Was it St. Barbara? Or maybe Molly Pitcher? I'm wondering this as I'm mentally preparing myself for a move this summer (and no, I don't know WHERE we're going yet, just that we ARE going). I've heard that there are military families that get to stay in one place for 3 years. I've even heard of so-called "homesteaders" who get to stay in one place for years on end. But I think that might just be an urban legend. My family certainly doesn't fit into either of those categories.
Since moving shortly after my husband's first deployment to Iraq in the summer of 2003, this is the breakdown of how long we've lived at any given place:
18 months, 23 months, 17 months (with my husband deployed for 12), and soon 2 years.
Granted, I tend to think it's time to move after 3 or 4 years in any one place. But I haven't had the chance to develop those itchy feet in 7 years. Also, I'm a bit handicapped as military spouses go: I'm an introvert. Shocking, I know. It takes me a good 12 to 18 months to really feel comfortable in a place, make friends (not just acquaintances), find doctors, dentists, and hairdressers.
Just last week, I finally found a great hairdresser whose prices are more than reasonable. Then it hit me. We're moving in 6 months.
*sigh*
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Ah, St Barbara and Molly Pitcher. I haven't heard those names in a few years, not since the Kansas National Guard moved away from being such an artillery-focused force. I guess I'm lucky that I get to stay put, but sometimes I miss seeing new places.
I guess we're homesteaders…DH's been in a reserve unit..then got into AGR..then Iraq..supposed to PCS when he got home..paperwork majorly jacked up…deployed to Kuwait now until EOY…maybe a potential to move. Maybe not.
I'd love to get the sh*t out of here. We've been here for 10+ years. Nevermind that this is my home state…so I've been here for 30 years.
I'M DONE I'M DONE I'M DONE!!! I want snow and rain (we're in AZ) and seasons!!!! LOL
And I really really really want the joy of decluttering to move. My keep pile would be about 1 sheet big. LOL
oh Apryl – I SOOOO understand.
I met DH 6 yrs ago when HE pcs'd here.. to the town I grew up in..
thought we were going to leave after 3 yrs,
then he went to iraq, then we were leaving after that –
nope: he got hurt and we had to stay here..
so then.. now..
maybe – after HIS pcs to Korea –
just MAYBE we MIGHT get to move.
I've been here 30 yrs and he was supposed to be my ticket outta here..
but here I sit. and wait.
I probably shouldn't say that we are definitely here for 3 years and most likely homesteaded *ducks and runs*
I'm an introvert too. Good thing we are only temporarily AD, but we move just as much either way. Hmph.
I think Aggie's post is a good explanation of why we might get stuck in one location for much longer than we anticipated. If our servicemember deploys, changes status between Reserves/Active Duty/AGR, gets hurt, changes MOS, goes to school or any combination of circumstances that change their status……..it is likely to impact the frequency with which we PCS. Regardless of the reason for moving, it always seems that those who want "out" are stuck there for years and those who really want to stay get shipped out.
Don't worry Marine Wife, I'm an introvert too. I seriously have one friend after six years in San Diego, and I imported her from home! We're moving for the first time to Great Lakes, and I'm nervous. I still haven't even found a hair dresser here!
The grass is always greener…isn't it?
Marine Wife–
always is….
Ladies, ladies! Been there, done it all. Duty station after duty station for the past 24 years. After a while you get over the excitment of a new duty station, but want some stability in your lives. I can actually say now, we are at that point …or at least I am. Hubby is still active duty (currently deployed for 12 mos), but I have planted some solid roots and am now here to stay …San Antonio …woohooo!!! Long gone are the overseas tours, freezing temps in the Midwest. I am done. Hubby retires in 2 years and we're built our dream home. A place the kids can call home when visiting during college breaks. No more brown boxes for us!
I thought I wanted to stay in one place for a while. That was until we came to El Paso. Please someone get us out of here! One year here and the kids want to go live with grandparents just to go to a good school again. Why is it we moved once a year from places we liked then get stuck in a place we don't like with bad schools for at least 3 years:(
Angela, Ha! That's how the military plays with us! "well, you said you wanted to stay put for awhile…"
It also reminds me of a fight Stretch and I had shortly after arriving in Korea in the dead of winter:
him: you said you wanted to live overseas!
me: I said Europe!
My Dad's been in for 38 years (some AD some Res, etc) and recently they've done CA, Egypt, TN, GU, and now DC. LOL
I could definatly see where it'd be eaiser sans kids. But it's been nice to be partially involved in that other side (the one that has to PCS everywhere).
Hubby was National Guard but my son is a Royal Marine Commando, he and his family have moved up and down the length of England and the kids have attended several different schools. Now they are going to boarding school so not matter how much dad moves their education will remain consistent.
We moved frequently in the beginning (five duty stations in five years, all considered PCSes) but now have stayed put for three years. And the thought of moving again next year seems a lot more daunting than all the other ones did previously. I kinda got used to being in one place.
And I have a nice hairdresser and dog groomer here. Rats.
I guess you could call us homesteaders. By the time it is all over we will have been here 6 years. We were able to get stationed back in my home town. We thought it would be great. We would retire here and all that, but you know that saying "you can never go back"? Yeah, I am ready to move again.
I can feel the pain of know a move is pending but not knowing when or where, sigh. I honestly can't get out of here fast enough…no orders yet but over half the house is packed and everything we won't be taking/keeping has been freecycled. Jumping the gun? Maybe, but the quicker we get the heck outta Dodge the better!!
Um…*knowing
The brain does not function well without coffee, sorry.