Another weekend that wasn't.

That describes my weekend. I sure hope yours was better.

My entire weekend was spent playing catch up. And I'm not even there. Part of my Sunday was doing driver and truck settlements. The tidbit I had left over was spent working on water valves in the sprinkler system. I have two stations that are not triggering like they are supposed to. And that drives me nuts! We don't have a really big or expensive sprinkler controller. The one we have is only the second we have had in almost twenty years in our home. But, it may be time for another one. I am just n0t sure. My biggest problem is trying to figure out why some stations are working and some aren't. I would think if it is the controller it would be all or nothing.

That is why I have been working on valve solenoids.

Another fuel card has been closed by WalMart. I have read all the cardholder agreements and for the life of me I can't find anything that has been violated. The only thing I see is that they can, at any time, suspend or terminate your card. I am still waiting for my phone call from the customer support supervisor.

It looks like I am going to spend another portion of my morning on the phone.

The only thing I can figure out is they would like for you to load the cards with a large amount of money and then let it sit all month long. I would think the amount we load and the fees we pay would be worth something. The agreement says we agree not to do anything illegal with the card, and we haven't.

The only thing I am not sure of is what "changes" they may have made because the card support dude told me there have been no policy changes since August 6th, 2009. Any way, they have not notified me of any changes.

I saw a segment on the early news CBS show this morning. They had a gentleman on who has tried to find his niche in the business world. He tried a taco parts delivery. They would bring you all the ingredients for tacos and leave them with you for you to put together. That didn't work out. Then he tried flavored iced cubes. That didn't work either. After that he did a mobile bar. Instead of going out to a bar to drink, it came to you. Another failure. Luckily this man has a regular job working at a Red Cross blood bank. His latest foray has been to start the "Recession Proof Cab Company". You pay what you want or what you can afford. His first customer paid him by giving him a CD. However, since then, he is averaging six dollars above the regular fare for a three mile ride.

When I had opportunity to watch television this weekend I bounced between the Little League World Series and the MASH festival on TVLand in the evenings, although I did watch the NASCAR race Saturday night.

I have already picked my favorites in the Little League World Series. In the first game I watched it was Mexico against Canada. Excellent pitching and superb defensive play. It was a shame Canada lost it in extra innings after a bunt and no one covered first base. Yesterday Canada seemed like they had lost their spirit and were defeated by Taiwan.

I am pulling for San Antonio in the tournament.

I am so impressed with this event. No admission. No paid parking. Concessions are very reasonable.

Outstanding!

I have to report on my scratch off ticket. A couple months ago a new game was introduced and Max from the parts store bought a ticket. I watched him scratch it off, and thought "It has been a long time since I bought a scratch off". A few days later I bought one. Rest assured, I am not addicted to scratch offs. The first one rode around on the visor of my pickup for a few days. Then it sat on my desk for a few days before I would scratch one or two squares and set it aside again. Anyhow, after a long process the winning numbers you have to match were finally scratched off revealing a match. The winning ticket rode in my pickup again until the spirit moved me to turn it in for another game card and cash. This process has repeated itself over and over. Pat's birthday scratch off was purchased with proceeds from the original game card. Then I got another game card last week for myself. I followed the previous precedents but finally over the weekend, I scratched it off.

Another winner! Crazy thing is, I never cash them in and get a new game card in the same location I got the winning card from.

There is a breaking story about a prosecutor in the terrorist cases in Guantanamo Bay this morning, alleging abuse and torture. It was so bad in fact this man resigned from his military duties. I afraid we may never know the whole truth. As more information is made available, I fear that we have become a monster no better than those we have pursued. While I have voiced it before, "W" may need to be tried as a war criminal.

Well, as much as I hate to, I had better get my day going.

School is in session!

Have a day.

FATHER, I ask YOUR blessings on the students, teachers, administrators, and staff as we begin a new school year. FATHER I ask that YOU temper me, and bless me with more patience. Help me to be thorough and deliberate in my actions. I pray for our country, that our vision and goals don't become clouded and misguided. Help us to be a beacon for goodness. Oh to be like THEE.