April 15, 2006 - Msg 36945: Hey ASA, why did ya just run through? Sit a spell and tell us what's going on in Utah. I saw something about Utah on the discovery channel the other day. Can you guess what it was about? Yep, the discovery channel likes to do stories about polygamists. With so many good people in Utah it is too bad that so many associate it with families with multiple wives (the media likes to do that). Actually we have a huge group in a town in Texas that practice polygamy. They are a group from Utah that broke off from the regular Mormon church. I forgot the leader's name but I bet you would know it. He is pretty well known. Now why on earth did I get onto that subject?!

Ro, wish I could send Sean to do your floors. He is great with a vacume and a mop. He actually has his own vacume, Swiffer and mini Shop Vac. Something to do with the Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, he likes to clean floors (lucky me). He is starting to outgrow it, though and I sometimes have to ask him. Its funny how when he is under stress or had a very stressful day at school he will come home and start vacuming right away. He has had the vacume obsession since he was 2. We were in a restuarant and he saw a vacume in a hallway and was terrified by it. From that day on he developed a kind of obsession with them. I guess it all goes together with the Tourette Syndrome. I think most people with Tourette's have some kind of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder. Anyway, as far as the floor cleaning goes, I milk it for all it's worth! haha...just kidding, of course. One of the ways we have survived Sean's difficulties is with humor and it has helped him and us tremendously. I have learned that it IS really true that attitude makes a huge difference in how we handle the difficult things in life. Sometimes things are just as horrible as you make them, if you know what I mean.

Boy, I made ALOT of cupcakes. Chocolate and strawberry ones.

RO, our church doesn't have a choir but we have a song leader and what they call a worship team of about 4 men and 4 women. They do mostly modern stuff and I miss the hymns. Being raised in the Methodist church we only sang the great old hymns by Wesley and so on. I didn't realize it as a child but the words are amazing.

Hope you all have a good sleep and a wonderful day tomorrow!

Boo
April 15, 2006 - Msg 36946: Wow, I didn't think I had the strength left to sweep!

Boo
April 15, 2006 - Msg 36947: Oh, I almost forgot, all of you who prayed for Sean this past week when his head jerking was so bad, it absolutely went away by Thursday. I don't remember that ever happening before. It usually lasts for months and then is gone again, especially when it is as severe as it was at the beginning of the week. Thank you for your prayers!

Boo
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36948: Well, Boo, I'm sure glad you swept, because if it had been left up to me, it wouldn't have happened. I am exhausted. Parts of the house didn't get touched, and I don't care. Haven't bathed the Plum either, and I may not. She's combed out, I cleaned her ears, I'll just put her topknot up and that will do, I think. I'm just too tired. I've got to lose some weight. I'm packing about thirty pounds that I don't need, and it's wearing me out.

Poor Horatio, I think we'll call you Blessed Horatio. Your girlfriend had surgery for a tumor that turned out to be benign, but in the process they "accidentally" found a malignancy in her appendix? Are those God's fingerprints I see? Oh, bless your heart. How well I remember feeling that God left my prayers unanswered. It took me some years to figure out that the answer was simply "no", and that there was a reason. He knew more than I did, of course, and still does. He loves you. Just move over and let Him drive.

Well, I've cooled down a bit now after all that vacuuming, maybe I will bathe the Plum after all. Still got eggs in the dye cups, so can't go to bed anyway. (I know, I know, pagan thing and all, but they're so pretty, and since I don't attach any meaning to them, nor does anyone I know, other than as a symbol of renewed life, I keep dyeing them every year.)

Sugarplum says Happy Easter! He Lives! He is Risen! --Romeena
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36949: Morning and happy Easter!...now Boo im just not a foot man...nope...sorry...hey horatio,Romeena,lucy..big maude,.and all ...here at work now to keep all the Church lights on...will catch a service on the tube...bacon and eggs and toast for breakfast...Oj..coffee....yall wear yall dangley ear rings this morning ladys!....SPOT
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36950: morning and happy easter porch. may we thank GOD and our LORD for all they do for humanity and us in paticular. i think of the parable of the 3 talents and stewardship, and in genisis where god gave us stewards over the earth and how mankind has and continues to squader our tired planet. just a thought. buckeye
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36951: boo- great sweep. spot, great breakfast as usual . you keep the lights on so well and i think you and those in your line of work deserve more credit, cause most folks just take it for granted that electricity will be there at the flip of a switch, thanks to you and your coleges spot. romeena, when you talked about plum's bath and coloring Easter eggs, i thought of the easter beagle where marcie always says sir yes sir and was told to put the eggs in the water to boil, and she cracked open 3 dozen eggs in boiling water. asa between mavis's great choco;;ates and boo's cupcakes the porch should be sugar charged for days, oh boy. well today i pray for those hit with tornado's and storms yesterday, central illinois is supposed to get hit this afternoon and evening, wait that's our backyard. charlotte tucker, goober, ellen brown hold onto your hats. buckeye
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36952: Mornin Y'all!
Wanted to wish everyone a Blessed Easter.

And prayers for Horatio and his girlfriend.

Love to all!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36953: back at cha possum!..SPOT
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36954: Good Easter Morning porch friends.
Went for an early morning run this morning. It was still dark when I left with a nearly full moon to help me see. And then the eastern sky began to get lighter as dawn drew closer. And finally as I turned down my street heading for home, the first peek of the suns rays came shining over the snow covered mountain range that is just a few miles from us. As the sun popped up, and as I was nearing the finish of a 10 mile run, my mind got to thinking of that spring morning when Mary went to the tomb and found His body was gone. Thinking the guards had removed His body, she didn't realise right away that indeed He had risen.

