March 17, 2010 - Msg 78254: MacMDC, that link you provided is an eye opener. It indicates that our national debt has passed $12.6 trillion.
To put that in perspective, if I start counting and take one second to pronounce each number, it would take me 400,000 years to reach 12.6 trillion!

from Poor Horatio
March 17, 2010 - Msg 78255:
Wow, a 12 trillion dollar sweep! Hey, maybe it's all in that pot 'o gold at the end of the rainbow!(rimshot)
400 thousand years? That's almost as old as my wife! (rimshot) That's a joke son.
God bless you fine folk. Pray!
O'MDC

March 17, 2010 - Msg 78256:
Boo-Thanks so much. That is the exact point I was trying to make. We just can't legislate salvation. And, as for your Village post, that is the very place Marx would want everyone, reliant on the government. Karl would be very pleased with the people running the show in this country, faux compassion coupled with very real control.

auh2o
March 17, 2010 - Msg 78257:
Hello porch family.

Spot....glad you're getting closer to getting those choppers all fixed up. Hang in there bro!

Ro....praying the meds and cream will give some relief to the itching.

PRAYING FOR OUR NATION and FOR THE SCALES TO BE REMOVED FROM OUR LEADER'S EYES.

Love and prayers for all my porch family!
-REV.
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78258:
Me too REV. In all seriousness, next two days
of much prayer and fasting.
mdc
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78259: Did you see they actually found some Bishop and other religious people who are willing to support this thing, MDC?! There are false teachers everywhere, it seems. Of course, we all know this. It is written in our favorite book.
Either that, or they are just ignorant.

Remember, God has a plan.

-Sterling Holobyte


March 18, 2010 - Msg 78260: A late night hello to the porchsters. Hope everyone had a blessed day. Busy night at work(not complaining; I'm blessed to have a job that seems secure for the time being). Prayers for everyone here on the porch and especially for our country. If there was ever a time that we need to depend on God, it is now. I'm praying that God will be with us and guide us through whatever happens. Good night.
C Darlin'
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78261: Good morning everyone.

AUH2O: Knowing a bit about you I feel confident that you are among those who will here some enciouraging words when the day of judgement comes. You certainly are right that you can't legislate salvation (morality?). However, as Christians don't we often try to get our government to supoport that world view? I know I do on a number of issues including abortion, gay marriage, etc. If we want to try to legislate to make it impossible to get an abortion because we regard it murder, even if they do not, how wrong is it to try and legislate some charity, even if some are unwilling? I'm sorry, I don't see much of a difference. Either the governemnt should butt out in all respects, or it has an interest to butt in. You can't have your bread buttered on both sides.

And, I know what you intended to say regarding your money, and your priorities. However, none of it is "our" money. It was God Himself who instituted government; government in and of itself is not an "evil," though it can accomplish evil purposes. And God can and does work through our government, sometimes in spite of itself. On the list of government "sins," I don't place trying to help people who need it very high on the list. I sometimes despair for what some people, especially kids, are going through in poverty and abuse. I don't lose a whole lot of sleep over the threat of redistribution of wealth, I can tell you that.

I do, however, respect your opinions and alwasy enjoy our give-and-take. I don't like arguing, but I don't like engaging in amening the choir even less. I'd rather learn sometime from someone like you who has a well-thought out (if contrary to my own) opinion rather than get shallow agreement. Anyway, maybe since I haven't been regular I should just shut up and not overstay my welcome!

Prayer for our country and each other! Not THAT's something we can all agree on, right?

Me-They
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78262: Maybe my soapbox permit should be revoked. After all I voted for Ross Perot--twice.
M-T
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78263: Oh no...you should have kept that to yourself, M-T...(the Perot thing) hehe... Honestly, though, Me-They, from what you know of history, don't you think this country would have been better off if the government had not started handing out checks (or at least had not continued to) and the church had continued to be the source of charity for those in need? Seems like the government has weakened the church in this respect.

It's a beautiful day but there is a seriousness in my heart and mind and the need to pray is certainly on my mind concerning our nation. Now is the time to pray.

Boo


March 18, 2010 - Msg 78264: I do, BOO. However, when the average chuchgoer (of any denomination) tithes just 3%, I'm not sure every Christian is ready to step up to the responsibility. The government wouldn't have had to offer the helping hand in the first place if everything had been hunky-dory. And the "good ole days" of neighbor helping neighbor weren't real rosy, either: think Dickens.

When it comes to our leaders, it's ALWAYS time to pray!

