Centex Apprentice

Mark, I laughed so hard at your post, especially the title, that I started coughing. I agree with you about the likely caliber of the people who are going to go thru this process, too. Good people aren't going to be bought for minimum wage without a realistic prospect of a job to boot. Those who don't end up being voted off the island are very likely to be slick hustlers. I've had plenty of those types already over here and, In my humble opinion, that is the last thing San Antonio needs now. But hey, you know what . . .

. . .IT AIN'T MY PROBLEM! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Announcement: Major fucking king sized Coopbros kudos go to the Robster who bagged his elephant today. From what he tells me, the Valero deal just closed. Shit Rob, you axed what I'd do with a million bucks; here's what. I'd spend it to have some of that BSDness of yours swinging around in MY shorts. That, and two chicks at the same time, of course. Anyway, Mark and Mike, join in . . . okay guys, all together now:

DAAAAAAAANG!

Mikey, big laurels, a pat on the back and pitcher of beer to you for your good efforts, too. Keep it up, bro.

..(BURRRRP).. you're fired!

I talked to Dad about San Antonio today. It sounds like we are "hiring" six guys to train as estimators and they are going to be responsible for generating most of the leads on their own. If they can all generate a book of business then they all have a job (obviously).

We'll see how this pans out. Anyone who can pound the pavement and make this work might turn out to be good estimators, or they could end up being blue-sky promising used-car styled salesmen. We'll see...

Don't feel bad for me, Mike. I got mind control over Dad-bo. When he say "shut-up", I be quiet. But when he leave the room, I be talkin again!

So are you telling me that you are the house butthole? Sounds fun!

House Butthole

Correction, I live in a house NOT an apartment. Leave that for the pesants. Looks like I had another record month this month! Glad to say, even though its just one client thats my bread and butter. Im working on more though. I'm going to find out soon enough about another big deal. Rob its the firm I've been going to off of city west. I cant wait to just piss all this money away. J/K. Anyway, I can't complain.. I could be working for Ben Trump!! Sorry Mark, I bet your glad your not in Austin though. Yeah you guys should come over Saterday night or when ever you want. That would be a good time for guys to some because we are going to be working on the house during the day so it should be all dolled up. Rob you could come too if you want. Hell bring everyone! James if your in town bring it. Also, I was talking with Clay today and if you guys want, the first saterday in May, we are having people over to the house for a lil BBQ & Beers during the day, then heading down the street to the Ball Park for a stros game. Sound fun? Let me know asap so we can get all the tickets.

I want to tell you buttholes something . . .

. . . this shit is wayyyyy out of line! You squirrels better have some nuts in your mouth! Or you're going downtown! Hear me?!

-Office Bimbeau Hollywood Knights

Jeez, I am bored shitless today. Mark, sounds great about your truck. Oh, and speaking of "shitless," I also wish you continued success with regard to your bowels. You keep pushing 'em out, bro. Do it for God, country and the greater glory of the Cooper name! You're crapping for a good cause here, bro.

Two tone white and silver

The doo doo was brown. Actually I was joking about the BM.. I mean I had one, as I do almost daily, so I guess I was telling the truth.... It certainly was not newsworthy... Not to say that I struggled with it... Well, I guess it was OK.... LOOKJUSTLEAVEMEALONE!!!

Mike, congrats on the apartment. I can't wait to see it. Maybe this weekend sometime, like Saturday night? We'll be getting in Friday night late, and we'll be spending most of the day Saturday with Rachel and Judy. Any other plans have to be loose. We're going to have Amber, Justin, and maybe Dan with us also.

Rob, what do you mean you will never write it? How can we know it if you won't tell us? Why the question anyway, Robert. Your name is "Robert" isn't it?

I'd tell you what I'd do Man.

"Two chicks at the same time Man, always wanted to do that. I figure if I had a million dollars I could make that happen."

One mama's boy moves out...Two move back in,,sorta!

Mike,

Congradulations on the new digs. Enjoy you "ITLness" while it lasts. This is the most fun you will ever have in your life. I don't say that in a negative way towards family life. But when it comes to having a "I'm gonna do whatever in the hell I want to do and if you don't like it than suck on it" lifestyle, it don't get no better than this.

Question to all of the Coopbros. What would you do if you had a million dollars? Me? You guessed it. I won't ever write it.

Mark- Your massive SUV and poo poo are causing me to swell up with pride. BTW, I expect a six pack of Sierra Nevada for the extra hundy they threw at you.

