I have thoroughly enjoyed being in my house!  I don't miss living in a small hotel room for 6 weeks (I do MISS the pool!).   Spent the 1st night back with my folks and then on Sat, I celebrated with 2 students who earned their private pilot certificate while I was gone.   So proud of Chad and Joey!  Sun I went to church and started catching up on long overdue hugs!  

Mon- dentist appointment and studied for 2 hours on the phone with Bruce
Tues- went to physical therapy for my back in the morning and renewed my 1st class medical in the afternoon.  Since I am over 40 years old, I have to renew it every 6 months.  I knew I would be home for a few weeks so I did it before it ran out at the end of November.  
Wed- played tennis at 5:30 am again (missed playing with my friends who have been playing with me since 1997), had breakfast with friends, flew with a student in his airplane (I was needing to get up in the air and missed flying over the valley.  Felt so good to fly a little airplane!), stopped by TA and visited with Dottie the custodian and showed her this webpage, came home and blew leaves for 2 hours and then studied with Bruce over the phone for an hour.  

I am studying this evening since Tony is at work and the house is quiet.  I commit several hours a day to studying and going over materials.  There is a lot to memorize and I am slowly developing muscle memory.  Waiting on confirmation about our observation dates and schedule.  Until then, I am at home.  =)   Nice to have no agenda or schedule for a little bit.    

November 9th, 2018​  Passed my test with a 91%!  Hallelujah and SO thankful.  I felt all those prayers as I persevered.  I am exhausted mentally and physically.  Looking forward to making it home!  

Time to board our flight back to SHD!  Ready to be home and get a mama's home cooked meal!  Just got our boarding pass.  Hallelujah!  

November 8th, 2018-  Wrote an 83% on my quiz yesterday so my scores continue to improve.  I have been retaking all the previous quizzes and I have them up to 100% so I am learning the material.  A long way from mastering it for the oral part of my checkride, but making great progress on this part of my journey.  We finished up teaching systems yesterday and got out of class at 3 pm which was a nice break.  Bruce and I worked on our homework until the 4:30 shuttle came to pick us up.  Nice to be done before 8 pm!

Air Wisconsin had dinner for our class and the induc class behind us.  Nice to meet some of the management in an informal setting and a few students from indoc (they only have 9 students).  Tony got to come too.  I started to fade around 7:30.  I am such a social butterfly!  =)  I wanted to work on callouts with Bruce, but needed sleep before than study time.  

Woke up at 3 am so I did my laundry for the last time and started packing my suitcase for the return flight home tomorrow.  I am excited to be back at home.  

Tony is quizzing me and I have gone through each of the 9 quizzes and the 145 questions.  Our test is 100 questions, 3 hours of time and 80%.  I know I can do this and have appreciated everyone's support.  Tony has been amazing and I am so blessed to have him in my life.  We have seen each other more in the last few weeks than we have in the last few months.  He has printed out the CRJ 200 manuals, studied them, made a notebook and we will work through each system in detail when we return home.  

We are supposed to get new iPads today.  I had just figured out to find all my handouts on this one!  Also found out that we will be observing other simulator groups during our "off" time.  I am thankful for that and even considered asking if we could sit in to observe.  It will help me learn without the pressure and responsibility of the what we have to know during our 13 simulator sessions. 

Off to the pool to workout!  I will miss the pool and have LOVED aqua jogging everyday.  Can I take it home with me?  =)

Got an 85% on my quiz today so finally getting my scores up where I want them.  I am ready to take my test first thing tomorrow.

Air Wisconsin gave us dinner again tonight (pizza and salad) and I gave all my extra food to Famika the flight attendant down the hall.  Suitcase is packed and ready to go.  I need some quality sleep tonight to get ready for my test.  

We had snow flurries yesterday morning and we have snow in the forecast tomorrow.  I will try not to bring it back to Virginia.  

I love all of you and thank you for being in my life!  See you soon!  

November 6th, 2018-  After studying hydraulics on Sunday,  I was able to follow along during the lecture.  Then came lunch and the afternoon session.  We dove into the landing gear and flight controls.  Yikes!  So much material to learn and it comes so quickly.  I took 5 pages of notes and I write really small and missed half the information.  I did get a 70% on the quiz so doing a little better.  

