A wrench in our plans…..

The day after Thanksgiving, 2022, Nick & I delivered our load in the Cincinnati area, and headed for home. A little Thanksgiving cheer with the Fam, especially giving thanks for the safe delivery of TWO new grandsons, was EXACTLY what the doctor would’ve ordered for us! We weren’t sick, but we definitely were missing being with family on Thanksgiving. And since we didn’t get home for the holiday, we decided to treat ourselves, and take off the entire week after Thanksgiving.

We got to spend extra time with Baby Dale (Tom & Jess’s baby), because almost as soon as we got home, Jess went to the ER with stomach pains. Grammy & Grumpy were back in the saddle, making bottles, changing diapers, and burning the midnight oil with #1 grandson. We also found out how out-of-practice we are! Gem & Stray were very freaked out by all the coos, squeals, and shrieks that came out of that "new puppy!"

That long weekend sitting at home, caring for a tiny infant, with very little else to distract us, made us take stock of the complete disarray at home. We had hoped the boys would be able to take care of the house, and I think the house gobbled them up and spit them out.

For that same week, I had informed my boss at the school that I would be home for a week. If she needed help, I was available. She did indeed have a few days I could cover, and she would put the word out if anyone wanted to take a day off. After driving, I talked to her, she indicated that it would be great if I were able to come back. I told her that Nick and I were talking about just that, and I would let her know.

So today is exactly 2 weeks since we delivered in Cincinnati.

We turned the truck in today.

We were making progress in rediscovering the house, until we unloaded the truck. I think we TRULY lost the living room again. But we have come up with a plan!

1.       CLEAN THE HOUSE! We have so many boxes from when the boys moved out, then moved back home. Those boxes surround a dryer that doesn’t work. Many, many dining room chairs. A dining room that was turned into my sewing area for a while. A spare bedroom, full of junk, that is also Dale’s bedroom. Once I have a list of all the good junk mixed in with the garbage, I have the number of a guy who hauls junk. It may be time to cultivate a friendship with him. Or get a dumpster. I’m not picky.

2.      START THE RENO PROCESS! It’s so far past time to remove the 90’s wallpaper that is on EVERY WALL! And I don’t think I have to explain why the carpet in the bathrooms MUST GO! Painting the cabinets in the kitchen, and replacing the countertops. Replace the deck. Fence in the back yard.

3.      SELL THE HOUSE, EVENTUALLY. If we can afford to stay, and we don’t want to move right away, this step is negotiable.

4.      GET BACK IN A TRUCK AND GET OUT THERE!! While we’re home, we will be getting the endorsements we still need. Hazmat & Tanker Endorsements, as well as our passports will make us more marketable, more loads we can haul, more places we can go.

So, we aren’t sitting around feeling defeated. We will make the most of this time. Robert needs to get his permit and learn to drive. We need to go to the Columbus Zoo and see the Wildlights. I have 2 little grand-boys who need some Grammy attention. Nick is looking into getting a job that will let him use his machining experience, and his wood-working skills. I was fortunate enough to leave a job that I LOVE, and go back to my OTHER job that I love!

Our big concerns now are our Spotted Dogs. Estrella has been favoring her left rear hip for a couple of years now. We keep hip meds for her daily use, and pain meds for when she is having bad days. We were concerned we might have to leave her home, but I think she would HATE being left behind. Gemela is looking worried these days. She doesn’t mind being with Stray, but Onix (Jess’s dog) pesters her and sometimes Gem hides from her. While we were cleaning our stuff out of the truck, Gem went over to the truck. I opened the door, and she jumped right in. Then looked at us like, LET’S GO! Now that the truck is not in the driveway, they both look a little worried. HOW CAN WE BE TRUCK DOGS WITHOUT A TRUCK!! I think they can reconcile this bother, when they think about sleeping in a big giant bed that will comfortably hold both of us, and both of them.

I think I would be ungrateful, if I didn’t put out there how very THANKFUL we are for Hyfield Trucking, our fleet owners. When we mentioned what was going on at home, and how we felt required to straighten this out before going back out on the road, they completely understood, were supportive, and encouraged us to let them know when we were ready to get back out there. That attitude is absolutely how they do business. Hyfield Family.

Along with Hyfield Trucking, we are so THANKFUL for Panther Premium Logistics. They kept an eye on us, we might have faltered a time or two, but they never let us fall, and they never let us feel forgotten.

Now, here we sit, in Marysville, Ohio, feeling kind of left behind, kind of NOT in the driver’s seat, kind of sitting on the sideline. That big air ride seat is an awesome feeling, especially when you know you can see another state about 500 miles away! I can’t wait to get back up there! And I think Nick has gotten hooked too.

 

Leaving Esme.

 

We're all cleaned out of her.