Let the Indoor Camping Begin!

Episode № 105 was refreshed at the end of May, 2023. The placeholder episode has been replaced with a real episode; lucky you!

Transcript

Episode № 105 Let the Indoor Camping Begin!

Welcome back! 

Lady Jupiter Podcast is the audio accompaniment to LadyJupiter.com a lifestyle blog where I write about my family’s military life, our home life, and other tiny details that I just like to share. I’m happy that you’re here with me.

In this episode I’ll share an update on our life as affected by the U.S. military, then continue with a blog update, and wrap up with something domestic. 

Today in our military-affected lives I have nothing significant to update!
Since the last real episode…

The house was inspected (structural and foundation specific).

We sold the Tesla earlier than planned, so now we’re a one-car family.

The household goods estimator came by - guessed us at about six thousand lbs, and three days needed.

We nailed down the dates that we would visit our home (Lubbock, TX), and purchased airfare and the rental car.

We confirmed the separate dates for Non Temporary Storage to estimate and pack.

Mister Jupiter learned how to fly helicopters, I contained my jealousy. A little.

Then the house was appraised for our buyers.

Mister Jupiter cancelled the Tesla insurance, and paid off that bank note.

Then he joined his squadron in Colorado.

We received our next mailing address (all thanks to our amazing sponsor on the other side).

I bought two AirTags to stash in our HHG, and picked up my newest prescription glasses. The optical shop was having a buy one get one free sale, so I got two pairs of RayBan sunglasses. I still think they’re a little wide, so I’m going to sock away $20 each month and wait for the next “buy one get one” sale when I’ve either saved $300 or am tired of loose sunglasses.

Then we started talking to a contractor to fix a few things around the house, he popped by to give an accurate repair estimate.

Later, I got into a fight with Toyota about the maintenance plan I purchased…the fight continues at the time of recording.

We resolved some home appraisal confusion, now our realtors are in the loop.

Then Mister Jupiter took Kid Jupiter to get his government passport, but we forgot that I needed to be there too, so we rescheduled. I still can’t find my original birth certificate…but Kid Jupiter’s certified copy arrived.

Our contractor, Jorge, worked on the big front garden and made it look so much better in one day.

Mister Jupiter gave our treadmill to a neighbor, and moved yard care stuff to our next temporary address.

Our movers called to confirm which days they would be here…only after I cancelled some other things that I could have kept.

Then we decided to host a mobile pizza party - and eventually paid for it after 24 hours of phone tag.

Since we’re selling the house while Mister Jupiter will be TDY, we needed that specific power of attorney - so our realtors set that up with our preferred title company - so that’s ready.

Later we parents joined Kid Jupiter at the passport office and FINALLY had everything we needed to submit his application.

We celebrated at Container Store where I bought some vacuum storage bags.

Then Mister bought some temporary dishes and cookware to take use at our next temporary address.

Jorge came back and re-did our french drain - right before a good downpour.

Another local commander and family dropped in to visit and return some borrowed goods. They left us with some amazing pastries, and the chocolate cupcakes were my favorite.

Then Jorge was back again to do a little interior work. 

Later we actually had our mobile pizza party, and it was fun. We chartered one of the city’s streetcars, plus provided pizza and beer. For three hours we enjoyed pizza and beer on our private streetcar with our friends. We took prom pictures when stopped in downtown Little Rock, we took sunset photos over the Arkansas River, and we parted ways in North Little Rock before it got too late. It was perfect.

Then we had brunch at Fassler Hall with other friends, Kid Jupiter and I split an order of chicken and waffles like we always do.

We received the Tesla title, then mailed it off to the new owner (where I learned that first class mail doesn’t have tracking or confirmation).

Then we had our termite clearance inspection. The termite guy used to work for the moving company that was actively working, so that provided some friendly banter.

Three people packed more than half of our house in one day.

My certified birth certificate copy finally arrived (still can’t find the original OR last certified copy I bought).