Hey Boo, thanks for thinking of me. Just been way busy here. Spring has finally sprung and with it all the outdoor duties that go along with it. There are several groups that have splintered off of the L.D.S. church that still practice polygomy. I think the one down there in Texas by you is run by Warren Jeffs. I know he is on the F.B.I.'S TOP 10 most wanted list. He is in the news a lot here I know.

Poor Horatio, sure glad they found that stuff early in your girlfriend and she will be in my prayers that it does not spread anywhere. Sounds like they got it plenty early though. My MIL Pastor just had soem colon surgery done last week and they found cancer all over him. It's stage 4 so it doesn't look good. Please remember him in your prayers friends. It seems like the last few months I have had so many folks I know discover that dreaded disease in them. Anyway, enough of that gloom. It's Easter morning, and God lives and Jesus is the Christ. Amen!

Asa
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36955: Prayers to all on this Great day...hey asa..lets all meet after Church and have a "bring a dish" spread...green beans will be my dish...and sweet tea..then Easter egg hunt on the farm for the kids!...SPOT
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36956: What a beautiful Easter Sunday!! Happy Easter Porch family. Hope all is well. Just got home from curch, what a crowd, even the standing room only was crowded. I am a substitute teacher in our childrens department (after having taught Sunday School about 5 years I decided to move to a sub position in the childrens department so I could become more involved with the youth department where both my kids are now.) What a blessing to teach the story of Easter to the 1st graders. 4 boys and 1 little girl. SPOT, thanks for keeping the lights on and thanks for the breakfast and I will bring ham and homemade rolls to the covered dish. There was an article in our Sunday paper today by a local columnist about Mayberry. I will mail and copy to Romeena and maybe she can scan it for you all to enjoy. You guys have a good day. Big Maude
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36957: Happy Eastr to all in mayberry and my easter was ok .....gizzmo
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36958:
HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!!!
more later
mdc
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36959: Alleluiah! He is risen! Happy Easter Porch pals! ~ Mrs. Wiley
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36960: Afternoon Gang, In reference to my above message
(# 36956) Romeena had a brilliant idea, which of course did not even occur to me. If you would like to read the article about Mayberry that was in our local paper today, it would probably be easier to go to the Papers web site. DUH to me.
Kingsport Times News.net. On my AOL it is Kingsport Times News and Information Source. Once you find the paper, click on the columnists
section which is on the left hand side and then once you get to the columnists, click on Vince Stantens column. He is a native of this area and usually writes timely articles that are more human interest than anything else. Anyway, hope it works. Thanks to the genuis of Romeena. What a ding bat I am for not even thinking of the internet. Big Maude
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36961: Happy Resurection Day!!!
I'll chat more with everyone later, but I wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you!
Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy M.
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36962:
Happy Easter porch family.

It has been so great spending today with my family. Thank You Lord!

Asa...prayers for your pastor. How old is he?

Be back later...God bless.
-REV.


April 16, 2006 - Msg 36963: It's a little late in the day but Happy Easter! Hope everyone enjoyed the day. I had a houseful over and we all ate well.

Poor Horatio, I am so sorry for your trial. We care about you and don't always have just the right words to say but we can sure listen when you want to talk about it. Sometimes its a big comfort just to know there are friends who care when we are going through trials.

Yes ASA, his name is Warren Jeffs. Seems like he pops up on TV once in awhile. Dang, I can't believe you ran 10 miles! I didn't even know you were a runner. I used to run when I was in my 20's and loved it. Now I can barely walk a mile, forget about running! It really is indecent the way I have let my health go. I am putting Erin in kindergarten next year and it will be the first time in 11 years that I have not had a child home all day. I am hoping to start concentrating on my own needs and health and getting regular exercise. As it is now, there is no gym around that has child care and it is really hard to walk with a 4 year old. I tried walking with her riding her bike and of course she got tired and I ended up pulling her home on her bike.

Well, I am tired out from the day, which started really early this morning. Have a pleasant spring evening!

Boo
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36964: Hey Boo. I used to run further than 10 miles but my back problems are keeping me in check. And I am paying for it tonight.

Thanks for the prayers Rev. He is only 43 years old. Still has some youngsters at home. Sad sad deal.

Hope all had a great Easter. I sure did.

Asa
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36965: Thanks to all of my friends here who have offered a sign of support for my girlfriend and me.
Romeena, your particular thoughts made me realize there is another way of interpreting a lack of response to a prayer.
But there have been times when I prayed so that others would not suffer and yet I received no response. Those are the ones that are hard to explain.
In spite of this, just knowing that I have friends here who support me in their own ways offers me comfort. And in turn, I can offer comfort to my girlfriend.
Thanks to all of you wonderful people.

from Poor Horatio
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36966: Hi everyone! Happy Easter! I haven't checked in for awhile, so just wanted to stop by and say "hey!"
Charlotte Tucker
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36967: Poor Horatio, I hear what you're saying. It's one thing to accept a "no" for ourselves, quite another when our prayer is intercessory, for someone else's pain. I guess we just have to remember that God is working out His purposes in everyone's life, and knows the end from the beginning. It's all about trust, and that sounds a lot easier than it is.

What a lovely day. After church, we had dinner at my DIL's parents' home, then everyone came over here and we took pictures of the kids hunting eggs among the flowers. Everyone ooh-ed and aah-ed appropriately over my black iris, we ate a late supper and now the house is quiet again. I do enjoy the noisy confusion when the little kids are here, and then I enjoy the quiet when they go home. Five year old grandson has become a neatnik, and proceeded to clean up the living room, folded all the throws, straightened the pillows and even put away the Plum's little toys. He's so precious. He's the little cowboy in the pictures in the album.

