skymama

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Everything posted by skymama

  1. I'm glad I was able to remember my log-in! Thank you for flirting with me, all the way back in 2006. Have we ever paid Sangiro for his pimp fee? You had me at hello. Some of the best times of my life were with you in the sky, I miss it! I love you! Hi to anyone who remembers me!!
  2. She would surprise us with random cards. She was so sweet to send them to us across the country, even though we had never had the opportunity to meet in person. She will be missed.
  3. We like visiting there (we just went last weekend), and it's not a place where we'd say, "ugh, we'd never want to live here." Nice town with some beautiful areas. Like everywhere, you get out of it what you put into it.
  4. First, I want to say that there are probably so many Freshmen around the world who have the exact same feelings that you do. That first year in college is tough, but it's a good life lesson in perseverance. You're going to need that coping skill your entire life, so now is a good time to learn it. I've never heard a person say, "I wish I wasn't so darn educated". Since you have the opportunity to get educated at someone else's expense, do it! Also, give your mom and dad a big hug and tell them you love them for giving you that opportunity! Now, if you really feel guilty about "wasting" their money, you can look for ways to save. Is there a good Community College near you that you can transfer to? That could save them a lot of money, especially if you moved back home and got a part time job or internship at a workplace that interests you. Those first two years of college are basically the same classes everywhere. You can earn an AA or AS degree and then transfer to an university to finish your degree. Also, take the opportunity to take new classes to try to find what interests you. There are free counselors at your school to help you find your way. Adulting is hard, you have a pass for four years to not have to full-time adult yet. In the very least, stick it out for another semester, and see if you feel the same way in May. Enjoy your Christmas break!
  5. Nate in a Noreseman cockpit.
  6. Steve Kalvelage is presented with a statue by Dick Nazarro recognizing his selection as the 1980 Soldier of the Year for A/1/11th Special Forces Group, Fort Devens, Massachusetts"
  7. (Copied from another source) Steven Charles Kalvelage, 65, of Weeki Wachee, Florida died at home on October 31, 2019. He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, the second child of Alban and Lois (Beierwaltes) Kalvelage. Steven entered the Army at the age of 17, becoming a member of Special Forces. He served in Central and South America, Northern Europe and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11. He retired in 2003 after thirty years proudly serving his country. He worked at Natick Labs in Massachusetts for the Department of Defense designing cold weather gear and parachutes for the U.S. army. He attended the University of Lowell for engineering and graduated from the FAA Academy in Oklahoma to become an air traffic controller in Boston and New Hampshire. Steven spent many years as a NRA instructor in NH and Florida. He built his home himself on Great Bay in Durham, NH where he enjoyed boating and flying his Cessna airplane. He is predeceased by his father, Alban Kalvelage. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Alison Kalvelage of Weeki Wachee, FL; mother, Lois Kalvelage of Spring Hill, FL; 3 siblings, James Kalvelage and his wife, Vicki of New Mexico; Karen Riesbeck and her husband, William of IL; Kathy Alvins and her husband, Mitch of Brooksville, FL; beloved niece, Molly Ciszewski of Massachusetts; and many other nieces, nephews, extended family and friends throughout the country. Steven will be greatly missed by all who knew him. ---------------- (Additional notes provided by one of Steve's friends): Steve served 30 years Special Forces A Team--Operational Detachment Alphas (ODA). He ran the student instruction program at Pepperell Skydiving Center with Rich Sentner in 1980's. He absolutely adored his wife, Alison, and constantly expressed his appreciation for her loving support through the many stages of his medical treatments the past couple of years.
  8. Here is a link to an article about Nate. Sounds like a great guy! https://uspa.org/p/Article/skydiving-pioneer-nate-pond-passes-away
  9. I have an update from Jimmy's daughter (October 19th). She said he is making great progress. He is eating solid food now and his trach is out. He is able to walk with the help of a walker. He is anxious to leave the hospital and go home but he still needs some rehab. They are hoping he can head to rehab next week!
  10. On October 7th, his friend, Brian, posted this on FB: Update on Jimmy T. I visited with him today , Monday , 10/7/2019. He was sitting up in bed and we were able to converse lightly through his device in his neck . It is challenging and frustrating for him. I've seen him happier , but it was good to see him in an improved state. He is pretty angry right now at his predicament , hopefully this will improve with time. As far as visitors are concerned , I quote, " I don't want to see NOBODY ". He is assuredly on the mend and he is ready to go home right now. ( we just need to find a three mile long feeding tube and I think we rig rig something up for him)
  11. Hey gang...in case you haven't heard, Jimmy Tavino needed emergency open heart surgery on September 15th, and had five stints put in. He's been in the ICU at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, NY ever since. They are hoping he can move to a regular room soon. As of now, he's still on a heart and lung machine. So, please do whatever you do to send out good juju to the universe to help him heal. If you know Jimmy, you know that he would be the first one to do it for you! He's one heck of a guy. If you have anything to say to him that you want him to read when he gets out, go ahead and post to this thread. I'll start... Him. Him...fuck him! (I hope you've been in the sport long enough to know that's an endearing comment to make to a skydiver!)
  12. Oh no! This makes me very, very sad. I just saw him post to FB on July 14th that he was celebrating ten years since his bypass, and he felt great. You know how there are people who genuinely smile and seem happy to see you? That was Jack. He always had a corny joke and a smile on his face. I have so much love for him and Lynn, the love of his life. (Photo from a picture his granddaughter posted on FB.)
  13. After researching, the post you're referencing doesn't exist anywhere, not even in the Recycling Bin. But, sure, I'll ban you for your attack on the Moderators.
  14. You both are right, there is a grey area to some of the advertising rules. We've had situations come up like this in the past. If it was posted monthly frequently, it would certainly cross the line. But, since it is a just a weekend event and it involves helping people be safer, I will let it stay. Thanks for the help!
  15. I cannot even handle this news today. One of our old school dz.commers who was such a shining and bright light in our community. It was always so great to see her at the Fitz boogie every year. She was such a sweet woman, and so, so smart. Her death is so not fair.
  16. At any Florida dropzone, August is a pretty miserable month to jump in, not gonna lie. You'll have a dry heat in CA, but a humid, wet heat in FL. If you like to sweat the toxins out of your body, Florida in August is the place for you! There will most likely be afternoon thunderstorms every day. They do tend to pass quickly, so that's a plus. Locals at FL dropzones tend to get on the first loads of the day, and stop jumping in the early afternoon and head indoors or go do water sports. So, if you're into the beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, etc., Sebastian could work for you if you plan your day accordingly.
  17. I was like, whoa...I can't figure out the new posts to moderate! But, I think I was able to fix that by doing to the "Mark all posts as read" link at the top of the forums, and the blue dots cleared out. So, try that if you're trying to clear the blue dots.
  18. I will! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon
  19. Hey everyone! The voting has closed, and we won! Yay!!!! Thanks so much to everyone who voted for the photo. I appreciate your help so much. I will post photos of the remodel after it happens! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon
  20. Thanks, you all! Today is the last day and we are winning at the moment, but we'd like to keep the lead. Every vote does count! Please vote if you haven't voted already. I appreciate every vote that you all have given us. Skydiver love is the best! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon
  21. OMG, you're the worst! I changed jobs and haven't been able to be on as much. But, that should change soon. Thanks for your vote! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon
  22. Thanks! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon
  23. Thank you so much! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon