Weekly Update: An Excitingly Busy Week

Oh, my goodness. It's Friday already! We have had an excitingly busy week. This week started with some wonderful news that upset me as the week went on, but at this point, I have put on my big girl pants, and it will be alright. The Lord truly was looking out for us this week, and we are ever thankful for his guidance.
Saturday night we spotted Momma June and Sugarbear, along with their entourage. Since I am not a fan, I was not impressed, nor did I really see a reason they needed said entourage. (Yes I realize Saturday is really not part of this week, but it was after my last weekly update, so I thought I would share.)
Sunday, we picked up a load in Charlotte and headed to Miami. The polar vortex was coming in that direction, and we prayed to stay south of the freeze line, and luckily were able to.

The view across the runways at MIA

Monday, we delivered that load, and were amazed to get a load right out. However, as it turned out, we didn't have the space (weight-wise) to load all the wanted. Instead, we ended up doing a local and waiting for other items to clear customs so we could leave with a full trailer. We felt God kept us in Florida until the "heat wave" hit Minneapolis (our final destination), and got us out of Florida before the flooding started there. Ten stops total for the week. We are beyond thankful we got to move. While they may talk about how much better the weather is here in Minnesota, it still is pretty awful. It looks like a beautiful winter wonderland, but the fog in the dark with freezing temps is not so wonderful. Not to mention, our truck started the week all clean, and now looks like I took it through a mud hole somewhere. I hate even getting in and out of the truck because it is such a chore to not get dirty. Please Lord, let us go somewhere warmer soon so we can wash the truck!

Cleaning the runways at MSP

Bonnie was able to finish two books this week, one of which wasn't required! She really is loving her Christmas present she didn't want. Sometimes I have to remind myself she is a teenager, so I am wrong, but this week I was able to remind her of two more things I tried getting for her that she refused and now kicks herself for doing so. One is a fleece lined sweatshirt. She said she didn't like it, and wouldn't need it, and would rather have a huge parka. Well, this week she has borrowed mine several times and said how she wished she had one. "Remember, I tried talking you into getting one." She rolled her eyes and sighed. Then, she decided to borrow my fingerless gloves that flip over to become more like mittens. She again fell in love with them. "I seem to recall suggesting you get a pair, and you said you would rather have just normal gloves." She finally admitted maybe sometimes moms do know best. That is one moment I will hold onto.
Today, as we sit in the freezing cold, we are playing chess, enjoying the quiet. God has kept us safe. He has been our provider. We are blessed. As you look back on your week, I hope you too recognize God's guiding hand in it. I pray you will stay safe throughout the week to come.

Error Codes

One of the gadgets we have in our truck is a ScanGauge. Most newer trucks have lovely little displays that can show error codes. Our truck, however is too old to have that type of display. Instead we have a switch labeled "Diagnostic" that you switch and count the number of times the light flashes to decode any error codes in our engine. However, with the ScanGauge we have a display to see the error codes.
Deciphering those codes can be a bit tricky. For example, we had an error code coming up that was not showing when we hit the Diagnostic switch, and wasn't in our list of error codes for our engine. I was finally able to find it on another list, and as it turns out, was for our ABS system. The signal from our right steer ABS is noisy. It took a lot of research to discover exactly what it meant, which meant being persistent.
Sometimes I wish we could hook up a scan tool to ourselves and figure out what was wrong. I have days, and I suspect we all do, where I just don't feel quite right. Wouldn't it be great to hook up a scan tool, and decipher the error code? Instead I muddle through trying to figure it out on my own. I can pray and seek guidance, but sometimes it just seems my own signals are a little noisy.
Just yesterday, a friend of mine had a difficult time deciphering an error code on their truck. I offered to help, and was able to find the reason for the code, and a remedy. That was a wonderful feeling, to be able to help another. Sometimes, we need to do the same thing in our lives, reach out to someone else and ask for help.
While we were not designed with a port to plug in a scan tool, we have lots of ways we can figure out what's wrong. We can pray. We can ask for help, professional or friendly. We can research and read. Only with help can we figure out our own error codes.

