Tullahoma, TN

Tullahoma is a very quiet small city. This area is rich in civil war history. We are excited to soon be seeing the sites!

3/8/08

I looked out of the window several times during the night to see if it was snowing. It did start around seven. We just lay there trying to decide what would be the best thing to do. After a cup of coffee and some breakfast we decided to take a chance and head for Tullahoma. This would give Dave a day to rest up before starting on Monday…or so we thought. We were packed and were on the road by noon.

Dave knew that the coach needed to be driven and that it wouldn’t be running very well in the beginning…which did happened. After a few miles it seemed to clean itself out and started running smoother. We got off our exit and Dave filled it up with fuel and checked the oil. Everything seemed fine. The campsite was just a few miles away. We were approaching the turn to the campsite and the coach started shaking and blowing smoke again. Jerry (the owner) had to open the gate to let us in. We telephoned him and he was there. We drove in and Dave got out to speak with him. He told Dave where to park and went to close the gate. The next thing we know he’s saying that we were loosing oil. Sure enough the engine was blowing oil all over the car and smoking really bad. Once again we were completely exhausted. On the one hand we were thankful that we had made it but on the other hand we were thinking…what the heck are we going to do now.

3/9/08

We spent the day figuring out what to take if the coach had to be towed and we had to spend some time in a motel. Reorganized and locked up all of our worldly possessions. We reorganized and locked up all of our worldly possessions. We took the heavy duty zip ties and wrapped them around the door handles where we could so they wouldn’t open in route. It also acted as security as they had to be cut to be removed. Dave had some bright yellow ones...maybe being colored it would be hard to find them and we would then know if someone had been going through our things.

3/10/08

Corey and Kerry’s first anniversary is today. We gave them a jungle and spoke with them for a few minutes.

Dave reported for the first time to the Tullahoma Gas Office...Elk River Public Utilities District today. He only put in half a day as we had to have the coach towed to Nashville to the Cummins dealer. Jeff Yates with Harpeth Towing and Recovery, 1124 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064 arrived. Dave and I were sweating as he was trying to figure which way would be the best to hook onto the coach. He hitched it in the back, then hitched it in the front (this left only about six inches from the ground to the front bumper of the coach), he then re-hitched it to the back. We were getting more concerned as two and a half hours had passed. So much can go wrong during the tow so we followed him up to Nashville. We arrived without incident and that was a huge relief. We came back and found a motel in Manchester, TN. We are now residing at the Economy Inn...we would not recommend it to anyone.

3/11/08

We haven't heard anything yet on what they think it might be. Dave feels that it will take them some time to figure it all out. Patience is not one of my better qualities...I think I am going out of my mind! This was my biggest fear with traveling around the country and it had come true!

She is still now married and living in Kanas and still showing too: Happy Trails, Jeannine Maple Ridge Arabians

3/12/08


The weather has been in the sixties since we arrived so we have spent some time in the sunshine. It helps one relax a little.

I have been going out on the job with Dave the last few days. I am his chauffeur and secretary. This saves him quite a few steps as he doesn't have to back track to get the vehicle or take time to log all the customer number himself. He doesn't have the PDA for this job so everything has to be logged by hand. What a pain!

Dave phoned cummins to check on the coach today and the news wasn't very good. I guess one of the plugs blew in the engine. They have to tear it down more before they can tell us the full extent of the damage. I swear that the harder one tries sometimes it's just not enough. We are at wits end with this coach but are in a spot where we just figure we shouldn't trade it with the economy the way it is. Also with still not having sold the house we are not confident about doing much. This should all be covered under warranty but cummins doesn't cover having to stay in a motel. Depending on the extent of the damage and if it is extensive we could be in this motel for quite some time. Oh well enough of my complaining I'm sure it will all work itself out in the end.

We moved to the Scottish Inn in Manchester, TN as it was cheaper and we still haven’t heard as to whether or not Cummins was going to pick up the tab. We wouldn't recommend this place to anyone either.

3/13/08

We figure that it was today that Dave picked up the tick as he was walking in the fields today at work.

3/14/08

More rain…Dave did paperwork then went in to the Gas Office around 11 AM. I worked on a quilt for awhile.

Tammy phoned to tell us that Aunt Betty is in the hospital with double phenomena. Her sugar levels were also high. We phoned her to see how she was doing and she sounded really groggy.

