December 17, 2005 - Msg 32267: Prayers for you wife, Pappa. Hope she is well soon.

Sterling, you are such a sweet man. You sound like a Mama when you talk about Kai. God bless you for your love and tenderness toward your daughter. It will make a huge difference in her life now and in her future.

Ro, that is weird about the squirrel. Those little animals are amazing. Have you see Charlie And The Chocolate Factory? There is a great scene with trained squirrels in the movie. I just love watching it. They are so adorable! I really wonder what it is about that one bulb that the squirrels like/dislike?

I thought I had all my shopping done when I received a package in the mail today from a friend who I didn't think would send something....so, its off to get something for her. Hope she gets it before Christmas. Really I am glad to do it because she is very fun to buy for. We have very similar tastes and I absolutely love buying things for people (much to my husband's frustration this time of year). I just finished putting together goodie bags and wrapping gifts for my sunday school students. We are having a little Christmas party for them in the morning.

Ro, this year one of the members of our church made a decoration for the church yard that I love. Its about 3 ft high and is the letters JOY in red with the nativity in the letter O. It is beautiful. Mark (pastor) says next year he is making the word PEACE for us, too.

My sister sent me an hilarious email that I am working on typing for all of you who live in the states that get alot of snow. Hopefully I can get it on here before tomorrow is over. Have a wonderful day tomorrow!

Boo

PS---how about some more of those warm Christmas memories?
December 17, 2005 - Msg 32268: Here goes (I have had to edit it a bit)
Subject: Lets Move South

Aug 20- Moved to my New Home in Northern Michigan. It is so beautiful here. The hills are so picturesque.Can hardly wait to see them with snow on them. This is God's country. I love it here!

Oct 14- Michigan is the most beautiful place on earth. The leaves are changing-you should see the beautiful shades of orange, red and yellow. Went for a drive through some beautiful rolling hills and spotted some deer. They are so graceful, certainly the most peaceful animal on earth. This must be paradise...

Nov 3- Deer season will start soon. I can't imagine anyone killing such an elegant creature, the very symbol of peace and tranquility. Hope it will snow soon. I love it here!

Dec 2- It snowed here last night@ Woke up to find everything blanketed in white just like a postcard. We went outside and cleared the snow off the steps and shoveled the driveway. We had a snowball fight and when the snowplow came by, we had to shovel it again. What a beautiful place. Mother nature in perfect harmony. I love Michigan!

Dec 12- More snow last night. I love it. The snowplow did his trick again (that rascal) and pushed all the snow back into the driveway but we had a good time clearing it-made a snowman. A winter wonderland. I love it here.

Dec 19- More snow last night. Couldn't get out of the driveway to get to work on time! I'm exhausted from shoveling. That dang snowplow!

Dec 22- More of the white junk fell last night. I've got blisters on my hands from shoveling. I think the snowplow man hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling the driveway, the jerk! And you should see our electric bills....

Dec 25-"White Christmas" my busted b#tt! More snow! If I ever get my hands on that sun of a gun that drives that snowplow, I'll break the jerk's nose. Don't know why they don't put more salt on the roads to melt this stupid ice!

Dec 28- More white cr#p last night. Been inside since Christmas day except for shoveling out the driveway every time "Snowplow Harry" comes by. Can't go anywhere. Car's buried in a mountain of frozed snow. The weatherman says another 10" will fall tonight. Do you have any idea how many shovels full 10" is?!

Jan 1- Happy New Year, the weatherman was wrong AGAIN. We got 2 feet of the white mess this time. At this rate it won't melt until the Fourth of July. The snowplow got stuck up the road and the jerk had the nerve to ask to borrow my shovel. After I told him that I had broken 6 shovels already, shoveling all the snow he pushed into my driveway, I broke the last one over his head!

Jan 6- Finally got out of the house today. Went to the store to get food and on the way back a deer ran in front of the car and I hit the idiot animal. Did 3,ooo dollars worth of damage to my car. Those stupid beasts ought to be killed. Wish the hunters had killed them all last November.

March 22- Took the car to the garage in town. Would you believe the thing is rotted out from all the dang salt they keep dumping all over the road? Car looks like a peice of...

