Profile For Mouse- Kara

Hey just wanted to let everyone know that I was graced by God and got my CDL. Yesterday was my first day out with my wife and boy oh boy do I have a lot to learn good thing she is a patient trainer

My wife became employed with Henderson Trucking back in February. I just relocated months before that and got a chance to ride with her before coming to Henderson. Now mind you I have been in the medical field since 1992 and after awhile you get burned out. So being with my wife and getting a feeling for the open road I decided it was time that I take that life changing step and go for my CDL. Arrived at the motel in Ofallon IL on March 29th 2015 and was scared to leave what was all familiar to me behind. Started class on March 30th and our class turned out to be a rather small class. That following Tuesday we all loaded up in the Expedition and headed for the unknown destination of the Illinois DMV. Nervous and afraid and lack of sleep I thought I got this for the permit....ugh I got the general knowledge portion but next came combination....such the evil I failed my permit and immediately broke down in tears of complete disappointment right in front of all my classmates. So it was truly a struggle knowing I would be leaving the DMV without a CDL permit and I immediately requested we that failed take it immediately the next day which I passed and was so happy to be onto the next step.

Moving out to the range that following Monday was such a pivotal point in my life. Watching my wife drive she made it seem so easy oh boy was I wrong...looks are deceiving. I thought it was going to be a piece of cake but it is so mentally exhausting. Second week into the range things started to look up but I still wasn't getting the whole mechanics of how to back up this huge tractor trailer into a little 24 ft box. By Thursday I was so frustrated that I walked away from the training truck wondering if I made the right decision. My instructors pulled me to the side and it was that very moment that it all clicked for me. Joyce and Lester are amazing instructors and what they did for me that day will always be a very bold memory. From that point on it was starting to take shape of me understanding the truck and honestly being humble to this big rig. That Sunday was road time and we were heading out to drop trailers and little did I know how natural it was for me to drive in such a majestic vehicle. My instructor was so impressed and it was just a blessing to know that I have crossed more hurdles than I ever thought possible. So that brings me to this last week of every day out on the range practicing our skills.

This next Friday on the 8th of May I will be heading to the DMV to hopefully get that piece of plastic that I have truly worked so hard to get. It hasn't been all cherries and sunshine for me, there has been a lot of hurdles that I have had to jump just to get where I am today. The distance and time I have had to spend away from wife it hasn't been easy but I know the end reward will make me forget about the long 6 weeks I wasn't able to be with my wife......I will be back next week to let everyone know how it went for me....Have a great weekend and for all you truckers be safe out there on them open roads....Until we meet again

Well next Friday I test to get my CDL I am confidant in that I will get it....just so nervous

Just wanted to take a minute to say hi! I am currently in training to get my CDL and my wife drives and as soon as I finish up we will be teaming together. Almost 40 years it has really taken me this long to figure out where I belong and it's in the driver's seat of an 18 wheeler....can't wait to be done and get out to the real world. Hope everyone is having a blessed day