Tornado struck downtown Atlanta this evening. A great deal of damage but no fatalities...thank goodness. Kim was staying in the city due to her job. It happened to be her last day having to report to that office. The office got together and threw her a going away party that day before she left. The weatherman was predicting tornadoes so the people from the office told her she'd better hurry and get out of Dodge. She managed to get out just a few hours before it hit. Wow! We also heard that the storms hit the area where we were camping too.

3/15/08

We have moved once again. This time we are in Days Inn in Manchester, TN. This motel we can finally recommend!!! Here we have some of the conviences of home...a frig and microwave!! We are moving up in the world! All kidding aside...we feel safe here and believe that even with it being more in price we will save in the end because we have the use of a frig and microwave. We still have no idea if Cummins will pick up the tab or not.

We went to Shoney’s for breakfast and then headed to Murfreesboro to do some shopping. We went to Michael’s, Sally’s and Staples. Murfreesboro is a beautiful area.

We stopped at Wal-Mart on the way back to pick up a few groceries. Ate supper and hit the sack early.

3/16/08

Dave found a tick underneath his belt line and was able to remove it. He called the insurance hotline and the nurse there seemed to think that all would be okay and told him what to watch for.

Went to the laundry mat in the morning to catch up on the wash. We hung out for the rest of the day. Dave did some research on the net and I worked on a quilt.

3/17/08

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I worked with Dave today. We came upon a tractor trailer accident on I34 on our way home. The driver fell asleep and went through the median and ended up on the other side of I34 going in the wrong direction. He drove the truck under the underpass between and got stuck between the poles of the underpass. Just how he missed the on coming traffic no one knows. It took days to remove the truck and trailer.

3/18/08

Dave and I received this from Nichole and we just cried...thanks so much Nicki. I’m sure all you grandparents out there will enjoy this as much as we did.

GRANDPARENTS   BE SURE YOU WAIT TIL THE PICTURES HAVE MOVEMENT. THIS IS LOVELY  Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~Author Unknown

What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

Grandmothers are just "antique" little girls. ~Author Unknown

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb  A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television. ~Author Unknown

Never have children, only grandchildren. ~Gore Vidal< B>

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown

Grandchildren don't stay young forever, which is good because Grandfathers have only so many horsey rides in them. ~Gene Perret

When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window. ~ Ogden Nash

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete. ~ Marcy DeMaree  Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. ~Author unknown

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have had them first. ~Lois Wyse

My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world. And after two or three hours with them, I believe it, too. ~Gene Perret

If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is no fun for old people like it! ~Hannah Whithall Smith

 Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old. ~Mary H. Waldrip

You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. ~Proverb

An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again. Anything longer than that, and you start to age quickly. ~Gene Perret  The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida. ~Dave Barry

I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have - if only for self-defense. ~Gene Perret

Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are short on criticism and long on love. ~Author Unknown

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children. ~Alex Haley

 Grandmother - a wonderful mother with lots of practice. ~Author Unknown

A grandparent is old on the outside but young on the inside. ~Author Unknown

One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather. ~Joy Hargrove

It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one. ~Author Unknown  If your baby is "beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the time," you're the grandma. ~Teresa Bloomingdale

Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren. ~Author Unknown  What is it about grandparents that is so lovely? I'd like to say that grandparents are God's gifts to children. And if they can but see, hear and feel what these people have to give, they can mature at a fast rate. ~Bill Cosby

Grandchildren don't make a man feel old; it's the knowledge that he's married to a grandmother ~G. Norman Collie   

3/19/08

The rain came in today along with high winds...no work. Dave went into the main office to pick up supplies and make copies.

3/20/08

We arose at the crack of dawn and headed for the job. We had dinner and died!

3/21/08

Happy Spring!!! Off to work...TGIF!! 3/22/08

We went to dinner at Davy Crockett’s Restaurant in Manchester, TN...what a meal!! Dave was real hungry and ordered the sixteen ounce prime rib special. Needless to say he ate prime rib for three meals! The service was great and the food fantastic! We had the baked potato but it wasn’t just a regular potato stuffed in the oven. They rolled it in butter and then salt and the wrapped in foil and baked it. We also had tossed salad and homemade sweet rolls. To top off the dinner they had two for one drinks. We were a little tipsy when we left! We took desert to go...cheesecake topped with strawberries.

