Almost the Weekend!

I can’t believe yet another week has gone by and it’s almost Labour Day!  This summer has gone by so quick, but it’s still been great. 

Jan and I went to my neurologist appointment in Hamilton at McMaster Hospital earlier this week.  It reminded me of how much I hated the drive there and back, when I used to work there everyday for over a year.  I must admit, the traffic is much worse than it was about ten years ago when I had to do the drive.  Anyway, on the way home, we stopped at Swiss Chalet for dinner.  We both had the quarter chicken dinner – yummers!

As usual, Jan made a face of disgust as I poured ketchup all over my plate.

The other night, I inadvertently left the fish food lid off of the jar, while I went into the other room.  I heard the sound of the bottle knocked over and walked in to see this mess.  Gee, I wonder who the guilty party is?  Perhaps the kitty next to the night stand with the big glowing eyes?

Actually, I think it was Pinky who jumped up and knocked over the bottle.  They were both up there sniffing and licking the fish food though.  Dorks.

I took a couple hours vacation yesterday and went for a flight.  The weather was amazing!

I flew along the Lake Erie shoreline and over towards Buffalo.

I saw a few kids and adults over by this huge water toy shaped like a cat, just off of their pier:

They waved so I circled around and tipped my wings.

And over toward Buffalo:

Great flight.  If it wasn’t going to be so hot tomorrow (around 34 degrees) I would take some vacation and go for another flight.

When I got home, little stretchy Mya greeted me at the door:

I went over to the States the other night to buy some noms.  I almost changed check-out lines when I got behind this disturbing scene:

Really?  Is that soother necessary?  Ugh.

I can’t believe it’s Friday tomorrow.  It’s also the long weekend.  This summer went by so quickly but it was great – I did so much and flew more than ever.  Life is great!

Today’s symptoms:  Just dealing with some bone crushing pains in my left arm today, plus a mild headache.  Nothing to write home about though.

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 8/30/2012 7:04 PM

Great Day Off

I was off today, so my mother, friend and I went to Niagara-On-The-Lake for some shopping around the picturesque town.  Jan met me at my apartment, then we drove over to my friend’s house.  Before we left, Mya and Pinky decided (at the same time) to have some noms.  Pinky usually growls at everyone, but seemed to be quite content being so close to Mya:

So cute!

Anyway, despite having some issues finding a free parking spot near the shops, we eventually managed to find one then headed over to the Irish Design Shop for noms.  They have amazing Irish treats there.  We decided to split a piece of Bailey’s cake, banana bread and some Whiskey cake.  We of course got their amazing coffee too.  I really love sweet stuff, and the two cakes were really rich and sweet.  I was able to eat my piece of Bailey’s cake and banana bread, but couldn’t eat the Whiskey one.  Wow, that never happens!  I was really hungry too.  Oh well, it was still really yummola.  After nomming, we spent the next few hours wandering from shop to shop.  We were a little creeped out by the mannequins in one of the stores:

Ugh!

We all left the town with something.  As usual, we also left with some treats from the bakery.  Jan and I always get Empire cookies, tarts and Jan gets Scotch pies and sausage roll thingies.  I love them but can’t eat pastry and meat together – it makes me physically ill.  Weird, eh?

What a great day!

Today’s symptoms: Felt really good today.  My fatigue didn’t sink in until later in the afternoon.  Actually, I was shocked with how long I lasted wandering around today.  Just dealing with a twitchy and shaky hand and a headache, but that’s about it!

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 8/23/2012 6:39 PM

 

 

Lots Going On

I mentioned in my last blog that I went to the Exeter COPA group to give a presentation.  I was given permission to post our pic on my blog:

They were very kind and provided me with a cheque to help pay for my travel there plus a donation towards MS!

The day after Exeter, I met up with a friend at the St. Catharines Airport and we flew out to a private strip out in Fort Erie.  A pilot who owns the land and runway has a monthly gathering of aviation folks.  I was asked if I wanted to partake.  Not too many people flew in but it was a great turn out of around 50 folks.

I decided to go back up and do some aerobatics for the crowd.  I had a volunteer go with me and he really enjoyed the flight.  I’m really looking forward to going back next month.

I really shouldn’t go more than a couple days without doing a blog because I lose track of when events happen.  I can’t quite remember when Jan and I went out to a few shops here in St. Catharines.  We were surprised to see one was closing, yet again.  Nothing seems to stay in there.  Anyway, I found a group of very white skinny people and decided to pose with them:

Good thing I was wearing clothes and had a full head, or else you probably wouldn’t have know which one I was.

Here’s another group of look-a-likes:

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough room for little Abby.  I think she was sulking in the other room.

Back to airplanes, they had Airport Fest at the airport this weekend.  I watched the Herc fly over in the morning.  Here it is parked for the visitors:

I was lucky enough to fly in one back when I was in the Army.  Fortunately, even with the Herc there, Vyctor was still the best looking plane on the ramp:

And another shot of the Herc:

I’m not sure what night this was, but Boo and Pinky decided to be very naughty.  Little Boo was up on the stove:

I guess she didn’t clue into the fact that having her high beams on really gave away her position.

