July 18, 2008 - Msg 64143: Maybe you should be called Rockford, AUNT D! Welcoem, by the way. (Where are my manners?)

BOO: Speaking of laundry...I am running low on shorts...

M-T
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64144: Ooops! I swept with a post about my undies. That must break some sorta rule or something.

Me-They
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64145: NEW NEIGHBOR: Spot ran out of gas on his way to pick you up? Maybe he thinks that car runs on coal.

M-T
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64146: Thanks for sharing, AntD. Sounds like you keep pretty busy! I am 45, myself and about to turn 46 at the end of the month. I have 2 young ones (I started late). I have a son who is 13 (Sean) and a 6 yr old daughter (Erin). I am a stay at home mom now, although I worked for 20 years as an RN, mostly in labor and delivery. When my first child was 3, I made the decision to stay at home with him and soon after my mom had a stroke so I help my parents alot, too. They are both in their 80's and live nearby. I attend a small Baptist Church (about 300, tops) and teach sunday school, am a youth worker and also teach a bible study at the local drug rehab for teens. I also homeschool my son, who has some learning disabilities and Tourette Syndrome. My husband is a computer guy and works for the government. We are in the process of building a home (actually supposed to break ground on the first of October....finally!) and I guess that's about it. Sorry to bore those of you who already know me well. Oh, and we live in the Corpus Christi area WAY down south in Texas where the humidity is high and so is the temperature.

OK, M-T, throw me your shorts and I'll wash 'em.

Boo
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64147: Thanks for the warm welcomes everyone.

Where is everyone else from sitting on this front porch?

Ant D
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64148: WoW Boo! You are a very busy lady! God bless your sweet little heart; you've got a LOT going on in your life. It's also very admirable of you. Unfortunately there are alot of people who wouldn't do all that you do for their families which is truly sad. It's nice sitting here and hanging out with all of you on this front porch. Ya'll want some lemonade?

Ant D
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64149: Welcome again Aunt D, I am glad you are watching our Federal Defense dollars...maybe Barney uses your bullet...

It is hot here on the La. side of the porch....Milk Dud is getting good at water basketball...I guess cannonballs & can openers off the diving board bring back those summer thoughts BOO...Like I said,I am very lucky and now my daughter is able to enjoy the same things I did as a child..same pool I swam in at her age..same Bayou to go swimming & boat riding...Things in our neighborhood have not really gotten different,except you can't trust other people to behave around your child..I can't let MILK DUD roam around and be gone for hours like my parents let me at her age, ...I had my own boat and motor at the age of 7 and could go up and down the bayou all day and yes night...those things have changed...but it is not like Dallas,it still like it was back in the 60's as far as having a blast when you are a kid...... The "Dud"
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64150: Aunt D: The MILK DUD & I will have some cold lemonade and I will bring some cold popsicles (sugar free for me).....The "Dud"
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64151: ANT D: I'm in my late 20s, am handsome as the devil, and wouldn't dream of staring a moulage, right gang? ;)

Me-They
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64152: That's "starting a moulage."

M-T
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64153: Good to see you've picked out a name, AntD, and pass a glass of that lemonade, if you please. I'm AFD (Andy's Favorite Dish) and I'm from the Missouri Ozarks. My dh is a lineman at our local utility, and I have 2 dd's - Evie is 7 and Reagan Joy turns 2 today. I am a blessed to be a SAHM to my girls. Before I 'retired' to raise my girls, I worked for almost 9 years at the Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters.

Glad to hear Miss Veda had a good b-day, M-T. Hope she has a nice time with the fam this weekend. Grandparents are coming to our place next weekend to celebrate. Reagan's doing great, into everything and climbing anything that doesn't move. Are all your young'uns enjoying the summer? When do Chad and Nora go back to school? Evie goes back on Aug 14, but she's ready to go now (and at times, I'd be glad to send her too!)

Good to hear you're making progress on the homestead, Boo. October will be here before you know it.

Well, guess I'll go see what I can round up for lunch - maybe some cream of chicken with egg noodles. Talk to ya'll later - prayers for all.
AFD
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64154: They say when you tell tales about yourself,your spelling is the first thing to go, Me-They! Ha!

Boo,Laci didn't have a nap at all that day. That's why I was surprised that she only slept from 11-4am.My daughter told me that she did conk out most of the next day though. Where she gets all that energy when she's with me,I have no idea!

Ant D, I'm just a hop,skip and a jump away from you over here in SC. Rev is also from SC and Spot is from Kennesaw,GA,I think.We also have Lucy from Atlanta. Lots of other Southerners on the Porch as well.Even a Yankee or two,but we love 'em! We're just one great big family here. I'm a lady possum by the way- will turn 49 on July 30th ,and you'll notice I talk about Laci quite a bit.She's my grandchild- almost 5 yrs. old.Was born prematurely with a heart defect & cerebral palsy. She had open heart surgery at 11 months. She wears braces on her legs and is delayed in speech and motor skills due to the CP. She's making her way though and is quite the little spitfire!A lot of the folks here remember when she was born and have prayed for her and "watched her grow" over the years.She's the joy of my life,as you'll tell from my posts!

Well,we're getting storms here,so I need to get off of the computer.Y'all take care!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64155: Wow, hard to believe that Laci is almost 5. Where does the time go? You are such a sweet, devoted grandma, Possum.

Thank you for your kind words, AntD. I appreciate it. Again, it is a pleasure to have you in the porch family.

