Non-standard double post.....!

I forgot to talk about my fantasy football draft!!!

I held it at our house this weekend.

It was the second year for the same league here at the base.  It's all people from my class and a few from the class behind me.  It was fun times.  We had beer, soft drinks, pizza and name calling all day.  I WILL WIN THIS YEAR!

Also, a knock came to our door this morning and it was some people here to cut down our tree.  We didn't even think that it needed to be cut down.  Oh well.  So with exactly NO notice beyond that they began the chainsaws.  About eight hours later they just left.  I asked if they were going to clean up the mess but they said it was not their job.  Someone else would come and clean it up in a few weeks......!  A few weeks!  I take care of my front yard and garden (unlike others)!!!  I cut my grass and weed my garden and even plant nice pretty new flowers.  And that's not the worst.  The worst is that they broke two of my garden lights, took apart my bird bath, bent my gutter and smashed my plants!!!  I will go see the housing people tomorrow about this.  Sorry, just had to vent here first.

See yall next week....!

NAV Checkride!!!

I passed my NAV checkride!!!  Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts.

I had a great check IP (instructor pilot) that really helped me relax at the beginning.  Wow, it was a stressful week leading up to it though.  I studied all day long for the week leading up to it.  It was worth it in the end though because I passed!!!  That was the BIG checkride......  Now I have 12 flights left and I'm done with pilot training!  Six weeks away from my drop night, eight weeks from graduation!!!  Fun times over here.  My flight just got taken off of formal release which basically now means that we have to be in the flight room for everyones flight briefs and then we can leave and study from home.  Sometimes it's nicer to be able to study from somewhere else.  We can even go off base now and get lunch.  Haha.  It's kind of a big deal.

I had my last simulator ride on Thursday.  It was a refueling sim.  The first half you pretend that you are the refueling plane and the next half you pretend that you are going to receive fuel from a plane.  I took fuel from a KC-10. It was so freakin' cool!  Next I flew behind another T-1!  Oh yeah, the strangest part of this sim was that my wing commander came to "fly" with us.  Yeah, the wing commander....................of the base.  It was cool.    He was a really nice guy.  He flew F-15s so he had a lot of thoughts and teaching techniques on refueling stuff since he had something like 1500 refuelings during his career so far.  At first it was a bit stressful but it turned out to be really cool to have him with us.

Kristen made some delicious cookies for my flight on Friday with chocolate chips, shaved Hershey's bar, oatmeal and pecans........ They were good!

We went out on Friday night to a wine bar.  Sounds nice for Del Rio huh....?  Son't get too excited because it's attached to a gas station.  Haha.  People talk about it a lot over here so Kristen and I were excited to go, but it was not that great.  Haha.  We went with a few friends of Kristen and I.

Kristen is leaving sometime this week to go back home and visit for a week or so.

Till next week, see ya everyone.

Coy's too busy...

Hi everyone!!!  I know many of you look forward to reading about Coy's week in his posts, but he's pretty busy this weekend so I'm blogging for him!!  But don't worry, he may post a blog after Monday when he gets some time.  

Of course Coy comes home and tells me all about his flights, EP's, EPQ's, etc on a daily basis, however, I am not familiar enough with the lingo to explain to you all what went on this past week…so, he'll have to fill you in when he can.  Overall, I know it was a pretty good week for him - stressful - but no one said this was going to be easy….right?!!  He did 2check on Friday (his check ride before his check ride…) and that went "ok".  I can tell you that he has his NAV Check tomorrow, so he's been at the squadron studying…all day yesterday, and all day today.  It's funny because at the beginning of T6's, I'm sure most of you remember, we had a "wife day".  Well, we (the wives) were told that they need our husband's full attention Monday - Friday afternoon…..and we could have their attention Friday night & Saturday…but Sunday it was back to the grind!!  Then the husbands were told that they needed to focus…pilot training comes around once, and you can always get another wife!! hahahahahahaha  I understand 150% that his training is way important so I stay out of his way….but I don't get him to myself on weekends like they told us we would.  Oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles I guess!!  The time we do get together on weekends is so much fun!!  And what's a year and a half of training compared to a lifetime of marriage?!  My point exactly!!  If they needed him every weekend during this whole process, I'd be ok with it ; )  That's why the US has the best trained pilots!!!   I'm definitely proud to be an American!! 

