Wow, 114,000 dead. Unbelievable. And the losses continue to accumulate. Nature. Awesome, beautiful, powerful, deadly. The hurricane season was hard to comprehend, this surpasses that by far.

Well, in my little protected world things are some better but still experiencing small glitches! This morning it is a forklift alternator. So far no one has been able to cross reference it. I had figured someone in Lubbock would be able to do it but Rian has almost run out of contacts and to no avail! H is for Hitachi! To be "American made" anymore just means the components were assembled in the good ole' U.S. of A, they don't say where the components come from!

I was needing some supplies yesterday that the farm store had run out of and Krl needed to go to town, our laundry had built up over the holiday and it just seemed the logical thing to do was to go to the laundromat instead of trying to accelerate the process with the small washer/dryer in the trailer. So, if you are going to drive two hours to town and back you had better make the most of your trip! Enter grocery list. I took Krl to the laundromat and helped her lug all the clothes inside, then I headed to Wal-mart and other stops. I believe I cris-crossed Walmart several times over. I tried to do my list where I would only have to go to the pharmacy section once, but I found I had to make repeated trips. Some of it was just dumb on my part, like picking up just on salt and not Epsom salt (no, Epsom salt is not in the spices!). It was a beneficial trip, we shouldn't have to go back to town until we need dog food and that means Midland and Petsmart!

Speaking of hounds, Krl and I are are going to be grandparents again! We are expecting grandhounds! Ollie called me and told me they were invitro-ing Witleigh, her English bulldog with ten fertilized eggs! She is excited!

For Christmas, the GM gave Krl and I a ham, not a half ham, a whole ham. It is huge! In the past we have always found a meat market that was willing to cut it in half or into ham steaks which made it much easier to store. Living in an RV you have limited refrigerated storage. We had actually lucked out because while the weather was cold we had it in a thermal bag in a cooler outside our door. Said cooler had ice and water, totally engulfing our prized ham. Actually the way it worked we had an Igloo cooler filled with a block of ice which had our ham inside. We didn't have to worry about it until yesterday when the thaw finally made its way through on the top side.

Krl and I were doing a stroll down memory lane, remembering times gone by, before we became spoiled to all the amenities we take for granted! I had to tell Krl my memories of the Roscoe Locker Plant. The community center sits on this site now. The Locker Plant would slaughter and process your beef or hog and then store it for you. You had large drawers, much like a bank deposit box except they were larger and it was much colder! Every so often you would make the trip to the locker and get what meat you needed or a storable amount. It used to be one of my favorite place is the summer! Another favorite memory is of the old ice house! My grandad and I would go by and fix our water jugs. The iceman would take a block of ice and put it in the grinder and fill the jugs totally with ice which we would then fill with water! On a lucky day, my grandad would pick out a water melon and have the iceman put it in the vault to cool until later in the day! Oh, for the good old days!

FATHER I continue to ask YOUR blessings of all those affected by the tsunami and quake. Be with those who have suffered loss. Be with the relief efforts! I pray for calm and order for those living in these areas. FATHER, I pray for Hag, for Lillie, for Maria, for Rene', for Carol, For Michelle, for Aimee, for Rusty and Kim's baby, for Kristy's sister-in-law and her baby, I ask that YOU bless them with YOUR healing. I thank YOU for blessing S & P with child, I pray YOU will be with them through this pregnancy. FATHER I pray for those of us ailing spiritually. Help us to surrender it all to you and to lay it at your feet. Fill us with YOUR spirit. I call upon YOU LORD!

It would appear 2004 is going to go out kicking and screaming! Nothing is going to be easy about finishing out this year!

I don't know why we can't have a few days off, everyone return to work and pick up where we left off! Instead everyone seems to have the blahs and don't cares and the quality of work is showing it. Add to this personnel problems and equipment problems and it has not been very pleasant since the Christmas break.

Yesterday was the day from H E double L, equipment wise. From broken wheels, to blown out tires, to blown heater hoses to broken lugs. We had it all! Luckily we were able to handle most of it remotely with limited help from service vehicles in route. This morning we are still feeling the effects of the breakdowns. When I took my early morning inventory guess what, I was out of trucks! Way too early in the day for this to be happening! We will muddle through!

Throw into the mix the fact that a long time employee made an unscheduled trip to his trailer house and found another employee in there who does not live there! We don't need this crapola! When asked what he was doing the intruder just bolted and said nothing! I would like to think the best but I feel his reactions spoke volumes. We don't need this in our small community!

I hate year end reporting! I hate taxes that start back up after the new year, we just finished paying them! Get a life! Get a job! And it seems that only to add insult to injury we have a payday on the final day of the year! Go figure.

O.K. I am venting. When I look at my problems and listen to the news, my problems pale by comparison. 63,000 lives lost! Unbelievable. Worst case scenario too, these countries are ill equipped to deal with a large disaster, much less one of this magnitude. Forgive me for thinking I have problems!

FATHER, instill in me the confidence that YOU will get me through this. Help me to learn what I am supposed to learn from this. FATHER I ask YOUR blessings and intervention for all those affected by the quake and tsunami. Help the relief efforts. Help the workers. Comfort all the victims. I pray for physical healing for all those who need YOUR gift of healing. I pray for spiritual renewal for R2D2 and all of us in spiritual need. YOU are great!

Is it possible that time off moves at a higher rate of speed than time on the job? Inquiring minds want to know!

I cannot believe how quickly three days were gone! It just baffles me! I want more!

We brought the plant back on line about forty minutes behind schedule yesterday. We pretty much thought that was a victory. Surprisingly a majority of the employees were honorable and did what they said they would do. My hourly people were fifty-fifty in this category. Forklift operators showed, seed loaders were eleven hours late. All but two of my trucks were on time, these two are on the poop list. It would be bad enough if these people were just irresponsible but they felt no remorse. Oh well, I suppose that should make for a clean conscience for me when I replace them!

Mondays are a horrible day for me to be short handed. There are settlements (and yesterday not all of them were done due to the fuel reporting glitch), there is weekly billing, there is banking, bill paying, along with FYI meetings for the week.

The two seed loaders had asked me if they could leave early Thursday night. They reasoned that if they could cross the border when it was not busy they could get their certification that would expedite their recrossing Sunday. Sounded good. By the time they arrived, about six yesterday evening, I had been on the phone making calls to employees from past years that made contact after our roster was filled. The former employees and I were trying to see what time frame they could be on site when the two renegades drove up. Actually they thought it was funny until I told them not to unpack. After that the mood became quite somber and they were telling me how much they needed to work and needed their paychecks. Their actions sure didn't show it! I really have a problem when a person would rather lie than tell the truth. One thing about it, neither of these will be eligible for rehire and neither would want me as a reference! What goes around comes around!

Two of my regular truckers did not meet their scheduled "in" time. When we send everyone out, whether it is a maintenance Sunday or Christmas, I prepare a phase-out, phase-in schedule. This tells all the guys when their last load out is and at what time they need to return after the down time. The primary reason is to prevent all of them from racing to get back and get the number one position, it also protects their position in the loading order and prevents anyone from improving their position. All of them can go home, enjoy reasonably close to the same amount of time off and then return and slide smoothly into the rotation. At the bottom of my standard form I always put my cell phone number along with my office number and advise them to call me if there is a problem meeting schedule. One trucker was scheduled in at eleven Monday morning, he arrived at four, the other was scheduled for noon, he arrived about three-thirty. One of these has not met a phase-in schedule all season. Lucky for them I had hedged my bet and also that my South Texas trucks arrived early. I loaded two ranch loads early in the day (in the number three and four positions) in order to keep things flowing and the plant rolling. I am making my list and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice, Boss is deciding on rehires, right now!!!!!

I had told Krl prior to the holiday that if an hourly employee stayed until the end of their shift and if that employee returned on schedule, I thought they should receive pay for eight hours regular time for Christmas Day. She concurred. I told her that I was not going to tell any of the guys about this and that way they would not be swayed by money, just by honor. Only two employees met the overall criteria and when I informed everyone of the silent bonus pay, or lack of, these two were the only ones wearing wicked little grins! Thanks Delfino and Julio!

