Goodbye old friend

Today we officially bought our brand new, and I do mean brand new, car. Oops! Crossover SUV that is! The pictures above are not of the actual cars (either my old red Saturn or our new blue Terrain). They are stock pictures I found on-line, but I thought it would be more fun to have some pictures to show you guys! I'll post real ones of the new car once we get to California.

Somewhere along the line it has gone from being my new car, to our new car. Jared is thrilled! I am excited too, but a little sad. I have to bid my faithful Saturn goodbye when I leave Ohio. It will be in good hands, Dan bought it from me, but still, it's no longer mine.

And that car really and truly was mine. I paid for it myself and it's been paid off for several years. It has driven me to Kent for nursing lectures, to who knows how many hospitals for clinicals, to Columbus to see Jared and go to football games. (It even got towed during an Ohio State game one weekend...) It drove me to our first Air Force base and home together in Delaware. It has taken me to Oklahoma and back again. It has dodged tumbleweeds and cows. It has been a faithful little car. My faithful little car. And I will miss it!

But, lets pull ourselves together! (OK, I'll pull myself together.) It is just a car. And we are moving on up in the world of cars. To a brand, spakin' new custom built, fresh off the factory line 2010 GMC Terrain. It was built on March 3rd, we officially bought it this morning (well, I did anyway with the aid of a POA. Seems Jared is always conveniently abscent whenever there is paperwork to be done....) It will be shipped to Vacaville, California to await our arrival. I am sure that I will have to beg Jared to check us into the Travis hotel before he goes to get the new car!

Safe travels to California new car! Can't wait to meet you soon.

Blog Anniversary

Today marks the first anniversary of our blog. I find it difficult to believe that an entire year has already gone by since I began to chronicle our Air Force life. Oh, but how much has happened in that year.

The First Entry of this blog was approximately one week before Jared's JSUPT track select, or the halfway point in pilot training. We were anxiously awaiting the next step and extremely excited to bid the T-6 farewell. Has it really been a year since that memorable day? It seems like only yesterday...

Today we are also on the verge of great change and much uncertainty. Pilot training is over and we know what plane Jared will fly and which base we are to call home in a few weeks. What I wouldn't have given to know those two things when I started this blog! But, as always, there are still many questions to which we do not have the answers.

Where will we live? How long will we have to wait until we have a house to make into a new home? Is there a job waiting for me somewhere out West? What new friends await our arrival? What is it going to be like for Jared to finally fly in the operational Air Force ... what will it be like for me? How do I find the library, what aisle is the cereal in, where should we get the oil changed?

I am sure that in another year the answers to those questions, and many more, will have long been answered. We shall be knowledgeable Californians and an experienced pilot family. Instead of being the 'newbees', we will be welcoming and helping other young copilots. At least I hope so. And in reality, I hope it doesn't take that entire year for much of that to happen.

I wonder where we will be in another year? Since we are supposed to be stationed at Travis AFB for 4 years there will be no impending upheaval. I suppose I should say there should be no impending upheaval. ;-) Looking back on this post I wonder what I will think and feel? I guess there is nothing for it but to wait another year and see.

Enter March

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Well, it's March. Seems like it was just December and I was making the long drive to Ohio from Oklahoma with seemingly endless time at "home" stretching before me.

But this is the month in which we are going to start the end of our big move ... that we really started back in the beginning of December.

For Jared that means getting busier at Altus, working Saturdays and preparing for his three end of course flights in the C-17. I am also hoping he will start to get his dorm room organized to go back into suitcases and boxes which will ultimately fit back into the car ... but I have a feeling he'll be waiting on me for that.

Before I can head back out to Oklahoma I have my own list of things to get done here.
I must sort through what I brought to Ohio and determine what gets packed into boxes and shipped to California and what gets packed into a suitcase and comes with me. This is going to entail some serious skill to combine clothes for a cold Oklahoma and a warm California.

I have to figure out a plan for the cat. Right now it looks like he is going to have to stay in Ohio for a while yet. Once we are somewhat settled in California, the plan is to put him on a plane to us! But I have no idea about exactly what that will entail, how much it will cost, etc.

This week I am getting our taxes done and filed. Not terribly hard or exciting, but one more thing that must be checked off my list.

The only other big thing I can think of that needs done here before I go, is a last root canal. Sigh. Not fun and very expensive, but it needs to be done and over with. Then, I HOPE, my teeth issues will be completely fixed and behind me!

The list that we have to conquer when we get to California is quite daunting. The larger items include figuring out our housing situation and most likely finding temporary housing while we wait for a place on base. I need to find a job. And Jared has to acclimate to being a co-pilot with a unit who is currently deployed.

