December 30, 2007 - Msg 59266: Hi All.

MY SAVIOR'S LOVE.
I'M BASKING IN THE LIGHT
OF MY SAVIOR'S LOVE,
AS E SENDS HIS GRACE UPON ME
FROM HIS THRONE ABOVE.
THE WONDER OF IT ALL
FLOODS MY WESRY SOUL.
I HEAR HIS GENTLE VOICE
SAY "COME TO ME, I'LL MAKE YOU WHOLE.
TRUST IN MY OWNDEAR CHILD.
LET ME SHOW YOU MY WAY
AND I WILL BE WITH YOU
EACH AND EVERY DAY".

LOVE TOM

December 30, 2007 - Msg 59267:
Alright TOM, great way to return to the porch! Beautiful words. I think we all needed that!
And good sweep too.
I got it, Hazel's name is Egbert Thelmalou!
Big Maude, that IS serious bling! Careful Floyd dont go after it!
Thanks MW. Would love to see the Ozarks someday.
Possum, how was the reunion?
Ya all have a great Sabbath!
Prayers,
MDC
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59268: Well,hey there Tom! Good to see you-folks were starting to worry about you.Hope all is fine with you and have a Happy New Year!

Didn't run into any old flames,Nate Bracey,or even Mrs. Harry Becktoris at my 35th h.s. reunion last night.There were only about a dozen classmates there,a few spouses,and I was the only one of the caucasian persuasion who showed up.I only felt a tiny bit out of place,though.I remembered everyone,and they treated me so warmly that I'm looking forward to our next reunion.

Happy Anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. Big Maude tomorrow! Tomorrow is also Mr. Possum's birthday.

Y'all,I have the best Christmas picture of Laci that I'm sending to Ro so she can place it for all to see. It's of Laci in front of the Christmas tree on Christmas morning when she first notices all of the gifts that Santa left.Her hair is wild from sleep,her eyes are bugging out over the top of her glasses,and her mouth is about to hit the floor! She's just amazed! My daughter captured her at the absolute perfect time.I'm going to send it to Ro ASAP. I think y'all will get a kick out of it.

Well,let me e-mail it to Romeena.Take care everybody-love to all!

*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59269:
Oops forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS ON 19!!! mdc
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59270:
Oops, sorry possum! mdc

December 30, 2007 - Msg 59271: Oops-hope I didn't rock on ya,MDC!

possum again
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59272: What are we,the "Oopsy Twins" or something? HA HA
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59273: possum signing off now-bye,MDC!
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59274: Got it, Possum! You weren't kidding! That's one thrilled little girl. The picture is in the album, folks - take a look, if you want to see the face of Christmas morning.

Tom, it's good to see you back. We've missed you. Did you get your computer fixed?

Lucy, good to hear from you. I'm glad things are peaceful with Michaela there, hope it stays that way. Kids!

I worked last night, and we had a good night. It was quiet, and I got to work with a friend that I rarely get to see. We caught up on old times, and had some laughs. Now I'm off tonight, Starr is a happy puppy, and then I have to work tomorrow night. Happy New Year, huh? Oh well. Somebody has to be there.

Well, TAGS is on, has been on for a while, guess I'll go rewind and watch it. It's the cow thief, and I just can't miss that. Have a good evening, all. Starr says howdy! --Romeena
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59275: Good evening everyone! I wanted to wish each and every one of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's a bit early but I won't have a computer handy while I'm away. Here's to a happy, healthy, and a blessed 2008!

RO, I'm sorry you have to work--I'm sure you'll be a big comfort to your patients though. You sure are here!

Well, alright friends, I'll be seeing you next year!! Your friend, Merri Weather

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne"

*This song always brings a tear to my eye!*

December 30, 2007 - Msg 59276:
Hello porch family.....Much needed rain all day today here in SC.

Big Maude...Happy 19 to you and your hubby. A great way to end the year.

Boo...hope you got some much needed rest.

Hey there Tom...glad you made it back. We've been missing you.

