AHHHHhhh! It is here. Three days. Uh-huh, uh-huh! I am ready!

I stayed at the office until noon, then I came home and collected the woman and the girl. We got gas, I couldn't believe the line (and we weren't even at the 99.7 gas sale, a radio station was doing gas at our local convenience store for .997 per gallon), then we made the bank and began on Krl's list. It was about here that I began to feel like I had been scammed! Krl's ice cream freezer was damaged in restoration from the fire a few years ago and we had never replaced it. The girls decided that we should go to Wal-Mart to shop for a new one. Once we arrived I was commissioned and sent on my way to secure one while Krl checked to see if she could get a hair cut and Kat went in search of a manicure (Duh, she is just six!). After I had fought with all the people and covered the store from end to end I returned to the hair salon with my tail between my legs, dejected and depressed. We left there and made two more stops looking for the elusive appliance and had the same results. The only person who came out ahead was Kat and she came out with a new swim suit. We did learn that Krl and Kat can wear the same size swim suit, it is a child's size 14. (I told you Krl was skinny. I can't wait to see what she looks like in that "Barbie" bikini I slipped in the basket.) The purchase of the swim suit was really interesting. Krl gave Kat a twenty dollar bill to pay for her swim suit, we are trying to get her to realize the money required for what she demands from her Mom. Kat is a little miser, as we were approaching the checkout line she told Meme that she didn't want to pay cash, she wanted to pay with a credit card and asked Meme for one. Meme declined and then Kat asked Dandy for one. Dandy also declined and Kat swelled up like a toad because she had great plans for that cash. With her windfall dashed it took her a while and excursions to two more stores to lift her spirits. We went into two major chain stores in the Mall with no luck in our search for an ice cream freezer and we left with a really bad taste in our mouth about the people staffing these stores. Where do they get these people? Why don't they just throw money at them and send them away. What a waste, and we wonder what is wrong with this country. One more stop with no positive results and we decided we needed to regroup.

It was handy, and for a change it wasn't crowded so we stopped in at Chili's. It was a welcome reprieve even if the food was sub par from last time and the service sucked. I wonder what would happen if we all rebelled and stood up and said, "No, that plate is not what I ordered and I am not going to take it and you can either do your job and do it right or you can take a hike!" Have we become satisfied with sub par performance when we have been promised more? (Why do the dishes never look like the pictures?) I suppose this is one of the reasons that Krl and I have gotten where if we find a restaurant we like and waitstaff that we are pleased with, we will return requesting that wait station over and over while compensating the person very well for meeting our expectations. Not only do they raise their game but they raise the games of the food prep people as well.

If we prepare all the food Krl and Kat have selected for our extravaganza, we will be able to wipe out world hunger. It makes me feel guilty. And it should. I am playing the part of our conscience as we finalize procurement of supplies today.

I have been doing some computer searches for ice cream freezers and I am fixing to leave the house with new resolve in my search.

I still haven't received my expected package from the panhandle. I am disappointed in that person. When I was by the DA's office we finished the paperwork and they asked me to give it to Tuesday (which may have been a good idea because when I got home a neighbor asked me if I found the large box on my front sidewalk. I didn't and Krl and Kat must have been in the back yard if they were home at all. I am hoping that one of the other neighbors got it and maybe we just missed connecting before they left for Holiday. Anyhow, apparently no one signed for anything, which could make proof of intent difficult for the other party, it could be theft by deception), the DA wanted to contact the other party but I told them that the other party was now in New Mexico, so they are wanting to add interstate flight to the warrant! This could really be a hoot if I decide to mess with this person!

There is another family reunion this weekend. It too is here in Abilene. This is my maternal grandfather's family. I probably fit better at this one (appearance wise) than any of the others. I guess it is my nose and the third eye that give it away! This reunion used to be held at Towell park in Snyder and was a one day event, over the years the siblings of my grandad have gradually disappeared (he's been gone since 1969) and the event moved to indoors, spanning a weekend. Attendance has dwindled and it is probably a matter a time before the larger family is sacrificed for the "good" of many smaller units. Ever since I lost my grandad I haven't really enjoyed going to these because everywhere I looked I could see him in another person, especially his younger brother, but he has been gone a couple of years now too. I will probably stop in at least for a brief while later today. Can't pin the demise of this on me!

Once again, Happy Anniversary Krl, I love you!

FATHER, thank YOU for holidays and long weekends! Thank YOU for Krl and celebrations! FATHER I continue to ask that YOU strike down the infidels. I continue to lift up Krl, Memama, Pepa, Hag, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie and Jeanine for YOUR gifts of healing and care. I pray for those heavy hearted with grief and ask YOUR comfort and solace for them. I pray for those of us who struggle as we attempt to follow YOU and YOUR way. I pray for direction and resolve. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. My soul sings YOUR praises!