Sunday's message: This is the day the LORD has made rejoice and be glad in it.

My interpretation. Seize the day. Don't try to wait for the perfect day. Take where you are and what you have been blessed with and ENJOY and APPRECIATE every day!

We had an interesting Sunday. Of course Kat spent Saturday night with us so she could go to church. We made the grocery store and picked up the things we needed to do class refreshments for our class and Kat's. We had finished our Saturday out and everyone went to bed. It seemed after a very brief interlude the alarm went off. Krl rolled out of bed quickly and I followed shortly after. It was only after we had put our day in motion that we realized that it was early. Very early. At some point, Krl's alarm clock had been bumped, pressed or mis-set and it was an hour earlier than we had thought. Oh well, it was a very leisurely morning getting ready and driving to Church.

Sunday School was interesting. We didn't get to the lesson. We had one classmate that had been absent over an extended period, and this classmate needed to say something to the class. It was moving. I think this is one of the things that is neat about our class. If it is important to you it is important to the class. Hopefully the air has been cleared and this person will feel more comfortable in attending.

Man, it doesn't seem like it should be Monday already! I need a do over!

I wish I knew where I was going to be today. I haven't heard. I guess I will go in to the office and if that isn't right I will rotate out. Today is the end of the month. My calendar has March 1 with me going to look at some equipment near Lubbock. I know alternate plans are in place if I cannot make it. My office project is going well, I just need to spend more concentrated there. I enjoy the diversity this opportunity affords, but sometimes it is difficult to pick back up after I have been out of the office. Ie: I have been out of the office since Thursday.

FATHER, I pray for a blessed day and week. I ask for a safe week. May my work be steady and true, my words well chosen and I ask that YOU instill patience in me. I continue to lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Rene', Tj, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Rusty and Kim's baby, and those still recovering from their injuries. I ask YOUR healing and comfort for them. I pray for those hurting from loss. I ask for YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us needing YOUR presence. Surround us and fill us with YOUR spirit. I pray for our spiritual family and their needs. I pray for our leaders. Rejoice in the LORD always and again I say rejoice!

Sunday. Thankfully Sunday.

I finally found where I was supposed to be Saturday morning. Our class had a so so turnout to help our former classmate load her furnishings up. Our "mainstay" was there as always and fortunately there was a flow of help that "flowed through". By the time I got there the loading had began but wasn't too far along. I located Buzzy and we decided to tackle the refridgerator. It was a time consuming project. We found that the water shut off valve didn't work when we disconnected the ice maker. A neighbor finally shut off the water at the meter. Then when we had the "fridge" on the "dollie", we found it wouldn't fit through the door. We removed the side by side doors (which was more than we bargained for because the freezer door had the water and ice dispenser). Finally we made it outside and put it all together again. The remaining loaders made great strides while we battled the "fridge". We finished this project in heavy drizzle or light rain. An extra highlight of this project was getting reconnected with John Isom and his wife Jean.

Krl and I signed up to bring refreshments to Sunday School class today. Kat spent the late afternoon and night with us and when she saw us buying some pastries to take, she felt she needed some to take to her class as well. Thank goodness for Albertson's buy one get one free special! I am also fixing a breakfast casserole, it is cooking as I type! I have a cooler full of sodas and we will make a pot of coffee. If that doesn't suit I guess they can brown bag it!

I am anticipating what worship service will like today. Maybe last weeks levels will carry over!

Zero! Nada! Zilch! That is what is on tap for the afternoon. I have only a couple of things I would like to get done. We will see.

FATHER, thank YOU for continuing to pour out YOUR blessings. I continue to ask for renewal. I pray for those in need of YOUR miracle of healing. I ask that you heal us physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally. Surround us and fill us with YOU. I surrender all!

Saturday, I am up and at 'em, trying to figure out where I am supposed to be!

I am thankful this past week is behind me. It was filled. I do have to say that it was interesting. I had fully expected to spend Friday back in my friend's office. I was in transit when my cell phone chimed.

"Where ya at" my friend asked.

"277 headed north", I replied.

"Change in plans", he informed me.

"Talk to me", I said.

"Come to Anson, you know where I am", he replied.

Once I arrived I was informed that two employees of another business he manages were out due to a family illness. One was the head book keeper, the other was the farm store manager. It seemed I was the store manager elect! Actually it was an enjoyable day. By the time I pulled back in the driveway last evening my feet and legs were telling me "too much concrete."

I am supposed to be somewhere this morning, helping a former member of our Sunday School class load furniture. I was not home when the call came and somewhere there is a phone number to call if I can help. I want to say it is in Merkel, but I am not sure, we had two women move away during the time I was gone, I know one of them lived there. I am just wondering if I am thinking of the right one. This is one of those catch twenty-two's. If we make it too easy to move, all of our class might move off!

Father, thank YOU for a good week. I find myself drained. I pray that YOU will rest me well and rest me quickly. I pray for those in need physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally. I ask that YOU fill our needs. I am thankful that YOU are faithful to fill them. All hail YOUR power!

Not much blog is in me today.

I had a long tedious day Thursday. It was filled, not so much with data but with excel formulas. I had concerns that when I got home last evening, visions of formulas would continue to dance through the remains of my mind.

I was so ready to get home, kick back, watch a little non-mind challenging tele, eat dinner and have a little r & r. Well, I didn't get to write the script for my evening. I walked in and Krl was steam cleaning the carpet. Don't ask me. The clinic gave her a steroid shot and now she wants to move furniture and is a little bit mean. I should never have asked why she waited until I got home to do this project. I cooked supper, lip read a little tele and went to bed. This morning the living room is still in dis-array. We may have to get another steroid shot to get everything moved back. I am also concerned because she is going to get a haircut. I have tried to visualize what she would look like with a crew cut.

I will know what to expect when I get home tonight. Krl is usually offended if I mention her in any way she does not see as complimentary, so I have made my bed and will lie in it! Oh well.

My resident analyst tells me I am suffering from severe depression. I wasn't aware of this. I know I am not chipper but I don't think I am severely depressed.

FATHER, I need a pick me up. Thank YOU for Friday. I ask YOUR help in getting through this day. I ask that YOU lift me and carry me. I continue to ask YOUR healing for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Rusty and Kim's baby, for Jennifer, and for those continuing to recover from their injuries. I ask YOUR healing for them all. I pray for spiritual healing for those of us in need. Surround us with YOUR love, YOUR mercy, and YOUR grace. FATHER we are weak and fall short often, forgive us and strengthen us. I ask for renewal.

This is going to take some getting used to. My work situation, that is.

After spending a full, hard day in the office Tuesday I began bracing myself to return Wednesday morning for more of the same. Due to my friend's office being located in his home, I try to honor their request and not be there before nine. Being an early riser this is sometimes an exercise in discipline. I arrived Wednesday at a precise nine, went inside and was filled in on all the details of a very eventful Tuesday evening in their business. In fact things got so distorted that they had never been able to go to bed. Long story short, due to a major shuffle in personnel and equipment to cover all their obligations, and due to their not getting any sleep I ended up going to Lubbock. It was a welcome deviation.

I went to Pyco's Plant #2. This plant is their new plant but really it is not new any more. It is several years old but has seen limited since it was built. I think it was built as a shrine by the former General Manager to himself. He was an interesting work, he forgot who he was working for. Eventually he thought the tail (him) was wagging the dog (the company). I always enjoy getting to meet and visit with people on the other end of where I usually am. We are intrinsically dependent on each other for our livelihood.

One unexpected happening occurred when Rian was able to get away from school for a brief moment and he showed up at Pyco. He was nice enough to bring lunch. Although we just got to visit for a few minutes, it was good. He is acting as one of the Principals at O.L. Slaton three days this week and three or four days next week. Mr. Guerrero is attending some educational conferences. Rian is also set to take his Texcet test this Saturday. While he received his Masters (in December), Saturday he is taking the state exit exam for his Principal's certification. If he will keep his cool and not spaz it will be a breeze! An interesting observation from him is that his day goes by "much quicker" when he is an administrator.

Krl went to the doctor yesterday. She was not happy. Her doctor is out, the replacement doctor needed to be out. She said the total time she saw him was less than three minutes. Ear infections, sinus infection, bronchitis. One shot, some antibiotics, her blood pressure med (which was the reason she went in) and many dollars later she was on her way home. It will be worth it if she can get well.

How about this weather. Daily (or in our case "nightly) rain. Being a native of West Texas, we will take it any time we can!

FATHER, I continue to ask YOUR blessings on this day and week. Help me to be a good steward. I continue to lift up those in need of YOUR physical healing. I ask YOUR blessings upon them. I also lift up those needing YOUR spiritual healing. Empty us and fill us with YOU. I am thankful for YOUR mercy and grace. To YOU be the glory.

Whew! I had almost forgotten how draining eight hours in front of a computer can be. I spent all day entering data on spreadsheets, proofing formulas, modifying formulas, highlighting variations and such. I was ready to come to the house! Actually I have been somewhat surprised. It would appear that this friend has done a pretty decent job of growing his company. Controlled growth. I believe this is the key. Almost anyone can grow a company, growing one and allowing all aspects to mature together is another thing.

I got home and Krl had all of the components for our dinner cut up and container-ized, some of it she had even pre-cooked. I walked in as the closer and finished cooking the szechuan chicken and broccoli on rice. We had not fixed this meal since last summer before we went to the fall jobsite. It was great. I am finding that cooking is good therapy for me. I enjoy working with Krl. I am wild with a wok!

We had to take a brief break to re-arrange vehicles as bad weather came through our area. It was like a chinese fire drill. S-10 out of the garage, Company SUV into garage, pull work truck under the tree, pull the S-10 back in. I had decided to make one more adjustment and as I started to exit the house, the rain and hail hit! Oh well, that is why you pay those premiums.

We have known for years that Prissy, the youngest hound of our elderly set, is scared of storms. She will lay against the bed and it will just shake. You can hear her breathing and you just know she is going to hyper-ventilate. You walk out of sight and she is just like a magnet quickly closing the distance between you and her. For some unknown reason she has this tremendous trust in us. She has never been out in a storm, she has never even slept outside. Brandy, the new puppy, is young and dumb. She may have been a blond cocker spaniel in a prior life. Every time it would thunder she would let out her vicious bark and growl and run across the living room toward the windows. When the rain and hail began pummeling the house she was non-stop. That storm is so lucky that it left when it did. She woulda ......

FATHER, thank YOU for the trust that we have in YOU. You never fail us. Thank YOU for the good work day yesterday. I ask that YOU will refresh my mind and my senses as I return to do more. I continue to lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Tj (who is now at home), Rene', Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Rusty and Kim's baby (which was supposed to be taken yesterday), and for those recovering from their injuries. I ask YOUR miracle of healing for them all. I pray for those who are grieving. I ask YOUR comfort for them. I ask YOUR blessings on our family and I pray for safety for all. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. For I know whom I have believ-ed and am persuaded that he is able! Work YOUR plan!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks I needed that!

My blog opening scripture was in my birthday card from my folks last week. Talk about fitting.

I reported to begin my work this week. Plans quickly changed and I found myself making a quick trek to Sweetwater. I had some personal papers I needed to drop off as well, so I made a detour by the old office. That probably was a mistake. Parts of the office continue to be operational while other parts continue to be cordoned off and boxed and stored. Add to this a call from my brother-in-law needing to talk and I needed the reassurance from Jeremiah even more. The snowball keeps rolling, consuming everything in its way. Now the long time family business that failed, after becoming the victim of that large unscrupulous international company, is poised to do the same to my personal farming operation. The dominos fall. It is sad, but it is not like there is anything I can do to stop it. If anything, it becomes more and more evident that this exercise is faith building. Without faith it would be difficult to continue.

I finally made it into the office at my new temporary job just after lunch. I guess one of the most appealing things about it is that I may not be "in" the office all the time. Monday morning was evidence of this. I spent the afternoon observing and as workers cycled out I got to look around at some of the computer programs being used. While not customized for the industry I do believe it is possible to do everything we need with it. This may be a case of minimizing the dollar and maximizing the effect. In some respects my afternoon was scary. It is unbelievable how much is done long hand (notebook and paper) and then replicated into the system. Checks continue to be hand written and then computer generated for GL purposes. I am beginning to form some basic recommendations in my mind, but that is a project on down the road. Today we work on the P & L spreadsheets. My biggest challenge is to do this without hindering the day to day operation. My hours have been modified. Nine to five. That's pretty tough for someone who is an early riser. Oh well!

Precious memories! I wish I could make a living on the farm. It was never a large enough operation for this although for many years I tried. It was an exercise in futility. Everything just seemed to be stacked against it. The weather, the ag economy, interest rates, boll weevil. All contributing factors to the demise of the family farm. About the only way to make it is to have a "bumper crop". If prices are low, grow more of it. Quantity. Add to depressed prices the fact that the farmer sells everything wholesale while buying everything retail and it is a recipe for disaster. Regardless of all these prohibiting factors, it is an appealing life. Nature. Freshly opened earth. Rain. Shine. A greater appreciation of GOD's genius. Thanks Gan Gan.

FATHER I am glad YOU know the plans YOU have for me because I am fresh out of ideas. YOU are in control. Work YOUR plan. I need a pick me up today. I find myself somewhat melancholy, but I am giving it up to YOU. I continue to pray for those needing YOUR healing. I ask that YOU heal our bodies, our spirits, our hearts and our minds. I ask YOUR gentle caress as YOU carry us through tough times. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. FATHER I wish more could have experienced the Sunday worship at Highland. The songs, the lesson, the emotion, the spirit, are still large in my thoughts. Every blessing YOU pour out I'll turn back to praise. Blessed be YOUR name.

My brain is still buzzing from Sunday morning. How truly blessed I was to be in the worship assembly at Highland. It is very evident what Zoe brings to services, it is very evident what Mike brings. It makes me think about what I bring. I guess I am a Christian parasite, taking more than I give. Hhmm.

A couple of things bouncing around in the vast expanses of my mind.

Mike was making a statement about leaving a brief message on his blog asking for prayers on the day of the Highland accident. Prayers were lifted around the world. Mike said that these people carried Highland Church and him because on that particular night "he didn't have a prayer in him".

I have been there. I identified with exactly what he was going through. I found myself somewhat shocked by his revelation, is our pulpit minister supposed to feel this way. I believe one of the things that makes Mike so effective is that he is just like you and me and he is not inhibited about admitting it. He may make his living as our minister but he puts his britches on one leg at a time. Sometimes I tend to forget this. I guess sometimes I think he has a broadband connection while I am still working on a dial up. Sorry.