Possum... that picture captures the true joy of children at Christmas time. She is a sweety pie.

Ro....the new pics of Starr are so cute.
Hope you have a easy night at work on New Years. I have a concert so I guess you can say I'll be working too.

Spot...Where you at brother? Did you see the New England and Giants game last night? Perfect regular season. They're going to be tough to handle in the play-offs.

Well, you all have a good nights rest and know that I'm praying for all the porch family. Jesus loves you!
-REV.


December 30, 2007 - Msg 59277: Good Night Family:
Just got back from work- IT"S SNOWING!!! Here's to wishing all the wonderful family here a blessed and happy New YEAR 2008. 2007 is almost over, so lets pray for each other, remember all those celebrating with Jesus and make a difference in someone's life this coming year!! I love you guys (and girls too!) ~New Neighbor
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59278: Hey Possum, you said you never got an invitation to your reunion and after your last post I am thinking maybe they didn't send any invitations to caucasions?? hehe Glad you went. Great picture of Laci, what an angel!

Thanks Maude, and congrats on your anniversary. What is a journey necklace? I've never heard of it.

Thank you so much for the poem, TOM! Good to hear from you.

Good to hear from you Lucy, hope you are feeling better in the new year.

Ro, I think I worked every new year's eve for at least ten years when I worked nights. It was the best work night of the year. We always had a good time trying to have the first new year's baby.

Hey REV, I did get some rest today, thanks. I wanted to sleep in and ended up having a dream about Karen, which woke me early and I ended up getting up. I was lazy most of the day, though and ended up doing some visiting with friends and sitting outside enjoying this great weather most of the day.

New Neighbor, you sound excited about the snow. I know I would be. It's only snowed once here in my lifetime on the coast. I saw the picture of your children in the photo album. Very sweet looking kids!

Have to get Erin out of the bathtub and ready for bed. Love to All,

Boo
December 30, 2007 - Msg 59279: What a nice way to start off a new page, with one of Tom's poems.:)

We're supposed to be getting some snow here as well, New Neighbor. Supposed to start at midnight. I hope so. Me and Kai are going sledding tomorrow and it is always better when it is snowing.
Enjoy your snow!

-Sterling Holobyte


December 30, 2007 - Msg 59280: Yeah, Sterling, sledding is a bit tough when there's no snow! Maybe that's how the wheel came to be invented? Some prehistoric man's kids were whining around the cave because they couldn't go sledding, so he said "Close mouths! Me put round things under sleds and you roll down hill anyway." It worked, and the wheel was born!

Yes, Boo, I've worked New Year's Eve quite a bit myself, and it's usually pretty decent. The hospital will send around some snacks and non-alcoholic drinks just before midnight, and the whole mood will be lighter than usual. We won't have many deliveries because there will be no scheduled inductions or sections. All we'll get will be walk-ins, and there aren't many of those around these days, thanks to the scheduling.

I'll get home before 8 on New Year's Day, sleep a couple of hours, then head over to Eloise's for Hoppin' John, probably. Then I'm off for five days, yippee.

Have a good night's rest, everyone. Be blessed! --Romeena
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59281: Romeena, you cut me to the quick. And that's good because my quick could use some cutting.

I guess I forgot that there are those of you who live in snow-impaired parts of the country, and I took it for granted that we already have a couple feet of snow on the ground. I was talking about FRESH snowflakes coming down, and the special atmosphere it adds when you are sledding. You know, kind of like having a thunderstorm when you are watching a scary movie. It's not necessary to have that to watch one, but it sure adds something to the experience.
Course, if the power then goes out, that's not much fun, but you get my drift.

