Ouch, I am sore. I tried to ward this off, but to no avail. Sad thing is that I didn't get everything finished up. More to do today. I am probably about halfway to completion. Patience.

The neighborhood kids brought one of those portable basketball goals down and put it between my neighbor to the north and us. It is on the street against the curb. The reason for this is the street light located directly across the street making it possible for late night contests and shoot abouts. Over time (and as the city street sweeper swerves around this obstacle) there has been a slow but steady build up of sediment and pebbles. This had proven to be a useful tool in water retention and preventing run-off that would justify the city of Abilene writing me up (water cannot run down the curb for more than seventy-five feet or you can be ticketed). With the recent rains the accumulated sediment came alive with small growing plants and I decided enough was enough. I thought there might be a couple or three scoops full of dirt and rocks. Therein was my first miscalculation. I had brought a seed scoop home, I positioned the dumpster and began my project. Thirty minutes and a half a dumpster full later I was done. Here was where my second miscalculation was. That dumpster was heavy! It took all the strength I could muster and using every bit of lead in my bumper just to tilt it over where I could roll it! After about ten minutes I had rolled it to its pickup location and I was suckin' wind! I think Krl thought I was kidding about how much I had picked up because with it scattered over a long area it didn't look like much. So now for the duration of the lawn I have been relegated to empty the lawnmower at the curb! Poor planning!

I did get to the point that I took a break to run Saturday errands. It was a very welcome break. Over the years I have developed some casual friendships with some of the different workers and section managers of the grocery store. I have suffered through a couple of remodelings, and of late, a lot of moving around of the inventory, just because I like the people. I am beginning to think that this may not be enough. The store director and I have been acquaintances for a long time. I will usually go through channels if their moves have inadvertently deleted something from the inventory. Since February I have repeatedly talked with department heads, filled out product requests and three weeks ago, went to the store director, all with no results. I have been courteous, I have been blunt, but I hate having to go to another grocery store to complete my shopping. In some instances store brands are O.K., but in other cases store brands suck! Let the record show, one more week, one more opportunity to toe the line.

I laid in bed for a while this morning, mulling over how close to perfect my life is. I am not financially independent, but I have a pretty wife that takes good care of me, we have our home, and ultimately our little slice of heaven on earth. Priceless!

My day today is scripted. Church. SS. Home. Outside work. Inside work. Cook out.

Krl talked with Kali at some point, she got a report on Addie. They took all the remaining stitches out Thursday (I believe). The doctor lifted some restrictions, she can swim now, she can do the Kat, LE, Meme camp out. Basically the limiting restriction is no direct sunlight. I will look for that girl a big sombrero or beach hat. As I had feared, Kali and Garry are hubbing it. Luckily they have not been hit with any medical bills yet, but the lost wages from not working while Addie was in the hospital and the prescriptions and supplies needed to dress her wound is kicking them in the butt just as they are trying to get Addie ready for school. Lots of promises, but some people just aren't any darn good! I said it once and I will say it again. Get a lawyer! I see a minimum of three targets for liability.

Have a blessed day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the weekend. I continue to ask for rest and renewal. Thank YOU for Krl and I ask for her healing and care. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing. I pray for those sad with loss. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I ask YOUR blessings on the efforts to spread YOU. YOUR love lifted me, and I am thankful.