Some guys were really loud in the hall over night and woke me up at midnight.  Struggled to fall back asleep so at 1 am I studied my powerpoint slides until 2:30.  Tony is going to question me from the 4 pages of homework Bruce and I did last night while I swim this morning.  Read my bible which gets my day started and wrote down Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  One of my students from home sent me a text yesterday to check in.  He reminded me of a verse I shared with him on his journey to his pilot certificate.  Hebrews 12:11- No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it.  I needed that reminder and pretty special that he shared the very thing that helped him through.  I thank the Lord for His provision for me in so many ways!   

Keep praying for me!  I need to get thru this test Fri, get home and then I can start tackling the enormous amount of information I need to memorize before I get called out to the simulators.  

Climbing Mt. Everest and I feel like I am at sea level.  One step at a time and keeping my eyes on the goal.  

Off to the pool for a workout which helps me keep my sanity as I sit in a classroom desk in the basement at the airport all day long.  We came outside last night to get the bus and it was already dark.  =(  Time change is an adjustment.  

Go vote today!    

November 4th, 2018-  We had a breakthrough today with this material!  Hallelujah!   I can feel the info starting to stick and I am thankful!  We got an extra hour of sleep and I saw 6:30 am this morning (5:30 am with the "fall back" time change).  So nice to recover after a rough week.  Went to the pool and watched the electrical system video AGAIN and I understand it now and I am getting the review questions at the end correct.  Finally!  

I did laundry and saw Mona (a flight attendant who works out early) at 8:30 am and she thought I had on a uniform.  Told her I was going to church.  She said she was going to yoga at 9 am.  I was excited to see her sit next to us at church today.  She thanked me for telling her about the service and it was exactly what she needed.  She said "you spoke to me and I decided I should be at church."  I went up to the pastor today Shawn Whitworth and told him I enjoyed being a part of the The Mission Church during my stay in Appleton.  Thank you Paula for your support, prayers and welcoming me to your church.  

Tony bought a used $25 printer on Friday and has been printing out pics of the systems for me (everything is on the iPad).  He says he can't learn off this iPad and needs it printed out and then he hands it off to me.  My notebook is growing by the day.  I have been labeling the pics and going through the questions I missed on the quizzes from last week.  Once I can see the pictures, I have can "see" the info in my head as Tony quizzes me and I review the systems.  

Tony and I learned how to make a towel monkey today!  We added it to the animal village.   I think Tony did a great job.  =) He loves them and wants me to make them at home.  I bet Walter our cat will wonder what the strange animals are in our house. =)

It was raining all day (Tony says it rains each Sunday up here) so we grabbed some soup and a quesadilla for dinner at the hotel.  He explained the hydraulic system to me.  I started laughing at one point and he wondered what was up.  The commercial played the song from Smokey and the Bandit- We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there..... I told Tony that this morning, I wrote that very phrase in my journal during my quiet time!  "I feel like we had a breakthrough yesterday with the systems information.  I have a LONG way to go and a lot to memorize and a short time to get there!"   It was pretty funny that I heard that song tonight and it even came from a movie since I NEVER make or understand movie references.  

Continue to pray for me as I go for the finish line Friday!  80% to pass my test!    Time to label my hydraulics page.  

November 2nd and 3rd-   Woke up at 3 am, read and went to the pool.  Got a 57 on the Friday quiz, but I kept myself together.  So thankful Tony is here and can help me!  I got my instructor Chris to help answer some questions during break and lunch today.  We  covered the Fuel system and doors.  I actually followed most of the fuel lecture.  Thankful!  We went to the airplane after lunch and learned how to preflight for 2.5 hours.    It was a RAW 43 degrees outside and some of the guys were envious of my big coat and gloves!  I enjoyed my 5 upper layers and 2 lower layers.  I enjoyed seeing the outside and interior of the plane for a 2nd time.  This is the last time I will be at the plane until after my checkride.   As the first officer, I will be the one responsible for doing the preflight.  

I mailed my absentee ballot this week.  I gave the guy at the front desk of the hotel $1.25 and asked if he could mail it.  The post office is not available during my hours.  We catch the shuttle at 7:30 am and return at 5:15 pm.   Thanks Julie for sending me the website so I could sign up and participate.  Get out and vote this week.  

We learned how to open and close the passenger door, service door (side door for the snacks and drinks), crew escape hatch (in the cockpit) and the side row 8 emergency doors.  We stood up in the aft (rear) equipment bay door underneath the back of the plane and my instructor pointed out the APU (a small engine that produces engine), outflow valves, command valves, packs (air conditioners) and the many systems that are in my drawings.  Really helps me to understand what the real thing looks like when I have a plane.  I am not very good at conceptualizing the topics in lecture.   You can see us looking up inside the aft equipment door.  

Tony posted up all day and studied the electrical and environmental control system.  He worked really hard and has a plan to help me.  He is an amazing husband and I am so blessed!  

Tony's wagon driver and 5 other DCFD firefighters were here all week and I got to meet them after class Friday afternoon.  They were very interested in hearing about the plane since they all do the same thing with the fire trucks they drive back home.  

Tony picked up my ring and necklace.  They were so shiny and sparkly!   Thankful to have the prongs replaced on my ring so my engagement diamond didn't fall out.  The guy said they usually last about 8 years and I got 18 years out of them!  Pretty amazing considering how active I am and how much I do with my hands outside in the garden, sports, etc.   Our anniversary is coming up on November  25th.   =)

Sat- I woke up at 3:36 am and studied in my head until 5 am.  Who needs an alarm clock!!   I enjoyed reading some chapters in Proverbs, Tony and I went to the pool and then I watched the fuel system videos.  He also talked about the electrical system while I was aqua jogging.  Tony even fixed the pool light that had popped out of the wall when the maintenance guy came down to do the daily water checks.  Tony kept the other guy from getting wet.  =)

Bruce and I worked on our homework for 2.5 hours and I was able to understand it!  The fuel system and the door sections are what we covered and so thankful to have a break through.  Tony could even hear it in my voice and in my questions that I am starting to grasp some of this material.   I was so overwhelmed I couldn't even ask questions and I always ask questions.  Keep praying for me as I continue to study!  

Tony and I went to get a good breakfast down the street and reviewed the quiz questions that I missed Fri.  We tackled the electrical system for 3 hours and I am starting to wrap my head around it.  I have a LONG way to go, but finally starting to feel some progress.  Hallelujah!  The pictures I drew are helping so much and I have notes ALL over them.  I had Chris my instructor check them yesterday to make sure I am not learning incorrect information.  

Tony and I needed a mental break and walked through downtown Appleton. It is a brisk 43 degrees, but a beautiful sunny day.  I needed some sunshine and fresh air!   We even ran into flight attendant Tamika from down the hall and she got to meet Tony.  We will review the electrical system again this afternoon and I want to tackle the hydraulic system tomorrow since we will do that on Mon.  We will see if I can get ahead and maybe follow the lecture and I want to see how I do on the Fuel System quiz Monday after understanding the homework.  

Thank you for the prayers, encouragement and texts.  It was a really rough week and I have so many folks who love me.  I am doing my best and pushing for the 80% or higher on the 100 question test I have Fri.  Lots to cover this week and I am starting to learn the limitations (numbers and limits that I cannot exceed with the airplane to prevent damage) for the CRJ 200.  

​Time to study!  

Here is a CRJ 200 taking off.  That is my goal to be in the cockpit of one of these jets!  

November 1st, 2018  What a terrible day  =(  Woke up at 1:15 am and never went back to sleep.  Laid there thinking about how overwhelmed I am with all the information I do not know.  Read my bible, went to the pool, watched the electrical videos again while aqua jogging and then off to class.  Got a 56% on our practice quiz and that was my breaking point.  I had tears rolling down my face ALL day as I took notes.  Tried to hold myself together.  I absolutely feel like I am drowning.  Prayer warriors- I need you to pray for me to have understanding of these systems, and recall of the information.  I need a break through this weekend!  Tony surprised me and got on the 2 pm flight in Weyers Cave and was in Appleton, Wisconsin by 5 pm when I got out of class.  He is going to learn the systems and then teach them to me like he has throughout my flight training.  He is very mechanical and is an excellent teacher.  So thankful for his willing heart to help me learn. Bruce continues to be a huge blessing with his patience, knowledge and understanding as we work on our homework each night.  