Well, guess I'll turn in. Happy Easter, all. He is Risen. Alleluia!

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36968: Horatio, it's always so hard to watch people suffer and to feel so helpless. I know I struggle with that. Just the other day I saw a picture that was taken years ago, I think in Ethiopia or the Sudan when people were starving to death due to famine. The picture was of a small, emaciated child with his face down in the desert dirt and a large vulture was standing by waiting for the child to die. It was so painful to see and really raises alot of questions. I know that in order to stay sane, I have to focus on what I do know to be truth and to consider that a God who loves us enough to send His son to die in such horrible suffering must be a good God, no matter how things look. If I didn't believe that I guess I would have given up and died a long time ago.

ASA, please keep us informed of how the pastor with cancer is doing. I will pray for him and his family.

Hey Charlotte, where ya been? I thought maybe you ran off with a dishtowel salesman or something. Stay on the porch a little longer next time and fill us in on things.

Glad you had a nice day, RO. That grandson is a real keeper, isn't he?

Better hit the hay!

Boo
April 16, 2006 - Msg 36969:
Poor Horatio...your girlfriend (and you) are surely in my prayers also. Thank God we have folks like this that we can call on to pray.

-REV.


April 17, 2006 - Msg 36970: Opie:"I never saw one Pa?"
Andy:"Never saw one what?"
Opie:"A half a boy."

That there is a rib tickler for sure. I thing that Opies Charity is one of my all time fovorites. It has some great comedy and such a wonderful simple message we all should learn to live by.
fun girl
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36971: Good Monday Morning to you all, I just got to work and thought I would wake everyone up. Hope you all have a good day. Big Maude
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36972: Good morning everyone! I hope that you all had a blessed Easter. I went back and reviewed the archives, but I have to admit that after missing the last four or five days I had to resort to skimming! Y'all have had some nice chats. Hey to MDC, SPOT, LUCY, FUN GIRL, BIG MAUDE, ROMEENA, MAVIS, MAYBERRY DEPUTY, BUCKEYE, DAPHNE, REV, BOO, TOM, STERLING, AFD, FLOYD, ASA, MRS. WILEY, POSSUM, POOR HORATIO, HOMEMAKER, MR.GOSS, MARTY, GIZZMO, MARY WIGGINS, GOOBER...whew!...I'm sure I missed somebody or two!

BOO: Sean is still in my prayers. What your church "friend" did is terrible. Sometimes adults can't just seem to act their age. I have OCD myself, and cleaning is one of my things as well. My wife jokes that that if it makes me feel better to do it, more power to me. I'm sure that Sean and I would get along just fine!

POOR HORATIO: I have to agree with ROMEENA. I see His hand in all this. You have my prayers as well.

Well, we had a real nice Easter. It started off a little rocky, but ended up fine. My wife was on call Saturday night and got called in on a case about 8:00 p.m. She didn't get home until 6:30 a.m. Then it was up with the kids and off to church. The service was great, and then we went to brunch with my parents and mother-in-law. Then, while my wife (finally) got a few hours of sleep, the kids and I playd outside in the beautiful 65 degree sunshine. My daughter drew a beautuful picture of the Resurrection. It was just one of those days that you really stay in the moment, if you know what I mean.

I did some thinking about you all this weekend and would like to offer a suggestion for consideration. It seems like many of us here on the Porch have had particular prayer requests lately, and, of course, everyone seems more than willing to "put in a good word" with the Man Upstairs when they can. All our prayers are great and heard, I'm sure, but there is something really special about joining together in prayer. So, I was wondering if y'all might like to set aside a special time to pray for porch friends each day. It would be that time each day and anyone who can would stop what they are doing and say a prayer. All those joining in would know that somewhere out there is someone (or several!) others joining them in prayer. While it would be great if we all could every day, of course circumstances may prevent participation sometimes. Still, if we can get in the practice of doing it, it may prove a very special thing. Just a thought.

Well, gotta get to work! Have a good Monday.

Me-They
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36973: Just floating in to say Hi - enough rain here for Noah to build his ark. . .
Asa - could toss me an innertube to float around in?

homemaker
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36974: Mornining, Maude, hope your day at work is a good one, thought you must have some very difficult days in your line of work. Do you work for Child Protective Services?

Last night as I was channel surfing, I came across Joel Osteen giving a sermon from the HUGE Compac Center in Houston (talk about big churches!). Anyway he was telling the story of the potter and the clay as though he were the clay and how sometimes it seemed that the creator was being so hard on him through the process of making him into a beautiful cup. He talked about how the creator put the clay into the oven and the clay kept saying, "get me out of here, I can't stand it!" but the creator just said, "Not yet", Finally the work was complete and the clay realized that it took a real process to take him from an old lump of clay to a beautiful cup that people could use and cherish. I thought especially about Marty when I heard the story. Hang in there, Buddy. We are all a work in progress. Prayers still going up for you and your girlfriend.

Just wanted to share that.

SPOT, Bruce and I were sitting at the kitchen table for awhile going over the rough draft for the house plans, trying to figure out what to trim and change. Right now it stands at 3400 SF but I just can't imagine being able to afford to build something THAT big. I want to take the footage off the living room but it is kind of in the middle of the house so I don't think we can. This is beginning to feel like "Mr Blanding's Dream House"! grrrr I am supposed to be out pricing appliances to put on the building list but I don't know a thing about all that. Do any of you have any advice for me in that area? What's a good dishwasher, oven, refrigerator, etc...I am going to have to get a new washer/dryer and don't know whether to get one of those front loading ones or what. I still have a lot homework to do and don't have time to do it.

