SNOW!

Wow! It sure has been a while since I posted anything.

Let's recap the last year or so.

I'm still at the same job, my pay and miles are down to pre-rookie days. And my dispatcher doesn't see anything wrong with that. I do. So I'm headed for the job market. I'm hoping to land a job driving for a major food warehouse in Arkansas. I'll be in Springdale to change my drivers license to a friends' address where I can live until I get a place of my own. Moving to Arkansas isn't really high on my list of priorities but if it pays three times what I make now...

I'm currently trapped in Laramie, WY due to the interstate being closed. There have been many accidents and wrecks, thankfully none involving me. There were NINE last night, crews spent all night and today clearing them. I feel for the poor guys who are sitting in rest areas or worse yet, parking areas up on the highway. No food, basic facilities and no potties for the parking areas. That must be hell.

Trucks are, as usual, parked allover the truck stop where I am. I couldn't get out of my parking spot if I wanted to. This load is only going to Cheyenne but I just can't make it. I'll go after the roads open and the traffic dies down. It's only 50 or so miles and I don't see any reason to jepoardize my driving record for the sake of a partial load.

I have yet another new dog, this one a German Shepherd Dog pup named Gypsy. She's a cutie and learning quickly! Growing quickly, too. She has outgrown the Shih-Tzus that she was playing with and is now taking on the Weimaraner. She's not quite his size yet but she's about half there. Soon enough she'll be just the right size to take the abuse. She is doing very well with her housebreaking with only a few accidents. I love crate training!

I was going to take her along with me in the truck as a companion and foot-warmer but now, should I get hired at the company I'm hoping to, she will have to stay home with the wife. They have a no-pets policy. I guess it's not so much the company as the customers. It's refrigerated food and food processors don't, as a rule, like pets, even in the trucks. Bastards!

My marriage seems to be going down the tubes. My thoughts are that my wife is thinking divorce. She hasn't come right out and said so but she has been accusing ME of thinking that, which to me means that SHE has and is projecting on me. She is talking to a marriage therapist now, and I will take a turn before we do couples therapy. I would like this to work out for the best, but given my pessimistic nature, I'm preparing myself for the worst. I don't know how to face life without my love, but there's a way, somewhere, somehow.

And that's it! Life is boring, and I prefer it that way.

New Additions to our Canine Family

Please welcome Dog 1 through 4, born today to our Shih-Tzu, Princess Buttercup (the wife named that one).

News Update

I have left the Company. This was not a bad thing, it was mutual. Big Brother was hiding on my truck and I didn't like it. Too many non-driver-oriented rules and policies coming out, miles not there anymore, etc etc etc.

Same old story.

Anyway, I am pursuing more local jobs; jobs that will allow me to spend more time with my beloved wife, four (FOUR!) doggies, two cats (even though I'm not a cat person) and friends. Also, we've moved into a house that needs more than a little work to make it livable. New windows, carpets removed, new outside doors and industrial-type air conditioning are needed. We've already begun remodeling the kitchen with new cabinets and appliances, flooring will come shortly after the cabinets are installed. I want to knock out two walls...one isn't a problem but the other is a load-bearing wall and I don't want to start cutting without a professional carpenter to guide me. I can do without the roof collapsing.

Pictures will be along shortly, as soon as I find the digital camera in the boxes.

Take care out there!

JB

I'm still out here!

I forgot my password so I've been guessing for a while now. It has taken me this long to discover the "lost password" link. I'm too old!

Anyway, I'm still training new drivers and except for a minor casualty to a ConWay mirror, accident-free. I suppose I've been lucky so far, judging by the horror stories told by other trainers. Stories of wrecked trucks, getting hopelessly lost in nowhere, one told of a student that went trucking down a dirt road and didn't ask for help until he ended up at a campsite ten miles downroad. And having to back it up all that way at night. Tall tale or truth? You decide.

I have been using a Garmin GPS for a while now and I must say it has helped quite a bit, as long as you think it through first. It has tried to run me under an 11' 0" bridge in Memphis and once got me into a car-only (not marked as such) rest area in Vancouver, WA; forcing me to back out with police help. No ticket, either!

My sweetie and I have been getting along famously since our marriage in November. She has been amazingly understanding about my extended absences and enjoys our limited time together to the fullest.

We're now looking to buy a nice house somewhere in El Paso, pictures when we finally decide on one. Thus far, we've made two offers on two houses but both have had serious problems that were pointed out during the inspection. One needed around $30,000 worth of repairs and upgrades and the second needed over $50,000 just to bring it up to code so it can be sold. We kept looking. Next time I'm home we will look at a few more that look good on paper. Fingers crossed!

In recent news, I adopted a Weimaraner pup from a truck stop in Ohio. He was so cute I couldn't resist. His name is Toby "Scooter" McGee. This is a picture of him when I adopted him.




Ain't he cute? He has been neutered since this was taken and he is doing well. He has taken the #2 spot in the pack, much to the chagrin of the Miniature Poodle, Google. Junior is still the King of the castle (at least until *I* get home) and has had little trouble keeping the new guy in his place; namely, out of his food bowl. Toby will be going to obediance classes soon, to help my beloved learn to handle such an active dog.

More posts as they come!

It Occurs To Me

That if you choose to get nekkid in your truck, you should have the common courtesy to close your curtains first. Especially if you are fat, hairy and ugly.

picture website

My wedding pictures can be viewed here

I hope they all come out looking as good as she did!

Let me try to post a picture:

This is us just after exchanging our vows.




My beautiful bride!

I'm SO lucky to have this wonderful woman as my wife! Even though I had to practically force her into that gown, it was worth the effort. Even SHE agrees that although she never thought of herself in a wedding gown, she looked gorgeous and everyone knows it! I was proud to stand beside her and dedicate myself to her forever.

Now, how do I get her onto my truck???