Pinky was soon to follow as she climbed up on the counter and into my back pack:

How can you get mad at faces like that?

So there is my week in a nutshell.  I’ll try not to be such a slacker from hence forth!

Today’s symptoms:  I got quite a bit of sleep this weekend and it helped a fair bit with how I’ve been feeling.  I’m having some shaking and twitching in my left arm and hand, but that’s about it MS symptom-wise. 

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 8/20/2012 7:36 PM

Awesome Day!

Had a great day yesterday – I was asked by the COPA (Canadian Owners and Pilots Association) chapter in Exeter to give them a little presentation.  One of their members noticed my website a few months ago and we’ve been chatting ever since.  I had a friend go with me and we were both really hoping the weather would be good enough to fly.  Unfortunately, it pooped out and we ended up driving.  I thought it was going to be over three hours, but we arrived in about two and a half.  Since we got there a tad early, I treated him to noms at Crabby Joe’s, to kill the hungers and some time.  I think we were both impressed with the turn-out of folks at the COPA meeting.  I think there were around 35 people.  I must say, what a wonderful group!  Everyone was so welcoming and friendly.  They were all so attentive during my presentation, which consisted of me blabbing whilst showing a PowerPoint presentation.  I just discussed what I did to achieve my dream of becoming a Cop, life in the Army, life with MS and of course, being a pilot and owning the cutest plane ever!  I felt very comfortable speaking in front of them, with the presentation lasting about 40 minutes.  Once done, I had many members approach me and thank me for coming.  I left there with a huge smile on my face!  I arrived home around 11:30 and I think I was asleep within an hour.

Needless to say, I was totally pooped today and had to leave work early.  It was completely worth it as yesterday was one of the best days I’ve had in a while.

Today’s symptoms:  Very tired and fatigued, lots aches and pains and a bad headache.  I know most of this will be gone after a good sleep tonight.  At least I get to sleep in tomorrow as it’s my compressed day off.

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 8/15/2012 7:29 PM

Blogless Week

Sorry about the lack of blog over this past week.  I had my first Tysabri infusion in St. Catharines on Wednesday.  I think it went in a little too fast (at least for my wussy body!) and kinda did a number on me physically.  Took a couple days to recover.  I had a better day on Saturday, despite a few nights of insomnia.  I was really hoping to wake up feel great today, as it was the Air Force Association’s trip to the Trenton Air Force Base.  I woke up around 2:30 this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep.  I felt horrible.  I headed down to Fonthill to meet the bus for 6:45, hoping I would magically perk up.  Needless to say, it didn’t happen.  I was so embarrassed when I had to tell them that I wouldn’t be able to go.  Ugh.  I know they realize how much I wanted to go, so probably weren’t too surprised when I almost broke down towards the end of our chat.  Needless to say, I’ve been totally bummed all day.  I’ve been looking forward to this trip for months. 

I spent the whole day on my couch with the kitties – mostly Mya and Boo:

They’re such good friends.  I actually caught this little scene when I snapped a pic in the dark the other night:

Boo was caught sneaking in for a smooch from Mya.  I guess she didn’t mind her pink lips.  She wasn’t co-operating at all when I was trying to give her the bright pink pill for her rash, and she ended up wearing some of it:

Poor Mya!

Really hoping I feel much better tomorrow, as I have our Recreational Aircraft Association meeting at the Welland Airport that night.  On Tuesday, I’ll be heading to Exeter (west of Stratford) to give a presentation at their local COPA Chapter.  Also hoping for good weather so I can fly there rather than drive.

Today’s symptoms: Physically – blah, emotionally – blah!  Feeling better now emotionally than this morning when I realized I couldn’t go on the trip to Trenton.  Physically, lots of pain all over and just feel all out poopy.  Really looking forward to a good night sleep, and not waking up before 3:00am!  Enough of that silliness!

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 8/12/2012 5:58 PM

Breakfast In Hanover

Had the civic holiday off so Jan and I flew to Hanover for breakfast.  I’ve never been to the Saugeen Municipal Airport.  It was about an hour and fifteen minute flight to get there. 

We were greeted by a cute puppy after parking the plane:

There were a few other people in their large restaurant.  Jan and I both decided on the breakfast special for the day – yummy:

As usual, Jan looked over in disgust as I splattered the ketchup all over my plate.  Anyway, the food was great and we both cleaned our plates.

Weighing a little more, we headed back out to Vyctor to fly back to St. Catharines.  Passed some campers on the way:

We were also flanked by this jet:

I opened my window and yelled “I was here first – I have dibs.  Go away!”  Fortunately, he listened:

We had a bit of a tail wind, so the trip back way about fifteen minutes shorter.  It was a perfect day weather-wise.  Probably one of the clearest days (due to the low humidity) we’ve had in a long time.

Back home, Jan stuck around for a bit.  She trimmed my hair, which I don’t think I’ve done in almost a year.  Just call me Elizasplitends.  Then we did some cleaning around the apartment.  The cats didn’t help too much – just laid around looking cute:

As you can see, little Mya is getting her rash again.  She despises taking pills, so that’s not a fun chore each night.

