Since I missed Thursday at the parts store, I went in Friday instead.

By a half day I was beginning to wilt. I am hopeful that by next weeks I can muster a full day. All of my incisions are doing well except one, and it is extremely painful. I don't really know how when or why but it is puffed up, looking mad and very sore to touch. I don't know why it decided to wait until the day after the surgeon post op visit to act up, but that is about par for the course.

I may let Dr, Mackie look at it Monday. We are scheduled to go in there Monday to get a little preventative antibiotic before our trip. Dr. Mackie did this last time and it made for a wise travel decision.

Yesterday on my way home I called Krl and asked her for a date. Really not a date, just to go with me running a few errands. She declined which reminded me of about twenty-two years ago (almost) when I asked her out the first time. A brief while later, my phone toned and it was her. She had re-thought her decision and decided we needed it. I told her that she was tops on my book but after she declined I was making my way down the page. A short time later I walked in the door, picked up mail box keys and we left the house.

About the time we were leaving the mailman was coming down the street so Krl waited to get our mail from him. We were hopeful that my new passport would be in it. This is not the same mailman we have had for the majority of the nineteen years we have lived at this address. We had enjoyed the same one for an extremely long time. Krl walked to the curb and the mailman began with her, "When is that travel trailer going to be moved?". Krl told him, "When we get to it!" He refused to let it go and was hollering at her, "Lady! Lady! I do this everyday, and I don't have time to get out and deliver your mail!" Thankfully she just walked away. But the damage had been done. It had put her in a foul mood.

We continued on trying to minimize the damage this crotchety old mail man had done. We made the post office and picked up mail from the post office box and from the stash they were holding for us. It seems our carrier keeps putting a note that we have put our address on vacation. This has never been the case.

I wonder what this mail carrier did before they gave him a route he could drive?

Krl and ended up at Abuellos. Initially we were just going to do some chips and appetizers with a pitcher of margaritas but we ended up getting a really good waitress and ate a combination lunch and dinner. It was good, and we both decided we needed that.

We have been battling with ourselves about Addison and her situation. It seems that her mother has digressed as far as mothers go. Her mother seems much more interested in the deadbeat jailbird she is living with than she is in raising her daughter. We are currently trying to decide whether to invest money in an investigator to document everything or just to call CPS. At one time I thought Addie would be better off with her Dad, but his refusal to give her her medications makes that not a good alternative. Right now I think anywhere would be better for Addie than where she is at.

Memama and Pepa left Roscoe yesterday morning, headed to Sinton for Wee Wes Wesley Teltschik's graduation. They were meeting another contingency that had left Pflugerville about noon. Congratulations Wesley, your Momma would be proud!

I received a call yesterday afternoon from Rian. He told me that Ronnie Shields had died. Just yesterday he had called me to tell me of Ronnie's bleak diagnosis. It seems that yesterday morning when Ronnie awoke he couldn't move his arm. they were getting ready tog o to the doctor when he collapsed. An ambulance was summoned and he was transported to the hospital; ER where he expired. It seems had had an aneurysm.

It seems that late Thursday they had gotten the report that the cancer had spread throughout his body. It may be of no consolation to the family but he may have been spared a horrible death from the cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Funeral arrangements are for Sunday afternoon in Snyder. Rian has the Frenship Commencement exercise Sunday afternoon at United Spirit Arena so he and Erica made the drive to spend time with the family last evening.

While I have been reading e-mail and writing this post, the doorbell rang and then a persistent knocking. When I opened the door, who should I find but our crotchety old foul mood-ed mail man. He had a piece of certified mail waiting for me, so he had to sasche his little butt out of his jeep and walk all the way to our door to make the delivery and get my signature.

My passport.

All systems are go. Next Sunday we will drive to DFW, stay at the airport Hilton and then Monday morning we will fly out to Cozumel. Then we will reverse the process the following Monday and be home Tuesday. Krl had Donna, our travel agent, include the two nights at the airport Hilton so we wouldn't have to get up and hurry to the airport gates, then on our return we don't arrive until seven-thirty in the evening so by the time we get luggage, go through immigration and customs, it is probably going to be late. I would say good call.

Well, I talked with Rian, they had Memorial day off but have a teacher's work day today. He said he had teachers lined up waiting to turn in their things so they could conclude their school year. I think Rian continues under contract until next Friday, then they will leave for summer camp I believe.

Have a weekend!

FATHER thank YOU for a good week. Thank YOU for an enjoyable afternoon with Krl. FATHER I ask YOUR blessing and comfort and care on Ronnie Shield's family. Thank YOU for him and the influence he has had on others. Be with all of our family members who are on the road, I ask for safe travel for them.

