Fuel for Thought

When it all adds up to one

One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should

One life
with each other
Sisters
Brothers

One life
But we’re not the same
We get to carry each other
Carry each other

One

How many of you out there run as a team where both of you drive?  How many of you are in a situation such as Allen and I where he drives and I ride along? He says I help out of course with cooking, laundry, paperwork, and other things.  But for all intents and purposes I am just a rider.  

And to the point of this blog, what do you do when your other half takes time off from the truck?

This past month, yes a whole entire month, I needed to stay home for several appointments that were unable to be coordinated close together.  It was easier to stay home rather than try schedule several trips, which would cause morew time off from work. Not to mention the difficulty in trying to get home to Florida each time.  So here I am, home alone and unsupervised, oh the possibilities!  But wait! Uh-oh!  There HE is unsupervised for a whole month too.  This is adding up to be some serious trouble. Is there such thing as a truck driver sitting service?  At least I have the dog to somewhat watch over me.  She does give me that “mom, really?!” look of half ‘I could care less’ and half ‘can I please just go back to sleep’.  

I remember this one time at band camp… well not really.  But I do remember when he sliced his finger.  The comment on Facebook from his sister was “Well he didn’t need that finger anyway!”  Thankfully, he still all ten of them; yes, and all ten toes! Let’s not forget nearly ripping his leg off and needing knee surgery.  Or falling off the top of the house. Or… well you get the idea.

But seriously, what do you do when your better-half, other-half, rotten-half, split-apart, co-driver, navigator, aggravator, bed-warmer, cover-stealer, and all around trucking companion takes a break from the truck for whatever reason?  And what do you do if you are that person home alone?  

Queue Macaulay Culkin squishy face.  

How do you cope with the sudden short-term loneliness?

Of course there are all the emotional things to tackle.  Getting used to sleeping not just at different times, but different beds, in different states.  Not hearing the other person breathe, or snore, or even feeling them next to you.  Not having to fight for the covers or being squished against a wall.  Not feeling them climb over you as they get in and out of the bed.  Not feeling and hearing vibrations as the truck idles, or not being woken up mid-air as the truck goes over a big bump or pothole.  

Then there are the creature comforts that are a blessing at first, if you are the one who is going home.  No public showers.  Or if you are the one out on the road, privacy in the shower.  Soaking in a long hot bath if you so wish.  Sleeping in a bigger bed, or extra room on the bed in the truck. Either way, having a little peace and privacy to yourself is refreshing at first.  Everyone needs that “me” time.  So a break from each other is always nice, even healthy every now and again.

But what about the things most couples don’t consider?  

For team drivers, when one goes home the type of loads you can take and the amount of miles you can drive decreases.  Which means your income for the amount of time you are solo decreases. That also means your range decreases.  You are limited to a certain geographical area, which as a driver you may or may not like.  As a solo driver the hours you drive may change for those few weeks; meaning you may have to drive nights when you are used to driving days, or vice versa.  Those situations can affect your mood.  

And of course when one goes home and the other stays out on the road suddenly you have two sets of expences.  Each of you is now eating separately. Shopping for meals at home, as well as out on the road.  The electric and other utilities at home will go up since someone is home.  Gas for the vehicle at home will go up.  Expenses for two people living separately are usually greater than two people living together.  These are things that should be budgeted for, and planned for ahead of time.  The stress of being apart, especially if it will be for an extended period of time, will far outweigh the benefit of the break from each other.  You don’t want the added stress of financial worries to add to the stress of the separation of miles.

Thankfully, Allen will be coming to get me soon.  I have one more appointment at the end of this week, then hopefully dispatch can find him a load down towards Florida shortly afterwards, that way he can pick up me and the furry baby.  Because this One stuff is getting old.  

What experiences and lessons have you learned from having to take time off from the road while your partner stays out driving?

Sunset on Mirimar Beach

After watching over me on a long unsupervised day, even the sun is exhausted. Lol.
But seriously, Nothing is more relaxing and grounding than time at the beach.  
Of course I'm missing out on all the beautiful fall colors.  
Soon I'll get to see them. Send pictures!  
Night everyone!

~Sierra Sugar