Sunday, October 31, 2010

Hubby Had A Great Time Hunting

He didn't get anything but he had a great time.  He walked about nine miles, trailing a bull elk.  The bull was a little too smart though.  He figgered out that hubby was trailing him so he split off from his cows and went another way. 

Hubby can barely move right now.  He's so sore!!  But he's happy as a clam.

This is a good example of your having to take time away from the truck.  You can't just drive all the time, you must get out/off the truck and see some other things. 

Gotta keep yourself fresh as possible!!

Oregon Ducks Are Number One!!!

Hubby is over the moon.  I'm even excited.  He bought some big Ducks decals for the windows or our sleeper berth.  We want everyone to know who we back!

Yahoooo!!! 

Thursday, October 28, 2010

There Just Ain't No Band Like The Moody Blues

This band just rocks my world. Hope they stick around for another 40 years or so.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Can't Remember My Layover Password

I'm too clever by half, it seems! 

I thought I'd check in because I'm on a real internet, not my phone, and have a few things to say and chat with the other drivers.

So, I put in my name and password and nope, my account is blocked and I have 4 tries to unlock it.  I tried again and now I'm down to 3 more tries. 

I tried to sign up again but it won't take. 

So's, I'm wondering if my account has been hacked or something.  My passwords are all similar and even my password reminder doesn't look familiar.  Maybe I was in another world when I signed up?  Maybe aliens have landed and are interested in my writings??  What?? 

I dunno, sometimes I just get things back'ards....  *sigh*

Father/Daughter Trucking Teams/Owners

Once, in AL or AR or somewhere in the region, hubby and I stopped at a truckstop for the night.  I looked at a truck beside us and it said "Joe Smith and Daughter Trucking".  Joe Smith wasn't the real name, I don't remember that part but the part that struck me was the 'and Daughter'.  I thought it was great.  Usually, it's something like 'and Son' but this was the daughter. 

I posted on one of my boards about my driving off without hubby and a friend said she'd have liked to gone into trucking with her dad.  That got me to thinking.  Personally, I would have loffed to have done something like this but it wasn't meant to be. 

Thinking about it is nice, though.  Wished I saw more of 'and Daughters' on the road. 

Yeah, I'm being fluffy right now, can't help it.... 

I May Have Found My Niche

There is a horse blog called Fuglyblog.com and the owner writes about skinny horses and basically 'outs' bad horsemanship.  Since I'm on the road most of the time and finding abandoned dogs/puppies, I thought maybe there was blog that was the dog version of Fugly.  I asked around on several of my horse sites, since horses and dog lovers are usually one and the same, but there doesn't seem to be one.  Well, not one anyone told me of, but I did get some stories about abandoned dogs plus a heads up about a place in Atlanta, GA. 

Soooo....while I can't take in any puppy-wuppy that I see on the road, I can at least take a pic and post where the dog is and ask for local help. 

A while back, I found six puppies that had been dumped close by my customers place.  Hubby and I fed them that evening and the next morning.  I called the HS and AC but no one would help.  Turns out, the property was on the rez and an Indian policeman came by and called their version of AC.  It never dawned on me to google animal rescue nor the power of the internet.  I had just gotten my new fancy-schmancy phone and didn't yet know how to work it. 

Since most truckers are animal lovers, it hurts our collective hearts to see an abandoned dog or a puppy just roaming around, lost. 

So, maybe, I've found a new voice for these blessed animals.  Oh, and horses are included also.  *Here comes another story...*  A while back, I saw a new herd of horses in a pasture in Idaho.  The horses were thin/skinny but there were plenty of round hay bales out and big tanks of water, so, I thought I'd watch and see what happens.  Since I go by there about 2-3 times a month, if not more, I could keep a sharp eye.  Welp, turnes out, the horses are gaining weight, appropriately slowly too.  Since I used to rescue horses, I know how it is when you get a new thin horse and people wig out about the skinny one and don't step back to look at the whole picture, so that's why I thought I'd watch.  Let it play out and the horses are looking fine going into winter.  Just like I posted a few days ago about the Appys in Rawlins.  I see these horses and get to 'know' them.  See who's growing up, who's foaled, who's gone, who's new, etc. 

