April 23, 2014 - Msg 97642: Ok, that was a pretty long post. Though it could have been longer if I would have broken up some of the paragraphs. Even though it looks like I should have done so.
You'll have to forgive the typos also.

Oh yeah, I knew I had a fifth one, I love Gilligan's Island! Yes it is absurd but that is part of what is so funny about it. But I guess you have to like that sort of thing.

-Sterling Holobyte
April 23, 2014 - Msg 97643: So long it even made me sweep the porch!

-SH
April 23, 2014 - Msg 97644: Wow, Sterling, you must be tired! Also, I nearly sprayed my iced tea when I read that line about having to post it to see how long it is. That has a very familiar ring to it! At least your post makes sense, unlike the Affordable Care Act.

You're a very concerned and involved dad, and you can be proud of that. You're now entering the years with Kai where you have to start letting go, just the tiniest bit. You have raised her right, taught her right from wrong, grounded her in the scriptures, and now you'll have to start trusting her. In a frighteningly few years, she will be making all her own decisions, and won't have to consult you at all. She may, but she won't have to. In this case, she was going with her grandmother, so presumably at least a little good judgment was being used. In a few years she will be driving, and going with people who have no more experience than she has, and they can easily go to a movie that would make "Noah" look like a tea party.

Sorry, dad, I'm just calling 'em as I see 'em, and as I've experienced it. She is going to do some things that will put gray hairs on your head, and scare you to death. She's going to make at least a few terrible choices. She's a kid. There is no teacher like experience. You wouldn't know how it feels to get a burn if you had never touched a hot stove. Fortunately, most blisters and bruises heal, and leave no trace except a memory, otherwise known as "experience."

Did her grandmother have any reason to believe you wouldn't have approved? Is it possible that Kai may have led her to believe it would be okay? Is it possible that Kai herself thought it would be okay? Do you habitually expect everyone to seek your stamp of approval before they do anything that involves Kai, so they should have known not to go without asking you? Once again, experience is the best teacher, and it sounds like you learned a little bit about trusting Kai, like Andy did about trusting Opie - you said so yourself.

Bless your little heart, daddy. You have a precious little daughter, and like most dads, you have a fierce protectiveness toward her, and that's wonderful. It's also very difficult. You want her to be pristine, perfect, almost angelic. Well, having raised four kids, two of them girls, and having watched their dad go through the same wringer you're entering now, I can tell you this - Kai will not reach adulthood without some bumps and bruises. She will make some mistakes. You will suddenly become hopelessly old-fashioned and un-cool. She'll misuse her new-found freedom as she gets older, but she'll learn. Suddenly, you'll get smart again, and develop a new coolness in her eyes, and she will love you all the more for patiently holding her coat as she fought some battles, and for being there to continue loving her when she needed it most.

It's not unlike our relationship with the Lord. He has given us His Word, instructed us on the wisest paths to take, but we do as we please anyway, and then wonder why we get into trouble. When Dale died, I fought God, screamed at Him, questioned how He could DARE take Dale from me. All the while, He let me run on, and then when I was finally exhausted, after a couple of years, He was there when I was ready to return. God is a picture of what every father-child relationship on earth should be.

Well, I've rambled a bit myself. Let's post this one to see what's in it. --Romeena
April 23, 2014 - Msg 97645: My dear friend, Sterling...welcome to the young-teen-girl years. We are in the same boat. ;) Ro's got some good advice, and I happen to know she has a couple of terrific daughters who made it to adulthood and are doing well. God is on our side. :)

Sterling, did the doc (or whatever she was), tell you to come back for a follow-up after your antibiotic?

True about God, Ro, just as a marriage relationship should be symbolic of Christ and his love and care for the church.

Boo
April 23, 2014 - Msg 97646: Thank you, Boo. I think they're pretty terrific too, and they're both very good mothers in their own right. In fact, I just finished a two-hour conversation with Heather, telling me the news about Travis, her middle son. He's a freshman at San Marcos, and is involved in drama and music. I've told you about him before. Sings like an angel, perfect pitch, and can act, too. In fact, he's got the lead role in a production by the Fredericksburg Theater Company, of "The Fantasticks." Not only that, he auditioned for a part in "Rent", with the college theater company. To his shock and joy, he is one of six who have been called back for another audition - for the role of Roger! That hasn't happened yet, so we don't know if he'll get it, but just to be called back for a second audition for that role, by a college theater that's as well respected as Texas State, is a real honor. He's so excited!

Well, I'm hungry, it's 9 pm, so I guess I'd better go eat something. I've been on the phone all evening. My SIL called after I started this post, and we talked for another half hour. My ear is mildewed, I think. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97647: Yes, Romeena, I realized they sounded similar myself and was going to make a note about the unaffordable care act, but I thought those who will get it will get it.

As for the rest of your post, yeah, I know Kai is growing up and all that. And I don't micro-manage every bit of her life. Or at least I try not to.
But as for movies, yes, I do want to know what they are going to see. I may trust Kai more now, but I don't trust hollywood one iota.
As for her grandma, well, I don't think she has the greatest discernment from what I know and seen of her.
And besides, I know she is going to do whatever Kai wants to do. But that is typical grandmother stuff. My mom does the same with Kai and Noah. That's why they like it so much over there. And that's why we must continue to be parents, and "keep temptation away." Ok, another TAGS reference. :)
I do appreciate your thoughtful, and sound, advice, Romeena.

