August 04, 2008 - Msg 64711: I am so proud of you, Sterling. You are showing Kai what her loving, Heavenly Father is like and He is pleased, as Ro said. God bless you and your sweet little girl.

It seems like my poor Erin has lost too many people and animals already at her young age, but I know it is making her stronger in some ways and I have tried to help her grieve in her own way and in her own time. I have also noticed that with each loss, she seems to handle the next one better. Having a belief in heaven really helps! Like Paul said, I think, we don't grieve as those who have no hope. Actually, I read something really interesting the other day about a time in the early church (I believe in the area of Rome), in which there was a plague that killed thousands, including Christians. The pagan dean were gathered and piled up with no ceremony, while the Christian dead were carried lovingly through the streets in celebration of eternal life. It was a beautiful testiment of what Christ has done for us. Christians in that day, didn't take much thought for their lives, but were living for eternity...pretty neat (and how it should be, really)

Ro, that story you told literally made feel cold wave flow through my body. Never could imagine why a man would do something like that, and with children in the car. I imagine Dale wanted to pound him. Your poor little daughter. Something like that stays with you a lifetime. I can still remember being traumatized as a child over cruelty I witenessed being done to animals, or even frogs or lizards. It always killed me. My mom was great, though. I don't believe there is a more tender heart in this world, than hers. She was raised by tender hearts who couldn't even slaughter their own pig (they tried it once! ha). Whenever we knew of an animal being mistreated (and this was before we even had animal control in our small town), we would begin our covert mission of abducting the animal! We would figure a plan and manage to get the animal aways from the owner...sometimes at night and then we would find a good home for it. Sounds funny, but my mom would go to any length to help a suffering animal and I guess I inherited that because I have been that position many times as an adult! ha. I am still embarrassed to show my face at the local adoption shelter for animals...they see me coming with another skinny dog, and they hide.

Speaking of....mother-in-law is visiting this week and we have Gizzy here!! We have so much fun with him and he has become very playful. He follows me around everywhere when he is here.

Lots to do today...mom and dad have an appointment with the doc and I have to make a bunch of sandwiches for VBS....better scoot..

Boo

PS-Maude, we have a 30 yr old youth pastor who is married and he is a nice guy, too. For the most part, he has worked out very well. We had a few glitches in the beginning that worked themselves out and things are running well. Hope your new Y Pastor works out well.
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64712: Just a quick trouble check and its back to work for me...thanks maude for breakfast I will get lungh:ham samaches,baked beans,chips,and maude slaw...tea and cokes...hey Ro,Boo,Rev,Tom...just been busy at work...going camping thu...will check in at work if I can...prayers..SPOT
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64713: Good Morning Everyone:

MILK DUD & MILEY De'Lab are still here with me in NE.LA. and doing fine...Thank everyone for their advice and concerns over the new puppy's situation. Talked to the Ex and we worked out without lawyers a joint custody of MILEY De'Lab...Since she is just a puppy and due to their new move into the house I am going to have her most of the time and train her & work with her in the Bayou which is natural...MILK DUD's new house is about 3 blocks from Lake Ray Hubbard on the border of Dallas...it is a large lake and sometimes dangerous on weekends...it is a very nice neighborhood though...Golf lessons going well for the daughter and my old clubs are working fine...she still wants "Pink Golf Clubs and balls"..what a travesty...There is a limit..

Me-They & others...I know he has gotten alot of abuse over ther years, but I have met him once after one of his shed tours while performing in Dallas...anybody a fan of Peter Frampton?...Frampton's "Comes Alive" was on my trusty car cassette deck (no 8 track ever bought, I was cassette and LP guy by 1970) all the time...."Dooooo you, feeeeel like I dooooo".

The "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64714: SPOT: I would like to bring some ZAPP's Potato Chips for lunch..Regular and Mesquite BBQ for the mild spice crowd...CRAWTATORS, HOTTER 'N HOT JALAPENO, CAJUN DILL and SOUR CREAM & CREOLE ONION flavors for the spicy fans...The "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64715: OOoh, Dud! Zapp's potato chips! I love 'em. Now there's a chip you can sink your teeth into! I especially like the Cajun Dill. Goo-ood!

I'm glad you've got things set up to ensure Miley De'Lab's future. It's good that you've got her most of the time, so you can teach her how to behave. A lab is a big dog, and if she doesn't have good manners, she can be a big annoyance. She can't help being big, but she does need to know how to control her body so she's not knocking people over and being a general nuisance. Can you tell that I know a big dog like that?? Sweet dog, but he wears you out just being in the same room.

Well, gotta run. I see the filter box floating upside down in the pond, yet the fountain is bubbling merrily, so I can only conclude that the quick-connect has come loose and the pump is just pulling water directly into the hose. Not really a problem, until a snail gets sucked into the hose. Then - problem. A snail shell makes a dandy cork, and is very difficult to get out of a hose, especially one that lies underwater and runs under a bridge as well.

