Great Weekend, Sunday, November 4th

Snapshot:
Saturday:  8 hours, 275 miles, $222, got an extra bar hour due to "fall back", a near disaster, much fun.
Sunday: 7 hours, 300 miles, $154, Pastor Troy and a new sermon series, an Uber lesson learned.

• Started out a little late, it was raining and so hard to wake up.  I was headed to Dallas to work the Keith Urban concert.  Several rides on the way there. 
• I picked up Sean and his wife.  Sean is a former proud Marine.  They were headed home after dinner out.  We got to chat about their daughter and my grandkids the things kids are faced with today.  Bless them they are parents that seem to be getting it right. 
• I then picked a nice man headed home.  He works for Sewell Infinity in Dallas and formally worked for then in FW.  We discussed the difference between the two cities. 
• A concert festival in Carrolton was just getting out I took one couple back to her hotel.  Then I went back and picked up Grant.  He only lived a few blocks away.  This is where the near disaster occurred.  I turned into his dark neighborhood.  Two ladies that decided to walk it, and obviously in black clothes, walked right in front of us as I turned the corner.  I had no time or way to react.  Any reaction and I would have hit one.  By grace of God I missed them both.  I seriously grabbed his hand and we stayed that way till his house a couple more blocks.  Grant was very worried about how his new hat made him look.  I thought it looked great.  We got to his place.  He told me for some reason he was in love with a woman in Boston.  I ended his brief and muted the radio.  He said oh sorry to keep you.  I said no tell me about her.  He did.  I told him he should choose love and go after her.  He wasn't sure.  I pray he chooses right.  Short ride big impact! 
• I finally made it to Dallas and did rides from concert.  Including a couple of ladies that really loved Keith Urban.  One of which was so happy she touched his boot.  I took another couple back to Hurst, then decided to stay on the west side. 
• I picked up a sweet man that was head over heels in love with his three year old.  He shared pictures and he was super cute. 
• Then headed downtown to work the bars.  I picked up four Canadians here for NASCAR race.  Dropped two off at a hotel in downtown then other two were over in Arlington.  That wanted middle of the night burgers, I took them where else? Whataburger.  They have never been to a NASCAR race so I told them what to expect.  They were great fun. 
• I then headed back downtown.  I picked up a young lady and her date.  They had been at the military ball downtown.  They were headed to Arlington.  He passed out but had shucked his uncomfortable shiny shoes.  This started a conversation on foot pain with her.  She is on her feet alot at work.  I told the different things I had done to overcome my plantar fasciitis. 
• I headed home and did some cleaning.  Waited to wake up Kendall and Dave up.  We took Kendall to work then caught the 9am service.  PT started his series on Lord of the Harvest, awesome as always.  Also he had the whole church declare prosperity over us business owners. 
• Went home and got some sleep till four.  Then we ate and got car ready.  I then made the big error of working the NASCAR race.  Too much traffic, no pick up area and no surge from Uber.   I did meet a nice man from Tennessee that goes to all the races in his bus.  He runs his own engineering firm in California.  I also met a couple from Conroe having a parent break.  They had 4 girl a at home ... I'm sure they needed it. 
• I decided to just do airport from there.  My last one being Tom a Japanese guy from California here for work.  We talked about our families and then Dave's business.  He in the last few years started collecting guns but is limited living in Cali. 

Well that's the highlights ... longer than I thought.  Tonight our Ladies Conference starts and then I will work the Cowboy game. 

This week till now, Friday, November 2nd.

It has been such an up and down week for me. 
Snapshot: 
Sunday I passed out about an hour after getting home from church dinner. 

Monday I skipped work as Kendall was off the next day and we had Myles.

Tuesday we still had Myles till bedtime, I skipped work.  Before he went to bed Dave chatted gently that I couldn't be taking off so many nights. He is right.

Wednesday I drove About 200 miles, 8 hours ANF made $165.

Thursday Kendall treated me to the movies the I drove.  Maybe 100 miles and $50.

Friday I did a quick F to F trip then I wss lazy again.  Dave wasn't happy but didn't say anything.  I ended up cleaning and praying at 3am.  I'm sure the vacuum and Zoe attacking wasn't too loud.

