July 14, 2009 - Msg 73924: Sugarplum sounds just like Gizzy. Anytime he would have an accident he would have that "look" for hours, poor thing. He never has accidents in the house but just couldn't help it. He went around looking like he was about to get hanged for 2 days!

Possum, wanted to share some great news with you. Jubi finished her chemo last week and just had another scan today to see if the chemo was affective. It was! No sign of anything at this point. We don't know what the future holds but for now, this is tremendous news. Thank you for your prayers for Jubi.

Well, I am about to go out to the homesite and check on any work that was done today. Yesterday they finished the foundation plumbing and the inspector came out and ok'd everything. Mike (the builder) said the foundation guys had to come back out and put in some more dirt before they lay the concrete, and there is still some work to be done on the barn slab. I am taking pictures and will send some your way soon, Ro.

Wow, 104, Ro? That's hot! Stay inside and out of that heat, my friend. You know when you mentioned missing Plum, I rememebered something that happened earlier today. The kitten that we have now looks almost identical to my kitty, Bo, that I grew up with and loved so much. It has been 30 years since he passed. Sean told me that we should name our kitten "Bo". Well, I tried it out by calling out, "Here Bo-Bo", for the first time in 30 years, and when I did, I felt that old stab of pain in my soul. I said, "No, there will never be another Bo". Hard to believe it still hurts after all these years.

Better scoot...

Boo
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73925: Whoosh!

Boo
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73926: Good evening, porch. Boo, I know what you mean about calling the new kitty Bo. Now and then I forget and call Toye Starr "Sugarplum", and feel almost disloyal when I do. I just hate that.

What wonderful news about Jubi!! God is good.

Well, I guess TVLand has just completely gone 'round the bend. This afternoon I was watching "Cosby" (love that show) and they ran an ad for the latest weekend marathon. Would you believe they're going to run "Spongebob Squarepants" all weekend? As though it's not available on Nick ALL the time? To add insult to injury, if you run the guide out to the weekend, it shows TAGS is scheduled the whole weekend, but the ads are saying it's Spongebob. Now, I like old Spongebob, and Patrick and the gang, really I do - but I don't think it's TVLand's place to show them. What are they thinking???

Well, it's 101 at 7 p.m. There's a good breeze blowing, though, and if you stay in the shade it's really not too bad. Not good enough for me to go pull weeds, however! I could probably manage to prune the roses - at least I can stand up straight and do that, but I really think I'm going to pass. I'm clean, in my big old sleep shirt, and really don't want to deal with another puddle of sweat and another shower. Maybe tomorrow.

Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73927: Just a quick prayer request from the porch family:
My charge nurse, who is 45 years old, collapsed on Sunday afternoon with a massive stroke and blood clot inher brain. Her Left side is paralized and IF she makes it there will be paralysis. The drug used to reverse strokes actually made it worse. She is still unconcious. The reports from the CCU are very guarded. They don't want to get our hopes up. I believe in miracles. We serve a loving father who can change this course and comfort hearts. Her name is Deb, and I will keep you posted. Thanks for taking this to the Father. ~New Neighbor
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73928:
New Neighbor-Prayers for Deb.

auh2o
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73929: Yep, prayers for Deb.

- Hazel
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73930: Hey Hazel....Romeena dont count us out for that Cruise just yet....but all jokes aside gang...we are going {fall this year for the first one}a meet mayberry porch cross country tour!!,,Rev we can hook up and hear you sing!....hey Boo "scooting boggie"...ok...watching the allstar baseball game and got to finish pickeling the peppers...back in just a bit...prayers....SPOT
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73931: Oh my, brings back such painful memories of my friend Karen. My prayers for Deb, her family and friends. May the Lord intervene.

Romeena, I sat outside today on the homesite, starting at about 6 pm and it was beautiful. The most wonderful breeze from the south...not too humid but really cooled things off. I put my lawn chair on my front porch (which is only dirt right now..hehe), and practiced sitting on my front porch. Thought of all of you, of course. Erin sat with me and I said, "Hey, there is something we need to do for the first time on our porch". "What?", she asked. "We need to sing some songs from TAGS". We sang "You get a line and I'll get a pole, Honey", "Barney's a creampuff, so they say", and Erin's favorite..."Nita...Jaunita.."!

What'd you call me, SPOT?... ;-)

Been a nice day. I went to fix supper for mom. She had been asking me to fix her some fried potatoes so I made those for her and the kids kept sneaking in there until there were only half of them left by dinner. I also made pinto beans and cornbread for her...just the kind of supper her mama used to fix years ago. I made her a peach cobbler for dessert and she really enjoyed the supper, I think. Poor dear doesn't have much to look forward to but food is a big deal to her. Dad seemed irritable today and I just bit my lip a couple of times...trying to "act like somebody" for a change! ha

I am still waiting for MIL to come and get Gizzy and her cat....It is now nearly 10:30 pm and she is not answering her phone. Guess she will get them tomorrow.

Better call it a night. Erin and I have been watching some TAGS DVDs so I am nice and relaxed and ready for a snooze (right, Hazel?).

Boo

"An AX?!..Shazaam!"
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73932: Oh, almost forgot...I watched the most amazing, fascinating documentary today on the History Channel, called "Exodus Decoded". If you have never seen it, please do if you ever have the chance. I think I am going to order it on DVD. In it geologists and historians research the Exodus account in the bible and prove them to be true. They even find the real Mt. Sinai and other things that would take to long to share, but it blessed my socks off. If you ever have the opportunity to watch it, I promise you will love it.

Boo
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73933: I looked on YouTube and you can watch "Exodus Decoded". I think it is in 3 parts...just FYI.

Boo
July 14, 2009 - Msg 73934:
Hello porch family......hope all is well with you all.

New Neighbor.....I will surely be praying for Deb.

Spot....a Mayberry tour....sounds great.

Boy it's been really turning cool up here at night. During the day I have the A/C going in the motorhome but at night you need some heat on. Good snoozing weather.

Well may not get to check in tomorrow. I have a concert in Wells, Me and I don't I get service there. I may not have internet service but GOD is always in "service" so you all will be in my prayers.
Be sure to tell someone how good our God is.....the world needs to hear it!
-REV.
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73935: Mornin' Y'all- Boo,I am sitting here with tears in my eyes over Jubi's news. How wonderful! I will keep her in my prayers.

Prayers for Deb as well.

My mama woke up very sick this morning- fever,aches,chills, and said she had a hallucination in which she was picking cucumbers.All of this points to swine flu,which my brother in law just had last week-same symptoms-he was also hallucinating. What I don't understand,and y'all might remember,is that my mama took sick several weeks ago,went to the doctor,and was told she had both Types A & B flu.Swine falls under Type A. Thing is-she was never very sick. Now this.The entire family has been in & out of her house and none of us have gotten sick,except my brother in law.Hope we don't get sick,especially Laci. Anyhow,I am taking her back to the same dr. who said she had 2 flu viruses weeks ago & see what's going on. I don't think the doctor knows! Prayers appreciated,friends.I'll check in later.Still no Me-They baby news? Hmm... he hasn't posted in a couple of days.I'd bet something's happening.Prayers for the Me-They family.
*******************
possum under a rock
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73936: Wow, prayers for your mom, Possum. I am interested in hearing what the doctor says.

Boo
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73937: Good Wednesday porch, thought I would sit a spell this morning. I was wondering about M-T's wife as well, Possum. Maybe he will let us know something soon. Prayers for you Mom Possum. Not to hot here today, expecting some much needed rain in a day or so. Prayers for New Neighbors friend, Possums Mom and everyone else today. Lets meet at Olive Garden for lunch, my treat. Have a good day.
Big Maude
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73938: Oh Boo I am so excited for you, it just makes me get a big old grin on my face to read of you "practicing" your front porch sitting. Maybe one of these days, I can come practice with you. Looks like we are nearly ready to get into our place (yeah, how long have I been saying that?) All that is left are the kitchen cabinets and I need to go pick those out. Wonder if Asa wants to make a trip to Home Depot and help with that. hehe
The family rebellion went wonderfully, I have pictures to upload to my album, will let ya'll know when I do. Well, I'm gonna go fix me some breakfast, be back later taters.
*Mavis
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73939: Oh almost forgot, possum my baby guess is 6 pounds, 12 ounces and 19.5 inches. If I win do I get to show Me-They my feet in my Birkenstocks???
*Mavis
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73940: Mavis, Me-They's baby is not going to be a "squirt"...19.5 inches?? ;-) Yep, Mave, one of these days you and Mr Neff need to hop on those motorcycles and head down this way...might want to come when the weather is cooler, though...makes for much nicer porch-sittin'.

It has taken such a long time to get you in that house of yours! That will be a day to celebrate, won't it?

Olive Garden it is, Maude. See ya there.

Boo
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73941: "Call for the doctor. Call for the nurse. Call for the lady with the alligator purse!"
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73942: Where's my mother-in-law?!! She has still not come for "Gizzy and the cat" (sound like a rock group?). Maybe she gave them to us... :-(

Boo
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73943: Ok I got the pictures uploaded of our family rebellion. They are in the family album. http://pamperedpups.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php
No laughin!
*Mavis
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73944: Good afternoon everyone. Well, she’s finally here. Lila Harper (now do you get the “To Kill a Mockingbird” connection?) was born at 6:20 a.m. on Monday morning. She was 7 lbs. 3 ozs. and 20 1/4". The Mrs. went into labor late Sunday evening. Normally, we would have waited a while before going to the hospital but this time she needed to get an antibiotic before delivery and the wanted to be sure she got both doses. They gave her Pitocin early in the a.m. and a little later an epidural. All seemed well with her and the baby. However, when the time came the Mrs. discovered that the epidural must have been too high and was doing basically nada. A few pushes later one of the baby’s arms and her head came out, cord wrapped tightly around her neck. She had been in some distress for a few minutes and now wasn’t breathing. The nurses called the NICU squad and the doctor was suctioning like crazy. Finally, they got her cleared enough and she started gurgling some, then finally came around. She scored 4 on the initial APGAR, but brought that up to 8 on the second. It was a very frightening several minutes.

