You hear so many horror stories of how there is a family emergency and their company makes them take a load that is going in the opposite direction... well I must give thanks where thanks are due. Central Refrigerated has been good to us during this time. Not everything is under their control (more to that in a few), but our old and new DM on this dedicated fleet have been great. They took the load going to OH/MI off of us and got that covered. They also got us a load that goes from Fontana to Oakland to get us most of the way home with loaded miles. THANK YOU CENTRAL!!
Now to the circumstances not in their control... we get to our delivery (our 99 is what the company calls it) at 1030... our appt time isn't until 1500, so we get sent to a dirt lot and told to check back at the guard gate at 1400... so we do... told to take paper to receiving office and they say wait in your truck we'll call you... so we wait some more. At 1700 I go back in to see how long of a wait we are looking at, because we have places to go and things to do... the receiver goes "I was just about to call you... we can't unload you today. It won't be until 4 am tomorrow" - I'm like, your joking right? Then I go off when he says no... First you have 3 guys come to my truck and accuse me of being a guy using the women's restroom!! Now you are telling me we won't be unloaded until 0400!! My husband's mother is having surgery and you are making us wait! GRRR!
So here we sit - Momma's surgery got bumped until tomorrow (other trama cases came in) - we are still in AZ - Lynn is doing an AWESOME job of being there!! How I wish she didn't have to do this, but I'm so glad she is there! Trying not to stew on things that are out of our control - and thankful for friends and family.
Oh and on a side note... Gary and I are stress eaters - 1/2 a package of sugar free chocolate cookies each with milk - we are doing dueling tooting - thank God he loves me - LOL!!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Torn...
Another really hard part about trucking is not being where you feel you are needed, and not able to drop everything to be there!!
Case in point... Gary's Mom (not sure the exact how) broke her hip. It wasn't directly obvious, so they weren't sure about taking her to the doctor vs: ER. Lynn and our very good friend RS went to the care home to say yes or no on sending her to the hospital because we weren't there able to do so. God bless friends and daughters!!
So now Lynn is at the hospital with Momma getting her admitted, while we are heading to AZ under a load... And one waiting for us to take us further away to OH and MI. Now granted Momma is in a state of advanced dementia... but... The frustration of not being there and the feeling of helplessness! Not that we really could do much there, beside taking the burden off of Lynn's shoulders... but we would BE there.
So any that are thinking of trucking is a glorious, wonderful carefree job... Think again! You are tied to a trailer and a load with the responsibilities that go with it. There really is no quick way home when something happens. We did know this when we started, and that is why we had people in place that we trusted to be there 'just in case'... just wish we didn't have to need them... (if you get what I mean)
Case in point... Gary's Mom (not sure the exact how) broke her hip. It wasn't directly obvious, so they weren't sure about taking her to the doctor vs: ER. Lynn and our very good friend RS went to the care home to say yes or no on sending her to the hospital because we weren't there able to do so. God bless friends and daughters!!
So now Lynn is at the hospital with Momma getting her admitted, while we are heading to AZ under a load... And one waiting for us to take us further away to OH and MI. Now granted Momma is in a state of advanced dementia... but... The frustration of not being there and the feeling of helplessness! Not that we really could do much there, beside taking the burden off of Lynn's shoulders... but we would BE there.
So any that are thinking of trucking is a glorious, wonderful carefree job... Think again! You are tied to a trailer and a load with the responsibilities that go with it. There really is no quick way home when something happens. We did know this when we started, and that is why we had people in place that we trusted to be there 'just in case'... just wish we didn't have to need them... (if you get what I mean)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Another day in the life...
Well my weight is staying stable... Not increasing, which is a good thing. We eliminated the nut munchies... It was hard to give up, and gum chewing has significantly increased, but the weight hasn't ... So that is a good thing :)
Right now we are at a Freightliner dealer getting some warrantee work done. I just hope they work in a timely manner. We are 'under load' and need to be in FL on the 22nd. However the tech said it was a good thing we came in when we did... The bolt that has been coming loose and starting fires, was loose and a 1/4" away from doing the same for us 8^0 There also was another recall that we didn't even know about from the company... Thanks guys! So here we wait... Definitely have to learn patience in trucking... Lots of waiting! Even if we have a deadline, others do not and there is usually no rushing them... Sigh
The new 'dedicated' fleet is working out 'ok'... There has been an increase of miles, so that's a good thing... We are running on our recap, so that means we are keeping moving... I just hope it stays stable. This last week wasn't as much as the week before. Just don't want that downward slope to continue.
Trucking is still very two sided for me... I'm liking the scenery and even the 'lifestyle' but I miss a stationary home. We have a 'house' and family/friends there... but...
Well... There is an actual TV here and I haven't watched TV in at least a month (since the last time we were at the house)... So bye for now :)
Right now we are at a Freightliner dealer getting some warrantee work done. I just hope they work in a timely manner. We are 'under load' and need to be in FL on the 22nd. However the tech said it was a good thing we came in when we did... The bolt that has been coming loose and starting fires, was loose and a 1/4" away from doing the same for us 8^0 There also was another recall that we didn't even know about from the company... Thanks guys! So here we wait... Definitely have to learn patience in trucking... Lots of waiting! Even if we have a deadline, others do not and there is usually no rushing them... Sigh
The new 'dedicated' fleet is working out 'ok'... There has been an increase of miles, so that's a good thing... We are running on our recap, so that means we are keeping moving... I just hope it stays stable. This last week wasn't as much as the week before. Just don't want that downward slope to continue.
