Looking for my MoJo . . .

Yes, we left on Monday as scheduled.

All 3 of us.

It is taking a while to get back into our routine.

We went to Denver

Nogales

Detroit

Toronto

and now we are sitting outside Erie, PA on the lip of Lake Erie

waiting to pick up a load on Monday

taking it down to Calexico.

Nice long dispatch

I'll try to get my mojo back on the way down and start posting again.

Really

Buckle Up . . . Buttercup

Driving solo was no fun.

Not Any

None

It is over.

Tony was released by his surgeon today.

He has to pass a simple skills test that involves such difficult tasks as

entering and exiting the cab

entering and exiting the trailer

pulling the damn fifth wheel release without falling down

I am assuming he will pass this tomorrow and we will be set.

In the meantime, we are nesting in our new place in Joplin.

If you listen, you should hear

the sound of twigs being arranged

feathers being fluffed

treasures being found and placed carefully.

We are getting back on the truck on Monday.

BUYHANDMADE.ORG

Slide your eyes over there to the right.

See that new badge thingy on top of my profile info.

Yeah . . . that big green one.

I have always been one of those people who makes gifts.

Not always, but whenever possible. I enjoy the entire process involved - planning, making and giving.

Since we have been in the truck, I have had to rely on others to make most of my gifts.

Etsy.com is where I do most of my gift shopping now. I am a HUGE fan.

Whenever I have idle internet time, I like to peruse their main page. It is like peeking into a wonderful store window. I mark items as favorites to return to later when I have a gift giving occasion.

When I purchase an item from a seller on Etsy, I often communicate with them about gift packaging. They always do a special job for me and I greatly appreciate it.

(This is the shop of one of my blogger buddies - check out her wonderful jewelry)

In this year of stressful economic times, it is more important than ever to think about putting our gift giving dollars into the hands of artisans and craftspeople.

Won't you follow me in taking the Buy Hand Made pledge?

Stylin'

For some reason - it is almost impossible to find Trucker Type gloves for women. I look at virtually every truck stop I/we stop in.

There will be a nice display of gloves - 10 to 20 different types and kinds of gloves . . . all for men.

None for women.

What, we don't drive too?

If anything, we need gloves more than men - who wants to ruin a beautiful manicure on some greasy old truck?

But no,

no gloves for us.

Usually . . .

I found these beauties at The 49'er in Sacramento.

They were the only pair. . .

AND

they are leather

AND

they are lined.

Who's stylin' now?

Arch

My friend, Laura, caught this great shot of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. She managed to snap this as we crossed the Mississippi on our way in from Illinois. Considering how bumpy most bridges are, I am amazed that she got anything that wasn't blurry.

Guest in the Truck

Having a guest on the truck has been fun for us both. I have certainly enjoyed the company and Laura has gotten to see some "slices of life" outside her norm. Mostly truck stops and dingy back loading docks

but also some more fun stuff.

I took her to Waffle House for her maiden visit.

Can you tell we had fun?

Joplin Orange

My new favorite color is one I'm going to call "Joplin Orange" in honor of our new base here in Joplin. Every corner you turn has a new opportunity for you to

suck in your breath

put a hand to your chest

exclaim, "Ohhhhhhhh"

or

"Ahhhhhhhh"

followed by something like,

"This one is the best . . . "

until you turn the next corner.

Now though, it is time to leave. Laura and I got a sweet dispatch from Joplin out to Sacramento.

And the icing on the cake is that I get to show my guest the features of my favorite Interstate

I-40

We'll keep you posted.