Where did May go?

I can't believe it is almost gone. Two more days. Yuk.

On a high note, ten more days until we leave for Cozumel. I am so ready. The only thing I have to do is go buy some books to read. I can't decide whether to take four or five. I think maybe five and one of them will be the Grisham Playing for Pizza that I some how missed reading upon its release.

I have gone in to the parts store the last two days. Today I didn't because I had a post op appointment with my surgeon. I don't really know what the post op appointments are for except to poke and prod. I think I felt better prior to than I did afterward. I got a brief lecture about if he were a betting man this will be an ongoing process, he would prefer not to take this many out in one procedure again. Let's keep this manageable. In passing he did say the lab work came back and it is all benign. So that is good.

Monday we received a call from Dr. Urban's office with the results of the biopsies they had removed. They too were good (which was a change from last year's basil cells).

So. MRI- clear. Multiple lipoma excisions-done. Skin Biopsies-done. Lab results good!

Now let's do something fun!

During my half day at the parts store Tuesday, the store manager took me aside. He told me he was fed up with the remarks of our hardware specialist and it might mean it was his last day at work but he was fixing to straighten things out. I told him I didn't think that would be wise for him. I had heard the same remarks and was not excluded from them but I just let them slide. I told the store manager that we should all be professional enough to get along and let all the petty stuff drop. I guess my thoughts are if everyone is doing their job they have nothing to worry about, and if they are worried about it they might want to review their job performance.

I don't believe for a moment that any given employee in that store can carry out their assigned duties to the nnth degree. The problem as I see it is that they need to do it without being prodded or threatened, or without doing it for show.

For what ever reasons, Wednesday at the store was much better.

The entire area has been blessed with good rainfall. Many farmers were planting cotton, some were harvesting wheat. It is fixing to be a really busy time on the farm.

One of the enjoyable thing about the parts store is getting to see friends I have known all my life and visit with them. Probably the hottest topic has been four dollar a gallon farm diesel. I can remember when I was still farming and it hit .96 cents a gallon I almost stroked out!

It is always a lot more enjoyable visit after a good crop or a good rain!

I had a call from Rian this morning and he left me a message. It seems that one of his former girlfriends had called him to tell him her Dad had been diagnosed with liver and lung cancer. Rian was very close to this entire family and he was asked to spread the word in our family and to put her Dad on our prayer lists. I'm, not sure but the last time I knew, the former girlfriend and her Dad were in the Permian Basin area.

One other note, Weston, Pat and Hag's nephew from Pflugerville (one of the two kids Pat has been taking care of since Hank's death) injured his leg playing in a baseball tournament this past weekend. This morning Pat and Hag were taking him to an orthopedic surgeon to have his knee checked out. That could mean an early end to his baseball season which could mean the kid's move to Amarillo might be accelerated.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for my recovery, I ask that it continue. We lift up Ronnie Shields to YOU for YOUR gifts of healing. We pray for his care and comfort as well as his family's.

Yesterday for me was the Super Bowl and the World Series rolled in to one.

I always look forward to the Indy 500 and the Coca Cola 600 with eager anticipation. I use to really like it when there would be one or two drivers trying to pull a double and drive both races. A few years ago, Indy decided to move their start time back an hour making it an impossibility of a driver doing both races.

That took place about the time that the open wheel series split, which also coordinated with NASCAR's tremendous growth in popularity. Maybe that was a case of sour grapes with Tony G.

I watched the Indy 500 in whole, and began the Coke 600. I don't know why but something about watching the transition from daylight to dark makes the second race hard to watch. I realize that many of the cars sport expensive and elaborate paint schemes to take advantage of the night lights. Shortly after the halfway point of the race from Charlotte, I got up and made my way toward the bedroom. And it was really early. I just decided I would rather go on line later and see who won.

I would add that none of my picks won. Of course my picks are not very realistic. I often pick with my heart and not with my brain. I think my Indy pick ended up 16th after running as high as 10th. My NASCAR pick was more of an anyone but Kyle Busch or Tony Stewart.

My sister who works for the Indianapolis Star, for the last several years, sends me May newspapers along with a keepsake race program. I am always amazed with the tradition associated with Indy. I went to the Indy 500 website this morning and it already has been updated with the 93rd running information for 2009.

Saturday afternoon, I talked with Jeanetta and she and Douglas were just crossing the Tennessee state line. She was taking her three day weekend to take a trip to Belt Buckle, Tennessee to do some genealogy work.

I am going to get a shower and try to get some of these "tape tracks" off me. I don't know what kind of tape the OR's use but it sure leaves a lot of sticky. We tried alcohol, hand cleaner and even finger nail polish remover with acetone but nothing has worked very well. I told Krl I might try gas and she told me that would really feel good if I got it in one of my incisions. I told Krl that at the parts store we have some stuff called "goop" and it is supposed to be for removing stickers and sticker tracks.

I may get by the store and pick up a rack of ribs or a brisket cutoff to cook on the grill. Outside of that, it should be laid back day. The only thing I have on my horizon is is K.O. brings a truck into town we might try to get the travel trailer from in front of our house and into storage, then I would take him back to Hawley.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for getting me to this point in my recovery. Thank YOU for the many privileges and freedoms we enjoy on this memorial day.

I thought I was doing pretty good. As it turns out, I am not doing nearly as well as I thought.

I've been bored, so when an opportunity presented itself to get out and do something, I leapt at it!

We have been having an ongoing battle with our new mail carrier. The company RV is parked in front of the house, so it requires him to pull in, back away and continue down the street. Our old carrier never had a problem with it. He knows we will move it at our earliest convenience.

So, our mail man (or in this instance our mail storage person) takes our mail back to the post office and holds it.

We were curious about Krl's new passport. It should have been here this week. And I have had a hankering for some jalapeno pimento cheese spread.

Krl told me she would go to the store and to the post office, so I volunteered to go along. I asked her if she wanted to drive and she did (wise move).

Our first stop was the grocery store and about half way through it, I knew I had made a mistake.

I told Krl that never in my wildest dreams did I think this surgery would be worse than last years. I was wrong.

I don't know if it is blood loss or location or what, but I am weak as a whipped puppy.

And hurt. Dang! It seems that my world runs on a four hour cycle, closely in tune with my pain meds.

During tonight, I woke and went to the bathroom. While I was in there I noticed that my swelling seems to be down. I hope so. Maybe this will bring some needed relief.

I know Krl has to be frustrated with her patient. But she is doing a good job. Of course my primary care provider is Miss Maple Syrple. She stays pretty close.

So I have gone the long way around to tell you my convalescing is going to be a slow process.

Have a day!

FATHER, I ask for YOUR gifts of healing.

I live.

Fourteen. That's the number of lipoma's they removed. Hey, it's a heck of a weight loss program.

Krl told me I look like I have been in a war. "And lost", I added.

My biggest problem is finding some way to lay without being on one of the incisions. Stitched locations include, both thighs, right rib cage, left side, both sides extreme lower back, and left upper arm.

Krl is taking good care of me. Memama and Pepa came by to check on me and we have had several other calls.

I have been kidding Krl. The post op instructions call for no lifting (over ten pounds) for the next three weeks. I told her I know who is carrying our luggage on our trip!

I have been up since two something but my meds are finally kicking in.

Have a day!

FATHER, thanks!

I can cook many things. I don't consider myself a gourmet cook by any means. But I can throw something together that I will receive requests for over and over. Together, Krl and I are much better cooks than alone.

This morning I learned that I know basically nothing about dry cereal. I have never been a dry cereal guy. Growing up, I would eat the occasional bowl of grape nuts, but when it came to any of the "flake family" count me out! Any bowl of cereal you saw me with, you could add in a half gallon of milk and a bag of sugar. O.K., I like a little fiber with my daily cow nectar and sugar rush!

Let me preface the story.

Last evening when I got home, I showered and put on my jogs. Krl briefed me telling me what she was thinking for supper. Omelets. Now I am the official omelet cooker of record. Krl will cut up and assemble all the essential elements, but I cook them. Believe it or not, it is an acquired skill.

Krl diced ham, bell pepper, onion, and tomato, browned them in a small skillet and set them aside for when I called for them. We blended some eggs, milk, salt and pepper with a small amount of butter, poured the mixture into the omelet pan and I began my technique. Shortly we dumped in all of Krl's diced mixture and topped it with a generous helping of cheese, before I combined the two sides of the giant omelet. Krl did Texas toast and we split the big omelet. By the way it was gorgeous and delicious!

Crazy thing about me is that ham doesn't keep me filled for very long. This morning I woke, quite hungry. My first inkling was for oatmeal. Then for crumbled cornbread and milk. I decided oatmeal wasn't worth the trouble and wait, and look as I might I couldn't find any left over cornbread.

Then I spied a box of Krl's cereal. At the seasonal jobsite I would sometimes snack on a handful of it, but I never wanted to indulge in a bowl of it.

I must have had a weak moment this morning.

I grabbed a bowl, grabbed the cereal and poured. Generously. Then I retrieved the milk. Needless to say, I ended up with too generous portions of both milk and cereal. At least the milk didn't escape over the edge, but that didn't go for the cereal that was "floating" up and over.

