February 29, 2008 - Msg 60622: Good morning everyone.

I'm not adverse to most technology, but I have to say that the cell phone thing is way out of control. Do we really need to be so connected? My phone sits in the console of my truck. I use on average 10 minutes a month, and I have a 35 minute commute. How many moms do I have to see in the grocery store talking on their phone while their kids amuse themselves, or people in the narthex at church gabbing, etc.? People need to give it a rest. Cell phones are great for older people, to keep handy when traveling, business, etc., but kids don't need them at school, people don't need to be yacking on them while walking down teh street, and most people don't need to have them stapled to their belts. Let's try talking to people in front of our faces, and, when in a place by ourselves, enjoy our communion with God or just the peace of silence. That's my rant for the day.

HM: Prayers continue for your dad.

ROMEENA: Neat story about the cell phone, though. I'm not totally against them, just can't understand those who can't live without them.

I'm out early today for Nora's appointment with the orthopedic surgeon about her knees. Hope you appointment goes well, STERLING.

Take care, y'all!

Me-They
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60623: Oops! I almost fell down! You shouldn't try sweeping while on the soapbox.

M-T
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60624: Good morning, all. Me-They, I'm right there with you on the cell phone thing. While it's certainly true that "invention is the mother of necessity", and I do feel like something's missing when I leave my phone at home, I really don't use it all that much. About 30-40 minutes a month is average for me. It annoys me to no end to try to have a conversation with someone who is constantly interrupting in order to answer their phone! I have OnStar in my car, and a built-in phone comes with that as well. I buy 100 minutes at a time, and they last me about a year, because I only use that phone when I don't have my other one. I'm glad it's there, it's always on, charging isn't an issue, and it's a good safety thing, but I don't use it much.

Chuck, about the pictures - you send 'em, I'll post 'em!

homemaker, it just hurts me to think about those poor little goats. I can only imagine how you must feel. I know losing the barn and contents is a hardship, but losing the baby goats just has to really hurt. And I know exactly what you mean about the new puppy intensifying your sense of loss, and missing Bandit. I feel the same way about the Plum. As much as I love little Starr, sometimes looking at her, a miniature of the Plum, just breaks my heart. Plum was such a precious, sweet little thing. I think of how brave and patient she was in those last weeks. She was in pain, couldn't walk, depended on me to move her from one place to another, and never so much as a whine or a whimper. She would just sit and look at me, until I realized she needed something, and then I'd do whatever she needed. I'd help her up so she could potty, or help her change her position, whatever. She trusted me, but in the final outcome, I couldn't fix her. So I did what had to be done to end her misery, but it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It amazes me, the capacity for love that exists between humans and pets. A gift from God, surely.

Well, I've gotta run. I'm taking lunch to a friend who is laid up with back problems - she can't even walk across the room right now. Be blessed, everyone! --Romeena
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60625: Me-They, what in the heck is a narthex and why is it at church?....Well, as far as cell phones go, when you have an old, unreliable car like I do and are a woman, you start to feel much safer when you have a phone with you. Also, I like having it in case the school needs to contact me for something or when Sean is home alone. Mostly with me, it is a security thing. I don't talk on it much when I am out and about. So THERE, that's what you get for bawling me out for nothing!...just kidding. Prayers for Nora's dr's appointment.

Homemaker, seems like you have had so much heartache lately, bless your heart.

Gotta go make some banana bread pudding for our lady's mexican fiesta dinner tonight at church. Adios!

Boo
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60626: Ro..Where do I send them to again?

Boo...can guys go to this dinner tonight 'cause it sounds great?

Me-They....have you ever met I-O-U?

Chuck
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60627:
Hi all, going to read the archioves.
MDC
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60628: Sure, Chuck, why not? I just finished the bread pudding, and I have to tell you it really looks "to die for"! I have made it once before, but the low-fat version. This time I did it according to the recipe (out of Southern Living Magazine). I added some pecans this time, too. It is made pretty much like traditional mexican bread pudding (if you are familiar with it) but you slice up bananas and fry them up in butter (lots of it), then add some brown sugar to them till the sugar melts. You put this banana mixture and chopped pecans between the buttered-bread layers and then add the liquid, which consists of whole milk, 4 eggs and 2 yolks, heavy cream, sugar, a little salt and a tsp of cinnamon. You pour that all over everything and bake it for about an hour. I really does turn out good, I'm telling ya. Of course, after all the enchiladas, beans and rice, and tortillas, nobody will have room for dessert and I will have to bring most of it home (too bad, ha). We can have it for breakfast tomorrow...ya'll come on down to Texas and share it with me (over a pot of coffee).

Boo
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60629: Boo I will have some coffee please.