Of course, I can explain all of this only in hindsight. When it was happening I was completely in the dark—scared but ignorant. As you can probably figure, I never “watch the show.” I keep my eyes and attention during the whole thing firmly on my wife’s face while standing in the safe zone where I am in no danger of seeing anything gross. I don’t look at the kids until they are wrapped in the infant thing, whatever it’s called. So, when the baby came out and my wife became visibly upset I didn’t know why. She could see the baby, and that her color was really bad and the doc was suctioning like mad. I was oblivious. Nobody was saying a word. Since the Mrs. works in the NICU and often is present at deliveries like this she knew what was going on. When they put Lila in the infant thing I thought the Mrs. was going to come up out of the bed trying to watch her. I knew something was wrong but didn’t know whether it was the baby or the Mrs. When the NICU nurses and respiratory showed up it finally sank in. Because the Mrs. works there, in a very few minutes the room was packed with NICU nurses, NPs, and various others. Thank the Lord, she seems fine.

This delivery was more difficult physically for the Mrs. and mentally for us both than the other three combined. I thank you all so much for all your thoughts and prayers. I know they made a difference. Funny, the Mrs. and I had been figuring that this was the last one. Still, the Mrs. had been praying for some time that if that indeed is the Lord’s will, please send a sign. From the very difficult pregnancy all the way through the terrifying delivery, the Lord has sent enough signs for a Burma Shave ad campaign.

Lila is beautiful, like her mother, and looks exactly like the other three did at birth. No squished head or anything. She does have some pitachaei (is that the right spelling?) on her face from the ordeal but it's fading now. I will try and have some pictures on my Facebook tomorrow and send ROMEENA some for her album as well.

I haven’t had a chance to read all the archives so I just offer my prayers for those who need them. I’ll try and stop back in a bit or tomorrow. Thanks again.

Me-They
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73945: Congratulations M-T and family and thank the LORD that she and your wife are okay. I am sure she is beautitiful and can not wait to see pictures. I sent a friend reques to your facebook but you may not recognize the name. Again I am so happy for you and your famuily.

Big Maude
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73946: WOOHOO!! Congrats Me-They how exciting! I love her name! I'm sorry you were so scared there for a while, but thank the Good Lord they both came through fine. You're right, I'd say that's a sign alright.
I can't wait to see the pictures! And BTW, possum had a contest going about picking the weight and length, I lost, lucky you, now you'll never see my feet in my birkenstocks. hehe
*Mavis
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73947: Well, I had a minute to go back and read, so I figure I can comment before I forget everything that was posted.

Prayers for LUCY (good to hear from you!), NEW NEIGHBOR's coworker, Deb, POSSUM's mom, and HAZEL's mom. If I forgot someone, I'm sorry; I probably should have made notes.

MAVIS: You and everybody else can keep your stinky ole feet to yourselves!

AUH2O: Reading that review it made me feel better knowing there was at least a few people out there that were unsure like myself. That said, my knowing or not knowing (as I mentioned before) is not what's important.

I wasn't going to say anything about the recent moulage, but I decided I will. I gotta say, I was hurt. Maybe I deserved it, I dunno. I can honestly say that while I've sometimes disagreed with opinions here, I've never intentionally made personal attacks on anyone. I guess I am the way I was accused of being. I don't fault it as truth. I guess I just can't believe it was all said to "my face." There are things about some of you, as there are about my friends on this end of the porch and my own family, that irritate the heck out of me--personality foibles and things I really can't stand. But I accept these things as part of who they are. And as long as these they are just irritants and not direct attacks against me (meaning they are deliberately trying to do me harm) I just let 'em roll off. Mind you, I'm sometimes madder than a wet hen, but I try to remember that all of us are irritating in our own way.

I have been told here before that I need to "get over myself," "stop drinking the Kool-Aid," etc., all in good fun. I took these comments with the good natured ribbing they came with. I know they weren't meant mean, and didn't take them that way. I was flabergasted that some of you, after my hanging around for years now, actually thought I would say biting things to attack. And, I was more than a little irritated that it seemed I was being held to a higher standard than others.

Maybe I do try to hard to argue every last little point. But sometimes that's because I get the feeling that when my opinions are outside the conservative norm they are disregarded off the bat as ridiculous. I don't mind people thinking I'm wrong, but I don't like people thinking I'm ill-informed or just plain stupid. That's a negative trait I'll try to work on. I shouldn't worry so much about what other people think.

Tell the truth, I can't help but think of Barney and Andy, with me in the Barney role: not deliberately trying to be irritating but still being so. Andy just accepted that as how he was. Now, I don't expect anyone to just roll over and let me get away with being irritating; I'm just trying to explain that that really doesn't mitigate feeling really crappy when someone points it out.

I don't carry grudges. Frankly, it takes too much energy and I'm just not good at it. I was angry, and hurt, last week. I'm pretty thick-skinned about some things, but no one likes hearing friends say things like that to them. I'm also no drama queen, and I was (an am) not about to go off in a huff or start talking trash. I'm over it now.

ASA: I hope you don't stay away because of this. Life's too short. You did hurt my feelings. You apologized. Case closed. The only thing lingering for me is that I hope you can get past "me." For nearly a year now I have gotten the distinct impression that I irritate you, sometimes without even trying ;-). Maybe it was some past comments I made during the election, which you probably remember. (You may also remember that I immediately apologized, and have never mentioned the subject to this day.) I hope not. Anyway, sorry I'm the way I am. I will try and work on the very legitimate things you pointed out to me. In return, I ask that you don't hold the past against me.

