JAN. 12&13 class of 2008

[Bessy]

My name is Bess and I'll be taking the Jan. 12&13 '08 class with my hubby Jason and my bro' Greg. We're from eastern PA and we can't wait to take the class and meet other log-home-builder-wannabes. 46 days and counting!!!

[coastal1]

Hi Bess, My friend and I have signed up for the Jan. class also. I'm from NC and look foward to meeting you guys.

[spiralsands]

At least I hope we'll see you there...I gotta get kennel arrangements for 4 big dogs. Never had to do that before.

What's the weather like up there this time of year???

[coastal1]

We've got 3 dogs and they will be spending the weekend with their granny...so good luck on boarding your babies.

[Kola]

When I travel, which is rare, I hire a TRUSTED relative/friend/neighbor to take care of my animals. I pay them well and make a list of responsibilities and feeding procedures. Your pets will appreciate the "stay-at-home" service.

Kola

[Simple Mind]

My wife and I are in. We live in the area. In January 2004 I remeber sitting on the back deck with my wife in shorts having a drink. It could also snow. Wear layers and Gortex and you will be covered for most conditions. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Jason

[shawnis]

We're out on the east coast in Virginia, so it'll be a long flight, but we're very excited that we're finally able to make time for the class!

Does anyone know if we receive confirmation after we fax in our applications?

[Bessy]

Our dogs (Dolly and Nora) will be staying with their granny. They are much to spoiled for roughing it at a kennel, plus granny's free. I did leave them home last year when we went on a family trip. Mom went on the trip so I couldn't leave them with her. I had a very responsible family friend/ petsitter come to the house three times a day to take care of them. We even left some of our dirty laundry around so they could smell us and feel reassured. I don't know if that made any difference or not but the children seemed totally fine when we got home. The pet sitter wasn't cheap($50.00 a day) but to keep 2 dogs in a kennel isn't cheap either. Plus I knew they would be free to roam their usual surroundings and get the food I wanted them to have. I personally recommend the petsitter route over the kennel but if you trust your kennel or veterinarian go for it. Good luck with everything. Bess

[spiralsands]

So I've been spending alot of time at work sneaking phone time with petsitter agencies and kennels. There's a kennel that'll house all four dogs for 350 bucks for 5 nights. I'm still waiting for the estimate from the last agency but apparently my travel partner and classmate has had a change of heart about going so all this arranging for the dogs' care may be moot. My daughter is a university student and has decided that she cannot afford to go right now. So she will be staying behind to take care of our canine pack. I'm relieved about the dog thing but really really disappointed that she won't be going with me. I HATE to have to go without her. I'm used to traveling alone by myself for my job but this was going to be fun, an adventure. We're both chomping on the bit to get up to our NY property permanently and this was a symbolic action towards that goal that we were going to do together. I was imagining how exciting it was going to be for us on the long flight home jabbering about what to do next.

Oh boogers....

[JPL]

Does anyone know if we receive confirmation after we fax in our applications?

We didn't for our class. We got an on-line receipt for our payment and we just printed that out and brought it.

Have fun, enjoy the class and be prepared for the world famous cookies!

[spiralsands]

Did you know that Southwest Airlines has special fares if you fly on Tuesday or Wednesday? I actually can fly to Seattle from Tampa, Florida for $99.00 on those two days. Incredible!! On any other day the fare is $159.00 for a "book now" flight. Not bad!!!

I feel like a jerk...I haven't made any reservations yet. No excuse. I've been having up and down feelings about actually building my own place. I remember someone on another forum topic said that they wanted someone else to do it because they would rather have the time. I think my own doubts are based on fears that the house I build wouldn't stand the test of time. That it wouldn't be durable. That it would be poorly engineered.

I've always done alot of my home repairs, plumbing stuff, electrical, built some sidewalks. And you know how houses are, they always need something else done. Mine needed two bathrooms to be redone and new windows. I hired a contractor several years ago to replace 2 windows and a sliding glass door on the south side. It was all I could afford at the time and it was expensive. But since enrolling in this class, I bought three more windows on my own and was determined to put them in myself. One was a bathroom window and the other was a double window with a munion. I put the bathroom window in last weekend. It was the first time I ever did it and I swear every part of the job was grinding torture. I never said the F-word so much in my whole life. And that's saying alot because I'm a military vet. But despite how much I suffered, when I was done, the last caulk applied, I stood back and looked at a perfectly beautiful bathroom window installation.

Now for the double window in the bedroom. The second child with the big head. It's gonna hurt but I think it will be beeoootifulll!!!!!!

[rreidnauer]

Considering today's fuel costs, even $159 is a bargain.