April 10- Moving back to Tennessee. I can't imagine why anyone in their right mind would ever want to live in that God forsaken state of Michigan!
December 17, 2005 - Msg 32269: Good sweep Boo....hey SH...Boo the chocolate factory is great ..Kelsey loves it ...we watched the elf yesterday...seen it?..good one..all is quite here at work...will be an early breakfast before preaching in the morning..scrambled eggs,toast,sausage links,grits and oj and coffee..kida lite..will have a good lunch..crock pot stew and corn bread....SPOT
December 18, 2005 - Msg 32270: Hey to the porch! Where's everybody at?
- Hazel
December 18, 2005 - Msg 32271: Knock Knock.. Been a while since I been to the porch. I see ya'll are still keeping things hopping around here. It is very good to see Tom's back and sharing his poetry. I hope you all are doing ok. I've missed being here. Love and prayers--Salty Dog
December 18, 2005 - Msg 32272: Hey Salty!..nice to see another dog on the porch..Hazel dont know where they all are..Christmas shopping I guess..well grab a bowl of stew and slice of corn bread...SPOT
December 18, 2005 - Msg 32273: Wow the porch is quite!..where are ya boo,ro,ky,Rev,me-they,....and all....in the morning its fried eggs,country ham,hashbrowns,grits,bisquits and red eye gravy ..coffee and milk, ready at 6:am est...stay warm...SPOT
December 18, 2005 - Msg 32274: I don't know about the rest, Spot and Hazel, but I'm rightchere. Did a bit of wrapping this afternoon, then met a friend for dinner and then we drove around and looked at the Christmas lights. Boy, some of the houses are really decorated beautifully. Some entire streets are done, then the next street over will have nothing. Can't figure that out, but I sure do enjoy the ones that are decorated. My street is about half and half. I have more in the back than in front. Nobody sees it but me, or guests, but that's okay. The front is pretty, but I can't see it! Still looking for something with a gentle religious theme to go out front, though.

Salty! It's been a long time, so good to see you. I really hope you'll make this a habit, and not be a stranger. You always liven things up around here, and we need your help to keep Asa in line. If I put a pillow on your rocker, will you come back more often?

Sugarplum says ho, ho, ho! --Romeena
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32275: hey everybody,sounds like that stew and cornbread was good spot,I might have a bowl of that if you have any leftovers!Boo,loved the joke about the snow,I'm not in Michigan,but,I can tell you ,I've been using alot of salt on my steps and driveway to keep the snow and ice melted,lots of shoveling too.We have a new dog at our house,she adopted us a couple of days ago,and,is the most family friendly dog you can imagine.She is a shiitzu[hope i spelled that right],i'm guessing about a year and a half old.She followed my dad in when he was bringing my kids christmas presents to wrap,she just followed him in my front door,and,took up residence with us!We have called around the neighborhood,and,no one has ever seen her before.So,unless someone claims her soon,I've decided to keep her.She loves kids,and,they love her,so,i hope it all works out well.I have a question,maybe someone can answer.There is a lady that lives up the street from me,and,when she calls her cats,she calls them in German.I didn't know what she was doing for the longest time,I could just hear her making strange sounds,until another lady up the street says she told her she calls her cats in German,has anyone ever heard of that?Then today,she was out in her backyard on her hands and knees,making those sounds again,and,I didn't see a cat anywhere.Now,we have at least 4 inches of snow,and a layer of ice under that,so it's not exactly weather you want to be on the ground in.I know what Barney would say"She's a nut!",haha!Papa Bear,how is your wife doing?Fred Goss,you still home,or are you out on the highways and byways again,?,.be careful wherever you are.Hey,salty dog,long time no see!What have you been up to?Romeena,my street is about decorated half and half also.Where my mom and dad live,ther are two sides of the street that decorate every year,they have so many lights on,you don't need a flashlight at night to see!Hey Boo,good to see you and Hazel.Well,better close,gotta get the kids up for school in few hours.Take care everyone-ky girl
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32276: will but you a bowl of stew in the fridge for lunch tomorrow ky..even better the second day!..glad you are gona keep the dog..have a name?..otis my lab will get a big butcher bone and got shadow my cat a new bell coller..never called my cat in german...hum..well back to my movie Jerry Maguire...SPOT
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32277: thats "put"..not "but"...jeez
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32278: Ky Girl - we have a young feline that has adopted us. . .my husband isn't too keen on it but it is a sweet ki-ki.
Been a busy weekend. The boys' church program was yesterday morning and about half that attended were there because of my boys. It is a small church so it didn't take long for us to overtake them. It doesn't happen often but they were proud that grandpa and grandmas came and daddy too.
Take care everyone. . .