I had made a vow I would no longer comment on subjects even slightly controversial. But, realistically speaking, I can't do that. So, I will try and cut back on the number of moulages I start. I also will try and watch how and what I say. But be forewarned, if anyone else cares to state their opinion on a ticklish subject, I see that as a license to state my own. Sorry in advance if they don't conform. (And they probably won't.)

You guys and gals all take care. See ya tomorrow!

Me-They
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73948: I forgot to welcome HORATIO back! As far as Joel Osteen, if he works for you, great. I'm not really a fan of his message or his style, but I have a good friend who gets a lot out of his sermons. Like POSSUM mentioned, he is less a pastor than a "Christian motivator." I find some of his theology highly questionable, but most his message okay. Diff'rent strokes.

BOO: You mentioend that you feared for your children's future in the same post discussing your concern over the Obama healthcare plan. I have deep concerns, too. HOwever, I also recognize that there are many Americans out there that have always feared for their kids futures because they don't enjoy the heathcare options that most of us do. Maybe Obama's plan ain't the answer, but that doesn't negate the fact that we need to raise the level of healthcare for those among us less fortunate at least to the level that we take for granted (or used to). I really believe (get ready for a socialist rant) that quality of healthcare should not be dependant on one's job, bank account, or anything else. To me, it comes under "Life" part of the "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" guarantee. (And, yes, this was an example of you state your opinion, I get to state mine ;-).

M-T
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73949: Well, congratulations,Me-They!! I was thinking "Lily" for the baby's first name- I think if we go back in the archives you'll find that I suggested it.Lila is very close and quite pretty- Welcome to the world Miss Lila Harper!
Thanks for the prayers & concern regarding my mom. She is over the flu (or should I say "flus?") but has pneumonia in her right lung. Doctor wanted to put her in the hospital,but she balked.Sent her home with a blood oxygen monitor that she was supposed to wear tonight while sleeping.I know from Laci's past illnesses that you don't want it to go below 90,and she was at 94 at the doctor's office. I also had the idea to check her throughout the day just to be on the safe side.My sister checked it & saw that it dropped to 87. No ifs ands or buts,she is going to the hospital! She is on her way there right now. Hope my sister doesn't kill her before they get there! It has been a ding dang doozy of a day dealing with my stubborn mama! Oh,and she almost fell in the bathroom & my sister & I with our bad backs had to struggle to get her out of there.Yes,it's been a day! I am so relieved she'll be in the hospital though.

I just looked over all of the guesses regarding Lila Harper's weight & length and the one closest,without going over,as Bob Barker would say is: Hazel!! Get ready to show those tootsies,Hazel! Ha! Hazel's guess was 6lbs.,14oz. and 20 inches. Mavis,you came in 2nd,so in case Hazel is unable to show her feet for any reason,dust off your Birkenstocks! Hee Hee!

Boo,do you still have Gizzy & the Cat? Yep,that would make a good name for a rock band! What is it with you & me and these animals? The beagle has been back in my yard off & on since yesterday! No sign of life at his owner's house. I have carried him back a couple of times,then found and closed a gate (I noticed it as I was taking Mama to the doctor)that he must have been getting out through.Even fed & watered the poor dog.Yep,it's been a day!
Y'all have a good evening!
*******************
possum under a rock
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73950: Yay! Miss Lila Harper is here! What a perfectly lovely name - I like that. Can't wait to see some pictures. "Sent enough signs for an Burma Shave campaign?" That's funny!!

Well, if the last few posts don't clear the air around here, I don't know what it will take. I think it's great that folks can state what's bothering them, and get it off their chests. Ain't nothing worse than something layin' on yer chest! Both Asa and Me-They are fair-minded men, apologies have been offered all around, and just for good measure, let me say if I've offended anyone lately, I'm sorry, I truly am. Now let's move on from here and start fresh.

New Neighbor, I'm so sorry to hear about Deb, and she certainly will be in my prayers. God is still in the business of miracles, and answering prayers.

Boo, please get someone to take your picture as you sit on your "dirt porch". That has got to be a memory-maker.

Spot, I really do hope you're still considering the cruise, but be aware there is a deadline for reservations. I'm not sure when it is, but there is one. Now, as for your "meet Mayberry" trip, that sounds just wonderful. You and Miss Sherry would be very welcome here, and while here, I can round up at least a couple of other porchsters. There's Daphne and Rafe Hollister, for starters. They're both with an hour of me. I've got a big, wide driveway you can park your rig on, so come on!

Well, be blessed, everyone. --Romeena
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73951: That's "within an hour of me". --Romeena
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73952: Correction- my mama does NOT have pneumonia! They listened to her chest and did an x-ray at the hospital.The thought now is that she may have a kidney or UTI infection.I think this new lady doctor she's been seeing lately is WHACKED! First she tells her that she had BOTH Type A & B flu,yet my mama never was very sick. She's 77,in poor health and it should have done a number on her. Now she tells her today she has pneumonia.I was there and boy,did I believe that she knew her stuff. Now Im wondering if she got her medical degree at the K Mart Blue Light Special! Good grief!
So.. hopefully the hospital will figure out what's causing her to be so sick and treat her accordingly.
Y'all take care-love to all!
************
possum again
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73953: Ok,here's the latest chapter of " As The Possum Turns".. My mama has a UTI.She's on her way home now with the proper meds.And y'all,my mama gave the lady doctor a specimen this morning! I know,I handed it to the nurse! What in the world??!
Anyway,the mystery is over. Oh,and the hospital told her to follow up with her family doctor tomorrow! Ha! Her family doctor is "off" for 3 months,that's why she's been seeing this lady doctor.We'll get her checked out,but it won't be by her,you can bet your sweet bippy on that!
Oh,and the beagle came back.Beats me how he is getting out.I took him and tied him on right at their kitchen door! He has an awning to protect him from the elements,room to move around,and I took a bowl of food over there.I went in their outside laundry room,found a big pan & filled it with water for him.
Thought about leaving a note,but decided against it. I'm pretty sure they'll know it's me.I'm the only one that's ever brought him home or phoned to tell them (well,their answering machine) that he was in the street,etc. They're distant cousins of mine,I grew up playing over there,so I felt okay with what I did. Not like I was over there snooping around looking to steal something. At least the beagle won't get run over,stolen (which might be a good thing!) or be out in the elements with no food or water. I'll check on him until I see signs of life over there again.Poor doggy.It's not his fault.
Ok,gonna hit the ironing board and get some rest.Take care,all.
****************
possum once more
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73954: Just a quick update on Deb. We don't know a whole lot more than yesterday except that she is still living. She is on heavy meds for seizures,and the Drs. are hoping to start reducing them to see how she will respond. Still unconscious, no voluntary movement, and they will be conducting more tests to see the extent of the paralysis. Continue to pray. Thanks family!! ~New Neighbor
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73955: Congratulations, Me-They, and praise be to God for giving you and Mrs. M-T a healthy baby, even though it was a rough start! Those girls are fighters, for sure. I adore the name "Lila", and Lila Harper sounds like a sweet little southern bell...excellant choice!:-):-)

Now, about this healthcare business...I am a big believer in capitolism. Maybe I am ignorant of certain issues. All I know is that I worked for years in a hospital and those with Medicaide got the best of everything and never owed a penny. At least here in Texas, I don't see the health care options being inferior to my private insur@nce...sometimes they are better. I still pay deductibles and even had to pay for my own epidural when Erin was born. I do see a problem with the care that the elderly recieve, though, especially when it comes to their medication. I think they should be the priority when it comes to government help. Here in Texas, children are given top-rate care through Medicaide (and should, of course). I don't know what the answer is, I am just having a very tough time with the thought of the government taking control of something else in my life. BTW, have you heard anything about the Hate Crimes bill?? Now that is a can of worms we could open tomorrow, if you are up to it! haha

Yes Possum, I STILL have Gizzy and the cat! MIL called today and told Sean she wouldn't be home until late tomorrow...so much for my plans to really clean the place tomorrow. No offense to you animal lovers, but I am having a tough time with three animals in this apartment. Very sad about the beagle, Possum. Glad you discovered what was really going on with your mother, poor dear.

Continued prayers for Deb. How very sad.

Gotta go take a shower and go to bed. I was up way too early this morning!

Boo
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73956: Oh, almost forgot...Me-They, I wanted to say that I admire your openness and honesty concerning the recent events here on the porch.

Boo
July 15, 2009 - Msg 73957: "stop drinking the Kool-Aid!"?...I don't remember reading that but it's hilarious...I will have to use that one..it fits lots of people in my world.

Boo
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73958: Continued prayers for Deb, New Neighbor.

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Me-They! Babies are so exciting!
Oh, and I won the guess-the-weight contest? Oh, my. I'm at a loss for words. I'd like to thank the Academy. And my mother, for whom it would not have been possible. The only problem is, and I'm sure this will create a scandal, and I'll likely be forced to step down, but, I...er... I've never mentioned this before, but I myself, am a person that doesn't do much in the line of "toe and foot revealing". I'm kind of a sock and tennis shoe person. So, I'm afraid I may have to give up my crown to Mavis, as the 2nd place winner. Folks, it's been a fun ride, but I'm afraid I won't be able to carry out my duties and show Me-They my feet. I will, however, talk about the whole ordeal on the David Letterman show later.
- Hazel

July 16, 2009 - Msg 73959: Hahaha! Hazel, you are a caution! You are too funny! Too bad I didn't win the contest, because I don't mind showing my feet at all. I'm barefoot as a goose right now, and love it! I wear sandals a lot, wear open-toed shoes to church, and haven't worn hosiery in years. (Try not to gag, Me-They.) Socks when it's cold, (which is seldom around here) and trouser socks occasionally when I'm wearing loafers, but I don't own any pantyhose. The last pair was used to anchor a drooping juniper until the trunk strengthened sufficiently to hold it upright.

Possum, I do believe I'd find another doc to substitute until your mom's regular doc gets back. Sounds like the one she's been seeing should be in another field of endeavor. We do have to remember - for every medical school class that graduates, somebody is on the bottom of the list, and I don't mean alphabetically.

The landscape lights in the back yard are out - the GFCI has tripped, and won't reset. That also knocks out the pond pumps. Will have to run an extension out there in the morning to keep the pumps running, and call Ted to come see what's the problem. I may have too much on that circuit, we knew we were pushing it when he added that last outlet so I could plug in my little water-spitter fish. Those little pumps pull a significant amount of juice. It's been running for over a week now though, with no problems, so it may be something else. Occasionally ants get into a fixture and pack it full of dirt, which when it gets wet, will short the fixture out.