M-T
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78265:
Me-They Please, what are you talking about, over staying your welcome, that's silly. First off, I was quoting your post regarding the use of the term "mine." Also, I can honestly tell you I do not encourage my government to endorse a Christian world view. I do not want a Department of Prayer. My opposition to abortion is a that I believe it is the taking of an innocent life. This my surprise ya, I do not oppose gay marriage, I certainly believe it is wrong, I think it goes against God's word but I do think people have the "right" to fall/fail on their own beliefs. As for charity, can I ask you a question? Do you buy all of your household items at the Dollar Tree and then give the remaining monies to charity? Maybe you do, that's great. But, that's your family's decision to make it's not up to me our the government. Outside of our military I can't think of one think the government does well. DMV? Schools? Roads? Furthermore, I can't buy into the government is either all in or it's not, that's foolish. M-T I wish you'd stop by more often. I miss seeing your posts, a lot. However, I think we both know where we stand on the this issue. I respect your opinion and I also love to hear it but I just concluded my thoughts on it.

auh2o (the other nerd)
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78266: The Dollar Tree? Doesn't China have enough of our money already? ;-)
Thanks, and me, too (about exhausting my thoughts on the subject).
M-T
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78267: Good morning, porch! What a beautiful day! I'm still scratchy, but I think it's getting a bit better. However, I woke up with the grandmother of all "cricks" in my neck. I can't turn my head to either side more than an inch, can't move it up or down. It extends into my shoulders - I feel like I'm in a cast. And it hurts! I'm going to try Advil and heat, and rest, and see if it will ease up. If not, I guess I'll see a chiropractor for the first time in my life.

Me-They, as usual, we are far apart and close together at the same time. I don't know how we manage to do that, but we do. You said, "On the list of government "sins," I don't place trying to help people who need it very high on the list." We are smack-dab together there. Trying to help people in need is no sin, it's a virtue, and we should be careful that we do that. However, I think we diverge on the definition of "need". You see the big picture - hungry children, etc. and your charitable heart longs to help them. I see the actual recipients of much of this governmental largesse, and I know that in too many cases, "need" is spelled "lazy." As with just about everything, there are those who are willing to exploit a good thing and take advantage of it, to the point of bankrupting the system for everyone. I cannot stand to think about a hungry child. I drop food off at our local food pantry frequently, but it's a little disappointing when I see the recipients sitting in the waiting room, and they are healthy, strapping young men with a worn-out wife and six or seven kids playing on the floor. A little self-restraint would be in order, I think. I can boil it down to this - help the truly needy always, and put the able-bodied to work, whether they like it or not. And believe me, many of them won't like it.

Now, where's my heating pad? --Romeena
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78268: Headed to work gang...gota hurry!...(man in a hurry)ept...ha ha..will holler then...any lunch left overs so I can brown bag it?...SPOT
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78269:
RO- also do ice pack for the neck pain. That should help too.
Prayer continues.
My congressional rep here is a fence sitter,
so his office is really getting deluged with calls, e-mail and faxes.
The local news mentioned it last night.
These are indeed most trying times, for sure.
When a car's gas pedal sticks down because of a
malfunctioning computer, and my TV suddenly "adds a channel" while I'm away, and my congress is finding very tricky, even unconstitutional, ways of passing a massive boondoggle, and I'm on somebody's camera 90 percent of my waking hours, it means that I am no longer "in charge" of things that I used to be "in charge" of. This is what bothers me the most about the current world.
Like the frog in the lukewarm water, we have been "duped," and are now facing these current situations. I understand that God is still on the throne, and all that, but for the first time in my life, I fear the future. There I said it!
I am a strong Christian believer, and i know that i shouldnt be fearful, but deep, deep down inside, I AM!
Prayers for all! God bless
MDC
Barn: Here ya go floyd, have a cigar. I'll be down at the hotel droppin' a few C notes.


March 18, 2010 - Msg 78270:
Romeena, regarding your neck mobility problem, I have a suggestion. Although you are considering visiting a Chiropractor, don't discount a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.). I'm sure you can find them at your place of employment.
When I injured my back lifting weights, a Medical Doctor and a visit to the emergency room did not help me. But following a suggestion by a neighbor, I visited his own physician, who was a D.O. His daily treatment got me back to work in one week. As a result, I have switched my personal physician from an M.D. to a D.O.

from Poor Horatio
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78271:
APB for TOM
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78272: Ditto the APB. Check in, Tom!

Hey, PH. To the best of my knowledge, the only D.O. on our staff is an OB/Gyn. He's a great guy, knows his stuff and is very popular. He does fewer inductions, preferring to let nature take its course. Therefore, his C-section rate is significantly lower than that of his M.D. colleagues, and his patients typically do very well. If we have any other D.O.s on staff, I don't know who they are.

I didn't go to the chiropractor today. Frankly, I didn't feel like driving out there - it's in far north Irving. Eloise's twin sister is here visiting, and I didn't want to impose on her. I think it's a little better now, and some more Advil and hot/cold packs will probably help. I skipped the JOY group supper at church, and hated to miss, but just didn't feel like going. Besides, I'm still scratching like a monkey and I doubt anyone would want to be close to me! I'm sure I'm not contagious, but I do look a bit rough.