Highlights: 

• Wednesday I started out early and just a few take home from works.  Headed to airport.  First ride is nice couple and friend just back from vacation to Cancun.  We got on subject of crazy weather we have had, and how I had leave Zoe in the house alone for a bit. I'm like she probably got herself I  trouble.  Just as we are pulling I take a call from Dave on hands free ... he is very mad at her ... he said he was kicking her to the curb then hung up.  We all had a huge laugh.  Poor baby she made a mess in Daddy's office.  She did get in trouble. But not kicked to curb.
• I surprisingly had more airport runs.  Then I get called over to Grapevine for bar pick up.  I'm taking Terri's very drunk roommate home ... middle age women.  She tells me all about her dog Binky and some other unmentionable things.  She will only let me help her in if I promise to stay a minute to meet Binky.  I do and he is very fluffy.  I then text Terri that she is inside safe and sound. 
• I head to bar areas in FW as it's 1 am.  Do a few short drunk calls.  I fully expected girls in barely any thing for Halloween.  But not the men.  One had gone with his wife to a bar doing a $3000 costume contest, he didn't win and was upset.  He was dressed as Xerses  (sp?), this was basically bikini underwear (sizes at least one too smal), strappy sandals and lots of gold plastic jewelry.  This was a 6 7 huge guy.   The second mostly naked man in my car was a skinny dude in a very small bikini and a beach towel. I figured that was enough nudity for the night headed home.  
• Date night was Thursday night ... Thank you Kendall.  We saw Bohemian Rhapsody ... I'm a huge Queen fan.  I was really looking forward to this.  They really portrayed Freddys life in an honest manner, and didn't overplay the sexual aspect just to sell seats.
• Then did couple airport runs.  I'm not sure why DFW Airport thinks people holding signs and over zealous "cops" are good way to help traffic issue but it's not.  I was not handling it well so I headed to the bars but it was dead so did couple rides and home early.
• Friday I go a call from F to  F that a lady needed a ride from FW to a shelter about an hour away.  I took Kendall to work then Zoe and I went to get her.  Her story was so awesome ... She got herself to FW on her own.  Then two are ladies at a store recognized she needed help and took her to lunch and the right place to get help.  She had not been physically abused yet but all other so she was smart enough to get out before that happened.  Prayers to stay strong.  

 

Tonight should be good ... big concert and a few small ones.  

Love and Blessings 

Traci.

Sunday, October 28th Catching Up

Hello Everyone.  I'm so sorry it's been a week.  I didn't intend weekly installments, but I can't do daily either.  So maybe in between.  That being said it's been quite the week so let's catch up!

• I forgot to add last time that I got to assist an officer while out Ubering.  She needed a man out of house before a domestic violence episode happened.  I absolutely did a short cash ride to help her diffuse the situation.
• I went to last Sunday service alone as David was at a show.  Always feels weird at first but then our tribe steps in and it's better.  I sat with my sweet friend John.  
• Monday night I was doing airport rides; I gave a ride to a very good friend of my vet.  I give him so much praise as he has always taken such good care of my sweet Zoe.  Small world.  
• Then I had another ride for a rockstar grandma.  Her daughter had to move to Texas from California for her husband's work.  So she flies in every 2 months and stays two or three weeks to see her grandbabies.  I was able to give her fresh ideas for some activities.  You just can't keep us grandmas from our babies.  We will not be deterred. 
• Tuesday the weather turned and was cool but not rainy.  The backyard was still flooded so I loaded Zoe up to go run errands with me.  I had a field inspection in Paradise.  I felt bad when I got there as the clients mother was in her final days inside.  But she said no worries a few moments away outside to look at her car was a welcome diversion.  She didn't mind so Zoe ran around her big country yard.  She was amazed that she never ran out of my eyesight and came running over when called.  After that we went to David's shop and oil change.  This is a monthly chore for him.  Zoe loves hanging out there, she would go everyday if he let her.
• Thursday started out driving a wonderful Christian Indian family from FW back to Dallas.  They are here from Charlotte, NC for a wedding. Ride turned out to be an hour due to traffic.  I love Indian people they are so kind.  We talked on so many topics.  I was also able to show them where a couple more sites were they wanted to squeeze in while here. 
• Yeah Friday finally here and the weather is gorgeous.  Kendall and I took Myles and Trevor to Boo at the Zoo.  The boys had so much fun.  They are almost 3 and 5 now ... wow so fast.  It is so good for cousins to hang out.  The zoo was super crowed but since its so big it wasn't too bad, plus we don't worry about seeing everything just go at their pace.  
• Kendall had to head to work so we only stayed till mid afternoon.  I got a text and call from Families to Freedom that a lady needed a gas card to get out of town.  So we took care of that before dropping Kendall at work.  She was headed to another shelter in another state where she felt she could start over.  As she has no ties there she didn't think her abuser would find her there.  I pray she is right.  
• Myles went home and Trevor asked to stay to have dinner with his Big Dave.  This meant a trip to the country later that night to drop him off.  Totally worth it, he loves his time with his grandpa.  
• Saturday brought Payton's funeral.  It was a beautiful service.  An awesome choir.  Several pastors spoke.  A poem read by a friend.  Amazing Grace sung by another friend.  Even though I was heartbroken over losing her, I felt revitalized after the funeral.  The Holy Spirit showed up in a big way.  This little one in her short life was such a warrior for Christ.  No photos or media was let in but the family did outside.  I hope the camera picked up on all the shades of skin that were there.  Racism or anti racism was a big thing to Payton.  She truly never saw skin color, she care for it when others did either.  
• Saturday night was a blur of activity driving Uber with three big concerts in DFW and festivals everywhere.  I had a great time people watching in all their silly costumes.  There are some creative people out there.
• Sunday evening we had our Lifeline dinner honoring single moms.  Everything turned out perfect, it was an awesome event.  Nicole had a word from God on this and was obedient.  Perfect. 

