The Builder’s Shift

After a long day on the road, I spent tonight following up and reaching out to local organizations. Tomorrow, I’m starting a new 90 day LiveGood challenge with a goal of helping 25 people get started by the end of December.

I’m still driving. I’m still building this one day at a time. I’ll share what I’m doing, what I’m learning, and the results honestly.

If you’re a working person looking at better wellness options or exploring a way to build income outside your regular job, tell me which one interests you: health or income? I’ll point you to the right information.

Day 90. Back on the road after a weekend with family and community.

Today was a drop and hook in Sumter, SC, fuel in Lexington, SC, and a shutdown in Evergreen, AL. Nothing dramatic, just another day showing up and doing the work.

Still grateful.

Happy Wednesday. Day 85.

After an eight hour wait to replace the air compressor line, I reached PCA Jackson around 10 last night and found myself tenth in line for a live unload. I finally got unloaded around 5:30 this morning.

I arrived at International Paper in Pine Hill around 6:30. No line this time. Checked in, passed the trailer inspection, backed into a dock, and now I’m watching the sunrise while I wait to get loaded.

The driving schedule has been all over the place, but I’m grateful the repair got me moving safely. Checking in from the dock.

Day 84 reminded me that progress does not always look like moving forward on the highway.

A low air pressure reading led me to stop at Love’s in Hogansville. The problem turned out to be a busted air compressor line that could have left me stranded or created a serious safety risk.

The truck is still waiting for replacement parts, but the day was not wasted. I used the downtime to complete follow ups and send several new fundraising outreach emails.

The truck may be stopped, but the building continues.

Long day. Short miles. Still grateful.

Day 83.

The blown drive tire was replaced within two hours. The replacement is noticeably different from the other three drive tires, so I’ll continue monitoring it and make sure the company is aware.

Afterward, I made it to SSP in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and got unloaded. The tire delay meant the next shipper in Alpharetta was already closed before I could arrive, so I completed the driving portion of the day in Braselton, Georgia.

The schedule changed, but the day was not wasted. I got on the MacBook and completed another round of outreach along with a few other tasks before wrapping up.

Not every productive day follows the original plan. Sometimes progress means adjusting and using what remains.

Still safe. Still building. Still grateful.

Checking in before shutting down for the night.

Day 83 on the road.

I started the morning at 0630 and fueled in Corbin, Kentucky. A drive tire later blew out on TN 73 near I 40 Exit 440.

I was able to move the truck safely into a closed fuel island and contact roadside assistance.

Days like this are a reminder that progress does not always follow the schedule. Sometimes the job is simply to stay calm, protect the equipment, communicate clearly, and handle the next step.

The delay is temporary. The work continues.

BuilderShifts milestone: 100 fundraising outreach emails sent.

The work has included researching organizations, verifying contact information, checking for duplicates, sending personalized messages, and scheduling follow ups.

Today’s 34 hour reset provides another opportunity to continue building the system, with five new Georgia organizations scheduled for outreach.

Progress is rarely one big move. It is usually a repeatable process carried out consistently.

Good evening and happy Friday.

Day 80.

Today was mostly uneventful, but it included several trailer swaps.

I left the safe haven around 7:10 this morning and headed toward PCA Tomahawk. After fueling in Poynette, I continued to Tomahawk, dropped the loaded trailer, and picked up an empty trailer that needed its annual DOT inspection.

I took that trailer to North Central Utility, swapped it for a repaired trailer, and brought it back to PCA. From there, I hooked up to a preloaded trailer headed for Spartanburg, South Carolina.

My hours ran out in Wausau, Wisconsin, so I shut down at a TPC lot with five minutes left on my drive clock.

It was a long day with plenty of dropping and hooking, but the work is done and I am safely parked.

Always grateful. Checking in before shutting down for the night.

Good evening, everyone. Happy Tuesday.

Day 77.

Another uneventful Tuesday, and I am still grateful for a safe day on the road.

I departed the rest area in Portage around 7:30 this morning, stopped at Love’s in North Baltimore for fuel, and continued south to Morganton, North Carolina.

I arrived about two hours and forty minutes behind schedule, but the delivery was completed. I ended the shift safely at Love’s in Statesville, where I am parked for the night before heading to the next pickup.

Not every day brings excitement. Some days are simply about staying steady, completing the assignment, and making it safely to the next stop.

Checking in before shutting down for the night. Always grateful.

Good evening and happy Friday.

Day 73.

One of those uneventful days, but the load still had to move.

I got loaded late last night and stayed at PCA DeRidder. Started rolling around 5:30 this morning, fueled at Love’s in North Little Rock, and completed the shift at Love’s in Marion, Illinois.

Not every day on the road brings a big story. Some days are simply about staying consistent, doing the work, and arriving safely.

Checking in before shutting down for the day. Always grateful.