December 29, 2008 - Msg 68949: Hahahaha! I just watered the neighbor's fat old cat. Boy, did he run! --Romeena

December 29, 2008 - Msg 68950: I guess he ran so fast he swept the porch as he went by. --Romeena

December 29, 2008 - Msg 68951: Funny Romeena..possum lets just order take out like ya said...well Miss Sherry is headed over to head to home depot to get siding and pop will be down to help us..BARN day!..60 and sunny..I will read in just a bit...prayers...hey papa,Rev,Tom and all...SPOT

December 29, 2008 - Msg 68952: me-e-e-e-e-eo-o-o-o-w ! ! !

December 29, 2008 - Msg 68953: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

December 29, 2008 - Msg 68954: Hey to the porch! Just wanted to let ya'll know, I'm still around, just fighting some kind of crud. I'm starting to get over that wretched depression that grabs me up every year, keeping myself busy has helped. Thanks for all your prayers! Asa I could have done without that plumber's crack post, YUK! I'm trying to get into the new house, seem something keeps coming up, last week, Mr. Neff was sick, (he's feeling much better now), this week, I felt it coming back to me, guess we are passing it back & forth. Me-They congrats on the newest porchster, I'm happy for you!
I just updated my blog (another way I'm keeping busy), thought you all would enjoy reading about the adventures here in this crazy house. www.groomerang.blogspot.com
Anyway, I'm off here for a bit, will try to be back later.
*Mavis

December 29, 2008 - Msg 68955: I put a couple of pictures in the "Christmas in Mayberry" sub-album, right at the end. The little scene is placed on a platform that clamps to the trunk of the tree - a gift from son David and his wife. The nativity is made of olive wood, and was brought from the Holy Land by a friend. --Romeena

December 29, 2008 - Msg 68956: Wow, that tree is really decked out, Ro! Thanks for the advice about the water heater. I will talk to Bruce about it. We had already decided to move the water heater out of the laundry room for the sake of space, anyway.

We did alot of work at my mom's old house today and got everything out! The builder we hired came in today with his electricians and plumber. The electricians inspected every inch of that house and they could not believe the dangers in that house. My dad never hired anyone to do anything in that house for 30 years, and he always did all repair work himself...poor choice. He made lots of safety errors and we are very lucky we have not had a fire by now. He had things rigged up with extension cords and all sorts of things. It was an accident fixin' to happen, as we say in the south. He also put the furnace in wrong, which could have caused a fire, AND, there were holes in the pipe going into the attic from the gas water heater, which was emitting carbon monoxide into the house! Anyway, it will all be taken care of but my dad's insur@nce only covers 600.00! It will be about a 15,000 dollar job to fix everything and put up new ceilings, replace drywall, etc. The floor in one of the bathrooms has rotted out and has to be replaced along with the tub/shower and ceiling. Oh boy, it has to be done or they wouldn't even be able to sell the thing.

I still am trying to catch up the laundry! Better go, gotta go over some house plan stuff with Bruce.

Boo

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68957: Hey Romeena and all who are interested. I finally got photos of the Cruise to Mayberry 3 up on the web for all to see. ( http://picasaweb.google.com/anewsome ) You might also want to make plans for Cruise to Mayberry 4! I updated the web site for the cruise folks. ( http://anewsome.googlepages.com/ )

Enjoy! --Floyd

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68958:
Hey honeys and dears, if you get split finger tips
this time of year, a great cure is VICKS!
really! Rub it on the tip, cover with a band aid
and it works!
Have a blessed day!
MDC

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68959:
Thanks Floyd! happy new year to you and yours!

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68960: Good Tuesday Porch, hope everyone is okay today.
Working again today, but will be off tomorrow and
Thursday and back to work on Friday morning.

Tomorrow Mr. Maude and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary! Time surely has flown by. We will both be off so maybe we can go out to dinner. We usually do something low key. I don't like to be out and about on New Years Eve anyway.

Lunch menu will be: BBQ sandwhiches, SLAW, french fries. tea, kool aid to drink. Dessert will be ice cream sundaes.

You all have a blessed day.

Prayers and blessing to all.

Big Maude

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68961: Happy Anniversary Maude. That's a good long time to be wed. May you be blessed with at least 20 more.

MDC, Thanks for responding to my questions concerning the colon cleaning. I agree. The most natural method is the best. Remember what our Mom's told us. "Be sure to eat your roughage."
I have an high fiber cereal I will eat a couple of times a week, and boy howdy, it sure does create a storm. I don't dare do it everyday cause I don't always have easy access to a facility. (note how delicate I said that)

Sounds like a lot of work at the house Boo, but certainly needed, especially if things like CO are not being vented. I see some unbelievable things sometimes as an electrician. The things folks will do to save money, or do "just to get by" that ends up being left that way for 20 years. Very scary stuff.

Well speaking of work, guess I best go do some.

Asa

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68962:
Asa, I always knew you were full of it! haha
(see how delicately I said THAT?) ha
Congrats on 20 years Big maude. Your prison stay
must had re-ennarctulated ya! (:
I saw pappabear havin' his photo taken with
the FBI man, so watch his every move! teehee
Sure, I realize there are many terrible things going on around the globe right now,
but i also need a little relief from it all!
Prayers for all,
MDC

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68963: Howdy, y'all. I'm enjoying a terribly lazy day, doing as little as possible. Just watching TV, cuddling Toye Starr, and eating simple stuff that needs little preparation. For lunch, I fried up a couple of slices of chopped bacon, tossed in a handful of chopped onion, and when those were done, I dropped a package of fresh spinach in. In about two minutes, the spinach was wilted down. I lifted it onto a warm plate, leaving much of the bacon fat behind, squeezed some fresh lemon juice over it, and yum!! Sure was good. I got the idea from the new "Warm Spinach Salad" at Macaroni Grill. The only thing I didn't have on hand to add to it was a round of chevre, or goat cheese, lightly browned in the bacon fat. An important touch, but it was still good without it. Only problem, it wouldn't make a good family dish, because a whole bag of fresh spinach ends up making just about one generous serving. That stuff just goes to nothing when cooked.

It's beautiful here today, 70 degrees, balmy breeze, a few streaky clouds in the sky. Birds and squirrels are out working hard, presumably storing up for the cold weather that's sure to return.

I will be glad when the leaves FINALLY all get off the trees! My pond needs attention, but the leaf net is still in place, and it's not easy to remove it for access to the pumps. Right now, the waterfall pump is unplugged, because the filter is clogged with that nasty protein jelly stuff, from the leaves that fell in before I got the net. However, I took the little "umbrella" sprayer off the other pump, so it's just delivering a steady flow of water at about hose-end strength into the pond, more than enough to keep it aerated. Not very pretty, though.

Well, back to my TV and my puppy. We're enjoying this do-nothing day. --Romeena



December 30, 2008 - Msg 68964: Thanks for lunch Maude...been busy on the barn...about got it closed in.....will read in a bit...prayers...SPOT

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68965:
Ro, what is your blog site address again?
Thanks,
MDC

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68966: Good Afternoon Porch,
I'm incredibly under the weather. I had the flu last month and now I have sinus and ear infections. I'm doing vitamin A and D, zinc, and homeopathic antibiotics. Hopefully it will go away soon.
Hope all are well here.
Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68967: www.romeena-viewsfrommywindow.blogspot.com for Ro's blog MDC Sorry to hear you are ailin' Lucy hope you get to feeling better real soon. Was that you I heard yellin for some blue pills??
*Mavis

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68968: Evenin' y'all-been a long day with Laci.She was up early again,but thank goodness,it was 6:30 instead of 4:30! We had a good time though-we always do!
Lucy sorry you are sick.Feel better soon!
Maude,Happy Anniversary to you & Mr. Maude-and many more!
Now Asa,we've called you lots of things over the years,but "delicate" ain't one of them! Ha!
Well,I'm gonna hit the shower & then the old ironing board early tonight.Maybe I can tackle that Christmas tree tomorrow.
Y'all have a good evening-love to all!
*******************
possum under a rock

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68969: Ok trouble check..hey possum,MDC,Ro,My friend Mavis and all...just taking a break to set up lights....working on the barn...looks good..Romeena I WILL get you pics...ok back in a bit...any leftover supper?...SPOT

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68970: Happy 30th of December, Porchsters! Jes' about time to call this a year and to start a new fresh one. Me an' Trixie wish all of you the very best come 2009! :-)

- Lester

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68971: Hey there, Lester! You too, Trixie. Want a little cup of eggnog? No kick in it, it's just the Borden's stuff, poured in a cup, but it's good. Starr likes to lick a little of it off my finger, but it's so rich I don't give her much. Last thing I need is a tummy-sick puppy.