Coming to the trailer last evening was like arriving at a safe haven! It had been a long day loading all the trucks and I was covered in cottonseed lint! Krl was picking lint off of me by the handful! I made a direct connect route to the shower and it was heavenly! This morning I am still paying, because my eyes were matted shut and I have a cough (even though I wore protective equipment). I think it was probably because of the in and out cycling from job to job!

How long until the next time off? This weekend is a scheduled maintenance Sunday. It should not be a full day because the last one was comprehensive and we were off three days for Christmas. The GM was telling us in the FYI group Monday morning that his projections are for six more weeks to completion! Longer than we had anticipated but also a much larger season. Regardless, we will be here until the end, GOD willing!

FATHER, thank YOU for seeing me through yesterday, it was a long, trying, testing, day. Help me to be fair and honorable in my dealings and help me to appreciate those striving to do likewise. I continue to pray for those in need of physical healing, bless and comfort them. I pray for those is spiritual need. Fill us and make us whole. Please bless this day and week! For YOUR love FATHER, I am thankful!

What a peaceful calm day our Christmas was. It was very enjoyable. We had nothing to do and nowhere to go by choice. I am glad everyone understood our need to sit tight and recharge. Krl and I had completed our gift exchange Christmas Eve so we did individual versions of sleeping in! We had some cleaning to do and then it was back to the grindstone. With Monday settlements still looming on the horizon we did have some work to do and additional work for today. We did run into a glitch with the co-op's fuel reports. They have a three day hole in them so we were unable to complete the individual settlements. Oh well.

Late in the day we began preparation to cook dinner. Rian, Erica, and Reidman had called telling us they would stop by on their way to San Angelo. We had decided to do the West Texas version of Christmas Dinner and had picked up some rib-eyes, some babyback ribs, and some of Earl's sausage. Oh, and some all beef wieners for Reid to chow down on! About three Krl had put in the baked potatoes and just before four we got the call that our guests were just an hour away! We got them to pick up milk as they came through Stanton. I made my way out of the trailer and began cleaning the grill. Finally I fired it up and went back inside to season our feast! Not long after I had it all going, Reid's entourage arrived! Erica and Reid went into the trailer and Rian and I stayed close to the pit. We took the meat off the grill after about another half hour and when we went inside Krl had finished all the other components, baked potatoes, baked beans, rolls, and iced tea! It was delicious! Reidman is kin to his Dad and Dandy because he is quite the eater! Everyone gourged themselves so much we didn't even slice the pies!

Reid had a couple of gifts under the tree (officially everyone had been informed that the big family Christmas has been moved to February), but they were just oodies. He loves the hotwheels or matchbox cars, so Meme and Dandy had picked him up an assortment of them. Rian and Erica also had brought gifts for Krl and I. It was kind of awkward because Rian gave me a book he had given me in July! He just couldn't believe he had done that so I went back in my blog archives and showed him! No big deal. It is the thought that counts! It seems that in the summer he had given me the book to read and he was listening to the audio version. I finished mine and he didn't.

I talked with Memama and Pepa. Their house was quiet. No one was there as Pat was working in Hamlin at the nursing home, TJ and her crew are busy with ET's job, Coach and his crew did their own christmas Christmas Eve (because Kirby had to fly back to Corral Gables Christmas morning for Miami's bowl game), and Fred and his crew had their own deal going. Pat and her family were going out late Christmas Day for Christmas with Memama and Pepa. I didn't talk with Jeanetta , I will make it a point between now and New Years. I didn't talk to any of our phillies! Krl talked with TRC but we didn't hear from Kali or Ollie. Makes me wonder if Addie behaved well enough this year for Santa to come see her!

I actually slept in until after eight today! It was pure torture to do this, but I did it. Just about the time I get used to the down time we will bring the plant back on line! Krl and I have more settlement work to do today so I don't know if we will make the trip to town or not.

FATHER I thank YOU for the enjoyable holiday. I continue to pray for all those who are traveling. I pray for safety for all. I pray specifically for family, for friends, for acquaintances and for my workers. FATHER, I continue to pray for Delaney and her family, for Hag, for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Rusty and Kim's baby and for Kristy's sister-in-law, Jennifer. I ask for YOUR healing for them all. I pray for those of us who are ailing spiritually. Heal our hearts and fill us with YOU! I pray for all of our spiritual family and that we might spread YOUR kingdom. All glory is YOURS!

Christmas Eve was good. I had been up early, witnessed the shut down, came back to the trailer, went to the office did a little computer work while the girls were still there (they had to work until noon), then I went and got on a forklift and did some loading that needed to be done. The icy roads had made it necessary for us to put some bales on the ground, and even though we had doubled up, we still had a hundred bales of cotton on the ground, two loaded trailers, and about forty mote bales on the ground. it took me until about noon to get everything to what I would term a suitable situation!

I grabbed a quick shower, shaved, hopped in some clothes and Krl and I were on our way to Midland. We made the mall, Krl needed to shop, I had already cheated on the shopping and made a quick trip to town Wednesday so I had Krl's Christmas stuffed and hidden all over the RV. I just kind of wandered around, watching people, running into St. Lawrence residents, laughing, and visiting. Then Krl and I moved on down the road to Target. She wanted to load up on stocking stuffers and we did not dare attempt Wal-mart. Finally we were through with that stuff, went to Albertsons and picked up a few groceries (we are grilling out today), of course we forgot milk. We finally decided to find a spot for a quick meal and a little relaxation. We ended up at Olive Garden. They had the best atmosphere of any OG I have ever been in but while the meal was O.K., is wasn't a value buy! I honestly believe Krl has become a Spaghetti Warehouse convert. Finally, back to St. Lawrence.

When we arrived it was late afternoon, early evening. We unloaded the loot from the trip and meandered inside. We got a brief scolding from the hound boys and girls as they were not happy we had dilly-dallied. We relaxed a little while and then started the final assembly, gift wrap process, filled our Santa hats with stocking stuff and finally sat back and exhaled! It was done, it was as complete as it was going to get. Enjoy the moment.

Part of my Christmas to Krl included a basket loaded with finger food! There were cheeses, meats, crackers, cheeseball, breadsticks, a veggie assortment with dip and a couple of bottles of wine. When she finally pilfered through it all I set the food on the counter, and she set her sights on her Mrs. Santa hat filled with goodies. Luckily, the jolly little fat man had the foresight to put a corkscrew in with her stocking stuff . I opened a bottle of Australian wine called "Thirsty Lizzard" and we spent the remainder of the evening consuming about half the bottle while we nibbled on goodies as we finished the gifting process. We finished our night with Krl calling Trc and her girls and then we retired. We got to giggling because we were tossing and turning trying to go to sleep but it was too quiet! We have become conditioned to the background rumble of the plant and we had trouble going to sleep without it singing its lullaby!

I woke early, made myself stay in bed and cat-napped for an additional couple of hours but finally enough is enough. I got up and made my way through the trailer. Even before I exited the bedroom the hound girls were vying for position on my side of the bed! Good things come to those who wait!

When I awoke I was in a very good holiday mood. I did some basic cleaning, stuff we had overlooked last evening and then turned on the noise maker (television), and sat down at my desk to asses the news of the day on the computer. I did a quick check of e-mail and my mood became very somber. I had an e-mail forward that went to my niece, from my niece, to my youngest sister and then out to everyone in their address books. It involves an eight month old girl that pulled a hot Fry Daddy on top of her body Thursday night. She has suffered burns on forty percent of her little body and if she lives will lose some fingers and require a very long recovery process. The little girl was in a walker when this occurred. Her name is Delaney, she lives in Florence, Texas. Her mother Deena also suffered burns retrieving Delaney from her walker. The original e-mail was sent out for urgent prayer requests by one of the burn center RN's where Delaney was flown. Please include this little girl and her family in your prayers.

FATHER, I don't understand when YOU allow the young and innocent to be inflicted with pain and suffering, but I don't see all that YOU see and I don't know all that YOU know, and for this I am thankful. It would be too much for a mere mortal. FATHER, I lift up this little girl, Delaney, to YOU for YOUR care. I ask YOUR healing, and comfort for her and her family! I continue my prayers for Hag, for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Rusty and Kim's unborn baby, for Jennifer (Kristy's sister-in-law), and for Maria. I ask YOUR blessings on them all, YOUR will be done! I continue to pray for healing of the heart for all those who have become hardened. I pray for a lost world. Bless those traveling and those separated from family.