TOM

February 29, 2008 - Msg 60630: Chuck, are you talking about digitals by email, or do you need to send prints by snail mail? --Romeena
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60631: Well, never mind, Chuck, I have your email address and will just send you both addresses. I try to avoid posting them here when I can, but sometimes there just isn't a work-around. This time there is, if the address I have for you is current. --Romeena
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60632: Hey gang im back at work...had to take a random company drug test today at work...no biggie....well I will get supper in a bit...let me read and get started...SPOT
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60633:
Romeena-- that was pretty clever use of a cellphone, but generally speaking, I am in M-T's camp when it comes to overuse. Last weekend this lady in the checkout line ahead of me was basically gabbing (definitely not any emergency) all the way thru the line, she never even stopped to acknowledge the cashier.!! Just zipped her card signed and left. That's plain rude!
MT--our church's music minister always starts out by saying "turn off all cellphones" and you can see this collective hand to waist movement!
Another thing is water bottles. Why cant one go thru an hour service without a waterbottle??
BOO- a narthex is a vestibule, the area in a church when you first enter from the outside, where all the little booklets etc are at.
Chuck, hazel, yup, tags is better than melatonin! haha I like hazels idea of having it bedside!
Last night i put on "Bee's Romance" that opens in Fred Goss' cleaners. Otis picks up his suit, then takes it to the jail and Andy says, "otis, it's a little early isnt it?" and otis says, "I'm dead sober Andy, but I expect I'll get over it." and then i was in lala land. Amazing stuff! ha
You all havce a great weekend! Get TOM some coffee.
God bless,
MDC
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60634: Oh oh, are you guys who fall asleep to the tv saying that TAGS is boring and puts you to sleep?? ;) Just kidding.
Good idea, Hazel(and others). I always wanted to fall asleep to Mayberry. I should put a tv in the room and try it now that my significant other isn't there to get mad at me for doing it.

Speaking of my SO, haven't really heard much of what is going on over there - if they have even found out anything yet - as they are staying at her dad's, and the other woman is there, so phone calls have been pretty much dealing with how's the weather over there.

Kai's appointment was kind of good news and bad news. The bad news is that there is some progression of the situation near her aortic valve. Her pressure gradient has risen from the 24-26 range to 33. Dr. says she would need treatment with a gradient of 50 or higher. While it is not severe now, if it continues progressing like this, in a few years she will need surgery to fix the narrowing near the valve. Not something I am looking forward to.
The good news is that it is not severe, yet. She has no thickening of her heart muscle, and since she is asymptomatic, there are no restrictions on her activity, not like you could stop a 7 year old from running around like a wild animal anyway. So she is still allowed to be a kid.

On the issue of phones, maybe a side issue, the thing that really bugs me is call waiting. I mean, I understand if a doctor needs call waiting so they can rush off in case of an emergency, but I hate calling my brother only to hear, "oh, can you hold on, I have another call." No, I can't hold on. You are talking to me now. They'll call back!
I hate call waiting. Most rude technological accessory ever.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

-Sterling Holobyte
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60635: Sterling I agree with you about call waiting I never click over I just look to see who is calling and call them back when Im done..I do like that part...SUPPER:Olive Garden on ME...Asa where are you?..hey CHUCK,ro,hazel and all...back in a bit...SPOT
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60636: Ro....sent you some j pegs. Thanks for emailing me.
MDC, I had to smile when reading your post. I like the way Mr. Goss keeps winking at Aunt Bee in that one. Good episode.

Sterling...I'm backwards from most folks. If it's boring I can't fall to sleep. If it's good it just knocks me right out. *shrug* I don't know.

Boo...didn't know if this was a lady's meeting...I'll be there! I'll bring the rolaids (Mex does that to me, but it's worth it).

Chuck


February 29, 2008 - Msg 60637:
Sterling- I forgot to mention that I am not really WATCHING the tags, I am putting it on, closing my eyes and just listening to it...mdc
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60638: Does it ever "invade" your dreams, MDC? I would love for that to happen. What a nice place to dream about.

-Sterling Holobyte
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60639: Howdy, all. I have the TV in the bedroom on when I go to bed, so fall asleep to whatever is on at the time. It plays all night, so the room is never completely dark and I can see to get up to the bathroom or to help Starr down so she can do her little thing. The Plum could get up and down without help, using her little stairs, but Starr can't make it, even with the stairs. My friend Eloise doesn't understand how I can sleep with the TV playing, but it doesn't bother me at all. I never have trouble sleeping.

I completely agree - talking on a cell phone continually is rude. It makes me mad when someone in an elevator or waiting line somewhere takes or makes a call, then stands and stares at me like I'm eavesdropping. What am I supposed to do, evaporate? I'm equally annoyed by people who think they have to be constantly swilling at a water bottle, like they're going to dry up and blow away without it. It's amazing, but I managed to get through Texas summers all my life without lugging water bottles everywhere, and never blew away, not even once. They remind me of a little kid, carrying one of those nasty little "sippy cups" around with them. I can hear my mom and dad now (and myself, to my own kids) - "Drink your juice, then get down and go play." Not once did I ever hear or say "Take your sippy cup and go play, and be sure to shake little droplets everywhere, drag it through the sandbox and share it with the other kids."