Well, guess I['ll mosey back to the TV. TAGS has been on for an hour now, I'll just rewind and watch, then I can zip through those annoying commercials. I declare, if I hear "It's my money and I need it NOW!" yelled out a window one more time, I think I'm going to throw something. That one was annoying the first time I heard it, and it most definitely hasn't improved with age.

Be blessed, all. --Romeena

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68972: Hey Lester!..Romeena my super friend Possum...Boo,Hazel,MDC,Lucy,Mavis,Rev,Tom and all....believe it or not still working on the barn...got the lights on...looking good...and like I said any supper leftovers?....SPOT

December 30, 2008 - Msg 68973:
Hello porch family.....THANK YOU all so much for your prayers concerning the young boy that was killed on the snowmobile. They are having the funeral this Saturday at the high school because of the amount of friends and students that they expect to be there.

It was another nice and warm day here in SC. I was able to get some outside work done. Had to buy some new concert main speakers so I've been securing them down for travel in the trailer today.

Spot....you've been having some great weather brother to work on that barn. How much longer you think it will be before you're through?

I need to go and check out the new pics at Ro's album.

Seems like we have a lot of sickness on the porch. My daughter is sniffing and coughing also. Prayers for all of you that are under the weather and prayers that those of us that are not sick will stay well.

You all have a good night's sleep and prayers for all! We are in HIS arms.
-REV.


December 31, 2008 - Msg 68974: REV, my prayers continue. Having recently gone through the funeral of a 16 yr old, I can sympathize with what you are going through. God be with you and your friends and family. I pray your daughter is well soon.

You know, I was reading through the archives the other night and realized that I have spent 7 Christmases and New Years on the porch now. I found a little poem I wrote during the holidays back in 2002 or 3 and thought it would be fitting to share it again here as the New Year approaches:

Here's to my porch friends at this special time of year.
I wish you all could join me for a cup of Christmas cheer.
We would break out Briscoe's squeezins' and sing a Christmas tune,
Wrap up in a blanket and stare up at the moon.
We would talk about our blessings, and all that we hold dear,
and thank the Lord for all that He has blesses us with this year.

God bless!

Boo

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68975: oops, that's supposed to be "blessed"...I'm too pooped to think straight.

Nighty-Night!

Boo

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68976: G'night, Boo. Your pictures are in your sub-album now, at the end of it. Folks, check them out. There's one of precious little Jubi, bless her heart. Sean and Erin are getting so big! Gizzy, on the other hand, is not. (heehee) He's bigger than Starr, though - I think. Looks bigger, anyway.

Everyone is bigger than Starr, but she doesn't seem to know it. Saturday night, she met Brittney's brother's dog, an elderly golden retriever named Emily, whose head is as big as Starr. She just trotted right up to her, nose to nose (Emily bent down), checked her out, and trotted away. No problem. Emily looked at her as though saying "What on earth was that??" The evening went without incident until someone accidentally let Brittney's sister's Rottweiler in, who normally stays outdoors. She's not known to be vicious, but she ran at Starr like she was going to eat her, I scooped Starr up as Brittney's nephew was trying in vain to restrain the Rottie. The dog is huge and I couldn't get Starr high enough to be out of her reach. Naturally, I was terrified, ran with Starr into the bathroom and slammed the door. There we stayed until the Rottie was back outdoors. I may have to rethink ever taking Starr back over there. She was scared too, her little heart rate was just a buzz in her chest. It may be that Molly wouldn't have done a thing to her, but I don't know the dog at all, since she's always outside, and the way she came charging in - well, it was pretty scary!

