January 15, 2016 - Msg 103672: Wow, PH after doing all that, it's no wonder why we slept so good at night!.... Prayers for all concerned... G-F

p.s. You forgot hiding in bushes and jumping out to catch golf balls....lol......Thanks for the memory blast!

January 15, 2016 - Msg 103673: ...... Add sweeping the porch to that list... Haha

January 15, 2016 - Msg 103674: Thanks, PH. You just described my childhood exactly. Memories..... --Romeena

January 16, 2016 - Msg 103675: Thanks PH for typing that all out, or hopefully you were able to do a copy/paste. I feel so sad for kids today when I see their heads mesmerized before a screen, or even 4 adults at a restaurant table staring at their screens! I really enjoyed that blast from the past! Thanks again.
GF-ASA-SPOT--some baseball trading going on right now. We just got a Braves pitcher.
Big NFL games tomorrow! (Sat.)
BOO--two visits from you! Wow! ha I saw Erin on FB, looked like an intense game.
God bless,
MDC

January 16, 2016 - Msg 103676: Oh, PH, at the far right of my "address line" there is a small "magnifying glass" icon. If i click on it, a window drops down which shows the zoom percentage and a "return to default" choice. I'm in Chrome on Windows 7, so I'm not sure if that's on all internet screens or not. MDC

January 16, 2016 - Msg 103677: Thanks MDC. I've just been feeling a tug at my heart about spending more time on the porch.

I'm having my own little TAGS marathon tonight and thinking of you all.

The weather here today was perfect...cool and sunny. Hope all of you are having a good weekend.

Boo

January 16, 2016 - Msg 103678: WoW MDC,.... What a game... I'm sure the cardiologists in town are busy... G-F

January 17, 2016 - Msg 103679: Yup, the Cardiac Cards were at it again tonight!!!
Did you believe that Rogers pass tho?? I watched the replay a zillion times and still cant believe that it was caught! And then there was the "non-flip" of the OT coin! Weird stuff. Charlene Darling must have been nearby! ha I'm sure glad we have Fitz! :) Now, who will we face, Seattle or Panthers?? hmm
RO--didnt you mention a while back that you bought one of the crock pot dump recipe books??
I think I am going to try the tortilla dish next.
Well, good Sabbath to all. Hope you are all in good health to go to preachin'. BOO-- indeed hope that you can set on the porch more.
Prayers,
MDC

January 17, 2016 - Msg 103680: Good Sabbath Porch, and all who reside thereon.

Wow, some great football games yesterday. Both games were close. Congrats on your win MDC. Was much closer than I would have thought. I don't know why, but I just think Seattle is going to win to day. They seem to be peaking at the right time.

Gosh Boo, It is so nice to see you posting more. You are missed for sure. A TAGS marathon sounds like a recipe for what ails you.

Hey GF, I hear you have some arctic air headed your way. Better make sure your "Wheeler" is ready to weather the storm. At least that is my M.O. Super cold = "Wheeler" time. Seems to make it more tolerable.

Prayers for all for a good Sabbath.

Asa

January 17, 2016 - Msg 103681: Yep Asa, it's going to be colder than the reception that the Minnesota Vikings kicker got in the locker room after he missed the game winning field goal last week...lol
Can you say....... WHEELERTIME

TOM, try to stay warm too Buddy!....

Yep MDC, the "Count" sure was active during last nights game, "Cardiac Cardinals" for sure!... Kinda like the old "Kardiac Kid" days in Cleveland, waaaaay back in the day.....lol

G-F

January 17, 2016 - Msg 103682: Hi
Where are you Rom have you heard from your family in Flor fro the storm lat night

TOM

January 17, 2016 - Msg 103683: Good sweep...MDC I will have to check into the swaps..Braves pitcher?..good game in Denver right now...Miss SPOT and I just got back today from a weekend trip to the Huntsville Space Center in Alabama trying out her new Toyota ! neat place hey Romeena,asa,Boo,Lucy and all...ok here at work...any left overs?..this old dog needs a bone SPOT

January 17, 2016 - Msg 103684: Cards vs Panthers!!

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103685: Good evening, porch! Tom, I've talked to my son, and he's fine. They were pretty far away from the storms. My daughter Robbi and her husband are in Florida too, on business, and they were in a safe area as well. Thank you for asking!

