Like a Chicken with Its Head Cut Off

I don't know about you, but I've been working a ton lately! What a whirlwind of a month September was! It didn't help that Hubby was camping with the Scouts every weekend. With me gone all week and him gone all weekend, I've forgotten what he looks like! I am looking forward to a better pace this month. Knock on wood.

Is this what a real job feels like? 

Last week brought a fun-packed and busy week in the Beechjet. Did you know I love My Baby?

We left Phoenix in the late evening on our way east. We couldn't quite make it the entire way, thanks to some awful weather in Chicago and our need for an alternate airport (a safety airport in case the weather is bad at our desired destination...which requires more fuel to fly to in case we can't land at the first airport). After a quick fuel stop in Salina, Kansas (one of our favorite places), we were on our way to Chicago-Midway Airport. We landed around 1:30 AM, and by the time I brushed my teeth and crawled into bed, it was almost 2:30. In case my dentist is reading, yes...I do brush my teeth that late at night. Luckily, I was able to make up for some sleep debt the next morning.

Lunch was at my favorite pizza place, Giordano's. If you haven't had their deep-dish Chicago pizza, you haven't lived! My passengers were only two hours late, which is pretty good for them. I waited for their arrival outside since the temperatures were so beautiful. I forget what it feels like to be able to go outside! When they arrived, we headed south to Evansville, Indiana. I hadn't been here before but wasn't on the ground long enough to give it proper exploration. We were soon on our way to the Cincinnati Lunken Airport. The main Cincinnati airport is actually located in Kentucky, but Big Boss needed to be on the north side of town. We thus landed at the Lunken Airport for his commute by car to be shorter. We are always trying to make his life easier! After Cincinnati, we were on our way to Teterboro in New Jersey. After a few hours on the ground here, he wanted to continue on to Raleigh-Durham. Since it was 2:00 AM in Teterboro, it was already pushing pretty late by my napping standards. Unfortunately, the weather was awful in Raleigh, and we decided to not risk the flight only to be diverted in the end (purple on a radar screen is never a pretty sight). So we grabbed hotel rooms near the Teterboro Airport at around 3:00 AM. Big Boss wanted to make up for the lost time, so were up and at 'em the next morning at seven. Even by Micah Math, that simply isn't enough sleep!

Wednesday morning, we were on our way to Raleigh. The weather was much nicer than the previous evening, and people told us about the bad storm they felt move through in the middle of the night. We had enough time in Raleigh to grab a quick breakfast at Bob Evans. I was so hungry from almost no food since pizza the day before! And I love eating out for breakfast! Soon we were on our next flight to Greensboro, North Carolina, which looks an awful lot like Raleigh from the air! Next came Hickory, North Carolina before heading back east and south to Conway, South Carolina near Myrtle Beach. Big Boss wanted to go to San Antonio next, but we couldn't make it without stopping for fuel. Since he had mentioned Ft. Smith as a potential stop previously in the week, that became our next location. I arranged for my passengers to borrow a crew car for forty-five minutes while we got fueled and ready for the next hop. Soon we were on our way to San Antonio...one of my favorite places in the world. We landed just in time to visit my co-worker's favorite Mexican restaurant before it closed. I even brought some chicken enchiladas home for Hubby to enjoy!

Around midnight Texas-time, we were on our way home to Phoenix. Thanks to a two-hour time difference, we landed just after midnight. By the time I got home and crawled into bed, I had been up for twenty-two hours straight...working the entire time with no chance to sleep! What a day! If you think I'm loopy normally...try adding in sleep deprivation to that equation!

It was a fun, fast, busy trip. We visited lots of new places, and some oldies-but-goodies that I'm never disappointed to see again. But eight cities in one day can be a little shocking...even to my little pea brain!

Phoenix - Salina - Chicago/Midway - Evansville - Cincinnati/Lunken - Teterboro - Raleigh/Durham - Greensboro - Hickory - Conway - Ft. Smith - San Antonio - Phoenix

A First For Sure

Do you know what feels really good?

Paying off my first student loan. 

I know it's just a drop in the bucket, but having that extra $129.29 a month to put towards the next loan will only snowball that payment as well. Hubby and I just started a new budget this month. He now pays for everything that requires us to sustain life. And besides my tithing each month, every penny I make now goes towards paying off my student loans. According to mint.com, we will be done with them completely in February of 2015. A sobering number, but certainly better than the year 2034 estimate by my bank. I've come to passionately hate interest!

One down. Seven to go. Too bad the remaining seven total more money than I'll make in years!

A Biker Weekend in Reno

I was able to work this weekend. I only work about six weekends a year, so it's not too bad. The unfortunate side to working this particular weekend was that my Hubby celebrated a birthday! And I kind of missed the entire thing.

We left Friday morning with seven people in back. Terry was able to bring his wife. I was the awkward eighth wheel for the entire day! We dropped the six off at a tiny airport about forty miles southeast of Reno in a town called Yerington. They had business meetings throughout the weekend and wanted to be picked up again on Sunday morning around eleven. Since Yerington had no jet fuel available, and just one small motel, we flew the airplane to Reno to spend a few nights before returning with full fuel to take them home again.

I had a blast all weekend. I stayed in a four-star resort in a room that usually runs $249 a night. Our rate was just $94 through the FBO. Pure heaven!

Something fun was that a biker extravaganza was going on in downtown Reno the same weekend. It made for some very interesting people-watching, and I got to admire some beautiful custom motorcycles. I entertained myself on Saturday by walking about six miles round-trip to downtown Reno to take a peek at the biker festivities. On my way back to the resort after a few hours of enjoying the show, I stopped in a city park and relaxed under some trees. I love finding shapes in clouds and haven't done it for years! I remedied that before starting back to the Grand Sierra.

I relaxed that evening and grabbed a bite to eat in one of the many resort restaurants. As much as I wanted steak, I didn't think paying $40 for one would go over very well with Big Boss.

Sunday morning, we were back to the airplane to ferry to Yerington. The passengers showed up on time, and we were back in Phoenix just an hour and a half later.

Headed to work again tonight. I'm exhausted, but it will be a nice week. Every week on the road is usually nice!

Phoenix - Yerington - Reno - Yerington - Phoenix