We are still waiting for Ace to be able to go back and train. It's hard right now, just because every passing day is another day we don't get paid.
In the past, I've prayed for patience. I think it's been decently built up by now (even though I'm feeling impatient today, it's just because we've heard nothing from the company about when Ace might be able to go back).
And now I have to go, because we are apparently running an errand. Yay for getting out of the house!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
I'm Still Alive
I haven't abandoned my blog, I've just been crazy busy this past week. Tuesday, I was trying to distract myself from missing Ace (there were tears, but not as many as there could have been). Wednesday, I was getting ready for my trip to my dad's house and then running around getting some paperwork together for Ace. Thursday morning, I got the rest of the paperwork together and then went off to my dad's house with him.
Thursday evening was a nice evening with family relaxing and talking and watching my sister drink too much alcohol. We all had a good evening and I got to use the hot tub a bit, which was great for my back. Friday was spent relaxing as much as possible with my family, until it was time to get ready to go to the graduation, and then it was all of us taking pictures and looking out for more family/friends who were coming to the graduation. And then it was dinner out and pain killers because my back did not like my bra/how much it had to support me/life/?. The day ended with me taking a prescription muscle relaxant and some Tylenol with Codeine.
Saturday was mostly spent with me trying to wake up already (Codeine does not quickly leave my system). I did get in the pool for a bit (my boobs have a slight sunburn) and I talked with Ace for a bit (he was sent home pending paperwork from the IRS, which hopefully will not be an issue for me when the time comes for that). Yesterday, I watched lots of TV, a couple of movies, packed my bags, and came home. It was a nice, lazy day. My sister and her boyfriend dropped me off on their way home. Other than a dislike of the music they chose, it wasn't a bad trip.
Ace surprised me with some of the shopping he did yesterday. He bought me some replacement chocolate and soda (he had some of mine, but he got more than just enough to replace what he had taken) and he bought me chocolate-covered strawberries. That man loves me.
And now, I'm going to enjoy my day with Ace. Who knows how long I'll have him or when I'll get to see him again after this.
Thursday evening was a nice evening with family relaxing and talking and watching my sister drink too much alcohol. We all had a good evening and I got to use the hot tub a bit, which was great for my back. Friday was spent relaxing as much as possible with my family, until it was time to get ready to go to the graduation, and then it was all of us taking pictures and looking out for more family/friends who were coming to the graduation. And then it was dinner out and pain killers because my back did not like my bra/how much it had to support me/life/?. The day ended with me taking a prescription muscle relaxant and some Tylenol with Codeine.
Saturday was mostly spent with me trying to wake up already (Codeine does not quickly leave my system). I did get in the pool for a bit (my boobs have a slight sunburn) and I talked with Ace for a bit (he was sent home pending paperwork from the IRS, which hopefully will not be an issue for me when the time comes for that). Yesterday, I watched lots of TV, a couple of movies, packed my bags, and came home. It was a nice, lazy day. My sister and her boyfriend dropped me off on their way home. Other than a dislike of the music they chose, it wasn't a bad trip.
Ace surprised me with some of the shopping he did yesterday. He bought me some replacement chocolate and soda (he had some of mine, but he got more than just enough to replace what he had taken) and he bought me chocolate-covered strawberries. That man loves me.
And now, I'm going to enjoy my day with Ace. Who knows how long I'll have him or when I'll get to see him again after this.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Mixed Emotions
This is a week of mixed emotions for me.
Ace is going to leave tomorrow to start his new job. This makes me sad, because I don't want to be apart from him for roughly two months. But it's going to happen.
Thursday, I get to go to see my dad and step-mom for a few days. My dad is going to be in Tulsa picking up my grandmother, so I'll ride with them. I get to see family I haven't seen since at least Christmas. None of us knows where we'll be sleeping yet, and the house will be full of people. I'm looking forward to it greatly.
Ace also has shown me, once again, why you don't put things online until they happen. He's leaving my laptop with me (yay!) and will get a new laptop for himself as soon as reasonably possible. He doesn't want to try to keep track of a laptop until we are in our own truck (I think that's his reason). I'm happy to get to keep my laptop.
So, yeah. Mixed emotions all around over here (excitement is winning out right now, but tomorrow I'll probably be feeling a bit melancholy throughout the day).
Ace is going to leave tomorrow to start his new job. This makes me sad, because I don't want to be apart from him for roughly two months. But it's going to happen.
Thursday, I get to go to see my dad and step-mom for a few days. My dad is going to be in Tulsa picking up my grandmother, so I'll ride with them. I get to see family I haven't seen since at least Christmas. None of us knows where we'll be sleeping yet, and the house will be full of people. I'm looking forward to it greatly.
Ace also has shown me, once again, why you don't put things online until they happen. He's leaving my laptop with me (yay!) and will get a new laptop for himself as soon as reasonably possible. He doesn't want to try to keep track of a laptop until we are in our own truck (I think that's his reason). I'm happy to get to keep my laptop.
So, yeah. Mixed emotions all around over here (excitement is winning out right now, but tomorrow I'll probably be feeling a bit melancholy throughout the day).
Friday, May 18, 2012
Waiting Again... Naturally
There are things you learn that you wish you didn't know sometimes. Like that if you fail the test to get your Class A CDL you have to wait 30 days to test, and if you fail that you have another 30 days before you can test again. Hopefully on June 19th, I'll successfully get my Class A CDL and not have to wait another 30 days (this is my first 30 day wait, I'm hoping it's my only 30 day wait).
I have to wait for a month before I go back up to the school to practice for a day before I test. I get most of the next month to wait and relax. Ace is going to go start training at the company we've picked. He leaves Tuesday (or he will, after he's arranged everything). He'll be waiting for me to catch up on training when the time comes.
Today, we are taking things easy. Since I'm stuck waiting, Ace will be taking my laptop with him. I'll get the desktop. On the plus side, when we get a new laptop (after some pay has come in), it will be mine. I get the new laptop while Ace gets my current laptop (it's only a little over a year old, so it's not exactly ancient). I think this is the first time I get the nicer computer first.
Unfortunately, Ace and I will be apart for our anniversary (and his birthday). We'll have to celebrate them when we get together again. But I do get to see my dad graduate with his MBA next week. And I should be fully recovered from heat exhaustion long before I go back to school (which is good, because I'm tired of being tired).
So, I'm currently waiting again. It's starting to feel normal, all this waiting. On the plus side, I have plenty of things to keep myself busy around here. Like enjoying the time I have left with Ace before he goes.
I have to wait for a month before I go back up to the school to practice for a day before I test. I get most of the next month to wait and relax. Ace is going to go start training at the company we've picked. He leaves Tuesday (or he will, after he's arranged everything). He'll be waiting for me to catch up on training when the time comes.
Today, we are taking things easy. Since I'm stuck waiting, Ace will be taking my laptop with him. I'll get the desktop. On the plus side, when we get a new laptop (after some pay has come in), it will be mine. I get the new laptop while Ace gets my current laptop (it's only a little over a year old, so it's not exactly ancient). I think this is the first time I get the nicer computer first.
Unfortunately, Ace and I will be apart for our anniversary (and his birthday). We'll have to celebrate them when we get together again. But I do get to see my dad graduate with his MBA next week. And I should be fully recovered from heat exhaustion long before I go back to school (which is good, because I'm tired of being tired).
So, I'm currently waiting again. It's starting to feel normal, all this waiting. On the plus side, I have plenty of things to keep myself busy around here. Like enjoying the time I have left with Ace before he goes.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Strength
Every time I think about what Ace and I have lived through in the last 3 years (okay, 2 and 1/2), I'm surprised at how strong we both were. We have had more things thrown at us, and yet we are still standing. Someday, we'll tell people our story (when it's all finished) and they will ask us how we are still together. And our only answer will be "God" because it's not because we could have done it on our own.
I'm seeing the light. The tunnel is finally almost over. I'm not saying there aren't still some hard times to come, but we've gotten past some of the hardest things. We've had almost anything that could have torn our relationship apart come up. And yet, here we are.
It helps that we are honest with each other. Sometimes painfully so. It's not wonderful to hear Ace tell me where I've messed up and I've said some things that have hurt him deeply (either because I wasn't thinking or because I was hurting). It's not like we're always the couple still in their honeymoon phase. We just don't let ourselves stay away from that phase for long.
On days like today, when big parts of me just want to run and hide until a greeting card holiday is over, Ace provides me with strength. He makes lunch with his family more bearable. Not being in pain today would have made it even better. His understanding helps me to keep my mouth shut, which is currently the best plan (and is likely to always be, when it comes to his parents).
I'm seeing the light. The tunnel is finally almost over. I'm not saying there aren't still some hard times to come, but we've gotten past some of the hardest things. We've had almost anything that could have torn our relationship apart come up. And yet, here we are.
It helps that we are honest with each other. Sometimes painfully so. It's not wonderful to hear Ace tell me where I've messed up and I've said some things that have hurt him deeply (either because I wasn't thinking or because I was hurting). It's not like we're always the couple still in their honeymoon phase. We just don't let ourselves stay away from that phase for long.
On days like today, when big parts of me just want to run and hide until a greeting card holiday is over, Ace provides me with strength. He makes lunch with his family more bearable. Not being in pain today would have made it even better. His understanding helps me to keep my mouth shut, which is currently the best plan (and is likely to always be, when it comes to his parents).
Saturday, May 12, 2012
10 Things About Me
Today, I am coming at you with a random list of things about me.
1. Today I got a new cell phone that I will be using for about a month. It's a pay as you go phone, so it's not quite what Ace and I would have picked for me, but my grandmother bought it and mailed it so I would have a phone. I hope she doesn't get too upset when it gets replaced next month.
2. As much as I've heard good things about The Avengers movie, I won't likely be seeing it in theaters. I only go to see certain movies in the theater, and I have two of those types coming out this year (Batman and The Hobbit). I will eagerly watch it when it comes on DVD.
3. I have only intentionally gone to see 1 movie at the theaters more than once. I don't count seeing Dinosaur (the Disney movie) on a big screen twice, because I wouldn't have picked that movie to see a second time. Serenity, however, was intentionally seen twice on the big screen. I still wish I could have seen it at least once more.
4. I once accidentally saw The Breakup because the group I was with went into the wrong theater. We weren't happy about mixing up our movies and none of us really cared for The Breakup. I was surprised and kind of pleased at the ending though (it was a nice change from what I was expecting).
5. I currently have tan lines from my socks. I never thought I'd wear shorts outside often enough to get tan lines in the first half of May. I can also see where my watch sits, even though it's off my wrist more than half the time.
6. Getting over heat exhaustion has been so weird. I get hot easier than I'd like. I've been tired more than I thought possible. A short trip out of the house can tire me completely. And for some reason, my back is protesting everything right now.
7. I have been getting annoyed with way too many stupid things lately. I think the heat has shortened my temper a bit. And I find that annoying!
8. I still haven't read a western, but I think I've read just about every other genre of fiction. For the most part, I like them all.
9. This year, I've been too busy thinking about driving a truck to think about Mother's Day. I'm surprisingly okay with that. (I did get cards for my mother-in-law and my step-mom. I'm not quite that far out of the loop.)
10. This year, for the first time ever, I got heat rash. My arms are finally starting to look mostly normal and my neck doesn't seem to have bumps all over it. Ace is already mentally preparing himself to do most of the outside work in the heat. He's a smart man.
1. Today I got a new cell phone that I will be using for about a month. It's a pay as you go phone, so it's not quite what Ace and I would have picked for me, but my grandmother bought it and mailed it so I would have a phone. I hope she doesn't get too upset when it gets replaced next month.
2. As much as I've heard good things about The Avengers movie, I won't likely be seeing it in theaters. I only go to see certain movies in the theater, and I have two of those types coming out this year (Batman and The Hobbit). I will eagerly watch it when it comes on DVD.
3. I have only intentionally gone to see 1 movie at the theaters more than once. I don't count seeing Dinosaur (the Disney movie) on a big screen twice, because I wouldn't have picked that movie to see a second time. Serenity, however, was intentionally seen twice on the big screen. I still wish I could have seen it at least once more.
4. I once accidentally saw The Breakup because the group I was with went into the wrong theater. We weren't happy about mixing up our movies and none of us really cared for The Breakup. I was surprised and kind of pleased at the ending though (it was a nice change from what I was expecting).
5. I currently have tan lines from my socks. I never thought I'd wear shorts outside often enough to get tan lines in the first half of May. I can also see where my watch sits, even though it's off my wrist more than half the time.
6. Getting over heat exhaustion has been so weird. I get hot easier than I'd like. I've been tired more than I thought possible. A short trip out of the house can tire me completely. And for some reason, my back is protesting everything right now.
7. I have been getting annoyed with way too many stupid things lately. I think the heat has shortened my temper a bit. And I find that annoying!
8. I still haven't read a western, but I think I've read just about every other genre of fiction. For the most part, I like them all.
9. This year, I've been too busy thinking about driving a truck to think about Mother's Day. I'm surprisingly okay with that. (I did get cards for my mother-in-law and my step-mom. I'm not quite that far out of the loop.)
10. This year, for the first time ever, I got heat rash. My arms are finally starting to look mostly normal and my neck doesn't seem to have bumps all over it. Ace is already mentally preparing himself to do most of the outside work in the heat. He's a smart man.
Friday, May 11, 2012
One Down, One to Go
Yesterday, Ace got his CDL Class A. I didn't take my retest, so I get to go test on Tuesday to get my CDL. We both had problems the first time we went to the Department of Public Safety to take our tests (Ace didn't get past the backing, and I didn't pass the driving test).
Yesterday, I sat in our car for half the day, with the air conditioner blowing on me. Whenever I would get out of the car for more than a minute, I felt nauseous and was not in any condition to drive a truck.
Today, I am taking the day off school so that I can have a three day weekend to fully cool down and recover from heat exhaustion (a condition that I've probably been suffering from for most of the past 3 weeks). I'm not overheated any more, but I am still exhausted pretty much all the time. The short trip Ace and I made out this morning sapped what little energy I had.
But we are closer to getting out of here. Even with my overheating problem.
Yesterday, I sat in our car for half the day, with the air conditioner blowing on me. Whenever I would get out of the car for more than a minute, I felt nauseous and was not in any condition to drive a truck.
Today, I am taking the day off school so that I can have a three day weekend to fully cool down and recover from heat exhaustion (a condition that I've probably been suffering from for most of the past 3 weeks). I'm not overheated any more, but I am still exhausted pretty much all the time. The short trip Ace and I made out this morning sapped what little energy I had.
But we are closer to getting out of here. Even with my overheating problem.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Overheated
It's been so long since I've written. I should feel bad about that, but I've been so exhausted in the evenings and the weekends seem to be over nearly as soon as they've started.
We're doing well at truck driving school. We take our test for our licenses on Tuesday. Hopefully we'll be ready.
But all of that has little to do with my title. I've been getting overheated some at school. Most of it is outdoors, and the weather has been hotter than normal for this time of year. I've been wearing shorts to school the past 3 days, and I should have been wearing them since sometime last week.
I try my best not to get too hot. I stay in the shade as much as possible. I drink water. They are trying to send me out driving in the afternoons where I can be in a temperature controlled environment more and out of the sun while it is the hottest. I'm not eating tons of food, and not really wanting my food to be hot. I'm wearing the thinnest clothes I have when it's hotter out. The school and I are taking reasonable precautions.
And yet, I still have ended up sitting in the air conditioned office of the director of students multiple times trying to cool back off from being overheated. It hasn't been the hottest part of the year yet. Hopefully at that point, I'll be spending most of my days in an air conditioned truck and the heat rash that currently covers my arms and neck will go away.
Tomorrow looks to be another hot day like today was. Hopefully I'll not have to wait for an hour in a hot truck. That should help tremendously.
Whee?
We're doing well at truck driving school. We take our test for our licenses on Tuesday. Hopefully we'll be ready.
But all of that has little to do with my title. I've been getting overheated some at school. Most of it is outdoors, and the weather has been hotter than normal for this time of year. I've been wearing shorts to school the past 3 days, and I should have been wearing them since sometime last week.