Poor Dickie. When Mike was overcome with emotion while talking of the accident, he summoned Dickie Porche to take over. That was almost the equivalent of being the "guest of honor" at a firing squad exercise and stepping in just in time to be blindfolded! It had to be tough, but after a little rough start Dickie pulled it off. Lots of tears fell during this service.

I am thankful that Highland is a church of love, humility and service.

I begin one of my new projects today. I spent the last week just doing day work here and there. It was pretty enjoyable. Today I begin some analysis and P & L's for a friend's business. I am trying to psyche myself to go in to their office. I have laid out some general guidelines for me to live by while I do this project. Krl has added her two cents worth as well!

FATHER, I am continually amazed how YOU meet my every need. Thank YOU for the opportunities you have presented me with. I ask YOUR blessing as I begin to address them. I thank YOU again for the powerful Highland experience yesterday, I am thankful for those who have been chosen to minister to their brothers and sisters and a world in need. FATHER, I am thankful that we can lay all our troubles at YOUR feet. I am thankful that when we are totally whipped down, there are those who are willing to intercede on our behalf. FATHER I continue to lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Rene', Tj, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Rusty and Kim's unborn baby, and those recovering from their injuries. I ask YOUR miracle of healing for them all. I pray for those hurting from loss. I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for our spiritual family and their needs. I pray for our leaders. Shout Hallelujah!

Wow!

Powerful Worship service. Zoe was super, Mike was on. The message was good. The eight families involved in the January wreck were in attendance and were called to the podium, four people spoke. The emergency personnel and people who stopped to render aid were in attendance and recognized. Our shepherds and their wives encircled this entire group as prayers were lifted on their behalf. It was very moving. Following the early service everyone else went to their Sunday School classes, the wreck families and their "angels of mercy" had a very special reunion in the gymnasium.

Church attendance was up, but not to the levels I have seen it before. Second service may have been standing room only. Sunday school had a good turnout, not quite as good as last weeks but good none the less. Terry and Gayla were back after they had been helping teach a class on the emerging role of women in worship.

Daytona USA. NASCAR. The start of the 2005 season. Recliner. Television. Gentlemen start your engines! It has been a long winter! Go 6! Go 24! Go 48!

Thank YOU FATHER for all the blessings of this day. Thank YOU for the tremendous experience today at worship. I ask YOUR blessings on Zoe and the work they do through their gift of voice. I lift up those needing YOUR miracle of healing, physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally. I ask that you meet the needs of each one. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I will call upon the LORD.

Happy Birthday Kat!

Six years old today, almost born on your Dandy's birthday (if you had taken your hand out of your mouth!).

Our Friday was kicked back! No hurry, no hustle, no bustle. I stayed on the phone most of the morning with birthday well wishers! Thanks if you were in this number. Just before mid-afternoon Krl and I left the house and did a few errands, paid some bills, I got a haircut, and we made the post office. Then we went to Red Lobster! Yea! I finally got my seafood and pasta that I have been hungry for since ..... whenever. I will not mention what Krl had because that would make for a really large blog! It was deeelicious!

We got back home and the new hound had made it fine. The older bigger hounds didn't haze her while we were out. We were getting settled in for the evening when Trc, Brently, and Kat came by bringing my birthday present. They were on there way to Ellen's city youth league championship game. I had known their tournament had began earlier in the week but I was unaware the Mystics were playing in the championship game. They had struggled until late in the season. Meme and Dandy got ready and headed to the ball game. I had heard them talking about the big basketball game in Abilene on the news, I wonder if this was it? We got there and it had just began. Long story short, the Mystics won (although they tried to give it away late in the game). Ellen got a knot on the back of her head from a fall, but winning was pretty good medicine. They were all sporting blue ribbon medals when we exited the gymnasium. Good job Mystics! 2005 AYB Girls 11-12 White Division Champions.

We were commissioned by Kat to be at her house with bells on and lots of presents early today! Meme told her that part of what she got last week was birthday because we did Christmas and all the February birthdays together. Kat feigned ignorance of this, so Dandy asked her if he could pick up all her gifts from last weekend and re-wrap them. This offer was rejected.

Our plan is to make the grocery store today. Probably get by to see Kat. Not much else. I do have a gift certificate for Waldenbooks that I wouldn't mind using. We will see.

I don't know if Kat is spending the night tonight or not. I know she has new church clothes. Highland should be higher ground tomorrow. Lectureship always increases the numbers, add to that Zoe leading worship and it should be very special. I have already informed Krl that the just under the wire walk in would not be sufficient tomorrow as seating may be at a premium.

FATHER thank YOU for the good birthday. I ask that YOU will bless Kat on hers. I pray for all those suffering from illness or injury. I pray for all those suffering from loss. I ask YOUR peace and comfort for them all. I pray for our spiritual family, I pray for our leaders. LORD lead me on!

Happy Birthday to me!

This has been an interesting week. So far, two days at the construction site one day back at a gin. I don't know what I will do today. Krl is wanting me to take today off. We will see what calls come, if any.

The construction project has been an interesting one because we now have two hired gun carpenters who are assisting. From my perspective it is like watching an ice skating performance with hockey sticks. One is extremely domineering while the other is more diplomatic. I just sit back and grin. Most interesting thing is that the bigger hurry the dominate carpenter gets in, the more gaffes that occur. We had several instances where they thought the pace was slow so they wanted to take control and speed it up. We now have a small stack of mis-cut lumber. Patience. It is a virtue.

TJ had knee replacement yesterday. I think this is three surgeries in about the last ten months. Knee reconstruction, direct exhaust hookup, and now knee replacement. Word I got is everything went well. I haven't seen her but they also tell me she has lost a lot of weight.

Krl got a new dog. She came from rescue the animals and is a poodle. Not a big standard king poodle like the rest of the hound fleet, but not a toy either. (Don't ask me, she could be petite or she could be a midget!). She is apricot in color and has a very sweet disposition. Thing is, Krl's new dog has a crush on me! Talk about a cuddler. I can go to bed and about the time I get sound asleep I can feel her burrowing though the bed covers to get against my back. Krl calls her Brandy, I am still throwing names out, Copper, Penney, Rustine, Lipton (as in tea), Whiskey, and Mavis. Thing is she answers to all of them as long as the tone is right. Her new uncle and cousins are currently testing her. Requirements for entering this household are extremely high. If you ever get on this side of the door you are "in" unless you threaten one of the grandbabies or another hound.

FATHER, may this day be blessed. I thank YOU for the blessings YOU continue to pour down on me. I continue to pray for the health of those near and dear, thanks for TJ's successful surgery. I pray for those who are grieving. I continue to ask that YOU send more angels!

I am a free agent.

As many of you are aware, I have this character flaw where I work myself out of a job. Time after time after time. Right now I am on hiatus, "considering my options". Doesn't that sound upper crust! Be advised, the only thing crusty about me is my mind.

I spent yesterday helping one of the son-in-laws. He has a small construction business and all of his help "couldn't", yesterday. I don't know how far down the list I received my call, I guess I don't really want to know. But the call came, I had nothing on tap so I said sure. We drove about two hours to the job location and began laying out porches, carport, and a circular drive. It was a very different day for me. All day long as we were measuring something I would tell him to take the smart end of the measuring tape! It wasn't a bad day.

