Well, I've been on vacation for the past three weeks and have done pretty much nothing. No idea where spring went, I think it lasted all of about a week- which I must have been on the road for most of. Earlier this week it was in the upper 90's (got to 99 one day), then it "cooled down" to only the upper 80's, lower 90's. Blah. The heat spawned some nasty thunderstorms Tuesday evening, and around 6:30pm, the power went out and didn't come back on for nearly 5 hours.
Tomorrow I go back to work. It's a nice, short 4-day rotation to get me back into the swing of things before I have three off then go out for six. I'm glad to be going back for two reasons. The first is, I'm bored silly. More importantly, I'm one of the lucky ones. With airlines spiraling down the tubes because of fuel costs (and many other reasons), they are having to park their old, inefficient airplanes, which means job losses for many pilots.
Luckily, I work for one of the few growing and desirable sectors of aviation right now- the "fractionals." Very simply, fractional ownership allows a person, group, or company to purchase a share of a private jet- as little as 1/16th. In turn, this allows them X number of hours per year of use, but they don't have to deal the hassle of managing and crewing the airplane. When they need to get somewhere- anywhere- in the world, they simply pick up the phone. In many cases they get huge tax advantages as a result of using their aircraft (or share of it), for their business. Often owners who use them primarily for business actually come out ahead when it's all said and done. While the fuel costs do affect them, it doesn't affect them nearly as much as you or I. They NEED to travel, and the phrase "time is money" is truer than you'd ever believe. Add in the facts that we have the ability to use hundreds more airports than the airlines can, and the passengers can show up whenever they want, and you have a customer base who will rarely, if ever, be seen in even the most expensive first-class airline seats.
Anyways, I was fortunate enough to get here before the airlines started tanking. Fractional pilot pay for the top three is now on par with, and in some cases better than, major airline pilot pay. Not to mention a better schedule, newer, nicer airplanes, and far more stability. Needless to say, we have a stack of resumes five figures high and this has become one of the most competitive and coveted jobs in the industry. So yeah, I'm glad to be going to work tomorrow. Things could be much worse.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Pictures
I have had Marshall busy this last week with printing up some pictures for my desk at work. In going through my pictures I have realized that I don't have as many of my family as I would like. I don't even have that many of me and Marshall. It is just hard for me to whip out the camera at any time to take pictures. I feel kind of stupid doing that but I also miss out on just random pictures that I could have of whatever.
I have some pictures of my niece Kenlei and Raiven. I also have one of Aulbanie. I have one of my little sister and me that was taken last year at the 24th of July parade that we go to every year. I have one of my parents that was taken a couple of years ago that I now think doesn't look like them at all :) I have a couple of Marshall. One of me and my friend Megan. That is all that I have up there. You might think that that is alot but I have a big family and all of them are missing except my little sister. I have told my family this so hopefully they will start sending pictures so that I can show everyone at work my family. I would also like to put some around the apartment. When I moved out here I forgot all of my pictures that were in picture frames so I have been bugging my mom constantly to send them out to me :)
I also told my niece Diamon that her younger sister Raiven is the only one up on my wall at work and she didn't like hearing that so hopefully she can bug her mom into sending me some pictures so that I can put those up on my wall as well. We will see if that happens...I am crossing my fingers though.
Aulbanie just had a birthday yesterday so hopefully someone there had a camera to take pictures. She turned 5. I told her that I was going to sit on her so that she would stop growing and she then told me that even if I do sit on her it still won't stop her from growing. Kids say the funniest things. I love it! I was sad that I missed her birthday but I am planning a trip home hopefully in September. We are just waiting to see what Marshall's schedule is doing because he will be coming with me. I can't wait to see my family again. I know that it hasn't been very long but everytime we go and visit Marshall's family I get a little jealous because I miss my family. Who would have thought :0)
I have some pictures of my niece Kenlei and Raiven. I also have one of Aulbanie. I have one of my little sister and me that was taken last year at the 24th of July parade that we go to every year. I have one of my parents that was taken a couple of years ago that I now think doesn't look like them at all :) I have a couple of Marshall. One of me and my friend Megan. That is all that I have up there. You might think that that is alot but I have a big family and all of them are missing except my little sister. I have told my family this so hopefully they will start sending pictures so that I can show everyone at work my family. I would also like to put some around the apartment. When I moved out here I forgot all of my pictures that were in picture frames so I have been bugging my mom constantly to send them out to me :)
I also told my niece Diamon that her younger sister Raiven is the only one up on my wall at work and she didn't like hearing that so hopefully she can bug her mom into sending me some pictures so that I can put those up on my wall as well. We will see if that happens...I am crossing my fingers though.
