May 25, 2010 - Msg 79225: PS-the paper towel holder does not work on the donkey, unfortunately. The donkey has no awareness of personal space.

HM, if you are reading this, I have a donkey question. The last couple of days, Thelma Lou seems to be having a problem with one of her eyes draining...it looks clear but the eye itself is red and a little swollen. Do you know if there is anything I can buy at the feed store to put in it?

Boo
May 25, 2010 - Msg 79226: Sorry, gross post to sweep with!


Boo
May 25, 2010 - Msg 79227: If you can find Vetercyn at the feed store, that would work. It is a spray and it doesn't sting. It looks like water. It is a little expensive but it works on all animals and wounds on animals. So it is very versatile. And you are right - donkeys have no personal space awareness.

Happy Birthday Tom - our resident poet!!!

hm

May 25, 2010 - Msg 79228: Thanks, HM. I'll see what I can find.

Boo
May 25, 2010 - Msg 79229: Found out some more news on my nephew's wife - she has pulmonary hypertension, an enlarged heart brought on by the lupus and the lupus meds. I guess her lungs are affected too. She is at the only hospital in the US that is doing clinical trials for this condition brought on by lupus which is Vanderbilt in Nashville. God has her in his hands and she has complete faith in Him as does her husband (my nephew). Any prayers and thoughts for Chad, Jennifer and Aubry June would be appreciated.

Casey gets his cast off tomorrow. He is on no pain meds now. YAY! I have new shoes ordered for him that should be here tomorrow. Thanks for all of the prayers said on his behalf.

hm
May 25, 2010 - Msg 79230: does enyone know the connection with the taylor house and old man parmley in the episode barney fife realtor ? please email me ... arpdrums62@yahoo.com thank you allan ray parmley
May 25, 2010 - Msg 79231: Evening Family:
Just stopping by to say hi on my way to bed. Have been mowing, trimming and weeding since we had 7 1/2 inches of rain Saturday night into Sunday! I was seriously thinking of getting out the blueprints to the Ark.
With the sun out shining and warming up, the grass is showing no mercy.
Must find the ironingboard. Terribly tired.
Happy Birthday TOM! ~New Neighbor
May 25, 2010 - Msg 79232: Couldn't find the Vetercyn at the feed store, HM. I am taking my dogs to the vet tomorrow to get their shots and heartworm meds so I will ask the vet if he can give me something for the donkey's eye. Sorry about your nephew's wife...that is a very serious thing she is dealing with. Prayers for her and her family.

Wonder how MDC is doing tonight?

Get some good rest, NN.

I am pretty tired myself from household chores, taking care of all the critters around here (especially getting everyone fed!). I think I will retire to my bed with a book. See you all in the morning with my coffee...I'll bring extra.

Boo
May 25, 2010 - Msg 79233: hm, so sorry to hear about your nephew's bout with lupus. My wife has a 25 year old relative suffering from the same disease. I'll say a prayer for your nephew's wife.

Happy Birthday greetings to TOM

allan ray parmley, first of all, welcome. As for the question you asked in Msg 79230, old man parmley is the previous owner of Andy Taylor's house. In the Barney Fife, Realtor episode, Andy explains to Opie how old man parmley covered up ceiling cracks before he sold the house to Andy. You can view that conversation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F030zcHpgYI&NR=1 and cue it up to about 4:45 minutes in.

from Poor Horatio
May 25, 2010 - Msg 79234:

May 25, 2010 - Msg 79235: Oops, forgot the off italics switch.
Sorry.

from Poor Horatio
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79236:
MDC here! Surgery went well. I hhave apatch on my left eye, so I feel like a one-eyed jack typing this. Tomorow I go to the doc and get it off, moment of truth as they say. Thanks for the prayers.
I could "feel" em as i was pretty calm amd came thru with no nausea. Infact i was kinda semi-conscious thru the whole thing. weird man weird.
tho never took LSD, the colors ect that i saw was a whole kalidescope, so i guess the versad and the bright lights make the same effect! ha.
Nite,
MDC
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79237:
Aye matey! ha

May 26, 2010 - Msg 79238: Good morning. Glad to hear all went well, MDC. Hope the results are all you hope them to be when you get the patch off. Gosh, when they gave me Versed, I wasn't aware of anything.

Warm, humid morning here in south texas. Summer is at the front door for sure. The days are not terrible yet, though. I hate to think about July and August! I am looking forward to no school, though...just taking my time getting out of bed in the morning and having my coffee. I am not a morning person and it is always a struggle to get up the energy to get rolling early in the morning. I have always been that way. I remember my first year in kindergarten that every morning mom would have to carry me out of bed, sit me on the kitchen counter by the sink and splash water in my face to wake me up. Now I drag myself to the bathroom and splash water in my own face.... ;-0

Well, I am just rambling on about nothing so I guess I will go. I'll be back to check on the porch later...have a good morning.

Boo
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79239: Mornin' Y'all! Hey MDC- glad you made it thru the surgery okay! I had you on my mind all day yesterday. I knew I shouldn't have put those magic mushrooms in the spaghetti sauce- all those colors you were seeing... LOL
Still praying for your nephew's wife, HM. Great news regarding Casey!

Any "Jubi news" you can report on, Boo?

Gotta run- y'all have a good day!
*******************
possum under a rock
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79240: Hey there, Possum. Jubi recently had her routine scan it she is still cancer-free. :-) She is growing up fast and looking like a young woman now instead of a little girl. Her hair has grown into a really cute short, curly style and she seems to have a knack for fashion. She definetly has her own kind of funky style.

Boo
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79241: Good morning, porch! Just got home from my second 12-hr shift (Monday night and last night) and had to stay for that infernal meeting. As the rumor said, it was to "celebrate" the new plan for our unit - doing mom/baby couplets. Noy surprising, there were a few young and gung-ho nurses who were applauding like idiots the whole time, squealing and saying how "fun" that sounded. Well, I've been there and tried it, it failed and was trashed, and now our new broom is wanting to try it again. Let 'em have at it, I'm going to make other plans. "Nuff said.

MDC, I'm glad things went well, am anxious to hear your report after the patch comes off. I can't imagine being conscious and having a memory of it during that procedure, because like Boo said, I thought I was out cold the whole time. The doctor just laughed when I told him that, and said "Well, you talked to us, laughed at our jokes, and cooperated with us completely. You sure were lively for somebody who was out cold." The thing is, I just have no memory of it. I've had several procedures done under conscious sedation, and it's always like that for me - no memory of it at all. Pretty nice! Anyway, I'm anxious to hear how your vision is. Which lens did they put in?

Well, my eyes are slamming shut, so I think I'm going to go take a nap. Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79242: Well, that's the way the Versed is supposed to work...no memory of anything (which is kind of disturbing, really). I used to be afraid that someday I would be in the hospital having an emergency c/section or something and say some crazy things about the people I worked with, never remembering a thing about it. You know...maybe talk about that lazy co-worker or mention the glutes on that new doctor... ;-)

Ro, I think its interesting that you had nurses present at that meeting who were enthusiastic about the changes because as i recall, none of the nurses were enthusiastic when we were talking about changes at our hospital. We all walked around looking like we were on our way to our own hangin'. Talk about stressful and frustrating times...there we all were straining under the impossible demands (without lunch or potty breaks), while the administrators walked around in their designer suits and high heels, smiling and talking about how wonderful things were. They never skipped lunch, believe me. It didn't matter what we said to them or how much we complained. What made them change is when they started getting complaints and bad evaluations from the patients. You see, they were paying US, but the patients were paying THEM. Hit 'em in the pocketbook...it's what works with hospital administrators.

Well, better get back to the chores.

Boo
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79243: Great news about Jubi,Boo! I realize the cancer took away so much of what should have been a "normal" childhood for her,and I have been praying that she can enjoy her teen years and adulthood to the fullest. Sounds like she is on her way! Thanks for the update.
************
possum again
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79244: Some updates: Casey is out of the CAST!! Yay - we go back in six months unless the foot becomes inflamed again. He may have to go back into a cast again. Don't know - trying to put off surgery for at least two years if possible.

Found out today from my SIL that Jennifer (nephew's wife) has the faith of Job and is accepting what is happening. They look at each positive thing as a blessing from God. The experimental drug that she is on is pumped into her like an insulin pump for a diabetic. She considers one blessing that she has the drug that doesn't have to be kept with an icepack on her. If the line or port become clogged - she can die within 5 minutes. They have cried and now they are looking to each day as a blessing. My sister is bringing their 2 year old today to visit mommy in the hospital. She is hoping to get to go home tomorrow.

thanks for all the prayers!

hm
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79245: RIP Art Linkletter
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79246: You are welcome, Possum. Keep those prayers going for Jubi.

Glad to hear that Jennifer is adjusting, HM. Prayers for her today.

I am tired today...lots of chores and I had to take the pups to the vet today to get their rabies vaccine and get heartworm and flea prevention for them. They are up to 28 and 33 lbs at 4 months. The doc took a good look at Hank and said, "He's got some Great Dane in him"! My sister told me that but I have been in denial about it. I guess when you get pound pups, you just never know what you're going to get. I know he is bigger than Madea and eats alot more. He also looks a good bit different. Madea has the slim face of a shepherd and Hank looks...well, like a Great Dane in the face...mercy!

HM, I asked the vet about the donkey's eye and he gave me some antibiotic ointment to put in it. He said it should be getting better in a week but if the cornea clouds up I should bring her....right....what am I supposed to do, ride her the 10 miles to the vet's office?...hehe...that's a funny mental image, isn't it? Actually I have a friend with a horse trailor, in fact she is going to take me to get my goats tomorrow. It's good to have friends with equine pets. :-)

Better git.

Boo
May 26, 2010 - Msg 79247:
Hello porch family. Been a few days so I've got to catch up on all the news here on the porch.

My wife and I had a great time on our little get away. It was so nice. Now I'm packing the motorhome for my summer tour. Leave out this Friday and won't be back home until August. Long tour! I will kick off my new "Winning Side" tour this Sunday night in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Let me go read the archives so I'll know what's going on in Mayberry:)

My love and prayers go out for all the porch family!
Now remember....Jesus loves you!
-REV.
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79248:
Hi All, I got the patch off and VOILA! Looking good. Told my wife that I now I can see how beautiful she really is! (OK, i was trying for some brownie points! ha)
Vision in that eye (left) is a little different from my prescription glasses, but i cant get it changed for about 3 weeks. Doc says the brain and the new lens need some time to "reconfigure" with each other.
In the meantime it's eye drops a plenty for the next week.
Good to see REV and all! Prayers,
MDC
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79249: Great news, MDC!

Welcome home REV...glad you and the missus had a nice vacation together.

Another busy day in the forecast. Planned on getting to bed early last night but went out to the Yukon to get a watermellon out that I forgot I bought and noticed the back tire was very low. Had to get out late last night and go put air in the tire so I would be able to get Erin to school this morning, and had to have a fight with the donkey to get the car out of the garage. Everytime the door goes up, she runs to get into the garage to try to get her head into the feed sack or the dog food. Last night I got some donkey treats to try and lure her out but she wanted nothing to do with it. I finally grabbed an empty box and whacked her on the backside a few times and she trotted out. Sean was laughing his head off inside the car...said it looked pretty darned funny, me in my pajama shorts and houseshoes, whacking that donkey with a box. I told him, "Well son, sometimes you just have to whack your @ss with a great big box to get anything done!"....sounds like a good title for my memoirs. ;-)

Better get Erin off to school and go get my goats.

Boo
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79250: BTW, where in tarnation is ASA?...

Boo
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79251: Hi All.
I'm here but it to hot.

TOM
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79252: Asa must be polishing his bullets for the Memorial Day parade. . . .

hm
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79253:
Let us remember our fallen vets who gave their all!! Amen
Boo, that is very funny, and since i have the kareoke image in my mind, I'm laughing out loud!
have a good day all!
MDC
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79254:
Art Linkletter was indeed one of the greats when
it comes to the beginnings and the progression of TV.
I read about how he got started with kids when his own kid came home from school and Art had him record it. And, the rest, as they say, is history!
RIP ART,
MDC
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79255: HAHA...MDC, it took me a minute to figure out what you were talking about (the pictures from women's retreat!)...I'll bet you were laughing. All you had to do is picture pajama shorts instead of long pants and a short-sleeved t-shirt! I am looking more like Ma Kettle everyday, too.

Well, my friend Terri (she is the friend who gave me my cat AND my donkey), took me to get my goats. The owner had quite a time getting those goats into the back of the horse trailor. They were terrified and he had to practically carry them. Well, it turns out that he only had one little goat left, which was one of Strawberry's babies...the sweetest little white kid goat and she was crying and trying to go with her mother. You guessed it....I took her, too. The guy said that a man with a goat herd was supposed to pick her up yesterday but failed to call or show up so she he sent her home with me. His sweet little wife was almost in tears she was so happy to have them all three going to a good home together. Strawberry's baby is newly weaned but is already a good-sized goat..about half the size of the mother and very, very sweet and friendly. The two adult goats are warming up to the new surroundings but are still a little skittish about being petted. Bruce is out there now hand feeding them and they are letting him pet them a little. When we first got them here and forced them out of the trailor, that crazy donkey started chasing them. I guess she was trying to protect her "territory" but now she just ignores them. Anyhoo, they are home now and eating all the weeds and even the thorn-covered Cat Claw vines...yay!

Better git...will be be later with additional details. :-)

Boo
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79256: Oh...almost forgot to tell you their names: Strawberry, Raspberry (Strawberry's baby), and Holly Berry.

Boo
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79257: Oh, and the dogs are staying far away from the goats. Hank ventured too close and Strawberry gave him a head butt. Both of the dogs are keeping their distance now!

Boo
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79258: Cool goats Boo!well about got this mess cleaned cp here at work had 5 poles broke last night during storms...calm so far tonight..hey possum,MDC,Tom,hm ...wow Rev a LONG tour...so you dont come home for 2 months?..do you stay on the motor home the whole time?..or motels some?...well let me get some reports ran here...prayers and back in just a bit....SPOT
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79259: I miss Asa too; he's been posting at other Mayberry sites, not sure why he hasn't checked in here... but at least we know he's around. Probably asleep in his chair again over at Weavers. Rip Van Winkle, I believe Mr. Weaver calls him..
- Hazel
May 27, 2010 - Msg 79260: Glad you took the baby Boo - I don't personally separate families except for the boys. When we buy goats, we always buy two if we can afford it so they have a partner to come home with. We buy sisters if sisters are available. Of the last six goat we purchased - two sets of full sisters and one set of half sisters. They do much better with a companion they know. What are you feeding them? Tractor Supply had Noble Goat and it is a very good goat feed. They can graze but they will need the goat feed too. Did the man worm them before you brought them home? Let me know and I will tell you a wormer that you can get - they will need to be wormed regularly to keep them their healthiest. I will fill you in -
congrats on the girls. . . .

hm
May 28, 2010 - Msg 79261: Thanks HM...the previous owner wormed them before I came to get them today and he trimmed hooves, too. He showed me the wormer he uses and told me to worm them about every 2 months...does that sound right? Right now I just have some all stock feed that I was giving the donkey. I was told that goats can eat donkey food but that donkeys shouldn't eat goat food...something about an ingredient in the goat's food that is bad for the donkeys. I was also told to get them a mineral lick. What is the name of the wormer you use? I don't remember what he used.

