I need to preface this particular post so it will make some sense.

A week ago Sunday our Sunday School class was gradually filtering in from the worship service. Kurt and Michelle had signed up and brought a wide assortment of doughnuts from AM Doughnuts. As our classroom began to fill we had guests come in from the class across the hall. One young woman ventured to the table and began to "load up" while she encouraged more classmates to come in and do the same. When this young woman left the first time she carried four doughnuts with her, then she came back for a couple more. Carolyn, who is probably one of the kindest, most soft spoken people I know, went across the hall and told that class that they were welcome to share in our treats however we must begin to cut the doughnuts in half in order for everyone to receive a portion. Shortly thereafter the teacher from the adjacent class came in offering his apologies and an explanation. This particular young woman had not been to church since we went to the summer schedule of one church service and she thought she was simply scavenging left-overs. She was truly embarrassed. We talked in our study period about the possibility of making this a project and a recipient of our class collection, to supply treats to the "Inner City" class meeting across the hall. The discussion ended with no definite plan of action.

This past Sunday Krl and I had signed up to bring treats to class. While we are known for my famous breakfast casserole, we opted to do something different. Krl baked muffins and prepared fruit trays and plans were to also pick up doughnuts from Jack and Jill's. Krl completed her preparations Saturday night and Sunday morning about eight I left and made the run to Jack and Jill. We arrived about twenty minutes early to service so we made some preparation for class by getting the coffee maker and some of the supplies from the closet. We placed all of our goodies in the closet and went to church service. Just before the benediction Krl and I slipped from the auditorium and went to set out the treats for class. While Krl made coffee I divied things up and took half across the hall. I took not only the goodies, but plates and plastic ware. I had it all set up when I realized that I had forgotten napkins. I went back across the hall and got a handful of napkins from our supply closet and took them across the hall, but this time I got caught. A few members of the Inner City class were filtering into the room and they were gleefully surveying their new found bounty. One of the class members was the young woman from a week before. She smiled a huge smile and inquired "Did you bring all this for us?" "Yes" I replied and I slipped out of the room. As it turns out, Gayla didn't think anyone was signed up to bring goodies so she had brought cake and fruit as well and she took that across the hall also. As class was over the teacher from across the hall came in to thank our class and to tell us that we would never know how appreciative the Inner City class was.

I began to think of a recent church service where the Maxwell family delivered the communion thoughts. It was right after spring break and their family's covenant group had gone to Washington, D.C.. They told of an opportunity to serve there in a fine old house run by two older gentlemen. They prepare a meal not ever knowing who might come. It might be attended by homeless, it might be attended by dignitaries, it might be attended by men of great power and wealth, but these groups share a meal and share a table set with fine china and crystal. The communion thoughts went on to cover the story about preparing a great feast and sending servants out to invite strangers from the streets and the highways to share in this meal, not to invite friends who might reciprocate. The Maxwell's went on to state that the Lord's Supper is a shared meal, where all that come to the table are one in Christ, equal, needy, redeemed.

I feel that Sunday morning we shared in that meal. I feel that Sunday mornings meal, shared almost anonymously with those across the hall, was probably one of the most powerful communions I have ever been a part of. It still reverbrates this morning.

FATHER, don't give up on us yet! Keep on exposing us and sooner or later YOU will break through and we will get YOUR point. I am thankful that YOU are faithful to us and our needs. YOU are a mighty and powerful GOD from whom all blessings flow. Thank YOU. FATHER I pray for healing for Krl and me. I pray for renewal, mentally, physically and spiritually. I pray for complete healing. I pray for Memama, Pepa, Ol', Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Tori, Ed, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing to recover from their accident injuries, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine. I ask YOUR gifts of healing for them all. I pray for those heavy hearted with grief. Lift and comfort them. I pray for those of us who stumble daily, give us stability. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I ask safety for those who are traveling this summer. I pray for those working to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for the "Inner City" class that bridges may be built and that they might see YOU in us.

Now that was a Sunday!

Krl and I got up and made Church and Sunday school. Class was good, church has been really lacking lately but especially yesterday. Just seems like you come out of there saying "huh?". Love C.M., but let's give him some time off. Budget is O.K. but lets just put it in an insert and place in the weekly bulletin. (By the way, Highland continues to be "big business", final numbers for '04 totaled almost 2.8M with a projection of 3% growth this year).

I made it home just in time to see the start of Indy. I missed all the pre-race "back home in Indiana" stuff, but that was the best Indy in quite some time. My choice, Danica, put on a show, had a couple of moments with rookie mistakes but led with only about eight laps to go. If her fuel calculations had looked just a bit better, she might have give them a run for the money. Ended up fourth. Good job! This woman will put her face on the Borg Warner trophy!

Nascar was exciting. Record number of cautions. Lots of stupid mistakes. (Led by Junior's wearing his helmet backwards while driving). Don't know where that boy has his head but if I were Mikey I would stay away from him. Let's see, other "bump" drafters were Carl Edwards, and Bryan Vickers. Seemed like most of the accidents caused by these guys played a heavy toll on teammates. There were some excellent runs though, Kyle Busch was impressive, you can see why Hendrick signed him. I was tickled to see Bobby Labonte have a good run even though Jimmy edged him at the line. I have to admit I did enjoy seeing the #97 hauler leave mid race! 1100 miles of good racing!

Krl and did take a break from the race day. We hooked up to the "Viva Las Vegas" web cam about six-thirty. I wanted to be sure our technology could handle theirs. I watched on and off for about an hour. I saw Elvis perform a ceremony (he is still alive, he just can't move anymore). Man they run people through there like cattle at a cattle auction. Every thirty minutes! I don't know what they charge but they definitely have cash flow. As time was getting close for Ollie's reserved time, Pepa called me to see if we were watching and wanted me to help him turn up his volume. Before it was all over he had clicked around and totally lost his picture of the chapel. (I think he jumped the gun and went directly to the honeymoon cam! Tj saved his hide though and got them back on line. Finally, the one we were waiting on came up. The audio was a little muffled, the lighting wasn't very good, but we could tell who they were. (Who could deny that hair flip was Miss Ollie). Krl bawled through the whole thing. I told her that this was what THEY decided to do! A short while after the ceremony was over Ollie called wanting to know if I had watched. I told her just as it began there was a big wreck on NASCAR and I missed almost all of the ceremony but I hoped to look at the replay! She was quiet for a minute before she realized I was teasing her. Anyhow, she sounded excited and happy. We will hope.

We have nothing on the schedule for today! I was going to put the new compressor on the S-10 today and charge the A/C so I could begin driving it to and from work. I think it would cut my cost almost in half. (O.K., by a third, I will take it!). We will join the majority of American's today and enjoy a leisurely day highlited by barbecue. I have spent a large part of my morning listening to programming that is themed on Memorial Day. Tremendous sacrifice.

FATHER, thank YOU for this day. Thank YOU for the time off. Help us to reflect on what this holiday means and the sacrifices made so that we might live in the land of the free. Help us to also realize that these sacrifices pale in comparison to CHRIST's and that real freedom is in him. FATHER, take charge. I ask for a blessed day and week. I pray for healing for Krl and me. I ask that YOU would lift us and make us well. I pray for Memama, Pepa, Ol, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Ashlyn Kate, Jennifer, Tori, Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing their recuperation from their injuries, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine. I ask for YOUR gift of healing for them. I pray for those of us who struggle in our daily walk. Keep us centered. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for Ol and her marriage and I ask that YOU bless it. I pray for the Boyland family as they are on the road, protect them and return them to us. I pray for the efforts of many to expand YOUR kingdom. YOU reign supreme.

Well, well. As I tap this out on the key board Miss Ollie (Merrit Aleis, the youngest daughter and only remaining single child) is in Las Vegas. To get married. She and her beau, (who I have not met), decided to elope. Supposedly they are going to call later with a web address because the wedding chapel they are getting married in has a web camera and we can watch on line.

Am I concerned. You bet. This is the girl who never wanted to get married, didn't need a man, and could do just fine by herself. I am just hoping that Ol' is not getting caught up in a lot of other emotion and becoming confused. Add to this the fact that I was not really aware their relationship was getting this serious and even though they had talked about December, in the past that could have been a multitude of boy friends in that time span. Twenty-three years old, her decisions are hers, good or bad, right or wrong. We can only hope for the best.

Three in our class showed up yesterday to load boxes and furniture of a soon to be former classmate that is moving. Three others had been over earlier in the week helping to pack. All together there were six people and we were able to wrap it up about eleven-thirty am.

Krl and did the Petsmart thing and made the grocery store. I made one stop and pitched Stream Energy to a guy I think is in a good position to flourish in the network. We got home and Krl began baking Sunday School treats.

Woo Hoo! Don't call me, I am unavailable. From the drop of the green flag at Indy until the checkers drop at the world 600 I am isolated, insulated from everything! Leave a message.