Thank YOU for this joyous season celebrating Jesus born. FATHER I don't mean to doubt YOU and YOUR plan about the young and innocent, because YOU gave it all and I know when we hurt YOU hurt. I am thankful YOU are a loving, merciful GOD that blesses us with YOUR grace. Praise be to YOU!

CHRISTMAS EVE gift!

Not that my Dad does the computer thingy but maybe mom can document the day and time for him!

I awoke early early early this morning. I had had an uneasy night and finally had moved to the couch. I believe I slept in fifteen minute splotches. Finally about six fifteen I slipped my shoes on and exited my trailer. One of the other contractors had asked me to distribute his payroll, but not until this morning. He had told me if I gave the checks out early the tail-lights I saw ahead of me would be his employees leaving early! Anyway, we all made it through the night. I handed out his checks and went inside the plant. Everyone was in a jovial mood as we were just a short period of time from shutting down for Christmas. There are about three stoves in the plant and small groups were huddled around each one as the workers had opportunity to get a quick warming! I left the press console after I picked up the bale dock load sheet and I made my way to the master console to get the seed receipt book. When I entered the gin from one end the plant superintendent had entered from the other. I believe we were both pleasantly surprised that things had gone as well as they had. Only minor personnel adjustments had to be made to keep the plant up and going. I exited the building and made a quick trek for one last look at the seed hoppers and then I returned to my trailer, in the mean time the plant had shut down and it had become very quiet in the wee hours of this Christmas Eve morn. Silent Night!

We are looking forward to the time off. Krl and I will probably make the trek to Midland today to do just a little stuff, Mainly eat out and watch the other people. Abuello's is closed so we won't do that deal. It may be time to break new ground in Midland!

Krl and I took time yesterday to deliver Christmas gifts to the girls in the office, the plant super, the GM, and the boys in the supply store. It was fun! The one gift that was most fun was for Becky and Kristy. We have been saying all season long that when it is over we are going to have a magarita buffet! Krl picked up all the components for making the "top shelf" magaritas like Abuello's. The neat part was we loaded all of this, glasses included, into a first aid kit! It was a hoot!

May your holiday season be blessed!

FATHER thank YOU for all the blessings YOU give us. I pray for safety for all the travelers. Be with my family, my workers, my acquaintances that are on the road. I pray for safety for their return as well. I continue to lift up those who need YOUR healing. Bless and comfort them all. Be with those looking for answers, lead them to YOU. Thank YOU for Jesus.

I might as well have spent Tuesday at a little dribbler's basketball tourney! You cannot believe how many times my drivers dropped the ball! Absolutely one of the worst days ever (or at least in eleven years) out here. I think many of them are tired but many of them have become complacent with a padded wallet and momma cooking in preparation for the holiday. A Monday truck finally showed up at nine last evening. One of my regulars chose not to come in, even though I had made special arrangements to work with him and a standing appointment. Then he called me and told me when he would be in. I told him it didn't matter, he could write his own paycheck! The only driver who asked for special consideration that held up his end of the bargain was Rueben. He had asked for Tuesday off with a promise to return no later than ten Tuesday night. He had the most reason to not hold up his end of the bargain. His mother died late last week. His request was granted open ended, but he was back by nine last evening.

Promising news from Mario. Maria appears to be waking from her coma. It has been a week since her open heart surgery. I have been getting brief messages from Mario on my answering machine updating her situation. Late last evening I took a call informing me of the improvements. Thank YOU GOD!

It would appear winter has arrived! Our forecast is for cold cold with chance of a wintery mix. I am looking forward to Krl and the hounds coming back. The thermostat and I have been wrestling over what is comfortable, I am chilled and then I am hot. Krl had been toying with a cold before she left, I am hoping she picked up some antibiotics while she has been gone because I think I may have picked up the same bug!

FATHER I ask for patience and tolerance this day. Help me to think things through as I patch plans that have been trashed. I pray for safety for Krl and the hound boys and girls as they travel. I pray for my drivers as they face the elements of weather. I continue to pray for Hag, Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Rusty and Kim's unborn baby, for Kristy's sister-in-law, and for Maria. I ask for YOUR intervention and healing for them all. I pray for R2D2, for all those lost and searching for YOU. I pray for our spiritual family. I ask that YOU surround us with YOU.

It is way to quiet in this trailer! Krl and the hound boys and girls left yesterday about one. She is picking up mail and a few odds and ends that were needed from Abilene and the hounds are getting haircuts! (go figure, just when it is getting cold they lose all their coat!). I hope to get a few things done around here that are just monotonous and time consuming. Trying to do a little end of year bill/note paying, figuring out which gift suits who in the office, yeah, I guess I am a little bored. I went in to the office and did a lot of data entry yesterday, I picked up shipment sheets from the bale dock this morning and have already started building my model for this week. Nose to the grindstone, butt to the seat!

Usually when I get up I make my way through to the living room and while I am putting socks on, I turn on the TV. Not because I am a news hound but I am a noise kind of person. I may not pay attention to the specifics but if it is turned off or muted, I am immediately aware. Usually we are watching one of the major networks E (east, because we have direct TV and no local service). Yesterday I went through this daily ritual. At one point in the afternoon I thought I had subconsciously misunderstood a news clip so I made it a point to pay attention at the next news cycle. Sure enough it was a report directed at the homeless for shelters with vacancies. I thought to myself, what is wrong with this picture. I realize that some people hearing the report might direct a homeless person to one of these bastions of relief, but the way it was presented it was like "O.K. you homeless people, when you get through watching wheel of fortune or the evening news, pack up that big screen television and come on down to the shelter". It didn't strike me as a sincere. It seemed more like seasonal fluff by the station. I find myself asking if we have become so totally isolated/insulated that we do not understand the magnitude/totality of situations that others find themselves in. I hope not. I am going to do better!

FATHER, I continue to ask YOUR blessings on this day, this week, this season. FATHER I pray for all those who are alone, for those needing shelter, warmth, food, a kind word, or a kind deed. Help us who have been blessed to share our bounty and to share ourselves. I continue to pray for those needing YOUR healing, I ask a special prayer for Maria as she is still in a coma. I pray for healing of the heart, for me, for R2D2, for all that have become hardened and lost. I pray for our spiritual family, that it might grow and spread YOU. I ask safe travel for all of my people as bad weather is predicted. I ask for safe travel for Krl and the hounds as they return to me tomorrow. YOUR will be done!

When Krl and I went to Lubbock for Rian's graduation commencement, I had opportunity to visit some with Rian. His week had been a tumultuous week with the death of his friend, mentor, leader, and fellow educator Larry English. This was followed by the death of another family friend. Needless to say, Rian's week was filled with highs and lows.

Rian told me that Larry's memorial service was standing room only. It was scheduled after school and after work hours so everyone had opportunity to attend. It was pointed out early on that there was no body. Larry had donated his body to the Texas Tech Medical School for research on Lou Gehrig's Disease. It was to no one's surprise that even though Larry is gone, he continues to teach. There were many testimonials, by friends family and co-workers. Larry served as an Elder in the Greenlawn CoC in Lubbock and earlier this year a building was named and dedicated in his honor at one of his favorite outreaches in Mexico. When Larry delivered one of his final sermons before this horrible disease took his ability to communicate, he told the congregation that he was proud to be blessed with Lou Gehrig's and that he knew he would not be asked to bear more than he could. Never in his ordeal did his faith waver. He was asked how in the face of deteriorating motor skills he could continue to be unwavering. He replied that he was going to show the faith he had talked about. And he did. Several stories were related of special communiques that would continue to serve as communication between his children and him, long after he could talk. These are still in place today even though he is gone. A tremendous man who taught through one of life's most difficult situations. I am glad Rian knew him.

Maintenance Sunday took the entire day plus some. Saws, brushes, flashing, all needed to be replaced. Finally last evening between eight and nine they brought the monster back to life. Nine shifts until time off, and the little jolly fat man comes callin'!

