104 degrees today, real-feel: hell.

These people called, said they were coming up from Livingston, wanted a long term spot.  Fine.  I got some stuff done and then waited on them. For quite a while.  They didn't follow my instructions and ended up on the wrong time of town.  Then, they came back and blasted right by on the highway - I had gone up there to wait for them.  

When we finally got them into the park, they wanted to talk...and talk....and talk.  I'm standing in the direct sunlight, it's hellish temps, I want to get them set up and go.  I don't even know how long I was out there yapping away, what else could I do besides be rude I guess and tell them have a nice day.  

Well, that's over with anyway.  I did receive the 1st month's rent, which really helps right now.  So, I guess enduring that ridiculous heat was worth it.  I've got one available lot right now, but I know 2 more are opening up soon.  It's a never-ending cycle of people coming and going.  

The trucking company called - again - twice this week now - going over the details of the agreement. She threw in there the trips to Georgia and Florida.  I corrected her - in a nice way - yes, the man told me I was mostly going to be doing the local run and occasionally trips to Georgia and Florida. Yes, that sounds right to me, she replied.

I want to let them know that I am not going to be spending endless nights on the road, here and there I can deal with but not all the time.  If they try that, I'll remind them of our agreement and if they continue, I will just quit.  That's not my first choice, I'm going to work to get some money in my coffers, not fly to Oregon, stay there 2 weeks, come back and quit.  

___________

Night time

Went to collect from one of the Quik Trip workers, in fact was looking for the dude all day long and went over there tonight to collect, but as of 9:00 pm they still hadn't shown up.  Dumb me forgot to write down his phone number, so I sent him an email indicating he's past due for payment.  Please call me at my number left in the email.  Nothing else I can do beyond going to the QuikTrip and seeing if they are there.

But that would seem a bit tacky and I don't get that either of those people are shady, they're just working and probably don't realize it's been a month already.  I'm going over early tomorrow morning and see if I can catch them before they leave? Or did they leave town again? No clue.  

What I did find was the leak that has been reported in the shower room. I tried twice to find this leaking they were talking about to no avail.  I had the shower on for quite a while.  Tonight? I walked into the bathroom and walaah. There was a huge puddle on the floor.  It took a few seconds to figure out where it's coming from. Someone has jacked the shower head around and apparently it's leaking in the wall behind it. So, I'm going to have to cut out a piece of the drywall to gain access to it.  I should have thought of this when James was doing the drywall.  I mean, shouldn't be a big deal, just would have been easier to leave an access panel to that and behind the faucet handles.  

So, I'll work on that tomorrow and see if I can rectify the problem.  

Beyond that is the New Jersey people. This morning I was talking with her and she told me her boyfriend had taken her phone, car, money, everything and just left.  She had blood on her face.  She asked for a ride so I gave her one. I flat out asked her if this dude was hitting her? She readily admitted it and then started making excuses for him.  

I have read countless experts saying it's hard for a woman to get out of an abusive relationship, especially if it's a longer term relationship. I'd say 7 years is pretty long.  But I don't take kindly to men hitting women simply because they are unhappy in the relationship.  If it's that bad, leave.  And don't steal all of her stuff.  Well, we were near my house, actually, turning to go take the dog home - I took him for about a 20 minute walk this morning - lo and behold, the man was sitting at a gas station.  She wanted me to take her over there, so I did. 

Is that okay? She's asking me if it's ok for her to go see this dude and subject herself to more of this abuse.  What am I going to say beyond what I had already said to her? Nothing, it's her life, if she wants to continue in it, I can do nothing about it.  One caveat, tho, if I see that dude hitting her, all bets are off.  I'm not going to act like nothing's happening when some dude is doing that to any woman.

Whatever.  I really don't need that guy in the park knowing how he's acting.  What if he starts trouble with someone else in the park?  

I'm trying to get my mind into work mode. It's getting closer and it will be go, go, go all over again. That's what trucking is, whether it's local, regional or OTR, you are either on the move or contemplating being on the move.  I'm going to have an adjustment period in getting my mind back into that mode.  

Anyway, there is now only one spot available and I am going to rent it long term if someone comes along.  There's always people leaving at some point, there is no reason to keep it open for non-existent over-nighters.  Who wants to come to Texas as hot as it is?  I would expect it might pick up after it cools off, who knows, I'm not taking chances with that.  I'll take "guaranteed" income with long term at lower monthly revenues than uncertain income with short stays.  There is only one overnight stay on the system and that's for December 19th, I think it was.  They made that reservation like 6 months ago. 

Nothing else for now.  Time to hit the sack.  

 Thursday - morning

The dog is settling in more and more as each day passes.  Last night, he decided he wanted to sleep on Addler's bed and he decided he wasn't going to wake me up all night long.  I'm just hoping to get him into a routine before I leave.  It's not going to be fun here when I do leave, but the dog has also taken a liking to James.  In fact, the dog will probably think James is the leader of the pack by the time I get back lol. 

It's going to get up to 104 degrees today. That's the real temperature, not the real feel.  Meaning exceedingly hot. I finally figured out why the circuit breaker keeps tripping on the shed.  Heat.  Not just the heat generated by the current going through the breakers, but the heat of the sun baking down on the box. It's in the direct sunlight all day long....

I wasn't even looking for that information, I was looking at something else when it popped up on my computer.  It makes perfect sense, for what the thing was doing was perplexing.  The power shuts off to the trailer and the coach but only happens when it gets really hot out.  Like what it's going to get today.  So, unless I find a way to at least temporarily shade that box, it's going to start popping off again this afternoon.  

Anyway, my finances are going to survive this month - I think anyway - just going to be tight.  No restaurants, no nothing, just stay home and eat.  It's this giant electric bill that's really forcing the issue with finances.  I can't wait until next week, it's going to start cooling off - I don't mean cool temps, exactly, just a lot cooler than it is now. Up to 15 degrees cooler.  That box won't be getting too hot, the breakers won't be shutting off and the amount of electricity being used will start to go back down.  I expect another high bill next month, but hopefully not as high as this one was.  

If everything goes to plan, I will start collecting paychecks before the next electric bill is due after this month.  The pressure - hopefully anyway - will be removed in wondering if I'm going to make it.  And frankly, I'm going to be pretty aggressive on saving money and paying down debt.  That means pretty frugal living even with a lot more money coming in, because it's going to go straight back out or stay in the checking account.  If the park checking account can stay untouched beyond the bills automatically coming out of it, I can save up enough money for an expansion loan in about 10 months.  

Well, I mean a 20% down payment saved up.  

I have bug bite humps all over my left leg.  It's crazy. About 75 bites on the foot area alone and then probably 20 more on the entire leg.  That should do it.  Meaning, not forgetting to both take with me and use OFF insect repellant.  Just spray it on my boots when I go for a hike and it's all good. Don't do it and I get - whatever it is - on me and in my shoes and it's a pretty uncomfortable time after that for many days.