December 24, 2024 • 34 mins
What’s better than swapping holiday stories with friends who just get it? In this festive episode, the Enjoying Life OTRteam is sharing their favorite Christmas memories—whether from childhood, precious family time, or the open road. It’s a chance to connect, reflect, and celebrate the season together.
Your hosts Cindy Tunstall and Malinda Fox-Wellington are joined by our "Roadie and Guide on the Side" Dino Grigoriadis, along with our fun-loving team: Jess Graham, Joe Lee, Brian Wilson, and Gemma Ford. We’re taking a break to laugh, reminisce, and wish you all a "Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!"
Tune in to feel a little holiday magic, trucker style—it’s a celebration of the hardworking drivers who make every mile count and every holiday brighter. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Enjoying Life OTR!
Enjoying Life OTR—because LIVING WELL is worth the effort. We’re sparking curiosity, adventure, & resilience while honoring drivers and embracing a healthier trucking life. Discover creative life hacks & practical strategies to make the most of your time on the road. Join the movement!Explore, enjoy the food, snap the pic, and share tips on saving money along the way.
This podcast is for new and veteran drivers looking to stay mentally, physically, and financially strong while embracing the freedom of the road. We bring you real stories, expert advice, & practical tools to help you thrive, not just survive, in the trucking life.
Connect with Us: Join the Enjoying Life OTR Facebook Group – Share your journey, find trip recommendations, & connect with fellow drivers. Follow our Facebook page – Get the latest podcast episodes, trucking tips, & entertaining content. Visit our website – Explore our journey, see community highlights, and access resources for a healthier, more balanced OTR life.
For questions or to be a guest, email our host, Cindy Tunstall at EnjoyingLifeOTR@gmail.com #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dino Grigoriadis (00:08):
Welcome to Enjoying Life OTR.
Hey there, this is Dino, yourroadie and guide on the side.
It's good to be back and I'mreally glad that that roadie
wannabe, AI, didn't steal my job.
Listen, buddy, I'm oftenimitated but never duplicated,
so you can take that and shoveit where the microprocessor
don't shine.
I'm thrilled to be your hostfor tonight's special Christmas
(00:29):
episode.
We've got a sleigh full of funlined up just for you.
Not only will you hear somefestive Christmas music created
by the Enjoying Life OTR team,but you'll also get to hang out
with the crew as we share someof our favorite Christmas
memories, both from life on theroad and those cherished moments
spent at home.
Our lead team of professionaldrivers is here to spread some
(00:51):
holiday cheer and hopefullyspark a few of your own favorite
holiday memories.
So grab some hot cocoa, settlein and let's enjoy this festive
ride together.
You won't want to miss a minuteof it.
Cindy Tunstall (01:03):
Welcome back to Enjoying Life OTR.
My name is Cindy Tunstall andI'm your host, and we are having
a fantastic Christmascelebration with you today.
So I know many of you aredriving on this holiday and the
team just thought, hey, whydon't we hop on, share some
favorite Christmas memories, andthis will be a great
opportunity, a way for you toget to know the Enjoying Life
OTR team.
(01:24):
We have the whole gang on thecall today, so that's incredible
.
In no particular order, we haveRyan Wilson, joe Lee, melinda
Fox, wellington, jess Graham,gemma Ford and Dino Gregoriales,
so we have the whole gang onHello everybody.
How are you doing?
Hi everybody, Happy holidays,Merry Christmas to all of you.
(01:45):
Well, we're going to share somefun Christmas memories.
So to kick us off, we have JessGraham.
Welcome to the show, Jess Hi.
Jess Graham (01:52):
I'm so happy that we were able to get together
tonight and I love being able toget to know all of the fellow
OTRs out here.
It's really great when we getto connect.
We see each other on theinternet and share our
adventures, but to hear eachother's voices it really does
give us a little bit extraspecial.
(02:12):
I think I want to talk about myfavorite journey home for
Christmas in the truck.
I have been OTR for 12 yearsnow, and so I'm never a hundred
percent sure if I'm going tomake it home for Christmas, and
this was about 2017.
Tyler and loves were competingfor my company's fuel dollars,
(02:37):
and so loves came out and, forlike six months, was giving us
like 15 points per gallon orsomething.
It was something so incrediblyridiculous to get us to fuel
there instead of at the pilot,and so, like every single day we
fueled, we were getting like 40, 50, $60 in points to spend at
(03:00):
Love's and I'm like what am Igonna do with all of this?
And it was about October.
I started collecting not the bigstuffed animals, but the
ginormous stuffed animals likethe biggest ones they have in
the stores for my daughter andmy nieces and nephews and my
(03:23):
partner's grandbabies.
So my top bunk over the nextlike three months was slowly
filling up to where I was.
By the time I pulled into thedriveway of the house the day
before Christmas, I was sleepingwith some giant stuffed animals
(03:45):
because I'd ran out of room onthe top bunk.
I think I had 14 of the biggestone.
I mean every single one of themthe giant monkey, the some of
the unicorns, like it was insane.
They were just spilling outfrom everywhere and so Christmas
morning we dragged them all in,when everybody was asleep, into
(04:08):
the house and we woke up to thekids screaming because the
entire living room was prettymuch filled with these giant
stuffed animals.
So that's, I think, one of myfavorite memories of like I've
always been a collector.
I collect things along the way,treats that I can't get at home
(04:30):
, that are regional, todifferent areas that I've gone,
and it's a way for me to say hey, when I was in North Carolina I
saw this and thought we shouldtry it when we get home.
So it's usually like a regionalcandy or a cereal or something
that's that we can't get at home, but in this area they have it
and it's popular and that's beenone of my ways to connect.
Cindy Tunstall (04:51):
I love that story so much, so great.
Joe Lee (04:56):
That is cool.
Jess Graham (04:57):
Yeah, it's, it's been fun to to see the different
things you know I've been ableto bring home and experience
over the years.
And it's, it is, it's.
It's not only that, it's whenyou give it to your kid or your
grandkid or your niece or nephew, it's I was in this area and I
thought of you and it helpsconnect, you know, and then when
(05:18):
they're looking at it or whenthey're they're playing with it,
they remember hey, you know,aunt Jess or Mom was thinking
about me and got this for me.
So it's one of those ways and Ithink people ask all the time
how do you connect with yourkids when you're over the road?
(05:38):
And I found that throughcollecting.
It's been an adventure becausewe're building something
together.
It's a collection of something,whether it's treats or, you
know, toys, and it's changedover the years.
You know, one year she wantedt-shirts and so we were getting
different funny t-shirts fromdifferent states.
She's gotten all the magnets,you know that kind of thing.
