Krl and I are trying to enjoy this weekend. It is probably the last one like it for several weeks and months. We have accomplished a lot. Now I need to haul some boxes of files to storage.

Yesterday I slept later than normal. Thankfully. I checked on the last truck in the shop and it was ready. I asked for the ticket total and made a note. This particular truck is my "gamble". It isn't pretty (according to Krl), it isn't fast, but it seems pretty solid. I had taken it in to have a kit put in the fan clutch, and to have an annual inspection done. Much to my delight, it passed with no major problem.

When Krl woke, I told her that sometime before lunch I needed her to take me to the truck shop to pick up the truck. A short while later we were getting ready to walk out the door. This little truck is 16 years old, and is a throw back to the first year I worked the contract at St. Lawrence. I used a group of 1992 white, model 377 Peterbilts with flat top sleepers, Detroit Diesel engines and nine speeds transmissions. This little truck fits that mould perfectly.

I talked with Cody, the service manager about this little truck and he told me he thought it was solid. He said all his mechanics wanted to work on it because it is easy to access and get around. I don't think he was blowing smoke up my skirt just because I spent $4500 with him last week.

I am planning on putting signs on this truck this afternoon. I've had them since Thursday, yesterday I picked up some cleaner wax to clean the installation area prior to the install. I plan to also check out the air conditioner. (I didn't have the shop fix it because usually it is a $1000 dollars to get out the door. I think if I can trouble shoot it, maybe I can fix it. Of course if need be I can ask K.O. for some help.).

I am battling with myself right now about another truck. I have purchased another one for the company and we are waiting for the insurance check from the wrecked truck. But, I have been looking at one other truck. I just have a "gut" feeling that the company needs one more to be on stand by, should one of the other units have a problem. Use to Blacksheep played this role. I have found a truck that I know the history on that could serve either role. It could be a primary or a backup.

In the past, I could draw from Fred's trucks or Cottonwood's trucks if I needed extra help. This year that is not an option. I have every company unit plus Pepa's written in to handle the day to day work load. Not much room for error or breakdowns.

My biggest drawback is that next year, with the proposed changes in destinations, the company could easily be over equipped. Of course equipment requirements for South Texas could be up almost 200% next year. That could mean that K.O., Pepa and myself could be stretched to the limit next year down there.

Krl and I seem to be fighting a little bug. We both have been a little nauseous. Krl has a summer head cold as well. I am hoping we can bounce back prior to leaving for the jobsite.

The UT/OU game was very good. These are two very good teams and the game could have gone either way until Mo jumped on the Texas side after the faked punt attempt by the Sooners.

Yesterday was a day for upsets and near upsets. TT had a scare. Rian has been telling me how good the Raiders are and how it was going to be interesting to see them play the Longhorns and Sooners.

Having gone to Norman last year to watch the Hurricanes and Sooners play, and after watching yesterday's game in the Cotton Bowl, it is easy for me to say how far Miami has fallen, talent and coaching wise. It also shows how high the bench mark is for Art to try to build the Bears to. It is hard to imagine how big, and how fast these athletes are. Television doesn't do justice to them.

And the stadiums? You can't believe how loud they are. It is deafening.

I began watching last nights NASCAR race in Charlotte. I made it just past halfway before dozing off in my chair. I woke and made my way to bed, figuring whoever won it could do so without my help. The only thing I could do would have been root against a couple of JGR drivers and one of Fenway/Rousch's.

When I checked results this morning I was O.K. with Jeff Burton winning. Jeff Gordon finished way better than I thought he might.

It has been a year since NASCAR brought on the COT (car of tomorrow, now the car of today), yet many drivers continue to complain. My thoughts are that everyone is having to race the same car so shut up and deal with it! If you don't like it, get another job.

Our neighbor hood is beginning to sport a few political signs. I wish I could find one that says "None of the above". I might have to settle for a Hillary sign, just to protest.

Rian told me yesterday that he is going to buy a pickup he had been looking at. In his extended cab, three door truck, he cannot separate the boys enough to keep them from fussing and fighting. He said Holt's car seat has to go in the middle of the back seat, or he can't belt him in. The truck he is looking at is a four door crew cab diesel.

Rian looked at a pickup truck I have been looking at when he was in Abilene. He is encouraging me to buy it. I'm just a little gun shy. It is an '05 with 90,000 miles. I am driving an '00 with 130,000. I have put sixteen thousand miles on my company vehicle since July 31. That means I could have more miles on the '05 in six months then I have on my '00 now. Of course my '00 would have 146,000 if my current driving habits continue. I have my current company truck sold if I decide to do a deal. I can buy the '05 for about 9K out of pocket (after selling the company truck), or I could buy a brand new hold over '07 for 23K (out of pocket, yep, I found a two year old new truck, still on the dealer's lot that originally listed for 47K).

Thing is, both of these trucks are one ton dually's with flatbeds. I really don't want a dually, although I would like to have a flat bed. I don't want a four wheel drive. (At one point in time this was a necessity, but since I am no longer farming or running cows, it isn't now.). What I would love to find is a one ton 2wh drive, single rear wheel crew cab, cab and chassis. I would even consider a 3/4 ton.

Maybe that is why I can't get excited about these trucks, I just haven't found what I am looking for.

I am considering hauling my S-10 pickup to the jobsite and while we are not busy, letting the hands pull the broken motor and install the new one. This is something I need to do regardless of whether or not I buy a different pickup. This little truck is my "economy" mode. That extra ten or 12 miles to the gallon sure makes a difference.

I have made the decision that I cannot justify the three bears pickup truck saga. It will have to be either "Knock around truck" or "work truck".

$2.929 unleaded. All right.

Have a day!

FATHER, heal us. Rest us. Lead us. Guide us. Protect us. Save us.