3/23/08

Happy Easter! We are still enjoying the motel stay...Yeah!! We took a walk and then went back to the motel. Nicki and family phoned to wish us a Happy Easter. They shared the holiday with family at Todd and Sherry’s.

The kids sent us an Easter card saying:

We love you all and hope you had a wonderful Easter!!! Love, Mercedes, Faith and Tallon I tried to copy the card but couldn’t. It was of the Easter Bunny with a basket eggs that turned into chicks...so cute.

3/24/08

Dave went into the Gas Office to do his reports and picked me up on his way to the job. We came home and had a quiet evening.

3/25/08

Same old, same old...work, work, and more work!

We received an email from Nicki today saying:

Just wanted to share that Sadi was accepted to Manlius Pebble Hill school today!  Very excited!

Congratulations!!

3/26/08

We worked six hours and headed for Nashville to pick up the coach at the Cummins Dealer...Yeah! It runs like a top! Dave says that it now runs better than it ever did...go figure! 3/27--3/28/08

Dave went to the doctors in Murfreesboro for a followup on the the tick bite. The doctor seemed to think that all is okay...what a relief!

We worked full days and hit the sack early.

3/29--3/30/08

We hung out and enjoyed having our home back.

3/31/08

Mom and Dad’s anniversary today...I miss you so very much.

4/1--4/2/08

Nine hour days on the job...truly exhausted.

4/3/08

Worked only three hours due to rain...no work, no pay. This hurts a little....

Hopped in the jeep and went to pick apples...mac’s of course!

We received an email from our realtor today stating:

Hi David and Joan, I showed your home Saturday about 6 PM The showing went very well. They really liked the house and loved the barns. The buyers have a few questions:

Thank you,

Renee Andrea Champagne’s team!

I wrote the following note to Nicki & Corey:

Hi Guys,

We have perspective buyers for the house...your prayers will be appreciated!!

Love, Dad & Mom

Nicki replied:

You bet I we will!!!!

I'd cross my toes to if I could.

FYI - taking all 3 kids in to the pediatrician tomorrow. Sadi and Faith both had fevers, runny noses, cough...today and Tallon is still not eating well and has an awful cough. Boy, it's been a heck of a winter here. I think we will have to vacate the house and completely sterilize everything before we can stay healthy.

Aunt Bonnie wrote:

Unc finally started his treatments on Tuesday night. It was his first one.  He goes each day, except weekends, for about 15 minutes.    4/4/08 Another raining day! Dave went to the office and worked two hours.

4/5/08

Our realtor wrote:

David & Joan,   We want to let you know there will be another showing of your house this Wednesday at 11:00.   We’ll let you know how it goes.   Thanks, Steve For Andrea

We replied:    Andrea,   This is great news...what was the feedback on the last showing and the information we provided?   Hope to hear from you soon.   Thanks,   Joan & Dave

Email from realtor:

Hi David and Joan,   Attached is a Status Change Form extending your listing until July 8th, 2008.  Please sign the form and return it to our office.  You can fax, email, or mail it to our office.  The fax number is 802-372-4600.  The mailing address is 508 Route 2, South Hero, VT 05486.   Thank you! Have a fabulous Real Estate day! Renee Andrea Champagne’s Team!

We wrote:

Andrea,

Extended Listing is signed and on its way back via mail.  Hope a sale is pending soon.   Thanks Dave and Joan

Hi Aunt Bonnie,   It has been just beautiful here the past couple of days too....high seventies.  The grass is greening and everyone is out mowing.  All the trees are blooming.  Tulips, daffodils and all the spring flowers are popping up.  In our travels today everyone seemed to be in good spirits.  We even had this one little old man that wanted to chat and chat.  The next thing we knew there was a car tooting their horn behind us and it was the little old man once again.  He just had to share with us his travels to Vermont and to the Olympics in New York.  He had noticed the VT plates on the jeep and decided to catch up with us with his story.  Dave and I laughed and laughed!  We have tried to make this job fun instead of work.  The head of the gas company here in which Dave has to report to every Friday looked us up today.  He was out checking on some major gas leaks that Dave found yesterday.  Dave introduced me as his wife and secretary.  Yesterday the mailman said that he didn't realize that it took two people to do the job now!  I guess you might say that we are making heads turn...   Tell Unc that we are praying for him.  Not a day passes that we don't think of you guys.  I hope you find what you are looking for in your job search.  Is Unc still working?   Well, this body is ready to retire so I'm going to say goodnight for now.   Love ya,

4/8/08

Our realtor wrote:

D and J I am still very hopeful about the future farmer. He still is out there. Lets sell soon. Andrea

4/10/08

We put in an eight hour day today. We got home and sat in the sun for the first time since we left FL....it felt soooo good!!!

