This week has been a difficult one. Early starts, late ending days, then there is the driving. It goes without saying, my butt is dragging.

Add to this the fact that I have not felt good. I think this is tied directly to my sleep pattern.

Pepa had his procedure in Lubbock. Wednesday morning they inserted the needles and gave him his first radiation treatment. They put him in a hospital room until they could do the second treatment which had to follow by at least eight hours. Then they had to wait again until they could do the third and final treatment Thursday afternoon. This particular treatment is not available in Abilene. When they chose to go this route their two choices of locations were Houston or Lubbock with the deciding factor being who could get him in first.

It was my understanding that they would insert beads or pellets through these long strategically placed needles, and then they would do the radiation. I was wrong. The needles were left in for all three treatments. Memama said that made for a difficult night for Pepa. They required him to remain flat on his back, he could raise his head no more than thirty degrees and he had to keep his feet spread apart. If anything disturbed the location of the needles it would require them to begin anew. They were so precise in their placement that after they had inserted them, they did a cat scan to double check their positioning. Luckily, they remained positioned correctly. When they finished the third treatment, they removed the needles and dismissed him.

Pat said the doctor was very pleased with how things went. Pepa has to return April 25 for the second and final round of treatment. Memama said it may be a miracle if Pepa returns.

I visited briefly with Pepa yesterday and he said he was hurting all the way to the top of his stomach.

I am hopeful for a new solution to the tax issue I have been dealing with for several years. It seems that one lawyer has been looking into the bank's possible liability in this matter because their instructions to us were to conduct business as usual and they would decide what checks would be paid. They chose not to pay the payroll tax deposits, even though our comptroller wrote the checks and sent the deposits to the bank. Right now we are trying to gather e-mails and other correspondence that support this fact! If you are familiar with the situation, the bank was also funding our receivables and they had taken control of the company bank accounts prior to the family business failing! My position has always been that they are the one that drove the nail in the business's coffin, they guaranteed us to fail when they didn't accept the payroll tax deposits.

I heard through the grapevine that the old company office building sold Wednesday. Of course it had been pledged as security on a line of credit and forfeited to the bank mentioned above. Speculation is that the purchaser is either the company putting in the wind generator farm or their general contractor. They also got the shop across the street. They got it for about half what it cost the company to build, not counting all the telephone and computer networking that was left in the building. I think at our max we had thirty-six employees housed in that facility. From my desk to my brothers desk was fifty-seven yards! I always joked that by the time I got there either I was really mad and knew what I wanted to say or I had forgotten or cooled off during the walk.

Lots of violent weather yesterday! But oh the rain was delightful. I read in the newspaper that twenty-three streets or underpasses were closed due to high water. Four of the six ways into our neighborhood had barricades positioned where water went over the road. We went from being behind for the month of March to being ahead. Some areas had as much as seven inches of rain. Surprisingly with all the tornado and hail possibilities, the newspaper reported no injuries. That is a miracle in itself.

Krl and I have been on a disastrous course psychologically and emotionally. I hate it when we both reach the same point at the same time, because usually it can be quite volatile.

If my schedule remains unchanged, I am off Monday. I will probably mow then because with all of the rain I can almost see the grass grow.

Have a weekend! Go Hoyas! Go Bruins!

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR blessing of precious rain, I lift up Pepa for YOUR miracle of healing, that the treatments will be effective. FATHER, temper me. Bless-ed be YOUR name!

I'm working!

An hour drive to work, an hour back. Leave at six or a little before, store closes at six in the evening. Back home about seven! Long, long, day! Short, short, nights!

I'm off Friday!

Pepa under went his procedure today. Two more radiation treatments tomorrow and they will come home for a month.

Oh FATHER, so much to say, so much to ask! Thank YOU for opportunities!

Well, my final four picks are down to one, and that is the one that I picked to win it all. I was thrilled with two of the games. I still don't like Florida or Ohio State.

Go Hoyas! Go Bruins!

I had picked Kansas in UCLA's bracket but I cheered for the Bruins!

Talk about calling the kettle black! Over the weekend "W" accused Democrats of playing partisan politics. Baloney! "W" has been playing President for the last six years. At times he has even played God!

Heh! He isn't a very good actor either!

What is the deal with the White House refusing for their staff to testify under oath? Sounds like they have something to hide.

I say round 'em up and move 'em out!

I say let's try "W" as a war criminal and turn him over to Iraq!

What an idiot!

I caught an outake of Katie Couric's interview with John and Elizabeth Edwards. I am still impressed with them. They are pretty courageous. She has to be very supportive and believe in her husband. It would be easy to quit.

I like her outlook. Two choices. Continue on with what you were doing yesterday. Or die.

They are very adamant about not wanting sympathy votes.

Once again I find myself liking the possibility of having small children in the White House.

That would be a step up from small minds!

I loved the steady pitter patter of rain throughout the night! The only thing that would have made it better was a tin roof!

Have a day!

FATHER, I need some help here!

Yesterday was my kind of day. Not too hot, not too cool. A little crisp. If I had to dote on one thing to fine tune it would have been the breeze.

We continue to operate under the illusion that we are in charge of our home and our lives. Upon closer scrutiny, it is very obvious we aren't in control, Maple Syrple is. She dictates when and what she wants. She is a master manipulator. Lately she has developed this pitiful whimper when she feels we are being negligent in performance of our assigned duties.

This past week I thought she might spazz when I was away from the house for extended periods of time. When I walked in though, she was HAPPY to see me! She probably tells all the hounds she talks to through the fence that I am her luxury item!

Yesterday morning we went to Kathryn's first softball game. That was interesting. I'm not sure why, but the recreation people had the field lights on, but not the score boards. After the first inning it became evident it was probably a good idea not to use the scoreboard, especially if they weren't equipped with adding machine capabilities. Ten run rule. Ten to eight after one. If you want to use the four out rule, we saw a triple play. The pitcher was a Coach from the team that was batting, although there was a pitcher from the other team to "field" the position. At times it was almost like, "Hold your bat out there and I will see if I can hit it with a pitch!" The circle around the pitchers mound is magic. Once the ball is returned to these confines, everything stops. It was almost comical to watch the fielders get the ball and run to the circle to return it to their pitcher. I guess they didn't trust their throwing abilities. In the end, the official score was twelve to four, but they must have used some sort of common denominator.

Kat went one for two batting and fielded one ball while playing second base. She also had an inning in center field.

Trc has voiced her dismay over some of the league rules for Kathryn's age group. A parent or guardian must be present for the duration of every practice or game.

I know from personal experience that parents use to drop the kids off at practice or more often at the public swimming pool for childcare purposes. As I have gotten older I think about how stupid I probably was for allowing this. You have fifteen and sixteen year old lifeguards, depending on the day watching any where from fifty to one-hundred kids. I'm sure it has changed (price), but back then where else could you get an afternoon of childcare for fifty cents but at the city pool! You could get a season of child care for twenty dollars payable to the youth baseball league.

Trc was in Dallas Saturday with Ln for a volleyball tournament. Brently made a comment at Kat's ballgame that it wouldn't do for him to figure out how much the athletics expenditure for the weekend was for his family. Four hundred highway miles. At least one night in a motel. Meals. Closer to home, Brently said when they arrived at the ball park, when Kathryn exited his truck she fell and hurt her knee. This required a trip to Wal-Mart for a first aid kit! All through the game, Kat hobbled around.

I was amazed at how important it is to "look good". You may stink as a player, but look good while doing it! Jersey, shorts, socks, and shoes. Gotta be stylin'. Glove. Need one. Bat, top of the line aluminum. Equipment bag, necessary, with logo! The really upper crust have their very own customized batting helmets Complete with face mask. Stars, lightning bolts, stripes! Of course everything has to be color coordinated!

I believe these kids would be just as satisfied playing in hand me down T-shirts and shorts, using a community bat and helmet. It isn't a style competition, it is a game!

I think that often times parents biggest failure is to let their kids be kids when they ARE kids!

I have been reminiscing about my childhood. We didn't always have to have someone "over". We were expected to entertain ourselves. I kind of laugh to myself, we used to be happy with a piece of wax paper to "slick up" the slide or the cellar door! As a child I was fearless. As a parent I had tunnel vision. As a grand parent I am extremely aware of impending danger! I think back to riding bikes and trikes on top of the storm cellar. (It was about thirty inches above ground level, with straight drop offs). Round and round, down the cellar door, make a circle and begin the circuit again. Down to the interstate bridge, riding in and out of the bridge posts, up the cement angular side. Challenging skills and defying gravity. During rare times we had snow, we would rush to the interstate bridge and ride cardboard boxes down the slopes. One successful innovation was the use of grain scoops. We would break the handle and then stand in the scoop, squat down and grasp the short metal handle and nudge our way over the precipice. It was a four ticket ride until Dad figured out what happened to the scoop handles. My worst innovation was removing the rudders from water skis, expecting to glide down the bridge slope. The result was you got to walk up the side of the bridge, put on these large wood appendages and then walk back down. Absolutely zero slide!

Maybe I expended too many brain cells as a child.

I did my normal Saturday grocery trek. We didn't need too much, but I had a different mentality as I was thinking of leftovers to take to work this next week. In fact I decided to do one of those rare meals in our house. Maybe two or three times a year we will fix a Texas staple. Chicken fried steak. As most of you know, this is pretty messy in and of itself. I decided to do some curly fries and fried squash as well. Triple the mess. Being the kind and conscientious person I am, I moved the cooking activities to the patio. Hello turkey fryer! To have owned this setup for almost five years it amazes me that I have never fried a turkey. Oh but the other uses. I've done anything from the above mentioned menu to boiling chickens for giblet gravy and dressing, to making six gallons of instant potatoes (in one batch) for last thanksgivings jobsite meal. Anyhow, in about thirty minutes I had prepared everything except the cream gravy!

I think I will wait a while before I cook this again. But it does bring out the Texan in me!

