The journey begins - purchased a truck.

Thanks! I just had to put it to use for the meantime.

It weighs close to 17k alone. Puts me at 38k truck and stretch. This compares to 10k for the 53' combo flat, for 30k combined.

I really avoid heavy freight - it almost never pays any more. Very few times have I loaded over 30k.

 

Santa Claus brought me an early Christmas present.

A frozen shoulder - or adhesive capsulitis as it's called. One of those irritating conditions like gout that they don't have a real solid explanation for as to why, but if you've had it in one shoulder, there's a good chance you'll get it in the other. I had thought it was just a little irritated or strained, but mobility decreased and pain increased until I woke up west of Albuquerque on Thursday morning with it almost locked up.

It only took 45 minutes of driving to discover that making it back to Kansas would be difficult, so with the help of another forum buddy, located a truck accessible urgent care in Moriarty and swung in there. Fortunately I knew what it was, so I could instruct the doc what to do - a couple of good steroid injections directly into the muscle. Unfortunately the shots take 24-48 hours to work well, so the rest of the drive wasn't too much fun, but at least it was left shoulder this time.

I put in a call to another LS driver where I was delivering, and he came down and helped me untarp and deliver the next morning, then I put it in the wind back to the house. I'm booked in for some physical therapy on Monday to ensure it is fully unlocked and remains that way.

The roller door is installed, and paid for. Next week the weather looks half reasonable, so I may be able to get the concrete slab poured and be able to park that puppy inside.

Finished up my end of year accounting, apart from one remaining settlement coming on Tuesday. Looks like I'll finish at north of $1.80/all miles to the truck - an improvement over last years (startup year) $1.69, and helped by this last quarter at over $2.10/mile for the quarter.

Unless something fantastic comes along, I think I'll be at the house until Jan 1st 2017.

Thanks to all for your input and help, and hope you enjoy some time off with company.

 

I've done a bit of research - and I've noticed a few slabs being poured at this time of year. It'll have to sit for a week or two before I drive on it. I'm not too close to laying it - the form boards, reinforcing rod and tools are staring at me from out there, as I throw wood in the fire from in here . . .