February 15, 2011 - Msg 82675: Sounds like a good idea Joe came up with. Sure hope it works, Ro.

Bruce is still puny but doing better than yesterday. I think I have a milder version of his cold..some aches and a little stuffiness but still did lots of work around here today and am doing ok.

Beautiful day here today! It was in the 70's and we all felt like it was a heat wave. I actually ended up turning on the A/C because the humidity was making it feel too warm in the house. It must sound really crazy to you northern folks, but here in Texas, we run the A/C off and on throughout the winter and all the time in the summer.

POSSUM, if you're out there...I posted a video for you on youtube of James Taylor's son singing...I think he is really good. Take a look at it if you have the time.

Think I will go tuck Erin into bed and tell her a story.

Much Love,
Julie
February 15, 2011 - Msg 82676: SA-WEEEP!
February 15, 2011 - Msg 82677: Sorry...I meant "Boo" not Julie.
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82678: Thank you, Boo! I just saw your post at FB! Ben is great-sounds like his dad when he was younger.

Good sweep,by the way!

Spot?? We want breakfast! Cook something!
*******************
possum under a rock
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82679: Oh, and one more thing..

Happy Birthday Pappa Bear!

possum again
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82680: Morning porch, stopping by for a quick rock before work starts.

porch looks nioe and clean this morning, thanks for the sweep Boo.

Breakfast menu will be: scambled eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, toast, english muffins, apple, grape strawberry jelly, grapefruit, hot and fresh Krispey Kremes, strawberries, grapes. coffee, tea, chocolate milk.

gotta get to work.

Prayers and blessings to all.
Big Maude
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82681: Happy Birthday to Pappa Bear.

Feeling a bit under the weather this morning..guess I have a touch of the bug that has been going around here. Maybe this is as bad as it will get...that would be great.

Better get Erin off to school.

You're welcome, Possum. :-)

Boo
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82682:
Morning porch family.....nice day here in SC.

Boo...pray you get feeling better.

Maude....thanks for breakfast.

Update on my dad.....he's doing a lot better but still some pain from the surgery which is expected. The good news is they got it all and he will NOT have to take any treatments. Praise the Lord....thank you all for the prayers!

Heading out now to go see him. Hope he gets home by the end of the week.

Love and prayers for you all....and I truly mean that!
-REV.
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82683:
Good Morning Porch! Happy Birthday PappaBear, aka Colt, Pipeman,and Buckeye! ha So which one of you has the birthday? ha
Good sweep Boo!
Thanks for the vittles Maude.
Rev, Spot, MD --daytona coming up!
Have a great day,
Prayers,
MDC
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82684:
Rev, thanks for those sentiments!
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82685: Well, praise the Lord! REV, that's just great news about your dad. I'll be sure to pass it along to my SS class. We are careful to share the praises as well as the prayer requests.

It's cloudy and damp, but warm and balmy here today. A good "recovery day" for freeze-damaged plants. My tulips are peeking through the ground, so far I see about half of what I planted, but the others may show up yet. They could have been planted a bit deeper. Of course, it's also possible that they were a squirrel's lunch.

There are at least fifty redwing blackbirds trying to crowd into my biggest birdbath. I just cleaned it out and refilled it, and they're loving it! They've just about splashed all the water out, but no problem. It's hooked up to one of the sprinkler zones, so I can refill it with the touch of a button.

I'm watching a squirrel burying a pecan in my rose island. It will sprout, and by the time it has a crown above ground, it will have a two-foot root below, and will be impossible to pull up! I'd go out there now and dig it up, but I know I'd never find the spot where he buried it, even though I watched him do it. When they bury something, they leave the surface looking like nothing ever happened there. How do they DO that??

I'm still upset about my poor beautiful fish. I just can't stand to think that he was lying out there on that walkway dying, and I never knew it. I wasn't home on Sunday. If I had been, maybe I'd have seen him in time. Sure makes me sad. He was such a beautiful creature.

Well, gotta run. I have an appointment with the ophthalmologist, just a routine checkup. My vision is perfect, thanks to my lens implants, but I still have to get checkups because of my diabetes. There's never a problem, but I take no chances.

Blessings, friends! See you later --Romeena
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82686:
Speaking of eyes, Rev did you ever get a second opinion on yours?
RO- sounds beautiful there. So sorry about your fish.
Do you have a line going right up to your birdbath? Sounds like a neat idea, ours always builds up algae.
Back to work for me.
MDC
"Tick a Lock" (:
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82687: afternoon porch, finally a beautiful sunny and warmer day on my end of the porch, about 61 degrees! my last 2 clients of the day have canceled their appointments so I think I will sneak out early, go home and enjoy the sunshine!

Happy Birthday to Pappa Bear!
Great News Rev! will pray for a speedy recovery.
everyone have a great afternoon.

Big Maude
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82688: Just popped back in with Pappa Bear's birthday cake (keep your paws off of it Spot! Pappa Bear gets the first piece!) and a few presents for him. Hope nobody else got him a celluloid Kewpie doll or a necktie with acorns on it.