Any how, I will know for future reference.

I go in today for pre-registration and blood work. Tomorrow I am scheduled for a procedure. Actually this is a repeat of last year. Last year the doctor removed three large lipomas from my back and shoulders. The largest of which was four and a half inches by nine inches. I had several small ones remaining and was supposed to go in to have them done later in the summer. This never happened. So tomorrow we are taking out between nine and fourteen I believe. I am anticipating a good report and hope that I will be recovered sufficiently for our upcoming trip. These little fibroid cysts have just become very uncomfortable. So if I don't post the next couple of days, don't be alarmed.

I have found myself trying to tie up loose ends.

Yesterday I went to K.O.'s and began dismantling the project. I needed to know where what happened happened and try to see what repairs would be required. After removing batteries and tool boxes, it all occurred where I though it had. Now K.O. and I are discussing how deep to go in fixing it. I feel like I am going to be imposing because most of the work is going to fall in his lap due to my surgery. He would like to make an engine change to the diesel and hydrostatic set up (I bought four of these this past spring) along with the cab. I am afraid this would be a major project. My first inclination is to put it back the way it was. Second is to put the diesel and hydrostatic in with no cab. Third is to bring the project back to level, put in the diesel and hydrostatic and the cab.

We have ten weeks to make the changes. I'm going to miss three of them convalescing.

Well, I had better get. I feel the sudden urge to go and let some nurse poke me with a sharp object!

Have a day!

FATHER, I pray for good results. I pray for a successful surgery. I ask for YOUR gifts of healing for me.

Woo Hoo!

Today's post is a milestone, #1000.

This man is so tired. So tired in fact, I can't sleep!

We have put in so many hours on "our project" that we are flat dab worn out!

BUT, that is behind us now!. We were scheduled to do a show last night and tonight in Sweetwater. K.O. had arranged this while I was still at the jobsite. Who would have thought and who could have known I would have returned only two weeks ago!

K.O. had arranged the equipment rental, and also for me to announce. That meant he had to operate the equipment. So, we were both obligated!

Over the last year we have scrambled to get the equipment "up to speed". It had been dormant for many years. Once that was accomplished we began "improving" the technology. For the last two weeks we thrashed on what we hoped was our last improvement, at least on this version or model of the equipment.

Yesterday we finally rolled the equipment from the shop, fully functional for a test. It performed flawlessly! We began to break it down for transit, loading all the odd and end items that "are required" for support. When everything was ready we looked like gypsies! Three 18 wheelers, a one ton pickup with support trailer, and my pickup, loaded with tools, cooler, and lubricants and various other sundrie items.

I knew that it was going to be a tremendous relief just to be on the road.

That relief was short lived. A short distance from K.O.'s shop, the equipment project experienced a problem and was damaged. Initially K.O. thought it was only cosmetic. From my vantage point I feared the worst. As per usual, I was right. We were lying under it, surveying damage when we discovered a crack a transmission housing and fluid was beginning to puddle.

Dang the luck!

Immediately calls were made and we found another group with a similar piece of equipment who had an open weekend! They agreed to cover for us.

But, I was still obligated to do the announcing. Probably the best thing that the breakdown did was allow me to go by the house and clean up. When I left the house I had only one or two errands, ice for the cooler and batteries for the 2-way radios, before I would gas up and head west.

The show was about an hour late in starting but officials ran a good quick show and we were done just before midnight.

I drove back to Abilene, was probably one of the last customers at Taco Bell, and made it into the house to get some Aleeve and my night time meds. 1:21 the clock read.

Hopefully I can get some rest before tonight's show.

FATHER, rest and renew me!

Happy Birthday Fred!

He would have been 57.

In a strange coincidence, the night before last (the night of the 14th), I dreamed of Fred.

Not just a dream about him, an interactive exercise! We talked and discussed current happenings and it was so good to hear him. I had so many questions it was almost as though I were brain locked!

It was a bitter sweet dream, but I invite him back any time he wants to.

I miss him!

FATHER, thank YOU for memories, for dreams, and thank YOU for Fred and all the parts of him that live on.

I began my Monday on the phone, trying to get Lady Rachel an appointment with the vet.

Krl and all the houndgirls were still asleep when I decided to run a few errands. I needed to take a valve to the hydraulic shop to have a spool swapped out, it seems we always need everything to do their job a little differently. In the course of my errands I went to a welding supply to pick up a cylinder of argon gas and some welding rods. Another stop by the Rv storage facility and I was watching my watch. One last stop on the far East edge of Abilene at at repair shop and I was done.

When was this doctor going to call?

I made the decision to head back to the house, hoping that by the time I got there the doctor would have called. On my way I made a quick jaunt into La Popular Bakery and grabbed Krl and I a breakfast burrito.

That was a good move as it turned out that is all we had to eat all day.

When I got home Krl told me she had called the vet, they said they had tried to call me, but Lady Rachel had an appointment at ten-thirty. I walked into the bedroom where Lady Rachel lay and gently patted her head. She gave her quick signature wag of her tail before becoming still again.

We had thirty minutes before we were scheduled at the vets.

I prepared the SUV, trying to make Lady Rachel as comfortable as possible. Of course Phoo Doo had to make it difficult as she escaped out the door and down the street, Krl giving chase. (I say let her try it on her own, hopefully she is smart enough to come home.).

In the message I had left the vet, I told him what was going on with Lady Rachel, coughing blood, difficulty in breathing, and that she was extremely weak. We needed to get her in and let him evaluate her.

When I picked Lady Rachel up, blood drooled from her mouth. She has always been such a proud hound and this was humiliating to her that she could do nothing about it. We arrived at the vet's office right on schedule. Krl went in as I told her I would wait with Lady because I didn't see any reason in making her feel any more inferior about her health by drawing attention in the waiting room.

Krl returned and told me they were ready for us. I gently picked up Black Dog and walked inside. We were headed into the examination room when this "hussie" of a receptionist told me that Black Dog had to be weighed.

"How are you going to weigh her if she can't stand?", I asked.

"I have to have something to write in the record", she replied.

If the situation hadn't been so bad, I probably would have taken this woman to task, but I turned and held Black Dog over the scales, her feet barely touching them.

The "hussie" got her weight for the record.

Krl had brought a comforter in from the SUV. She has always thought the cold metal tables in the examination rooms are cruel. We placed Lady Rachel Black Dog on the table and stood with her, gently speaking to her, gently patting her.

The doctor came in and confirmed our fears. "All of her parts are just wearing out", he said.

I could see a noticeable increase in how hard Lady labored to breath after I carried her in my arms. It was almost as if I had made her hemorrhaging worse.

Krl and I both were in agreement. Quality of life was paramount. Krl and I said our tearful goodbyes before I kissed Black Dog on the head and let the doctor take her.

Lady Rachel, Black Dog, Freeman left this world at 10:49 am. May 12, 2008. Her forwarding address is GOD's yard where she joins many family members who were waiting to greet her.

She may be in a better place, she may be young and healthy again, but she will never be loved more.

We waited as the doctor placed her body in a small casket like box, he met us at the front door and carried her to the waiting SUV. I appreciated his soft words of condolence. Krl and returned home. I moved Lady's body from the SUV to my pickup, Krl and I talked briefly before I left headed to K.O.'s and his father's farm.

K.O. was aware of what was going on and he told me he would meet me at the shop. When he arrived he asked me what I needed to do. I knew that Duchess, Lady Rachel's mother was buried there on their farm (Rian had buried her there about twelve or thirteen years ago). K.O. was aware of where Duchess was buried and I told him I would like to bury Lady Rachel close to her.

I've always heard that a friend will help you bury your dog. If this is true, I had three friends help me bury Lady Rachel. K.O., his nephew, and a mutual friend Marolen.

We laid her to rest at the top of a gentle knoll on the edge of a large coastal hay field, under what will one day be a large tree.

There are those of you who know the story of my relationship with Lady Rachel. For those of you that don't, read on.

When Krl and I learned that Duchess and Shadow had mated and we were expecting puppies, we talked and planned. I built a wooden box, large enough for Duchess to be comfortable in during labor and also large enough for her to suckle her pups in afterward. We talked of names, we talked with excitement about the approaching births, we talked of the apprehension of neither of us having ever gone through delivering puppies. (I had seen and helped numerous bovines, but never a dog).

During one conversation, I told Krl that odds were we would lose one puppy, either stillborn or it would die after birthing. I felt it was magnanimous for me to warn Krl of this.

Krl told me that was not acceptable, she would not allow me to allow that to happen.

I am glad she did.

The first puppy was born breech, a big butted little boy dog. When the second puppy arrived, it was not breathing. Duchess tended to the umbilical cord, but she was more interested in getting away from what ever was causing he so much pain. Krl was reminding me of what she had told me as she became more animated.

