May 22, 2006 - Msg 38271: Howdy, all. Lucy, most of what you're telling about Bryson just sounds like you're raising an 8-yr old. They can be very trying. Best advice I can think of - keep your reactions to a minimum, especially where God is concerned. I know it's horrifying to you, but if you let him see that, you'll just empower him to shock you even further. When he makes a comment that's counter to what he's been taught, just look thoughtful, and say, "Hmmm. Is that really the way you feel? Would you like to tell me why?" and then listen. If he doesn't respond, drop the subject. He'll bring it up again, because he's uncomfortable with his feelings, and wants very much for you to help him sort them out.

As for your husband and the TV, he has a valid point about TV being mostly a waste of time. It is that, and it's a brain-numbing experience when children are allowed to watch too much. Regarding the anti-christ, I believe when he arises (out of Islam, in my opinion) we will see the process as it unfolds, because it will be on the news and everywhere. He'll be a political leader, very charismatic, and apparently holding the answers to world peace. However, we are also told that when Christ returns, "every eye shall see him". What better way for this to take place than on TV, which is now available around the world. Even the nomads in Mongolia, at least those who can afford generators, have TV and satellite dishes.

Well, that's just my take on things. I guess no one really knows how it's all going to take place, in what particular order, and certainly we don't know when. Christ Himself said he didn't know, so certainly we don't. It's enough for me, just to believe that He's coming again, and I want to be ready.

Now for a nap, before going in to work. Sugarplum says 10-4. --Romeena
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38272: Yall guess Asa kinda invited us to the firehouse for a boiled sonething dinner!...Im in there...boiled cabbage I think!....LOL....good sweep Romeena!....busy here at work...SPOT
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38273: I'm here, MDC. Just busy. One day last week we had two showings in one day(one was a last-minute call from the realtor). It is a real pain trying to keep this place spotless, although I have to say I do like having a clean, and (mostly)uncluttered house.:)
Then yesterday Kai and I went to my nephew's birthday party. Kai had a lot of fun and didn't want to leave, of course. She has discovered the "new" game of tether-ball, and she and her cousin and her friend were playing that for a while.

Oh, congrats on the job btw, MDC!

Boo, you can't help all the animals in the world. But the fact that you try, shows that you are very special. And I think God knows that, too.

Lucy, I wish I could say something other than sorry about your troubles with Bryson. Does he go to public school? Could his wanting to distance himself from God be BECAUSE he is being picked on at school for his beliefs? And his subsequent behaviour(the stealing and what-not)be due to the conflict he may be feeling over following God's teachings vs being accepted among his apparently more secular peers? I'm just throwing that out there. But I reckon that being 8 in today's world is a little more problematic than it was in the good old days(you know, like the 70's or 80's ;)), and kids are being exposed to things that we never had to deal with at that age. Maybe it would help to reiterate some of the stories about Jesus doing things that weren't exactly popular, but were right and good. I do agree with Me-They about that seed of truth being in him, and it does seem that Bryson knows deep down in his heart the truth. He is just going through a rough period with it and the "real" world colliding.

Ro, I agree with you on Warren. He has gotten a bad rap!

Speaking of that, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to turn on the tv at any time and watch some TAGS. Dang, I still say someone should start some channels for all these great old shows, and show just one show on each channel, 24 hours a day. I would have the TAGS channel; the Mama's Family channel; the Little House On The Prairie channel, ...oh, I could go on and on!

I have to tell you guys about a dumb thing I did. Which doesn't happen often so listen up! ;) Actually it can happen quite often.
Ok, but this wasn't entirely my fault, I don't think. It seems that for the past year since we bought this house, I haven't paid the gas bill. How could that happen, you ask? Well, let me tell you.
Last week, a WE Energy guy came out and said he had to turn off my gas. I said, I didn't even know we had anything that took gas. The stove is electric, the water heater is electric. It was then that I found out that the home heating system is gas(which explains why they turned it off now, as it is forbidden to turn it off in the winter).
The problem is I never received a bill. Oh, I received a couple letters saying "we know you are the owner of this home and would you please send this back and tell us where you want the bills to go. Sincerely, WE Energy."
Well - and this is where my possible dumbness comes in - being that this was my first home, I wasn't used to all these different bills AND I thought that WE Energy was just something like the corporate office for Excel Energy, the company who billed us for our electricity. SO, thinking that the energy company knew our address and who we were, as we were getting bills from Excel Energy, I kind of ignored the letters from WE Energy(of which we only received a couple letters when we first bought the house, and a couple just recently). That, and as I stated before I didn't even know we had gas anyway. I forgot what it said on the info sheet for this house listing. It probably said gas heat, but I threw that thing away long ago. And I was expecting a little area on the heater where you could see the pilot light, but there was none, so I assumed it was electric like everything else here.

Now, here is where WE Energies possible dumbness comes in. Why in the world would they not send me a bill, and instead just send these dang letters? It said on these letters they knew we owned the house, and they even had our names on them(the last letter they sent just had "occupant" - I don't know why, when they were addressed to us specifically before). If they would have sent me a bill saying I owed suchandsuch amount of money, that would have got my attention! And if they didn't know who to bill, thinking the house might be rented and have tenants or something, and they couldn't get a hold of them, why wouldn't they just send the bill to the owner - ME?! What kind of company lets it go on for a year, just because they can't tell who should pay the bills?! They know we own the house!! Ugh!