Hey there, AFD. I am about ready to send Erin back to school, too, but it won't be until the end of August. She is just so full of energy and gets very bored without any children to play with in the neighborhood. You should see this kid, she has had some kind of growth spurt this summer! I know her appetite has increased, but I am shocked at how quickly she grew from a 6 to a 6x and even is wearing some 7's. Getting taller, too and more muscular. She appears to have an athletic body-type like her dad used to have (emphasis on "used to"). Now that baseball is over, I need to find her something else to be involved in because this kid is in perpetual motion. She is strong, too, and the other night she wanted to show us how hard she could punch so I held out my palm to let her hit me....I must have looked like Barney when Opie punched him in the gut. Ouch! That kid could give one big black eye, let me tell you. I am trying to make her more ladylike but no luck so far. I do have her playing with baby dolls sometimes, now, and she will wear dressed to church.

M-T, remember that there are pictures of your manly frame in Ro's photo album for all to see....just kidding, you are as cute as a bug!

Better go, I'm taking the kid's to St. Susan's to play in her pool. Later!

Boo
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64156: Ant D: I apologize for not introducing myself and the lemonade was great! I am 50 years young and I live in my boyhood home on the banks of Bayou De'siard in NE. La...we are not Cajun (not that there is anything wrong with it) up in these parts of the state...I just moved back last year and I have been living for the past 20 years in Dallas not too far from ROMEENA...I hated it..glad to be back to trees, water and no traffic...I have a daughter (MILK DUD) who is 11 and she lives with my Ex. (we are still great friends) in Dallas...I have an ill 83 yr old mother, 58 yr old sister, 15 year old neice who both live in Michigan (Michigan!) and I guess after my father's death I am the patriarch of the family...I am an licensed in*urance underwriter (my occupation gets censored) and amateur chef... Like many others on the porch I love to cook..The MILK DUD is calling....glad to have you rockin' with us.....The "Dud"
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64157: Hey AntD, nice to meet you.
I used to watch ants for hours at a stretch when I was young. And now my daughter, Kai, is carrying on with that tradition apparently. She is even going to a bug class for summer school.

After dropping off my wife yesterday, Kai and I stopped at one of the towns on the way back, and one church sign was kind of funny, and in keeping with the hot temperature talk, so I thought I would share it. On one side of the sign, it said, "You think it's hot here... - God"

Then on the other side it said, "Our church is prayer-conditioned".

Well, better go make Kai some lunch. Have a good day all.
-Sterling Holobyte
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64158: Is there a photo album on this site with all ya'lls pictures in it? We sure are a bunch of young people on here! We should be outside today skipping stones in the creek and catching fireflies this evening. My home backs up to the woods and we have lots of fireflies for me and my children to catch. Love it!! Oh yeah, my husband is in the military. He's been in for 25 years now. We just married in March of 2007. My kids and I have really taken a liking to him so I guess we'll keep him around for a while. ;) Dud - my ex and I are still very good friends too. In fact, after our divorce we and the kids all hopped in the mini-van and headed to Disney World. The next summer we took the kids on vacation together also (really cuts those expenses when you're splitting it in half) but the next summer he got a girlfriend and he said I couldn't go. LOL In fact, we're such good friends that I even trusted him to do my income taxes before I got married. I think it's great and very important when your kids can see that mom and dad can be friends even if they don't work out as husband and wife. He lives less than 2 miles from us so our children have both of us in their faces all of the time. John (my current hubby) is wonderful and sure loves Bailey and Dawson and they sure love him too. Anyway, had to throw that part in there too because I left out what he does.

Dud - Your home on the banks sounds wonderful. I would love to live a life where there's no traffic and no long lines at Walmart.


July 18, 2008 - Msg 64159: Oh yeah - Signed Ant D

July 18, 2008 - Msg 64160: By the way Ant D.:

I do all of my in*urance bid'ness on the net and I do not (and can't) solicit bid'ness to friends & family)...I am the most popular in*urance man around at parties...I am off this week and not usually on the site this much...when I work on the net, I usually do something else due to eye strain....gonna hit the water again...... The "Dud"
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64161:
Me-They- Post 64151 IS a moulage in itself!! ha
If you're in your 20s, then I'm 16 and a junior in High School! haha
Ant D-- I'm in the Phoenix AZ area, where it is only HOTTER than a firecracker this time of year!
Late 50s and enjoy the porch cuz we talk about most anything, we keep it clean (except for MT's shorts), and we give interlopers the big freeze! haha
My MDC stands for Mr Darlin's Cuz, so not a 'real' character, just one of the many mountain folk! teehee. Welcome to you! You are our mayberry guest of honor for the day!
AFD- My brother is a lineman for the county--really! Happy BD to little Reagan! Time flies!
Boo- Erin 'baby girl is SIX? wow!
Another summer memory: we used to ride our bikes to a public pool by ourselves, stay all day, no such thing as sunscreen, and only a little worse for wear! amazing! You'd think i'd be walking skin cancer, but nope. Go figure. I am one of 8 kids.
I grew up with no AC in the house or the car or the schools. Only evap cooling. When not at the pool we would be like Boo, outside playing, or coloring, or at the public library, or ironing, or hanging clothes and diapers on the line, or taking clothes and diapers off the line! haha
In the evenings, we'd load up the car and head to the drive-in for a dollar a carload! Jumprope, marbles, red rover and dodgeball were my fortes! ha
Boo- your "imaginary lung cancer was a funny line! Cracked me up!
Prayers for ya all!
Ant D- we also have photos at
www.romeena.myphotoalbum.com
under "porchsters."
Enjoy!
MDC

July 18, 2008 - Msg 64162: Recollections from a Sunstroked Porch Sitter:

I tell you swimming with this young'n can tire a man out...I have to take a break...When I lived in Dallas after the split from my Ex. I got a nice apartment about 20 feet from one of the swimming pools in the complex. I would take little MILK DUD out swimming and you talk about a female magnet....There must be something about a single dad swimming with his daughter that makes woman feel that I am O'K...My Ex used to say I was using MILK DUD as a "Chick Magnet". I was not, we were just swimming, but it was different than if I was swimming by myself...

