August 21, 2013 - Msg 94512:
Wow...more rain...since Friday we have had over 8 inches and the ground was already soaked to over flowing.....WET

Got a concert tonight so I better not hang around long. You all have a good day and night.
Love and prayers
-REV.
August 21, 2013 - Msg 94513: Rainy days and Wednesdays always get me down song, that one makes me cry...Now if it was a Monday that would be something else..haha
REV wasn't it last year when you couldn't buy a drop of rain? You better put some pontoons on that REVmobile is what I'm thinkin'!
I let a Co-worker hear you're new CD, she liked your "That's my Pew" song...That song is sooo true she said! She asked how I found your music I said: "It's a Mayberry Thing"!...(by the way she liked all the music) and she is not even a HUD inspector!

TOM...Check in we have not heard from you lately.
Cleveland Browns even had a streaker at their pre-season game it think he got more attention than the game...He must have had him a pair of those new "Air Godiva's" on. Now if he would have tried that in December with the winds coming off Lake Erie it would have a different story...tehehaha
I thought Cleveland learned it's lesson from the past on "Nickel Beer Nights"! You think?

G-F....
August 21, 2013 - Msg 94514:
Maude, good to see you on the porch again.
Seems like a coon's age since you've been by.
BOO-- I don't want to sound nosey, but I was just wondering if Sean is going to go to college?
Just thinking how important that is to getting a good-paying job in the future. of course I think of the tags ep where Emmitt's wife tries to get him to sell insur@nce, but all that made him happy was fixing things.
Still hot here in Phx, but we actually had an overcast day today. No rain tho. :(
Prayers for our world,
MDC
August 21, 2013 - Msg 94515:
Howdy porch family...just got in from my concert. Went really good but tired.

G-F....you are so funny....but if it keeps on raining I'll need that pontoon:) Please tell your co-worker "thank you" for liking the cd.

MDC...wish we could give you some of this rain brother.

Well gang I'm heading to bed. You all have a good night.
Love and prayers
-REV.
August 21, 2013 - Msg 94516: Howdy, porch. MDC, generally speaking, you're right about the importance of a college degree. At least it has been so for the last couple of generations. However, I've been noticing a change in the air lately. I know several people with degrees - one has a master's - and they can't find a job. Meanwhile, kids who have gone the trade school route are working. My oldest son and youngest daughter both have degrees, and have done very well. On the other hand, my oldest daughter and youngest son do not have degrees, and they're also doing well. David owns his own business, has several people working for him, and makes a very good living. He has about 20 college credits, I think, but was never able to really get interested and finish. Robbi married right out of high school, took a few courses here and there, is close to having an associate's degree, but will probably never complete it. She and Richard have a business going, and she's happy. And like you said, Emmett was happy in his shop, but hated saleswork. To each his or her own, I guess.

These days, you can get a pretty good education online. I think if I had a kid coming out of high school now, I'd encourage him or her to take online courses as far as they could go. It's cheaper, they can live at home, it's usually self-paced, and they don't have to contend with some atheistic professor trying to undermine their faith. Most kids have no clue what they want to major in anyway, so they can get the basic, general studies out of the way while they figure it out. Then, if they really have something in mind they want to shoot for, they can find the university that will give them the best education in their field, and finish their studies there. Well, it makes sense to me, anyway.

REV, box up a little of that rain and send it on over here. We've had some, but could sure use more. Our water table is dangerously low, lakes and rivers are very low.

Which reminds me, Boo, did you happen to check to see how the Frio is right now? If that river is low and sluggish, it won't be much fun. We went one year without checking, and spent a lot more time walking and carrying our tubes than we spent actually floating, and as for any rapid runs, there were none. Zero. Not fun!

Well, guess I'll watch a little TV, then hit the hay. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
August 21, 2013 - Msg 94517: Thanks for what you said about college, Ro. I needed to hear that. I know MDC in no way meant to make me feel bad, but when I see other kids sean's age going off to college, it hurts me a little. As I said before, Sean is just getting to a point where he is doing well and is building up some self-worth and finding out that can do something well. He needs that right now, and then if he chooses college, he can do it. Also, he is building up a pretty good bank account so he will have some options...online classes, trade school, whatever he chooses because he can live here at home and he was smart enough not to get into a big car payment like some of his friends (who are going to college, but making some very foolish life decisions otherwise). I know school will be a big challenge for sean with his learning issues, but I also believe he can do it if he really wants to. I have a brother, who i have mentioned before, who had a brain tumor at sean's age, and after surgery was left having to learn how to read and write all over again. He went on to graduate and be a college professor. Its all about how much you want something.

