4-29-12 Bite Week and iPad Kneeboard!

The first attempt of an iPad Knee Board :

What a week!  All kinds of things are going on.  I was able to fashion a Knee Board for my iPad.  It took some work on my sewing machine but in the end it looks kind of cool.  This was my first try so I may need to modify things a bit to get it just right. Everyone keeps asking if I am going to patent it but I think the idea may have already been taken… besides I think it needs some testing first.  Maybe today I will take it out for a short test flight.

Kath's Cat bite!  Ouch!!!

At the end of last week we had a dog bite at the clinic.  That type of accident is always a possibility when you are dealing with a frightened individual.  I am always amazed at our pet population… many times they just stand there and let us groom and examen them and sometimes poke them with sharp objects when we vaccinate them!  We take precautions so injuries don't happen very often (thank the Lord!) but they do happen.  Our employee was taken to the local Doctor and fixed up.  She was healing nicely this week.  The problem is that bad things seem to come in sets of 3.  So on Thursday, we had another severe bite (different person), this time it was by a very upset cat.  Kathy was just trying to get it into a cage and it turned around and bit her.  She is on antibiotics to treat infection and some Motrin for pain relief and she seems to be healing but I think it will take a while before she is back to normal.  Cat bites can be very dangerous as they tend to get very infected very fast.  We are keeping an eye on it.  I had to remind everyone that we are in a high risk occupation and that we all need to take extra care to prevent additional injuries.  I don't want to see the third injury happen for another several years… if ever!  I will say this… "Its flea season again!"

One of the things that we did during our staff meeting was a game on how important communication is.  The Leggo Blocks were supposed to be assembled the same way with the same colors in the same place with only 10 seconds to look at it.  Was quite the challenge and I was impressed that there was a team that put it all together!  Guess we all need to communicate more!

On a better note, my son Chris just passed his third year finals and is now entering his Clinical Year as a forth year veterinary student.  This is the year where he will get to put all the information that he has been gathering, to good use, and at the end he will graduate as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  I talked to him last night and he seemed very excited.  I know that his father (me!) was also VERY excited!  He is going to try to get one of his rotations here in the area so he can visit with us while he is here.  I think he should try to work at an emergency clinic so he can get those after hour emergency experiences.  There are things that happen after hours that you just don't get to see in day time practice.  There are several great Emergency Hospitals in the area to choose from I know he will find some experience in one of them.

       Discussed our mission statement (see previous post) with one of my fly buddies Randy (on our Wednesday night dinner) and he seemed to think it was OK.  He did suggest that we just say "assistance" instead of "manual assistance" because the statement  was redundant and restrictive... I can live with that.  I am going to get together a mission trip to the Bahama Islands this summer.  I will have particulars on it later so stay tuned.  There may be room for 2 more so if you are interested please email me.

And finally, today was a great day in our Seekers Sunday School class.  We had another great discussion on social issues and how they relate to religion.  Mike did a masterful job of bringing in both sides of the issues.  One of the statements that came out of the class was that "if you can't stand for something then you may fall for anything"… food for thought.

Pray for our missions.  Bye for now… Robin

Visitors for Sunday School

Had a great time in Sunday School with some out of town guests from Denmark.  Was very interesting discussion on the separation of Church and State and how God can overcome any obstacles placed in his way.  It was also interesting to discuss the differences between the European system and the American system.  

Lauren (left) and our Danish Visitors

Mike was a great facilitator for the discussion and his passion and his faith shined through!  Our Seekers class is all about discussion of the difficult questions.  We don't shy away from almost any topic.  It only goes to show what a great example Jesus put forth for us to follow.  He certainly did not shy away from the tuff subjects.  In the short time he was here he gave us a lifetime of material to digest and follow.  What a Great Lord we have!

Mike in Class!

Me, Louise and Sandy having a great discussion!

Well its back to work today (Monday) and I look forward to the challenges of my profession to take my mind off of everyday worry.  I'm giving that up to the Lord.  Bye for now, Robin

First Mission Statement

Ok, well I have prayed and meditated on what my mission statement should be and I came up with this one: 

"To transport supplies, information, manual assistance and spirituality to places in need and to spread the Christian Faith by example and discussion."

