Updating ...

Sigh...
A phone call on July 17th from dispatch sent us back to the El Paso/Anthony area. I didn't handle it the best - I could have done better, but then again, I could have done worse! LOL ...
Anyway - we went. Only this time, rather than going I-30 to I-20 to I-10 ... we went I-30 to I-20 and turned off just past Sweetwater, drove up to Post and took 380 across. Came in at Roswell, NM and followed the route on down into Anthony. It was only about 40 miles farther, but it was a  much prettier drive ... and more bathrooms! LOL
WDT had loads from Anthony up to Portales.
But with the truck still overheating, Rick wasn't able to make as many as he would have like to.

We spent 10 hours sitting on the side of the road in Mescalero, NM one day because of the truck overheating, a line broke.
Thankfully, the tech who came out to work on the truck was kind enough and understanding enough to drive us back down the road to the only store in Mescalero. And thankfully, the lady there was sympathetic enough to allow us to use the "employee only" bathroom!!!
While we were there, Rick bought 2 folding chairs. So, when we got back to the truck, we sat outside under a nice shade tree for about 2 hours while waiting on the tech to go back to his shop and create the part needed to get the truck back on the road. (I got some cool pictures that I will post soon.)

Tuesday morning we got out of Portales and made it back as far as Alamogordo - 2:30 a.m. called it a night. Spent the night at the truck stop there. Got up a few hours later ... antifreeze puddled under the truck.
Rick called road service (again) ... same young man came and looked at it. Could not be fixed on the side of the road this time. Had Rick drive it to the shop just down the road at Alamorosa.
Diagnosis? Either a blown head gasket or a cracked head ... or both.
Ballard's shop didn't want to spend the money and time for Rick to be down in the El Paso area for the truck to be fixed. So, dispatched him back to SS - empty, bobtailed.
Sigh.
Hopefully, they will make it right to him ... otherwise - the trip out to El Paso will not be paid, and neither will the trip back to SS ... plus 2 extra days off won't be paid. I just pray that God will move on the hearts of those that can make it right -- that they will!

So ... here we are at the house for at least the next 6 days ...
Rick will take the truck in today and leave it at the shop. Pick up his paycheck. Bills to be paid. Groceries to be bought.
Then???
Rick has to go between Friday and Sunday to the hospital - have blood drawn. Monday is meeting with Dr. Tobin (Kidney specialist) and Tuesday is with Dr. Arneke (internist).
We are praying for good blood counts and numbers ... no hospital stay.
Praying for good reports from both doctors.
Praying for good iron levels/stores - a good report from Dr. Cochran as well.
Praying.
Trusting in the Lord.

I will also be working on the website a bit more extensively ... trying to get everything caught up and added to. :-)

Not sure if we will get to see the kids and grandkids while we are in - I sure would like to!

Well, thinking about more coffee ... and a phone call :-) ...

Lord be with us all!!!

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