I phoned the Burlington DMV to find out what I had to do to get a duplicate of my drivers license as it has been missing since my return from Vermont to see Christopher. They at first told me to use one form and at the very top it says right at the top that this form cannot be used for CDL licenses. I phoned later in the day and was told that I need a form TAVL-35 and that they would mail it to me.

Nicki called with wonderful news...she’s pregnant!!!!! WOW!!! Dave and I are so happy for her and Greg!! We are still in shock! Absolutely a miracle, absolutely. 4/11/08

Very high winds, rain, and hail the size of quarters today. I hope that Dave made it into town okay. He went in to pick up a few groceries. All went well with Dave...it didn’t hail where he was. Thank goodness.

4/12/08

We drove down to Huntsville, AL to take a look at a motorhome that we had seen on the net. We sure had a beautiful day for traveling...sunny and in the sixties. We had to turn around after a few miles down the road because we had forgotten to take the Verizon USB air-card. We need this because we wanted to stop at Best Buy to have the computer checked as it would not let me get into my hotmail. So back we went to the coach! We arrived without any further episodes. We took a look at the coach we had in mind and truly loved it! Just too much money for our pocketbook right now. On the way home we had a flat tire. Dave got it changed and then we stopped at Captain D’s to pick up some dinner. Susie called to find out where and how we were. It was good to hear from her. She and Dave are back up north. She says it is really going to be a busy summer for them. God Bless our family and friends.

4/13/08

We just relaxed today...surfed the net for coaches. We cleaned a little and played some games. We received a letter from the girls. It’s so good to hear from them!

Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 Hi Nana and Papa, What are you doing today? I got a new baby now. My baby is laying down. My baby talks. Her name is Christine. Write back to me. Love, Faith

Hi Nana and Papa, I'm watching Bunnytown. Mommy got scared by a mouse once (like the mouse on Bunnytown). It was funny. What are you doing today? I love you!

Sadi Hey Miss Peanut Faith,

So you got a new baby!! Wow!! What does Christine say when she talks to you? Does she take a nap with you? Papa and I are just hanging out today. It is cold and rainy. Write back when you get a few minutes.

XXXOOO'S

Love, Nana & Papa Hi Sadi Bug,It was so good hearing from you! Did Mommy jump when the mouse scared her? I would of liked to have seen Mommy when the mouse scared her.

Pretty cold today with lots of rain. Papa and I played some games today. Papa has a game where he flies an airplane...this is one of his favorites. He really is pretty good at it. I played a few games of solitaire on my computer. Have you learned any more new games lately?

Write back soon. Papa and I love your letters!

XXXOOO'S

Love,

Nana & Papa

PS: Hugs and kisses for Tallon, Mommy and Daddy too!

4/14/08

Rain, rain and more rain...no work today! Dave went into Manchester to get the tire that went flat looked at, get his hair cut and ship off the work tank. Me, I’m trying to get our blog up to date. I’ve done the journal once already and didn’t save it properly so here I am trying to do it from memory...what a task it is! Of course the flat tire couldn’t be fixed and we have to purchase a new one...just our luck.

4/15/08 Burrr...heavy frost last night!! Dave had to scrape the car windows before we could leave for work. It did turn into a beautiful sunny day in the low sixties. Days like today you don’t mind the job. Would you believe that today Dave found over one hundred gas leaks since he started here...just think of the money that one could have! Or I guess that’s why we pay so much!

Adios for now.

4/16/08 Another cold morning... We went in to work and had a pretty goo day. All is well in the neighborhood.

4/17/08--4/19/08

Worked and came home... Home is good. Another day, another dollar. Life is good. Love to all.

4/20/08

Dave found another tick on him today.

We drove up to the Normandy Dam today. Also saw some of the country and then came home and sat in the sun and had a campfire.

Called Nicki to see how she was doing...all is well. She still has nausea but is doing well.