I think this will fit the bill and give me some latitude to as Larry the Cable Guy would say… "git 'er done"!

Flew to Tappahannock airport on Saturday.  Tested out my iPad set up. Used the free ForeFlite app. to see if that's the one for me.  Was a little difficult to get it to do what I wanted but it may be because I am still learning about it.  I have read many reviews about this app vs WingX pro7 but will have to try them out for myself to see how that goes.  I was a bit disappointed with the iPad yoke mount.  It is so big that it covers up some instruments so I had to take it off the yoke.  If I mount it on the right side then it interferes with the movement of that yoke… can't have that as that feels unsafe.  Will try to place on a knee mount to see if it works there but will have to fashion a suitable set up as the really good ones are in the neighborhood of $170 and up.

On the way back encountered some clouds that turned out to be the impending weather.  It turns out that there was significant amount of rain on Sunday.

Thanks for listening.  Bye for now. Robin

4-18-12 Birthday

Today is my birthday and I have to say there could have been a lot of candelas on my cake.  I am a little surprised that the smoke detector did not go off!  Was a great gathering with family and friends.  Got some great presents for the Six including an iPad that I will use with IFR charts and a GPS.  The Wing X pro7 App is the next investment.  

The great thing about that App is that it has all the updated charts and sectionals that get updated regularly for the low yearly cost of $99.  This will save me some money in the long run and will keep the cockpit from becoming too cluttered with paper charts.

I'll Huff and I'll Puff....

Have been in touch with a lot of family including one of my German daughters Andrea.  It sounds like she is staying very busy over there.  I know that she likes to sail and really enjoys the racing aspect… Go Andrea!!

I have been working on the mission statement for the 501c3.  It should be concise and to the point.  The best ones are usually only several lines long or at most a paragraph.  Will have to give this some thought as I have high hopes as to what it needs to accomplish.  Some NPOs have a single objective and this can be very effective however I do not want to nail this down too narrow so as to have no room to maneuver.  However I don't want to spread us so thin that we are not effective… "jack of all trades but a master of none".  I will have to pray and meditate on this.

Well, I appreciate all the prayers and wishes… Bye for now, Robin

April 14, 2012 PVG from the air

Flew home from "God's Country" yesterday so could go to the doctor with my daughter.  Alli as had a swollen finger for the past few weeks.  The doctor is still not sure what it is so we went to a specialist.  The X-rays were inconclusive so he suggested a watch and wait course of action.  Please pray for Alli and her ailing finger.

Got some good pics of the area as I flew into Hampton Roads.  The weather was spectacular and the ride home was great.  Was able to get a good look of the end of runway 28.  They are adding a new runway just to the left.  Will have a new ILS installed.  Can't wait until its finished.  All in all its great to be back home.

Hampton Roads at 3000 feet

On the ground and ready for the Hanger.

Well its Saturday again and yes there is still a Honey-do list that is calling my name.  Its seems like that list continues to get longer and longer and I don't seem to be making much progress.  I guess that is life in a nut shell… always something that needs doing.  Good thing God is on our side as all things are possible with God!  Pray for our little project as there is still a long way to go before we can get going.  Believe it or not, your prayers are helping me continue on.  I can feel the "push" and encouragement.  Thanks for your support.  Bye for now, Robin 

God's Country 4-12-12

Well I was able to fly over into the Shenandoah Valley yesterday for some meetings.  I was also able to walk up on some of the prettiest country you will ever see.  I took this picture and then I took one with me in it to show you that I really was there!!!  Folks this is truly God's country.  Was able to visit with my Sister and Brother in-Law and catch up with that side of the family.  It was a little chilly and there were flurries while we were walking, but all in all a great time was had by all.

Pray for our Project!  Bye for now, Robin

Easter Weekend 2012

Today is Easter and the music and services were inspiring.  None of them more inspiring then listening to the Little Ones.  Talk about a JOYFUL noise.  Thanks Julie and Alli for providing the facilitation of these youthful voices!

Went to the Admirals Hockey game on Saturday and had a great time watching them win their 25th game in-a-row!  The crowd went crazy!!!

"They Need to Score!"

The Zamboni rides on!