Once we returned I loaded up in my truck and went to Anson to visit with my friend, the cotton gin manager. His butt is dragging and they are still probably two weeks away from completion. I have already agreed to go in and do some spread sheets and offer my analysis of his trucking operation, but I am not quite ready to be tied down just yet. Recent developments now have him pressuring me to come in "wherever I am needed" immediately. It could be in the office, it could be in a truck, it could be going to an auction or making meetings or whatever! We visited until about nine-thirty or ten last evening trying to come to a compromise. I am trying to make this decision with my brain and not my heart, while the money is not paramount it is a concern. I would hate to pass up an opportunity.

I can see a conflict coming ........ who said it is nice to have people fighting over you! (If people are fighting over you it means you went down early! Cheap shot!).

FATHER, I thank YOU for the good day yesterday. I find my heart is heavy. I fight depression. I find myself taking too much on me and not giving it to YOU. Rescue me. Deliver me back to the safety of YOU. I thank YOU for the opportunities YOU make available and I ask YOUR help in making my decision. I continue to pray for Krl's health, for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Jennifer, for Rusty and Kim's baby, and for those still recovering from their injuries in the accident. I ask YOUR healing for them all. I continue to ask YOUR comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. Thank YOU LORD for loving me.

Short night.

It's only money. Historic deficit budget proposed. Administration requests an additional eighty-two billion dollars for wars. (Are police actions cheaper?). And these are the people wanting to fix Social Security? It is amazing that the people who will fix Social Security are not the people who will depend on it.

Ask Joe. I am sure that if Jose Canseco were asked, he would fix all the maladies of the federal government with steroids. Bulk up! He would probably even be willing to inject it. I would imagine "W" feels very fortunate he was not implicated from when Canseco was playing for Texas. (Everyone else has been). It's all about money!

Easy come easy go, just got more expensive. March 8, 2005 Passport cost increases twelve dollars. This is to cover the costs of enhanced security features. The new Passports will have a chip in the cover. Sounds like a flaw to me!

What's in a name. I am still catching up on changes that occurred while I was gone for that extended period. It took me a while to figure out what was going on, one of the larger financial institutions in town has changed their name. "To reflect the resources available". Go figure. I may change my name to reflect the "need" for resources available.

I was recently asked for my input concerning a business venture. The question was simple. "In two minutes please explain how to become a millionaire in the fast food industry". I didn't use all my allotted time. I told this person asking that it would involve handguns and ski masks.

Do you really think Jimmy Hoffa is dead? At this point is it relevant?

Sorry, my brain is in a mood.

Just as I am. FATHER, thank YOU for loving me even though I am flawed and weak. Forgive me when I try to work things on my own. Help me to realize that YOU are capable of working YOUR plan as YOU intend. Allow me to give it all up to YOU and instill in me the confidence that YOU will meet my every need. I pray for those needing YOUR healing, YOUR comfort, and YOUR presence. I ask YOUR blessings on our spiritual family and its leaders. To YOU be the glory.

Let me call you sweetheart, sweetheart!

Happy Valentines!

Special greetings to my Valentine. She is feeling poorly.

My tail is dragging. It seems as though I cannot get over the seasonal work. Late yesterday afternoon I caught myself dozing in my chair and decided to lay down for a while. When I woke up it was two in the morning! I still contend that my days have only sixteen hours in them but there are more days in the week.

This coming week is my Super Bowl of sporting events. The Daytona 500. I have been a Nascar fan for a long time. From mid November to the middle of February I go through withdrawal. I didn't watch Saturday nights Bud Shootout, but I did watch qualifying Sunday afternoon for the 500. Thursday will be the "twin" qualifying races that will set the field for next Sunday's race, only the front row is locked in position at this time. My sentimental favorite for the Nextel Championship will be Mark Martin as he begins his final season as a driver. He has come close several times but has never won the championship. I would like to see Jeff Gordon be successful in his drive for five in '05. There are many contenders who have the resources available but are short on discipline to achieve a championship. I would probably be satisfied with anyone not named Busch, or Jarrett.

Today and this week are going to be dedicated to putting the remains of our seasonal work away. There are just a couple of reports still to file which at this point are not time sensitive. Some summaries need to be printed, as a courtesy, for some of the sub-contractors. If all things progress as I hope, my new project will begin next Monday. I am in hopes that it will last until the seasonal work begins again.

FATHER, thank YOU for this day and the bounty of blessings it holds. Thank YOU for allowing all those who came for our Christmas celebration to return to their homes safely. I ask YOUR blessing on my Valentine. I pray for her health. I pray for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Jennifer, for Rusty and Kim's baby, for those still recovering from the accident. I ask YOUR healing and comfort for them all. I continue to ask that YOU comfort those hurting from loss. I pray for the prayer requests of our classmates. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. You are Jehovah, GOD.

It is in the history book. Finally. Christmas 2004! What a day what a day! We began at the bowling lanes. Nine a.m.. Krl and I had gone by Friday to make the reservation, we talked with a manager and everything was set! Nine o'clock, nine-fifteen, nine-thirty, ten, ten-fifteen. Finally they opened the door. We walked in and told them what we were there for and these rocket scientists were totally baffled. They told us that no manager would have made the reservations, that they had city youth league. Luckily, I was holding Reid (the grandson) because I really wanted to get ugly with them. This nuclear engineer who chose to talk with us didn't like it when we told him, "Sure, fifteen of us got together and said lets go to the bowling alley and tell them a bald faced lie". He told us we were taking the wrong insinuation of what he said (???? Do what?). The city youth league lady was tremendous, she told us to figure out our bare minimum needs and she would draw their lane requirements down so we could bowl (for the love of the sport). By this time I would not contribute any funds that a portion might end up in the pocket of these business icons. I told our group to load up and as we exited Rian (our soon to be school principal) told the man behind the counter that one of our favorite family activities is to drive a thousand cumulative miles as a family and convene outside a bowling establishment for over an hour just to harrass the employees inside. We be from the Kuntry! Yeehaw! Whitewood Lanes had better take care of their Senior Nude Bowling League because I plan to spread the word about any normal people's efforts to go bowling there! .........DON"T!

From there the day definitely improved! Ellen and the Mystics won(for the first time all season) we returned to Trc's house and did the finger food deal and finally had our tree. Memama and Pepa joined our group at this point. The youngest girls were having a cow! They couldn't believe how long it took everyone to eat! It was fun. After the tree a couple of groups headed out shopping (as christmas money was burning a hole in their pocket). Some just sat around visiting and Trace set up the Texas Hold 'Em poker table. Brently took some time to explain the game to some of the more naive in our group. I am sure he had this gleam in his eyes of leading the lambs to slaughter! A few hands were played before it was time to reconvene the group at Abuello's. We lost a couple from our group as Merrit headed back to Lubbock and Taylor went to help his brother build a pine box racer. Two hours later our group went numerous directions. To the mall, home, or back to Trace's for the Texas Hold 'Em Tournament. Krl went home, I went back to Trace's. Long story short, I was first out of the tournament (yes, a fool and his chips are soon parted) and almost five hours later all that remained were Trace and Brently (all the lambs had been slaughtered). Brently was the odds on favorite and it appeared he had Trace on the ropes until Trace held pocket eights and an eight showed up in the stream. Brently had gone in deep but his two pair were no match for three of a kind. The tide turned, and it was just a matter of time before Trace held all the chips! So the first Texas Hold 'Em Poker Champion at our Christmas in February was Tracy! I plan to print her a really nice certificate!

