Only the Final Left !!!

From the looks of all of the faces, I think about 31 guys and 1 gal, we all made it to this point. Now for the written final. The past two weeks weren't as hard as Army boot camp, but I was 19 then... but they were tough and at the same time gratifying.

Here's a picture of our last class.

And another of my co-students... Muhammad Kahn. I have not been able to bring up the blog site at the training center. Instructor Bernie is too stubborn to show his picture.

Anyway, that's my hit on him.

Early start to the day tomorrow... got to be in at 6:00 am. Guess what? We get our company issued boots, too. What a day!!!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, don't you think ?

One More Driving Day

Most of us passed our road tests today. They kind of "eased" it in on us. They didn't say anything so we would not get stressed over it, and if everything was cool, they passed us. Otherwise there is always tomorrow to get it correct. Tomorrow can now be a relaxing drive day.

Teresa got a job today. Starts Monday. Good deal, baby, you are soooo good !!!

I'll leave here Friday afternoon and head for Elgin. After PO box and bank on Satureday I'll head for St. Louis and meet the love of my life... she's going to come in from OK. We'll have a little rondezvous before we start the next leg of our adventures ( wink, wink ).

We're supposed to get connected with our driving trainer over the weekend and make plans to meet up and get rolling. I'm ready.

And then there were three

Getting down to the end now. Two more days of driving and then the final exam. Still have things to work on, but overall I think it's going to come out OK.

I was thinking about some of my old coworkers in Charlotte today. So I thought I would say hi to all the associates I worked with there. And a special shout out to Ron. I used the gift card you sent to go to Olive Garden, it's not far from the hotel. Salad and lasagna. Yum Yum... Thanks again, Ron.

Teresa has an interview tomorrow at 9 am. Good luck darling. I'm pulling for you, literally.

Not much else new here, next week is the start of a new adventure for me.

By the way, Redneck Jim is from the southern part of Georgia.

Bob

Counting Down...Three days and a wakeup (final)

This is Redneck Jim, great guy. He's really from Ohio, but I guess they have rednecks there, too. I don't know where he was before Ohio, but I got to bet further south. I'll find out tomorrow.

Today, during our long run ( 240 miles ) we went by Nueske's Meat Shop. All kinds of smoked meats. Picked up some jerkey, hot sticks and some bavarian sticks. Lots of samples again. You can eat a whole meal there. Great stuff, they ship it all over the world. Jim and I shared a snack this evening.

Also on our run we went through the area that had the F5 tornado last year. All of this cleared area was once pine trees. You can see that it's about a quarter mile wide and goes for about 45 miles. Trees just snapped off. This is obviously after clean up but you can see the magnitude of the devistation.

We also drove by Rich's ( our Training Engineer ) homestead, 120 acres, and beautiful.

He's got a view of heaven from up there. I'm sure you can see for 50 miles there.

We're having a great time. Lots to learn and all, that's what we expected - at least I did.

Teresa is doing fine, too. Went to the YMCA twice today, rough life, ain't it ? She put in two employment applications today and went to one other, but she couldn't handle that one ( casino ), too much smoke and noise. Not yet.

Sunday - Day of Rest

How many times can you back up a big rig in 45 minutes ? Eight, and we did it twice yesterday. I'm sure I spent more time looking and driving backwards yesterday than forwards. You know what they say... practice, practice, practice.

Today was a short day... Redneck Jim and I went to Wal-Mart and then made a donation at the Oneida Casino on Mason St. I was able to work ( actually, it worked me ) one machine for over 2 hours on twenty dollars. Have to admit, I'm a spend thrift. We were playing pennie machines. But it was a nice break anyway.

Teresa joined the YMCA in Ponca City, OK today. She is going to get serious now. She acknowledges that failing the PWS test was a bit of a slap in the face. She's ready to get'er done !!! Go for it Baby, you're the best.

Since tonight is the Academy Awards - I'll follow suit. I would like to think Mike Y. for taking care of my truck last week.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a full day of driving with 2 students. My co-student left yesterday. I hear his aunt passed away. Schneider is going to let him come back with no penalty. Maybe I'll get to drive all day.

I'm pretty sure we've lost 15-20 students so far, that's just a visual check, not counting. The seats on the bus are less filled and that feels about right.

Today is my son Adam's birthday - 24 years old. He's had a few tribulations the last few months, but I think and pray that he's back on track now. He's such a good kid and I love him. Don't we hate to see our kids get hurt ?

So far, with everything going on at school I've been pretty good about not getting lonely and I'm pretty sure once the driving training gets in gear that will be true, too. But I'm not too sure about being out on the road for two weeks. My Mom says Teresa and I are joined at the hip, it's tough to be separated. So far Schneider still says no to moving to Dallas at this time. I don't want to rock the boat too much till I get hired (Friday) and get my CDL.

Teresa, enjoy the AA's with Grandma Joanie !!! Love you lots, Bob.

Week One Is Done

187 miles today... lots of traveling. Rich (my training engineer) and I visited a cheese factory in Spruce, WI. Did you know that when you chew fresh cheese curds, and they must be 1 day fresh, that when you chew it they squeek ? Well, I didn't, but I do now. Pretty cool.

