Week in Review – The One That Is Late

If I thought last week was so busy I forgot it was Friday, it had nothing on this week. This week was one of those weeks where when Friday came, I was glad of it, but yet so worn out I didn't want to do much of anything. We turned more miles in one week than we have in a long time. I am thankful for it, but have forgotten how turning that many miles, and quite a few of them in questionable weather, can wear you out. Looking back I know that when we first started trucking, we turned almost half again as many miles, but at that point my youngest daughter wasn't on the truck.

This was the snow that had fallen in Cincinnati just three hours after we got there, at which point we were still waiting to load the engine, and the snow was still falling.

This week also included our first shut down due to snow. We started the week in San Antonio (last Friday). We deadheaded all the way up to Cincinnati, hoping we would be able to get there, loaded, and start on the way out before the snow hit. Well, that didn't work out so well. Instead we got there, and waited nearly six hours to load an engine they told us it would take two hours max to finish. As we sat there, the snow rolled in. The roads were slick in the city, leaving us to question how horrible the roads would be on the open road. Since our route included several hills and curves, with questionable roads, we made the call to stop and wait until morning. By morning, it was smooth sailing.

Snow on top of already icy roads in North Indiana. 

Snow covered Chicago Midway.

Monday, which was a holiday, left us wondering if we would be able to deliver the engine in Houston. After waiting to leave because of the snow, I had battled fog on the last stretch, and really needed a little rest. No rest for the weary, we went up to Dallas and loaded going to Indianapolis and Chicago. The roads weren't too bad until the last stretch, at which point the water in the sleeper of our truck had froze. We were in desperate need of a thaw. Thankfully, we got word we would get that thaw. We reloaded in Indianapolis, after waiting for a squall line to move through and an airplane to leave the hangar, and then loaded another engine in Charlotte and headed to Miami. While on that stretch we had a light bar fall off (that was loads of fun to try to stop without having too much more damage), and the governor on our air compressor freeze. We thought the latter of those two repairs was going to be a pain to fix, but thankfully, I was able to get in touch with a dear friend, who reassured us it is an inexpensive fix that is not difficult.

You can say what you would like, and call me a fair weather trucker, but I dislike driving in most weather. I dislike rain because, while I can see, it seems most cars can’t see too well, so I am watching even closer to make sure I can see everything. I dislike fog because I have seen too many times where the other people didn't slow to the conditions and cause major wrecks. I dislike snow because you get the worst of the wetness the rain brings, and then the fear the roads will freeze to an ice skating rink, leaving you no way to control what happens. I trust my driving; it is the other people I don’t always trust. This week had me battle fog, my husband battled snow and ice, and I had a few flurries and thicker snow lines to deal with myself. We made it through safe, and thankful for God’s hand guiding us.

It is now Sunday. My husband’s birthday is tomorrow. While we were en route, I was able to stop and get his “birthday chrome,” a tradition we started. Of course it was no surprise to him what I got, but it is rather difficult to keep things a secret when we live within fifteen feet of each other. We spent yesterday getting parts for the truck and walking the mall. I was so worn out yesterday, the last thing on my mind was sharing our week.

I was blessed that this week she wanted to do schoolwork on her own. It amazes me how that works out sometimes. She finished three books on her own this week. One, we had been working on together, and the other two she just picked up and read because she wanted to keep going. I am so proud of her. I kissed her forehead several times this week and said thank you. While I grew up not hearing, “I am proud of you.” I have tried very hard to let my kids know when I am proud of them.

This week, while listening to the radio I heard, “What would you have tomorrow, if you were only left with what you thanked God for today.” Several times throughout the week I thanked God he got us to this place safe, or got us through that weather situation. When we sit to eat we thank God for our meal and the safety we have had up to that point, and pray for continued safety and wisdom. I have to say when I heard that question, I thought of how few things I would have. Sometimes, I tiring day or week can leave you thankful for the ability to make it through, but too tired to be thankful for much more. That was this kind of week. As I sit here, with everyone else, even the dogs, sleeping, I am reminded to pause and be thankful for what we have. We have been blessed with this truck, and the ability to make enough to keep things going. We have been blessed to have found a company where we can turn enough miles to get our bills caught up (this week we even paid off a credit card). We have been blessed to have our health (while my sinuses hated the dryness, we still have been blessed with very few down days due to illness). We have been blessed to be out here with each other, learning, sharing, and growing together. We have been blessed with friends who are reassuring and knowledgeable, without them we wouldn't try to handle so many things on our own. This week I am very grateful for my dear friend, Jeff, who truly blesses our lives continuously. I have been blessed with a hard working husband who wants me to just keep driving in fair weather, and have him take all the funky weather. I have been blessed with a teenager that appreciates how hard we work to keep things going. I am thankful for these things and so many more.

God blesses our lives continually. Sometimes it takes going through a rough patch to see the blessings on the other side, but if you look, you can always find something to be thankful for. No matter how hard things in your life may be, there is someone who would be thankful to be in your shoes. Remember to stop and thank God for your blessings.

 

This was from my fortune cookie during our birthday weekend lunch. While I am not a man, I am happy!

Introducing the White House on Wheels

Right now we are ready and waiting to head out on the road with our new (to us) truck. We sold our old truck, and have purchased a 2000 Kenworth W900 with a 156" sleeper on it, and only 729,000 miles. The new truck is laid out so well, and we are looking forward to how well it will work for us. I am showing a few pictures below.

Profile view of the front of the truck.