The "Dud"
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64163: Oh yeah, those were the days....my son is playing dodgeball at his summer camp now. Each day I pick him up, he's hot, dirty and sweaty. He's been playing hard at dodge ball.

I played alot of Hop Scotch, leap frog, and running foot races barefoot on gravel paved roads with my friends. We rode our bikes until night fell and built tree-houses in tall oak trees in the woods beside our house. We loved making popsicles out of Koolaid in those plastic Tupperware or whatever it was containers. We got dirty making mud pies in our mama's pie tins and loved playing in the sheets hanging from the clothes line. And MDC - we too would partake in the drive-in movie where you'd roll down the car window and hang the heavy metal speaker on it. It was so much fun getting out of the car and walking up to the concession stand to buy hotdogs, cokes and popcorn. I can smell it now. These are just a few of my favorite childhood memories.

Ant D
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64164: Dud - Kids and puppies are instant chick magnets. On those days that MILK DUD is at her mom's, you might want to consider getting a puppy. :)

Ant D
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64165: Ant D: Cute dogs like our future Lab puppy Miley are magnets also....we will pick her up tomorrow...the newest single scene in Dallas is urban dog parks...I guess if I ever move back I will be walking my poor dog in a 1/4 acre lot with hundreds of other owners....as MILK DUD says, " I don't think so"...gonna take the daughter to the local Zoo in good old Monroe La. I used to work as asst. head primate keeper while going to college in my late teens and 20's...still got some conections there and we will give the MILK DUD the inside the bars tour...some of the people I worked with are still there......The "Dud"

July 18, 2008 - Msg 64166: Dud - you and MILK DUD have fun "monkeying around" at the park. Just go ape wild!! Ok, e'nuff of my corniness.

Ant D
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64167: Okay, okay. I may have exaggerated a little. I'm 30, just very good looking, and sometimes, with reluctance, participate in a moulage.

BOO: Cute as a bug? Are we talking big old hairy spiders or monarch butterflies?

Is it too soon to start making the 'tater salad to bring to your housewarming?

AFD: The kids go back toward the end of August, though I'm not exactly sure of the date. Nora is ready. Chad is a little apprehensive about Kindergarden. Veda is definitely coming into her own. She sure knows what she wants. They're having a ball this summer. They are with the Mrs. at a friends house swimming thsi afternoon. As hot as it is here, I wish I was, too.

Nora finally got off the "Sound of Music" kick, only to get on the "Annie" kick. She has watched it about a million times now. (It's the early 1990s Disney version with Kathy Bates as Miss Hannigan.) The Mrs. and I have had a few hoots watching Veda go around the house singing "Tomorrow" (" 'morrow, 'morrow, I wuv ya, 'morrow...") and "It's a Hard Knock Life." Too cute.

Me-They
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64168: Hey guys, did any of you play Kick the Can or Flashlight Tag? Those were our evening summer games.

We had a couple of chestnut trees when I was growing up. I remember when I was a kid we'd collect chestnut burrs in brown paper bags, divide up into teams, then start winging them at each other. Thos burrs were almost as big as tennis balls and those stiff, green spikes would leave a bloody welt if they got you right. Believe it or not, that's a happy summer memory.

In the fall, we'd switch to crabapples. Ever get hit by a half-rotten apple? Boys will be boys!

Me-They
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64169: Hey M-T: I played Flashlight Tag and Kick the Can. My kids play FLT now. I miss the days that the ice cream truck used to come by. My kids have never even seen an icecream truck; they just don't run around here anymore. I think every kid should get to experience buying a Nutty Buddy or a Push-up from the icecream truck. Did anyone ever used to chew on sour-weeds that grew wild in the fields? Yum!

Ant D
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64170:
M-T= You 30 year olds did that? ha I heard that you had one of those big cellphones. Haha
MDC
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64171:
Ant D- we had Mr Softie trucks....MMMM good!
MDC
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64172: G'night everyone. If I don't talk to you before Monday, everyone have a great weekend!!

Ant D
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64173: M-T, what are you buying that hydrogen peroxide for? Let me guess, you're going to gargle with it. *wink*

Sounds like Miss Veda is a sight to see singing "Annie" songs. Reagan's not much of a singer, but she sure loves to dance. Has Veda finished getting a mouthful of teeth yet?

Hope things go well with Chad once school does start. Is there an opportunity to meet the teacher or other students prior to school starting? Our school usually has an open house a couple of days before school starts for that purpose and to let them get their things settled at their desks so they're ready to go on starting day.

