December 22, 2018 - Msg 111317: Happy Birthday Spot, you have a good day.
MDC, I have never seen a Christmas display that large. That must of been something going through the display. Thanks for sharing the link.
Boo, hope everything works out ok with the job.
Take care Porch,
Frankie

December 22, 2018 - Msg 111318: FRANKIE--Thank you for cleaning up the porch for Christmas. I see that you even placed a blanket on each chair and a big steaming pot of hot chocolate on the table. I'm telling you, you're the cats.
Now we just need BIG MAUDE, Sterling, and a few others to check in here at checkpoint chickie.
MDC :)
December 23, 2018 - Msg 111319: GOOD Sabbath to all.
I was watching Pastor Robert Jefferies this morning
and he gave a great talk about the Light dispelling the darkness! That is why Christmas is at this time of year.
We just had the shortest (darkest) day of the year, and now Jesus comes and shatters that darkness and the days get brighter and brighter! Amen.

Also, I just heard that Fox is having pro bowling on t5his afternoon. I havent seen pro bowling for years!

Christmas joy to all,
MDC :)

December 23, 2018 - Msg 111320: Good Sabbath all. And Merry Christmas Eve,Eve. :)

MDC, I agree with the thought of the light of Christ entering when things are the darkest. That seems to be the case so very often.

Frankie, good sweeping job girl. I hope you didn't get your make-up dusty. I was afraid my larynx was gonna get dusty just before the Christmas Musical at Church and they would make me use that super sensitive mike again. lol

Boo, Glad the shutdown won't affect Bruce any. Just think, some of that perfume you wore may have seen me first. Did you ever use Max Factor lipstick? That was interesting as can be how it was made.

I went to Stacey and Matts church today because the Grandkids had a small part in the program. They, of course, did a wonderful job. ;)

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful Sabbath day.

Asa


December 23, 2018 - Msg 111321: Wow Thanks yall...had a good 59th birthday !..got to go back and read the archives...breakfast on Boo and I at waffle house...order what yer heart feels !..SPOT
December 23, 2018 - Msg 111322: Thanks Frankie and Asa. I think we will be ok.

Great thoughts on Light and darkness. Light does so many things, doesn't it? It gives us the ability to see things as they really are, drives away the fear, and makes us able to show others the way.

We had a church full this morning because we combined both morning services. It was great to see the young adults that I watched grow up coming home from college or out of town to visit for Christmas. I got lots of big hugs from ex sunday school students.

I have been getting last-minute things done to prepare for tomorrow. I thought Bruce and I had agreed to not exchange gifts but I found out that he bought me something. I had to go out and do some shopping for him today..I mean, I didn't have to, but didn't want him to get his feeling a little hurt. We want to have a small Christmas this year and I only filled stocking for the kids and they each have one present under the tree. We bought Erin a gaming system that she wanted last month so that was her gift and I had to buy some good shoes for Sean this month that were pretty pricey, so he is old enough to understand and doesn't care about getting a lot.

We will be attending the Christmas Eve service at church, as usual, and then we will go to St. Susan's for a bit to see Emily open her gifts and Susan will give my kids something..she always does. After that, we will come back to our house for food and just being together. A man from Susan's church will be spending the evening with us. His name is mike and he is from Thailand. He had been married when he came to the US and he is now a legal citizen, but his wife left him when she met another man. Soon after that, he was involved in a car accident and was hit from behind, resulting in a bad spinal fracture and now he is disabled. Since he has no family here, he will come spend Christmas with us. He happens to be an amazing guitarist and will be bringing his acoustic guitar tomorrow night. I am looking forward to hearing him play. It should be real Mayberry-like.:)

Well, hope you all have a great evening and I check back tomorrow.

Sending a hug to Romeena…((((HUG)))

Boo
December 24, 2018 - Msg 111323: MERRY CHRISTMAS! (Eve) (:
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111324: Merry Christmas everyone. I know I've posted this before, but it's worth another listen:

John Berry-O Holy Night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQDPo32DwbI

Billy Ray the Postman
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111325: Merry Christmas, Porch Family!

