Category: Travel

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Improving The House

Over the last winter, we did a lot of work to the inside of our home. We painted and reworked our kitchen. We added some walls and finished our basement. We also bought many items such as furniture and rugs to improve the way our house looks inside. Since that work is mostly done, our attention has turned to the outside of the house. We were concerned about how our house looks from the street.

Of course we started with reworking the lawn. We added some garden space to the front yard and put in some bushes. The space looked good, but needed something more. We finally thought that adding a curbside mailbox would be a good idea. The only problem was deciding where to get one that would fit the style of our home. I went to the internet and found a site that had all the curbside mailboxes we could ever want.

The site was called mailboxixchange.com and they had what we were looking for. Since they had so many curbside mail boxes to choose from, it was hard to decide which one was the best for us. We finally decided on one that we all liked. Now that empty spot is filled and we are very happy with the results of our efforts.

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Happy Birthday to My Cousin

Birthdays are not a big deal to me. After all, once you hit 18 you have it all – so what’s the big deal now? But, in my family, we make a big deal out of birthdays. We always have a party on the actual day – my mom will not put off the party until the weekend or a convenient day – it HAS to be on your birthday.

So, I know that my cousin Monica is having her birthday today. And since she is out of town for the big convention,we can’t have her party tonight. I guess this time it will have to wait a few extra days.

So, sorry you are not here to celebrate, but hope you have a Happy Birthday anyway, Monica!

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You’re Choice

One of my favorite things to do is to keep track of all the cars that are available. I love cars and trucks and like to keep tabs on the best ones. I have been doing some research into this area and have a few cars and trucks I’d like to mention. The first one is the cadillac escalade hybrid. This is a beautiful car that has a lot to offer. Not only is the gas mileage great, but it is a well built hybrid. Anyone who has concerns about the environment would be well satisfied with this vehicle. I like its looks and I know that the cadillac quality is contained therein.

The next vehicle that I would like to mention is one of my old favorites. It’s the hummer h3t and the new model is coming out this year. While in many ways it is steeped with the same old qualities we have come to expect, there are some new changes. This year’s model will have the capability to run on an up to 85 percent blend of ethanol. They also have some new color schemes to please the eye. All in all, it’s the same old standard but with a few improvements.

Whenever I want to have a nice vehicle for getting some work done, I turn to the gmc canyon. With its v8 power, it has all the pulling power I need to carry the loads I have. It is fairly fuel efficient and comes with many standard options. It is also one of the safest vehicles on the road as it has received the five-star crash tests scores. It is a likeable little truck that will grow on you over time.

The last thing I want to say is that all of these vehicles are very nice. You just have to determine what your needs are going to be. You can always go online in order to find out more info when necessary. Whatever one you choose, I am confident you will come away feeling good about your choice.

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No Brainer

With the season for vacations coming on, it is time to start making a decision on where to take my family this year. I have discussed the situation with all the members of my family and we are all sure that we want to go to a beach. The only question was which beach to visit. I started to do some research online and found that there was one place that stood out above all the rest.

I was poking around the internet one day when I came across a site called avistaresort.com. I became interested and read the information they had prepared. I was impressed with all the information about a Myrtle Beach hotel that I think would be perfect for me and my family. It has something for everyone and would keep us all busy. There was some more good news as well.

Everyone knows that I have a passion for golf. I couldn’t imagine a better vacation than one where I get to play a few rounds. It seems that the area around all the resorts in Myrtle Beach is full of golf courses that would challenge even me. All this combined with the fact that my kids and wife want to go adds up to a no brainer decision. We will be at Myrtle Beach this year!

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Food safety

There has been some debate lately over whether or not farmers should need licenses to sell small amounts of food. Vendors at farmers markets are pushing for deregulating strict laws that put an unfair burden on them they say. Selling a few of mom’s apple pies takes a lot of government red tape that makes it almost impossible for mom to make a few extra dollars.