Wonderful news about Daddy Rev!

Ro, hope you're beginning to feel better- sorry about what happened with your fish.


Y'all take care!
************
possum again
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82689: "She's already been plighted!"
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82690: Good evening, porch. Yes, MDC, Joe put in a line that feeds the birdbath, and there's another one that runs directly into the pond. They're on Zone 1, which waters the main flower island. When that zone is on, water is also running into the birdbath and the pond. They're those little skinny lines, smaller than a pencil, so not too much water is delivered at a time. It's almost enough to keep the pond topped off to compensate for evaporation, but I still have to add water now and then in really hot weather. It usually overfills the birdbath, but I have potted plants sitting around it, so they catch the runoff. We have tried hard to create a symbiotic atmosphere out there, and mostly, it works. There's a small break in the plan right now, though. Two little girl squirrels are competing for the same nest box, and the battles get pretty spirited. There are three boxes out there, and all three are occupied, but there are four squirrels. One particular box is in dispute. Maybe I'll get Ted to build me another one, and put it on the fourth tree, which has no box. Now there's an idea.

About the algae in the birdbath - that's a constant problem. Some people put bleach in the water to keep the algae out, but I do believe that would be very harmful to the birds. The algae is harmless, just unsightly. Scrubbing it out usually doesn't work too well, but I can tell you what does. You may already know, but I discovered it a couple of years ago by accident. Just empty the water out on a hot day, preferably late in the evening when the birds have gone in for the night. The birdbath will dry out, then let it sit in the sun the next day for a few hours, dry. The algae will dry up, crack and curl up. You can then hit it with a blast from the "jet" setting on your hose nozzle, and it will wash clean as a whistle. Refill, and you're good to go. The heavier the algae, the better this works.

My pansies really took a hit from the freeze, as did my verbena. The "blooms" I was bragging about a few days ago were actually freeze-dried! They looked good from the house, but promptly fell off, and there's not much left. I'm going to shear all the plants almost to the ground, and hope they come back. I think they will. My chrysanthemums are all brown and dried up too, but I know I can shear them and they'll return. I checked out my little Satomi dogwood out front this morning, and I think it's fine. The smallest twigs are still supple, not dry, so I fully expect it to leaf out. Sure do hope so. I scoured the country to find that little tree, finally located it in Washington state, and had it shipped to me. It has grown about a foot since we planted it two years ago, and I expect it to do much more growing this year. It should have a good root system established by now. The Satomi is a really beautiful dogwood, with pink blooms, deep green glossy foliage, that turns scarlet in the fall, and then red fruit is left on the tree after the leaves fall. Something interesting for every season! This little tree was planted to replace the mountain laurel I had brought from San Antonio in a coffee can when we moved here. I raised it from a sprout, into a twelve-foot tree that bloomed beautifully every spring, but suddenly just died, for no apparent reason. The best explanation I got was that they are a short-lived tree and it was over 30 years old, so that might have been the cause. Anyway, they grow so slowly I didn't want to try another one, so took a chance on the Satomi. I hope I'll get to see it into maturity.

Saw the eye doc today - eyes are fine, no sign at all of diabetic effects. I don't expect any, because I keep my sugar under tight control, but still, I do see the doc every year or so.

Well, guess I'll go eat my sandwich. I love Schlotzsky's sandwiches, but there isn't a store near my house. There is, however, one near the eye doc, so I stopped there and got one for my supper. Good sandwich!! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82691: That is just great about your eyes, Romeena! You must be doing a great job controlling your blood sugar. :-) BTW, I love Schlotzsky's too. Seldom get them because I have to go to Corpus but they are my favorite semi-fast food.

So tired tonight..think I will crawl into bed early and read some of my bible before falling asleep. You all have a peaceful night...sweet dreams, Mayberry.

Boo
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82692:
Howdy porch family....thanks for all the well wishes and prayers for my dad. He had a great day today. Maybe coming home by Friday.

Ro....please tell your SS class "thank you" so much and look forward to seeing some of them next year!

Yep MDC....Daytona should be a good one.

Question to all race fans: When they say the famous words "Gentlemen, start your engines"....when will Danica Patrick start her engine?:) lol

Also MDC...I did talk to my dads eye dr who is a MD. He did my dad's eye surgery last year. He told me he would take me in but he told me that if I had high pressure and the drops have brought it down that fast to the level that they are now he would not change anything. He told me a number of people are on the same drops for the same thing. He asked me who I was seeing and as soon as I told him the name he said that he was a very good dr. I go back next week and hopefully it's even lower. If it is they are going to try and fit me for contacts. I'm hoping I can go with contacts but we'll find out.

Well the new cd is coming along great. I'll post the song titles in a few weeks and you guys can give me your thoughts again this on a CD title.

Well I better get busy answering all these emails before I go to bed.

