I find myself needing to go to Midland. One of the bale trucks needs tags by Saturday and I discovered the 2290 (Heavy Highway Use Tax) needs to be paid.

We actually started for Midland yesterday and were about twenty miles away from the compound when I learned that Pepa was coming out on a truck. Krl and I discussed it and changed our destination from Midland to Stanton. We did so knowing that several items on our lists (mainly truck parts) would not be available there, but also knowing that our primary need was to go to the post office and to get drinking water. We developed a plan and I dropped Krl at the grocery store and I went to the RO water station. We were in the check out line at the store when my phone toned and Pepa told me he was sixteen miles from the plant. Krl and I got our groceries loaded and I set the cruise close to triple digits and we arrived at the plant before Julio had Pepa's truck loaded! Then it was fuel and refreshing the program to Pepa before he left. He made his trip and then I sent him in to Roscoe to give the truck to the regular driver (hopefully). This regular driver had spent yesterday giving a deposition in a matter involving his former employer.

Actually yesterday was a pretty good day. The GM has been in a good mood, the plant has been running well and for the most part the trucks have been staying up. The only trucking glitch I had was a driver who is always watching everyone else instead of tending to his own business. This driver was complaining of how the forklifts had loaded the last load on the slip seat driver before him and began telling me how we needed to change the way we tie the loads. I cut him short and told him "No problem, from here on out, you can load and strap your own loads". He immediately began to stammer and told me "That wouldn't be necessary".

Today I have one bale truck driver at Scott and White in Temple having a cancer checkup. I have made some alternate arrangements to keep us out of a bind during his absence. We will hope for a good report for this driver.

Yesterday the girls in the office left at 5. The office is supposed to be open until 7. Frank had an issue he had to address in the plant and the GM was in Lubbock to pick up a module truck from the shop, so in a weird twist I ended up manning the office until Frank came in shortly before 7 . Luckily for me no one is harvesting due to the recent snow and rain so it was mainly answering the phone and drinking coffee.

Well, I am beginning to think about a trek to Midland. If I can get one or two things to fall in place this morning it could mean lunch in the city!

Have a day!

FATHER, punch YOUR cruise control, I like the way YOU'RE running things!