FATHER, I ask for a blessed day. For YOUR love, YOUR mercy and YOUR grace, I thank YOU. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing. I pray for those who are grieving and ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who struggle. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. YOU are my firm foundation.

I wish I had nothing to do today, but I don't. What I have on my schedule is the most absolute opposite thing I would prefer to do. I will give it a go. My biggest fear is that no one else from our group will show up. This is one of the worst weekends that they could have scheduled this. School is just out for the summer and it is a three day weekend.

I do know that if this project is not completed by end of today, that is it. Tomorrow is my day! I will do the Church and Sunday school thing, (Krl and I are taking treats for our class and also for the "Inner City" class across the hall), then we will rush through the clean up process and "race" home for the races. "Indy" and the "World 600". We can rest on Monday. My picks for the two races are Danica Patrick (who will make history as the first woman to win Indy) and Jeff Gordon at Lowe's Speedway. Now I have probably given both of them the kiss of the wall, but that is who I am cheering for!

I did that blog flashback deal this morning. One year ago today (in the archives). Now I am trying to decide how I have grown or diminished in the last year. A year ago today I was sent down to GOD's minor leagues.

FATHER, may I always be minor and YOU be MAJOR in my life. FATHER I need a lot of work mentally, physically, and spiritually. Mold me and make me. I pray for Krl's health. I ask that YOU heal her physically, in heart, in mind and in spirit. I pray for Memama, Pepa, Ol', Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Tori, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing their recovery from the accident, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine. I ask YOUR gift of healing for them all. I pray for Pat Lawrence, and ask YOUR will be done. FATHER I pray for his care and comfort. I pray for those who are heavy hearted from loss. I ask that YOU will lift them and comfort them as only YOU and YOUR angels can. I pray for those of us who struggle daily to follow YOU. I pray for strength and resolve. Keep us centered and focused. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom, especially Team Salvador and the "Into All the World" effort that begins the push today. I pray for safety for all those participating and I pray for YOUR success. To GOD be the GLORY great things HE does daily!

Whew, to the metroplex and back by 10 am.. That'll get your day going in a hurry. Hopefully I am almost done with my day. I am back in the office proofing some brokerage agreements I was putting together late yesterday. The girls are trying to get payroll out so I can take it to town for dispersal from "Larry's Better Burger". On Fridays that is kind of the hub for all the drivers to drop off paperwork and pick up pay. It saves quite a bit of fuel, especially if all of them made the forty mile round trip to the office and back to Abilene.

I had met up early this morning with the driver that was leaving at four, as chance would have it the load I was needing to take was loaded as well so we ran together and both of us delivered ahead of schedule. In fact, I delivered two and a half hours early. What has thrown us in a tizzy is the Memorial Day weekend. Coke asked for twenty more trucks than we have today and we will deliver over twenty loads today. The last two loads Coke threw on us were Albuquerque, New Mexico's. Those two guys will start their weekend late Saturday.

Hope your day and weekend are safe and blessed!

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe travel, for the productive day. YOU are supreme! FATHER, I continue to ask YOUR healing for me and for Krl. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR miracle of healing. I pray for those saddened by loss. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Bless the efforts of those to expand YOUR kingdom. YOU are GREAT!

Metroplex. More later.

I hate for my routine to get thrown off. That has already happened this morning. I am usually early to rise and then I spend a leisurely hour or so reading the newspapers on the internet and blogging prior to getting in gear and getting ready for work.

My phone rang just as I was signing in to blogspot. The business owner I am helping was on the line, a truck, based in Abilene, had missed his 5:30 am. pickup. They had moved up the next truck but had been unable to make contact with the 5:30 driver. I threw on some clothes and my flip flops and headed across town, when I arrived at this drivers house it was dark and all was quiet. After repeatedly knocking (and then banging) on the door, lights finally came on and the driver ran to the door apologizing profusely. When the storms came through town last evening his alarm went on the blink! It would appear that we have used our delivery time cushion up but if we don't encounter any problems "in route" for these two loads, we should avoid the per minute penalty! Whew! We will work all day just to get the cushion built back up.

I am pretty well caught up with my work back log so I am optimistic about my day. Tomorrow may be another thing though. I have heard whispers that I may be needed to make a Friday run to the metroplex, which means I would begin next week.......with another back log of work.

Rian interviewed yesterday with the principal at Frienship for an assistant principal position. He felt really good about it last evening when we talked. While we were mid conversation he received a call from the deputy superintendent from there setting up an interview for today. Rian says this is a tremendous opportunity as this particular school is a "beta" AED program and one of a kind right now. Hope and pray for good things for him with this opportunity.

Rain. Hail. We had weather over night. The hounds woke Krl and I, just as it hit. Luckily the household got settled and everyone went back to sleep. The rain is what we need. I just wish the hail wasn't there. All my farming family and friends are either planting cotton or harvesting wheat, so hail doesn't fit in their equation. While it takes only a small amount of moisture to compliment the underground moisture from last fall, we still need runoff for many of the area lakes and reservoirs. It is a delicate balance.

FATHER, I pray for a blessed day. Surround me with YOUR presence. Be with me as I battle the demons that I am confronted with. I pray for continued healing, for me and for Krl. I pray for healing for Memama, Pepa,Ol, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Tori, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, those recovering from the accident, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine. I pray for Pat Lawrence, and ask YOUR intervention and care for him. I pray for those saddened with loss. Send them YOUR angels. I pray for those of us who battle daily to walk YOUR walk. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Bless me oh LORD and expand my boundaries. Keep me from evil that I may do good!

Hump day, harumph, harumph!

Halfway to where I want to be! It hasn't been a bad week, but I have had better. I have been digging out of the paperwork that had accumulated for me to load in the spreadsheets. A couple of days out of the office and I have paid dearly. Add to this work load the fact that we have been trying to talk out some possibilities in the office and it has been a full day.

I requisitioned a demo disc for some new software made specifically for the transportation industry. This is an updated version of what I had used in the past however they have a lot of new interfaces that are trick. I have told the owners that they may think I am crazy recommending new software because this particular program would get rid of the entry repetition as well as the spreadsheet entry that I am doing. In other words my job would be a victim of the upgrade. The owner has assured me that wouldn't be the case, I might take on different duties but he is convinced I am a "value buy". (I guess I should feel good, maybe).

Coach signed me up in this new network marketing endeavor. A meeting Monday, another tonight in Winters. I hope it performs at even a fraction of its potential. I don't know that I have ever seen coach as pumped as he is about this. Some of the ones I figured would be interested are staying on the sideline. Weird.

The remainder of the week may get wild and wooly! With commencement exercises many of the drivers are needing off Thursday and Friday evening, add to that the fact that one driver is having surgery Friday morning and it could be a week to remember!

When I made +e's graduation I had a little extra time to do errands. I was able to get inspection stickers on the company vehicle as well as my little work truck. I also registered the little truck. Today I bit the bullet and bought an air conditioner compressor (from Chris' NAPA store), so I may soon be driving the S-10.

Rian has an interview at Friendship this afternoon. It is for an assistant principal's job. Lubbock ISD gave him the same story as last year wanting him to get one more year of teaching experience, that one more with last years one more equals two. Talk straight here. He may teach history but he does know math.

The kiddo's step-dad's father Pat, or Paw as they call him is not doing well. He has had several health issues the past couple of years but yesterday Ollie called and said they were removing all life support and they were just going to try make him comfortable. Doctors don't believe he will last two days. It is a sad situation but he is so tired, he is ready. I am just hoping that the kids can be as accepting as he is. Sometimes quality of life is more important than life.

FATHER, I pray for a blessed day. I ask for YOUR presence at every juncture. I pray that YOU will go with me tonight as I travel to the meeting. FATHER I pray for success in this venture that Coach has presented me with. I pray for my health and for Krl's, I pray for relief for us both. I pray for Memama and Pepa, for Ollie, for Hag, for Pat Lawrence, for B., for Lillie, for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Ashlyn Kate, for Tori, for Jennifer, for Tj, for Anna, for Jess, for those continuing to recover from their injuries, for Dr. Mackie, for Yaenga and for Jeanine. I ask YOUR comfort and healing if it is YOUR will. I pray for those saddened by loss. Fill their void with YOU. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU. Give us peace and purpose. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Be with Duane and he leaves Abilene and moves to Fort Worth. Help him to find his niche quickly. FATHER, YOUR love lifts me daily!

I have decided I am in love. With Krl's new air conditioner. Last night I slept like a "good" baby. What is it about a cool crisp night and pulling the covers up to your nose that makes for a "good" sleep environment. It seems to be a small window. Not too cold and not too hot. Just right! So far this is two out of three nights that I have rested well.

In the office today. I am dreading it. I hate the back log that comes with me being out of the office. I was gone Friday afternoon and then again Monday. I will have to dig my way out.