I must ask for prayers for our little Bentley, David's dog, once again. He had a sudden onset of weakness in his left front and back legs, fell several times, wouldn't try to walk anymore, and appeared to be in significant pain. At the vet, they were told that he probably either has a swollen disc in his spine, or a metastatic tumor in his brain, from the cancer he had in May of 2014. Hands-on exam could not locate a bad disc. The next step would be an MRI, and would cost about $4,000. Once done, if a tumor is found, there still would be nothing to do for it. In other words, why do the MRI? So the vet suggested approaching from the assumption it's a spinal disc and give him IV steroids, to see if he improves. They did, and he did improve somewhat. They brought him home, apparently no longer in pain, and walking pretty well, though with a little limp on the front leg. So now, it's waiting game. If this works, wonderful. If not, then we're going to have to give him up. David said he can't afford to spend that money if there's no cure at the other end, and apparently, there isn't. Also, he doesn't want to put Bentley through anymore misery. If he's improving, that's wonderful, but he's not going to drag out the misery if there's no improvement. So, once again, please pray for our Bentley. He's one in a million.

OK, I'm off to the ironing board. It's been a long day. Blessings! --Romeena

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103686: MDC, I know I bought two of those books, the one for cakes and am not sure what the other one is. I'll dig it out in the morning and let you know. --Romeena

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103687: Good morning, porch. I just talked to David, and while Bentley can walk now, he still doesn't walk right, falls a lot, and is willing to let David carry him from place to place, then stays where he is. Dave took him back to the vet this morning, and they removed the IV catheter, which had been left in yesterday in case it was needed again today. They're going to continue giving him oral steroids, and hope for the best, but the vet is about 80% sure it's a brain tumor. If that's the case, then we will have to let him go. We won't let him just wither away. So, it's a sad time for our family right now. Please pray for Bentley to recover, and for us to be able to bear it if he doesn't. I wish you could all know Bentley. He's a fine little gentleman. --Romeena

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103688: Me again. MDC, I checked out those books. I have the "Dump Cakes" which is a hard-back book, and I have another, more like a pamphlet of about 20 pages, entitled "Dump Dinners." It's not specifically for a crock pot. I haven't even looked through it, to be honest. I have a very meager library of cookbooks, as I rarely use a recipe. Eloise teases me, by saying that to me a recipe is just a suggestion, and I guess she's right. If I'm going to make something I've never done before, like a dump cake, I'll read the recipe just to get the basic idea, the plan, and then I just do it myself. I'll almost always add to it, something not in the original - like a handful of chopped nuts, or a pinch of sugar, a little dill, or some lemon juice - depending on what the dish is. Once in a while I end up with a disaster, but usually, what I've done is an improvement, at least to my mind. Also, if a recipe calls for something I really like, like pecans, I'll often put a lot more than the recipe says. I like pecans! Here's a little hint I discovered recently, while making some cookies. If the recipe asks for a teaspoon of vanilla, I'll usually put two "blurbs." I don't measure things like that, but two "blurbs" would probably measure out to two teaspoons. In other words, I put a lot more vanilla, and then I'll cut the sugar a bit. I do measure some things, at least a rough measure, and I found I can cut at least a quarter cup of sugar in a cookie recipe and double the vanilla, and they're delicious. Better for my diabetes, too. So, to answer your question, no, I don't have the "dump" book for crockpot cooking. Wish I did. ==Romeena

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103689: Romeena, Prayers for Bently.... And all other prayer concerns too... Cold, Cold, on my end today...G-F

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103690: Good Monday all.

Ro, I am so sorry to read about Sir Bentley. I have heard you speak so glowingly about him for years. And for sure he will be in my prayers, as will your family be to be able to cope with making that always tough decision. But I know you and your family well enough to know you will do what is in his best interest. But I also know how much it hurts you all.

Asa

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103691: HI here.
Romeena prayer for your son pet!
Now I see there is not just two guys making
trouble here!
Now I have to go and give him a fine for coloring on the wall!
SORRY BOYS YOU NO LOW HERE?

SHERIFF TOM

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103692: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_nMU8Xj2iw
Here is a link to Burns & Allen with a special guest on.
G-F

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103693: Two, if you count Mr. Frisby as one of the special guests, G-F. :-)
Floyd has a nice haircut there.

So sorry to hear about Bentley, Romeena. That's got to be so rough for them having to make a decision like that, with someone who is so much a part of their family. Praying that the vet is 80% wrong in his/her prognosis.

