I have been trying to sort through some stuff, and I am having a difficult time.

The cardiologist sent Krl home yesterday. Much to everyone's dismay. His reasoning, it was a Friday and this is a long holiday weekend and he had plans. He wants her in his office Tuesday morning and he feels sure he will insert a pace maker.

You can imagine my response. The doctor is an idiot and we are searching for a new cardiologist.

Bub has been trying to put things together to buy his Dad's place. Everything was in place, but a moratorium was in effect on doing anything for almost two years. Earlier this month the moratorium was lifted and Bub began putting things together. It was then he learned that due to some recent developments, the financing he had in place would not be available until later in the year. A mad scramble ensued and when all ended up dry, Pat made a call to an uncle who had always said if it appeared the farm might be lost to call him. The call went out. After several calls and everyone had a good understanding, the uncle agreed to provide interim financing by buying the farm, and then selling it to Bub when his financing was available. Initially, the deal was to buy the farm before it went to the courthouse steps Tuesday morning. Probably the worst thing about this situation is the fact that the uncle was going through the "little bastard" banker who for years has done all he could to queer anything any family member (with the exception of Chris) has attempted to do. The "little bastard" would not agree to buy the place prior to the sale at the courthouse, instead convincing the uncle that it would be best to buy the farm at the courthouse. Today, the uncle called and said the "little bastard" banker had convinced him this was not a good investment. Hello? This isn't an investment, it is interim financing. Worst part is, the uncle waited to lose his manhood on Saturday when banks are closed on Monday, effectively making it impossible for anyone to put together an alternate plan by the time the farm goes on the block at the courthouse.

If you can believe it, Bub was out of the area and did not have a phone signal so the uncle left him a message. ???????? Can you imagine. He did call Hag and then called Memama.

It would appear that not only do we have a "little bastard" banker, but it may be contagious. Thanks guys.

Ironically, this past week I was told the the uncle did not have the "balls" to see this through. I guess time will tell.

All I am going to say is what goes around comes around!

FATHER, I am not feeling you very much right now, but if you have a couple of lightning bolts, allow me a suggestion. Forgive me. I know vengeance is yours! YOU go GOD!

Home health care came yesterday and prior to Krl's rehab session took her vital signs. Her pulse was 44. After exerting herself doing rehab exercise, her pulse rose to only 48. The nurse was very concerned and told Krl she needed to go to her doctor or the ER. At the ER they got her pulse to 52 before they called in a cardiologist. Ultimately they admitted her for observation and testing.

Today they did a nuclear stress test, along with another EKG and a sonogram of her heart. There has been talk of a tilt table test, but so far I don't think they have done that. Supposedly the tilt table will determine in\f it is a valvular problem or an arrhythmia problem.

Tonight I waited at the hospital until 8:30 to see the doctor. The nurses told us he was on the floor. Finally a nurse came in and asked what the doctor said. We told her we hadn't seen him and she looked surprised and told us he had left for the night.

I am furious.

We may get a new cardiologist in the morning.

FATHER.

I Had a call from Rian yesterday morning, he was excited. They had received their TAKS scores for Dunbar and the results came back as Academically Acceptable. Of course last year they were deemed academically unacceptable which meant that the teachers and administrators had to jump through a lot of hoops this entire year. Also it caused a domino effect with teachers and administrators alike. Jimmy M, Rian's boss has taken a lot of heat and ultimately accepted an assistant Principal's position at Estacado for next year. Six teachers were asked for their resignations earlier this spring by the new incoming principal, no interviews, just the requests. I believe three of these were in the same field. When the campus staffing came out, Dunbar has to lose three more teachers, so if I understand it correctly, all three vacancies will have to be filled in that one particular field. I am sure this new development took some wind out of the new principal's sails as he has been very arrogant. It wouldn't surprise me if he had changed his name to JESUS and had business cards printed up touting himself as Dunbar's Savior.

The results have to be some sort of vindication for teachers, administrators and students. Way to go guys!

I spent the majority of my day yesterday looking at equipment. This is equipment specialized to the gin jobs we do so much of. It belonged to a friend of mine, and I talked to him before I went to look. I was somewhat shocked at the condition of it. It had been a few years since I had been around it, but the truck I thought would be really well maintained was the roughest. Needs tires, and lots of TLC.

I'm going to have to really think hard about the numbers I put together. Of course I need to move some other equipment to be liquid enough to do this.

I had been chasing a vibration in my pickup since I began to drive it again recently, and last week had pulled one tire off the ground and put the spare on. While it helped some, it didn't alleviate it entirely. Yesterday as I was rushing to meet the equipment representative, just as I exited the Interstate, I began to feel a shake. I thought the tire was going flat but before I could stop it threw the tread. Luckily, it was not leaking air, and I continued the mile or two to my meeting. Afterwards I cut through the country to the farm shop and put the tire I had taken off the ground back on the ground.

Before I went to the house I stopped and had two new tires installed. Luckily, there was some adjustment. That is not how my luck usually runs.

I don't know why, but I was really tired by the time I got home, maybe it was the short night the night before. For a change I went to bed between nine and ten.

This morning I watched the clock for the last hour before the alarm went off.

Parts store today.

Have a day!

FATHER, give us the strength, wisdom, and peace to accept your plan as it unfolds.

Yuk.

Last load of laundry is in the dryer, and all ready clothes have begun collecting. Talk about job security. Clothes are lining up to be next.

I am trying to get it all done so I can "float" tomorrow and do some things I want to do.

I lack bathing one houndgirl and I will be finished with that cycle. Ran the dishwasher and put all of them up, already begun another collection of dirty dishes.

But, by far my least favorite chore has been making the bed. We have a lot of cover, a habit we developed when we were living in the travel trailer at the jobsite. However, I hate pillows most, and we have a ton of them. I have two, and Krl has nine. She has pillows to go under her foot, pillows that go under her knee, pillows that go beside her leg, and a whole pile of them to get her inclined appropriately. That doesn't even count our throw pillows that match the comforter.

We've got more pillows than Walmart!

We may be like the princess and the pea!

Almost there, I can almost hear the timer on the dryer tuning up.

I've got to get to the work week so I can rest up!

Hope you had a weekend.

FATHER, thank YOU for resting me well and resting me quickly.

Let the record reflect, my back votes no on the split yard session. I had long sensed that the weed eating bothered me more than the mowing. I am currently waiting for some tylenol to take over before I go out and walk around behind the mower.

My weed eating experience wasn't what I had planned. Half way through I got to stop for an extended period to do weed eater maintenance, then my next task was dependent upon an e-mail response which never came.

Kind of makes me wonder how some businesses can function, much less survive.

The last e-mail I had sent to this person was never answered by him, another officer in this business responded, telling me they would be sure my man got the message. A week later I got a phone call from my man.

I sure hope my man's Daddy owns the business, or that my man has some dirt on whoever does.

I seem to be struggling right now on several fronts. I am trying to just not spazz.

Have a weekend!

FATHER, could YOU just give me a little hint on where we are going and what is going to happen? Peace, perfect peace. I know, I've got a ways to go. Forgive me.

I realize my resolve is crumbling.

Krl and I have had Maple Syrple (the little redhead) and PhooDoo (the albino) "our pups" for a few years now. However the newest addition was Missy Lou, one of Trc and the girl's pups.

She has been a typical pup. All play and no sense. She is like a bull in a china closet, going where she wants when she wants, crawling over, under and through whatever or whoever is in her way.

Missy Lou has been Krl's pup. Missy Lou wanted very little to do with me, but the feeling was mutual.

During Krl's hospital stay, it mean that Missy Lou and I were thrown together. I was responsible for her care and well being, and Missy Lou needed to convert to my program. Surprisingly, things went pretty well, although Missy Lou is still intimidated when I pick her up and you had better be prepared or her sprinkler is going to go off.