Aulbanie just had a birthday yesterday so hopefully someone there had a camera to take pictures. She turned 5. I told her that I was going to sit on her so that she would stop growing and she then told me that even if I do sit on her it still won't stop her from growing. Kids say the funniest things. I love it! I was sad that I missed her birthday but I am planning a trip home hopefully in September. We are just waiting to see what Marshall's schedule is doing because he will be coming with me. I can't wait to see my family again. I know that it hasn't been very long but everytime we go and visit Marshall's family I get a little jealous because I miss my family. Who would have thought :0)
Monday, May 5, 2008
Catching Up
Things have been a little hectic around lately. Last week I finally finished up my training for Applebee's. The first time on my own was Thursday. I was really nervous to say the least because I have never done anything like this before. It actually wasn't that bad at all. There were crazy times but I know that it was because I was stressing myself out. It was a slow night but again that isn't bad because it gave me a chance to ease into things slowly. I worked again yesterday and was expecting a busy shift because everyone has told me how busy Sunday's are. It wasn't bad at all. Everyone was telling me how slow it was. Oh well it gives me the chance to work out all of the kinks before I work a really busy shift.
It is nice to have cash on hand. That is something I am not used to at all. I really am just trying to save it all and not spend it on stupid things which I know I have done in the past :) I have hopefully learned from my past mistakes! I picked up a shift this week on a night that is usually more busy then the nights I normally work so we will see what happens then.
It is hard getting home late because I usually try to be in bed early when I work in the mornings but hopefully once I get used to it it won't be so bad. I am crossing my fingers that it doesn't wear me down to the point where I have to quiet because the extra cash will for sure come in handy while I am trying to pay some things off.
My full time job is going good. Right now we have a new trainer so I am just trying to get used to her. We took a test last week and I got a 100%...I was so freakin excited. I wasn't expecting that at all. Hopefully I can keep it up and get another great score tomorrow on another test that is scheduled. I will need my sleep so it is a good thing that I don't work tonight so I can get to bed early :)
Hopefully once things settle down a little bit I will be able to blog about things that are a little more interesting :) But for now it is just little post here and there until a routine is created. I am also working on Marshall to blog a little bit more about work because I know that a lot of you out there are interested in hearing about his work...hopefully it won't be too long until I can get him on here!
It is nice to have cash on hand. That is something I am not used to at all. I really am just trying to save it all and not spend it on stupid things which I know I have done in the past :) I have hopefully learned from my past mistakes! I picked up a shift this week on a night that is usually more busy then the nights I normally work so we will see what happens then.
It is hard getting home late because I usually try to be in bed early when I work in the mornings but hopefully once I get used to it it won't be so bad. I am crossing my fingers that it doesn't wear me down to the point where I have to quiet because the extra cash will for sure come in handy while I am trying to pay some things off.
My full time job is going good. Right now we have a new trainer so I am just trying to get used to her. We took a test last week and I got a 100%...I was so freakin excited. I wasn't expecting that at all. Hopefully I can keep it up and get another great score tomorrow on another test that is scheduled. I will need my sleep so it is a good thing that I don't work tonight so I can get to bed early :)
Hopefully once things settle down a little bit I will be able to blog about things that are a little more interesting :) But for now it is just little post here and there until a routine is created. I am also working on Marshall to blog a little bit more about work because I know that a lot of you out there are interested in hearing about his work...hopefully it won't be too long until I can get him on here!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Best Dinner EVER!!!
We subscribed to the Taste of Home magazine and got our first issue the other day in the mail. We were both looking at it and saw something that we both wanted to try. It is called Pepperoni Lasagna Roll-Ups. Marshall made them tonight. They were soooo good! I just wanted to share the recipe with everyone so that you could all try it and enjoy it as much as we both did :) Keep in mind that this is a serving for 3.
Pepperoni Lasagna Roll-Ups
3 Lasagna Noodles
3/4 C. Ricotta Cheese
1/2 Teaspoon Minced Chives
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil
24 Slices Pepperoni
3 Slices Swiss Cheese, cut into thirds
1 C. Meatless Spaghetti Sauce
1/4 C. Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Cook noodles according to package directions, drain. Combine ricotta cheese, chives, oregano and basil; spread 1/4 cup over each noodle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Top with pepperoni and Swiss cheese, carefully roll up.
Place seam side down in a greased shallow 1-qt. baking dish; top with spaghetti sauce. Cover and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.
Uncover, sprinkle with Parmesan chhese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
It really is so easy to make. Again I hope that all of you enjoy it as much as we did. If anyone makes it let me know what you think!
Pepperoni Lasagna Roll-Ups
3 Lasagna Noodles
3/4 C. Ricotta Cheese
1/2 Teaspoon Minced Chives
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil
24 Slices Pepperoni
3 Slices Swiss Cheese, cut into thirds
1 C. Meatless Spaghetti Sauce
1/4 C. Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Cook noodles according to package directions, drain. Combine ricotta cheese, chives, oregano and basil; spread 1/4 cup over each noodle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Top with pepperoni and Swiss cheese, carefully roll up.
Place seam side down in a greased shallow 1-qt. baking dish; top with spaghetti sauce. Cover and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.
Uncover, sprinkle with Parmesan chhese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
It really is so easy to make. Again I hope that all of you enjoy it as much as we did. If anyone makes it let me know what you think!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Survived 1st Week of Work
Well here I am and it is now Sunday. I survived my first week of training in my new job! I am excited to really learn the system that they use. We haven't learned that yet so some of the training I have had kind of seems out of place but I am sure that once we learn the system I will understand a lot more of what we have learned so far.