Coach called me yesterday. When I went home to change clothes for Addison's graduation there was a message on the answering machine. Seven o'clock in the morning he was trying to catch me before I went to work. (I was already in the metroplex). He was wanting me to go to a meeting Monday night with him. It is a tremendous opportunity. My first reflex is "anything that sounds this good is too good to be true". Second thing is, even if it barely worked a guy is going to recover his investment and hopefully secure a residual income. My third thought was, "Can I afford to do this?" Fourth thought was "Can I afford not to do this?" One of the really funny things is I don't even have a credit card to sign in to it. Don't want one. I haven't carried a wallet in about four years. I think that kind of buffaloed the "master of ceremonies" last evening. We'll see. Needless to say, it has gotten the juices flowing to think about it.

Have a good day.

Father, please bless this day. Mold it and use me as YOU want.. I pray for those near and dear in need of YOUR healing, YOUR comfort, YOUR direction. I ask YOUR blessings on our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand your kingdom. The glory is YOURS!

What goes up must come down.

I had received assurances that after the tough last week, this week would be better. Prove it! About mid-day Sunday came a call asking me if I could make the metroplex run again. It seems there was some miscalculation in the office Friday and they took one more load than they had equipment and personnel for. Add to this the fact that one of the prospects made a training run...... and ran. Long story short, the owner's oldest son is graduating from kindergarten and their program is this morning. How could I say no. I never went to kindergarten.

So after two really top notch days Krl's and my balloon lost it helium and settled back to earth. If things go well I will make it back in time to go to +e's (Addie's) program. She graduates from kindergarten at two. She and Kali came over and stayed for a while yesterday, it was the first time we had seen either since +e's birthday.

So, I am out the door. Have a good day!

FATHER, YOU got my back, my front, my sides and all over! I pray for a safe and blessed day! I pray for all those near and dear in need of YOUR many gifts, of healing, of comfort, of guidance. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Let YOUR light shine, in me.

Lawsy me! (As Great Grandmother McLeod used to say). As I get older I am understanding this more and more.

Saturday was the kind of day that makes you appreciate getting up and going to work. My body is spent. But what a glorious day!

I may have set an all time record for brownie points. I have done so many honey do's above and beyond the call of duty that my name may not only be on the roll "up there", it may be in the Guiness book of world records! Yessirree!

From yard to plumbing to store to taking Krl to get her hair cut to picking up supper, I have done it all. I even surprised her and installed a refrigerated room air conditioner in our bedroom. (We have a split floor plan and our bedroom has always been the hottest room in the house in the summer and the coldest in the winter, the central heating and cooling unit is on the other side of the house).

I have to tell of an interesting encounter I had while I was mowing the lawn. I had mowed the big part of the front lawn and I had moved on to the small narrow slice on the other side of the drive-way when two men approached me. One was dressed in a suit and tie, the other was in a shirt and tie. They were handing out pamphlets and were so bold as to just walk up to me while I was pushing the mower. They immediately went into their spiel and it was very evident that they were Mormans. We have a family that is Morman in our neighborhood and for some reason, street walkers from their tabernacle work our neighborhood pretty hard and pretty regular. Now I don't have a problem if someone want to pursue the Morman faith and beliefs, as I have said before, whatever "floats your boat" and "works for you". Shoot, I even have a neighbor on one side who is a Baptist!

Back to the encounter. The gentleman in the suit asked me if he could talk with me about faith issues. I was still sitting holding the handle of the lawnmower and it was really loud. I told him I would be glad to talk with him if his partner could mow while we talked. They left rather abruptly although they were laughing as they went. I figured there was a reason they traveled in pairs. Obviously, mowing is not the reason! (Man I could have used the help too!)

I am so sore. My body is aching. My knees will never forgive me. My tummy is so mad because I have lost so much water from sweating that I have been cramping and I have imbibed in another quart of pickle juice. Krl says that while it may be a good fix for my muscle cramps the pickle juice is probably what is wrong with my stomach.

Krl and I have had a good two days. I've made her fall in love with me all over again! I have always been sweet on her. (Heh, heh, next Sunday is the super bowl and world series rolled into one day, Indy and the world 600, I will probably be pretty worthless). She is aware of my plans for next week, that would explain why she spent the evening in the bedroom watching her show while I watched the NASCAR Nextel All Star Challenge.


FATHER I pray for a blessed day. I pray for relief, I pray for rest. I pray for healing, for me for Krl, for those near and dear who are in need. I pray for comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of us struggling in our journey. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. This is the season for a new anointing!

Wow! What a good night. I could use a do over in about twelve hours!

My Friday began with an early trip to the office. I spent a couple of hours there before I bailed out and headed to the house. I called Krl so she would have time to get ready and things began to fall into order. When we left the house the new hound was giving us her best what for! She doesn't like vehicles but would rather go with us than be left behind. The three older dogs just looked like they didn't want to hear her crying until we returned.

We did about two and a half hours of solid drive time, this was the first time for us to go west in about three months. It was interesting to see all the changes. It appears this portion of Texas is growing or else someone is willing to bet it will. Lots of new construction, and new businesses! We did conduct a little business, checked on a forklift that I put in the shop when we finished the last job that needed some repairs before being returned. I made contact with a gentleman that had been looking for a truck. I am not in that deal, just the messenger. I gave him the number to contact Rian. I believe there is some potential for a deal here. The gentleman knows the truck from it being on the jobsite and I would think it is priced right! We will see. We happened by the farm store where we ran into numerous patrons. They were all jovial and high spirited. A good crop and some serious potential for more will do that for you. We then went into the Gin office and I visited with the "B" man while Krl visited with Kristy! It was good to catch up. "B" and I talked business and some pricing he had requested. Two weeks ago he had called me told me what he needed. At that time I had inquired about the upcoming planting season and he had told me that they were pretty dry and needed a planting rain. In the last ten days they have had a pretty general two and a half inches! Looking good! I finally went in and visited briefly with Kristy. I needed to check the heartbeat of the community (and get a Claire report). Seems that not a lot has been happening out there. The biggest happening was when a pipe burst at Kristy's home when no one was there for about seven or eight hours! She had pics on her computer and it was a mess! I really believe that the only thing worse than water is smoke. While you still have the objects, they are forever altered! We were sorry to hear of this problem, that's not the way to go about getting new carpet and furniture. It took about a month for them to get everything back to normal. When we were leaving we ran into Chudje. (Whoojay). He was on the Harley. Henry is kind of the community's last "Rebel". And that is not rebel without a cause it would be rebel just be-cause. Henry has always been a friend over my time out there. He is beginning to plant cotton tomorrow. On our exit from the community we saw many planters moving in the fields. Time to begin the cycle again. The co-op business meeting is the twenty-eighth of May, when directors will be elected and the new board formed (the current president who has served nine years chose not to seek re-election so we will have a board that has a new look). The family fun day and barbecue is scheduled for June thirty. My last stop before leaving the compound was in the plant itself. The year round employees were hard at it with new machinery stacked around. They have much work to do over the next few months. I visited briefly with Frank and he seemed to be in good spirits. It was a good day to go through St. Lawrence.

When Krl and I left we were both quiet. I finally broke the silence and told her how much I had enjoyed seeing everyone. Quiet filled the vehicle again. Then I inserted the big "but" (not THE big "butt"). My next statement was, "But I am not ready to be back out there yet". I have found over the years that my mood cycles. One year my time is eagerly anticipated, the next year it might be filled with dread. I guess since the past season was the longest in eleven years (by far), I just need a little more recuperation. One other contributing factor is that Krl has a potential job. If this happens it will severely limit the time she could be out there. And after the company has pre-paid lease on the big travel trailer. Oh well. We do what we have to do.

Highlite of the trip was getting health reports. B. was off his oxygen and looking good. It has taken a couple of years but maybe his health is on an up cycle. I didn't see Lillie but reports I got were good. Lillie just got her a new car and late yesterday they were loading up and taking Daely (the granddaughter) to South Padre. Kristy's sister-in-law Jennifer is doing well. She lacks two more chemos and then a month of radiation but it looks good. We are thankful for all these good reports and look forward to more good news.

On the way home Krl and I stopped in a plant nursery. She was in "hog heaven" while I was in melt down! This is an annual ritual which is running a little late this year. Normally we go around her birthday but she was hobbling pretty bad about then. She brought home a load of plants! Three quick stops in Roscoe (the Shell, Chris' auto supply, and Memama's) and then we were home.

Saturday at the house. Actually I am already running behind. I had set a time frame, eight o'clock and I start the mower. I have had my tylenol, had my blood pressure med and had my flexium (for bone and joint ache). The only downside to my restful night was leg cramps. I finally got up just after midnight and drank a quart of pickle juice and was able to sleep the rest of the night without incident, but man are my legs sore! I need to get the yard done before it gets hot! 98 the predicted high today.

Hope all have a good weekend!

