September 12, 2008 - Msg 66109:
Ro- I hope IKE doesnt ruin all your efforts today.
From the models I've seen it should move east after landfall, but you could get some pretty good "remnants" and bingo, out comes that nut grass again! I usually use paint thinner on mine!
Nut grass don't like paint thinner! haha
Hang in there all. Many prayers for you this weekend.
Mr. Darlin's Cuz
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66110:
Swish...!
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66111: Good Job Sweeping Mr. Darlin's Cuz !!!
You need to visit more often. Ya do such a fine job, even in the corners.
Ro- Please be careful.
Prayers for all the loved ones in the way of IKE. ~New Neighbor
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66112: Hi everyone. I am back home from Del Rio...seems we are in the clear here now, except for some possible tropical storm force winds (we can handle that) sometime tonight. As tired as I am, it probably won't even wake me! We got home around 5pm and Bruce had to go into work already to start things up.

I will read archives later to see what I missed...just wanted to check in. Hope everone is safe.

Boo
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66113:
New Neighbor- Not sure if you know, but
Mr Darlin's Cuz is just the long, drawn out me, MDC!
Kinda like NN, HM, MD etc.
Boo- glad you are back safe and sound.
Well, cherrio,
MDC
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66114: Nice sweep, MDC. Paint thinner? Well, I would imagine it would kill the nutgrass, but doesn't it wash off into the dirt and cause havoc there? It certainly sounds tempting, because I absolutely hate that devilgrass, but I don't want to toxify the soil, either. That's what I like about using vinegar, because while it does kill the nutgrass (well, it makes it sick anyway) it doesn't hurt the soil, actually improves it. Sometimes, I could be persuaded to take a blowtorch to the nutgrass, though. Hateful stuff.

Thanks, NN, for your concern, I appreciate it. I think we're going to get some very significant winds and a lot of rain, but we should be okay. Downed limbs will be my biggest threat, I think. If the wind kicks up too much, I may remove the suncatchers, windchimes and hummingbird feeders that hang from the eaves outside my big window. They're there to dissuade birds from flying into the window, and they work. I get very few bird strikes since putting those things up. The wind could dislodge them and throw them into the window, I guess. It's double-pane tempered glass, quite strong, and probably would only chip or crack, but I'd hate for that to happen. It was expensive, and was a lot of work for Ted to install. It's five feet high, and eight feet wide, so is very, very heavy. I'd sure hate for it to get dinged by a dumb little windchime!

Well, guess I'll go rustle up some supper. I have a leftover pork chop and some squash, and some home-grown tomatoes and cucumbers, so I'm all set. Those are the best little cucumbers, very crispy, mild and really good!

Be blessed, all. --Romeena
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66115: Just wanted to tell everyone thank you for the prayers & the suggestions for Jake, I really do appreciate them.
Hubby & I are off to Chattanooga for the weekend for a dog show, I will check in when I get home, I'm not sure if they have internet at the show site, if they do, I'll check in, if not, I'll see ya'll when I get home.
Prayers for everyone.
*Mavis
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66116: Wow, that's tough about Jake, Mavis. Sounds like he has not been dating the girl for very long. Prayers that all will work out for them.

Take care Romeena. Prayers that you remain safe and sound. After all the hoopla (is that a word, Possum?) of the last few days, it now looks as though we may not even get any rain out of this! I'm not complaining, mind you, I am very thankful that we were spared any destruction.

Del Rio was a nice place to visit and we saw Amistad Lake, which was beatiful. That part of Texas has a beauty all it's own. To some it may seem a bit desolate because of the cactus and thorny trees and bushes, but it is so full of wildlife and surprises...flowering plants among the cactus and we saw millions of Monarch butterflies..I think they are having their annual migration to Mexico or something because they were everywhere! It was really something to see. We drove over the dam just into Mexico, to let the kids say they had been there, then we drive right back. The area was very much like the old-time Texas that most people picture who have never been there. There were times I was expecting Clint Eastwood to ride up in his Mexican ponch and spit tobacco juice at me (remember Outlaw Josie Wells??). Pretty cool place. One thing I noticed was that everyone there was so friendly. Every waitress we had was amazing. Really, some of the nicest people I have ever seen in one place.

Sterling, we have flouride in our water, but I wouldn't give a flouride pill to my children, regardless. I don't like that idea. There are other ways to get flouride.

Well, I am pretty tired and I hear my bed calling me...

Hopefully we will still have power in the morning and I will see you all with my morning cup of coffee. Thanks for all the prayers and words of concern.

Prayers for your friend, DES...hope you don't get severe weather this weekend.

Boo
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66117: ...that was supposed to be "poncho"...haha..

Boo
September 12, 2008 - Msg 66118: Hey DES...tryin' to reason with hurricane season?

--Jelsik
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66119: Good middle-of-the-night, everyone! Hey to Jelsik! Long time no see. Do you plan to stick around, I hope?

I'm very upset right now, and I need to tell somebody, and you all got the short straw. Here's the problem. You'll remember when I had to abandon my old email address because of the filthy spam I was getting. I changed my account to the one provided by my ISP - which is Time Warner Cable DSL, so it's one of the RoadRunner incarnations. I have had nothing but trouble with it - popup boxes every few minutes, sometimes every few seconds, wanting my password. Sometimes it will accept the entry and go away for minutes, hours or days. Other times, the box is back in a few seconds. Still other times, it tells me the password was refused. Extremely annoying, to say the least. I'll be typing a message, for cryin' out loud, and the thing will pop up in the middle of my composition, asking for my password! If I didn't have a password, how did I get that far, I'd like to know?

Anyway, I have spent a lot of time, in at least four sessions with tech support, trying to fix the problem, to no avail. Tonight it was especially bad, and I was fed up, so I called them again. First call, the person who answered said she'd transfer me to someone who could help, but disconnected the call instead. I called back, talked to someone whose English was unintelligible, and who just hung up without warning. Third call, got someone I could understand, with just a little effort. He really was trying, and decided we needed to "refresh" the account. We went to the account setup page, and he had me remove my existing account, then we re-entered the information, thereby setting up the same account again. Fine. I opened the new account, entered the password, it was accepted, and wasn't asked for again, so I ended the call. But something didn't look right.

Suddenly, I realized what it was. There were only 8 messages in the inbox, and nothing, as in ZERO, in the "Saved Messages" folder. I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I had probably 250 emails, maybe more, saved. They pertained to the deaths of my parents, of my little grandson, and several other highly emotional events. They included accounts of those events, written by me and sent to the family, and included their responses, as well as messages received from friends. There was a history of my family for about the last ten years in those emails. The Mongolia journals were stored there. The account of the death of my grandson, happily, had been copied into a Word file, so I do have that, but nothing else. There were also a lot of patriotic things, "beautiful world" things, and funny things. I lost my baby panda sneezing, among other things.

When I realized it, I called back, and got to a supervisor, and he really tried to help me retrieve and restore those emails, but nothing worked. I had not checked "store on server" somewhere in the labyrinth of settings. No one had ever asked me, and I didn't even know it was there. Everything was always there when I opened my email, unless I had deleted it, in which case it went to the trash, where it stayed until I deleted it from there. I guess I thought it all lived on the computer, not on the server. Apparently, though, I was wrong, and when the account was removed, everything was lost.

I'm just heartsick. I haven't given up yet, though. I have a computer guru friend in Florida, a man who just knows waaaay more than anyone needs to about these devilish machines, and I'm going to call him in the morning. He may have some thoughts on the subject, but I don't have much hope. If it was actually on this computer, he could dig it out, but I guess it wasn't. Still, I'll try.

Well, that's my lament. It's not the end of the world, and ten years from now it won't matter at all, but right now, I'm feeling pretty low.

Be blessed, everyone, and stay dry. --Romeena
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66120: Sorry - I didn't realize it was that long. --Romeena
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66121: I hate that happened to all of your treasured e-mails,Ro! Hopefully you'll be able to retrieve them somehow.

Boo, so glad you & yours are okay! Praying for minimal damage in your area.

Praying for lots of tiny miracles when the sun rises in Texas. I'm trying to think on the positive side because what I fear is reality isn't going to be nice at all. God Bless Texas and Louisiana.
Ro,stay safe -we love you!
*******************
possum under a rock
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66122: Thank you Possum, we didn't get any rain or even much of a breeze.

Oh Romeena, that just makes me sick. I would be very distressed in your situation. I had something similar happen to me when we moved from Portland and Bruce got rid of emails I was saving. It was mostly daily correspondance with a good friend from out of town, but it was like a diary of my life at that time when Erin was just a baby and it detailed alot of things that were happening with the kids. I just hated to lose it but I never told Bruce I was saving it so, it was my mistake. At least we still have the porch archives and they contain alot of life events, too. Wonder if there is a way to save them on our computers? I am fairly illiterate when it comes to computers.

Well, now that the threat of high winds has passed, I am going to start the laundry and get this place back in ship-shape. I just hate the whole unpacking thing!

Later,
Boo
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66123: Ro, for what it's worth, I will have Bruce read your post and see if he has any ideas or knows a way to get them back. He does nothing but deal with computers 50 hours a week, so he might know a way.

BTW, I sent you an email last night and am wondering if you received it after the problems you were having with your email?

Boo
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66124: Hey, did IKE blow you guys away? Where is everybody?...

Boo
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66125: I'm here Boo- sure is quiet around here today,isn't it? Maybe everyone's tuned in to Hurricane Ike coverage.I was watching last night and said to myself when I saw the storm coming in that Boo could have stayed home! It looked like it wasn't even brushing Corpus Christi.Y'all sure were lucky,but you did the right thing in leaving. And now Erin & Sean can say they went to Mexico! Did you get them serapes and sombreros like Aunt Bee sent Opie when she took her trip there? Ha! Well,the kids had an adventure and now you've got work,huh? Throw some of that laundry my way,I'll help you out!

And where is our roving dog Spot? He hasn't checked in lately. Maybe today's the big day and he's off winning first place! Check in when you can Spot!

Hope IKE isn't beating up on Ro too much. Hoping to hear something from her too.

Well,bye bye Boo.Take care and I'll see ya later!
*******
possum
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66126: Thanks Possum. I have one load left in the dryer and I just finished putting away the groceries. Things are pretty tidy so I can relax for a bit. I bought the fixin's for stew to put in the crock pot for tomorrow and Monday's supper. Tonight, it's TV dinners..."I like 'em"...Barney: "No you don't".