I had placed the "birthing" box in the master bathroom when Duchess had gone into labor. Using what resources I had available, I turned the hot water on in the tub. There was a tupperware pitcher that Krl used to rinse her hair and I filled it with cold water before the hot got to the faucet. I began to dunk the stillborn puppy in the cold water, then place it under the hot water coming from the spicket (Krl had adjusted the temperature where it wasn't too hot). Back and forth, repeating the process over and over, gently giving the little bat looking critter a full body rub. Finally I began blowing gently on the mouth and nose. Blow, dunk in cold water, hold under hot water, body rub! Over and over. Finally the little puppy began to spit and sputter.

Hello world, this is Lady Rachel (who would later become Black Dog) Freeman.

Krl always told me I gave Lady Rachel life. I didn't. GOD did that. I just kind of assisted in the process. Besides I had an ultimatum. We had five pups that day and we didn't lose a one.

We were there when Lady Rachel took her first breath, we went through all the growing pains, taco neck, many light and joyous moments, and Krl and I were there when she took her last. Through it all she was a great joy!

FATHER, we commend to YOUR care Lady Rachel Black Dog Freeman. She is, and will always be special!

I knew this week was going to be hard towards the end of it, I just didn't figure it would start out that way too. I need a good cry, I've been needing it for almost a year.

We took off until two yesterday afternoon.

Let me rephrase that I did. K.O. had some time between church and lunch and ran to the shop and did a little welding.

Things seem to be coming along well on our project. In fact yesterday we didn't do one single thing to the project while I was there, we worked on things K.O. needed to get done and had let slide because of our joint project.

Krl and I had Mother's day supper instead of doing lunch. That meant I got to come in a little early from the shop.

It was not a joyous day at our home. Kids called, wishing Krl well. However, all this was over shadowed by the fact that Lady Rachel, Black Dog, is not doing well.

Saturday Krl was clipping and bathing hounds and she became very alarmed at Lady Rachel being so terribly thin. While we keep a pretty short "kennel cut" on them, they can hide their body weight with their coat.

Late Saturday, Krl began to find tell tale signs of Lady Rachel coughing up blood.

A few weeks ago, while still at the jobsite, we battled a severe kidney problem. At that point I consulted with Uncle Wade and cautioned me that when you get to be 16 years old (112 inn doggie years) parts begin to wear out. He also cautioned me that that episode could be the beginning of the end.

This morning I lay in bed for what seemed like an eternity, not wanting to get up, afraid of what I might find when suddenly I heard a cough from Lady Rachel's bed. I quietly got out of bed and made my way across the room and softly patted her on the head. She responded albeit very weakly and confirmed her affection for me.

I am sad. I am afraid that this day, some difficult decisions are going to have to be made.

Many people don't understand our relationship with our hounds. I defend nothing. We have been blessed to have had some of the very best. We began this love relationship with Sadat 1, then Duchess (a gorgeous gray vixen). Then Shadow. Then Duchie and Shadow had pups. Sadat 2, Lady Rachel (named after Lady Rachel, a black "Betty Crocker" (cockerspaniel that Krl had when we got married)), Lancelot, Prissy, and Pee Wee. While Lancelot and Pee Wee went to other homes. We kept our group in tact. We lost Sadat 1 at 4 years old. Duchess at 12. Sadat 2 at 12. Shadow at 14 (his registered name was Sadat's Shadow).

We have had the sisters, Lady and Prissy almost two years since we lost their father. The last of the family line. In April of this year they turned sixteen.

When Lady Rachel got sick at the jobsite, Krl encouraged her by telling her "Hang on until we get home".

She did. And this morning she continues to hand on by a thin thread.

Pray for her. Pray for us.

May your day be blessed.

FATHER, I pray for Lady Rachel. I thank YOU for blessing us with her, for the joy and the laughter she has brought us and all the kids and grand kids, for the memories forever etched in the confines of our minds. Be with us as we make decisions concerning her health and welfare. Give us YOUR peace in our decisions.

Happy Mother's Day!

Things have continued to be "nutty". Three days at the parts store, and Friday and Saturday trying to get the weight transfer machine ready for this next weekends show. We have put in twenty-three hours the last two days.

I am so very fortunate to have such a good friend who is so talented with a welder and cutting torch. K.O. has put in some serious time burning rods and melting metal! Thanks K.O.! I think one of the things that makes K.O. so good helping with this project is he understands the concept and how to get it into application. He told me yesterday that ever since we took the big weight transfer out of mothballs he has been fascinated with how it works and he loves to operate it. I am thankful for that and for him!

We probably could have taken the weight transfer machine to the next show without doing anything except lubricating chains and checking fluid levels. However, K.O. and I both were elated after the show last September in Boyd, we felt we could make a few changes that would make our machine "exceptional". I am hoping and thinking that is why we are picking up more and more shows for this summer.

