Lots of things on my mind today!!

Been a crazy last couple of weeks for me. This economic debacle has put a strangle hold on my sales! In case you haven't noticed, the commodity markets have taken a dive as well. I know it will all come out in the wash. I had felt for some time that the grains were in some kind of a false market. Which the corn market has been directly tied to oil due to the many ethanol plants that have gone up over the past couple of years. With oil below $90, we will continue to see the demand on corn soften. I think the cattle folks will be glad to see the drop in feed prices. My customers are singing the blues though.




It is fun to see my Red Raiders in the national spot light! The high powered Mike Leach office is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Oh yeah! Have you heard we have 2 Heisman candidates at Tech? The Michael Crabtree-Graham Harrell duo has proven to be deserving of the attention. They keep finding ways to win! This week will be the test! Tech at A&M. Even though A&M has had a less than banner year, lets not forget they are at Kyle Field. 4 Of the Big 12 south or in the top 10 in the poles. What fun is that!!!!

This past week was fire prevention week. One of the funnest things I get the opportunity to do with the fire department here is teach the kids at the Main Street Church of Christ preschool "Noah's Ark" about fire prevention. We always take the fire trucks down to the church and let all the kids go for a ride. Then we go back to the station and have the kindergarten kids there. We showed them the video "Dan Doofus on Fire Prevention". Not as cute as the "Sparky's ABC's Of Fire Safety", but sense it's on VHS and the DVD version is over $300, I won't be a "Doofus". LOL

Have a good week! Thanks for stopping by!

Floydada Nerd Day

The Lockney Jr. High is on there way over to the county rivals tonight. My daughter, Sarah is in Jr. High this year. Today was Floydada Nerd Day at LJH. What I find quite amusing is the fact that she has her aggie sweat bottoms on for the day. I have a very sweet picture of Sarah holding Lizzie the day we brought her home from the hospital. The same sweet smile!

I love you Sarah!!!

Black Monday

Well, Here we go ago. More of the democrats pointing fingers at the GOP for the failure of today's Bailout bill. They failed to mention that 40% of the dems voted against their own bill! They seem to be focused on the fact that this is Bush's fault and blaming the 60% of the republicans that voted against it. $700 Billion (yes, Billion with a B) to bailout the financial world! What is going to happen to the folks that got these companies that got us in this mess? Will they keep there 6 and 7 digit bonuses? That just crazy!

Now, the republicans are the villains for the crash of the markets today. Just think about this:

1. Why didn't the dems have a backup?

2. Why did Pelossi dog the Bush administration before the vote?

3. Why didn't the house leaders have their ducks in a row before the vote?

Well, it failed! We are in trouble because of the poor leadership in congress!

Goals

I'm not much of a goal setter. I have always been one of those guys that just "got it done". It's budget time for 2009 at UAP/CPS (I don't know exactly who I work for right now, the name change was suppose to take place September 1, but everyone is still answering their phones UAP.) and I have set some really good goals for myself this coming year. I have mentioned that I have really struggled this year in sales. I can't blame it all on the company, some of it has been my fault. I have battled depression over the past year and 1/2 and just now getting back to "me" again. I always find it a little tough setting goals or forecasting the next year when we still have a crop in the field and all the farmers are still uncertain about what they are going to grow next year. The cotton market remains some what flat, especially when you compare it to the grain markets. I have lots of folks talking about no cotton next year, primarily talking about wheat and sorghum/corn for next year. I love my job. I have the best job in the world. I get to help farmers maximize their yield potentials. My favorite time of the year is now. I get to go out with these guys and talk about successes and where we can improve for the next year.

I look forward to 2009!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wesley's Service

This is something new for me! This is for Wesley's cousin, Wade Miller, who is a teacher and missionary in Japan.

Hope this turns out Wade!

Wesley Hunter

Harvest time!

Well, this is my favorite time of the year with exception to my allergies! LOL! I will be out and about in the area visiting with farmers as they are harvesting this years crop. It is another good one. God has blessed us with several really good crops in a row now. This one has been an expensive one, but looks like yields are going to take care of us. Fuel, fertilizer and technology continue to rise in price, causing this a record year as far as input cost go. It doesn't look like next years crop will be any cheaper. The world demand on fertilizer continues to pressure fertilizer supply. Fuel cost also remain a huge factor as we gather this crop and get it processed.

The memorial service for Wesley Hunter will be this afternoon at 4:00, with burial to be Thursday at the National Cemetery in Denver. Keep the Hunter family in your prayers. Also, a love fund has been established at City Bank here in Lockney. I think it is the Wesley Hunter Love Fund. Call Sherri McDonald or Kelly Prayor at the bank 806-652-3355.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Emotional Sunday

Today has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. All of Wesley's family was at worship this morning. Lot's of tears shed! One of our AIM assistance gave the opening prayer. He couldn't have prayed a better prayer! "God, we are having a conflict of interest here today". I couldn't have said it any better! And that's the truth! We are wondering "why" today. I know the answer will come in the days and months to come.

I can relate way too well with his kids, having lost my daddy at an early age. I got to feed his daughter today at lunch. She will be 2 in November.

Wesley, you are my hero! Dad, take care of him!