Final Primary Days
Tobin is flying his 4th to last and 3rd to last flights today. If all goes well weather-wise, he’ll be flying his final two flights of primary on Monday! That includes a check ride, so it’s very important for him. Thought you all should know how well he is doing; and how fast he is progressing!
We don’t know yet when Intermediate will start, but at the pace they are pushing the candidates through, we might not get a break at all. We’ll let you know!
Cross Country
An update on Tobin:
He is flying a cross country this weekend! He is planning to fly to Traverse City, MI today & fly back on Sunday. His alternate destination is Denver, CO; he’ll fly there if MI weather is bad. I’ll update you all on his adventure when he gets back.
UPDATE: Tobin stopped in Nashville & I think they are not going any further for some reason. I haven’t heard the specifics. :) They’ll be flying back on Sunday.
Accountability
About Zilla’s comment: Zach, that program is really cool, I used it once ( & crashed, hehe); we definitely would need better computers, though. We’ll see, maybe someday!
And…deep breath…our company has its Corporate Cup Games coming up in mid-October, and I am going to be entering in the one-mile run. Now, it’s a just-for-fun thing, but since I am out of shape anyway, I am going to be training to get my mile time down. No snickers from the running audience, now; my goal is a pretty steep one for me! I once ran a mile in 6:45, but I was in pretty good shape at the time. So, my goal for this event is a 7 minute mile, flat. And while I still have the bravery to agree to it, I’m making you all my accountability partners. Yep. Keep an eye on the “About Us” page for an update about my running schedule. And if it’s been awhile since you’ve seen an update, feel free to ask about it! I’ll be putting together a run plan tonight.
Ok, there we go, I bit the bullet and now 7 minute mile here I come!
Moving up
Tobin finished his instruments phase simulator flights today! Tomorrow we expect him to be scheduled for a real flight; I believe he has 15 flights to complete before the instruments phase is over. From what I have been hearing, the program is pretty intense, and he will be double turning frequently. Double turning means having two flights in one day. Also, he may have a cross country or two as well, which will count for several flights; the cross country flights are generally on weekends as they go overnight.
We really appreciate your prayers and encouragement. This is definitely an intense and high stress training program, and Tobin spends about 12 hours every day either studying or flying…if not more. He handles it really well, but he can really use all the support you can give him. We miss you all, hope to see you soon.
Welcome home, Rogue
First day:
This didn’t last long. Apparently, Titus doesn’t like sharing food bowls:
So fuzzy.
Some separation was necessary. Titus is a tad too much sometimes; he loves her, but he doesn’t quite realize the size difference, I think.
Please can we play now?
Kongs!
My new toy; lovin’ it.
But I think his is better.
Aww.
Cute lil porker, isn’t she?
Sportin’ my new bling.
Tug of war!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc7y-g1mFHQ
Since we last saw her, her back legs have improved tremendously; in fact, I think they have already improved since we got her. They were splayed out, but are looking much better. It’s my opinion, from hearing what the breeder had to say, that since she had zero motivation to walk & run around (both siblings died, so she was the only puppy) she just didn’t develop her muscles as well as most puppies. She is looking really good today, and Titus is sure giving her her exercise! We have her first vet appt on Monday, so we will find out more then. However, every puppy gets a cert of health before leaving the breeder, and their vet seemed to think she was ok.
Titus looooooooves his new playmate, but he is very overwhelming; she is happy to be put in the crate by herself for a few hours just to get some rest.
Time to get dinner out of the oven. Blueberry pecan French toast, mm mm!
Visits and Surprises
A pile of wood…what are these kids up to?
There’s the mysterious carpenter and his workbench. What’s that strange thing he is building?
Oooo. Shaping up into something, huh?
The happy builders/designers. This is early in the day. We were a little more exhausted towards the end of the day.
Yay! Project nearly complete.
What’s this addition, you might wonder?
And a random picture of our sphinx-shiba. Hi, Titus!
In the midst of the construction, we got a visit from Tobin’s wonderful parents! They brought us another piece of the puzzle we were putting together.
All four of us. It was forecast to rain all weekend, but we had a beautiful sunshiny day at the beach and it only decided to get muggy and rainy at the end of the day. Thanks, God!
Ok, and these two videos will show you what we have been spending 2 weeks of building, painting, and coaxing/training on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WqPyi90_dI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUagH3ORQ14
So, in 2 short weeks (weekend work only), we got this all designed and built. 
Ok, Tobin did most of the building. But I helped! And painted. Now if we can just get the dogs to use it…
PS, a quick video of Titus and his Jack Russell buddies: