fiberhawk

Write it yourself!!

2009-10-09T10:19:00.002-06:00

My sister Janie has been blessed with a rare opportunity. She has the chance to write her own job description in a real situation.
I hereby challenge all who happen along this blog to try the same thing. I tried it and it is a lot harder than you think! But it is not an exercise of futility! I learned many things about myself in less than 10 minutes. Try it --I double dog dare ya.
Here is my feeble attempt at a real job description designed just for me.

First I must list a few things for those of you who don't know me.
I love work! (any work, not just my job, but any work!!! When I get off work...I go to work)
.
I am a salesman! This is not my job , it is what I am. Deep Down in my soul. It is what I know and do better than anything in the world.
.
I value relationships and honor more than money.
.
I am a garner of favors! I would rather trade favors than anything else. It is a barter thing for me.

Scott's perfect Job Description

My base salary per annum is $1. I like to be compensated for what I accomplish but I don't need base pay. I also will not participate in any meeting, conference call, email carousel, or retreats that do not include clients. I will be involved with any thing or things that involve building a trusted relationship with our company or companies clients.

I will be payed a commision or %percentage of each and every $1 that comes to this company because of my efforts or actions. Overide! Gross! Profit does not concern me!

Clients may reach me 24\7. Anyone who works for me or my department will adopt this policy on a rotating basis. Support position must be covered 24\7 for maximum potential.

Our products must be flawless in design and reality. I cannot sell it , if I don't believe in it. If you say it floats-it had better float! And if it doesn't we will stand behind our product and replace it with another! And so on! I want to be able to hold my head up everyday, because we just don't bullsh+t! No matter what we sell--service is the key!

I do all the hiring and firing , and every teammate will sign a contract agreeing to my terms. I cannot lose a key player because he or she had a bad day , or week. I also will not work with a slacker so I must also control the terminations.

Now get out of the way and have enough inventory or hands to fill the orders! I won't tell you how to accomplish this and you don't tell me how to sell. If there is no profit in our products or services at this point...it might be time to shave some middle management and performance bonuses.

Finished.

Now I realize that I did not mention company vehicle, expenses, perks, travel, or retirement. This is because after reading what I had already written and knowing what is between these lines.....I can only work for me! It is that job description isn't it.......jeffe,boss, owner, or majority stockholder.
And this is why I go to work when I get off work!

Thanks for your time
Gotta Go!
Scotte

As if it needs to be said.....I CONCEDE.

2009-08-02T14:38:00.003-06:00

I tried to match That Janie Girls challenge, but came up short . Very short! The idea was to post a blog every day for 30 days . I did not even come close , as you can probably read all my attempts this last month without going to page 2.
I concede this contest.
So that's sporting clays , and blogging that she is better than me at performing! I know there are a few hundred thousand other things that she is better than me at, but these are fresh on my mind.
The Oilman's event went great, I was there from 6.30 am to 7 .20 pm. I bet I saw 500 people I know and 3 short years ago, there were only 4 people that I knew there. This shooting sport is made for meeting people and networking. This year was the largest ever for the Oilman's Shoot and it was the best event I have been to this year. They gave away guns and money for nearly 3 hours straight and I even won enough to break even on the gun boards. My partner nor I won a gun for the second year straight. Sorry Mike...maybe next year!!!!
So yesterday and today were just recuperative days but at least I got the yard mowed this morning. Back to the grind tomorrow and meet with the new sales manager. Gggggrrrreeeaatttt!

CYA
SCOTTE

Oilman's Shoot is next week!!1

2009-07-26T11:26:00.002-06:00

It seems like only yesterday that I signed up for the Oilman's Shoot at WindWalker. I remember thinking "This thing is a long time off...wonder why we have to sign up in June??"
Now it is time to shoot.

This is one of the most exclusive shoots in West Texas and it is not for a charity. This makes it even more rare. 2 man teams and I am shooting with my good friend and customer Mike Winfield. We always shoot this one and have a blast. Mike drinks non-alcoholic beer and I don't drink at all so we can commiserate about that.
He and his sons are all about the shooting sports and he usually spanks me at Clays. But this year I have been practicing and plan to shoot at least a 90 and hopefully closer to 100%. I have won something at this shoot every year and hope to keep the streak alive.
This year I am donating all winner guns to The Heart Association fund raiser and auction.
So far I have only won 1 , and I am hoping to add at least one more with this shoot.

Wish me luck,
Cya
Scotte

Ahhhhh! The Weekend!

2009-07-24T22:00:00.002-06:00

This is my first real weekend off in months. I am so looking forward to sleeping late tomorrow. Late?? Yepper, I plan to sleep until 8 am in the morning. About 2 hours late for me. Well , 2 hours later than today anyway.
I know 8 am is not that late for most of the people living in modern society, but out here in West Texas , it is so late that the milk will go bad in the cow.
I hope the chickens will not cannabalize the eggs, or the pigs sizzle in the 100 degree heat-but dang nab it ....I deserve to sleep late at least every once in a while.
So you citified folk had better not be ringing my phone before 8.01 am tomorrow. And after that I will be out on regular duty, Conversing with the farm animals that constitute the normalness of West Texas.
YeeHi! Thank God I'm a Country Boy!

Oh, Crap, I moved to town over 5 years ago! Oil Well!
cya
ScottE

Wall Street Bar & Grill

2009-07-23T21:23:00.002-06:00

I almost eat out for a living. No , I am not a food critic -but a salesman in the Permian Basin Oilfield. It is not are you gonna do lunch , but where??
I eat out everyday , most days twice , rarely 3 times but it does happen.
Today , I had the Fillet Min on with Mashed Potatoes at Wall Street Bar & Grill in Midland , Tx.
OMG!!! This has to be the best piece of meat ever!!!! This steak , while ordered by everyone at my table, is not the only great menu item at Wall Street! But it is always delicious from the first to the last bite.
The first time I ordered it - I thought Wow! this is a little steak!!, but it sure does fill you up.
Go ahead
Stop in and try it.
Tell em ScottE sent you---then order the Fillet!
or the Jambalaya
or the grilled chicken breast
or the oh crap now I am hungry again
Lisa !!!! Any of that Kettle corn left?????
Cya
ScottE

Guilt--Here is the Post I owe.

2009-07-21T21:07:00.003-06:00

Today, I got a lady calling me about a job. How do you know how to react to a unsolicited job offer. It was worded in a way that made it very open ended.
Do you know anyone who might be interested in representing our production equipment company in the Permian basin?
I was reminded of working at the local paper in the 70's--when I needed a new paperboy - I would look for a young man on a bike and stop and ask him " Hey kid -You got a big brother??"
"I need a new paper carrier --You got a big brother or some bigger friends??" "What about me?" the answer invariably came from the young man.
Well in this day of uncertainty in the Patch- I took the high road. I am perfectly happy where I am ma am, but if you will email me , I will attempt to hook you up with the right person.
I got the email and it looks legit....but you never know.

Cya
ScottE

James Averette Age 63

2009-07-19T22:29:00.002-06:00

James Averette was killed in a one truck accident about 20 miles north of Big Spring Texas on Hwy 350 Thursday Morning. He was a tool pusher for Wes tex Drilling. James was one of those hands that all oilfield workers aspired to be. Back in the 70's , we called him EverReady, cause he always was ready to work, fight, or laugh at some stupid antic we made up.

A throwback to the days of old, where a quick trip to the cattle guard solved many a personnel issue. Make em bite!! If you can't get it , you can't stay!! Put your little hands on it!! I have heard this man growl these words both to me and scores of others on drilling rigs all over Texas.

I have worked harder than I ever thought I could with his crew, and still count many of the hands I worked with in the 2 years and 4 months on Rig 4 at Robinson Drilling as some of my very best friends. I think that James had a strong and true heart- I will miss him as I go about my life in the oil patch.
The industry will miss him even more!!!! He was still making hands out of worms to the day that he died. You always felt like a worm around James Averette and it was not because he glowered over you, but because his knowledge was endless. Passing it on to a new hand never ended because he had seen and done it all. He made us all better people and oilfield trash.
For my dollar , there was no better toolie or driller , than James. I count the time that I worked for him as some of the best work I ever did. With the likes of Jerry (peewee) Jones, Jerry Jamison, Derrell (Drail) Pope, Terry (Fuzzy) Carter, Curtis James and even Mike McGrath.
Those were the days

I will miss you James. Don't worry I will get a bigger hammer!!

Cya
ScottE

okay--cowboy up!!!!!

2009-07-17T19:02:00.002-06:00

Whew--What a week. Work is done - work is done. Crap gotta do those reports. Its my weekend at the cigarette store. Lawn needs mowing again. Wife and Gdaughter are out of town visiting #1 son. Its Hot! Too hot to even post!!!

I am going to the house because there is a contractor there and I am worried that he may cut in the wrong place. I have a rental property that needs a tending. My vending machine route owner operator has not made a payment in 6 months. It is time for some belated spring cleaning. I need to shed some of these looming things before they shed me.

So I am off to work the weekend.

Cya,
ScottE

Doctor's Visit

2009-07-16T18:02:00.002-06:00

All is well. Did the checkup thing , today. Don't have to go back for 3 months.
Today it became official. I am way past flatbelly stage of larvadom.

When I went back to work in the Oilfield 3 years ago , I was pushing the scales at a sleek 185. I thought that I was in great shape and could carry the world. After following in thatJaniegirls footsteps and setting breakfast and lunch appointments every blessed day of the week , by the time I looked up again, I was up to 200.

When I had my heart attack on March 4th, 2009 , I was still at 199. Today at my checkup , I weighed in at..................................217. I have only been this heavy once before as a younger firefighter. I got up to 235 before getting to work on losing it again.
I quit smoking on March 4 th also, this is where this new weight gain begins. I eat all the time, from the time I get up until bedtime.
Food just doesn't satisfy me, I crave a cigarette! I don't want sticky platelets or constricting arteries , but I really want a cigarette.

At least 6 times a day, ( an improvement over 20 TD), I want to beat the shit out of somebody. Usually for something like a sneeze, or some offhand comment. Instead I eat...........and eat.
I know that it takes 475 licks to get to the chewy chocolate center of a tootsie-pop. By the way if you have not noticed they added some new flavors. Pomegranate and Watermelon are very , very good.
The peppermint puffs that sells at Sam's in a 3 pound tub, will last 14 days if my coworkers (thieves) will stay out of my food.
The "EEEEEEEEEEEEEE" key sticks when bombarded with sunflower seed hulls.
The sheer volume of sugar and Dr. Pepper consumed is compounded by a factor of my age (50). Sugar Diabetes is the most probable malady in my future.

So my new lot in life is to curb this new found appetite, because it does not fill my belly or my needs. I will blog about my efforts, but will not cage myself by only blogging about that subject.

I can already not blog about work, because there is always the outside chance that a coworker will stumble across this blogger thingy.

Cya when I cya,

ScottE

Dang, missed a day already.

2009-07-14T18:17:00.002-06:00

See, keeping up with Janie has never really worked for me. I always had to cut my own trail just to avoid being swept up in the wake of That Janie Girl. It has been a fun ride and when the destination was reached I an always welcomed by the crowd that has accepted her. It is almost biblical, huh.

Those of you who know us , know of what I speak. She is a force all her own, and I love her for it. She has never been ruled by fear or intimidation, and I always felt like she knew that I had her back. It never really mattered to me how big they were ( a lot of that came from our big brother) if they messed with my sister, then they had to deal with me.

Still that way today, which could mean thats why its only the dogs who give her black eyes!!!!!
Love ya Janie!!! Hope we get to see alot of each other this FY2010.
Cya
ScottE

08-12-09

2009-07-12T09:46:00.003-06:00

I am gonna take the THATJANIEGIRL challenge and try to post for 30 days straight. This will be my first in over 2 months.
I will attempt to be as open, truthful, and entertain you at the same time. If its not entertaining , at least stick with me for a couple of days. Maybe it will grow on you.

Today, Yard work calls. Too hot for midday work. Evening and early morning only.

I hope yall have a great weekend.

See ya,
Scott E

One Down--2 to Go!!!

2009-05-24T23:54:00.005-06:00

Our eldest son graduated this weekend. From the University of Texas, no less! With Honors!!!!

We are so proud.........and he seems relieved. From the bad joke( " I don't remember filling out the paperwork to graduate") to the final hug goodbye, it was a memorable stay in Austin.

We ate at Juan in a Million for Brunch , Saturday, and met Tony's roommates there for a last meal together. Charlie will go on to be rich and famous in Film, and Chaz will rake up in Washington DC. While my son will write the copy of the Advertisements that both will need.

I really can't believe all of them made it in 4 years, I figured one or the other of them would fall by the wayside.

I am proud of my son and all of his accomplishments! Love you Tony!!!!!

Remembering 1981

2009-05-13T18:29:00.003-06:00

This is a journey into time..... a time past......that still affects my world today. In 1981 , I was freshly divorced from my first---and working on a drilling rig in Sheffield , Tx. Air drilling was a first for me. This is a process where you drill an oil well with air instead of water. It was eerie for a West Texas roughneck to see a cloud of dust coming out of the return line. You could see it for miles and miles.
Oct 13, was a strange day for the daylight crew of Britton Rig #1. We had just moved to a new location and were rigging up. If you have never seen it , it is hard to believe. This is a dance, a ballet, if you will. The rig up trucks with gin poles raised, forklifts unloading pipe racks and pipe, the substructure is hammered together, the derrick is being raised, the motors and pumps lined up, the backyard is pieced together, and all of this is done at the same time. It really is something to watch, if you ever get the chance , just get and stay out of the way, WAY out of the way.
We had been in Sheffield for 23 days, and a new relief crew had been hired the week before. We were finally gonna get some days off. The 1" air line to the drillers console had been pinched during the rig move and had to be replaced. It was my job to replace it and when finished we would be done!!!! That was one job I never finished!!! During the process of replacing this line , the substructure of the rig was hit by a haul truck that got away from its driver. He was still in the truck, it just was stuck in gear and he could not stop. It hit the rig doing 32 miles an hour. Now this next part is the part that is still with me today.
I was standing on an I-beam to get a bite on the line that I was replacing. When the truck hit the rig , I lost my footing and began the longest 3 second trip of my life. We later measured from where I fell and it was 48 feet from where I landed. Now as I was on my way down, a co-worker tried to help me. He grabbed my feet as I started to fall, but as I flipped to be facing downward in a dive , he realized that he was gonna come with me . So....he let me go.
Don't blame him--I would have done the same!
Now I am falling face first-or I should say stiff arm first. I broke almost every bone on the left side of my body, some of them in many,many places. My hand, wrist, arm, elbow, shoulder, skull,and ribs were shattered. My hip , femur, knee and leg were split from the force of the landing,
My hip , and shoulder still give me little fits today, but I have yet to have the crippling effect the doctors warned me about in 81. But on days like today, where we reach 100 degrees less than 24 hours after a good little rain! It hurts like gravel is in my joints. Not enough to make me quit, but enough to remind me....You were not Superman in 81, and You are not in 2009 either.
So with an mixture of Advil, Motrin, and Bayer , I can get through a day like today in West Texas. Go Hawks!
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Here are some more of the BB Blast

2009-04-26T20:17:00.004-06:00

S
Sorry , I posted this one twice and cannot erase.

Stick with me, I will learn this blogger dealio yet.

These events are a lot of fun. If you have never been ....you really have to check one out. This is the Bad Boy Blast sponsored by Conoco-Phillips and Halliburton Services. It really is a Blast. I never saw a real frown all day. Great event and all the proceeds go the local Police and Law Enforcement Agencies.

This is a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Anderson as they arrived at Windwalker Farms on Saturday. They not only helped sponsor the event, but shot and donated a German Shorthaired Pointer to the Silent Auction. Great People always seem to do great things, huh?

heres a pic or 3

2009-04-26T08:01:00.003-06:00

I cannot get any pictures to upload to my blog. here is another attempt.

World's Best Medicine

2009-03-20T23:08:00.002-06:00

Today was a tough day for me. Only as far as cigarette smoking was concerned though. It has been a little over 2 weeks and today it hit me. I really like to smoke. It calms me. It gives me a prop, to hold, and emphasis the point with. For over 30 years it has been a part of my life. I really wanted a cigarette today.

Still do !!!! But my Macz is at our house tonite, and she told me I smell good. A first for that statement from her. She just smiled as she hugged me , and said" Pop op you smell so good!" I said "yes ma am, Pop op quit smoking" She said " uh-huh, I know....thank you"
You know a guy really doesn't need much more than the woman he loves the most telling him thank you for motivation. I don't care if I do want a cigarette, I will no longer be a slave to the damn things.

Thank you my 2 year old angel,
I will never forget what you have done for me.
Love ,
Pop op (pronounced POP-OP)

By the way I own a tobacco store in Big Spring , Texas that grossed over 3.5 million last year. It is for sale!!!! $175,000.00 for inventory and name. Rent 1750.00 a month. Or $275,000 for lock, stock, and real estate. Just for the principle of the thing, its gonna be hard to be a non smoker while owning this store.
Thanks for your time.
ScottE

I know some of you read this thing.

2009-03-19T22:49:00.002-06:00

You know what , I finally figured out how this blog thingy works. You have to spend hours , not composing good blog fodder, but reading and commenting on other's blogs. So here is to you guys , who read the blogs, but do not comment. I will if you will. I pledge to start commenting on all of the blogs that I peruse during the day. Of course this would be easier if the content filter from hell had not been introduced to our network at work. So it will be late night commenting from now on. As I can read your blogs but am not allowed to comment on them.
I understand the need for security, as the company who bought us last may, makes some part in the guidance system of the Cruise Missile. I especially liked the fact that words like--- sucker rod, stroke, nipple, joint, dope, and even tool and bite --are also words that are not allowed.

I work in the Oilfield people. You know , where we....nipple up, add another joint of pipe, increase stroke length, use a fishing tool, and get another bite on something every day. Dope comes in 5 gallon buckets, joints are 30 ft long, and there is a pusher on every rig.
Look , if your gonna play in this game, you gotta learn the lingo!!!! When in Rome..........

So , please don't try to rewrite the patch, especially the Permian Basin. Just change the filter to allow these words, and let me comment on me com padres blogs. It truly is networking at its finest.

Thanks for your time
ScottE

50 Years of Big Spring--Going..Going....Gone!!!!

2009-03-09T21:12:00.002-06:00

March 21 Saturday at 10 am. The Boy's Club in Big Spring is closing and having an auction. I will be donating my services and they are donating 100% of the proceeds to the Kid's Zone. The Kid's Zone was damaged by vandals earlier this year, along with a totem pole that has been in the park my whole life. I think that donating to that project is a show of class from the Board of the Boys Club.

This auction has a unique set of items for sale. There is a cool thing about the caretaker of the Boys Club. Bert has been with Boys Club since 1959 , when he retired from Cosden. As an engineer he must have had a knack for organization because if there were 250 parts when they got it , all 250 parts are still there today. I mean, Wood Working --every tool, bit , auger, file , is there and in its place. Lathes, Saws, jigs, wood, scraps, and every thing used in woodworking.
Photography--A complete Darkroom-along with every camera since 1959- thru digital. Trains-2 or 3 HO train sets on boards-down to the passengers. Pianos, Organs, Weight Training sets, Sedlinger Trampoline, 20 Passenger Bus, Every Board Game, Books, plus old records, projectors, Kiln, molds, telegraph equipment, and more.
There are 2 Brunswick Pool tables, a Brunswick bumper pool table (rare) , Fooseball tables, air hockey, Ping Pong , Shuffleboard, and much more.

Just come to Big Spring Texas and you will see a tall building, The Settles Hotel, we are next door. On 3rd Street ( a one way heading west) just east of the Settles. This building is slated for demolition, and we are still waiting on word about the metal tile ceilings, and the new AC units.

Yall Come, I Promise there will be something there to remind you of fonder days.
Thanks for your time
ScottE

ps. Thanks for all of your prayers for me and my family! I know they made a difference.

Okay, I bet there is an oilfield explanation for this Deal.

2009-03-07T23:55:00.001-06:00

One month ago to the day. I thought I had a heart attack and went to the ER. After a clean angiogram . my doctors and I believed that I was a medical miracle. No Heart Attack-no blockage of any kind visible with or without contrast (dye). If it happens again we will try to pin it down but most likely a hietal hernia or an ulcer, maybe even a panic attack.

Now you must understand that I have been smoking since I was 13 years old, I did quit for 3 years , but picked it up again on the way to Arlington TX to visit my bro in the hospital. He had just been diagnosed with Cancer. That was over 20 years ago. I have been strutting around like a peacock for about 2 weeks, when I notice that just by pushing a dresser across a slick tile floor, I am completely out of breath. My mind said Hmm.!

Last Saturday , I woke with severe heartburn at 7 am. I took some acid pills and then went to w-Mart to get something more. Maalox Advanced and that did the trick. After 8.30 I was fine for the rest of the day. Wed at 8am, I felt it begin in my belly, I tried to shake off the foreboding feeling that came over me, as the pain radiated to my fingertips, I would stretch and shake my hands to try to relieve the pain. About 10 am I went to my local doctor, and we talked about panic attacks. He tried acupuncture to balance my life force. He then gave me a knock out shot, because we all knew it wasn't my heart.

Lisa came to pick me up and after 2.5 hours of tossing and turning, I agreed to go back to Dr. in Odessa , because he could set us up with a Stomach Doc. Got to the ER at Odessa Regional and had the foresight to just say I am having chest pains. As the cardiac ER folks , took over I explained that I had a clean angiogram , less than a month ago. Everyone smiled and said Oh okay cool and the world slowed down. In about 2 minutes , they hooked me up to an EKG , and gave me some Demerol for pain. In about 2 more minutes they came in and changed out my EKG machine , cause this one must be broken. Same reading, Dr. Jack and Steve leaned over me and said, Clean angiogram or no , You sir, are having a massive heart attack.......I looked at my wife and smiled. She said, Why are you smiling?? Cause I knew it all along! Never have I had heartburn, stress, or a problem expressing myself! And the overwhelming sense of Foreboding is something that should be listed as a symptom of heart attack.

Dr. Naidu started emergency surgery and found my main artery 100% blocked and a second 80% blocked. This unsettled him some but he went straight to work, with a touch the 100% blood clot dissipated . But the 80% clear plug had to be roto-rootered out. He then inserted 2 stints to keep the artery wide.

I know what happened in the ER in Big Spring a month ago. They had me on a heart monitor and my heart rate and BP went thru the roof . The young lady trying to start an IV blew up my vein and got blood squirted on her. Then my pain went away----completely away!!!!

I explained to Dr. Naidu what I think happened. A blood clot formed and plugged my artery. Then after 1 hour and 10 minutes , My body took over and forced the blood clot though my heart with such force that it actually cleaned out my piping. Like running a rabbit or a pig though a piece of pipe. These are not animals , but what the object is called that you send through a piece of pipe to clear any snakes, rabbits , skunks or sand out of the pipe.The term pig is used more in the refining end of the oilfield and a rabbit is what we called it on a Drilling rig or a Pulling Unit.

Heck fire, We just pressured up and pumped the plug. Just another day in the oilfield. Only there is always the chance that the pipe will yield and blow a hole in such pipe. In the medical field this is called a Widow Maker. I will always feel blessed that I dodged that bullet, and I got to go home yesterday and see my 2 youngest boys and my granddaughter came over this morning.

I am now working on 80 hours without a cigarette, and my sense of smell is just amazing. I cannot drive my truck because it stinks too bad. My office is just as gross and I will probably replace ceiling tiles and carpet next week. Paint too if I have to, but for now Febreze baby Febreze!

I hope I can keep it up , but that feeling of impending doom, is a DAMN good motivator!

Thanks for your time.

ScottE

2009-03-03T23:43:00.000-06:00

Okay I fixed my blog.

2009-03-03T23:30:00.002-06:00

By deleting some old posts and removing the song option of my blog , I now am able to view this post . I hope you can ,too.
Lisa and Nick are back from the Mayo Clinic. The testing went well, but not that well received by Nick. He has matured so much during this ordeal. I don't think he will give us a fit at flu shot time this year. He endured many invasive tests and the end result is.........IT IS NOT Juvenile M.S. They believe they will have it narrowed down later this week and he has another appointment on the 17 of March. His problem is more than likely an auto-immune problem that could have stemmed from Celiac's Disease. (the inability of your body to deal with gluten). It also is the reason that he suffers from arthritis.
Please keep my baby in your prayers, he is a 14 year old boy, and Lord , I need him. A parents job is sometimes just too taxing. I must refrain from praying it away from him to me. Jesus will see to taking care of this problem-he always does! But a little extra prayers can't hurt. So if you are a warrior in Christ-lift him up and praise him-and ask him to watch over my son . A miraculous cure is not out of the question.
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Lisa & Nick go east!!!

2009-03-01T15:41:00.001-06:00

They left Wed. morning to head to Chicago. Then over to Rochester to the Mayo Clinic. Thursday A.M.-- the testing begins.

Lisa says there are skywalks everywhere. This is how they traverse a hospital town in sub-zero weather. It goes thru the hotel, malls , restaurants, and more hotels , clinics, and support facilities.

Friday--back to Mayo for more testing, Hopefully a little less invasive than yesterday. Hope that last appointment doesn't change their travel plans. Made the shuttle and the flight. Back in Chicago. BBBBrrrrrrrrrrr!

Sat- Hang out in Chicago and wait for the verdict. Meanwhile-Chinatown, Blue Man Group, Choice of a wide Gluten Free menu at every restaurant , not just outback. Seems like there must be a lot of Celiac's in Illinois. Even the mom & Pop shops have a gluten free menu.

Sunday-Its snowing again but only in Downtown Chicago. Even the suburbs don't believe is it snowing downtown. Bundle up - Gotta go see some sights!

Monday-Hope to have testing results and prognosis for Nick by 10 am. Then we can schedule more testing. Or they can come Home. Home-

It ain' home until they get here. If they can't get scheduled , Then they will come home Today. or Tonight! Before Midnight is Today , Demit!

Thank the Lord for keeping mine safe - I pray he does the same for you and yours.

Thanks for your time,

ScottE

PS - I tried to insert some pictures of Chicago, snow, Rochester, and MacZ's new pajamas from China town. Silk with butterflies!

Something is wrong with this blog????

2009-03-01T15:13:00.001-06:00

I don't have any idea what I did . Too many off the wall (no not porn) web sites i guess. I am trying to post this thru my new computer. We will see

Thanks for your time

Scott E

End of an Era!!

2009-02-11T23:44:00.002-06:00

Well, finally did it. That 12,000 ft building that has been a warehouse for the remnants of old business ventures has started it clean out phase. After the little hiccup of a heart scare last week, I hired 6 day labor guys here in Big Spring. We don't have a Home Depot so I had to call the local radio show ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR. Told listeners that I needed some help and would pay $10 per hour. I had 25 phone calls in the next 30 minutes. The oilfield really has put a lot of people out of work in the last month. So Sad!

Of these 6 guys 4 of them were excellent hands, the other 2 were the wore-out derelict types, but I am a equal opportunity slave driver. They muscled and finessed about 30 video games, 25 gum ball racks and carousels, pool tables, Snow-cone stuff, lawn mowers, furniture, beer boxes, mud engineer equip, and a butt load of other assorted crap onto trailers and down to the Auction House. Its gonna sell no matter what price it brings.

Lotta memories--I used to pay my 3 sons a penny a capsule to stuff toys, coins , fake jewelery, and other crap into capsules , then we would go out and make a day of filling machines with our goodies, then we would get the real goodies out (MONEY). Then back to the house where we would count , roll, and record. I think all 3 understand business better because we showed them what their time was worth.

I used to ask them--Do you want to go tomorrow ? We can see how much we made while we were asleep! ........................... They understand ---Do You?

But that was long ago, and now its done. I have officially gone out of the vending business! Too bad - 1- 820 count box of gum at Sam's $39 1- 59$ machine at Sams 1- decent location = $210.00

See thinking you might die------thought like------Oh Shit ! Someone is gonna have to go thru all of the crap I have saved in my life! Reprieve!! I'm gonna get rid of it now and spend the money!!!!!! Inheritance????? It was gonna be 35 more years before PacMan and NFL Blitz are collectors items. Maybe by the time we get this building empty and start on the second one , I will have a better idea ? Hopefully , enough for a trip to ................. Allen's Fried Chicken in Sweetwater, TX.
Thanks for your time,
ScottE

Musings while traversing the Barnett Shale.

2009-02-03T23:48:00.002-06:00

Just rolled in from parts east. The Barnett Shale formation area around Ft . Worth , Tx. If you ever wanted to know what would happen if natural gas were found under your yard...look no further. These operators have worked around school zones, residences, alleyways, fences, parking garages, and more likely than not football, baseball, and soccer fields all around the West Metroplex.
It was pretty cool today to see a gas line jockey standing on the tool box of his pickup peering over a fence in a residential area. I had to stop and ask---checking for leaks???? He laughed and said "Yessir, every day , but I am behind! I have to finish before 6 pm. Why? No oilfield traffic after 6."
What happens if a leak occurs after 6 pm?
He said " Don't know Bud, never had one. Gotta Go"

Hope they have to rod these babies up some day. I know Janie ...They are gas wells....but a rod salesman can wish can't he????

If you guys ever get that way take 820 loop around Ft. Worth to the North . You can't miss it---The Oilpatch moved to the Metroplex. Metrosexual Pumpers ---Dressing up to Get Dirty ( or Pumping in Paisley and Pink) Watch for the show on Tru Tv!!!!!
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Wow! That was a great game.

2009-02-01T22:40:00.002-06:00

Super Bowl is over and what a game it was. I hoped that Arizona would win, but Pittsburgh just would not give in. They have now won more Super Bowls than any other team in History. I sure hope Kurt Warner gets a chance next year. He is a super guy. So he should win a super bowl.
An ex dope dealer is gonna end up MVP. Just you wait and see. Ah so goes the NFL.
Hope you liked the commercials. Did you see one for John Crane , America. Hope so , cause it cost 1\2 million dollars for 15 seconds. I watched but I did not see it.....must have been pre-pre-game.
Luck to you and thanks for your time.

Cuckoo!!!!!

2009-01-29T00:15:00.002-06:00

This little girl likes Cocoa Puffs. Even if it is just because it makes chocolate milk.

See--thats the reason we are afraid of computers.

2009-01-28T23:37:00.002-06:00

Last week - Janie was a wishing she could get a new look for her blog. Ya know spruce it up a little and maybe help put some cheer into every ones life. (or at least that's the way I have it figured in my mind). After a blog about just such feelings ,That Janie Girl, must have gotten a lot of comments about changing templates and backgrounds and such. How do I know -cause I ain't blind yet. She did what we all fear-Lost her work-Template Gone-Content Intact!

My 3 sons have grown up with a computer. My eldest , age 21, could out type me by the time he was 10. None of them have any regard for the price of a computer and I always thought this was why they were so fearless. Back when a decent PC had 1 gig hard drives and the prices were 5 or even 10 times higher than now-my boys could shortcut me through any problem. I am still reluctant to short cut , even though I back up to a hard drive constantly.
So Sis don't despair, the old blog was pretty .........But the content was always the prize.
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Another Rant from ScottE

2009-01-09T23:08:00.001-06:00

You are interested in opening a business! You don't say? Do you have any plans in order? What is your reason for wanting to go into business? Want to be your own boss? Want to golf and go home early like your boss does?

I have owned my own business for over 20 years. Not the same business for 20 years but for myself for over 20 years. I worked 18 and 20 hour days for the first few years. Then I figured out how to only work 1\2 a day. I know what your thinking—4 hours a day ---yep I want to own my own business, too. There are 24 hours in a day the last time I looked and yepper, I still work 12 hour days. That is usually after I put in a solid 7 for the Oilfield Co. which also employees me. I do count the hour between 5 and 6 am. As one of those 12 hours.

I paid my property taxes today. And my business personal property tax. This is after I paid the Texas State Comptroller .10 per pack floor tax for all the cigs on the shelf Dec. 31. This is on top of the sales tax the state pulls out of my account on the twentieth of every month. Plus the 2.89 that is added to each pack of cigs before I buy them. And of course there is income tax. Are you sure this is still capitalism—it reeks of fascism to me.

Save us Mr. Obama! We really are rooting for you to pull off a miracle to save our country. Everything I know about business has changed in the last 6 months. You don't file bankruptcy and reorganize. You don't throw out the rotten and bad, you give it a bonus. You just take on a new partner with a never ending cash flow. Why it's almost as if this new partner can just print greenbacks!!! If we need it our new partner will give us a cash influx. They won't even ask for receipts? Nope. They are faithful! So let's have a party, to the tune of $500,000. When government becomes a partner ……….. Trouble……..follows. How can we trust the government to run private business----this same governmental system can't run the country in the black. Do we think that collectively these men and women have more business sense than men like Lee Iacocca? Of course they do!! After all they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get elected to a $70.000 position. And they somehow always leave office rich, with book deals, speaking engagements, personal appearances and other more secretive endorsements. All Paid!!!!

If it is a high enough position in our government……free security for life. With a library in your state with your name and government employees. Oh and did I mention that when you decide to no longer seek office-you campaign fund becomes your personal monies!!!

A State impeached a governor today, for offering Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder, openly. He denies any wrong doing. He simply did in public what has been done in private for generations. Not smart, but brutally poignant. This guy knows how it is done—he is not making up his defense. He will probably lose-but I think he has a chance to beat this impeachment. Time will tell.

Sorry for showing my ignorance,

Thanks for your time

ScottE

Wow - Now how did I miss this part of Texas!

2009-01-08T23:27:00.004-06:00

I had to go to Uvalde Texas yesterday. I don't remember ever going that way before and I thought it was breathtaking. Followed 83 thru Junction to Leakey (pronounced Lakey) and was just amazed at the landscape. This could surely be construed as God's Country. Rivers, Springs, Wet weather creeks, and trees galore.

Leakey is like going through a time warp to me. Every thing is just as slow and unhurried as possible. Every one in town is on Valium. This is one laid back town pop 345. HEB Ranch (yep , the grocery store) is in the most beautiful canyon cut by the Frio River, Garner State Park is right there too. It is worth the drive.

Ulvalde is a clean , enterprising town , looks like it has figured out the Bazillion Dollar Ranches can sustain a town.

Nice Nice Country. While this water looks very shallow it is actually over my head deep. If you look close in the top picture you will see an appaloosa catfish.

Guestamated weight about 5 lbs.

This was my view this morning at 6 am . What a refreshing trip.

Thanks for your time

Scotte

2009-01-05T20:04:00.003-06:00

T
To the left and above are Macz and her rockin horse "Champion". She does love to ride, Cowgirl!

Above is our youngest son , #3, in his normal pose in front of 2 --count em - 2 puters.

This is #1 and Macz. Can you tell she is trying to get away. She can only sit for about 2 seconds. She came by that natural , we are all accused of the same thing.

I know that this is not a blog that gets a lot of attention .....Like Janies. But this is a good way for kinfolk to keep up with GRANDDAUGHTER EXTRAORDINARE.

Thanks for your time,

ScottE

Watch out Janie, now I have a good camera , too.

2008-12-19T13:52:00.003-06:00

I got my Merry Christmas, a Canon EOS Rebel xsi, with a whole crap load of lenses and memory and flash and filters and tripods and cases and how in the world does anyone have enough spare time to ever figure one of these things out. And just how detailed should a picture be, 12.2 mega pixels , takes a lot of memory on my laptop. I will just upgrade to a bigger hard drive , I guess.

I can now zoom in on a blemish , or zit to the cellular point. I am not real sure that is a good thing. But I love it and surely I will be able to figure this out eventually, or have a lot of fun trying anyway. I have included a picture I took of two of my employees both with swells . I titled this photo Karmen gets her butt kicked by a baby. They think it is hilarious.

Anyway it runs in the family right Janie? I will inately know all you have learned about photography in the last 30 years , right? Yeah, right.

Thanks for your time

Scott E

121

2008-12-13T11:29:00.002-06:00

121!! That is the # of dead deer (fresh) on the road between Big Spring, Tx and Austin, Tx on 12-12-08. My bud ,Mac, and I went to pick up #1s car from UT yesterday. We left BS @ 2pm and got back at 2 am. Fast trip except for visiting with Tony & Jeanette. Nice apartment kids!

Mac and I got bored with this trip earlier this year, and we decided we would count deer next trip. In the south bound leg , we counted 24 dead deer. Mostly between Brady and Llano. During the north bound trip 97 deer--Only 11 between Llano and Brady!!! The major slaughter of dumb deer was from San Angelo to Big Spring. Full Moon maybe? I wonder how much money is spent at auto body repair shops due to collisions with deer? I'll bet there are some rich Christmas mornings at the shop owners this year. MERRY CHRISTMAS KIDS!!

I think the insurance companies of Texas should pool together some money to High Fence the Highway. Untold Millions would be saved over the years. But then we would likely have to bail out the Body Shops of Texas.
We made it back with all intact-trailer lights not withstanding. 43' of dodge and darting driving.
we may have missed a few of the deer--please do not use this data in any scientific polls or surveys. Data might be good for a dissertation or a master thesis , but I am probably not the expert in this field.

Thanks for your time
Scotte

pictures of my xmas present to my wife!

2008-12-13T11:25:00.001-06:00

Don't you think she will love it???? This is why we are still married-I am very thoughful!

Christmas presents pick themselves around here!!!

2008-12-11T20:46:00.001-06:00

It all started on Thanksgiving Day!!! After feeding the masses, the missus said,"Sccccooootttt, the kitchen sink is not draining!!!) We have remodeled her family home and our new kitchen has two sinks. All of the plumbing in the house is new-except for 1 drain. Yepper, the kitchen sink with the DISHWASHER attached. It would have been a major floor chipping operation to replace that drain in the beginning, traversing 20 feet diagonally across the kitchen to where the drain intersects with the bathroom. Soooooooo.........I left it. The only old drain in the house.
#3S and I get the plunger and run hot water--PLUNGE, sploop,PLUNGE , sploop. The water drains -YEEHI!
Fast Forward 1 week----Scoooooottttttt-the damn drain is slow again. #3S and I go to work ----PLUNGE,sploop,PLUNGE,sploop. The water drains_YEEEEHI!
Fast Forward 1 week----I notice DUCT TAPE xed across sink. Hon, are you working on the sink?? I asked incredulously! Why didn't you call me? Whats going on??
Well it seems that the sink had run slow again, and my better half decided to fix it herself. She found a chemical that you dissolve in hot water and the bacteria will eat your drains clean. I let this slide because I have been married long enough now to know better. YYYEEAAAAAHHH

Two days later , I decide it is time to do something else. So me and #3S go to work----Hot-Hot water, rags to plug off the vent and second drain, plunger, and off we go. PLUNGE-sploop_PLUNGE-glub(glub????)--PLUNGE---NADA--PLUNGE-NADA-PLUNGE-NADA!!!!
SHITSHITSHITSHITTERSHIT! (or fluckity,fluck,fluck,fluck)
Okay , hon I think we may have to break down and call a plumber! Hope we can snake this out.
I will call first thing in the morning.
6am- she said" GET OUT OF BED-THE KITCHEN IS FLOODED" I get up and sure enough I had forgotten about the RO unit. It takes 3 gallons of city water to make 1 gallon of drinking water! The extra 2 gallons goes down the drain-----or in this case ----fills up the sink and runs out in the floor. Of course if I had not decided to try to plunge the sink and filled it up with hot water it would not have run out on the floor.
Plumber arrives at 9 am..........................................5pm still clogged. Seems the old cast iron pipe has decided that his work is done. The plumber decides to call it a day. We will start over in the morning.
Present day--We are on day 3 of the Wacky World of Plumbing! There are multitudes of equipment in our front yard. A Komotsu track hoe, a diamond tipped bladed concrete saw, jack-hammer, air compressor, shovels, picks, and piles of rubble. Concrete , mud, dirt and chipped up brick and tile are everywhere. We cant just bring the drain out the wall , we have to attach the vent to it also. More brick, concrete, and of course MONEY!
After talking to our plumber, we all decided that I would hire the concrete and brick repair out to someone who specializes in that genre of construction. Since the plumbers charge me $105 per hour , I know I can save some money there. The plumbing work should finish up tomorrow, and the concrete\brick\tile guy is coming over Saturday.
My lovely wife looked at me this evening and said"You don't have to get me a Christmas present". I have already told you I have been married too long to fall for one like that.

I think I will get her a disposal! Yeah! That will surprise her, and she will like it. Now where will I find the electricity to run it?????? Okay , I'll call an electrician!!!!! Pictures of my front yard -I will post in the morning.
Thanks for your time ,
Merry CHRISTmas!

Home Interior Mackenzie style!

2008-12-04T00:03:00.004-06:00

Sorry about the picture quality -cell phone camera is always handy! She sure is proud of her design ability. She can REDO a room in about 2 minutes. And I love it. I just seems right until you step on one of her toys in the middle of the night. Ahhhhhhhh Grandkids , gotta love em!

By the way , the picture of the young man with me on the header is my #1 son , a senior at UT and the father of this beautiful girl.

Thanks for your time,

ScottE

Really Really Just Rambling

2008-12-03T23:11:00.003-06:00

I own a discount tobacco store in my home town. The only one in town to be truthful. Today the local news media, Channel 7 KOSA, called me to see if they could film inside my store???
It seems after a fatality in a trailer house fire last week, the authorities deciphered that a burning cigarette started the fire. Combine that with a new law about removing the chemicals that keep a cig lit that enacts in January, and my store looked like a good place for a panoramic view of a plethora of cancer sticks.
I talked with the reporter on the phone and gave my permission to video tape the interior of the store.

My point , You ask? Well , I opened this little store 10 years ago. I naively assumed that a law that was in committee in the Texas Senate would become law. I forgot that MalWart and BEH along with others had the same right to own Lobbyists as anyone. I am referring to a law that has been quashed term after term. This law was to basically remove tobacco products from any establishment that allowed minors in the building.
You know- like a liquor store has been your whole life! I was gonna be rich!!
Well, 10 years later, a lot has changed , and the place is profitable. Anything vice related-eh Bro-IN-Law! Inside Joke sorry!
I think this is a unique example of our government at work. Here you have a bill, that makes it thru the whole process, and becomes a law. Really -We are taking out the chemical(s) that keep a cigarette burning, but we are leaving all of the addictive chemicals. And the ones known to cause cancer. Out of all of our legislators-not one thought about adding this to this law? Buuuullllssssshhhhhhiiiiiittttttt!
The money talks and the rest of us take it up the butt.
No one cares if the cigarette goes out-the end user will like it better. He can relight his smoke now. No one will holler too loud-The only ones hurt are the co that makes the chemical (salt-peter) and The tobacco co that decided to add the chemical in the first place. They sure aren't gonna holler cause if they comply they get to keep all the subsidies the Fed gives them.
And they look like they are doing something for the end user. Formerly known as a smoker. Now can be found at social outcast areas statewide!
By the way isn't salt-peter something the Fed gave soldiers to keep the lead out of their pencils during the war. Wow, I wonder if Viagra stock will soften? MILF will love that!!!!!!
I have prattled on way too long-but if you happened to watch the 6 pm news, that was my store!
Did you see it?
Now we are BIGTIME-heee heeee

Thanks for your time
Scotte

MY GIRL

2008-11-27T00:27:00.003-06:00

OKAY , #1 son -You were right about that.

2008-11-23T21:35:00.002-06:00

When #1 and #2 sons told me they would both vote for Obama , I tried to talk them out of it. At that time they said something that made more sense than anything else I have heard. See if you agree!

#1 - Dad, I would vote Republican but for one thing. I feel that if we had spent $10 billion a month on border security and on alternative fuels, we would already have a solution for the energy crisis. Border security would help with terrorists-Who would number a lot less if we had never invaded Iraq. We have effectively forced countries to unite against us that have been at war for centuries.

Now I have friends with children in this war, and I support them. All of them!! I hope that they do their duty and get home safe. But I can't help but think , I would rather them all be home. NOW!
Son , I hope that our new President can get us out of this war--maybe if he does--it won't be another Vietnam. Obama -make Iraq use their own money and young men to fight this war.
They have billions in surplus-use it. Get our boys and girls home! We will use the military as border security-and put the money to use on that car that runs on air. or water. or helium. or better yet sand---that way we can still import it from the middle east. Shipping won't suffer!
Thanks for your time,
Pray
Scotte

UH_OH

2008-11-23T21:10:00.002-06:00

Okay -lets preface this post by bringing you all up to speed. The company I work for in the Permian Basin has been purchased by a huge foreign company---The Jones. Now the Jones have not ever been in West Texas or even the oilfield per say.
The VP of our company has been named VP of the new company-so he is in effect our old boss' new boss. He and I had a discussion about some of the changes coming down the pike as of this buyout. This was last Thursday!! He then left for Romania with his new boss for a week.

Tuesday, I get an email from him asking for my concerns in writing-survey form--top 5 concerns. I am thinking -Wow -this guy really is good with a puter for an old man. This is a top notch form survey he has forwarded me. Signed with his name and even has a picture of him.
Should have been my first warning.

I missed it. I shamelessly continued where our meeting last week had left off........pulled no punches........explained how the new company had already dropped the ball.......solutions for a couple more problems............my bottom line figure for staying with the new company.......plus my hopes and dreams for the future.........and a little constructive criticism for our new sister company ICD. Then spell checked it all and pushed SEND.....

As soon as it finished sending a return receipt from corporate hit my box. OH SHAT SHAT SHAT. Corporate???? Why was this from VP then? Oh shat , I need to get my resume up to date!!! This is gonna stink a little.

Thursday Morning --I get an email from VP's boss - The President of Our New Company--He curtly thanked me for my input. Informed me that he was in Romania-but would contact me personally when he returned to the States. Okay........resume is now up to date......reason for leaving last employer-----------Hair trigger Send Button!!!

Sunday -check email-There it is --VP's response to my email.
He starts by informing me that both he and his boss read my TOP FIVE REASONS FOR CHANGING CAREERS the day that I sent it. It was one of the first emails they got in Romania.
He thanked me and told me that I was the only respondent at our company...(Shat-am I the only dumbedass country boy or what) and that my concerns were shared by both he and his boss. He explained that both he and the prez request my presence in Chicago Illinois the week after Thanksgiving.
Shat! Better than I hoped! Shat!! Or is it??? Shat!!! Shat!!! Oh well, I was looking for a job when I found this one----only the price of oil was at $50 going up when I hired on and now it is $50 on the down slide side.
Sis---I may be looking , but I will know more when VP gets back. He is fairly easy to read. I hope.
Thanks for your time
Scotte

Okay, Okay I guess I will post then!!!

2008-11-21T18:08:00.002-06:00

Wow, big Sis added a little sidebar to my blog. I can now tell that ya'll have been stopping by to read the same old posts. I have been shamed!!!! Sorry! I will try to post more regularly and maybe yall will get some worth out of the wordiness that is Me.

I will post pictures of the implosion later today! And then I'll make something up if I have nothing to post.

Thanks for your time
Scotte

Midland Building Implosion

2008-11-09T15:36:00.002-06:00

Wow- that was too cool for us!!! We took advantage of the Hilton's proximity to the implosion yesterday. They were renting rooms (nice rooms) for $99. Not with a view of the implosion mind you, those were around $250. We went over Friday nite and went to bed. Alarm at 7 am - up and bundled up against the cold. 35F --cold for us West Texans. Went to the elevator and made our way toward the front of the Hotel Hilton. Along the way -Coffee. Out the front door and there we were!!!! Front row center ! 20 minute wait--saw Skeet Foster from Sterling City.
Mayor Wes Perry announced the 3 minute warning......1 minute siren.....10,9, 8,7,6,5,4,3, 2,1.....Boom -Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom.......nothing........boomboomboombooomboomboomboomboomboomboom. There she goes.....15 seconds from start Boom to on the ground. WAAAAAAY CoooooL! Back in the Hilton before the dust gets us .........Breakfast buffet.....Free......Back to the room and out before 9 am.
Thank you city of Midland, Hilton(great idea),Wes Perry, A & R Demolitions, Discovery Channel ( look for the Fiberod Cap and Nick's Bright Orange Head Cap) and the 15 to 20 thousand people who attended! It was a first for me and my Family, I hope you and yours got to see it also!!!
Thanks for your time
Scotte

How should I vote Dad?

2008-10-31T17:31:00.002-06:00

I have 3 sons, and 2 of them are voting age. #1 is 21, and #2 just turned 18. Both of them think Obama will probably win the election. #2 said, "Dad, how should I vote??? I feel democratic, but I know you and mom are conservative. I like Obama....but I am not sure?

I said Son go mow the yard and the job pays $40 bucks.
When you are done We will go down to the Salvation Army and give the $40 to the homeless guys.

#2 said " but I mowed the yard!!!!"

I said "now you are a conservative too.!!!!

Thanks for your time
Scott E

Floyd has been moved to a long term care center in Midland. Need more Prayers!!!!

floyd update!

2008-10-07T20:00:00.002-06:00

Floyd Brownfield is still in ICU @ Midland Memorial. Turns out that Floyd has a busted left shoulder , on top of the fractured skull, cracked ribs, cracked vertebra, and everything else is badly bruised. They were taking him for another full body scan this afternoon , and the last brain scan showed some swelling. Doctors say this is normal because they just removed the probe from his brain. They are increasing his time out of the induced coma by 15 minutes , twice a day. He will be up to 2 hours this evening.
This is gonna be a long process and the Brownfield family needs your prayers!!!!
Floyd, Nancy, Kevin, Janice, and ......... dang it there is another daughter!!! sorry! and their kids all are still worried sick. Nancy looked great this afternoon, but I can tell she is sick with worry.
She is a warrior and will stand by her man through it all. We talked at length today and she told me stories of Floyd's kindness that he will be pissed about me knowing later. HA HA I can't wait to tell of his philanthropy at the coffee bar , after he is well , of course!!!
Pray for them!!! These are good people.
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Prayers Needed!!!

2008-10-03T08:29:00.002-06:00

A great co-worker was hurt on the job , 2 days ago, and is still in ICU @ Midland Memorial. Floyd Brownfield (vp of operations) took a bad spill from our new staircase and fractured his skull, some ribs, and got generally banged up pretty good. Floyd is in an induced coma in ICU, and all indications are good. But he and his family need your prayers!!!! Floyd and Nancy Brownfield, their children, grandchildren, and coworkers have effectively taken over the ICU waiting room and have put their lives on hold to rally behind Floyd.
Please join me in my prayers for this wonderful family and man. Floyd is the guy who is always at work first (6am) and many days I have been at the plant in Big Spring at 7 pm and he was still there. I think he really likes his job. He has been responsible for the production line and plant for decades, and Fiberod owes him a large amount of their success.
I pray for the rapid recovery of Floyd Brownfield, and Peace for his family!! They are worried sick and need our support. Nancy is a wonderful woman , and we all think of her and Floyd as family -not just co-workers. She will not leave the hospital and we and her family understand her wishes. We will do everything we can to make this better for her and her family.
I have never asked readers for anything , but prayer is greatly needed.
Nancy, Kevin, Janice, Steve, and the rest of the family, I am proud to work with you and Floyd.
I am also greatful that it was Floyd's head that took the brunt of the fall, cause it is a fact, Floyd Brownfield is the hardest headed guy at Fiberod. Love you all and may Jesus answer all your prayers and help this accident be just one more story in the long and eventful life and times of Floyd Brownfield and family.
Thanks for your time
Scott E

Pemian Basin Oil Show

2008-10-01T09:00:00.002-06:00

This is my first PBOS since 1980's and I sure don't remember it being this much work. Of course in the 80's, I was on the other end . Back then I worked for an oil company(now defunct) and all I had to do was show up.
Now that I work for a service company(Fiberod) it is a different story. Not only do we have a booth that we must set up , man , and fill with goodies. But we also host one of the Premiere Parties of the show.
Party is set for Wed, Oct. 22 at the new Fiberod facility on I-20 @ W loop 250. 7 pm
2 bands, beer and wine bar, Italian food, and every employee at Fiberod, plus sister co CDI, plus parent company John Crane.
Motel rooms, caterers, tables , chairs , booze, security, trash detail, tipsy taxis, shirts, sticks (these are the most requested), and more make this one big job.
I am sure glad it is not my job. I am just a bystander in the planning stage, but will be a big part of the labor stage. How come ?? Just my nature , I guess.
If you are a part of this industry (oil and Gas) then you probably have plans to attend the show, If you are a Fiberod customer (especially one of mine) then please consider yourself formally invited to our party. If you just want to crash-----Well , You are on your own. (call me) but my official retort is Sorry, Industry only!!!!
I must leave for Farmington next week and when I return I am sure it will be balls to the wall. Our annual sales meeting is scheduled for Thursday and Friday after the oil show. Good Timing!!! Parent company 's first one, so they will probably not make the same choice two years from now. Lots of hungover sales force!!! Makes for a sour meeting usually. We shall see, but I won't be able to tell how it all works out till November , if I am lucky.
Plan to attend the PERMIAN BASIN OIL SHOW OCTOBER 21-23 and be sure to stop by the Fiberod booth, we will have our green (energy saving product) walking sticks available to all who come by and ask for one. These sticks are used for showing livestock, gun bracing, and dog repellent when taking a walk. They are also great for pointers in a presentation, spouse retraining, and kid attitude adjustment.

See you at the Oil Show,
thanks for your time
Scott
E

happy birthday baby girl

2008-09-12T22:38:00.001-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MACKENZIE BREE. I CAN'T BELIEVE ITS BEEN 2 YEARS.
LOVE YOU MORE!
PAPAW E

Wow! Is This Woman for real?

2008-09-12T22:13:00.002-06:00

Governor Sara Palin? Who? Can this be our next VP?
I can only hope so! A NRA member, avid outdoors woman, anti earmarks, devoutly religious, and has that naughty librarian thing going, too!!!
Lets hope she can withstand the onslaught from the left. And Pray that she is given the guidance of the Lord in her endeavors.
Did I forget to mention she is from a Big Oil State. Awwww . you already knew that.
Anyway if you are one of them mudslinging Nobama liberals , I am canceling out your vote.

Thanks for your time
scotte

Whew made it back with some cash.

2008-08-30T18:10:00.002-06:00

The Vegas weedend went without a hitch and #1 son and I had a fabulous time. We both made a little money and neither of us got in any trouble.

Work has been pretty crazy, and now I am leaving for Bradford, Ill. 4 am start time Monday morning. Should be back by Thursday night. Delivering 600 3\4 fiberglass rods to a customer. Get to put faces with those I have been dealing with for over a year.

Mac-z's 2 birthday is coming up Sept. 12 . Our side of her family will celebrate her feat on Sept. 6th. She sure is growing up fast.

Hope all is well with you and yours! Have a great labor day weekend !

Thanks for your time
Scott E

TONY is 21!!!!!!

2008-08-20T09:32:00.002-06:00

Yep--my oldest is 21 today. Gosh how the time flys.
He and I are meeting in VEGAS Friday evening, and spending the weekend out there. I will try to instill in him the ways of Lucy.
Mom took me and taught me money managment in VEGAS.
I will attempt to do the same with Tony. I was in my late 20's when mom taught me, but I'll bet Tony can get it pretty quick. We are entered in a Texas holdem Tournament Saturday and plan on going to a show or two depending on how we do in the tournament.
I like the crap table , but we shall see.
Wish us luck.
thanks for your time
Scotte
Comeon Hard 6

08 chevy recall

2008-07-21T22:21:00.002-06:00

About 2 months ago I recieved a recall notice for my Chevy Pickup. I called the local chevy house and talked to Service. When he asked for my mileage , He was shocked! 38,795!!! How long have you had your truck? 8 months. Wow!
Well I don't think you will need the computer reset as in the recall. We have had some problems with the computers in these trucks , but it is way before 12,000 miles usually.
It may reduce your fuel mileage to get the reset , So I would just keep driving it.

No problem, I don't have to leave my pickup! I am down with that . Fast Forward to Sunday evening last. After mowing the yard , hauling off the trash, dropping a trailer, and stopping at my store(Goldrush Discount Tobacco) (blatant plug) my truck would not start.

It was so weird, everything worked perfectly but when you turn the key----NADA. ZIP!
So I pop the hood and take a look---everything looks new! The batteries are both clean and tight at the connections. I have power to everything! My batteries voltage meter shows full power. Its like a security thing!!!!!
I look at my dash and I notice a light that I have never noticed before. It is a picture of a car with a padlock through it. AND THE LOCK IS LOCKED!!!
So I call the company mechanic and he is just down the street. He looks it over and says ............
"Don't you have ONESTAR?" I said yeah (very sheepishly) and pushed the blue button.

Onestar: This is Melody with Onestar. Hello Mr. Emerson how may I help you?
Me: Help! My pickup won't start and I want it to start!
Melody from ONESTAR: Well, Mr. E it looks like your security system has locked!
Me: Uhhhh okay What now?
Mel-Onestar: Well, you can lock your vehicle using your key , not your remote. Wait about an hour and then open your door with your key, not your remote. Do you have another key?
Me: Yep
MelStar: Okay, give that a try . And if that doesn't work- you will need to contact your local dealer about that recall notice that we sent you a couple of months ago.
Me: Huh?
MStar: Yes Sir, We sent you a recall notice and you ignored it. So this is what you get!!
Next time we send you a notice you had better - get it looked at that day!!
Me: So tell me about the wait an hour and see if it starts???
Mstr: Yeah my shift will be over by then and someother a-hole will be here to handle you!
Me: OoooohKaaaaay
Msr: Have a good day and thanks for using Onestar.

(The above conversation is true! Melody was very polite and never said anything I quoted above. But the gist of the conversation is caught in the above previously discredited conversation)

The pickup was towed to the local dealership this morning, They gave me a loaner. There are advantages to living in a small town. Called me and I picked it up at 5 pm. Said sorry , but it was that recall that I told you not to get. My Bad!!!

So me and Moby are back together and I breathe a sigh of relief , everytime I turn the key and my Duramax purrs to a start. 41,045 and still going. I sure hope it lasts 2 more years--I THINK ALL THE MAINTAINER OPERATORS HAVE GONE ON TO OTHER PURSUITS!!!
I have not been on a decently graded oilfield road in 3 months.
Thanks for your time
Scotte

Mackenzie's first slide show!!!

2008-07-20T13:01:00.003-06:00

This is my perfect first grandchild, Mackenzie Bree Emerson. I am not biased!!! Love her, Love her , Love her. She is just beginning to talk, and PAPA PLLLLease! is her and my favorite. She can repeat just about any sound , so we must be very careful. Little human tape recorder!!!!!

For the 5th Time

2008-05-22T16:57:00.002-06:00

Tuesday , I had to make a turnaround trip to Marble Falls, Tx. Wed morning at 4am I returned home to find a strange vehicle in my driveway.
Now I drive a Chevy 1 Ton , 4x4, 4 door pickup and I am pulling a 30' car hauling enclosed trailer. I must park in the street.
I don't know how many thoughts went through my head.
Sancho?
Kid's friend? (not at 4 am, surely)
Thief?
Sancho?
Kid's girlfriend ( it is 4 am,....)

As I approach this van that I now see has its headlights on (but they are dimming), and then I notice that my son's 98 crown vic is smashed on the driver's rear bumper , trunk , and tail light.
The van is also cratered!!!!! So I look closely and sure enough there is a young man asleep in the van!!!
I CALL 911!
911-you've reached 911 , What is your emergency?
me: Yes maam , there has been an vehicle accident at my address.
911: Are there any injuries?
me: Only to this guy's pride when he wakes up!
911: Excuse me?
me: Drunk driver in my driveway -passed out at the wheel-don't really want to wake him-he looks so peaceful!!
911: Officers are on the way!

While waiting on the officers , I leaned on the drivers side of the van window and this guy kind of stirred. He tapped the brakes and twisted the steering wheel and nodded back out. As I took my weight off of the van and it moved- This guy opened his EYES --THEN JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT --THEN LEFT!!!!!! He then nodded back out -I guess satisfied that he had avoided hitting a pedestrian.

The B.S.P.D officers arrive in force---slow night I guess---and light up the whole neighborhood!!
It was like daylight and the video cameras are rolling, ( it is neat how fast these guys have adapted to pointing thier vehicles for the best camera angle)
Officer J: (beating on car door) Sir? Sir?
Officer J: (opening the car door) Sir? Buddy? Sir?
RipVAN: (stands for ripped in a van) Huh?
Officer J:Sir , do you know where you are??
Rip Van: Uhhhhh, Yeah, I'm waiting for my table!!
NOW THIS ACTUALLY SOUNDED LIKE..................uhhwatinftaable
Officer J: Sir , do you know who I am????
Rip Van: Yeah, I hope your the guy taking me to my table , I'm hungry.
Officer J: Sir , You are in this gentleman's driveway , do you know how you got here???
Rip Van: Uhhhhh, I'm not fixing to eat, Am I???
Officer J: Probably around 6.30, cause that is when the burrito lady comes downtown!!!!

This young man went to the car with out any incidents, but shortly his record came back from
state computers.
BLUE WARRANT -BLUE WARRANT (denotes a past prison record w\violation)
WANTED IN HOUSTON FOR..................................
ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER
DEADLY CONDUCT
FLEEING AND ELUDING

Now at this point the cops are both surprised and happy!!! Surprised because he seemed so mellow with them, and happy because he had just shorted the paperwork process by 2 hours.
This is where I start thinking....
Shit- what if he had gone in my house instead of asleep?
What if he had missed the car and drove through the house?
What if he had not swerved and missed me , but had awoken and not missed me?

There is a good ending to this story. As the title reads for the 5 th time??
In my 22+years of marriage this is the fifth time someone has run into our vehicles whilst it was parked in our driveway!!!! BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME -----THE VERY FIRST TIME
THAT THE DRUNK WAS FULLY INSURED. Farmers insurance will fix #2's car this week

Thanks for your time
scotte

Fired........................then.........rehired!!!!

2008-05-07T20:40:00.003-06:00

Smith Group (John Crane Americas) officially took over FIBEROD today. One of the first order of business.........FIRE US ALL!!!! Then after indoctrination (propaganda not medicine) , Rehire most of us.
Alot better benefits, and everything seems to be hunky dory. But in a way it is a sad day , for me at least. I went to work for a dear friend, and loved it. But now to be back in the Bad Dad Corporate world seems almost overwhelming. I'm sure it will work out well, but the change can't come fast enough now. I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING. NOW.........DAMIT!!!!

But it just doesn't work that way. I will keep my steeltoed boots handy and my hardhat shined up...............they still need consultants out there in the patch. or pumpers, or operators, or drillers for that matter. A man not afraid to work can drag dang good wages out there , and there is only 1 test to pass..............U.A. ......... amazing how many guys can't pass one though.

We will see how it goes.
thanks for your time
Scott E

OLD MUSIC & MEMORIES

2008-05-05T10:57:00.002-06:00

A recent post of Janie's got me to thinking about old things , mainly about music. and cars..............and girls. No not really about the girls, but seems each song was heard with a different girl. Or so it seems in my mind!!!!!

Sis's post is about the Guess Who. I remember almost every song they ever played. Because of my 2 older siblings , I was exposed to more than most of my friends.
Janie & I both participated in choir during Secondary schooling, and were lucky to have some young choir directors......young enough to divorce and remarry each other as I remember. But we sang some pretty contemporary songs back then.
Groups that I introduced to my friends were:
Ray Charles (this was in 4 track format)
Gene Pitney
Frankie Lane (claim to fame "Rawhide")
Credence Clear water Revival
The Grateful Dead
David Gates
The Who
and this is off the top of my head---I could consult the old albums (yes albums) that my brother Tony left for us to listen to. My friends parents thought I was weird and they were probably right. I was just as likely to be singing Mares-eat-oats as I was to be singing the latest Beatles hit.
Or Harry Snilson's "Son of Snilson" 8 track blasting from my 72 Chevy as well as Jerry Jeff Walkers UP AGAINST THE WALL REDNECK MOTHERS. or Rusty Weirs curse of the redhead!
Some of my friends parents would borrow my 8 tracks for trips and I think old Morris Fraley still may have all of my Grateful Dead tapes. I need to check on that. I watch my boys download music and play it on their IPODS. And then I hear Artists Associations gripe about the theft of music.
Do they not remember double cassette recorders. I bet I recorded 10,000 songs over the years. KLIF in Dallas had a Tuesday nite and Friday nite album play at midnight. The DJ would even count down the first side so you could synchronize with the start of recording. And they played kickasss artists, so you could forgo the Tape Town crowd and dollars. This was of course way before ASCAP and other associations that have formed over the years.
I really don't think I ever bought a Steve Miller Band album or Doobie Brothers either. But you could hear them out of my speakers everyday.
The bad news is that most of my favorite music is now owned by MUZAC, and can be heard on elevators everywhere!!!
Alas the plight of the baby boomers!!!!!
thanks for your time
ScottE

OKAY TIME TO START POSTING AGAIN

2008-05-03T14:06:00.004-06:00

It has been a month now, and we only see MacZ on Tony's visitation weekends. Hard!!!

Here are some pictures from this weekend. Sure is good to see her!!!!

She almost got away from that diaper change.

But not quite.

Thanks for your time

Scott E.

we WON we LOST we CRIED

2008-04-07T14:42:00.001-06:00

THAT IS HOW COURT SEEMS TO GO THESE DAYS. WE ARE HAPPY WITH THE RULING BUT NOT THE OUTCOME. IF YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE CALL.
SCOTTE

Wish us luck or pray !!!!

2008-04-07T11:09:00.001-06:00

30 MINUTES TILL COURT . I WILL UPDATE AFTERWARDS.
SCOTTE

KENZIE BREE

2008-04-06T10:29:00.003-06:00

Due to a power play by her mom, We have not seen Miss Mackenzie for 2 weeks. Mom got mad cause we took her to Austin to see her dad, #1son, for the weekend. Since birth if #1 brought home his NEW significant other, then Kenzie's mom made it hard to get her for his scheduled visits.

Since Lisa took her to Austin-Kenzie's mom no longer takes advantage of the free day care that we have been providing since birth. (40 to 50 hours a week). She enrolled her in the first day care that she could find. No input from the father. Really just a spiteful thing.

So Monday at 1 pm ------Family Court. We are not trying to gain custody of Mackenzie , just trying to establish some Grand Parental rights. Wish us luck!!!!

I just wish it was against the Law to use a child as a tool of vengeance.

As usual we have always tried to take the high road at every fork. But now I do believe that my wife and son are fed up with it all. I , too , am tired of watching what I do , say , and feel around

Kenzie's mom and her family.

I think from now on we will act as we probably should have all along , in the child's best interest.

Even if it means that we will be enemy's with that family. The Emerson name is her surname and that is indisputable. And we have a history of looking after our own. So we have shed the kid gloves and donned the 4 oz boxing gloves.

Round 1 ----Monday 1 pm

P.s. check out this cute girl----she sure was happy to see us. (her mom's lawyer advised her not to keep her from us this weekend.) Thank God she listens to someone.

thanks for your time

Scott e

The Problem with an above average rainfall!!!!!

2008-03-31T21:39:00.002-06:00

4 huge fires in 3 weeks. The rain we had last year is now wreaking havoc in Howard County!!!

Due to the thickness of the prairie grasses combined with the high winds----any spark can mean disaster. If you ever wondered where your federal tax dollars go , then look at these pictures . The Forestry Service is a wonder to behold. 3 different helicopters with suction pump on board --these things are too cool. Without them all of our fires would have done much more damage.

The Oilfield has been out in full force also.....During the busiest time in history, these men and women work tirelessly and without much thanks either. Here are a few of the companies and folks that I personally saw busting their ass!!!

BASIC - These guys are everywhere , everytime!

CAT CONSTRUCTION-I know Blissard, and his equipment is there, cutting through the undergrowth, RIGHT IN THE FIRE.

KEY ENERGY-Truck after Truck after Truck !!!

L.G. NIX CONSTRUCTION -These guys are all so courteous and just never quit!!!!

S & S CONSTRUCTION-- Local boys with great big hearts!!!

Sunset-I don't even know what these guys do --but they could be firefighters if the oilfield doesn't need them!!! I just don't think that is gonna happen!!!

And I know that I have missed dozens of folks that helped me save not 1 but 2 different pieces of property that my family owns. Guys if I can ever help you in any way---Just call!! I owe you all!!!

I pray for your safe return to your family!!!! Cause I just got HOME to mine.

TRULY THANKS FOR YOU TIME!!!!

SCOTT E

Day of reckoning

2008-03-22T21:09:00.004-06:00

Okay, Even with co-workers and customers calling all during our outing----Janie beat me by 2 or 3 points. At least I did get 1 perfect run and my shooting has improved enough to hold my head up when I shoot with co-workers and customers.
I am looking for any excuse to practice so if anyone out in blogger land works for an oil company and likes to shoot sporting clays.............I'm treating. Call me and you won't have to pay to shoot and I will furnish the shells. Lets go !!!!!!
Of course you will have to listen to why you should be using fiberod sucker rods instead of steel, but Its a short lecture.
thanks for your time,
scotte

YEAH I WANT THE HIGH SCORING LADIES TROPHY!!!!

2008-03-20T21:06:00.002-06:00

IF YOU HAPPENED TO FOLLOW THE LINK FROM MY SISTER'S BLOG!!!

TOMORROW SHE WILL LEARN!!!!! SHE HAD BETTER DO HER BEST , CAUSE I AM GONNA BEAT HER BUTT AT SPORTING CLAYS.

Yeah , well ---- if you have ever seen her shoot ---you know that I''ve got a knack for idle threats!!!! Really I love this sport and no doubt the breaking clays never ask your gender!! I have put off trying it for years because of Janie's skill with a skattergun.

Ya'll wish me luck---maybe if you all pray ---I won't embarrass myself or Janie!!!!

Post our results tomorrow!!!

thanks for your time

scotte

Texas Tech AADE shoot

2008-03-07T23:30:00.003-06:00

Called Janie this morning at just the right time, she was fixin to shoot a sporting clay event and her team had 1 opening. So I grabbed my gear and off to WindWalker. Caught up on the 3rd station and began to freeze my butt off.
Janie may say that I might of beat her if I had started at the first station, but she isn't taking into account that on every station -===she met an old friend, talked to a customer, took a phone call, smoozed with a opportunity, and just shot as an afterthought!!!
One of these days maybe......maybe.......I can be like her!!! I'm not talking about the shooting , I am talking about the other! She truly is a celebrity in the Oil Patch (not just the Permian Basin),
I saw a lot of good people, ate a lot of good food, got a sore shoulder, got to be with Janie, and got paid to do it!!!!
Someone remind me how hard this job is!!!!!!
Thanks again Janie,

ScottE

I HOPE THIS ISN'T CONTAGIOUS!!!!!

2008-03-04T13:54:00.002-06:00

What a day!!! Up at 6 am and youngest off to school. Then off to the West to Midland to call on customers. First rattle out of the box, I go to refill the caffeine canister (BIG coffee cup) and slosh coffee down the front of my shirt. Luckily I am wearing a pastel green shirt that is made of some synthetic fiber that absorbs coffee as readily as dye!!!
So now I sit at my desk to answer emails (really blog browsing) and the phone rings, a second later my intercom buzzes and our Adm. asst. asks me who to direct a call towards. She tells me that this is a customer who wants to talk to our sales manager--ABOUT A SALESMAN!!!!!
So I tell her to get his name , digits, and company name and we will have the boss call him.
Who's customer--...................................................MINE!!!!!!! Tense 15 minutes and the boss calls me to let me off the hook, the call was about a friend of his who applied to our company.
Back to phone calls and emails , trying to set up lunches & appointments for next week, just trying to make work until my lunch appointment at 11.30 am. No luck --all my contacts were busy next week or already spring breakin'!! Ahhhhhh so goes my day!!!
Finally 11 am and I set out to meet our NEW client at Springcreek in Midland. I get there early to get everything arranged (learned that from Janie Sue) and at 11 25 am my date arrives. I introduce myself and we start to get acquainted . 11.34 am my guy's phone rings and it is his wife - their son has been in a car accident in Dallas (home)- while he is fine both he and his mother are shook up and my man begs off until a later date. I follow him to the car rental establishment and then taxi him over to his plane. (Private-he is the pilot) . It is now 11.54 and my day is not half done!!!
Now I am hungry , its way to late to get another customer for lunch, and even my fellow workers are already mid-meal. Well heck - I need to go to Sam's for my better half anyway.
Off to Sam's club-- No parking up close --but I drive a brand new crew cab 1 ton 4x4 anyway.
It is a lot easier to park way way out in the lot and walk--I really don't mind the walk and that way no runaway carts loaded with cokes and 1 gallon cans of corn can get away from some 102 lb woman and run into my new truck.
12.19 pm , The loudspeaker crackles and the lady says " Would the owner of the Fiberod truck in the Parking lot , please come to the front of the store!!!" SSSHHHHHIIIIIIIIIT!!!
12.45 pm Finally get out of Sam's Club parking lot. After meeting a very nice gentleman who neglected to set his brake or put his standard Ford F-150 into gear. Yep it was only a 1\2 ton but on the front of it was a cow-catcher brush guard that any F-350 would have proudly worn.
His insurance (State Farm thank you) has assured me that my vehicle will be put back good as new as soon as an adjuster calls me.
I think I should be verrry verrrry careful on the trip east to Big Spring. Lets see anything important that I need to do today ................Something verrry important..........................
Oh yeah! I've got to go VOTE!!!!!!!!! Yeah! That is something I could really screw up!!
My whole industry is keyed into this election !!! Oh well Wish Me Luck!!!!!
thanks for your time,
Scotte

WELL --IT WAS A NICE DRIVE ANYWAY!!!

2008-02-29T22:37:00.001-06:00

This morning at 6 am , my wife and I left headed south. She had an appointment for surgery on her foot in Marble Falls TX. When she woke her eye was bothering her , and she washed it out . Now we are off to see the Wizard.

Once we got on our way it became apparent that this was more than an irritated eye. So as soon as the hour became reasonable , She started calling her local M.D. Sorry office closed till Monday! HERE IS WHERE THE MISTAKE IS MADE!!!!! The smart choice seemed to be to call the podiatrist and ask him to take care of getting some eye drops for her eye , and so she did. He said they would take care of it when she got there since we were just minutes away.

Neither of us expected the surgery center to refuse to do the foot surgery because of this eye infection. So--------------repeat in 2 weeks.

She has asked me on numerous occasions to amputate ---but I refuse. This normally active woman has been out of sorts with a foot problem or another for over 2 years. I have seen her handle pain over these last 20 + years and this is the first time I have seen her surrender to her pain. She usually just works through it and goes on. It is very frustrating not to be able to help any more than just kind words and prayers.

At least this doctor ( a kid -- 2 years out of school) found the problem . A microscopic bone sliver stuck into a nerve. Found it by testing in 2 mm sections instead of 4mm. Amazing!!!
Minor surgery to remove it-----but for an eye infection!!!

So the saga continues and I will update Ya ll when we RIDE SOUTH FOR BLOOD-REDUX

thanks for your time
Scott e

Whew!

2008-02-25T21:39:00.002-06:00

I just have to tell you about a great deal I made this week. I sell things for other people, besides being a fiberglass suckerod salesman-I am also an auctioneer.

I sold 2 huge A\C units to a guy in Georgia. He sent a truck because I sell this big stuff as is - where is. We met a crane and the truck Saturday at 1 pm. Well almost -----crane is late.

2 pm and here is the crane---I be the swamper. Loaded and Rolling off to...........................................

Big Spring ----where the truck driver stops at the local TA truck stop and weighs the load............................. OVERWEIGHT BY 8000 LBS.
Saturday evening and now We need to unload 10,000 lbs of a\c equip off of this truck.
And because of the way that I loaded this truck , It is gonna take a crane to get the 10,000 lb switch off of this truck. I cradled the big units around this one and it must be lifted straight up.
No fork lift will do .
Oh did I forget to mention that due to the refinery blast earlier this week there is not a single crane or cherry picker available ----they are at the refinery.
Sunday morn..............................................more of the same. 1 p m Auction truck still overloaded.
Monday morn................Dispatcher calls ----truck need to go to Houston by Wed. They want to unload and reload on another truck.................................and after 2 hours of phone time to the buyer\shipper, trucker, broker, truck owner, crane operator, crane owner get the truck back to Big Spring(Dispatcher had sent him to Midland ????)...........................................Unloaded right?
Nope........................Wind too high! Gusts to 60mph!! We will wait to sundown--maybe the wind will die down. ...................................................................................................................................................................................more tomorrow.
thanks for YOUR time,
Scott e

Dodging A Pretty Big Bullet!!!!!

2008-02-19T21:00:00.004-06:00

Wow! Talk about the work of the Lord! We witnessed it in Big Spring , Tx yesterday. Alon(Fina, Total, Cosden) Refinery exploded at 8 am. If it had not been President's Day ( I know eerie isn't it) there would have been many more people injured. My mom's old office took a very big hit. Shrapnal and glass plus the actual concussion did a number on that building.

Thank God , there were only 5 injuries, and none of them are life threatening. Paul Berringer has 2nd Degree burns and at this posting is in Lubbock in Satifactory Condition. 2 others were treated for ear drum ruptures, and 1 for a concussion. 1 lady driving on I 20 was injured by the blast , also treated and released. There is alot to be said for the quick actions of employees of Alon, and every entity in Howard County and surrounding communities. WE ARE TRULY BLESSED.

But out of this tragedy comes an action which I find deplorable----The Big Spring Herald came out yesterday afternoon with a special free edition of the paper. This edition contained articles and pictures of the explosion along with a single half page ad. You Guessed It!

An Out of Town Attorney

Field of Expertise--wrongful death and injury!!! Oil Field Accidents!

Luckily this scum wasted his money----this time!!!

Shame on the Big Spring Herald for even publishing this under the pretense of being Free!
It wasn't free for the attorney at least--hahahahahahaaha
It wasn't as cheap for the paper either---I forsee a mass non renewal of this paper in the near future. Lost me as an advertiser also----maybe some out of town auctioneer will advertise in place of me.

I do PRAISE THE LORD that no one was killed or more seriously injured in this accident!
thanks for your time
Scott e

Bumped Out of Bad Boy Blast

2008-02-08T23:19:00.000-06:00

Yep, thats right. I got bumped out of the sporting clay event of the year. Oh well , It is the boss of my company. If he can't shoot for some reason then I'm back in. I really can't complain , he did give me an Iphone yesterday. I think I may be able to throw this laptop away now.
Anyone need a shooter to fill out a team. I will pay my own way.
thanks for your time
ScottE

One Lucky Man

2008-02-05T21:39:00.000-06:00

My co-worker won a new 2008 Ford F-150 tonight. He called me to let me know that he would be late to a meeting that we have scheduled tomorrow morning. You might be lucky enough to know this guy, Raymond Swafford, but as far as I am concerned - the right guy won this deal.

This was one of those purchases, solicited by a customer, that was a kid's school fundraiser. We have all bought a bunch of things from kids fundraisers. I think this is a better deal than wrapping paper or chocolates. Props to the Stanton School District and White Motor co in Stanton.

Raymond--You deserved that!!!

Thanks for your time
Scott e

Yeehaw its sporting clay time again

2008-01-27T14:13:00.000-06:00

We went to Jake"s in Midland last Monday and shot 5 station sporting clay. I had a blast. It was my first time there and the place is set up great. Props to whomever planned that place out.
It was also my first time to shoot with my new Winchester OU. Wow what an improvement!
I don't think I will embarrass my sister out at Wind walker this year.
Which reminds me ---- I got my invite to the BIG Shoot on April 18,19 At WindWalker .
Fiberod will be a sponsor and I will get to shoot with some customers. I can't wait though, and I will be looking for any customer who wants to practice, before then.
Hope my old shoulder holds up- but the new gun will help there too.

Other news-- Mackenzie is growing up fast. So far So good on the relationship with her mom.

Oil Field- Fiberod has signed a letter of intent to sell. We are now going though the process-Wish the auditors luck.
We have also been fortunate in the fact that all Fiberod techs, salesmen, and assistants will now be enrolled in the same class that PENTA in Canada requires of all its Petroleum Engineers, and Production Superintendents. An overview of Artificial Lift, and a complete a complete rod design and troubleshooting course, this includes a textbook that will be invaluable for years . ^Thanks to RR and the powers that be for this opportunity. All them Fiberod Boys will be more informed and certainly more desirable (at least to you guys that keep trying to hire us all)

I am really Stoked about this and will be happy to be a student of Professor Fred Morrow. He has been instructing in Canada and the U.S for years. Many of you in the Permian Basin have either been students, recipients, or customers of Fred's though out the years. But did you know he has numerous patents and published papers that have helped revolutionize (counter-clockwise is you will, since he is an Aggie) the oilfield.

anyways , thanks for your time
Scott e

chock another one up to WAL-MART

2008-01-13T21:27:00.000-06:00

Well, it is done. We just had Dibrell's Sporting Goods "Out of Business" Auction. This place had been in business in Big Spring for over 50 years. Granted still not with the original owner , but it had never closed its doors.

This is one that you really can mark up to wally-wally land. Guns are cheaper when you can get a trainload fronted to you. They had been struggling for 5 years or so and finally said "calf rope".

When are we all gonna wake up?? Have you ever been to a small town without Wal-mart?

Credos to Alpine, Tx. -- They told the bigstore to look elsewhere and all of their stores and downtown seems to still be doing great. I truly wish that our city officials had done the same.

Next we will build a loop around Big Spring to the west. Port to Plains. Another opportunity to tell Walmart to go away, because they will want to move to the New part of town. Hope someone around here grows a brain. Then tells them to move on. I personally would rather have American made electronics that cost more, but are repaired instead of replaced.
Next on Wal-marts list---small liquor stores.
25 years ago Pinky aka "pinky's liquor stores" got a law (sunset) passed that states any hard liquor will be sold by a business that is 51% Texas owned. Wal-mart has spent over a cool $million trying to repeal this law. This session they are gonna hit it hard again. If you have any pull with your state rep or senator --let him know if you are against this repeal effort.
Or we can just watch one more genre of Texas businessmen and women take it up ass (without any reach around) !!!
That's my opinion --sound off with yours--double dog dare ya/

thanks for your time
scotte

OKAY I DESERVED THAT!!!!!

2007-12-17T21:25:00.000-06:00

OKAY, first let me preface this blog with the old adage "NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED"

This tale begins with my better half's rental property. This particular unit is currently leased to my beautiful granddaughter's mother and boyfriend at a reduced rate. (anything for that Mackenzie). Friday nite they called to inform us that while installing a new washing machine, they noticed the hot water was no longer hot.
I check it out, sure enough, the filler tube on the cold water side of the water heater had become detached and no longer circulated. So Saturday, I went and bought a new 40 gal gas water heater ( over $300.oo) and went that evening to install it. No problems.
No leaks , no Gas leaks, and hot water abounds though the system. TA DA

8 am Sunday morning , BRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNG, The whole house was flooded, not just with water , but with SAND. 3" thick though out the bathroom, hallway , and kitchen. The rest of the house was flooded.
First of all, I had an Auction scheduled for that day at 1pm, and had to put out the call for a professional. Called a local carpet saving company and they dispatched a guy to give us a bid. $1500.00 to suck out the water and dry the carpet and pad.
NO WAIT! That is SEWAGE!!!! IT MUST BE IT IS ORIGINATING AT THE TOILET!!!!
SORRY THE CARPET MUST BE REMOVED.

Me---- Sewage , that is not sewage. The water quits flowing when I turn the water heater supply off. Okay , Okay lets just say you are right. How much to pull out the carpet and pad, then suck up the residual water.

$1500.00 SIR
Me- you mean it cost the same to remove the carpet as it does to remove the water, dry the carpet and pad, leave those silly fans up for days, and reinstall the carpet???
YES SIR --WE WILL DO IT FOR $1500. IT IS WORTH THAT , BUT WE WILL ALSO HANDLE THE INSURANCE CLAIM.
Me--see ya!!
So off to the auction I go and leave the kids(what I call Mac-z's mom &bf)
to remove their belongings. They do and after the auction, I go and pull the carpet and pad from the house and deposit in the front yard. Then shop vac the rest of the house and shovel out the dirt. Set up fans and mop the floors .
Today , called a plumber and told him the problem. Now we have 3 holes jackhammer though the floor, two holes cut in the wall for access, and a found leak that cannot be repaired. Tomorrow we start new hot water lines though the attic.
But here is the little tidbit that makes it worth a smile.
After the second hole had been jackhammered in the floor , the leak was located but was unreachable though that hole. We moved over 3 feet and went at it again. FINALLY FOUND THE CULPRIT. The plumber then cleans away from the leaking line and calls me over to inspect the damage.
The kids happen to be there to pick up some necessary items, and I called them over to see what had turned their world upside down. My friend Mac was also present to witness what happened next.
Upon instruction from the plumber , the helper turned the water on , with everyone crowded around this 3' hole in the concrete to witness the moment. Within seconds a stream of hot water shot out of a 3\4" slit in the copper line and struck me full in the face. FULL IN THE FACE
The title of this blog was my only response , after the laughter died down below a roar.
Thanks for your time
a very wet Scotte

LIFE IS HARD-and all lessons ain't easy

2007-11-27T22:20:00.000-06:00

First , sorry about not posting much anymore. It gets harder and harder to find the time. If you are still coming by to read these ramblings, I truly appreciate it.

This is really just a therapeutic attempt to work through this deal. If you want to offer suggestions, prayers, or solutions please jump right in.

Fourteen months ago my granddaughter was born and my life was turned upside down. With pink bows and ribbons.

The parents of this lovely child were but children themselves and the rest was probably destined to follow.
They are not a couple at all, but they do have a custody agreement.
We , as grandparents, provide daycare in our home to our lovely granddaughter and love doing it. (Although--sometimes) She has stayed overnight with us many time since she was weeks old. My wife loves it very much. (Me too)
Here is the Poop (pun intended)
Anytime my son comes home (he is at U.T.-junior year) , it becomes an issue. This thanksgiving I think it came to a point from which there may be no return.
So now the mom may not let my wife babysit anymore. She is thinking about daycare instead, at the price of $100. plus a week. Why? Because my wife bathes her. SERIOUSLY!!! Oh , and she cries sometimes to stay with us , when her mom comes to get her. Plus , once my wife suggested a doctors visit because she felt our granddaughter wasn't feeling up to snuff.
So , We must deal with an immature mother.
How? Go back to court? Letter from our attorney? Visit with Guido in the alley??
At what point do we quit cow towing and fight?? At what cost? A relationship that even more strained ?? Less time with baby?? Animosity for years?
Is it best to just blend and fluctuate to make the path travelled smoother?
Or stop it now before we allow a monster to be created?
THE ONE TRUE THING IS OUR LOVE OF THIS CHILD!!! We will suffer in silence , or fight to the finish. We must first decide what is best for the baby.
Enough
Thanks for you time
scotte

O P E C

2007-11-18T14:08:00.000-06:00

IT SEEMS THAT OPEC ACCIDENTALLY LEFT THE CAMERAS PLUGGED IN DURING A CLOSED MEETING. TALKING ABOUT THE WEAKNESS OF THE DOLLAR = HIGH PRICE OF OIL!!!!
While reading about this in other blogs , I found the energy headline grabber that now sits on by blog.
We will see what transpires from this.
thanks for your time
Scotte

commenting on THE WELL

2007-11-05T22:15:00.000-06:00

http://jessicaswell.comWell it must be my lucky day. Last night I commented on a local Blog site-- Jessica's Well-- on a thread about civil service. I commented from my own experience , not from a legal stand point.

I know the power of civil service, both the good and bad, and think it is mainly a good thing for our local public servants.

My comment was this
I will warn you of one thing---It only takes a majority vote to enact civil service. But it takes a majority of all registered voters voting to repeal to get rid of it.
After some research, it looks like the powers that be at the WELL , say I am wrong. Okay , maybe I am. With a lot of emphasis on the maybe!!!

Do me a favor ---Google "Texas Civil Service Law". This act is long and painstakingly drawn out and up to be exact in almost every instance. Why leave this one section that has a loophole?????
Because once it is voted in ------ then it is too late?????

The very first section entails enacting and repealing Civil Service.
It describes what must be done with a petition to enact
It describes what must be done with a petition to repeal

THEN IT PLAINLY STATES THAT A MAJORITY OF QUALIFIED VOTERS MAY REPEAL THIS ACT. NOT A PERCENTAGE OF QUALIFIED VOTERS A MAJORITY OF QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY!!!!! MY DICTIONARY DESCRIBES A MAJORITY AS AT LEAST 51%.

as always thanks for your time
scotte

HOWARD COUNTY JAIL

2007-10-29T20:56:00.000-06:00

HOW IN THE WORLD DID IT COME TO THIS??????

Yes , I live in Big Spring , TX. Although sometimes I am ashamed to say so.

Our county leaders have chosen to shove this new jail down our throats by hook or by crook (er) pun intended. This thing has been choreographed by the sheriff and his deputies, along with the county commissioners and even the city fire Marshall.

Most of us know that we are the laughing stock of the Permian Basin, but we are attempting to fight one of the most corrupt governments in Texas.

A couple of weeks ago , the spokesman for the Texas Jail Commission was in town for a tour of our county jail. We just happened to have 2 women prisoners sitting in the floor (due to lack of jail space), even though we have been transferring female prisoners to other jails for years. (We do not have sufficient space for both male and female )

Yet the day of the inspection Sheriff Walker sent his deputies to Ft. Stockton to pick up one of these females at or around 4 am. After the inspection , she was returned to her previous cell in another county.

We had a murder trial for the killer of a local sports hero in August. A TDC prisoner was brought here to testify in the trial. August 22 , the jury found suspect guilty, and the district judge wrote a letter to the sheriff that the TDC prisoner could be returned to his paid for bed in TDC. This prisoner was returned to TDC on October 18, 2007 , one day after the inspection.

These are just a few of the incidents we are privy to, I have to wonder what else these guys have been up to.

It is rumored that at least one of these county commissioners is double dipping, drawing both his paycheck ($36,090 per Annam+$12,000 car allowance) and his county retirement (which any county commissioner is eligible for after 2 - 4 year terms). While ole Bob Bullock ruled in his great wisdom that this is legal for state employees ( ya know - like hiring retirees as consultants without benefits), I believe it is highly unethical for an elected official to be able to do this by refusing to accept 1 paycheck, while qualifying for his retirement. At least it should have been made public when he did it--- 12 years ago..

yep I said it 12 years ago

MAYBE WE SHOULD BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE PERMIAN BASIN------------------------------------SOUNDS LIKE WE DESERVE IT!!!!

thanks for your time

scotte

CAN WE PUT WINGS ON THOSE CLAY PIGEONS????

2007-10-25T20:58:00.000-06:00

THIS LAST WEEKEND I PARTICIPATED IN MY FIRST SPORTING CLAY EVENT. I REALLY SUCKED AT IT. SHOT A 22 OUT OF 100. MAN , I HOPE NO ONE TELLS JANIE. I BET SHE HAS NEVER SHOT A 22 SCORE.
I do have a couple of excuses (broke my gun the day before and borrowed my son's cut down over and under) but I won't bore you with the details.
So while my old Ithica is being repaired , I am in the market for a new sporting clay shotgun w\removeable chokes.
If you happen to have an extra, or if you have some shooting tips for me please comment on this post . I will contact you.

In the meantime , please don't tell Janie at sounding forth.
I used to outshoot her at bird hunting, but that was long ago and holds no water with the people where we shoot.

thanks for your time
scott e

Its over and I am tired!!!!!

2007-09-30T21:19:00.000-06:00

Okay , its over (Lea Whitehead auction) and yepper I'm worn out.
I think I will take tomorrow off and just sleep. No , I won't , but it feels good to think that I will.

My family and crew did a bang up job, and we got it done. Ran a little over $30,000. Woohoo!!! I wish all my auctions had the items that this auction consisted of. All of the important pieces did well , and a few people got some bargains.

I guess its all in how you look at it. We only get a certain percentage, and its lower when all the items are magnificent, like today. But is it worth it?

Last nite about 1 am , I finished setting up the auction and stopped by the Mac-sters to unwind a little. Within 3 minutes of getting to his house- I had a spasm on the left side of my head. Then my left arm started twitching and my whole left side went numb. My arm and face are still tingling today. Is it too much ?? I guess so.

So I am thinking of getting out- always before when I would overwork myself, the next auction would change my mind. You see about 2 years ago , I decided the reason I couldn't make any money at auctions was the size of my facility. So I went and leased a 36,ooo sq ft building. Remodeled it , spent a bunch of money, and opened it up. While my auctions doubled in attendance from my old spot, the money still is not enough to be profitable. So today marks the beginning of the end for me.

I will be holding probably 3 more auctions- just to clean out the building, and my storages. Then I will be looking for someone who needs a big assed building for some reason or another. Do you know someone who wants to open a grocery store, dance hall, casino or just needs a lot of storage??????

I will still fulfill all of my contracts with government entities, and try to hold an equipment or rolling stock auction every month or so. But as far as I'm concerned this deal is done. My health is more important than my pride, and pride is the only reason I have stayed after it this long.

My oilfield sales job is a lot more fun, less stressful, and more profitable.
False pride loses out to common sense after all.

thanks for your time,
Scott e

LEA WHITEHEAD AUCTION

2007-09-22T11:22:00.000-06:00

SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 1PM 501 BIRDWELL LANE BIG SPRING TX
EXIT 179 ON I20

THIS IS AN AUCTION THAT FEATURES CLAW & BALL FURNITURE ,CLAWFOOT FURNITURE, SHAVING STAND W\MARBLE TOP, MASSIVE BEVELED MIRRORS, CROCHET DOILEYS, OLD SIGNS, OLD PRINTS W\ FRAMES, OCC. JAPAN CHINA, LOTS OF LOTS MORE.

THIS AUCTION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND YOU STAND A GOOD CHANCE OF BUYING AN ANTIQUE AT A BARGAIN PRICE. THESE ARE REAL ANTIQUES , NOT REPROS, AND THIS AUCTION SHOULD BE WELL ATTENDED.

YOU PROBABLY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO NEXT SUNDAY, BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ENTERTAINING SUNDAY AFTERNOON, THEN COME AND BID.
COST NOTHING UNLESS YOU ARE HIGH BIDDER!!!
NO BUYERS FEES---AT SPRING CITY AUCTION- WHAT YOU BID IS WHAT YOU PAY (plus sales tax)

YOU CAN VIEW THIS AUCTION AND OTHERS BEING HELD BY SPRING CITY AUCTION @ www.igottaauction.com

AS ALWAYS ,
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
SCOTT E

wow has it been that long?

2007-09-20T20:11:00.000-06:00

Really, I thought I was more current than this!!!
Okay now I will try to catch you up while I play holdem online.
I went to pokerhelp today and saw scott's blog, woohoo neat blog , go see.

I've been working hard , stuck in the office last week. Making up for lost time this week. Man this sales thing is a neverending job, and I love it.
But sometimes I wish I could just go fishing, or play cards for a living.

maybe someday.....................................and maybe not!!!!!
thanks for your time
scott

answers to some questions?

2007-09-09T20:32:00.001-06:00

jonboy has asked me to answer a few rand0m questions so here goes......

1. In your informed (oilfield worker) opinion are we paying too much at the pump for fuel?
For twenty plus years oil has been relatively cheap here in Texas. During those lean years the industry has suffered and just barely (some didn't) survived. Now that it is a true supply and demand market (middle east is now going on artificial lift) I don't think we will ever see 30$ bbl oil again.
Although I do believe there should be more parity from town to town. In Big Sprung, we pay almost .20 cents a gallon more than Midland. And their fuel is trucked from our refinery.

2.ARE WE IN DANGER OF USING UP ALL OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND SHOULD WE PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON ALTERNATIVE FUELS??
Yes to both questions. Hydrogen vehicles may save our bacon. But personally I am more worried about fresh water than oil. I believe America should concentrate on Desalinization of ocean water as relief on our ecosystem. Have you priced drinking water by the gallon? Add up what those little bottles cost!

3HAVE YOU EVER RUN ACROSS DEWAINE WHITE (KEY ENERGY SALES)??
No but he is a good friend of my sister, Janie, from soundingforth.

4. WHAT IS YOUR RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND AND YOUR STANCE ON ORGANIZED RELIGION?
I was raised Episcopalian, but have since gone shopping for the perfect faith. I am close to my maker and talk to him on a daily basis (prayer).
Our lord has been good to me and mine , but alas I do not attend or tithe to any organized church. I think that while my family may not benefit from my inability to be the Spiritual leader (by picking a church), they do benefit from my ability to hit my knees and ask Jesus for guidance.

5. Who is going to win this years Super Bowl and Why??
Sorry but I don't watch football either.........Who's Playing in it???
Thanks for the questions jonboy
Thanks for your time
Scott E

answers to some questions?

2007-09-09T20:32:00.000-06:00

OMG they consider them dress clothes

2007-09-09T20:19:00.000-06:00

Today , I asked Kasey (one of my young employees) if he could handle helping the carpenter move some showcases tomorrow. He asked me if he should wear work clothes?? Naw, not to move some humidors on wheels- I replied. Then it hit me!!
This kid is 22 years old and wears clothes that i would not wear to a drilling rig( sorry i'm an old roughneck) . They are torn at the knee and thigh, purposely faded in almost a tie dye fashion. His "dress" shirt usually is a rock band t-shirt. SHOULD HE WEAR WORK CLOTHES????? I THOUGHT THEY WERE????

Oh well my dad thought I dressed like a bum when I was a kid- I guess I should be more open minded. But I really thought I was???
thanks for your time
Scott E

SHE WALKS

2007-08-30T21:46:00.000-06:00

Here is the video of MacZ taking her first steps. Am I proud or what?

YUM

2007-08-29T21:02:00.000-06:00

Today I went to SweetWater Tx for a design meeting with a client. Then we went to lunch----Where Scott? you ask!

ALLAN's

You know the family style place that has been a great place to eat for many years. The only problem with ALLAN's is that a boy like me doesn't know when to quit. OHHHHH the chicken!!!!
OHHHH that sweet squash
OOOOOOOOH the peach cobbler
oooooooooowwwwww my gut!

Seriously if you had forgotten about this treasure of the west, then do yourself a favor . Go to Sweetwater Tx. Find Allan's on old 80. Go in
Sit down. Pig out! its great

Oh if you do eat like a pig , remember this is family style dining. That means you sit at a large table and the next guests join you. Pass the taters please!!!! You will meet and break bread with some real down home folks. Always reminds me of MaMaw's in Sulphur Springs.
Thanks for your time
Happy Eating
Scott

That was Fun.

2007-08-28T21:25:00.000-06:00

Well , We did it. Made it thru the shoot, only my ears and my face (sunburn) , worse for the wear. I am still kind of overwhelmed and amazed by the turnout. I never would have believed , but it happened!

There were shooters from almost every company in the patch. Janie intro'd me to so many people that it made me dizzy. As someone said that day " Fella - Your sister is a celebrity!!!" So thanks Janie for all that goodwill. I will gladly be in your entourage????

United Way has a real friend in both XTO and Halliburton, and if you know anyone with these companies- then please tell them THANK YOU for sponsoring such an awesome event!

Oh and by the way , if you ever wondered if any of the drawings for guns and prizes are rigged???? I did not win anything!!!!!!!
Everyone else did !! or at least it seemed so anyway
Thanks and I hope I will meet YOU at the next event!!!!!
Thanks for your time
Scott E

Are YOU Ready????

2007-08-21T21:41:00.001-06:00

This Friday , August 24th, at 8 30 am. The XTO-Halliburton "Bustin Clays for United Way" sporting clay event will be held at Wind Walker Gun Club in Stanton Tx. It's gonna be a blast! Literally!

Fiberod will be there in Force, as we are sponsoring a station. Now I'm not a shooter but we will have a team. I will be manning the station, along with a co-worker. This will be a first for me, so we set up a dry run for tomorrow morning at 9 am. (if someone messes up - we hope it won't be us)
So ya'll load up the o\u, grab a case of shells, and come on out!!(Better call to register first, its limited to the first 320 shooters) There will be lots of Good Ole Boys & Gals attending and we will have water, and cold towels (you can thank Janie for those, I'd have never thought of it), and snacks.
They are giving away Cabella gift cards ($500), and lots of shotguns.

COME ON- You can put that report off till Sunday nite at 1 am. Really its for a Great cause, and you deserve a break and some fun. Hope you can make it.
Thanks for your time,
Scott E

DONE Deal

2007-08-21T21:31:00.000-06:00

Okay its done. It was born today at 5 45 pm. Its a bouncing white chevy 3500 4wd Silverado Z71 ltz. Sorry but its white. It is my style , too. Long bed, 4 door, duramax. Cool!!!
thanks for all yall's imput!
scott e

AHHHH Back Where I Belong!!!!!

