January 10, 2016 - Msg 103615: RO--Thank you!!! Thank you!!! We have those big 300 gal bins in our alley, so i went out and retrived the tree, all three sections, hosed it off a bit and have it sitting on the back porch. I will call the pool and patio store that we bought it from 11 years ago and see if they have any discs, or if I can order some. Why didn't I think of that?? Even if I get white ones, I could paint them green! Thanks again!
Now were even (referring to the vac!) haha (and yes, it was not cheap, and yes, they did the same thing as yours, broke right in half.)
GF-- looks like the Bengals got bit!
ASA-I heard about Pat too. One Day at a Time was on Antenna TV, but starting in January, I can no longer find it. He wore a tool belt too, ya know! ha
Prayers regarding your gout, tough stuff!
Good Sabbath to all,
MDC
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103616: Swept it clean for the new year! :)
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103617: Good Sabbath all.
Nice sweeping MDC. You even got the corners.

Well the Colcrys has kicked in and the gout is starting to disperse. Glad for that.

Wow, anyone catch the game last night? I still am not sure how Cincy lost that one, but they surely did. I can't believe they gave up 30 yards in dumb penalties with less than a minute to go and put the steelers in field goal range.

I hope it don't get to cold for you GF. But I bet you would like to try the new machine at least once and see how it does.

Yep MDC, Pat wore a tool belt. Her was one of ours. lol He also always had a pack of cigarettes rolled up in his sleeve. I don't smoke, but that was his signature style so to speak. When I was a new comer in the work world I worked with a feller who did that also. In fact he looked a little like Schneider now that I think of it.

Guess I'll go get groomed up for preachin.

Prayers for all.

Asa
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103618: Asa, I think the Bengals took a page from the Browns playbook.... How to lose a game 101 Just sayin!

G-F....
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103619: Hello.
Asa hold your tongue about all the cold and snow
or you will be up in big house.
Mr. Villard- the way I saw it That Bengals befor the game start and in the it was pulling all the stop out?
You no if you can not play and lust or due not play.
you no there going to be some BIG FINE on Bengals
KEEP THE COLD AND SNOW on your side!

TOM :)
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103620: Donald Trump said he was going to build a snow fence along the Ohio River, and make the people in West Virginia pay for it!...lol He needs to try the concept out before he builds his Big wall in Boo's, Romeena's and MDC's neck of the woods.

But don't worry TOM, you have a smart Governor, he won't let that happen... We should be glad we don't live in Minnesota today right?... Try to keep warm Buddy, I'll try to keep the snow away. I think I will set my snow blower out in the driveway to scare away the snow, so far it's worked!... G-F
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103621: Well, after all the praising I did about my car, guess what? I got in it this morning to go to church, and it won't start. The headlights come on full, and the radio plays, but it just clicks. I don't think it's the battery, because usually when the battery is down, doesn't the engine at least try to turn over? A little groan, at least? It doesn't do anything but click-click-click, as long as I keep the key turned. I just called a cab and went to church, Eloise brought me home, and here I am. If David comes to Irving today, I'll get him to look at it. If not, I'll call the local mechanic in the morning. Actually, I hope it IS the battery, because that will be a lot cheaper to fix than some of the other things it could be. Inconvenient, but still - it could be a lot worse.

Asa, I'm glad the gout is subsiding. I know that stuff can be so terribly painful. I've thought maybe I had a touch of it a couple of times, but think it's really just arthritis. I know I have it, and I'm grateful that it's not the crippling, rheumatoid kind. Mine just travels from place to place - this joint or that one, stays a day or two and moves on. Annoying, but manageable. Now and then it gets in my toes, and that's when I think about gout, but I really think it's just arthritis.

Well, guess I'll go rustle up some lunch. I would have picked up some tacos from my favorite taco place on the way home, but didn't want to ask Jerry and Eloise to stop for that - they invited me to come home with them and share a stew that Eloise made, but I wanted to come home and just tuck in for the day, unless the kids come to Irving. That will change the game!

Blessings, all! --Romeena
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103622: Hey, MDC. I'm glad you could still salvage that tree, and hope you'll be able to get the replacement rings. If the rest of the tree is still nice, it would be a shame to trash it because of two silly little plastic rings. It would appear that those rings are a problem with Barcana trees. Maybe they should consider making them out of something besides plastic - like metal, perhaps? Let me know how it turns out! --Romeena
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103623: Sounds like it could be a starter solenoid or relay maybe Ro. But if your battery is getting older, and with the colder temps you were getting, it might be a battery.

