Things are just about the norm out here, or I should say just about what has become normal.

Bale trucks are behind, seed trucks are struggling to stay up, and everyone is observing a constant vigil trying to pace themselves to the end.

And the computer says 15 days! Amen.

The plant had a few bad days which kind of lulled the drivers into a relaxed mind set. Now Bertha has been running with the same dogged determination of a mad woman and before the drivers realized it, Bertha was running away from them with loads waiting for shipment! Everyone in the plant is doing their utmost best to keep the big plant on track.

The crew put together a new game to gamble on. They made paper slips with dates and specific three hour periods, folded them and put them into a canister. The players would step up, pay their money and draw a slip. Frank said that it was so frantic and frenzied, they had to put the lid on and stop play just to make sure everyone paid. They sold out in about ten minutes.

I swear these guys would bet on a dung beetle race!

It was good to see Santos leave. Not that we couldn't use him, it was good to see someone who had been here since October end their season. He wasn't too happy having to leave to renew his visa, but then that wasn't his fault or mine. Who would have though last fall we would still be here in April? We visited before he left and he is wanting me to help them,meaning he and his brother, (with letters and promise of employment) to eventually get their permanent residents card which is a big step toward citizenship. The brother has a daughter, born last year who is a U.S. citizen, which should make his paperwork a little easier.

I finally developed a bonus formula for dealing with these employees who have taken considerable time off by their choice. I also used it to discount Santos's bonus because my other employees were complaining that he shouldn't get the same bonus they do if he leaves early! I can see their point. My formula discounted Santos's bonus 4 cents an hour and he had roughly two thousand hours! It didn't hurt him a whole lot but it did put a precedent in place.

Before he left Santos came to the trailer wanting to me to meet his mother. She was nice enough, but I have no idea what she was telling me! I told Krl what was going on and she came outside to meet her as well.

Krl has been telling me she was going to order the Rosetta Stone Spanish program. It would have come in handy yesterday!

I have a new bale hauler this morning. Pepa got a driver for his truck. This will allow me a little more flexibility. More than likely when I get the bales caught up, Cowboy will go back to the seed haul.

It had been so long since I have given the rookie speech that I almost didn't remember it!

If things will work right, Krl and I hope to run into Midland later today. Buy a few groceries, pick up a few supplies, and probably most importantly eat out!

We have had some sort of stomach bug, even the hound girls. We aren't throwing up or having diarrhea, but our stomachs just churn and it seems like everyone is bloated and uncomfortable. I am almost to the point of breaking out the jalapenos! As I type this, my stomach is rumbling like a thunder storm!

Rian's procedure went well. He got to go home, even though the doctor didn't want to let him. Rian had a hard time getting his system to function normally after he was sedated last surgery so we kind of expected it again. As it turned out he ended up back in the emergency room last night. When we talked this morning he said he was sure hurting. Worst thing was he was going to miss Reid's first "T" ball game.

I have finished John Grisham's latest book, The Appeal. It was a difficult read for me toward the end because of the litigation that the family business had been in and lost. Pat had read the book prior to me and the only thing she said was she would always wonder about our trial. No doubt, the system is corrupt!

I did learn I had missed one Grisham book, Playing for Pizza. I'm going to have to get it and catch up.

I am beginning to think about books to take on our trip and books to read while taking long soaking baths with endless hot water when we get home.

I have a dream. That one day we will once again live in a house that does not have wheels, that doesn't rock in the wind, and has more than ten gallons of hot water capacity!

I am beginning to get really hopped up about going home but I can sure bring myself back to reality quickly when I think that in four months we will be moving camp back out here.

Oh I wish I could win lotto!

I have rambled much to long. Hope your day and weekend are good! Be blessed!

FATHER, it is hard not to be anxious. Keep us on course. I lift up Rian for YOUR healing and comfort. I ask for healing for Krl, for me, and for all the houndgirls.