Monday, July 18, 2016

Since Then...

Beautiful mountains in Utah
It's been a couple weeks now since we got the new truck, and we've been busy! We put over 6,000 miles on the truck in the first 8 days - Georgia to California to Massachusetts! We're getting to know the new truck's personality, its kinks and quirks and the way it works. It's a 2017, a model year newer than our old truck, and there's definitely a few differences in how it handles.

The reactions we get from people when they see the truck are priceless! Cars on the road sometimes honk and wave, and other truck drivers often do a double-take when they see it. We've had people come up and want to shake our hands, take pictures of the truck, and tell us about their own and family members' military experiences.

We've also been back to our CDL school, Truck Driving Institute, to say hi and show off the new truck. They did an article on us for their national website, too. It was great to go back to where it all started and encourage other people just starting out in the industry.

We are really enjoying driving the Coast Guard truck, and the doors it opens for talking to the people that we meet. If you see us going down the road, be sure to wave!

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Politics

I know I've shared a lot of political stuff lately, and usually I try to stay away from politics (especially on social media!), but this is something I feel very strongly about. Since this is my blog, I will take a moment to tell you how I feel.

I'm all for having a female president, but the current democratic nominee is literally one of the worst things that could happen to our country right now. She and those who support her are proven criminals and liars. The blood of multiple Americans is on her hands now, and if she takes office, there will be many more American lives lost. By law, as a person guilty of federal crimes, she actually isn't even eligible to run for president...yet somehow, here she is. Of course, the path to getting there is strewn with staff members and associates who have mysteriously died or gone missing...and let's not even bring up her husband's presidential scandals.

Is the alternative option great? Not really...but he's a whole lot better than her. He is bigoted and sexist, sometimes petty, and has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. However, he doesn't owe anybody anything and hasn't been "bought" by anyone. He says what he feels, and he feels strongly about America. He still believes in the American dream, supports our military, and isn't afraid to be politically incorrect.

Here's the deal. There hasn't been a president elected who didn't belong to the major parties (Republican and Democrat) since the founding fathers. One of these people is going to become our next president, and no amount of burying our heads in the sand will change that.

#3 getting into the patriotic spirit!
Of course, the vote of the people isn't really that important anymore - the votes of the other people we have voted into various political offices is really what will make the decision. But we, as the American people, have the right and the responsibility to make ourselves heard, to voice our opinions and beliefs, and to rise up against evil and injustice in our country.

This year's election is a very difficult decision for some people. I ask that you take time to pray about what you should do, but please do not, under these circumstances, do nothing.

Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy Independence Day!

You, me, and #3
Happy Independence Day! Today we celebrate the birth of our nation and the freedoms that we enjoy in our great country. However, those freedoms are not free. They have been and continue to be purchased for us by the men and women who sacrifice of themselves, sometimes their very lives. To our service members and veterans, thank you...and may we never forget the price of our independence. 

Friday, July 1, 2016

Presenting Our Tribute Truck!

Our employers, US Xpress, are starting a new initiative toward hiring more veterans and service members. As a part of this program, they have commissioned six new trucks, wrapped in decals honoring branches of the military and our nation's independence. We are honored to announce that we were among those chosen to drive one of these trucks!
Our new truck, honoring the Coast Guard

They did a very nice job wrapping these trucks in decals, plus there's some new technology on the trucks.
Some of the other trucks

 We are honored to be a part of this program and excited to see where the future leads!
Our official picture!