March 09, 2011 - Msg 82915: Good morning to one and all! Yet another dreary, cold, rainy day in Indep. Mo. Someone get Barn to put out an APB on the sun, please! Prayers for those a' feelin' poorly to be on the fast mend! I know...you're all just waitin' for spring to arrive. THAT'll perk you right up! Maybe y'all need to have a glass of Andy's fixer upper that he gave to Otis!

Hopefully, be back later! Much to do! Have a great day!

John Masters
March 09, 2011 - Msg 82916: Good sweep!
March 09, 2011 - Msg 82917: Good afternoon, porch! John Masters, you're so right - spring is just the tonic we all need. It's spring-y here today at 61 degrees, clear skies, warm sunshine, soft breeze. Joe and Jorge are here, and we've been working hard since 9 a.m. Boy, have we gotten a lot done. Everything that needed pruning has been pruned - even took a huge, rowdy rosemary bush down practically to the ground. It will come back out and make a lovely, fragrant little ball back there, instead of being a wild and overgrown shrub. Beds have been weeded and fresh corn gluten meal applied, then a thick layer of mulch. Should pretty well control the weeds from now on. I found and untangled the new growth of clematis that had invaded some roses, pulled it back into place on the fence and directed it where it should go. Joe had to run an errand, and when he gets back we're going over to his brother John's garden center and get a flat or two of petunias. I'm not ready to put a lot of color out there yet, because I think we'll have another freeze before long, but I want to freshen up a couple of drab corners with a spot of color. We cut away the ponderous, ugly growth of a variegated ivy that I had planted behind the fountain rock. It had just taken the place over, had spread around the pond about ten feet on both directions, and had almost obliterated the fountain rock itself. It wasn't pretty, I'm not real big on variegated ivy anyway - it always looks like it's got sun-scald, and this had freeze damage besides. So, it's gone. I'm thinking I may put clematis back there, instead. Much softer, prettier vine, blooms beautifully, and most clematis likes to run on the ground anyway. You have to coax it to climb most of the time. I found a little volunteer plant when I was untangling it in the other bed, we may try to move that one. Also, John usually has a few, or I can order them online. I love days like this!

Pain-wise, I'm fine when I'm up and working. It usually starts hurting when I'm sitting down. Don't know why that would be, but that seems to be the pattern. I'm getting uncomfortable sitting here right now. What sitting has to do with pain in my left ribs, I don't know, but that's the way it is. I'm really thinking I need a good chiropractor and forget all this steroid stuff.

Well, back to my yard work. Blessings, all! --Romeena
March 09, 2011 - Msg 82918: Boy Ro, you are after it today! That's some mighty good landscaping you're gettin' done! It'll be fun to hear your details of the yard as the new spring and summer roll along! Just make sure you turn Mr. Wheeler away if gets to eyeballing your yard as he drives by!

Back to research!

JM
March 09, 2011 - Msg 82919:
Ro-For the love of Mike, just do it! Go see a chiropractor! haha Actually it's the best thing for my back that I've done. Several kinds out there tho. Mine does a type of deep tissue massage and very little "cracking" if you know what i mean. Check yelp.com and google comments
for some reviews of local chiros, and a bbb check is worthwhile too. Many, including mine, will only charge you the co-pay and accept whatever insur@nce pays them, without passing on any "non-covered" costs. Anyway, it will work better than a head sling, or a pick up by jeff pruitt! ha
Hey to John, good sweep of the porch!
Have a Spirit-filled day!
MDC
March 09, 2011 - Msg 82920: Well, we're done for the day. We moved the little clematis, went to John's and bought two flats of petunias and got them planted. We put a little border of them around the pond, marched a few along my window-side of the rose island, put a little ring of them around the new rose bed we extended out from the old bed in the front, and tucked the remainder into a flower box I made a couple of years ago out of an old tubular metal vanity table I bought at a garage sale for $2. It stands about 3 feet tall and is about 3 feet long. It's quaint, and quite pretty with flowers in it. It stands in a back corner of the yard, and when the petunias bloom, it will brighten that corner considerably.

My little pear tree is starting to bloom, and from my window I look through the open branches with the clusters of white blooms, and see the heavy clumps of red berries on the nandina behind the tree. Lovely contrast. I can't believe I resisted when Joe wanted to put nandina back there, but I did. I didn't think I liked nandina. He kept on about it and I finally gave in when he said he'd dig it up if I didn't like it. Aside from the iris, I think I enjoy the nandina more than anything else we planted. The plant is evergreen, bears rather nondescript white blooms in the spring, green berries all summer, turning a beautiful scarlet red in the fall and lasting all winter. They're still there, except what the birds have eaten. Really a lovely plant. And yippee, my sweet little Satomi dogwood has made it. The tiny buds that I feared had frozen are starting to swell and open. In a few days, there will be leaves. Probably no flowers again this year, but it's still young. They don't bloom until they get several years old and well established.

I don't worry about Mr. Wheeler. I think if he drove by this yard, he'd see that it's been worked on by an expert (my friend Joe) and he'd just pass on by.

Thanks for the tip, MDC. I'll check out that website. I'm really getting tired of this. I have felt great all day today, worked like I haven't worked in several years, and now that I'm sitting in this office-type chair, I'm starting to hurt. It makes no sense at all. Oh well. I'm going to go heat up some good soup, have a small sandwich out of the last of the tuna, and later I'll eat a grapefruit. Then a good hot shower and a good night's sleep, and tomorrow Eloise and I will mouse around a bit and go get a pedicure. It's been a good day! Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 09, 2011 - Msg 82921:
Just a qiuck sneak in....still in the studio. Gonna be a very late night. Probably will be in here through the night. Going great though!
I'll check back in in the morning
Love and prayers
-REV.
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82922: Well hello porch..gosh between storms and some out sick and me covering their shifts between last Sat at 3pm till this morning (thu) at 6 when I get off I will have 78 hrs in....whew .some good OT in there but ready for my 4 days off!prayers to all...Rev dont work to hard recording those good albums!..Hey Porch Queen Romeena!..John Masters,hazel,Tom(apb),Boo,ky girl and all..well the rain has started back here in Ga..ita 3:06 am Thu morning...sure hopw I get off on time at 6 "Stay Away Storms"...ok lets hit I-Hop for b-fast and Maude and I will spring for the check...Boo you know what to bring...ok...back to work...SPOT
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82923: Boo's sick ,Spot. I'll grab a paper for you though. We'd better not bring her along,especially if it's raining. Don't want her to catch pneumonia!
Come by and pick me up, ok? I'll be waiting out by my rock!
*******************
possum under a rock
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82924: Well, lucky for you I am better today! I am wondering if it was just an allergy attack from the front that blew in yesterday. See ya at IHOP with the paper. :-)

Got to get Erin to school and then take dad to a doctor's appointment. I didn't mention that I got a call from mom's cardiologist's office because mom told her homehealth nurse that she had not taken her Coumadin (blood thinner) for 9 days!!What?!!...said she felt less dizzy when she didn't take it, which she imagines. She has had this notion in her head for years that the Coumadin is responsible for all her woes, when in reality it is damage from her strokes. The doctor has given her trials of having her off of it for a time just to prove it to her and it made no difference. She knows she could easily have a fatal stroke without it and told the nurse, "If I die, I die", but after being talked to about the risk, she decided to go back on the Coumadin. At 85, it gets tricky, considering quality of life, etc. My sister is going to start giving her the medicine and making sure she gets it but part of my thinks maybe not taking it was her way of letting go. At 85, if someone wants to go on, well it brings up some moral questions.

Better git..

Boo
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82925: Hey everyone!
I'm sorry I have been awol for a few days. I've been prepping for our custody case. I should have been a paralegal rather than a fashion major! Today at 1:30est is the court hearing for custody of my two stepchildren and child support modification. If y'all could please pray I would appreciate it! I will go on either tonight or tomorrow and let y'all know the verdict.
Blessings,
~Lucy
PS Boo, I've been on Coumadin for years and I feel so tired and ditzy when off of it, not better.
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82926:
Boo-I think I have mentioned that i am on a low dose of coumadin due to my a-fib, but since it has also been used as a rat poison in the past, I take about as low a dose as I can because i really watch my vitamin K food consumption, etc. Also, coumadin side effects read like an encyclopedia, so when my doc finally convinced me to take it, I said OK, but lowest dose I can and that is all I have taken ever since. I know that it is tough to try to do all that with an 85 year old, but i'm just saying that's what i do.
My prayers for her.
SPot- good hard work never hurt anyone! haha My , you sure did pull some tough shifts!
RO- another thing I did was to buy 3 wedge cushions. One for home chair, one for work and one for vehicle. They make a world of difference in the way the spine settles in all of those sitting senarios.
rev- keep up the good work!
MDC
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82927:
Lucy! sorry to rock on yer toes! Will be praying.
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82928: Wedge cushions??
I'm not sure I like the sound of that! :)
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82929: Well, they could be WEDGIEEE cushions!! (:
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82930:
Hello porch family....got home this morning around 6am.....BUT I'M DONE

It's a windy day here on my end of the porch and pretty chilly

Love and prayers!
-REV.
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82931:
OK porch family....here's the song titles. Give me your thoughts on which one would be the best CD title:

*THIS I KNOW
*I'M NOT THE SAME
*HE IS LORD OF EVERYTHING
*COUNTRY BOY FOR JESUS
*LOVE IS REAL
*LORD WITHOUT YOU
*MAKE MY WAY (BACK TO YOU)
*NEVER REGRET
*HE'S MY FRIEND
*OUR VICTORY

All the guys in the studio picked their favorite so let's see if the porch picks the same ones.

Love and prayers!
-REV.
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82932: Congratulations, REV. I'll bet that CD is a winner - can't wait to get a copy. Will it be ready by the time you're here in October?

Regarding Coumadin - my cardiologist has tried to put me on it, but I've refused. The fact that it's used in rat poison doesn't bother me - the "poison" part is misleading. It doesn't actually poison the rats. It's a powerful blood thinner and the dose the rat gets in a pellet is high enough to thin their blood so profoundly that the animal simply bleeds out. (Yuck - kinda pitiful, even for a rat.) I have refused to take it simply because I'm not willing to monitor my diet that closely, I love leafy greens and those are forbidden or highly restricted. Also, all my life I've had chronic mild nosebleeds and with coumadin on board, they could be much more severe. I do have atrial fib, but it's not severe, just occasional short runs of a few minutes or so, not long enough for any mural clots to form in my heart, at least not at this time. So my doc said if I will take two baby aspirin twice a day, faithfully, he'll forget the coumadin. I think if the runs of A-fib were longer, he would argue with me a bit more, but so far, he's not that adamant about it. I'm glad, because I really don't want to take it. I would be bleeding all over the yard all the time, because I'm constantly scratching myself on rose thorns and such. I fell over a boulder a while back, and opened a significant scrape down the front of my leg and top of my foot, deep enough to leave some light scarring. I bled a lot that day, just on the aspirin. If I'd been taking coumadin, I would probably have had to let Joe take me to the ED. He wanted to, but I knew it would quit, and it did.

