If it wasn't for the book I am reading, I might have bolted yesterday.

If I didn't bolt, I surely would have throttled somebody and I have a candidate in mind.

I had instructed drivers to bring clothes and items they needed during the move to Lovington. Most of them realized that it would be two weeks for most between runs home.

What I failed to do was tell them to bring their brains. Most remembered this on their own, but one has to be told every minute detail of each day.

Last weekend I had borrowed/leased a trailer from a friend. This was because one of Krl's trailers was in the shop and we weren't sure when it might be out. Turns out it wasn't an extended stay. I had been trying to catch this borrowed/leased trailer to get it out of the drop and hook mix.

I finally found it, but it was a little too late.

Yesterday a driver who will remain nameless (but whose rancid smell always preceeds his physical presence) was on the phone telling me he couldn't believe his poor luck, he blew two tires out side by side on his trailer.

This driver and I have had an ongoing battle about bumping tires to be sure you don't have a flat before starting a trip. I asked if he had checked his tires and he told me "Yeah, last night when I left the bale dock. "

"How 'bout this morning when you left the motel?", I asked.

"No", he replied.

I told him that I was quite sure that what transpired was he had a flat and drove a great enough distance that the other tire left carrying the load heated up to a point and finally blew out.

The driver told me one of the wheels was damaged and he needed two tires. It took an act of congress to finally get him to make and identification of whether the wheels were pilot mount or bud wheels. This man is so dense that I had him walking back and forth between the truck and trailer comparing lugs bolts and nuts.

I called my tire man in Stanton and in just moments he called back telling me help was on the way.

I called the driver and surprisingly he had been on the phone trying to find help. He told me he couldn't believe how much that repair was going to cost!

I am sure he was regretting telling me "Just take it out of my check!"

Long story short, he decided he wanted to go home. That is O.K., this driver was not disciplined enough to get started on his own and by being this way he only made it harder on the others, and it made it impossible to try to coordinate loads where they flowed smoothly.

Best part was it happened on the last day of the month and I can still make additions and corrections to the monthly employee roster and insurances!

I did have one new driver who began a few days ago. He is a different kind of egg. He is running Texas combination tags and intended on paying his way in at the port. So far he has not had to pay a single time. They have just waved him on a couple of times and other times the port of entry into New Mexico has been closed.

Yesterday was the first time we have been held up by DOT. They had set up between Andrews and Eunice. I was surprised they worked in the wind and cold!

So after a week of searching for and finally finding our groove, now I am modifying it.

Best news of the week is that we are nearing being one third complete at the Lovington storage facility.

I had told the GM yesterday that I was already tired of going to New Mexico.

This weekend is a maintenance Sunday, not that it will mean much to us. We have been losing ground to the seed in the big warehouse due to the majority of the trucks running from here to Richmond. Normally these five trucks would move a combined eleven to twelve loads a day to Lubbock. Now they are only moving five per day to Richmond. On average, we will produce about sixteen and a half loads of seed every twenty-four hours. We were in a controlled situation when I had three Lubbock trucks running. When I pulled one off to catch us up on bales and ultimately one more, that left us with only one truck moving three loads. Simple math, 16.5 minus 8 equals not a good situation. Sooo, we are trying to work our excess inventory down.

For those that know me, I am a carrot kind of a guy. I constantly hang a carrot out there in front of me so I can chase it and not be distracted by all the periphrial happenings. My carrot right now is Tuesday. One of my lease operators bought a new truck and the dealer is delivering it from Utah Tuesday.

I guess I have lost some of my adventurous tendencies because this lease operator told me some of the details of his deal and interest alone is almost a thousand dollars a month. This man kept asking me if he could put an extra truck in the mix here and I told him yes but I can only guarantee him the next thirty days. He told me that was O.K. because after thirty days he would send one of his old trucks home to do local work.

I figure when the Richmond seed contract is filled and the Lovington bale warehouse is filled I am going to have trucks running out my ears!

We have begun to lose significant numbers of modules. As other gins in our area are beginning to near the end of their season, some producers are looking to see where they might have their modules processed quicker. To date we have lost 209 modules or about 2593 bales or two and a half days ginning.

Now my adjusted number of bales is 182,589. This means we lack just under eighty thousand bales (which converts to eighty days ginning). That means my date on the betting board is junk, unless the plant has some sort of major problem. Oh well.

Krl has been shopping for a trip. She has looked at all sorts of possible destinations and keeps returning to Cozumel. She has been looking at the third week of July. I finally told her I didn't want to go in July. June isn't much better. Maybe the end of May.......

In all honesty, I just want to go home at this point in time.

I want to be able to drive two minutes and buy almost anything I need. I want to pick up the phone and call a number and minutes later, someone ring the doorbell delivering food!

I want a bath tub!

I want civilization!

Well I am going to close. I have a blogger error message that is flashing so this entry may have been an exercise in futility.

Have a day!

FATHER, I find myself struggling!

Busy.

That is the only way to describe everything that is going on. It took days to recover from the inclimate weather/fog of last week.

The plant had not run well, and that was a good thing as far as we were behind. They guys have really put forth an effort, we added an additional truck and finally, finally,.......... last night we were completely caught up.

Whew. It nearly wore me out.

Hopefully today I will pull one truck off this run and let him float where there is a need.

I need to report that we crossed 100,000 bales about 4 yesterday morning. Two years ago it was such a milestone that I got up in the middle of the night just to go and watch as the press pushed and compressed the record bale and it rode the conveyor out of the plant. In fact, it was such a milestone then that the historic bale sat in the middle of the office for several days before shipping.

This year I don't think I even rolled over in bed when 100k was processed and packaged.

We did shut the plant down for two hours last night 6-8. Some representatives from the Texas Cotton Ginners Association conducted the weekly safety meetings and several patrons and board member had fired up the large barbecue pit and cooked rib eye steaks for all of the crew and support staff. It was great!

I made rounds when the plant came back on line shortly after eight and returned to help with a portion of the cleanup. We finally got to a point and decided to let the rest wait until morning.

Thanks to the GM, his wife, the patrons, and the board members who helped with this! It was a blast and we all needed a morale booster.

Everyone is looking forward to the end of season party when we will have ribs and spirits!

It was a nasty day here at the plant yesterday. The forecast calls for more of the same today except with the gusty winds coming from another direction, and again tomorrow. It appears Friday will be the first relief from the winds.

W-2's and 1099's went out yesterday. Let the record show, two days before the required date.

TWC report is prepped and awaiting the check. 941 is sitting on the top of my desk for final review, and the 940 FUTA is paid with paperwork pending.

Kristy, the office manager, is out today. Her maternal grandfather passed away earlier this week. It was only recently that she lost her paternal grandfather. Our sincerest condolences to her and her family.

Krl has a doctor's appointment tomorrow. She has waited almost six weeks to get in with this specialist. We are hopeful we get some results.

Rian had an eventful day at school yesterday. He was involved in a chase with a student that ended up with the student rolling Rian's arm up in the window and trying to drive away. Finally the student slowed and let the window down and Rian got loose and the student drove away. Now the student has been arrested. Soon to be suspended and then expelled from school.

All over a cell phone.

Have a day!

Oh, FATHER, thank YOU for milestones. Thank YOU for goals. May we set our sights on YOUR and our ultimate goal for eternity. I lift up Hag for YOUR continued gifts of healing. We pray for good reports for D.O.. We lift up Kristy's family for YOUR comfort.

I am so thankful for the beginning of a new week.

The past one was one for the record books and one that I don't care to remember.

I have done more road time in the last three days than I have all season. It seems I always need something just a little different than what I have on hand.

Parts run to Midland Thursday.

Parts run to Midland Friday.

Trip to Stanton Saturday to pickup truck tire take offs from a week ago.

Trip to between Tarzan and Andrews Saturday to work on a trailer. Turns out the trailer needed more than I could give it so we removed the tires and wheels, hub and brake drum, put them on the utility trailer I had brought, and began limping toward the yard. I was wishing something would go wrong on a week day so we could expedite things and drop it at a shop! The trucker and I left out from the roadside, me in the lead. He pulled back over and I waited down the road before finally turning back.

This is the trucker who had been in the shop for two days earlier this week. Turns out he had the same problem again. He decided to go to either Big Spring or Lubbock to try to have his truck repaired again. I decided to let him take my trailer for repairs. Luckily we came across a backhoe service and they loaded our tire and wheel assembly back on top of the flat bed. We decided to part company then. The trucker headed to Big Spring and me to the compound. Turns out it was a great decision because before the night was out, both the trucker and his truck and the fleet trailer were all repaired and returned to the yard.

That was the highlight of the night. Everything else was on the other end of the spectrum. One driver who asked me to work with him so he could meet a repairman Saturday, didn't do what he said he would do. He called this morning telling me had over slept.

Cotton, cotton, everywhere!

Oh well, hopefully the Calvary has arrived! I have or will have seven trucks running on it today!

I would love to have a day's run so I can try to get a sense of the flow without icy roads or fog, or truck and or trailer problem.

Yesterday I had brought in re-enforcements, but with everything that transpired, all they did was maintain.

Today will be a better day!

On a high note, settlements are ready! Billing is done.

I slept until six-thirty this morning! Yippee!

So today I will be looking for something to do. Actually I will not have to look far. I have had the W-2's loaded and ready to print, I just haven't let myself do it. Today may be the day.

Also, I have done all the small pieces of my quarterly and year end reporting. Now I need to bring them all together in a finished product!

Rian had called me yesterday telling me he had been in class and at the shooting range getting his concealed hand gun license. He really didn't have a reason, he said an opportunity presented itself and the price was right. Turns out he really liked it and now is looking at buying a handgun.

If my Principal in school had had a handgun, he would have gotten lots less lip and lots more respect!

This morning he called and told me they had finally flown Reid's helicopter. He said that was the neatest thing! He said they flew it in the house and he would chase Holt with it. I asked what Reid thought about it and Rian said Reid just kept re-enforcing to Holt, "That's mine!".

They may take it outside this afternoon.

It would appear today is going to be a lovely day. In the seventies out here, low tonight in the upper forties!

Wow, can you believe we had sleet, freezing rain and snow just Thursday?

I am still reading my book. It really hasn't told me anything new. It is just telling it in a different way. Basically it says that what ever your thoughts are, that is who you are or become. Sounds a lot like biblical teachings doesn't it.

I am trying to be much more positive, just go with the flow. It's kind of like when I reach in the bag of Jolly Rancher hard candy. My favorite flavor is apple, but grape, cherry, or watermelon are good. My least favorite is blue raspberry. My lesson for the day is if I throw the blue raspberry's back in the bag, the odds of getting them increases. If I persist, at some point that will be all that is available.

So, now, regardless of what I take out, I am happy with it!

If my day and this week is only as bad as a blue raspberry candy, I can handle that!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for all the blessings you rain down on me!

What a week.

We have seen multiple changes this week from destinations, to weather, to new driver equipment combinations and some of these have not been for the better.

Thankfully the plant has not run very well, because we have lagged behind.

I have called in to the Sweetwater office for the past two days telling them what I need in the way of equipment. I had been told that power units weren't short but trailers were. I told the dispatcher I needed both but if all he had were trucks, send me two. I told him if he had trailers sitting awaiting repairs to get them to the shop and I would pay the bill and then run them until they had repaid the repairs.

No additional equipment has come.

I have calls out to three other trucking companies this morning, asking for short term and possibly long term help. I figure whoever bails me out first should be rewarded.

Lots of times people have not liked what I have told them, but I never promised them something and not delivered.

Yesterday afternoon Krl and I went to Midland to get some forklift and truck parts. While it was cold at the compound, it was dry. About twenty miles from the plant we began to get moisture on the windshield. Before we got to Midland it turned to sleet.

I had called in the parts order and I was told they would be on the counter when I walked in. At the first stop, that was the case. At the second stop, they hadn't done anything. They told me to finish my errands and stop back by. I told them they were the last stop. After a brief silence they told me to go to Logan's or On the Border and they would bring my parts to me. When they arrived, they wanted to pick up the tab, but I didn't let them. I don't want them to think they can absolve their misdeeds by simply paying a restaurant tab.

By the time Krl and headed out of Midland, the sleet had changed to rain, and it rained on us nearly the entire way.

Krl wanted to get home and get a shower and change her clothes and get her makeup on before we went to the fire hall for their winter social. While it began at five, we finally arrived about six-thirty.

We have always enjoyed going because it is a cajun shrimp boil! These guys out here sure like to spice things up! Shrimp, red new potatoes, corn on the cob, and carrots. Throw in some onion and some cajun seasoning and apply heat.

In addition, they fixed shrimp in various other ways. Of course they had crackers, cocktail sauce, chips, breads and assorted spirits. When we left, everyone was sitting down to play poker! It was really funny, they all had their money socks with them!

I don't know what the exact count was, but I counted thirty three heads in the fire hall.

Pretty good in this small community.

Turns out we were two of their guests of honor. They had invited all their donors to join them.

I haven't kept up with a running total, but every year I have been a contractor here, I have given to their volunteer fire department. Thank goodness I have never needed them, but if I ever do I sure want them to be there and equipped to get the job done.

Today has not started off any better than the last two days.

Oh well we will build from there.

Have a day.

FATHER, a little help here!

One thing the GM has told me for all the years I've been here is, "Everything is subject to change!"

And they have changed. Plans were for us to do a change in destination for bales and seed today.

Yesterday we received a call telling us that the bale warehouse will not be ready until maybe tomorrow. And, .............. We shipped five loads of seed to Richmond yesterday.

Spontaneous!

Adaptive.

Out of our minds!

All the above.

So, today we will begin looking for that rhythm of how things will flow.

Actually, it is a good thing the bale warehouse is not ready, because we aren't ready either. January 3rd we began the move to Lubbock with our bales and at that time we were told they were looking at Lovington, New Mexico as the next destination. I gave Rick a heads up and asked him to see what it would require to run into New Mexico. As of yesterday we are still awaiting IFTA stickers, registration on the initial five trucks r-tags is complete, just waiting for the money, and hopefully all the necessary signage is ready in waiting.

I am so not looking forward to this transition.

But I am working on my attitude.

Normally when we are home, I will read a book a week. I have been known to sit down and read a new Grisham release cover to cover in one sitting. Out here I get to read very little. So far it has been a little over three months and I have read three books. I started my latest one this week. It is a book that Trc gave me for Christmas called The Secret. I am thinking it is going to be one of those self help, pick you up by your boot straps kind of book. But I will reserve final judgement. The book says the secret is attraction. If you think negative thoughts, you attract negative things, if you think positive thoughts, you attract positive things. Any how, I am working on the positive. I guess I am doing a self study in practicality.

It is wintry out here! Thankfully we haven't had any sleet or ice because it would freeze pretty quickly. Of course tomorrow is supposed to be the worst day.

Krl did a great save late yesterday and threw together some taco soup and cornbread! That is my favorite thing about cold weather, the soups and stews. Before I got in for the night I took a bowl of soup and some cornbread over to Greg, another contractor here in the trailer park. I knew he had had a hard day and he is out here alone. He called while I was in the shower and told Krl we made his day!

We awoke this morning to having no water here at the compound. Zero, zilch. And that is a bad thing at a cotton gin. Actually it occurred sometime after midnight. I have seen them shut the plant down if they have a water pump malfunction or the water freezes. Turns out this morning it was electrical on the supply line side of the meter.

I am juggling truck drivers this morning. My old standby that has been with me for fourteen years called asking to be off. His wife had been in an auto accident recently and has not bounced back, and he told me this Lubbock run is wearing him out.

I am trying to get a read on the pulse of the plant. This past Sunday we flipped the crews and the ginner who runs hardest is now on the night shift. We did have a blast from the past the other day though. Barco, the day ginner went to the doctor and Frank the "plant super" took his place. That meant we had two pedal to the metal ginners! I can tell the difference from who is on what shift by the back log or lack of back log loads on the dock.

Well, I have nothing more of substance to report.

Have yourself a day!

FATHER, we seem to be struggling again.

Sorry for the time lapse. It has been pretty crazy out here.

If my numbers are in the ball park, we are within a thousand bales of being half way done.

Forgive me for not turning back flips, but I think I need to save my strength for the stretch run.

That should be about the third week of April.

My figures still indicate we should barely eclipse 185,000 bales. This morning my number would be 185,070.

I'll give you a quick recap of my week so you will know what I've been working on or with.

The first of the week was pretty uneventful, Steady work by everyone and no problems with equipment makes my life wonderful.

I had a couple of calls from the compress and it became evident that the move to Lovington was inevitable and would happen sooner rather than later. I decided at my first opportunity I would take a road trip to scout out the possible routes and the plant location.

Wednesday morning everything was in good shape, the only problem I had was a truck that had returned to Sweetwater to change drivers, had a flat. I talked with D.H. at seven-thirty and he told me he would take care of it that their tire man would be there in fifteen or twenty minutes. I visited with Pepa and he asked me if when the truck with the flat was ready, could it take his trailer to a repair shop in Abilene, so I was pretty confident that the flat problem would be covered.

I returned to my trailer and asked Krl if she wanted to go with me. She declined. I hopped in her SUV, went to the fuel pumps, topped the tank, and hit the road. I took one route up, planning on taking another route back to compare mileage and ease.

When I arrived at the State line I pulled in and spent an hour with the officers at the New Mexico Port of Entry. I had several questions about the temporary registrations, temporary fuel permits, the pre-pay mileage and such. While I was there they looked in their computer and found that everything was in order for Cottonwood, whose authority we will be running under.

I continued on, making sure to keep good notes on my trip, made the big right hand turn from Hobbs and headed North North West to Lovington. When I began entering Lovington I slowed to look at a truck route exit and discovered it was the road I was looking for. A half mile down it, I was sitting in the storage facility. I made a deliberate tour around and through the plant. It is an old plant with low buildings and even lower door openings. They placed lots of drainage ditches and culverts throughout it to prevent water from running inside the warehouses. It may work for drainage but it could be a big problem if my drivers don't stay on their toes and pay attention.

I began my trek back and had a pretty good feeling about my fact gathering mission. I talked in with Trick and passed some information on to him. He told me a couple of news items and then told me that Cottonwood 77 (which is a bale truck out here) had a problem in Big Spring and wouldn't untrack. I asked what time my truck with the flat had left and Rick told me it was still there.

Huh?

He told me, "I thought you weren't in a rush for it".

No I wasn't, but that doesn't mean I didn't need it. Then when you take a truck (like 77) out of the mix with a problem, I need everything I can throw at the haul. Almost seven hours after my conversation with D.H., the truck with the flat left the TA truck stop, not the Cottonwood shop.

As it turns out Pepa had a brain fart and asked Jason to have his driver take the trailer to the shop so he no longer had any incentive to see that the flat was fixed.

One stubbed toe on this haul is about like skipping one step in a calculation. It doesn't get the job done.

We didn't receive a replacement truck Wednesday night. In fact, it didn't arrive until late late Thursday. Worst thing was, he didn't bring a trailer.

Out here trailers are at a premium.

Thursday morning I had over six hundred bales sitting at the dock.

The Wednesday glitch was a thorn until Saturday, when we were totally recovered from it.

As it turns out, these guys who are still running are smiling while they are stuffing $$$$$ in their pockets.

Bad thing is, Cottonwood has no (meaning zero) company trucks on this job right now.

D.H. says he can bring two or three trucks over from another job to help out, and that may be the solution, or a part of it. I have been shopping for additional power units, and have three that I am scrutinizing presently. Thing is I only have financing available for one, at least right now. Then that gets us back to trailers. My formula right now calls for two trailers per truck, three for a truck that is slip seating. Currently I have six trailers with another trailer that Krl is buying from Cottonwood (although I am beginning to wonder if this is going to happen, it has been in the works since November and there is a problem with the title). Cottonwood has only has two trailers in the mix, down from a high of four. We did the Sweetwater move beginning with eight trailers and dwindling to six. Krl bought two more when we made the move to Lubbock, and it may mean needing one or two more when we go to Lovington.

And the GM and the Compress wonder why the rates keep going up.

Going to the other end of the plant, my seed trucks are staying right on the plant. When a seed comes out, usually a truck is sitting right there to take it!

Then my cell phone chimed. The GM asked me to come to his office. When I arrived he told me that he had sold 3000 tons, one-hundred-twenty loads to ADM in Richmond, Texas. I told the GM I would try to sell the haul to my guys but that I didn't want to put any of "my" trucks on it. My reasoning was that with the new bale destination, I could be stretched.

I have a great bunch of lease trucks and out of six of them, five signed up for the new haul. Best part for them is that they will get within a hundred miles of their home on a daily basis.
Throw Miller's truck in the mix and another from just down the road, we lack one truck filling the eight slots they want.

As my luck would have it, both the bale and seed change overs will take place Wednesday.

I swear, sometimes I think they are just wanting to see how much I can coordinate.

To further complicate things, the GM still wants a couple of trucks to run to Lubbock to bring parts back.

We did a lot of tire swapping yesterday. Part of the pre-New Mexico preventative maintenance. We have been trying to rewire or replace broken or non-working lights. We had one trailer with a brake problem. We did some adjusting on them but it appears that on one of those cold mornings this trailer may have had moisture in the air lines that froze. Just for good measure I poured a couple of ounces of rubbing alcohol into them, hopefully to prevent this from happening again.

As part of our maintenance program, I began training Herberto to adjust trailer brakes. One of my biggest problems out here is catching a particular trailer while it is still attached to the truck to adjust the brakes. You have to have air to the trailer to release the spring brakes to allow you to adjust your brakes. Anyhow, since he is always on the dock during his shift, this would be a great opportunity to keep all the brakes adjusted, at least once weekly.

