November 29, 2016 - Msg 106203: Good morning, porch. Looks like this is "doctor week" for me. Saw the pulmonologist yesterday, will see the "cardiology electrician" this morning to check out my pacemaker, and will see my regular cardiologist on Thursday for a routine visit. Thank God for Medicare! And for the Medicare supplement, which costs me $297/month but considering the costs they pick up, it's worth it. On the lung thing, besides the diminished space due to the scoliosis, there's the radiation damage from 1979. I think I've mentioned it before, but the whole right upper lung is non-functional from radiation scarring. Air moves in and out, so someone listening to my lungs would think they're fine, but the air just moves in and back out with exchanging the gases. The lung tissue doesn't absorb O2 or release CO2. Combined with the crowding, it reduces my function to about 50%. Annoying, but certainly could be worse.

Well, better get dressed and get moving. The doc isn't but about ten minutes away (gotta love Irving!) ordinarily, but with all the road construction, it's anybody's guess. I will be so glad when that's finished. They're completely rebuilding Hwy 183, the main road through town, in a three-year project, and every major intersection in town is a huge mess, looks like a war zone. Will be nice when it's done, though.

Blessings, porch! --Romeena
November 29, 2016 - Msg 106204: I had a few extra minutes, so thought I'd sweep. Toye Starr will dust the rockers and get the corners while I'm gone. I promised to bring her a treat. --Romeena
November 29, 2016 - Msg 106205: Maude, I hope you guys aren't getting smoked out from the fires down Pigeon Forge / Gatligburg way...
We will pray for rain for you guys down there!...G-F
November 29, 2016 - Msg 106206: Prayers indeed for Gatlinburg and all of the mountain areas affected by these terrible wildfires.

***********
possum u.a.r.
November 30, 2016 - Msg 106207: Prayers for our world!
More later
MDC
November 30, 2016 - Msg 106208: Good Wednesday porch. hop
November 30, 2016 - Msg 106209: HI ALL! I guess everyone is out shopping today.
Hope all are OK. I had lunch today with a dear old friend of mine. I havent seen him in about 8 years and we only live about 15 miles from each other! I'm not a a big 'man friend' kind of guy, but this guy I met at church about 25 years ago,
he was married, but wife passed and he's just been living on his own now, no kids. It was nice to talk about so many things and much more personal than our phone calls.
RO-- yes, seems like doctor appts are taking more of my time these days too. As the old saying goes "I thought growing old would take longer." ha
ASA-- hope all is ok with you these days. Sounds like you got a pretty decent snow. Maybe it wont stick around too long. Also glad your conduit work worked out ok, but did you get that issue resolved with the equipment installers?
My Cards are just not 'gelling' this year at all. Arians was in the hospital for only a day with chest pains,
but all seems ok now.
Watching a little of the Dolly Parton movie tonight.
God's blessings,
MDC
December 01, 2016 - Msg 106210: Quick trouble check ... I'm putting in close to 70 hrs a week...whew storms back in just a bit SPOT

December 02, 2016 - Msg 106211: exactillioso!

December 02, 2016 - Msg 106212: Good morning gang ...well its almost 5 am headed back to keep the lights on ! gona swing by waffle house ! yall come on...hey Romeena,Boo,Asa,possum,MDC and all...ok gona check in when I arrive at work ! prayers...SPOT
December 02, 2016 - Msg 106213: SPOT in the world of electrical illumination you are a GIANT!..All the Clark Griswolds in Georgia thank you for all you do to keep them lit!....Unlike Clark's Dad who got "lit" with help from Jack Daniels...haha

Going to hang with "Miss Olivia" today, hard to believe she's coming up to her first birthday next month!. She is one funny little peanut....

G-F
December 02, 2016 - Msg 106214: VICKS! :)
December 02, 2016 - Msg 106215: Sitting in the orthodontist office and just saw James Best (Jim Lindsey) in an episode of Flipper. :)

Porch sure has been quiet lately. I hope all is well with everyone. I am beginning to feel the crunch of the holiday season b trying to remain cool.

Yesterday I had to take Bruce to the cardiologist because he us so stressed on the job that he is having chest pressure again. He is scheduled to have another nuclear stress test soon. Doc thinks it is prob just the stress but its time to look at his heart again..remember he has a stent already. I wish he could retire but not possible just yet. He is under so much pressure trying to do the job that should be done by at least two people. He lost the one guy that was helping him over a year ago and they won't hire anyone else. Anyway, praying on how to help.

Hope you all have a good evening.