You all have a great night.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
February 16, 2011 - Msg 82693:
Rev- glad to hear that you had the peepers checked out. I feel better now. You're no spring
chicken ya know! ha
A while back when a female raced in the Indy 500, they just said "Lady and Gentlmen..."
So we'll see. ha
Ro, sounds like you have the yard thing down pat.
Like barney's bullet maintenance. Thanks for the algae tip, best sheriff this town has ever had! (:
Night all,
MDC
February 17, 2011 - Msg 82694:
Hello McFly....anybody home? ha
Well, I put the porch to rest last night and I guess I get to wake it up this morning!
Have a good day all,
MDC
February 17, 2011 - Msg 82695: Hey MDC! Wonder where everybody is??

*******************
possum under a rock
February 17, 2011 - Msg 82696: Well, I finally showed up. Been pretty quiet on the porch the last couple of days.

Been catching up on the daily chores and watched a little TV while eating my lunch (pimento cheese sandwich...not great but was easy) and a cup of coffee. I watched a new show on TLC called "One Born Every Minute" (a reality show showing people in labor and deliver). I was interested in it since I worked L&D for 13 years. I see that nothing has changed in the way labor nurses do their job but I was kind of dissapointed by the lack of professional behavior I saw in the nurses, especially the younger ones. I thought they said some pretty unacceptable things and just lacked that professional way about them. I feel like patients feel more confident in their nurses ability if the nurse is caring but professional. I don't really miss the job because of many of the problems that Ro has mentioned that she deals with at work but sometimes I miss caring for the patients and helping bring babies into the world. I have another job now, though, and it is full time! :-)

Speaking of...things to do.

Boo
February 17, 2011 - Msg 82697:
Hello porch family....it is so nice today here in SC. Me and Jake went for a long walk and about half into it, he started jumping up on my leg trying to get me to carry him. Spoiled little stinker:)

Yep it's slow here today in Mayberry....let's go by the jail and see if we can catch Barney taking a nap. We can hide his shoes......but beware, he gets kinda touchy about that.

Have a Jesus filled day!
-REV.
February 17, 2011 - Msg 82698: Wish I could have walked with you and Jake, REV. I'm glad we are porch buddies but it sure would be nice to visit face to face sometimes, wouldn't it? Some day we will all walk together in the light of God's love. :-)

Such a nice day here in south texas...breezy and just right. Not hot or cold. I think I will have to spend a little porch time this evening and will think of all of you, as usual. I will sing a chorus of Church in the Wildwood in honor of the porch...listen closely tonight and see if you can hear it.

SPOT, are you watching American Idol this season? I am really enjoying it with the new judges. Jennifer Lopez takes the job very seriously and is very profession but pleasant. Steven Tyler is really good, too. I love that none of the judges is really rude to the contestants like Simon Cowell was. There is a young man with Tourette's Sydrome that has made it this far and he is very, very good. We are rootin' for him to win, of course!

Better go get started on dinner. Bruce went to work today but still sounded like he fest bad so am cooking his favorite dinner...chicken fried steak, mashed taters, and asparagus.

Boo

"TATERS!!"
February 17, 2011 - Msg 82699: Good evening, porch. I'm about to load Toye Starr into the car and head out to David and Brittney's house, to spend the night out there with Eloise and the boys. D&B are out of town until Sunday, and we're kid-sitting. Tomorrow after school, we'll bring the boys and the dog back here for the rest of the weekend. Should be fun.

It's warm and pleasant here too, Boo. I had to go to a unit conference at the hospital (I can't get away from that place, no matter what I do, it seems.) Sure shot the afternoon. Oh well.

REV, my guess is that Jake convinced you and you carried him home. Am I right? Sure he's spoiled - and why not? As cute as he is, it would be hard not to spoil him. Of course, I'd spoil a badger if it was friendly, I guess. Animals just hit my soft spots, every time.

I've got to get out of this chair and get going. My ribs and surrounding muscle tissues are hurting, jumping, cramping, crawling, whatever. The last steroid shot did absolutely nothing. I am so tired of this. There just has to be an answer.

Well, off I go. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
February 17, 2011 - Msg 82700:
Howdy porch family.

Ro...how did you guess that? Of course I picked him up...lol

Boo...you are so right....one day we'll all get to meet and in a place even better than Mayberry:) Until then we'll just have to be porch families.

You all have a good night and sweet dreams!
Love and prayers
-REV.
February 17, 2011 - Msg 82701: Real name huh "J"..funny...ok...great weather in Ga...put out tons of pinestraw and chips....anybody got any leftover supper?....SPOT
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82702: Morning porch, TGIF! ready for a restful weekend. Mr. Maude and I are going to dinner tonight with some friends, looking forward to that.

Please pray for my sweet young neighbot today. She is having a diagnostic mammogram and of course she is very nervous about it. She has a gentle sweet spirit, a kind christian Mom who home schools her 10 year old daugther. Thanks!

Breakfast menu will be: egg sandwhiches with bacon or sausage, fresh fruit, coffee or tea, chocolate or white milk to drink. someone bring a paper please.

Prayers and blessings to all today.