On the horizon I can see a baked turkey (or baking hen/Cornish hens) with squash dressing, yams, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce! (I think I have been unduly influenced, I saw a turkey in the freezer yesterday).

I sure hate it when my taste buds are preparing the menu that we have to cook.

Monday finds a doctor appointment for Krl on tap. X-ray, quick look, a couple of questions, and make a co-pay donation as we exit! See you in two weeks! I am hopeful that we are on track for the three month recovery. It will surprise me if we are. Krl has been diligent in taking her vitamins and calcium tablets but about the only milk she gets is from the ice cream in her coke floats! I know it will be tough for her if she doesn't get her cast off in another five weeks.

No word on Merrit. I haven't talked to her since Tuesday. That usually means either she is O.K. or in jail! Ha!

C.O.T.. For seven years this has stood for Car Of Tomorrow. Today it becomes Car Of Today. Seven years in development, Nascar introduces a standardized car body, for all makes. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota. They all look alike. What will determine the make of car is the engine under the hood. It is supposed to be a larger, safer car, that will make for better racing and an even playing field. Toyota can already see some improvement they have five cars in the field at Bristol today. Of course it didn't help Michael Waltrip any. He failed to qualify for the fourth consecutive week. The only race the NAPA #55 Toyota Camry is winning is the race back to the shop!

The new COT will be used at sixteen races this season. Primarily at the short and mid-length tracks until the Fall race at Talledega. The car is supposed to be fazed in over the next two seasons before becoming used exclusively. I think economics will speed this up as most teams are using more labor to field two type cars.

Well, my rise in the Yahoo NCAA tournament brackets was only a little rough turbulence. I found myself cheering for teams I didn't pick. But then that is the type of old boy I am! As quickly as I rose four hundred thousand positions, I relinquished most of them. Today is sink or swim day. I might be mired in the middle if I am successful or I might excel at the wrong end of the spectrum if I am unsuccessful!

You don't think Yahoo will make me pay the million to the winner if I end up last do you?

Have a day!

FATHER, give me YOUR focus.

Thank GOD for percogesic, tylenol, antacid and a multitude of other luxuries!

I've got the rigor mortis! I am stiff all over. Back, knees, shoulders, elbows. ANY moving part aches. It's kind of like reporting for spring training or football camp. There is a reason for gradually coming up to speed.

They say the mind is the first thing to go. I guess that is correct because I forgot all the above reasons and grabbed the lawn mower and weed eater and went to work! I knew that the gas powered weed eater would answer the bell. I think four tries and fired up. I made the perimeter fence, then around the pool, porch swing and edge of the house. I could tell that the yard man who took care of things while we were away didn't believe in moving things. There is a certain amount of pride that comes with ownership I guess. I had put the battery charger on the mower twenty-four hours ahead of time, because I figured that it would need all the juice it could muster before it would fire up and sing. Last year during the time we were between yard men I found that there was a carburetor problem. Sometimes the float hangs in a up (or closed) position. I had taken the carb off and used farm magic on it and made it through the end of the season. My fears were well founded. When the mower did start, it died. Lack of fuel. So I removed the fuel bowl and found the float stuck. I did a little constructive therapy showing the float what it was supposed to do repeatedly. I re-installed the bowl, primed the carb and hit the key. Already the mower was running our of juice. I grabbed the pull rope and the mower came to life. It began to shower as I made my first pass. It was enough to make the cuttings reluctant to enter the bag, but there was very little moisture that collected on my work boots as I followed the mower. I persisted and mowed through three light rain showers before I completed the project. After everything was put away and I was making my way to lock the gate to the backyard, the heaviest shower of the day began. Whew!

I had told Krl that when I began I could feel my back begin to tighten up, but I was able to work through it and it finally eased up. After I finished, I had taken the air hose and blew the grass off me and my clothes as best I could. When I went to dis-robe, I stood in my shower! (I told you a few days ago that since I have had to assume the primary cleaners role, I think twice!). After a really good shower I put on my relaxing house clothes and sat down. It wasn't long before the stiffness and aches began to set in. By the time the second half of last nights second ball game began, I couldn't answer the bell.

You're going to think I am crazy, but I think Gatorade does more for me than hydrate. I know it helps with muscle cramps, I also think the electrolytes help with the joint pain and stiffness. I'm fixin' to go get me a bottle of it right now!

Speaking of NCAA Men's basketball. My bracket has been an experience! At one point I was in the top nine percent, then things went south. Way south! So South that I was in free fall. In fact I ended up for a while in the lower nine percent. Then things began to turn around again. Over the last two days I have jumped almost four hundred thousand other player's brackets. Good golly! Now I am in the middle.

Thing is, three of my four final four picks are still playing. So it is apparent that my elite eight picks were pretty good, but I expect to slide again when my eliminated final four member shows up missing.

I had been asked if Kat could spend the night last night and if I could take her to her baseball league opening ceremony and ball game. I got fired! Trc left yesterday to take Ln to Dallas for a volleyball tournament, but Kat's Dad was back in town and able to stay home. So Kat is going to the ball game and ceremony with her Dad. Kat had her Mom call to ask if we would come to her game anyway! I'm going to have to see how Meme is percolating this morning and then figure out if I am nimble enough to lug her wheel chair around!

If I can beat Krl to the wheel chair I may ride in it!

Wow, this year is flying by. I can't believe we are within a week of the end of March. In lots of ways I can't stand it, in other ways I am so ready, especially for another pay day. I still haven't gotten used to this once monthly pay. Especially being held back. Add to our February and March cash outlays the medical just from the co-pays and it has created a strain. Worst part is we just got a bill from the emergency room for the balance after adjustments and insurance. Yuk!

I sure am glad to be beginning the new job to supplement our income.

I had better get! Don't want to be late to the ball park!

Have a great weekend!

FATHER, help me to be ever mindful of my limitations. Help me to know where I end and you take over. Take me higher!

I'd rather be lucky.

My main project yesterday was to get a haircut. I didn't want just a haircut, I wanted a goooood haircut. I have never had a problem when Krl insists on returning to one particular stylist, and I have been pretty understanding when on rare occasions she has changed for one reason or another. Some people do "some things" good. Change style, and they might not be nearly as good.

For many years, I had my hair cut in Sweetwater by a man that was a few years my senior. We attended church together all our lives, I new his family, he knew mine. We were friends. Use to I would walk into an office where his daughter worked and she would look at me and say, "You need to go see my Daddy and get a haircut!" Usually I knew I was in need of a haircut, but couldn't resist the opportunity to spar with her. Eventually she would tell me, "My Dad is the best barber in town!" To which I would reply, "If he is so good, why does he have to do it over and over again!"

Over the twenty plus years he cut my hair, we developed an acquired level of trust. I didn't have to tell him what I wanted. I just sat in the chair. About the only thing he would ever ask was when sideburn styles changed if I wanted to change too. His shop was "old school". Hot warm towels, hot lather and a straight razor. His skill was being able to cut your hair where it looked good, even if you went past when you should have returned for another haircut.

This friend was the victim of a fatal accident long before his time. I miss Kenneth. Not only for his skill, but for his friendship and conversation.

For several years, I have been a man without a barber, so to speak. When I was at the jobsite, if I could get in with a local lady I would (she only cut hair a half day on Thursday and all day Friday). Other times I might be driving along and see a shop and just "drop in". When I was in Abilene I began to patronize a barber who was recommended by a dry cleaner we use. At that time there were two barbers there, but one has since quit. AC, the barber I used, would cut your hair and style it and it looked good! He didn't use the towels, hot lather and straight razor though. He said that was another service at another full charge! My problem was I could never duplicate his work at home. Once I wore a hat or cap, or once I showered, I was pursuing an elusive "styling". In addition, usually in two or three days, I looked like I needed a haircut! If you were going to the prom, a wedding or some other function you wanted to look good at, he was your kind of barber. About the past year it seemed like he had lost his rabbits foot and I wasn't really satisfied with his work. I would ask him to really give me a short haircut and I would receive his standard cut.

Yesterday when I left the house, I was intent on changing barbers. I made a big circle and was eliminating possibilities when I realized I was gradually circling and closing on AC's shop. I guess subconsciously, there is security in familiarity. I was blocks away from AC's shop, sitting at a traffic signal when I glanced to my left and saw a barber sign. I changed lanes, made the turn and pulled into the parking lot. I walked in to find five barber chairs, but manned with a single barber. I was suspicious about what I might have stumbled on to. The barber looked like a throw back to days gone by. He was wearing a crisp white barber smock. I didn't have to wait, I sat down in his chair straight away and he asked me what kind of cut I was wanting. I think it was much to his relief when I told him I needed shearing. Off my ears, out of my eyes, off my collar, sideburns mid-ear. I told him I couldn't always get to the barber shop regularly so I wanted it short. By the way, part it on the right! He went to work, and was very quiet. I began to talk to him and he gradually entered the conversation. It was almost amazing, he was familiar with where my seasonal work is at, and it turned out he knew many of the families I know. It seems he grew up in San Angelo and Wall. Conversation then turned to where I was raised and when I told him, he said I might know his uncle. The name didn't seem familiar, but I was thinking current residents, he began to talk about traveling to Roscoe when he was a child and visiting his cousins. When he mentioned his cousins name it turned out one cousin was a classmate of mine! Small world!

I like for a haircut to look nice, but I also like a haircut that feels good. I felt like I was going to be pleased with this mans work. It was about this time that he removed the barbers apron, I thought to clip the hair on my neck. You can imagine my surprise when he began to lather my neck with hot later! Next came the straight razor and that familiar sound as he perfected the "edge" with the razor strap. Across my neck he shaved, up and over the ear and finally the sideburn, to the other side repeating his ritual. There is something about a straight razor. This experience just kept getting better. Next came the moist hot towels! It was very relaxing. The next thing really took me back a long time. He had slipped on one of those old hand vibrators with the springs that attach it to the hands and he began to massage my neck and shoulders. That was a piece of heaven!

