As bad as the week was in it's early stages, yesterday it bounced back.

An interesting observation, when you don't care if something arrives or happens, it does and will. I had pretty much scripted my day, and it didn't involve working on equipment or running parts. Last evening when I checked messages, the fire extinguisher project is waiting for me and the truck parts have finally arrived at the dealership. They can wait on me!

Thanks but no thanks, I'm not in the mood!

Actually, Krl and I talked and began scripting our Friday on Thursday. I made a couple of calls and a plan came together.

Krl and I spend so much time gone that we are very hesitant, very reluctant to go or do anything, especially if it involves any distance. Add to this the fact that my sister Pat does double duty. In addition to her school nursing she works at least every other weekend at a nursing home. So maybe, all the stars were aligned just right.

I called Pat and told her what I would like to do. Krl and I would drive from Abilene to Sweetwater and pick up "Ma Allen's" fried chicken, potato salad, squash, green beans, and peach cobbler and surprise Mom with an early Mother's Day celebration. Pat's part in this crime would be to keep Memama occupied so she would be around. We made a pact and decided we would bring others "in" on a strict time line so the secret would be safe. Krl got on the phone and called in our Friday food order.

Friday morning, Krl and I went by Bach's and picked out a plant and a card. We stopped at United (I gotta go there and sign up for my outdoor kitchen) and picked up paper plates, paper towels and wheat bread, then we hit the road. Just as we pulled on the Winter's freeway I called Fred and invited him to lunch, he was going to try to juggle his schedule and make it.

Meanwhile, Pat had asked Memama to go to Snyder with her. Pat was having her hair done and also was looking for some clothes for her Hawaii trip. Memama agreed to accompany her.

I just love it when a plan comes together!

Krl and I made it to Sweetwater and were running early, we had discovered neither of us knew how to make the instant tea that Memama uses, so we stopped in Brookshire's and picked up Lipton "cold brew" and some ice before we ran back to "Ma Allen's".

It was just after eleven and already "Ma" was building a crowd. (If you haven't experienced this, it is worth the trip. These are family style meals and often you won't know anyone sitting at your table.) Since we were "picking up" we had come in the back door. Billy saw us (O.K., I have been here before and he could probably pick me out of a lineup) and immediately they began boxing our order up. In a matter of minutes, we were locked and loaded and on the road for the final eight miles to Roscoe.

When we arrived at Memama and Pepa's house, we sprang into action. It took a few minutes but I finally remembered where Memama keeps all her pitchers, trays and such. One thing we hadn't figured on was that Francis, the woman that cleans house for Memama, was working. Turns out it was no problem, Pat had filled her in and as soon as Pat and Memama left, Francis flipped her normal schedule and did the kitchen/dining room first so we could "paaaarrteee". Krl got her tea to "cold brewing", I began setting the table and Krl got to set the silver wear placements and I finished putting ice in the glasses. We put the food on the table with the exception of the chicken and we left it heating in the oven. When it was all in place I looked at the clock. Eleven forty-five. Excellent. I picked up my cell and called Pepa (he was plowing) and told him to head in if wanted to see me. I had waited to call him until the party was on us so he wouldn't be tempted to "spill the beans". Fred arrived, just prior to noon. Pepa arrived just ahead of Pat and Memama.

Pat and our "honoree" arrived about five minutes late. When they arrived we were watching through the kitchen window and Memama was scoping out all the vehicles. Turns out she thought some of the family friend coaches had met at her house to "car pool" on to Austin and the state track meet. Memama was not happy that there was no order to the parking melee! When she and Pat were coming into the house Pat commented on the beautiful plant on Memama's picnic table. Memama was admiring it with her when she realized this was a new addition. A few more feet and they were in the house and the surprise was sprung! I don't know if I have ever been a party to a surprise party that the honoree was so totally "surprised"!

Kyle Patrick Henry showed up and we had extra place settings, Hag was a little late but that completed our conspiracy group! It was good food. We pigged out and visited a while, just before three, Krl and I left. It was worth the trip.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Once we arrived home we tended to the hounds. They were ready to go out. When they get use to us being home all the time, they don't take every opportunity to "tend to business". Thankfully there were no accidents.

Trc had called and was enroute to pick up our garage sale contributions to the AHS cheerleaders! Lrn had told her Mom she wasn't going to work the garage sale. Her Mom told her different. If you are willing to take the glory (or in this case the spotlite) you'd better be willing to do the work! Thankfully, our garage is a lot closer to being cleaned out!

When I had walked in the house, I picked up the phone and called a tax consultant whose number I had just received. We talked for about an hour and a half. He was very positive, very upbeat. I would love to believe everything he tells me but I am so gun shy that I am using a 50% B.S. filter. When we concluded our conversation I gathered up correspondences and headed to Kinko's. I concentrated what I felt was pertinent to fifty-eight or fifty-nine pages, made the copies, ran back to the house to do a cover letter and package and address the large envelope. Then it was out the door and a dash downtown to the post office (it is the latest pickup in town at eight pm.). While it wasn't eight it was the only option to getting the package gone Friday. I zipped back to the house just in time to get my clothes changed and sit back in my recliner for Deal or No Deal.

And the weekend was on!

Be the real deal!

FATHER, thank YOU for Moms. Thank YOU for salvaging my week. Thank YOU for salvaging me.