Big Maude
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82703: Have fun with Eloise and the kiddos, Ro. Sorry about your ribs! BTW, would you like a couple of big, black slobbering dogs to spoil? hehe...can you just see the look on Toye's face if you brought these two lumbering half-wits home? I let them roam the property yesterday and kept an eye on them. They behaved very well and didn't attempt to escape. Of course I called them to the door about every hour and gave them a treat. They are some HIGH energy dogs, I'm telling you. They act like dog wrestlers all the time. They play rough but never hurt each other..so funny to see them standing there with their "arms" locked around each other, snarling, and then the wrestling begins. It's really quite a show. They get up covered in drool and sand and I can tell they are smiling BIG smiles. Crazy animals.

Better get Erin to school. I'm tired this morning...went to bed too late. Yesterday was I was cleaning the bedroom, I switched out the tubing and head harness to Bruce's CPAP machine since he had been sick and I threw out the old one, which got taken all the way out to the street with the rest of the trash in the big trash container to be picked up in the morning. Well, Bruce was whining and having a baby fit because the new harness just didn't feel right and why did I throw away the old one? (he has hoarding tendencies!)...so there I was late at night, with the flashlight, digging the old harness out of the trash in my robe! He tried to help but I wanted to throw the thing at him when i found it. If there was ever a man who hates change, it's Bruce! I'm taking a nap today.

Boo
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82704: Boo, how funny to think about you outside, in the dark with a flashlight, in your robe going through the trash looking for that harness. Reminded me of Andy,Barney and Aunt Bee digging through the trash to find copies of Opies newspaper! You deserve that nap!
Big Maude
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82705: Thanks Maude! :-)

Boo
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82706: Oh, and prayers for your neighbor, Maude.

Possum, got good news that Jubi's biopsy was negative...it was just a fibroid cyst.

Boo
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82707: Oh my gosh,Boo- I just came to the Porch specifically to ask about Jubi! Wonderful news!! Whoo hoo!
God Bless her-thanks for keeping me posted.

Hey to Maude- will be praying for your neighbor.

Y'all have a good day- Jubi's news just made mine!

*******************
possum under a rock
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82708:
Morning porch family.....You all have a Jesus filled day!
Love and prayers
-REV.
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82709:
"Tsk, tsk, who would subscribe to a magazine like THIS? BARNEY!?!" (:
Quoteman
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82710:
Hmmm, not who is that Quoteman? ha
Hope you are all having a good day.
I have a busy long weekend coming up,
but will try to check in,
God bless,
MDC
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82711: I know, Possum. I was very relieved to read that Jubi was ok. Thank you for your prayers for her. :-)

Well, I am on my way to pick up my nephew's dog (Emily's dad) to take her to the vet to be put to sleep. She is the black lab we used to have when we were living at my parent's..she was a stray that we started feeding. She is only about 6 years old but she had a bad case of heartworms that we treated and she was fine for a few years but it seems to have damaged her heart and she went into congestive heart failure. She has been doing fairly well on meds the last couple of months but has really taken a downhill turn and now has no quality of life. Matt and Amy are really upset about it because they love the dog (Leah). I offered to take her in my Yukon and the vet is just going to come out and give her drugs to euthanize her so she won't have to go in and be stressed. Bruce will bury her here on our place with the other animals that have been buried out here. Since we have a tractor and alot of space, this is where they end up, which is fine with me. Please say a little prayer for Matt and Amy today. I know this is hard for them. Thanks.

Boo
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82712: Thanks for b-fast Maude!..got a crock pot roast for supper!....yall can pitch in what yall want to go with it....SPOT
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82713:
Spot....Me and the wife will bring mashed taters, greenbean and cornbread to add to the pot roast.
-REV.
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82714: Good evening, porch! Great news about Jubi - so glad to hear that. Prayers for your little neighbor friend, Maude. I'm glad she has you for a neighbor - someone to encourage her. Boo, I wouldn't know much about men and baby fits and such. My Dale was the opposite and trust me, that can be just as bad. He could be sick as a dog and would say nothing, just a lot of snuffling and such, but no complaint. Try to get him to a doctor - you'd have as much luck leading a mule INTO a burning barn. He was in full blown pneumonia once and still insisting it was "just a little cold." I still wonder sometimes if he had any warning about that brain-stem bleed that killed him. He would not have mentioned it if he did. If I ever learn that he did have some warning and didn't do anything about it, when I get to heaven I'm going to walk up to him and kick him in the shins! Men!

I've been out at the kids' house with Eloise and the boys since yesterday afternoon, just got home. Eloise has the boys with her tonight, and I've got Bentley. Tomorrow morning we're going to Hudson's game, then will probably take the boys to Crystal's for pizza afterward. I'll have Bentley until Sunday evening. Believe me, I've got the easiest job, but Eloise can handle the boys. She's a little more patient with them than I am, but when she's had enough, she lets it fly, and they settle down.

Too bad about poor Leah, but Matt and Amy have made the most loving choice. Those heartworms are really bad news. I asked Dr. Mike once if I really needed to give Toye Starr the preventive medication, since she stays in the house and I don't allow mosquitoes in here. If one gets in and I see it, I'll stay up all night if I have to, until I kill it. I hate the miserable things. Dr. Mike asked if I might ever miss one. Of course, I said yes. He said, "All it takes is one, if it's the right one, and she's got heartworms." That did it - she gets the med. The dog next door died of heartworm, so I know the mosquitoes in the area are infected.