I know that his NAV Check is a really important check ride in T1's…I'm assuming, not if, but when he passes his check ride tomorrow it'll be smooth sailing the rest of the time….hopefully!!  (But who am I kidding, I have no clue!!)  I just know that I can't wait until he gets his wings….this has been a long, rough journey, but it's all worth it in the end.  

I have a pretty funny story about last week…. As you all know, our computer died so we ordered an Apple.  Well, of course Coy could not wait to get the iMac.  So, on Friday of last week I was hanging out with my friend Wendy….we were just out in down town Del Rio eating lunch, having fun…..and then, my phone rang.  It was Coy.  He told me that our computer was not on the FedEx truck that came onto base.  He explained that he approached the FedEx guy on base, he didn't have our package so he called the other truck that delivers at a later time on base, and that guy didn't have our package either.  Long story short….the manager gave Coy Carlos's cell phone number.  Carlos drives the FedEx truck that delivers in the city.  So Coy wanted me to call Carlos and meet up with him to get our computer. hahahaha….Wendy and I saw places in Del Rio we didn't even know existed!!!  And we found Carlos!  I felt like we were partaking in illegal activity….you know, FedEx side deals….meeting Carlos on the side the road and all….pretty funny!!!  Needless to say, we got the computer!!  Then to play a little game on Coy we lied to him & told him that we couldn't find Carlos, got lost in Del Rio & just went home.  He was heartbroken & ready to go find Carlos himself, so we had to tell him that we did get the computer he waited….just a couple of days for :)  I love my Coy!  However, I'm thinking he might love this computer more than me….just kidding!!  It is really nice!!!  I'm not really that used to it yet, after all, if Coy's home I don't get much computer time in because he hogs it!!  Anyway enough about Coy's girlfriend :)

This is our friend Wendy operating heavy machinery on Main St. in Del Rio.  The city is redoing the roads on Main St. so there are so many toys just laying around after hours.  Wendy is....a country girl, so even in a dress and heels she couldn't resist a photo op!!!  

This weekend was pretty fun….on Friday, class 10-14 dropped.  It was a pretty good drop….an A10, F22, a few other fighters, B52, C17's, etc….no RPA's!!!  Crazy….but a Col on base explained how awesome 10-14 was….the best class ever.  I'm sure they're great, but I think class 11-01 is just as great :)  They work just as hard, I'm sure.  It's amazing how fast this year has gone by.  In 4 weeks, class 10-15 will drop, and then 11-01!!!  7 more weeks!!!  We all can't wait!!!!!!  After drop Coy & I went to dinner with our friends Leslie and Donnie & their baby, Jet.  We went to a place called Jitra...it's a Thai Cuisine....pretty good.  There was a couple one table over - they were talking to Jet some during the meal.  Anyway, we learned after they left that they payed for all of our meals.  We didn't even have a chance to say thank you - so Thank you to all those who do anonymous deeds out there....we definitely appreciate it :)  

Well, it's been nice blogging because I haven't done it in a while.  I may be baby-sitting on Wednesday for about 4 hours….so I'm sure I'll have some funny stories from that!!  Thank goodness it's a girl, because if we couldn't do hair, make-up, and nails, I'm not sure what we'd do!!  I hope all of our readers have a good week….check back in the middle of the week because Coy may post an entry since he didn't this weekend!!  Bye!

~Kristen

New computer!!!

We got a Mac (21.5" iMac, wireless mouse and keyboard)!

Yes, the Mac's are more expensive....but.  So far it's totally worth it.  It just has one plug.  It's so awesome and simple.  I was worried about having to install my old printers drivers to our new computer.....but, it did it for me as soon as I plugged the printer in to the computer!  Seamless!  Awesome!  No I know why people brag about these things all the time.  Also, I had a question about my computer so I called customer support and I talked to a guy named Eric in Austin, TX!  That's so different than what I'm used to when I call customer service for HP.  Everyone deserves a Mac!

On Friday I saw a class graduating escorting their families around the squadron.  I got excited.  I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel!  

I flew to Midland, TX this week and went to eat at McCallisters Deli.  Del Rio needs one of those!

Future?

Yes, that is the Rio Grande river..........and yes, that's Mexico on the other side....

I have my "big" navigation checkride either this Friday or next Monday!  I'm pumped up!

Computer trouble

 Well......... My computer sucks.

It officially died on Wednesday.