Krl and I spent Friday morning doing our regular things. Hourly payroll, sorting truck driver's paperwork and preparing tax deposits. Shortly after lunch we went to the court house and did some title transfers that had needed to be done. We had some owner financed vehicles that we were able to pay off. Crazy thing was, lots of the pay was repair work done by me!!

I have to be honest and chastise myself a little. In direct contrast to the past few weeks, I did not get much done on truck and driver settlements Friday. Saturday morning came and I was way behind. I kept my butt in my chair though and by late yesterday we had recovered and Krl was doing the proof, giving me corrections and writing checks.

Whew!

In the middle of our Saturday thrash I caught a glimpse of something outside the window. I told Krl to go to the door (she was closer). She went and stood there asking me if there was a reason for this exercise when there was a small knock. She opened the door and there stood Kyle Patrick Henry. He had come to visit.

Of course I had to accuse him of coming out to check on Consuela and the kids. I actually think in some ways he would love to be back out here, but (and it is a big but) he likes being close to civilization. Anyhow, it was good to see him. He is the only one who has thought enough of us to come see us.

It really worked out good because by the time he was ready to leave, we had two mail packs that needed to go to the other end to the Sweetwater office. Since it was a maintenance Sunday and the bales no longer deliver to Sweetwater, it takes a stroke of luck to get this there. Add to the mix the fact that Monday is a holiday and Kyle did the right thing coming to see us!

Yep, that's what we've been doing. sitting on our behinds drinking lemonade and eating homemade ice cream.

And if you believe that, do I have a business opportunity for you!

Keep us in mind as we have major changes later this week!

Have a day and a week!

Oh FATHER, sometimes I wonder if YOU are loading me up too heavy. Forgive me. Give me the reassurance that YOU will not give me anything I can't handle with YOU and through YOU. I lift up Hag to YOU for YOUR continued gifts of healing. I lift up the twins and the smurf to YOU as they grow and develop. I lift up Pepa to YOU as he celebrates his 79th birthday tomorrow. I ask that YOU bless him with good health and many more happy birthdays!

Time seems to be moooovvvviiinngg in ssslllooooowwwwww mmoottiionnnnn out here.

I am so battling letting it pull me down. One minute I am winning, the next it is.

We are still on top of things, at least last time I drove the compound. We seem to be having some equipment attrition this week. The long season is taking its toll. Wheel seals on one, transmission on another one (both of those are Pepa's, he won't be happy), an air leak here, a tire that needs replaced there, a light problem. The problems are wide and varied.

I have put in place hopefully the wheels to get things up and in shape to begin the trek into New Mexico in seven to fourteen days. I am NOT looking forward to that. I sat with the GM this morning and he talked with the compress and he then handed them off to me. Thank You, I think. We talked and they told me they anticipated this move lasting for forty thousand bales worth from our plant, or roughly thirty-three days. Where we go from there, who knows.

I have been campaigning for some of the old Wal Mart or K-Mart building that are vacant. This is going to be such a mess, little dabs of cotton sprinkled all over from New Mexico to the metroplex.

I can get a rise out of the compress people because back in the summer when they were talking of shipping all the cotton to Flower Mound their argument was cotton would be worth more in Flower Mound, Texas than Sweetwater, Texas. I tell them now that using their reasoning, cotton in New Mexico is going to be worth diddly squat!

So far though they have not flinched at the added expense of shipping.

Krl is telling me she is afraid I am becoming sick. Dang it, I hate it when I am the last to know something! She tells me I am feverish. I tell her it is just all that knowledge battling around in the vast emptiness of my head!

Last night, just prior to shift change I was in the office sitting at the scale counter visiting with the GM. We had begun a conversation the other day and didn't get to complete it before some patrons walked in. We had a very good visit last evening.

He has been the GM thirty-five years. He has seen this cooperative grow from a new fledgling business to one of the premier operations in the state. I wasn't sure if he was aware of my application for his position or not. To have been one of this coops anchors, he is surprisingly insecure in his position. Over the years I have learned that you never do anything that would make him think you are circumventing his authority. Through the years I have received the "obviously you have forgotten who is running this operation" speech so many times I can probably do a good impersonation. To his credit, he can get un-mad as quickly as he can get mad.

He told me that he was aware of my application and that he was surprised when the board President showed my envelope to him. He didn't give me any particulars but said it made for some lively debate in the board room.

I told Krl last evening my only regret was that by their decision that they knew me well enough from my association with the coop that they didn't need to let me interview, I was not allowed to sell myself. And Krl has always told me I could sell cow poop back to the cow.

Anyhow, the conversations the GM and I have had seems to have taken our business relation another level forward. I am only sad that it has happened so close to the end of his career.

Well, old man winter is comin' visitin' again.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the journey I have had to this point. Some parts of the trek have not been fun or enjoyable, but they have contributed to who I am becoming. Thanks.

I had one of those weekends where I found my groove. I was busy, I was productive, but by weekend's end, I was tired.

When I completed my part of the settlements I leapt into the W-2 portion of the yearend exercise! I updated software and began entering correct addresses and finally checking wages and withholdings amounts between my payroll register and the W-2 program. With the exception of four addresses that were either incomplete or that I know have changed since the W-4's were turned in, I could click on the button in that program and print!

Yes!

I don't know who is most surprised, Krl or myself.

I haven't looked at the W-3 summary for totals, but I was somewhat shocked to discover thirty-three employees in 2007. We have already added two to that this year.

Late yesterday afternoon, I was pretty well spent. Krl asked me, "Why don't you go lay down and take you a snoozer?" I didn't need much encouragement. It seems like it isn't very often I get to sleep on the new bed. Before it was all said and done, me and the little houndgirls were snoozing. I woke just in time to see the end of the Giants Cowboys game.

While I dozed, Krl had been busy. Texas cuisine. Chicken fried steak, creamed potatoes, baked beans, cream gravy and Texas toast. Krl makes a really mean double battered chicken fry, using a buttermilk and egg mixture to dip it in before flouring it and then repeating the process. Krl had crossed the line though, she had attempted the cream gravy, and that is my very own territory. As it turns out, she threw hers out and I did a do over on her behalf.

We ate like the King and Queen of the range. Yum!

We have already gotten our week off high center, so we are fixing to take a break and cook breakfast. Sausage, oatmeal and toast, as per Krl's request!

I need to make a report on the sleep comfort bed. I think it is going to be great. I haven't slept on it enough to fine tune my number, but I only woke one time last night with my shoulder hurting. (And it wasn't a sharp hurt like before). It seems like I am entering my dream sleep also. I had all sorts of dreams last night but the one that stood out was one about my graduating class from high school and the question of whether or not we were under or over achievers. A doctor, a dentist, a president of an insurance company, teachers, salesmen and women, just a few of the vocations. The most surreal moment in my dream was going over a growing list of classmates that are no longer with us.

In an interesting development, "E" called Pat to tell her he was getting married. He asked Pat to tell Memama and Pepa. Pat and I conversed via e-mail about it.

I have no problem with this for "E". I think Tj would not want him to be alone. My only problem is if the timing is right for the kids. If the timing is rushed it could create a permanent barrier between "E" and Tj's kids and the new step Mom. I also think it would be a very nice gesture by "E" and his bride to be, to come out and let Memama and Pepa meet her. Contrary to what "E" and his bride might think, "E" and his and Tj's kids have been and will always be a part of our family. The new bride will also be, by association.