Sean had a good first day on his new job and made about twice what he is making at the grocery store. It was tougher than he had anticipated but he did a good job and was praised for it by his supervisor and his boss. I am really proud of him and so happy for the progress he has made in the last year. Thank God, and thank you for your prayers (especially you, MDC). :)

Ro, I haven't checked on the river but by sept 5th who knows what it will be like? After the experience I had tubing last year, I will not be doing it again no matter. I am not fit for it anymore, especially if it means alot of walking on slippery rocks. There is a pretty good swimming hole at River Bend, i think...I will spend most of my time there. :)

Boo
August 22, 2013 - Msg 94518:
BOO- right, I was simply inquiring, that's why I mentioned the Emmitt episode. One thing I was going to suggest tho (which Ro sort of brought up)
was something like just taking a few classes at a community college while still working. That's what I did...M W F classes from 7am til 10 am, then off to a job, then studies at night. Or as Ro mentioned, now there's on-line too. It just keeps one
in a "school attitude" if that makes any sense.
You're welcome for the prayers. The porch is in my daily morning prayers, you bet! (:
MDC
August 22, 2013 - Msg 94519: Yes, that does make sense, MDC. Thanks..I have been thinking along those same lines. I think that he will have to probably give up the job at the store if he does that, eventually, which I would prefer. I think a good balance of work and school would be ideal.

Its been raining here again this morning. :) We need more so I hope it keeps coming. I think I may have seen one mosquito this entire summer, which is very strange for south texas...no rain, no mosquitos, which is the upside.

This has been a busy week, trying to get ready for school to begin next week (and get ready for the river trip). I am a list maker and I have a pretty long list. :( I can't wait for vacation to just get away for a few days. I will have to do a little cooking while we are there but I am taking my big electric griddle so clean up will be easy and I am going to make a deal that if i cook, then bruce and the kids do the clean up. We will have cereal and sandwiches, fruit, etc for breakfast and lunch, which will be simple. Well, best get moving in the direction of the living room to do some tidying up.

Boo
August 22, 2013 - Msg 94520: Only 1 Skeeter Boo? So just what are the Bats doing with all their spare time then? Or...maybe no skeeters BECAUSE of the Bats is what I'm thinking...

G-F....
August 22, 2013 - Msg 94521: Haven't seen any bats, either, G-F. :)

Boo
August 22, 2013 - Msg 94522: Good morning, porch. It's cloudy here today, but they're very high, the kind that just make a smooth, white dome overhead, and usually don't produce any rain. I sure wish some fat, heavy, gray, low-hanging clouds would move in and dump a bunch of rain on our heads. I wouldn't mind being right there in it!

Woohoo! My esperanza is blooming, big clusters of bright yellow flowers. It's planted next to a red knockout rose, and the color combination is just beautiful. I love esperanza! The blooms are the most beautiful, clear, vibrant yellow. I always like to have spots of yellow around the yard, it just brightens everything up.

Boo, I have no idea what River Bend's swimming hole is like now, but it used to be just great. There was one area that was about ten feet deep, great for diving or going off the rope swing, and then just downriver about fifty yards, a nice run of rapids began, and continued for about two hundred yards. Really fun! I don't know if it's the same though. Floods really move things around and change the riverbed. You'll have fun, I'm sure, and I wish I could be there too.

Well, guess I'd better go feed La Starr. She's hanging around looking pitiful, and it is past her breakfast time, after all, poor little thing. I don't feel too sorry for her, because she has a bowl of kibble, but she only eats that when she's desperate. She prefers to hang around and try to nag me into putting her wet Beneful in her bowl. She loves the stuff! I don't blame her, when I open one of those little tubs it smells really good, and looks good too. It's a good thing she's so small. That stuff is $1.59 a tub, which is a bit pricey, but she gets six meals from one tub, so it's not bad.

Eddis is here, making the yard look beautiful again. Guess I'd better go pay him. He's so funny. He said he told his mother that he could do my yard wearing a tuxedo, because he doesn't get dirty, since there's no bare dirt! It's all either thick grass or flowerbeds. Good old Eddie. He's kept my yard now for about twelve years, and he does a very nice job. He's worth paying well.

OK, blessings, everyone! See you this evening. --Romeena
August 22, 2013 - Msg 94523:
Howdy porch family...well it was a pretty day most of the day but would believe we got more rain this evening.....My dad was talking today and said has never seen this much rain for a summer in his whole life. Once again since this past weekend we've gotten around 9 inches on an already soaked ground.

Boo....I agree with what MDC and Ro said about college degrees, trade schools, etc...I'm sure Sean will do what HE feels is best for him. So many options to choose from these days and certainly no one plan for everyone. There are very successful people in all these options. Sean is going to be just fine in his decisions I'm sure.

Well my SIL will be having there opening football game tomorrow night with a barn burner to start off the season. And then next week they play my daughters old high school. She said it will be weird setting on the opposite side of the field pulling against her old high school that she was a cheerleader for :) I'm sure she'll get ribbed by some of the folks that see her..lol And what is going to be really awkward is when kids come along they will be going to her old school. I've already informed my SIL that I'll pull for him until grandkids get here then I'm switching sides...lol

Well let me answer a few more emails and them I'm heading to bed. Everyone have a goodnight!
Love and prayers
-REV.
August 22, 2013 - Msg 94524: That swimming hold sounds great, Ro...I hope it is still as you remember it.

Thanks for the encouragement, REV. :) Sean is beginning to have some anxiety over the job situation because the boss who hired him is beginning to increase his demands, so Sean is feeling the stress of having to decide if he should quit the grocery store. He has made friends there and hates to leave but he will be making considerably more money at the car dealership. I asked him if he had prayed about the situation and asked the Lord what he should do and he said he hadn't. I told him that is the place to start. He worries about his friends having to work harder if he quits and so on. He just worries too much, period, but that is all part of the anxiety syndrome he has. He is much better but still has some struggles.