About those cushions - do you put the high point of the wedge to the back of the chair? I might try one and see if it helps. Right now, I'm about ready to try anything. I can't believe that I can work as hard as I did yesterday and feel fine, but sit down and the pain starts. Doesn't make sense, does it?

Well, guess I'll hit the hay. I need to get some work done around this house tomorrow, because that will be about my last chance for a while. I work tomorrow night, off Saturday night, then work Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights! Three in a row. I am not looking forward to that, but that's how the schedule fell. I guess I'll get through it.

Blessings, everyone - and prayers for all those who are ailing. Feel better! --Romeena
March 10, 2011 - Msg 82933: Oh boy! We get to vote! Here are my choices: 1. This I Know. 2. I'm Not the Same 3. Love is Real.

Now if I heard the songs, I might choose differently, but just on the surface of it, those are my favorites. There's not a bad one in the whole lot, though, so whatever you choose it will be fine, I'm sure.

Blessings on you and your ministry. We're looking forward to your next visit! --Romeena
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82934:
Reading the experiences about Coumadin has brought back a painfull memory for me. Just two days after my mother was switched to Coumadin in preparation for a hospital discharge, she suffered a fatal stroke and passed away the following day. And she had one of the highly recommended MD specialists administering the drug.
So don't ever mention Coumadin around me.

from Poor Horatio
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82935:
Hey Folks

I heard there was a vote today! Please Rev, no "hanging chads." We don't need a mob forming here on the Porch. I like, "I'm Not the Same."

We've had temps in the 40's and rain for two days now and still have a foot of snow in the backyard. Come on spring!!

Poor Horatio-That is a sad post. I can relate, a little bit, my mom went in to the hospital for testing and they came back negative. However, the tests themselves have tipped her over.

JM-Do you have any of your research online? I find your project very interesting.

Peace,
auh2o
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82936:
Oh yeah, I forgot to tell ya'll. Apparently, the Embassy in Nigeria has been trying to contact me. (Which is strange, my numbers in the book). Turns out I have a very large inheritance waiting for me. Which is starnge, I didn't know I had an uncle living in Nigeria. So, if ya'll don't hear from me for awhile, I'll just be out living the high-life.

auh2o
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82937:
Morning porch.... ok a couple votes so far....the rest of ya let me know your thoughts.

Ro...yea, I will have it back sometimes around May/June so I will for sure have it when I'm back out your way.

auh2o....do me a favor....while you're picking up your inheritance over in Nigeria how bout picking up mine also. I get the same emails....so we must be kin:) But they are going to be nice to me....I don't have to go pick mine up...they will send it straight to my bank account if I'll just send them the account number. Aren't they so sweet

Gotta go get my daughter's car headlight fixed now. At what age do they stop asking dad to take care of all their problems (that cost money)? lol

Love and prayers!
-REV.
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82938:
Prayers for Japan and the world!
more later,
MDC
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82939:
RO- The high end goes to the REAR of the seat. (no pun intended) :)
Chiro told me that car seats are the worst designed of all seating because it is very hard to adjust them to make the back part of the seat higher than the front.
Rev- How about a "partial" name--> "Lord of Everything."
APB FOR STERLING!
prayers continue.
MDC
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82940: Good morning, porch! So the Nigerian letters are circulating again, or did they ever really quit? I had an email from a friend just yesterday, informing me that she had received a letter informing her that there was money waiting for her, and she hoped I'd know how she should handle it. I told her if it was an email, to use her delete button, and if it was a mailed letter, to contact her postmaster, as the letters constitute mail fraud. I haven't heard back from her, but I suspect she's mourning the "burst bubble". Now get this. I have another friend who actually responded to one of those things, and sent them money! She never told me how much, but I imagine it was a substantial amount. When she heard nothing further from them, she told me about it and asked me if I thought she had been cheated. When I told her there was no doubt about that, she nearly cried. Here's the clincher - she is Nigerian! She couldn't believe that "one of my own countrymen" would cheat her. She's a dear, sweet Christian woman, very trusting. Unfortunately, "trusting" often translates to "gullible". I felt so sorry for her.

There are several fat iris buds rising out in the iris beds. In a week or so, I'll have some pretty blooms, and in about a month, there will be dozens. I can hardly wait. This time of year is so pretty. There are five plump robins in the birdbath right now. They just finished scouring the rose island for worms, and they found some. It's so funny, watching them drag a protesting worm out of the ground - just like in the cartoons! I feel kinda sorry for the worm, though.

Well, better get busy. Got a few things to do, then a quick nap this afternoon, then to work. My little week-long play party is over, now I have to get back to work. Not looking forward to it, but in these times, I'm grateful I have a job and the health to be able to carry it out. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82941: Goooood morning, Porchsters! Forgive my one day absence. Took a day off of the computer, research and all.
Ro - I love your landscape "re-caps", I think you would make a great landscape play-by-play announcer. LOL! Your descriptions are so vivid that you get images of what you describe and it makes me want to pull out a chair to your yard and look at everything!

