Why is it that sleep studies exhaust me?

I had talked with Rian Friday and he was still on an adrenalin high at the end of his first week at the new job. It seems like he goes and goes! All their administrators attend all school functions.

When we talked he told me he was going to go get Reid from his class about 2:30, for the Pep Rally. He said Erica was bringing Holt and Baby MOses.

I had to ask what was going on.

He said that the Bibilical character Drew's class is studying this week is Moses, and that Drew had taken on the persona of "Baby MOses". Rian said the night before he had told him, "Drew, Drew. Come sit in your Daddy's lap!"

"I not Drew. I Baby MOses", Drew replied.

After Rian had told the boys good night and tucked them in, he started down the hall and heard Drew, "Dad, you not going to say night night to Baby MOses?"

It seems most weeks that Drew takes on the identity of the Bible character of the week. However, Baby MOses is definitely believable. I can see the little cherub laying in a straw basket, floating in the reeds along the shore. Thing is "this" Baby MOses would be waiting for someone to come by in a motor boat!

Cute kid, if I say so myself! I can almost hear that Texas drawl of his. "Baby MOses!"

Rian made the comment that as particular as Reid is about excelling in the classroom, Holt is the exact opposite. Holt couldn't care less! I am afraid Rian and Erica may not be conditioned for when Holt begins school. The write ups and teacher conferences with Reid may have just been a warm up!

Rian said Holt has been excited about Dove season (which begins this next week) and the upcoming deer season. If you remember, last year Holt and his Dad shot an 8-point buck. As Holt's story morphed, it finally got to "I killed an 8-point buck all by myself". Give Holt his "camos" and his gun and he is a happy camper!

Rian said Reid finished his basketball league yesterday. His team lost only one game, and yesterday they won by a score of something like 23 to 1. Rian said that every day when Reid walks from his school to the High School, he comes in and drops his books off and then hightails it to the gym to shoot hoops! Reid has been asked to join an advanced league this winter.

Have a day!

FATHER, throw me a line.

Just home from my sleep study.

I probably felt more rested than usual when I woke, but now I am beginning to jet lag.

I learned a little more about my situation last night. While the study shows no sleep apnea, there are some breathing issues! It seems when I go into deep sleep my breathing becomes very shallow, much like hyper-ventilating, and my oxygen level in my blood stream goes way down. They had three scenarios they wanted to try. We never got past a second variation of the first scenario.

This is going to take some getting use to if this is what they prescribe.

I got two return letters from my weekend writing last week. Ollie had court Wednesday and decided to accept a plea bargain for 180 days to be served in a State jail with credit for time served. This is a day for day deal with no early release. I am not really sure why she turned it down two weeks ago and accepted it this week. Of course with credit for time served it makes no difference. She says she believes she will serve her sentence in Gatesville.

The mighty Plowboys got beat last night by their old nemesis Albany. The Breckenridge Buckaroos won over the Jim Ned Indians, while the Sweetwater Mustangs rolled over the Vernon Lions. The Abilene High Eagles overcame a third quarter deficit to defeat Belton.

I was oblivious to the fact that Abilene High is ranked #1 in the nation by ESPN and in three weeks Florida Plant, the #2 team in ESPN's rankings will travel to Texas to play the Warbirds.

I think Jason and Devon are going to Glen Rose today with the little tractor. The parts for the big tractor didn't come in, so it will be one and done!

Have a weekend!

FATHER, I pray they can figure out my sleep issues.

Wow. I'm ready for a weekend. How 'bout you?

For you schoolers, you've already got a week behind you!

I am loving the cooler temperatures. I guess I am a Fall kind of a guy.

We are finally back to the point where we are doing elective work at the farm. Nothing pressing, just taking it all as it presents itself. We sure could use a drink of water for the cotton. The older cotton is really kicking off squares and a rain would probably not do too much good for it, but the younger cotton (like Pepa's and Jason's) could benefit a lot from a rain. Problem is, there is nothing in our forecast until late next week.

I am interested in a new piece of farm equipment. A strip tiller. They combine a few implements into one and prepare your seed bed for the coming crop. It is an interesting concept. I've talked with one neighbor who has used one for a couple of years and he is sold on it. I may try to go and watch his run today. To my knowledge, there are two "brands" in our area.

Sleep study tonight. Take #2. I have been battling with myself this week, trying to not get up in the middle of the night when I do wake up. Some nights I do better than others. Last night, I woke at 2:30 and I've been awake since, even though I didn't allow myself to get up then. That may help me sleep better tonight for my sleep study.

I will sacrifice opening Friday of football season if we can straighten out or figure out my sleep issues.

Ollie went to court Wednesday. As best I can tell it was a "pre-trial" hearing for revocation of her probation. According to the court's website, she is still being held, but it makes no note of a trial date or what transpired. We may get a letter today or tomorrow, then we should get the painted version.

Pepa went to the knee doctor yesterday. He was wanting shots in them. I don't know exactly if he was serious or spoofing but he said he is going back in two weeks and they are going to see if they can replace his left knee. The only shot he got was in his wrist.

I vote "no" on the knee replacement. It is a given fact that he will not do rehab and that he also has a low pain threshold, so the only thing I see him doing is presenting himself for the risk of the surgery. Might as well get a revolver and one bullet and play Russian Roulette.

Memama had missed a coumadin appointment Wednesday. I swear they have so many doctor appointments they need an event planner just to keep up! Now she is going to go to the hospital in Sweetwater and let their lab do the blood work and fax it to the clinic.

Its been a tough week with many personal realizations. Charting new destinations!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for getting me to Friday. Please be in my day. Help me to make good decisions. I continue to ask for your gifts and blessings for Rebecca and Joe. I pray for Tracee's Dad. FATHER you are in control, YOUR will be done.

The first day of school is always interesting as I drive through the neighborhood.

First corner I saw a third of fourth grader waiting for the bus. New clothes, new backpack, eagerly looking down the street!

Next corner, a middle schooler. Once again, new clothes, a knockout hair doo, and minimal school accessories.

Down the street a High school student. Old, holy jeans, "T-shirt, gym shoes (untied) and a backwards baseball cap.

At the curb by the little pond sat another middle schooler. Color coordinated head to toe (the only thing missing were the tags on the clothes). This young man had spent a lot of time this summer fishing at said spot. You could tell he was lamenting the end of his summer.

And finally at the only stop sign on my route, small groups congregating for their respective buses. This is where all the sets of twins usually are seen. However, yesterday I only saw one set of twins, albeit a new one.

Yep, summer is over!

I had a pretty good day at the farm. Finished the window dressing. By the time I left, the tractor I had been using had one flat. (Luckily on a front tire. Let's hope this is still true this morning). I am guessing it picked up a thorn while I was shredding.

I called Pepa needing a ride yesterday. When he arrived at the barn Little Scottye was with him. We moved a couple of pickups and got to visit a little. it was good to see him. He was headed back to Midland after attending a seminar in Austin.

Jason finished his spraying and moved to Wastella. It sure is different watching from the sideline. And much hotter! That little spray coupe cab has a good air conditioner! If things go well, we could be done spraying for a while, never mind a little spot spraying in wheat fallow.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR many blessings! I know YOU have a big one for us and are waiting for YOUR own time to reveal it! Thank YOU for the good reports on Rebecca and DMS's Dad. I continue to lift them up for YOUR miracles of healing! Thank YOU LORD for loving me!

Happy thirty-third birthday Rian! Hope your day is a good one!

For Rian, Lauren, Ellen, Kat, Addie, and Reid today is the first day of the new school year! Wow! Erica, Holt and Drew should be getting their new school year started later this week! Good luck! Have a good one! Meme and Dandy love you!

Would like to ask all of you blog readers to include DMS's Dad in your prayers. He had been at DMS's home this weekend celebrating MMMarth's 96th birthday and was on his way home Sunday and began experiencing chest pains near Brownwood. They kept him over night for observation at Brownwood Regional.

I spent part of my Sunday composing two more letters. One to my friend in federal custody, the other to the TDCJ Parole Division on behalf of another friend. it seems as though I spent my whole weekend writing letters.

One friend told me I must like to write. I told her not really, but I would promise to write her if and when she is incarcerated. She told me after she sent me that message she began thinking that the recipients probably appreciate the contact. I can hope. I am thankful I am on the outside looking in , but if the situation were reversed I would sure appreciate someone writing me!

I am so excited! The first cold front of the season! It should arrive here tomorrow afternoon! While we are predicted to be 102 today, behind the front we should drop at least 10 degrees! Thank YOU LORD! Also a chance for rain!

Excellent.

Headed to the farm today. Gotta finish the window dressing on the farms before I can spray.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for new beginnings. I lift up all the students, teachers, administrators, and staff for YOUR blessings as they begin a new school year. FATHER, I lift DMS's Dad for YOUR gifts of healing and care, and I lift Rebecca for YOUR gifts of healing and care as well, as she has surgery today. FATHER I thank YOU for the relief from the heat that is coming, and I pray for YOUR blessing of rain. To YOU be the glory!

I am enjoying my weekend. I didn't do any errands or honey doos yesterday except go to the store.

I did spend some time on correspondences. I wrote Ollie, and sent her a dab of $$$$ for her inmate trust account, so that was two letters. Then I wrote my friend Leonard who is in TDCJ.

Currently I am working on writing another friend, Mike who is the Fed system.

I will say that while I am not proclaiming any one of the three's innocence, none of them should be where they are.

Choices.

Ironically last night, just before ten the phone rang. There was a recording. It was Ollie. Press 0 to accept this prepaid call. It had been about a week since she and I had talked. Her phone minutes are very precious. Remarkably, she was in very good spirits. I could hardly believe it when she told me, "They are having a problem with the phone system down here and you can keep using the prepaid cards even after the time is expired, so I borrowed one of my friends card to call you".

I told Ollie it may be that they all get in trouble when they figure out the problem and anyone who abused the system could be looking at theft of services charges. She told me the system is supposed to know when the card is out of time.

Sheesh! I was in hopes she was learning something. She told me she has a court date Wednesday. They could make another offer for a plea, they could set a trial date, or they could reinstate her probation.

One of the things I have really enjoyed about being back on the farm is watching all the acts of nature. Some of them small and inconsequential and others massive and on the verge of cruel.

From the beneficial insects to the harmful, to those that do harm. Snakes and lizards, horn toads, field mice, rabbits (both cotton tail and jack rabbits), to the occasional fox, and the coyote family I have watched for years.

It is very common to have a hawk "patrol" with me while I am plowing. They are actually using the tractor to flush or make their potential prey nervous enough to move and reveal themselves. Last Monday I had five hawks circling with me. They had an area they seemed to be concentrating on, because they were not going the entire length of the field. Lucky for some rabbits, they were out of the "hot" zone. One of the hawks on patrol was huge. I would say its wing span was between four and five feet in width. It would be in excess of two feet tall.

On one pass on the tractor, the large hawk made a dive, coming just two or three feet in front of the tractor and making a swooping strike, grasping a rabbit in its talons, before landing a few feet out of the path of the cultivator. I didn't stop. On my next through the hawk was still sitting with his prize and the other four hawks were circling closely. As I approached, the hawk with the rabbit began attempting to fly. It was very evident that the added load had messed up the aerodynamics and load center and the Hawk could only get a couple feet off the ground for twenty or thirty yards at a time.

Crazy thing is I never saw the rabbit prior to the hawk strike.

Just had a call from South Texas looking for seed trucks. Tempting. Problem is they need them now! Freight rate is still too cheap. The weigh station, DOT inspection at Rivera is also a big minus.

I am not a Kyle Busch fan but I have to say "good job". He swept all three NASCAR Touring series at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. The guy is talented.

Now with no NASCAR today, what do I do with my day?

Have a day.

FATHER, I pray that we will make good choices. I continue to lift Rebecca for YOUR miracle and gifts of healing. I pray for her surgeon and his team and Rebecca's family. FATHER I lift Joe Bagby for YOUR miracle of healing. I pray if this is not YOUR will, YOU will be merciful. Bless us Oh LORD and expand our boundaries!

I am so thankful the week is over. It was very trying. On my way home I talked with Krl and she was extremely emotional and teary saying it had been a horrible day! I told her it hadn't been a good one, but it was the best day we had all week!

We had to giggle when I got home. Talk about putting a spin on it!

I am thankful the TX DOT safety review audit is over for Pepa. I could tell it was really weighing heavily on him. (Not). The review officer was pretty good and very nice. My biggest problem is that the regulations seems to move with each individuals interpretation, making it difficult to be in compliance all the time. My biggest pet peeve is the duty status log.

I had advised one driver on logging his initial load (which he went through a DOT roadside inspection). Using previously acquired advice (from a previous auditor) I had instructed the driver. Yesterday, the review officer told me that was wrong, and gave me a whole new direction. I know this is boring stuff but on duty (not driving), off duty, and sleeper berth are almost like "none of the above". But you have to choose one.

One thing I do like about where the regulations are going is that the driver duty violations are soon going to be charged back to the individual driver, not the carrier.

I didn't get all my window dressing done on the farm. In fact, I only got one farm done. Monday I intend to finish that up and move on to the next phase, which should be another dose of Roundup.

One thing I have noticed is how much more potent the Roundup and its adjutants are on the farm compared to the jugs available at the local Lowe's or Home Depot with the little hand sprayer. When I was last spraying on the farm I would rinse once and put the rinse water into the mixer, but a second rinse (with minimal water) I collected in another jug.

I brought the rinse water home and put it in my pump up sprayer and sprayed some borders and seams in the cement. I think Krl thought I had sprayed water because for two or three days it didn't appeared to have any effect. Then it put the whomp on the grass and weeds it came in contact with. They make that chemical much more potent, down on the farm.

It still amazes me at the genetic breeding that makes a plant immune to the chemical. Just a few years ago, it was a no no to spray Roundup in the critical joint/stem/terminal area that the plant grows upward from. Back then we had to use hooded sprayers. Then they developed "flex" which means you can spray it directly over the plant with no ill effect.

Of course the Boll guard genetic engineering is equally amazing.

My biggest complaint about the genetic manipulating is the cost of the technology. I have a real problem with Monsanto, and I hope at some point the government steps in. They are trying to corner the market. (in my opinion).

This guy is ready for some Fall weather! It has been too hot. It is probably too hot for football in West Texas.

Have a weekend!

FATHER, thank YOU for seeing us through the week. We continue to pray for relief. FATHER, we pray for YOUR blessing of rain for our family and friends that farm. We continue to lift up Rebecca and her family as she is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday. We ask for YOUR gifts of healing for her. FATHER, we ask YOUR gifts of comfort for those hurting from loss. We ask YOUR blessings for all of us that struggle. YOU are good.

Best laid plans.

I arrived at the farm yesterday to find it had showered overnight. Three to four tenths was probably the most common amount, although in the far South extremities of the community as much as one and four tenths was received.

So, I worked around the shop yesterday morning, doing little odds and ends, hauled a load of water and transferred some bulk chemical into a work tote. Finally after lunch I went to the field and got on my tractor.

I was trying to explain to a friend that when I am on that tractor it is my little world. I am in control, it is protected and the only stupid person I have to deal with is myself.

I got ambushed yesterday morning. A week ago Krl had a truck in the metroplex with a tire issue. I talked with Pepa and asked him if we could send the truck to a chain tire store that he has an account with. I gave him a potential window for an amount, and he agreed. I instructed Krl to send the truck to the closest location and what to ask for. Yesterday morning I received the bill. It was almost three times what I had told Pepa. Upon closer scrutiny I found that there was a charge for over three hundred dollars for "road service". I was and am furious.

I was so in hopes that it was a billing error, but when I got home I learned that the driver did not go to the tire shop, he told them to come to him. Yuk. He may need to be driving for a national company. I know we can't afford him.

And in an even more interesting twist, we got a claim yesterday for unemployment benefits for the little idiot truck driver. In May he had left me a note on our front door with his fuel card and his resignation. We kept the written resignation and I am going to use it now. For those of you who might not remember, this is the driver who filed for unemployment benefits while he was still working. It took three months to get that straightened out.

He is an idiot.

The gathering of information for Pepa's DOT safety audit is progressing nicely. Looks like Jason is lagging behind Pat & I on his assignments! Better catch it up Bub! You wouldn't want to be the one responsible for Pepa going to jail! On second thought maybe we need to talk!

Gonna go to the farm, get the cultivator off, and put the shredder on the tractor. A little window dressing for the farms.

Sunday, the fifteenth was Steph's birthday. Today is Pat and Kyle's. Tomorrow is Linda's. Monday is Rian's. Happy Birthday all!

Have a day!

FATHER, yesterday was better but we can use more.

3.42 hours of sleep during my 10 hour sleep study. 2.20 hours of dream sleep.

I worked really really hard.

My test technician was good. It turned out she was there for my last one. We laughed when she told me she thought she recognized me when I came in, but when she began watching the video of me sleeping she knew she remembered me!

No sleep apnea although when I did achieve dream sleep she said my breathing got a little crazy. She did say that Dr. Yeh might try me on a machine just to see if it helped me.

I'd almost try anything.

Twenty five throughs. Twelve and a half rounds.. That is all I lack being through cultivating. Too many side shows going on for me to stay on task. But this morning, I finish up and move the tractor back to the barn and take off the cultivator!

Yea!

Bub has been spraying his cotton with another dose of Roundup. When he is through we will move to Wastella and spray it again too. Since I had been across it all on the cultivator I had given Bub a priority rating on how pressing each farm was needing to be sprayed. 517 acres currently in need. After that, we should be out of the pressure cooker.

I spent part of yesterday morning in a TX DOT audit for Pepa's trucks yesterday. In some ways I am relieved. In other ways I am furious.

A year ago when he took his TXDOT authority back I told him he was going to have to do the whole program. Driver qualifications files, pre-employment and random drug testing, maintenance files, and driver duty records. Just to mention parts of the program. Pepa's response to me was, "I have been in this business for over 60 years and never had to do that. I'm not about to start now!"

The TXDOT auditor is very nice. In fact, probably too nice. I would love for them to tell Pepa "I don't care if you are 82 years old", and kick him in the shins or something.

As Pat would say, "He is manipulating".

In a weird occurrence, Bub, Pat, and I all have homework to do before we reconvene Friday. Since Pepa took his DOT number back, he can use the files and testing from the company he is taking over from.

Sheesh!

Got a letter from Ollie yesterday. She received the first offer from the prosecution last week. 180 days with credit for time served. She turned it down.

Leave it to her to play "Let's make a deal." They may have to pay her to make her leave.

Have a day!

FATHER, could we just have a nice normal day with no problems, no conflict? For YOUR love FATHER!

Well. My farm help quit. Not that I didn't totally expect it. But a guy can hope can't he?

I will say it is difficult for me to stay interested when Pepa isn't. He acted like it was a major inconvenience to help me get moved with my tractor. When he got there he was telling me he is going to do this and that to get this operation ship shape next year. Yeah. Right.

I vote to line it up and sell it out! To quote one family member (by marriage, not blood) Its just dirt!

My Friday began with the trip to Roscoe. Picking up the service trailer and getting diesel for the cultivator tractors. One I completed fueling I made a bee line to C-City for the missing signatures from the bank officer on the repossessed equipment I won the bid war on. To be honest, this oversight is inexcusable. I will know next time that this might not be worth the headache.

Then I returned to Wastella and got on my tractor. We are running a little over six miles an hour, straight rows, crossing terraces. It is almost bearable until you get to tracks from the sand-fighter where deep ruts are in place. Then it whips you every which way. By the end of the day it felt like I had been in a fist fight. My ribs and kidneys have taken a pounding!

Pepa called me and told me he was NOT getting back on that tractor. He said he just couldn't, that he was barely getting around. My argument is that when you are sore, you are expanding yourself and getting stronger. It fell on deaf ears. That will probably add a half day to completion.

Pepa began telling me what all I have done wrong, and what I should have been doing. I told him he could sure see a lot from his recliner.

I don't think this is going to work.

If I am going to do this, it would be nice to hear a little affirmative confirmation from time to time.

Nah. Bah humbug. Sell it.

Ollie had called Krl telling her that she had had a seizure. She said she could not get anyone to take her serious. I am curious because I figure they are under surveillance, and her cell mates hit the emergency button. Krl did call Ollie's attorney to make sure Ollie got medical care if she needs it. If I understand correctly, they are giving her her insulin, but none of her bi-polar or anti seizure meds. According to Ollie's step Dad, for her to be medicated she has to pay $25. Hey, if the state locked her up they should medicate her.

Monday night should complete Ollie's third week in lock up. That should finish the time she had to lay out. According to her step Dad she has a hearing on the 24th or 25th, so that will mean she will have done at least a week extra. My understanding is that her hearing will deal with the probation violation.

Ain't life exciting?

I did not go to the farm yesterday. I stayed home. 'cept for errands.

Tonight I do my sleep study. I hope I can sleep!

Have a day!

FATHER, I pray for a blessed day. I pray for relief from the heat. I pray for YOUR blessing of rain for our friends and family that farm, that their harvest would be bountiful and their efforts rewarded. I pray for those suffering from loss. I pray for Rebecca, lifting her for YOUR gifts of healing and care. I pray for Ollie and her situation. I pray for those of us that are struggling. Abide in me.

Happy Birthday Reid and Dakota! Reid, the oldest grandson is a whopping 7! Dakota, one of the great nieces turns 2. And I suppose I should go ahead and wish Avery (another great niece) a happy birthday for next week!

Lots of Birthdays in August. Especially when you start looking at the "older" family members!

Another night is done! Rats. Sleep study in three nights. I hope they can figure out some way to help me sleep. Earlier in the week I had two of the best nights sleep in months, possibly years. Only to be followed by three of the worst.

I actually got home a little early yesterday. Finished the plowing at the section and was in the process of moving to Wastella and while in transit I was calling looking for a ride for Pepa and I from Wastella back to our pickups. On one of these calls I talked to Jason and he told me that Wednesday afternoon it had rained enough at Wastella to stand water. I detoured to the farm shop, but Pepa continued on.

It was still slick in spots. We could sure use a good, general soaker. These afternoon showers have been so spotty! The other day Roscoe got no rain and just a few miles west got 6 tenths of an inch while twenty miles away got 2 inches. On Wednesday at the section one end of the field was totally dry while the other was wet enough to sling mud off the tires.

I stopped by Memama and Pepa's yesterday morning and Memama told me that when she got up Pepa was fully dressed, including shoes, waiting to go to work.

I went on to the section and began plowing, but in a bit I saw Pepa's pickup turn down one of the windmill roads where his tractor was parked. I began making my way through the field toward him to help him on the tractor. As I neared I could see him rising up above the hood, meaning he was climbing up the steps. When I arrived he was sitting in the tractor. He was so proud of himself. I walked around to the step side of the tractor and discovered he had Memama's two step kitchen stool, which he used to get started up the tractor steps. While he was looking, I could tell he was trying to figure out what to do with the stool. I couldn't help but ask, "What do we do now? Do we just run over it or what?" He told me he thought he could maneuver away from it, but I folded it and sat it in the tractor cab with him.

My biggest concern was if Pepa encountered a problem he wouldn't be mobile enough to deal with it. This happened twice and both times I plowed to where he was at to deal with the issue. On one of these "service calls" I discovered a piece of rope in my tractor which I tied to Pepa's two step tool. I told him that he could either pull the stool up and into the cab with him or he could just let it drag behind!

The equipment saga continues. The equipment I had bid on in the bank repossession process took a new twist yesterday. We closed the deal on Tuesday and signed all the papers. The bank gave me the titles, to have them transferred. I had put all the paperwork together for Trc to take to the tax office. Titles, sellers affidavits, and a repo affidavits. However the bank officer failed to sign all the appropriate paperwork in all the appropriate places. So, I get to go back to Colorado City today. It has been a long time since this began in May.

Let's do a deal. We'll put in a day today and then take two days off.

Have a day!

FATHER, YOU the GOD. Blessed Assurance.

Tough week.

Pepa likes to sit on his throne and direct. I may cut a leg or two off of his chair where he has to hold on just to sit in it.

As I have noted earlier, with the genetic advances in plant breeding, farming has taken on a whole new light. Very little tilling. This is probably the biggest adjustment for an old school farmer. I guess it means you battle the weeds and insects with your brain not your brawn. For several weeks Pepa has wanted to "drag through it" (meaning to plow it).

Toward the end of last week, I began.

It is not pressing, so my intentions from the start were to run only one tractor. However last week Pepa blew a gasket wanting another cultivator put on. My question to him was simple, "Who is going to run it?"

"You let me worry about that:, he replied.

Needless to say, the tractor sat. Until Tuesday. I had moved to another farm and required a ride back to my pickup, so Pepa came to pick me up.

He began talking immediately, "After lunch we will move that other cultivator up here, and we will get across this and knock it out!" (Meaning we would complete the plowing quickly).

Once again I voiced my concern, "Who is going to run it?"

He pointed to himself.

I asked, "How are you going to get your fat asthma up and in in the tractor?"

He assured me, "I can get in the tractor".

(Right, and pigs can fly).

After lunch he asked Memama to go to the barn with us to bring his pickup back. Three hours later he was on the tractor headed to section, I was in my pickup headed there as well, and Memama was on her way back to their house.

I was worn out. I can't stand much of this kind of help.

Getting Pepa in the tractor was an act of GOD and NASA I think. He would walk up to the step and place one foot on the step and give himself a pep talk. Then walk around trying to "loosen" up. Right foot. Left foot. Walk around. Return to step. Finally he told me "I need a little boost".

I told him, "My pickup is right here, let me get my booster cables". He didn't care for my humor. (My next line would have been "We should get you a Red Bull, it gives you wings!").

I grabbed the back of his britches and gave him a tug. For some reason I think I was the one doing all the work. Finally we got him on the first step and I was able to get my shoulder under his butt and help him on up.

Of course once he had air conditioning he was totally worthless, pointing and directing even more.

By the time we got him to the field and got the cultivator set, he ran two hours.

Shortly before we quit, Memama called me to check on him and asked me "How long are ya'll going to plow?"

I told her I was going to plow until six something, then make the drive to Abilene.

It was quiet on the phone for a moment when she asked, "You aren't going to leave him out there, are you?"

I couldn't help but laugh. She told me she knows how my mind works, but that she needed to know if she was supposed to pick him up or if I was going to drop him off on my way to Abilene.

I told her I had already been trying to develop a "dismount" strategy for Pepa.

I told her I figured Pepa was going to be worn out after his day at the farm.

When I drove to where he was plowing I got out and opened the door on his tractor. My only instructions were this, "Don't fall on anything sharp!"

On our way from the farm to his house he began telling me, "I have doctor appointments tomorrow. Dentist at 8:30, coumadin clinic, pacemaker check. I can't work unless I cancel my appointments."

At that point he began working on a replacement driver.

I told him if I had known this was on the horizon we would not have wasted a half day.

With the exception of two rounds Jason plowed, Pepa's tractor sat all day. (Dakota had a doctor appointment in Lubbock).

And that irks my butt. I have been playing catch up in the name of speeding up.
I would rather have no help at all, than have help that is not regular and dependable.

I should come off the section today. Then one more farm and then probably back on the sprayer.

Let me qualify my projection. That is if I have no help. If I have help it will be next week.

And that screws up my plans for the weekend and next week.

Regroup.

Have a day.

FATHER, rescue me.

My sleep study is next Sunday night. I can't wait. However, I also have doubts about its validity because this will be one night out of a thousand since my last sleep study. I think it might be more "right" if I went in for several nights.

I will admit that I failed my last sleep study. Checked in at 8:30 and by 1:30 I was ready to leave. My night was done. And I probably didn't go to sleep until between ten and eleven. Crazy thing was I had to stay until five thirty for insurance to pay. The nurse had told me that I would have to repeat it.

Three years later I am.

Have a day!

FATHER, YOU are looking at a tough week! Sorry.

4 AM. That is what time I got to bed this morning.

Yep, Rian called me several times wanting me to go De Leon and I finally gave in. About six o'clock I was remembering why I didn't want to go and about 8 o'clock I was wondering what ever happened to the top flight show they use to put on. They have a new facility, double track and should run a quick show but it is essential that you START ON TIME! If I had been in the stands and paid $15 for a ticket to wait and sweat for an hour start delay I would have been wanting my money back with interest!

Shoot, I didn't pay and I was ready to go get a refund!

Rian, Jason and Devon seem to be in a rut. Fourth and Sixth (sometimes a fifth). The little tractor just can't get over the hump and the big tractor can't go straight! They'll get it figured out.

One thing about it, they don't let performance get in the way of having a good time! I don't know if they would be having any better a time if they were winning! I enjoy watching Rian and Jason work together. It reminds me a lot of when Fred and I were pulling!

I think back to how competitive Rian and Jason were when we made the decision to move to Abilene. It made them a lot less competitive and really good friends!

Yesterday Rian and Jason went and registered and pulled their numbers for the two tractors. About two hours later it occurred to Devon he had not done this. Devon is too busy chasing girls!

Christy, Dillon and Dakota came down to watch the pull yesterday. To be having a birthday later this week (Dakota shares a birthday with Reid) and turning 2, she sure runs that family. Mom, Dad and both brothers! How do I spell Dakota? R-O-T-T-E-N! But in a good way! She's a cutie!

Rian had to be back to church this morning in Lubbock, so we had began breaking camp earlier in the evening. Jason and Devon wanted to watch the Out-Law two wheel drive class (the grand finale).Rian and I were getting ready to leave when Devon and Jason got back to the hauler and we helped get the explorer and Free fer All loaded. Then Jason told us to go, and we did!

I was leading Rian. He in his motorhome and me in my pickup. I was watching in my mirrors and his lights began getting dim just before we got to Abilene. He was needing gas and I decided to go with him to Tye to see if we could figure out what the problem was. Rian told me it was like he was running out of gas a couple of miles from the Top 18 fuel stop. I let him by me and he turned his lights off and he said it was an unbelievable difference. We made it to the fuel stop and just as Rian stopped, his power generator began sputtering and died. Out of gas. It quits drawing fuel before the tank is dry, but it meant he was very close to being out. We had talked about how much gas the generator would have burned having run 48 hours straight. (About five gallons for every 8 hours). Rian let the motorhome run with all the lights off while he put in $150 worth of gas. We removed the doghouse inside the motorhome and Rian reported the alternator belt was on. I explained to Rian that if he ran out of juice, it would quit just like if he ran out of gas!

Rian either is more adventurous than me or else he has much more faith! We put together a plan and headed west to Roscoe.. (I know, the Dad in me wouldn't send him alone even with his reassurances). The headlights on the motorhome were bright and remained bright. Rian told me he was good and he would stop at Memama and Pepa's and plug the motorhome in and sleep for a couple of hours before finishing the trek to Lubbock. He told me that plugging in would also charge his batteries on the RV.

He made it to Roscoe and then on to Lubbock this morning.

By the time I had returned to Abilene, got a snack and something to drink and got a bath, it was 4 o'clock when I crawled between the sheets.

I'm not as young as I once was!

Just finished NASCAR at the Glen. Now I think it is groceries at the HEB. I am in the mood to go to a different store today.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

FATHER, please rest and renew me quickly. For YOUR love FATHER, I am thankful and I know YOU will meet our needs!

A week filled with short nights. Yuk.

I had hoped to go to De Leon for the Peach and Melon Festival truck and tractor pull. After about three hours sleep Wednesday night, I didn't think it would be a good idea to make the trip Thursday night. It would probably have meant my day would be twenty-four or twenty-five hours long. So I deferred to Friday night.

Then my Thursday sleep was short , so now I am down to the final night of the festival. Saturday night. And I have been up a while. Double yuk!

Thursday night Rian had a fourth on the econo rod and Jason had a sixth on the pro mod. They didn't think they had hurt any thing, but did have some concerns about the pro mod at the end of its pull.

Jason drove back to Roscoe, but Rian and his friend Andy stayed in the motorhome at the pull. Friday morning they began doing routine maintenance and found they had been running dangerously lean on their fuel setting on the big tractor.

Us announcers have a saying "Lean is mean". But the other side of that is "lean is expensive". Always got to have that fine line between nirvana and disaster!

When they began adjusting valves, Rian found one rocker arm laying on top of the head. The adjusting nut was broken, the push rod was wedged through the guide and into the lifter galley and closer inspection revealed a missing lifter. When the rocker nut broke it allowed the push rod and lifter to leave their locations. The lifter was at the front of the lifter galley but it was O.K. After borrowing a rocker nut from K.O., they got the tractor back together for Friday's show with about a half hour to spare.

My biggest fear would be that when the lifter was pushed out, that its void would be a "relief" location for oil pressure, which might mean other engine parts might lack for lubrication.

Luckily, that didn't happen. Devon ran fourth on the econo rod and Rian ran fifth with the pro mod. Rian said he had a really scary ride.

Best news yet, they didn't hurt any thing! Here is hoping their maintenance holds that up.

Last night, just about time for last call for the houndgirls (meaning sending the three hounds out for a potty run) we had a powerful little, fast moving storm come through.. Wind, bluster, thunder, and rain. None of the hounds wanted to get their dainty little feet wet so they opted to got to bed instead.

Just after 1 in the morning I could hear the jingle jangle of Brandy's collar and a little snort once in a while. This is what I call her little nasty dance! Finally I rolled out of bed and let her out.. I much prefer her little nasty dance to her little nasty surprise.

Twelve minutes until MASH goes off, then I'm going back to bed.

Have a day!

FATHER, bless this day. I pray for deliverance! YOU know our needs!

Another short night.

I think I may have gotten too hot the last few weeks. I had planned on driving a tractor yesterday, but that hardly happened. I took the cultivator to the field, only to return to the shop for "fine tuning". A quick trip to town to pick up some parts and in short order it was ready to go back for another try. This time it did what it was supposed to do.

But, by then it was lunch and Pepa and Jason were waiting to take me back to the shop. So, I left the tractor in the field and took a lunch break.

During lunch Pepa told me he wanted to put another cultivator on the 4850 (his personal favorite tractor). I asked why, and who he expected to drive it. He became very irate, and told me he would worry about that.

So after lunch I returned to the farm shop, made a quick trip to town to pick up some parts, back to the farm and hooked up the culivator.

I had been watching the wind turbines for about three weeks, trying to catch the wind just right to finish one farm. I lacked seventeen acres, but our neighbor has milo planted and I know it wouldn't like a dose of roundup. I figured the wind was as good as it was going to get so I hopped in the spray coupe and made the drive to Wastella.

The spray job only took about ten minutes, so I had more invested in the commute than the work. Ironically, on my way back I saw Pepa trolling down the road looking for me. First time in weeks he has been out of the house and now he is just like a bad penny!

Rian came through yesterday, headed to De Leon for the Peach and Melon Festival. Mid-afternoon Jason got away with the pull tractors. Devon has two a day football workouts so he didn't go to the pull. Rian drove the Econo Rod and Jason drove the Pro Mod. Fourth and sixth places, but more importantly they didn't hurt anything.

I did go back to my cultivator briefly, then headed to Abilene. I was headed to Garbo's Locksmith in Abilene to have some keys made. Pepa, Jason and I all had taken a key to Sweetwater and had keys made, but none of them would work. I believe they used the wrong blank. It appeared very similar, but one of the inlays is not a ninety degree cut, it is angular. Best part is that Garbo's stamps all their keys and I can get my money back if there is a problem. Thanks Greta! (Seriously, that is the lady's name).

Prior to getting up this morning I laid in bed almost two hours. Tossing and turning. Yet, I was observing the three hound girls in the soft light of the night light. There is never a problem with the Big Sister and the Good Sister. They know each other and respect each other's space. Now Eville, the Evil Sister, is another story. She is all bark and bluster and she thinks she is as entitled as either other hounds. Eville has this throaty little growl when she wants someone or something to move. I could see Eville's head looking over Krl at the other two hound girls (which were in the middle) when the throaty growl began. Immediately that growl was answered by the Big Sister. I figure we were fixing to have a little spat, but when the Big Sister moved toward Eville, she began cleaning the sleepies from Eville's eyes. Immediately Eville shut up and was thrilled for the attention.

I couldn't help but giggle at the wisdom the Big Sister showed. And I thought, "Make her start her night over!"

Have a day!

FATHER, we could sure use some relief. We are struggling. Bless us Oh LORD, and expand our boundaries.

My nap is out! Crud.

Donald's funeral would have pleased him. A pretty good turn out, although his class was extremely light (maybe one or two that I saw or recognized). Not too much preaching, lots of reminiscing, and short and sweet.

Probably the biggest disappointment for me was that two of the honorary pall bearers didn't make it in.

They had a brief time that people attending could share favorite stories with the congregation. Most of the honorary pall bearers spoke, and you could sense the bond they shared with Donald. It was very touching.

I learned this morning that one of Rian's favorite teachers, Jean Asbill died yesterday. I think she was probably one of three "high impact" teachers that Rian had. She was 69.

After the funeral, I ate lunch with Memama and Pepa, then spent the afternoon at the farm.

On my way back home I stopped by Memama and Pepa's again. Pepa asked if I had a 5/8 wrench. True to his form, he can never say what he really wants. I had stopped by to pick up some peaches that a friend had brought over and to grab a diet coke. I asked if he wanted me to go to his tool box and get his wrench and he said yes. As I began to leave the room, in a much quieter voice he said "and you can help me too."

He had ordered a new DR Trimmer about five or six weeks ago, and he had opened the box on the front porch and it needed some assembly. His reasoning was that it needed to be finished so it could be moved off the porch so Linda could get in the house. I looked things over and moved the large box to one side of the porch, and told Pepa I would help him this morning. He began telling me that Linda could not get in and out of the house and I told him I moved the trimmer and box. "Where did you move it?", he asked.

"I just shoved it all off the porch", I replied.

I have never used a DR Trimmer. I really don't have a use for one. Pepa is a true believer. I will say that for the money he paid, it should jump out of the box and operate itself! (By the way, I really didn't push the trimmer off the porch, but it sure got Pepa's blood a pumping!).

I am hopeful I can get the trimmer put together, and finish the work I need to do on the cultivator before it gets hot. My plan is for air conditioning for the heat of the afternoon. Heh.

On a good note, I got a call yesterday from the interim bank officer I have been dealing with on the equipment I bid on in May. On Friday I had asked for some certain concessions and she needed to get approval from the bank President. He was agreeable, they should have the paperwork ready sometime this week.

Have a day!

FATHER, I pray for this day. That it would be blessed. I lift up Ms. Asbill's family for YOUR gifts of comfort, and I continue to lift Rebecca for YOUR gifts of healing. YOU have a big job.

Well, I had an early morning phone call from my Dad. He wanted my itinerary for the day. When I told him I was going to Donald Johnson's funeral at 11 I could tell he was not happy. Oh well. He can get happy in those same pants he got mad in!

He scheduled a carpenter to come to his house at nine, and then he is supposed to meet an insurance adjuster at the farm shop at eleven. Of course all of this was without consultation. He just expects everyone to conform. He has really been on a roll lately, and not a good one. If he keeps this up I may renew my search for a nursing home and it wouldn't be for a good one!

I don't go to too many funerals. I don't like them. I know that the services are for the family, and provide closure. But I still don't like them. I think back to Krl's Dad's youngest brother, he just couldn't do them. He would come to the house and visit, but when the family left to go to the church he was either on the road or on a plane. He told me he had already said his goodbyes.

But, I am going to go to DJ's funeral.

I think the Doc and I are going to have to have a talk. His new diuretic is kicking my butt. (This is the third he has added to my med lists). Last night I got up one time with muscle cramps, but six times on bathroom runs. I am also noticing some lower back soreness (and tightness especially after mowing, weed eating and spraying). As for the swelling, it is still there. If there is any improvement, it is negligible.

I am a little surprised that Dr. Mackie hasn't called or had his nurse call with the blood test results. Oh well, no news is good news.

Got to go! Have a day!

FATHER, bless this day. I lift up Donald's family for YOUR gifts of comforts, Rebecca for YOUR miracles of healing, and BLLR on her birthday for YOUR blessing. To YOU be the glory!

Lovely. My slumber was visited again with muscle cramps. Yuk, yuk, yuk. After waking every time I rolled over, because each time I would begin to turn, my legs and feet would begin to cramp. I would get up, lean against the door facing or go into the bathroom and try to walk it out. This morning's cramps are the kind that when you position yourself to relieve one cramp it induces another one. You just can't win!

Finally I got up, went to the fridge and searched for my jar of pickle juice. While I didn't find my jar, I found a new jar of pickles. After about a half hour, the cramps have finally eased.

This is frustrating. New scripts and I seem to be cramping worse.

And I was sure trying to enjoy my sleep!

My bud DMS left yesterday headed back to her place in New Mexico. This trip is a working trip. (Yeah, right). Actually they are re-doing some of the second story deck. What they have planned is not near as simple as what I just typed.

It is really good she doesn't have a real job!

Speaking of jobs, I am at a crossroads. I filled out some on-line apps yesterday. Who knows if anything will come of them, but it didn't cost anything to enter. Two jobs kind of stood above the rest. I have all the qualifications for one, and lack a certification for the other. But, if they use experience in lieu of. Maybe.

I have been watching this websites jobs for a few weeks.

I had a call from Ollie yesterday. She was sure fizzing. It seems this entire deal has not gone as she had hoped or planned. As per usual with Ollie, everything is a little cloudy and nothing happens as it is laid out. Oh well. She was needing money for an attorney as she was planning on giving herself up. She was working with her bail bondsman who stood to lose the bail money if she did not return. According to Ollie, her bail bondsman was working with a lawyer friend who agreed to take her case on. Long story short, Ollie borrowed the money from her maternal grandmother but did not tell her the money was going through the bail bondsman to the attorney. Any how the deal got queered, the maternal grandmother got her money back, and Ollie is inside with no lawyer. While I feel sorry for her, my line is that she should have known this was a possibility when she got in trouble originally.

Her now famous line was, "It's not like they will really lock me up for this!"

Welcome to Big Sister!

Twenty days for the offense she was on probation on, then they will address the issue of her not reporting as required. Crazy thing is (she says) that both charges they were revoking her probation for have been dismissed. It would seem there is a problem somewhere. I would guess now she is entitled to a public defender.

On a sad note, it would appear that Ollie's step Dad just wants to stir the pot with her.

On a sadder note, Ollie's name should have been Brett. Then she would be entitled.

I am hopeful they can get Ollie's meds back on.

I mowed and weed eated the front yesterday, did the quarterly reporting (and got them in the mail by 5 PM. yesterday), and picked up a new sprayer for some roundup. So at some point in my day, I will mow and weed eat the back, do a little spraying, and of course NASCAR waits after lunch.

I did get to visit some with our neighbors to the north. She was cleaning out her car. I thought she was looking a little thick when she told me they were expecting again. This will be number four. I did learn her husband commutes to San Angelo. He is an attorney. From what I can figure, Abilene is half way between her folks and his work.

In the morning at eleven is Donald's memorial service. After that I will probably go to the farm and finish putting a cultivator on one of Pepa's tractors. Unfortunately, I don't think it is going on the GPS guided tractor. So that means I will not be going into the NAPA store this week unless they call me.

Have a week. Gonna be a hot one!

FATHER, all I am sure of is that YOU know where we are going. Thank YOU for loving me.