Lucky Number Seven
After 13 years of marriage, Big Sarge and I are on our “Lucky Number Seven.” No, not children (I’m exhausted keeping up with the two I have). It’s our seventh duty station!
We’re back at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, which was our third duty station 10 years ago. While we’ve moved farther away from my family, we’re much closer to Big Sarge’s. He’s a Virginia boy, born and raised, and he was thrilled to come back home, so to speak. The cats were thrilled they didn’t need to go on a ferry in order to get to our new location.
In honor of this “Lucky Number Seven,” I’d like to share with you the seven best things about dealing with a Permanent Change of Station:
1. The Purge.
Some people do this before the move, and some people do it after. I do both. No need to take a gamble on accidentally going over on weight allowances before the move. After the household goods are dropped off at our new location and I’m unpacking, I turn on episodes of Hoarders and get to purging. Nothing like Hoarders to get you in that get-rid-of-it spirit.
2. A fresh start.
Right now, I have the Tupperware neat and tidy in its assigned drawer (and a lid for every container). There are no OD green socks behind the washer. The girls’ rooms, while not Pinterest-worthy, are organized. It’s so nice to start out at a new duty station with the intention that my house will stay up to standard.
3. A chance to try something new.
I’m reasonably certain that Big Sarge will retire at some point. He might be kicking and screaming as they drag him away from formation, but he’ll have to retire at some point, right? And then we’ll stop moving. And because I’ve lived in so many different houses, I’ll know exactly what to look for (or build) in our forever home. For example, I already know I prefer a “triangle” in the kitchen. The galley shape that I have now makes me feel like I’m doing the Electric Slide every time I am making breakfast.
4. Budget redo.
BAH has gone up, but we’re living off post and have utility bills again. The work schedule means Big Sarge can’t come home for breakfast or lunch. In the midst of this, my 15-year-old car has given up on me and needs to be replaced. Time to redo the budget and find money for a car payment again. I’ve been packing breakfasts and lunches for Big Sarge in order to save some scratch.
5. Exploring.
Even though we lived in Virginia once before, it was when Izzy was a toddler and Bullet was gestating/newborn. There’s a lot more to see with an 11-year-old and a 9-year-old. Did someone say Busch Gardens, a weekend trip to D.C., and touring a battleship? Yes. That person was me.
6. Timing the move.
With only one exception, we’ve moved in November. It’s become our tradition, being in a new place for Thanksgiving every two years. A bonus to moving in November is the extra boost to the holiday gift budget from the dislocation allowance. It almost makes up for the headache of moving the kids in the middle of a school year.
7. Making use of mad organization skills.
Even with the purge, I still have a lot of yarn (#truthteller). But I can put 10 cubit feet of yarn into a 5 cubit foot space. It’s a gift. Or it’s a skill that comes from being married to a transporter for 13 years. Little column “A,” little column “B.”
What are the best things that you enjoy about a PCS? Drop a comment below!
