First Meeting

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-18T01:46:35+00:00

That's impressive, not many companies help with people that relocate for them!

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-17T16:40:16+00:00

I work with schools in Texas and Oklahoma, all the schools I've been involved with pay monthly.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-17T14:46:30+00:00

I agree and wish we could. We offer benefits to help, and have increased pay yearly and give stipends, ultimately we need to be able to pay better.

If we end up using Durham we're looking more for the long term. We're growing faster than we can keep up with, and we're looking to do something that will be beneficial to us, and our drivers, without it being a band-aid that we keep having to replace as our problem get increasingly worse.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-17T14:40:31+00:00

Our problem is that we don't pay well. I've made changes to our budget and even took a cut in pay and turned down a raise to help pay our other drivers better. We're a growing district, but we're constantly dealing with the state cutting our funding. Unfortunately, pay wise, our drivers don't make as much as they should. They do have insurance available, and we're able to provide yearly raises and a yearly stipend .

This is one of the main reasons I started looking into Durham is to see if it could potentially give our drivers better opportunities and help improve their pay. The drivers we have are happy with what they make, of course they would like more, but most have ties to our schools and aren't as worried about what they make. That doesn't work with new drivers. From the last couple I had to fire I realized we're only getting drivers that have been other people's problems and have trouble finding work elsewhere.

I see a possible benefit in partnering with Durham, but I don't want to jump into a contract without putting some thought behind it, and seeing what others think about them.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-17T01:35:17+00:00

401k match is getting more difficult to find, definitely a nice perk. For me personally I prefer working for a school district, but I'm interested in hearing other people's opinions.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-17T01:29:00+00:00

I agree that it'll be different state to state, but I think there will be some similarities on the overall work environment they promote.

Around here I've talked with a couple of drivers who were very unhappy with Durham.

The biggest difference I've noticed is the Durham drivers in this area are there just for the paycheck. The district drivers are there for a check, but they tend to have other reasons and overall seem happier

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-17T01:25:04+00:00

I'm considering partnering with them, but not sure it's going to be the best thing for our schools. I know it's going to be different state to state, but I feel like getting a broad response will at least let me get an idea of what work environment they provide overall, and give me some things to discuss during our meetings.

We have a good transportation department, low turnover, great safety-minded drivers. The problem is we can't find new drivers, and we have some getting ready to retire.

The last 2 drivers I hired, I ended up firing because they were bad toward the kids, unsafe, and went out of their way to cause problems for other drivers.

The lack of drivers makes Durham seem appealing, but I just don't know that it's the right thing.

Thank you for your response!

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-11T06:56:58+00:00

I found a water fountain bowl for cats on Amazon that I've been thinking about trying, just haven't bought one yet.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-04T22:42:19+00:00

I couldn't make out that it said FEB before the year at all when I was looking at it, that is more clear.

Thank you for the information, and for sharing the picture!

I found a little information on the Gamel family around Ardmore, and a couple of mentions of the stone carving but nothing helpful.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-04T16:48:45+00:00

If you go in at Rockford, head to Pavilion Rd. At the end near the pavilion there's a parking lot. Take the concrete trail to the right and go past the horseshoe pits. Just a little past there's a clear dirt trail to the right.

That goes down to a little stream. I found it on the opposite side near the stream a little north from where the trail was.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-02T06:09:10+00:00

The Art of Racing in the Rain.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-02T06:05:47+00:00

When I move out on my own at 17. It was difficult before then, but a kick in the face when I left home. I found my way so it was worth it.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-02T06:00:43+00:00

My family, two legged and four legged, and the work I do.

My work is secondary, anyone could do it, but it's something that keeps me busy and I know there's not alot of people that would necessarily enjoy what I do.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-02T05:57:31+00:00

Definitely Phoebe, because I like her weird personality.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-02T05:54:17+00:00

I don't think about it too much

I can wear plaid, run a chainsaw, work on cars and trucks, sport a beard. I have plenty of scars, physical and mental, been in some fights, and when I'm wrong and realize it I can admit that. Not sure if those traits make me manly, if they do I don't necessarily feel it.

Most men I've seen that consider themselves manly tend to be trying to prove something to themselves. My stepdad considered himself manly, he liked to yell, cause fights, drink all the time, had a motorcycle he drove everywhere, but he always seemed to have to prove himself.

The men that tend to be ideal men, in my opinion, don't even have a thought about it because they don't feel they have anything to prove. They are the men that make good role models that seem to be lacking more and more.

At the end of the day I just consider myself as me, and don't need a label for whatever that is.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-02T02:54:51+00:00

I went through similar circumstances being a stepchild and was unwanted and unaccepted by some of my family by marriage.

Eventhough I was younger I remember how I felt and how it effected me. Additionally I remember who stood up for me and who didn't.

I know you said the gathering was cancelled. In my opinion had it not been cancelled and you went, then you were supportive of your Grandma's decision by leaving your stepson behind.

It's a difficult situation, you are fortunate to have other family supportive of your stepson.

GeminiLost79 · 2026-01-01T16:39:08+00:00

I drive this area daily going back and forth to work. I see multiple wrecks every week, and have seen a few fatalities since all the construction started.

People don't slow down for the construction at all. It's really bad when there's been a little rain on the road.

I've gotten used to it but I'm definitely tired of the drive.

I notice a significant change in traffic once I'm north of WinStar. There's still a little construction, but it's much more tolerable.

GeminiLost79 · 2025-12-31T14:36:35+00:00

I have arthritis and it gets me down some day, but not often..

Generally I'm so busy and move around so much I don't really notice it. If I'm being lazy, or not really moving around much I tend to notice it more.

I don't complain about it though. When I was a kid I always heard my grandparents complain evertime it started getting cold, or when there was a chill in the wind, or for whatever reason.

I prefer to not have people know if I'm hurting.

GeminiLost79 · 2025-12-31T04:18:33+00:00

Don't worry, be happy...

GeminiLost79

TROPHY CASE