This entire week has been frantic, on edge, and stressful.

Employee problems marked the first couple of days. Equipment problems marked the last couple.

The little wild man lost the clutch in his truck and right now the funds are not available to have the clutch put in, much less buy the parts and us put in in. I figured the easiest fix was to put this driver in one of Pepa's trucks.

The man who had driven this truck for a couple of years was a junkyard mechanic. Although he didn't complain, he would usually try to "fix" whatever needed fixing, however unorthodox that repair might be. This truck needed an inspection sticker and I figured a couple of hours, a half day at max would get everything into compliance.

Wrong. The little wild man has worked three days on it non-stop and it still wouldn't pass.

I am currently waiting on exhaust parts, then I think it will pass.

I will admit I was a little embarrassed when we did present it for inspection and the inspector went into the pit under the truck, then returned to summon the driver. "Come look at this", the inspector said.

When the truck driver and I talked, he told me there were patches made on the exhaust with beer cans and hose clamps!

I was surprised. Actually this is very dangerous. I would hate to have a driver lay down and be overcome with carbon monoxide.

I am hopeful that repairs can be made and the elusive inspection on by days end.

Pepa's doctor is very pleased with his ambulatory improvements. However, he is very concerned that Pepa doesn't have the strength to get out of bed or out of a chair by himself. The doctor has said if at the end of the swing bed days Pepa still can't get out of bed or out of a chair by himself, the doctor will have no option but to release him to a skilled facility or Memama and Pepa would have to have an around the clock nurse who could "physically handle" him.

Pepa starts shaking his head no the minute his physical therapist walks in the door. He tells me she is little, but stout as an ox and meaner than a rattlesnake! She took Pepa on a 135 step walk.

Rian called me yesterday evening (while I sat with Pepa for a couple of hours while Pat took Memama to wash and do her hair). I could tell something was wrong immediately. He told me they had just concluded a mandatory staff and faculty meeting where they announced that Rian's friend and mentor, Jimmy, was being moved to an assistant principal position at Estacado High School.

I asked Rian is this had anything to do with Dunbar's being deemed un-acceptable. He told me he didn't think so. However, Estacado and Dunbar both share that distinction. If I understand correctly the new Estacado Principal is retiring as a deputy superintendent but agreed to take the building principal job to turn the school around. Rian said this man is extremely strong in academics and instruction.

The new Dunbar Principal is coming from one of its feeder elementary schools that has held an exemplary rating.

Rian is a little un-settled because Jimmy is who recruited and hired him to join his team.

Town hall meeting began yesterday at the elementary school and the first domino fell, then moved to Dunbar before finishing last night at Estacado. Rian said last night's meeting really placed the new superintendent on the hot seat as many parents attended and had questions for her. The lady must know what she is doing because when she was a deputy superintendent in Houston they went from 24 exemplary schools to over 200.

My advice to Rian is to keep his eyes and ears open, he can probably learn a lot!

Well, my parts man just called me. I gotta get!

Have a day!

FATHER, please bless this day. May my labor be productive, may my solutions work. To YOU is the glory!