Speaking of...the laundry has to be done so I better scram!

Boo
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36975: Hey Homemaker and ME-THEY, we were posting at the same time.

ME-THEY, thanks for the encouragement! Your wife is a lucky woman, I can hardly get my husband to take out the trash or wash a dish. He is a very hard worker when it comes to working outside the house so I try not to complain too much.

I think the prayer idea is wonderful. I'm all for it, just let me know when.

Boo
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36976: prayers for all the many in need on the porch and around the world. poor haratio, sorry to hear about your problems, i heard a pastor say one time that in the mist of each storm we must praise the lord for that storm or trouble. several passages in the bible reflect this. so great to see everyone on the porch, though we may not mention everyone know your in our thoughts and prayers. pray for mdc that the lord will offer him a perfect job. charlotte tucker, seems we're seeing a lot of tornado's this year. anyone remember the submarines that came in ceral, you added baking soda and float it in water? surfin on out of here. do you know how hard it is to find a surf board in illinois? a car hood will have to surfice. buckeye
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36977: BOO: The only appliance advice I can give is don't get a freezer from an auction or you'll just end up calling the man and then have to buy a new one anyway.

Wow! 3,400 sq. ft. I wouldn't want to clean THAT! Talk about a second job...

M-T
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36978: hello everyone ,hope everybody had a wonderful Easter day ,still painting the Kitchen ,almost done then its on to the bedroom for a fresh coat in there .
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36979: BOO: I forgot to mention, I don't know if you saw my post answering your question about church last week, but I agree with your comment from this Saturday about the traditional hymns having such meaningful words. Our church goes the traditional route, but it is difficult finding a good church that still sings hymns "from a book" nowadays (I have friends looking). Most have gone to the modern praise music. Although I prefer traditional hymns, I don't have a problem with the more modern style. However, I do think that tossing the traditional hymns completely as some churches have done for it dangerous. The traditional hymns contain not only beautiful music but theologically "meaty" words as well. They teach as well as inspire. I know I'm generalizing, but most modern praise songs are simply repetitive choruses and don't go very deep. It seems they are meant to inspire emotion without thought. Simply put, they make you "feel" but not "think." So, while they are okay for what they are, I believe that a truly great hymn does both. Hymns by Charles Wesley have been sung and cherished for 250 years; hymns by Fanny Crosby for 125. And now I will yield the soapbox...

Me-They
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36980: Afternoon to everyone. It is getting close to quitting time and I'm ready!! It has been raining very very hard off and on since about mid morning here today. Hopefully,it will stop until I get to my car!! Boo, you asked where I worked.. I am actually a licensed therapist and share a counseling practice with a long time colleague. I worked for 21 years in a community mental health center and about 3 years ago left (due to the agency making some changes that were not good for me or my family) and my colleague and I went into practice together. You guys have a good day. will check in and see what's for supper. Big Maude
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36981: Howdy, all. Me-They, I think your prayer-time idea is a great suggestion. Something we can all participate in and benefit from as well. Count me in. Regarding the changing practices in congregational singing, my taste tends toward the old hymns, as one would expect of someone my age. However, I know how the young'uns enjoy the praise songs. So, I'm happy to say that my church employs both. We usually have two or three of the chorus things, but also a couple of the old hymns as well. Seems to work well.

Boo, about 34 years ago, my husband and I were in the same quandary in which you find yourself right now - building our house. My father was the builder, and he had drawn the plan very well, incorporating everything we said we wanted. But, it was too big!! Or so we thought. We insisted that he scale it down some, and he did. Made a whole $50 a month difference in the payment, and we were so proud. After about five years, we finally admitted to ourselves and to him that we had made a mistake, and for 34 years in this house, I've wished I had those extra six feet across the back, about 300 sq feet in all. The master would have been much bigger, the closet and bathroom much bigger, the office roomier,and so on. $50 a month now would mean so little by comparison, and the space would be so welcome. The house is certainly big enough, but it could have been better. My advice is go #1 all the way. The shoe might pinch a little now, but it'll stretch, and you'll be glad you did it. Get good appliances, don't go for economy. Build in all the space you possibly can. Trust me, it's cheaper now than trying to add it later.