SPOT - A little advice. Slow down. Take...it easy! LOL! And if anyone has an idea about a band concert, tell them NO!

Boo - My heart is with ya on your concern for your mother. I have that myself. My mother is starting to show the strain, wear and tear from helping my g'mother. G'ma just turned 90 on Tuesday and my mother will hit 74 in June. She is mentally and physically exhausted. I am grateful she is actually quite healthy except for a few pains. But I can see the effects.

REV - I'm kinda partial to "Love Is Real."

Poor Horatio - My condolances. I cant imagine your grief and disbelief. My heart goes out to you!

auh2o - Thanks for the compliment. No, none of my research is online. It is all here on stacks of papers and in acquired research. Everyone is looking forward to the Quantrill collection opening next year. I think some people are getting ancy because I hold so much info that no one else knows! LOL!

A SUNNY day here in Independence, MO! I guess Barney went out and apprehended the sun! I will see y'all later! Have a great day!

John Masters
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82942: I dont know if I'll be back this way today or tonight, so I thought I would treat everyone to Route 44 drinks at SONIC tonight! Drink 'em if ya' got 'em! LOL!

John Masters
March 11, 2011 - Msg 82943: Just saw much of the devastation and horrific scenes of Japan. Did anyone else think they were watching a Godzilla movie when watching that? I am not being mean or uncaring, but the way those houses and cars were being swept away and driven down roads, that's what you'd think you were watching. There was once scene, in particular, that showed a massive wave take out an entire neighborhood and it looked just like the tiny little prop houses you see used in tv and movies from years ago. It was an awesome sight. Awesome, as in, jaw dropping and staggering. God help 'em all! As Shepard Smith said on FOX News...What a day!

JM
March 12, 2011 - Msg 82944: An excellent comparison, JM. It does indeed look like a bad movie. Those poor people! Tragic, indeed.

Just got home from work, very tired. I'm off tonight, but still will have to lie down for a while, I just can't stay up until bedtime tonight. Things are still a big mess up there, and it's not going to get any better. Found out last night that two more nurses have given their notice. Too bad, they're excellent people and they will be missed. I've got some serious thinking and praying to do.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 12, 2011 - Msg 82945: Just a quick trouble check...71 and sun in Ga..gotto get outside and do deck work!...lets cook out...who"s bringing what?...I will bring a bunch of chickens!...SPOT
March 12, 2011 - Msg 82946:
RO- I think you "called it" a while back when you
mentioned about the impending changes. Too bad one person has to
throw a wrench into a well-running operation like that! I'll be praying for you too.
Prayers continue for Japan as well.
Hope you are all out having a good weekend.
Love ya,
MDC
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82947: Hope all is having a great and restful night! Nice breezy night here in Indep. Mo. Keep sending those prayers and good thoughts to Japan! Hey to Ro, Boo, auh2o, MDC, REV, SPOT, PH, and the rest of the Porch neighborhood!

Sleep well!

John Masters
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82948: Thank you for the kind words concerning mom. She is back on the Coumadin and doing ok. Very sorry about your experience losing you mother, Poor Horation, so painful.

Just sick about the people of Japan. God help them.

I certainly understand where you are coming from, Ro. Been there and it is terrible to have to deal with that kind of job situation and when the good employees start leaving, that's when it really hits you. I pray the Lord will show you the way and I hope it is OUT of there. Hope you get some rest.

Been feeling really wiped out these past two days but going to drag myself to church and hope I don't fall asleep during the sermon like Barney and Gomer!

Boo
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82949: Mornin' dears and honeys! Did everyone remember to "Spring Forward"? It's Daylight Savings Time again and the clocks went ahead one hour last night. More daylight-yay!
I agree- the devastation in Japan is like something out of a monster movie. So terrible. Prayers for those folks.
Let's go to Denny's for one of those Grand Slam breakfasts this morning-we'll put it on Asa's tab!
Spot, is your truck clean? We'll ride with you! Boo, we'll bring some of the Colonel's elixir for you-fix ya right up!
*******************
possum under a rock
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82950: Mornin' All!

No, Possum...Boo needs Andy's fixer upper he gave to Otis. Remember how that perked him right up?

I sprung forward and am ready for the season to start. Goodbye snow, goodbye ice, goodbye sleet......at least.....I hope so!

Going todat to go take a slwe of pictures of Lone Jack battlefield in Missouri. It's just a few miles outside of Kansas City! That's where Rooster Cogburn lost his eye, ya' know!

Have a great, great Sunday all!

John Masters
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82951: ^^^ should be "today" and "slew" LOLOL!