What a day i had! i spent most of the day helping Erin clean and organize her room and it was terrible! She was cramming stuff in the closets and under the bed..it was like a big dumpster in there. Grrr...daily room inspection from now on.

Well, last night we had some kind of a prowler on our place and I don't know if they were pulling a prank or trying to steal my porch swing but during the night someone took it down off the chains. Sean thinks they were trying to steal it and maybe the dogs showed up barking. We slept through everything. Crazy. There is no way it can come off the chains unless someone takes it off and we have no idea who would. I hope they aren't planning to come back and get it tonight. Bruce is going to put it in the garage.

i am pretty tired...see you all in the morning.

Boo
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94525: Good evening, porch! Boo, that's pretty scary, to think someone came up on your porch and tried to steal that swing. It may have been, as you said, someone pulling a prank, but that's dangerous business. That could earn you a case of lead poisoning in some places. Do you have lights around the house at night? Maybe a light with a motion sensor on the porch would be a good idea. I have them above both side gates, and also on each side of the garage door. Then I've got lights all around the perimeter of the house, and all over the back yard. They're decorative and pretty, but they're also a safety thing. Much of it is low-voltage, so after the initial expense of installation, they're very cheap to run, just pennies actually. Lights are a pretty good deterrent, according to my police officer friend. Like he said, criminals play the odds. They tend to avoid houses that have security system signs up, or that are well lighted. He said with all the unsecured, dark houses on the street, why would they risk trying to get into one that has an alarm and is lighted? Plus, to get to any of my bedroom windows, they have to argue with big rosebushes.

My Florida son called this evening. He's hatching a plan for a round-robin visit next weekend. At the moment, the plan is for him to fly in to Redbird (the local light plane airport), hangar his plane there, and come stay with me Friday night. We'll get together with David and Brittney that evening. Then sometime Saturday, we'll fly to Fredericksburg so he can visit his sisters, and on Sunday or Monday we'll fly to Houston to visit my cousin there. He's been like a favorite uncle to my son. He had three daughters, always wanted a son, but didn't have one. He was an airline pilot, and my son flies, so they have that in common, and have always been close. We'll stay there a couple of days, then my son will fly me back home, stay a day or two and then return to Florida. Sounds like fun! He's bringing his dog, a sweet, elderly c@cker spaniel named Abbie, and of course Toye Starr will go along as well, so it's going to be fun. I love flying with him!

Boo, I know what you mean about kids' bedrooms. I used to pull shriveled banana peels and dried up apple cores from under my kids' beds. Once we were trying to track down a terrible smell, and a kid, who shall be nameless, suddenly looked a little pale and said "uh-oh." Child disappeared and returned with a saucer, on which there was half a tuna sandwich, in an advanced state of decay! Double yuck. Dale said, "Do I need to say anything?" Child replied, "No, sir, please, sir." That was it.

Well, I'm off to bed. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena




August 23, 2013 - Msg 94526: Boo....Where was Bernie during all of this? I say...Son, what were you doing Son? You need to guard the house Son...
Gibbs lesson #23, "Ya don't mess with a woman's porch swing or ya may get a rear end full of buck-shot as Romeena was elating too!
It may be just my opinion....but I just happen to feel I'm right.....

G-F......
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94527: I should let Bernie out of his pen at night, G-F...good plan. haha

Ro, we have motion sensor lights around the house but they were turned off that night. We have 2 different lights on the porch. One is dimmer than the other, so i made sure the bright ones were on last night and turned on all the motion lights. They stay on most of the time because of the dogs prowling around but it cant be helped. No sign of foul play last night but I am thinking of putting a lock on the gate at night. I have a freind a couple of miles from here who has had someone coming on her place and taking things and even tried to get in the other day, so not sure. We have a security sign out front, which might have kept them from trying to get into the house. I wish i had a doberman instead of Frick and Frack. ;)

As far as kid's rooms go, I have tried to give them some slack because I know it is pretty normal for kids to keep their rooms a little undtidy but this was beyond bad! I didn't find any old food, though, so i guess I'm lucky. Just found some old popcorn under the bed...lots of paper, glitter, plastic crafing jewels, legos, old socks, clothes that belonged to her friends, tons of markers and pencils, way too many stuffed animals, etc. I cleaned out her "junk drawer" and it took nearly an hour just to do that. We worked all day on that room and it is spic and span and smells wonderful. I am trying not to be fanatical about it being clean but when you homeschool, chaos can get out of hand in a hurry if you don't maintain some order. She is home most of the time and she needs to do things but i think we will have to limit the crafting activities to the kitchen island from now on!

Time to finish the coffee and get going. Today we tackle the laundry room and office! :)

Boo
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94528: PS- sounds like a you have a great weekend planned, Ro. I hope its a blast!

Boo
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94529:
Morning porch family.....need to get out and cut grass while I have a little break in the weather.

Boo...be sure to keep those sensor lights on. People are nuts. Like Ro said....good way to get lead poisoning!