You know, PH, you have given me something to think about. I have a chronic problem with pain in my left side, beneath and behind my ribs. It's the sequelae of a chest tube insertion in 2002, and has bothered me ever since. I've seen three MDs, done P.T., had an epidural steroid injection, and nothing has helped. Maybe I'll find myself a D.O. and see what he or she can do. I'll talk to our OB/Gyn - I'll bet he can suggest someone. This neck thing is transient, but the rib pain has been with me for eight years, and I'm about to get tired of it!

I have one little dwarf iris blooming, beside the pond. It's the cutest little thing, about ten inches tall. It's purple and white, and its name is Puddy Tat. There is another one, a solid yellow with an orange beard, named Tweety Bird. I've ordered that one, and will plant it beside Puddy Tat. Irises are such fun!

Well, back to my packs. Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78273: Prayers Romeena ..and I will have to say the dollar tree is visited by me a little!..just for cheep stuff...lawn mower oil and 2 cycle chain saw oil...well finally got caught up here at work...Rev You on the road?...Possum Im fixing to check my mail..hey PH,CT,Mdc,M-T....Lucy..hazel...My pals Boo and Asa...Mavis?..{has anyone herd from her?}..hey sterling..C darlin...Mavis start chopping cabbage its supper time (kinda a late one)(it will probably lay on yer chest)...but we got to eat!..menu:cubed steak and gravy,yukon gold taters roasted with garlic and rosemary,fresh greenbeans,fried okra,boiled cabbage,sliced green onions,homemade bisquits,hot pickled peppers,maude slaw...Boo tea,sweet and un...and I will get a news paper....SPOT
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78274: Hey, Spot. Have you and Miss Sherry given any thought to making the Mayberry Cruise this year? I sure do wish you would. You would really enjoy it. You'd get to meet Floyd and his wife - such nice people! I'd love to meet you and Miss Sherry in person. It's really a lot of fun, and I hope you'll consider it. --Romeena
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78275:
Hello porch family.....O man.. I just lost a long post. Grrrr

Ro.....praying you get feeling better soon. I have heard the same thing about the D.O.s but I have the same problem you have... they are very limited around here.

Spot.....I'm home right now. I've got concerts in the town next to me this weekend so I get to be home. Then next week I'm finishing up in the recording studio. Busy week!

MDC.....praying the nation. I agree with you, God is still on the throne. But I'm reminded of the people in the Old Test when they kept demanding a king and finally God said "you want to do it your way, have at it". I think that may be where we are at now. But we as Christians are told we are to stand firm and continue in fervent prayers.

Well I've got a lot to get done before bed so I better get busy.

Remember.....The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to PRAY today.

My love and prayers go out to each of my porch family!
-REV.
March 18, 2010 - Msg 78276: Had triplets today, on a rosier note.
My problem with the current regime is that they are enforcing the will of themselves and not the will of the people that voted for them. I find that our president, and I use that term loosely, is a martyr and not a president. For him to impose what he thinks is righteous is no different than what some third world leaders do to their people. For him to die in vain would be glory. I may be found by the secret police for saying these things. I think I still have free speech and I am not threatening anyone. We must be very afraid because this health care reform will touch every facet of our lives from how much we weigh, to what we are allowed to eat, to what is correct for us to drive. . .there will be no free will. We truly will be a socialist nation. I am reminded of the Mel Brooks movie where he says, Heil Myself. We must take this nation back and if this thing does get voted through - I fear what will happen in Washington.
Okay - that is my soapbox

hm
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78277: Love that quote, REV..."The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to PRAY today"...indeed.

Wonderful to have Me-They back on the porch. I do enjoy an occasional moulage. I even laughed out loud a few times at M-T and Auh2o. I particularly liked the parts about, "...think Dickens", and "Auh2o..(the other nerd)"...HAHA.

Hope you lose your "crick" soon Romeena, dear. I am just picturing you "scratching like a monkey" (your words, not mine;), with a crick in your neck. Poor thing. Those neck cricks are awful, I know.

Well, had another family bar-b-que here tonight because both of my brothers from California are visiting (Yay!) and a dear aunt and uncle from Houston came down to spend the day with us. It was a wonderful blessing to have the family all together. Of my two brothers, my brother David comes down at least once a year to see my parents and my other (Jerry) comes less often but comes when he can, i guess. It was fun but I am tired and ready to hit the ironing board.

MDC, I am afraid, too, especially concerning my children and what their future might be. Will they be strong enough to handle what life brings? I pray they keep the faith and God will give them the strength they need. These are scary times, brother. I have to keep going back to the scriptures for peace but it is a battle to keep from being anxious.

Goodnight and see you all in the morning.

Boo


March 19, 2010 - Msg 78278: Good evening, porch. Actually, it's morning, but I haven't been to bed yet, so it's still evening for me.

