We Are A Very Rich, Blessed, Lucky, Fortunate Lot Aren't We?

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2012: Passion Creates Pure Art
2011: Reflecting On The Day
2010: Crunching The Numbers
2009: Looking Grand At The Grand Canyon
2008: Overshadowing Government
2007: Miami International
2006: Did You Check The Solenoid?
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

My Mother Never Fried Chicken Like This

Truth be told, my mother never made fried chicken at all.  We didn't do fried chicken in our neck of the woods - the closest we came were fried chicken cutlets - fried chicken was reserved for people in the south.  There was a reason it was called southern fried chicken.  But pan fried, now that's something else.

This week on our way home to Arizona, we stopped at a place we've driven past at least a hundred times.  I saw a billboard and couldn't get the words out of my mouth fast enough to make sure Ed would stop quick enough.  I was babbling and pointing.   "Panfriedchicken.  At the next exit.  Panfriedchicken.  Pan fried!  Now.  Next exit.  There!"  What?  I was hungry.

The place was just off the highway (exit 179 on I-44, as you can see on the menu) and had pah-lenty of truck parking.  We parked, hopped out, and ran into a FedEx driver on our way in and his way out of the place.  He recommended the pan fried chicken (duh), some kind of sandwich called The Big Pig, and a few others things.  He gushed about how he eats there every week and that everything was good.

It was late in the afternoon, so the dining room was fairly empty. Once this table left, we had the place to ourselves. Needless to say, the waitress was very attentive.

We told her we'd never been before, that we saw the billboard, and then took a few minutes to look at the menu before ordering the house special - Pan Fried Chicken!  Actually, Ed got the chicken (with an extra breast for me) and ordered mashed potatoes and creamed corn on the side. Creamed corn always looks pretty questionable but is usually pretty tasty.

I got The Big Pig sandwich.  We decided we'd split the meals - I'd give him half my sandwich, and he'd give me that extra chicken breast I made him order. The pork tenderloin on this sandwich was just that - a tender loin. The piece of meat hung over the bun by at least an inch on each side. I ordered tater tots to go along with it.

Everything was incredibly delicious. The sandwich was delicious, but I LOVED the chicken. The waitress explained pan frying - the pieces were dredged in their flour and spice mixture, and set in a pan with canola oil that just covered half the chicken piece. Eighteen minutes on one side, eighteen on the other, and it was done.

The thing I loved about the chicken was the fact that it wasn't at all greasy. Sometimes, with fried chicken, you get a very crispy piece, but the coating holds onto a lot of oil. This breading was crispy, done perfectly, and the inside was super-freaking juicy. And hot. I'm in love, and I'm going back.

We also ordered dessert. The waitress forced us. OK, so she didn't exactly force us, she merely suggested some of their home made items.  I felt as if I really should be having something. They had pies and cobblers, ice cream and bread pudding. I was sort of in the mood for a fruit filled pie, but I thought passing on a bread pudding made with cinnamon rolls, topped with caramel and nuts would be akin to drowning a kitten. So I had the bread pudding, and Ed ordered chocolate cream pie.

Then, the waitress came over with another dessert, and as she set it on the table said, "Just because I really like you guys, I'm going to give you some blackberry cobbler on the house. All I heard was "cobbler" and "free". It was amazing.The fruit was delicious, the cobbler was tucked away underneath, it was warm, and she topped it with ice cream. Ed and I were in heaven. It wasn't cloyingly sweet, which I really liked. We ate the ice cream because it was melting, but we took the rest of our desserts to go. Twice the delight - now and later.

They also have a 66-ounce burger in honor of Route 66, and they do a burger eating challenge similar to the 72-ounce steak deal that The Big Texan in Amarillo offers. They even have a little setup, with a digital clock counting down the minutes as you eat.

If you're passing through Missouri, you should definitely make plans to stop.  Usually, we seem to get through here in the wee hours of the morning, but I'm definitely glad this time I was awake and bored enough with the scenery that I resorted to reading billboards.

Turned out advertising really does work.  Good thing I didn't see one of the many billboards Missouri is famous for, like “Missing Jesus In Your Life?” or “Pure Pleasure Adult Megacenters”.

This would have been a completely different post.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2012: Shocking
2011: Awesome All-Star
2010: Have Pots And Pans, Will Travel
2009: This One Contains A Young Rider
2008: When She’s Not Sleeping, She Tries To Look Purty
2007: Eddie McSteamy Friday
2006: Pepparkakor Cat
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Where They Store The Crop Goodies

One of the many grain silos in Hereford, Texas.  This one belongs to the Hereford Grain Corporation. 


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2012: Inside The Trucker’s Studio
2011: The Next Project
2010: Why Would You Want To Be A Zero When Looking Like This Is Clearly A Plus?
2009: The Giant Dirty Bird Goes Sailing In The Four Corners
2008: Soft Core Porn
2007: Almost Fully Integrated
2006: Downtown Scenery And Deals
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Marriage Of Two Loves

Last weekend, we hit Barnes & Noble, where I spent the night reading cookbooks.  Sometimes, I just don't know what gets into me, but I have this insatiable need to see pictures of food.  Fabulous pictures.  Pictures of food that put supermodels to shame. 

These two books did the trick:

Bouchon Bakery:  After reading this book, I'm totally abandoning truck driving to become a baker.  I want to make baguettes, fougasse, boule, palmiers, buttery, flakey croissants and pain au chocolat.  I believe bread needs me as much as I need bread.  If you only saw the beautiful block of butter that was wrapped and folded into the croissant dough, you'd clamor to be my best friend once I start baking.

Italian Cuisine: Signature Recipes:  This book, put out by Academia Barilla - which is located in Parma, Italy and founded by actual Barilla family members - is one of the most beautiful books I've ever opened.  The books is at least 18" tall and every recipe page has a photo.  A stunning photo of food like nothing I've ever seen.  On a crisp, white background.  Oh, it was beautiful.

Since I'm probably not going to be able to do much baking of bread in the truck - I still have to figure out how the convection oven works for baking - I'm going to attempt making my favorite pasta from a recipe I found in the Barilla book. 

Here's what I'll be making:


GNOCCHI DI PATATE ALLA BAVA
Drooling Gnocchi

Serves: 4
Preparation Time:  44 minutes (40 minutes preparation, 4 minutes cooking time)

For The Gnocchi:
Potatoes  1 lb (500 g)
Flour  1 cup (125 g)
Eggs  1
Salt   To taste

For The Sauce:
Butter  1/4 stick  (30 g)
Fontina Cheese 5 1/3 oz  (150 g)
Milk  6 3/4 tbsp  (100 ml)

Method:

1.  Boil the potatoes in their skins in plenty of salted water.

2.  When the potatoes are cooked, drain, peel and mash them on a work surface.  Knead the mashed potatoes with the flour, egg and a pinch of salt.

3.  For small cyliners with the mixture, 3/4" (2 cm) in diameter and cut them into pieces about 3/4 inch (2 cm) long.  Roll them over the prongs of a fork to give them the typical shape of gnocchi.

4.  Melt the butter in a skillet.  Add the Fontina, with the rind removed and cut into thin slices, and the milk.

5.  Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi in boiling salted water and remove them with a skimmer as soon as they rise to the surface.

6.  Put them directly into the skillet with the Fontina sauce and sauté them with the cheese as it melts.


I'm telling you right now, I'm going to enjoy the hell out of this meal.  How can I not?  It combines two things I love - potatoes and cheese.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2012: I Love A Man Wearing A Damn Good Looking Workboot
2011: MMXI At Full Throttle
2010: Maybe There’s A Reason Ed Never Lets Me Out Of The Truck
2009: Napolitos
2008: Pull Up A Chair
2007: The Story Of The Uppity Barista: Otherwise Known As A Texan Gittin’ Above His Raisin’
2006: Rock, Paper, Eddie
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Contemplating Broccoli Cheddar

Eddie in Panera Bread, waiting for his soup and sandwich.


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2012: I’m Totally Contemplating Thievery
2011: Some People Are Just Fucking Nuts
2010: 7am In Beantown
2009: Eddie Taking A Moment To Enjoy Nature Friday
2008: Pull Up A Chair
2007: Brad Blows
2006: Expressly American
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Doing A Complete 180

Last week our generator crapped out.  We've been eating out every night since I can't cook anything - don't worry, I'm okay - and I've had to blow dry my hair in spurts, since the blowdryer knocks out the 12-volt outlet midway through my 'do.  Thankfully it's cold outside, because if it were anything above 50 degrees, I'd be a complete bitch with no air conditioning for my sleeping cocoon.  A few nights we ran the truck, but in New York we had to rely on open windows and the ceiling fan since they're one of those states with anti-idling laws.

The generator  was going to take a few hours to install, so Ed had them put some new shocks on the sleeper too.  I'm wondering if I'll even notice the difference when I'm sleeping?  I'll have to remember to pay attention during the real test - when Ed chooses to hit every pothole in the lot rather than navigate around them like I do.

So while the truck was out of commission, we went shopping.  We looked at a new sleeper.  A bigger sleeper.  We were shown a 180" sleeper - we have a 132” - that we really loved.  It was 100" high, which is not how they normally build them, and it gave the entire sleeper area a feeling of vast space.  This particular sleeper had a mirrored cutout in the ceiling - which I'm not entirely in love with - but the mirror did increase the feeling of space dramatically. 

They had custom cabinets that the customer got at Lowe's, with glass inserts in the doors, a glass tile backsplash in the kitchen, the same glass tiles at the top of the shower interior, and custom fabric on all the walls and cushions. 

We really want something where we can have access to the bed and the table at the same time, rather than having to put the bed up in order to have a table to use, and the 180" sleeper offers that.  In addition, it has the back bed we really want, and a side door.

With the generator and shocks done, we got out of there for just under $10,000.00, but if we were to get a new sleeper, we'd be saying goodbye to much more than that.  Personally, I think it's worth it since we spend so much time on the road.  And I really don't mind spending time on the road, so I want to find a way to make it happen.  That might mean instead of six months off next year like we had last year, maybe we'll have to knock the time off down to three months.  I think I can live with that.

In the meantime, we'll keep the rubber to the road and play a the lottery once in a while.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2012: Apple Is My Life. I’m Living It To The Core.
2011: Men (And One Little Man) At Work
2010: Miss Me Like It’s Forever
2009: Speak Already!
2008: On The Hunt
2007: Cash For Life
2006: Nice Melons
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

All The Better To See You With My Dear

Winter on the road wreaks havoc on the windshield.  It's never clean enough for me.  I go through windshield washer fluid like mad, and I insist Ed cleans the windows every time we stop at a truck stop.  They need to sparkle!  I hate a dirty windshield, especially at night, because the headlights of the oncoming cars hit the dirt on the window and it becomes opaque.  It's too hard for me to see.  I don't need to be bobbing my head around, trying to find a hole I can see through. 

I've been having fits with our windshield wipers - it seems there's always a clogged jet and the washer fluid comes out like spit.  I can't stand it.  And it seems the dirtiest streak - the only place the fluid doesn't reach - is in a swath right across my line of vision.  I'm telling you, there's an invention in here somewhere, a way to get a perfect spray across the entire windshield, with no clogging.  I gotta work on that.

Because of the wiper problems (and it happens with every brand we've ever bought), when I drive I keep the bottle of Windex up front on the floor next to me so I can give the windshield a spray without having to get out of the truck - I just reach my arm out the window (not while driving!) and spray the center area so I can see. 

When it comes to my windows, I'm totally the Big Bad Wolf.
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2012: Gratuitous Cute Dog Photo
2011: How To Kill Bees
2010: A Mirage Of Sorts
2009: Clouds Aflame
2008: When You Get One Like This, Don’t Let Him Get Away
2007: A Good Tipper Can Always Get Away With Being A Little Bossy
2006: Like Day And Night In Utah
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Sure Sign You're In A Truck Stop

Butts in a truck stop ashtray.


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2012: Waiting For The Bell To Ring
2011: You Don’t Need I.D. To Buy Booze If You Have One Of These In Your Pocket
2010: The Pros Slip In And Out With Ease
2009: Mine. All Mine.
2008: No, You Can’t Fly It
2007: Flying Parasols
2006: Seattle In Motion
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Gettin' The Juice To Stay On The Move

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2012: Light On My Feet. Literally.
2011: We Got Smashed
2010: One Provides Light, The Other Just Stands There
2009: Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!
2008: C’Mon In
2007: Eddie Hits The Bricks Friday
2006: Take It As It Comes
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Is The Coast Clear Yet?

The duck peeks out from the bookshelf, wondering if the Christmas decorations cluttering his area have come down yet. 

Sorry, Duck.  No go.

We have another week or so before we go home, which is when I'll take down the Christmas decorations and store them in the shed.  Until then, you've just gotta live with it.

And so does Ed.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2012: Why So Angry, Birds?
2011: One Hand In The Air For The Empire State
2010: Hitching A Ride From The Frying Pan Into The Fire
2009: Don’t Look AT Me Like That. No, Really. Don’t. You’re Making Me Melt.
2008: A Mid-Winter Pick Me Up
2007: I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You
2006: How To Get Rid Of Your Girlfriend
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

More Bling Than One Person Can Handle

I found these gorgeous rhinestone bangles at THE BEST accessory store I've ever seen in my entire life. Located at Northborough Crossing in Northborough, Massachusetts (a plaza that also happens to have the only Wegman's in the entire state), is where you can find Charming Charlie. 

You can find stuff here that would put Liz Taylor's colletion to shame!  Of course, hers was real and yours would not be, but that's not the point...we're talking about having the power of sheer blinding shine here.

The entire store is configured in a color scheme layout. From pink to brown to green to black to red to gold, silver, and rhinestone! If you can't find a pair of earrings, a ring or trinket in this store, you've got to give up shopping for life. I've never seen so much costume jewelry in one place. It was amaaaaazing. 
Look for one in your neighborhood. I'll guarantee you'll leave with something in your hot little hands!


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2012: Instantly Tucson
2011: Start With An Ollie, Finish With A Shred And Grind
2010: Fire In The Sky
2009: Free Advertising For Erectile Dysfunction
2008: High Flame Toni
2007: Ripped From The Headlines
2006: Our Truck Looked Reallllly Good…
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Big Little Giant

This is what you find when you stray from the interstate.  Little Giant Grocery in Carmi, Illinois.

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2012: All The Color I Need
2011: Bobbin’ Around The Neighborhood
2010: Getting Ready For Bathing Suit Season With Bananas
2009: Ed Happy Little Trees Friday
2008: Sorry, no post on this day.
2007: Forty Two Days
2006: I Should Have Never Had That Last Drink!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

As Pure As The Driven Snow

Gil, a long time reader and friend, sent me this picture of his backyard because he knew I was craving the sight of some snow.  We're both on the east coast right now, but he's further north than we are and he got almost a foot of snow.  I'm so jealous!

The reason I used his picture is because as soon as I saw it, it remided me of my childhood.  When we used to wake up in the morning to a big snow, and the railings on our porch looked just like this - covered with pristine, untouched, fluffy white snow.  My brother and I couldn't wait to get out in a snow like this.  And one of the first things we'd do is run our gloved hands over the entire railing, watching the snow flutter over our wrists and to the ground below.

It's cold here in New Jersey and although there's no snow on the ground where we are, I'm loving the crisp winter air.  This weekend we'll be heading to the Midwest where there will definitely be snow on the ground.  Ed even joked about us going snow tubing.  I love that idea.  Can you see me, flying down the hill on a tube?  The thought of it is comical.  And even a bit preposterous.  I probably won't allow any pictures to be taken.

Anyway....I'm feeling good about the new year.  I don't know what it is about the first day of the year, but it really does feel like a new beginning.  Pure.  Fresh.  Bright.

And fluffy.  Like new snow.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2012: Quiet On The Set
2011: I’d Rather Get A Little Taste Of Mark Ruffalo Than Eat Swiss Chard
2010: Two Very Different Ideas Of Fun
2009: Caution: New Year Ahead!
2008: Fresh Dreams. Clean Slate. High Hopes. New You.
2007: Two Thousand Seven
2006: Happy New Year!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Wrapping Up A Year Of Making My Own Sunshine

As I've done for the last several years, I'm wrapping up 2012 with a year-end meme.  Here we go...

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Shot footage for a "sizzle reel" for a possible TV show. Visited the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Appeared as a guest on a radio show.  Had six months off work (planned and unplanned time).  Saw a naked man driving on the interstate. Caught vandals in the act.  Went to our family reunion without one of the most treasured family members. And the biggest thing I did that has never been done before?  I bought my mother a car.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well, I didn’t learn Italian or exercise, but I did eat less fast food and more fruit, which allowed me to lose 25 pounds, so I guess that's a good thing.  I haven’t decided on any resolutions for 2013 yet. Oddly, I’m really not a resolution making type of girl, but I do them because it seems  to be what people do.  Maybe I’ll come up with a few good ones.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I'm aware of.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Well, not someone close to me, but the father of a very good friend died on December 21st. I am deeply saddened by this news.

5. What countries did you visit?
None this year. So sad.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
I think I’m ready to buy a house in Nashville.  I have my fingers crossed and will continue to look, but I won't hold my breath for it to actually happen this year. I’d really like to go to Europe again – Northern Italy, Switzerland and Austria are on my list. And I’d also like to do a European River Cruise.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 11, 2012: The real day the music died. We lost Whitney Houston.  I was in Los Angeles the day it happened, thirty miles away from the hotel room where she was found.  It was both shocking and expected, but still sad.

December 14, 2012: The Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. The killings of 26 people in Newtown, CT - 20 children ages 6 and 7, and 6 teachers and administrators – will forever stick in my mind. I can’t even think about it without crying.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Probably losing those 25 pounds. It's so freakin' hard, you know. I went back and forth with three pounds and thought I was going to pull my hair out - gain, lose, gain, lose. For weeks I was at a standstill. It’s a never-ending battle, but I have more to go so I will continue trying.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting material together for a project Ed and I are working on. I’ve been talking about it, taken notes here and there, done some organizing, consulted other people, etc., but I didn’t put enough time into it and didn’t make anywhere near the progress I wanted to.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No illnesses, no injuries. I'm lucky like that.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I never really buy anything significant for myself - I buy makeup here and there, purses, shoes, etc. - Ed usually buys me the good stuff. This year he bought me an iPad (which I LOVE!), my Rosetta Stone Italian software (which I have yet to use), and a new camera.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I would have to say I'm pretty impressed with my mother and how she's handled the year after my step-father's death.  She spent 31 years with a person who one day was just gone.  She's been fairly strong on the outside, but also let some of her sadness show so that those of us closest to her were able to reach out and let her know that we're here, we remember Frank, and we'll keep him alive in memories.  She surrounded herself with people who are also dealing with loss, and in doing that I think she's gained a little more footing and was able to have days that weren't so horrible.  I admire her strength and think she should be celebrated for handling such a terrible life event with grace and courage.   

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Republicans of Rape - Todd Akin from Missouri and Richard Mourdock from Indiana.  Thankfully, both of them were “legitimately shut down”.  I have no tolerance for people who support them or think like they do.

14. Where did most of your money go?
After maxing out the contribution to my IRA, the things I spent the most money on were songs from iTunes, books from Audible.com, stuff from Amazon (I LOVE Amazon), Dunkin' Donuts, Las Vegas (gambling losses), and magazines.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I don’t get really excited about anything, so this question is really hard to answer, but I guess the thing I get most excited about is spending time with my best friend, and this year we got to do it a few times. Not nearly enough time, but a few more than normal.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
I can never pick just one song, but these all remind me of this year.  I Look To You by Whitney Houston, New York by Snow Patrol, Ho Hey by The Lumineers, and Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
I think I’m the same on the happy/sad scale, I’m definitely a little thinner, and because we had six months off this year, if we were to run the numbers, I’d say I’m probably a little poorer. And I only say that because on paper, that’s probably the case, but in reality, I don’t feel one bit poorer than I did last year. Ed’s answer would probably be a little different on this one. LOL

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Write, watch movies, and practice my Rosetta Stone Italian.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Making small talk with people I don’t like.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
On the road, under a Hellfire and Brimstone hazmat load – transporting some of the most dangerous chemicals we’ve ever hauled - from Pennsylvania to California to Oregon and back. It was THE WORST Christmas we've ever had.  The only thing that saved it, was the fact that I got to see some snow. Otherwise, it sucked all around.

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
I haven't fallen in love with any people this year, but I am in love with stuff.  This year, it's my iPad, mascarpone cheese, Greek yogurt (Fage brand only), and country music (again) because of my new favorite TV show, Nashville.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
My favorites are Glee, Grey's Anatomy and Project Runway. I also love Chopped and David Rocco's Dolce Vita. I’ve realized I can no longer say, “I never watch TV." because although I generally stood by that because I don’t sit in front of it wasting away the hours.  I usually just watch a few shows a week, “my shows”, and that's it. But now I have so many shows, on so many nights, that I find I'm always watching something. I’m adding these three to my CANNOT MISS list: Nashville, Smash and Scandal.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Yep - two new people. There's been a growing dislike of these people over the years, but it's recently blossomed into a full-on can't stand. 

24. What was the best book you read?
This is another category I can’t list just one answer for, so here are a few of my favorites from this year:
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
Winter Journey by Diane Armstrong
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nicholas David Mrozinski from The Voice.  I absolutely LOVE his sound and his style.

26. What did you want and get?
An iPad, and a second term for my President.

27. What did you want and not get?
A snowy cabin vacation.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
By far, my favorite was Pitch Perfect. It took my love of all things musical and laced it with a whole bunch of comedy. I laughed and smiled through the entire thing.  I also loved I Am Love (Io Sono l’Amore) starring Tilda Swinton - it is just as the critics describe it; sumptuous viewing, mesmerizing, gorgeous, ravishing, undeniably sensuous, emotional, deep, rich, and human. It’s definitely not a movie for everyone, but I was transfixed.  And although this is not a film, this little video that my mother’s friend took, never fails to bring a smile to my face.  I also wind up singing the song for the rest of the day.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 45 this year and spent it at home in Tucson. Oddly, I can’t remember what I did, but I’m sure it involved dinner with the family. Hmmm. That’s disturbing. Can I be losing my mind already? I do remember getting these – they were a gift from a reader and cyber-friend and arrived a few days before my birthday. She made them. Aren’t they fabulous??

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Well, not having to listen to Ed talk about money and investments would be a good start. The subject makes me want to poke my eyes out.  Other than that, I think I would have liked to have made something - and by that I mean, something crafty. A knitted item, something hand sewn, a craft of some sort. I did make these for my best friend and I absolutely LOVED every minute of doing it – and I did it in the truck! So I guess I wish I had more moments like that. Being on the road doesn’t allow for me to have as many crafting/handmade opportunities as when I’m at the house.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
This question always cracks me up because I don’t really have a “personal fashion concept”.  I did discover a yoga pant with a slightly flared leg that I really like – I’ve been wearing the hell out of the one pair I have – and I did buy a bunch of new tops, but I pretty much stick with the same capri pant/flip-flop look throughout the summer, and just add jeans and closed-toe shoes in the winter. At least I haven’t fallen prey to the hideous trucker eagle/wolf/Indian spirits t-shirts.

32. What kept you sane?
All of my entertainment outlets (podcasts/movies/music/TV/books), talking to my best friend, on-the-road visits with The New York City Truckers, and enjoying the travel side of trucking.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I’m all about the boys this year. I love Channing Tatum, just love him.  I'm also pretty fond of Ashton Kutcher, Ben Affleck, and Ryan Gosling, and I’m fairly obsessed with Prince William and Kate Middleton,  Yes, I confess, I’m a Royal Watcher.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gun Control.  Or more accurately, the lack of.

35. Who did you miss?
My grandparents. I’ve been working on the family tree and realized I had no one to ask about things I didn't know, and no one else in the family was able to help. Nanny would have known, and I wish she were here.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Unfortunately, I didn’t cross paths this year with anyone fabulous.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
This year's lesson can be summed up in a popular phrase used by kids today, and something that was repeatedly texted to be by my nephews:  #YOLO  The hashtag is mostly a Twitter thing, but the acronym stands for You Only Live Once.  And you really can't get more concise than a life lesson that has only four letters:  YOLO

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I really like the lyrics in the catchy, “I Make My Own Sunshine” song by Alyssa Bonagura.  If you haven't heard the song already (which would mean you're living under a rock since it was the theme song of the Lowe's TV commercial), you'll be singing it before long. Here are a few of the lyrics:

Everything is wonderful
Everything is great
Free as a bird singing outside my window pane
Got a fresh new start
It's a brand new day
And I got lots of love to give away

It don't matter if it's raining
Nothing can phase me
I make my own sunshine
And if you think you can break me
Baby you're crazy
I make my own sunshine

And my slogan for the New Year...EXPLORE!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2011: Later, 2011!
2010: That’s A Wrap!
2009: Out With The Old
2008: Another Year, Another 365 Days
2007: All Good Things Come To An End
2006: The Symphony Of A Thousand Saws
2005: Suicidal Firewood

Doesn't Look So Bad From A Distance

"Cabbage" doesn't look so bad when you view it from a distance.  Umatilla, Oregon.

The Grapevine, Cabbage, The Three Sisters, Lookout Pass, Tehachapi, Shasta, The Siskiyous, Donner, Loveland Pass, Fourth of July Pass, Fancy Pass, Monteagle.  Mention any of those names to any trucker and they'll know exactly what you're talking about.

These are the mountains we climb and descend. In sunshine we don't worry, in snow and ice, we contemplate.

If we have to "throw chains" (that's trucker speak for putting snow chains on your tires), we usually sit it out. If the weather is so bad that chain use is mandatory, the freight can wait.  We don't need 80,000 pounds pushing us down a hill or keeping us from cresting it.  It's just not worth it. 

