August is a busy month of milestones for our family. Steph, Reid, Avery, Kyle, Pat, Linda, and Rian celebrate birthdays (I may be missing someone). Pat and Hag celebrate an anniversary. Happy day to all!

Recently Pat had called me asking if I wanted any tickets to the OU/UM football game September 8 in Norman, Oklahoma. I thought briefly and told her to put me down for two. I knew Krl probably wouldn't want to go. She is still not very mobile. But, I thought it might be a birthday treat for Rian. When I ran the idea by Krl she was in agreement so I called Rian and told him I had an extra ticket to the football game. He was so excited!

I cannot believe how much tickets were. Using Coach's Hurricane family discount, they were still $80+ each. I still have to pay for them (or else I will have to add Pat's name to the card).

Kirby had a good day, last practice. He threw three 60 yard+ touchdowns in their 11 on 11 practice and one more in their 7 on 7 practice. I would say that he didn't have to split time with Kyle Wright. Kyle is nursing an injured left knee. It is only another week until Coach Shannon names the Hurricane starter.

We have been going through some transitions at the parts store. We have been using high school boys as part time help. It has been interesting to watch. Usually we can get just as much production from these boys in a couple of hours as we can in a whole day. We even had one who would clock in and then tell Chris he was going across the street to get something to eat, return to the store and spend the next half hour sitting in the office eating. Of course he (along with the other two) didn't take direction or constructive criticism very well.

Many places have a hall of fame. We may start a wall of shame! Hhhmm. Maybe in the bathroom. We could have an award ceremony, maybe give a miniature toilet seat inscribed with their name and the date.

I know, I am being hard on them. But I am so dis-illusioned

Actually, we are looking at trying to make the part time job a full time position. We are looking at two individuals, one male, one female. Both grown, mature. Either would be capable.

Probably the biggest plus in our recruiting effort is that we are getting insurance! This doesn't mean a whole lot to young workers, but it is very important to older more mature ones. Pat and I have even talked some about retirement possibilities.

I think either one of our candidates would be capable of expanding their duties to include a least a portion of what I do. Of course this is a plus knowing I am fixing to be leaving for several months. I am hopeful I can return one or two days a week, at least briefly.

Historically, I have worked myself out of a job the last few years. It seems that where I have been I kind of streamline the process, hopefully put some order in place, do a little training, and then hand my job over to someone else.

But I'm not going to worry about that.

My Saturday was spent at K.O.'s working on the equipment project. Actually we are not that far from being ready to go out again. It is not perfect. It is not what I want (or K.O. for that matter), but I think it is going to be as good as it gets right now. BUT, if money were no object. Katey bar the door! MLK may have had a dream, for the equipment K.O. and I have a vision. Of course our vision is low budget, over the course of the winter and early spring. I have done a lot of computer research, made lots of phone calls, and done just a lot of fact finding for parts.

K.O. and I are looking to make a silk purse out of a sows ear! I had a conversation with the operator of one of the premier pieces of equipment like ours, and he told me I could have one for $200,000. I figure if they were smart enough to figure it out, I am too!

One of the best things about K.O. is that he is very mechanical in his thinking. He can weld, he can run a machine lathe, and he can dis-assemble and re-assemble nearly anything. It is almost comical because when one of us has an idea we will call the other to share it. Between the two of us we may be lethal! Not only are we covering all the bases, we are looking under them too!

It is still amazing that technology we put on our project fifteen or sixteen years ago is now the norm for top machinery. Some ideas we had that were not allowed by the licensing authority then, are now accepted.

I've got a couple more tricks up my sleeve. Heh, heh!

I am enjoying the Little League World Series. Of course I am pulling for the Lubbock team. Rian says Lubbock is wild about their team! They have two outstanding left handed pitchers. Currently I am watching the international bracket, Saudi Arabia or Curacao has a pretty good lefty as well. I am having a bit of trouble figuring out who is representing what region.

I get tickled watching all the superstitious routines. Lots of spitting too!

My biggest fear for these kids is that it isn't a game any more.

I did go to the grocery store yesterday, I hadn't bought big groceries in two or three weeks. I went down lots of aisles I normally don't go down. I was actually trying to find some little something to send Holt when we send Reid's birthday gifts. I ended up buying a bubble kit and there are enough bubble makers for brother and most of the neighborhood kids! An added plus was I found a new "pickle" (harmonica. I don't know why!) for Meme to give Reid. He told us he had lost his other one (and it wasn't cheap).

I bought Reid's birthday gift a long time ago but we haven't seen him to give it to him. I ran across a junior tool kit. Hard hat, protective eye wear, tool belt, ruler, measuring tape, gloves, hammer, chalk box (they'd better confiscate the chalk) and the finishing touch ...... suspenders!
I went to Lowe's and bought him a box of 4 penny nails and an assortment of short lumber pieces for him to nail together!

I guess Reid will be able to play his pickle while he works!

Rian is coming by today. He bought a pickup in San Marcos and is flying down to pick it up today. I think he arrives in Austin shortly after eight this morning. It is a good thing he will be in his new truck, we will test it's worthy-ness by letting him haul Reid's gifts home.

Krl and I were talking. Just when I get to thinking I am doing pretty well dealing with Freddy and Terri's death I find something else that shatters me. The card section at the store yesterday almost did me in.

I brought home chinese Saturday night for supper. Krl and I both think we were oriental in a prior life. We find we love rice more as we grow older. (Is rice considered fiber?). I may have to do this more often. I sure liked my fortune cookie! Whether it comes true or not, it has lifted my spirits.

Have a day!

FATHER, take over. I find myself trying to backseat drive again. Forgive me.