I called the number the guy said to call to get the gas turned back on, and asked them(although I told them I didn't think I really wanted to know) what my bill would be. They said they didn't know because they haven't done a reading on the meter for all that time. Is it just me, or is this the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard?! So, I am just waiting with baited breath for the bill, and pray that we will have enough to cover it and still have enough to put down on the new house to possibly make our payments lower.

Oh, by the way, after I called and got the gas turned back on, we received another letter from them saying, "Congratulations on your new home and welcome to WE Energy." Now isn't that just a kick in the pants?! Yeah, welcome my-aunt-fanny, on our new house we bought a year ago. And they knew it!

Well, I'll let you know how it goes, and if I die of a heart attack some day after 2pm(when the mail comes), you'll know why. ;)

-Sterling Holobyte

May 22, 2006 - Msg 38274: Hey, STERLING. Glad you had time to stop in and jawl. Brace yourself for that gas bill!

M-T
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38275: I don't know if anyone is interested in my story but I just have to tell someone. My daughter always brought home stray cats and guess who had to take care of them....yours truly. Well one day she met the love of her life and moved to another state.I had gotten so attached to one of the cats she brought home that when she asked if she could take him I earnestly talked her out of it. I told her he would just die if we changed his location. He was getting on in years and it wouldn't be good for him. She understood and got 2 cats for herself. But she kept bugging me saying if I couldn't handle it, she would take him. He's my little buddy so I kept saying no. I'm so attached that I prayed to God that when it was time for my little "Nicholas" to go would he just go to bed and not wake up. My daughter got very sick one day.We had to go be with her. She was only 33 years old and pregnant. She was diagnosed with a heart problem and died suddenly of a heart attack. The day she died I went down stairs and found my little buddy in his little bed...gone. My daughter must have wanted him so much or he sensed that she was gone and he went to be with her. I just feel that some devine power was so involved in what happened. Please pray for her and all of us. I am so lonely.
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38276: Howdy porchsters......moving kinda slow today. My 4 year old woke up at 1am and was up most of the night.....,I've been dragging today. She says she's been having nightmares. And another thing's been bothering me....when hubbyand I were at the beach, Miller(just turned 9) for some reason thought I was in the hospital......he and Robbie(7) thought something was really wrong because their daddy didn't come home...figured he was staying at the hospital with me. Now, we told them where we were going, and Grandma stayed here with them the whole time....I think maybe they were confused because I have been sick so much, and have had 3 surgeries in about 9 months....bless their little hearts......also found out Sean, who is 16, used my illness to get out of assignments at school. Miller and I are starting a counseling group in 2 weeks, maybe I should take all of the kids. I'll have to pray on this.......what do y'all think?
Millie
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38277: Msg 38275: Dear Lord, you poor thing. Saying I'm sorry sounds so incomplete. Just know that your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything that we can do please let us know. I have been dealing with some issues lately and this porch has been such a blessing. We truly are like a family. You take care.
~Lucy Matthews
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38278: to message 38275, such a sad story, I can't imagine how you feel. I'm sure God is taking good care of her and the kitten......We will pray for you......come back and sit a spell when you feel like it. God bless.
Millie
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38279: Asa- Yuck! No thank you. I'll take cole slaw though!
Me-They & Romeena- Thank you for your comments and prayers. My plan of action right now is to see how he does once he's out of school on Friday. I also emailed a friend of ours who is director of the care ministry at our church. He did Nathan's funeral and a patient at Bryan's office so he knows our family. I'm going to see if he can set up some counseling for us all. Then, if he doesn't change we are going to see if we can put him in a different public school. If not, I may go back to homeschooling him primarily, but putting him in more classes such as reading, PE,and spanish. You're right that 8 years old is not like our 8 years old. I haven't heard of that book, M-T. I'll check it out. I obtained Raising Up Boys by Dr. Dobson to see if it can give me more insight. We'll just keep praying!
Millie- Hubby's ex has systemic lupus and has had a drug overdose. One time stepdaughter went into ex's room while she was sleeping. SD thought she was dead b/c ex had drugged up a good bit from her pain meds and had a hard time waking up. Since then SD & SS freak out when ex does something like that. Its common. If I was you I would take all children for counseling. I'm saying that to you and myself! Good for you for seeing the need!
Sterling- Well, I'll be.
Have y'all ever had Penta water? It hydrates directly into your cellular level. I was on antibiotics for a week and I was dehydrated. This water, if I remember to drink it, helps greatly.
I need to make some calls. Check in tonight! Again, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for Bryson.
Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy M.
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38280: Msg 32875: On family.org, focus on the family website, they have an article on grief.
~lu
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38281: msg 38275......if you're more comfortable coming by and being anonymous, that's OK......I came by silently for about 4 months before I joined the group.....these folks have been such a comfort to me......let us be a comfort to you, too.
Millie
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38282: 38275: Such loss. Whenever you feel lonely, remember that this porch is here for you, and that you always have a Friend by your side.

LUCY: Sounds like you have a plan. I've never heard of Penta water, but it seems that it would be challenging to come up with a liquid that is absorbed more quickly then the chemically-basic H2O molecule. How does it differ as far as absorption?

MILLIE: As far as counseling goes, to my mind it makes more sense to involve everybody.

Well, I'm about outta here. Y'all take care!

M-T
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38283: LUCY: I was intrigued and check into that Penta Water. If it works for you, great! But this site has another interesting view: http://www.chem1.com/CQ/pentabunk.html. You might want to check it out.

Later alligators.

M-T
"You beat everything, you know that?!"