We went to Abuello's, ate way to much, and then Krl made the mall for a brief while. We returned to St. Lawrence and finished settlements about ten thirty last evening. Krl is going to town and on to Abilene later today. I hope she doesn't get caught by the weather. Our forecast calls for the coldest temperatures of the year with a chance of a rain/snow/sleet mix. It is supposed to be in here until Friday. Oh well.

FATHER please bless this day and this week. I surrender it back to YOU. Use me, mold me, make me in YOUR way. I pray for healing, both physically and spiritual for all those near and dear. I ask YOUR blessings for all in this season.

Silence is golden! When the plant shut down this morning at seven (for maintenance) things got so quiet you could hear a pin drop at one-hundred paces! Every little movement, every breath (by the hound boys and hound girls) seemed to be amplified! It is almost spooky! But nice! I find myself looking anxiously to next weekend and three glorious days of down time!

We are on top of fifty thousand. By mid week we will surpass 2003 and a week after that we will be approaching the all time record. Once we break that threshold it will be a brave new world. Every bale that exits the plant will be a temporary record holder. We are beginning to lose a little cotton. We (along with most other plants) are so far behind that farmers are beginning to shop around, not for a better price for the service but a more favorable time frame. Many of these guys are finding they need to be flexible in selling their crop across the end of '04 and the beginning of '05 in order to avoid a tax problem. To market their crop it needs to be ginned! Many of these farmers are regretting they did not get an early start.

Silence is golden, but your eyes still sing .......... . Man, now that song is in my head! Reminds me of a junior high dance, an attractive young lady in a red Christmas dress with white fur around the cuffs that tickled as we danced! Silence is Golden was played every other song! Hah! Oh, to be young again!

FATHER, thank YOU for the quiet peaceful morning. Help me to use it wisely. Help us as we try to get our work done and go to town for supplies and R & R, I ask for safe passage. FATHER there are many that need YOUR healing, Hag and his blood disorder, Lillie as she begins her chemo, Rene' as she continues her cancer treatment (for the third time), Carol as they treat her cancer. Michelle as doctors try to treat her siezures. Aimee as she continues to be made whole (thank YOU FATHER!). Rusty and Kim's unborn baby as doctors have diagnosed the baby as having an open spine. For Kristy's (my co-workers) sister-in-law, she is twenty-nine weeks pregnant and just last week was diagnosed with cancer. For Maria, Mario's (one of my truckers) wife who had open heart surgery last week and has slipped into a coma and has not waked up. FATHER bless these people and their families, be with the nurses and doctors as they treat them. I pray for spiritual healing, for me, for R2D2, for all those lost and stumbling. I pray for our spiritual family. I pray for YOUR strength, YOUR wisdom, YOUR guidance, I ask YOUR blessing of mercy and grace! Color my world as YOU intend!

Today has been a crazy crazy day! I left the trailer at close to seven this morning and I have just returned for the first time all day. If it wasn't a problem with my forklift, it was the gin's forklift, if it wasn't one of my trucks it was one of the lease operators. I have bounced back and forth across the compound all the day long! Finally I am in the trailer to try to do settlements!

The board of directors closed the little plant yesterday. The head ginner finally had all he could take of the crew and he turned in his keys and fuel card and hit the road. Now all the insubordinate flunkies, who made his work miserable, find themselves unemployed! What goes around comes around! It is a real shame because the head ginner is quite a nice guy. He retired out here after thirty-three years and it was only after much talk that he had agreed to return for a swan song. It is also a shame because I look at all the dollars that have been spent gearing up for it to run. If I had not had to move my hands from the barracks, I would not have bought Krl's and my new RV, not forgetting the replacement pump for the gin was almost ten thousand dollars. Oh, well. Now all the efforts are being centered on the big plant.

Once the small plant was moth balled, I found myself with a surplus of trucks and one extra forklift operator. It was really bothering me that I was going to have to terminate someone. Miracles happen! The way things worked, we had a driver involved in a traffic accident Thursday night in Lamesa, (luckily no one was seriously injured) his truck remains out of service at the present, I have one temp truck that will cycle out with the maintenance Sunday and then we should be like the three bears and be just right! The one situation that bothered me most was Roy. He had been a late addition to our crew but is a very likeable young man. He is sharp and realized the predicament I was in and even told me if I needed to send him home, he understood. This didn't make things any easier. Today I went to the GM and told him I still had one good employee that I was fixing to have to terminate, we talked for a few minutes as I outlined Roy's abilities. Before I left the office, Roy had a job working for the GM.

December 18, Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! Fifty-four years I think.

We have a full day lined up for tomorrow. Forklifts must be serviced, trucks need service as well. Hopefully we will get to make a trek to town to pick up some gifts for the office people out here and maybe, just maybe, a stop at Abuelo's!

Thank YOU for it all FATHER. I pray for those near and dear and far away. Work YOUR plan.

I spent a portion of my afternoon yesterday helping Krl put up Christmas lights and decorations outside! I have had so many compliments! One of my neighbors in the RV park here at the compound sent his wife to town to get lights for their trailer! We are organizing a hay ride and caroling activity. We are going to start at one end of the trailer park and go to the other end. About seventy-six feet! Probably one chorus of Jingle Bells!

While I was assisting Krl yesterday all sorts of stuff was coming unraveled in the office. The night scale clerk had been unhappy he was having to deal with grain as well as cotton and he threw down an ultimatum to the GM. I don't know exactly what transpired but the night scale clerk no longer works here. Therein lies the problem. The office manager is the wife of the night scale clerk. Oh what a tangled web we weave! Everyone in the office is on pins and needles. The GM and the office manager have both been here for thirty-five years, it sure looks like we are setting up for the showdown at the ole local co-op!

The small plant is still down. When the new press pump got here, it was different. The old pump is no longer manufactured or rebuilt, so all the plumbing had to be retro-fitted for the new and improved model. Rumor also has it that the little plant is through! Stick a fork in it. Too much breakdown time, too many on the job injuries and multiple employee problems as well. We should know later in the day. The GM is canvassing the board members about shutting it down and using it just if the big plant breaks down.

Friday. Where did my week go! Sunday is a maintenance Sunday! I am doing very well spreading bale and seed loads. Currently I am fixing to print my hourly worker's settlements. Never a dull moment! Lots to do! And if that isn't enough there are the year end reports looming on the horizon!

FATHER, this week has been YOURS, it has flown by. I thank YOU for getting me through it. I ask YOUR continued presence and blessings. I pray for Hag, for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Rusty and Kim's baby, for Kristy's sister-in-law and her baby, for TRC. I ask that YOU heal them all. I pray for spiritual healing, for me, for R2D2, for all those lost and hurting. Surround us with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family. Fill us with YOUR spirit.

I tried to make a deal with Krl for her to make my morning shift change round. I had awakened about three-thirty, made a quick trip to the kitchen and looked out the window, liked what I saw and returned to bed. This was one of those rare instances where I found that perfect little niche in bed! It was wonderful, not to hot, not to cold, it was purrrrfffect. I couldn't make the deal with Krl and I had to get up and go to work. You just can't reason with some people early in the morning (Krl).

I rolled out of the trailer at ten to seven. It was a good night for all aspects of the big plant. The small plant blew an o-ring in the press pump just before it shut down last evening. The plant super and the head ginner replaced the o-ring and packing this morning. They fired up the plant and the repair lasted four bales, apparently we have some hard part wear. Several phone calls and several thousand dollars later we are waiting for a replacement pump.

Krl and I discussed it last evening and we are staying here for Christmas. It just seems like the most simple thing to do. Maybe it will simplify things for everyone! We are going to continue to hold to our plan and our family Christmas will be sometime in February and no-one will be rushing to make another tree at another house.

Everyone here is slowly getting into the spirit of the season, O.K., with the heritage and lineage out here it might be that the spirits of the season are getting into some people! More and more people are completing their harvest but we are still looking at the end of January for completion of our contract. Projections now show us exceeding the all time production record by half again, and we are still booking cotton! Yea!

FATHER, thank YOU for the blessed day yesterday. I ask the same for today. I continue to pray for safety for all involved, I pray for successful work. I lift up Hag, Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Rusty and Kim's unborn baby, and for Kristy's sister-in-law and her baby. I ask YOUR healing for all of them. I pray for R2D2 and all who are lost and seeking direction. I pray for our spiritual family. FATHER I lay it all at YOUR feet, YOU are supreme.

