Southern Charm

From the small town of Bernie, Missouri, a woman of southern charm and grace matured into a person who would find her way to the suburbs of St. Louis living an abundant life filled with a succesful career history, beautiful family and caring friends. Perhaps the southern roots led her to like the revived bottle trees that grace gardens of some, or perhaps it is their sun catcher glow that appeals...

In conversation, Nancy mentioned to Michael and I that she had collected some bottles from local wineries and thought a bottle tree would add flare to her garden. So, Michael and I thought out a plan to make the bottle tree. How neat! Such a creative gift to give!

Researching bottle trees, there are many ways to design them, from making fountains with bottles, copper tubing, and wine barrels; to using hot round, molding the metal into various shapes, and ornately placing the bottles. Michael and I chose neither. See below the awesome creation that was fun to design and always brings a smile of cheer and icon of spirituality to a garden.

We are looking for the perfect bird house to perch on top.

Here's another neat story about bottle trees:

http://www.learn2grow.com/projects/quickeasy/outdoors/GardenArtBottledUp.aspx

Going East

The United States of America is such a vast territory of land filled with geographic and cultural diversities that individualize the uniqueness of each area travelled. Living in the midwest, we enjoy climate controlled seasons, knowing that winter means cold and summer means hot. Perhaps that is a commonness shared amongst the midwest and northeast, but as far as geographic features, hobby sports, and accents, there is much variation.

I have enjoyed the change in scenery and the change in accents while we have travelled across some of the north eastern region. Memphis area, the "north of the south", you have the slang of southern drawl which is a colorful dialect and take on English. Many times I have to pause and wonder what someone just said to me. In the northeast, there seems to be more of an appreciation for classic use of the English language, with heavy accents on vowels and very definitive annunciation. I love the northern accent!

It seems that outdoor activities are year 'round in the north. As we wound through the Laurel Highlands and up Mt. Storm, it was interesting to this mid-western gal to see ski slopes for the first time, with everything from such a downhill slope that I bet you could get up to 200 miles an hour, to the bunny hills that still looked like I could invite my first broken bone. I was awe struck. Two towns in particular stood out on the way to the tip of Mt. Storm -Farmington, PA and Oakland, MD. In the winter, they appear as ski heaven, but also offer biking and boating opportunities for the summer. Of course the classic colonial homes dressed up in white lights, pine wreaths and red bows invited the spirit of Christmas.

Drawing conclusions as I tour through the northeast is based on brief visits with truck stop employees, workers at the local businesses from which we expedite products, and the locals that patronize the family restaurants along the way. As I digress, the northeast is an area that fills my mind with curiosity and I bookmark it as an area I hope to someday spend more time familiarizing myself with local customs.

Where we've been:

New Albany, Indiana picking up hand made wooden doors at the Ohio Valley Door Company, swapping in Meadow Lands, Pennsylvania.

American Expediting Company picking up a 900 lb. hot water heater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and delivering to Chili's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Clevland Brothers in Murrysville, Pennsylvania picking up a small box of gears and sensors that rode in the cab with Michael and I, delivering to Dominion Power Plant at the top of Mt. Storm just outside of Bismark, West Virginia. This trip was my favorite, and in 200 miles, we travelled in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virignia climbing to 3200 feet in elevation and back down.

We hope to get a load in Clarksburg, West Virginia that will head us west into Missouri or Arkansas. It is exactly 600 miles from Jane Lew, West Virginia (where we are currently) to St. Louis, Missouri. So, if we could score a "home run" load, we could be back in St. Louis in 10 hours. We hope to be home by the 23rd, spend Christmas, and then take my CDL test on the 27th. Although, I just got a call from the Hwy Patrol wanting to reschedule to Jan. 3. Hopefully, I don't have to put it off!

Roaming the Map

I highly suggest getting an Atlas to follow just how far we've been!

Well, I think I left off in Louisville, Kentucky. . .

From there, we had a load from Greensburg, IN to Portland TN. We got to see more Interstate.

In the mean time, we drove through the most peaceful, snow blanketed countryside of  Indiana. Along Highway 50, we drove through dairy farms and other crop land that was well beneath layers of the most powdery snow. At dusk, with the old farmhouses and red barns with the nativities gracing the front yards, it was a true sight to see.

Today, we picked up a load of hand crafted wooden doors in New Albany, IN and are now on our way to Meadow Lands, PA to swap the load with another team of Panther drivers who will then have the adventure of delivering these doors to Bronx, NY. The shipping address said floor 28! Maybe air -lifting?? Lol. I'm letting my over dramatic mind get carried away.

Well, we are in the beautiful (still snow covered) capitol of West Virginia -Charleston. We will arrive in PA by 11:30 tonight.

Sleep tight and enjoy the Christmas sugar plumbs dancing in your dreams!

On the Road Again

12/14/10

A full week of "Waitin' in Memphis" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_NXlLf34Eand )we are now "On the Road Again." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TD_pSeNelU)  A load offer came in to take a shipment of tire inlays from Little Rock AR to Tonawanda NY. We were excited to have such a great load. We swapped last night at 11:00 p.m. in Nashville TN due to limited driving hours.

In bed by midnight, which meant ten hours of rest, then shower and pray for a load. It was great talking to you this morning, Mom!

Well today, we headed to Kentucky to pick up a headliner from a plant in Hopkinsville KY and taking it to the Ford plant that makes SUV's in Louisville. This is a good paying load and good distance. We were supposed to pick up the load at 3 a.m. and deliver by 8 a.m. However, we were able to negotiate with dispatch and the company to pick it up early, and then get to Louisville tonight, so we weren't driving in the snow and ice.

I'm glad we are finally getting some loads, it makes the days easier when you are working toward something and not dwelling on the stress of anticipation.

Happy Holidays!

The Holidays are my favorite time of year. Of course, Thanksgiving has and always will be my favorite. Two days prior, the menu is planned, and groceries are bought. But that morning, waking up early in anticipation of the family all gathering for a day of cheer and thankfulness for all God has given, especially our close reltaionships, overwhelm my heart and assure me that despite the hardship and misfortune there is absolute beauty and blessings abounding everywhere in every day situations.

I love helping Mom in the kitchen, something I was really looking forward to this year, but unfortunately circumstance did not allow. But in my heart, I was there. Helping put the turkey in the oven, and combine the ingredients for the dressing, making home made rolls, and displaying all the desserts that glamorized the bar.

Grandma and Grandpa are the first to arrive, and kissing them on the cheek and celebrating in that small moment how much they mean to me begins the joy of the day. Grandma brings in more yummy treats, and the TV in the kitchen and bedrooms are turned in to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

My father and I love watching the parade and the awesome floats with that year's one hit wonder pop stars.

My sister and I always like the afternoons, lazing around on the couch or watching Home Alone while just hanging out.

Once all the family is there, it is so fun to gather the "better than Martha Stuart" foods and family around the two dining room tables and enjoy food, festivity, and most of all, fellowship. We say a heart felt prayer of Thanksgiving and the day is rounded out with thoughts of Christmas on the way.

~~~
Christmas seems to always last the longest of the Holidays. Starting with Black Friday after Thanksgiving, manifesting itself in the malls around mid-month, and then Christmas Eve. Oh, the sound of Christmas Carols rejoicing of the Savior that allows us to live this blessed, FREE, life. Christmas Eve is always fun, with more presents than we think we can open in a year stuffed in Grandma's living room, with just enough pathway to wonder if that odd shaped present is really for you. Erica makes the best cheese balls and Grandma's fudge is passed around (to me) so many times I wonder if I will make it until my next Dentist appointment in coming January. :)  Oh, I love to see Gracelyn and Brett light up as they open their packages. Those kids are so loved! The past few years, I have had to work Christmas Eve, so it's been kind of different not getting to Grandma's until 5, but still the evening is sweet with cookies, card games, and fond memories.

Michael and I put up our two Christmas decorations in the truck, lornaments that Nancy gave us to represent the festivities of the season. Santa reminds us to behave ourselves, and the Christmas Tree reminds us of the star that shone down on the manger where Jesus was born. A tree of hope for the seasons lit with the dreams of our future and the evergreen of the promise that hard work does pay off..

 So, reply in the comment section what you want for Christmas! I'm thinking of crafting some gifts, but I don't have much storage space. . . .

All Michael and I want for Christmas is to get out of  Memphis! Oh, we also would like this Hamilton Beach coffee pot at Wal-Mart that is a 6 cup coffee maker without the caraffe. -Wink.

What is under your Christmas Tree so far? Do you have everyone's packages all wrapped and glittery under the tree? Send me some pics!

Christmas Day is always a great day, too. Getting to model our newest favorite outfit, new purses, jewelry, etc. FUN! Of course, more delicatesen items grace the tables and the afternoon we get to play with the new electronic gadgets we got.

Michael and I hope to be home for Christmas, I know we will be, just not sure what day -Christmas Day more likely. Then the weekend. Then I take my CDL test on Monday and hit the road again! We should have a week off coming by the week of Christmas, so we may have more time home than we think. Keep praying!

I love you all and want you to know that although I am not there physically, I am there in my heart and soul and you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you and love you more than you could ever know.

Please post comments or shoot e-mails when possible! View my profile, too. I've got a song on there that seems to be fitting for now.

I'm not going to lie, this is much harder than I thought it would be and the waiting has driven me to dark moments, but then I look in Michael's eyes and hold on to the goals and dreams we have and why we are doing this. So, we are doing well. Just ready to work and make some money.

With all my heart, I love you!



Pictures

Sorry, I can't figure out how to rotate this picture -kinda symbolic??

Michael and Panther

Our Cab - looks like an airplane! Yes, this was taken during one of our frequent trips to the shop.

Full size bed -very hard to make (sorry, Mom) :)

There is also a microwave, fridge, flat screen TV and place to set up the computer and scanner.

Floating

We're still in Memphis. Yes, we've been here since Sunday and it is now Wednesday. If I dare to continue the analogy of water to our driving experience, this is the picture I will paint. . .

Think of floating Blair to Patrick on the Norfork River. The excitement as you start out and the first ripple of water accelerating the canoe into the glorious river compares to our first load from Ohio to Memphis. "Here we go!" But now, we've hit that long mid section of the journey. The part of the canoe trip that you start sunburning so you decide to pull over and get in the water -is it best to ease in and let the cool water sting as you adjust, or is it best to dive in and submerse your body all at once, head to toes envelopment of the chilly waters? Well, sitting in Memphis is more like the slow sting of cold water.

What's taken so long? We had to put our truck out of service yesterday when we noticed a puddle of transmission fluid under our truck. It was a leaking output seal on our transmission. Fortunately, it was an easy fix, but the service center had to overnight the part. I got a night on a real mattress at Comfort Inn, though! It was good for us.

We had a load offer today from Halls TN to Perryville MO. Woo-Hoo! However, we got 50 miles outside of Halls and the load was cancelled. Thank goodness we are still getting paid for a dry run, but grrrr. At least we're flagged as first out on the dispatch board. So, we're waiting to see where we'll be dispatched.

Once I get my CDL License on December 27, we will not have to deal with this. We'll basically be able to go anywhere. In the mean time, Michael is a solo driver and we have to abide by the 11, 14, and 70 rules. Again, sound like trying to navigate through some ripples on the river???

So, we're sitting at Love's in West Memphis, AR waiting on dispatch. I was hoping to get to practice driving today. But  I can only drive on private property after a load is completed. If I drove now, it would start Michael's 14 hour clock of service time and take away from how far we can take a paying load. So we have to sit here.

Wal-Mart is only 4 miles away and I could use their parking lot to practice backing, paralell parking, and pre-trip stuff for my test, but again I would be wasting the hours we could drive. So, we're watching TV and cleaning our truck.

Too bad I can't go down to Mud Island or the Pyramid. It's only 1 exit down. Beale Street sounds great, too. Well, I'm stuck here in Memphis singin' the blues.

Don't worry, I love what we're doing, it is just waiting that makes me sit on the edge of the canoe seat.

Swimming Lessons

Accustom to the comforts of midwestern, middle class life in a small Missouri Town, my husband and I chose to embark on an adventure of a lifetime  and join an elite group of professional drivers known as expeditors. So, on November 29, 2010 we left the familiar to explore a whole new world.
Our first stop was New Stanton, Pennsylvania to pick up our new home, a straight truck that was ready to roll. Backtracking 150 miles to Seville, Ohio, we attended orientation on basic expectations of expeditors, and then it was sink or swim.

The day we expected to get dispatched, our Qual Com did not work! So another day passed by as we worked out the quirks of this electronic dispatch system. Then, as we settlled in for a night's rest to watch TV and shower, the Qual Com alerted us to our first load -Minerva, Ohio to Laredo, TX. Holy Cow!

After being an eager-beaver and pushing accept on the load, Michael and I then came to our senses and realized that is a total of 1,628 miles or 26 hours of driving!

Well the first thought is Cha-Ching! BUT I am not fully licensed yet, so we are still considered solo drivers. So here's the scoop:

Pickup the load in Minerva OH at 1 pm on Saturday, Dec. 4
Drop Off the load in Laredo TX at 12:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6
Total miles: 1,689 (from Seville to Minerva, then on to Laredo)

PROBLEM: One person can only drive 11 hours a day, then they have to recover and return from "super-hero status" to "meek human" and recover for 10 hours.

So, Michael and I had a plan. We would call and see if we could pick up the load early and then negotiate with the dispatcher to have an arrival time of 9 a.m. Monday morning in Laredo. Thank God we called dispatch! They informed us that the arrival time was wrong and 9 a.m. was the expected arrival time. Phew!

We ended up being able to pick up our load in Minerva at 11 a.m., so we were able to drive all the way to the outskirts of Nashville TN before we were out of driving hours.  Combating snow the whole way, we kept our hopes high by thinking "It's 80 degrees in Laredo!"

Well, going to sleep with the thought of warm sunshine in the near future made for pleasant dreams. However, we were then informed at 3:30 a.m. that we would be swapping in Memphis with another driving team who will then take the load to Laredo.

So, as I sit here typing in my Flip-Flops and jeans, I observe our mood is a little subdued this morning -Memphis just isn't as exotic as the Mexican boarder. . .

Overall, I guess we're not drowning, we're beginning to . . . float -wink.