Best part is, my haircut appears to be excellent! I think when I get out of the shower, I can comb it and be out the door. That is great because I'm a wash and wear kind of a guy!

My computer is still suffering from hickups. None of this started until the ISP made some changes. I was a little suspect when the ISP strongly suggested their customers go to the Microsoft website and download all essential updates and patches available for our software. About three times during each computer session I have to shut down and reboot. There is some weird stuff going on!

I am taking on a new job. Going to do a little consulting. It is going to be different from anything I have done before. It is exciting. It could be from a few days to a few weeks or I guess as long as I am benefiting the business. I'm probably going to begin Tuesday, as Krl has a doctor appointment Monday. They have given my the flexibility of doing three days a week or doing half days six days a week. I think I may have to get my feet on the ground before I know what my schedule needs to be. Best part is, I can do this in addition to what I am doing!

Today's project, weather willing, is the yard. The front yard isn't in need like the back yard. I don't know why. All of the winter and spring fertilizer and chemical applications have been exactly the same. The only thing I can figure is the sprinkler heads are different. The front yard has the directional or full circle sprinklers, while the back yard has the large gear head rotating sprinklers. Anyhow, if I can do it, I'm going to scalp the yard!

Well, make it a good day and we'll take the next two off!

FATHER, help us not to get comfortable or to settle for familiarity. Expand us.

ISP problems.

Shortly after my last post, we lost all cable services. Television, Internet, and phone. Later in the morning the television came back on, followed by the telephone. The Internet refused to come on line though. This was Tuesday morning. I did everything I have always been asked to do. Reboot. Disconnect the power to the cable modem. Reboot again.

It was weird because the last thing I had done was send an e-mail to Suddenlink asking about a potential problem with the new e-mail account. Wow. They must have blown a fuse over it!

I had spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Roscoe working on trucks. Annual inspections. As luck would have it, there were no trailers available for rental so they didn't go to work. It could be a week, it could be two weeks before trailers are available from the regular sources. I had located several trailers in Amarillo and filled out the company credit application. I don't know if I did it right or not. Usually that is the office managers job. I thought it was extremely odd that they asked for my title, (Job manager) and my social. I didn't think too much about it, but I knew after the demise of the family business if they ran my social it wouldn't fly. The salesman called back and told me he couldn't make it work. They tried to run it through on MY social. In fact they didn't even try to run it on the tax ID of the company. Duh! I knew last fall the company had been approved for a revolving twelve hundred dollar monthly account. Of course the company spends about twenty-three thousand dollars per week for fuel ($92,000 per month) at the seasonal jobsite and has always paid early, never ever has it been delinquent. (A discount at this dollar amount has an impact!).

I rushed back to Abilene Wednesday to be home when the dishwasher repairman showed up, and I also wanted to call Suddenlink to get the Internet back up. When I arrived home I was minutes late, thankfully the technician was late as well. In fact he called and said we had about an hour before he would arrive. I went into the home office and called technical support at Suddenlink. Once I got off hold they couldn't even ping our cable modem! They said they had been experiencing problems in Midland and Abilene and we jumped through the same hoops we had already been through. When the doorbell interrupted us, it was the repairman. I had already been on the phone for an hour. Finally the techie told me it was a problem with their Abilene office and to try back later!

I went into the kitchen to learn that the malfunctioning dishwasher was performing flawlessly for the repairman. Darn the luck. I don't think he really believed us, but I really don't like to hand wash dishes and it isn't a favorite activity of Krl's either! He told us that we had a ninety day warranty on his call, even though he didn't do anything.

I was a little alarmed because he was looking around the kitchen at all the appliances Trc put in while we were away last year and he asked, "Are they all Frigidaire?" "Yes", we replied. "Did you take out the extended warranty", he asked. We told him, "We didn't buy them so we don't know." He said, "You sure do need to, Frigidaire is having some problems."

Wonderful.

Later in the evening I went back into the office to see if the Internet was up and it wasn't.

About four this morning, Maple Syrple and I migrated to the office to check on the Internet. No luck. A few games of free cell, some solitaire, a stop in the kitchen for some diet coke and back to bed until morning.

Shortly after eight I called Suddenlink tech support and was put on hold. Man that girl on their recording sure can talk! And she is really irritating. If I am having a problem I don't want some cheery person telling me how important I am. After twenty-five minutes on hold, they picked up. Luckily I got the same technician I had yesterday and she remembered. She reset my modem and it all came on line.

Thank goodness!

My task of the day is to get a haircut. I was needing one when Krl had her accident so I am six weeks late!

Today is Lauren Elizabeth's birthday! Eighteen! Happy Birthday! Last summer when we were on our trip she seemed to be really offended when I told the group this was probably the last family trip with everyone "proper". By the next trip the dynamics will change. I told Lauren by then she would probably be married and have one or two kids. She just wanted to die off!

Krl received a gorgeous plant yesterday! Our friends, Ed and Pearl, from the seasonal jobsite sent it to her! I thought that was really thoughtful. Krl loves plants!

Well, let's get to it and have a day!

FATHER, help me to be above the petty trivial things of this day.

Yesterday was one of those frantic days. After days of wishing for the phone to ring, it wouldn't stop yesterday. At one point in time I had the land line in one ear, my cell phone in the other and the fax was ringing in the background.

I've got a list of things to do. One truck needs to go to work Wednesday morning. Maybe a second truck too. First order of business was trying to get hold of drivers. I had two semi-retired drivers who seemed to fit the program. However, one of them finally "had" to do something else. Now he isn't an option. The other one, I called and left a message. I haven't heard back from him. I'll try to make contact again today. I had a call from one man who had worked with me in 2005 and very briefly in 2006. He is recovering from an injury (prior to our association) and is just cleared for light duty.

I've been taking mental inventory. When we returned from the jobsite, the vehicles that did the brunt of the work went into the shop. This was for several reasons. (1) You know what needs attention. (2) There is time to do it (everyone is suffering from jetlag after fourteen weeks of 24/7 and need time to decompress). (3) It is easier to sell the office to spend the money for repairs. At the time I put the trucks in the shop, we figured four to six weeks before other seasonal work would materialize. That was December 18. The trucks have not turned a tap since then. Thirteen weeks! Yikes! The only thing happening was in the office, year end and quarterly reports.

Now it appears things are going to break lose and we are going to have opportunity to work. Guess what. I have to go to the trucks to work on them! Actually it is only annual inspections. One is out, the other is in it's last month. This shouldn't be a problem. Maybe a light bulb or something small (I hope). Then it is some adjustments I want to do. Everything we do in the Fall is on the road. This work opportunity is short haul, off road. I want to do a few things that I hope will make it easier on the equipment. Of course, registration expires end of the month. Hopefully the vehicles can generate enough revenue in the last eleven days of the month to pay their registration. (About a $1000 per truck). Then a little creative money management and maybe things will even out before operating bills hit.

I'm excited. I am pumped. I am ready. I don't care if I have to drive one of the trucks myself. I'm tickled for the opportunity. In the interim it may be interesting to get everything done in and out of the office.

Krl has been a cleaning dervish. It is pretty remarkable to witness her recovery. I am thankful.

Pat had called yesterday. She had an appointment and some errands to do in Abilene. Initially she mentioned possibly getting together for lunch, but we decided to just go with it and not set time frame. She ended up getting to the house shortly before five. I don't know how she does it all. She has more irons in the fire than Carter has pills! Lately she has taken steps to slow down, and it is a start in the right direction. I am thrilled for the good fortune that has come their way, and I am hopeful it will allow her to make even more changes in her busy schedule.

We had a good visit. We laughed some. We have lots more to talk about. Krl and I both enjoyed her stopping by. We re-visited some of our growing up. She is accusing me of selective memory about some stuff. Of course anytime I could stay with Memaw and Gan Gan I did, so I missed some of the things that went on. I think after Gan Gan died I existed in a haze for quite some time. Then I was away at college, and after the fire at Mom and Dad's house it was never home again. It was somewhat comical to listen to Pat talk of my relationship with Memaw and Gan Gan. I was Gan Gan's favorite, I knew it, and I was entitled to all the perks that went with the title! Ha!

I sometimes have to tell myself what I tell Pat often. We can't indulge in the "what ifs" or "what might have been" or "what might be different". We make the best play with the situation we are presented with. I got tickled with her telling me that she and Chris have been visiting about parenting. Chris has had a lot of anger about his accident and his disability, but he is working through it. Neat thing is, Pat is working through it too. Chris has been giving her "letter" grades on different areas of parenting. That is interesting.

Me, I don't want letter grades, I'm just auditing this course.

Pat and I recently talked about Chris, the fire, his recovery, his disability, and the affect it had on their entire family.

Pat doesn't deserve a lot of what she has to deal with daily. But it is amazing how the big man upstairs has equipped each of us. She may have struggled at times, but she has coped. I am glad to see the spark she has displayed over the last year.

Part of my Monday was spent checking on belly dump trailers. The local outlet Fred had been using was out of trailers last time Fred talked with them. I ended up talking with a company in Amarillo. They have thirteen ready to go. All of them '00 and '01 models. Nothing that $331,487 wouldn't buy. I think maybe I will try to rent one or two. I ended up filling out a credit application for my employer, I'll be surprised if it is approved because that is the first one I have filled out, but with Krl recuperating, I have to grow up. I figure what will happen is I will rent or lease a trailer costing my employer $1250 for the first month, I will get the inspection costing my employer $60, I will fuel the truck costing my employer $250, I will send off the license registration costing my employer $1000. Then it will rain, the rig will sit, and the wet dirt and my name will have something in common. They'll both be "mud".

The rest of my day was spent e-mailing and calling different vendors regarding the equipment I had been researching. I'm still waiting for them to get back to me.