FATHER I thank YOU for the good day Friday. I thank YOU for the safe travel and the opportunity to see friends. I am thankful for the good health reports and I ask for YOUR continued miracle of healing for those in need of it. I am thankful for the promising crop year. Thank YOU for the recent rains. I ask YOUR continued blessing of gentle and timely rains for those is Roscoe, St. Lawrence, Coyonosa, and Farwell. I ask that YOU bless my friends and family with a bountiful harvest. FATHER, YOU are good. I am thankful for the good nights rest. I continue to ask YOUR healing for me and for Krl. Lift us, in spirit and in body. I continue to pray for Memama, for Pepa, for Ol, for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Jennifer, for Tori, for Ashlyn Kate, for Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing their recovery from the accident, for Dr. Mackie, for Yaenga, and for Jeanine. I ask YOUR blessings and healing for them all. I ask YOUR comfort for those who are grieving from loss. Fill their void with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for the effort being made to expand YOUR kingdom, especially team Salvador and the Porter's group. FATHER, I am thankful for the hope and promise I have in Jesus. Bless-ed be YOUR name!

It's almost over. And none too soon. A very busy week to say the least. The variation has not been bad but when I get back to the office my work is stacked up! If I could sleep, my weeks would be much shorter.

I am not really sure what today holds. Krl has asked me to take some time off and we do have some errands we need to do. My biggest problem is that by the time she is up and at 'em I will have been up nine or ten hours and lost a lot of potential for the day. I am toying with the possibility of going to the office for just a brief while and then taking off.

Yesterday was a weird day. From what I was told nothing worked in certain areas. No e-mail, no pagers, nothing. Weird. I wonder if people worked. I wonder ........ .

Now it's your turn to wonder ......... .

My current work opportunity is beginning to show some return on my time investment. Lots of new potential is being discovered. I think the key is going to be to match my strengths and the work where both will flourish. It seems that my role is expanding more and more, sometimes into areas I don't want to go into. In other work related news, my option has been picked up for another year in my seasonal work.

I have mentioned before that the owners of the business I work with have a three year old son. He is a ring-tailed tooter! Rotten! But we have a lot of fun. The office is next door to their house and the area between the office and the house is a kid's dream come true. Toys galore. This kiddo will play and play and then come into the office telling his mother he needs "milkie". Sometimes he will even bring his "tippy" cup when he makes his demand. I have volunteered to help him out, but with the stipulation that if I fill his cup, it will be with "cow juice". He doesn't want "cow juice", he wants his "milky"!

That brought to mind another story that I shared with Krl last evening when we were cooking supper. Years ago when I was growing up and all of us kids were at home, Mom was cooking breakfast. Bacon, eggs, and biscuits! She discovered she was short four or five eggs and commissioned "Coach" to walk the hundred yards down to the neighbors house to "borrow" some eggs. Mom even gave "Coach" an empty gallon ice cream pail to carry them in. When "Coach" arrived he told the neighbor what he needed and she told him to wait just a minute and she'd get him some eggs. In just a couple of minutes they were out the door and headed for the chicken house. "Coach" stood at the door watching as the neighbor quickly gathered several eggs and put them in the pail. When she handed the pail back to "Coach", he looked inside at the eggs and then told the neighbor, "Momma doesn't want "chicken" eggs, she wants "box" eggs!"

It's all in the presentation.

FATHER, thank YOU. Thank YOU for the simple lessons YOU teach us through living. Help me to make my presentation reflect YOU in my life. FATHER I thank YOU for getting me to this point in the week, I ask that YOU bless this day and see me through it. I pray for safety and productivity whether I am in the office or running errands with Krl. FATHER, I ask for guidance for Et and Tj as he weighs job options and they make decisions concerning their family's future. I continue to ask for healing as I battle this summer cold, I also ask that YOU boost me and heal my heart, mind, and spirit. I pray for Krl's health. I ask healing for her body, mind and soul. I continue to lift up Memama, Ol, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Ashlyn Kate, Jennifer, Tori, Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing to recover from their injuries, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine. I ask YOUR gift of healing for them. I pray for those who are heavy hearted and grieving from loss. I ask that YOU comfort them. I pray for those of us who struggle as we attempt to follow YOU, show us the way. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for those who are working to spread YOUR kingdom. Greater are YOU, who is in me, than he who is in the world!

Today is filled with high expectations. With a few things falling into place, today could easily move into position as the best day of this week. I am optimistic.

Neither the owner or I are scheduled to go out today, now that is a first this week. Late last evening I finished the arrangements for a new hire to meet with the owner and go on the truck I had been filling in on. This new driver is completing my load to Lubbock and then will return to Abilene to make an orientation "can" run with the driver in #15. Friday the new guy will be thrown into the fray!

My day yesterday was pretty much the norm for the week. A very early departure with a "can" load, but that was all that was normal. After that I went to a manufacturing facility in Ft. Worth to pick up plastic bottles and plastic jugs for Pyco Industries (who manufacture and bottle cottonseed oil for cooking under the Plainsman label). The bottle manufacturer had to start their line to finish my load and that was interesting. They use plastique pellets and melt them and then mold and blow them into different size receptacles. All sorts of neat equipment in there. I have always loved touring manufacturing facilities ever since my short work in the industrial supply business.

Krl said I slept better last night. I will have to take her word for it because I was comotose, at least until three. I just feel like I didn't get my nap finished.

FATHER YOU are on a roll, keep up the momentum. Thank YOU for the safe day. I ask YOUR blessings on today. I pray for those in need of YOUR healing. I ask comfort for those who need YOUR comfort. I pray for those of us needing YOUR presence in our journey. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Please bless the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Draw me nearer.

Third day, more of the same.

Metroplex this morning. Things have escalated. Today the owner and I both are making the trek in different vehicles. Tomorrow should be better, our first new hire is supposed to come on. Actually today is a little different, I am doing the "can can" thing down and picking up containers for Pyco Industries on my way back. The containers will deliver tomorrow morning in Lubbock. I was willing to take them today but apparently they want me in the office for at least a brief while. We do have some Colorado equipment we are needing to find loads for.

Krl and I both are doing that sleepless in south Abilene thing. She gets up, I get up. I lay down she lays down. I do know I am running on fumes. I don't sleep well with one eye on the clock. I wonder if no sleep would be better than three or four hours. While I am getting ready to leave for my day she is just now back in bed. Lots of poop going on. Personal crisis, the dregs of the old family business, and work related hooey. It is all taking its toll. We are going to have to back off and live a little because the baloney is killing us.

Pray for our day, for relief, for safety.

FATHER, I am tired. I need YOU to get me through. I pray for relief and rest for Krl and me. I ask that YOU settle our lives down. I pray for safety and productivity. I continue to ask that YOU bless us with healing of our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirit. I pray for Memama, Ol, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Tori, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, Those recuperating from their injuries, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine. I ask YOUR gift of healing for them all. I pray for comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for direction for those of us who wander in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I ask YOUR blessing on those working to expand YOUR kingdom. Bless me, oh LORD!

I am at the ready! Whatever Tuesday throws at me, I am prepared.

Maybe.

Yesterday was a tough day. I was so ready for bed last evening. I had the early shift and the owner took the late shift. The shipper threw in a 2 am. load, so that "big blue Pete" I used for an office yesterday has seen very little time sitting still. We are scheduled for an Abilene, Kennedale, Waco, Abilene circle today, the boss is supposed to make that one in "big blue". I guess I am the rover, I am just going to float where I am needed. I have already seen a trailer that is at the shop for repairs. And we are trailer poor at the moment! I feel like a cat trying to decide which way to jump!

We are getting unbelievable response to the ad in Sunday's paper. The owner said the phone began ringing after lunch Sunday and rang all day Monday. Hopefully by next Monday we will have all of our open trucks filled!

For this day I am thankful FATHER. Thank you for the safe day yesterday. I pray for those in need of YOUR healing, for those in need of comfort and for those in need of purpose. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for those expanding YOUR kingdom. All glory is YOURS.

Crapola!

I am already awake and starting my day. I had originally intended to get up at three and be gone by four but...... the best laid plans of mice and men......... . I shoulda been a rat!

Due to my proposed early start for Monday, we had an accelerated Sunday. Instead of playing at 33 rpm we switched it up there to 78 (those of you born post record players just ignore). It seemed that the day just flew by! I began the day by attending Senior Sunday at Highland. This is the service that the graduating seniors are in charge of. It was good, especially the song service. Sunday school was good although attendance was only about fifteen. Terry's mother was there and seems to be a really neat woman (I don't know what happened to him, Ha!). I really don't like the schedule with a single service at nine. I think if they are going to do that we need to have class at eight!