Be blessed, all. --Romeena
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64716: Speaking of dogs.....this weekend I went to PetSmart to get my cat an automatic kitty litter box. Well, actually it was for me. My cat thinks her litter box is already automatic because I clean it up. Well on Saturdays at PetSmart here the local animal shelters bring their animals in for adoption. Well Saturdays are a bad day for me to go because I want to bring ALL of those animals home with me. Their pitiful, sad looking little faces. Well I had paid for all of my stuff and was about to be on my way out of the store when I stopped for just a minute to look at the pups. Well two of them imemdiately caught my eye. One was a cute and peppy little Dachsund and the other was a timid little poodle that had the face and body of a little lamb. The Dachsund looked up at me and put his paw out for me as if he was saying, "Pick me" and the poodle just sat there looking sad and very lonely. I picked both of them up but the poodle snuggled up to me like a baby. He was as light as a feather. Well I don't need another dog because I have two dogs and a cat but ........ my dad needed another one (he just didn't know that he did). So I had to choose which I thought would be best for my 69 year old father who lives alone. My mom died 3.5 years ago and he lives in a 4,000 square foot house on five acres of land in the country so I know he gets lonely in that big ole house by himself. He does have an outside dog but he needs an inside dog to keep him company, right??? Well I chose the poodle (I know he's not considered a "mans dog" but whatever). The poodle had been confiscated from a puppy mill. He was two years old and was in a cage with ten other dogs. He had never had a home or even a name. He needed someone to love him. So I paid the $100 registration fee and ask the shelter lady if she would go back into the room to get him for me because I couldn't bare to look the Dachsund in the eyes knowing that I wouldn't be taking him. Afterwards, I took poodle to my dad's house and along the way I was rehearsing my "Please you need a dog" spill in my head. Fortunately, it only took five minutes and the story of how he never had a home to convince my dad as he fell in love with poodle in which he named Corky. Corky fell in love with him too and is right by my dad's side all weekend. I missed him so much and went to visit my "dad" three times over the weekend. :) And fortunately for Dachsund, I told my ex-husband about "how he needed another Dachsund that is three years old and he had been a victim of a puppy mill and will be euthanized soon if he didn't get a home" and so he went at lunch time today and adopted Dachsund who's name is Rudy. YEA. These boys got loving homes and I'm so excited.

Ant D
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64717: ROMEENA: Thanks..and I like the name for the puppy too...MILEY De'Lab needs during her formative years to have a good foundation...the thing about lying to my daughter about her previous dog running off...does stick in my craw...It will not happen with this beautiful animal....

Interesting how Obama now says he would consider drilling..can anyone say follow the Bill Clinton Playbook on how to get elected...Haynesville Shale in NwLa number 4 to 5..biggest gas/oil find in history of the world...Barnett Shale in Forth Worth Area number 7 to 8 .
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64718: Well, Ant D, you are to be congratulated. I too avoid going to Petsmart on the weekend, because my heart just breaks for those poor little homeless critters. I have my Toye Starr, do not need another animal around here, but they just tug at my heartstrings, and I leave practically in tears. I could easily become an animal hoarder in my old age. Anyway, you've made my day with the story of the two little fellers who now have loving, forever homes. Thank you for doing that. --Romeena
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64719: Romeena: I'm glad I made your day. It certainly has made my day knowing that these babies are being taken care of now. But I'm like you; it's really a good thing that I don't live on the five acres like my dad does or else I would be an animal hoarder. :) BTW, how do you make your text in bold on here?

Ant D

August 04, 2008 - Msg 64720: Hello: Porch gardners..You have my utmost respect..I would love to do gardnering, even though I do the spice in the window sill process...Gonna' clear out the freezer and make a couple of "Dredge the Swamp" and 4 cheese, Pepperoni Pizzas for Lady Friend, MILK DUD and The Saprano's (Annzalones) across the street. Out of the freezer goes crawfish, shrimp, crab meat, sweated green peppers, Texas 10/14 Onions and I make a white bechamel sauce with feta/mozzarela cheese and spinach...sprinkle a litte bit of real live Parmessan Cheese on top and you have got a meal..La. Sweet Potato Skinny peanut oiled fried fries...Fresh Greek Salade...La. Garlic French Bread and Texas styled Flan with toasted La. Pecans.....Come enjoy, plenty of pizza on request...Reg. Tea, sweeten on request..Barq's Root Beer, Dr. Pepper for the Texans and MILK DUD>....THe "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64721: That sounds delicious Dud! It's making me hungry just reading it. Yum!

Ant D
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64722: Boo (future animal hoarder here)...hehe, I hope not, but it wouldn't surprise me. I wouldn't be opposed to having more dogs, especially but with the shots, spaying, monthly heartworm and flea prevention, they get mighty expensive. Down here, the mosquitos are so bad all summer (and the fleas) that I you absolutely have to stay on top of it or the poor dogs are sick and miserable. Even the dogs that live inside have to stay on heartworm prevention because all it takes is one mosquito bite to infect them with the terrible disease. Treating several dogs would end up costing hundreds each month. The way I deal with that is that I stay clear of PetSmart. If the time should come that my mother-in-law could not care for Gizzy, I would take him, though...he's part of the family and would be given the royal treatment with his fantastic little personality. Let me say to AntD, good work~!! It was a wonderful thing you did for the pups and for your dad.

Man, it is so hot ouside that the squirrels are wrapping their nuts in asbestos.