Then the next day, two movers finished packing the rest of the house and they were done shortly after lunch. We bought them Sonic because I wanted chili cheese tater tots, add mustard. Yum.

Later we had Texmex dinner out with friends. The restaurant was super short staffed, but we all had plenty to talk about, so we easily caught up while waiting. Our bills were less than accurate, but they were close enough. 

The next day, our boxes were loaded and our furniture disassembled and re-configured to fit in seven crates. The small crew was finished by 4pm, and I was definitely called Little Lady a few times. Part of me would take offense, but I’m almost 40 and most eighth graders are larger than I am…so I really am a little lady.

Then we flew back home to Lubbock for a few sleeps, including Kid Jupiter. 

***

We wanted our kid to hang out with his grandparents and see his great grands for a little bit before we move.

Luckily, another wonderful neighbor was able to let the non-temp storage estimator into our garage to do their job…since we were en route to Texas when they wanted to pop in.

Mike Dog stayed home, under the watchful eye of another dear friend (that Mike loves, so we had zero worries).

After a few sleeps we flew back to Arkansas.

***

Shortly after getting back to our sparse home, our non-temporary storage crew was here and ready to work.

Two people brought one truck, and they were finished before lunch. I didn’t AirTag anything non-temp, and I hope that the things survive our OCONUS adventures. I doubt that I’ll be in the mood later to re-buy two sewing machines and a serger. However, Mister Jupiter might have fun shopping to replace the french horn, banjo, and trumpet.

They were finished so quickly that our TMO (traffic management office) quality assurance guy didn’t even see them, he only missed them by minutes. In fact, the same TMO QA has only ever met me. Mister Jupiter was working each time he came by, and I haven’t needed to reach out to him because we got a great batch of packers and movers this round. Every person was ready to pack boxes, or move stuff. I was the most sedentary and I still logged four miles of walking in my house.

Then we attended the first of many Change of Command ceremonies. 

***

Most of our friends are outbound, but we know a few inbounds too. Just like last summer, Kid Jupiter and I will be going to as many ceremonies as we can - we don’t have an open calendar but we’re in town more than Mister Jupiter. I am thankful that my capsule wardrobe has ONE pair of pants that are not jeans and not leggings - because I will be wearing them to each Change of Command ceremony unless I buy more clothes while we live out of suitcases already.

Too bad that our young actress friend isn’t available to sing at all of the local ceremonies. We all really enjoyed her recent performance!

***

WHEW. And that’s why my last few uploads have been placeholders…we’re just plain busy. 

But of course, we’re not finished…in fact, this is really just the beginning. So expect a few more untitled episodes these upcoming months. 

Don’t worry though; it’s not you…IT’S ME. My biological need to sleep is a real buggins.

For today’s LadyJupiter.com update...

— the site is still up and running.

I’ve marginally updated a few things. Links in the show notes!
📍Closet Progress Photos
📌 Healing & Concealing a Black Eye
📌Attempting the Perfect PCS, Take Five
📍Outfits of the Day :: Q2 2023
📌So I Bought…Several CGMs (Part One)

And lastly something domestic...

We had wild baby bunnies in the front garden last month, and now we have more baby buns in the backyard. No mallards though, we’re definitely disappointed that our duck from last year didn’t come back, but that’s okay. She probably found a better place to lay eggs without us pesky humans sneaking up on her babies when she went out to eat and do duck stuff.

***

And that’s it for today’s episode.

Show notes and transcript are available anytime; swing by LadyJupiter.com/podcast.
📌Ladyjupiter.com/Podcast

If you have a moment I would love if you could leave Lady Jupiter Podcast some stars on Apple Podcasts. 

They say that ratings help new listeners, and I’m sure there’s some truth in there, but all I know is that I can’t rate my own show - so I’ll need your help. If your podcast listening app doesn’t allow ratings, don’t worry about it! It’s not a universal function. So if it’s convenient, I would love some stars. And if it’s not convenient, that’s okay too (thanks for checking)!

I will talk to you when I can record next. 

—Bye for now!