I finally got a pic of me in the truck...

Here's a picture of the instructor crew.

We are now the senior class at the Green Bay Schneider Training Academy - congrats to all who have made it this far !!! Some have not.

As I write this Teresa is in Champaign, Il having dinner with Tracie and Andrea. That is after fighting through a snow storm that dropped 6 inches in a few hours on the area. Tomorrow she will head to OK.

I'm having a few anxieties over all of the changes we have made in our lives, and the bumps in the road. But we've made our decision, modified our project plan and we are continuing on.

Last night I drove Teresa back to Chicago so I could pick up my truck and she could head on. Then back to GB. In bed by midnight. A little tired occasionally during the day - some of the videos are a bit tough to hang through. But the driving is a blast. I guess you have to mix the pleasure with the pain. That's reality.

Like Teresa and I like to say; "We're horses, not asses." We will survive and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

No driving tomorrow, maps and permits - I had better get my beauty sleep tonight.

The Beat Goes On

Wednesday, day 5, is done. Going great, good fun. Thirty-eight miles throughout Green Bay today, 16 yesterday. Things are looking up. Did about 15 45 degree backs. I made one without a pull up. Not bad. Yesterday we went out in threesomes and I got to drive about an hour all day. Here's what the drive looks like from the sleeper berth. Here's the "team" I am learning with.

Schneider functions like a big family. You should hear them all in the morning, very friendly. Even the "big guys" come across tough but approachable.

Teresa is going to head back to Elgin tomorrow night. She's going to pick up our mail, go to storage and grab up a few things. Then head to Champaign where Andrea and Tracie are at U of I and spend Friday night there. On Saturday she will head for Oklahoma.

I inquired to see if I could change my home operating center to Dallas, so far I'm getting a no. But you know, I'll have to keep at it.

I think I'm getting the hang of it... we'll see if Rich thinks the same thing, Friday is our first evaluation.

Bernie

Another day of training done...spent some time in the truck and the simulators. Only ground a couple of gears, but I think I'll get the hang of it.

This is our instructor, Bernie. He wasn't too happy about the picture, but who is.

This our studious class, nice facilities - lunch is not bad, too.

Thanks for the note of encouragement, Diane.

Tomorrow we get to start driving - we're on our way !!!

New Challenges

We made it fine up to Green Bay on Friday. Saturday started off just fine, lots of paperwork and stuff and then the PWS - Pre-Work Screen test. I passed just fine, as did most. Teresa did not. That means she cannot be a truck driver at this point. She can retest in 6 months - of course after taking of a few pounds and getting those muscles in rippling shape.

We're not sure how everything will play out at this juncture, but for now we're just fine. Teresa is staying here at the hotel while I am in training in Green Bay. When this section of training ( 2 weeks ) is done I will head to Gary, IN for driving training and Teresa will head for Oklahoma where her family is. After three months she can begin to ride with me and in the meantime I am going to see if I can home base out of Oklahoma City or Dallas.

I can confide that I was about to ball when she told me she didn't pass, I didn't !!! Teresa was pretty nonchalant for the moment. A couple of hours later when it sunk in she did her share of balling. Today she is fine with it all and ready for the next challenge.

Sunday was a pretty easy day in training and I'm doing fine on the tests 98% and 100% so far.

It's evening now and so far we've gotten 6.5 inches of snow - and I thought Chicago got snow. Now I know what T-Net was talking about.

Teresa went to the gym and worked out and to the other hotel and swam. Yep, she has recovered. I am so happy she is staying for the next two weeks with me.

Our instructors, Bernie and Ned, are very knowledgeable and easy to listen to and I am enjoying the class a lot. I'm going to get some pics tomorrow.

More tomorrow.

We Made It !!!

Last day, certainly not of work, but in the office... Tomorrow we head for Green Bay. Both Teresa and myself worked for 7 years at our respective offices. Great companies, coworkers and opportunities.

We're back in our room at the Holiday Inn, had dinner and a hot tub. Happy Valentine's Day !!!

This post is a bit mundane, but starting next week it ought to portray some new experiences; like DRIVING A TRUCK. Let you know how it's going.

One More Office Work Day

Teresa somehow wangled to cancel her departure luncheon, mine is tomorrow at Bob Chin's. For those not from Chicago, Bob Chin's is the highest grossing single sight restaurant in the country, at least it always has been.



Got a few farewells today, thanks Bill L, Linda L. and Leslie M. It's been great.



Funny thing, while we were on the cruise I got a Happy Anniversary card from the big guy (Joe R) to acknowledge 7 years at Allstate. I must say all were very good, that chapter is almost over.

My replacement, Jason K. is doing a pretty good picking up everything I'm throwing at him as part of the turnover process. He's going to have quite a challenge. Jason - you can call if you need anything, but be sure to rely on Ron. He is very knowledgeable and knows a lot about what we can and cannot do, he might push the envelope a bit, but he's real good and very understanding.

For a little levity here's our room tonight. Remember we still have our cruise clothes with us, which we just finished laundering so they can be put away fresh. And we also have our training clothes, and our last days of office work clothes.

