Sleep is illusive.

But oh, tonight, I'm going to sleep soundly.

I woke and looked at the clock, 1 AM.. Flip, flop, flip, flop. I finally just got up.

The presentation is sitting by the front door. Folders are prepared. I have serviced the little truck and it is ready for a road trip.

Actually the little truck is probably the only question mark for my day. This will be the longest road trip the little truck has made since we put the new engine in. Thankfully, its oil consumption seems to have curtailed. Today will tell the tale. I know I drive a little harder than ET does.

I have known as I was preparing my game plan for the board meeting this morning, I didn't need to be around anyone. I didn't want or need the distraction.

Last Friday I sent ET to Fort Worth with a check to pick up the transmission for the big truck. I told him, be sure and get everything we need to put the transmission in. I even called him and reinforced this.

Yesterday morning, I received a call from ET telling me what was on our old transmission (that we exchanged) that we needed to put on the new unit. It was all I could do to keep from coming unglued. I placed a call to the re-builder in Fort Worth as well as an e-mail.

I talked with Pepa a couple of times, and he seemed to think I was a little testy. And I probably was.

After lunch I went to the Post Office to mail three large flats. One to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (W-2's and W-3), one to Austin (1099's and 1096), and one to my friend Leonard in Lamesa. After that I drove across town and picked up some parts I had ordered a couple of weeks ago. While I was on that side of town I decided to check just to be sure the first shop that looked at the transmission didn't inadvertently keep the missing parts. They didn't.

Afterwards, I ran across the street to the storage facility to check the heater and get some things out of the company travel trailer. Then back to the house.

Once I arrived, I called the transmission shop in Fort Worth again, finally I got hold of the salesman. He told me he had sent all our pieces. I asked him to check and he discovered the missing fittings. He is shipping them to us today.

ET still says it is not the right transmission. My question is why didn't he say this while he was in Fort Worth?

Today is going to be a strange day. I will be on the road within an hour, headed to St. Lawrence. Memama and Pepa will leave Roscoe about eight, headed to Lubbock for a check up with Dr. Mark. Pat and Steve will probably spend half their day at the court house, monitoring the proceedings there.

I still haven't figured everything out that is going on there. An old creditor from the defunct family business, who was #2 or #3 lien holder on some real estate is selling their position. Crazy thing is, this liability was discharge in bankruptcy. Craziest thing is, they are selling my farm that the first lien holder sold back in 04 or 05. In an even stranger event, they have told the attorney who has represented all of us, that whoever buys their lien will control the property. I still haven't figured that one out. What is really misleading is in the court house where the sale is posted, there is no mention that they are selling the second or third position. Someone could win the auction and end up without a hunk of money or the property. Worst thing is, things like this usually upset the #1 lien holder, making them very uncomfortable.

I still am wondering if our attorney got snookered or if this other bunch is full of bluster. This other group calls themselves "recovery specialists". I think they are crooks!

If they do what they say they are going to do, I don't want to be a first lien holder, I would rather be at the back of the line, and still take control.

On a high note. Rian called and said he had been to Post and picked up the pigs. 394lbs.. He was so excited. He said when they were bringing it out, they would say this box is filled with bacon, sausage, chops, ham steaks, pork roasts and so on. I am excited too! Neatest thing is I bought the pigs, he paid the processing and we are $7 apart on investment.

The last part of my day was spent in the garage. I hauled one load of stuff to the storage building and dumpster. I guess I was working of some nervous energy.

Finally, we sat down to a wonderful supper of pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and biscuits. Wonderful.

Have a day!

FATHER, we've already talked about my day. I just want you to know, I'm glad YOU are in control.