That was it?

So yesterday morning a rep from the moving company came for our "presurvey." She was on time which was very refreshing. She was nice, polite, and very helpful. She went through all our bed rooms, closets (Eek, how embarrassing that was) and our cabinets and drawers, mentioned things that needed to be taken down or taken apart. She also gave us some info about the movers. She then followed my husband to our storage unit. She suggested to my husband that she put all his power tools into one of our tough boxes and put a lock on it. That sounds like a excellent idea, but I'm sure we will be held liable for that box since it will be previously packed. Unless I can have the movers pack it and I lock it up after? I don't know we'll see. I hope everything goes smooth. I read a post on the Military Spouse Message board that a woman has had her whole tv stolen. Are you kidding me? I have personally never had problems with the movers except when I was little my mother caught one of them going through her jewelry box. He was making sure she didn't have anything valuable he said. My last move they broke my beautiful Tiffany style Torchiere lamp. They left the glass on it and stuck it in the truck. That was stupid. Other than that nothing. I have always been nice to them and try to butter them up with drinks and snacks lol but I just want them to be happy.
Today my son went to his first birthday party. He had a blast. He is starting to be very social which is good. I guess those playgroups came in handy. He hit his first Pinata too. I told him to hit it and he looked at me like "What? Is this a trick" ha ha I've been having problems with him hitting so this was probably counterproductive. but after I did a swing with him he went to town and got a few hits in. After that he actually sat and ate and behaved. It was a miracle. I was very proud of him. Maybe one day it will click, "Hey if I behave and do what I'm told momma is happy. I can pretty much do what I want." ........ Nah!

Finally... I have a date for the movers

So the hubby called that 1-800 number that was on the packet he got from JPPSO. When he called they said ."Oh yeah we have your paperwork." umm ok so were they even going to call us. We have a "presurvey" with them on Friday at 0900. They said it was to check out what we had and what we would need. We also have to take them to our storage unit. They are just going to love packing that especially since it looks like Monster Garage. We also got the day we requested for them to come and pack us up which is the 13th. They will come between 0800-1700. Wow that really narrows it down. I hope they have enough help. We live in a 2 bedroom apartment and our storage unit is like a "garage." Oh well we'll see how it goes.
Friday hubby is to pick up his TA-50 from post laundry lets hope everything is clean and will pass CIF. Oddly my husband has to turn in a set of OD green coveralls. What since does that make. I don't understand why mechanics don't get issued coveralls every "6 mos" like acu's are "suppose" to be issued. He has had the same bdu coveralls for the past 4 years. Luckily he found someone to trade with. I hope he gets some new coveralls when we get to hood.

STILL no movers

This new DPS website is really starting  to piss me off. This is why I hate everything become automated. Why can't we just have real people! So I filled out the paperwork for household goods on July 6th. It is now Aug 3rd and we haven't heard a word back. We got delayed a week because the site didn't tell us to turn in a hard copy into JPPSO.  When I check our status on the DPS website its says "Offer Accepted and Presurvey Pending." Umm ok what does that mean. My husband went into JPPSO today and asked what the hold up was and they said we needed to call a 1-800 number to see what was going on. The movers should have contacted us already. Something better happen soon. I requested the movers be here NEXT week. I don't want to get a phone the day before saying, "Hey, we're coming" I have things to plan. We are doing a partial dity move so I have some things to separate.  Why did we go automated my last move (was still active) walked into JPPSO, did the paperwork, and 3 days later was on the phone with the movers. Nothing about this PCS has given me more drama than this website. Actually this being my first move as a "spouse" and with a child has been a piece of cake. Maybe because I am so organized (ha ha) The hubby starts clearing on the 9th lets see how that goes. He took his TA-50 to the post cleaners today. They tag it and bag so it is a guarantee go at CIF. (Central Issuing Facility) They told him it would be ready on Friday.
Well on a happier not I had a Mom's Night In with my playgroup tonight and it was the most fun I have ever had. The group of women who were there were awesome. No drama what so ever. The hostess provided us with a 3 course Fondue dinner. Ahh it was Excellent. I was stuffed. We had excellent conversation. I mean I really enjoyed myself. Too bad I have to leave I will really miss these girls.
I have been working on my home inventory and I never realized how many tools my husband has. Geez he  can open his own garage. Half of my inventory is his tools. This inventory has been a lot of hard work but I know it will pay off. Just 2 weeks ago there was a fire in the apartment building across from us and 3 apartments lost everything. 4 apartments had smoke and water damage. That really hit home. It opened up my eyes and made me realize I have to have an inventory. When our insurance would ask what we lost I wouldn't know. A fire is so traumatic and I know I wouldn't remember things unless they were big like a sofa and bed. At least now my mind is at ease.
Made my appointments for eye doctor and my annual pap. I will run out of birth control during our move and don't feel like messing with it during our move so I did it now. I really want to make this move like a mini vacation. No worries.

