April 18, 2008 - Msg 62061: No, I don't think you are overly cautious, Sterling. The internet can be a very dark place and you are right to protect Kai. I didn't really think about it when I sent pics of Erin to Ro, but I don't think there is anything in the pics to identify her. Sad to think we have to worry about things like that, but after our recent conversations about inappropriate adult behavior around children, I can't help but be concerned. If there were so many of us who had those types of experiences in the 50's-70's, just imagine how much of it is out there now. I shudder to think...I am so thankful, that so far as I know, my children haven't suffered that way. Erin had that one incedent with a child who was a year older than her, but nothing else I don't believe. God protect our little ones, Little Kai, Laci, Nora, Veda, Chad, Erin, Sean, and all our little precious porch children (and grandchildren). May your hand of protection be forever on them and may your angels gaurd and protect them from evil. Gaurd their innocent minds, Lord, and teach us how to parent them and teach them in your ways. I pray that they would be equipped and ready to face life when they are grown and that they would always "call upon the Name of The Lord". Give them your favor, your blessing, your strength, and set them on fire with the fire of heaven. May they always be Yours and bring great glory to your Name. In the name of Jesus, Amen. (just felt like offering up a prayer for the little ones). I love all of you people, and your families.

Boo
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62062: Thanks for that, BOO. I second your "amen."

STERLING: If you're odd for feeling the way you do, then call me crazy, too. I'm just glad that you're cuatious and not sensitive ;).

Nice sweep, BOO. Or did you use the Dyson?

Me-They
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62063: troublecheck

April 18, 2008 - Msg 62064:
Hey MT- i forgot to tell you that that was a very funny analogy of the tax refund to a bank account! ha
I guess i'll be looking at Dysons this weekend. Are they made in USA? That is important to me.
Maybe barney will come to my house and demo it. ha
Boo- if i may ask, how is sean a vacumn expert? Just curious.
Possum- prayers for you. have you tried Immodium?
ASA- good advice on the debt. Also, these earthquakes in diverse places maybe telling us something also! (Matt 24)
ROmeena, you may want to remind the supervisor that it took forever for them to come and fix THEIR leaning pole, but only one day for them to come out and ruin YOUR trees!
HAZEL-HAPPY DAY TO YOU!! WONDERFUL. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH Mr and Mrs Boone!! You know how to make it work! ha
It's great kite-flying weather today! hmmm...
MDC

April 18, 2008 - Msg 62065: Boo,thank you for that beautiful prayer for our little ones.

MDC,took a few immodium yesterday-not sure if that's what I needed or not. I also have felt like I was getting a sinus infection,so I had my daughter(she's studying nursing) look in my ears with an otoscope & she said it looks as if I have fluid behind one eardrum & it may be getting infected.Maybe that's causing some of the queasiness,etc.I started antibiotics that I had on hand,so maybe things will clear up soon.If not,I'll have to get some of those little blue pils,like Me-They suggested!

I didn't hear about the earthquake.Glad you're ok,homemaker.Where exactly did it hit?

Well,I've got chores to do,so I'd better get 'em done.Y'all take care-love to all!

possum under a rock
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62066:
Possum- yes indeed the inner ear can do that for sure. Dramamnie may help the queasy feeling.Will keep up the prayers.
MDC
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62067: MDC: I'd bet Sean knows the best vacuum for the same reason I do. I know the best wet mop, too ;). And don't get me started about dish liquids.

M-T
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62068:
Wow MT, the next thing you'll tell me is that Calgon is an ancient Chinese secret! ha

Hey, prayers for all who were in the earthquake today. I heard that it was felt in 11 states.
True that central earthquakes go further out than coastal ones, but it is still very scary.
Hope all are doing OK.
MDC
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62069: Right Me-They, Sean has been vacuming, sweeping, mopping and cleaning since he was 2. I have not vacumed a floor in at least 3 years and only once or twice in the last 7. He also mops and does a great job. You should see the way he cleans his room and bathroom! Puts me to shame. It's the OCD that causes him to be so good at cleaning and he has known basic vacume repair and maintenance since he was about 5, MDC. We have owned several kinds of vacumes during his lifetime because he wears them out. When Sean is really stressed, he vacumes and it is an everyday thing. He is also amazing at yard work. He mows in really straight lines and is a perfectionist with the weedeater. He would be a great landscaper some day.

Hope you are feeling better today, Possum.

Well, I have to finish dinner and get ready to go to the youth lock-in tonight at church (go ahead, call me crazy). I am going to help with the many hotdogs that will be fed to the many young mouths. They are actually going to have an outdoor concert, too, with ice cream after (at around 1am!)..I will not be staying all night but will leave at 1. Wish me luck and pray..I think we will see quite a few unchurched kids who will have a chance to hear the gospel. Later!

Boo
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62070: Oh, almost forgot, MDC...Sean asked me how old you were and I told him you were in your 50's and he said, "Oh, then he should probably get an Oreck instead because they are lighter (the Oreck XL is 8 lbs) but the Dyson is 18 lbs....he thought you might be too frail since you are in your 50's for goodness sake.
I told him you were in pretty good shape for an old man! ha...the bad news is, the Dyson is made in Malaysia...too bad.

