Troubleshooting Trucks

What exactly is a troubleshooter? In Webster's Dictionary it states a troubleshooter as "one whose work is to find and repair or eleminate mechanical breakdowns and other sources of trouble." When we have trucks that come in the shop, people will explain it as doing something "it wines in the front, it makes a clunck in the rear end". It is then our job to decipher the customers description to determine what the actual problem is.

Jon has a great ability of figuring truck problems out. What is his secret you ask? Jon says it is having access to factory training (OEM), years of experience working on large trucks and being a little stubborn, as well. These traits make him into a great troubeshooter. If you have a problem with your truck and need troubleshooting done, call Jon at 318-1648.

Ups and Downs in Trucking

Here it is fall again and we are getting to our slow time. Oh, we still have trucks in the shop but not like we did in the summer. This is always a worrisome time for me...will we make enough money to pay our employees, will we have enough business, have we made someone mad that they're not coming back now, little things like this. At the same time, I think of how wonderfully great my God is and how he can provide everything that I need. And He always does. So this falls inline with my last post, 3 months ago, that I have to keep the faith. Thanks for listening!

Keeping the Faith

Well, a lot has changed since I last wrote. My cousin decided that this wasn't the place he needed to be and decided to go back to SD. I am proud of him for coming out here and checking it out. Since then we have hired 2 people, one intern and one mechanic and so far it's working out. But my question is, when you have hired people, why doesn't the work stay consistent? I need to believe and trust in God in this area. I think, is there more that I can do? Should I be advertising more and sending out more mailers? Is that even working? Then I think maybe it's because the for sale sign is posted in our yard? Or maybe it's the time of year, right before the fair? Or maybe it's because......So many questions and not a lot of answers. That is why I need to trust God and know that He has it all planned out just as it's supposed to be. I believe that is called faith!

Employee has been found!!!

We have been looking high and low for an employee and have finally found one. My cousin, DJ from South Dakota, is going to come out here for the summer. He has been laid off for a few months now and hasn't been able to find any work. He is a welder by trade and a hard worker and I'm confident that he will be able to work with us. He'll be here the week of the 22nd and we are very excited. Can't wait for you to meet him!!

Working while in pain

I have been dealing with a shoulder pain for the last week and a half and it is irritating! I know that I need to be at work, happy and ready to deal with the issues at hand, but it's tough when you don't feel 100%. My friend has MS and she is in constant pain, and I don't know how she deals with that. I have been looking for any relief that I can find. I decided to try a naturopath after all, I have been doing almost everything else; massage, chiropractor, tylenol, whatever I could do. I went on Monday and his practices are DEFINETLY different. But at this point, I don't care as long as I get some relief. Today I'm feeling pretty good but I don't want to jinx it since yesterday, I would not have said that. I'm better able to deal with customers and vendors when I am feeling good. I hope it continues to get better...say a prayer for me! Thanks

Sharice

Happy Anniversary to US!

It has been 16 glorious years of wedded bliss for us today (is that to syrupie??). I am trying to remember what we have done in the years past and it's hard to recall each one. Some we spent away for the weekend, some we went out to supper and some we spent working like today. These past 3 years though, we have been able to spend the day together at the shop. It's one of the advantages of working together, we can atleast spend special days with each other. These past 16 years have been full of up's and down's but one thing has remained the same...our love for each other. I am glad that we are one of those couples who are more in love each year. So...happy anniversary to us!!! And many more years to come.

Sharice

Luxury of owning your OWN business

This week has been very busy here at the shop. The Lord has blessed us with lots of business from all different customers, which in this time of economic slow downs and layoffs, makes us very fortunate. As long as we have our own business I will always be insured a job. I know there are LOTS of people that don't have that luxury right now and are looking for something, anything, so they can keep their homes, cars and their own self worth. All I can say is please hold on, God has something planned for each and every one of you and I am certain that it will happen JUST at the right time. As my friend Freida says, "God's Perfect Timing". We thank God every day for this opportunity that He has laid before us and pray the people out there without jobs will get one soon. Have a GREAT Friday!!!

Sharice

Loving computers....NOT!!!

Yesterday started out like any other Friday, got up, took a shower, got dressed, drove to work and had some breakfast. Jon and I were talking before we started our day and then CRASH....the computer popped up warnings that it was highly infected with some virus and something needed to be done. Now, being the calm, cool and collected person that I am, I told Jon just to go ahead and run the popup to fix the problem. Suddenly....I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that this could make it worse. (Jon was actually having the same feeling.) I said "no I'll call the IT guy, just and cancel it." Well, Jon tried, and tried, and tried to get out of it and couldn't...I knew there was a problem.


I called Lynden IT and spoke to the manager Chris, who told me what I should do. For one thing, I mentioned that I had something called "Trojans" and he informed me that they are VERY BAD. When I told him how many I had, he told me to shut it down right away. (I was starting to get a little nervous.) He informed me that they would have to come and take my tower and scan my harddrive to see what's all infected then "destroy" (my word) the viruses that I have.


At the point, I was in a panic. I let him know that this was our only business computer and that I needed it to do our work. He sympathized with me but informed me that there was nothing he could do until someone had a chance to look at it. I asked him how long he'd have to take it for and at this point he said he didn't know.


