I had an early call from Rian this morning. He is much much better. It seems that his pain management doctor found an effective oral pain medication very quickly. I don't know why the surgeon couldn't have done the same thing a week ago.

Rian says that he and the surgeon have had words and basically agreed to disagree. It's a good thing because I was about ready to drive Krl up there to put a deluxe dose of whoopazz on the surgeon.

They brought in a couple more doctors to consult and Rian said he finally feels like they are moving in a positive direction. If all the doctors concur, he will be going home again today.

In a move to expedite our season, Frank and both the GM's (the old and the new) agreed to work straight through to the end. No maintenance Sunday. My on the ground people didn't care for this (or at least the ones working on nights) so they brokered a deal between them to flip shifts across last night and today. I have no problem with their plan.

I have thrashed through pay roll and settlements so I can go to Lubbock if need be. Yesterday I had planned to go but was waiting to see what Rian's situation was going to be. By the time he called telling me they were keeping him it was one thirty-nine. that's pretty late to be beginning a Lubbock trek.

It looks as though today may be the same thing.

I had one missing ticket that had prohibited completion of my settlements. As luck would have it, it was a load Cowboy had hauled. I called and he told me he was thirty minutes away from the plant. Four hours later he arrived. I'm not complaining, if I had had twelve teeth extracted and new dentures put in place on top of forty-five stitches, I probably wouldn't even be trying to work. I would be looking for a hole to crawl in and die!

When the missing ticket was produced and I finished loading the information, I discovered a ten cent discrepancy. Dang the luck! After looking and looking, I decided it had to be a rounding problem. Finally I put everything to four digits and it all worked out!

Once again, I would rather be lucky than good!

I was not able to talk with Pat yesterday so I don't know what is going on in Austin.

This morning the computer said we lacked 715 modules or eight days! Yes!

I also believe it is a forgone conclusion that we will break 180,000! The old GM has said no, but everyone else disagrees. Give us a week and we'll tell you for sure.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, we continue to struggle.

FATHER, we continue to lift Hank's family for your comfort and care. We thank you for the improvement Rian has seen and continue to lift him up for your gifts of healing. Be with us!