It was a tremendous day. Fun for all. Several requests to keep Christmas in February, regardless of Krl and my work schedules!

This morning Krl was sickly. I rolled over about six and saw that Krl had not set her alarm clock. I cat napped with one eye open until six thirty and told Krl if she was going to church she needed to roll out of bed. She declined (as she felt poorly) and I took a bath, shaved, dressed and went out the door. Church was good. Charles led the praise team and did a good job. Mike was back to preach. Sunday school saw nineteen in attendance. Good turnout!

Just after Sunday School ended Rian called and wanted to have lunch. We met at Golden Corral and Dandy got to spend some more time with Reidman before they went back to Lubbock. It was a good morning.

I returned home and got my comfy clothes on and sat down in my chair to watch Daytona qualifying. My phone rang and it was Pat. She, Hag and Kyle had driven over and gone to Highland second service. They couldn't find me because I had gone to first service, but I would have gone back with them. We had invited them over late in the summer and they finally made it today. They seemed to have enjoyed it. I told them if they would make their plans known in the future, I would coordinate my schedule so we could attend together. I had asked them back next week for Zoe but Pat has to work at the nursing home. The main thing I want them to know is there is more out there than what is available in some outlying areas.

FATHER, It has been a blessed weekend. Thank YOU! For all YOU do! I continue to lift up those in need of YOUR healing. YOU know our needs. I pray that YOU will fill them. Use us. This is the day YOU have made, I will rejoice in it!

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, all the creatures were stirring. What clutter, I won't utter. What wonderful smells wafted through the air mixed with eager anticipation that St. Nick might soon stop by there. And scattered across the living room floor were gifts dressed in wrappings, some pre-wrapped before.

December or February, it doesn't matter, Christmas is a state of mind. This is going to be fun! The grandbabies are excited, their parents shake their heads in disbelief. Are we really going to do this. Yep! You can bet your boots, Christmas is going down today! Meme and Dandy have been shopping, they have been wrapping, they have been planning and it should be a fun day. We are doing part of the day as birthday/Christmas for the February birthdays. The soon to be six year old granddaughters thought it would be neat to have a bowling party, since Dandy's birthday is first that's what he ordered. Bowling at nine! Youth league basketball at eleven-thirty, finger food and gifts at one-thirty, carols and games until four, five-thirty reservations at Abuello's. Then it is in the books.

As regular readers know, due to Krl and I being gone from October until February we made a logistical maneuver and moved Christmas to February twelfth. Some love the idea, some wish it had happened as scheduled and was already behind us. Regardless, you had better be nice because I have my list and I am checking it twice.

FATHER, I ask YOUR blessings on this day. I pray that hearts will be light and full of love. I pray for fun and fellowship. I pray for safe travel for those on the road. FATHER I lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Rusty and Kim's baby, and for those injured in the accident. I ask YOUR gift of healing for them all. I pray for those heavy hearted from loss. I ask for their comfort. I pray for those of us in spiritual need. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. Bless-ed assurance.

Cough, cough. Sniffle, sniffle. It is good to be home. Oh there is no place like home, to be sick. Actually I feel a little better. Sinus headache. Wow.

Even though we feel poorly we have things to do this morning. We are on the way out the door to Mackie D's to pick up pre-boxed breakfast and then to get Kat and go to school for grandparents breakfast day.

My day was busy yesterday. I attended the lunch for the men of our Sunday school class. It is always interesting to meet with people out of the surroundings in which you normally interact. Five of us showed up. Not tremendous numbers, but it is a start. We just ate, talked and Kurt closed with a prayer.

I came back to the house to finish the dreaded 940. All of the numbers have been safely tucked away in the company laptop for quite some time. It should have been easy, just transfer them onto the form, seal and mail. Usually when I am doing tax deposits I will make it a point to err to the side of excess instead of not enough. Try as I might the tax form kept on coming out with a sizeable amount still due. Not good. Krl finally told me to take a break. I sat down and drank a diet coke and decided to change to the 940EZ form. When the break was over, I went back to work with the short form and low and behold when I completed it there was a balance to be refunded or left on account for future use. I was relieved, but I grabbed the long form and went back to work. Why in the world would one show one thing and the other show the opposite? Finally I finished up and compared the tallies and they matched. Yea! The IRS bonus credit available had gotten me to the bonus round of preparation time. I promise to slow down and take my time. Thankfully I had made multiple copies of the blank forms.

FATHER, I ask YOUR blessing on this day. I ask for a blessed breakfast with Kat, for a productive day as we prepare for our Christmas celebration, for safe travel for those traveling to spend time together. I pray for YOUR healing for those in need. I pray for the hearts and spirits of us who need to know YOUR presence. Please bless our spiritual family and its leaders.
YOUR kingdom come.

Foy told us last night's Oasis meal was going to be server intense. We should have heeded his warning. Add to his warning that our class was very weak in showing up and it was a mad house. Buzzy, Carolyn, Kurt, Michelle, their children, Patsy, Loren and me. That was it. Thankfully the Library class had a better turn out. Our class served the main course and ice cream the other class did the drinks, salad, fruit cocktail, and manned the dishwashers. It worked but it was not pleasant or pretty at times! I don't think I want to see spaghetti and meatballs for a while. I arrived at four and left at seven. The cleanup was well under way but far from finished. I felt like it was more important to get home to check on Krl. Besides the majority of the last two evenings had been dedicated to Oasis.

One of the best things about Oasis is when you blend two classes you expand everyone's circle. Highland is big. It is impossible to know everyone because unless you have similar activities you might never see some people except from a distance during worship. Last meal we worked with the Living room class, this one was with the Library class. It will be a slow process.

Three days until Christmas! The grandbabies are excited! The day is quickly filling up. We have invited guests, we will have to see who accepts. It could be the social event of the season.

Rian came to Abilene yesterday evening. He actually surprised me by just showing up in the kitchen at Oasis. He had been trying to come down for a couple of weeks. Not to see us but to get some things installed on his pickup. He and Erica are already putting things in motion for their spring break outing. They are going to Toledo Bend, taking the travel trailer and the boat. He tells me that nearly all of his weekends are filled from now until school is out. I do know February twenty-sixth he is taking his state test for his Principal certification.

FATHER, I need YOUR help today to stay on task. I need focus, I need purpose. I ask for a blessed day. I pray for those needing your healing. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally. Please fill out needs. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. Bless-ed be YOUR name.

Tonight our Sunday school class is one of the serving groups for the Oasis meal. Krl had the sign up sheet and put me down. I had asked her to sign me up for the Tuesday night prep time. Instead she signed me up for food preparation Wednesday afternoon at four. I learned this last evening at prep time. I arrived very early for prep time, in fact I was about to give up when others finally began to show up. We actually had a good group. There were ten of us, we loaded large serving trays with spaghetti sauce, spread meatballs on cookie sheets to defrost, prepared salad and amenities, and we sliced and repackaged garlic bread. We all laughed as Foy read the instructions for the pasta. One gallon of water per pound of pasta. We are cooking fifty pounds of pasta. Luckily we are using the large water bath boiler. This is really a fun activity, especially the serving.