OK, I'm off to the ironing board. Starr has suggested it several times - guess it's time to go. Be blessed, everyone. --Romeena

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68977: Mornin' Y'all and Happy New Year! Praying that the coming year is full of blessings for us all.
Just checked out the latest pictures that Boo sent for the album.Glad to be able to put a face to Jubi now-prayers continue for that sweet child. Boo,that little Emily has the cutest grin! Erin & Sean are wonderful looking kids too!
Anybody have any New Year's Eve memories to share? I have a good one- years ago,before Mr.Possum & I were married (this would be early 80s) we were fixing up my grandmother's little house to live in.We'd work on it during the weekends. Anyway,week or so before New Year's,Mr.possum's mom bought herself a new tv and gave us her old console tv for the house. On New Year's Eve,we went over to the house to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve & welcome in the New Year.There we were sitting on the couch as the countdown began.The ball dropped,the New Year had arrived,and "Boof!"-the tv blew up! Guess the picture tube or something blew out! Anyhow,the tv made it into the New Year-just barely! We'll never forget that!It's a running joke now between us- "You wanna sit around on New Year's Eve & watch the tv blow up?!"
Got lots to do today,so I'd better get moving.Y'all have a great day!
Spot,you gonna make some HOPPING JOHN for New Year's? Save me a big bowl! (It's a Southern thing-y'all might not understand!)We can count on Rev for the collard greens to go with it.
*******************
possum under a rock

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68978: Good morning everyone. Thank you all for all the well-wishes. We're lining up babysitters if anyone is interested. See, we lure them in with a baby and throw the other three at 'em before they know what hits them.

REV: You, your wife, and friend have my prayers. Such a tragedy.

ROMEENA: That's great about your son.

BOO: If you decide to go with the "instant" hot water heater like ROMEENA suggested, be forwarned that there is a world of difference in expense of use between the electric version and gas version. The extra expense of buying a gas one like ROMEENA has will be paid baxck over a handful of years or so. Electric ones take much, much longer and the jury is still out on whether you will ever get your money's worth. They just haven't been out on the market long enough to really get a sense of how long they last. You could end up having to replace it before it pays for itself. Now, if money is no object and convenience is what you are looking for, go for it. But if you do a lot of warm/hot laundry or take long hot showers, I'd get the gas (or propane) one or go the conventional route. Just my opinion.

MDC: Last year I read a book called "Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine is Making Us Sicker and Poorer" by Shannon Brownlee. She's not some crackpot. It really make you start looking at procedures like the colonoscopy in a new, better way. I think you'd really enjoy it. Check it out when you get the chance and let me know what you think.

On the medical front, the Mrs. has a great first interview at the hospital and went for a share day last Sunday. She liked it but all is not final. The hospital NICU where she want to work is a level 3, which means that, for the most part, they don't see the really hard cases. Most babies they see end up healthy and home. However, since we are so close to Baltimore and Washington and several level 4 NICU hospitals like Johns Hopkins, nurses who get burned out on the sadness there are always trying to get into the level 3 hospitals where they can actually hold a baby. So, even though the Mrs. has critical care experience and is applying back at the hospital where she worked for 10 years, she's not a shoe-in.

The hospital also has a program where they'll pay 100% of tuition for any NICU RN who want to become a nurse practioner in the area and will guarantee them three years. They'll also pay you a stipend if going full-time and working is a hardship or will let you do flex time. That seems like a message from the Lord since that's something she's been seriously considering anyway. She also did get a bummer message the other day saying that since she's been gone for a year and a half (as opposed to a year) she can't get her seniority back. Also, it looks like is she gets the job she won't be eligible for paid maternmity leave, either. Anyway, please keep out situation in your prayers.

I'll be back later.

Me-They



December 31, 2008 - Msg 68979: I forgot to mention, BOO, that our minister, who grew up in Texas (he was an army brat) was telling a story on Sunday about a man from Texas who was a Methodist and made the aside that, "And in case you didn't know, if you're born a Methodist in Texas, you die a Methodist in Texas." After the service I had to mention that I know that's definitely not true.

M-T

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68980: Ha, that's right M-T. It sure made my mom mad when I left, though...whew! By the way, she left the Methodist church for a non-denominational and she attended faithfully until her stroke.

