Let the record show. I own no silver and blue jersey, nothing with a star on it.

And I am thankful for that.

How 'bout them cowgirls! I think Jerry Jones should change the team colors to pink and dress 'em in frilly lace!

I don't watch sports very much, but usually this time of the year is a good time to buck that trend. Lots of important games with playoff implications, lots of college bowl games. Thirty-seven years ago I spent the week from Christmas Day to New Years in the hospital. An excellent week to be confined to bed.

I grew up a Cowboy fan. I can remember being at different stock shows and Fred and I taking turns, one tending to our animals, the other listening to the radio. Then we would trade off. I suffered with the 'boys when they were growing up, I was loyal to Tom and Clint. Dandy Don, Bob, Jethro, Walt, Leroy, Chuck, Charlie, Mel, Roger, and the rest of the boys were bonuses. When JJ bought the boys, it broke my heart to see the way he discarded tradition.

I thought he might have just wanted to put his mark on the team, and with Jimmy on the sideline, and Troy leading the charge on the field, he almost had me returning to the fold. Then the aftermath of the Superbowl, and I was done.

I realize that sports franchises have become big business. But right is right and wrong is wrong. You have to have ethics. The 'boys have sold their souls for instant success. And they have come up short. What happened to when the 'boys were symbolic of all that was good? Instead they have become a haven for players in trouble, needing to be reclaimed, a battle of egos.

Over the years I have developed a dislike for the professional sports. I hate so see someone making mega bucks put forth a pathetic effort.

So from my view point all I can do is borrow and modify a line from Bruce Willis in Diehard. "Yippee ki yea ........... Jerry Jones".

Can you believe I am already awake?

We have had a fitful weekend at our house. Krl has thought we might have a bug. We are quizzy, the pups have felt poorly, and Krl took two spills Saturday night.

I was in the home office and heard a big clatter, I rushed from the room to see what was the matter! I rounded the corner and what should I see?

O.K., I got caught up in the remnants of the season.

I heard a noise and when I investigated I found her tangled up with the Oreck vacuum cleaner. She had been to bed, gone to sleep and then woke wanting a piece of pumpkin pie. She doesn't really remember what happened, just that she woke up on the floor. I helped her up and she went down again. Must be a problem with altitude.

Today she is complaining that her tail bone hurts. That would be about par. She is sporting a bruise.

I haven't asked her in almost two months about doing her monthly bone density treatment. I know she really dislikes it, but if we are going to continue this kamikaze routine, either we are going to have to do it or buy protective armour.

I am really getting frustrated about her and her health. It seems if it is a good choice and it would benefit her, she doesn't want to do it.

I got a report yesterday that the hooligans were well on their way home! In fact they were approaching the halfway mark. Rian said on Saturday #2 was begging to go to Holtie's house. He told him one more night in the motel and they would all go to Holtie's house. #2 told him, you go to the motel, I'll go to Holtie's house.

I know this trip has been difficult for the kids. They have been pent up, unable to run and play like usual. They have toys they can't play with.

I knew we should have bought them ruby slippers!

I am not ready for tomorrow. I don't want to do anything. I am still burned our, bummed out, tired and worn out. I have two drivers coming in to do "maintenance" on trailers. I have two trailers and one truck that need registration renewed, which will entail another trip to the seasonal jobsite. But I have three days to do that.

Krl and I have been doing a little research, and while we knew this year was short, it appears to be much shorter on the books than we had first thought. Lots of out go. Currently I am dickering with our insurance agent trying to make some changes that they say I can't make. I bet if I don't pay them they won't continue the coverages I am wanting to change. Talk about trying to hem you up! I have never heard such.

My plan tomorrow is to work in Pepa's barn. In fact the next three trailers scheduled in the shop are his. Late in the day I plan on sending a truck to Abilene to pick up a trailer we dropped off last week, I had told them there was no rush, but Christmas Eve they called me and told me the trailer repairs were made and they were putting an inspection sticker on it.

I am hoping to get the driver off early enough to stop by Garbo's to get a key made for his truck. I would love to have an extra for my master key chain, but they are pricey. $45 per key. I asked Gretta if there was a break for the second key and she told me no. I can't remember for sure but I think she told me the machine cost either $8k or $12k. These are weird keys, the only key I have seen like them or Saab's and Volkswagen, and it takes a special machine to make them. I guess I shouldn't complain, to buy one from Volvo takes an act of congress and permission from all parties to any treaties. Actually it requires proof of ownership, meaning the title, permission (if you are not the owner), the truck and the key must be present, and they will send the key to their factory and hold the truck until it comes back. Huh? They told me it could take a week and would cost a couple of hundred dollars. Of course if you lose a week worth of revenue, that key gets really expensive.

By the way, I am not kidding about the locksmith. It is Garbo's, and her name is Gretta. That just isn't her last name. All the locksmiths that work there are female.

Maybe I am beginning to get cabin fever. I need to go somewhere and do something. Unlike Hooligan #2, and lucky for me I guess, it doesn't bother me to be gone from home for extended periods. I guess it is the nature of the beast of my vocation, and mentally I know I like $$ and one sacrifice I have to make for them is to be away from the house. It is hard to do what I do from the confines of home or the surrounding area. I guess I am beginning to feel the need of accomplishing something. I figure I have this coming week to do what I need to catch up on and get trucks where they need to be and then Pat and I will talk about the parts store.

While I am thankful for the parts store work, and the benefits it brings, I am also well aware of it's limitations. Probably more aware than most. I know when I am there it is a different atmosphere, and I am not a co-workers favorite. There is nothing they like more than for me to be gone on one of my excursions. Of course I have to add in the fact that being with Chris is like counseling on the go. I like to think I challenge him to be and do better.

Well, I may see if I can get a nap in before morning. Tomorrow is going to be one of those days that isn't much fun. The two drivers will be expecting payroll checks and yet they have turned nothing in for me to generate checks. I guess I will have to take my laptop, printer, and Schedule E with me. I can probably get by with using my phone for a calculator. Lovely, simply lovely.

Have a day!

FATHER, I need a lot of help here. I'm beginning to spazz. Peace, perfect peace.