August 12, 2009 - Msg 74498: I'm on the porch MDC. I should still be in bed. the kids are still sleeping. If I wake up early while Bruce is getting ready for work, I just can't seem to go back to sleep.

Great to see you Sterling. I feel your pain. I hate to fly, too. My idea of a good vacation is going to the mountains. I have lived on the coast all of my life and another beach doesn't appeal to me, no matter how beautiful. One of my brothers even has a condo in Hawaii that he has offered anytime we want to go, but I just don't have the desire to go. The kind of vacation I like is going on a road trip through small towns and ending up in the mountains. I just love stopping at little historical sites and eating at those out of the way diners and cafes, checking out the antique shops. I also love to go to the river for a vacation. My very favorite is winter in Colorado, of course. Snow tubing and snow mobiles. I love snow.

Sorry about your hectic week, Possum and prayers for your family. It's hard for loved ones to move so far away. I would hate it if my sister moved.

Better get on with it. I actually got the laundry caught up yesterday! I will just do one load today to keep caught up.

Boo
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74499: Mornin Porch! Wow possum your busy life sounds like mine, shew wears a body out don't it? WooHoo MDC internet at home! 'Bout time you got that place 'lectonalized! Hey Tom! Good to see you, you take care of your step-dad now, he sounds like a handful for sure. Let's see funny vacation stories? The one that always comes to mind is not a vacation really, just a weekend of camping by the river. My sister, her family, me, Jake, Mom all of us and some friends as well were all camping over the 4th of July weekend one year, I think Jake turned 6 that year (remember, he's 21 now) well anyway, my sister & her husband had 3 kids & 2 dogs with them & their tent was one of those huge boogers, big enough for ALL of us to sleep in, I mean to tell you that thing was the size of a bungalow! Anywho, it had been in storage for who knows how long before that weekend. We all got our tents set up and after a day of swimming in the river & a bday party for Jake we all went to bed, well, it wasn't 10 minutes before I saw a light come on in my sister's tent & heard her yelling "What the heck is that?" next thing we hear, my sister & 2 little girls screaming, the tent zipper flying up & the whole lot of them running out of that tent, they looked like stair steps from littlest to biggest! My brother in law bringing up the end with a broom. He stands at the door, shining the flashlight all around in that tent & says "It's just earwigs, they ain't gonna hurt ya" That tent was plum full of earwigs from being stored for so long. My sister & nieces are terrified of bugs! the sight of them marching single file out of that tent squealing like banshees is so vivid. My poor BIL trying to get them all to quiet down & help him sweep them out was priceless. That flashlight clicking on, the "what the heck is that?" the squealing & the single file marching went on all night long!! Finally somewheres around 4 am I saw that light flick on & heard my BIL say, "I ain't gettin up! Them earwigs ain't gonna hurt you! And if I see that %*&$(^ flashlight again, I'm throwin it in the river, ya'll GO TO BED!! Between 2 squealing little girls, their screaming mother, the dogs bouncing around, me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes & the rest of the campers laughing & watching, my poor BIL got up, got the broom, swept that tent for about the 10th time that night, lined them all up, pointed them toward the van with pillows & blankets in tow & made everyone of them climb in that van & go to sleep! It was the funniest thing I remember about any of our camping trips! To this day whenever I see an earwig I think of that weekend & start laughing all over again. Mom was sleeping in the only camper on the lot so she missed every bit of it, but we found out later, the kids had asked Mom why they were called earwigs & she told them that they crawl in your ears when your sleeping and lay eggs in your brain! There was no way those girls were going to take a chance on THAT! We never did find out what possessed Mom to tell them that. Just plain meanness I guess.
Now, I'm going to work
later taters
*Mavis
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74500: Didn't see you there Boo you been sweeping those earwigs off the porch? teehee
*Mavis
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74501: Well, Mave, that's why dad always set the tent up a few days before leaving home, to air it and clean it if needed. hehe..Your story reminded me of a camping trip we had on the river. I was about 10 and we were in a rather rustic camp ground and there was one outhouse and it was full of spiders (big ones). My mother had brought one of those portable potties, which was no more than a toilet seat on legs with a plastic bad attached to the bottom of the seat. Well sometime during the night, mom got up to go and it turns out the bag had fallen of the potty. Well, the tent was set up on an slant, so everything began to run down toward my sister and me who were sleeping on the floor of the tent with sleeping bags. We were up and out of there in a hurry...worse than earwigs, in my opinion. Makes you wonder why any of us goes camping at all...seems there is always some sort of disaster involved but it makes for conversation years later. I think the worst was the time mom, dad, susan, Sean (age 3) and i took a trip to Colorado and while we were in Colorado Springs, mom had the bad stroke and ended up in the hospital for a couple of weeks. We all came down with the worst flu I have ever had. It was really terrible and we had to laugh at the situation we were in because it seemed like things went from bad to worse each day. That was really something...all of us sick as dogs in that motel room with nobody to take care of us. Poor little sean must have taken care of himself because I don't even remember a couple of those days. I think I was delirious with fever or something.

Boo
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74502: Thanks for the prayers, Asa and Boo. Yes, I know that God is in charge and wouldn't let anything happen to me or my family that he didn't want to happen. I try to think about that, but I also think that he gave us the brains to not do foolish things. And to me, getting into one of those flying deathtraps is foolish.

Goodness, Boo, that sounds like the camping trip from H.e.-double hockey sticks. Yes, definitely worse than earwigs! Pheww! ;)

Mavis, in fairness to your mom, I think that is a common misconception about earwigs. At least she didn't tell them the other common misconception that they burrow into your brain. :)

-Sterling Holobyte
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74503:
Sure, good stories, boo, mavis and all! but did you ever hear of the one with the man and the golden arm.... ha
Or maybe Barney's "pheasant under snare!"
Sterling, I'll be praying for you regarding the flight. Actually, I think there was more to the
Air France deal than we may ever know, much more
than the speed tubes IMHO, but that is a story and moulage for another day!
God bless you all,
MDC
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74504: Heard it AND told it, MDC. That might be a good new name for Auh2o..."The Golden Arm"...

Boo
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74505:
Sterling, I used to be scared to death of flying - to the point that I passed on a month in the Orient with my dad because I was so scared to fly. I still kick myself, but oh well... that's the way I felt at the time.

It may not help much, but I'll tell you a few things that have kept me sane while flying in the years since:

My dad, when he came back from the Orient, really wanted me to get over my fear, so he took me on a short (35 minute) flight to Houston and back. He sat right next to me, explaining the noises the plane was making, etc. But the most important thing he told me was: "Don't forget, that pilot and crew don't want to die either." LOL That helped a LOT.

Also, I studied the statistics about how flying is so-and-so many times safer than driving to the grocery store, etc. I don't doubt the statistics are correct, but I have to admit that one didn't help much.

Finally, I have discovered that the longer I go without flying, the worse the anxiety. When I'm on a trip that requires up to six flights to get there and back, I find that by the 2nd or 3rd flight, I'm so relaxed that I kick back and read, or nap, or work crosswords. If I go somewhere and fly again within a couple months, I'm fine then, too.

Just ask the Lord to not let you do anything that you wouldn't be safe doing, then leave the driving to Him. :-)

You and your family will be FINE! Have a wonderful time in Hawaii (I'm soooooo jealous, btw!), and keep reminding yourself: It's for Kai.

Can't wait to hear your vacation stories!

~De§~


August 12, 2009 - Msg 74506: It's not so much a fear of flying, Des. I actually love flying, and I love everything about airplanes.
It is the airlines I hate and don't trust. Especially in this economic climate where everyone is cutting back. Even if it is just cutting back on manpower. That extra mechanic they laid off might have been the only one who noticed the crack in the fuselage. Ok, maybe that is reaching a bit, but I still don't trust the airlines.
If I could fly over on a (well-kept)Flying Fortress, with a crew of WWII bomber pilots who knew what they were doing, I would definitely feel more confident in going. Even excited to go.

Yeah, I know what you mean about the "flying vs driving" comparison. Those really don't wash with me. If you think about it, how many billions of cars are on the road, compared to how many commercial airliners? So, of course there are going to be more accidents with automobiles! Plus there are so many things you can run into or over on the road. Deer can't exactly run out in front of your airplane(well, maybe on takeoff).
Besides, if your car engine quits working, you simply pull over. It is an inconvenience. If your plane's engines quit working over the Pacific, well...

But yes, your comments do help, thanks.
Like you said, I will just have to let God do the driving. And hope I am open enough to hear what he is trying to tell me.

Got to go. I am picking up my little cousin and taking him and Kai down to the park. Should be fun, if not exhausting. :)



-Sterling Holobyte

-Sterling Holobyte



August 12, 2009 - Msg 74507: I'm not twins. I don't know how I did that double sign-off.

-Sterling Holobyte
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74508: Oh, my goodness! Boo, and Mavis, those tent stories are just hilarious! I was sitting here laughing out loud, Toye Starr came in to investigate! Your descriptions were so vivid! I could just see the whole thing, like a movie.

Sterling, you and your family will be fine, and you're going to have a wonderful time. As for those car vs airplane statistics, if I'm not mistaken they're based on percentages, the number of accidents per x-number of travelers, not on flat numbers of accidents per year in each mode of travel. I could be wrong, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I found it comforting in 2005, as we were flying toward the North Pole on our way to Mongolia and the plane was moving in at least eight directions at one time. Up, down, sideways and diagonally as well as forward, and shuddering like a cold dog the whole time. Quite an experience, lasted about twenty minutes, and I think a couple of people found a new relationship with God during that time, but suddenly it ended, the pilot came over the intercom with "Sorry, folks, somebody forgot to fix the potholes", and the rest of the flight was smooth as silk. I love flying, and prefer the window seat so I can see everything. Eloise is okay with flying, but doesn't really want the window seat, so we make good companions.

Later I'll tell you all about some of my camping experiences, though to call it "camping" is a reach. In my opinion, camping is a verb, an activity unto itself. My family modified that verb somewhat, but we still had a lot of fun. Maybe that should read "therefore, we had a lot of fun."

Be blessed! --Romeena
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74509: Does anyone remember pin curls especially the ones that were like a side burn?

hm
August 12, 2009 - Msg 74510: Yes, I think my mom had them...all I know is that I remember alot of bobbie pins and Dippety-Doo in the bathroom...and remember the days before blow dryers? We had one of those hair dryers with a tube attached to a plastic cap! How funny. I also recall my mom setting her hair on rollers all the time. Glad we don't do that anymore.

Just thinking about flying makes my heart race. I have a true phobia about it and nothing anyone says makes me less afraid. I once flew from Mexico City to Houston in stormy weather and was nearly in a state of panic the whole way. It didn't help that someone who appeared to be a pilot was standing in the doorway of the cabin drinking a beer (no lie)...surely he was off duty. When we landed in Houston, I kissed the ground (and it was easy to do since my legs gave way like rubber and I was down there anyway). ;-)

Boo
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74511: testing
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74512: Mornin Y'all- still on the roller coaster of life,but thingshave settled down a bit. Got a good night's sleep. Will catch up as soon as I can. until then,prayers and love to all.
******************
possum under a rock
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74513: Good Morning Porchsters! Hope everyone is fine as a frog hair split 3 ways this morning. That camping story is so funny Boo I'm like you, don't know why we went camping so much when so much stuff seemed to have happened, but I loved it, still do, but my old back can't take tent sleeping anymore. Sterling I'm sending up prayers for you friend that you can make that trip and everything will be fine. Sorry you are having these worries. Romeena spill, what exactly do you and yours consider camping if not in a tent under the stars? Asa we still need the kitchen cabinets installed at our place and that is the last of it, you wanna head out this weekend and Git R Done for us? hm my mother used to wear those things all the time, I remember one time she got up late and was in a rush to get to work and had forgotten to take out a couple of them in the back, boy was she embarrassed, she said she wore those things half the day before someone pointed it out. LOL Well, the Sharpie 500 is next week here in Bristol and the campers have already started rolling in, they have been lined up across from the race track waiting on a spot since last week! Gonna get crazy around here for about 2 1/2 weeks. Gotta groom 2 dogs today so I'm outta here for a bit, see ya'll afterwhile. Oh and possum hope things settle down at your rock soon. :)
later taters
*Mavis
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74514: Oh almost forgot, for those of you that take vitamins and supplements, Puritan's Pride has a deal going on buy one, get two free on alot of their products, I took advantage of it, just wanted to let ya'll know. Now I'm really gone.
*Mavis
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74515: Well children are back in school and I am still hunting for another job. I have applied for another teaching position in another corporation - so I am waiting to hear from that.
I sent Ro some new photos of my kids, etc.

I read the posts on the porch but usually don't have alot of time to respond. I think of you all daily in my prayers.

Hey Mavis - any news about the truck?

hm
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74516: Good luck with the job, HM...where are the photos of the house? Did you send any of those?

I know what you mean, Mavis. Do you all remember the time 3 or 4 years ago when karen and I took all the kids camping, set up the tent and made camp only to get rained out that night? The stupid tent leaked and it was like a shower inside the tent. We were throwing kids into the suburban at 4am and had to drive them home (and hour and a half away), turn back around and drive back to pack up the tent and all the muddy gear. What a pain but it is a memory I now cherish since Karen is gone. She and I had alot of bad vacation experiences (and good ones) because we took alot of trips together with the kids. Now I am still always taking her kids somewhere but I am usually alone with them and believe me, I feel her absence, especially in the summer. I was thinking about her this morning when I went out to the homesite. She was more excited about us building a house than I was. Wish she could be here to see it going up. I have had both her kids here with us for a few days, and that helps.

Well, better get going...

Boo
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74517:
Boo, I have a feeling that she IS there watching it go up. Not trying to be creepy, but who knows?
I'm sure it isn't all harp playing 101 ! (:
BTW, that was me with the "testing" as i was
having trouble posting from home last night.
One time while camping, at a campgound named Bootjack, in Cal I think, the only spot open was on a slope, so my dad set up the tent on the slope, and by the next morning we were all "crunched up" in the bottom of our sleeping bags! ha
I have some good boy scout ones too that I'll share later.
Prayers,
MDC
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74518: Camping - is that anything like bedbugs at my local motel? That was for M-T!! I don't camp unless it is a recreational vehichle or a lovely hotel!

Mavis did you see the story where the dog groomer left the poodle in the dog dryer for an hour? Very sad for the family.

hm
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74519: Good afternoon, y'all. It's 12:10, guess that makes it afternoon. Mavis, we used to do what my dad called "camping with comfort". My dad was the first one to say that camping was an action verb, and he didn't plan to spend his vacation working at it.

When we'd go to the Frio River down in the Texas hill country, we would stay at a place called River Bend. They had everything from a bare place on the dirt with a light bulb overhead, to pre-set tents, to little cabins with plumbing and lights, stove and fridge, to the "motel". This was a shotgun building, with single or double "suites". Now don't let the terminology fool you. We're talking about concrete floors and painted cinderblock walls. However, it had plumbing, stove, fridge and A/C!! We always took a double suite, so we had two double beds in each end, and the kitchen and back-to-back bathrooms were in the middle. The kitchen served as the pass-through. Extra rollaway beds could be brought in for just $2 a night. The beds were saggy, the stove was tiny, the fridge was not very big, but the plumbing and the a/c worked.

