Mudgrips - white-tip Well, I don't have a cigar sticking out of my face, and my smirk probably isn't that obnoxious, but the rest of it probably describes Blue Truck pretty well. It's been a while since I've done a Blue Truck update. BT's still going strong, but I'll admit that I still keep wishing and hoping for a newer version. Until I win the lottery, BT will have to do. To keep Blue Truck in tip top shape, I do bi-annual "spa" visits, one in June and the other in December. This particular visit took two days and generated more of a bill than usual. Day One included a visit to Big O Tires for wiper blades, a tire rotation, and new brake pads and rotors. I don't know how often you've had to replace your pads and rotors, but I've had BT so long that this is the second time I've had to have that particular job done. The last time was ten years ago. Total cost for wiper blades, brake pads, and rotors: $518.47  Not sure what I am looking at, but it's there somewhere. I brought BT home for the night so that I could tackle the rest of the maintenance the next morning. Before it got dark though, I dragged out the shop vac and a hot bucket of water and gave the inside a thorough scrub and vacuum. The next morning, Day Two, we went through the car wash. Total cost for cleaning/vacuuming at home and exterior car wash: $6.00  The bed was filled with leaves so the car wash operator told me he couldn't give BT a blow dry. No matter, I told him, I'll just drive fast! Filling up with gas is not only super expensive, it's a big tank and BT uses gas like nobody's business - a dismal 8 mpg, but most neighborhood stations aren't equipped to handle a truck and trailer combo. Since I leave the truck parked at the barn (usually already hooked up), I tend to get gas out on the highway at one of the larger stations when I leave for a show. This means that I always pay at least thirty cents more per gallon. Since I was trailer-free for the weekend, I squeezed BT into the corner station and filled up for only $2.30 a gallon! Total cost to fill up: $49.61  Cheapest gas we've had in a VERY long time! After filling up BT's tank, I drove over to my favorite oil change place and got that taken care of as well. The guys at Branson Express Lube are always super fast, thorough, and very honest. They never sell me services that BT doesn't need, but I can trust them to tell me what does need to get done. for this trip, I got lucky. All BT needed was the oil change. Total cost: $46.61  That has to feel good! I really love having my own truck and trailer, and frankly, I couldn't go back to depending on someone else to haul me around - mostly because there isn't a "someone else." So while maintenance on a vehicle that isn't my daily driver adds up, it's worth the price, especially since I don't have a car payment.  Ready and waiting for our next road trip! So what did Blue Truck cost me this month? A tidy little $620.69. Less than a truck payment, but enough for a show. Good thing there aren't a lot of December shows!
How did you spend your December show budget?
jenj
12/23/2015 07:02:09 am
The check engine light on My Precious just came on yesterday, so I imagine my show budget will be going to whatever that is. Fortunately there aren't any shows in December! 12/23/2015 07:15:44 am
I HATE idiot lights ... my car's airbag light has been on for several months. I REALLY need to get that checked out too. If only they did mobile repairs ... :0) I bought a new-to-me 2500HD truck last December (it's a 2005), to replace my just-getting-by 1500. I forgot to have him inspected on time (oops) and had it done 3 months late in December... where he needed lots of bulbs changed. Usually that's something I buy the parts and Husband puts them in, but I was pressed for time and needed the inspection ASAP so the dealer got to charge an arm and leg to do it. This December was cheap, next fall/winter will not be. Truck will need new tires! But it is cheaper to maintain Truck and Car than it is to pay for all that gas for Truck! I couldn't go back to someone else hauling me either- I can just pick up on a whim and go! 12/23/2015 07:49:29 am
The reason I bought my car ... almost 11 years ago, was because the car payment was what I was paying for gas to drive my truck around! So while a second vehicle can be expensive initially, it has ultimately saved a ton of money and wear and tear on the more expensive to replace truck. :0). gas around here is currently hovering just under $2/gal, which is *ahhmazing* bc i can fill my truck up for <$50. crazy. but yea my truck could use some tlc like this too - particularly new tires, blargh. but my budget this month (and for some foreseeable months) was blown by personal and feline-related medical bills.... le sigh. 12/23/2015 08:53:14 am
Gas in California is well known for being some of the most expensive in the country. We have a winter blend and summer blend, which is more expensive. Because of our population (high) and lack of public transportation, we have far more drivers than any other state. This creates more air pollution in the nicer months (nine of them)l, especially when we also have more visitors. The "summer blend" has all kinds of additives that help reduce pollution - we are told. I haven't seen gas under $2.00 in a REALLY long time - more than a decade probably.
Carly
12/23/2015 10:09:36 am
My truck is patiently waiting in the driveway to get its transmission sorted out. I'm not even going to make it an appointment until I know I have enough money to fix the biggest of problems, just in case! 12/23/2015 05:58:48 pm
That is my biggest concern with a 15 year old truck ... the transmission. I haul over a 4,000 foot pass nearly every time I show, and each time I do it I chant - I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
My favorite breeches!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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