Well, better go feed my little friends. They have played all day, and are now flopped out on the living room floor, back to back, snoozing. Too cute! Blessings, friends! --Romeena
February 18, 2011 - Msg 82715:
Boo....sorry to hear about Leah. That's so sad. As Ro said, heartworms are bad news. Jake gets his meds every month. Some people don't give them in the winter but we do it year round. Heartworm pill and flea pill each month.

Well gang I'm heading to bed. Speaking of Jake, he's already snoozing laying here in my lap....he's in lala land. When I get up, I'll just pick him up and he hardly moves at all. Boy do I love that little rat:)

Have a good night and a Jesus filled day tomorrow.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
February 19, 2011 - Msg 82716: Oh my goodness, REV, can I ever identify with that. Sometimes Toye Starr falls asleep in my lap and is in such deep slumber that she's like a rag doll. I carry the limp little thing to the bedroom and put her on the bed and she barely moves. She may root just a bit deeper into the pillows at times, but usually she just stays where I put her. I get in and get settled, then pull her over close to me and again she barely stirs. Boy, it's so easy to fall asleep with that soft, warm little thing cuddled up close, so relaxed. Just lulls me right off to sleep. I don't know what I'd do without her sweet little presence around here. As someone said, and I wish I could remember who it was - she's another heartbeat in the house. For someone in my circumstances, that's priceless.

Blessings, everyone. Have a restful night. --Romeena
February 19, 2011 - Msg 82717: Dr. Mike is right, all it takes is one mosquito. I also found out that some heartworm prevention is better than others. After leah was treated and rid of them, I only gave her the oral prevention because it is more sure-fire. Right now I am giving my dogs the kind that goes on the skin on their backs and is heartworm and flea in one but I think when it is gone, I am going to start giving the oral heartworm prevention. They are outside all the time and I have to be sure. I would really hate to see another dog go through what poor Leah went through.

I have to brag a little on my vet..again. ;-) I just love these people at this old country vet's office. It is even out in the country and a very modest building, barn for keeping livestock and kennel for a few dogs. What's funny is they always have a few strays that they have adopted lying around on the front porch. People like to drop dogs off there in the middle of the night from time to time and of course, they take care of them. Anyway, when I took Leah to be eunthanized, I had put her and her blanket in the back of my Yukon, because she is familiar with it and not afraid. The vet came out to the Yukon and administered the meds so that the dog wasn't traumatized by being drug into the clinic. She was relaxed and I just rubbed her head and talked sweet to her and the vet quickly found the veing, pushed in the meds and the dog was gone in seconds...very peaceful. I followed him back into the clinic to pay the fee and he said, "no charge". How sweet is that? I know the meds they administer are not cheap but he didn't charge for them. Those country vets aren't in it just to make money, that's for sure. The vet who started the clinic years ago hired another vet to help him a few years ago and that vet was charging his patients too much so ge got rid of him and hired a husband/wife team of vets to work with him. They seem to have the same philosophy as old Doc Floerke and keep their fees low. They have been such a blessing.

Well, speaking of critters, I have a goat that I think might have foot rot and I have to go trim her hooves and apply a fungicide to the hooves and let me tell you, it is no picnic getting a goat's hooves trimmed! I don't know how Homemaker and her crew do it with 50 goats!

As Aunt Bee would say, I had better "Get to it (snap)!".

Boo
February 19, 2011 - Msg 82718: Where is everyone?...Its now several hours later and I have something to say but don't want to hog the porch with my comments! ha

I can't wait to share this answer to prayer with you, though. Just to refresh your memory...you all remember what we went through when my dear friend Karen died; how you all prayed for her children, especially her son, Zach. He was 12 or 13 at the time and I went through such heartache trying to help him through the loss of his mother. I shared the struggle with you and you prayed. I talked to you about how Zach didn't feel like he could find God or believe in Him and he wanted to so badly because he wanted to see his mother again. We went through rough nights, plenty of worries, prayers. I shared it with all of you and you kept praying. One other thing, when Zach was about 6, I knew that he would be called into the ministry. I believe the Lord put that on my heart, that Zach's dad had been called and wouldn't answer that call and that God would call Zach. I shared that with his mom years ago and I have been waiting. I think I shared with you all about a year ago that Zach had begun going to another church and had been saved and finally, finally born again and knew God was real. He has been serving in his church and doing so well. He had been talking about going into the medical field when he graduated (he is about to turn 17 now) and I just held my tongue and waited to see what God would do. Well, Zach came over tonight and he had been to his great-grandfather's funeral today. The man was 98 when he died and Zach led him to the Lord a few days before he passed. I looked at Zach and finally said, "Well, you are going into the ministry, aren't you?". He said that God had called him and that he had surrendered to that call just this week and has decided to go into the ministry and attend seminary when he graduates. Then he went on to tell me about the bible study he has been teaching to his baseball team. He decided to meet with them prior to their games and share the Word with them. That kid is so on fire, it is just great. I couldn't help but break down right there and cry like a baby. It was such a relief and such a joy after all we have been through. Remember, Zach is the boy that had threatened suicide 2 years ago and has had such emotional turmoil. I am so very thankful. Rejoice with me! We prayed and God heard! Love you all!