Gotta work tonight and tomorrow night, guess I'll go try to grab a little nap to see me through the night. You all act like somebody, now, you hear? Sugarplum says 10-4! -- Romeena
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36982:
BOO- just recently got a KitchenAid dishwasher to replace an old GE. Just love it. Quiet and good.
Here's my 2 cents on the hymns. it seems to me that the majority of the old hymns were more totally God centered. (ie: Holy, holy, holy)
and it seems that more of the modern ones have a lot of "I"s and "me"s in them. Maybe it's just me (ha)! But think about it and see what you think.
Me-they- I like to pray when i first get up. Or were you thinking more specific, but there are time zones to consider also, but a great idea!
Maybe our submariner mayor would have an idea! ha
ASA- We had the Pat Tillman run here on sat. Very nice 4 miles, (I walked tho!)
Colo. City here in AZ is all polygamist. We need to get our marriage amendment passed. Now they are saying what's wrong with two mommies and a daddy.! gheech!
From episode #1:
Andy: Well, most kids runnin' away leave a note.
Opie: But pa, ya know I can't WRITE!
MDC
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36983: Evening Porch! Shew what a day! Rained here like cats & dogs, but it's nice & cool now. Had a great visit with Jake & got him home this weekend, & got myself back home last night. I am still trying to catch up on some much needed sleep. Thank you all for the comments on my Jake, I'm pretty proud of him myself. :)
Gotta go get some stuff done, wish I could teach my dogs to wash the dishes & clothes while I was out working. Tom we have a store here that still sells the TeaBerry gum, I'll send you some.
*Mavis
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36984: Just dropping in to say good night to everyone.
The porch sure is quite tonight. Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite. Big Maude
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36985: Night Big Maude
*Mavis
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36986: Evenin' Porch,
I'm exhausted so this'll be quick. Today the painters came for my apartment (Mayberry Deputy) so we had to put all of our items in the middle of the room, bathrooms, or balcony. The carpet people are coming tomorrow so then we'll have to put our beds in the outside hall. Its alot of work, but it will be worth it in the long run.
I'm in on the praying deal. Give me a time and I'll do it. Tom and Mavis vermontcountrystore.com sells alot of "old fashion" items including that gum if you're interested. I'm going to get to bed. I hate going to bed with a wet head because I look wild when I wake up, but I'm too tired to blow dry. Has anyone seen the show Frontier House on pbs? If so did you like it?
Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy Matthews
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36987: Hey yall...im still here..just been doing yard work...25 more bales of mulch...got my squash and chuck planted...28 more pepper plants...got to read the mail...also washed my truck...miss sherry says hey!...breakfast will be on Lucy at I-Hop...rytty tutty fresh and fruty..save me a chair asa....hey mdc,ro,big maude,mt,md,fg,Rev,gosh Boo...3400....mine is 2600 and more then I need....but i have a non finished basement...which is another 2000 square ft....but go for it!!..SPOT
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36988: SPOT, to me, 2600 seems right, but convincing Bruce is another story, of course ROMEENA had a good point in her post.

Lucy, I am sitting her with wet hair thinking about getting up to dry it! There is no way I can go to bed with it wet it would be atrocious in the morning.

Maude and Mavis (sounds like the name of a sitcom), I sure wish we had some of that rain here in South Texas. Its getting really sad. Cattle ranchers are selling off all their cattle and the ones left around her look amaciated and you can see their bones. It just makes me sick. We need rain very, very badly.

Hey, thanks for that dishwasher advice, MDC. I had heard that KithenAid was a good brand.

ME-They, I agree with you 110% on the hymns. As I read your comments I wanted to shout, "AMEN!" I am very afraid that the next generation will be easily led astray from lack of knowledge and the old hymns are kind of like the creeds that have been passed down for ages. As I was driving home today I was listening to Christian radio and thinking about how the songs for the most part seem really lacking. There are still some that have great and meaningful lyrics but alot seem like they are just for the entertainment of the listener. MDC, I will pay attention to what you mentioned about the songs, interesting. You know, its funny, when I was very young I DID NOT like to sing the hymns and thought they were extremely boring, Now when we sing one in church I almost always find myself crying because of the amazing words and depth of meaning in the hymns. Yesterday when we were singing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" I struck by the amazing words to that song! "Christ has opened paradise!"...wow. Do any od you know all the verses to it? I would love to read them if you would print them. I have my old hymnal packed away in storage. Here is just a suggestion for those of you who might own hymnals with the old hymns: I used to take the hymnal with me to my prayer time and sing from it and just got so much out of those words!

Today I went to have lunch with my sis-in-law and we ate at her favorite Mexican rest. and let me tell ya, it was goood. That was at about 1pm and now at 11 I still feel full and have heartburn. Man, those enchiladas were the best ever but had enough cheese in them to constipate an elephant. It was some good eating, though. Hope I can sleep tonight because those enchiladas are still laying heavy on my chest!

Just a quick request for prayer. Yesterday we lost two little children in 2 drowning accidents, locally. One was a year old and one was 3. The incedents were unrelated so it is really strange because this is a fairly small community. Please pray for the families. Thanks,

Boo
April 17, 2006 - Msg 36989: Hey, Marty from Mountain Top, just saw your post in the archives about us both remodeling our houses. Thanks for the good luck! I'm hoping our home will sell quick because although it being a nice house it is on the lower end, pricewise. But I will take all the good thoughts and prayers(is it right to pray to sell a house?) that I can get. Hope your remodeling goes well, Marty. Are you adding on or opening up some spaces?

Prayers for those children and their families, Boo. What they must be going through now. :(

-Sterling Holobyte
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36990: Morning gang...I-Hop on Boo....back in a bit....SPOT
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36991: just crusin thru the porch, good morning porchsters. O MAYBERRY, O MAYBERRY, that song just gets me right here, fist over heart, looking skyward O, MAYBERRY HOW GREAT A PLACE. spot, i always have enough hops to get to I- HOP especialy when sweet boo is buying , such a great hostess. anyone remember having those submarines that came in ceral that you filled with baking soda and away it went. honey, believe me i can beat the garbage truck to our curb with our garbage, no sweat, off to the curb i go i arrive just as the truck pulls away. to save face i tell sweetie i made it but the poor fellow looked so tired i didn't have the heart to add one more bag to his load. WOULD YOU BELIEVE, she never bought it either. PRAYERS FOR ALL IN NEED. buckeye
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36992: Well if Boo's buying, count me in. I just hope they don't put enough cheese on their omlette's to constipate no elephant. Thats a lotta cheese!:)
Lucy, I watched Frontier House several years ago when it first came out and really enjoyed it. Is that the same one you're talking about or have they made a new one?
Mavis, you had rain? Well last night when driving home from the store it's snowing like crazy on me. Off to the western horizon, the sky is clear and the sun is shining as it sets, but it's snowing like mad. So I figure what the heck and plug in my Mannheim Steamroller cd and listen to White Christmas in April. Was kind of fun. Some of the bench areas got 8 inches of snow. The sad thing is a lot of the tree's have started to leaf out, and when you add all that wet heavy snow on to those leafy branches you have branches snapping off all over the place. I went out yesterday and was shaking all my tree's to try and shake as much snow off them as I could without hurting them. Our concern now is we are going to warm up fast and have a heavy run-off from the mountains and our rivers are already max'd out. I see flooding in our future. I wish we could send some down to you Boo. Hope things wetten up for you guys, and for goodness sake watch where them constipated elephants aim. I don't think you want to be around when things loosen up.:)

Asa
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36993: OK, meet ya'll at IHOP.

