This Roller coaster ride called life!

Just when we thought things were finally on track today we were thrown another loop. Granted it has worked itself out now we were still very shocked with some news sending both Kyle and I on a whirlwind of emotions.

Today started out fine we were up and ready to go...got to sleep in a bit now that we have some bikes to ride! Check out my new wheels!
                                

Well good thing for the bike because after reaching post I realized I forgot my passport. Now I don't need it to get onto post but with all this in processing I never know when I will so I figured better get it just in case. So Kyle went on to his meeting as i trekked back to our temporary apt. the 20 minute bike ride...decided to let Roo out then head back to post! (most regrettably I never needed it...yay for exercise) Anyway Kyle was in briefings in the AM as I sat and read my book. We had lunch at "The Arena" which is the bowling center with bar and food and games and things of that nature...very good typical American food...nothing too special.

After lunch we made a point to head to the housing office. Once there we were told of a new memorandum that was released recently.

Now here is the important thing for all military wives/families/anyone that is coming to Caserma Ederle. When searching for housing do not assume that you will be on the Italian economy. This is what we were never informed of. There are actually four options for housing. 1. barracks on post -single soldiers and bachelors quarters 2. government family community housing- directly off post reserved for people with kids *3. government apartments- this is what we didnt know was part of housing for couples such as kyle and myself and families with maybe just one kid  and 4. Italian owned and rented houses/duplexes/apts the ones you find on AHRN.

The third option we were never told about which was frustrating because we assumed that since we have no children we would be sent out on the economy so therefore we created our list and have narrowed it down up to this day so we would be ready when the time came to tell them our favorites. WRONG! Before you will be approved for this option you have to be put on a waiting list for 30 days. The government owned apartments that are scattered around town are where you will be placed if there is any availability within those thirty days. Sadly they have now ordered that for any reason if you decide you dont like what they have available and you don't accept the offer than your OHA is taken from you and you have to pay out of pocket!

This is where Kyle and I became upset. At the bottom of this memorandum that all soldiers in our situation have to sign, they go into detail about what will not be accepted as a reason to decline government housing: any pet restrictions, because you don't "like the area", because there is no bus stop or school bus stop nearby, too far from post and no vehicle transport. To me these are very valid reasons not to accept a place but if you do so for any of these say goodbye to your OHA, you are on your own.

So basically accept what we offer you or you et nothing...kinda harsh! While we were there the housing person said that there was a place coming available next month but it was not within our thirty day window at 45some odd days. We had to point out to her that hey we just signed this memorandum saying it has to be within thirty days. After bringing in a supervisor we now have it worked out. We have been approved to look at places off post (because we are so far down the list right now that not much would open up) Here is the kicker, we have to have a contract signed before an opening would be offered to us otherwise we would have to accept said offer of government housing....so now we are in crunch time. We actually have our list narrowed down to five. Monday I will attend the brief to start this process it is simply a race to the finish to see if we can find a place and sign a lease before something gets offered...fingers crossed.

(sorry if this is boring or confusing to my usual readers but I had to put something out there to inform other people coming here because we were never told and I don't wish this same situation on anyone. It is stressful enough just PCSing let alone to another country)


Alright enough about that now on to the good stuff, sorry to those who want pictures and updates of our adventures in Vicenza today was not that exciting. However, while taking Tucker for his long evening walk, we discovered an overlook of the city. I would say we got to the top of about a hundred steps just in time to get a great view of dusk over Vicenza!! Enjoy!

I promise I will take more pictures around town tomorrow with my good camera so you can really see the true beauty of this place!

Lists are my purpose

Well today has been a roller-coaster ride of emotions! We started out early this am with a light breakfast...Italian coffee with milk.....very bitter, some toast with marmalade... and yogurt with granola...

After checking a map a couple of times we walked the 30 min. to post  which was kind of confusing but finally made it to start in processing. Im not lying when we didnt get much help- which is just unsettling to me, tying my stomach in knots again.
 Kyle got checked into the unit while i wandered around trying to find things on post and figure out where everything was. I got a little nervous when a majority of the people that I passed were not speaking English. It is an American Army base right...but i guess that was the early shift of locals that work on post. 