I found some floodlights with the miserable little curly bulbs in them, guess I'll replace a few of the landscape floods with them and see how they work. They won't be colored, of course, but I can put colored glass over the fixture since the bulbs don't get all that hot. That should reduce the power drain significantly, to say nothing of my electric bill. I hate those bulbs for the house, but outside, they might work okay. We'll see, I guess.

Be blessed, everyone. --Romeena
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73960: Boo it was Boot scooting boogie...country song!..hey Romeena.possum,asa?,Lucy,Hey M-t and all well its late and Miss Sherry and I just got back from a concert under the stars...it was great....breakfast menu:as many eggs as you can eat which ever way you want them cooked!..all the country ham and sausage you can digest,hash browns mounded so high you cant see across the table,bisquits as big as frisbeehuge bowls of gravy,fresh squeezed oj,coffee and milk....prayers to all...will read ALL tomorrow I work a double....SPOT
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73961: Mornin' Y'all! Well Hazel,maybe we can make up some type of plaque for you to keep,signifying that you DID come in 1st place! Mavis will have to step in (pun intended!) and take your place.
Thanks for breakfast,spot. I need lots of energy because I'm going to have Laci tonight & tomorrow. Today is my daughter's birthday,so I offered to keep Laci so she go out with friends later.
Gotta get going-need to check on the beagle and see how my mom is feeling.You're right,Ro- she's not going back to that doctor again!
Y'all have a good day!
*******************
possum under a rock


July 16, 2009 - Msg 73962: Spot that'll lay on yer chest! but I'm right there for the bisquits and gravy! MMMMM Good Hazel that's nice of you to offer to let me win the prize, I would love to show him my birks. You sure you don't want to go with the sammich end of the deal? possum hope your Mama is doing better today, keep us posted about her. Good luck with that little beagle.
Gotta get myself up and at 'em for work, so I'll be back later friends.
*Mavis
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73963: Good morning everyone. Thanks again for your well wishes. It was a rough night sleeping last night. I don't know how many times I was awaked by the Mrs. getting out of bed ;-).

HAZEL: Thank you. I do admire sock people.

BOO: In my opinion, "hate crimes" are a crock. Murder is murder. I for the life of me can't see the practical difference whether someone is murdered for their color, religion, or orientation or just because someone didn't like the way they said "hello." The result is the same.

I think most people do get adequate health care. BUt, like you mentioned, not all do. And they should. The trick is finding a solution that actually lifts them up while not dragging the rest of us down. None of the plans (Obama, Democratic, or Republican) I've seen so far accomplish that. But I do beleive we should keep looking.

In case I wasn't clear yesterday: ASA, you're still okay in my book, mullet and all.

APB for TOM, RAFE, AFD, and lots of others!

Me-They
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73964: "Awaked?" That's awakened. I sound like Ernest T. Bass.

M-T
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73965: I think he's a NUT!
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73966: Man, Hazel, thanks for the laugh!

I'm with you, Romeena. Pantyhose are not allowed in my home. Those things should have gone out with girdles. I am either barefoot or in flip-flops most of the time.

I have heard the song, SPOT. Even though I am from Texas, I don't listen to country music so I am not very "ept" when it comes to country songs. Biscuits with gravy sounds awesome. Haven't had that in ages.

Hey, Earnest T..I mean Me-They...those first nights with a new baby are rough, aren't they...oh, for your wife, I mean ;-) I guess is she is breastfeeding Lila, you can't really do it for her to help out. Did I mention that I love the name Lila?...

I agree with your view of the hate crimes thing. I also heard on the radio that in Canada, where they have a similar law, there is a pastor serving a felony prison term for stating his opinion on s#xual "choices" and one of his parishoners assaulted someone and blamed it on the pastor. What ever happened to freedom of speech? We aren't talking about gay bashing here, either, just an opinion of a man in a pulpit.

Better go...plenty to get done today.

Boo




July 16, 2009 - Msg 73967: Thanks, BOO. Yeah, there's not much I can do at this point on that score. The Mrs. mommy-fed exclusively the first three through their first birthdays and plans to do the same this time. When she starts pumping and goes back to work, I'll get my turn at bedtime, overnight, and in the a.m. Hopefully, Lila will cooperate like the others and be sleeping through the night (for the most part) by 12 weeks. Like Doc Holliday (as played by Val Kilmer), "My hypocrisy goes only so far."

Don't you just hate hate crimes? They're so darned hateful. Seriously, free speech is forever in the eye of the beholder. I'm a big advocate of it, even when I don't like what I hear or see. Trouble is, many people only advocate it when it looks like it may effect something dear to them. For instance, not many people I know would have too much of a problem with someone who gets a government grant to go around the country and talk about the good old USA. They'd really have a problem with someone getting one to go around and talk about our mistakes. By the same token, not many people I know would care if someone was prosecuted for burning an American flag, but they surely would for someone burning a rainbow banner. These things aren't equally palatable to me, either, but all are expressions of free speech, or demonstration (they go hand in hand). When you limit it in one area, be prepared for it to be limited in others. Everyone has an ax to grind.

So I say, FIRE! Run for your lives! Just kidding. Yelling that on a crowded porch ain't covered.