Boo
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62071: I'm working on a building a riding vacuum MDC, so don't rush out and buy anything yet. :)

Asa
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62072:
Boo- tell him I'll come run him over with my walker! ha Actually, i have looked at those "robot" vacumns that turn when they run into something. Interesting. Well, malasia is better than china. i was in Macys domestics last week and 98 percent was everything there was china made. Orecks are made down near Na All-lens.
Prayers continue for Boo and the teen night and for all.
Blessings
MDC
"I'm not gonna stand in the stag line with old man schwump."
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62073: Thanks, MDC! haha...don't go standin' in the stag line (I just love that quote!).

I have a friend with a Roomba (robot vac) and she loves it. She said it works great.

Boo
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62074: Good Afternoon Porch,
I finally had a few minutes to read the archives and check in.
Idelle- Yes, I blog. Mine is homesteadblogger(dot)com/keeperofthehome/. Do you have one?
Boo- You can also find them online or Whole Foods. Thank you for praying for our kids. My guys have OCD, and Bryan really likes things to be clean, but none of them actually want to do the cleaning to fulfill their ocd needs!
Rev- I got gas today at Sam's Club (usually cheaper) and 3.39.
Romeena- I'd certainly raise cane over your trees. I'll sign a petition for you, even though I live a few hundred miles away ;0)! Also, I totally agree with you that illegal is illegal no matter where you're from.
Hazel- Happy Belated Anniversary! How wonderful for y'all. Most marriages do not make it that long, especially with still being in love.
Asa- My husband LOVES watching some stock show at night (I'm already sawing logs) and they say that the economy is near recession. However, Dave Ramsey says that we're alright. How's the Mrs.?
Dr. P- I hope your MIL's disease can be contained and fixed. I'm glad it isn't any worse!
Homemaker- I'm certainly glad you're okay. What area did the earthquake hit? My sister is in Charlestown.
Sterling- In this world you can't trust hardly anyone. Nick got caught up in the MySpace world, but we kicked him off. Sadly, he really doesn't have too many friends that could bring him back in. Now he's watching music videos on youtube daily. We have to check all of the time to make sure that's all he's doing. We have our computer in my bedroom so I always have reasons to come in without him knowing.
MDC- It's good kite flying weather here also. Now, to get the kids off of the Wii, hmmm. Any suggestions;0)?
Mavis- That's really cool about Kyle in the theater. For a while I was an usher at a theater so that I could see plays for free.
Possum- Similan drops are good for ear aches. I really like to take my hair dryer and that takes the pain away. Praying you feel better soon.
Hello to everyone else I missed earlier.
Tonight is pizza and a movie (Daddy Day Camp). If y'all wanna come over.
Blessings,
~Lucy
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62075: Psst.. Hey Boo-don't let Asa know about your friend's Roomba.Next thing you'll know,he'll be over at her house trying to ride the dang thing! (Refer to Msg 62071)

Feeling a bit better-thanks!

MDC,now don't go running anybody over with your walker there! Hee Hee
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62076: Possum, I have been a fan of ginger for years. It helps with nausea, queasiness, and things along that line. I always make sure I have the capsules on hand. The brand I buy is Natures Way.
Gotta run, hubby wants to use the computer, the old buzzard. (I can't remember what Jennie Boone calls her husband)
- Hazel
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62077:
Hello porch family

Dr.P....that great about your MIL. I pray that they now can take care of the rest.

Boo....the man living behind your property may just be the blessing you were praying for.
Ok Boo now we need to talk....You need to set Sean down and explain to him that 50 is not old. Of course when I was his age I thought it was old too. I guess that means I'll be old in a couple of years. Tell Sean I'll still pray for him even though he thinks we are all a bunch of old coots..hehe

Possum....praying you get feeling better soon.

Hazel.....congrats to you and hubby.

Spot....did you get all rested up and get started on your barn today?

Well everyone have a good night's sleep. Prayers for all the porch family. Keep walking with Jesus. Not in front or behind, but right beside Him in His arms!
-REV.
April 18, 2008 - Msg 62078: Real quick, Possum, for nausea I have found that the Seaband's work great. I used them for morning sickness and it really helped!
~Lucy
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62079: Mornin' Y'all! Thank you hazel & Lucy for the advice on using ginger.I tried it a long time ago and it does work as you said.I should get some more.I feel much better since I began antibiotics.Still don't know if it's all connected to inner ear or not-as long as it's all clearing up guess it doesn't matter. Thanks again for the concern & prayers ,y'all.

Looks like I'm the first one up this morning and since I don't feel like rustling up any vittles,why don't I just leave my husband's credit card (hee hee) and y'all all head over to Shoney's for the breakfast buffet?! Yeah-breakfast is on Mr. Possum!

Y'all enjoy and act like somebody over there in that restaurant,ya hear? Make sure Asa's wearing shoes and a shirt!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62080: Hey Rev and possum..and gang...Im bushed...gona read..and yea Rev got all my poles set and it rained last night so gona piddle in the house for a while....Hope yall been eating well..back in a bit...prayers...SPOT
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62081: Hi Alll.
A nice warm day here but by tonight calleding for rain for the next three day ;(
50 not old at all in your min !
You think the your to old to do some of the thing you do wined you was in your 30!
Not me ,I can sill work like that today.

TOM.

April 19, 2008 - Msg 62082: We have some slight showers but no down pours. Out working this morning and off to the Sam's Club this afternoon!

hm
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62083: Good for you, TOM (you are still going strong)! I hope you don't get rained out. It was supposed to rain all day here yesterday but we got just a sprinkle, then the clouds blew off and it was a beautiful, sunny day...you just never know.

Well, I survived the youth lock-in because I left at 12 am. There were plenty of adults present so I came home to get some sleep. Bruce is working today and Erin has a T-ball game this morning, so there was no way I was going to stay up all night...I'm only 45 but I'm no spring chicken anymore! I did have a very nice time, though. The weather was perfect at around 55 degrees and dry. We had an outdoor concert with a band that played on a flatbed trailor and there was a full moon and lots of stars. It was also opening night for the local, annual festival so there was a beautiful fireworks display in the field next to the church. We stood out there and watched and it was just one of those magical moments when everything is perfect. The stars were gleaming overhead, I was with people I love, the sky was full of wonder, and all was right with the world...very Mayberryish...wish you all could have been there with me, then it would have been heavenly.

Better get ready for that game...I walked outside to test the weather and it's hot again (nowhere but south texas...except for Arizona, maybe)...ya'll have a great Saturday, and take time to enjoy life today.

Boo
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62084: Good morning, everyone! That breakfast at Shoney's surely was good - one of my favorite places for breakfast. They closed ours here in my town, but I have memories....

Surprise, surprise. The supervisor man from Oncor didn't call yesterday. And I was so sure that he would! (haha) Well, not to worry. I'll just sharpen up my little nagging machine and call them on Monday. I don't intend to just let this go. There's nothing I can do about the ruined trees now, but I can certainly make them aware that they need to examine their policies and practices. They need to have one man on every crew who (1) speaks English and (2) has some knowledge of the proper way to trim a tree, causing the least amount of damage and leaving it as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Of course, that man will have to be bilingual, since the crew will be Spanish speakers - and that's another topic, which I'd just as soon not get started on today.

My friend Ted was here yesterday. He fixed the wiring problem with the low-voltage lighting around the pond and changed bulbs in at least 7 fixtures - no easy task on outdoor lights, they can be very hard to open sometimes. Then out front he installed eleven more low-voltage fixtures, some of them 50-watt halogen things that throw a surprisingly bright beam. Those are directed up into the trees and the effect is very nice. He had to install a second low-voltage line, in addition to the one that was already there, and of course it had to be buried because it crosses the yard and goes out to a flowerbed near the street. He was here from about 7 am until around 3, and he charged me $125. I paid more for the little light fixtures than he charged to install them. He never charges me very much, bless him. We sat in the sunroom and shared lunch and good conversation, and I tried to help him (mostly by staying out of his way) when he was working, and it was a good day. Everyone, especially old gals like me, should have a Ted in their life. Capable and skilled, honest and trustworthy, kind and a good friend.

Spot, don't you dare piddle in the house! (#62080) You know better than that - you've been a housebroken pup for a long time. You do it, and you'll clean it up!

Well, daughter is on the way up from Fredericksburg, will be here round 1 pm, and I need to get the kitchen cleaned up and run some sort of a vacuum around, not sure what. I may get my Oreck out and try it again. It may work better now that the carpet is no longer new. Boo, I wish I could borrow Sean for a few days. He could just vacuum until he dropped around here.

Be blessed, all. --Romeena
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62085: I thought Spot was housetrained too, Ro. Ok, that's it. No more coming in the house for him. He'll lay out here on the porch next to the last rocker until he can act like he's got some smarts.
- Hazel
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62086: Oh poor Spot. Sounds like his little secret his out. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Time for him to go to reform school. :) (just funnin with ya spot)
Thanks for the dandy vittles there Mr. Possum. Mighty kind of you. We should do it again real soon. Like Romeena said, they closed all the Shoney's around here a few years ago. But they had gotten so bad with there food we didn't miss much. To bad cause they was real fine when they first came to town. Oh well, some folks can't handle sucsess.
Hazel, is your back doing any better? I remind myself of Aunt Bee. My gets to feeling better then I get carried away and do to much, then I'm walking crooked again. Terrible situation, just terrible. I was thinking about having a grease zerk installed in my lower back and giving it a squirt of grease every now and again. It sure sounds like it would help.
Boo, sounds like you had a great night that you'll remember for a long time. Well at 45 maybe not too long a time.:)
Well it's sunny and windy today as a new storm is coming in tomorrow. They say to expect some snow. This winter just won't go away for us.
Everyone have a good day and stay smiling.

Asa
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62087: Oh, I forgot to say hey Lucy. Good to see you back. The Mrs is doing ok. Thanks for asking.

Asa
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62088: I hear ya, Asa. Even when my back is doing good, there's always the knowledge that, like Aunt Bee, "it can go out at anytime". And the stupidest things can make it go out, like last weekend I did gardening, and I was fine afterwards. However on Monday morning, I was just standing at my table looking at a pile of junk mail and I reached for the letter opener, and I must have twisted funny because my back was bad all week. I hate having scoliosis. The knowledge that it will never get better, and that I can only keep it controlled, is depressing. Anyhoo, it feels good today, so that's all I'll say about that.

It snowed here this morning. Guess I'll have to do house work, and not yard work.
- Hazel

"The dice is loaded against the evil-doer."
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62089: We defy the mafia!
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62090: Slickety aint it?
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62091: Hi All.
Will it was a nice day .and git have everything half do outside today .

TOM

April 19, 2008 - Msg 62092:
Hello porch family...Just a quick stop by to check in.

Tom....glad you had a great day today and hope you got everything done you wanted to get done.

Spot....well it looks like Ro has let the cat (dog) out of the bag and told your secret. I'll FedEx you some puppy pads that I had left over from little Jake. hehe

You all have a good night and a great worship day tomorrow. Prayers for all the porch family.
-REV.
April 19, 2008 - Msg 62093: Hazel, Fred is a black hearted buzzard..
the fishwife,
jennie boone

April 20, 2008 - Msg 62094: Good Sabbath Porch.
Hope you all have a blessed day and act like somebody.
Asa
April 20, 2008 - Msg 62095: Just sat down to finish my coffee and it was lukewarm..yuck. Reminded me of Jesus' letter to the Laodiceans in Revelation...when he told them he wished they were cold OR hot, but not lukewarm or he wanted to spew them out of his mouth...strong words, there...may our churches be "hot"!

Have a great Sunday...I'm off to preachin'!

Boo
April 20, 2008 - Msg 62096: Good Sunday morning friends! Raining & cold here on my end of the porch, making my bones & joints ache something terrible. Hey to jennie boone, you old fishwife! teehee
*Mavis
April 20, 2008 - Msg 62097: Good sabbath to ye porch-dwellers. I'm at work today, slaving away. Just thought I'd share my misery.

Who want to bring me doughnuts?

Me-They
April 20, 2008 - Msg 62098: Hello (hello, hello)...Is there anybody is here? Just knock if you can hear me. Is there anyone at home?

M-T
April 20, 2008 - Msg 62099: Yall are SOOO funny "ha ha".."Piddle in the house"..yall will take anything and run with it!..I love this porch..glad Sunday is a day of rest...I need it..my fingers are even sore..gona settle in and read in just a bit..Rev our Braves have picked it up a bit!..Chipper is on a roll..well it will be Porter House steaks on the grill,baked taters with bacon bits,sour cream,butter,salad with thousand island dressing,grilled texas toast,grilled corn on the cob,sweet tea abd green onions....will fire the grill at 6...hey asa,Ro,boo,m-t,Rev,Tom,hazel,possum,auh20,Red,mw,opiemom,mdc,md,goober and all...see ya at the cook out...signed:SPOT the"no piddle" dog of your porch!
April 20, 2008 - Msg 62100: Good afternoon, all. Daughter and grandson just left, headed back to Fredericksburg. Her husband and a friend are still here, they're in a golf tournament, got quite a bit more to play. We had such a great visit.

Spot, little Starr is on her way to being a "no piddle" dog as well. Just now I saw her heading into the entry, where there's a little mat at the door that she has decided is a piddle pad. I called to her and she came back into the living room. Then I told her "If you need to potty, you go get in your box." (The box is a 3x3' low wooden frame that holds a stack of her washable piddle pads. She trotted right into the office, headed toward the bedroom, so I followed her. Sure enough, when I got there, she was just hopping out of the box, and there was a little wet spot on the pad. Yay and hooray, I think she's finally getting the idea! That earned her a treat for sure. We may make it yet. She's not dumb, she's just a Maltese. Sweet but stubborn. She may understand, but until she wants to, she won't cooperate. Maybe she's finally beginning to want to.

Well, I feel a nap coming on. The guys just left to go get some golf practice in, so Starr and I are alone. Feels pretty good - I can just stretch out and snooze. Be blessed! --Romeena
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62101: Sorry I missed chatting with you (and sharing in your suffering yesterday), Me-They. I was pretty busy all day yesterday. After church, we ate lunch and I had to have Sean and his friends back to the church. We took the youth to see the new Ben Stein movie, "Expelled". It was pretty interesting but the kids were bored with it. I guess I should go see it alone and without someone asking me 50 questions during the movie....("What's that guy talking about?"..."What does Darwinian mean?"...). My advice is to see it without kids and then rent the DVD later and show it to them so you can pause it for the many questions they will have. An interesting note, remember the youth worker's conference I went to in Fort Worth 2 weeks ago at Southwest Texas Baptist Seminary? Well, we heard a lecture from a scientist there who talked about Darwin vs Intelligent Design, and he was interviewed in the movie by Ben Stein. If I had known that, I would have paid more attention to him in Fort Worth (he lectured after a big lunch at Bennigans, so staying awake was a problem). What I did hear was very, very good, though. Definitely see the movie, but realize that it may not keep the attention of younger kids. It is a documentary, really, or a series of interviews for the most part. If you would like to see the movie trailor, you can see it on God Tube dot com.