James - Cover your ears!

Not living with Mom anymore

Well guys the day I thought would never get here has arrived! I am all moved into the House off Memoral Dr. I spent most of last weekend working on moving. I had Joe drive me up to B/CS so I could rent a uhaul, pack up my stuff in storage and move it to Houston. Most of the college stuff went into our game room. I visited Gallery Furnature and picked up a bed, kitchen table, and a couple of rugs. I'm really liking it. As soon as I got off of work the other day I hit Memoral Park. Im so I.T.L.

Thats cool about your new SUV Mark.

Congrats!

On the new truck . . . and your dump, I guess. What color is the Sequoia?

BTW, Dad is holding foundation repair 101 with a bunch of guys right now upstairs in my building. I need to try to find something to do to stay out of his way today as he's already pissing in my ear about leaving ("you're making a mistake, blah blah blah). I ran three leads yesterday but only have one scheduled today and it's not until 3:30.

Done Deal

We bought the Sequoia. The salesman said "If you're going to be hauling the family across the country, this is your automobile!....What, you didn't order the metallic pea?"

I AM going to be coming to Houston a lot more and this is MUCH more comfortable than the Accord.

I had a rather enjoyable bowel movement today as well...see ya later!!

Sleeping on it..

Welp, the vehicle is in the garage on a "Sleep on it" test drive. It's a Toyota Sequoia SR5 loaded to the hilt!

I've been doing a little research for the past few weeks on these and a few others. In all likelihood this is the one. It is a demo model driven by one of the Toyota Execs. It's got 10K miles on it but they're cutting us a sweet deal, plus they're throwing in an extended warranty to compensate for the mileage.

This sucker has leather, sunroof, 17" wheels, JBL 6-disc sound system, rear seat DVD system, wood grain trim...BLADAAOW!!

Rob...I told them about your contribution and they bumped the buy-off up a hundred bucks...THANKS!

(Robbie fixed a flat tire for us while we were at the hospital and while doing so decided to replace a balding one. It was a very nice guesture. Needless to say he shat his pants when I told him that we may be trading the honda in this week!)

Trade in?

Rob, what did you do, fart in Mark's car or something?

Trade in

Mark,

Hopefully I've increased the value of your trade-in somewhat!

"I'm a Ford Truuck Mannn"

I guess you can take the man out of Centex, but you can't take Centex out of the man! Dang it's good you chimed in first, cuz I was going to blow the horn on your ass for this! I don't know if Mony Python is going to do it for you. We may need to break the emergency glass and pull out "Animal House" or something!

I'm online right now looking at stupid useless vehicles (S.U.V.'s) right now. We've almost decided on the Sequoia but I'm pricing up a Volvo XC90. It's in the mid-size class and it has some kind of 5-cylinder engine with a turbo. All I know about it at this point is that it looks COOL (I mean, it's no F-150 but hey!) It is the same price (roughly) as the Sequoia, but it is more like the size of a Grand Cherokee as opposed to the Sequoia which is every bit as big as an Expedition or Yukon.

Anyway, it is good to be in this boat.

New truck

I remember buying this really hilarious book way back in the 80's at Spencer's, or some such place. It was called "Real Pissers" and it had a bunch of Far Side-like cartoons about how people's personalities were revealed in how they took a leak. I bought it as a gag birthday gift for one of my fellow busdrivers (the word "colleague" just doesn't seem to fit in this instance) at the airport and I remember that it was so funny that we all got in trouble for laughing so loudly at it in the office. I remember that the book had one cartoon of two men at adjoining urinals, one staring agape at the other's pecker. The caption read "Nosy: the compulsive need to see how the guy next to you is equipped." My favorite though was one where a man, fully clothed, was sitting on the toilet. His hands were down by his sides on the seat and he was supporting himself, legs outstretched like a gymnast. His expression was pure agony and the caption read "Conservative: waits until he has to take a crap, then does both." Even then (86 or 87) I thought damn, that's me!

I bring this up because last week I found myself in the rare (and happy) situation of being able to buy whatever new car I wanted. Tom Abercrombie told me that I could expense my car payment. This is better than having a company vehicle in that I could choose whatever vehicle I wanted. He didn't mention to keep the payment under any particular amount either; hell, I could have bought a car like Mom's or a big Beamer like yours Rob, and been reimbursed for it.