Serling. I absolutely think it's ok to pray for a house to sell. We prayed hard for ours to sell and it took a little while because the timing was important. As it turns out, it was bought by a navy officer from New York who wants to retire here. He gave us much more per square foot for the house than we could have gotten from anyone else in this area. We were really blessed. Hang in there. As far as the house being a nice house on the low end, pricewise, that sounds like an advantage to me. It costs so much to raise a family these days I am sure there is someone out there looking for something nice they can afford. Speaking of expense, I told ya'll I got my Suburban out of the shop and it cost me 1,000 dollars, then yesterday it started acting funny like something was wrong with the transmission! I took it right in to my mechanic friend who fixed it and he said he would look it over. We just replace the transmission a year ago. Also I filled it with gas yesterday for 95.00. I felt a bit faint afterward but I survived the experience.

Lots to do today. Eye dr appointment for Sean (he needs glasses), have housework. My older brother David is coming from California tommorrow for a visit. He and my Dad will be going to Houston on Thursday with Sean and me for Sean's dr's appointment. My dad has a brother there that we are staying overnight with. I look forward to it. My Uncle and his wife are super people, just good Southern folks in the middle of the big city. Bye,

Boo
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36994:
Morning Folks

Sorry I didn't get a chance to wish a Happy Easter to everyone but we decided at the last minute to go on a little trip this weekend.

BOO & Me-They, I found your respective "Christian Journey's" similar to my own. I was raised a Baptist. When I started dating the future and current Mrs. auh2o we attended a Catholic Church and were married in a Catholic Church. Since then we have gone from a Baptist Church to where we are today the United Methodist Church. One time at work when the topic came up I referred to myself as "failed fundamentalist." I didn't find out until later that I really offended some people with that statement. I only meant it to be a little self-ridiculing and a little bit humorous.

Asa- Now my computer's acting-up. This thing is telling me that you ran 10 miles for the fun of it.

MDC- "Two mommies and a daddy" that's one mommies too many. That's nuts!

God Bless
auh2o
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36995: HA! Hey ASA and Buckeye, I was posting at the same time as you. What are we having at IHOP?

Buckyeye, "aren't ya kind?!"...."sweet Boo"...I like that!

Asa, you have no idea what I would have given to be driving in snow and listening to Manheim Steamroller last night. Wow, dreamy! Its hot, humid and gross here right now. Thanks for the elephant advice.

Boo
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36996: Hey auh2o, you snuck in on me. I think your comment was funny and really clever.

Boo
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36997: Here are the lyrics to a modern Christian song that I think has awesome lyrics. Thought it might bless someone today:

Closer to me, I'm tired and I'm weak,
and every breath within me is longing just to be..
Closer to You, so I face the road ahead because I know there's no comparing to what's waiting at the end.

So let the rain start falling where it will
and I will run through this valley just to get to that hill,
and when they ask why I'm smiling after all I've been through, its cause I'm just a day closer to You.

Closer to me, I hear You whisper on the wind,
you say although my life is fading, a new one will begin, closer to you,
and I know I'm not alone cause I can hear you in the distance saying you are not alone,
So let the rain start falling where it will, I will run through this valley just to climb to that hill and if they ask why I'm dancing after all I've been though...its cause I'm just a day closer to You.

Closer to me, through the laughter and the tears of the ones I leave behind me who have prayed me through the years,
Closer to You, when I know it won't be long,
till you're running down the pathway just to take me in your arms.
So let the rain start falling where it will,
I will run through this valley just to climb to that hill,
and if they ask why I'm smiling when my life's almost through..
It's cause I'm just a day closer to You.

Boo
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36998: Just to let you know - we have had so much rain that the crawdads are wearing life preservers!

Hope everyone is on the up and up. . .

homemaker
April 18, 2006 - Msg 36999: Oh by the way - here is my favorite Christian song as of right now. . .Who Am I

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours



I hope everyone has a blessed day!

hm
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37000: Good morning everyone! Hey to all on the porch. No loafing!

MAVIS: Raining cats and dogs, huh? Guess you need an extra strong umbrella for that. Especially if it's raining St. Bernards and not Chihuahuas.

LUCY: I watched "Frontier House" when it was first on several years ago (I believe that it is, indeed, the same one). It was pretty good. I just wish that the participants had taken it a little more seriously. There is a similar series called (I think) "Victorian House," which had a family living in a turn-of-the-20th-century row house in London. It was good as well. Also, they did another called "Manor House" that had a number of people filling roles in a 19th century English manor house. One family lived in (almost) castle as the "owners;" a bunch of other people filled mid-level roles like head housekeeper, butler, wetc., and still other were scullery maids, stable boys, etc. It was very, very interesting watching these people adopt the various class roles. It's repeated from tiem to time.

Speaking of good shows, I have watched two episodes of "Shalom in the Home" on TLC (Mondays at 10:00 p.m. EST). It features a sort of Dr. Phil-like rabbi who helps a family for a week. It sounds kinda hokey I know, but the guy is suprisingly (for tv) forthright and offers very (for lack of a better word) Christian advice. A lot of it very politically incorrect nowadays, but always done in a practical, loving way. It is a neat show.