My last office project of the day was to change our home e-mail address. Let me rephrase that. Last project of the day was to TRY to change our home e-mail address. If you are reading this and you send me e-mail, please send it to both addresses. The new address is the same prefix as the old one, but @suddenlink.com . Please continue to carbon copy it to the prefix @cox.net . They sent out an e-mail saying that we had until the twenty-second of April to make the change. We knew it was coming as Suddenlink had purchased the local Cox franchise last year. They had one of those installation wizzards that was supposed to do all the changing. Even notifying all the people in the address book. As my luck goes, it froze up in the middle of the change. I backed it out and tried it again and it said it finished but a test e-mail didn't make it through. I went in to make some manual changes and it didn't get any better, or any worse for that matter. I guess I will have to call them tomorrow. Hopefully early on, before I go to Roscoe.

I'm watching a local station and they have a feature on this morning called B.O.B.S.. Breakfast on Beech Street. Five churches have a rotating schedule, they fix breakfast for anyone needing or wanting a good breakfast. As patrons leave they are given a sack lunch. I think I like that.

I guess I am getting that Street Lawyer/soup kitchen/pro-bono mentality again.

And it feels good!

I talked with Miss Ollie yesterday. She had been to her doctor and they re-did her temporary splint that she had taken off. She said she got a deluxe butt chewing. I said she deserved it! The doctor told her they could do this the hard way or the easy way. Now she isn't due to get her hard cast until the twenty-seventh. She still can't tell me if she is coming or not. I may get tired of this and withdraw the invite.

I had visited with Kali Sunday. I had received a liquidation sale flyer in the mail for a sister dealership to the one she works for in Angelo. She knew nothing about it. I hope that remains the same. I was concerned for her job security.

I visited with Rian briefly. I had a few questions for his catering brain. The general contractor for the wind farm going in at Roscoe is wanting someone who will go on site and sell breakfast items and sandwiches at lunch (barbecue, ham, bologna, hot dogs, whatever). Supposedly May 1 they are bringing in five hundred employees. They expect to have twenty-five trucks running locally and to be receiving forty loads from the plains every day. That's a lot of mouths to feed. Rian had some ideas.

I may have to go on e-bay and see if they have any roach coaches at auction. It's not a snow cone stand on the beach in Mexico but then where is the beach in West Texas. Hey, that's a thought. Drive a roach coach in the morning and at lunch, then cruise back by in the afternoon with an ice cream truck!

Give me your hungry, your famished, your sweet tooth!

I have rambled on til almost morning.

Go forth, and have a day. Ye shall call it Tuesday.

FATHER, thank YOU for an inspiring day yesterday. Renew and refresh us.

Best thing I can say about my NCAA men's bracket is my final four picks are still playing.

The problem is, I made a couple of early bracket blunders and they have far reaching consequences. It is kind of like mis-laying the very first brick, every brick laid after it is mis-layed as well. My first big mistake was Duke. I didn't have much faith in Butler or Xavier. I suppose yesterday's surprise was Wisconsin. I did pick Texas to make the Sweet Sixteen, but I didn't have a lot of confidence, so USC wasn't a big surprise. So I will lick my wounds.

In days gone by I could right my mistakes with a dab of "whiteout".

I caught a 60 Minutes segment last evening with Simon Cowell. I'm sorry, I don't like the man. I think he is arrogant and tactless. They asked him, "Can you sing?" "No", he replied. "Can you play an instrument" they asked. "Very poorly", he answered. In a round about way they asked him what business he had judging aspiring artists. His reply was he had a knack for selecting acts and artists that succeed. Excuse me, but I still don't like the man. The interview revealed that Simon is paid $38 million dollars a year on this side of the big pond. This income is from "Idol". He takes in approximately $30 million more from a similar show in England. He also has six show he is developing for the future. I don't know about you, but I think it pays pretty well to be a jerk!

Wonder what he would make if he was a nice guy?

Much to Krl's dismay, I offered to let Miss Ollie spend a few days with us. Krl agreed that Merrit must be miserable. We called to tell her and I laid out some guidelines. We may be gluttons for punishment. I'm not real tolerant of "stupid" decisions. It has taken me this far in life to hopefully have enough discipline to think things through and make an informed decision. Yesterday when we talked with Miss Ollie she told us she had taken her temporary splint off her leg. She said her stitches were itching and she was using a pencil to scratch them when the eraser came off the pencil. To retrieve the eraser she removed the wrapping on her splint and then she couldn't get it back on. She called her doctor and told him what she had done and he told her to come in to his office Monday. I don't blame him for not having her come in yesterday. They won't put her hard cast on until they get the stitches out. I think they should maybe put one of those large protective collars on her where she can't see or do harm to any other part of her body.

We jotted down a broad menu selection yesterday. I think we will give it a try. We have "A" meals, "B" meals, and "C" meals. Once we mark it off it isn't available again for the week. An "A" meal is a major production, a "B" would be spaghetti or homemade enchiladas or such while the "C's" might be burgers, hot dogs, sloppy joes, or grill cheeses. We're going to have to see how this works. I started a stew yesterday, and Krl finished it.

I guess a stew would be an "S". (Actually I would say stew is a "B").

What in the thunder am I doing up at this hour? I went a week without having any of my sleep episodes so I guess they were saving up for tonight. I still don't think my heart rate has settled down! And this all started prior to midnight!

It has been funny watching the houndgirls adjust to Krl's and my modified roles. She has always told me they communicate with her in their own way. I guess they are developing a language to tell me what is going on. Yesterday I turned to get out of my chair and three of four hounds were in the home office with me. Phooey is the toughest hound in the neighborhood. All eleven pounds of her. She will yip, yap, and bark with the best of them. Thing is she has the most irritating bark on the planet. I wish I could rent one of those collars that teaches them not to bark. If she gets a good fuss going, the other hounds will join in. Phooey could learn a lot from tree bark, it should be seen and not heard. I guess my sleep disorder is contagious because now when I get up, all the hounds get up too.

It sure is hard to travel with an entourage.

I have been researching some equipment. Sometimes it is a small world. One old acquaintance has what I am looking for in stock, new and used, while another old acquaintance is who I would prefer to deal with but he doesn't have the inventory. The latter would be most convenient for service, provided he can acquire the equipment in an acceptable time frame. Of course all this is contingent on customer approval.

I really need to do a road trip. I need to talk eyeball to eyeball with vendors and the customer.

I have run into a couple of interesting things. I found two 2005 year models of the same machine. One is listed as new, the other has eighteen hours and is listed as used. I guess my biggest question concerns warranty.

NASCAR is happening right now. AT & T filed suit Friday because NASCAR won't approve them changing the signage on the #31 Cingular Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton. Cingular is the "new AT & T". The series sponsor is Nextel and their agreement limits who can and can't sponsor cars in the series. Cingular was present before Nextel became the series sponsor as was Alltel and they were grandfathered "in". The fray was broadened this past weekend when the #7 showed up with Motorola signage. The signage had to be removed because Motorola is a cellular telephone manufacturer Nextel considers to be competition. By Sunday the Motoraola issue was settled as another Motorola product was on the car. We NASCAR fans may be simple but we all knew what the big "M" on the hood stood for. Funniest thing is when they come to Texas in a couple of weeks Sansung is the race sponsor, but that's O.K., at least according to NASCAR.

Me, next phone I buy will be another Motorola.

I saw an article saying that White House counsel was negotiating terms for high ranking cabinet member Karl Rove and former White House counsel Harriet Miers and others to testify before Congress. If suitable terms for the administration cannot be negotiated, the administration may assert executive privilege in preventing testimony.

I think if the latter occurs, we need to assert American citizen privilege and make them testify or prosecute the whole bunch. "W" included.

Have a day!

FATHER, keep us humble. Keep us focused. Keep us centered.

My tournament bracket looks like Christmas. A mix of red and green. Red is for wrong picks. Green is for right.

Best thing is, my final four picks are still playing.

There were some pretty good games yesterday. It is a shame someone has to lose.

I had a call from Miss Ollie. She is wanting me to pick her up Tuesday and bring her here until Sunday. Things aren't going well at her Mom's. Her Mom is trying to take care of Ollie, Addie and Doug. Ollie fell over a pair of Addie's play "high heels". When things with Doug and Ollie are good, they are strained at best. I'm hearing one side of the story but it would appear that they both are competing for attention. It must be a horrible place to be because any time we converse with Doug he has nothing good to say about Ollie. He despises her and she returns the feeling.

I don't think any of them are very happy campers, even in their own private worlds.

My dilemma is trying to decide what I can handle. I already have one patient, can I take on another one. Even for five days. Krl and I kind of have a routine where we can function, but even so, sometimes we have to give each other space. We both get frustrated.

I don't know if the situation here is going to be any better here if Ollie is wanting attention.

Next question is, if she is staying here until Sunday where is she going after that and who is picking her up?

Ollie and I have never seen eye to eye. She has always been her mother's daughter. I will never forget when she was about nine and didn't get her way at our house and got in trouble. She called her grandmother to come get her. She grabbed her bag and set it on the sidewalk in front of the house. I locked the door.

Hey, if you're going to bluff you had better be prepared to play the cards you hold.

I guess I need to become a Maytag man. Three days since we reported the dishwasher malfunction and we still have no appointment with the repair technician. About one more day and I'm going to the retailer and talk to them. It would appear they want to sell them but not service them.

Side note, the Maytag repairman's contract was not renewed. Maytag was purchased by Whirlpool and they want to go a different direction with their image. One of the people that auditioned for the new repairman was the Indianapolis Colts third team quarterback.

You're welcome.

I'm sitting here weighing all the pros and cons of Ollie coming to stay a few days. The girl doesn't like rules, and we have some no matter what age you are. I'm trying to decide what I can stretch on our menu and what would have to wait until our house population returned to normal. Then I have to rethink the surviving menu as to what is and is not on a diabetic diet. I may have to run back to the store and pick up a couple more frozen dinners.