No, we didn't do any shopping for sombreros or the like. There was a mercado somewhere in the area but we didn't go. We ended up coming home a day early or I would have gone to the museum and visited some historic sites. Oh well...maybe when the next hurricane comes.

See you later, Possum.

Boo
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66127: MESSAGE REMOVED
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66128: MESSAGE REMOVED
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66129: Good evening, everyone. I think this computer is haunted. Has anyone seen the Count around lately? I posted a message earlier today, and it's not there. At least I think I did - maybe I never hit the button. I was in a bit of a hurry, had an appointment to get my shaggy hair cut.

Still nothing on the lost emails, though I did get some encouragement from my son in Florida. He said it's just not possible that everyone's email is stored on the ISP's server. How big would the thing have to be to do that? He feels it's embedded in my computer somewhere, and we just haven't found it. He uses Outlook Express, and his is on his computer. He even gave me the address, to use as a model to look for mine. I don't use Outlook, I use Mozilla/Netscape, but the principle should be the same. Still, I ran the file tree, and got as far as Mozilla, and there's nothing there, so I'm still confused. Boo, I'd be very pleased to hear any ideas that Bruce might have. It's definitely going to take someone with some real know-how to solve this one.

Unless things really change during the night, all I can say is, "Who's Ike?" We got a bit of gusty wind, not strong enough to cause any damage, and a couple of little rain squalls, but probably not more than half an inch. The Weather Channel doesn't show anything coming up tonight, and tomorrow will be clear and warm. Ike was big and fierce, and around his eye he caused a lot of havoc, but his reach just wasn't very big. Thanks for your concern, friends, but we're fine here.

Well, guess I'll go cuddle Toye Starr, and give her a couple of bites of my peanut butter cookie. She loves them! Be blessed, all. --Romeena
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66130: MESSAGE REMOVED
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66131: Message sent. --Romeena
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66132: MESSAGE REMOVED
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66133: MESSAGE REMOVED
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66134: MESSAGE REMOVED
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66135: MESSAGE REMOVED
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66136: MESSAGE REMOVED
September 13, 2008 - Msg 66137:

Oh, Jelsik.. you have no idea how many times I've thought of that song in the last week. LOL GREAT to hear from you! Shoot me an email.

Ro, I had the exact same problem with my Road Runner account the week before last. I tried to log in with no success. I called them, and was informed that my account had just disappeared. They were able to reinstate it, but all my files and contacts were gone. I don't know what happened either, but I was really upset.

Boo, glad you fared ok. We got a teeny bit of rain and none of the high winds forecasted, so we're good.

Thanks to all who have sent up prayers for my co-worker, Deb. I know she felt your kindness.

~De§~



September 14, 2008 - Msg 66138: Hey there, DES. Good to hear from you and glad you didn't get much flack from Ike...(you either, Ro). The only effect we had was this extreme heat for the past 2 days that the weather man says has something to do with the hurricane. It is 11:30pm and still very warm and in the 80's outside.

Ro, I have not spoken to Bruce yet about your computer problem but I will let you know as soon as I do.

Sure has been a slow day here on the porch today. Maybe they are all at a band concert in the park or something....

I think I will turn in. I woke up too early this morning when I could have slept in. Funny how your body clock gets used to getting up early and it doesn't seem to know that it's the weekend!

Boo
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66139: Oh, I wanted to share something with you that is pretty exciting to me. You all know about Sean's learning problems (dyslexia) and he has always hated reading because it has been so hard for him. Well, on our way back from Del Rio yesterday, he picked up his dad's bible and began reading out loud from one of the gospels. He read 6 chapters before we stopped somewhere and he did wonderfully..better than most kids his age. He also told me that for the first time, he understood what he was reading from the bible. Also, a neighbor gave him a book today about unusual animal stories (animal heros, that kind of thing) and he read 10 chapters. He was lying under the kitchen table in a tent he and erin made with blankets, and he was reading so long that I thought he was asleep. Let me assure you, he has never read even close to that long. It's great to see him liking to read, finally. Bruce and I both love to read and have so many beloved books that it hurt me to think that Sean might not have that same love, but as it turns out, I think he does. Thank you for your many prayers for him. His Tourette symptoms are in remission, too. He is struggling some with anxiety and some depression now and then...mild, but there. Otherwise, he is doing well.

NOW, I am going to bed. God bless each of you!

Boo
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66140: Good morning, all. Stopping by on the way to church. De§, it's interesting that you'd have a similar problem with Road Runner. When you say you lost your files and contacts, do you mean your saved email and your address book? My address book is still there, all I lost was all the email - the contents of the inbox, the sent files, and worst of all the saved emails. It just makes me sick, and I'm not giving up. I really think it has to be here somewhere. As my son put it - "Mom, do you know how powerful their server would have to be in order to store ALL of the email from ALL of their customers on it?" He says once you download your email, it's stored on your computer, not theirs. I think he's right. Now, the question is, how to get to it.