Cindy Tunstall (05:59):
So fun.
Great way for your family tofeel connected to your journey,
so I love that you did that.
Enjoying Life OTR AI (06:15):
Snowflakes falling on, the interstate
Lights are twinkling.
The season won't wait, milesaway, but you're still so near.
Every gift holds a love I wishI could share here the stuff
bear tucked in my cap's frontseat for the moment.
We hug when our hearts willmeet.
(06:35):
Every mile I drive, I'mthinking of you.
Making christmas memories,though the road is my view on a
christmas wheels keep rolling on.
Carry your love from dusk tilldawn, through the cold and the
dark.
I feel your light.
Every mile connects us.
On a silent night through,enjoy your life.
(06:58):
O-t-r-s-m-i-l-o-v-e.
True, these christmas miles areall for you.
Snow glow shines from a truckstop shop, a tiny reminder that
the miles won't stop.
But every trinket I find alongthe way is my heart's little
(07:19):
message saying I'll be homesomeday, through the rain, the
sleet and the winter's chill.
I'm dreaming of you as I climbeach hill and I'll be home
someday, through the rain, thesleet and the winter's chill.
I'm dreaming of you as I climbeach hill.
The road is long, but love makesit right.
Every gift says I'm with youthis Christmas night.
(07:40):
All the Christmas wheels keeprolling on.
Carry your love from dusk tilldawn, through the cold and the
dark.
I feel your light.
Every mile connects us On asilent night Through.
Enjoy life, o-t-r-s.
In my love.
True, these Christmas miles Areall for you.
Through the rain I roll, you'remy guiding star, though I'm out
(08:11):
here never far.
Every gift I choose, every noteI write Carries my love.
This Christmas night, christmaswheels keep rolling on,
carrying love from dusk tilldawn, through the cold and the
dark.
I feel your light.
(08:32):
Every mile connects us on thissilent night.
Enjoy life, o-t-r.
I send my love through.
These Christmas smiles are allfor you.
So here's to the loved ones wehold so dear.
Every mile brings us closer,year after year.
(08:52):
From all of us rolling down theline.
Merry Christmas.
From Enjoying Life, otr.
You're always on my mind.
Cindy Tunstall (09:10):
Okay, who wants?
Joe Lee (09:13):
to go next.
I'll go Well.
Her story kind of got me goinga little bit.
My name is Joel and I'm a truckdriver.
I've been driving for 18 years.
My name is Joel and I'm a truckdriver.
I've been driving for 18 yearsand coming into the holiday
(09:38):
season and have a lot ofmemories come to mind over the
years, both before driving truckand since driving truck.
The holidays actually have kindof over the last several years,
taken on some real mixedemotions for me my mother when I
was a kid, always Christmas wasa special time for her.
But she did all the holidays.
She had big Easter dinner andThanksgiving dinner and
(10:01):
Christmas was always that thingwith her and she kind of kept it
in the family and kept thingsgoing.
And since she passed away 18years ago, shortly after I
started driving trucks, things,things took on a big change and
you know, my wife and I we triedto keep things together and and
(10:22):
keep some of the familytraditions and stuff.
But one special Christmas sinceI started driving comes to mind
and it was about probably 12years ago, 11 years ago, and we
hadn't seen our grandson in anumber of years.
My son-in-law and daughter weredivorced and we hadn't seen him
(10:43):
in a number of years.
My son, son-in-law and daughterwere divorced and we hadn't seen
him in a number of years andthey kind of reconciled and he
was coming to visit and you know, like I say, we hadn't seen him
in probably 10 years and sincehe was about four years old, so
he was coming to visit and so Iwent all out on Christmas and I
(11:06):
knew I was coming home.
I ended up I didn't get homeuntil about midnight but
everybody waited on theirChristmas Eve and waited to open
presents until I got there.
So we spent half the night.
It was probably four o'clock inthe morning, five o'clock in
the morning, when we finallyfinished unwrapping all the
presents and doing ourcelebrations.
(11:29):
But it's, driving can bedifficult, you know, when
getting home and things likethat it's always a kind of a
difficult time for us.
But that one special Christmasit sure stands out in my mind.
Cindy Tunstall (11:47):
So sweet.
I love that.
So precious that they waitedfor you.
Joe Lee (11:54):
Yeah, I was.
I was nervous about gettingthere and you know I was doing
everything right.
But you know how it is.
You get out on the road and youcan't always get empty as quick
as you want to and things takeextra time.
And you know, being that timeof year, you got traffic to deal
with and you know weather and Idon't recall what the weather
was like.
But anyways, I got thereanyways and it was a great night
(12:20):
and a lot of good memories weremade that night and I still
have a couple of videos.
My daughter reminds me of itOne of the special gifts I got,
throwing knives for my grandson,and I got a set for myself also
, and but didn't have a target.
(12:42):
So after after everything's done, you know, and we're sitting
there having Christmas cookiesand everything else I thought
what can we throw these knivesat?
I thought I'm changing thatbathroom door anyway.
So here I am in our bedroom andI've got one bathroom door open
(13:02):
and it was a walk-throughbathroom and the other one was
closed and all they could hearin the front room was what are
you guys doing?
And if my daughter comes in,she's like, oh my god, they're
throwing knives.
So yeah, and once in a whilethat video will pop up and
(13:29):
she'll she'll say how I rememberthis.
You know that facebook is.
It has a great way of remindingyou so fun well thanks for
hearing this, josh, I appreciateyou well, you're welcome, it
was.
It was fun to do this.
Cindy Tunstall (13:47):
Okay, who wants to go next?
Melinda, are you ready?
You got a Christmas memory youwant to share.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (13:53):
Yeah, you know, I grew up in a family
that was separated almost mywhole life, so I always had my
mom's side and my dad's side,and trying to juggle all of them
on the same day has been astruggle for sure, has been a
struggle for sure.
But I would say my farm isChristmas.
Mary is, ironically, prettymuch what they are now On the
(14:22):
road, going from one place toanother and jumping in, saying
hi, thanks for the gifts.
We're at food and then gettingback on the road again and then
talking how great it was to seeeverybody, while we're going to
the next family to see everybody.
Um, so on.
The road has been along-standing tradition for me
with christmas and the holidays,and you know it's still a
(14:45):
long-standing tradition becauseI am still on the road today,
even though I'm not going to bebouncing from family to family,
I'll be making deliveries or inbetween deliveries.
So to all the other drivers outthere on the road, like me, you
have a Merry Christmas and besafe out there.
Enjoying Life OTR AI musi (15:06):
We'll see you next time To our
enjoying life will be our crewThrough the miles and snowy
skies.
