Parts store today. Gotta go give Chris a hard time about Mikey!

My Monday was a necessary evil. Gotta have it to get to Tuesday. Most of my day was spent doing more research on the RTLO16713Aopo transmission, that my guys removed from the big truck at the farm shop. Of course, this is one of three trucks that are in the farm shop undergoing similar work. I have one truck we are switching transmissions in with a wrecked truck I bought back from insurance (to use as parts). My guys thought I was crazy when I told them we would remove and switch both transmissions. They thought we should quit when the good truck was finished. Thing is, the transmission supports the rear of the motor and even more important, if all the trucks are on the road and we need to move or spot trailers, we could use the wrecked one. You just have to get in from the passenger side. (The truck was jack-knifed on the drivers side).

A week ago I got my first estimate on the RTLO tranmission repair. $4000.00. Yikes! I got my first exchange estimate. $4400.00. Aaarrghh! I continued to e-mail and try to contact one other re-builder, but it seemed like they weren't interested. Then out of no where I got an e-mail. They had one in stock and quoted $3695.00. Comparison shopping, this was the best I had seen. There was a note to call them and I did. On the phone, the man quoted $3495.00. I sure liked the way this was going.

I had talked with Pepa and he suggested I stop in one other local shop. I did. Normally, I hate to go into this business. They are rude and crude, and act like they are doing you a favor. But, economics came into play and I decided to stop in. They began an estimate. $3089.00. (+-). I asked how big the plus or minus was and they said 10%. So $3397.90 on the high side and $2789.00 on the low. No 300 mile drive.

I began comparing warranty and they were all the same. 1 year unlimited mileage.

Just before the end of day, we unloaded the transmission at the local shop. They told me two days. I told them, no hurry. Friday would be fine.

I kind of feel good doing business locally. It is always my preference, but sometimes they aren't competitive. Maybe, just maybe, I saved someone's job.

Wow! I am impressed with President Obama's aggressive attack on the economic situation. He appears to be decisive, and willing to be bold in his goals. Quite a change from the noodle we had before. I appreciate the fact that he has put together a group of advisers that share in his sense of urgency. His weekend announcement of cutting the deficit in half by the end of his first term indicates to me his sense of fiscal responsibility.

I am sure it it a catch twenty-two. Darned if you do, darned if you don't.

Krl took a bad spill Sunday night. She had come by my chair and we were talking and she sat down on the arm of the chair. When she went to get up she went straight down. I am convinced that the antibiotic she is taking for her sinus infection/ear infections is not doing the job. It seems as though her equilibrium is really off.

She is beginning to wonder where she needs to go to get answers. That is pretty bold if you know how she feels about Dr. Mackie.

She and I have been talking some about a will. I have been in and talked to Lance about it and he gave me some bold guidelines. Currently, we are talking about skipping one or two generations, which would mean Great Grandchildren. It is really difficult. It would be penalizing one for the sins of the other three, but we both feel the three girls would breeze through it quicker than a hot knife through butter. Besides, the three girls have been a drain. Krl and I were talking about money the other day, and lack of it, and I told her I was comfortable I could provide a good living for me and her if we got rid of some of the excess baggage.

I discussed with Rian the above possibility, and he said he had no problem. In fact he said it is yours, do what you want. He said if he came into a windfall he would probably use it to pay off student loans.

For the record, since Ollie got the insurance check for the new wheels Friday, neither Krl nor I have heard from her. Krl says this is a sign that she doesn't need anything. Go figure.

Estate planning is difficult. But, after some of the things I have seen and heard about Tj's and Fred's estates, it makes it much easier if a will is in place.

I got a text from Rian last evening. 2 lbs. I could tell he was a little disappointed, but hey he is already halfway to his first stage goal. He said they talked about salt intake last night, and he confessed he doesn't do well without salt. In fact his trick with the pickles for treats is high in salt content.

He does tell me he can already feel a difference.

I am realizing my need to do the same everyday. My biggest problem is I need to lose weight and Krl needs to gain. That seems like it would be hard to prepare meals.

By the way, there is another empty Blue Bell container on the cabinet this morning. The woman can eat it as fast as Blue Bell makes it. I gain weight just by putting it in my shopping cart.

Looks like summer may be here the next few days. Mid-eighties here, ninety-one today at the seasonal jobsite. Good golly! Krl is wanting me to put plants out for the next few days. Some of them are having cabin fever.

And in one final note, Pat had given me five lottery scratch off tickets for my birthday. I had let them lie on the cabinet top for almost a week. Last night while cooking beef stir fry, I began to scratch them off. $41. Not bad! And only two tickets were winners.

Isn't it grand to be a winner!

Have a day!

FATHER, I seem to be struggling. I need a little pick me up. I pray for a good day. That I will make good decisions. I lift up Krl for YOUR gifts of healing. Oh THOU fount of ev'ry blessing.