They say that gout usually hits in the big toes, but of all the flares I have had, I have never gotten it in a toe joint. It's always been the top of my foot and then moves sometimes into my ankle. Especially in my right foot. I broke my right ankle bad years ago and that is where it seems to end up a lot of the time. Although this one was in my left foot/ankle area. I also get it in my knee at times. But thankfully today it is almost gone. A relative mild flare. Thank you Lord.

I hope your snow blower incant works GF. I just hope no one steals it from your driveway.

I hope you are spared the cold Tom. I know it's not fun.

Low scoring in the game so far it looks like. I didn't think there would be a lot of scoring in that cold.

Well better get. Good luck on the car Ro. I hope it's nothing to major.

Asa
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103624: Romeena, sounds like Henry must have been in your car... Hope a battery is all you need, sometimes they can go just that fast or it could be the solenoid...G-F
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103625: Lol Asa, that just what I was posting....Great minds think alike!
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103626: LOL @ GF. Aint we a mess?

Asa
January 10, 2016 - Msg 103627:
Romeena, regarding your car starting problem, check out http://www.samarins.com/diagnose/

from Poor Horatio
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103628: Thanks, PH. I followed the checklist, and it looks like it's probably the battery. Turning the ignition on produces a series of clicks, but the starter doesn't try to crank it all. David said the same thing as you guys are saying - the cold weather, old battery, etc. The battery is located under the back seat (?) so I'm not about to try to remove that seat and look at the battery. I wouldn't know what I was looking at anyway. David is coming by tomorrow, he'll fix it. It's encouraging to think it's probably the battery, because if it's the starter, it's about $300 to replace, I think. Batteries are cheaper! Blessings, all. --Romeena
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103629: ROMEENA--In the past, when my pickup has done the clicking thing, I have loosened the battery cables, repositioned them and then tightened both back up. That will re-establish better contact to the posts and it starts right up. (But then again sometimes not, and that's when I look to the relays or a new batt.)
Good games today too-- they said that its the first time in NFL record keeping that all 4 visiting teams won.
Well, it's a new week...get out there and act like somebody! :)
MDC
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103630:
Romeena, when you posted that the battery in your Caddy is under the back seat, I thought you were mistaken because I never heard of a vehicle with a battery that was not in the engine compartment. That is until I watched https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZlzPnyRbTM

from Poor Horatio
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103631: Good morning all.

I was wondering about that yesterday MDC, if that was the first time all 4 home teams lost in the wildcard round. Sounds like it was. I reckon it's a good thing I aint a betting man, because I always tend to give the home team the nod, especially in the play offs. Although on my non betting picks I only missed the Redskins/Packers game. I thought the Packers would lose. They have not played well the last month. But they put it together yesterday. My two dark horses won. The Seahawks and the Steelers. Not a big fan of either, especially not the Steelers, but both teams have been playing well coming down the stretch. I think in fact I will go out on a limb and predict the Seahawks will beat Carolina this weekend. And I would pick the Steelers over the Donkeys, but I don't know how big ben is. He has a separated shoulder, and if he isn't playing, it could be a long day for the Steelers. I think your Cards will take the Packers again, but I think this one will be closer than a few weeks ago. And the Pats/Chiefs game.... I just don't know. Normally I would say the Pats, I think Belicheck is a genius, but injuries have them hurting right now. And Andy Reid seems to always have his teams ready to play.

Well Ro, It hopefully is just a battery. That is odd that it is located under the back seat. But they put them in a lot of different places anymore due to space limits I suppose. One of the reasons I love you tube is the information you can get from others from it on working on your own stuff. I had to change out an inside door handle on my work truck a few weeks ago, and I wasn't sure what I needed to undo on the inside panel to remove it. So I googled it and found a you tube video of someone doing it on the very same year and model truck. Seems there are a couple of plastic clips you need to unsnap to pop the panel off, and it requires a tool and technique to do it. If not you are going to ruin the panel trying to force it off. Once I saw it done, easy peasy.

Did that polar express hit you yet GF and Tom? That stain glass work sounds like fun GF. I have never done it myself, but have seen it done on television. Looks like it could be quite enjoyable. Good on ya for going for it. Just don't go making no stained glass bats! :)

Well better get cracking. Don't need the warden upset with me.

Asa
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103632: LOL PH. We were posting at the same time and were saying pretty much the same thing. HA!

