Friday. Ah.

Rian called me Tuesday asking me about how hard it would be and how long it would take to roll a set of rod and main bearings into his big pulling tractor. I told him a couple of hours, after the motor was out of the tractor. I had no problem with doing this, but I felt like the crankshaft needed to be magnafluxed to check for a broken crank. It would be extremely ugly if we rolled bearings into it and broke the crankshaft and lost many parts we might want to re-use.

Rian finally talked himself out of it. I think that is a good decision.

Rian asked me if Chris and I were going to Wichita Falls for the season finale. Two nights of truck and tractor pulling at the Red River raceway. I told him we hadn't decided. He told me he was going to go, and was taking Reid.

I talked to Chris and told him money remains tight and that I could cover the gas up and back, but he was going to have to help out with the motel, if he chose to go.

As it turns out things have really done an apple turnover shake and bake. Chris chose NOT to go. That doesn't surprise me, usually when he goes I am working the show and motel is "comp'd" or part of my deal so he can usually go for "nothing".

Rian decided they are only going for Friday night. So I figured I might just do the Friday thing too.

But, on my way home Thursday I talked with K.O. and he told me they were having to do some shifting because his brother D.O. couldn't go Friday. When he discovered I was going, he told me not to plan on taking a vehicle, I could drive one of his eighteen wheelers or go in their one-ton pulling their travel trailer.

So plans have been made and re-made. I am leaving at noon today in K.O.'s big burgundy Peterbilt. This is the same truck I took to Maxwell in May and stayed in it for the weekend.

That was a relief because I don't need to spend any money I don't have to. Collections for the business still lag. I am becoming very concerned. We got one check in the past week allowing us to do payroll and operate for the week, but now we are back to another payroll on Monday.

We have t0 have some relief.

Preparations are underway for the parts store annual tool sale. It takes place this coming Wednesday. I don't know what to expect. We have had lot of interest, and some people have already booked some items. This is a customer appreciation day where everything is at store cost. Each line we carry has an agreement to give the store a rebate on everything sold. It isn't a big money maker, but it gets people in the store, gives them a burger or hot dog or both or multiple, and hopefully a warm fuzzy feeling when they do need to make a purchase. We usually run a few "in store" specials on case quantities of items like selected oil, antifreeze and freon.

Anyhow, I had better get my day rolling. Noon will be here before we know it.

Have a day and a weekend!

FATHER, I pray for a safe weekend. For safe travel. I pray for relief for the business's finances. FATHER I ask that YOU lead us where YOU want us to go. YOUR love has lifted me.