Pat has gone to Dallas with Memama and Pepa today. Pepa has an appointment with one of Colby's doctors about Pepa's knee. I don't know that knee replacement is a realistic option at this time but I know Pat is hoping for some type of injections that will lubricate his joints.

I told him to try drinking a half cup of WD-40 every morning.

The betting board for the completion date is selling rapidly. The pot has grown in excess of two hundred dollars! Even the retiring GM has gotten on the board.

Hope you have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the productive weekend. Please bless this day and this week!

Woo hoo!

Settlements are done! Actually they were done yesterday. In fact I was through with bale drivers and trucks on Friday and seed trucks and drivers before lunch Saturday. Krl had checks finished yesterday afternoon.

I began printing the payroll register in hopes of doing W-2's and 1099's this coming week. I just wanted to throw that out there so you wouldn't think I was slacking off!

It doesn't seem I can catch a break though. Krl and I had noticed her runner rug on the parquet floor was damp. O.K., Krl said not damp, wet. We have a cooler that sits there most of the time with ice in it and I figured that was the culprit. Upon closer scrutiny (meaning we cleaned the lower cabinets out) we discovered the water heater had developed a drip.

Crudola!

I tried to tighten the fittings but with no luck. Finally, I decided to save time and take the high road so I removed ALL the fittings, re-dressed them with thread tape and re-installed and tightened them. After a couple of hours I was ready to turn the water on and check for leaks. Thank GOD for small blessings. It was dry.

I left the cabinets open and monitored it throughout the night.

This morning it was still dry, so now we will have to put everything away.

Let's see, what other news is there. Driver problems. One of Jake and Joni's drivers hooked to a trailer and drove out from under it, totalling the trailer out. One of mine decided to do his own program and did three loads instead of two, which put him way over the legal limits for hours of service. This is the same driver who has been a thorn all season. He now has a reprimand in his employee jacket and for his records.

What else is there. Oh, I had one rocket scientist truck driver tell me I needed to adjust brakes on a particular trailer. I told him fine, except I don't have air to supply them to release the spring brakes. Duh! In my books that is part of the driver's job. At least he has a truck to hook up the air.

I gave my seed drivers last night and today off. We are trying to build some reserve in the big warehouse.

I spent a little time with the GM yesterday. We had just began a deep conversation when we were interrupted by some patrons. In some ways I feel so sorry for him. He has held his position thirty-five years and will retire at the end of this ginning season (probably some time in April). The board has not told him anything about his replacement. He told me I seem to know more than they are telling him. I had made the statement that the board wanted to know if there was an empty spot in the RV park to put a trailer for the new GM come March 1. They want him to be on hand and witness the completion of the season and also to get to work a little with the old GM. This seemed to take the current GM aback. I can only imagine how it must feel to know your replacement is in waiting.

Packers, Pats. Pretty much as scripted.

Today's schedule should be pretty interesting. I find it hard to cheer against the Cowboys, but a Manning/Manning Super Bowl would be appealing.

Have a day!

FATHER, I ask for YOUR peace and calm.

Here at the jobsite, things continue to progress. I think we are just under eight thousand bales from being halfway. While we are looking forward to this milestone, we realize what a journey it has been to get to this point. We also realize that at 155,890 and every bale after, it will be new and uncharted territory.

I had an e-mail from Pat this morning. She said Hag has been quite the trooper. They are home and he is doing well. He has to go in to have his blood levels checked Monday.

She also gave me some news. It isn't my place to tell WHO, but they are going to have twins!

Neat, neat news! At the Brownwood reunion that will mean three sets of twins and one set of triplets.

Yesterday Krl and I made a quick jaunt to the bank to make the weeks payroll tax deposit. When I was leaving the President of the board hollered at me and told me when he got through with his business he wanted to talk with me. We stepped into the foyer and he told me he had been trying to catch me to talk. He thanked me for turning in my application and resume for the GM position at the compound. He said they were a little surprised when I did. He told me they felt I was in the top four candidates, and it probably wasn't fair to me, but they really didn't want to lose me as a contractor. He went on to tell me they had offered the position to a gentleman but he had asked them to keep it quiet until he had opportunity to tell his board at his current job.

I told the board President I had only turned in the resume because some patrons had asked me to do so, and best of all it didn't cost nothing to enter that rodeo. I also told him I would hate for them to hire some chicken s__t just for want of a better candidate. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Yippee kai yea!

Things are really pretty good here at the compound. My forklift dealer finally brought our machine that was new in October back to the compound. It only took them a week to fix what they should have been able to fix on site. Within minutes of returning our machine and picking up their loaner, a hydraulic seal gave it up. It was in one of the cylinders they had just rebuilt. They had to come back and rebuild the cylinder once again. Turns out they had left the nut on the ram or rod loose.

We had a little fun with a the newest truck driver yesterday. He had called telling me Cricket had a brain fart and took the fuel card from the big truck. This man told me he had to have fuel. I told him to look me up at the compound and I would fuel him on my card. I was on the bale dock helping strap loads (we had three trucks arrive together) when this man drove up. He came to Herbert and I and asked, "Are you D?".

"No", I replied, "I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks.

That was all Herbert needed to run with. He just built from there. In a few minutes the man came back to me and asked "are you D". I told him those were fighting words! Finally we could stand it no more and began laughing.

I know, it doesn't take much to entertain us out here. Dung beetle races and wild goose chases!

Krl and doing GREAT on the driver and truck settlements. I could use a weekend that wasn't too intense.

Have a good day! Happy Birthday Holt and Erica! The big 2. (For Holt, I won't say how many birthdays Erica has celebrated!).

FATHER, thank YOU for the good reports, the good news. I continue to lift Hag up to YOU for your gifts of healing and comfort. Be with the new twins as they form and grow. Bless Holt and Erica on this their birthday and many more to come.

We had an interesting piece of mail yesterday, but let me preface this story for you.

This is a very unique community. Due to the isolated location, I believe more people volunteer for various services throughout the community.

There is no doctor, no hospital in the county. You are talking an hour drive to seek medical care.

There is an Emergency Medical Service with two locations. One in Garden City, the other in the St. Lawrence community. All of the technicians are volunteers. It is not uncommon at all to see people walk into the office wearing beepers for whatever emergency service they volunteer to.

When the tradegy occurred with Ricardo, the locals responded, began IV's and stabilized him, ultimately making the decision that the severity of Ricardo's injuries would make an ride in the local service's ambulance unlikely, so they summoned care flight.

The Fire Department is volunteer, also with two locations in the afore mentioned communities.

One of the really impressive things is the equipment the have. It is top notch. The county government here is very generous with these volunteer organizations. The local government is always quick to apply for and usually receiver state and federal grants for equipment and or training.

Of course donations play a very important role in operations as well. And therein lies our story today. Each year, as the fiscal year end approaches, we have a list of groups or organizations that we donate to. The Church (although we aren't Catholic), the livestock show, a Memorial scholarship fund named in honor of a youth killed in a car accident a few years back, project graduation (until it fizzled), and of course the Volunteer Fire Department and the Volunteer Emergency Medical Service.

