My yesterday began with making more preparations for the cold weather that is headed our way. There was one vehicle that had been in a controlled environment that hadn't been checked for winterization. That was my first project of the day. After that it was trying to complete some small projects, that had been lingering, waiting on parts or divine inspiration. My inspiration was I don't want to work on these things in the cold! Knowing my luck, as sure as I didn't have everything ready, that piece of equipment would be needed. I still have one project that is mandatory and another that is voluntary.

During a parts run, I stopped by the equipment yard I mentioned I had been drawn to lately. There is a company that recently purchased probably a hundred trucks and didn't trade any. They decided to sell them private treaty. When I stopped in their office they directed me to the terminal. When I stopped in there they directed me to their shop. When I went to the shop I finally found the person I was sent to talk to. It was an interesting excursion because at every stop the people were less and less personable and exhibited less professionalism. I got the spill that they were not in the truck sales business and didn't want to be. Hello. Looks like someone else made that decision for them. He finally asked me how many trucks I was in the market for. I told him that depended on the trucks. If they were rolling junk, none. If they were having a two for one sale or buy one get one free, I might be influenced. For whatever reason, he told me to feel free to take the tour and look over the trucks, but to keep in mind they were to be sold in twenty-five truck lots. I may be crazy, but I'm not that crazy. I thanked him and began the tour on my own. Not a very clean group of trucks, and they are a mix and match as far as engines and transmissions, and three manufacturers are represented with seven different truck models, and two different year models. I probably spent the better part of an hour looking at about sixty units. I found nothing that impressed me. The predominate make of truck is what is considered to be a fleet truck. This is in contrast to what is referred to as owner operator trucks which are usually equipped a little nicer. These trucks were pretty bare bones.

My employer is not looking for more trucks. I don't blame them. However, last week I had fielded a call asking me if they might consider selling Blacksheep. Blacksheep is the truck I drive and it is 19 years old. I was trying to be a good employee and researching if this might be a good opportunity to upgrade. The trucks I was looking at were six and seven years old.

Funny thing was this company selling these trucks has a safety program ongoing and stickers on the trucks proclaiming "Safety, miles ahead with CTL". Or something along those lines. Funny thing was many of these stickers were stuck on bent bumpers and busted fiberglass fenders. I was not impressed. These were not used trucks, they were abused trucks.

Maybe this company had not choice about trading them in on new ones. Maybe the new truck dealer didn't want them either.

While I was out and about I did locate some software Krl and I had been looking for. I haven't had opportunity to install it, but we are hopeful that is will contain the drivers for the program we have been trying to transfer from the older computer.

I took a call from the shop that 222 is still in. 24 days and counting. They told me they had completed the repairs and went to road test it and found a malfunction with the cruise control, which was one of the top two things in their list of repairs. According to them they had already fixed it once. I am beginning to have serious doubts about this shop and it's mechanics. I paid them a surprise visit in the afternoon and no-one was working on the truck. They told me they would have an answer today about whether or not they could make the repair. It would have been nice if they had told me this 24 days ago. I find it increasingly difficult to keep my cool. The service manager has become increasingly frustrated and it is beginning to affect our working relationship. I like him, he is young and personable, but he may not have control of his troops.

Needless to say I was frustrated when I returned home.

We had people in and out of our home yesterday. A mobile service came by to clip and bathe the houndgirls. Normally Krl does this but this time of year it is difficult as she does it outside. In addition to this visitor, the cable company came to make our telephone change. Krl had been checking it out and if we had a total tech package, it would save some money. I'm all for that. I was not happy with the technician though. He seemed to be knowledgeable, but he would move things and not even try to return them to their place. When he left he didn't even close the gate. Luckily I wasn't home or we would have had words. Krl seemed to handle it.

During my day, I stopped and signed a petition against the smoking ban. I'm not a smoker. I haven't been for a number of years. I signed it because I disagree with the ordinance. I think business owners should have the option of making their businesses smoking or non-smoking. To be honest I had no problem, with smoking and non smoking sections.

Once or twice a year I do enjoy firing up the smoker and doing a brisket. I say that tongue in cheek because it seem as though our civil liberties are gradually being done away with. People have been moving into surrounding communities trying to get away from Abilene's
bureaucracy. Others have moved outside the city limits. Before we left for the jobsite, Abilene was trying to enforce their codes in an area five miles outside the city limits saying eventually these areas would be "in" town.

Hey, can't they take a hint?

Krl and I didn't do a whole lot on the home front. I had picked up frozen lasagna, so it was a pretty simple supper. She wasn't feeling well, and laid down early. I took a phone call and it was Krl's oldest brother's wife. She asked for Krl and I told her she had already laid down. She was telling me that Krl's brother had knee replacement recently. He had an on going battle with infection. Due to complications, they had to amputate his leg. Before I went to bed, Krl had gotten back up, so I relayed the information. She immediately called her sister-in-law back and got the total scoop. Turns out it was a staff infection. I've been told the only place you can get a staff infection is in a hospital. Krl was told that her brother is doing good after the surgery. Krl wasn't. She was very upset and concerned. She is afraid that her brother can't deal with the physical limitations he will have to adjust to. He has always found a lot of his identity in his athletic prowness. After coming back to bed, Krl was back up and finally went to sleep on the couch. About one in the morning I sent her back to bed.

Krl told me her brothers may be rotten, but they're all she's got. I totally understand.

On a lighter note, Holt turns one today. Fact is he shares his birthday with his mother, so happy birthday to both. Dandy went shopping yesterday. I really don't know Holt. I have been around him very little. Usually I try to find something for the grandkids that will challenge them or make them expand their boundaries. I was pretty pleased with what I bought him. As luck would have it I even found several coloring books that I thought Reidman might enjoy too!

I fielded one call yesterday asking if I would pickup some landscaping timbers and take them to a truck at the truck stop in Tye. A few minutes later I got a second call telling me this was one of the drivers that worked with me at the seasonal jobsite and they were sending her to a customer close to Abilene that is known for expecting and demanding their truckers know what they are doing. I was asked to give this lady a crash course in hauling pipe, pipe stakes and belly chaining. This lady aggravated me when I first arrived. I began unloading timbers and placing them under the trailer. She began assisting by bringing them to me, even if I had returned all the way to my pickup. I began to talk with her about how to load the pipe, and in particular the belly chaining. My last words were a warning about how particular this customer was. She told me she wasn't concerned about that, that usually a woman could get away with what men couldn't. She went on to tell me her last load she got there too late to unload and reload and before it was all over, the crew stayed late and unloaded and reloaded her and she didn't even have to put her gloves on. Not only did they load and unload her they strapped and unstrapped the load. I believe in equal pay for equal work. I do have a problem when a woman tries to work both sides.

Well, cold weather is supposed to be here before tomorrow morning. Possible rain this afternoon. Bring it on.

Have a day.

FATHER, temper me. Help me to be kind and caring. I lift up Krl's brother for your miracle of healing and care. Help him to heal mentally and physically. I lift up Holt and his mother for birthday blessings and ask that YOU give them many more. To YOU be the glory.