I had to break down and put the air conditioner on for the third or fourth time the other day.  As soon as I tuck the curtains up on the window sill, out of the way of the air conditioner, all of the kitties have to go up there and knock them down:

Three little goobers – not sure where Pinky was.

One more picture.  Mya was standing on my arm with her front paws yesterday.  She was there for about twenty minutes.  Check out the cute little paw prints on my skin:

Today’s symptoms: Felt great!  I was tired in the afternoon, but always am after a flight.  It was a great day!  Still dealing with a sinus headache, but I’m sure it will linger until the internal swelling goes down.

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 8/6/2012 5:17 PM

What A Gift!

The weather was in our favour today and I was able to take someone up for a flight.  He is currently a student at the St. Catharines Flying Club, getting quite close to taking his flight exam.  He wanted to go up for some aerobatics.  You don’t have to ask me twice!  We met just before 9:00am.  At the same time, the kid and his grandfather (mentioned in yesterday’s blog) also arrived.  I gave him a little wooden airplane and told them to enjoy the show.  I was a little shocked when my amazing Bose A20 headset wasn’t working.  My co-pilot said he could hear me, but I couldn’t hear him or the tower.  Fortunately, I had an extra headset in the back.  It worked fine.  Ugh, that headset isn’t too old either.  Anyway, we headed up over the field around 4000′ and went through some maneuvers.  I love it when my passenger doesn’t even wait until the maneuver is over before starting to say “This is awesome!’  I love it!”  Music to my ears.  We did quite a few actually, before I did a spin to lose 1000′ feet or so.  He loved the rather hard-core spin so much that he asked we go back up and do another.  Not a problem.  Down we went again.  He liked my aggressive side-slip over-head the field to lose another 500′ or so.  The flight was a blast – nothing pleases me more than having a passenger have the flight of their life!  It truly is a gift I get to give people and I’m so thankful.  Unfortunately, my two observers weren’t there when I landed, so I have no idea how much of the show they watched. 

After having a coffee at the airport, I headed out to do some errands.  I had a few returns to make, plus took advantage of the “Spend $50, get $25 off your next visit” at Petcetera.  One medium sized bag of Royal Canin Sphynx food is $59.99, so spending that $50 minimum was quite easy.

Back home, some nasty symptoms took hold, so it was nice to be home to rest and relax.  The kitties did the same – here’s Mya and Boo out on the balcony:

I phoned up Bose to ask if they had any suggestions about my headset.  Not only are their products amazing, but so is there customer service – wow!  The rep I spoke with was so nice and easy to speak with.  He knew what the problem was right away and immediately started working on the solution.  He sent out a new cable right away as well as a mailing label to send mine back with.  We even chatted about hockey and the joys of living in/near Detroit.  No wonder I love Bose so much!  Products cost a bit more but worth every single penny.

Today’s symptoms:  Felt great this morning.  Fatigue level is still more than tolerable this afternoon.  Started getting the MS Hug again, as well as extremely sensitive skin on my thighs – feels like they’re covered with acid.  Not pleasant at all.  Things will be better tomorrow.

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 8/3/2012 4:03 PM

Clean Plane

I’ve been doing a lot of flying lately, so needless to say, I’ve been pretty happy.  I took another pilot up for aerobatics on Monday and she totally loved it.  I did a little air show for a friend and her family on Wednesday.  After that flight, a helper at the St. Catharines Flying Club cleaned Vyctor.  He’s extremely thorough and does an excellent job:

 

I had a really interesting experience after this flight too.  A couple blogs ago, I mentioned how someone asked me about the new Wal-Mart at the Fairview Mall.  Well, a woman and her son were sitting in the observation area next to the Flying Club.  I went out to them and asked if she wanted to bring him over to see my plane up close.  I was shocked when she recognized me – I thought she looked a tad familiar.  It was the woman from the Timmies!  What are the odds???  They both came over to admire Vyctor.  I told her that I would be back out at the airport on Friday to do aerobatics over the field.  I gave her my card and said she could call any time.  Well, I got a call tonight and her father is bringing her son to the airport tomorrow to watch the aerobatics!  That’s so neat!  I hope my passenger tomorrow enjoys it too.

When I got to work today, a co-worker came up to me and gave me a gift.  I couldn’t believe it – how cute!

Yup – it’s a Mickey pilot teapot.  That was so thoughtful of her.  I love the people I work with.

For only the second time this year, I rode my folding bike to work today.  It’s so convenient as it fits nicely under my desk:

There’s always a few dorks that laugh at me, but most people think it’s kinda neat.  It folds out to normal height, just with small wheels.  Geesh, what’s the big deal?

Today’s symptoms: Felt pretty good fatigue-wise today.  It wasn’t bad at all.  My sinus headache was really bad though.  I can’t believe how long it’s taking to heal since the sinus and septum surgery.  Hopefully it was worth it in the end.

Posted by Lizzy McFly at 8/2/2012 7:38 PM