Public shout out…

Recently I was sitting here pondering all the things that are wrong in my life. Injuries, illnesses, thing I don’t have, and things I wish I didn’t have Haha!

Anyway, I realized that I was so consumed with the not so good that was currently going on in our life, and I was missing all the amazing moments!

Without going into much detail or performing a virtual pouting session we are currently going through a season of unfortunate events. Injury resulting in surgery, somewhat debilitating illnesses, and I won’t even get into the financial burden being employed upon us. I’m sure some – if not all – of you can understand!

It was only this morning while I folded laundry that I realized where my mentality had taken me… I am not unhappy per-say; absolutely no depression. But I’m not the type of person who succumbs to the stress that depression imposes anyway! I have been sick and know that situation has had me out of commission this week especially!

So what was my “epiphany” while folding laundry… The realization of my current self centeredness, or at least my lack of joy and thanksgiving!

So, in lieu of said “epiphany” I want to do a virtual public shout out from this wife to my not so techy and anti-social media craze LM, and every other hardworking LM out there (I figure the JL, AP, etc. is understood in this case):

THANK YOU! Thank you of providing me with this life, and all the things in it! Thank you for providing the kids and I with all the things we need, and even some of the things we want! Thank you for being a hard-worker, and teaching our kids dedication not only through your undeterred dedication to your “dream” career, but also you dedication to your family, and the love you show us through all you do! Thank you for being a strong husband and father figure, and ultimately sharing that legacy with our kids! Our life may not be “perfect” in societies standards – it never will be – but it is what it is, and all the trials we shall face will only build us up and make us stronger and well equipped for the future. I know it’s not fun being gone, or traveling. I know the toll it takes on a man to be away from his family. I know sometimes you are strong on the outside, but maybe trying not to break on the inside! I love you for that, and all you do. Thank you for providing me with a full life, love, and happiness!

All my love with a little spice sprinkled on top,
Your wife

My Sunday Thoughts….

I read a post on Facebook about minimum wage that got me thinking a little!

You want to talk about under paid workers? Let me enlighten the good people of this great country. The cell phone carrying, iPad using, car driving, new clothes wearing, house owning/renting people who want to complain about not getting paid enough for the job they do… You want to know who doesn’t get paid enough?????

Well, let me tell you…

They are called LINEMEN! They are the reason you fine people have power to charge your cell phones, iPads, computers, etc. They are the reason you have lights, electric heat and AC.

You say they get paid plenty? Well, let me enlighten you a little…

I want to make sure everyone has a good understanding about the job a lineman does:

First and foremost they work with electricity. If you do not know how deadly this is then please read up on electricity.

Next, a lineman does NOT merely drive to work in his nice dress clothes or comfy work attire, hop out of his vehicle, walk in to a temperature controlled building where he performs his job! NO! He drives to show up, hops in to another vehicle, and drives wherever the job site is. Oh, yeah great- his work place is the great wide open outdoors HAHAHA! NO! He more than likely is going to work OUTSIDE weather the sun is shining, rain is pouring, sleet is falling, or snow is blinding!! Once he arrives at the job site there are many different jobs he may be doing depending on the job at hand, his title, dead lines, etc. And more than likely he still ISN’T at work… Nope! He still has to climb… A pole or tower… With nothing but one inch hooks strapped to his boots, a belt, and/or harness. So, you think you could do that? Ok giddy up!

Not only is he climbing to work, but he is wearing thick leather boots- probably steel toed with an metal shank in the arch, a long sleeved shirt- no matter how hot it is outside, maybe rubber gloves and sleeves, and the all fashionable hard hat- depending on the company these come in all sorts of different colors!

If he is lucky maybe he will get to ride half way or even to the top in a bucket… With another lineman! Yeah, that’s fun! Bumpin’ elbows an inch away from a live wire is everyone’s idea of a great job right? And doing this for 12 hours a day 6 days a week is SUPER ideal!

