Monday Motivation: Courage

"Discover The Power 

Within Yourself"

I am never surprised at the power of humanity, strength, and courage when times are tough and we are thrown into circumstances beyond our control. There is an inner strength that comes out in time of crisis. People jump in an react.

What does amaze me is the power of people who discover the power within themselves, during times of the day to day grind. They find the strength to save themselves.

Despite a good paying, stable job with benefits... something is missing. I was discussing this very thing with my friend a couple weeks ago. He reminded me of all the people who were able to break free from their jobs...went on to achieve great success.

 Heather McCorkle

This discussion came up because I had just learned that my friend, Heather McCorkle, had broke free from her prison. Literally. Heather worked in a prison. Despite the security of the job, there were many challenges that ate her soul daily. So much that she felt imprisoned by a life she no longer wanted to be part of. So many people survive this way. We make excuses as to why we can't quit to follow our dreams. But the truth is, we can.

Heather is a loving, generous and kind person who is an author of fantasy. She had dreamed of one day quitting her job to focus on her writing. Her Channeler Series is amazing.  My niece couldn't put theses books down. Heather gives to endangered species with each book purchased from the Channeler series. She formed a company, Compass Press where she helps authors bring their books to life. She also designs covers, and ran a contest to win a free cover last weekend.

Working a full time job, and pursing her passion had been a challenge. There were so many reasons she stayed, and one reason she was able to leave. Courage. 

She quit her job! This is a huge deal on so many levels. Giving up security to follow your dreams is scary. I am so proud of Heather and all that she has accomplished. I met her when this was all just a dream. Now it's a reality.

Please take a moment to congratulate this young lady, and wish her the success she deserves. And if you know any young adult readers, her Channeler Series will make a great Christmas gift.

Is there something you wish you had the courage to change? Remember, this is your one and only life. Will you lay on your death-bed wishing you would have... or glad you did?

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene

Kitchen Project....

It has been a long haul, but I am almost done. I have got a couple days of work remaining with scrubbing, touching up the paint, and stain, and organizing. I ran out of time before my daughter came home for the holiday.

As I was cleaning the floor and realized it was dark down the path to the right side of my island. I looked up, and realized that an entire row of lights were off centered. 

There was a miscommunication in their placement. We discussed centering the lights. But they centered them off a hidden beam, and not off the other lights. It's a visual thing for me. After the first of the year (When Christmas is put to bed) I will move 6 lights down the ceiling by 18 inches... which means more painting. But for now, I'm calling the project complete... Except for the deck. Those photos will come soon.

Kitchen Before:

New Kitchen

The above light was made by Anita Bristow.

I was a second officer on the 747 flying out of Anchorage many years ago, and was coloring a picture with felts pens. Brent Bristow, my first officer, asked me what I was doing. I told him, "I want a stained glass light. I have no idea where I am going to get it. But if I draw it, I will find it." He said, "My wife makes stained glassed lights."

And she made me mine. How small is the world? When I went through my Airbus A330 training, Brent Bristow was my captain, as my sim partner.

Enjoy the weekend!
XO Karlene

Ruth Morlas

Friday's Fabulous Flyer

Ruth Morales

Ruth Morlas is a young woman making a difference in aviation. Her story is unique, and perfect for the day after Thanksgiving because she has taken it upon herself to give back to the profession that she loves. 
 

I met Ruth at a Fly-It-Forward event when she came to share her time and experience with our young ladies at two different events. She was ground support for our helicopter on the first. And during the rained out event, she took the time to talk to the kids and teach them about the plane in a walk-around demonstration.

Ruth tells me that she had “always wanted to be a pilot.” But there is more to the aviator than meets the eye. When I asked her about her passion of flying she said…

“Even more than just flying, I was always interested in HOW airplanes worked, so before learning to fly, I first wanted to learn all about the theory of flight.  After high school I went to the University of Virginia for an Aerospace Engineering degree.  Then, I went to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to learn to fly.” 

She and her family had arrived in the United States in 1987 from Ecuador, and Ruth did not know anyone with ties to aviation. In essence she was navigating a course all her own. Nothing in this life is easy, and there are always lessons learned. Ruth would like to share a few of hers.