Talked with Unc and he said that he is doing well with the treatments...done fourteen with thirty some left to go. He is working in the mornings and doing treatments in the afternoon. Aunt B is sick with her sinuses once again. We had pizza delivered from Papa John’s tonight...really good.

4/21/08 Another manic Monday! Like the old saying goes...I HATE MONDAYS! As I sit here in the car playing secretary and chauffeur I am thinking of all of our family and friends and how fortunate we are. Hope all of you are well and happy. Life is good.

From: Anita Mon 4/21/08 7:03 PM To: VTIslanders

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: Jason LaDuke Sent: Mon 4/21/08 7:55 PM To: Joan Hoyt

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! Where are you guys right now? I seem to have lost you on my GPS!

From: Deb Sent: Mon 4/21/08 8:31 PM To: VTIslanders Congrats!!  When is she due?

Re: (no subject) From: Deb Sent: Mon 4/21/08 8:40 PM To: VTIslanders Where are you two now?  Haven't heard from you in awhile. RE: From: Janel Abbass O'Neill Sent: Tue 4/22/08 9:41 AM To: Joan Hoyt

Oh my God ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Oh my God ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Oh my God ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Oh my God ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Oh my God ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Oh my God ! ! ! ! ! ! !

How exciting ! ! ! ! ! ! ! They must be so thrilled, I can't even imagine. YOU Must be so thrilled, I can't even imagine. When are you coming North for Spring ? ? ?

RE: From: Michelle Wagner Sent:

Tue 4/22/08 9:44

To: 'Joan Hoyt’ Congratulations, Grandma! Re: your mail From: Patsy Sent: Tue 4/22/08 11:19 PM

To: Joan Hoyt That's wonderful! Congratulations!! When are you guys heading north?

Re: From: keri Sent: Thu 4/24/08 7:32 AM To: Joan Hoyt Congratulations!!  

4/22/08 Tis a hot and sunny day in the low 80’s. We worked all day. Spoke with Nicki for a few minutes and everyone seems to be doing better now. For that we are so thankful!

4/23/08

 RE: From: Elaine LaDuke Sent: Wed 4/23/08 7:43 AM To: Joan Hoyt Hey Joan & Dave,   That is great news about Nickie.   Heard from Darlene the other day and she sounds good.  She called to let us know about her test results.   Becky is planning a trip to Denver Colorado, her boy friend has a business trip and Becky is going to meet him there.   Things are okay with Joe and I just taking one day at a time, we still don't know when Joe's company will close the doors for good.  But right now he is working so we wait and see.   Well, take care to both of you and we will take more later, got to get back to work.   Love ya, Elaine & Joe

RE: From: Heather Castor Sent: Wed 4/23/08 9:05 PM To: Joan Hoyt WOW!!! Congrats!!! How far along is she? Does she know what she is going to have. Let me know details when you have them. Things here are going well. Staying busy with work and the baby. Hope everything is well where you are. Let me know what is going on with you guys.   Love ya lots!!!

Heather ;)

Re: (no subject) From: Jeanne Sent: Thu 4/24/08 3:23 PM To:

congratulations!!  You are going to be grandparents!!  Is this her first?  I go on my first CTR ride this weekend. 55 miles in 2 days.  hope we are both in good enough shape.

For all of you working people out there....today is HUMP DAY! This is one of Dave’s favorite sayings.

The tic bite has gotten red and swollen so we are headed to the doctors in Murfreesboro. Dave does have an infection so the doctor has put him on an antibiotic for ten days.

We went back to work in the afternoon. Sunny and exceptionally hot. I was parked under a tree trying to stay cool without using the air conditioning on. There was a woman raking leaves off of her back patio and dumping them out front for the city crew to pick up. She asked if I would like a glass of water and we talked about why I was sitting there. There are still great people out there!