All this while 300 miles away from his families living out of hotels, or in many cases living out of a travel trailer or fifth wheel with a wife and three small children! Just a side note do you realize it cost more out of pocket to travel for your job than it does to live and drive 10 miles from your work place? Most money these guys make goes right back into the job for tools, gear, clothes, lodging, gas, etc. It can be expensive and extremely financially draining being a lineman, but it can also be very rewarding and an exceptional experience too!

So, I’ve given you a run down of- somewhat but not even close to- the job a lineman does and the life they live. Now let me get real with you…

A lineman is lucky to retire this career without crippling injuries to his entire body, but most commonly his knees, back, hips, and shoulders! Injuries are to be expected, and can even be incurred in the first five years in the career! If it’s not and injury then it’s an unfortunate death! This year alone (January to May) we have lost 4-5 linemen in job related accidents, and have had that many or more critically injured on the job! And that’s just the ones I know of! Job related accident are: contact with live wire, bucket truck malfunctions (Yes! They break, and pretty easily!), poles falling, and other machines malfunctioning or miscommunication!

They do all of this just to bring power to the people! The people who complain about their jobs, pay, and power bills! The people who think they are entitled to more, more, more! The people who could care less how they get to charge their cell phone, watch tv, or heat their home as long as “the power company” is providing them the power! The people who attack the workers who are working day and night to restore their power after a storm has ripped it way! The people who condemn the parents of the homeschooled children living out of a fifth wheel because it’s just not normal! The people who don’t even bat an eye at the widow and her 4 children left behind after a fatal accident her husband was involved in fixing a downed line after a thunderstorm!

So, to the good people of America out there who think they deserve more than the next guy just remember: No matter your social status, job path, financial situation, or education level there is always someone out there worse off than you, and there is always a job harder and more demanding than yours! When you decided you deserve better, want more, and start demanding more step back and look around you. Would you want to run this country full of needy, greedy, self concerning, “it’s my right” driven barbarians?

Join the FLO…

I wanted to share something that I am very passionate about! Most of you surly know that our main goal and desire for The lovely Little Linewife is to support linemen and their families and to spread awareness about linework- read our mission statement here!

Recently, I personally had the honor of getting involved with an amazing organization called The Fallen Linemen Organization. Their mission is:

To memorialize fallen electrical line workers and care for their families by providing moral and financial support.

Read more about what the FLO is all about here!

I want to encourage EVERYONE to consider getting involved! Whether it be by making a donation, volunteering to help spread the word, or even assisting in fundraising the opportunities are endless and always well worth it!!

Head on over to fallenlinemen.org to see what they are all about,
and most importantly please consider getting involved! If you would like more information you can feel free to contact my personally at TheTripleL@thelovelylittlelinewife.com, or contact them directly at mboyd@fallenlinemen.org!

The line community is like one big family, and families help and support each other!

PS- To celebrate Linemen Appreciation Day on April 18th, 2014 the FLO is hosting a Virtual 5K. You can join the “Virtual 5K for Linemen Appreciation Day” event on Facebook for more info!

*** Just a friendly reminder that The Lovely Little Linewife and The Fallen Linemen Organization are in no way associated with one another. Their views and/or opinions may not reflect our view and/or opinions- Other than supporting and helping the legacy of our fallen brothers live on!! ***

Who can relate…

Your a wife/girlfriend to an AP or LM. You have a children. He is gone so much. You cry, the kids miss him, he’s not that excited either, but he does it because he’s the man of the house and he HAS to provide for his family!

It’s hard. It sucks. And quite frankly it can be extremely trying on ones heart and soul!

Our trailers been in the shop getting fixed for 3 weeks now, and out of commission since the middle of November. I went a few times on the road with him since, but OH MY! I don’t know… for me there is something different about the trailer than a hotel room… Is that weird? Now the hubby gets sent a little further north and is back to working 5/10s on transmission.

Don’t get me wrong he is happy to be back on transmission, and the extra pay is always welcomed. BUT sometimes you just need them. Sometimes it’s nice to talk face to face. Sometimes it’s even nice having them next you in bed- even if they are snoring- sometimes!

