We went over to my cousin's home for breakfast. The food was absolutely terrific, but the fellowship was even better. They have a wonderful family. We enjoyed ourselves so much.
We took a different road to Farmington than we did last year. It was so much better. I didn't have to cry, scream or holler even once! We'll learn the best routes yet.
We did a two hour sale in Farmington today and will do another two hour sale on Sunday. Last year it was so crowded, because we only did two on Saturday night. The place was too full. We had several express their thanks today for the extended hours. We were still busy, but it was so much better.
I picked up a box wrong this afternoon and now I'm moving slow - very slow. So between my poor back and my miserable cold, I'm not a happy camper.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Feb 26 Monument Valley, UT
The party is over! It's time to get back to work. Jim drove the truck down by the motel room. We didn't pack suitcases, because we don't want to carry them around for 3 months. So we have lots of little bags, plastic bags, etc. We had far too much stuff to carry by hand that far. Jim had a hard time getting the truck turned around, but we did make it!
Finding Monument Valley was easy this time. We came in from a different direction. It's barely over the boarder from Arizona. We kept the setting from last year in the GPS. Remember, this place is not on the map!
We had a big surprise when we stopped. One tire in the back wasn't just flat, it was gone! All that was left was the rim. Luckily it was the tire in the middle of three. We got it changed with the spare. There isn't anyplace to get a new tire around here.
We had a great sale. About a half hour into the sale a lady came in that couldn't have been anyone except my cousin's daughter. She looked like Karen Eckright Pires, but she is the daughter of her younger sister, Joyce Eckright Meyers. Joyce and Joel, her husband came in a little later with a couple more of their children. I didn't even know that they lived here. If I can get up early enough in the morning, we're going over there for breakfast. They start around 6:30. I didn't even know that people got up that early.
It's 10:45 now and we just finished work for tonight. Still more to do, but it's been a 12+ hour day already.
We're sleeping the in truck tonight for the first time this trip. We haven't had any water until tonight. It's just been too cold. It almost seems like home, living in the truck again.
Finding Monument Valley was easy this time. We came in from a different direction. It's barely over the boarder from Arizona. We kept the setting from last year in the GPS. Remember, this place is not on the map!
We had a big surprise when we stopped. One tire in the back wasn't just flat, it was gone! All that was left was the rim. Luckily it was the tire in the middle of three. We got it changed with the spare. There isn't anyplace to get a new tire around here.
We had a great sale. About a half hour into the sale a lady came in that couldn't have been anyone except my cousin's daughter. She looked like Karen Eckright Pires, but she is the daughter of her younger sister, Joyce Eckright Meyers. Joyce and Joel, her husband came in a little later with a couple more of their children. I didn't even know that they lived here. If I can get up early enough in the morning, we're going over there for breakfast. They start around 6:30. I didn't even know that people got up that early.
It's 10:45 now and we just finished work for tonight. Still more to do, but it's been a 12+ hour day already.
We're sleeping the in truck tonight for the first time this trip. We haven't had any water until tonight. It's just been too cold. It almost seems like home, living in the truck again.
Feb 25 Sedona, AZ
Now this was a long day. We had meetings until 7:00 P.M. The whole group did go out to lunch, but the afternoon got very long.
We went to Wendy's for supper with Dave, Kim, Aggie and Gene. Jim and I ordered first, we got two baked potatoes, a salad and a frosty. They ran out of vanilla frosty, so had to make more for Jim. I think Gene got everything he wanted, but his potato wasn't cooked completely. When Kim went through line, they ran out of baked potatoes. Then Dave went trough, they ran out of salads. Poor Aggie had to make do with french fries, a fruit cup and ice cream. But we had great fun and fellowship. It was a fun ending to a great week.
We went to Wendy's for supper with Dave, Kim, Aggie and Gene. Jim and I ordered first, we got two baked potatoes, a salad and a frosty. They ran out of vanilla frosty, so had to make more for Jim. I think Gene got everything he wanted, but his potato wasn't cooked completely. When Kim went through line, they ran out of baked potatoes. Then Dave went trough, they ran out of salads. Poor Aggie had to make do with french fries, a fruit cup and ice cream. But we had great fun and fellowship. It was a fun ending to a great week.
Feb 24 Sedona, AZ
We had a couple workshops this morning. We learned a lot of interesting things.
We went to lunch with Bill and Mickey. Bill's presentation was right after lunch then he had to leave. It was so god to have time to visit with him
Everyone who doesn't work for Pacific Press ABC stores left after lunch. The rest of us will be here for another day for other meetings.
Tonight we went out to supper with Terry, Donald, Susanne and Lynette. I love it that we're getting to spend time with so many other managers.
We went to lunch with Bill and Mickey. Bill's presentation was right after lunch then he had to leave. It was so god to have time to visit with him
Everyone who doesn't work for Pacific Press ABC stores left after lunch. The rest of us will be here for another day for other meetings.
Tonight we went out to supper with Terry, Donald, Susanne and Lynette. I love it that we're getting to spend time with so many other managers.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Feb 23 Sedona, AZ
If we would have had that test, I would have gotten 100%. I remembered every one's name, plus learned the name of one other that set at the other end of the table that I never got his name. Good for me!!
Another big day of learning new product. This time Review and Herald presented their new books. Now I really don't know where to start reading. They all sounded so good.
I ran out of socks today, so I took my 'free' time after lunch and did laundry. I had to walk about 1/4 mile carrying a couple loads of laundry and the new, full, heavy bottle of laundry soap to the laundry room. It was very heavy. Anyway, we are set for a few days again.
Bill Kuehl got here this afternoon. He has a presentation tomorrow. So tonight we went with Bill and Mickey Johnson,from Texas, to a Mexican Restaurant for supper. We set with Bill for a couple hours after we got back and visited. We had a wonderful evening.
Another big day of learning new product. This time Review and Herald presented their new books. Now I really don't know where to start reading. They all sounded so good.
I ran out of socks today, so I took my 'free' time after lunch and did laundry. I had to walk about 1/4 mile carrying a couple loads of laundry and the new, full, heavy bottle of laundry soap to the laundry room. It was very heavy. Anyway, we are set for a few days again.
Bill Kuehl got here this afternoon. He has a presentation tomorrow. So tonight we went with Bill and Mickey Johnson,from Texas, to a Mexican Restaurant for supper. We set with Bill for a couple hours after we got back and visited. We had a wonderful evening.
Feb 22 Sedona, AZ
It was so interesting to learn about all the Pacific Press books that are new. I can't imagine how anyone would decide what book to read first. There are so many and they all sound so good.
We went out to supper with about 18 people from the Mid-America states. We know most of them, and got acquainted with a couple new ones. I hope there isn't a test tomorrow to see if I remember all their names.
Jim and I went out to the trailer after we got back. Several ABC managers came out and checked out our rig. It was like having an 'open house'.
We went out to supper with about 18 people from the Mid-America states. We know most of them, and got acquainted with a couple new ones. I hope there isn't a test tomorrow to see if I remember all their names.
Jim and I went out to the trailer after we got back. Several ABC managers came out and checked out our rig. It was like having an 'open house'.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Feb 21 Sabbath
Sabbath school and Church was truly a blessing. Both were presented by authors of new books. They were great.
Kellogg Foods sent our group to "Out of Africa" this afternoon. That's a wildlife park about 20 miles from here. It was a perfect day. The temperature was just right, not too hot or too cold. And we were able to spend time with Bev Logan, from Pacific Press. We've known her almost forever, but don't get to spend enough time with her.
This evening we went with Ed and Terry from California and Larry from Canada to a Mexican Restaurant for supper in Sedona. It was nice getting better acquainted with other ABC Managers.
Tonight I just read while Jim went out and worked in the trailer for a couple hours.