After church I came home and changed clothes. I needed to run some errands in preparation for today and go by to visit with one of the prospective employees and pick up his application. He will be coming on board Thursday morning (provided his MVR and drug screen are clean). My final errand was to go and pick up my office for the day, the big blue Peterbilt, and take it to the production facility. Things have a way of working out, I still had my personal pickup there from three weeks ago so I had wheels to get me home. One stop at United and I was home for the day. Problem was it was after four in the afternoon, Where did my day go?

When I was home to change clothes I did get to watch the first few Indy 500 qualifying attempts. The young woman I have been cheering on, Danica Patrick, had a little bobble on her first lap but recovered to post three very consistent laps. While she didn't win the poll position she will start from the best position ever for a woman at Indy. I think I like the new Indy format and I am looking forward to the race. Of course that particular Sunday is the Super Bowl of racing with Indy and the World 600. My kind of day!

I am finding myself dreading the week ahead. I am surprised GOD doesn't get tired of it. I guess it is like a dare, "Go ahead big man, prove me wrong. Make my week better than what I think it will be." Thankfully, he proves it over and over again.

FATHER, I pray for the perfect peace that comes when I know YOUR plan is unfolding for me just as YOU intend. I ask that YOU keep me centered, focused, and deliberate in my actions. Help me to not be anxious. I continue to pray for Krl's health. I continue to lift up Memama, Hag, Ol, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Tori, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing to recover from their injuries, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine for YOUR gift of healing. I pray for comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Worthy is the LAMB.

Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow! Thanks! Rain down YOUR blessings!

As tough as this past week was, on the work level and personal level, it rallied in the end. I suppose the really hard part was the mental frustration of Krl's search. I had absolutely no idea where to begin to help her and she had convinced herself that I was pulling a horrible prank. Needless to say it was a tremendous relief when she located her search object. It really took a toll on her though, she has been really zapped. The other uplifting moment came in the form of dollars! No I didn't win lotto or mega millions. The amount is not going to alter our lifestyle. This was money that I didn't ever expect to see and when it showed up it was like finding an old wallet and there was still some cash in the emergency compartment! Yes! Every cloud has a silver lining!

My day today consists of church, Sunday school, home, a little television, a few small projects, and then getting ready to begin the week. I will leave Abilene about four Monday morning and hopefully return before lunch. It would be a good bet that this will be my schedule for the week! I am hopeful that we get some good prospects from our newspaper ad today.

I hope to watch a portion of the Indy 500 pole day. It was rained out yesterday. There is a rookie woman that has been at the top of the leader board in practice. I think it would be cool if she won the pole position or the race! I am not sexist. Some of my favorite people are women.

I am hopeful for rain for all my "farming" family and friends. I know Roscoe had lots of "bark" from the clouds the past few days but no moisture. With the tremendous underground moisture from last fall it will not take much to get us up in shape. The St. Lawrence area also needs a rain. The irrigation they have is already up and running.

FATHER I ask for a blessed week. I ask for safe travel. I pray for gentle rains for our area, for Roscoe, for St. Lawrence, for Coyonosa, for Farwell. I pray for bountiful harvests for my friends and family who tend YOUR earth. I ask that YOU make me well. I pray for Krl's health and healing. I ask YOUR gift of healing for Memama, for Ol, for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Jennifer, for Tori, for Ashlyn Kate, for, Tj, for Anna, for Jess, for those continuing to recover from their accident injuries, for Dr. Mackie, for Yaenga, and for Jeanine. Please bless them and restore their health. I pray for those who are grieving and I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who are troubled in our journey with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Where YOU lead I will follow.

Ah. Saturday. If heaven was a day it would be Saturday.

O.K., I am going through withdrawal. Nearly every day almost at the exact same spot of the road on my way to work, the radio plays the same song.

If heaven was an hour, it would be twilight, when the fireflies start
dancing on the lawn.

And suppers on the stove and mamma's laughing, and
everybody's working day is done.

If heaven was a town, it would be my town
.........

If heaven was a pie it would be cherry.............

Andy Griggs is the artist, the song name is If Heaven, on the "This I gotta see" CD. I am in the mood to look for a book for this week and I just might look for the afore mentioned CD too.

I am so thankful this past week is behind us. It will go in the record book as a tough one. It would appear that it spread into at least the first portion of next week as well. As I had stated earlier, we seem to be cycling through some personnel turnover. I am not surprised. Many of these truck drivers float from place to place, often between the same group of employers. One year is a pretty long time, two years at the same place pretty rare, and anything longer is extremely rare! Two drivers had recently quit, one did it right and gave two weeks notice, the other just walked away. A third one gave his two week notice Tuesday evening. The third one's two weeks became accelerated as he told us late Friday that he was through. It sure makes you want to call his new employer and ask for a "do over" as one of his employment references. I don't have a problem with someone improving their situation, but be honorable and honest.

When I left the office it appeared that both the business owner and I were going to have to fill in, at least for the first portion of the week. I figure it will be Tuesday at the earliest before we can have pre-employment drug test results back on the first prospect. This man's notice to his current employer concludes this coming Wednesday. We are beginning the big crescendo toward Memorial Day. It is really interesting to watch from where we are at. Our transfer of soft drink cans has increased from thirteen million last week to sixteen million this week and apparently will continue to twenty million cans per week for the next two weeks! LUCY, that's a lot of POP! Now that I am looking at the written words, I bet the owner and I fill in all week!

A company has commissioned me to find a truck for them. I have been looking and placing bids on their behalf on Ebay. I have never ventured into Ebay prior to this but good golly, it could be habit forming. Not necessarily by buying things but by playing the game and pushing other people's bids up! It appears some people work this really really hard!

By the way, Krl found her misplaced item! Thank GOD.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Enjoy!

FATHER, I pray for a blessed weekend! I continue to ask that YOU renew me, physically, mentally, spiritually. I pray for Krl and her health, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I pray for those near and dear that are in need of YOUR miracle of healing. I pray for those saddened by loss and I ask that YOU surround them with YOUR love, mercy and grace. I pray for YOUR presence in the lives of those of us who are struggling in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for those dedicated to expanding YOUR kingdom. FATHER, fill us with YOUR spirit, and surround us with YOUR band of angels!

This week has really been a test. I have not done well. Lots of stuff going on, at work and at home. Usually one particular part of our lives may be rough while the others are smooth but this week it seems that all aspects have been tough, but it is getting better!

Occasionally I will look at some of the recently updated blogs (which are on the bottom of the sign in page for blogger). Sometimes I find something interesting, sometimes it is bizarre, sometimes I am shocked, and sometimes I find little messages that GOD wants me to find. This was the case Wednesday afternoon. I found a blog that caught my eye with the "about me" description.

"I am a very blessed but imperfect being ugly sinner saved by God's mercy and GRACE (Gift Received At Christ's Expense)."

After seeing that I began scanning his latest blog.

"GOD turns a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victor, and a mess into a message, when one turns to GOD." (author unknown, modified).

"The world rewards quick success; GOD rewards long term faithfulness." (ODB)

"Godly wholeness always comes after Godly brokenness." (ODB)

"Prayer is not a time to order GOD, but to report to him for duty." (ODB)

"If you are willing, GOD will turn your scars into stars." (author unknown).

"We plant the seeds faithfully; GOD effects the harvest miraculously!" (ODB)


Thanks, I needed that!

At our house things have been a mess. Krl and I had got crossways Sunday evening and we are both pretty hard headed. Things are much better except Krl moved an item and put it away for safe keeping and now she can't find it. It is driving her up the wall. She will find it. I just can't imagine where she has put it.

I need the weekend. The last two mornings I have awakened with a sore throat, I'm a little hoarse, sinuses are freely flowing, I am feverish and I feel tired. YUK!

FATHER, this has been a tough week, YOU should know, YOU have had to drag me through it! Thank YOU! FATHER I pray for my health, make me well and rested. I pray for Krl's health, I pray that YOU will calm and settle her, guide her as she looks for our misplaced item. FATHER I ask that YOU would heal our hearts and minds. I ask healing for Memama, Hag, Ollie, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, those recovering from their injuries, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine. I ask for YOUR comfort for those who have suffered loss. I pray for those of us who struggle in our journey with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom, especially for Team Salvador as they settle in and begin YOUR work. This week has only reinforced the song phrase for me "When I am lost and alone, YOU give me strength!" Thank YOU FATHER!

Is Friday getting any closer?

I've had my head in my fruit of the looms this week. I have been off a day, all week long. Even though I was helping with the Oasis meal (and I know it is served on Wednesday night) my brain was convinced yesterday was Thursday. I may go on strike tomorrow!

If I understood correctly, last evening Oasis meal was the last one until school begins in the fall. Originally they had one more scheduled but I believe I overheard Holly saying the eleventh was it. With the colleges out for summer last nights attendance was way, way down. Last night the classes had the best turnout to host that I have ever seen. We had a surplus of people, which was nice. This outreach is a lot of work but it is fulfilling to participate in.