As luck would have it I stocked up Friday when I went to the store, but I only bought in increments of two. We don't do frozen dinners often, but sometimes they are quick and easy. Like last night. Chicken pot pies!

I ran across a group of old saved e-mails yesterday. They were from the office. It was kind of interesting reading some of them. I told Krl that I must have lost a lot of confidence from then. Either that or it is a conditioned mentality.

I've been thinking a lot and a quote Rian repeated to me has been on my mind. It went something like this. "Failure is the result of selling out long term goals for short term gain."

Something to think about.

Have a day.

FATHER, don't let me bite off more than I can chew.

Several things are becoming very evident.

#1. We need to clean house at the white house. Let's have a national work day there and load 'em up and move 'em out! I get so tired of he said, she said and finger pointing. One thing for sure, "W" isn't going to take the blame. Maybe congress should begin proceedings to discipline him.

I'm for it! The fruit trees are blooming and all the fruits are coming out! My favorite? mmmmmmm M-peach "W"!

#2. God is not a March Madness Fan. I have been looking at my bracket and it has so many holes in it I don't know how it is able to stand. I was trying to figure out what my problem was when it came to me. With one exception, Xavier, any school with religious ties has been shown the door at the big dance. ORU, BYU, Holy Cross, and Notre Dame. Gone!

I suppose when I was making my picks I should have known better. I seem to always cheer for the underdog. I always have and always will. Add to this the possibility of a little divine intervention and picking religiously affiliated schools made sense. Besides, if GOD wasn't interested, I figured Oral Roberts could at least pull a rabbit out of their hat and make it to round 2. In the case of BYU, I figured their basketball players would, at the very least, be as persistent as their team of missionaries that knock on our door regularly. I really have no idea what happened to Holy Cross except that their opponent revealed "holes" in their team. But then we all have our "Holy Crosses" to bear, back to campus. As for Notre Dame, surely "Touchdown Jesus" has a cousin who was a basketballer.

But on the bright side, my final four picks are still playing.

#3. There is a reason I am not a gambler. I'm not good at it. Oh sure, I have made friendly wagers before. In fact most of my wagers have been with family or in-laws. I'm not one to pass up a dumb bet though. I would imagine Rian is still in trouble from our BCS wager a few years ago. Course it should make him feel better that when he sent my winnings ($100), Krl and I put more money with it and gave it to charity. One time I called a friend who called a friend to bet on Denver the year they won their first super bowl. I told the friend I wanted to bet $100 straight up (take them even, not the points spread) on the Broncos to win. From the outset, the Broncos were on their game, and by halftime, my friend called asking me why I bet who I bet, and to confess that he didn't think it would matter, (because he thought Denver would lose) but he had protected me from myself. He took the points on my wager and he took half the bet. What this meant was a hundred dollar bet would have paid off almost eight hundred dollars, straight up. With the points, a hundred dollar bet would pay a hundred. I got it in the end though because the Broncos won, but somewhere in the chain of hands, my payoff got bogged down and never made it to me.

To have been a winner I sure felt like a loser! I have often wondered if in fact the friend didn't take the points when he made my wager and the bet paid off the eight hundred. Maybe he can live with himself thinking I think he just stiffed me for half a hundred and that I am to dumb to know the difference. I know he could have sure used the money at that time. Every once in a while he will remember and tell me, "I still need to pay you your part of that bet". It won't happen.

Kind of like when I worked a week for him. One thing for sure, I'll never be broke because my balance sheet will always show two "accounts receivable".

The only thing I ever won was the draft lottery!

#4. It is almost that time of year. I have begun my search for ............. a catamaran. Nothing big. Fourteen or sixteen feet long. And I have a partner! Pat. I haven't told her yet. She may have to finance my part of the purchase and let me pay it out. I still think it is so strange that we had never talked about it until after I blogged about my coveting the small catamaran for sale down the street last summer, and yet she and I both think it would be extremely enjoyable and relaxing to learn to sail. In fact she agreed with me that if she ever goes on a cruise, a clipper cruise would be at the top of her list!

I have been picking up the American Classifieds and looking through the boats ads. When I am doing one of my equipment searches on the Internet or e-bay I may do a catamaran search as well. Be advised. Neither of us know how to sail. But that's O.K., we can learn. I figure Pat can read up on it and either highlite what is important to read or she can just tell me what to do. I don't want to be the Captain, this is convenient especially if she is the one that puts up the money.

Besides, the Captain goes down with the ship.

Call me Gilligan!

#5. I guess I am going through my developmental stages again. Apparently I am developing allergies. Yuk. Dust, grass, pollen. BIG SNEEZE! Again and again and again.

I will be soo glad when I'm grown up.

And #6. One for the weird. I often am amazed with the Internet. I have always said it is a Big Room! I often wonder how it can handle the vast amount of information going every which way and not mix and match it. At times I have even thought that my computer had been enslaved, sometimes not by nice people. The latest happening was a few days ago I posted on my blog and when I clicked on view it in another window, it came up with a comment. I've had comments before that were pretty lame, but this one made absolutely no sense. In fact it was in some other language! I think somehow it got stuck to my blog in the big Internet funnel, because it appeared immediately and all the confirmation filters are in place. I tried to cypher it through but found it was much easier to just delete it!

You are leaving the twilight zone. Keeps your hands and other body parts inside the enclosure.

Spring break is over.

Have a day!

FATHER, if not for YOU I'd be nothing.

I think someone stepped all over my toes at the big dance!

I had never played a bracket, but this year I thought it might be fun. Yesterday, just barely before they locked down the brackets, I made my picks in Yahoo's "chance to win a million"! Some of the picks were easy. I had already decided who I thought would win, so I could work that part of the bracket backwards. Other picks were guesses. Two or three were out of loyalty and on a whim. I found that the Raiders and Bob weren't loyal to me. What a pitifully played game. I don't know how many times the Red Raiders threw the ball away or dropped it and lost it. Butterfingers! I was really surprised that Bob didn't "cut loose" on them.
My biggest problem were the mid range picks. An eight seed playing a nine seed. For the biggest part of the day the higher seeds won, but that changed with Duke. For "Krying" (as in Coach "K") out loud.

One thing I learned. I should have put the bracket in Krl's name so people wouldn't know how poorly I picked. Ha! Just kidding. The East Region has dealt me the most misery and to compound things two teams I picked for opening round wins and also to win in the next round, lost. So instead of one wrong pick, it grew to two. I must not be the only one that had some surprises because my ranking has been cut in half since early in the day.

That might be my kind of contest. King of mediocrity. I don't think they have to worry about me winning the million. On the bright side, my final four are still alive!

Miss Ollie called and she is at home. She made more sense today than she has since her accident. She said she has a splint and a walker and is scheduled for a hard cast a week from today. She can't catch a break. She recently had replaced her car that was totaled out while parked in front of her house. She seemed to think she had gotten a pretty good little used car, but guess what. It is a manual transmission. And like Krl, Ollie's "clutch" foot is the broken one. The best news she has received is that her new job will try to find something she can do when she can return to work (which should be in twelve days). She said that the property owner is going to file on their homeowners insurance. I told her maybe she can get some lost wages and future transportation costs thrown in. She did say the doctor said ten weeks of no weight on her ankle. That puts her two weeks behind Krl's prognosis.

For some unknown reason our dish washer has malfunctioned. It is like a solenoid that opens the water valve is not working. You can start the cycle and it sounds like normal, but the longer it goes the worse it sounds. Trc had this dishwasher put in last year so I called her to find out who and where to call and she said she would handle it. I figured that would be best because all the paperwork and warranty is in her name. We waited the bigger part of the day for the technician who installed it to call us back. When he did call he told us to call another repairman. We told him that the store he is affiliated with gave us his number. It appears he likes the installations but not the repairs. We'll talk back to his boss tomorrow.

That's all I need. Another job. Chief dishwasher!

Kathryn Grace came over yesterday for a couple of hours. Her Mom was running some errands. Kat walked in the door with a couple of board games for Meme and her to play. (I told her to let Meme win because she doesn't feel well!) Before it was over she even helped me in the kitchen. She is a good potato washer! She thinks her Dandy is funny about how he wants baked potatoes wrapped. I asked her if she was a rapper and she said yes. I told her I wanted to hear some of that shizzle medizzle fizzle stuff. She gets really frustrated when she has to explain to her Dandy about words that sound the same but mean something different.

Good word from Addie's treatment. They have cleared her to go back to school Monday. That figures. Her entire spring break has been ruined by doctor visits or trips to the wound center.

Rian called today. They returned home yesterday. He said the boys were so glad to be home. For me that is always the best part of a trip. Getting home. He got a phone call from his big boss. The big boss asked him why he was answering his phone during spring break. Rian responded, "when your boss calls you're supposed to answer". Turns out one of Rian's students had been killed in a car accident. The administration was trying to get the word out and develop a strategy for dealing with it come Monday. With the campus being so small, they are going to have a couple of counselors there. I told Rian it was times like these I would be glad to be the assistant principal instead of the principal.

I kind of snookered two of my houndgirls. Maple had crawled under the covers and always has to be laying against me. Black Dog had hopped up on the bed. When I got out of bed I had maneuvered the two dogs where they are laying against each other. Boy are they going to be mad when they wake up and I'm gone. Heh!

Well, "W" and his administration continue to spin out of control. Gonzales is headed to the hill to explain the firing of attorneys and it is no surprise that Mr. Rove is back in the news again. Gonzales was the administrations chief counsel on lots of the controversial Guantanamo prison policies and procedures for interrogation. I guess he was so out of control "W" promoted him to AG. A man after his own heart.

Make it a good day!

FATHER, YOU are my GOD.

Lots to tell about today!