homemaker
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32279: burr morning porch below zero air temp in central illinois. mamma bear is still week the doctor called twice, you'd think he'd be golfing with these temps. mamma bear goes doctor today meanwhile pappa bear cooks, cleans, laundry, irons and so many old hobbies. ky girl-many older americans that are native germans , puerto ricans will speak in their native tongue to keep there heritage alive and some are comfortable speaking in another language. i still use german from time to time to keep in practice and to confuse the younger generation- great attention grabber. didn't fred goss say he talked to ky girl on cb? if so can you keep us posted that he's ok while on the road? YESTERDAY- i watched an episode of gunsmoke where festus went to help a cousin and the clan that opposed the haggards was goober, goober even bushwacked festus once and at the end they convinced goober and his brother that festus had rabbies and by festus biting them in a fight they has rabbies. goobersfacial reaction was the same as in mayberry. did goober do any other guest apperances or movies? breakfast this morning is pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, omlets, biscuts, milk, orange juice, coffee, and plenty of donuts. have a great day. pappa bear
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32280: Ky girl, I've heard of police officers using German when they give commands to their K-9 units, but never someone doing that with cats! :)

Gotta take the Kai to school now. Have a nice day everyone!
-Sterling Holobyte
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32281: 'Morning, all. I think if German is that lady's first language, it's not surprising that she'd use it to address her pets, but I can't think of any other reason. In this part of the country, we often hear people speak to their dog in Spanish, and I always thought it was hilarious that the dog understands and obeys. I know, there's really nothing funny about it, the dog is just responding to what he's been taught, but it just sounds strange to hear someone say "Vaya!" to a dog, and the dog gets up and leaves the room!

pappa bear, Goober has done voices in a lot of Disney movies. He was one of the buzzards in "Robin Hood" and one of the farm dogs in "The Aristocats." He was the one who kept fussing about his "beddy-bye basket." There were others, but I can't name them offhand.

Well, away I go. Got to finish my shopping, and I have to work tonight, drat. Have a wonderful day, friends, Sugarplum says ho, ho, ho! --Romeena
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32282: sterling holobyte, give kai a big hug for us. maybe the german cat is named heinz. romeena- first time i saw goober in person guest star. i wonder if that was before mayberry or he got goober because someone saw him on the show? well have a great day everyone. pappa bear
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32283: I will, pappa bear! I actually turned around and took her back home. She was complaining of a sore throat but at first I thought it was just because she didn't take a long nap yesterday and was running around alot due to visitors and everything, but then when I got her to school I could tell by her eyes that something was not right with her. You know, they just "look" sick sometimes. So, she will stay home today.
She did go right back to sleep when we got home and she just woke up now and is looking better, so maybe she was just tired but you never know.
-Sterling Holobyte
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32284: Howdy all - hope you had a good weekend. Got most of my shopping done Saturday, then came home and daughter was sick as a dog. She's been up and down since then and is still in bed now (it's 11 am here). But she's lost her fever and has actually tried a few bites of food, so that's good.

Prayers for Miss Kai to be back to her regular self soon, Sterling, and for the situation with her little friend.

Prayers for mamma bear, pappa. Sorry you've had to take up some of those old hobbies you used to have. ; ) Breakfast was delish too! Thanks!

Happy Birthday today to spot's daughter Kelsey, and Floyd's son Adam!

My hard of hearing aunt taught her dog some commands in sign language. You probably don't see that too often either.

