Are you or are you not? I’ve spent many Labor Day’s away and on the road. It sucked, but I survived. We all know the old adage, we’ll celebrate the holiday when dad gets home. The worst thing is when operations gets you close to home – let’s say 350 miles – but they can’t find a load to complete the deal. Oh sure, there is a trip 350 miles AWAY from home, and it delivers Tuesday. Your not an O/O that can just decide (to eat the cost of diesel) and go home.
I’ve certainly had my share of those. The only thing you can do is make the best of it. Right? Tough it out and you might get home next week, when the Mrs. doesn’t have three days in a row off, but you might. More time to sleep alone or tackle one or two items on that “honey” list. That’s if you have the spare cash to do anything.
I say find a Wal-Mart or Target. Tell the Pilot or T/A that despite their absurd no drop policy, that it’s freak’n Labor Day, you’re not home, so for a few hours your going to drop your sack, I mean load, of potatoes or whatever the heck your transporting, and heading to the store to buy yourself a present or two. Then lock and cuff the heck of of the thing and get going. Stick to a super center or whatever Target calls their big store and park somewhere safe and away from the crowd. Grab a bite to eat before you go in, so as to not give into temptation when you see those fudge brownies on sale.
There is a boat load of stuff you can buy this weekend to make your life on the road easier and more tolerable. You’re not going to require a lot of cash to do it. Even on my limited budget for everything, I wanted a BBQ grill for the weekend and found a great deal for $25 at Wal-Mart. I didn’t see anything similar for less than $44 at Target. I don’t like the taste of charcoal.
The little gas canisters to run it are $2.50 each. Go way over to the other side of the store and there is plenty of fair priced steak or chicken that you can prepare while you’re parked. Get some spices, like McCormick’s “Grill Mates”. Here’s their link – McCormick/LOTR Drivers Love To Eat!.
If you have a crock-pot, there was a pre-packaged – all cut up – meal for or two or for one over two nights. It was some kind of roast, with new potatoes, tomato, celery, carrot and gravy. Cut it open, plug in the pot in your inverter, later add some corn starch later on and let it cook. For those of your gravy challenged, here’s a link to help you out – HOW TO MAKE GRAVY.
Of course, I never advise the consumption of alcohol in, near or around any commercial vehicle. However, if you drive the 350 miles or whatever the trip and arrive at the truck stop near your final with two days down time, why not, a “beverage” or two? Beer is so “pedestrian” and gives you a big “belly.” Who needs that?
For $1.25 you can get a pre-made – alcohol included – “pack” – of strawberry daiquiri or three other types of “cocktails”. Put “them” (I assume you’re going to want more than one) on or over ice in your cooler and when you’re ready take the package out, scrunch it, and pour. I always say the cheapest wine is the best wine. A large bottle of Gallo white “vino” for under $10 is much tastier than something else with a fancy French family name for $25. I preferred mine chilled and it’ll go great with that salmon you’re going to grill.
For the entertainment portion of your weekend, hit the $5 bins for DVD’s and CD’s. There is an excellent selection of music and movies to go with your meal. Are you single and plan to have a lot lizard, so sorry, a “date” over to dine? Fine and dandy – make it a “special” evening – both Target and Wal-Mart have a good selection of flowers as you enter the store. If you’re feeling really frisky, you can get roses with a smattering of baby’s breath for $9.99. Along with your large bottle of Gallo and the croc-pot roast, your “date” will feel like Julie Roberts in “Pretty Woman”.
By the time Tuesday rolls around, you’ll have passed the weekend over quickly and with a smile. Some of you might even not want to go home next holiday. Well, maybe not. But at least you didn’t sulk around all depressed laying in the bunk feeling sorry for yourself.
Oh, one last thing – clean yourself up and get shower – you’ll feel a lot better. And please, “protection” – gentleman.
PS2/for our Spanish speaking readers, Wal-Mart has an entire section of movies produced for you. See photo.
PS2 para nuestros lectores de habla españolas, Wal-Mart tiene toda una sección depelículas producidas para usted. Ver foto.
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