May 22, 2006 - Msg 38284: Wow, some heavy stuff on the porch today. Lucy, I think you are on the right path, I know how concerning it can be when your little boy is having a hard time. I was thinking, if he has been homeschooled up to this year maybe being in public school has just been a bigger adjustment than you thought and he is doing some acting-out. Kids his age sometimes have some crazy ways of trying to deal with anxiety. I think you are right on to try to get some Christian counseling. Anyway, my heart goes out to you both. How are you feeling physically these days? Any better from the lead thing?

Thanks to those of you with the very kind words, I am sure any of you would do the same to help God's creatures if in the same situation.

Sterling, Shoot!! What a mess....I would be scared to death to find out what I owed. Don't die of a heart attack, PLEASE!

Me-They, that is very interesting concerning the DaVinci Code movie...

Well, better be moving along. The trip to the pool was not so bad, kind of enjoyed most of it but I am ready to veg-out on the couch.

Boo
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38285: Prayers to all..Millie hope your 4 yr old sleeps beter...hey M-T,Sterling..Lucy prayers for you and your family..Big Maude where are you and mavis?..CHUCK!...old buckeye where are you?..HM come in -come in...MDC,MD and all hope your day is going well..change of plans here at work im getting off at 10 tonight...gona go home and open all the windows and put a DVD in and clean!..back at 2 tomorrow...supper will be baked ham,potato salad,fried okra,field peas and coen bread,hot peppers and green onions..tea....SPOT
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38286: Hi, all, and bye! I'm off to work, just passin' through. Prayers for all who need them, and that takes in just about everybody, I guess. Tried to get off work tonight, but no luck. Guess I['ll just have to go and earn some money. Oh, by the way, Sterling, if they haven't read your meter in a year's time, how do they know you even owe anything? Haha. And no, it's not just you, it is absolutely ridiculous, and then some.

Sugarplum says 10-4. --Romeena
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38287: SPOT..howd you like the racing this weekend ,Im ready to go fishing,but my honeydo list just gets longer
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38288: MD the race wad OK...I will leave it at that..did not get to watch a whole lot of it...went fishing sat but so many on the lake..caught a few..goning again thu...gona stay late and let things calm down on the water...getting HOT here in Ga...close to 90 toward the end of the week...SPOT
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38289: whew! What a day! But a BEAUTIFUL evenin' to sit on the porch and rock.......
Millie
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38290: I'm gettin' kind of lonely out here all by myself....anybody out there?
Millie
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38291:
PRAying tonight at 8:55 with you all and FOR everyone!
275- I pray that the True and Living God will take you to his bosum and comfort you. Our world today has so much tragedy. May the Lord be with us all!
Thank you Jesus!
If your'e up for a little TAGS trivia, which is also part of what we do, how about this one:
What is Goober's LAST name? It was mentioned on an ep i saw recently. Any other good trivia? (I gotta do this since Buckeye, our normal resident trivia buff, is traveling!)HA!
HI TOM , MD and STERLING! Good to see you . Sterling, am praying the house goes soon. I know how much you miss the other town!
Thanks again to all of you praying about my job!
Millie and Lucy, I ditto Ro and Boo's advice to ya. God bless!
MDC
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38292: Wasn't Goober a Pyle? Here's another....what was Aunt Bee's little sister's name?
Millie
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38293: Spot, you working tonight? Midnight snack is ginger snaps and milk.....
Millie
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38294: I think you are referring to Goober Beasley MDC. That's how Andy introduced him to the phony Movie makers.

Ginger Snaps? I ain't had them in years. Topped off with an ice cold glass of milk. Sounds good Millie.

Asa
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38295: Asa.....are you kidding? I don't remember Goober Beasley......but then again, there's lots of things I don't remember....Have some more ginger snaps.....they're good for ya...
Millie
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38296: There were a lot of Beasleys in Mayberry. Not sure why.

I'll have a few more snaps, thank you.

You wanna sing? I'll fetch my gee-tar.

Asa
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38297: Okeedokee! But not "Slimy River Bottom".......that'un makes me cry.
Millie

May 22, 2006 - Msg 38298: Lets do good old 14-A then.

Asa
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38299: We'll do 'er!
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38300: Doggone satellite TV has me under it's spell again.....fortunately, I'm getting a lot of chores done......(A Decade of Waltons is on CMT)
May 22, 2006 - Msg 38301: oops! that's me, Millie
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38302: Mornin' Porch,
Millie and Asa looks like y'all were havin' fun last night. CMT played the Walton's movie at lunchtime too. I really liked them. They were finished before I was really old enough to watch, but I'm enjoying the reruns now.
MDC- Aren't Gomer and Goober cousins? I guess that doesn't mean they'd have the same last name, hmm..
M-T- I like that site for the water. Hubby sold Aqua Koolers several years ago so he had to be on top of the water situation. My issue was the antibiotics were dehydrating me. I really didn't want an I.V. (who has time to sit for 2 hrs?). So, it was either Penta or Gatorade and I say no to ALL high fructose corn syrup. There is a company that makes clear minerals and electrolytes, but we ran out and I can't find it at health food stores or whole foods. So, I have to get hydrated and distilled (the only pure water) goes straight through me. So, until I flush all of these antibiotics out of my system with electorlytes I have to have penta.
I'd better get ready. Gettin' the brakes put on the minivan today, finally. Y'all have a great day!
Blessings,
~Lucy M.
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38303: "Mornin', dear"--Fred Boone
"Mornin', honey"--Jenny Boone

Hey to all on the porch! LUCY: Good for you about the high fructose corn syrup. I drink too muck Coke myself. The Mrs. likes good 'ole H2O.

I'll stop back later when I've got more time.