Asa
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103633: Wow, did not know that about the battery... Would be like looking for a water pump on a "65" VW Beetle...lol
Yep, it is cold on my end of the porch, especially because I'm holding it back from TOM. But only a dusting of snow, so "Joe" is still parked.

Yep, Asa glass stained glass working is fun, since I've had to repair a lot of broken windows over the years, thought I'd make a hobby from it. I just finished a Beagle dog for friends who have "Judd Fletcher" the beagle.
Bats?...hummmm I need to check my glass colors for the correct color. I think I have the glass to swing it!...

G-F
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103634: Hi kid
there are two thing about a car I
no, is where gas go and sit in!
Mr.Asa when it come to the playoff
I will want to see who go for all MONEY!
No polar express hit here it gong up by the lake last night but calling for git tonight for about
1-3 ich.

Mr.Dick it cold here and it did not no good
holding it because I get a dust of it and wait
for it tonight?
you stay warm.

TOM :(
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103635: Good morning, porch. PH, I don't blame you for being skeptical. Why on earth would you expect a battery to be under the back seat? I didn't know it until I came out of work one morning and found the battery dead in my car. That was the 2001 Caddy I had before this one. It was under warranty, so I called the dealership and they sent a man out. I was shocked when he started removing the rear seat, but sure enough, there was the battery. I guess with that gi-normous Northstar engine, there isn't room for anything else under the hood. Oh, and I just confirmed the location in a 2004 DeVille - https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100418155727AA0uDcF.

Guess I'd better get dressed, David will be by sometime today to see about fixing it. Maybe I'll take him to lunch, if he gets here earlier enough. Actually, more likely he'll take me to lunch, but I can at least try.

Our little cold snap is about to give up. It's 42° right now, at about noon, and our forecast is for the 60s by the end of the week. Kinda scary, because all my bulbs (and they are legion) will be bolting and coming up, and then February will come along and freeze their little heads off. Why do I even try?

You should see the amaryllis bulbs I potted up, though. They grow at least an inch every day. Those things, once they start, just grow like mad. Some are already sending up buds. In about two or three weeks, I should have a good stand of beautiful amaryllis blooms. I'm documenting their growth every day with my phone camera. It's amazing. Then this spring, after these forced blooms die back, I'll plant the bulbs in the yard. Most of them will make it, and I'll have those glorious flowers popping up in the flowerbeds. The bulbs are pricey, but you get a lot of bang for the buck with them. I ordered this latest group from American Meadows, and was very impressed. The bulbs are as big as grapefruit, solid and healthy, and are really growing.

Well, later, taters. Blessings! --Romeena
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103636: PH--yup, on our new Durango, the battery is under the front pass seat, but they have "posts" in the engine compartment if you have to ever jump it!
RO--project "info" is finally in the mail.
GF- WOW, the Bengals really threw that game away due to two STUPID penalties!!
ASA--I'm not sure that if the Cards beat GB, then who would we be best to face? Panthers or Seahawks?? hmmm
Well, have a good week all!
Prayers,
MDC
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103637: Supper menu: Country fried steak and gravy,greenbeans,cream taters,fried corn,okra,cuke and sweet onion salad,apple pie sweet tea...ready at 6:45 SPOT
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103638: Wow! For a supper like that, I'll come early and help get it on the table! Sure sounds good!! --Romeena
January 11, 2016 - Msg 103639: And I'll come help get it off the table! BUURRP!

Asa
January 12, 2016 - Msg 103640: Good game tonite in AZ, but I was rooting for Clemson. IMHO, I think Clem should have let Bama score with about those 3 min left instead of eating up the clock trying to keep them out of the end zone. But then again, I dont get paid a million a year to coach them! Ha, what do I know, huh?
TOM--you can keep the polar express when it come.
We have nice 60 degrees here! :^)
BTW to ALL...My first car was a 1970 VW Beetle, and guess what?...the battery was under the back seat! I guess what goes around still comes around. haha
POSSUM, are you hiding under your rock? Come set a spell.
MDC
January 12, 2016 - Msg 103641: Mr.Ice

No MDC the polar express is for all of us.
and we not due a thing about!

TOM
January 12, 2016 - Msg 103642: Well Asa, the "Snow Joe" is Officially broken in now, we had 3" and it blew thru it pretty easily for a electric snow blower.
It is good enough for what I need as long as I stay on my wife's Uncle's good side, for the skid loader heavy work on the gravel portion and the end of my drive for those deep heavy snows. I guess my incant worked I made it to January 12th!

