More Germany plans

We are finally getting the details of our trip to Germany nailed down. Last Friday, Sam and I went to Transportation at Schofield and got our packing day set up and the packets we needed to ship the POV and get our plane tickets. We have decided our last day at work will be March 16th. The next Monday, the 19th, the movers will be here to pack us up. Our household goods won't arrive in Germany until the end of June, so I guess we'll see how simply we can live.

We held off on getting the tickets because there was some confusion as to whether we needed the official passports to enter Germany, but Sam spoke to NAF over there and they said it wasn't necessary. I did just receive my new birth certificate though, so we'll be able to get the official passports ordered soon.

Today, after work, I met Sam at Transportation again to get our tickets. We've decided to fly out of here on March 22nd and go spend a couple days with Kristy and the kids before going on over to Germany on the 25th. I still have to call Delta Airlines though and get Gabby's reservation set.

There is just so much going on every day that the time is flying by. Mom will be here on Thursday evening and I'm so excited about that. There's so much for me to finish up at work, but at the end of the day I can only do so much and the rest will have to be left for someone else. Well, I have drug testing in the morning and in order to get the night shift workers I have to be there at 3:30am. Whoo-hoo!! So, I need to get finished so I can get to bed soon.

Our redecorated house

This post is specifically for you, Mom. The stager came this morning and spruced up our place for the open house tomorrow. It looks good, but just seems like a model home that we can't really live in. Here are some pictures -

Coming in the front door Looking into the living room
Your new bedroom :)
The dining room
The spare "bedroom"
Our baby after a hard day

We have our orders for Germany!

We finally received our orders yesterday. It seems unreal that we actually have the papers that authorize our move to Germany. I still can hardly believe it's happening. I was concerned that we hadn't received the order yet because we only have about 4-5 weeks left and a lot to do. Sam and I are still trying to decide which vehicle to take. We've heard it's pretty tight parking and driving so not to take the F-150, but then other's have said it's fine to have a larger vehicle. Also, the insurance is much higher in Germany and the Toyota would be $400 more per year than the Ford. That adds up.

This afternoon we went to Transportation at Schofield Barracks. That's the office that sets up the shipment of household goods, vehicle shipment and tickets. We filled out some paperwork, but have to return tomorrow morning for an appointment. After that we should have a better idea of when to plan on things happening.

Sam and I both took off work tomorrow to clean the house for the open house this weekend. The stager will be here Saturday morning, so we have to clean all the windows and put pictures away. Still tonight I'm going to shampoo the living room carpet. I hope we have a good showing on Sunday. Our real estate agent seems very confident that it will sell quickly. I hope so.

Well, I better get busy if I'm going to get what I need done tonight.

We're listing our house with Centery 21

Last Tuesday we met with two real estate agents to decide on who we wanted to help sell our house. The first lady had all the right credientials and kept telling us how many million dollar homes she's sold, but we just didn't feel comfortable with her. We felt she was low balling us on the asking price. The next lady we really liked. She loved our place and her price range was in the same range as we were thinking so we hired her on the spot.

Yesterday a "stager" came to our house to see what she might do to make it look model perfect. I was happy that she was so pleased with the house. She said it was lovely and it wouldn't really need much. She does want us to put away all personal pictures, clean all the windows and remove the microwave since it's not in the kitchen. It's right outside the kitchen in the dining area because it would take up precious counter space.

So Friday we are both taking off work to get everything done. Karen, the stager, will be back on Saturday morning to finish up then we have our first open house on Sunday afternoon. We'll take Gabby and go to Mom and Dad Thompson's during that time.

We're off work today because of President's Day. I took Gabby to the vet this morning. Poor baby had three shots and is acting like she's a little sore. She hates going to the vet and tried to hide her face in me the whole time we were there. I think she has everything she needs to go to Germany. Ten days out from when we leave I have to take her to get a bi-lingual health certificate at Hickam.

I think Sam and I might run to the beach for a little while then continue working when we return. It's getting a little cloudy though so I don't know how long we have.