Clearing the Foggy Attitude

Yesterday as I drove from Illinois into Memphis TN, I drove through some fog and thought about how this fog was like my attitude. I have been trying desperately to not write about my frustrations and turn this into a vent, so I have held much of it in. I have not discussed my frustrations with a screwed up Christmas or our blown turbo. Believe me this year hasn't started much better than last year began. As a result my attitude has become as dreary as a foggy landscape.
It hit me as I was making that drive. Sometimes being foggy is okay. It is in these times I keep my head focused on what is right ahead of me. Can I see miles ahead? No. Sometimes I cannot see more than a few hundred feet. The focus needed to make it through just a few miles is difficult at times, but when you make it where you need to be, you realize you have accomplished something.
In our trucking life I have grumbled, and let my inner grumblings affect my attitude. However, I had to really to stop and consider we have paid off several things, and now our work will be more in our pocket, than paying off bills. We had a bump with our turbo literally blowing apart, but now we have a new turbo, new air filters and new brakes. We are getting somewhere, just slowly and still unable to see beyond our immediate future.
On the homeschooling front, this month brings semester reports. I discovered how far we have come. We should meet attendance goal by April. Boo is really enjoying reading. Let me say that again. BOO IS ENJOYING READING!!! I prayed this day would come. Thank you Lord for answering my prayers.
On a personal note, I have long prayed for a way to use my piece of paper I spent 17 years to complete. (I have an Accounting degree that is only useful to our family.) I am still praying, but with the help of a radio visionary, my prayers may be getting answered. I don't want to share too much but I ask you prày His will be done in this situation.
We are two weeks into the new year. Before too long the first month will be over, and time will speed by faster than we imagine. I still can't see much beyond our immediate future, but I am thankful for this time we have just kept our nose to the grindstone and can now look up and appreciate the distance we have come. My foggy attitude is clearing, but I will just keep focusing on the immediate future and being thankful for each little mile marker we pass.

November thus far

I had all these grand plans for November (posting something I was thankful for each day), and then we came home. Even when I tried to catch up, things got in the way and I never seemed to be able to write. Oh how I miss writing. So,instead of catching up on thankfulness,because it really would seem silly to me, I am just going to vent about this hectic month that has really been rather productive.
We came home in time to celebrate my last daughter to become a teenager. It was great to share the baking with my middle daughter. It was nice to then have my sister come and wish her a happy birthday. Family time is great.
We have been able to start really focusing on school. I so enjoy reading with my daughter,and discussing things with her. Every time I see her really show an understanding of any subject, it is a blessing. She is really excited about her science curriculum because she cannot wait to dissect things. We are using Sonlight for most subjects, Teaching Textbook for Math, and Apologia for General Science. All of it fits so well together it is amazing. You would almost think I spent a long time debating what curriculum I was going to use. While I did spend a long time deciding on the Core curriculum, the science wasn't even ordered until October. I have plans for how we are going to make it through to the end of the school year while having the required attendance days. It will take some work, but I am sure we can do it.
We have been able to make some modifications to the truck. We have talked for three years about adding an Oil Purification System to the truck. It is finally on the truck. We have extra filters, so our maintenance costs will go down significantly. We are excited about that. The harmonic balancer has been replaced and we can already tell a difference in the smoothness of the drive. We added balance beads to the tires as well, so that has helped too. We have added a shelf for the printer and computers, one for Boo, and another for general stuff. Things are organized, which makes me happy. We replaced the microwave, which makes me happy too. We updated the GPS,and replaced most of the sound system. We also added an in motion satellite, and have started recording some educational programs. Now not only can we watch football (now that the season is almost over), but also things to go with schoolwork or just be informative.
On the business front, I was able to sort through a lot of paperwork, scan things, properly file paperwork, and catch up our bookkeeping. While I am upset to look at the taxable income, and see we are still below the poverty line, I have to remember all we are doing is not only for the business, but also for our family. I also have to remember in a year and a half the truck will be paid off, at which point our taxable income will go up. In addition, it means the kids continue to go to college for cheap.
As I look forward, I am not going to make any grand promises, because it is obvious my priorities aren't revolved around this blog. I am sorry to those who follow this and were looking forward to more regular posts, but I will write when I can or when I need to vent. I pray all who read are well, and I am thankful you spend your precious time reading my venting. I pray you have a blessed holiday season.

