Ogden,UT

We had a load of Hershey on our back, about 42,000 pounds of chocolate bars. Dropped it at the Hershey warehouse in Ogden. Stopped for fuel in Rawlins, WY. It was so cold it was difficult to perform the simple task of fueling; however, there was one person who was outside with shorts on. My hands hurt just typing in the numbers on the pump island.

Last week was good for pay, this week will be poor. Do I invest $5 in the Lottery?

Hudson before 3

I was estimating the distances when I was entering info on the QC since Jesse had the computer.  So tonight while we are parked in Lincoln,NE I looked at the actual distance left.  Only 480 miles left in the little journey for Kraft.  The load delivers on Wednesday morning, hopefully a load quickly out of the area will be nice.

They want me to have my HazMat endorsement; however, they have not sent me home long enough to take care of this.  I am attempting to force their hand.  I made an appointment with the DMV to take the test and have paid the outrageous sum of $89.25 to be finger printed by the TSA. All so I can haul soap and similar products.  I stated I wanted March 13-16 off.  I have not heard back today, so I put the message on the QC also rather than just an email.  If I do not hear back tomorrow, the messages will become more frequent and to more people.  Maybe someone will finally notice I have not had 34 hour restart at home since October!

God moves in a mysterious way

The course for the day was plotted out, drive from Troy,IL to Aurora,IL; drop the trailer, hook up to another trailer and then drive to Minooka,IL to a truck stop.  I looked into attending church in Minooka.  

Arrived at Aurora and as I rounded the corner to Kraft there is a Christian school right next to the property.  They also have church on Sunday morning.  There were no trailers to pickup when I arrived, so I drove my truck next door and attended church.  The message was like the email Randy sent out "Solitude Exercise."  Okay it was just perchance that the church service started at 10 when I drove onto their property.  It was just perchance that a receiver did not have any empty trailers yet.  It was just perchance...  right!  You may need to duck your heads if this is just perchance, because pigs maybe flying next!

Leave here at 5:45 to drive to Morris,IL to pickup a load going to Aurora,CO.  Let the fun begin.

Heartless *&^%$#@

Remember Beetle Bailey and Sgt Snorkel? Whenever Sgt let loss with "colorful" language the cartoonist used symbols.  The word I was thinking about while the music played while I was on hold at the Steven's yard referred to the legitimacy of their birth.  Anyway, over 135 days since I have been home for 34 hour restart.  They play Glen Campbell singing Wichita Lineman. "And I need you more than want you and I want you for all time.." This was proceeded by Poetry Man which has the line about home is where you go every night to your wife.  Very sadistic to decide to play those songs to men who long to be elsewhere.

Finished loading in Irwindale,CA this morning it only took them 5 hours.  I think my chances of making it to Aurora,IL by noon on Saturday are slim and none.  Maybe I can get the kind hearted people who will not answer the QC or phone to change the time.  Any votes?

I must be growing up.  I haven't shaved for several weeks (it costs money) and my "beard" does not look like I have mange like it has for most of my life.  It is slow growing but filled in much better than previously.

Ontario again

We will hopefully start moving before 6AM tomorrow.  Hope is a correct word since the parking is so tight I may need to start earlier.  That will be a late start east of here; however, since it is due at 6AM that gives me two hours to drive to Long Beach.  54 miles before the main rush hour. 

Listening to the news as we arrived, it sounds like California has gone insane.  But if I mention something like that while in Texas, they would simply say it went insane years ago.  It is amazing with the budget crisis here and the stimulus package passed in D.C.; both are loaded with more foolish spending.  When will the politicians move beyond just figuring out what to do to get elected again?  Can you be a statesmen and elected to office?

Rushing to no where

I arrived in Winslow,AZ from Amarillo.  Jesse had started the water boiling for dinner while I was out of the truck.  He ran off to clean the large container we use to make dinner, returning to the truck only when informed the water was boiling.  Top Ramen noodles (4) add the water, place on the cover and then tuck under the sleeping bag to cook.  More water to boil.  Get the tomato paste can from the engine compartment and the McCormick seasoning and tada: Spaghetti! No Italian diner need worry about us opening a chain; but with the added cheese it filled us up,  Wish we had been able to purchase some French bread to go with it.

After dinner I was tired and took a nap.  I woke up shortly before Paula called for the evening, so I had slept a good two hours.  Tomorrow we will be in Ontario,CA so I can use the computer while hyper boy finds something else productive to accomplish.  I almost feel guilty attempting to use my own computer.  

Oh what fun

It has been several days since I have posted, we have traveled to several locations; however, the worst part was returning to the yard. Fortunately it only lasted a day, but I am still behind on enough miles.  We are sitting tonight in Amarillo,TX with a load going to S. Calif.  Don't know if I will make it north.

Valentine's day.  About 1500 miles from my valentine, not a rose to send.  I read Randy's blog about his Sunday lesson.  Do what is important to the king, live a life that matters.  Living a life that matters can be elusive; however, to often in our Western culture we attach the wrong measurement of what matters.

About 130 days since I have been home for 24 hours.  So much for Stevens getting me home every 5 weeks!

Is it really the fifth?

I could use one right now.  

Montebello,CA with 22,000 lbs of dog food bound for TX.  They sent more than ordered to Walgreens so the next day delivered 195cs of can dog food to SPCA in Ellis county TX.  Pick up a load of Kraft products in Garland,TX and brought it to Grovesport,OH. Will pick up a load of Pillsbury in Wellston,OH tomorrow to deliver to Temple,TX. Now we are up to date.

It saddens me that the family feud continues.  If at least one of them does not grow out of it, I fear it will not end until one is dead.  I pray for growth.

The problem with paranoia is sometimes you are correct. When gossip slips across the tongue, even misquoted facts can be gossip, the victims become paranoid.  The since of paranoia served well working in the prison, but it does not work well for Paula.  It is difficult to encourage and consul from 2,000 miles away. Another day this J-O-B is not fun.  Why is satan working so diligently to keep a small band of Christians from serving the Lord to the fullest?