DITY Moves AKA PPM (Personal Procured Move)

It's been over a week since the hubby turned in our application for HHG. (household goods) and still no word. It's been 2 weeks since we turned submitted it electronically. When I went to the DPS website, it said they had received it and was up for approval. Who knows how long that will take. I mainly went there to add a new shipment to my request. We are doing a PPM (Personally Procured Move) formerly know as a DITY move (Do it yourself) Thankfully doing the PPM paperwork wasn't nearly as tedious as the HHG move was. Very short and to the point. Once again when I hit submit it said nothing about taking the paperwork to JPPSO but when the hubby turned in the other paperwork they told him to bring our PPM paperwork as well. Hopefully that is a glitch that they will soon fix. Here is the information I got about PPM.

• Vehicles are to be weighed Empty and Full
• Driver, passengers and any unauthorized items are to be removed from the vehicle.
• Gas tank is to be full when weighed empty and full
• Must weigh at a "Certified" weigh station

• Weight Ticket Identification
• Imprint or official stamp with Name and Location of Weigh Station
• Signature and title of the official certifying the weight
• Legible imprint of weight and date
• Name, Rank/pay grade
• Identification of vehicle weighed

•   45 days from start date of move you need to turn in:
• Original Copy of DD 2278 (Application for DITY move)
• PPM checklist / Certification of expenses worksheet
• Rental Contract (If Applicable)
• Original DD 1351-2 (Travel Voucher) with addresses and dates
• Certified empty and full weigh tickets for each vehicle and each trip
• Orders
• Vouchers for advance operation allowance (if applicable)

NOTE: Operating expense receipts such as gas, tolls, etc are not required to be submitted with settlement. However, it is the member's responsibility to retain moving expense records for tax purposes as monies paid in addition to actual moving expenses may be subject to Federal Income Tax.
Directly from DTS website concerning PPM/DITY moves.

And of course upon arrival to new duty station turn in PPM claims to JPPSO office within 45 days



For ADDITIONAL information on PPM/Government moves please click on the following link...

Comments from Transportation 

Working on planning my move

So I officially have 43 days left till we get the heck out of Colorado Springs. YAY! So I made myself a PCS packet I put a copy of the orders, pad with important dates, list of what I would like to take with us and a list of possible homes. I will add my home inventory once I get that done. I finished the house my I still have to inventory all of my husband's tools. Sigh, being married to a mechanic. I would like to make a "booklet" with picture and a description, serial #, model #, Where I bought it and if I have a receipt underneath. I would put this in our fire box. My pad of paper has the day we are leaving, a slot for when the movers are coming, that stuff. I also have a letter from the apt manager stating that I have submitted my 30 day notice. We have had problems in the past with other apartment managers so now we take precautions for everything.
A friend of mine recommended and excellent website that can help you find homes to buy, rent, or sell. It is specifically for military families.

"Automated Housing Referral Network" 

Also if you go to the housing office website for your post they might have a list of available homes as well.  Also links to military friendly realtors, low income housing, and WIC/Head start. 

I am so not looking forward to this trip. We have to drive both vehicles and as usual I have to drive with my son. Have no idea how I am going to do it. I am also debating on what types of toys to take for him. He loves dinosaurs and cars so I will be taking those, but I would like to take one of his ride on cars. i don't know if we have room for it though. He will be staying with my parents until we find a house. My parents have a huge patio so he would have all the room in the world to ride. I'm just not trying to pack our vehicles. I feel very uncomfortable when those things stay outside in the parking lot while we are a sleep in the hotel. I'll just have to see. When the movers come to pick up our stuff I plan on doing a "dry run". We will pack our vehicles to see what doesn't fit. I don't plan on taking a lot just duffel bags full of clothes for the 3 of us. That will go in the truck. (My husbands truck is lowered on airbags so the bed has been cut so the frame sits on the floor) I my car I plan on having a gym bag with clothes/hygiene for our 2 day drive, 2 air mattresses, a few pots/pans, plastic dishes/utensils, some toys, my makeup (hee hee I'm kind of a fanatic) actually I guess that's about it. Oh and the firebox. I might have room. It's just those things are so bulky. I don't know I'll figure it out

Fighting with JPPSO... Or whatever its called

INFORMATION ABOUT GOVERNMENT MOVES

Using the Website

So a week ago my husband went down to JPPSO (Joint Personal Property Shipping Office) (You know the people who move your stuff) and found out that now the Air Force handles everything and that you now do everything on the computer. I am about tired of doing everything on the damn computer I want to talk to some one. Anywho, so he comes home and we go to this "website" and it takes 5 minutes to load a page. We get to the page where we are about to fill out the paperwork and .... :whistling: :jeopardy theme song: NOTHING. After 30 minutes of going through 4 pages it freezes. We try 3 more times and I am about to throw the computer out the window. Today we tried it again and got through. There have been a lot of changes to the PCS move process that I would like to bring to your attention. These are VERY RECENT as a friend just did there "paperwork" 2 weeks ago with a real person. So here we go:

