since I am totally incapable of stringing together my thoughts in an intelligible manner...
* I wonder if learning defensive driving in the United States and practicing offensive driving in Germany gives me any sort of advantage?
* When my kids play the game "Red Light/Green Light", they use the German traffic light pattern. (Red Light/Yellow Light/Green Light/Yellow Light/Red Light) This makes me chuckle.
* I have spent the past eight years being an Army wife...and next Tuesday I am going to be the wife of a civilian.
* I am fully aware of just how blessed we are. That Guy I Married landed a SWEET job as a Civil Servant and we get to stay in Germany! (Seriously...there were a LOT of people who wanted this job. TGIM is kind of an asshole. We SoOoOoOo do not deserve this good fortune. But I am very grateful for it.)
* The Army is withholding our last paycheck. We got our last pay check in mid-June. We won't get our next pay check until the beginning of August. Can you say "screwed"???
* I know that it is mostly our fault that we are screwed. We failed to save money. It is just that simple.
* But this is the thing...when you live at or below the poverty level for your entire adult life and you get a little bonus (like an income tax return) and you can make the kinds of frivolous purchases that you ordinarily can not...you sometimes tend to do just that.
* Without thinking about the impact it will have on your life six months down the road.
* Even though I feel guilt, I still love my Nikon D40.
* Once things are settled and we are getting regular pay checks again, I am going to be diligent about saving money.
* I will not have any excuse not to. Our allowance for housing is going to double. We are SoOoOoOo moving into a bigger house.
* We will be getting an almost $20K raise in our base pay.
* And we will still get the Cost Of Living Allowance that helps offset the crappy exchange rate.
* And as a medical retiree, That Guy I Married will be pulling in a monthly retirement check.
* I think we might actually be moving on up. Middle class, Baby!
* I think it's about, freaking time.
* Also...the pounds are still coming off.
* I can see a little bit of a difference. I only have one chin!
* Sadly, the only other area in which I am seeing immediate results is in my bosom.
* Note to self: must wear supportive bra. AT ALL TIMES.
* Another note to self: consider plastic surgery to put all of your bits back in their proper places once this whole thing is done.
Sounds like things are on the up swing. Just hold your breath for the next few months. Smooches!
Posted by: Lisa | June 23, 2008 at 03:23 PM
You should be able to make it.....you've been a military wife, so have been used to being able to scrape pennies together and make a terrific meal, etc.....I have faith in you! I'm soooo happy that ya'll will be moving up the rung of the social-class ladder, and of course, jealous too, that you're actually doing what we'd wanted to do.....But happy for you, YES!!! Laughed my arse off at your recent 'loss' in the 'other' regions!!! My dilema is, I've really nothing to spare in that area in the first place!!!! Have that number to a great plastic surgeon continually handy!!! Keep up the terrific strides kiddo!!!! You're AMAZING!!!!!
Posted by: solvi | June 24, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Congrats on your upcoming freedom!
Posted by: ~LL~ | June 24, 2008 at 11:07 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Posted by: ~LL~ | June 25, 2008 at 05:24 AM
Lots of changes. DAMN! I wish you only the very best of everything, dearest Dawn! Please don't stop blogging!!! I want to hear how you guys are doing as civilians.
My sis and her husband just recently made that transformation a couple of months ago. They're renting right now but looking forward in the near future to buying their first home.
Posted by: Jacq | July 01, 2008 at 02:02 AM
Oooh, a D40? I can totally understand THAT purchase. I lust after one of those.
Good luck in civilian life (not that I've ever led any other kind, but still...). Sounds like it's a positive move for you.
Posted by: Major Bedhead | July 23, 2008 at 04:58 AM
Oooh, a D40? I can totally understand THAT purchase. I lust after one of those.
Good luck in civilian life (not that I've ever led any other kind, but still...). Sounds like it's a positive move for you.
Posted by: Major Bedhead | July 23, 2008 at 04:58 AM