After my first full week back to work I find myself mildly depressed. Seven years in a row my job has involved a stressful work environment with a large amount of responsibility; especially the last 15 months. This week I find myself at a true Federal Government job; overpaid with almost no responsibility.

The drive to Ft. Leonard Wood each day tires me out; but being on active duty for the National Guard leaves me wanting. There isn’t a critical mission I have to perform and there are no Colonels or Generals waiting on my slides; the only decision I had to make today was whether I should violate the standing order of not downloading streaming media (The Dave Ramsey Show live) on my government computer just because they aren’t smart enough to block it. I think you know what my decision was on that one

I feel this is just a funk, part of the whole re-integration thing; but if you happen to know of a high stress job I am qualified for in Springfield that pays at least $65,000 per year, please call me!

Amy and I decided to take off for the Smokey Mountains this past weekend; we left the kids at Rachel’s and headed for our cabin. We stayed at Legacy Mountain Resort taking advantage of their off-season rates and of course paying cash. It was a much needed break!

Here is the downstairs pool room…

the kitchen and dining room…

the living room…

the view from our deck…

and I got that steak after all, the only steak better than Texas Roadhouse; one that I barbequed myself!

Today I went to Jefferson City for my new employee orientation with the Missouri National Guard. Last week I made a decision to sell my leave so I could begin work right away; I could have taken about a month off and still received my salary. By selling my leave I still receive the salary; however, I forfeit my housing allowance, about $840. Had I not sold the leave I would not have been allowed to begin work until the leave ran out. My net gain is a little over $4,000, I just have to work for it (imagine the concept).

I also made a bunch of money going through my mail; I had a letter from LAGERS (Missouri’s Local Government Employees Retirement System) that they sent me last May. As a vested member of LAGERS with less than 10 years of service I can choose between a monthly payment of $270 per month beginning at age 55 or a lump sum amount. Given my current situation I am going to take the lump sum. I have no doubt I will be able to make up the retirement savings once my debt is gone and I can eliminate a lot of debt in one shot with this!

One other thing I accomplished in my first week home is the purchase of a new car. I have been saving for the last 17 months as part of my budget and after about two hours of shopping and thirty minutes of negotiating I used my $100 bills to pay for a 2000 Buick Regal. It sure feels good not having a car payment

Twenty-eight months ago I left Springfield for Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. That journey left me there for six months then sent me to Oklahoma for seven months, Indiana for three and Afghanistan for twelve. During this journey it seemed I would never be able to truly call Springfield my home…but finally I can.

So many things are surreal and so many feel like I never left. The new roads and buildings bring back the reality that I have been gone for far too long.

Then there was the conversation I had the other day…her first comment to me when Amy told her I just got back from Afghanistan was she didn’t think we should be there. My first thought was the last verse in Luke Stricklin’s song, American by God’s Amazing Grace. I am amazed at some people’s stupidity!

Despite all that; it is good to be home!

After 22 hours from Bishkek, Kyrgystan to Indianapolis I have finally arrived back in the states. I have a few more days in Indiana before I am able to go home; but there is almost no work left to do. Tonight I plan on enjoying a real steak from Texas Roadhouse before going to sleep early.

My list of emails and comments to respond to is growing; but no worries, I haven’t forgotten. I also have several posts to write concerning finances; imagine that, a personal finance blog with posts about money. What a novel idea