Unfortunately we had to go to school today on Sunday. Another long day. I did the backing test and passed. WHEW!!!!! We are now working on the pre inspection test. That is all the part of the truck you have to inspect before you leave and after every stop. We heard the worst story today about how important it is to do the pre test. A man had been driving for a few years so he was an experienced driver. He got into some rain and was very tired so he stopped at a rest stop and slept for a few hours then jumped into the drivers set and took off. After driving down the road about 100 miles two sheriffs pulled up behind him with their lights on. He first thought they were going to pass him and were on their way to an accident. He realized they wanted him to stop. When he pulled over they told him a homeless guy had climbed under his truck to stay out of the rain and to sleep. When he took off, the guy's backpack got stuck in the rotating tires and they sucked him in and killed him. The driver was in his 30's and had a wife and 2 kids and was convicted for vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 22 years.

On the happy side Randy met someone coming back to school after being out on his 30 day phase 1 training and said he loved it. He traveled all over the US.

We are hoping we get to NY so we can see Matt, Shari, Brooklyn, and Taylor. That would be so cool. I miss my Brooklyn so much.

What a day!!! It was snowing today and we were outside most of the day. Randy and I came very prepared with all our snow gear so we stayed warm and toasty. Everyone keeps making fun of us how bundled up we are. I told Randy today the next person that makes fun of me I'm going to reply "This IS the Rockies" like in Dumb and Dumber.

Today we learned the third and final backing maneuver. Parallel parking. To me this was like birthing a baby, wondering how is this big head going to get out of this small hole. Sorry to be so graphic, but that was exactly what went through my mind. Here we have a 73 foot semi that has to fit in a 88 foot hole by parallel parking. You might be saying "Oh piece of cake". Haw!!! It brought me to tears. I was ready to quit. I had every know-it-all, red neck guy in the place telling me a different way to accomplish it that was "The right way". I finally chilled, and sat it out for a bit, and blubbered, then waited for Randy to pass off all his backing skills with flying colors, then he helped me. Well it worked. After most of the other people went to dinner Randy and I had a truck to ourselves and he talked me through it a time or two then I could do it good enough to feel like I can pass it off tomorrow. The written test and the backing skills are what has had me worried even before we started school. I passed the written test and feel really confident about the backing skills now. WHEW

On the first day at England we did a lot of paper work and medical stuff to be able to get our medical release card. We had to have that card to present to the DMV to take our test. So the first thing we had to do was a drug test. We waited in a line and had to pee in a cup. I referred to the line as the pee line. Then we had to get a blood pressure and eye test. We then had to go out to the trailer pictured below and be able to do a duck walk under it and back. That was hard for me with my bad knee and the test I was most worried about. They had the back of the trailer open and we did more testing, getting in and out of it, and inside lifting weights 40 lbs over our head. Then we had to meet with the Dr and she went over any questions on the forms we filled out and general physical stuff. It took all day and some of the 2nd day.

This is waiting for the FUN physical. It wasn't to bad for me, I didn't have to turn and cough like the guys.

This is Randy waiting where the pee line was.

Day two: Study, study, and more study. This is our teacher and classroom. The teacher's name is Jim. But after being in class one day I call him Job, as in the Bible Job. In my book God's greatest creation is the diversity of each human on this earth. Well in this class you see and hear it all. The variety of people and personalities, or the lack thereof, in some cases is amazing. It doesn't phase him. He just keeps on teaching in a patient, polite and respectful manner.

The big push on the first and second day is to get you ready to take the CDL exam on the 3rd day so you can get your permit and get out on the range and start learning to back up on the 4th day.

Friday 25th of February. Today we learned how to back from one space to a space to our right and behind. If you follow the instruction it was not to bad. As soon as I tried it just by "feel" I didn't do so well. We both got to try 4 times. If we feel like we can do it tomorrow we can test and see if we pass. We did straight backing yesterday night. Randy and I are in different groups. There is about 10 groups of 5 to 6. So we stand out in the freezing cold wind. It's really cold for us and we live here and have winter ski clothes I feel for the people who thought just a hoodie would be warm enough. In their defense they probably don't even own a coat. Today was a hard day. I need a warm bath and an attitude change and REST. This up at 5am is killing me off.

The Adventure Begins.

Randy and I have decided to make some BIG life changing decisions. NO we are not getting plastic surgery! (I wish! ) We decided we wanted to change Randy's profession and do something together. After much consideration we have decided to go into trucking. We will be team drivers. We start school tomorrow Morning at 6am. YIKES!!! We are use to; bed at 2 am and up at 10 am. I have all my essentials packed for our 5:30 am departure. Protein bars, water, almonds, protein drink, bananas, Excedrin, no dose, brush, hat, gloves, coat, lip stick, etc. I have been practicing the online CDL written test. Randy taught me how to back up the trailer, (which he is a pro at) in the Kmart parking lot. He said I did good. We shall see. He took me to "THE" school 2 weeks ago so I wouldn't be totally freaked out tomorrow. I was glad he prepared me. The first guy I met was a guy who had been driving for CR England for 18 months. I had a lot of questions for him to help ease my fears, but as soon as he look at me I knew I would be fine. He was cross eyed. I have nothing against cross eyed people I just knew if he could do it so could EYE.

So my friends and family, I will try to keep you all up to date on our outrageous and exciting adventure. Please forgive my lack of english and spelling skills and enjoy the ride with us.