Well, better get on with the morning duties...

Boo
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62102: Oh, let me also that if you go to God Tube, three trailors for the movie will come up, the one to watch is the one that says "teaser trailor" and shows Ben writing on a chalk board, or the one that features Lee Strobel talking about the movie. Both are good.

Boo
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62103: Good Morning porch...Miss Sherry and I are gona go bike riding today!..just gona loaf...back in a bit..lunch will be at the local Arbys..on me...SPOT
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62104: Hi to all the porch. Just popping in to see how you all are doing. I've had a horrible case of the creeping crud for the past week and it doesn't look like it's leaving any time soon. Drats. Nothing much going on here--trying to take it easy today. Hope everyone is well and perky. SPOT, you be careful on those bikes. By the way, I've never seen a dog ride a bike but I bet it's a sight! Have a great day everyone! mw
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62105: I've seen pictures of dogfs playing poker.

Me-They
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62106: Good morning everyone.

I've been wanting to see that Ben Stein movie. I've seen him on several talk shows talking about it, and R.C. Sproul had him as a guest a few weeks ago. I'll probably wait for the DVD to come out, though.

MERRI: Hope your crud creeps on outta there.

M-T
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62107: Good morning, all. The last of my company left a few minutes ago, full of pancakes and ready to hit the road. All is quiet here once again. I enjoyed having them all here, but I woke up feeling really crummy, sore throat, painful cough, headache - so I'm really kinda glad to have things back to quiet. I don't have to work again until Wednesday night, so I'm grateful for that. I do have a flat of petunias, 30 caladium bulbs and 60 rain lily bulbs to plant, though, and just do not feel like doing it. I guess tomorrow is another day.

The irises out back are just exploding with color. They have grown and multiplied so much since last spring, I can hardly believe it. Each clump is at least four times as big as last year. There will definitely be some divisions this fall - lots of them! They're such pretty things.

Well, I think I feel a nap coming on. Not even 10 a.m. and I'm thinking of a nap? I'll be glad when this crud goes away. Be blessed, all! --Romeena


April 21, 2008 - Msg 62108: Oh, Merri, I"m sorry you've got the crummies too. Have we been hanging out in the same places? --Romeena
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62109: Romeena, when I see an Iris, I always think of you! Hope you are feeling better soon.

Boo
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62110: What episode has the watchman , perhaps Barney, poised to say "Hootie-Hoo"?
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62111: The lookout is Gomer and the episode is in season 4's "The Rumor".
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62112: RO, we must have been because I have the exact same symptoms. Every day that I wake up, it sounds like I've smoked 6 packs of cigarettes and it feels like I've gargled with razor blades sometime during the night. This stuff clings on and on, too. I hope you get better real fast, you don't need to go to work feeling poorly.

I've not planted one thing yet. I was told recently by a farmer to plant 3 months after the last episode of thundersnow. That was February 22, I think. So, it looks like May 22nd for me. This could be just total bunk, but I figure a farmer knows his stuff. Then again, he could just be "farming" moonshine.

Well, I best go take something for my fevered brow...don't I sound pathetic? I try not to take antibiotics because they are so overused but I think in this case, I've developed a sinus infection.

BTW, RO--what happened to your trees made me physically sick to my stomach! I was so upset for you! There are so many things wrong with what happened, I don't even know where to begin. I hope you give that supervisor what-for.

I haven't heard about that Ben Stein movie. I remember him from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. A classic when I was in high school. "Bueller...Bueller...Bueller...Bueller..."

Take care Porch Friends. mw
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62113: Belated CONGRATULATIONS to Jeff and Claire! (and HEY to jennie boone, too!
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62114: Good Monday porch friends,

I am back to work today after my week off. We did not do much, just hung out with the kids, did some long overdue chores at home and rested.
My husband and I did have eye appointments last Monday for out annual check ups. Felt good to be off, sleep a little later than usual. Not sure if it would be good for me to not work though. I might get real lazy. :)

Looks like the porch has been busy and chatty all around.

Hope all the sickly folks are feeling better today. I will cook supper tonight since I have been away for a week.

Dinner will be: grilled chicken, mashed potatoes,
green beans, SLAW, okra, sliced tomatoes. apple
carmel crumb cake for dessert. tea, coffee, kool aid to drink. see you at 6pm.

