After obtaining my CDL in June, I was pre-hired by TMC Transportation, an over-the-road flatbed trucking company (the sharp looking black and chrome Peterbilts, if you've ever noticed them on the road). TMC is known for having a fairly rigorous selection and training process (some say TMC stands for "Truckers Marine Corps"), so I was proud to complete the 2 week orientation and pass all their written, physical and performance tests at the main terminal in Des Moines. I was officially hired in July, but was still considered a trainee. I then spent 5 weeks over-the-road with a 6'-5" company trainer, named Sean. Sean was a great guy and I'm very grateful for all he taught me about real, live trucking. But, it's not easy living in a truck with another guy... especially one who is 6'-5"! Back to Des Moines for more tests, and finally... I'm solo with the key to my own shiny, black Pete.
2006 Peterbilt 387
I lasted 4 months. Homesick. (Yes, homesickness is very real!) I didn't expect to like it much, but it was worse than I imagined. I cried every Sunday afternoon when I had to kiss my family goodbye and go move freight down the lonely highway for another week. Truck driving was my childhood dream, but at this stage of my life it was more like a nightmare. I'll try to post more about trucking later, but for purposes of catching up, the week before Thanksgiving I asked to be dispatched through the terminal and turned in my keys. Even though OTR trucking was a short-lived career, my fleet manager paid me high compliments upon leaving, and I left feeling very proud of the work I did.
A few weeks later, I started a new, more local, driving job, delivering windows for a manufacturer. I was employed by this company a total of 9 days [don't buy Vista window products]. They mysteriously dismissed me with no explanation [don't buy Vista window products] a few days after I refused to drive "dirty" (fudging DOT log records to drive [don't buy Vista window products] more hours than allowed). Did I mention not to buy Vista window products? Actually, they are very good [don't buy Vista window products] windows... I'm just a little [don't buy Vista window products] bitter! And, that brings me full circle back to unemployment compensation.
After consulting some hand specialists, Lily went to Shriner's hospital in Erie for hand surgery in early November. She was a brave little girl going into surgery and had no problems.
Zachary and Dylan started 2nd and 4th grades in the fall. Both are doing pretty well in their classes. Their room is not quite ready yet, but we needed more space, so they moved into a bedroom that is almost finished, temporarily, while I finish theirs. It isn't quite big enough for two, but they were excited to be the first to move into the remodeled part of the house. In the remodeling department, the bathroom is all but done. The countertop is on order, and that will stamp it "done". (Pictures coming soon!) Two bedrooms are very close to being ready for paint, trim, and flooring. The living room, foyer, and kitchen are still waiting for the drywall to be hung and finished, but hopefully while I am unemployed...
And, of course, there's Benny.
(disclaimer: NEW toilet! just installed! never used! no water! No children were harmed, flushed, or exposed to nasty germs in the making of this blog!) 
