December 22, 2008 - Msg 68817:
"I think ole ben needed a little pick-me-up."
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68818:
Wow, I swept the place clean just in time for Christmas, and with the ending to the Christmas episode no less! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
MDC
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68819: Hey gang...thanks for the b-day wishes..hey MDC,M-T,possum YOUT,Boo...Romeena hopw you feel better..Floyd the card was great...well not gona get out of the 30"s here today but I got to get out and about...lets have a late supper at olive garden...they have warm soup!...back in a bit...SPOT
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68820: Afternoon porchsters! Cold here on my end of the porch, a whopping 20 degrees right now, woke up to 7 degree temps. Nice card, Floyd I've always liked your cards, ya done good.
Got to see the TAGS Christmas ep last night, been a long time since I've seen that one, I loved it! Just wanted to check in, I'm off to bake some more cookies. We're still not moved, dang it, Mr. Neff was sick as a dog all weekend & I don't think he was having the time of his life either. He even closed up the repair shop early & came home, that man NEVER leaves work early, so he was feeling pretty bad to go to those extremes. He's much better today & maybe we can get started moving next weekend.
Later taters
*Mavis
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68821: Happy Monday Porch, hope al is well today.
It is very cold on my end of the porch as well. It was 10 degrees this morning aand supposed to be about 10 again tonight. Need to crank up the electric blanket I guess.

Happy Birthday to SPOT.

Woek is kinda slow today. I have about 5 people scheduled tomorrow and then will be off until next Monday. I will be glad for the days off.

I will meet everyone at Olive Garden, my favorite place!!

Everone have a good evening, I will try and check in later.

Prayers and blessing to all.

Big Maude
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68822: Afternoon Y'all- Laci had the tests done on her heart today and it looks like she will NOT have to have the heart cath in which they "Zap" a part of her heart to stop the rapid beating episodes! Doctor said her condition doesn't seem too bad-may put her back on beta blockers which she took for awhile after her open heart surgery.Sent her home with a Holter monitor that she has to wear for 24 hours.If anything extreme shows up,then they may do the procedure,or the meds. Otherwise,they will see her in 6 months.Laci has been full of the Christmas spirit (translation:rambunctious!) so I hope the Holter monitor survives 24 hours with Laci!
Anyhow, the news is promising,and wanted to share it with all of you.I know Laci is loved and cared about on our Porch.
Mavis,Mr.Possum has been sick for several days now. I feel your pain! Hope Mr. Neff perks up soon.
It's cold here today too,but nothing like Tom's neck of the woods! Stay warm,Tom!
Floyd- loved the Christmas card! Thanks!
Y'all stay warm & well-love to all!
******************
possum under a rock
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68823: That's great, POSSUM. Praise the Lord.

Olive Garden sounds peachy, MAUDE. Love that salad dressing and those breadsticks.

Hope Mr. Neff feels better soon, MAVIS. Maybe a cookie will help.

Well, I'm going to be out of the office until Friday so it's my last opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I'll tell you what, you guys are the tinsel on my tree!

God bless us, everyone!

Me-They
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68824: Thanks Maude..hey Mavis...well I just got back from shopping..I hope im done...M-T olive garden was good...great news my good friend possum...well let me get this stuff put away...back in just a bit....SPOT
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68825: Merry Christmas friends and fans of TAGS
Dave Engle
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68826: Merry Christmas to you, Dave Engle.

I called in sick again tonight, just can't seem to shake this miserable bug. I'm better, but still shaky and don't dare eat anything. I've survived on ginger ale since Friday night, except for a bit of rice last night, which didn't set well. Not a single cookie baked, nor a single present wrapped. I feel downright Grinchy. Hoping tomorrow will be better, but have to work tomorrow night.

Possum, such good news about Laci. Bless that baby's little heart (literally), it's about time she got a break.

Floyd, I loved the card! Very creative, very festive, and Adam is a hoot! Thanks!

Well, I'm feeling a bit swimmy-headed, guess I'll go lie back down. Wish somebody would bring some good old soup over here. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68827: Wow, MDC, your decorations are great! So glad you are there reminding folks to keep the "Christ" in Christmas.

Me-They, you made me laugh out loud with the martian head story. Strangely enough, my funniest Christmas memory involves a head, too. Several years ago, my sister used to have this angel on top of her tree with a ceramic head. I thought it was pretty funny looking..kind of looked like it had an Elvis hair-do. She had it for years, and every year, I made fun of it. Well, one Christmas, I was helping her do some decorating and we decided we needede to move the Christmas tree to the other side of the room. We didn't think about the danger of the ceiling fan overhead (which was on), and all of a sudden.."WHACK!"..the blades hit the head of that angel, and immediate decapitaion occured. Of course as soon as we heard the noise, we looked up and saw the headless angel at the same time, and laughed so hard I got chest pain. Probably not funny to anyone else...probably one of those "you had to be there" moments. By the way, I know what you are going through (concerning Nora). We have been having some difficulties here, too. Hang in there and if you don't see this until after Christmas, hope it was a good one!! Glad we are the tinsel on your tree. You are the bubble lights on mine!

Hey Possum, I have something to say to you..."Pringles potato chips!" AND, thanks for sharing the news about Laci, of course.

I'm sitting here watching Raife Hollister sing "Look Down that Lonesome Road..."...he was really good, wasn't he?

Time for a break.