Boo
February 19, 2011 - Msg 82719:
Just got back from a day out with my wifey. Also my dad came home today. He's doing great.

Boo....yes I rejoice with you about Zach! That's wonderful!

Ro...I like that saying...."another heartbeat in the house". That's a good way to put it.

Race Fans.....the big race tomorrow

Well folks I have a concert in the morning so I better get ready for bed. Night to all and have a great worship day.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82720: Thanks, REV! My prayers going up for you concerning the concert in the morning.

Boo
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82721: Boo, that's absolutely wonderful news! What an answer to prayer. God does it, all in His good time. One thought - it would not be outside the realm of possibility that God would call him into both medicine and ministry. There are many ways the two can be combined. As I said - just a thought.

I spoke with my brother and SIL today, and they just learned that the baby their son and his wife were expecting has not grown in two weeks, and there is no heartbeat to be found, in serial sonograms. She was thought to be 16 weeks along by date, but apparently the baby died at about 14 weeks. Needless to say, they're all devastated. They'll get over it, but right now, it's rough.

Yes, REV, I really like that saying too. Wish I could remember who said it to me, but I can't. For me, it really does apply. I learned just how much that "other heartbeat" means during that miserable three months after I lost the Plum and before I got Toye Starr. It seemed like my very thoughts just echoed in this empty house. I still miss my little Plum so much, seems like she should be curled up here under my desk, but Toye Starr has created her own place, and I love her dearly. Sweet little old thing, such a gentle little spirit - so much like the Plum in so many ways, but still has her own personality. I think Sugarplum chose her and sent her to me.

Well, got to get to bed. That 8:15 service comes early in the morning. Lets me get home early, though, and that will be important tomorrow, since I have to work tomorrow night. I will definitely need a good nap. I'm just glad the full moon is waning, maybe all the bats will have retreated by tomorrow night.

Prayers for your concert, REV. Blessings! --Romeena
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82722: I don't know, Ro, once in awhile I like to see a bat...
- Hazel
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82723: Hahahaha! Me too, Hazel. A real one, that is. --Romeena
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82724:
Good Sabbath to all. Boo--wonderful news about Zach!! I often think of St Paul in such situations, and how God worked a 180 on his life! May I ask prayer for a former co-worker named Christina.
She got several DUIs recently, got let go from her job, then tried to take her life. Her life has been very complicated from the get-go. She is better now and going to AA but really needs good, strong direction, as in the LORD.
Please keep her in your prayers for that. Thanks.
Cold and rainy here today. It may reach TX in a day or so.
I heard a cute little joke yesterday: Do you know what Hawaiians call the ocean? Ahlada Wata. ha
Hope you all have a good day.
MDC
"And the bobbie here is quite right, I do deserve a good dressing down." (:
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82725:
Hello porch family.....the concert went great this morning. Thanks for your prayers!

Ro....yep...they all have their special place and I'm sure Plum would be a proud big brother to Starr.

MDC....prayers for Christina that she would completely give her life to our LORD.

Good race today and was really proud to see that young kid win it. A good Christian young man and he's not ashame of it.

You all have a good night.....bless you all!
Love and prayers for all my porch family
-REV.
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82726: Hey gang..great Daytona 500 today!Contrats 20 yr old Trevor Bayne!..hey Rev,possum,Romeena,MDC,hazel,Lucy,Boo and all...at work all night keeping the Church Lights on...off the next 3 days...have so far put over 60 bails of pine straw down at the dog house...eill have to get about 30 or so more...making new islands...Looking different!will have to get Romeena some pics for the Album...Ro I have not sent any lately..we all need to get back to sending them...I dont even know if I got the web site I will have to go look..ok...has anybody got any left over Sunday dinner?...SPOT
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82727: Sugarplum is a girl, REV...so, proud big sister. :-) Glad the concert went well.

Prayers for Christina.

Hey to SPOT.

Boo
February 20, 2011 - Msg 82728:
OK Boo....so I got it mixed up....you don't have to show off your smarts to me...lol Maybe I was just trying to see if you were paying attention to my post:)

Spot....hope you have a easy night there at work.

Love and prayers for all.....even you too Boo..lol
-REV.
February 21, 2011 - Msg 82729:
Rev, Spot, MD- do I understand that there are more new rules this yeaer regarding the point system? Man, it's hard to keep up! Way to go Bayne.
Thanks for the prayers for Christina. Forgot to mention that she has a young son. Her family is now caring for him.
Well, have a good evening.
MDC
February 21, 2011 - Msg 82730: I always pay attention to your posts, REV....well, almost always... I don't have alot of smarts but I learned pretty early how to tell the difference between a boy and a girl. ;-)

My poor Erin is sick with a virus..got a fever, cough and aches. Hope she can sleep tonight because I am tired. Had a good Sunday, though. It was a nice, sunny day here in south texas and we enjoyed the day. I went to the home store and looked at some potential plants for our landscaping. Have not bought anything yet, though. There are certain things I know I want..jasmine, for one, and red petunias and geraniums, and a crepe myrtle tree and whatever Bruce likes, I guess.