One upside to this mess - while digging around in my computer in places I'd never been, I found a couple of pieces I wrote years ago and had no idea I still had. They had survived the change to at least three new computers. I was shocked, but there they were. The text is rough, and has a lot of gibberish mixed in, but they're there. I can clean all of that out and they're intact. I was glad to see them, because I thought they were lost for all time. I may put one of them in the blog one of these days.

Well, I've got to get moving or I'll be late to preaching. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66141: Well gang SPOT here ..cant talk long..took 4th over all with our rookie journeyman team at the rodeo out of 232 teams..great day...we are driving back trailing this storm...(mess)..almost to st louis..flooding everywhere...prayers for us!..love ya porch...will read later...hope all is well...SPOT
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66142: Happy Sabbath family:
Just got back from preaching...it was about sin, just can't preach too much about that!
Boo- what an answer to prayer! We do serve an awesome GOD, who created everyone lovingly, and perfectly. We will continue to pray that he embraces the joy of reading , which will open up a world of adventure and learning.
SPOT- congratulations on a 4th out of 232 teams! We were rooting for ya. Now, hurry back to the porch. REV is waiting for his truck lunch. Safe travels home.
Hey Asa, how's your side of the porch doing? Later~New Neighbor
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66143: Howdy, all. Just got home from church, went to lunch with friends. We ate at Applebee's, and I got their quesadilla burger, which is just reeallly good! The thing is huge, so one friend and I just split one, and it was more than enough. That meant our bill was only $4 each, which is pretty cheap for such a good lunch.

Still working on the email thing, I just can't accept that it's not on my computer somewhere. I wish my Florida friend would call, I really think he'll know what to do. His mom is very ill, though, so I hate to bother him. I sent him one little email, asking him when I can call him, and he hasn't responded, so I'm not going to bother him. He'll get in touch when he can. If the files are on the computer, they're not going anywhere, so time isn't an issue.

Well, Toye Starr is in here begging for a cuddle, since I was gone all morning. Guess I'd better go make a little fuss over her. She is so rotten spoiled, and I so don't care. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66144: Romeena,

This is Bruce, Julie's husband. I'm a computer expert. It sounds like to me you are using your ISP's website to login and do your email. A better method is to use an application such as Outlook Express or Outlook for your email on your PC rather that using your ISP's website. Your ISP will have instructions on setting up either of these so you can send/receive email to your PC on one of these local applications. If you are using Windows XP, Outlook Express should have been included. The full version, Outlook, comes as a separate application you can purchase or with the Microsoft Office Suite of software. You will not lose messages doing email this way and if you change PC's or need to do a total rebuild... you can export all your messages and then import them back to the new PC. Your getting so many pop-ups because you have not set your browser, Internet Explorer, to prevent pop-ups or you may have a virus. A good Anti-Virus and software Firewall are recommended. I know all that may sound greek to you but you might invest in a basic Internet or computer class that covers these items. You can always take your PC to a local computer shop and invest in some software (as mentioned above)that will help protect your PC from attack while you are on the web. You are experiencing multiple problems it appears: email, pop-ups, potential virus. There is not one simple fix and as you have experienced changing your ISP account is not going to help. I wish I could be more help but my recommendation is to take it to a local trusted computer store and tell them what you want (email and capability to store all your messages) and what you don't want (pop-ups, viruses, browser protection via firewall).


September 14, 2008 - Msg 66145: Afternoon Y'all! Ro,I'm happy to hear that you fared well in the storm. I saw your town on one of the many tv weather maps yesterday and it didn't look as if y'all were feeling much from Ike. Just glad you & Boo made it thru safely.

Boo,that is so good about Sean and his reading! I am pleased to hear how much progress he's making overall. Will surely keep praying for him.

Hey New Neighbor! Haven't seen Asa around here lately. Maybe he went to DEE- Troit!

Spot,you know,I'm still gonna cook ya a meatloaf because 4th place out of over 200 teams is the same as first place in my book! Good job! You travel home safely and take care in that wild weather,you hear?

Y'all have a blessed Sunday.
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66146: Well, Ro, I think you probably alread knew alot of that but hope it helped in some way. Unfortunately, I he thinks you will not be able to get the emails back. Maybe your friend in Florida will know something more.

Congratulations,SPOT! I knew you would do great.

Thanks New Neighbor!

It looks like rain around here today but we aren't complaining. We were so lucky to have avoided the devastation they are facing north of us.

Boo
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66147: Oh hey there, Possum, thanks for those prayers...

Boo
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66148: Oh, and thanks for cleaning up the porch again Floyd. We appreciate it.

Boo
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66149: Everythings okay...in Mayberry! --Floyd
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66150: Floyd- You are a gem! Keeping this old porch spic and span - it's a full time job! ~New Neighbor
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66151: Hey, Bruce. I sent an email, explaining the problem a bit more clearly. The problems addressed above are not the problems I'm having, but it's too lengthy to go into here, so I went with email. I really appreciate you offering to help, and you probably can, once you get a clearer picture of the problem.

It's absolutely beautiful here today. Just 85 degrees, soft breeze, clear and sunny, roses blooming, crape myrtle and impatiens blooming, little hummer enjoying the feeder, squirrel munching on watermelon rind - the kind of view from my window that I just love.