I am telling you those goats are really coming out of their shell. They came running up to the garage today because they thought I was feeding the donkey. Also, I was sitting in the living room watching TV and I heard something on the back porch. I turned just in time to see baby goat jump up onto the patio table and I noticed the other goats were right there looking through the french doors. The soon wandered off, though. The baby and Holly will let me pet them but the big boss, Strawberry is not ready for that yet. She is very bossy and it's easy to see she is in charge. Tonight I had to go out the gate to pick up Erin from her cousin's and the goats followed me to the gate, then when I came home, they stood right in front of the Yukon and wouldn't let me pass. I had to honk the horn, then they would move forward a little, then stop. It took me about 10 minutes to get up the driveway. They are worse than Thelma Lou. Bruce says the fence will be finished by the end of the weekend and I can't wait. Anyway, everything is quiet on my little farm tonight and all critters are dwelling in peace. :-)

Hi Hazel, I am glad to hear that Asa is posting elsewhere...hope he comes back soon.

"Hey" to SPOT...hope you have a quiet night at work, Buddy.

Think I will turn in for the night...been a long day.

Boo

May 28, 2010 - Msg 79262:
Hello porch family......been getting everything ready for my tour. Pretty much packed and ready. Got my yard cleaned up so I'm set:)

Spot....yep that's right...2 months. I stay in the motorhome the whole tour. I would rather be in it than a motel. It's home to me.

You all have a good night.
Love and prayers for all the porch family!
-REV.
May 28, 2010 - Msg 79263: Good evening, porch! Wow, REV, that's a long time to be away from home. Will your dear wife be able to join you at any point during the tour? I'll bet she really misses you, and I know you miss her!

Boo, I hope you're keeping a journal of these early days on your "farm". It will make for very interesting reading later on. Sounds like those goats are a handful, to say the least.

Tom, I'm glad to see you're here. We've been missing you! You said it's hot where you are - I know what you mean, it's getting pretty warm here too. Above 90 most days now. We'll be in the hundreds by late June, most likely.

Well, I'm off to the ironing board. See you all in the morning. --Romeena
May 28, 2010 - Msg 79264: Breakfast menu:3 eggs your way,saudage,bacon,bisquits and gravy hashbrowns,fried apples,toast,jelly,oj,milk,coffee and a morning paper...prayers...im headed home to sleep and back at 2....SPOT
May 28, 2010 - Msg 79265: Actually, Ro, I am working on starting a blog to keep up with everything that goes on around here. I will let you know when it is up and running. I have to get Bruce still long enough to help me with it and that may take a little time. :-(

Gotta go...I am off to take the car to get the leaky tire fixed, then to check on mom and dad. St. Susan and her husband are going on an overnight trip out of town (much needed).

Boo
May 28, 2010 - Msg 79266: RIP actor Gary Coleman
May 28, 2010 - Msg 79267: Awww. "What you talkin' 'bout, Willis!" That's sad. So long, Gary. --Romeena

May 28, 2010 - Msg 79268: Oh, Gary Coleman died? I only heard that he was in the hospital. Sad. And he had a pretty turbulent life I've heard.

Just got back from the school picnic at Kai's teacher's dad's church(wow, that's a lot of apostrophes). Everyone had fun. There was plenty for the kids to do. I guess they also do a camp there, though not the one that Kai is going to.
Of course, Kai's first attempt at fishing didn't go so well when she got her finger pr*cked by the hook. But after we cleaned it up she went back and tried for a while. She liked playing on the merry-go-round better though.
Kind of warm, but a nice breeze going too.

-Sterling Holobyte
May 28, 2010 - Msg 79269:
Everyone have a very safe weekend! Remember our brave fallen soldiers. I think I mentioned that I lost a good friend. Everyday-type guy who answered the call to serve.
Good Memorial Day to all!
MDC
May 28, 2010 - Msg 79270: Shotgun eats the goats food here - he is fine, so that info is wrong. We use Ivermectin, which is a cattle wormer, that we give orally. There is not enough good stuff in the all stock feed for the goats. You will always have one leader in the goat herd. She will always be the dominant one no matter who comes in. So, being bossy is her way of letting the others know that she is the boss. Loose minerals are better than a block, any good cattle loose mineral will work, it doesn't have to be goat mineral.

Tell you more later.

hm
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79271: Mornin' Mayberry! I hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend. I am going to have Miss Laci with me for a few days. First time I have kept her since she got the hearing aids. Word is that she sometimes fights like " a wild rabid animal" (quoting Laci's mom) when you put them in- oh, brother! Anybody have a bottle of Geritol they can spare? Ha Ha Ha
Take care-love to all!
*******************
possum under a rock
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79272: Thanks, HM...now I have another problem...turns out my little goat is a male. I never bothered to look. They said it was a girl, it had a girl name...oh well. I thought about giving him to my friend, Terri but Erin is already really attached to him and is begging to keep him. So...now I will have to castrate him. I have been reading up and am thinking of using the banding method...less blood, risk of infection, I guess. What do you think? Would use use the bander or the thing that crushes the tubes and cuts of blood to the testicles? I watched a demonstration of the banding method and it looks pretty non-traumatic to the goat but this goat is already a couple of months old. What do you think?

Take care there, Possum...wear your protective gear. :-)

Boo
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79273: Please, Boo! Not while I'm eating breakfast!
- Hazel
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79274: Ooops, false alarm...never trust your children's opinions when determining animal gender. What they thought was boy parts were simply the little pink teats hanging down! haha Whew, that's good news.