I spoke of one of my favorite night time landmarks yesterday. I will mention one of my favorite day time landmarks today. I find an increasing attraction to old church buildings. Large, majestic, stately structures that are beautiful symbols of our ancestors faith. Many times when I travel to downtown Abilene, I will detour from Sayles on to South Sixth street and make a quick circle around The Church of the Heavenly Rest. The street actually yields to this structure. This is a gorgeous old building. I find myself drawn inside. I hope to drive to the Ericksdahl community sometime, as friends have told me of another old church in a rural setting.

Currently First Baptist in Abilene is doing a major facelift on their sanctuary. This project actually started about the end of the summer and hopes are to be back in it by Christmas 2005. Sources tell me this project is at a cost in excess of four million dollars. I wonder what the structure cost originally. I wonder if the current work will have the pride and quality of the original craftsmen. Inquiring minds want to know.

FATHER, I am thankful for all of those who have gone on before. I am thankful for the things they have passed from generation to generation, but I am mindful that these things are all temporary in YOUR master plan. Help us to appreciate the things of our heritage but help us to set our sights and goals on higher things. I continue to pray for Hag's blood disorder, for B.'s respiratory problems, for Lillie's cancer treatment, for Rene' and her cancer treatment, for Carol and her cancer treatment, for Michelle's seizures, for Aimee's aplastic anemia, for Jennifer as she begins her treatments for cancer, for Rusty and Kim's baby and the pre natal concerns the doctors had, and for the accident victims. FATHER I ask YOUR intervention for all of these. I ask for their healing and comfort. I pray for those hurting from loss. I ask for direction for TJ and ET. I pray for spiritual healing for R2D2 and those of us who stumble and fall. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. LORD lift us up!

Krl and I made it through the entire harvest season without catching a cold only to return to civilization and succumb. Darn it.

I went to Roscoe yesterday to unload some parts and supplies that their trucks had left on the jobsite. Then I made a large arc-ing circle to go by and see a friend. He currently manages a cotton gin and has bales to gin before he is through. He is hopeful that their season will end by the time February does. We got into a big discussion and before it was all said and done I agreed to help him with some spread sheets for his trucking company. His trucking company has really grown. I can sympathize with a lot of what he is going through as he and his wife just try to keep it together.

On my way home I drove south on Highway 277, headed for Abilene. It was almost dark and one of my favorite night time landmarks is located between Anson and Hawley. There is a simple wood frame church building sitting on the east side of the highway which reminds me of the small rural church in the movie The Apostle with Robert Duvall. It is complete with steeple. The attraction to it isn't due to structural design. There is no visible sign proclaiming religious affiliation. The attraction is a neon sign that is located on the front of this structure. JESUS SAVES. And located on the top of the steeple is a small neon lit cross. Last night it was a powerful site because while it was just past dusk, it wasn't dark. You could see the faint outline of the church building but the sign's message was bold and bright! I began to think that maybe we sometimes let "church" get between us and Jesus. Maybe "church" should be present in the background, on the fringes, as a vehicle, as a support group, but if we are dependent on "church" for our salvation we are missing the mark. It's all about YOU, JESUS.

FATHER, forgive us when we lose focus. Keep us centered. Thank you for taking on all my troubles, all my problems. FATHER I pray for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Jennifer, and for Rusty and Kim's baby, for the accident victims. I ask YOUR healing for all of them. I pray for those of us in spiritual need. I pray for our leaders. I pray for renewal. JESUS, you're my firm foundation.

"Super Bowl"!

Before Krl and I left the jobsite we had been invited to a Super Bowl party. Initially it had been thought the plant would still be going. We were appreciative of the invite but up front we told them if we could be home, we were going to be home! As the Super Bowl began to draw nearer, there was more and more talk of the party. One morning our core group was talking and I told them that no Super Bowl party would be complete without a "Super punch Bowl". I volunteered to procure one. I don't think that this group doesn't trust me, but they did want to know what I had in mind. I told them that I would go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a "Super Bowl". (Interpret as "toilet bowl"). I would then modify it to where the punch would be held in the tank and dispersed when the handle was held down and the liquid in the bowl would swirl! Knowing some of the groups like for magaritas I also suggested that we salt the rim of the bowl. I then told them that for atmosphere we could freeze root beer in ice cube molds and have brown floaties! I don't know if they were sad or glad we didn't make their party.

Here on the home front we watched a portion of the game. Actually, I fell asleep and didn't even see the end of it. We are so spent. We had come home from church after a stop at the grocery store and everyone got comfortable. I put on my "T" and my jogging shorts and Krl and Kat put their flannel Pj's back on. We fixed some rotelle dip and then Krl and I made "colossal". This is kind of like a huge meatfilled pie. When Trc came to pick up Kat there was no way Kat was leaving without taking some home for supper. Kat is a good girl, sharp as a tack. She just needs to get some teeth.

Krl and I need to get it in gear. As you regular readers know, we are having Christmas this coming weekend. Due to us being gone during the holidays we made an agreement with all the kids that we would move Christmas to February. After some juggling of dates we agreed on the twelfth. We will have gifts but the main thing is to have a good time! We are probably going to begin with going bowling early Saturday. We will do this as a preamble to the birthdays coming up. Then we will probably make one of Ellen's basketball games followed by the tree and finger foods. Trc is wanting to play some games so we appointed her activities director. The day will draw to a close when we go out to eat. The food of choice is mexican food. We are looking forward to getting the group together. We have been trying to come up with a program that works for everyone. In past years we have had the kids draw names, we have had a white elephant, we have put dollar limits on gifts and everyone bought for everyone. I came up with an idea that whatever you gave you had to make. I think this would be neat, not much money but a lot of dedicated time. My idea was shot down. We continue to search for a program that is fair and doesn't kill anyone dollar wise.

We made church and Sunday school yesterday. While it was good to be back it was somewhat of a let down. Due to the situation concerning his child, Mike did not preach. When we got to class it was a bare bones group. For the longest it was only four of us but finally we made it up to ten. Terry and Gayla were not there as they are helping teach a three Sunday class on the emergent role of women in public worship. We learned that we had also lost several of our classmates for various reasons. Two have moved, two left Highland over the role of women in worship. While I respect everyone's right to their opinion, I hate that some people feel they have no choice but to leave because of their personal convictions. This is a very delicate time for our Elders at Highland. They have studied and prayed over where they are being led. It has not been a quick decision or one that has not been thought out. For some time now women have been helping to serve communion and read scripture at Highland and so far the building is still standing and has not been struck by lightening. It is also my understanding that NIV has just released their new Bible which is supposed to be a more gender neutral version. I continue to learn more of it little by little but it is my understanding that Greek/Hebrew are a lot like Spanish where each word is gendered. (I am not a scholar so correct me if I am wrong). This supposedly has been the reason for the gender biased translations of the past. This should prove to be an interesting development.

Our Sunday school class is one of the kitchen crew classes for this Wednesday's Oasis meal. I plan to help with the prep work Tuesday and also to serve the meal Wednesday. Also Thursday noon has been selected for a meal with the guys from the class. A limited group has been doing this and they now want to expand it. Maybe I can fit it in.

