Just When I Thought I Couldn't Take Any More

I got a break.

My trainers truck developed a hole inthe secondary air tank so we were spring in the Carlisle Pennsylvania terminal waiting for everything to get fixed. My husbands trainers truck blew a tire at the loves just up the road.

We managed to get a whole day together and both got sunburnt from swimming in the pool. My husband and I both needed it. I got to talk to him, found out some bad things about his trainer, but i think we got it worked out.

I'm feeling much better about everything now.

Mistelle, this is where you are going to have to be a determined little lady. There are going to be a lot of things that you won't have any control over or be able to do anything about. I'm thrilled you guys got to see each other for a day, but just realize that even if there's some bad things about a trainer the best thing to do is just suck it up for a while - it's only a temporary gig and learning to put up with a jerk for few weeks will only help you be a better truck driver, because Lord knows this is a skill that every truck driver will need to have later on.

Hang in there you guys, you are going to love it when you can be together teaming out there on the open road!

Mistelle, this is where you are going to have to be a determined little lady. There are going to be a lot of things that you won't have any control over or be able to do anything about. I'm thrilled you guys got to see each other for a day, but just realize that even if there's some bad things about a trainer the best thing to do is just suck it up for a while - it's only a temporary gig and learning to put up with a jerk for few weeks will only help you be a better truck driver, because Lord knows this is a skill that every truck driver will need to have later on.

Hang in there you guys, you are going to love it when you can be together teaming out there on the open road!

It's been really tough. I am trying so hard to be strong and not cry but today I found out that I will be four days behind my husband. When our truck broke down it delayed my graduation date. So I'm down to 13 days left, and it feels like an eternity. I'm trying really hard but I'm getting worn out emotionally, physically and mentally.

I feel drained all the time, even when I first wake up. It's hard to get up and moving when even my trainer said she would sign off on me right now. She doesn't know why they won't go ahead and let me finish with him. It's just all really frustrating.

Mistelle, I wouldn't normally keep jumping in here in the ladies forum, but I know Star is out for a few days and you sound like you might appreciate someone's response.

There are so many things in truck driving that are out of our control, and I may be way off base here but you kind of sound like you like being in control. That's not a bad thing either, but we just have to realize there are so many things like break downs, traffic, road construction, shippers/receivers, scheduling snafus, and on and on the list could go of the things that we just can't control in this career. You had a tough break in that your truck broke down and it's delayed your graduation, but there was absolutely nothing you could do about it. Now you're wanting to shorten your training time because your trainer says you're ready, and your heart is aching to be with your husband. I understand those things, but don't let the pain your feeling now cloud your view of what you're working toward. You're about to embark on the journey of a lifetime, the kind of career that a lot of people can only dream about. You are going to be travelling across the country with the man you love by your side, and you will be doing it in a rig that somebody else paid for, plus they are going to be paying you for all this!

I had a difficult start into this industry and a very difficult training period also, so I feel for you. I had days just like you mentioned where I was so drained that I didn't think I could do it another day, but those times don't even come to mind anymore unless I'm trying to encourage someone like you that's going through the same type of difficulties.

I know you're emotionally drained, but try to use your reasoning and not just your feelings to help you get through it all. Four days is such a short time difference in your graduation dates that I know you can do it. I mean that is not even a week! I understand how that last two weeks of training can feel like an eternity, but in the whole scheme of things it really is a short time. I had the same thought when I had two weeks left, but almost before I knew it that first week had gone right off the radar screen and I just had one week left.

Focus on the task at hand, focus on getting each job done, focus on honing your skills, because as you do those things the time will be passing so quickly that one day you'll wake up and realize, "Hey, I'm done". Then, you will be moving on to the next step in this grand adventure, but at that point you'll have your man by your side, and a shoulder to cry on if you need it.

Keep it up, it sounds to me like you're doing real well!

Mistelle, don't look at the days left....look at the prize at the end !!! I'm sure the company will hold your hubby so you two can get together..thats not a worry. You two went into it with this company with them knowing that you will be teaming. So they will work it that way. You only have a little over a week !!!! Look at the prize at the end....never count the days, minutes, hours, or anything else that is infront of you...look at the prize at the end. Think of it...you and your hubby...in a truck...together...all the time. Thats why you are doing what you are doing.....look at the prize.

And Old School..I appreciate you coming in here and sharing your wisdom with us ladies....theres things that I've learned from you !! Thats the funny thing about trucking...NO ONE KNOWS IT ALL. So we share where we can...and its always a gift to those that are searching for knowledge.