I try my best not to get too hot. I stay in the shade as much as possible. I drink water. They are trying to send me out driving in the afternoons where I can be in a temperature controlled environment more and out of the sun while it is the hottest. I'm not eating tons of food, and not really wanting my food to be hot. I'm wearing the thinnest clothes I have when it's hotter out. The school and I are taking reasonable precautions.
And yet, I still have ended up sitting in the air conditioned office of the director of students multiple times trying to cool back off from being overheated. It hasn't been the hottest part of the year yet. Hopefully at that point, I'll be spending most of my days in an air conditioned truck and the heat rash that currently covers my arms and neck will go away.
Tomorrow looks to be another hot day like today was. Hopefully I'll not have to wait for an hour in a hot truck. That should help tremendously.
Whee?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Ugh!
This morning started, as most of the mornings since the 16th have, with an alarm going off at 5:30. I then went about getting ready for my day at school. Everything was fine, until roughly 6:30 when I took some muscle relaxant and pain reliever. Then, my stomach violently revolted. I kept them down, but I wasn't really sure I would.
Ace called us in sick (he stayed to take care of me, he's feeling fine) and I laid back down. I ended up taking two naps this morning. My stomach is feeling better-ish. I'm not feeling like throwing up right now, but I doubt I'll be up for school this afternoon either.
Ace's mom is slightly upset that he's staying home to take care of me. I'm not pushing him one way or the other, although I did tell him he could go to school if he wanted. He'd rather take care of me and not work for a company that would rather him leave his wife uncared for if this is going to affect our chances for a job.
Hopefully this is just somewhat of the tail end of some heat exhaustion I suffered yesterday. Although, my continued desire for more sleep is annoying me to no end. I went to bed last night at 8:30, so my body had plenty of sleep when I first got up. I guess if it still wants more, I must be fighting something off.
On the plus side, we were mostly ahead of our classmates (the people who started when we did). We aren't likely to be too far behind them with missing one day. And worse case scenario, we have to wait an extra day or two to take our driving test. We should still be out of here in a few weeks and my sanity should remain intact. Now if my stomach would just cooperate.
Ace called us in sick (he stayed to take care of me, he's feeling fine) and I laid back down. I ended up taking two naps this morning. My stomach is feeling better-ish. I'm not feeling like throwing up right now, but I doubt I'll be up for school this afternoon either.
Ace's mom is slightly upset that he's staying home to take care of me. I'm not pushing him one way or the other, although I did tell him he could go to school if he wanted. He'd rather take care of me and not work for a company that would rather him leave his wife uncared for if this is going to affect our chances for a job.
Hopefully this is just somewhat of the tail end of some heat exhaustion I suffered yesterday. Although, my continued desire for more sleep is annoying me to no end. I went to bed last night at 8:30, so my body had plenty of sleep when I first got up. I guess if it still wants more, I must be fighting something off.
On the plus side, we were mostly ahead of our classmates (the people who started when we did). We aren't likely to be too far behind them with missing one day. And worse case scenario, we have to wait an extra day or two to take our driving test. We should still be out of here in a few weeks and my sanity should remain intact. Now if my stomach would just cooperate.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Dear Wil Wheaton
Dear Wil Wheaton,
Hi. How are you? Is life treating you well? I hope it is (it seems like it is).
This is my letter of girlish glee at how cool you seem to be. Even playing a mean version of yourself isn't enough to stop my inner nerd fan girl (who probably comes out way more often than she should) from loving you a bit.
If it weren't for the fact that I am completely in love with my husband and you seem to be absolutely devoted to your wife (That Soft Kitty video was adorable!), I'd ask you to marry me. Instead, I'm asking you to be willing to let me continue to get all excited. Continue to not be a dick in real life (and you can continue to be a dick all you want in fiction, because you do it well). Continue to be willing to make fun of yourself and to introduce your fans to new, completely nerdy things. Because being nerdy is cool, and not in some hipster ironic way.
Basically, I'm asking you not to change. At least not in any deep fundamental way. Keep being the guy who encourages other guys to not be dicks. Keep advocating for everyone to be able to feel comfortable playing games, whatever their gender. Keep making fun of Wesley Crusher, because he kind of deserves it. Keep encouraging us to think of Sparks McGee and remember him in Wesley's place.
Thanks for not being a dick.
Love,
M.A. Smith
P.S.: I can't decide how much I love Chaos or hate him when he shows up on Leverage. That's good work.
Hi. How are you? Is life treating you well? I hope it is (it seems like it is).
This is my letter of girlish glee at how cool you seem to be. Even playing a mean version of yourself isn't enough to stop my inner nerd fan girl (who probably comes out way more often than she should) from loving you a bit.
If it weren't for the fact that I am completely in love with my husband and you seem to be absolutely devoted to your wife (That Soft Kitty video was adorable!), I'd ask you to marry me. Instead, I'm asking you to be willing to let me continue to get all excited. Continue to not be a dick in real life (and you can continue to be a dick all you want in fiction, because you do it well). Continue to be willing to make fun of yourself and to introduce your fans to new, completely nerdy things. Because being nerdy is cool, and not in some hipster ironic way.
Basically, I'm asking you not to change. At least not in any deep fundamental way. Keep being the guy who encourages other guys to not be dicks. Keep advocating for everyone to be able to feel comfortable playing games, whatever their gender. Keep making fun of Wesley Crusher, because he kind of deserves it. Keep encouraging us to think of Sparks McGee and remember him in Wesley's place.
Thanks for not being a dick.
Love,
M.A. Smith
P.S.: I can't decide how much I love Chaos or hate him when he shows up on Leverage. That's good work.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Overwhelming
Has it only been two days since I've last posted? It feels like longer.
