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.