REV, what you said up there about the people demanding a king really struck home. God finally said (in effect) - "OK, you want one, you've got one. Deal with it." So now we have "the man who would be king" and we've got to deal with him. As a nation we elected him (I suppose) so we all must deal with him. The rain falls upon the just and the unjust alike.

homemaker, when the brown shirts come looking for you, I won't tell them where you are, if you'll do the same for me. I'd be willing to bet my little old blog has earned me some scrutiny, but that's okay. I wish him no personal harm, I pray for him, and I will continue to do so, because a prayer for him is a prayer for this nation for the next two and a half years. I look for good, but just can't find it. He continues to surround himself with Marxists, terrorists and criminals, whether convicted or not. He appoints "czars" into positions of high authority and they are almost all liars, cheats and otherwise shady characters. Does he not know anyone who can claim a good reputation and honorable background? His stock answer is, "I wasn't aware of that." Does he live in a bubble?

Well, enough of that. I won't apologize, because I just said what I believe to be true. Again, I would remind us all - pray for the man, because to pray for him is to pray for us all, in the final analysis. Be blessed. --Romeena
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78279: Hello to the porchsters. It is early A.M. and I, like all of you, wonder what fearful things await us today. I am a Christian and I know that the Bible tells me that God does not intend for us to have a fearful spirit, but in light of all the scary, downright insane things going on, it is hard to not be afraid. Boo and Rev are right; prayer and Scriptures are the only comfort we have at the moment. Prayers for our nation. Spot, your menus are always great. Hope your dental work is going smoothly.
Ro, I sure hope you feel better. You've sure had it rough the past few days.
Well, better get some sleep.
C Darlin'
A sad conversation I overheard today...Two young men(early twenties) stating that they no longer trusted or respected our country.
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78280:
Hey Folks

It is so very sunny here this morning. Down in town nearly all of our snow base is gone, up here, in the hills, we can see about 25% of the yard. (I knew it was still there)

Ya know gang, I'm not worried about our country's future. While this crew running the show now are certainly less than capable, I just know they are not bigger than the country. We've always had uneven times. Just during my life time, the early 60's with the Cuban Missile Crisis, Soviets, the Space Race, Bay of Pigs, and Vietnam. Or, the mid-to-late 70's Watergate, the fall of Vietnam, the Misery Index, gas lines, Iranian hostages, just to name a few. As for the Chinese debt, I just don't think there is much to worry about. The last thing they want is for or currency to be worthless. All that would do is make their investment worthless. Besides, they don't control nearly to enough of it(not even close). Remember back in the 80's the same was thought about the Japanese having too much control of our debt. Maybe I'm whistling by the graveyard but I don't think so.

"Don't let anyone tell you that America's best days are behind her-that the American spirit has been vanquished. We've seen a triumph too often in our lives to stop believing in it now."
Ronald Reagan

Peace & Prayers,
auh2o
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78281: Okay doctors on the porch. . . I am having a horrible time with my right hip. My sister and I were both born with one hip higher than the other. It has something to do with the way we were in the womb - but when we are tired, we both limp really bad as if we are just worn out. So, now this hip is really bothering me to the point that there is no way to sit or lie down without it hurting.
Ibuprofen isn't cutting the pain like it does with arthritic pain in my middle aged body. Any suggestions??

The three babies are doing fine - I now have 6 bottle babies (5 boys and 1 girl). They are way tooooooo cute!

I will get some pictures posted on our website soon and on our facebook page and some sent to Ro. We have one little buck we have named Outback Jack (due to his genetics). A real shower!!

hm
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78282: Good morning, porch! hm, I'm sorry to hear about the problems with your hip. That can be so painful, and as you say, you can't find a comfortable place! When I injured my back about twenty years ago, it was weeks before it finally let me go, and every night I felt like an old hound dog, just circling and turning, trying to get comfortable. Dale said he expected me to howl at any minute, and I answered him that I felt like doing it!

I'm still rashy, but it is beginning to fade and no new welts are coming up, so I guess it's going away, finally. Crick is still there, but I now can turn my head two inches to either side, which is an improvement. It will eventually wear out, I guess.

auh2o, I think you're right. America is greater than Mr. Obama and his goon squad, and bigger than the loony ones as well. We will survive this. MDC, I called my representative (Pete Sessions) this morning, and told them this: "I know Mr. Sessions will vote against this monstrosity if he's given the chance, but that's not enough. I hope he will do all he can to influence anyone who might be wavering, so they will also vote against it. Here's why - most people don't bother to check the individual voting records of their representatives. Instead they lump everyone in together, as "Congress" or "Washington", and consider them like one big block. There is a backlash coming, and the whip is going to crack if this thing passes. The word in the Sunday School classes, at the bunco tables, at the baby showers, in the breakrooms at work and everywhere people gather is this: If it passes, wipe them all out. Clean Washington out, every single one of them. Change Congress like dirty underwear, and get rid of them all. We'll do part of it in November, and finish the job in 2012. I'd hate to see Mr. Sessions get swept along on this tide, but it will happen, so please urge him to influence as many as he can to vote against it."

I've put the same sentiments in a couple of emails. Now my phone call and my emails aren't going to change a thing, but all of us together have a lot of power. Check this out - there's a place there to help you contact your representative. http://www.capwiz.com/afanet/callalert/index.tt?alertid=14827721

Now, as Aunt Bee would say - "Get to it!"