We're thinking about you.
We work hard to deliver Withlove in all we do.
(15:41):
Merry Christmas, near or farFrom our hearts to you.
The hum of wheels reminds us ofour favorite Christmas past, a
family around the fire andmemories that last.
Though the road is long, wefeel the seasons glow with every
twinkling light we pass andjolly songs we know.
(16:01):
Happy holidays to all, and joyand life will be our crew
Through the miles and snowyskies.
We're thinking about you.
We'll see you next time.
The love we carry in our heartswill guide us on our way To
(16:34):
those who wait with open armsfor special holidays.
No matter where the journeyleads, the spirit's always near.
Christmas on the road meanslove for all.
We hope so.
Dear Merry Christmas, we'll seeyou next time.
Hey guys, it's Dino.
Dino Grigoriadis (17:46):
My memory would be I think it was 2018.
Guys is Dino.
My memory would be I think itwas 2018.
Now, I mean, we all know thatwe miss many holidays and family
events as truck drivers, butfor what I do, I miss that much
more because we're literallygone all year because of what we
haul.
But 2018, I was on tour withTrans-Siberian Orchestra and you
(18:11):
know, between 3 and 10, we'renormally sleeping to get ready
for a show, for the drive afterthe show, I mean.
And that night every one of usgot knocks on our doors hey, get
up, get ready, you're going onstage.
We're like you're kidding me,right?
Like nope, nope, it's asurprise.
So they literally woke up.
(18:32):
All the drivers brought us outon the on the uh on the stage,
and the band literally turnedaround and thanked us for all
that we do and told the audiencethat, uh, you know, without
these guys, we wouldn't have ashow here.
Blah, blah, blah.
And to be recognized was reallycool, for us especially that
(18:52):
time of year when it wasChristmas Eve and everybody was
going home and we're doing acouple more shows missing our
family.
So it was a pretty good feelingto be acknowledged like that.
Cindy Tunstall (19:04):
Oh my gosh, I love that so much.
That's so great.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (19:09):
That is so cool.
Dino Grigoriadis (19:12):
It was, it was .
I mean, thank God we had ashort drive that night, but it
was real cool.
Cindy Tunstall (19:18):
Yeah that waking you up to come on stage.
Dino Grigoriadis (19:21):
Yeah, hey, get dressed.
Cindy Tunstall (19:24):
Now you're all wobbly crumbly.
You better be good.
Dino Grigoriadis (19:28):
I snuck in my phone because I put a button
down shirt on real quick and Istuck my phone on my pocket with
the camera facing out, so itwas kind of like I had a body
cam on.
So I got it somewhere on mylaptop.
But that was actually prettycool to actually go back and
look at it, you know, and thenintroduce us on stage and then
walk on stage.
Cindy Tunstall (19:48):
That's a great memory.
I love that, especially for thetype of work that you do.
It's so fitting that you wouldget to do something like that.
So unusual to go on stage.
I love it.
Dino Grigoriadis (19:57):
It's very thoughtful, right?
Yeah, this year I might getlucky and actually make it home
Christmas Eve.
Cindy Tunstall (20:02):
Oh, nice, well, I guess I'll go next, if that's
okay with everybody.
My favorite Christmas I have alot of fun Christmas memories,
but you know, as a mom too,especially.
But I thought of one that wasreally special for me At this
time.
My oldest daughter was alreadygrown and had moved out and my
middle daughter she was probablyI don't know maybe 10, 11 years
(20:27):
old and my youngest daughterwanted a trampoline that year.
She was really big intogymnastics and she wanted one of
those great big ones so shecould do flips on them and
everything.
I was like, oh, how am I goingto hide this from her?
You know, I kept saying no,we're not going to have that.
And I kept telling her it wastoo dangerous, I was afraid
she'd get hurt.
And of course, the whole timeI'm planning how I'm going to
(20:49):
get her trampoline, so I'mscheming and trying to think it,
and then I'm like I'm going toput it in the backyard right
before Christmas day, and wealways open gifts on Christmas
day and so I was thinking, howam I going to hide this from her
?
So we were all trying to keepher away from the backyard and
we had dogs.
So you know every day, you know, all day they're kidding,
they're out of school, sothey're letting the dogs in and
(21:10):
out, and every time she'd gonear the back door we're all
kind of holding our breathtrying to scooch her away from
the windows.
Um, anyway, that morning we areopening gifts and she still is.
You know, that was her big giftthat she wanted.
She wanted a trampoline and I'mstill down playing.
She's opened some little things.
You could tell she'sdisappointed.
And then we all told her to golook in the backyard and she was
(21:31):
so excited was screaming crazy.
But you know the thing that Iloved most about this memory,
because my middle daughter shehad gotten to that place where
she was now involved in theplanning, and her sister was
four years younger, so she wasinvolved in the planning and the
surprise.
And it's like the whole familygot involved, like we were
enjoying giving this gift to herand surprising her in this way.
(21:54):
But she was receiving andobviously she had a great time.
But it was just a really funmemory because I think every
year when the kids are growingolder, they're just very
different, you know, so that thememories are different and the
Christmases are all verydifferent when your kids are
growing up.
So it was just one that reallystuck out to me and, like that
was the year that she my middledaughter was like you know
(22:16):
realized that they're, you know,santa putting these special
gifts in their stockings.
And she looked at me kind ofside-eyed and was like mom, who,
who's putting stuff in yourstocking?
So it just kind of funny and Iwas like Santa wink, wink, you
know so, but it was just such afun memory for me.
So I love all those, um, I loveChristmas time, so I even, you
(22:37):
know I love everything about it.
So it's like I love gettingtogether with friends and family
and I love giving gifts and, um, just getting the everybody
just being in a better mood.
Of course, traffic's anightmare, so that's not not
super great, but I love theholidays, so I've been grateful
to get to share these memorieswith y'all.
Okay, who haven't we heard fromBrian?
(23:02):
You ready?
You got a Christmas memory youwant to share?
Brian Wilson (23:05):
Yeah, this is Brian Wilson.
I'm oh gosh, I'm anowner-operator.
I've been for about 30 yearsnow 32 years, I guess it is.
I drive a 2020 Volvo VNL 760.
I'm fixing to get a new truckhere in another couple months,
but I run mostly Midwest, getout on the East Coast once in a
while, but in the West Coast,but mainly the medially Midwest
(23:30):
Hauling general freight and thenin the spring and the fall, the
company I'm leased to we haulbedding plants out of Kalamazoo,
michigan.
But my memory just happened justa couple years ago.
We took, oh my goodness, my son, daughter and daughter-in-law
(23:53):
and two grandkids and we allwent to Florida for Christmas.
