Traveling in circles

Dallas to Laredo on Thursday/Friday. Laredo to Laredo on Saturday. Laredo to Dallas on Sunday/Monday. Dallas to OKC then Ochelata Monday/Tuesday. Skiatook to Arkansas City on Wednesday. We are supposed to have a load to CA; however, unless they change the delivery date, we can not possibly make the load. Had a slight issue with someone in dispatch/repower window; however, this many hours of sitting, combined with burning both clocks at night is getting old very quickly.
Spoke with a young driver who made the switch from lease to owner operator. He stated the pay difference was crazy. His settlements avg $2000 per week, instead of my average of $500.
I have never been put on the sit mode with a student before and a do not know what they are thinking. One interesting side note for the O/O is his toys, decorations, etc.;however, I would invest in new seats before a wood steering wheel or fancy knobs!
Dead line date/time for this load to roll out the gate is 8:00 PM. They have 50 minutes.

Deja vu

Years ago with my first ear problems an ear doctor stated the reason for my extreme eat pay was a snotty nose. He then proceeded to puncture both ear drums and use his Hoover vacuum machine to vacuum my middle ear. The noise is like a jet engine going off in your head. He placed a tube in one tympanic membrane and told me to return in two weeks. I did; however, when he wanted to "rip out the tube" I decided to visit another doctor. He looked in my ear and the diagnosis was a cholesteatoma, "third leading cause of death at the turn of the century."
We informed Stevens of truck issues, two separate issues; however, they combined them. "Just check your fluids, run it till it stops running..."; however, when I took it to the dealer, we had a major exhaust leak that was polluting the air in the truck and could kill us. Waking up with a headache, not cheerful; need to listen to my body and press onward for what is right.
Off to SoCal; hopefully NorCal with load heading East!

Truck repair

The truck was not responding properly so informed road breakdown. "Maybe it is low on oil, maybe it is..." whatever, took it to Kenworth dealer who listened to my statement, then listened to the truck and announce it is an exhaust leak. We delivered this morning and plan to deliver rest of load in the morning.

You want it when?

Leave Gary, IN for the short drive to Aurora. Attempted to have trailer washed out; however, company was not reliable to do the task of reporting to work! Drove until 12:45 AM to Norfolk, NE for a 5 AM delivery about 1 mile away. Wow were we looking good until...crash! He turned right to soon and hit another trailer! Yes made on time delivery, but it made for an unpleasant morning. Came to the top of the off ramp, no one around, start easing got and some driving way to fast in small car had to slow down to get around me. They sped up, voted letting me know I was #1. We picked up in Storm Lake and are headed for Prince George,VA. Prayerfully the rest of our journey will be uneventful.

Strays

Recently in Laredo I spotted a young female with a very distended pregnant belly. She was lost, this is an industrial part of town. It was hot and she was thirsty; however, she would not accept a drink when it was offered. Not willing to trust someone to help her. Yes she had four legs, a tail, a dog personality, a fur person, but doesn't she remind me of me? God sets everything in place, knows I am thirsty, but do I yield to the Masters voice when he calls? Lost in an area I do not belong, craving to be somewhere else, a place where I am loved and cared for and about; but I like she don't always come when the cup is offered. We are all strays.

Crazy days

Recovering from taking time at home and now being temporarily alone. Should have student soon on truck. Signed up with Stephanie Vallejo for Trucker Buddy program, which means another group of people that I can interact with on a frequent basis.
I left Sparks at 7:30 this morning, drove the 30 minutes to Fernley to get fuel; however, it is so busy, I am waiting for for the truck ahead of me to pull foreward! I have used 15 minutes just waiting to pull up to the pump! Aisle opened next... gotta go!

It has been a long time

It is 8/15 therefore it is Charlie's birthday. Where he is currently in life I not a good place so prayer is priority. I should be home today with family. I should ... but my own poor choices leave me here in Ardmore,OK tonight heading for Laredo in the morning.
The rain earlier slowed traffic, but still put 523 miles on truck today. About same tomorrow. Jesse is restless to get off the truck almost as much as I want him off. He sees a direction he desires to travel, has great goals that honor God first and I can only pray he is able to stay away from the basement people long enough to hear the voice of balcony people that he can do it!

