Providence Silhouette

The Rhode Island State House in Providence, Rhode Island.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: We Got Fatter But We Lost Weight
2 YEARS AGO: Stripping, Vitamins, And Cheesecake
3 YEARS AGO: Ocean Front Crowd
4 YEARS AGO: He Wouldn’t Recommend His Wife To Anyone He Knows
5 YEARS AGO: Spring Has Sprung In My Hotel Room
6 YEARS AGO: High School Hottie

He's Been Waiting For This Day For Thirty-Seven Years

Today is Ed's birthday, and at thirty-seven years old, he's still the youngest person in our truck. Drats! Last night, while he was fast asleep sawing wood, I snuck up front into the cab to blow up about twenty-five balloons for my decorations. Every big balloon breath I took, I stopped to listen to see if he was still snoring. If I heard a loud snort, I knew I had a few more minutes to keep filling balloons. He usually sleeps like the dead, but last night he was tossing and turning, so I had to keep watch. Once all the balloons were blown up, I took them and the streamers and got busy in the sleeper. I did everything in the dark, with just a little bit of light from the rest area streaming through the window. I kept one eye on Ed to make sure he didn't wake up, and continued my sneaky decorating. Once I was done hanging the banner, the streamers and the balloons, I wrapped his gift and wrote out his card. I left everything propped up right where he could see it should he wake before I did. As you can see from these pictures, when he was awake and out of bed, he was overjoyed. OK, so maybe he was mugging a little for the camera. But this is pure Ed - happy all the time. Well, except when I annoy him, but we won't talk about that because today is his birthday! Yay! Birthday! Happy, happy!! Tonight I'll make him a special dinner and then we'll have birthday cake that I'll be baking sometime today. Then we'll tool around, seeing and doing whatever the birthday boy's little heart desires.

You know, even though today is Ed's birthday, I'm really the one who has received a gift - the gift of Ed. As much as I bust his chops, I love him more today than he probably knows. He's really an easy person to get along with and since we're on the road with each other, less than three feet apart most of the time, three-hundred days a year, it's crucial that we get along. When we're not in the truck, we're still not far apart and eight years later, we're still together. I believe that alone is a testament to our relationship. There aren't too many people who can spend that much time, in such a small space, with their significant other. In complete bliss. Okay, I'm stretching.

Seriously though - he's laid back, unintentionally funny, kind, respectful, professional, thoughtful, and just when I think he's not listening, he makes a comment about a subject I brought up days before, or he'll present me with a gift for no reason, which always winds up being something I mentioned I wanted, but had long forgotten about. He's considerate, makes and keeps goals, is a tech-wizard, is well-rounded in his music, movie and reading tastes, a GREAT Scrabble player, an excellent driver, a good businessman and best of all, he still writes me love notes, loves to snuggle and takes good care of me.

Everyone in my family loves Ed. LOVES. And my friends feel the same way about him. My girlfriends always tell me how lucky I am to have found someone like him and I always say, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. You want him for a few days?"

All kidding aside, I'm looking forward to another year with my sweet, sweet Eddie. He may be a year older, but he'll always be a spring chicken to me.



Happy Birthday, Baby!! I love you.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Twisted Raoul
2 YEARS AGO: The Spring Chicken Celebrates His Big Day
3 YEARS AGO: Eddie It’s My Birthday! It’s My Birthday! Friday
4 YEARS AGO: As Pisghetti Gains Another Year, I Lose Eight
5 YEARS AGO: Happy Birthday My Sweet Eddie!!!
6 YEARS AGO: The Many Faces Of Ed

The Stealth Trucker

My blog isn't typically written in "real time" - most of the stuff I write about is after the fact. Oh sure, certain events - like Christmas, when we go to the truck show in Louisville, Appreciation Days, might be written on the day of, but more often I post about it after it happens. Sometimes a day after, sometimes a week.

I'm kind of like those reality shows - The Bachelor, The Biggest Loser, Jersey Shore - yes, everything happened as you see it on TV, but you don't actually see it for months. In their case, I suspect it's because they have film to edit and soundtracks to add, etc. In my case, it's usually because I actually do have to work on occasion, but more likely it's because I'm napping.

I've never had anyone come up to me and say, "Hey - aren't you the girl from The Daily Rant?" and I don't expect it to ever happen. It's probably a long shot for me to actually run into one of my readers - even in the case of Dave, I probably would have never met him if Marlaina wasn't sitting next to him in the load securement class.

Even when I do say exactly where I am, it's not a sure thing. For instance, if you read the post I did about shopping at TJ Maxx in San Luis Obispo, California back in March of last year, and thought you'd zip up there to catch me in the parking lot walking back to my truck, you'd have missed me by at least a few days. Hell, it might even been a week - who remembers?

This is something Ed has taught me early on in my blogging days - never tell anyone where you are, when you are actually there. It's been drilled into his head by his military training, his sixteen years in trucking, and probably just his Texas upbringing - you know, The Alamo and all that.

There are no surprise attacks if no one knows where you are. I think Ed and General Sam Houston share the same mindset.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Aisles Filled With Q-Tips
2 YEARS AGO: Lights, Camera, Action!
3 YEARS AGO: Desktop Material
4 YEARS AGO: C’mon In
5 YEARS AGO: Eddie Hits The Bricks Friday
6 YEARS AGO: Built With The Organization Gene

A Man Can Do All Things If He Will

My brother picking up materials for a job. I love how he's writing on the bricks - he's always left little notes and things, whether on drywall, plywood, or on the actual surface he's tiling or working with. In this case, it's on brick he's buying for an entry walkway.

He can do anything - he's a real Renaissance Man - a bit of a polymath if you will.

Polymath is a word I wasn't familiar with before I Googled it, but like it says in the Wikipedia entry, "a man can do all things if he will" - words expressed by one of its most accomplished representatives, Leon Battista Alberti.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Spinning Our Wheels
2 YEARS AGO: It Takes Two
3 YEARS AGO: Buona Sera King Louis
4 YEARS AGO: The Newest B & B Trend Might Not Take Off As Expected
5 YEARS AGO: Pirelli
6 YEARS AGO: Classic Sal

Finally - Freight To Buzz About!

Well, after forty-one days off, we've finally gone back to work - and the first load we hauled was honey bees! We've hauled bees before, about four years ago, and at the time weren't sure what to expect.
We were told that while the sun was up, we had to keep moving because the bees generate heat and heat can kill them. We learned the first time that if stopping for food or fuel, it had to be done quickly. Or ideally, at night. Now that we know the basics, we're pros. The guys that loaded us were great, laying out the netting on the truck before loading the palettes of hives onto the truck.

Then they put more netting on the top of the load, draping it all around and securing it with heavy duty clips. All that we needed to do was throw a few straps on it, as you can see in the photos. They wore bee suits, we stayed in the truck until they were done loading.

This trip, the bee guys affixed a hose to the top of the truck, with holes in it to act like a sprinkler for the bees. When we stopped for fuel or any time during the day, if it was over sixty-five degrees, we had to attach the hose to the water source at a fuel island and soak the bees for thirty minutes.

The water helps to cool the hives while stopped and when we start moving again, the air flow and the water keeps them from getting overheated.

Even though they're covered with netting, some of them still get out. You can see them here, trapped under the netting. When we're stopped, a few escape and buzz around the load. No one wanted to park next to us with this load.

Can you blame them?

Here's one final close-up of the little suckers...

I find this to be one of the more interesting loads that we've ever hauled - we don't often get to move anything that's alive.

The shipper included an information sheet with the bill of lading, and one of the things I found out on this load - that we weren't told on the first load of bees - is that they carefully clean the palettes to make sure they're free of any ants or beetles before we leave their location. The reason for this is because the agriculture check points in Arizona and California are very strict, and if they see ants or beetles on the load, they can turn us around and send us back to Florida. Now wouldn't that have sucked??

The bees must've loved the trip since they got treated like royalty - everything is about their comfort and keeping them alive. Although, I think we get a wee bit of royal treatment too - I can't imagine any DOT officer wanting to keep you longer than necessary once they see a load of bees on your trailer. I don't think anyone will be requesting to do an inspection - especially if the sun is shining!

Click HERE for some more information on honey bees from the National Honey Board.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: For The Crybabies
2 YEARS AGO: Chillin’ In Utah
3 YEARS AGO: Taking The Peas For A Ride In A Cozy Little Shell
4 YEARS AGO: Wyth Jane’s Kin In Wytheville
5 YEARS AGO: Color In Architecture
6 YEARS AGO: Living On

Big Money Needed For A Relaxing, Feel-Good Experience

I invented the "head vise" over twenty years ago. Well, not really invented invented, like on paper or anything, but I talked about it and how it would work. In fact, my best friend of over twenty years was in on it from the very beginning. I have a witness.

The head vise was to be used when you had one of those excruciating headaches that would feel better after you grabbed your cranium with two hands and squeezed to apply pressure. It was even better if you could get someone else to do the squeezing - then you could just sit back and enjoy.

Last night we were in Brookstone and Ed came up behind me wearing the uCrown 2 Soothing Head Massager. MY invention!! I immediately sent a picture text to Vicki telling her that someone stole my idea. It applies pressure with air chambers, vibrates, has gentle heat and you can even listen to music while it's all happening.

I better get started on my next invention because if someone is going to pay two-hundred dollars to wear this monstrosity, there's still hope for my other ideas.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: The Original Metrosexual And The Petting Zoo
2 YEARS AGO: Cribs For Corn, Not Celebrities
3 YEARS AGO: LL Cool E
4 YEARS AGO: Hunt On Hold
5 YEARS AGO: The Blondes Come Marching In
6 YEARS AGO: Thank You Is Not Enough

Love, Peace, And Soooouuulll

I grew up watching Soul Train. Every Saturday at noon, you could find me planted in front of the television with my eyes glued to the screen. Not just sitting either, I would be copying every move I could, watching every girl on the screen and trying to move my body like they did. I loved everything about it - the host, the artists, the music, the dancers - I wanted to be a Soul Train dancer. And nothing could tear me away from the line dance at the end of the show. It was the crowning glory of the hour.

I loved R & B music (still do) and loved seeing the artists perform live, especially new ones. I bought many a cassette tape because I saw a singer or group on Soul Train. When I moved to Arizona, where no one listened to R & B, Soul Train was the perfect way to get my fix, even if it was only weekly.

I was surprised to hear today that Don Cornelius died - according to reports, he committed suicide, which makes the news even sadder. The New York Times did a nice article about him and his contribution to the sound and promotion of black artists, as the host of a show he dubbed the "hippest trip in America".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Taste The Fire
2 YEARS AGO: Finally, A Shot At Playmate Of The Month! (Sorta)
3 YEARS AGO: Remembering
4 YEARS AGO: Eddie Gets His Eyes Checked Friday
5 YEARS AGO: Shifting The Sun
6 YEARS AGO: My Daddy Is Gone

A Berry Good Time

I know. Another picture of food. Honestly folks, not much else has been going on. We came to Florida to attend the Appreciation Days for the company we're leased to, but the last day of that event was Saturday. If you're interested in an actual journalistic point of view in the form of a very well written blog post, visit my friend Marlaina's blog - she's done the best write-up I've seen yet - and that includes anything put out by any of the trucking publications out there.

Once the business end of the event was over, all we've done is eat (well, not that we didn't do that at the event also). I got roped into had the pleasure of cooking breakfast every day, while each evening was spent at nearby dining establishments (some of which you've already read about). The first day, Marlaina asked if I would mind making pancakes because she bought us a bottle of maple syrup for Canada that apparently needed to be cracked open pronto! She went to the store, bought pancake mix, fresh berries, orange juice, and Canadian bacon - which we've been told is not bacon it's just ham, even though it says "Canadian Bacon" on the package and most of us call it Canadian Bacon, the Canadians just call it ham - and I added the eggs, since Ed can't do bacon (of any kind) without an egg.

The first two days, I made breakfast for Marlaina, Greg, Ed and I, adding fresh whipped cream (made from scratch, thank you very much) for the berries, and lime curd that I'd been itching to use, to the breakfast menu. We all crowded around our little table and dined like kings. I used the fresh blueberries in the pancake mix and let me tell you...they were to die for.

We had the same breakfast three days in a row and asked Dave to join us on the last day - so there were five of us crowded into my little kitchen, eating a home cooked breakfast. The night before Greg and Marlaina left, we also had them over for dinner. I made Sausage and Peppers which everyone seemed to like.

It was SO MUCH FUN being able to spend five days with our friends. I can't wait for the next time we get together for a "work thing". I'm already scoping out restaurants.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Traveling Through Mountain Ranch
2 YEARS AGO: Backroads
3 YEARS AGO: If Only I Could Fit All Of This Information On A Bumper Sticker…
4 YEARS AGO: Gambling Haze
5 YEARS AGO: Published
6 YEARS AGO: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Four Seasons Of Food To Conquer

Last night we ate at a fabulous restaurant - Seasons 52 Fresh Grill. Their name is derived from their menu concept - each season they present a different menu (the Seasons part), and each week the chef presents different specials (that's the 52 part). The menu and concept was pretty unique and Marlaina and I were surprised to learn that they're a chain, with several locations throughout the country.
We ordered three appetizers to share among the four of us - Grilled Spicy Tandoori Chicken Skewers with mango chutney and cucumber herb raita, Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli simmered in organic tomato broth with roasted garlic and fresh basil and Roasted Spinach Stuffed Silver Dollar Mushrooms mushrooms, tandoori chicken and ravioli. They were delicious - I really loved the ravioli and the mushroom was a close second. They went so quick, I couldn't get pictures.

For dinner, there were so many delicious choices, it was hard to decide. Check out their winter menu to see for yourself. The most amazing thing? EVERYTHING on the menu is under 475 calories. Everything. They guarantee it. I didn't take pictures of what Marlaina and Greg had - they're pretty good friends at this point, but I can't force them to not eat like I can do with Ed. He's used to me taking pictures of good food and he knows not to pick up the fork until I get my shot!

I had scallops last night, but since I don't have them very often I ordered them again. The description was too good to pass up - Caramalized Sea Scallops grilled and served with roasted asparagus and tomato-mushroom pearl pasta.


Marlaina had the Grilled Boneless Rainbow Trout and Caramalized Sea Scallops with parsley new potatoes, roasted vegetables and broiled lemon. Ed had the Grilled Swordfish atop Yukon gold garlic mashed potatoes with a fresh vegetable mix.


Greg had the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon with Yukon Gold garlic mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables and roasted mushrooms. It looked divine.

For dessert, we got an assortment of their Mini Indulgences - Classic Red Velvet Cake, Mocha Macchiato and Belgian Chocolate Rocky Road.


Greg and Marlaina treated us to dinner (BEST TREAT ALL WEEK!) and it's definitely a place I'll be going again. They have twenty-two locations, most in Florida, but others in cities we frequently visit, so I'll be looking out for another Seasons 52 in my future.

We still have to taste Spring, Summer and Fall.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
2 YEARS AGO: As Seen On TV
3 YEARS AGO: Eddie Polishing His Chrome Friday
4 YEARS AGO: Traveling With Your Cat
5 YEARS AGO: Getting Wet In The Next County
6 YEARS AGO: Down With O.P.P.

Dinner With Friends

Last night we went to dinner with Marlaina, Greg and Dave - my long-time reader and our new friend. We dined in downtown Jacksonville, at the River City Brewing Company , located on the St. John's River with a view of the Main Street Bridge.

Marlaina and I decided we didn't love the service at the restaurant (although I don't think the boys noticed), but the food was good and everyone seemed happy about what they ordered.

We started with Key Lime Banana Pepper Calamari (Fire Roasted Red Peppers, Chardonnay, Key Lime Butter Sauce, Garlic, Parmesan Reggiano and Green Onion) which I thought was very good, and an order of Coconut Shrimp (Honey-Chipotle Glaze, Florida Orange Sauce). The shrimp was good but not nearly as tasty as the calamari, which is a change for me since I usually prefer shrimp.

For dinner, I had the Diver Sea Scallops (Herb Seared, Served with a Lobster-Sherry Cream Sauce and Lobster Ravioli) which was very good. Ed had the Herb Seared Cedar Plank Salmon (Fire Roasted Marinated Roma Tomatoes, Red Peppers, Artichoke Hearts, Purple and Green Onions, Kalamata Olives in an Herbal Peppercorn Butter with Grilled Romaine) served over mashed potatoes, which he really enjoyed. Marlaina had the Herb Roasted Chicken (Smoked Tomato Cheese Grits, Roasted Garlic and Lemon-Thyme Broth) served over mashed potatoes, Greg had the special, Herb Grilled Grouper over Creamy Risotto With Sea Scallops and Dave had the Ribeye (18oz Garlic & Herb Grilled Angus Ribeye Steak) served with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Buttered Asparagus. He doesn't like aparagus, so he gave them to me - they were DELISH! His steak looked so amazing, I almost regretted ordering scallops.

Desert for everyone but Dave was Key Lime Pie. It was good, not great, but good. The conversation was good and we had quite a few laughs. I always love hanging out with Marlaina and Greg, but meeting Dave has been such a nice treat. I'm glad he was able to join us for dinner. Hanging out with other drivers is a pretty rare opportunity since we're almost never in the same place at the same time, but I'm so glad we were able to have this weekend together. And it's not over yet!

More tomorrow...


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: This Is What Sheer Joy Looks Like
2 YEARS AGO: I’ll Have The Tootsie Rolls And The Butterfinger And The Lollipop And The Gummi Bears And The Hershey Kisses And The Snickers Bar And The M&M’s And…
3 YEARS AGO: Meals On Wheels
4 YEARS AGO: Mercury Dropping
5 YEARS AGO: James Cameron For $79.99 A Night
6 YEARS AGO: The Town That Big Tobacco Built

The Top Five Sweet Scents In My World

I used to know a guy who called air fresheners and the like, "smellum goods". Last night after coming back to the truck from the Appreciation Days event, I didn't like the way the truck smelled, so I needed to use one of my smellum goods to get the place up to my standards.

So I pulled out my favorite air freshner of all time and put it to work - my Lemon Verbena Soy Candle.
This candle can be found at Target for $9.99. I love it. When I got home from the Appreciation Days event, I smelled a little like smoke. There was no smoking in the event tent, but of course there are always those people who can't function without a cigarette, so they stand in the openings of the tent (or building, doorway, etc.) blowing their filthy disgusting scent in the direction of others. The lemon verbena made me forget all about those nasty odors.

I first discovered Lemon Verbena when I was working at a Sheraton resort and a guest bought me several candles as a gift - it's been my favorite scent since. It's light, fresh and delicious!

My next clean-air trick is a spritz of air freshening spray. This comes in handy for certain situations - cooking smells, nasty outside odors seeping in, after visits to the loo. "Loo" sounds so innocuous, doesn't it?
Glade Clean Linen is something I use this in the truck and at home on a regular basis. To me, it smells like the air that comes out of the dryer hose - you know, when you're outside of your home or an apartment building or a laundromat. That fresh, hot linen smell? I love it.

I'm not really a fan of smelly lotions for my body or hands, so I usually choose something that doesn't have a flowery or fruity scent. Two of my favorites are the Neutrogena Body Oil and Body Lotion.
It's so light, with a scent that apparently comes from the sesame oil. Some people hate it, but ever since my sister-in-law turned me on to it, I'm in love. It doesn't compete with other scents and is whisper-light. I don't use the oil in the truck because it's best put on after a shower and I find in the small space, it's a little messy. But I always have a bottle of the lotion.

Same thing goes for face washes - don't like heavy smells that linger. The one I use is Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. This facial cleanser has such a fresh smell. And it leaves no residue. For me, it cleans off all my makeup and leaves my skin feeling soft and clean. I love the smell so much that I've begged and pleaded for Eddie to use it too, and he's finally given in. His cheeks are so squeaky clean, that I pepper them with kisses every time he slips into bed with a Cetaphil face!

And last but not least, my personal fragrance, ROMA by Laura Biagiotti.
This perfume is my signature scent. It was given to me almost fifteen years ago by a guest at the resort I worked at. I was a concierge at the time and had gone out of my way to take care of a few things for her and her husband. They lived in Milan, Italy and stayed at our resort often. The next time they came to town, she brought me this perfume as a thank you.

I was reluctant at first to wear it, as perfume is a personal thing and I thought it odd to get it as a gift from someone who didn't know me that well, but it took no time at all for me to fall in love with it and I have received more compliments when wearing it than I have with any other perfume I've worn in my life; combined!! Complete strangers have stopped me to ask me what I'm wearing or to tell me how good I smell. In fact, one of the guys I used to work with said that he always knew when I had arrived for work because it smelled so great once I got there! Originally discontinued, it's now available online and at some perfume kiosks and stores in malls across the country!

Since I have what Ed calls "the nose of a bloodhound", I am highly sensitive to smells I don't like. I'm also aware of wearing a scent or using a scent that someone else doesn't like. Since Ed is the only person I live with, he's the only one I really consult regarding smelly things. I always ask him if he prefers one scent over another (for instance, he hates the smell of coconut) and that's the one I'll usually buy. The smells above have been Ed Approved and since I already love them, it's a win-win.

What are some of your favorite scents?


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: A Weekend Full Of Bright Stars And Not Much Else
2 YEARS AGO: I’m Floored
3 YEARS AGO: Two Worlds Collide
4 YEARS AGO: Girl Crush
5 YEARS AGO: Silly Boys
6 YEARS AGO: It’s Nowhere Near Mexico, Y’all

Being Appreciated

We finally made it to Florida - skated into the "Appreciation Days" event just in time to pick up raffle tickets for the evening's drawings. We didn't make it for last night's drawing, where they gave away a brand new Peterbilt truck, but there's always a chance to get something good. At tonight's event they gave away everything from a Kindle, laptops, $100-$500 gift cards, steer tires, hotel room nights, Indy 500 tickets, and more. Unfortunately, we didn't win anything but I still got myself a prize.

I mentioned we were meeting our friends, who were in town before the event began. Yesterday, on the first day of the get-together, they started a conversation with another driver who was sitting next to them in class. She said he had a great attitude, had been driving for twenty-four years and was very experienced in all aspects of hauling freight. They covered topics from load securement and driving to computers, medical, taxes, and investing.

When they parted ways, Marlaina handed her card to him and said, "This is my contact information. And that's the address to the blog I write."

He looked at her card and said, "You're friends with Salena and Eddie."

Marlaina said, "Yes. Do you know them?"

"No, but I read her blog all the time and I've seen this blog too." he said, indicating the blog address on her card.

She sent me an email that evening telling me that she met one of my readers and he was looking forward to meeting me. I was flabbergasted! How cool is that?? Of all the people at this event - and there are hundreds - my friends sit next to a guy who reads my blog?? I love it.

So that was my prize - meeting that reader! His name is Dave and he was an extremely nice guy. He's from Ohio, very friendly, good sense of humor (I could tell because he laughed at all the same jokes I did when we listened to the emcee at the event) and seems to be pretty laid back. Before dinner, the boys went to a Heavy Haul class and Marlaina and I sat and caught up. About two hours later, the boys joined us again and we all had dinner together. It's such a treat meeting people other than my mother, who read my blog.

They all have loads out on Monday, whereas Ed and I will be going to get our new TWIC cards. I like the picture on my current card, wish I could just renew it, but we have to go through the entire process again, get our fingerprints and fill out a bunch of paperwork. It's necessary just in case it's needed on a load, but in the last five years, we haven't had to show our TWIC cards even once.

The only hassle involved is that we can only apply for them at a city with a port; last time we got them in Houston. And normally, you have to go back to that same office to pick them up weeks, or in our case, months later. But I've heard that you can request them to be sent to a location closer to your home but since Arizona doesn't have a port, any location is inconvenient. But it needs to be done.

After that, I think I might want to hit St. John’s Town Center for some shopping and the Apple store (I'm having some issues with texting and my battery). Then we'll look for a load out of here.

But until then, we'll make the most of the weekend with our friends because we never know when we'll see them again. It's a perfect way to wrap up our time off.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Just A Phone Call Away
2 YEARS AGO: A Practically Perfect Circle
3 YEARS AGO: My Frozen Kentucky Home
4 YEARS AGO: On Tour And Collecting Paper As We Go
5 YEARS AGO: Finding Your Way
6 YEARS AGO: Trivia From The First Tsar Of Russia

New York And Snow - My Two Favorite Things

I am in love with this song after having heard it on a recent episode of Grey's Anatomy. I love the line, "If the curve of you was curved on me".

It's called New York and it's by Snow Patrol. Here are the complete lyrics:

If you were here beside me
Instead of in New York
If the curve of you was curved on me
I’d tell you that I loved you
Before I ever knew you
Cause I loved the simple thought of you

If our hearts are never broken
Well there’s no joy in the mending
There’s so much this hurt can teach us both
Though there’s distance and there’s silence
Your words have never left me
They’re the prayer that I say every day.

Come on, come out, come here, come here
Come on, come out, come here, come here
Come on, come out, come here, come here
Come on, come out, come here, come here

The long neon lights
And the eke of the ocean
And the fire that was starting to spark
I miss it all, from the love to the lightening
And the lack of it snaps me in two

If you were here beside me
Instead of in New York
In the arms you said you'd never leave
I'd tell you that it's simple
And it was only ever thus
There is nowhere else that I belong

Come on, come out, come here, come here
Come on, come out, come here, come here
Come on, come out, come here, come here
Come on, come out, come here, come here

The long neon lights
And the eke of the ocean
And the fire that was starting to spark
I miss it all from the love to the lightening
And the lack of it rips me apart
Just give me a sign
There’s an end and a beginning
To the quiet chaos driving me back

The lone neon lights
And the want of the ocean
And the fire that was starting to go out.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Doin’ The Math
2 YEARS AGO: Well, Butter My Butt And Call Me A Biscuit
3 YEARS AGO: I Even Have Time To Go On Strike
4 YEARS AGO: Teaching Them Young
5 YEARS AGO: You Gotta Be In It To Win It
6 YEARS AGO: Cinema Stupido

Cottonwood Trading Company

Seen in downtown San Antonio, Texas.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Service With A Smile
2 YEARS AGO: Getting The Red Out, One Barn At A Time
3 YEARS AGO: Obamaduck!
4 YEARS AGO: How A Four Year Old Can Make You Feel Like Crap For Trying To Get Out Of Doing Yardwork
5 YEARS AGO: Florida Fro
6 YEARS AGO: Hail To The McGriddle Gods

Woman With Cat

Here's Miss Lily again, in a position she's often found, standing atop the lazyboy like a sentinel standing guard. Usually she makes the climb from the floor, across my mother's lap and up to the top, but sometimes she leaps directly from the floor and flies up to that position. The lazyboy rocks with her body weight, but she never loses her footing.

In this particular moment, she is scanning the room for the new dog, not realizing that the dog is sleeping soundly in her cage, unaware that she's being hunted by a cat. When my mother took the dog to the vet, who pronounced the dog perfectly healthy, the vet said that they'll eventually get along, they just need some time.

The way it's going so far, the next picture I take might be titled Woman With Dog, Cat Nowhere To Be Found.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: From Blue Grass To Wine Country
2 YEARS AGO: Plump With Fat Quarters
3 YEARS AGO: Eddie Out With The Old, In With The New Friday
4 YEARS AGO: You Can Get Them At Home Depot??
5 YEARS AGO: There Are Never Enough Hours In The Day To Do Anything When You Have A Baby
6 YEARS AGO: Tequila Sunrise

Pay No Attention To That Cat Behind The Curtain

I'm sick with bronchitis so you'll have to cut me some slack for the pet-heavy posts. Not much has happened since we packed up and left home, but there's a whole lot of activity among the housepets.

Miss Lily, the resident feline, is a little upset that a mini-poodle has entered her world. I've mentioned the scooching and skulking she's been doing, ears back and body low, trying to avoid the areas where the dog may be. She's also been doing a lot of hiding - we've found her under couch, under the bed, behind the filing cabinets in the office, behind the washing machine, behind the television, in the shower and behind various sets of drapes.

In this photo, she's hiding behind the heavy set of drapes, peeking out every once in a while to see if the coast is clear. I took this photo when I saw her nose parting the curtains. What you don't see, is that she's perched on a windowsill that's about two inches wide. I don't know how they do it, those damn cats, but they're super-agile and really do move like Ninjas.

I think this is a beautiful picture of her, and even though she's probably freaking out inside, she still acts like she's running the show.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Papa Can You Hear Me?
2 YEARS AGO: The Err Erudes Them
3 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post for this date.
4 YEARS AGO: Addicted
5 YEARS AGO: When You Just Can’t Decide Between Dinner And Breakfast
6 YEARS AGO: Purple Industrial Skies

After This, It's Time To Close The Left Door For A While

There's a saying in the trucking industry - if you want to save money, you need to keep the left door closed. It means every time you open that left door, you're likely spending money - going to get a snack, stopping for a meal, going shopping, etc.

Well it seems our left door has been open a little too long this last visit home. We've been here for a month and the dollars are pouring out of our pocket. We've done a lot of our normal dining out, plenty of Dunkin' Donuts visits because they just built one near our house, and little shopping trips here and there that have added up - mostly our normal stuff. But nothing has cost more than our medical.

Ed went to the dentist first. He had x-rays and a new crown put in. They clipped him for $1,300.00.

Then I went, got a cleaning, got x-rays and a crown, and my bill was $2,309.00.

I was referred to a periodontist, which I wrote about in this post. The office visit was $108.00 and the recommended treatment plan was $15,520.00. But, I'm paying cash, so she's going to give it to me for a cool $8,000.00.

Today I went to Urgent Care for a cough I've been having for the last three weeks. At first it started out as just a dry, hacking type of cough. Then this week, it was a little phlegmy. Then I couldn't sleep through the night because the coughing kept me awake. Ed, as usual, didn't hear a thing. He was snoring like a baby.

Urgent care gave me a breathing treatment, took x-rays and wrote me a prescription for a five-day antibiotic. I have bronchitis. That all came to $196.00. They didn't give me anything for the cough, the x-ray showed I didn't have pneumonia (joy!), and she just told me to take the antibiotic and to keep taking my asthma inhalers. Gee thanks, doc. You mean do something I've been doing for twenty-nine years now? Okay, great.

See what happens when we're home with lots of extra time on our hands?? We won't get back to work until February because now we're on our way to Florida to attend something called "Appreciation Days" that our company hosts for all their owner-operators. We don't have a load, so we'll be deadheading from Arizona to get there in time. We're meeting our friends, so in addition to attending the company event together, we'll be dining out with them and if time permits also going to the Jacksonville Boat Show since the boys really want to go. I have a feeling Ed will find a way to squeeze that in.

So although the left door is technically "closed" during the drive there, it won't really be closed until we get back to work in February. The first week's pay is going straight to paying the dentist, and after that, we'll do two or three more loads to take care of the periodontist.

Or, we might be looking into a special kind of vacation - one like our very wise friends have taken. That's definitely going to be part of our dinner conversation while we're in Florida.

Time to pick their brains!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: I Think I’ve Seen This Person On Facebook
2 YEARS AGO: Eating Crud Is So Much Tastier Than Eating Crow
3 YEARS AGO: Chihuly In The Trees
4 YEARS AGO: Is It Really SO Hard??
5 YEARS AGO: Snowball In Hell
6 YEARS AGO: The Southern Family Tree

Adding A Poodle To The Mix

“Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative.”
~ Mordecai Wyatt Johnson quotes ( American Educator)

My mother bought a dog today. A poodle. A mini Poodle.

She has joined the ranks of "those people" who have small dogs. Prissy dogs. Dogs they dress.

The dog's name is Miss Vivian - Viv or Vivey for short. She already has her first grooming appointment scheduled, and my mother has already spent too much time in PetSmart looking for clothes, collars with rhinestones and the perfect chew toy.

I have to say, she's super-cute. Playful and friendly. Follows us everywhere and loves to sit on a lap. I think my mother is really going to enjoy her company.

The cat, on the other hand, is a whole other story. She's not too happy at all about the dog. When she first saw the dog, her hair stood straight up and she scooched waaaay down. She could not get her body lower to the ground or her ears straighter back. She growled and hissed. And when the dog got a little closer, her paw was out and back in the flash of an eye, faster than a Cobra strike. If the dog was any closer, she would have been clawed.

I don't know how this is going to work out with the cat since she's ruled the house for the past few years alone. And she's not even all that friendly of a cat - she really only likes my mother and Ed. She never goes to strangers and she's not very playful. The only lap she likes is my mother's and only at a certain time of day. She's got a "schedule". So far, she's been skulking and hiding. She's seen the dog in her cage and passes it with a very wide berth. Far isn't far enough it seems. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully, when we return to see the dentist again, the cat and dog will be as close to friends as possible.

I just hope the cat doesn't get jealous of Miss Viv's extensive wardrobe.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: If…
2 YEARS AGO: How The West Was Fun
3 YEARS AGO: Pecking Order
4 YEARS AGO: The Sympathy Train Stopped Dead In Its Tracks
5 YEARS AGO: Shalom
6 YEARS AGO: A.D.I.D.A.S.

I Grew Up In The O.C. Too

I've come across this before, in emails and Facebook postings, but saw a few additions on this list. It's about Orange County, NY where I grew up. This part of the country is beautiful; bucolic landscapes, four beautiful seasons, my childhood home.

So here are a few fun facts:

• The oldest carbon dated human settlement in North America east of the Mississippi (12,500 years old) is found in Orange County, NY.
• More Mastodon skeletons have been unearthed here than any other place on earth.
• Orange County was one of the first twelve counties established by the Province of New York in 1683.
• Orange County’s black dirt region of Pine Island is the third largest onion growing region in the United States.
• Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheesewas invented in Chester, NY in 1872.
• Velveeta cheese spread (1923) and 'Liederkranz' cheese (1882) were invented in Monroe, NY.
• The first butter factory in America was in Campbell Hall, NY in 1859.
• William H. Seward, Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and purchaser of Alaska, was born in Florida, NY in 1801.
• The oldest (since 1839) continuously operating winery in the US is The Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, NY.
• 19th Century Hudson River School artist Jasper Crospey lived and painted in Warwick, NY.
• The first rocket to carry U.S. Mail landed in Greenwood Lake in Orange County in 1396.
• The Tuxedo dinner jacket originated in Tuxedo Park, an enclosed community developed by Pierre Lorillard, tobacco magnate (Old Gold). The daughter of Bruce Price, the designer of Tuxedo Park NY (1880), and also a resident, was Emily Post.
• Artist Ellsworth Kelly was born in Newburgh, NY in 1923.
• George Washington lived and worked in New Windsor from April 1782 to August 1783.
• The Order of the Purple Heart was established by George Washington in Newburgh, NY in 1782.
• The first Registered National Historic Landmark (registered in 1850) is Washington’s Headquarters located on the Hudson River in Newburgh, NY.
• The largest number (220+) of discount designer outlets in the US is located at Woodbury Commons in Central Valley, NY with 12 million visitors per year.
• The world's first, oldest, and still used harness (trotting) track is the Goshen Historic Track, established in 1838, located in Goshen, NY.
• Nearly all trotters and pacers in the Unites States can trace their pedigree to the stallion “Hambletonian” of Chester, NY (circa 1849).
• Noah Webster, creator of Webster’s Dictionary, taught school in Goshen, NY.
• The highest point in Orange County is Schunemunk Mountain which reaches 1,664 feet above sea level.
• The largest living history museum in New York State is Museum Villagein Monroe, NY.
• Bear Mountain State Park has more visitors annually than does Yellowstone National Park.
• The main runway at Stewart International Airport (SWF - formerly Stewart Air Force base) is over two miles long (11, 818 feet) and is an alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle.
• The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY (est. 1778) has the largest Church Organ in the world.
• Stephen Crane wrote some of his most popular novel “The Red Badge of Courage” in Port Jervis, NY.
• The Intersection of I-87 and I-84 in Newburgh, NY is known as the "Gateway of the Northeast".
• The largest sculpture park in the United States is the Storm King Art Centerin New Windsor, NY, featuring works from artists around the world.
• Author Zane Grey practiced dentistry in Middletown, NY before starting his literary career.
• The oldest (1919) continuously operating automobile racing dirt track in the United States is the Orange County Fair Speedway, Middletown, NY.
• The Hudson River, the first explored and most beautiful river in the United States, passing through this area, is called “The Rhine of the Americas”.
• In 1683, the County of Orange, named for William of Orange (King William III, 1650-1702), was formed.
• Orange County today is almost a half million acres in size and is dotted with dairy and produce farms, orchards, vineyards, horse ranches and bucolic villages set amongst vast areas of woodlands, rolling hills and glacier carved valleys.
• There are three cities within the county's borders: Newburgh, on the Hudson River; Port Jervis, on the Delaware River; and Middletown, halfway between the other two.
• “American Chopper” on the Discovery Channel/TLC is filmed at Orange County Choppers in Rock Tavern, NY and Newburgh, NY.
• The County seat of Orange County, NY, is the Village of Goshen.
• Of the 10 Counties named Orange in the United States, Orange County, NY is the oldest (1683). It is 206 years older than Orange County, California (1889), 169 years older than Orange County, Texas (1852), 162 years older than Orange County, Florida (1824), 133 years older than Orange County, Indiana (1816), 98 years older than Orange County, Vermont (1781), 69 years older than Orange County, North Carolina (1752), and 51 years older than Orange County, Virginia (1734).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Snowy Arrival
2 YEARS AGO: Not A Pretty Sight
3 YEARS AGO: Marking This Day In History With A Vibrant Spot Of Color
4 YEARS AGO: Lighting To Do Laundry By
5 YEARS AGO: The Benefits Of Dating A White Boy
6 YEARS AGO: Shhhhhh, You’ll Wake The Driver