Morning report card! Plant performance B, bale truck performance B, seed truck performance A, forklift operators performance A, sleep A+! Thanks I needed that!

We are still without our fuel pump station! The part was flown in from Illinois and the repairman drove out from Odessa and installed it and pfzzzzzz. The new piece was faulty! Now they are sending an upgraded circuit board with micro-chip and with upgraded software! I am hoping that they got it ordered early enough yesterday for them to get it on an over night service! This is getting old. We are getting to be good fuel managers. One happening yesterday brought a grim reality to the situation. One of the press hands at the small plant got his hand in one of the bale wires as the press ram released. It crushed the last digit of one finger and lacerated (or burst) the finger next to that one. There was bone sticking out and everything! Yuk! When they got him to the office the GM had to borrow a supervisor's truck to take the employee to the emergency room.

Krl and I are trying to make our plans for Christmas. In Abilene, we have no tree, no decorations, no plans. In St. Lawrence we have a tree, decorations and no plans. Either place we have no gifts! Oh well! It might just be nice to have nothing to do and no-where to go! Either the hound boys and girls are getting acclimated to here or we have worn them down and imposed our will on them!

FATHER, thank YOU for the good night, the restful night. I ask that YOU bless this day! I pray for those who need YOUR healing, I pray for those who need YOUR presence. Fill us, with YOU!

Bah humbug!

I find myself battling depression. I don't really know if it is because of the week we are having or if it is a combination of the season and the week.

Big headache number 1 is still the card reader for the fuel pumps. Regardless of the promises made, it is not fixed. We are a community in peril! I made the trek to the bank, courthouse and post office Monday morning. I doubled down on the cash I usually keep on hand, just on a hunch that the pumps might remain down a little longer than they had told us, but unfortunately while I was there I did not think and fill my truck with gas! Now the repairman has told us there is a micro chip, not a circuit board that is bad and it has to be flown in from Illinois. Hopefully it will arrive late today. Things have gotten so bad the GM parked his company truck due to fuel level, brought in his personal truck, and began gathering oil drums to take to town while one vehicle has enough gas to make the trip to get gas for the compound vehicles. There has been a constant stream of farmers needing fuel to continue their harvest, and they too are out of luck. As of last evening there was a line of pickup trucks pulling fuel tanks lining the parking lot in search of and waiting for fuel. If there is a funny side to this it is that transport loads of fuel have arrived throughout the day and been pumped in the fuel tanks yet this fuel is not accessible because of the micro chip.

Headache number 2 is propane for the plants! We are using a tremendous amount of propane to run the dryers that condition the cotton as it enters the plant. Our usage fluctuates broadly due to the moisture range of the cotton. There have been days that we have used six thousand gallons in twenty-four hours! Early yesterday we began to have problems with the dryers due to low pressure, yes the big supply tanks were almost out. A transport load was scheduled in but had not made it. I looked out and saw Cypert with his little rural delivery truck backed up and putting what fuel he had into our tank. This is the equivalent of feeding an elephant with a teaspoon! I was joking with the plant superintendent last night that if we could just get the gasoline for the vehicles we could scurry across the country buying up all those pre-filled propane bottles from Wal-mart and every convenience store you come to! A thousand of those could run us for twenty-four hours!

Headache number 3 is preparing the monthly tax deposit! This is just a time consuming process. It is a process of bringing together three different applications and combining them. But then I hate taxes! I have to find some software that will combine all of these automatically. Luckily we are still on a monthly deposit instead of a weekly. Easy come easy go........right!

Krl has been at work in the trailer putting up Christmas decorations. We have a tree! It is a pretty little thing, four and a half feet tall. I am trying to decide if the tree and the seasonal decor relieves or feeds my depression. One thing that it does do is make me very aware of the season. Ten years with no room to decorate meant no reminders. There have been years in those past ten that I have arrived in Abilene on Christmas Eve and put up the tree and the outside lights, just for the grandbabies! Now Krl has directed her efforts outside! I am leary to think what headache number 4 could be! (Electricity).

Lots has been written about the season. The gift giving, the cheer, the joyful demeanor. Much has been written about the reason for the season as this is the time of year when many celebrate the birth of Christ. My personal thoughts are that we cannot celebrate daily, weekly, or periodically Christ crucified and his redeeming blood without celebrating his birth, life, death and resurrection. It is a season of giving. But I would challenge you to give something that counts. The easy part is pulling out the wallet and paying for a selected item. This year I would challenge you to give a part of you! Some time, a kind word, a simple smile. May your season be blessed and may it spill over into a way of life!

FATHER, the demons rage within! Please bring YOUR quiet peace and take control. I pray for TRC, for Hag, for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, and for Rusty and Kim's baby. I pray for R2D2 as well as our spiritual family. Lord lift me up!

There was nothing holy about my Sunday. It was a really trying day. I knew after the trip to Lubbock on Saturday it would double up the Sunday work load. Driver Settlements, equipment leases, a full compliment of master billing and block pages. The only bright spot was that the printer Krl brought from the house is much much quicker than the old one. Usually as I build, proof and print, the print jobs stack up until the printer quits accepting commands, not so yesterday. In addition to the weekend rush for settlements, there had to be other glitches. Problems with the fuel card reader, leaving us forty miles from the nearest fuel outlet. A unit supervisor who wants to run things, the GM met with me and we made some decisions that were passed on to personnel, only for this unit manager to try to overturn once the GM was gone for the day. This is the same unit manager that has let the feeder run out of cotton nine times in the last five days, stopping bale production. I don't know how many times the smaller plant has run out of modules. This is the same unit manager that came to me asking for me to have my truckers bring him parts back from Lubbock, yet when one of these truckers wanted to use one of the gin's impacts to change a tire he didn't want to allow them to. It sure looks like my day will begin in the GM's office.

I have been judged! Krl has been having a real hard time being out here when she feels like she needs to be in Abilene to check on TRC. Thing is she is to chicken to just say this so she would rather pick a fight and then storm out of here and go to the house, mission accomplished! Duh! I made the mistake of commenting about how late it was to be starting dinner last evening, I said it would be nine-thirty or ten before it was done. I was in enough trouble then but when my prediction proved to be true it was katy bar the door! Needless to say we did not eat, she is pouting and I don't need all this crapola! She needs to go to Abilene and see if she can get her unawares out of a wad!

FATHER, already this day needs a lot of work. I need YOU to take it by the edges and straighten and smooth it. I pray for those near and dear, those far away. Bless them all. Forgive me when I get side tracked. Fill my day with YOU.

Whew! The early peaceful morning I wrote about yesterday was shattered by Delfino frantically knocking on my door! He was out of breath, sweating profusely as he told me his forklift had died! This usually wouldn't be a major issue but in his next breath he told me he could not get the back up machine to start! I assured him I was on my way and he quickly headed back to the loading dock. Upon my arrival there I was greeted by a maze of cotton bales thrown haphazardly away from the production line exit. Delfino and one of his cohorts from inside the gin were man-handling the bales with a two wheel cart. My first matter of business was starting the back up machine, I went to it and within a minute had it fired and waiting for a grateful Delfino as he quickly climbed onboard. I then went to assess Delfino's machine. My quick diagnosis revealed two major things, the battery was extremely weak and for some reason the fuel system had lost its prime and the injection pump was sucking air. I raced back to my trailer and asked Krl to hand me a new fuel filter for Delfino's forklift. "It's in a Komatsu sack with a complete light assembly". She was having no luck finding it and I was quickly becoming more and more irritated. Somehow, someway, many of the forklift parts had been consolidated into a large box and I had put it in a storage compartment under our new trailer. When I had discovered it, I shouted to Krl that I had found it and jumped in my truck and raced back across the yard. I placed jumper cables on the forklift and then I removed the old fuel filter, removed the water separator from it and re-installed it on the new filter. I then took the filter out to the fuel tank and filled it with diesel, returned to the forklift, installed it and pressed the primer pump repeatedly. Finally I hit the ignition and it roared to life. By now Delfino had come out of shock and I got the real story. He killed his engine to check fluid levels and when he tried to restart his machine it hesitated and he gave it a blast with the starting fluid, over did it, locked the engine down with the ether, and subsequently ran the battery down. I quickly gathered my tools and returned to the trailer to get ready to go to Lubbock, when I walked in the door it was twenty minutes to seven. Lubbock by ten!