Peace, everyone. --Romeena
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66152: Thanks New Neighbor! Sadly though...cleaning the porch isn't my full time job so that's why I'm slow getting it done at times. I'll do my best to keep cleaning up if someone makes a mess. Y'all have fun and stay dry on this rainy weekend (at least it's raining on my corner of the porch). -- Floyd
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66153: Whoohoooo!!! My lost email has been found. My Florida friend called, I explained the problem, and he is in the process of fixing it. He linked up to my computer, took control, and started running down the "tree" until he found the spot where my email was hiding. As soon as he expanded it, I recognized the folder titles and knew he had it! He copied that entire file, with all the sub-folders, to the desktop for safekeeping. Then he upgraded my email application to Mozilla's new Thunderbird 2 program, and is now studying up on how to import those files into the new program. He'll call back shortly, and we'll get it done. I am soooo relieved, and so happy! Some of those files didn't matter all that much, but some of them were really very important to me. God is good!

So, Boo, tell Bruce thanks very much, I'm sure he could have resolved the issue too, once he had all the facts, but it's all taken care of. Now he can rest and quit thinking about computers for a little while. --Romeena

P.S. Incidentally, my Florida friend is also named Bruce.
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66154: Howdy folks...well, we're drying out here in SW MO. We started getting a pretty good wind here late yesterday afternoon, with the rain starting around 9 or so last night. I'd say by the time it moved on this morning we had between 4-5". Not like we need it, either - as we have 23" above normal rainfall so far this year. Most of the roads to the south of me that I use to head to church were covered with water in places, and I had to drive about 20 miles to get to my church which is only 8 miles away...go figure. Glad to hear the Texas gang here on the porch missed all the furor of Ike.

Sorry about your email, Ro. Sure hope things work out on getting those back.

That is super great news about Sean, Boo!

Thanks, Floyd - hope all is well with you and yours!

Way to go Cobb EMC, Spot. Take it easy coming home.

Just an FYI, GAC (Great American Country) channel (Dish Network channel 167 - not sure what channel on DirectTV) is going to play a "behind the scenes" of the making of Brad Paisley's "Waiting on a Woman" video with Andy Griffith on Sept 19th at 7pm ET. I watched it last night and Andy looked really good.

Well, just checking in. Have a good Sabbath and prayers for all.
AFD
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66155: Yippee, glad to hear your good news on the email, Ro! Begging your pardon as well for rocking on your toes. : D

AFD
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66156: Hey ya'll - well Ike blew through here this afternoon. Still have the house and we are lucky to have electric. Most are not so lucky. My parents have been without all afternoon. And the little town about a mile from us has no electric. One school system is called off for tomorrow and my boys have their fingers crossed they will get a call too. . . .

Take care-

Glad about your emails Ro. . .

hm
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66157:
Looks like Ike blew in some trash, but thatks to Floyd, he got it all cleaned up!
Glad that everyone else fared well.
Spot-congrats to your team!
RO- If I may ask, how did he "link Up"?
BTW- I forgot to tell you that I use an eyedropper on the nutgrass. it is time consuming but highly effective. It kills the nut. (no not Earnest T. ha) Several drops of paint thinner right down the middle of each "spread" of nutgrass leaves. So not really enuf for me to worry about the soil...well, maybe in a couple hundred thousand years... ha
Concert tonight in thanksgiving to the Lord
that Ike wasnt too bad!
MDC
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66158: Well, I wrote a nice long post which included the word "insur@nce" and the censor ate my message because when I hit the back button, it was gone. That's the second time it has happened recently...wonder what's up with that?

I am thrilled for you Romeena, that you found your email! I know that is a load off your mind.

Boo
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66159: Well gang im back at the dog house..1878 miles total round trip to the Kansas Rodeo..Mo looked pretty bad with water..rained on us alot on the way home today..thanks for the prayers for a saft road trip!..out 1st year team done Great..overall out of 232 teams from all ove the world..glad to hear about yer e-mail Romeena!..possum I WILL take the meat loaf tomorrow night ok?..My friend Boo,Tom,Rev,HM,hazel,mdc,md,auh20,NN,opiemom and all ...gosh missed ya all..was a wet rodeo but safe..let me get unpacked and will be back ok?..its good to be home!.I think Mom and Dad spoiled Opie and Otis (cat and dog)..they are laying on the front porch...thanks again for your good work Floyd....maude did you feed this bunch?..ok-ok let me get busy..back in a bit...signed:SPOT "your gona have meatloaf tomorrow night" dog of your porch..ruff.ruff..
September 14, 2008 - Msg 66160: So glad you are home safe and sound, SPOT. Thank you for letting us know! That is quiet a lot of miles to cover, especially in the rain.

Goodnight to all my porch buddies...

Boo
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66161: Well, MDC, that eyedropper would make a big difference, as far as toxifying the soil. However, I've got such an extensive stand of the devilgrass, it would take me a week to poison all of it. There's another stand trying to get started in another bed, though, and I may just take some paint thinner to that. Wretched stuff.

Spot, I'm glad you're home. That's a long drive, especially pulling a trailer. In years past, when we would pull a trailer or a boat, I recall that it somehow made the whole trip more strenuous. Seems like the car just didn't ride the same, lots of bucking around. Your big old truck probably isn't affected, though.

