Laurie & Leroy's Trucking Adventure

It just keeps getting better!

2009-11-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

It DOES keep getting better!!
But the first two weeks at Spirit Express weren't that great... I mean.. the company was great... but we (both of us) got sooo sick... it was terrible.

Monday thru Wed, we did orientation. We got assigned our truck in Wed and moved in. Our first load assignment was that nite at midnight.

Since we had all afternoon, we decided to get something to eat with a local driver. We went to a local diner to eat lunch. Then I drove over to the pickup place to wait, while Leroy tried to sleep.
Within a few hours... Leroy got sooo sick. Throwing up several times... all over. It was gross.

Here we are... newly hired, and wanting to impress our new company...
and we have to CANCEL our FIRST load. Not good... but they were great about it.

I drove back to the yard, Leroy took a shower... (well he stood there), I had to wash ALL the bedding. Yuck! WE finally got a load the next night,... and off we went.

A week later, I got the "stomach flu". Tried to drive for a few days thinking it would get better. It didn't. Just got worse. Finally had to be taken to the Emergency Room at Kaiser in Fontana. Got meds for pain, diarrhea, nausea, etc... Then took a couple of days off to recover.

Then.... we finally started "running" good.

I have to say.... This company is very good!!
We are getting 40 cpm, and around 5000 miles a week. Pretty consistently.

Since we have "Doubles & Hazmat" endorsements, they keep us running pretty good!

Way to Go Spirit Express Trucking!

Bad to Better!

2009-11-09T13:06:00.000-08:00

It has been a LONG time since I have blogged on this page. I mostly do Twitter.

July 2009:
We went on vacation in Indiana with our daughter and some of the rest of our family that flew out to Indiana. We had a great time visiting Chicago!

After our vacation... Sam Kholi Transport notified us that our wages had been cut (by 6 cents a mile) to only 30 cents per mile, and that they were reducing their fleet from 75 trucks to 25 trucks. Since we had been only getting about 2500 miles a week -for a team- we knew we could not live on these wages.
We told them that we would be looking for other employment.

August 2009. Still getting only 4000 - 4300 miles every two weeks.
Started applying at other companies.

On Aug. 27, (Thursday). Spirit Express Trucking Inc. called us and said they would like to hire us. We immediately rented a car in Ontario, CA, unloaded our Sam Kholi truck, and drove to Fontana to return their truck.
We jumped into our rental car and drove to Denver where Spirit Express Trucking is based, and where they hold their orientation.

Aug. 28th (Friday) was our 10th Wedding Anniversary... and we spent it "road tripping" from Fontana, CA to Denver, CO. along the way we stayed at Circus Circus in Las Vegas... only $29. and in Green River, UT at the Motel 6... only $45.

Made it to Denver on Sat. Aug. 29th. Spirit Express set us up in their contracted hotel "Hotel 3737". Nice place. We returned our rental car, and took the shuttle back to the hotel. There are good eating places nearby.

We started orientation on Monday, Aug. 31.
Spirit Express Trucking is really a nice place to work. Nice people, and... they are paying us 40 cents per mile!

God's Plan

2009-01-11T00:40:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 3:6 (New Living Translation)

6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Amen & Amen

Trucking and Diabetes

2009-01-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

I have been over weight for a while now. Within the last 9 months I have been told that I have Pre-Diabetes.

That scared me. And it started me thinking...

So... I figured I had better do something NOW so that it doesn't become full blown diabetes. I have just started reading up on how my lifestyle has to change.. eating habits, exercise, everything...

Eating healthier and exercising has always been an obstacle for me. But something inside me "knows" that I need to eat healthier and start exercising NOW. Before it's too late.

Here is a really good video (about 6 mins), that shows the trucking industry with its unique challenges to overcome in order to eat right and exercise, and live with diabetes if necessary. Watch...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1078599942/bclid992358456/bctid1119240850
I am hoping that some day I can meet with the doctor in the video, Dr. John McElligott.
At the PD-MD clinic at the Petro near Knoxville, TN.

So for right now I am learning... what I need to eat, balancing my carbs, and trying to incorporate exercise into my daily lifestyle while being "on the road".

Here is too your Health!!!

January 2009

2009-01-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

Here are some loads we have taken..

Batavia, IL (near Chicago) to Tampa, FL : Insulated copper wiring on huge spools
Sanford, FL (near Orlando) to Albuquerque, NM : Large rolls of paper
.. We got to Albu. a day early.... Couldn't unload. waited... finally got unloaded the next day, late in the afternoon.
I was going to try to put our "down time" to good use... but the Loves nearby was only a fuel island. No showers, No laundry, No parking. bummer.
Ended up at the Albuquerque TA.

Next...
deadheaded over 300 miles (that's a lot). They usually like to find something within 100 miles or so... up to
Center, CO to Albany, GA, and Atlanta, GA : Potatoes, in bags like you see at the grocery store. 10 lbs. 25 lbs. Stacked on pallets about 4ft. tall.
We got another heater (the other one we had broke.)

This run has been weird. Lots of delays... so because of that... it really messed up our delivery schedule.

Along the way we have had...
--two DOT inspections : one we passed, the other Leroy got a citation for expired Reg on the truck...
--a New Mexico DOT stop for expired permit... the permit just expired at the end of the year and our company hadn't renewed it yet... apparently.. there is no grace period in New Mexico....
--and a wheel seal that burst, and wheel barings that got ruined and both (seal & barings) had to be replaced.

We were suppose to delivery like this:
Albany, GA (drop #1) by 2pm local time on Friday 1/9, because they are not open over the weekends.
Atlanta, GA (drop #2) later Friday, or Sat morning, 1/10
Atlanta, GA (drop #3) Sat morning. 1/10

Because we were late with all the delays....
We delivered to Atlanta, GA (drop #2) on Friday afternoon. 1/9
Atlanta, GA (drop #3) on Saturday morning. 1/10
Albany, GA (drop #1) first thing Monday morning. 1/12

Hopefully..... We are currently sitting a block away from the Atlanta, GA (drop #3) for delivery tomorrow morning. Sat. 1/10 , 6am local time... which is 3am California time.

Then we'll drive south - closer to Albany and find a good truck stop.
Sunday, we'll do showers & laundry. then head to drop.

Lord willing, and the creek don't rise...
Love you all
Keep On Truckin...

Christmas in Valpo & a roll-over car accident

2009-01-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

It was great seeing Desiree!!! The next day after arriving, we took her out shopping....
bought a tree, and all the trimmings. I got a new cell phone, because my had broke, got her groceries and stuff, and stopped in at Starbucks for coffee and to see Christie -a friend of Desiree's. Then we decorated. and visited. So fun.

We had presents from San Diego in our truck so that we could instantly put them under the tree.

The next day was Christmas! We slept in, Des came and got us at our truck. We ate, opened presents, and watched Christmas movies. Very Nice.

In the afternoon we went over to Christie's house where we visited, ... then Desiree & Christie delivered a bunch of jackets, blankets, scarves, gloves, etc, to a random needy family. Very cool.

It is nice to see the next generation being so generous with their time and talents. The family was very appreciative.

That evening.. we three went to a movie "Quantum of Solace", James Bond. It was... OK.

ROLL OVER ACCIDENT.
The day AFTER Christmas... Desiree had to work, she came and got us at our truck, and we drove her to her work at Best Buy about 2 miles away, and proceeded to drive (her car) to Wal-mart.

We went up the on-ramp onto the IN-49 south and immediately started going off the off-ramp to the next exit onto the US-30. We knew it was icey, and we were going slow, about 30. But at the top of the off-ramp we hit a patch of ice, and the car slowly slid out of control... off to the right side and down the enbancement.

We rolled over 1 and 1/2 times. Landing on the passenger side, Leroy's side. The roof was crushed, the windshield and windows were all smashed,... but we were OK. I was hanging by my seatbelt - sideways.

Immediately, Leroy started calling 911. Within a minute, some nice citizens stopped to check on us. We still had our lights on and engine running. They said Turn off the engine. OK.
They got up on the side of the car, opened the door up to the sky, and cut my seatbelt off of me, then lifted me out and down onto the ground. Next they got Leroy to stand up in the sideways car, and lifted him out and onto the ground. We were shocked, dazed, and sore.

The fire department and ambulance arrived within minutes. I was alright, and refused treatment. Leroy was very sore, complaining of a sore shoulder, back, and head. We took an ambulance to the nearby hospital. The Ambulance slid twice on the way. Leroy had a CT scan and Xrays. Everything came back negitive, Good!

I texted Desiree, ... she couldn't believe it..... Neither could we.
Very scary.....

Hers was the only car we (all) had. While waiting at the hospital, I tried to rent a car... but because there had been A LOT of accidents due to the ice... there were no cars to rent.

After we got done at the hospital, Christie's mom came and got us. Took us to the tow lot that the car had been towed to... so we could get our stuff, then took us to a pharmacy to get some prescriptions, and then to our truck/home.
Christie got Desiree after work and took her home.

Because we were so sore... we took a couple of extra days off. visited some with Desiree, but mostly laid around. too sore to move.

We are sooo thankful we were not in our truck. We are also thankful that we were going so slow... no broken bones, we are both alive. God was watching over us.

Cars can be replaced... people can not.

We spent the next couple of days recooperating, and taking a taxi everywhere.... We tried to limit our trips.

Even after we were ready to go... it took 2 days to find us a load.
OK. On the road again... and happy to be alive.

Nov 08 to 12-22-08

2009-01-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Nov. !!! and it's now Jan. 2009. Wow.

Well here are some of the loads we have done since then...

Baltimore, MD to Fairbury, NE carrying: Boric Acid

Omaha, NE to Ogden, UT : Donuts/Twinkies

Jerome, ID to Oakland, CA : Dairy Whey

Benicia, CA (near Oakland) to Elberta, AL and Ocala, FL. : Wine

Warner-Robbins, GA to Dayton, TX : Concentrated Cleaning Solution (Non Haz)

La Porte, TX (near Houston) to Sante Fe Springs, CA (LA basin) : small plastic pellets
(They are easily melted down to be used for other things.)

This was a slow run, so that let us go home for Thanksgiving for a few days, then deliver the load on Monday.

November 2008
Then Home in San Diego, CA for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Very Nice, but Mom got sick... we thought is was the flu... it turned out to be a ruptured Appendix!!! Surgery happened just after Thanksgiving. As she was recovering... THAT is when she happened to get a cold.... she is totally recovered now and back at work. Thank You God.

Also while home... Leroy got hit (side rear) by another car while in my Mom/Dad's car. No one was hurt. (Thank You God) But the car was totalled by the Insurance company... so they (Mom & Dad) were able to get a nicer, newer car. Very Cool.

Then delivered load in LA basin to Sante Fe Springs.
Had tires and brakes done in our Fontana yard.... then on the road again.

Next Load:
Chino, CA (in the LA basin) to Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA : Plastic Film
3 drops.. after this, we thought we were going to be doing Christmas tree runs North and South on the West coast, but they said it takes too long to load the trees so they decided to send us cross country.

In Portland, OR... They sent us to get our trailer "vented" so we could haul produce.
So what do we get to haul next? Produce....

Next stop:
Prosser, WA to St. Louis, MO : (you guessed it) ONIONS
We had to get a small heater to heat the onions so they wouldn't freeze in these cold temps.
Below freezing and dipping to 5.

Along the way... (12-7-08) we got to stop for an evening in Salina, KS for the LAY family Christmas pot luck. Very Fun!!!

Dec. 8th, 2009

Terre Haute, IN to Hollis, Maine : plastic sheeting
This was not a good run (or a good week) for me. I was... 'off''. I don't know.
We were told to pick up a load in Terre Haute, IN. which was I-70 east from where we were. Well... somewhere along the way I took a wrong turn and ended up on the I-55 north, and ended up 80 miles out of route.

By the time I got over to the Pick up place... I was 3 hours late. Not good. This was a HOT team load that had to be in Hollis, Maine overnight.
To make up some time... I started SPEEDING. Not good. Got a Speeding ticket in OHIO.
Doing 66 in a 55. $175. Ouch. I learned my lesson. NO speeding!

It was suppose to be there by 5pm. We got there at 11pm.
The receiver didn't seem to mind... it's always the Broker that gets cranky.

I really don't like the New England states.
Very cramped.
No truck stops, and toll roads everywhere!

We were taking plastic sheeting to a Water Bottling company about 25 miles off the main highway 95..... Way back on small country roads, at night, and icey. very bad.
We stayed at the Bottling Company yard over night, then moved to a Wal-Mart closer to the I-95. And waited two days to get a load out.

Next:
Sterling, MA (west of Boston) to Channelview, TX (near Houston) : Medical Railings
Leroy got the flu during this run... we delivered a day late. Then spent the weekend recovering.

Houston, TX to Topeka, KS : old used USPS mail equipment to their warehouse

12-17-08
Atchison, KS to Clinton, MA : Corn - in large 4ft by 4ft bags. very heavy.
(I can't believe we're going back to MASS!)

I told our dispatcher that the only way I was going to go to MASS was if we had a pre-planned load coming out of there --because we are suppose to be in Indiana for Christmas (actually BEFORE Christmas) with our daughter, Desiree. (and the last time we went up in that area we didn't get a load out for 2 days.)

He found us a load that picked up immediately after we dropped,... going to Indianapolis IN.... OK.