Boo







December 22, 2008 - Msg 68828: A friend asked me about song in an episode. I found the song online at a TAGS Mayberry Days event. The "Andy & Barney were Lawmen" song. Was this ever in an episode? If so, which one? Please let me know if possible.

Thanks

AndyFan
December 22, 2008 - Msg 68829: Wasn't the Episode "Crime-Free Mayberry"?

Also from that episode
In a jailhouse/down in dixie/fighting crime and risking lives/live a sheriff/ and his buddy pistol packing Barny Fife. Oh my daring/oh my daring/ oh my daring Barney Fife/He's a deadly crime stopper/what a copper Barney Fife. Then one day there/came a ridin'/two bad men to rob a bank. But Fife was tricky/a deadeye dickie/now they're locked up in the tank....



...Oh my Barney/Oh my Barney/had a jail but couldn't lock it/had one bullet for his pistol/had to keep it in his pocket.


December 23, 2008 - Msg 68830: Good day .
Rmeena hope you bester today.
Boo how did it go what th girls last night.
SPOT thank for the card.
Will it not going to be a with christma here it going to rain that day.

TOM

December 23, 2008 - Msg 68831: Romeena, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling poorly. I went to the doctor yesterday myself so I really feel for you being sick.

I'm glad our Christmas card brightened your day a little. Hope you get better soon.

Here's the link for all my cards going back to 1997.

http://mayberry.com/christmas

Merry Christmas Mayberry!
Floyd
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68832: Good morning, porch. I was awakened by the phone, my manager from work, wanting to know if I could "prove" that I had completed the required CPR course. If not, I would be suspended because my CPR would now be expired. This happens every two years. I get certified, bring the card, make copies and put them in her mailbox, and a couple of months later, I get one of these calls. I think the copy troll gets them or something. Anyway, I dragged myself out of bed, made copies, faxed them to her, and now everyone is happy once again. Seems HR was putting pressure on her because they didn't have any documentation regarding my current CPR status. Why they couldn't have called Education and gotten the info from them, I don't know, but I'm told that's not possible. I have to produce the card, or a copy thereof, so I did. Getting the info from the one who actually generated the card isn't good enough. Crazy. Oh well, it's done.

Floyd, I'm sorry you're ailing. I hope it's nothing serious. And whatever you do, don't pass it on to the family! Handwashing, lots of handwashing. Paper cups help, too.

Still feeling pretty shaky. Food is not an option at this time. A swallow of juice or ginger ale now and then to keep my blood sugar from bottoming out is about all I can manage. I haven't actually eaten since lunch on Friday, except for that little bit of rice, which didn't stay with me. I still have no baking done, no presents wrapped. I feel like the world's biggest old stinky Grinch, and all I can think of to do is go crawl back into bed. Got the hospital satisfied, fed Starr, took my insulin, and back to bed I go. Peace and blessings, friends. --Romeena
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68833: IT stor time.

IThappened one day near December;s end
two neighbors called on an old-time friend
and they found his shop so meager and lean
made gay with a thousand boughs of green.
And connad was sitting with face a shined
when he suddenly as he stitched a teine
And he said "Old friend at dawn today
When the hin was crowing the night away
The Lord appeared in a dram to me
And said I am coming your Guest to be
So I've been bust with feet astir
And strewing my with branches of fir.
The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters the holly is twined.
And now I'll wait fof mi Lord to appear
And listen so I will hear His step
As He nears my humble place
And I open the door and look on His face."
So hs friends went home and life Conrad alone
for this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since his family had passed away
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day
But he knew with the LORD as his Christmas Guest
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
he listened with only joy in his heart
and with every sound he would rise with a start
and look for the Lord to be at his door
like the vision he had a few hours before.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound
but all he could see on the snow-covered ground
was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn.
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.
but Conrad was touched and he went to te door.
and he said "Your feet must be frozen and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you
and a coat that will keep you warmer too".
so with grateful heart the man went away,
but Conrad noticed the time of day.
he wondered what made the Lord so late
and how much longer he'd have to with
when he heard a knock he ran to the door,
but it was pnly a stranger once more,
a bent old lady with a shawl of black
with a bundle of kindling piled on her back.
she asked for only a place to rest.
but that was reserved for Conrad's great Guest.
but her voice seemed to plead Don't send me away;
let me rest for awhile onChristmas Day.
so Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
and told her to sit at the table and sup.
but after she life he was filled with dismay
for he saw that the hours were slipping away.
and the Lord hadn't come as He said He would,
and Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood
whe out of the stillness he heard a cry.
Please help me, and tell me where am I!
so again he opened his friendly door
and stood disappointed as twice before.
it was only a child who had wandered aay
and was last from her family on Christmas Day.
again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad
but he knew he should make the little girl glad,
so he called her in and wiped her tears
and quieted all her childish fears.
then he led her back to her home once more,
but as he entered his own darkened door
he knew that the Lord was not coming today
for the hours of Christmas had passed away.
so he went to his room and knelt down to pray,
and he said "Dear Lord why did You delay?
What kept You from coming to call on me?
for I wanted so much Your to see."
When soft in the silence, a voice he heard;
" Lift up your head, for I kept My word.
Three times I came to your lowly door."
"For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet.
I was the woman you gave somethig to eat.
And I was the child on the homeless street
three times I knocked;
three times I came in,
and each time I found the warmth of a friend,
Of allte gifts love is the best.
I was honored to be your CHRISTMAS GUEST.

TOLDBY ANDY GRIFFITH.


