Back in the States yet not quite Home

Since my first Role Model Monday post I've been wanting to get on an actual blogging schedule, but since returning from Afghanistan I haven't been quite able to pin down an exact life schedule!

I was able to successfully and expediently check out of the command I deployed with and come back to my Marines back a my home station! However, my job field went through a pretty big re-organization while I was gone and about half the Marines in my shop were sent on a wild goose chase that landed most of them back where they started and never really had to leave from in the first place... I was supposed to be one of those Marines, but since I am getting out soon they decided to leave me be, which means no one knows where/who I belong to- think it sounds confusing? Try living it.

On top of that I had to rent a car for two and half weeks because the Sgt. had put a new cool air intake into the Jeep. This intake was so awesome it wasn't California "CARB Certified" and failed the visual SMOG inspection - if you're thinking LAME, just know I was thinking that except more like Fire Truck, minus the "ire Tr".  So, I had to search around and find when and where I could get a new one that had a CARB sicker. Found it, shelled out the $300 for it, installed it with the help of an amazing friend (who I will continually show my appreciation for until the end of my days, but it still wouldn't be enough to show her how much she means to me) once we were done... no smog centers were open and neither were the vehicle registration offices on base. Good news, the smog centers would open at 8am the next day, bad news Vic. Reg. Office closed for the three-day weekend *whomp whomp!* Now I have a four-day weekend and can't really go anywhere without taking a chance of getting pulled over and having to explain to the officer "Yes, I know my registration is expired, but I've been gone for about a year and I have every intention of getting it done first thing on Tuesday sir."

So Tuesday it was back to the grind! Literally, because last Tuesday I had a wisdom tooth pulled and I've been sticking the softest food I can find, and since they gave me new meds my stomach couldn't handle it. I actually thought it would be a good idea to go lay out by the pool which was, but then I got super sunburnt because I didn't reapply sun screen - apply generously and often!

Though I am back and working I am not yet Home.

I have decided to put in my package for the Voluntary Enlisted Early Release Program - or VEERP. My current contract ends 15 May, 2015, but with the VEERP I am allowed to apply for a new end of contract date as early as a year prior. Since I was in Afghanistan at my one year left mark I am hoping to get approved to leave the Marines in November. Since I am putting in for that new time and it is so close I am holding off on taking any leave until I can start terminal leave on the Monster's birthday and be with him all day and not have to worry about going back to work. 

I'm missing the Monster tremendously and some days I just want to buy a plane ticket and go get him already, but then I would have to come back to work and leave him with a babysitter which- he's had enough of not having mom.  

Trying to get everything situated in order to start the rest of my life has been one thing after another but I'm getting through it. Hopefully by next week I will have some good news- wish me luck!!

-Frances