JM
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82952: Well, it's almost official. Spring has almost sprung. It's not completely official in these parts until the mesquite trees leaf out, but it won't be long now. In my front yard, a lovely little deep purple intermediate iris has bloomed. It has six flowers opened, and it's flanked by a bank of yellow daffodils - the color contrast is just beautiful. For those not familiar with iris, an intermediate is exactly what the name implies - medium size. There are dwarf iris, with three different heights within that category, and there are tall bearded iris, which get up to three feet tall and bloom with huge flowers, each with a "beard" in the throat of the lower petals, and then there are intermediates. They get about 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall, have no beard, and the blooms are smaller, but they are exquisitely formed and the colors are vibrant. They also tend to be rebloomers, and will bloom again in the fall. So pretty! Now, in the back yard, a tall bearded iris has also bloomed. It's a vivid, glowing yellow, like a drop of fallen sunshine in the bed of green foliate. Just beautiful! The flower is very large, and there are four more buds on the stalk, so there will be a bright spot of color out there for some time to come. From my window I can see at least eight more plants that are sporting bud stalks, so in another week or so there will be many flowers. I just love iris. Admittedly, their bloom season is relatively short, lasting usually around two months, but I guess that's really about all you get from anything, other than pansies and petunias, which never seem to know when to quit. Iris blooms are so spectacular, just outrageously extravagant with their beauty, that they're worth the space they occupy all year, just to have that eye-popping season of bloom.

My yard is full of robins! There must be a dozen out there, racing madly from spot to spot, searching for worms. They're finding them, too. I love it! One stirred up a moth, and proceeded to pursue it all over the yard. The moth's flight was so unpredictable and erratic, the bird practically tied his wings in knots trying to keep up, but he finally caught his prey. It seems early, but I think there must be baby robins somewhere, because when the big ones find something, sometimes they eat it, and sometimes they fly away with it. Pretty soon I'll be seeing juveniles, almost as big as their parents, hanging out under the shrubbery. They don't even try to fly, they just run from bush to bush, and make a buzzing noise. The parents locate them by that noise, and chase them down to feed them. At night they scramble up into the bushes and hide out until daylight. I scare one up accidentally now and then when I go outside after dark for something. This will last a couple of weeks, and then finally, the juveniles will fly away. I'll bet the parents are relieved when they finally do.

Well, it's time to hit the shower and get ready to go to work. This is the first of a three-night stretch, idiot that I am. I still can't believe I scheduled it, but it wasn't intentional. I didn't check the end of one time sheet before I signed up on the next one, and didn't realize that I was working tonight, when I signed up for Monday and Tuesday. Oh well. I'll get it behind me, then I have several days off. This has just got to end somewhere.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82953: I hope Hazel shows up on the Porch soon- she has some exciting news (just saw it on FB). I don't intend to steal her thunder,so I will let her make the big announcement,but would like to say.. "Yay, Hazel! Congrats!!"
************
possum again
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82954: Poor Ro! I hope its not such a bad night for you.

Where IS Hazel the Chicken? Sitting on someone's couch, probably. "Get your own seat, Hazel!".

Boo
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82955: Evenin' Porchsters!

Ro - You have a good soul and a great attitude. I would probably be slack jawed if I figured out I signed up for the schedule like that. Good attitude!

Hey Possum, Boo....hope you're having a good night!

I got some great shots of Lone Jack battlefield for my Quantrill project in Arkansas. Was a brisk day, but I got some great stuff outside and took a load of shots in the museum. I am hoping to give the people a little experience of what the museum is like through my shots! A good day's work!

John Masters
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82956:
Hello gang.....just got home from my weekend concerts up in NC.
Gonna go to bed....tired!
Love and prayers!
-REV.
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82957: Yes, I do have exciting news - I'm a Grandma! A beautiful little girl, born this morning at 6:15. We're all very tired, what with the time change and all, seems like we're all on NO sleep. They haven't named her yet, so we call her "Baby". I'm very excited, this is my first grandchild.
- Hazel
March 13, 2011 - Msg 82958: Forgot to say the most important part - Baby and her mom are both doing great, and I'm so thankful that everything went okay!
Haze again
March 14, 2011 - Msg 82959: Congratulations Grandma Hazel!! Tell 'em to name her "Hogette" or "Andelina"!

Boo
March 14, 2011 - Msg 82960: Maybe Hazel's grandbaby will be a "fun girl", Boo- in that case they oughta name her Daphne or Skippy! LOL

Congrats again, Hazel- you're gonna love being a grandma!
******************
possum under a rock
March 14, 2011 - Msg 82961:
Congrats hazel, let's cook up some hoot owl pie,
hog jowls, and a batch of pickles to celebrate! haha.
Very cool John masters!! RO has a site where she can post a few for us to see.
have a good day all.
MDC
March 14, 2011 - Msg 82962: Good Afternoon Porch!
How is everyone on this fine day? It's just so beautiful here in Atlanta all weekend and it continues today. We have the windows open and I listen to the birds every morning. I wish I knew what type of birds they are but, nope, I wasn't raised to enjoy the outdoors and learn such. Bryan sleeps by an air filter with earplugs (I snore!) so he never hears them to help me.
Poor Horatio- I'm so sorry about your Mama.
Rev- What title did you decide on?
John Masters- I watched "your episode" the other night. That has become one of my favorites! I don't like "my episode" as much now (Stranger in town). The Tommy Jones look alike kind of creeps me out.
Hazel- I congratulated you on FB, but I shall again! What did they end up naming her? I also vote for Andelina.
Possum- Oh not a fun girl! Skippy's voice is freaky! Ha!
Romeena- Sounds like your backyard is as lovely as ever. How's your son doing?
Spot- Can you believe this weather? I hear storms are coming tomorrow. Hopefully you won't have to work too hard to keep the lights on.
Auh20- How much money did you get from Nigeria? I am also one that is amongst your kin for they know my email address. I haven't heard of them using the phone to contact people. It reminds me of something my 89 year old grandmother told me today. She said that someone she knew 50 years ago is spreading rumors about her through the phone. He called up and said he knows stuff about her and would like to come visit her. I told her do not give that man your address or any information! Lunatics I tell ya. Lunatics!
MDC- Only if the pickles are Ms. Clara Johnson's, not Aunt Bea's, please. I don't think I can injust kerosene. Ha!