TOM
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68834: Mornin' y'all. Tom,I love "The Christmas Guest"- thank you for taking the time to post it here.
Ro,sure hope you shake that nasty bug off and have a good Christmas.Feel better soon!
APB for the following Porchsters and pals: Asa,Merriweather,Mary Wiggins,Fun Girl, Mrs.Wiley,Charlotte Tucker,Marty from Mountaintop,Opiemom,Deputy Warren Ferguson,and Elmer & Ruth from Ohio.Please come home for Christmas! Oh,and Merry Christmas to George,if you're lurking!
Spot didn't have a big breakfast waiting for us this morning? Hmm,he's probably still off celebrating his birthday.Or shopping for our Christmas presents. I know- let's head over to Cracker Barrel today and charge our lunch to him! *****************
possum under a rock
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68835: Well, looks like I slid out from under my rock up there! I'll try to get back under it.It's too cold out here!
*******************
possum UNDER a rock
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68836: George,ya been messing with my rock? Hee Hee

possum again
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68837:
Great Tom! Thanks. That reminds me, I'll have to listen to my CD of that. Love it.
BOO- Thanks for the nice words on the decorations!
How did things go at rehab?
I hope we answered all OK for Andyfan.
Floyd, thanks again for all you do! You are ALMOST as good as Barney Parney Poo!! haha
ROmeena, we'll all bring some soup to you, you bet.
Possum, God bless you dear. Hope some of those folks come back to say HEY.
I usually list all that I have met here at this time, but I cant find my list this year! darn, it's around here somewhere.
Prayers for all the porch!!
U R 2 GOOD 2 B 4-GOTTEN !!
Many of you are having a white Christmas!
Keep warm!

MDC
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68838: Good afternoon, all! Tom, thanks for posting "The Christmas Guest". That's a great favorite of mine. Got that CD in the car!

Woohoo! I'm feeling a bit better, in fact will be going in to work tonight. Definitely not 100%, but better. At least I kept a bowl of oatmeal down. Anybody else like the steel-cut oatmeal? So much better than rolled oats!

Just spoke with Eloise and learned that vandals smashed the Christmas display at my son's home last night. Broke all the ground lights, slashed the inflatables (three of them), broke a cute little wooden penguin made by Brittney, and ripped or tore up anything else they could get their hands on. David is out of town. I'm sure the absence of his car in the driveway made the vandals bolder. Why would anyone do such a thing? My grandsons found it, ran back in the house crying, to tell their mother about it. She hasn't told David, as there's nothing he can do, and no need to upset him at work, especially when he still has to drive home. He's in Houston, but will be home tonight. I just don't understand why anyone would do something like that. Jealousy, is the only thing I can think of, and isn't that sad?

Naturally, as you would expect, I fired off a letter to the newspaper editor about it, but I doubt they'll print it. No matter, wouldn't help anything anyway. Eloise and I have thought up several solutions, mostly involving rocksalt in shotguns, paintball guns, itching powder and dogs with two-inch teeth. However, the fact is, there's not much you can do. First, you have to catch them, and this was done sometime after 1:30 a.m. Second, it's probably kids, and if you lay a finger on them, you'll go to jail, while they stand there and laugh. Make their parents pay? Good luck. So, nothing to do but pray about it, and move on.

Now maybe I can go wrap a couple of presents before I have to start getting ready for work. Got to straighten up the kitchen a bit, too. Forget any baking. Guess it won't happen this year. Next thing you know, I'll be saying "Bah! Humbug!" Hey, maybe that's what I have had. A humbug!

Be blessed, everyone! --Romeena
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68839: Ro,that is horrible about your son's Christmas display! I am clueless as to what makes some people do things like that. I was always told growing up that " God don't like ugly". Guess nobody told the vandals that before,or they weren't listening when they were getting their home training. Sad,how some folks get their jollies.
Glad you are feeling better,Ro!

MDC,I'm sure I missed quite a few folks when I did my APB,but I tried. Maybe we'll get the Porch all "nice & full" over the holidays!

The word on Laci is that she did rip the Holter monitor off at first ,but she is being a good girl now & only has a few hours left until the monitor can come off!
Have a good evening-love to all.
****************
possum under a rock (no wait! Got an idea!)

"Two turtle doves..and a possum in a pear tree!"
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68840: Now, I've seen a possum in a persimmon tree, but in a pear tree?? --Romeena
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68841: Evening Porch friends, glad to hear you're feeling better Ro, you sure you need to be going to work so soon? Sorry to hear about your son's decorations, that's just horrible, possum you said they weren't listening when they were getting their home training? My guess is, they weren't getting any home training or they wouldn't have done that to begin with.
I tell you guys, I am having the worst time getting over the holiday depression I get every year & I would certainly appreciate any prayers ya'll could offer. Since losing Mom & my sister & her kids, I've got to try harder & harder it seems to find some kind of joy in them anymore. It seems to be getting harder instead of easier. I've spent the better part of this evening crying & I hate it, absolutely hate it. I do so appreciate you folks, I know I can talk to you & tell you what's on my mind & ya'll understand. thanks in advance for the prayers, I need them.
Anyway, now that I've come sweeping through here with my little cloud overhead, I'll head on outta here so the sun will shine on ya'll again, maybe possum will let me hide under her rock for a while so the clouds will leave me alone for a bit. I imagine Laci would get my mind off it pretty quick.
*Mavis
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68842: Scrooge getting into a jeep, Me-They? Bah-Hummer! ;)

No, I didn't put up my (hand-built)Nativity this year, MDC. I don't think that thing would've made the trip into the front yard. I had a hard enough time getting it to stand up straight last year. I think it would've fallen apart had I tried to move it. I'm no carpenter, that's for sure.
Instead, we bought some paper cut-outs of the Nativity and we have it on our big picture window, plus a ceramic one on the fireplace mantle.


Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!
-Sterling Holobyte
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68843: Good evening everyone, been a busy few days around my porch, trying to get everything ready, but hopefully after two trips to the grocery store I think I got everything. Sorry to hear you are not feeling well Ro, hope you get better soon, and also about your sons decorations thats just horrible no other way about it. Thanks so much for all the cards, I've enjoyed them so much. Hubby keeps saying, now which one is this? LOL Boo, your angel story cracked me up!! Mavis, I'm praying for you dear bless your heart. I guess I better get myself in gear, gonna make a pot of coffee and wrap some packages tonight. If anyone else feels like burning the midnight oil, come on over. Hope you all have a safe Christmas Love you guys bunches!! Salty Dog
December 23, 2008 - Msg 68844: Good evening, porch. No, I didn't make it to work. I spent the better part of the day either in bed or in my big chair, and about 4 p.m. I decided I'd better get up and move around some and see how I felt. Ha! Tried wrapping presents. Got one done, was so shaky I had to go sit down. I could feel my pacer firing quite often, too. So, I chose common sense over duty, and called in sick again. Not going to endear me with management at this time of year, but so be it.

I finally ate some vegetable soup a little while ago, and it stayed down. Seems like I feel a bit stronger, too. I think that soup, and a good night's sleep, will make for a better day tomorrow. I hope so, I've had just about enough of this nonsense.

Mavis, my friend, my heart goes out to you. I have some idea how you feel in the loss of your mom. The sudden death of a loved one will always leave deep scars. Add in the estrangement with your sister, and the separation from her kids, and it's really a heart-breaker. No way can you avoid feeling sad. Just remember that the One who loves you best understands. Your mom would not want you to be sad, of course, and Jesus will always be there to receive your tears. It WILL get better. You may have to treat the situation with your sister as you would a death - accept it and move on. Time will help some. How much, who knows? All I know is that now, at nearly 13 years, I'm in a much better place than I was at two or three or even five or ten years after losing my Dale. You never forget, it always hurts, but it gets bearable. You can do it, with God's help.

Now I need to go lie down again for a while. Thanks for commiserating with me about my son's yard decorations. It's sad, but it's only things. The real Christmas, which he and his little family will celebrate so sweetly, cannot be damaged, stolen or silenced. The really sad thing about it all is the thought of hearts so hard and so mean that they could do such a thing. Be blessed, my friends. --Romeena
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68845: Morning Dears and Merry Christmas eve to all. Please forgive my not being here much as of late. The end of the year is always hectic for me at work as we rush to complete projects before years end, and before the bitter cold of January hits us. This year has been no exception.

Ro, I am sorry you are ailing. It sounds like your getting better, skow but sure. Prayers for you.

Possum, I an so glad that Laci's condition does not warrant that procedure. I pray the meds will help her condition.

Mavis, I know how much you struggle with things this time of year. I know you miss your Mom. But know she wants you to be happy and to live a life of joy and fullfillment. You have my prayers for peace and joy, and that your other situation will be resolved.

Boo, just have to rub it in. We have had snow every day for the past week, and are expecting a major storm to hit starting tonight, and going most of the day tomorrow. They say we can expect a foot or more, on top of the already 2 feet we have had this week. Even more if the dreaded "lake effect" kicks in, which they think will. And I'm off work until Monday, so let it snow. I have invested in a new snowblower that makes clearing the driveway almost fun. But when you have to do it every night for a week, the fun evaporates pretty fast.

I offer my prayers to all who need them here on the porch. You are all kind and caring souls here. This is a special little corner Alan has provided for us, but you all make it special too. Thank you for your friendship. May we all be blessed with a wonderful Christmas, and feel and know of His love and spirit. And may 2009 bring us peace and prosperity. Times are scary right now, but I know if we are faithful and loyal to God, we will be blessed with the strength and ability to endure to the end. My prayer is that all of us will recieve those promised blessings.

Asa
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68846: Mornin' y'all! Asa! You DID come home for Christmas! Good to see you friend. Merry Christmas to you & yours & God Bless.
Ro,sorry you're still ailing. Prayers that you feel like your old self soon.
Mavis,you just come on over to my rock,dear.I'm sorry you are feeling blue. Ro told you right,though. Mama will always be with you,and as far as things with your sister,you might have to let things be right now. Last year,I had no Christmas with my sister.Later tonight,I will be over at that same sister's house celebrating Christmas. So,it is what it is for now,Mavis. But,believe me,things can change.And if they don't,I pray that the Lord gives you the strength & grace to just move on past it all. Love to you,Mavis.
Merry Christmas & love to all.
*********************
possum in a pear tree
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68847: Good morning, and a very Merry Christmas to one and all!! I feel great! That soup and a good night's sleep, and I'm just about my old self again. Hungry as a buzzard, and that's something I never thought I'd say again!

Asa, good friend, it's great to see you. So glad you came home for Christmas. I'll be going out to my son's house for Christmas Eve, Eloise and I are taking some Mexican side dishes, and they're picking up fajitas from a Mexican restaurant nearby, and we're gonna enjoy that! Then watch the little boys unwrap some gifts and a good time will be had by all. We're going to Christmas Eve services first, at their church. Hate to miss our own, but Eloise and I both want to support their involvement with the church they've been attending out where they live.