It was the year that thatreally bad blizzard came through
, on Christmas Eve Well, it wasactually on the 23rd.
We left Hopefully we was tryingto beat the blizzard and we
didn't, because it hit everyplace and we made it down oh
Lord, I can't remember Down intoKentucky and I had to tap out.
(24:17):
I just couldn't drive anymore.
You could see about five feetin front of you.
It was snowing and blowing sohard.
The roads were nothing but aglare sheet of ice, idiots
crashing in front of us and Ijust I told my wife, I said
we're done, I'm going to get amotel.
So we slid off, got a motel,literally slid off.
Yeah, I sit and got a motel.
(24:39):
Got up the next morning and itwas still pretty bad but the
weather had stopped.
But they, they're not preparedfor weather like that down in
Kentucky and further down south.
And we got up over intoTennessee and it wasn't too bad
there about the TennesseeKentucky line on 75 down there
it, the roads got better and wemade it down to Atlanta,
(25:00):
southanta, south of atlanta,stopped again for the night and
then we checked into, uh, the,the resort on christmas eve, um,
about two o'clock in theafternoon and it was still 40
degrees in florida.
Uh, it was, uh, it was crazycold down here, that that cold
snap had hit most of the unitedstates.
(25:22):
Uh, that night, uh, we got,everybody was kind of resting up
.
Of course I, I was, I wasprobably in the best shape of
any of them as far as the drive.
But uh, we, uh, uh.
My grandson, who was god, hemust have been 11 at the time
(25:43):
said grandpa, I want to goswimming.
And I looked at him.
I says you realize it's 40degrees, right, and he said yep,
so we went, we went down to thepool and we went swimming and
it was, uh, probably not quitethe coldest it's ever been when
I was in the water, but boy, Itell you what it was cold.
But we spent the week downthere.
(26:07):
We went to Disney or notDisneyland, I'm sorry we went to
SeaWorld and just saw all sortsof different kinds of stuff.
We had a really great time andthat's probably the best, one of
the better memories I've hadfrom Christmas for quite a few
years.
Cindy Tunstall (26:25):
Sounds like you're a fun grandpa.
Brian Wilson (26:27):
Oh, I try, my, my granddaughter actually my
granddaughter and I went on whatthey call the super slingshot
down there.
No, that wasn't the superslingshot, it's the sky, the sky
coaster.
They put you in this harnessand they hook you up to a cable
and they, they, they ratchet you300 feet in the air and then
they count it down and you reachover and you pull on a rip cord
(26:49):
, basically, and you free fall300 feet down.
It's cool, it's cool as hell.
I just loved it.
But my, my granddaughter, herand I did that together and I've
got video of it someplace.
But it's pretty neat.
It was pretty cool.
It was quite the adventure thatweek, that's for sure.
Cindy Tunstall (27:10):
So fun, great memory.
Thanks for sharing.
Brian Wilson (27:13):
You bet.
Enjoying Life OTR AI mu (27:14):
Rolling down the highway, hauling
dreams across the land Withgifts and joy, from town to town
, spreading love hand in hand.
Our lifestyle's a bit unusual,but our hearts are always there,
(27:35):
making the most of moments,showing how much we care.
We're enjoying life OTR,bringing love from near and far,
finding time to lie togetherbeneath the shining stars.
We can't always be home forevery big event, but we cherish
(27:58):
the moments, the memories heavensent, making time to family
when the road gives us a break,sharing stories, hugs and
(28:20):
laughter Memories we made.
Though the miles can keep usmoving, our love will never fade
.
Together in this precious house, the best memories are made.
We're enjoying life OTR,bringing love from near and far,
(28:44):
finding time to laugh togetherBeneath the shining stars.
We can't always be home Forevery big event, but we cherish
the moments, the memories heavensent.
From city lights to countryroads, our hearts lead the way,
(29:11):
making the most of every chanceto celebrate each day.
Friends and family understandthis life is who we are, driving
joy across the miles, fromevery town to star.
(29:33):
We're enjoying life OTR,bringing love from here and far,
finding time to laugh togetherbeneath the shining stars.
We can't always be home forevery big event, but we cherish
the moments, the memories.
Heaven says so here's todrivers everywhere, making life
(29:55):
a little brighter from laughter,love and holiday cheer.
We make the low feel lighter,enjoying life.
We what's it all.
Through every mile we roam, wecarry love and memories Until
the road leads us home.
Cindy Tunstall (30:21):
Okay, who haven't we heard from Gemma?
I think you're next you, readyto share a fun Christmas memory.
Gemma Ford (30:27):
Of course, of course .
So I'm Gemma Ford.
I've been driving going onabout six years now.
I'm an OTR team driver and Iwork for a mega company all 48
states and I'm a proudgrandmother.
So let's go back to my one ofmy Christmases, all my
Christmases my mom was.
(30:48):
A Christmas was a big deal formy mom, so she always made it
special.
I did the same, and I've beenfortunate enough to always be at
home for the holidays.
I've just been blessed that way.
But one special Christmas thatstands out for me is well, I was
born in the Philippines.
I'm a military brat.
I came over to the United Stateswhen I was four and I'd never
(31:14):
seen snow before, and we were inMassachusetts that's where my
dad's family's from.
So we were in Massachusetts andthere's snow, and so it's
Christmas morning and, like Isaid, I've never been in the
snow.
So, instead of waking up andgoing to pick out presents and
(31:34):
open them, nobody could find me.
So, and my grandfather he had abig property and they I guess
from what my mom told me, youknow they were searching
everywhere.
They went down to the basementand could not find me and for
some reason, my dad looked andhe noticed that my grandpa's big
(31:57):
coat was missing, and they gooutside and, sure enough, I am
just literally playing in thesnow.
I have no idea I'm cold, I'm wet, but I had the best time in the
world and I just, you know,remember the look on my parents
and my grandpa's face justlaughing because I had no idea
that was snow.
That's pretty much my you knowbest, most you know fun
(32:23):
Christmas that I had beenthrough, you know, because I
remember, not knowing what I,what it was, you know I wasn't
making a snowman or angelbecause I had no idea, I was
just rolling all over the snow.
So that's, that's about one ofmy funny ones.
Cindy Tunstall (32:39):
I love that memory.
That's so fun.
I also did.
I grew up in the south and mydad was military, so we were
always in the Navy and you know,but I always lived in hot
climate, so I was older when Ifirst encountered snow too.
So I love that so much.
Thank you, thank you.
Dino Grigoriadis (32:58):
Wow, what a blast it's been hanging out with
you tonight.
