Yesterday morning as I made my rounds I was greeted with over seven hundred bales waiting to be transported. This never happened in the past. Of course lots of things are different this year, the multiple delivery locations, traveling across state lines, and an enormous increase in miles to get the job done.

I had vented yesterday about two drivers who have gone to either have repairs made or tend to personal business. Neither of these men had been totally honest about their departures and both had been doing less and less work.

I brought in five new trucks yesterday to catch us up. Two of these are locals I have used sporatically over the years, one was a swap over from the seed, one a new owner operator and the final one a new driver on a Blacksheep truck that recently came out of the shop. (The new Blacksheep driver is kind of sneaky, because you have no idea he is around until you see him. The last one, you smelled before he arrived! Yuk!).

This morning I was pleasantly surprised to find everything above ground and on trailers, the only exception was a planned load for a truck that does not participate in our drop and hook program.

I realize my drivers get tired, I usually stress to them the need to pace your self to prevent burn out. Usually this warning goes unheeded.

I will admit it is a load off when everything is caught up, and it is very refreshing to see these "new" guys get on the job with all their energy. We'll re-assess a week from now, after the extra help is gone.

Now I have to decide whether to bring back the one trucker who went to get his truck repaired (he bought another truck instead). That would put us back at full strength for the first time in two weeks, and it would also allow us some flexibility with bales and mote loads. The problem with this trucker wasn't necessarily him, rather his equipment. When you needed it most it failed to meet the need.

I am in the mood for Ma Allens. I told Krl I can't believe that I am going to miss another birthday meal of my choice. That will make two out of the last three years.

For about the past eleven years I have always requested Ma Allen's fried chicken, boiled squash and her famous potatoe salad. For the first several of those years we picked it up and ate it at the office. The last few years I have been guilty of making the two hour trek from Abilene to Sweetwater to get it. I think the only exeption being 2006 and now this year.

Problem this year is they are closed on Mondays.

I'm going to have to think about what my second choice might be. Hhhmmm.

It is cooling off out here. Thankfully they have taken the snow and sleet from our forecast although they are predicting rain. Our temperatures are predicted to hover just above freezing
while our destinations are predicted to be just below freezing.

It always amazes me that weather can be a two edged sword. The farmers need it, but it can really cause problems for my truckers.

Excerpts from my reading project;

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's comiing attractions." ~Alber Einstein~

and

"Whatever the mind . . . can conceive it can acheive." ~ W. Clement Stone~

Currently I am reading about visualization.

Deciding what you want. Believing you can have it. Believe you deserve it and believe it is possibile for you. Visualize that you already have it, enjoying the feeling of already having it. Focusing on what youa re already grateful for and really enjoy it. Go into your day releasing it to the Universe and trusting that the Universe will figure out how to manifest it.

Lots to digest.

All week long we have been trying to get to Midland. Today has to be that day, otherwise several of the businesses we need to visit will be closed for the weekend.

One humorous note about my day yesterday.

All week long I have not been able to get in to our trailer at night until well after eight. Usually between eight-thirty and nine, sometimes later.

Anytime Krl plans a special meal or one of my favorite meals and she tells me about it, it is like the kiss of death for my day.

Yesterday she told me, "I am thawing some small ribeyes, so we will have steak, baked potatoes, baked beans and biscuits!"

I told her, "Sounds delicious, but you know you just gave my day the kiss of death. You know now that I will have something happent that will not allow me to enjoy the meal while it is hot!"

Guess what? I got to the trailer just before nine last evening.

It was still very good, but Krl played out and went to bed, pretty soon after I walked through the door.

Let's get out those winter clothes one more time!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the productive day and night. I pray for safety for all my truckers as we have the threat of inclimate driving conditions. I continue to lift up Hag to YOU for YOUR miracle of healing. I ask for YOUR comfort and care for he and Pat. I continue to ask for YOUR peace. Bless-ed be YOUR name!