Bus Stop .. Bus Stop

This is a bus stop that I see twice a day ... every day.

It's up a dirt road in the woods ...

yes, the road does split around that tree in the middle.

This afternoon I was ever so grateful to see this bus stop.

It is my next to last one. It seems that Friday afternoons I have a larger crowd going home than usual in the afternoon. Then just before my 1st bus stop a little girl vomited. So at the stop, I was using paper towels to clean up the seat and floor ... and gave her some towels to clean herself up. Then I go down the street, loop around, and am coming back out ... when the boy across from her vomited. So I pulled over and gave him some paper towels. Those two kids and 5 more all piled out at the next stop. Thank goodness. Now if I can just get George to sit down in his seat ... and keep anyone from sitting next to Jordan ... there might be less activity and trauma.

Oh, the regular driver isn't coming back for another week ...

more visits to the doctor to make sure she is alright.

2 Days of Driving.

2 days of driving the bus as a substitute while the regular driver is busy visiting with the doctors. There are two little boys that like to team up on loud chants. They sit in the front ... I'd like to move them at least 6 seats further back ... and introduce them to duct tape. Who knows what imaginative things they could do with it? And they don't get off until the far end of the route.

In between runs I tinker with metal and a welder.

And go to bed early.

Tomorrow is emergency evacuation drills.

Busy Day

After doing the little 516 mile trip last night to deliver a load ... I made it to bed about 2:00 a.m. Got up at 7 ... puttered in the shop ... then headed out for DAV about 9:30 a.m. ... got a call on my cell phone from the school district asking me to ride with one of their drivers this afternoon so I could substitute for her on Thursday. Okay. Worked from 10 - 1 at DAV helping 2 people with their claims paperwork. The wife left a message to pick up some things at WalMart on the way home. Walked in the door ... gave her the food ... the turned around and left to go for the bus ride.

When we got to the school they were moving one of the busses out of the line-up ... some problem with the driver collapsing or being in a bad way. The superintendent said, "Grab that rider and have him drive the route." So, as the ambulance took away the lady who was driving the bus ... I had kids climbing on and was trying to figure out what to do. We picked up from a Middle School, an Elementary School, and then a High School. At which point I had to depend on the kids to tell me how to get them home. The last 3 were just 1st-graders giving me directions down a dirt road and to a trailer park to get them home. It worked! Other than me being a little stressed, the Principal wanting the camera tape to review (I have no idea where it is or how to get it out), and the Superintendent saying,

"Keep driving the route until further notice."

The lady had nausea, chest pains, and a numb arm ...

Yes, it's been raining off-and-on for the last couple of days.

And I'll have to be up about 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

to get the bus, do a pre-trip inspection, and pick up the first kid at the far end of the county at 6:25 a.m.

Humanure -- nothing better to do ...

This is one of the more amusing and informative reads that I have come across. It can even be downloaded free:

http://humanurehandbook.com/contents.html

The one that we made and used in our mobile home is actually pictured in the book ... how do we know? We recognize the trailer wallpaper and floor vent. :-)

DAV CSO Training

I spent the last 2 days at a training seminar for DAV Service Officers. The objective was to learn how to help disabled veterans do the paperwork to sign up for VA (Veterans Administration) medical benefits. Many have given their lives and body parts in the name of Freedom and the American way. Protecting our country by fighting the "enemy" out there ... instead of us having to do it at home on our shores. And so that others may have the freedom to live as we do.

This help is FREE to any veteran.

They do not have to be a member of the DAV.

My father was a WWII veteran and a POW (Prisoner of War).

I honor him and all others like him.