Have a good day - and prayers for all!
AFD
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32285:
Pappa- Frohliche Weihnachten! Sprechen sie Deutsch? Maybe pappa is the Mayberry Spy! haha
Yup, the big freeze came to Phoenix this past weekend too! Our birdbath had a quarter inch of ice on it. Woodstock and snoopy were out there with their sticks. Very overcast. Orange growers had the smudge pots burning to keep the oranges warm. So we did get some too pappa! 28 Saturday night, burrr haha
Sterling, good to see you, my prayers are with you with the MIL in town. (: Email me anytime to "unload". ha
Heard that Venus Flytrap of wkrp is 61 today and that Dragnet debuted in 1951 this day. Dum, dee, dum, dum...this is the city.
ROMeneea, I like your Merry Christmas cross idea. I may do that also next year too. I heard that several stores will bring back merry christmas next year! Looks like enuf have protested! Good!
On Sat evening my wife and i went to something called "Walk Thru Bethlehem at a Nazerene Church. It was very GOOD! About 100 volunteers were all period costumed, big field with real sheep etc and angels on the roof, big market square , synogoge where we heard prophecies read, and roman guards, tax collectors etc. We "had" to pay tax to go to the 'inn'. (either real donation for foodbank or a plastic coin provided at entrance), but then finally told to go "out back" to the stables, live animals and live manger scene with a little talk by the pastor. Almost felt like you were THERE!
Well, busy week, so my visits will be sparce. 2 sisters and their families coming in from out of state! God bless,
Mr Darlin's Cuz
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32286: AFD, ya sneaked in there on me. Hope your daughter is better. Hope the pickles and ice cream bode well with ya. ha,
MDC
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32287: Hi all,

Still here, been very busy the last few weeks, but am all done now waiting for the last of the kids to arrive in Ireland this week for Christmas!!

-Irishter
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32288: hey everyone ,been without power for 4 days due to ice storm ,but powers back on YESSS Hope everyones doing well MERRY CHRIST MAS
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32289: Wow MD you need to get out here to "thaw out" a bit. 4 days, man how did you do it? Was the store without power too? Hang in there buddy!
IRISHster! great to see ya! Have a super "Happy Christmas" as you say across the pond.
Pappa, is the brown truck ready to go??? You may have to get it out just to get you and KY girl out of the ice and snow! ha
MDC
December 19, 2005 - Msg 32290: Breaker 1-9 Fred Goss here checking in. I should be home from this run on Friday, for Christmas and some downtime for a few days! Trailboss is my CB handle. hey pappabear, everyone is looking for you at the western site. Abby has posted her McCain Christmas story! Very well written! See ya all Friday, got the chains on and the XM cranked up to The open road station 171. Merry Christmas
Fred
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32291: Hi everyone,thanks for the input about calling the cats in German,I learned alot!Pappa Bear,Fred Goss may have said he talked to a KY Girl on the cb,but,it wasn't me,I don't even own a cb!Thanks for putting those leftovers in the frige for me spot,I appreciate it.Hope Kai,and AFD's little one are feeling better.And,happy birthday to Kelsey and adam.Homemaker,glad to hear the christmas program went well.How is the kitty doing?Our dog is doing good today,she is lonesome while the kids are in school,but,when they get home,she can't stay still she is so excited.I am going to get the dog one of those stockings with the treats and toys in it for christmas.The kids will love it as much as she does!haha!Irishster,"merry christmas to you and your family".Well,the kids are in bed,so,i'm going to try to start reading my new book,it's about an army chaplain,that was with the first group of marines to go into Iraq.It's called "a Table in The Presence',and,the first few pages of it are very good,I can't wait to read the rest.I just finished a book called"housecalls and Hitching Posts",about a doctor in the Amish Country of Ohio,he is still practicing there,and,now his son is also,it was a great book,very touching and humorous.Take Care everyone,talk to you later-ky girl
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32292: It is a might chilly here - -2 when I left this morning but it had made it up to +5 when I arrived at school. And me. . .needed to get gas this morning. Had on my subzero gloves and my heavy Carhart.
KyGirl - my husband hates the cat but I am hoping she will learn to hate mice and become a mouser. She likes to get underfoot sometimes so she gets stepped on once in awhile. I can see her going up to my M-I-L. She loves cats, esp. friendly cats. I know that this cat was dumped by how tame she is.
Fred - glad to see you stepping up to the microphone. . .keep your hammer down and head for the home lights. . .we'll keep the coffee on for you when you arrive. Maybe have a plate of molasses cookies to dunk in your coffee. I would share the choco chip cookies but ASA loves them so!
Made a batch of ugly candy last nite (pretzels, chex cereal, cheerios, m&ms, peanuts, and some add raisins-not me all mixed together and covered in white chocolate). Yum Yum!

Talk to you all later. . .
homemaker
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32293: Hi everybody! Good to see Salty again. Hope she visits again soon.