It's very rare that Ed chains any load.  He avoids it at all costs.  I think it's a combination of it being a hateful task, and his years of experience "reading" the roads and the weather. I can count on one hand how many times in almost nine years I've seen him do it.  This load, based on where it was going, was one that might require chains to get through the roughest spots.  We were hauling hazardous material from Pennsylvania to Oregon, with stops in Salt Lake City and California.

We decided to deliver in Salt Lake City first.  There was a little bit of blowing snow across Nebraska and Wyoming, but nothing that slowed us down too much.  A small delay due to a three-car accident, but they didn't shut the highway down and we were able to get around it without too much of a wait.  The roads through Utah were fine, and there was a bright, full moon to illuminate the drive.  We got to Salt Lake late on Christmas Day - actually, it was the wee hours of the next day - needless to say, the guy receiving the load wasn't too thrilled to have to meet us at almost two in the morning.  After we delivered, we had to decide which stop was going to be next - Fremont, California or Tualatin, Oregon.

The weather was getting increasingly worse, with snow starting to come down steadily as we sat on the fuel island in the Tooele, Utah T/A deciding what to do.  Going to California first meant tackling Donner - which is always challenging in snow and ice - but coming in from Utah meant we'd have to cross the entire state of Nevada, which had a chain requirement from Wendover at the state line, all the way to the other side of Sierra Nevadas in California.  That would have been almost 500 miles with chains on.  Ed just wasn't going to do it.  He doesn't mind chaining up to get over a mountain pass, but there was no way he was going to drive 500 miles, at 35 miles per hour, with chains on.

Heading to Oregon posed another problem.  There were chain requirements in Northern Utah and in Oregon.  And going that way would mean chaining up to get over Cabbage. This hill, whose formal name is Emigrant Hill, is part of the Oregon Trail and located in Oregon's Blue Mountains.  The name "Cabbage Hill " comes from G.L. Dunn, of Gibbon, who used to herd sheep in that area.  He named it for the garden on the land at the top of the hill, owned by a Mr. Huderman, that supposedly contained a lot of cabbage. I'm sure it was lovely covered with cabbage, but it's a bitch covered in snow.

The Oregon DOT website says, "This seven-mile downgrade has some of the most changeable and severe weather conditions in the Northwest.  You'll lose about 2,000 feet of elevation in six miles and twist through a double hairpin turn at a 6% downgrade." 

The recommended speed for a fully-loaded tractor-trailer - which we were, scaling out at just under 80,000 pounds - is 18 miles per hour.  Do you know what it's like to chug down a steep hill at 18 miles an hour??  With people coming up behind you doing 65??  Not pleasant.

So we decided to skip both of those treacherous, overnight, snowy mountain options and chose to drop down to Las Vegas, and then head up Interstate 5.  We would hit Fremont first, then Tualatin before heading back to Pennsylvania.  The route took us several hours out of our way, but would actually take less time than driving the other routes with chains.  The only challenges would be getting over Shasta, which didn't seem like it'd be too bad, and then the Siskiyou Summit, which was the biggie.

Ed got us to Vegas, which was the easy part, which meant I had to take us over Shasta and the Siskiyous.  Turns out the weather was favorable, there were no snowflakes to dodge, and the road conditions were better than expected.  It's always a little white-knuckley driving at night, especially when you see areas that look wet, but you can't be sure if it's ice or not.  I always watch the outside temperature on the dash, if it says it's below 32 degrees, I'm even more cautious.  It's often deceiving because sometimes those spots aren't ice, but if you manage your speed and drive defensively and with caution, it's usually not as bad as it looks.

We made it through the mountains, made all our deliveries, and are now back in Pennsylvania.  Overall, it was a fairly shitty trip, which I will write about later in the week.  Right now I'm just ready to sleep and get over this cold I picked up along the way. 

Tomorrow is the last day of the year and I'll be doing my year end meme.  I'm hoping the first week of 2013 will be better than the last week of 2012. 

I don't see how it can't be.




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2011: They Really Mean It When They Say, “We Come To You”
2010: It’s Only Snow
2009: Once In A Blue Moon
2008: Have Wet Saw, Will Travel
2007: Spiritual Motivation
2006: Who Needs Paint Chips When You Can Just Use An Old Flag For Inspiration?
2005: The Promised Land