The One I really do this for.....

Some of my favorite pictures of my mom, Helen Watson.

Once upon a time, I was a young girl who loved spending her time riding horses, playing with my cousins, running around the countryside where my parents purchased 5 acres from my grandparents, built a nice home and raised 2 girls (My oldest sister had graduated high school before the nice house, which was an extended family project, was finished). We had horses, a pony, dogs, rabbits, tractors, mowers, trucks and cars. That probably isn't a complete list, but that would take AGES! I was a country girl, and my mother recognized that before I even knew it made any difference. I'll never forget the time Nick & I purchased our Big Red Truck, and Mom said, "You finally got your truck!" I realized then, at the age of 44, that she was right, I had always wanted a truck. 

My mother always seemed to understand her daughters, although she didn't always use that understanding to get along with us any better. Even when I was sure I was disappointing her again, she would always do whatever she could to help me out. Again. 

When I told her about my new passion to drive a big truck with an apartment attached to it, her big concern was whether Nick would agree to it. My mother was a product of her generation, a wife is part of a couple, and should do his bidding as long as he did his part and took care of her and the family. Nick was always very diligent in the taking care of the family, so Mom encouraged me to do my part. We used to laugh, leaving their house, because if Nick left the house before me, and I would be talking to Mom & Dad for awhile longer, she grew concerned that he would get mad at having to wait for me. Nick always assured me he didn't mind waiting.

Nick's joining me on the road was always a sticking point for me. If he wouldn't go with me, I would go to truck driving school, get my Class-A CDL, and drive big trucks until I couldn't do it anymore, just so I could say I had been SOMEWHERE. Fortunately, Nick decided he had given enough of his soul to the production industry, was willing to get his Class-B CDL, and join me. My mother was SO relieved.

The last time we discussed my trucker life before her mind started tormenting her, she asked me for one thing. "You're going to run off and leave me. Will you call me everyday to let me know you're ok and where you are?" I told her we weren't even close to getting started yet, but YES, I would ABSOLUTELY call her everyday to let her know what was going on with us.

That was before Daddy died, Memorial Day Weekend, 2021. We didn't get into our truck until June 22, 2022. Mom was gone by then, she had died in January. So I decided to put the record of my adventures here, in my little blog. I like to think mom is on her computer in heaven, able to keep tabs on all of us through her Facebook page, and she would absolutely read my blog. Then tell me I didn't need to share this or that publicly, or that I could've picked a picture that flattered a little more. She was usually encouraging about my writing. Once upon a time I wrote about my dad's accident on his Cushman scooter that almost killed him. She kept that paper, I got an A on it in my college English class.

When Nick is in the sleeper, and I am going through a part of the countryside that strikes me as gorgeous in its green lushness, or barren browns, or when the sun makes fabulous shadows with the landscape or clouds, I send a little prayer heavenward, letting my mom know where we are and what we are seeing.

I love you, Mom.

Mom and her girls, I'm the baby.

There's no place like home....

 

Home sweet home?  (Love's, Hampshire, IL) 

We've been driving around in our dorm room on wheels for 3 months now. We've been to 26 states (we added Kansas yesterday), we've gradually added some Petro and Pilot truck stops to our list of hangouts, and we now consider finding an RV dump that is on our route as a total coup! 

Yesterday was the first time either of the dogs got hurt while we were out walking. We were wandering the sandy scrub around the truck stop in El Paso, when Gem slowed up and started limping. We went back to the curb (I wasn't sitting in the dirt with the bugs, snakes and scorpions!) and I checked the paw she was favoring, and found a huge grass burr and it was HARD. It poked my fingers a few times while I was getting it out! So I apologized profusely, and we limited our potty walks to the rocky verge after that. 

We learn a little bit more with every load we take. Sometimes we learn basic stuff, like when you have a heavy load and it's centered over the wheels, the truck rides really smooth. Sometimes we learn that we really like an area or maybe not so much. Sometimes it's just a realization that we've been in an area enough that we are actually familiar with it. We are figuring out the lifestyle, but trying to figure out the processes that create our paycheck is seriously complicated New Math! (My math skills are strictly basic math, and Nick did ok with geometry on the x and y axes.)

So we are settling back into truck life. Nick over-packed on t-shirts. I grabbed brand new bags of the dogs' hip & joint meds, and lost them in a space that has only 7 cabinet doors. After years of complaining that he never talks to me in the car, Nick made multiple conscious attempts to start conversations. We haven't changed a lot, still making the same type of mistakes, but he's willing to try to fix something that I have told him bothers me.

He loves me! He REALLY loves me! 

 

On the road again....