I guess today is one of those days where I feel defeated… Defeated as a mother, as a wife, and somewhat as a person. I feel unsuccessful. Today the kids chose NOT to listen to even one word I said. Cabin fever has set in, and my oldest decided- no mater what I said or did- he was NOT doing his homework! Even bed time was a nightmare!

Really? Why? Ok this is where I SCREAM! And then a subtle reminder…

Simply said 🙂

Help support the Swain family…

Lewis Swain, has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia. He has been in the ICU and on a ventilator since around Christmas.

You can read more and help by making your donation here…. Remember every little bit counts!!

Hugs and love!

What’s a Lineman? (From a wife’s point of view!)

Recently I got my butt chewed after my husband read a blog post of mine!

We started this journey in 2008. Since day one my husband has been my lineman! He always will be unless the day comes when he decides to walk away from this career by choosing a new path… I don’t foresee that happening though!

Anyway, I call him my lineman in every post I write. Okay, so what’s wrong with that? Well, on the job he is an apprentice, an AP, an ape, what every they want to call him! He’s not ashamed of that, and neither am I. He is a second year IBEW AP, and on the job he has not got the “street cred” yet to be considered a lineman. Once he receives that “ticket” that says he is a Journeyman, only then is he truly a lineman!

Okay, I respect all that! Woman and men aren’t much different when it comes to proving ourselves, our knowledge, and our abilities! But I want to look at this form a wives point of view- AP, Journeyman, Foreman,Troubleman, whatever their title.

The title doesn’t make the job any less dangerous. It doesn’t make the nights alone any easier. It doesn’t make the traveling or missed moments any easier either! To a Linewife (a wife whose husband has chosen a career in powerline work) – lineman is virtually a loose term which is ultimately interchangeable throughout industry titles! When he becomes a Journeyman, I will PROUDLY call him my JL! Until then he will be my LM, and for arguments sake when I blog from here on out he will be my hard working, money makin’, shit takin’ AP until the day he gets that “ticket”!

Furthermore, I want to add that this isn’t a topic that is new. I have read many post from wives and even other APs who question the relativity of this topic! I’m not arguing the respect behind the word lineman. Like I said- he and I both are proud to be an AP, and can’t wait for the day we journey out! I just think wives look at the term in a different respect! While I sit here and type I have all these thoughts on the topic, but if you have been reading my posts for a while you know I like to keep things light hearted and interesting so here is my “fix” for other LWs struggling with this controversial topic…

ONLY call your AP a LINEMAN when you are snuggled up close in bed 🙂

Line Sisters Against Domestic Violence

A picture of a lineman’s wife with a badly busted lip greeted me this morning of Facebook. 

Stop, back up and read that again, please. 

If your mind has now been flooded with memories of a close friend, family member, or even of looking at yourself in the mirror in the early morning hours, wondering what you did to deserve this, you know just how I felt at 5:15 am Eastern time on November 20, 2013.

This story is not about me. 

Way back when, I had “a friend” who found herself in a marriage to a man who only thought of her as a possession and a punching bag.  And a kicking bag.  And an object to scream at, berate, taunt, and belittle to the point where she had no self-esteem left and believed that she was unlovable and unwanted by anyone.  She was literally barefoot and pregnant standing in a phone booth in front of a restaurant on Central Blvd in Albuquerque when she called my husband and myself to come for her.  It was her birthday and it was very late at night in November and close to freezing outside.  She waited at the phone booth with her 15 month old son because she was embarrassed to go into the restaurant where it was warm, being barefoot and disheveled. She didn’t want to attract attention to herself.

She told us that her husband had come home after drinking with his brother and friends and something she said or did made him mad.  He knocked her to the ground and started kicking her repeatedly in the stomach and groin area.  He told her he was going to make her lose the baby.  She curled up into a ball and he continued to kick her in the back and legs.  He eventually had to go relieve himself and she ran out the door with the baby and to the nearest phone two blocks away.  We later found out that he kicked her so hard that he cracked her shin bone.  And she went back home to him.  Several times.  It wasn’t until he started on the kids that she left for good.

