' need a little help here!

I need a do-over for the weekend. I think I can get it right with one more day. I'd appreciate it if you would do what you can.

We did absolutely nothing that we usually do on a weekend. In fact, almost all the time we usually spend doing errands and such, were spent at the family reunion.

It was bittersweet.

It was good to be with extended family, yet it seemed that every where I looked I expected to see Freddy.

Sunday morning I thought to myself that we had to be early for the family church service, because we didn't have the cushion of knowing that Freddy would show up just in the nick of time! (Ha! Inside joke).

During the Saturday auction (which benefits the reunion fund) as I would scan the room for bids it was almost a distraction as I was so conscious of Fred's absence.

Fred's family, less Jason (he is on a project in Florida) came to the reunion Sunday. I know how difficult it was for me and I can only imagine how difficult it was for them. Jake participated in the service, and in some ways that was comforting, knowing that Fred's legacy continues on.

I am glad to have this weekend behind me. I realize all of our immediate family is extremely sensitive. I also realize that all of the extended family has the best of intentions, yet the weekend was filled with small gaffes. Probably the most painful was Saturday afternoon when one relative accidentally called me Fred, more than once. Thing is, it was done once in the presence of Memama and Pepa. I tried to not react, but Krl said it was very evident by the expression on everyone's face that it was painful.

Sunday on the way to lunch, I heard someone shout at Dillon and Devon. It sounded just like Fred. Turns out it was Jake shouting at his nephews.

I want to get past the painful realizations where we can find pleasure in Fred's legacy and memory.

It's going to be difficult.

Just to report, I did do the annual auction at the reunion. Melba told me she figured I knew I was supposed to conduct it, because I have done it for twenty years. She said I am a fixture. I asked her if that meant like a toilet! The auction netted the reunion fund $2083+ dollars. I don't believe I heard what the raffle project raised.

Next year is our family's turn to host. (It rotates from family to family. About every six years it comes around.) We had the annual business meeting to pick a date and to address different issues. For many years we have had the reunion at the same location. Last year we almost made a change but new ownership had just taken over and they made some big promises. Very few of which were filled.

It was very evident that most family members are ready for a change. The biggest problem with relocating is finding a location that has an affordable meeting room large enough to house the major activities (Friday nite Domino tournament, Saturday auction and Ringo game, Sunday Church and business meeting, while allowing a central location for impromptu visiting throughout the weekend.) In the past we have had meals served, but the last few years we have had arrangements to eat "out" as a group but without strict time lines for the meals paid for by the reunion fund. Minimum requirements would be for a meeting room that would seat one-hundred to one-hundred twenty-five people in a sit down meal situation and probably thirty to forty guest rooms would be a mid range number that would be needed. If any of you have any suggestions in the Abilene, Sweetwater vicinity, let me know!

Krl's leg is giving her a fit! It is so weird, Saturday she could hardly walk on it with her cane. Sunday morning she walked all the way from the car to the meeting room with virtually no problem, then when we got ready to leave for lunch she could put NO weight on it! I had to go get her wheelchair. She is going to call the doctor today.

My dermatologist's office called the house Friday, shortly before they closed for the weekend. They left a message saying the pathology results were back and to give them a call to discuss them and the treatment. I am taking the treatment part to mean that they came back as the physician's assistant predicted, meaning the basil cell carcinoma. I find I dread calling them.

My back and shoulder have been pounded on all weekend long. Our family is filled with huggers, shoulder pat-ers, and back slappers. Ouch!

It should be a busy day at the parts store. Friday we ordered lots of items and I doubt Chris and DB got it put up. All of the employees were in attendance Friday, which is a little weird, but it was a very productive day. We did a lot of work in the warehouse getting some hard numbers on inventory and placing orders. DJ had asked me to work with him bar coding some of the hardware items but we never got to it. He may come in today and we'll give it another go.

Of course we couldn't get through the week without having another computer issue. TAMS lost one saved invoice just as it was brought back to active status. While I was able to re-bill the total dollar amount, I wasn't able to reproduce the itemized statement. The customer was very understanding and agreed to the re-bill, now I need to try to reconstruct the itemized just to adjust inventory. Lots of vehicle lights and lamps along with a couple of boxes of safety glasses.

Our house has been fitful all night. Krl was up, then me, then both. The big houndgirls are spazzing because of the thunder and lightning, the little pups just want us to go to bed so they can snooze. I can hear the television in the living room which tells me Krl is up again.

Have a good week! Make it a day!

Oh FATHER, I am needy.