StarCar and Old School, I wanted to thank you both so much for your responses. I could read the messages but couldn't answer them due to signal issues. You guys helped me a lot through that time and I hope that others see this thread and can feel the same way. There were times when I was ready to quit. Even made plans on how to get home. But I hung in there and only looked at it as one day at a time. Pretended that I was a robot and didn't have feelings.

And let them all loose when I got to hug my husband for the first time. I was laughing and crying all at once.

We have all been there, in one sense or another...and we get thru it the best way we can. Just remember....one day at a time...and BREATHE....

So we want to know how it works out...no fair leaving us hangin'''''

We have all been there, in one sense or another...and we get thru it the best way we can. Just remember....one day at a time...and BREATHE....

So we want to know how it works out...no fair leaving us hangin'''''

So far so good. Learned today how to **** everyone off. We have been needing some repairs that would fail us on a dot inspection. Our fleet manager wouldn't give a moment to get them repaired. I got approved a week ago to get the repairs done. I finally got sick of it when our trailer wouldn't stay behind us. It kept wandering off to the right and it's been all of our trailers. This was just the heaviest one. I called safety and told them about what was needing repairs and they told me to not hook to another trailer until the repairs get done. I am sitting here waiting on everything to get done and losing some money but now I won't be as nervous when driving. It makes me feel a lot better to know that DOT doesn't have a reason to park me. And a WHOLE lot better to know that I will be able to drive in my lane and my trailer share the same lane with me.

I'm loving driving with my husband. It makes this sooo much more enjoyable. We love getting to see all the wonderful sites around this country. We are so happy driving together. I love hearing him call me for my shift. It makes me so happy. When I get done with my shift he has woke up early enough to make me something to eat and has made the bed with my pillows stacked just how I like them. It's almost like another honeymoon, except we get to see the whole United States.

I have a new respect for our country after seeing more of it. I can't imagine anyone allowing it to fall apart as beautiful as it is. The mountains and forests in Washington, the first snowfall up there. The amazing parts of Arizona that aren't a desert. Tennessee is gorgeous, and seeing the trees change colors is wonderful. There is so much more to see still.

Yeah, it sucks that our fleet manager is as new as we are. Especially since he blames his mistakes on us. It sucks that people don't respect truckers and look down on us. Trying to clean your windows with cold water running down the sleeves of your shirt and the wind making your eyes tear up, sucks. But I have never felt this free and happy all at once. I have money in my bank that doesn't have a place to go besides saving. I've never had that before. Not once in my life have I had financial security like I do right now. It feels amazing to decide we want something special for dinner and not have to count change to make sure we can afford it. I bought new clothes for the first time in about 7 years. I have new shoes. I haven't bought new shoes since I was a teenager. I always got them at goodwill.

This has changed my life for the better. It's been hard and is going to be hard at times but I will never forget what it was like living in a tent through a Texas summer. I won't have to do that again. I won't have to shower in the waterhose, wash dishes in a washtub, do laundry in a washtub, or be hungry for two days until we have the money to afford food.

Mistelle...most people have not gone thru what you have, so they don't really know what a PRIVILAGE it is to be trained, and put in a truck that will be your home, AND make you a living, AND be a paid vacation. They get all testosterone about gearin' and steerin'...like it takes a pair to do it, anyway. I ran team with my hubby for alot of years...and we did great, made good money, and enjoyed life. Saving your money is a great thing to do. I did the same, and it sure was nice, that when we wanted to take some time to spend with family or friends, or rent a car and take a REAL vacation, we had the money to do it... Keep posting on here, and the main board, since theres a few couples coming into trucking, that could use your experiences... Really glad your here, girlfriend....

Mistelle...most people have not gone thru what you have, so they don't really know what a PRIVILAGE it is to be trained, and put in a truck that will be your home, AND make you a living, AND be a paid vacation. They get all testosterone about gearin' and steerin'...like it takes a pair to do it, anyway. I ran team with my hubby for alot of years...and we did great, made good money, and enjoyed life. Saving your money is a great thing to do. I did the same, and it sure was nice, that when we wanted to take some time to spend with family or friends, or rent a car and take a REAL vacation, we had the money to do it... Keep posting on here, and the main board, since theres a few couples coming into trucking, that could use your experiences... Really glad your here, girlfriend....

Thanks. It feels nice to be wanted. I'll keep you guys updated as I get time to do it.

I'm excited to meet some great people on this site and on the road. And I hope someday to run up on you in a truck stop somewhere.