 

Wow, it has been so long since I've been on here! When I started this, I planned to be steady and consistent. Whoops. Best laid plans and all that...  Since June 22nd, we have driven through 25 of the 50 states! HALF THE COUNTRY!!! We're learning how to actually RUN in a truck instead of just driving a vehicle. To do that, you get really worn out, so playing on a computer, trying to make sense of the random thoughts and ramblings in my head can be difficult. 

One thing I bank on, every day, is this guy in the picture. Back when we were younger than any of our children are now, he wanted to take me to lunch. And today, we got lunch in Sikeston, Missouri, and in the picture, we're taking it back to the privacy of our sleeper, so we can relax with our pups. It amazes me that after 37 years together, he is willing to live in such close quarters with me, and put up with my moods. (Especially after I call him on his!) I think we both have discovered that somewhere in the last 25-30 years, we have spouted new parts to our personalities, some good and some not so good. For some reason, this guy, who has always been the best person I know, and the only person I trust, hasn't made me stop the truck so he can get out. At the end of every day, THAT is something for which I'm TRULY thankful.

We are working on our communication skills. It used to drive me nuts, in the car, he didn't have anything he wanted to talk about until I had something else to do. Now, we have so many things that require both of us, it is imperative that we can speak to each other professionally and personally without misunderstanding. 

The main reason we have been mia (missing in action) for so long, is perfectly personal: WE GOT A NEW GRANDSON!! Dale Stapp is simply wonderful! He is the spitting image of his father, our youngest son, Tom. I'm sure his mother's influence will be more obvious as he becomes more peopley, but for now he's just adorable as he is. 

Dale and his Grammy.

A good reason for some downtime...

l-r: Meghan, Shawn, Lucero, Robert, Sam, Jess

For those who don't know me very well, I come from a large, extended family. My Dad had 9 brothers and sisters, so there was usually some kind of celebration to attend. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or just Friday Night. My entire life, before my enlistment, I knew if there was nothing else going on, we would go "Up Home" and gather with all the other family members who had nothing else to do on a Friday Night. The women would gather in the kitchen, while Grandma would fix something to eat: homemade pizza, hot tuna bread, Tom's Tacos were regular offerings. Grandpa and all the guys would either circle up at the dining table to play poker or euchre, or they would congregate in the garage, usually looking at someone's new vehicle. The kids would be all over the place (I had 20 first cousins on Dad's side), running around outside if the weather was good, or the older ones would be hanging out in the living room, while the younger ones would be in the back room watching TV (especially The Dukes of Hazzard). 

 When I was little, those were my family get-togethers. Now, they look a little different, but feel just as special. 

We were home in early August to go to the in-service class so we can be eligible to drive bus for the school. We went back on the road 3 days before my son, Robert's, birthday, so we arranged to go to dinner at a place of his choosing (Buffalo Wild Wings) on Saturday. Cake at the house for anyone who wasn't too stuffed with Bdubs! (Thanks, Sam.) 

The time at home wasn't all Norman Rockwell...

We got home Tuesday, went to the class Wednesday, but before Thursday even had a chance to start, one of our neighbors called the cops because the APU (generator) on our truck was running and it was too loud. The cop came out at midnight, apologized, but said commercial vehicles were only supposed to be parked on the street for less than 4 hours. He said I could park it at Walmart or somewhere, but it couldn't stay there. So off to Wally World I went. Then Thursday we went to the fairgrounds in Plain City, to see if we could camp. Fortunately, someone had just cancelled, so he had ONE spot for the weekend. And they have an RV dump! (When you have to haul a toilet with you, finding decent places to empty it is REALLY important!) 

And, weirdly enough, I was REALLY missing being able to make a quilt. I love touching the fabrics and putting the colors together in whatever shapes. Making them with a specific little human in mind, it just gives me joy. I got some fabric before I found out that BOTH of my Oncoming Storms are going to be boys, beautiful fairy fabric with  pink, blue, yellow, & orange butterflies. Ideal for a little girl (and anyone else who likes butterflies or fairies) so I held onto it until I found out that my BEAUTIFUL friend's daughter just had a LOVELY little girl. So I cut fabrics apart, so I could stitch it back together for her. It felt wonderful getting back to the sewing machine!

So, we found out we still have at least one grumpy neighbor left who would rather talk to the cops than us, did our laundry, had a wonderful time with the kids, and did some work other than the truck. Then Monday came and we hit the ground running... and that's the next blog!

The Fairy Quilt

So, who is herding this hog, anyway?

Well, OBVIOUSLY, it's the girls! We have had our doubts about everyone else! Me? I set my phone & smart watch to Eastern Time so I could keep track of when loads need picked up or dropped off. (Panther keeps track of everything on Eastern Time because they are based in Medina, Ohio.) It makes it easier to keep track of timing for loads, but if not for Google, I'd NEVER know what local time is in most of these places! Nick? As Nick told me from the beginning of this adventure, this is my dream, and he will let me do what I need to do. So he is willing to drive when and where he needs to, but he's happy to ride shotgun. Our Mentors? They have TONS of experience, and they could absolutely tell us what to do. That just isn't the way the Mentor Program at Hyfield Trucking works. Hyfield put us in a great truck, they pay for fuel and maintenance, Panther sets us up with loads going all over the place, which we don't have to take if we don't want to go to that geographical location or if we need to take time off for some reason. Our mentors are a phone call away, whenever we have questions or problems. Those phone calls are almost constant at the start, but as you repeat things a few times, you start to have a whisper of a hope that maybe you DO know what you are doing! Panther? Just today, they authorized us to move from City A to City B because B has more loads per day, on average. We got half way to City B, when they sent us a load offer to go back to City A, get a load and take it to City B. They may have the loads and channel the money, but they are DEFINITELY not herding THIS hog! So, I guess that leaves 2 choices: 1.) Esme, the Expediting Freightliner, is guiding herself, and we are holding on and enjoying the ride, OR 2.) It really is the girls, controlling us, so we take them wherever they want to go. If you have ever been on the receiving end of Gem's side-eye, you know it is a very viable possibility.

OMG! What a week! ....... or two.

 

Hyfield Pups!

Last thing I remember, we were running back and forth along the Rio Grande, sweating our butts off, and BAM!! It's almost Wednesday, again, TWO WEEKS LATER!!

So, let me recap: We had a training class in Medina, OH on July 12, so Panther got us loads that would get us closer for it. We picked up in Del Rio, TX, and delivered near Nashville, TN. Picked up in Gallatin, TN and delivered on Lake Erie. Had our class at Panther that was really helpful for us, then we went home to check on the kids and drop off the dogs. We went up to Fort Wayne, IN to go to the Expedite Expo and met SO MANY of our fellow Hyfield Family members, IT WAS AWESOME!

We got to spend more time with our mentors, Dana & Debb, met up with Vince & Mel again, and got to finally meet Kelly & Delenna, the Expedite Chics. We were introduced to so many Hyfield people: George & Teresa, Tony & Morgan, Paula & Jason,  Jaime & Patrick, Jackie &  Michael, Jim & Julie, Helder & Sharon, Patrick Lee, Eric Hyfield, Donnie Lee, Frank & Stephanie...,. And so many more! 

And even better than ALL of that, we reconnected with a couple we met last year, David & Dorothy, who we were able to introduce to our mentors. Hopefully, next year, they'll be coming to the Expo with more stories than questions! 

Coming home after Expo, we had a cookout with the offspring, even the GrandGirl! We did laundry, cleaned the truck, took out stuff we didn't need, replaced things we used up,  and had lunch with Chris & Mike, my sister & brother-in-law. 

So Monday evening, we were rearranging the truck, when the call came and we were back on the road again. And that is the continuing story, of a wonderful guy who humors his wife by letting her play trucker

¡Vive mi Estrella!

 

It's been a really interesting couple of weeks since we started this new adventure. Driving the big old truck has basically been a matter of getting used to a slightly bigger vehicle than the school bus, on roads that are usually wider and definitely longer than my bus route, among other drivers who are definitely not as considerate or sympathetic as many people are to school bus drivers. I expected to find it difficult to live in a tiny world with another fully opinionated person and 120 pounds of dog, but surprisingly, with the addition and proper maintenance of a Porta-Potti, this hasn't been the most challenging part of the adventure. The biggest challenge is probably figuring out how to do the paperwork. BUT as of this morning, I think all of our loads (which were delivered on time!) had their accompanying paperwork accepted, so we eventually expect to get paid! 

Part of driving (anywhere) is the billboards.  Alabama, Arizona, California, Kentucky, Louisiana,  Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, & Texas are no different to Ohio in that regard. So, seeing a name you call every day (but most people have difficulty pronouncing) on a billboard like it's as common a word as "Star", you take a picture of it! 

Speaking of Estrella, she is doing really well with this nomadic lifestyle. It may be my vanity, but I enjoy that if I'm up front, she lays between the seats. If I go back in the sleeper, she'll lay with me either on her bed or ours. Gem adores Nick, but she's happy to lay on the bed while we're driving or she'll split her time sitting up front and laying with whomever is sleeping. And she does SIT. The side-eye we get when we kick her out of the navigator's seat is always entertaining to us. 

