Captain Husband called me the other day; this came as a bit of surprise because we had already Skyped that morning and we usually only talk at most once a day. "I've got some good news and some bad news," he said. "I've spoken with branch and they gave me the list of my PCS* options...the good news is that they think I can get command almost immediately after we PCS." "Okay," I said, "but what's the bad news?" "We have to go to Fort Bliss." "Wait, WHAT?!? What about Fort Bragg?" "North Carolina isn't even an option for us, babe." I then proceeded to let loose with a torrent of expletives that I will not reproduce here.
I should have known better than to get my hopes up about Fort Bragg, which was my top choice of places to be PCS'd. I had let myself get swept away by the thoughts of still being within a day's drive of our families and friends and of still being able to work as a decorative arts consultant (the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts would have only been a two-hour drive away). Now I must deal with the very real prospect of moving halfway across the United States to a region of the country that I know nothing about, other than it's hot, like really HOT, most of the year. CH actually lived at Fort Bliss six years ago, before he left the Army, and is excited to return to the area, but then again, he knows what to expect and has friends out there, whereas I'm starting at zero.
I know that this is something we have to do, especially if we're going to be serious about CH's military career. In the interest of being proactive, I'm reaching out to my readers in the hope that you can direct me to some positive things about the new place that I'll likely be calling home at some point this summer (I've had all sorts of luck finding negative things, and well, that isn't really helping with my current state of mind).
*Permanent change of station for those of you unfamiliar with milspeak.
19 comments:
Good things: You won't have a hard time finding authentic Mexican food there.
It won't snow? Maybe, I dunno.
Anyplace would probably be better than Nebraska. Can you imagine being stuck there? Oh shoot, we're in Nebraska. We're trying to get the heck out of here.
Ummm, I don't have anything good to say about Texas except that it's just a long day's drive (or two?) from us here in Colorado!!
I will come visit you!!! There, that's a good thing, right? I've always wanted to see Texas.
Oh, yeah, Mexican food, that's a plus! Yup, that's pretty much all I got for ya, too. :(
hey girl i dont know much about bragg but i was raised in texas, and im sure you will love it.
no snow, wonderful people delicious food. the mexican food truly is great.
you will meet people really quick, how could people not love you, they will be lining up to meet you!
texas isnt that bad, sorry you didnt get the dream base.
and like maeves says, its only a days drive to colorado, where i am also at!!
hey girl i dont know much about bragg but i was raised in texas, and im sure you will love it.
no snow, wonderful people delicious food. the mexican food truly is great.
you will meet people really quick, how could people not love you, they will be lining up to meet you!
texas isnt that bad, sorry you didnt get the dream base.
and like maeves says, its only a days drive to colorado, where i am also at!!
That's where my man is at now actually! I've gone to visit him a few times, it's not too bad ;) They're building a new commissary there if I remember correctly, along with opening a few shiny new shops too. It does snow in that area though and it can get below freezing occasionally but the summers get pretty warm. I hope some of that helps!
I know nothing about Texas (except that anyone I met from there couldn't have been nicer), but I do know a lot about moving to places unknown. My advice? Do everything Texan. When we lived in Hawaii, we did all the touristy and native hawaiian stuff, and our only regret is that we didn't spend MORE time on the beach, at luaus, snorkeling, etc. So maybe take up horseback riding or get really good a cooking mexican food. The friends will happen- Texans are some of the nicest people I've ever encountered. Traveling back "home" will be harder, but try to be as optimistic as possible- you won't stay there forever! :)
If it's like the rest of Texas, Cost of Living is super low. It's safe to go to the Mexican supermarkets for your fresher-than-fresh produce. And I found this:
http://marriedtothearmy.com/fort-bliss-army-post-review/
I know what it's like to HATE an upcoming station. I sobbed so hard when husband told me about this place he almost asked me if I still wanted to marry him in 6 days. It's not great, I think the locals were inspiration for "Deliverance" and "Children of the Corn", but it's not as bas as I thought it would be. Really. It gets better.
Hello there! Just wanted to stop by & weigh in a tad bit. My Husband & I just left Bragg to come here to Ft. Eustis. Truthfully, it is a great base but it also has it's downfalls (like all places). I have lived in Texas and actually have a few friends who are at Ft Bliss with their Husbands. So if you ever need more friends once you're there- let me know :)
Please excuse my ignorance, but is Fort Bliss in Texas or in New Mexico? I couldn't tell by Google maps - needless to say, it's far. From what I've learned from you from your blog, you will meet friends fast. Good for you for keep a positive attitude. You're a better woman than I!
So sorry to hear this - I can only imagine how disappointed you are. I have nothing helpful to offer - except that there won't be any snow... And we (your bloggy followers) will still be here!
I tried really hard to come up with a list for you, and enlisted Karl's help:
1. You can go to a Cowboys game (totally Karl's idea)
2. You can go to the Alamo.
3. It is still in the United States
4. You already have lots of experience moving to new places!
5. You can take trips to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon (and Hawaii is way closer!)
6. It is 200 miles closer to Alaska than Pittsburgh is!
7. You are 2 time zones closer to Alaska!
8. You can have a pet cactus.
9. Sammy can wear cowboy boots and be super cute, at least for a couple years.
10. It will be an ADVENTURE!!
bummer :( Sorry.
I found this site for you: http://www.allacrosstexas.com/fort-bliss.htm
Historic homes, churches and buildings to visit, that's something to look forward to, right?
I also saw 7 national parks surrounding Ft. Bliss.
Or. You could move in with us :)
I'm sorry it didn't work out this time. It's not forever and, thanks to the amazing interwebs, we can stay in touch. Sigh.
So sorry. I hope you can find some positives. :) Good luck with everything. I have actually wanted to move to Texas a couple times. I like warm weather.
argggg, why is my dashboard not giving me your post updates!! Every time I visit you I realize you have been posting and I have not been notified..this is happening with a lot of my favorite blogs right now. Do you ever have this issue?
Anyways, I AM SO SORRY!!! I really feel for you Laura. You are an amazing wifey and momma and I wish the cards were different for you in this situation. I also selfishly wish you were moving to Fort BRag because then we might see more of you! BUMMER. I will pray that the Lord works this out to be a good thing...a blessing in disguise. I hope in time it feels that way but, sorry for the present transition!!
I might be able to visit via work. However, Fort Bliss is one of my stellar installations so I haven't had any reason for a visit. But we are about to development a new agreement document so you never know!
It is in both NM and TX. Perhaps you could live in NM? I know my POC there lives in NM. You will be near Roswell! And Tombstone is only a couple of hours away. You can go to the OK Corral.
Dude, it could be worse....it could be Fort Hood....god help me if we ever get stationed there...or San Angelo, TX.....
I was raised on Ft. Hood and loved it. I hate that you'd be so friggin' close to Juarez though. Hopefully you get stationed somewhere else.
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