***********
possum u.a.r.
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111326: Merry Christmas, Porch Family!

***********
possum u.a.r.
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111327: MERRY CHRISTMAS PORCH FRIENDS...God Bless us Everyone!....G-F
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111328: Merry Christmas my porch pals.

Asa
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111329: Merry Christmas porch family. May you
all have a blessed day🎄
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111330: From Big Maude
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111331: Merry Christmas, friends!! Hope you are all blessed this day. Its been busy with the hustle and bustle of Christmas but it will all be winding down soon. Will meet everyone back here later!

Love,
Boo
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111332: Good morning, porch, and a very Merry Christmas to one and all. Please find a moment sometime today to play this link - arguably one of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever written or sung. It gives me a feeling of peace and hope every time I hear it. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaCwBxfOGDw

--Romeena
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111333: Merry Christmas porch family....SPOT
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111334: Have a Merry Merry Christmas Porch.

Romeena, that is a lovely video. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Frankie
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111335: Enjoyed the song, Ro, thanks.

Well, everything has put away and picked up and Bruce has already gone to bed. It was a peaceful, relaxing kind of Christmas Day and that is just what I needed.

Christmas Eve we attended the Christmas Eve church service, then we and Susan's family and one of their friends who was alone on Christmas came over for food, music and just being together. It was enjoyable and a small gathering. I wasn't in bed until 1 but that is not really unusual for me.

Today, Susan's family came over and we ate lasagna and just spent some time together. It was 80 degrees here today so we spent some time outside on the porch, which was nice. Tonight Susan and I took a drive to a little town north of us called Rockport and looked at some lights. It was nice. That is about it, nothing much to tell. I did get a really beautiful james avery pendant from Bruce that I love. It is a silver dove holding an olive branch.

Hope all of you had a blessed day and sweet sleep tonight.

Love,
Boo
December 25, 2018 - Msg 111336: It was nice...real nice...lol!

Boo
December 26, 2018 - Msg 111337: BOO--at least it wasn't BIG! ha
Cecile and I went to the 10 PM Mass Christmas eve.
My niece and her new husband bought a house
in May, and they hosted Christmas dinner this year today.
It was fun, we saw his folks, and my 'in-town' brothers and their families were also there. Said grace, then
Honey baked ham and all the goodies to go with it! Then played charades, and visited. A wonderful family day!
RO--great video to end the day.
God's blessings upon all! :)
MDC
December 26, 2018 - Msg 111338: Happy Birthday, MDC!

Headed over to the Morrison Sisters place later for some celebrating elixir & we'll all toast MDC as he welcomes another birthday!

possum again

P.S. Sounds like everyone had a nice Christmas- yay!
December 26, 2018 - Msg 111339: Good morning, porch! It's cloudy here today, as it was yesterday, but no rain, and the temp is 65°. I'm considering going out back and washing my big window, which is pretty dirty! Granted, there's not much to see out there at this time of year, but the squirrels and other critters. No flowers blooming right now at all. The window is very dirty, but I need to prioritize - got other things to do as well, that are more important.

We had a sweet, peaceful Christmas, Christmas Eve out at David's house, always so nice. Brittney decorates beautifully, David has installed subtle, decorative, creative lighting and their home is just lovely, especially at Christmas. Yesterday we were at Eloise's, where she had cooked her traditional tenderloin roast with all the fixin's, even horseradish sauce, which I love.

You may have noticed that so far, I haven't cooked a Christmas meal. Well, that all changes on Friday, when I am expecting a total of 23 people here, and I'm cooking a 20-lb turkey, dressing, cranberries, etc., and a ham. Dale's nephew and his wife and their two sons and a daughter, plus their boy/girl friends are in town, from Michigan. One of the sons lives here now, is on the Dallas police force, and his dad (Dale's nephew) has always wanted to move to Texas but his wife doesn't. So this may be a scouting trip, who knows? Anyway, with eight of them, our local eleven, my granddaughter Amanda from Fredericksburg and her boyfriend, and my brother and SIL, that makes 23.