The cheque to the St. Lawrence Emergency Medical Service was picked up and went through three pair of hands before arriving at the President of the Service for deposit. This woman gave birth to a little girl just prior to Christmas and has two little boys six and under at home also. I know her husband, her Mom and step-Dad (I call him a good friend), and her in-laws. They are all "good people".

This woman called me to tell me she had lost the cheque. She was so apologetic. Over and over again. She told me this wasn't like her, that she is a very organized, very responsible person. I joked with her that she couldn't blame this on being pregnant because she isn't any more, but she could blame it on being related to her step-Dad. Very quickly she told me she was a much better businessman than he is!

In the mail I received a page long letter of apology along with twenty-five dollars cash from this woman to cover the cost of a stop payment fee. I feel for this woman. There is nothing I could say that would make her feel any worse. She is beating herself up something terrible.

Krl will replace their check and return the woman's money.

I don't know about you but I'm not too concerned about the cheque. I think if you came into my establishment wanting to cash a cheque made out to the St. Lawrence Emergency Medical Service, I might question you about it. I think the cheque will surface.

Krl and I went to town yesterday. I was going to drop her off at minor emergency to see if she might get some 'scripts that would be more effective. She stuck her head in the door and returned to the expedition telling me she wasn't going to spend all day in there!

We continued on to the mobile phone store and walked right in and to a representatives desk. Turns out they made a claim on both Krl's and my phones. I had an idea what I wanted to replace mine with, but I was told I had no choice. Insurance would dictate what phone I received. Turns out there was a fifty dollar deductible on each phone.

Hhhhmmm. Fifty plus fifty, plus one years premium for each equalling one hundred thirty dollars. Car chargers will not interchange nor will holsters or covers so that is another one hundred twenty-one dollars. We are at three hundred fifty-one dollars. I began to wonder what the phones cost over the counter.

We had already been told we could receive our choice of phone free if we signed a two year contract. Currently we have no contract. We'll pass.

Turns out the phones we received from insurance would have cost us $39.95 each plus the car chargers, holsters and covers for $121. I may have graduated from Roscoe High but I think that would be the better deal.

The phone I wanted would have cost $19.95 each plus the $121. Even better yet.

I think I am going to cancel the insurance because it seems all it guarantees is to empty your pocket a little at a time each month and then go for the jugular when you need to use it.

Everyone has a racket!

I talked to Pat yesterday evening and she told me Hag had the first procedure but they were having a difficult time getting him comfortable due to the two back surgeries he had previously. He was scheduled for a second radiation session at four in the evening and if he still wasn't comfortable they were going to try to do his final one about nine last night and remove the needles.

I haven't talked with her today. Basically all she told me yesterday was the comfort problem and her having to keep him from trying to get up. She did say they kept him much longer than she had anticipated and she was beginning to get concerned when his nurse came to report to her.

We'll hope for the best!

Have a day.

FATHER, bless this day. Bless Hag and Pat.

I kind of have a "don't give a hoot attitude".

For thirteen years we did the same deal out here. I sent trucks to Sweetwater with cotton, Lubbock with seed. Over the years it has accumulated to the tune of three quarters of a million bales and around three hundred thousand tons of seed. With only brief exceptions all the seed has delivered to the same place. The bales had never wavered.

Until this year.

I guess that was my New Years gift because January 3rd we began taking the bales to Lubbock. I put in other equipment to make up for the hundred mile per round trip increase.

Still it is always feast or famine. I circle the compound assessing the situation and may find a dock full of loaded trailers, then a wave of trucks come in and I have a dock full of empty trailers. It is very frustrating from my point of view.

Give me steady.

It will take some getting used to.

I made a mad dash for Midland late yesterday for two things. Light bulbs for the forklift headlights (of all things) and to get a new cell phone. I got the bulbs but not the cell phone. I made three stops and could have done the phone deal at the final stop but they couldn't do the phone book transfer.

I did all that re-keying last year, and I refuse to do it again.

I went to the big store our service provider has in Midland, making sure I arrived before five. When I pulled into the parking lot there were twenty-one vehicles in the front lot and only six in the employee lot. Not very good odds. This is the same store Krl and I went to last Friday and again Sunday.

Business must be good.

Krl is quite sickly. Fever, snots, headache. I told her we can go to a walk in clinic or minor emergency. I'd probably go too.

Our meds made it out here yesterday and guess what. They didn't fill my diuretic. They said insurance wouldn't pay for it until the nineteenth. Duh! $8. We told them we'd pay the full cost. What idiots. Seems to me they shorted me and never made up the shortage.

Krl and I have been laughing. Both of us have this hunger for something and we can't quite figure out what it is. We thought it was Mexican food, but that didn't do it. Then we thought it was a good steak with all the trimmings, but it wasn't. The oriental didn't do it, or the Mediterranean side dishes. Krl thinks it is either Italian or seafood. I think it might be Texas fare.

We did finger foods yesterday. It was always one of the kids favorites at Christmas. little smokies cooked in a Worcestershire mixture, then drained and two rolled into a crescent roll with a little cheese sprinkled inside. Dip it in a little honey mustard, or Lite-house ranch dressing or some barbecue sauce and you have a real cuisine.

I hate it when my taste buds act dumb.

I made the mistake of going to the docks when two trucks were in. I could tell one of them had something on his mind, and it is a dangerous thing for a truck driver to have a mind. This driver is one of the newest hires and is on Pepa's truck #15. I may be seeing a pattern developing here because it seems every week this driver is wanting to borrow money. He already has a hundred fifty dollar advance on this weeks settlement, and this morning he wanted to borrow two hundred and forty dollars more. I realize he must be in a bind because he said his wife would drive a hundred eighty miles from their home to here to pick it up so she could pay their electric bill before end of day. The crazy thing is this driver claims married with one dependent but withholding at the higher single rate. His taxes withheld last week were about three hundred fifty dollars. If he claimed married and two dependents or even married and one dependent he would have almost had his two hundred forty dollars on his last check.

Hag starts his treatment today.

Have a day.

FATHER, we lift up Hag for YOUR gifts of healing and comfort.

We lost our rabbit's foot with the plant last night. About two in the morning Bertha had a hitch in her get along! The electric motor on the module feeder burned up again, for the third or fourth time this season. Worst thing was the wire in the conduit got hot enough to melt the insulation and then short out. Frank called in the electricians for the repair. While they pulled the new wire, the night crew removed and replaced the motor. About eight this morning, Bertha began a new verse.

I had my regular Monday. Office, bank, post office and back to the trailer. It seems like I have to stay on my computer work, so I already have built my spreads for the coming week.

I did take a break yesterday afternoon and removed our mattress from our bedroom. We have had the new mattress for over a week, but I just hadn't had the time to swap them out.

I will say that putting one in a conventional house would be a breeze compared to putting one in our travel trailer. Of course the bed is located on a slide out which means we had to contend with that mechanism. I removed the bed platform and placed the pump for the sleep by number bed under it, then I had to use a hole saw for exits for the air lines as well as the power supply and control box. Two one inch holes and then an opening of one and a quarter inches by three inches. By the time I had everything routed and the platform back on, I had put in about two hours. The actual putting together of the mattress was a breeze!

I put the word out in the compound we had a mattress to give away. I had laid it across the bed of my company truck. Before bed time we looked out and it was gone!

Krl and I were both excited about bed time! She said I was asleep in less than a minute. I had a good night going until my belly had an ethnic battle.