From the music to the stories,it's clear that the holidays
bring out the best of life, otr,and at home, whether you're
rolling down the highway orparked with loved ones, those
memories truly make this seasonspecial.
If you loved what you heard,don't stop here.
Join us in the Enjoying LifeOTR Facebook group.
(33:20):
In the Enjoying Life OTRFacebook group.
That's where the gang hangs outto share adventures and
misadventures, laughs and, yes,even a few tips and tricks to
make life on the road a littlebrighter.
Most days, it's the littlethings that add up to Enjoying
Life OTR.
Hope to see you there and don'tforget to stay tuned for our
New Year's show.
(33:41):
We're kicking off the year withsome amazing episodes,
including inspiring driverstories, that will get you fired
up for what's possible in theyear ahead.
It's going to be great and wewant you to be a part of it.
Happy holidays from EnjoyingLife OTR.
Safe travels and we'll see youdown the road.
Welcome to Enjoying Life OTR.
Hey there, this is Dino, yourroadie and guide on the side.
It's good to be back and I'mreally glad that that roadie
wannabe, AI, didn't steal my job.
Listen, buddy, I'm oftenimitated but never duplicated,
so you can take that and shoveit where the microprocessor
don't shine.
I'm thrilled to be your hostfor tonight's special Christmas
(00:29):
episode.
We've got a sleigh full of funlined up just for you.
Not only will you hear somefestive Christmas music created
by the Enjoying Life OTR team,but you'll also get to hang out
with the crew as we share someof our favorite Christmas
memories, both from life on theroad and those cherished moments
spent at home.
Our lead team of professionaldrivers is here to spread some
(00:51):
holiday cheer and hopefullyspark a few of your own favorite
holiday memories.
So grab some hot cocoa, settlein and let's enjoy this festive
ride together.
You won't want to miss a minuteof it.
Cindy Tunstall (01:03):
Welcome back to Enjoying Life OTR.
My name is Cindy Tunstall andI'm your host, and we are having
a fantastic Christmascelebration with you today.
So I know many of you aredriving on this holiday and the
team just thought, hey, whydon't we hop on, share some
favorite Christmas memories, andthis will be a great
opportunity, a way for you toget to know the Enjoying Life
OTR team.
(01:24):
We have the whole gang on thecall today, so that's incredible
.
In no particular order, we haveRyan Wilson, joe Lee, melinda
Fox, wellington, jess Graham,gemma Ford and Dino Gregoriales,
so we have the whole gang onHello everybody.
How are you doing?
Hi everybody, Happy holidays,Merry Christmas to all of you.
(01:45):
Well, we're going to share somefun Christmas memories.
So to kick us off, we have JessGraham.
Welcome to the show, Jess Hi.
Jess Graham (01:52):
I'm so happy that we were able to get together
tonight and I love being able toget to know all of the fellow
OTRs out here.
It's really great when we getto connect.
We see each other on theinternet and share our
adventures, but to hear eachother's voices it really does
give us a little bit extraspecial.
(02:12):
I think I want to talk about myfavorite journey home for
Christmas in the truck.
I have been OTR for 12 yearsnow, and so I'm never a hundred
percent sure if I'm going tomake it home for Christmas, and
this was about 2017.
Tyler and loves were competingfor my company's fuel dollars,
(02:37):
and so loves came out and, forlike six months, was giving us
like 15 points per gallon orsomething.
It was something so incrediblyridiculous to get us to fuel
there instead of at the pilot,and so, like every single day we
fueled, we were getting like 40, 50, $60 in points to spend at
(03:00):
Love's and I'm like what am Igonna do with all of this?
And it was about October.
I started collecting not the bigstuffed animals, but the
ginormous stuffed animals likethe biggest ones they have in
the stores for my daughter andmy nieces and nephews and my
(03:23):
partner's grandbabies.
So my top bunk over the nextlike three months was slowly
filling up to where I was.
By the time I pulled into thedriveway of the house the day
before Christmas, I was sleepingwith some giant stuffed animals
(03:45):
because I'd ran out of room onthe top bunk.
I think I had 14 of the biggestone.
I mean every single one of themthe giant monkey, the some of
the unicorns, like it was insane.
They were just spilling outfrom everywhere and so Christmas
morning we dragged them all in,when everybody was asleep, into
(04:08):
the house and we woke up to thekids screaming because the
entire living room was prettymuch filled with these giant
stuffed animals.
So that's, I think, one of myfavorite memories of like I've
always been a collector.
I collect things along the way,treats that I can't get at home
(04:30):
, that are regional, todifferent areas that I've gone,
and it's a way for me to say hey, when I was in North Carolina I
saw this and thought we shouldtry it when we get home.
So it's usually like a regionalcandy or a cereal or something
that's that we can't get at home, but in this area they have it
and it's popular and that's beenone of my ways to connect.
Cindy Tunstall (04:51):
I love that story so much, so great.
Joe Lee (04:56):
That is cool.
Jess Graham (04:57):
Yeah, it's, it's been fun to to see the different
things you know I've been ableto bring home and experience
over the years.
And it's, it is, it's.
It's not only that, it's whenyou give it to your kid or your
grandkid or your niece or nephew, it's I was in this area and I
thought of you and it helpsconnect, you know, and then when
(05:18):
they're looking at it or whenthey're they're playing with it,
they remember hey, you know,aunt Jess or Mom was thinking
about me and got this for me.
So it's one of those ways and Ithink people ask all the time
how do you connect with yourkids when you're over the road?
(05:38):
And I found that throughcollecting.
It's been an adventure becausewe're building something
together.
It's a collection of something,whether it's treats or, you
know, toys, and it's changedover the years.
You know, one year she wantedt-shirts and so we were getting
different funny t-shirts fromdifferent states.
She's gotten all the magnets,you know that kind of thing.
Cindy Tunstall (05:59):
So fun.
Great way for your family tofeel connected to your journey,
so I love that you did that.
Enjoying Life OTR AI (06:15):
Snowflakes falling on, the interstate
Lights are twinkling.
The season won't wait, milesaway, but you're still so near.
Every gift holds a love I wishI could share here the stuff
bear tucked in my cap's frontseat for the moment.
We hug when our hearts willmeet.
(06:35):
Every mile I drive, I'mthinking of you.
Making christmas memories,though the road is my view on a
christmas wheels keep rolling on.
Carry your love from dusk tilldawn, through the cold and the
dark.
I feel your light.
Every mile connects us.
On a silent night through,enjoy your life.
(06:58):
O-t-r-s-m-i-l-o-v-e.
True, these christmas miles areall for you.
Snow glow shines from a truckstop shop, a tiny reminder that
the miles won't stop.