Believe me, after a day in the sun, tubing on that river, we appreciated the a/c. We could put up twelve people in a double suite, and six more if we rented the single across the hall. We often took church friends with us, or extended family, and we had some great times. Lots of memories there. I have stories, and will share later. Boo, you know that river, too. Beautiful place.

Be blessed. --Romeena
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74520: so great seeing all of you on line. dess, hm,ro mavis, boo, sterling, possum,sure sounds like we all are so busy this summer that we are meeting ourselves coming and going. my prayers and thoughts are with each of you. mdc- will that car let me go route 66 from chicago to la in 5 hours? doesn"t seem like much cooking going on , catch you later. pappa bear
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74521: Yes Ro, in fact I think River Bend might have been the place where the portable potty fell apart. We used to rough it with the tent and then Dad got smart and we started going to NEAL's and renting a cabin. Now THAT was fun. Old rustic cabins with concrete floors and saggy beds, just like you talked about but so much easier than tent camping. They didn't have air conditioning but they had those water-cooler things in the window and it seems like we stayed cool enough. Boy, we loved/love the river.

MDC, you made me laugh out loud with your tent story!

Hey to Pappa Bear!

Boo
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74522: Hey Mavis - making salsa this year. I usually make mild but only could find medium heat. A little spice but oh so goood! Everything tastes good on a Ritz - mmmmmmm

hm
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74523:
Boo, to explain even more, my mom had thought that we
kids had gotten up early and left the tent, but
then she realized that we all ended up in these little balls, kid and bag all together! ha
Hey to PappaBear. He may be driving out to AZ
in November!
Oh, we used to ask my dad if we could camp at KOA campgrounds,
but he, a real outdoorsman, would always say that
that was "sissy camping" which I guess other
fathers translated as "comfort camping!" haha
MDC
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74524: Hi All.
Had a bad night what stepdad , had to go to the hosp because he was not breathing to good and he will be there for two day. I git home about 3:00 am.
It ben to hot to be out in it .
Never ben camping!
All I did is worke to help wait all the bill
we had.

TOM

August 13, 2009 - Msg 74525: I'm sorry you've never gone camping, Tom. And to have to work to help pay the bills when you were growing up, well, I'm sorry about that too. I guess life sometimes can just seem very unfair. I hope your stepdad gets better soon.
- Hazel

August 13, 2009 - Msg 74526: Im Back!..had a great time...just checking in....got to unload......SPOT
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74527:
Hey to Tom - prayers for your stepdad.
Hi spot- glad you're back safe and sound.
My congressman is holding a town hall meeting this
weekend, maybe I'll go and be part of that "unruly mob" that I've been hearing about,
haha
MDC
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74528: MDC - You go and act like somebody! And remember, Calvin Coolidge is not our president now.
Tom - hope things go better for you tonite.

hm
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74529: Hey, Boo. We may have talked about this before, but here goes anyway. When I was a little kid, we went to Neal's camp, and to Avant's camp, which was nearby. Both are located near the low-water bridge, as you're going to Concan. At least it used to be a low water bridge. They've probably built an arch bridge by now. My parents used to go to one camp or the other every summer - not too far downriver from Garner Park. River Bend is a couple of miles or so upriver from Garner, towards Leakey. There's another camp, called River Haven, that's between River Bend and Leakey. The cabins you're describing sound a lot like theirs. Square buildings, screened all around, canvas dropdowns on the outside for bad weather, as I recall. We stayed at River Haven a lot, too, before we found River Bend. I haven't been in years, actually not since I lost Dale. It just doesn't have the same appeal now. He really loved that river.

He pulled me out of it once, when we were tubing over flood water and I got dumped out. If not for him, I probably would have drowned. As it was, I got pretty beat up on submerged boulders, and swallowed a lot of river, but he got to me in time.

Well, I'm off to work. Be blessed, porch. --Romeena
August 13, 2009 - Msg 74530: Hi All.
Will he is doing o k tonight and he may come tomorror.
I slrrp half the day away because last night.

TOM

August 13, 2009 - Msg 74531: Yes, we have talked about it Ro, but I could talk about it all day. I love to remember those days at Neal's. Last time we stayed at neal's (3 summers ago, I think), it was still a low bridge over the river and we had rain that covered the bridge for half a day. I understand what you mean about the trips to the river losing their appeal after Dale went to heaven. I think I would feel just the same way. I try to remind myself daily that these really are the best years of my life; kids still at home and husband by my side. My parents are both still living, too. I have much to be content about (and thankful for). The kids have been driving me crazy with their bickering but at least they are here under my roof where I can love them and hold them close. As I write these, i can hear Sean in the shower singing, "Amazing Grace". It sounds wonderful...sweet music to a mother's ears.

As you know, that river can be very dangerous when it rains. One of my best friends, Mark, was tubing near Leakey several years ago and got off his tube to help a woman who was stuck under a waterfall coming off of one of the bridges. He got her out but got himself sucked under and almost didn't make it back out. He remembers thinking, "I never expected i would go this way but it's okay". It wasn't his day to die, though. I wonder how many people drown in such accidents each year...

I think that next summer we will have to take a trip to the river. The house is consuming all of our time and resources this summer but we will really be ready for a vacation next summer. I guess I should go ahead and reserve something now.