I always cook my dressing (stuffing) in and around the turkey, and it is slap-yo-mama good, but this bird is going to fill the pan pretty well, so will have to cook about half of the stuffing separately. Yuck. Cooked that way, I find it dry and tasteless, but I'm planning to cook about four extra turkey thighs, and will put them in the pan with the extra dressing, to add juice and flavor. Then when all is done, I'll mix the two dressings together in a big bowl, and I think it will work. I guess we'll see. Also, I'm breaking a cardinal rule, and buying my pies instead of baking them. Wal-Mart sells some pretty good pies, and I just don't have the stamina to bake them with all the other stuff that has to be done. With a little real whipped cream on top, I think I can get away with it! Then with ambrosia (fancy fruit salad), green beans and other assorted veggies, and Eloise's cheesy potato casserole, I think I can fill everybody up.

Anyway, it should be fun, and I'll have a lot of help. David and Brittney and Eloise will be in the kitchen with me, and we function like a well-oiled machine! Eloise watches the stuff on the stove, David tries to carve the turkey, but it's usually so tender the bones just pull out and the meat can be pulled out in serving-size chunks. Brittney snatches up any used pot, pan or dish when I sit it down and has it washed, dried and put away in a flash. When we sit down to eat, there are no pans in the sink! It works with eleven, it should work with 23. I'm so blessed!

Today I have to go pick up my big ol' turkey, and those extra thighs. I find that most of my family prefers the dark meat (I certainly do!) so I have to plan for that. White meat is for the next day, on sandwiches!

Well, I'd better get dressed and hit the road. I have to pick up a new disposer also (mine died) and David will install it for me, probably tomorrow. He's a handy little gadget, that David. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
December 26, 2018 - Msg 111340: Good day all.
It sounds like everyone had a great Christmas. Glad to read that. I wish I lived by Romeena. I would crash her party for sure.

Happy Birthday MDC. I hope it is a great one, and that 2019 finds you in better health. You sure had a 2018, but pulled through good it seems.

GF, Your Brownies keep impressing buddy. Are you guys getting any weather? We have had a skiff of snow the last two mornings, but not enough to even fire up the snow blower for. It was near 40 yesterday afternoon so anything we got melted off fast. I do love my south facing house.

Boo, How is Sean doing with the new job?

Well I better go see what my Wheeler wants. It keeps calling out my name.

Asa
December 27, 2018 - Msg 111341: THANK YOU PORCHSTERS for the wonderful birthday wishes both here and on FB. I had a good day starting with my cardio-PT, then a simple lunch with cecile, then off to play mini golf together, and culmination with dinner at Red Lobster. She even paid for the 'special', and I dont mean vienna sausages! haha
ROMEEna--I got your card today. Thank you so much. You are in my daily prayers. Sounds like you will have "13 hatfuls" on Friday!

New year is a comin',
MDC

December 27, 2018 - Msg 111342: Belated Birthday Wishes for MDC, glad you had a good day Buddy, and you didn’t even have to go “Dutch Treat” for dinner either!...

Asa, Yep I hear the Browns are finishing strong, but they are dismantling my Tribe tho, By the time they are out MDC’s way for Spring Training the may be a mear shadow of who they were. I don’t know why, but it’s ALL About the Money these days....