I have a lot of catching up to do so I better get busy

take care, prayers and blessings to all

Big Maude
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62115:
hey ASA, are you allowed to use the work "zerk" on the internet? haha
Hi to TOM, hope things are thawing out.
I haven't heard from colt lately. Not sure if Lincoln, Ill was affected by the earthquake or not. Say a prayer for him.
M-T- why were you working this weekend?
MW- speaking of moonshine, i watched "Alcohol and old lace" this weekend. I realized that old Rafe Hollister, with the great singing voice, was now a moonshiner named "Ben." As Otis would say, "Dipsy Doodle."
MW- I have heard that antibiotics arent really good for sinus infections anyway as 95 percent are fungal and not bacterial.
Hope all had a good Sabbath day.
prayers for all,
MDC
Clairabel: Now Jenifer, how many times must I tell you that a lady does NOT go into a barber shop.
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62116: pow, pow, pow!
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62117:
Didnt see you there maude. Thanks for the grub.
mdc
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62118: Yeah, I want to see that Ben Stein movie. Though I will probably be waiting until it comes out on dvd. I don't think my wife would be too interested in going to it, and I'm sure Kai wouldn't be.
I saw Ben Stein doing a lecture on C-Span a few years ago just before the last Presidential election, and he really surprised me, because his movie personas(or personae) in the past have always been so slow and tedious. But he was really quite entertaining and interesting giving that lecture, as well as thought-provoking.
Even on his game show, Win Ben Stein's Money, that I used to love to watch, he could come off as kind of a goof-ball. But he really is a very intelligent man.

Don't think I told you all about Kai's poetry reading at the talent show at her school Friday. She actually still did want to do it after she got out of school that day, though she did bring up as the event came closer how nervous she was.

She was the second to the last performer, which I never liked being at the end when I had to do anything like that, because I found out it was always better to be one of the first ones and then you get to sit and watch everyone else be nervous, and you get it out of the way quicker.
I didn't tell her that, of course, because she was nervous enough, though she didn't show it too much. She did lick her lips a bit once she got on stage as the MC was announcing her, and I could just feel her heart beating fast and the nerves coursing through her body. I felt so bad for her, but proud as well that she was going through with it even though she was scared.

I think it helped that she only had three lines to read(she picked one of the shortest poems). It was a poem by Shel Silverstein, from a book she got for Christmas. The poem was called "Hat", and it went like this:
"Teddy said it was a hat.
So I put it on.
Daddy said where the heck's the toilet plunger gone?"
It was kind of hard to understand her, so the MC gave her another mic and asked her to do it again.
When he did that, I was like, "oh oh!" Because I thought she might be too nervous to do it again. But she did it, and it did sound better. She even looked less nervous the second time. And she got a laugh too.
I did film it, but I don't think I can upload it to YouTube, as right behind her onstage there was a big sign with the name of her school on it.

My wife got kind of mad at the Pastor this Sunday at church. I hate to admit this, but she tends to be the kind of person who gets offended at anything that doesn't fall into the spectrum of political correctness.
The first thing he said during announcements was that they were looking for ladies to help in the kitchen for this one event. Now, I caught that one, but only because I thought it was funny because I do all the stuff in the kitchen, and my wife would be lucky to be able to boil water correctly. Just kidding(she could boil water, as long as she had the recipe);).
The other thing he said was something about starting a baseball team and getting people to sign up for that. Well, I didn't catch what he said on that one that she found so offensive, but she said afterward that he made it sound like he didn't think women could play baseball.
She said, half-joking, but half-not, that she was so mad about those things that if she would've had the car keys she would've got up and left.
Now, you have to understand that the Pastor jokes good-naturedly about a lot of stuff, and he WAS joking while he was talking about the baseball stuff. I just can't remember what exactly he said about that, I guess either because I was wondering whether I should sign up or not, or because I don't get my nose out of joint at every un-PC thing someone says.
I did tell my wife concerning the kitchen thing that he probably just focused mainly on the women for that because not many men do stuff in the kitchen.
Does that mean that I think women should stay in the kitchen? No it does not. But that is just how the traditional roles were, which I find nothing wrong with. Those roles worked for generations of people.

Now, in her defense, I did notice that when the Pastor and associate Pastor first came over to our house to exchange introductions and get to know each other a bit, they asked me what I did for a living, but they never asked my wife what she did, even though she is the main breadwinner in our family. Accidental oversight, or deliberate omission based on traditional thinking of the husband/wife relationship? Hard to say. They did get into talking about her job at our next home visit with the head Pastor and his wife.

Maybe the Pastor is just used to those traditional roles. But he must see all kinds of relationships in his work, so I don't think he is deliberately trying to be "offensive".

Am I wrong here, women of the porch? Would you find those things s@xist and offensive?