Prayers for your wife's job situation, M-T. You know, I am sure there are many good reasons to think about the nurse-practician route, but I have a good friend who has been a ER supervisor in our children's hospitl for years and decided to return to school for her nurse prac. license. She had a very tough time, even though only working part-time. She only has 2 children, 8 and 11, but it became so difficult to meet the needs of the children and the demands of school that she finally gave up. She has a good husband that is very involved with the children but it was still to hard for them. I don't want to be a wet blanket, please don't misunderstand, but with 3 young children and a baby on the way, you may want to continue to pray (I know you are and will). The thought of a better income for the kid's college, etc. is very tempting, I know. I just hate the thought of your wife having to devote so much time and effort to work and school while the kids are small. I know I probably over-stepped my bounds and am acting like a bossy big sister, but it concerns me. I hope you know I love you guys :)

Well, the coffee is finished and chores await! Glad you enjoyed the pictures Possum, and thank you Ro for putting them in the album.

Boo

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68981: Not a problem, BOO. I truly appreciate your concern and good advice. Yep, we are continuing to pray about it, and it's surely not a "done deal." Actually, she was thinking more of a possibility down the road a few years. The extra money would be great, but that's not a deal maker for us. There sure are more important things to consider.

You keep dishing up advise and I'll keep accepting in the spirit I know it's intended.

M-T

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68982:
Possum, hope 2009 is promising for you, and that
you will get your****SMILES***** back! ha
Great story! i have one, but this IS a family site!! haha
MT- I sure will check it out, sounds good! thx
BOO- lovely poem, thank you! Dont forget that you
could have done a "copy and paste" instead of a rewrite (saves a little time).
APB for TOM. Anyone seen him lately?
I got a new laptop for Christmas, so i hope to send my old one to pappabear and
hopefully he can join us again reg'larlike in 09.

THE VERY BEST AND HAPPIEST OF NEW YEAR'S TO
YOU ALL! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
There is a lot going on in the world, but if you
know Jesus, do not be troubled; instead let His
peace and love fill you!

Love you all!
Mr Darlin's Cuz

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68983: Good morning, y'all. Happy last-day-of-the-year! Sit around and watch the TV blow up, huh? Sounds like fun! There are times I wouldn't care if mine did blow up.

Good advice, Me-They, about the water heaters. My handyman friend, Ted, said pretty much the same thing when he was installing mine. I was seriously considering the electric ones because my son had given me two units, no cost. He was repping them at the time, and had a couple of the previous year's models left over, so he gave them to me. Ted would have installed them, had it not been for the limited amount of unused power in this house. He did say, though, that if I was paying for the units, it would take me a long time to recoup the cost. So, I bought the gas units, my gas bill dropped significantly, and I have never regretted installing them.

One thing about those units - don't confuse them with the "instant hot water" units that can be installed beneath a sink, to give you real "instant" hot water. These units don't do that, the hot water still has to travel to the point of use, but it is endless. As long as water is flowing through them, it will be hot. You can take an hour-long shower if you're so inclined, and never run out of hot water. Pretty neat.

Well, guess I'll go watch a little Lucy! I love the Lucy marathon. Only thing better would be a TAGS marathon.

Hey - one more thing. Everyone please give some thought to the Cruise in October. It's really going to be fun, and would be even more so if a bunch of porchsters went along. Especially those of you who aren't all that far from Jacksonville, FL - you won't have to come up with airfare! Eloise and I do, and we're still going. We're just sending in our money a little at a time, and by October, it will be paid. Think about it! Spot, REV, think about it! --Romeena



December 31, 2008 - Msg 68984: Howdy there, ROMEENA. I guess I should have used more accurate lingo. I was talking about the water heaters, not those point-of-use things.

I love Lucy, too. The kids got me the final season on DVD for Christmas. They contain some of my favorite episodes, the Connecticut ones. I also really like the Hollywood and Europe episodes. I'm not as big on the first couple of seasons, but they're all funny. Not in a Maybbery way, but still funny.

I'm afraid a cruise for us is out for 2009. With the new baby, a possible job switch, and our financial situation, it's just not in the cards.

M-T

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68985: Thanks, M-T, I know you will do what is best for your family, no doubt. Having said that, I will try to keep my advice to a minimum :) Thank you for the perspective on water heaters.

