My Christmas 2011!!

Well, we just got back from my parents' house in Sierra Blanca, Texas.  It was so much fun.  We went Thursday night (instead of the planned Friday morning) to beat a snow storm that was headed that way.  It snowed some while we were there, but El Paso (just 70 miles West of us) got 7 inches of snow in some parts.  7 inches!!  Snyder had a white Christmas as well while we were gone.  They got about 3 inches but it melted before we came home. 

Sierra Blanca, TX

We got to eat like kings!  We had some of the best home cooked food around.  My mom is an excellent cook.  We ate chili rellenos, Chimichangas, tacos, sour cream beef enchiladas, mexican rice, a pot of beans, it was amazing.  Christmas morning we had a green chili/egg/cheese combo with home made cinnamon rolls.  Does your family do anything special for food around Christmas?  Most families do ham or turkey.  Not us!!  We sure love our mexican food. 


Our Christmas dinner looks more like this!

We had sugar cookies, rocky road fudge, 7-layer bars, buckeyes, oreo balls, cheesecake bites, and chocolate pepermint cookies for Christmas treats.  Soooo good!!  Do you guys have special Christmas treats you make? 

We did some roping, but mostly hung out with family & visited.  Christmas morning was great.  Little Lindsey was a hoot opening presents.  It was cute.  She would exclaim "Oooohhh" when she would open each present and jump up and down.  She got a tricycle and a doll and a play kitchen among other things.  What did you guys get?  I got some new jeans, and a cool light tester among other things.  It was a great Christmas. 


Some lights in Downtown El Paso, TX

I hope you guys are having fun with your families in this time away from school.  Make the most of it and have some fun!  I'm back to work tonight running to Midlothian.  Have a safe holiday break!

--Mr. Walker


Snyder, TX snow



CB Radio

This is what my radio looks like

So, my wife said I should tell you guys about my radio.  Most ALL truckers have CB radios in their trucks.  I use mine to talk to other truckers about dangers or accidents on the road.  We truckers have almost our own language on the CB.  It's funny, so my wife thought I should tell you guys some of the terms we use. 

Alligator - tire in the road
Bear - police
Bear cave - police station
Parking lot - truck that hauls cars
Bull Wagon - truck that hauls cattle
Skateboard - truck that pulls a flatbed
Chicken Hauler - truck that hauls frozen foods, usually chicken
Chicken lights - extra lights all over a truck
Deadhead - driving empty without a load
Bird Dog - cb radio or radar detector
Chicken Coupe - scale house
10-4 - okay
10-100 - bathroom break
10-20 - your location
Triple Digit Ride - truck than can go over 100 MPH
Braile - the bumps on the side that make that noise when you drive on it
Coloring Book - trucker's log book
Freight Shaker - Freightliner (my truck brand)
Yard Stick - mile marker
Wiggle Wagon - double trailers
Seasame Street - Channel 19 (used in the city because of all the goofy monsters on there)
4-wheeler - car
Big D - Dallas
Cowtown - Fort Worth
Music City - Nashville
Alamo City - San Antonio
Motor City - Detroit
Windy City - Chicago
Mile High City - Denver
Big Apple - New York City
Ankle Biter - small child
Disco Lights - emergency vehicle lights on top
Hammer down - petal to the floor
Go-Go Juice - fuel
Choke & Puke - truckstop restaurant
Insurance Convention - accident

These are just a few I could think of.  Most drivers see me and call me "Monster" because the brand of our trailers is on the back, and it says "Mon-Star".  You can really get to spending a lot of money on those radios.  I have mine peak & tuned.  That way it can reach out a long ways.  About 10 miles away.  Some guys put echo boards in them so it sounds like they're in an empty gym when they talk.  There's all kinds of add-ons they could do! 

Well, it's the week before Christmas!!  My wife made some of my favorite treats.  Oreo balls!!  My family makes all kinds of awesome Christmas treats.  Cheesecake bars, 7 layer bars, Christmas cookies, it's soooo good!!  What are some of your favorites? 