Boo
December 02, 2016 - Msg 106216: Please keep our Possum in your prayers.
Her dog, Cowboy, passed recently. I saw it in a FB post.
Yes BOO, I think we are all just plain busy with the season. I got the rest of my lights up and most of
my outdoor scenery up today.
Prayers for all,
MDC
December 02, 2016 - Msg 106217: "I wish I had a million dollars, Hot dog!" :)
December 03, 2016 - Msg 106218: Good Mornig Porch !..well back here at work..whew Wednesday night we had 11 broke poles storm related..shout out to Boo,possum,Asa,G-F,MDC Lucy,Maude ..SEC Champship game in the Ga dome today !..Gona pull for Florida ! Well prayers for Tenn. Mrs SPOT and I will get to see all the damage first hand..we have a trip planned to go to Piegon Forge next Friday for a few days..just a get away. We will ride to Gatlinburg for a day..well lets all head to waffle house around 9 for a allstar breakfast !..on Me..prayers to all I will be checking in through out the day..SPOT
December 03, 2016 - Msg 106219: Morning all.
Hey Spot, sounds like you have been plenty busy. And yet you are buying breakfast. Yer a fine pup.

MDC, Thanks for letting us know about Possum's loss. Bless her heart. Always hard to lose a cherished furkid. Prayers for you Possum.

Boo, My prayers for Bruce also. I hope he is ok. And I hope you don't let the season stress you out. I miss our Christmas movie quotes.

GF, How was your day with your Princess? Bet it was a blast. My #2 Granddaughter's birthday is today. Amy turns 9. Man, time just moves right along, doesn't it?

I had a minor disaster at work this week. A 2 inch copper line blew apart and caused a lot of water damage. It was 15 feet in the air and saturated everything below it in the compressor room. Boiler controller, boiler pumps, compressor panel. A real mess. We got the pipe fixed. But it is going to take some time to get all the other stuff back in operation.

Anyway, I hope y'all have a blessed day.

Asa
December 03, 2016 - Msg 106220: Good Morning Gang... Yep, had a good time with Miss Olivia yesterday, that little peanut is so funny!.. I had to give her a early Christmas present 🎁 I had gotten her a pewter Mayberry ornament at Mayberry Days for her first Christmas. Of course it is ANDY & Opie walking to the fishing hole.
I took a cute picture of her looking at it on their tree, like Gomer said it's was a picture no artist could draw!...lol

SPOT, Good on you and you guys for resetting all those poles, it's kinda like being a NASCAR "pole setter" I know you guys have the awards to prove it too!..

Possum, Sorry to hear about your puppy, those losses are hard I know....

Asa, sorry to hear about your blow out, sounds like my Disaster of the Winter of 2012... Much the same thing as yours, what a mess that was!...That same year I had both domestic boilers go out at the same time on a 134 unit Elderly high-rise building. We could not get the parts from the factory for 10 days..If I recall we didn't get many homage cookies that year at Christmas.. :( Whew, that year was a mess at a lot of my buildings...Mother Nature shure can reek havoc on us maintenance guys at times...Amen?... BTW did you make your granddaughter a cake with a "9" on it?...lol

Boo, your town got a shout-out on our morning news today, about a teacher who had new classroom desks for her kids who have ADHD. They had some kind of bar under the table where they could put their feet and kind swind them to burn off some of the hyperness, as they worked...Cool idea!..

TOM, stay warm Buddy, yep 'tis the season...

G-F
December 03, 2016 - Msg 106221: Good evening, porch. Have been working on decorating the tree today, am about halfway there. It's a real job, and wears me out, but I love it. I've never counted the ornaments, but a conservative estimate would be at least 500. I've been collecting ornaments for a very long time. I have a few that were my mother's, and they're older than I am! They were on her first trees, and my parents were married four years before I was born, so some of those ornaments are at least 80 years old. They are cherished, wrapped in tissue and stored in coffee cans on the top shelf of a closet. I'm taking no chances with them.

Boo, I'm praying for Bruce. I'm sorry he's under so much stress. I'm hoping things will ease up for him a little, very soon.

Possum, I'm so sorry you lost your buddy, Cowboy. Losing a cherished pet can be so hard. I still look at pictures of Sugarplum sometimes, her sweet little face, and the tears come. I firmly believe that God gave them to us, to be our friends and helpers, and at times our comforters. I cannot imagine being without a little furry friend.

Hey, Asa and G-F, reading about both of you having to deal with a catastrophe because a line ruptured, started me thinking. Would it be feasible to have some sort of sensor on those lines that are under pressure? My thought is that if the line breaks, there's going to be a sudden, dramatic change in the pressure on the line. Could a sensor respond to that by shutting down the flow in that line, at the point of origin? Seems like that could prevent a lot of water damage. I'm sure there's a reason why that isn't done, I'm not likely to be the first person to think of it, but can't help wondering...

Well, back to the tree. I swear the thing is growing branches, and the ornaments are multiplying in their bins. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
December 03, 2016 - Msg 106222: Thank you for the prayers. Bruce has been trying to de-stress but it hasn't been going well here at home. A couple of months ago he let a man from church do some work on his truck because the guy has several children and needs the money, but when Bruce went to pick it up, he noticed that the guy had been drinking. Well, the guy messed up the front end and it took buying parts and paying for labor to fix it and he has to buy two new front tires and get an alignment tomorrow so it will be safe to drive. Also, the battery went dead on my suburban today and he had to buy a new one. When he got back home with that battery, the battery on the truck went out and he had to turn around and buy one for the truck. It was like some kind of cosmic joke. All in all, I figure we spent over 500 dollars on car related issues today. It would have cost a lot more but sean and one of his mechanic friends did the work here in the garage.

It finally cooled off here in south texas and is in the low sixties right now and rainy. It feels pretty good. I had a good day today, had a craft day with Emily and made a couple of lasagnas..one for the family and one for a party. I also made some cranberry bread, using some of the homemade cranberry sauce I made at thanksgiving. I think it turned out well.

Things look and smell pretty festive around here and I am feeling a bit more in the Christmas spirit.

Working tomorrow evening and Monday morning so may be a couple days till you hear from me again. Are we doing Christmas cards this year?

OK Asa, here's a movie quote for you:
"Where's the Tylenol?"

Boo
December 04, 2016 - Msg 106223: HI ALL! Our local mall was very busy today, and I was right there in it! I didnt have much to get, but I like to 'people watch' and also watch the kids with Santa. The decor is beautiful and carolers walked the aisleways. Going to do the inside of our
house today (Sunday), and then we are set. Outdoor lights on now too.
Don't know if I ever mentioned it here, but I really like the 4 week tradition of Advent. I helps me to focus
on the true meaning of approaching Christmas, highlighting
all those great prophecies, etc.
ASA-- were the residents left 'in the cold' with the boilers out like that? Hope not for too long.
"IAWL" was on NBC tonight! "Merry Christmas you wonderful old Building and Loan!"
BOO--so sorry about all you vehIcle woes! My goodness! Glad you had Sean there to assist tho.
SPOT, thanks for the breakfast!
Prayers for you and ALL,
MDC
December 04, 2016 - Msg 106224: Good Sabbath y'all.

Hey MDC, The building in question with the water damage is a large Maintenance building. Thankfully it has other heating systems in it for the shop. All of the offices are fed off the hydronic system though, so they are going to be chilly for a few days until the parts arrive. BTW, You asked a while back about the big electrical job. Well we got everything hooked up and running great, thanks for asking. I am glad it went well and is done for sure.

Romeena, your question about sensors is a good one. We actually use a flow switch on our fire systems. That is what triggers the fire alarms. On the culinary side we have several pieces of equipment that use large amounts of water during the different cycles of operation. I guess I'm not sure how we could do that without setting off the alarm frequently. We have discussed putting water sensors that might set off an alarm when sensing water, but with the size of our buildings it probably isn't practical. In our communications rooms, we have no fire sprinklers in there so as to not get any of the electronal equipment get wet. Instead those rooms are sealed off and use a gas to smother any fire out in the event of a fire. This particular failure was bad thought. A 2 inch line blew apart and with 100 psi pushing through it, you can imagine how fast it got so very wet.

Boo, That sounds like a Clark Griswold quote to me. A visit from Cousin Eddy will do that I bet. lol

GF, Amen brother. The severe cold is not only uncomfortable, it creates havoc with equipment.

Well I am fighting a pretty nasty cold, so I think I will stay home from preaching. I hate it when folks are sick and still go out in public settings, coughing and sneezing, so I aint about to do it.

Prayers for all.

Asa

"The wet bandits"!
December 04, 2016 - Msg 106225: Right you are, Asa. It is a Clark quote and it came immediately after he cussed out his boss for making him a member of the jelly of the month club. :)

Hey, how about besides Christmas movie quotes, we do some Christmas trivia, too? I used to have a Christmas trivia game somewhere..I will look for it.

I agree completely about staying home and keeping the germs to yourself, especially this time of year. People are in groups and close quarters with heaters going..it is a perfect prescription for spreading germs. I used to get so mad when people brought their children to church sick and my kids would catch something from the church nursery nearly every week. I swear people would bring feverish and crying babies to church every week. Makes no sense and the poor little ones shouldn't be forced to dress and come out in the cold when they are sick. I guess I will get off my soapbox now.

MDC, I saw your Christmas yard art..Awesome! You are definitely sending a message there. Love it.

Well, better get myself ready for work. Hope its a good one and hope all of you have a safe a blessed sunday!

Boo

Here's another quote: "Cry, crybaby...crrryyyyy!"

December 04, 2016 - Msg 106226: Oh, the wet bandits is from Home Alone. :)

Boo
December 04, 2016 - Msg 106227: Skut Farkus....
December 04, 2016 - Msg 106228: Yessir #106227. Scut Farkus. I swear he had yellow eyes! :)
And yes Boo, The wet bandits are from Home Alone. What did they call themselves in the sequel?

Asa
December 04, 2016 - Msg 106229: You people crack me up! (:
December 04, 2016 - Msg 106230: Good evening, porch! I am sitting here in front of my big old window, gazing out at a colorful fairyland in the back yard. David and the boys were here today to finish up my outside lights, and boy, did they ever! The LED icicles I've used the past two years were apparently stolen from my garage at some point, because they were nowhere to be found, so I had to order new ones. I just ordered another case of colored twinkles while I was at it. David and Landry put up the icicles, and Hudson took the box of twinkles to the back yard and the little rascal just had a field day! He used the whole 24 strings! I really hadn't planned on that, but is it ever pretty! He did a great job of spacing them out, very evenly distributed, and it's just really pretty.

Then they all came inside and helped me finish up with the tree. I had the main part of it all decorated, but the top section wasn't on it. I couldn't have reached it if it had been there. So, Hudson held that section for me while I hung ornaments on it, then David set it in place and hooked the lights together, and there it is! The tree is finished, and it's really pretty, if I do say so myself. David hung my wreath on the fireplace (too high for me to reach, and I do NOT climb on ladders anymore) and he set the little 80-year old snowman in his place within the wreath. I am so blessed with a son who is so very thoughtful, and just appears at the right time to do what needs to be done - I never have to ask. He's teaching his boys to do the same thing, by example. All four of my kids are thoughtful and helpful like that, but David is the only one who lives here, so I depend on him a lot. Dale would be so proud of his kids, and I am so grateful to God for them.

Well, guess I'll go set my little snowman village in place under the tree. Landry wriggled around down there and got all the under-the-tree lights in place, and spread the "snow" over them. The "snow" is actually a large piece of white fleecy fabric that wraps the base of the tree, and is covered with a piece of very fine, almost invisible white net with tiny glittery snowflakes on it. The lights beneath it all show through in a soft glow, and I have about 30 really cute snow man figures, dressed like carolers and skaters and skiers, and there's even a snowman nativity. Couldn't resist that! I arrange them like a little village, and it's cute. I love Christmas! I love the carols, the lights, the whole mood of it. It's a celebration, a birthday, and it should be happy and joyous.

Good night, porch - sweet dreams! --Romeena
December 05, 2016 - Msg 106231: It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. Even tho I'm not on Facebook, I hear MDC has his yard display set up too.

Ya know the season brings out the kindness in folks, it is uplifting watching people paying it forward, I just wish it would last all year long.
It Really doesn't take that much effort to spread kindness to others by small acts, a smile, a kind comment, because you never know what that means to others, even the grumpy one can be touched... Just Sayin'....

G-Frah,Rah,Rah,Rah,Rah,...Rah,Rah,Rah!...
December 05, 2016 - Msg 106232: One more - Rah! --Romeena
December 05, 2016 - Msg 106233: Haha Romeena, you are right!... I forgot one Rah!...G-F (my Rah check was broken)
December 05, 2016 - Msg 106234: This the season to become Unhappy.

December 06, 2016 - Msg 106235: Time for some Christmas shout outs: "POSSUM, TOM, STERLING, PH, JOHN MASTERS, BIG MAUDE, ETC" stop by for some hot chocolate, and stay a bit for the conversation! :)
HEY all: Boo posted this on her FB page of a very moving movie clip with James Stewart. It was in a made-for-tv movie in 1980! Check it out...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK85O6FgRC0

Was wondering if anyone has any Christmas stories to share? I know we have told many here, like the time Santa showed up at our front door when I was a kid, but thought there might still be a few "rest of the story(s)" out there.
ASA--glad not too many were displaced by the break. And BOO, thanks for your comment. I figure this is the one time of the year to get the message out!
SPOT--do you have your crosses up?
ROMENA-do you have a separate circuit for your outdoor lights? I installed a 20 amp dedicated circuit for mine many years ago. Works well, and the rest of the huose stays lit! ha
Yup GF, all up, and in its own silent way it shouts Jesus is Lord!
Christmas is indeed such a lovely time. As I mentioned earlier, I like to watch the shoppers at the mall, Christmas programs at church and elsewhere,etc.
God Bless,
MDC

December 06, 2016 - Msg 106236: Howdy, porch. It's late (about 2 a.m.) but I don't have to be anywhere in the morning, so can sleep late. I'm at my window, looking out at the lights in the back yard. Apparently, Hudson didn't put timers on them. Guess I can do that tomorrow. And anyway, I don't care, because they are so pretty.

MDC, to answer your question, some of them are on separate circuits, I guess you could say, and some share with the house a little bit. Over the years, Ted has installed so many power sources around here that I can't keep up with it all. All I know is, we never trip a circuit breaker, even with all the Christmas lights on. Of course, all the lights are now LED, which takes practically no power. The place is lit up right now like a carnival, but there will barely be a hiccup in my electric bill.

I remember the Christmas I got my first and only bicycle. It was 1945, I was six, and we were churchmouse poor. I wanted a bike so badly, and Daddy just could not afford a new one. Instead, he found a second-hand one in need of repair, fixed it up and tied a big red ribbon on it and put it under the tree on Christmas morning. It was a bit big for me, but I made it work. I was so thrilled and thought it was the most beautiful bike in the world. It was certainly the sturdiest, because I rode that thing until we moved to the country when I was thirteen. Our family finances had improved considerably by then, and I finally got my long-prayed-for horse. Yes, he was a Christmas gift. We moved out there at the end of October, and I got him for Christmas. The bike was passed on to a young cousin, I think.

Well, guess I'll hit the hay. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
December 06, 2016 - Msg 106237: As for Christmas stories, some of my best memories (both good and bad) were about "moments" not necessarily about gifts. That is why Christmas is both happy and a very sad time of the year for me... But I have to admit the year I got my Mattel Power Workshop was a highlight!.
Asa do you remember it? Very Cool and you could actually make things with it.. Yes I still have it, and made things with my GrandSon with it too!...

Here is a video of one...Just turn down the sound the music is annoying!... https://youtu.be/NCVxx_Ka0K0

So I do understand why some people have a hard time during the Holidays, it brings up many stored up emotions, both good and not so good....

G-F
December 06, 2016 - Msg 106238: p.s. I don't think Mr. Stewart had to do much acting in that scene... it came from his heart! ....G-F
December 06, 2016 - Msg 106239: Amen GF! And that Matell contraption is quite a toy! I bet ASA got his first toolbelt that year too! haha
Romeena, thank you for the story of your bike.
I dont remember you sharing that one before. Very cool.
Glad your lights are 'safe.'
Here is a song that I have always liked since it first came out by the Carpenters...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I
More later, a few more 'halls to deck!'
MDC :)

December 06, 2016 - Msg 106240: You people are fun at Christmas time. MDC, I have that Carpenter song playing as I type this. I love that one. I used to hate the Carpenter's but now I love them...I have become a real sentimental sap in my old age. :)

Romeena, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you take some pictures of your decorations and lights and post to facebook. Maybe Brittany wouldn't mind doing it, she is such a fantastic photographer. Anyway, I would love to see them but understand if it is difficult to do.

G-F, really cool video of the mattel thing...of course I don't remember or never played with thing unless you could make a Barbie with it. ;) PS-I am having trouble this year with the sad part of the holidays, but am trying to focus on the blessings. I think we have decided to put some lighted wreathes on the house, although it will be painful in a way.

Christmas stories...hmmm...I love doing that this time of year; I only wish I could think of a story I haven't told you all. I will put on my thinking (Santa) hat.

I am taking some time off work and so far am spending every spare minute catching. I will find some days to just enjoy myself in there somewhere, though. I went to a Christmas party already on sunday but had to leave early for work. We had an ornament exchange and I received the most beautiful glass santa ornament and I love it! This Friday night is Bruce's sunday school party at the home of my ex-boyfriend and his wife. Heehee...they are very nice people and offered to host the event. The following weekend is the deacon's Christmas party and I usually enjoy that. I had to work last year so am looking forward to it this year. We always go to a restaurant and then have a Chinese Christmas gift exchange. I think I will plan a few fun activities this year.

Here's your Christmas quote, Asa: "Rats. Nobody sent me a Christmas card today. I almost wish there weren't a holiday season. I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?"

