Hey Frenchie,
Thanks, good to see you haven't frozen solid yet. Haven't been calving yet, figure the twins will start showing up in a couple weeks or so, although we're not expecting any "full terms" 'till second week of Feb.
Been kind of tied up trying to make myself employable. Taking my Class One at the local college. I've spent the last few days cussing out an old White GMC loaded gravel truck. We're trying to reach a mutual understanding about her hair-trigger throttle and my glaring lack of co-ordination when it comes to double-clutching within her 300 rpm shift limit.
Instructor has a wicked sense of humour, so today he had me hook up to a pup (also loaded) and have it chase me 'n' the "Red Devil" truck around the yard. Was quite educational, as the trailer kept losing air... and draggin along with the spring brakes activated sure didn't help my up and downshifting technique. Apparently that's the downside of this below thirty cold snap we're having - one of the darn valves on the pup's brake chambers was frozen open, so we spent an hour or so pouring alcohol down the pup's gladhands trying to persuade the lines to thaw. Eventually managed to win over the evil frozen lines, but felt like pouring alcohol down my own gullet by the end of the day.
Oh well, live and learn, eh? Tomorrow I'm leaving the steel toes at home and digging out the good old Sorels. I might have sore toes if I drop my brake adjuster on them, but at least they won't freeze if I have to throw a set of jewelry on the drivers.
Take care and keep your boot liners dry.