Cross our fingers...

...and hope for the best.

That's what the hubs and I are doing right now with his new job. It doesn't sound or so far seem all that great and I honestly don't think he'll be there for very long but they were the only trucking company that offered him a job and after pretty much 2 months of no job, he (we) jumped on it.

The kids & I took him to Montgomery, Ala. late Sunday where the company had a Greyhound bus ticket waiting on him. (He was thrilled, let me tell you!) From there he would go to Nashville, Tn. to the Western Express trucking terminal, be put up in a hotel for their 2 day orientation and then be given a truck to be on his merry way. Sounds like it would go smoothly, but of course, it didn't.

We found out on the way to Montgomery that they only provide lunch and if he gets up at 5AM, he can grab a Continental breakfast. Let me just say that this company does not pay the drivers for going to orientation (as others do). They also don't pay safety, fuel and retention bonuses (as others do). BUT again, they offered him a job so I should just stop complaining- NOT. Anyhoo, the first day of orientation lasted from 6 AM to 9 PM. The last shuttle from the terminal to take people to eat was at 8 PM. Hmmmm, what are these guys supposed to eat? So hubs walked to the nearest food joint, a Waffle house, at 9:45. I stayed on the phone with him b/c I was worried about him getting mugged or something.

After his orientation was over, which hubs says was crap (but this is the 3rd company he's worked for in 3 yrs.- 2 layoffs due to gas prices- so really what more could they have to go over besides their company policies?) they scooted him outta the hotel to sit in the terminal lobby for hours on end waiting for another trucker to come pick him up to take him to his assigned truck-in Kentucky. He was the last guy from his "class" to not have a load out of there.

He arrived at his truck, which had been left by the previous driver (reason it was in Kentucky), at around 3:30 AM. The truck was dead so he had to call for someone to come jump it. He then received a message over the CallQuam that that will be a charge of $160. WTF?! Finally he gets that taken care of and now he is sitting. Waiting for a load back to Nashville so the truck can be serviced and cleaned. What a crock of shite.

So it looks as if he won't be getting any loads the rest of this week. We're hoping he gets some good ones next week b/c that's Christmas money....of course he found out at orientation that they run off of a star system and the guys with the highest stars get the loads offered to them first. A new guy obviously, has no stars.

Here we go with it. WWWWHHHHHEEEEEEEEE................

Librarian for a day

This was originally written on November 11, 2009.


Do you ever notice when you try to think of something to write, whether smart, funny, etc. you mind goes ________ blank? What about when you actually feel like writing and yet not a single thought comes to mind. If you've ever had these moments then you know what I'm talking about. If you've never had moments such as these....shuddup! *WINK*

****PAUSE TO CHECK IN/OUT BOOKS & GO TO LUNCH****

So here I sit, all by my lonesome (the high school aide book-put-awayer doesn't count plus it sounds better for dramatic purposes *SNICKER*) pondering on what I should write about that would actually have a purpose....I feel like writing today & yet all that's coming to me is worrying if there's enough left-overs in the fridge to do our Thursday left-over night...

**TAPS FOOT FOR A WHILE**

Nope. Still nothing. *SIGH* I suppose I'll go wonder aimlessly about the library until something wonderful pops in me head.

TO BE CONTINUED.......

My wondering the library aimlessly is over! I found a book that, for reasons I can not remember, was one of my favorites throughout my early elementary years. The book? 'Make Way for Ducklings.' Written & illustrated by Robert McCloskey. As I sat at the front desk & began to read it, a flood of memories came back to me. Memories of sitting 'indian-style' in a class circle, of little girls playing with each others hair, of laying our heads on our jackets for storytime, of taking the pictures provided in the story and turning them into "real-life" happenings in my own little world.

After reading & reminiscing on that book, I wanted ti find a book that was a favorite even into my teen years. 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.' Written by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz. Who couldn't love this book?! Everyone has days like Alexander (except maybe Willy Wonka or Glinda the Witch of the North) so everyone can identify with and find humor in the story. (I actually used to own the book until I had 2 scribble & rip-happy toddlers in the house...) but alas, the book was checked out.

I did find however a copy of 'Twilight' that I checked out promptly b/c I am one of those people that lives under a rock and hasn't read the book yet BUT am totally in love with the movie version so I can't wait to read it!

***Other books that bring back memories:***

~ Miss Nelson's Class

~ Where the Red Fern Grows

~ Where the Wild Things are

~ Ramona Quimby book series

Tomorrow is my BIG day!

Tomorrow I go for my very first sub teaching job, in kindergarten. I'm nervous and excited! Nervous b/c I don't want to muck anything up and excited b/c well, who wouldn't be?! I somewhat know the kids already being that the class is Meme's & Diva & I are in there regularly to visit with her....I guess I'm more nervous that I'm actually going to a JOB!!

I went this morning and was given my instructions for the day; a few workbooks pages, movie time if they're good, lunch, finish movie time after and then nap (I will also have lunchroom duty). Meme was going to try to have the major work done by the time I take over at 10. I have already picked out one book from home that I know I'll be taking with me to do a sort of 'storytime' with them if they're good. It's titled, 'Chicken Fingers, Mac & Cheese, why do we always have to say please?' Not sure who the author is I'd have to get back with you on that one! I'm sure I could find a few more out of the kids hundreds of books to take and share.

Diva will be here at home with my SIL who kindly said she'd come stay with her for the day. The husband will be working at my Uncle's (no, no luck finding a job so he's doing things here & there to bring in some cash) & will pop in for lunch to check on everything...I'm assuming. LOL!

Thanks to my friend Cris, who happens to be a sub as well as my Girl Scout co-leader, she called me yesterday and gave me 5 of her upcoming sub jobs! WOOT! So next Tuesday & Wednesday I'm set to sub 1st grade. The other 3 dates are in November. Thank you Cris :)

So of course this means my installment of Freaky Friday is going to be put on hold until my work day is over...then of course I have to come home and get ready for Girl Scouts which should be fun- we're making foam ghosts by tracing our feet!

Anyhoo! Wish me luck on my first day back into the work force!! It's been a looooong time :)