Me-They
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38304: "Muck," huh? Musta been one'a them Freudian slips.

M-T
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38305: Yep, sounds Freudian to me. I think I heard somewhere that the high fructose corn syrup makes you crave calories, is that right Lucy? As far as water goes, I bought a reverse-osmosis filter system but would rather have distilled. The water we have here from the tap tastes nasty.

Now, I know Goober and Gomer were cousins and I am almost positive Goober is called Goober Pyle in an episode. Am I crazy?...don't answer that.

Better go, still have some cleaning to do before the next round of cousins drops in this morning. The one that are coming today are Amish or something. They use cars and electricity, have phones and computers but dress like Amish or something and NO TV (your husband would like them, Lucy!). They are real nice people. I like to spend time with them and go up to their place in Waco (No, they are not Branch Davidians). They live on a sort-of commune with people of the same religion and its a nice place and you should see the furniture they make, hwat craftsmanshipe! A rocking chair alone costs about a thousand but would love to have one, it would last forever. Ya'll have a good day,

Boo
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38306: "hwat craftsmanshipe"?? What kind of drug am I on?!!

Boo
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38307: I need some creative parenting advice...Erin (4) has been waking up in the night and coming to get in bed with Bruce and I nearly every night for about 3 weeks. She has always slept in her own bed since she was born and now she is doing this! I am always so tired in the middle of the night that I let her and if I don't I know she will start crying and wake up Sean and my folks. Once school is out I guess I won't be worried as much about waking Sean and can work on it. Any suggestions besides just fighting it out with her in the middle of the night??

Boo
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38308: Oh, I think the reason she is waking up is because of a cold she had a few weeks ago that made her cough alot at night and she would wake up and realize she was alone and come to my room and I think it has developed into a habit.

Boo
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38309: What that BOO or Mr. Miyagi? ("Wax on, wax off")

Goober and Gomer were cousins. However, in an early episode George Lindsay plays a character named Goober Beasley even though "Gomer's cousin Goober" is mentioned (but not seen) in a number of other episodes. George Lindsay does appear as Gomer's counsin Goober in the first Fun Girls episode (before he became a regular character on the show), but I don't think his last name is ever mentioned. Once Goober became a regular character, his last name was Pyle. Is that clear as mud?

My brother and sister-in-law (the one's with ten kids) don't watch tv or go to the movies either. All but Christian radio also is verboten. They are some kind of Baptists, but the women and girls must wear dresses, etc. They also have cars, computers, phones and such.

M-T
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38310: BOO: Sorry if I rocked on you there. Our daughter tries the same thing. Even though we let her sleep in our bed in extremely rare circumstances, she wakes up frequently during the night and usually asks to sleep in our bed (we were smart and got a two-way intercom so we don't always have to get out of bed). At one time we gave in a few times but found that it actually made it worse. For awhile it meant crying and being up for half an hour getting her back to sleep in teh middle of the night. Now, she asks, we say no, and that's the end of it. Kids get into habits much quicker than it takes to break them of those habits. So, I guess my best suggestion is to fight it out in the short term for peace in the long term.

M-T
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38311: Boo, Kai would try the same thing. It was partly our fault as we let here sleep with us alot when she was little(er). You have to nip this in the bud, though. She is old enough to understand, I think. What we did with Kai was we told her before bed what the rules were and how things were going to be. We were firm but not mean.
Then just keep reinforcing this as long as it takes, and take her back to her own bed if she does come in. Kai caught on pretty quick.

Thanks for the prayers on the house, MDC. Yep, I am anxious to get out of here.:)

-Sterling Holobyte
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38312: That's supposed to be "her" not here.
-SH
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38313: Good morning ya'll - but we successfully weaned them out for the most part, it was cold turkey. Every once in awhile they still climb in but it is usually when one is already up (daddy) and the other (me) is catching a few more winks.

You won't believe what happened today - a couple months ago I had one eighth grade student who subtley started harassing me - little snide remarks, etc. I let it continue for a little bit because surely she had more sense than that. Well it continued until I found out her name and reported it to the a*sistant principal who reprimanded her. Would you believe she started it again on the last day of school because she and her friends thought they would get away with it. Come to find out - she was also doing it to the teacher whom I share a room with as well. Well all three girls (they are not hearing impaired so I do not work with them) received a Friday school for NEXT year, they must write a one page apology letter to me or it will become 2 Friday schools, and they miss the athletic event this afternoon. If my boys were caught doing this - I would have their hide! And we wonder why the Ditsy Chicks are like they are! Sorry for venting but we are raising children who do not understand how to respect anyone - let alone themselves. Thank goodness their are some Christian parents out there who do teach their children the value of respect but it isn't enough.


homemaker
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38314: Good morning, everyone. Me-They, you're absolutely right about Goober starting out as a Beasley, and ending up as Goober Pyle. More than one character changed names - Emma Watson/Brand, Bertha Edwards/Clara Johnson/Clara Edwards to name just two. I'm sure there were others. Then there were the actors who played multiple roles, most notably Allan Melvin - I think he played about six different roles. One whole family changed names - Sam Muggins and family from the Christmas Story became Lester Scoby/Fred/Tom Bedlow. If I'm not mistaken, Aunt Bee's butter and egg man ended up selling an organ to the church because he fancied Clara Edwards/Johnson. Oh, what a tangled web we weave....

Gotta run. Man is here putting more layers of insulation in my attic, and it sounds like he's finished. Guess he'll be wanting his check. Sugarplum says 10-4. --Romeena
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38315: Maybe Mayberry was part of the original witness protection program? "WEDEFYTHEMAFIA!"

M-T
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38316: Back onto the kids in bed topic...while our daughter always wants to sleep in our bed, our son (who is almost three) won't sleep with anyone. He's a very social little boy but even as an infant always wanted to be in his cribby himself--in the dark--to sleep. In fact, he has never sleep with us. This doesn't sound as if it would be a problem but ocasionally it is, like when we need the kids to sleep together when we are on vacation or at the grandparents. They all have their own little personalities, don't they?

M-T
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38317: "Cribby." That's baby talk and chronically-bad-typing for "crib."
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38318: So who's going to the knot tying class tonight?
I have a date at Thelma Lou's. Fudge and that Dr. show. Boy it supposed to be a good one tonight too.

Asa
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38319: Hey gang..at work now..gona get settled in and read the archives..hey Millie,M-T,Asa and all...will have supper in a bit...SPOT
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38320: Hey Spot, Asa, M-T, Ro, Lucy, Boo, Sterling, homemaker......I've got scouts tonight, a big end of the year cook-out and all, so I'll stop by later!
Millie
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38321: Millie can we come?...I was a cub years ago!..SPOT
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38322: Yes! All scouts and scout supporters are welcome....supper is hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, beans, and lemonade. But the big treat is....the Ice-cream Man comes and we get whatever you want! Even raspberry sno-cones!(Look out for Vickie Harms, though).....see y'all there!
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38323: oops that's me above, MILLIE
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38324: Everybody follow Millie for Cub Grub!...SPOT
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38325: We'll caravan, I'll lead....
Millie
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38326: Hey Millie,can I come too? I was a Girl Scout! Even earned a "Gypsy" badge- for doing all kind of outdoorsy stuff. I'll hike if there's not enough room in the caravan for me! Just might take some time for me to get there! Ha!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38327: Good evening porch family, Just checking in for a few minutes. I haven't been able to check in
much lately.. and have missed you guys. Things have been hetic around my end lately. I have not been getting home until late and then having a lot of family stuff going on. nothing bad just lots to do. SPOT, thanks for keeping everyone fed. Hopefully, I can catch up with everyone and check in later. keep me in your prayers.. Big Maude

May 23, 2006 - Msg 38328: hi all.
RO- THANK YOU FR THE CARD I GIT IT TODAY

TOM

May 23, 2006 - Msg 38329: Well, that was some picnic.....glad y'all could come.....my boys got lot's of belt loops and pins. Hey, did anybody ever get my trivia question?
Millie
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38330: Thanks Big Maude..and you too Millie...well porch your next American Idol is...after the break......Taylor Hicks!....boiled peanuts for a snack!..SPOT
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38331: Hey to all on the porch, sorry I haven't had much to say lately but I've been keeping in touch listening to all the doings. Myself, I've neen real busy continuing with the house remodeling. The living room is really shaping up, sort of a sage green with the trim and windows in a soft white and light colonial molding. Did take a break for Sunday and went to the fund raiser at the church hall. Combo bake sale and Chinese auction. We didn't actually auction off any Chinese but we all had a nice time.
MDC got a new job??? congrats... But you could have had the summer off.
Evening to all ,
Marty from Mountain Top
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38332: Hey to the porch! I'm finally back home from the weekend of dog shows & trying to get caught up, have to read the archives to see what I missed. Feather was reserve on Sat, & on Sun, she was Best of Variety (best white Bull Terrier) & got 1 point towards her Championship!! I am so excited. Prayers for those that need them & I'm off to bed.
*Mavis & the pointed Princess, Feather
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38333: Wow, Mavis, congratulations to you and Feather. The Plum is impressed! That's great.

I'm off to bed, too. I slept about a half hour this afternoon, after working all night, and I'm pooped. House sure is cool, though. The man was here all morning blowing insulation into the attic. Believe it or not, I can already tell a difference. The house is very cool throughout, and the air conditioner only comes on occasionally. It was running pretty often, and the coolest rooms were in the interior, where the thermostat is. The bedrooms on the west side were 5-10 degrees warmer than the inner rooms in the afternoon. Now they're cool, too. That insulation is making a difference. I'm interested in what it's going to do to the electric bill. Should cut it by 20-30%, I'm told, and at that rate, it won't take long to pay for itself. I know, some of you porchsters don't rely on a/c like we do here in Texas, and don't have those huge electric bills, but on the other hand, we don't have a huge oil or gas bill in the winter, either. I think it balances out.

Well, this time I'm really leaving. Sugarplum says 10-4. --Romeena
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38334:
Hello porch...I pray that you all had a great day.

Spot...I believe Taylor Hicks will be the next Idol. We'll find out tomorrow. That guy is a real showman. Love the boiled peanuts.

Mavis...Congrats to Feather.

Gas around here dropped to $2.49 reg. unleaded.

Have a great night...prayers for you all!
-REV.
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38335: I missed American Idol, what did Taylor sing?

What a day! This morning I was in the bathroom getting ready for the cousins to visit when I heard my mom yell for help. I ran to her room and found she had another stroke. She couldn't talk to me and couldn't move her right side. So, I was at the hospital all day. She seems to be doing better tonight. She is oriented and knows what we are saying to her but when she tries to talk to us, she can't get the right words out. She is getting some strength back on her right side, though. The Neurologist said we will know more about the severity of the damage after an MRI tomorrow. I might not be here much for the next few days but I know I can count on your prayers.

Thanks for the "kid advice". I have been talking to her this evening about staying in her own bed if she wakes up...we'll see.

Think I better turn in myself. Tomorrow is probably another busy day. Goodnight,

Boo
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38336: Oh, that's great about Feather Mavis! She is about the cutest thing in the world so I'm not surprised.

Boo
May 23, 2006 - Msg 38337: Hey Marty!..lucy,mavis,boo,Rev, Romeena!..congrats mav!..Millie ya in there?..TOM ya in here?..CHUCK!!...Mavis breakfast is on "Feather"...she done GOOD..so lets let he take us out to I-HOP..Asa you behave...old buckeye where are you?..hey M-T,hey possum...well its off to bed for me ...my braves lost on 2 un-erned runs....well we will be there for the 15 straight championship!.....prayers to all and a mayberry goodnight...see ya at I-HOP in the morning..SPOT
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38338: thats "her" refering to Feather...sorry
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38339: Millie, to answer your trivia questions from Msg 38292, Goober Pyle was explained in Msg 38309. As for Aunt Bee's little sisters name, in "Family Visit" of season #5, the Taylor's were visited by Aunt Bee's sister Nora along with her husband Ollie and two sons.

from Poor Horatio
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38340: Boo, sorry to hear in Msg 38335 that your mom had a stroke. Even though she can't talk, try giving her a pencil and tablet. She might be able to communicate with you that way, even if she has to write with her non-writing hand.

from Poor Horatio
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38341: just got back from ky, really exhausted. had a crazy weekend our oldest daughter had to go to emergency room she had a bladder wall infection. worked likeround the clock. so it will take awhile to get rested up but wanted to say hello. sorry so much heartache is going on. the more difficult the obstectable the greater the joy trying to overcome. boo- prayers for you and your mom. it's so hard when someone we love and who has been such a rock to see the effects of aging taking its toll. tom- happy belated birthday my freind. msg 38275, so sorry to see your pain, hopefuly and prayerfuly you'll let us become your cyber family support. may the lord turn your tradgy into a sourse of strength for lots of others. i'll read more later. breakfast on me this morning at cracker barrel. just tell them buckeye sent you. buckeye
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38342: buckeye it not to tomorrow the 25 of may i will be ( 54 ) but i feel like (70) he he

tom.

May 24, 2006 - Msg 38343: Well happy Birthday Tom. Hope it's a good one.
Welcome back Buckeye, and prayers for your Daughter.
Boo, I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. She is also in my prayers. Poor dear.
Mavis, congrats on Feathers accomplishments. That's way cool.
Where do you live at Rev? Gas is still almost $3.00 a ding here.
Good to see you Marty. Don't be a stranger. I'm in the midst of a restoration of a house myself.
Hope you all have a good day.

Asa
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38344: Mornin' Porch!
Its a nice day here in Atlanta. With the air conditioner on we do not hear the birds in the morning, which is both good and bad!
Buckeye and Boo- I'm sorry to hear about your relatives. Prayers!
Tom- Many happy returns of the day. Enjoy!
Mavis- Yeah Princess Feather! You get some rest now.
Romeena- We rely quite heavily on our air conditioning. Unfortunately we also get quite chilly in the winter. Its rare for our electric bill to be below $100 all year long.
Marty- Welcome back! I thought you were moving. Did you change your mind?
Spot- I'm leaving in a few for some pancackes.
Rev- Our gas is around 2.70. Spot's side may be cheaper.
Buckeye- What part of Ky does your daughter live? I'm leaving tomorrow to go to Louisville to visit my family.
I'm going to go to the chiropractor this morning. I pulled a muscle in my back (those surgeries messed me up for life) and they have this awesome massager. Better than hubby's. I'll check in later!
Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy
The Lord is my Shepherd.
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38345: lucy- it was my mother-in- law personal effects . she went home dec 29 o5 and had a lot plus 6 kids to decide who got what. mavis- congrats on feather. spot- thanks for asking about mes. asa- the biggest thing is when your out of state and someone gets sick. everythings ok but we're all wiped out, these young troops can't hang like us more mature ones. ha. tom- b-days are only one a year should bring a fellow a couple days celebration, wouldn't you think? howdy everyone else after i get some rested up time i'll be back. buckeye
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38346: lucy that was in harrodsburg, ky. i have a half brother (like half a boy) in nancy ky. buckeye
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38347: Buenos dias, amigos. I hope that you all have a great day.

So sorry to hear about your mother, BOO. I've added her to my prayer list. Also, I did want to mention to everyone that even though I haven't been good about reminding about the nightly prayer time, it happens each and every night at 8:55 p.m. EST for all who'd like to join.

Welcome back BUCKEYE and MARTY. Hey to LUCY and everybody on the porch this beautiful day (at least it is here).

Happy birthday to ASA! And an early happy birthday to TOM! Best wishes to you both.

Me-They
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38348:
Morning porch
Asa...I live in Newberry Co. area of SC. (35 miles from Columbia)

Boo...Taylor sung 3 songs. 1. a fast song by Stevie Wonder (I think) 2. Slow song by Elton John and 3. slow original that is going to be his debut. Not sure of the name to any of them.

I'll check in later. You all have a blessed day. Prayers for all!
-REV.
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38349: Well, Porch I've have returned! Been away from the porch but I'll try to rock a bit more with you from now on! Hope all is well with the crowd. Sorry to hear about your mom Boo. Hey if any of you can come thru sumter,Sc in august stop by for some of SC's official snack-boiled peanuts! We grow some for boilin and sell them out of our office on the farm. Let me know if you're comin by and I'll try to have some boiled for you to eat! Well, that's about it for now. Ya'll take kire and I'll drop by later! Rockin easy for now-Ole Quiet Sam!
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38350: Welcome back, QUIET SAM!

M-T
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38351: Hey Lucy, I'm remodeling to make the house look better when we do go to sell it. It was dated and dull. There is trouble in paradise ( the little town of Bloomsburg) I was raving about earlier. It seems the local Main Street merchants had to get together as a group to get the attention of the police department. Teen agers were loitering in large groups on the sidewalks blocking people from going to the business and were constantly using obcene language to intimidate the normal adults. Seems their parents don't care what they are up to as long as they are out of the house and they don't have to deal with them. They are sombody else's problem then.
Marty from Mountain Top
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38352: Thanks Me-They. Here's the bullet polish.:)

Good to see you Quiet Sam. I was thinking about you a couple of weeks ago when I was planting my corn. Wondered where you got off to.

Rev, I have a nephew in S.C. He's not to far from the Panther's stadium. Is that any where close to you? In fact he's studying to be a preacher.

Asa
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38353: Happy birthday, Tom and Asa, and may the dear Lord bless you!

It's pretty on my end of the porch today. About 72 and sunny! It's been a cold, wet spring, so this feels like heaven!

Boo, prayers for you mom, I hope she has a complete recovery from her stroke.

Hey Marty and Quiet Sam! Good to see you back, don't be such strangers!

I should quit jawin' here now, cause I have a lawn to mow, and I don't have any goats like homemaker!

Have a peaceful Mayberry Afternoon!
Mary Wiggins

P. S. Romeena, did you see that Pat made the top 50 at Greenhouse Gallery with the sparrow painting?! We were pretty pleased with that, and I do have prints of that one, I will contact you later about that!
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38354: Happy Birthday Asa!
Tom,Happy Birthday to you tomorrow as well!

Good to see Quiet Sam rockin' again!

Boo,sorry to hear about your mom.Hope she improves rapidly.God Bless you & yours.

Well,y'all have a good afternoon-see ya later!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38355: Hi everyone, happy to report that Mom is much improved today. She is talking and even walking a little so we are very relieved. Thank you for your prayers, as always.

Erin woke me up again last night crawling into bed and I was too tired to put her back in her room. I should have done it anyway because at about 4am, I woke up to feel my back was all wet! She wet my bed! We were changing the sheets and ourselves at 4am.

Boo
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38356: That is no way to awaken, BOO--that from the voice of experience! Glad that your mom is doing better today.

M-T
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38357: Howdy, all! Quiet Sam, it's good to see you. Don't be such a stranger - and you too, Marty. When some of our porchsters are missing, things just aren't the same around here.

Mary Wiggins, you made my day. Put me down for one of those prints, I definitely want it. Tell Pat I'm very happy for him, for being in the top 50 at the exhibit. That's a wonderful honor, and he deserves it.

Boo, I'll bet you wish you had gotten up to put little Miss Waterworks back to bed, instead of having to get up anyway to change a wet bed. So, what's going to happen tonight when she appears at 4 a.m.? I'll bet I can guess, and won't she be surprised when you stick to your plan this time? (teehee) I'm happy to hear that your mom is doing better. As you know, early improvement like that is a fair indicator that there will be more improvement. We pray so.

I bought another water lily for the pond - a big pretty one, with lots of big leaves. Also bought something called frogbit, a little floating plant that helps to clean the water, but is slow growing, doesn't overgrow the pond. The heat and constant sunshine is producing a lot of algae in the water, so I'm trying to find things to combat it. The water lily provides shade, and the frogbit will compete with the algae for the nutrients in the water, so maybe it'll help. Trust me, a pond is a commitment. Lots of maintenance!

Well, gotta run. Sugarplum says 10-4.--Romeena

"So, if honesty is such a good policy, how come I'm out a cap pistol?" --Opie
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38358:
Welcome back Quiet Sam...love the boiled peanuts, the state snack.

Asa...the Panther's stadium is in Charlote, NC. That's about two hours from me.

Boo...Praise God that your mom is doing better today...we continue to pray!

Back later..-REV.
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38359:
HI- I had trouble posting yesterday, so first part is a little "old" news!
ASA-you were the first right one! I WAS indeed thinking of the ep where andy introduces him as Goober beasley.
I know that Aunt Bee got a call from her sister, but I dont recall a name!
Hey BUCKeye, glad all turned out, my what a trip! Prayers for your family.
BOO- were you thinking of the Mennonites?
Also, whenever i used to go to my folks bed, my dad would go sleep in MY bed! ha True story!
MT- your witness program comment really made me LOL!!
HM- I had a similar thing happen in my teaching days. Hope you get it all worked out.
Hi to TOM and all!
I may not be around for a couple of days, so dont fret! Just lots to do! (Maybe throw out this computer!)ha
Ya all take care and God bless!
MDC
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38360:
Oh yes, just wanted to say what great disussion here lately and prayer requests! I do so love to pray for everyone!
MDC
"Ring a ding ding!"
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38361:
Well Taylor Hicks did it. He deserved it.

I may be away from the porch for a while. Not sure if I will be able to check in as often. I will be heading out on a concert tour in the morning that will keep me on the road pretty much for 8 solid weeks. I have a laptop in the motorhome so hopefully I will be able to check in with you folks some. Please keep me in your prayers. Just pray that God uses this tour to touch lives. That's what has kept me doing this for over 18 years. On this tour I will be in Tennessee, Louisiana, New Hampshire and all over the state of Maine. I sure will be praying for all of you.

I'll pop in before I leave in the morning. Let's have a BIG breakfast.

