So, the Move-In Day went well. They kept bringing stuff out of the truck and it's a whole bunch of old furniture that we've been carting around for the last few years. And now that our second bedroom is Emily's room and no longer an office/game room - we have a lot of stuff left over that we're not going to be using. So, we kept telling them to put that stuff in the garage and that we'll be having a BIG yard sale in a few weeks. Needless to say, the garage is FULL!! So is the storage room behind the garage!
Here's some pics of the boxes in the house. We've unpacked about 70% of the stuff inside the house so far - but we haven't gotten to the stuff in the garage just yet. We've got a BIG TASK ahead of us!! YIKES!!
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Newest Voice in Kodiak
Most of you already know, but I was offered a new job as the Morning Talk Show Host for Kodiak's local radio Station, KVOK!! Crazy? I know!
When we first found out that we were moving to Kodiak I started looking for a job online, as something I could do to get out of the house everyday. (People go crazy here if you're locked up inside for too long) So, I wanted something that would be fun and stressless. At the Alaskan Online Job Board there were only about 20 positions open, all of which had something to do with the fishing industry...except for one...The Morning Talk Show Host. So, I applied. (I never thought they'd actually call)
Now, this was a few months ago and they told me they were looking for "the right person...not just someone to do the job" and not in a big hurry to fill the position, but if they found that person then they would just hire them. Anyway, being 2 months out, I totally thoguht that the position would be taken by the time I got to the island. The lady in change of the station just said to send her an email when we get into town, and we'll see how it goes.
So, a few days after we got into Kodiak (still living in a hotel) I sent her an email to let her know we arrived. She said that the position had still not been filled and that she'd like me to come in. So, I got a babysitter for Emily. I went to my interview in a sweater, jeans, and some cheap black loafers I bought at WalMart...all of my clothes were in storage! I totally apologized for my casual appearance and explained how my clothes weren't coming until the following week. My casual outfit kind of made a nice ice-breaker to the interview.
Anyway, the interview went really well. While I was there I recoreded a test track of the weather and a commercial just so they could hear my voice, and they asked me to come back the following morning to just get a walk-thru of the production room. So, bright-and-early the next morning I went in again for about an hour, and everything went well, and they informally offered me the position. They are working on the formal offer and will get that to me...um, probably this week.
So, the bad news is that the pay isn't the greatest. But, I'm really looking at this as more of a reason to get out of the house (without baby), so the pay isn't too important - I can also continue my website stuff from home. We were able to get Emily in a home daycare with another Mil-Wife here. I'll probably be going into the station a few times over the next couple weeks, but I won't actually start until Sept 2nd.
So, there you have it!! woop! woop!
When we first found out that we were moving to Kodiak I started looking for a job online, as something I could do to get out of the house everyday. (People go crazy here if you're locked up inside for too long) So, I wanted something that would be fun and stressless. At the Alaskan Online Job Board there were only about 20 positions open, all of which had something to do with the fishing industry...except for one...The Morning Talk Show Host. So, I applied. (I never thought they'd actually call)
Now, this was a few months ago and they told me they were looking for "the right person...not just someone to do the job" and not in a big hurry to fill the position, but if they found that person then they would just hire them. Anyway, being 2 months out, I totally thoguht that the position would be taken by the time I got to the island. The lady in change of the station just said to send her an email when we get into town, and we'll see how it goes.
So, a few days after we got into Kodiak (still living in a hotel) I sent her an email to let her know we arrived. She said that the position had still not been filled and that she'd like me to come in. So, I got a babysitter for Emily. I went to my interview in a sweater, jeans, and some cheap black loafers I bought at WalMart...all of my clothes were in storage! I totally apologized for my casual appearance and explained how my clothes weren't coming until the following week. My casual outfit kind of made a nice ice-breaker to the interview.
Anyway, the interview went really well. While I was there I recoreded a test track of the weather and a commercial just so they could hear my voice, and they asked me to come back the following morning to just get a walk-thru of the production room. So, bright-and-early the next morning I went in again for about an hour, and everything went well, and they informally offered me the position. They are working on the formal offer and will get that to me...um, probably this week.
