December 29, 2013 - Msg 95979: There was the episode where Andy is trying to avoid Gomer after saving his life with the smoking oily rags at the service station. Andy was going to go have the boiled dinner down at the fire station. But he never made it. Seems to me though if there is a fire dept. In town, folks have an obligation to have a fire every now and again. Kinda like a tooth doctor ought to have some sick teeth to tend to or folks have an obligation to keep the streets a tad dusty if they is a street sweeper employed. Maybe that's all Romeena was doing. Her civic duty.

Asa
December 29, 2013 - Msg 95980: Good evening, porch. Right now, it seems to me that the smoke smell is gone, but I'm sure it's because I've been in here all afternoon. If I were to go outside for a while and come back in, it would probably be very evident again. I know there are companies that take care of that, but it costs more than I can afford right now, and I'm not sure I want them in here spraying stuff around. I think their services are more for when there has been an actual fire, and the smoke residue is much worse. I'll give it a few days and see.

As for the conversation with the fire marshall tomorrow, by the time it ends he and I will be old friends, but I will have made my point. He really has no valid defense. Suppose I was a smoker, and was in a smoldering chair or bed, overcome by smoke? Some of today's fabrics and fillers will smolder a very long time before they ever flame up, and some never do, but the occupant is still just as dead. No question, they dropped the ball, but I refuse to make a fight out of it. Much more can be accomplished with a friendly conversation. And in their partial defense, they've probably taken a lot of abuse from irate homeowners who have come home to a smashed door, after an alarm malfunction. It may not excuse their performance, but it does help to explain it, and that will be my starting point. However, perhaps I should acknowledge a truth here, which is - had Toye Starr been harmed by this incident, my attitude would be much different. My approach might not have changed much, but I would have carried it to the mat. Exactly what that would mean, I don't know, because that little baby furkid is irreplaceable to me. Innocent little thing.

Masked Poster, since you've been visiting with us at least since Thursday, we'd like to get to know you better. You seem like a Mayberry kind of person. Choose a handle to identify yourself, pull up a rocker and stick around. We're always glad to meet new friends.

Well, Hyacinth Bucket ("it's Boo-kay") is coming on, guess I'll go watch. She cracks me up! Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
December 29, 2013 - Msg 95981: Oh my gosh, Ro! So relieved to know that you, Toye Starr & your home are all okay! Wow...

*******************
possum under a rock
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95982: I did a little search and read that nearly 3,000 people die in house fires every year. Glad you called to find out what the problem was, Ro. I know a dog died in a house fire a couple of weeks ago near here. The elderly man was able to get out, but not the poor dog.

PH, I never answered your question about why mom wasn't wearing a diaper. Mom has had a lot of problems with overgrowth of yeast. Her immune system is aging and has a hard time keeping the right balance of good bacteria. She benefits greatly from time out of the diapers. My mistake was letting her leave them off at the wrong time.

Well, had an interesting morning at a very small little Baptist church this morning in a town even smaller than Mayberry. It was a REAL old fashioned church and I enjoyed it. There were only about 25 or 30 people there but the church was full. It was wonderful to see Jill baptized. As it turned out, the elderly pastor had been visiting Jill and her husband every sunday for over a year trying to bring them along in the faith. Bless his heart. I was blessed to get to hear him share the gospel from the pulpit with wisdom and grace.

Boo
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95983: Boo, how delightful to learn that there still some of those old-fashioned churches out there, where the emphasis is on the right things, and where the gospel is not only preached, but lived every day. Thanks for sharing that.

About your mom's yeast problem - will she eat yogurt? You probably know this, but a serving of plain old yogurt every day will work wonders on a chronic yeast infection. Actually, buttermilk is pretty effective too, if she'll drink it. Personally, I love it, and drink it often, just because I enjoy it. If your mom takes antibiotics now and then, of course that often brings on a case of yeast, depending on which antibiotic is, but most of them will do it. Anytime I have to take antibiotics, I drink extra buttermilk, and it really makes a difference. Of course, there are anti-fungals you can use, but yogurt or buttermilk work just as well, and they're natural!

Hyacinth was hilarious tonight, and believe it or not, it was an episode I had never seen. I've been watching that Britcom for years, and thought I'd seen them all, but this one was new to me. Very, very funny.

OK, I'm off to the ironing board. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95984:
ASA- as long as you're sweepin', ya might as well help RO git the smoke out of her house! :)
RO-- let's you make one of them charcoal-spreadin' pacts...
I wont stand on the top steps of ladders no more, and you wont leave anything going on the stove no more!! Is it a deal?
MDC
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95985: you AND ME
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95986: Breakfast menu: 2 eggg your way,bisquits and sawmill gravy,country ham,fried thin pork chops,bacon(chewey and crisp),grits,hashbrowns with cheese,sausage(links and pattys)(jimmy dean),stewed apples,OJ,coffee,Milk (cold)...toast and grape jam and apple butter...I know, I know It will lay heavy on yer chest but ....well EAT !...SPOT
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95987: Well MDC,as a novice cook I've had plenty of smokey houses to deal with but probably non quite as bad as what Romeena had.
Romeena, if the fire marshal gives you any attitude you could go Otis on him and tell him next time you will take your business elsewhere. That'll learn him. :)

Asa
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95988: Asa, Funny post #95979 I guess a person needs to forget to change their furnace filter and has to call the HVAC man cause they don't get any air flow? haha (I have had a lot of those calls)

Man, SPOT that is quite a breakfast spread, count me in! Except can I get a little maple syrup for my grits? I know, I know, it ain't right, but I like mine that was from time to time. Just don't put ketchup on my eggs.. Yuk!

