Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Katrina

Having lived through 4 hurricanes last summer I was not prepared for the devastation of Katrina. I was compelled to call the Red Cross today and volunteer to go to the largest/worst natural disaster of our nations history. Tomorrow I get two passport photos taken so they can make a badge for me and I'm also filling out an application. On Saturday I have to take an 8 hour course on first aid (rolling my eyes) and rules and regs and will be leaving either Sunday or Monday. I have committed myself for two weeks and only God knows where I'm going and who I'm going to touch. Many thanks to my loving husband who, when informed of my deep need to go help those people said to me, do what you have to do. Please pray for me and send me lots of positive energy and thoughts. I know I will end up going where I'm supposed to be and am excited to be helping in any way I can. I was told it was going to be hardship and I'd be sleeping on the floor in a shelter and I thought to myself, I'm going to get me an air mattress!!! Ha ha ha! Having had the great experience of going to Colombia on a missionary trip I believe I know what needs to be packed. I'd better! I don't have my dear friend, Ann, to bail me out if I don't.

I spoke to my boss today and they haven't given me a definite yes, but I believe I will be fine there.

Love and peace,
Alicia

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Overnight's B Model Mack


I didn't get a great picture of it. Too bad. It's an awesome looking truck/trailer. I still felt the need to publish this regardless of the picture quality.
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Conway's Show Truck


Although I have to admit that the most outstanding unit was Overnight's. It was an antique. An old B Model Mack with a stainless steel trailer.

National Truck Championships, 2005


Here is Harold and his boss, Jack, in Tampa at the National Truck Championships. Conway Express out did themselves in this event. It was a good time.
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Thursday, August 18, 2005

Exhaustion in Colombia's Airport


We were all exhausted from the week's work in Colombia and were wanting to get home. Plans to take naps on the flight home were null and void. Here's our fearless leader, Renea, finding a creative way to take a nap. Sad to say we were at the airport all day long.

Just waiting for some kind of word. Are we? Or, aren't we going home?


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Leaving Colombia


Although my stay in Colombia was great, leaving was much less to be desired. In plain and simple terms the plane was broke down. And after arriving at the airport early, we never left for the states until the next day.

We boarded the plane and then we were deplaned. After a lunch (on the airline's dime) we were then boarded again. Our plane actually was pulled away from the terminal -- and then it stopped. Back to the terminal we went. The crew were now 'out of hours' and were unable to make the trip in the time federal laws allow the workers to be on duty.



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Saturday, August 13, 2005

Karleen!


This is for you!!!

I called an old friend of mine the other night and asked her to go check her email. I'd sent her my blog address and wanted her to check it out. Karleen and I go waaaaay back to the mid 80's. Back when I drove a tanker for Sohio and she drove a tanker for Marathon (and still does to this day). We both lived in Toledo, Ohio at the time, and we became fast friends with mutual respect for what each of us were doing. It's a tough job and the guys don't take too kindly to us females invading their world. Especially 20 years ago.

And time went by. I got out of tankers and into a freight box pulling doubles, and then triples, and then out of trucking all together and into nursing school and subsequently nursing.

And 10 years later I'm back to trucking. She chuckled when I told her that I'd never had a trucking job I didn't like and have never had a nursing job I liked. And it wasn't actual nursing care I didn't like. I loved taking care of people, patients and their families, but the plain and simple fact of the matter is that women are bitches to each other. At least with men you know when they don't like you. It's up front and in your face and there's no denying it.

And I have to say it again just to say it. Women are bitches. Horrible, back stabbing bitches and they all stand alone. And all fall down alone, one by one.

But that's not the purpose of this post. The purpose of this post is to show Karleen what I'm driving. Why, that woman actually thought I was driving a little, itty bitty straight truck. I howled and said, Karleen, with all my experience you think I'd drive a straight truck? Good Lord woman!!!

So my daughter, Katie, and I went to work today to take a picture of me and the truck I'm driving to post up here. I'll get this done and call her to tell her to go check it out.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ...



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Tuesday, August 09, 2005

I'm signing away


So nice to be famous!
And these kids LOVED getting their picture taken. Anywhere, anyday, if you pulled out a camera there was an instant smile and a pose.

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Colombian school children



While in Colombia we had one day to ourselves to do some site seeing. We went to a salt mine outside of Bogota. Lots of carvings in the salt representing Christ and the cross he beared along with the play of lights, and the mine was a breath taking visit.

Outside the mine was a large group of school kids. They were in awe of us Americanos. See the paper in their hands? They wanted our autographs. We were surrounded by kids with their scraps of paper and pens to sign our autographs as though we were someone famous. One young man didn't have any paper and had me sign my name on his arm. To them we were special.

For a few, brief minutes I was adored and famous.
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Saturday, August 06, 2005

Luis, the Edy's Ice Cream driver from Colombia

Luis, this post is for you. You really touched me when I met you yesterday at the Ryder shop. I saw your head and shoulders fall when I went on and on about your beautiful country. It broke my heart that you mourned your home land so much and yet were so appreciative of this country, the U.S.A., that you are living in now. I want to make it clear to you that I did not exaggerate a word of it. Colombia is BEAUTIFUL!!!

I also want to give you instructions on how to use this blog to see all the pictures of your gorgeous country.

On the right side of this blog are links to past posts and are categorized by months. I've got pictures of Colombia in all months. You'll have to scroll through to find your country and the stories I'm telling about it, but meanwhile you'll get to meet my husband, grandchildren, siblings, and the rest of my family.

I am so glad I met you and the only thing I have to say is,

NEXT TIME I WANT SOME SAMPLES!!! NO EXCUSES!!!

Friday, August 05, 2005


my late grandma Posted by Picasa

Yes, I know that enough is enough, but



Darn it! I was up visiting the family and am amazed that I could snap these pics with my digital camera and they came out as good as they did. Posted by Picasa

Awwww



That's me!!! Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Edgar Winters and Earth, Wind, & Fire

Harold is picking up a bunch of drunks from a Fort Myers Beach bar and taking them to the Edgar Winters concert in Port Charlotte in August. And I also found out that Earth, Wind, & Fire was going to be there also.

To go, or not to go, that is the question.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Driving skills

It doesn't change. I go to a job to drive a truck and people lean up against the building with arms folded to watch me back into the dock.

Now I've got to be honest here. It has been over 10 years since I've driven and I was quite nervous myself, so it isn't helping having people 'check me out' at this stage of the game.

Come on ya'll! Give me a break! Come do this after a month or two, but I was dreaming. Tee hee.

Fortunately for me my skills were still right where I'd left them and I was backing into places like I'd just come back from vacation.

After a few days I had their respect. Alvin applauded me. Maria told me she cannot understand how I do such a difficult job and I have her utmost respect.

And the beat goes on.

Thanks Harold for encouraging me when I needed it! I love you!

Hammer jammer mama!

Ha ha ha ... okay, so now I've got an excuse for not being here. Really. I do. I'm back to work hauling medical supplies to area hospitals in a 53 foot trailer with a brand new 2006 International tractor. I'm bad.

And since I haven't driven since I lived in the state of Ohio it blows my mind to have a truck that does 70 mph and you can legally drive 70 mph on the interstate!!! How cool is that?

But people, I'm dying here. I've found all my muscles that I'd thought had gone dormant. Last week was my first week working and by Friday I was dying. Dying. And then I healed all those little, ripped, fibers over the weekend and went to work yesterday and I'm dying again. Already.

If this keeps up I'm going to be buffed.

Okay.

Perhaps not buffed, but I'll be getting the spring back into my step.

Pictures are coming. I promise!