Sorry, Ace and I have just spent two fairly intensive days in a classroom learning things we need to know to go take a written test on Thursday so we can start learning how to actually drive the trucks on Friday. And the first things we get to practice? Backing up (only the hardest thing to do), something that the manual produced by the state of Oklahoma tells you to avoid doing if at all possible.
The changes that are about to be happening are slightly overwhelming. I'm excited, and tired, and nervous, and ready to be done with all this training and on the road with Ace, and some small part of me is freaked out because my life is about to change drastically (also, I keep noticing weird things happening to random body parts, probably because I need more sleep and less caffeine).
I'm not overwhelmed by all this information (although, it is a little overwhelming). I'm overwhelmed by all these emotions (and some fatigue, I'll be honest).
Life as I knew it has been changed forever.
Sorry, Ace and I have just spent two fairly intensive days in a classroom learning things we need to know to go take a written test on Thursday so we can start learning how to actually drive the trucks on Friday. And the first things we get to practice? Backing up (only the hardest thing to do), something that the manual produced by the state of Oklahoma tells you to avoid doing if at all possible.
The changes that are about to be happening are slightly overwhelming. I'm excited, and tired, and nervous, and ready to be done with all this training and on the road with Ace, and some small part of me is freaked out because my life is about to change drastically (also, I keep noticing weird things happening to random body parts, probably because I need more sleep and less caffeine).
I'm not overwhelmed by all this information (although, it is a little overwhelming). I'm overwhelmed by all these emotions (and some fatigue, I'll be honest).
Life as I knew it has been changed forever.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Making Plans
Ace and I have been talking, a lot, about our questions about truck driving. It's not the driving part that has us asking questions, it's the other stuff.
"Do they charge for taking showers at truck stops?" "Should we buy laundry detergent that we'll have to figure out how to split while we are in training? Or just buy the smallest bottles we can find and hopefully finish them up quickly after training is over?" "How often will we have days off?" "How often do you think we'll be able to go grocery shopping?" "If we pay this and do that, how much do you think we will have saved up at six months? a year?"
We're trying to get things organized and figure out what we need to take with us when we go for on the job training. Obviously, we'll need clothes, and I'm taking my pillow, but do we need sheets for while we're in training? We obviously will need to eat, but are we going to be driving trucks with food in them or eating out for the most part while we're in training?
On the plus side, we still have over 3 weeks to find answers to most of these questions. We're already planning the purchase of my cell phone, so Ace and I can talk to each other when we are apart during training. We know what phone we are getting (and it's cheaper than when I first found it) and it's not something my in-laws can complain too much about.
I'm excited about our changes, but I'm nervous too. What if I hate driving a truck? (After about a year, it may not matter, because we may make changes that would let me be a housewife again.) What if I suck at it? (Okay, the trucking school wouldn't let me go take a test yet if I suck at driving, but still.) What if I find I can't do it after we've invested all this money into it? (How would that be different from my degree in Accounting, other than the fact that truck driving school is shorter and less expensive?) My questions are most silly and should be all answered in just a few weeks. But they are there for now.
In all this, Ace and I have been doing a lot of talking about our future. And this is a great opportunity for us to pay off all our debts, while leaving our monthly expenses low, and maybe even start investing for the future. We'll still get to spend a ton of time together, and we're planning on getting a wifi hotspot in the truck so we can still get online while we're on the road. Things are looking up. So, I refuse to let my questions keep me down. For every argument I could make about how this could blow up in our face, I've got about a dozen more about how this is the best decision for our current circumstances (and the biggest thing is that we'll be on our own again, so I won't have to deal with his parents' brand of craziness on a regular basis).
Look out USA, here we come.
"Do they charge for taking showers at truck stops?" "Should we buy laundry detergent that we'll have to figure out how to split while we are in training? Or just buy the smallest bottles we can find and hopefully finish them up quickly after training is over?" "How often will we have days off?" "How often do you think we'll be able to go grocery shopping?" "If we pay this and do that, how much do you think we will have saved up at six months? a year?"
We're trying to get things organized and figure out what we need to take with us when we go for on the job training. Obviously, we'll need clothes, and I'm taking my pillow, but do we need sheets for while we're in training? We obviously will need to eat, but are we going to be driving trucks with food in them or eating out for the most part while we're in training?
On the plus side, we still have over 3 weeks to find answers to most of these questions. We're already planning the purchase of my cell phone, so Ace and I can talk to each other when we are apart during training. We know what phone we are getting (and it's cheaper than when I first found it) and it's not something my in-laws can complain too much about.
I'm excited about our changes, but I'm nervous too. What if I hate driving a truck? (After about a year, it may not matter, because we may make changes that would let me be a housewife again.) What if I suck at it? (Okay, the trucking school wouldn't let me go take a test yet if I suck at driving, but still.) What if I find I can't do it after we've invested all this money into it? (How would that be different from my degree in Accounting, other than the fact that truck driving school is shorter and less expensive?) My questions are most silly and should be all answered in just a few weeks. But they are there for now.
In all this, Ace and I have been doing a lot of talking about our future. And this is a great opportunity for us to pay off all our debts, while leaving our monthly expenses low, and maybe even start investing for the future. We'll still get to spend a ton of time together, and we're planning on getting a wifi hotspot in the truck so we can still get online while we're on the road. Things are looking up. So, I refuse to let my questions keep me down. For every argument I could make about how this could blow up in our face, I've got about a dozen more about how this is the best decision for our current circumstances (and the biggest thing is that we'll be on our own again, so I won't have to deal with his parents' brand of craziness on a regular basis).
