Update

Well, after the conference call I had with my commander and 1SG, it seems the person that was putting me in for the civilian job, wasn't doing his job. Supposedly he is going to get counseled which is like a slap on the wrist. As far as me going to school, I have to wait until July before I can re-enlist and then put my request in for the school again.

I received an e-mail from H&R Block that my federal refund was sent to my bank, but it is not there. It also said to wait 1-5 days for processing. Tomorrow would be great. I need to pay bills.

Just watched SAW V and PINEAPPLE EXPRESS this week. SAW V you will have to had watched the other four to understand it. PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is a stoner movie. It was alright with a few funny points, as long as you can relate. A lot of other movies have come out over the last few weeks that I haven't been able to watch yet as I've had no money. Hopefully I can catch up soon.

I'm going into Phoenix today. My aunt has come out from Indiana to surprise my sister who just turned 40 last week. So I will be going to see her and bring the kids for her to see.

Sunday is Superbowl. GO CARDS!!! The only plans I have is to go to church in the morning and come back and watch the game with the wife and kids. Nothing big, but saves on gas. Well, until next time.

Grab the bull by its horns

With all the frustration waiting for this call it is hair-pulling. Yesterday I went in to the unit to take care of a few things and was talking to Retention about a few things. They asked if there was any word on the job yet and I caught them up to speed...which was, no call yet. They gave me a number to call about it. I called and left a message yesterday. This morning I received a call while I was in bed and returned the call after I dropped the boys off at school. Apparantly they told me the position was not open at this time. It is still showing a certain individual as being in that position that has been a medical holdover in WA since DEC 2005 when we came back from Iraq. I caught them up to speed on it and they told me they can not hire me as long as that person is in that position. So, now I am waiting for my 1SG to call me back so I can bring him up to speed about what is going on and see if we can get this ball rolling.

My next gripe is about the school I am supposed to attend in April. Yesterday I receive an e-mail saying I was disapproved for enrollment due to I have less than 24 months left after the class. My service obligation ends in July 2010 and would leave only 14 months left. I can not re-enlist until July this year because you can't re-enlist more than a year out. I sent an e-mail to higher p letting them know my intentions to re-enlist at the earliest possible convenience. Hopefully that will allow me to attend the school, otherwise, I will have to schedule the school after I re-enlist.

Not to mention I haven't been paid by the Army since Oct 2008. I have emptied my 401K, my TSP through the Army, and my taxes get returned on FEB 3, which will cover rent for 3 months and catch up on bills. I am just praying that things fall into place real soon. I did start going to church again this past Sunday. I found a church out here where I live that is very similar to the church I used to go to when I was younger. The srvice I went to maybe had 40-50 people attending, but they said they had about 130 in the first service which is held at a different location. They are about 1 1/2 year old church and just started a first service at a bar about 8 miles away, but their second service is at my boys grade school about a quarter of a mile away. So we walk to church and save on gas.

Well, I guess I am done complaining right now and will hopefully post some good news soon.

Tax Time again

Well, I did my taxes last week and it has been accepted by the IRS. Now I just have to wait 8-15 business days to receive it. One cool thing I found out also is in the state of Arizona, military pay will not be taxed for state taxes. I don't know if that is a good thing or not and won't find out until next tax season. This is one of the best returns I have had, but it is pretty much gone as I have to pay 3 months rent, pay my sister back and get the transmission in my van fixed. I guess that will put me a little ahead. Not much, but a little.

I also got a seat reserved last week for a course in the military for my next phase of training. It is from the end of April to the beginning of May. After that class, I will have one more course to take to prepare me for my next promotion. Still waiting on the call, as usual.

Amazing the Arizona Cardinals won the NFC Conference Championship against the Philadelphia Eagles. I was disappointed the Baltimore Ravens didn't win, but, oh well. Steelers and Cardinals in Super Bowl 43.

My grandparents will be out here in about 3 weeks. So we will get to visit with them for a short time while they are out here. Not much else to write for now.

POST 100

Finally, I made my 100th post. No big deal, I guess. I got to see DISASTER MOVIE. You know, like SCARY MOVIE, DATE MOVIE, EPIC MOVIE,etc. It makes fun of Disaster movies. Pretty funny, but funnier if you are watching it while drinking. I did my taxes today. Best return I have ever had, but because I am in the military, I could not do Instant Refund. So I have to wait 8-15 Business Days starting Jan 16th, because that is when IRS opens to start processing, and wait. It doesn't help I haven't paid rent yet this month. I spoke with my landlord and we agreed that everything would be Kosher if I pay through March. Fine, whatever. At least that gives me a place while I am waiting for the call. I also started receiving food stamps, so we will be fed through May. I better get that call soon. Next week is my sister's 40th Birthday, which makes me think of how old I am getting fast. When I was younger, 6 years was a big difference and it took forever for me to reach that age. Now it is just a reminder it is just around the corner for me.

My grandparents are flying out here next month and haven't seen them for at least 3 years. I last saw them when I went back to Indiana in 2005 after I came back from Iraq and took my daughter with me. Well, you all enjoy, until next time.

99th Post

I know, it has been just about a month since my last post. A lot has gone on. My wife ended up in the hospital on 23 December and was just released Friday, 09 January. That is all I need to say about that as family members are all aware. Everyone else, it doesn't matter. However, she is doing fine. I still have not received the call for my job, but recently found out I just started receiving benefits for Food Stamps. I will be doing my taxes in 2 days and will do rapid refund as I am half a month behind on rent and made an agreement with my landlord to pay extra this month and pay for next month at the same time. The only way I will survive at this time is if I get the call real soon.

The kids made out for Christmas. My sister helped us out a lot as well to get through the Holidays. Someone I know through the military knew of our situation and they had a lot of gifts for our kids. So I am glad the Holidays are over now and am looking forward to this year being a better one.

My Vikings lost last week and are out of the running, but amazingly, the Cardinals are in and doing really well. I predict Cardinals and Ravens for Super Bowl. Then I can say it is for the birds. Well, I gotta get going now, have to go to the Dr's office. Till next time on my 100th Post.