Boo
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79275: HAHAHA...didn't see ya there, Hazel...did you keep down your breakfast?? ;-)

Boo
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79276: Good grief, Boo. Can you spell veterinarian? I would imagine hm is no stranger to such procedures, since they have so many goats, but for a one-time thing - I'd call the vet. Just my opinion....But of course, I just got home from taking Toye Starr to Dr. Mike to have her nails clipped! Yep, $16 to have a three-minute pedicure done. OK, I admit it, I'm a big chicken. I can witness, yes, even participate in gory procedures on humans, but I can't clip my dog's nails. I used to, but the last time I did the Plum's, she moved her foot at the wrong moment, I clipped the quick, it bled, she cried, I cried, and that was the last time I ever did that. I have NEVER clipped Toye Starr's tiny little nails. It's worth the $16 to me, and anyway, it usually doesn't cost anything. If I have her in there for anything else, Mike just clips them as a service. If I bring her in for just that, it takes an appointment time, so he charges. Fair enough. By the way, she weighed 4.7 pounds today, an all-time high.

On the way to Mike's, I was driving through an adjacent neighborhood, and saw that big old great egret swoop in and light on the chimney of a house. I guess it was the same bird, but who could tell? I hope he stays over there, and doesn't come visit my pond, the miserable fish-killer. He sure is a big old thing.

Well, guess I'll mosey along. Not much going on here - maybe I'll go pull a few weeds before it gets so hot. Be blessed, friends. --Romeena




May 29, 2010 - Msg 79277: For cryin' out loud, Boo! Now I KNOW you need to consult a veterinarian! --Romeena
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79278: That's the first trans-gendered goat I have heard about, Boo. ;)

Btw, being a guy, that procedure you described doesn't sound very "non-traumatic" to me. ;)

Just was freed for the day from "the hoard". Yes, the MIL; her friend; the BIL and his wife, all staying at our house. On top of that, they let a nephew and a niece stay over last night. Now, we don't have a hut, but it is not a real big house either. Most of them ended up sleeping on couches. Yet I can't even invite my brother over for a visit for a couple hours when he comes up, because "he might want to go upstairs and it's a mess". Well, it is a mess now too, but her whole family can stay for the entire weekend.
Then to top it off, we went out to eat at the Chinese buffet here, at SIL's(mother of nephew and niece) request. I received the check, and so not wanting to be rude and ask for money along with my not having any cash on hand to chip in should we all decide to go dutch, I paid it on the credit card, expecting to be receiving some money after the fact from those that were there. At least that is what we do if one of them would pick up the check. Nada.
And we can't afford to pick up $115.00 dollar restaurant checks.

I went to bed earlier than I usually do on a Friday night. I figured the sooner I get to sleep the sooner this nightmare would be over. I just hope I don't have the same nightmare tonight, especially since I have to work tomorrow, and would like to be able to use my bathroom to get ready without the hoard clamoring to get in there. And we have three bathrooms(well, two full and one half), but everyone for some reason has to use my bathroom. I tell you, it's enough to drive you crazy. Before you know it, Barney is going to be telling me that he thinks I'm a "nut"! And with good reason because I probably will be by then. :)
This is why I hate having company over. And holidays.

So, needless to say, I decided to not spend the day with them.
I'll probably take a nice bike ride, and maybe mow the lawn, and do some stuff that I want to do. At least it is a nice day. I also have to remember what this holiday is all about, and be thankful for the men and women who have served this great country.

-Sterling Holobyte

May 29, 2010 - Msg 79279: RIP Dennis Hopper
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79280: Wow, Sterling! That crowd sounds like a lot of fun. No wonder you want to get away from them. I would, too. Now, just to play devil's advocate for a moment, is it possible that your wife led them to believe it would be your treat? I hope so, because otherwise, their behavior was presumptuous and rude.

Also - just an observation - and maybe I'm the only one who feels this way. When my own family comes to visit, I don't go to any special trouble with the house. I make sure the bed linens are clean, the guest bathroom is always clean, not too much dust on the furniture, and any dirty dishes are stuck in the dishwasher. Dog toys are left where they lie, my chair area (Command Central, as Dale called it) is cluttered with my stuff, and the vacuum usually hasn't been run. Take it or leave it. However, if my mother-in-law, or any other members of his family are coming, you'll find me cleaning for three days before they get here. It's not that my MIL is critical, because she isn't, not at all, nor any of the others, but I just don't want them thinking that his wife isn't a good housekeeper! I felt that way when he was living, and I still do, maybe even more so now that he's gone. I can't explain it, that's just how it is.

Well, enough of my rambling. I'm having David and Brittney and the boys, and Eloise and Jerry, and Brittney's sister and her family over tonight. I hit a sale on Angus ribeye steaks, and I'll put David on the business end of the grill, make some tater salad, open a can of baked beans and have a green salad and it will be gooood! I think we'll make root beer floats for dessert. I've got the ice cream and root beer to swing it! There's a steak for everyone, and they're huge, so there will be extra, as not everyone will eat a whole steak. Anybody that can make it, swing on by. Some like 'em rare, some well done, so there will be choices. If they're not eaten, I have a zillion things I can do with leftover steak! I love leftovers.

Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79281: HA!...I don't need no vet, Romeena! (in my best Ma Kettle voice) "I'll just use one uh these big 'ol rubber bands and SNAP...the job's done!". ;-) I know what all the goat parts are supposed to look like but unfortunately my kids don't. I have to admit I don't think I had so much as glanced at the little goat's backside but the kids seemed convinced that there were some boy "items" back there, so I ventured out there earlier to check things out for myself...nothing male in the area. Now, Romeena, don't tell me you never castrated anything in your lifetime...weren't you a farm girl?

Sterling, I know the procedure doesn't sound very non-traumatic but I did watch some video clips of it being done and the little goats didn't even give out a cry. I did read, though, that sometimes they have considerable pain for the first 15 minutes to an hour and then are fine and the boy parts just shrivel up and drop off in a week or so...uh, sorry, I can see why that might be disturbing to some. But I think it's kind of like the circumcision deal with babies. I have assisted with the procedure in which they just cut...no anesthesia and the job is done in a few minutes, and I have assisted with the kind when they but the little plastic band on the skin which causes the skin to die and the little band falls off eventually. The little plastic band seemed to be less traumatic to the babies. Either was really bad, though, IMO. I had seen some botched jobs...eww.

Sorry about your weekend situation, Sterling. Try to make the most of it, Buddy! You could actually end up having fun...or, you could tell them there is an escaped convict in the area and ask them to join the posse (it worked on Uncle Ollie)! Aren't you glad it's only a weekend?

Boo
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79282: I don't think so, Ro. Especially since it was sis-in-laws idea to get together there. Then again, she could have said something to her when I wasn't in the room I suppose, though it is usually not her way to pre-arrange whose treat it will be. That is usually done when we get the check.

And I know what you mean about cleaning for company. When I was a "domestic engineer" after Kai was born, I often would think that relatives on the wife's side(MIL, SIL, etc. i.e. the hoard) would think I wasn't doing my share if the house wasn't clean.

Have a good time with your family!

-Sterling Holobyte
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79283: Oh, hey there Romeena...I know what you mean about MIL and your husband's family. I am kind of the same way. I always make sure everything i picked up when MIL is coming over. She knows how hard I work, though, because she lived with us for awhile...remember she is the one who used to sit in her chair all day watching TV and talking about how hard I was working?! I am not an immaculate housekeeper but i don't do well with clutter so things are usually pretty, darned tidy. What I fail to do is dust often enough and I hate cleaning the oven. :-( I was just in there scrubbing on that stupid stove top a few minutes ago and wanted to cuss that thing! Nothing was working...not the baking soda, not the magic eraser. I am going to have to get out a razor blade and scrape the thing!

Boo
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79284: RIP actor Dennis Hopper
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79285: I think those goats were probably crying on the inside though, Boo. ;)

Good idea about the posse, Boo! Trouble is I think the wife would want us ALL to go then. :)

-Sterling Holobyte
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79286: Doesn't your oven have an edjukaytion, Boo?
Can't it clean itself? We have used that self-cleaning function on ours once or twice and Whew, does that thing get hot and smelly. Like a hot chemical smell. pheww!

-Sterling Holobyte
May 29, 2010 - Msg 79287: I know, Sterling. I used the self-clean option on the oven in the apartment we were staying last year and we had to open all doors and windows and leave for awhile. It was terrible! Smoke filled the whole place...guess that could say something about how dirty I let it get before I finally cleaned it. This oven is supposed to be self-cleaning but I am afraid to try it!

Boo
May 30, 2010 - Msg 79288: Good evening, porch. Family have all gone - preachin' comes early in the morning, so they didn't stay as late as usual. Okay with me, as I'm pretty tired myself. My son did a super job grilling those steaks, though. Yum!

No, Boo, I've never participated in that particular procedure. I wasn't exactly a "farm girl", though we did live in the country. We had chickens, my horse, my brother's pony, a cow, my dog and a barn cat, but no goats, and nothing ever got emasculated, at least not by us. My horse and the pony were geldings when we got them, and I suppose Jose the cat shared the wealth when he could find a lady cat, but we never knew it. At my uncle and aunt's country place, things were a little more earthy, but even then, the kids were pretty much kept out of it. I did witness the delivery of a calf once, which required my uncle reaching in and turning it so it would come out the right way, though. That was pretty cool.

On the subject of ovens - my ovens are "continuous cleaning" - not to be confused with self-cleaning. Theoretically, they never have to be cleaned, just wiped down now and then, and it's pretty much true, at least for the sides, back and top. The floors are another story. They came with a foil-like sheet on the bottom, which was to be replaced as needed. Fine, until I ran out, and learned that obtaining another supply was not something that was going to happen in my lifetime. Conversations with store people produced nothing but blank stares. Letters to manufacturer went unanswered. Phone calls produced more line transfers than a call to the White House. I finally gave up and tried to just use heavy-duty foil. It kinda sorta worked, but not too well, mostly just got all papery and crumbly after a while. It also smelled funny, and made me wonder what it was sending into my food. So my ovens are clean except for their floors, and when the residue gets too deep there, I just scrape off what I can and keep going. I could use Easy-Off or something, but I'm not that bothered about it. By the way, have you tried Easy-Off on your stovetop, or is it not recommended?