M-T

July 16, 2009 - Msg 73968: At work now gang...let me get settled in for the night...supper?...hum..lets hit Red Loster....Romeena likes those crab legs....hey possum,Mavis,M-T,Boo,hazel,Lucy,maude,ky and all....SPOT
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73969: Afternoon porch, stopping by for a minute. Thanks for Red Lobster SPOT. We can all go have ice cream afterwards. Better get to work. Have a good afternoon.
Big Maude
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73970:
Hello porch family.

M-T....CONGRATS! Prayers were answered!

We have been having some great crowds at our concerts up here in Maine. Having a busy but good tour. Thanks for your prayers. May Jesus be seen in all that we do.

Spot....speaking of Maine, I'll bring back some of these lobsters and we'll have a huge porch lobster dinner one night.

Praying for all the porch family!
-REV.
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73971: Good afternoon, porch. Me-They, you are so right. Free speech and the definition thereof, is indeed a sticky wicket. We have so many freedoms in this country, and we hold them all to be so dear, and rightly so. Unfortunately, I fear the time is coming when those very freedoms are going to be the instrument of our demise. It's a two-edged sword, and it does indeed cut both ways.

Er, excuse me for being a family-interferer, but wouldn't it be possible for Mrs. Me-They to pump enough for a middle-of-the-night feeding now? Does she have to wait until she goes back to work? That way she could sleep through one feeding at night, and get some much-needed rest. Maybe she would prefer not to, but I was just wondering...

Guess who I heard from? Mary Wiggins! She sent me a link to a website that displays some of the artwork of her husband, Pat. He is so very talented - you may remember that a few years ago I bought three prints of his work. No way I can afford originals, but the prints are beautiful. Anyway, I'm glad to know Mary is still around. I encouraged her to come back to the porch - I hope she will.

Well, gotta get ready to go to work. Poor little Starr, she'll be a sad puppy when she realizes I'm leaving. I'll be home all weekend, though. Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73972: Darn, wish I liked lobster...how about some coconut shrimp for me, REV?

You mean "family-interloper" don't ya, Romeena? hehe. I was wondering the same thing but seems like I remember (and you would know more about this than me) that early on they encourage not to use bottles because babies will prefer them or something like that? I think they called it "nipple confusion" or some such ludicrous name. I know that when Sean was 8 months old I was exposed to a pt with some strange illnes at work and the doc told me I couldn't breastfeed Sean until the woman's blood culture results came back. It was a few days and after that, he only wanted the bottle. Which I was sad about for approximately 30 seconds.

Wow, you heard from Mary Wiggins, RO? I remember Pat's art. I would love to have the address to his website if you would share it.

I better go...I promised Erin I would get her a snowcone in town (she's addicted).

Boo
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73973: "encourage not to use"?...wouldn't the word "discourage" been so much easier!

Boo
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73974: Good deal Rev...One night will be Lobster feast night...hey Boo,Romeena tell Mary to be sure to be at the Lobster feast!..hey Mavis,possum,hazwl,auh20,maude....Lucy?Gizzmo?TOM?..well got to get some paper work done..going to the braves game tomorrow night..hope the storms stay away..they are gona retire Greg Maddoxs jersey before the game....snack will be later...SPOT
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73975: Evening Family:
Just wanted to pass along the latest on Deb. She has been moved from CCU and is in "step-down". Yesterday her eyes were open for short periods of time, she tracked her husbands movements in the room and today--nothing. How heartwrenching for the family. They are hanging on all little signs. The Dr.s are still not saying a whole lot, because until she is conscious they don't know how she has been affected. Thanks for all the prayers. The family appreciates all those standing in the gap for her!! ~New Neighbor
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73976: At the risk of being too braggy on my husband, he was (and always has been) a team player with our kids. Even though I nursed both my kids, that didn't mean he just slept thru the whole thing. We still took turns (as much as he was able). If it was my turn, I'd get the baby up, do the feeding, burping, changing, and back to bed. If it was hubbys turn, when the baby would first wake up for the feeding, he would get up, get the baby and bring him to me and I would just feed the baby in bed. When done, he'd take the baby back, do the burping, changing, rocking or whatever until they went back to sleep. Good bonding times, for both of us, those middle of the night times, after they've been fed, and yet they're "wakeful". Just rocking, singing, stuff like that. I've got a couple friends, who have said that their husbands rarely, if ever, changed diapers. I guess I can say that I changed more diapers than my husband, but only because I was a stay at home mom for a couple years. But always, in the evenings, when he was home from work, he changed diapers as much as me.
- Hazel
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73977: Hey, that is really neat Hazel, and you are right about the bonding. On weekends, Bruce would get up with the kids at night and give them a bottle and I got up on weekday nights. Bruce changed almost as many diapers as I did, it seems. If a man can gut a deer, he can change a diaper. ;-) Speaking of bonding...I think this kitten of ours thinks Bruce is his mother! It spends every evening in Bruce's lap and you can tell he just adores Bruce (Bruce is pretty happy with him, too, although he probably wouldn't admit it). This cat is a very nice, calm cat. I took him with me out to the homesite the other day and you should have seen him climbing those trees. There was a mama mockingbird who must have had a nest in one of the trees because she told the cat off in bird language (too bad Barney wasn't there to interpret for me...).

Think I will head off to bed early tonight. I have been waking up early every morning for some reason. Goodnight!

Boo

"..Gomer?...Gomer?...Gome?.."
July 16, 2009 - Msg 73978: Prayers New Neighbor...prayers...night Boo and hazel..think I will have a bowl of Capt. Crunch and mayfield whole kilk..SPOT
July 17, 2009 - Msg 73979:
Howdy porch family.