I received a call early yesterday. I had dozed back off after I had woken up shortly after midnight. It was Miss Ollie. She said she had slipped and fell Tuesday night when she was walking up their driveway. It seems there was some grease or oil on the drive and the rain made it extremely slick. Turns out she broke her ankle in three places. When she called, they were getting ready to take her into surgery. We didn't hear from her and she had said she would call, so finally we called back on the caller ID number she had called on. Her mom answered and gave the phone to Ollie and she said she had just returned to her room and was in a great deal of pain. She said she has a plate, some screws, and some rods in her ankle, all optional equipment! I'm betting she is looking at a recovery time as long or longer than Krl's. I'm also hoping before they added additional screws, they tightened the loose ones. Ha!

Me, I'm going to hide in a closet until all this is over! I don't want a broken leg or ankle.

Add to this, Addie is having some health issues. It seems she fell from her scooter and cut and scraped her knee, not it seems she has developed a MRSA which I believe means it is some sort of resistant staff infection.

Better keep her and Ollie apart. That is all Ollie would need.

While I am talking about casualties, I'll report on Krl. Her leg throbbed all yesterday. It reminds me of several weeks back. I am hoping if she takes it easy, her leg will ease up. Thing is when she hurts, she is short and irritable. It seems I can't ask her anything without her snapping at me or "rolling" to where I am at to show me! Sometimes I think she tries to roll over my toes.

Yesterday, was a cleaning day. I began with the plantation blinds. They sure are pretty, but they are a pain to clean. I had some sort of small swifter with a duster cover that I would insert between the slats and clean the bottom of one and the top of another. Four sections to each window blind. I didn't clean all of them in the house, but I cleaned the ones that were bothering Krl the most. Then I ran the swifter, followed by the dust mop. I cheated today by spraying the dust mop with pledge. It sure seems to do a good job. It would attract and hold any dust and the floor had a clean sheen and that squeak when you walk on it. Next came the bath rooms. I hate cleaning these. The terrible "T's". Tubs, tile and toilets! Krl has a rule, when you clean, you move everything. And I did. I washed down the tub and tile and sprinkled Comet generously before setting about scrubbing it in. Then I let it set, figuring the bleach in it would continue to work.. Then I went to work on the toilet. I was using bits and pieces of almost "out" bottles of toilet bowl cleaner, and I was wielding a brand new toilet brush! It helps to be working with good equipment and good supplies. When I finished in Krl's bath I headed for mine, repeated the process and then went back to Krl's to rinse it down and then competed the process in mine. Krl was laughing at me because I can't do something without getting all over me. When I looked I either had Comet powder or comet paste all over my jogs and shirt.

I am seriously considering putting one of those Candoo porta-potties off the back porch. I told Krl if we do this and shower at the truck stop I won't have to clean the bathrooms! Ha!

She told me I should know what she does all day long.

I do, but I think I may have to develop a better plan, maybe do a little every day and not have a concentrated cleaning day. Her bath one day. Mine the next. Section the house off for mopping. I'm working on a better plan. I'm going to try to catch an old version of "Tool Time" and see if maybe Tim had a souped up housecleaning machine, maybe a converted lawn mower.

AAaaaarrrrghhh! Arr! Arr!

A couple of days ago I was letting the houndgirls in when I noticed a lot of activity in a neighbor's back yard just north and across the back fence. There were three squirrels, playing in a tree. It appeared to be something like hot potato, but instead of catching a ball and throwing it quickly, it was like hot branch. If someone got on your branch you had to get off. Immediately! Two of the squirrels were grown but one was tiny. I have never seen so much flip flopping and jumping! What the little fella lacked in experience, his size made up for. It was a lot like Circus Ole'! It seemed to go on for a very long time!

Our next door neighbor is pretty neat. For years he had a "bat house", but never attracted any tenants. Finally he took it down. He was very disappointed he couldn't attract a bat because he says downtown they are becoming a problem. That sure surprised me. In place of the bat house he erected an eighteen unit bird house. It is pretty spiff. Front porches, perches and all! There are also two independent units on the way up the tall post. I think one may belong to the manager and the other may be the rental office. I don't know for sure. A squirrel has decided to live in the "penthouse". It is pretty hilarious. He (or she) will sit with their tail hanging off the porch. Worst part is they aren't a good neighbor. No one wants to live near them. I am wondering when the neighbor realizes he has a squatter if her will evict them. For the mean time, it is entertaining.

If I do get that porta-pottie, I'm going to ask for one with a window!

Who says there isn't a perfect world.

I had a call from Fred yesterday and he had been checking on a bid he had placed for some work. I had hoped to be able to help on it. It was another of those cup half full or cup half empty situations. He had bid two phases of the project and learned he did not win the bid on the first phase but did win the second phase. In reality, the second phase is probably the better of the two. Worst part is, it doesn't begin for another six weeks. Another question is whether or not he will need the extra help when it is time. I've been "six weeks-ed" til I'm tired of it.

Which adds to my dilemma. What work to pursue where! I may have to go on a fact finding trip just to settle my mind. It doesn't help that a former associate is incommunicado. I had brokered a deal for him to sell out because the working relationship had become strained. All the terms have been met, and he isn't available to complete the transition. I had told Krl and Trc that tomorrow is decision day. I'm campaigning, if he hasn't complied, for Trc to quit pursuing this and just form a new company. Worst thing is, until I can line up some work for the new company, Krl and I will be unemployed.

I talked with Pat yesterday. She was in Lubbock with Pepa and Memama
to get Pepa's lab work done. Pat said Pepa is like a caged lion. He doesn't like being relegated to riding in the back seat, but after the pace maker procedure, he isn't supposed to drive for ten days or two weeks. His procedure is scheduled for two weeks from yesterday in Lubbock. I feel sure that he is having some anxiousness/anxiety about this and will be glad when it is behind him. (No pun intended.)

I'm having a difficult time lately. The work situation, Krl's recovery, $$$$. I think I need to do something "busy" to occupy my pea brain. Hey, it cheaper than therapy.

Krl requested baked barbecue chicken last night, complete with broccoli and cheese, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, baked beans and biscuits! I told her after my two meal experiments that weren't near what we thought they would be, she was wanting a "lock". I can do that barbecue chicken meal in my sleep with one arm tied behind my back with my apron!

I just need to plan one more meal this week (tonight) and I should get Friday night off from cooking. I'm hoping. (If not, I may have to spray paint graffiti on my pristine bathrooms.)

Get out those dancing shoes! The big dance begins today! Can you say "Heya, Hoyas?" Remember you heard it first here.

I'm going to be cheering for Bobby and the Red Raiders today. They play the screamin' eagles at 12:25 pm. et.

Last night Krl had gone to sleep early so I retreated to the home office to watch a little telly. I watched some of the NIT and then most of the Maverick-Suns game. I don't watch basketball during the year, but I do this time of year. It's like I don't watch NFL games, I prefer college.

Well, if you're on spring break, guess what, it is almost over!

Have a day!

FATHER, help me to let YOU work YOUR plan for me.

Just to get it in the record prior to, instead of being accused of after the fact.

Georgetown. Oregon. Texas A& M (Aggies). Kansas.

Hoyas take it all.

I like Roy Williams and N.C. but you can't let sentiment get in the way of a wild ass guess! I just can't bring myself to cheer for, or pick the "gators".

I have been watching ESPN again and they have been showing "highlites". If you are seven feet tall where is the challenge in dunking the ball. Even if you are six-six. Now if you're five-six, I can see the thrill! It will tell my age, but I can remember when dunking was against the rules!

If I wasn't accustomed to the remote jobsite, yesterday would have been frustrating. I went to help K.O. put a water heater in his travel trailer at his place, twenty miles from Abilene, six miles from Anson. As luck would have it when we removed the old heater, a tapered o-ring tore. The o-ring is almost like a packing that seals the quest fittings where they attach to standard pipe. K.O. decided to take a chance and we went to Anson to the hardware store. They carried quest plumbing supplies but didn't have what we needed as such. K.O. went through a box of packing o-rings and we selected two that we thought would work. They did, but what could have been a quick job took an extra hour.

We talked about a work opportunity that I have been considering for several months. It is too big for my employer and to big for him. In fact, combine the two operations and it wouldn't work. I was talking with him and he told me he could dedicate three to five trucks. When I got back to the office I called to visit with Fred to see if he might be interested in a joint venture. I don't really want to invest two days and nine hundred miles in pursuing a job if I can't round up enough equipment to do it. Twenty-five is the total number needed for the job, but my sources tell me the GM would split it into two, possibly three different groups.

I'm also planning on making one other contact, but it is further South.

I tell you what, that paper route and snow cone stand South of the Border is looking better all the time!

Speaking of Border, I'm about ready to go to On the Border for Borderitas and one of their appetizer sampler trays! I don't really care for their entrees but I like their drinks and fingerfood. Shoot, I might even get some guacamole live! I wish we had one in town, but I understand their reluctance with Abilene's glut of Mexican food restaurants. I suppose the closest OtB is either Weatherford or Midland.

We were presented with a personal business opportunity yesterday. Krl and I both think it would work, it would require some workers who were above average. Best part of the deal would be that it might fit with the seasonal work we already have. We might just be seasonal workers.

Yesterday I whipped in to the local convenience store that I frequent. It is the closest one to the house. It is also included in the Skinny's/7-11 buyout. There wasn't much traffic and the clerk and I were visiting about the buy out and when 7-11 is supposed to take over. She told me the target is the end of this quarter which isn't that far away. I'm surprised all the licenses can be obtained that quickly. She said March 23 they will know their fate. Supposedly there are thirty-two stores located in leased buildings and all thirty-two will be closed. I can't really figure that one out because Mr. Davis was a good enough businessman that he wouldn't keep a store open if it didn't pull it's weight. Fact is, I was betting the old Skinny's on Judge Ely would re-open because of the areas growth and its proximity to the new middle school.

It will be interesting to watch. Of course my favorite all time convenience store is Circle K. I don't know if they even exist any more.

Along that line, today marks twenty years that I met Krl! Other today notes would include Dr. McLeod's birthday, as well as my kids mother's birthday.