Feeling out of sorts

We recently got a new harness for the dog, and it goes on her differently than the old one. This one she can also reach a lot easier, so she tends to chew on it. As a result we take it off her after she goes out. Putting the harness on her, and taking it off makes her do what she had always done before. She is still learning the new way to do things. This makes her feel out of sorts.
Last night we decided to watch the latter part of the Alabama vs. Tennessee game. Anyone from either state knows the third Saturday in October holds a very heated rivalry. Given Alabama's domination in the past few years, we expected Alabama to win, but knew it had the potential to be a good first half. The game was being broadcast on ESPN, so we could not watch it in the truck. We spent the first half listening to it. When the third quarter seemed like it was going to be a pretty good quarter, we decided to go in and finish watching.
As I stood watching, and yes yelling, at the game (my kids will tell you I can be louder than most men when I watch football), I slowly realized I was the only one yelling. Now, let me remind you we were watching Tennessee (unranked) up against Alabama (#1) in a truck stop (lots of men) in New Jersey. I knew we would be one of a few, but I guess I wasn't expecting to be the only one yelling at the game. I was THE ONLY woman watching the game, and I was the one yelling. Talk about feeling out of sorts. I turned to my husband and told him what I just realized, he said it is OK, that is who you are.
Some of the guys heard and laughed. As Alabama continued to dominate, the channel got turned to a much closer game, Florida State at Miami. We began to talk football. As usual, someone turns the conversation from college to pro, and I continued to stay with the guys on the conversation. Most of my family will understand and say again, that is just me. 
Many times throughout our lives, choosing to be true to yourself will make you feel alone in your doing so. I drive OTR. I am one of the few women in this industry who total approximately 12%. I am half of a husband/wife team, and for whatever reason that trims away quite a few women as well. I am a homeschooling mom, now you are talking about one of a handful. I realize no matter how you slice it, I am in the minority, but sometimes it feels weird.
Chances are all of us do something that makes us feel in the minority. Whether it is praying, sharing your faith (even with someone you would have thought was a a believer), sharing your story, or simply choosing to drive the speed limit, there are many times throughout the day I feel alone in what I am doing. I know I am not. I know I have friends who are in the same "alone" feeling. And, I know I will always have my true partner, my husband. It is just weird sometimes.
It says in Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Sometimes I have to look at the Amplified as well to see more translations and get a better look at things, which reads "And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.") This verse gives me comfort so many times. If I just keep being me, just keep doing good, just keep on the road God has laid before me, I will persevere  I just need to keep doing it. Just keep praying, just keep sharing, just keep teaching, just keep being safe, and just keep believing that in the end He will work it all out. Whether you are struggling with a change in your life, or struggling as a minority, just keep doing good, and you will make it through. 

Stupid....

To most of you, who have a loving mother, you will never understand how blessed you are. I love the mother I had, but not the woman I have for a mother now. I have been raised by a number of strong women. My mother went through a rough divorce when I was in high school, and a wonderful woman (Linda, who was my best friend's mom) kept both our heads on straight. Linda helped my mother in a great many ways I couldn't. Slowly my mother has become an angry, bitter, controlling woman that I don't like. While we were at home, I had the pleasure of meeting my daughter's boyfriend. Kris asked if I knew what my granddaughter calls him. I didn't. She said he is called "Stupid Stephen". It turns out among the hatred my mother spews, a great many things are called stupid.... I know it makes me angry an adult cannot watch their tongue enough around a toddler that she is now referring to a nice guy as stupid. More than that, my mother makes me sad. I understand her life hasn't been easy, but she was the one who taught me to pick myself up, dust off and continue. Make the best of things. Now, she cannot do that. I pray for her regularly. Maybe one day she will see her stupid comments are just that, stupid.

Bye bye Daddy

While we were waiting on our engine to get swapped out, my husband and I encountered a cute little girl while eating. In a crowded restaurant, you run into all types. In a restaurant in a truck stop it is even worse. As we ate we heard a little girl saying, "Bye, bye, Daddy." She kept repeating it over and over. Finally my husband looked up and waved at her.
The gentleman sitting at her table asked, "Do you see your Daddy."
"Yep."
"Where?" He questioned.
"Right there." She was pointing at my husband.
After the waitress talked to her a bit, we found out Trinity was 2. She was "very smart" and was learning her colors and songs. She was a little cutie, and seemed very bright. When the waitress left her table she said, "Bye bye Auntie."
Everyone commented how cute it was. The waitress was white, like my husband. I remember thinking it was cute but speculating that she must be mixed. I agreed with everyone that she was cute, but as I left I felt sad for her.
While I didn't speak with Trinity's mother, and we could discern the man at her table was not her father, I am fairly certain Trinity wouldn't recognize her father from Donald Trump. Those who know me know that my girls grew up with rather absent fathers. My oldest wouldn't know her father if he walked up to her, and my youngest hasn't seen her father in over ten years, but at the age of two, none of my children would have called an absolute stranger daddy or auntie.
This whole thing saddened me. I know I am not one to judge anyone else's situation, but I felt sorry for this girl. I pray some man as wonderful as my husband will step up and assume the responsibilities someone else walked out on. Anyone can make a baby, but only special men deserve the title "Daddy." I know my girls are blessed, as I am, that my husband has earned that title.