Man in the mirror

We had an appointment scheduled for us on 6/22. We knew about it almost a month in advance. I informed Stevens of the need to be home on that date. Currently I will be in IL or IN at the appointment time. I can blame all sorts of people for failing to get me to my appointed place; however, I must look first to the man who stares at me in the mirror. "You are where you are because of the choices you made." No not directly am I in IL because I woke up 6/22 and decided to be in IL, but X number of years ago choices were made that lead to where I am now. I cannot change the past. I can only make different choices NOW to insure a different future than the one I am currently headed toward. Retire at 65 from trucking (they are thinking of making it mandatory) and become a door greeter at WalMart. Nothing against honest work; however, I think I could make better choices.
I wrote an email to Archie Roberts that will deliver to him after we have already started rolling for Cheshire,CT. I am not wanting a miracle last minute fix to our situation. I want a fix for all the drivers to this situation. It is insane that a large company would not have a better system in place to prevent this type of mistake.
The weather here in NM has become very active, will need to check the maps before we leave. When we left Flagstaff this morning, it was very smokey from the forest fire that was burning near the hotel. Hope no one was injured.
It is Father's day. That is not what I am thinking about. I was supposed to be home Monday night. I was going to take 24 hours off to spend time with Paula and help with Matthew. Paula is left to handle the challenge of him on her own. I pray we can get him the help he needs before he hurts her or himself.

Lunch,church,dinner

I was just beginning to stir when the infamous rap on the door announced they were ready to work on my truck. Get dressed and drive the truck to bay 7, grab bluetooth, headphones, iPhone, reading glasses and Bible. Wait in the drivers lounge for awhile, then walk 2 miles to Jack in the Box. I ordered a grilled trio and a large tea. I mixed the tea 50/50 with sweet and unsweetened, cutting down a few calories and still having a good flavor. Finished walking the 1.3 miles to church. Walked in what looked like the front door, but it was the front door of the education wing. Walked around until I walked back outside and figured out where the auditorium was located. Service was geared to a generation that would go home and watch Gunsmoke not American Idol. Such a large ediface with many large holes with the congregation. Another church where they are going to heaven because they are right, anyone else that makes it will be just by the grace of God.
It was early for dinner, but did not want to walk this far again, so after church stopped at KFC and ate a double down sandwich. Grilled not fried and will order again when opportunity arises. Part of the reason for being on the yard is a series of little things that if not internally corrected lead to major problems. Read part of Proverbs before starting my walk to church. 10:17; Whoever accepts correction is on the way to life, but whoever ignores correction will lead others away from life. 11:2; Pride leads only to shame, it is wise to be humble. So while I am stuck on the yard until Wednesday or Thursday, I pray to use the time wisely. If the movie 2012 were real, we knew the time of the end were at hand, what would you like to be doing for the last 18 months of your life?

Welcome to Dallas

Oh what tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. Was told come to the yard you will be in and out. It is Saturday of a three day weekend, everyone will be gone until Tuesday. So much for honesty. Speaking with Paula simply rips my heart out. We are struggling financially and sitting on the yard for possibly five days will not help. I do not get paid to gather dust. But it is strange the song that is playing in my mind, You make everything glorious, David Crowder Band. I must know I am not in charge; however, I have certainly set myself up for failure. As I heard on the radio today, Lord give me enough light to take the next step and the faith to actually take it.
I was able to attend church last Sunday by leaving the rcv long enough to attend. They even ran over to give me a loaf of homemade banananut bread. But it is a long way to church here on the Dallas yard.