Be blessed! --Romeena
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78283: Wow, my only suggestion would be to rest it, HM, but I know that is easier said than done, especially in "kid" season. Maybe someone else will have some brilliance to share...I hope.

Thanks for that encouragment, Auh2o. I certainly hope you are right.

Boo
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78284: Oh hey there, Romeena...ya sneaked in on me. :-)

Boo
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78285:
HM -For me, it's the left hip. I damaged the "bursa", the padding over the hip, in a fall about ten years ago. Got somePT for it back then, and The best thing for me is heat, then about 20 minutes of cold pak when it flares up.
Now I see that congress is talking the "deem and pass" rule for this bill! google it. Yikes!!
AUH20- I wish i had your optimism, but it still will take citizens getting REAL representation, getting involved ourselves, and real prayer and fasting. "Some "deem ands" can only be driven out thru prayer and fasting!"
Hey, maybe I'll just "deem" that my income taxes are paid in full! Ha wonder how they would like that?
Please, please, we need to get on our knees today and tomorrow, and i mean pray HARD for these 400+
men and women who have history in their hands!
God bless you!
MDC
Sorry if my "sermon" was dry as dust! (:
Oh, and i heard from pappabear. he is very busy
with his counseling job and will post when he can.
His trip out west has been put off again.
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78286: Morning porch....I just gotup...any leftover b-fast...ah-never mind lets just meet at the cracker barrell...there everyone can get what they want!..hey Rev good yer home...hey possum,sterling...well its the shower for me and back to work....SPOT
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78287:
Hello porch family.

MDC.....we keep praying for the nation brother!

HM......praying that you get relief from your hip pain.

auh2o.....I agree with you that our great nation will stand no matter the vote. And you're right, we WILL pull through it. Thanks for reminding us of our hope! But I think what concerns most is what we will have to go through during that stand. Kinda like the fact that I can "stand" a hammer hitting my finger but it sure is painful when I do it and I sure dread going through it.

Ro....glad you're getting better. And love the way you handled the phone call to your Rep. Think I'll use the same words on my phone calls.

You all have a great day and keep your eyes on Jesus. HE sure looks better than the things going on around us!

Love and prayers!
-REV.
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78288:
Rev-Good point ha ha, well played sir.

auh2o
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78289: Afternoon Y'all! Homemaker,I was going to suggest hot & cold,like MDC told you. My hips hurt every so often-usually after I've had Laci (picking her up & carrying her-she's 40 lbs.) Sometimes Aleve,along with alternating hot & cold packs will help. Hope you feel better soon!

Amen,to that last remark of yours,Rev!

Let's head over to Morielli's tonight after Spot gets off of work!

*******************
possum under a rock
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78290: Won't heaven be great when we don't have to worry about these old bodies and their pains, aches, rashes, etc.! ;-)

Boo
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78291:
AMEN to that Boo!
March 19, 2010 - Msg 78292:
RO- I received your email prayer. Thank you so much. I will be praying it indeed!
Steve
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78293:
hm, regarding your hip pain, visit http://symptoms.webmd.com/default.htm and use their symptom checker in the center of that page.
Also check out my Msg 78270 concerning Doctors of Osteopathy.

auh2o, just like the Doris Day song from long ago, I have a "Que sera, sera" attitude (translated as What will be, will be). There is only so much we as individuals can do. If we are not in the majority, then so be it.

Finally, I see that TOM still has not checked in. I'm really getting worried about him.

from Poor Horatio
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78294:
hm, the previous link I posted was from the conventional Medical Doctor web site. Below is the symptom checker from the Osteopathic Medicine web site
http://www.healthcentral.com/ency/408/002020.html

Romeena, to find a D.O., visit http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=findado_main

from Poor Horatio
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78295:
PH- you apparantly missed my Plato quote above.
I'm sure glad he lived before que sers sera came out! (:
The continental army was in no way close to being in the majority, but I'm glad that they didnt say que sera sera. Of course, you are entitled to your opinion, but please just remember how that privilege
came about in this country.
As for me, since we are a government of the PEOPLE, and it's suppose to be a 'representative' form of government, I will keep letting them know by all legal means (ie: redress of grieviences) what I (a people)
would like to see done or not done.
Just a little quirk of mine. (:
I know what floyd did to tighten up Miss crumps,
so I am trying to keep things light.
But I can also pipe down, and in fact will now.
God bless and
Prayers for all!
MDC
MDC
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78296:
Oops! Is that like Mary Hartman, Mary hartman?
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78297: Thank you to my doctors on the porch. . .I appreciate your help!!

I have seen Tom on facebook so I know he is alive!! I will post to him again and tell him that his rocker is getting way tooo dusty and that I won't be responsible for it anymore.