KY GIRL, are you sure the neighbor lady doing the hollerin' ain't calling her Shiitzu? Heehee. Hope you get to keep your little dog. It sure would be hard on the kids to give her up now (and you, too, I'm guessing). The stray that has been hanging around here has been here now for 3 days and I tried to take her to the shelter yesterday but they were closed. The poor thing looks like a hyena with a broken foot and is a VERY active pup. I think she must be very intelligent because she is much more curious than the average dog. I sure hope they find her a loving home. I don't feel like we can keep another dog at this point. I was trying to help my mom out to the car yesterday and the dog kept getting under her feet and she almost fell. It is a very impulsive and persistant pup, for sure. I will be trying the shelter again today. She will make 6 or 7 dogs that I have delivered to the shelter this year. I told Bruce that next time I am wearing a mask. I don't know what the animal control officer does around here. Must sit around and play cards or something!

Sure is a busy time of year. I spent the day sorting shipments of toys again yesterday. I am talking LOTs of toys, but that's good. We want to be able to give some nice things to the kids whose parents can't afford it. Now I have to start the baking and finish the wrapping and have a few more fleece throws to make for gifts....not to mention those "hobbies" that Pappa Bear talked about....prayers for Mama Bear and Pappa Bear.

MDC, hard to even imagine ice in Phoenix. The times I have been there is has been hot! Well, I was there is December of 1980 for the Fiesta Bowl and the weather was sunny and perfect. It has been very cool here now for almost 2 weeks straight and I don't ever remember that happening. I have never gone so long a time with out wearing shorts and flip-flops. I like it, though, seems more like Christmas time this way.

Good to hear from Irishter! Hope he has a wonderful Christmas with his family.

Hope your husband warms up to the kitty, Homemaker. A good mouser is a very good thing to have, isn't it?

Hey AFD, hope your girl is feeling well soon and that you are taking care of yourself.

Be safe, Fred.

Hello to Mayberry Deputy!

Hope Kai is feeling well, Sterling.

Ro, wish you could retire! That mental picture of the dog leaving the room was very funny to me.

Lots to do so better get going......

Boo
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32294: Boo- I live about 6 miles from that stadium. This is the last year for the Fiesta Bowl to be played there, so they will go out with a bang with the national championship. Next year it will be at the new Cardinals Stadium being built on the other side of town!
Please dont forget our military at this time of year. Many of us porchsters have relatives in iraq. A good website is
http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil
You can send a message to a soldier etc. I know Homemaker has mentioned a good site too.
Thanks, and ya all have a good day.
Spot, glad ya got all the lights back on, we'll give ya another day off from cooking. Ya all come to my place for baked gamehens tonight, rosemary and basil red potatoes, green beans and almonds and onions!
have a good day,
Mr Darlin's Cuz
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32295: Afternoon gang...hello irishter.mdc.md.ro.boo.Rev.afd,hm,fred,hazel,fg,ky,smh,county nurse,possum,smh,sh,TOM,slim..gosh all of the porch...very nice 47 degrees here in ga..miss sherry and I are gona eat at longhorns and shop for awhile..[jeez]..MDC the baked gamehens sound GREAT..thanks..I will bring some slaw and green onions and a jar of pickled peppers!..and a gallon of tea!..yee haw..gona be good..sprinkle a little garlic pepper on my hen please...SPOT and Miss Sherry...
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32296: Sounds good spot, we'll have more fun than Helen Crump crashing a Hollywood party at Miss Darlene Mason's place! haha
MDC
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32297: wow..remember when andy got in a BIND at Lee Drakes house?....the att....felt so sorry for him...SPOT
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32298: boy andy was "crawfishing" thats a southern term meaning looking for answers to get out of a bind..SPOT
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32299: And frog giggin', ya cant fergit frog giggin! ha
I been samplin the fresh squeezins agin!
MDC
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32300: HI ALL.
WILL IT LOOK LIKE WE MAY HAVE SOME SNOW BY CHRISTMA DAY,
ALL WE BIN GITTING IS LITTLE SNOW NOW ANDNON.

ROM -DON WAS BY YESTERDAY , AND HE GIVE ME A GIFTCARD THAT I CAN USED TO BY FOOD WHAT,
HE SAY THAT THE CHURCH GIVE THIM TO WHO CAN USED THIM. THANK YOU .

MAN WITH NO NAME SAY TO WISH EVERYONE ON THE PORCH A MERRY CHRISTMA .