BOO: Thanks for the hymn. Ditto on disliking hymns as a kid. But, like you, I came to appreciate them so much as an adult. They have lasting power. You can find words to most hymns on the net. "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" is one of my very faves.

STERLING: There is no matter too large or too small for prayer, as long as we are pratying in the correct spirit (that His will, not our own, will be done). If something is important to you, then it's important to those that really love you. And no one loves you more than He does.

SPOT: I've moved onto lunch...So what goes?

If most of you are on board for the "moment of prayer," time suggestions would be appreciated. Morning? Afternoon? Evening? One thought I had was that many of us watch the TV Land TAGS, so right before that might be a good time (say, 8:55 EST)? But whatever works for most.

Me-They
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37001: Sorry if I rocked on your toes, HM. Thanks for your hymn as well!

M-T
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37002: Gang, sorry for all the typos in my otehr post. Too many fingers going in the wrong direction this morning. My education was worth every penny, really!

Also, BUCKEYE: Yes, I do remember those subs that put baking soda inside. I remember them coming in Cap'n Crunch in the mid-1970s.

M-T
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37003: GEEZ! There I go again! That's "other!"

M-T
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37004: Afternoon porchsters, Been busy at work today.
I thought I would stop by during my lunch break.
Hope all is well with you folks today. It is a beautiful day. Enjoyed reading all of your posts, they are always ecnouragement to me and help me get through the day. thanks. Thanks for breakfast Boo. I HOP was good. Lets start thinking about supper. Romeena, I will try and get my pictures in the mail to you this week end.
I must be on my way, so you guys have a good afternoon and as always thoughts and prayers are with you. Big Maude
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37005: Oh, I forgot. I am on board for the moment of prayer. great idea. Big Maude
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37006: ME-THEY, is it true that A Mighty Fortress was written during the Martin Luther/reformation thing? The words make ALOT of sense if it was.

Thanks for the song HM, I really like that one, too.

Hey to Maude!

Boo
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37007: Oh, 8:55 is good with me but would that be Eastern or Central? I am on Central time, myself.

Boo
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37008:
Hello porch family
Didn't get to stop by last night. WE had a scare here at home. Thank God I was home. Had to take my wife to the ER last night with severe chest pains. She couldn't hardly breathe. We stayed there all night but they let her come home. They told us it was a heart spasm. She was in so much pain and still very weak.

Will be back later...Prayers for all!
-REV.
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37009: Hey to the PORCH! Hope ya'll are doing well...and that everyone enjoyed this past Sunday...and the incredible celebration of life.

Have a little story to tell...about 3 years ago, Mrs. Goober had a ruptured appendix. It was bad...almost lost her, not a good time.

The surgery was pretty invasive as a result, and about a year later we saw a fertility specialist, cause there was no activity from a baby perspective. Now, I'm old...but she's not...so we were afraid there may be problems. After lots of tests and procedures...the Dr. told us that we have a less than 1% chance of ever having a baby naturally, and that IVF would only be good after some corrective procedures. His words were that though they never told someone there was no chance...its was medically impossible for this to happen. This was a very hard thing for Mrs Goober to take...but we began talking about adoption etc, had even decided to start the home study this summer...but God gave us a promise a couple of years ago that we would have our own child. Now...He didn't say it would be natural...didn't say it wouldn't be adoption...but I've maintained a 'knowing' that at some point...some day...Mrs Goober would be preggers.

This past Wednesday nigt...after waiting about 6 weeks "just because" we took the test and we're going to have a baby. :-) AS a matter of fact...she's now taken 4 tests...and they ALL say we're going to have a baby!

So...what does this tell me? It tells me that when God makes a promise, even when the Drs see that there's no hope...there's hope. There are so many things that happen that we just don't understand, but I know, that I know that I know...he delivers.

Talk to you soon...

Goober...
YO!!!
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37010: Let me be the first on the Porch to congratulate you, GOOBER! Great news! That makes three new expected additions to Mayberry this year. Has an ETA been established yet?

REV: Prayers have been sent for Mrs. Rev. I'm glad things are looking better today.

BOO: I don't know the answer to your question about the song, but if I have the chance will do some investigating.

The reason I suggested 8:55 p.m. EST was because that is right before TV Land shows TAGS (9:00 EST). I guess this would be 7:55 Central (does TAGS come on at 8:00 p.m. in the Central time zone?)

Have a great one, y'all!

Me-They
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37011: Hey, GOOBER..."I wonder what causes that?"

M-T
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37012: BOO: The words and music of "A Mighty Fortress..." are by Martin Luther. Evidently, it has been described "the great­est hymn of the great­est man of the great­est per­i­od of Ger­man histo­ry" (that may be overstating a bit) and the "Bat­tle Hymn of the Ref­or­ma­tion."

M-T


April 18, 2006 - Msg 37013: MT...the approximate date is late November/Early December...and thanks for the congrats! :-)

Goober...
YO!!!
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37014: Well Happy Thanskgiving and Merry Christmas!

