Evolving decor

Matt had his first [simulated] flight today, and it sounds like he did very well, receiving a "score" of average/above average from one of the tougher IPs (instructor pilots).  This is particularly great, as he is in the minority of pilot students here in that he entered IFS with zero flying hours.  Many students are private/commercial pilots on the outside or at least have taken some lessons.  Matt has his second simulation tomorrow and is seriously cracking down.

While it is scarily customary for him to mark any sort of career/education/life transition with a large, related expenditure, today's $50 blowup of his cockpit handout (formerly so small he needed a magnifying glass to read) is apparently commonplace/necessary--and is now a part of our bedroom decor.  It was first destined for the mancave, however, when I opted to take Petunia for an after-dark stroll, necessitating Matt to study in the house while the kids slept, it became affixed to his closet.  He uses this printout to help memorize a variety of different flight maneuvers.

It is right next to this picture of passenger and cargo planes (I think???), which are exactly the sort of aircraft he is interested in flying.

This picture always makes us chuckle.  It is his largest item of enlisted memorabilia (from his 7yr stint), and over the past two years, when he was in the reserve/a full-time student/otherwise unemployed, I would display it prominently in each of our residences to reinforce to the casual--and perhaps suspicious--bystander, that, yes, in fact, we do have a legitimate military affiliation and that Matt had a great job/opportunity merely months away.  Those were perhaps the two longest--yet busiest--years of our lives.  Many moments were unbelievably stress-ridden--but now, in wonderful hindesight--make for some of our best memories and biggest laughs.  :o)