I bought a new HP at Wal-Mart on Thursday.

On Friday I had to make two calls to HP for problems with my new computer freezing up.  Then one more call again on Saturday for the same issue.  I decided that it was not worth it anymore and brought it back to Wal-Mart for an exchange (for the same computer).

We brought that new computer home on Saturday and set it up.  Guess what...... not as bad, but the new one froze sometimes also.  It might be the computer or it might be me, haha.  So we decided to return this computer and get a Mac.  I'll bring this one back on Monday and order our Mac.  It'll take five business days to get here.  I'm already excited about it.  I'm telling yall this to let you know why the blog might not be so well this week.

We went to the lake this weekend with two married classmates of mine and their kids/dog.  The lake has been flooded so all of the regular "beaches" are closed.  We found a semi-OK place to hang out, float, talk and play.  It was nice.

Dallas was such a wuss out there in the water.  She only wanted to get her feet wet, and if she "slipped in" she swam like crazy to get back to shore.  the other dog out there was swimming around like it had webbed feet and flippers. Click on this sentence to see Dallas scared in the water.

Next week we'll be new iMac owners and the blog will be a little longer.  Thanks.

P.S. 8 weeks till drop!  10 weeks till graduation!!!

Dad visit

I flew to Amarillo this week. 

To start things off. Before the flight we noticed that our nose wheel tire was a little more warn than we would like.  We asked for it to be changed.  It was pretty cool watching them change an airplane tire.  It took about 15 minutes.  We didn't waste the time out there though.  My IP asked us all sorts of GK (General Knowledge) questions.  Great...... 

It was pretty cool.  There is a restaurant out there called "The Big Texan".  It's really touristy.  There is a limo with longhorns on the hood to come and pick you up.  There is a "72 ounce steak challenge".  Really touristy kinda place ya know.  That's where everyone eats when they fly to Amarillo from here...........except us. 

The IP's heard that there was a really good burger joint a little further into town (Coyote Bluff Cafe).  The decision is really not up to us so we went to the burger joint.  We pulled up into a gravel and dirt parking lot with a small house that made to look like a restaurant.  we walked up, and opened the door.  We couldn't even get inside because it was so packed!  Haha.  It's one of those really small restaurants.  This one only had about ten tables.  When one party comes out, another party can come in.  We finally got in and ate.  There's only burgers, fries and onion rings on the menu so it was not hard to order.  The food was actually really good.  Cash or check only type of place.  Haha.  It makes you wonder....if they're keeping all of that money (by not paying taxes), they should have a lot nicer of a place. C'mon.

During our sim this week the computer than ran it had a glitch.  Its hard to see in the picture...., but yep, that's the good old Windows error message.  Haha.   I'm glad our planes are not run by Windows.

On Friday night we went to class 10-13's drop night (when they find out what plane they'll fly).  It's fast becoming very real.  I'm class 11-01.  There is only two classes until my drop!  Graduation plans are being made.  Everything's getting very very real.  Mine is 8 Oct!!!

My dad and Yazmin came to visit this weekend.  They got here late Friday night and went straight to the AF Inn.  On Saturday we started by my dad and I going to the grocery store for steaks and chicken.  We came back and I grilled.  I'm not sure if everyone lies to me........but..........., I think I might be good at grilling.  Anyway.  Later we drove around town looking at pottery.  Then we drove out to the lake.  Then ate ice cream at the Emporium.  Later we went to Saturday afternoon mass.  Then we went to eat at Rudy's BBQ.  We finally ended the night with a movie rental.  Let me just start out by saying that I'm not into movies that much.  I searched and searched for a movie that I wanted to watch.  I came out with Spaceballs.  Haha.  I love that movie.  I think if you asked Kristen and Yazmin to list their 100 favorite movies, Spaceballs would not be in that number.  But they were troopers and watched it.  Haha. 

My dad and Yazmin stopped at Buckees (a glorified gas station in between San Antonio and Houston) and picked up a stuffed "Buckee" (beaver) for Dallas to play with.

I woke up Sunday morning for a bike ride with friends.  we've been talking about it but never did it.  Today was awesome!  We rode about 14 miles to a donut and coffee shop.  Stopped there for a while and just relaxed.  then we rode back the long way another 19 miles.  It was so much fun!  We said that we'd keep doing this every weekend but you know how that ends up.  We'll see.  I hope we keep it going.  See ya next week.