Thanks to MDC letting me know where to buy it, I now have my copy of the crock pot dump meals. Walmart only had the dump dinner ones that you spoke of, Ro, and I might try that one as well sometime in the future. But for now, it's crock pot cooking all the way. Well, not every day, since I only have one crock pot and it can be a pain to clean. At least it was after the pork chop dinner. Sure was good though.

Speaking of seeing actors one other shows above, just today I saw Mr. Wheeler on an episode of Dennis The Menace. He played a grizzled old Southern hermit type of character. Even had quite a beard on him. Probably wouldn't have recognized him if not for his distinctive voice.

Still cold here in WI. Supposed to be a bit warmer tomorrow, according to my mom. She said up to 30. Whew, heat wave.

-Sterling Holobyte

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103694: Good evening, porch. I just talked with my son, and Bentley is not doing well. He lost control at one point, and had to be cleaned up. He whines whenever he's moved or disturbed, and acts like he's very confused. I'm afraid it's an aggressive brain tumor, and there's no fixing that. David's prayer is that he'll just pass quietly tonight, and they won't have to make that decision. All I can say is - if God has made provision for our animals in Heaven, then I know Bentley will have an honored place. He is the sweetest boy, kind and gentle, patient with pesky little things like Toye Starr, loving and gentle with small children, and was a fierce protector for Brittney when that unknown man entered their home that afternoon. Bentley attacked, the man kicked him, then ran back out and disappeared. They never knew who it was.

I can't even imagine the family getting together, and no Bentley. He's always a part of everything, and he will be so terribly missed. Those of you who have loved, and been loved by a sweet pet will understand how we're feeling right now. Those who have not, well, I'm sorry for you, because you have missed one of life's great blessings. I've always believed that God gave me my dogs in order that I might see what unconditional love looks like.

This is going to be hard on my grandsons. Landry was four and Hudson was two when they got Bentley, so he has been a part of their lives for as long as they can remember. I have pictures of the boys, lying on the floor watching TV, with their heads on Bentley for a pillow! And Bentley was loving it! I have said, and I mean it, some of my grandkids have four paws. Please pray for us tonight. --Romeena

January 18, 2016 - Msg 103695: RO--yes, prayers are indeed going up for you and yours. So sorry to hear this. May the Lord be with you all! I can imagine that it is very tough going forall of you, especially after all the great years with Bentley.
STERLING-- I too had quite a clean-up after the pork chop meal, so I went on a mission to see if there is such a thing as 'liners' for crock pots, and to my surprise, there ARE! I found them in the aluminum foil/waxed paper section, made by Reynolds called Slow Cooker Liners! I used one on the tortilla casserole and it worked great, and did not have to make the alumninum strips that it says to make to get the dish out of the crock pot. Pretty funny how we guys talk football one minute and recipies the next! haha
Our weather has been fantabulous! Sure hope our Cards will do ok in Panther weather. POSSUM, hope you're not too much of a Panther fan! :)
Prayers for all,
MDC

January 19, 2016 - Msg 103696: Good morning, porch. Actually, it's not a very good morning, but at 5 a.m., there's not much else to say. I'm still up, because there's no way I can sleep. Our sweet Bentley got much worse last evening, so David and his family took him to the emergency vet clinic, the same one where he had the cancer surgery in May of 2014. The poor little guy was disoriented, panting rapidly, and whining a little so they knew he was in pain. Still tried to love on everybody, but couldn't even stand up, so he just licked any hand that came near him. So typical of Bentley. At 10:15, the vet gently eased him across the bridge, and I'd like to think that he's playing now with his old friend, Sugarplum. Bentley was one in a million, a true little gentleman, and the sweetest, kindest boy you can imagine. He will be terribly missed, not just by my family, but by everyone who met him. He had a lot of friends! I can hardly stand to think that he's gone. Please pray for my son and his family. This is really going to be hard on them. Bentley was most definitely a part of the family. --Romeena

January 19, 2016 - Msg 103697: I am so sorry Romeena. But I am glad Bentley is out of pain, and across the bridge. Prayers for you all as you mourn his passing.

Asa

January 19, 2016 - Msg 103698: I too am sorry to hear the sad news Romeena, as Asa said he is no longer in pain, but the pain left behind I know is hard for everyone... 🙏 Prayers to you and the family 🙏
G-F.....