Boo - Sounds like Erin is quite the growing girl! Evie has only grown about an inch this summer - she had her growth spurt during the school year last year, but is as skinny as a rail. I have to buy her 7 slims because of her length but those as well as a bunch of her 6/6x shorts and pants are still a little big in the waist. She's not real big on jeans, so I usually only buy her a couple of pairs of those. She would live in sweats in the winter if I let her. She does like to wear dresses to church, too.

Well, better go check on my girls. Last I saw them they were enjoying the latest VeggieTales - Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry's Big River Rescue (spoofed on Tom Sawyer)... it's really cute if you're into VeggieTales.

AFD
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64174: Puppies are a chick magnet? Hmmmm. So that's why my dear Dale always carried the Plum around with him in his truck. (heehee)

Welcome, Ant D. I know I welcomed you as Donna, but now I know more about you, so welcome again. You protect those miserable little sugar ants? Would you like some more to care for? I have zillions, and you're welcome to each and every one of the little nuisances. Anyone on the porch will tell you that I have a real love for all creatures great and small, but I confess, that doesn't extend to sugar ants. I have battled the wretched little things for years, and they're almost impossible to eradicate. I am completely organic outdoors - no chemicals - so I can't fortify the perimeter of the house to keep them out. I will use some chemicals indoors, but wish I didn't have to do that, and I do carefully limit what I use. I've found that Terro Liquid Ant Bait works pretty well. It comes in a little transparent, enclosed tray, you cut a tiny hole in it and sit it in ant traffic areas. It really reduces their activity, though when the tray wears out after about three months, the little devils come right back. At times I can't leave so much as a bread crumb on the counter without having ants all over it in about two minutes. Even worse is when they invade the cabinets and get into all the cereal, crackers and such. I have fed so much of that sort of thing to the birds because the ants got in. I hate sprays because you can't always control where they end up, and they do aerosolize to some extent. I can't put anything on or near the floor because of Toye Starr, but these little trays in a hidden corner on the counter work pretty well. Hateful little critters.

Problems in the back yard - something was tripping the GFI on the circuit that feeds the landscape lighting and the pond pumps. It wouldn't reset, so by a process of elimination, I narrowed it down to the biggest pond pump. I unplugged it, reset the GFI and now have the smaller pump running, and it seems okay. So, guess I get to buy another pump. My guess is that the housing has cracked and water is getting in. I'll have to stop at Lowe's and get a new one in the morning on the way home, but will need Ted to help me install it. The lines run under some rocks that are too heavy for me to move, so I need a man's muscle power to get it done. Thank goodness for my friend Ted. God has provided me with several capable service people, who have become trusted friends over the years.

Well, I have to work tonight, so guess I'd better catch a little nap. Sure makes the 12 hours go better if I'm not fighting sleepiness along with unruly, clueless visitors. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64175: Well I got delayed to the zoo...I guess it will be Sunday after church for the tour. My gorgeous Lady Friend happened to get into town early from her work travels and she is just having a great old time with the MILK DUD & friends outside by the pool. It is great that the Lady Friend and my daughter get along so well.... I am gonna take Lady Friend and the MILK DUD out to eat at the MOHAWK restaurant on Lousiville AVE....REV, does that ring a bell?....Great fried shrimp baskets, fried frog legs, raw oysters and La. hot boiled shrimp with Cajun huspuppies.....Take Care All:...

The "Dud"
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64176: Welcome Ant-d!..im SPOT goobers talking dog...my web page gang has been messed up for some reason...missed yall..Boo Miss Sherry got her a new chevy silverado extended cab,black..traded her 2005 blazer in on it?...I just said "you go girl"...she got the towing package and big motor [5.3l] to help pulling boat and camper....well hello Rev,Ro,Tom,Boo,Dud,M-t...I got some reading to do....Big Maude lets have gri9lled ribeyes will all trhe trimmings...{salsa for Romeena]..and un-sweet tea for Dud...let me get my Dad pried away from this new truck of hers so she can go to work...ha ha...SPOT
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64177:
Dud- add a little fried cabbage and I'll be there!
Y'all get to preachin' and I'll seeya on Monday!
MDC
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64178:
Oops, spot, didnt mean to step on yer paws..
"took my cobra down to the track, hooked to the back of my cadillac...(er silverado)" (:
MDC
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64179: MDC, I know why you don't skin cancer...(here it comes)...Oregano!! Yep, Erin is about to turn 7 in three weeks, can you believe it? Are you keeping cool in Phoenix? It is hotter than hot here, so I can only imagine what it's like out your way. Hey, thanks for bringing up the drive-in memory...those are some of the best (depending on who you went with and what you were doing...haha).

How wonderful, AntD, that you and your ex can be friends and keep things peacable for the children. You should be commended. Glad you have a good man that you and the kids love, too. Same thing for you, DUD, glad you and your ex are friends, too...good for you. By the way, DUD, you are only 50?! You talk about yourself like you are an old man...you're still a spring chicken. You should send a photo of you and Milk Dud to Romeena so we can see you both.

Oh AntD, it sounds like you were living my childhood! I'll bet we would have been great friends if we knew each other back then. By the way, we still have ice cream trucks that come around. Lucky, aren't we?...of course the driver's look like they crawled out from under a rock and the trucks are falling apart, but who cares?

If kids AND puppies are chick magnets, watch out DUD 'cause you're about to have both!

Wow, SPOT, Sherri's truck sounds awesome! Good for her.

Gotta run...be back later..trying to get everyone fed.

Boo




July 18, 2008 - Msg 64180: Well I am going to head out with MILK DUD and pick up the Lady Friend to go out to eat tonight.

BOO & Others: I would love to post pictures of the two DUDS...I will have to run it by my Ex-Wife....This will sound strange but my Ex converted to Judaism (she grew up Southern Baptist) after we broke up and the MILK DUD is being raised Jewish and going to a private Jewish School in Dallas...Getting in to her school is like trying to enter an armed camp..ID checks & check points, fences all around with video security cameras...Dallas has a sizable Arab/Moslem community with quite a few Mosques...There is a radical element that intimidates the moderate muslims and all the Jewish people in Dallas are on alert for a terroist attack on their buildings, especialy with children..it has been advised that none of the children's pictures appear on the internet for obvious reasons..no my space..etc....for protection...what a world we live in today...right..I will check with her and get back to you guys........

The "Dud"
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64181: Aw, childhood memories. I was raised on a farm all thru my childhood, first in Arizona, then when my family moved to Idaho. Of the Arizona memories, the things I remember most are the summers. My aunts would send their kids, my cousins for a couple weeks every summer to experience “farm life”. They lived in Phoenix, we lived in Chino Valley. So every summer first my Aunt Shirley’s kids would come (2 boys) and a few weeks later my Aunt Norma’s 2 girls would come to stay. It was always fun to have extra kids around, because sometimes we felt so isolated as kids on the farm. In the evenings we almost always played “Hide n’ Go Seek”, until my mom would holler at us to come in. When the 2 boy cousins came, it seemed as if my brother and dad would keep them entertained during the days… teaching them how to drive tractor and pitch bails of hay on a wagon. Now, when the 2 girl cousins came, it was a different matter entirely. They were supposed to help my sister and I weed, and boy, did they ever seem wimpy to us. We were used to doing all the weeding and harvesting (our family sold veggies at a roadside stand), and sis and I would try to have them help us, but it was rather difficult. It was like “see, you hold the hoe this way, and go “chop, chop” and the cousins never seemed like they really caught on . They preferred to sit by the ditch bank and just watch us, which of course made us mutter under our breath about how “sissy” they were. Ha-Ha, good memories. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my cousins then and still do now, but I will never forget those childhood times all those years ago, when the city cousins came to pay a visit.

Welcome to AunD!

- Hazel

July 18, 2008 - Msg 64182: Ooops, make that "Ant D".
-Hazel
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64183: Hey, don't take a chance DUD. Just send us a picture of you or you and the lady friend. I always find it interesting to hear about someone converting to Judaism. Is she married to a Jewish man? I often think that Christians should understand more about Judaism (the feasts, etc) because it really is a faith builder and actually helps in the understanding of salvation by faith. My opinion, of course. I have a feeling that you may have gotten Auntie Romeena's dander up by mentioning the situation with MILK DUD. I'll bet she has something to say about it...

Well, got everyone fed (BBQ sausage done in the oven, slow-cooked green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet cornbread and baby lima beans and cole slaw...I don't eat sausage or pork, so the beans were for me). And I am not kidding when I say that I have not made lima beans in over 10 years. Nobody in the family likes them but me but I finally realized that I was doing without alot of good food by only cooking what Bruce likes. Sometimes I have to cook 2 different main courses but it's worth it now and then. I grew up on white lima bean soup, slaw and cornbread. Here's how I make my slaw (and how mom made her's and how her mom made her's...): It is so simple but I like it best. I shred the cabbage, add miracle whip, a little sugar, salt and pepper and a dash of vinegar. That's it.

The porch sure has been full today. I love it!

One more summer memory before I go...of course, most of you have already heard all my memories and I fear I am repeating myself (humor me, please)...How many of you remember eating homemade ice cream made with the ice cream maker that you had to crank? Seems like it took forever and it was hard to be patient (poor dad cranked his arms off) but it was the best ice cream in the world, wasn't it? We would add sliced fruit to it, or chocolate syrup, sometimes even a little root beer. Good stuff. I also remember lots of water melon when I was a kid. Mom would buy one, slice it in half lengthwise and chill it in the frige, then in the evening while we were watching TV, she would cut it and give each of us a big slice in an aluminum cake pan. We would give it a good shake from the salt shaker and dig in while sitting around the TV watching something like Alfred Hitchc*ck, Mannix, or Wild Wild West.

Forgot to mention a website my sister told me about. It's called Hulu. They show lots of old sitcoms and some new ones, too. Also, you can watch movies. Adios!

Boo
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64184: Hey there Hazel, where you been. Neat summer memories!

Boo
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64185: Well hey gang..still have not read all the archives...what about prayers?...well prayers to all...yea Miss Sherrys truck is cool...but 27 grand?...no..not for me..but it is neat to be her very good friend ...Ha Ha..well I have pulled 136 tomatoes tonight...got to wash them for canning[Miss Sherry will do that}..Mom got 4 more messes of peas and greenbeans to freeze...I work at 6 am in the morning...well let me get these veggies worked up...prayers...SPOT
July 18, 2008 - Msg 64186: Well im gang im hitting the ironing board...still have not read all the archives but will at work in the morning at 6..prayres to all Rev look for the food truck!..Breakfast will be as follows: 2 eggs your way,hashbrowns,fried center country ham,grits,flapjacks,maple surp,bisquits and gravy,milk,coffee,oj and a tear from my roll of paper towels...night all....SPOT
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64187: Someone once said, "An alarm clock is a device for awakening people who don't have small children"...... SPOT: I will meet ya for breakfast....I will bring the Diet Pepsi Max and the salsa for the eggs...... The "Dud"
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64188: Me-They: Good article about T. Boone Pickens in today's Dallas Morning News...see following link:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/071908dnnatpickens.46cafe8.html

BOO: My ex-wife was studying and taking Judaism classes with a Rabbi when I met her..when we got together she dropped the idea of converting and when we split she resummed the process...She is unmarried and the present man in her life is not religious but he loves my daughter...MILK DUD has been going to Private Jewish schools since she was 6 and we are very happy with education she has been getting...pupil to teacher ratio is 10 to 12 students to teacher...