Trying really hard to NOT think about the list we are facing once we get to Travis. I have quite enough to be getting on with right here and right now. We would appreciate your prayers for us, and everything we need to deal with, in the upcoming weeks.

Passed!

Jared had a long day Friday (because his partner went first for their check ride) but it ended well because Jared passed! As if any of us had any doubts... Just wanted to share.

His next check ride will be in the real live plane! And it will also mean he is DONE at Altus. Can't wait!

Four less teeth

Well, the wisdom teeth (plus a problem molar) are all gone. They took their leave this past Tuesday morning. Overall, it wasn't as horrible as I'd expected.

However, I must back up. I have a trip to write about before the event of losing my teeth.

Trip: Altus, Oklahoma. Because of a freak southern snow storm I almost didn't make it to Oklahoma at all. As it was I had to fly out a day late and all of my flights that day were delayed. It was not a fun traveling experience. However, I made it to Oklahoma City on Valentines day and we celebrated by going out to an Italian restaurant and seeing the new movie Valentines Day. It was also our friend Kimberly's birthday, so we had a cake to celebrate.

Jared and I left for Altus on Monday afternoon. The drive is quite a boring one; besides the town of Lawton, where the Army base Ft. Sill is located, there is nothing. Just before you arrive in the bustling town of Altus (literally, all 2 roads of it) you will see Mt. Altus (all 1500 ft. of it) on your right. Besides the small base, there isn't much else to see. It makes Enid look quite amazing!

I suppose it didn't help that everything was still in ruins from the ice storm. All the trees are quite destroyed, there are limbs and brush everywhere. Sad.

I did get to sample some local cuisine while I was there. On Monday we went to Val's for their $2.99 burger and fries. The food was pretty good, the clientele was very interesting. Wednesday we went to a local Italian place the boys like. I wasn't a huge fan, I liked our place in Enid much better!

Most of the week we spent sitting in Jared's pathetic dorm room watching the Olympics. But, oh, it was so nice to be together.

We went back to Oklahoma City to celebrate my birthday the next weekend. Kimberly made me a cake and we went out to dinner. My return to Ohio was almost as eventful, as Delta had me booked on a return flight March 21 instead of February 21. Sigh! But we got it figured out in the end.

Monday was mostly a great day. Mom and I had a spa day for my birthday. We got facials and pedicures and had our hair done. It was a lovely, distracting day. But, despite such a nice day I didn't sleep very well.

Tuesday morning was rather wretched. But Abbie and Mom took me to the oral surgeons and away we went. I wanted Mom to go back until I fell asleep, but they flatly refused! I think Mom was more upset about that than I was. I remember being hooked up to a bunch of monitors, having oxygen and getting an IV. Then I remember the surgeon pushing some drugs in my IV and saying I felt funny ... Next thing I knew I was still laying there waiting for them to start! When the nurse told me it was all done. Ha!

I've been pretty sore, and groggy from all the medicine. But today I am finally starting to feel better.

Jared has had a busy week alone at Altus. His simulator check ride is this morning. I know he'll do well! He got 100% on his big test the week I was there. he is brilliant.

This next week I have our taxes to finish and then I really must lay all the plans for our move. But until next week I'm not even going to contemplate that 'to do list'.

From Altus

Well, Jared was right. Altus, Oklahoma makes Enid America (yes, still insert sarcasm) look like a small metropolis. The only neat thing that Altus has is "Mount Altus" ... all 1500 immense feet of it! Besides the "mountains" and one lake, there are 2 main roads here and not much along them. The base is even smaller than Vance. I pray we never have to be stationed here! However, it is the C17 school house, so Jared will be back several times.

Even though Altus isn't the most exciting place on earth, Jared is here! I can not believe it is already Friday. The week has gone by so fast. It's been great spending my days with my hubby. I have really missed him! I even managed to 'cook' in his pathetic little dorm room today; BLTs but hey! It was better than microwave meals or fast food. I also cleaned and did laundry. Home sweet home right here in Altus.

Anyway, there is more to record about the week here, but I'm going to wait and write about it later. I'm planning on spending the rest of my time here with Jared. Next week (Tuesday morning at approximately 7:50am, please pray!!) my teeth come out ... so I'm sure I'll have time to catch up the blog while I recuperate.

Winter Pictures

January 28, 2010: a massive ice storm hits Oklahoma. The pictures below are of and around Altus AFB in Southwestern Oklahoma. The base and entire city were without power for over a week. Due to the storm, Jared's C-17 copilot school graduation date has been pushed back from March 19th to March 31st -April 5th.