We had oriental fare last evening for supper and as an added treat Krl had me stir fry a bag of Mediterranean blend vegetables. Everything was delicious, but I think after they were in the confines of my belly, they began to fight! Anyhow, I got up shortly after midnight and never went back to bed. Krl said she slept great! When she woke up she had no aches and or pains.

So now I am looking forward to my first complete night on the new mattress! Again.

Last week we called in our prescriptions to our pharmacist in Abilene. Krl paid for them over the phone and called Trc and told her to pick them up and ship them to us. I ran out Saturday, Krl ran out Sunday. Yesterday Krl called Trc and she hadn't shipped them yet! One of mine is the diuretic I take and I am feeling the need for it! I told Krl I am drowning from the inside out! Maybe today!

Pat and Hag are in Lubbock today for pre-procedure blood work. Tomorrow is the procedure and he will receive two radiation treatments with the final of the three occurring Thursday morning. Keep them in your prayers!

Have a day!

FATHER, I feel rotten. I ask that YOU pick me up! I lift up Hag to you for your miracle of healing. I ask YOU for positive results on his behalf. Bless-ed be YOUR name.

Krl and I left the compound about lunch time yesterday, headed to the big city. Nothing specific on our horizon, just a day out and looking for a good meal that someone else cooked!

As we drove we put an agenda in place, so when we hit town we had a purpose. Kohl's was the first stop, and they had some after Christmas sales going! Krl was going through the Junior Department and having a 'hay day" stocking up on size 0 pants! She encouraged me to go look in the men's department for their sale racks. I finally did and got me some new slacks and shirts, just in case I do get to interview for the GM position.

I didn't think that we were ever going to get checked out from Kohl's as Krl's check wouldn't go through. Finally we just paid cash and left. The cashier had given Krl her check back and it had an imprint on the back with a number to call for an explanation. The phone call told Krl she had no check writing history with them. I wonder if they realized that outside of one prior trip into their store she had no shopping history with them? Anyhow, it made her furious!

And I don't blame her!

Next stop was Academy. I had a gift card! I knew what I was looking for. New work boots! By the time we left there we had bought above and beyond the gift card. Of course! I ended up with jeans and some pocket "T's" along with a special gift for myself.

Our trek was going good as we left Academy headed for Alltel. Friday Krl and I had been there and they were covered up. We looked at their door and saw they were open on Sunday so we left to come back then.

I was pretty mad when we rounded the corner to find an empty parking lot at Alltel. We drove to the door and they had "new business hours" posted. Closed on Sunday. The new window sticker wasn't even straight!

Next stop was Albertson's and then we were headed to somewhere to eat. After a brief discussion we changed our plans and elected to go to the Cattle Baron. We both decided we wanted that tremendous salad bar to graze on. When we left there we were both disappointed with our steaks. I told Krl the steak I had at Logan's when we were on a Christmas shopping excursion was very much superior to yesterday's lunch fare!

Final stop was Wal Mart where we replenished our medicines and bought a few groceries. We did use our gift cards from Memama and Pepa to purchase a new comforter for our new bed.

Now I have to get the new bed in place.

I'm going to back track now, to the special gift for myself at Academy.

I corrected one of the great injustices of my life. To be honest, I am surprised I turned out as well as I have considering this monumental event in my early life.

In prior blogs I have talked of growing up going to the grocery store in Roscoe. While there were an abundance of grocery stores, our allegiance was to W.W. Shields Red & White Grocery. I can remember for many years coveting a pair of moccasins hanging in the front of the store. I don't know why they appealed to me, but I was drawn to them. As best I can remember they were priced at two or three dollars. Every time I asked my Mom for them I was rebuffed. I think she thought I was foolish. I am sure she thought if she bought those for me she would have to buy something for all the others. (I would have never told!). I know that two or three dollars then was a lot more than it is today too, and money was tight.

I guess I was drawn to the moccasins because being the younger brother, when we played cowboys and indians, I was usually the indian. But hey, I got to use the bow and arrow too!

Over the years I have lamented about the mocassins at Shield's, even wondering what happened to them when the store was closed.

Yesterday, while in Academy, I found a rack of moccasins. I not only bought me a pair, I bought Krl a pair too! I am wearing mine as I write this post, and they are wonderful. Best part was they were on sale. $2.79. I feel the urge to let out an indian war cry and run!

It makes me wonder what would be different in my life had I not been deprived as a child.

So it took me almost fifty years to right the wrong done to me, but I have succeeded.

Oh, and Mom, I forgive you!

I am going to close. I think I will kick back in my chair, put my feet on my desk and admire my moccasins.

Have a day.

FATHER, bless this week. Thank YOU for leading me where YOU have. Thank YOU for my new moccasins.

2007 began with Pepa having been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Lucky for the family we have our medical review officer Pat. She goes many miles and spends many hours making doctor appointments with Mema and Pepa. All of us thank her for her expertise.

Pepa had several appointments deciding if the cancer had spread and possible treatments. Many friends and acquaintances called and offered their own personal experience to members of the family. Ultimately, Pepa ended up in the office of Dr. Mark in Lubbock. I have never met the man but I like what I have heard of him. He seems to have a very personal, compassionate bedside manner with both patient and family. Pat told me Dr. Mark would say, "If you were my Dad, this is what I would do ....", or he would say "If he was my Dad .....".

Finally the decision was made to go to Lubbock and have the bracchea (I'm sure the spelling is no where near this) treatment with the radioactive needles positioned strategically and the multiple radiation treatments.

Bless Memama's little heart. She stayed up there the entire time trying to keep Pepa from climbing out of that pen!

To everyone's surprise, Pepa returned a month later for the final two day session. Our family is blessed that he is receiving good reports. In fact it is my understanding that Dr. Mark told him he believed he had whipped this gremlin.

Praise GOD!

2007 ended much as it began. Hag was diagnosed with prostate cancer and begins his treatment this next Wednesday. Once again Dr. Mark is the doctor and Hag has chosen the same treatment Pepa had. Pat told me that Dr. Mark, when talking with Hag would say, "If you were my brother".

Hag is almost thirty years younger than Pepa and Dr. Mark told him he can't guarantee the cancer won't recur. BUT, he continued on to tell Hag that he felt there would be a vaccine for prostate cancer in the next ten to twelve years!

Wow!

We are expecting and we are petitioning GOD for the same good results that Pepa received for Hag. Please join us in lifting him up for GOD's gifts of healing and comfort. Also keep Pat and the kids in mind during this.

I don't know if this will be my final review of 2007 or not, but I felt it to be imperative to make mention of Pepa's victory, and Hags scheduled treatment.

Now a little lighter fare.

Do you have memories that are triggered by certain scents, smells or tastes?

I know it is nuts, but similarly, I can't see a blue haired old woman without thinking of Memaw McLeod.

In a similar vein I would like to share the following occurrence.

The other day when the new forklift encountered problems, I called the dealer. He responded and brought me a loaner machine while he took our machine to his shop to fix it. Just before he left to return to Midland he reached inside his truck and removed two coffee mugs filled with candies. He told me, "This won't fix your forklift but maybe it will give you a little enjoyment!"

I distributed several candies to my dock employees and then began making my way back to the company trailer.