My sin not the part but the whole

Psalm 32: It is better to confess sin. Verse 5: Then I confessed my sins to you and didn't hide my guilt. I said, "I will confess my sins to theLord," and you forgave my guilt. Not just my sin, my guilt. If I am going to live a life of purpose, focused forward in Christ; then not only do I need to forgive myself for my past, but get over the guilt trips my mind takes hourly.
What does "doing my best and leave the results up to God look like? I know it looks different than I have lived the first 54 years!

Communication

I miss using my computer to post on my blog, or to complete so many other tasks. I am thankful for my iPhone, but until AT&T allows the phone to work as designed, it is frustrating. I am over 900 miles from final but I do not have the time to get there. Rules are important; however, pin heads should not create rules where they do not see the full effects of their actions. So sometime tonight or tomorrow I will exchange this load for another. Hopefully I can deliver it! Plan to attend church in Moriarty,NM. Website/Facebook page for church is how it was selected. Attending is more of a challenge west than east because of time differences.

A very sad day

We struck a bridge. I am the trainer, I assume full responsibility for this terrible mistake; however, before noon they have suspended the student for 30 days and told me I am on trainer suspension for 120 days. The truly sad part is they have let a perfectly good student go on suspension (he states he will not be returning) rather than simply reassign him to a different truck and let me take the brunt of actions. I contacted the usual taxi driver for STVV; however, he could not guarantee that he would get him to DFW in time for his flight. Taxi fare to DFW from here is approximately $66. I paid it. No one is more disappointed in this situation than me. He could have been... how much of life is tied up in could have beens. Also discovered that my driver manager no longer works at STVV. I do not know why, just sad no good byes or anything else. I sent him a note via facebook, he was not on my list of friends but I could send him a note.
Best wishes Michael on wherever the Lord leads you next, your life has had many interesting twists I feel honored to have met you. Jay may our paths meet again.

Accidents

So what will happen after everything is said and done about a student driving truck and smacking a low clearence bridge? Besides my sad frustration level and how this will impact my family.

Is it Sunday?

Got up much earlier than needed to take a shower and then drive to Braselton,GA so I could attend church. The funny thing was someone sitting a few seats to my right wearing a black Utilikilt just like I was wearing mine! The song service was what I fear when instruments are introduced to Stockton. I do not know what to do while a guitar player shows off his mastery, just as I have not figured out what to do while the organist demonstrates their talent. The purpose to include instruments is so today's worshipper will be similar to those many years ago, it is the community standard. But brillance on display not in a concert is distracting. Or maybe I am old standing in the way of progress. I like the Greek Orthodox view: the voice is the only instrument worthy to praise God since it is the one he created. Sermon had some great notes and will share some when I am with my notes!

Are you the Lady by the well?

Why do some simple thoughts take so long to come to be? Figuritively, a congregation should be filled with that type of person, one who runs around the village proclaiming I heard the goodness of the Savior. Instead we tend to act like it is someone else's job to accomplish this task. Now, time to be creative and apply that thought to truck driving. A greater challenge is not being a hermit. Other than momentary fights with depression that can come at anytime, it is very easy to be a hermit while on the road. This is a good thing because I do not need to spend hours on end sitting at truck stops watching reruns of cop shows so I can feel a part of the game. On the other hand I avoid meaningful conversations with others that could help me or I them on the road of life. There must be a logical balance. Took some pics while driving out of AZ, but that will need to wait until I am using computer.

Crazy day

Started the day very late, talking with Paula and miscommunicating so she was upset ( of course life had given her challenges for the past 12 hours to create frustration), went to a little tiny church that was very friendly, MSG straight from a bygone era, but friendly. Heard from Melody ( baby is doing fine ), heard from Paula again, took a shower, we're about 14 miles from delivering our load and I watched Facing the Giants again. Read the book of Haggai; however, it was the note on side that meant the most in that early reading. If God gives you a task, follow through. Don't make excuses or settle for halfhearted work. Could have used that quote in 1970, but will apply it as it comes! Also heard from Jonathan on Facebook. He avoided an accident in WY because he was doing what he was taught. Thank the good Lord for lessons learned.