Well TOM...Same story, Browns lose again, no play-offs and they are suppose to fire their 1st year coach...Same old old!

Well back to snow on my end of the porch, just a pretty covering for now, will shovel later, for now it's a cup of tea and some banana bread, yep that's what I gonna do...

G-F....
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95989: Good morning, porch. You know, I really look forward to stopping by the porch, 'cause I know it's gonna be a fun visit. Y'all are so funny! And creative! What would I do without this porch!

G-F, I'm not crazy about ketchup on eggs either, though it's better than nothing. Fried eggs don't need anything, but scrambled - gotta have some salsa! We Texans eat salsa like Buddy the Elf eats syrup, you know. I put it on scrambled eggs for sure, but if none is available, Tabasco will do. For salsa, I buy three kinds, all Pace Picante. I buy mild, medium and hot, and each has a different use. Mild is usually reserved for wimpy guests. Medium goes on eggs and just about anything else, and Hot is reserved for my son's use (he loves it!) and I'll put it on certain foods, like Spanish rice. I judge a Mexican restaurant by the salsa they put on the table. If their salsa is good, the food usually is as well. If it's thin and watery, with no kick to it, the food will usually be "blah" also. Hmm. How did I get on that subject?

Grits with maple syrup? Never tried that, but I do like mine with a little Tabasco. By the way, for you folks with tender mouths, who don't like hot stuff, try this. Any dairy product will kill the burn from peppers. Even butter will work, but milk or sour cream will stop it in its tracks. So, when you get a bite of something that starts to blister your tongue, don't drink water. It just spreads the fire! Drink milk, or get a bit of the sour cream that usually appears on the plate with most Mexican dishes. Cools the burn right down, immediately. True - it works! My Michigan-born Dale went through a lot of sour cream as he was learning to like Mexican food. He hated it at first, would order a hamburger in a Mexican restaurant. That little trick earned him a lot of strange looks, you can bet! Gradually, he developed a taste for the foods, and finally became as much of a pepper-belly as I am. He would often suggest a Mexican restaurant, and he liked for me to cook it at home, too.

You know, the mention of furnace filters makes me wonder if some of the smoke smell is coming from my filter. I just changed it a couple of weeks ago, but I'll bet it trapped a lot of that smoke. I need to get some, I used my last one. Jerry usually gets them for me, 6 or 8 at a time, and they're a little cheaper that way.

Well, off I go. Got phone calls to make! --Romeena
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95990: Romeena, While I was removing snow I saw the most beautiful Blue Jay eatin' off my suet block. I think PH must have sent him down from Toronto...
Come to think of it, it is "Off season" for the Blue Jays, so I guess they Do fly South. They must be heading to Florida for spring training is what I'm thinking.

G-F.......
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95991: G-F, I love bluejays. I know a lot of people don't like them, and consider them bully birds and pests. They are pretty bold, I know, and they do try to rule the feeders, but they are so beautiful. Their markings are so pretty, and that blue color is just gorgeous. Yep, I like 'em!

Well, I talked with one of the fire marshals - not the chief, but we had a great conversation. He's going to present the whole story to the chief, it will be discussed in a staff meeting, and he said the chief will be calling me. I made it clear that I wasn't calling to complain, but rather to open a dialog on something that I see to be a problem, maybe one that doesn't have a clear solution. He agreed. Here's the thing. If they had walked the entire perimeter of my house, they would have seen the smoke through my big window. It was not visible on three sides of the house, but that window on the back is never obscured. So, obviously they didn't do that. He sees that as a concern, and so do I. However, if they had seen it, they would have smashed my door down, probably causing some expensive damage. I would have understood, would not have been happy about it, but not angry with them. Some people, however, would have a hissyfit if they smashed a door and there was no one in any danger. Unreasonable, but then some people are not always reasonable. On the other hand, if someone had been in here (or Toye Starr) and they didn't break in, it could have been tragic. So, they're in a catch-22. So, their discussion will be about their policies, and trying to refine them a bit, to provide safety but avoid unnecessary damage. It's not going to be easy. One thing that does remain - they didn't check the entire perimeter of the house, or they would have known it was full of smoke. He said that will be addressed. I did have the opportunity to give him the code to my garage door, which is now in a database that the trucks have access to. That number is now attached to my address, and if a call comes to go to that address, that code will show up also, and they can gain access without breaking anything. I know, that makes that code available to fire department personnel, but that's a chance I'm willing to take. So, all in all, it was a good conversation, I'll be getting a follow-up call, and I think some good may come out of it.

