December 27, 2010 - Msg 82137: Good morning, porch! It's a perfectly beautiful day here on my end of the porch. Bright sunshine, blue sky with a few puffy clouds, and it's COLD! How cold? Dang cold! It's 34 out there, but has been a lot colder, because the birdbath is frozen over completely, looks like all the way to the bottom. Now get this -- in spite of the freeze, my irises are still standing tall and blooming! One big white one with three blooms, one purple with one bloom and a bud about to unfurl, and three yellow ones. One of the three has a whole cluster of buds, it will be a whole bouquet when it opens. I had no idea that irises were that cold tolerant, but apparently they are. How lovely! Roses are still blooming as well, the freeze doesn't seem to have bothered them. Pretty little Angel Face has three full and fragrant flowers open, and a couple of buds. So sweet.

Eloise and I are about to head for the local Tuesday Morning store, to see if they have any Annalee Christmas dolls marked down. I love those little things, especially the elves, and while I won't pay full price, or even half price for them, if I can find them for less than that, I'll get them.

Then we're going to visit a friend who is in dire straits in the hospital. She's had one back surgery last week, and faces another next week, and there is some question whether she will be able to walk. She's hurting and scared, but her faith is holding. Please pray for Joan.

Well, I need to go put out critter feed. There are doves out there, and all the corn is gone. Poor little lthings look so cold, the least I can do is feed them. Blessings, friends! --Romeena




December 27, 2010 - Msg 82138:
Apparently you had time to sweep too! Looks good! (:
Prayers for Joan,
MDC
December 27, 2010 - Msg 82139: Happy Monday porch, just stopping by from work today. cold and windy on my end of the porch, but the snow has stopped and the roads are clear and dry.

Prayers for your friend Joan, Romeena.

getting ready to head out for home and see what is going on there. My kids have been home all day and from the phone call I made earlier today sound like they are feuding about something. Gosh, I keep hoping that will soon stop. They are a bit like the Carters and Wakefields, half the time they don't know what they are feuding about and it is usually something trivial.

supper menu will be: chicken pot pie, cranberry salad. warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.
tea, soda pop to drink. see you at 6pm.

Prayers and blessings to all.
Big Maude
December 27, 2010 - Msg 82140: Hi
December 27, 2010 - Msg 82141:
Hello porch family....another cold day here in SC.

Ro....prayers for Joan...please keep us posted.

Maude....thanks for supper.

Going to bed at a decent time tonight. Got a busy day tomorrow. You all have a very good night's rest.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82142: Mornin'dears and honeys! Since Maude got supper, I'll do breakfast- let's go to Cracker Barrel!
Prayers for Ro's friend and all who need them (I guess that's all of us,huh?)
******************
possum under a rock
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82143: morning folks! thanks for breakfast Possum! A very cold 13 degrees on my end of the porch this morning on my drive into the office, BRR. It is supposed to gradually warm its way to the 50's by the week end though.

things are rolling along toward the New Year on my end of the porch. Maybe we should plan a New Years Eve Party at O'Malleys place. I hear he is going to be out of town. Let me know if ya'll are interested.

Lunch menu will be: grilled cheese sandwhiches, tomato soup. chips. tea. kool aid to drink. Mississipi mud cake for dessert.

Prayers and blessings to all.
Big Maude



December 28, 2010 - Msg 82144:
New Year's at O'malleys sounds good! We can have burgers and bananas Ha! Barn and Big Maude will lead the dancin'.
Weather here suppose to really get cold this week (for here that is!)so weshall see.
MDC

December 28, 2010 - Msg 82145: Good morning, porch! Update and the "story" on my friend Joan. She had back surgery a couple of years ago, had a spinal fusion for ruptured discs in the low T-spine. She did pretty well after that, except for a slight alteration in her gait. She went on a mission trip to Ukraine a couple of months ago, and on one part of the trip, in a rather primitive vehicle over unbelievably rough road, she began to have severe pain in her back and some numbness in her legs. The consensus was that the jouncing around had caused another disc to rupture. Sure enough, MRIs revealed damage to the original fusion, and another rupture just above it. The decision was to remove the old hardware and do a complete revision and extension of the fusion. Just as they were preparing for the surgery, her hands and arms became numb and she couldn't use them. Another MRI showed some damage in the cervical spine, with a bone splinter pressing on the spinal cord. The surgeon stopped in his tracks, canceled the T-spine surgery and went into her neck instead. He said if he didn't, and that bone moved, she would have been paralyzed. That surgery was successful, she now has the use of her hands again, and is in a neck brace temporarily. Now get this - the original surgery still must be done, because she can't walk without a lot of help, so that will be done tomorrow! She is really going through a trial, but has her bright spirit intact, and if I know Joan and her relationship with the Lord, she's going to be fine. Please keep praying for her, and I'll keep you posted.

Another story - you may remember when I "ranted" about the girl who gave me such an ungracious response when I took food to her home one day. Well, she's back at the well again, and has sent my SS teacher a pitiful, poor-me email, asking for help. It's peppered with such gems as "I'm just a loser, I guess", and "Things are very depressing over here" and "if someone would just give me a job, I could take care of my family like I should." Well, she has been given jobs. She shows up late and asks to leave early, dresses in dirty clothing, with her hair dirty and uncombed. She's surly to customers and sits and waits to be told what to do, instead of pitching in and figuring things out. I would hire her to clean my house now and then, except when I took the food that day she apologized for not asking me in by saying "the house is too dirty and I don't know how to clean it up." Can you imagine? I know this sounds like I'm making it up, but I'm not, it's the truth. Still, she whines because no one will give her a job. I would provide her with the equipment to start a cleaning business, (she has a pretty nice SUV) and she could make $100 a day or more - the women in the church would hire her to get her started - but she's too dang lazy, and besides, she "doesn't know how to clean." Good grief! Now her mom has cancer, the oncologist wants a $40 co-pay for every visit, "and I guess we just can't get her treatments because we can't afford that." Several of us would be willing to help out, but I know from personal experience that there can be many, many visits, and we can't cover them all. They don't want to use the county hospital for treatment for some reason, they want to use private facilities, but can't pay for them. I really don't know why I'm sharing all of this, except to ask for prayers for wisdom as our little group of women tries to deal with this girl. Personally, I'd like to put a couple of knobs on her head, and put a dustrag in her hand. And a hairbrush. Forgive me, Lord.

Blessings! --Romeena
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82146:
Romeena, I just read the latest about your helpless and ungrateful friend. Looks like being polite with her is not working. I honestly believe your only alternative is a tough love intervention. Contact a few ladies who are aware of her situation, and plan a visit. If she refuses you entry, then invite her to a meeting at the local church. When you do meet, take the gloves off and begin the "tough love" intervention. Also explain to her how people appreciate a simple thank you. After you lay it all on the line with her, then offer the assistance you mentioned.

Although I don't have children of my own, I have participated in the Tough Love program with my nephews. It may seem harsh, but sometimes it is the only alternative. If you need additional advice, don't hesitate to ask.

from Poor Horatio
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82147: Thanks, PH. I'm familiar with the Tough Love concept, having dealt with adolescent drug addicts about twenty years ago, in the course of my hospital employment. We had an adolescent drug rehab unit for about two years, and I worked there for nearly the whole time. We followed that concept closely, never letting them get away with lies and alibis, but always demanding truth and confronting evasive behavior. I'm planning to talk with our SS teacher, and see if perhaps she and I and a few others can form a little committee and see what we can do with this girl. She really has no marketable skills, and the way she presents herself would not enhance her chances of employment, but maybe we can at least fix that last part. As for the skills thing, she has started and dropped out of several vocational programs. There's always an excuse - she ran out of money, she got the flu, it was too hard, whatever. I'm thinking about the house-cleaning thing. If we can teach her how to clean a house and do it well, she really could build a business. There would be probably 20 or 30 women in the church who would hire her, and if she did a good job, they would hire her on a regular basis. She could make good money. However, it would require dependability, punctuality, and above all, hard work, and I'm not sure she's capable of producing any of those things. A lot of things can be fixed, but it has been my experience that lazy isn't one of them. --Romeena
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82148:
Romeena--"I feel your pain." I know the recent history of that saying, but i just couldnt help it! ha! Ro,I am sure you have done this, but has anyone actually told her that she needs to clean up, dress better, adhere to work hours, etc.etc for work?? I dont know the situation, other than what you have told us, but perhaps it is time for a more direct approach, like "We are all willing to help you, BUT..." Just a thought. I will also keep her in my prayers!
Hang in there honeys and dears. Hope you all had "fun" with the nor-easter. It is a balmy 70 here today, but is suppose to be rainy and cold tomorrow.
MDC
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82149: Oh boy, can I relate to the discussion today! Sis-in-law is out of town for a few days visiting her kids and Bruce and I are planning a tough love intervention for her when she returns...its NOT going to be pretty. My mother-in-law was over here today telling me about some of the things sis-in-law has been telling her that are upsetting. She was doing so well but she has been going back to her old ways. MIL is letting it disturb her and she is going to have to let go and realize she can't "fix" her daughter. It seems hopeless sometimes but some things need to change or she needs to move on. The confrontation is going to be so difficult, though because she is so immature and emotional about everything. Lord help us all!

I like PH's idea, Ro. You ladies are going to have to tell it like it is and you might want to mention that there are many others in need that top the list of charities.

Boo
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82150: Yes, she has been "told", I guess you could say. We have one class member, who has the tact of a chainsaw. Once, when the girl was lamenting her inability to get a job, she blurted out, "Well, it might help if you'd wash your hair once in a while!" This just produced a blush and a weak explanation about having oily hair. Yeah, right.

I think the fact is, whether deliberately or unconsciously, she sabotages her job-seeking efforts by making herself as unappealing as she can. I think she simply doesn't want to work. As I said, she has been given jobs by church members, and they've ended up having to let her go because she's worse than useless.