Romeena...Nice to hear you have a big gang coming over, sometimes that’s a Good Thing And Sometimes It’s not! But it’s alwas nice to get together, knowing they will all go back home when it’s over...lol...Lol

G-F
December 27, 2018 - Msg 111343: Good morning, porch. Remember that rain I said we didn't get yesterday, in spite of all the clouds? Well, we got it last night. Huge thunderstorm, big old growlers overhead most of the night, and lots of rain. I guess it got it all out of its system, because it's beautiful out there this morning. Clear blue skies, lots of sunshine, little birdies taking big splashy baths in the standing water! Naturally, my sump pump that theoretically takes the excess water off the yard is not working (I have more trouble with that silly thing!) so the waterline was creeping close to my back door, but didn't quite make it. My friend Joe, who installed that thing, and I are going to have a powwow. He is a very frugal soul, and watches my money as closely as he watches his own, but this is the second low-priced pump he's put in, and I've had it. I'm going to spend about 50% more, get a big sturdy pump that won't gag on every leaf that comes through the drain line, and stop this madness.

My group for tomorrow has shrunk to 21. My granddaughter, Amanda, and her boyfriend won't be coming. They're both sick with colds, and more to the point, she wants to come when it's just them, without a big herd of mostly unknown cousins and completely unknown boy/girlfriends. I couldn't agree more. I want to just be able to talk with her, get to know her boyfriend better (his name is Dale - wouldn't you just know his name would be Dale?) and just enjoy them. So, Amanda and Dale will come up a little later, maybe next week, and we can have a sweet and peaceful visit. Much better!

Well, I'd better get busy. I'll make my ambrosia fruit salad today, also cook the cranberries, chop the celery and onions for the stuffing/dressing (take your choice), make a big bowl of English pea salad, make the filling for the sweet potato casserole and mix the streusel topping, to be assembled and baked tomorrow. Also need to make a big batch of cookies, to fill in any little holes anywhere. Maybe a pan of Scottish shortbread too, I've got a killer recipe for that, and I love shortbread. The secret is a little extra vanilla (real vanilla) and about two drops of almond extract. Not enough to identify, just enough to make you wonder what that subtle flavor is, that sort of lingers after the vanilla has subsided. Sometimes I add a tablespoon or so of the juice from maraschino cherries. That gets people asking questions! Gotta love it!

Well, talking about it isn't getting it done. Guess I'd better go feed my little roomie, and then get busy. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
December 27, 2018 - Msg 111344: Oh, one more thing. I'll make a "leche quemada" pie. Couldn't be easier, and I'll share the recipe because everyone loves it! Start with a prepared cookie pie crust, either the Keebler graham cracker one from the store, or make your own. A shortbread crust is great, but be sure you press it out in the pie plate so it's not too thick. Now, here's the fun part. Take the labels off of two cans of Eagle Brand condensed milk. Do not open the cans. Put them in a deep sauce pan, and add enough water to cover the cans by at least an inch. Bring the water up to a boil, lower the heat a little and let them simmer gently for about two hours. Watch the water level, add more as needed. After two hours, turn off the heat, and allow the cans to cool in the water at least six hours. Overnight is best. DO NOT OPEN UNLESS COMPLETELY COLD!!! Once the cans are cold, open carefully. The milk inside will now be a caramel-y brown color, and very thick, like pudding. Spoon it out into the pie shell, spread smooth, cover gently and refrigerate. To serve, have whipped cream ready (I whip my own) and serve narrow slices of the pie with generous dollops of cream. Trust me, cut narrow slices. This pie is uber-rich, and a 1 1/2" slice is about all anyone can eat. Enjoy! --Romeena
December 27, 2018 - Msg 111345: MDC, Happy Birthday
Romeena, Thanks for the pie recipe. It sounds very good.
Have a nice evening Porch.
Frankie
December 27, 2018 - Msg 111346: I had some free time to read up on some of the more recent archives.
From November 14, 2018 - Msg 111035, G-F wanted to know how long he has been posting here. G-F, your very first post here was May 14, 2011 - Msg 83975 as Goober Fife.

Sorry to have missed Christmas. So a belated Merry Christmas to everyone. Or maybe I'm a bit early for 2019.

from Poor Horatio
December 27, 2018 - Msg 111347: Wow PH...Time sure has flown!....Happy Birthday to Romeena too!...G-F
December 27, 2018 - Msg 111348: Hello to everyone. Hope you are all well and blessed.