Now, for some lunch. Got some gooood turkey in there! I love leftovers. --Romeena
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95992: Wow, Romeena! I am thankful that the situation was not much worse for you and Toye Starr. Fire is a scary thing(just ask Frankenstein ;)).
Seriously though, do you happen to have one(or more) of those stickers that you put on your door which state how many animals you have in the house, so that rescuers know you may have pets in there? I don't know how much importance firefighters put on looking for pets during fires when they have people to look for(or for your fire department, who don't seem to deem it important to look for anyone or anything, like smoke), but who knows, there may be an animal lover in the group who may take the time to look for a furkid.
I know my parents, and my sister who lives with them, have some of those stickers on the front door for such an incident.

When you talk with the Fire Marshall, I would prepare to be lectured on leaving stuff on the stove or oven.

Well, I have to get going to look for a job and think of what I am going to tell our auto loan bank so that they don't take the car away. Just got one of those "final demand" letters. Gee, Merry Christmas to you too.

That's great about your friend's daughter being baptized, Boo. Always a good thing to see.

-Sterling Holobyte
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95993: I guess I should have been quicker with the post button, Romeena. Didn't know you already talked with someone from the fire dept.

Like you mentioned, I wondered if the reason they don't always act aggressively to get into a house to investigate a possible fire is because they are afraid of lawsuits for destroying property, especially if they don't see flame. Sad fact that some people would take advantage of people trying to help and look for an opportunity to make a little money off of them should they "do the wrong thing" in their eyes.
That said, if they would have been a little more curious about other areas of the house, like you mentioned, they would have known there was indeed signs of fire there. And they should know that smoke is the bigger problem anyway where occupants are concerned.

Anyway glad things went well, and you seem to have produced a nice solution so they won't have to worry about damaging property unnecessarily if there is a next time.

-Sterling Holobyte
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95994: I am watching Gilligan play a Geni on I Dream Of Jeannie. This is a color version. Didn't he have his own show at about the same time? Mr. Sawyer
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95995: Hi, Sterling. Actually, I didn't get any kind of lectures from the fire personnel. Maybe because I started off by saying I had done a very dumb thing, and stating my NY resolution that it would never happen again. Both men I have talked with so far responded by reassuring me that it happens all the time. One said he once set a pan of grease on fire by answering the phone right after he put the pan on the stove, and the other told me how he had put a potholder down too close to a burner and it ignited. Actually, they have all been extremely nice, and I expect the chief marshal will be as well, when he calls me back. So far, they seem very appreciative that I'm not yelling at them, and are welcoming the chance to explore some solutions. I learned a very long time ago that you get much more done with a low-key approach than by taking a hard line. It almost always works out better that way. When you challenge someone, or put them on the defensive, then someone has to "win", and there's no room for compromise and negotiation. Dale taught me to never, ever, leave someone with no way out in any confrontation. That's when they'll rear up and attack, whether you're dealing with an animal or a person. I think he was right.

It will be interesting to see what kind of solution they come up with, because this is really a very "sticky wicket", so to speak. They can be blamed and can take a lot of flak, either way they go. I'm glad I don't have to find an answer. They're definitely moving n the right direction though, by attaching door codes to addresses in a database, so the firemen have that recourse, at least in some cases. Not everyone has that outdoor touch-pad, but they're gradually becoming more common. Of course, eventually that means that hackers will be getting into the database and harvesting those codes, etc. Oh, what a world we live in.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95996: Porch family, I have a prayer request. I just got off the phone with a dear friend who's husband of 32 years is dying from lung cancer. She is having a rough time since he is in the final stages of his fight. Please remember Sharon and Felix. They are both Christians and in need of the Lord's grace and comfort right now. Thanks.

Boo
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95997:
MR SAWYER--good to see you. Missed hearing from you. Hope your Christmas went well.
Also, I think Gilligans Island was only 3 years, so that IDOG ep was probably after GI.
SPOT--thanks for the grub, my yes, all that does lay heavy on the chest.
I saw Elonore Poltice on Emergengy! today. She made good cookies.
Have a safe and happy new year all,
Prayers,
MDC
December 30, 2013 - Msg 95998: Thanks MDC: I knew somebody on this porch would know the answer. Seems like GI had more seasons. Probably then about 75 eps? Christmas is always good you know. Mr. Sawyer
December 31, 2013 - Msg 95999: Prayers for Felix and Sharon. How very sad.

Romeena, I'm glad your discussions with the fire dept have gone well. I have no doubt that your gentle approach has paved the way to a good resolution to the problem.

I pray for all for a good, prosperous, healthy, happy, and God blessed New Year. It is my prayer that we as a Nation turn back to God and not turn our back on God. That starts with us individually. That we may all have that desire and courage to do so is my prayer.

Asa
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96000:
Boo, so sad to hear about the medical issue that your friend's husband is experiencing. I wish I had something more positive to offer them.

Romeena, I'm glad to learn the fire department is dealing with your recent scare. Imagine how embarrassing this could have been for them had the media became aware of what happened. And I wonder that if your insur@nce company had learned about this, would they increase your rates because of the higher risks involved?

Mr Sawyer, the answer MDC posted to your question is correct. According to http://www.tv.com/shows/i-dream-of-jeannie/my-son-the-genie-252749/, "This episode (My Son The Genie) was shot a few months after Bob Denver's classic show "Gilligan's Island" was cancelled."
Also, according to http://epguides.com/GilligansIsland/, Gilligan's Island last program aired on 17 April, 1967. And according to http://epguides.com/IDreamofJeannie/, "My Son The Genie" aired on 12 December, 1967. And since these programs were usually filmed between 2 and 6 months before they aired, this confirms that "My Son The Genie" was filmed after Gilligan's Island was cancelled.

from Poor Horatio
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96001: Thank you Poor Horatio for your in depth answer to my question. Let me say that you sure know your television history. Miss Crump would be proud. Also I would like to wish all you porch regulars a very Happy New Year. Mr. Sawyer
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96002: Morning porch! A very cold one here in Niortheast Tennessee.

Well, today Mr. Maude and I celebrate or 25 th wedding anniversary! It's been a good 25 I have to say . He is a god man with lots of patience for my craziness.

Ya!'ll have a good day.
Big Maude
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96003: Should of been " a good man ". Sorry for the typo.
Maudie
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96004: Prayers Boo for your friend..hey Maude,possum,PH,G-F,asa,mdc,SH,Romeena and all...well another year has gone...its been pretty good for me ...lot better than 2012...but on a lighter note...gona go out to eat tonight and to mall with Miss Martha...calm night !..well lets have open face roast beef sandwiches and pickels and chips for lunch....back in a bit...SPOT
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96005: Ok gang...Are you getting ready for the New Years meal? Is it gonna be Hoppin' John or sauerkraut & pork? We have always have sauerkraut, as a kid we had it a lot, Dad made it in (2) 40gal crocks it was a family effort we all had our jobs, poor Mom she got stuck canning all of it. Lets see, 4 quarts to a gallon x 80 = ? Anyhow it's more than Ernest T's 25+25 =50 I think... That's why I can relate to Aunt Bee's canning. Except the SMELL as it "worked" eeew! Homemade was better than that store bought stuff.
I remember REV loved his Hoppin' John. So those of you who make it remember REV as you do..

Congrat's Mr. & Mrs. Maude! Did you each get a stainless steel watch with a "25" on it? Stainless steel looks shiny, sorta like silver?

G-F
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96006: Wow, G-F. Homemade kraut? That sounds wonderful! I love sauerkraut, but have never eaten any that was homemade. That would just have to be good! I'll bet it does get a bit rank when you're making it, though. The Koreans make kim-chee, which is an Asian version of sauerkraut. Apparently, it's a staple of their diet, especially the country folk, and is eaten every day. When Dale was in Korea, he said you could smell a local person from yards away, and you just didn't get on a bus unless you knew you could sit by a window and hang your head out like a dog. They don't shred the cabbage, it's just chopped into bite-size pieces, and I guess they use vinegar, but they just put it in crocks with a lot of garlic and other spices. They cover the crocks tightly and bury them in the ground, for months, and let the whole thing ferment. I tried it once at an Asian buffet, and trust me, it will make your eyes water, and you won't catch a cold for several days, because you'll be so smelly that no one will come within six feet of you. Be aware that I like highly seasoned food, and I like kraut, but that kim-chee was just too much for me. Awful stuff!

Congratulations, Big Maude! Twenty-five years! That's wonderful. Even more wonderful is that you're saying how happy those years have been. What a blessing!

I'm going to a party at a friend's house tonight, it will be a large group of church friends, a potluck so there'll be good food. I probably won't stay until midnight, though. I'll come home about 10:30 or so. There will be fireworks all over the place, and little Starr hates them, so I'll be home before that starts. She and I will ring in the New Year together, as we usually do. No place I'd rather be than at home at that time. I'll watch the mob scene on TV, and will, as always, marvel that so many people want to cram themselves into Times Square with a bunch of half-drunk nuts. I know, I sound like an old party-pooper, but that happens as we get older. For those who enjoy something like that, I say more power to you, but it's not for me.

For tomorrow - yep, Hoppin' John! Sounds like a plan to me. I love the stuff, and most of my family does, as well. For those who don't, well, Sonic is just down the street. Yes, I remember that REV said he liked Hoppin' John. I wish he could be h ere to share it with us. It still just doesn't seem possible that he's gone.

Spot, I'm delighted to hear your frequent mentions of Miss Martha. I'm so glad you're moving on with your life. At your age, that's exactly what you should do, and you deserve some joy after all the pain you went through. I'm sure she's a fine woman, and personally, I'd like her to know that I'm glad she's in your life.

Well, I'd better run. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96007: Stopping by to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope 2014 is full of blessings for us all.

Count me in for the Hoppin' John, Ro!