4/24/08

Happy Birthday Mom Hoyt...we missing you so... The first thing that you would say today if you were here with us is that it too damn HOT! She much preferred the 70’s to the 80’s. Dave forgot his hat at home today so back to the coach I went to fetch it...Dave started his walk. When I got back to the job and found out where Dave was I decided that I would walk beside him for awhile. It was such a beautiful day and he was in a development. We could walk one side of the street then turn around and walk back down to the car. So off we went! We walked that development in no time flat without any problems. A few meter leaks but nothing that needed any further attention. We got back to the car and decided to go to the library for lunch. This was one of our favorite places to go for lunch because it is quiet and shady. There was a little problem when we got back to the car though. I had taken off my sweater before the walk and with my sweater were the car keys! My set was also in the jeep in my purse. My brian had a malfunction when I took of my sweater! There is absolutely no way possible to get in the car so Dave was going to call roadside assistance and went to go in his wallet to look for the card...no card. By this time we were drawing attention. You have to know that this is a retired community and this little old man stopped to ask if we needed something. His advice was to call the police. He said they answered these kind of calls all the time. No way was Dave going to call the police. We called information and found the number we were looking for. By this time I’m thinking what Mom Hoyt would be saying....and boy was she right! With the heat of the day and bouncing off that pavement it had to be 90! Luckily the tow company was there in a flash and got us going once again. The rest of the day was just peachy!

Thinking of all of our family and friends.

4/25/08 The 80’s again today. We worked until one and then Dave did some paperwork at home and went into the gas office in Tullahoma.

Back to Murfreesboro for a re-check on the tick bite. The doctor says all looks well but to come back in another week for a follow-up.

On the way home we stopped at Charley’s for dinner. This is a keeper....great food and wonderful waitress. When one goes out to eat one should not fill up on appetizers before the meal. Dave had a full rack of baby-back ribs and I a ribeye. Would you believe we had to take dinner home. The waitress had a good chuckle on that. She got us boxes along with more rolls, barbeque sauce, steak sauce, sour cream, butter and a huge bag to put everything in. Such service!!

4/26/08

Woke up early and whipped of some homemade Belgian Waffles. Dave’s favorite of course...pecan and cranberry. We sat outside for awhile and then took a bike ride. What beautiful homes on Hawkersmith Drive. There is also a huge nursery...acres and acres. Dave cooked supper on the grill and we did some packing for the trip to IN to take the coach in for warranty work.

Joan has been working so hard on this Journal. She puts in many unselfish hours to help me on the job and then back to the coach and more work. Joan is unbelievable in her perseverance to overcome all adversities. I am a very luck man. Corey called and talked for about an hour. All is well there. They say Christopher is growing like a weed. He is smiling now...how time flies. Love you guys!

4/27/08 We hung out around the house today as Dave arose not feeling so well. His allergies have been bothering him. He made a few phone calls to check and see if someone could do some yard work at the homestead.

4/28/08 Dave is feeling better today. The rain came down in buckets all night. Dave had to wait an hour or so to go into work so things would have a chance to dry out some.

Brandy from next door is being induced today. They had a little girl. Congratulations!

Dave and I have found pennies on the job and put them away for safe keeping...this is why...



  Penny Club 
                                                        
 




That Little Penny In The Parking Lot 


Remember this every time you pass that little penny in the parking lot. 
I always thought that it was for good luck, but I love this version better. 



I found a penny today 

laying on the ground. 

But it's not just a penny, 

this little coin I've found. 



Found pennies come from heaven, 

that's what my Grandpa told me. 

He said Angels toss them down. 

Oh, how I loved that story. 



He said when an Angel misses you, 

they toss a penny down; 

Sometimes just to cheer you up, 

to make a smile out of your frown  

    

So, don't pass by that penny 

when you're feeling blue. 

It may be a penny from heaven 

that an Angel's tossed to you. 



  

An Angel is now watching over you. 



4/28/08

I am finally legal to drive once again. My license has been missing since I flew back Corey’s. It was a real hassle getting it replaced as it was a CDL license and I was out of state. All ends well though.

Shelly is the woman that picked up our coach in North Hero and delivered it to the factory in IN to have warranty work done. She really is a very special lady...