7 bottle babies this year - 6 boys and 1 girl. . .

hm
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78298: Ok ok here I'm.
TOM

March 20, 2010 - Msg 78299: "Hey" to TOM. Thanks for checking in. :-)

Keep praying, folks. Now's the time.

Boo
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78300: Wow! Tom's back! We missed you, friend. Don't stay away so long - we were worried about you.

It's 37 degrees, cloudy, windy and wet here today! What a change from yesterday, which was so beautiful. Iris buds are rising, I've seen about six so far, but they won't begin to unfurl until the sun comes out and warms them up again. I'm ready to plant impatiens and more petunias, maybe some begonias and whatever else strikes my fancy, but not yet. I went to the bank yesterday, and drove past my "sentinal stand" of mesquite trees. Not a leaf to be seen. Until those wily old survivors leaf out, you can't trust the weather. There could still be a freeze. Typically, they'll leaf out right after Easter, though, so it won't be much longer.

Well, my little "spitting fish" is just dribbling again, guess I'd better go flush him out. The problem is, if he just dribbles, the stream might not make it to the pond and he could conceivably sit there and pump the pond dry. I may just unplug him for now, while the weather is bad, because I don't want to keep going out there. I'm not feeling tiptop myself, and would prefer to stay inside where it's warm.

Well, be blessed, friends, and once again, Tom, it's good to know you're okay. --Romeena
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78301: now you no that I run off and hide about this time in March because of one day.

TOM

March 20, 2010 - Msg 78302: Yes, Tom, we know that, but we were hoping you might be getting past that now. I'm quite sure she would want you to. --Romeena
March 20, 2010 - Msg 78303:
Now that I re-read things, I think I was still a bit too pushy above,
and i apologize.
MDC
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78304: Good morning, porch. I imagine most of you are at preachin', but I didn't go today. My neck crick has become a full-body crick and there's just not much real estate on me that isn't in pain. I'm getting a little concerned. I don't know if I've developed fibromyalgia or just what is going on, but I'm hurting, and I'm getting tired of it. My doctor is out of town, but I do have an appointment with her on Tuesday. Meantime, I'm supposed to work tomorrow night. Things are going to have to change a lot before that's going to happen. Every joint, every muscle, just plain hurts, and my neck is still ramrod stiff. I've never experienced anything like this before. You know how you feel when you're taking a bad case of the flu - everything hurts, even your hair? Well, take that feeling and magnify it about three times. Several possibilities come to my medical mind, but there's one key symptom that's missing. No fever. None. A few other things are also missing that might or might not be there - no sore throat, no congestion, no nausea. I just feel like I've been beaten up, or been in a wreck or something. I can't explain it. Very strange.

Well, enough of my whining. I know that for some people, this is their typical day. God bless them. --Romeena
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78305: Oh my, I's so sorry, Romeena. I will be praying that you find some relief. Hopefully is is just a strange virus that will run its course and be gone in a day or so. It does sound very strange.

Boo
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78306: Prayers, Ro. I hope the pain goes away-and soon! Do you think it's connected to the mystery rash you had? Feel better,my friend.
*******************
possum under a rock
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78307: Prayers for Romeena today. Hope you feel better!
Big Maude
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78308: Thanks, my friends. No, Possum, I really don't think there's a connection to the rash, but can't say for sure. I've run through my very limited mental list of ailments that combine both symptoms (Lyme disease comes to mind first) but it doesn't hold up. The rash is not a "bulls-eye" pattern, I haven't been in the part of the country where deer ticks are prevalent, and it's not hunting season, so it couldn't even be a neighbor dragging home a kill. I'm beginning to think it's a generalized arthritic attack. It's a bit better than it was this morning, and the way my neck and the back of my head feels, it's pretty much identical to a major flare-up of arthritis about 25 years ago, documented by a bone scan.

I've forced myself to get up and move around some today, putting out little Easter decorations and such, and cleaning up my messy kitchen. It seems to help temporarily, but if I don't limit the activity, it starts hurting pretty bad again. So, guess I'll do what I can, when I can, and just hope I can go to work tomorrow night. I hate this. I have chronic pain, most of us do at my age, and I generally ignore it and keep moving. This has slapped me down, and I don't like it. I don't want to turn into a whiny old woman!

Be blessed, dear porch! --Romeena
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78309:
TOM, I'm so glad to see you are well and posting again. Your were missed by many here.

MDC, although you believe your previous comments may have been "too pushy", I attribute that to the passion you have concerning this matter. I commend you for that.
Yes it is true that the standing Continental Army was successful even though they represented a minority because it is estimated that only 10% of the total population served. But you don't have to be a majority to win. The success of same s*x marriage is just one example of a minority who was able to influence legislature.

Romeena, regarding your spreading pain, don't forget to check out the symptom checker and find-a-D.O. links I posted in Msg 78293 and Msg 78294.
There is a television program I enjoy watching that would be of interest to you. It's called Mystery Diagnosis on the TLC cable channel. They present all kinds of undiagnosed and misdiagnosed real life scenarios. The ones that shock me the most involve parasites that invade our bodies and can survive for decades. If you visit their web site at http://health.discovery.com/fansites/mystery-diagnosis/mystery-diagnosis.html, you could view past episodes that might help you diagnose what you are experiencing.

