Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Operation MOAB MOO

In the military, there is a code name for any plans to move troops from one location to another. The plan to invade Okinawa was codenamed Operation Iceberg. (remember that the next time you are watching Jeopardy!) So when we got orders to Maryland, while Benny was planning and preparing for the move, I was brainstorming code names for this permanent change of station called a PCS by the military folks. In the end, we choose Operation Michelle, Olivia, and Benny Move Off Okinawa or Operation MOAB MOO.
After months of planning, the execution part of MOAB MOO went into effect this week. We sold one car, the beloved green Mazda Demio named Favre (before Brett went crazy and turned purple.) We returned the government furniture and have been sitting on the floor since then. The Internet has been shut off in our house. We packed six bags of luggage and moved into the hotel on base. Today, the movers arrived to pick up the express shipment of household items.

Unlike the rest of our stuff, which will take eight weeks to get from Okinawa to Maryland, the express shipment arrives in approximately one month. But you are limited to 1,000 pounds of stuff, so choose wisely Volkmann family. You are suppose to pack essential items for survival in your new location. So we packed pots, pans, airbed, Olivia's crib, Benny's golf clubs, my heels, television, DVD player, and power tools. Survival items.

The plan for Operation MOAB MOO was for Olivia to be at daycare all day while Benny and I worked (childless) with the movers to pack up the house. That was the plan. The new plan is that Olivia is at home, sick with a weeklong stomach flu that has left our house smelling like poo and puke. I wonder if the scent will get packed up too. This morning she watched the Japanese movers rapidly pack up the express shipment. She was amused until she noticed the television was missing. Same with her crib. Palms to her checks, Olivia repeated "oh, no" all day long.

Oh no. My thoughts exactly little girl. Get well. Get back to daycare and try not to freak out when the movers pack up everything tomorrow.

2 comments:

Tyler-Ashlee's Mommy said...

Love it!! Good luck with Operation MOAB MOO! We can't wait for you to move stateside.

PS - Is that phone number staying the same or is it going too?

Unknown said...

'Oh no' is right -- we can't be in the living room without the TV being on, or so Mya thinks. She repeats 'uh-oh!' until we turn it on. I am trying to teach her that we can be in that room without it buzzing. What a long process ...
Can't wait to see you. Good luck.