Those in the food safety industry are saying that controls need to remain in place. They say food borne illnesses are a threat to the public and not having the ability to inspect where food is produced will hamper their ability to maintain public safety. Small food processors also say that they could lose thousands in sells to those who don’t have to pay for inspections.

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Books galore!

Last fall I visited a yard sale. I was surprised to find a number of excellent books for sale. At 25 cents each, I thought they were a steal. I found such authors as Stephen King, Tom Clancy, and Robin Cook. Needless to say, I grabbed all I could get and brought them home. I have a large shelf full of books and I am constantly adding to it.

I really enjoy reading a little each night before I lay down. It helps me relax and I like the stories. I’ve read all my life and I hope I can pass on this hobby to my kids. I think it’s important to expand the mind whenever possible. I am keeping my eyes open for the next opportunity to buy more of these treasures!

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Happy Birthday!!

It’s that time of year again when somebody I know is having a birthday! I wanted everyone to lend me a hand in saying Happy Birthday to my niece Amanda who is turning 5 years old today. I hope she will have a great day and I’m sure she will.

I was informed that Amanda will be spending the day at a local Chucky Cheeses with several of her friends. I believe that along with all the presents she will undoubtedly receive, she’ll be in for a day to remember.

Happy Birthday Amanda!

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Sitting

I love my new job but like all jobs some aspects are not my favorite and I hate all the waiting. I thought I would be driving most of the time but a lot of driving a truck is waiting at the shipper or waiting at the receiver or even waiting for dispatch to where I will go next. I am not very patient and I have already had to wait nine hours at a shippers to get my truck loaded I though that was outrageous I can see a couple of hours but half the day.

I have learned to try to take my break while I am doing all of this waiting. I also have to find a cheaper way to feed myself as all of you know gas station food is expensive not to mention really bad for you most of the time. All in all though I still like what I do and I love seeing this great country that I live in and all of its natural wonders I can’t wait for summer and its warm and I really get to start exploring.

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Shopping Equipment for my Truck

I have started looking for some of the things I will need when I get my own truck. After just a couple weeks of shopping at truck stops and checking the internet, I have realized just how much I am going to have to spend to get my truck where I want it. I will need a trucker’s GPS and a CB radio to start.

I have looked at a couple of the GPS units that they have at the Pilot truck stops and of all of them I am either going to go with a Cobra or a Rand McNally. I haven’t decided – I really like some features on both of them. I am kinda leaning toward the McNally, because most companies build their routes using that system, but the Cobra has some really cool features, like speed trap warnings and it also tells you what lane you need to be in and when you are on a road with a weight limit.

As far as the CB radio goes, I just want one that can be heard clear and I will have to get an antenna that reaches further that the stock one that will come on the truck I get. I am eventually going to have to get a small fridge to go in the truck and a 12 volt skillet to cook with, because all of this fast food is killing me. I love a burger as much as the next man, but nothing but fast food makes my mouth water for some vegetables (and I never thought I would say that!).

I have to get back to work – time to put the tarps on my load and it takes me a while, so better get busy.

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Homesick

I miss home, don’t get me wrong I love this job, but I miss having a reel bed and not living out of a truck stop. We spent last night watching TV in Spanish because we are on the border to Mexico and all of the stations are in Spanish. I love the travel part but you don’t think about how truckers live most of the time. I don’t know how many times I walked into a truck stop and didn’t even notice the small city of trucks parked behind them. I didn’t even notice the showers that I now know are in all of said truck stops. I can’t describe the feeling of waking up in a new city every night or not knowing where I will be when I stop the next time I need to sleep and I am still with my trainer for another two weeks I can’t tell you how small the space in the truck is with two pretty good size men trying to make room for each other. Picture two people living in a space about as big as your average bathroom, and because I am in his truck I have my bag with all my stuff that I have to sleep with on a twin size bed. I can’t wait to get my own truck and be able to personalize it, my trainer is a great guy but I would love this truck to feel more like home and maybe I won’t miss home quite as much.