The Kulamanu

The Pro Bowl alone would have made for a full weekend, but we were at it again on Sunday. A lady I used to work with, Jeannie Freeman, has invited us on numerous occasions to go for a ride on this out of commission dinner cruise boat. Her husband is a captain and takes the boat out every so often for maintenance. I thought Sam's parents and Linda would enjoy it, so we planned to head down to Waikiki at 11:30 for that.

First thing in the morning though, Sam headed down to our storage unit to bring a load back. We have very little storage space in our house, so quite awhile ago we got this storage space to keep Christmas decorations, books, winter clothes, etc. We have until the end of the month to get everything out, but he doesn't want to put it off. In the meantime I made pepperoni rolls and rice crispy treats for the boat ride.





















Mom and Dad Thompson and Aunt Linda came to our house and from here we drove downtown together. The boat wasn't suppose to leave until 1:00, but we were there at 12:30. I guess normally just a couple of people show up for the ride, but yesterday there were about 45 that came on board. Up on the top deck we set up some folding chairs in the shade. It was an old somewhat delapidated boat, so we had to sign saying that we were releasing the crew of any responsibility of it sinking or anything else that could go wrong.

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky and with the breeze blowing it didn't seem hot at all. We saw whales breaching and dolphins playing in the water. They were a little distance away, but it was still a lot of fun to watch. We just went up around Diamond Head (behind us in the picture above) and back. Altogether, the ride was just about two hours. After having such a nice ride, I was wondering why I hadn't taken Jeannie up on the offer before. I doubt they'll go back out again before we leave.

Today's update on Germany - we have appointments with two real estate agents tomorrow. They're meeting us at the house at 3:00 and 5:00. I need to do something with the boxes Sam brought in yesterday to get them out of our living space by tomorrow. I called and tried to get an appointment for Gabby today. Our regular vet does not have bi-lingual health certificates, so I called Hickam's vet clinic. They can issue the certificate, but prior to that Gabby has to have several shots. We're on a deadline because the shots have to be within the last year, but more than 30 days. The only appointment I can get at this point is exactly 30 days from the 26th of March, when we think we'll fly out. They are working with me though to see if I can get her in earlier. She has to get a rabies, feline distemper and feline leukemia. Poor baby has sure had her share of shots in her short life. I think I'll get some pills to relax her for the trip. I hope it't not too long for her.

I'm busy making cookies for a bake sale at work on Wednesday. This morning I told Steve, my boss, that I need the first week in March off because Mom's visiting. Poor guy...he just looked at me and said "What am I suppose to say? Does it even matter what I say?". He's really been a good boss to me. I'll miss working at Tripler.

Well, I should get busy since my evening is getting away from me. Sam will be home in an hour and I still have a lot I want to get done. Here are a few more pictures from yesterday -

Sam on the Kulamanu

Aunt Linda talking to one of the kids

Mom and Dad Thompson

Misty, Sam, Aunt Linda, Mom and Dad Thompson

Pro Bowl 2007

We went to Pro Bowl yesterday. Probably our last for some time since we'll be in Germany for the next 3-5 years at least. Up until we got married I'd never been that interested in football. I'm still not that interested in it, but I make an effort since Sam likes it so much. If we stayed in Hawaii I'm not sure if I'd continue to go to the Pro Bowl every year. It's not really my thing, but it ended up being a pretty nice day. Sam and I picked up his parents and Aunt Linda from Ko'Olina at 7:30. We met everyone else in the group at Halawa park at 8:30. The Aloha Stadium gates opened at 8:30, so at that time we caravaned into the parking lot. The idea was to get us all in two rows, so we could set up the tents and tailgate between the vehicles. Gus Harper, who was Sam's firt boss here in Hawaii, sets the whole thing up every year. The food gets catered in and we ate around 10:00 then headed in to the game which started at 1:00. The game lasted until 5:00. After that, back in the parking lot the food was heated up again and everyone had something else to eat. I think it was around 6:30 that we finally got out of there

Sam and I

Sam and Aunt Linda

Eating at Pro Bowl

Jasmine Trias sang"The National Anthem" and did an awesome job. An American flag was formed around where she was standing so it looked like she was standing in the middle of it.