Boo
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64723: Boo: That was a funny visual with the squirrels and their nuts.

Ant D
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64724: BOO: One more thing about the abestos and the squirrels nuts. I bet it's itchy.

Ant D
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64725:
Well, thanks to Sterling, my eyes are all watered, and i can't see straight.
Just read your story, and am kidding of course in "blaming" you. On the contrary, that was great what you did, and Kai will remember it.
Pretty busy today, so i'm in and out. I too am think of our dear millie.
God bless you all,
MDC
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64726: By the way, I do use BOBOLI pre made pizza crust..I started making quick shortcuts when I went to their outlet in Dallas...I can not make a better crust from scratch than they can...With the high price of food and energy..It is a shame that men/women do not have the skills to cook their families a nutritious meal without micro/waves and pre-made meals...my mother did not teach my sister or me how to cook...we did not make our beds...I learned to cook on my own and went to culinary school...Most people out there do not know how to cook rice/potatoes & beans and sure don't know how to make it have good flavor...The "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64727: DUD: I'm sure that some men/women probably do have the skills to cook their families nutritious meals but it's probably more like that don't have the "time" to do it. I for one am one of those mom's. : ) After I get off of work from my 8 to 5 job, it's a drive home in 30 minute traffic. Once home, I open the door to my 13 year old daughter and 8 year old son and one of them is tattling on the other one for something. After I settle that dispute, I walk another two feet to be greeted by my pups. Then I walk another four feet to unload my pocketbook onto the kitchen counter. Then it's straight to the table to help my 8 year old with his homework which is a horrendous ordeal because he hates homework and getting him to sit still is a battle. Then whatever I prepare for dinner has to be fast (because my family is starving)and those are on the days that I'm not taking one to baseball practice and the other one to youth group for church. And then it's back home for baths and bedtime by 8:30. Phew! I'm tired just typing that. What I wouldn't give to be a stay-at-home mom to have a wonderful and nutritious dinner waiting for my family like June Cleaver did. I really do day-dream about that. Maybe one day..........if the price of everything will stop going up.

Ant D
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64728: But I did get some good dinners in this weekend. I grilled chicken and shrimp with a fettuncini/spinach pasta (yum). And then last night we had grits, eggs, turkey bacon and biscuits with syrup. Even yummier! Yep. It was breakfast for dinner. Tonight I'm thinking meatloaf..

Ant D
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64729: To All my TAGS Friends...What was the worst job you ever had..even though you may have graduated to a better job? Mine was working at the Monroe La. Zoo...Got a job as a zoo keeper...caught highly agitaed monkeys with nets, cattle prod and scrubbed their cages with hot water/soap and with highly toxic amounts of a chemical called HTH..nearly killed me at 18, but I graduated and became a head keeper and still was the head monkey rangular. The "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64730: Ant D: Thank you for your response and being a good and vigialante mom...With home/Education out of our schools, people do not have the skills to take Gov't cheese, rice, beans and potatoes to give there families a meal..when the crash comes, like I think it will, the govt is going to have to teach people to cook GOv't subsidies...I live in La. and my father was a prominent Childrens Dentist in Monroe, La...We had a socialist medicine in the state since the Huey Long era...They Told my father that he would take state patients or be sued...The state of La. Hired a state employee to pick up the school kids from their mother's house..she picked up the kids, could have been at leat 5 and sat all day in my daddy's waiting room untill he was finisheD..La. Been there done that...THe "Dud"...La. spends over 55% of the states tax dollars to medical/dental care...Pay up other states...we have already born the burden......
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64731: Sorry obout the TYPO"s pain medicine for my back just kicked in...The "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64732: MSG 64730 was mine..The "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64733: Hey ant-d,lucy,ddu,ro,boo,hazel,asa,Tom,Rev,possum,maude and all...busy here at work...gona whup up supper though:..grilled chicken some with skin on and some with skin off...bbq and lemon pepper..green beans,big maude slaw,corn bread,cream taters,sweet and un sweet tea...[salsa]....well see ya at supper....prayers...will read the archives late night tonight..im here all night...SPOT
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64734: I won't clarify, When we have socialized medicine and we cover idiots, we will pay for parents and patients neglect, like we do in La..My father fought the state for a couple of years not to have the state send him patients and he lost...he was paid 1/3 of his regular fees and the payments were always late..he gave the state's patients just as good as care...We have had it in La. and you will have to wait and the care will be rushed...but maybe it is time..the current system will bankrupt us with boomers like myself...The "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64735: Dud, I cooked some beans the other day that were fantastic. Got 'em just right with some onion, garlic, salt and pepper and just cooked them a long, long time...the soup was perfect. I am pretty good at beans and soups. Guess I inherited that from mom. She never taught me to cook when I was at home, but when I was on my own and craving good food, I would call her and ask her how to make things. I am a simple cook, but a good one. I make real good cookies and pies, too.

Bless your heart, AntD, I wish you could be a stay-at-home mom, too. I have been blessed to be able to do that for the last 9 years and still have trouble finding time to do everything! My hat goes off to you...I really do not know how you do it. Hey, have you ever tried putting something in the crock pot before leaving for work. It takes a little planning but is a good way to have something nutritious ready when you get home. You can make a whole meal in one pot, really. I like to put my veggies in and then add a whole chicken to cook all day. I then strain out the chicken and the veggies and add a little canned chicken broth if needed and pinch up some canned bisquits to add to the simmering broth. I really makes good dumplings. Really good on one of those cool days or when someone is sick with a cold. Roasts are pretty good in the crock pot, too and you can cook the potatos and carrots right along with it. Just a thought, although, you probably already know all about that. Also, did you know you can make a really good meatloaf in the crockpot? Just make sure you get meat that doesn't have a high fat content or it will be greasy.

DUD, hope your back gets better. I had to laugh at your "monkey wrangler" job. Boy, not everyone can say they have wrangled a monkey...although, I think I have an idea what it might be like from raising Erin. Anyway, I have had some jobs that were really tough, I'm not sure which was the toughest. Soon after graduating from nursing school I took a job doing some part-time private duty nursing and did a couple of pediatric cases that were too heartbreaking for words. Those were probably the worst, but I didn't last long doing that (around a year, I guess). One of those children was left severly brain damaged from a reaction to a DPT vaccine and died soon after. Horrible and made me so frightened about giving my own children vaccines! Before I did the private duty, I worked my first nursing job in a small, very understaffed hospital that specialized in incompetence. I was brand new and scared absolutely to death. I was put into positions of responsibility that I was no way near ready to take on and did not get the training I should have gotten. Looking back, I don't know how I survived it with my sanity. I transferred from a general floor to a small 6 bed ICU that was staffed with doctors who graduated from "The Three Stooges School Of Medicine". The stress was mind boggling. I found myself in so many situations in which I had to question doctors, try to guide THEM (and me a new nurse) into referring their tough cases to one of the internal medicine doctors who actually knew what he was doing. Some days it was as though he and I (and the other nurses, many of whom were very good) were working ourselves to death trying to save people. I saw some folks pull through that I never would believed would have made it due to that one doctor's talent and the dedication and hard work of the nurses. That job was probably my worst, but also my best. I have some wonderful memories of long-term patients that I literally loved and was able to help, and of some great triumphs, too. I could go on and on, but I guess looking back, as hard as it was I am very glad that I went through it. I really was able to make a difference. Anyway, sorry to go on so! How about the rest of you?

Boo
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64736: ...OH, forgot to mention the post-traumatic stress disorder I had after working that job...hehe. Sure felt like it anyway. All I can say is that God, in His grace got me through it because I was as green and wet behind the ears as they come and sure didn't know much.

Boo
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64737: I will say something else about politics...even though I can never hold up to that promise...The American people will never elect a Black Liberal American Man at this time like the MSM says they will, this guy is a joke (look at Mich, Fla, Ohio, & Mo.) and I do not like the Republican either...Lesser of two evils..
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64738: MAG 64737: The "Dud" again,...medicine...will get off..thanks...
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64739:
Ant D- I'm a headin to yer house fer dinner tonight!!!mmm
MDC
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64740:
Dud- my worst job was washing pots and pan in a hospital kitchen. Did it for the summer after my junior year of HS. Hot work, baked on food, etc.
In fact, it's weird, but every time i hear "Paperback Writer" by the Beatles, I think of that job. They allowed us to have a radio, and that song was popular that summer!
I was just doing one of those jobs that Americans won't do, ya know! ha
Hard work, but it taught me to stay in school! Funny thing is, i also did it the NEXT summer, but that was it!
MDC
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64741: Good Evening Porch,

I haven't posted here in a month of Sundays!

Romeena, I visited your blog a couple times, very interesting, but I wish I could see the picture of your yard a little bigger! How is everything going for you? Sounds like you and Starr are doing well...

Boo, good to see you posting regular-like. Are you still into "Vicks"? LOL

I recognize a few others like Sterling and MDC,but I am afraid I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Ant D and Dud. Pleased to meet you, I'm sure!!

Things are going pretty well up here in Michigan. I had big plans to get all sorts of extra projects and chores done, big plans, BIG. (But plans is all they have been so far!) Oh well!

Here's wishing everybody Mayberry Dreams!

Mary Wiggins
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64742: Why, if it isn't Mary Wiggins! We've been looking all over for you! Nice to have you back!
- Hazel
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64743: Hello, Mary WIggins...Welcome back to the Porch.

I am new too..My only sister lives in Beverly Hills, Mich...close to you? The "Dud"
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64744:
Mary Wiggins-Hey there! A fellow Great Laker, good to see ya!

auh2o
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64745:
Lucy-My girls are going into 7th and 10th grade. We're not getting ready for school just yet. We still have a little over a month before it begins again. I'm reading a book that I think you may enjoy, it's called "Dear President." It's a collection of letters from to and from Presidents and their spouses. The kind of book that you can put down and pick up when necessary. I leave it on the back porch. Ya know, a while back you made the comment that the South lost the Civil War, and that my be, but I don't look at it that way. I think we all lost during the Great War. Slavery was an issue that Founders punted. They knew it would end in great bloodshed, and it did. We failed at the founding, allowing such a horrible condition as human bondage.