I called to check on Pepa. He said he was doing pretty well. Just a little sore. I know his pacemaker was working because it was causing interference on the cordless phone. He is due in Lubbock for blood work today. Two weeks from today he has his procedure.

I have been experimenting in the kitchen. So far my two major experiments haven't made it into our cookbook. Last weeks made it to the trash can and last nights, we ate, although it isn't one for keeping.

Well, lots of words and I didn't say much.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for opportunities. Help me to make good choices.

Whew! It seemed like all day I was waiting to exhale. By the end of the day I could almost rival the big bad wolf.

.........and I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll .......................!

My Monday was exceptionally long. Up shortly after midnight, at the hospital at twenty to six, back to the house by ten-fifteen, to the doctor's office by ten forty-five, back to the house by noon, left again by three to run errands, finally home for the day shortly after six. My bed beckoned, but I held out until after nine-thirty.

Pepa's procedure was short and sweet. Batteries only, hold the new pacemaker! Doc Blackwood came and gave us the report, and told us Pepa could go home after noon. The nurses had told us that after the procedure Pepa would go to recovery for an hour and then to a bed on the floor so they could monitor his pacemaker, and then home. Once we had something to report we began calling people who wanted reports. I took great joy in telling other siblings they were the only one that didn't show up! Of course Pat and I were the only ones there, but what they don't know will only make them feel guilty! Heh, heh!

I may go look for some extra-large pink footie pajamas, some pink rabbit ears and a drum for Pepa. If he got new batteries he could be the "energizer bunny"!

Memama, Pat and I had sat and visited (when they weren't moving us from room to room. I think we waited in three different areas). By the way, Pat was an hour and ten minutes LATE! There is just something wrong with a woman that is soo smart having problems setting a clock. Spring forward. Fall back. (I may check into a tattoo for her reminding her of this. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD!) Actually there was no reason for her to have to be there that early. When she made it, it was in sufficient time.

I really enjoyed visiting with Pat and Memama. It seems there are lots of things that need to be talked about. Pat and Hag were going to come over to our house and then Krl broke her leg. Now they are scared to stop by, they might get to clean, do dishes, laundry or something. Ha! Now a month has gone by and it seems like the list just keeps growing! So yesterday we just high-lited a lot of things that are up for discussion.

About ten to ten, I left the heart center to go home and get Krl. Her doctor's appointment was at ten forty-five. I had given her a call about nine-thirty to be sure she got up. When I walked in the door she almost ready! I grabbed a few things and got her wheelchair and we were out the door! I haven't quite figured it out but I can drive back from the hospital in twelve minutes but to the same area is at least twenty minutes, and I drive HARD! I guess I am serious warped, but when I got Krl to the door of the doctor's office I cleaned and dried the wheelchair wheels before we go on the entry rug. (I had grabbed a couple of cup towels before leaving the house.) Once I had her in the elevator I ran back to park the pickup. By the time I made it upstairs, she had registered and parked. I sat down and looked at the time. EXACTLY ten forty-five. Yes! When you're good you're good and when you are lucky you're lucky. Sometimes I am lucky, but I'm never good! Heh!

We didn't wait long and they took us back and put us through the regular routine. Examine room, wait. X-ray room, wait. Back to examine room, wait. Examination, pay money! The doctor was in the middle of his exam when my cell phone toned. It was Pat. She had just put Pepa in the car and Memama and him were on their way home. It was eleven twenty-six. I don't know if Pepa was that quick a healer or if he was just so cranky they graduated him early! Hah!

The doctor is becoming more personable. At least he didn't seem rushed yesterday. He compared ALL the x-rays, and to his trained eye he says he can see the bones mending This may be the glass half full or the half empty deal because I could still see the break. The doctor went through the regular spiel, can you move your toes, the color is good. Your toes are still cold, come back in two weeks, give money as you exit!

I have been seeing the insurance benefits "paid" papers as they come to the house. Yesterday I was watching the girl at the desk doing her paperwork. The doctor is a contract provider for our insurance company. We pay the co-pay (Wow do those add up!) and insurance discounts his charges 41%. So the doctor ends up with about three-quarters of his initial charges. Of course I am sure he get FULL compensation for his x-rays, casts, and other accessories. I figure the big plus is he gets his reduced rate quickly without a hassle.

I gave my patient opportunity to stop in for a bite to eat, but she said she wanted to go home and eat left over roast. I got her home, got the food in the oven, tended to the hounds, and waited. After about an hour, we feasted. Then I waited again.

I'm not a good waiter. I would rather get it over with and done! But, I do wait better at home than sitting in an office or pharmacy waiting area. Krl had meds for me to pickup and lately it seems like they are either really busy or really slow. Could be both. Could be I'm really fast. Yep! Could be I'm really good and they're really bad. Probably!

Finally I slipped my shoes on and gathered necessary items. I developed a plan. I was going to pay a utility, then back to the hospital to check on Ed, my friend, the contractor from the seasonal work, then back by the pharmacy.

I asked the utility why we get two bills from them. They asked if I wanted one bill? Hello. Yes. I wonder what portion of their service they would terminate if I had only paid one of the bills? Crazy thing is, they come at different time and have different due dates. So I am current, I have made my request for one bill and now we will see.

When I got back to the hospital, I had no problem finding where I was going. (I didn't have Pat punching the elevator buttons or leading me around!) When I entered Ed's room he was getting a new needle in his arm so they could relocate his IV. His other one had "blown" out. I was probably a good diversion. I think the nurse doing the needle might have aspirations to be a tattoo technician, she sure stuck him enough. Ed was doing good. I enjoyed seeing him, Pearl and their son Greg. Actually I stayed longer than I intended. They are already looking down the road a day or two to sending him to a rehab facility. So that is good.

On my way home I went by the pharmacy and waited, but only briefly. Then I made the final leg of my journey so I could get my apron on and begin supper.

I am running out of meal ideas. But that may just mean I can start over again. Who would've thought the peanut butter recall would affect my menu like this!

I am supposed to go and help K.O. install a water heater in his travel trailer today. He and D.O. are going to the lake later this week. I told him to be prepared. Replacement water heaters for an RV are two to three time more expensive than one for the house. Last one I bought was over six hundred dollars.

I'm tempted to tell K..O. that it is still too early to go to the lake, the water hasn't warmed up yet so they can get colds from swimming in the lake or from taking cold showers but I don't think they can get a double cold. In America they don't believe in double jeopardy.

The "General" was observing from her post, that the house needs some attention. Dang! I'm going to have to take out more light bulbs. I knew it was coming and I am prepared. I have a new mop, the swifter is charged and the dust mop head has been washed. Now I've got to work this into my schedule. I also need to gather laundry.

I have a confession to make. Since I have become the primary "cleaner" in our house I have become "cleaner". Before I act, I assess how much mess something is going to make. I find myself minimizing pots and pans and counting how many dog feet I have toweled off. But I haven't gone so far as to use Chris' seven side laundry rule. (Right side out, wrong side out, inside, outside, front side, back side, and I never can remember his last one).

I may need some counseling.

Well, if I haven't scared you back under the covers, have a day!

FATHER, I need a lot of work, but with YOUR help I'll make it!

Woo hoo!

Now that was a day! Lots of excellent basketball, one of my favorite racing teams won in Vegas and it rained!

Worst part of it was that it was a short night, but we'll get to that.

There is a hornet's nest abuzz with the list of "uninvited" to the big dance in the NCAA. They keep talking about a football playoff like they have in basketball. I say bunk! As long as "at large invites" are involved, the system is going to be flawed. The "committee" may think they are superior to the BCS but I think they may be the same people, just in different disguises!

I have never heard so many lame excuses for why this team was excluded and another included. If my mind was a vacuum, ESPN might convince me. But it isn't and they didn't. All the talk about late season falters, late season runs, strength of schedule. What does it all mean? Not much.

I thought that the polls took into account the schedule strength. To hear the analyst talk it sounds like schedule comes into the mix twice.

Why not develop a hard formula, giving the automatics bids to the conference tournament champions and then simply fill the remainder of the field with the "next" highest nationally ranked team. As it is, lots of teams tank during the season figuring that a late season splurge will get them in the dance. Put that apple out there and let them chase it, but don't change it to a lemon.

The NIT should be good this year.

Lots of belly aching about the "new" race track in Vegas. Thing is, everyone competing had to race on it. Some just did it better. Eat your heart out Tony Stewart. Good job by the 48 and 24 teams. I'm going to have to stop and check on where Jr. ended up. (I just saw a finishing order, Jr. was 11th after making a rookie mistake).

I look for NASCAR to give Toyota a little help. They have been so obsessed with Toyota's entry into the sport and how other manufacturer's were running scared that I think NASCAR has stacked the deck against Toyota. By now Dodge would have gotten some sort of aerodynamic concessions. Of course NASCAR may figure that the COT will level the playing field.

Me, I like to watch Mikey race on Sunday. All I got to see of Mikey Sunday was a couple of NAPA ads and a tape of his qualifying spin that kept him from making the race.

What a blessing the rain has been! My new favorite weather man has been "right on". I talked to points west yesterday late and they were saying between one and two inches! Thanks we needed that! Of course I would like to take some of the credit. I had watered very early Sunday morning (read shortly after midnight, the lawn computer came on). Once it began to rain I turned the lawn computer off. I'm kicking myself this morning because I didn't "catch" any rain water for Krl's inside plants. Oh well. (What is that makes rain water so much better than water from the faucet?)

Now to what I am doing awake at this hour! I'm not going fishing. Pepa's batteries have gone bad in his pacemaker. They were supposed to be good for ten years, his lasted twelve. He is supposed to be at the ambulatory center this morning at 6. If they can just replace the batteries he will be out later today, if they have to replace the pacemaker he will have to stay over night. I talked with Pat last night and it sounded like he was having a little anxiety attack about the procedure. He and Memama were talking about coming on to Abilene and getting a motel room. Pat asked them if they needed her to accompany them last evening (she had company) but they told her no. She did tell Pepa to take another diuretic pill and if he continued to be short of breath to call the cardiologist or go to the ER. She said she didn't believe it was anything but fluid build up. A diuretic Iv would be a quick fix.