Look out USA, here we come.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Blackmail
Well, after a long (LONG) talk with Ace's parents a little bit ago, we think they are going to help us with truck driving school. He and I do not have high enough credit scores to get a loan in just our names, but his parents can afford to either co-sign on a loan (at almost no risk to them) or just pay for the class outright. They seem to be likely to do one of those.
But they are using our need of some help as a means to blackmail us into do things for them (we should be out of here in a little over 4 weeks, so it seems silly to us). If their requests were too big or too unreasonable, we would have been much more likely to just decide to ask my dad.
I hate being blackmailed by these two. In fact, I've pretty much decided that after we have finished paying them back all that we owe them, I'm cutting them out of my life. If Ace wants, he can have a relationship with them, but I'm pretty much through. They've burned all their bridges and used all their chances. I have better things to do with my life than to spend it placating people who obviously don't really care for or about me and probably regret that I married their son. There are much more positive and uplifting people who want to see Ace and I succeed in life and be happy that I would much rather spend time with.
I'm frustrated and somewhat angry and I should have been asleep a while ago, but this talk was apparently more important than anything else this evening.
Please tell me I can make it.
But they are using our need of some help as a means to blackmail us into do things for them (we should be out of here in a little over 4 weeks, so it seems silly to us). If their requests were too big or too unreasonable, we would have been much more likely to just decide to ask my dad.
I hate being blackmailed by these two. In fact, I've pretty much decided that after we have finished paying them back all that we owe them, I'm cutting them out of my life. If Ace wants, he can have a relationship with them, but I'm pretty much through. They've burned all their bridges and used all their chances. I have better things to do with my life than to spend it placating people who obviously don't really care for or about me and probably regret that I married their son. There are much more positive and uplifting people who want to see Ace and I succeed in life and be happy that I would much rather spend time with.
I'm frustrated and somewhat angry and I should have been asleep a while ago, but this talk was apparently more important than anything else this evening.
Please tell me I can make it.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Decisions
Ace and I have spent most of the last week trying to decide between two job opportunities. We've finally made our decision and hopefully we'll both enjoy it greatly.
We are going to truck driving school. We're going to get our CDL licenses. We're going to be team drivers. We are going to see lots of the highway system in this country.
I don't know how often I'll be posting this year. On the plus side, I should have a few more actual adventures and a few less whiny posts about my in-laws. I can hardly wait to get started.
We are going to truck driving school. We're going to get our CDL licenses. We're going to be team drivers. We are going to see lots of the highway system in this country.
I don't know how often I'll be posting this year. On the plus side, I should have a few more actual adventures and a few less whiny posts about my in-laws. I can hardly wait to get started.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Accomplished
Dealing with my in-laws is always enlightening in some way. Sometimes it's enlightening to know just how long I can bite my tongue before I have to get away from the situation or say something insulting. Sometimes it's enlightening to know just how different my upbringing was to Ace's. Sometimes it's enlightening to know just how little faith they have in their son to do something with his life.
Easter dinner, which was a new thing for me to experience with my in-laws (I'm pretty sure in years past they've just gone out to eat). The meal itself went fairly smoothly. My sister-in-law dominated the conversation about the relatives of celebrities, which was interesting and kept the conversation light (something I was thankful for, I love my sister-in-law). The food was fairly good, although I still find the idea of adding melted Red Hots to the rub for the ham odd (it didn't taste particularly cinnamon like, so it seemed kind of wasted).
Then came my mother-in-law reading out stuff about her family's history to my niece. Weird, but fitting with the ancestor theme from lunch and not something she was forcing Ace and I to participate in. When we went out to get some pie (key lime and some other flavor, both good partially because they were store bought), things got a little weirder.
My mother-in-law's ancestor owed some money to a John Smith. We don't know which John Smith, and it's not like the name immediately points to someone specific (there is no more of a generic name). I have no clue why it was important enough to be written down, but I feel that way about how many cattle, bed warmers, and acres of land her ancestors had too (also all written down). It was interesting to ponder that maybe it was the John Smith that knew Pocahontas, but given that I don't know what years this ancestor lived, it's hard to say either way.
Then my father-in-law pipped up that Darrell wouldn't be in the record books because he doesn't owe money to anyone famous. That's true, we don't owe money to anyone with any kind of name, but that's not really important. My father-in-law has decided that his 31 year old son will never do anything important enough to make history because he hasn't yet. It's not like Ace's life expectancy is 40 (in which case, he could make history but he'd have to hurry up to do so), so it's kind of silly to declare him past the point of potentially making history.
I'm not saying that I think Ace will be well known in the history books. I don't know. I don't really care. But I hate that my father-in-law thinks it was an appropriate thing to say. If Ace and I took him seriously, we might as well lay down and not move for the rest of our lives (which would be considerably shorter if we did lay down and not move) because we obviously are going to be stuck in the same position we are in (or only slightly better than where we are now) for the rest of our lives. At least, that's the implication we are getting off of what he is saying.
And you know what? My father-in-law is unlikely to make history. He hasn't so far, and is much closer to the end of his life than Ace and I are to the end of ours at this point. Maybe he's just jealous that we have more time to make history. But most likely, he just doesn't believe in his son. And that is sad.
Easter dinner, which was a new thing for me to experience with my in-laws (I'm pretty sure in years past they've just gone out to eat). The meal itself went fairly smoothly. My sister-in-law dominated the conversation about the relatives of celebrities, which was interesting and kept the conversation light (something I was thankful for, I love my sister-in-law). The food was fairly good, although I still find the idea of adding melted Red Hots to the rub for the ham odd (it didn't taste particularly cinnamon like, so it seemed kind of wasted).
