A wild and wooly weekend!

We worked on the project. By the way, we went with GREEN. Nothing runs like a Deere! I had to leave for the family reunion, but after we made the decision, the guys got busy. By night fall the John Deere engine was sitting in the floor of the shop. Some of it is so simple, it is going to be a blessing, while other aspects are going to be a challenge.

This morning I made a deal for a transmission and transfer case. Heh, heh, I think I got a pretty good deal. Clint, a puller friend from Dublin brokered the deal. In exchange, I gave Clint the steer axle from the machine we are scraping.

The family reunion went well. The auction was a little off, $1700+ , and the raffle brought in another five or six hundred while ringo brought in $112. Ended up, just about break even which means the fund still has a good start on next year!

Rian came in almost directly from summer church camp and spoke at church Sunday morning. He spoke on identity. Who are you? It was pretty good. Jake led singing after we had a special music presentation by Nikki Heath. Everything she sang, she wrote. I just get the feeling that Nikki went easy on us because I think if she cut loose, she would have blown us out of the house.

When we got home Sunday afternoon, I began working with a radio spot Ollie had dropped off. It is for a former employer of hers and she didn't like it and wanted me to re-do it. To be honest, and I was, I didn't think it was that bad. Ollie and Brad stopped by to retrieve it late Sunday afternoon.

While Ollie was here, Addison drew and colored a picture for her mother. After Ollie left, Addie got really pouty, before throwing a deluxe fit! Next time I see her get pouty I think I will just put her out of the house.

Her fit reminded me of her mother. She was mad all over. She didn't want to be here, she wanted to go home, she hated it here, she hated Meme, and she hated Dandy. The straw that broke the camels back was when she hit Meme and kicked Dandy.

Dandy got his belt. Belt, meet Addison. She definitely didn't like that. But if there are any more fits, I promise there will be more belt.

She wanted to call her mother, while we tried we couldn't get hold of her initially. We tried her Nonnie. Poppy was a little smart, telling Krl, "I thought ya'll wanted her there". That comes from an ex-educator. Duh, if the student doesn't want to be here what are the odds of our efforts being successful!

Nonnie and Auntie "M" tell Krl and I that this is Addison's bi-polar problem. I think hogwash! The is a rotten brat that is used to getting her way.

When we finally talked to Addison's mother she wanted to talk to Addison and agreed to come and get her. Huh! Part of the plan was for plenty of support for Addison staying here.

After a couple of hours of slamming doors, screaming and crying I sent Addison to her room. I began to think about what it was going to take to get her calmed down. Finally I came up with an idea.

Addison has become very attached to Miss Maple Syrple, my dog. In fact I have been letting Miss Maple sleep with Addie. Maple didn't like all the hubbub going on so I gathered her up and went into Addison's room and told Addie that she had upset Maple Syrple and she needed to calm her down. She took her and sat down on the day bed and began stroking and petting Maple. In a short while she and Maple came out of her room. Addison came to me and I gathered her up, not saying anything. I just put Addie in my lap and rocked her for about an hour. We gave her her night-time medication, and she ate a hamburger I had been trying to grill in the middle of all of this.

When I had an opportunity I went outside and called Addison's mother to tell her NOT to come to pick up Addie.

Addison's mother and her Auntie "M" say she doesn't remember when she acts badly. Bunk!

This morning Addison and I were up before Krl. I helped her with her cereal and milk and we were talking. I asked her if she was in a better mood today than she was last evening. I can tell by her actions that she remembers every detail.

We are going to cut off outside interference, from everyone, non-essential to this project. At present her worst enemy is her "Grammie" in Houston. It may hack her off but if she can't take a hint I can be blunt.

Today Krl and I both felt like our insides were made of jello! And I hate jello!

We made the 1pm. appointment at Sylvan. There was a lot of paperwork for Krl and I to fill out and Johanna, the sweet woman from Sylvan, took Addison back to begin working. When we finished we were told to go get a glass of tea or cup of coffee, that today's testing would take two hours.

Obviously, Johanna didn't know what kind of evening we had Sunday night or she would have suggest a much stouter refreshment!

When we returned at 3 pm. we waited for about fifteen minutes for them to complete their work. When they came out of the back we could see them at the reward store as Johanna let Addie pick her reward for the day!

Johanna told us that Addison worked really hard today. All we could get from Addison was that it was really fun!

We go back tomorrow for two more hours of testing.

Kathryn finally got to come over this afternoon. She and Addie got Ocean water and powerade slushes before putting their suits on and hitting the pool. They seem to have had a really good time.

Addison was shocked to find that she is a half head shorter than Kathryn!

If I heard correctly, Kathryn only has one more day this week that she has softball practice.

I did make the deal with Addison that she could go to San Angelo to play on the weekends, but she is going to work in Abilene Monday through Thursday!

Rian called me this morning to tell me of their morning. He thought they had it bad until I told him about our evening, but I have to admit, their morning is probably just one of many, many, they have to look forward to.

Rian said that Holt had Reid's "T-ball" trophy. When Reid saw this he told Holt, "That's mine!"

Holt responded by throwing it on the kitchen floor, shattering it into many pieces. Reid reciprocated by hitting Holt, and Holt countered by stabbing Reid in the cheek with a fork!

I bet Rian and Erica can't wait until the third one can enter the fray!

All I got to say about that is ............ insurance ...... and plenty of it!

For the record, I finally sent the bid package on the South Texas work. I argued with myself. I don't know if I am ready for it, but in the end I know that any other year I would kick myself for not attempting to get the work. I think the numbers I submitted are very real. We will see if they are good enough.

Hope you had a day!

FATHER, you test us. I hope we passed last evening. Maybe we are rusty from having a child in our home. Instill in us the energy and patience we need to deal with this effort.