This story is really about so many women.

Today it’s about all those women who are part of the Sisterhood that develops among linemen’s wives and girlfriends.  I know that women in many walks of life suffer from violence, but I didn’t wake up to their story this morning.  I woke up to the story of someone I might run into next month; someone I might be at the same RV park with. Her husband might work with my husband; her husband could be sitting at the table having dinner with us some night soon. 

A picture of a lineman’s wife with a badly busted lip greeted me this morning of Facebook, and then, it suddenly disappeared.

One comment made this morning before the post disappeared struck me. The comment was that the house was in her name but that he makes the money. As we know, linemen are notorious for making good money but having bad credit. Their life is hard; there are ups and downs to their work situation; there is often an ex-wife involved. Looking at the Violence Wheel at http://www.domesticviolence.org/violence-wheel , I can guess that’s also part of his line of control, by saying, “If you leave me, the bills won’t get paid and your credit will be ruined.  You can’t do anything without the money I bring in.”

I know that these women are thinking that “it’s the holidays right now.  I don’t want to cause a lot of drama and ruin Thanksgiving and Christmas for everyone.”  Trust me, the holidays are already ruined for everyone who feels they have to walk around on egg shells, seeing what is happening and feeling useless to help.  As sisters, we wives, girlfriends, exes, and significant others of linemen need to reach out to each other as friends, acquaintances, and Facebook buddies and promise that we will be there to support our sisters who are trying to work through the hardship of violence in their relationships.  Let them know that they are not alone, understand and recognize that they have the power to leave or stay with their man and that we will be there to find help for them, whether it is counseling, a safe place to go to cool off, or legal help to get away from an abusive partner.

Some links that were helpful to me today:

National Criminal Justice Reference Service http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/topic.aspx?topicid=27

Domestic Violence .org http://www.domesticviolence.org/

U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Maybe this isn’t for you…

**Please read this in it entirety**

I hear of so many people who are trying to break in to line work, but are having a hard time. I hear, “I have done everything so why can’t I get a job, or get called out of the hall? In a lot of cases when you actually dig a little deeper into their soul you find out so much more…

“I don’t want to travel, I want to be home every night!”

“We can’t move, we have kids!”

“I only want to work for a co-op!”

“You mean I have to go through a writ of passage I don’t just get to be a journeyman?”

Haha! Okay, that last one was probably just for laughs! Although I am sure there have been a handful of guys who think they just get to come in and ‘Have it their way!’ To those fellas: This is NOT McDonalds, and you can NOT come in a do mediocre work and expect to climb to the top!

Anyway, I’m not writing to tell guys how to do line work, I mean I’m just a Linewife 😉 I’m here to talk about the line life! This post is meant for new apprentices and their wives, or the future linemen and their wives, fiancés, or girlfriends. So, I will continue…

If you think you are -or your husband is- going to land in the perfect position where you don’t travel, never have to spend nights away from home, and- to the future LWs- ultimately you think your husband is going to work great hours making tons of money in a career where you never have to worry… Then maybe you should reevaluate your career path opportunities!

If you think you won’t miss a thing in the lives of your children, or -for the future LWs- you will have your man at home to do all the manly things… This career may not be for you!

If you’re not willing to tramp, or maybe even relocate… This probably isn’t for you!

This job is dangerous and requires a sound mind. You need to be able to watch the back of the guy next to you! There is a writ of passage where you have to prove yourself and earn the trust of your brothers, because they want to be able to make it home to see their families when they get a chance. And remember, one day they may be watching your back… If that’s all too much then this isn’t for you!

If you are using your kids as an excuse for any reason including the above, then remember this:

You are a parent! You are to raise your child in the way that they should go! They do not determine where you will live, what your job is, or how you raise them! If you want to instill great work ethic, strong family morals, passion, and confidence in your child then remember that!