Something to think about. Please print your answers with a #2 pencil and turn in your sheets at the end of the class. ;)

-Sterling Holobyte
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62119: Sorry about that last bit, I must have thought I was at Miss Crumps. ;)

-Sterling Holobyte
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62120: Great moulage starter, Sterling! I love it. I don't think I would be offended, really, but I have to admit that there have been times that I wondered why in the heck the men didn't help out in the kitchen...well, that was years ago. Now, I think we may have the only Baptist church in the south that has as many men working in the kitchen as women. I think most of the women in my church are kind of non-traditional....or we just have alot of really nice men who like to help out. In fact, the last time we had a church supper, I noticed that it was Bruce and our other deacon standing in the serving window giving out the drinks. The men also do most of the cleaning-up, including the vacuming, etc, which is usually Sean's job. Women are also doing most of the committee work within the church, which is interesting to me. It's at least 50/50. It does sound like your wife's reaction was "over the top" but maybe she is sensitive in that area, especially if she struggles with feeling inadequate....or maybe just wants to change churches and was waiting for someone to say something that she could get mad about...hard to say. In my experience, when my pastor has said anything I don't agree with, I talk to him about it because I may be reading something into things and I really don't want to accuse someone or make wrong assumptions.

Was that as clear as mud?

Boo
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62121: That was pretty clear and well-said, Boo.

I don't really think she wants to change churches(not yet, anyway), because she has said that she likes this church, and also she did ask me after the service about whether we should talk to one of the pastors about Kai going to Sunday school(which they have before the junior church she goes to right now), and about becoming members of the church.
I have a feeling though that if she would get more involved in it, she would find the same kind of situation as your own church, with a lot of men with things also. Heck, I just remembered I saw one of the male church members helping decorate one of the rooms for that Hawaiian teenage thing they just had last week. Maybe I can bring that up if she mentions it again. Thanks for reminding me.

-Sterling Holobyte
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62122: That's supposed to be, "with a lot of men HELPING with things also."

See what happens when you rush?! What IS my hurry?

...oh yeah, I have to go pick up Kai from school pretty soon. ;)

-Sterling Holobyte
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62123: BOO: Sterling's wife isn't sensitive; that's spirit!

STERLING: Some Christians get hung up on the gender stereotypes, both traditional and nontraditional. I've met many women (and men) who feel as your wife, but just as many women (and men) who like to put on a show about holding fast to traditional roles. In fact, much of what we consider gender roles is more cultural than Biblical. And cultural stuff changes over time. For example, Aunt Bee maybe would know how to rustle up a mess of fried chicken, but her pioneer great-great-grandmother would have known how to muck out the chicken house, cut off the chickens head, drained it, then chopped the wood to cook it. I'd say in many ways some of the role changes of late are actually throw backs--not that that's bad.

The Bible does set soem pretty clear duties for men and women, husbands and wives. But mostly in generalities. Some people may interpret "keeping the home" as women doing the dishes; others may believe that "loving your wife" means you doing that duty so she can relax after a hard day or do something else. I think most married couples find a good compromise for them. I, like you, do my fair share because my wife works. If she didn't, I'm sure she'd take more of the household chores on...and I'd let her. ;)

Me-They
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62124: MDC: I worked yesterday because one of our facilities is open to the public on Sundays. We have docents who give tours, but one staff person has to be here to "babysit." So, I have to do about one every seven weeks or so. Could be worse, right?

M-T
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62125:
I love your chicken comparison MT. That is so true. Washing clothes would be another. With our new washer, we just set it and forget it. If we had gotten the companion dryer, they actually "communicate" with each other, and the dryer would automatically pick the proper setting and dry time for the load that is in the washer before the washer even stops! We saw it at the maytag store. Pretty amazing, but scary when the machines know more than we do!
MT- where do you work again? Docents are usually connected to historical sites, right?
MDC
Where's our Romeena?
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62126: That is a really interesting point you bring up, Me-They (about some of our changes actually being throw-backs from past generations)...I really like that idea and I think you are really hitting on something there. In the pioneer days, women had to be strong and independant and able to do many things for their families to survive...there were no sissies on the prarie (that lived for long, anyway)! I often think of my great-grandmother and how she raise a house full of kids on her own when her husband died young. There was no help from the government in those days and she had to rely on hard work and the Lord. She got the job done and lived to be in her 80's. She's the one I have told you all about who was on her death bed at home and slipped into a coma. She awoke out of the coma, called for her children and told them that she had seen the Lord and he told her he would be back to get her soon. She said her goodbyes, looked toward the foot of the bed and said, "There He is", and she was gone...at least that's the story my mom always told me. She said my great grandmother was a great woman.

Sterling, I rejoice to hear that your wife is interested in joining the church and putting Kai in sunday school! I'll bet as she gets more involved and builds relationships within the church, she will be fine. Maybe you should think about having the pastor and his wife over for a bar-b-que or something and getting to know him and his feeling on things.

Wow, MDC, that would be some dryer. Just think, our ancestors beat clothes on a rock down by the river and we have all this technology....

Boo
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62127: Well, I'm rightchere! My response to the question on the table is this - I think it's a tempest in a teapot. No offense intended, Sterling, but your domestic arrangement is still considered non-traditional by most people. Gender roles are changing, but they haven't completed the change yet, and I'm not sure they ever will. I think it was a perfectly natural thing for the pastor to ask you what you do for a living. If he didn't know your situation, what would your wife expect? Should he have asked her what she does for a living, and excluded you? Should he have turned to you and asked for your recipe for meatloaf? No, the poor man was simply acting against the background of his life - how things have been, in about 90% of American homes up until now.