So, don't know quite which way to go but I'm not going to make this hard.  Just go with the flow.  Whatever will be, will be!! 

Oh, yeah, I'll still post about trucking!!  :-)  

Hubby Is Out Hunting...Woo-Hoo! I'm Free As A Bird!!

Yeah, I can do ANYthing I want, ANY time I want, go ANY where I want, eat ANY thing I want, take a nap ANY time I want, stay up....okay, okay, you get the picture, I'm sure!

Here's the upshot...do I really want to do anything??  Nope, not one bit.  I like sitting here, playing on the 'puter, staring at the walls, taking loooonnnngggg soaks in the tub and watching the worst TV I can find.

Hubby called last night and you can tell he's over the moon.  He wanted to make sure I'm safe and sound but you could tell he was flat itching to get going!  "Yeah, love you too.  You okay by yourself?  Well, gotta go." was about all I got out of him once I was out of the pickup and he was G-O-N-E!!  The squealing and smoking of tires got the attention of all in about a five block radius when he and his buddy left. 

We both needed this time off.  It feels GOOOOOOD!  

Monday, October 25, 2010

We Made It Safe And Sound

Now, to make it back over the mountain!!  We unload in the morn, reload and then back over the mountain (the same one in the last pic), unload and then head to the house!!  Hubby is going to blow some elk off the trail and he's really excited by going hunting. 

Not much to report, really.  Just we're in a rainstorm and a half and at least we saved the money of washing the truck. 

Everyone stay safe and drive safer!!  :-)

Welp, It's Snowing

Truck has already tried to jack knife. We are inching along.
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Here's Her Pic...*I Think*

Maybe it works this time??
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Okay, Who Dumped THIS Dog??

At least she looks like she's had a few meals. I'm betting the truckers are throwing her a few french fries and other goodies. She doesn't look scared and that's a good thing.
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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Who The Hell Owns The Apploosas In Rawlins, WY?

I just saw them and there is a super skinny horse in the pen. Now, being that I used to rescue, I can understand getting a skinny one to fix up and people getting upset because they don't realize it's a new horse. However, if I remember right, this horse has been there for quite a while. He/she has been in ggod weight but now the weather is bad and the poor thing looks like shit! The owner needs to man up and throw a blanket on him and check into better quality feed. Also, the horse may be getting ran off from feed and needs his own "table" to chow down on. These horses are on I-80 the eastern side of Rawlins. There is a whole complex of horse barns and pens there. If anyone knows the owner, they need a heads up!
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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Okay, So The Pic Is Sideways...*sigh*

Let's just be happy the damn thing worked. One more thing for me to figger out!
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Little Sweet Tiara

I hope the pic comes out this time. She was abandoned and the guy in the pic found her. Some piece of scum had beaten her till she was bloody and almost dead. The owner found her and at first wasn't sure whar species she was. But now she is safe and sound and happy as a clam. I loff great endings to good stories! I hope the pic works this time.
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I Seem To Have Lost A Post

Dunno what happened. I'll look for it. The subject, you ask? I actually drove off without my hubby. It was only a half a block but after tarping, I heard ALL about it for the next 40 miles. The funny part was 200 miles down the road, we stopped to grab a shower and upon leaving, a trucker flashed his headlights at us. I couldn't undertand him over the CB, so I popped the brakes and walked over to his rig. Turns out, it was the guy that my hubby was "talking" to while cussing me for driving off. We all had a good laugh and life goes on.
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Friday, October 22, 2010

Oops. Drove Off Without Hubby

Well, I was moving our rig out of the way after being loaded and he didn't say anything about wanting to ride a whole half block! So's I drove off. He said he was yelling and waving at me to stop. Maybe next time he'll let me know beforehand. Hehehehe...
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Okay, About The Early Morn Truck Stop Music...

It's a wee bit much to play acid rock at 6:30am, alright? I mean, I've barely had my coffee and looked at my truck only to be assaulted with BLARING music. I mean, where you can't think. Pilot, you be guilty of this. Us older farts just can't quite deal with it. Gads!!
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Sunday, October 17, 2010

It's Getting Cold, Winter's A-Coming!!

Okay, everyone, especially you ladies, the word(s) of the day are "Be Prepared For The Worst".