Very creative Christmas cookie

I hope you guys are having a good time!!  --Mr. Walker

Uh-oh!!

Well, I had my first boo-boo.  My first boo-boo since 1998.  I've only been at fault for one accident in my life and it was in 1998 when I was a young driver and I was following too close and rear-ended a car in a pickup truck.  It wasn't too bad, I paid a few hundred to fix the victim's trunk and bumper and it was over with. 

Last Tuesday, I laid my trailer over on it's side.  It was awful.  I was dumping in the very back where we take certain loads that set of radioactive alarms.  (Side note - they have always turned out false, we don't haul or take in ANYTHING radioactive!)  I was dumping like normal on some muddy ground and I got 3 1/2 cylinders up out of 5 and nothing had come out.  Almost every time, it falls after 3 cylinders.  So, I stopped and began bringing my trailer down to see what was going on.  It started to lean to the right a little.  So, quickly, I released the brakes and put it into 1st gear to pull forward and change the momentum from side to the back.  But, it was too late.  It wasn't coming down fast enough and it fell over on it's side!! 



Trailer on it's right side, still hooked up to the truck, tilted in the air.

The wrecker was called out and he had it set upright by 7:30AM.  The trailer fell over at 1:30AM.  Not too bad.  It cost $1,550 to have the wrecker do that.  OUCH!  I drove the rig back to Snyder.  Last week, the insurance adjuster came out and did looked it over and ordered the repairs.  Friday, I took the trailer to Lubbock, TX to get repaired.  The truck is in Abilene getting it's repairs.

The trailer's frame is mangled pretty bad.  It is estimated to cost $20,000 to $30,000 to fix.  The truck's frame and cab are damaged as well.  Possibly $7,000 to repair.  Luckily, the truck stayed upright, but it was still damaged.  It all came down to unstable ground (mud) that gave way, the load being packed in way too tight (the load didn't even come out when it was flung down on it's side!), and me not getting it down fast enough. 

I gotta tell you, it was pretty scary.  I am fine.  It was sure loud!  But going forward, you can never be too careful!!

So, on to happier things.  It snowed!!  I know it's common to have snow where you guys live maybe once a year.  Out here, we get it maybe 3 to 6 times per year.  We have to be careful when driving on snow especially when the temperature dips below freezing (32 degrees).  Ice is formed where moisture collects on the road and makes it very dangerous to drive on.  It's hard to stop, steer, or change lanes on ice.  The roads are usually kept clear with snow plows, sand and salt put down on the road making it safe for drivers.  (SALT?!? - Salt keeps water from freezing so easily.  It would be a cool easy experiment in class.  Check out the difference between water freezing with and without ice in it!)  But we make sure we slow down and drive with careful attention when it's like that! 

Yeah, it got cold out here in West Texas!!  If you want to check out your map, the snow stopped in Santo, Texas.  If you went WEST of there, there was snow on the ground.  If you went EAST of there (towards Saginaw/Fort Worth), no snow.  Funny, Santo.  Santa.  Snow.  Hmmm......are we going to have a white Christmas??

I am in truck #10, now.  I've still been running to Midlothian, TX about every night.  I'm trying to make these night runs easier on me and my family. I've been trying to leave earlier (7:00PM) and getting back earlier (4:00AM).  It means I'm awake with my family more during the day!

We replaced an old toilet in our house.  That left us with a big box, so I had an idea while I was hanging out with Lindsey.  I cut the top off and cut a door and some windows in it.  Talk about fun!!  She has been running in and out of it, throwing balls in and out of it, and sitting with the cat in there!!  Funny how the simple things can be so fun!! 

I hope you guys had a great weekend.  I'm sorry it's been a while since I last blogged.  My sleep patterns and week had been VERY BAD after I had that layover.  I'll be better!!



Christmas is almost here!!!  Are you guys excited?

I know you have Christmas break coming up soon!  I will keep trying to blog through the holidays.  So, if you're at home and want to keep up with me, you can!!  Have a great week!!  --Mr. Walker