I'm sure there's people I'm missin', but if so "howdy do" to y'all.

Oh, I almost forgot. Our custody case wen't pretty well. We got temporary full custody. Permanent custody and child support will be determined in May. She didn't have her tax stuff for us to start getting child support. Surprise, surprise as Gomer says. The unfortunate part is there is court ordered 1 hour dinner at a restaurant visitation. They kids are most unhappy about that, but we think the judge wants to see if either the kids will tell her off or decide they do want to live with their biological mom. My stepdaughter's psychologist will be going with her to make sure she's okay and then have a session with her afterwards. I'm relieved that I have a few weeks to chill before gathering evidence and stuff again.

I meant to say the other day that I have to admit that I'm a little upset about Barney cheating on Thelma Lou with Juanita. And what happened to Miss Rosemary or Hilda Mae? They disappeared so quick! As I'm rewatching some of the episodes from the first season on youtube, my favorite ones are the ones with Miss Ellie. I LOVED her hair and clothes and spunky yet sweet personality.

Well, I need to get my banana pudding and homemade bread going. Y'all take care now, ya hear?
Blessings,
~Lucy
March 14, 2011 - Msg 82963:
Hello Porch family....another pretty sunny day today.

Congrats to Grandma Hazel! Such great news!

Lucy....nope, I haven't picked the CD name yet but I'm leaning toward two different ones. Still have a couple more folks voting on it before we decide.
By the way....holler when the banana pudding and bread is ready:)

Love and prayers for all the porch family!
-REV.
March 15, 2011 - Msg 82964: Good morning, All! Sorry if I have to hop and skip through this visit, but research awaits!

Hazel - Congratulations! Good news, good news!

Hopefully, will be back a little later on!

JOhn Masters
March 15, 2011 - Msg 82965:
Hey to all, including possums under rock!ha
But "little girls dont know nothin bout postums,
you wnat to know bout postums, you find a guy with dirt under his fingernails!" haha
Strange times folks with all happening in japan etc. May the Lord be with us.
Hope you all are well this day.
Prayers,
MDC
March 15, 2011 - Msg 82966: I managed to work my way back up to my rockin' chair here. Feels good to set a spell.

REV - So have you decided on a winning title of the new CD yet??

Lucy - I am sorry to hear of you having to go through custody stuff like that. Some of that legal wrangling can get hard on people. I hope all works out for peace and a definitive end.

Hey and Hello to Possum, Boo, Maude, MDC, Romeena, auh2o, PH, SPOT, and the rest of the porchsters!

Aw....dadgummit....I have to go now and clean up. I done Glenn Forded all over myself. I just hate when that happens!

John Masters
March 15, 2011 - Msg 82967:
"She said the room was warm and turned out the light and boom I'm
engaged!" (:
Quoteman

March 15, 2011 - Msg 82968:
Hello porch family....wow it's kinds slow here in Mayberry today. A lot of empty rockers.

JM....haven't decided for sure on the title yet. We're going to get it though:)

MDC...you're so right....a lot of "strange" times we are facing around the country and the world. Reason to continue standing firm in our faith. No matter what all is happening.....HE'S STILL LORD

A good one Ouoteman...lol

Going to bed early tonight....I'm sleepy.
Good night all and prayers for all my porch family!
Jesus loves you
-REV.
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82969: Happy Birthday Mavis!!

Party tonight at O' Malley's!( Hope he's up in DEE-Troit!) Maude,can you bake a cake? Spot, bring your record player & all your groovy 45s. I'll swing by the Morrison Sister's for some celebration elixir! See y'all tonight!

*******************
possum under a rock
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82970: Happy Birthday to Mavis.

I drug myself out of bed this morning and feel like I went to bed last night with the Colonel (Colonel Harvey's Elixir, that is). How can a person have a hangover when they don't even drink? Just feeling tired to the bone and plenty to do today. Time doesn't stand still for tired people.

Bruce took off work yesterday and we took the kids to the nearest zoo, which is about an hour away, but worth the trip. It was a beautiful day, just perfect weather. The little zoo we visited specializes in caring for endangered animals and some animals native to Texas. I saw a few things I had never even heard of...some big animal from South America that looked like a big black pig but had a nose like an anteater?! Also saw two of the cutest lion cubs from Africa that are a breed that were thought to be extinct 10 years ago but there are about 100 in captivity in the world. You should have seen them, talk about cute. They called them cubs but they looked to weigh about 200 lbs and were very playful and interested in the spectators...not just for food, mind you. ;-) Anyway, we enjoyed the trip.

Now for spring cleaning today...have to sort through some boxes in the attic, darn it.

I am disturbed about Japan and I pray for the people. I think this old world is just getting more and more restless and ready for the end to come. I pray for people to turn to the Lord now, while they have the chance. I heard from a missionary the other day that there is no part of the world you can go to that people have not heard of Coke but many who have not heard of Jesus. Pray for workers in His field.

