So, it's been long enough. Time for another update. If you feel lost about what I'm talking about, I recommend reading the previous post for more information. Highlights include deployments, homecomings, hospitalizations, med board process and retirement. ; )
As of April 25, Chris is officially retired. Seems strange to type that out. It always seemed so far away and then it was here! I'd love to tell you we are comfortable settled in Florida but not quite yet. Retirement but no definite date when all his pay will come. So, we are crashing at my Mom and Dad's in SC until we get this all figured out. Well, as figured out as we get.
Thankfully, Chris' retirement pay has kicked in but we are still waiting for VA disability and Social Security disability. Both organizations assure us he is due compensation and it will be retroactive. That doesn't help us right now though. We have decided to rent for a year or two and then buy a home. Apparently, people want actual proof that we can pay rent. So, we are still at Mom and Dad's and have been here since April 1. That's a LONG time. What we thought would be a one or two month bump in the road seems to have turned into a major traffic jam. For the sanity of all of us, most especially my parents who would like their house back I'm sure, please be praying that these obstacles are cleared soon so we can start our new life in Florida.
Here is the tricky part. I actually have a deadline to be down there. August 26 (also our 18th anniversary) will be my first day of class at Valencia College. Yes, I think I have finally decided what I want to be when I grow up. (Grown up is merely a name, I will always still be a kid.) I will be studying Hospitality and Tourism Management. The end goal is to work at Walt Disney World (duh!). I will get my Associates at Valencia and then transfer to University of Central Florida to complete my Bachelors. I will still be a Gator fan first and foremost of course.
This plan to go back to school sounded wonderful...until I came to the realization that I could be the incoming Freshman's Mom. That was a downer. And I think I have to take College Algebra. It's been a LONG LONG LONG time since I took Algebra in high school. Sarah is starting Pre-Algebra right now. I might sneak onto her computer and see what I remember. I do remember lots of solving for x. That's a start, right?
At this point, we are just ready to get to Florida and settle in. We are thankful that Mom and Dad were able, and mostly willing, to take us in. We are just ready to be home! To start this next chapter. To scrape off the moving stickers (a nice rainbow of colors have gathered on our furniture) and know that we are done moving every year to 2 years. (OK, we'll have to move once we buy a home but then that's it!!!)
I have wanted to move back to Florida since the day my parents dragged me kicking and screaming to New Hampshire my freshman year of high school. Now it is so close... but we're still not there. Please pray hard that we can move along SOON!!! Hopefully, I can post a great update before August 1!
PS- The VA sent Chris a letter today that says "sorry it's taking so long, we'll be done soon!". Wow. Thanks.
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