The remainder of my week is up in the air. We have had people and equipment scattered all over the five state region and we are stretched really thin. Add to this the fact that the owner is having to work at the Co-op farm store and it could mean I have to help out! I am currently watching the clock and monitoring telephone calls to see if a truck makes it in from Colorado in time to pick up an afternoon can load. Can't let that production line stop because of us!

We are going through a lot of personnel turn-over at the present time. We have three drivers who have quit or given notice in the past two weeks. Two were good hands, the third was along for the ride. Last evening when I left Oasis if made a stop and delivered an application to a prospect and conducted the initial interview. I am in hopes we can get this driver qualified quickly. In addition to this, we are running an ad in Sunday's newspaper for drivers and owner operators. That should generate some activity for next week.

The trucking company's owner attended a board meeting for the co-op this morning. At that time he submitted his resignation as general manager. He has been struggling with this decision for several weeks. Hopefully his disposition will improve.

FATHER, we have much work to reclaim this week! Guide me as we get to it! I pray for those in need of YOUR healing as well as those who need YOUR comfort. I ask for YOUR presence for those of us struggling in our journey with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. To YOU be the glory!

My Tuesday was the kind of day everyone needs, once in a while. In addition to helping my friend out in his business, I find myself also serving as his mentor. While he is as good as gold, he is a procrastinator. He will patch (if he becomes motivated) time and time again before he will make the real fix. I have been on my soap box for a couple of months talking about leasing trailers when we have several sitting at the fleet shop awaiting minor repairs. Therein lies the problem. Some of these trailers have been out of service since February of 2004. Lately I have been trying to lead by example. It is different to get out of the office.

I suppose to get all this in perspective I need to back all the way up to Monday.

Recently my friend had finished the cleanup at the gin and brought lots of the seasonal equipment home, some of it loaded with residual gin trash, seed dregs and the likes. Some of the trailers that were loaded heavier had begun to sink after the recent rains. We decided to go up and try to move these trailers and unload them before they went totally to the ground. We noticed some of the load tarps were really straining and on inspection we found a large amount of water trapped on top of them. I opened one of the trailer doors to look and as I shut the door I noticed a set of eyes glowing back from within. There was a raccoon clinging to the front corner of the trailer. We tied the doors open and moved the trailer back and forth to get the water off the tarp, then we put it in the equipment line and rolled the tarp over. Our "guest" didn't budge and on close inspection from the front catwalk we discovered we had four additional "guests". A momma and her babies! We left the door open for when she chose to vacate.

Tuesday we began the day finishing up a van trailer that had been almost ready for a couple of weeks. I finally took the trailer to the warehouse facility in town and returned to put another trailer to the door for needed repairs. The second trailer, also a freight van, needed two bolts in an overhead door assembly and one roller. I began working on the door, from the outside, then the inside. Door open, door closed. I had air tools inside, hammers, punches, pry bars. I had made enough noise to wake the dead. Occasionally I would hear some odd noise and figured there was a resident mouse between the interior and exterior wall of the trailer, but I paid it very little attention. Finally I completed the work and began taking tools out. I then decided to make a quick survey of the rest of the trailer and began walking towards the dark front when I noticed a familiar pair of eyes glowing (or should I say glowering) at me! Another raccoon, and not happy that I had disturbed it and was blocking the only exit. I glanced away and saw that my friend was driving up so I just sat down and told him to go on inside the trailer and check things out. He began rapidly walking towards the front of the trailer and I knew his eyes had not adjusted from the bright sunlight to the dark confines of the trailer so I hollered and told him to stop and look. It was about then that he saw that same pair of glowing eyes! Immediately he began his retreat. After a few minutes he climbed back in the trailer with a hundred feet of air hose with an open end, he was able to scare the raccoon enough for it to climb up to the top corner of the trailer and then he threw the hose to the front allowing it to uncoil while keeping hold of the other hose end. Then he exited and we plugged the air hose into an outlet. Immediately the open end of the hose began spewing and flailing around at the front of the trailer and in just a few moments the raccoon decided to run for it! Out of the trailer it came. Into the shop! It took it a few seconds to adjust to the lighting and then the raccoon began to try to find a way out. Lots of claw tracks on the cement! When things settled down I climbed back in the trailer and walked to the front and found ........... four babies. This was the same raccoon that had been in the other trailer! I think we are going to have to name her Houdini! How she gets in these closed trailers I will never figure out, I am just thankful that I was not an appealing (or threatening) morsel! I did get all the babies (without touching them and putting human scent on them) and we moved them to what we hope is a compromise location!

FATHER, give me a double dose! I need YOU bad!

Duh.

I'm blogless. There are some issues that have to be dealt with. I detest liars and idiots.

Happy Mother's Day Mothers! Special kudos to mine for trying over and over before she realized she had done her best work the second delivery!

Well, our mother of this house tossed and turned and got up and laid down for most of the night. I finally got up got ready and went to church. MC was still gone on his trip to Pepperdine so his bud Randy Harris filled in. As per usual, dressed in a totally black ensemble with black accents, he did a superb job! He was a welcome change. Krl was asking about church and Sunday school when I got home and I told her to visualize a religious Gene Hackman. That was about the best I could do. It was a good service. SS had a good crowd. Michelle C was there, everyone was glad to see her, Lanae and her children were there as well (she graduated from ACU yesterday, congratulations)! Michelle B had prepared a tremendous cake treat for the class. It was scrumptious! We did have a visitor, it was Mary Lee Mattis. We visited after class. Where is this class going. Kindness. Mercy. Curiousness. Like Terry told us, it is a lab!

FATHER thank YOU, for it all. I give this week to YOU, shape it as YOU wish. I pray for those near and dear in need of YOUR healing. I pray for those saddened by loss. I pray for those of us who battle on our journey with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. Please bless all the mom's.

There has been lots going on behind the scenes this week. Extracurricular happenings.

Memama had her "space" maker installed and is doing well. She ended up spending two and a half days in the hospital.

Krl was stepping over one of the hounds the other night when the hound awoke and became startled and tried to stand up. I think both of them went sprawling. Krl got the worst end of the contact though. She sprained her ankle (thankfully this is the other ankle from the one she sprained last fall). Now she has fat feet like me, but her's have a lot more color. Even the sole of her foot is black and blue.

Kyle Patrick Henry and the rest of the one act play cast and crew from Highland High left for Austin and the state competition. Good luck! I think Pat and Steph went down there to watch them perform.

Steph has been in making arrangements for her upcoming wedding. They had looked at the Paramount but sources say they decided on the ballroom at the Grace. December 31 is the date.

You can't please some people. They just want to gripe. Rian complains that one of the reasons they don't come this way very often is because there are so many people to see and so many things they need to do. I decided to make it easy on them and told them to take us off their schedule and he began to spaz. It has been a long time since I have seen this side of Rian. Talk about spoiled brat trying to impose what he wants and you got the picture. I sure thought we were past that.

FATHER I ask for a restful weekend. I ask for peace and relaxation. I pray for those near and dear, for all those needing YOUR miracle of healing. I pray for those who have suffered loss. I pray for those of us struggling. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. LORD lead me on.

Today is my kind of day. Friday! Heh!

Today is the day I have been looking for all week. Yes sir-ree bob! Stick a fork in this week it is done! One odd thing about working, every week ends on an up note. They end.

My Thursday was frazzled. The ball was dropped and kicked and late in the day recovered. We had helped a vendor out by agreeing to take a "rush" load to San Antonio. This particular load was scheduled for delivery May 11, but the consumer moved the date to May 4. We received word on May 3 and a compromise was made for delivery on the fifth. We brought a truck returning from Denver through Lubbock and picked up the load Wednesday for Thursday delivery. As soon as the driver called telling us he was on the road, we called the delivery warehouse to set up an appointment. The scheduling foreperson told us that delivery was scheduled for ........ May 11. She even told us she didn't have room and didn't want the load until the eleventh. We were negotiating a deal to store the load for a week at the company headquarters (we would just leave it on the trailer and pull the trailer from rotation.) Our lead dispatcher had already taken a return load from San Antonio so she called one of our regular vendors and scheduled another truck to deliver to San Antonio and pick up the return load. (Basically we added a base to cover all the other bases). Once we had the extra truck headed to San Antonio, a call came and the warehouse foreperson for the first load told us that she had not been informed but yes they needed that load! Arrrgh! In fact they wanted it there first thing Thursday morning. So we now had two trucks headed to San Antonio with only one return haul. I got on the DAT screen and began looking for loads with little luck and also needing to know what time the "rush" truck would off-load. Early Thursday I was beginning the same thing when I got an e-mail telling us that the "rush" load appointment time was 4:00 pm.. I guess they have a different definition of "rush". I backed away from the thrash to find a load because it is impossible to go cross town and be loaded in that one hour window. About two in the afternoon the "rush" driver called and told me he had bumped the dock and they were beginning to unload him. I went back to the DAT screen and as luck would have it, a load had been posted minutes before! Yes! I quickly agreed on a rate and we exchanged fax numbers in order to share carrier set-up info. I received the brokers set-up package and quickly filled it out to fax back, we had an hour and a half to make it to the loading appointment. It was at this point we encountered another problem. A technician from our ISP showed up and through some creative settings on computers, ties up all the phone lines in the system. It wasn't intentional but he sure didn't want to pull the plug and lose what he was doing, we finally were able to circumvent the system and get the out-going fax out but the important incoming load confirmation was another issue. With several reassuring calls to the broker we were able to hold the load and luckily the truck arrived to pick it up with just minutes to spare. I got a little testy through the telephone line ordeal and told the owner "if you expect us to do a job you had better give us the tools!" Luckily he had sat and witnessed how many were working on this one load trying to make it happen and he now realizes the need for additional phone lines and possibly incoming and out going fax machines.