There are the elite machines and there are the machines. Crazy thing is, we are installing some technology we wanted to put on eighteen years ago. (That has changed the business and is now required). Thing is, at that juncture the inspector would not approve our request. His bad!

I finally figured out how to be the most productive in the shop with K.O.. I spent all my time preparing pieces so he has no down time waiting! I have also come to the realization that you can analyze something to excess. Sometimes you have to make that bold first cut in order to be committed!

If things go well, tomorrow we will test! (But not until after some serious plumbing of hydraulics!).

I am so sore. Late last night, K.O. and I took a break and sat down, talking and developing a plan to get us to completion on our project. When I began to stand up, the rigor mortis had set in!

It is difficult getting old.

Have a day!

FATHER, refresh me. I ask YOUR blessing on our work, that is would be successful and fruitful. I pray for safety. I thank YOU for and ask YOUR blessings on all the Mother's today.

I am so ready for things to slow down. It seems as though things continue to swirl around us. So much to do and all of it seems to need to be done immediately.

I may have to make an executive decision.

Krl and I traveled back to the seasonal jobsite Saturday evening for the GM's retirement party. We wouldn't do this just for any one. It was good to see everyone. Krl and I both have developed many strong ties to that small community. It was a very emotional evening for Krl as Lillie, the GM's wife, had become one of Krl's best friends at the jobsite.

As usual, there was no shortage of intoxicating beverages. Thank goodness we were driving so we had an excuse to avoid standing around the water troughs they had everything iced down in. The association presented the outgoing GM with an engraved plate citing his thirty-six years of service and the fact that he had ginned over a million and a half bales during his tenure.

There were people from all over West Texas. Abilene, San Angelo, Lubbock, and Sweetwater, just to mention a few. Some attendees came from the metro-plex as well.

In a different twist, they didn't do barbecue. ?????? This is the only event I have ever attended that they didn't serve brisket and sausage or ribs. Something with a little tangy sauce on it! Instead they served roast with green beans, deluxe potatoes, tossed salad, sliced white bread, and peach cobbler. (It is interesting seeing some of these catered meals, especially after Rian brought some of the "short cuts" to our thanksgiving meal).

In a different twist, the brown gravy was actually green. It kind of took me back to green eggs and ham.

My best guesstimate is that around three hundred people attended BJ's and Lillie's send off!

I was thankful for BJ that they did not ask him to make a speech. He simply said he was tired of the job and needed to give it up to someone else, but he would miss the patrons.

They were expecting to arrive at their new home about two Sunday afternoon.

Krl and slipped out a little early but it was still after eleven when we walked through the door of our home.

Sunday afternoon saw Krl and I make our first trip to the grocery store since we returned home. I was sure dreading it. It is amazing to observe the price differences between where we have been and home. We had cautioned each other about being conservative because usually this "replenishing" trip is terribly expensive. Surprisingly, we came in under or estimates.

With the exception of Krl's birthday breakfast Saturday, we had not cooked since our return home. If we couldn't order it or nuke it, we didn't need it! During our road trip we discussed what we would like to cook. It was funny because nearly everything we were discussing had bell peppers and onions somewhere in the mix. From shish kabobs, to beef tips, to Schezuan chicken and broccoli.

The Schezuan chicken and broccoli won out! While we were at the store we picked up all the needed ingredients. That was the easy part. I knew where all of them were. I swear I felt as though I was cooking in someone else's kitchen. Nothing was automatic. I had to think where are the cutting boards? Where is the wok? Measuring cups? Measuring spoons? It was really frustrating! A time or two Krl had grabbed keys and was headed for the travel trailer to see if what we needed was out there!

We persevered and the meal was excellent!

Pat returned to Pflugerville late Saturday. I haven't quite figured out how this three weeks down there and two days home are fair for her. She is hopeful that this time it will be only two weeks before she can come home again.

I tried not to bother her during her brief stay at home. There is so much for us to talk about! During my drive back from St. Lawrence and her corresponding drive back to Pflugerville, we talked in broad strokes about the task she has asked me to do at the NAPA store.

To be honest I think I am in a no win situation. Three days there have already revealed some major problems. During Pat's and my conversation, she said a couple of things that make me think that the store manager (and I use that title liberally) has already begun an offensive to undermine anything I take to Pat. It seems the acting manager is working the Hag side of the equation and they may have become too good a "buddies" for Hag to be objective.

It is very evident that the manager would prefer I not be there. Of course this was evident when I was preparing to leave for the seasonal work as Pat wanted him to work with me and he never showed up. At this point in time the best thing I can say about the store manager is that he was a much better customer than he is a store manager.

That little parts store and it's employees requires a lot of leadership.