RE: BUDS for My Buds From: Shelley LAnnais Sent: Mon 4/28/08 4:13 PM To: Joan Hoyt Dear Joan and Dave,   I left Horizon Transport last year....just couldn't take the cold during winter driving.  All we're allowed to use for warmth in the new motorhomes is the dash heater which gets sucked up into the 40+ feet of motorhome so quickly and you sit driving those long hours shivering.    Anyway, decided to try driving a WARM truck and got my class A CDL and went to work for SWIFT.  But I only got three of six weeks training....most suffered is my backing.  Trainer's truck was in repair off and on so much that I lost three weeks.   Long story, but had three small backing mishaps, first one was about $2,000.00 and was on Swift lot and truck hit was illegally parked and they had expected me to T-Call a trailer and blind side back when they told us in training to never do it.. Go figure, but security guard said that that was the only way I'd be able to get the trailer parked.  Second was when I was very tired at night and I finally figured out what was the problem after a lot of praying....I was treating the combination vehicle as a motorhome (a single unit) and caught the corner of another trucks wheel housing and cracked a yellow signal light cover....about $350.00.  Then I kissed a trailer to trailer just before Xmas and the driver was from a company that is very, very touchy about things.  He said he had to report it but the way he handled it was talking to my husband (who was with me since my first single run when I got near home and picked him up and he kept riding with me for five months) trying to get Larry to offer him some cash.  I reported it to the company instead.  I never did find out the cost.  Larry insisted it was merely a polishing job of 5 minutes to remove the red sticker paint color that was on the corner of our trailer out of the back edge of the other trailer.  I was jackknifing into a tight corner spot.  Guess the company should have realized I needed the training I didn't get.  Anyhow Dec. 29 they let me go explaining that they had to downsize for two reasons:  the fuel costs and they needed more trucks for new students.  But the crunch was really on drivers to go independent and buy trucks or team drive.  And the dispatcher that "relieved me of my job" told me that I was in line with the incidents.  All of those were close quarter problems without training.  Anyway I tried.  Any further driving would have to be with a company that has a trainer that CAN and WILL train me.   Nevertheless....Larry and I are working on our homestead.  Currently putting in kitchen cabinets and counter, garden (which needs 7 ft. fence for deer and close to ground for rabbits.  We are also working on hen house for chickens.  The more independent we can become the better.   Horizon sent letters out to good standing drivers and I received one this Spring.  They have two new companies to transport for and have increased driver pay.  We got around 50 cents before now it's supposed to be 80+ cents.  Larry can't ride with me though.  He doesn't want me to leave but stay and work out homesteading.  I think it's probably the best thing.  Money just doesn't cut it.  When Our Heavenly Father says to forgive all debts including money, we will be free to do so without real hardship.  We are working things out as cash basis.  It seems every time I get a job it hardly puts a dent into what we owe with expenses and such.  It wasn't cheap traveling on the road even though we had our sleep quarters but food is outrageous and cost us some of our health which we have to slowly regain.   Anyhow, we had a third grandchild this last summer.  My daughter who has been wanting another may somehow have delayed any more for her when they were living in a modular home which we suspect caused her a lot of her allergies from "outgasing of manmade products".   Our two boys are still being kids.  Our oldest son who now has two of our grandchildren didn't stop being a kid for the first ten years of marriage.  But when the kids came, he suddenly got the gist of what life is really about.   Anyway, none of them are ready to give up the so-called "good life" the co-called "American dream" which seemed to always be about $200.00 short on our budget per month.  But now the cash as goes has been a great relief for us.   I might add that also working for Horizon made my blood pressure rise pretty high and I would have had to start medication for me to qualify for passing medical every other year (of course then it would have to be done every year under medication).   We want to get the main portion of the house finished completely and then add to it if any of the children decide to bail out of the money whirlpool.  We will help them whenever even if we are not fully based ourselves.   Sorry about Daves eye problem.  Hope it is fully recovered.  I'm here at Library....don't get to check mail often.  Usually just scads of e-mails when I do.  But when I finally read your e-mail about Dave I didn't have time to respons immediately as my hour was up.   Have fun traveling.  Larry and I enjoyed that part very much!  Keep in touch.  Love to have you stop by.  In a couple of years we will extend a bonified invitation to visit for awhile in that we will be able to comfortably provide for visitors.   Love Larry and Shelley   P.S.  Con grates on all the love and extension of your family.  Truly that is a blessing of Jehovah God through his Son Christ Jesus.  Thankfully Jesus is reigning through all this mess going on in the earth.  Love of family and friends is the only real joy!  We send you our love!   Horizon sent me a letter to drivers in good standing inviting them to come back. 

4/29/08 Frost on the pumpkin this morning! Dave had to scrape the windshield before we could take off to work today. He was not a happy camper! All day stayed pretty cool and the wind picked up in the afternoon. Dave is walking down Highway 55 and as luck would have it his map flew out of the plastic sleeve just as an ERPUD truck drove past. NOT GOOD!

