Today.
It is a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping - the dog is looking at me funny lol. Probably wants to go for a walk. I was reading an entire meltdown in a Facebook group from members of a ministry I was involved with in the 80's.
People were bashing the founder of that ministry, who is also in that group and tho I suppose on an earthly level, he may deserve it, how long do people have to hold onto their grievances against other people before they just decide to let it go? The man has apologized repeatedly for his words and actions.
But, I started thinking of the times I had in that ministry, learning how to drive trucks and hauling food, medical supplies and clothing to the border and taking it across. Going into Juarez so often with pickup truck loads of stuff to give out to the people living in cardboard shacks that I actually learned that city! Take a look at Juarez on a map, it's like someone took a large handful of spaghetti noodles, threw it on a big piece of paper and then said "There! That's how to build a city and it's roads!".
Those were marvelous times, much simpler, much less complicated. Yes, there were extreme hardships, but I wouldn't trade the experiences I had for anything. We saw God move and do things that only the Lord can do! I could go into a long list, but I don't really feel like it. Was just musing that particular portion of my past.
At least I learned a valuable skill that I used for a good portion of my adult life after leaving that ministry. That particular skill I feel I must get back to, it's hard to hold out for this power company to get out there and get this stuff done. I already have the contractor saying he can come next week if I so desire to have the gravel brought over and spread.
That may be old news, but it's holding me up. Once I get that gravel in, I want things to move very quickly and get the operation up and running regardless of what stage of completion the project is in. The trails need a bit more attention, but they are good to go. I only really need to dig around some small tree trunk stumps that are jutting up out of the ground and cut them out with a chain saw. This so people aren't tripping and falling. The hand rail for the steps - tho that can wait. This is something that is dependent on James getting done and that is entirely up to him whether he wants to do it or not.
If not, I can just put in 4x4 wood posts and put 2x4's on top for a hand rail. Not ideal but it will work. One thing is for certain: I am not working on that today. I have had more than enough of it, the thing has taken up so much time. I've got a good tan going from being out in the sun working on all of that back there. I guess I need to have some signs made up - small ones - to direct people which way to go. I only want them on the main trail, the rest of the trails are off limits. Well, I don't really care if they go off on the other trails, but if they get lost, that's on them lol. The area is not that big back there, but it's forested so you can't just see your way out of there.
No, I'm going over there this morning to take off the electrical panels and see what it will take to run power line to the office building.
You know what I do every morning I go over there? Hope in high expectation to come down the hill and see the power company trucks out there - probably will be 3 of them - and I am disappointed, every morning. I have to laugh, I know they probably won't be there, if it's like the last time, they may not be there for another 3 weeks! Can I afford to be off work that long? Yes. I can last a few more months, actually, if I just keep my spending tight and just paying normal bills and such. Actually, even longer than that.
But why press it so close to getting close to nothing in the bank? I can tell ya, that the cost of this project went FAR beyond anything I imagined. Inflation made this project costs go way up. That SB2 gravel should be around $25 per ton, not $37. It's close to a nine thousand dollar difference in the end price for all the gravel I need. Electricity, pipe, everything!
I could sit here and second-guess myself, should I have just waited for a year or longer to see if prices would come back down? No, I tell myself, I shouldn't have. Maybe prices won't come back down, maybe they will. Who knows? Why wait? The sooner I get this thing up and running, try to get it filled up and keep it that way, the sooner I can show in my books that I am operating at a decent net profit and please, Mr. Banker, loan me more!
Half million dollar loan, that is the eventual goal. Pavillion, 30-50 more sites (with all the utility installation that also entails), swimming pool and other things. Glamping is the future of the industry and I fully intend on getting into that aspect of it at some point, Lord willing of course.
You have to say Lord willing because the Bible teaches you that. You have no idea if you'll even be alive the rest of this day, much less tomorrow or the next year or 5 years to come. Life is grand, make the most of it while you have life in your bones! I have big goals for this operation and I intend on fulfilling all of them if my health stays good and the Lord allows it and puts His blessing on it! If there's something I need above all else, it's God's blessings upon this operation.
Anyway, off to the races!
G'day