Boo, what happened with that yellow stain that you were trying to get rid of?

from Poor Horatio
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78310: Hey gabg quick trouble check....Its Raceing at brystol.rain here....lets grill burgers tonight on the covered end of the porch!....prayers...SPOT
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78311: PH, it is interesting that you would mention Mystery Diagnosis because I happen to have watched it this afternoon. I had only seen it once before, a year ago or so. Anyway, the episode I watched had a woman who was told she had fibromyalgia because of the terrible joint pain in her knees, fatigue and headaches, among other symptoms. It was determined that she had Hoshimoto Syndrome, which is a disease of the thyroid gland. She went to coutless drs until, finally, an endocrine doc looked at her labs, saw that she had low thyroid (which the other docs overlooked) and with the other symptoms she knew right away what the diagnosis was. It took the poor woman over a year of misery to get the help she needed.

Ah, my yellowing quilt...well, so far nothing has worked. I soaked it in oxi-clean for days, even used a mild bleach solution...no luck. I guess I will just have to live with it.

Better go get Erin moving towards the shower. She has to go to bed early to be ready for school in the morning...first day back after spring break...ouch!

Boo
March 21, 2010 - Msg 78312: Good evening, porch. Is anyone else watching the "Life" series on Discovery? Some really great stuff there - absolutely incredible photography.

Boo, one other thing I could suggest for the yellowing quilt would be sunlight. If there are colored areas you don't want to fade, just pin some dark cloth over those areas, and let the yellowed portion be exposed to the sun. Depending on what caused the yellowing, it could make it worse, but you could block all but a small spot and see what happens, I suppose. My grandmother, and my mom as well, used to wash their dish towels and then spread them on the grass in the sun to dry, and they were always snow white.

PH, thanks for those links, and I will be using them. For now, I think I'm improving. Some of the rigidity is gone from my neck and shoulders, and the generalized body aches are almost gone. I'm thinking it's a big arthritis attack, or maybe some weird sort of flu syndrome. Years ago, about five years after my first cancer, I had a similar attack in my neck and up into the back of my head, down my back and in my shoulders. Stiffness, rigidity, and pain that included the whole back of my head. My oncologist insisted on a bone scan, concerned about metastasis. I could see the scanner's screen as the scan progressed, and it was really scary. All the vertebrae in my neck and down my back, my shoulder bones and the whole back of my head lit up like a Christmas tree on that screen, exactly what you'd expect to see with spreading cancer. The only thing missing was areas of uptake in my hipbones and long bones. None of that was there, though there were some areas in my knees. My oncologist said it really looked like mets, but there was a possibility it was arthritic inflammation, which will cause increased uptake and will light up just like cancer. He put me on Advil four times a day for two months, then did a repeat scan. Nothing. It was all gone, except for the little spots in my knees. It was an arthritic flare, and that may well be what this is. I've been taking Advil, just as I did then, and it does seem to be helping. We'll see what tomorrow brings, I guess.

Well, back to my chair, my tea and my hot/cold packs. I'm going to loosen this thing up yet. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78313: Hi Porch friends,sorry I am still just passing through.School is almost done then maybe I can sit a spell in my rocker,Finally warm on my end of the porch,praise the Lord-ky girl
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78314: Hi friends hope all is well,take care-ky girl
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78315:
RO- your comment to Boo got me to thinking,
have YOU tried standing in the sun today to see
if it may help your situation?
Well, as you can all imagine, I am just plain dejected this evening after the vote today.
Thank God there are many constitutional challenges waiting in the wings, as well as 37 states who are ready to say "Not in our state!" States rights will be a BIG player in this I predict. Then come November, we get rid of the whole lot, and try again. I just hope it will be enough to repeal it before folks get used to their "entitlements."
Well, tomorrow is another day, and the Word says we are new every morning. God bless all you fine folks,
and that means you PH!
MDC
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78316:
hey to KYgirl!
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78317: Glad you are beginning to feel better Ro....hoping for a full recovery.

Hello KY Girl...great to hear from you, if only for a moment. :-)

Yes, MDC, discouraging, but not hopeless. Keep on praying.

Speaking of discouraging; I noticed yesterday that my new kitchen table is cracking down the middle. Now, I mention this because I really can't believe the terrible quality of things these days. We paid good money for it and it is solid wood..go figure? We also replaced our dehumidifier system this week...for the THIRD time in 2 months. Nothing wrong on our part, just problems with the units. If this one goes bad, we get our money back and get a new company to install one. Also, there seems to be a problem with my new stove/oven. The upper oven seems to have an element that is not heating and the bottom convection oven is making a terrible noise all of a sudden. The microwave is going out, as well. Sometimes it works, sometimes it hums and does nothing. The automatic garage door opener has been going down, only to come back up. Sometimes I have to do it three or more times before it stays down. Oh, and remember not long ago we had to replace some our new bedroom furniture that was broken before we even got it. Now, this is the first experience I have had with a new home and new things and it has been discouraging. You research, read consumer reports, consumer comments, spend your hard-earned money and get faulty products. Sure, there are warranties but it is an inconvenience to say the least. One would think that everything would be working 3 months later. I just don't get it.