But every trinket I find alongthe way is my heart's little
(07:19):
message saying I'll be homesomeday, through the rain, the
sleet and the winter's chill.
I'm dreaming of you as I climbeach hill and I'll be home
someday, through the rain, thesleet and the winter's chill.
I'm dreaming of you as I climbeach hill.
The road is long, but love makesit right.
Every gift says I'm with youthis Christmas night.
(07:40):
All the Christmas wheels keeprolling on.
Carry your love from dusk tilldawn, through the cold and the
dark.
I feel your light.
Every mile connects us On asilent night Through.
Enjoy life, o-t-r-s.
In my love.
True, these Christmas miles Areall for you.
Through the rain I roll, you'remy guiding star, though I'm out
(08:11):
here never far.
Every gift I choose, every noteI write Carries my love.
This Christmas night, christmaswheels keep rolling on,
carrying love from dusk tilldawn, through the cold and the
dark.
I feel your light.
(08:32):
Every mile connects us on thissilent night.
Enjoy life, o-t-r.
I send my love through.
These Christmas smiles are allfor you.
So here's to the loved ones wehold so dear.
Every mile brings us closer,year after year.
(08:52):
From all of us rolling down theline.
Merry Christmas.
From Enjoying Life, otr.
You're always on my mind.
Cindy Tunstall (09:10):
Okay, who wants?
Joe Lee (09:13):
to go next.
I'll go Well.
Her story kind of got me goinga little bit.
My name is Joel and I'm a truckdriver.
I've been driving for 18 years.
My name is Joel and I'm a truckdriver.
I've been driving for 18 yearsand coming into the holiday
(09:38):
season and have a lot ofmemories come to mind over the
years, both before driving truckand since driving truck.
The holidays actually have kindof over the last several years,
taken on some real mixedemotions for me my mother when I
was a kid, always Christmas wasa special time for her.
But she did all the holidays.
She had big Easter dinner andThanksgiving dinner and
(10:01):
Christmas was always that thingwith her and she kind of kept it
in the family and kept thingsgoing.
And since she passed away 18years ago, shortly after I
started driving trucks, things,things took on a big change and
you know, my wife and I we triedto keep things together and and
(10:22):
keep some of the familytraditions and stuff.
But one special Christmas sinceI started driving comes to mind
and it was about probably 12years ago, 11 years ago, and we
hadn't seen our grandson in anumber of years.
My son-in-law and daughter weredivorced and we hadn't seen him
(10:43):
in a number of years.
My son, son-in-law and daughterwere divorced and we hadn't seen
him in a number of years andthey kind of reconciled and he
was coming to visit and you know, like I say, we hadn't seen him
in probably 10 years and sincehe was about four years old, so
he was coming to visit and so Iwent all out on Christmas and I
(11:06):
knew I was coming home.
I ended up I didn't get homeuntil about midnight but
everybody waited on theirChristmas Eve and waited to open
presents until I got there.
So we spent half the night.
It was probably four o'clock inthe morning, five o'clock in
the morning, when we finallyfinished unwrapping all the
presents and doing ourcelebrations.
(11:29):
But it's, driving can bedifficult, you know, when
getting home and things likethat it's always a kind of a
difficult time for us.
But that one special Christmasit sure stands out in my mind.
Cindy Tunstall (11:47):
So sweet.
I love that.
So precious that they waitedfor you.
Joe Lee (11:54):
Yeah, I was.
I was nervous about gettingthere and you know I was doing
everything right.
But you know how it is.
You get out on the road and youcan't always get empty as quick
as you want to and things takeextra time.
And you know, being that timeof year, you got traffic to deal
with and you know weather and Idon't recall what the weather
was like.
But anyways, I got thereanyways and it was a great night
(12:20):
and a lot of good memories weremade that night and I still
have a couple of videos.
My daughter reminds me of itOne of the special gifts I got,
throwing knives for my grandson,and I got a set for myself also
, and but didn't have a target.
(12:42):
So after after everything's done, you know, and we're sitting
there having Christmas cookiesand everything else I thought
what can we throw these knivesat?
I thought I'm changing thatbathroom door anyway.
So here I am in our bedroom andI've got one bathroom door open
(13:02):
and it was a walk-throughbathroom and the other one was
closed and all they could hearin the front room was what are
you guys doing?
And if my daughter comes in,she's like, oh my god, they're
throwing knives.
So yeah, and once in a whilethat video will pop up and
(13:29):
she'll she'll say how I rememberthis.
You know that facebook is.
It has a great way of remindingyou so fun well thanks for
hearing this, josh, I appreciateyou well, you're welcome, it
was.
It was fun to do this.
Cindy Tunstall (13:47):
Okay, who wants to go next?
Melinda, are you ready?
You got a Christmas memory youwant to share.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (13:53):
Yeah, you know, I grew up in a family
that was separated almost mywhole life, so I always had my
mom's side and my dad's side,and trying to juggle all of them
on the same day has been astruggle for sure, has been a
struggle for sure.
But I would say my farm isChristmas.
Mary is, ironically, prettymuch what they are now On the
(14:22):
road, going from one place toanother and jumping in, saying
hi, thanks for the gifts.
We're at food and then gettingback on the road again and then
talking how great it was to seeeverybody, while we're going to
the next family to see everybody.
Um, so on.
The road has been along-standing tradition for me
with christmas and the holidays,and you know it's still a
(14:45):
long-standing tradition becauseI am still on the road today,
even though I'm not going to bebouncing from family to family,
I'll be making deliveries or inbetween deliveries.
So to all the other drivers outthere on the road, like me, you
have a Merry Christmas and besafe out there.
Enjoying Life OTR AI musi (15:06):
We'll see you next time To our
enjoying life will be our crewThrough the miles and snowy
skies.
We're thinking about you.
We work hard to deliver Withlove in all we do.
(15:41):
Merry Christmas, near or farFrom our hearts to you.
The hum of wheels reminds us ofour favorite Christmas past, a
family around the fire andmemories that last.
Though the road is long, wefeel the seasons glow with every
twinkling light we pass andjolly songs we know.
(16:01):
Happy holidays to all, and joyand life will be our crew
Through the miles and snowyskies.
We're thinking about you.
We'll see you next time.
The love we carry in our heartswill guide us on our way To
(16:34):
those who wait with open armsfor special holidays.
No matter where the journeyleads, the spirit's always near.
Christmas on the road meanslove for all.
We hope so.
Dear Merry Christmas, we'll seeyou next time.
Hey guys, it's Dino.
Dino Grigoriadis (17:46):
My memory would be I think it was 2018.
Guys is Dino.
