I was looking at the 2 routes home.  The miles aren't that much different but there is over an extra hour taking I-40.  What I was really looking at is places to stop and what hotels are available. If I go 10 to 20, I'd likely stop in Odessa and there is a Marriott Residence Inn there and my points on another card will cover it.  It would leave something like 500 miles to go after driving over 700.  I could spend a nice evening at a nice hotel.  Get up whenever I feel like it in the morning and drive out the rest of the miles.  

I know without looking where I would stop on 40, Amarillo. It's a little over 500 miles from there to home.  I know this because my previous job and making numerous trips to the yard there.  Oh, that's a job a definitely do not miss.  That company is not doing well and drivers are not making much money there now.  I know this because I am still in a facebook group with them and they complain about it all the time.  They aren't getting the dispatches they used to. Sometimes, you look back on things and think, well that happened for a reason.  

I have 3 days of work left and then I'll be off 8 days.  I don't really want quite that much time off and it wouldn't have to be if I didn't have to drive back. Or plan on staying there for 3 full days plus 2 partial.  I could leave a day early, I suppose. Driving back, I really only need the permit and get the insurance covering the vehicle.  

Well insurance is easy, just went through all of that on the website, got it listed and saved for when I want to implement it. Probably going to downgrade the current vehicle to minimum liability for I don't want a huge insurance payment every month, it's already big enough with that accident and subsequent ticket on there.  I will probably shop around again once I get the thing registered in my name and see if I can find a better deal somewhere.  

I'm not sure what I want to do with the Ford - keep it or sell it or give it away. Probably not give it away, a person must have a source of income to drive a vehicle like that, it's a true gas hog.  I just haven't decided on that, I could use the funds tho.  I still like the thing is my problem.  I never liked Fords until I ended up with that.  It's loaded with options and it's still in decent shape excepting the driver's seat which needs reupholstered. 

I thought about why I am losing weight today and that came pretty quickly. I have eaten 2 salads today, a small bowl of taco soup and a peanut butter spoon.  That isn't a lot of food and that is likely all I'm going to eat.  The taco soup is delicious, but it's loaded with ground beef and cream cheese, hence it's on the "nay nay" list as John Pinnette would say (comedian, passed).  I can eat small portions of probably anything, but you know, when you are facing a serious side effect to high cholesterol, well, you're going to have to decide whether you want to live or die.  I'd like to live a while longer, I have something to live for and there is some purpose to my life.  I'd like to expand that, but at the moment, it's not bad.  

My jeans showed up.  I figure if I ever get back down to 34's, it's going to be quite a while at the rate I'm going and so new jeans were in order. These are not designer jeans, I'm really not into designer clothing. I balk at the price tags of fancy jeans, shirts and so on.  But, I do think I'll buy a more acceptable outfit for outings.  Just that for now, what I have is good enough for this trip. 

I did, indeed, pray over the business today.  Will keep praying until some sort of breakthrough or sign shows up, however that might happen and if the Lord so chooses.  Right now, that business is stalled, it seems anyway.  Of course, I've been through this before with lots empty and going quite a while before anyone shows up and then all of a sudden, 3 people show up.  I would love for that to happen soon.

I really gave thought about a hot tub.  I just don't see a down side to it for the cost.  But I should wait, I think, until I see where I should go with this.  What, exactly, am I looking for? God has ways of making his will known if you seek Him about it.  It may be very subtle, it may be glaring and in your face, but if you're looking for it, you will see it.  

I also don't see a downside to building a canopy over a single lot.  Well, I guess the down side would be building it and not getting what I want out of it for lot rent or even renting it at all.  ? See? What do I do?  I don't have the answers, I just have ideas.  I hate to be in a hurry to do the wrong thing.  I am always mindful of that element of any aspect of lift where you want to get something done but....you know you should wait.  

Right now, what I do know is that I only have a $440 per month payment on that property.  That's it.  I have utilities and wifi and such, but if I were to shut down the park and just empty it out, I'd just have minimal payments.  No, I am not considering doing that, just looking at the good side of not getting another loan.  Another loan means the property is added on to it plus the amount needed for the loan. Instead of $440 per month, it would likely be thousands.  