Saturday, Oct 20, 2018

I've been driving this week, just not much to write.  I did have some interesting conversations but nothing stands out.
Friday night was just plain numbing.  I've been praying for God to intercede with Payton and he did.  But still the finality that she is gone from us.  Just difficult.  But I refuse to question God on his plan and told the devil to go to hell.


Saturday Snapshot:
Start 10:30p End 7:00 a
223 miles, $200+

Mostly a night of driving drunks in Fort Worth with some highlights:

• Early in the evening over in Ridglea area I had a drop and thought I saw a strange looking cat.  Closer inspection it was a little fox! 
• Later in the evening I picked up a young lady alone at the bars.  Strange.  We didn't even make it to University before needing to puke.  I got her some water and we got moving again.  Get down by TCU she hops out and went to puke.  She thought I left her but I had circle around to come back to her.  In that short few minutes a bum is right across from her on a bench.  I told her to come on and shooed him away.  She was so surprised  I didn't leave her.  Umm no she was very drunk and alone.  Of course I was going to make sure she was safe. After I dropped her of I thanked God for putting her in my car.  Unfortunately most Ubers would have left her.  God says to me of course I knew that no matter what you would make sure she was safely home.  Tears, I'm amazed at the love and trust my Daddy in Heaven has in me.  
• About 4:30 I had a run a man to Love Field. I set my Uber for rides in direction of Fort Worth.  I had a pick up in a not so great area on the Dallas/Irving border.  I figured I would do a drive by and cancel if it was too bad.  The name was Latino but unusual... I couldn't tell off male or female. I drove by and it was very dark ... some sort of private club very sketchy.  I decided to keep going and cancel.  God was like nope go back.  So I did.  It three young Latino girls.  On their ride I gently asked if they were out for the night.  They were working.  Then the talked in Spanish and English to each other.  They were in tight jeans and jackets so nothing skimpy.  I was able to piece together that they sit with men and basically be their girlfriend for the night or moment.  I don't anything physical happens but I'm going to look into it more. 

Weekend, October 12th to 14th, 2018

Snapshot:
Friday: just rested up for the weekend and got a few things prepared for the weekend.  Then out to dinner with David at our fav Mexican food.  El Ranchito in White Settlement.
Saturday: Camping with grandbabies at Lake Whitney.
Sunday: back home from camping and Uber driving.
14 trips, 331 miles, $240 or so

Camping always so much fun with the babies.  Made better that we have upgraded the tent & air mattress.  Also Blake and Audrey are older and can do more with little instruction.  We made a smart change and went to Lake Whitney SP or going to Oakdale in Glen Rose.  Lake Whitney had storm shelter sites available.  This is an awesome option for tent dwellers.  The shelters are huge with the top of the walls screened.  The roof has a large overhangs so no water gets in.  They lighting, electric, a table inside and out, and plenty of floor space if you have to abandon tent.
We got to our site about noon.  Then everyone put the hustle on to get unloaded and set up before the next wave of rain. Mostly done be the time floodgates opened, but Dave did get caught in it for a few minutes.  We waited out and ate lunch.  Discovered we forgot the propane for stove.  So I called around and they had it right in town at the hardware store.
Once weather broke again we all loaded up in my car and took off.  First the hardware store then to try geocacheing.  The rain started again as we got to our first site - a very old cemetery off a dirt road.  We got close but never found the cache.  The cemetery had some very old stones nearly two years old.  The kids and I enjoyed looking at them.  Then we got caught in a downpour and had to run for the car.  David and Zoe were dry waiting for us lol. The rain let up as we got to the second site, the entrance to a campground that had huge raised flower beds.  Dave found this one!  Next two sites were another cemetery and  picnic area.  We didn't find the caches, but had fun exploring. 
Back at the campground I took a nap while Dave taught the kids how to make a fire with wet wood. We thankfully had no more downpours. They got me up around 6 to make dinner.  We had mac meat a camping favorite.  I also had purposefully brought two canned food items.  This gave Dave an opportunity to teach the kids to use the can openers in their packs.  Audrey did the best. 
After dinner we sat around the fire a bit, then decided to hang in the tent to watch Live pd.  I love Direct TV on my tablet for such occasions, Dave hooked it up to a small monitor and wall laa.  We intended to make Smores but everyone crashed out.  Trevor and I were up on a potty break in the middle of the night.  We saw a whole herd of deer, about 30 head, right across from us.  He loved that.  Then we walked by the lake with birds squawking at us.  We ended up sleeping in late till 10 or so. 
I made our usual breakfast of burritos.  After the kids ran around playing a bit. But it was getting hot out, really hot and humid.  We decided to scrap our hike due to mud and muggy. Broke down camp and headed home about 1pm.
In case your interested the cost of the shelter was $30 only $10 more than our normal site.  Plus $5 gate fee for adults.  So $40.