Thanks, Boo, and everyone else. I know losing one's stored email might not seem like such a big deal, but if you knew what I've got stored in mine..... I guess I should copy some of it into Word and store it as documents. Maybe I'll do that. Also, I'm going tomorrow and get a "key", and transfer a lot of things to that. My friend told me about them, and recommended I do that, so I will.

I'm so happy that things are going well for Sean right now. Somehow I just feel that this is the beginning of good times for him, as he's growing older. He may just outgrow a lot of the problems that have bothered him so much. I pray that will be the case.

Well, Starr wants to go to bed, and I'm tired too, so guess we'll mosey in that direction. Be blessed, everyone. --Romeena
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66162: Mornin' y'all! Ro,I'm happy that you found your emails! Oh,and glad that Spot made it home safely. Spot,I'll cook that meatloaf today,'cause it's always better the next day.Don't fill up on a lot of junk between now & then!
Homemaker,hope things improve in your neck of the woods- hang in there.AFD,you too.

MDC,if I was down in the grass with an eyedropper,I wouldn't be able to stand back up after a while! That eyedropper technique might kill the pesky grass,but doesn't it kill your back as well?! Ha!

Floyd-thanks for keeping things tidy!

Well,it's a long Laci day,so I'd better get going. Have a good one everybody!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock

We can't expect Spot to cook his first morning home,so let's all go out to Cracker Barrel for breakfast-we'll put it on Asa's tab!

September 15, 2008 - Msg 66163: Good morning everyone. I'm going to go back and read all the posts I've missed for the last week then stop back later and visit. I hope all are well.

Me-They
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66164: Thanks, Ro, Sean does seem to be growing out of some of his problems. I have not really seen any Tourette symptoms for a long time now, for one thing. Some kids outgrow them in adolesence.

"Hey" to Possum. Have fun with Laci. I have baby Emily tomorrow and I can't wait to see her little toothy grin.

Me-They, good to see you this morning. Hope you have some time to spend with us today.

It's a busy one for me today but I will try to stop in for breaks. The weather is actually tolerable here today. The breeze is from the North and it is only supposed to be in the 80's today, which is great. It was up to 100 day before yesterday, with a heat index of 110. I hate the heat!

Better go a move on...

Boo
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66165:
Spot, MD, ReV, the chase is on...varoooom! Biffle now in the mix! Brakfast at the CB was great. thanks ASA.
MDC
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66166: Hey y'all, I'm back.

BOO: I'm glad that you missed the worst of the hurricane, and my prayers are with those who weren't so fortunate. That's great about Sean.

ROMEENA: Sorry to hear you lost your e-mails and great to hear that you got them back! I often wish I'd saved certain e-mails and such, but I don't. My genes tends toward "packrat" (you should see my parent's basement and garage) but my brain can't handle clutter. So, I end up routinely hoarding and then purging.

FLOYD: Thanks for cleaning up the place again. It's funny how things run in cycles; we go for a long spell with not a problem, then blam-o! Hopefully, the porch will settle back now.

POSSUM: Sorry to hear about your troubles with your daughter. Hopefully she will follow-through and things will improve.

STERLING: I wouldn't do flouride pills, either. However, I grew up on well water but brushed and flossed regularly. Still, I have the fillings to prove that flouride can help your teeth. Maybe try a flouride rinse. I read somewhere that the emphasis on drinking bottled water (scam) is exacerbating a rise in tooth decay because it does not contain flouride. Of course, our diets effect that, too.

AFD: Yes, Nora is a weed. She's well over four feet. I think Veda's going to be the shrimp of the family. I love shrimp.

I hope I didn't forget to respond to anything I meant to.

APB for HAZEL. Where are you?

Me-They


September 15, 2008 - Msg 66167:
Well, I didnt want to say anything, but this Lehman Brothers failure has rally got me down. I have seen my 401k slowly get smaller and smaller the last few years instead of growing.
I realize that things usually correct themselves, but I'm running out of time for that 'correction' to happen!
Prayers for all, hang in there,
MDC
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66168:
Oh, hey to Me-They, welcome back. Seems like Barney's other "warm up" is more appropo today:
"IOU, IOU, I-O-U" Where is Mrs Poltice when ya need her haha.
MDC
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66169: "...Veda's going to be the shrimp of the family. I love shrimp."...How cute, Me-T! There are certainly no shrimp in this family! Sean is short but certainly no shrimp, unless you count prawns.

"Hey" to MDC.

Boo
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66170: Thanks, MDC. I don't even look at my statement anymore. I was late getting my retirement account started some years ago, and for the first few watched it actually shrink as I put money in it so I stopped looking at it. I haven't look at the bottom line in years. Ignorance is bliss.

It's interesting how we regard retirement and how very different our great-grandparents would have thought of it. Before the New Deal, which really popularized the idea of "retirement" in your 60s, most working people worked until they couldn't or dropped dead. Retirement was for the weathy. The concept of retiring as something expected came during the Depression and was pushed by government PR trying to get older people out of their jobs in order to provide opportunities for younger families. Of course, life expectancy being what it is now in comparison to those days, it's a whole different animal. I just wonder if my generation (X) won't be the first to feel a real pull away from a retirement "entitlement" back to the "bad old days" of working until you drop. I'm looking forward to retiring one day, but I'm not banking on it. Well, actually I am banking on it, but you know what I mean ;).