MDC, I am all about "sissy camping" now. I used to be able to rough it but not anymore. If I tried to sleep on a tent floor now, I would be hunched over like those teenage boys Barney talked about.

TOM, I am sorry you are enduring such trials. Be assured that the Lord sees your sacrifice and all you are doing for your step father and he will bless you in His time and way. You have a good heart, TOM. I really miss your poems but I understand life has been busy for you lately.

Better go spend some time with Erin before she goes to bed. Goodnight Mayberry!

Boo


August 13, 2009 - Msg 74532:
Hello porch family.

Spot....good to see ya back. Any fish?

Tom....praying your stepdad gets to come home soon. Praying for you and your family buddy. Get some rest.

Go get'em MDC....those town hall meetings have really been spirited. I think maybe some of America is waking up after much of the damage has been done.

Well I'm off to bed. Prayers for our nation and for all the porch family.
-REV.
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74533:
"nite-all"
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74534: Great to see YOU, Pappabear!
Prayers for your stepdad, Tom. And for some cooler weather for you and yours.

Thanks for the comforting comments, Ro and Mavis.
Well, we leave tomorrow. I had hoped we were going to take the laptop so that I could drop in now and again while over there, but I don't know if we will since there's not really anyplace to get internet(I mean, without stealing from someone's wifi signal, but I don't want to do that. Nevertheless, I will try to get on somewhere; either an internet cafe or my BIL's computer, if he ever gets off of it. ;) He practically lives on the computer.

Have a nice sleep, Rev.
And that goes for the rest of the porch, too. :)

-Sterling Holobyte
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74535: Hi All.
best gift of all

The best gift of all
Doesn't cost a dime;
Giving someone in need
Some of your time.

A gift can be things you mae;
Doing something nice each day
For someone else's sake.

It could be taking a minute
To call a frend who's blue;
In this case your gift is
A frendly. "How are you?"
A gift isn't always a package
Tied up with a bow'
It's remembering with love
Someone that you know.


TOM

August 14, 2009 - Msg 74536: Good Mornin' Porch,

Well, the children are in school so now I just may have a little more time to rock here on the porch. I've missed y'all. I think Boo and Mavis may have kept y'all up to date on my horrible hospital experiences. The Lord certainly saved me. I'm slowly healing, but at least I'm healing.

I do need to ask y'all for a bit of prayer. Bryan and I are still having problems. I don't want to get into all of it, but the gist is when I was pregnant last spring Bryan really didn't want the baby and told me daily. I reconnected with an old boyfriend on facebook and began an emotional affair with him and justified it because of Bryan's actions. Nothing physical ever happened. Bryan now cannot trust me nor believe me when I say nothing would have happened. We've been trying. I've been changing my heart back towards the Lord and my family after months of turning away. Bryan is also questioning whether we are compatible. I want us to remain married and grow old together someday on our own front porch. But, we need to get through this mess. I wish I had never done that, but it was done and now I wish it could all get out of Bryan's head (he read emails between the man and I). Thank you!

Pappabear- I'm so glad you checked in!
MDC- My stepdaughter and her Mom are now in GA and no longer living in AZ. They both say they cannot stand our humidity after living in dry air for years.
Sterling- I guess I understand your fears. Just remember if God thinks it's your time to go it don't matter where you are.
Rev- Where ya at in our great country?
Boo- I think its funny about sissy camping. I was a Girl Scout for years and my Mom was our leader. My parents have money so Mom did not camp. We were actually called Troop Beverly Hills because we never stayed in the tents, but Mom rented the electricity filled cabins!
Homemaker- I hope you find a job really soon. It's tough out there now.
Romeena- How's your son?
Tom- Sorry to hear about your stepdad. You are doing a great job taking care of him!
Hazel- Did you do any container gardening this year? Did you plant rows of spinach?
Mavis- Any more issues from that lady?

Hey to any and all I missed. Y'all take care of yourselves now, ya hear.

Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74537: Lucy!! Great to see you! I know we "see" each other on FB, but it's still nice to see you rockin on the porch! Nope, no more problems with that crazy lady since we made her come dig his ashes up, maybe this time she'll keep him on the mantle like normal people do. Continued prayers for you my friend, God will work things out.
hm I did that hot salsa one year and it was really good, let us know how you like it. I think you will.
Tom glad to hear your step-dad is doing some better, you take care of yourself too, when he gets home, you will need your rest more than ever to take care of him. From what you have posted about him in the past, he's a handful alright. Do you have anyone that can help you take care of him? I sure hope so, if I lived closer to you, I'd come over and help you take care of him. Beautiful poem too!
Sterling I'll be praying for you and your trip. Just focus on Kai and it will take your mind off it.
Don't remember who asked (and I'm too lazy to go back and look) but they found that Penske truck somewhere in IL on Tues of this week. Not damaged, and we aren't sure if they found any fingerprints or not, but it was finally released back to Penske by the authorities yesterday.
Spot when's the fish fry? Or did ya'll eat them all already?
Well, I have a dog to groom today, one of my harder ones, so I better get off here and get started in that direction.
Later taters
*Mavis
yer welcome in there, but leave yer stick outside
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74538: Good morninge everyone. Long time, no see. Hope you all are well. I've only skimmed the archives so if I missed something not addressed below, I'm sorry in advance!