Had a great time last night with Lady Friend and MILK DUD and today we will be picking up the new puppy, "Miley".....The "Dud"
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64189: Correction link should be:

www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/071908dnnatpickens.46cafe8.html
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64190: All right Gang "Get Up"...breakfast is ready,Asa,posum,dud,Romeena,Boo,Tom,Maude,M-t,auh20,Lucy,hazel,MDC,ant-d,Robyn..and all...hop to it!...sad to say a young man lost hos life last night by hitting one of our poles..left the road and hit the pole sideways...Miss Sherry was working....knocked out about 700 peoples power by tripping station breaker...it had my house out...dont know what all was involved [speed or such]...he was 18...our crews had to stay on site for 3 hrs.....prayers for his family even though I do not know them....well on a lighter note a beautiful day here in Ga but im stuck here at work!..Miss Sherry and I are both off weekends next month..allready got two weekends booked for camping....well let me get the oranges squeezed for juice....SPOT
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64191: SPOT: Good morning that is a terrible about the young man...our prayers are with the family..

Please have the Rev & Mrs. Lundy of Ne.La. in your prayers..the whole state is having a tough time due to the following: AP report...Three of four brothers drowned this afternoon while their father was mowing grass at a camp on Lake Bruin, about three miles north of St. Joseph La. The victims were identified as Dorin, 13, Dylan, 12, and Connor Lundy, 7, sons of the Rev. Adrian and Savannah Lundy of Newellton La. Tensas Parish Sheriff Rickey Jones said the fourth son, Courtland, 8, was able to escape the water and ran to his father for help. Rev. Lundy, who has a lawn care service, was cutting grass at a camp on the lake when the “tragic accident” occurred, Jones said. The sheriff said the youngest boy, Connor, slipped into the water while standing on a ramp and that 8-year-old Courtland went in after him and the other brothers followed him into the water and drowned....The "Dud"
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64192: The incident above happened a couple of weeks ago, but I hear the family needs all of our prayers....The "Dud"
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64193: Good morning, all. Just got home from work, and am sooooo glad to be out of that place. We were completely full - six patients each - and I had one 31 year old woman who had had a hysterectomy, who kept me busy all night. I wanted to put her in a big baggie and sit her out on the curb for the trash men to carry away! Let me put it this way - her husband stayed with her until about 11 pm, then he left after telling me, "I'm going home, before I go nuts." She kept screaming for "a shot", and she was so snowed already that she couldn't even focus her eyes. Recovery had gorked her before they sent her over, I hit her with everything the law allowed, and she had a button to push to deliver her own Demerol at intervals, and she still wouldn't go down. Sobbing and bawling, and threatening a malpractice suit "because you're just letting me suffer". At that point, I told her I could not be blamed for not over-medicating her, but if I gave her one more narcotic she might have a talking point, so it wasn't going to happen. What I wanted to tell her was to pull up her panties and act like a big girl, but I didn't. However, when she screamed at me that she wanted more Demerol, I did tell her that in order to give her any more than she already had on board, I'd have to bring it to the room in a bucket! What a pain in the derriere she was!

Dud, I imagine Boo is referring to my well-known feelings about the threat that Islam is posing toward America. It's no secret, and I am convinced that unless this country wakes up and smells the coffee, we will have Sharia law here within about 20-30 years. Think it can't happen? All it takes is the right people in power - in Congress, and on the Supreme Court, and yes, it can happen. Fifty years ago, who would have believed we'd be living in the social and political climate that prevails today? My grandparents would be absolutely horrified. For that matter, so am I.

Spot, sounds like Miss Sherry chose well - her truck will fit right in with your rig. I know you all have a lot of fun. Oh, send me some of those tomatoes, okay?

Prayers, please, for my landscaper friend, Joe. He was taken to our hospital last night with a suspected heart attack, though they have now ruled that out. Not sure just what's wrong, but something is. They think he may have had a "silent" heart attack a few weeks ago, and is dealing with the effects of it now. Short of breath, fatigue, pulmonary congestion, fluid retention - all cardinal signs. I went by to see him before I left the hospital, and he's comfortable and looks pretty good, but he's scared.

Well, gotta grab a bite of breakfast and then lie down for a couple of hours. The old bod just can't keep going like it used to. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64194: Maters your way Romeena...WOW sounds like a hoot at work last night!..{I like the baggie thing:}..well got the breakfast bunch fed and we are busy here at work...just junk stuff...no big things...lunch will be pork roast sandwiches,chips,pickels,Maude slaw...and by the way where are you Maudy?...Asa...yall must all be at the mall or something...well let me get some paper work done...back in a bit....SPOT
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64195: Prayers for poor Joe. Is the the wise, elderly black fellow you mention now and then?