So, the bad news is that the pay isn't the greatest. But, I'm really looking at this as more of a reason to get out of the house (without baby), so the pay isn't too important - I can also continue my website stuff from home. We were able to get Emily in a home daycare with another Mil-Wife here. I'll probably be going into the station a few times over the next couple weeks, but I won't actually start until Sept 2nd.
So, there you have it!! woop! woop!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
#3 on The List!!
So, as of Friday we're #3 on The List!!
We started out as #7 when we got here and now we're at #3...so, it seems to be going fast. Sadly, no one works on the weekend, so we'll still be #3 on Monday. I am hopeful that we'll be placed by mid-week next week.
Tomorrow we'll be "kicked out" of our hotel we're at now because they're already all booked up for next week and we won't be able to stay. So, we're moving hotels to the base hotel on Monday. However, they don't allow dogs. So, Chloe & Bryndall will be staying at the non-local kennel on the Island. We'll have to drive about an hour to the rural part of the island to drop them off. Luckily they seem more like a doggie day care and the kids will be sure to "go out" at least 4 times a day. Whereas if they were in a kennel at the vet (which would be our only other option) then they won't get to go out at all.
Anyway, I am so nervous for the dogs to be so far away...and for a few days. I mean, we have bears here! What if they get eaten?!?! Yes, they'll be inside...but what if they go for a walk, and a bear comes, and it eats Bryn, and then Chloe defends her, and then the bear eats Chloe. Ya, I've got the whole "scene" running through my head. It just makes me so nervous because I don't know the area yet.
It's just not fair because they said we'd have a house! Now, we're going on a month of living out of a suitcase in a hotel. Our stuff is already here waiting for us! We just need a home!! RIDICULOUS!!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Homeless in Alaska
So, we're still homeless. We are a little more optimistic then we were yesterday when we first found out that there were no homes available for us here in Kodiak.
Since yesterday we have "moved up" on The List and we are now #5 in line to get a home!! We got the local paper with the listing of available rentals...only 1 of which we could possibly rent because all the others won't take dogs. We stopped by that possible rental yesterday afternoon. It is a brand new 2 bedroom house...the guy is still making the house! We stopped by and the house "should" be done by Aug 20th. It doesn't have a kitchen yet and all the drywall is still exposed...it still needs a lot of work, but the guy thinks he'll probably have it done in a few weeks. He pretty much offered it to us if we were interested...so, we need to get back to him by Tuesday.
We're still waiting on a "Base House" - We fell in love with a vacant unit on Lake Louise...so, we need to hope/pray/chat/anything that they will be working on the house around the time our name is at the top of the list. They haven't started working on it yet and it seems that the Housing Office gives away a house per day...so...maybe! That's what we're crossing our fingers for right now.
There are about 10 vacant units right now. We're all just waiting on the contractors to get done with the units before we can move in. They are only allowed to work on 2 units per day...so, I'm not sure how it will all work out, but I am hoping that we'll kind of have a better idea on everything early next week.
We also went around looking at possible house purchases that are on the market. The houses here are relatively cheap as compared to those in California. Like $250,000 is what we're looking at. However, I'm still not too confident that the numbers will work out with me still being out of work. But, we're looking at all our possibilities. If we did purchase something it would need to be "rentable" in the future, as we are only staying here for 3 years. So, we'll see how everything pans out.
It was SUPER HOT here today and I went around in a tank top most of the afternoon. I think we must be closer to the sun, or something. The temp in the truck said 66 degrees, but it felt like 90!!
Since yesterday we have "moved up" on The List and we are now #5 in line to get a home!! We got the local paper with the listing of available rentals...only 1 of which we could possibly rent because all the others won't take dogs. We stopped by that possible rental yesterday afternoon. It is a brand new 2 bedroom house...the guy is still making the house! We stopped by and the house "should" be done by Aug 20th. It doesn't have a kitchen yet and all the drywall is still exposed...it still needs a lot of work, but the guy thinks he'll probably have it done in a few weeks. He pretty much offered it to us if we were interested...so, we need to get back to him by Tuesday.
We're still waiting on a "Base House" - We fell in love with a vacant unit on Lake Louise...so, we need to hope/pray/chat/anything that they will be working on the house around the time our name is at the top of the list. They haven't started working on it yet and it seems that the Housing Office gives away a house per day...so...maybe! That's what we're crossing our fingers for right now.