Thank you, Boo, for your comments as well.
And yes, I think I mentioned in my post that I would have to see them - maybe that whole group - again in two weeks for a followup. Is Erin feeling better?

-Sterling Holobyte


April 24, 2014 - Msg 97648:
Hi all, lots of "heavy" discussion suddenly on the porch. (why are things heavier in the future?)
(Line from BTTF.)
So, on a "lighter" note, I watched episode 1 today,
and barney mentions being Andy's cousin, yet neither
one ever mentions their folks having any brothers
or sisters. Or did they? (Aunt bee raised Andy, so she was his great aunt I think.)
BOO and RO, do you realize that all three Texas basketball teams (Rockets, Spurs, and Mavs) are all in the playoffs!
GF and ASA, I bet you guys keep Grainger pretty busy! ha
Prayers,
MDC
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97649: Hey Romeena,SH,MDC,Boo !..and all the porch...well had a good tenn.e trip...home now and back to work...ok...let me git busy...breakfast at I-HOP on boo and I....SPOT
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97650: Yes Ro, I do remember you telling us about Travis but I had no idea he was already in college...boy, the time flies. Glad he is doing so well!

Yes, Erin is fine now, thanks for asking Sterling. :) She just finished her STAAR testing in school yesterday (standardized testing), and she said it was easy, so hopefully she passed. She is still doing very well in school and I never really hear any complaints. She seems to have chosen well, as far as friends she associates with. Only about another month of school left in the year, though, and she is going to be bored this summer.

I didn't realize that about the basketball teams, MDC. I don't follow sports but that surprises me. I never thought of Texas as much of a basketball state.

Hey to SPOT!

Boo
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97651: Good morning porch pals.

Wow Romeena, you are a wise woman. The thoughts you offered to Sterling are spot on. I think the Daddy/ Daughter relationship is a special one, and it is such a difficult thing to see them mature and make the inevitable mistakes we all make. But eventually they get through it and if us Dad's have done it right, will again have that wonderful relationship with them. I have two adult daughter's who I love more than life and have a wonderful relationship with. We still have "Daddy / Daughter dates" on a regular basis. I struggled mightily when they met fellows they wanted to marry. There was not anyone anywhere good enough for my "little dumplings" to marry. And early on my relationship with my eventual sons-law were strained because I could see right through the phony bug gers. But I knew I had to let my daughter's go. They both married well and now I have to wonderful sons-law. We all chuckle now at those earlier periods. Both daughters now have daughters of their own, and their daddy's are every bit as protective as I was. It will be a few years before their daughter's reach the dating age and their daddy's have to deal with the growing pains that come with a family, but I am confident that they will deal with it ok.

MDC, Yessir, I am a regular at Grainger and at Johnstone Supply. First name basis with them. Also with Codale Electric, Christensen Electric Motor, Jerrys Plumbing Specialists, and numerous other vendors.

Well I see my Doctor at 10:00 this morning. I am pretty sure he can get me feeling better and walking straight again. It usually takes a day or two after he has tweaked me back into alignment to get feeling better, but by Monday I should be doing a lot better. I hope so, cause I am miserable right now.

Prayers for all for a blessed day.

Asa
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97652: Yes, MDC Like Asa, Grainger was one of my "regulars" they were really great to deal with. They truly have their ducks in a row...Very efficient, and if what you wanted was not in stock, it was their by 10:00 the next morning.
I also dealt a lot with HD Supply (Home Depot Commercial division) except I think they hired monkeys to fill the orders... I had problems with misfiled and incomplete orders. Their problem was if they had the item "in their system" at another location it was not considered a "back order" but you did not know when it would come, so the order would be in limbo to process.... Enough about that, I don't have that on my list these days to be concerned about! Now I have more important things like getting low on bird feed and corn for the squirrels..haha But I still like my trips to Lowes for my "projects"! I prefer Lowes to Home Depot because I know my way around there better + it's closer than HD...
Better go...my squirrels are knocking at my door to remind me that they are out of corn...

G-F....
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97653: Hi all.
G-F it look like time for you t go see a DR. about squirrels knocking at the door. yo are a sick man.

TOM

April 24, 2014 - Msg 97654: TOM, I told them I was all out of corn today, so I gave them a Mr. Cookie bar instead...haha

I have been thinking about the recent posts about dealing with raising kids, I agree with Romeena's advice and how our kids measure up when they have kids of their own, sorta makes a Dad feel good when they remember certain events in their lives, and how they deal with things with their own children... Like when my Daughter reminds me of "The LOOK" I would give them when got into trouble. They knew better than to go beyond that "LOOK" because Dad says what he means, and means what he says.... Yes, she has used that one too with hers... Go figure, it works! But then again there's the other side where you have to let go some and hope & pray they make the right decisions. Not easy that parenting stuff, sometimes it takes years & years to see the impact we have on them. Because it does make us who we are... Sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes a bad thing...... The best we can do is.. "The Best We Can Do".... I'm just sayin'

G-F again
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97655: G-F, you're so right. You think you're not making a dent in their hard little heads, and then you end up in a conversation like I had with my daughter last night. She actually said, "Mom, how did you put up with me? And now I hear your voice when I'm talking to my kids, and I'm saying what you said to me." I picked up on that cue, and told her that the voice she heard wasn't really mine, it was my own mother's voice, and my dad's mother's voice, all filtered through me. Now she's "channeling" all of us, for lack of a better term. Truth, especially when God is in it, will always endure. Thank you, Lord.