12-19-08
Townsend, MA to Indianapolis, IN : Cleaning supplies, like scrub spounges
As we were leaving Townsend, MA... it started SNOWING. Everyone in the area knew this storm was coming and they were closing up shop and battening down the hatches. We were hoping to be able to drive out in front of it. That didn't happen. Instead... We drove about 15 miles, the snow got progressively worse, so we got the last spot at a "service area" on the Toll I-90 in Charlton, MA. Since we had time... it was OK.

Woke up in the am... snow covering everything, and our truck wouldn't start. (Oooo NO). Had to get a jump for a very nice Flatbedder (Thank you again... You are a God send).... then got the batteries checked and replaced in NY.... on our way out of there.

Arrived in Indianapolis - early for our delivery. Sometimes they let you deliver early. Sometimes not. I was hoping for Yes. This time is was NO.
So we waited ALL day in their parking lot for our "appointed" time... 1600 4pm. bummer.
We FINALLY got unloaded. It is now 7pm. By the time I drive 3 hours up to Valpo it will be 10pm.

I had told our dispatcher that I wanted to be in Valparaiso, IN by Sunday 12/21. It was now Monday, 12/22.. and this day was almost all gone! So now I'm essentially 2 days late.
and he had the nerve to try and book me a load for the next day going to 20 miles near Valparaiso. I said NO. I am driving there TONIGHT. I was suppose to be there yesterday. So we drove.

We met Desiree for a very late dinner at a nice Mexican restaurant, and got to see the second half the Green Bay Packer game. (they lost in OT... bummer).

But it was really great to see Desiree!!

Got a Load to Nebraska

2008-11-12T12:07:00.001-08:00

We spent the night in the back lot of the client we delivered to yesterday. Thank God.

We stopped by a TA to drop off our Trip Pak envelope, and ate some breakfast, then we got a load heading for Nebraska. We ran over to the pick-up place in Baltimore... but they weren't ready for us.

The load we are to carry to Nebraska... is coming in to Baltimore from the port. So we have to wait for it to get here. Our appointment was a 2pm, we got here at 12:30pm - I know... a little early, but that way we didn't have to pay anything to sit at the TA for a few hours. So we decided to come over here and wait at the shipper's place instead.... There was already one guy ahead of us. So we are still waiting, but at least we have a load. Thank you God! and our wonderful dispatcher, Jay.

Hurry up and wait... but it's all Good!

I'll keep you posted.

Stuck in Maryland

2008-11-11T21:47:00.000-08:00

I was just reading some other blogs and realized that I don't give nearly enough effort to this blog as others give to their blogs... and I should.

We knew (heading into the east) that truck stops would be few and crowded... so we did two things:
1. tried to get provisions (food) to last til the next day at least. That way - if you're lucky - you can deliver, get the next load and get out and NOT have to stay overnigt.
2. we called ahead to our drop client to see if there would be some place for us to park at their place over night.

Thank God, there was. "Just park in the back and no one will bother you. There is lots of space, and it's an ok neighborhood. Mostly industrial."

We just had no idea that we would be here, at the same clients place, another night AFTER our delivery. Tomorrow morning we are heading over to a TA that is close (about 8 miles away) for breakfast and to mail our Trip Pak envelope. If we don't get our Trip Pak envelope in the box soon... we might not get paid this pay period.

This company has a two-week pay period. 1st-15th, then, 16th-end of the month. If your envelope isn't in the office by the last day of the payperiod, it goes on the next paycheck... which is usually not big deal... except that this time we had a longer that normal hometime.. so this is our ONLY trip this payperiod, so far, so it better get there. Boy is this check going to be short!

Luckily... we had showered at a Love's in VA, yesterday, on our way here. Our company wants us to use Loves as a first choice, then Pilot, then.... wherever our FleetOne card will work... but try not to go to the TA for FUEL. Too Expensive! But all of our repairs on the road are done at TA's... go figure.

We were hoping for a load out today, but no luck. Here's hoping for a load tomorrow... to anywhere! I know... we're in the same boat as everyone else.

Keep truckin', and Watch You Trailer!

TTFN.. Ta Ta For Now.
Laurie

Los Angeles to Maryland.

2008-11-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

We finally got a load out. Friday 11/7. From Los Angeles... Going to Essex, MD (a suburb of Baltimore). Delivery on Tuesday... We got there on Monday,... but after hours. So we spent the night in their back lot.

Delivered first thing in the morning... Then waited all day for another load... to anywhere.... but nothing.

It is now Tuesday night. Hopefully we'll get a load out tomorrow. We really need to keep moving in order to have any kind of a paycheck. But we know that God is with us, and He will provide for our every need.

Along the way, God has brought people into our path. We get a chance to talk to people about God. We encourage them... and they encourage us. God is Good!!

One man... (an angel)... I met at a rest area in New Mexico, gave me a music CD of hymns that really touched my heart. Just what I needed. Thank you God.

Another man we met in Maryland was out of work. We treated him and his wife to McDonalds.... A hot meal, and a gift card for another meal.

God is Good!

Pass It On!!!
Love you,
Laurie

Hometime in San Diego - Halloween & Voting

2008-11-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

After we left Council Grove... we did a few loads. Then one ended in Denver. From there we got a ... slow... load from Denver to Phoenix.... So we took a day "off" in Trinidad, CO. with my cousins, Jimmy and JoAnn. Boy was that fun!! We got in a friendly argument over politics, got a tour of Trinidad, then went fishing!! Fun! Leroy caught 2 fish. No one else caught any.

What a riot!!

Leroy with fish. He threw it back.

From Phoenix, we got a load going to the border of Mexico in San Diego. Otay Mesa. We got there, dropped the trailer and left it for a Mexican driver to drive it across the border to get unloaded. We waited from 7am till 8:30pm. The trailer finally came back across. Yeah!! (We were thinking we were going to have to wait another day to get it back.)

From there we got Hometime!! in Lakeside, CA. We rested. Had doctor appts. got refills, and delivered our trailer to our church to be used for the Halloween/Harvest Festival. That was fun!!

Mom and Uncle Jeff at "Trunk or Treat".

Trunk or Treat (Halloween) Festival:

See our truck in the background....

Our church has people decorate the trunks of their cars and give out candy from their trunks in our church parking lot. Also.. there are games to play, concessions (food) to eat, a Cake Walk, a miniture train ride, and story telling, along with a Movie Theater for the little ones (they used our trailer for the movie theater-very cool).

We also got to Vote, clean out our truck, get our "winter" stuff out of storage, shower, laundry and generally clean up stuff. It was Good!!!

But when we were ready to get back on the road (after being out a week), they couldn't get us a load right away. We were ready on Wed. and we didn't get a load out until Friday. Bummer... too much down time.

Lay Family Reunion Picnic in Council Grove, KS 9-27-08

2008-11-11T17:03:00.001-08:00

We had such a good time!!! We only had 3 days... but they were sooo good.

We got to see Leroy's Aunt LaVerna in the rehab center....

Leroy, Deborah, Phyllis, and LaVerna in front.

We got to see Leroy's cousin, Michael and his wife, Ronnetta, and 8 (yes, eight) kids perform in a street festival.

Here they are, with Mom, Ronnetta, on the guitar.

The two littlest ones. Too Cute!!

Leroy did the chicken dance with them.

The whole family plays a musical instrument. Most of them play multiple instruments. There was singing, fiddlin, dancin, clogging, juggling, and a whole bunch more.

Boy are they Good!!! Ages 3 to 16.

THE LAY FAMILY.

Michael & Ronnetta Lay.

In the Kansas area... If you would like them to perform for you or your event...

Call Ronnetta Lay at... 316-772-5284

email: mrlay@sbcglobal.net

web page: http://www.thelayfamily.weebly.com/

Leroy with his Aunt Virginia. Sweet.

and Katheryn in the back ground.

On Sunday, was the family reunion picnic with more visiting and more relatives. Sooo much fun!!!

We stayed in our truck, but visited a bit with Deborah, and Deborah's parents Phyllis & Ralph Anderson.

Kathryn & Jim Miller took us on a "tour" of Council Grove on our last evening there, and treated to a nice Mexican restaurant.

Everyone was really nice. We loved it!!!

Leroy's cousin Bruce, and his wife, with Leroy.

Good memories... Good Time!!

Boise, ID to Los Angeles to Laredo, TX

2008-09-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

We went from Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA overnite. Had two quick doctor visits, (nothing serious). Dropped our trailer in Fontana, CA for repairs, and picked up another one. Then Wednesday, got a load starting in Visalia, CA (south of Fresno) and headed to Laredo, TX. (1700 miles). We delivered on Friday morning, but there weren't any loads going out.... so we are sitting in Laredo over the weekend.

We drove our personal Team best on this run... 1130 miles in 24 hours.

I know other teams can do more... but with my sleeping issue... this is really good for us. My sleeping while the truck is moving is getting better. I am using fans to drowned out the noises. It seems to be working.... but I still sleep the best when the truck is not moving.

Visalia, CA to Laredo, TX.

When we drove through Amarillo, I took a picture of their bridge. I like the " boots" in the name.

In Laredo, we are resting,... and I get to watch TV at IdleAire. Fun! We are doing good! and the miles seem to better with this dispatcher, Jay.

We are requesting "hometime" next weekend... in Council Grove, KS. Leroy's family has an Annual Family Reunion, every year. After 9 years of marriage... this will be our first time to go back there for the Big reunion. It should be fun! Sept. 26, 27, 28. We'll go back out on the road on Monday the 29th.

See you then...
Happy Trucking!
God Bless!
Laurie

New Dispatcher, again, and Twitter.com

2008-09-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

I just know the bare bones basics about blogging. Like... write and post. I would love to learn more, because I would love to make this blog more creative, but I'm not sure where or how.

Anyway... we have been switched to a new dispatcher, again! Second one is two weeks.

This one has been contracted by Sam Kholi to do dispatching through American Freightways.

The very first load he tried to give us was 2500 miles in 48 hours. We said NO.
He said that he has solo drivers that average 800 miles a day. (I say... Not legally!)
Our truck is governed at 65, so even in the states that we could go 70 or 75, WE can not.

and...
Since we are Christians we believe that we should be honest in our log books, in our driving legally the speed limits, and in our dealings with others. (Especially since we have "Jesus Christ is Lord" on our trailer.)

Plus I have a sleep issue. I can't sleep very well while the truck is moving (not a good thing for a team truck driver), so we have to stop the truck for 3-4 hours each night so I can sleep. Then I get the rest of my sleep in snatches of sleep while the truck is moving. We can average 950 - 1050 miles as a team in 24 hours if we push it. Other teams that don't have sleeping issues can average 1200 miles in 24 hours, but I can't. So it holds us back a little.

I am hoping to get this dispatcher to understand US (me), and run us in a way that is good for us. Not too slow like a solo driver, but not too fast like a "real" team.... But only time will tell.

Twitter.com
I recently signed up with Twitter. It is a website that lets you blog in short bits of information (a couple of sentences or so) from your cell phone and it goes out to other people's cell phones. Kind of like a mass email. Way Cool!

I have started to do a lot more through my cell phone since it takes time to get the computer unpacked and up & running to do some blogging and such. I try to check my email about once a week, but sometimes it longer.

If you want to "follow" me on Twitter...
My Twitter ID is: LAY_TRUCKINGADV

Desiree Moved!
We recently got to go with our daughter, Desiree, and help her move into her first apartment. (We took a load and followed her.) She moved from San Diego, CA to Valparaiso, IN. Wow!
You know... where Orville Redenbacher is from... the Popcorn guy.
It's about 45 miles south of Chicago.

Her apartment is beautiful!! And we are sure she will do well there. We are aiming to go back to see her for Christmas!

Here is our schedule.... as schedules go:
Sept: We are hoping to be in Kansas for Leroy's Family Reunion at the end of Sept.
Oct: Then in San Diego at the end of Oct. Our trailer is going to be used for Halloween at our church.
Nov:Then in San Diego with my parents for Thanksgiving.
Dec: Then in Indiana with Desiree for Christmas.

We'll see how it all works out.

Right now we are in Oklahoma heading to Arkansas for a pick up going to New Mexico.
Did you follow that??

Happy Trucking!
Laurie :)

Picked Up Leroy, Now waiting in Ripon, Ca

2008-08-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all,
I finally got a load out of Willcox, AZ. !!!
I picked up in Pearce, AZ about 30 miles south of Willcox. (Garbonzo beans in large 2,000 lb. sacks) going to Tracy, CA (Near Stockton).

As I was going through Fontana, I picked up Leroy. Yeah!! Back together again.

We delivered in Tracy, CA yesterday morning and have been sitting ever since.

One thing that is slowing us down, is that our dispatch office in Montana got shut down on Friday 8/1/08 with no advance warning. Now we are now being dispatched out of Reno, NV. But they are not quite up and running yet. Bummer. So we are trying to be patient. Sam Kholi Trucking is constantly in a state of change, and we are just trying to go with the flow. They recently opened a "yard" in Fontana, CA. which is a good thing and hoping to get better, and hopefully this new dispatch office with turn out to be a good thing too.

We just got a load going from Tracy, CA to Sparks, NV.
Happy Trucking...
Laurie :)

Castaway Restaurant, Burbank CA

2008-07-31T23:13:00.001-07:00

We went to the wonderful Castaway Restaurant in Burbank, CA on Saturday 7-26-08 for Desiree's birthday celebration. I forgot to take a picture of the chocolate fountain, oops.

Here are some pictures of our family having fun.

Heather and Desiree, enjoying a champagne and Orange Juice drink.

Hey Des... something in your eye? wink, wink.

Jon.. enjoying the view.
He is my brother that lives in Fullerton, Ca.

The View!!!

Mom, Dad, and Uncle Jeff... my Dad's brother.

Desiree stabbing the food with wooden sticks. This is towards the end of the meal. Getting bored??

Gracye, Desiree, and Jon.

Gracye, Desiree, Laurie, and Jon.

Our Family: Laurie, Desiree, and Leroy.

Aren't we a good lookin family!!!

Desiree and Heather. Wow! Beautiful girls!

Here's the whole family.

In back: Jon, Desiree, Laurie, Amber

Gracye in front of Jon,

Uncle Jeff, Leroy-my Sweetie, Mom-Irene, Dad-Patrick.

Fun Times!!!

Love you All.

Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano in NM

2008-07-31T21:35:00.000-07:00

Hi...

We had a slow run in early July that had a LOT of time to kill.... example.... like a run that we could have done, comfortably, in 3 days, they gave us 5 days to do it in. (We picked up on Thursday, and it delivered on Monday.) We tried to call ahead to get an early delivery appt, on Sat or Sun, but they were closed over the weekend. So .... we decided to go sight-seeing.

It was interesting! An old volcano, and an underground ice cave within walking distance of each other.

We had to hike up this little hill to see down into the old volcano. It was surrounded with lava rocks, everywhere. Then hike back down and a little over, then down some "Very Steep" stairs to see the ice cave. All in all - pretty cool.

First, We decided to take the path through the lava rocks, up the hill to the volcano. Then we hiked over to see the Ice Cave.

Here are some pix.

Leroy in front of a fallen tree and surrounded by lava rocks, on the way up to see the volcano.

Laurie in a caved out lava formation.

Here is the what the old volcano looks like today. Just a sunken hole.

Here we are... Laurie & Leroy... in front of the volcano.

Watch your step...

Say... Can you step back just one more step? OK, now just one more step... he-he.

These are the steps leading down to the underground Ice Cave. Wow, were they ever steep!!!

Hold on the railings and watch your step. Some of the steps were not the same depth as the other ones. Watch out.

Here is Laurie at the bottom of the Ice Cave. See the frozen water that is a yellowish-green color. That color is from frozen algae.

Here is Leroy at the bottom of the Ice Cave. (Isn't he handsome?!)

In this picture you can see the rocks on the top that look like they could fall at any moment.

Hey Mom... it is just an accident waiting to happen. Not good Risk Management to let tourist down there... but then again... what do I know.. if they have stayed up this long, couldn't they stay up a little longer!? Sure Hope so.

TTFN

Ta Ta For Now.

Keep Havin Fun!

Love ya,

Laurie

Home Time, Getting Separated, and waiting in Willcox, AZ

2008-07-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hi there ya'all ... NO - Leroy and I are not "getting separated". Thank God!!

We had our wonderful home time. Desiree had a great idea to go to the Castaway Restaurant in Burbank, CA for a wonderful brunch party. The restaurant sits on the top of this hill that overlooks a golf course and all of Burbank. Beautiful! and Very yummy. I should have taken a picture of the beautiful chocolate fountain.... mmmm. Wow.

Then we visited with my brother in Fullerton.... then went to our yard in Fontana, CA and tried to get some things worked on... but... it just didn't work out quite right. So we tell our dispatcher that we want to get going. He calls us a little while later and says that the San Diego office needs our help. We need to go rescue a driver with a load in Willcox, AZ.

So off we go... as we are driving there, the San Diego office calls and says that we will have to separate. There is a truck that has been impounded and it is "loaded". Leroy will need to get in that truck and trailer and deliver the load to Anaheim as fast as possible.

We arrive in Willcox about 11pm, ... our boss has already made arrangments for the guy at the impound yard to meet us "after hours" to get it released. We get there, do the paperwork, and go pick up the other driver at a nearby motel... and Off Leroy goes, back to Anaheim. (which is right next door to Fullerton where my brother lives and where we just were.)

Leroy does really good. He (along with the other driver, riding as a passenger) arrive at the delivery place in Anaheim at about 8:30am, get unloaded, and head up to our yard in Fontana. (Must seem like Deja Vu to Leroy... say... wasn't I just here!? he-he. Yes you were.)

After dropping Leroy off at the truck at the impound yard in Willcox AZ, I then head to the nearby TA and sleep. I get my 10 hours off and I'm ready to go at 9am, but no one told my dispatcher that we got separated, or that I now need a load going back to LA as fast as possible so I can pick-up Leroy. So we (Leroy and I both) inform the dispatcher what is going on... and I wait... all day. :(

By 5pm, I realize that I am not getting a load out of here today, so I go do laundry. woo-hoo.

I am praying that we will be brought together soon.
Leaving it in the Lord's hands....
Laurie

Near Accident & a fender bender in Portland OR

2008-07-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

Near Accident in Tacoma:

As we were coming in to Tacoma, WA, I (Laurie) was driving. I was coming over these sets of small rises and falls. (I just happened to be going slower than usual, because I had just smoked my brakes on a large hill just before this.)

As I came over one rise, I could see down at the bottom of the little valley that there were cars on the side of the road (as if an accident had just happened). Then I saw a semi-truck move quickly from the travel lane to the shoulder along with another car in front of him.

I'm thinking... ok they had an incident, but they have moved it all over to the shoulder, so everything is OK. I just continue on as usual.

I am traveling in the right lane of a two lane highway (WA-18) when all of a sudden I noticed that the 3 or 4 cars directly in front of me (in the distance) are coming to a complete stop - IN THE TRAVEL LANES! In Front of ME.

I then realize that I don't have enough time or room to stop before I would be hitting those cars. I feel God there with me, and I'm very calm. It seems like it is happening in slow motion. I look to the shoulder and there is this area between the two sets of cars / semi truck on the side of the road and a grassy area just off the shoulder area, and I head for that opening.

I pull on the air horn and hold it, and put on my brakes as best as I could. I finally come to a stop with my cab in the grassy area and the trailer on the shoulder, but no injuries and no accident. THANK GOD!

I take a moment to collect myself and slowly back out of the space onto the shoulder. A policeman walks by and gives me a thumbs up and smiles. Traffic is flowing smoothly....and I go on my way.

Fender-Bender in Portland, OR.

I was in the Jubitz Truck Stop in Portland OR. It was about 6:45pm and the place was PACKED. I had been so careful going around each turn at the end of the aisles, but this last turn I thought I saw a parking space, so my eyes were on the parking space and not on my trailer.

Rule #1 : Always Watch Your Trailer!

So I cut the turn too sharp and caught the front right fender of the truck on the end of the aisle, with the mid section of my trailer. There was damage to his truck, but only a scratch to the trailer. I got out, took pictures, and left a note. (The driver was not present.) We also called the Portland Police, but they said they don't come out to non-injury accidents and that all I had to do was leave a note, which I did, and I was going to do anyway.

This is my first accident since getting my CDL about a year ago.

What a bummer... and it was totally preventable.

Trucking in three easy steps:

1. Always watch your trailer.

2. Take is slow - real slow.

3. Take it wide.

Of the two near disasters, I think I got off easy.

Thank You God.

The fender bender was a wake-up call.

Till next time,

Laurie :)

Truck Fixed and We're Doing Good!

2008-07-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

We finally got our truck fixed, (emergency stuff), then they sent us up to Billings, MT
On the way to Billings.. we blew a shock that then rubbed on the inside of a tire causing it to blow and catch on fire! Leroy pulled over right away so there was no other damage, and used the fire extinguisher, then we waited for a road side repair, ... this happened just outside of Reno NV. As the road-side guys were trying to change the tire they discovered it was damaged and would not "bead" to the tire. So we limped to a Petro in Sparks, NV were they changed the tire and rim, and installed a new shock... then discovered that the brake pads on the drive tires were barely legal.. so we had to have those replaced.

At Billings, we had all the other stuff fixed!! Yeah. New front drums, air bags - which were a source of a secondary air leak, all the other shocks replaced, and NEW SEATS!!!.....etc...

Then we took a load of flour to Tacoma, WA and now we are taking a load of cardboard cartons from Vancouver, WA to San Marcos, CA-- then we will get some hometime in to Los Angeles for Desiree (our daugher) birthday party, and a chance to see everyone!

Then we head out on Monday 7/28/08.
Havin' Fun!!!

Flagstaff - Phoenix and Lightening!!!

2008-07-03T22:38:00.000-07:00

We were in "breakdown" mode for 4 days (6/29/08 - 7/2/08). Stuck 1/2 way between Flagstaff, AZ and Kingman, AZ. In a 1/2 star motel.... waiting for repairs to be completed.

There was much haggling over the price charged for the repairs... but what can you do when you are out in the Boonies. The repair shop wanted to charge a lot more... but in the end only charged $4,200... parts ($3,000) and labor ($1,000) plus tax... to fix the stripped differential. The "powers that be" in our office haggled them down to that price... I'm glad I wasn't a part of that.

Finally - Our repairs were finished on the 2nd, then we drove to Flagstaff to await our next load. Nothing!

7/3/08 - We waited some more and passed some time by hand-washing the truck (got 1/2 way done - then we were done in). It is HOT out here!

3:30pm-Finally, they get us a load, so we head down to Phoenix. We get there about 9:30pm and park in front of our pick-up place. Our appointment isn't until 8am tomorrow. (Actually on the 4th of July, who knew...) It is Hot!!

At about 10:15pm is starts raining, then lightening, then thunder, then all three at once. What a sight!! I am sooo glad we drove down when we did, and not in the rain. God is amazing. The lightening - Wow!

After we get loaded tomorrow... we will head for Nicholasville, KY.

Yeah!!! We are rolling again.
Thank You God!
Laurie :)

Ash Fork Inn - Ash Fork AZ

2008-07-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

We spent 4 glorious days at the Ash Fork Inn. Well... maybe not "glorious". But even with minimal amenities, God was with us. We had a nice few days off, even though the only way to get around this little town was on foot, and the nearest eatery was a mile away. (And it was over 100 degrees!) We had to get around on foot because our truck was being repaired at a repair shop about 8 miles away. They brought us to the motel. From there we were on our own. Thank God for cell phones so we could stay in touch, because there were no phones in the motel.

Here is what we saw from our front door.

Lots of sagebrush.

Here is our room - on the bottom. The door is open.

Here is the front of the motel. I'm just glad we didn't have to pay for it.

Tombstone AZ

2008-06-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in the midst of our travels we got to stop in Tombstone AZ for a few hours.
Here are some photos and part of the story of Wyatt Earp.

Here comes Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp.

Leroy with Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp.

The stagecoach is comin'.

Leroy got a souvenir - a cell phone holder made of horse hair with a silver star on it. I got a t-shirt.

The arguing in the streets begin.

More smack talk.

The Red Sash "Cowboys" don't want to comply with the "No Guns in town" ordinance.

Stagecoach comin' through.

The bumping and pushing begin.

Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp are joined by Wyatt's brothers: Virgil and Morgan, to help with this conflict.

The OK Corral gun fight site.
The fighting/shooting itself - was over very quickly.

Leroy & Laurie Lay
Here we are in front of the "Total Wreck Saloon".

In Tombstone, Arizona, Earp acquired the gambling concession at the Oriental Saloon and met his third wife Josie.

In 1881, a feud with the Clanton gang ended with the famous Gunfight at the OK Corral. Three of the Clanton gang were killed. The three Earp brothers, Virgil, Wyatt and Morgan, survived, along with Doc Holliday.

Wyatt and Josie Earp moved often. Between 1885 and 1887, they arrived in booming San Diego, where Wyatt gambled and invested heavily in real estate and saloons in the Stingaree district, now the Gaslamp Quarter. They lived here on and off for several years.

Earp owned or leased four saloons and gambling halls in San Diego. The most famous was the Oyster Bar located in the Louis Bank Building at 837 5th Avenue. He refereed at local prize fights. During the heyday of San Diego's boom, Earp won a trotting horse named Otto Rex. He and Josie began to travel the racehorse circuit. They left San Diego in the early 1890s.

In 1897 Wyatt and Josie operated a saloon in Nome, Alaska, during the height of the Alaska Gold Rush. In 1901 they moved on to a gold strike in Tonopah, Nevada, where saloon, gambling and mining interests again proved profitable.

Wyatt Earp spent his final years working mining claims in the Mojave Desert. He and Josie summered in Los Angeles, where they befriended early Hollywood actors and lived off real estate and mining investments.

He died in Los Angeles at the age of 80 on January 13, 1929.

[from Wyatt Earp - The Missing Years - San Diego in the 1880s by Kenneth R. Cilch and Kenneth R. Cilch, Jr. and from Bob Katz' article

Photos - Winter 2008

2008-06-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

Jan. 2008
Snow blowing across the freeway on I-80 Wyoming.

Feb. 2008
Rest Area in Idaho.

Feb. 2008
Rest Area in Idaho. We had to walk acrss the bridge to get to the restrooms.

Feb. 2008
Rest Area in Idaho. The river under the bridge.

Feb. 2008
Frozen ice crystals on blades of grass.

Feb. 2008 Florida
Look above the truck.
A Rescue Helicopter picking up someone to take them to the hospital.

Broke Down in Ash Fork, AZ - 6/29/08

2008-06-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

We had received a good run from California to South Carolina, then a return trip back to California. On our way we noticed a few problems... a slow air leak in the secondary system, and several clearance lights on this trailer were out. We mentioned these to the powers that be, and I think they were going to route us back to San Diego for repairs soon, .... but we broke down near Williams, AZ and ended up being towed to Ash Fork, AZ for repairs.

Sunday, 6/29/08
5:00am - We had just left a rest area near Flagstaff, AZ when traffic came to a stand still because of an accident. After waiting about 30 mins, traffic finally starting moving. When Leroy put the truck in Drive (we have an automatic transmission on this truck - bummer).... we heard a very loud, terrible metal grinding sound coming from the cat walk area just behind the cab and the wheels on the tractor would not turn. (The tractor is the front "cab" part of the semi-truck.) We were in the fast lane of a two-lane highway I-40 westbound, and people started honking at us to get out of the way. (We're trying!)

Leroy finally puts the Interaxle Differential on, and was able to get the tires turning just enough to get off the freeway. Leroy had me hop into the driver's seat and try putting it in Drive again, while he listened outside to where the terrible sound was coming from. It was coming from between the tractor tandem tires in the middle - the power divider box, the pumpkin, the differential. Not Good!

6:00am - we call our after hours number and tell them what has happened. We can't move, we are on the side of the road, and we are under a load going to Hollister, CA to be delivered on Monday 6/30 at 6am. They say, Let us make some calls and we'll call you back.

8:00am - They call us back. There is a "wrecker" (semi-truck tow truck) on the way, and they got the appointment for the delivery pushed back 24 hrs.

10:00am - the wrecker arrives and tows the truck to the nearest repair shop about 10 miles away. The mechanic does some preliminary work and discovers it is definitely the differential and not the transmission. Not Good news, but better than the transmission being out, right?

We will have to go to a motel nearby, at least overnight.
The shop has a steady flow of repairs coming in, mostly tires needing to be changed.

It is Sunday. It Is HOT!!! and there is only one guy in the shop, so we have to wait...... No food, only soda from a machine.

But they do have a corral of 3 buffalo at the rear of the property.

Dad-the bull, Mama and baby.

It looks like they are molting their winter coats, and shedding them for the summer.

Leroy was standing near the fence. The baby buffalo started to come closer because he was curious, but the Mama buffalo "charged" Leroy - protecting her baby.

6:30pm - Finally.... the shop closes, and the mechanic drives us to the nearest motel about 5 miles away in Ash Fork, AZ.

7:00pm - We check in. It is a 1/2 star motel at best. No frig, No micro, No phone, holes in the window curtains, torn carpet, a TV that only gets 3 channels (News, PBS, and religious programing), AND the nearest place to get something (anything) to eat is at a little convenience store inside a Gas Station about 1 mile away, on the other side of the freeway. We have no way to get around and we are hungry, so we walk.

At the convenience store, we buy some food, and a styrofoam cooler with some ice. (no ice machine at the motel.) -- But we really didn't want to carry all this stuff a mile back to the motel, so we ask the store attendant if he knows of anyone who could give us a ride back to our motel. - God is Good! - There was a nice lady worker who was just getting off shift. We asked her and she said yes, she would drive us (with stuff) back to the motel. Thank you God!

Monday, 6/30/08
We only brought enough clothing stuff for over-night. Yesterday, on our way to the motel, after leaving the repair shop, ... that is when the mechanic informs us that it will probably take anywhere from 2 to 4 days to do the repairs. I am hoping to have someone take us back to the truck to get some more clothes and some other things we forgot.... we'll see.

Waiting in Ash Fork, AZ.

Hoping to get Layover or Breakdown pay...
God Bless,

Laurie :)

Back with Sam Kholi

2008-06-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

We have been back with Sam Kholi Trucking for about 5 weeks now. We started (again) with them in mid-May 2008.

It's OK. There are still some "quirks", but God has really prepared our hearts to be here and to accept whatever happens.

The main thing is we are driving and we are together, and we Love the Lord.

The first two weeks were the hardest because we were assigned a truck with no A/C, and no way to idle it. It was a truck that they had just purchased at an auction, and it hasn't been fitted for an APU unit yet. But they soon routed us through New Braunfels, TX where they installed a Rig Master APU unit. Then it was much better because we could then sleep in comfort. Yeah!

Thank you God!
God is really using this whole experience to grow us closer to Him, and closer to each other.

Looking for work

2008-06-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

While looking for work we keep running into obstacles.

One: experience - Laurie has only 9 months and Leroy has 1 year.
The Magic number is you really need 2 yrs.

Two: longevity at a job. The most we have been employed with one company is 3 months. In our mind each move was to a better company, but it doesn't show stability.

Three: time since the "incident/accident" that Leroy had while with LCT. Some companies say that he needs 30 days, some say 60 days, some say 6 months or 1 year, of clean driving.

God is working in us to prepare our hearts.

We know that whatever company we get hired with this time - we HAVE to stay with for at least 1.5 years....

That will allow us to both get the 2 years experience that we need, it will show longevity on the job, and it will allow enough time to pass since Leroy's incident.

God be with US.
We looked for 6 weeks while staying with Laurie's parents.

God opened the door.
We finally decided to go back to Sam Kholi Enterprises, Sam Kholi Trucking.
"Jesus Christ Is Lord".

The Load from HELL that got us fired

2008-06-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

Where to begin... this load turned out to be the load that got us fired from LCT. It's too bad too, because we really liked working for LCT.

We were at the yard in Okahumpka, FL waiting for our load to become available at 12 midnight. We got all the info from our "daytime" dispatcher and were just waiting for the trailer to arrive at our yard.

Then the "night" dispatcher comes on duty, and asks us to do a "quick" run to Jacksonville. We look at the QualComm message and ask her (the night dispatcher) if she believes we can make it back by 12 mid. (it is now 6pm). She said Yes, no problem. I say again... we will only have enough time to go up to this destination and drop the trailer, will that be OK? She says ok.
So we take the "quick trip".
-- Mistake #1

What is suppose to take only a couple of hours, ends up being a load to Wal-Mart that takes ALL night. We don't get back to the yard until 7am. By the time we get our paperwork for our Flower run, and get hooked up and do a Pre-trip, we are Late leaving by about 8 hours right from the start.

Everything seems to be going along OK. We are routed to go the southern route mostly I-10, then I-40. We make it to Kingman, AZ and Leroy has an "incident". He is driving in a parking lot and turns too sharply around a light pole. The light pole has a wider concrete base. The concrete base pushes the tires off the rims, damages the rims, and bends the axle. (No damage to body of trailer). But Not good. A repair guy comes out and gets us mobile. About 6 hours lost.
-- Mistake #2 -- our fault

After the "incident/accident".... the LCT Shop Supervisor directs us (re-routes us) to go up to Las Vegas, NV where we are to meet another team who is bringing us an empty trailer. We are to meet at a Cold Storage facility in Las Vegas where their workers will transfer the flowers onto the new trailer for us. We arrive in Las Vegas at midnight, the other team arrives at 3am, the facility doesn't open until 6am. --More time lost.--

After they open the trailer doors and discover that all the boxes are loose and are NOT on pallets, they say they cannot do the transfer.... so me and Leroy, along with the other team, Big Mike and Little Mike, go to the nearest truck stop.. back the trucks to each other, and do the transfer of 1800 loose boxes ourselves. 4 people, 4.5 hours.
-- Mistake #3 (re-routing, not our fault)

After the transfer, we head north on I-15 into Salt Lake City to go across the I-80 into Sacramento, CA then north into Portland, OR. --Big Mistake.-- We hit a big snow storm!
Weather - not our fault.

By this time the load is very late and we are being watched very closely. When we message in that we ran into a snow storm with white out conditions, and would have to wait until morning to drive, we are told by the night dispatcher (the same one who sent us on that "quick trip mistake" at the beginning) that we cannot stop and that if we can't keep rolling then another team will come get our load and deliver it for us. At first I tried to argue saying that if we can't SEE in these conditions, no one else will be able to see any better, but in the end I just said... OK, when will they be here..... She said about 2 hours.

After 2 hours, we get a message that says, "plans have changed and to deliver the load as soon as the weather conditions allow." That tells me that the other team ran into the same white out conditions that we did and couldn't get through. A little bit of confirmation for me.
-- Mistake #4 Northern route and hit snow storm.

After we started rolling, they were watching our every move. Even when we stopped to go pee, they would QualComm us and say... what have you stopped for??? Crazy. We even got a call from the President of LCT (Cory) wanting to know what our progress was, I told him everything that had happened.

He said that the client was threatening to pull this account from them because of us being late.
All I can say is.... they must have had other problems with this client in the past for them (the client) to threaten to pull this account because we were late - one time. This was our first time pulling for this client, so I know we were not the SOLE reason for the clients threat.

We finally made it to Portland, OR, with this load - three days late. We were suppose to deliver on Friday, and didn't get there until Monday.

LCT got us a load immediately out that same day. A slow run back to the Yard. When we finally made it back to the yard. We were called into the office and told that LCT would be "severing ties with us". In other words, we were fired. They said it was due to Leroy's "incident" which they made into a big deal. But we know it wasn't that.

So we cleared out our truck 3/24/08, rented a car, shipped our stuff home to California, and flew home the next day. 3/25/08

We found out from other veteran drivers at LCT, that we were really the "scape goats" so that LCT could save face with the client. The company fired us and swapped dispatchers (the solo dispatchers/for the team dispatchers) to show that things had "changed" to the client.

So now we are at home in Lakeside, CA staying with Laurie's parents and looking for work.
Pray that we find something soon.
3/25/08

Frozen Seafood & Taxes

2008-03-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

Our next load we picked up in Newport News, VA.
(I just like the sound of that name... Newport News.)

At first I didn't want to take this load because there was going to be 6 stops... but it was going to get us home.... so we said OK. However, at the pick up and looking at the BOL (Bill of Lading) there turned out to be 7 stops. Three in the Salt Lake City area, three in the Las Vegas area, and the final in Riverside, CA. (Close enough to get us home.) So we took it.

We were routed from Virginia on the I-64, then across the I-80 through Nebraska and Wyoming, into Utah.

I don't much care for Virginia. Too many up/down - up/down of little to medium size hills, and hardly any truck stops. (We ended up stopping in a Mall that had a McDonalds in it.)

And we hit another Snow Storm in Wyoming. I stopped in Little America, WY because visibility was getting very poor. It was a good thing I did... because just 30 miles ahead.... they were requiring "Chains", for all of 9 miles. Mile marker 30 to 39. Also, the 511 road condition phone line said there was Black Ice on the road, so we stopped for the night. We would have been in Salt Lake City a day early, but because of this delay we ended up being 7 hours late.

I would still rather be safe than sorry.

It's better to get there, than be in a ditch.

But that meant that all of the stops had to be rescheduled. Bummer. And it meant getting home a day later, and missing seeing Desiree before she left. Double Bummer.

We finally made all the stops, and ended in Riverside, CA, when we get a message.
"Go to the Terminal in Rancho Cucamungo, and call the Safety Dept before you go home". Oh no. that doesn't sound good.
I messaged back... "Are we being fired?" Dispatch says: NO!!!
OK. Anything else can be fixed/corrected.

Come to find out... my name had been randomly chosen for a random drug screen test. Oh boy.
OK. Get it done, then head home. Finally!

We took 6 days off. It was more of a working vacation for me. Doctor visits, pharmacy med refills, eye doc appts, and three days of paperwork getting taxes done. But Finally - Done!!!
And we are getting a Refund!! First time in the last three years! yeah!!! This is our first tax year that we were in Trucking. At LCT, they pay part of our pay in "Per Diem" pay... we'll see how that plays out next year for taxes.???

Back on the Road 3/6/08. Took a Fedex load from Anaheim, CA to Orlando, FL in just under 3 days. (11pm on the 6th to 9pm on the 10th). I know some teams could have done it faster, but I am still having issues with not being able to sleep while the truck is moving, so we had to stop a couple of times for me to sleep a couple of hours every now and then.

Now... 3/10, we are at our yard in Okahumpka, FL for some minor repairs, then we are hoping to catch a load going out tomorrow. It is getting late... so, TTFN. Ta Ta For Now.

Good Night and God Bless,
Laurie

February - flower loads then Winter Snow Storms

2008-03-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I blogged anything. February was busy! We would pick up a flower load (usually somewhere in Texas) and deliver it to somewhere in Southern Calif. Then get a load (any load) out of the Los Angeles basin, heading east... get as far as Texas and back we go to Calif.

Our first load went to Carlsbad, CA which is only about 40 miles from home, but we didn't have time to actually GO home... so my Mom and daughter, Desiree, came north to Carlsbad and had lunch with us at TGI-Fridays. Boy, was it good to see them!!! A little taste of home.

We ended up on Feb. 15th in Portland, OR and expected to go straight home (since we hadn't taken our hometime during the flower rush). ... but they couldn't get us a load heading south. So we went East. (This practically broke my my heart).

We did three "pick-ups" in Washington (Union Gap, Yakima, and Prescott) of very cold fruit (35 degrees), mostly apples and pears, ...and headed toward North Carolina.

They (LCT) "route" us, meaning that they assign us Fuel Stops and the roads we are suppose to take to get to the fuel stops and our final destination.

This particular routing took us way north... across the I-90 then the I-94 across Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. However, as we were leaving Washington to go across Idaho on the US-12... it was closed from Lewiston, to Missoula due to recent avalanches a week earlier. (Sign of things to come...)