He's here

Christopher Mowder, 6 LB 15oz, 20", mother and child are doing well.

Did we make a mistake?

The image is not the best; however, spring has come to TX. The same day we took this on I-35 north of Laredo there was snow on the ground in Dallas with the bridges frozen and the usual wrecks from people driving badly in the snow.
I observed no work being completed on my truck, so I began asking questions. Finally found out they had forgotten to enter certain data correctly and therefore I was still on hold. Therefore the truck would not be on priority to fix. So back to the person who failed to enter data and then over to the shop. "No there is nothing more you need to do." Wrong. Go back to the shop foreman in charge of the area and discover that they print their list in the morning. So plead and they check the computer and Bingo, I am priority. Please driver, pull your truck to the front of our bay we will fix it quickly for you so you can be on your way.
UPDATE: They will not have the painting of the bumper completed until after bed time. So we leave early in the morning!

Dallas again

We arrived and the sheet was two pages long! The way it read you would think I needed to burn my CDL! Luckily they started working on the truck today so maybe when Tuesday morning rolls around it will be out and about again. What I am learning from my current student is patience. He really works hard to learn the slow way. Almost rearended someone while driving south because he thinks the following distance is to great. It was raining & therefore we needed about 10 seconds of following distance, not 6! He had to stand on the brakes. I hope he learned from that experience. I have tried to learn from all my mistakes, some did take more than once to learn. But especially the ones that could be fatal.

Where are we going?

You must go to Dallas. You are late. Head for Laredo, never mind that load, go to NY. We will repower you, never mind take it all the way to NY. So I give the phone to the student to make the required NYC routing call. That was almost 45 minutes ago and he is still taking to the NYC man at Stevens. He enjoys a good conversation (even if it is one way!)

I am hoping we get a load from NH to Dallas after that, with the two of us driving we can make the distance within the required time. I know we will be in Dallas sometime next week. Hope for no more than 1 full day.

Melody called and the doctor has scheduled delivery for 3/24. Charlie will not be out of jail until the 30th so he cannot possibly be present. She has changed the name again and will not include the last name of Elston. If she wants as little as possible to do with Charlie after the delivery, this should help her eliminate that issue.

The weather was a great challenge for rain yesterday, today driving in N OH and NY it appears ok. So off to Fultonville.

Target again

I delivered here recently, took a load from the the meat plant to NE, changed loads taking Hershey's to DC in Ogden. Hershey's Ogden to CA, CA citrus to IA. Interesting little circle! Supposed to pick up a load at meat plant in the morning and head for the Mexican boarder. hopefully I can make it all the way before they give us a load to the Dallas yard. It is more than past time for the yard.

Took a shower today and changed into my corduroy kilt. Discussed with student what all I wanted to accomplish at McDonald's with free WiFi; however, after we started to drive to McD he suddenly decided to go to Arby's and then walk back to the Pilot to watch TV. I think he is uncomfortable with my kilt. It would not be my intention to make him uncomfortable, but if that is all it takes... maybe I figured out how to keep his attention!

Purple, Cream and Yellow

Drove from Stockton to Bakersfield via I-5. Some of the wild flowers were blooming on the side of the hills. One patch near the freeway was purple,cream and yellow flowers. God can get away with so much more on his canvas than an artist.

I am supposed to pick up a student in Albuquerque tomorrow morning. We have a fast trip to get this load to the intended destination, but the weather looks good for where we are going. Pray he is prepared to drive!

It was nice to spend a few hours with Paula. She was not able to sleep to well. Someone in the room kept snoring!

APU (Auxiliary Power Unit, provides heater, air conditioning and electricity while the truck is turned off) stopped working. So another exciting trip to a shop for repairs. This one will probably be ThermoKing in Cedar Falls,IA. Oh well, it is only money!

Where is my dog?