He he he!!! By the time you get the last window in, you'll have figured out all the little tricks to make it go easy, and without having to even drop the F bomb anymore. :-)

[2 cents]

With Southwest Airlines, you actually have to buy a one-way ticket EACH way...... so be aware that the $99 may only indicate one way!
I have used Southwest Airlines many times before and I really like flying with them though.

2 cents

[spiralsands]

Man, I'm not an idiot!!!!! I am an "Aviation Professional" as they say. I know way more about flying than is comfortable. I pine for the days when the flying experience felt like no more than a bus ride. Now, I am not only a white knuckled flyer, worrying about the accuracy of the glass cockpit instruments and abbreviated pilot training, but I know way too well the people on the ground upon whom we all depend to get the steering straight. Whoa is me!!!!! Waitress, uh, Flight Attendant....bring me another Scotch!!!!

I'd gladly pay more if I knew it would make a difference!!!!

By the way, I couldn't drive my truck up to my Adirondack acreage for what it's gonna cost me to fly round trip to Seattle.

[Simple Mind]

Man, I'm not an idiot!!!!! I am an "Aviation Professional" as they say. I know way more about flying than is comfortable. I pine for the days when the flying experience felt like no more than a bus ride. Now, I am not only a white knuckled flyer, worrying about the accuracy of the glass cockpit instruments and abbreviated pilot training, but I know way too well the people on the ground upon whom we all depend to get the steering straight. Whoa is me!!!!! Waitress, uh, Flight Attendant....bring me another Scotch!!!!

I'd gladly pay more if I knew it would make a difference!!!!

By the way, I couldn't drive my truck up to my Adirondack acreage for what it's gonna cost me to fly round trip to Seattle.

Looking forward to seeing you in class on the 12th. As a fellow "Aviation Profesional", one that sits in the pointy end and actualy uses the glass cockpit, I feel a little offended at your comments. The funny thing about a message board is you really have no idea who your audience is. Accident rates are lower than they have ever been. Training in general is more thourough and longer than it has ever been for pilots. The list goes on. Give me a fact as to why you are now a white knuckle flyer, or appologize. If you really are an Aviation Profesional why are you not non reving. Loads should be very light in january.

[spiralsands]

You got offended? I'm sorry you didn't understand my humor. It's true, you don't really know who you're talking to on the internet. And it's true that I am a professional that works in aviation. If I can't use self-effacing humor against the industry than nobody can I guess. I don't work for a commercial carrier. I know that commercial accident rates are low but there is a lot in the industry that makes me nervous and I'm already a nervous enough person already. That's why I'm trying to find some peace and quiet out in the country. That's why I'm taking this class.

If you think you might be going to try to confront me or something like that when I go to the class, don't. I won't discuss it with you. I am not there for that and nobody else there will appreciate that either. I'm suprised that you're sensitive and defensive about any perceived insults to your profession but you're being insensitive, maybe even a little indignant, to the emotional discomfort some people have boarding an aircraft. I deal with the stresses in my life with full-out humor. I don't owe anybody a justification for anything I feel and I'm not compelled to require one from you. The flying public will appreciate our restraint! (that's a joke...no, really, I'm saying that with a smile!) Geez! Where are those smiley-face, laughing emoticons when you need them?

[Klapton]

As a programmer and also an avid forum-junkie, I've done the same thing and accidentally offended people by making smart remarks about the IT professions. Smilies and winkies go a long way to help these kinds of misunderstandings. But when all else fails...

GROUP HUG!!! ;)
/hums koom-by-yah...

[sparky]

Wow.... it seems several people on the forum are a little prickly lately. Must be the Holiday fever!

Sparky

Disclaimer: HEHEHE, hahaha, smiley face, smiley face, smiley face!

[Drew]

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I was thinking the same thing. Its the most stressfull time of the year! I hope everyone enjoys their Holidays this year! Merry Christmas.

[Kola]

prickly, huh Sparky? LOL!

good wording..which could have quite a few different meanings..heehee.

and yeah Klapton, some folks just need an old fashioned heart-filled hug. It can tame the wildest beasts.

OTOH, I love the holiday season...snow, lights, song, eggnog, parties, happy childrens faces, ......umm..heavy traffic, long lines in stores, icestorms, high heating bills, scrooges, .........and..umm...all that stuff....

Jolly Old Saint Kola

hey Drew, is that you with a tiger cub in your lap?

[Drew]

Hey Kola,
Yeah, thats me playin with Shirkan the tiger. He's an actor. Right now he is filming a movie with Jack Black. I volunteer with my sister and Girlfriend to help take care of him and some other animals.