Thinking seriously about career change to

Thanks for the reality checks, everyone.

I'm actually a bit of a loner. When I remodel a kitchen, I'm in heaven if I'm left alone to do my job and listen to my talk radio. The more people in my space, the less happy I am. Don't get me wrong, I've been on construction sites where I'm bumping ### with four other subcontractors. I'm cheerful and try to be helpful to my fellow tradesmen, but I definitely prefer having the jobsite to myself (and on remodels, I mostly do).

I'd much rather sit at home and watch the Hitler Channel than go to a party, but my wife is outgoing, and I go to them for her...and ###### if I don't have fun.

My wife is a strong person. She has her own life and lots of friends. She's a fitness instructor, and after teaching her 1st graders all day, she goes to the gym and leads her class basically five nights per week, and Saturday mornings. We've been married 25 years, and I don't think it would hurt our marriage. Heck, at this point, we're in it for the long haul. Definitely a strong marriage! Got-#### she looks good in leggings!

Kids are way too old to be living at home. I want nothing more for them to "launch." I welcome the time away from my 21 year old son especially. We've been butting heads since he was 14, and his sole purpose in life it to disprove everything I say. If I said the sun rises in the east, his head would go straight down into his smartphone, looking for any obscure website he could fine to disprove me. Twenty-three year old daughter is sweeter and doesn't detest me. I just dislike her two cats, and her dog can be a PITA at times.

I like travel trailer camping, and sleeping in a Peterbilt is a lot like sleeping in our 28' Starcraft Launch, except a bit smaller. By the time you're in bed watching TV, the difference is practically negligible.

TMC hasn't returned my voicemails yet. Two VMs and one email, and no reply. I called TDI in Milton, and they told me that TMC recruits out of their school every month. He said I needed to just get my CDL permit before TMC would talk to me.

TMC is about the only starter company I'd work for, so I need to talk to them before making the plunge.

 

aye-ess-ess
dee aye em in

Forbidden words on a trucker's website.

 

And darn it is hard untangling myself from my kitchen business. I'm placing an order today for an outdoor kitchen (NatureKast) that won't be shipped for two months. At least TDI said they'd work with me on breaking up my three weeks of training into separate weeks to accommodate my work schedule.

I also think I need to be almost debt-free before I do this. House is paid for, and several big items are ticking down to being paid off: vinyl pool liner, boat, and truck. New roof is years away from being paid off.

That would certainly eliminate a lot of financial stress, and increase my chances of long term success.