Thursday, October 11th, 2018

Snapshot :

Start: 6:30 pm End 4:00 am

Quiet night, small blessing, fun conversations, made about $200.

Tonight's plan was a typical Thursday night airport drives with a TCU game thrown in.  I didn't make it back to Fort Worth to work any of the game, but I took the rides left behind by those that did. 

• Really nothing too interesting in first few rides.  My first ride to the airport was fun.  He was British and I just loved hearing him have a conversation with his daughter on the phone.  He lives here now in Chicago.  We also had a great conversation about different parts of America, but the cool part was his English LOL. 
• Few more airport runs.  I picked up Ms. Ellie she was a hoot.  Her family has ended up being half here and half in Chicago.  She lives in Chicago.  Her cousins entered her in a contest at 6 Flags this weekend where she basically has to lay in coffin for 30 hours.  There are breaks but that is basically it.  She made the top 6, if she wins then she gets the coffin and $600.  Her cousins want the coffin to make a sled, her Meme it wants to save some money in the near future !!!  She finds it all hysterical as the reason she won was her cousins put on the application that one of her hobbies was laying around doing nothing.  Sounds like some of my crazy cousins.  We had a great conversation on her ride to Dallas about this and other stuff.  Good Luck Ellie! 
• I had a few more rides then a stop at my one of my favorite QTs on Mockingbird in Dallas.  {yes one of my least favorite is on Mockingbird too LOL} I just needed gas and the potty.  I started the gas then ran in before the other need was an issue.  There is usually at least one homeless there of varying sobriety.  One tonight stopped me in my tracks - he asked for .60 cents and I totally heard him ask for something else.  EEK! So I told him I have no money and moved on.  I'm on the potty when God decides to intervene stating it's not like me to brush off the homeless like that.  I told God I really don't have cash tonight.  His answer was that I have my wallet.  I look over and I did bring in my wallet.  Normally I don't if I'm just going to the restroom.  But there it was.  Ok God what does he need?  Dinner.  Anything special?  (I was a bit sassy tonight)  A hot dog, chips and drink will do.  So I got this guy his dinner and took it to him.  But he was in a darker part of the lot so I didn't stay long.  God didn't say anything else so I guess I'm good for the moment. 
• I had a few more rides for the night but nothing else stands out.  

Side note I haven't driven all week due to be so tired from last weekend.  And I'm not driving this weekend as we are going camping.  I will probably blog on the camping.  :)

Saturday, October 6th, 20

Snapshot ...
Start 4pm End 2:30
230 miles, 19 Uber trips, $220 ish
Lots of smiles, a bit frustrating and a few really good conversations.

• Dragged myself out today, so sleepy.  I wanted to start in Dallas as that is where $$$ is tonight.  Got 4 trips on the way to Fairpark. A few pickups and drops from there.
• Picked up an Indian young man in downtown, long ride back to his hotel in Plano.  He is headed back to India tomorrow.  He works for an American bank branch in India; comes here once a year for training.  We talked about India and changes that are happening there.  I told him about Answer International. 
• Few more pick ups and drops, then off to Arlington for Swift part 2.  Several trips from there including a Canadian couple that is loving their Texas vacay. 
• My last trip from the concert was going to Fort Worth, perfect.   I thought at first they were a bit odd as they have been to the last six Taylor Swift concerts on this tour! But actually they were cool.  The guy and I bonded over us both having horrible parents.  LOL ... I won for the worst as my parents currently refuse to acknowledge I exist. 
• Picked up a few more drunk calls, my last for the night was a middle aged Helen.   She is a journalist from London here researching our law enforcement and the effect politics has in enforcing the law.  You know we had quite the conversation.

I'm totally beat, it was a busy but blessed weekend.  So glad we have a 12 30 service at church.