Cell phones are a wonderful thing, but they need to be kept in perspective. And don't even get me started on people who are constantly texting, sometimes even when sitting in the same room. Makes me crazy! --Romeena
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60640: Well, a friend just emailed a YouTube link to me, and I'm still sitting here all misty-eyed, and very, very impressed. I suggest you go to YouTube, and run a search on "Cactus Cuties". It will bring up several choices, all are good, but click on the National Anthem one. These five little girls, ranging in age from 8 to 13, recently sang at a Texas basketball game, and you will not believe what you hear. I'll be interested to hear your comments. --Romeena
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60641: Wow, I watched it, and it had that affect on me too. Absolutely perfect. I did wonder why the 2 on the right end shared a microphone, while the other 3 had their own. (I just have an inquiring mind.)
Regarding the cell phones, the place I work has a couple hundred people that work there. It always amazes me, at quitting time, when there's a big parade of us all leaving the building, that about half the people immediately dial up their cell phones. I always wonder, who are they calling? Why couldn't it wait until they got home? Are they checking on their kids? Their boyfrieds? I haven't a clue what some people think is so urgent that they have to phone someone the instant they leave work.
- Hazel
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60642: Goodness, make that "boyfriends", not boyfrieds.
- Haze
February 29, 2008 - Msg 60643:
Hello porch family...Good to see you all here tonight.

Well Spot, I think you and Hazel have talked me into getting one of those DVD players.

H-M....so glad things are looking up for you all. Still praying.

Chuck....get those pics to Ro.

Boo...that desert sounds great. I think I'll come over and have a taste if you don't mind.

Sterling....that's good news because it surely could have been a lot worse. So PRAISE THE LORD.

Ro....My daughter is on spring break this coming week so I'll get to have Jake home for a week. And I'm loving it! We've been playing all night. My wife says she don't know which one is worse, "me or Jake." hehe

Spot....thanks for Olive Garden tonight brother. One of my favorites. You gotta work this weekend?

Well I'm gonna head to bed. Jake is pretty much pooped out.
Jesus loves us all so much! Share His love everywhere.... it will drive mean people crazy!
-REV.
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60644: Oh, goody, REV. Have fun with that puppy. There's just nothing like a loving little furkid to make you feel smart, important, loved, wise - all those good things. Little Starr was in my lap last night, her little head resting on my arm, and she suddenly twisted her neck around so she could see me, looked up at me with those big liquid brown eyes, and just gazed at me with such adoration. Then she turned back around, gave one little licky-kiss on my wrist, and rested her head once again. Ego trip?? Oh, you bet! I love it. I wish I was just half as wonderful as she seems to think I am.

Well, guess I'll go cuddle her and see if we can get some sleep. We did get a good nap today, so sleep may elude me for a while, but it doesn't matter. I'll just sleep later in the morning.

Be blessed, all. --Romeena
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60645: Well Rev yes and no ..im off on weekends right now [get off in the morning] but working OT day time Sunday..covering a shift of a co-worker..his paw-n-law passed away and he is in Kanasas City..yall seen the movie "Breakdown"?..Kurt Russell?...good movie...well snack time..reeces p-nut butter cups and milk...well let me get my midnight reports run..Miss Sherry and I are going on a day trip somewhere?..[dont know yet] tomorrow when I get up...just joy ride for a few hours..may go to the big mall of Georgia....and eat a bite...well back in a bit....SPOT
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60646: Morning porchsters!..well my night is about done..home to sleep then to Miss Sherrys for a visit...prayers to all...breakfast menu:scrambled eggs,fried eggs,hashbrowns,grits with cheese,bisquits and gravy,toast with apple butter,country ham,bacon,sausage,oj milk coffee,apple juice and a tear from my roll of paper towels..bless all and all have a great Saturday....SPOT
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60647:
Hey Folks

I've been reading the posts and sitting quietly here on the Porch. I've had some type of nasty, Nasty, bug so I've just been a reading.

Sterling-I feel the same as Rev prayers for your little Kai and for your FIL.

homemaker-Hope you get some peace and quiet.

Couldn't agree more about the cell phone discussion but I bet being a kid these days has to be pretty exciting. Music, movies, and pictures in a little gadget you can carry in your pocket, well that would have been Buck Rogers stuff when I was a kid.

One of my political heroes passed the other day, William Buckley, great American. Two of his books are of my all-time favorites, "Up From Liberalism" and "God and Man at Yale."

William Buckley: “I mean to live my life an obedient man, but obedient to God, subservient to the wisdom of my ancestors; never to the authority of political truths arrived at yesterday at the voting booth.”

William Buckley: “I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.”

auh2o

March 01, 2008 - Msg 60648: I should have gotten out the TAGS last night! I was sleeping fine until about 3:30 and then I tossed and turned until somewhere around 5. I knew if I got up I would be wide awake so I kept trying. I did, however, remember Hazel's words and I "imagined" and episode in my mind...I started remember parts of episodes that I could remember and it wasn't long until I was asleep. It really works! Of course, Erin was up bright and early so I didn't get to sleep in. We are keeping one of our friend's little ones who is near Erin's age and a very cute little brown-haired girl. Our friend (he is also our pastor..I have mentioned him from time to time) has 4 children and his wife is pregnant with their 5th, so he went in for a vasectomy this week and they discovered a mass(scary). The urologist rushed him into surgery the next day (yesterday) and did an exploratory. He said it didn't look like cancer but they sent something off to pathology. I pray all is well. This would be a very bad time to be dealing with something like this with the baby due next month. I talked to him for awhile yesterday, and he is in very good spirits and was talking about how he had the opportunity to share the Lord with one of his nurses. He is a very positive guy and has faith and isn't worried. Please say a prayer for Mark and his family. They are very dear to us.