Ok, now I am FREEKING OUT, what I am going to do without the computer, how am I going to run work orders, how am I going to schedule customers, can I remember what we have going on for today....ahhhh??? A plethora of stuff was racing through my mind at this point. I broke the news to Jon and then my eyes started to well up from the stress of it all. (Why women do this when there is stress, I'll never understand). He was very calm and let me know that it would be alright and this was even a good thing. What if our computers went down someday and we had to go back to the old way. (I listened but was not happy about the thought of writing everything manually.)

To make a very loooooong story shorter, Lacey came and picked up my computer and had it back to me by 4:30pm that afternoon. When she called earlier in the day and said it would be done that afternoon, I was sooooo happy! She explained to me that they had gotten rid of all the viruses and she walked me through some options that she installed that will help my computer in the future. They still have our laptop but tat is not as crucial.

So now, I have my computer back, I am thrilled with Lynden IT and their service and I am thinking that I had better start backing up everything on my computer in case this would ever happen again. Can anyone say "Carbonite"???

Sharice

Same words...different meaning

If you would have said to me 3+ years ago that I would be running a truck repair shop with Jon, I would have said you were crazy. He is a great mechanic who knows his stuff but what do I know about this business?

Well, I have learned a lot. The terminology for one thing has been an eye opener to me. I have learned that when I say "truck" to a diesel mechanic that I had better be referring to a semi-truck not to a pick up. (I still make that mistake from time to time but I am getting better). It is not gas that the trucks have in their tanks it is "fuel"and when talking about a specific truck I must know the "make" of the truck (Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, etc...). This has broadened my knowledge plus expanded my vocabulary which can't be all bad.

I am learning everyday and Jon is patient with me as I'm a "baby" when it comes to this industry. So...it's off to learn a new word today, I wonder what it will be?

Back to the grind....

This weekend was wonderful Easter spent in worship and with friends. Now it's time to go back to the shop and get back to work. It was hard to get up this morning and get going but I need to go to support Jon and our business. That is one thing that I really love about our business is that we can build it together. Many people have said "I don't know how you can work with your spouse" and I just say to them that "I can't imagaine not having him there." I'm not saying that we don't have our disagreements, we do, but all in all we get along really well. And it's made me appreciate, even more, his ability and knowledge of the trucking industry plus what great mechanic he really is! Enjoy your Monday!

Sharice

Happy Birthday again....

It is my Mom's (Heather) birthday today. As my cousin recently told me that July must have been a "good" month for my Grandma and Grandpa since they have 3 out of 6 children born in April. I spoke with my Mom this morning and she sounded great! Her birthday sometimes falls around Easter and I believe it was 2 or 3 years ago it fell on the day. This is such a great time of the year to have a birthday, spring is usually here and everything seems fresh once again. We are celebrating Easter tomorrow and it's a renewal of what Jesus did for me in dieing on the cross and rising again. Hopefully it won't be raining tomorrow as I am going to a sunrise service (with Jon of course) at BriarCroft. This will be my first sunrise service I have attended. I am looking forward to it. I hope everyone has a blessed Easter with family and friends. He is risen...Indeed!!

Sharice

Lynden Lions Club

Jon and I became Lynden Lions last night (ROAR!!) and what a night it was. We had the official installation but before that it was mostly eating, fun, and fellowship. The Tailtwister (for you fellow Lions you know what that is) had chosen a game where she picked people from the group that had to act and sound like a Easter bunny. Well, it turned out to be more like an Easter duck/chicken and Jon was chosen as one of five to participate in the game. I haven't seen Jon cutloose like that for a long time. He croched down to a squat, tucked his arms in his armpits (wings) and started making some sort of clucking noise. It was hilarious! To make a long story short, he ended up winning the contest. He was given green bunny ears and a yellow bird (looked like a miniture Big Bird) that bounced around from the neck. He was so proud that he won, that he wore both of them the rest of the night. He was beeming from ear to ear over his great achievement. Thank you to the Lynden Lions for making last night one that will be very memorable to both of us.

Sharice

Good Friday

Well, it is Good Friday and for some it's a day of vacation others not. For me, this year especially, it's a day of reflection and prayer on what Jesus did for me so many years ago. And now because of this sacrifice Jon and I are able to praise him openly and live our lives to the full. He has provided everything we need including this business. We are blessed by it everyday in the challenges which make us stronger and the successes that make us appreciate peoples generous hearts. I hope that you will take this day to reflect what Jesus did for you, whether you are a believer or not, He made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

Happy birthday to....

I love celebrating my birthday or Jon's birthday. We'll take any reason for a celebration. Today we are celebrating My Aunt Becky's birthday from a distance as she lives in South Dakota. She is such a blessing to Jon and myself. She is the 2nd to the youngest of 6 kids on my Mom's side. She has encouraged Jon and I in this business and we want to be an encouragement to her today and each day to come. We spoke with her this am and she sounds great! So, raise you're glass to Becky today and celebrate with us!!

Sharice

New customer/Old friend

A friend that used to attend our church just came in and wanted some work done. It was really nice to see her plus to have work for tomorrow. God is good at providing just what we need when we need it. We are very blessed.

Blogging 101

Well, I'd never thought I'd be a blogger as my life isn't that interesting but here goes. I am a women on a journey with my husband running a small business. We have had our repair shop for over 3 years now and it's definitely been quite the experience. When we started the business atleast the economy was good but if we had started it this year I don't know what it would have been like. I guess God just had everything come together in 2005 for us and we have never looked back. We have had other challenges in our life but I'll save that for another time. If your viewing this welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy it.

Sharice