We Are Moving!

We just found out that we're moving again. I guess the military is making up for the 9 years they didn't move us when we were in Idaho. Well I should take that back, Shawn went to Korea two years after we got to Idaho and came back and we spent another 6 years there before moving up here. So I spent 9 years in Idaho Shawn only got 8 years. We've been here exactly two years and anyone who knows how the Air Force works will know that our orders are not stateside. We'll be leaving for Mannheim Germany in Jan 2010....maybe a few months later then that if Shawn can get it pushed back. It's an Army Garrison which has an Air Force detachment on it because of AFN (American Forces Network) which Shawn's job will be to keep the system maintained and running correctly.

The decisions to make, what to take, what to store, what to sell, have been running through my mind since we found out. The only thing I know for sure is we're taking the kids, the yarn, and the dogs. Well only one of the dogs. We're not sure what we're going to do about Shadow. She's getting up there in age and having problems with her hips and stairs. I love her dearly and I don't know if I want to put her through that long move on a plane and then having to go up and down stairs several times a day because the housing over there is apartment type housing with several levels and no yards. I just need to find someone reliable who will love her and take care of her.

I spent the first two days completely in shock and freaked out. I'm not a person who handles change very well and when my routines are messed up it drives me crazy. It's worrying about the unknown that tends to get me upset. Now that things have sunk in and I've found out a few things I'm feeling better about this move and am actually looking forward to it. I'm not looking forward to the non air conditioned apartment living but I can live with it. Basically I'm looking at it as a 3 year long vacation to Europe that Uncle Sam is paying for. Shawn's job will be a lot easier and waaaaaay less stressful. He'll have more time to spend with us as a family which means more time to get of the base and do stuff. It's an opportunity of a lifetime for all of us to see the world and other cultures. I am part German after all so why not check out where part of my family came from. Plus if we get really homesick we can go to Ramstein AB which has a Chili's. They also opened up a Macaroni Grill not that long ago. I bout fell out of my chair laughing when I seen that there was a Chili's over there. It's one of Bree's favorite places to eat.

The good news is after some research we found that our computers, printers, tv, Wii, Sonicare toothbrushes, and Kaity's Nintendo DS are all able to run on 220V with new power cords. The US runs on 110V while Germany runs on 220V so some of our things won't run and will have to be replaced when we get there like our coffee pot, crockpot, etc. If you're curious about the types of power around the world Wikipedia has a listing. My Kindle will charge via USB and although I can't download using the wireless Sprint network I'll be able to buy the books on Amazon's site, download the file to my computer and drag it to my Kindle. Takes a little bit longer but hey if I can still use my Kindle I'm happy. Same goes for my iPod, it charges via USB so I'm set and ready to go. As long as I have my tech gear I'm happy. From what I understand we'll also have cable modem internet that we can purchase through the local German cable company.

At least the major things will be able to go with us. They have laundry rooms for the apartment complexes so we'll probably sell the washer and dryer instead of storing them. Three years is a long time to store that kind of stuff and I had planned on a new washer and dryer when Shawn retires anyway. I may have to downsize my stash a little bit but will do that as it gets a little closer to moving day. I might surprise myself and whittle down my stash enough that I won't have to worry about it. I have decided that I won't be buying anymore for now so the only stuff that will come in is club yarn and fiber.

I'll be back in a few days with a knitting related post. I just wanted to share the news with all my blogland friends.