Cell phones are just another example of Americans turning a good thing into excess. The thing that bothers me most is the carelessness of driver's who are driving and talking on the phone at the same time!

Glad you had some good news to report about Kai, Sterling. You have a positive outlook, and you should. God bless you and your family.

Come on over and finish off this bread pudding, REV and Chuck. I don't even want to look at it. I had some last night and it was enough. The stuff is pretty rich. We had a really nice time last night and celebrated the birthday of a friend who turned 80, but you would never know it. She is the youngest 80 year old ever. Brilliant mind, beatiful inside and out, and very active. She is also an artist and has several of her paintings hanging in her home. Just a wonderful person. We all sat outside on her deck under a big tree and ate and visited. The weather was perfect and it was just a very good time together.

Ro, so sweet what you said about little Starr. She sounds like a very good little pup.

I'm off to You Tube to listen to the Cactus Cuties you mentioned...

Boo
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60649: Happy Birthday Ron Howard!
jennieboone
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60650: Gosh, that's scary about your pastor, Boo. Hope it is not cancer and just something insignificant. Prayers for them.

Found out last night that my FIL has a brain tumor. They finally made him go to the hospital yesterday. Like I said, he is like that; just not wanting anyone to worry and just letting things happen as they will. I don't know why someone wouldn't at least try to get help, especially when it is available(well, hopefully it is for this). Maybe it is partly because he was an Aikido instructor, having that calm discipline that you would expect, and in my talks with him I always found him to be a very wise man. Of course, I used to joke to my family that I think the wisest thing he did was to leave my MIL, and that it probably added 20 years to his life right there.;)
Hopefully he will see the wisdom of getting treated and being there for his family for many years to come.

Thanks for the prayers for Kai.

Speaking of Youtube(well, I wasn't, but some of you were), Kai and I made another video that I put up there, if you are interested. Just put in my screenname, with no spaces between ...ing and holo... and they should all come up. The new one is called Wakeup Call. Kai really helped me alot in this one, working the puppets and the camera(yes, more puppets). I even left in a little bit of her laugh at the end, it was so cute!
I'm getting tired of working with Windows Movie Maker(the video editing program that comes free with Windows XP) however. It is hard to get the edits how I want them, so some are off and some I just didn't do altogether. I need to spend some dough and get a better program so I can try to make these things look as I originally see them.

Anyway, have a good day everyone.

-Sterling Holobyte

Oh, and Happy Birthday Opie!
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60651: Cood videos, Sterling. Cute, darn cute.
-Hazel
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60652: Well, thank you, Hazel!

-Sterling Holobyte
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60653: Just realized I spelled cool wrong. Where's the spell check on this thing?
-Haze
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60654: That's ok, Hazel. I just figured you meant either "cool" or "good", which are both complimentary. :)

-Sterling Holobyte
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60655: Loved the video, Sterling. Really cute, especially Kai's laugh at the end. Thanks for sharing.

Boo
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60656: Howdy, all. Chuck, your pictures are in the album. Beautiful family! Those girls should all be models, and I'm glad you supplied the names, otherwise it would be difficult to tell which one was your wife. She's as beautiful as the girls. Be sure to check and see if I got the names in the right order. I don't trust myself.

Beautiful day here - 75 degrees, buds are bursting everywhere. I did a bad thing - I was out at my son's house after a grandson's basketball game, and noticed that his neighbor had a stand of iris blooming. Recognizing them as an old variety, and coveting one badly, I just helped myself, as the neighbor wasn't home. The stand needed thinning badly, still does, but it's lighter by about two plants right now. I'll make it up to him later, though - I have some that need dividing, and I'll dig some up and take to him later on, in a color that he doesn't have. So now I'm a plant thief.

That's what makes growing iris so much fun, though. They multiply shamelessly, and it's always nice to share them. Many of what I have came from other yards, and I share mine in turn. I buy quite a few, to get the new and fancy beauties, but they are share-able as well. You gotta love it!

Well, guess I'll go scratch up some supper. Made some tater salad last night, I'll find something to go with it, and will be all set. Be blessed, everyone! --Romeena
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60657:

Romeena, that was clever use of a cell phone! I use mine quite a bit and feel quite helpless without it. (What did we do in the days of yore? lol) I love being able to keep in touch with my kids by text or call. I canceled our land line last year. We had 5 cell phones between 4 people (one work-issued) so I dropped the land line. It's worked out pretty well for us. However, I don't use mine while driving, and having a cell phone to one's ear is no excuse for ignoring someone who is standing in front of you, like the woman MDC mentioned. If I need to make a call I go to an inconspicuous place and keep my voice down -- for privacy's sake as much as not wanting to intrude on others. I think OnStar sounds like it could be a real lifesaver. According to the commercials, it probably has been. It must give you peace of mind to have it.