And, by the way, that "Cry Havoc" book, concerning the what if's of the Civil War, is quite good so far.

auh2o
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64746: Well, howdy-do there, Mary Wiggins! It's been waaay too long! And how is Pat? Still painting, I presume? I get so many compliments on the paintings I have, would seriously like to have at least one more.

I'm glad you like the blog. About the picture, if you'll go to the porch photo album at romeena dot my photo album dot com (run it all together, of course) and click on the "Yard and Wildlife" album, that particular yard picture is on page 4. Click on the little picture and it will enlarge to a big one.

My worst job? Actually, I really haven't held any jobs that I just hated. I did a little moonlighting at a nearby nursing home for a while, and that was no cakewalk, for sure. I didn't last long, because I started questioning some of their policies and procedures, and suddenly they didn't need me any more - which was fine with me. Other than that, I've pretty much enjoyed everything I've ever done.

Oh, Ant D, making bold text is easy. Remembering to un-bold it is the hard part. To make bold, do this: (b) and to unbold do this: (/b). Now - very important - you don't actually use the ( and ) - you use < and > instead. Just substitute < for ( and > for ), and you've got it. I had to use the ( and ) to explain, because if I used the real symbols, it would just make bold text and the symbols wouldn't show up. Again, remember to unbold. It's really embarrassing when your entry posts and the whole bloomin' thing is in bold, and the worst part is, everyone else's posts will be bold as well, until that unbold symbol is entered by you or some other kind soul who comes to your rescue. By the way, you can make italics the same way - just substitute the letter i for the b, and away you go.

Well, off I go. Be blessed, everyone. --Romeena
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64747:
Hello porch family......I'm back home from my tour. I drove straight through from northern Maine to here (SC). About 23 hours. So believe me...I'm wiped. I'll have to check the archives later. Heading to bed.
Prayers for all the porch family. Missed you all so much. Jesus loves you so much!
-REV.
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64748: Well hello gagn...whew just caint get caught up here at work...Hey there Ant-e,and MW!..Lucy you holding yer side of the st down?..hey Miss Romeena!..you work nights any this week?..yall new comers need to get some pics to our fine secetary Romeena for the porch album..Asa how are you?..we have got plenty of rain at the dog house...tomatoes just a coming in...hey M-T,auh20,dud,gizzmo...Ms Boo and Mavis..brother Rev check in with us soon...I will keep the meals coming your way via UPS...Ro have known how to BOLD im gona try the italic..test..hope it worked...well let me run these reports and find a movie...prayers..I will be here all night!..SPOT
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64749: Well THERE you are REV...we were posting at the same time!..get some rest Brother...SPOT
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64750: Oh my stars!! It's Mary Wiggins....Oh, happy day! I was afraid something had happended to you, girl. Please don't stay away so long. We miss your company...and, to answer your question, YES, I am still into VICKS but not as much as Homemaker...hehe. Hey, did Pat ever get his own website so we can view his artwork?

I don't know, MDC, washing dishes to the tune of "Paperback Writer" doesn't really sound so bad...loved those Beatle's tunes. They made everything less painless.

Well said, Auh2o, "We failed at the founding, allowing such a horrible condition as human bondage."...how true.

I can't believe your girls are already in 7th and 10th grade, Auh2o! Hope they have a great school year.

I just have to try...(hope I don't break the porch)....test

Boo




August 04, 2008 - Msg 64751: Cool it worked...ok, here goes again...italic

Boo
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64752: Neat! Thanks, Ro, I had completely forgotten how to do that.

BOO
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64753: Hey all!
I don't have time to chat, but am requesting prayers. Bryan had his ex, Deani, served with custody papers 2 weeks ago. She's refusing to sign them. She won't say why, but we know it's because we are not wanting to pay child support any longer. She has 1 kid, we have 1 kid (+Bryson) and we will pay the ins#rance on both. (I do not understand why insu#rance is censored, weird). It's even, but still she won't sign. Actually she's filed taxes on Nick and he hasn't lived there for 2 years!
Of course we want whatever is God's will, but quite frankly we need to get the Jezebel away from us for good. If she doesn't sign then Bryan is going for custody of Michaela too and take her to court. Please pray that God's will will be done and quick. We can't afford to spend much more on this. Since 1997 Bryan and I have spent $25k in legal fees. It will cost another 10k to take her to court, but we may get Michaela which would save us 25k until she turns 18. Please pray for the kids not to be too hurt by all of this. Nick is already hurt that his Mom is putting money above seeing him (Nick won't go out there until she signs the papers, which he can decide at his age, because he's afraid she'll kidnap him). Deani's telling Michaela all these horrible stories from her visit about Bryan and I. I called Deani to ask to pray with her today and she told me an ear full from Michaela's lies. Needless to say we did not pray together, but I prayed on my own. Personally, please pray that I don't get too fed up. I'm tired of dealing with this drama for the last 11 years. I'm tired of the OCD from Bryan and the boys and the anger and lies from Deani and Michaela. Please help me to deal with them all.
Sorry for asking without saying anything else to anybody. Y'all take care now.
Blessings,
~Lucy
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64754: Hey there REV, we missed you, too!! I have been missing your nightly "porch blessings" and "Jesus loves you's".

Hey to Spot. Hope you are having a good evening.

Better go, Sean is giving Gizzy a bath and he looks so sad, poor puppy!

Boo
August 04, 2008 - Msg 64755: Oh, there you are, Lucy. I am glad you came to the porch to ask for prayers. It is an honor to pray for your situation. Hang in there, it is a long battle when you have a blended family and an uncooperative ex! Bless your heart. May God give you His peace and keep you from bitterness and anger in your situation. It must be very difficult.

Boo
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64756: Boo you are up late tonight!...let have a bowl of capt. crunch and mayfield whole cold milk...SPOT
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64757: Hey there, REV. Glad you're home safe and sound. By the way, Millie (at church) was asking me to find out if you received her maps/directions. I told her I'd bet you can find your way with no trouble - I'm guessing you've got a GPS - but she's concerned. So okay, now I've asked.

Lucy, if you can't ask your friends for prayers, who can you ask? You've got 'em, dear. Hang in there. This situation will get better eventually - if by no other means, then the sheer passage of time will fix it. The kids won't be kids forever. This too shall pass.

Spot, I work tomorrow night and Thursday night, and that's all this week. It's enough, too!

Well, I think I'm off to the ironing board. Or maybe not - maybe I'll just sleep in my bed. Starr isn't very big, but there's just not room enough for the two of us on that ironing board! Be blessed, all. --Romeena
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64758: Hope everyone has a great and blessed day:

The "Dud"
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64759: Get up Gang!..breakfast at waffle house on me!..scattered,smothered,covered,chunked,topped,diced!.....double order!....prayers...will be back at 2...SPOT
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64760: SPOT: Will meet ya for b'fast, watch that Salsa...The "Dud"
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64761: Thanks for the late-night Captain Crunch, SPOT. It was only around 10 here when I posted last night...what is the difference in the time where you are? I am on central time.

Ro, kids won't stay kids forever but they try to these days (if you don't make them grow up). I know so many who still have their adult children living at home with no motivation.

Morning, DUD.

I wanted to tell you a funny story that Bruce told us last night. We were driving home after our night out and Bruce told about how, when he was about 6 or 7, his parents went out for the evening and hired a sitter. While the sitter was busy with his 2 sisters, he got this idea that he would go into the kitchen and mix up some concoction that would give him "super powers", so he got a glass and mixed up just about everything he could find in the pantry (including vinegar). He took it outside into the front yard, drank the stuff and then stood there waiting for his super powers to descend on him....then it happened.....quick as a flash.....he became....VOMIT MAN!...hehehe. Kids! It sounds just like something Erin would do.

Busy day today. Mom-in-law is still here and I have to put something in the crock pot and then over to mom and dad's to check on them. Until this point, dad has been able to pay his bills and handle his own finances but his checking account is in the red and he isn't keeping up with it, so I have to get a check from his investment company to cover his checking account. I think he wrote a big check to the credit card company after his trip to California and he didn't have enough in the account to cover it. Poor dad, I honestly don't think that has ever happened to him in his life. He has always been meticulous at keeping records and paying bills.

Well, see you all later.

Boo
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64762: Mornin' Boo, Dud, Spot, Romeena, MDC, M-T, Rev, Mary Wiggins, Lucy, Auh20, John Boy, Mary Ellen (oh that's another show)

Ant D
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64763: YEA! Bold worked for me. Let me try italics

Ant D
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64764: Whooo Hoooo!!! Ok - now that I'm an expert on bold and italics...... :)

Hey Boo Thanks for the hints for Crock-Pot. There are times when I do that and I enjoy making easy chicken n' dumplings. Last night was meatloaf and mashed taters with biscuits and for dessert we had pineapples and blueberries mixed with fat free sour cream, brown sugar and cinnamon. The family ate it all up. It was yum. I gave them the choice of homemade pizzas with fresh veggies, mozzarella cheese, canadian bacon and pepperoni on Boboli bread or meatloaf and Dawson and Bailey chose the meatloaf. So tonight will be the homemade pizza. I hope ya'll are all having a blessed day today.

Ant D
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64765: Hello Boo and others...

I am real happy, just got off the phone with MILK DUD's Tennis coach in Dallas and he hooked me up good golf coach for MILK DUD at the all Jewish country club located in a suburb of Dallas (Carrollton). E-mailed her and she agreed to teach my daughter. She tells me that MILK DUD will have a place to play (as her guest) and be coached at the club..I do not want or can I afford to be a member of a Country Club in Garland and not live there...I hope it works out cause the MILK DUD is very good at golf and she likes it..(no golf carts for minors thank God....
The "Dud"
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64766:
Hey Folks

It is one fine day here this morning!

Boo-That is funny. Here's a good story, a friend of mine, back in high school, told me this. One time her parents had gone out to dinner and hired a sitter for her and her brothers. Well, the bothers didn't want a sitter but when she showed up they didn't let her know that. A little while had passed and then the boys asked her if she wanted to play "Cowboys and Indians" (I hope that old nomenclature didn't cause insult) with them outside. She said all right but it looked like rain. They said they'd come in if it started to rain. So, out they went. She wound-up tied to a tree and when it started to rain the boys went inside like they said they would. When the parents got home they found her, in tears, tied to the tree, in the rain. True story. They were little snots.

