I did my usual routine the first part of yesterday, then I got a little wild and crazy (I guess).

I had some guys coming from the seasonal jobsite who had asked me to spend some time with them looking at equipment. They called while enroute and I gave them instructions for looking at some equipment about an hour away. Their projected arrival in Abilene would be after lunch.

With that, I left the house, making stops along the way, until I arrived at a local truck dealership. I had been told they had a truck that pretty much filled my requirements. I walked in and talked with the salesman I had used in the past. "I heard ya'll are having a 2 for 1 sale", I told him. He replied, "I don't guess I've heard that". "Maybe I am in the wrong place", I bantered. We shook hands and exchanged greetings.

This salesman gave me the specs on the truck and retrieved the keys. We went outside and I began looking over the truck. I reached inside and started the Caterpillar engine. As the big rig built air, I made a slow deliberate circle, looking at tires, looking at brakes, looking for any tell tale signs. Finally I told him I was going to take it for a test drive. East from the dealership I drove until I got on the Interstate. After a few miles and testing the cruise control, I exited and began my return to the dealership.

When I arrived, I tossed him the keys, and asked for his low dollar. He gave it to me and I told him I would call with an offer. A little later, I completed my obligation, and gave reasons why I was offering what I was instead of what he had asked. The salesman told me he needed to get with his boss, and that he would call me back.

In the mean time, I took Blacksheep to K.O.'s shop at Hawley and went with him to Anson to look at another truck. Then D.O. rushed me back to Abilene where I was playing catch up with my friends from out West. They wanted to go to the Peterbilt house. I gave them directions as I drove cross town to meet them. When I arrived they were walking among the new trucks. I decided I should ask them exactly what we are looking for. They told me they would prefer a white Pete daycab. I told them in Abilene, Texas that wasn't going to happen, their only option was a brand new truck parked immediately in front of us. Gosh, it was pretty!

"What would something like that cost?" one of the men asked.

"Eighteen?", the other one inquired.

I told them to add a hundred to that. "$118,000?, the second man asked. "Yep", I replied.

Now we were getting somewhere. When we can develop some parameters I will know where to take them.

I pointed out two yellow Peterbilt daycabs sitting in the dealers line. I told them, "Those are 2005 model 379 extended hood Petes, Cat engines, air ride suspensions. They will cost you between $58,000 and $63,000."

I know what kind of trucks their friends own, and I know they would love to own a comparable truck. Thing is, I know how this truck is going to be used, and as conservative as these men are, I just don't think they can justify that kind of truck.

I can't even justify it for myself.

We decided to drive back across town, and we left with me in the lead. About a mile later I pulled over against a fence at a used dealership and walked to their pickup.

"Is this anywhere close to what you would want?", I asked as I pointed to a truck inside.

"That is exactly what we would want!", they exclaimed. We walked inside and I started the truck as a salesman walked towards us.

This was the first leg of a long journey that would consume the majority of the day! By days end, they had a bevy of information to sort through, and they had gained valuable information to work with.

When I got home, it was six-thirty.

Best part is, they bought a trailer, and they have narrowed their search for a truck to two models on one yard.

Their biggest problem is they don't know how to drive it home and don't have the required license. Yep, they asked me to drive it home when they get their deal made, and for a few quick lessons in driving.

I joked with these men all day that all I was doing was exposing them to the trucking disease. If they contracted it, it was their problem!

Oh, the dealer I had made an offer to for the company truck called and accepted my number.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

I am supposed to meet Memama and Pepa this morning to pick some paperwork before I run payroll to St. Lawrence. Memama has an early appointment in Brownwood with a neurologist.

Yesterday she and Chris had eye appointment in Dallas with Dr. Bowman. They scheduled Memama for some surgery in two weeks. It seems she has some scar tissue growing on her retina in one eye.

I am so thankful for the Internet. I was needing some forms and I thought I had a stack of them, unfortunately, when I went to get them, the stack was gone. A quick search yielded an un-ending number of these forms courtesy of the 'net!

And a quick story. Rian said yesterday they were having a staff meeting at his school. Just as it was winding down one of his coaches, an older man, stood. "Mr. Freeman", this man began, "I have something I need to say to you". Rian said he cringed because usually this is where the Principal gets trashed.

The Coach continued, "I have worked with countless administrators, coaches, and support personnel. Yet I have never worked with anyone who lives out their witness like you do every day. You have inspired me and renewed my witness as I watch what you do everyday for your students and teachers!"

Wow! Way to go Rian! What a compliment.

And with that, what better note to tell you to have a day!

FATHER, let our lights shine! To YOU be the glory!