Hanging in there

Two more days of office work, we're both trying to cram as much as possible into them. Turning over responsibilities and stuff.

Wrong again. The Extended Stay in Rolling Meadows is a dump. We woke up at 2am trying to breath. The room smelled musty, so Teresa says to open the window. Now you know it's about 10 degress out. So of course you have to turn on the heater and voila, the air is dryer than a popcorned fart. So at 3 am I run out for a room size humidifier and got back to sleep.

Woke up at 6 am and the air was a little better. Didn't matter, Teresa says she can't handle the place another night.

So now we're back to the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove Village. Real nice room but no kitchen facilities.

So we're hanging in there and excited to head for GB on Friday. Still lots to do.

Brrrrrr

We're back to Chicago and 3 inches of snow on the VW Beatle, at least both vehicles started up.

Dashboard says 12 degrees, a far cry from Long Beach this AM, and I suppose about what it will be in GB on Friday. Now I know how T-Net feels. Check out America Through a Windshield to read her story.

We're staying at the Extended Stay hotel in Rolling Meadows, a bit of a disappointment. Dirty dishes, one spoon and left over stuff from the previous guests. Pillows are as thin as pancakes.

We think we've planned stuff out pretty good, but you never know. We have two Home Depot storage boxes full of foodstuffs we think we'll use regularly. We'll see if we use it or cop out and go out to eat. But at least I picked up fruit and milk for cereal and tea and coffee.

Brought in Teresa's sewing machine, as you know she uses it regularly.

Let's see... I think we'll have sausage and Zatarains tomorrow for dinner. Stay tuned.

Mom made it back to Idaho fine, little tired but no worse for the wear.

T-Net must be jealous

Somebody please tell me why the pictures seem to stack up backwards on top instead of where I try to put them.

Long Beach port at 6 am

Hand made tiles - cement not clay.

We're baack. Cruise was great. We've checked into a hotel in Long Beach and it's 81 degrees out. Don't mean to rub it in T-Net, but it's really nice here. They can keep the traffic but right now the weather is heavenly. We're headed for the pool when Teresa gets back from Albertson's with some fruit and a couple of books.

We drove up to Santa Maria ( about 160 miles each way ) to meet Claire and Ledo and drop off our grandson to them. In each direction we saw a rollover. Fortunately in the other direction.
Also 1 t-bone and at least 10 smaller accidents.

Beautiful driving up and down the El Camino Real along the ocean.

Teresa is back and it's time for the gym and pool.

Oh, by the way, today is Teresa's birthday... all of 49. But don't tell anyone !!!

Kind of wanted to finish this off... brrr the pool was a bit too cold for me... Not as cold as Wisconsin is for T-Net... HA

Here's a couple of pictures from our cruise - why are they up there instead of where I try to put them ???

Network Finally

By the way we are on the Carnival Cruise ship Pride. Great crew and entertainment. We honestly are loving every second.

In Puerto Vallerta we took a shore excursion down the highway, darn forgot the name... I will add later. Anyway they tell us it's where the filmed the Night of the Iguana - guess we'll have to check it out now.

The table dancing is pretty good. That's my Mom and I Made, our head waiter. Below are Teresa and myself.

The best thing about a cruise is the FOOD...

and the chocolate melting cake with ice cream is exceptional.

Haven't won in the casino, but I sure scored with my wife and Mom, great girls.

Well, got something... go fast... that's Teresa and Aslan.

We're in Heaven

Finally got a network. The one on the ship is terrible, so I'm jumping onto a hotel across the bay in Cabo San Lucas.

Seems like this one is not so cool either, I can't get it to upload any images.

Ok, try it again, Teresa says. Nope, that doesn't seem to be working.

The short story is we're having a great time. Got the final word from Schneider today that we are in the next class starting 2/16...

More stuff about vacation when we get some reliability.

Primed and ready

We're heeerrre. The day started with about 10 inches of snow to plow - any takers ? Nah, I didn't think so. I'll do it myself, said the little Red Hen, and I did. Whew! done, got the last of our belongings out of the house and into storage at 11:00 this morning. We've lived here about 10 1/2 years. Got married on the deck in the back. Lot's of memories. So you can imagine Teresa had a few good melodramatic tears while walking through the empty house and reflecting on all the goings on of the last 10 years.

Got through the sale closing of our house in 1 hour then over to the accountant for an hour. Then whoops, something came up a work - Got to love Ron in Charlotte. He's really great to work with. Pretty demanding, but he covers my butt when necessary. So into the office for a couple of hours. We worked our issues out and got our stories straight. We're leaving the truck at my office.

We've got a room at the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove village for $89 for the night and we can leave our car parked here for up to two weeks for no additional charge. Go figure, it would have cost about $170 at O'hare. Now that's a deal, so we're leaving the VW Beatle here. King size bed, free wireless access pool and Teresa's going to wander up and see if there's a hot tub, too.
Think about it... on vacation, in a hotel, hot tub at the ready. What's next ? Right, time to go now.
See you in Long Beach, CA.