April 15, 2007 - Msg 51381:
Hello porch family.....Cold here in SC and as Possum said, a lot of wind.

Wow....what a finish in Texas. Jeff and Matt both gave us a show.

Millie....glad you made it back home safe.

Spot...Braves played a good game. Good bats today.

Maude...the pot roast and all the fixings was sure good. Thanks!

Well I better get going. I may be away for a couple days (Not sure). Got a little trip first of the week. You all take care and know that you folks are in my prayers.
-REV.

April 15, 2007 - Msg 51382: Hi porchers. Its just Miller.
Sorry I was gone awhile.

Romeena-I'm reeeeeeaally sorry for sugarplum.
I hope all of you are prosperous in the future.

~Miller

April 15, 2007 - Msg 51383: Well, hey there, Miller. We've missed you, we enjoy your fresh young presence here on this porch. Thanks for your concern for the Plum. I wish you could meet her, she'd love you, and you would love her. She's definitely a people-puppy, and loves young folks, and especially men.

Well, guess I'll go cuddle her for a while. I've got to work tomorrow night and Tuesday night, so got to get some cuddle-time in. --Romeena
April 15, 2007 - Msg 51384: Hey Miller, good to hear from you again. How are things?

Sorry you have to go to work, Ro. Wanted to tell you that Bruce was working on the tractor all day, so you were right; he got alot done! Turns out that he wasn't so mad, but hurt by some of things I said to him yesterday evening. We were out on the property this afternoon (in that perfect, gorgeous weather!) and he was showing me the work he had done. It looked really great. Everything is ready now. He told me that he loved me so much and that everything he had done was for me. He said, "all the blood and sweat I have poured into this place is for you. I promised I would build you a house you would love. It's all for you." Well, I felt about 2 inches tall and pretty foolish. Anyway, all is well and we will get through this. We have to spend alot of time together in the next few months getting things done so the building can begin.

Think I will turn in and read some James Herriot..nighty-night!

Boo
April 15, 2007 - Msg 51385: Goo sweep Rev..hey there Miller!..Ro have a good night at work..slow here at work right now..41 degrees...gona get warmer in ga later in the week..I went ahead and set out 6 early tomato plants...may not make it..will set out about 50 in a couple weeks when weather breaks..well snack time will be nutter butters and milk...breakfast menu will be as follows:.3 eggs your way,grits,hashbrowns,french toast,country ham,sausage links,flap jacks with blueberrys and real maple syrup,bisquits and gravy,toast with grape jelly,pop tarts,fried apple rings,milk,coffee,h20,oj,apple juice and a tear from my roll of paper towels..ready at 7:30 est!...prayers...Asa come hungry!..SPOT
April 15, 2007 - Msg 51386: Evenin', Spot. Breakfast sounds a little on the heavy side...I'll just have the first five things you mentioned.
Millie
April 15, 2007 - Msg 51387: Thanks to all who wished me a Happy Anniversary.
- Hazel
April 15, 2007 - Msg 51388: Why Hazel, so good to hear from you! Hope you had a fun celebration. Lotsa Luck to you and yers.
Millie
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51389: No, Spot, I'm not working tonight - that's tomorrow and Tuesday nights. Tonight I'm home with the Plum, and she seems to be doing pretty well right now. She's a tough little thing, to be such a frou-frou. --romeena
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51390: Romeena where does the plum stay when you work all night?:..just hangs out at home waiting for you like Opie and Otis do for me!..Millie you just pick what you want for breakfast Asa will take up your slack...SPOT
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51391: Hey, Spot. I'm still up - I usually stay up late on the night before I have to work, then sleep as late as possible - makes it easier to get through the night without getting too sleepy. The Plum stays in our bedroom. I have an alarm system, which includes motion sensors, and I always arm it before I leave the house. I put her in the bedroom, where the motion sensors can't see her, so she can move about freely in there. Anything that moves anywhere else in the house would set them off. She has her little crate, which she considers to be her den. The door is left open, her water bottle hangs inside it, and she spends a lot of time there. A carpet sample fits the floor of the crate perfectly, so it's padded. She can also get up on the bed, except right now when she's having a bit of trouble and needs help to get up there. She's okay with her crate, though. As for pottying, she has her piddle pads in one corner, so that's not a problem. I'm gone at least 13 hours each time, sometimes 14 or 15 if we have a meeting, so I had to make arrangements for her to potty. She just can't hold it that long, with her tiny bladder. She actually knows very little about going outdoors to potty, she's always used the pads. Yes, she's a bit spoiled, but who cares?