Asa, I forgot to tell you that Sean already quit the new job! It was just too hard for him, physically. He now weighs over 300 lbs and the job was pretty fast-paced and intense. The owner agreed that it was too much for him but told him that he wished he could hire him to do inventory or something because he had such a good work ethic and is a very honest young man. The business is just not big enough to be able to afford it, though, but said maybe in a couple of years. It was disappointing, but the owner said "you never know until you try something". He is a very nice man and was aware of Sean's issues and willing to give him a chance. The good news is, Avis took him right back and his absence just counted as a vacation because he was still in the system.

Romeena, I am glad you had a peaceful Christmas with your family. Brittany posted some pics of her decorations on Facebook a few weeks ago and they are so pretty! Hope you survive that huge meal and all that company tomorrow! hehe..have fun. PS-I think it is great that Amanda and Dale are coming up later so you can really visit with them.

A belated Merry Christmas to you, too, PH. Please come around as often as you can.

I am itching to take down all the Christmas decorations around here but am making myself wait. We are having friends over for New Year's Eve..for food and games, so I should keep everything festive. There is time later to put it all up. I have been working on laundry today and still have more to do! It never ends.

Blessings,
Boo


December 27, 2018 - Msg 111349: HI ALL...As we look back on 2018, of course i think back to my amazing heart surgery in Sept, but believe it or not, I still think of my sprinkler pipe accomplishment when I was able to slip that honed out sleeve onto the pipe, and then back over the break! haha I suppose it is (was!) all in a day's work for GF or ASA, but i sure surprised myself! And it is even still holding. :)
BOO--I am a little concerned about Sean's weight for such a young man. Does he eat a lot of fast food? I ask only because it could lead to multiple health problems down the road.
My youngest nephew (20) was in a similar predicament, dropped the fast food completely, eats healthier, fish, eggs, whole grains, froit, veggies, etc, joined a gym, and is getting to be so much better these days, dropping about 60 lbs so far! :) Just a tought.
Thanks ASA and Frankie for the birthday wishes. For the first time in several years I don't FEEL older than I actually am! Thank you Jesus.
2020 almost here.
MDC


December 27, 2018 - Msg 111350: OOPS! Way ahead of myself...2019!!
December 28, 2018 - Msg 111351: With 2018 quickly coming to a end, I think back to those we lost and the high points, some of us have been thru ALOT. And to SPOT & Asa who joined the rank of WHEELERS I Congratulate!...MDC has been thru a lot too, and is getting over the hump.

To my Porch FriendsI I wish Happiness Prosperity for 2019!...
Hopefully this year will be better, My Mayberry Friends....

G-F
December 28, 2018 - Msg 111352: Good morning all.
Well said GF, my buddy. I likewise tend to reflect on the past year. The high points, the low points. The paved roads, the dirt paths. I try to find the good in most things whenever I am able. And I count myself blessed when I look around and see so many who are suffering so much. And as usual, I have a list of things, improvements I would like to make for the new year. There is always room for improvement for me for sure.

Boo, I am so sorry that the job didn't work out for Sean. I'm glad he was able to get back to his old job at least.

Romeena, I hope the party goes well. And yes, I think you need to get a higher quality sump pump for sure. I have had good results over the years with Little Giant pumps. They are a bit pricey, but considering what you are needing it for, very much worth the cost I would say. There is another brand I like, but my mind is drawing a blank at the moment. I hate it when that happens. Anyway, if I remember I will post it.

Possum, did you survive the storm ok? I hope so.

Hey to Lucy, I got your card. Thank you. I didn't see your name on the list so I didn't get one out to you. Sorry.

Well off to go buy a battery for my Jeep. I went to the store this morning early and when I went to leave, dead battery. Dag burn it! Oh well, I just hope it is only the battery.

