News from Lour & Grey

Okay, I lied. There is really not any new news (new news? o.O) to report in our world. At the moment we are still chugging along and trying to survive.

The only SNI-related news in our happy little realm is that we received a call the other day that we're late on our STA payment. Naturally, as we were told we had been white-washed as of Wednesday and are on the waiting list to return, we did not expect to have to pay anything. Certainly not without notice.

I am so glad Grey spoke to the collector and not I, because I would have blown my top. I might have gone - forgive the term - apeshit. They are asking for 1200 dollars - each. I am furious. I am seething. I am-

*sigh*

I suppose we'll have to pay, and then they'll apply that to the balance for when we go back. So at least we won't have to pay twice. But considering how strapped we are, and how much we still owe just to get back on our feet (rent, bills, etc)... Its a scary, stressful time to be in our collective wallets.

Bah!

But anyway, that's really all that's going on.

Obligatory Updates

Well, its been awhile since our last post...three weeks, I guess. Wow. Anywhoo. Trucking, with STA or not, has been put on the back burner for awhile. We just can't afford to go weeks without pay (after doing so in March/April) and paying up front is not going to happen - right now anyway. Maybe in about two years, tee-hee.

So.

What are we up to?

I am a lucky Lour. My previous employer accepted me back and so off I run to the wonderful world of tech support. I really enjoy the position and the people I work with, so its definitely no hardship to head back there. And I have a window seat this time, so yay.

Grey is doing a driving job again - this time in a smaller vehicle (my poor little green car!) and delivering Pharmaceuticals for a private pharmacy. He really digs it and the money is good. I've ridden along with him a few times already - for instance last night we took an 8 hour trip to the very southern edge of Maryland! Its kind of fun, really.

Naturally, since I was up at 5:30 am and didn't get home again until 2:52 am, I slept most of the way home in the car and I'm kinda tired. I just hope my typing this morning isn't too loud. I'd hate to wake Grey up just yet. He had a long night.

Anyway - that's the news here in our world.

On Hiatus

Well, the fifth has come and gone and Grey and I are still not at the STA. We just can't swing it right now financially. So, maybe (maybe) once we get all our bills and whatnot caught up and our savings back above zero (oy vey!) that we can take another stab at the big orange dream.

Until then, I'll probably still be posting and reading at PumpkinDriver because - well, I'm addicted - and I'll definitely be following up with other folk like T-Net & Joe's blog, for instance, just to see "what happens next".

In the meantime, we're both headed back to work shortly and hopefully, it will all come out well in the wash. Thanks again for the support, guys - once we get our ducks in a row, I have no doubt we'll give it another try. Our gal in GB told us - no worries, when you're ready, call us. And so we will.

Coming up on Day One Again

Well, we haven't heard from CityMouse & company since they hit the STA - I hope everything is going well for them.

Grey is set to head back April 5th (this Friday) and get going. They didn't have room for two this week - plus, after three weeks sans work and therefore, sans income - our savings have dwindled abominably and since we were kinda behind anyway... well, its getting scary.

So I am post-poning my own trip to the STA and begging my old job back. Keep your fingers crossed for Grey though, at least one of us will end up a Pumpkinhead. ;)

See Lour Blog.

See Lour Panic.

See Lour Freak-Out.

Stop Lour, stop!

See Lour suck it up and get ready to go back to the STA.

Go Lour, go!

*chuckles* Whatever. The point is that Grey & I went up and re-took our Drug Screening and so we should (FINALLY) be ready to go back to the STA and get driving our Pumpkin. Woot.

Whatever happens from here on out, I'm just so ready for the whole thing to be over. Jeez, what a production. What a long month. What a *sigh* ... oy vey.

Still Debating

I am still debating pros & cons and my fear versus my enjoyment.

Although I did contact my family doctor and get a note to clear me to return to "work" (aka Training), I'm still not 100% sure that its right for me. And I think that's okay. The opportunity for Grey & I is still something we're excited about, but the reality of tight-spacing, city-driving, et cetera with that massive machine worries me.

Which is sad, because I loved driving on the highway and the rural roads. I can couple & uncouple a trailer, I can do my PTI, my FCOB check, my PoTI, and the instructors who all observed or drove with me said I was doing great. I don't think they'd lie about it.

One thing that sticks with me - and worries me - is something Jim said. He told me that "[we] can fix any bad habit or help you learn any skill, if you're willing. That's not a problem. What we can't fix is what's inside your head." He was referring to my tendancy to get flustered when I made a mistake (missed a gear, for instance). I don't know if that's something I can overcome.

You see, I notice that same tendancy in other areas of my life, so its not truck-specific. For instance, in a large group while playing a MMORPG - I am the only healer so it can get a little hairy trying to make sure each member stays alive. Normally, I am quite good at this, but sometimes I hit the wrong button or something and I get frusterated and flustered and then hit another wrong button. Obviously, this is trivial, but its a good example. The life or death in a video game isn't the same as the life-or-death-or-extreme-property-damage of driving a truck.

So yes, I am still considering it. I appreciate the vote of confidence. I feel as though driving is something I would be good at, none of the classroom work phased me, and I think I'd be just dandy with life in a truck... its just the city-driving that has me worried. Panicky. Frusterated.

Worried.

Bah. I'll let ya'll know what happens.

What Goes Up...

Must come down.

Grey is almost ready to head back to the STA. Probably next Friday, 3/29, if they can squeeze him in. Note that that reads Grey alone and not Grey & I. I've been having some second, third, fourth, fifth... *sigh* thoughts about my ability to deal with the stress of driving a huge semi in small, confined places (city streets).

So, he is headed back alone. I think. F**K! I don't know. I really loved driving that truck, and I really loved the opportunity it presented us, but at the same time... I think I just worry too much. Maybe I'll talk to Grey one more time before we make a final decision. BLEH!

Someone, anyone - help! (lol)

Preparations - Again

Oy vey.

Grey & I want to thank everyone for their support as we get ready to (re)embark on this adventure. Friends, family, strangers, fellow pumpkin-folk - THANK you!

Meanwhile, we are still waiting for a doctor's appointment and washing clothes and whatnot. Its less exciting this time, I have to admit, but I'm sure everything will go splendidly this time.

At the moment its 2 a.m. and we're watching (well, listening to mostly) Xena: Warrior Princess on Netflix "Watch Instantly" and playing LOTRO. Ugh, its gonna be difficult getting up at 4 a.m. again in just a few days. Better get started on it ASAP.

Anyway - thanks again everyone!

And the hits just keep on comin' ...

Yeah.

So, Grey is still sick and I have to admit, I'm not yet 100% either. Maybe it wasn't the Chinese after all, but a bout with that flu-bug that was going around at my previous job. I'm not sure.

Anyway, we have been re-scheduled for 3/22 in Carlisle, but we have to start all over again, including the *gasp* PWS screening. So I shall be re-stressing out over that for the next 12 days. Not to mention that we must fax a doctor's clearance to "return to work" and our family doctor cannot see us until 3/19. Eek! We're praying for a cancellation before then. He is going on vacation in 2 weeks, so naturally everybody and his brother has an appointment between now and then.

Looks like we'll get to meet CityMouse & her hubby after all.

In the meanime, I'm watching bad movies on Netflix "Watch Instantly" and praying a lot. So, updates will continue, but we'll have to begin again at the STA.

Carlisle STA - Questions Answered

Below are some questions we received from CityMouse (Hi!) who we "met" so-to-speak via the PumpkinDriver.com forums. She had a few questions about the Carlisle STA and said that maybe it would be smart to post them so that other folks with similar questions can get the info.

1. Do you have both a fridge and microwave in your room?

In the HOJO we stayed in, in Carlisle, PA, there was a mini-fridge in the room and a microwave down the hall. There was also no coffee maker in the room like in other motels I've stayed in. When we head back on Monday, we plan to stop at Wal-mart and pick up a little 4-cup coffeepot for about 10 bucks because Grey is really grumpy without his morning java.

2. What is the provided breakfast, cereal and coffee? Or eggs and fruit and juice?
The continental breakfast at the HOJO was pretty lame. The Schneider students are placed in a seperate, old building off the main motel and we have our own breakfast spread there. Its two kinds of cereal (fruit loops & cheerios), 2% milk, assorted mini-muffins, assorted instant oatmeal, eggo toaster waffles, apple or orange juice, powdered sugar or plain doughnuts, bagels, or apples and bananas. Not as "nice" as I've experienced elsewhere. We're taking our own cereal this time, just for variety, but its not really necessary.

3. What is the provided lunch? Where do you eat it?

Schneider provides you with lunch coupons worth 6.00 at the cafeteria. There is a list of student options (to show what you can get w/out having to spend your own money) seperate from the main list, but you can always get more/other things if you're willing to pay the difference between the cost & the 6.00 they give you.

The options change from day-to-day, and some things are better than others. Fried chicken breast or grilled chicken breast sandwiches served me pretty well, with a side salad or steamed veggies. They include a fountain drink as well with the student options. Its not like, world-class cuisine, but its not terrible either. Filling enough.

There are vending machines too, but they seem kinda of pricy. Grey and I bought string cheese and granola bars to keep in our backpacks for a snack and I took a bottle of water too, because I tend to get thirsty.

As far as where, there's a cafeteria where truckers, employees and students all eat. Fold-out-style tables and decent chairs.

4. What are the choices for dinner?

Well, you're on your own for dinner. The HOJO does breakfast, the STA does lunch and dinner is up to you. We went to Wal-Mart (two exits south on I-81) the first night and got lunch meat and bread and a few other basic things. That did us well but then we ran out and were too tired to go out the night we ordered in.

There are a few fast food restaurants around like Arby's and McDonalds. Several pizza joints that deliver to the HOJO. Palumbo's was recommended to us. And the Chen's Chinese, which we suspect was the cause of our illness. We both had the same dish that night. It could have been something else though - but I can't imagine it was the STA food because no other students caught it.

5. Are the classes at the OC? Carlisle has a cafeteria and exercise equipment. I know the focus is on class, study and sleep, but a shortwalk on the treadmill may help me keep my brain cells revved up.

Yes, classes are at the OC. There is a cafeteria, yes and you can go back there to buy dinner if you like, or to do laundry or exercise as you like. We took a couple quick walks around the big parking lot, but it was pretty chilly and we're wussies ;)

That's it. I apologize for typos or other silly mistakes because I was typing very quickly. Hopefully, this will help someone else who is getting ready for Carlisle (or, probably, any STA).

Classium Interruptus

Please excuse the lack of updates - Grey & I are still dead-set and excited about the STA, SNI, and team-driving.

Unfortunately, we made the mistake of ordering Chinese and ended up with a nasty (nasty) case of Food Poisoning.

We are at home to rest and recouperate for the weekend and - if they have room - Neil has assured us we can start up again Tuesday. Wish us luck - again - and we'll keep updating as soon as we're back at the HOJO.

~Lour & Grey, fighting over the single toilet for three days is not fun... *sigh*

STA - Day Four

Wow.
Our time here is just blazin' by. Its already the start of Day Five and even though I slept pretty long last night, I don't think it was very good sleep. And thanks to CBS morning news, I know way more about the primaries last night than I really wanted to know.

So, day four was flipping HARD. I mean, HARD. After a brief meeting with our in-truck instructor (I'm with Greg, Grey is with Jim B.) we went out to the trucks and got the day started. Jimmy was my co-classmate for the day and he'd never driven a manual transmission - ever - so his shifting was a little ugly but it was pretty cool to see how he improved over the course of the day. My shifting wasn't terrible but the bump & run to come down kept baffling me. Breaking my rhythm. Clutch-neutral, rev, clutch-gear. Ugh.

Anyway. We bobtailed around the yard in the morning, just to get a feel for it. Apparently I "granny-hand" the steering wheel and need to work on my hand-over-hand motions. Do-able, definitely. I was just SO nervous.

After lunch though, came the real horrifying thing. We took the truck and trailer out on live roads. For instance, up Rt.11 and onto the Carlisle Pike (a very busy road with shopping on both sides and rush-hours that last from dawn to midnight :P). I seriously thought about bailing when we found out we had to go on the real streets.

But we survived and apparently Greg had enough faith in me to have me take the highway back to the STA. So that's a good thing.

Grey and I are having doubts this morning though. He is having a little more trouble shifting than I am and I think his nerves about the future are getting to him. I know they are for me. This really does seem like our "last chance" or "best hope" and so its a lot of added pressure.

Anyway, its getting close to 6 and I need to scarf down some Cheerios before we catch the pumpkin bus.

STA - Day Three

Eek! I didn't get a chance to update last night, after Day Three, because we ran to Wal-Mart to get gloves, ponchos, magnifying glasses and pocket calculators. We were seperated yesterday for the Sim & Lab lessons - I went to those in the morning, then back to class in the afternoon and Grey was vice versa.

We were both really grateful for the "experience" of shifting in the simulator so we don't go completely blind into the real truck today (TODAY?!?! AHHHHH!). I think I got the up-shifting pretty well, rev bump bump. But the bump & run on the way down was giving me fits. I ground a bunch of gears trying to get the clutch-neutral, rev, clutch-gear rhythm down. O'well. It wasn't as horrible as I thought.

We also learned coupling and uncoupling and how to safely climb in & out of the truck and the catwalk. My stubby little legs made it interesting, but I made it - no worries. Whew!

Today we're headed out to the trucks for the first time - to drive them. Grey & I are both excited and nervous. Should be interesting ;) Wish us luck!

STA - Day Two

Ah, Sunday, I barely knew ye.

I swear, we passed out last night and blinked and it was 4:30 on Sunday and Day Two began. Fortunately (or not) I apparently got enough sleep because I was hyper and excited and could hardly keep from dancing everytime we were on our feet.

The day was pretty uneventful - studying logging requirements and some fatigue goodies. Nothing strenuous, not yet, but tomorrow we hit the Simulators for the first time and have to learn about shifting those big, scary manual transmissions.

10 gears? Jeez.

1st - zero. 2nd - 6. 3rd - 8. 4th - 10. 5th - 15. 6th - 20. 7th - 25. 8th - 30. 9th - 40. 10th - 50 and up.

Woot. Now if we can just remember all that, we're good to go. You should see Grey & I sitting side-by-side shifting in the air with our right hands. Its amusing. And now - back to the Food Network (Oy! I have missed cable tv) or a little Without a Trace and sleeps for me.

STA - Day One

Well, Grey & I arrived at the HOJO at around 8pm last night as snow fell all around in a nasty little storm. But we were safe and we're in a room together, which is lovely. Its not too ghetto, but its not exactly the Ritz.

Anyway, we arrived, we're safe and that's all that really matters.

We didn't get up as early as planned and I didn't sleep for beans (I blame the Arby's Motz sticks I had for a late dinner) but we made it to the continental breakfast room on time and got to the bus with plenty of time to spare.

The big orange pumpkin bus picked us up and shuttled us about 10 minutes up the road to the Carlisle OC. It was actually smaller than I pictured. Anyway, they led us up to the portable classroom and we got started on the gads of paperwork. Oy vey.

Our instructor today was Mike Dakan and we only had about 12 people in the class. So far, everyone has been awesome.

I'd write more, but Grey wants to use the laptop for a bit. So to cut it short, both Grey & I passed the PWS test and all I can say is... well, hear it :P

Just testing...

      Oh, its late (after midnight) and I'm still a little wired.
      Today was my last day at my spiffy Tech Support job. I am going to miss several people there, and the job. Its nice to know I left on a fairly good note (I think!) and that if, God Forbid!, anything goes wrong - at the very least they'll be happy to recommend me in the future.
      Grey & I just did our taxes and filed online, so that's a huge load off our minds. One less thing to worry about in the coming weeks. Of course, next year we'll have to hire Grey's friend R. as our accountant to deal with all the itemization and yada-yada... but I'm not going to start worrying about that just yet.
      Elsewhere in the world of Lour & Grey, we're trying out this new webservice called GrandCentral.com. It was recently acquired by Google and since Google owns Blogger, they've made it integratable (is that even a word?). I think it makes for some interesting possibilities.
      Using it, we can easily post voice messages from people, jokes or whatever, but more importantly we can use it to post free-and-easy V-Blogs. Oh yeah! That excites me even though I am 99% sure we'll never really get around to using it.
      Still, the button is there if you want to give it a try. They claim to be free, so unless you're using a cell and pay for incoming call minutes - I don't see a problem with it.
      Below I'm going to (try) to embed the test VBlog. Hope it works!

Slow Updates Hide Big Surprises

Its true, I have not updated faithfully, but I blame the proxy settings they forced upon us at work. I can no longer blog during the long, slow downtimes and with the weird shift I have been working, by the time I get home its usually a routine of: eat dinner, watch movie, fall asleep around 11.

Nonetheless, there is a lot to report.

We took our DOT Physicals last Monday and, of course, Mark passed with flying colors. I was fine on everything... but my BG levels. That's blood glucose for the blessedly uninformed. It was quite high - result of my irrational belief in my youthful immortality (which, incidently, I don't believe in at all because I'm a somewhat hypochrondiac-ish with serious death phobia) and neglect of proper medication.

Fortunately, I was able to see my family doctor, get my medication updated and get my DOT card. No sweat. So thanks to our sweet contact at SNI, we are officially a go for STA at Carlisle on 3/1.

Woot, I say, woot.

My last day at work is Wednesday, which leaves us just about 48hrs to get all the laundry, house-cleaning, packing, buying, finding, gathering, preparing done. Whew!

So, starting Friday, expect daily updates about the actual STA and until then, lots of me praying we pass the PWS Stress Test-thingy.

Moving along.

Well, I can't believe I never got a chance to update previously (blame the new parent-company-switch-over that doesn't let me even check my email at work anymore...grr) but both Grey & I have our CDL permits and we're scheduled for the DOT physicals and drug screening come Monday. Yay!

One more hurdle to go, and then we start STA on 3/1. We had hoped to make 2/23 - but its just too busy this time of year. The bad news is they've dropped the pay rate for training, the good news is... everything else.

Woot.

That's all that need be said. Oh yeah, and Hi Mom!

Good News...

and bad news.

The bad news first - I was sick Wednesday and Thursday, so we didn't take our written exams until Friday morning.

The good news (and it is GOOD) is that the general knowledge exam was cake. Big green "PASSED" flag, woohoo!

The bad news returns - because we both failed the Air Brake exam. So close, but no cigar.

And worse news? We were going to head up this morning, but its snowing and I'm feeling sick again - so we have to wait til Monday.

I think this means we're gonna miss that 2/23 course in Carlisle, which sucks. Hopefully, we can get our stuff faxed over Monday and get the ball rolling for the 3/1 STA. *sigh* Hopefully.

In other news, we've been reading a lot about other drivers having trouble OTR this time of year due to freight being slow and, naturally, the weather. I'm glad that we'll have a few months of driving under our belts before the worst hits next winter.

Wow. I really couldn't believe how well I did on the General Knowledge test though. I just whizzed right through it. Just wish us luck on the Air Brake part, right? :)

Monday... no really, it is.

This time its Monday in the quote real world. Bah. We had hoped to take our permit exams Tuesday, but alas, life has intervened and we will be putting it off until Wednesday morning. Still, if everything goes well, we can get this truck a-moving soon after that.

I'm really very grateful for all the advice and whatnot that we've received from the people at PD.com and the folks we've talked to in person. Its a big, difficult decision and I really think its the right one for us. Luckily, these people have kept us grounded and realistic about what to expect.

Oy vey. Work calls... I suppose its time to earn my paycheck. Man, I can't wait to taste the open road!

Getting Psyched

Ah, Monday - how I loathe you.

Yes, I know its Saturday, but in Lour's world - the first day back after a lovely weekend is Monday even if its actually Saturday. Anyway...

While toiling away, helping clueless instructors figure out how to email their students and the like (Oh how I love Tech Support!), I've been trying to study my permit guide. There's an awful lot to know, but most of it seems like common sense. Truly. We'll be fine for the tests, I'm sure.

The more research I do about eating out of the truck and keeping healthy on the road, the more I think this could definitely be the finest idea we ever had and I truly, truly hope it all works out. Whew. So much!

Anyway, I hear beeping which means I've got another caller. Oh joy. Hopefully this one won't be as silly as the last fellow. He couldn't get his printer to work, so he went out and bought a brand new computer, a brand new printer... and still can't get it to work.

One Down...

Excellent news!

We had our pre-hire screening interview last night and everything is a go. Grey had already picked up our permit study guides so we'll be cracking the books and hopefully taking the exam this very Friday. If we succeed and can get our paperwork in, there's a good chance we'll start the training on Feb. 23rd. Apparently they are quite heavily booked right now, but she said as a pre-signed team, we'll have an easier time getting in sooner.

Melanie had some great information for us, but I worry that I should have asked her to email or fax us some of it in writing. For instance, the pay per mile is MUCH higher than I had heard other newbie drivers discussing. Also, she told us that we would likely stay East of the Mississippi and be out 21 days, home 4.

Anyway, everything is really looking up. Our Landlady is the most understanding, incredible woman and we are TRULY blessed that she is willing to work with us as we embark on this spiffy little endeavor. She was at least as excited as Grey was when we called her last night and that is such a relief. You can't even imagine. Well, perhaps you can, who am I to say?

We are presently making plans and getting our two-year-goal ready. Putting all the ducks in a line and figuring out how best to get started on our future together. Its really more exciting than just starting a new job, or driving a big rig, its like... preparing for a whole new life, a fresh start. We're almost Pumpkin Drivers, dammit!

So, the next step is getting our permits so that we can start school. Once we have that hurdle cleared, its really just a matter of passing the drug screening (not a problem for either of us), passing the physical (I'm way more worried than he is), passing the background screening (criminal and work history - both of which are fine for both of us), and then *whew* the actual schooling.

Its hard not to be super-excited and wall-bouncingly thrilled.

Meanwhile, I am contenting myself with the fact that I won't be able to adopt a dog for 2 years, but that in 2 years, if all goes well - we will be married, ready to start a family, and have a bit of savings as well.

YAY!

Only a Few Hours to Go!

Wow.

Its finally like - the day. Well, the first "big day" of a bunch of big days. This one though, is the first make or break. Grey doesn't foresee any problems and at this point, neither do I. Nonetheless, I am a little nervous. There are so many things that can go wrong in any interview and naturally, my paranoid has worked up dozens more fictional possibilities.

I am presently, however, freaking out about money and how to pull all the ends together for another month or two - until the paychecks begin to come in. Granted, we won't be making huge money or anything, but a fairly steady stream of dual-income will be so great after this crazy winter.

As I mentioned last time, we've been reading up on the ol' interwebs and finding a lot to be excited about and a lot to worry us. The hard part is trying to seperate fact from fiction, drama queens from cynical jerks, and coming to a real conclusion.

At this point, everything seems a go. The pros outweigh the cons and so we are on the proverbial highway, ready to rock out with our co-... er... rock out. Period. Tee-hee!

I'm really excited as well, about keeping this journal. I've always been a big fan of diaries and journals and having a progress-log for all our trials and tribulations will be excellent.

Pre-Admission Interview Thingy

Well, tomorrow is the actual "interview" with our recruiter. Its a phone interview, which is great for me because I have an excellent phone voice. She did not appear to see any glaring errors when reviewing our applications and Grey is certain we have nothing to worry about. The interview is really just a formality before the Orientation and testing phases.

And if all goes well with it all, we should start school in about two weeks (if I recall correctly, that is).

So naturally, being the Obsessive chica that I am, I have been doing all sorts of research and reading online. I've joined up at PumpkinDriver.com and posted a little bit. The folks there have already been a huge help with answers and what not. I also joined up at the TruckingReport forums because although they're not all about Schneider like PD.com is, it has tons of great info about the Trucking profession.

It seems like every one answer we get, another six questions pop-up in our minds. Its a crazy thing we're about to embark on, but hopefully it will be awesome!

Day... -1

This is mostly just a test post. We're not officially in (or at) the training school yet, so the ordeal has not entirely begun. But we're excited.

For now, enjoy the music stylings of a comedian on YouTube. I found him via a post on Pajiba. Grey and I laughed out loud, listening to his stuff.