we are still alive! Aside from getting lost a couple times and being behind schedule 2 days, we had a great trip to Texas. From Texas to Virginia was another story. Half way through Oklahoma my sister started getting a horrible headache. As we entered Arkansas she spiked a fever and started throwing up. Then we get to Tennesse. We stop to eat and stupid me I rolled the window down to talk to the lady in drive-thru. We were attacked by a swarm of mosquitos and had to park the truck and run out. Needless to say we ended up getting the next available hotel and Dave and I ran to the gas station to get bug spray. We saturated the truck with spray. By morning they were gone from the truck and we continued on our way. Just before dark about 150 miles before Virginia the truck looses power, the more I step on the gas the faster it decelerates. I flip on the hazards, but wait, they don't work...We make it to the truckers turn out and one of the truckers gets it started for me. I make my way back onto the freeway. Just so that it happens all over again. Dave goes to the part store and replaces the plugs and coil. He gets it started again and it catches on FIRE! We jump out of the truck and by then he's cussin and throwing stuff, the kids and my sister are crying and I'm just fed up. I called USAA to send a tow truck and we had it towed to the nearest hotel, since because by then its was 1 a.m. The next morning I called Pepboys and they sent a tow truck to come get us. We spend from 10a.m. to 4:30 p.m. waiting on Pepboys to tell us that the truck was trash. So being the military family we are we, cut our losses, rented another budget truck for the stuff we were hauling in the pickup and continued on out journey. Two off ramps up we stop to eat because the kids are screaming they are hungry. Figuring we have had all the bad luck we are going to have, we decide to stop. Dave comes over to our Budget truck to help with the dog and realizes he has locked his keys in his Budget truck. So not wanting to deal with any of this I took the kids in KFC for the all you can eat buffet. While we are in the middle of eating....my mom took a bite of her chicken and her temporary fell out. We finish eating, break into the truck and continue on our way about another 50-60 miles when we decide its time to get a good nights sleep. The next morning we get up and drive like crazy the rest of the way. We were luck to have such an understanding manager at the apartments that came back after hours to give us our keys. We get in to the apartment and I plugged in our phone....no dial tone. I called a week before we left to confirm that it would be hooked up Thursday and here it is Satruday night, no phone, no note. No time to waste, we have to get the trucks unloaded so that we can get them back on time. We take the lock off the first truck and every neighborhood kid around wanted to help us unpack the trucks....good grief, can you imagine the mess. Sunday afternoon I find the number for Cox and I call them. The order hadn't been processed, someone will be out first thing in the morning. Monday 11 a.m., mom still in a lot of pain from the partial coming out, we take her in and they pull her tooth, Dave stays home to wait on Cox....1p.m. still no Cox Tech. Tired of waiting, I call them again, from my cell phone, and they assure me that someone will be out in the morning and they would be waiving all connection fees, etc. So we hit the local KMART, WALMART, TARGET, etc looking for misc. stuff I need for the house. My car over heats. $60 in parts later and a new friend, I am on the road again. Tuesday 8 a.m. the tech finally shows up and had the nerve to ask for $146.00 C.O.D. I lost it. I started screaming and trowing a fit. I called customer service and let them have it.... The whole story about my trip from Cali to Virginia, my sister, my mom, my pickup, what idiots they are etc.... I then handed the phone to the tech and he hooked up my service without another word. We get to Biglots and get a call, my moms husband is being admitted to the hospital, something is wrong with his gall bladder and he is going to need surgery. So they had to pay a ton of $$ to change their flights to Weds morning. I slept pretty much all day Weds after I got back from taking them to the airport. Thursday we unpacked all day. Today we took the kids to the pool on the base and went grocery shopping. Now dinner (that I cooked)is ready and I'm being yelled at to go eat. So I will check back later and try to catch up with everyone.

By Jackie on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 07:45 pm:

Hey Welcome to Va Beach Kristy.. Wow what a journey you had.. After everthing settles down, give me a call. Hopefully we can meet up and let the kids play. How are you liking the area so far?

By Tink on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 07:47 pm:

Omigosh, Kristie! That is a moving nightmare! I'm not sure that anything else could have gone wrong. I'm so glad that everyone made it safely and I hope that your mom's dh is going to be ok. I hope that the rest of your settling in goes MUCH more smoothly. {{{Kristie}}}

By Trina~moderator on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 07:48 pm:

Oh (((((Kristie)))))!! What a nightmare! I hope things calm down and you're able to settle in and enjoy your new community.

By Debbie on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 07:49 pm:

{{{{Kristie}}}} You poor thing!! What a terrible trip, as if moving isn't stressful enough. It sounds like you had your share of bad luck for the next 10 years. Hopefully, it will be smooth sailing from now on!

How is your new place? I know you were nervous about that.

By Jann on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 07:50 pm:

Oh my!! I hope things settle down, and you can enjoy your new life.

By Mommmie on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 08:40 pm:

Holy freakin cow!

By Crystal915 on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 09:41 pm:

(((Kristie))) Isn't moving fun?? **rolls eyes** I hope you are settling in ok now!!

By Bea on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 11:20 pm:

Hi Krisie. I'm so glad you made it to humidity heaven. When are we going to get together with Jackie?

By Bellajoe on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 08:37 am:

OMG what a complete nightmare! That is just freaking nuts! (((KRISTIE)))
Well, you all got there in one piece, that is what matters. I hope things settle down and everything goes smoothly from now on!

By Amecmom on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 08:49 am:

Kristie, that is the WORST moving story I've ever heard!
Hopefully, you've had enough bad luck to last you for the next couple of years and everything will just start going your way!
ll the best in your new home and in your dh's new assignment!
BTW - I'm heading to williamsburg for a the week before Thanksgiving ... would love to try and meet up with you VA ladies.
Ame

By Beth on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 10:16 am:

This sounds like a nightmare. Just glad you all made it safe. Things can only get better now! Good Luck!

By Happynerdmom on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 10:25 am:

Oh, dear!!! What a nightmare! Eventually, you will think of it as a hilarious story...maybe just not yet!
Hope everything settles down now, and you can get back to your new "normal."

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 02:27 pm:

Oh no! I would have blown my top, at that cox person, too! Sheesh!

By Insaneusmcwife on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 08:03 pm:

Things are going much better now. We still have a ton of unpacking to do. I've been trying to sign on all day but my computer keeps shutting down after so long. I think I have a virus or something.
Jackie and Bea pick a time and place. If its during the week I have to work around my dh's work schedule as we only have one vehicle. But anytime on the weekend is good for me. I'll be on more when I get my computer fixed.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 10:54 am:

A moving horror story, for sure! But at least you are there now, and since they say things come in three's, you've had yours twice! Hope you get settled in SOON and can relax and move on with life.

By Dana on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 02:43 pm:

What a disaster! I hope you print your post out for your "memories" book. I'm sure you will never forget it, but I am certain you will never be able to retell it with so much passion . Rest up and take care.