There are about 10 vacant units right now. We're all just waiting on the contractors to get done with the units before we can move in. They are only allowed to work on 2 units per day...so, I'm not sure how it will all work out, but I am hoping that we'll kind of have a better idea on everything early next week.
We also went around looking at possible house purchases that are on the market. The houses here are relatively cheap as compared to those in California. Like $250,000 is what we're looking at. However, I'm still not too confident that the numbers will work out with me still being out of work. But, we're looking at all our possibilities. If we did purchase something it would need to be "rentable" in the future, as we are only staying here for 3 years. So, we'll see how everything pans out.
It was SUPER HOT here today and I went around in a tank top most of the afternoon. I think we must be closer to the sun, or something. The temp in the truck said 66 degrees, but it felt like 90!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Alaska Trip - Day 18 -- IN KODIAK!!
Well...we made it to Kodiak today!!
We arrived via ferry at 8am this morning. The boat docked and we walked down to the car loading area to get ready to leave the ship. We were excited to see that the dogs did well alone in the car all night...the ferry would not allow them to come up to the deck. So, for 12 hours they were alone in the car. They were SUPER EXCITED to see us when we came down!! ...super thirsty, super hungry, and needing to pee...but they were really glad to see us!
As we pulled out of the ferry...towed car & everything...we saw the Chris' new Senior Chief, Chief, and 2 of his fellow airmen. They were all there to welcome us to Kodiak. We pulled the car off to the side and got out to greet them. As Chris went off to greet his new coworkers, 2 women came up to talk with me. They were from the Kodiak Spouses Association and they knew I was coming...I was surprised and flattered that they came out for me!! It was really nice of them!!
We talked with everyone for a little while and then Alex Major (Chris' friend from San Diego who is now stationed in Kodiak) took us off to get all checked in with the appropriate offices. Chris got checked with the Admin offices quickly, and then we were off to the Housing Offices. This is where the "Happy Story" becomes a little sticky.
We walked in and the lady there pretty much said "Welcome to Kodiak, we have no room for you." She went on and on about we should consider renting an apartment in the City because the Coast Guard Housing was full...even went as far to give us the daily listings of open rentals. The whole time this lady is trying to give us bad news...I'm just thinking...Holy Shit! Where will we go now?!?! -- We hadn't made any reservations at a hotel because a few weeks ago the very-same-Housing Office said that they had "plenty of housing" and we shouldn't be concerned. Well, needless to say...they lied.
We are now #8 on the list and waiting to get a house. She said it could be a few weeks before we get a house; and when something finally does become available we will need to take-it-or-leave-it...basically saying that if we don't like what's available we're up Shit-Creek! (sorry for the 4-letter-words...I'm so upset right now) We were under such different expectations!
We called the 1st listing on the ad which did not say "No Pets" (there were about 7 listings total...no one wants pets) and the 1st listing we called said he'd prefer No Pets, but might consider us. However, the location wouldn't be available for another few weeks. So, we'll be stuck in a hotel for at least a few weeks!!!!! SHIT...we've been in a hotel for 3 weeks already!!!!!
Speaking of which...this is where I am writing from...yet another freak'n hotel! We were able to get into a local hotel which actually accepts dogs...thank God!! And, I guess we'll be homeless for a little while longer.
Oh...it gets better... let's talk money... I know this is a "foopaw subject" but we're going to briefly discuss it. -- The Coast Guard does not pre-pay our current hotel stay in Kodiak while we're awaiting housing! We need to put the money up-front for the hotel and we "should" be able to get about $140/day to spend on a room, however the room is costing us $180/night, but they don't care...and we can file the form after a ten-day period, and then it takes about 3 weeks to get reimbursed. (Hell, I just got reimbursement last week for a claim they owed us for Chris' expenses while he was in North Carolina Jan-May!!) So, basically...we're going to front a hotel stay for about 2 weeks at a rate of $180/day for 14 days...um, that comes out to roughly $2500 out of our own pocket!! And then the Coast Guard will pay us back like a month later. Again...Holy Shit!!!
So, that's the story right now. It's a little after 1pm, and Chris is out doing some more admin stuff...so I might have an update for you again later.
By the way...we got a phone call this morning to tell us that all our stuff arrived today! So, our "house" is here, but we still don't have a home!!
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