After getting checked in I grabbed a couple of books from the Library, I settled in at the PX waiting at our designated meeting spot for Kyle. (At this point we still didnt have phones.) We still felt a little lost until we went to the Army Community Service Center after that we were on the right track with pamphlets and maps to show us all our stops. We now have an APO address, local phones, a bike for me and I am now a bit familiar with post. Definately more comfortable now that we have places to go and check in and get the ball rolling with stuff. Kyle says "all is well when Maggie has lists". This has prove quite true after today. I was very cultured shocked until our afternoon of checking in at all the different service areas today. Tomorrow will be another day of the same going here and there for briefings and signatures...off to walk roo and get something to eat!


We just had our first dinner in town....pizza!!! 

Legit Italian place we had to use some hand gestures with the waiter but he was very helpful and definately appreciated that we tried....then he brought us menus in english hahaha. Anyway delicious pizza! Kyle and I think it was the best we have ever had and another american couple also stationed here sitting at a nearby table said it was the best in Vicenza!! 

We are busy here responding to emails and trying to practice italian so that next time we wont feel soo embarassed when we go out but hey its a learning process...we also took roo for a walk
ps. no roo friends yet dad just a lot of barking and mean looking german shepards...roo was scared!


Off to one more walk with roo as we search for a local geocache nearby! 

Overwhelmed

Well we arrived in Italy on our large chariot.
 We found our bags got our Roo and found our sponsor! He has been very helpful in answering all our questions. After a quick tour of post we were off to find our lodging... Not quite what we expected but it will do for a week.. Even roo made himself at home with his new...drinking fountain?...

 Tucker I don't think that's what it's for. Anyway we better get to bed as we have a long day ahead of us in processing and such!!enjoy the view of the Swiss Alps...

Very pretty only wish I could have gotten a picture from the airplane...AMAZING!

Germany.... ?

Excited to finally be in the Air...

Well we made it to Ramstein AFB Germany! Only a short customs check and vet check with Roo and we will be back in the air. Our flight here was less than pleasant due to lots of screaming babies :( we both got a couple hours of sleep in between the late dinner and breakfast that they served. It was not gourmet meal but we were happy to have something in our stomach cuz we are both running of fumes about now. I hope to get a bit more sleep on this next short flight but once we get there I will really have to fend off the jet lag! Here is a view from the terminal!

Layover

Well here we are in Baltimore waiting to take that long flight. It is finally here and we are all (even Tucker)full of excitement and nerves! Back in Dallas we were able to see him (the last one)onto the plane and then see him taken off (first off), no one was forgotten!

 Pretty view this morning of the Potomac before landing!!

 I see movies, naps and lots of trips to the pet area to fill our afternoon!!

Ps after midnight today the 24th our phone numbers will be suspended for the next 3 years or so; so if you need to get ahold of us please refer to email or you up to date on technology folks good ol Facebook will work too!!

Bye bye green machine

Dallas has been busy but somewhat exciting. Mainly we did some last minute errands and cleaning and organizing. We are officially without a vehicle now and getting ourselves prepared for our long flight! Tucker has been bathed with his new kennel which is more like a castle I would say he is going to enjoy his long nap... Thanks vet for sleepy drugs to keep him happy and not anxious!!! Taking in a movie tonight and some American food! Don't worry I had my chipotle today and even got a burrito to go for the plane!!!

Last Minute Preparations

Ive been terrible at posting lately I know, for you followers I apologize things have just been crazy busy! Lets see what I have been forgetting in my last posts, Indiana left us with great memories and fun with family and friends that we will miss greatly! We made a detour in Nashville on our way back south and it was a blast. We went to one of my favorite places- the Grand Ole Opry Hotel! 

We then took in the city by geocaching our way around and enjoying the warmer climate. Arriving back at Fort Polk was bittersweet. we were so excited to be with friends again but saddened knowing it is only for a short time. Kyle has been busy out-processing and I making final preparations to leave! Wish us luck that everything remains as scheduled and I promise to be better about updating now that our travels to Italy will finally begin!

Heading south and just in time

Well it has been a fun and busy visit in Indiana seeing Kyles family and friends and tomorrow we will be heading back to Louisiana to start out processing. And I'll tell you it's just in the knick of time too cuz it finally started to snow. Even though it wasn't a white Christmas this year it was still good to see the white stuff before leaving.

I know it doesn't look like much but hey I'll take what I can get. Relaxing now before hittin the old and dusty trail tomorrow, back to the movie!