February 15, 2010 - Msg 77754:
Morning Family:
Just getting ready for that ever present snow! They are calling for more today!! WOOHOO (tongue in cheek)I can't wait. Hopefully the kids will get in enough school this year that Neighbette will graduate on schedule. They are going today to make up for one of the days used last week.
Off to the mountain for a busy, busy day!!! ~New Neighbor
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77755:
Even time to sweep. Sweepings not bad,shoveling snow is!
Oh, yea, welcome back Ro. We missed you! ~New Neighbor
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77756:
Mornin' y'all! Ro, glad you got it! Whoo- Hoo, I'm ept! LOL
Boo, thanks for your sweet comment. Maybe I will switch to the hearts ♥ ♥
Gotta babysit my niece today since there's no school while my sister goes to the doctor. The tomorrow I take Mama to one of her doctors. I guess I'll rest eventually!
Y'all take care & I'll pop in when I can.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
possum u.a.r.
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77757:
Sorry,that's then,not The. (told ya I needed rest!)
possum again
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77758:
Hey Folks
We've had a touch of snow here also, just like the Great White South.
Romeena-It is great to see ya posting again. I'll send my email info out to ya. Enjoy the making the snow angels.
Asa-Hope you're back to feeling well.
MDC-I guess we all should have known Al Gore was the source of the hot air, and wind. It's been a tough year for the "It takes a village" crowd. I mean, who knew that's what John Edwards meant by the "Two Americas." Ok, now I'm just being mean.
Peace,
auh2o
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77759:
That is really neat, MDC...about the snow. Wish we had gotten some here. :-( Glad Ro did, though. Once again, I don't know about this global warming thing!
Good luck taking Mom to the doc, Possum. I hope she doesn't make any more loud, embarrassing comments this time. I you go in the waiting room and see any handicapped, overweight or strange-looking folks, I would drop her and run. ;-)
Gotta go...sis-in-law is up.
Boo
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77760:
Auh2o, I read a devotional today by Chuck Swhindoll talking about what makes a great leader. He said the single thing that every good leader must have is integrity and I thought about John Edwards and so many just like him. Sickening and sad, isn't it?
Boo
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77761:
Morning porch......raining here in SC but no snow expected.
Everyone have a Jesus filled day!
Love and prayers
-REV.
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77762:
I have to share this:
JUST A TAP ON THE SHOULDER
A British passenger in a taxi in Dublin leaned over to ask the driver a
question and tapped him on the shoulder.
The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb, and stopped just inches from the edge of the bridge over the Liffey River.
For a few moments everything was silent in the cab, and then the still-shaking driver said, 'Begorrah, I'm sorry, but you scared the devil out of me.'
The frightened Brit apologized to the driver and said he didn't realize a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten an Irishman so much.
The driver replied, ' Will the Saints in Heaven forgive me, it's entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a cab...I've been driving a hearse for the last 25 years!'
Ba-da-bing! --Romeena
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77763:
Just Rain here in Ga..sunny and 36 now...hey Rev,Possum,NN,Boo....any left over lunch...I didnt bring any to work...will have to go to the pantry and look something up....SPOT
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77764:
We have about 10 inches on the ground - lol
hm
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77765:
Boo, the way I am feeling right now,not only do I NOT want to take Mama to the doctor tomorrow,but I wouldn't mind leaving her there! I know that sounds awful,but she has been something else (that's putting it mildly)since yesterday.
She is taking narcotic pain pills again.Percocet. She was doing so good since she came home from the nursing home rehab back in early December. She promised me over & over that she would not ever go down that road again.Yeah,right.
As if that wasn't bad enough,she flat out made up lies yesterday trying to get my daughter & my sister to get into a big fuss.What she thought would happen didn't though-my daughter didn't take the bait.I am proud of her.After all,who wouldn't believe what their beloved grandmother tells them? She's hurting now knowing that her grandmother made up lies and made her a pawn in her sick game. This all in retaliation because my sister is going through some serious personal troubles and hasn't been catering to Mama as Mama expects.They had a little squabble about something and as my Mama told me when I admonished her for what she did:" I am tired of being hurt." So.. she decided to lash out and hurt my sister. Kick somebody when they're down-that's really nice,you know? A mother treating her daughter like that. I can't fathom it.
We are all very upset with her. I have tried to talk to her,she is still in "lying and denying" mode. It's like talking to a brick wall! I am so upset,disappointed and downright mad.
So, off we go to the cardiologist in the morning. There's nobody else to take her to appts., shop for her groceries,and things like that. One sister moved to Wyoming,the other is having problems and is not speaking to her,my daughter lives 30 some miles away,works and cares for Laci,and here I sit. I am "IT". Like I don't have enough on my plate-good grief!
Friends, this has really knocked ol' possum for a loop.I know y'all love me and care about me and it means the world to me. Just pray,please.
Thanks for letting me use the old soapbox.
Love you all ♥ ~ possum under a rock
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77766:
Hello porch family.
Possum....will surely be praying for your mom and that she would allow God to heal the bitterness that she has. And for you and your family to stay strong in this tough time.