The thing I am absolutely sure of here is this: I have very few amenities.  Not in comparison to other RV parks.  I don't have a covered area for people to gather together, a BBQ pit, a game area, whatever other places have. I don't even have an office.  

Oh, the dude I have been talking about not paying his rent? He disappeared. His trailer was gone and he's gone, not answering messages and basically I am screwed once again out of lot rent for a person using ample amounts of electricity - on my dime.  

It uhh, is what, 4 of these types now? Him, the tent lady, the work kamper and the tent people. Well, the tent people did pay, they just took advantage of everything to the nth degree.  The tent lady owes me thousands of dollars that I'll never see, of course.  The workamper I just threw out because they weren't doing anything but mowing the doggy park and this dude.  

This is going to happen again. Some person is going to go in there under false pretenses, make claims and then they are going to try to screw me. The only thing I can say now?  That "poverty lot" I'm now going to call it? People are going to hear up front that if they are 1 day late on rent, they can expect a vacate notice replete with a trespassing notice, as prescribed by the rules that state has made for RV parks.  

I informed the washout place this morning that I was going to be calling early on Friday.  The conversation went to the dude that is ahead of me now but will be behind me on Friday. Oh, he comes in between 4 and 6 am at least once a week.  What?!!  Here I am thinking of showing up at the washout at 7:00 am and that may be too late?  It will not be anything close to his time slot but I can see him being there.  I was even thinking of leaving the Park at 4:30 am to be at the washout at 6:00 am. That may be too late? Weird.  

It has become glaringly obvious the manager doesn't want to hear the complaints.  I don't rightly care, tbh, but at the same time, I also don't want to be stuck on the late load forever.  I dunno, I'll decide when to get up tomorrow night.  If the man beats me, there is nothing I can do about it and the manager doesn't give a s***.  He has no control over his drivers, that's another glaringly obvious fact.  

I will likely get up very early and get that day done early.  I could be home by 10:00 am if I get there early enough and I don't run into this other driver.  

Enough of that nonsense.  It's irritating and I don't like to dwell on it too much.  The man claims to be a Christian on top of everything else.  He goes to church and ... what good is that doing him?  

The kids are leaving Sunday. Fall break, they call it, a week off. Grandma was going to stay for the time Taylor was out but that has changed.  The grandpa wants to see them.  I mean, the kids just spent half the summer up there, not like he hasn't spent any time with them...

I was going to offer to take them up to Gurdon and the grandparents can meet me there and save many, many hours of driving.  However, I'd like to take them to church on Sunday so I haven't made that offer - yet.  Not to mention they'd have to show up pretty early to get them, I don't want to have to wait on them.  It's 3 hour round trip to Gurdon and back for them, it's about 8 hours round trip coming all the way down here. They are driving down here and turning around and driving right back, hence the grandpa is coming so the driving duties can be shared. Grandma doesn't like to make the entire trip in the same day.  

Grocery stores are already out or running out of toilet paper. Not just here, either. One of my guests today said the Kroger's in Hot Springs where his family lives had one package of tp left when they went in there last.  Bad taste left in people's mouths from Covid and supplies running out, tp was the first to go.  This is panic buying.  There is no need, yet anyway, to run stores out of anything.  I mean, because everyone else is doing, it, it leaves us no choice? If we want to be able to clean ourselves after sitting on the toilet, what are you going to do? Just say no, we aren't going to stock up and risk it? That question was answered yesterday after they bought a 30 pack of tp and a 10 pack of paper towels.  I don't blame them and even considering now that people are just running it out of stores to get more if it's available.  No shelf life that I know of to toilet paper.  

Enough of this. Just got back from church, the boys got 2 solid hours there, which is good because I dunno if they're going on Sunday. Depends on when the grands show up.

 Wednesday 7:20 am

The beginning of another late load starting in a few.  

