I hope to get back to a more structured regiment, particularly involving my blog.

Many who know me and read this regularly, tell me they can tell how my world is ticking. You may be more perceptive than I am.

My blog is usually my view of what is right in my little world and probably more often than not, what is wrong in that same little space. I even sometimes use it as a day planner, mapping out my day so I can vent about it tomorrow when things don't work out! Ha!

Over the years I have become an early riser. Used to be Krl would tell me if I would stay up later I could sleep later. I disproved that. I could go to bed at eight and my internal alarm clock would go off at two, so I stayed up until midnight and my internal alarm clock went off at ...... two! It has been so long since I have been asleep when an alarm clock went off I can't remember! It is a curse. Krl and I are almost exact opposites, because on occasion when I get her morning call I am already in the metroplex.

This week is one of the busiest of the year for KO and his core customer. I sometimes amazes me how much soft drink is shipped into and out of the Abilene facility each and every day! It also amazes me how many variations there are of said soft drinks. With lemon, lime, vanilla, cherry, the list continues to expand.

KO had told me to enjoy my weekend because this week would be difficult and tiring. I rested up and was so disappointed when I talked with him and he told me I had a metroplex roundtrip with a metro appointment of 1 pm. Huh? What a bummer! What am I supposed to do with the rest of the day? I'm burning daylight! He assures me by week's end I will be yelling calf rope.

KO and his business are at a threshold. They need more equipment, particularly trailers. He is ultra conservative. I can understand this, to a point. But sometimes I want to shake him and tell him you can analyze until you are blue in the face but until you pull the trigger nothing happens. His business is needing an influx of twenty to twenty-five trailers. Personally I believe in purchasing, if at all possible, over leasing. The current fleet of trailers are predominately leased trailers that will be returned to the leasing company. KO has leased them with no maintenance program, all the repairs are his responsibility. This cheapens the monthly payments but when the fleet becomes older, it eats you up time and money wise. My biggest complaint about leases is that you have nothing to show for the money. The lease fees may be totally deductible but in the end you have nothing to show for thousands of dollars.

I put KO onto a man who deals in trailers coming out of large fleets. These trailers are priced at slightly more than half of new cost and the average age is six years old. This is probably what I feel is middle of the road. I have stressed to KO to form a strategy. If he does this deal, plan on in three years replacing them (hey, he will have some equity in this group). Over an extended period he can upgrade to the point where he is able to run newer equipment while not going through the shock of buying it all at one time.

I can frustrate him by telling him the best situation is to run all new trucks and trailers and to trade them before they go out of warranty. I may never own them but I will work with a fixed cost (payment only with all repairs being on warranty). No surprises.

One thing about it, if he continues to procrastinate, the opportunity may evaporate!

FATHER, keep me centered, keep me focused. May my day be safe and blessed.