Think I will head to bed. Hope you all have a good night.

Boo
February 21, 2011 - Msg 82731: Ro, I am thinking of trying some rose bushes in the back by my bedroom window but I have heard they take more care than some other plants. I wouldn't know what to get so I am going to have to do some reading up on roses. I like the idea of having roses that I can clip and put in a vase in the house now and then.

Boo
February 21, 2011 - Msg 82732:
Good morning porch family

MDC...they are changing rules so fast that even the drivers can't keep up with them.

Boo....prayers that Erin is feeling better.

Nice day here today but a little windy.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
February 21, 2011 - Msg 82733: Thanks, REV. She slept through the night.

It is windy here, too. We have a strong southeast wind but it is supposed to change tomorrow and get cooler, I think.

Hope you all have a great morning.

Boo
February 21, 2011 - Msg 82734: Good afternoon, porch. Just got up, getting ready for work, but wanted to stop by and say howdy.

Boo, roses don't have to be a lot of trouble. A few simple rules - they like a lot of sun, but in your area and mine, they don't mind a bit of protection for the worst of the afternoon sun. They don't like wet feet. This can be remedied by planting them in a raised bed. That doesn't mean you have to build a frame or anything, just pile the soil and compost up in a mound in the bed and plant the bushes in the highest part. I'm guessing your soil is very sandy, and percolates well, so drainage is probably not a problem for you. When planting, dig the hold, make a mound of soil in the bottom, and spread the roots out over the mound, then backfill. Don't bury the crown, the area where the branches start to jut out from the middle. One hint, buy "own root" roses if you can, and avoid grafts. Sometimes to get what you want, you have to buy a grafted plant, but the "own root" plants will perform better over time. In the spring, watch out for aphids. You can spray them if you must, but I buy ladybugs and release them in the bushes, and the aphids are history. My favorite online sites to buy from are waysidegardens.com and jacksonperkins.com. Both have beautiful stock, and are reliable. Decide what size bushes you want, and the sites will have divisions where you can shop by size. Two of my favorite performers right now are "Angel Face" and "Cinco de Mayo". Both are floribundas (one snip of a branch and you have a bouquet) and both are highly fragrant, very beautiful. They're compact, about 3' by 3', and disease resistant. Lovely!

Well, gotta run. I could rattle on about roses all day, and don't even get me started on irises. Have a great evening, everyone. One more night at work, then I'm off until Thursday. Blessings! --Romeena
February 21, 2011 - Msg 82735: Er, that's "dig the hole", not "hold", up there. Oh, and Boo, you can often find some very nice specimens at your local Lowe's. Of course private garden centers offer nice ones as well, but many don't bother with roses because they take up too much real estate for a relatively small return. They can't charge as much for a rose bush as they do for a flat of bloomers, usually - people want more immediate bang for their buck. --Romeena
February 22, 2011 - Msg 82736: thanks for all the birthday wishes. mdc- i'll check with my shrink to see who i am today. ha. good morning to everyone. we have had so much snow now rain that the rivers are about out of their banks. meyers lake has overflowed into kelseys woods. now i can sit on my front porch and ice fish. ha. flowers to plant and rose bushes etc keep going up i may have to go to the mayberry bank for a loan. we set our clocks ahead on march 13th. spring on the 20th of march. and of course st patty day. does that mean on the 20th the birds are singing and its 72 degrees/ the yards need mowed/ hope everyone has a great day. pappa bear
February 22, 2011 - Msg 82737:
Good day all. it's back to work today.
Pappa-good hearing from you, and keep those letters coming, if your mailman will attempt to go thru the snow to pick them up, that is! ha
Looks like we need to put out an APB for porchsters these days.
Hello Porchsters!, plenty of Hot Chocolate and lap blankets if ya wannna set and jaw a while.
have a good day,
Prayers,
MDC
February 22, 2011 - Msg 82738: Good Afternoon Porch!
Life is still quite insane around here. Everyone's fine, Romeena, and sorry about the cryptic message I last wrote. My stepdaughter moved in on January 21st after telling us of abuse. We had to get a restraining order against her mother, but the judge dismissed the order. I have been spending a lot of time working on the custody case, which is on March 10th, Nick's birthday. I guess it will be a good birthday if the judge grants us sole custody and child support. Sometimes it seems like we're just a bunch of rednecks when I type it all out, but we're not! :0)
PappaBear- Happy Belated Birthday! I hope you had a good one! Have fun ice fishing, haha. It's warm here and the birds are already chirping. I'll meet ya at the Mayberry bank. If Asa's guarding the bank then maybe we can sneak and do a bank job. haha
MDC- I was just saying the same thing about the APB! I was thinking of kygirl, Emma, Sterling, Goober, DES, just the other day.
Romeena- Sounds like you're having fun with the granddog.
Big Maude- How's your Mama doing after her loss?
Hazel- You need to post more often!
Tom- A poem would be nice about now, please.
Boo- I'm sorry about Leah. I don't remember Opie ever having a dog. There's the episode with all of the dogs and he mentions a dog in the first episode, but Opie not having one in particular throughout the show.
Rev- I'm so glad to hear good news about your Pa!
Spot- Are you enjoying this nice weather?
Well, I guess lunch break is over. Poor Bryson has to get back to school work. I need Miss Crump to do this for me!
Y'all take care now, ya hear?!
Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy
(Boo I almost posted my name too!)
February 22, 2011 - Msg 82739:
Hello porch family.....been outside doing some yard work. Near 80 today and loving it. Had to trim some trees that were rubbing the motorhome when I pulled it into my drive. And then of course my wifey came out and said..."Since you have the tools out would you........."