I arrived in Cameron,MO and attempted to back into a small space. The space was made even worse by the motel deciding to place concrete barriers in front. I stuck one with the corner of my front bumper, it tore it loose since it is only fiberglass. I called Stevens, talked to Paula, etc.; however, for some reason I really wanted a dog right then. A dog that would sit with me while I stroke his/her head and breath slowly. I have always found it easy to talk to a dog. With the challenges of Charlie (jail, ex-girl friend wanting nothing to do with him; however, she will have a child in March/April) the challenges of being on the road for extended periods of time... I could really use a dog. Policy says no. Could I appeal on the basis of my hearing? After all I do not hear the Qualcomm once I go to sleep, no matter how many times it beeps! While Jonathan was on the truck he sat the QC where it fell in the night. It beeped repeatedly all night long. Never heard it! I need a dog. I think a mini doberman. Small enough to fit in the truck, large enough to not get smashed. I made my bed tonight, the sheets were washed the other day, so I think I will go to bed and think of more pleasant things than damage to my truck or no dog.

A twinkle in the eye

Yes you will be paid to cut things up and your mother will not be mad. What a way to an enlightening conversation with Chris. He discovered his passion. God designed him to be a butcher. We found a school that is reasonable in cost ($1500) plus room and board. They do not provide housing.

Although we have plenty of time on this load, I just feel like crawling in bed and let the world go bye. I am not struggling to stay awake while working or anything, but have a general sense of funk. Spoke with Charlie today and informed him that his source of information was really wrong. I told him to concentrate more on his life than to continue to worry about everyone else's. He thinks he can get out of jail for a pass to see Skylar born. I don't think Melody even wants him in the same county right now, let alone the same room!

Load delivers in Hawthorne,NJ at 1PM, it is 105 miles from here (Hickory Run,PA) so I have plenty of time to look at the snow in the morning!

Which way to the end.

We picked up a load that we had time on; however, someone else was running out of time, so we swapped loads and I dropped off the first 3 locations. Then the phone rang while still at the third location. "Can you do a swap with... the load delivers at 5:30 AM in the morning and they can't make it from Hooker,OK." So instead of ending the week on Saturday in North Platte,NE at the Walmart D.C., it is off to Cedar Falls,IA to the Target DC. So Chris and I still will end up at a Flying J.

Air card not working on the computer, so using blackberry to keep up with some things. If I were to continue with that problem very long, I will need to upgrade phone, aka iPhone. Sitting here at Sapp Bros in Junction City,KS is real nice. They have a small TV room but most important they have FREE WiFi. Most truck stops charge almost $5 a day for WiFi. Got to fix air card.

Chris enjoys the free wifi, he is able to watch movies/TV from HULU without the usual jerkiness of some locations.

Grace in action

I had nothing to offer but a stuck truck. My truck was stuck in the ice of the parking lot of Jesus Christ is Lord Truck stop. Several trucks were stuck that morning in Amarillo. One trucker pulled his truck forward and put chains on, one had a chain to pull the trucks and lastly someone had the pin piece to attach to the front of my truck. I could offer nothing but a stuck truck. Grace. I can offer nothing to God but a stuck life.

We are heading for NJ. Viewed the weather map and if everything continues lack predicted, I should avoid all the storms for the next few days. After getting stuck in OK due to weather, a few days without storms will be nice.

Charlie is looking at ? since they are still attempting to plea bargain.

I have verified it is not my computer but the air card that is not working properly. Now I need to find an AT&T store to purchase a new battery.

Custer City,OK

Examined the weather map carefully before leaving OKC,OK; however we did not make it very far. Several accidents along the short drive (around 70 miles) so pulled into the Love's truck stop and there were parking spaces! The pictures were taken after parking for about an hour.