“I didn't have much guidance on what to do, so I think I made some mistakes that cost me extra time and money.  For instance, I really didn't have to go to ERAU since I already had a college degree. I wasn't aware that you could just go to an FBO and learn to fly. I also didn't know about the different flight academies that are options to aspiring pilots.  I didn't even know about the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) until after I became a CFI.  I have used CAP to build up flight time, to network, and to help other young aspiring pilots.”

 

Ruth currently works for Boeing as a Systems Operator, but hopes to become a test pilot soon. But she has also created a website in her efforts to give back.

“Boeing has been a great company in terms of opportunities for those who show passion, dedication, and technical skills. Through my website, I hope to give people the three things that you need to succeed in aviation - information, inspiration, and a little bit of financial help through scholarships.”

Ruth knows how beneficial some information and guidance would have helped her. Her website, Pilot Tricks, will help anyone who wants to learn to fly whether it be as a professional pilot or for recreational purposes. She’s got some great articles that will help if you have the desire to learn to fly.

And she is hosting a scholarship for one lucky person with the desire to fly to help them through their solo. She needs your help, and in the processes you will be entered to win an iPad mini!

This scholarship is open to both men and women. Check out the website and see what it takes to enter. And for those giving souls this holiday season, please feel free to donate to the future of an aviator. 

Ruth, you are an amazing woman. Thank you for all you do for our industry and the future of our pilots.

Enjoy the Journey, and be safe this Black Friday

While you are shopping the internet for sales, please check out what Ruth is doing by clicking here to visit Pilot Tricks. Learn how to apply for the scholarship, and give of your heart in sponsorship.

XO Karlene

Happy Thanksgiving

I find it hard to express the overwhelming gratitude I have for my life and the people in it. I glance back over the years and the many challenges I have faced, and I find myself being grateful for them. Life always turns out the way it should. Even in the darkest of nights, day still came. Sometimes with rain, and other times with sunshine. But the color of the sky was what I made of it. 

 

This year has brought many new people into my life, and taken others away. But with each shift in the universe a memory was made, and I am thankful that I touched a life, and someone has touched mine.

We are all connected. And through this connection let us feel the gratitude of what we can be together. With friends and family there is nothing we cannot do, and nothing we cannot be. We are the wind beneath each others wings, and for that I am thankful. Because you are my wind, and you give me strength daily.

Today find a moment to be grateful for not only what you have in your life and all the good things, but also for all the troubles and challenges that you, too, have survived to grow into the person you are, or want to become. Take a moment to toast those that are no longer with you, and those that are sitting at the table beside you. They are all part of who you are. Present and Past.

My day will be spent with my daughters, my son-in-laws, all the grandkids and my husband. There were a few moments this year, we didn't think this day would be possible. My kitchen is functional and big enough for us all to be in together and fit a tree. We are starting a new tradition of the kids decorating the Thanksmas tree in the kitchen while the adults cook. Granted the eldest of the grandkids is four, but we will have an awesome looking tree. 

Yes, we have a Thanksmas tree because my youngest daughter and her family won't be with us on Christmas. And Friday will be the photo shoot of the little elves. 

What are you doing special today? Remember... you don't have to 'do' to make the day special, you just have 'be.' 

Happy Thanksgiving to the most precious person on earth... You! And I hope no matter what has befallen before you, or you fear for the future, that you live in this moment and know that everything is right with the universe because you are here. You get to write this chapter of your life. Enjoy, and make it everything you want it to be. 

XO Karlene

Hand Flying the Boeing...

Yesterday I received a great question from Ravi, from Australia


"Greetings from Melbourne, Australia. I  read your blog with passion and it is great. I fly light aircraft for pleasure and I love jetliners.

I have a question for you and I hope you will kindly answer me.

I have seen many cockpit videos of Boeing jetliners in you tube. I find pilots resting their elbow on the seat armrest during hand flying.

When hand flying Boeing jetliner do you   Rest your elbow on the armrest ? does it improve accuracy and smoothness.?.
Is it SOP for Boeing.

Thank you very much
Kind regards
Ravi"


Ravi, It is definitely "not" SOP (Standard Operation Procedures) to fly with armrests down on the Boeing, or any airplane for that matter.

When I first started flying, I used the armrest for stability. I put the plane where I want it and it was easier to hold there. That was back in the old Boeing days. It worked great for doing steep turns as part of a check-ride, too. We don't do those anymore.