OK Boo...it's coconut shrimp for you. To be honest with you, I can eat it but I'm not real crazy over lobster either. I like lobster rolls pretty good.

New Neighbor.....still praying!

Heading to bed. Goodnight all. Prayers for all the porch family.
-REV.


July 17, 2009 - Msg 73980: Night Rev...hope the meals are still getting to you...guess you have internet where you are...(where are you?)...keep up the good work..and as far as lobster count me in.....well watching some dumb spook movie on the tube here at work...all is quite right now....SPOT
July 17, 2009 - Msg 73981: Morning gang!...breakfast menu:....naw tell yall what lets just go to the old Waffle House..get a big booth or 2 in the corner and chow down...Boo will you bring a newspaper?...prayers and hopw everyone has a mayberry kinda day..im headed home to sleep and get up and go to the Braves game tonight...(avoiding showers)....Prayers...SPOT
July 17, 2009 - Msg 73982: Morning SPOT...here's your paper. What "spook movie" did you watch last night?

Well, I said I was going to go to bed early, but I ended up sitting up and watching "To Kill a Mockingbird". I have been thinking about it since we heard about Lila's birth. (I finally "got it", Me-They....Harper Lee, right?) What an amazing movie/book. I have seen it several times but for some reason when I watched it last night, it touched my emotions more than ever. Erin begged to sit up and watch it with me but I knew the court scene would be inappropriate for her, so when it came to that scene, I just fast forwarded past it, and she didn't even notice really. She was so anxious to get to the end to see what happened to Scout. I have never seen Erin more mezmerized by a movie. After the ending scene when Scout walks Boo Radley home, I looked and Erin had tears in her eyes. Surprised me, but like I said, she really was into it. After she went to bed, I stayed up and watched the extra on the DVD which showed interviews with those involved in the making of the movie, including Gregory Peck. Pretty interesting, like for instance, the movie was filmed in Hollywood on a back lot but they were striving to make it as much like a small southern town as possible, so they found out about a little town in the south that was abandoned and they were about to level the old houses, so they bought them and moved them to Hollywood, repaired and painted them, and used them in the movie (even the Radley house). They also talked about Dill being based on Truman Capote, who was actually Harper's neighbor who visited in the summers. Someone had mentioned that here on the porch before, I think. One thing Greg Peck shared that I thought was especially touching is that on the filming of the first scene, the one in which Atticus is walking home after work and is greeted by Jem, Scout and Dill (Jem takes his breifcase and they walk along the sidewalk together)..well Peck said that during the filming of that scene, he happened to look at Harper Lee, who was standing back near the camera, and he noticed that she was crying. Later, he asked her about her reaction and she said, "Well Mr. Peck, you even have a little pot belly like my Daddy." Peck said it was the highest praise he could receive and that he told her, "That's just good acting"..hehe. Anyway, there are so many things in the movie that I love, especially the ending scenes. I just love when Atticus shakes Boo's hand and says, "Thank you Arthur. Thank you for giving me my children". What a movie. Hey, that's an idea. You TKAM fans, we could do a TKAM quote-a-thon.

Well, better get up and get moving.

Boo
July 17, 2009 - Msg 73983: Oh, one more thing, and you may already know this. The children in the movie weren't actors, but southern kids from a southern town, in fact Jem and Scout actually lived four blocks from each other (I think it was in Macon, Georgia?). They wanted the children to be very authentic, with authentic accents. They interviewed Jem as an adult and he said when they were auditioning kids for the movie, his mom asked him if he wanted to audition and he said, "Naw", then his mom told him he would get half a day off school so he agreed! He also said he and Scout fought constantly on the set and that in the scene in which Scout is inside the tire and Jem roles it toward the Radley house, he was really aiming for a truck, in hopes that he would kill her! ha. Sounds like she tormented him like crazy.

Boo
July 17, 2009 - Msg 73984: I'm gonna shut up now....really....

Boo
July 17, 2009 - Msg 73985:
Hey Folks

Me-They Congratulations buddy! Good to see ya back.

Boo-I love that movie too.

Rev-Thanks that sounds delicious!

Asa- Dang, I'm gonna have to come looking for ya. I haven't ever been west of Ohio but I'll find ya!

New Neighbor-Continued prayers.

"Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin'." Rev Sykes.

auh2o
July 17, 2009 - Msg 73986: That's my favorite line, auh2o. It speaks volumes. --Romeena
July 17, 2009 - Msg 73987: Hey ya'll - been busy recuperating from all of our travelin and 4-H. I don't think I will ever catch up.

Congrats M-T on the new little one. Them apgars are tricky things - Casey had a very low apgar reading when he was first born. Being a special ed teacher, I knew that could mean some problems later. He's somewhat dyslexic but that is nothing compared to some things that could be wrong. Lila is a beautiful name!!

Asa - don't know if you are hiding in the garden but I would stay in the AC with all the heat you are getting. It is in the 70's here!

Boo - pictures will come when I get 5 minutes. And I get the house cleaned. I took some before we moved in and can't find them on the disk. The boys must have deleted them.

Ro - every wise and knowing as always! Stay cool as you can!

Good to see the porch so full but could be fuller!!

homemaker