We spent the 4th of July in El Paso. Once upon a time, we celebrated the 4th in all the common ways, parades, cookouts, fireworks, etc. Then we had Beau (Robert), who loved SEEING the fireworks, but dreaded the BOOMS. Then we were blessed to get Sam back from Iraq, but we realized at the next 4th of July that all the sparkle fizzled when it put a deathly fear in his eyes. And now we have the girls to consider. The truck stop where we spent the weekend had a fireworks stand not far behind it, and every night they had a small display. We usually caught the start of it when we were walking the girls before dark. Gem was kind of tough about it, but Stray just freaked out at the first boom. Once in the truck, with the APU (generator) and AC on, we could barely hear them, but she could. And Monday night, I guess they shot off what they hadn't sold by then. It was the longest fireworks display that I never watched. 

We spent Tuesday waiting for a load that didn't come, typical after a holiday weekend. This morning when a load came and went (canceled for whatever reason), our mentors recommended a change of scenery, with company blessing so they will pay for the fuel to get to a better location. Now we are headed east, getting ready for our next load. 

That was a HECK of a start!

 Well, we got on the road... hope that doesn't spoil anything for you!  It took us until Wednesday, June 22nd, to get everything together and loaded in the truck. We went to Bellefontaine to fuel up, fill up water tanks and get our weight. From there we went to Detroit and on to Montgomery,  AL. 

We were almost delivered, when Panther called wanting us to deadhead (drive empty) to Dallas and deliver in California. So here we are in Arizona, hoping Gem & Stray can learn how to cat in a giant litter box! 

Since we made it to the weekend and had a few days until we deliver, we stayed over at a Love's truck stop so we had parking, access to bathroom and showers, and plenty of time to organize our stuff. We are also able to top off all the tanks, before we head out. 

We are a little spoiled by all the accommodations in the truck. We can eat or drink what we have with us, watch movies, play games and chill with the dogs. We are also able to get whatever snacks strike our fancy from Love's. It's going to be a challenge to avoid gluttony. 

On the positive side, Nick & I have probably talked as much in the last week as we did in the entire last year he worked at Abrasive. We drove I-20 from Monroe, LA to Marshall, TX in the middle of the night, and being back on familiar territory, seeing all the familiar names and roads and towns, brought back a LOT of memories and thoughts of people we used to know. 

This brings us back to Monday, a week after we got the truck. First delivery done, the second followed right behind it. We got almost all the way north and south, then almost all the way east and west. Not a bad week. Not too bad at all. 

We're excited, but REALLY nervous!

 It's Sunday night, the day before move-in day, and we aren't completely sure we have everything we need for the truck, but we think we can wing it with what we have.....I hope. 

With the Spotted Dogs, Stray & Gem, being 80 & 40 pounds respectively, this old couple ordered a set of steps from www.PetLoader.com to get them in to & out of the truck. We went last Monday (6/13/22) to see if the steps would fit in the doorway of the truck, and if there was a good spot to keep them stored while driving. We were expecting a "same as" truck, but our truck was there so we got to see it. Beau even got to sit in it. I think we got his seal of approval. 

My main concern when driving long distances, for work or personal trips, is being stuck somewhere with no bathroom. The bigger, better trucks have more kitchen facilities and some even have a full bathroom with toilet AND shower. As we are brand, stinking new, we don't have a bathroom, so we got on Amazon and got us a Porta-Potti. I'm ready for ALMOST anything now! 

We are organizing everything we've been told we need, plus everything the dogs need, plus things we THINK we might need or will at least appreciate having on hand. Stuff for a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, office, living room AND the truck! The fleet owner is providing everything we have to have in the truck to do deliveries, so we don't have to stress over that, thank goodness! 

I'm hoping once we can start putting this stuff INTO the truck I won't be so worried about setting something down, putting something else on top of it, and then losing it FOREVER...

TOMORROW: we get the keys of a 2019 Freightliner

TUESDAY, June 21st: we will go

The school year is over....

 

....and I must move on. We cleaned out our busses, turned in our keys, and sent in our resignations. It is officially over, we aren't backing out now. It was so hard watching our boss stress over getting new drivers, so when she got more good applicants than she needed, I was happy for her. The fact that I had to watch everyone else get ready for summer school and next school year, and I couldn't jump in and volunteer to drive MY bus and haul MY kids was an expected twinge, but that didn't make it feel any better. I tried to let all of my kids know I wouldn't be back next year, and gave their parents the web address to this blog if they wanted it, but that still won't replace seeing them everyday, and being an integral part of their school day. I am so excited to be able to go and see and experience what comes with my absolute favorite person in the world, but I will miss my friends from Bus 37.   K