February 3, 2010: Luke turned 21! Of course there were balloons, streamers and a cake! Dad drove down from Michigan and the evening was spent at Roosters eating wings, Colonial Lanes bowling, and finished with some karaoke at Legends.

February 5, 2010: The second major winter storm hits Northeast Ohio. Below are some time-lapse pictures. They start at 3:30pm and end around 6:30pm. The next pictures were taken the morning after the storm. (There are times in the lower left corners if you look closely!)

February 9, 2010: The third major snowstorm of the season hits Northeast Ohio. Where are the pictures? It was already so snowy you can barely tell any difference. It went from white, to white! :)

A Jonah Day

For those who may not have read the Anne of Green Gables books (shame on you!) a Jonah Day is a bad day ... a very bad day. Today has been one of those days. But as Marilla said, 'Jonah Days come to everybody...".

We shall start, I suppose, with me. As you doubtless know, I have been having on-going issues with my teeth. Well after spending the weekend in considerable pain I went back to the dear old dentist this morning. I came home three hours later with a brand new root canal. Although I am in considerable pain at the moment, the actual procedure wasn't all that bad. Let us just pray it greatly improves the over all health of my teeth! I have decided that a bad toothache is just about one of the absolute worst things in the world!

I am trying not to think about the removal of my wisdom teeth in a few weeks ... but if all my problems are resolved after my recovery, I will deem it a worthwhile inconvenience.

The other issues on my end are not major, but irritating. For example, the California state board of nursing sent me a letter saying they do not have my college transcripts (which I requested be faxed over a month ago) or my fingerprints (which I also sent out, in duplicate, over a week ago).

The other part of this Jonah Day comes from Altus AFB. Jared, after a day of double sims, found out that his graduation date has definitely been pushed back. Thank you giant winter ice storm! He wont be done until march 31 at the earliest, April 5 at the latest. Not only is the date moved, but it's not even definite! No way to know when I should buy a plane ticket to get back to Oklahoma, no dates to reserve TLF (temporary lodgings) at Travis AFB... again, irritating.

So that is the latest. Hopefully tomorrow things will look brighter. "... the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6

Next Monday

Well, apparently getting power back at Altus this Monday was wishful thinking. There was a memo today giving everyone free leave until next Monday because the power wont be back on until then ... if then. Seriously?! How hard is it to restore power to a TINY town and a crappy base? Apparently it must be practically impossible. So the twins are either headed to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City or a friend's house in good old Enid! (Never say you will never go back someplace...)

We did look at plane tickets for him to come to Ohio, but at $500 it didn't make a whole lot of sense. And I am flying out to see him next weekend. Lets hope they have power back by then!!

"I feel like a nomad"

If you haven't heard, a rather massive ice storm hit Oklahoma at the end of last week. The entire town of Altus, including the Air Force Base, lost power late Friday night. After spending the day huddled in bed trying to stay warm, Jared and Andy made an escape to Texas. Apparently, so did a whole lot of other people without power. The base hotel at Sheppard was booked as were several other hotels in town. But they finally landed in a Howard Johnson for the weekend.

Sunday afternoon they drove up to Oklahoma City; a very snowy city, but a city with power. They have since been staying with our good, and very hospitable, friends the Blakes. Altus AFB is hoping for power tomorrow and to resume classes and flights Wednesday or Thursday. Jared sent me a text yesterday saying he felt like a nomad.

Obviously, Jared is behind his school schedule. Three days behind currently, and most likely will end up being a good 4 days to a week behind by the time they get things back up and running. I suppose they could work him on weekends and get him caught up, but who knows. I suppose having delays and graduating late should be the norm with us by now!

If he is delayed graduating by a week or so it shouldn't be a huge deal. Technically our report date to Travis AFB isn't until mid-April. However, my trip to see him in February was going to take place after his giant test and check ride. Looks like I may be there right in the midst of everything instead. But at least I'll be there.

The only other "exciting" news is that my teeth are still giving me grief! Chewing on the right side of my mouth is pretty much impossible. I went back to the dentist this morning and he adjusted some bite surfaces. It helped a little, but not much. I go back Thursday. I am thinking the root of the problem may be a back molar that needs a root canal. If that is the case, that tooth is getting pulled along with my wisdom teeth! Have I mentioned how much I HATE my teeth? Oy!

Oh, and I lied! That wasn't the only other exciting news. Luke's bit 21st is Wednesday and we're having a Superbowl bash to celebrate Sunday!!