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.