Today the plan does not even include the office. We are supposed to go up the hill to the shop and work some more on the burr grinder. The owner and I went up there during lunch yesterday and he has done some work each night this week. It has been a slow process involving some machining to fit components together before zipping them up with a welder. It is coming together. We might even be close enough to start it today and see what the ratios look like. Now it would appear the problem may be Cat. The dealer came out earlier this week to pick it up to do some warranty work and they have yet to return it.

Rian called me yesterday. He, Erica, and Reid are coming to Abilene Saturday for Stacy's graduation at HSU. Stace is getting his Master's in accounting. I think Rian and Erica are having dinner this evening with one set of grandparents, spending the night with another set and coming to Abilene Saturday morning. They are wanting to meet us for early lunch Saturday but I am tempted to tell them no, just to slow their schedule down. Everytime they come, they are rush, rush trying to do too much in too short a time frame. Their plan is to be back in Lubbock Sunday morning for church. We would love to see Reidman but he might appreciate it more if he didn't have to be on the move so much. The best visit we have had with them was an incidental visit as they came through from spring break. I am still thinking but I think I know what my decision will be.

I am hoping to get out of a Saturday evening meeting. There is a board meeting involving an entity that I consult with. I have already done "my do" so this would just be a cosmetic appearance.

FATHER, thank YOU for getting me through to this point of the week. Please don't stop there. Let's finish it out! I pray for a quick day, productive and busy that flows smoothly. I continue to pray for Krl's health and ask YOUR healing for her. Take her pain and hurting away. I ask that YOU restore her. I pray for Memama, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jen, Tori, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, those recovering from their injuries, Yaenga, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine and Pat L., I ask YOUR healing for them all. I ask for safe travel for Rian and his family. I pray for comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who encounter obstacles in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. May my day proclaim YOU!

I've got to get a grip on things!

I've really had "some" attitude this week. I'm going to work on it though. I need to get it in check because I really don't like this "don't give a care" attitude. (Right now I am trying to figure out who introduced me to that term, I think Kali may have coined it.)

That little tidbit reminds me of growing up and having way to many people in a vehicle cruising "the drag" in Sweetwater, Texas (they really screwed the "drag" up when they built the new court house). We would be trying to decide what to do when Karen Hughes (our closest neighbor) would suddenly say, "I know what let's do!" Instantly the entire group would chime back, "What let's do!" It's been a long time since we had that group together. I doubt we ever have the entire bunch together again.

My head and heart are heavy this week with many issues. I keep telling myself to look out and not in, but I seem to be having a problem doing that. Work this week has been that, work. You can't prepare if you don't know what you are going to be doing. Its kind of like packing a suitcase for a trip and not knowing if you are going to Alaska or the Caribbean but you had better be equipped for either. I went in yesterday planning on a trip to the metroplex that never happened. Spent most of the day at my desk, working on spreadsheets until a co-worker got her drawers in a wad thinking she had to have some of the paperwork I was entering. She was wanting to get off around three and definitely showed her as_piring attributes. I thought the owner was going to have a fit when she pulled her little stunt. He quickly gathered me up and we went to the shop. The co-worker told us to just hold on and I could have the paerwork back when she got through. I told her I wasn't in the mood. She may find the spreadsheet file discs, along with the pile of paperwork she left on my desk, piled on her desk when she arrives today.

The owner and I spent the balance of the afternoon looking for material for some machining projects. He has done some preliminary lathe work but we need to determine some strength properties and requirements before we can start reconstruction. This is one of the places I have to keep him in check because he can turn "something" out quite rapidly. The problem is sometimes that "something" is just that and not necessarily what is needed. More "prep" time can mean getting it right the first time.

At the office we received an inch and a quarter of rain yesterday. It was lovely and fell very gently (I know, it doesn't help any area lakes because of no run-off). As the GM at my fall job calls it, this was a planting rain, exactly what the farmers would want. Problem was they didn't get it out there, they just had showers. Fact of the matter is, we got only a portion of the rain in Abilene too.

I did have a call from the fall job GM yesterday. They are considering building a seed house (again). This is an every other year consideration it seems. They were wanting some numbers reflecting additional costs for handling the cotton seed. They want to know if one of or possibly all of the companies I coordinate operations for would be interesting in making a major equipment investment to do this. It is really a catch twenty-two. The biggest plus would be an "infinite" storage facility (compared to only six hours of storage currently). It would reduce the required number of employees by one (not a minimum wage employee but not one of the top end either), the remaining employee would have to be of better quality (especially if he were expected to operate equipment). The number of required trucks could be reduced. Weather would no longer be a factor. The gin could market their surplus seed over a longer period. It would free up the overhead boxes for seed blocks and breeding seed. I could sleep at night! I can only think of possibly three downside problems. I would probably have to run the loader to load "all the trucks" (although we could go to a schedule), there would probably be a need for increased general liability for the contractor (if the contractor owned or leased the loading equipment), a loader would cost about 60 to 80k to purchase (this would be an adequate piece of equipment but "no over kill") or a loader could be leased for a monthly fee plus hourly charges. The main tangibles here would be who does maintenance and price. If I could win lotto I would do it myself. Did I mention I could sleep at night?

I may have needed the call from the fall job to distract me from my current work.

FATHER, we've got some work to do on me. I'm going to turn this project over to YOU. Make me feel warm and fuzzy, joyful and light at heart! FATHER I continue to pray for Krl's health and her healing. I ask YOUR care and healing for Memama, Ol, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Ashlyn Kate, Jen, Tori, Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing to recover from their injuries, Yaenga, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, and for Pat L.. I ask comfort for those who are hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who struggle in our journey with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Blessed is YOUR name.

I really detest days like today. I don't have any inkling of what my day holds. I am not even sure what direction it will go.

Tuesday was a surefire hodgepodge day. A little office, a little shop, a little office again, pricing, checking, whatever needed to be done. Late in the day as I was getting ready to go home the owner asked, "Would you mind taking a truck to the metroplex tomorrow?" While I have no desire to do this on a regular basis, I don't mind on occasion. It actually works as a PR tool with both the drivers in our employ and our customers. Often times I will be told of a problem with a dock worker at one of the vendors, this way I can experience it. If they only knew the telephone numbers I have at my fingertips. Document the time, the dock, the machine number, and someone's feet are going to be to the fire! Of course sometimes this works backwards and it is one of our drivers who finds themselves on the hot seat.

After being asked, I put the wheels in motion to go that direction. I was planning on stopping by the store to pick up a card for Krl anyway so I put together a quick list of "goodies" I like to carry in the truck. Diet Coke and other high energy snacks. Did I mention Diet Coke? When I got to the house I put together my little cooler and got everything ready to go. Then the phone rang. "You may not need to go, we won't know until sometime tomorrow."

I arrived at work early this morning and just about eight I was reassured it looked like it would not be necessary to go to the metroplex. One thing about this joint, everything is just as steady and solid as laundry hanging on the clothes line! I suppose when I leave to go home tonight I will finally have closure on what my day held.

We had visitors yesterday. Memama was released from the hospital, she is doing good. She and Pepa and Tj ran by the house to give Krl her birthday gift. They didn't stay long. Then about seven-thirty or so Trc and Kat came over and delivered Krl's gift. Through the day Krl heard from all the kiddos, so she had a pretty good birthday.

So far this morning I have been enjoying the steady patter of rain falling on the building. This would be a great day to stay at home and sleep with the windows cracked. Hope for my day!

FATHER, please bring my day together. I ask for patience and tolerance to make it through it. I pray for Krl, for her healing. I pray for Memama, Ollie, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Ashlyn Kate, Jennifer, Tori, Tj, Anna, Jess, those still recovering from their injuries, Yaenga, Dr. Mackie, and Jeanine. I ask YOUR miracle of healing for them all. I pray for those saddened by loss. Comfort them. I pray for those of us who struggle in our journey with YOU, give us direction. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Restore unto me.

Whew. I worked so hard at sleeping that I didn't rest.

