Twenty years ago today, Krl, Rian and myself moved into this house.

I woke about 1:31 this morning. Apparently I had another episode. It seems these are becoming more frequent. I waken with my heart racing and my lungs short of air. I really think I need to do another sleep study. Of course after my last one, they may not let me in for another. The nurse told me I am the most violent sleeper she has ever seen.

When I woke this morning, the tip of my nose was freezing. I glanced and saw the lights were off on our electric blankets which meant KRL had turned them on very early and they had timed out. In addition to this, the houndgirls were jockeying for position. I guess with the blankets turning off they were seeking spots that were warmer.

As I tossed and turned, I suffered an injury to my left thumb. Remember I am a violent sleeper! It was stupid and I won't go into details, but it is kind of like the football player who saw a leg directly in front of his face and he decided to bite it. Turns out it was his own leg! What I did was put my right elbow down hard to roll over and I put it on my left thumb. I think I either sprained it or hyper-extended it.

Around three I decided to get up. When I walked into the family room, it was extremely chilly. I went into the home office and as I walked down the hall I turned the thermostat up just a tad. I sat and listened but didn't hear the furnace light before the fan came on so I felt of the air coming from the vent. It wasn't warm. A quick investigation revealed the pilot was out. I lit it and have been enjoying it cycling on and off.

We had not used our heater until Monday. I decided to light the pilot just in case Krl wanted the heater on but when I went to light it I could not turn the valve. I would estimate we have not had to light the pilot in ten to twelve years. This past summer we had a technician come out to check our air conditioner and when he was here he blew out the pilot and told us that was wasteful.

The valve part you turn is plastic and I even put pliers on it and tried to turn it, but it wouldn't budge. I told Krl to call someone to check out the valve. She ask who and I told her anyone but the jerk who blew the pilot out.

The technician who came out asked Krl if I had used pliers on it. She confirmed this and he told her the valve was broken, he was almost sure. He took the valve apart and lubricated it and reassembled it. He was surprised I had stopped before I broke it.

Hey I am no dummy!

Our nightmare with Suddenlink continues. We are six weeks into a service change and probably a minimum of six levels up in the Suddenlink hierarchy. I cannot believe this is the way they do business. I currently have escalated my request to the West Region Vice President. Next step will be directly to St. Louis, the national headquarters! I am tired of messing with idiots. Now they have given us a new date of December 8.

26 in Abilene this morning. With the wind chill it feels like 19. Colder tomorrow. Another threat of more snow tonight and tomorrow.

Bundle up and have a day!

FATHER thank you for all our blessings, large and small. May this day be filled with YOU!