7.10.2008

Graveyard Shift

I learned something new on our trip back to AZ. . . I could be a truck driver and survive!! We drove straight through and I had the "dark time" shift of driving. All it took was a few cans of Dr. Pepper and a bag of peanut butter M&M's, each way, and I was good to go.

Watching the sun rise was the highlight of my shift. If you know me well enough, you know my family is not normally out of bed before nine. Needless to say, I can't remember the last time I saw the sun rise.

I had one minor set back during my driving time. I lost my wallet in Amarillo (I am thinking I should write a country song!). I stopped for gas about 2 am. While the gas was pumping, I cleaned off the windshield. I set my wallet on the hood of the car, and the was the last I saw of my wallet. . . for a few days.

As I was getting back on the freeway I heard something hit the car, but it didn't sound too major so just kept going. The next morning I was trying to get breakfast and couldn't find my wallet anywhere. After credit and debit cards, I remembered that small noise I heard back in Amarillo. I immediately got on the phone and started calling the love stations in Amarillo. My third try a VERY nice man said, as I describe what had happened, that it sounded like "this" love station and I should call and ask for "so and so". I thanked him and did just that.

Now this VERY VERY kind man jumped in his truck right away and drove off to go look for my wallet. He called back a few minutes later saying he had good news and even better news. He found pieces of the insides of my wallet. A few rewards cards and things like that. The even better news was a sanitation worker had found the actual wallet and turned it in to. . . I actually don't know where, but the love station worker tracked it down. My money and all cards were found. The lady that now had my wallet was kind enough to use the money inside and ship it to my parents house. SCORE! I was so nervous about our trip home with only ONE driver. Luckily we will never have to know how that would have turned out!

I had wanted to use the money inside the wallet to pay the men who helped me, but they both had left as soon as the lady knew she could get a hold of me. So I will throw my thank you out there to all of the kind people who are willing to stop and help a stranger.

I have 500 pictures to sort through from our vacation, and will be posting them, throughout the next few days. Along with catching up on reading 150 blog posts from friends. Wow! With that, I am off to tackle the mountains of laundry, that has currently over taken our family room.

13 comments:

Lacey said...

WAIT! You were in Arizona??!!! And you drove by yourself?!?! Am I right? If so you are nutso for it!!! And, I'm bent that you didn't call or send an email! But, I know how it goes with visiting family..it's tough to squeeze everyone in!!

Can't wait to see all your pics! Oh, and I'm glad you found your wallet! Crazy!

Chelsea said...

I am glad you guys made it back all in one piece. The wallet story is still amazing. I was telling Cody yesterday and he was just as shocked knowing there are still some good people out there. Really...you better write a song. It is all too perfect of a situation not too! :)
Can't wait to see some pictures!!

Brandi Jo said...

That is so crazy, but cool! That makes you feel good that there are still GOOD people out there. :-) Thank goodness you got all that back. I hate that feeling thinking you lost your wallet.

The Miller's said...

Wooo wee!! Girl we drove to Minnesota a few years ago and me and Matt took turns ha ha I could not stay awake I felt so bad so Matt had to drive the whole 12 hours I think I drove for an hour. And loosing your wallet did you feel about sick. I lost my credit card one time and I got sick over it. It was awful I was throwing up i got so worked up Matt was like calm down we will find it or call and stop it. He was like it will be alright

The Miller's said...
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Reisner's said...

I;m so sad I missed the reunion, I herd it was fun. Thankgoodness you got in touch w/ some nice people. Lucky you, but I am confused, you drove home by yourself?

Amber Hooten said...

Welcome Home! Hope you all had a fun time. Talk to you soon.

Will & Amy said...

Dude, you have the weirdest stuff happen to you...I guess we could call you "lucky"?

Lara Neves said...

i am so happy you found your wallet! I would be totally freaking out if I were you! Glad you made it all home in one piece...can't wait for pictures! :)

The A Team said...

that's amazing. it's great to run into nice people in dark moments. glad you made it safely!!

Gary Church said...

I'd have been freaking out if I lost my wallet like that! SO LUCKY!!

Audrey said...

Isn't it good to know that there are still honest and sweet people out there? What a sweet guy to go and look for your wallet. What a wonderful person to not steal your identity. You always hear the bad things that happen from these events, it's refreshing to hear the positive!

Our Story: Continued said...

WOW! That is awesome!