Now that I fly the Airbus, one of the "tricks" for landing is to rest your arm on the armrest and rotate your wrist. But that can cause a wing to tip if you don't pay attention.  Try this. Put your arm on your table, hold a stick or a glass, and then rotate your hand back without lifting your arm. Using your right hand, you will see a natural tendency for tilting left. The reverse for the left hand. Something to be aware of. But the arm resting technique is useful.

I have flown with a lot of captains who raise the armrest on Boeing 747 and 747-400 aircraft while they hand fly for landing. I suspect that comes from experience, because they don't need that extra little help.  I have not paid attention to what that guys are doing on the airbus, as the armrest involved is on their left. But mostly they don't hand fly the airbus. They only kick off the autopilot on landing.

I like flying with my arms rested. If you're sitting in a chair for any length of time and had to hold your arms out, it would be much easier resting them.

Enjoy your flying Ravi. You're dancing in the skies with a plane you can fly. The jets, they are becoming so automated and computer driven, there will be a day when we no longer fly them. Now we have the choice. I'm a proponent of hand flying when ever you can. And the armrest... it's all about personal preference.

Thank you for the great question!

XOX Karlene

Time for a Smile

Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with those expensive, double-pane, energy-efficient kind. 

Today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He complained that the work had been completed a year ago and I still had not paid for them. 

Helloooo,............ just because I'm old doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid!

So, I told him just what his fast-talking sales guy had told me last year... "these windows would pay for themselves in a year."

I said, "Hellooooo? It's been a year, so they are paid for!"

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally hung up. He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot.

Kitchen Project Update...

For the previous four nights I've been putting in 20 hour days. Working through the night, until the wee hours of the morning to get my kitchen project done.

My darling neighbors said I could use my tile saw through the night. Yesterday morning I finished with the last brick around 3 a.m. Oh... my kitchen looks very cool.

Since I am finished with painting, tiling, and stoning.... it was time to retired my work pants.

Throughout the previous six years, as I painted, laid tile, or whatever home-improvement project I worked on, I had my dirty pants. Which I just allowed to dry, bag up, and then I would wear them again the next project. Unfortunately all three had to be retired this year due to excessive mud. Paint drys, mud just crumbles. The great thing about work pants is you pull them over another pair of pants, and you can wipe your hands on them. I did often, as you can see.

Today I was planning on grouting the floor, but the electrician stayed all day, one of my grandsons was sick and I made a quick visit to help with his sisters while he went to the doctor. And then two of my other grand-kids were having a sleepover tonight, so I had a break in the middle of cleaning grout lines.

Back to the project...

Before you can grout, you need to clean the grout lines so they are free of thinset, and dirt. And clean the edges of mud. It's a tedious job at best. But... I got about 1/4 of the way before the kids showed up. Dinner, bath, stories, and then I worked while Miles played legos...That lasted about 10 minutes. My evening work finally started at 2000. Alias....8 p.m.

By the time I got the lines cleaned and fixed a broken tile, it was well after midnight. I still need to vacuum the floor to suck out all the dirt. So grouting was put on hold and I cleaned my counters and sealed them one more time. I'm so close to having my kitchen done.

Remaining items: 

Clean and Grout Floor.
Polyurethane the counters.
Seal floor after grout sets.
Goof-Off the stain that leaked around the windows.
Touch up all stain.
Clean windows and doors.
Stain closet door.
Touch up paint.
Hang pictures, and horses.
Move everything back into the kitchen, and organize.
Oh wait... I should do some shopping since Thanksgiving is at my house, too. 

Pictures don't really do this room justice. It's really awesome. 

Oh... and my stereo will be hooked up on Monday. The deck will be in progress outside next week. And that hood over my cook-top is not really blue. It just has a plastic covering.

I have three days to get everything done before my youngest daughter and husband bring my grandson, Carter, home for the holiday. Today will be a half day of work. 4 pm to 4 am, because Ellis and Miles will still be with me. Speaking of which, Ellis will be waking up in two hours if she stays on schedule, so I need to go take my morning nap.

This work is really great fun. And rewarding when you finish. I will post some do-it-yourself tips soon. Seriously...if I can do this, anyone can. 

Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene