Thanksgiving already!

I can't believe how time flys. So much has happened.

The end of October we were assigned a "new" (to us) truck, a 2006 Kenworth T2000. (We later, found out it was a 2005.) We got all loaded into it and took it home... and then discovered that Laurie couldn't reach the pedals. ..... When I raised the seat high enough to see over the dashboard, I literally couldn't push the clutch pedal to the floor, so I couldn't drive the truck. They didn't have any other trucks available at that time, so Leroy drove the truck (solo) for the next two weeks, while they got another truck ready for us.... or so we thought.

When we got back, the only thing they had "done" was the brakes. It was a 2005 Freightliner Columbia... which we really like! It was an automatic, which helps Laurie's bad knees. There is a lot of room, and everything "fits". Yeah!

However, when we started driving it.... we started noticing "things".... lights didn't work, plug-ins didn't work, the engine was "hiccuping" or lugging or something while shifting.... and ALL the fluids were low. Our fuel card would not allow us to buy individual items (like oil, fluids-power steering, antifreeze, or anything) or we would have filled them up ourselves .... so when we discovered an AIR leak.... we had to take it into a TA for repairs in Parowan, UT.... on our SECOND NIGHT OUT. Ridiculous! We asked the repair guy to top off the fluids for us.
He also informed us of a differential leak (but they don't work on differentials).

They (our yard) had this truck for at least two weeks.... they should have at least topped-off the fluids!! Brother.

The truck was still "hiccuping" while shifting which makes it very hard for the other person to sleep. At first we thought it was the transmission.... then Leroy thought it might be a fuel filter problem. The next TA we saw, Leroy asked the mechanic to check it out. Sure enough... a REALLY bad fuel filter and the "O" rings were in the wrong place. So.... 30 minutes and $35 dollars later.... a smooth running truck. Yeah! Which brings me back to our Yard mechanics.... If you were going on a long trip in your car, wouldn't you check all the fluids, the fuel & air filters, and really everything........ I would. Why didn't they? The TA mechanic that changed the fuel filter told us that the Air filter was bad also, but we didn't have time for that. Later.

So we finished our drops in Topeka, KS and then in Columbus, OH....... On time.
Then we went down to Cincinnati, OH and picked up a load going to Sparks, NV.

Today, Thanksgiving Day, we are in Indiana.

We are sooo Thankful for so many things. Family & friends who love and support us. An Awesome God who is ever faithful and loves us without end, and who is continually teaching us and challenging us to be more like Him.
Thankful for a warm, dry truck in the Indiana rains....
AND FOR A NEW JOB!!!

A few weeks ago, we started calling different trucking companies, and finally one of them hired us!!! It is a company called LCT. Based in central Florida. As fast as we can, we are returning this truck to San Diego, CA and then renting a car and driving across country (with all of our "home" stuff required for living in our truck). Of course, after we gave our notice, this company wanted us to stay, but NO. We are moving on.

Again, God is sooo good. -- New job, and really decent weather, considering it is sooo late into the winter season. We haven't hit snow yet. Thank You, God..... but we know it is coming.... and that God will be with us even in that. Too.

Again, Thank You for ALL of your Love and Support. Your prayers are really felt deeply!!

With much love, Laurie
Happy Thanksgiving!!!