Boo


December 06, 2016 - Msg 106241: MARRY CHRISTMAS CHARLES BROWN
TOM

December 07, 2016 - Msg 106242: Yayy!! Tom wins the candy cane, I'll bet. --Romeena
December 07, 2016 - Msg 106243: I think you're right Tom!! I don't know a quote, but I do like the sisters fan dance in the White Christmas movie: :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG7x8HWbDzU
Did I ever tell you all the story about Christmas eve in Walgreens? If I did, sorry for the re-tell:
My older brother has always liked to do (and still does)all his shopping on Christmas eve! One Christmas eve he asked me to go with him, and we ended up in a Walgreens toy department. (This is when Walgreens were not 'free-standing', but attached to malls, etc.) (and it was about 1968 when i was about 18.) Anyway, it was 6 PM, and the store was going to close at 7 PM. My brother was furiously looking for toys for our 5 younger siblings, when suddenly the manager announces over the PA system saying "Merry Christmas, it's time for our 'manager's special! For the next hour all our toys will be 75 percent off!"
Wow, I remember we bought a baseball mitt, basketball, dolls, train set, one of those wooden "work benches" to pound the pegs into the holes, etc!!! It was such a fun time knowing we could buy so many more things than he had originally planned to. Even got a 'soap on a rope' for my dad (at full price tho.) I'll just never forget it because of
'getting almost everything for free!' We rushed home, wrapped them all up and put them under the tree
for Christmas morning. My mom and dad were also very surprised to see it all! It was just one of those "feel good" moments of a Christmas season past.
Prayers for all,
MDC
December 07, 2016 - Msg 106244: Great story MDC... G-F
December 07, 2016 - Msg 106245: RAT HI.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
May Christmas bring you peace on earth
to ever live and last,
a faith instilled within your hearth
even when Christmas day is past.
this friendly greeting holds a prayer,
it's filled with warmth and cheer,
to bring a Merry Christmas Day
and then a glad New Year.

:( TOM

December 07, 2016 - Msg 106246: TOM, I'm trying again. I don't like seeing that :( face. We want a :) face for our TOM. --Romeena
December 07, 2016 - Msg 106247: ROM
:) :) :) :) :) NICE WARM DAYS.
:( :( :( :( COLD DAYS.

TOM:)
December 07, 2016 - Msg 106248: Got that Right TOM....👍
December 07, 2016 - Msg 106249: You are right TOM. The quote was from Charlie Brown. :) Thanks for the Christmas poem!

Loved the Walgreen's story, MDC. That would have been a blast. I miss the old Walgreens with the soda fountain/diner! Those were the good old days, for sure. That reminds me of a Christmas memory I could share.. When I was very young (preschool and grade school aged), we lived about a 30 minute drive from Corpus Christi and would go into the city for Christmas shopping. The old uptown area of the city had the typical city streets in those days. There was really only one long street with shops like a shoe store, a couple of department stores..one of which was a pretty ritzy department store that always decorated it's front window at Christmas, with those wonderful moving figures, etc. There was also a big Walgreens with the old wooden floors and soda fountain and diner. I can remember how festive it was, walking down the street with mom and my sister, with Christmas carols playing over the loud speakers as we shopped. Mom would take us to the Walgreens and I would usually get a grilled cheese sandwich and a coke. Those were such wonderful memories...just like an old classic movie. We also had a Woolco in another part of time that was great at Christmas. We always went there at least once night for shopping and I can still remember my mom turning me loose in there to buy a Christmas present for my friend, Lois. I still remember what I bought her.. we were in the 8th grade and she was already wearing make up with the approval of her mother, so I bought her a neat compact with eye shadow and blush, etc. I still remember it was made of fake brown tortoise shell. :) I wanted one for myself, secretly, but mom didn't let me wear make up until I was in high school.

Better get moving...I am going to go to church prayer meeting tonight to pray for a man who was hurt here today. I have mentioned that Sean has been working for the local Ford place here for years, well today while he was there, an elderly man who works in their service department was getting out of his truck near the building, and a man in a truck raced up, jumped out and attacked the poor old man. He would have beaten him to death if it were not for a woman about my age that works there and witnessed the attack. She ran across the street screaming and literally attacked the man who was beating the old man. She managed to get him off and by then others had come to help. The cops soon showed up and took the man into custody. It looks like he was just some guy on drugs..probably some synthetic bath salts or something. It took five cops to shove him into the back of the cop car. The old man was conscious enough to shake his head when asked if he knew his attacker. They loaded the old man into an ambulance and took him to the hospital but we still haven't heard anything. Sean said he was beaten pretty badly. I am hoping and praying he doesn't have a head injury. Please pray for the man. His name is Jesse and they say he is just a nice guy who waters the plants at the Catholic church, goes home, and then comes to work. They say he never hurts anyone. God be with him.