BOO: I wanted to mention to you that the Mrs. is kind of informally job shopping again and is thinking about getting on a neo-natal floor. Got any insights?

In that vein, some things have happened with the Mrs.' job that are making things difficult. She still loves what she does, but some process changes have just made it very hard for her to actually do her job and still juggle kids and school stuff--the reasons she took the job in the first place. The whole situation has gotten her pretty stressed and I'd appreciate y'all keeping her in your prayers.

Another thing feeding her stress is that her mom, who right now lives close by in an apartment, might be moving about 3 hours away. Not only is this personally devasting to her (she and her mom see each other pretty often and shop, etc.) but it puts a crimp in our situation as we rely on her to help with the kids every now and again. Although it'd take all afternoon to fully explain the situation with my mother-in-law, she is a chronically depressed personality who makes quick, uniformed decisions. She lurches from one unhappy situation to the next. She thinks moving to Delaware, where the cost of living is cheaper, is a positive, not figuring in the costs she will incure (and trust me, she will) traveling to see us and my brother-in-law's family, also not too far from us. Heck, she's talking twice a week! And, because the apartment experience hasn't been great she's decided that buying something is the way to go. That might be okay if she were younger or financially secure, but she is almost 70 on a fixed income. So she's looking at trailers. Of course, she will be hours from any of us so I'm not sure who is going to help with upkeep, grass cutting, etc. And, knowing my mother-in-law, in a year she will very unhappy again and that much poorer. Anyway, it's really got my wife upset since this doesn't look good for anyone. Did I mention my mother-in-law, while being a wonderful, caring person and great grandmom, is a horribly depressed, though unmedicated, person? Take Eyore and amp down the excitement by half and you've about got it.

Me-They
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66171: Wow, that is upsetting about Mom-in-law, Me-T. I know some of what you are going through, but kind of in reverse..let me explain. My MIL is on depression meds but takes it upon herself to stop taking them and then turns into a paranoid, difficult person at times. Anyway, she is living an hour away in a mobile home but just sold it this week and plans to move in here with us until a senior apartment is available in our area (who knows when?...not to seem crude, but someone has to die or go to the nursing home for something to open up). So, here is what I am getting at...I think I have the perfect solution...I will send my mother-in-law to your house and she can help with the kids. What do you think? haha Sorry, couldn't resist. Seriously, she will probably be a help to us in many ways and at her age she really needs to be near family, but it won't be easy to have her living here for long in this apartment. She will have to share a room with Erin.

I have had several friends who work or have worked neonatal, M-T, and they all love it. It is difficult sometimes to deal with family, especially in grief, but as I said, most nurses like working with the newborns. I have only done it as a fill-in on a few occasions, though. Romeena may have something to share on the subject. I know I had a really hard time poking babies with needles, and after assisting with a few cirumcisions (in which I wanted to scream and run...hate the bloody things!) I knew it wasn't the place for me to work.

Hope things work out with Eyore...prayers for your family.

Boo
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66172: Thanks, BOO. I guess I got my nurses mixed up. I know ROMEENA works l&d and I thought you worked neonatal, if my hospital lingo is up to snuff.

About sending your MIL, no thanks, I have enough problems! Maybe having her with you will make that new house go up faster ;). It is kind of ironic how many of us will go from an immature, irresponsible kid, to a mature, responsible adult, then back again. I know I won't do that to my kids ;). Yeah, right.

M-T
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66173: I can understand where the mix-up occured, M-T. I worked in labor and delivery but in our unit, babies were born in birthing rooms and the RN who was in attendance during the birth, also cared for the newborns after delivery and sometimes moms stayed until they were dismissed from the hospital. I did help care for newborns, but mostly women in labor and during delivery. Mostly all I did with newborns is care for them right after they were born sometimes, give them their first bath (when I was lucky), help moms learn to breastfeed...just basic stuff. If they were sick, they went to the neonatal nursery. I wonder if your wife would like labor and delivery? I think if I were to go back to work in a hospital, I would try outpatient surgery unit...maybe a job in the holding room where patiens are prepped for surgery (not recovery room, though). Your wife worked recovery before she left the hospital, didn't she?

Well, if you are SURE you don't want my MIL, I guess I will keep her. It's the last time I'm gonna offer, though...(maybe)...

Boo
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66174: Hey, y'all. Boo and Me-They, actually I work postpartum, with the new moms. I float to nursery now and then, and on rare occasions go back to L&D to answer phones or help recover newly-delivered patients, but I don't birth no babies! My actual delivery experience has been limited to puppies.

It would be hard for me to offer any helpful suggestions, because of the differences in hospital policies and patient demographics. Those two things have a heavy effect on the workings of a unit, believe me.

Where is Sterling? I wonder how things are going, assuming his wife is home from Hawaii. Check in, friend!