January 19, 2016 - Msg 103699: Good Morning porch, checking in from work this morning. A very COLD 13 degrees now on my end. supposed to warm up to about 23 degrees later today. snow expected tomorrow.

Prayers for you and your famuly Romeena. I am sorry to read about Bentley. Sounds like he was very special and brought lots of love and joy to the family.

work is keeping me busy and out of trouble these days. so hopefully that will keep me out of the big house for a while. :)

Lunch menu will be: beef stew, cornbread muffins.
apple pie for dessert. a la a mode for those who want the a la mode on top. tea, lemonade to drink.

Prayers and blessings to all
Big Maude

January 19, 2016 - Msg 103700:
Speaking as a former dog owner who slept alongside his dog on the floor during the final week of his life, I am very saddened to learn that Bentley had to be put to sleep. Be thankful he was able to live a relatively long life for a dog and loved his family unconditionally. RIP Bentley.

from Poor Horatio

January 19, 2016 - Msg 103701: Prayers for you and yours RO! When one porchster hurts, we all do. I sure recall all the great things that you said about him.
MAUdie, good to hear from you. I'd probably snap
in half with 13 degrees. Keep warm. Thanks for lunch.
MDC

January 19, 2016 - Msg 103702: not 'with', should have said 'in.'

January 19, 2016 - Msg 103703: So sorry to hear the news about Bentley,Ro. My heart hurts for you & the family. Prayers,for sure.
RIP Bentley- you were a good doggy.

************
possum u.a.r.

January 20, 2016 - Msg 103704: Thanks to all of you for the kind thoughts and wishes, and for the prayers offered on Bentley's behalf over the last year and a half or so. He was indeed special, and I loved him dearly. He may have belonged to my son and his family, but he was part of our family, and we all felt like he was ours. I always kept him when Dave and his family were traveling, and he was never any trouble at all. He was one of the most obedient, well-behaved dogs I've ever known, and I've known a lot! Why can't they just live forever?

Today has been a long day. I went through the motions - made my home health visit, kept a doctor's appointment, bought a few groceries, but it has still been a long day. I'm still not used to the idea that Bentley is no longer with us. I can't imagine what David's house is like, without Bentley rattling the vertical blinds on the patio door when he needed to go outside, without him stretched out on the floor watching TV with the boys, or having mock battles with the cats, or just plopping his big old self in somebody's lap. He never quite figured out that 45 lbs was just a bit over the limit for a lap dog, so we all just pretended along with him, and let him sit in our laps! Sweet Bentley! --Romeena

January 20, 2016 - Msg 103705: RO--I just can't imagine a heaven without our sweet pets running about. He'll be there! After all, our God is an awesome God!! :)
MDC

January 20, 2016 - Msg 103706: Supper time. I-hop on Boo and I SPOT

January 20, 2016 - Msg 103707: TOM, better get prepared, a big snow storm is coming up from the south this time.... I don't think the snow fence will stop this one... Sorry
SPOT may get some of the ice storm from it, hopefully the power stays on...

G-F

January 20, 2016 - Msg 103708: I heard you fellers was gonna get some white stuff GF and Tom. And I hear you are colder than a well diggers wallet. Stay dry and warm. GF, give that "Wheeler" a good workout buddy.

I have spent all week on my Kabota at work stacking snow. We have had so much we are having to haul it off.

Hope you are doing ok Ro. Hang in there.

Better go see what I can rustle up for supper. Oh wait, Boo and Spot are buying IHOP.

Asa

January 20, 2016 - Msg 103709:
Strange weather we are having up here near Toronto Canada. Except for some large snow piles in some parking lots, much of our snow has melted. And with high temperatures expected above freezing during the next two weeks, there is no significant accumulation predicted. I don't mind the cold, but I do hate the snow.

from Poor Horatio

January 21, 2016 - Msg 103710: STERLING, are you getting snow too?
PH--I hear that you also do not like chit-chat, (per Lydia!) ha
ROMEENA--prays contnue for you all!
SPOT better baton down the hatches.
ASA--I bet you also drive a zamboni!! :)
Remind me not to visit in the winter.
Maybe my Cards should stop there to practice tho! lol
Nite all,
MDC

January 21, 2016 - Msg 103711: Funny one MDC...Zamboni... When my Son was young, and we went to hockey games in Cleveland he always said he wanted to be A Zamboni driver...haha I suppose being a computer "IT" guy pays more...lol but I do believe at times at his job he wishes he was cruzeing around on the ice instead!

Stay warm and safe every....G-F

January 21, 2016 - Msg 103712: No snow yet, MDC.
According to our crack(pot) team of local weather forecasters, we are only supposed to get some light snow tonight and maybe tomorrow morning. Which means we will probably have to get out the snow blower.
No, our weathermen(persons) are usually only off by a couple (hundred)inches.

Seriously though, I am hoping it holds off, at least until I get back from my trip today. Took Noah to the dentist yesterday to look at his back tooth on which we had noticed a dark spot. Well, the dentist confirmed it is a cavity, but didn't know how deep it was or if there were more on the tooth because Noah became agitated and wouldn't let them do anything.
They referred me to a pediatric dentist, so now I get to drive Noah an hour away to that dentist, and hope that he behaves for them. They said that they encourage parents to NOT go back with the child because they have found that children tend to behave better when the parents aren't there in the room with them.
My wife was reading some horror stories about things done to children left alone at the doctors or dentist, so she wanted to make sure I would be back there with Noah, but the way he was acting yesterday, I think there might be something to what the pediatric dentist said about not being there, and I wonder if that was part of the problem yesterday. So I think I am going to let them take him back alone, but see if I can go back after he is in there and stand where he can't see me.
I don't know if that is "helicopter" parenting, but he is only four years old after all.
I don't look forward to this experience, especially after yesterday and knowing how Noah can get. He tends to flip out about stuff. He is the total opposite of how Kai was when she was going to the dr/dentist. Even during her heart procedures, she always seemed to have this mentality like "ok, this is what I have to do" and would calmly do it. She could cry at the drop of a hat about other things, but once we told her she had to do something, she would do it.

MDC, I wish I would have remembered your liner suggestion and bought some of those. I made the smothered pork chops again yesterday, and had the same trouble with cleanup again. But that is a good idea about those liners.

Romeena, so sorry about Bentley. Prayers for all involved.

Boo, I forgot to mention that I definitely know what you are going through with Erin's anxiety, although Kai has seemed to calm down a bit thankfully. But the fact that Erin is in basketball and liking it is a good sign and also she gets that physical activity that helps release those endorphins that help a person's mood. So sounds like she is on the right track. Also that she confides in you about her anxiety. So she gets that double dose of the endorphins AND getting to talk out her problems which is so important. It is good she has a mom like you she can talk to.

Have a good day, everyone.

-Sterling Holobyte

-Sterling Holobyte

January 21, 2016 - Msg 103713:
Sterling Holobyte check out this following web site about sedation dentistry:
https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/About%20the%20ADA/Files/anesthesia_use_guidelines.ashx
Discuss this with Noah's dentist.

from Poor Horatio

January 21, 2016 - Msg 103714: Sending out good vibes to everybody in the path of the blizzard-y'all stay safe & as warm as possible! Prayers,friends!

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

January 21, 2016 - Msg 103715: Hey Possum... Ya might need some de-icer for your rocks, I think most of the snow is going to miss me...G-F

January 21, 2016 - Msg 103716: Only rain at my rock,G-F (so they say) but Mayberry will need some de- icer for sure! No road trip to Mt. Airy for me this weekend!

possum again

January 21, 2016 - Msg 103717: Hi All
Mr.G you may not get the snow comming up south but you will get some fron the lake it not closed up and cold wine too. EHEH
PRAYERS that every one will be sake

TOM:;;(

January 22, 2016 - Msg 103718: Looks like my Cards may face some "inclement" weather when playing the Panthers this Sunday.
GF or ASA,
they may stop and practice in yer parts first!
POSSUM, get under your rock girl! Be careful.
TOM--Dont you want to come to Phoenix for a few week?
My prayers are with you, but I better head to the eye doc as i am seeing double Sterlings! :)
MDC

January 22, 2016 - Msg 103719: Good very late evening, porch. I'm up late, but about to call it a night and hit the old ironing board. By the way, cute as that bit was with Opie wanting to sleep on the ironing board, I never did figure it out. In the first place, they had a guest room, because Aunt Bee the Warden put Otis in it when Andy brought him home, and they found room to host that Russian delegation, too. Also, even if they didn't have a guest room, why wouldn't Opie have slept on the sofa? It would have been a sight more comfortable than an ironing board! Personally, I like to sleep on a sofa. My mom's sister had a sofa that was the most comfortable place I've ever slept! I loved that thing.