So what did I do? What did I do with this lovely freedom of action, this freedom to buy whatever the hell I wanted?

I bought a Ford F-150.

A used F-150.

A used white F-150.

And this is where you should worry about me. I love it. It's an extended cab styleside pickup. It's got the XLT package of course (like I'm really going to buy myself a fucking work truck) with the "Triton V8" engine. It's a 2003 model and had less than 7,000 miles when I bought it. The only thing I didn't like about it was that the previous owner was obviously a smoker. However, a little Febreze seems to have - if not totally made it disappear - at least make it to where the smell's not really noticeable any more.

It's got 18" aluminum wheels and dark grey cloth interior. Mark, I don't think I'll get the big "dubs" like you put on yours but I'm looking at nerf bars and a chrome billet grille right now. Maybe it's just the white trash coming out in me again but, to me at least, a white pickup practically screams to be personalized. Perhaps I'll get "Coop Man" spelled out across the rear window in big gothic letters . . . Eventually I'll get either a blown-in liner or a fiberglass lid for the bed.

But still, a used white Ford? Why am I so damned conservative? Maybe you guys should have me kidnapped and force me to watch old Monty Python reruns until I become human again.

The latest on Rachel

Mom just told me that they've now found 2 spots on Rachel's lung. Good Lord, this is so awful.

Oh God, I just pissed myself!

"You're fired!" yells Ben Cooper, star of the new hit show in his own mind.

OH MY GOD!! I want to believe that he was joking, but we all know the old man suffers serious delusions of grandeur. Seriously, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

The Apprentice

Get this guys, I just got off the phone with Dad and he was telling me that in the San Antonio office he plans on hiring 6-7 new sales guys and NARROWING them down to two or so. Apprentice style. Sounds like he at it again. He asked me if I had watched the show, which I replied yes, then told me hes planning on doing that same thing in San Antonio.. This is nuts if you ask me.

Swordfight!!!!

Picked on while in high school? Moi? O, verily, hear me when I say that I was very much a picker in high school, not a pickee. And Rob, I think the sound of that cowbell around your neck is ringing your brain. Wanting to see The Rock's new movie does NOT make me a gayrod. Now, sitting around daydreaming about sharing a prison cell with The Rock on the other hand . . . that would make me a gayrod. I promise that if that ever happens, you'll be the first to know.

You are the Gayrod my friend

Mark,

So what's this about going to your Mommie's house. Is something wrong with my little house? I'm ordering a full body cavity search,,,,for all of us!

I have nothing else to say! Except people that like movies with the Rock are all pencilneck's that were picked on when they were growing up and now need to feel empowered through watching another man "manhandle" other men. Jeezus James, just go the gay way!

You aint fat...YOU AINT NUTTIN!!

Jogged 2 miles....What a GAYROD!!

Yeah I'll probably see "Walking Tall" but I'm not nearly the Dewayne fan that you are (James). That being said, it's likely that "The Rundown" will make the DVD collection. It is out already, isn't it?

We're hitting the road for H-Town around 3:30 today. We're stopping in College Sta. so we should be getting to Mom's around 9:00.

BE THERE..uuuuuh..yeah..

If ya smell what The Rock is cookin . . .

Fuck yeah, I'm going to go see Walking Tall. Isn't everybody?

J

no big deal

Just ran about 2 miles last nite No big deal fatties. mark keep eating those bacon cheeze burgers! Gotta go!

My Numbers

Home: (817) 429-9019
Mobile: (817) 829-3886

What the BFL?

HEY! Look at the two leeetle seeeseee's!! HA! HA! HA!

Rob, don't fear the reaper...

I'm trying to get my routine going. I got a pretty sweet home gym for my birthday (James has seen it). I thought I would be hitting it in the mornings, but I've actually been working out at like 9 at night. Can't say I'm doing BFL though. My diet has been for shiznit lately... I had "the number five" at Whataburger today (the one with bacon and cheese). I can feel the HDL's rising.. Anyway, weight not gainin...just maintainin.

So are you going to see "Walking Tall" James? HMMM? Could I ask a dummer question??

Dese cripple shoes are made for walkin'. . .

Speaking of cow bells, Robster, you're going to be wearing one if you don't get your butt back in the gym!

Welcome to the "Cooptots!"

Mark - Again, our prayers. That is terrible beyond words about Rachel. When I get to Houston (April 5) I'll go see her and Judy.