You're welcome, MDC. Happy New Year to you, too. I don't have many New Year memories because I worked so many of them at the hospital. We always brought food and sparkling cider and tried like crazy to deliver the first baby of the new year. I remember before I became a nurse, I went to a small AOG church and we always had a midnight church service with communion. We usually had a songfest, which could be really funny...just regular people singing specials. Then we would have a cover dish late night snack time, then gather in the sanctuary for communion. It was great. Seems like nobody does that around here anymore. I also remember in middle school or junior high, we only had 3 channels on TV, so TV ended at 11pm every night. Well, on New Year's Eve, one of our local channels would show old movies all night. That was a big deal to us and I would have a friend stay over and we would watch old movies all night. I remember seeing "What Happened to Baby Jane" with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford for the first time when I was in the 5th grade. To us, it was great fun...sitting up all night watching TV while the folks were asleep.

Romeena, I don't love Lucy, but they are having the usual "Twilight Zone" marathon today on Sci-Fi and I love watching that.

Better go...chores to do.

Boo

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68986:
"Hmmm, I'll have to THIN about that LUcy"

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68987: BOO: I would take it as an insult if you ever bit your tongue and kept your advice to yourself.

"You have some 'splainin' to do..."

M-T

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68988: Well, since I will not be at work tomorrow...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2009 find you all blessed beyond your wildest dreams.

Now pass the squeezins...

Me-They

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68989:


I'm more than red in the face...

M-T

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68990: Aw,MDC,that's sweet! I just figured that by now y'all knew I was the "smiling possum",so decided to skip that part of my signature.
Y'all come on over & help celebrate.Not only is it New Year's Eve,but it's Mr.Possum's birthday.And we've got two tv sets-maybe we can get one of 'em to blow up! Ha Ha
Spot,you get back to me about that Hoppin' John! I'll make it if you don't. It's a MUST!
Here ya go MDC..
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock

Bye Bye 2008!

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68991: You ain't fixin to blow up like my tv did,are ya Me-They? You're mighty red up there!
Happy New Year back at ya!
possum again

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68992: HAPPY NEW YEAR to all porchsters , may God bless each of you in the new year
MAYBERRY DEPUTY

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68993: HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE PORCH FAMILY:
Blessings in 2009 ~New Neighbor

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68994:
Well porch family, another year has rolled around. Time sure flies by. But you folks sure made 2008 a brighter year and I look forward to sharing 2009 together here on our little porch.
I wish you all the greatest New Year you have ever had and I pray God continue to bless you throughout 2009.
My prayers are with each and everyone of you.....my porch family! And one last time for 2008....."Remember, Jesus loves you so much!"
-REV.

December 31, 2008 - Msg 68995:

Happy New Year, Porch!!!

~De§~





December 31, 2008 - Msg 68996: HAPPY NEW YEAR, PORCH FRIENDS! I went to a party at my friend LaRue's house, about thirty or so of us there, mostly all church friends, and a few of LaRue's family members. Good food, good conversation, a few domino games, and I decided to come home early. Figured I'd rather be home with everything buttoned down before the weird drivers hit the road. Guess Starr and I will see the New Year in together, then turn in.

Thanks for that benediction, REV. See you all next year! --Romeena

January 01, 2009 - Msg 68997: Wow, what wonderful thoughts and prayers from all of you!! I am blessed by them.

You are smart to be home early, RO. We had a cook-out for the youth kids from 4 to 7, then I was home after that. I have been putting some beans in the crock pot and cooking some cabbage for my mom for tomorrow. I found a recipe for sweet and sour cabbage and it smells wonderful...not at all the usual "cabbage" smell like at the diner. You use bacon and onions and even some Balsamic vinegar. I don't even like cooked cabbage and it smells good. I do really LOVE raw cabbage, though. I'll make the cheezy cornbread tomorrow and take everything over to mom and dad at my sister's tomorrow. My dad has a birthday on Friday and he will be 83, bless his heart (literally).

Sean is at a friend's house playing monopoly and drinking sparkling cider. I will pick him up just after midnight.

Well, Happy New Year to all my porch family. You grow more precious with each passing year! God's richest blessing to you and your family.

Boo