I'm finding myself running low on energy! It seems as though these last few weeks have been utilizing every waking moment of every day away from the job to try to complete a project of some sort. Thankfully, the equipment project is only twenty minutes away now, not an hour.

The past week schedule was parts store, MTWF and K.O.'s shop ThS.

Actually the time off project at K.O.'s is coming together quite nicely. The hardest part is remembering how everything works. There are a number of controls and switches (about fifteen or sixteen in all) several of which have to be operated in a proper sequence. We did discover a problem and develop a fix. I mixed a lubricant cocktail of diesel and transmission fluid and put it into a pump up sprayer and just began spraying down all the chains and sprocket assemblies. After that we started cycling the equipment to try to free up chains and drives. About the only thing we lack is tracing out some electrical issues and we should be ready to test.

I actually think this is going to be a slam dunk!

Thursday I had called Chris to remind him where we were at in ordering parts. I told him due to the run on windshield wipers and with the forecast we needed to get everything up to inventory standards. When I went in Friday morning one of the first customers (who is a very good regular) came in wanting supplies for oil change service, a front brake pad replacement, and ...... windshield wiper blades. After looking up the replacement refill number I went to the display to find that particular number empty. Chris was in the shop so I called to him to see if he had put the new inventory in the back. He told me "No, I didn't order any!" I went back to the computer and looked up a complete wiper replacement (meaning framework as well as the rubber insert). We had two of them so I pulled them from the shelf and told the customer "Do I have a deal for you! I'm going to sell you these two complete replacements for the price of the two refills, and Chris is going to feel the hit!" (A $22 value for only about $8 or $9). The customer was thrilled and accepted. Needless to say, Chris wasn't.

When the customer left and we had a few minutes, Chris and I discussed the wiper deal. Chris told me he had gotten busy and just didn't order the blades. My response to him was "If you aren't interested, why should anyone else be?" You lead by example.

One thing for sure, if it affects the cash box Chris understands.

In another work related issue, it was a short honeymoon. We had begun to order certain lubricants from a new vendor. The salesman came in about a month ago and gave us excellent prices, told us he comes every other Thursday and the order is delivered the following Tuesday. Our first order was sizable. We were trying some different brands and some were very promising. We put together our order for Thursday, Wednesday. When I arrived at work Friday, the order was still sitting on the counter. The salesman had been a no show. Chris called to make an inquiry and was assured the salesman would be in Friday. He wasn't. Saturday at almost noon, just before Chris closed, the salesman dragged in the door. By that time part of his order had been placed with other vendors.

Don't tell me what you're going to do and then not do it!

I'm excited about another possibility. I have had preliminary contact wanting to know if I would be willing to do some public address announcing this next weekend. For several years I did quite a bit of it but for the last few years I had been silent. Krl is encouraging me to try it again. I don't figure it will pay near what it used to as this go round will involve new or first time promoters, but if I can make a little cash and have a good time, it will be worth it. (My best rate ever was $300/hour plus all expenses! Sign me up for some of that!).

Krl and I went to Texas Road House for her birthday. I just can't like that restaurant, it is just too noisy and crowded. From the moment we walked in, (O.K., I walked in, Krl rolled) from the hostess on through the employees were very lacking in manners and professionalism. Krl took one bite of her meal and quit. I picked through mine. The hi-lites were the drinks, the ice tea and the garden salads. It was somewhat easier to handle as we had a gift card. I think our waiter was too thick to understand my insult when he asked if we wanted a box for our left overs. (I told him they could throw it away there rather than us take it home and throw it away!).

My back and joints are killing me again. I find myself needed to drink a glass of WD-40.

I've got a big blog coming together in my mind. I'm trying to figure out how to best say it.

Have a day, and a great week!

FATHER, rescue me!