As we are surrounded by moving hell week, at times feeling like I am going to spontaneously combust due to stress, I have to wonder...what in the heck are 2 people who hate moving SO much doing in the military? It's not that I hate going new places...on the contrary...I LOVE an adventure! We BOTH do...
(A little trivia...Cliff and I have the exact same personality type indicator...you know, that Meyers-Briggs thing? Anyway, we've known this since our 3rd date. I'm guessing that, depending on the personality, this could make for either a fabulous relationship, or a source of constant conflict. So far, it is mostly the former for us...but it does make certain things interesting. I'm really surprised we function with 2 ENFP's at the helm. Anyhoo...)
What was I saying? We also LOVE meeting new people...even if that means having to say goodbye (I HATE that part!) But the whole sorting, packing and prioritizing of stuff just paralyzes me! This is a very complex move, too...because we are only authorized to bring 1/4 of our normal weight allowance (they will bill us for anything over that) and the rest we either have to get rid of or the Navy will pay to store it for us until we return to the USA. (While you are over there, they loan you appliances and the necessary, basic furniture...OR, you can shop for new, more exotic stuff in places like Bali and Thailand! I prefer the latter, thank you.)
So here is the thing...we will be in Okinawa for almost 4 years (now that Cliff is going on the IA to the Middle East). After that, he hopes to go to school for a year...so anything we put in storage could be there for 5 years...other than priceless family heirlooms...what do we really want/need bad enough to store for 5 years if we DON'T want/need it now? It makes no sense, really. We are leaving here with children ages 16, 14, 11 and 10...in 5 years they will be 21, 19, 16 and 15...(SCARY thought!). Our lives will be totally different by then. Would we even recognize our stuff?
Even though we are getting rid of a TON...we're practically not bringing a STICK of wooden furniture (unless you count the wood legs and backs on our sofa and loveseat...and I prefer to know where my sofa has been, thank you! Ix-nay on the upholstered loaners!).
Dining cabinets and buffet...SOLD to one of the movers. Entertainment center...bought by his mother in law. Dressers, dining table, family room couches...EVERYTHING MUST GO at the most gnarly yard sale we've ever had...and we are STILL going to be over our weight limit!
Homeschooling 4 children, reading, scrapbooking, sewing, Sunday School teaching, spontaneous crafting...they ALL require STUFF...and LOTS of it! If I have to give up my hobbies, why go on? It is times like these, I am SO happy I have such a patient husband with the SAME personality type. He understands. He empathizes. He enables. I love him. He observed that replacing the items would cost more than shipping them. Now he's using MY kind of math!
He even offered to book me a massage if I survive this process. I really hope I survive!
(Stay tuned for my postings about our trip and my visit from the Lovely Lisa, The Troublemaker.)
(A little trivia...Cliff and I have the exact same personality type indicator...you know, that Meyers-Briggs thing? Anyway, we've known this since our 3rd date. I'm guessing that, depending on the personality, this could make for either a fabulous relationship, or a source of constant conflict. So far, it is mostly the former for us...but it does make certain things interesting. I'm really surprised we function with 2 ENFP's at the helm. Anyhoo...)
What was I saying? We also LOVE meeting new people...even if that means having to say goodbye (I HATE that part!) But the whole sorting, packing and prioritizing of stuff just paralyzes me! This is a very complex move, too...because we are only authorized to bring 1/4 of our normal weight allowance (they will bill us for anything over that) and the rest we either have to get rid of or the Navy will pay to store it for us until we return to the USA. (While you are over there, they loan you appliances and the necessary, basic furniture...OR, you can shop for new, more exotic stuff in places like Bali and Thailand! I prefer the latter, thank you.)
So here is the thing...we will be in Okinawa for almost 4 years (now that Cliff is going on the IA to the Middle East). After that, he hopes to go to school for a year...so anything we put in storage could be there for 5 years...other than priceless family heirlooms...what do we really want/need bad enough to store for 5 years if we DON'T want/need it now? It makes no sense, really. We are leaving here with children ages 16, 14, 11 and 10...in 5 years they will be 21, 19, 16 and 15...(SCARY thought!). Our lives will be totally different by then. Would we even recognize our stuff?
Even though we are getting rid of a TON...we're practically not bringing a STICK of wooden furniture (unless you count the wood legs and backs on our sofa and loveseat...and I prefer to know where my sofa has been, thank you! Ix-nay on the upholstered loaners!).
Dining cabinets and buffet...SOLD to one of the movers. Entertainment center...bought by his mother in law. Dressers, dining table, family room couches...EVERYTHING MUST GO at the most gnarly yard sale we've ever had...and we are STILL going to be over our weight limit!
Homeschooling 4 children, reading, scrapbooking, sewing, Sunday School teaching, spontaneous crafting...they ALL require STUFF...and LOTS of it! If I have to give up my hobbies, why go on? It is times like these, I am SO happy I have such a patient husband with the SAME personality type. He understands. He empathizes. He enables. I love him. He observed that replacing the items would cost more than shipping them. Now he's using MY kind of math!
He even offered to book me a massage if I survive this process. I really hope I survive!
(Stay tuned for my postings about our trip and my visit from the Lovely Lisa, The Troublemaker.)
7 comments:
I love reading your posts, Carrie. You crack me up! :)
I can't even imagine trying pack/plan for something like that. It's got to be killer. Also, I didn't know that your kids were homeschooled. Go, you. :) That's awesome.
Sooo...when is that gnarly yard sale? I am SO crashing it!!
LOL! We are hoping to have it on Saturday, if we can pull it together. Call me or email me on Friday if you think of it (late afternoon or eve) and I will let you know if it is a go.
Thanks!
Some of your post just send me over the edge! Ugh..you sure know how to make a girl cry. I love you and thanks for ANOTHER scarfice!
How can we be friends when you're a ENFP and I'm an ISFJ? Something must've clicked w/us. Good luck w/the rest of to the move...I guess it's too late to turn back now. Chat soon. Lisa
Oh dear.. after moving 2.5 miles away, I cannot EVEN imagine it! And FIVE YEARS?? Isn't Cliff educated enough?? ha! I better start saving my pennies.. look for a good deal on air, PLEASE! Well, I'm going to let you scout out the territory for awhile!
Carrie, You crack us up. It's painful now, but I tell you, you are going to love Okinawa. Everyone I know who has lived there has been been sad to leave. Did you know the Fairchilds? Will you see Tiffany? The balmy heat, the gorgeous oceans, the lovely people. The travel ops. And your kids are old enough to travel with you gracefully and be good company. So much fun! We loved living in Asia. Missed the our families, but what amazing experiences!
At tip from us who paid $1200 for our last overweight move (oops!) Don't move food storage!
Minetta...sometimes you just need a good cry, right? You are welcome, and thank YOU too!
Lisa...we must just compliment each other...although Cliff says there is NO way on earth that you are an I. NO way. Try the test again.
Marsha...I will be scouting out airfare, you know it!
Sarah...although we gave our food storage to friends (we are GOOD friends huh?) and left our water barrels in storage, I'm afraid we will still be receiving a big fat bill from the Navy. Oh well. They have unrealistic expectations of a family of six...what can we do?
Post a Comment