Well, gotta run. I have to be at work in 45 minutes, and I'm not even dressed. Lucky I only live about ten minutes from the hospital. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82151:
Hello porch family. Been repacking the motorhome and boy is that a job. Sure is good to get it back in order. Hopefully will have it all done by the weekend.

Prayers for all the porch family.
Love ya'll
-REV.
December 28, 2010 - Msg 82152: Well hello gang...we have (sport fans) Tue night football....hey Rev,Boo,Possum,Ro,Tom,Hm,MDC,sterling,Maude(thanks for lunch)...ok...at home tonight and work tomorrow night to start my week....still got snow here....shoulders sore from spliting wood yesterday!....ok...prayers and will check back before bed...SPOT
December 29, 2010 - Msg 82153: Mornin' Y'all! Sounds to me as if that girl is purposely avoiding work,so not sure if anything will get her on track, Ro. Poor Horatio had a good idea,but she may be too far into her laziness & slack ways to pull out of it. Good luck!

New Year's party at O' Malley's?? I've got dibs on ky girl's fancy skirt! Now who has the dangliest earrings? I need to borrow a pair to complete my ensemble!

Spot, make sure to stop by the Morrison sister's place & get some elixir for our 2011 celebration! then swing by & pick me up on New Year's Eve!

Y'all have a good day-love to all!
*******************
possum under a rock
December 29, 2010 - Msg 82154: I know you know this, Romeena, but I am thinking about some writings in the NT that refer to who should receive help from the church and who should not. In those days women were facing starvation but there were still conditions given about who would receive help and as I recall, it was not an easy list of requirements for women. They had to truly be widows in the faith who served others. I know that in some circumstances that doesn't apply...when giving to the needs of those outside of the church who are in real need, etc., but within the church there are things to be considered before just handing out the money upon request. I think the scriptures are clear when they tell us to be good stewards of what the Lord has provided. It is ok to say "no" sometimes, even though many who find themselves habitually needy seem to try to manipulate church folks with their cry of "You're judging me!"...they are trying to manipulate scripture to their advantage. Sad, but happens alot. I think "Victim's Mentality" is about the biggest stumbling block a person can have to making their lives better.

A party at O'Malley's Possum..hmm..as long as you stay away from the squeezins! :-)

Boo
December 29, 2010 - Msg 82155: YIKES!! I might not make it to O'Malley's folks- I'll be hiding under my rock- check THIS out:


www.clayscorner.com/new-years-eve.shtml
December 29, 2010 - Msg 82156: Happy Wednesday Porch, cold and cloudy outside today but warming up to almost 40! working today but then off tomorrow and Friday.

Mr.Maude and I will celebrate 22 years married on Friday. nothing big planned as he has to work 9 am til 9pm.

Possum, you can come to O'Malleys for the party just wear your New years outfit and maybe you won't be noticed.

Mr. Maude is making his speciality of the house for supper tonight: Spaghetti. Ya'll come on over and join us. He always makes enough for an army so I know there will be enough for the porch too.

Prayers and blessings to all.

Big Maude
December 29, 2010 - Msg 82157:
Possum- I just checked that site--whoa! it looks like the Darling boys got loose! ha Better keep low. I still have the earings if ya dare to come get 'em! ha
RO- I think that gal hopped a ride on the Bi-Polar Express! My, I will keep the whole situation in my prayers.
2011 is almost here folks! No matter what the signs of the times show, one thing for sure, we are now 365 days closer to our reign with the Lord! God bless all you dear friends! Love ya.
Mr. Darlin's Cuz aka MDC
December 29, 2010 - Msg 82158:
Brisco: "Charlene!"
Charlene: "Yeah, pa?"
Brisco: "Put that boy down! ...I told you she was promised, Sheriff."
Andy: "Now look, Mr. Darlin'..."
Brisco: "Ya can't keep your eyes or yer hands off'n 'er can ya?"
Andy: "I'm not touchin' her!"
Brisco: "Well just see that ya don't."

December 29, 2010 - Msg 82159: (:

December 29, 2010 - Msg 82160: hi mayberry how are all of you on here i am fine i hope i get a computer soon .....gizzmo

December 29, 2010 - Msg 82161: Just figured out how to get here with mym phone. It is smarter than me.
Hm
December 29, 2010 - Msg 82162:
Hello porch family.

Maude....thank Mr. Maude for that sceddy:) And congrats to you both on 22 years!

Possum....I sure hope Spot keeps the cork in that elixir until after he picks you up on New Years:)

Boo....you are so right in your post above concerning hand-outs.

Well better get to bed...it's almost midnight here on my end of the porch.
You all have a good night and a blessed day tomorrow.
Love and prayers for all my porch family!
-REV.

Hello gizzmo...glad you're doing good and hoping you get that computer.


December 29, 2010 - Msg 82163:
Don't know how I got gizzmo's message below my signature.....beats me
-REV.
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82164: It's the Count, Rev! LOL

Good morning everybody! Let's go knock on Spot's doghouse door and get him to cook breakfast for us this morning-see y'all there!
*******************
possum under a rock
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82165: I hear ya knockin!...got the frying pan hot and ready for b-fast!...SPOT
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82166:
Morning porch family....cool and cloudy today here on this end of the porch.

Thanks for breakfast Spot and thanks to possum for inviting us all over to Spot's doghouse..hehe

Got to get some more packing done so I better get back hauling "stuff" to the motorhome.

Remember...If you have Jesus on the inside, He will surely show on the outside.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82167:
Remember folks, What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year. My "words of wisdom" for this year and next! ha Just dont ask me what calvin Coolidge said! lol
Congrats to maude and hubby and hey to Gizmo.
Possum, you're lucky SPot didnt hit you on the head with that frying pan! ha
Rev, be careful out there, but also thanks for spreading the Word brother! Don't forget the hot sauce! (:
Pappabear says hi and happy new year to all!
Prayers for all. love ya
MDC
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82168: Hi All.
Will this is a nice warm day going to git in the 40 drg and in the 50 for the weekend.
Christmas was bad for me , start out what the heat going out to everyone forgit us on Christmas.
I heard from Ellie she is stay what her mom for now becaues she is in a bad,

:) TOM

December 30, 2010 - Msg 82169: Kinda scared me at first when I read Spot's post!
Was glad to see the word "b- fast" at the end of his sentence instead of "possum"- LOL
***********
possum again

P.S. Tom, hoping the New Year will be better for you,friend!
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82170:
RO- I actually heard that incandescent bulbs will
not be made anymore after 2011!! Really! Poor ole Tom E. ! I'm starting to stock up!

TOM- At least you still ended with a smiley face!
To paraphrase what I said above, just be happy inside that you know the Lord and he will get you thru. Read Psalm 91, a great way to start the new year! (:
MDC
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82171: Good afternoon, porch. I feel like I've been resurrected, after a fight with some mysterious bug. At work on Tuesday night, around midnight I started feeling sick, hurting all over, some nausea, headache, and low-grade fever. I really wanted to go home, but not possible without causing tremendous problems. Women were delivering one after the other, and if I had left it would have dumped three moms and two babies on my co-workers, who already had full loads. So, I stuck it out. Got home Wednesday morning with a temp of 101, and promptly threw up, then burrowed into my bed, where I stayed until about ten that night. I only got up to feed Toye Starr. The rest of the time, she stayed snuggled in with me. I'm sure glad furkids don't get our bugs! Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good now, but still not hungry. I know I need to eat, since I've had nothing since lunch on Tuesday, but nothing sounds good. Maybe some soup later on....

The pond pumps need attention, and it's not cold, only 66 out there, so I should go take care of them, but I just don't have the want-to. I think they'll keep until tomorrow. Guess I'm just lazy.

Tom, I'm sorry your Christmas didn't go well. I guess that's true for a lot of folks. I wish I could just snap my fingers and change all that, but I can't. Not everyone forgot you, though. Don didn't - what a blessing he is! At least your home was warm, and that's a good thing. (Or a God thing, maybe.)

Speaking of God things, I'm always amazed at how He knows what I need, and the creativity He shows in providing it. Those pond pumps - I decided I really did need to see to them, so ventured out there. I'm so glad I did. The pumps only needed a bit of tweaking and they were okay, but I really needed the fresh, balmy air and the contact with nature. The leaves crunched beneath my feet, the squirrels scampered away, then peeked out at me from behind trees, birds scolded me for interrupting their visit to the feeders, and I found a new iris blooming - one I hadn't even realized was a re-bloomer! I'm back inside now, and finding I may even feel like eating a little something. Nothing like getting outdoors to lift my spirits! They were lifted even further by the enthusiastic welcome I received from Toye Starr when I came back in. You'd think I had been gone a month, instead of about half an hour. There's no love like "puppy love!"

Well, now to figure out something to eat. Nothing really sounds good, but I'll find something, I guess. Soup, probably. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82172: Hey, MDC. I've been stocking up on incandescent bulbs ever since all this flap started. There is a cabinet in my garage, filled with incandescent bulbs! All wattages, but mostly 60s and 100s, since that's what is mostly used around here. I've also stocked the 65-watt floods that go in the ceiling cans. Every time I go to the grocery store, I buy another 4-pack of bulbs. I have no intention of using those idiotic CFLs. I hate that sickly gray-green light they give, I hate the way they take about five minutes to reach full strength, and I hate the way they whine and turn off if you use them with a rheostat. Most of the lights in this house are equipped with rheostats, and I love them. My goal is to stock up enough incandescent bulbs to light my way off the planet. If I hang around until my bulbs are all gone, maybe I'll be so feeble I won't notice! Hahaha!

Blessings! --Romeena
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82173: Oh, one more thing about the CFLs. God forbid you should break one! I wrote a little blog about the subject a while back - http://tinyurl.com/287fu7a - if you're interested. In fact, I may have posted this before. If so, please forgive. Anyway, if anyone is enamored of the things, I'm sorry, but so far, I just don't see very much in them to admire. Just "We Say So" isn't enough to convince me. I was alive when asbestos was all the rage. Schools and hospitals were insulated with it because it was fire-retardant, houses were encased in asbestos shingles, floor coverings contained it, it was everywhere. Then in the early 80s, my hospital underwent a "renovation" which didn't result in much in the way of visible improvement, but areas were carefully draped and taped off, and scraping sounds could be heard. Once when some tape gave way, I saw men wearing respirators, working on the ductwork in the ceiling, scraping off some fuzzy-looking material. Hmmmm. Now I wonder how many of them developed mesothelioma. Just because Big Government recommends something today, doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be a wonderful thing, or won't turn around and bite us tomorrow. I really believe that in ten or twenty years, the CFLs will be discontinued, and good old clean incandescents will return. Or maybe there will be something else. Like those annoying, glaring LED lights. Who knows? --Romeena
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82174:
RO- Glad you are feeling better. You last post tells me that! haha
And don't ya just hate these new led Christmas lights?? A few of my neighbors had them up. Sorry, didnt do much for me at all! LOL
Well, keeping my eye on the Prize and loving our
current 47 degree day here in gotham west.
HNY!
MDC (:
December 30, 2010 - Msg 82175:
Hello porch family

Ro...so glad you're feeling better

Tom....just keep Jesus first in your life even when things are not going your way.

Everyone have a good night.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82176:
Pleasant dreams
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82177: Mornin. Been busy the last couple of days but wanted to check in. It has been warm in the 70s and up to 80 all week here...very humid but should cool down again this weekend.

Been taking down and putting away all the Christmas decorations. My tree was starting to smell so had to get rid of it. Hated to do it, though. It was such a pretty tree.

Not much planned for New Year's eve this year..just hang around here with the kids and maybe play some games. What are the rest of you doing?

Romeena, I remember the asbestos lining the hallways in my highschool in the 70s. Did I tell you that Erin's school principle has Mesothelioma? Not sure what is going to happen with him. He is supposed to move to the hill country soon and some of the teachers at the school are leaving, too. I may be homeschooling Erin next year.

Boo
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82178: Morning porch. I wanted to pop in and wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2011. May Gods will become our desires.

Boo, this is the time of year you get to even the score with the weather. We are at 12 degrees here this morning, but with a north breeze the wind chill is -4, We got hit with about 8 inches of snow yesterday. Stinking winter! (jk, it could be worse). I just wanted to say Boo, you are delight to me.

Ro, your rant concerning the CFL's is well deserved. We are being forced into this without much thought as to the concerns of disposal od these things. That will come, I believe, after the change over. Then lookout. Because they have mercury in them, disposing of them is going to be problamatic. Working in an industrial setting as I do we have for years had this issue. You can't just throw them in the trash when they burn out. We have to send them to a recycler, at no small cost. And should you break one in your home, look out. Trust me, this is going to turn into a major issue for homeowners. That's why I think LED technology, although still in its infancy, will take over in time. I have been dealing with these lights a bit the last few years, and have been very impressed with them. The only downside I have seen is the prices of the. But they are starting to slowly come down. Time will tell I reckon.

Well Possum is looking for "the skirt". That must mean party time on the porch. I'll go get my toolbelt. :)

Asa
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82179:
Romeena and Asa, I am also upset about the disadvantages that CFL bulbs provide us. I've been researching some alternatives, such as ESL bulbs (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10354160-1.html)and MagicBulb (http://news.inventhelp.com/Articles/Electronics/Inventions/magicbulb-light-12511.aspx).

Boo, you think you have some strange weather? Here in the midwest, with snow still on the ground, this morning I awoke to the sound of thunder and the flashes of lightning from a heavy thunderstorm. Temperature today is expected in the mid 50's. I knew about this approaching warm front, so after the last snowfall, I didn't shovel.
As for bringing in the New Year, I rely on television. The Turner Classic Movie channel has a Marx Brothers movie marathon scheduled to begin this evening and run all night.

from Poor Horatio
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82180: Well just a quick trouble check porch...happy almost New Year 2011...I got to head back to work for another all nighter...then starting monday day shify m-f for a month!...prayers I will read when I get to work...SPOT
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82181: Good morning, porch! You want beautiful weather? Come to D/FW. It's 61 right now at 11:17 a.m., the sky is crystal clear, bright sunshine, and a very helpful, brisk wind is swirling all the leaves into piles in the corners. Eddie will be so pleased! There are large areas of the yard that are clean and leaf-free.

About the LED Christmas lights, I have mixed feelings there. It depends on the "look" you're going for. If you want warm, homey, traditional - you don't want LED. If you want more formal, frosty, crisp - the LEDs work well. They are definitely not my personal favorites, but there is a large display over in Lake Country -several thousand lights, computer activated and timed to music, on a huge, very formal home. The lights were all LED, and it was beautiful. Wouldn't have been nearly as bright and impressive with traditional lights. I guess there's a place for everything.

I'm still not feeling 100%. Am seriously considering staying home tonight, rather than going to the "Misfits" New Year's Eve party at my friend's house. She and her husband always had a NY party for all their "couple" friends. Then some of us were widowed, but she still included us. Then her own husband passed (Henry) and she has continued to have the party, but not inviting couples anymore, just widows, widowers, and singles for whatever reason. Of course, it's mostly women, but there are some men there as well. It's fun, safe, non-alcoholic and comfortable, as we've all known each other for years. However, I'm not sure I'm going this year. I still don't feel quite up to par. I don't think I'm contagious, haven't had fever since Wednesday night, but still feel, well, just blahh. Maybe it would help if I'd eat something! Haven't eaten in three days, other than a little soup and some cottage cheese last night. Maybe I'll cook up some grits, and then see how I feel later on.

PH, I see large rays of hope in those two links. I'm still going to continue stocking up on my incandescents, but if something else comes along that is acceptable and compliant, I'll use it. The ESL looks especially appealing. I guess we'll see if our government has the good sense to switch over, or if they continue to try to force us to use the CFLs. That would be what I'd expect - once committed to a losing cause, they always tend to push the issue, long after it's dead. It would never occur to Nanny Government to allow any environmentally acceptable bulb to occupy the shelves, and let the people make their choice. I guess it will depend on how deeply key politicians are invested in the CFL industry. Do I sound cynical? Sorry, but I'm old and experienced.

Well, I'm off to cook some grits. Blessings, everyone, and Happy New Year! --Romeena
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82182: Oh, and rest assured - I still believe in America, the American Dream, and I still think America is the greatest country in the world, warts and all. --Romeena
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82183: Happy New Year Porchsters, one and all!
Otis
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82184: Ok, I'll venture out for the party at O'Malley's under one condition.. y'all gotta promise me you won't use me in a New Year's Eve Possum Drop! I'm all dressed up with dangly earring and ky girl's fancy skirt,so shame on ya if you hoist me up on top of a pole at midnight!
Spot has to work, but I've arranged for MDC to drop off some of the Morrison sister's elixir so he can celebrate 2011! Thanks, Man-zierre!
Oh, and thank you Spot for loaning us your portable record player and all your 45s from the 70s- we'll really boogy down to the Osmond Brothers! :)
Happy New Year, y'all!
*******************
possum under a rock
December 31, 2010 - Msg 82185: Happy New Year to all my porch friends. I count you as blessings in my life. Don't forget O'Malleys tonight.

Big Maude
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82186:
Happy New Year to my porch family. I pray you all have the most blessed year ever!
Love and prayers
-REV.
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82187: HAPPY NEW YEAR GANG!..Im at work till 6am...so far so good no poles hit...I will swing by O"Malleys cabin in the morning when I get off work to make sure everyone is ok...ya know get some of yall out from behind the bushes and stuff and i will bring a dumpster to clean up!..Love ya porch!!..SPOT
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82188: Happy New Year my porch family!! I hope 2011 brings much happiness to everyone. O'Malleys tonight? I knew Maude would think of something brilliant. Now, where's my lamp shade last time Asa 'borrowed' it and it took forever to get it back again. You all be safe tonight love and prayers--Salty Dog
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82189:
Happy New Year all!
Let's see now, I have a big incandescent spot light on the possum pole, so I guess we're all set! ha
God bless and prayers for all,
MDC
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82190: $100 dollars a day or more? Wow, Romeena, maybe I should start a cleaning business.
Sorry about you feeling poorly. I had something like stomach flu for about a day last week. Luckily it was short-lived and no nausea. Well, not much anyway. But I did stay home in bed not eating anything for that day.

Well, MIL finally left this morning, after two and about a half weeks. That's too much, for any visitor. For me, anyway.

If you are interested, I put up a video on Youtube that I made for Kai's first birthday in 2000. It was shot very quickly, as I was rushed in making it, and it was quickly edited between two vcr's(that was the extent of my moviemaking equipment back then), so that's why you may see a "play" flash on the screen every now and then.
I wanted to mention this in case you want to see some video of Kai as a baby(and glimpses of her doll "stunt double", oh, and I am in there too a little bit, in one of my loud Hawaiian shirts), I am afraid they will delete the audio for the song I used, as I know the record company has been doing that to some videos. But it is the only song I can use for that video because it is the song I thought up the video for.
I have actually been putting up a bunch of old super-8 movies lately as well that my brother's and I did as youngsters. Some of those are hard to see though.

Oh yeah, to see them, just go to Youtube and in the search bar put in my name: sterlingholobyte just like that with no spaces and all my videos should come up. The one with baby Kai in it is called "Baby's Day Out".

Happy New Year everyone!!

-Sterling Holobyte

January 01, 2011 - Msg 82191: Happy New Year. y'all! I'm still spinning from being lowered down from that pole at midnight- LOL
Sterling,hope you feel better fast & thanks for telling us about the YT video. I've enjoyed the others of yours,so I'll look for these when I get a chance.
Y'all have a good first day of 2011!
*******************
possum under a rock
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82192: Happy New Year and may GOD bless each one of you
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82193: Happy New Year! I sure did enjoy that Youtube video that someone posted of Possum up on that pole. Funny stuff! Good party last night, I even enjoyed Homemakers meatballs this year, I found they taste pretty good if you chew a few bites real quick, swallow it down and then chase it with some of that elixir that someone brought. Thanks Maude for hosting the party, sure hope O'Malley won't get mad when he gets back from Dee-troit. I'm glad Salty got her lampshade back, it was cute watching her and Asa dance. Say, Asa, you're a good dancer!
- Hazel
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82194: Happy 2011 everyone, just stopping by for a minute. Lots going on at my house today, Beth and her friend are making rainbow cupcakes, I have made a big ole crock pot full of chicken tortilla soup and my son and husband are watching football. I am watching some of the rosebowl parade and some football as I go from room to room doing general pick up and put up in the house.

I am bone tired from all that dancing last night. Al sure danced my feet to the bone. Hopefully O'Malley will let us use his cabin again.

Ya'll come by for some soup and cupcakes later.

Prayers and blessings to all.
Big Maude
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82195: A quick howdy and a Happy New Year! Still not feeling too well, just got a very welcome call from the hospital canceling me for tonight, thank the dear Lord. I guess I would have gone, but sure don't feel like it. Now I see that one of my "flying" reindeer has blown over, and I've got to go stand him back up on his little support pole, or his antlers will dig into the dirt when he moves. Always something...

I have a question. Do any of your pets have any reaction to those ASPCA commercials on TV? You know the ones, Sarah MacLachlan sings that haunting song, and all those heartbreaking images of abused animals cross the screen. There was another one before the one featuring Sarah. Well, Toye Starr just HATES them. At the first note, she dashes to the TV, whining, sometimes with nervous little barks, and watches intently. I've tried muting the sound, thinking that was her problem, but while it may be part of it, it's not the whole thing. She still watches the pictures, whining and fidgeting, clearly uncomfortable. I think she has some concept that these animals are unhappy. And here's the clincher - Sugarplum used to do the very same thing! I thought it was just she, as she was very intuitive, but no - even as a youngster, Toye Starr had the same reaction. Are they reacting to the distress I feel when I see those pictures, or is this a Maltese thing, or do all dogs or cats react the same way? Just wondering....

Well, guess I'll go stand that little reindeer up. My other daughter is coming next week, so I'm not even thinking about taking the lights down yet. Blessings, all. --Romeena
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82196:
My dog doesn't have reaction to those, but my wife does. She'll yell, "Change the channel, quick" every time.
Otis
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82197: Happy New Year Porch family:
Just wanted to stop by and say 'THANKS" for the wonderful Christmas cards I received this year. There have been some difficult situations going on...but this is a new year and I am moving on. I will rely on the Lord more, pray more, praise Him more and enjoy the blessings of every day!!! Happy New Year , again. ~New Neighbor
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82198:
Just got in from a day out with my sweet wife and wanted to stop by and say "Happy New Year" to my porch family!

Love and prayers for you all....
-REV.
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82199: Happy New Year to my loving porch family! Hope you and your families are blessed beyond measure in the new year.

Asa, thank you for those kind words. I feel the same way about you, my friend. :-)

Sorry I didn't make it to O'Malley's but needed a low-key evening yesterday. Today was pleasant with lovely weather..cool and sunny with low humidity. I made up some blackeyed peas and sweet and sour cabbage for my mom and dad and took it to them for lunch. Dad's birthday is tomorrow and he will be 84! Bless his old heart...its still beating and his old aortic valve implant is working fine after 31 years.

Came home to find MIL and SIL in a tiff..arguing about some small thing and then SIL decided to start in on my for no reason. Bruce and I had to sit her down and have a very serious talk with her. It is is a difficult situation sometimes. I won't go into the details but I think she will be moving on very soon.

Well, I am going to watch Sterling's videos on Youtube. Talk to you all later.

Boo
January 01, 2011 - Msg 82200:
Hi, good to see New Neighbor (you'll be in my prayers) Hazel, MD, and ALL! Such a joy to see everyone!
Tomorrow is Epiphany for us. I like it because we still sing Christmas carols. Pastor last year was saying how one little Greek word made all the diference regarding when the magi showed up!
It says "they entered the HOUSE," not the stable or the cave. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were now in a house, but whose, for how long? Interesting.
Happy 2011! Love ya,
MDC
January 02, 2011 - Msg 82201: Good late evening, or early morning, to be precise. It's now January 2 already. My, how this year is zipping by! (heehee)

MDC, that "house" distinction is important. Combined with the fact that Herod had all the male children up to two years old killed, I think the general consensus is that the family had been in Bethlehem about two years when the Magi came, and soon thereafter God warned Joseph in a dream to leave and go to Egypt. This is further supported by the fact that it could have taken many months, maybe up to two years, for the Magi to have first observed the star, conferred and studied about it, made preparations for such a journey, and then actually traveled the great distance, with no faster mode of travel than a bunch of camels. A big clue can be found in Matt. 2:7-8. The implication is that the star, while still there, is no longer as radiant as it was on that night, and quite possibly Herod hadn't paid much attention, but the Magi unwittingly tipped him off. When God warned them in a dream, they skipped out on Herod and went home another way. Thus, Herod's crazed "slaughter of the innocents", which fulfilled a prophecy. The flight into Egypt, of course, fulfilled yet another one. Amazing how it all fits together, isn't it?

Well, I'm off to bed. I've slept so much the last three days that now I'm not sleepy at all. Guess I must be feeling better. Maybe I can make it to preachin' in the morning! Blessings! --Romeena
January 02, 2011 - Msg 82202: Congrats to my Falcons!..#1 seed and div. champs!..way to go birds!...SPOT
January 02, 2011 - Msg 82203:
Hello porch family.....I pray you all had a blessed worship day.

Spot....yep the Falcons are looking pretty good.

Boo...I know you and Bruce did the right thing by having a heart to heart talk with the SIL. You can only take so much.

Helped the wife take down the tree today after church. Getting the house back to "normal". Well...we are never "normal" in our house...hehe!

Love and prayers for all my porch family....Jesus sure does love you!
-REV.


January 02, 2011 - Msg 82204: Thanks REV but it sure got rough! The woman really needs help..some counseling with a proffesional at the least. I was ready to send her packing but she calmed down. We are sending her off tomorrow to visit some friends in Killeen for a couple of weeks and we all need it. Sad situation, to be sure. She has four months for make arrangements for another place to live and that's it. It is just getting too hard dealing with her emotional problems and it is causing trouble with the kids and so on. The daily emotional drama is difficult, and as Romeena said, we have enough to deal with already. She was right. If she doesn't abide by our guidlines when she returns from her visit with friends, she will be asked to leave.

Been a beautiful day here in south texas! Went for a walk this afternoon..it was about 60 degrees, the sun was shining and the air was just fresh...I could smell freshly cut grass in the air and just stopped for awhile to sniff it...I know they say you should stop and smell the roses, but I stopped to sniff the grass. ;-) I spent most of my time outdoors today and sat on the porch watching Thelma Lou and the goats grazing. Wish you all could have been with me on this relaxing sunday afternoon...oh, who am I kidding?..I was outside to avoid the emotional junk with SIL. Tomorrow will be a better day. :-)

Better git'..things to be done now.

Boo
January 02, 2011 - Msg 82205: Bless your little heart, boo. It's a fine state of things when you have to leave your house for some peace and quiet. At least you have a place to go - that lovely porch, with a view of animals grazing peacefully - that's a pretty good retreat. God is good. As for SIL, isn't it a shame that people will not show their family the same consideration they would show others? I'll bet she will be on good behavior while visiting the folks in Killeen. She will not abuse their hospitality the way she has abused yours, most likely. If she does, they will probably have no hesitation in asking her to move on, and rightfully so.

I just watched one of my favorite of the dreaded color eps - the one where Opie goes to Arnold's 13th birthday party, and Mary Alice drops him at the last minute for that awful Fred Simpson. Boy, did she learn a lesson! There's one thing I always notice, and I wonder if any of you catch it too. When Opie is asking for a new suit, and Aunt Bee is saying that his old one is still good, Andy helps Opie out. He says something like, "Well, I have noticed that his suit is getting a little quick on him." That term "quick on him" - is something my dad would have said, I've heard it all my life. It means, of course, that the suit is getting too small. How "quick" gets in there, I'm not sure, but that's what it means. Anybody else familiar with the term? I love it when Andy uses terms I know from my country childhood, and it happens a lot.

Back to your SIL, Boo. Don't relent. You and Bruce are doing what must be done. I'll admit she needs help, but you cannot allow that to make you let her destroy or harm your own family. She is functional, even if to a limited degree, so she's capable of understanding an ultimatum when she hears one. She's also capable of behaving when she has to, I think. So do her a big favor and continue to hold the hard line, and force her to do right or else. It must be done.

Well, I need to de-clutter a little around here, and then I'm going to eat a grapefruit. I love those things, especially the delicious Rio Star, the red Texas grapefruit. So sweet! I like them just knife-peeled, sectioned out and eaten plain. Had to have sugar on grapefruit when I was a kid, but can't imagine that now. Just plain, that's the ticket! --Romeena
January 03, 2011 - Msg 82206:
Hi Gang. Good points all Romeena. Also, many think of Herod as a Roman, but he's a Jewish king, and that's why he was so adamant about not wanting to "share" his throne.
SPOt- It's your year brother! My Cards without Warner were like sheep without a shepherd. ha
BOO- your day seemed really neat!!
Guess what, I got a postcard from someone in Baltimore who was here visiting family and they came by to see my display! He said it really worked on his heart, etc etc!! Wow, folks, ya never know what our actions may do!
With the situations in Iraq and Egypt regarding Christians, watch 2011 closely!!
OK, New Year's box back under porch!
Prayers,
MDC
January 03, 2011 - Msg 82207: Good Morning Porch!..25 degrees here in Ga..hey Romeena,Boo,Rev,MDC,Maude,possum,hm,NN,Tom and all...ok...day shift for me this month M-F..If yall go get B-fast would someone swing me a plate by..I aint pickey!....SPOT