So we had to detour (about 7 hours worth) and head north on the US-95 to Coeur d' Alene (that is pronounced Core de Lane), then catch the I-90 East from there.

On our way heading north on the US-95.... I was driving, and climbing a bit of a hill/mountain. First it started to rain... Ok, I can handle rain. Go slower.
Then the rain turned to slush. (half rain, half snow.) OK, I can handle slush. Go Slower.
Then it started Snowing! and visibility went from bad to worse so I started Praying.
"Lord, what should I do? I was hoping to make it to Coeur d' Alene tonight but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. What should I do?"
Just at that very moment - a sign popped up that said "Rest Area 1/2 mile". And the Rest Area is not even in the map book. Thank you God!!!

Rest Area. Idaho. US-95.

The Rest Area was on the left side and the snow was "banked" HIGH on each side of the street. As I pulled into the rest area, there was another truck in there, so I just pulled in behind him. When I first got there, you could see the parking lot, but within 5 mins... it was covered in 2" of snow. I have never been so happy to stop. Leroy was already sleeping. I just watched it snowing for a couple of mins, then went to sleep. The next morning... the plow-guy had been by and the streets were clear, and so was the weather. Thank you, God! And Thank God for Plow Guys!!! If they weren't doing their job, I couldn't do mine.

Rest Area. Idaho. US-95.

We got as far as North Dakota before we had to stop for another Snow Storm.... and wait out a really bad accident (actually several accidents) on the I-94 having to be cleared up.

We did go to a great place to eat in Huxton, WI ( or was it Hixton?). Good food, and great staff.
I'm a big Packer Fan... as we were going through Wisconsin, you could just feel the Packer energy everywhere. You could see the snow, but feel the energy.

Then we headed south on the I-39 toward Bloomington, IL.

In Bloomington, we had to have an Alternator replaced, which made us late to our final stop. Wal-Mart.... and they are very picky about their appointment times and everything.

This was the first load Ever, that we didn't get empty. Meaning... they rejected 42 cases of fruit because of "bruising". Not our fault, but... none the less.... we have cases of fruit on board, so can't take another load! Help... what are we suppose to do with 42 cases of apples/pears?? Luckily, our CSR's (Customer Service Reps) know who to call in situations like this.... and they found a local produce warehouse in Raleigh, NC that would take the rejects.

All Right.

After some sleep and showers.... Ready to roll again!

"Repowering" & being sick

2008-01-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

In 2008 (Jan), We got a few loads, and they have kept us going, but we never seem to be able to finish a load. As soon as we get assigned a load, then we get asked to "repower" (or take over), another person's load to get it to it's destination faster (because we are a team). After a few of these "repowers" (going non-stop), I got sick. Leroy did too. We had to pull over (at a little dump of a truck stop) in Missouri. We were down for three days, bummer. Another team had to finish our load, and because of that we won't be going home anytime soon.

When we were hired with LCT, they said we could have our choice of "two weeks out, with 2 days home time" or "three weeks out, with 3 days home time". We chose 3 & 3, but it's been three weeks and they haven't sent us home yet, instead they keep "repowering us", and now have us back at the yard in Florida for a PM (Preventative Maintanence) and some repairs. I guess I'm just missing home.

It looks like we won't be going home any time soon.... Now starts LCT's busy season, flowers! for Valentine's Day. We will ALL be busy for the next three weeks at least. I guess that's good considering this economy...

God continues to bless our trips with clear roads and good weather. We know that eventually we will be in bad weather, but God will be with us in the middle of that as well.

Here's to getting out of the yard as soon as possible, and maybe getting home for a couple of days, before the really busy season hits.... we'll see. I would love to see my Mom, and Dad, and Daughter. (and maybe even my brother, Jon). I have spoken with my Mom often and know that she is doing well after the surgery. Praise God.

Blessings to you all,
Laurie :)

Photos of Interesting sites...

2008-01-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

Here are some interesting sites...

Some of them are unusual.

a bathroom in Texas at a rest area... Highway I-20, exit 256

the mozaic is beautiful

Mt. Shasta, near Weed, California

Antelope, in Wyoming

Happy New Year 2008!!

2008-01-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it is already 2008?! I can't.

Here is a random (more current) picture of us...
Aren't we a cute couple !!!

Since we started working with a new company (LCT) on Dec. 10th, we didn't expect to get home for Christmas (which we didn't), but we did make it home for the New Year!!

We spent Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day at our "homebase" in Okahumpka, Florida. (woohoo) Nothing exciting at all, but....

Back at home in Lakeside, CA...

My mom, Irene, had knee replacement surgery on 12/27/07.
Don't look if you are squeamish...

We made it home on 12/30/07, and got to see her for a few days. She came through the surgery with flying colors (sore and black & blue), but doing well in a recovery center in El Cajon, CA. Each day she gets better and better. Thank you God!

Now... back to work... We are just waiting for our "marching orders" for our next load.
(Our first load of 2008.)

We are also keeping our eyes on the weather across the country. This is our first winter, and we want to be safe.

Keep us in your prayers -- as you are in ours!

God Bless...
Laurie

Starting with LCT... and having "issues"

2007-12-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

You know the saying... Nothing ever goes as you plan it... it is sooo true with this transition.

The flight went well. Arrived in Orlando, where the shuttle took about 1.5 hours to get us to the hotel. (we dropped off another lady at her house on the way.) Arrived at hotel about 8pm, checked in, went to sleep. The hotel is OK......?

Up early, breakfast, LCT shuttle van to terminal in OKAHUMPKA, FL.
(that's pronounced oka-hump-ka).... and smile when you say that. :)

The road tests went well, ... then we went to go see the Clinic Doc.

We had/have three "issues" going on: 1. doctor letter for Leroy regarding sleep apnea/CPAP machine, -- 2. missing boxes on Greyhound, and -- 3. verification of employment for two past jobs for Leroy.

Issue #1:
LCT sent us to a Clinic for the physical. We were seen by a Physician's Assistant.
I went thru with flying colors. Leroy had a little bit of high blood pressure, but they re-tested him and it turned out OK.

Then... they said they needed a letter (of release) from a doctor "releasing" Leroy to drive a semi tractor-trailer because of his sleep apnea and CPAP machine. (Leroy had already been cleared by another physician in Jan. 2007 and has a Medical Card, and has been driving for the past 9 months... but their (LCT) Clinic doctor had to see a letter.)

As it so happens, our regular physician (at Kaiser) had just left on a months vacation. (it figures.) So Leroy called the Neurologist (at Kaiser) that treated him about 5 years ago when he first got his machine. It was a long shot, but the Neurologist did issue a letter stating that he had treated Leroy with medication and a CPAP machine, and Leroy had no other complaints of sleepiness or anything, (but he didn't come right out and say that Leroy could drive). So we got that letter faxed to our hotel, and showed it to the Clinic doctor. Thank You Lord, they accepted that letter.

It was pretty nerve-racking, because if you don't pass the physical, you can't drive.... and each company sends you through "their" doctor/clinic.

All through this we were trying to go through orientation, while making calls on the breaks & lunch times, and dealing with the time difference between Florida & California, and trying to get ahold of ANYONE at Kaiser who we could ACTUALLY talk to... crazy.

AND.... our luggage got "lost" sort of...

Issue #2:
On Tuesday, I had called to find out what had happened to our boxes. Greyhound said they were in Orlando. The next day on Wednesday, we received two (of the four) boxes.... so we assumed that the other two would be sent to us the next day. (Boy, were we wrong.)

On Wednesday, we "graduated" from orientation and were "officially" hired!!! (on the condition that the verification of employment could be verified within 30 days).

We were assigned a truck and loaded it with what we had. Everyone else in our class were given assignments and sent out on the road.

We asked (and received) an additional night in the hotel to wait for our additional boxes.
This extra time was really a blessing. We got to spend extra time at the yard, get to know people, ask good questions, get shown around, and see a little better how things operate.

The bus from Orlando only arrives in this little town once a day at 1:20pm. When we checked in with Greyhound at 1:30pm and No Boxes, we thought they were still down in Orlando, and Greyhound just didn't have room on the bus for our big boxes. (People and their luggage come first.)

So we asked our dispatcher if we could go get the boxes in Orlando (about 45 mins away). At first he said NO. We said OK.
Then the HR department came over to the dispatcher and said that we need to be routed back to San Diego as fast as we can, so we can clear up the verification of employment issue.

Then.... the dispatcher (Ryan - who is very nice), says... OK - run down to Orlando, quick! & pick up your boxes, because I have a load of Flowers going to Riverside, CA. leaving tonight.... already pre-loaded for you. Woo-Hoo. (it is now 6pm on Thursday evening)

What craziness... we left to go to Orlando, without a map-(just very funky directions), in the dark, and trying to avoid the toll roads because we have no money.

We eventually get to the Greyhound terminal, and find out that our other two boxes NEVER even made it that far, AND they don't know where they are, AND they don't even know when they can expect them....
NEVER USE GREYHOUND PACKAGE EXPRESS.
IF YOU CAN, USE FED-EX GROUND!
I wish I had.

So we head back to the LCT terminal (called "the hump"), but we get LOST. (It's Night... with windy, curvy roads....)
After stopping several times to ask directions, we eventually find our way back. (Thank God we were in a bobtail) and get the load assigned to us. It was supposed to be delivered in Riverside, CA on Saturday (12/15) at 6pm, but we told them, there was NO way we could make that delivery time. The night dispatcher that gave it to us, said - just do our best. So we leave... it is now Friday at 1am.

We did pretty good. We got the our delivery on Sunday (12/16) at 11:30am. But Leroy lost one of the fuel caps along the way, (it did not have a chain & t-bar like it is suppose to). The company will replace it, but the only place to get one is at a Freightliner dealership (which are all closed on the weekends). bummer.

Right now we are waiting at the delivery point. The workers that are to unload us won't be here until 4pm.... so we wait.... and get caught up on all our paperwork, and banking, and blogging.

Issue #3: should be resolved as soon as we can get back to San Diego. We have to show a w-2 form or paycheck stubs, or get someone from those companies to call and verify the dates.

Even though there have been "issues", we can totally see God's hand it this. He has been with us through the whole thing. We are not upset or nervous. (Actually this has been a pretty good run.)

He has given us a Peace that passes all understanding. We know that God is in control and we are continually learning to trust Him more each day. Give God the Glory - Great Things He Has Done.... and continues to do.

Praise God, Amen.
Love you all, Laurie

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2007-12-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

Well.... not really.... In San Diego, CA, all you get is rain in the winter, and cooler evening temperatures .... but it IS raining and it is getting cooler .... so I guess (in a San Diego fashion) ....It Is Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. :)

The last two days on the road, Leroy got EXTREMELY SICK..... Both ends, all over the truck... not a pretty sight. So I had the job of driving to deliver our last load, and cleaning up after a sick husband... I was sooo tired, and I have Never seen him this sick in all our 8 1/2 years of marriage...poor baby... Wow!

We (finally) got home on Thursday (11/29), and turned the truck & keys and everything into Sam Kholi Enterprises on Friday. Our final day.

We purchased airline tickets to Orlando, Florida on Friday (11/30), which our new company LCT says that they will reimburse us for on our first paycheck, Yeah!

We spent the next several days recuperating from the dreaded "sickness", which then went through my whole local family. Mom, Dad, Daughter... not good. (We're soooo sorry.) We (collectively) think it was some kind of intestinal flu..... Glad THAT is over with.

The next Friday (12/7), we shipped 4 LARGE boxes to Florida via Greyhound Package Express. Hopefully the boxes will be there by Tuesday. We have orientation Monday - Wednesday (12/10-12/12), and are suppose to be assigned a truck on Wednesday. The boxes are what we usually LOAD into our truck for our "living" stuff.

On the airplane, we are taking all our clothes, our laptop computer, Leroy's CPAP machine, and our bedding. Everything else we shipped.

We are all praying for a smooth transition. That everything goes well, and that we pass all our tests.

The first day we have to pass all the physicals (no prob, hopefully) and a Road & Safety Test. (should be no prob, but we are still praying).

Today, Saturday, (12/8)... our final day in San Diego, we are doing laundry and packing. (What else..?)
We'll have dinner at the Chicken Pie Shop, Yum, then go to bed early. We have to be at the airport at 4:30am, because our flight leaves at 6:20am. We'll arrive in Orlando at 5:00pm (their time) Sunday, and will catch an airport shuttle van to the hotel (about an hour away), then probably go directly to bed because we have to be in the lobby of the hotel by 6:30am Monday, for the LCT shuttle to take us to orientation.
Then the whirlwind of paperwork begins.....

It's exciting... and a little scary. But...being based soo far from home... it's kind of like "moving" to Florida, in a way... I have never been away from home, like that.

Pray for me... and Leroy.
If you would like to leave comments and prayers, we can pray for you too.

I also have a page on Facebook.com, if you would like to see more pictures....

Merry Christmas!!!
and a Happy, Healthy New Year!
God Bless You Everyone!

Thanksgiving already!

2007-11-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how time flys. So much has happened.

The end of October we were assigned a "new" (to us) truck, a 2006 Kenworth T2000. (We later, found out it was a 2005.) We got all loaded into it and took it home... and then discovered that Laurie couldn't reach the pedals. ..... When I raised the seat high enough to see over the dashboard, I literally couldn't push the clutch pedal to the floor, so I couldn't drive the truck. They didn't have any other trucks available at that time, so Leroy drove the truck (solo) for the next two weeks, while they got another truck ready for us.... or so we thought.