Mathew , Randy, Susan and Kathy (in back) enjoying the Admirals

Sat down to a lovely Easter Meal with the family and we were all very thankful for all that we have.

Enjoy this Holy day and remember all that we have comes from the Lord!  Pray for us and our project.  Bye for now, Robin.

Easter Week 2012

Wednesday night dinner was small and intimate with only family showing up.  It was a great time to catch up on the events of the week.  My son-in-law Mark really enjoys the company of our Gray Parrot Rikki.  One of our cats "Tigre" loves the company also.  Your would think that Rikki would get a little nervous with a cat around, but they seem to get along.

Thursday was Maundy Thursday.  Our Church hosted a play put on by some of the men about Da Vinci's Last Supper.  If you have a chance to see this play performed you should go.  I have seen it performed in other churches.  It has speaking parts of all the Disciples and it gives food for thought about this important and Holy event.  

On Good Friday we sang a cantata about the events of the last days leading up to Jesus's crucifixion.  The Church was full and the music was powerful.  We even had some special effects with Thunder performed after the crucifixion.  Very powerful and very moving.  I had trouble singing the closing piece after that.

Mixed in throughout the week I am yes… still looking into the 501c3.  It turns out that title 57, chapter 5 is very important to establishing a corporation in Virginia.  I took the time to read the whole thing.  In this part of the Code, there are definitions and guidelines about how to conduct and establish a nonprofit corporation.  It looks like I may need to contact the clerk of the state to see if there is help available as to the exact process of setting up an NPO in VA.  This has been quite the learning experience.  I think that once I get into the rhythm it will be much easier.  I have come to realize that this is not going to be a quick thing.  But as always, sometimes the journey is as important as the trip.

Yes, today is Saturday morning and yes, there are still things to do on my Honey-do List.  I think I will go out to see how the Six is doing and maybe take her up in the pattern to keep my skills from getting rusty.  I have been working on using a different "Check List" to see if I am missing anything in my run up.  Sometimes you have to change things up to see what you are missing!  I think there is another Bible lesson in that thought.  Being out of your comfort zone seemed to be a constant theme in Jesus's lessons.

Pray for us and this adventure as we look into the possibilities of God's work.  Lets keep it going!  As always bye for now, Robin

Palm Sunday 4-1-12

Well Sunday was Palm Sunday.  Went to the early service and participated in some rather amazing music.  I will say this, our Church has a great music program thanks to Martha.  She keeps us together and her endless energy is a blessing to God's work.  We certainly know how to make a "Joyful Noise Unto The Lord".  

After Church I was able to catch up with my "Fly Buddys".  Randy and I were able to fire up the Six and fly out to the coast.  God sure knows how to build a beautiful beach.  The Outer Banks are one of the prettiest places on Earth.  Even if its only for a short flight its good to fly regularly to keep your skills sharp.  

Brad, Randy and the Six

Later that night we went over to our other "Fly Buddy's" to celebrate the day.  Was good to see some friends and talk about the events of the day.  Brad had just purchased a small Gazebo and was putting on the finishing touches as we came up.  We helped him finish off the assembly and of course we joked about how long it would stand up to a good Thunder Storm!  I think we will have to anchor it down some more to make sure that it stays put.  

We talked about the future missions and how to get the 501c3 going.  Of course we were brainstorming about how to bring everything together.  I think that with all this brain power and the Lord's help, we can't fail!

Monday, after work, I was involved in slogging through the internet researching how to incorporate in Virginia.  I think I have the Board of Directors picked out.  In our first meeting we will have to produce some drafts of articles of incorporation.  We need to start putting together bylaws and a statement that we will not have anything to do with terrorists!  Apparently in Virginia you have to have that statement in the bylaws.  We will need to set an accounting period, a tax year and approve initial transactions of the corporation like opening a bank account.  We will have to make a statement of what to do with any funds left over if the corporation ever ceases to exist.  Minutes will have to be taken and stored in the corporate binder.  We will also have to choose a name for our operation.  Feel free to offer names… we may not use yours but … we may!

Back to work and all that goes with running an animal hospital.  Pray for us and remember this is a Holy time of year.  What Jesus did for us should be a central part of our prayers for this week as we get ready for Good Friday.  Bye for now, Robin