Also wanted to let you all know I went back today to the eye dr and the pressure continues to come down. He was very happy with it today. Thanks for your prayers.....ya'll are the best!

Pappa Bear...so good to see ya in your rocker.

Lucy....praying for your situation concerning your stepdaughter. I know that's weighing heavy on you.

MDC...you ready for the NASCAR boys to invade your area this weekend?

Well we are having tacos here tonight....ya'll come on over.

Love and prayers!
-REV.

February 23, 2011 - Msg 82740:
Boy, it's as quiet here as the air just before Ernest T throws a rock! ha
Rev- you bet, lots od enthusiasm, but now they say we may have rain! Glad you had that good eye report. No memorizing the eye chart now! ha
Also, no hot sauce before a visit! (pressure would be off the charts! (:
nite,
MDC
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82741: Where is B-fast gona be?...SPOT
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82742: At Waffle House- on YOU, Spotty! ha ha ha

*******************
possum under a rock
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82743: See ya at waffle house...speaking of, its the old waffle iron for me today. Got my annual check-up today. Hate it. Maybe I'll be back to sit on the porch later.

Boo

"It's Bloody Mary!!"
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82744:
Boo- I feel your pain! Not really, but it sounds good! (:ha Seriously, will say a prayer that all goes well for you.
Hey to spot, possum, rev and all!
A lot still going on in the world from New Zealand to Lybia these days. Prayers for all.
MDC
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82745: Oops, LIbYa
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82746: Good morning, porch. REV, glad you got a good report on the progress of your eyes. Consistent use of the medication is crucial, but of course you know that.

Good luck with the waffle iron, Boo. I have to admit, that's one little procedure that I definitely don't miss. There's are little compensations for everything, I guess.

Well, gotta run. Meeting Eloise for lunch, then will come back here and meet Joe to get some roses planted. I love a day like this. Best of all, I don't have to work tonight!! God is good. --Romeena
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82747:
Howdy porch family.....just checking in while grabbing a snack before back outside for more yard work. Me and little Jake are working hard....well really Jake is just laying there watching me:)

Love and prayers for all the porch family!
-REV.
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82748:
A friend and i were just talking some TAGS at work and she said that the names Inkin, Blinkin, and Nod are from an old nursery rhyme. I didn't believe her until she sent me this link:
http://myhomeoflove.tripod.com/nurseryrhymes/winkinblinkinnod.html
I hope it works.
"See this foot, how did I manage to fit the whole thing into my mouth?" haha
MDC
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82749:
and of course I meant Winkin
February 23, 2011 - Msg 82750: Thanks for that, MDC. I used to know that nursery rhyme by heart, and would recite it for my kids when they were small. I always thought it was so sweet. Memories.....

Had a good lunch with Eloise - we went to El Fenix, our favorite Mexican place. So good! Then went to Best Buy and looked at TVs - my TV in the living room is giving me trouble. It keeps turning itself off. Just suddenly says "deedle-deedle-doop" and off it goes. It's so odd, because it's actually turning itself off, just as if I'd hit the power button on the remote. I had a repairman out, and he says the main lamp is going out (again) and the TV is programmed to shut off when the lamp is not strong enough to project what the TV is trying to send through it, or something. Anyway, that translates to another $325, just like I spent just over a year ago for the same problem. Moral of the story, don't buy a DLP TV, unless you just enjoy replacing lamps. I'm not about to pay to fix it again. I'll buy a new one first. I'm looking at a Samsung LED. They're on sale now, several hundred dollars off, and they install it. Hook it up to the surround sound and everything. So, I think I'm going to do it. I hate spending that much. but they offer an 18-month payout at no interest, so it's not so bad. I can handle that. I guess I'll give the DLP to the church. They can put it in one of the mission houses, or in the youth department area, or whatever. It plays well as is, if you don't mind turning it back on every couple of hours or so, or it can be fixed for $325. Either way, it's a good deal for someone.

Well, Joe will be here shortly to plant rose bushes and enlarge a flowerbed out front, so guess I'd better get my grubbies on, as I'll be working alongside. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena