This moving back into the house is killing me!

I spent almost my whole day hauling things in from the company travel trailer. First the 'frige stuff, then stuff stored in the bathroom, into the bedroom, back into the office area. And I still have tons to do!

This has kind of been an affirmation that Krl and I are not complete without each other. There are things I think of, others that I don't, and she is the same way. When I was positive there was not a single grocery item left in the trailer, in she walked with an arm full.

Today, I am hopeful that I can get clothes moved and strip the bed. If it is a good day, the trailer will be gone by dark.

And the neighbors breathed a sigh of relief.

Funniest happening yesterday was my very last trip in and out of the trailer. Krl asked me to get her vacuum cleaner before I locked the trailer for the night. When I emerged and began walking up the sidewalk I saw two young gentlemen at the door talking with Krl. I apologized to her and told her it was my intention to sell her a vacuum cleaner but it would appear these gentlemen had beat me to it. They immediately made it clear that they were missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I guess door to door vacuum cleaner salesmen are a rung below that on their scale. To their credit, they did volunteer to help finish unloading the trailer tomorrow.

I thanked them but declined their offer of help. It might be too pricey.

Where are the Jehova's Witnesses when you could use them. Now that would be entertaining. Wonder who would have converted who?

I guess I am considered to be pretty self sufficient. At least according to my parents. For years when we were all working together, if one of us was going to need away to work, it seemed as though it was me, especially if it was one person alone. 1979 is the first year I can recall being away for an extended period. That year I stripped cotton in far West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. The following year was our first year going to South Texas (actually the Coastal Plains) to harvest. A few years after this, through some contacts I had made in 1978, I had learned of some equipment that had been abandoned and was hung up in red tape with creditors. It was an excellent opportunity to swing for the fences and the elusive home run. A deal was made on a lease, no money up front and would entitle the lessee to make two harvest season in South Texas and one in West Texas before the equipment would have to be surrendered. It was probably a once in a life time deal. It now required a "crew" of people to man the equipment. I got to stay at home. For the farming operation, the harvest revenue provided a welcome shot of relief. This regiment became a standard for several years. Customers were developed along the Coastal Plains and also in Central Texas. In 1984 it was a drought year for our farming operation but we custom harvested cotton over six months of the year, from July to February. A stale farm economy and poor weather conditions had made it necessary and welcome to have an alternative source of income.

In 1986 my children's mother and I divorced and for a brief while I was a single parent, which limited my time away from home. During this time I think I probably learned more about myself than at any other time in my life. I still get tickled because sometimes Rian used to say, "Dad, do you remember when we were single?" After Krl and I married, that seemed to allow me an additional reprieve, at least for a while.

In 1995, I began the seasonal work that Krl and I have just returned from. Twelve years of going to the jobsite, living there for the duration and then migrating home. At one point Krl had figured out how much time I had been gone, and it wasn't a nice figure. But a man's got to do what a man's got to do. The job has provided food and shelter. The nicest thing is that the last three years Krl has been able to go with me, and while it must be torture for her, the companionship for me is wonderful. It also makes us more easily accepted into the community circles. It has been an opportunity, twelve years, three employers, being a part of a record setting year, and the formation of many friendships. I have lived there for as brief a period as sixty-four days (1997), and for as long as six months and two days (2005).

The first couple of years, Memama and Pepa would come out about once a month to allow me a weekend to go home. As grand kids got older and involved in sports, this practice was gradually phased out. Memama and Pepa have probably seen more football games than anyone, other than coaches, and they have worn out more than a few vehicles on road trips. Now that the only school age grandchildren live over four hundred miles away, they are more selective of away games, but they see a steady diet of Plowboy or Lion games.

Actually, I have found it much easier not to go home during the season because returning is so difficult. Krl has found this to be true also. Last year was the longest ever at the jobsite. Six months and two days. Memama and Pepa did drive out one Sunday to visit and earlier in the year Pepa had done a little fill in trucking. Krl had invited them out for my birthday but that didn't work out. This year we were gone almost three months. That was three months without seeing my parents. This past Sunday when I took the first travel trailer in, as I was parking it, Mom and Dad were going to their car to go to church. Mom came to meet me and I walked her back to the car. I was mildly surprised at how frail she has become. It seemed as though her balance was off as she held to my arm as we returned to their car. Dad doesn't seem to be as large a man as he used to be. He is still taller than I (if this is a trend, poor Reid and Holt will be three foot tall), a big barrel chested man who has slimmed down. He never had much of a butt and stands on thin spindly legs. (Now you know where all of their offspring got their back bumpers, Momma got "back" (or I guess I should say "had"). They are a work to see as fifty plus years have given way to unspoken communication.

Don't get me wrong, I think they do very well for people their age. I guess the surprise was because I haven't seen them much the past few years. I am sure if I was there regularly I might not see the aging process as well. Once thing for sure, they won't ever be sick because Mom never allowed us to be sick and that's one thing all of us kids learned well.

Before anyone thinks I am a hardass, I do want to let you know that I have told them I am always available to take them to look at nursing homes!

Krl and I had been wondering what was going on with the final stages of negotiations with our final nemesis remaining from the defunct family business. We haven't heard from them in a month. I figured no news was good news but Krl wanted to check. Suzanne, our representative, said they are continuing to investigate whether or not we have undisclosed assets. Right, like we staged the whole event when our farmland was auctioned off on the courthouse steps! I don't know what part of the bankruptcy discharge they don't understand.

I am so ready for this to be over. I feel like it is time to get on with my life but what is the reason if someone is waiting to take anything you might put together away. We had made this nemesis an offer, they rejected it and countered. We accepted and now it's like they aren't sure if they are ready to sign off on it because we accepted their offer. We just want to get on down the road.

I have been approached about another opportunity. After the first of the year, an acquaintance wants to take me down the country to meet with one of his associates. I guess my work as jobsite coordinator for the past twelve years is getting me a reputation. Thing is, I'm not interested in doing this for someone else, specifically, to just give it up. I'd rather stay where I am at and make the wage I am making.

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR love. Thank YOU for my parents, I pray for their health. Thank YOU for opportunities. Help me to be smart and thorough as I think them through. I pray that this final matter be resolved. Show us the way.