Trucking is still very two sided for me... I'm liking the scenery and even the 'lifestyle' but I miss a stationary home. We have a 'house' and family/friends there... but...
Well... There is an actual TV here and I haven't watched TV in at least a month (since the last time we were at the house)... So bye for now :)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Disheartened...
Sometimes it is so hard to stay up beat and cheerful. Depression, yeah probably... I try to ignore it - do the 'fake it till you make it' with the fake smile on my face. Well today is one of those days. Driving sometimes gives almost too much time to think. With the things I was thinking about, I have a feeling that this year is going to be a year of hard decisions... and I'm not looking forward to them! If you think about stuff that pulls you down - yep, down you go. So here I sit at the bottom of a well - having to try to sleep in the middle of the day, in a bed that bounces and tries to toss me out of it. Only have 5 hours until I have to get up and drive tonight (so we will 'be on time'). I am trying not to regret what has happened in my life, and I'm trying to look out my office window and see the beauty and be glad in it... sigh... I guess not today...
Sorry for such a down post - I guess we all have days like this - and today is my day...
Sorry for such a down post - I guess we all have days like this - and today is my day...
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A year in review...
Well a readers digest version anyways... My memory isn't what it should be... Product of turning 50 this year - LOL!
Well the first part of the year I was busy moving our stuff into a small room and trying to make it a place for us to 'live' when we would get 'home'... Also moving my daughter and her husband into what we called home. Kissed Gary and sent him off to run with his trainer and tried to live without him for a couple months. Oh and I was still working during all of this... Talk about being scattered... So much that had to get done and so much left undone because I only had a month to do it in and was pulled in so many directions that is seems like I did nothing at all...
Next step of my life was to leave the beautiful home my husband and I built, to take a huge leap of faith. Faith that what we were doing was the right thing. Faith that doing this would provide enough money to keep our 'home' in the family. I left a job that I had for over 12 years, and a little boy that was very dear to my heart and the family that came with him. I left stability, routine, my comfort zone, family and friends... I left to train to become a truck driver.
God works in ways that when you look back you might be able to grasp just a glimps of his plans... I've seen it in my life, and I saw it some with just this past year. DD & SIL their lease was up on their apt and they were looking for a place, we needed someone to care for our home. Then with all our incomes the house could be saved, and kept in the family.
So I did my training and Gary was out on his own for a month, then we were finally able to do this together. That period of time I think was very important for both of us. For myself it was to prove to myself that I can do things on my own. It was scary to leave everything that was familiar, and not have Gary beside me when I did... But I did it!! For him I think it made him appreciate me more, and not take my presence for granted... It's also something I really don't want to do again - LOL!
Now we are together - living in a walk in closet on wheels. We still love each other and haven't killed each other (yet) LOL! My daughter and son in law have gifted us with a precious Grandchild, and they are learning how to be a family. Our house is still occupied by family, but our 'home' is now more than ever wherever the other person is... I have been taught (and it's a lesson I'm still learning) that family is more important than things. I'm learning how to let go... But I must admit a times I still grieve for the past, and the time of plenty (didn't think it was plenty at the time, but I sure do now!!)...
Not sure what this New Year will bring, but I welcome it with open arms!
Well the first part of the year I was busy moving our stuff into a small room and trying to make it a place for us to 'live' when we would get 'home'... Also moving my daughter and her husband into what we called home. Kissed Gary and sent him off to run with his trainer and tried to live without him for a couple months. Oh and I was still working during all of this... Talk about being scattered... So much that had to get done and so much left undone because I only had a month to do it in and was pulled in so many directions that is seems like I did nothing at all...
Next step of my life was to leave the beautiful home my husband and I built, to take a huge leap of faith. Faith that what we were doing was the right thing. Faith that doing this would provide enough money to keep our 'home' in the family. I left a job that I had for over 12 years, and a little boy that was very dear to my heart and the family that came with him. I left stability, routine, my comfort zone, family and friends... I left to train to become a truck driver.
God works in ways that when you look back you might be able to grasp just a glimps of his plans... I've seen it in my life, and I saw it some with just this past year. DD & SIL their lease was up on their apt and they were looking for a place, we needed someone to care for our home. Then with all our incomes the house could be saved, and kept in the family.
So I did my training and Gary was out on his own for a month, then we were finally able to do this together. That period of time I think was very important for both of us. For myself it was to prove to myself that I can do things on my own. It was scary to leave everything that was familiar, and not have Gary beside me when I did... But I did it!! For him I think it made him appreciate me more, and not take my presence for granted... It's also something I really don't want to do again - LOL!
Now we are together - living in a walk in closet on wheels. We still love each other and haven't killed each other (yet) LOL! My daughter and son in law have gifted us with a precious Grandchild, and they are learning how to be a family. Our house is still occupied by family, but our 'home' is now more than ever wherever the other person is... I have been taught (and it's a lesson I'm still learning) that family is more important than things. I'm learning how to let go... But I must admit a times I still grieve for the past, and the time of plenty (didn't think it was plenty at the time, but I sure do now!!)...
Not sure what this New Year will bring, but I welcome it with open arms!
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