Thanks, I needed that.

Good day yesterday. It didn't have anything to do with work, didn't have anything to do with trucking. It just had to do with GOOD people. Myself, and a seasonal co-worker who has become a good friend and mentor. He is very well versed in my situation, yet he is very supportive and always quick to offer an encouraging word or a helping hand. We hadn't talked in several months. Too long. I need a pick me up like that on a regular basis. The thing this gentleman does that gives me the warm fuzzies is simple. He believes in me and believes in what I am trying to do. Never has he asked what our relationship is going to do for him. In fact yesterday we were talking about a client's different equipment needs and told him of some things I was working on and how due to current circumstances of my client I was being confronted with some obstacles and having to be creative in ways to fund them. He listened, and without hesitating told me to figure out the equipment needs and give him a dollar amount. I told him that he needed to realize something from this, maybe he could make the purchase and then lease it to the client, maybe with a buy out on the backend of the lease. He told me "No, I don't need or want to own any equipment. I don't need the money, I just want to help you do what you do. Just see that I am repaid." I was quite moved.

It has been a long time since anyone other than Krl had made me feel that I am good at what I do. There are "a few good people" still out there. Never did he have his hand extended for what was in it for him, never did he try to lay down rules and restrictions, never once did he tell me "he was in control". Never ever has this man doubted what I do and how I do it. I have always been honest, I have always worked hard alongside this man, and I have always done what I told him I would do. This isn't the first time this man has made the offer of assistance, I have never accepted funding from him, on my own or anyone else's behalf. I don't know if I will now. His offer of capital and his confidence in me and my abilities is "a shot in the arm for me"!

Golly, I am still glowing.

Work was work yesterday. It seems like for the last two days all I have done is work trying to find work to do. TJ and I did work on spreadsheets yesterday. I did a quick over view and then began showing her some of the checks and balances. I have been trying to load comments throughout the cells in hope that they can help navigation.

Today, DO and I are supposed to go to Anson to look at a piece of equipment at the start of our day. After that KO and I hope to go to Sweetwater to look at a Peterbilt and flatbed trailer that an individual has for sale.

We had some very honest, very direct, and at times harsh conversation yesterday concerning KO's and DO's family business. I don't fault KO for wanting to have his cake and eat it too. In time it will come. KO currently is assigned to the newest, biggest, nicest, truck in the fleet. Being the owner he is entitled. Problem is, it sits in the front on the office for days on end. In a given month this truck will run between twenty-five percent to forty-seven percent of the miles the other trucks in the fleet run. (And this is with KO and myself piloting it when needed). I have been preaching to the choir that we needed to put a full time driver on this truck. Since I have been on the job this year, this particular power unit has never showed a profit. KO responds that if he is going to drive a truck he is going to drive the biggest best truck in the fleet. Understandable. Choose your role. Manager or driver.

Up on the hill where the fleet shop is located sits an older model Freightliner truck. Shaped like a box, small sleeper, no chrome, no visible "bells and whistles". This is the "first" over the road truck that KO owned. He never intends to sell it, in fact he would like to send it to town and have it cleaned up, painted, the interior re-done, install aluminum wheels, put on new shoes and have the motor rebuilt. Make it a little show truck that could be used on occasion. It would definitely catch your eye. I know I like old trucks when trucks were trucks and men were men.

My suggestion to KO is that if he doesn't want to drive full time, put a driver on his big road truck, do the work on the little nostalgic truck and make the most of the situation. I know from time to time we have drivers who have family and health issues and need time off and on these occasions KO would have opportunity to drive a late model big rig.

After the first round of conversation KO left the office. He didn't want to hear anything more on these subjects. He spent some time on a farm tractor putting out fertilizer on the coastal hay fields. KO is a thinker. He does his best thinking while working, driving. Actually it is sometimes frustrating because he can almost think something to death (mind over matter). Later in the day he and DO returned from working the dinner run at the drive-in. They had talked and we explored some other variations of our previous conversations. By days end he had come full circle and we had a plan. KO will give up his "big blue truck", we will get serious about some additional acquisitions, and we will move forward with their enterprise!

I just love it when a plan comes together.

We received a call from a potential customer that we interact with in our work for our core customer. They are asking for rates for some of their lanes where their product is shipped freight included. This is a development that should really help in our continuing negotiations of the "can" contract because the potential customer is also who sets the freight allocation amounts.

Warm birthday wishes for Pat and Kyle. One is about nineteen, the other is about fifty, but I'm not going to say which is which!

Well, finally Friday! Make it a good one! Gotta go meet the guys from SS for breakfast!

FATHER, thank YOU for the tremendous day yesterday. Thank YOU for friends like my friend. Help me to always be Christ like in my dealings. Honest, fair, open, and help me to always carry through on my promises. Help me to be insightful and tactful. I pray for YOUR guidance and wisdom. I pray that YOU will keep me centered, keep me focused. I thank YOU for Krl, I ask for her healing and care. I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, S.T., and Karen. I ask YOUR care and healing for them. I pray for those hurting and heavy hearted from loss and I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who stumble as we try to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. It is well with my soul. Surround me with YOUR perfect peace.