I'd much prefer being lucky than good, but If possible I'd rather be both.

As regular readers are aware, due to developments we lost two of our workers in the past four or five days. One the result of reckless behavior and alcohol, the other to take his Dad to his grandmother's because of a family medical emergency.

The remaining "on the ground guys", as I refer to them, have stepped up to meet the challenge and I really appreciate that. I have told them I see no reason to expect to fill the two vacancies before Christmas break and everyone seemed to agree.

Last evening I was approached about a man who would be interested in coming. He has forklift experience and could be available after Christmas.

This morning I was approached again about a man to fill the other position. He is coming from Tennessee and is already in Fort Worth. He could be here possibly tomorrow.

Wow!

When I began to report on these developments to the crew, one of them stepped up and told me, "If I knew you were seriously looking I had a cousin wanting to work, but I thought you weren't going to fill the positions until after the holiday".

So, It would appear that very soon we will be maxed out with employees once again.

I think we have suffered all the casualties we would expect with the holiday. Frank is holding his breath about his crews inside the plant. Customarily, he will lose a couple on each shift when they go home for Christmas. I figure if we have warm bodies interested in coming we had better take advantage of them. Between the other contractors, the plant and myself, someone will be able to use them.

I finished brokering the deal for Herberto that will allow him to ride home with relatives. He was scheduled to work Sunday the 23rd, getting off at 7pm. His ride is leaving at 7am. Julio accepted my offer to change shifts and then pick up Herberto's Sunday shift.

I just love it when a plan come together!

The big seed storage warehouse is almost empty, maybe two loads remain. The high winds prohibited loading from there most of the day yesterday. The GM has gotten off my case about the excess inventory now that he has seen how quickly it can disappear. I think it was a shock to him that there weren't as many loads in there as he thought.

Twenty-two degrees out here this morning. All the puddles are frozen, ice on the cars. Most of the residents of the trailer park left faucets dripping so water lines wouldn't freeze. It's cold enough that everyone is scurrying about trying to get back to protected areas.

Even the houndgirls are acting spry with the cold, crisp, weather.

Yesterday I visited with Memama and she asked me if we might come to her house for Christmas dinner. I shocked her when I told her that was our plan. Krl and I had discussed it quite a while ago and made the decision to go. We just hadn't told anyone until yesterday. Krl talked with Memama last night and told me she sounded excited.

Right now, our Christmas plans look like this. Christmas Eve Day we will probably deliver Addison's gifts to San Angelo. Christmas Eve, we will return to the trailer and have a quiet evening together. Christmas we will go to Memama's and Pepa's. We have some things to discuss about the 26th so I won't divulge them until later.

The GM was quizzing me as to what my holiday plans were. I am sure he is looking for someone to act as watchman for the yards, just in case we had a fire. Two years ago I did it, but this year we aren't going to be around!

We are almost through with settlements and billing. I think If I have just a few minutes I can get it done. O.K., make it a half hour.

Krl and I are getting stir crazy for civilization. We know we are going to have to go to town this coming week. I did pop off and tell Krl that I was thinking of making the drive to Stanton to get a pizza today. She readily agreed that was a good thought!

We are ready for some warmer temperatures. We have about depleted our cold weather menu and and supplies! We get tickled at our menu, we have eaten a pot of taco soup, beans, stew, and Krl cooked a pot of butter beans all day yesterday! I think she got all the good out of her hambone. I even started the fire under them again this morning. I think some things are better the second day!

I'll be honest, our biggest dilemma is we are out of corn bread mix!

Drew Deagan is supposed to go home today. Rian spent the day with Reid and Holt yesterday allowing them some time at home. Rian said he rotated all the car seats to make room for Drew. He said Reid is thrilled, while Holt keeps telling him that Drew's car seat is "mine". I told Rian again that he needed to make Holt an appointment with a counselor. He is already suffering from the middle child syndrome.

Have a day. Keep those home fires burning!

FATHER, forgive me when I am impatient with YOUR plan for me. LORD lead me on.