Kellogg Foods sent our group to "Out of Africa" this afternoon. That's a wildlife park about 20 miles from here. It was a perfect day. The temperature was just right, not too hot or too cold. And we were able to spend time with Bev Logan, from Pacific Press. We've known her almost forever, but don't get to spend enough time with her.
This evening we went with Ed and Terry from California and Larry from Canada to a Mexican Restaurant for supper in Sedona. It was nice getting better acquainted with other ABC Managers.
Tonight I just read while Jim went out and worked in the trailer for a couple hours.
Feb 20 Sedona, AZ
We had a super day. Connie Kramer Crosby (EA '63) and her husband Verle came over to spend some time with us. Connie was in Jim's class at Enterprise. A couple hours later Bill and Jackie Kuehl also came to join us. Bill was in their class also. So we had a mini class reunion. We had a wonderful visit with the four of them most of the afternoon. Lance Sabo also lives in this area, but we're having a problem trying to coordinate our free time with theirs. I hope that we can still work that out.
Our meetings started this evening with a reception and then a musical program by Jimmy and Pam Rhodes. They were excellent. It was a nice start to the Sabbath.
I'm looking forward to meeting new people and learning new things.
Our meetings started this evening with a reception and then a musical program by Jimmy and Pam Rhodes. They were excellent. It was a nice start to the Sabbath.
I'm looking forward to meeting new people and learning new things.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Feb 18 St. George, UT
What a difference a day makes! It was beautiful out today. We had a couple foggy places on the highway to start out with, but after the first half hour, it was great.
We made it to our noon sale with 5 to 10 minutes to spare. And we were on time for our 5:00 sale too. The people at these stops haven't had a bookmobile here for quite awhile. They were so happy to have us there.
We found a Ruby Tuesday's for lunch. They have the best salad bars. Then after lunch (which was at 3:00), we even took the time for a short walk. We need to find time for that much more often. We never seemed to have time last year.
We're in a Super 8 Motel tonight. It seems funny not to be living in the truck.
We made it to our noon sale with 5 to 10 minutes to spare. And we were on time for our 5:00 sale too. The people at these stops haven't had a bookmobile here for quite awhile. They were so happy to have us there.
We found a Ruby Tuesday's for lunch. They have the best salad bars. Then after lunch (which was at 3:00), we even took the time for a short walk. We need to find time for that much more often. We never seemed to have time last year.
We're in a Super 8 Motel tonight. It seems funny not to be living in the truck.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
February 17 Nephi, UT
God is good. God is great. He is Real! We're alive and well!
By the time we left the motel this morning, there was already 2" - 3" of snow. The road was horrendous. We had snow, blowing snow and accidents all around us.
There was a major accident involving at least 2 semi trucks and a car. We don't know many details, but we heard one person was killed. This accident was less than a half mile in front of us. It's not had to imagine the "what if's". What if we had been a minute or two faster . . . etc.
The highway was closed a little over 2 hours. When we finally drove by, both semi's were still in the ditch and a car was on a wrecker. It was really messed up.
We drove through snow until Salt Lake City. There were cars in the ditch all the way. I've never seen so many accidents and police cars. It took us forever to get anywhere. We finally got through Salt Lake City a little after 6:00. We still have almost 200 miles to drive to our sale tomorrow that starts at noon. It started snowing again and really looked bad to the south. When we stopped in Nephi, they told us at the gas station that it was a 'white-out' about 6 miles further down the highway. Seems like we've had enough weather for one day, so we found a motel. By then it was almost 8:00.
We are very thankful for God's protection today. His timing was perfect, from missing being in that accident, to being able to follow a snow plow for several miles, to finding out about the white-out before we were in it.
The other special thing about today, is that it's our 307th Month-a-versary! Jim has never been so happy!!! (It's my journal, I can write anything I want!) Of course, I'm rather happy myself.
As of today, we're 500 miles into our 10,000 mile journey. After today, the rest should be a piece of cake!