So very sad about the brothers drowning in LA. What that family must be going through. Talk about a test of faith! Prayers for the family all involved.

Prayers also for the family of the 18 yr old that you mentioned, SPOT. What a shock for his family. Here one day and gone the next and probably due to reckless driving. When I was a senior in high school, I had a friend named John who was killed in an accident while out after a party. The driver had been drinking and John was passed out in the backseat without a seatbelt. Only 18 years old and gone in an instant. He was his mother's only son and I will never forget seeing her pain at the funeral. John was my first boyfriend and gave me a plastic engagement ring on the playground when we were kids! Sweet boy, such a waste.

Romeena, just reading your post gave me a knot in my stomach. I have so many of those patients you describe and I sure don't miss them. I hope others don't think we are cold, but you have to experience this kind of thing to understand how difficult a patient like that can be. Some people suffer with grace, others do not. I wonder if the patient had a hx of drug use? I have had patients before that didn't seem to be touched by the pain meds and found out they were drug users.

SPOT, 27 grand doesn't sound like so much, really for a new truck like Miss Sherri's. I would probably buy one that was just a bit used and try and save some but that's not bad for a new truck. Only thing is, it isn't always easy to get everything you want if you are looking for a used one. I hope she gets alot of enjoyment from it and that the fuel bill won't hurt too badly.

I heard from my friend, Paul, who was in rehab. He is out and was doing very well until a couple of days ago. It was 7pm and broad daylight and he pulled into a strip shopping mall to go to the store and 2 young hispanic guys came up to his truck with tire irons. One started bashing in his driver-side window while the other jumped into the back of the truck and beat out his back window. He was trying to call 911 when both guys started stabbing at him with the end of the tire irons, he got a terrible gash in one arm that I guess he was holding up to defend himself and the other guy stabbed him in the back. He quickly floored the gas pedal and hopped the curb into the street (another car had purposely pulled behind his truck to keep him from backing out) and took off at full speed. He was bloody and shaken up and drove to the home of a doctor friend who sent him to the ER to be sewn up. He filed a police report but has no idea who the people were that attacked him and assumes it was just a random act of violence. We have had three such acts here in Corpus Christi this month. One involving a local attorney who was out jogging one morning and was shot. He survived but he was lucky. Paul assures me that he has not enemies and doesn't owe anyone money. He told me to be very careful when I am in town because things are getting bad. This was in a very decent area of town, too. Horrible to have to even think about such things but I guess I need to be more alert when I am in town.

Better go feed Mom...

Boo
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64196: Feed Mom Boo...yea Sherrys brother is retired from GM so she gets all those discounts thru him so she keeps something close to new to drive..its that now days a new truck is not like they used to be its plush and rides like a dream,not a truck..she wanted the extended cab for grocerys and stuff and the bed for her bicycle...lunch will be at noon..prayers to all porchsters and friends...bet Romeena is snoozing..and Ro I will get ya some more pics of Miss Sherry and her new truck and the garden harvest...you all need to get her some pics...the Album she builds is very cool!...well back to "The Deadlest Catch"...SPOT
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64197: Hey SPOT, yes, send us a picture of Miss Sherry's new truck. That would be great.

I fed mom and while Dad was taking a nap, I sat with her for about an hour and listened to her talk about her childhood in West Virginia. It seems that her favorite memory is of the 4th of July as a child. It was the only time of the year that they got ice cream. Her mom would make fried chicken and they would get a case of soft drinks (the only time of the year). There were 7 kids in the family and he dad was a coal miner, so they were poor but she had a wonderful childhood. No TV or movies, just playing in the hills, swimming in the creek and being a kid. Too bad things have changed so much for kids.

Boo
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64198: Well, here I am, after a few hours of sleep, feeling much better.

Boo, that's awful about your friend. We've had some of that random violence around here too, and it's only going to get worse as the illegals continue to pour over the border. Not that others don't commit violent acts as well, but the rate of such crime has increased dramatically in the past few years. The news articles describing such events all too often will identify the perps as illegal immigrants. Friends, that's one reason why the Mexican government doesn't cooperate in securing the borders. They're delighted to get rid of a lot of those who are coming over, and may in fact be assisting them. Many are coming here to escape prosecution for crimes committed in Mexico, and there's no reason to believe they're going to change their ways once they settle here. Meanwhile, we just sit and sing Kumbaya and try to be just as PC as can be.

No, Joe isn't my yard man - that's Eddie. Joe is the landscaper who designed and built my back yard, and is my neighbor's brother. Eddie keeps it all mowed and edged and does the weekly maintenance. Even though the yard is pretty much complete, no major projects in the plans right now, Joe and his helper spend a day here every three months or so, doing more in-depth maintenance. The helper weed (it just gets out of hand for me), they add compost and mulch where it's needed, plant new stuff, or sometimes transplant things that aren't happy where they are, make the seasonal changes in bedding plants, and help me keep things pruned so it doesn't turn into a jungle. I think we've created a monster back there.

Well, I'm trying to decide whether I want to call a friend and get dressed and go eat crab legs at East Buffet, or stay home in my gowntail and eat leftovers. Honestly, it's a tough choice. Last night was a rough one - near 'bout wore me out! I didn't mention it before, but Needy Nellie, my drama queen, was in the room at the far end of the hall. Naturally.