Boo
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82971: Oh, and just one small prayer request for those who feel led...my enthusiasm has really been in low gear lately, spiritually speaking. I know we go through phases but I really feel like I am just going through the motions these days. I still do the "works" but not feeling the joy of sharing the gospel. Not that I have to, but it sure is nice to "feel the zeal". I am still going to the drug rehab and sharing with the girls there and won't stop unless I know the Lord is moving me on but I just don't have the heart for it that I used to have, i guess. Thanks for listening and for the prayers. You are all so faithful to pray for me over the years and I love you for it.

Boo
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82972: Good morning, Porchsters! A sunny 50 or so degrees here in Indep. Mo. and looking to hit the mid 60's! Those plump robins are bouncing around the backyard and spring is about to be sprung! LOL!

Happy Birthday to Mavis. Hmmm...maybe I should get the choir to sing a round a "Happy Birthday"!

Boo - sounds like a very nice outing. The Kansas City Zoo has gone through some major, major facelifts and is quite a neat experience now. The animals are a little closer to you to view and they have opened a brand new polar bear exhibit where there is just a few inches of thick glass between you and him. As far as Japan goes, I am thinking of the rescue workers! Dear Lord, the sights they could come up on and what they will have to endure mentally. Even the strongest and most steady rescuer could be changed by what they might see or find. Special prayers to them!

As a world and even just our nation seems to be rapidly coming apart at the seams. Sometimes, I have this vision of God and Christ looking down at the Earth and then looking at each other and shaking their heads. I think the reason that God doesnt just call it a day and start everything over is because of people like you on this porch and those who he knows can be the counter to all of the rotten and bad things in this world. For every thief, there is a person who will voluntarily give someone the shirt off their back. For every murderer, there is a person who will take someone into their home to keep them safe and out of harm's way. And for every weed, there is one of Romeena's flowers. LOL!

Have a great day, everyone. Be safe and careful. I will leave a pitcher of tea here for whoever wants it. Add your own sweetening. Cups are under the table.

John Masters
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82973:
Good one JM, the wheat and the tares, for sure.
BOO-I have gone thru such valleys. Not sure what causes it other than the evil one getting to us a little more. But "greater is He that is in us than..." and "We are more than conquerers..."(:
Prayers for all the world this day,
MDC
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82974: I thought you all might want to know that Cartoon Network is showing "Looney Tunes" again! They come on at 9am eastern, 8 central for 30 minutes. Then at 3pm eastern, 2 central for an hour. All on weekdays! You mights want ta set them thar TiVos, DVRs, VCRs and whatever modern contraptions you have to record them and have your own Looney Tunes marathons!

To that I say...."Sufferin' Succotash!"

John Masters


March 16, 2011 - Msg 82975: Oh my goodness! Did I ever need this porch visit today. "Sufferin' Succotash?" Perfect! I love it! And for every weed there is a flower? Yep, it's true. Sometimes that flower may just be a dandelion, but have you ever looked at one of those little things up close? An incredible work of art, and the bright yellow color is no less startling than the color of that big iris back there. And in honor of the tone of this comment, there is a dwarf iris in the pond border that just opened. Its name is --- "Puddy Tat!" Don't you just love it?

The God of the Universe is still in full charge. We get discouraged - I know I surely was during this past 4-night, never-ending stretch. But here's a little story that I think you'll enjoy. My church just completed "Forty Days of Service" - a 40-day period where many small groups throughout the membership met and planned ways to help local folks in need. They cleaned houses, repaired steps, fixed roofs, painted, mowed, hauled off trash, just did whatever was needed to make things more comfortable for people who weren't able to do for themselves. The final touch is the gathering of goods to fill 35 baskets with home-care products, to be taken and left at the homes where the work was done. My SS class was responsible for gathering 35 cans of Comet cleanser, of all things. We were to take it to SS last Sunday. Because my back is so "out" when I first get up, I didn't make it to church and SS last Sunday, so didn't take my can of Comet. I left work Monday morning and stopped by the store on the way home, intending to buy a can and drop it off at the church (which is nearby) on the way home. In the store, as I looked at the cans of Comet on the shelf, I felt a strong, very distinct impression - "Buy four." I've learned not to question such impulses, so I bought four. I drove the block to the church and put the sack with the four cans of Comet on the porch outside the offices, knowing the staff would be arriving in an hour or so. Came home and before going to bed, I checked my email, and found this from a friend and class member: (copy) "Thought you would want to know that we collected 31 cans of Comet today. I left them in the office for Bob and Larry to manage....no point in taking them home to give to Pat for her to drag back to church.....
So we still need 4 cans next week...." (end copy). A friend wrote and sent this on Sunday evening, after I had left for work. I had not seen it. So, the God of the Universe, who keeps it all in motion, still had time to concern Himself with four cans of Comet, needed by a little church group. Additionally, he was looking out for a tired nurse, impressing me to get the Comet before going home. Had I bought one can, and then found this message, I might have gone back out for the other three. As it was, all was already taken care of by the time I knew of the specific need, and I could just go to bed. Isn't He wonderful? Hold on tight, Boo. He's in your corner.

Well, I slept a couple of hours this morning, am now off to pick up Eloise and go to El Fenix for some Mexican food, and then not sure what we'll do. I may sputter and run out of steam pretty quick, but I just didn't want to sleep for hours and waste the day. I'm off now for an 8-day stretch, so can sleep tonight and get up when I choose tomorrow. God is good! Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82976:
Hello porch family

Happy Birthday Mavis! Have a wonderful day!

JM....such an encouraging word for us all.