Make sure you have plenty of water on your truck.  Wal-Mart has gallon water for a whopping $.88.  No reason not to have water.  If you can't get into a Wmart, the truckstops have water, just for a  lot more money but better to pay and have it than to do without.

Keep your truck topped off on fuel.  Ya never knows when you'll get stuck on the Interstate and have to idle overnight.  That has happened to me just last winter! 

Your windshield wipers should get a look-see and make sure they are in tip-top shape. 

A good coat AND hat are a must.  A hat will help keep you warm when you are outside checking on a flat tire or doing a PTI.  It goes without saying, waterproof boots of some sort are de rigour.  Nothing worse than wet/damp feet.  Wool sockies are great but I find that for everyday, they dry out my feet, so I go with cotton socks.  The wool ones are saved for the really tough days outside.  Layer your clothes, not just a t-shirt and a bulky coat.  You want to stay warm and insulated at all times but don't get too hot.  If you layer, you can shed a layer when needed or put a layer on. 

Windshield wiper fluid must be keep up.  Also, keep a bottle of Windex handy for when you have to climb outside to clean your windshield.  I have found that Windex works the best of all products.  The cheaper brands seem to leave streaking.  I guess the Windex dries faster, so, hence, no streaking and that means less work for you!!  My sort of deal! 

When you stop in at Wmart or your store of choice, get some food to keep on your truck.  I keep soups and tuna fish, bread, crackers, my diet Pepsi, coffee, teas, ravioli and such stuff as this.  I have a small microwave and coffeepot for coffee and hot water. 

Make sure your inverters are working properly and not grounding out.  They are cheap enough that if they don't work right, toss it and buy a new one. 

All your lights should be working and it behooves you to check them.  Nothing like getting ran over by another rig who didn't see you to keep you lighted up. 

Okay, as usual, I'll probably think of other things later but this is something I've wanted to post for a while.  The idea is to be prepared and self-suffincient and don't count on others help.  You gotta do for yourself if you get in a jam and be able to think your way out of it. 

Okay, now get out there and be safe, everyone!!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Pics Didn't Work, Obviously

Okay, hang in with me. I can be tech challenged of the first order. I have lots of pics/vids and will have to learn what to do right to post them. It's probably something uber simple that I'm skipping. Learning curve!
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Friday, October 15, 2010

The Bridge To Nowhere

I know it's sideways but I'm learning! This is hoe foggy it was this morning. I hope this works. If not, I'll keep trying!
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Flying J Doesn't Do It Again...

More probs today at Flying J. Pilot is on their game though. Even though I'm in fuel island gridlock at Pilot, I'll take them any day of the week, judging how things have gone lately.
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There Are Some Things You Don't Mention To Your Company...

Discretion is the better part of valor. Just sayin'...
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Monday, October 11, 2010

Flying J Biffs It Again

When I stopped to fuel at Flying J, I swiped my Comdata and loyalty card. Then it asked me if I wanted truck fuel or truck and refer, you know the drill. Welp, the pump would not take my truck fuel punch. I had to walk inside to start the pump. I'm tellin' ya, Flying J, stuff like this does not engender loyalty to your brand, double points or not! At least I got my fuel and was on my way.
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Sunday, October 10, 2010

Those Stoopid Points

I'm talkin' about the points that are *ahem* awarded when you get stopped or pulled in and the DOT twit finds things wrong with your rig. 

I don't know who to believe on them.  I got pulled in at Cottonwood (CA) and the guy found FOUR things wrong with my rig!  He said there were points to go with them.  I could just see my license flying away on gilded wings.  Also, the points are retro-active for three years.  I'm sunk, sunk, sunk if that's true...

As an aside, we are sooooo careful with our rig.  If our company mechanic can't get to a problem pronto, we head to the nearest Petro or TA and have it taken care of ASAP.  No sliding by for us!! 

Then, about a week and a half later, the Nevada DOT stopped me (72 hour checkpoints....grrrrr....) and found TWO more!!  But when I asked about how many points would go on my license, he said that it was still in court and would be another year before the Judge would decided.  The DOT officer (who was actually pretty nice and he was right, there were two overlooked boo-boos on my trailer) said that it's not fair that a company driver (that would be us) would get clocked for nicks and dings on a company rig.  Especially the intermodal guys who trade trailers every day. 

Okay, so who do I believe??  I've been reading on some trucking sites that the points are good NOW.  I haven't received anything in the mail and guess I'll keep going till I get my quota of points and have to go home or I can keep driving till retirement, which is looking better all the time...

I'll keep going till I have to quit.  That will be a sad day for hubby and me... 

About Being A Female Flatbed Driver...

Down below, there is a comment from a reader about his girlfriend becoming a flatbed driver.  Okay, I'm gonna give my take on flatbed driving...  Read on, dear reader! 

For me, it's the perfect job.  We don't deliver except during daylight hours and no appointments.  If we do have appointments, "I" am the one who makes them, not a dispatcher (who wants you there yesterday and thus gets a bonus).  I'm usually the one who tells the customer when we can be there and they are 9 times out of 10 happy that we are coming.  Home Depot does appointments and you have to call early in the morning to get them.  Then again, I've shown up early and still got unloaded.  Just depends how busy the unload guys are.  I'm trying to think of who else does appointments but names elude me, but there aren't many at all.  You can count them on one hand!! 

It is a dangerous job but when you are happy with your job and have confidence, you don't think so much about it.  The key is to always have safety in the back of your mind.  My hubby and I watch out for each other.  *We don't take shortcuts nor hurry so much that things go undone or unsafely.* 

As for actual logistics, here's what hubby and I do.  Hubby throws the straps and I pull them through the binders.  I go all the way through, not just fold them and then crank them, but all the way through.  A lot of places now want the straps all the way through the binders.  Also, they want real tarps, not any Wal-Mart cheap tarp stuff.  If it's a tarped load, hubby does the climbing.  I'm afraid of heights and he's pretty spry, so, that's his job.  Then once the tarp is unrolled and hanging (we have the heavy lumber tarps, dammit), then we have a system of doing the back end, then the sides of the back tarp.  Hubby unrolls the front tarp and we do the same as before, only the front end.  The front and back ends are done differently, due to keeping wind out.  If it's chained, hubby puts the chains on and rachets them down.  I tie off the ends with bungee cords. 

Once, hubby got ill and I had to do everything myself, I gotta say, I did it.  I did the whole thing!  I did have to have some help from other flatbedders to throw the straps over (I throw like a girl) but I did the rest. 

My experience has been that I knew the basics and then as time went on, we talked with other flatbedders, got ideas and tips, improved our way of doing things and then just did it.  I don't know any way in the world to shortcut the process.  You have to just do it.  Hopefully, the girlfriend has a trainer who gives a damn (mine didn't, BTW) and will show her the proper way to do things. Also, when she goes out on her own, hopefully the trainer will still be only a phone call away if she needs help or has questions. 

Flatbedders are a strange bunch.  We may not like each other personally but we've found that if you have a problem with your flatbed load/trailer/tractor, another flatbedder will help you.  I've had other flatbedders tell me of a problem with my load, over the CB.  Just try getting a refer or dry van driver to do the same!!  Ain't happn'in'!  When we started out flatbedding, we didn't know exactly how to tarp properly and a guy showed us how he did it.  We tweaked his ideas to suit us and 'voila', we pass info along to others. 

We had a brain-fart one time and went back to pulling refers and that was the biggest mistake we have made, trucking-wise.  Coming back to flatbedding was like coming home.  When you're in the right place, job-wise, you'll know it.  We are in the right job. 

My suggestion is to give flatbedding a try, try refers or dry vans and then stick with it. 

I hope I've given some good information out about flatbedding.   As time goes on, I'll think of other things.  For long posts like this one, I like to use the internet, not off my phone.  So, it might take a bit for me to get more thoughts down.  I hope you enjoyed this post!! 

Sunday, October 3, 2010

It Was 35 Dgrees This Morning!

Fall is here, that's for sure. The trees are changing colors and just gorgeous. Yellows, oranges, maroon reds and even a pretty shade of pink. Tell you the truth, I'm reay for some cooler weather.
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Friday, October 1, 2010

Stuck On the Interstate

*sigh* I'm sitting here, cooling my jets. Some nitwit, half a mile ahead, decided to biff it with a couple of big rigs. Good thing I'm not in a big hurry. *double sigh*
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