Then came my mother-in-law reading out stuff about her family's history to my niece. Weird, but fitting with the ancestor theme from lunch and not something she was forcing Ace and I to participate in. When we went out to get some pie (key lime and some other flavor, both good partially because they were store bought), things got a little weirder.
My mother-in-law's ancestor owed some money to a John Smith. We don't know which John Smith, and it's not like the name immediately points to someone specific (there is no more of a generic name). I have no clue why it was important enough to be written down, but I feel that way about how many cattle, bed warmers, and acres of land her ancestors had too (also all written down). It was interesting to ponder that maybe it was the John Smith that knew Pocahontas, but given that I don't know what years this ancestor lived, it's hard to say either way.
Then my father-in-law pipped up that Darrell wouldn't be in the record books because he doesn't owe money to anyone famous. That's true, we don't owe money to anyone with any kind of name, but that's not really important. My father-in-law has decided that his 31 year old son will never do anything important enough to make history because he hasn't yet. It's not like Ace's life expectancy is 40 (in which case, he could make history but he'd have to hurry up to do so), so it's kind of silly to declare him past the point of potentially making history.
I'm not saying that I think Ace will be well known in the history books. I don't know. I don't really care. But I hate that my father-in-law thinks it was an appropriate thing to say. If Ace and I took him seriously, we might as well lay down and not move for the rest of our lives (which would be considerably shorter if we did lay down and not move) because we obviously are going to be stuck in the same position we are in (or only slightly better than where we are now) for the rest of our lives. At least, that's the implication we are getting off of what he is saying.
And you know what? My father-in-law is unlikely to make history. He hasn't so far, and is much closer to the end of his life than Ace and I are to the end of ours at this point. Maybe he's just jealous that we have more time to make history. But most likely, he just doesn't believe in his son. And that is sad.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
It Feels Passive-Aggressive to Me
Lately, Ace and I have been using real dishes (instead of paper plates) to eat off of. We ran out of bowls, and most of the food that is bought for us to eat requires a bowl to be eaten (ravioli, soup, chili). All that means that we are constantly using up the available bowls.
Lately, the dishes seem to be piling up if Ace doesn't do them. I recognize that we are suddenly adding to the dishes pile (and that should hopefully stop soon), but we are not the only ones who are using dishes in this house.
We are starting to get the impression that Ace's parents want him to take over doing the dishes (because God forbid his father do them?). It's frustrating on our part, because they won't just come out and say they want us to do more around the house. In fact, about the only things Ace isn't doing is cooking them dinner, doing their laundry, or doing most of the actual cleaning (scrubbing toilets, dusting, vacuuming). I sort of get the impression that if my father-in-law thought he could get away with it, he'd have us do their laundry too.
If they would just say something to one of us, we'd have a better idea. I think part of the problem is that we've been leaving our door shut more lately (they've been loud and we've wanted quiet more). To get back at us for the perceived problems from their point of view, they are being passive-aggressive about chores around here (or at least dishes). (They also seem to think that we can just make Ace get a job offer by wanting it enough. Because that's the reason we are still living here after almost 2 years, because we just don't want to be on our own and supporting ourselves enough. *Scream*)
And now I'm going to relax and breathe and remind myself that Ace and I plan on getting out of here as soon as possible.
Lately, the dishes seem to be piling up if Ace doesn't do them. I recognize that we are suddenly adding to the dishes pile (and that should hopefully stop soon), but we are not the only ones who are using dishes in this house.
We are starting to get the impression that Ace's parents want him to take over doing the dishes (because God forbid his father do them?). It's frustrating on our part, because they won't just come out and say they want us to do more around the house. In fact, about the only things Ace isn't doing is cooking them dinner, doing their laundry, or doing most of the actual cleaning (scrubbing toilets, dusting, vacuuming). I sort of get the impression that if my father-in-law thought he could get away with it, he'd have us do their laundry too.
If they would just say something to one of us, we'd have a better idea. I think part of the problem is that we've been leaving our door shut more lately (they've been loud and we've wanted quiet more). To get back at us for the perceived problems from their point of view, they are being passive-aggressive about chores around here (or at least dishes). (They also seem to think that we can just make Ace get a job offer by wanting it enough. Because that's the reason we are still living here after almost 2 years, because we just don't want to be on our own and supporting ourselves enough. *Scream*)
And now I'm going to relax and breathe and remind myself that Ace and I plan on getting out of here as soon as possible.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Mouse Problem
Last week, I discovered very quickly how used to my personal mouse I was. After 10 minutes trying to use a similar mouse, I realized I was getting frustrated. My mouse has two extra buttons on it, one to move pages forward and one to move them back (great for internet browsing, I tell you), and apparently they have become vital to my mental health in the few months that I've had this mouse.
So, Ace's desktop temporarily had two mice at it. I used my mouse when I was on, and he used his mouse when he was on. It was working just fine for us, if looking a little silly. Until his mouse suddenly died.
At that point, we had my working mouse and his non-working mouse at his computer, the cord for my laptop on the way, and no way that I am going to just let him keep my mouse when I get my laptop back (because I need it for my mental well being, remember). And our only back-up mouse was being used by my father-in-law because his mouse had died and we didn't use that one.
Ace's parents have bought a mouse (we are using it, because it was way too difficult to explain whose mouse we were replacing to my father-in-law). It is a plain, simple mouse, not one like Ace and I have been using recently, but it works.
