I Don’t Settle

I get a lot of emails, questions, and comments about being out here in a truck and having a life otherwise. For some time I have not said much about it and pretty much ignored the question. I don’t see anything I have as a big deal….

That being said, other people think it is a big deal, as the questions, emails and what not keep coming in. Every week I get a TON of emails from people saying they are envious of my home life, the truck I drive, our farm, the animals and whatever else I have, so I thought I would somewhat answer your questions, and tell you why I have what I have. Really, the title should tell all…. but I will go a bit further with it.

First I will start with Rosie. I really get a kick out of the emails I get just because I have this truck. I get a ton of compliments about Rosie, but every once in a while I also get questioned if someone gave her to me or if my daddy or husband bought it for me (those emails mostly come from men– either with Peterbilt envy or a tiny you know what, I’m thinking)….

My answer in the most feminine voice I can do, while batting my eyelashes is this: I know I’m a girl and all, but I was taught I could do anything I wanted, and I do. I have bought and paid for Rosie all by my lonesome not that it’s any of your business. She is mine, all mine. I trucked WAY before I ever met hubs and don’t need a man for anything more than good company and taking my oil filters off…. Hubs and I do have the same love for trucks and the same work ethic which means we have a ton of respect for one another and therefore we make one hell of a team. I have been trucking long enough I knew the exact truck I wanted when I bought her. I knew the wheel base I wanted, the engine, transmission, and rear end ratio I was looking for. Although I’m no mechanic, I do know my trucks, and I know what I want. And that is the only thing I would buy. I don’t settle!

Then I will go on to the two nicest comment/compliments I get, but it also always leaves me going ha?…. I’m so envious of your life outside of trucking, and how come you get to be home so much?

Yes, I have a life outside of a truck. I thought we all did. Ever since I started trucking I have been home most every week unless I chose not to be. It may only be for a day or a week depending, but I’m home. Every company that I’ve worked for has had me home every week because that’s what they do. And honestly, up until I got hooked up with other fellow truckers on the internet, I never knew there were so many people out here working 3-8 weeks at a time before going home, or they don’t have a home at all…. I personally think your crazy but I give you a TON of credit!

I consider myself very lucky. I am very happy with the company I’m leased to, (I also worked for them as a company driver). They treat me excellent, they are my friends,(we have drank many a beer together) they listen to me, and I can call them in the middle of the night if I have problems. These people are my extended family in more ways than one… They know I am damn good at what I do, just like I know they are damn good at what they do. I make them money and in turn, they make me money. We make a team. If they weren’t good at trucking, why would I be with them? Again, I don’t settle.

I love trucks. You can ask hubs and he will tell you I eat, sleep and shit Peterbilt. But, there is still more to life. I love my animals and I miss them when I’m gone, they are the highlight when I come home. I also love being outdoors, in my garden or on the deck having drinks with hubs. There are things you can not get from a truck and that’s why I work my ass off to have them all. Some days I don’t know which direction I’m going in. Some days I think it would be nice to give it all up and just go trucking with no other responsibilities. But I’d be missing out on life, so I make priorities and keep up with them the best I can.

This is why I started this website. To show people that there is so much more to a “Truck driver” than living in a truck, schlepping from one truck-stop to another. To show people that women (and men) can do whatever they want in life. You can have what YOU need to make YOU happy. It takes a lot of hard work and determination, but it can be done. I’m bullheaded and I don’t take no for an answer very often…

So, the easiest way to tell you how to get what you want is this: Don’t Settle.