Well, off I go. Merry Christmas, y'all! --Romeena
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68848: Hey new porch people..hey possum,boo,Ro,Tom,Rev,Hazel and all...busy busy here....prayers.....will try to holler from Miss Sherrys house...SPOT
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68849:
Mavis, prayers for you indeed! God bless you dear!
Let the peace of Jesus envelop you and then rest in his provision.
WooHoo, I found my list! I first posted here in Nov. 2004, and started a list of all who have sat on the porch these past 5 years. It has been great conversin' with ya all!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and may we have many more years together:
Floyd!,
Pipeman, Buckeye, PappaBear, Colt, PoorBoy,
Asa, AFD, Spot, homemaker, MARY WIGGINS,
Boo, Erin, AUH20, MRS WILEY, Romeena,
CHARLOTTE TUCKER, GOOBER, BRISCO,
FUN GIRL, IRISHSTER, Sterling Holobyte,
ky girl, Des, Tom, Hazel, RAFE, Salty Dog,
Mayberry Deputy, ED SAWYER, FRANKIE FLINT, Mavis,
MAYBERRY GIRL, Possum under rock, BANJO JERRY,
COUNTY NURSE, BH, FELICIA, ELLENBROWN, JELSIK,
JENNIE BOONE, KY MOONSHINER, ANGEFAN, EMMA,
EMMITT, CONNIE R, Rev, REV JR, MARTY, YMK,
Me-They, SLIM, QUIET SAM, SMOKEY MT HILLBILLY,
Big Maude, ALYCE(IDELLE), NEW NEIGHBOR,
GA PEACH,
SARA, Leon, MILLIE(rip 9-07), BULBSNATCHER,
OLLIE, BECCA, LAKELOON, DIXIE BELLE, HODIE
SNITCH, FRED GOSS, Poor Horatio, SALT & PEPPER,
OK GIRL, SHAZAM, Lucy matthews, DDFA, DAPHNE,
DEBBIE, SRM, WILL STOCKDALE, BELLE, MERRIWEATHER,
OPIEMOM, TIC A LOCK, RAY, ROSIE, MARY, OHIO
COUPLE, GIZMO, A HAPPY NUT, Chuck, DWF,
Barneywannabe, DR P, MISS PEGGY, SPOOKY BENSON,
MARY GRACE, JIM ROCKFORD, ANT D, Lester,
C.DARLING, MISSY.
Those in caps have been "missing" for a while!
and may Millie Rest in Peace.
I hope I didn't miss anyone.
I love you all, and Lord-willing, I will see you
next on Monday(or maybe before that from the library!) haha, or is that ho ho!?
Prayers, (and thanks for all of yours!)
Mayor's brown truck running tonight!!
MDC Mr Darlin's Cuz

December 24, 2008 - Msg 68850: Glad you found your list,MDC. And you know what? You,in your own way,DID bring them home to us for Christmas.As I was reading the names,I was surprised at how many folks have passed through our little Mayberry world.Some,like Millie,stayed long enough to leave footprints on our hearts. Thank you very much for posting all of the names,and Merry Christmas to you,MDC.Love to all.
*********************
possum under a rock
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68851: Hey, just wanted to say Merry Christmas Eve...my computer has been down for two days but I am back in action..

I'm off to help my sister get my mom a bath and to do more cooking...see ya later.

Boo
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68852: MERRY CHRISTMAS to MDC, Floyd and all who have in them the true spirit of Christmas and this web site inspired by the beliefs and wisdom of Andy Griffith.
Marty from Mt. Top
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68853: Merry Christmas Marty from Mt.Top! Good to have you drop by for Christmas!

possum again
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68854: MERRY CHRIISTMAS...to all my porch friends ,may God bless each of you in the New Year
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68855: Hey folks and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I wanted to make sure you knew that since I last mentioned our Mayberry podcast there have been 3 more episodes. Episode 9 and 10 featured Kenneth "Otis" Junkin and you don't want to have missed those. Ken is a great guy and the interview was a lot of fun.

The latest episode of Two Chairs No Waiting features an interview with Elinor Donahue...Miss Ellie. You won't want to miss that. I felt like it was a good time of the year to have Elinor since she was on the only Christmas episode of TAGS. If you listen till the end...there's a special bit of music for Christmas time.

Drop by and give 'em a listen, subscribe to the podcast so you'll get e-mails telling you when new ones come out, give feed back with our new toll-free voice mail number, etc.....

Merry Christmas and be safe if you're traveling.

Two Chairs No Waiting: Mayberry Internet Radio Show Podcast
http://mayberry.com/podcasts/

Floyd
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68856: msg 68854 was from Mayberry Deputy ..with the clumsy fingers
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68857: Well hey there to Mayberry Deputy...loved the card. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas...and that goes for each of you.

Merry Christmas, my Dear Possum. Hope you enjoy spending time with your family, especially sweet Miss Laci...hope Santa Claus brings her something real special.

Merry Christmas to Marty and to Floyd. Thanks again, Floyd, for keeping us all together on the porch this Christmas and all year long. You are a real bird in this world!

