How exciting! That's awesome! The only tip I've got is if you go out with your hair parted, put sunscreen on your scalp. The first time I went, I forgot that spot, and when it peeled it looked like some gnarly dandruff. Hehe

Thanks ladies!

We're pretty excited! And stressed. LOL!

Good tip about the sunscreen, Newsparkle and Windblownhair! (Reminds me of that Baz Luhrmann Song...



I burn in under 10 minutes. I tell people it's because I'm not just "white"... I'm "see-through". I wear good ole SPF 60, and have to reapply it pretty much hourly.

MGR - we're moving in the first 1/2 of July. Which is really nice, because DD will have a nice 'break' with me when we first get there before she heads off into the great unknown that is Grade 1. And because we've got buckets of stuff to do to prepare for leaving the country, a few extra months to prep will help, if I can keep myself from procrastinating! LOL.

^^^^ See, it's these sentiments that make me think I'm NOT going to want to come BACK when it's time. LOL!



George is thinkin' on it. LOL. He's taking the hint.

While I'm here, I should congratulate George - he's not always successful when he surprises me. But he totally GOT me with the news. He came home from work, and told me some updates on the progress, but kept a straight face, and DIDN'T tell me he had the official move papers in his pocket. We went out to get groceries, and he pulled in to my favourite restaurant, saying DD was pestering him for food. We went in, and while I took DD to the washroom, he ordered me a MaiTai (something we joked about wanting to try once). When it arrived at the table, I looked at him funny, thinking the waitress had brought the drink to the wrong table. LOL. He said "Happy moving to Hawaii Day!" and passed me the paperwork. I just about passed out. I was SO excited, I was shaking. And he hid it from me ALL day at work, and for 2 hours afterwards! He's getting better at this sneaky stuff. LOL!

So happy for you, Dayna. Congratulations to George and best wishes to the whole family for a safe and uneventful(!) move.

Be sure to get your spare room furnished before winter vacation season begins. We don't need anything too fancy, though........

Congratulations, that sounds wonderful!!!

We knew a family that was stationed in Hawaii and the biggest problem they had was that EVERYONE they ever knew suddenly wanted to visit. Not only visit but they expected to be entertained and chauffeured around to all of the tourist hot spots. Well that got old and very expensive after a short time.

Based on their experience I would suggest settting some ground rules for visitors who want you to host their vacations. Get comfortable with the idea that they go sight seeing and doing 'tourist stuff' on their own because you may not want to see or pay for the same attractions over and over again. And you shouldn't be expected to pay for their entertainment. You could go broke, lol.

Thanks ladies! Hadley, you're too cute! heehee!



Thanks! That's a GREAT idea to figure out fast and firm ground rules for visitors! We're quickly realizing the same thing, and we aren't even there yet. Seriously, I think I know how lottery winners feel... people I haven't spoken to in YEARS, and some who were never 'friends' to begin with all of a sudden are coming out of the woodworks to ask if they can visit. I really don't mind close family and friends coming to visit, but some girl who was at best rude to me in high school? Um, no. ( The military is a small community, so even though we haven't announced it, pretty much everyone on different bases we've ever been to somehow KNOW about this. Even the crazies. ) My new motto is, if I wasn't worth your time to come visit me in Ottawa, or at least stay in touch with me, then we don't have time to 'host' you when we're there.

I think if we have the room, people are welcome to use it, but they will need their own rental vehicle, and to pitch in for any groceries they eat. They'll have to understand that we have work, school, and lives that can't break every time they come to visit. So they can't 'party' at my house and disrupt my daughter sleeping when she's got school in the morning. Etc. I think that's the best I can sanely offer.

Good idea, morning glory!

He's a keeper!!!

George is such a sweetheart! And I agree with morning glory about the ground rules. I have a situation like that here in NY. My sis always wants to join us whenever we go out to dinner, see a basketball game, go out for Easter brunch, etc., now that we are here in NY, but she never offers to pay her share. She expects that we'll just pay for her. She's 41.

Plan to spend at least 50% more for things (not a hard rule as I haven't been in a long time). I would make sure that you are happy with large household item and furniture you move so you aren't tempted to buy new there. Don't move things that are just going to sit in boxes for the next few yrs unless you are seriously attached to the items. It will be cheaper to replace them in the future and save the space to move extra "stock" items. I am sure you already know all this as it sounds as if your military preps you for the move quite well ~Red

wow, congrats!