2007-08-16T22:19:00.000-06:00

FINALLY----Okay lesson learned. If you don't want the job then do not make it look easy. Due to the fact that I am computer literate ( at least I am where I work), it was fairly easy for me to learn a software program. This was impressive to at least one person, because he decided I would excel in his department.

I had no idea that by learning RODSTAR and SROD software predictive rod design , that I would be stuck in an office all day. Waiting ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................There it is --- a request for a rod string design.

Now after 8 1\2 months--I am finally in the sales department at Fiberod. Not that the months were not worthwhile, because I learned things that I would never have learned elsewhere. My supervisor has a wealth of oil field knowledge, and it takes about 30 seconds to realize that he has been there --done that!!

But like my sister before me---I was born to sell!!! I am a licensed auctioneer in Texas and have 2 or 3 auctions a month. This is a occupation that I love , but is so labor intensive that it has aged me , quickly.

So in December , after many confabs, I relented to a friend of mine and went back to work in the patch. "We have got a place for you, Scott" He said. I never figured it would be in an office. I thought that he would hand me a few brochures , give me some business cards and send me to my 4 wheel office . Not my boss, This company does not rush into anything , much less sending a rep out without the proper knowledge. So 8 months later Here I am.

Now I am not putting down anyone who works in an office, heck I still have one, but my personality and boredom do not mix. (I wish I would have figured that out earlier in life) I tend to get into trouble when I am bored. (or start a new business)

Yes , I have been in business for myself since leaving the oilfield in 1986 and joining the Big Spring Fire Dept. I have mowed yards, roofed houses, sold RO units, set pool tables, vended gum, vended dreams(8 liners), sold used furniture, new furniture, sold real estate, sold cars, opened a discount tobacco store, and bought a friends auction from his family after his untimely death. But I am still married to the same woman.

So as of Monday, August 13th, I am a salesman for Fiberod. We make the finest sucker rod on the market today. (blatant plug). I have about a week to acclimate myself to the new world of the oilfield. So where do I go??

JANIE- my sister
You didn't think I was stupid did you?
She gave me enough info to keep me busy for a month, but
I don't have a month. So like Janie --(Good Example)- I have been getting up with the chickens. Calling on leads.

I have learned that with the mention of her name- smiles follow.

I always knew she was amazing, but I did not realize how many other of you knew it, too. Please don't hold me to her standard, because at my age I am out of shape.

But give me time--sister---and I will hunt with the big dogs too. I am not talking about Zack the Wonder Dog!!!

Janie , thanks again, I know you will read this, and even if you are the only one who does, it feels good to praise you.

You are an awesome person and I don't throw that word around. (usually reserved for miracles, Jesus, and MacZ)
Maam, I am glad you are my sister. I , too , cherish the time we get to spend together. Hope we get to do it a lot more in the future.

So look out Permian Basin--Heck look out Gulf States region---Now there are two.

thanks for your time
Scott E

NEW PICKUP

2007-08-12T22:04:00.000-06:00

Well its that time again. The suckerod company I work for has given the go-ahead for a new truck. Only this time I get to pick it out, Make, Model, and Manufacture. Now you need to know that I'm driving an 07 Chevy 4x4, with duramax short bed. 25000 miles and a great tech service hand gets it.
I have yet to decide which pickup to buy!!! I've always been a GM guy, (probably a throwback to Pops selling them all our life), but Fiberod is primarily a Ford buyer. In 1998 I bought my first Dodge and that truck is still running. It is a ugly sucker but if you tied it to my new Chevy, I would drag it backwards with that old Cummings.
So I am torn, Ford---Chevy---Dodge--Toyota???????
Well Toyota doesn't make a Diesel--so that's out.

I must admit that the new Fords are bad boys, I really like all the dang cubby holes they give you. Of course I'm a gatherer.

I'm leaning towards a Dodge , mainly because it would turn heads at work.
No one there drives one- and usually all our trucks are bought locally and we don't have a Dodge dealership anymore. Thanks Otto Meyers!!!

Chevy's new body style is slick but the best looking truck is the dually. Finally the fenders (back) aren't just added to a regular truck. I'm in a short bed now and its a rough rider but its a classic 07 not the new body style. I'll buy a long bed if I do choose a Chevy, 4 door , 4 wheel drive, and White of course. Russ (boss) says I like white because it matches my personality. All of his personal vehicles are black if that tells you anything, I never have been able to figure out what he means???

Anyway I could use some input Any opinions?? What do you drive??
Like it?? Don't???

Oh and by the way ---- Don't you miss the old new car unveilings that we used to have every Sept.???? Donuts, Hot Dogs, High Pressure Pitches.
Balloons, Man those were a BLAST!!! But new cars now can come out the year before with next years date on the title. Oh Well , nobody listens to me anyway , Ive been telling the railroad for years now that a train with no caboose is depressing to wait for at a crossing. You still don't see any do you???

As always thanks for your time,
See you in the Patch
Scott E

avis lube???

2007-08-09T23:39:00.000-06:00

My #1s came home from summer school at U.T. earlier this month, and decided he would get his oil changed. Now never has he taken it upon himself to do P.M. on the 99 Honda he drives. So how could I gripe about him taking the responsibility?

When he comes home , he tells his mom that they charged him $79.00 to change his power steering fluid. What he did not know was that I had done that 1 month before, you know , before he got responsible.

So on Monday after he had returned to Austin, I took the bill and went to the local oil change store, Jiffy Lube. I had been doing business there for years and knew the manager, Freddy. I showed him the bill and explained that my son had been scammed by his establishment. He said there was nothing he could do. Now I do understand the concept of leverage and proceeded to explain to him that I would not accept his answer.

MY #1S HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF AND I WASN'T GOING TO STAND FOR IT!!!!
My tirade went on for about 5 minutes with me threatening to call the BBB, use my huge billboard sign to tell the whole town what a ripoff joint that his place was.

Now Freddy calmly listened to every word and I thought I had him thinking "maybe I had better not mess with this guy"!!

This is when Freddy took the receipt from my hand, gently unfolded it and said "Scott -- this is Jiffy Lube----but the work was done at Avis Lube.

OOPS retract those statements, grin sheepishly, and excuse myself before the laughing started. Ya know it still cost him my business because I am now too embarrassed to return.

A quick stop at AVIS LUBE got my son a refund--with absolutely no incidents.
Lesson learned and I will return someday to have a laugh and probably my power steering fluid changed.

Thanks for your time
Scott E

TEXAS TWELVE

2007-08-04T23:24:00.000-06:00

Okay Janie has tagged me in this little mind boggle

Name 6 spots you have visited in Texas and would rather be than in front of your computer.
Then name 6 spots in Texas you have never been but would rather be than where you are now.

Here are mine.

Been there , Done that , Wish I was there now.

1. Studers Arlington on Division playing pool with my brother Tony
2. Barton Springs swimming with the 3 boys
3. East Big Spring at home playing with my granddaughter
4. Port Royal resort Mustang Island
5. Iron Horse CC FT. Worth Playing golf with good friends
6. Sulphur Springs for anything other than a funeral

Now for the 6 places I want to visit
1. University of Texas graduation ceremony for BB1 (next year)
2 Wind Walker Shooting Club - watching Janie kick butt
3 6666 ranch in north Texas (supposedly won in a game of 5 card stud)
4 Inside one of those mammoth Wind turbines on South Mountain, Howard county
5. The Super Bowl If its ever played in Dallas or Houston
6. Barton Creek Resort golfing weekend

Sorry, but I have been all over Texas and I really had to stretch it to get 6 places that I have not been. I would tag someone to play this but I don't know 6 of you in the blogging community yet.

As always thanks for takin the time,
CYA, Scott

30 years of time erased in 1 weekend

2007-08-04T22:37:00.000-06:00

Wow , we just did my 30 year reunion!!! Class of 77 Big Spring High School. I cant believe all the people that showed up, and how good they looked!! We had over 300 graduate in 77 (pre Webb closing) and about 80 or 90 showed up. Unbelievable, It was like we all had never left.

We met at a local restaurant Fri nite. Now here is where an old annual would come in handy! But within minutes old friendships were rekindled, and memories were in the air. Stories (both funny and scary)
were told on everyone by everyone. Better Halfs were introduced and the party was on. They rocked the bar until closing time (I heard) and everyone looked pretty haggard the next morning at the

Golf Tournament--BSCC 8 am (ya'll can thank Tom Churchwell for that)
This was the most fun I have ever had at a Golf Tourny, No prizes, No Mulligans, Just a bunch of 48 year olds having a great time duffing and laughing at each other. Of course we cheated , but we announced that we would from the beginning. My team was George Robertson, Jeff Kushaney, and Robert Creelman. We shot a par 71 but turned in a score of 7 under!!! Still didn't win ===last group had an eraser. We finished at 12ish for
Lunch - hamburgers and burnt beans. Here we recieved the name tag that showed your name with your senior picture. This would have been handy at 8 am because noone looked as good as the night before and it was hard to locate your teammates. Everyone had a great time and we went home to ready ourselves for Saturday nite.
7pm BSCC for Disco and Buffet. Here is where Jill (odom) Spannus and Susan (Smith) Smith really went to work. Jill was dragging everyone to the dance floor -whether they wanted to or not. Susan was the MC and awarded all the normal prizes, then broke out the karoke machine. We listened to Kyle and the Wheelettes sing a Barry White ballad and then Robert Creelman (had a #1 hit in germany???) sing country. They were all actually good, really good.
Lisa and I had a great time and shame on you that did not show up, but I hope to see you all next time. 10 years older but still rocking.

thanks

Scott class of 77 (most likely to go to jail)

GLOBAL WARMING

2007-08-02T15:25:00.000-06:00

I promise that usually I am way too busy to post on a daily basis, but with the rains in West Texas .........

GLOBAL WARMING
Is this it??? Is this what we can expect from now on?? Will we ever have another dry week???
While I cant' answer these questions any better than you can, I still love to ponder the idea!!!!

From years of living in West Texas I have learned to take what comes , and adjust accordingly.
But this is so extraordinary that it does need to be written down, I mean did you ever believe that there could be a July with only 2 days breaking the 100 degree mark ?????? I have to wonder if we have missed the superhot 113 degree dry months this year. Or did we just prolong them until Oct.? Will we have a winter this year? Did El Nino abandon us or has she set up residence some where else? Can the sand still blow when we have had this much rainfall? And if so --- how??

There are too many questions, too many possibilities, variables, and factors to consider but I do appreciate
the benifits. If the farmers can do good in the same year as the oil industry, then the economy spreads through our little community like red wine thru an espiscopal church on communion sunday. Every one prospers and we all tend to forget that we ever see another poor day!!!!

All is green (even the hardscrable South Mountain) and gardens are overflowing with maters, peppers, and
UT cucumbers (bright orange-- and we don't know why). BB3 is my garden keeper and he does a wonderful job with harvest but he is still hoping for some decent canalope and melons. Maybe this 2" rain we got today will help him in his quest.

The streets are clean from the runoff and the air is charged with that nitrogen smell that I love. The local yard guys are having a record year , and a roofing buddy said people had found leaks they never knew they had. So his business is up too, and you know he is praying for a Hail storm. By the way did you know your deductable for hail was raised to 1% of your full policy value!!!!!

Well the phone is ringing , maybe some producer has made it back to his office out of that mudhole. GOTTA HAWK THAT FIBERGLASS.
CYA SCOTT

Rent Houses AAAARRRGGGGG

2007-08-01T16:39:00.000-06:00

Now I have decided that there are few things that I despise more than owning rental property. From the advertising, to the full remodel after every renter, there is truly no aspect that is enjoyable to me.
I think that I have seen everything and then another surprise!
This actually happened a couple of years ago but I have yet to top it.

BW and I had redone one of the 3 rental properties , she inherited from her family. We signed a lease with an a one year with an adorable family of 3. They were great looking, kid was clean, nice car, good credit, THANK
YOU JESUS, the perfect tenants for this great house.

Two, yep two weeks, not 2 years, not 2 months , 2 weeks later they called to let us know that due to a family problem they would me moving out that very day. The young man was very nice and explained that his parents were sick and he would like his deposit back. He understood that he would forfeit the rest of the months rent. He just wanted to back out of the deal, if that was acceptable.

We have been bitten before so I agreed to come and inspect the house. I told him if it looked good that we MIGHT give him back the deposit. (of course --he did not know he was requesting something that was above my authoritive level) So over I go!!!!!

The ceiling in the Living room, Kitchen, Hall, and all 3 bedrooms had the Davinci makeover. Crayon masterpieces drawn by their 3 year old!!!! I know , I know , You are thinking that there is no was a 3 year old child could reach the ceiling to draw on it!!!! That is exactly what I thought,too.

Now most readers of this don't know me personally , so lets just say that my temperment has been described as explosive by some. So after some time ( 2501 is about where I got to) I asked the young man how did the child come to be able to reach 1100 sq ft of ceiling since she was vertically challenged. He explained that he and his wife took turns holding her up so that she could do her artwork. Then he explained that after the living room , they had just used the wooden step ladder that my crew had left in the carport.

He further explained that the family had not been able to afford cable tv yet, so this was the only form of entertainment for the child. Said that he would pay for the paint, and that it shouldn't take more than one coat, because they had only allowed her to use pastel crayons.

After 3 x kilz and 6 x paint we blew popcorn acoustic on the ceilings. I hope we never have to scrape it off.

Outcome NO RETURN OF DEPOSIT
IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF PARENTS , CHILD, CRAYONS
$1150.00 OUT OF MY POCKET
LASTING RESULT I TRULY DESPISE RENTAL PROPERTY

See ya next time
scott

p.s. Anyone need to rent a nice house?

OKAY BIG SIS MAKES THIS LOOK FUN

2007-07-28T21:55:00.000-06:00

Sorry blog readers , but I have been dragged into the 20th century. Yes I know we are living in the 21st century but I have at least been pulled into the 20th. My darling sister has made this look so easy and fun , that out of envy, I must begin to participate.

I have neither the writing ability or the spelling skills that she does, but I feel (as I guess we all do) that I may be able to at least entertain you. I am a salesman\tech for a west texas suckerrod manufacturer, and enjoy getting out if the field on a regular basis. I am married and have 3 wonderful sons, and 1 beautiful granddaughter. You may have seen postings on BBS's blog Sounding Forth. Rest assured that you will see many pictures and postings of them here.

I hope that you will find these postings entertaining and informative, but if not then keep clicking back , I will learn as I go.

Thanks Scotte