Quiz in the morning, notes and then we learn how to preflight the airplane during the afternoon session.  I will bundle up since it will be 32 degrees.  

October 31st, 2018-  Wow!  What a challenging week in systems class and I am trying to keep my head above water!  Kind of like when I am aqua jogging in the mornings, except in class I really have no clue what we are covering right now.  

Woke up at 3:30 am this morning again, read, studied, swam and then met a flight attendant who works out early.  We talked for a bit and found out we will be working together on the same planes.  Their training academy started Mon and goes for 3 weeks.  

Yesterday we did Powerplant (turbine engines), APU (auxiliary power units), ECU (Electronic Control Unit),  accessory gearbox, VGD (variable geometry diffuser, LCV (load control valve) and bleed air coming from the 10th and 14th stages.  Funny (or sad) thing is YOU as the reader of this blog know about as much about these acronyms and words as I do!  Got a 71% on the practice quiz this morning so I have a LONG way to go before next Fri and very nervous about a checkride in the future.  

Today we did the electrical system and I knew going in that today would be tough.  We covered AC and DC power, IDG (Integrated Drive Generator),  TRU (Transformer Rectifier Unit), circuit breakers, power priority transfer logic, ADG (Air Driven Generator), CSD (Constant Speed Drive), essential bus, service bus, utility bus, load shedding and then we finished the day with the lights on the plane.  At least I know a little about that subject!  My head is absolutely swimming and I will do my best.  Myron!!  Help me!  =)

Bruce and I studied for 3 hours last night after class so getting out of class today at 3:30 was nice.  We practiced in the "mock cockpit" at the airport until the shuttle came and then several of us went out to dinner.  It was a beautiful day here- but we are cooped up in the basement all day.  I enjoyed a walk before dinner to get some fresh air.  

I helped the flight attendant  I met this morning to get online with the wifi here at the hotel.  Her boyfriend is also a firefighter and she lives in Atlanta, but has lived in Maryland.  So nice to talk with some other ladies and I even got a hug!  =)

Time to study and wrap my head around some of this material!  

October 29th, 2018-  Happy Birthday Tony!  Love you so much!  

Woke up at 3:15 without an alarm so I started studying my systems. Read my bible, swam and switched to CRJ 200 youtube videos while I workout.  So much to learn so that will give me an extra hour of studying while I workout! There are only so many hours in a day and I start to fade at 8 pm!  

Today we started systems and there is a lot of information coming fast.  I was able to keep up until the end of the day when we programmed the FMS (Flight Management System computer).  We have simulated computer program so I hope we do it everyday and that will help me understand it.  

Got our cockpit posters and started learning our flows, callouts and limitations of the plane.  So much to learn and a lot to memorize!   Bruce and I did our written homework to prepare for our daily quiz tomorrow (they don't penalize us- just show us what we know).  100 question test next Friday and I need an 80% to pass.  

October 28th,2018  Tony and I had a great weekend!  What a blessing to have him here in Wisconsin.  I am so thankful for his support throughout this journey.  

I woke up at 1:30 am and laid awake for over an hour thinking about the electrical schematic I needed to draw.  So I finally got up at 2:30 am and drew the DC electrical one.  Fell back asleep thankfully, woke up at 6 am and we went to the pool (I did my aqua jogging and he hung out at the jacuzzi).  We went to church (Bruce joined us) and then we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the Garden View Restaurant.  Tony said "I can't believe you ate all that food!"  I had not eaten a big meal all week and was ready to load up!  

Took the shuttle with Tony to the airport and he was able to get on the 1st flight.  Got bumped from #1 standby in Chicago to number 12 and didn't make it on.  Thankfully got on the 6 pm flight!  All the other flights were overbooked so I am excited he is making it back so he can work tomorrow.  

His birthday is tomorrow so you all can send him a birthday text!  =) 

All I hear is how intense the systems class is so pray for my mind to absorb the material the next two weeks.

Tony made it back to DCA (Reagan) and landed at 7:15 pm Eastern.  We are both adjusting well to our new lives, new privileges (being able to fly to places like this as a part of the employee/family plan) and seeing the doors that are opening for us.  Thank you Lord!