As I walked into the trailer I popped a candy in my mouth. Butterscotch! Immediately I thought of Memaw. My trip down memory land continued as I reminisced about Doublemint gum , which was always in abundant supply. Peppermints and chocolate covered peanuts rounded out the regular treats. I can remember ribbon candy at Christmas. Memaw always had multiple candy dishes set out with a varied offering.

As a youngster I didn't have a liking for butterscotch or peppermint. I have always been a choc-aholic! Ribbon candy never tripped my fancy.

Now I am finding as I get older I have acquired a taste for the butterscotch and peppermint. However, I still haven't acquired the taste for ribbon candy. Maybe I'm just not old enough!

See, now I've got you thinking about memories associated with tastes!

I hope they are good ones!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for precious memories. Thank YOU for YOUR gifts of healing and comfort. We lift Hag up to YOU for your miracle of healing. FATHER, YOU are good!

I have spent some time the last few days reviewing 2007 from my personal view point.

I have been very quick in the past to want it to be over and making brash statements about how horrific a year it had been. I think I must confess that the negativity is associated with my older brother and my youngest sister dying, both very unexpectedly.

Upon closer scrutiny, if I remove those monumental events from 2007, it wasn't that bad a year.

I feel that I have grown as a person, although I probably would say my spiritual growth lagged.

If I had to list one personal milestone, I would have to say it would be putting the last remnant of the family business debacle to rest.

I haven't written specifically about this, but I feel compelled now.

In the last year of the family business operating at full bore, our bank, which was also our factoring company took control of the business's accounts. Every day an officer of the bank would look through and hand pick what items they were going to pay and what they chose not to. Out instructions were to conduct business as usual and they would make their determinations on each given day. We were told they were using this as a business tool. This stemmed from a large amount of charge backs which occurred when the business changed factoring companies to them. Basically it resulted in a negative reserve. For those of you familiar with factoring you will know what I am talking about. For those of you not familiar with factoring, just know that it is expensive and not without risks.

I will always question the legality of the bank doing what they did. Basically they were getting to the feed trough first to get their fill. Most bankers will tell you that if a financial institution returns items as unpaid, there is no hunt and pick system, it is pay them as they were presented.

Now this was a major problem, but it was not the point of my entry for today. I have simply been laying the preface to the "Rest of the story."

Out comptroller had been sending the payroll tax deposits to this bank, and I would remind him frequently that those had to be paid. I remember the day the comptroller came into my office looking rather pale and sat down telling me we needed to talk. He had received all the deposits back from the bank with a note from one of the account representatives asking "What are we supposed to do with these?" When payroll runs a quarter million a week, the tax deposits are significant. Add about six months of them together and it is monumental! In my books, this banks decision not to pay these deposits not only put substantially more into their coiffures. it put the deciding nails in to the business's coffin.

In early April 2006, Krl and I had just returned from the seasonal jobsite. She was having a couple of friends over for coffee and cake, I was in the home office. The door bell rang and I answered it to find two United States Treasury agents there. They wanted to talk with me about the payroll tax liability from the now defunct family business. One of these men told me I owed 1.3 million dollars and wanted to know what my intentions were. I told him if we were unable to pay it while the business was operating, I sure couldn't pay it. I explained the banks role in the problem but that fell on deaf ears. I will admit attempted to be a little cute with them because I asked them if they would take a check. "Sure", they responded. "Can I borrow one?, I asked. They didn't see the humor.

They then told me how they didn't want to see me waste money that could go towards this liability by hiring a tax attorney or tax negotiator. They gave me a stack of paperwork to fill out and a deadline to respond. I immediately called a tax negotiator in Lubbock who told me he would try to work me in. I wasn't comfortable with being "worked in", so I called my brother Fred who referred me to a little wanna be gangsta tax negotiator. From the beginning, he and I did not get along. Thankfully I did get along with his accountant who did my paperwork and negotiating my offer in compromise.

It took fifteen months, but on June 5, 2007 we received word that the IRS had accepted our offer. We scraped and borrowed from anyone who would listen, but in July we paid the offer in compromise in full. Now we have to file on time for the next five years and will forfeit any tax we over pay during that same period. After the ende of five years, it will all be a bad memory.

This may not seem like a major high point to many, but for us it meant a new lease on life. Throughout the demise of the family business and an extended period of working without pay, Krl and I had been forced to sell lots of our personal property. Of course our farm operation had been sucked up a few years before.

It is comical now, but at the time it was very serious. One day I came in from work and Krl looked at me and asked, "Is it that bad?"

"Yes", I replied.

"How bad?", she asked.

I told her, "You know the last major thing we own beside the house is your suburban, well we can either sell it and make a few more house payments or we can live in it!"

After a brief while she brought me her keys.

My Mom used to say the IRS scared her more than a bear.

I would agree.

Fortunately for Krl and I, Krl was not on any signature cards and did not make any decisions on business bills paid, and our only large items, our home and a thirteen old pickup truck, were titled jointly.

The IRS has no boundaries to operate within. Our bankruptcy had no bearing on the tax liability. The IRS doesn't recognize homestead laws.

Our saving grace was the joint ownership and Krl's non-involvement in the family business.

Boy that ended up being a long story about a high point of 2007.

Another high was working with Chris at the parts store. That was interesting. It was an eye opener being on that side of the counter and dealing with inventory numbers that were drastically perverted by the influx of "windmill" associated businesses coming into the area.

Having worked with Kyle here at the seasonal work, it was interesting to work with the other brother!

Another high point of settling the tax liability issue was that once again Krl and I could own something. Immediately I told the seasonal majority owner that I was giving my notice when they told me they did not want the company without me and made an offer to sell.

Talk about silver linings!

I'm not going to tell you to have a day. I'm going to tell you to have a year! May it be prosperous and filled with joy and happiness.

FATHER, Thank YOU for deliverance! Amen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I can't believe '07 is gone.

Even more so, I can't believe how rapidly the years are clicking off!

It is difficult for me to look back at '07. Tragedy and Triumphs are sprinkled throughout.

Of course Freddy and Tj would be the majors at one extreme while Drew and Kennedy would be at the other. Weddings and pregnancy(s) would be other positive factors.

I am not big on resolutions. I guess I think they are a lot like day dreams.

A bit of catching up, Sunday I went to Midland alone. Krl was not well. We had a few "must" items on our list, the first of which was dog food. Of course the only place that has our dog's food is Petsmart. Office supplies were second stop. Then a quick jaunt to Albertson's for items unique only to them, then on to HEB for the main course! The highlight of the trip was running across a display of Junior Helper get ups at HEB. These are so cute. I had bought Reid one and he loved it and Rian and Erica had asked me where I had found it. These get ups have a leather tool belt, hammer, gloves, measuring tape, chalk box, and of course the all important hard hat accompanied by rainbow colored suspenders. I called Rian to see if he wanted me to get one and he told me two for them and then I got two extras. One for Holt's birthday and another to put back for Drew!

The plant has been running fairly well. We did have a lint cleaner fire yesterday that spread to the motes. Everyone is pretty fresh so trucks have been waiting to get loads. Krl and I spent time doing end of year stuff. Charitable donations, reconciling banking, and trying to do a little tax planning.

Neither Krl or I saw the new year in.

So already we are playing catch up!

Have a day!

FATHER, I ask YOUR blessings on this new year. We lift up Hag as he begins his treatment and we ask YOUR gifts of healing and comfort for him. YOU reign supreme!