What a week!

It seemed like every day I was having to make a deal with myself and trade off something I was supposed to do for something I needed to do.

The guy who works the opposite schedule of mine had some things to do and didn't come in until Thursday just before noon, so I got to put in some extra time. In fact I was looking at employee hours for the week and he had thirteen and three quarters hours for the week. Crazy thing was he wasn't the worst of the lot. There was a high school boy who worked less than two hours for the week. To be totally honest I would have to say that I doubt that the little time he did show up he did not work. This is the same person who would clock in and then go in the office to eat a snack. If you gave him a list of things to do he would pout. If he was pushing a dust mop he would be through in record time because he doesn't move anything. He told a co-worker that no-one was going to boss him. The co-worker told him either he was going to have lots of jobs or he was going to have very few. He has applied at Tractor Supply. Chris and I have visited a little about what might transpire if they call for a reference. I think we are both hopeful this doesn't happen.

Friday was a looong day. I swear it seemed as though time stood still or ran backwards. I finally left the store shortly after five. Very little traffic throughout the day. The wind generator people were very busy, farmers were in the field, and if you weren't where you were supposed to be you were probably at the regional qualifier's track meet at the school.

I got to see first hand some modern technology. Pat and Hag had a water leak under the foundation of their house. They called a company from Abilene who advertises being able to do pipe repair inside your existing pipes. Non-invasive. Trenchless. This past Monday the plumbing company began. They said it would take at least four days and the water would be cut off for the duration. It ended up taking them five days. Somehow they run a test and locate leaks (which they said Pat and Hag had more than one), then they clean and sandblast the inside of the pipes. Once it is dried they pump an epoxy looking liquid through the plumbing system. I could not believe the hoses they had strewn through the house.

Best part is, LIFE TIME warranty!

I spent Saturday doing odds and ends here at the house. I have had a new fan motor for our attic fan, but things had not worked out for me to install it and if they did, I wasn't in the mood for climbing in the attic and melting down. Yesterday I decided it had to be done. This is one of those horrible jobs where it is hot and the attic fan unit is located in an area that is too tall to stand and work on yet too low to sit and access it. You end up on your knees, stretching to reach everything. It was a welcome feeling when I adjusted the thermostat and the fan came on and began moving the hot air in the attic! As I began gathering tools and positioning them for my exit I found that my legs didn't want to cooperate. They had been bent for such an extended period that they didn't want to straighten out.

Once I got down from the attic I immediately began replacing the fan motor on my pickup. It had been an interesting week because at the very first I needed a defroster to keep the condensation off the windows and later on I needed the air conditioner.

O.K., my tasks were of necessity!

Yesterday afternoon we went to Kathryn's softball game. We hadn't been to one in several weeks. This is some sort of progressive league. In the beginning of the season a coach from the team at bat would pitch. Friday night this all began to change. The pitcher pitches and if they throw four balls, a coach from the team batting comes in to throw two pitches. Theoretically a pitcher could throw four balls and two strikes before the coach took over. The kicker is if you have four balls and no strikes you have two opportunities to hit the ball or you are out! Seems odd that you could stike out with two strikes.

It was an experience. There was a little spice too because one of the coaches from the other team and one from Kathryn's team got in to it between innings and the umpire tossed them both! Talk about a quick trigger! The expelled coaches had to leave the dug out and the stands. Their closest refuge allowed was the parking lot.

One pleasant surprise was seeing Michelle and Katherine Boyland. They came walking by during the game. Michelle and Kurt, her husband used to be in our Sunday School class. I can't believe how Katherine has grown.

Our Kathryn has been doing better and better in her softball games. Trc said she is really making good contact with the ball. It seems her biggest problem is to not sling the bat after she gets a hit. Friday night she hit one all the way to the fence, but got called out for slinging the bat!

After the ball game Krl and I went to the grocery store, then back home. Just in time for NASCAR. We opted for TV dinners. Krl and the hounds went to bed and I was watching the race and fell asleep. I woke up just in time to watch the finish. Way to go Jeff! Go 24!

I would be remiss if I didn't make note of today in history. Today the two oldest houndgirls are celebrating birthday number 14. Happy Birthday Black Dog Lady Rachel and Miss Prissy!

Tomorrow is Miss Ollie's birthday. She is older than 14. (Actually she is going to be 25.) Happy Birthday Ollie!

Have a day!

FATHER, lift me up.