Well, I have to work tonight, so guess I'd better start heading in that direction. Sure wish they'd call and cancel me, I have a lot of things I could be doing, and would prefer to be doing, but they probably won't. Oh well. Be blessed, everyone. --Romeena
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66175:
Me-they- interesting observations. My "full-benefit" age is now 67, just 8 years away, so that is whay i said that my "market adjustment" time is running out!! haha I think your retirement age will be 70 if i read my SSA sheet correctly. Also, to further your comments, i think that when 'those who went before' didnt have 'retirement' to look forward to, it was not always or never on their minds; but then, as you stated, when Uncle sam started "Social security", there was a whole new 'physological anticipation' to the end of the road. On the other hand, our forefathers like George W and Thomas Jefferson insisted on their retirements, and basically said that they were done 'serving.'
Ya all have a good evening. prayers continue for Ike victims.
MDC
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66176: Evening Family:
Just stopping by on my way to the kitchen. So much to be done, so little time before bed.
Glad you're back SPOT.
Where in the world is Sterling,Asa,Lucy and all other MIA porchsters?
Gotta run- ~New Neighbor
September 15, 2008 - Msg 66177: You know, Ro, I was thinking about your working post-partum and remembering the few dreaded times I helped out in pp. Let me tell you, it takes some kind of patience to deal with new mothers. Talk about whiners. Well, she has told you some stories about it. When I took care of them they were in pain but when Ro gets them, they are feeling better and up to making demands...and demand they do! Not all, of course, but many. Most are not sick, and are just going through something as natural as can be, but they seem to think they have suffered double amputation or worse. She could write a book, I'm sure. Hope she is having and easy night with good-natured patients.

I wish Sterling would check in, too.

MDC, interesting conversation concerning retirement. I wonder what things will be like in another 15 years when Bruce is 65.

Good evening, New Neighbor.

Bible study at the drug rehab went well tonight. There are many girls who were sent home during the hurricane threat and they are not back yet, so the group was small. We enjoyed it.

Well, better get Erin headed in the direction of her bedroom.

Boo
September 16, 2008 - Msg 66178:
Hello porch family...Sure have missed you folks over the this past week. Didn't have service everywhere I was at. I got back home today and I am ready to hit the bed. Only 2 hours sleep since Saturday night.

Prayers for all the storm victims and all the workers.

Boo...great news on Sean!

Ro....so glad you got your computer fixed up. I know what you mean about those old saved emails.

Spot....sounds like those "rookies" did great. Glad you made it back safe. Brother your Dogs whipped up on the Gamec@cks.

MDC...looking like the chase is going to be a good one.

I'll have to read the archives and catch up on what all has been going on but I'm heading off to bed.
Prayers for all the porch family. Sleep good and hug Jesus!
-REV.
September 16, 2008 - Msg 66179: Hey Brother Rev!!..us dogs droped to 3rd but thats ok...gosh gang just had "Kansas trip lag"..thanks possum for taking over..hey "I will just say all"!..been trying to get everything back to notmal..had to mow my HIGH grass and bushog....but I can do this breakfast menu: 4 (yes I said "4" ) eggs fried scrambled,toast (grape jelly)grits with lots of butter,fried country ham,bacon,sausage links,thin sliced fried pork chops,fried apple rings,bisquits and milk gravy,pop-tarts,capt-crunch,bagles with cream cheese,hashbrowns with onions and chunks of ham,pecan waffles...OK im back!..with a big breakfast!..love ya porch...im gone to bed...SPOT
September 16, 2008 - Msg 66180: Good evening, all. Guess what?!? I got to stay home tonight, we only have one unit open (our unit is in two sections) and we had four nurses, so somebody got to stay home, and I won! Yippee! I have so much to do tomorrow, and now I'll feel like doing it.

REV, I'm glad you're home safely. I got your email, have been asking around, but no one seems to have any ideas so far. I'll keep trying.

On my Florida friend's advice, I bought a little device called a SanDisk Cruzer. It's about the size of a small Bic lighter, plugs directly into a USB port, and will store 8 GB of data! It will show up on the tree like a removable drive, and you just copy anything you want to save directly to it. No installation, no software needed, nothing. It was $45. You can get a 4 GB one for $20, and that probably would have been big enough but they were sold out at Office Depot and I didn't feel like driving to Best Buy. Besides, I had Starr with me - Office Depot doesn't care, but am not sure about Best Buy - so I just bit the bullet and got the 8 GB device. Shouldn't need anything else for a long time! It will store pictures as well as data. The sales guy had one of his own on a key chain. He just plugged it into a demo computer, and started opening files on it, to show me what it will do. Amazing. You can bet all my stuff that I don't want to risk losing will be backed up on that thing now.

Boo, you're so right about many of the new moms being whiny and demanding. I think part of it is because for nine months they've been the center of attention, and now all of a sudden, the attention has shifted to that little squalling thing over there in the crib, the little thing that kept her from sleeping last night, and no one is making a fuss over her anymore. They would probably be shocked at such a suggestion and wouldn't believe it, but I do think there's some truth to it. You just look at the facial expressions, the body language, and note when the bell-pushing and demands for unnecessary attention begins. A girl who walked outside alone to smoke an hour ago, will suddenly call and ask for help to the bathroom when she has a room full of visitors! That means everyone has to leave the room, a nurse has to come and "help" her, and she's the center of attention once again! Oh well, whatever it takes.

Well, off to bed. Be blessed, everyone. --Romeena