FATHER, thank you for a blessed weekend. Thank YOU for the time spent with Kat. I continue to ask that YOU rest us well and rest us quickly. We continue to suffer from exhaustion. FATHER I lift up those in need of YOUR healing, physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally. I ask for YOUR intervention on their behalf. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders, for the changes that are being made. I pray that everything will be done according to YOUR will. YOU have been good to me!

Whew! Sunday morning. I am awake, but my tail is dragging. This past week has been one for the books. Winding up the season, year end and quarterly record keeping and ultimately the move home. It has been a whirlwind!

I spent yesterday afternoon getting clothes, shoes, coats, whatever out of the big trailer. I cannot believe how quickly things accumulate. I could have never worn anything twice, I could have treated it like disposable clothing and I would still have had clothes to unload! (O.K., that is an exaggeration). I took Krl's SUV and loaded it down!

Late in the day/early evening Trc came over with two of the phillies! Ellen and Kat! How they have grown! Kat had already made plans to spend the night! Her Meme and Dandy got home just in time to rescue her! Her teeth are falling out (she has lost six at the same time), her hair is growing out of the top of her head (she had puppy dog ears), and she had holes in her ears (she recently got them pierced). It was an enjoyable evening! Another plus for being home!

I am fixing to go wake Meme and Kat up. One of the other reasons for Kat wanting to spend the night with us was to go to Church. I am glad she is excited because her Meme and Dandy are excited to be going as well. We have missed joining with the faithful at Highland, hearing Mike deliver GOD's message and of course we have missed our Sunday School group! Anticipation!
It will be a blessed morning.

I am in hopes of kicking back and resting this afternoon. I am not really into the Super Bowl thing. I will probably watch part of it. I have not heard from Rian about placing a wager! That USC/Oklahoma game might have taught him his lesson (of course the tsunami relief appreciated their wind fall).

FATHER we love YOU we worship and adore YOU. Glorify YOUR name in all the world. YOU are supreme. We thank YOU for YOUR love, YOUR mercy, YOUR grace! Thank YOU for meeting our every need. FATHER forgive us when we turn inward instead of outward. Strengthen us in our weaknesses. Heal all of us needing YOUR healing. Physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally! Surround us with YOU, fill us with YOUR spirit. Send YOUR angels LORD!

Jet lag is bad enough. It is much worse if you get it and haven't been on a plane!

Forgive me. I missed posting yesterday. My day started early. I was fueling my pickup on the western fringe of Abilene just after four-thirty in the morning. I was back at the compound in St. Lawrence by eight. That even included a stop by my folks house to get ET. He wanted to go to St. Lawrence when I did, to talk with the GM. I think actually what he did was drop off his resume in hopes that if the GM learns of any opportunities he would pass it along.

I was appreciative of ET's company and help. We stayed busy and by the time LM got there with the big truck to get the big travel trailer we were ready! It just took a few minutes more and I was hooked to the last remaining RV and all that was left was to go through the office and tell everyone 'bye and to pick up the final check. On the way back I made a stop and did some banking. I didn't catch up with LM until I was in Abilene. It took a short while to finish getting the big trailer to its place, but it is done. All that remained in my day was to take the truck and leave it at a friends shop and to drive LM home to Sweetwater. It was kind of like deja vue all over again as I found myself fueling my pickup for the second time in fourteen hours at the very same station! I finally made it to the house after a stop off at Albertson's (again). I suppose this could get old, but if you ever live in isolation for a while, you begin to appreciate lots of things you take for granted, like every store is a convenience store!

When I got home I was spent! Five hundred miles and I was a whipped puppy! I walked through the door and Krl was wanting to show me something. In one of the spare bedrooms she had found a cat. I immediately thought, dead smelly carcass because we had been gone so long and we don't own a cat. As it turns out, about three weeks ago Krl's "bud" that was house sitting, called and told Krl that when she arrived at the house the back door was open. Everything was in place. The only thing out of order was that the door to this spare bedroom was open. She closed the doors and decided to make more frequent checks. I don't know how but this cat survived being locked up. No evidence of any accidents. This must have been a "fat cat" when this began. Krl is an animal lover and immediately she and the cat bonded. Of course it probably helped that Krl had a bowl of water and an open can of tuna in hand! The cat is a long hair version of Sylvester (of the tweety bird lineage) except he is a she. I have named her Sylvesta, Krl is calling her Boots, the hounds are calling her Supper! While Krl is thrilled I keep telling her that somewhere in the neighborhood there is probably a three year old that is heartbroken because her cat ran away! She vowed to take Sylvesta around the neighborhood today, before we become attached.

FATHER, I need YOU. I find that battles rage inside of me, emotions run rampant. I am short, I am irritable. I am in need of renewal. I need to decompress. I need YOUR strength when I am weak and self centered. Forgive me FATHER. I pray for those in need of YOUR gift of healing. Physically, spiritually, emotionally. Come into my life LORD JESUS.

Abilene, Abilene. Prettiest town that I've ever seen. The people there don't treat you mean in Abilene, my Abilene.

Guess what!

Oh beautiful for spacious rooms, for neighbor's waves of greeting.
For purple hue from sunset across my window pane.
Our home! Our home!
God shed his grace on our home,
And crown the good with brotherhood,
God bless us everyone!

Some choose to move to the east, some move to the north. Some migrate down to the south and some out to the west, but I find I like my home town best!

As you can tell I am giddy! A little plagiarism there, and of course Tiny Tim (of the Scrooge movie, not the ukelele) got to put his emphasis in!

We are home! At least for a couple of days! Krl and the hound boys and girls are home for good, but I have miles to go before I am and miles to go before I am (home for good, that is). What a day our Wednesday was. I got up early, did the blog thing and then I got busy. Loading, boxing, disconnecting, packing. I called L.M. out with one of the big trucks and by the time he arrived I was hooked up to the first travel trailer and my pickup was loaded! I know I looked like a gypsy. If I could hold an item in place until I could secure it with a rope, it was going to make the trip!

L.M. hooked up to the last remaining flatbed trailer (which was loaded with forklifts and such) and he got away pretty quickly. He was making his way to Midland to drop off our primary forklift which bore the brunt of the load this year at the shop before returning his remaining cargo to the yard. The primary forklift had fallen through the cracks. It did one primary year at St. Lawrence in 1997 and then was relegated to a back up role and ended up working in a warehouse in Laredo. Actually we ran back across it last year as it had been returned from Laredo and through some manuevering we ended up with it. It was a low hour machine for the year model and when things fell through for a new primary machine this year I called on it to do the work. Long story short we put almost three thousand hours on this little machine during the season. It has been ridden hard and put up wet! It is tired. It needs some TLC and R&R. It deserves it!

