Firstly, hello to all my friends here on XMTS! For those of you celebrating, I wish you all a very happy, safe, exciting Christmas / holiday season.

My family and I are currently in a transitional period. I've just departed my former duty station at Fort Drum, New York and we are staying with my father near Rochester, NY for a couple of days while we take the opportunity to visit our respective parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. I also took my truck to the mechanic yesterday to get two new tires and some general maintenance done on it before our cross-country drive.

Tomorrow morning we will leave New York State and begin our drive to California with 2 vehicles, a trailer, 2 children, 2 small dogs, and a cat! I'm looking forward to this exciting adventure. More than that, however, I'm looking forward to getting settled in a new house quickly and hoping to receive our belongings in short order so that we can be somewhat settled by Christmas and also get our children re-enrolled in school. The next 18 months in California will be a great refresher for me and my family as I will be earning my Master's Degree and having the opportunity to spend quality time with my family!

I will probably be checking XMTS during the trip, but if any of you are located along I-70 (OH/IN/IL), I-44 (MO), or I-40 west of Oklahoma City and want to suggest a kilted meet-up, drop me a PM. Lunches or evenings could work...but it will depend on our progress and whether we're near a logical stopping point.

Again, Happy Holidays to all...and we'll see you from California next!