No, Boo, I don't think she had any history of drug abuse. I thought about that, and searched the chart for any references to it, but there were none. There was a reference to "sensitive personality" (translation - whiney-hiney), but that's all. The truth is, and you remember them, there are just some patients (yes, mostly women) who just can't deal with pain at any level, who panic at the slightest twinge, and who will absolutely make your life miserable because there is nothing you can do that will satisfy them, and it all becomes your fault. They don't want pain "control", they want anesthesia, and we can't do that. Young women are the worst. Middle-aged and older women have some experience with pain, are able to get a handle on it and deal with it, but the twenty and thirty-somethings can be a real challenge at times. Oh well, it's over, I'm home, and she'll be long gone when I go back next week. Moving right along....

Well, gotta decide about dinner. Let's see - crab legs but have to get dressed and go out, or stay home with Starr and eat some pretty decent leftovers. Remember I like leftovers. Do you get a sense of which way I'm leaning? Hahaha! Starr will be happy. Be blessed, everyone. --Romeena
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64199: Well, we have added another princess to the "Castle on the Bayou" and that is the Puppy Princess Miley...We picked up the little darlin' and got her puppy pappers, puppy chews, puppy bed & enough puppy chow for a couple of weeks...MILK DUD & I are so exicited, I have always wanted a Chocolate Lab & is she cute...It is already sniffing the shores of the Bayou...gonna have to keep a constant eye out for the possibility of her just jumping on in for a swim...will be back...gotta supervise....The "Dud"
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64200: Miley..."Nip it, Nip it, Nip it in the Bud"..The "Dud"
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64201: Here, I'll decide for you, Ro; stay home with Starr and eat some leftovers...maybe have a little TAGS marathon. What do ya think? I have to go bowling with the youth group. Not exactly an ideal evening but Bruce and Erin are going too so it might be fun. My buddy Keith is out of town, though, and things are alot more fun when he is at these youth events. He is a really funny guy. Last Friday, he had that cook-out at his house (the one I told ya'll about because I didn't want to say overnight, remember?) and we ate and played pictionary with the girls and had a great time. I laughed so hard I felt like an adolescent. Do you all have a friend like that? You know, someone that always makes you laugh hysterically? What a treasure that is. Share it with me if you do.

Well, Ro, I feel you pain (or past pain). Let me tell you a real horror story (if I already have, forgive me). When I was working nights in L&D years ago, we had a woman come in in pre-term labor. We stopped her with Yutopar (remember that ancient med?) and then Brethine shots, but she was little off her rocker and insisted on staying in the labor unit, although, she should have been transferred to the women's unit or sent home, actually. The problem was that she was a nut case and an attorney and the doctors were terrified of her. They were afraid to go against her ridiculous wishes because if something went wrong, they feared a lawsuit. I really can't blame them for being afraid that she might sue, but we couldn't keep her in the labor unit for three months because she "thought" she might be in labor. We had her for over a month, as I recall, and all that time she was on a fetal monitor and ringing the bell to have us tell her how many contractions she had in an hour. She was some kind of very whiney princess and thought the entire world revolved around her and only her. She treated her very quiet husband (now ex husband) in a deplorable fashion but he never left. I don't know how he did it. She was way past being in labor and was only having an occasional Braxton-Hicks, but she wouldn't budge and the doctors gave in, smiling all the way. I finally got ahold of her primary doc at the nurses station and told him he had to get a grip and get her out of there or the staff was going to revolt. I told him to get a psych consult because that was what she really needed, and get her the heck out of here. He did and luckily, she stayed gone until the baby was born 3 months later. I was not there when she came back, thankfully. Of course, several years later, she came back to have a hysterectomy and it happened to be on one of those rare circumstances that I got pulled to the women's unit and she was assigned to me! I only had to take care of her the day before surgery, though...teehee, poor post-surgical nurses. You know, I ran into her at a funeral of a mutual friend a couple of years ago and she seemed to have changed alot and we actually had a nice conversation. I even got to meet the baby girl she had when she was in our unit and she was a lovely young woman.

I've yacked enough, Ro. Talk to you later.

Boo

July 19, 2008 - Msg 64202: Hey DUD, congratulations on the new pup! Have fun with her, and you are right, she will try to get in the water in time. It's hard for a lab to resist the water. You know, all of my dad's water hoses are either in shreds or full of holes from my lab, Leah. Anytime someone turns on the water hose she goes berzerk trying to bite the stream of water. She gets so frustrated that she finally attacks the hose itself. Crazy dog!

Boo
July 19, 2008 - Msg 64203: BOO: I will probably be asking you about the dog....ROMEENA: I agree totally with you on the Islamic goal of turning our country upside down..MILK DUD's school is just a couple of miles from the Islamic private school in North Dallas...It is scary sometimes...When I was in the restaurant bid'ness in Dallas we had a couple of Lebanese employees who previously worked at a Sonic that was making phone calls to New York Terrorists before and after the first bombing of the trade center...The FBI came into the restaurant one day and took the brother & sister away for questioning and they gave their notices by phone the next day...A couple of the Sonic employees where arrested in Dallas during this period for terroristic activities..The illegal alien criminal problem is getting so bad in the Metroplex...here in NE. LA. the police are arresting illegal aliens at traffic stops and calling ICE..they even put their pictures on the PARISH NET & the local news programs with their offense...could you imagine if law enforcement did that in Texas...it would clear alot of this mess up..SPOT: Congrats to Miss Sherry on her new truck (Awful Fancy)....Gotta go supervise...That child and now this puppy can tire a man out...The "Dud"