Spot.....I'll drop by and bring you some grub to eat.
Ro.....funny post:)
Love and prayers!
-REV.
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77767:
Awww! Possum, I'm so sorry you're in such a miserable place right now. All I can offer is a dry shoulder and my prayers. It must be so difficult, dealing with a parent who is behaving like a spoiled child. Just keep telling yourself that she is indeed a sick person, truly ill, and therefore not really responsible. And unless she is truly having pain, get her OFF those pills! If she has no one to drive her around, she can't get them herself, and if you refuse, well, there you go! She'll rant and rave, but eventually she'll work through it, and settle down. Dole out plain Tylenol (carefully) to help her be comfortable, but control the bottle, lest she overdose. The behavior you're describing sounds drug-induced to me.
My new computer is loaded with a picture-handler called Picasa 3. New to me, looks like it could be good, but I've really got a lot to learn. It now houses all my pictures (they were on the little backup stick) but all the captions I had applied over the years, like the names and locations of a world of irises, didn't get transferred. So now, when the irises start blooming in a few weeks, if I don't remember their names, I have no easy way to find out who they are. Drat! My only recourse will be to search the catalogs and try to match them up. That will be no easy task, since iris cultivars number in the thousands. Oh well, at least they don't pick fights and tell lies about each other.
Guess I'll go find some supper. Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77768:
Possum I'll say a special prayer for you tonite - I am so sorry that there isn't someone to help share the load.
We are under a snow emergency - level 3 - right now nothing is allowed on the road. It will take all day tomorrow to dig out of the lane. I don't think my husband will be going to work tomorrow with all the snow we have gotten. We have had almost 28 inches in the last 10 days which is a new record for this area. Oh well -
good news is that the chickens are laying again (despite the snow) and that is great. Looks like we will have fried eggs and bacon for breakfast in the morning.
MDC - thanks for visiting us and the goats.
hm
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77769:
I am so sorry, Possum. How difficult it is to deal with something like. You know, I have told my children more than once that I wanted them to promise me that if I get like that when I am old, they will put me in a nursing home. I never want to become one of those mean old ladies who seem to cause such havoc in the lives of their children. I want to grow sweeter, like my sweet grandma did...never was there a sweeter grandma...maybe the mother of Jesus, but that's probably the only one. :-) I know we have had many trials with Dad in the past but as he gets older and more forgetful, he is getting sweeter in many ways, bless his heart. By the way, I agree with Romeena that the behavior sounds drug-induced. That was my feeling about it, anyway. Will pray for you, dear friend.
Funny Ro ("at least they don't pick fights and tell lies about each other"). You said a mouthful...I have decided to stay far out of the spats between my MIL and SIL. Blissful ignorance is under-rated!
Wanted to give you all an update on Bruce. Physically he is doing very well, taking his meds faithfully and taking better care of himself...HOWEVER...he is one of those people who just doesn't seem to know how to enjoy life. He is constantly stressed and worried about something and I have been telling him for years to go to therapy and find a way to deal with life before it kills him. When we found out how near to a heart attack he was last month, I thought that would get his attention and it did but he is having a difficult time learning new thought processes and behavior. I am going to try to get him in with a good counselor but he is not exactly receptive (you know how most men hate to talk about their problems!). He really needs it and his relationship with Sean continues to go from bad to worse. I can't fix it, as much as I want to . Bruce is the only one who can do what he has to do to change things. Please remember him in your prayers. He is a good man but not a happy man. He has so very much to be thankful for and just can't seem to enjoy the blessings God has given him. He even had the blessing of having his life spared recently but he couldn't even seem to rejoice in that. I feel for him but can't change him. He told me something very sad today. He said that he feels like i don't love him anymore and that I see him as expendable. He said that when he was having the chest pain he kept thinking it really wouldn't matter if he died. Wow, I am starting to think that he might need to be on some sort of med for anxiety or depression. Anyway, thanks for the listening ears and prayers. Possum, what would we do without our porch friends? :-)
Boo
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77770:
Wow, Homemaker, you be careful and stay warm.
Boo
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77771:
Possum, could you tell me what the meaning of "IT" is? (: ( Just my sick way of trying to
lighten the mood!) I must be deleriou s from
all this sun out here! ha Pow, pow, pow!
MDC
February 15, 2010 - Msg 77772:
Just stopping by to say "Good Night" to my porch family.
Boo....Praying for Bruce as I go to bed!
hm....you be safe and warm!
Love and prayers
-REV.
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77773:
Thanks for the snack Rev...Possum you know Im praying for you good friend..Hm gosh yall be carefull and glad the chickens are laying...eggs all ways!..Boo you take care of our Bruce!..Hm I saw yer post "MDC thanks for visiting the goats"..he must had a snow mobile ;-)...I do have your business card in my daily planer??...guess I got it with a Christmas card..Romeena did you go with a lap top or tower comp?..I have had both but love my lap top...have it set up with a 22 in seperate monitor,wireless mouse and wireless key board BUT in a matter of 30 seconds can un hook and have it in its case!...ok...nutting on tv...gona try the History cannel...just had a little debbie oatmeal pie...yall want one?....SPOT
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77774:
Thanks,y'all are the cats!