Ro....wow that sounds like a fun weekend.....must be really nice to have a son with a plane...lol

Well better get going. You all have a Jesus filled day!
Love and prayers
-REV
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94530: Good morning, porch! Boo, are you inside the city limits? What kind of police protection do you have? When I was a kid in the country, we had a little run of thievery at one point, in our area. We were never hit, but our neighbor was. One night, he woke up and realized somebody was rummaging around in his back yard. He got his .12-gauge, quietly opened the back door and fired that big old shotgun - into the ground, then yelled "Next time I'll aim it at you!" He didn't fire into the air, because that shot has to come down somewhere, and he didn't want to fire at the intruders because he figured it was a couple of teenage boys that were just general nuisances all the time. However, when that gun went off, those boys ran faster than they ever believed they could, cleared a fence like a Kentucky jumper, and disappeared. They never came back. Amazing what the sound of a gun, and the whiz of lead will do to straighten out somebody's behavior.

Yes, REV,it's pretty cool. That boy has always been as independent as a hog on ice, and when he was 16, he enrolled in flying lessons on his own - we knew nothing about it - and at 17 he soloed. Because of an accidental phone call, we got to witness the solo. The rest is history. Actually, I think I've told this story before.

Anyway, he's flown ever since, always having to rent a plane to do it. There's always an owner who helps finance their plane by renting it to other pilots. Finally, a few years ago, at the strip near his house, where he would go to rent a plane, someone put their plane up for sale. It was one he had always admired, and really didn't think he'd ever own, so when the news started circulating that the plane was for sale, he just jumped in and bought it. It's a beautiful Beechcraft Bonanza, six seats and is in perfect condition. He had it checked from prop to tail fin, updated some things, added some new instruments, including a GPS, and it's like a new plane. It's very comfortable, with lots of leg room, because he took one of the seats out. When I flew with him in a rented plane, I was always in the right-side seat, because there weren't any others. Now, in his plane, his dog Abbie rides in the right seat, and I get in the back where I can stretch out and move around. Besides, Abbie would be extremely insulted if she couldn't ride beside her daddy. That dog is absolutely, totally and completely devoted to him. He likes her pretty good, too.

Well, Joe and George will be here shortly. I've got five own-root Angel Face roses to be planted, and three old roses will have to be dug up, so I called for help. Those three shed their grafted crowns, so now all they are is long spindly canes, coming off the root stock, which is usually some kind of climber. Not appropriate in an island bed, so out they go. I'd relocate them, but they typically never bloom, so why bother? No more grafted roses for me. From now, I'm buying own-root or none at all. I'm tired of this little dance.

Blessings, friends, have a wonderful day! --Romeena
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94531: Ro, Ya better make sure you cook him a pork chop or three. Is that the one who his brother sent the picture too?
:)

Asa
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94532: Asa, You're stirring up trouble with Ro's boys!

Hey Romeena...That Beechcraft "Bonanza", did that plane come with "Hop Sing" as the on board cook & Big Hoss as the Mechanic? If it did, that plane was a GOOD DEAL! Just have Hop Sing cook ya up a mess of chops on the way. Just be sure it has a jack!
Now I'll just leave ya'all with this vision), Now vision Romeena, her Son & the dog flying across the states with the music blaring full blast to the Theme of "Bonanza" and singing the theme song to "Rawhide" at the top of their lungs! Now admit it, am I or an I right right? Or is it just me??....Ok it's just me!....

G-F....
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94533: Go'in, Go'in, Go'in, keep this plane a "Roll'in" Rawhide!....tehaha... REV there's a song somewhere in this trip for your next C/D project.
G-F Again...
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94534: Sorry Romeena, but this adventure of yours is giving me a lot of "New" material. If ya get air sick just be sure you switch places with the dog...."Sick as a dog but hav'in the time of my life"!....ok, I'm done. (for now)
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94535: That is so neat about your son, Ro. He must be something else to learn how to fly by 17. Wow..and look at how successful he has been in life. Must have something to do with having such spectacular parents. :)...now, don't deny it.

I have been continuing with the spring/end-of-summer cleaning today and am working on the laundry room...ick...lots of clothes to put away and such..going through old clothes that don't fit Erin, etc.

I am going to have to make Bruce pull off the screens on the windows and clean the outsides. We have three Brown Widow spiders inside the space between the windows and screens in the living room...did I already tell this? If so, sorry. This has been a big year for spiders around here.

Better finish the coffee break and get back to work.

Boo
August 23, 2013 - Msg 94536: Hey MDC...Are you with me on this? How about we remake the old "Sky King" series and call it "Sky Queen" and we can get Romeena to reprise the roll of Gloria Winters as "Penny". Since she learned so much about flying on the ranch she should have her own rig called "Songbird too" or "Songbird Redux" it's a fitting name for a fitting Lady.
Except for these days she should have twin 50 cal's on each wing. Border Guards? We don't need no stink'in border guards with "Sky Queen" on patrol. I think we would have to pitch the idea to FOX, the other 3 networks would think it to be to "Politically Incorrect" is what I'm thinking!
I'm just say'in....

Just to refresh your memory...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOR4afHYxrM

G-F....
August 24, 2013 - Msg 94537:
G-F--You bet I'm in! I used to get up every Sat. morning to watch the test pattern, and then Sky King and Fury! ha
My dad has told me that he wanted to fly when he was about 8 when his dad took him to see some "barnstormers." "He caught the fever" he said! :)
BOO- I'll add my 2 cents sinse you mentioned about
Sean praying about the jobs, you can do the same with your property. Ask the Lord to guard over it
and your family and animals with His hedge of protection.
RO-That is a great story about the boys hightailin' it out of the yard. I can picture it in my mind's eye.
REV- good to see you. We should be getting some rain soon.
D-Backs are holding their own right now, with 5 weeks to go they need more consistency.
Good nascar coming up too.
God's blessings all,
MDC



August 24, 2013 - Msg 94538: Lawww, you folks are wound up tonight! 50 cals on the wings, indeed! Actually, might not be a bad idea.....

Yes, this is the son that David sent the photos of his pork chops. They have this little deal going. Actually, Dale, Jr. started it years ago, when I was out there visiting, and I cooked him a big ol' mess of round steak and gravy. It was before camera/phones and email, so he just called David and gave him a very detailed description of what was on his plate. They have one-upped each other ever since. They are eleven years apart in age, so were never very close as kids. By the time David started school, his brother was about to graduate. However, the older they get, the smaller that age gap becomes, and they're good friends now. Both of them are fearless and adventurous, will defend anyone that's being bullied, love kids and animals and have very tender hearts. Dale, Jr. worked and put himself through college - his choice. David chose not to go to college, but has built a good business of his own. They're both very self-sufficient, full of fun, and have a healthy attitude toward life. They both chose well, married terrific girls, and have happy marriages. They love the Lord, and they love and respect me. What more can a mother ask? God is good.

Boo, I need to be doing what you're doing. It's time for a big old cleaning-out around this house, but I just don't have the energy to do it. The whole house needs it, and that's a pretty scary idea. Maybe I need to start small, like just one closet or something.

Well, I'm off to the ironing board. I'm tired, Joe was here today and planted my little rosebushes, and together we did some weeding, and it wore me out. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
August 24, 2013 - Msg 94539: Thanks for the advice, MDC...I will do that. :)

Ro, that is kind of how it started for me...a month or so ago I decided to clean out the junk drawer and things snowballed from ther. Try doing the junk drawer. :)

Busy day today...you all might not be hearing from me as much come Monday and the start of school but I will try to keep checking in as usual.

Boo
August 25, 2013 - Msg 94540:
11 PM here in Phx area, and we're starting to get some rain! yippee!
MDC
August 25, 2013 - Msg 94541: Good for you, MDC. I know how bad you need that rain. I've always wondered about something. W hen it rains on the American desert areas, does the same thing happen that you see on TV, that happens in the deserts around the world? I mean, does it suddenly enjoy a flush of vegetation, wild flowers and other wonderful things? Do streams run that have been dry for a long time? That would really be something to see!

Well, I'm off to preachin'. Wearing some new dangly earrings, too. Eloise and I went to Charming Charlie's last week, and I got several pair of dangly earrings. They were on sale, many less than half price, and I got a sackful! I love dangly earrings. Got a cute bracelet, too. It's a black leather band that closes with snaps, and it has a black leather bow, trimmed in gold edging, attached to it. I'm wearing black and white, and gold earrings today, so it looks quite smart! Charlie has lots of neat stuff.

Oh! I just watched one of my tiny helpers, outside on a shrub. It's a little lizard, about three inches long. He was stalking a bug that was sitting on a twig, and he got him! Boy, those little guys are fast! I love 'em, they're so cute. Little green guy, with an orange throat flap that he extends and retracts, like a little flag. I think they're actually called anoles, or something like that, but to me, he's a lizard.

Blessings! --Romeena
August 25, 2013 - Msg 94542: Hello Porch! Hope you are all having a good sunday. It has been here. Went to preachin' and had a churchful! A lovely elderly couple joined the church today and a young woman who has been working at the drug rehab where I volunteered went up to request baptism. :) Made me very happy. I am so very thankful to God that he as at work and our church is such a sweet, happy, healthy congregation. None of us deserves it, but God's grace is amazing. :) Our home for ladies out of prison (Grace House) is prospering and a large church in Corpus Christi has a women's ministry that wanted to help out so they went and bought lovely things for the women's home...they have beautifully decorated bedrooms now.

Well, I am trying to keep a headache at bey (or is it at "bay")? I have one of those aches in my neck that is creeping up into my head, darn it. I want to nap, but I know it will keep me up too late. Have to get in bed early and start the first day of homeschool tomorrow. Erin's room is still clean, the house is tidy, and the laundry is caught up. I still have some cleaning to do in the office. I meant to do it yesterday but my friend Keith's dad passed away and I went to the visitation yesterday afternoon. The dear man lived to be 97 and passed peacefully.