Don't misunderstand me - I'm all for couples trading chores and each one doing what they're best at. My father could make a dirty bathroom absolutely gleam, and my mother never vacuumed. Neither did I. When my husband passed away, and I eventually realized that the carpets needed cleaning, I had to hunt the vacuum. I honestly didn't know where he kept it!

Life is so much simpler if people don't walk around with their horns out, just waiting for someone to say something they can get offended about. I'll guarantee you, someone will. It's just a lot more pleasant if you let such things roll off like water off a duck, smile and keep on going.

Now as most of you know, I have a sharp temper, and a tongue to match, and I work very hard to keep both in check. It's not always easy, and I don't always succeed. Just ask poor George, wherever he is. I can and do get riled now and then, but when I do, it's not going to be about someone assuming that the women will do the kitchen work at church. Especially not when the work is about evenly divided at my church, sometimes with more men back there behind the line than women. The first time I worked back there, I had to ask a man how to operate the disposer and drains, because none of the women knew!

Pick your battles! OK, that's my take on it. --Romeena
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62128: You're right, Boo. The pioneer women were a darned sight tougher than I am, for sure. They did all the things you and Me-They mentioned, and a lot more. The could pick up a rifle and defend the homestead when necessary, too. But make no mistake - gender roles were very clearly divided then, too. It's just that the female roles involved a lot of things that we wouldn't have expected of a woman in the most recent generations, up until the last one. A lot of work was assigned to "woman's work", and when push came to shove, the women were expected to join the men in the fields and help get a crop in as well. I guess they were allowed to return to the house an hour or so early, in order to get a meal on the table for the menfolk! I think the division of roles was pretty much this way: Anything the men didn't want to do was assigned to the women. Things have changed a lot, most women have advantages their grandmother wouldn't even have dreamed of, and personally, I'd rather not make waves. I'll open a door for myself if I must, but if some nice man opens it for me, I'll step through, and give him a smile and a big thank you! --Romeena
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62129:
I am not sure, with so many porch folks coming and going, if there are any Jewish rockers amongst us; but if so: Happy Passover to you!
MDC
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62130: Hello Porch Family:
Just had a few minutes to stop by and rock a minute. Trying to catch up on all the recent postings. Been reading, just not posting... We're doing much better on this side of the porch, weather is finally getting warmer, and now the April showers are tending to raise the creeks, wash my cars, water the new garden plantings and give the children something to ride their bikes through... Better get supper started. Love ya'll ~ New Neighbor
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62131: My opinion, Sterling, is that your wife was a little over-sensitive about the Pastors comments. There's so many things in this world that we could take offense to; and some of them just aren't worth getting all bent out of shape over. Like Romeena said, you've got to pick your battles. Some of them are worth fighting, and some of them are just little misunderstandings, not worth getting your feathers ruffled. That being said, I can relate to your wife, in a way. Like when we do our taxes. The line that says "head of household". And then "spouse". I tell my husband, why can't I be head of house? haha
In my house, both my husband and I work, so we share the housework. To me, that's only fair, and my husband feels the same. (Remember, I've been with him for 31 years!). We take turns. I do the bathrooms one week, and he does them the next. I'm picky about my kitchen, so I do that, and he does all the vacumming. I've never understood why in some households if both people work outside the home, why only one person has to do the housework. But, different strokes for different folks.
Sorry about the folks with the crud. I don't feel too good myself.
- Hazel
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62132: Hahaha! Hazel, I hadn't thought about that "head of household" thing on the tax forms, but I'm amazed that it's not a smoldering ember by now. How has that escaped the notice of the women's libbers?

Just to be sure I didn't leave you folks with a mistaken impression - I have no problem with role-reversal in the household, if it works and both partners agree. My own son-in-law stayed home for about a year while my daughter taught school. They left Houston because they hated it, and moved to a small town. Their agreement was that whoever found a job first would work and the other would stay with their pre-school kids. She was hired immediately as a teacher, so he stayed home. It worked for them, and the only problem I had was with people who would say to me "You mean he doesn't have a job?" I wanted to smack them, but instead I just said "Yes, he has a job, keeping the house, doing most of the cooking, all the laundry, and running after two small children. He just doesn't get a paycheck." Pretty much the same answer that stay-at-home moms have been giving for decades. Anyone who thinks that's not a job should try it sometime.

In the early years of my marriage, my husband really didn't lift a finger around the house. He was brought up that way. Men didn't do housework, women did, even if they had a paying job outside the home. My father always helped my mother, at least within my memory, so it bothered me a little that my husband could just sit and watch me work, but I loved him and it wasn't a deal breaker. Then one day it all changed. As he later explained, it was like God slapped him upside the head and told him to get off his duff and help me. From that point on, he did. In fact, he took over more and more of the work. His explanation to his friends was that he was saving me for "better things". Bless his heart, he was definitely one of the good guys. Men like him don't come along every day.

Well, I'm off to bed. Still got a sore throat, chest is sore, cough HURTS! Hazel, don't you get this stuff. It's no fun. --Romeena