Fact checking the fact checkers - the moderator was wrong and Vance actually did post the proof of his statement about migrants - especially illegals - driving up housing prices because of a limited available market of housing.  I mean, I'm reading where people are calling Vance a liar, yada blah blah yada ho ho.  

Whatever.  The driver trainer asked which route I am going to take coming back from AZ, 10 or 40? 

40 is the scenic route and by far more interesting driving, but it adds a lot of miles to the trip. 10 is the desert route and very boring driving.  I don't like driving anyways, but boring driving is the worst.  Especially alone.  I do believe my objective will be to get back as fast as possible and get it over with, however, so I will probably take the 10 route.  I've done both routes.  I went 40 that one trip over there to participate in dad's memorial service and then up to see mom in the mountains.  It only made sense to leave the mountains going north up to 40 and heading east.  

But from the Phoenix area?  It's much fast and shorter to go I-10.  There's even stretches that have 80 mph speed limits. 

I dunno, but my new jeans are coming in today, at least according to a text from the supplier.  My prep work for leaving is mostly just get my clothes in order.  We are making an appointment if possible to show up at the AZ DMV to have the title transferred over into my name.  The reason we want to do this is because she has it in a living trust, which are "inviolable" I guess you'd call it, everyone involved has to give their approval.  

However, the DMV told me on the phone I need only have the title signed over to me, I don't have to transfer it officially, to get a travel permit.  Sounds like it's going to be a hassle, lol.

My business finances aren't overflowing atm because of numerous empty lots.  I dunno what to say about it.  I've done my best to run ads and give discounts and that's that. I'm not going to stress over it, my expenses there are not that great.  Less trailers, less electricity being used, smaller bill. I've got a $1,600 bill due by the 10th and then next month's will probably be up there as well and then? It will go down as the temps go down.  

Guess I best let the washout know this morning that I will be calling them early on Friday to come wash out the trailer.  I'm guessing between 6 and 6:30 am.  Just depends on when I decide to get out of bed.  

I'm losing weight and not really even trying.  It's all this fat free junk and not eating as much because of it.  Fat free food is a major shift in eating. I used to eat like that long ago, now I'm being forced back into it. That or clogged arteries and die I guess.  I'm down to 217 now. Yup, it's still heavy but not as bad as when it was in the 220's.  

I'm going to spend some time praying over the business today and see if I can hear anything from the Lord.  No, I don't mean the audible voice of the Lord, unbelievers see Christians saying stuff like this and think we are psycho because we think God talks to us like we would to anyone in person, face to face. No, the Bible says to listen for the still, small voice of the Lord. In your heart.  I don't have the answers here, He does.  What His guidance might be? I have no idea yet.  I've prayed over it but I just need pray more.  

Where do I go with this business? What do I do next? How do I get people to come in now that there is so much competition in the region?  It's not just the new park that opened up, there are parks opening up all over the place. The one next to highway 59 in Domino, TX?  It isn't done yet but it's got concrete pads and asphalt driveways.  I can't compete with that.  People stop wherever they find that is cheap, yes, but also has to be nice.  I guess one thing that would help is if I could get more reviews. I ask people to post them, they say they will and they ---- don't.  Even if I send them a link.  

It's perplexing, perhaps I should have started a different kind of business. Not too late for that, actually, but it costs a lot of money. That is the type of business where you are not only offering the land but you are offering the housing as well.  There are no cheap options to that. Even building my own cabins would be pricey.  

I think I could do it, I just don't have the money for that.   But should I get into a loan right now?  I am second-guessing myself what with having 5 and today 6 empty spaces and not that much inquiry from interested renters.  I was thinking to run a Google ad. They are more pricey but they do have more reach.  The yurt tents is not totally out of the picture and I do have a place to put one.  That would still cost around 5 grand for the finished product and I wonder if it would actually produce enough guests to make any money off of it?  

I just don't know and I feel like I'm at a cross roads and I really need God's guidance on what to do next.  If a loan is needed, it's needed.  If not, then what? Nothing?  Just stay at 16 spaces and call it good?  Certainly not enough to live off of, I would have to work for many more years to come.   That is not my goal, my goal is to get out of working for anyone but myself.  I need "opportunity" to come my way and I trust in the Lord to make that happen if it's within His will.  His will be done, that's the end all of any scenario.  I don't want to do things He doesn't want me to do or isn't leading me to do.  