4/30/08 Still cool today...about 45 but no frost! We arrived at the area where Dave wanted to start and realized that we had forgotten the walkie-talkies. I walked with him so I could log and we decided to go back to the coach at lunchtime to pick them up.

Dave found his first BIG LEAK in Manchester, TN. The driveway was paved right up against the house and the natural gas was coming up out of the ground right between the house and the pavement which made it a Grade One leak. Dave poked some holes and his tester was reading 90 percent! He checked to see if anyone was anyone home so he could evacuate the home. Thankfully no one was home. Dave then phoned ERPUD (Elk River Public Utility District). Robert Boyles the head of ERPUD (also who Dave had to report to every week) sent someone out and then came himself. They found that the gas had been shut off at the house (which Dave already knew) and the leak was between the house and the main. They had to dig up the yard by the road so they could find the main to shut that off. The next they knew a car drove up and wanted to know what was happening. It was the owners of the parents. Apparently the owner was in the hospital. He had shot himself in the foot...yikes! Bob came over to the car and told me that he could only pull one man off the job they were doing so he had to help. He also told me that he was afraid what else Dave might find as his was working the old part of town. Dave had found a leak. Prior to this which he hadn’t probed yet. Luckily when we went back to that one it was a small one! Brandy our neighbor came home with the little one today. I hope all is well.

5/1/08 Happy May Day! I can remember when I was twelve I was asked to dress up as Mary on this day. I wonder whatever happened to the pictures. It was such an honor. A couple of irate gas customers today. Dave couldn’t find the meter at this one house so we walked around the backside and by the time we found the meter the woman came out with telephone in hand asking why we were there. Dave explained to her but she still kept talking. He finally calmed her down. Later that day I was parked on the side of the road waiting for Dave and a gentleman kept walking around staring at me...not unusual as people have neighborhood watches. By the time he decided to come up to the car and question me Dave was also at the car. He gave Dave the business. Another day, another dollar. Life is good. Nicki phoned to check on things that evening. All is well there. She is now three months along....WOW! Major shopping center debated in New Scotland

These are some of the things that Greg is working on at work...best of luck! You go guy!!  Development proposal gets thumbs down from residents

ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. -- It was a heated discussion Wednesday night in Voorheesville over proposed big box development. Residents say they're not convinced a new Target-Lowes is best for their community.

Syracuse-based "Sphere Development" is pitching the idea. It would be built on an old melon farm at the intersection of Routes 85 and 85-A -- near Falvo's Meat Market. Currently New Scotland has no zoning law in place to prevent a project like this from moving forward. While the developer says this would have a lot to offer, residents say they're not sold on it just yet.

Development proposal gets thumbs down from residents A big box development proposal in Voorheesville gets a big thumbs down from those who live there. During a meeting Wednesday night a majority of residents said this would ruin their quality of life and would create too many traffic headaches. At issue is a proposed Target-Lowes at the intersection of Routes 85 and 85a. Ken Jubie reports.

“It's fair to everybody. It says don't put in a proposal for something this big while we decide if we need to change our zoning law,” said Jeff Baker, New Scotlanders for Sound Economic Development.

“A lot of green space, a lot of community walking trails, an amphitheater, some mixed use retail, some anchor space retail,” said Sphere Development Managing Partner Greg Widrick.

The group, New Scotlanders for Sound Economic Development, is circulating a door-to-door petition in the hopes of collecting enough signatures for a six-month moratorium. A public hearing about a proposed law to enact one will be held by the New Scotland Town Board next week at Voorheesville Central High School.   NEW SCOTLAND - Residents of New Scotland got their first look at a proposed big box store development.  It doesn't have a name yet. Or a big box store signed on. But it would be the fourth largest shopping center in Albany County. It would be located on nearly 200 acres near the intersection of state routes 85 and 86-A, where the historic Bender Melon Farm once thrived.  Wednesday night developers presented a vision of what it could look like: 475,000 square feet of commercial space, pedestrian friendly walkway, parks, a farmers market and a Shakespearean amphitheater. Some residents are staging a fight, saying the project will damage small town character and clog traffic. Now the town is considering a moratorium for six months on commercial development over 30,000 square feet. In the next couple of weeks, there will be a public hearing and a town board vote on the moratorium. If passed, the town will look at its zoning laws to decide how big they want stores and traffic flow to be.