Kill the stress monster.

With the news of our new orders looming above me, I've already started going into freak out/stress monster mode which is why I've been slacking on the posting. This is my official disclaimer that the following information is really boring and all PCS/stress related, but I have to let it out somewhere. Gorilla is tired of hearing about all of it.

Now, I'm still afraid to utter the words PCS and Hawaii in the same sentence. It seems way too good to be true. And I'm so afraid that I'll get so excited about the mere idea of it that it will definitely turn out to all be a dream.

However, if this is as good as it seems to be, that means that there are a lot of things that we need to start planning. The thing that makes it all so difficult is that Gorilla will still deploy soon and I will have to take care of all of these moving things by myself. And Gorilla had the nerve to call me a "stress monster" this morning!

I am the type who must always plan way in advance. Which is why this is so difficult. There's not a whole lot I can do to make this transition much easier by starting planning this soon. But I can't help it. It is ALL I can think about. Every plan I make, every thought I have, every thing I buy or don't buy has all been revolving around this future PCS. It's a little ridiculous.

To begin with, we've already started discussing with a realtor friend of ours about how to sell our house. It would be so much easier for me if we could do all of that before Gorilla deploys. I can't imagine having to sign every freaking paper via power of attorney and dealing with movers and all that with him not there.

We're also left with decisions regarding our vehicles. Because Uncle Sam will only pay to ship one vehicle, there was never a question as to which we would HAVE to take. I can't imagine even whispering about getting rid of the Jeep. I think Gorilla would actually cry. But then it leaves me pondering whether I should shell out the $2000 it would cost to ship mine over there as well. I love my car (which by the way is still getting repaired from the accident) but is it worth all of that money to send with us? Plus, the parking spaces in HI are ridiculously tiny. It's absurd for me to base a big decision like this on something like the sizes of parking spaces, but this is the way my brain works.

The dog quarantine issue also has me stressed. I know it's probably a simple procedure, but just looking at the details on the websites discussing this issue is so overwhelming. If you don't go through all the procedures and steps EXACTLY as specified, the poor doggies could go through 120 days of quarantine.

We're also toying with the idea of me moving in with my parents while he's deployed, to save on mortgage payments and living expenses. That is another issue that deserves its own post- but let's just say although it makes sense financially, I don't know how well I can cope with living in Texas with my parents again. Did I mention my 28 year old brother is living at home now too? Awkward.

Stress Factor #457,788,999,834 I really, really wanted to find a full time teaching position for the upcoming year. I've been avoiding the fact that I graduated from college in 2004 and still have only one complete year of teaching experience. Granted, most of that is due to the fact that we've moved around so often. But I'm terrified that the gaps in my employment are going to be a deterrent for any future employers. Plus, I'm helping to contribute towards any retirement or savings. I'm tired of job hopping. BUT, there is no physical way that I can get a teaching job in Hawaii before the school year starts. That would require me being there while Gorilla is deployed. Which isn't happening. So that means I'll have to spend another school year as a substitute. Not so bad pay wise in that area, but it does nothing to help fill in the empty spaces on my resume.

This was only small synopsis of the stress that has overcome me. I'm trying to take baby steps and handle each factor as simply and efficiently as possible- but when all these things combine together like this, it's making my head explode! I just wish I could snap my fingers and everything would be taken care of.

The silver lining to this stress-filled cloud: if all goes as planned, we will be in HAWAII folks. I couldn't have dreamed up a better story. Seriously.