Future LWs: It takes a special woman to handle the position of a LW! Remember you have to be there to listen, to support, and to encourage. You need to be able to deal with a lot of different situations and probably some mood swings! If you don’t think that you are brave enough, strong enough, or stable enough then you need to talk to your man about your concerns! Be open minded of what he has to say also!

If you have made it this far then please remember the journey will be all worth it in the end. Your kids will admire you and learn so much from you, and -if you’re married- your marriage can grow stronger! They don’t call them Journeymen for nothing!

But if you’re just looking to make a fat paycheck… This isn’t for you!

A little History! (Part 1)

Well, seeing as how I have been pushed over the edge of boredom and thrown head first into the eighteenth century, I decided to write it down. As I pondered this endeavor I wondered if I should go back in time and put some of the funny, stupid shit that the guys have done over the years, but who am I kidding they will repeat it so let’s get started. First a little history. I am a rancher’s daughter, born and raised, that is where I met my wonderful husband who does transmission power lines and became a powerline wife. I often wondered why I was about the only wife that traveled with their husband, but then that is why I say wondered! I do it out of love, just to watch him eat, shower and snore!  We travel the states bring power to the people! Living out of motel rooms, travel trailers and sometimes our trucks. We leave behind a few friends we have met on the way, memories of the places we have been and the occasional court order for paternity. Every crew consists of a few old married codgers that took this job to be away from their wives, a few normal ones, a few married stupid ones that think they won’t get caught and a group of young single “whores”! I dearly love each and everyone of them, even if at times I have tried killing them. We also have our youngest daughter that travels with us, she is 6 going on 35. She loves seeing all the new places and meeting new people, but has never lost sight of home. Needless to say she is a bit spoiled. We all have a very large extended dysfunctional family, but we always love and watch out for one another.

JMO: Adultery among Linemen and Linewives… Part 4 UN-STEREOTYPED!

Let’s restore…

So, here we are… The last part of my JMO: Adultery series! I hear sighs of reliefs, I hear little voices saying, ” Yeah, Yeah get on with it!”, and then I hear the click, clicks of those running away HAHA! Well, I like to go out with a bang so hopefully I do that. We will see.

A lot of the LM I talk to or hear about are either newly divorcées, remarried (for the 3rd time), or can’t keep a good girl. Very few are happily married, but the ones that are, are doing a great job and so are their wives! When it comes to the LWs I talk to… Well, they come in all types, but I must say I sure do keep in good company 🙂 I do hear a lot of selfish talk coming form both sides though. Isn’t marriage suppose to be selfless on both sides? Why has the feminist movement taken us to such an extreme that we all- men and women- feel like we are entitled to the best of everything?

I personally like to try and be/do the best I can! I think most of us are constantly looking for ways to improve. So, why should this be any different in our marriages? Why do we become so comfortable with the way things are that we don’t even realize when things are going wrong? Well, instead of being a complete downer- like I know ya’ll were expecting- I want to take a  more positive route. I want to talk about how we- both LM and LW- can attempt to prevent their spouses and even themselves from straying! I am going to start off with, probably, the most obvious and hopeful end with that BANG! Here we go:

• Communication! I think this is probably the most obvious, but at the same the most forgotten and misused aspect of a relationship! With that being said I figure I will break it down into hot topics…
  • Talk daily even if you have nothing to say, or you just don’t feel like it! When I say talk I don’t mean text, I mean voice! Either phone or this amazing technology they have now called Skype or Face Time! Make it a point, and make it part of you daily routine!
  • Keep am open mind about anything and everything your spouse has to say. Don’t write it off. If it is important to them then make a point to think about what they are saying. If they say they really need to talk to you well then guess what… They really need to talk to you!
  • Don’t get offended if your spouse brings up something that bothers them about you or your relationship. It is so easy for use to automatically put up that wall when we feel like we are being attacked. Try to listen to what they have to say whole heartedly, and then you both can try to find a compromise for the issue!
  • Be compassionate, especially if you are the one bringing up a touchy topic! Think of how you would want someone to talk to you. Be easy on them okay!
  • The most important… Speak before you cheat! If you have an erg to step out of the boundaries of your marriage commitment than there is something else going on deep down inside you, your relationship, and maybe even you spouse. If your spouse brings up this to you as an issue DO NOT speak out of hurt and anger- think before you speak, and go from there.
• Don’t get caught up in everyday life! We tend to get REALLY busy. We tend to un-prioritize our priorities! If there is one thing I have learned in life, it is one of the most important lessons- Family is the most important thing in life! The ones we love should come first, and the one we love should be at the top of that list of importance. Things can be replaced; people can’t!

