Finally Made It

Such a beautiful morning...makes me happy to be alive and a part of this big beautiful world we live in. It is sometimes easy to forget all we have been given. The simple joys in life like this are something money can never buy!

Gorgeous pic !!!!!

Now THAT'S the 'you' we want to hear from!

Go have some fun, fishing & what nott'ing with your new pals; YOU deserve it!

Always,

~ Anne & fam ~

Hello Everyone, just a quick update.

Had a pretty good week and scored the weekend off. I needed it, trucking is great but exhausting. One time I turned around because I was reading the directions coming from the west and the directions were from the east. So wrong turn, but did not panic just looked around for a few seconds chose a spot a couple yards down the road and turned around. I am still very aware of all that is around me, how big this truck is, but the anxiety is starting to leave and it is becoming more of a challenge!

I still have so much to learn, but swapped out dry van to flatbed several times meeting drivers the last couple days I am starting to get a routine that I am starting to follow each and every time dropping and hooking. I can for the most part do both in around 10 to 12 minutes now with a good pretrip. The maps are becoming easier to understand and sticking in my head better, plus have hammer on the phone now, gps and a hand written list of turns with average miles to exits. Helps so much. Still do not like it when Gordon Rd. cannot be found because it is now HH but was Gordon when I got there in an old green barely visible sign, but HH was huge??? I still made the turn, I just slow down hit the flashers and find it when I know I am close to exits that are in question.

Also blind sided off the highway into a small road cutting back into me with only two pull ups. One of the guys showed me how to open the small window in the sleeper to help you see better! Woohoo

Still struggling when I just ride up to hit a spot without doing the 12 to 9 to 45 or like coming from the wrong side but have room out front. I seem to always hit the middle??? lol Also l hitting the S pattern into truck parking at rest areas better. Also coming onto ramps at a better speed and timing than before. I am still liking it very much, but appreciated being able to get away from the truck a couple days. Pay was very good as well!!!!!!!! What a blessing!!

Even splurged and purchased a new pair of work boots this weekend.........usually try to spend extra on family when I have it, but they were 4 years old and absolutely worn out and needed to be replaced a couple years ago!

Keep the faith, I’ve been following your post. You are a true inspiration! Sorry, to hear about your split up. Been though a couple myself. I wish there were words of comfort. One of the things I use for directions (and my nerves) is post it notes on the top of the windshield. Write big:) Generally, I review my next days travel, p/u and delivery before calling it a day. A lot of our addresses are to the front of the building not shipping or receiving. Had one last week where the company provided directions and my Garmin Dezl GPS both carried you through a truck restricted area of town, through a residential section ultimately to a entry that was unaccessible. Luckily, I’d done my trip planning the night before. Don’t beat yourself up over backing and parking it will come to you. Each situation calls for a little different approach. As you gain experience you’ll automatically adjust your setup for the situation. In the beginning anxiety would almost paralyzed me with the thought of parking at a truck stop. I spent most nights in rest areas to avoid them. One day it clicked and the intimidation was no more. Even the most experienced have trouble parking, miss a turn, from time to time. Wrong addresses and road construction are just one of the joys that keep it interesting. I was serious about the inspiration. You have meet adversity with the best. Keep your faith, believe in yourself, you have the hard part behind you.

Even splurged and purchased a new pair of work boots this weekend.........usually try to spend extra on family when I have it, but they were 4 years old and absolutely worn out and needed to be replaced a couple years ago!

Same here; it's an essential. Hope you got GOOD ones. They last longer!

Good on YOU, man! Glad to hear all is workin' out for ya!!

~ Anne ~

You still goofing off or what?

Millions of us are waiting for an update from 87Wrangler.

To the millions...You are not going to believe this...It is like a revelation, something you probably will not fully understand until you actually do it, but here goes: when trucking " you work and sleep"

I mean I have worked hard all of my life. But this is mental, physical, requires patience, endurance, common sense, street smarts, a perception or communication outside of normal sensory capability, as in telepathy and clairvoyance AKA "ESP" and even a little luck sometimes...lol

Why does everyone seem to think and act as tough you have been there and a little mumbling and a finger point is sufficient. Directions seem to usually be for how you would walk or drive a car or bicycle right up to the front door.....Does anyone else think of the song give me 40 acres and I will turn this rig around just before making a turn that the office suggested that looks like it needs a weed eater, tree trimmer, a few cars towed, and 25 spotters when just a block back your gps was screaming turn left and it looked like an interstate? lol

One day this week my gps was screaming turn right, google maps said go straight and my navigation app was saying turn left? I was at the right road but NO SIGN AT ALL... I just stopped at the red light put on my flashers and hopped out and asked the nice lady walking is this Washing Street? Still didn't want to take the turn but did It was very tight but made it ok.....However when I pulled out of the warehouse I went down one more block to the interstate looking one and was glad that I did. I am learning slowly but do not want to have to call for a crane to turn me around if I am off route even by one block and it is probably the most stressful part of my job right now. Simply doing the right thing feels more like a crap shoot in trucking for me sometimes!! lol Had a several 20 hour days with four tarps that absolutely wiped me out! Its tough, but I still like it and am learning more each and every day. I have lost even more weigh and this time it is not due to sickness but is called flat bedding this time the fat has turned into a little muscle! Flat bedding is a better workout than insanity ANNE!! LOL. This job is routine and so that is what I am working on. Which includes everything from trip planning, to what is needed or not needed on the truck. A healthier diet that does not require a pressure washer to clean up the mess, even how to take a quick shower out in the middle of no where when you needed one 4 days ago....

Oh.....Does anyone else have dispatch calculate the hours you have a little on the positive side when in reality you can probably make it but by the skin of your teeth? I am finding we all have a job to do and it really is a team effort. Everyone works hard in the trucking business including the guys in the office and shop, but it is us who seem to be under the microscope most of the time and its us that either makes or breaks all of the planning, which is another stressful area for me, simply because I do care and what to do a good job, for all of us to be happy and make money!

Hey Pack Rat...hpe all is well with you and please share to the millions that I still love flat bedding and one day hope to be very good at it! Load securement is an ART, one that requires teaching! I love it when I can hop in and not worry about the load. What an awesome feeling when you about an hour out stop to stretch and to check the load to find that nothing moved and will barely take one more click on the winch!! AND drum roll PLEASE

This is the first week I have been able to let a check ride!! OH YEAH BABY!! Its finally coming together in that respect too!! I am so thankful, you guys have no idea the hell I have been through to be able to finally say that!! Thank you again to everyone that has followed and offered not only to help but I know you actually mean it.....if you are a true trucker you are a part of a great family.....mean it guys and thanks again and forgive the delay I really was tired, but did get a long weekend but had to use most of it getting ready for the following week....you guys no how that goes right?

Thanks Glen for the comments and support......it is really appreciated! We really are all part of a family full of a great group of people... I can honestly say I can see what made my uncle love trucking, it was the only job he ever had outside of the military. I am grateful to be a part of it. There are so many who want to be and cannot for many reasons! You guys hang in there and I am here if you need me too!! OK

Thanks Glen for the comments and support......it is really appreciated! We really are all part of a family full of a great group of people... I can honestly say I can see what made my uncle love trucking, it was the only job he ever had outside of the military. I am grateful to be a part of it. There are so many who want to be and cannot for many reasons! You guys hang in there and I am here if you need me too!! OK

"i" need you, hahaha!! I'm always following, '87 J/W !! Finally had that 'epiphany,' eh??? Check ride... GREAT FEELING~!

Keep on keeping on, man!!

~ Anne ~

ps: One day, you'll look BACK at this diary, and be saying: "Gee Whillickers!" LoLoL !!