When we got back, the only thing they had "done" was the brakes. It was a 2005 Freightliner Columbia... which we really like! It was an automatic, which helps Laurie's bad knees. There is a lot of room, and everything "fits". Yeah!

However, when we started driving it.... we started noticing "things".... lights didn't work, plug-ins didn't work, the engine was "hiccuping" or lugging or something while shifting.... and ALL the fluids were low. Our fuel card would not allow us to buy individual items (like oil, fluids-power steering, antifreeze, or anything) or we would have filled them up ourselves .... so when we discovered an AIR leak.... we had to take it into a TA for repairs in Parowan, UT.... on our SECOND NIGHT OUT. Ridiculous! We asked the repair guy to top off the fluids for us.
He also informed us of a differential leak (but they don't work on differentials).

They (our yard) had this truck for at least two weeks.... they should have at least topped-off the fluids!! Brother.

The truck was still "hiccuping" while shifting which makes it very hard for the other person to sleep. At first we thought it was the transmission.... then Leroy thought it might be a fuel filter problem. The next TA we saw, Leroy asked the mechanic to check it out. Sure enough... a REALLY bad fuel filter and the "O" rings were in the wrong place. So.... 30 minutes and $35 dollars later.... a smooth running truck. Yeah! Which brings me back to our Yard mechanics.... If you were going on a long trip in your car, wouldn't you check all the fluids, the fuel & air filters, and really everything........ I would. Why didn't they? The TA mechanic that changed the fuel filter told us that the Air filter was bad also, but we didn't have time for that. Later.

So we finished our drops in Topeka, KS and then in Columbus, OH....... On time.
Then we went down to Cincinnati, OH and picked up a load going to Sparks, NV.

Today, Thanksgiving Day, we are in Indiana.

We are sooo Thankful for so many things. Family & friends who love and support us. An Awesome God who is ever faithful and loves us without end, and who is continually teaching us and challenging us to be more like Him.
Thankful for a warm, dry truck in the Indiana rains....
AND FOR A NEW JOB!!!

A few weeks ago, we started calling different trucking companies, and finally one of them hired us!!! It is a company called LCT. Based in central Florida. As fast as we can, we are returning this truck to San Diego, CA and then renting a car and driving across country (with all of our "home" stuff required for living in our truck). Of course, after we gave our notice, this company wanted us to stay, but NO. We are moving on.

Again, God is sooo good. -- New job, and really decent weather, considering it is sooo late into the winter season. We haven't hit snow yet. Thank You, God..... but we know it is coming.... and that God will be with us even in that. Too.

Again, Thank You for ALL of your Love and Support. Your prayers are really felt deeply!!

With much love, Laurie
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Laptop cracked & lost cell phone.... Yikes.

2007-10-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

The middle of Sept. (on the road) we discovered that our laptop computer had a cracked screen (or so we thought that was all) and.... we thought it was under warranty. So.... No computer, no email, no getting our own directions when we can't get ahold of anyone, and No blogging - bummer. We had to wait about two weeks to get home and try to correct the problem.

Little did we know that the warranty does not cover "physical damage". ~~~Word of warning... examine the warranty yourself instead of listening to the salesman. ~~~
Anyway... it turned out that not only was the screen cracked, but the hard drive was damaged. ("No operating system found".) Not good. So Fry's is trying to retrieve any data from the hard drive (for $70), then....... we purchased our new laptop computer from Best Buy, who were very nice, and pointed out IN WRITING that a cracked screen and other "physical damage" IS COVERED.

Just after we got back on the road... I had just woken up, and was going into a restroom in the middle of No Where, AZ and accidentally (absently-mindedly) had my cell phone in my hand. I put it on the toilet paper dispenser, and promptly forgot it. After we are already in the truck, out the parking lot and about to get onto the freeway, I "all-of-a-sudden" realized what I had done. It only took about 5 mins to get turned around..... but when we got back to the restroom.... (shocker) it was gone. So we cancelled that phone, (but I was able to keep my same number. Yea! But I had to go about a week before we could get to a place that we could get phones. WE have new phones now.... wow. Nice!

The really cool photos of the largest Cross, and Jesus' last days are on the hard drive that crashed, and that they are trying to retrieve data from.... boy I hope they get my pictures.

Since the end of September we have gone from Los Angeles (Mira Loma) to Everett, WA hauling frozen Hot Pockets, then did a trailer exchange in Grainger, WA (just south of Yakima). Then headed just south over the border to Stanfield, OR to pick up bags of netting and took them to New Castle, WY. While we were deadheading up to Colony, WY we had to cross over into a little bit of South Dakota.... Just Beautiful!!!

The Black Hills of Dakota, Near Savoy, SD.

At Colony, WY... we picked up Cat Litter and took it to Portland, OR. The next day we picked up Large Rolls of Paper and took them to Phoenix, AZ.... then deadheaded just south of there to Tempe and picked up 55-gallon drums of Coating for Foam Roofing and took them to Brawley, CA. (just north of El Centro). Then we deadheaded all the way up to Los Angeles to take a load of Hangers to Denver, CO...... and that is where we got "stuck". We have been in Denver since Thursday, and it is now Saturday, with no good prospects of moving until Monday. We need to get back to San Diego to pick up our "new" truck and then get a load that has been contracted for us.... another load of Hangers in Los Angeles going to Dallas, TX, this time.

So now we are just waiting in Colorful Colorado....
God is sooo Good. At each place His gives us parking places, and people to talk to, and Peace.
Amen.

Las Vegas... and leaving Las Vegas

2007-09-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

We drive (pretty much) straight through from Ft. Worth to Flagstaff, AZ, and stop for just a minute, then head to Kingman, AZ. We sleep there, then head to Las Vegas the next day. We think we are going to be really early for our 2pm delivery.... only this truck doesn't have any Jake Brakes. (Jake Brakes are special engine brakes that somehow use the power of the engine to slow it down.. amazing.) But without Jake Brakes, you are stuck just using your regular service brakes.

We run into some pretty severe hills between Kingman, AZ and Las Vegas, NV.... and we are having to use our service brakes quite a bit. We used lower gears, and applied "controlled braking" apply & release,.... only..... half way through the hills our tractor(truck) brakes started smoking. So we had to stop and let them cool off a bit (15 mins) and we start taking the hills even slower...... So we get there only 20 mins early..... but still on time!

We get unloaded (pretty much) right away, and we head to our pick up. Get loaded with Wood, heading for Lowe's distribution warehouse in Stockton, CA.....
All Right we are heading in the right direction.... toward Home!
(or so we thought...)

Still Leaks...

2007-09-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

Well, the scilicone didn't work (sorry sweetie), and we hit another storm on the way out of Texas...

We waited in line at the new Wal-Mart to unload... it took a while.... and there were grasshoppers all around and up their walls too. Weird.

We see a "roach coach" and get something to eat. Yummy breakfast burritos.

After we unload, we went to the Flying J in Wichita Falls, and waited. Wendy at Schneider and Debbie at Sam Kholi Ent (SKE) couldn't find us a load out of there. So... we waited. We waited for a load, and we waited for a fax from Brook for signs to put on the doors. The name of the company and other information are required to be on the doors.... but the paper signs that WERE on the doors got blown off during the storm. So she faxed us new signs and we taped them onto the doors. (inside sheet protectors). he-he..... I almost typed... sheep protectors. :)

Finally, Wendy finds us a "beer" load for Miller beer out of Ft. Worth (about 50 miles east) heading for Las Vegas. Only it doesn't load until tomorrow at 4pm. But this gives us time to search every truck stop between Wichita Falls and Ft. Worth for Cargo Straps and Load Locks. (We were looking for a particular kind of Load Lock... but no such luck.)

So at the final place, we buy the Load Locks that are available. It's a good thing we did. THIS load needed them. Miller beer uses the Cargo Straps for a bulk head, and the Load Locks for stabilizer bars in the rear.
We got to Ft. Worth the night before and go to a truck stop about 3 exits away and sleep. We actually show up to Miller 3 hours early, and they take us!! Yeah.

As we are heading out of Texas... we run through another storm. (not quite as bad).... but we find out that the front windshield still leaks. Bummer.

Phoenix, AZ to Wichita Falls, TX

2007-09-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

I have to admit... this is Way Better than what we have been doing! Thank you God!!!

We deadhead (means miles traveled while empty) up to Phoenix, AZ. It was a good thing we had an hour and a half to get there because the address on our paperwork was wrong, twice.

The first address said 417 W. Buckeye Road, then below that it said that the above address was wrong it should read 417 E. Buckeye Road.

We leave Casa Grande at 10am, and arrive at 417 E. Buckeye Road at 10:50am, only it is an empty lot! So we call the client and they tell us the correct address is 4417 W. Buckeye Road. Thank God we are only about 15-20 mins away. We arrive at the correct address at 11:20am. Still On Time.

Leroy checks in, and Laurie backs up to the dock!!! I actually did it all by myself. Yeah! I think my knees are gradually getting use to the clutch.

We get loaded, and are able to fax the papers we need to fax to Wendy at Schneider. Yeah! Last time, we faxed ONE page at the TA and it costs $3. Ouch! This time is was free, since we asked the shipper if we could use their machine! Yeah! Much better.

Thursday, 9/6/07
Leave shipper about 1:00pm.
We stop at the QT (a truck stop on I-10) in Phoenix to weigh our truck. It turns out to be a Medium weight, 57,900 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). We are carrying Wire Decking. (I have no idea what that is.) To a new Wal-Mart in Wichita Falls, TX.

From Phoenix, we head up to Flagstaff to catch the I-40 heading East.... All the way from Phoenix to Flagstaff, I (Laurie) am driving and having "tummy trouble", and all this time Leroy is sleeping. I am having to stop about every hour to "go". Finally when we get to Flagstaff -- a great truck stop at I-40 exit 198 "Little America" -- Laurie takes some Imodium AD and we decided to stay the rest of the night. Good choice, that way we are close to a bathroom, and we get a chance to look around this place. Wow! - With all the figurines, it makes me think of my Uncle Jeff. He collects Native American (Indian) statues and old cars models, and... boy does this place have a great selection. Lots of stuff, and a diner too.

Friday, 9/7/07
We get up and Bobtail (unhook the trailer and just use the tractor/truck) to a nearby Albertson's for some supplies. Come back, do a thorough Pre-Trip Inspection, eat breakfast/lunch then head out. about 12:30pm.

Laurie is driving and feeling much better. It is really nice to have all this time. One of us drives one day... the other drive the next day.

Laurie driving through Arizona.

5:00pm
We get stopped at the border check point going into New Mexico. We are told to stop and go into the Border office. We are told that we will need to buy a one-day permit in order to cross NM! We call Jim. He gives a credit card number to the lady behind the counter (who is very rude - but we are nice :) to pay for the permit. The cost of the Permit is based on weight - 57900 gvw. $57.25 (for permit) + $8.95 (fee) for using a credit card. Ouch! Our new company does not have a "permit" to carry heavy loads across New Mexico. They have applied for the permit about 2 months ago, but it hasn't come in the mail yet..... But No One told us. If we had known we could have gotten cash out at an ATM before hitting the border and have been prepared for all of this..... Oh Well. We know that each thing that comes our way each day is known by God, and filtered through Him, for our good.

After that I drive some more, and we stop in Casa Blanca, NM for dinner. After that, Leroy drives til a little past midnight. I try to sleep while he is driving, but can't. Leroy drives to Santa Rosa, NM where we stop for the night.

Saturday, 9/8/07
In the morning Leroy drives again.

Leroy driving through New Mexico.

We stop at a DQ in Tucumcari, NM. (Yum!) It is the last town in NM on the I-40 East, before crossing into Texas.

My mom, Irene, emailed me about these great Life-sized sculptures of Jesus' last days somewhere near Amarillo TX....which so happens we are going to be near. I think we should stop, especially since we have the time... might as well.
(More on those in the next blog.)

4:30pm local time
So we stop and see them. Wow!!! If you ever get a chance... go see them! It is really worth your time. Along with the sculptures is the Largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere! You can see it from about 5 miles in each direction.

FYI... they are about 35 miles east of Amarillo, TX... I-40, exit 112.

This stop to see the sculptures was sooo God! It had been raining the day before, so everything was a little muddy, but the sun was shining when we were there, and it was beautiful!

After we see them ... we go to exit 96 to a Love's Truck Stop for the night. During the night it starts Raining, and Lightening, (but no thunder as far as I could tell)... so I slept kinda of on/off. It was sooo nice of God to give us that window of time to see the sculptures and get to a safe haven for the night. We serve an Awesome God!!

Unusual: at the Love's Truck Stop I notice hundreds of grasshoppers all over the ground! I asked the clerk inside about them, she said she didn't know but maybe the rain yesterday had brought them out. They were everywhere on the ground and up the walls of the outside of the building. very Weird.

Sunday, 9/9/07
We get up in the morning, Laurie drives. There are no church services at this truck stop, so we start driving south to Wichita Falls, TX. As we are going through this little town called Claude, TX... we spot a cafe called The Crazy Little Cafe. The building is bright yellow with silhouettes of people dancing on it. Cute! There are cars in front and a big parking lot for trucks on the side. We stop here for breakfast. Good food!

From Claude, TX to Wichita Falls is about 200 miles.... and it rained all the Way. So what normally takes about 4 hours to drive, took about 5 hours. But that's OK. Better safe than sorry.
We are now at a Love's Truck Stop in Wichita Falls, TX... about 5 miles from where we will drop the load first thing tomorrow morning.... and it is still Raining with Lightening!

Bad News... the front windshield leaks. Right in front of the driver, onto the dashboard. We discovered this while driving, and when it started raining. At first we put Leroy's t-shirts on the dashboard to catch the drips, but his shirts got soaked.... but it worked until we could get to the Love's. At the Love's, Leroy bought some clear silicone and climbed up on the hood in the rain, and put the silicone on the windshield. Bless His Heart!! -- (I hope it works. OK so far!)

Good night for now.
and God Bless. :)

Starting with Sam Kholi Enterprises

2007-09-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

We took our drive tests with Jim, and passed!

Our first load was assigned to us by Jim, on Monday 9/3/07, Labor Day.
Actually, Sam Kholi Enterprises has recently contracted with Schneider National to do some of their "over flow" jobs. So this load is for Schneider.

We are taking a load of general department store stuff from City of Industry, CA (COI) to Casa Grande, AZ (south of Phoenix) to a brand new Target store, ...... and what is nice... we have a lot of time to get there (unlike when we worked for JIT).
We have to pick up the load by 8am on Tuesday, 9/4/07 in COI, and deliver it in Casa Grande at 9am on Thursday 9/6/07. No Problem!

Sam (Kholi) is buying several "new" trucks (2006 Kenworths - nice) and several new trailers (that will be stenciled with "Jesus Christ is Lord -- Not a Swear Word"), but they haven't arrived from Texas yet.... so we will be taking the "training" truck (that we took on the drive test) and an unmarked trailer. It's still OK.... A 2000 Freightliner is still better than anything we drove at TLC. And the A/C works. Yeah!!!

We got a ComData card for fueling, took the truck and trailer home to load all of our stuff into it, then headed up to COI the night before. We stayed at the TA (Travel Centers of America) in Ontario, CA (about 16 miles from where we need to be for the pickup). This was very good for logistics, but we didn't sleep very well.

So we get up on Tuesday, 9/4/7, and get to the pick up point early.... 7:30am for an 8am appointment time.

We get all loaded, and head back to the TA to get some sleep.

We also get Idle-Aire. See yellow tube going into the truck?

Side Note:
Idle-Aire is very cost effective. With Idle-Aire you get...
A/C, 110v outlets (x 4),
TV channels free - if you have a TV, or they will loan you a TV,
Pay-Per-View channels (optional extra),
ethernet connection to the Internet, and several other things.

Idle-Aire costs about $2/hour.
To idle the truck uses about 2 gallons per hour, and fuel costs about $3/gallon.
You do the Math.

Also... Jim said that Sam Kholi Enterprises (SKE) will reimburse us for the Idle-Aire. Yeah!

We sleep all day Tuesday, 9/4/07.

We get up and leave Ontario, CA at Midnight Wednesday, 9/5. Leroy is driving.
We arrive in Casa Grande, AZ on Wednesday, 9/5/07 at 9am, and try to get permission to deliver a day early, but they say No. They only have crews available on assigned days and times to unload the trucks.

So... we find a truck stop about 5 miles away and wait all day. We get showers, do laundry, rest, etc....

On our paperwork is says to be to the delivery point the night before, and we found out that there will be 4 other trucks needing to be unloaded beside us. So.. we decide to go to the construction site (the new Target) and sleep there. We arrive there about 8pm. We are hoping for a "first come-first served" unloading order....
By 7am, it is RAINING due to high humidity and heat. We get soaked checking in.

At 8am, the Target crew arrive and show us on our paperwork there are numbers as to who will be unloaded first... we are number 4.
They have two docks and start unloading the first two trucks right away.

Oh... I forgot to mention... on the way to this delivery we are assigned another load by the Schneider dispatcher, Wendy.
Pick up in Phoenix (about 45 mins away) at 11:30am on Thursday, 9/6/07.
Now there is a time pressure to get unloaded on time.

God Bless 'Em... they unloaded us pretty quick. We were all done by 10:00am.
Now we head up to Phoenix..... Laurie is driving now. :)

August 2007 and TLC-Total Logistics Cargo of San Diego

2007-09-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

August was a blur....
I returned home after leaving Werner, and started driving with my wonderful husband, Leroy.
Leroy worked for a company called TLC (Total Logistics Cargo) out of San Diego, CA.... actually Otay Mesa... right on the border to Mexico.
I joined him there.

TLC hauls almost exclusively for a company called Steelcase. Steelcase has a huge warehouse in the City of Industry, CA (COI). That is in the Los Angeles area.
Steelcase makes office furniture. Metal desks, chairs, filing cabinets, almost anything to do with office furniture.
We would deadhead (bobtail) from San Diego, CA up to COI, pick up a loaded trailer and do deliveries throughout California, and several times up to Puyallup, Washington.
We took loads to San Fransisco, Livermore, UCLA, Ventura, Kaiser at Woodland Hills, all over....
The people at TLC are very nice...
the only problem is the equipment (the trucks) are very OLD, and not in very good condition. Several have bad oil leaks, one truck had a really bad air leak in the primary air line.... Like 100 lbs of pressure to 0 lbs in 10 seconds. When we did the pre-trip and discovered this leak... we refused to drive the truck! They found us another truck. Most trucks don't have A/C or the A/C hardly works.... which is bad when you are trying to sleep while the other person is driving, or trying to sleep during the HOT days.

On our last run for TLC, we were headed to Puyallup, WA. We drove as far as Dunnigan, CA. and stopped at the Pilot truck stop there. We arrived about 2 am. Neither one of us had had very good sleep in the last couple of nights, so we both took sleeping pills and went right to sleep. When we woke up at 8am, we discover that our truck has been hit!!
Actually, "hit and run".

Luckily... there was a witness who saw the whole thing and got the trucking company name... and even tried to warn the driver using the CB, that he was backing into our truck... but the driver just kept backing. It must not have been a violent hit.... since he was backing up slowly... we figured it just slowly "mushed" the front hood to the right, and that is why we didn't feel anything... (that and the sleeping pills) :)

Leroy and a couple of men nearby pushed the hood back into place (as much as possible) and secured it with a bungee cord. We also tried to bungee cord the light back in place... that didn't work too well. :)

We called our boss, then we called the CHP (who wouldn't come out and take a report because the truck stop is private property, and there were no bodily injuries), and the same was true with the local Sheriff. We did get all the info from the witness and passed it on to TLC for them to follow up.

Since our load was due the next day, another TLC driver (who also was headed to the same delivery point) came over to our location. He and Leroy shuttled the two trailers. First our trailer, then the other guys trailer. They drove team, straight up and straight back - twice - 14 hours each way. That was a LOT of driving in a short time period.

I stayed with the damaged truck. I had to wait until Monday to take it into the Freightliner dealer in Sacramento (about 35 miles south). Two problems.... one: with the headlights out, I could only drive it during the daylight.... two: there were Fleas in the truck!!! It is hard to lay down to sleep, knowing you are going to be bitten... ouch! Itch, Itch, scratch, scratch.

While Leroy was shuttling the trailers.... I took the damaged truck to the Freightliner dealer. I got an Estimate... but the owner decided to have us bring the truck back to San Diego where she could take the truck to someone she knows who can fix it cheaper. So I drove south (about 30 miles) to another truck stop and waited for Leroy.

After Leroy returned to me, I was able to get to a Wal-Mart and get some Flea spray. Yea! We sprayed everything! bedding, matresses, pillows...everything. It was bad!

The good news... the day that Leroy returned to me was our Wedding Anniversary. (8/28/99)We celebrated 8 years!! We were just happy to be together again! ( We will do dinner and a movie after we get back to San Diego.)

Thank God for Pre-Pass. That allowed us to bypass the scales/weight stations while we limped back to San Diego in a damaged truck. We just drove during the daylight, and returned as quickly as possible.

This was our last run with TLC.
We started on 9/4/07 with a company called Sam Kholi Enterprises....

Last Run with Werner

2007-08-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

We did finally get the load.
Because the load was picked up at 9pm, my trainer drove it all the way back to Phoenix, AZ. We arrived at 7:30am and drop the trailer at the Werner terminal. She stayed up all night.
We finally got assigned a load going to Salt Lake City, UT.
I got to drive... for a short while. about 3 hours.
First we spent 2 hours (10am-12pm) looking for an empty trailer. Got one. I drove to the pick up point just north of the Werner terminal in Phoenix. Pick up appointment is 1pm.
I backed the trailer starting from the street, back through an opening in a fence, and back up to the loading dock. ** This is my first backing not in a Werner yard. I did igreat. Didn't hit anything, and only had to do a few pull ups to get it straight. (while the trainer was sleeping finally.)

While they were loading our truck, I realized that the trailer has a very bald tire on it. We checked the tires when we hooked it up, but the big bald spot must have been on the bottom.
So... now we have to go back to the terminal to get a new tire.... time slipping by.... and now we are under a load with a deadline. (2:00pm - 3:55pm for tire replacement.)
Finally have good tires and are on our way. I'm driving. Yea!

Next weird thing....
As we were headed north a few blocks from the terminal toward the 10 Interstate.... we had to stop for a RailRoad Crossing, lights and sounds of an oncoming train.
Only... there is NO TRAIN. We waited from 4:05pm til 5:40pm.
Werner has a VERY strict policy... NO U-TURNS ever!
We call the home office Safety division. They say Wait.
So... we wait.
The police come by, but couldn't get the Railroad arms working. So we wait for them to contact the Transit Authority for the Railroad.
Finally the Transit Authority for the City showed up and started directing each vehicle to turn around, and they blocked off the road for incoming traffic.
We got approval from the home office to follow the directive. We finally get turned around and go another way to the interstate. I drive from 5:40pm until about 9pm. I drive up to Flagstaff, AZ. At Flagstaff, my trainer decides that she should drive the rest of the way.

She starts driving at 9pm. I stay awake with her for a few hours, then try to sleep while the truck is in motion. (not so good, but I get some "cat naps" in). At 9:30am the next morning I wake up and we are at a rest stop about 169 miles from Salt Lake City. I suggest that I drive now, but she says she wants to take the load all the way. Her 14-hour clock will end at 11am. She goes over her 14-hour clock. We finally arrive in Salt Lake at 12:30pm at a Sapp's Brothers truck stop and get fuel. Again, I suggest that I can drive. Again, she says that she will drive to the Werner yard where we are to drop the trailer.
At 1:30pm, after the trailer is dropped, then she lets me drive, about 2 miles to a Wal-Mart parking lot (to get something to eat at a restaurant next door), then about 10 miles to my hotel. All together about 20 mins of driving.

I then spend 4 days in a hotel, and really get to missing my husband, Leroy.
It was then that I decide to quit Werner, take a bus home (18 hours), and start driving team with Leroy.

There were some issues with my trainer....like her not having any money-so I was buying her meals, and no cell phone-so she borrowed mine all the time, and not letting me drive, and telling me how to walk across the street, and being very sarcastic and negative--but I could have just asked for another, different trainer.... but the real reason I quit was because I missed my husband and didn't want to be away from him any longer. One month was too long.
So Home I went. Yea!

Getting assigned a truck and starting to drive

2007-07-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

We were assigned a truck that was a POS, so my trainer asked to search the yard for another truck. We got a better truck, but the batteries were dead.

Two days in the shop to fix the batteries, and some other things, and to get the Pre-Passes and Toll passes sent overnight.

Load #1
7/18/07
Ontario, CA to Prescott, AZ (Sears)
My trainer drove for most of the time. But that was OK with me. I was a little nervous to start.
I eventually got to drive, and tried to back in (Sears in Prescott), but couldn't get it.... so my trainer back it in. It was a tight space, but I tried.

Load #2
7/19/07
Flagstaff, AZ to El Paso, Tx (Purina)
I got to back in the empty trailer, and pick up the loaded trailer at Purina. The trailer was too low, so we had to let out the air in the suspension to hook it up. OK. I drove on/off for about 5 hours.

Load #3
7/20/07
El Paso, TX to Phoenix, AZ (Werner-split)
I got to drive about 5 hours..... Yea!
Something is wrong.... My left shoulder is killing me, and there is a pinching sensation between my shoulder blades. Hope this goes away soon. I have asked for prayer, and will rest it.
My trainer has some home time coming up in a few days (7/26/07), so we are trying to make sure we get loads that will make that happen.
IT IS SOOOO HOT!!! I'm melting.... the A/C is only working about 1/2 way.
But in the Phoenix terminal.... to get the A/C fixed will take 4 Days!!! Not right now...

Load #4
7/21/07 - 7/22/07
Phoenix, AZ to El Paso, TX (Werner Ladders)
After Prayer....some rest, and taking some Ibuprofen... I didn't have any pain in my shoulder!!! Praise God!!
We got this load assigned to us at about 8pm.... It took 45 mins to find the right trailer in the Phoenix yard. I can only drive until 12-midnight because I am a student, so I drove from 9pm til 11:30pm. My trainer's 14-hour clock went from 7:30am - 9:30pm. So we had to stop for the night in New Mexico. We delivered the load in the am. I got to back in. !!
Straight line back. easy. Good.

7/23/07
They tried to give us a load to San Antonio, TX.... 550 miles in the opposite direction that we need to be going (to Utah).... we finally got taken off that load.

