Blackberries

I keep getting sort of slapped upside the head with thoughts of Whidbey.

Yesterday it was blackberries.

I’ve told the boys all about the vines we would get to grow in Washington.  Blackberries, raspberries, loganberries, etc.  I knew it was the perfect weather for them and that right about the time we’d be arriving, the season would be getting under way.  I’d pictured us at local “pick your own” farm, boys covered in purple juice.  And I’d even considered learning to do some canning and putting up some jam — going so far as to begin following some blogs about canning.

I know, I know.  I think too much.  I jump ahead.  But that’s me.  It’s how I process.  How I prepare.  (And evidently something my sweet husband appreciates about me.)

Unfortunately, that planning also kicks me in the butt when our world turns upside down.

Sigh.

Andrea says that Underwood’s up near Dad’s house in Camarillo has blackberries.  Will have to give that a shot.  And maybe transfer my dreams to something more like our own avocado tree.  YUM.

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Lost.

Though I am a huge fan of Oceanic flight 815 and breathlessly await the season premiere which we’ll get here in Oki on Monday night, this is not the “Lost” of which I write.

We lost our island.

Our dear, sweet Whidbey Island.

We lost her yesterday morning.  And don’t EVEN get me started on the absurd argument that says we (with 3 children under the age of 5) are too expensive to move to Whidbey.  When everything Kira owns could be packed into her crib (including her) it’s just unbelievable to dis-allow us to go to Washington because we will have too much stuff and be too expensive…  But I did all THAT ranting yesterday — too bad you weren’t here.

We got the email in the AM, but then had to wait allllllllllll daaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy loooooooooong for the detailer (the guy who issues our orders) to get to work the next morning in Tennessee.  We spoke to him at 11pm last night and I won’t bore you with the details, but we basically were given NO choices.

We’re going to San Diego.  For at least one year of sonar school, and based on the afore mentioned EXORBITANT cost of moving our GIANORMOUS family to San Diego, we were told we will probably not be able to choose our next orders for anywhere but right there.  A ship out of San Diego.

Which means:  4 years in Sandy Eggo.

Now, many of you are saying as Tara did, “And what’s wrong with SD?”

But then if you heard Merrilee’s response today, you’d get it:  “Were you crying because you didn’t get WA or because you are getting SD?”

Clearly the former.

The loss of the dream of Whidbey is killing me.  I knew where the boys were going to take karate and when their swimming lessons would start.  I knew all the names of the farmer’s markets on island and the inn I wanted to take Brent to for our anniversary.  If you know me, you get this.  I am MS. PLANNER.

And so it’s not that San Diego isn’t a fabulous place.  It’s just that it’s not where we were SUPPOSED to go.

So, I’m in mourning.  I lost my Whidbey Island.  And I’m not sure I’ll ever find her.

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$355

“Sell so much, the kids think they are next.”  – Dave Ramsey

With 59 days to go, I’ve started selling.  I put eight items on Okinawa Yard Sales last night and met with some friends who get together each week to scrapbook today and took them all my old Creative Memories stuff.  I sold 4 things off of the website and a bunch of my CM stuff.  A total of $355 for the day.

I’m thrilled!

We are taking more than a $1000 hit when we move to Whidbey.  Our COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) is quite high here and we lose all of it when we hit the U.S.  So, for us to pay down as much debt as possible before April 2 (our tentative flight date) is imperative.

We are also preparing to talk to mortgage brokers soon, so the better we look on paper…  the better.

And if you are interested in scrapbooking stuff or maternity clothes — give me a comment!

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