By the time we left the motel this morning, there was already 2" - 3" of snow. The road was horrendous. We had snow, blowing snow and accidents all around us.
There was a major accident involving at least 2 semi trucks and a car. We don't know many details, but we heard one person was killed. This accident was less than a half mile in front of us. It's not had to imagine the "what if's". What if we had been a minute or two faster . . . etc.
The highway was closed a little over 2 hours. When we finally drove by, both semi's were still in the ditch and a car was on a wrecker. It was really messed up.
We drove through snow until Salt Lake City. There were cars in the ditch all the way. I've never seen so many accidents and police cars. It took us forever to get anywhere. We finally got through Salt Lake City a little after 6:00. We still have almost 200 miles to drive to our sale tomorrow that starts at noon. It started snowing again and really looked bad to the south. When we stopped in Nephi, they told us at the gas station that it was a 'white-out' about 6 miles further down the highway. Seems like we've had enough weather for one day, so we found a motel. By then it was almost 8:00.
We are very thankful for God's protection today. His timing was perfect, from missing being in that accident, to being able to follow a snow plow for several miles, to finding out about the white-out before we were in it.
The other special thing about today, is that it's our 307th Month-a-versary! Jim has never been so happy!!! (It's my journal, I can write anything I want!) Of course, I'm rather happy myself.
As of today, we're 500 miles into our 10,000 mile journey. After today, the rest should be a piece of cake!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Feb 16 Burley, ID
Today's the day! After getting the last of our personal belongings in the truck, we went to Nampa to get the trailer. Then we went to Boise to finish loading their pre-orders. And I picked up a few more items from their ABC Store. Our trailer is very fully loaded now. Before we left Boise, we weighted the truck. I think it weighs in at 42,000 pounds.
After Boise, we drove about 3 hours to Burley. It was already 7:00 P.M. by then. We worked another hour in the trailer. There's always more to do. When we came out of the trailer, we were overjoyed (?) to see that it's snowing! I hope it quits soon, we can't get chains on the truck. There's not enough room between the tire and the fender. Could be interesting.
And we can't stay in the truck to sleep for awhile, because it's too cold to have water. It would freeze. That means no bathroom either. Life is tough!!!
I've already read a new book today, "Dare to Stand Alone". I enjoyed it. It should sell very good. Tonight I'll start reading another book. It helps that I love to read.
After Boise, we drove about 3 hours to Burley. It was already 7:00 P.M. by then. We worked another hour in the trailer. There's always more to do. When we came out of the trailer, we were overjoyed (?) to see that it's snowing! I hope it quits soon, we can't get chains on the truck. There's not enough room between the tire and the fender. Could be interesting.
And we can't stay in the truck to sleep for awhile, because it's too cold to have water. It would freeze. That means no bathroom either. Life is tough!!!
I've already read a new book today, "Dare to Stand Alone". I enjoyed it. It should sell very good. Tonight I'll start reading another book. It helps that I love to read.
Feb 2009 Meridian, ID
The countdown starts - we're getting ready for our second bookmobile run. It doesn't seem possible. We've only been home a little over two months.
This year we're adding the St. George, UT area. We intended to work in Las Vegas too, but that didn't work out. The good part about that is by not going to Vegas, we'll save at least a week (and lots of money!) After Vegas we would have had to go to California to restock the trailer.
We've been busy stocking the trailer here in Idaho. Our orders have already been processed from Review and Herald and from Pacific Press. We are fully loaded with book, almost too many. The food order is here too, but it's too cold to put that in the trailer yet. We don't keep the heat on, so it's freezing in there. Several mornings it's been 17 degrees when Jim turned on the heat. We have to wear several layers of clothes and it still is cold sometimes.
We leave next Monday. Between now and then we need to load the food, pick and process orders from the Boise store, clean and pack the truck with our personal stuff and whatever else we have to do at home. I have about 5 list going. It should be a busy week.
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