Friday - afternoon

Just got home from Arkansas delivery.  The trip was going uneventful - besides the usual idiots driving on public highways who have no more business operating a motor vehicle than a dead man has telling people how to live - and it happened. 

I see this shiny metal flashing out my side mirror, going under the trailer tandems (tires) and then spit out the side.  It was a fender on the tractor that decided it was just going to up and depart from the truck.  I was very fortunate that there wasn't anyone passing me, that might have been ugly.  

No damage to the truck or if there was, it wasn't of any concern, I got back in the truck after pulling over to inspect any damage and in case any vehicles that were nearby wanted to contest anything and drove back to my yard.  

James was on the roof of a person's 5th wheel applying a coat of sealant.  We got to talking, he'd love to just come work for me after I get the business up and established at the 56 lot number, if I do indeed ever get it there.  I told him that at that point, I'd need help anyway - but - there will be no benefits.  I mean, possibly there could be depending on the income, but I can't make those promises right now.  I can't even promise I'll ever get the place up to 56 units, that's a dream, a goal, but is it realizable? Only time will tell.   

Taylor invited me to spend a week with them in Colorado.  I hadn't even thought of such a thing, I figured they were gone for a good portion of the summer and that was that. I didn't even say I'd think about it, I replied I would ask my manager about getting an entire week off to feel out how they might think of it.  

I'd love to go tho, I love Colorado, I've spent a few vacations there and I've driven through it countless times. The Rockies are beautiful and I haven't been in the mountains in quite a long time.  TOO long.  I think I'd have to start walking again every day just to get into good enough condition to be able to go on hikes with the kids.  

I'm giving it serious consideration.  I would have to get a few things determined first. Such as - drive there or fly?  It's a 15 hour drive, much cheaper than flying.. or is it? I'm seeing round trip from the airport 40 miles away at $358.  That's very basic and doesn't include the checked luggage, but that's not that bad.  I won't have to pay for a hotel and so the only things I'd be paying for after airfare is eating and recreation.  Recreation, of course, can be expensive if you want to do things at amusement parks or similar attractions.  

I'm gonna think about it, but not for too long. I'll have to make a decision quick and then ask for the time off.  I dunno what they think about giving a week off.  I also want to spend a 3 or 4 day period with my mom in September if I can make that work, specifically: be there for her 90th birthday!  

I just got "proposed valuation" for this year from the county tax office. They have appraised it much higher than last year.  Like, ridiculous.  Where are they coming up with this nonsense?  The thing is, if I try to fight it - they sent the proposed valuation and a form to fill out if you want to fight it - would I end up with a worse horror story about them raising it even higher? What are they basing these numbers off of?  What makes that property worth that much more than last year? There have been no additional upgrades to it since then. It's just the lots and a 12X20 shed/building/whatever you want to call it.  

Such things annoy me and cause me to get distracted. I'll have to raise lot rent if I get hammered with higher property taxes.  I know they'll raise it once I add more lots, but this is a bit ridiculous.  

I dunno.  I'm going to take a nap right now.  I didn't sleep well last night tho I was definitely in deep sleep when that damned alarm went off this morning.  Tomorrow won't be so bad. I have to work this weekend but it's the second load.  It'll be the first time in quite a while that I miss church.