Family Mellmann

Almost three weeks ago, Patrick loaded his car and moved to Arizona to start a new adventure.  A college graduate and a commercial pilot and flight instructor, he had all the tools to start "adulting" on his own terms.  What he didn't have was sense enough to rent a moving truck! It won't come as a surprise to most that a Honda Civic isn't really built for moving vast quantities of cargo, and Patrick is full of...cargo!  So, our garage was left filled with all the things that he wanted but couldn't fit in the Civic.  Today, we rented a trailer (5'x8') and Joerg worked his magic.  Obviously, the first thing in was the motorcycle, then two bicycles.  Since a good magician never reveals his secrets, I can't tell how it went on but the trailer is loaded wall-to-wall, top-to-bottom, front-to-back.  I didn't, but I probably should have loaded a lawn chair so I have someplace to sit while I watch Patrick unload it all. With the trailer loaded, it was ...

The yard and garden are green with the promise of color to come. But the lilac bush is in full bloom and smells fabulous so I had to bring a little bit indoors. I'm only sorry that it won't last longer.

It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (plus all the work Patrick had to put in) but we made it; one college graduate.  Patrick's official degree is Bachelor of Science Professional Pilot Technology.  Along with the degree his holds his Private and Commercial Pilot license, Instrument rating, Flight Instructor, and Multi-engine (there's more, but these are the big ones). In just under two weeks, he and his girlfriend - who will graduate with her Master's next weekend - will be headed for Arizona where he will pick up a flying job to finish out his "hours" (a minimum 1,500 hours of flight time are require to receive the Airline Transport Pilot License (aka "ATP") needed to fly for a "legacy airline" (think Delta, United, American, Luftansa, etc.).  1,000 hours are required to receive a Restricted ATP which can get you in the door of a regional airline. Patrick has been accepted as a Cadet at West Jet - the largest regional airline in the world...

We made it home and had a few hours to settle in, catch up with the kids, and do some unpacking.  Then it was off to Asiana House for a birthday sushi dinner.

It's our last day in paradise and we are sitting at the airport waiting for our flight to Chicago to begin boarding.  It has been a lovely week enjoying a mix of corporate events and personal time off. The weather has been beautiful and we got lots of good sun. I am very ready to be home, but I will definitely miss this weather, the sun, the beautiful flowers, and the ocean.

It's been roughly ten years since our last Mentor Graphics Platinum Club trip and this year it's called the Siemens Golden Eagle Club.  We have been getting a few days of sun, rest, and coastal walks before the corporate festivities begin…in about thirty minutes…here on the "big island" of Hawaii. Unlike past trips, we didn't need grandparents to stay with our now-adult children.  We just packed our bags and left.  Actually, one of those adult children (Patrick) is subbing for my music classes and the Spring Program while we're away.  And both of them have been tasked with duties while we're gone. Aloha!

 Patrick is mere weeks away from graduating from college.  He has achieved his private and commercial pilot licenses, earned his instrument rating, became a Certified Flight Instructor, and (by the time he graduates) will have completed his BS in Aviation. While his college student cohort was enjoying Florida or some other warm and sunny vacation spot for their Spring Break, Patrick and his friend and fellow pilot went to Florida to obtain their qualifications to become "multi-engine" pilots.  They had to do most of the class work ahead of time so that when they met with their instructors they were already knowledgeable so that most of their Florida time could be spent actually flying a multi-engine airplane. They were both successful (no surprise), but the victory didn't come easily.  The pre-Florida prep work kept them busy as they studied for this class while still maintaining their other course load (which is 21 credits for Patrick this semester) and working....

Spring Break is almost over.  It has been a nice respite from the rigors of my regular schedule.  It's been an active time cleaning out the basement, baking, chatting with the kids, and thinking about coming projects that need some attention, but active and busy are two different things.  I like active...not such a fan of busy. Today we said good bye to all the cubby/shelves that were used in Patrick's room (serving as storage in the basement for the past five years or so) and Katherine's (still serving in her room until this morning).  After 15 years of solid service, they are moving to another house to hold more legos, more toys, and more books. And, to celebrate the passing on of many things from our basement (the cubbies were just the beginning!) I made another cookie recipe from my grandmother's recipe file.  Today it was one of her favorites, Butterscotch Ice Box Cookies.  The recipe comes from "Aunt Martha Trimpe".  Martha was Alvin (a maternal ...

When the kids were in elementary school and were going to have an extended break (winter break, spring break, etc.) I would plan some activities for us to do during those days.  We did craft projects, baked, went to the playground, walked on Church Street, or spent an afternoon at Pizza Putt (now closed) climbing, playing mini-golf, and trying our hands at arcade games.  If there was snow on the ground, we might go sledding or build a snowman. The kids are grown now and plan their own activities, but as a teacher (volunteer though I may be) these breaks offer a new opportunity to work on projects or do things I don't always make time for during a "normal" week.  I spent yesterday working on chores and riding out whatever bug is trying to get me down.  Today I hit the grocery stores (yes, stores - plural - it takes three stores to get my groceries these days) and then came home and baked cookies. Several years ago I received a recipe box that belonged to my maternal g...