Somethings wrong with this Picture

So thankfully this move has been a success. The packers arrived promptly at 9am. 2 women. They came in looked around and went to their truck (size of a uhaul) to gather their materials. They started packing the master bedroom. I had stepped out to changed my son's pamper and when I walked in most of the room had been packed. I don't really have nice breakable things so I wasn't worried about that. They were just so quick that honestly I don't think they had time to go through things. Whatever I had that was breakable was nicey packed and labled. I was very confident about these packers and would recommend them to others. The one thing I did not care for and actually really bothered me was when they packed a "valuable" item in a box they put the name of the item and the serial number on it. Since our things were to sit in storage briefly I was uncomfortable with this, but they said it was policy. I later called and was told it was. There was a brief 30 minute delay between the packers and the movers. Although it was nice that the packers were not the movers. The driver was a little annoyed that it was not mentioned in his paperwork that he also had to pick up at our storage unit. He was driving a semi and no way was he going to make it in the storage unit. His attitude quickly changed and he was very thorough and proficient with his inventory of our boxes. Actually he was almost a little to thorough and didn't leave for our storage until 4:30 pm. He arrived at 12:30. My husband went with them to our storage and helped them move the boxes from there because we were tired and hungry.
We went house hunting (rental) this past Monday and did find a house we did like BUT what a crappy property manager. When they charge the previous tenant for damages done I would think they would fix the damages before they tried to rent the property again. Well not this place. Most of the damages are things we don't mind replacing like torn screens but when a dog destroyed the siding on the house to expose studs and water pipes then I am going to raise hell.

 

We were told that when the inspector comes out to go over our move in checklist with us he will "decide" whether things need to be replaced. If this is blatantly obvious that this needs to be fixed then I am going to raise all kinds of hell. It was a nice house, was available now and was a good deal that's why we overlooked it. Tuesday is when the inspector comes so we'll see what happens then. Also they gave us the wrong zip code so when I called USAA to move things over the agent noticed that I had the wrong zip. That meant I had to call all of our utilities over AGAIN because I was given the wrong zip.  
Tell me since when has it taken 3-5 business days to have the electricity turned on! I have paid a prorated rent but can't "move in" until the 31st because the electricity isn't on. I really feel like I am being scammed.

I am SO tired.

Tomorrow's the day the movers come and thank god they do. I am so over this move already and it hasn't even begun. One day it was June the next it was Aug 12th the day before the movers. I had be preparing for this day for weeks but yet some how everything seemed to be done at the last minute. The hubby of course still isn't ready well I guess he's going to be S.O.L while my son and I are smooth sailing. I am just a ball of emotions. I am anxious, excited to be going home and scared. I have heard so many horror stories about the movers. My dad also decided he wanted to finally tell me everything the movers stole throughout his career. Thanks Dad, way to make me feel better. Well wanted to write a before and after post so my emotions and feelings are true. Still have a few things to pack and attempt to fall a sleep. Since Saturday I haven't slept well. My mind has been running a hundred miles a minute. Finally when this is over I can have a good nights sleep on my air mattress (lol) hey, better than sleeping on the floor. Well I'll have all the details for you tomorrow.

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