Military Moving Part 1 (of I'm guessing many)

This is my first military moving experience. So far, it's been rather... uncertain. From what I understand, one can't really go through with everything that needs to be done until one gets the "orders." These are the papers that say "yes, this person is moving here to do this." We don't have these yet. Rob's class date is October 30 and we're planning on moving September 24.

Last month, the thought of not having orders yet made my body tense up with all I knew that had to be done - packing boxes, move scheduled, inspection scheduled, new house in Florida scheduled. Now?... se la vee... whatever. It'll happen. One day. In the meantime, I've severely lessened the speed at which I'm packing our stuff (also because when you still live in the house and do stuff, sometimes you need that stuff that's now packed!) And, since our new neighbors have moved in (yay!) we've been getting their empty boxes.

Dude! Moving boxes are niiice! I've been using the fry boxes from McDonald's (I like my boxes to be the same size, okay?) and stalking the dumpsters - even speaking Spanish at one location to acquire more boxes (Juan was so nice - he went inside and brought me some more boxes!) Anyway, I've since discovered the wonder of the wardrobe box and dish boxes with packing paper! WOW!

Also, I'm thrilled to report that the engine work on the Miata went extremely well!! Rob and I took most of the removable stuff off, replaced, the timing belt, the camshaft seals, crankshaft seal, water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, spark plugs and plug wires. uh huh!! At first, when we started it up again, there was a very alarming knocking noise! But, we prayed again, this time that it was something little that we could easily fix and found that we forgot to tighten the bolts on the water pump pulley! woo hoo! Thank you, God! Now, my car is working beautifully, and we completed my 60,000 mile update! It just wish parts stores actually stocked Miata parts (and ordered them accurately!) so that when we decide to replace something or discover an unknown need mid-way, it doesn't add 2 more days to our project time! augh!