While Krl was in the hospital, I began teasing all three of our houndgirls, changing their names to "The big sister" (the red head), "the good sister" (phoodoo), and "the Eeville sister" (Missy Lou). For short I just call Missy Lou, Eeville. She just gets so excited and wags and jumps around. It is so funny.

Late yesterday I got home and began getting supper ready when Krl asked me if I would bathe Eeville. Krl thinks that Eeville may have found a fire ant bed or something equally as bad and that maybe a bath would give her a little relief.

After supper and cleanup, I let the hounds outside and did preparation for Eeville's bath. I began running warm water into the tub and had all supplies readily available. When the pups came in I was prepared, I swept Eeville up with one hand while covering her sprinkler with multiple papertowels. In to the bathroom we went and plopped her down and into the water. After a brief moment of shock, she relaxed. When I was scrubbing her tummy she sat down and finally laid down and rolled over in the water. I told Krl I had to hold her head out of the water she was so relaxed. When I finally rinsed her with the handheld shower head, she loved it and I am sure she felt the towel dry was just an added bonus.

Now I have a friend for life. She now associates me with relaxing, enjoyable activities! Last night when everyone was jockeying for position in bed, I felt a new presence pressing against my back. It was Eeville, and it was almost Eerie.

Rian signed his new contract yesterday with Shallowater ISD and submitted his resignation to LISD along with an e-mail to Dr. Garza. She continues to impress me, she responded with an e-mail congratulating Rian and wishing him well. It would appear she and Rian really connected during the year she has been in Lubbock.

I am off from the parts store today. I am trying to make plans. I may weed eat the yard, then go to Roscoe and Colorado City, then to the farm shop. Then tomorrow I may do the mowing. either my back is going to love it or it is going to hate splitting the yard over two sessions.

Going to be warm in Texas today. Cotton weather.

Have a day!

FATHER, bless this day and my efforts in it. Help me to be thorough in my planning. To YOU be the glory!

Rian is scheduled for surgery June 4th. They are going to remove seven more of the lipomas he and I are afflicted with.

I am sad to report that the majority of the seventeen I have had removed have come back. Three or four of them are extremely painful. I think the surgeon only made them mad.

Business has been steady this week at the parts store. That makes it much more enjoyable working the counter.

We have also had some of the school organizations coming in asking for donations for training camps and schools. Yesterday it was the flag corp. (If you can call it that with five flag persons). It seems they always have a designated spokesperson when they walk in but I always throw them a curve by asking for everyone to introduce themselves and tell me who their parents are. Then we might ask them to perform a routine so we would have a basis to judge before camp and after camp and finally, yesterday I asked them to sing the school song. Lots of laughs. Pat ruined it all by telling them I had graduated from RHS too so I scared them all by telling them, "Yeah, all of you might grow up to be just like me!"

They fled from the store leaving their money bag behind.

Not.

Pat told us to give them some money so we did.

I have been chasing a vibration on my pickup. It seems that since I replaced a u-joint the vibration has been worse. Yesterday I found a steel belt that is breaking on a tire. I backed in the shop and Chris put my spare on. Not much improvement though.

Tomorrow I hope to be and look at some equipment that is being sold. If all goes well I may spend the afternoon working at the farm shop on Pepa's and Krl's trucks. It seems there is always work to do.

I am hopeful for good weather for everyone to get their cotton planted. Luckily the really bad weather had missed this area as some farmers had already been planting their irrigated cotton plots. The wheat is rapidly ripening. I think by next week there is going to be a lot of wheat that needs attention. Her is hoping for a bumper crop of wheat, milo and cotton this year!

Have a day.

FATHER, thank YOU for the many blessing you bestow on us. I ask that YOU bless our friends and family with bountiful harvests. YOU are good!

KRl went to the orthopedic doctor today and they took pictures of her knee, ankle and foot. Best news is, no new or previously unfound breaks. The doctor says the swelling is circulatory and instructed her to take ibuprofin or advil between pain pills.

While they were taking pictures they decided to look at her hip. The doctor says it is healing nicely, although the big screw has backed out some. Hey anyone who know Krl know she has a loose screw! Ha! Now it is official!

I don't know what the doctor had to say about the knot, although it had gone down considerably.

Rian had a call today from Shallowater, his contract is ready to sign.

Things are moving pretty quickly, they are trying to find a place to build on. It seems the housing market in Shallowater is feast or famine. Either it is a cookie cutter house of about 1500 or 1600 square feet for about a hundred grand or they jump to a quarter million dollars. They would like to fall somewhere in between. They are currently looking at a 3.4 acre lot. They were hopeful they could buy it and split it into two, but the shape may not allow that. Let's see, 3.4 acres less house, less shop, less practice pulling track, less baseball diamond (if you build it they will come), less football field, all encircled by a running track. Yep. It is workable.

I just don't want thing to move too quickly. Haste makes waste.

I am at the parts store today. It has been a fairly busy day. They always go quicker.

Hope you have had a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for all the blessings of this day and this life.

I have to admit, it had been way too long since Rian and I had spent as much concentrated time together as we did over the weekend.

It was very enjoyable. We talked serious, we reminisced, we laughed until we almost cried. We shared lots of hopes, dreams, and realities.

It was a good weekend.

On Monday, one more positive stepping stone fell in to place for Rian. he met with the school board at Shallowater and was offered the job which he informally accepted and is waiting on a contract. He will be the assistant High School Principal. Go Mustangs! They have given Rian a year to move or have a plan in place.

Rian is excited. As I am for him. I am proud for him and of him!

Krl seems to have developed a couple of complications. Severe swelling of her right foot, ankle and knee and she has a knot on the inside of her thigh the size of my fist.

We don't know exactly what is going on. If I didn't know better I would say her foot and ankle are fractured.

Have a day!

FATHER, rest and renew me quickly.

I've got some catching up to do.

Krl came home Wednesday from the rehab hospital. Much to my and Trc's surprise. We had been told two weeks. She only did one. She is doing well, though.

Trc is in and out during the days along with home health nurse and therapists, so I continued to work through the week at the parts store.

Krl was doing well enough for me to go to Nordheim with Rian for a tractor pull. We were taking the big truck of Jason's down and Jason and his family drove down in their vehicle. Rian did 487 miles, going from Lubbock to Nordheim, the rest of us did a little less, leaving from Roscoe.

As we exited San Antonio Friday afternoon we began running in rain. Yuk. By the time we arrived in Nordheim things were a muddy mess. The pull was called off Friday night, so all of our crew got some much needed rest. Our Saturday began with a thunder and lightning show accompanied by a down pour beginning at 5:30 in the morning. Surprisingly, they were able to reclaim the track area and the competition was held Saturday night.

Edwin, Stephanie, and Riley drove up from Sinton. Wee Wesley Teltschik, his girl friend Kala and her brother Saturday night (and a friend of Wesley's Friday night) drove over from Edna. Between Rian, Devon and my bud K.O. we scrounged enough passes to get everyone in the show and into the pit area. It was good to see all our South Texas family and get to spend time and visit with them. By seeing them and having seen Robyn on Thursday, the only one of that crew I didn't get to see was Shelby (and he is in Dalhart!).

Devon was first hook and got to pull twice. We are still battling a fuel issue with his tractor (I think) and he ended up fourth. Rian had a linkage failure on his pro-mod and never came full throttle. He finished fifth in his class I think. Disappointing to say the least.

That is a long way to go and not run well.

Rian and I left Nordheim last night at 11:11. He drove until we got on the interstate south of San Antonio, then he slipped out of the drivers seat and into the bunk and I slid over, on the move. I drove to Ballinger where Rian emerged a little rested and drove the final jaunt to Roscoe. When we arrived there (at 5:18) we unloaded the little pickup, which was Rian's transportation on to Lubbock. Hopefully we got all our gear from the rig and Rian continued on to Lubbock and me to Abilene.

I am tired.