Rev-Good to have ya home!

Spot- Sounds good!

auh2o
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64767: Lucy:

The kind of problem you are in the middle of has to be very exasperating...One thing my lawyer told me right after my ex gave me my walking papers was "DO NOT FILE YOUR TAXES WITH MILK DUD)" as a member of your household and a dependent...Your ex will claim her and the IRS does a cross check. Tell Brian to not take any business from his EX or one call from the IRS will put her in an audit real quick...as long as he has receipts and people to back him up and that the child has been living with him, then she should back off...The "Dud"
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64768: What is for lunch, lets meet at the PORCH...how bout Roast Beef/Ham Po'Boys New Orleans style. . with real Au'Jus gravy, Skinny cut peanut oil fried 'taters.. Cajun PopCorn (Fried Crawfish Tails. cold shrimp salad and Maude's Slaw...Blue Bell non sugar added Vanilla Ice Cream for desert...and Tea, add your own sugar, Pepsi Max for me and Dr. Pepper for the Texans and MILK DUD...The "Dud"
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64769: Me-They and others: What was your worst job that you performed in your life?....The "Dud"
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64770: TEST
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64771:
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64772: g'nite Elizabeth
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64773: DUD: I guess maybe the worse job I ever had wasn't really the job in itself but the people. I had just graduated from high school and went to work for a social service agency as a receptionist. The man who hired me was the assistant executive director of the place and was a crochety old man but with a good heart. The head director of this place wasn't such a nice guy and he had an executive assistant that was a woman and she just hated me from the very first day I came to work there. My boss said it was because she hated him and he hated her and so she just hated anyone that worked for him. Her name was Nancy and she was in her mid 30s. And Nancy had to be about the biggest crybaby I've ever known in my life. Her nickname was the "Morton Salt Girl" because when it rains she'd pour tears. If the rug wasn't just right at the front door of the building, she'd actually cry about that and the head director was always there for her to put her head on his shoulder. The Director would give me $20 and tell me to go to the store and buy him some Wintergreen chewing tobacco. Well being the naive 18 year old that I was, I'd do it. I'd bring it back to him and he'd put some of it in his mouth and then he'd use MY trashcan at my desk as his spit can. It felt like prison.

Ant D
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64774: Good news about MILK DUD. Golf could be something she does her whole life.

That poor babysitter, Auh2o! I would have been afraid to do anything like that even if I had wanted to...My sister did pinch the babysitter in the church nursery once when she was 9 or 10. We were having some kind of church function and all the kids were hanging out in the nursery and the poor sitter was elderly. I was doing something to irritate the older kids and the sitter took out after me and I ran (I was probably 4). I ran into the restroom and dashed under the sink. The poor old woman bent over to get me out and St. Susan yelled, "leave my sister alone!" and pinched the woman on the bum (hard). I don't remember if we got in trouble for it, but we should have. I guess I wasn't the angel I thought I was. I do remember outrunning my mother when she was chasing me with a kitchen spatula.

Oh boy, AntD, don't get me started on horrible co-workers....doctors are the worst! I have been demeaned, groped, patronized, yelled at, cussed out and propositioned by doctors when I was working as a nurse. I have known a few well-behaved ones, but not many. When I was in my twenties and working night shift, the house supervisor came and asked if I would let one of the ER doctors sleep in one of our sleep rooms in the doctor's lounge (in the labor unit). I didn't know it at the time, but he was high and needed to sleep it off before going home (he was/is a surgeon, by the way). The supervisor deposited him in one of the sleep rooms with a request that I phone him and wake him up in 2 hours. Well, this was the middle of the night and there were no other doctors around. In 2 hours I phoned the room he was in, no response. I kept trying a couple of times and then went and started knocking on his door. No response. I yelled, and about banged the door down, no response. I (not knowing what his real problem was at the time) thought he might be dead so I went in. I spoke again, nothing. I watched for breathing and saw that he was alive, so I bent down close to his ear and yelled...nothing. I decided to lean over him and grab him by the upper arms and give him a shake to wake him. Well, when I did he woke very suddenly, grabbed me and threw me in bed with him and I found myself trapped between him and the wall. He was still in a daze but managed to jump to his feet and apologize profusely. The man was literally running into walls, he was so messed up and I had to notify the supervisor to come and get him. I think he took time off and went to rehab, but I know he is still in practice. Scary, huh? I also knew a doctor who was addicted and would take the morphine out of the vials and replace it with sterile water. He ended up killing himself with an overdose in his 30's. I worked with a mentally ill doctor who was verbally abusive to staff and patients, a cruel doctor who would sometimes pretend to inject Lidocaine into people and got caught...his punishment? Peer review where he was told "don't do that anymore". I could go on and on, but I won't. In those days, hospitals just gave doctor's a slap on the wrist because they knew the doctor's were making money for them. Now days, I guess hospitals see them as a risk for lawsuit...

Well, I just ran the dishwasher and noticed the sink backed up! Better see what I can do.