Someone else is here with me at my rock and would like to also wish everyone a Happy New Year-let me see if I can get her up on the Porch & help her say a word or two..
GOD BLESS~LACI

*******************
possum under a rock
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96008: And God bless you too, Miss Laci. We love your grandma, and we love you! --Romeena
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96009: Hello to all...busy preparing for New Year's Eve. We will be having a few friends over like we did last year. I am making a big pot of chili and some other snacks. Should be fun. Hope you all have a wonderful evening..stay safe.

and big "HEY" to Miss Lacy!

Boo
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96010: Romeena,Funny story about "kim-chee, remember the M*A*S*H episode where Frank thought the Koreans were planting land mines, and really they were burying their kim-chee! Way to go,"ferret face"..

G-F...

December 31, 2013 - Msg 96011: I do remember that episode, G-F, and had a good laugh over it. Truly, it is rank stuff. We had a Korean nurse for a couple of years, and she would bring food from home for her lunch (if you can call it "lunch" at 2 a.m.) and when she heated it in the microwave, the stink would permeate the entire floor. It was bad enough that the smell was on her clothes and her breath, but when she heated it up - wow! Finally, so many patients complained about the odor (including what clung around her) that management finally had to speak to her about it. She said she understood, and started bringing sandwiches for her meal, but she did resign a few weeks later. Too bad, because she was a very nice person and a darned good nurse, but when the patients are asking for a different nurse, what can you do? Actually, we were having a similar problem with staffers from India and the Middle East, as well. Not as bad, but still a problem now and then. Some of the curries and other dishes they eat are pretty potent. Actually, I like a lot of their food, but would never eat it and then go to work. Nurses are in such close proximity to their patients, we really have to be careful about things like that.

I decided to make it easy on myself today. Instead of cooking something to take to the party, I'm going by Spring Creek and pick up some of their BBQ sausage, have them slice it in small slices, put it in my own container, and away I'll go! Good idea, huh? I love their sausage!

Boo, I will be praying for Sharon and Felix, for sure. I'd like to add a request of my own. The son of the couple who had their 50th anniversary party last Saturday has been diagnosed with cancer in his trachea. He's about 42, I think, and has children. Surgeons have removed the visible tumor, and think it's possible that they got all of it, but will be doing a PET scan next week to be sure. It has been identified as an aggressive kind of cancer, so will be hard to treat if any of it remains. This is a strong Christian family, and they're definitely relying on the Lord, but have asked for prayer from anyone who is willing. His name is Steven.

Well, I'd better go get dressed. Have no idea what I'm wearing tonight, but you can bet it will be comfortable. No fussy bling for me, not tonight. I'm thinkin' jeans and a big old shirt, and some dangly earrings. Yep, that's the plan. --Romeena
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96012: Prayers for Steven for sure Romeena.
And don't even get me started on kim chee. When I first started working in the Industrial maintenance world, I went to work for a well known cosmetics manufacturer. They employed close to 500 women many of them Korean who were married to Airmen. (There was a large Air Force base close by.) Some of them would show up at work at 5 in the blessed am reeking of the stuff. And as the day wore on and the perspiration started to flow, oh my. The smell would make my eyes water. I can't imagine being sick in the hospital and having a nurse caring for me with that smell. And less anyone think I am intolerant, these Korean women were as beautiful and as sweet natured as the day was long. But the stink from that was almost unbearable. I honestly don't know how they could stomach the stuff. But I'm sure we ate stuff that turned their tummys.

Boo, sounds like a fun little do at your home. My Stacey just called and said Matt and her want to come over and cook us another prime rib for a New Year dinner. Bless their hearts. Then we get to watch all their kid's on Thursday and Friday while they celebrate 10 years together. I'm off work until Monday so yabba dabba doo.

Hey to Possum and Laci.

Asa
December 31, 2013 - Msg 96013: Good evening, porch! I'm back from the party, left it about 9:15. After we ate, they started choosing up tables to play games, like Five Crowns and such. I'm not much for such games, and I knew I wasn't going to stay to the end anyway, so I just came home. That way, if the fireworks start around here, Toye Starr won't be alone and scared.

Asa, sounds like you've got a great, long weekend going at your house. Good for you! And you're right about the Koreans. When Dale was over there, he shared a quonset hut with seven other guys, and they all chipped in and hired a young Korean man as a "houseboy." Dale said he took good care of them, was very grateful for a chance to earn a decent wage, and became a friend. They got on the subject of the smell of the kim-chee one day, and he started laughing. He told them he could not smell it, didn't think the Koreans had any odor around them, but that Americans all smell like sour milk! They all got a big laugh out of that!

Well, I'm going to get into my jammies, pour up the last of a quart of eggnog I bought a few days ago, get me a couple of cookies, put in a TAGS DVD, and get comfortable. I'm sure I'll have a small friend in my lap immediately, and will have to share my cookies, but that's okay. She's worth it. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96014: I think I'm the first post of the New Year- yay!

Happy New Year!!!

*******************
possum under a rock
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96015: I think I'm the first post of the New Year- yay!

Happy New Year!!!

*******************
possum under a rock
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96016: Oops! Chewing my cabbage twice!

possum again
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96017: We haven't started the New Year here in Wisconsin yet, possum. Don't rush us! ;)
We still have about 10 minutes. But then, we never do anything for New Years so it doesn't affect me much anyway. I used to hate watching the ball drop here, at 11:00pm and knowing that the party was already wound up in other places when here it hadn't even started. Darn time zones.
I used to go out on New Years, and pretty much any weekend, but with the wife and kids I don't do that anymore. And you know what, I don't even miss it. Am I getting older, or just wiser? :)
Have a good New Year everyone, with many blessings.

-Sterling Holobyte
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96018: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! woohoo! :)
As I write this it is only 11:15 PM in AZ, so ya all beat me to the punch. Possum, u got the first and SECOND post of the new year! ha
ASA- very sound an true words regarding the new year.
RO- praying for Steven, you bet.
MAUDE- congratulations! You REALLy put him on a pedestal with the god man faux paux!! haha
God bless all porchsters! Tho I am somewhat apprehensive about the new year, I also know that elections are coming, and as ASA said, changing things BACK needs to
start with us.
Love ya,
MDC
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96019: well,it's new year's day and my living room is full of sleeping kids. Zach and Allison are here, Elisa and one of Sean's friends that never made it home last night. I finally went to bed at 2am. No telling how long this kids will sleep. Bruce and I took our coffee out on to the porch swing for awhile but it is kind of chilly here in south texas this morning.

We had a nice evening with some friends..not too many, just the right amount.

Ro, prayer for your friend Steven and his family. It seems like cancer is absolutely rampant these days. Maybe its just that the older I get, the older my friends get and there you go. One of the friends that was over last night is named Steve and is in remission from cancer. He just got another clean bill of health yesterday (3rd year). Another of our friends that was supposed to come last night has kidney cancer. They removed one at MDA last month and now they are trying to figure out what to do about the other, which has cancer in it as well. Poor guy just had coronary bypass this past year, too, and he is only in his late 50s.

Well, isn't this cheerful talk?! Anyway, I am trying to decide if I should take down the rest of the decorations today or just relax all day.

Boo
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96020: As Maynard wound WORK.
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96021: Good morning, porch! It's absolutely gorgeous here today, 49°, clear and sunny, light breeze. What a pretty day. A very auspicious start to the new year!

Thanks, Boo. I will remember your friends in prayer, as well. I've wondered, like you, about the apparent uptick in the occurrence of cancer. Is it really more prevalent, or is it just an improvement in diagnosis? In years gone by, many deaths were reported as "from natural causes", when they just didn't know what was wrong, and maybe it was cancer?? Good question.

Toye Starr and I will be going over to Eloise's in a few minutes. She's made a roast, and we'll have some veggies with it, and of course, Hoppin' John. Dave and Brittney and the boys will be there, so we'll have a pleasant afternoon.

Blessings to you all, and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! --Romeena
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96022: Boo...Scratch taking down the decorations. RELAX, pretend you are listening to a nice band concert at the gazebo..."What's your hurry"?..
Just watch out for those darn spiders!!...

Auh2o..Another winter blast coming, we are suppose to get up to 8" by tomorrow, "Danger, Danger, Will Robinson"....

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL..."and that's the way it is.. January 1st 2014...

G-F...
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96023: All.

G F just keep all the snow on your sizd on the line.all 8".

TOM

January 01, 2014 - Msg 96024: Happy New Year porch! Hope everyone is doing well today.

Mr. Maude and I had a nice anniversary dinner, hung out at books a million for a while and the came home by 8pm. Rang in the New Year at home! We decided the first 25 years went so well we would go for 25 more!

Mr. Maude is working until 6 pm today so I have been doing some general cleaning and laundry. I have been off this week and have thoroughly enjoyed my time off. We took our decorations down on Monday and put everything away. Made me feel sad in a way but good to get things back in order.
I already dread going back to work next Monday.

Well, supper menu at my place will be : pork chops, roasted potatoes, steamed Broccoli. No black eyed peas, cabbage or hog jowl for me. Too hard on my gastro system!

Everyone have a blessed day.

Big Maude
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96025: HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!
Sounds like everyone is doing something today.
Maude,I failed to congratulate you and your hubby for 25 years. Good on you both.
Just got done peeling a grundle of taters and put them on to boil. Made some deviled eggs a little while ago.The crumb crunchers like em.
Boy GF,better get that snowblower fueled up. Sunny and mid 30's here today. Still got that inversion going on though.

Well I best get things done before family gets here.

Asa
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96026: Asa, My snowblower at home consists of my right arm & my left arm, my back and a snow shovel.. :]
When I retired I didn't get a stainless steel watch with a "38" on it OR a snowblower either..