Back of the truck, showing the headache rack.

 The truck has a custom headache rack, which is VERY handy for putting stuff in. Even with all the storage on the inside, there are still some things we have to put in the back (like laundry). And now my hubby has plenty of room for his tools.

Looking in from the back door.

 As you can see from looking in the back door, it is laid out sort of like a hallway. You can see the bottom of the TV there, but it really doesn't stick down too far. Full size refrigerator, 2 burner stove, sink, batroom with shower and potty, and LOTS of storage. The bed is folded down in this picture, but when it is folded up, there is a dinette under it.

The new couch.

 This is the new couch (now it has a few more pillows on it too), which folds out into a bed as well, so my daughter has a place to sleep, or do schoolwork.

Looking towards the back door.

 Here you can see the 42" TV with all the components above, and a sound bar mounted as well.

The "cockpit" as our family tends to call it.

The front is where all the driving happens, and there are so many switches, I can't remember what most of them are for.When it turns dark out, you just have to start flipping switches until everything is on. I am sure we will get used to it. This will be only the second Kenworth I have driven, and the first W900. We have been in so many Peterbilts, the "feel like home." I am not sure how it will be to drive this new truck, but I am looking forward to the new adventure.

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.

Thankful for the Ability to Vote

Today is the day I tell my children is very important, and gives you the right to complain for the rest of the time. It is Election Day. I don't always participate in every election, because let's face it, that would be a difficult proposition with our jobs. However, I vote in the major elections. My husband had never registered to vote before he met me. I made it a point to tell our son once he turned 18, which was almost two months before Election Day in 2008, he needed to register. I ended up filling out both cards, and just having my son and husband sign them so they could vote. Now, my husband listens to so much and tries his best to be fair to both sides.
I can remember the first election in which I could participate. It was the first Clinton/Gore term. We were on very hard times. We could only get a few channels on television, and many other things were more important than cable. I became engulfed in the wave of enthusiasm behind Clinton. I went to a few rallies in South Carolina. I wanted Clinton to win, and was excited when he did. Our son also got caught up in the Obama enthusiasm.
I remember when the impeachment proceedings started. I remember being almost ashamed I had voted for this man who was so different than the one I thought I voted into office. It was a tremendous let down. I started paying more attention to the differing sides. I began to take Rush Limbaugh a little more seriously (I had made fun of him during the first election). I guess you could say if it had not been for the whole fiasco with Monica Lewinski, I probably would still be just caught up in the speeches and not looking into the issues.
When we were at home, I would make sure to read as much as I could get my hands on about any issue or person that would be appearing on the ballot. Now, the internet makes that so much easier. You can see the arguments for or against any issue very quickly. I am very aware both of those view will be slanted, but I try to discern what is being said and make what I feel is the best choice. However, like I tell our son, even if I don't agree with your choice, if you vote you earn the right to complain about those things on the ballot.
Our country was founded on Biblical beliefs. We are a Christian nation. Yes, we accept those from other beliefs into the country, and do not expect them to become Christian. Today we have the privilege of voting for the first Mormon as a presidential candidate. Some would argue they are not Christian, but anyone who's slogan is "Vote for Love of Country" is really wanting us to vote for this great ideal that became America. We live in the best country in the world. As any country, it is filled with people from all walks of life, and the government ends up being as imperfect as the members of the country. None of us are perfect. And, regardless of how I vote on several issues, there may be unforeseen consequences to that vote, however others have fought for the right to vote.
I am thankful for the right to vote, and I encourage anyone who can to vote.

Thankfulness

It was my intention to say something I was thankful for each day in my blog, and then life comes along and so many more things become important than posting in a blog. In an attempt to catch up, I am going to list things I meant to say I was thankful for, but never did.
I am thankful for family. This week I have been fortunate enough to spend time with several different members of my family. Whenever we are home, I am thankful for that time. I am thankful God has blessed me with so many different family members who add so much to my life.
I am thankful for my husband. Without my husband, I certainly would not be where I am, and we would spend SO much more trying to get things done to the truck. He is a great mechanic, a terrific help mate (especially when my English doesn't match someone else's), a great lover, and my best friend. I have been through so much crap and now I can truly appreciate the man he is.
I am thankful for God. God works in so many different ways to make things easier, and to always have a rock to lean on when things are tough. God and prayer are definitely a blessing.
I am thankful for technology. Technology makes homeschooling so much easier, staying in touch easier, and so many other things.
Now that I have "caught up," I hope to be able to continue the rest of the month as I should have.

Thankful for my Phone

Last year my sister did a blogpost a day about different things she was thankful for. She calls November her month of thankfulness. I loved the idea, and decided I really wanted to do the same.
I realize it may be silly to start with, but I really am thankful for my phone. Now that cell phones are so common, have you ever tried to find a pay phone? I remember one day we were at home, my phone died, and I had no charger, I went to five different gas stations looking for a working pay phone. It was so difficult I almost gave up. My phone was my life line, and it had been rendered useless.
While my phone is capable of communication via speech, it is also capable of so much more. I text more than talk (it seems so much less intrusive on people's lives), and my phone lets me do this. These two things are all my first cellphone would let me do, but now it is a minicomputer. I listen to music, watch movies, listen to or read books, take pictures, follow facebook and twitter, study the bible, post this blogpost, and so much more. It is incredible how I depend on my phone. I am sure I am not alone.
While the first item I am thankful for may seem silly, trust me I would be lost without it, but am very thankful I have it when I am lost.