( CHRISTMAS) BY WILLIAM ARTHUR

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN A TIME OF MUSIC , MERRIMENT
MIRTH: IT IS A SEASON OF MEDITATION , MANAGERS AND MIRACLES.

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN A TIME OF GAIETY, GREENERY AND GIFTS;
IT IS A SEASON OF WONDER, WORSHIP AND WISMEN.

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN A TIME OF TINSEL, TREE AND TOYS;
IT IS A SEASON OF PREPARATION, PRAYERS AND PEACE.

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN A TIME OF FESTIVITIES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS;
IT IS A SEASON OF GENEROSITY, GLADNESS.

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN A TIME OF CAROLS, CARDS AND CANDY;
IT IS A SEASON OF DEDICATION, DIRECTION AND DECISION.

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN SANTA, STOCKINGS AND SURPRISES;
IT IS CHRIST, CARE AND CONCERN.

LOVE TOM.
P S MAY YOU ALL HAVE A SELF HOLIDAY AND A VERY HAPPY YEAR,

December 20, 2005 - Msg 32301: Hey TOM stay warm...MDC I have been frog giggin!..many times but it has been years ago..use to catch crawdads in the creek behind the house...mud pies...tad poles...well got my Christmas done I think...gona do some house cleaning ...off work till thu at 8 am..got the crosses lit for Jesus!....snack will be a fried bolonga sandwich and dill pickel chips and bottled water....SPOT
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32302: Thanks for those great words of wisdom Tom!
I have a card in the mail to you and hopefully it will get there before Christmas, tho it looks like Romeena has beat me to it! haha
Quiet on the porch tonight. Well i think I'll just set here for a spell and rest.
My two sisters, husbands and total of 8 kids have arrived! Thank God i talked (translated :bribed)(ha)them into staying at a hotel.
They were all over tonight and it looks like it! ha But we havent seen each other in sometime so all is well! take care and God blees ya all!
(a tired)Mr Darlin's Cuz
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32303: MDC think ya could send a bottle of the fresh squeezins this way for the holidays?...[just for the national potato week]?...SPOT
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32304: Hello everyone. Good to be back on the porch today. Trust everybody had a great day. I'm all done with Christmas shopping and now it's time to relax with the family. AAAAAH..sure feels good.
Be blessed and keep Jesus FIRST!
--Rev.
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32305: Wow Rev, sounds real good...wish I could relax but when you are "Mama" you never get to during holidays. I thought today would be easier but it wasn't. The car started acting up and had to call the man. Lots of grocery shopping and housework, etc....just never gets done.

I took the little stray pup to the shelter today. Kind of hated to do it but at least I know she has food and a warm place to sleep tonight. I pray she gets adopted by a loving family.

I have a neighbor family that is having a real tough time this Christmas. The mom lost her job and just started a new one about 45 minutes from here. I am taking her to work tomorrow because her husband needs the truck for work. She is training for work and can't miss so I have been taking her once a week. I really hope this job works out for her but her job history is a bad one. Seems like she quits or gets fired because, "the boss doesn't like her". Makes me wonder why. Anyway I feel sorry for her two children because they are the ones who suffer the most. Its a bad situation because the mom sometimes drinks and has a sad history of being raised in foster homes. I want to help but realize I can't "fix" their problems. Jesus can sure help them, though, and I am trying to be wise about what I can do. When my husband and I moved last year, we moved out of a very family-oriented, kind of upscale town of about 15,000. You never saw a stray dog or a homeless person. Where we live now is like culture shock. Like I said I have taken several strays to the shelter and seen some very sad people and families with nothing, barely making it.

MDC, I remember that stadium. Seems like it was nice, kind of nestled into a mountain, isn't it? Scottsdale is very nice. I really liked it there (when it wasn't 115 degrees!). I was actually there during the Fiesta Bowl when I was in high school and we were in some kind of band compet#tion and marched in the parade. We stayed in a Holiday Inn and I remember that the Chamber of Commerce sent over a man to be our guide and he was dressed like a cowboy. Funny. I also visited the area while visiting a friend who lived in Phoenix. It has been years since I have heard from them and can't seem to reach them at their old address. Their names are Tom and Angie Schermitzler (I think that is how they spell it). I know its a real long-shot but I wonder if you might know them. They used to perform in churches sometimes. They both compose and sing.

Wow, this is a real novel, sorry.