My memory would be I think itwas 2018.
Now, I mean, we all know thatwe miss many holidays and family
events as truck drivers, butfor what I do, I miss that much
more because we're literallygone all year because of what we
haul.
But 2018, I was on tour withTrans-Siberian Orchestra and you
(18:11):
know, between 3 and 10, we'renormally sleeping to get ready
for a show, for the drive afterthe show, I mean.
And that night every one of usgot knocks on our doors hey, get
up, get ready, you're going onstage.
We're like you're kidding me,right?
Like nope, nope, it's asurprise.
So they literally woke up.
(18:32):
All the drivers brought us outon the on the uh on the stage,
and the band literally turnedaround and thanked us for all
that we do and told the audiencethat, uh, you know, without
these guys, we wouldn't have ashow here.
Blah, blah, blah.
And to be recognized was reallycool, for us especially that
(18:52):
time of year when it wasChristmas Eve and everybody was
going home and we're doing acouple more shows missing our
family.
So it was a pretty good feelingto be acknowledged like that.
Cindy Tunstall (19:04):
Oh my gosh, I love that so much.
That's so great.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (19:09):
That is so cool.
Dino Grigoriadis (19:12):
It was, it was .
I mean, thank God we had ashort drive that night, but it
was real cool.
Cindy Tunstall (19:18):
Yeah that waking you up to come on stage.
Dino Grigoriadis (19:21):
Yeah, hey, get dressed.
Cindy Tunstall (19:24):
Now you're all wobbly crumbly.
You better be good.
Dino Grigoriadis (19:28):
I snuck in my phone because I put a button
down shirt on real quick and Istuck my phone on my pocket with
the camera facing out, so itwas kind of like I had a body
cam on.
So I got it somewhere on mylaptop.
But that was actually prettycool to actually go back and
look at it, you know, and thenintroduce us on stage and then
walk on stage.
Cindy Tunstall (19:48):
That's a great memory.
I love that, especially for thetype of work that you do.
It's so fitting that you wouldget to do something like that.
So unusual to go on stage.
I love it.
Dino Grigoriadis (19:57):
It's very thoughtful, right?
Yeah, this year I might getlucky and actually make it home
Christmas Eve.
Cindy Tunstall (20:02):
Oh, nice, well, I guess I'll go next, if that's
okay with everybody.
My favorite Christmas I have alot of fun Christmas memories,
but you know, as a mom too,especially.
But I thought of one that wasreally special for me At this
time.
My oldest daughter was alreadygrown and had moved out and my
middle daughter she was probablyI don't know maybe 10, 11 years
(20:27):
old and my youngest daughterwanted a trampoline that year.
She was really big intogymnastics and she wanted one of
those great big ones so shecould do flips on them and
everything.
I was like, oh, how am I goingto hide this from her?
You know, I kept saying no,we're not going to have that.
And I kept telling her it wastoo dangerous, I was afraid
she'd get hurt.
And of course, the whole timeI'm planning how I'm going to
(20:49):
get her trampoline, so I'mscheming and trying to think it,
and then I'm like I'm going toput it in the backyard right
before Christmas day, and wealways open gifts on Christmas
day and so I was thinking, howam I going to hide this from her
?
So we were all trying to keepher away from the backyard and
we had dogs.
So you know every day, you know, all day they're kidding,
they're out of school, sothey're letting the dogs in and
(21:10):
out, and every time she'd gonear the back door we're all
kind of holding our breathtrying to scooch her away from
the windows.
Um, anyway, that morning we areopening gifts and she still is.
You know, that was her big giftthat she wanted.
She wanted a trampoline and I'mstill down playing.
She's opened some little things.
You could tell she'sdisappointed.
And then we all told her to golook in the backyard and she was
(21:31):
so excited was screaming crazy.
But you know the thing that Iloved most about this memory,
because my middle daughter shehad gotten to that place where
she was now involved in theplanning, and her sister was
four years younger, so she wasinvolved in the planning and the
surprise.
And it's like the whole familygot involved, like we were
enjoying giving this gift to herand surprising her in this way.
(21:54):
But she was receiving andobviously she had a great time.
But it was just a really funmemory because I think every
year when the kids are growingolder, they're just very
different, you know, so that thememories are different and the
Christmases are all verydifferent when your kids are
growing up.
So it was just one that reallystuck out to me and, like that
was the year that she my middledaughter was like you know
(22:16):
realized that they're, you know,santa putting these special
gifts in their stockings.
And she looked at me kind ofside-eyed and was like mom, who,
who's putting stuff in yourstocking?
So it just kind of funny and Iwas like Santa wink, wink, you
know so, but it was just such afun memory for me.
So I love all those, um, I loveChristmas time, so I even, you
(22:37):
know I love everything about it.
So it's like I love gettingtogether with friends and family
and I love giving gifts and, um, just getting the everybody
just being in a better mood.
Of course, traffic's anightmare, so that's not not
super great, but I love theholidays, so I've been grateful
to get to share these memorieswith y'all.
Okay, who haven't we heard fromBrian?
(23:02):
You ready?
You got a Christmas memory youwant to share?
Brian Wilson (23:05):
Yeah, this is Brian Wilson.
I'm oh gosh, I'm anowner-operator.
I've been for about 30 yearsnow 32 years, I guess it is.
I drive a 2020 Volvo VNL 760.
I'm fixing to get a new truckhere in another couple months,
but I run mostly Midwest, getout on the East Coast once in a
while, but in the West Coast,but mainly the medially Midwest
(23:30):
Hauling general freight and thenin the spring and the fall, the
company I'm leased to we haulbedding plants out of Kalamazoo,
michigan.
But my memory just happened justa couple years ago.
We took, oh my goodness, my son, daughter and daughter-in-law
(23:53):
and two grandkids and we allwent to Florida for Christmas.
It was the year that thatreally bad blizzard came through
, on Christmas Eve Well, it wasactually on the 23rd.
We left Hopefully we was tryingto beat the blizzard and we
didn't, because it hit everyplace and we made it down oh
Lord, I can't remember Down intoKentucky and I had to tap out.
(24:17):
I just couldn't drive anymore.
You could see about five feetin front of you.
It was snowing and blowing sohard.
The roads were nothing but aglare sheet of ice, idiots
crashing in front of us and Ijust I told my wife, I said
we're done, I'm going to get amotel.
So we slid off, got a motel,literally slid off.
Yeah, I sit and got a motel.
(24:39):
Got up the next morning and itwas still pretty bad but the
weather had stopped.
But they, they're not preparedfor weather like that down in
Kentucky and further down south.
