Tomorrow is a maintenance Sunday. I cannot wait. We did our heavier maintenance yesterday to free up our Sunday to do what we want to do!

Actually we are thinking about a quick trip to Lubbock to look at some trucks. I have had some conversations with people up there and there are several trucks I think would be possibilities. We will have to see how Krl's and my pulse is beating come morning.

I tried to do a small portion of our settlements each day this past week. It really paid off because I sat down yesterday and completed all the Monday settlements! Yea! Now I am going to get to do some other projects that need some attention.

We have had another rash of mechanical problems with trucks this week. Early in the week Lupe was down two days with a wheel bearing. Later in the week E.T. went down with a pinion bearing out.

Pepa came out with a new acquisition and made a trip to Lubbock with motes. This is an older truck which has been a possibility for almost a year. They put a set of batteries on it, had to put a clutch in it and two tires. The truck had been setting up for about six or seven months. Pepa had a little tough luck with the winds getting up while he was on his way to Lubbock. The trailer he was dragging has a conestoga tarping system and the wind got under the tarp and riddled it. Add to this a rub getting in the warehouse and he left the trailer in Lubbock for some repairs.

We are cycling through some driver changes. Charles, my main stay is getting better everyday. It is unbelievable how quickly and quietly he come and goes. I guess that is because he has such a good understanding of what the job is and how to achieve it. While many of the drivers have had the wrong influence on others this year I can already see some positive results from Charles being on the job.

Pepa has been on a truck deal for me in Abilene. He made an offer on two (at the pricing I had I was only interested in one) but with his offering price I would probably take two. Late yesterday the salesman came back with a counter. $2500 separates us. I just took a call from Pepa and we agreed on numbers for him to counter their counter. I think I prefer the research to the haggling over price.

We lost our first "on the ground" employee last evening. Paco had been on probation for several weeks. He has a real problem with showing up on time and often he is influenced by his uncle and may twist off instead of coming to work. I had given him an ultimatum and told him it was his choice. If he decided not to come to work it was the same as deciding to quit because attendance is required.

Julio is cycling out for his planned trip to Mexico. All these developments together would mean Rogelio is on his shift alone so I moved Manuel to Rogelio's shift.

Julio is scheduled for eight days in Mexico but I think he will be back for my birthday because he would hate to miss a party.

Frank, Becky and Kristy gave me my birthday present a week early. A bottle of Azul Tequila with citrus liquer and a bottle of margarita mixer (azul of course). I told them they were encouraging me to put on my birthday suit and twist off! I may save this gift for the end of season celebration. (By the way Krl is discouraging me and telling me that my birthday suit is still at the dry cleaners).

Pepa and I had a long conversation this morning. It is the first time we have talked of the family business and its demise, hindsight, speculation and just getting on with life. Surprisingly I find that it continues to be difficult to talk about. Lots of emotion is still there. Lot of deception, poor people choices, and too high expectations of others to be honest and honorable in their dealings.

I've got a long way to go to heal.

I would like to mention a family friend that is very ill. J.B. Cooper Jr. is in the Hospice at Abilene. This past fall he was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. My sources tell me the disease is progressing very rapidly and that his time is quickly fading. My sources also tell me that it is a very horrible and painful death. I ask your prayers for him and his wife and daughters. J.B. has been a strong civic leader and a very strong influence in Roscoe and the surrounding area. These developments have made me sad and reflective of our association.

Be the real deal.

FATHER, there are lots of open wounds, I would ask that you heal them and get us past this. Help us to learn from our mistakes and help us to always be honorable and honest in our dealings. I pray for Krl's healing and renewal. I pray for Adam and his men, keep them safe. I pray for Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, Lillie, Aimee, B., Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, K.C., Hope, Kristy and her baby and JBCjr. I lift them to YOU for YOUR miracles of healing and care. I pray for those sad with grief and ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who are struggling to follow 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 be faithful to YOU and YOUR ability to direct their lives and to bless them. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan. That we would persevere and maintain hope. FATHER, my hope is built on nothing less than YOU.