Better get some sleep. Planning to visit the in-laws tomorrow. Have a great night!

Boo

Ps-I don't drink but those squeezin's your talkin' about sound mighty tempting about now, SPOT.
December 20, 2005 - Msg 32306: Boo,I don't know if she is hollerin for her shiitzu or not,if she is,the dog don't understand what she's doin either!haha!MDC and Spot,I have been frog giggin,and,a friend tried to get me to go snipe huntin,but,I was too smart for that!Those gamehens sound good Mdc,ya got any left over?What am I saying,with all those younguns at the house,I know there isn't any leftovers!There never is any here either!haha!Spot,can you send some of that warm weather this way?I'd like to walk on the ground instead of a solid sheet of ice.Homemaker,I hope your cat becomes a good mouser too,that always comes in handy.I don't have any mice around my house,and,I know it's the big cats that prowl through my yard that are a big help for that,especially in the wintertime.How do you make ugly candy?It sounds good!Well,reading about Mdc dinner,and spots fried bologna sandwhiches and pickle chips and homemakers ugly candy,has me starving now,I gotta close and get a snack!Hey,Rev,good to see you.Take Care everyone-ky girl
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32307: Ky Girl - Ugly Candy: Throw some pretzels, peanuts, m&ms, cheerios, chex cereal and if you are a fruity kind of person you can add dried cranberries or craisins or raisins into a large bowl. I don't measure, just add a little this and a little that till it looks like its enough. Then I melt white chocolate chips with a dab of crisco added in the microwave. For the batch I made the other day I used a bag and a half of chips. . .then you pour it on the dry ingrediants and start tossing it like a salad. Once you get the dry stuff coated in chocolate, put it on cookie sheets until the chocolate sets. You break it apart into chunks. It's good. . .hope that isn't too confusing in the directions.

I made chocolate chip dip this morning. You dip vanilla wafers, graham crackers, etc into that. . .it's good too!

I love fried bologna sammiches - them's good!

homemaker
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32308: Merry Christmas to everyone on the porch!! May God Bless you and your family with a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!! I apologize that I haven't been able to post in a while but I have been vistin' when I could. Please know that you all have been in my prayers and just had to stop a minute and wish my Mayberry Family a Merry Christmas! We will be leaving for Florida tomorrow to spend Christmas with my wife's parents and the boys are looking forward to it. It will seem strange to have warm weather and walk on the beach Christmas Day...wonder what Andy would say about that? I also wanted to share the following Christmas thought with you:

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON R! OUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SA! NTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

This poem was written by a Marine. The following is his request. I
think it is reasonable.....

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is
due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to
celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a
tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes,
living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your
small part to plant this small seed.

Well gotta go but just before I leave I wanted to share these quotes with you from the only Christmas Episode that the Andy Griffith show did:

Andy: "I don't want to be Santa Claus this year...Barney? I suppose I could tell Opie that Santa had been on a diet. Hey Barn! Say something like Santa Claus"

Barney (very dry and drool: "HO HO HO."

Andy: "Try putting a 'Poo' on the end of it"

God gave us the greatest gift of all over 2000 years ago - The Christ Child 'Jesus' who then gave His Life for us that we might live through Him!

We Love Ya' Porch! Merry Chirstmas!

I appreciate it and Good Night!

Smokey Mtn Hillbilly
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32309: I just wanted to check in an say good morning, everyone. Papabear, your family is in my prayers.

Have a MERRY day, all. The excitement is building!

Me-They
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32310: That may be ugly candy, but it sure sounds good, homemaker!

Nice poem, Smokey Mtn Hillbilly. Makes you think of how we are able to still celebrate Christmas, doesn't it?. Have a safe trip and a good time in Florida!

Thanks to everyone for the well-wishes for Kai! She slept pretty much all of Monday, and by Tuesday she was her old self again.
My wife wanted us all(her mom and her mom's friend, Kai, and I) to go to the Mall Of America Tuesday and since Kai was well we went and Kai had a real good time(she even went on the big roller-coasters, but she wouldn't go on the haunted house ride with me :( ). I felt kinda bad keeping her out of school again but I guess it is only preschool. They call it 4-yr old kindergarten but it is really no different than the preschool she went to last year(except in this one they don't even have her write her own name on her projects like they did in her old school, so I think she learned more in her 3-yr old preschool than here). Today they have their little Christmas party, although they call it a "holiday" party, of course. Ecchh! I don't think I like public school for Kai.
Did hear and see alot of Christmas music(choir and orchestra) at the mall. They had both your usual "holiday" type songs and more traditional Christmas hymns, so that was nice. Also, there were Salvation Army bell-ringers opening the doors for you and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas as you walked in, which I really didn't expect. They were all young people too, which was a nice surprise. Maybe there is hope for the future of Christmas.