So I'm fixing to get my day started. I'm fixing to go get a bath, shave, get dressed, I may even eat a bite before leaving the house. I will meet Memama, Pepa and Pat (she is driving over this morning) and be with them during the procedure. I told Pepa I would be available should the doctor need help. At some point I will probably go up stairs to check on Ed, the contractor from the fall jobsite. I talked with his wife Saturday but I haven't talked with him since he had knee replacement Friday. Then I will run back to the house to pick up Krl for her doctor appointment.

I had purchased a roast Friday when I was in the grocery store. I enjoy a good meat market and I prefer an old fashion butcher shop. Recently, the butcher block at the store I frequent began cutting their own roasts. I don't know if they just use a higher grade of beef or what, but I bought a gorgeous chuck roast. Krl put it in the oven and later in the day I added carrots and "red new potatoes". That was without a doubt the best roast we have ever fixed. Yum! Best part was we had left overs, and everyone knows how I feel about left overs. Once less meal to cook. I may be able to get two out of these left overs.

I am finding myself in the middle of a situation. I didn't ask to be placed here, it just happened. Now I have even been accused of enjoying it. Not hardly.

Well, if you are fortunate enough to be on spring break, enjoy. For the rest of us, have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR blessing of rain. I pray for a successful procedure for Pepa and continued healing for Krl and Ed. Shout hallelujah!

We got to see the little men yesterday. Initially we were going to meet for breakfast, instead we met for an early lunch. Rian said they got to Memama and Pepa's late and neither boy was in a very good mood. When he called Saturday morning he said the boys were laid back, Reid was laying in bed (his Dad use to do this) Rollie Pollie was ready for breakfast and Memama and Pepa were enjoying having them there. Rian said when they were leaving is took them some time because Memama and Pepa weren't ready for them to leave. I think Rian is going to have to plan a visit where they come and stay for a couple of days and not just use a stop there for a jump on another destination. I think Memama and Pepa would enjoy it. Rian was telling me with the job he has taken with their church he is only allowed to be away on weekends three times a year. He is taking one this weekend.

Krl decided she was up to getting out. This was the first time she has gotten out for anything other than doctor's appointments and yesterday marked a month since her first splint was put on at the ER. Tomorrow will be a month since her hard cast. One down, two more months to go! Rah! Rah!

I brought Krl her makeup and she got ready. By the time I came out of our bedroom she was waiting. We got to choose where to meet and we had decided on Golden Corral, even though it would be a problem for Krl. The way we worked it, I just pushed her in her chair and she would pick what she wanted.

Rian and Holt came out to meet us. We used the parking permit and Rian helped get Krl's chair out while I held Holt. Once Krl was in her chair she took the little man and they rode inside. Once we there, Reid and his Mom met us in line and Reid ended up riding with Meme and Holt! Reid is a good boy! Much better than his Daddy deserves. He behaved very well. Holt is spoiled rotten. You can tell he is use to having his mom around all the time because he is a momma's boy! Reid got comfortable and ended up sitting in my lap beside Krl while he finished eating. He made a couple of trips to the buffet with his Dad and Dandy and he is very good about holding your hand and staying with you. Shoot, if that had been his Dad he would have been out the door and at the mall. We had a pretty good meal and a pretty good visit. This was one of the first times in a long time we didn't feel like we were a timed event when we see them. Krl and I were talking about when the last time we had seen the boys was. For Krl it was at the Brownwood reunion, for me it was Reid's birthday when I was in Lubbock. In fact, that was the last time I had been in Lubbock. Lubbock just isn't in our regular loop, never has been, never will. It seems that anytime I'm there it is a quick in and out and is usually business related.

So we are two for two. Last weekend we got to see Addie, this weekend we got to see the two boys. Maybe this is a streak and next weekend we can see Trc's three girls.

Krl and I were talking about how lucky the boys parents are that Reid behaves so well, because if he was as demanding as Holt they would have their hands full. Of course it will get better as he gets older.

Reid needed a little coaching with his drumstick but you know how city-slickers are! He is a good little eater. Holt was happy with bread or a fry and was extremely happy when his mother fed him some chocolate. She asked Reid if he wanted some chocolate and he refused. They said he doesn't like chocolate and doesn't like soft drinks. Lemonade is his favorite! His Dandy likes lemonade too, but Dandy likes chocolate and soft drinks!

It was good to see them.

Once we returned home Krl hit the couch to get her foot elevated. Nothing makes it hurt like it does after extended periods hanging down. By late yesterday it still hadn't let up.

My afternoon project was replacing the lawn computer. The physical swap was easy. I still don't know if I have it programed the way I want it or not. I will know more later. I know it did come on during the night. It just seemed like it ran longer than it was supposed to.

Final project was putting out some herbicide. I have never had very good luck with some of these designer products, but a guy in the know told me what to get and when to put it out. This past week I have applied fertilizer with broadleaf herbicide and crab grass control. I'll have to see it work to believe it.

After the debacle we had a year ago with the lady who was watching our house when we were away, we are still playing catch up with our back yard. We had sent money to have the yard tended to twice and she didn't do it either time, by the time Trc took over it needed serious attention and she hired a lawn service. I won't forget Krl telling me how shocked the lawn service was when they crashed into the gate with their riding mower to open the gate and access the back yard and she was sitting on the back porch. They were supposed to be catching the grass and they were mulching. I had to replace sixteen fence palings on the gate. We heard the owner of the lawn service wanted the job back after Krl threw his hooligans off the property, but he never wanted it bad enough to come and talk to us. This past year when we were gone, we used the same lawn man our neighbor uses. In fact Jordan said we may even have a credit with him.

Daylight saving time. Yuk. I wish they would just leave it one way or the other.

Have a day!

FATHER, bless this day.

Pre-mature end of the fairy tale run.

The BearKat boys fell in the opening round of the State basketball tournament last night. If they had won they would have faced Nazareth which also fielded the team that beat the BearKat girls last weekend for the Class A Division II title. I wonder how often that has happened, the same two schools playing for both boys and girls titles in the same year. The BearKat boys lost by seventeen. Not the way they wanted to end it but still a good season for the Kats!

From the penthouse to the outhouse!

Dominic Rhodes agreed to a contract with the Oakland Raiders. From the Super Bowl Champions to the league cellar dweller. Seven million dollars, two years. That's some pretty serious money, especially for someone who's career numbers might be suspect. No doubt Dominic can play the supporting role but is questionable in the lead role. My biggest concern is his recent trouble in Indianapolis. I was concerned the Colts might not pursue him because the Colts seem to have a higher standard of expectations on and off the field. I'm afraid the outlaw image of the Raiders could project that indiscretions are the norm and overlooked. Sure hope the Black and Silver dump Moss. Dom don't need no encouragement!

Sometimes there are more important things than money.

I suppose the Colts may be following all the other teams that have enjoyed success. Their front office is going to have to be smart to avoid the down spiral following the Championship.

I am 0 for 6. Yesterday I left the house in search of just a few items, but with one item high on my list. Six stops, six stores and no item. The best thing we have found for quick cleaning in the house is a dust mop. You can make a quick pass and have a visual impact on the tile floors in the house. I had wanted a smaller commercial version, Trc got us a larger domestic version. After the mud debacle Thursday, I told Krl that we needed two heads for the mop. When one was dirty and needed washing, the other could be put in use. I figured fifteen minutes to and from the store and four or five dollars later I'd be ready to clean again. Wrong. I found replacement heads for virtually every other kind of floor, but it appears they want to sell the complete dust mop like ours. I did find that for less money I can buy a smaller commercial mop. Sure the bright yellow and green handle and frame with the shaggy yellow mop is cute, but I think I'll settle for a drab brown wooden handle with blase white fringe mop head.

O-Cedar you made my day a pain!

I have been on the computer a lot the past few days. I have been trying to locate a piece of equipment for a customer and also trying to find some parts for my employer. At this time I have tagged or made nineteen inquiries. The customer is always looking for a sows ear to make into a silk purse. They are ultra conservative when it comes to cash outlay. Their current directors are better than past, but they have a history of "under buying" and then hoping to make it stretch. Me, I like a comfort zone. If you "over buy", it might mean longer and trouble free. Some of my tags have been in the upper North East, but I feel the better matches abound on the West coast. If money were no object, the best buy is probably located "in" state, but that would mean there was a plus or minus of fifty thousand dollars!

Thing is, this isn't what I would recommend. But that is what they have requested. I think in order to save ten thousand dollars they have lowered the bar, but added another link in the chain. It probably doesn't mean anything to them, especially if they aren't the one having to deal with the extra step. If I am working for the contractor having to do the extra step I do have a problem.

My whole-hearted recommendation is for them to extend the contractor's contract with the add-on changes and let the contractor own the equipment they feel is required. It probably doesn't help that I know the customer is working with about a two dollar twenty-five cent per ton positive margin on their freight allowance. This means they make money every time a load leaves which would total over a quarter million dollars over the last three years.

Seems to me with a money maker like that you can afford to spend some money. Isn't it funny this margin doesn't even include any product margin?

The parts search went much better, of course I get to determine the parameters for this search. I have established a pretty good contact who deals in salvage and parting equipment out. Recently, I needed one piece that the manufacturer priced at $999, I bought used for about a third and it came "to specs" and was washed and bead blasted. That included freighting it in here! Yesterday I spoke with him and he priced the needed parts at less than one third of new. Hey, EBay can't touch that!

My motto has always been "they don't pay for pretty". Second verse is, "I don't want to either!"

Reid and Holt are supposed to be coming through town this morning. If it works out we are going to meet them for breakfast. They are going to Possum Kingdom for a few days during spring break. I'm going to have to see if Krl is up to going with me.

Well, have a day!

FATHER, this is your day.