Rian had asked me to get him back to Lubbock by 8:00 1st service at Greenlawn. Today they are honoring the graduating seniors and it is a Sunday he has to be there since he is the associate youth minister. He made it with thirty minutes to spare. I'd a lot rather be lucky than good!

Krl did well while I was gone although she does appear to have a couple of complications. We will put calls in to her Doctor early in the morning.

I cooked breakfast for lunch after I got a little nap. Yawn and yum.

Today is Freddy's birthday. He would be 59. He has been heavy on my mind the last few days. No doubt he would have loved the trip that we just returned from, especially spending time with family and riding long distances in a big truck. Happy Birthday Brother. I love you and miss you!

Hope all is well with you and yours. Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe travel, for the time spent laughing and making memories. Tell Fred hello and Happy Birthday!

The patient walked 180 steps with her walker yesterday in one of her rehab sessions. She is getting where she can really hop up on the walker or in her wheel chair and go. It would appear her biggest problem is lifting and rotating the repaired leg into or out of bed.

I had wanted to strangle a couple of her nurses over the weekend. They were bragging about how well she was doing and they were going to have two days off so they had better say 'bye before the left cause they felt sure Krl would be gone when they returned. I can appreciate the encouragement, but also knowing what the doctor has said I felt they were encouraging Krl to set herself up for a big disappointment.

Yesterday Krl called telling me she would need a light jacket to wear today. Ugh! I'm afraid she is thinking "to go home".

Highland CoC has announced the selection of their next minister. Jonathan Storment who has been an associate minister at Richland Hills has accepted the position and is expected to start in August.

The search has gone on for almost a year.

You might keep Rian's friend and mentor Jimmy in your thoughts and prayers. Jimmy's Mom has had some health issues and a brother is having health issues and if that is not enough Jimmy is slated to have knee surgery later this week.

Got up about three this morning. Did some laundry, cleaned the kitchen, read the on-line newspapers, responded to e-mails and text messages. Whew, I've already put in a day!

Have one!

FATHER, thank YOU for Krl's progress. I continue to lift her along with Jimmy and his Mom and brother for your gifts of healing and care. May this day bring glory and honor to YOU!

Happy Mother's Day mothers.

I did the lawn Friday. Now I need to fertilize and put down some insecticide.

We have a new neighbor on the south side. Retired military. I hate to say it, but out of six neighbors who have lived there, only one was been a good one. I am afraid the new one will remain true to form. Already we seem to have some issues. The major one being our fence on their side of our lot.

About fifteen years ago we had a horrific wind storm come through, blowing down part of the fence we share on the back and on the South side of our property. We discussed what needed to be done with both neighbors and formulated a plan. the neighbor in the back said they would pay their part of a new fence, but they wouldn't do any of the work. The husband neighbor on the South said they would pay their part of a new fence.

I put together a plan, deciding I would construct a steel frame out of square tubing and use flooring screws to secure all the palings. I got a trailer, went to Sweetwater and purchased steel, went to Brownwood and picked up coach's welding trailer, brought the cement mixer from the farm and began building the back fence. It would be a shadow box fence using three inch square tubing for posts and two inch square tubing for the runners. Krl and I did the work, and if I say so myself, it turned out to be pretty. In the mornings it glows and sunlight bleeds through. However, I would not recommend it unless your neighbor has the same lawn standards as you.

We had propped the South fence section that had blown down while we built the new back fence. As we moved to the South side, the wife neighbor came out and told us her husband was mistaken and they would NOT pay any portion of the fence.

Needless to say, I was miffed. After Krl and I discussed it, we moved just inside our property line ten inches, and we dug post holes and poured cement and built OUR fence. When I tore down our front fence on that side, I replaced it with a large double gate with an unique hinge mechanism. Actually, the entire front fence is gate. The crazy thing was that since we had built a new fence and front, a small dog could maneuver between the fences and escape through the front. The neighbors on the South came and asked if they could connect to our fence. I told them no, but they could build to it.

