Yes, I'm still here.

Lots has been going on. Everyone returned from holiday with a smile on their face and renewed vigor (which lasted almost until lunch).

The plant superintendent and I had scheduled another huge seed block Tuesday morning in order to allow my seed truck drivers a little extra time off. We began our day with fireworks! Right out the gate we had a rib fire in one of the gin stands. This delayed the start of the seed block but allowed all the specialized trucks I had ordered in an opportunity to get here. Slowly but surely my regulars began returning. I am happy to report we had a 100% return rate for drivers.

Wednesday did not go nearly as well. I had requisitioned trucks for another seed block and I was assured they would arrive at 10:00 to 10:30 for the first, 11:00 to 11:30 for the second and 12:00 to 12:30 for the last. The first two trucks showed on time, the third was a different matter. Their dispatcher told me the truck was at Lamesa when in reality it was still in Lubbock. Long story short, when the third truck arrived we were through with the seed block and both the other trucks were way over weight. Now their dispatcher was wanting to get bent out of shape and point fingers away from him. Of course he didn't want to pay the labor costs if we had stopped the plant so now he wanted us to transfer the loads over to legal size and put the excess on the third truck. He almost had a cow when I told him I would work a deal with the burr people to off load and reload the seed and he would have to pay the bill.

Finally things began to calm down until just before dark when my forklift salesman called and said the new machine was on the way. I quickly got busy and readied the bale clamp for installation on the new machine. By the time we were through it was seven-thirty in the evening. All that was left was to forward him his check from the office and load up the booklets and manuals. Needless to say, my forklift guys are beaming like proud Papa's!

Shortly after I got to my trailer two of my truck drivers began fussing about a bale trailer. Talk about childish. Actually one of them was not even involved in the mixup but suffered from the fall out of his partner's involvement. One of them pouted and stopped running for the evening. The other made one more run and stopped so he could appear in court this morning. They all should be found in contempt of humanity for operating without a brain.

I did solve my gift wrapping dilemma. Talk about brain fade. I had one driver come to me with his new gloves, both right hand gloves, so I gave him my single odd glove which was a lefty...... but I still had one odd glove. Finally I had a driver come and give me a glove saying he had three in his package. Oh well, it is the thought that counts!

We have been busy with some repairs this morning. We have another seed block beginning at noon. The dispatcher for this group of trucks left himself plenty of leeway in today's schedule.

I have one truck that went down overnight. The rearends went out. As I type, it is being towed to the shop in Midland where they are hopeful they can get it out of the shop later today. After today, for the next three days we have no help from seed blocks or anything else. We are going to have to belly up to the bar and handle the task ourselves. I may hedge my bet and call for some reinforcements.

2005 is almost done. Lots of personal milestones.

Be the real deal!

FATHER, thank YOU for the blessings YOU pour down on us! I pray for all those near and dear who are in need of YOUR miracles of healing and care, your comfort, your resolve. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah as we complete the year and look forward to the next, may it be blessed. I ask the same for our prayer partner. YOU are good.