And now, I'm off to bed. Don't work too hard. --Romeena
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51392: Romeena sounds like [which I dod not expect anything less] that the plum has it made...when I work the 16 hrs shifts of corse Opie [cat] inside has no problem except being board and Otis [well dad always comes doen from there house [its just walking distance in front of mine] and lets him out...Mom comes in and lets Opie meow at her foe a while and get heald ...they manage well...well still slow here...get off at 6 in the mroning then off till 8am thu...Miss sherry and mom will be over at about noon to start the renovation on my bed room...gona re-do it all..well back to my movie ...see ya at breakfast.....SPOT
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51393: boy I missed a bunch of keys on that mail....must have tired paws...but we know what we all mean!...SPOT
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51394: Morning Porch family, Hope all is well this morning. Chilly on my end of the porch and supposed to be very windy today,I will have to keep my hat on tight today.I am at work today, my first 2 folks have cancelled already so I will try and catch up on paperwork. I will take care of lunch: roast beef sandwhiches,sun chips,
sweet tea and little debbie cakes for dessert. Prayers all around today. Romeena, I am so glad the Plum is doing okay.see everyone at lunch.Big Maude
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51395: I'd love to see "before" and "after" pictures of your bedroom, Spot. I'm betting it's something of an "elephant's nest" right now, as Aunt Bee said of Andy's room. Just don't let them give you a canopy bed, I don't think you'd like that.

My yard is just full of squirrels. There must be at least eight out there right now, half of them juveniles. They are so cute! Big game of "tag" going on at the moment.

My plan was to sleep very late, since I didn't get to sleep until nearly 4 a.m. The phone woke me, though, and then The Plum was hungry, so I'm up. Will try for a nap later this afternoon, before I go to work. Otherwise, that's going to be a very long 12 hours.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51396: Oh, hi, Big Maude. Don't let that hat blow off, it's right pretty! --Romeena
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51397: Morning Porch, wanted to stop by & say "HEY!!" to everyone this morning & check on the Plum before I head out to work. Ro hug her for me & give her a carrot.
*Mavis
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51398: Hi All.
It a little cold here and it going to stay for the day and maybe some snow.
Spot maybe you can take thim into making the bed look like a racecar what you n0. 0n it

tom

April 16, 2007 - Msg 51399: Hey Ro been trying to bring squirrels in here to watch, but I guess the dogs & the Blue Jays are keeping them away. I do have some of the prettiest Gold Finches & at least 3 different kinds of Woodpeckers out there tho. & Robert will be putting my bat house up this weekend too, can't wait for those little critters to show up!
"Sometimes I LIKE to see a bat!"
*Mavis
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51400: Hey Mavis good to see you .
How are thing going for you and you can keep the bat , because I do not want thim here.

tom

April 16, 2007 - Msg 51401: Oh, Mavis, how lovely to have goldfinches. I see one or two now and then, but they never stay around. I put up a thistle-seed sock for them one year, but the squirrels had it shredded by the next day, the little dears. I get a pair of red-bellied woodpeckers, and once I saw a downy woodpecker, but he didn't stay around. As for the bats, I've got a bat house that has been up for two years, but has never housed any bats. Sure wish a colony would come in, though, I really get tired of the mosquitoes around here. I also have purple martin houses but so far, nothing has lived in them but starlings.

If your dogs spend any time in the yard, you can bet the squirrels won't come around. They're no dummies. All it would take would be a charging dog about once, and the word would go out - "Stay out of that yard!" The ones around here are so tame, I can walk within a few feet of them, and I know if I just worked with them a little I could have them eating from my hand. I've just never done it. Maybe I will, this summer. That would be fun. My dad had one in his yard that would climb up his pant leg and up to his shirt pocket, to retrieve the pecan Daddy always carried for him. Just thrilled my dad, to have the little creature trust him that much.

Well, off I go. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51402: i tell you that girl was giving the mayor some jaw sugar and i did the only polite thing i could- i jaw sugered her back. tom- along time my freind, good to see you. mavis- can i stay in the bat house? some would say i was batty or are you specie specific?ro- glad to hear plum is back to the old plum. big maude- i'll be there at lunch, can't wait for your fine cooking. ill even fetch the water if you want. spot- do you have any left overs for me from that fine meal /hazel- happy late anniversary. rev- a home run sweep on the porch, we'll try and keep it clean while your on the road. don't forget to take barneys throat spray for your lyerics. boo- sounds like a great fellow/.you are special. millie- so great knowinhg your ok. mdc- are you at work or playing with your toys? well got to run the mayor, pipeman, pappa bear, colt, oh shucks all of lincoln and mayberry says hey. howdy floyd
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51403: Been busy doing the goat thing all week-end. Had three babies born the last three days. Tax-man was born yesterday but his momma would not claim him. First time mommas can be a little rough. So he is at home with me. If momma's don't claim them, they sure are hard to raise.

Glad Bruce got alot done Boo. . .sometimes, a man and a tractor can be good thing!

Talk to you all later!

hm
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51404: Oops - GOOD TO SEE YOU MAYOR!!!

hm
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51405: Howdy, Mayor! Did you see your picture in the album? It's there! Big Maude, your new pictures are there too. Fine looking family, you must be very proud. I'll get those pictures back to you right away. Mayor, do you want yours back? You didn't say.

Well, I just found out that I don't work tonight, I'm on Tuesday and Wednesday nights this week. So, I changed the Plum's appointment from Wednesday morning to this afternoon, to get the stitches out of her little belly, and to start formulating a game plan to fight this thing. Prayers, please, as we confer with her vet this afternoon. He's a godly Christian man, so that helps me a lot.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51406: Thanks a bunch Romeena for posting the pictures
and for sending them back this way. Prayers for you and Plum this afternoon. keep us posted. Prayers also for all the folks affected by the Virgina Tech shootings. how sad and tragic. If anyone has not heard, there has been a shooting on the college campus at Virgina Tech. details still coming on the news but we need to pray for all. thanks Big Maude
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51407: Prayers for Plum and prayers for all involoved in the Virgina Tech stragedy. So horrible, there have been so many school shootings now. God help us.

Boo
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51408: Prayers for everyone in Blacksburg.
Millie
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51409: Heartfelt prayers for VA Tech- such a senseless tragedy.
*****NO SMILES TODAY*****
possum under a rock
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51410: Let us give prayers and strength to VA-Tech and all involved, so terribly tragic and a reminder to us here why Mayberry and the Griffith show mean so much to us all, given this very crazy brutal real world around us at times.

Robert { Kansas }
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51411:
My congrats to Hazel also. Me and my missus celebrated 30 last year!
Boo- so glad that things are better, I thought it may have been a real Barney/Thelma Lou drag out, or worse yet, a Helen Crump tantrum! ha
MAYOR colt, good to see you. Hope you got my long letter!
My prayers also for all at Virginia Tech. I pray it is not terrorism, but of course it is terrorism in just it's very happening. Lord be with us!
god bless you all.
MDC
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51412: Good evening, all. So sad about the VA Tech tragedy. Prayers for the victims, their families, and yes, for the soul of the shooter, and for his family as well. What on God's green earth would prompt someone to do something so vicious, so violent, so destructive? I cannot imagine. For what it's worth, though, I'll bet if someone investigates his past, they'll find a history of cruelty and the abuse of small animals there. That's a warning sign that all too often is ignored.

On a happier note - the Plum's visit to her vet went well. Her stitches are out and she's much more comfortable. He examined her carefully and determined that her anal glands contain no tumors, and are therefore not the primary source of the tumors that were in her spleen. Since primary adenocarcinoma of the spleen is unheard of, we have to still accept the premise that there is a primary lesion somewhere, but no one knows where. Her surgeon explored her belly carefully, and says it's not there. The radiologist who did her ultrasound has reviewed those pictures, and she still sees nothing. Her chest X-ray is clear. At this point, they're going to review the pathology, to see if an error, or a mis-read, happened there. I'm praying for that, because if a review shows that the spleen tumors were something else, and primary, then there's a good possibility that the surgeon got all of it. At any rate, she feels fine, she's holding her weight, her appetite is ravenous, and I'm grateful. Her vet told me - "Take her home, love her, enjoy her, and don't worry. We very well may never hear from the cancer again." I'm going to do just that. God is good.

An oblivious, innocent Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51413: Bravo,Romeena! That sounds real good. It's good to hear after the news coverage I have been watching today. So tragic.

Thanks, MDC. I'm no Helen Crump, but I may be a fishwife....

Well, time to get Erin to bed. It's been a long, hard day. Goodnight Mayberry, where eveyone sleeps safe at night...

Boo
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51414: Romeena that is good new, we all have ben waiting for.
But I will kep praying for Plum.

Tom

April 16, 2007 - Msg 51415: That is wonderful news Romeena, and as Tom said, we will keep praying for a good outcome. This has made a rotten day good for me.:)

Asa
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51416: That's real good advice from Plum's vet, Romeena. He sounds like a good man.

Mayor Colt, great to see you again! Hope you are doing well.

Sad about what happened in Virginia. Prayers for the families of those affected.

-Sterling Holobyte
April 16, 2007 - Msg 51417: Been a hectic day for me as well! Glad to hear the news about Sugarplum!! Keep us posted. Well, I'm off to bed. Sweet dreams everyone...

Miss Peggy
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51418: Yippee Romeena and Plum, so glad to hear your news. we will continue to pray things hold their own. Morning to all around today. I am at work and going to try and stay busy today. Prayers for the Va Tech campus, families and community.
I will take care of breakfast today: eggs, bacon, toast, cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing, coffee, orange juice. again thanks for posting the updated pictures of my family Romeena. It is good to see the Mayor and everyone else. we need to hold on tight to one another around here. Big Maude
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51419: Good Morning Porch, great news about the Plum, I have my fingers crossed Ro for good news for you both. I never thought I would say I'm glad Jake is not going to college, but boy I am saying that this morning, Va Tech was his pick school until he decided to stay home & work with his dad!
Gotta get to work, but I'll be back this evening to tell you about the feathered "kids" visiting my yard, I am late already this morning cause I can't take my eyes off them today!
*Mavis
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51420: Hey Big Maude did you get snow Sun? We had 2 inches on our porch here in Bristol!
*Mavis
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51421: Mavis, we did have snow on Sunday, not much ground cover though the ground was so wet from all the rain, I guess. Good to see you Mavis.
Big Maude
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51422: Wow, I guess you are glad, Mavis. What a nightmare those parents and families are going through now.

Maude, great family pictures! Thanks for sharing them. You are blessed.

Have to get Erin to school...achievment tests today so I am curious about how that will go. Erin brought home a paper from school that I was impressed with yesterday. It had 6 clocks on it and she got all the times right and had written by 5's up to 30, well she missed one but I thought it was really good for a 5 year old, but it had no good marks or stickers on it, only what was wrong. She doesn't seem to care, though, but I wonder how much better she could do if she got some encouragement. She did tell me yesterday that her teacher is very nice to her and never gets mad. It's a good thing, because if she was not nice, my sister would have given her a black eye by now! St. Susan is Erin's greatest avenger, believe me!

See ya later...

Boo
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51423: Ro,the news about Plum is encouraging! I will keep her in my prayers.Thanks for the update. Give her a hug from possum!
I just can't wrap my mind around what happened at VA Tech- there is no way to make sense of it.Why?? So sad.
Well, just wanted to check in. Y'all take care!
*******************
possum under a rock
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51424: Afternoon porch, just dropping by for a minute..
Hey to Boo and Possum. thanks for the kind words about my family, Boo. a beautiful day here, much warmer and not a cloud in the sky. As we all try and get our minds around the VA Tech shootings, lets hold on tight to each other and pray. Dinner at my place: lasagna, salad, and garlic cheese bread. Dessert will be Key Lime Cookies. tea, pepsi or coke products to drink. see you at dinner. Big Maude
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51425: Good afternoon everyone. Its chilly, windy, and drizzling here. I've experienced nicer April days.

ROMEENA: Glad to hear that things may be looking up for Sugarplum. And your attitude is wonderful. Still, we'll keep praying.

BOO: It sounds like Erin's teacher might just mean well but is clueless. Sounds like you're handling thing real well, though. And I'm not just saying that because I like clean shorts ;).

MAUDE: Nice looking family! (When are the rest of you going to submit your pics?!?)

What happened at VA Tech truly is tragic. I don't think we can ever really understand why such things happen--what causes people to resort to such things. It is so sad that this may have been averted if that pathetic individual had experienced the Good News that he is loved.

What causes me anger is the reaction of the media and some to, only one day later, already start acessing blame and "Monday morning quarterback." Right now, the focus should be on helping the survivers and families cope with this tragedy--period. The "whys" and "hows" can be examined later when they can be looked at rationally and cooly.

I think the college administration and police are getting a raw deal right now. After all, when the first incident was being investigated, who could have fathomed another, worse, incident? When a shooting occurs in a store or a home, is the entire mall or neighborhood evacuated? It puts me to mind a news story from last week, that the French equivalent of the CIA heard in spring 2001 that al Quada planned a highjacking of an American plane. Critics started taking them to task. One French official said, in essence, that its easy to criticize in retrospect, but in spring 2001 highjacking a plane meant taking it over, flying it somewhere, and demanding a ransom, not flying it into a building. Hindsight is 20/20, and some just can't resist having someone to blame for everything. It's called "victim culture."

Prayers for VA Tech families, friends, and all the rest of you. May God have mercy on us all.

Me-They
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51426: Right on, Me-They. It's so easy to look back and say what someone else should have done, or what "I'd have done if I'd been there." Truth is, I wasn't there, and I don't know what I'd have done if I had been.

There are two little squirrel noses poking out of the entrance hole in their nest box right now, and a third one is trying to peek out as well, but there just isn't room. It's rainy and drizzly, and their mama has herded them back into the box, because the trees are slippery and their climbing skills aren't terribly sharp just yet. Having tasted freedom in the past two days, however, like any youngsters, they're hanging around the door, no doubt whining about having to stay in. Nature is just fascinating!

Well, gotta go to work tonight, so guess I'll try to catch a little nap. Sugarplum, who is feeling frisky, says hey! --Romeena
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51427: Oh, I forgot to mention that my grandmother came through surgery fine. She is a little sore, but otherwise a-okay. And her cat is no worse, so that's a blessing. Thanks for all your prayers.