Gotta run, Eloise is on her way over and we're going to an estate sale. Sounds like a lot more fun than digging in that "stuff" up in the bedrooms, and trying to find a place to put it away. I think I'm an overgrown, over-age juvenile delinquent. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97656: Romeena, Just don't buy one of those motorsickle things at the estate sale, Lord knows we don't need more Seniorvenile delinquents buzzing around hoopin' & hollerin' and carrying on...lol....G-F
April 24, 2014 - Msg 97657: No, G-F, I didn't buy one of those sickle things, because I'm sure I'd just fall off of it. However, I did buy a rubber mallet. It was only $2, and I always wanted one of those! Seriously, around the garden, it will be great for hammering stakes into the ground for various purposes, without shattering them like a steel hammer will do.

We actually went to two estate sales, within a few blocks of each other, but didn't find much. Depending on what you're looking for, estate sales can be great, or not so good. At one of them, if someone was looking for garden tools, they would have been thrilled. They had every kind of hoe, rake, spade, shovel, whatever, that you could want. I don't need anything like that, I've got it all, but they had some nice stuff, and it was all $6 or less. That's where I bought my mallet.

I like to buy baking dishes, covered casseroles and serving dishes, if I can get them cheap enough. Usually at estate sales they're priced too high, but I find them cheap at regular garage sales now and then. I've got plenty of my own, but I like to have those on hand, and when our SS class is taking food to someone, I use one of those dishes and tell the recipient I don't want the dish back, but hope that when they're able, they'll fill it and pass it along to someone else. Makes it easier on everyone, including me, and ultimately multiplies the sharing.

Well, it's been a long day. A fun day, but a long one, and I've still got piles of stuff to be sorted and put away. Oh, I did buy a pretty little decorative metal rack, with four shelves, like a very narrow baker's rack. I need a place to store a large collection of old stereo albums, the big ones. Right now they're in boxes, which makes them hard to get to when I want to play them, and they're taking up closet space. Now I'll put them on that rack, where they'll be accessible, and out of the closet! It was very reasonable at $35 and David went by and picked it up for me and brought it to the house. It wouldn't fit in Eloise's car. I've got a good spot for it, either in the sunroom or in one of the bedrooms, haven't decided which yet. So, it was a good day.

Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
April 25, 2014 - Msg 97658: Good Friday morning porch family.

I got my pelvis adjusted yesterday and am hopeful to be feeling better soon. It usually takes a day or two to loosen up. I sure hope so cause I am about to go stir crazy. I am so swamped at work and at home with things to do. And I let it prey on my mind. I need to take Barneys advice and just let my mind go blank. But I find that hard to do. One good thing is there is a cool front blowing in this afternoon that is bringing in rain and cool temps for a few days. That will be a huge help for me. I have lawns at 6 different properties that need sprinkling systems turned on and repairs no doubt made. But a good rain will bide me some time. Thank you Lord.

So it looks like another day of watching Gunsmoke and Bonanza on tv. Not much else I can do.

Well I best go take a back pill. I feel a little like Emma Watson. I may even go jaywalking later on just to really get into character. Yep, that's the plan. Back pill, tv, jaywalking. Yessir, that's what I think I'll do. Take a back pill, watch some tv, and go jaywalking...

Asa
April 25, 2014 - Msg 97659: Glad you got your pelvis adjusted, Asa. Bonanza and Gunsmoke? yuk. Try some Little House.

Oh, it's been a fun morning here. Erin woke me at 5:30...vomiting and diarrhea again, and a fever this time. I don't know how to keep this child well. Since I put her in public school, she catches some kind of bug every two weeks. I have a dr's appointment for her this afternoon. I am frustrated. At least she got through the standardized testing earlier in the week before getting sick again.

Boo
April 25, 2014 - Msg 97660: Good morning, porch. Asa,I hope your back gets much better today. Remember though, if you're going to get into Emma Watson's character completely, you'll have to bake a few pies and put them on the windowsill to cool. Let me know if you make a lemon one, or a coconut creme.

Joe and George are coming today, to plant three more flats of color, do a little weeding and plant all my amaryllis bulbs that bloomed in the house in January and February. I love planting them outside after they've done their spectacular winter thing. They'll go quiet for the summer, and then since they're not being forced indoors, they'll bloom beautifully in the yard next spring. Right now, I've got several clumps of them in the yard, leftovers from winters in the past. There's a big, gorgeous red clump right below my window, and they're just so pretty.