Opportunity could be anything.  Housing offered via payments?  Building cabins?  Some sort of small apartment structure?  Yurt tents?  Mobile homes?  I'm not above that, that was my original plan anyway.  

This is my dilemma right now. What to do next.  I haven't received the quote from the contractor. I wonder if that's a sign in  and of itself - don't do it.  I still think a hot tub is on the table. It's a relatively small investment for potential returns.  If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.  I have the place to put it.  

Well, it's time to get my stuff and get out of here.

G'day

 As stated yesterday, I had the late run this time and late run the next run.  I wasn't about to take a 3rd one, but that's exactly what the manager tried to do to me.  Nope.  I politely texted him asking him to give me the early load, I will have already done 2 in a row.  I am glad it didn't have to go any further than that, but as I suspected, the reason he wants to dump 2cd runs on me is because I get irritated with these people showing up early and he obviously doesn't want to hear it. 

Yup, well I don't want to be cut, either.  The reason I can say this is because he mentioned me showing up early so the "knucklehead" won't get away with his antics.  I mean, if you are a manager and your employees are doing whatever they heck they please....you can fill in the blank after that.

I had already planned on showing up early anyway, it will be a short time before I leave for AZ and I want time to get some stuff done.  So I told him I would show up a couple hours early both days at both ends.  He was all over that.  OK?  I can do that from now on, I thought. Save me the grief and get done with the work day at 11 am or even earlier.  

Now then, the VP debate. It starts in 8 minutes and I am definitely going to watch as much of it as my stomach can handle.  I thought I'd have to watch it on CBS - Communist Broadcast System - but apparently they are allowing it to be simulstreamed everywhere, including Fox.  I'm actually watching it for the entertainment value, if there will be any, and see if CBS stands by it's word.  They have promised no fact checking, at least on air.  The mics won't be muted and the nominees can fact check each other.  

Well I'm getting distracted, a lot of speculation about this debate starting in a few minutes.  But, I am just waiting for this thing to start and see how this plays out.  

___________________

I'm a Trump supporter so my opinion is going to be a bit swayed, but Walz was nervous, committed word salads, lied, made up stories, did not have a convincing argument and I can't see most undecideds seeing him as the winner of this debate. Vance did a far better job debating the positions that Trump has then Trump did in the first debate.  Much better speaker than Trump, Trump gets tripped up on his ego and anyone saying anything to him that maligns him he can't help himself but to fire back.  

Vance interrupted the moderators - who had agreed to no fact checking - after they fact checked him. They ended up cutting off his microphone.  I think they cut off both microphones. CBS will be endlessly blasted for this, but it wasn't near as bad as the first debate.  

It's over and I'm toast.  

But...

I have second load again tomorrow.  It's the same thing as the last 2 days - if I can sleep in, I will.  If I can't, I'll just let it go as far as these drivers showing up to butt in before me. As far as I'm concerned, I have, in writing, permission to show up as early as I want. I don't want to get up at 4 am but I will to get my day over with. I can always take a nap when I get home and I can nap both at the loading plant and the delivery plant.  

Well, at the delivery plant I have to get out of the truck every so often to check the air pressure going into the tanker.  You can't get it too high or seals will start blowing out.  But I do take short naps up there sometimes. Today was not one of those days. For whatever reason, the product was blasting through the outlet line and I was done offloading in 42 minutes. That's a record for me.  I was busy the entire time and got out of there and got home at a still-decent time. Not good enough to get stuff done I wanted to, but enough that I didn't feel like I had blown the entire day away with the 2cd load.

I'm running ads, I'm giving $200 off first month's rent, besides adding more amenities such as building the canopies over the lots, I really don't know what else I can do.  There is a lot of competition, that's what I can say.  I've had several inquiries through Facebook messaging, nothing that has converted to a person actually moving in.