Mike - Good post! Welcome aboard, dude! BTW, jogging is for fags!

Rob - Whaddaya know, I'm beginning my new career on your birthday. I trust that's an auspicious omen! As for your post, I figure it's time to let the little-uns eat at the same table as us fat boys.

Hope y'all have a good day.

J

Guess what Bitches,,,,I'm back!

Mark,

I'm so sorry to hear about Rachel. She will be in our prayers. Mike is correct about putting our little problems in perspecitive. BTW, I need your phone numbers, both home and cell.

Now,,,let me just say this. I RULE THE CLIT!! (Jay and silent Bob strikes back reference.)

So, we're letting the kids sit at the big boy table now eh James? We'll you better come correct, because I'm bringin it Riata Ranch Old School. Ya herr me! As for training, I am on a sabatical right now. With the gut to prove it. And the only cure,,Is MORE COW BELL!! Or maybe I should just get "Emily" tatooed across my shoulder in 2 inch letters to scare the pajeezus out of all the 4 yr old boys at her pre-school. Naw, it's already been done.

Mike- I got a lead on a job you might be interested in, call me!

Hola Amigos

And know its time for total enlightenment as the 4th and final brother joins in.. Really ya'll must have felt bad and obligated to alow THIS to happen. Just kidding, thanks for the vine though. Mark, really sorry about Rachel.. My thoughts and prayers have been with her and the family since you told me about that. It really hits close to home and makes you look at life in a different perspective. I hate to sound clicke', but the problems we face daily are nothing. We have our health, youth, and loved ones. Anyway, sorry about that.

I noticed many of Robbie and James's former post are about training. I happy you guys have been a support system for one another, I just think its so cute... Maybe it was my years of personal training and working at Gold's, but I am completely burned out on weight training. I have been running a few times a week and am really enjoying that. I've found that by doing so I am not hungry so dont really eat as much. I'm not really watching what I eat so much (im not really eating like crap but not counting grams of PRO and Carbs). I have lost about 20lbs. I want to get to about 198 or so. I did this same thing the summer I lived in Austin and boxed for a few months. I lost a lot of weight. When I came back to weight training, I gained back the muscle I lost and stayed lean. Bottom line, by not weight training and doing cardio, I have no powerful cravings and I really dont pay mind to eating at certian times or what not. Anyway, this has work for me. Good luck guys.

Mark I cant wait to see my new niece!!

have a good day

MDC

Rachel's Prognosis

I'm sure you both know about what's going on with my sister-in-law, Rachel. It has been determined that what she has is called "Ewing's Sarcoma". The prognosis is worse than if it were lymphoma. I'm reading about it on WebMD.

Judy and Dan are taking her to MD Anderson in Houston Wednesday morning. Natalie and Lillian and I are coming down Thursday after work. Rob, hopefully we can see you and the fam sometime, and let you meet your neice. We'll probably be there through Saturday. I damn sure wish the circumstances were better for the visit though.

I can keep you updated in this medium, or not. Shall we not discuss such things in the blog? I don't know the etiquette.

Anyway, Rachel needs prayer guys...

Number Three is in the mix...

And I'm here to keep it REAAL! So this is our little place on the web....

"Nice...nice.. Not THRILLING...but nice."

It's going to be weird communicating with you (James) without hearing you fart every once in a while! Nonetheless, thanks for the invite. I feel like I'm getting to sit at the adults table for Thanksgiving! This should make you two feel old: I'm going to my ten-year reunion this year!

And now for the 4th Coopbro . . .

I have sent an invitation to Mikey to join this party, now.

New template

Because I'm bored with the look of the blog, and because I can, I've switched the template. This is called "Bluebird." I also anticipate doing some rather lengthy entries when I start my new job and I think this format will be better for that.

Greetings and salutations to the 3rd Coopbro.

Coopbros is now a trio, with great big big-brother greetings going out to the newest daddy of the Coopbros gang, Markie Mark. Looking forward to reading your profound wisdom and piercing insights on all matters great and mundane, Mark. Being that your other big brother Rob posts about as often as he WORKS OUT, I'm looking forward to it with anticipation.

Oh yeah, Rob, let's DO talk about them cripple shoes . . .

Great news

Dude! I am very happy to hear that your meeting with Dad went down like it did. I wouldn't say that I am suprised, but releived. There's no need to have any bad blood in the family.