Chuck, to make the § dealie, hold down your Alt button, and on the number pad on the right side of your keyboard, type 789. The mushroom soup is easy. Sauté half an onion and some sliced mushrooms in butter or margarine. Add some milk, and mix Pioneer Country Gravy mix as directed. Add that, a couple slices of Velveeta, then thin with milk to your liking. It's really that simple. I couldn't tell you how much of this and how much of that I use; just wing it! You can't mess it up. Just remember, it's easier to thin than to thicken, so just watch the liquids until the corn starch in the gravy mix has had time to do its thing.

I wouldn't abandon you, Boo! I enjoy your posts, too. That bread pudding is making my mouth water! Prayers for your pastor and his family. Please keep us posted.

hm, I'm glad your daddy's feeling better enough to want some pie and that the swelling's gone down. Prayers for his continued recovery.

Oh. My. Gosh. Ro, thank you so much for the YouTube link! We gathered around and watched it and couldn't believe our ears. I'm still wiping tears from my eyes. Those harmonies are out of this world! I will be forwarding the URL for sure.

Very cute video, Sterling. Still keeping Kai in my prayers. So glad the news was encouraging, even though I know you'll be a nervous wreck until the surgery's over. Also prayers for your father in law.

auh20, I hope you get to feeling better real soon.

Happy birthday, Ron Howard!

~De§~



March 01, 2008 - Msg 60658: Thanks De§(wow, it worked!), for both the comments and the prayers for Kai.

-Sterling Holobyte
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60659: The video is great, Sterling! Very good job. You're very creative. --Romeena
March 01, 2008 - Msg 60660:
Hello porch family...Hope you all are having a blessed weekend.

auh2o....prayiny that you are feeling better.

Chuck.....enjoyed the new pics. Good looking family buddy.

Boo...prayers for Pastor Mark. And thanks for the pudding.

Spot....Brother you and Miss Sherry enjoy your trip today.

Heading to bed. I've got a concert tomorrow but it's not too far from here so not a lot of traveling. Prayers for all the porch family. Have a good night and blessed worship services tomorrow.
-REV.

March 02, 2008 - Msg 60661: Morning Sunday and the porch!..hwy Rev,hazel,ro,boo,possum,Tom,CHUCK and all...breakfast will be at waffle house on Rev....where is Asa?....back in a bit...at work now keeping the Church lights on for yall...will catch a sermon on the tube...SPOT
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60662: Ro, thanks for posting the pictures. You got the names exactly right! and your emails were very enjoyable.

Spot...thanks for the job you do! Thanks to folks like you I'm sitting here burn precious valuble time in front of this computer...hehehe

Rev...Thanks for the nice comments. I hope your concert goes well! Oh, and thanks for breakfast.

ASA! Come out come out whereever you are!

Boo, Auh20, Sterling, DE§(I did it!), blessing to one and all.

Chuck
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60663: I know how you feel, Chuck (about burning valuble time! ha), but I do it anyway. Seriously, I consider my time here like therapy (cheap therapy) and it lessens my stress ALOT. It's like journaling. I have great blood pressure, by the way. I guess in Barney's words, this here porch is "ther-u-petic"! Lovely family, by the way. You look as proud as a peac*ck in those picture, and why shouldn't you? You are a blessed man, Chuck, to have those sweet girls (and wife). Always treat them like the treasures they are because, unless any of the girls are married already, you are the most important man in their lives and someday they will choose your nursing home....(sorry, just inserting a little humor).

Had a great time last night at the teacher's appreciation dinner last night. It was a South Of The Border theme with Virgin Margaritas, Mexican food (made by a very white lady who didn't have a clue...she actually served very "americanized" chicken enchiladas with green beans...I'm sure she worked very hard to do it and I should not complain. I didn't care for the enchiladas but the green beans were the best I ever had). Anyway, they hired a Mariachi (sp?) band and they were great! They went around to each table and serenaded us and they were MUCH better that Earnest T. when he sang "pot too black, jump in the crack". They had great voices and it was wonderful.

Thanks for your prayers for Mark, I think he is feeling better but won't be there for preaching this morning. He will probably be "back in the saddle" (ouch!) by Wed. night, bless his heart.

Well, best get ready for preachin'. Where's my dangley earrings?

Boo


March 02, 2008 - Msg 60664: Oh, Boo, I know what you mean! I've eaten those ghastly chicken enchiladas myself. Actually, I don't think I'd mind them if they were just called something else, but to get me all revved up by calling them Mexican food, and then serving those things, well, it's just almost criminal. I don't know who came up with that recipe, but they all seem to be the same. Processed cheese (Velveeta?), a little shredded boiled chicken and an occasional sliver of onion rolled up in tortillas, and then smothered in a white sauce (one time, I swear it was cream of mushroom soup, I even found a piece of mushroom) and more Velveeta on top. Argh. I mean, really! Call it chicken/tortilla casserole, and use real cheese, and it might not be so bad, but the stuff that gets passed off by Yankees trying to make Mexican food - shameful, just shameful!

Glad to hear that Mark is doing better, and praying that everything goes well for him.

Good news - my son went home from the hospital on Friday. He's still very weak, and has a long way to go, but so far, he's doing okay. They will be monitoring his kidneys closely, but the hope is that he won't need any more dialysis, that they'll kick in and do their job. Please keep praying, friends. I don't think he'd be where he is without the prayers that have been offered on his behalf.

