It sure is tempting to take the day off today. While a three day weekend is appealing, a four day weekend is even more so. Actually it would appear I might have a one day weekend. Monday. More about this later in the blog.
For the first time all year, I was late going in the office yesterday. I don't offer any excuses. I was up early, I was getting ready for work and I sat down . . . . and dozed off. I think the BS meter crapped out again. If I knew I would sleep that well, I might take the offensive in banquishing all the infidels.
My day was probably just what I needed. Not too busy, not too slack, it was just right. Only problem was it was too long. I definitely got my eight in. One of the core customer's employees "assumed" we did not have can bodies yesterday and began loading the larger can trailers with product. Talk about a mess. Thankfully production was running behind schedule and even though our two o'clock truck was fifteen minutes late, the line never went down. Whew! It was touch and go all day long even up to the time I was leaving the office. Late in the day we usually get a shot in the arm as two trucks that run at night come back into the rotation with their trailers. This didn't happen yesterday. We got so tight for trailers we sent our day trucks out to pick up the much needed trailers our night trucks still had. DO has hedged her bet today, she didn't take as many loads.
Today is going to be interesting. We are putting together a group of our drivers and equipment to go to Louisiana. This is the bottled water convoy I had mentioned earlier. It would appear that I will have opportunity to go down there over Saturday and Sunday taking a rig that the regular driver doesn't want to donate his weekend. My understanding is that we will be delivering just west of New Orleans. I'm not positive on the numbers but I think we will be a part of delivering two million bottles of water (twenty semi-truck loads) to this area. Late in the day KO came into the office and he had talked with core customer officials on the local and regional levels. If you know of anyone who might be interested in assisting in the endeavor contact me. We are doing it over the weekend. Hopefully there will be a stipend for fuel, but this a volunteer effort as far as equipment and labor. (An interesting fact is that the fuel for this move will total $14,200 approx.). We can probably get a rider insurance waiver if anyone just wants to ride along. Unless plans change we will be delivering to a core customer facility and distribution will take place from there. Attempts to directly disperse could be dangerous so all of the relief supplies need to go through appropriate channels for safety and fairness.
Things are getting ugly in the "Big Easy". Krl and I find ourselves on different sides of this situation. It seems to me that many of these people are just now finding what dire straits they are in. Up to this point they have been uncooperative in refusing to leave and now they seem to be adding unruly to this. All the sudden officials can't get them out fast enough to suit the dissidents. In actuality, the people in New Orleans probably didn't have as good of information on their situation as we did. Due to the news coverage all of us were able to see the big picture while those in the picture just got to see their small part. Krl thinks governmental entities have been slow to act and insensitive to the people. I can't dispute the obvious. My only thought is that the majority of the people down there need to "convince" the radicals who are looting and shooting, to toe the line and let officials do their job. It's not pretty. There will be more loss of life. This situation is going to get much worse before it gets better.
Late in the day yesterday KO had made it back in the office. He had been thrown in the pre-Labor Day rush. Actually he had been supposed to take 8:30 AM. Cans, but he woke up at five. Not a do-able deal. Luckily the 9:30 can truck was running way early and he took KO's load and KO took his. I had a few messages for him and he began to make phone calls. We had heard through the grapevine that the new "can" rate had been pushed through. This is the contract that was and then wasn't! Anyhow, one of the calls KO returned was from the gentleman who had made the earlier deal then took it away and then the company took his job away for his early retirement. I didn't get the whole conversation recap but it would appear now that he claims to have worked long and hard to get this new rate. The new contract goes into effect Tuesday!
When I was getting ready to leave the office KO gave me an envelope. He told me to open it when I got home. What did it hold? A pink slip? A reprimand? Turns out that what was inside was the title to the truck I had picked up for him Wednesday. He had purchased this truck from RRF but through all the developments since then, he felt I needed the truck more than he did, so he was giving me the truck. Wow! While I appreciated the gesture, at the present time I cannot accept the gift although his offer floors me. This wasn't a tremendous dollar value, but it is the thought that counts. He told me he will not accept the title back, to give it to our daughter or the grandbabies if we can't, or won't accept it. Wow again! I can use a few of these warm fuzzy moments! Let the record show, it is an ugly truck. Solid but ugly! Golly!
One other call that was a thrill was a conversation with KO's Dad. I had taken a call about an employment opportunity at the Better Burger. I did a quick fill in of information and then performed a basic phone interview. The young man was pretty impressive so I set him up to go in for an interview with KO's Dad. I called to alert LO about this gentleman coming by for the interview. In the course of our conversation he commented on my day Wednesday and we had a good laugh! I told him I was going to have to find an engine for the pull tractor when it is returned (because I don't think RRF or SMc will return it in the condition it left. In fact I look for SMc to try to thieve the parts that aren't his, they blew the engine up and the one in it is a mix of old and new parts). Anyhow, LO told me he had a Rehr-Morrison aluminum head big block Chevy engine that he would loan me if I wanted to run it. I told him it sounded like just what the doctor ordered! Poetic justice! I may have to call Big Ed and tell him he can have a free touring show, no purse! Eat yer heart out SMc!
It has been a good two days in the work place!
Things are not so good at home.
I am very concerned about Krl's health. She has no body temperature. Yesterday morning as I left I stooped over her to kiss her on the cheek and tell her goodbye and she was ice cold. I was so alarmed I grasped her shoulder and shook her, not caring that I would be in trouble for waking her. She was all-right, just very cold. This morning I lay in bed with her trying to cuddle and get her warm. She has been telling me that she feels as though she is slowly dieing. She has been trying to put some letters together just in case. I guess it is much like getting the last word in. I just try to blow her off and tell we all die a little bit each day. On the upside, she needed a prescription refilled and there were none so her doctor gave her seven days worth, which will mean she has to go in the in the next week. I will welcome Dr. Mackie's assessment.
I am hopeful that today will be a short day. I have had two long ones in a row. I am in pretty good shape work wise, but of course today is another pay day. Thankfully it is an August pay day and I won't have to separate August and September pay and taxes. I hate it when a month ends in the middle of the week, it is a royal headache for my spreadsheets, next week I won't be so lucky as the lag week everyone is held back is paid out. I am hopeful that plans for the water haul will be finalized by this morning. I had volunteered to take snacks for SS Sunday morning. I don't think anyone will be offended if I beg off and go to Louisiana (even though the class loves my breakfast casserole), I just need to let Gayla know.
Well, let's "git 'er done!" Be the real deal!
FATHER, thank YOU for a tremendous two days. Thank YOU for demonstrating to me YOUR goodness. Thank YOU for true friends and the bonds that are formed. Help us to rise above all the petty bickering that is thrown at us. FATHER I ask YOUR blessings on our efforts as we put together the weekend water convoy. I pray for its success. I pray for all those participants safety. I pray for the victims of Katrina. I pray that cool heads will prevail. I pray for the relief efforts, that it will be swift and complete. I pray for the officials and workers that they will make good decisions and be fair and just. FATHER I pray for Krl and ask for her healing and renewal. I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, S.T., and Karen. I ask for their healing and care. I pray for those sad and hurting from loss. I pray for their comfort. I pray for those of us who struggle as we try to follow YOU. I ask that YOU keep us focused and centered. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. YOU give me strength!
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