M-T
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37015: Hey Y'all: Goober: Congratulations to you and Mrs. Goober. Rev, you and the Mrs. are in my thoughts and prayers. Boo, we are on EST on my end of the porch. Andy comes on at 9pm on TV land but we also get him at 5pm and 5:30pm compliments of a local station. If I get home in time I can usually either cook with Andy or at least have dinner with him once in a while. Big Maude
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37016: CONGRATS TO THE GOOBERS, I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU. our oldest daughter was suppose to be born late november or early december and she arrived christmas morning 40 years ago. REV, THANK GOD YOUR MISSES IS OK, i think sometimes GOD allows this to remind us how much we need and love need our significant others. supper is on big maude at the local favorite steakhouse, so eat hearty and thanks big maude. snack around 10 pm at the dairy queen on asa. bring a loud speaker so we can make sure they know what all we want. spot, have you been fishing? boo, you and homemaker has a fre months of dishes done by marty of the mtn top. i'm so free with my volunteering others, tee- hee. buckeye
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37017: tom, thanks for sharing your photo, i noticed you collect old toys and buildings, they sure look neat. buckeye
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37018:
My, the porch is nice and full.
Goober- Congratulations! Praise God! Now, AFD, Possum and you two! Way cool! Now we need to get little Andelina betrothed before the birth! haha
REV- prayers for the missus. Give her our best.
6;55 here on the montain time porch end would be the same as 8:55 eastern and would be great for me.
Boo- no moulage intended but look over lyrics above and then of "Risen Today" or Mighty Fortress etc and see what i mean? But i dont want to pik nits either.
Will pray for rain for you. Asa, box up some of that snow for south TX!
Buckeye, I'll send you my baking soda frogman if ya promise to send it back sometime!ha
Ya all have a great day!
MDC
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37019: Hey Sterling- amongst other things I am extending the end of the hall way througe the hall way closet and bedroom closet and putting a door into the garage we added on a few years ago. I'll have to build a storage closet in that part of the garage and also build a replacement closet in the back bed room. The garage access thru the back bedroom will be converted to a built in book case and the ac duct work moved from the hall way also.
Rev-very happy to hear Mrs. Rev is doing good, I never heard of that happening.
buckeye-thanks for sending me those dishes-nothing I like better to do.
Marty from Mountain Top
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37020: Buckeye, Supper on me, sounds like a winner, I'd be happy to treat everyone. How is Goldern Corral? or we could really go all out and eat the the Chop House, course that's more fancy and they don't serve snails, like the uptown resturant Peggy took Andy to, but we can find something for the appetizer. There is a resturant near me, in Southwest Virgina which serves Ostrich Burgers if anyone would like to try that. See ya later and don't be late for supper. Big Maude
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37021: Snails? I like a little brains with my snails. They got brains there too Maude?:)

Asa
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37022: Congrats Goober - God has certainly blessed you.
Goat burgers for everyone. . .they are ba-a-a-d to the bone! Ha Ha

homemaker
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37023: Hey, GREAT news, Goober! I am thrilled! As one who was not "supposed" to conceive without medical intervention I am happy to tell you that I received two little miracles without the help of the medical establishment. Praise the Lord for keeping His promises! Please keep us informed of ALL progress, first sono, etc. Prayers for Mrs. Goober for a joyful pregnancy.

MDC, I know that AFD is expecting and Me-They but I don't think Possum is pregnant. Are you Possum?? I see what you mean about the songs. I don't think you will be starting a moulage. Haha

Well Erin just came in soaking wet. Seems she ran through the sprinklers dad put out. I had better go put her in a warm shower.

Boo
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37024: Asa - I heard you were looking for a new brain. . .is that the truth?
hm
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37025: Hey Marty, Do you do laundy as well as dishes?
I will send you loads and loads and loads.
Asa, I don't know if they have brains at the
Hob Nob, but I do know they have those ostrich
burgers. I have never had one but folks say they are pretty good. Doesn't sound tasty to me, guess I will just stick to Al and Floyds burgers.
Big Maude
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37026: Hey Big Maude, yea I've done a bit of laundry too- I'm pretty good at pre-sorting, what shouldn't go in the dryer, and so on. Somehow after my bachelor days I 've learned something about cleaning and cooking too. You don't think I'm hen pecked do you?
Boo, Lucy Matthews and Me-They: I also like the old gospel music the best like the songs on the records by Andy Griffith, Jim Nabors and Johnny Cash to mention a few. Most of the newer music sounds too much like modern pop like Mariah Carry and the rest. The melodies are simplistic and sound uninspired. Kind of whinny.
Earlier you referred to the new songs as something like emotions but not much Biblical message. I guess it is style and no substance. Just give me that old time religion.
Marty from Mountain Top.
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37027: Hi, it's ole Fred Goss finally checking in again!
Just been real busy.
Good night mrs kalabash whereever you are!
Oops, wrong show . har
Hope to be back soon!
Fred
April 18, 2006 - Msg 37028: Hey Marty, I thought everything went in the dryer. Maybe I am doing something wrong....

Maude, I have eaten Ostrich on a few occasions. My late Father-In-Law had several that we eventually had kill after he died. I didn't like the smell of the meat when I was cooking it but it is very much like steak in taste. We would tenderize it and chicken-fry it. I have also eaten alot of Emu and I like it better than the Ostrich because it doesn't have that funky smell. It is a very bloody meat, though and I didn't like handling it. I now know that both birds are on the "unclean" list of animals we shouldn't eat according to the bible so I wouldn't do it now. I try to follow that rule, no shellfish or pork, either. Not for religious reason but I just think its healthier.

Hey Me-They, I can't believe I was right about A Mighty Fortress. I thought I had heard it somewhere, though. I just love the stories about Martin Luther and the others like Tyndale who so bravely and with the threat of great harm gave us the bible in English. I read once about a time during the dark ages in England when a group of parents were burned at the stake for teaching their children The Lord's Prayer in English. Can you even imagine such unfair cruelty? What happens in the hearts of some men to turn them into cruel beasts, and to do these kinds of things in the name of the church when Jesus said the mark of the Christian would be love.

We have been talking about modern Christian music. I think that Keith Green had some really good music in the 70's. Do any of you listen to him?

Boo