Be blessed! --Romeena
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60665: Good afternoon friends. I'm working this afternoon.

ROMEENA: That's great news about your son coming home. Prayers will continue for him.

STERLING: Very cute video. You are definitely ept! I definitely will be keeping Kai in my prayers, and yoy FIL as well. I've said it a number of times, and I will again: it would be wonderful to get all our kids together. I'm sure Kai, Erin, Evie, Kelsey, and Nora, all being around the same age, would especially have a great time.

BOO: I wasn't chewing you out. When the Mrs. worked nights, especially, I insisted that she carry her cell. They are handy indeed in a jam. It still makes me feel a little better knowing that she has it with her. I just hate that cell communication has become so important--for many people just as important as interacting with the person in front of them.

A chef friend of mine used to make a banana bread pudding with a bourbon glaze. It was to-die-for. Strangely, you keep wanting to eat more and more (HICK!).

CHUCK: Fine looking family.

AUH2O: Sorry that you're feeling poorly, and I pray for a speedy recovery. Yeah, Buckley was what I like to call a giant of a man. I've heard a lot of tributes and stories about him in the last three or four days, mostly on NPR. They have been surprising reverent and pleasantly positive. In fact, they were quite fair and even-handed when discussing his 60s Civil Rights views--explaining and accepting his reversals and even talking about his work in that regard--and even those liberals who were interviewed had nothing but prauise for the man. In fact, nary a truly negative idea was expressed.

Actualy, I will quality that: the above is true for "All Things Considered, "Talk of the Nation," etc. Hot, howevere, for "Fresh Air." Terry Gross gave her usual conservative hatchet job on him, full of back-handed compliments and trotting out ancient history.

hey to DES, SPOT, REV, JENNIEBOONE, HAZEL, MDC, and the rest of the gang.

Hey, how about a band concert tonight under the stars? I'll make the signs.

Me-They


March 02, 2008 - Msg 60666: Oh, BOO, I forgot to mention prayers for your pastor/friend.

M-T
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60667: "Hot, howevere?" That ios from the French, meaning, I need to use spell check.

M-T
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60668: "Ios?" Oy.

M-T
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60669: Hey M-T,CHUCK,Rev,hazel,mdc,mc,goober,possun,asa,ro,bo,sterling,auh20,Tom and all...Race Day!..about 45 min away...gona be a GOOD one...yesterdays race that martian won was Full of cautions...supper will be: whole chickens on the big smoker,grilled corn on the cob,green beans and big maude slaw...will someone bring some sweet and un-sweet tea?...lets eat outside on the picnic tables...its 68 degrees here in Ga...the Lord blessed us with a great day...storms tomorrow night...well let me get in Race Mood....SPOT
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60670: You're funny, M-T. I always feel like such a jerk when I make typos but, hey, we all do it so I don't sweat it much anymore. Sorry you have to work this afternoon but glad you can make the signs for the concert. Who's helping Gomer with the bandstand?

Romeena, I think these enchiladas had some real cheese on the top of them (not much) but the inside contained some kind of sour cream mixture and boiled chicken, I detected no spices at all... like something you would find in a hospital "bland diet" tray. I'm with you, I like the more authentic Mexican or at least Tex-Mex food that you find in the locally owned small town restaurants with lots of cilantro and cumin and the homemade pico de gallo and salsa and REAL flour tortillas. I also don't care for chicken in mexican food dishes, never ever. It has to be beef and lots of real cheese, never American cheese (yech!). Another thing, it is really hard to find good guacamole. I can make some mean guac! I seldom find it as good in restaurants.

Well, I had nursery duty at church today and took care of the cutest little 7 month old boys. They sat in their little walkers and started at me as I read and made animal sounds. You should have seen their faces. Priceless! Fun stuff (for an hour).

Think I will go and take it easy for a bit.

Boo
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60671: I agree, Boo, about the chicken in Mexican food. However, I do make a couple of exceptions. I love chicken flautas, and if made right, chicken tamales can be very tasty. Chicken enchiladas, if one is going to have such a thing, should be made with coarsely shredded chicken and sauteed onions rolled into corn tortillas which have been softened in hot oil. Then a generous amount of tomatillo sauce over all, and a dollop of sour cream on top. I prefer traditional cheese and onion enchiladas, but chicken enchiladas made this way are good. Two totally different dishes.

Well, back to TV. I'm watching "Airline", a documentary-type show about the mishaps and encounters between passengers and airline personnel. Boy, some people are really jerks - and I don't mean the airline people.

Be blessed! --Romeena
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60672: Ro, I forgot to mention that I tried that puzzle site you told us about and the funny thing is that Erin loves it. She has been doing the puzzles with animal pictures and I have been amazed at how well she does on the puzzle with 20 or more pieces. It is fun!

Boo
March 02, 2008 - Msg 60673: Well, good! I'm glad Erin is having fun with it. I do enjoy it - one of my favorite cuts is the Tetris cut, I forget how many pieces, 60 something, I think. Good little time-waster, but I find I can think, remember, pray - lots of things while doing some silly puzzle.

Have been listening to Sarah Brightman on the local PBS channel - didn't need to watch, just hearing her is enough. What a voice! God surely does bless some people.

Well, Starr is asking for a cuddle, so guess I'd better oblige. I left her for a couple of hours earlier to go to dinner with my son and his family, her little face is still wet with tears. Poor little thing.

Be blessed, all. --Romeena
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60674: Breakfast menu:3 eggs your way,flapjacks with maple syurp,blueberrys on top,country ham,grits,hashbrowns,bisquits and gravy...yall get in line and no pushing....SPOT
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60675: DESS
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60676: Good Monday Porch, hope all is well

Thanks for breakfast SPOT!

Its been a few days since I stopped by the porch so I thought I would check in for a minute. It is good to see everyone.

My kids were away at the Youth Conference in Nashville this week end, came home yesterday afternoon. Both had a good time but were tired. Back to school today for them both, guess it will take a few days for them to recuperate.

I can not believe we are closing in on another school year! Patrick will be a senior next year and Beth will be a freshman.. 2 in high school.
Whew.

Guess I had better get to work.. lets do lunch at Olive Garden.

see you there, Prayers and BLessings to all

Big Maude
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60677: Like to thank whomever put me onto the idea that there might be a Sunday night service at the church, because there was. In fact, it was on the sign by the church except that it was obscured by a bunch of snow so I never saw it before. Anyway, so I took Kai there last night. I had forgotten that it wasn't a regular service because they are having an evangelist speaker this week.
I have to admit I didn't get as much out of it as I do with the regular pastor's sermons. I guess I am just not too keen on the loud, what do you call them - charismatic? - speakers, though he wasn't as wild as I thought he might be.
Kai was pretty bored, though she never fell asleep(of course, how could she? Every now and then the preacher's voice would get louder ;)).
I'm going to try to take her to the regular morning service as much as I can though, as they don't have the junior church at the evening one, and she really likes to go to that.

As for my FIL, I don't think I told you that he was at the local hospital initially, but then they transferred him to one in Honolulu. My wife has literally been living at the hospital, and going over to an uncle's house to freshen up at times.
I haven't heard anything yet about the additional test results they were doing, but I will let you know when I hear anything.

They did speak to his lawyer, who said that this woman he was seeing, and apparently did marry, has no claim to anything.
And while she was tearfully protesting that she didn't want his money, she did whisper to him before she left, asking him if she was still getting the Corvette. Real nice.

Hey Big Maude!

-Sterling Holobyte


March 03, 2008 - Msg 60678: Just wanted to put up this very special prayer request. . .last fall, an acquaintance of mine had a grandson. When the baby was around a month old, the mother died of gall bladder related problems. The grandparents have taken on raising the baby. The baby is now four months old and has been diagnosed with cancer. The cancer is located near the spinal column and has fingers wrapped around the aorta. As far as the doctor's can tell - the cancer has not invaded the spinal column. Please be in prayer for little Peyton. Thanks so much . . .

homemaker
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60679: Prayers to your friend and that precious baby.

Big Maude
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60680:
Step right up brother sterling and be saved!
That was me who suggested an evening service, as we have a 6 pm Mass that we sometimes go to, tho no snow to obscure the sign! ha
been praying for you fil. Hope all works out. So glad they went to help him.
AUH2o- I agree about Bill Buckley. he was a great conservative. used to watch Firing Line all the time in days before Mclauglin Group.
Anyone have any new uses for Vicks? I've got a jar of it ready to go.
Good to see DES, Big Maude, Rev and all
God bless the porch,
MDC
Briscoe: I'm a declain' fer Miss Bee. Another good ep to sleep by! ha
MDC
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60681:
Oops, didnt see you there HM, yes prayers for Peyton for sure.
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60682: My goodness, that poor little baby. Prayers for the grandparents who now face another heartbreaking ordeal. Just one more thing to add to my list of questions to ask of the Lord when I get to Heaven. Oh yes, I have a lot of them. I think that's okay, so long as I never forget that He DOES have the answers. Just because I have questions doesn't make the situation wrong. He IS in control.

Sterling, I can't help but smile at your reaction to a revival preacher. You see, I grew up on a "revival" at least once a year in my home church, complete with enthusiastic, Bible-thumping preaching. My own pastor could make the veins pop in his neck now and then as well, and I never found that offensive. To me, that signaled "listen up, this is important!". My own dad could get a little "emphatic" at times, too, if he thought a point needed to be driven home with me or my brother. I called that dear pastor out of retirement to conduct my wedding.

I know this is new to you, so I'm not really referring to you with what I'm about to say, but I would suggest this. Listen carefully to what is being said. If you agree, you will not mind the enthusiastic, animated, emphatic approach. If you disagree, or don't want to hear what is being said, you might employ the standard defense mechanism of the convicted and protest that you "don't need to be yelled at". And perhaps you don't. As I said, you may already agree, and have a good grasp of what God is trying to impart to you through His messenger. Just don't forget that you're not sitting there alone. Others around you may need the message badly.

