Yikes! It is way too early to be awake.

I guess there is to much stuff running around in the vast emptiness of my mind. Krl's test. The proposal preparation. The meeting later this week.

I am having a hard time giving it up to GOD. I know he is in control, but I also believe he expects us to make our best effort.

I know this morning's test for Krl are paramount in comparision to the other items. Dr. Mackie told us when he decided to schedule this, that to be up front with us, "We are looking for cancer."

I told him, "Doc, I like it better if we say, we are doing these tests to rule out cancer."

Being the man that he is, he apologized and agreed.

Isn't it odd, that even though we know, and knew, what the test were scheduled for, we feel better if we put a warm fuzzy outlook on it.

I guess I am the "glass half full" optimist.

Krl and I have skirted the issues of what if. Krl is much more direct in this matter than me. I say we will cross that bridge when, and if, it presents itself.

Once again, there is that "don't borrow trouble" attitude.

Dr. Mackie says if would be twenty-four to forty-eight hours before he has the test results.

I have a feeling this week is going to d r a g .

I do have to laugh at myself, because I see a lot of the same traits as in my Pollyanna sister.

I probably worked seven hours on the proposal yesterday. The old contract was originally structured in 1995. It has had very little tweaking since then. There is a baseline fuel cost of $1.18 per gallon. Back then, in order to protect ourselves over the multi-year contract, we included an addendum with a variable rate fuel surcharge. When fuel reaches a certain price, a corresponding percentage of the base rate is added to the base rate. The addendum had been expanded several times. In fact, in 2007, it was finally expanded to $5 per gallon fuel. Beauty part of it is, when fuel goes up we are protected, when fuel goes down the shipper is protected.

Last summer, I had begun preparing for contract negotiations. At that point in time I probably spent a week working on a variable rate fuel surcharge based on baseline fuel of $3.50. Needless to say, all that work went for naught as fuel spiraled down at the end of 2008.

Fuel prices for road diesel have fluttered about $2.00 per gallon at the seasonal jobsite. Oil industry analysts project fuel to gain about $0.50 per gallon by mid-summer. So, my day yesterday was spent working up a new chart of variable rate fuel surcharges.

To do this, I elevated the base rate to reflect the $2.00 base line fuel. As much as I would like to see $1.18 per gallon fuel, I think that possibility is a pipe dream.

Any base rate change is important because base rate influences driver pay. Driver pay is a percentage of the base rate, while any fuel surcharge is paid to the truck after the driver pay has been figured. In simple terms, any increase in base rate is a raise for the drivers.

I am of the opinion that our economy is "oil" driven. Anything product that is a petroleum based product, works from the price of oil. Fuel, engine oil, drive train lubricants, tires, batteries, tarp straps, even the material for tarps and load covers.

I nearly did my britches this last year when a driver had an oil change service that was over $300. And that was one of the more popular engine oils, not a synthetic. I would guess a full synthetic service would be $600. I had a driver turn in cash tickets last week for engine oil for $68.oo. That is high, but most weeks, if a truck is putting on the miles, I would say $25 per week would be average.

Lots of things to include in preparing pricing.

Wow, I'm getting another headache.

Darn the luck. The only way Matt Kennseth can win the Daytona 500 is for NASCAR to give it to him. Rained out past halfway. The end, checkered flag. I am not a Rousch Racing fan. Prior to the race, I received a text message from Jason. He and Devon and Dillon were at Daytona sitting in the Dale Earnhardt grandstand.

Junior had a bad race. Just more evidence that to a large degree you make your luck. He had a couple of pit road miscues that were "his alone", and even though he said he didn't wreck Brian Vickers intentionally, I think the frustration of the day led to Junior being overly aggressive. Maybe Rick will call him to the principal's office. I think this year is probably pivotal in Junior's career. Either he steps up to the next level or he regresses. My gut feeling is he will do the latter.

And, Joey Logano looked like an eighteen year old kid playing a man's game. Hello wall. I do not see what JGR saw in this driver. One thing about it, Home Depot gets some air time, because he is always wrecking. Just watching the in car camera, he just doesn't seem "at ease". Too much herky jerky!

I am wondering about my sleep habits again. Krl tells me when I go to sleep, I am out! She said it is like I do my deep sleep very quickly, usually snoring very loudly. She says as the night moves on I become restless, but the snoring subsides. I know it is very common when I wake to have a stopped up nose and an extremely dry mouth!

I may ask Dr. Mackie for another sleep study when we do our annual visit in a couple of months. I have no idea what it would be like to sleep all night.

Well, thanks for bearing with me as I have rambled and roamed as my mind has flittered and fluttered.

Have a Monday.

FATHER, please bless this day. I pray that Krl's tests will yield good results. I ask that you bless my efforts as I prepare the work proposal. FATHER forgive me when I try to do too much. Help me to give it to YOU. Redeemer.