7/24/07
We waited all day for a load. It finally came through.
It should be available about 8:30pm. Guess where it is going...
El Paso, TX back to Phoenix, AZ.
I think we can drive this stretch in our sleep. :)
My trainer will take the night shift... 9pm - 9am.
I'll be driving the next load (hopefully)... to Salt Lake City, UT. 9am - 9pm.
This will be my first time sleeping while the truck is in motion...... we'll see how that goes....
God is Good!!

Days 4 - 8

2007-07-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

Day 4 Wed. 7/11. (Day 1 of waiting)
Waiting for a trainer to be assigned to me. I already knew this would take a little while because I requested a Female/Non-smoker..... Female trainers are rare... Female/Non-smokers are even more rare...... That's OK. I will wait.

Day 5 Thurs. 7/12 (Day 2 of waiting)
Waiting for a trainer to be assigned to me.
Did laundry at the terminal.
I get approved for an EFS check to get an advance on my pay. $40. But $44 will be charged to my account when I get me first paycheck.
I walk down to the nearest truck stop to cash the check. They charge $3 to cash it (standard).

But at least I have $37 to live on for a few days.
At about 6pm, I get assigned a Roommate.
She is 3/4 the way through her 275 training hours. She has had 5 different trainers so far, and is waiting for a trainer to complete her final 70 hours.

Day 6 Fri. 7/13 (Day 3 of waiting)
Waiting for a trainer, and taking it easy.

Day 7 Sat. 7/14 (Day 4 of waiting)
A friend of the family, James, (who also happens to be my Truck Driving school instructor) is driving his motorcycle north from San Diego, CA to the hotel in San Bernardino, CA to have dinner with me. I like that... a friendly face, instead of just looking at the walls of the hotel room. He takes me to El Toritos. Yum! and gives me $40. He is such a wonderful friend.

Finally I get THE call!!! I get assigned a trainer. Yea!!
I am her first student, and she is my first trainer. (Hopefully, my only trainer.)
We meet and talk for a while and really hit it off.
I go to dinner with James, and she goes to dinner with a friend of hers.

We (me & the trainer) meet afterwards to do some shopping at Wal-Mart & Food 4 Less to get set up for when we need to leave... probably on Monday.

They assigned her (us) a truck, but she is going to try to get a different truck, hopefully a better truck. We'll see how it plays out Monday.

Day 8 Sunday 7/15.
The room I'm in develops a problem with the toilet, so we (me & roommate) get assigned to another room, but my roommate decides she wants a room with a refer & micro, so she asked to be moved again. My trainer offers to share her room with me.... so I move in with my trainer. I figure... I might as well get used to it, since we will be in close quarters in the truck very soon.
Hanging out and relaxing....
We also get to read some scripture. Psalms 23 & 100. Nice.
God is Good!

Day 3 - Day 2 of Orientation

2007-07-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

Day 3
(Day 2 of Orientation)
5:30 am Breakfast in lobby of hotel
6:00 am Shuttle to Werner Terminal in Fontana, CA
6:30 am Class Starts
Go over homework, more paperwork, more videos, ... and finishing up the computer-based training videos.... some people didn't finish because we had a large class (18-20) and not enough computers to go around. They will finish theirs tomorrow morning.

Day 2 - Day 1 of Orientation

2007-07-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Day 2
(Day 1 of Orientation)
5:30 am Breakfast in Lobby of hotel
6:00 am shuttle to Werner Terminal in Fontana, CA.
6:30 am Start orientation class
Lots of paperwork... a DOT physical (Yes, they will do their own DOT physical. So you will be getting a new Medical Card... even if you already have one previously issued)... photo taken for company badge.... safety videos... going over company policies...
They provided lunch. (Yum, spaghetti)
More paperwork.... more videos.... assigned some homework regarding map reading, trip planning & getting to know your employee handbook.... then more computer-based training videos. (You do these at your own pace. Each video has a minimum time limit you must spend viewing it.)
7:15 pm catch suttle back to hotel
7:40 pm Arrive back at hotel..... Long Day... Lots of Info. Brain is tired.
Talk to Leroy, talk to Mom.
9:30 pm Try to do homework -- did some.... but am really tired, so...

11:00 pm I head for bed.

Getting Started with Werner

2007-07-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

After some advice and phone calls for comparisons, I decided to start my trucking career with Werner Enterprises. I got to pick my start date Monday, (7/9/07), and they offered to bus me to the hotel (La Quinta Inn) location in San Bernardino, CA. the night before orientation started. But I opted to have my husband drive me north from San Diego, CA on Sunday, 7/8/07. That way I could be with my husband, Leroy, for a few extra minutes.
I will be gone for 6 to 8 weeks.

As it turned out... After I had told them I would get there on my own.... we found out that Leroy was assigned a run by his company, and would have to leave on Sunday morning. So, at 6am, Leroy drove me up to my brother, Jon's, apartment in Fullerton, (arriving at 8am), and a few hours later, Jon drove me the rest of the way to the hotel.

This way.... I got to have a nice drive up with Leroy,.... got to spend some quality time with my bro Jon, and since he knows the area... he knew exactly how to get me to the hotel. Jon stayed with me while I checked in, (they were going to have me share a room-no problem, but she was a smoker and I'm not... so they gave me my own room!! God is sooo good), then Jon helped me take my luggage up to my room, and get all squared away. Brothers are wonderful.

Now do a little blogging, then I'll get some sleep, and be in the lobby - ready for the shuttle to Werner by 6am.
Nighty-Night.

In The Beginning....

2007-06-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

This adventure actually started almost a year ago, (Aug. '06).

AUGUST 2006
Leroy had done some construction work in the past, and more recently, some Telemarketing, and HATED both jobs. I had been in office work for some time. I liked the work, but wasn't going anywhere.... so we started looking in the newspaper for jobs.
Low and behold there was an ad to come and listen to a 2-hour seminar about Trucking. We went and got really excited. It was a career that we could be together, see the country and get paid for it. It sounded perfect. So we applied... but Leroy was turned down because of an incident in his background.
We spent some time in prayer, and decided to find a local Trucking School, and get our CDL licenses, then apply to trucking companies..... thus started our "long haul" adventure of getting into the Trucking industry. Little did we know what was to come.....

SEPTEMBER 2006
We were positive, we were excited! and we thought that we should be able to do this transition right away. So we sold one of our cars, our motorcycle, about 90% of our "stuff" (in three consecutive weeks of yard sales) and put our mobilehome up for sale. (After all, we won't need any of these things if we are going to be living out of a truck... right?)
Well... our mobile home wasn't selling because of a hole in the flooring. So we decided to move out of the mobilehome (9/23/06), and in with my parents (who are great, and supportive, and gracious), so we can repair/remodel the mobilehome and sell it to get tuition money for the Trucking school.
We were thinking.... a month, maybe 6 weeks, and we would be all set...... Trucking here we come.

OCTOBER 2006
At first we were going to pay someone else to do the work, but we didn't have enough money for that.... so Leroy volunteers to do the work. We buy the materials and start.
The end of Oct... Remodeling is taking forever! The sub-flooring needs to be torn out and replaced. (Things always take longer than you think.) My brother, Jon, comes and helps for a couple of weekends, but it is still taking time.
One good thing.... we found a really good church in Santee, CA.
Pathways Community Church. The people are great and the services are inspiring.

NOVEMBER 2006
We are painting the whole interior white, and sub-flooring that needs to be replaced - we are getting quite a workout. We go over every day and work. We don't have any other jobs at the moment, so my parents are supporting us.

DECEMBER 2006
The painting is finally finished (with a lot of help from family and friends), and Leroy & Jon finally gets the sub-flooring pulled out and reinstalled. Next comes installing new carpeting throughout, and new linoleum in the kitchen, bathroom, and third bedroom. Pheww.. what a pain.

JANUARY 2007
January 14th, 2007, IT IS DONE! We list it in the PennySaver, and on Craig's List for sale. Hopefully it will sell soon. We have borrowed money from my mom - both for the finishing of the remodeling and for tuition. (She took money out of her 401k account to help get us started. Thanks Mom.)
January 15th, 2007, We start trucking school with United Truck Driving School in San Diego, Ca. Love It!! It has been a long time coming, but worth it. We are excited!

FEBRUARY 2007
We are finishing up our two weeks of driving. It is totally amazing that they had us up-shifting and down-shifting on the second day. Leroy gets some instructors that are not that great, and they end up quiting half way through our driving training time. I get a pretty good instructor, but he leaves to further his own trucking business, again, right in the middle of our training time. Leroy finishes his training and finally gets his license on 2/27/07. I (however) am delayed. I miss the last couple of days of training because my left knee swelled up like a balloon, and the pain is enormous. The emergency doctor says it is just tendonitis because of excessive use, and to stay off it for 7-10 days. I get crutches, and stay off it, with not much improvement, except now my right knee hurts because of all the excess use to that knee.
On 2/23/07, I have hernia surgery (it was scheduled previously) and continue to let my knees heal.

MARCH 2007
My primary doctor has xrays taken of my knees to rule out arthuritis. (Yea, No Arthuritis.) But we discover that my kneecaps are 'out of alignment'. They are both tracking to the outside, but the good news... that can be fixed with physical therapy (Thank God, no surgery). The bad news.... physical therapy is backed up, and won't have an opening until May.... So I wait.

Leroy - with new CDL license in hand, starts applying for jobs everywhere, online, newspaper, school placement list. A lot of places initially say Yes, then run a background check, and say No. It is getting very discouraging, but on 3/29/07, Leroy gets a break.
A company is finally willing to take a chance on him. They know he is a recent graduate, with no experience, but they give him the keys to a truck.

Leroy's Trucking career Starts!!
The load of nursery plants is going from San Diego, CA to Phoenix, Arizona, and they need him to take it quick. (I get to go along as his navigator.) He picks up the loaded truck in San Diego, and drives to El Cajon to get a couple of tires put on (per the owner). (He stalls the truck on the big hill heading into Santee. He remains calm, and restarts it.) Then we head east.
The load needs to be in Phoenix, by 8am Friday. It is now 9pm on Thursday. This means driving through the night. Leroy drives straight through the night, we are given No directions. As we are approaching Phoenix around 5am, we get verbal directions from the owner of the company's wife. (The directions are not that clear.) We see the freeway name and take the exit mentioned, but it comes out at the wrong place. Leroy drives down this surface road a long way.... and we think we might have missed the next turn. So we try to find a BIG place to pull into to get directions. We stop at one place and get further directions from some people at a McDonalds. We just need to continue down this road a little further. We end up turning the wrong way at the next turn, and we need to find a BIG empty parking lot, again, and Leroy pulls in. The turn around is tricky because of all the light poles, but he gets it around. As we are leaving we are approached by a rent-a-cop security guard, who stops us, then very firmly asks us to leave, then holds us up to let other cars pass. Go figure....
We finally make it to the customer's destination. We miss the driveway (it looks very narrow) and make a right turn, ....only it looks like a dead end. I get panicked, but Leroy remains calm. We stop, he sees that there is a road that goes around the block, then we call the customer to make sure there is room - not only to get in, but also a way to get out. They assure us that there is.
Leroy pulls in - around a curved driveway, with cars and plants all around. (Going slow is he key.) There is another truck being unloaded ahead of us,... so we wait. We arrived at 7:30am (for an 8am appointment). Leroy tries to sleep, but it is hard with No A/C in Hot Phoenix, and the unloaders bumping around in the back...... we are finally unloaded and leave at around 12:30pm.
We find out we have a load to pick up in Tucson tomorrow (Sat. 3/31/07) at 9am, so we head that way. We stop in Eloy, AZ at the Flying J. (Our first truck stop!) It is nice.
Since Leroy is new, it takes a little bit of time for him to back into a parking spot. But we finally get in, get a bite to eat and get some sleep.
We arrive in Tucson, AZ at 8:45am for our 9am appointment. We are picking up 'Windows', that are coming back to San Diego, (actually National City), but the Windows are not done and ready yet. The loader says they are making them and loading them as they go. It will be an ALL DAY thing.
We are assigned a loading dock at 10am, and get into position. We try to unhook, but the kingpin won't release. With some help from the warehouse crew and a forklift, we finally get it unhooked. The supervisor suggests we "bobtail" over to a nearby mall and see a movie (so we do) and we stop at Target to pick up some things. The loader says to be back at 3pm.
We get back at 2:30pm, they are still Not Done Loading. So we go next door to Dennys and eat a late lunch.
At 4:30pm, they are putting the final ones on the truck. Leroy signs paperwork, and re-hooks up. We leave toward San Diego at 5:30pm.
With stops for fuel, and a late dinner, we finally arrive back at Base at 2am. The load is still in the truck, and Leroy offers to complete the delivery on Monday, to National City.
Good Experience, and only a few near misses.
It was fun, and scary.

Monday, 4/2/07
The delivery can be made anytime between 8am - 12noon. I go with him again. Leroy drives down to National City, gets it all lined up and backed in and...... he (we) forgot to open the rear doors before backing into position. So Leroy pulls out, opens the doors and re-backs in.
Rookie mistake.
We return the truck to base, and we are done.
Pay $315. Leroy is now a Professional Truck Driver!

APRIL 2007
We did more runs... I'll blog those soon.

MAY 2007
We did more runs... I'll blog those soon.
Laurie starts physical therapy.

JUNE 2007
We did more runs... I'll blog those soon. And Laurie finally gets her license, on her 45th Birthday!