Living On a Prayer & A Promise

"Lord if this is how it ends, just make it so that I don't fall on the frog's home under me""

That was my prayer this past Wednesday, clinging to the ladder alongside the wing of the King Air I was fueling. And yes, we have frogs that live near the airport and they're a very happy bunch. I wouldn't want to ruin their home by dying in it you know? 

Wind was gusting to 35 knots.

I was sleep-deprived and also it being post arm day, not really prepared to grip for my life to the ladder while the nasty East wind tried to bully me off the ladder. I was just trying to add 60 aside, positive Prist (this was the pilot's fuel order) and now I ran the risk of making Martin find another line guy because I was about to go flying. Quite literally. 

The gust ended after about 1-2 mins, but it felt longer. I couldn't feel my fingers very well, but I was proud of them because they didn't let me go. aheh. 

Those last 20 gallons I pretended I was in some epic thunderstorm, and fueling my plane to get me off some remote island to speed me towards being done and run inside to warmth. (Even though we never fuel planes when it's sprinkling, let alone a thunderstorm ⛈!)

I strutted back in really proud that I not only:

- drove the big lean mean stick jet fuel tank/truck

- filled the jet by myself, high wing 

- also put in exactly 60.0 gallons (yee)

but Micheal (other boss) didn't notice. He was too busy dreaming about his soon Cancun holiday I believe. 😂

I don't think he noticed that I almost turned into a UFO either. Oh well, other than the flyaway not much else happened Wednesday.

I found Christmas decorations at work, Micheal almost seemed like he didn't want to tell me about them. But I found them, I decorated, it looks proper jolly now. However I didn't put lights up outside the buildings because I don't know where the electrical ports are, and again the wind was an issue today. Wind and Waves, you won't ever win against those two so just give up, pack up go home don't fly! Only 3 pilots I fueled ended up taxing out Wednesday. 

Friday work was great (and laid back/slow) too. A student who has her PPL and CPL is working on her CFI (Certified Flying Instructor). 

Her name is Holly, we were talking and she asked me to be her quinea pig for her flight lessons. She won't be doing any flight portion with me, but she wants feedback + criticism on her slides, teaching, and wants me to ask questions as well. 

I grinned "THAT is one thing I'm good at, you'll regret asking!" I teased. She seemed relived to have found someone though, so I guess I have 2 CFIs now?!

So beautiful today. But so cold and windy! Lookit this, look how nice:

Also, another Martin Joke Report™. Holly asked how many days of the week I worked, so we could figure out a schedule. I told her I only work 20 hrs a week now for fueling. Martin adds "hm, not healthy, I think one should have gas every day of the week." 

This guy didn't stop there either, he was cracking 'em left and right. I think the wind + sun was making him wild 😂

Only 5 fuel calls, 2 were our own planes. Pretty slow day fuel-wise but people were in and out all day, talking and eating the Hohos/Twinkies/Ding-dongs we had on the counter (we only offer the finest). Still no update on plane or flight portion, I did ask Martin about discounts because I've worked there almost half a year but didn't want to ask until I'd been at the airport awhile. He said I don't get a discount, so that's a major saddence but I totally understand because gas prices are doing everything except going down. Oh, also, Ellen stopped by from the maintenance hangar and we talked about the cruise tomorrow and she told me "casual wear, like I don't own a dress even so yeah wear jeans please." I'm excited! I've seen the small ship downtown before on the waterfront but have never gone because the price mainly and I forgot that it's something I've wanted to do for awhile now. Ellen tried to set me up with a really cool fellow from the Maintenance hangar (I met both him and Brian last Friday!) 

this guy wants to be an Aerospace Engineer! He's already graduated with his Associates in A&P 🔧🔩

She was on the other side of the front desk counter "abbie, are you dating?"    I say: "nope unless school counts" 

and she just gave me a look. 😂

and then she moved to another flight student I talk to a lot, tried to set us up, the guy smiles at her and steps back a little "uh, I'm married." 

Someone come to the lobby and control Ellen, she's matching young folks up quicker than the bunica's that sit in the back row at church (they're always watching, even when you think they're not, alllways watching).

Run for cover (preferably before you hit age 16 or so when The Search really gets kicking): 

But, Ellen did cease her search once I distracted her about what paint job she's gonna give her RV. No need to dip and run now, we started debating what color scheme, pattern or no? and then if pattern and color are decided, does she want it glossy, non glossy...? I've been waiting for her to decide, and she wants help because she's been trying to for about about a year now! We both like green, and Ellen is from Canada so she was thinking the maple leaf thing would be a cool way to go. Haha, eventually something will end up on her plane, in the meantime it's being annual-ed in the hangar so that's a focus for now! 

Also, swapping back to spiritual life talk over from Aviation, these past 2 weeks have been tough. Mainly just because I'm dumping stuff over my head and can't/won't rest, because there's lots to be done and I feel I haven't "fully rested" since Summer.  No big deal, I love my job, school, and all I'm involved in...it just kind of feels like I'm forgetting all the "rest is precious and biblical based" stuff God taught me over the Summer. To be fair, Winter Term is almost here so I shouldn't be so frantic.. but I forgot how to relax. I feel guilty when I do. How can I reteach myself to be lazy? 😂

Any Netflix guru's out there?

eh never mind, I have never finished a show in my life, it most likely will never happen, even as a 2018 resolution which I think is fine!    

I gotta keep the prayers going up and my mind grounded on His promises. I'm reading Colossians 1:11-12 and I really really love it, I can't believe I've never done a study on it before!

One of my favorite parts is 1:9-14, it's really beautiful:

Thanksgiving and Prayer

"9 ...We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." - Colossians 1:9-14

Oh, and here's a picture of me trying to keep my hood closed against the wind. 

(and my ghost hand, idk how that effect happened, my phone is old but it can be taught new tricks I guess):

here's the video if ya made it this far, and also a complimentary free GIF (describes when you're in class discussion agreeing with everything said because you're spacing out thinking about Winter Break):