G-F...
January 12, 2016 - Msg 103643: ALL due not cry or you will ice cube

TOM:

January 13, 2016 - Msg 103644: GF and Tom--look like Johnny Football is on his way out the door! Least that's what it says in Mayberry After Midnite, right after the story about someone being a blonde right out of a bottle! ha
It looks like no one is going to agree with my armchair coaching assessment and thoughts. Oh well, that's ok.
TOM--I can get you a nice room at the exclusive Arizona Inn, Seven dollars! 65 degree here all this week, hehe
SPOTTY--hope all is well at the 'lectric works.
ROMEENA--did you get the battry problem fixed?? It may just need bigger wires.
Pleasant dreams! MDC
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103645: Good evening, porch. Yes, MDC, my car is now running fine. It was the battery, everyone's assessment was correct. It was seven years old, and I guess that cold night just did it in. Anyway, my son replaced it, and I'm up and running again. Sons are handy little gadgets!

Ted is coming in the morning, to put one more electric outlet in the back yard. I want line power in one more flowerbed, the big bed that's about twenty feet outside my window. There's a beautiful boulder in the middle of it, and I want to put a spotlight on it. I've got a low-voltage line in that bed, and several little fixtures, but all their bulbs are out (as usual) and I'm just tired of fooling with them and buying those expensive little bulbs that don't last but a couple of weeks. I've got the fixtures already for the LED spots, and the bulbs, all I need is power. Ted can do it in a jiffy, and he won't charge much. I've got spots around the whole perimeter, about every six to eight feet, so the whole fence line is illuminated. The middle of the yard, however, is essentially dark. Gonna fix that. I've got power in the two biggest beds, just need it in this last one. Also, now that we've got the dirt and compost and mulch in, I can put the multi-outlet extension cords in those other two beds, and light them up too. I don't want any dark spots in that back yard, not with me sitting here in front of an 8' wide window.

Well, guess I'll turn in. Ted is the guy who wakes the rooster, so he'll be here bright and early, and also, I've got to teach ESL class in the morning. Sweet dreams, porch! --Romeena
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103646: For some reason, I feel a little nostalgic again, so am posting this for your listening pleasure...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycRwYLcVAs8

nite,
MDC

January 13, 2016 - Msg 103647: Good One MDC, there is a 50's style diner near me I like to go to. They still have a jukebox too!.... Search "Doug's Classic 57"
It's a neat place, good food and Root Beer in frosty mugs.

G-F
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103648: Happy Wednesday porch, just checking in. been working steady so no much time to rock.

Sure has been cold on my end of the porch. 16 degrees as I left for work. 19 degrees now and its 10:40 am BRRR

Not much news to report. Patrick and Daysie have set their wedding date for June 18th. he starts his job the end of June and wanted to get married before he starts working. She started her job December 28th so may not get time off for a actual honeymoon but guess they will sort that all out.

Please say prayers for a dear friend of mine. He has been battling sickness for a while now and is really struggling. His doctor took him off work this week and since he's not been there a year he has no sick time. His short term disability won't pay unless he is off 30 days. Not getting paid while he is off and dealing with other stress has taken a toll on him so prayers are appreciated. We have been friends 34 years so appreciate your adding him to your prayers.

Lunch menu will be: potato soup with shredded cheese and bacon crumbles and toasty cheese bread.
brownies for dessert. tea, lemonade to drink.

everyone have a great day.
Prayers and blessings all around

Big Maude



January 13, 2016 - Msg 103649:
Romeena, I'm surprised your car battery lasted seven years. I never had one go beyond five years. You might want to mark the date it was installed on the battery.

MDC, I can't watch that video link from your Msg 103646 here in Canada because I receive the following message "This video contains content from SME, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds." However, that Ronnie Milsap song Lost In The Fifties Tonight is one of my favorite songs.
Speaking of nostalgia and Ronnie Milsap, let us all reminisce by watching and listening to http://tinyurl.com/zcyp5bt
shoo doop shoo be do
shoo doop shoo be do

I just heard that the San Diego Chargers are moving to Los Angeles for the 2016 season.

from Poor Horatio
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103650:
Big Maude, we must have posted at the same time. I'll offer a prayer for your sick friend of 34 years.

from Poor Horatio
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103651: Thanks for lunch Maude ! SPOT
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103652: Wee doggie, them are some good eats Big Maude. Thanks, and for sure will add your friend to my prayers.

Glad you got to try out "Joe" GF. and he did ok.

PH, The Rams are going to L.A. The Chargers will also if they can work out a deal with the Rams to share the stadium. The Raider and Chargers had a deal in the works to build and share a stadium in Carson California, but the owners meeting vote shot that one down. The Chargers preferred the deal with Oakland, but I am sure they will come to terms with the Rams and move there.

Glad all you had was a battery bad Ro. My truck battery lasted me 8 years. And it was weird when it went bad. Never gave me a hint it was going bad. I had stopped for gas, filled up. then went to start it to go, dead as a doornail. They will usually give you some notice by sounding weak but mine never did. Sounds like yours was the same deal.

Love, just love that Milsap song MDC. Now it's stuck in my head though. But not a bad song to be stuck in your head I guess.

Well off to do my paperwork and then home for the night.

Prayers for all.

Asa
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103653: Oh, BTW Tom and GF. I see the Browns hired Hue Jackson as head coach, and that he told them very clearly before they hired him he would move on without Johnny Football. I think he could be a good coach if they will give him some time to develop. Whattya think?

Asa
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103654:
Asa, thanks for the correction about the San Diego Chargers. I was preoccupied doing some work while the television news was on and thought I heard it was a done deal. I guess I should have paid better attention.

from Poor Horatio
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103655: Good evening, porch. Yep, Asa, that's pretty much what my car did. There had been absolutely no warning that the battery was dying, it just did. It was an AC/Delco, and my son put another of the same kind in.

I like that song, too. The Fifties were my decade, and I've always been grateful. I grew up in the mid-50s, graduated high school in 1956, met Dale in '57, married him in '58, and "lived happily ever after." Yep, I'm pretty partial to the 50s.

Maudie, will indeed pray for your friend, and would ask prayer for my neighbor. After several MRIs and finally a needle biopsy, they have determined that she has a glioma in her brain, probably not operable, so will be treating her with chemo and radiation. She's got a long road ahead of her. The thing has partially paralyzed her right side, but she's hoping that the treatment will shrink the tumor and she'll regain some, possibly all, function.

Well, better start something simmering, or I won't have any supper. I've got a slice of ham and a jar of kraut in there. Sounds like a good combination to me. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103656: Well Asa, Hue Jackson makes #9 on the long list of coaches since they came back into the league in 1999. Hopefully "9" is his lucky number, if so he may be Ok!... If not he better be finding some of those lucky pennies that got ran over by a train, and hire ALOT of red heads for his team!...
Hummm there's a thought, Johnny Football for Andy Dalton, ya can't find a redder head then his!. Plus Andy wouldn't have far to come... Right up Interstate 71 to Cleveland.
Johnny can hang out with the Bengal knuckleheads, especially that one guy that took the cheap shot on one of TOM's Steelers the other day.... That's my opinion, cuz the fans and the town are thru with Johnny's antics.
If they could get a couple of guys from Ohio State that are declaring then they May? Be Ok....lol .... Again, as always we will have wait and see 👀 .......G-F
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103657: I declare, sitting on this porch is just like being in my own living room when all the family is together. Sports, sports, sports! Makes me feel right at home! --Romeena
January 13, 2016 - Msg 103658: Well Romeena, we are all family. :)
And that being the case, here is a little something for you 50's gal. I know the original artist was Phil Phillips, but I really like this 1982 cut by the Honey Drippers. I hope you enjoy it .https://youtu.be/PRR42-gmtzs

Asa

January 14, 2016 - Msg 103659: PH-when I click on your link, it says "url signature expired"?
GF-ASA- a whole lot o shakin going on in the NFL world. RO-- living in Big D, I bet you do indeed hear your share of football speak! ha
I think I know why I longed for nostalgia last night, it was right after that depressing speech! haha
ALL-- I was in Walgreens yesterday and as I walked by the "As Seen on TV" section, there was the "Crock Pot dump meals" book crying out to me!!! ha I bought it and tried the porkchop meal that STERLING had made. I agree, it was good. Now will be trying more.
MAUDE and RO--I will be praying for both your friends to make full, even miracle, recoveries! Thank you Jesus! :)
POSSUM and BOO---where are you dears??

MDC
January 14, 2016 - Msg 103660: Im here MDC. Been super busy these days with work and life. I am over the cold with just a little cough left. Work has been especially challenging the last couple of months but that's ok. I am helping to train a new RN who will be working my shift, so that is great. We could really use the help.

Not a lot of news. Sean registered and ready to start his third semester in the automotive program. He will be going every day starting this Monday. He is hoping to be able to graduate by next December. Who knew it would take so long to get a certificate in automotive? His Tourette's is still a problem but only seems to really bother him in the evening. He is attending my sister's church and singing on the worship team there.

Erin is doing ok in school and is playing basketball and loving it. She came to me recently telling me she is having a lot of anxiety and asking for help. I am going to have to find a good Christian counselor. According to Erin, the anxiety issues started over a year ago when she had the problem with urinary retention and had a hospital stay and surgery. I guess she was traumatized more than I realized. Please say a prayer for her and for direction in getting her some help. Thanks.

Bruce is doing find and has been getting the yard read for the new irrigation system next month (finally)!

Wanted to mention an answer to prayer. I asked prayer for my diabetic cousin, Dan, who was near death a couple of months ago and in a coma. He is now home. :) He is in better health now than he has been in a year. His blood sugar is more stable and something happened with his memory while in the coma. The pain and terrible memories of the past several years are gone. He is peaceful and happy. Thank you for your prayers.

I have talked before about my sister's boy, Matt, and how his wife was unfaithful with a 20 year old (she is 36) and they were separated. Before the divorce was final, she was pregnant by the 20 year old. My nephew was devastated and has been through a terrible, horrible pain. He is finally coming out of it and getting stronger. Strangely, his wife having another guys baby, seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back and enabled him to really let go. He is doing much better. The baby was born this week and I have had to see several pictures on Facebook from mutual friends. It hurts because I wish so much that things were different and that the baby was part of our family and belonged to Matt and his wife. The divorce isn't even final yet. I just don't understand what happened. I never expected it, even though she had been unfaithful before with a preacher.

Better finish before I lose my post.

Love to all,
Boo

January 14, 2016 - Msg 103661: Good very late evening or very early morning, porch! It's 2:20 a.m. and I'm wide awake, the result of a one-hour mid-afternoon nap and too much tea during and after dinner. No problem. That's one advantage to my single status and retirement. I can stay up all night if I want to, unless I have an obligation the next day, which I don't - tomorrow is wide open. So, I'm here at my beloved computer, next to my even-more-beloved window, and loving the view of the back yard. My Christmas twinkles are still out there, twining through the shrubbery and draped over rose bushes and small crape myrtles, and are just so pretty. The LEDs are so bright and crystalline, and the ones I chose have seven colors, so they're really nice. The whole yard is framed, around the entire perimeter, with floodlights that wash the fence, which makes a lovely backdrop for everything else. The new light on the flat-faced boulder in the rebloomer iris bed is really pretty. I used a yellow bulb, but it's really more gold than yellow, and brings out the colors in the rock so nicely. There's a small crape myrtle in that same bed, and I'm going to put another flood there, a green one I think, to highlight the little tree.

There's another, smaller bed to the left as I look out the window, that has no line power to it, but it does have a low-voltage line, and it's working. There are three fixtures in it, but the bulbs had long ago burned out. This afternoon, I put a new LED low-voltage bulb in the pretty little stained-glass lamp, and it's working. There are two ball lights that sit directly on the ground, and tomorrow I'll put bulbs in them as well, and that bed will be all dressed up. The LED bulbs are pricey, but so are the plain low-voltage ones, and if the LEDs will last a while, they'll be worth it. Those bloomin' low-voltage things burn out in weeks, sometimes days, and cost $3 to $5 each, depending on the wattage.

Boo, it's good to hear from you. I've been thinking about you a lot, and hoping things were going well. Gosh, the kids are growing up. I'll always think of them as the little guys they were when I met them. Sean was so sweet, so polite and pleasant, couldn't help but like him. Erin was a little imp, with a smile that would just melt your heart. Now, they're all grown up. Wow.

As for your nephew's wife - any 36 year old woman who has an affair with a 20 year old has serious problems, and vice-versa. He's no angel, either. Your nephew is lucky to be out of that marriage, and I hope he can just forgive her, forget her, and move on. Somewhere, there's a woman who can help him heal and build a happy life. As for the baby being the "straw that broke the camel's back", I'd say it was more like a wrecking ball. He's well out of a bad situation.

Guess I'll read for a while and see if I can get sleepy. If not, who cares? I can sleep until noon if I want or need to. I long ago traded in my loneliness for a peaceful solitude, and there's a lot to be thankful for in that. --Romeena
January 14, 2016 - Msg 103662: Watching Ghost & Mr. Chicken, sure are a lot of Mayberry character's in it... Atta Boy Luther!....lol
Also many Mayberry sayings too.... Fritzel / Greenbaum were the writers is why..... G-F
January 14, 2016 - Msg 103663: Good morning, porch! What was that I said last night - that "tomorrow is wide open"? Well, not anymore. The best-laid plans of mice and men (and old ladies, apparently), etc. My brother just called to tell me he had taken my SIL to the ER with terrible abdominal pain, and they determined that she has an umbilical hernia that has opened up, caught some innards in it, and closed down again. In other words, a strangulated hernia. She will be going to surgery momentarily, so guess I'll be getting dressed and heading out there. Prayers for her, please, and for my brother. She doesn't handle pain well, and generally has a lengthy recovery from any surgical procedure.

Beautiful day here today, will probably make it to the mid-60s. Clear, sunny and breezy. Then, we could have snow early next week. Gotta love Texas weather. Blessings! --Romeena
January 14, 2016 - Msg 103664: Me again. Have any of you watched "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" on the Hallmark channel? If not, if you get that channel, please watch for it. I won't get into details, but it's a charming show, very interesting, excellent writing, great casting, and I promise it will hold your attention. I've taken to recording it so I don't miss anything! You have to watch for it, because the scheduling is a bit random, but I promise you, you'll enjoy it.

--Romeena
January 14, 2016 - Msg 103665: I'm here too, MDC! Just didn't have much to contribute to the football and automotive talk,but I can relate to the cold weather,as it's been sort of chilly here at my rock too.Nothing like some of y'all are getting though,so I won't complain too much!

Prayers for Erin, Boo's cousin, Maude & Ro's friends and for all in need.

Don't see any hooting & hollering going on here on the Porch today,so I take it nobody won the Powerball? Dang it! LOL

Well,hope everybody's New Year is off to a fine start-y'all stay warm & take care!

*****************
possum under a rock
January 14, 2016 - Msg 103666: I saved my dollar Possum, and spent it on the "Special" at the diner... At lease I got a meal outa the deal!..G-F
January 14, 2016 - Msg 103667: Yeah,but it'll lay on yer chest- G-F! :)

possum again
January 14, 2016 - Msg 103668:
MDC, before I cleared my cache, when I clicked on that link in Msg 103649, it worked. However, after I cleared my cache, I now get the same "url signature expired" message as you get. This is the first time I ever had this problem with creating a tiny url.
Try the following alternate method. First go to http://preview.tinyurl.com/jnhfmpc and when that page loads, click on the Proceed to this site link.

Prayers for Romeena's neighbor and sister-in-law, and Boo's cousin Dan and nephew Matt.

Regarding the $1.6 billion Powerball, there is a bakery in Toronto that had a great business idea. Since Powerball tickets are not sold in Canada, last Monday, the owner of this bakery drove the 100 miles to Buffalo NY and bought 500 tickets. On Tuesday, she offered one free ticket to customers who purchased at least $20 of bakery goods. She sold all her bakery goods and gave out all 500 tickets. So she drove to Buffalo again and purchased 1000 tickets and on Wednesday, she had the same sale. And once again, she sold all her bakery goods and gave out all 1000 tickets. The reason why this was such a great business idea is that the talk radio stations mentioned this bakery sale every half hour on both days. That's a lot of free radio advertising.

from Poor Horatio

January 15, 2016 - Msg 103669: Prayers for all requests. When it rains, it pours, my goodness. I don't know if any of you all do this, but when I first awake each AM, I say some morning prayers as I lay right there in the bed, and I make my "pact" with the Lord. That is just an acronym for Petitions, Adoration, Contrition, and Thanks-giving, and one of my first 'petitions' (per Philippians 4) is always for porchsters' prayer requests! :)
PH--sorry bro, still doesnt work!? :(
But that is very cool about the bakery, plus I bet she sure increased her bakery SALES, so that's 2 pluses!
GF--G&MC is a fav of mine! hope it was a good watch. Miss Peggy ep on ME-TV tonite. Love the ending, "he can't take Barney to a dance...he's too short!" lol
BOO--mucho prayers for you and yours!! God bless!
POSSUM!! glad you're doing ok at the rock!
MDC

January 15, 2016 - Msg 103670: That's pretty neat, MDC (the pact thing). Thank you for your prayers, as always. hope you and your family are doing well and that you are still enjoying your retirement.

Thanks for those encouraging words, Ro. I am finally gotten to the point that I believe those words and think that he will find a good woman someday. He met his wife when he was about 16 and they both worked in a local seafood place. They dated for awhile, broke up, she married a drug addict, they divorced and she took up with Matt again after she had two very young children. Matt took those two young children and raised them as his own. He deserves better than what he got with her. I guess he was just too young and inexperienced to know what kind of woman she really was. At least he has Emily, their daughter together. She is 8 now and what a great kid. We enjoy her so much. She is with her dad and our family as much or more than she is with her mother. We are all pretty nervous about the mother's young boyfriend being around her, but it is what it is until/or if he does something wrong. Horrible how one persons terrible choices can effect so many people. Its been an eye-opening experience for me. I tell you, I have been hearing about so many young women getting involved with affairs and getting divorced..I just don't understand it.

Been a long day and Erin had a basketball game tonight. They won but it was only by one point, so an exciting game to watch. She did well.

Ive been off for two days but back to work tomorrow afternoon. I had better get some sleep.

Love,
Boo
January 15, 2016 - Msg 103671:
MDC, well here goes alternate #3. Since the censor here won't let me post the URL because of its length, I will post the entire message below. And because it is so long, I will decrease the font size a little.
For the full nostalgic effect, this would require first visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jCVbMUgMuA to play the Lost In The Fifties song, then immediately return here to read the following:
Go back.
Before the internet or PC or the Mac.
Before semi-automatics and crack.
Before Playstation, Sega, Nintendo and Atari.
Before cellphones, CD’s, DVD’s, voicemail and email.
Go way back … way … way… way back.
I’m talking about hide and seek at dusk.
Red light, green light.
Red rover.
Playing kickball & dodgeball until the first, no second, no third street light came on.
Ring around the rosie.
London bridge is falling down.
Hot potato.
Hop scotch.
Jump rope.
Tag, you’re it.
Parents stood on the front porch and yelled, or whistled, for you to come home because there were no pagers or cellphones.
Take on giant step … may I?
Seeing shapes in the clouds.
Endless summer days and hot summer nights with open windows because there was no air conditioning.
The sounds of crickets.
Running through the sprinkler.
Cereal boxes with that great prize in the bottom.
Cracker jacks also with a prize inside.
Ice pops with two sticks you could break and share with a friend.
Watching saturday morning cartoons such as Tom & Jerry or Bugs Bunny, and serial adventures such as, Captain Midnight, the Cisco Kid, the Lone Ranger and Flash Gordon.
Catching lightning bugs in a jar.
Your first day of elementary school.
Bedtime prayers and goodnight kisses.
Climbing trees.
Swinging as high as you could in those long swings to try and reach the sky.
A million mosquito bites and sticky fingers.
Jumping down steps.
Jumping on the bed.
Pillow fights.
Running home from the movie you just saw until you were out of breath.
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.
Getting tired from playing.
Work meant taking out the garbage, cutting the grass, washing the car, or doing the dishes.
Your first crush.
Your first kiss, the one that you kept your mouth closed and your eyes open.
Rainy days at school and the smell of damp concrete and chalk erasers.
Kool-aid was the drink during the summer heat.
So was a swig from the garden hose.
Giving your friends a ride on the handlebars of your bike.
Attaching pieces of cardboard to your bike frame to rub against your spokes.
Wearing your new shoes on the first day of school.
Class field trips with soggy sandwiches.
When nearly everyone’s mom was at home when the kids got there from school.
When a quarter seemed like a fail allowance and another quarter was a miracle.
When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him, or use him to perform a chore, and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing about it.
When your parents took you to the cafeteria and it was a real treat.
When being sent to the principal’s office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited you at home.
Basically we were in fear of our lives but it wasn’t because of drive by shootings, drugs, gangs. We simply did not want our parents to get mad at us.
Didn’t that feel good? Just to go back and say, “Yeah, I remember that!”
Let’s go back to the time when decisions were made by going “eeny-meeny-miney-mo”.
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming “do over”.
Race issues meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
Catching fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening.
It wasn’t odd to have two or three best friends.
The worst thing you could catch from the opposite s-e-x was cooties.
Nobody was prettier than mom.
Scrapes and bruises were kissed by mom and made better.
Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true.
Abilities were discovered because of a double dog dare.
Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was a cause for giggles.
The worst embarr@ssment was being picked last for a team.
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.
If you can remember most, or all, of these, then you have lived during a more pleasant and simpler time!
Those of you who do remember will have lived in an era that no one else will ever experience. That era has passed and slowly those of us who lived it are passing also. If you do not remember this, then ask your parents or grandparents.

If you are having trouble reading the smaller text above, press and hold the CTRL key while you press the + key a couple of times. To return to your normal size, press and hold the CTRL key while you press the - key a couple of times.

from Poor Horatio