I have my kraut & kielbasa in the oven baking, taters peeled. Mrs. G-F has to have "creamed corn" too (I don't ask why I just make it). At home Mom cooked it on top of the stove and put dumplings on top to cook at the last few minuets. She would put what ever meat we had with it pork,ribs,sausage,kielbasa,hot dogs, I guess what ever she could afford. (I do recall a lot of dinners with hotdogs in them). When times were tuff you put in what you had. There were 5 of us kids so we had homemade kraut a lot! Just like Aunt Bees pickles.. you learned to love'em.
If you did the math from my previous post, (I was wrong, we had (2) 30gal crocks) that was still...240 quarts! Good thing Mom & Dad shared the bounty with relatives & neighbors.
I have to research how "sauerkraut" effects the human body, it may have stunted my growth....

G-F....
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96027: Happy New Year Front Porchers from Mr.Sawyer. I am watching Gilligand's Island. It is amazing to me that these people made so many cool things from cocoanuts and bamboo.
January 01, 2014 - Msg 96028: ...and a little help from the prop dept! ha
MP
January 02, 2014 - Msg 96029:
HI ALL! Hope your first day of 2014 was a good one.
I have a theory about the rise in cancer and other diseases. Tho RO hits on a good point of there being
poorer diagnostic tools in the past, I also think that it has a lot to do with what we eat and what we breathe in. We have seen in the past how environmental issues can cause problems, but we now also have eradiated and genetically engineered foods, as well as artificial sweeteners etc that are causing all sorts of problems.
I'm not a big "conspiracy" nut, I just think that
these are valid issues that did not exist even 20 years ago. Case in point, Intel built 6 big plants in the Phx area in the 90s, and now many things
like respiratory conditions are being attributed to them, even tho there are "scrubbers" on all their emissions. Then, when sceientists started messing with foods, I really think they opened a big Pandora's box. As most of you know, this here conservative shops right along with the rest of those going
after more organic foods, especially with all the imported fruits thanks to Nafta. Only a miniscule amt are tested as they come in. Colon cancer is easily preventable, but people eat all these colon clogging foods and voila, colon cancer!
I do watch dr Oz, and tho I don't agree with all,
he does make excellent statements of keeping "regular" or suffer the consequences.
OK, that is my 2 cent soapbox for the new year!
Jesus, show us the way thru 2014.
Love ya,
MDC
January 02, 2014 - Msg 96030: Who says you don't get much for 2 cents these days MDC? ha..
I think that is the purpose for eating sauerkraut for New Years...A good colon cleanser... Dr.G-F
January 02, 2014 - Msg 96031: There's no better luck than starting the new year with a clean colon, G-F. ;)

Boo
January 02, 2014 - Msg 96032: Hi All
G-F you can keep the SAUERKRAT do not care for it :(
beatnik Tom

January 02, 2014 - Msg 96033: Good morning, all. Tom, and anyone else who thinks you don't like sauerkraut - maybe you just haven't eaten it prepared right. Unless you happen to like "pickled" foods, as I do, you won't like it plain, or even just mildly modified in cooking. However, there are ways to prepare it so that people don't even realize what they're eating! I once served a meat stew to about twenty people, and it was loaded with kraut. Every single person was going on and on about how good that stew was, and most of them asked me for the recipe. When I finally wrote out a general recipe (I never have a specific recipe) everyone was really surprised, and a few tried to say they knew there was something "funny" about it, but they were among the first who had asked for the recipe. As with most foods, it's all in the preparation. Personally, I like kraut very much, whether it's hidden in a stew, simmered for hours with leftover pork or sausage, on a Reuben sandwich, or just plopped barenekkid on a hotdog. Good stuff! And yes, it will clear your plumbing.

Why is it so hard, sometimes, to get acceptable performance from someone who has a job to do and collects a paycheck for doing it? You'll remember that the ice storm dropped some big limbs on my power lines and cable and phone lines coming into the house. They weren't torn loose, but were sagging to within less than three feet off the ground. The power company came and raised the power line within a day of my call to them. I had to call Time-Warner Cable three times. They just didn't show up for the appointments, but this morning, he finally came. I didn't realize he was out there, and he left before I happened to see that the lines had been raised. Now here's the thing. The phone line belongs to Verizon, and they're not interested because I no longer have Verizon service. The line is still there, but it's not connected to anything. It is, however, looped over the cable line at several points, making them essentially one line. The cable man can't touch the phone line, I realize that, so he left it looped over the cable line. Actually, that was good of him, because if he had freed it from the cable, it would be nearly on the ground. However, he didn't pull the cable tight, maybe because the phone line is weighing it down, so the cable is still only about six feet off the ground, and the loops of phone line are at about five feet. Both will definitely remove Eddie's hat when he's out there mowing! So, when Ted comes to do some maintenance work around here, I'm going to ask him to separate the lines, and raise both of them to an acceptable height. If you want something done right, ask someone who cares, to do it. Ted cares, and will do it right. It will take him about five minutes.

It's gorgeous here today, clear as a bell, bright sun, light breeze, but cold! It's 34°. It will warm up, with the sun shining so brightly, but it's cold right now.

Woohoo! The closing on the refinance on my rental house is set for Monday. Because I've got a much better interest rate - 2 points lower - my total payment is dropping by $100 a month, and it will include escrow for the insur@nce, which it didn't before. The taxes were and still are escrowed, but the insur@nce wasn't. That's another hundred a month, so I'm coming out $200 less than I was paying each month. It's only adding $4k to the total balance, so at $200 a month, I'll make that up pretty quick. Also, at my stage of life, I'm concerned more with monthly outlay than total owed. I know I'll never pay it off, won't live that long, but I'm very aware of what I have to lay out every month. Since I guess I'm retired now, I've trimmed a lot of fat off what I was spending each month, and may just be able to make it without working anywhere. I hope so. I can't work at the hospital anymore, just don't have the physical resources, and with Obamacare shutting down so many other options, like home health services, the agencies are laying off, not hiring. I had thought I'd do a few home health cases a week, easy work and pays well, but am not sure I can get a job now. I'm just taking it one day at a time, and trusting God to put me where he wants me. He's never failed me yet.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
January 02, 2014 - Msg 96034: Romeena...That's the trouble with todays, "It's not MY job" mentality. His "work order" did NOT say: When repairing line, #1 use common sense. But I'm sure it said: check here if work is completed, check here to submit for payment.
No one looks out for the customer anymore. Back in the day if I had turned a customer away with-out doing a full service check on their car there would be h*ll to pay if Dad found out. And yes air and water was free! (but you had to charge for gas tho) depending on how many "dings" the pump goes. We wouldn't have been in business to long if it was free too.

G-F...
January 02, 2014 - Msg 96035: HAPPY NEW YEAR PORCH!

I pray that y'all have a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014. I hope that we all remember to relax. :)

We stayed home as my youngest had his wisdom teeth out on the 31st (he's fine). Though we haven't gone out since he was 2.

Boo, I'm sorry about Felix.
MDC, I agree with you about the rise of cancer, as does my husband, the ND. He says that people shouldn't be surprised as there's more processed foods and less exercise.
Romeena, I'm glad you and your baby are okay.
Tom, I hope you are well. I'm not a sauerkraut fan.
Asa, we had bacon-wrapped filet mignion for the first time in years at my parent's last week. It was heavenly.

I enjoyed everyone's Christmas cards this year. Thank you!

I don't know if y'all have seen on Facebook, but my grandfather is in a hospice hospital and will pass soon.

Typing on my phone again so I'll talk with y'all later.

Blessings to you and yours,
Lucy Matthews
January 03, 2014 - Msg 96036: Great to see you on the porch, Lucy Matthews. :) Hope you can stop by more often in 2014.

Saying a prayer that your dear grandfather will pass peacefully into heaven.

Boo
January 03, 2014 - Msg 96037: Hi All.
Hope everyone is staying warm and self from all this cold and snow.
Praying for everyone.
G F keep the snow from the lake there.

TOM

January 03, 2014 - Msg 96038: Romeena, I just got done watching a program on on the History channel about Rockwall Texas, and the rock wall formation there. Interesting, consensus was it was not a man-made formation rather a geological phenomenon. Looks to be not to far from where you are.

TOM, I did keep the snow....It's in a big pile on my front yard!

Homemade Chicken Noodle soup today..."SOUP FOR YOU".......(I had ENOUGH sauerkraut!)

G-F....
January 03, 2014 - Msg 96039: Hey Porch! Hope everyone is staying warm too, Tom-it is cold here in SC! Thankful not to be in the NE blizzard though.

Prayers for Lucy & her family- everyone else who requested prayers,you've got' em.

Congrats on the wedding anniversary, Maude!!

Not long after Laci & I posted the other day,she fell down and cut her head. Not very deep,but I knew it would need a few stitches. So,we headed to the Taxidermist AKA the ER and she got 3 staples put in. She's doing good and well, I guess things like that happen when you're dancing with a possum! Yep,we were dancing,she slipped on a throw rug & her hair barrette cut the back of her head. But she's all "taxidermied" up & doing fine. Guess we'll just call her "Hogette" from now on- LOL

Y'all take care & stay WARM!

*******************
possum under a rock
January 03, 2014 - Msg 96040: Possum, Better watch going thru those metal detectors, those TSA inspectors may stop ya.
Those crazy possums... Danc'in possums? that's a new one!...G-F
January 03, 2014 - Msg 96041: Hi All

TOM

January 03, 2014 - Msg 96042: Aww..poor Laci...or should I say "Hogette'?...naw, don't call her that! ;)

Well, trying to finish getting the decorations down and boy does the place look naked. I am kind of a minimalist, so I don't mind.

Ro, got a call from MIL today and SIL is staying over there with her MRSA infection. At least now her wound isn't draining so hopefully MIL will be ok. Problem is, MIL cant really take care of SIL while she is feeling bad and if she gets worse or has any complications, MIL will be calling me, which we were trying to avoid. Bruce is not happy about it. MIL told me that SIL left her daughter's house because her daughter told her, "she wanted her house back". I find that hard to believe and suspect that is SILs version of events. I just hope she will be well enough to drive herself back to Killeen soon.

Better get back to it. :)

I am thinking about putting some nice chicken and rice in the over..sounds pretty good.

Boo
January 03, 2014 - Msg 96043: Is Bernie accounted for??