Wow. Tough weekend. The two shows at the fair that I announced were tough. Some shows just flow quickly and when its over the announcer goes wow, "I didn't even use all my stuff". That wasn't the case with these. The show seemed mired in molasses. A three hour show stretched to over four hours. Yikes. My feet and legs have really been hurting and after standing for both shows, my feet and legs have yet to forgive me!

I had been to see Janet , the lady who does massages, Friday afternoon and she worked on me two hours and fifteen minutes. Mainly my legs and feet, but by Sunday night you couldn't prove it by me!

Right now if I had to give my friend K.O. an answer on whether or not I would announce next year, my answer would be "No".

The shows were just too difficult to work and it just wasn't fun.

Someone asked me if I would rather go and just watch. I told them no, I would rather stay home and wait for highlights on the news. Lol.

Recently when I went to the doctor he made some medication changes to help with some swelling in my feet and lower legs, as well as to help with my restless leg. So far I can't tell any improvement on the restless leg. In fact it seems much worse. Most days I get home and take half my prescribed medication immediately. But, on days like yesterday that isn't enough. I could hardly put my feet on the floor last evening!

I have worked in the shop some this week, plowed some, messed with trucks and my pickup.

Earlier in the summer my pickup had blown a heater hose and I just folded the hose and zip tied it. Last week I began to smell antifreeze and close inspection revealed a small crack in the plastic tank on the radiator. It is at the shop as I type. I removed the radiator Wednesday morning and took it to the shop Thursday morning. If things went well, they have already cleaned and rod-ed the radiator core and the new tank will be in mid morning.

I went to bed relatively early tonight and woke to discover three missed calls from Rian. I figured it was too late to call him so I put my phone back on the bathroom counter. I was back in bed when I thought I heard it tone again. Immediately I hopped from the bed and went to my phone. It indicated Ollie was calling.

A jillion thoughts crossed my mind immediately. Problems with her pregnancy, her diabetes, Brad, school. It all flashed across my brain.

But, I was not prepared for her to tell me that Doug, the kid's step Dad had died. Yesterday was his sixtieth birthday. It seemed he and the kid's mother had gone to San Angelo for the week, and last evening they were celebrating Doug's birthday at Brad's house. Ollie said they had sung happy birthday and were beginning to eat the meal when Doug began to choke. Despite the efforts of all who were there, they couldn't dis-lodge the obstruction. When Emt's arrived they were able to remove the obstruction with forceps, but couldn't bring him back.

I know this will be one of those events that impacts the kiddos, but I am really more concerned with Addison. She was the apple of Doug's eye (although she was a rotten apple more often than not).

Of course it goes without saying it will impact the kiddo's mother.

Just earlier this summer they had moved to Post to be close to and supervise some rental property they own there. In fact it was just a couple of weeks ago that Alton took what was hopefully their last load from the San Angelo house.

For many years, Doug had coached and taught in Odessa nd San Angelo. In later years he had taught, making honors history his specialty. About five years ago he had retired from teaching every day, but taught all he wanted as a substitute. He had knee replacement that didn't yield the wanted results and to be honest he had enjoyed very little quality the last few years. From my view point it appeared that he had mounting health issues. Still, I wasn't ready for the news that Ollie delivered to me.

I don't know what the plans are other than Rian will be traveling to Angelo in the morning and they will make plans. When I know more I will share it with you.

Don't know about you but I am tired of people dying.

Don't know exactly what my Friday holds now.

But I need to do a little business. Happy birthday to my friend DMS and also to Christy.

Happy birthday girls!

Well, I may see if I can find an apple or something to snack on and then try to go back to bed.

Have a day!

FATHER, only YOU know what plans YOU have for us. Bless all of Doug's family. We lift them for YOUR gifts of comfort. Bless DMS and Christy on their birthdays and we ask you bless them with many more. Thank YOU for the rain showers. We ask YOU for more of YOUR rain blessings.