Valentino and I are moving

[noblemacaw]

Yesterday I got a tentative job offer in Marion Indiana. Once the background investigation and physical are finished the solid offer will be made.

Since I don't see any problems with the BI and physical I should get the offer more solidified in a couple of weeks. This job is stable with great benefits because I will be working for the federal government. I will be able to rebuild for my retirement and be able to support Valentino and I without any help.

I know moving out of state will be stressful for Valentino and I but in the end this will be totally worth it. The job is a good fit for me and this is a job I can invest myself in to make a career with. A huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders with facing homelessness in June.

I'm giving our home back to the bank and hopefully can qualify/get into the cash for keys program for the deed in lieu. The loan is underwater and the home has structural problems I cannot ever afford to fix. It totally sucks I have to do this because I was not raised to walk away from my responsibilities but this is the only recourse I have at this late date. Having to give my home, which I worked so hard to have and own, back to the bank will haunt me for a long time. I am still grieving the loss of my home and face selling/giving away a lot of my belongings which some had belonged to my deceased parents.

Relocating to another state is not going to be easy but a part of me thinks this will be a cakewalk compared what I have gone though the past year. I do appreciate how some people on this form have been there for me and value this community very highly.

Valentino and I are going to be alright. I will be able to provide a quality of life for my RFM in the manner he deserves. That is extremely important to me and he deserves no less. We have struggled over the past year both mentally and physically but we are both healthy and stronger mentally now.

I can sigh with relief that my future is not going to be bleak but have been blessed with a new beginning.

 

[RavensGryf]

Rebecca, I am so happy to hear this. Such good news!!

 

[Bundiibird]

That is wonderful news. Hopefully it all goes well and you get the firm job offer and that the move goes well for you both.

 

[getwozzy]

YAYYY!!!! That's amazing news!!! I'm so happy for you, Rebecca!

 

[Minimaker]

I'm sorry to hear you're losing your home, that must be so tough to deal with. But I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason and God doesn't close one door without opening another one for you. Whatever the reason you're meant to be there instead. All we can ever do is look to the future and hope for something better when things are tough. I know every time I lost something in time I was given something better...something I needed more. Keep your chin up and keep moving forward and good things will come your way

 

[Dinosrawr]

Amazing news! It's been such a struggle for you, and I'm so glad with your perseverance you were able to start a new, bright beginning for yourself and Valentino. Congratulations!!!

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Congratulations! So happy that things are finally picking up for you!

 

[Birdman666]

Hey, five years ago, I was in a similar situation... losing my job, looking at moving from SF to Texas...

My birds handled the move just fine. It was more stressful on us than them.

And looking at it as an opportunity for a fresh start somewhere else is the only healthy way to go...

 

[Dopey]

I am happy for you and Valentino.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Congratulations! Great new beginning. You will do great !

 

[thekarens]

Congrats! I'm so glad you found a stable job. Moving is very stressful, but once you two get settled you'll be much happier.

 

[Scott]

I wish for you the very best in your "new" life! Best of all you have Valentino to share so much as you set down new roots!

 

[4dugnlee]

Oh that's GREAT!!! So happy for you and Valentino! Valentino will be a little stressed with the move, but I bet he won't even care as long as he is with you!!! Congrats and keep us updated!

 

[noblemacaw]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. The adventure begins.

I spend the week working with HR in Indiana setting up the physical and getting the BI started. They were kind enough to have the physical and fingerprinting done here in Minneapolis instead of in Indiana.

It has been busy and I know I will get even busier as the job is finalized and final offer has been made.

My biggest challenges are going to be is getting help for the move. For the time being so I can get our butts to Indiana is to bring only what I will be using and need to get buy with. I want to bring as little as possible and store the rest up here until I am more stable with where I am going to be living. I have no idea if I want to stay in Indiana for the rest of my career or try to get a transfer back up to the cities after a year is completed. This main reason is why I don't want to move everything I own at this time not to mention this is a really crappy time of year to be making such a large move.

I will have family and friends help me move the boxes and totes of what I am not moving out of state to a storage space and hire movers to move in the heavy furniture I am keeping into the storage space. When I am ready to move the rest I will need to rent a u haul truck that can tow my car. It is my hope that either my brother in law or my nephew will go with me to help move my stuff into the new place and hopefully will be willing to drive the u haul. I never in my life have driven something so big so I am not to sure about that. If my family is not willing to help maybe I can enlist a couple of the Vets at the home to "go on a road trip" with me and I can drive them back up. I am still trying to figure that one out.

For the 9 and half hour drive to Indiana I want to have Valentino travel in this

The angle of the picture is crappy and the travel cage looks smaller than it actually is. I use this to put him in when I power wash his cage to keep him contained when I have to open up the patio door and shove the cage outside. I have kept him in there for several hours with no ill effects. He would rather be out on his tree but I keep him in there until the cage is washed, dried, sun baked then shoved back into the house and patio door closed for the day.

I worry about it being cold and the travel cage instead of the carrier. I will put a blanket around the cage leaving the front open so he can see me but sides and top covered so the traffic and trucks passing by don't freak him out. I will put a sheet on the seat so he can't flick fresh food onto my seat and dirty it. I will travel with a cooler which will have a few days of fresh food and sprouts for him and a couple gallons of local bought water (spring water from Cub foods) so I have enough supply for him to adjust to local water.

I have traveled with parrots but this will be the longest distance. I will be using juicy fresh fruit to keep him hydrated. He can suck on the chunks if he is thirsty. I just hope he won't throw the "remains" after he is done with it.

My biggest hope if that he will not scream for the whole drive. I would go INSANE if he was to spend the trip screaming. That is a fear I have. I would NEVER put him in the back of the u haul EVER.

I picture the layout to be driver, travel cage, then me in the front.

This is not going to be easy but I will try to plan out as much as I can a smooth way to do this move.

For the individuals that have been with me though the beginning here is the job description I copied from the VA job website. I sent in my application package on November 4th 2014. The Fed title for this job is IT Specialist (Customer Support) GS-9

The incumbent performs a combination of duties customer service related. Help Desk duties, telephone and desk-side technical support and bench-top diagnosis and repair. The primary duties and responsibilities include resolving basic customer related technical software and hardware problems in accordance with established policies and procedures of the specific VA facility assigned. The incumbent is also responsible for diagnosing and/or resolving basic problems in response to customer reported incidents via trouble tickets.
•The incumbent provides a variety of basic customer support related technical services essential to the efficiency and viability of VA IT systems. This work involves coordinating and assisting in the delivery of Technical support services, including participation in troubleshooting, installing, and removing equipment as well as providing customer assistance and/or training in response to customer requirements.
•The incumbent ensures Help Desk asset information and problem/resolution databases are accurate; all worked performed is logged in Help Desk tracking system and tickets are closed after work is performed in an accurate and timely manner. Ensures that data closets are organized and adequate cabling is organized.

I am very excited to start work as soon as I can.