• Don’t assume! Just because your spouse isn’t acting normal toward you, or they seem to always be on edge with you doesn’t mean they are cheating. LM tend to carry a lot of stress on their shoulders. And wives who work or take care of the kids can equally carry a lot of stress! Not only do we all deal with every day life, but what about the unexpected events such as the death of a loved one or an illnesses. There are so many different factors that can effect our demeanor. Try to give each other the benefit of the doubt!

• Be understanding and sympathetic! Even if you think you are try a little more… More…. and MORE! Remember- like I said above- we all go through stuff and the way it effects us can be different! Always try to walk in their shoes for a moment… Ladies, how would you like to climb hundreds of feet each day, or work with LIVE wires? Fellas, how would you like to worry all day that the next call you get could be the worst, or take care of all those little heathens all day?
  
• Love unconditionally and respect always! Unconditionally- with out conditions! Love each other no matter how hard the other person is making it for you to muster up those feelings, and never expect anything in return! Our society and the Jones’ next door make us feel like we are entitled to the best of everything, the most respect, the most love and gratitude. Guess what… Momma never said life was easy, or that people would be saints! Just as you may deserve all those things so does your spouse. Lead by example!

• Keep IT fresh! When I say fresh I mean always keep them wonder and anticipating! Ladies- Maybe you could dress up (or down however you look at it!), or surprise your LM with a completely kid free, and sexyful evening… DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE WORK WEEK! Fellas- Compliment her, touch her softly, or get a litte rough HAHA! Bring her a flower you picked on the side of the road on your way home. For some wives, you sweeping up that dirt you tracked in may just do the trick! For all ya’ll- DO NOT be affraid, embarrassed, or ashamed of what I am about to say… Go visit the local Adults Only store! They have some pretty cool stuff in there actually! Yeah, I admit some of it is gross, and some may be interesting HAHA!, but over all they have some AMAZING apparel and fun games!! My love is mine and I am his… so there is absolutly no shame in celebrating what you have and building on it! I will let you get creative form here on out, but it never hurts to ask each others likes and dislikes!

• Work on it! Guess what,,, This crap ain’t easy! And if you thought it was going to be then no one ever told you the truth about L.O.V.E, or you didn’t listen. If you are married then you figured you could handle this person and all their quarks! This isn’t dating; you can’t just kick them to the curb because they said something you didn’t like! Consider every new adventure in your relationship a learning experience that you can pass on to you offspring! 

Okay, well that wraps that all up… Oh, wait no it doesn’t! I wanted to mention that if you have at least communicated with each other, and maybe even the topic has come up about the desire to cheat- try talking to an unbiased third party! Counselor, pastor, someone! PLEASE don’t just give up! I can tell you one thing… Cheating doesn’t just happen and is not meant to happen, but your marriage was meant to be! So, instead of just giving up and throwing in the towel try just a little bit harder, because success is far greater than failure! If you can one day look back hand in hand and say. “Yeah, remember when… Yeah, we CRUSHED that!” then you will be part of the few who have stuck it out and became something great!!!

Well. please know I care about you all even if I do not know you personally! People are what make this world great, and I hope to make a difference and hope you do too! Let’s set a new standard for the families in the line industry. Let’s set a new standard for America!

Until next time LC!