Everyone have a great night and bless you all!
-REV.
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38362: Prayers for you REV. Hope you can pop in, we will miss you.

Well, I was at the hospital with mom today and the Neurologist came in after reviewing the cart and test results. He told me that her recovery was a miracle. I thought he was just using a figure of speech, or throwing around the term loosely but when I questioned him more on it he looked me in the eye and said, "No, it is not usual to see someone recover like this overnight. It is a miracle."...Well, being the faithless person I sometimes am, I asked the nurse after the doctor left and she said the doc was right. You should have see the big smile on the nurses face as she was showing the doc all mom could do and the doctor looked really happy, too. Thank you for your prayers, she seems pretty much back to normal. I forgot to ask about the results of todays CAT scan but from the way they were acting I am thinking it must not have shown anything.

Well, Bruce washed the sheets and bedding today so now I have to make the bed and crawl in it. He stayed home from work today to keep the kids and when I called him from the hospital this afternoon he said, "How do you keep from killing these kids?!". We had a good laugh over the phone. Full-time parenting isn't for cowards.

Boo
May 24, 2006 - Msg 38363: That is great news Boo. I am glad.

Rev, be careful and don't drive to fast.

Thanks for the confirmation MDC about Goober.

Thanks for the birthday wishes Me They, Mary Wiggins and Possum. Had a good one.

Y'all have a good night.

Asa
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38364: Well, Asa, I don't know where my brain was earlier, but Happy Birthday anyway! --Romeena
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38365: Happy Birthday greetings to Tom our resident poet. And Happy Birthday also to Asa, our favority bank guard.

All this talk about scouting sure brought back some great memories for me. I was a Cub Scount, Boy Scout and Explorer Scout. I even earned scouting's highest rank; Eagle scout. In fact, I went beyond it to earn a Bronze Palm (five extra merit badges beyond Eagle). Summer camp was the first time I spent away from home. What an experience that was.

from Poor Horatio
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38366: happy birthday asa- happy birthday tom- prayers for all, don't forget to shop at weavers for their gifts. spot and big maude can you fix the meal tonight? mavis and romeena, can you take charge of the entertainment for the birthday party. me-they, possum, mary wiggins will you sing and entertain at the birthday party? rev- can you say the closing prayers? mdc- can you bring the liquid refreshments. mary wiggins you say 72 and sunny? which one asa or tom, just kidding. ole quiet sam- can you bring some of those hot broiled peanuts to the party? marty- can you get the firewood and firewater punch? oh what a party it will be for tom and asa, now don't anyone go and tell them. have a great day. gas is $2.99 a ding in lincoln, illinois. buckeye
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38367: Gosh have I got to do some readying of the archives!..I know...I know...just been busy ..Lucy and Mavis ...Taylor Hicks!..another southern winner!..Miss Sherry and I are gona take the boat up to the lake today for sun and fishing!..had to buy a new clothes dryer..my went k-put...yall meet us at the big bridge at noon for grilled burgers!..will someone bring some slaw...well we are gona get an early start..she should be here in just a bit...got to get ready!..prayers to all and US...SPOT
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38368: Thanks Ro, Poor Horatio and Buckeye. Party sounds like fun. I'm there.
Happy birthday Tom. I think your's is today if I remember right. Us Gemini's have to stick together.

Have fun on the water Spot, but be careful.

Any big plans for the 3 day weekend? I have a golf tournament Saturday morning I'm playing in, then we are going mountain climbing in our Jeep later that day. At $3.00 a ding though it's getting hard to justify. Headed out Monday to decorate some graves. MIL'S Birthday is Monday so she's coming over for a bbq. I wonder if she'd like leg-a-lamb? LOL

Asa
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38369: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOM!! & HAPPY late BIRTHDAY, ASA!! Have good days ya'll. I have had the worst week so far, if it ain't one thing, it's another here. Had to get a new fridge last night, the one I had finally gave up the ghost, I couldn't afford it, but I had 20# of rabbit thawing out. Felt like Aunt Bee there for a while. I sure wish I could get back to a normal life, I don't know how much more of this stress I can take. One thing I can say, the Lord did make sure I had a way to get another fridge, but now I am worrying about how I am going to pay the bills that are due this week. Rev please don't tell me you are a Panthers fan, we can't have that now. LOL I saw a church marquee that I think was put out for me, at least I try to remember it..."Worry ends where faith begins" sure is hard to remember that sometimes, but I am trying. Best get ready for work, got lots of dogs to groom today.
*Mavis
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38370: dad burn it, forgot my bold.
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38371: fixed?
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38372: I hope that is not a sign of how the day is going to go.
May 25, 2006 - Msg 38373: Morning porch family, Hope all is well. Hopefully, today will be a better day and not so busy. My job is not physically hard but mentally draining some days and I have had several of those in a row. Spot/Mavis, must be something going on with the appliances. We are having to buy a washer and a dryer.. ours is almost 18 years old and on its very last spin and dry cycle. Guess as much as I have used it all these years it is time to put it to rest.
Happy Birthday Tom and Asa! Maybe we can get Millie to bring a cake from the bakery! Saw American Idol.. glad to see Taylor won, but it would of been okay if Katherine had won too. They were both awesome performers. Buckeye, Gas has been around 2.69/2.70 here the past couple of days. I will be glad to help with the celebration. How does Lasagna, bread, salad, coke, tea, lemondade sound? SPOT and Ms. Sherry, make sure to use lots of sun screen today. Hey to all. Hang in their Mavis. See ya later. Big Maude