Aunt Linda, Mom & Dad Thompson

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Yesterday was Sam's 38th birthday. It seems strange to think he's nearing 40. Yikes! I guess we should have kids before too many more years go by. The number just doesn't seem to fit him. Anyhow, we had Sam's parents and Aunt Linda over for dinner and cake. I made lasagna and bread rolls. Mom Thompson brought one of her salads. She makes the best salads. It's always a lot of fun sitting around listening to the Thompson's talk story. You never know whether to believe them or if they're grossly exaggerting yet again. I know to believe them if Mom Thompson says it's true.

Anyhow, we had a really nice time. Sam loves ice cream cakes, so I ordered a chocolate cake with Oreo ice cream from Baskin Robbins. So, after dinner we had cake and Sam opened his gifts. I had ordered a luggage set for him. He's been wanting a hard side luggage set and he wanted it in a bright color so he could easily spot it at the airport. The set he got is bright orange. I don't think I've seen too many orange suitcases while traveling. Sam's parents and Aunt Linda got him a Pro Bowl 2007 football and had several of the players autograph it. The Pro Bowl players stay at Ko'Olina right where Sam's parents are renting, so I guess they've seen quite a few of them. Tonight Sam's getting everything ready for Pro Bowl in the morning. This is his last after 11 years, so I know he's looking forward to it.

I just found out that Mom is coming for a visit!!! She's getting here on March 1st and leaving the evening of the 8th. I'm really glad she's coming. I didn't want to push her into coming because I still don't know exactly where we'll be in the moving process, but it'll be so nice having her here for a little while.

Here are a few more pictures from last night -

Bread Rolls and Lasagna for dinner

Gabby had a hard time not playing with Sam's birthday leis

My sweet husband helping to clean up after dinner

Getting ready for Super Bowl

It's been strange knowing that we're going to Germany. Realizing that in three months we'll no longer be living in Hawaii is hard to adjust to. On the one hand, it's doesn't seem like anything has changed because we haven't really started the process yet. But on the other hand I keep thinking about all we have to do before leaving.

We've kept the news under wraps pretty much because we haven't had a chance to tell our bosses yet and we feel like we owe them that. It's going to be hard telling my boss I'm leaving. I really like him and it's a terribly busy time at work. I don't want to leave a burden on anyone.

Sam and I have been going through the house trying to think about what to get rid of and what to keep. Sam thinks I'm way ahead of myself, but I've already started going through some boxes. I just don't want to continue hauling junk with me everywhere we go. I know how busy it's going to get and there won't be time later. Besides, when the movers come to pack us up I want to be as organized as possible to make unpacking in Germany a little easier.

I'm still trying to get over this flu/cold. Sam's refing basketball this morning, so that gives me time to clean the house. I got the house cleaned and my hair cut, now I'm busy baking desserts for the Super Bowl tomorrow. We're going to Mom and Dad Thompson's for the game. I love a clean house. And I really enjoy baking when it's cool enough that the stove doesn't heat up the whole house. We've had such beautiful weather lately. Not hot and a little cool in the evenings.

Well, I better get busy. The timer just went off.

Germany...here we come!

We finally got an answer from Germany.......we're going!! They called last night and Sam spent about an hour on the phone with them. He was prepared and had a list of questions to ask. I was glad he had that list because we've never moved overseas and there's a lot we don't know yet. Everything sounds really good. You usually don't know if the decisions you make are good until years down the road, but I think this is a good move for us. Every decision we make takes us in a different direction and creates a new future. We've left this decision to God and trust that He'll continue to lead us in the right direction.

Change is very hard for me, so of course I immediately started thinking about what I'm going to miss here. I've always said there will be things that I'll miss about Hawaii. I'll miss the people I work with. I really enjoy where I work. I'll miss our home. It's been our first home together and we've spent so much time and energy working on it. I'll miss Hawaii. There's no other place like this. I love our trips to the beach or outer island. We still don't know for sure when we'll be leaving. Probably sometime in March. I'm hoping Mom and Dad get to visit us before we leave, but it's kind of short notice, so I'm not sure if they'll make it.

A couple of weekends ago, Sam, his Mom and I hiked up to Makapu'u lighthouse. I'm a little late, but here are a couple of pictures.

Mom Thompson, Sam and Misty on the Makapu'u trail

Sam and Misty

Misty with Manana "Rabbit" Island in the background

Sam and his Mom