We have been through four neighbors since then and all of them have been aware of the "war of the fences". I will interject that the first neighbor who said they would then they wouldn't assist in fence costs, tore down the shared fence that had remained.

Man, I loved that fence, especially since I didn't have to see it. Heh. I can be difficult too.

The newest dilemma with the newest neighbor is this. While I was busy with Krl and her broken hip, he was busy putting fence palings on our fence, albeit on his side. If he had done a good job, the same height as the fence palings on our side, I probably wouldn't have an issue. However, he used spruce instead of cedar and his workmanship would not get him any course credit in a junior high shop class. Instead of stringing a line to insure a uniform and straight height, the neighbor's work resembles a roller coaster. It is horrible.

I have not had opportunity to talk with this neighbor. In his defense, since he bought a home that was repossessed he probably isn't aware of the fence history. I don't know if I will talk with him, or just take a saw and cut down what has "grown" on our fence, at least to a uniform height preferably out of our sight line.

I wish we lived in the country.

I'm going to Roscoe for lunch, then to the rehab hospital.

The doctor told Trc that Krl would be there at least two weeks. Krl told me yesterday that one nurse or therapist told her she could go home this next week. Huh?

Krl is telling me that rehab is work. They do four workouts plus one stretching exercise period in their day, totaling about six hours. I kid that Krl will be a ripped and buff 81 pounds when she comes out!

Have a day!

FATHER, rescue me.

I wasn't aware, but Rian is attending a leadership series in Lubbock today. Dr. Garza, the LISD Superintendent picked six assistant principals to be invited. The first speaker was Jim Collins, author of Good to Great. The second speaker was Tony Dungy, the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. I believe John Maxwell is the next speaker.

Rian says so far it has been awesome.

Talent is GOD given. Be thankful.
Praise is man given. Be humble.
Conceit is self given. Be careful.
~Tony Dungy~ May 7, 2010 Lubbock, Texas Leadership Series.

Today is a day off. I am thankful.

The parts store has been "spurty". Either we are covered up or you can't see the next customer. It seems everyone is working their own agenda. Chris spends more time gone than he spends at the store, but this usually happens when Hag is busy in the fields and Pat is gone. Sylvania has been busy on the phone and computer. She found out Wednesday she is going to be a grandmother. If she holds true to what she has told me this means she will be moving to North Carolina or that general area.

Rian's interview went very well. His facebook post simply stated, "Looks like GOD wants me to be a mustang". I am having a hard time convincing Rian to be patient, that other opportunities are there as well. While the interview went very well, the job is posted through the fifteenth of this month, then the superintendent and school board will act on the search committee's recommendations.

I do think Rian owes Dr. Garza the courtesy of seeing what she ends up offering him.

I went to Kat's softball game yesterday evening. I hadn't seen her play in a year. She is becoming quite the player. She currently has a shoulder injury and is not pitching, but she is playing in the field and hitting. She was a run scored from being hit by a pitch and then she cracked a homer. I can really tell improvement on her base running. She can get around the bases in a hurry.

I am fixing to do our yard. I am really having motivational issues.

Have a day!

FATHER, abide in me.

I did not check on the patient yesterday. I made the mistake of going by Tuesday evening and all I am going to say is my backside was her dinner. I am not the brightest bulb in the pack, but I know not to volunteer for additional ass chewings.

Through the grapevine I learned they moved Krl into the Rehab Hospital. Good luck to them and to her.

It has kind of been fun with the houndgirls, me being their only source of food, water, rocking, and warmth for sleeping. I may rename them. They would be "the big sister", "the good sister", and "the eeville" sister. The pup being the evil one. But, she doesn't even know. She is so happy all of the time.

I will say I take great joy in flipping the overhead light on and telling them it is time to go to work!

Rian is interviewing today for a job. I won't say where, but he believes it is a school and community he would like to raise the three boys in. Good luck Rian!

Have a day!

FATHER, I need all the help YOU can send me!

Ah. Parts store today. Maybe I can get some rest.

