u/LemmeSeeFyrewerks

This is my first year driving. I love my routes and I have a good group of kids who follow the rules and are polite enough. I'm naturally an organized person who likes things to look and smell clean, so when it comes to my bus I want it to reflect the same. Maintaining the inside of the bus is no problem. I have my antibacterial wipes, seat conditioners and my broom. I mop my floors on a regular basis and clean the inside of my windows.

But when it comes to the outside of the bus?!?!? I can never get my windows clean! My scrubbing leaves streaks. And I can only manage to knock off just enough dirt and debris to make it tolerable to look at. To be fair, our bus yard does have a major challenge. We are next to a stone quarry and all the dust makes it even more difficult to keep our buses clean. I have asked older bus drivers and their suggestion is to simply give the bus two to three passes. I don't always have that type of time.

I really don't see much of an option except to possibly invest in a high pressure washer. What are your secrets to washing the outside of your bus?

** For added context, I'm driving a 2018 Thomas. Some of the more experienced drivers have also said that buses over 5 years old aren't worth the extra effort.

Today I am taking a flight with my mother to our hometown.

I am thankful a friend offered to drive us to the airport. I took extra anxiety medication and am traveling with my prescription. That calmed me enough that I could remind myself to breathe. Still my nerves were shot before we even left the house. After trying on two pairs of shoes we finally settled on a pair that hurt her now swollen feet less. We crept to the passenger side of my friend's car. A different car meant figuring out a different approach to entering the car. After some maneuvering, we lifted her feet and got her buckled into her seat.

I'm thankful for my wheelchair assistant. At the airport he thoughtfully hurried to her side and helped my friend move Mom into the wheelchair. One upside of traveling with Mom is that we breeze through TSA checkpoints. But on the other side, as we waited by the gate, there were THREE bathroom visits. She insists on not using the Depends just yet bc it will be soaked by the time we land. "Should've used the Always," she comments.

The family restroom was available. Another thanks to God. Back to the juggling act of supporting her weight while lining the seat with that awfully thin paper. Thank God for the rails.

Now we've made it onto the plane. I am thankful we secured 1st row seating. Two flight attendants help me as we brace her weight and walk her to our row. She takes Tylenol. I take an ibuprofen. I didn't sleep much last night and I'm banking on sleeping for the duration of the flight in order to prep for landing.

Because our hometown is located 5 hrs away from a major airport, we will deboard and visit another restroom for an underwear change before I have to drive on my own. By the time we arrive, I will be beat and sore. I will have a torn nail or two. I will have to arrange for dinner while getting her prepped for bed. I will sleep all I can before she calls me to help with something she can't lift. Something she can't reach.

I will finally go to sleep. I will thank the universe for seeing me and giving me the strength to caregive another day.