Toye Starr is all in a snit, because I'm up and dressed early (for me) and I've been talking on the phone. To her, that means I'm making plans to go somewhere and she thinks she'll be left alone. She won't, not today. I do have to go to the garden center, but she can go with me. The owner is my neighbor, and he usually holds her for me while I shop. He's a neat guy. He tries to make people think he's a grouchy old curmudgeon, but nobody believes him. He's actually one of the kindest-hearted people I know. Once one of those little traveling carnivals set up on the parking lot of the shopping center where his store is. They had a half-grown elephant, chained right out in the hot sun (August), with no shelter, and no water. The poor thing was just rocking back and forth, and would trumpet now and then. It was miserable! John went over and talked to the owner about providing it some shelter and water, and was told to buzz off. Well, he buzzed off, all right. He buzzed right to the police and animal control. A couple of hours later, a canvas shelter was put up to shade the poor elephant, and a huge tub of water appeared. An officer told John the carnival owner had been ordered to make the corrections that day, or his elephant would be seized by animal control, and his license to operate his carnival in the city would be pulled. I hope he learned something.

Sterling, you are so right. Parents cannot fail to be vigilant. One would think that grandmothers could be trusted to be just as vigilant, but I get the feeling that such is not the case for you. That puts more of the responsibility on you. However, you've taught Kai well. I'm betting she saw right through the scriptural errors in "Noah." Trust her, Sterling. Be vigilant, but trust the truth you've put in her heart.

Well, I need to get busy. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
April 25, 2014 - Msg 97661: Asa, Good to hear you had your "Pelvic Manipulation Emancipation" now maybe you can get some relief.... That's right, sit back relax, watch some Gunsmoke, & Bonanza take your Aleve, and just "air out your mind"...That's what I used to call it when I went sailing in my little sailboat, yep a good air flow between the ears was a good Rx. Yep, being "still" does a body good, sorta like chicken soup for the brain.
"Being still" has been a tough lesson for me to learn since I retired, but trust me it's GREAT!
Sorry for your work-load, trust me, I know how it prays on your mind...Just don't resort to the jaywalking unless you run into Jay Leno, then it's ok to respond with a "intelligent" answer to his questions...haha

Boo, Sorry to hear you have a sick one again, but your right, in public school there is ALWAYS SOMETHING going around for them to catch & bring home..I think Roseanna Danna said it right: "It's always something"!!!

Romeena, Now that you have that rubber hammer, when things aren't working right you can give it a whack with your rubber hammer first before you "Call the Man!" Might be the best $2.00 you've ever spent... The skill part comes into play by knowing just WHERE to whack it.. Amen Asa?

G-F
April 25, 2014 - Msg 97662: G-F just go and gave ASA a helping hands on all his work.
MR.BIG MOUNIS.

TOM

April 25, 2014 - Msg 97663: good night porch

April 26, 2014 - Msg 97664: BOO--OREGANO! :)
April 26, 2014 - Msg 97665:
ASA and GF--the reason I asked about Grainger is because
I've contributed a little to their till as well! They have been airing a radio commercial about having 40,000 kinds of filters. Bet they have one to fit that diesel generator up on the mountain.
That's it, GF and i could do your fuel run for ya Asa!
RO-- You should post some garden pics on FB for all of us to see, BOO, possum and i are getting
tired of talking about SPOT's bellbottoms! haha
Maudie, how is the big decision making going at
work?? You are still in my prayers.
ALL-- I am a little concerned about Pappabear. He hasnt
answered my last two letters, and his cell number has been discontined. I really wonder if he has passed. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks.
God bless,
MDC

April 26, 2014 - Msg 97666: Good evening, porch. It was a long day, but productive. Joe and George were here, they planted lots of color, including eight "Sundrops" plants around the pond. Sundrops is a pretty little thing, kind of "ferny" looking, but puts on lots of very bright lemon-yellow flowers. I've had one plant, in a pot sitting on the perimeter of the rose island, for about three years. It survives the brutal summer heat as long as it gets enough water, and it made it through the icy 14° assault this past winter. With that in mind, I figured it would be an economical long-term provider of color around the pond. MDC, I'll be happy to post some pictures on Facebook. Thanks for asking. I'll try to get that done tomorrow.

I did a little modification on the netting over the pond. I'm far from finished with that project, but what I did today "neatened" it up a bit. There's still a lot to do, but I bought some time with what I did today. One of these days, I'll get that project finished. All because of that wretched, long-legged, pointy-beaked, fish-murdering bird! I'd just love to yank a knot in his old long neck, but if I had my hands on him, I know I wouldn't do it. I just wish he'd stay over in the river bottom where he belongs, and eat frogs and little snakes, and leave my beautiful little fish alone. How on earth did he ever even find my little pond? Despicable bird.

I hope Pappabear is okay, but I share your concern. It doesn't sound good. Is there anyone you could contact to inquire about him? Didn't he use the computer at his local library? Maybe someone there would have some information.

Well, guess I'll put this aching body in the bed. I did more physical exertion than I normally do today, and I'm feeling it. It's good for me, though. I need to do more. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
April 26, 2014 - Msg 97667: MDC yer funny !..Morning gang!..great day here in Ga...im working the day shift (but at least its OT today)..hey Romeena hope you slept well..hey possum,TOM,Boo,GF,Asa and all....breakfast menu:2 eggs your way,country ham,grits,sausage,bisquits and gravy,Oj,coffee....ready at 8:00 EST...dont be late !..prayers to all..SPOT
April 26, 2014 - Msg 97668: John Masters, Our Indians played well against your Royals especially the "New Kid" pitcher. They are out on the west coast playing the Giants, when I went to bed they were lousing 4-2, don't know how it ended. MDC & SPOT how are your D-backs & Braves doing?

SPOT, how was Gatlinburg? Mrs. G-F & I would like to go back there, maybe next month... Nice place, if we can get there before the crowds do.

G-F....
April 26, 2014 - Msg 97669: "SPOT's bellbottoms.."...that's funny MDC.

How did I know the "Oregano" comment was coming? ;)

Up too early on a Saturday because I have to take a CPR course at the college, for my clinical stuff. YAWN!

Boo
April 26, 2014 - Msg 97670: Have fun kissing them dummies Boo. Just be careful if they kiss you back. ;)

Sorry fellas, but we got power run to the tower last month so no more fuel runs. I do have a couple of shovels with your names on them. You in?

Asa
April 26, 2014 - Msg 97671: Good mornin' y'all! Haven't read any posts in a few days,so hoping all is well on the Porch. I'll get caught up soon,hopefully.

Been busy planting flowers and getting my rock all spruced up for Spring-boy,the pollen got me good yesterday! Terrible sinus pressure headache. You ever seen a possum with a headache? LOL

Anywhoo.. hope everyone has a great Saturday!

*******************
possum under a rock
April 26, 2014 - Msg 97672: Asa, I'm in UNLESS your shovels REMOTELY RESEMBLE a snow shovel... I have seen ENOUGH of them for quite alooong time! A snow shovel my be a novel approach for MDC, I bet he hasn't seen many of them in his parts...haha(You supplyin' the Aleve?)
I'm kinda slow this morning, now I get your reference to Boo kissing dummies... I had to back up to her post.. Duh!

Tom, How's Sis doing, is she on the mend and doing ok?

G-F


April 26, 2014 - Msg 97673: Hi All.
G-F she comming alone slow for and she hoping to be back to doing thing with no help!
Thank for asking about her

TOM

April 26, 2014 - Msg 97674: Good afternoon, porch. Tom, I'm glad your sister is recovering well. The recovery from shoulder surgery is usually slow and frustrating, but she'll make it. It takes a lot of patience.

Not much happening around here today. I need to get up and get busy, but I'm just not in the mood. I think I'll take the camera out back and see if I can get some decent pictures. It's cloudy, just a general gray overcast, but warm and a little breezy. The sun peeks out now and then, so maybe I can find some windows of opportunity. The flowers show much better with just a little sun. Too bright, and the colors wash out, but what I'm seeing out there right now is soft light, so maybe this is my chance.

Later, taters. --Romeena
April 26, 2014 - Msg 97675: I didn't have to kiss any dummies, Asa. It was CPR for health care givers so we got to use the masks. :) Not a bad class but kind of long. The instructor was the fire chief and a paramedic with many years of service so he had some really good things to teach on the first aid portion of the class. I enjoyed it.

I have made a list of my top 3 favorite food flavors.... 1)the heart of the celery 2)stuffed green olives, and 3) raw pecans. Just sayin'.

Boo


April 27, 2014 - Msg 97676: Interesting list, Boo. I like them all. Not sure they would be my top three, but they'd be high up there, especially the pecans. I grew up eating them, because my grandpa had five pecan trees. They were all native pecans, hard little bullets that took a flat rock and a hammer to crack, and infinite patience to pick the meats out, but once you did, the flavor was intense. No wonder the squirrels like them!

That sounds like an interesting CPR class. I've had the whole spectrum of those classes. The one they taught in nursing school, so we could work in our clinicals, was long, in-depth and boring. The re-cert classes at the hospital over the years were about five hours, too much emphasis on counting. and a lot depended on who was teaching. Then there was the one at the high school, conducted by a football coach. He made sure we could inflate the dummy's chest, asked about five questions, signed our cards, took our $20 and we were out of there. Took about twenty minutes. My certification has expired, so if I want to renew, I'll have to start with the basic class, I can't just renew. Yuck.

MDC, I posted those pictures on Facebook, as promised. Wish I had done it a few days ago, when the irises were in their prime. They're starting to play out now.

I'm not feeling too well. I think I ate something that didn't settle well. Think I'll go to bed. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
April 27, 2014 - Msg 97677:
Thanks RO, I'll check them out.
I sent an email to our Floyd because PB was head of a TAGSRWC chapter. Asked if he's heard from him lately.
Blusterly winds here today, sending all our pollution toward NM! ha
Good Sabbath to all,
MDC
April 27, 2014 - Msg 97678: It was an interesting class, Ro. First thing the guy told us he wasn't going to waste our time by making us watch a bunch of videos, he was just going to teach us from experience. He definitely shared some things I didn't know..particularly about potential injury in car accidents, and about drowning. He talked about the difference in salt water and fresh water drownings, when to and not-to rescue, what happens in the lungs when just a little water is aspirated. All I can say is that if I ever drown, I hope it's in fresh water! That's all I'll say about that.