We did make it to Lubbock with a few minutes to spare! We got to see Reidman, he was glad to see his Dandy. Oh, and Rian did receive his Masters! We then went to Rian and Erica's to visit and eat lunch. Rian had made all the arrangements but Krl and I footed the bill for the little luncheon to be catered. It was fun, just not enough time.

I caught myself looking at the graduates, their enthusiasm bubbling over, wondering what was in store for them, how many would excel and how many would just survive. What a tremendous pool of potential, the only limiting factor hidden inside each individual.

The commencement speaker was Sam Medina, a District Court Judge in Lubbock. His story is remarkable. In short his message was "words to live by". He told the story of the chickens and the rooster on the heavily traveled Loop 289, looking for food. With cars speeding all around, one of the chickens told the rooster she had the sudden urge to lay an egg. The rooster offered two items of advice, 1) be quick about it and 2) lay it on the line!

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe day. Thank YOU for the work going well while I was gone. FATHER I pray that YOU help me to appreciate the quiet times when things do get frantic. I ask YOUR blessings on Rian and his little family as he seeks to use his new degree. FATHER I pray for Hag, for Lillie, for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, and for Rusty and Kim's baby. I pray for TRC and the problems she is encountering. I ask YOUR healing for all of them. I ask YOUR blessings for R2D2 and for all of our spiritual family. I thank YOU for YOUR bounty, YOUR mercy, YOUR grace. Rain down YOUR blessings!

Hello Saturday! It is early! Although not that much earlier than when I usually begin to stir around. Big difference is that usually this is my time. Today we are on a schedule. Lubbock by ten. I hate schedules, I guess it is because I deal with so much scheduling.

Actually we were not going to get up this early. I haven't set an alarm clock in weeks if not months. About the only time I use an alarm clock is if I have been up a large portion of the night and I need to make my rounds at shift change, in fact this alarm has not been set since we moved into this trailer three weeks ago. The alarm sits on Krl's side of the bed and when we went to bed she was fiddling with it and telling me she was unfamiliar with how to set it. This clock radio/alarm is one of those engineering marvels where there are few buttons and different combinations of presses move to different functions, sometimes without you even knowing it!

I was lying there awake, listening to the steady purr of the plant when the alarm went off. Krl had set it for five-thirty. I rolled out of bed and made my way into the kitchen and did a quick look across the yard taking inventory of trucks. Shortly after I got up I heard Krl getting around and very soon she walked into the kitchen , make-up bag in hand. Now this is a woman that hates mornings! She sat down and began her make-up regiment. We are quickly becoming one of those couples that do not require words to communicate, but after about thirty minutes Krl asked me what time it was, I looked at the clock and replied "four". She said "that's just what I thought!" Somehow when setting the alarm, the time had been advanced ........... two hours! Surprisingly Krl has continued to put on her makeup. Don't try to tell me she is not excited about Rian's graduate school commencement!

I have tried to hedge my bets. Frankie, the plant superintendent has been informed of my quick trip to Lubbock, he is very good to help should a crisis arise and he has agreed to keep an eye on my people. Delfino is on night shift but he has agreed that should the day crew have a problem, he is ready to handle it. In addition I am leaving my pickup with him. Charles, my lead trucker hauling bales is informed and assures me they can handle things until I return later today. I am pretty comfortable with my seed haulers since Adan and Gilbert are pushing them. Of course my cell phone is fully charged and I will have my notebooks and business card rolodex on hand, just in case.

FATHER, thank YOU for this day and peace and quiet that the early morning brings. I pray for safe travel today. I pray for a good work day for my people in my absence. I ask that any problems will not be more than they are capable of handling. I continue to pray for Hag, for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle. I pray for their healing. I thank YOU for continued good reports for Aimee and I ask YOU to continue blessing her with YOUR healing. I ask YOUR intervention for Rusty and Kim's unborn baby and the health concerns of their doctors. I pray for R2D2 and for all those searching for YOUR plan for them. I ask YOUR blessing on our spiritual family and for a world in need. Surround us with YOUR peace and love.

Late night last evening. I had to reprimand an employee, one of those unpleasant aspects of management. This particular employee decided he was going to change his job description and before night I had a steady trail of truck drivers flocking to see me.

I have two brothers who help load and tarp the seed trucks, they wake up drivers as it is necessary for them to change positions in the loading process, and they sweep and clean the loading area. I get the feeling these two brothers are not getting along living and working together. One bears the load, the other manipulates the hours and work load to his advantage. I had Roy serve as a witness and interpreter to make sure there was no mis-understanding. It sometimes amazes me how an employee can get so upset at me when they need to be upset with themselves. It is equally amazing that we have become employees looking to do the least for the most, not a whole lot of pride left in a job well done!

The GM of the plant is going to have to step in. Some of his personnel are causing problems that affect the entire operation. Nine times this week production has stopped because the man feeding the modules let the feeder run out. His supervisor (who brown noses with the GM) seems to think this is not a problem. The trickle down theory is evident throughout!

FATHER, I am going to need some help keeping my tongue bridled today. I ask for safe passage for Krl and the hound boys and hound girls as they travel to St. Lawrence. I ask for a smooth night and day tomorrow as Krl and I travel to Lubbock for Rian's graduation. I continue my prayer for Hag, Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle and Aimee, and also for Rusty and Kim's unborn baby. I petition YOUR healing for them all. I ask YOUR blessings, for R2D2 and our spiritual family. I ask that YOU continue to unfold and reveal YOUR plan for me.

I have been sleeping like a rock! I don't think I move. If the night shift has a problem they had better bring a crane if they need me up, I don't know if I would hear them should they attempt to wake me.

Production continues to gradually climb. Before long we should be back at pre-rain production levels. It has been very difficult to forecast what the truck needs are each evening. I have had only one truck doing repeated cotton bale loads during the night but we have been on the verge of needing more help. I think we crossed the line last night. It is very difficult to say for sure. Everyday this week we have had either truck or personnel problems or a combination of both. Last night I had a very dependable driver come in from a mote load to Lubbock. It was nine forty-one when he scaled in. He unhooked the mote trailer and told Delfino he was going to take a short nap. Six o'clock this morning he woke up. Cotton bales sitting on the ground, all the trailers full. What is wrong with this picture! While I have been bringing in three bale trucks during the day I don't think three can pull the rabbit from this hat today. I have ordered one additional hopefully by noon.

Moving to the north end of the complex, seed trucks are better but not by much. We remain at down levels truck wise but one truck has not showed up in over twelve hours pointed toward twenty-four. I had a report this one truck was totally out of route headed south to points unknown. This truck has dropped out of the rotation three times in thirty-six hours. I'm not sure what is going on with this trucker but I have a very uneasy feeling. Finally, he has called telling me that he has run out of fuel, thirty miles from the plant. This driver has made close to one hundred loads from St. Lawrence to Lubbock and he still doesn't know how much fuel it takes? Hello. The sad part is that this driver is making it difficult for all the other drivers.

Krl and the hounds are scheduled to return sometime tomorrow. I am looking forward to their return and I have been trying to get a good start on weekend driver and truck settlements. Krl is bringing dressy clothes for us to wear to Rian's graduation Saturday. She is picking up supplies today in Abilene.

We received an interesting letter yesterday. It was from the Texas Cotton Ginners Association. In the letter it explained that the General counsel for the Texas Department of Public Safety had determined that cotton bales and cotton seed are not agriculture products and that the 1547 permits (which everyone has purchased at a cost of $206.00 per vehicle) are not good for bales or seed. Go figure. This is reminiscent of a few years ago when they determined that module builders, boll buggies and grain carts must have brakes to be towed on the highway. I am trying to get hold of Pete Laney's office in hopes he can get the attorney general to make a pro-agriculture ruling. Sounds as though DPS has been wearing their hat to tight....... again!

I immediately think back to a hearing a few years ago that I attended at the Austin headquarters of the DPS. I have never seen so much security. Signs everywhere saying no weapons of any kind allowed past the metal detectors. Once I had passed security I was quick to notice I was the only one without a gun!