Well, time to get ready for candlelight services at the church at 6. I will be thinking about you all and sending up a prayer for you and your families. After that, it's off to St. Susan's house for dinner...We made a ham, a smoked turkey breast, candied sweet potatoes, and baked beans, broccoli-cheese casserole, rolls, and various sweets and desserts, coffee and tea. After dinner, we will open a few presents with my parents and my sister's family (should be lively with my 2 kids and her 3 young grandkids!). I am going to give Bruce his big gift tonight and it will be a real surprise. A friend from Austin, is a photographer and recently took up turning photos into portraits using pastels. She did one of Erin and had it matted in a beautiful frame. She did it of the photo of Erin in the hat with the rose that is in Ro's photo album. It turned out beatiful. She was going to use it in her advertising and show it at different shows she goes to, but decided to let me buy it from her to give to Bruce for Christmas. He will love it, I'm sure.

Well, better get movin' and find my dangly Christmas bulb earrings!

Feliz' Navidad from Texas (where it is in the 70's)!

Boo
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68858: hey, y'all~~
Merry Christmas Eve an' big *sticky hugs* to my Mayberry family. "Thank you" to Floyd for keepin' this Porch here for us.
I ain't havin' an especially merry holiday season 'cause of circumstances, so the heightened awareness of our Lord an' the big picture really helps a lot.
Miss *Mavis, I understand. here's an extry *hug* fer ya. won't help, but it won't hurt none.
Romeena, you be careful about goin' without eatin'. you of all people oughta know sometimes ya gotta force yourself to eat somethin'.
y'all stay warm an' dry, an' love one another.
~~love, Leon
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68859: Possum I got your b-day card!..thanks...well its bed for me and work at 6am,but get off at noon...not to bad...I want nameeverybody but Merry Christmas porch!....Boo you have been busy!...well will try to keep thelights on tomorrow at least till noon...will holler from there...SPOT
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68860:
Hello porch family.....Wanted to stop by and wish everyone a very Merry CHRISTmas. I've been so busy lately that I have not been able to check in but you all have been in my prayers. Sure am proud to call you folks my friends!

Jesus loves you so much...don't you ever forget it!
-REV.
December 24, 2008 - Msg 68861: You're right, Mavis. We do understand. At our Christmas eve service at church, as Karen's children sat with me, her absence was absolutely blaring. We didn't say anything about it this year, but we were sure thinking it. It was a beautiful service, though, and very touching.

We had a nice time at Susan's house and I enjoyed watching Emily. Oh, and Bruce's present went off much better than I even expected. He got teary-eyed when he saw the picture of Erin and I could tell he was having a tough time keeping his composure. Let me give you a bit of "behind the scenes" info that will help you to appreciate how neat it really was. As you could probably tell, 2008 has been a very tough year for Bruce and me. It has been the hardest in our marriage and that last big argument was a doozie! Bruce really saw the light on some things and has been a changed person since that time. He is much less stressed and just much more pleasant, spending quality time with me and the kids, etc. Anyway, last week I went out to do some shopping and I still wanted to get something for Bruce but didn't have a clue. As I was driving, I said a quick prayer to the Lord and asked Him to please help me find a gift for Bruce that would really touch his heart and mean something to him. Well, I didn't find anything that day...or the next...or the next and began to wonder why God wasn't answering my prayer. Well, 2 nights ago, my neice, Amy, phoned and said that her mom (the artist who drew the portrait of Erin) had brought the picture of Erin with her and had decided to go ahead and let me buy it now. When I saw it, I felt strongly that God was answering my prayer, so I bought it, wrapped it and hid it in the closet last night. I snuck it into the car earlier today and took it to my sister's house so Bruce would have it to open over there. I wish you could have seen his face when he opened it. The interesting thing is that after we left, Bruce was telling me that he has never received a gift like it in his life, that touched his heart the way the picture did (now at this point, I had told him nothing about my prayer). He also said that something strange had happened before I gave it to him. Now, Bruce and I never give gifts to each other on Christmas Eve; we always wait until Christmas morning, so there was no reason for him to suspect that he would be receiving a gift from me, but he said that as he sat there watching the kids open their gifts from family, he had what he called a strange thought in his head that he was going to receive a gift that would touch his heart. He said that when I brought him the gift, he was speechless, and when he opened it, he had a hard time not breaking down in front of everyone. After he told me that, I shared with him about how I had prayed and that blessed him even more. It was really wonderful the way it all worked out. You know the old saying about God answering prayer at the 11th hour? Well, he answered my prayer yesterday! :)

What a great Christmas greeting, MDC!

Well, ASA, it is great to hear from you, my friend. It is way too warm here...I do wish I has some of that snow! Thank you for those wonderful prayers for your porch friends..I say an "Amen" to each one.

Well, I am off to the Christmas Eve service at the Methodist church. Guess I will talk to you all tomorrow.

May "visions of sugarplums dance in your heads...".

Love and Merry Christmas,
Boo
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68862: Merry Christmas, Porch!
- Hazel
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68863: Merry Christmas back at ya,Hazel!

Merry Christmas to all my dear Porch friends.

Boo,I am so happy to hear about Bruce & the special gift! God works in mysterious ways,for sure.
Well,gotta scoot. Laci will be arriving soon to open presents.Oh Spot,hope you liked the birthday card!
Merry Christmas!
*******************
possum under a rock
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68864: Merry Christmas, Hazel-Parney-Poo!

Merry Christmas Possum!

Well, I wanted to sleep in but woke up early so I decided to have my coffee on the porch. It is very quiet here and I plugged in the tree lights. I love being up while everyone is still sleeping. My kids are old enough now that they don't get up at dawn on Christmas anymore.

The candlelight service at the Methodist church last night was wonderful. It lasted an hour, which surprised me, but it was very nice. It is always so great to be in the old church I grew up in because it has changed very little. It is a 100 year old white wooden church with a small sanctuary with the original wooden pews. I sat quietly in the back because I don't know anyone there anymore, except one family, whose matron happens to be my dad's old girlfriend, so I didn't really want to go there, ha. They had a nice communion service and sang carols with lighted candles. Very touching.

Well, I hear MIL getting up with Gizzy. Merry Christmas morning!

Boo
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68865: Hi All.
A HAPPY MERRY CHRISTMAS

TOM

December 25, 2008 - Msg 68866: Merry Christmas my family!! Love to you all~Salty Dog
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68867: I loved it possum you YOUT!..Merry Christmas mayberry family!...hey Rev and Boo,hazel,Tom...well im headed home at 12 to eat and open gifts....prayers...SPOT
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68868: MERRY CHRISTMAS, PORCH! --Romeena
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68869: Hey, ever'body! Gomer here. Haven't checked in since ... well, several months ago. But, wanted to say Merrh Christmas to one and all! Best of luck to you and yours!
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68870: Well gang its about to wind down here at the dog house..Miss Sherry is headed to work and kids are playing (well Andy is napping)...guess I better let Kelsey load up this Web-kin thing I got her....Merry Christmas great friends...lets all just pause and remember what this day is really about!...love ya porch...back in a bit..SPOT
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68871:

Merry Christmas, Porchsters! May God's blessings be abundant this holiday season.

Prayers for all, and love to all.

~De§~


December 25, 2008 - Msg 68872:
MERRY CHRISTMAS to my porch family. Prayers that you all had a wonderful day.
In HIS love.....-REV.
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68873: Merry Christmas you wonderful old building...wait...I mean you wonderful old porch!
*Mavis
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68874: It was a good day, REV. I think we are all tired out. Guess tomorrow I will have to face the pile of laundry I have been avoiding for days :(

For now, though, I am relaxing and will pull out my TAGS Christmas episode and watch it later.

It is warm and foggy here. How many of you are having a white Christmas?

Boo
December 25, 2008 - Msg 68875: Good evening, porch. Just got home from my DIL's sister's house - spent most of the day over there. The brother-in-law is John, who was hurt in the motorcycle wreck, and it was just easier on him if we moved our party there. Otherwise, it probably would have been at Eloise's house. Anyway, we had waaay too much very good food, exchanged some nice gifts - simple things that will be treasured because of the givers. The little kids opened the rest of their gifts from me and Eloise and Jerry, and a lovely time was had by all. Poor little Starr got left at home, because one out-of-towner had his big golden retriever with him, a dog I had only met several years ago as a rambunctious puppy, and I feared for Starr's safety. Had I known what a sweet, sedate middle-aged lady Emily has become, I'd have taken Starr. Oh well, she can't read a calendar, so she probably doesn't know she missed Christmas Day.

Boo, it's 63 here and damp, expecting mid-70's tomorrow. Yuck. Sure doesn't feel much like Christmas.

You know, living alone has a downside for sure, but there's an upside too. I hear you talking about all that laundry, and how well I remember those days, but it's not a problem anymore. These days, about three loads a week takes care of it, on average. Actually, I usually let it go two weeks, so I can get full loads of the various groups - whites, coloreds, towels and sheets, jeans and darks, and delicates. Yep, about five or six loads every two weeks about does it. In the summer, I may do an extra load of jeans and workshirts along the way, depends on how much gardening I'm doing.

Well, guess I'll get into my jammies, pour a glass of tea, and curl up for a cuddle with my baby girl. She's in here checking out the "other dog" smells on my clothes. Not only was Emily there, a stranger, but she smells Bentley also, I'm sure, as well as a couple of cats. I'm sure she thinks I've been two-timing her, poor baby. Oh well, a little cuddle will erase all that. She's very forgiving.

Merry Christmas, y'all. --Romeena
December 26, 2008 - Msg 68876: Glad you had a nice time, Ro. You are right about living alone having it's upside. I remember when I was single and I didn't even have to wash work clothes. In our unit you had to wear the scrubs provided by the hospital. I would let the laundry go for days and weeks sometimes. Boy, have things changed!

I was happy to see that my parents are adjusting to being with Susan much better than I had expected. I am thankful for that. It is nice to be able to just go over and visit with them without having to do alot of chores like when they were in the house. Something was always needing to be done then.

Well, guess I will try to get some sleep in order to tackle the work that must be done tomorrow. We have to get everything out of mom and dad's house this week before they start the plumbing work, etc. They will actually be tearing out some of the ceilings and so on. What a mess! It will be good to have it finally done, though.

See ya all tomorrow.

Boo
December 26, 2008 - Msg 68877: Mornin' Y'all! Had a nice Christmas- hope everyone here did as well. Boo,I'm doing laundry too.I want to hang things outside,but it's foggy & warm here too.Probably will have to crank up the dryer & run the light bill up.Maybe Spot can wrangle me a discount?!
Had a scare this morning- started computer & it froze.I was like " Oh,no,don't be broken! My friends are out there!" I would've had a FIT if it didn't start! I turned it off & back on,and luckily,it started. That's all I need-a busted computer!
RIP Eartha Kitt/AKA Catwoman from Batman. A fellow Carolinian from right up the road-same county,actually.
Well,let me get to this laundry.Y'all have a good day.Somebody make breakfast-spot!!
*******************
possum under a rock
P.S. Hey Boo, I was "messin'" with those Italians again yesterday! Had tortellini with them-good stuff!
December 26, 2008 - Msg 68878: Great, glad you enjoyed your Italians, Possum.