-Sterling Holobyte
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59282: Brother Rev we just got rain here in ga but lots of it...Morning all...hey maude,possum,ro,boo,Tom,ahappynut,opiemom,mdc,md,goober and all....breakfast will be steak and egg bisquits and hashbrowns...oj,coffee...Let me get settled in here at work...>SPOT
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59283: Good Morning Porch! & HAPPY NEW YEAR!! sure hope the new one brings peace & happiness to each & every one of you. Possum that picture of Laci is adorable! Thanks for sending it in & Ro thanks for adding it for us.
Asa did you see? Did you see? My Redskins are going to the play-offs! Woo-Hoo!
Sterling don't dress Kai so warm that she can't get up when she falls down, like the kid in Christmas Story. teehee, Ya'll have fun sledding, if I tried to do that now, I would hurt in places I didn't even know I had.
Ro at the risk of looking silly, what's Hoppin John?
Thanks for breakfast Spot don't work too hard, do you have to ring in the new year at work?
Best get off here & get some laundry done, get ready for puppies to come in for groomings.
Later taters
*Mavis
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59284: Good morning all. We got home late yesterday evening. An uneventful drive. No real snags except for an accident outside of Atlanta. Folks driving too fast in the rain. Stopped in Chattanooga for lunch at a Steak and Shake. The kids had never been to one. It was fun.

Glad to be home though. Nothing like your own bed.

What are the NEw YEar's plans? I volunteered to help chaperone the youth lock in at church. Yikes! our 2 of youth group age want to go and hubby and I try to chaperone whenever possible. Hubby is not a night person and I am. SO I volunteered for this one.

Any resolutions on the porch? I"d like to lose 10 pounds , (seriously, I've been doing some "emotional" eating and I need to stop). I also want to spend more time in prayer for my children. NOt just the little daily prayers, but some serious prayers. Actually, young people in general have really been on my heart. So I'm compiling a list for my prayer journal.

Opiemom
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59285: Naw Mavis I get off at 2 today and back at 6 am in the morning...lunch will be Burger King on Mavis...SPOT
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59286: I know what you mean, Sterling. Having spent my vacations in Colorado in December the last several years, there is just something so special about the falling snow, especially during the holidays when things are decorated with lights. I will always remember one of our trips to Winter Park when it snowed like crazy. We went snowmobiling in the mountains and the sky was gray and a gentle snow was falling. When we got to the top, we turned off our engines and just stood there in the silence for awhile in the falling snow. Quite a memory. We also went sledding on the trip. There is a man-made sledding hill in the park and one night we walked down and went sledding. The trees were lit up with lights and snow was falling. I remember lying on my back in the snow and looking up at the falling snow. It was one of those magical moments, really perfect. I've also been snow tubing while it was snowing (cold and fast!!). The only time I didn't love the snow was this last trip to New Mexico when I couldn't get Dad's van up the hill to the cabin.

Funny about the invention of the wheel, Ro! Hope you have a good night at work.

Mavis, I think Hoppin' John is blackeyed peas...

Welcome home, Opiemom. No resolutions but there are sure alot of things I need to change!

Boo
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59287: Good Mrning, just a little cold this but nice.
HPPY NEW YEAR.

LOVE TOM

December 31, 2007 - Msg 59288: Good morning everyone.

Happy New Year!

If you're planning on going out and imbibbin' tonight, remember: don't drink and drive, and nobody likes a drunk on a cryin' jag.

Me-They
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59289: Boo hoppin john is blackeyed peas okra and tomatoes...SPOT
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59290: Did you all hear about the mother and daughter from Dallas who lied to win tickets to see Hanna Montana? They wrote a letter claiming that the husband/father was killed in Iraq. This is what the mom was quoted as saying after they won and were caught in the lie: "'We did the essay and that’s what we did to win,' Priscilla Ceballos, the mother, said in an interview with Dallas TV station KDFW. 'We did whatever we could do to win.'" The daughter is seven years old.

And we wonder how kids get so scr*wed up. I'm so glad to know parents like y'all who are doing what they can to balance such assanine shananigans.

Me-They


December 31, 2007 - Msg 59291: Good Monday to all the porch folks, just checking in for a trouble check. Hope there is "no trouble"
for anyone today.

Going back to work on Wednesday so am just hanging out at home with the kids today. Trying to do some chores and of course laundry. My kids go back to school on Thursday.

A beautiful sunny day on my end of the porch kinda chilly though.

Thanks for all the anniversary wishes.

Let's have a covered dish supper tonight at my house, then we can ring in the new year together.
I will make a big crock pot of chili beans.

Prayers and blessings to all and Happy New Year.

Big Maude
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59292: Hey Y'all! Thanks for getting that picture in the Porch album ,Ro. As soon as I saw it,I knew it was one of a kind and wanted to share it.

Me-They,I heard about the Hannah Montana essay thing. What a low down way for that mom to try to win a contest and just think what she's teaching that poor child! It's a slap in the face to all the families who really DID lose daddies in Iraq.Shame on that mom!

Okay,here's the deal on Hoppin' John: It's a traditional Southern New Year's Day dish of black-eyed peas and rice. We eat it to bring us good luck and prosperity( I put "prosperity" in for you,Rev.An inside joke! Ha!)in the New Year. And of course,collard greens go along with it to represent good fortune in the coming year.
I'll let spot or Rev. explain grits to y'all some other time!

Boo,I asked if they'd sent out letters regarding the reunion and was told they just e-mailed each other.I think it was mainly a gathering of a small circle of friends who've stayed in touch over the years.But,they DID put a notice in the paper,so who knows? They welcomed me and I had a nice time.One of the guys even shook my hand,hugged me,and thanked me for coming.He said " Thank you for coming,even though you were the only one.Maybe next time some more will come." (Referring to me being white) Honest to Betsy,that's what he said! Gotta love it!

Well,if I don't visit the Porch again in 2007,I wish each & every one a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! Blessings to all.

*****HAPPY POSSUM'S EVE*****
possum under a rock
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59293:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! from all of us here at Morelli's and The Mount Pilot Skeetshoot Association! haha
May your 2008 be GREAT!
Ro- Your wheel bit was cute. reminded me of a Gilligan episode where he dreams they are cavemen and the professor invents the wheel!
Opiemon- Please add my friend Bob M. to your prayer list.I cant go into details, but in Feb we hope that a 17 year old case will finally be resolved!
NNeighbor- same to you and all! We will continue our tradition of going to a church service tonight, then home by 10, and have a quiet celebration at home!
(or maybe we'll go crow shootin! ha)
Sterling, is that "getting your 'snow' drift"? haha
Ro- any moulages from the cow theif?
BTW- I googled Auld Lang Syne and it is a Scottish song from the 1700s and it basically means "Old Long Ago", or as we would say today "The good old days!"
H-A-P-P-Y N-E-W Y-E-A-R !!!

mR dARLIN'S cUZ and that's from Colt also!
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59294: MDC,

Will add Bob M. to my list.

opiemom
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59295: Good afternoon, all. I wondered how many definitions of "hoppin' John" would surface. Possum, your description is the same as mine - blackeyed peas and rice. However, Spot's idea with the okra and tomatoes sounds delish.

As for that sorry woman here in Dallas who concocted the fake essay to win tickets to the Hannah Montana thing, I think she should be made to pay for whatever she "won", and the money given to a runner-up. She should also be required to attend a couple of funerals for soldiers killed in Iraq. Of all the tacky, thoughtless, conniving, dishonest, despicable and downright mean things, her stunt takes the cake. The only thing she could do now that would even start to take the shame away would be to stand up straight and apologize, and she's not doing that. No, she's loudly defending her behavior, just adding to the sorry example she's setting for her daughter. When the kid is sixteen and lying to her mother through her teeth, I hope the mother remembers this situation. Disgusting.

I wish we'd get some snow. I have been privileged to witness a few good snowfalls, since my in-laws live in Michigan, but I haven't seen many. The strongest impression I received was one of peace, quiet, gentleness and beauty. All sound is muffled and softened, and any unattractive features of the landscape are made beautiful. Standing out in a gentle snowfall is like receiving a benediction. I wish it could happen more often where I live.

Well, Starr is a grubby puppy, I guess I'd better go give her a bath. She won't be happy, but she needs it. Afterward, I'll wrap her in a big warm towel, and we'll cuddle for a while, and she'll forgive me. Furkids are wonderful!

Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59296: Oh, yes - Bob M. is on my list now, too. And about "Auld Lang Syne", I think the best version of that song I've ever heard is the one done by the Mannheim Steamroller. Just beautiful! --Romeena
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59297:
One more thing before I am afk for a day!
I want to say Thank You to our Floyd for providing this Front Porch forum for another year!!
He has kept it very "interloper-free" and has taken pains to also keep the porch "clean," except for the boxer-brief thing! haha
Y'all are such good friends! We pulled together at millie's passing, and we know how to respect the nature of the porch, just as Andy would.
Thanks for another wonderful year, for your support at my mother's passing, for your prayers, and for all your tags comic relief!
God bless you!!
MDC
Andy: ...that's the kind of love that come from deep inside of your heart."
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59298:
"See ya next year!"
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59299: Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.
May we have Peace all over the world in 2008!
Love and joy Dr P
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59300: See y'all next year, folks! Maybe it'll be in color. In any event, I hope I don't get replaced by Warren.

Me-They
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59301: Here Here! (That's something you say when you like something somebody said) I'm referring to MDC's post 59297.
- Hazel
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59302: I'm off to work - will be thinking of all of you at midnight. Wish I could be on the porch and give/receive a big old New Year's hug with each of you. Happy New Year! --Romeena
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59303: Happy New Year Porch Family!!!
~New Neighbor
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59304:
Hey Folks

I haven't been online, for more than a couple a minutes, in weeks. God Bless, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my buddies, you to Me-They. hehe

Boo- So sorry about your loss. Peace, friend.

Romeena-My goodness, for a Texas gal you really hit the best parts about a nice snowfall. After a good wallop, maybe 3 feet or so, what you described is what I like best. It's like you can almost hear God whispering.

Off to the archives.

auh2o
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59305: Good evening folks,

I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and say thanks for being such supportive and kind friends. The porch certainly proves that there is a "Mayberry" and people really do care about one another. Thanks Floyd for all you do to keep us online.

Thanks again for allowing me to be a part of this family.

Happy New Year!

Big Maude
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59306: A sincere Happy New Year to all. Thanks for for the opportunity to share with you. Prayers as always for all of us.

My crazy mind remembers everything....believe it was in the fifth grade something came up about the next century....2000. That was somewhere around 1949. In my mind I remember thinking about what it would be called. Nineteen forty nine....twenty and what? Forget all the discussion but remember Mrs. Jackobson saying that probably most of the class would see it but she wouldn't. Guess I am glad to see seven years past that.

May the peace of God be with us now and forever.

ray
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59307: Well, Happy New Year to all of you. Will be spending a quiet evening at home and will probably be fast asleep on the ironing board before midnight. Dang headache came back this evening and I have been holding the heating pad on it. I don't know what happened, maybe it was the stress of the past week, but today everything seemed to hit me. I have had an anxiety attack or two, a couple of migraines, and a sick stomach. I think I need to really take some time off to rest and reduce some stress.

My mom always says you have to eat blackeyed peas and cabbage for good luck on New Years. I don't eat either one! Gross.

Yep, what that mom did to win the tickets was low, but not really surprising considering what my teacher friends tell me. Parents do some pretty dishonest things to give their kids what they want. I hear about it alot. Locally, some parents were even caught bringing their own urine to kids at the highschool so the kids could use in for drug testing. Anyway...

Here's to 2008...may it be a healthier, happier, less stressful year for all of us!

Boo
December 31, 2007 - Msg 59308: Happy New Year everybody. I'm doing the archive reset for 2008. I may play around with the way the archives are formated *IF* I can think of a better layout for them. Feel free to e-mail me any ideas.

--Floyd