But it seems strange that just as we are fixing my problem (at no cost to us, nicely), we suddenly have another problem. It's been way too crazy with technology all of a sudden around here. On the plus side, I think we may have hit the end of those problems for a while. But I think a new keyboard for Ace maybe something we consider in the near future.
So, Ace's desktop temporarily had two mice at it. I used my mouse when I was on, and he used his mouse when he was on. It was working just fine for us, if looking a little silly. Until his mouse suddenly died.
At that point, we had my working mouse and his non-working mouse at his computer, the cord for my laptop on the way, and no way that I am going to just let him keep my mouse when I get my laptop back (because I need it for my mental well being, remember). And our only back-up mouse was being used by my father-in-law because his mouse had died and we didn't use that one.
Ace's parents have bought a mouse (we are using it, because it was way too difficult to explain whose mouse we were replacing to my father-in-law). It is a plain, simple mouse, not one like Ace and I have been using recently, but it works.
But it seems strange that just as we are fixing my problem (at no cost to us, nicely), we suddenly have another problem. It's been way too crazy with technology all of a sudden around here. On the plus side, I think we may have hit the end of those problems for a while. But I think a new keyboard for Ace maybe something we consider in the near future.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Independence
This morning, about 5 minutes after 11:30, the doorbell rang. By the time I got the door opened, there wasn't anybody there, but there was a package with my name on it.
I have a cord that can charge my laptop again! I am back to being independent of Ace's computer, a fact we are both grateful for. Now I can take however long I want doing whatever I want and not feel like I'm frustrating him any.
Nicely we only had to share a computer for a week, and I got caught up on some magazines while I was on an internet diet. My stack of things to read is currently smaller and will probably be ignored for a day or two, while I revel in my laptop again.
Tomorrow, I'll tell you about the mouse situation (because we seem to like having computer issues pop up one right after the other).
I have a cord that can charge my laptop again! I am back to being independent of Ace's computer, a fact we are both grateful for. Now I can take however long I want doing whatever I want and not feel like I'm frustrating him any.
Nicely we only had to share a computer for a week, and I got caught up on some magazines while I was on an internet diet. My stack of things to read is currently smaller and will probably be ignored for a day or two, while I revel in my laptop again.
Tomorrow, I'll tell you about the mouse situation (because we seem to like having computer issues pop up one right after the other).
Thursday, March 29, 2012
3-5 Business Days
Earlier, Ace and I remembered to check to see if my laptop was still under warranty (and if the cord was covered). It was (and is).
I'll be back on my own computer in 3-5 business days.
Hopefully Ace and I can survive that without driving each other crazy about Ace's desktop.
See you in 3 to 5 business days!
P.S.: Hormones tried to dominate me this month, but they were no match for the stress levels in my life currently. Cramps still suck (as if I had forgotten that).
I'll be back on my own computer in 3-5 business days.
Hopefully Ace and I can survive that without driving each other crazy about Ace's desktop.
See you in 3 to 5 business days!
P.S.: Hormones tried to dominate me this month, but they were no match for the stress levels in my life currently. Cramps still suck (as if I had forgotten that).
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sharing a Computer
Right now, my laptop is sitting around collecting dust. It would work well as a paper-weight, but not as a laptop. The reason why is that the cord has stopped charging the battery back up (there was a crimp in the cord or something similar that caused it to stop providing power).
So, Ace and I are sharing a computer. It's been interesting to realize what I miss from my now limited internet access. Mostly, I miss having the options to talk to Ace through a messenger service and the ability to entertain myself with movies/music/whatever on demand. Not spending the time online isn't as big a problem, but it has lead to me being more interested in the TV being on (it's something besides just books or magazines or playing a hand-held solitaire game).
I've been struggling, slightly, with not feeling like it's all my fault my laptop is suddenly temporarily useless. My last laptop went 4 years with one cord with no problems, despite being used in a similar manner, so I know it's not that I'm just extremely hard on laptop cords. Ace is frustrated with the maker's of the laptop since they obviously did not do well enough on making a good cord.
Hopefully, I will soon have my laptop back. Until then, my posts may be scarce. I've got too much to do online in too short a time frame to come by here as regularly as I would like (on the plus side, I do have my own profile on Ace's desktop now, so we won't get nearly as frustrated with each other while sharing the computer). And hopefully I'll continue to not suffer too much from my lack of a connection. I expect my iPod to get a lot more use for a while.
So, Ace and I are sharing a computer. It's been interesting to realize what I miss from my now limited internet access. Mostly, I miss having the options to talk to Ace through a messenger service and the ability to entertain myself with movies/music/whatever on demand. Not spending the time online isn't as big a problem, but it has lead to me being more interested in the TV being on (it's something besides just books or magazines or playing a hand-held solitaire game).
I've been struggling, slightly, with not feeling like it's all my fault my laptop is suddenly temporarily useless. My last laptop went 4 years with one cord with no problems, despite being used in a similar manner, so I know it's not that I'm just extremely hard on laptop cords. Ace is frustrated with the maker's of the laptop since they obviously did not do well enough on making a good cord.
Hopefully, I will soon have my laptop back. Until then, my posts may be scarce. I've got too much to do online in too short a time frame to come by here as regularly as I would like (on the plus side, I do have my own profile on Ace's desktop now, so we won't get nearly as frustrated with each other while sharing the computer). And hopefully I'll continue to not suffer too much from my lack of a connection. I expect my iPod to get a lot more use for a while.
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