This is getting old.

Krl and I talked on the fringes of the unspeakable yesterday. We did so in generalities, because if we get specific about what we miss about home it is much too painful!

I can't even get into Krl's quest for finding a vacation because I know the address I long to go to. It has a nice comfy recliner and a big bathtub!

The week is going pretty well. The plant performance has been sub-par, but that seems to be its personality, especially after a maintenance Sunday. We are still one truck down on the bale haul but they are getting the job done.

I have taken this opportunity to have some repairs done on the truck which is out of the mix. I may cycle it back in and the other one back out. We'll just have to see.

Last week Krl and I had gone into town and made some purchases. One item was a small utility trailer in Odessa. The other purchases were for things to allow me more flexibility, expecially if we had a recurrence of what happened a week ago Saturday.

When we purchased the trailer I was not impressed with the company or the salesman. When we arrived at their location I began walking through their lot, looking over their inventory. I found what I was looking for, compared similar models, and made a few notes. I began making my way back to the Expedition when a salesman slid up in a golf cart. Immediately I was not impressed with this man. He reminded me of a salesman we had at the family business who was loud and crass and would promise a customer the world to sell something and then not deliver.

My salesman began a little banter about I was supposed to go into the office and they would match me with a salesman. I told him I was not accustomed to having to look for someone to sell me something. We continued to his office and I told him of some changes I would prefer and he told me six to eight weeks for delivery.

I got up and left his office, returning to the Expedition and Krl. We talked briefly, I told her about the delivery time and she asked me a couple of questions about why I wanted something a particular way. Finally she told me she thought we should purchase the trailer and I would make the changes I wanted, odds being that the manufacturer would not get it done the way I wanted it done.

We returned to the salesman's office and I told him he was going to have to split his commission with Krl because he didn't make the sale, she did. We told the man what minor changes we wanted (that would not delay delivery) and he prepared all the paperwork, Krl signed it and gave the man a check. We told him we would be back the first part of the week to pick up the trailer.

Yesterday we arrived, having called from an hour away, just to let the salesman more specifically when we would be there. The receptionist called the salesman and he came up front, all smiles and spreading so much manure he needed a shovel. We started back to his office and he told us he had dropped the ball, the trailer was not ready.

I almost lost it. He told us he had just called them and told them to get the trailer prepped and he found that they had not installed the spare mount and that it would be ready after while. I was in his face immediately, telling him we had invested two hours and a hundred forty miles to pick up the trailer and that by missing the delivery time he had made it impossible for us to make the other stops before those businesses closed which would necessitate another two hours and a another hundred and forty mile trip on another day.

I was furious. I wanted to ask this man if stupid always worked for him because he sure wore it well. I told Krl I voted to tear up the contract and for them to give the money back. The salesman began telling us we could void the transaction and they would mail us a check. That was not acceptable.

I finally walked away, because I felt compelled to dispense to this liar a deluxe azz whipping. After a brief while and a few phone calls, I became impatient waiting for Krl and went back inside. This arrogant dumbass was still claiming he dropped the ball but it was not his fault and he couldn't see what the big deal was. His boss must have told him he had better do some smoozing. Finally I told Krl that his sorry butt could deliver the trailer and see how he liked making the trip, although I doubted he would be the one that would actually make it. Surprisingly, he agreed and assured me he would be the one to bring it.

So, the only good thing that came from our excursion to town was I replaced my twenty-seven day old phone. I went for years with my original bag phone, then I went five years with my Nokia, then a year with my Motoraola, and then my new Samsung lasted almost four weeks. Thankfully it was less than thirty days because it didn't cost me a dime and there was lots less hassle.

So now we need to plan another trip to town to pick up all the other stuff we didn't get to pick up.

I just had a break in the action. The salesman DID deliver the trailer! Will miracles never cease. I am amazed they got everything right! Boy was he penitent.

He dropped it off between the office and our trailer so I immediately hooked to it to move it out of the way. Of course I couldn't do this quick enough as the GM, the plant Super and a number of patrons came by to inspect our purchase.

I've got forty bale loads to spread. I need to go to Stanton. I need to go to Midland.

Things to do and places to go. That's me!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for another new day and fresh start!