M-T
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51428: Glad to hear your grandmother is doing well, Me-They. You are a good grandson to be so concerned about her.

Glad Sugarplum is feeling frisky. Sean was just asking me about her. He remembers her well from our meeting in Fredricksburg. Sean is about the biggest dog-lover I know. Erin is crazy about them, too. When we go out to the property, there is a little short-legged, shaggy dog who is afraid of most everyone except Erin. As soon as we show up he runs over and follows her everywhere she goes. She adores "Hotdog" and he adores her.

I know what you all mean about the hindsight. When I hear all the critics, I keep thinking about how hindsight is 20/20. We all want to believe that all tragedy such as this is preventable because it makes us feel safer, but the truth is, we will never be able to prevent all tragedy. I do think that we need to work on how to handle things more effeciently in the future, though.

Have to go get Erin from school....

Boo
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51429:
R0- great news about the furkid! My prayers continue.
Boo- glad thigs are better with you and bruce. You never know about us men, ya think were were from another planet! ha (ie: mars!)
Hope all are ok today. prayers for all. May the good Lord be with us all. He said his yoke is easy. thank you Jesus.
Have a good one,
MDC
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51430: Howdy, all. Gotta get ready for work, but just thought I'd stop by. Boo, why is that little Hotdog scared of everyone? Does he have a family, and are they maybe not so good to him? Hmmm. Wonder if they'd care to let Erin have him? Wonder if Erin's mom wishes I'd mind my own business?

Here's more good news about the Plum. This afternoon I walked into the den, and there she stood, up on an ottoman. Since then, she has hopped up there a couple more times, so the strength is returning to her back legs. It might have to do with getting those stitches out yesterday, too. I'm sure they pulled when she tried to jump, and she's just now discovering that they're no longer there. Folks, thanks so much for all your prayers for her. The vets are a bit confounded by her case, but I'm beginning to understand it very well. God answers prayer, even for a little dog.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51431: Three cheers for Plum! Hip hip Hooray, Hip hip Hooray, Hip hip Hooray!

Prayers for those in Virginia and around the country. . .this world is a mighty strange place anymore. Aren't we glad the next one is Wonderful and Splendid!

Anyone wanting to see some baby pictures - take a Google for Diamond B Boer Goats and go to Kids 2007. For those not knowing - that's my goatie website!

Take care everyone - and love someone tonite!

hm
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51432:
Hello porch family. Just got in from the road. Missed you folks yesterday.

First off...my prayers for the the folks in W.V.. So sad. It makes me want to go to my daughters college and just hug her so tight.

Ro...Oh I am so thankful for Plums report. Thank God for prayers! Still praying.

Mayor...so good to see ya brother. Yep, I had my throat spray.

Gotta go for now. Prayers for all the porch family.
-REV.
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51433: Homemaker writes: "...and love someone tonite!"...what a sweet thing to say. I like that. I am very thankful to the Good Lord that I have family and so many wonderful friends to love.

I am very happy to hear that things are going well with Suparplum.

Glad you are in from the road, Rev...I agree, so very sad for the people in Virginia. I'll bet thousands of parents feel just like you do and are calling and asking their children to come home for a visit or are on there way to visit their children.

Think I will take Melatonin tonight. For the past several nights I have been waking up at 4 or 5am and having a real tough time going back to sleep. I guess I will turn in. Hope you all rest well and God bless the porch.

Boo
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51434:
Just checked out the new pics on Ro's album. Great looking family Maude. Thanks for sharing with us.
And good to see the Mayor's new pic too.
All of you that don't have your pics posted, get them to Ro.
Thanks Ro for keeping us posted on the album. You are a sweetheart!
-REV.
April 17, 2007 - Msg 51435: Im still here gang...prayers to all...Miss Sherry had a tree fall in her yard and I had to go cut up today.....breakfast on me at waffle house in the morning....SPOT
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51436: What is Ro's picture album website? I have forgotten. . .sorry!

hm
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51437: morning porch family. hope all is well this morning. It is good to see everyone today. Thanks for breakfast SPOT. not much going on on my end of the porch, which is a good thing I think. Glad to hear Plum is doing well. Anyone heard from Millie? Hope she is okay. Prayers for everyone today. Lunch will be: Pizza Hut Buffett on me. see you there. Big Maude
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51438: HM-why do you add this address to you files that way you will have it all the time. (romeena.myphotoalbum.com).

LOVE TOM


April 18, 2007 - Msg 51439:
Morning porch...Hope everyone is have a blessed day. Cloudy here on this end of the porch.

Thanks for lunch Maude. See ya'll there.

Boo...hope all is still going well with the property. I know it's a lot of stress getting things all ready. But it will all come together and be well worth all the hard work.

Better get to doing my chores for the day. Got things stacked up that has to be done. Check with you all later. Have a Jesus filled day and know that I'm praying for all the porch family.
-REV.
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51440: Good morning everyone. TOM, MAUDE, HM: Which one of you was responsible for putting the coffee on? Cream and one sugar for me, thanks.

BOO or MDC: Please explain this melatonin, if you have the opportunity.

Hotdog? Did someone say hotdog? I love the all-beef kind with mustard and sweet onions. Chicken kind--blah!

Where did everybody go? I know that AUH2O is boycotting us (wait until I tell Hilary), and HAZEL may be, too, but others have disappeared or been scarce lately. There's nothing quite as pleasant as a full porch, so you'll come back for a set!

Me-They
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51441: Sorry, didn't see you there, REV. Howdy!

M-T
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51442: Oh, sorry, MAUDE, I'd love to join y'all but I'll have to skip the buffet. A buffet might as well be dangling over the side of a cliff by a piece of dental floss to me.

M-T
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51443: Hey, M-They, have you tried the new Oscar Myer "Naturals" hotdogs? They are all-beef and contain no nitrates or dangerous preservatives. You should try them. They taste a little different than regular hotdogs but I like them. I have the same feeling about regular hotdogs as you have about the buffet! Melatonin is a natural substance, produced by the body, that regulates our sleep patterns. As we age, our body makes less of it and we have troubles with sleep. Melatonin can be taken in pill form and it helps to get a good night sleep without the dragged-out feeling you get from sleeping pills. You have to start out at a very low dose, though, because it can make you feel tired if you take more than you need. I only take 1mg. You can buy it anywhere but I suggest Schiff brand because I know it's safe. It is really good stuff and you can tell that you are sleeping better and dreaming more when you take it.

I am missing Hazel and Auh2o, too. Wish they would come back.

I read a bumper sticker yesterday that said: "Politicians are like dirty diapers: They need to be changed often, and for the same reason." couldn't resist sharing that one.....

Boo
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51444: Okay - I just went to the photo album and M-T, you don't look like the moulage starter that you are. Everyone looked great! Big Maude - your name doesn't fit you. . .

I am still reading bits and pieces about Monday's tragedy in VA. It sounds like the gunman had a severe problem. I think prayers need to go up for his mother and father. How tragic for them as well.

We just a little jr. high girl swallow a handful of Tylenol 3 here at school. Someone saw her and reported it - praise God - and our guidance counselor, who is a STRONG Christian is with her.
We need to be doing something folks - but what - I don't know. There are too many things going on this world with children of all ages that is not right. It just sickens me. I know that it is Satan who gaining a foothold in too many hearts.
That's my moulage for today. . .

Give everyone an extra squeeze today! (Even Asa gets a hug!)

hm
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51445: No moulage from me on that one, HM.

Thanks for your explanation, BOO. And that was a good one!

Me-They
"We defy the Mafia!"
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51446: Maybe -Hazel and Auh20 are down from the storm that came by this pass weedend.
tom
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51447: Morning porchsters! Beautiful day... the birds are just singing their little hearts out! Not much time to chat. Busy day ahead. Having our pastor over for supper tonight before prayer meeting. Have a great day everyone.

"Lots of luck to you and yours!"
Miss Peggy
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51448: Very scary about that Jr High student, HM. Doing something like that can cause a child to need a liver transplant. Prayers for her and her parents. May the Lord reveal to them what the girl needs. It is a tough time to grow up. Last night I invited a friend to the bible study at the drug rehab. She shared with them about her son who started getting into trouble at age 12. It was heart-wrenching to say the least. My friend and her husband are wonderful christian people who were not able to have children for years. She did become pregnant with their only child, Nathan and she was so thankful and took great care of him. He started showing signs of mental illness at 12 and was diagnosed as bi-polar. They did everything in the world for him, lots of counseling, hospitals, brain scans...everything, but he still got into trouble, got on drugs and has now been missing for 5 years and has a warrant out for his arrest. They have tried everything to find him, even private detectives, handed out thousands of flyers, you name it and have turned up nothing. So hard to accept sometimes that you can seem to do all the right things and still things can happen. Mental illness is a tough battle to fight and I think our society and environment contribute to it in kids now. I don't think things will be getting better, I'm afraid.

Have to go help Sean. Talk to you later,

Boo
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51449:
Boo....I like that bumper sticker about the politicians.

Hey there M-T....are you keeping things in order up there in Maryland?

HM...that's so sad that a kid so young would go that far. We need to keep our youth in our prayers. They have a lot of pressure on them.

Prayers for all.
-REV.
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51450: I'm certainly trying, REV, but few share my compelsion for order and will cooperate.