Today was Matthew's birthday (St. susan's only child), and he turned 34...can't believe it. We had lunch at Susan's (grilled Rueben sandwiches...yum!), and I had a great visit with Matthew..what a spectacular guy he is. Just the best, sweetest, softest heart you can find in a man. I love him like my own. I sat there on the couch and it was like part of the life of my family flashed before my eyes. As I sat there surrounded by Matt, my two children, and Matt and Amy's three, I was so blessed to think about how our family has grown and we all love each other so much. It all started with Matt back in the 70's...he was the first baby and it was a good 16 years until another one came along (Sean)...now our family is so nice and full. We are truly blessed! PS-Amy's breast lump turned out to be a benign cyst..thanks for the prayers. :)

Boo
August 25, 2013 - Msg 94543: Romeena...Charming Charlies? Sounds like a Cousin of Newton Monroe's. Just be sure you don't buy any fur coats from him, you know what problems Barney had.
Did your Lizard have a Aussie accent? Did he say: G-day mate or "Good on Ya"!...

G-F....
August 25, 2013 - Msg 94544: Now with Feeling...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4njS23NvzPU
August 25, 2013 - Msg 94545: Just Curious Boo...When you "Home School" do you pick the kids up, drive them around the block and bring them back home?...G-F
August 25, 2013 - Msg 94546: Hey gang..well only one more week on the weekend night shift...hey Boo,Rev you on the road?..hey GF,MDC...good bristol race Mavis!...aint heard from yha ion a bit...hey Possum...Romeena you on the night shift some now....well let me get the Midnight reports ran...I-Hop on me in the morning...Flap Jacks!....prayers...SPOT
August 26, 2013 - Msg 94547:
RO- the short answers---yes and yess! We even have a "stupid motorist law" here so when idiots try to cross a flooded wash and get stuck, they have to pay for the rescue! really! Observe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK-3G_lY-_c
"Dumb dee dumb dumb!"
The problem with the first "yes" is that after the desert blooms and grows, and looks so nice, then the next 90 days of heat and dryness creates
a real tinderbox, so not so neat.

G-F--that was a good video, now check out this "Flo tutorial!" lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWn7sZyItGU
Yup, looks like Newton Monroe or Bert is hangin round TX! ha
Prayers for all,
MDC
August 26, 2013 - Msg 94548: Good morning, porch! Wow - what a beautiful day! Probably going to be hot, but it's just 80° right now, at 9:22. The sky is absolutely clear, not a single cloud, and such a beautiful blue. That American Beautyberry bush behind my biggest boulder is just loaded with huge clusters of purple berries and is so pretty. The growth habit of that bush is unusual. The tiny flowers appear in early spring, arising in little clusters along the canes, at every leaf axil. Those fragrant but tiny flowers start turning into clusters of tiny berries, so densely packed at each leaf junction along the canes that they look like huge blackberries. Just Google "American Beautyberry" and you'll find lots of pictures. They sure are pretty things! I have two, but the one in the back fence corner isn't doing well. I think I'll move it, but it probably won't survive, as they put down a taproot, and such plants don't take kindly to moving. It's worth a try though, because it's just languishing back there - not enough sun - and didn't even bloom, poor thing.

Well, got to get busy. My son will be here Friday morning, and I don't plan to let him walk into this house with it in the shape it's in right now. Lots to do!! Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
August 26, 2013 - Msg 94549: Good Morning porch, Monday has rolled around again! not too busy at work today so thought I would sit a spell.

weather is nice on my end of the porch this morning. a cool 65 degrees when I left for work, supposed to warm to about 85 today. not too bad for the end of August. We have had many foggy mornings though. The older generation around here says that the number of foggy mornings we have will equal the number of snow falls we have in the winter. not sure if there is anything to that but if so we will have snow all winter!

Patrick and Beth both start their classes today.

went to church yesterday. It was my Sunday to be assistant greeter. Our greeter is 82 years old and her father was the founding pastor of our church 60+ years ago. she has early stage alzheimer's so several of us are trying to help her. we don't want to take her "job' away from her but realize she does need help. came home after church and whenMr. Maude got off work at 6 had his supper ready.

Lets meet at the diner for lunch today.

Prayers and blessings to all.

Big Maude
August 26, 2013 - Msg 94550: Hey
G F popping in just for you.

Mr.TOM

August 26, 2013 - Msg 94551: TOM, I was worried you fell off the porch and could not get back on your rocker...Weather good down your way? Been great here!...G-F

August 26, 2013 - Msg 94552:
Howdy porch family.....it was such a nice day today....really enjoyed being outside a lot of the day.

Spot....nope..not on the road right now....go back out this Friday for about 3 weeks....TN and KY. Man our Braves need 20 more to lock everything in. Sure hope Jason gets back healthy soon.

MDC....hope ya'll got that rain you needed buddy. You keeping those D-Backs on the go aren't you :)

Maude...will be in Pigeon Forge this weekend for a concert...sure hope it's nice weather:)

Did anybody see the story about the couple in Ohio that had been married for almost 66 years. They died within 11 hours of each other. The children had been preparing the dad telling him that mom wasn't going to be around much longer. His daughter said he told them that he just wouldn't let her go without him. He died at 7:30am and she died at 6:30pm the same day. So sad but so sweet. Why can't more stories like this make the headline news?

Well porch family....you all have a goodnight sleep.
Sending love and prayers your way!
-REV.
August 26, 2013 - Msg 94553: Hey y'all!

How is everyone doing? I've read the archives a few times but don't have a chance to say hello before needing to do something. I hope y'all are well and are in my prayers.