They do have a problem with mice in the building and lets be honest that kind of scares me. I don't want to be on a phone call talking with someone and see a mouse. I think that I would lose it and start freaking out! UGH...I hate mice. They are sick and carry all kinds of diseases. They gave us a sheet the first day outlining the food guide lines and what we can and can't do. Anything that we want to leave at our desks over night for snacks or what not have to be in a rubbermaid container or something so that the mice don't get it. I don't think that I will be leaving any food there over night. I will just bring it for the days I want something. Hopefully they can figure out this problem and get rid of it FAST!!! I think that I am going to ask our trainer tomorrow how long they have had this problem to see if they are even doing anything to stop the problem besides not bringing in certain kinds of food.
I am not going to lie...now that I am working and have two days off now when I get up at 9 or what not it is great and really feels like I am now sleeping in :) During the week I am always up before 7 so yesterday and today was nice not getting up to an alarm. Although it isn't too bad waking up during the week because now I have a job and so that means that I am making money again which is always a good thing!
By the end of this coming week they want us to be on the phones taking real customer calls...I am a little nervous because I want to be confident when that happens and since I haven't learned the system yet I am not confident but that just means that this week we will be learning the system so that is a good thing. I just really hope that I don't mess up on anything come this Friday. So everyone cross your fingers that everything will go smoothly this Friday :)
They do have a problem with mice in the building and lets be honest that kind of scares me. I don't want to be on a phone call talking with someone and see a mouse. I think that I would lose it and start freaking out! UGH...I hate mice. They are sick and carry all kinds of diseases. They gave us a sheet the first day outlining the food guide lines and what we can and can't do. Anything that we want to leave at our desks over night for snacks or what not have to be in a rubbermaid container or something so that the mice don't get it. I don't think that I will be leaving any food there over night. I will just bring it for the days I want something. Hopefully they can figure out this problem and get rid of it FAST!!! I think that I am going to ask our trainer tomorrow how long they have had this problem to see if they are even doing anything to stop the problem besides not bringing in certain kinds of food.
I am not going to lie...now that I am working and have two days off now when I get up at 9 or what not it is great and really feels like I am now sleeping in :) During the week I am always up before 7 so yesterday and today was nice not getting up to an alarm. Although it isn't too bad waking up during the week because now I have a job and so that means that I am making money again which is always a good thing!
By the end of this coming week they want us to be on the phones taking real customer calls...I am a little nervous because I want to be confident when that happens and since I haven't learned the system yet I am not confident but that just means that this week we will be learning the system so that is a good thing. I just really hope that I don't mess up on anything come this Friday. So everyone cross your fingers that everything will go smoothly this Friday :)
Monday, April 14, 2008
1st Day of Work
Well I just got done with my first day at work. It wasn't too bad. We really didn't get into any learning yet. We just went over some basic stuff and signed some of our paper work. We got an hour for lunch today so Marshall came and picked me up and we went to Subway. It was nice to spend a little time with him now that I have started work :)
I got a little lost on the way home but hopefully tomorrow I won't make the same mistake. Traffic wasn't too bad this morning. The building that I will be working in is a secure building where you have to have a security badge to open all the doors so this morning every one who is in the training class was waiting around in the lobby to get there pictures taken. There are 18 of us I think so needless to say the lobby was a little full.
The best part of today was learning the dress code. We can wear jeans, capris, shorts, and t-shirts (as long as they don't have anything offensive on them). I can't wait. I have never worked at a full-time job like this one where the dress code has been so relaxed. I can't wait :)
So after my first day I am sitting here in my new outfit that I just got in the mail today from my mother 'relaxing'.
I got a little lost on the way home but hopefully tomorrow I won't make the same mistake. Traffic wasn't too bad this morning. The building that I will be working in is a secure building where you have to have a security badge to open all the doors so this morning every one who is in the training class was waiting around in the lobby to get there pictures taken. There are 18 of us I think so needless to say the lobby was a little full.
The best part of today was learning the dress code. We can wear jeans, capris, shorts, and t-shirts (as long as they don't have anything offensive on them). I can't wait. I have never worked at a full-time job like this one where the dress code has been so relaxed. I can't wait :)
So after my first day I am sitting here in my new outfit that I just got in the mail today from my mother 'relaxing'.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Happy Birthday MOM
Today is my mom's birthday. I have already caclled her this morning so that I could catch her at home :) She said that she has been up since 6 getting ready for her big day today! She is cute...I love and miss her like crazy!!!
She wanted me and Marshall to sing to her on the phone but we don't sing so I thought that I would sing to her on here.
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Janice ( mom )
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!
I hope that you have a great day and so fun things. I wish I was there to celebrate with you!!!
She wanted me and Marshall to sing to her on the phone but we don't sing so I thought that I would sing to her on here.
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Janice ( mom )
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!
I hope that you have a great day and so fun things. I wish I was there to celebrate with you!!!
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