Old man winter blew in. Man is it cold. Currently it is in the mid-teens, but with the wind chill it is C-O-L-D. -1. All of the crew is bundled up, my guys who are working outside are taking all precautions. The weather cab is on the forklift and Delfino is bundled toe to top is Artic winter wear. When he makes a mad dash across the yard he immediately heads back for the wind break.

Writing about the forklift kind of raises the hair on the back of my neck. The new one, complete with heater, was supposed to be here this week. In fact it was supposed to be here today. Now that would have been excellent timing. The forklift dealer has repeatedly demonstrated an acute inability to stay on task. Most of the time I cannot even get a return phone call. More and more I am getting uncomfortable with dealing with him. What to do what to do?

Krl and I have had lots of information to gather on the internet. I have been looking at equipment and we both have been looking at computers. The laptop I am ticklin' the keys on is six years old. Ancient according to new technology. Recently we felt compelled to install a new security suite to scan for viruses, block pop ups, block spyware, prevent phishing and to prevent third parties from pirating our computer and using it as a slave server to generate spam.

When we were shopping for the new securuty program we were amazed at how many products promise so much. It would be much simpler if there were just one with a "S" on the box. Long story short we purchased one of the major brands and brought it home to install. In order to install it we had to remove the factory virus scan along with one that we had been very satisfied with that had been passed by and in need of upgrading (Command antivirus was originally designed for the military.). After we went through all the required actions and installed it we found the remedy was much worse than any problem we were experiencing prior to installation. Immediately we began having problems with the ISP mail account, and settings on our computer became unstable and constantly changing. Finally I felt it necessary to remove the entire security suite. Walla, mail works. For the time being we are vulnerable, but we are looking for a solution.

We had a visitor yesterday. Ollie came by. Of course she had promised to come by the day after Thanksgiving so she was just a couple of weeks late. About a year ago she was riding high, enjoying a successful rookie year in real estate. At twenty-three she felt the world was her personal playground and that she could make the rules. Lots of things have happened in the last year and to be totally honest not very much of what has happened to her has been good. Sometimes what goes around comes around. Brief story is she was very contrite, apologetic and wanting an opportunity to start over. It is difficult for me to do. I did tell her that actions speak louder than words.

Sometimes forgiveness is difficult to give, but she asked. It wouldn't be an option if she hadn't asked and I wouldn't feel obligated. I guess you could say we are in a probationary interlude.

Hopefully I have done all of my "outside" work for today (and maybe tomorrow). I dismantled and reassembled a forklift yesterday, just to install a new muffler. Delfino and I had taken a bale clamp apart and installed some new inserts of the clamp slides earlier, and my final action last evening was going to the fuel stop and filling up the forklift supply tank!

I had a couple pair of insulated coverals in the trailer, they had been in the old trailer since 1995. When Krl was cleaning and straightening she gave them away, confident that they would no longer fit. While she was probably right I have not replaced them yet. Today might be the day to do that.

If you know of a '00 387, c-12, super10, 370 rr, air leaf, full aluminum whls drop me a line. I am looking for a client.

Be the real deal.

FATHER, I pray for our crew, that they might take refuge from the cold, that their work would go well, without problems that would cause them to be exposed to the elements of weather. I pray for their safety and health. I pray Krl and ask for her healing and renewal. I pray for Adam and his men in Iraq. I ask for their safety and care. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeaninie, Brenda, Verlin, Hope, K.C., and Tyler for YOUR miracles of healing and care. I pray especially for the doctors today that are doing Hope's surgery. I pray that YOU will guide the doctors efforts and that YOU will heal her. I pray for Ollie, that YOU would be a part of her life as she puts it back together. I pray for those sad with grief and ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. That they would abhore and expose the things which aren't part of YOUR plan. I pray for our prayer partners Jenaven and Susan, that we would praise YOUR name and lift up our hands, that we would glorify YOU. LORD reign in me!