I am going to get back in the gym in April. So fuck off about that!

New developments

Okay. Well, get this. Dad called me this morning and, in a fairly brusque tone of voice, tells me to drive to San Marcos for a face to face with him. Needless to say, I spent the morning wondering who the hell let the cat out of the bag. It turned out that all he wanted to do was to discuss the people he interviewed for estimators over here while I was gone last week. However, he pointedly asked me, since he was about to commit to spend a lot of effort and money in training these new guys (he wants to get rid of both my current estimators) if I was SURE I was committed to this. He even asked me if I was tired or burned out.

I came clean.

I told him that I've given this job over three years and that it just wasn't working out for me. I'm just not a good fit here. Whether it's this business, this market, or just sales in general, I just can't seem to make an impact. I told him that I had a good offer to go back in to claims and that I was leaning very heavily towards accepting it.

Here's where it gets surprising. Get this, he was actually happy for me! Truthfully, I think he was as relieved as I was when I told him. He knows I haven't been happy and he could tell that, no matter how hard I pushed myself, my heart wasn't in it. All in all, the whole meeting went off a lot better than I thought it would. I'll work for another week or two then start my new (old) job.

I am really happy that it didn't get ugly between us. My tough words notwithstanding, I was not relishing throwing ugly words at our dad.

Checking in

Hey. Well, I'm typing this on Sunday evening feeling a bit sick (a chest cold I picked up while in Houston), overfed and sluggish. Unless I'm feverish tomorrow morning I will be at the gym with bells on to kick start my metabolism again. Man, I need to get back with the program.

As for the other matter we discussed, the negotiations continue. I am asking for a salary of $7,500.00 per month in the interim while I build a caseload of my own. Tom (my old boss) called me this evening and he told me that he spoke with Nancyann Flood, the senior claims manager for one of the largest maritime insurors in the whole fucking country (and AS&G's main client) and said that her only question was when I could start. Shit, and as Dad is so fond of reminding me, I can't even earn the respect of the foreman or bookkeeper at Centex. You tell me: where do I belong? Easy decision.

Tom will get back with me tomorrow and we'll finalize the salary issue. After then, assuming that it's what I want, I'll come home and Erica and I will tell the girls about the situation. I'll then go see dad on Tuesday and tell him to his face (don't worry, I won't get ugly unless he gets ugly with me - but I'd relish the opportunity) that I'm quitting. Bottom line, I expect to be out of the will by this time next week.

I'll let you know.

And get your butt back in the gym, dammit!

WTF??

Dude, notice these little hyperlinks in our entries? What the hell? If someone's going to advertise on Coopbros, I think we should get a little cut of the action.

Think I'll ax the good folks at Blogger "hey Lama, how bout a little something . . . y'know, for the effort?"

And they'll reply "We will not give you money, but on your deathbed . . ."

New slogan

Is up above. O verily I say to thee, do NOT be bullshittin on the sauce, else I should be compelled to lay some .45 on your ass. Ahem.

I think you and I are the ONLY people in the world who remember (and can quote verbatim) Let's Make a New Dope Deal. I'll bet we could do it better than Cheech and Chong themselves. You know, I looked up LMNDD on the internet yesterday and found that it's out of print. It got me thinking - I wonder how funny we'd find it if we listened to it today? Would we break a rib laughing like we did back when we were kids in the 70's or would it be like it was when you bought that Gene Tracy tape last year?

I had a very sluggish workout this morning. Lower body and abs. I had low energy because I had insomnia last night. Suffice it to say that it was due to Megan's car. Nuff said.

We're going on vacation next week so I think I'll take a week off the working out. I've been going at it steadily for like 12 weeks now and I need a little break. Don't worry though, I'll keep my diet discipline. Speaking of which, I weighed myself this morning. I weigh 286 lbs, a loss of 27 lbs total.

Your bed's ready

Just call and let me know.

You are the hero!

Thanks again for picking up the bureau. I think that Rebekah wants to keep it. It was just important for Becky that it stay in the family. I don't think she'll mind. Great fun with you and the girls the other night. I may be needing a bed tomorrow night. I'll call you and let you know. Stay flexible.

End of the week

Damn dude. I should eat Alamo Cafe fajitas every night if they're going to make me feel as strong as I did this morning. Unfortunately, I don't think I could always depend on being able to burn those carbs off the next morning, but it sure was nice to do it this once. I'm used to dragging my ass through the gym on Friday mornings but I felt like Mighty Mouse today.

