Time...

Boy the time is just flying!!  This is really the first time in a while that I haven't been either driving, sleeping or in a moving truck.  Our truck needed service and a few things checked out.  Well one of them was a coolant leak - yep - EGR valve (same thing my trainer's truck had to have worked on).  So I get to sit for about 8 hours in the Cummins waiting room... the good part is they have WiFi - LOL!  So I get to catch up on FB and TTR Forum :) Ok I might even work on some household stuff - but I do actually do that even with the truck moving.  I have to. 

So how do I like it so far?  Some of the rosy glow is starting to fade, but I do think I will like this change in professions.  I don't think I would be able to do it on my own though... thank goodness I don't have to!!  We have been doing the 8/3 team driving pattern - and its nicer not having such a long drive time, but you really have to watch the clock! It keeps the truck rolling though, and that's what we are trying to do.  I'm still enjoying the time with my husband... it really is almost 2 separate rooms, so there is 'alone' time in a way.  Especially when one is driving and the other is in the sleeper.

We FINALLY have a working inverter!!  Woo Hoo!! The shop in SLC either crossed wires or just didn't notice that they were wired wrong - in either case, the shop guy in Henderson took the time to look and talked to us.  Yeah - really like the Henderson Shop!!  Now to some how clean the stink out of the fridge - ewww :(

We also need to really start remembering our protein supplementation.  You get into a 'rut' or 'pattern' of eating.  For us it is nuts or jerky with coffee/tea when driving. (not a super healthy eating pattern - but better than candy!!) When we had the fridge working - I was able to make one meal a day that we shared, and that was when we changed drivers usually.  Now that we have to big inverter working - we will be able to cook a meal, and reheat using the microwave.  THAT will help.  (I think/hope).

Well that's it for now... I want to read the forum some... catch up w/other folk's blogs/lives... thanks for reading :)

Grand Adventure...

Wow - we are in New York!!  Not New York City - but close.  We went over the Washington Bridge and everything... sucking seat cushions the whole way.  Bridge heights are measured at the curb sometimes and then it arches - needless to say we aimed for those arches!! It's cool though - I can now say I have been in New York :) I would love to be able to sight see - and I'm sure there is a way.  Maybe park in New Jersey and take a bus across.  Sometime anyway.

Well we finally got called to back into a dock - boy am I glad Gary was backing this one up!!

And the Adventure continues!! Next stop - Hersey's in Pennsylvania!!

Reflections

So much to 'blog' about... I think about stuff I want to type about - but I do that while I'm driving.  Now Gary is driving and my mind is a blank - LOL! I do want to send healing thoughts to a friend of mine though - WLS person w/no insurance and a bleeding ulcer - OUCH!! Just reinforces my need for medical insurance of some kind... even though we have been super healthy - stuff happens!! We have been doing great though working as a team.  At times I'm even surprise I'm actually getting paid to do this!!  Then we have a day like Tuesday evening - where we had to chain up in the middle of a snow storm (as if we would put chains on when its NOT snowing - LOL) and go AHH - this is why they pay us!!  That and dealing w/the folks that aren't out here and make decisions on what we need and when we need it - some frustration there - but all in all - yeah, I like it :) Eating wise - eeh - we could do better, but we haven't been too bad.  Its the snack need when driving.  Because we can't really stop each and every time we want/need to eat - it necessitates us eating while driving.  Well if the other is awake - that is fine, they can fix something up.  However, we both work.  One drives a shift while the other 'sleeps' or at least is suppose to.  So we have been resorting to nuts to munch on.  Mixed nuts w/some raisins and dates mixed in... you know the cheap type from Wal Mart - LOL!  1) they aren't carb filled chip type crap 2) the fiber is WONDERFUL!!  No problems there - LOL 3) they are filling - so we don't eat too much.  Now I have been doing dinner - one meal when we swap out - we stop and eat together. I've been using a 'lunch box' cooker. Its 12V and plugs into a cig lighter. It has been working great.  Did up a small pork roast and butternut squash last night.  It also is a bit smaller - so it would cook a single 'normal' meal or two WLS meals perfectly.  Tonight we had left over pork roast diced up in a green salad.  Yes we got the dinner salad at a truck stop... there is 'healthy' food out there - you just have to take the effort to find it.  Well its time for me to hit the rack.. my 'shift' will start at about 4 am... G'night all!!

'Home Time'

We finally got some 'home time'. It sure was nice to see everyone - and I wish we could have seen more folks.  Its weird though - it was bitter sweet.  Sweet that we got to see everyone - bitter that we didn't have more time. Sweet that we get to see our daughter and her husband enjoy the house that we built BEFORE we passed it on after we died (not many get to do that - LOL), bitter because we are realizing that this really isn't our home any more - its theirs.  That's ok though - life goes on and things change.  I think I'm able to deal with it a bit better because I've moved several times during my growing up period - Gary was born on this  acre of ground, and grew up here - it has always been here for him, and now it's not our/his home any more... kind of unsettling. 

I was able to weigh myself on the 'home' scale - I'm holding at 158.  I'm happy with that.  Gary is now at 220 and that is fully clothed!! 

Well what we wanted to accomplish during this 'home time' we got done.  Gary got the taxes done for both businesses, personal and Momma (ALL day long process!!) and I've gotten the laundry done and the truck straightened up.  I should take some more pictures - its MUCH neater now - LOL!  The clutter really bugs me :) Its Sunday now and we have to leave out of here and head to Stockton CA to pick up a load to Washington.  Its concidered a 'solo' load - (smaller amount of miles w/longer time period) - but swapping for this one allowed us the time together at 'home' yesterday.  THAT was nice.  We need to do something nice to thank our DM :)

So much to do ...

and so little time!!  How we would love to sit and visit - unfortunately we won't be able to do much of that - especially if they can't find someone to take this load for us.  I will be doing my first 'solo' run - Gary will be at the house doing tax stuff - I get to run to Stockton to pick up the load.  HOPEFULLY they will have someone available to pick it up from us in Sac - but I won't hold my breath... not with this company (or for any other probably).  I will instead enjoy the time we do have - and get as much done as possible.  So I'm off the computer for now - and back out to the 'house on wheels' to get it straightened up and out... bye for now...

PS sorry for not 'blogging' much - its almost like being back w/my trainer - the wheels are kept a moving - and its hard to get time to do computer stuff... but I will try to do it some more.  Especially now that we are together and I'm starting to 'play' with that 12v cooker!!

First one down...

and many more to go.  Our first run as a team is now complete.  It went pretty good really.  On time without having to PUSH it.  Hit some nasty weather, but took things slow and easy when needed... and up some hills - LOL! The only oops was a chunk of ice or something hitting the windsheild and putting a crack in it... its not in the line of vision, so for right now we are just watching it closely, and it will get fixed when we get back up to UT.  The load we have now is HEAVY!!  With it and the tractor we are about 79220... max is 80K - so needless to say the hills will be REALLY slow - LOL! Gary doing the morning shift and me the evening shift is working out pretty good so far - so I will be taking a nap soon - then driving until I get tired.  Wake Gary up - he helps me park - then we sleep for a few hours with the truck not moving - then Gary gets up and starts the day.  The back is getting arrainged... but the big power inverter isn't available - sigh - we think the battery its hooked up to is bad.  The little inverter though is enough to run the refrig, and we have the little cooker (used it the first time last night - works GREAT)... toninght it will have pork chops (left overs) reheated over roasted veggies :) can't wait to see how THOSE turn out... well off to take my nap... bye for now from Virginia in route to Utah...

There is no such thing as a bad day...

Some are just better than others... and today was a really better day!!  All three things I wished for the other day has happened... 1) my husband/home/rock/anchor/soft place to fall is now by my side 2) we were able to trade trucks to one with a larger sleeper area w/more storage.  Gary drove one when he was training, and the one I trained in was very similar.  Even Gary agreed there is quite a bit more room :^) 3) the slicing of the ABX capsles is working!!  I was up on my leg ALL day long - walking - standing - walking - well you get the picture... the redness isn't AS angry (still red though) and it is more swollen than a boiled sausage, BUT it isn't AS angry red.  The swelling and pain I anticipated because of the walking/standing stuff. So there is definated improvement.  I would do a happy dance, but Gary has assigned me to bedrest w/bathroom privilages and keeping my L leg elevated for the rest of this evening.  Now the kicker for today - that has pushed it over the edge of JUST better than others and made it REALLY better than others is.... we no longer have D as a DM!!  I actually did an abbreviated happy dance in the middle of WalMart when it was confirmed and we got our first load from her (from the yard to VA by Monday - good starter run).  We will call her Miss V... What a relief... the term manager I don't know if he would have really changed us over with out all the squeeking in his ear... and not just by me... there was another phone call from someone dear that I think helped push him over the edge ... Thank you T!! It really was a busy and productive day though.  Got ALL the stuff out of the W9 - even in the rain.  It is 'mostly' put away - and things are fitting pretty well.  A few tweeks - but I'm liking it :) Met the 'HR' manager and he helped us print up temp medical cards 'just in case'... thankfully I don't think I will need them now. Got to say 'thank you' to the DM general manager and let him know we were NOW happy campers (wanted to leave w/a good impression - and I truely am thankful he started the ball rolling!).  Swung by WalMart and picked up some stuff//storage options (felt like Momma - little containers for everything - LOL)... and now relaxing w/Gary doing the laundry/fetching dinner and looking forward to work tomorrow... life is REALLY good right now!!