So This Is It...

The moment is nigh, the hour is near,
WE ARE GOING TO JAPAN!!!!
After all the Hurry Up and Wait, things really came through. It really paid to be prepared, persistent, patient and a bit pliable.

We were hung up with a sacred piece of paper called The Dependant Entry Approval, without that me and our two Unfortunate Souls cannot enter Japan to live with Hubby while he is stationed there. Of course after dropping everything and getting to San Diego to leave early as Uncle Sam dictated, the DEA was no where to be found in the world of electronic paper. It materialized 10hrs after the flight the Unfortunates were to take with Hubby. So Hubby had to go by himself. I nearly had mutiny over that, good thing for damage control drills with the girls, explaining what has transpired and the affects of such actions.

That was all good though, they just will have to fly with me and the dog of whom would not be accommodated by Uncle Sam, even after he was the one to move up our departure date to better suit the needs of the many, without the care of the few. Fortunately there were those who did care and BLESS them! They made the hoop jumping and tight rope walking bearable.

Next was the Notice of Importation of Domestic Dog approval number that was required for 3 of our dog's 15 or so pages of paper work. Could only get that after we had the DEA and then the plane tickets which we had to pay out of pocket for since Uncle Sam wouldn't see to our dog. Reserved the tickets with JAL--1 adult 2 children, one way, for the grand total of $2,178. Beautiful! It almost brought tears to my eyes. That was how much it was going to cost on average just to ship the dog as cargo if we took Uncle Sam's travel arrangements to get to our new home. After lots of calling and much trying not to think of what if there was no room for the dog on the flights we are reserved, I lived and found out that our dog was approved to fly on both planes (first flight is just a commuter the next is the international). So paid for the tickets, AND... oh happy day!!! The questionable importation number that I received 10 hours after faxing our request to Tokyo, was truly it... BIG BZ to Hubby for calling for me in Japan and confirming the number... Studman, I say that qualifies as a brownie points!

Now I sit here with twitching eyes, thanks to lack of sleep and allergies everything is packed and the x-large dog kennel is decked out in fancy art thanks to the Unfortunates and their darling friend Sarah. I shall post pics of it when I can. I am going to get some rest. We leave latter this morning and shall be in Japan by 17:00hr Sunday--08:00hrs Sunday California time... I think that is the right time for Cali... don't quote the tired brain.

much luv and warm fuzzies to ya all.