I have to miss preachin' again today. St. Susan called and said mom had a bad day yesterday and I am going to go sit with her this morning while susan teaches children's church. Mom has urinary tract infection and it is making her kind of confused, etc...it happens with the elderly sometimes.

Sorry you were feeling poorly, Ro. Hope you are better today.


Boo
April 27, 2014 - Msg 97679:
Boo-soo sorry about your mom's UTI. Yes, if the elderly don't drink like they should, that can indeed be an issue, as well as their sedentary lifestyle. Bactrim always had helped my mom, and
as as many fluids, vit c, etc that i could get her to drink! Without sounding trite, she was often my sunday "church" if you know what I mean.
Prayers,
MDC

April 27, 2014 - Msg 97680: Good afternoon, porch! I'm feeling okay today. Just a light touch of one of those bugs, I think. I'm so grateful, because I very, very rarely get really sick. I haven't had a plain old cold in years, I never have a headache (since I quit consuming artificial sweeteners in any form) and the last time I can remember being really ill is when I had a strep throat about five or six years ago. I'm not counting the back surgeries, that's a whole different animal. I'm talking about transmissible illness.

Boo, I hope your mom gets to feeling better soon. UTIs are miserable, as most of us know. You're absolutely right, adequate hydration is absolutely necessary, but I know how hard that can be with the elderly. They'll take little kitty-sips of fluids and then push it away. Very frustrating.

Ha! Sometimes I'm surprised when I hear myself referring to "the elderly." At almost 75, I think I qualify for that distinction. So far, I don't think I've fallen into the habits so often displayed by "the elderly", but then again, maybe I have and just don't know it. Maybe all those years of working with old folks made me a bit more vigilant. I guess time will tell!

MDC, I love your reference to caring for your mom ad your "Sunday church." I think you're absolutely right, and there could be no better ministry. "Honor thy father and thy mother" is, after all, one of the Ten Commandments. I once had an uber-pious woman (a patient) dare to criticize me for working on a Sunday morning. She saw my little Christian Fish ring, and asked if I was really a Christian. I told her I surely was, and she then asked me why I wasn't in church. I told her it was my Sunday to work, and she declared that true Christians should not work on the Sabbath. I kept my cool, gave the impression that I was considering her advice, and then said, "Perhaps you're right. Of course, you realize that would mean that all your care-givers this morning would be unbelievers, not a God-follower in the bunch, but if that's okay with you, then as I said, you could be right." She had the grace to look startled, and then said, "Well, I never thought about it like that." I changed the subject.

I've been plagued with those tiny moths for the past few weeks. Seems every night there's one flying around. I kill them, but then there will be another one. They're what my mom called "pantry moths", so I took the hint and tackled my pantry just now. Two of the shelves are fairly deep, and there were things in the back that probably could vote. Sure enough, I discovered a box of oatmeal that was obviously very old, and had signs of moth occupation. I removed the lid and discovered a scary scene! They had a little "moth metropolis" in there. I put the lid back on, got a big trashbag from the garage, and cleaned that pantry out! Everything that wasn't in a jar or a can went out, out, out! Wasted some crackers and stuff that were probably okay, but I'm taking no chances. I've got to change my buying habits. It's just so hard, after all those years of stocking up and cooking for a big family. I need to buy in singles, not two or three of things. Maybe I'll get it right some day.

Well, guess I'll go make me a glass of tea, and put my feet up for a while. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
April 27, 2014 - Msg 97681: Glad your feeling better Romeena. I was afraid one of them moths layed an egg in your hair and made you go crazy. You know they rank right up there with bats. So be careful.

Boo, sorry your Mom is ailing. My Dad used to get those UTI's and they really messed up his thinking. I hope she gets better soon.

Well although my back is improved from where it was, I am still in a lot of pain. Still having a hard time standing straight. I have got to get to work tomorrow to at the very least get some monthly reports filled out and turned in. Frustrating is the word of the day for me I reckon. Oh well. That is life, through and through.

Prayers for all.

Asa
April 27, 2014 - Msg 97682: Thanks, MDC. Mom is allergic to Bactrim, unfortunately, but is on something that should be effective. It is really hard to get her to drink enough because she resists drinking because it means she has to get up and go to the bathroom more often. Poor mom.

Glad you are feeling better, RO! I know what you mean about those sweetners. I made the mistake of drinking a diet drink a couple of weeks ago, and talk about a whopper of a headache...no fun.

If it means anything to you, Ro, I don't think of you as elderly, either.

gotta run...going for a drive with my hubby..be back later..

Boo
April 27, 2014 - Msg 97683: MDC....Your a FINE Son...I remember those times with my Mom too, I always looked at it as "paying it back" for all she did for me, she just paid it forward, as all Moms do. I always think of her when I watch Jeopardy & Wheel of Fortune, those were HER shows I always stayed until they both were over. I think someone wrote a song or poem called "Paid in Full" about that subject....

Yep, Paid in Full!.....

Boo, You hang in there too with your Mom, hope she gets some comfort.

Asa, I was just thinking... Didn't Barney get that stretching device from you? Maybe you should get it back from him and try that... Just a thought....Might Work...
Might NOT!.....

Romeena... Elderly? No,...Senioriffic is more like it...I'm just sayin'

G-F
April 27, 2014 - Msg 97684: Wanted to come back and tell you I will be praying for you, Asa...I am really sorry you are in pain with your back. Hang in there, Buddy.

Boo
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97685: Thanks, Boo, and G-F. The calendar doesn't lie, but I don't feel "elderly." Stiff and creaky, yes, but not elderly. My hair is silver, and I don't care. Not going down that hair-coloring road, too much trouble. I'm not badly wrinkled, though I probably would be if I lost the weight I need to lose. I've got so many sun-spots (I refuse to call them age spots) that I look like a Dalmatian, but they just tell me that I've had a lot of fun in the outdoors. I will boldly ask for senior discounts just about anywhere, and you'd be surprised who offers them, if you ask. So - age isn't a bad thing. It does have its perks.

Asa, I can definitely sympathize, and empathize, with you and your back pain. It can put you out of commission quickly, and it doesn't care what all you have to get done. I'll be praying that it gets straightened out very soon.

Well, I'm off to bed. Toye Starr has already gone to the bedroom, and is sitting in there by the end of the bed, where she can see me. I can feel the tiny daggers. She needs me to come and put her up on the bed, as she can't get up there by herself. I wish I could find her some functional steps but nobody sells any that are tall enough. Believe me, I've looked!

Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97686: Ha! Couldn't resist checking Google once more for those pet stairs, and this time, I found some that are tall enough. Problem is, with tax and shipping, they'll run nearly $200. Out of the question right now. Maybe someday. Or maybe I'll drop a hint to the kids and they can go together and give them to us for Christmas. I don't need a thing for myself, and would be thrilled with those steps for my little sidekick. I bookmarked the website for future reference. --Romeena
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97687:
ASA--so sorry that you are having the misery in your back!
Could be from the way your gun holster hangs so c@ck-eyed! ha A hot shower each AM and PM does wonders for my back, plus the chiro visit every other week. Best $25 I spend. She gets me into some sort of pretzel hold, and presses down on me, and I'm good to go! (The chiropractic procedure isnt too bad either! HA lol)
RO and GF--a nurse practitioner for my mom's medicare plan once called me the quintessential son! I beamed for a week. Sometimes those little compliments made all the difference. I think of Jesus asking why only one of the ten healed lepers came back to thank him? Nice day yesterday and today here. In the high 70s! yes!
SPOT--thanks for that harty breakfast! I couldnt even PICK UP a shovel after that spread! Asa has those "shovel ready" jobs, ya know! ha
TOM and GF-- D-backs have the worst record in bball right now, but they are finally winning a few. Got my cap on inside-out. har
Have a good week all! Jesus loves us this we KNOW! Alleluia
MDC
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97688: Prayers for storm path victims....storms are headed my way here in ga...lets hunker down and be tough....SPOT
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97689: Good morning, Porch. Hope you all slept well.

I forgot to mention that it got up to 103 degrees yesterday in Corpus Christi. Good grief! Already?! I think it is going to feel like Arizona here this summer, only with high humidity. Yuck.

Ro, I turn 52 this summer and I am still blond from a bottle. I don't have much gray hair yet, but when I do, I am letting it go gray/silver. I don't think I have age spots yet but, boy do I have lots and lots of freckles now. Not on my face, but on my arms and legs. I can see my skin aging year by year, especially since we moved out here and I am outdoors a lot more.

Speaking of getting older, Bruce is getting his first colonoscopy this week! haha...he will be drinkin' the citrate and spending lots of time on the potty.

Better go check on Erin...back to school. I cant believe she will be out for summer in a month. She is gonna drive me nuts with her boredom.

Boo
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97690: Boo... Be sure to tell Bruce of G-F's "Go To" phrase...."This to shall pass".. ha! Kinda feel sorry for him because he is one of my kind....
WoW 103 degrees in April? Yep, sounds like it's gonna be ha HOT one out your way this year! Better get an A/C app for your phone.

Romeena, About the gray hair thing, since mine is mostly white with gray mixed in, I look at it as the color of "Experience" I earned everyone of them! You can't get that from or in a bottle. Just sayin'....

Hunker down SPOT we'll send food, sounds like a long day your way...

G-F
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97691: Happy Monday porch, here at work today with a busy day ahead. it is raining today with storms expected off and on according to the weather people.

had a kind of lazy week end. Mr. Maude was attending a 2 day seminar in Johnson City so he could get his CEU's. I just did housework stuff and did a little cooking. went to Sunday school and church yesterday and then walked 3 miles on the ole treadmill. I am trying to get back into
the walking 4-5 x a week routine.

MDC, work has settled down a bit for now. My business partner has decided NOT to stop working for now. He has a lot going on at home and I think he has decided work is a good distraction from all of that. He will retire before me anyway and then we will have to make a decision about our little 2 person business but for now all is ok. thanks for asking.

Lunch menu will be: roast beef sandwhiches, pickles, SLAW, chips. brownies for dessert. lemonade or tea to drink.

Prayers and blessings to all!
Big Maude
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97692: Morning Porch.

Well went back to work this morning but I am leaving early. Got a doctors appointment for this afternoon. And I woke to a big surprise. Snow! Yep, a dusting of snow on the ground. I knew it had cooled off some, but wasn't expecting this. Snow in April ain't to unusual for us though.

Well Boo, I hope Bruce does ok with his test. And the test results are ok. The prepping is the worst part. The actual "look see" isn't to big a deal, although it just ain't natural! :)

Thanks for all the well wishes for my back. It's been gimpy for a number of years, but the last 7 or 8 years this Doctor has been able to get me feeling better quick. I sure hope he can again. Right now I'm useless at work. I hate that feeling.

Big Maude, glad you don't have to make any big decisions for a while yet. But best start making plans for what will be an eventuality it sounds like.

GF, I loved your line about Bruce "he is one of my kind". You are always good for a laugh buddy. Trouble is when I laugh it makes my back hurt. DOG-GONE YOU GF! :)

Asa
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97693: Asa, I would almost rather have snow. We have the cold for it anyway. At least it would be prettier, and we could go out and do stuff in it. But all we have is rain. Supposed to be all week. Yuck. Never been a big fan of rain. And when you add rain + cold? = miserable.

The wife just left for another business trip for the week. This time to South Dakota. Hoped to get some things done outside while she is gone, but if the weather keeps up like this, it won't be happening.

-Sterling Holobyte

-Sterling Holobyte
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97694: Didn't know I already added my John Hanc*ck there. Oh well, two Sterling Holobytes are better than one, they say. Or maybe they didn't say it. I think I did.

-Sterling Holobyte
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97695: (Asa don't read This!) Sterling, It was a subliminal double post, you see one SH stays home cooks, cleans & takes care of the kids while the wife goes on another business trip, while the other SH goes fishing or what ever else turns your "Secret Walter Mitty" on.
Just a thought from a bird in this world's eye view. ha...

G-F (Raining + Cold here too)....
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97696: Hey there.
Now you all may me fine down.
G-F you said send all the snow to you! ASA said send all he rain his way.
And keep it a way from here I do not want to see it.

TOM

April 28, 2014 - Msg 97697: Rats! That means my "other" is having all the fun, because I am still here, the lousy fink.

-Sterling Holobyte(only one of them)
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97698: I just love this porch! Always good for a laugh, that's for sure. After the day I've had, I was ready for something silly and fun, and sure enough - I found it.

I've spent the entire day getting all the stuff together for my CPA to do my taxes, and I actually finished! It's done. Now in the morning, I'll take it over there to him, and hope the news is good. For years, I've had a significant refund each year. Of course, the last two years required me to go to get in a big ol' fight with the IRS, get a senator involved and everything, because of the tax ID theft, but I finally got my money. This year though, I may not get much of a refund, and may even have to pay. Because I wasn't actually earning a wage last year, but was drawing disability, they weren't withholding tax at first. I noticed it along about April, and started having it withheld, but I'm not sure it's going to be enough. It will depend upon how the CPA handles the two rental properties - how much profit I made from them. I think I'm going to ask for extra tax to be withheld from my Social Security, so this doesn't become a problem in the future. I'd rather overpay than underpay, because I prefer for them to owe me, rather than for me to have to come up with money for them.

Anyway, I feel like my brain has melted and is about to drain out through my ears. I need to go sit down and watch something really non-taxing on the brain. Maybe some "Gilligan." Yeah, that'll do it. At least the toughest thing I'll have to figure out is where Mr. Howell got a tophat and magician's cape, and the baby duck he pulled out of the hat!

Asa, I sure do hope your back lets go for you very soon, and for pete's sake, what are you doing with snow NOW? It's nearly May!

Blessings, friends. --Romeena
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97699: Romeena, Maybe they will have the episode with the radioactive seeds, I like that one....G-F
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97700: It was 103-stinkin' degrees here today! What's up with THAT?! Pass the hard cider, I'm havin' a spell...

Boo
April 28, 2014 - Msg 97701: Prayers for the south...storms very bad here....deaths reported...here at work all night...prayers...SPOT
April 29, 2014 - Msg 97702: Hi Porch! I think cell # 2 would be inside floyd's barber shop. What do you think? Al Becker
April 29, 2014 - Msg 97703:
Al Becker, are you the re-incarnated Howie Fice? haha
Yes SPOT, I was seeing about those storms, and Atlanta was in there too. Prayers indeed for all.
Well, I'm off to the ironing board.
MDC
April 29, 2014 - Msg 97704: Shooting at a Fed Ex Facility in Spot's town. Check in Spot-we need to make sure you & yours are okay!!

Prayers for all affected by the storms.

*******************
possum under a rock
April 29, 2014 - Msg 97705: Yes, Mother Nature is throwing some nasty punches for sure! Hope everyone is ok. I never paid as much attention to weather as I do now, always concerned about the porch folks weather conditions. As Possum posted, hope SPOT is ok, I'm sure he's busy in his line of work.
With 103 degrees down Boo's way, and cold temps Asa's, SH, PH, and my way, the warm and cold meet somewhere in the middle and Pow Pow Pow.....

"Lord willing and the creek don't rise" we'll get thru this... Actually that old saying came from the days of the Creek Indians and during the times of their "uprisings". I had always had thought it was about bad weather...Go figure!
Anyhow I hope your (creeks or cricks) depending on where your from, don't rise too much.....

Good Day...G-F