Whew, I'm a whipped puppy.

K.O. and I had planned a massive assault from all sides on the "project", beginning Thursday morning. K.O., myself, David (the sanctioning association's President), Clint (a competitor and acquaintance, Danny (K.O.'s brother and my lead fabricator), and Landon (K.O.'s and Danny's nephew) all converged on K.O.'s shop Thursday morning. Actually, David and Clint came in about three in the morning.

K.O. had told me I needed to make sure we got the most from the available help. K.O. began machining some critical pieces on the lathe while David and Landon began removing more pieces from our "donor" machine. Danny and Clint began bouncing ideas off each other and I floated between all the participants. Finally I pushed for the first cut, committing us in a definite direction.

I have found that you can analyze something until you make it more complicated than it really is, so it was with a sigh of relief that I watched Danny take the torch and begin cutting.

No turning back.

We began by installing vertical supports, than the two horizontals extending rearward. From those four pieces everything else would be built and attached. Thursday was a slow day because a lot of time was spent installing components in different configurations, trying to determine our best options.

About fourteen and a half hours from when I left the house, I returned home.

Fourteen hour days were the norm for Thursday and Friday. While Thursday seemed like watching paint dry, Friday saw some noticeable additions to the "project". It also saw David and Clint absent. They had returned to Dublin late Thursday night. Friday morning saw the culmination of the transmission cluster.

That might not seem monumental in your books, but for us, it was a major, major, milestone. The transmission cluster saw the assembling of a four speed transmission with a 205 transfer case, with another bell housing fitted face to face with the bell of the transmission, with prepared mounts for the large hydrostatic motor attaching it at the rear. K.O.'s machined pieces comprised the joining link to take power through to the large truck rear end that propels the piece of equipment.

I don't know if any of us thought it would turn out as well as it did. The concept is trick, the application is mind boggling.

Late Friday, we lifted the diesel engine up to the project to incorporate it into our vision. The only harried moment was when an engine loop, installed by the original equipment manufacturer gave way. We only had one mount in place and the engine did a controlled drop to the cement floor of the shop. I think we all held our breath as we inspected it for any damage.

Luckily we dodged the bullet. The engine was not harmed. Thank goodness.

Saturday, we began again early, finished mounting the diesel engine and began building mounts for all the different systems. One of the best parts of using this engine is that we can drive auxillary drives from both the front and the rear of the engine. K. O.'s second day working on the lathe saw v-pulleys give way to metric panther drives. (A panther drive is a tough kevlar backed belt that rivals chain in strength).

Many of you won't be impressed, but we are. On the front of the engine we drive the fan, the water pump, the alternator, and the hydraulic system that runs the steering and pan drop. On the rear of the engine we drive the hydrostatic pump, the primary hydraulics sytems, and the on board air compressor.

Saturday morning was a tedious day as all these components were fitted and brackets built for installation. The finished product is unbelievable. Danny did a remarkable job fitting so many components in such a small space.

Danny had hoped to help us today, but other obligations came up and he told me Saturday was going to be his last day this trip in. We don't know if he can or will be able to return prior to the show the machine is obligated for the last weekend in July.

Me knowing this, I began a push to cut and tack weld as many other components in place, figuring that K.O. and I will be able to come back and weld them in. I am not as talented with a welder as Danny or K.O., but I can melt two pieces of metal together. Most of the late surge was cosmetic, with a small part being "load bearing".

When we placed the last piece and tack welded it in, I told all the guys, "let's go home!"

When I walked in the house it was a quarter to two in the morning. By the time I had bathed and unwound a little it was after three.

And this is supposed to be fun?

I will be so glad when we complete the project. I am just hoping that this is the "final time" we have a major rebuild on it. I am tempted to hang a for sale sign on it after we put it back out and prove it.

The past week has been a horrible week to try to deal with legal issues. Many of the people I have needed to talk took off to take advantage of the holiday. It may have been just as well though because I have not had time to get together some numbers that the attorneys want before they file their first action.

In one other note, Rian ended up being offered both jobs he had interviewed for, the High School Principal position at Lubbock Christian Schools, and the assistant Principal position at Dunbar Middle School with his friend Jimmy. With some late minute maneuvering, LISD lured him to their team.

I know that Rian had really labored over his decision. He would have loved to work at Lubbock Christian Schools, but with his little family the dollar difference was just too great. There is also speculation that after this year at Dunbar, Rian, his Principal friend Jimmy, and the associate Principal will all be moving as a unit to one of the high schools.

Rian and Jimmy have always wanted to work together since Jimmy left his position with Lubbock Christian University several years ago and joined LISD.

The way things worked out, Rian went to his office at Frenship, prepared his letter of resignation and waited for the Superintendent to stop by to pick it up, e-mailed all of his staff, called his Principal to notify her, and cleaned all his personal belongings out.

The following morning they left with Erica's family to go to Colorado for a week.

And that is what happening here.

Hope you have a day!

FATHER, I am tired, sore, and need a pick me up. Once again I need YOU to carry me.