I thought about the narcotics last night.Looks like I will be the one accompanying her to doctor's visits,so I will be right there if she attempts to get a prescription. If somehow,she ends up with one, I will be the person expected to drop it at the pharmacy. If that is the case,I will tear it into little bits and toss it out the window! Rather get a ticket for littering than a doped up Mama.
At some point today I will talk to her about the Percocet and tell her where I stand. I am not going down that road with her again. No,she's not in excruciating pain to the point that she needs them. She was energetic and doing well when she came home. Now look.
I don't know,MDC. After yesterday I feel like " Cousin IT"! LOL Remember that little wacky character from the Addams Family?
Well, again,friends, thanks for your love & prayers. It means so much. I'll rock when I can.Y'all take care!
*******************
possum under a rock
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77775:
Good morning everyone. Not much time to chit-chat, but I wanted to say hello. I'm tired of digging snow. Now I have to dig my desk after being out for a week. Almost four feet of snow here in less than a week brought everything to a standstill. It was a record snow week here, that's for sure; we even beat the Syracuse, NY record! Anyway, don't really have time to go back and read, but I did read yesterdays...
BOO: Prayers for you, Bruce, and the kids. When I say prayers, I mean extra ones--you are regularly in mine.
Have a great day.
Me-They
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77776:
Thank you for all your prayers, porch friends. I can't say a big enough thank-you. Me-They, I know that you pray for us. You and your family are in my prayers, as well. You are a treasured friend and brother in Christ.
Hope things are brighter for you today, Possum. Prayers that things go well at the doctor's visit.
I have little Emily today so I and she is standing here chattering at me in her own language that I can hardly understand. I swear that is the cutest kid in the world...good thing, because she is onery like St Susan was as a child! (Hope she is reading this) ;-)
Boo
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77777:
Oh, I forgot to say..cute joke Romeena! Thanks.
I watched "Andy's Rich Girlfriend"
last night and i must say once again that
Miss Peggy was the best thing to hit TAGS.
Too bad she didnt become his steady.
Also, great piece of acting by barney. Loved his lines.
Thelma Lou: ...but Andy's gonna talk to a hawk.
Barney: That's his problem.
SPOT- i visited the goats website and signed the guestbook. No snomobile needed. ha
Prayers continue for all porch situations.
God bless,
MDC
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77778:
Oh, BOO, I was going to keep quiet about the
bruce situation, but after reading your last
sentence again, I have decided to say something!
Please, please do all else before meds!
Prayer etc, etc, is the answer! Anxiety meds are just too far out there IMHO! How did the world get along for all these years without these meds
that have been proven to often lead to suicide? When the "cure" is
causing suicide, and the FDA is in the pockets of the drug companies, it's no wonder our world is so messed up. These drugs have whacked out so many people, I urge you NOT to take that route.
Instead, I would suggest thet you start with you and Bruce going away, even for one evening and morning to a resort, relax, ask StSusan to watch the kids. Get the two of you close and alone.
(Just dont eat at IHOP! ha)
SHOW him how much you care for him, hold his hand that evening, hold HIM that evening.
Cecile and I sometimes do that here, just to get off for some time alone together, breakfast in our room, no computer or phone etc., and re-focus
on each other. It rejuvinates our relationship.
Anyway, that's just my take on it. I will indeed be praying for SURE!
Peace,
MDC
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77779:
OK, yes we did it this past weekend,
and it is fresh in my mind.
There i said it! (:
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77780:
I'm going crazy. When does Barney give the "friend of the friendless" speech? Happy to know of some place to post this question if you have suggestions. Thanks, The Schwump
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77781:
Schwump,
Are you talking about where he says giraffes
are selfish?
MDC
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77782:
Boo, one more thing, look at possum's mom.
They got her off the strong drugs, and she was doing great, but now back on em and she's balistic again.
OK, I'll be quiet on this now. Tic a lock.
love ya,
MDC
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77783:
I don't think so - it's some kind if an inspirational thing with a string of references- Friend of the friendless, (blank) of the (blankless), etc. Sorry I can't give a better clue.
The Schwump
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77784:
Good morning, porch! Gosh, problems abound! Possum, you hang in there and don't budge, not one inch. Unless she is in mortal pain, she doesn't need those narcs. I'm living testimony to that. I cannot, absolutely cannot, take narcotics. Even something as benign as Darvocet and Tramadol - just don't work for me. Usually I throw them up just a few minutes after I swallow them, and that's a blessing. If I don't, and they get into my bloodstream, I have all sorts of reactions - auditory and visual disturbances, confusion, and in the case of the big guns like Morphine, outright psychotic behavior. My dad was the same way - after his heart surgery and some morphine, we had to pull him down off the back of a chair, where he was perched, trying to get out the window! IV on the floor, staples pulled loose, etc. Nope, no narcs for me. I have had several surgeries - ACL replacement in my knee, mastectomy, gallbladder, hysterectomy, etc. - and my pain medication after each one consisted of Advil alternating with Tylenol. The point here is - it can be done. I'm no more stoic than the next person. I just know I can't have the big stuff, so the lighter stuff works, because I know it must. Your mom is going to have a fit, but you'll just have to stand your ground. In the long run, I think she'll realize you were right.
Boo, I am so sorry that Bruce is in such a state emotionally. I agree, avoid drugs as long as you can. You have both been under a lot of stress and strain and it takes its toll. The notion of a getaway for the two of you is a great idea. Do it. Please do it. Now if Bruce is a worrier by nature, there's not going to be much you can do about that, but getting away and showing him that you value him and time spent with him can help.
You know, I may be way off base here, but it has been my experience with other people with a hearing impairment, that they are more introverted, more prone to depression and worry than most people who hear well. I don't know if the hearing loss promotes a feeling of isolation, a "what am I missing" attitude, or what, but I've seen it often. All I can suggest is just to love him, show him often that you do, stay strong and stay sweet, keep your sense of humor, and de-stress his home life as much as you can. That, and prayers - yours and ours - should help.
Well, gotta go get a bigger stick. I tried yesterday to back the computer up to a 4GB zip drive, and it just laughed at me. So, off I go to Best Buy - I don't know how big those sticks can be, but I'm going to look for 8GB at least. I'll also be exploring Carbonite, the offsite backup storage facility. $50 a year, and it's all there when you need it. Wish I'd had it this time! And if wishes were wings, toads wouldn't bump their little behinds on the ground, would they? Or as my grandma used to say, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Be blessed, friends! --Romeena
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77785:
Welcome, The Schwump. Would that be Mr. Schwump? About your question, the "friend of the friendless" thing rings a bell, but my mind goes to the "I Love Lucy" episode where she thinks Ricky has forgotten her birthday and she ends up in the park with a group of drum-beating Salvation Army imitators. They sing a song - "We're the friends of the friendless, yes we are, yes we are", etc. Still, there's a little notion that Barney used that phrase somewhere, but I surely can't remember when.
Oh, possum - you might ask your mom's doctor if she can have Toradol. It's kind of a souped-up version of Advil, and is VERY effective. I can take that one, thank goodness. It isn't ordered very liberally, because it can at times cause a prolonged bleeding time, but that usually only occurs when it's given over more than a few days. My thought is that you could manage her comfort level with Advil and Tylenol (alternately) and just give a Toradol now and then, if she seemed to really need it. I would accompany it with a flowery speech about how "powerful" it is, and too much or too often could be dangerous, etc. In other words, build a value on it in her mind. It's really very effective. I had an attack of pleurisy after one of my surgeries, thought I was dying, such terrible pain that I thought it was a heart attack and the ED docs thought so too. I was about to accept the morphine they wanted to give me, even knowing what it would do to me, but the pain was out of control. At the last minute, the doc stuck his head in the room and told the nurse to hold the morphine (she was ready to put it in my IV), because the cardiac labs had come back normal, it wasn't a heart attack, and was probably pleurisy. After a dose of Toradol, the pain was gone in about ten minutes, and half an hour later I walked out and drove myself home, stopping at Taco Bell for supper on the way! Toradol works especially well on pain that's inflammatory in origin, such as arthritis, and on fresh post-op pain. Our C-sections get it for the first 24 hours, and generally don't need anything else. Just a thought....
--Romeena
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77786:
RO- I got a 800 GB drive at officeMax for $65.
Works great. it's called Passport i think.
MDC
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77787:
Schwump- Maybe when barney was on the witness stand saying that Andy was the best friend anybody could have?
mdc
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77788:
Wow RO, you should submit your story for a
episode of House! ha
mdc
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77789:
Oooo- I think my darling Romeena is right. It may have been Lucy (but I'm not giving up on Barney "borrowing" the phrase). I'll pull the episode tonight and see. And Carbonite is a great setup. You can even use it to clone your desk setup to a laptop while on the road.
The Schwump (and don't call me Mr, that was my dad)
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77790:
Me-They That's a lot of snow buddy! Like I needed to tell you. hehe
auh2o
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77791:
Ha! MDC, maybe Dr. House should develop the side effects to narcotics that I experience, and then he could kick those pills he's so dependent upon. Now, about that zipdrive - did you say 800GB? I didn't see any that big. Just bought 8GB for $22. They also had the same size for $44, but the salesperson told me she uses the cheaper ones and they work just as well. I'm going to use this one for now, but will explore the question a bit further and will also invest in the more expensive one if it seems to be indicated. I've got the backup scheduled to happen every Sunday morning at 7 a.m. - that's the one time I can be sure I won't be trying to use the computer, because I'm getting dressed for church at that time. I'm going to use two of the sticks, and alternate them. That way, I'll always have one that is up to date within a week, and another that's no more than two weeks old. Still going to explore Carbonite as well. I don't want to go through this again.
I had a personal directory in a program called Agendus (I may have mentioned this) and it contained every phone number I've used in the past five years - at least three hundred numbers. It also had many addresses, and the calendar side of it had all the important dates, with a clock set to give a little alarm and remind me to send birthday cards, etc. Wonderful little program, and it didn't make the cut. Now I don't even have my tree-trimmer friend's phone number, and the trees in front of one of the rent houses have some broken limbs from the snow. Guess I'll have to dig my old phone book out of a closet somewhere. Oh well.
Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77792:
Remember when times where simpler?
Pick up the phone...
"Sarah! Get me the tree trimers."
"Fine, just fine."
"She's fine, just fine."
"Well soak it Sarah. Soak it good in warm water."
Asa
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77793:
RO- below is a web address for the external storage that i bought, but go to OfficeMax or Staples, the web prices are ridiculous! About the size of a blackberry, with a
USB cable to attach to your computer.
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=9
It works great, beacause as you go along, you will need more and more space for back ups, and then you will have to have stuff on many sticks.
The sticks are great for files that you want to take to another location, etc, but not the greatest for full back ups.
How did we ever get along with 3 inch floppys??
Also, regarding the House remark, I also meant that whole drama of him walking in, cane and all, just before they are about to IV push the morphine and saying, "Wait..." ha
Has any one mentioned the Olympics?
I see that Curling is up for tonight!
Man, now there is one FUN sport! teehee!
Also, hopefully our snowboarder gal won't hotdog the finish this year!! (:
MDC
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77794:
Oh, and Ro, click on the black boxs at the top to get details.
Hey to ASa, hey to sarah,
yes sarah, me and fluffy are still gettin along fine. (:
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77795:
Hey Y'all- just checking in. Hope all's well in Mayberry.
First of all,Boo, I neglected to let you know that Bruce is in my prayers. I read it,I prayed,but with all that's been going on around me,my frazzled self forgot to post something here to you. Prayers,friend.
Thank you for the support. Hey Boo,nobody was in the waiting room when we arrived- ha! Perhaps word has gotten out about Mama's outbursts! Ha! I almost made one myself- there is a ditzy little nurse that we always end up with.We sort of joke amongst ourselves about her.She took us back into the room where a technician was preparing to make adjustments to Mama's pacemaker. Ditzy nurse gave a box to the technician and said "This was ordered for Mr. Baker. He passed away and has no need for it now." I wanted to say "Ya Think??" No disrespect intended to Mr. Baker, but it struck me as a stupid comment! Mama didn't hear her- I told her about it later. Wonder what would've come out of her mouth had she heard?!
I knew Mama wouldn't have taken Percocet prior to the appointment,so I went over early and had a hard talk with her. A good talk,I think she knows I mean what I say. She's like you with morphine,Ro. I asked if she recalled the times they've given her morphine in the past and how hateful & crazy it made her. She said yes. So,I compared Percocet to morphine & told her it was poison to her-that we'd find something else to manage her pain. Will certainly look into Toradol. Thank you Ro.
Hey to The Schwump.Nice to meet you. I am thinking of the "I Love Lucy" episode too. Perhaps somebody will recall if Barney used the same line. I just can't recollect.
Y'all have a good night & again,thanks,friends.
************
possum again
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77796:
Ok gang im here at work..Schwump?..son of Mr?..Romeena I have so many picks on the less costing zip drives and have no problem..they are so cool...Possum glad the doc visit went well..Olympics MDC?..are they going on ;-)..hey my buddy asa and Rev are you on the road?..super cold here but snow gone and gona up to 40 the next few days..HM weather better?.."Got eggs"?..and Milk?..and yer right MDC Miss Peggy was one Cool girlfriend!!Me-They gosh buddy hang in there...how are the kids?..well Tom and Mavis and Lucy check in...auh20?.."CHUCK"...ok..ok..Maude and Boo yall chill im cooking menu:Jumbo fried Shrimp,Filet Mignon wraped in bacon (cook yer way)Rock Lobster tails with drawn garlic butter,asparagus soup,tender red roasted potatoes,stuffed mushroom caps,butter rolls,garden salad with thin sliced carrots,onions,bell pepper,boiled eggs,bacon bits..choose yer dressing..h20,sweet and unsweet tea...peacan pie...ready at 7:15...dress for dinner!...I will say grace..SPOT
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77797:
Hello porch family.
Spot.....that dinner sounds good bro. I'll be there!
Welcome Schwump....good to have you here. The is one special place.
Continued prayers for all the porch needs. I'll check back later.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77798:
Hello to The Schwump. Regarding "The Friend Of The Friendless", I believe that was on the "Lucy's Last Birthday" episode of "I Love Lucy". It was season 2, show #25. When Lucy believes that her family and friends forgot her birthday, she meets up with a group of people in the park who are called "The Friend Of The Friendless". They give her a speech and sing a song.
You can view a short clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaW5AndksKc.
from Poor Horatio
February 16, 2010 - Msg 77799:
Hello porch family
PH.....Wow...your education was worth every nickel:)
Another cold day here in SC. Or at least cold for us southern folks. Down to the mid 20s. My wife and I took Jake for a long walk today down our country road. That wind nearly cut us into. But he loved it. His favorite part is when the cows come out to the road and greet us. And also our neighbor who is a vet, has a lab that comes out to say hello to him. They are all buddies:)
After we got back I just sat in my living room looking out the glass door watching all the precious little birds on our front yard. A lot of robins, some blue birds, red cardinals and of course the little sparrows. They are really keeping me busy filling their feeders this time of year. But I love it:) Well enough about my day.
You all have a great night and be ready to share God's love with someone tomorrow. I promise HE will give you the chance to do it!
Remember....Jesus loves you!
Love and prayers
-REV.
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77800:
SPot- I like REAL garlic as opposed to "drawn!" ha --Less cardboard tasting! (:
Possum, as barney would say about old Ben, it
also seems to fit for yer mom..."You're a real piece of work, ya know that Ben!" ha or ho, ho, ho!
REV- I bet that really is something to just sit and look out at all God's creation in wonder and awe! Very cool.
prayers for all! nite.
MDC
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77801:
Darn, I missed the Curling tonight! (:
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77802:
Darn, I missed the Curling tonight! (:
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77803:
Darn, I missed Curling tonight! (:
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77804:
Darn, I missed Curling tonight! (:
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77805:
Good late night, friends. Been watching the Olympics, messin' with the computer, and am now ready to head for bed. REV, I'm right there with you on the bird-feeding thing. Squirrels too. I have to fill the feeders every day, can't seem to keep up. One thing they really enjoy when it's so cold is a suet feeder. I usually buy the suet cakes (they're cheap) but may start making some of my own. Or not - it does look like a messy process, and at 99 cents for a store-bought cake, it hardly seems worth the effort.
MDC, that backup drive you're talking about sounds more like an external hard drive, especially at that price. Is that what it is? For now, I'm going to use these $22 zip drives, and am pretty sure I'll go with Carbonite for the long haul. Got to get with my son, he's going to help me set that up. However, we have also discussed putting an external hard drive on the thing as well. I'm going to make sure I don't go through this aggravation again.
Well, I've got to go to a mandatory inservice at the hospital tomorrow morning, should last about an hour and a half. Joe and Jorge are coming to prune roses, spread corn gluten meal and dry molasses, add compost in a couple of beds that are too low, and generally start waking things up for spring. Seems like we just put it all to bed! There's another two-hour inservice at the hospital tomorrow afternoon, but it was not listed as "mandatory", just as "strongly urge you to attend", and I'm going to skip that one. The topic is "palliative care" and I would hope that in my department we wouldn't be needing that! Seems like there's always something. I believe I could live at that hospital and stay busy.
Be blessed, friends. It's so good to be home again. I really missed you all. --Romeena
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77806:
Good Morning all!..Rev yall can take some of that dinner from last night for lunch today!..Romeenna the small zip drives I use are just fine for me...I keep them everywhere with camping pics on them!..hey horatio!..wake up possum I know that rock is cold!...Maude and Boo I will come by and get yall for breakfast...and possum too If i can wake her up!...Asa...Wake up!..Boo bring a paper ok...menu:3 eggs your way,country ham,limp bacon and salsa for Romeena,grits for me and possum,bisquits and gravy,hashbrowns oj coffee and Milk...hope everyone has a blessed mayberry day!...I will be back here at work at 2 for 8hrs then off 7 days!!...SPOT yer talking dog of your porch!
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77807:
Wow, some really good advice, Ro and MDC. I agree with all you have said. I remember a few years ago one of Bruce's doctors tried to put him on daily Xanax for his blood pressure and I said "no way". Meds shouldn't be the first option, but the last. I know that better than anyone having dealt with Sean's issues over the years. I think we finally, for now, have him on a milder medication with fewer side effects and he is doing ok. Harder time dealing with stress, but we will get through it. I am hoping that we can eventually wean him off of everything as he gets older but we'll see.
Ro, I think you have something about Bruce being hearing impaired. I know that in the last few years what little hearing he had has gotten worse and I know it is very stressful at times. I mean he works a demanding, stressful job in which he has frequent contact with people that he has to be able to communicate with. Email helps, but he has to also communicate by phone and face to face. Some people are fairly easy to hear because they speak up, look him in the face, etc., but so many people seem oblivious to his problem and continue to speak softly and turn their face away while talking. He relies on lip-reading most of the time. I admire his courage because it has got to be humiliating at times to have to ask people to repeat themselves or speak up and many folks get irritated if they have to repeat themselves. You would think they would be understanding but they aren't sometimes.
Well, gotta get Erin up for school...wanted to comment some more but will be back later.
Boo
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77808:
Good morning, porch! I'm on my way out to the hospital for the dratted inservice (really, it's a skills lab, where we have to go and demonstrate that we can actually do the things we do every time we work - go figure.) Anyway, they require it, and they're paying me, so I'll go.
Boo, I hear what you're saying, but in my opinion, Bruce should never feel "humiliated" because he can't hear what someone is saying. The humiliation belongs to the inconsiderate clods who "continue to speak softly and turn their face away while talking". That's rude and inconsiderate. If he were blind, would they try to show him pictures? Having met Bruce, I know that his hearing aids are visible, so these people can't say they didn't know.
Bruce should begin a conversation (and maybe he does) by openly stating, "I'm hearing impaired, and our conversation will proceed much more smoothly and comfortably for us all if you will face me when you speak and speak clearly, perhaps a little louder than you usually do. That way, we can all remain on the same page. I'm interested in what you have to say, and don't want to miss anything. Thanks!" Then when the dunces mumble and look away, he might remind them a couple of times. If the rudeness continues, he should say, "I'm sorry, but I'm unable to follow this conversation. Perhaps we should get out our laptops and proceed via instant messaging. That way we'll have no misunderstandings." And he then opens his own laptop. If that doesn't make the point, then the people he's trying to talk with are just too stupid to live. Facing the person you're talking with and speaking clearly are simple and considerate measures, and are definitely not too much to ask of anyone.
As I see it, Bruce isn't the one with the problem. He didn't ask to be hearing-impaired. It doesn't affect his mental function, and obviously he's quite bright, else he wouldn't be where he is. It would behoove those who are being thoughtless (read: rude) to straighten up and listen up and speak up, as they're at risk for missing a lot of valuable input. And you can tell Bruce I said so!
Be blessed! --Romeena
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77809:
I was going to ask about hearing aides, but apparently he does use them. Have you looked into
all the latest technology? I am assuming so,
so I won't comment further since I don't really know the situation.
That was me up ther with the curling. I probably
curled your hair! ha It wouldnt come up when I clicked, so i clicked 4 times.
RO- I guess it is a hard drive, yes. I just told the store geek that i wanted to back up, and that is what he suggested.
Ash Wednesday today. God bless all you fine
porchsters. May His peace be with you,
MDC
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77810:
Thank you, Ro. You are very kind and wise. I think I will have a talk with Bruce about it...pass on some of your ideas. :-) I think you have really hit on a big part of the problem and I hadn't even considered it. Thanks so much.
MDC, yes, we have been looking at better hearing aides. The ones he has now are not very old and were about 7,000 dollars. Insur@nce only covers a small percentage of that. His last boss was talking about helping him by helping pay for new ones, maybe half, but that fell through (it's a government job and everything's been cut, including most bonuses, although Bruce got one this year for 2,000 because he is such a good worker). The new, state of the art aides are very expensive and while I think that it is an absolute priority, it is hard to convince him of that. He broods and worries over the cost of things so much. I am going to have to do some convincing. Frankly, I think he is probably past the point of finding anything that helps him significantly and should be looking into cochlear implants.
Gotta go...MIL just arrived.
Boo
PS-MDC, please don't hesitate to share your questions and opinion. We are family, aren't we?
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77811:
You bet, boo, but i didnt know the whole situation.
Homemaker- I saw on facebook the photo of your tractors in
the snow! Wow, you did get a lot.
MDC
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77812:
APB FOR MD, HAZEL, MAVIS, STERLING, OPIEMOM,TOM,
MISSY, BERT MILLER, MRS WILEY, DR. P, CHARLOTTE TUCKER, DES,and ALL others!
"Now is the time to come back to the porch of your neighbors."
THIS IS AN ALL POINTS BULLETIN, INCLUDING one for RALPH HENDERSON! (:
mdc
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77813:
and if any of you porchsters don't know,
Ralph Henderson was one of Big maude's aliases in the jailbreak episode (according to the radio announcer). I always thought that or "Al" would be neat porch names.
"Ya wanna dance, Al." ha
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77814:
Im back at work!...what chall want for supper?...SPOT
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77815:
Well guess yall can eat when yall get ready..im cooking anyway!☺...grilled bonless pork ribs with "Sticky Fingers" bbq sauce,maude slaw,corn on the cob,baked beans with strips of bacon on top,brunswick stew,texas toast,sweet and un tea..and 2 tears from my roll of paper towels!..coming off the grill at 7:00 est!..SPOT
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77816:
Spot, I made your favorite- MEATLOAF! Will send ya over a plate.
Prayers for Bruce.
Y'all,I'm not making this stuff up (I wish I was). My sister (the one that's been neglecting Mama) just checked herself into a Psychiatric Facility today. She has bi polar disorder and has been very depressed lately.Please pray for my sister-Cindy. Thank you all.
*******************
possum under a rock
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77817:
Wow! You should see my yard! The thing at work took nearly three hours (surprise!) so I didn't get home until noon, and Joe and Jorge had been here since nine. My roses, all forty-plus of them, which were 3-4 feet tall and sporting lots of new growth, are now terrified little cowering stumps, about a foot high and not a leaf to their name. Joe, aka The Slasher, pruned them within an inch of their lives. He took advantage of my absence, knowing I'd have a fit if I was here. He also knew that once it was done, I'd be fine, and I am. He knows what he's doing, which is why he has done my landscaping for the last six years. I'm just a big chicken when it comes to pruning things. Those roses will flush out, and in a month will be three feet tall and blooming wildly. That big old rose bed sure does look pitiful right now, though.
MDC, I'd like to second that APB, and add MerriWeather to the list. I miss that girl. Also Mary Wiggins, and there are others. Come on home, folks - we miss you!
Boo, have the doctors indicated that cochlear implants would help Bruce? If so, start pushing in that direction! In the first place, with that being a surgical procedure, I'd think that ins#rance would help significantly. I know they don't do much toward hearing aids, have explored that avenue myself. Neither does Medicare. However, for a surgery the coverage is much better. Sounds like that might be the way to go.
Oh mercy. (gripe, whine) I'm really having a time getting used to this new computer. It just doesn't fit me, at least not yet. So much is missing that was on the old one, and that's a large part of the problem, but this one is just configured differently, the software is different, I feel like I'm just visiting, like it's not mine. I guess I'll get used to it eventually.
Well, I'm pooped! Three hours at that skills lab, four hours working in the yard and I'm tired! I need a warm shower, a cold glass of tea, and a cuddly puppy, all three of which are readily available, I'm happy to say. Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77818:
hey MDC,I have rocking and reading , just not saying much ..glad race season has started.everyone have a great evening and God bless
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77819:
Possum prayers for Cindy...well hello there MD man this year I aint gona miss a lap of racing I hope...got a whole folder printed out about teams and such...and man what a 500!...the new rules are just fine with me!...well im headed home at 10...yall that didnt eat can take it for lunch...SPOT
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77820:
Hello porch family.
Possum...prayers for Cindy. Thankfully she made the move to get help.
Tom....you staying warm buddy?
Boo....still praying for Bruce
MD.....good to see ya. Come on by more often and chat awhile.
Well gang I've pretty much have evrything finalized for my new upcoming CD. I hit the studio next week full speed. Should have it released by June. Please keep this in your prayers that God's anointing will be on this project and lives be changed as a result.
Love and prayers for all the porch family!
-REV.
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77821:
Rev you cut it we will buy it!...SPOT
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77822:
So sorry about Cindy, Possum. Bless her heart. I pray she is able to get the help she needs to get through all of this.
Ro, Bruce's mom had the implants and she has the same kind of hereditary nerve deafness that Bruce had. It was very successful for her and absolutely changed her life for the better. I will never forget the first time I sat down and was able to hold a normal conversation with her. It was such a blessing. I know the surgery would help Bruce but he has to be ready to do it. There are some risks involved and he could end up losing what little hearing he has and I think that is what is stopping him.
Thank you for your prayers REV and all my friends who are praying. I appreciate it so much. I will pray for you, REV, concerning the new CD.
Well sis-in-law went back to live with mom-in-law today and I think she is finally starting to do better and getting out of bed to walk. She needs to eat, though. She was very anemic and had to have several transfusions in the hospital (before and after the surgery). She has chronic anemia due to gastric bypass surgery 10 years ago. He body doesn't absorb the iron from the food she eats or something. Anyways, she is very weak and not eating enough to keep a bird alive. She is making some progress, though. She has never been diagnosed but she has some sort of mental illness. I am thinking she might be bi-polar. She is certainly depressed often and has anxiety issues...paranoid alot, too. She became addicted to painkillers when her husband left her and went through rehab. She just doesn't seem to have the ability to cope with anything. I am afraid she will be dependant on my mother-in-law until MIL is passed on. I guess her kids will take care of her after that. Depressing situation. I know I have not walked in her shoes but I just don't see letting a man (who was never a good husband in the first place and who left for another woman) totally ruin my life. I wish she had the self esteem to get past it and realize that what she lost was really a big pain in the butt. Sorry, but we have been dealing with this for years now and she still loves the guy and just won't accept that it's over. If she could move on, her life could be so much better than it ever was with him. Oh, well...I'm no dr phil so I guess I will shut up now.
See you all tomorrow with my coffee...and a warm blanket. By the way, today was about the most beautiful day I have ever experienced...absolutely perfect. Sunny, dry, and sixty degrees...not windy. Just perfect.
Today the kids and I found some party lights to hang outside in the backyard...we are already making plans for Sean's birthday party in a month. They are great lights...some are those old plastic lantern lights from the 50's..very vintage. I love them! However Bruce just came in here and asked me "What's with the tacky Mexican Barrio lights out back?"...how dare he?! ha
Better get off of here.
Boo
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77823:
Hey Folks
For the politico's, I found this very interesting. Maybe, no more nose holding and voting GOP for much longer.
http://www.themountvernonstatement.com/
auh2o
February 17, 2010 - Msg 77824:
Auh20- I think the middle class revolution is under way! (:
BOO- Have you ever just plain ole laid hands on SIL and smoked up some prayers for her healing?
All these disfunctions are of the evil one plain and simple and it's running rampant in our world today.
We all need to get on our knees and fast and pray
for things like this and for our country.
It's Time to take it back from the "principalities and powers of the heavenlies" by putting on the full armor of God and by standing firm and by letting Michael the Archangel lead the troops! I'm telling you, it works! And if you havent gone thru and blessed your new home and dedicated it to the Lord, I highly suggest that you do.
OK, I guess I've said enough with that one,
except to say that we need to get our of our corners, stand up strong against the Goliaths
and remember that we are more than conquerers
in Christ Jesus,
and that we don't live by bread alone but by every word of God, our sharp two-edged sword! Amen
OK, I guess THAT'S enough! (:
Love ya,
MDC