"though he wasn't as wild as I thought he might be." I've heard similar assessments in the past, and I always get the same mental picture. I know exactly what you mean, but picture this: John the Baptist, wearing animal skins and eating locusts and wild honey, tramping through the wilderness, proclaiming the coming of Christ. I doubt he was walking meekly up to someone and saying, "Excuse me, could I speak to you quietly for a minute?" Or take Jonah, after God's rather unorthodox methods had convinced him to go to Nineveh and proclaim His word. Imagine what he looked like - he had been marinating in the belly of a big old fish for three days. Hair probably bleached white, skin pale and wrinkled, clothing a bit worse for wear, probably stinking to the skies, eyes still holding the terror, and here he walks into Nineveh waving his arms and trying to convince the people that God's wrath was coming. He had just experienced God's power, so I doubt he was whispering about it.

I guess what I'm saying is that many times these evangelists come on pretty strong, but it's because they feel very strongly about the message they carry, and God is standing behind them, prodding them every step of the way. Now, I'm not talking about the showboat televangelists - for the most part, they're charlatans and God will deal with them.

My own beloved pastor, BO Baker, (now retired) was one of the good kind. He and his brother, a musician, lived on the evangelism circuit for many years. They didn't make much money, they were never home and their lives weren't easy. Finally, both settled down here in the Dallas area. BO took the pastorate of our church, and his brother was appointed music minister of a large church in North Dallas. They were paid well, able to be at home all the time, and were beloved by their congregations. BO was a wonderful preacher/teacher, a true Bible expositor, and I learned so much from him. However, every now and then, God would prod the "Baker boys" and off they'd go, to spend a couple of weeks going from church to church across the nation, doing what they both still loved to do. I consider myself extremely blessed to have had the benefit of BO's pastoring for fifteen years, and love him still.

Well, that's a whole lot more than you bargained for, I guess. I suppose I'm just an old Baptist gal who has seen it from both sides. No offense intended to anyone - I just have some lovely memories of "evangelicals". --Romeena
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60683: Cancer is a terrible thing to happen at any age, but when it's a baby, it is even more sad. Hopefully, that child has an angel looking out for him.

You're Catholic, right, MDC? If you are you probably have a service you can go to on Saturday as well, right? We always used to have the 4:15 Mass on Saturday.

As for being saved, that's between God and me, and I think he understands me. If that is my will talking, then I can't help that. Prayer in a lot of ways is a private thing to me, and I just don't feel that I have to announce it to the congregation.
That's one of the things I have been stuggling with about this new church; I don't want to do a disservice to the church by not participating the way some do(the raising of hands if you____; coming up to the front for a special blessing, etc), but I am pretty private by nature, and that privacy extends to my faith as well. I just don't think it is anybody's business but God's.
Though no one there has held it against me, and I don't really think they would. They seem like a pretty good bunch. And understanding, I hope.

Just got a call from my wife. She said they found a mass in her dad's lung, and they wonder if that's where the tumor originated. She says we(Kai and I) might have to come there soon, as he is not looking good right now. She said she definitely won't be home by Wednesday, when her returned flight was. Thank you for the prayers.

The story with her "step-mom"(I hate saying that) just gets more bizarre. She didn't even let them see him for about an hour when they got there. Then while she had them get together for a meeting, she proceeded to try to intimidate(passively) them with mentions of what a good shot she is, and how she was married before to a "godfather" type individual. She has been listening in to their phone conversations, and always seems to show up where the others are talking. She sounds like bad news.

-Sterling Holobyte
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60684: Oh, Sterling, that's just too weird! I can't imagine a context in which she would be describing her prowess with a gun, unless she was truly trying to intimidate someone. Hahaha! I just had a tacky thought. They should script a phone conversation, all about "Vito" and "eliminating the intruder", all very veiled and non-specific. Then separate and call each other, so that whichever one she follows to eavesdrop, she'll hear the same stuff. Give her something to think about!

You are absolutely right - salvation is between you and God. Prayer is a private thing for most people. I will pray aloud on some occasions, but not often. I don't raise my hands in church as a rule, but on two occasions that I can recall, it just happened. It was a very emotional time, and it seemed right. Not something I "do", as a rule.

I'll bet you have that church sized up just about right. They're not going to push you, or insist that you participate in anything that you're not comfortable with. God meets everyone at their point of need. Someone may be struggling, and God may break them down and lead them to the front where someone can counsel with them, or where they may just kneel and commune with God Himself. You and I may never experience that, and that's fine.

I think you're in the place where God wants you and Kai right now, and if not, He'll let you know it. Just remember - it's about God, not the membership. Be blessed! --Romeena
March 03, 2008 - Msg 60685: I appreciate your comments, Romeena, and I don't mean any offense either to evangelists or those who like that sort of thing.
I just hold to the old adage that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. The "animated, (you say "emphatic", I say "loud";)), approach actually just detracts from the word for me.
As I have commented on before, the regular pastor's sermons may be less "enthusiastic" as his evangelical brethren's, but they are no less powerful. I've been moved by every one of his sermons so far. To me, the passion is in the words, not how loudly you say them.
That said, I do appreciate what you said about "Just don't forget that you're not sitting there alone. Others around you may need the message badly." .

-Sterling Holobyte