Thanks again for dinner last night. We all enjoyed it, as always. Hope you got the dresser home okay last night.

Another prospect

I found one yesterday that I'm making an offer on today. It's a 3BR, 2BA home in the Live Oak area (near 1604 & 35 on the north side of town). It's 3" out of level and the walls are cracked up all to hell and gone inside. It's also got rotten siding and window trim all around the perimeter as well as indications of active termites. But, it's a fairly nice neighborhood and it's a cul-de-sac lot. I get major tentpole action when I see properties like this. It should sell for $87 - 95K all fixed up nice. I'll pay up to $50K for it and am offering $40K today.

Wish me luck!

My prospect

Well, the bank who owns the property I made the $37,500.00 offer on just called me and said no thanks. They countered at $65,000.00. Being that it's listed at $68,700.00 that tells me that they're not serious about selling it. The damned thing's aready been on the market for a half year and they're still hoping for a "greater fool" to come along and buy it. Even if that happens, though, they'll still be screwed because there's no way in hell that that property will pass FHA muster with a slab that out of level. Jeez. Banks can be really stupid. The only buyer who would pay that much for a house like that - in that condition - would be someone who's just going to slap some fresh paint on it and rent it out. And there's no way in hell that guy will pay their price either!

The Eagle Has Landed

Or the dresser has landed. Or bureau. Or whatever the hell the thing is. It's here. You may tell Becky that the "thing" has safely completed the first leg of its journey to her and is now safely perched in my garage awaiting Jim's pickup.

You're right, Mr. Arnette is a nice man. And apparently the bureau is fairly thick with the history of Rebekah's family. Arnette related that it was owned by one of little Emily's namesakes back in the 19th century; the one who emigrated from England.

'scuse me, Mr. mofo Sensitive

Okay, okay. I hear you. I started saying that back when she was riding your ass so hard back when Christian was a baby. But I guess that was a tough time for all concerned back then and nevertheless, it's not cool to slander anyone's parents. Therefore, the B&W slur shall never pass my lips (or fingertips) again.

Fucking thing wasn't funny anymore anyway.

Well, now to find some rope and go get that cabinet for you.

On a serious note

Hey dude. FYI, you referred to my in-laws as Bes and Wacky if front of Rebekah one time and it really offended her. I know that you don't mean anything by it, just keep that on the down low if Becka is around. Interestingly enough, Becky has really chilled on the whole church lady thing. When we go to visit we drink and smoke in front of her and she's totally cool. She even jokes with Rebekah about owning a crack pipe. Those people have had more stress thrown on them than I would wish on my worst enemy. I hope that when Wes retires later this year, that they can finally enjoy themselves a little bit.

Bes & Wacky's Dresser

Hey, sounds like the dresser's pretty close to my office. I'll call and make arrangements to get it picked up.

And I'm not gonna quit the BFL. I'm just fatigued, is all. Most of it I think is work-related stress too. The working out is one of the main things keeping me sane at this point. I skipped Saturday cardio because Erica and I were busy painting all day. We faux painted the kitchen and it turned out pretty good, I must say. Anyway, I ate well on Satuday but pigged out like a muthafucka yesterday. I felt like shit this morning but was in the gym bright and early at 5:30am and feel much better now.

Anyway, I'll keep you up to date on the house bid. And I'm glad to hear you're busy at work. I wish we were. We're trying frantically to drum up business here because I have NO work for my crews as it stands now. I had to send them to Austin to get some work. God I hate this business sometimes.

I'll call you after I get the dresser.

If you bout to be up out this beeoch,,

Dude, I partied like a rock star this weekend and now I'm feeling like shit. My mouth feels like the inside of an old shoe.

Thanks for helping Becky out with this antique thing. The person to contact is Carol Beth and David Arnette. The phone number is 210-737-0105. I just spoke with them. They are very nice people. Thier address is 1727 Waverly Rd, SA 78201. My neighbor Jim is working in New Braunfells and will pick it up from you and bring it to Houston. You're a hero.

BFL - Finish the job! You are too close to slack off. I am going to heed your advise and take a rest. My back is starting to feel a little better. I have been toughing it out for several weeks and finally took a pain killer. It seemed to help.

Good luck on your house bid. I haven't devoted much time lately to looking for property. Work has really picked up. I'm busier than I've ever been. Which is nice.