Tuesday, September 25, 2007

PCSing - FYI (what to take with you)

What to take with you:

1. Important papers. His official orders, birth certificates, marriage license, social security cards, etc. should all go with you in your vehicle. Do not pack these items or let the movers pack them. In all likelihood, you’ll need them before you find the box they are in. These papers should be with you at all times during your move.

2. Pictures. If you have pictures that cannot be replaced, take them with you. The last thing you need in the stress of moving is to find out your wedding pictures have been ruined.

3. Your medications. Sometimes the movers are delayed for a variety of reasons. Take all of your medications with you and be sure you have more of a supply than you think you will ever need. Better safe than sorry!

4. At least one phone. It could be days before your things arrive and you need to have communication!

5. Take toiletry items including toilet paper with you. It’s also not a bad idea to at least take the shower liner with you (with hooks) and a few towels. Make sure you also have pillows and blankets in case you have to camp out on the floor for a few days.

6. Be sure you have everything for your pets. You will need their food, bowls, litter and any medications. Also try to bring a favorite toy so they have something familiar.

7. Be sure to leave out paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, etc. so you can still eat while they are packing your things. This will also make it easier and much cheaper when you get to your new place until you find all of your dishes. Try to pack a cooler with sandwich meat, condiments and drinks. Have snacks and bread ready so you don’t spend a lot of money eating out.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

PCSing - 1 month prior.

Schedule pickup and delivery dates with your mover, and arrange for storage if needed.

Verify your move-in schedule with real estate agents and landlords, and arrange for temporary housing/lodgings if needed.

If you live in base housing, you need to schedual your pre-inspection walk through.

Obtain change of address cards from the post office. You can also download them directly from MoversNet. If your new address is not yet known, you can still address cards now to save time later.

If you haven't found a new residence yet, obtain a post office box or forwarding address for your mail until you have a permanent address.

If you haven't done so already, visit your military financial center or private advisor for counseling. If you are on active duty, check with Travel and Transportation Allowances to see if you are entitled to advanced pay or other benefits.

Get rid of any unwanted items around your house (furniture, clothes, etc). You can sell them through crageslist, hold a garage sale or donate them to charity. Keep any receipts from your donations for tax purposes.

Arrange to pick up your children's school records or get the proper procedures for sending the records to their new school.

Arrange for letter of transfer from local church and clubs, including Scouts or other national organizations.
If your family is driving in two or more vehicles, buy some short-range walkie-talkies so you can keep in touch while you're on the road.

If you or someone in your family is employed, arrange with your employer to forward tax withholding forms.
Spouse and children with part time jobs should give notice.

Ensure that all health, life, fire and auto insurance is up to date, and inform these companies of your new address.
Return library books and other borrowed items.

Ensure that your vehicle(s) are in good running condition and that all required maintenance has been completed.
Record serial numbers of electronic and other important equipment.

Fill out an IRS change of address form (available from the IRS in PDF format).

Have appliances serviced for moving.

Switch utility services to your new address. Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper, magazine subscription, telephone and cable companies of your move, and cancel any local subscriptions or services (i.e., pool, diaper, fuel delivery) if necessary. If you have placed any deposits, get your refunds.

Monday, September 17, 2007

ReDeployment

I think pictures say a thousand words...
No explanation needed. If you want
to see more pictures from that night.
Check my photo album.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Car Accident

Well as most of you know, I was in a car accident this past weekend... Everyone keeps asking me what happened, so here's the story... So I was drivin back to base from the Walmart in the foothills (Goin East on 32nd street). I stopped at a red light on 3E in the left turn lane. When the arrow turned green, I slowly started to accelerate (maybe going 0-5 MPH). When I saw a car coming towards the intersection (Goin West on 32nd) and noticed it didn't look like it was gunna stop, I slammed on my breaks and laid on the horn. At the moment I saw her come through the intersection, I knew she was gunna hit me, I twisted around to brace Makayla for the impact and a couple times and she hit us again and we came to a stop. The thing that irritates me off the most was that she made absolutely NO attempt to stop, not when I was laying on my horn or anything... She didn't even swerve... Just hit me head on. Well my car's totaled... She was drivin some tank and only had bumper damage (atleast from what I could see)... My car's TRASHED!!! I couldn't even open my front door... I had to get the baby and shimmy over the back of the drivers seat and out the back door... The lady just stood there saying, "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, it's my fault" ...Well that's a BIG no duh lady, seeing how you ran the red light. I heard her telling the cops, "I didn't even see her." That statement alone just flat out scares me... HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE A RED LIGHT LET ALONE A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF A BAM!!! She hit us going 45+ MPH (now remember we had come to a complete stop at that point), the car spunN INTERSECTION??? If she truly couldn't see me, she seriously needs to have her license revoked!!! Thank GOD I slammed on my breaks in the middle of the intersection, cuz had I kept going at the slow speed I was, she wouldn't have hit the front of my car, she would have hit RIGHT where Makayla was sitting... And by the looks of the front of my car, I don't even want to think what would have happened to Makayla... But I can tell you this much... That lady wouldn't have walked away from the accident... And not because of the force of the impact. As far as me and Makayla go... Well Makayla's totally fine... At least as far as everyone can tell... She hasn't been any crankier then usual, no cuts or bruises... I however am pretty soar... I went down to urgent care on Sunday, I got some Tylenol with codeine and some mild muscle relaxers... It's been helping, really it's only my ankle and neck/upper back that hurts now, and not nearly as bad as before the medication... I think Wednesday I'm gunna try to get down to base medical and see if I can get a referral to a massage therapist or sumthin... My back's all kinda messed up. So anywayz, I have no idea what's gunna go on with insurance... Cuz of the holiday weekend they couldn't do anything... And for some reason I haven't been able to get a hold of anyone today. I'm really gettin irritated about this whole thing... I mean, good thing I don't need a rental car... cuz I would be livid if they waited this long to get back to me. I went down to the tow yard to say my goodbyes, and gather the rest of my stuff that was left in the car... I was kinda irritated, cuz after the storm we had Sunday morning, the guy who towed my car left ALL my windows rolled down and now the car reeks... So in the off chance that it's not toatled, I'm gunna be livid if they just give me back the car that went through hurracane winds and pouring rain.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

PCSing - Change of address

Inform family, friends and businesses of your new address

The US Postal Service provides various forms that can help having one’s mail forwarded either to a interim address, or directly to one’s new address. While first class mail will be forwarded up to one year following one’s move, it’s best to inform family, friends, utilities, banks and credit card companies, magazine publications, and others of one’s new address as soon as one is resettled. Preparing these notifications early can reduce the potential for bills not being paid or credit card interest being assessed due to late payments.