Blessings,
Lucy
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94554:
Hey to Lucy. Hope you make it back to see us!
GREAT duststorm and thunderstorm this evenin!.
Very refreshing and needed. Havent seen any stupid motorists on the news...YET! There is always at least
one who didnt get the memo (or these days....the tweet! ha)
REV- the Dbacks are going to have to hustle to
get into any playoffs. Thanks for the love and prayers.
Maude, glad the kids got back to school OK.
Summer's almost over!
MDC
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94555: Spot & REV...Have your boys take it easy on our Indians, they are in a battle for a "Wild Card" spot. We just never know which Indians team will show up..Same old story just a different day...Right TOM?
G-F
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94556: REV, That was a touching story, the couple was from the Dayton area. To add to the story, when they were taking them to the Cemetery they passed their farm where they raised their family, the current owners had their flag at half staff in their honor. How cool was that!

G-F
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94557: On the same subject...Sorta fitting....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Zbp5Ml4kU
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94558: Hey, great to see Lucy on the porch...hang in there, girl!

Hey to Maude. :)

MDC, we have been enjoying rain here the last couple of days, too. It has been so wonderful. I think we got 4 inches yesterday, which i don't think has happened in years. Hope to get some more today.

Better get started on the homeschooling. My class starts tomorrow and I have no idea what to expect! Just a little nervous because I haven't had any college classes since the 80's.. The two textbooks I had to purchase for the class are about 4 inches thick (both of them). Not even possible to read them all in 4 months!

Boo
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94559: Thank you, G-F. That's a beautiful song, and much to my surprise, it unleashed a flood of tears, as I thought of my Dale waiting for me. I guess my chores aren't finished yet, because God still keeps me here, but how sweet it is to know that when the time comes, my precious Dale will be waiting, and will meet me. I think of him all the time, he's a constant presence in my heart, but it's been quite a while now since I actually broke down and cried. It's strange, it felt good, in a way. The character of the tears has changed. In the early years, when I cried, it was with a sense of despair, loneliness, even protest. Now, there's almost a sweetness, a sense of anticipation, just overwhelming emotion at the prospect of seeing him again, and being able to share the presence of the Lord with him. You young folks - take note. As you get older, if you know the Lord and have the assurance of heaven, your attitude toward aging and eventually dying will change. You will no longer dread it.

It's beautiful here today, cool and pleasant. Will probably get hot later, but it's so nice right now. MDC, how do you deal with the dust storms? If you keep the house shut up, does that keep it out, or does it still find its way in? I would imagine a rainstorm is particularly welcome after a dust storm, to wash things clean again, like shrubbery, cars, lawn furniture, whatever.

Well, I've got a lot to do. This house looks like it's been ransacked, and my uber-neat son will be here on Friday morning. Got to try to pull things together and neaten up a bit. I've gotten so lazy in the past few years. When there's no one to answer to but a little dog, and she doesn't care, you tend to let things go. Actually, I kept house better when I was working, because when I had a free day, I knew it was then or never, to get things done. Now, it's just too easy to say, "Oh well, there's always tomorrow, and if not then, there's the next day." Shame on me!

Blessings, everyone. Have a great day! --Romeena
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94560: Well, folks, it happened again. You remember the trouble I had last year with the IRS, because someone had filed a false return, using my name and identifiers. It took a letter to Sen. Cornyn to get my refund. The IRS had estimated a year. He also instructed them to flag my return, so it would be personally examined. That didn't happen, and yesterday I was notified that the return I e-filed the day before was rejected, because - wait for it - drum roll - someone had already filed! They don't learn very fast, do they, and apparently they don't follow instructions very well either. And these people are going to administer our healthcare? It will be a circus, run by clowns. God help us.

Well, sorry for the negative hit and run, but I just wanted to whine a little. I really need that refund, so I wrote to the Senator again. It's already in the mail. We'll see what happens now. Oh yes - I also called a friend who is a detective on the police force, and he referred me to a detective in the financial crimes division, saying they will be very happy to jump into this, because I've got some juicy information for them. I have the address used last year by the thief, and the name and address of the owner of the house. At least it's a lead.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94561: Sorry Romeena.. I forgot to warn ya that one would make ya cry. Sometimes our eyes get dry and foggy and we need to wash them with tears of today to see the sweet remembrances of yesterdays.
(Your not talking to a jerk ya know)!

I liked your Quote: "A Circus run by Clowns" it is fitting...Funny? Funny like a Clown, as Barney would say...

G-F
August 27, 2013 - Msg 94562:
Howdy porch family....been a busy day today. My daughter asked me to help her do some things today and it took longer than expected....but hey...that's what a dad is for :)

G-F....well just finished watching the Braves and your Indians and I'm sure you didn't like the outcome:) I think the magic number for the Braves now is 19.
Oh and by the way....I also read that about taking the couple by the old home place on the way to the cemetery....that was so sweet of the family that lived there to lower the flag.

MDC....hope you all keep getting some of that rain. Of course if you get the rain you won't have the dust storms right?

Ro....that really stinks about your luck with the IRS...AGAIN! That is just plain sorry and it's no sense in it. So sorry you've got to deal with this again.