I suppose the next assessment I am going to have to make is whether the "acting store manager" has the potential of being the store manager. Currently he is all talk and anything he does is definitely for show.

My Monday, May 5, 2008. Trailer repair shop. K.O.'s at Hawley. Draw plans for pan press (preferably on paper). Purchase steel materials for pan press on sled. Doctor Mackie. Doctor Urban.

I am so not wanting to go see Dr. Urban. I feel sure his cronies are going to tell me they must not have gotten all the skin cancer last time. I have watched as the edge of the area they worked on has morphed much like the original spot. I have waited for this appointment almost six months. When the edge of their surgical site began looking weird I told Krl what I thought was going on and she called trying to get me in.

Six months. I am sure glad I wasn't really sick!

Oh, and on my Monday put in there somewhere, "Go to post office to pick up new passport applications.

Nope, Krl still hasn't found them!

I had told Krl I was not going to do a new passport until our expired in '10, but I am beginning to rethink that. I so need to get away and just do nothing!

I haven't brought up to Krl the question of "dog sitter" while we are away. Last time our neighbor Jordan stayed with them, but they have since moved from our neighborhood.

Have a day!

FATHER, I am still struggling. Maybe I am backseat driving again. YOU take control. FATHER, please bless this week. Bless our efforts. I lift up Pat to you has she returns to her gigantic task. Bless her and guide her as she takes care of her niece and nephew in a difficult situation. Nearer, still nearer.

Yikes!

We've been home for a week and two days already!

I am beginning to question my decision making process though. I went in to Chris's NAPA store Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Pat had asked me to go in and "observe". I think I might have need for a few days off before joining in the rat race again. It seems as though Krl and I both suffer from jet lag or something near to it.

On Monday last, I reported for jury duty as "summoned". I wasn't selected for the first panel (of sixteen) but I was selected to the second panel (of forty-eight). Ultimately we were dismissed as a deal or plea bargain was struck. Of course that wasn't until it had messed up the majority of the day. I really have a problem with the "court staff" as they talk to us, give us the rules and swearing in. This is their job. I am only here as a courtesy! Don't tell me they are making seven-fifty a day through selection and forty dollars per day thereafter!

I began my Friday at the hydraulic shop, talking sled again. I can't believe it is just two weeks from yesterday until the first show of the season. Double yikes! Some of the electronic equipment ordered in late March still hasn't arrived. In fact they are telling us it may be next week before they receive it, test it and forward it to us. K.O. and I had this great big wish list of things to do on the competition sled. Neither of us had planned on the cotton season to last seven months. Still we didn't worry because the sled worked flawlessly at it's last outing. However, the promoter decided to bring in a couple of big guns to run exhibitions, so now we are forced to make a couple of changes. Nothing too major, nothing that will cost a great deal, but it will make the sled "work" better.

A quick couple of today notes. 1) Krl and I travel back to the seasonal compound today to attend the out-going GM's retirement party. Happy hour five-thirty to six-thirty, meal from six-thirty on. Visitation throughout. I told Krl I hope this is like their annual family fun day and barbecue because after an hour, no one notices if you leave. Of course to get there on time will require us to leave Abilene around two-thirty.
2) Today is Krl's birthday. Happy birthday dear! Want to go out on a date? I was thinking we could go to the seasonal compound and have drinks....... and a meal .......... and return home late!

Of course our Saturday activities will prohibit us from attending Kat's baseball tournament.

And a final quick note. I can remember Krl telling me before we left last October, I am going to put these important papers up where we know where they are. When we returned she immediately went to lay her hands on our passports. They weren't where she thought she had put them. Nine days of searching have not located them. She has found any other important paper but the passports are missing. Of course Krl is in a tizz because in January she bought us a trip to take next month.

I got to see Pat briefly Thursday. She had been gone three weeks, taking care of Hank's kids after his untimely death. She has such tales to tell. These kids don't know the word "No". When Pat asks them what they want for supper they tell her they don't eat supper they eat dinner. When she asks again they begin reciting a list of restaurants. Much to their amazement, she has cooked their "supper" every night she has been there. The kids "best argument" is that they are "rich white kids".

Those rich white kids had never seen a french fry that didn't come from a bag in the freezer. They thought Pat was quite the magician when she took potatoes, peeled them and sliced them up into fresh fries.

Wednesday Pat and her sister-in-law went to court and had the sister-in-law appointed as guardian. They got some documents allowing them to seek medical treatment and other things. Pat has to return to Pflugerville today or tomorrow. I don't know how long she will be there this stint.

Have a day!

FATHER, there is so much to do and we are so tired. I ask that you rest us quickly. Renew us. Physically and spiritually.