I wasn't ready for that.

But I guess I had better get adjusted to it because it is that time of year. Yesterday the company travel trailer came to my house. All of the sudden it was very real. It is time to get it together and "lock and load" for the seasonal work. Year twelve in this saga. Sixteen is the record for the previous company. I have been there for the eleven previous years although working for and with multiple companies. Now I have to load clothes, inventory supplies, and purge all the "crap" that accumulates over time "on-site". I am hopeful the trailer is loaded and ready for transport before the tow truck is ready! Of course this trailer is usually last to arrive on-site because it will ship filled with Krl's and my personal affects which takes it out of the mix as a possible temporary solution to the housing shortage. (I sure don't want to see Pancho wearing Krl's clothes).

Over the weekend I received a call from a co-worker from the past two years who is currently working in South Texas (using his training from the Fall work). Of course he is wanting to be included in this season's crew. He is an excellent worker and speaks fluent English and Spanish and he is cross trained to work anywhere with the exception of driving a truck (he is working on his CDL). Last year, due to the huge harvest and the extended season, he was moved into a position of floater. Whatever needed to be done. This was due to the fact that we had extra employees on site to allow others time off for various reasons. This year the harvest is one-third of last years. Instead of being on-site six months, I am projecting three. The floater position is eliminated. His pay is too high to do the lower end work, and those employees are returning as well as the skilled workers. So it is very possible that he is odd man out. (Now he knows how those workers at Ford feel!). Actually it is not as harsh as it sounds. This is option one, option two is getting him on with another contractor he has worked for before and option three is working under the GM of the plant (which I arranged for him after the plant closed in 2004. In fact they offered him year round employment which he spurned). I would hate to lose him as a co-worker, but I must be diligent in my recommendations.

When this employee called over the weekend, he was telling me that other co-workers were arriving at the jobsite. (Unsolicited). Anyone who has called and asked me when to report has been told October 9. I realize these people need to work. I do too. I asked that they delay their arrival as housing is an issue. For those already on-site, I told them I would try to get the transport of the company's other travel trailers accelerated. I just hope they understand that compressing two weeks into one is difficult.

Immediately after I had received the first weekend call, I put one in for the plant superintendent, with no luck. Cell phone, home, no answer. I had planned on calling him again Monday morning but he beat me to it. It was good to speak with him. As much as I seem to be dreading the return to the jobsite, I look forward to working for him and with him. Not only is he a good "super" he is a good person and one I feel fortunate to call a friend. After small talk, we got to the upcoming work and the current housing problem for the "early arrivals". We worked out a short term solution, but it would appear I will transport at least one company trailer there by the weekend, possibly two. He did make it clear that he does not plan on putting "the crew" on until after October 1.

Probably the best news the "Super" gave me was that he would bet that I am home for Christmas. That would be a change, the past two years we have been on site straight through the holiday. If his prediction comes true, that would mean a maximum of eighty-five days on site. A far cry from the the one-hundred eighty-five of last year.

I can probably do this.

Maybe.

I have visited with Krl and told her I want her to make regular trips back to Abilene for R & R and to check on things. She is balking at this. I may have done too good a job convincing her how difficult it is to return to the jobsite after brief visits home. We have made provisions with the girl who watched the house this summer to come in and check things and water and care for plants. The yard continues to pose a problem.

I have been "tipped off" that I will be approached about going to South Texas next summer to perform similar work to what I do at the Fall jobsite. I am excited about everything except being away from home even more. But I like to eat and a guy's got to do what a guy's got to do! I am thankful for the this potential opportunity and flattered to be considered. I am very curious about what might be offered!

I have had a firm working on a payroll tax problem that lingered from the now defunct family business. These negotiations have been going on for several months. I think often times about my Mom saying, "I am more scared of the IRS than I am of a bear!" I cannot count how many nights I have waked up in the middle of the night thinking about the IRS and this dilemma. Earlier this year, (shortly after I returned home), I had two "Revenue Agents" come to my home wanting payment of 1.3M+. I told them I would love to pay them. They told me they wanted me to pay them, but when I asked them if I could borrow a check they didn't see the humor. You know it isn't a case of want to, it is a case of can't. If the company fell behind in deposits when it was functioning, how in the world could I pay this after the company is gone?

It has been a long process, but I am optimistic that we are nearing resolution. We have forwarded a multitude of documents to them and a couple of months ago submitted an offer in compromise. This is based on the ability to pay. Late Friday I received what was termed to be a final request for two items. One was faxed Friday, the other I personally delivered to the local office for posting and to be stamped for proof of delivery. Correspondence with them has said I will have their decision or recommendation by October 1. Lots of interesting things; The 1.3M+ has been reduced to about 500K after subtracting penalty and interest (I guess). The IRS plays by their own rules. They are not dischargeable through bankruptcy. Their remedies for collection can be "far reaching".

This appears to be the final chapter in what has been a hard life lesson. The family business is gone, the farm operation sold off. Things I took for granted are forever changed. But I am ready to put this behind me. I suppose I have been through a "funk", fighting depression and quite happy to be only a laborer. I think this may have been some sort of self preservation mode. I have found myself beginning to think "What if ..... we can resolve the tax issue, what do I want to do?" And I am finding myself beginning to be optimistic.

Once this dilemma is behind us I intend to take on a couple of other projects. While we were under the protection of the bankruptcy rules, we had three entities who violated these rules. (Actually one of these was the IRS, but if we can make a deal, I won't pursue them or the agents who violated the court order). One of the others was flagrant, a law firm who talked with my attorney and yet continued proceedings. If my attorney wants to pursue them, he can have all of whatever he can collect (a person can sue on the basis of harassment through violation of the protection rules). The third one appears to be an honest clerical error, but does need to be corrected.

Healing is a long process. Learning, a life long exercise.

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR faithfulness to meet my needs. I thank YOU for the plans YOU have for me and I ask YOU to help me be patient as YOU work YOUR plan for me. Thank YOU for lessons learned through these troubling times, I pray I have learned them well.