All of you folks in the path of that snowstorm, take care and stay warm. We're at 37� right now, headed for a light freeze, but warming up a bit again tomorrow. We had some hail this morning just before noon, little pea-sized stuff, no damage and it melted in just a few minutes. Very strange weather.

I talked with my daughter, Robbi, this morning. She and her husband are in Kissimmee, Florida right now, at the Mecum car auction. They sold a car there, and bought five more! Richard will repair and restore them, and sell them for a profit. I guarantee you, he'll make money on them. He's done this for years, and has done well at it. He has a good eye, and knows what to buy and more importantly, what not to buy.

Well, guess I'll mosey on to bed. Toye Starr has been huffing at me for an hour or more. She's ready to tuck in for a little winter's nap. Funny little thing. Blessings! --Romeena

January 22, 2016 - Msg 103720:
Romeena, I'm confused by your last posting. I thought the Mecum car auction offers classic cars that already have been repaired and restored. Yet you claim that your Richard bought five to "repair and restore them".

from Poor Horatio

January 22, 2016 - Msg 103721: hi all
Will it look like going to be a long cold weekend
Mr. G F just keep all the cold right with the bad
Brown.
MDC No thank I stay right here and fight the snow.

SQE TOM

January 22, 2016 - Msg 103722: Good afternoon, porch. PH, I know very little about the Mecum auction, other than what I see on TV, and what my family tells me. I've never been to one. My daughter told me on the phone that they had sold one car, and bought five. I concluded that the five they bought were projects, but I could be wrong. I know Richard buys a lot of cars in need of restoration, but it's possible that those five were already restored, and he was able to get them at a low enough price that he feels he can resell them for a profit. Sometimes the locale determines what price you can get for any given car. Or - he may have bought them somewhere else, not at the auction. I'm not clear on the details, she just said they bought five cars. Clear as mud?

--Romeena

January 22, 2016 - Msg 103723: RO-PH--this is car auction time in the Phx area. Have 4 going on right now as a matter of fact.
TOM-GH--our only "lake effect" here is a bit of chlorine smell as we lay out by the pool in our swimsuits. A balmy 75 here today! lol
Our Cards sometimes practice in a 'bubble" with AC for July practices.
They put it down as low as it would go, wet the field to get it really slushy, and then practiced. I hope we're ready! Now the trick is GETTING to Carolina!
Possum may have to burrow a way to the stadium! ha
Prayers for all!!
MDC

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103724: Just checking in, TOM you Ok Buddy? Hope you didn't get hit to bad, and SPOT, Possum, Maude, didn't get the ice they are calling for... Good day to make some soup and just hunker down.... Auh2o, PH, looks like we got lucky this time!

G-F....

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103725: Woke up to a VERY light dusting of snow here at my rock- I might be able to scrape enough up to make a teeny tiny snowman! I'm just happy to not be dealing with freezing rain,ice,and all that mess. This I can do!
Hope everyone in the blizzard's path is staying safe & warm-y'all take care!

*****************************
possum under a snow-dusted rock

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103726: Good Saturday morning all.

Glad those reporting in are not getting to bad of weather. I can envision Possum building her a tiny snowman. Glad all is well for you GF, and hope the same for Tom. And let us keep MDC in our thoughts, that he doesn't fall asleep at pool side and get sunburned, the poor thing! ;)

Just got back from shopping. My goodness, seems like the cost of food is high. I try to eat right, fruits, veggies and what not. And I love grapes, but they are so pricey right now. Oh well, I best be happy they are available and I can afford them I reckon.

Well off to do laundry and some other chores. Going with Stacey and their family to a special event this afternoon, and then to dinner after.

Go Cards! Go Pats!

Asa

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103727: I haven't ventured outside yet, Asa-too cold! I'm watching "The Rifleman"- spotted Arnold Winkler's daddy & Mr. Goss from TAGS on this episode!

possum again

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103728: Me too Possum... Saw that one and Sammy Davis Jr. is on this episode now Yee Haw!... G-F again

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103729: Sammy bit the dust!

possum once more

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103730: You were very timely with that post about the sedation dentistry, Poor Horatio. We discussed that when we were with the pediatric dentist and we all decided that would be the best way to go. Really hate to have Noah go under for this but I know he wouldn't put up with the stuff that needs to be done to his teeth if he was awake.
Noah's appointment for getting his teeth cleaned at the pediatric dentist went better than I thought it would. The dental hygienist was awesome with him. She cradled his head in her arm as she did her work, calmly talking to him all the way. He protested at certain things, but she managed to get him relaxed quickly to finish up her work. The only thing they weren't able to do was get x-rays. Nobody, including me, thought he would sit still for that, so they will do that during the procedure when he is under anesthesia.
They have such a long waiting time for procedures and he can't get in until May. But after last night I don't think he can wait that long. The receptionist told me if he has pain before then to call them, and I think that is what I have to do, because he didn't sleep well last night, always waking up complaining about his "cheek" hurting. Looks like we may be taking the "emergency" route that the dentist spoke of.

I too like watching those Mecum auto auctions sometimes. I wonder if they have other cars that are "fixer-uppers" that people can buy that they don't show on tv.

-Sterling Holobyte(Just one this time)

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103731: Good morning, porch! Beautiful day here, bright and sunny, temp is 37� right now, but there's absolutely no wind, so it doesn't really feel all that cold. High expected around 50�. Light jacket weather.

Asa, I know what you mean about food prices, especially fresh fruit and veggies. However, I think we both remember when grapes at any price at this time of year would have been impossible, and just about everything else was strictly seasonal, too. Now we get anything we want, just about any time of the year. The off-season things are shipped in from down south, and may not be quite as good as when grown locally in season, but sometimes they're better! I bought a mango at Central Market a couple of weeks ago, and oh, my goodness! It was called an "Australian mango" (who knew mangoes grow in Australia?) and I actually paid $5 for it. Not something I'd do every day, but the thing was huge. It was bigger than a softball, much bigger, and perfectly round. Didn't even look like a mango, but when I got that thing home and peeled it and ate it, it was the best mango I ever ate. Sweet as honey, with that distinctive mango muskiness, not a blemish on it, and it was flat-dog worth the $5. Good thing Central Market is over in Southlake and I don't get there often.

I remember when you could get strawberries for about six weeks out of the year. Now they're available just about year around. Same with blueberries, and blackberries. Yes, I love berries! I really like cherries too, and they're about the only thing I can think of right now that still have a "season." How fortunate we are to live in this country, where just about anything we want to eat is available. Pricey, maybe, but still available. I recall the Christmas pageants my church presented for so many years, and as part of my costuming, I carries a big basket of grapes! They came in handy, because if somebody's mouth was dry, making it hard to sing, they'd just pick a grape or two and eat it. I was constantly having to replenish my grapes! Oh, what fun those years were!

Well, guess I'd better run. Eloise and I are heading out to watch Hudson play basketball. They're doing fairly well after losing Bentley, but still, everyone is sad. Just going about daily life, but missing that sweet, shaggy boy. Blessings, friends. --Romeena

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103732: Uh - that's "carried", not "carries." --Romeena

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103733: Exactillioso!

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103734: BLIZZARD TO DRING

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103735:
Regarding the complaints about high prices for fruits and vegetables, we are experiencing the same thing here in Canada. Approximately 80% of our fruits and vegetables are imported. And we buy in US dollars at the current exchange rate of $1.00CAD = $0.71US. So products that sell for $1.40 in the USA costs us $2.00.

Sterling Holobyte, that sedation dentistry article explains the varying degrees of sedation. The patient is not always unconscious.

from Poor Horatio

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103736: Hi o
G-F, ASA AND MDC I o k we just get about 12-14 ic of snow today and cold.

TOM

January 23, 2016 - Msg 103737: Thanks for checking in TOM... I figured you would get hit hard, hang in there Buddy!....G-F

January 24, 2016 - Msg 103738: Yep, I read that, Poor Horatio, but I'm not sure that would work for Noah and neither did the dentist, as Noah would still be partially awake and may get agitated anyway.
I was reading through the review of our visit to the pediatric dentist and the information they gave about the upcoming visit where anesthesia will be used. Reading the risks especially, and I was just wishing that Noah would just be able to do this the regular way. I know it is rare, but the risk of injury or death is still there, and to have something like that happen when it could have been easily avoided by having a regular dental procedure would make a horrible outcome even worse. Makes me want to grab Noah, look into his eyes, and firmly explain to him that he WILL go to the dentist and go through with the regular procedure with just novocain and threaten him with any punishment just to avoid the other way and the risks that go along with it.

Then I realize that that way would probably traumatize him against going to the dentist for life and wouldn't do much good for what he thinks of me either. I also realize that it is the guilt talking that I have about letting it get this bad in the first place and second-guessing myself... should I not have let him brush his own teeth a lot of the time, should I have been more diligent in brushing them even when I was in a hurry, should I not have had such a bad perception about fluoride and used it earlier in his brushing, etc.

I guess my objections to the sedation rose a bit after reading that they would stick a tube down his throat. Seemed more serious then. For some reason I envisioned it being like on M*A*S*H where they put the person under and then just have an oxygen mask over them. Don't know why. I remember Kai having the breathing tube when she had her heart operation and while I didn't like seeing that, I knew that it was necessary. Somehow doing that for getting a cavity drilled doesn't seem as necessary. Maybe if I sprinkle Miracle Grow on Noah he could grow a few years in a couple days and be less afraid of the dental procedures and be reasoned with more. It's hard, or near impossible to reason with a four year old boy.

Prayers for all of those in the path of the blizzard of 2016.

-Sterling Holobyte

January 24, 2016 - Msg 103739: STERLING, I say go for it! (refering to your second paragraph above). I'm not saying that you have to take him to the woodshed, but rather just saying you are the adult, he is the kid. Explain that
he will feel nothing with the novocaine, and proceed. Just a thought.
TOM, hang in there buddy! Think of the beautiful summer that you will have when I am frying an egg on the sidewalk in 118 heat! :( Meantime, pass the lemonade. haha. Seriously, keep warm!!! POSSUM, looks like you cleared the field. Cards touched down a few hours ago. Sunny for Sunday.
RO-PH- GF--I will say one thing (and only one thing) about nafta,
and that is that
it allowed more fruits and veggies in from other
countries. (I just hope they are inspected correctly) Right now we can get blueberries from
Chile at our Kroger (Fry's) for 85 cent for a 6 oz. basket. (Remember those thin wooden baskets they used to come in? Now, of course, they are in plastic.)
SPOT and MAUDE, please check in, you both OK?
Good Sabbath to all,
MDC

January 24, 2016 - Msg 103740:
TOM, last night on the television weather report, they were listing the USA areas that received the most snow. The worst was parts of West Virginia that received 40 inches!
Check out http://weheartwv.com/2016/01/23/24-pictures-of-how-crazy-the-snow-is/
I'm glad to learn your area is not one of these areas.

from Poor Horatio

January 24, 2016 - Msg 103741:
Sterling Holobyte maybe if Noah watched a video of how sedation dentistry is performed, that might calm him down. Have him watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcELyKkOAak

from Poor Horatio

January 24, 2016 - Msg 103742: Good morning, porch! Sterling, I'm sorry that something as simple as a visit to the dentist has become such an issue for you. My friend, and I hope I can still call you my friend after what I'm going to say, but here it is. You think too much. I'm not necessarily advocating the anesthesia - I don't discount your fears there - but I do agree with MDC. There are times when you just have to be the dad, tell Noah this is necessary, and it is going to happen, and he can make it harder by fighting, or he can make it easier by settling down and being a big boy, but it IS going to happen. You can give him a simple explanation of the why and the how of it, but I'd keep it short.

You just have to make it plain, however, that he's not driving the bus - you are. Kids need something firm and unmoving sometimes, to feel secure. My country background provides a great analogy. You put a young calf in a big old pasture, wide open spaces, and he will stand and bawl. Put him in a small pen, with fences close by, and he'll be quiet (unless he's hungry.) Right now, Noah needs a procedure done, for his future good. He's naturally scared, so therefore he needs you to be firm, confident and unswerving in your purpose. Any hesitation and negotiation on your part will be interpreted as uncertainty, and he needs you to be very certain that this must be done, will be done, and because you love him, it will be okay.

So, go for the normal procedure. A children's dentist will have ways to disguise the needle, and most likely, a painless technique. I never even feel my dentist's injections of the novocaine, and I'm sure a children's dentist would be even more skilled at that. Go for it! "Noah, I know you're scared, but it's okay. This has to be done, no argument. I know you're a big boy, and you can do this!" Then give him a chance to ask questions about the procedure, and answer them carefully but truthfully. You may find that he's fearing something that isn't even going to happen. Who knows where his imagination has taken him?

Well, that's my two cents worth. No offense, my friend. We all know how much you love that little boy, and thank God for dads who take their position so seriously. --Romeena