Y'all have a great evening. I get to spend some time with the Mrs. tonight. Can't wait to get those kids fed and to bed.

Oh, by the way, for all y'all who drop by Miss Crumps from time to time, FLOYD has set up a new board and will soon be axing the old one. The new one is okay, and certainly more functional, but is a lot like those bulletin boards you come across all the time and seems a little less personal. But I guess the times they are a-changin'.

Me-They
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51451: Thanks everyone for the warm welcome, not.. so much for the born again Christian and psuedo " Mayberry " welcome wagon.. slightly hypocritical?? ..refer to message " April - 16th - 2007 - 5140 ".. for my introduction.. not even a nod, a slightest recognition of a new board entry??? how warm and Christian and " Andylike ".... and we wonder why the secular world casts a suspicious eye at dogmatic organized religion?? time to revist the Serman On The Mount".....

Robert
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51452:
Me-they- melatonin is made by the body to get you into "sleep mode". You can google it to see more. But the tablet form is just a little extra help to sleep without all the chemicals of sleeping pills. But as Boo said, some brands can really turn on the dream machine! So start out with quarter or half tab. I take Nature Made brand, and it is no so bad with the dreams.
I do check out Miss crumps from time to time. Hope the change is ok. Have you seen AFD over there lately?
Also, did I miss something with the AUh20 boycott? Hope he comes back soon.
SPOT, Rev, MD etc, racing at PHOENIX international Raceway this week, undeer the lights, should be a good one.
REV, I like Kasey, but am pretty wide open this year.
Spot- good of you to help Miss Sherry.
HM- I watched the Miss Peggy episode Monday night to just calm down! Sure hope in the world to come that there will be lots of good guitar strummin' evenings on the great veranda!
LUCY- apb for you and Adelle and others!
You all have a great evening!
MDC
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51453: ** note** error... thats message " April - 16 - 2007 - 51410 "

Robert
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51454:
Robert, please understand the nature of that day. I can only speak for myself, but i just thought you had found this board to just express a prayer thought like so many of us were doing that day. When Don Knotts passed away, we had many one time visitors who just expressed sentiments who wre not acknowledged.
So please, pull up a rocker if ya like, set for a spell. The subjects are many, and they usually come back round to Mayberry and the Andy griffith Show as time goes by. EG: my post above about the Miss Peggy episode.
Hang in there with us.
MDC
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51455:
We were posting "at the same time" there, so again, welcome.
MDC
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51456: HEY to all my porch friends. Thanks for asking about me, Maude. Actually, I've been having troubles, which is why I've been absent. Today we(hubby and I) have been at the dr's and the hospital all day, and I'm feeling better, so here's what's been going on.....
Last week, when we were on vacation, I had no chemmo, and was supposed to be well. But I was getting sick almost every day(throwing up)and I thought I may have had a virus or something. Then we came home, and I kept getting sick. The last few days it got really bad, and I was feeling just awful. I didn't call the doc because I didn't want to miss a chemo treatment this week. Last night, I was throwing up all night, and by this morning I was a wreck. Hubby took me to the oncologist(my chemo was scheduled for 9am) and they took a look at me, noted I had lost 10lbs in a week, and gave me to the nurse practicioner. She checked all my labs and stuff, and thought it might be brain mets causing the nausea, so she set me up with a brain MRI for this afternoon. Then they took me back to the infusion room and but me on a 3 hr drip to rehydrate me, gave me some Zofran in my iv(a nausea medicine) and by the time we left, I felt much better. Then we went to the hospital and got my MRI. We picked up more meds from the pharmacy and just got home a half an hour ago. Tommorow I get the results of the MRI, and more fluids and potassium and stuff I'm low on.
Anyway, I know this sounds like a lot of medical gobbledygook to most of you, but hey, that's my life right now.
I know I don't even need to ask for y'all's prayers, you all are ever-faithful in that respect. I appreciate it. I even called the pastor this morning, and he said some great things to God and to me. I am not upset, not too worried, and just really glad to be feeling so much better.
I'm sorry for being so quiet about all this until now. I hated to come on here just to complain and say "Woe is me". So I'm here to say I'm bouncing back, better than ever!
Now, about Hazel. We chat at Sarah's a few times a week, and we have become good friends. I don't think she's boycotting the porch at all. She feels like she's not well liked here, like she is different. She is the sweetest, kindest, most generous soul in the world, and I'm so glad she is my friend. I hope she comes back soon. And if anyone wants to join us at Sarah's, we'd love to have you.
Since I'm feeling so good, I'll do supper tonight....a big pot of chili, cornbread and salad. Sweet tea to drink and nanner puddin' for dessert. Mmmmmm, mmmm.
Millie
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51457: Welcome, Robert, you are certainly welcome here. Pull up a rocker. Sorry for not welcoming you sooner.
Millie
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51458: MDC, have fun with the Mrs. tonite.
Mil
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51459: Millie- You are in me prayer all the time.send me a big bow of that pudding at will be goodfor me right because I had a tooth out yest.
Spot maybe you can git a bed that look good a racecar.

LOVE TOM
PRAYER VERYONE
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51460: Millie, you have really been through it. Don't ever feel like you are complaining...YOU are certainly NO whiner. Prayers that you continue to feel better and that the MRI results are good. God uplift and strengthen you and your family.

I think everyone likes Hazel very much, but I can understand why she might feel like she isn't liked just because we are all pretty forthright with our opinions here on the porch and that probably makes her feel uncomfortable now and then. I like her and really want her to come around often. I'm glad you are her friend, Millie.

Seems like there has been alot of pain here on the porch recently, for different reasons. I have to say that Robert hurt my feelings with his post (and my feelings don't get hurt very easily). We have all been through alot and April the 16th was very painful. Robert's post felt like salt in the wound. I'm sure he didn't mean to do that and maybe he is hurting, too and that's why he was so judgemental. I forgive him, of course and I hope he will understand that nobody slighted him on purpose.

Well, better go...

Boo
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51461: Tom, hope your tooth is better. Boo, thanks for your kind words.
I think we are all just not ourselves the last few days, feeling unsure, and afraid. I don't know if Robert has been here before and never posted, or if he is new and just doesn't know us. I hope he will give it the ol' Mayberry try again. We are the closest thing to a real Mayberry that I have found. We need each other, and we should support each other. I know how much I value the special friends I have here.
Millie
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51462: Also, Robert, as Mr Darlin's Cuz said, many people do come here at times of sadness to post prayers and thoughts, and never sit and rock with us. It was not a normal time here. In fact, a lot of regulars didn't even post that day. All my regular sites were slow that day. I guess we were just all trying to procces the events of the day. I hope you understand.
Millie
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51463: Millie I had it taking out.

tom
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51464: I agree Millie. You are all good friends and sometimes I think that being able to come here the past few years has kept me sane. I know it helps me to deal with the stress to be able to talk to friends and to pray. It's really pretty amazing how often I think of all of you throughout my day. Hope you all have a peaceful evening.

Boo
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51465: My goodness. I never realized you could offend someone by saying nothing, but obviously, it can be done. Robert, you are welcome here, but do try to pull in your horns just a bit, and don't start right out by chastising us for not being as forthright as you thought we would be. Others have offered excellent descriptions of the mood of the porch that day, and I won't try to improve on them. It was nothing personal, no one was intentionally slighting you, and we hope you will settle in here and join us as a regular.

Millie, please do your best to assure Hazel that she is most definitely well-liked here, and I'm so sorry she feels otherwise. Her wit and humor are highly prized and appreciated, and she is missed. So we don't always see things the same way - who cares? I've agreed to be less plain-spoken, and really am trying. I hope she'll take that as an olive branch, and come on back to the porch.

As for you, Millie, my prayers for you continue, and reflect my constant concern for you. I have a very small inkling of what you're going through. I guess where your misery is a 10, mine would have been a 1, but at least I have a little notion. Keep the faith, love.

Well, got to get ready for work. A lively little Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51466: Welcome Robert!..im the cook here most of the time!..Rev it was a great race,hey peggy,ro,boo,tom,m-t and possum and asa and all!..lucy,millie,miller...Big Maude...have been busy today...in case yall have not eat its pintos and beef ribs on the grill with mac-n-cheese....well let me let Otis out to run....back in a bit...prayers....SPOT
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51467: Sorry, Tom, not reading carefully. Hope your MOUTH is better.
Ro, I would not say what you are going through is a 1....after all, when it's happening to you, it IS a big deal, and Sugarplum is certainly more than 'just' a dog. Have a good night at work, if possible.
Boo, I, too, think of everyone here a lot everyday, and it gives me comfort, too. I think God hooked me up, so to speak. I could be very lonely right now, but I'm not.
Spot, did you get that tree outta Miss Sherry's yard? Kisses for Otis and Opie.
Millie
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51468: p.s....my dog Sammy say's "ARF!"

Mil
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51469: mmmm me moodring is chnging colore it red now,
I think is for love and what we are going to give everyone here.

LOVE TOM

April 18, 2007 - Msg 51470: Good thought, Tom, I think you're right!
Millie
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51471: Gooood TAGS on tvland...."Crime Free Mayberry"....lets all take a big dose!
Millie
April 18, 2007 - Msg 51472: Evening Porch, just a quick run by to say hello & I am thinking of ya'll tonight. Gotta run get the night routine all finished so I can get to bed. Got an all day volunteering job tomorrow for the Donate Life organization. See ya'll tomorrow.
*Mavis