets shipped can take about 30-45 days to arrive so I need to make sure I don't pack anything I can't live without for that long. My plan is to make three piles....taking, not sure, and storing. I'm hoping to keep the storing pile to a minimum. I have no concept yet about how much 750 pounds translates to. There may be some shuffling once I start adding it up. We'll see how it goes.

Reluctantly Re-applying For My Job

Well, I can't really get around it; I need to re-apply for my current position with the new owners today. My pride is taking a hit. I have my fingers crossed that they will reject it or let me go shortly after bringing me on.

I've weighed out all the alternatives I could think of and this really is the easiest, least disruptive way to go. Financially and logically anyway, emotionally it would be much more satisfying to go get a temporary job anywhere else while I'm waiting for the paperwork to finalize on the Kwajalein position. Oh well. It truly could be worse.

I got a call from Kwajalein last night letting me know not to worry, everything is still on track there is just some issue with coordinating the Kwajalein paperwork with the Huntsville paperwork. I am currently a requisition number and I'm being processed. Like I've said before, things seem to move a little slower in Kwajalein.

I've sold pretty much everything I need to sell except the car and I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to sell the motorcycle or not. It's my first one and I want to keep it! It would cost a lot less to store than the car and I wouldn't have to keep it insured but I don't know...

I have a friend that's coming next week to take all of my houseplants. It's going to feel really bare in the house once the plants are gone. I'm enjoying the process though. It feels kind of weird but exciting too.

I really think this experience is worth all of the sacrifice. Other than the dogs, all I'm sacrificing is "stuff" anyway. I've been wanting to simplify, this just makes it necessary instead of voluntary. I work well in those conditions.

Nice Lady With 20 Acres

Tonight we sent Blue off to try out a new home.

He was a little trepidatious when he first met the lady but within minutes she had his eyes rolling back in his head and he was leaning on her and seeking her out and before long, he got in her car and drove away.

Sad.

She was very loving with him and seemed like she needed a friend and he seemed to be enjoying the undivided attention. In a house with three dogs, he doesn't get that much. I have high hopes that everything will be fine.

She'll be calling to give us a status report tomorrow. I'm looking forward to hearing how it went.

One down, two to go.

Last Family Portrait

This is kind of sad.....
I've been wanting to take this picture for awhile now and circumstances finally pushed us into getting it done.

Here it is and I love it:

The adventure to Kwajalein does not come without sacrifices. The only pet we will be able to take to the island is the cat. We are currently looking for new homes for the dogs.

I actually listed the Blue Dog on craigslist.
Surprisingly, I got a response already. A nice lady with 20 acres is coming to meet him on Tuesday.

I hope it goes well.