Boo...prayers for you. As MDC posted, we all face those "low" times but thank God He's God on the mountain and God in the valley. You give so much maybe it's time for you to be refilled. Praying for you!

Ro...enjoy your time off and rest up. You and Eloise don't get into any trouble out there:)

You all have a very blessed day.
Love and prayers!
-REV.
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82977:
RO- just a simple question--how did Toy Starr do during your "4-dayer?"
Also, loved the story.
Sounded like one of those "His Mysterious Ways"
articles from a Guideposts! That still, small voice!
JM, rev, Spot--my MM prediction...Ohio State will emerge on top.
Prayers continue for Japan!
MDC
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82978: I can't say anything except thanks and I love you guys. You touched my heart today.

Boo
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82979: You are quite welcome.

JM
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82980: I'm home. Oh, and I must amend something I said earlier - I can't "get up when I choose" tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital at 7:30 for, of all things, a unit conference. We've already been given the agenda, "answering questions about the new care model", so I know it will be one of those sessions where they "piddle" on us and try to tell us it's raining. More propaganda, in the face of more and more resignations. Nursery night shift is now down to just two of their original staff, after five resignations. No one seems to care, either.

Well, enough of that. Eloise had Landry, our oldest grandson, so he went with us to El Fenix. We had a good lunch, then tried to think of what we wanted to do. Landry wanted to go to Petsmart so he could look at the animals. We agreed, so the result was that Toye Starr got two new little toys (she is the most toy-oriented little dog I've ever seen) and I got a new fish for the pond. I bought a small koi, about five inches long. It will grow fast, and should get to about a foot long in a pond the size of mine. I let Landry choose, and wasn't really thrilled with his choice at the time. It's a gold color, with some light brown markings on its head. There were several calicos that were beautiful, but he wanted the gold one. So we got it home, and I let him manage the release - float the bag for a half hour, then puncture the bag and let the fish find its way out. Well, when that little fish finally made its way out into the pond, I was amazed. It looks like it has rows of lights on its body! I think on a sunny day it will be even more beautiful. Where it looked pretty nondescript in the tank and the bag, its color really came alive in the actual tank. It's a beautiful little creature, and Landry was so pleased that his choice turned out so well. Now, if that dadburned bird returns, I don't know what I'll do. I think I told you that Joe and I sank a length of 6" corrugated pipe to provide a hidey-hole for the fish. I just hope it works.

MDC, to answer your question, Toye Starr was of all puppies most miserable during that four-day stretch. She moped, she hid under the bed, she wouldn't look at me or come when I called her, each evening when she realized that I really and truly was going to leave AGAIN! Well, I'm here tonight, and if I know her, she'll cuddle close all night. Sweet little old thing. She has been carrying her new toy around all afternoon. It's a little pink plush bunny, with a really soft squeaker. She loves it! She usually has trouble making her toys squeak, but this one works for her. She's so proud! I'll have to watch Bentley. I'm keeping him this weekend while his family goes on a little camping trip, and he always takes the squeakers out of her toys. I may just put her new bunny away while he's here.

Well, I think I'm going to go put my feet up for a while. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 16, 2011 - Msg 82981:
Hello porch family.

MDC....Ohio State?....ok we'll watch and see how good you really are:)

Ro....I'm sure Toye Starr is loving the new toys. Also....a friend of mine was talking about he went to Babe's Chicken today for the first time. He has lived out there for many years. So when I told him that I had eaten there he couldn't believe it....lol

Well you all have a good night and know that Jesus loves you!
Love and prayers
-REV.
March 17, 2011 - Msg 82982: Oh, Babe's Chicken! Yum! It is just soooo good! I can fry some pretty good chicken (I should hope so, after all these years) but I think Babe's is just as good, if not better. My sons say mine is still the best, but I think they're just being their sweet selves. Actually, Babe's is really sounding good. May have to make that a priority during these days off I've got.

Oh yes, Starr is really enamored of her new pink bunny. The other toy is a small plush carrot, with a squeaker, of course. She has had the carrots before, and needed a new one. Because The Plum loved carrots as a snack, she had the toy carrots as well, just for fun. Naturally, I got one for Toye Starr when she came. Actually, you may remember that I got her one, carried it around with me for a few days, then took it to the breeder with the request that it be given to her to play with for a couple of weeks before I brought her home. I'm convinced that it helped ease the transition from her mom and siblings, to living with me. That original carrot was left in Fredericksburg a couple of years ago. I got her some more, one is in the car for "emergencies", one is at Eloise's house, and I think we left one in Florida. So, now she has another for home. I don't remember being this concerned about my children's "toy needs". Wonder what that says about me? Ha!

Well, I'm heading for the bed. I'm very, very tired and have to get up at 6 to make it to that silly meeting. I hope God will keep His hand over my mouth and not let me say something that will get me fired. Gonna be hard, though. This whole care model change has been a huge mistake. Anyone can make a mistake. The really bad part is when they refuse to acknowledge it, and just keep on trying to ram it through. As someone once said, the best thing to do when you find yourself in a hole is to quit digging. Management doesn't seem to realize that. I don't see how they can ignore it, though. A couple of years ago, the decision was made housewide that no agency personnel would be used. Well, guess what. We're now seeing some agency nurses in our department, because if they don't have them, we will have patients with no one to take care of them. Stupid.

Well, this time I mean it. Good night, friends. Blessings as you rest tonight. --Romeena