Well, time to get Erin up and it won't be easy this morning. I am sleepy, too, from staying up too late and watching a movie I got interested in on TNT...one of Tyler Perry's movies that I should have skipped, frankly. I guess I will be taking a nap today...I hope. See you all later.

Boo
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78318: Good Monday porch family, stopping by for a minute. Cool and rainy today on my end of the porch. I believe the rain stayed away for the race fans in Bristol yesterday though.

Back to school from spring break for my daughter today. Only about 10 weeks of school left for her though. She turns 16 in May and is learning to drive. up until now she has not been interested at all in learning to drive and even seems a little intimidated by the whole process.

I have still not been released by my doctor yet as I continue to have some issues with my incision healing. Its been 7 weeks since the surgery! I am getting pretty frustrated with the
situation. Doctor says he promises it will heal and be okay eventually.

lunch menu will be: BBQ sandwhiches, SLAW, chips.
chocolate brownies, tea, kool aid to drink.

Prayers and blessings to all.

Big Maude
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78319: Good Monday porch family, stopping by for a minute. Cool and rainy today on my end of the porch. I believe the rain stayed away for the race fans in Bristol yesterday though.

Back to school from spring break for my daughter today. Only about 10 weeks of school left for her though. She turns 16 in May and is learning to drive. up until now she has not been interested at all in learning to drive and even seems a little intimidated by the whole process.

I have still not been released by my doctor yet as I continue to have some issues with my incision healing. Its been 7 weeks since the surgery! I am getting pretty frustrated with the
situation. Doctor says he promises it will heal and be okay eventually.

lunch menu will be: BBQ sandwhiches, SLAW, chips.
chocolate brownies, tea, kool aid to drink.

Prayers and blessings to all.

Big Maude
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78320: Mornin' y'all! Ro,glad things seem to be easing up a bit. I was wondering if perhaps you had shingles,but you don't seem to think the rash had anything to do with the aches & pain. Hope it goes away completely!
Maude,you must've had cabbage for breakfast & you're chewing it twice! Ha!
Well, I have Miss Laci staying with me for a few days,so will be hit & run on the Porch. Y'all take care-love to all!
*******************
possum under a rock
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78321:
Hey Folks Good Morning (it is ya know)

Big Maude-Our oldest daughter is going through the same driving issues as yours is. Although, we have about 16 weeks of school left here.

MDC-PH I don't won't ya'll to think that I don't care about what is going on in our Nation, I do, for sure. I pray every morning for our leaders, B.O. included. I've canvased for many politicians. I'm just not a collectivist, whether it's fascism, communism, socialism, or Marxism. That's the direction the modern day Progressive is headed, from TR to B.O. They have nothing in common with our Founders. And, that is why I have hope for our Country. Because the vast majority of us believe in the ideals America was forged by and find government intrusion repugnant. The tide will turn.

Peace,
auh2o
March 22, 2010 - Msg 78322: Good morning, porch. Auh2o, I agree with you. The tide will turn, and we can start it turning in November. Apparently what happened in Massachusetts wasn't quite enough to make the point, so I guess we're going to have to hit 'em all with a leg o'lamb. I think many Democrats are going to find themselves sitting on the sidewalk, saying "Wha' happened?" in November. Quite honestly, I'm about ready to just make a clean sweep of it, red and blue alike. Just root 'em all out, and make a fresh start everywhere. I know we can't do it all in November, but in 2012 we can pretty well finish the job. When I think of that arrogant, pompous pretender, standing there and talking about "Government OF the people, BY the people, still FOR the people" - it just turns my stomach. Well, enough of that.

I'm not sure what's going on with me, but I'm beginning to think I've got some sort of arthritic cascade going. Neck and shoulders are a bit better, though still stiff. However, it has moved into my lower back and settled there, and I can't walk without holding onto something. I'm tryng to find my old cane from my knee surgery, but don't know where it is. I won't be going to work tonight, obviously, and I do have an appointment with my primary doc tomorrow. We'll see where she sends me. The pain is severe in my lower back, and when I try to move my right leg forward to walk, it gives way. As for standing in the sun, MDC, that's not a bad idea. Yesterday was much too cold, though (in the 30s) and today I couldn't get out there. This thing has me incapacitated to the point that I'm wearing a phone clipped to my clothes. If I should fall, I'm not sure I could get up. (Oh lord, what a vision that conjures - that old gal in the commercial! Have I come to that??)

Well, I'm going to try to make it into the kitchen to feed Toye Starr. Poor baby has had nothing to eat since last night. Be blessed, all --Romeena