Leaving on a Jet Plane!

It's official! On March 9, I got an e-mail with my orders attached. Immediately I went on line to begin setting up the move. Nowadays one can do it on line - duh - which is different than when I went to the UK in 2004. You wouldn't believe how detailed the moving weight estimate form is. Every type of household good from chest freezer to water bed to high chair and everything in between. I came up with about 11,000 lbs, and my limit is 18,000 lbs.
* And my charmed life continues...there's so much "flowing grace" that I keep pinching myself (which is not a good thing, since I bruise easily).
The division I work in includes logistics, which handles transportation of goods and personnel. I strolled over to that area and asked a friend how to find the TMO (Transportation Management Office). He escorted me a few cubicles along to one of his colleagues, Dan, who said, "They're down on the first floor, B wing." My good buddy Tim told Dan that he needed to treat me right, so Dan said, "Come on, I'll take you down there." One hour later, with Dan (a transportation expert) at my side the entire time, I had Emma's and my plane reservations - she's going steerage, which is still $330 - the guidelines for shipping my car, and finalized moving forms submitted posthaste to the TMO headquarters. April 12 is the move date I requested, so now the transportation office will see if one of their companies can accommodate that. They project 46 days for shipping. Sweet!!!
* Thursday night, my dear friend Hope carted out large rugs to take to the cleaners, and the sewing machine and vacuum cleaner to be cleaned and tuned up.
* Yesterday, I took what I hope is the last load to Goodwill.
* Another friend, Yuki, gave me the name of a bike donation center, so I took my old 10-speed there. They teach youngsters and oldsters how to refurbish bikes, or cull usable parts off them.
* From a visit to my local Apple Store, I found out my iPhone won't work in Portugal because they're locked for AT&T in the US. I can go on line and order one, and use the $100 gift card Cath and Andy gave me for Christmas (€70.65). This will not be locked, and I can get connected with one of the services available on Terceira.
* I'm going to take a little time with the next prep task, because it's such a cool story...
Last week I called GEICO to ask about fixing my windshield. It has a couple of potential cracks (PCs), but the worst problems are scratches and teeninetsy (yes, that's a word in Texas) pits that makes it hard to see out the window when the sun is shining on it. The PCs are free to fix, but the whole windshield would have to be replaced to solve the other issues. And I have a $500 deductible. So I went to my 11:30 appointment yesterday, and the guy told me I'd pay $287 if I don't go through GEICO. That sounded better. He suggested that I call GEICO and ask for their cash price. So I went out to the parking lot, got in the car, rolled down the windows, and called GEICO. No time like the present.
This is where the story gets fun - I'm sure you were wondering when that would happen. The GEICO menu-has-changed process directed me to the glass department. A woman's voice answered, "Hello?" Hmmm...this was odd for a business phone call. I asked, "Is this the glass department?" and the response I got was, "Yes, this is Marla, how can I help you?" Okay. This is a friendly approach. Sure enough, half an hour later, Marla Merritt (in Arizona) and I had exchanged e-mail addresses and I had invited her to visit me in the Azores. We had a lovely chat, and Marla said, "Won't it be fun ten years from now when we tell this story?" Whoever listens to the "recorded for quality or training purposes" tape will probably not use it for customer service lessons. Of course, Marla had to use the remaining canned spiel: "Would you like to set up windshield wiper replacement for only $22.95?" and "Is there anything else I can do for you today?" In all, I saved only $5, but the deal I got was priceless. I love making connections like this, and even more, I love being healthy enough to recognize and say, "Yes" to them when they present themselves.
* Last week I talked to my my boss about time off for moving and taking leave. If the 12th is a go, I'll take off the 11th and 12th, work Wednesday and Thursday, and fly out Saturday. Once I'm at Lajes, Monday - Wednesday I'll use annual leave, and the 21st-22nd will be my two travel days. Trish moved in this past Monday, and Thursday I asked her if she's out of the boxes and has pictures on the wall for my arrival. She replied, "Ha ha."

* Thursday is my going away lunch, and the invitation featured this photo, which I mentioned in my last blog. Do they wear sombreros in Portugal??? I'm noodling on a farewell speech that doesn't sound hokey and like every other farewell speech. I'll let you know if I come up with anything. If I don't, I'll have something in common with everyone who wins an Academy Award. I must say, it will seem kind of weird to be at work for two weeks after this send off event. Maybe I'll put up a notice on my cubicle wall that reads, "Only here courtesy of virtual reality."
* Last night I went to the Air Force Memorial to take photos of the Supermoon - the largest full moon in 18 years. The photo I got isn't as good, but I was pleased with myself for actually following through with going to see it.