Wow. I don't see how the week can continue like this. Each day is just better and better.

This has been a week of negotiations. For the business I consult with and the business I am currently doing the spreadsheets for. Surprisingly it has been pretty fun. At one point in time I wasn't really comfortable in these situations but then I developed a new theory. So far it has worked. In recent weeks we have been evaluating a "what it is worth to us" pricing scale. "This" is the amount it is worth for us to do the job, anything less is not acceptable and we don't need to be doing the work.

The business I consult with is in a little different situation. Their contracts span three years and a lot can happen in that time frame. I had told the General Manager I was not unhappy with the current numbers and he agreed. Only some minor tweaking seemed to be in order. While we had verbally discussed and agreed on new terms, it was formally submitted late yesterday. While there is still time left on the current contract, it is in the best interest of everyone to have things in place for on down the road, giving some stability and making it possible to do some long term planning.

The business I am doing the spreads for works on twelve month contracts that automatically renew unless someone yells calf rope! There are some basic parameters that allow some negotiation, but these mainly pertain to back hauls, roundtrips, and fuel surcharges. KO and I had cussed and discussed what his magic number was and how best to achieve it. A month ago we had started posturing ourselves for the negotiation. Just this week we had put our magic number on the paper and began our wait, dangling the cheese for the mouse. Yesterday we got invited to the dance. Surprisingly their initial offer was close, much closer than anyone had anticipated, but still short of our target. We decided just to cut to the chase and lay it all out and told the other side "Here is where we are going to have to be or it is not worth it." Their counter came back structured a little differently but came with in fractions of a cent to our target. A couple of minor changes and the deal was done and will be in place by August 1. We even got some incentives that could make the deal surpass our expectations. Sscchhweeet!

I got tickled at KO because he told the other sides chief negotiator that his (KO's) kids were going to have to alternate days to eat but he guessed eating every other day was better than not eating at all. They were all going to Lytle Land and Cattle last evening to seal the deal. Morale was really good when I left their offices.

My "finally Friday" is under revision. I was supposed to be out of the office all day but now I will be in for the morning. Initially I had been scheduled for a long trip on personal business but it now appears I may just do a hundred miles and put the longer trip off to Monday. I know at some point I need to "defrag" before I fizzle. These negotiations are an adrenaline rush but when it is gone it sometimes leaves me flat.

Pray for moderate temperatures and precious rain. There is tremendous potential in the fields along the roadways I have traveled. My grandad used to say to watch the ag economy because main street would mirror the cycle later down the road. Ie. If the farmer/rancher prospers so will the man in the city. Grassroots economics begins at the food and fiber source and spreads upwards. The sad thing is that for many years the farmer/ranchers have just "maintained". It is tough when you buy retail and everything you sell is wholesale. The only saving grace has been their ability to find cheaper ways of producing more product, but it is a catch twenty-two. Usually more product availability means depressed price, good old supply and demand. You got to love it because it is a tough life.

FATHER thank YOU for the tremendous week. I am thankful for YOUR out pouring of blessings. I continue to ask for safe travel. I continue to ask for YOUR wisdom in each decision I make. Thank YOU for the successful talks and negotiations this week. I thank YOU for Krl and ask YOUR healing and renewal for her. Help us to enjoy and appreciate our time and company. FATHER I ask for YOUR blessing of moderate temperatures and gentle precious rains for my farming family and friends at Roscoe, St. Lawrence, and Coyonosa . I pray for their success and bountiful harvests. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, S.T., Jeanine and Verlin for YOUR gifts of healing and comfort. I pray for those heavy hearted with grief, I ask comfort and care for them. I pray for those of us who struggle in our daily walks to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Praise YOU from whom all blessing flow!