And we got up over intoTennessee and it wasn't too bad
there about the TennesseeKentucky line on 75 down there
it, the roads got better and wemade it down to Atlanta,
(25:00):
southanta, south of atlanta,stopped again for the night and
then we checked into, uh, the,the resort on christmas eve, um,
about two o'clock in theafternoon and it was still 40
degrees in florida.
Uh, it was, uh, it was crazycold down here, that that cold
snap had hit most of the unitedstates.
(25:22):
Uh, that night, uh, we got,everybody was kind of resting up
.
Of course I, I was, I wasprobably in the best shape of
any of them as far as the drive.
But uh, we, uh, uh.
My grandson, who was god, hemust have been 11 at the time
(25:43):
said grandpa, I want to goswimming.
And I looked at him.
I says you realize it's 40degrees, right, and he said yep,
so we went, we went down to thepool and we went swimming and
it was, uh, probably not quitethe coldest it's ever been when
I was in the water, but boy, Itell you what it was cold.
But we spent the week downthere.
(26:07):
We went to Disney or notDisneyland, I'm sorry we went to
SeaWorld and just saw all sortsof different kinds of stuff.
We had a really great time andthat's probably the best, one of
the better memories I've hadfrom Christmas for quite a few
years.
Cindy Tunstall (26:25):
Sounds like you're a fun grandpa.
Brian Wilson (26:27):
Oh, I try, my, my granddaughter actually my
granddaughter and I went on whatthey call the super slingshot
down there.
No, that wasn't the superslingshot, it's the sky, the sky
coaster.
They put you in this harnessand they hook you up to a cable
and they, they, they ratchet you300 feet in the air and then
they count it down and you reachover and you pull on a rip cord
(26:49):
, basically, and you free fall300 feet down.
It's cool, it's cool as hell.
I just loved it.
But my, my granddaughter, herand I did that together and I've
got video of it someplace.
But it's pretty neat.
It was pretty cool.
It was quite the adventure thatweek, that's for sure.
Cindy Tunstall (27:10):
So fun, great memory.
Thanks for sharing.
Brian Wilson (27:13):
You bet.
Enjoying Life OTR AI mu (27:14):
Rolling down the highway, hauling
dreams across the land Withgifts and joy, from town to town
, spreading love hand in hand.
Our lifestyle's a bit unusual,but our hearts are always there,
(27:35):
making the most of moments,showing how much we care.
We're enjoying life OTR,bringing love from near and far,
finding time to lie togetherbeneath the shining stars.
We can't always be home forevery big event, but we cherish
(27:58):
the moments, the memories heavensent, making time to family
when the road gives us a break,sharing stories, hugs and
(28:20):
laughter Memories we made.
Though the miles can keep usmoving, our love will never fade
.
Together in this precious house, the best memories are made.
We're enjoying life OTR,bringing love from near and far,
(28:44):
finding time to laugh togetherBeneath the shining stars.
We can't always be home Forevery big event, but we cherish
the moments, the memories heavensent.
From city lights to countryroads, our hearts lead the way,
(29:11):
making the most of every chanceto celebrate each day.
Friends and family understandthis life is who we are, driving
joy across the miles, fromevery town to star.
(29:33):
We're enjoying life OTR,bringing love from here and far,
finding time to laugh togetherbeneath the shining stars.
We can't always be home forevery big event, but we cherish
the moments, the memories.
Heaven says so here's todrivers everywhere, making life
(29:55):
a little brighter from laughter,love and holiday cheer.
We make the low feel lighter,enjoying life.
We what's it all.
Through every mile we roam, wecarry love and memories Until
the road leads us home.
Cindy Tunstall (30:21):
Okay, who haven't we heard from Gemma?
I think you're next you, readyto share a fun Christmas memory.
Gemma Ford (30:27):
Of course, of course .
So I'm Gemma Ford.
I've been driving going onabout six years now.
I'm an OTR team driver and Iwork for a mega company all 48
states and I'm a proudgrandmother.
So let's go back to my one ofmy Christmases, all my
Christmases my mom was.
(30:48):
A Christmas was a big deal formy mom, so she always made it
special.
I did the same, and I've beenfortunate enough to always be at
home for the holidays.
I've just been blessed that way.
But one special Christmas thatstands out for me is well, I was
born in the Philippines.
I'm a military brat.
I came over to the United Stateswhen I was four and I'd never
(31:14):
seen snow before, and we were inMassachusetts that's where my
dad's family's from.
So we were in Massachusetts andthere's snow, and so it's
Christmas morning and, like Isaid, I've never been in the
snow.
So, instead of waking up andgoing to pick out presents and
(31:34):
open them, nobody could find me.
So, and my grandfather he had abig property and they I guess
from what my mom told me, youknow they were searching
everywhere.
They went down to the basementand could not find me and for
some reason, my dad looked andhe noticed that my grandpa's big
(31:57):
coat was missing, and they gooutside and, sure enough, I am
just literally playing in thesnow.
I have no idea I'm cold, I'm wet, but I had the best time in the
world and I just, you know,remember the look on my parents
and my grandpa's face justlaughing because I had no idea
that was snow.
That's pretty much my you knowbest, most you know fun
(32:23):
Christmas that I had beenthrough, you know, because I
remember, not knowing what I,what it was, you know I wasn't
making a snowman or angelbecause I had no idea, I was
just rolling all over the snow.
So that's, that's about one ofmy funny ones.
Cindy Tunstall (32:39):
I love that memory.
That's so fun.
I also did.
I grew up in the south and mydad was military, so we were
always in the Navy and you know,but I always lived in hot
climate, so I was older when Ifirst encountered snow too.
So I love that so much.
Thank you, thank you.
Dino Grigoriadis (32:58):
Wow, what a blast it's been hanging out with
you tonight.
From the music to the stories,it's clear that the holidays
bring out the best of life, otr,and at home, whether you're
rolling down the highway orparked with loved ones, those
memories truly make this seasonspecial.
If you loved what you heard,don't stop here.
Join us in the Enjoying LifeOTR Facebook group.
(33:20):
In the Enjoying Life OTRFacebook group.
That's where the gang hangs outto share adventures and
misadventures, laughs and, yes,even a few tips and tricks to
make life on the road a littlebrighter.
Most days, it's the littlethings that add up to Enjoying
Life OTR.
Hope to see you there and don'tforget to stay tuned for our
New Year's show.
(33:41):
We're kicking off the year withsome amazing episodes,
including inspiring driverstories, that will get you fired
up for what's possible in theyear ahead.
It's going to be great and wewant you to be a part of it.
Happy holidays from EnjoyingLife OTR.
Safe travels and we'll see youdown the road.
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