FATHER, bless this day. I ask that YOU take control of it and of me. I pray for hag, Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle, Aimee, and for Rusty and Kim's unborn baby. I ask that YOU bless them with YOUR healing. I pray for R2D2 and all the needs of our spiritual family. I ask for safe travel for Ms. Judy as she begins her trek to Tennessee. Fill the earth!

We made up for the boring Monday yesterday! Be careful what you wish for! As boring and long as Monday was, Tuesday was packed top to bottom and side to side!

I awoke and found one truck driver had dropped the ball. He had left his truck at the office and gone home for some sleep without calling anyone! Usually we run "comfortably" behind but we were way behind. Like almost a full shift! Luckily the small plant had trouble coming up or it would have been really ugly. I became a cheerleader urging everyone to try for "warp speed", but sometimes it is better to be steady rather than quick.

It seemed as though everything we did to speed things up was met with an adverse reverse action. Not by personnel but by equipment problems and such. One truck broke one of its two fan belts on his very first load, the Roscoe shop tightened up the remaining belt and got the part number to pick up new ones later in the day. This truck came back to the compound and the driver was fueling and checking fluid levels when he discovered the remaining belt had broken as well! This is where I made a major mistake for the day. Being an hour any direction from a parts house that had the needed belts, I had my Polyanna mentality and started calling all the little rural supply houses and of course none had what I needed. After wasting an hour, I finally loaded up and made a mad dash for town. When I got into town I began stopping at each automotive supply I came to, carried my broken belt in search of a set of new ones, but to no avail. Finally I became very frustrated and headed to the truck stop repair shop. When I arrived there they didn't have the belts I needed but did have a set one inch longer or one inch shorter. I weighed the options, wishing I had done a better mental inventory of the belt adjustment before I had left St. Lawrence, finally I chose the longer belts, paid out and headed for the door. I couldn't believe fifty dollars for two fan belts!

Since I was less that a block from Walmart I felt that I should pick up the few supplies I knew I needed since Krl had gone to Abilene for a few days, mainly breakfast stuff that I can throw in the microwave while I find my socks! Finally I was on the road again. Seventy seemed a snail's pace and I would look down and be running ninety (or in excess) give myself a mental scolding and bring it back to seventy, at least until I surveyed the gauges again and found myself flying across the countryside! I am thankful that Glasscock County has no DPS troopers living in or on permanent assignment in the county!

When I finally got to the compound the truck with the problem was waiting. I tilted the hood over and upon quick assessment thought the job would be completed in minutes. Wrong. When I started putting the belt on over the fan blades everything went fine until the fourth blade. I discovered the belt was not as long as the fan blades and it wouldn't go on. I looked and finally decided I could either take the whole fan clutch and fan assemble off, or take the fan belt drive pulley intact with the fan assembly from the front of the engine block. Luckily the fan on this model does not drive from the water pump! I finally chose none of the above. I loosened the fan from the back of the fan clutch and slid it back on the shaft about two inches and dropped it down just enough to feed the belts through, then raised it and slipped the belts over the fan clutch assembly and on to the shaft, pulled the remaining belt excess through the fan and walla, we were on track. I put a little locktite on the fan bolts and reinstalled the fan, loosened the fan belt pulley and slipped the new belts on and adjusted them. It only took an hour and a half after I arrived with the parts and luckily we completed it just before dark. I then finished my daily chores and made it to my trailer shortly before eight. I didn't hear from the driver so I guess the repairs were sufficient. I hope so because the warranty expired as soon as he was out of sight!

FATHER, days like yesterday make me work for an average. Help me to be steadfast, my movements deliberate and with YOUR purpose. I pray for YOUR healing for those that are ill. I continue to pray for spiritual healing and for R2D2. I ask that YOU fill the needs of our spiritual family. May my day, my week, my life, declare my devotion to YOU.

The night shift had another good night! Hopefully we will continue to chip away at the remaining modules that got rained on by the big rains. Yesterday morning we were told we had in the neighborhood of seven hundred of these culprits remaining. In the past twenty-four hours we have reduced that by slightly over a hundred. Little by little, step by step! When we do get to some cotton that was harvested "post monsoon season" we will feel like we have gossamer's wings!

Krl didn't leave yesterday due to the weather. She is planning on vacating the premise's later today! She has had calls from friends wanting to know "where" she is at! Now it appears it will be a quick trip home due to Rian's graduation at LCC Saturday. I still can't believe that the boy that hated school, that became a school teacher and coach, is now receiving his Master's in Educational Administration. I can't wait until he completes his doctorate!

Interesting blogs by Mike Cope yesterday and today. Both use divorce as the subject matter. I am very tempted to comment but so far I have abstained. It sometimes amazes me how some people become authors and experts in fields they have never experienced. (I am not directing this at Mike or any of his reader's comments). I am speaking from past experiences. I believe that until someone has lived through a divorce they have no idea what it is like. Such a roller coaster of emotion, so many things that those outside never see. I have always heard that it takes two to tango. I have used this to say that it takes two to make or to break a relationship. If only one person in a relationship is working to fix it or maintain it, that person is bailing water with a sieve. You cannot instill your will or your desire on someone who has decided they no longer have the same goals and aspirations as their spouse. I do know that after twelve years of marriage and three children I was devastated when the children's mother moved out. You begin to be filled by all sorts of self doubt. One of the major disappointments for me was how vicious members of the church became. Hungry for gossip. Trying to get an inside scoop. It took me many years to come to terms with some of these "Christian people's" behavior. Now, going on eighteen years in a good marriage (no kids from this one, but two blended families, Krl divorced after seventeen years and one child with a man "in the clergy"), I can honestly look back and say that the divorce was one of the best things that has happened in my life. I feel that if it had to happen, I was going to use it to build rather than to tear down. The children's mother and I remain friends, my wife is cordial with my children's mother. If you ask any of the pertinent players they will agree that in this instance, divorce was good. Everyone concerned has gone on to become bigger and better people. I believe that the twelve years and three kids from my first marriage were a chapter GOD put in my life for a purpose. By the way I did "ace" Carl Breechen's "Family Relations" while I attended ACU.

FATHER I thank YOU for the surprises, the disappointments, the victories, and the defeats that YOU have used to mold me! Help me to not doubt YOU or YOUR plan, help me to not be judgmental or petty. Help me to be able to share with those who suffer similar situations. FATHER the word I received for Lillie is good, I thank YOU and praise YOU for these developments. Doctors believe that rather than ovarian cancer, the cancer was limited to her Fallopian tubes! I continue to ask YOUR healing for Hag, Rene', Carol, Aimee and for Rusty and Kim's unborn child. I pray for spiritual healing, for R2D2 and all who are searching. Fill the needs of our spiritual family. YOU are good, YOU are great!

Today has gone on forever! Nine-thirty this morning and I was so bored! I had done such a good job of doing my weekend work that I did Monday's work too!

I only had one truck that didn't do what his instructions were. Of course this is the third time he has not followed instructions. If I allow him a maintenance Sunday off, I may not allow him to go home and if I do allow him to go home, if he misses his appointment time there will be no need of him coming back. We do scheduling to make it easier on everyone but if one person drops the ball, it snowballs for the remaining crew. On top of this the fact remains that this employee is three loads behind for the week, and if he were to approach me about an advance on his pay I would probably have to deny it. This man's work is not a priority!

We have been awed by nature today. The day started off pretty warm, just a sweatshirt was on the verge of over kill. Then the skies turned blue and dark and Mother Nature turned loose her magnificent fury! Winds over sixty miles per hour, rain that went sideways! Sand! Tumbleweeds! Then brilliant sunshine with gentle winds that have built once again to gale force!

FATHER, YOUR universe is magnificent! The power, the extremes, the calm after the storm, all evidence of YOUR power, YOUR grace, YOUR love for us all. Heal those needing YOUR healing. Fill those with needs. All things are possible through YOU, and for this I am grateful!

Parallel universes. I wonder what I am doing at this exact time there!

Today is dedicated to "recharging". I feel so exhausted, mired in molasses, that I need today to face tomorrow!

The night shift didn't have "a night to remember", but it appears it was better than Friday night. I went out on some creaky limbs and took people and equipment out of the rotation and yet I lived to tell about it today! Even a blind hog sometimes finds an acorn! That's me. Oblivious to the obvious and always hungry!