Well, I'm off to dreamland. Toye Starr is worn out from playing with my grandsons, though she was a little disappointed that Bentley wasn't with them this time. They came straight here from a baseball tournament, and it would have been too hot for Bentley out there, with his thick fur. She kept looking for him, because he's almost always with them, but finally accepted that he wasn't here, and just played with the kids. Sweet little old thing.

Be blessed, friends. Oh, you should see the dangly earrings I'm wearing right now. They nearly touch my shoulders! Fun! --Romeena

May 30, 2010 - Msg 79289:
Boo- The oven's new! Give it a go!
Also, can you say 'moyle?" haha
RO- Maybe not emasculated, but how about inarculated? ha
Sterling -My prayers are with you buddy!
Preachin tomorrow.
Pleasant Dreams,
MDC
May 30, 2010 - Msg 79290: Well, Ro, I hope I never actually have to emasculate anything/anyone ;-). I do know, however, that I will have to inarculate from time to time.

I am really mad at that stupid stove now. There are these dark areas inside the burner areas that are just not coming off...period. I am going to try some oven cleaner, I guess. Sheesh! I will also get up the nerve to try the self-clean feature soon, MDC.

Ro, I'll bet poor Bentley suffers in the heat if he is outside. It is shaping up to be one heck of a hot summer. Even my aunt in Michigan is complaining about the heat already in May! It has been very hot here the last few days....well, only 5 more months of torrid heat to go!

Boo
May 30, 2010 - Msg 79291: Good afternoon, porch. Home from church, went with a group of friends to Applebee's after services. Good food, good fellowship, very enjoyable. Now I'm home, in my comfies, and thinking how nice a nap would be in a little while.

Yes, Boo, it's very hot, at 93 degrees, and high humidity. Scary to think this is only the beginning. You're right, Bentley would suffer greatly in the heat, but he doesn't often get a chance to find out. He's definitely an indoor dog, no question. He goes outside to potty, and immediately returns to the door. If it's been raining, or if the kids have been playing in the water, someone meets him at the door with a paper towel, and he stands patiently while his feet are dried, one by one. He's such a sweet boy, and he's so good to Toye Starr. They're so funny together, big old poofy, goofy Bentley and tiny, delicate little Starr - the best of friends.

His back yard is tiny, and crowded with a trampoline, swing set, batting cage, grill, kids, you name it. He comes over here and when he gets in my back yard he runs and runs and runs, until he's just exhausted. He circles the yard, cuts across the pond bridge, races between the flower islands, circles again, just runs until he drops. Toye Starr just watches him, with an expression that clearly says, "You big goof, what on earth are you doing that for?? And in this heat, too!" She does the same thing, but indoors and on a much smaller scale. Her race track is just a circle around the coffee table! However, she too will run until she just drops over and lays there, panting. Silly dogs.

Well, that nap is sounding better and better. I hope there's something dull and boring on TV - I'll bet I find something. Any takers? Ha!

Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
May 30, 2010 - Msg 79292: Hey gang!..Busy at work...Race is ON race fans...hey Rev on the road,possum,Boo,hm,Romeena,MDC,Mavis,sterling and all...ok back in a bit...STORMS here....any left overs Maude?...or anybody?...SPOT
May 30, 2010 - Msg 79293: I've got some, Spot. Left over from last night - a couple of steaks and some grilled Vidalia onions. Also have a package of mushrooms. My plan is to saute the mushrooms in some olive oil, add the onions and saute a bit longer, add a bit of steak sauce, then when that's good and hot, dice up the steak and add it, just long enough to warm it but not to cook it any more, because it's already just the say I like it. Should be delish! I've even got some tater salad and some baked beans to go alongside. I love leftovers! There's plenty so come on by.

Boy, that nap was great! I slept nearly all afternoon. Now I suppose I won't be able to sleep tonight, but who cares? I need to get turned around anyway, since I'm supposed to work tomorrow night. However, I called the unit, and the annex side is closed, so maybe the census will be low enough that I'll get canceled. I hope so, because a widowed friend has planned a cookout tomorrow evening, invited the other widows in the SS class. Should be a lot of fun, and I'd love to be there. We'll see.

Got a sprinkling of rain here this evening, and I do mean a sprinkling. I think I could walk between the drops, but some is better than none, I guess.

Be blessed, friends! --Romeena
May 30, 2010 - Msg 79294: That Bentley sounds like such a sweet dog! I know I would like him. We are really lucky to have gotten a great couple of dogs this time around, too. They have the time of their lives running all over these 5 acres and when it gets hot in the afternoon, they are napping on the porches in the shade. So far they are doing well with the heat and never try to get in the house. They always have plenty of water and a pool to get into if they want to. So far they are obedient and friendly, not too hyper and are learning to be watch dogs. They are finally running to the front fence and barking when anyone passes by.

The goats are ever bolder and now run towards any of us that venture outside. Tomorrow they should all be tucked away in their own pasture back near the barn. I can't wait to get them and the donkey put up and clean off the driveway and porches. There are little goat pellets everywhere and that crazy donkey chose one part of the driveway as a place to urinate everyday. I have to hose it down or you can't believe the stench as it cooks there in the hot sun! I am ready to have the animals put up so I can clean up around here. I will visit them and play with them often so they won't be missing anything.