Yesterday Krl had four physical therapy sessions. Leg lifts and knee bends, walked about forty four feet, sat in a chair for an hour and a half, walked another forty eight feet and sat in a chair for about two hours. She was worn out when she got back in bed last night.

She had the best night she has had. Biggest problem was they took her catheter out, so she had to get up and go to the bathroom twice during the night. This morning she made the statement that she wished she could have the catheter in the night but not during the day. Every cloud has its silver lining.

They are moving Krl to the rehab hospital later today. I hate it when they move her when I am not there. I have no idea where this rehab facility is at. I told Krl if I have not found her by the time they send her home, to take a cab.

Lrn had out patient surgery yesterday to remove the screws from her jaw. She is at the dentist today starting her re-construction. All day. At the dentist. Yuk!

Have a day!

FATHER, I continue to lift Krl for YOUR gifts of healing and care.

Happy Birthday Krl!

Not much fun celebrating in the hospital.

Krl was much improved yesterday. Rehab got her up and on a walker for a little walking, then she sat in a chair for an hour and a half.

Blood numbers were much improved, the weekend substitute told us they finally got her tank filled!

Hopefully we have turned the corner, although the rehab is going to be a long and arduous task. I was hopeful Krl would get in the express lane and graduate directly from the hospital to home. After yesterday, although I am encouraged, I don't think that is realistic. Krl is just not physically strong right now.

Have a day!

FATHER, we could use a lot of help about now.

Please let me explain.

I haven't posted because I have been occupied.

Wednesday night Krl fell. I could tell from looking, it was bad. She didn't want to go to the hospital, although she told me, "I think I broke my right leg or hip".

I called the family MRO and she explained, if Krl is flat on ther back and the foot is rotated fully in or out, it is broken at the hip or near the hip. I was encouraged to take Krl to the hospital. Krl refused, saying I will feel batter in a while or I will feel better in the morning. Pat told me to check for a pulse on top of her foot, and to be sure her foot was warm, indicating circulation.

Thursday morning began early with the stark realization that I was not going to be able to transport Krl to the doctor or hospital. I called the orthopedic doctor she has used in the past, Trc called our family doctor and requested a cardiologist consult while in the hospital, and then we went to work on the transport problem.

We learned that in Abilene, you cannot request a "non-life threatening" transfer from a residence to a ER. You are going to get the 911 treatment complete with three EMT's and six firemen. What a waste. We didn't need the jaws of life. We just needed a backboard and a stretcher to haul Krl to the ER.

In a city facing budget shortfalls, that sure seems like over kill from the fire department.

Krl and sat in the ER for about six hours, waiting for a room to open upstairs. We were there when the ambulance brought in the motorcycle policeman who had wrecked. When they brought him in it looked bad, they were doing chest compressions as they came through and into a room. It was only a short time until it circulated through the ER that he had died.

You can't believe how many policemen and women were in the emergency room.

Finally Dr. Meriweather came by and confirmed my diagnosis. A broken hip. Requiring surgery to repair. 9:30 Friday morning.

The x-ray shows a break resembling when you pull a green tree limb from a tree, it doesn't break straight across. It tears, length wise.

Dr. Meriweather suggested possibly a rod with a screw through an "eye" hole, but decided on a screw with a barrel plate with more screws.

They had a great deal of difficulty in managing Krl's pain and controlling her blood pressure. In fact, they did not manage her pain until Saturday afternoon. Her blood pressure was through the roof until they put her to sleep.

Now they are trying to increase her blood pressure. They have given her two units of blood today, and they are pumping her full of fluids, trying to get her BP up. When I left, it was 78 over 51. That isn't great but it is better than taking ten off both numbers like last night.

The Physical therapists came in this afternoon and got Krl up! Wow.

Krl's prognosis is Hendricks until Wednesday or Thursday then transferring to a rehab hospital for possibly a week.

I am so tired. And the houndgirls are so tired of me!

Have a day!

FATHER, I lift up Krl to YOU for YOUR gifts of healing and care.