Courtney, our little waitress from Abuelo's in Midland called last evening! I could tell who it was when Krl let loose a high shrill shriek and the girl talk began! Court was full of news including her recent marriage! Congratulations! We are planning on going in today just before she gets off work! Plans have already been put in place where she can wait on us even after she clocks out! This girl is full of spit and vinegar! Reminds me a lot of Miss Ollie! It should be a meal to remember!

FATHER, thank YOU for affording us this opportunity to recharge! Rest us well and rest us quickly! I pray for the physical health of those near and dear as well as those whose spiritual health is in peril! Deliver us all FATHER.

I have stayed at it pretty hard yesterday afternoon and most of today! I have completed all my settlements, driver payroll, and billing for Monday! We are doing a maintenance Sunday and my folks will come in late tomorrow to change oil, do some cleaning and just general odds and ends. I have one more bale truck coming out tonight and there are two more seed trucks in transit. Basically this will be the first day Krl and I have had that is going to be a loose day! I plan to let her sleep late, (Hopefully I can as well) and then we will go to Midland, do that Walmart thing, go to Lowes, maybe Academy, but without a doubt we will make Abuelo's!

We are in the final throws of Thanksgiving. We have gotten meals and meals out of our leftovers, but tonight marks the final chapter for old Tom Turkey! Krl put together a turkey pot pie! Smells wonderful. She made the assessment that it was now or never!

We are trying to get a proper mindset for Monday. Krl and the hounds are going to the house to pick up mail and check on things. I don't think any of us are excited about being separated.

FATHER, I thank YOU for a productive day and week. I pray for a relaxing and safe day off. I pray for Hag, Lillie, Rene, Carol, Michelle, Aimee and for Rusty and Kim's baby. Bless them with YOUR healing. Be with those who have suffered loss. I pray for R2D2 and all our spiritual family. I ask YOUR blessings on Highland as they celebrate seventy-five years in YOUR service! May YOU reign supreme!

This week is a week of milestones. Not for me in particular, but for friends and acquaintances. This Sunday will mark seventy-five years for Highland. I regret that we have not been in town for the preparations and I also regret not being there this Sunday. My first memories are of attending Highland while attending ACC. Highland is a very blessed community of GOD's people led by a very dedicated group of prayerful, Godly men (and their spouses), ministered to by capable, sensitive and dynamic men and women, blessed with a number of capable and willing worship leaders and praise team members, and filled with a host of good people striving to be Christ like.

I had made it a priority this year to meet Judy Thomas. I failed to get this done before coming to this jobsite. She is moving very soon to Nashville. I have so enjoyed her blog and her contributions to worship services and to the church groups that have enjoyed her influence. Otter Creek is in for a real blessing with her move.

This morning marked the passing of one of Rian's friends. Larry English coached in Lubbock ISD, he served as an Elder at Greenlawn (where Rian and Erica attend). Just a couple of short years ago Larry was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's. Just yesterday he developed difficulty in breathing and was put on oxygen, this morning GOD took him home to heal him. He served as a positive example both prior to and after he was afflicted with this horrible disease. He will be missed by his extended family of friends.

I find myself dragging my feet. This week has flown by! Here it is Friday and I am working on payroll for all my hourly people! Two more days to a maintenance Sunday and a quick trek to Midland for a late lunch and some supplies. Lots of equipment settlements and driver settlements to do between now and then. I think what I am doing is dreading Monday. Krl is going to do her regular Monday but when she gets to Big Spring she is pointing her SUV east and going to Abilene for a few days. It has been over three weeks since she came out here and she feels like she needs to check on things at the house. Of course the hound boys and girls need to check on their yard as well. I am fearful this trailer is going to be rather large when Krl and the hounds are gone!

FATHER I thank YOU for getting me through this week. I ask YOUR blessings on the Highland family as they celebrate seventy-five years of seeking YOUR higher ground, on Judy Thomas as she relocates to Nashville, may her resolve and dedication and love of YOU be contagious in her new surroundings, and I ask special blessings for Larry English's family and friends. I continue to ask YOUR healing for Hag, Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle and Aimee. I pray for Rusty and Kim's unborn baby's health needs. I pray for R2D2 and all our spiritual family. I pray that YOUR glory will fill the earth!

Pfffsssst! I think I have a slow leak! I feel like I am deflating behind my very own eyes.

Where is Scarlet O'Hara when you need a pick me up! I slept like a baby last night. Krl would occasionally shake me and tell me to roll over (O.K., I slept like a baby with a chain saw). I know Krl has to be tired this morning after listening to me work all night long! I think it is the sum total of two months at the jobsite, limited R & R, too much rain (if there is such a thing in West Texas), year end financial projections, and sub par plant production (knowing we have thousands of bales to go before we get back to good cotton). I think I need to go to town and stay at a Holiday Inn. Usually I take a night once every six or eight weeks and go to Midland, get a room and just relax. A long soak in the tub with a good book, order out for pizza and eat it sitting in the middle of the floor while indulging in a two litre bottle of Diet Coke, leave my cell phone in the pickup. These are a few of my favorite things!

I know that these are simply distractions that get me away physically and mentally from my work. The biggest drawback to living in the compound is that you never separate from your work.

Yesterday began very early with computer work. I granted a reprieve for those who did not turn in paperwork on time. Even though they were as much as four days late turning in paperwork for pay, I went ahead and paid them (two days late) with a stern reprimand and a blood oath that there would be no next time. Then after a quick early morning nap, I was out and about tending to work related things. You know, insurance baloney, hauling glitches, just every day things. Then I finally got back to the trailer and began R & R of the water heater. It only took a couple of hours with minor scrapes. B. L. was on the yard and came over with his Makita cordless drill and we were able to expedite the process. I took it one wire at a time, calling out and recording color codes for wiring schematics, taping wires as I moved through the process. It was a good thing I did only one wire at a time and taped them because when I told Krl to turn all the switches on and turn the breaker on she had a bewildered look on her face. "What breaker" she replied. When I had instructed her to turn everything off she failed to hear me mention the breaker. Sometimes I would rather be lucky than good! Luckily I am very uneasy working with electricity and take precautions to never touch two wires at the same time and my work boots are rubber soled. For whatever reasons installation went well. I turned the water and gas on, Krl turned the switches on (but not the breaker), and my new best friend roared to life! In the early part of the evening I returned from my check of the compound to be greeted by the soft blue hue and gentle rumble of the new water heater. Later I rewarded myself with a long, hot shower that was very close to heaven.

FATHER, I find myself trying to do it on my own and I can't. It is consuming me. I surrender it to YOU. This day, this week, this life, I give to YOU. Work YOUR plan. Mold me, use me. I continue to ask YOUR healing for Hag, Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle, Aimee, and Rusty and Kim's baby. I pray for R2D2, for our spiritual family, for our leaders, for a world in need. I pray for YOUR peace for my soul.

My mental is not quite so mental today! Thankfully!

I awoke very early and began doing some computer work. Finally about six I lay down on the couch and catnapped for about an hour. I knew there was no reason to hurry because I could tell from the pitch of the fan noise coming from the big plant it had not been a good night production wise! When I got my windshield clear enough to safely drive I found my assessment was correct!

We were into the upper twenties last night. It gave us a pretty good perspective of where and what water lines need to be insulated! I have been waiting to begin replacing the water heater until Krl makes her trek into town! Krl's medication and the new water heater made it to me last evening just before we sat down to dinner. I was in hopes just having a replacement on hand the old one might right its ways but it didn't work! We have been trying to finish up what should have been Monday payroll. There is a Thursday deadline to turn paperwork in for Monday pay. This past week we were at about fifty percent participation and ,oh the crying and sad stories we heard! This will be their last reprieve. Sometimes you have to learn if you hoard paperwork you have to endure paper cuts!

FATHER thank YOU for carrying me through yesterday. There were several tests and YOU got me through every one! I continue to ask for YOUR blessings in our work out here, I pray for safe work and I pray for productive work for all. I continue to lift up Hag, Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle and Aimee for YOUR gift of healing! I ask for YOUR miracle of intervention for Rusty and Kim's unborn baby. I pray for R2D2 as well as for all our spiritual brothers and sisters. I pray for all those in need. Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow and through whom all things are possible!