Boo
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106250: BOO- I agree, there was something about a "soda fountain grilled cheese sammish" that just cant quite be duplicated today! Good stuff! Thanks for that memory of those neat window displaystoo, and the non-cookie cutter Walgreens, etc. Glad you will get some time off. But so sorry to hear about that man! Lord heal him in Jesus' name. amen
TOM--great poem, thanks. Much needed in this time of hustle and bustle.
Love to all,
MDC



December 08, 2016 - Msg 106251: Oh, and BOO, can't resist: "He's making violent love to me mother!" Always make me smile.
And BTW, I saw "Floyd" on the movie channel tonight in Blue Hawaii with Elvis. He sure got around. ha
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106252: Good morning all.
Colder than a well diggers bottom here this morning. Brrr!

MDC, HA, I love that quote from IAWL.

Gosh Boo, that is a sad story about Jesse. For sure he is in my prayers. The world continues to get darker and colder.

Thanks for the poem Tom. Very nice. I hope you are well this season.

GF, I didn't have one of those toys, but I sure wish I would have.

I don't remember if I have shared this little story with you or not. The first few years of our marriage, things were very tight money wise. I was still an apprentice, we had purchased a small home, and had a new baby. Well my Mother in law was one who loved going to garage sales. In one of her "events" she bought a huge amount of Christmas lights for a couple of bucks. These were the old C7 bulbs I think. And she gave them to us, under the agreement I would decorate our house. So the day after Thanksgiving I was out there stringing these up all over the place. I mean Clark Griswold had nothing on me. I wanted to run them in such a way that I could turn them all on with one switch, so I did so. Well after spending all day on the project, I finished up just about at dusk. I flipped the magic switch and wala, lights everywhere. My wife was happy, I was proud, and I knew my MIL would be happy. We went in the house and my wife was going to start dinner. I realized I had not eaten all day, and so I told her I was going to make me some toast to tide me over. I put the bread in the toaster, pushed down the handle, and click, everything goes dark. This old house didn't have much in the way of electrical service, and that is when I discovered just about every outlet in the house ran off of one breaker. All them lights was pulling a pretty good load, and that little toaster was just enough to exceed the limit. We got a good laugh out of that, and made sure we turned the Christmas lights switch off when making toast for the rest of that season. We still chuckle about it today.

Well off to slay the dragon.

Prayers for all.

Asa
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106253: Asa... Here is a good quote for you.. Dad, you taught me everything I know about exterior illumination..lol G-F
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106254: Good morning, porch. I had an interesting night. I had a sleep study done at a satellite facility of the hospital I worked for. My hair is all gummed up with gels and glues, I've got sticky spots all over me where electrodes were taped down, and I'm ready to hit the shower. Got a home health visit to make at 3.

About that sleep study - I counted 25 wires attached to me that all went to one console box, and there were at least 10 or 15 others that went to other locations. I even had electrodes on my feet! Every move I made was noted and recorded by all those little sticky things. How on earth they expect you to "just go to bed and sleep like you normally do", I'll never know, but those were my instructions. I'm not complaining, they were very nice, very professional and did all they could to make me comfortable, but when you feel like the inside of the control panel for Apollo 13, it's hard to sleep. I did, though.

It's cold here! Cold, I say!! 33° qualifies as "very cold" in Texas. That was the temp that greeted me when I left the building this morning. Combined with a brisk breeze, it's dang cold! I'm hoping it will knock the last 1/3 of the leaves off my trees, so Eddie can do a final cleanup.

Well, I'm about to hit that hot shower and get all this gunk out of my hair. Then I've got to make that home health call, go to the grocery and get gasoline. The car is at 1/4 tank, and I don't usually let it get that far down. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106255: My old geezer Christmas memory. Back in the day, longgggggg ago, way before the scourge of the mall came around, the good old days, I mean, we went to downtown Cincinnati for our special Christmas trip. Shillito's, right there in the heart of downtown, where everyone went to shop. And best of all, they had a display with REAL REINDEER. Not that we needed convincing, but mom explained to us kids that the Santa there was the REAL Santa and the other Santas we saw around town or in the smaller towns were only his helpers. No, the REAL Santa would have his reindeer nearby, in Shillito's. It was so exciting I couldn't stand it.

Alas, the four letter word "mall" came along and people quit going downtown to shop and it just wasn't the same. Shillito's became Lazarus became Macy's is how I think it went, and it appears Macy's is on their way out. Somehow it seemed much better back then.

