Bad Rookie Initiations

Our debut

we are back for new adventures after more than three weeks away.

As you have seen before, we left Pensacola Thursday, January 27 Meridian Management. Constance and Erwan we still have kindly hosted for the weekend because the house we found is not furnished. On Friday program: Open Water, electricity, internet line, cleaning the house ( because nobody has lived for over one year) and find furniture.

For the water was swift, the technicians have come open now. The power company has increased in the post noon and we made an appointment with the Internet company Monday morning. Instead, find furniture "normal" in Mississippi was much harder. We even considered going for a ride to the nearest IKEA is in Atlanta to say, but the 10-hour drive round trip we were definitely discouraged. We finally found some nice furniture and not too expensive on Meridian: two sofas, coffee table, rug, a bed and two bedside tables.
The weekend was devoted to cleaning up afterwards. Between the cobwebs, dust and some stains on the walls we have no stubble. The biggest challenge: the kitchen. That has changed with small kitchenette that we had in Cognac.
Sunday evening we were finally operational to sleep for the first time with us. Nothing like cutlets cream for our first dinner

I did not say before, but my classes at the base of Meridian does not begin until February 14. That left us two weeks to settle down quietly.

From 31 January to 6 February:

So I decided to undertake some renovation work in the house. After mounting the dressing room of our room, I began to re-paint our bathroom. The tapestry in the old American will not last long. Of course in Detapa I realized there was another layer of wallpaper and removing it that much of the plaster came with ...

So I had to redo the plaster before painting. Here is what our bathroom looks like after three days of work:

In the week we finished we equip at "Walmart" (the equivalent of Carrefour in France). Dishes, household appliances, foods, a small TV 46''(116 cm) and even the rest of the furniture that we needed: office, library and TV stand.

so we could organize our hanging rack 5 to Saturday evening. On the menu, aperitif improved anchoïade, and Punch for everyone.

From February 7 to 13:

We have long been reluctant to from rest in the sun for our last week off, but finally we stayed home, tired of all the trips we have done since we left San Antonio.

So I wanted to start taking care of the garden but the weather decided otherwise. A big cold wave hit the United States and the temperatures dropped below zero almost every week. We had freezing rain, hail and even snow Thursday evening. So I pushed my work later ...

This changes us from San Antonio and Pensacola is that with all the French at the lake, there are always parties that organized right to left unexpectedly. Usually on Saturday afternoon we organize a football match between the French on Saturday evening we'll eat in town and since I got an Xbox FIFA tournaments are held regularly at home. Sunday evening is a film on a giant screen at the Embassy (single house). And girls are organized regularly with each meal for lunch followed by afternoon shopping or sewing. So we do not really bored and spend the weekend really too fast.

The program for this Saturday night: Poker Nico and Anne Marie followed by a contest at Just Dance on the Wii:

From February 14 to 21 : Start of "Ground School.

And yes as you can imagine it's the end of the holidays and things became serious. The Ground School

T45. This phase lasts an average ground four weeks during which we learn all aircraft systems, checklists and procedures in force at Meridian. At the end of this phase, I would have my first simulators. Meanwhile we can train ourselves freely in these flight simulators but only when they are not used for instruction, ie from 6am to 7am and from 17h to 22h. My schedule for the next few weeks and rather loaded: run every day from 7:30 to about 15h, followed by a simulation where I managed to reserve one yesterday. We are 6 in my class: 3 drivers in the U.S. Navy, 2 Marines and me.

Tuesday evening we started our first courses in preparation for childbirth with Amanda. This is a wise Women's Hospital (Rush) in which we will deliver Amanda coach. We are 5 pairs in all. Last meeting next Tuesday ...

Friday took place on a French macarronage Pascal which has now ended its flights to T45. We celebrated here on Thursday night between French and then with the entire squadron in a bar in the city on Friday evening.

This week the temperatures rose again sharply. And after beating the record of freshness for the month of February last week with a -7 ° C morning, we beat this week was hotter: 26 ° C Sunday.

Sunday, after installing my golf green in the garden, nothing like a real golf on the base to enjoy the sun.

On Monday, February 21 is a holiday in the United States (Presidents Day: Washington's birthday) we took the opportunity to tend the garden. After a good shot Karcher on the house we burned the big pile of leaves in the garden on the site of our next petanque. Looks like our house and garden now after all that work:

In fact I almost forgot, I present to you our new neighbor who comes to visit us from time to time. He is not shy at all and loves to hide under the house. This is a Tattoo:

soon for new adventures ...