I know what you mean about the computer. Mine was down for two days this week and I told Bruce, "Do you know how hard it is not to have email right before Christmas?"! I guess we were having a problem with our internet provider because it came back up on it's own eventually.

You should see the mess around here and garbage collection isn't until Monday. I am ready to pack up the decorations already but I have to clean up and do the laundry first. I still have Christmas pictures that I didn't send to Ro. I guess I can send them late.

Bruce went out fishing this morning with his brother. His brother has a boat and they are going to a channel where he has been catching alot of trout...wish me luck. Trout is one of the few fish I like. We can have an after-Christmas fish fry.

Sorry to hear about Eartha Kitt. May she rest in peace. I just hate to hear about folks passing during the holidays...so sad for friends and family.

What are some of the things ya'll got for Christmas? I got a nice new cell phone, which is what I asked Santa for. I have had a very generic one for years and wanted a pretty one that takes pictures. It has these changable plates that go on the front, so you can change it from black to bronze, metallic red and green. I like it. MIL gave me a really nice candle that smells wonderful and is supposed to burn for many hours. My friend and our youth pastor, Matt, gave me 3 books, one being a compact concordance that I love (he shouldn't have spent so much). I got him and his wife a gift certificate to Chili's. They are young and living with his parents. She is still in school so they don't have alot of extras.

Well, better quit stalling and get something done around here...."A journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step"!

Boo
December 26, 2008 - Msg 68879: Morning all. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was fine and dandy. But white and windy. It snowed and blowed here last night and yesterday like nobody's business. Hard to tell how much snow we actually got cause the wind causes to many drifts. Part of my driveway had just a 2" skiff, while further down by the street I had a 4 foot drift. Took me a while to fight through that I tell ya. Anyway, the weather guys said we got about a foot of fresh snow, although I don't know how they can tell. Wind and snow make for a bad combination.

Glad you are feeling better Ro. I have caught a pretty good cold here so I'm sneezing and honking like a goose on steroids. My nose hurts from all the blowing and wiping.

Hey MDC. What do you know about Acai? Just hear a lot about it's qualities but not sure what to think. Anyone here do any (I'll be delicate) "colon cleansing"? I never have, other than through natural mean, meaning trying to eat high fiber stuff and fruits and veggies. But the "cleansing crave" seems to be all the rage right now. Just wondering if anyone does it. I have a co-worker who swears by it. But he's a nut and I ain't sure if I find his claims genuine.
Anyway, this is a good topic to start after Christmas and before New Years huh? BTW, have you noticed all the diet commercials have already started? You know that's everyone's new years resolution, to drop some tonnage, and the commercials usually reflect that during January. I could stand to lose a few myself. My back has been so sore as of late I have not been able to run much. And my waistline clearly is evidence of that.

BOO, RO. Come over hear if you want to feel like Christmas. We got pulenty of stuff for you.

Asa
December 26, 2008 - Msg 68880: Good morning everyone, and happy Boxing Day for all you Canadian out there! Or, should I say, all you Canadians out there, eh?

I’m happy to hear that you all have had a wonderful Christmas. BOO, your gift story is very touching. I heard a message on the radio this morning by Charles Stanley that used Noah to discuss walking with the Lord. It relates to what you were talking about. If you have a chance today you might want to listen to it.

ROMEENA: I’m glad that you’re feeling better and were able to visit with your family. I remember several years ago when both the Mrs. and I woke up on Christmas morning with a nasty bug. Having it was bad enough (and, trust me, the version we had was horrible) but the poor kids were like orphans. We were able to just make it to open gifts, then we spend the rest of the day sleeping. Chad spent the entire day in his playpen watching a Thomas tape play over and over again. Sorry to hear about your son’s nativity. Obviously, someone didn’t nip it when they should have.

MAVIS: I hope that you’re feeling better today, too. You are in my prayers.

ASA: Nice to have you check in. Nothing like a good colon cleansing to start the year off right!

We have a very nice holiday. On Tuesday, we attended a service at the church affiliated with the kids’ school. It was mostly a musical performance, and the choir, soloists, and band were spectacular. Some of those singers just sounded downright professional. On Christmas Eve my parents and the Mrs.’ mom came over for dinner which went very well. Then, we attend our own church, which like church you grew up in, BOO, is an old, very small Methodist church. It was a very poignant and beautiful candlelight service, as usual. On Christmas day we were awaked at the crack of dawn, opened gifts, then went to my parents for brunch. Well, it was supposed to be brunch but since my brother’s family—who came from West Virginia—were a few hours late, it actually turned out to be more of a lupper, or linner if you prefer. Anyway, it was very nice and the kids had a great day. Veda, especially, really got into the Christmas spirit. She was too funny. A high point for me was on Tuesday when one of the speakers was reciting the story from Luke, and I happened to look over at Chad and he was softly saying them (he had memorized them for the previous week’s memory verse at school). It really made me feel good to know that the Word is being tucked away in his heart.

We also made an announcement that I am pleased to share with you. The Me-They family will increase by one this summer. The Mrs. is, as my father would blushingly say, “in a family way.” The due date is July 8 (07/08/09—neat, huh?). My mother-in-law thinks we’re crazy, and we might be, but we feel blessed. Anyway, I guess the porch needs a few more planks.

Me-They