Trucker Wife again this summer

We survived last summers adventures while Don drove Long haul. Sadly he was gone for 3 weeks at a time, then home for only 2 days (3 if we were lucky). we learned how to really talk on the phone. I found I was talking to him more than most of my friends in a traditional Mon-Friday 40 hour week husband. I learned the art of being flexible. Time meant nothing to the company he was with, and it was very hard to keep a schedule of any kind near the time frame he'd be heading thru "HOME". I'd go at the drop of the hat to have lunch/dinner because that was simply all the time I was going to get with my husband. Unfortunately, often plans with friends got dropped if Don got unexpected home time. I had days I loved having a king size bed to myself, and others I'd just cry. I missed him every second of every day. He stopped driving this winter and went back to the shuttle job he does every winter. He was home every night, and it was hard getting use to having him there so often. BUT I loved it. we relearned to be together. Shuttle season is over, and Don got himself another driving job. so we started our summer this Monday, and already this company seems SO much better, he is scheduled to be home 2 nights during the week and home every weekend. Love that. so he was out Monday, home Tuesday night, out Wednesday night and home tomorrow (Thursday). They have him doing a run leaving Sunday, so I get my hubby home for a long weekend. Next week they have him doing a special run, so he will be gone Mon-Friday but off on the weekend. I'm excited for this opportunity to have a fairly set schedule with my hubby.

Truckin On....

Day One of Orientation is over and he's resting back at the hotel. Today was lots of paperwork, and DOT physical and Driving test. (which he passed with flying colors). He's been fed and he's tired (from getting up earlier than he is used to)but over all, doing well. I've been busy at work, however with permission from my boss (who was a truckers wife for 20 years) made time to talk and text anytime I hear from Hubby. She's been great checking in with me to make sure I was "hanging in there" and letting me know her door was open anytime. there are now two of us Trucker Wives in the office, and its nice checking in with each other. My neighbors were so sweet yesterday, they knew i was home alone and sent their teenagers over to invite me over. When I opened the door, they threw their arms around me and said "mom said you might need a hug" awwwww. they then said to grab my lunch containers and come on over. I went over and was dished up a steak dinner for my lunch. I've kept myself busy at home working on projects I found on Pinterest (organization stuff) I've cleaned off our hutch and am using a new filing system for our bills. I've got a planned project for myself for a few weeks and I'm sure I'll find more stuff to plan :) so far, day 1 (2nd full day) has gone well. minus the fact that my King bed is REALLY REALLY big all by myself.

changes at home

Well, Don and I are facing some changes to our day to day life. He leaves Tuesday for a orientation at his new job "driving truck" He'll be driving the 11 western states, so we're looking at about 21 days out before he makes it home for a short time. Once he has about 6 more months of experience, we are looking at doing the Owner Operator side of this. Meaning we'll drive for ourself which will allow us to control how often he is home.

promised Rugby pictures

These are from Jason's first game (3 weeks ago) I lost the camera, and its now been found so here are the pictures I said I had.

Welding and Piano?

Jason does have other interests outside of Rugby (although that seems to have taken up our lives right now) Jason is taking Welding in school and LOVES it. He has entered competitions through a program called Skilled USA. The students can win scholarship money. Jasons first competition was to build a stool (team of 3) His team didnt win, but he learned alot, and they didnt come in last place :) I think they did awesome. He is also teaching himself to play piano... His dad and step mom acquired a baby grand and Jason spends time playing and watching youtube to learn to play. His dad sent me this picture of Jason playing one night.

new Driver

I'm a little slow on getting this in... BUT I have a new driver, and it seems that we don't seem to spend much time at home anymore. we're out driving.

I'm a Rugby Mom

so when my 17 year old told me he was going to play Rugby I gave a little giggle. He looked at me with his big blue eyes and said "I'm serious mom". and the scene from Friends, where Ross plays Rugby with Emily's friends from England went through my head



He promised to be careful, and even tried to explain the sport to me. many many many youtube videos later, I was clueless but more scared then before. My kid could get really hurt out there. YIKES so last weekend they had a Jamboree with 4 schools. I invited Grandpa and Grandma Williams to come watch, and invited Jason's Girlfriend to come watch with me too. we FROZE, it was so cold. The game started, and well it looked like monkey ball, and we had no clue what we were watching. It was just me and Janae for the second game, so we went and stood over by the team and the coaches. I picked up a few phrases and learned a bit listening to the coaches yell to the field. I watched Jason get pulled to the ground, and tossed into the air. lots of time reminding myself to breathe while trying to snap pictures and still watch. (as soon as I find the camera, I'll put pictures here)