-Sterling Holobyte
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32311: Yes Sterling, I think our collective voice is being heard and with sales pretty dim this year on top of it all, I think many changes are in store for the better because God's people have prayed, fasted and have sought the counsel of the the true living God! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! (:
APB for ASA and PAPPABEAR!! Anyone seen them?
BOO- I think I have some info on those folks- email me at dipper40@hotmail.com and I'll give it to you there rather than on this public forum.
KY girl- I went on many a snipe hunt when I was a boy scout. Once on the "receiving" end and the rest as the "giver"! haha Also remember the hand under the pie tin, and the famous OWA-TAGOO-SIAM!
ha, great memories of those scout camps. Man, there is a whole goodie for stories...our summer camp stories!
Well, Christmas anticipation is sure in the air around here! Have a good day all...
MDC
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32312: SM Hillbilly- what a wonderful poem, thanks so much for sharing! Quite a few of us have relatives there now or ones that are going soon!
Good to see you again!
Me-They-- I think you and AFD get the prize for hang in there on both the porch and the Crump blackboard.
Take care all,
MDC
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32313: The happiest of holidays to all my friends on the Porch. It's been a while since I've checked in. Hope you're all well.
Nate Bracey
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32314: OOOOOOH, what kind of prize do I get, MDC!!?? Actually, no prize is necessary. I really enjoy posting at Miss Crump's, and I'm enjoying posting here as well. Like I've said before, I've been posting on the blackboard for some time, but, until recently, just lurked and read here. You all seem to have been around awhile and so know each other pretty well. Don't get me wrong, now, everyone here seems incredibly friendly, but it was a little uncomfortable posting at first--kind of like going to a party where you recognize a few faces but don't really know anyone. The two boards definitely have different "feels." This one is much more personal. Both are great. Thanks to everyone for being so welcoming--this IS a friendly town!

And talk about Christmas anticipation! My kids are nearly bouncing off the walls. Although my daughter (she's 5) is excited about the whole present thing, it makes me glad that the true Christmas story and message seem to have impressed themselves on her heart.

I also have been wondering about Asa. He hasn't posted at Miss Crump's or here for awhile.

Take care all. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Me-They
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32315: Me-they -How about you get to teach Earnest T how to do math or about the pos-tum under a rock! ha
Bouncing off the walls seems to be the trend for EVERYONE right now as even the Hanukkah kids start on the 26th this year and get to go right thru New year's! haha
With MY relatives in town,I came to work to rest!
ha again!
Nate bracey, nate bracey, nate bracey--good to see ya . Merry Christmas. See ya at the next reunion!
Prayers continue for all! Keep de-stressed!
MDC
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32316: MDC .. the store is only 3 miles from the house but never lost power ,luckily we have a gas log fireplace that heated the house pretty good ,had to go to my parents house for showers and laundry
everyone have a great CHRISTMAS
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
December 21, 2005 - Msg 32317: Hey all - thanks for the get well wishes for my girl. She's doing great, but momma's trying to get over a sore throat. We had planned to have my family in from Kansas over the weekend, but between our household being sick and my dad having bronchitis, plans are on hold for that.

My daughter is excited for Christmas as well, but knows that Jesus is the gift as well as the giver. He is the One who has blessed Daddy with a great job so he is able to buy nice things for her. We never have done Santa at our home so we don't have to deprogram that from her mind.

Glad you stayed warm and had some necessities, MD, without the power on. Those gas log fireplaces sure can come in handy.

I hang around several places on Mayberry Street, but this place is more like a big family than the other sites.

MDC - every time I see your email addy, I wonder if you were a glue dipper at the furniture factory in Mayberry. ; )

Good to see Nate and Smokey Mtn Hillbilly.

Well, I'm off to get spot's birthday cake ready for tomorrow. Sure hope I have enough candles! ; )

Prayers for all!
AFD