TOM: Prayers for your step-dad, friend. Lovely poem.

LUCY: Whoa, that's a tough one. You sure do have my prayers for healing and guidance. Trust in Him and He will take care of you.

Nice to hear from PAPPABEAR and MAYBERRY DEPUTY.

BOO: Funny, I don't picture you a sissy. Maybe a Bobby-Jo or something, but not a sissy ;-).

Well, it looks like Obama, or maybe his family, have gone to Camp David for the weekend. I saw the copters going over this morning. (There usually are at least two, typically three, the extras used as decoys.) Camp David is only about 15 miles from where I am right now (DC is only 30 miles down the road). The locals up there are pretty used to the routine. Obama must be hanging out somewhere else because I don't think he's used it quite as much as Bush did, which was nearly every weekend. The camp borders parkland so we get notices when adjoining roads are bneing closed because the prez is expected. More than a few hikers and hunters have been shocked by the appearance of camo'ed Marines popping out of hiding places in the woods up there. The Marines are there all the time; the Secret Service when the prez is there or expected.

Well, back to work!

Me-They
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74539: TOM, so good to see a poem again, and let me tell you something neat. Last night in my prayers, I was talking to the Lord about my parents and thinking that I should try to call them on the phone everyday but I forget. I asked the Lord to remind me and He used your poem to do it. Your poem even says something about calling someone who's blue! Isn't that cool? Be sure I will call them when I sign off.

Good to see you, Me-They... and thanks, even if you did mention "Bobbie-Jo". I'm not a sissy so much as I am out of shape and too fat....my own fault. How about I call you Darryl Don?..

Lucy, good to see you back on the porch. Very tough situation you are dealing with and all the physical issues you have had recently must make it all that much harder. There is no mess too big for God and he forgives. He can use our messes for our good and His glory...I know you know this, its just a little encouragment. Its like i teach my children, the bible says there is nothing hidden that won't be revealed or anything done in secret that won't be exposed. It has been my experience that if we are hiding something that is harmful to us or our family, the Lord will reveal it, even thought it is a painful process, and when he reveals it, he takes us through it and makes us stronger. Hang in there and know that God forgives and heals. Our prayers are with you.

Boo

"Judy, Judy, Judy, Judy!"
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74540:
Lucy- my prayers are indeed with you and Bryan.
Sin is sin, but if it is over and you fully repented, God has forgiven. Also I pray that Bryon to come to trust you again, and things will
work out. Lord be with us.
MeThey- Good to see you again! I thought you went up to Raliegh or something. (: BTW, for about a year my
brother was one of those guys who "pop up" out there!(early 90s).
OK, I'm taking everyone out to the french restaurant tonight. We're gonna have snails
and brains!! ha I watched the Big City ep last
night.
Andy: Talk about robbery, did you see the room cost? Seven dollars!
Prayers,
MDC
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74541: Let me get settled in at work...caught fish but sorry gang done eat them....back in a bit ...just got slammed here at work?...SPOT
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74542: Hectic- Calgon,take me away! I wish. I will get back to Mayberry one of these days.
Half my family left today for Wyoming. My heart hurts so for my nephew.He doesn't want to go. Please pray for safe travels. And keep Andy in your prayers,folks. Thanks.
*********
possum
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74543:
Lucy, please read John 8:1-11. Eleven short
verses that may help you.
Many prayers for you.
MDC
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74544: Cool, MDC. Can I have a Sezerak? (isn't that whay Peggy called her drink?)

Poor Andy. Prayers for him, Possum.

Boo
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74545: Possum hey girl and prayers..hey MDC,Boo,Romeena,TOM,Rev,hazel,auh20,MD,pappabear,Sterling and all...goah I had a lot of busy work here at work...still got a bit...Maude yall eat well while I was gone?....will get back to cooking in the morning...ok....im here all night....SPOT
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74546: Good evening porch friends. Been busier than a cows tail in fly season here. Sure glad it's Friday.

MDC, I sure do hope you go to that town hall meeting. Let them brand you whatever they want. We best be standing up for what we believe in.

Hey Possum, I'll say prayers for your family who'e traveling. And for Andy.

Good to see you Lucy. Sorry to hear about all what's going on with you. You and hubby are in my prayers for a healing.

Good to see you MT. Thought maybe you run off with that dish towel salesman. Oh wait, that would be a scandal. :)

Hey Tom, glad your stepdad is doing better. Is he home yet?

Mavis, I'd be delighted to come install your cabinets. Cabinet installing just happens to be my specialty. :)

How's the house going Boo? Any "issues" yet?

Well on top of work being busy I just picked up a couple of side electrical jobs. One is huge in fact. Hope my back holds out.

Hazel, how goes your harvest? I'm picking corn as fast as I can, but it's about to swamp me. Better start giving some to my neighbors.

Well y'all behave and act like somebody.

Asa
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74547: Sorry you have to work all night, SPOT. If I am up late tonight I will check in on the porch to see if you are here. Wonder if there is any good movies for us to watch tonight? Maybe we need a TAGS marathon!

