Coming home

[Droopy]

I got myself into a mess of debt when they cut production at the local GM plant where I used to deliver my freight. I lost $200 a week off of my pay check. I should have made other plans right from the start, but I figured that I would try to hang in there until things picked back up again. That was a big mistake. A year later and I was scrambling to bring more money into the house. That meant long haul trucking, the only way I knew how to get myself out of a money jam.

At first I enjoyed getting out and seeing the sights again. It had been 7 years since I'd been out to the west coast and I had missed seeing those mountains and wide open ranges that aren't around my neck of the woods in Ohio. It didn't take too long before I started to get home sick, though.

I was out for 2 months solid this fall. When I crossed the state line coming out of Kentucky and into Ohio it felt like I was seeing an old friend for the first time in a long time. There are places in the country that are more beautiful than Ohio. There are also places in the country that are more liberal than Ohio. But I don't think I could ever let go of this place. Life long friends and family are here. I feel comfortable here like no place else in the country.

Tomorrow I go back out on the road until Christmas. Trucking is a hard life, friends. It's not because the job is demanding and it's not because of the long hours. It's because when you get home after 2 months and you see your little 4 year old niece and she's changed so much and you missed that growing process. It's having a few beers and playing guitar with your old friend and realizing that you can't just do that any time you want to anymore. It's eating some chicken wings and watching football with your dad when you realize that you can't have that experience when you need to now.

I'm getting the fuck out of that truck as soon as I can. I'm going back to Ohio to my pretty little town and I'm going to stay there.

[hippywife]

1. I feel for you, Droopy.

I used to be an LTL load planner/dispatcher. I know how hard it is on you guys being out on the the road for so long. I'm also an Ohioan who has been living away from there for over nine years and haven't been back in three and I agree with everything you said about the place. Home is home.

Take care out there!

[Droopy]

2. Thanks, hippywife

That's another thing. I don't get to hang out with all the good folks here at DU. I guess I could remedy that with a laptop, but I'm putting most of my money towards paying off that debt.

[hippywife]

3. You sound very determined

and very disciplined so I know you'll get there. In the meantime, don't forget to treat yourself once in awhile. It makes life a little easier.
:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear Droopy!

I really admire your resolve!

I know you will do this.........

Hang in there! We've got your back.......:loveya: :hug:

[Droopy]

5. Thanks Peggy

I'm going to get this done. It's nice to be able to visit people when I am gone. Last time out I got to see HypnoToad. He's a good guy. Maybe I'll get to see you next time out and then after that someone else. It really makes those long trips a little better.