Boo
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64775:
Aunty D- you sound like such an imaginative cook! between Boo's griller and your meals (and big maudes and spot etc) the porch will never go hungry! ha
WELCOME back REV.- get a rest and then tell us some good 'Jesus Saves' stories from your venture!
I love to hear those.
B00- how was rehab?
What about this tropical storm Edword?
Tonite is NATIONAL NIGHT OUT. Anyone doing anything special?
Prayers,
MDC
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64776:
"Now mayor, dont go pickin yer peaches before they're all fuzzed up good."
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64777: Man Romeena, you scared the you-know-waht out of me with your last blog! Oh, that everyone in America could read it.

Hey, MDC, not doing anything too special tonight. Dropping the kids off at VBS and then Bruce and I have some business to take care of concerning the house. I want to thank you for your prayers for us (all of you), we have finally turned a corner and are feeling peace in our decisions (after much soul-searching, especially on the part of Bruce). BTW, we didn't get to go to the rehab this week. Keith had committed to helping out in VBS and everyone who could come with me is also involved (wish you were here, I would bring you along).

Oh, guess what? The sink was backed up to the top and the disposal was backed up. Instead of calling Bruce to ask what to do, I looked it up on the internet. All I had to do was get a plunger and plunge the darned thing and it's fine now (Man-Mom truimphs again).

Boo
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64778: WoW Boo! What drama in the ER! Actually I've heard alot of stories that float around among hospitals. I have a sister-in-law, cousin and bestest friend who are nurses in the hospitals and they have some doozies. Talk about a Peyton Place. I'm sure that scared you half to death when Dr Druggie pulled you onto the bed. How very scary!!! Some people are a completely different character when under the influence. I remember working with a guy that was very quiet, shy and reserved. You could barely have a conversation with him because he never did any talking. He just smiled bashfully and nodded his head when you talked to him. But when he had a couple of drinks he would get up on a table and pretend to be a cowboy throwing a lasso. It was SO out of character for him and SO funny! :)

Ant D
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64779: MDC: I am a pretty cook...The "Dud"
August 05, 2008 - Msg 64780: Wow Boo, your recent posts about hospitals(and the doctors therein) make me want to steer clear of them. Yikes.

Thanks for all the comments about the squirrel. I only wish I could have done more for the poor thing.
And Romeena, that is terrible about what that family "friend" did, especially because he did it in front of your daughter. You have to wonder about what some people are capable of when they do things like that. You were so right to have nothing more to do with him.
Oh, btw Ro, what is the address for your blog? I'd like to see it.

Many prayers for you Lucy and your family.

Hey Mary Wiggins, good to see you!

-Sterling Holobyte


August 05, 2008 - Msg 64781: Sterling, let me just clarify that the events I mentioned happened starting in the early 80's and things were different then (before Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill). Doctors used to be made to feel like "Gods" and they were typically very arrogant. I think this generation of doctors is different and there are some wonderful, caring and skilled doctors out there now who genuinely care about their patients. I am sure Ro knows plenty of those since she still works in a hospital. I saw things starting to change in the 90's and patient care began to take on more of a "team" approach when the younger docs came on board. If they were smart, they realized that the best way to avoid lawsuits and take good care of their patients was to keep good communication going with the staff. I also saw medicine becoming more like marketing, and doctors began to treat their patients as customers, which made for better bedside manner in alot of them. While you have to be careful, and know about the doctor you choose, you CAN find some really good ones. I have a good one. She is a compassionate and very skillful internist. She really specializes in care of the elderly and has so much patience. Sometimes when I am waiting in the exam room, I can hear her in the room next to me talking to some elderly person and she is so kind to them, lets them take their time and she listens. I know she is very busy, but she cares about people...that's a very good quality in a doctor, isn't it? Also, a doctor like the one I mentioned (using drugs) would be dealt with very swiftly in most hospitals these days, I would imagine. Everyone is so afraid of lawsuits that someone like that would be a real liability!

Sterling, you wrote:" Many prayers for you Lucy and your family." What an awesome statement. I like that word, "Many"..

Actually, AntD, it wasn't scary being pulled into bed with Dr Druggie because he just about scared himself to death. He kept on repeating, "I wasn't trying to do anything...". I had to calm HIM down. The scary part was really that I though he was dead for awhile AND the fact that he was a practicing surgeon at the time (yikes!).

Boo


August 05, 2008 - Msg 64782: One thing that happened on the job that was really rewarding (hehe) is that I was helping in a delivery with the meanest doctor in the hospital! He was sitting on a stool at the foot of the table, waiting for a baby to be born and he asked me to adjust the big surgical light above his head. It took me awhile to get it just where he wanted it and it was pretty close to his (big) head. I told him, "Hey, be careful if you stand up because the light is right by your big head"... (no, I didn't really say "big"). I went over to fill out some paperwork and my back was to him. Well, he decided to stand up and "pow" he clunked his head HARD on that light. You should have hear the long line of curse words that reverberated around that delivery room! I was laughing so hard, I couldn't turn around for a long time. I guess he saw me laughing and it actually calmed him down. He never said anything about it until the next delivery I had with him and he told the patient..."Julie tried to kill me with the light the other day"! haha. That doc is dead and gone. He dropped dead mowing his lawn one summer. He was only 46.

Boo