Billy Ray the Reminiscing Postman.
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106256: "Now I could never be sure, but I thought that I heard the sound of "Taps" being played, gently."

Anyone who gets this will win a Major Award.

Billy Ray the Postman
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106257: Good afternoon, everyone!

I saw the shout out by MDC and thought I would answer the call! Missed seein' ya' folks and I would like to spend more time on the porch. Well...maybe we all better sit INside by a fire for it's sure cold 'round here! Thanks for the shout, MDC! I will try to be back here soon and set a spell!

My best to all of you!

John Masters
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106258: Well gang we are off for a week and will be headed to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the morning. Staying in pigeon forge..will ride to Gatlinburg to see the damage and pray...will check back tonight ...SPOT
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106259: Its about 45 degrees here, Ro and I have been running around without a coat, soaking it up. I did wear closed in shoes, however. :) It finally feels a little Christmasy.

St. Susan and I hit Corpus Christi today for some shopping. I got a charm for Erin for her bracelet, from James Avery. I bought her a pretty kitty cat, in honor of Maddie and her kitty that has become part of our family. I went to my favorite clothing store and bought something to wear for a couple of upcoming parties. It had one of those dressing rooms where you can see your back easily (no fun) and I happened to notice a place on my back that looked like it might be a black mole that had not been there before. I quickly pulled susan into the dressing room to ask her what color it was and it was one of those blood blister looing things. I get those sometime. That was a relief and all I could think was 'I do not have time for a Melanoma right now!'. Whew!


We also went to the mall for the first time this season and it was nice..very pretty decorations. We went to Bath and Body works and I bought a couple of gifts there then we had lunch at the chik fil a. It was a nice day, all in all.

I love reading the Christmas memories. Keep them coming!

Boo
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106260: RIP John Glenn... A true iconic Hero....🚀
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106261: Forgot to say the elderly man, Jesse, who was beaten is still in the hospital but injuries aren't life threatening. He will probably require surgery for facial fractures, though.

Boo
December 08, 2016 - Msg 106262: Good evening, porch. So you're running around at 45°, Boo? This morning when I came out of the sleep lab thing, the north wind hit me like a knife and it was cold!! Started the car, and the dash display flashed "Ice Possible." It was 33°, with a wind chill much lower than that, so yes, bridges could ice, except it was pretty dry, not much moisture in the air. I got in the shower and scrubbed all the stickiness out of my hair, had a little lunch, then went to the grocery store, filled the gas tank on my car, picked up a prescription, went to my home health call, then came home and got comfortable! I haven't budged out of this house since. I think winter has finally come to Texas.

Boo, I'm glad the black spot turned out to be nothing worrisome, and I'm very glad that the little kitty has found a home with your family. Just another helpless, innocent casualty of the evil that can overpower a man or woman, and how it can spread to others, even the animals. Good for you for making the saving catch for the little cat.

John Masters, it's nice to hear from you. I know how busy you are, running the hotel and leading the town choir and all, but we miss you when you don't come to the porch.

Billy Ray, we enjoy seeing you too. Why don't both of you boys make this more of a habit? I remember very well, the days before the malls took over. It was always such a thrill to be able to "go to town" with my mom. We'd go into downtown San Antonio, and shop at the big department stores. I remember the big Joske's store always had "Wonderland" on their top floor, and it was just like a wonderland indeed for a child. A little train that you could ride on wound around through the whole floor, and their were displays with moving figures, deer, elves, and all sorts of little animals, and of course, Santa himself. I remember he smelled faintly of pipe tobacco, which seemed perfectly appropriate to me!

Out in the rest of the city, in tiny strip shopping centers, there would be a Winn's, or a Woolworth's, or a Grant's "dime store." That's where Mama got all our Christmas ornaments. They didn't come boxed in those days, but were just piled in bins along the counters and in the aisles, all colors, so glittery and beautiful, and it was like walking through King Solomon's mines for a child. I think that's why I buy very few boxed ornaments now - most of my ornaments were individually selected over the years, some were my mom's, some were gifts, some have strong sentimental value, and decorating my tree is like a reunion of old friends for me. I greet them as I remove them from their storage place, and where they go on the tree is meaningful for me, even if no one else gets the connection. It's an annual joy, and I will be moving one here or there up until the day I take the thing down! I think many women do the same thing. Also, my heart lifts many a prayer during that time, as memories flow in, and loved ones come to mind.

Well, guess I'll go cuddle my baby doggie for a while. Blessings, porch. --Romeena