Back Online!

I’ve been sans computer for a week or so – it’s so nice to have it back up and running.

I did a fly-over for the Wise Guys charity last week.  Here are a couple shots:

I was supposed to fly over another charity golf tourney yesterday, but the severe thunderstorms ended those plans.  Apparently it was so bad, they had to leave the golf course half way through the game – bummer.

Not too much has been going on lately.  I hope to feel better this weekend so I can take to the skies again.  The weather is supposed to be quite nice.  I’ll have to check if there are any fly-ins around here to attend.

The two little goobers have been their typical cute, little selves, as seen here:

Actually, they’ve been more affectionate lately than normal – even toward each other.  Weird.

Today’s symptoms:  I had to leave work a couple hours early today due to worse than normal weakness and fatigue.  I actually slept for a few hours this afternoon.  Hopefully, it will leave me feeling better tomorrow.  Enough of this silliness!

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/29/2010 7:27 PM

Back in the Saddle

I was feeling decent yesterday and decided to take a couple hours vacation time to go flying.  I hopped in the plane and headed out (solo) along the Lake Erie shoreline.  It was such a nice, relaxing flight.  Here’s a shot of the refinery in Nanticoke:

After taking the scenic route along the shoreline, I arrived at Tillsonburg after a little over an hour:

After getting fuel, I went into their nice, new terminal building to pay.  They have a restaurant there for breakfasts on the weekends, so I’ll have to head back there sometime.

I taxied over to the grass runway and noticed the cutest little young fox at the side of the runway.  There was another plane in the circuit to land, so I called him and let him know there was a fox on the runway.  I said “He’s really cute so please don’t hit him!”

I took a more direct route back to St. Catharines.  The clouds were fairly low so it was a little bumpy.  My mother would be having a fit if she was flying with me.

It’s nice to see how well the new St. Catharines hospital is coming along:

I’m supposed to fly over a charity golf tourney tomorrow around 12:30.  There is a chance of thunder storm, so I’ll have to check the weather tomorrow.

Today’s symptoms:  Feeling very drained (emotionally and physically) today.  I also have quite a few aches in my arms and left hand.

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/20/2010 8:22 PM

Plastic Surgery

I received the plastic panels for the interior of my plane yesterday.  My mother and I drove over to the airport to stick them in the plane.  I was quite happy to see my mechanic there, since he’s the one performing Vyctor’s plastic surgery.  He allowed us to load up the panels in his truck, and arranged for me to fly out to his place the next day.  Despite the wind, we went for a brief flight.  My mother nagged the whole time, telling me to stop making the plane bounce from the wind and air pockets. 

I headed out to the airport this morning and called Chuck to meet me at my mechanic’s place.  I spotted him driving on the QEW and tried to slow down enough to fly next to him into Welland.  I was able to fly directly in front of him once we reached Montrose Road.  After landing, I helped remove a couple of the old, brittle panels, then got out of my mechanic’s hair so he could carry on with the transplantation.  Here are some of the pics we took:

Rear panels removed (Vyctor’s skeleton exposed):

I also had to replace the glove box door, which was missing a fairly large chunk of plastic:

I would love to fly without the doors!

Yucky old panel and beading:

I’m really looking forward to seeing him with his facelift.

Today’s symptoms: Feelings pretty decent today!  This is the second “good” day in a row – I’m hoping for many more!

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/18/2010 6:02 PM

The Mercedes

We had an interesting day last week, the day before we went to the Elton John concert.  My little mother’s birthday is coming up, so Chuckles picked her up a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320!  She was in total shock and thought we were kidding.  We handed her the ownership, pointed out her name, and she didn’t believe us.  We ended up going out  for dinner, and of course had Jan drive us in her new ride.  She couldn’t believe how nicely it drove.  She goes on about her new pride and joy (which is no longer me!) almost every day. It’s so nice to see her so happy!Speaking of happy, Jan found a poem I wrote on February 25, 2001.  I wish to share it with all of you.  *Elizabeth clears her throat*….dramatic pause for effect:

Silly People – by Elizabeth Murphy

Clowns – happy, cheerful, funny
Amusing, laughing, silly
What is our fascination
With these silly people?

Devoted to lifting spirits
Making children laugh
Painted faces and funny clothes
Crazy antics always fun to watch

What’s beneath these wondrous smiles?
It must be something grand
I think it’s more than that
Emotions they try to hide

They are real people too
With evil thoughts and heartaches
Painful life stories and woes
Who are they trying to kid?

Psycho clowns scampering about
Trying to be something they’re not
I know what’s under that crazy hair
Pure evil in disguise

Wow – I must have had issues in 2001!  I’ll have to check out the rest of my poetry (I wrote quite a bit) and see if it’s as twisted as this little number.

Today’s symptoms:  Feeling better today than I have in a few days.  Still very weak and tired, more than “normal.”

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/15/2010 7:02 PM

I Love Elton…

Yesterday was a total blast.  My friend Laura and my mother arrived at our apartment around 3:00.  We had a couple drinks then headed downstairs to leave for Hamilton.  When the elevator opened, my mother said “Oh look!  Someone has a limo waiting for them!”  I just said “How lucky.” and walked toward the front door.  Jan asked why I was walking out that door, since we usually go out the back door to the parking lot.  I said that I wanted to check out the limo.  She and Laura stayed in the lobby while I walked up to the limo.  The driver opened the door and I got in.  My mother was in absolute shock and said to Laura “I can’t believe she went inside!  I didn’t raise her like that!”  About 10 seconds later, they both finally walked out the front door and the limo driver said “Your ride is here.”  They both still just stood there, in a state of shock.  They eventually got in with their mouths hanging open.  Needless to say, we had an amazing ride to Hamilton! 

Here’s a shot of our reflection in Downtown Hamilton:

We went out for dinner to kill some time before the show, which started at 8:00pm at Copps.  It was during dinner that I warned my friend that I will probably lose it when I see Elton walk on stage.  Oh my – that was an understatement!  I totally broke down and was sobbing like a big dork!  Laura gave me a hug.  Either that or she was just trying to throw me on the floor so I would stop embarrassing her.

The concert was unbelievable.  He went on for about three hours, non-stop, mostly his greatest hits and classics.  We all had an amazing time.  The ride back in the limo was great too.  Here it is back at the apartment:

After all of the excitement yesterday, today was very lazy.  Chuck and I went out for groceries, then spent the rest of the day vegging out.  For dinner, he made us turkey burgers.  Guess which one is his???

Today’s symptoms: Very weak and tired, but it was completely worth it!  Oh, I also have a bad sinus headache.

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/11/2010 8:10 PM

Nexus Jan

It was my short day at work today, which was perfect timing as my mother and aunt had their interviews for their Nexus  cards.  I drove them down to Fort Erie and we arrived 30 minutes early for their appointment.  Fortunately, the officer was able to take them both right away.  The whole process took only an hour, so we were out of there sooner than we planned.  It will be so nice to go over to the States with Jan using our Nexus cards, so we can miss the bridge line-ups. 

I was so happy to see what was in my email when I got home.  I ordered a custom made model of my airplane through Factory Direct Models .   They sent me confirmation that my model was complete, and asked that I check it over and approve it for shipping.  It’s perfect:

I can’t wait to receive Lil’ Vyctor in the mail!

Today’s symptoms:  Very weak, a lot of pain in my arms and hands, a bad headache and really bad fatigue.  Blah!

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/7/2010 6:14 PM

Nexus Jan

It was my short day at work today, which was perfect timing as my mother and aunt had their interviews for their Nexus  cards.  I drove them down to Fort Erie and we arrived 30 minutes early for their appointment.  Fortunately, the officer was able to take them both right away.  The whole process took only an hour, so we were out of there sooner than we planned.  It will be so nice to go over to the States with Jan using our Nexus cards, so we can miss the bridge line-ups. 

I was so happy to see what was in my email when I got home.  I ordered a custom made model of my airplane through Factory Direct Models .   They sent me confirmation that my model was complete, and asked that I check it over and approve it for shipping.  It’s perfect:

I can’t wait to receive Lil’ Vyctor in the mail!

Today’s symptoms:  Very weak, a lot of pain in my arms and hands, a bad headache and really bad fatigue.  Blah!

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/7/2010 6:14 PM

New Family Member

We have a new family member – little Guildenstern, the Betta Fishy!  I always feel so bad for those fishies in the little cups so I bought a Betta tank, some supplies and of course, little Guildenstern (Gilly for short).

Here he is with his new home decor (mostly housewarming gifts from Mya and Abby):

The heat was absolutely brutal today and is supposed to be the same tomorrow.  Still, I hope to take a couple hours vacation and go for a flight in the haze and smog.

Side note – Abby’s weird:

I’m too hot and tired to write any more.

Today’s symptoms:  Feeling a bit better today than I have over the last week.  I have been very weak, sore and just all out poopy.

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/5/2010 9:13 PM

Canada Day

I have been looking forward to today all week – unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned.  I woke up feeling really poopy…I mean poopier than I’ve felt in a while.  I spent most of the day in bed.  I was really hoping to fly over some firework shows today, but it’s not going to happen.  I’m so bummed about it.  On a bright note, my little mother drove to St. Catharines today for a visit.  She’s such a good little mommy.

Actually, I think I may know why I am so weak and fatigued today.  Earlier this week, Chuck asked me to pick up his shoes from The Boot Shop  near my office.  Needless to say, his shoes are much bigger and heavier than mine.  I was going to make two trips when I walked home – one for each shoe.  However, I decided to take them both home at the same time.  A friend of mine at work took this picture of me, starting my journey home:

The walk home usually takes me 6 – 8 minutes, but I was over an hour that day.  Oh well, Chuck has his shoes so he’s happy.

Today’s symptoms: My whole body feels really heavy (like it’s encased in cement).  I’m really weak, sore, stiff and just feeling all around rotten.  Not to mention how bummed I am about not getting to fly tonight. 

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 7/1/2010 7:22 PM