Krl and I got away from the compound about two o'clock. Her SUV didn't look any better than my gypsymobile truck and travel trailer. She actually left a short time before I did. She had a couple of stops to make in town as we passed through. I let her know when I passed through so she would not be waiting around for me, then I set the cruise on about sixty-three and I just eased along with the trailer. Krl slowly made up the time differential and just before she caught up I began to feel the pickup was a little soft. It was moving around like it might possibly have a tire giving up. I was on my toes, and sure enough, the right rear tire came apart. I got off the road and on the shoulder of the service road and immediately called Krl's cell phone. She was a few miles behind which allowed me time to jack the truck up and pull the tire and wheel off. We then made a trek into Colorado City to find a tire. It turns out the only place in town that carried new tires was the dealer for the brand of tire I would have purchased by choice. We got it mounted and balanced and went back to the truck and put it on and we hit the road again! On the road again! The remainder of the trip to Roscoe was uneventful. Krl and the hounds stayed on the highway to get home before dark and I stopped to drop the travel trailer. I very quickly drained the water system, stopped in and said hello to my folks and then it was On the road again! The trip seemed to fly by. Krl called to let me know she was home and also to give me a very brief list of things we had to have at the house to make it through the evening. I got my first experience on the "totally completed" Winters freeway, made my exit and went by Albertsons. It was so nice to see familiar surroundings and people, I found myself wanting to hug the cashier! Forty dollars and a couple of miles later, I was HOME! Knowing my character flaws I did not stop until everything (that is not going into storage) was unloaded. Then I sat down in my chair, and it fit! One hundred eleven days since my butt had last met the fabric of the Lazy Boy recliner and it was a "match made in the furniture store!" We got on the phone and made a call and a place delivered food to our doorstep! There was a large receptacle in the bathroom which I filled with hot water and I slipped into until I had used every drop of hot water! Back to the recliner, eat on a tray, and then to bed. There is nothing that gives that secure feeling of home like the familiarity of "your" bed! It was a great evening from our homefront!

FATHER, thank YOU! It is so nice to return to our earthly home! Thank YOU for the safe travel, for the tremendous season we experienced and for safety of all the workers. YOU have had YOUR hand and watchful eye over our every move and for this I am thankful. Once again I find that I have worked myself out of a job. I am excited to see where YOU take me next and what opportunities YOU make available to me. I am thankful that YOU are faithful to meet my every need. Praise be to YOU! I pray for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Rusty and Kim's baby, for Jennifer, for those injured in the Highland accident. I ask YOUR physical healing for them. I pray for those of us ailing spiritually. Surround us, fill us with YOUR spirit. I pray for our leaders, for our spiritual family. YOU are my rock!

This end of season stuff is getting long. It always is. This however is the first year that Krl and the hound boys and girls have been here to experience it. Therein lies the problem. Some of the normal things that I do out here breaking camp, I have not been able to do. Like taking down our small fence and loading the large container that stores the dog food. Add to this our resolve not to hurry or force it and it is just not happening.

Our yesterday was consumed with payroll. Most of the guys said there was no rush, Rather than get a full killer check one week and a small check the following week they would wait until they got the "Mother" of all checks. Then they bother me all afternoon Monday and Tuesday morning wondering where there checks are! The hold-up is that the co-op can't read fuel pumps until either late Wednesday or sometime Thursday. So Krl was needing a few things and I asked (O.K., strongly suggested) her to ride into town when I express mailed the regular (but not final) payroll. She reluctantly agreed and we made our way to Garden City where I was told "Yes, we can do that but it won't get there until Thursday". I wanted to argue because Garden City to Abilene has only been one day delivery all season. They assured me that if I would go to Big Spring or Midland, delivery would be guaranteed. Since Big Spring was closer we set out on our way! When we arrived there I stood in line, filling out the label and listening to the clerks. I heard one conversation about express mail and didn't like what I heard. When it was my time at the window I was told "No guarantee, you need to go to Midland," I did a quick assessment and it was just as close to drive them to Roscoe and let payroll be dispersed from there since most of the people live around there. I did have a brain storm though and started trying to call the loudest squeaky wheel! I figured if we made contact he could meet me and cut our drive time in half. Didn't happen. We drove the wheels off my truck all the way to there, made the drop off and drove back. The only highlite was we got to pick something up for supper. Krl didn't appreciate the drive and clammed up and frowned all the way to and from there. I think one thing she sometimes forgets is that on occasion job managers have to do things we would not choose to do voluntarily, I did not leave the compound with the intent of going all the way to Roscoe, but the best laid plans of mice and men........

I have now revisited our decision not to hurry and I think it is time for the full court press! Press on!! As soon we have good light I am out of here and hooking up. Our temperature is currently thirty-four and by the time I get it all done it should be approaching the predicted high for the day. Should make for an uneventful trip to Abilene. I will take tomorrow to unload and store jobsite equipment and then Charles and I will return Friday to get the last two travel trailers.

FATHER, please bless this day and our efforts. Lead us to our home. I pray for all those needing YOUR healing, physically, spiritually, emotionally. I ask YOUR blessing on them all. To YOU be the glory, great things YOU have done!

Krl and I got about three quarters of what we needed to do, done yesterday. The part we did was the time sensitive stuff, mailing all the 1099's and W-2's, IRS 940. It only took two trips (thirty-two miles each) to the post office to get it all in. Bah humbug. I really dislike all of the reporting. I don't know if it is just because we ran later than usual or if it was because we had more volume, but it was a thrash this year. Oh well.

I am minutes away from finishing loading supplies. Once I got back from the post office I got busy in earnest. I think I was ready to do some physical labor because my mind was spent. Everything is palletized. All that is left is to load it up and strap it down. Then we get to the bed of my pickup. It is amazing how much you can accumulate in the work season out here. I think everyone puts something in there for future us with you as the custodian of their prized possession that is too valuable to discard. I will get to that and hopefully hook up to the Nomad, if it is not snowy or icy.

My mind is changing gears. I find that I am anxious to get to the house. I am excited for Christmas. We have lots to do before February 12. It will be fun.

One of the (soon to be six year old) granddaughters recently told her Meme she wanted a particular pair of shoes for Christmas. They are Nike, I have seen them, and they cost a hundred dollars. Break it down per each and it is not much better.

I awoke this morning thinking of shoes and wondering if I was just dense growing up. I can remember making the annual pre-school trek to Cowan's shoe store to buy shoes. We were allotted one pair and they were required to last the entire school year. Better get a little growing room! Cowan's had a machine that really was a hit with all the kids. As a child it looked like it took x-rays of your shoes with your feet inside to inspect the fit. As a grownup I think it was just a very very bright light with a shaded protective lens to protect the eyes. My shoe of choice was the PF Flyer. "Run Faster, jump higher!" Michael Jordan could have been great! They were black high top tennis shoes with white edging around the rubber sole. Actually there are impostors making a comeback in the stylish circles. I see many celebrities wearing them now. Later came the choice of low top, junior high saw the introduction of Hush Puppie slip ons. My question now is how these stylish yet functional shoes would compare price wise to the ones requested in the prior paragraph. Dollar value then and now, cost then and now. Did my parents wake up thinking about shoes? Did they detest the PF Flyers? Were they tempted to write a blog about them. Nah, I don't think so. Otherwise we are going to have a talk. Could of had money! Ha!

We are in kick back mode today. We are going to work but we are going to move at our own pace. We have left the pressure cooker!

FATHER, please bless this day. Please allow Krl and I to be productive. Help me to patient, to think things through. Let my light shine. I ask YOUR blessing on Hag, B., Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Rusty and Kim's baby, Jennifer, and those who have suffered injuries. I ask YOUR healing for them all. I continue to ask YOUR blessings and comfort for those who have suffered loss. FATHER I ask YOUR guidance for TJ and ET as YOU have presented them with a crossroad. Help them to understand that everything happens for a reason and that they need to have faith that YOUR plan is unfolding for them as YOU intend. I pray for those searching for meaning and purpose, draw them to YOU. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. LORD lead me on, use me as YOU'd want me to, YOU are my rock, YOU are my spirit, YOU are my king!