This morning I had a bad headache and my blood pressure was up again; about 160/102 in both arms, on seperate occasions so I took one of Bruces' blood pressure pills and it brought it down but I felt so tired all day. I was feeling better by late afternoon and we went out for a boat ride around 5 with our friends Ronny and Rose, who have a nice motor boat. It was just what I needed! Such a lovely evening for a boat ride...not windy, the water was fairly calm and a lovely sunset. We were out cruising for about 3 hours, set anchor near the beach, the kids swam and we had sandwiches. It was just a perfect evening and exactly what my blood pressure needed. I even saw a dophin swimming near the boat. Some of the time we were going pretty fast and it was like a carnival ride, especially when we got in the wake of some bigger boats. I just loved it! Unfortunately, my friends only take their boat out about 3 times a year. I guess it is alot of trouble pulling out to the water and taking it on and off the trailor. It was sure worth it, though. I got off that boat and felt more relaxed than I have in a very long time. Very ther-uh-pedic, as Barn would say.

Guess I will go lie down for awhile. Ya'll have a nice evening!

Boo
May 31, 2010 - Msg 79295:
BOO_ did you ever build a shaded area for the donkey etc? Poor things must be so hot out there. Maybe set up a mister for them to cool off?
B00- just an idea , but maybe you should ask your
doc about getting an Rx for yourself. I cringe when I hear about people taking others meds.
Just a thought.
I watched the memorial concert on PBS tonight.
Always so good, they even sang the Lord's Prayer!
Very moving when they showed the cemeearies in France, Belgium, Philipines etc. God bless AMERICA! I shall love this land until my last breath, or until the trumpet sounds...
Love ya,
MDC
May 31, 2010 - Msg 79296: I know MDC, I plan on calling my doctor first thing Tuesday morning. In that particular situation, and knowing something about the medicine, I think it was the prudent thing to do but yes, I need my own blood pressure med looks like. Thanks for your concern.

Wish I had seen the memorial concert, MDC. Maybe next year.

Finally got rid of that headache and had the best night of sleep I have had in months. I will feel up to doing some chores today...laundry is getting behind and things need to be cleaned up. You know how it is, when mama takes a day off, there is more to do later. I will have Erin help me, though.

Better finish the coffee and get busy. You all have a lovely Memorial Day. We are having some people over later this evening and grilling hamburgers and making ice cream. Sure wish you could all be here, too.

Boo
May 31, 2010 - Msg 79297: Morning folks. Just got back in from putting my flag up in the front yard and thought I'd check my e-mails (ain't done that in a spell) and found a nice Birthday card from Possum and a letter of concern from Romeena telling me you were all worried about me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause anyone concern. Life just seems to get you down sometimes and thats been the case with me. I didn't want to come here and bring you all down with me. But I will be fine. Just going through a rough patch. I'm sure you have all been there and done that.
Anyway, I hope you all have a blessed abd enjoyable Memorial day.
Thanks for all the concern. You are all good friends.

Asa
May 31, 2010 - Msg 79298: Good morning, porch! It's beautiful here, but hot. And the pond filter is, of course, clogged yet again. I guess I will fight algae to the end of my days. So, in a minute, I'll brave the heat and go clean it out, and then likely will find myself pulling "just this little patch of weeds" and will stay out there until I have spots before my eyes. I have no sense.

I'm scheduled to work tonight, but I just talked to the day shift charge nurse, and it looks like there's a fair chance I can get cancellation. I hope so, would love to go to my friend's house for hotdogs and burgers. Just us "widder ladies" from the SS class will be there, and we do have a lot of fun together.

Friends, Asa is indeed going through a "rough patch", and he needs our prayers. We don't need the specifics, God knows what they are - we just need to pray for him and his family, that God will strengthen, heal and encourage them. He's a good man!

Boo, my guess is that the headache was related to your blood pressure, and when the pressure was knocked down a bit, the headache went away, but of course, you know this. Girl, get thee to a physician! How can you expect Bruce to take care of himself if you're not going to practice what you preach?

I wonder if anybody else has the same experience with your dog that I've had with the Plum, and now with Toye Starr. You know that ASPCA commercial on TV, the one where Sarah McLachlan sings, and there are a couple of others that are similar? The commercial is heartbreaking, and brings tears to my eyes anytime I watch it. It seems to affect dogs the same way - at least the ones I've seen. The Plum would growl and whine whenever the first notes of the piano sounded, before the singer even started. She would look at me with her big old brown eyes, and just look so troubled! That didn't surprise me much, because she was a very "in tune" little dog, always seemed to understand when someone was hurting. Not surprising, I guess, because she had suffered some losses in her little life. First Dale, whom she adored, then my mom, and later my dad, and she loved both of them dearly as well. So she had known sadness. However, now Toye Starr reacts in exactly the same way, and she's never known a down moment in her life, the spoiled little thing. Sugarplum used to watch TV with me - really watch it - but would growl and avert her eyes when the pitiful images of abused animals were on the screen. Starr isn't much for watching TV at all, she just mostly ignores it, but she surely does react to those commercials. Has anybody else had that experience?

Well, guess I'll go outside and clear that filter. The filter fairy apparently isn't coming today. Be blessed, friends. --Romeena