Well gang I better get some sleep. You all have a good night.
Love and prayers
-REV.
August 28, 2013 - Msg 94563: Thanks, friends. I agree, it's a sorry state of affairs when the IRS is so incompetent that this could happen a second time, when they've been told by a senator to mark the account, and they obviously have the address that the false refund went to. I have it too, by the way, and will turn it over to our local police tomorrow. It's not a P.O. box, it's an actual house in Austin, on the tax rolls for over $600k, and I have the names of the people listed as the owners. They live in New York. Sounds a bit fishy, don't you think? Anyway, someone is asleep at the switch for this to happen twice in a row.

I was spittin' mad when I first got the word this morning, but have calmed down now. I will survive, and know that God will turn it to my advantage in the long run. That's what happened last year. I was late getting my money, for sure, but really did need it when it finally came. If I had gotten it on time, I'd probably have spent it, and then wouldn't have had it when I needed it. I'm expecting much the same thing this time. Nevertheless, this has awakened my curiosity and determination, and I'm going to pursue every avenue to get this thing settled, and God willing, to see that the perpetrators answer for it. When it happened last year, I called the local police at the suggestion of the IRS. The person I spoke to seemed surprised, and said they didn't get involved in such things, that I should just let the IRS handle it. Uh.....

So, when I called my detective friend this afternoon, I was a little surprised when he gave me the names of the detectives in the "financial crimes" division. Why didn't they tell me about that last year?? Oh well. It will be interesting to see what they think of the situation when I call them in the morning. So, tune in tomorrow, for another chapter in the ongoing sage of Romeena vs the IRS. By the way, I think IRS stands for Incompetent and Really Stupid.

Blessings! --Romeena
August 28, 2013 - Msg 94564:
RO- ...and 16,000 more agents to mess things up good! I can just picture it now, "No Steve, we have no record of you needing a CT scan, but we'll schedule it again. Will August of 2018 work for ya?" Yikes, yes Lord help us.
The R's, after 40 resolutions, finally have a chance to not fund OBcare for real, and they are balking! I'm emailing all 435 again. I'm not going down without a fight. This vote may be our last chance.
REV-yes, the rain does settle the dust...for about 2 days. ha
RO- Homes here are pretty weather tight, but we do change our AC filters pretty often. lol
Prayers for all,
MDC
August 28, 2013 - Msg 94565: Morning porch dwellers.
Been awful busy and my home computer went on the fritz, so I ain't been here much. Sure hope all are well. Ro, sorry to read you are still doing battle with the IRS over this issue. Y'all have spoken my feelings on the matter, so I'll just add that I hope you can get this resolved once and for all. This Nation is in such a mess. Lord help us please.

Asa
August 28, 2013 - Msg 94566: HaHa REV, I think the Indians need more than "Magic" to get to the post season..I'm thinkin they better give Jesus a bat, it may be the only way they get there...
(Lord, I apoligize).....

G-F......
August 28, 2013 - Msg 94567: Hey, Asa....I'm getting my furnace filter order in this week..Heating season is coming FAST!!
We are looking for a good HVAC guy, how do you feel about winters in Ohio?...G-F....
August 28, 2013 - Msg 94568: Ohhhh, I'm so, so, so something! I don't know if I'm mad, tired, frustrated or all three. I've been on the phone much of the afternoon, trying to get someone interested in doing something about the tax ID thief. I've been yelled at by a man in the taxpayer advocate office, had my head bitten off by someone in the Travis county sheriff's office, and told by the Irving police that there's nothing they can do. I have walked softly, been polite and patient, and refrained from losing my temper when these minor functionaries are patting me on the head and telling me how "these things take time."

Nobody seemed to realize, or care, that I was trying to help THEM, and they wouldn't listen when I tried to explain! I'm not concerned about getting my refund. Sen. Cornyn will get that done, I have no doubt. However, I have learned that the address used last year was used again this year, so that tax house is still in operation. I would think any law enforcement agency would be interested in making a bust like that, but apparently not.

The taxpayer advocate office told me just to wait and let Sen. Cornyn take care of it. The Irving police referred me to the Austin police, who referred me to the Travis county sheriff's office. That hateful, rude woman there tried to refer me back to Irving. When I said "Well, Irving told me to call you", she cut me off, and said "I'm trying to tell you how to handle this. If you're not interested, just say so and hang up." I said "Ma'am, I'm not..." and she cut me off again, this time saying "If you'll stop arguing with me and call Irving like I told you, you might get your money.." This time I cut her off and said "Don't say another word. I'm not asking for help getting my money. I have a state senator working on that, and I'll get it. I'm offering you a chance to put a shine on your badge by busting a tax house like the police in Florida did. The address is (address), and you can do with it what you will." And I hung up. Grrrrr!! Our tax money is being hemorrhaged into the accounts of these thieves, and no one seems to care, except me. I don't understand it.

And now I'm going to make myself a bowl of warm soup, and a glass of cold tea, and sit down to watch a little TV. Blessings upon my friends, and as for the people I've dealt with today, may the fleas of a thousand camels infest their armpits. --Romeena
August 28, 2013 - Msg 94569: Hey Y'all- Hope everyone is well-gotta read the archives & do some catching up.
Y'all take care now-love to all!

*******************
possum under a rock