Denver

We made it out of Arkansas and went back to the original scene of the crime, Dallas/Ft. Worth. From there we have brought a load to Denver. I drove just over 4 hours today: it is the most I've done at one sitting which doesn't seem like a lot but the big rig really wears me out. I always need a nap after! Of course, being tossed around like a rag doll when one is trying to sleep can be counterproductive. Matt's asleep now and I'm sitting here trying not to be bored. Oh, I have things I could do but I really want to go for a walk and I hate going alone in a new town. Excuses, excuses.

Stuck again!!

We are stuck in West Memphis, Arkansas due to a clerical error, Matt got his driver's license taken and we have to go to court on Thursday to get it back. We had to post over 500.00 bond or he would have gone to jail...crazy!
So we brought the onions from New Mexico to Mississippi. That night the generator that runs the AC went out so we we going to just idle the truck but the engine kept shutting itself off about every 20 minutes or so. Nasty heat wave, y'know...over 100 degrees every days and low 90's at night so we had to have air. Matt and I took turns staying up to keep the engine going. Our delivery appointment was at 7am. We got in the door and they unloaded but rejected 20 of the 50 pound bags of white onions because they said "low quality"...they looked fine to us but whatever. We called around and found a local food bank to donate them to. Went to our next pick up of Tyson chicken (frozen) that was supposed to be a double drop in Illinois and Ohio. They didn't have the load ready like they were supposed to so we were 4 hours late leaving which left it really tight. We got to the weigh station here in West Memphis and got pulled in for overweight. It was a light load and we were running late so we didn't check it before we left but they loaded it all in the front so the drive tires were over. When they pulled Matt's license they said it was suspended because of a speeding ticket from 1999! This was like, 2am so nothing could be done until the court opened up. We got it all straightened out this morning; the DMV lady said, "Oh, sorry, we didn't update our records correctly" and she fixed it immediately. So here we are in a hotel hanging out....showers good!!!!

Matt says I'm not allowed to say "ADVENTURE" anymore!!

Lunch at New Mexico farm

I cannot believe what we did for lunch today. We are at our pickup spot: an onion farm in southern New Mexico of all places. We were hungry and it was lunch time for the farm workers. We saw people coming around the building with plates so we thought there must be a vendor. We walked thru the mud (in flip flops...blech!) to the food and realized it was just for the workers. Matt, in all his wonderfully bold glory walked up and asked if we could have some, offering to pay. The white guy said, "Oh, there isn't enough for you." This Mexican guy said, "Yes, we have enough." (white people are so stingy!) The food was so good and they didn't want anything for it. It's all part of the adventure!

Sigh...Still stuck in Texas

Could be so much worse but we're out of money and things to do. We should definitely get the truck back tomorrow which will make 8 days in the shop....stupid! Matt's no longer roaring with anger...more like down to an underlying seethe. I know some people will say, "See? Told you this was a mistake." But to that I say, "See, I'm with my honey and enjoying life! So there!!." I'm out here for the adventure cuz it's my turn! I've been home working and raising babies for 20 years so now I'm going to be selfish if that's what you want to call it. The money will follow. Okay, off my soapbox! LOL

Stuck in Texas

Well, we never made it Vegas. The truck broke down in Ft. Worth, Tx and we've been here ever since. It hasn't been horrible except for the fact that we're not making any money. We're at a really nice hotel with pool and jacuzzi. Yesterday we went to the Stockyards which I didn't even know existed. It was really interesting. Hopefully we'll get out of here tomorrow but it just depends on if they can get the truck fixed. We may go into Dallas today just for something to do.

Trucking

Well, I got my permit to drive the truck. We took chicken from Missouri to Indiana then got this hot, hot load of cold, cold ice-cream to Vegas but it would explode I'd we take it over the Rockies so we had to take the scenic southern route. Lost 3 hours in Dallas due to a flat tire and now our turbo went out just past Ft. Worth. Matty is fit to be tied...

Trucker Training

All is well here. I passed 2 parts of the written test but missed the 3rd part twice by just a couple of questions. I get 2 more chances tomorrow but hopefully I'll only need one. I took the eye test and they said I don't have to wear my glasses to drive but I really do particularly at night.

I bought my leather gloves today and then got my toenails done! ha!

I had to call AT&T to quit today because Prime said they would not let me continue if I didn't. They had to have an "end date" listed from my previous employer. I don't see what the difference is if I'm not technically employed by Prime yet but whatever. They said do it so I did and it's done! I'd better for real make this thing work now!

Annoyed (grrrrr ) and Happy! (Hooray!!)

So I just found out that I completely lose my insurance which was kind of the point of going on leave instead of just quitting which I specifically asked about ahead of time and they said I keep my regular insurance, I just pay for it which is only about 100.00 a month...well now they tell me I can pay for COBRA, (aka lying, ripoff SOBs) for $1,200 a month...HELLOOOO!! REALLY??!!?? WTF!!! If I could afford sh** like that I would need the stupid job in the first damn place!!!
In case you hadn't noticed I'm a bit miffed and I've been holding back in saying anything because I didn't want to leave on a bad note but now I don't effing care and I know for a fact that there are people who can and probably will read this post and get me fired but I don't care because I have bigger and better things to worry about now!

Matt will be home tomorrow; we will leave on Saturday and next Tuesday I will start orientation to get my CDL permit. Matt will train me to drive the truck and we'll be off! Hooray! I'm so excited and scared but I'm sure it will be wonderful once we get thru the initial madness!

Almost ready....

Just checking in. Been spending quality time with my kids before Matt gets home Wednesday. We'll leave together on Saturday....more to follow....

Bittersweet

I can't believe I don't have to go to work today. It's been nice to know I can get some things done and I don't have to stress about making sure I get enough rest because of having to go back right away. I do miss my friends, tho....

New Life

Tomorrow is my last day at AT&T...for 30 days leave of absence...to go out on the truck with the love of my life. My team is the absolute best. They had a potluck, which I knew about, and brought me presents, which I didn't. They got me a 2011 road atlas which is perfect because the one I had before is from 2004 and I've been eyeing the new one but hadn't gotten around to getting it...a fancy journal which is big enough to use as a scrap book of our travels...pens, sunglasses...and best of all this amazing pink baseball cap that is sooooo me that it couldn't have been better if I'd picked it out myself!!!

New Year's Resolutions

I resolve to eat healthier, drink less beer, exercise more, send birthday/anniversary cards....and, most importantly, not be so hard on myself when I slip up. I just have to remind myself that all I can do is the best I can and that will be good enough. I think if maybe I'm nicer to myself I'll want to be a better person and the rest will fall into place. Whacha think world?

Xmas 2009

Santa was pretty good to us this year even though he was broke by the time he got to us. I got a foot bath and electric kettle. Matt and the boys got some videos and games they'd been wanting along with way too much candy...can you have too much? Shayne spent christmas with us again this year as last year. Alex made it home right before a big snow storm hit his college town in the mountains. Jason is his usual sweet, quiet self.

We found a doctor for Matt who really seems interested in helping us. Matt gets to swallow a camera some time next month to check his small intestine since the top and bottom parts are okay. They found a spot on his lung that they said don't worry about but they're going to check again in 6 months which has me worried. Sigh.

Work is fine. I'm coming up on my 5 year anniversary on Feb 7. I've never worked anywhere this long before...quite an accomplishment for me. Next goal: get Jason graduated and moved on to his next big adventure, whatever that may be.

Update on Jason

Jason finally got his driving permit...I tease him and tell people to stay off the road now! ha! He was a bit worried to take the test because it's been so long since he had driver's ed but he did fine. He snatched the keys away from me right away and drove us away from the DMV. He's not happy about driving a stick shift but I told him he just needs practice and he'll be fine.

He's in 11th grade this year, taking general college classes along with his high school classes. Only 3 years to go.

Update on Alex

Alex is really enjoying college life. He's focusing on philosophy, creative writing and
Japanese. So far he really likes his classes and teachers. He did say that college English classes are a lot harder than high school!

Sunday he went with some friends along the Appalachian Trail for a few hours. He's meeting all kinds of wonderful new people and doing new things which is wonderful.

Tomorrow he's getting a new roommate. He got along fine with his old one but Derrick met a guy with whom he has more in common who was not getting along with his roommate who has
more in common with Alex...whew! Alex isn't concerned. He's pretty much going with the flow.

where does time go?

So, like, wow! we just got back from the university open house. It was great and I'm so jealous of Alex and this new life he's jumping into. It was just like yesterday that was us going out into the world. It all went by so fast. Now I have to stop and remind myself that in a few short years we will be going into the next phase of our lives, the kids will be gone and we get to start over acting young but being wiser.

Good News!

Alex got his acceptance letter to Western Carolina University which he will start in the fall...I'm so proud!

I DID IT!!!

I had to mark this date and tell everyone that I finally touched my toes today! I've been working out, trying to get my body back (pre-medical-B*S*-fiasco) and I was just able to bend over completely to touch the tips of my toes. Yea! Next goal is to touch the floor.

Shame on me!

Look how long it's been since I last posted! Life is good for us right now. The boys are doing well in school, Matt's off in Louisiana hauling sweet potatoes (yuck!) and livestock. I'm finally working part-time, the point of which was to have time to do more at home but so far I've only really caught up on my favorite TV programs!

Here's a pic of our recent trip to Virginia for Matt's late father's family reunion. In order: me, Jason, Aunt Kay (Matt's dad's sister), Grandma holding the most spoiled little poodle I've ever met, Matt and Alex. Looks like Jason's almost taller than Alex in this pic. I don't think he really is, though....yet. And look! I'm finally wearing jeans! yea!! I'm feeling very heavy right now so I'm still wearing big clothes but I'm working on it. Yesterday I did aerobics in the morning and in the evening the boys and I went to this very nice park with a lit, paved walking path. We walked a bit over a mile. We would've gone another round but I hadn't changed into proper walking shoes. Maybe tonight we'll go again.

It's finally starting to feel like autumn. I went to let the dogs out and the air was crisp and cool. You could smell the changing of the season. Poor Matty is missing it again. Maybe next year.

Good News!

Jason got into the Early College High School program for the coming year! We're all very excited and proud. :)