Thanks for the update, Brett. It is always upsetting to hear that your services are no longer required. I remember back when you were trying to decide if it was worth the likely aggravation to live in what might be close to paradise – the job did sound even then as if it would be close to impossible, although the location sounded wonderful beyond belief.

I also wouldn't be surprised if one of the factors against you is that (gasp!) you go off the base and hang out with the locals! I'm quite sure that's not the normal practice for the folks working on base, and I'm equally sure that there's an ingrained suspicion about anything that's out of the norm.

I'm also a bit jealous. One of the women I'm working with is retiring in October, and listening to her plans is making me eager to make some of my own – though I've got probably another 4-5 years before it's possible for me to retire. But time does pass more quickly when you get to be our age. I don't know how your finances will be, but I bet you'll be happier working a couple of evenings a week in one of the book stores or even "do you want fries with that" than you are now. And you can't tell me that the stress of your job isn't responsible for some of your medical problems – maybe not directly, but all that stuff adds up!

Do keep us posted as your journey continues.

   Hugs from afar,
   JudyB

P.S. Is the new house you're considering a quaint little bungalow in the suburbs...?