My infernal internal clock has been off. I can't really decide what vocation these sleep habits would compliment. Two or three hours and I am primed and ready to go again, for a brief time. First time to look at the clock this morning (keep in mind my mindset) was 10:40 pm., I battled with myself until 2 am. and finally got up. I was in hopes a few games of free cell and checking of a few ebay auctions might relieve my inquiring mind and allow me to slow my mind down enough to go back to bed. Forget it! At the rate I am going I will be able to go to the office before long and have my eight hours in without ever seeing anyone else!

I visited briefly with Tj yesterday and she was talking about her sleep study. During the course of the night she woke up one hundred eighty-eight times. I wish I could sleep that good.

I checked on Memama on my way to work Monday. She was waiting on the doctor and getting ready to have breakfast. Apparently they both arrived simultaneously. I can just see Doctor Blackwood walking in with a tray playing Jeff Probst. "You can have what is under this cover now or you can have your pacemaker at noon". Instant reward or long term return! Memama elected to have the pacemaker. They had the installation done by an authorized technician just about noon. She had a couple of "spells" prior to the procedure but that was probably due to anxiety. All went well and she was back in her room by mid afternoon. I spent a couple of hours with her last evening. She was beginning to feel a little sore. Probably the worst part of the soreness will be from them using the paddles to coordinate her chambers. Last telemetry showed the pacemaker was keeping her in step.

Today is Krl's birthday. Happy birthday dear. I think a friend or two are going to take her out for lunch. Hope your day is good.

I seem to be at a rough patch again. Lots going on. Work, personally, family. I guess I just need to break it down into small components. I may need to listen to my own capsule sermon. Worry about what I control and turn the rest over to a greater manager.

FATHER, I lay it all at YOUR feet. Take control. I'm not asking YOU to prove YOURSELF again, as YOU have done that over and over again. I need to have the peace and reassurance that all is well. That YOUR plan for me continues to unfold as YOU intend. It's not a YOU problem, it is a me problem. FATHER, YOU know my needs and I ask that YOU meet them. I am concerned for Krl's health and I ask YOUR healing for her. I ask for relief for her. I am thankful for the successful procedure for Memama and I pray that the technology will work. I pray for Ollie, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Ashlyn Kate, Jennifer, Tori, Tj, Anna, Jess, those injured in the accident, Yaenga, Dr. Mackie, and Jeanine. I ask for YOUR miracle of healing for all of them. I pray for those suffering from loss. I pray for those of us battling within as we try to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom the world over. YOU are my hope and promise.

I took yesterday off from blogging. There were a number of contributing factors, the biggest one being a Saturday that went well into Sunday.

Krl, myself and all four hounds loaded up Saturday afternoon to run a few errands. Nothing important. Three stops. The new hound detests riding in vehicles so we are trying to expose her to pleasant outings. The three old hands hopped in and declared their territory while Maple Syrple spazzed. By the time she calmed enough to look for a spot, all the prime real estate was gone! Spaz again! While we were out we decided to pick up supper from Rosa's. We hadn't tried this establishment since they opened. We were pleasantly surprised. It would appear there is a middle ground between the "Bell" and "Bueno" and the "top end" sit down Mexican restaurants. They even had some guacamole that required very little fine tuning! Over all, we enjoyed a successful outing!

As our day was winding down Krl and I were trying to decide on a TV fare for the evening when the telephone rang. It was my sister Pat. She was working a Highland High School fund raiser for their one act play's trip to Austin for the "state" competition. She quickly relayed to me that Memama and Pepa had not shown up for the performance of the play and other activities so she called and they didn't seem "right". They finally told her Memama had had an "episode" and Pepa was trying to talk her into going to the ER. Memama was resisting, Pat thought if I would call them and agree to meet them at the ER it would make their decision easier. I called and sure enough plans were quickly made to meet at the Abilene northside hospital's ER.

About an hour later we were sitting in the ER waiting room. They had gotten there just far enough ahead of me for Pepa to get cross ways with one of the staff at the sign in desk. Finally they called Memama's name to report to triage. They took Memama on back and Pepa got to handle the sign in stuff. I had moved to a new vantage point in the waiting area so I monitor what was going on inside the glass doors of the ER. Finally Pepa came back out and sat down. When they finally had Memama settled in they paged Pepa to report to the triage area once again and they took him on back, shortly after this they paged me and I was taken back to the treatment room as well. Once I arrived they told me they were monitoring her situation and doing an EKG and other relevant tests. It was very evident that Memama's pulse was extremely elevated. 183. The ER doctor administered some drugs to slow things down and began to confer with colleagues about using the "paddles" to rein her in. Part of Memama's problem stems from a really bad arythmia problem. About the only time I know of her not having it is following her mitral valve repair two years ago, but slowly and quite surely it returned. The remarkable thing is that when her two chambers of her heart get "out of sync" they lose the effectiveness. Her blood pressure should have been out the roof but it actually was on the low side. I suppose the bottom chamber isn't getting the blood to the top chamber where it can put a boost and a little "english" on it. After about an hour, Memama's heart slowed considerably. Usually in the 115 to 130 range. As luck would have it Dr. Blackwood was off but Dr. Nancy Dagibati was on call and in the hospital. Dr. Nancy quickly made the decision to admit Memama. After what seemed like an eternity, they finally had a room prepared and we began the move "onward and upward". We finally got settled in and began giving some history to the nurse while we waited for Dr. Nancy to come talk with us. Shortly before midnight Dr. Nancy made her much anticipated visit and began explaining what she felt needed to be done. I was very impressed with Dr. Nancy. It was very evident that she had done some fast cramming on medical history for Memama and it was also very evident that she had been in contact with someone from Dr. Blackwood's office. Long story short, they are going to put Memama back on medication to keep her pulse rate down but they are going to install a pacemaker (or a space maker as Grandpa Freeman used to call his, he was a cabinet builder) to keep the pulse rate from getting too low. This procedure should take place either later Monday or sometime Tuesday. Once I was satisfied that everything was O.K. and that Memama was settled in, I began to make my exit. By the time I arrived back home it was after midnight.

This was probably a good exercise for me to participate in. Pat spends a lot of time taking and going with Memama and Pepa to their doctor's appointments. It's convenient that Pat and Tj (our younger sister) both are nurses. Pat is a RN and TJ is a LVN. It is also very convenient that Pat lives only a mile from Memama and Pepa. Due to Pat and Tj's training they can talk the talk and walk the walk whether they are at the hospital or at the doctor's office. None of that double talk will work. After spending an evening at the ER it sure makes you appreciate having a family medical officer (or officers, as is this case).

Pat called about ten Saturday night and was fixing to begin the hour drive to Abilene. She had finished her fundraiser and was looking for anything to get her out of the lecture series on dis-functional families by Dr. Steven Dale. She was to do some weekend work at an area nursing home Sunday and was scheduled in at six in the morning. We told her to get to bed and she could come by after work Sunday. As I left the hospital room she was calling wanting an update. After midnight, on my way home, she and I talked and she had opted out of work for Sunday. This was probably a good exercise for her too.

By the time I got home and filled Krl in on all the details it was very late. By the time we got to bed it was probably approaching two in the morning. Krl set an alarm for early service just in case. I didn't need the safety net. Krl had been up during the night and had spent most of it baking. If I were smart I would go down to Dunkin' Donuts and sell them pastries! She came back to bed shortly before I got up for church.

This was the last weekend for two services until the end of summer. I really think they need to go one more Sunday. Mothers Day and graduations usually mean a pretty good crowd. I do suppose Saturday graduation instead of Sunday commencement will push potential attendance down. Next week we go to nine o'clock church and ten-thirty Sunday school. I wanted eight o'clock Sunday school and was willing to concede nine o'clock church.

Today marks a day lots of people are celebrating lately. Today is one year since my first blog. It is interesting to look back at where I was a year ago. Am I better or worse, should I get professional help? I think one of the most frustrating things about looking back are the spelling errors. (I think Rian did the spell check program for blogger). Just kidding Rian.

I'm not in the mood for a Monday. I keep adjusting my hat trying to get it on straight only to discover that it is my head that is on crooked. Who says GOD doesn't have a sense of humor? He made you didn't he? (Surely you didn't think I was going to take a dig at myself.)

FATHER, please work on my attitude! Please lift me, energize me, lift me. I need a do over for my weekend! FATHER I ask YOUR care and healing for Krl, for Memama, for Ollie, for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Ashlyn Kate, for Jennifer, for Tori, for Tj, for Anna, for Jess, for those recovering from their injuries, for Yaenga, for Dr, Mackie and for Jeanine. Bless the efforts made on their behalf and make the treatments effective. I pray for those sad from loss. Please fill their voids. I pray for those of us confronted with obstacles in our journey with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I ask YOUR blessings on the efforts of Highland to spread YOUR kingdom. Heal our hearts and spirit. When I'm lost and alone you give me strength.