skydivermom

I am with you for sure. On a recent grocery store trip with my kids, my oldest son (9) was carrying a bag full of apples, and the bag was tied off. He had the top part pulled tight, and was playing it like a harmonica. (it makes a cool sound) Some "namby pamby" lady got her undies in a wad and came at me with finger wagging. She said "that's a BAD idea". As if the bag was empty and he had it over his head I was irritated and tempted to "go off" on her. Instead, I looked at her with the most dead-panned expression I could muster and said....."Oh, it's okay mam. Our whole family plays these and he's just practicing for the concert tonight." I never cracked a smile, but was laughing so hard inside at the bewildered look on her face. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

When I asked about the wind meter, I got chewed out pretty good. SHEESH! Did you asked them who took a whiz in their cheerios?! If no one did, I'd have offered to do it for them so they would really have something to be peaved about. Anyway, I watch the windsock. If it's sticking straight out constantly, I'm usually okay to jump. But if it's constantly shifting and all erratic, I ground myself. One time I took off in "marginal conditions", and by the time I was on final, the wind had increased dramatically. I found myself backing up quite a bit, and had my hand on the cutaway handle. Watching other, more seasoned jumpers is a fantastic idea, but I also like watching a couple of loads land before I make a decision. Good luck, and come out and jump with me soon. We have a wind meter And no one will chew you out....unless you want them to Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support. I have a formula for Essiac tea that I'm going to send to my mom (who isn't very far from him right now). It's an amazing formula that might just be exactly what he needs. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Well, I don't think he believes in God, but there's always hope, and we never know what happens between someone and God at the last minute. And my belief system is the Bible, plain and simple. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks so much. I just keep remembering how much fun I've always had with him. Since he was the only uncle who lived out of state, it was definately quality time when we were together. Of course I've always known that I would probably outlive him, but it isn't something that hits home.....until it actually hits home. Death sucks Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Oh my....that's so bittersweet. I wish I could have been there to see that. We should all definately not take life for granted. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I'm sorry to hear about your experience Billy I think all of us at time take for granted that life doesn't go on forever, and we think we'll get around to whenever, and that we have lots of time. It's moments like these that are the biggest wake up calls I think. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Well, if I had one I imagine it would be "Chastity Belt" I'm into torture that way Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks. He's always lived out of state from me (I live in TX and he's always been in northern CA), but has always been a permanent fixture in my life. And my mom has never lost a sibling I think I'm going to join her other brothers and sisters (who live in TX also) and go see him for an early Thanksgiving dinner. And I have to make every effort to enjoy the time with him. I have never been good at goodbyes. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

This is a rather somber post for the Bonfire I know, but I got some news yesterday that has me pretty upset. Mom called me and informed me that her brother only has about 6 months to live. He's the only one out of the six kids in Mom's family who lives in a different state, so we all don't get to see him that often. It just so happens that Mom is working as a nanny to my nephew in the same state where he resides, so she'll get to spend more time with him than she would otherwise. I've dealt with death more than I thought I would in my short 33 years, and it never gets easier. Since my uncle has a few months, I have the advantage of seeing him at least one more time, and obviously I wouldn't have if he had died suddenly But how do I spend the time with him and truly enjoy it? When someone suddenly dies it seems as if it's easier to enjoy the time because you don't know what's coming. But then when you DO know, you get to say your goodbyes and take care of any unfinished business. I guess both scenarios have pros and cons. I'm really struggling with this Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

When you are reading the book to your kids by DR. Suess called "Hop on Pop" and you keep saying hop n' pop......and you start doing practice pulls Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I will have some more photos in a couple of days. Lost my digital camera a few months ago so had to buy one of those disposable thingies. Hopefully, they'll be worth waiting for. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Hey sweetie.....we just got a wii for my son for Christmas. Let me figure out a way to ask him about the games without giving the surprise away. What type of games are you interested in? Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

*** Wouldn't you already know that you had succeeded in getting the PC out and throwing it, without having to look? I'm saying that if you had *anything* out, even just the PC, (IMHO) that's enough to warrant cutting away first before deploying the reserve. Quote No you wouldn't necessarily already know that something was out, especially if you had a hard pull just seconds before And if I had known that something was out, I wouldn't have gone straight for the reserve. If it ever happens to you, you'll see that it doesn't slow you down one bit. But if it does happen to you (hopefully it won't) you probably won't go straight for your reserve like I did, because you'll remember this thread cutting away before deploying the reserve would have been the better thing to do had I realized the pilot chute was out. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Not very attatched to your family jewels are ya? Better carry a jock strap with you boy! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

"Nothing Happened" means I did not have a canopy overhead. Obviously the pilot chute was out after the second try, but since it wasn't cocked, it didn't pull the pin out immediately. Because I couldn't get the hackey out on the first try, I assessed the situation wrongly when I went for it the second time and had no canopy. A quick look over my shoulder would have been a good idea. Yes, you are correct that a pilot chute hesitation can be fixed by getting air in your burble, which is probably what happened when I changed my arm position and went for the reserve. Two-outs was my immediate concern when I saw my main inflated and my reserve handle dangling. I'm just glad we are taught the procedures for dealing with two outs.....and I'm more glad I didn't have to execute the procedures. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Sorry about that. It would certainly have been pretty lousy of me not to provide SOMETHING to drink. I remember the first "case" I bought. It was root beer. I took a magic marker and crossed out the word "root" on all the cans. It was amusing.....at least to me anyway!

Twardo don't you start with me! Beer tastes similar to something that I don't want to imagine being poured on me. I just got through being pied for my 100th this weekend, and I only tasted ready whip. So I'm going to keep believing that's all that was in it. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Lisa...thanks for posting those photos. They totally ROCK too! The weekend went so fast. Can't believe it's over Until next time..... Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Maybe I should have clarified. I will under NO CIRCUMSTANCES buy or contribute to alcohol of any form, but I always buy soda/water/root beer, or whatever other non-alcoholic beverage is requested. I have no problem with contributing, but I will not violate my convictions to do so. There's always at least one person who enjoys the variety of beverages. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Oh sheesh....why did I post that? I really must still be suffering from jet lag. My advice to you is to start drinking heavily... oh wait... this is the Safety and Training forum... I meant to say... Please drink responsibly and always have a designated driver. Well, I AM the designated driver. And there is no way I'm gonna start drinking. It's too much fun watching everyone else act retarded.....and then gloating because I don't end up with a hangover. NickGonzales Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Oh sheesh....why did I post that? I really must still be suffering from jet lag. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Well, the funny thing is, I don't buy alcohol anyway so it really doesn't matter Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Exactly, that's why I said if it could save my life, I could care less if I feel picked on. I am really, really embarassed about not being more familiar with my system, and I'm lucky there are extremely knowledgable folks that can go over it with me next time I'm at my home dz. It's a shame that it took me being shook up good to take this step, but I'm glad I am alive to take it. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks Pops. You're a great guy!