Used Oats

While driving the by-ways of America, one keeps alert by reading the various ads observed on the sides of the road. A sign that was well past prime read USED OATS. The business did not appear to be doing much business, which I think is a good thing! (It should read; USED BOATS)

Got up this morning at 2:30 so we could drive from Max Meadows,VA to Brasselton,GA. The load is due tomorrow in Norcross,GA; however, I knew we could walk the short distance from the Pilot Travel Center to Zion Baptist church. Thankfully it was only drizzle rain then, as opposed to now when it is pouring! The layout of the assembly area is interesting. The drummer is up in his own sound booth behind glass. A few guitars with 3 female vocalists in front of them and finally the worship leader on an acoustic guitar. Because it is non-acapella the instruments sometimes have their own solos. It is not a matter of right or wrong, just a great challenge for the hearing impaired among us. The lesson was introduced with a video of Satan having a conversation. Very uplifting service overall.

Challenges

Charlie went to court and the DA has an offer on the table of 16 months. This must be accepted before Feb 1, or the offer will be with drawn. Melody wants nothing to do with Charlie, so how do I establish a relationship with a grandchild where we really do not know the mother of the child? Now we find out the potential for more problems because more checks have come up with more forgeries. Who else may be involved in this activity beside the known people? I encouraged Charlie to read Psalms 51. He was upset that Melody finally said enough is enough. Making our peace with God when we fall.

A great victory politically in MA with the win of Scott Brown. May this be a great year for the return of statesmanship to the political arena.

Pulling teeth

I have traveled with Chris from Paloma,CA to FW,TX in the past 5 days. He uses silence so often, it is almost like driving alone. I have to prompt him with questions to get a conversation and unfortunately it usually ends when he answers the last question. I do not enjoy the roll of inquisitor.

We stayed at Jesus Christ is Lord not a swear word truck stop in Amarillo. Chris was disappointed it did not have video games or whatever else to entertain him. We watched my DVD on the computer: Meet the Robinson's. I have watched that movie about 8 times. I still enjoy it. Every time someone new gets on the truck, at some point that movie is played.

Chris called the house where he's staying and Bonnie told him to keep up his GED prep work by completing 50 pages per day. So far he is 200 pages behind!

Downloaded study guide for Acts from churches website. Long distance Bible study is better than what many truckers study!

Home, even for a few days

Brought a load of Mars chocolate from S. CA to Woodland. Because the load was ready early I was able to attend church Sunday before leaving late afternoon to deliver product. Able to run up to Lodi to see Grandmother and then run up the hill to spend about 20 minutes to talk with Charlie via phone behind glass. Not how I wish to greet my children. Not how anyone should greet their child.

It was wonderful to see so many at church today. The building had more than I had seen in several visits. I pray the plague of the past is over and the Lord can once again bless those who worship together at Central. May we all unite in worship.

I do not know what the second half of my Christmas present from Jean is; however, the first half was awesome. Newest book from Zig Ziglar.

Liberal no no Amarillo

"Head to Liberal,KS I will load you from there..." So off I leave this morning to Liberal. My Qualcomm stopped working right after I fueled so I missed the message saying to head to Amarillo instead. I arrived in Liberal and called Dallas; whereupon I am informed I am not in the city I need to be for my new load assignment. Drive an extra 150 miles and now I am in Amarillo.

Load picks up tomorrow sometime heading west.

Charlie is looking at up to 5 years 4 months for his misdeeds. The other person involved had their charges changed to misdemeanors. I guess that means they threw Charlie under the bus. I last saw him in Sep/Oct? I will hopefully get to see him for a few moments at the visiting room at the county jail while home. Then I will not have the chance to see him again until he is out. Is that the life he wanted? May he wake up and discover God who has wanted to have a relationship with him for many years.

Crazy beginning of 2010

Just when you are praying that 2010 will not be a repeat of the mistakes of 2009, Charlie is arrested again. I have had the same student for almost 50 days in the truck (he was only supposed to be here for 35) and he will be leaving tomorrow. It has been an interesting journey learning to teach someone else what you hardly think you know yourself.

So it is planning, working, plotting to get home for a few days off. I have not truly had time off for more than ... I cannot remember the last time I was home for more than just a few hours. Will make effort to see Jean also this time around. Maybe I will take 48 hours or maybe even 72 hours off. Such scandal.

I will miss Jon, but it is time for him to move along. Now I just pray for his success and my own.