•  It is not JPPSO anymore it is DPS (Defense Personnel Property System)
• When going to the "JPPSO" office you will receive a paper with a web address
• http://www.move.mil
• When using the website it is better to use Internet Explorer. Firefox took Forever! Explorer was fast.
• When you receive your password copy and paste is what worked for me. Typing always got kicked back. You get 3 chances then it locks you out for an hour.
• Make sure you have time to fill out the information it took me a little over an hour to fill everything out. I am not sure it will save your work if you log out.
• When you schedule a new appointment you will be asked, "Is this a PPM?" PPM is a Personally Procured Move. Formally know as a DITY move (Do It Yourself)
• It stated that your weight allowance was based on pay grade. But from what I hear it is usually about 8000 lbs
• There is a lot of information so I suggest you have your printer on if not a pad and pencil. I have most of the important stuff if you would like to reference me. 
• When filling out pickup and dropoff addresses and dates. I have a pickup date but not a dropoff date/address. (Haven't found a house yet) So for dropoff date I put his report date (we will arrive 2 wks earlier) and for address just put the city. I will update if it happens to get kicked back. I mean how am I suppose to know when and where to drop it off at.
• You are allowed 90 days of Temporary Storage. Which means they will store your furniture for 90 days while you find a place to stay. You can extend that time but will be charged.
• Military personnel are allowed an EXTRA pickup and delivery. If you have a storage unit they will go to it and pick up and if you have one at your new location they will drop off. They will only go to Government or Commercial storage units.
• PBP&E [Pro Gear] AKA TA-50 (all that military junk) DOES NOT count towards your weight allowance. Weight needs to be claimed in the paperwork or it will not be transported. 
• You will be to pick a "counseling center" They will go over your application and contact you with any discrepancies  or further information. Look for Air Forces Bases around you to see who could be you counseling center. Any changes that need to be made with your scheduling will have to be made with this counseling center.
• There is a spot for preferred and not preferred moving companies. If you have a favorite company or one your heard is bad here's your chance. Remember not a guarantee.

THINGS THAT WILL COST YOU

• If the weight allowance is exceeded
• Shipping to a unauthorized location (not your duty station or place you will be)
• Requesting Special Services (Special routing, special loading)
• More than one shipment made

WHAT THE MOVERS WANT YOU TO DO BEFORE:

• ELECTRONICS: Disconnect all electronics/appliances. Prepare all electronics (??)
• Hose to Washer unhooked and drained. Dryer vent cleaned
• CLEAN dishes and clothes will be packed. Dirty items will not be
• Leave China in china cabinet and clothes in closet/dresser
• If you have original containers leave them next to the object
• DO NOT PACK ANYTHING
• DO NOT unpack NEW items
• Outdoor items must be disassembled (i.e Swing set, playground, shed, chain link fence) Chain link must be rolled up
• Whatever the movers disassemble they will reassemble. You might be told to disassemble things
• MOST IMPORTANTLY:
• Whatever you are taking with you make sure is not in the house. (keys, tickets, clothes, toys)

NO hazardous, corrosive, flammable objects or Ammo, building Materials will be transported. Also NO Propane Tanks


I will update more as I go. Hope this was helpful. If I missed anything or if you have more information please let me know and I will update the list. T hanks and good luck with your move!

*ADD ON*14 July 2010 : It's been over a week and no word. Hubby went to JPPSO and EVIDENTLY your are suppose to print off the forms once you complete them and take them to the JPPSO office. I wish the computer or someone would have said that! 


For ADDITIONAL Information left by an Army Transportation Rep please click the following link

Comments from Transportation 

Where has the time gone?

It's really been this long since my last post? Ok so my late new years resolution is to write at least twice a week. Well since that last time not much has happened. They did come inspect my house but just came in sat on my couch and watched tv for a few minutes than left. I was pretty pissed I cleaned all day so the could watch tv. I actually cleaned my sons room. WTF. oh well. My husband has been working on his truck and it's driving me crazy. It's been almost a month and a half now. And since his truck is out of commission he's been taking my car. Needless to say my patience worn thin lost my temper with my kid and would up in the hospital with chest pain. I knew this kid was trying to kill me. Been going to a lot of playgroups. If your a stay at home mom and don't know what do with your kids join a playgroup. Go to Meetup and look for a playgroup near you. I live in Colorado springs so I am a part of "Connect-the-Tots" (my shout out) a wonderful group of woman and some awesome kids. Today my dog decided to become cujo so I have decided its time to give him away. I love the mangy mutt but he has become too brave and I don't want him to bite my son. I have found him a home an hopefully everything goes well. Well have to finish crocheting some things for a baby shower. Be back soon