The PCS Notebook

Is it Monday already? The weekend passed by WAY to fast. It didn't help that I didn't feel well on Saturday. I think my body was just physically exhausted from all that has been going on that I literally took two naps on Saturday. Steve was awesome and kept Sadie occupied and even woke me with dinner ready. After an even better nights sleep that night, I woke up Sunday feeling ready to go.

We did a lot to help prepare the house for the big move, considering we have the first set of movers coming in exactly 3 weeks to pack the items going into Storage. It makes me sad to think we have items that will be going into storage for two whole years that won't be touched, but they are also items that we're not ready to get rid of yet, such as baby clothes and Steve's expansive set of tools.

In the meantime, I am going to try to stay as organized as I possibly can while this craziness happens around me. I bring you The de Leon Notebook. It's basically a PCS notebook, full of all the important stuff we need to keep track. So military wives, take note, because this will make your life SO much easier when PCS time comes around. Heck, something similar will come in handy to anyone moving.

The front pocket carries extra Copies of Steve's orders. Different departments are constantly asking for copies, so we made multiple and I stuck a bright sticky on the last one to remind me to make more copies before handing it out. I also have a binder clip holding all the business cards we receive, with a pack of sticky notes and writing utensils. I also have a handy travel hole punch for those items we receive during travel.

The first section contains our calendar timeline. We have a lot going on in-between now and August 25, including leave time. Steve will be on leave from about July 24 until we hop on the plane to Korea, so we needed to plan out where we are staying during that month. We are getting as much family time in as possible. All unconfirmed plans are in pencil and then get changed into pen once they are confirmed.

The second section contains our To Do list. We have received guide sheets from the Army, as well as our own to do list, of course!

The third section is important information. Steve completed a mandatory security briefing and this contains his certificate of completion along with some other information we want to have on hand when we arrive.

The fourth section is for Medical. Most of the Army medical system is done electronically now, but I like to have a copy of Sadie's immunizations on hand, as well as any information Tri-care gives us while transferring overseas.

The fifth section is Personal Identification. It includes birth certificates and passports. Very important section.

The sixth section is Housing. It contains our lease agreement at Fort Lee and what needs to happen to hand over the keys as well as information about house hunting in Korea. The packets that can't be hole punched, because they usually have to be signed and turned back in, go into the pocket dividers.

The seventh section is Travel. The contains anything about our flight, dropping off our car to be shipped, and our household goods being shipped. I am also going to stick an envelope in this pocket for all our receipts during travel to submit for reimbursement.

Finally, we have a section for Misc. I've taken notes from briefings in this section as well as any other random brochures we receive.

Behind this I have a clipboard to use when writing. We recently went through the house room by room to list what we wanted to take in Checked Bags vs Household Goods vs Storage. This will come in handy on moving day.

Since most of our stuff will be packed up and this will go everywhere with me, I also have a file folder in the back containing information about our Myrtle Beach vacation while Steve is on leave. This will come in handy so that I don't have to go searching somewhere separate for it.

Well, there you have it folks. My life for the next couple of months in a notebook. It helps having it all in one place, so anytime we are asked a question or for a form, there it is. I would seriously recommend anyone PCSing or Moving in general to whip up one of these. It'll make your life so much easier. If you have any tips on enhancing it, please share!