Spent some time on my front porch tonight praying for Andy, Possum. Sure hope is feels better soon and makes good friends in his new home. Also did some praying for Lucy; she has been on my mind. She has really had it rough this year, bless her heart.

Oh my, Me-They run off with a dishtowel salesman?...Never!;-)

TOM, I am happy to tell you that instead of calling my parents, I went over and made them dinner and spent some time with them (better than a phone call). Thanks for inspiring me. I made mom salisbury steak and gravy, mashed tators, spinach and biscuits and she gave me the best compliment possible about my cooking. She said, "Julie, you cook the most like my mother than anyone else". Now, let me tell you that her mother could cook! I can't hold a candle to Grandma, but it was nice to hear.

Hi there ASA, no "issues" with the house so far! I forgot to tell you all that I found out that Mike the builder asked his pastor to come out and bless the house with a prayer. Can you believe that? This guy is unbelievable. He is always out there at sun-up working his poor hiney off right alongside the crew and he keeps things moving. I went out to the site yesterday morning and when I saw him I reached out to shake his hand and he took my hand and kissed the top of it. This guy is for real, too. Everytime I go out to that site I am treated like a queen. While I was out there a radio was playing rather loudly and an embarrassing commercial came over the radio (I won't say it but here's a hint: Trojan Horse). Anyway, when it came on, one of the guys ran to the radio and turned it off because i was there. They are very respectful. This whole experience has just been a dream so far...really, beyond fun. Mike comes up with some great ideas that we never thought of and that don't cost anything extra or very little. Like extra storage areas upstairs and just changes that he knows from experience are good. Sorry to go on but I still can't believe things are going so well, but I should realize that God answers prayers. BTW, hope your back holds out, ASA. I feel for you.

When is fall going to get here?! I forgot to mention that we actually got some rain here two nights ago. It was great!

Better go...

Boo
August 14, 2009 - Msg 74548: Oh, could you all pray for my little niece, Emily? Somehow she developed a terrible skin condition on her little bottom caused by an overgrowth of yeast. It is really bad and even bleeding. The doctor prescribed some cream for it but when they went to get the prescription, the cost was 280.00 with insur@nce! They called the dr back and he prescribed the same med without the Lidocaine and it cost three dollars and fifty cents. Is that outrageous or what?! My nephew said that while they were in line at the pharmacy, there was a woman ahead of them who when she got her medicine, it was 180.00 and she had to just walk away. These drug companies and their prices! Very sad for folks without even insur@nce to help.

Boo
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74549: Boo prayers for your niece...well its midnight...the firewall here blocks facebook or I would go chat there too...will have to wait till tomorrow at home...watching the movie "Rudy"..have seen it before...its good...but gona look for something else...back in a bit...SPOT
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74550:
Hello porch family

Lucy......you and Bryan are for sure in my prayers. See Ps.55:22...my favorite verse. And remember....Jesus loves you and so does your porch family.
You asked where I'm at: just got off the road so I'm home for a couple weeks now. Got concerts local here.

M-T......good to see you back buddy!

Asa....we can use some of that corn here on the porch. We can have a big corn on the cob boil.

Spot.....don't work too hard brother.

Boo....prayers for Emily. And yes, these drug companies are unreal.

Prayers for all the porch family. Sleep good and know that Jesus loves you!
-REV.
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74551: Thank you, REV. We sure appreciate your nightly blessing when you're home (and miss it when you aren't). I will have to look up Ps. 55:22...

Well SPOT, the kids and I had our own little mini TAGS marathon tonight and now I am tuckered out. Hope you have an easy night at work.

I emailed the local meteorologist and asked him when he thought we would be having our first cool front of the season and he replied that is would be mid-september. Yay! I can't wait...hope he's right. We have been having the worst drought in the history of south Texas (less than 4 inches of rain since January) and 63 days of temps over 95 since June. Prior to this summer, the record was 10 days. We really are drying up and suffering from the heat down here. It's beginning to get unbearable to be out doing anything in the hottest part of the day. Fortunately we still have a breeze in the evenings and no mosquitos this summer and that is the first time that has happened in my lifetime.

Well better get to bed. Goodnight Mayberry.

Boo
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74552: Good evening, porch. Wow, lots of conversation tonight. Lucy, prayers for you, dear. Hang in there, and don't answer back when Bryan baits you. I have the impression that he was just waiting for something like that to happen so he could beat you over the head with it. He will probably get a lot more mileage out of it than it's worth, but just take the high road and don't get in a confrontation with him. And don't keep apologizing, either. Make one simple, heartfelt apology, promise it won't happen again, and then just live out the promise. He'll eventually get tired of harping on it.

Boo, I'm just thrilled that things are working out so well with your builder. This should be a very happy time, building your new home, and I'm glad he's making it so pleasant for you. God bless him!

Oh, by the way - about Emily's yeast rash. Take that child's clothes off, find a private location, and expose the rash to sunlight for about five minutes. Do this several times a day, and I'll guarantee you that rash will clear up. I have never seen a yeast rash that didn't respond to that. I remember an elderly patient years ago, admitted to the hospital with an intractable yeast rash. All the creams and ointments in the world had failed. I persuaded her doctor to let me move her bed close to a window, raised the blinds to the top, barricaded her door and bared the area to the sun. Extreme improvement by the next morning, and the following day it was gone. She had raw, bleeding, denuded areas, and new skin was already forming. The doc was impressed. Lots of "humphing" and muttering about the creams "finally taking hold", but he was impressed.

Asa, I like just about every food item that God created, but sweet corn has to be on top of the list. I really envy you, having it just right off the stalk that way. Yum!

Well, tomorrow is a grandson's sixth birthday, party at eleven, and I haven't even bought his gifts. Guess I'll leave an hour early, hit Target and go on from there. Thank goodness for gift bags - don't have to wrap.

Be blessed, everyone. --Romeena
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74553: Well hello there Rev...Like Boo said its neat when you are spreading the word but we like it when you are home also!Asa we cream our corn and then put it up each year...Good at Christmas dinner......Romeena I caught something in your post you havent bought his "Gift"s" yet...well how many does that lucky child get!..;)..tell him happy b-day from the porch!...well since Ro has to get started early to shop breakfast will be at 7:30 ..three eggs your way,country ham and bent bacon for Ro,grits,hashbrowns,bisquits with real butter and jam...coffee,milk,bottled water....prayers to all and to all a Mayberry Good morning...SPOT
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74554: Well now Spot, this is a delight to wake up to. I thought I was dreaming I was at the Diner, and awaken to this wonderful breakfast. Come here. I'll scratch your belly.

You seem to have a great builder Boo. I like the thought of blessing the house. We have made it a practice to have a prayer when moving into our homes. A prayer in which we dedicate it and consecrate it to the Lord, and ask for his spirit to abide there with us. I'm sure that sounds silly to some, but I feel we have deen blessed from it greatly over the years. And prayers for your Emily. I like Ro's idea for treatment.

Ro, I agree. Fresh corn on the cob is hard to beat. The variety that is my favorite right now is called Serendipity. It's a real toe curler it's so good. Perfect mixture of sweetness and creaminess for my tastes. The only problem is I have to shower when I'm done eating cause I have butter dripping off my elbows. And yes, I said butter. The real deal. No margerine in my house. Somebody talked me once into trying "I can't believe it's not butter". BLAH! I had to tell them I couldn't believe they can't believe it's not butter. Nasty stuff.

Well it's raining here this morning and only expected to reach the low 70's. (sorry Boo) We are starting to see and feel just a touch of Fall in the air here. Summer is just moving along way to fast for me. Oh well. It's all good. Each season brings with it something special as a gift from God.

Have a great day.

Asa
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74555: Just popping in long enough to say "Hey"- things are still rush,rush,rush,around here.Haven't read any posts since 3-4 days ago,I think. My mind is a blur.
Y'all are in my thoughts-love to all!
**********
possum
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74556: Good morning, porch. Awww, Spot, I don't go overboard on the birthday gifts. I've known for years that kids that age are impressed by quantity, not quality. He'll probably have four or five things from me, but none will be expensive. There will be one pretty nice gift, and a few little things alongside. Little kids are easy. When they get to be teenagers, I switch to a check (reasonable amount), which they can spend any way they wish. I always encourage them to just blow it, and spend it on something they otherwise wouldn't have bought. None of this "put it in the bank" stuff - they should feel free to have fun with a birthday gift. Granted, with the amount I can afford to send, they can't have a whole lot of fun, but you get the idea.

Asa, that corn sounds so good. I'm weird, though. I don't put anything on my corn, usually. Good corn just doesn't need it! However, when I do put something on it (if the corn is not quite up to par), it will be real butter. I keep a little tub of margarine for a couple of family members who think it's more healthful, but for me, it's butter! Why people think some fake stuff concocted by humans is better than sweet butter, a perfectly natural substance, I'll never know, but I respect their right to think so, and keep a little spreadable plastic here for them.

Well, gotta run. Toye Starr must be fed, and she's going to be chapped when she realizes I'm leaving, but such is life. One European custom I wish this country would adopt (probably the only one), is to allow dogs to accompany their owners a bit more freely. This party is being held in a facility developed for such things, on the property of a large church over in the mid-cities area. What would it hurt if little Starr went along and sat in my lap? The kids would be thrilled, she'd be delighted with the attention, and she wouldn't have to stay home, pining for her mom. Oh well.

Be blessed, porch. --Romeena
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74557: Possum, slow down a little, child. You're going to wear your little self out! Stop and take a breath, love. --Romeena
August 15, 2009 - Msg 74558: Thank you for your prayers for little Emily! Her mom says she is already doing better but I will call her and tell her about the sun treatment that you suggested, RO. Should be easy enough. Emily is at the age where she is always trying to pull her diaper off and run around "commando". I know that (limited)exposure to sunlight is very good for many ailments.

Yes Ro, Mike the builder is worth his weight in gold so far. Bruce is out there this morning "pulling some cable", whatever that means.

No ASA, it doesn't sound silly to me that you prayed and consecrated your house; sounds very wise. We prayed at the beginning of building and I am sure we will pray again at the end. BTW, I agree about the butter. I never buy anything except butter. Good, natural butter. No additives or chemicals (and no plastic). Glad you are having nice weather. I'm not jealous...much. ;-D

"Hey" to Possum and SPOT...thanks for breakfast, SPOT.

Boo