Later.

Asa
December 28, 2018 - Msg 111353: Aha, Romeena, I just remembered. Zoeller was the other brand. And Bell and Gosset are good. I have never used a B&G for a sump pump, but used their pumps for hydronics systems at work and they were exceptional, so I would think the same would hold true for their sump pumps. Maybe GF has some thoughts.

Asa
December 28, 2018 - Msg 111354: I had good results with “Myers” pumps, made here in Ashland Ohio. I have found them very reliable both pumping waste and domestic water...So many are made in China these days...
https://www.femyers.com/en/contact-us

G-F
December 28, 2018 - Msg 111355: Good morning, porch. Thought I'd sit and rock for a spell before entering the battle in the kitchen. That turkey and I are going to go to war, for sure. That rascal, when stuffed and sitting in that heavy roasting pan, is going to weigh over thirty pounds, and I've got to get it into the oven. My plan is to sit the pan on the end of the island, right in front of the ovens, and use the lower oven. Put the turkey in the pan, stuff him and fill the pan around him, then just sort of slide and guide him off the island, and when he enters free fall, just swing him into the lower oven. As for getting him up and out of there when he's finished, David will be here by then. I can't lift thirty pounds, but think I can swing it into the oven on the downslide. Actually, I have a little barstool that I can position between the island and the oven rack, and maybe just "step" it down. Whatever, I'll get it done.

We went on a horse-drawn carriage ride last night, through the ritzy section of Dallas, and marveled at the elaborate lighting displays on the homes of the wealthier people. I never saw so many lights in my life! Really pretty, and the ride was fun. Cold, but fun.

Asa and G-F, what I have in the yard is a buried drain that comes from the lowest part of the yard, has a very shallow drop (this 1/4 acre lot is flat as a pancake), runs into a small catch basin where debris supposedly collects, and then overflows into another pipe that runs down to the front corner of the house, into a 55-gallon drum that is buried there, standing on end. The sump pump is in the bottom of that drum and when the water level rises and trips the switch, it pumps the water out through another pipe that ends at the street. Also, the gutters that collect the runoff from about 2/3 of the roof of the house run into that drum, so it fills rapidly in a heavy rain, like sometimes it never quits pumping. That is, when it hasn't choked on something and quit. I keep that little catch basin cleaned out - that is its purpose, after all - but still debris gets through. Also, things wash in that had settled on the roof, like leaves, and the little pumps just don't seem to be able to handle it. My gutters have leaf guards, but they don't block everything. Stuff still finds its way in. Considering all this, what size and power would you think I need in a pump?

David replaced my garbage disposer yesterday, replacing a broken 1/2 HP pump with a 3/4 HP. It cost about $40 more, runs more quietly, and works very well. I think we get what we pay for.

He also replaced a high-beam headlight in my car, and found that the problem was a rat-chewed wire that led to that light. He spliced the wire and the light works fine, which means the old bulb was probably good too, so we saved it. Another rat!!! I promptly called Orkin, they are coming out next week, and I'm getting this problem solved. I've spent more on fixing what the rats have damaged than Orkin will cost me. Miserable things. So far, I've seen no evidence that they've made it into the house, but it's just a matter of time, and honeys and dears, let me tell you - I ain't livin' with no rats, no how, no time!

Well, better quit rockin' and get to work. I figure I've got to have ol' Tom Turkey in the oven by 12:30 or 1:00, to have him done and ready to eat by 4:30. So, off I go. Drop by for leftovers if you're in the area later on! Blessings to all--Romeena
December 28, 2018 - Msg 111356: Good evening all.
Well I bought a new battery for the Jeep and the Tacoma, so they should be happy for a few years.

Romeena, I don't know if I would dare try and size a pump for your application. It sounds like it could take on a mess of water. So I would suggest the bigger the better. And of course what your budget will allow. I can tell you that a few years ago we were pumping hydraulic oil from a 10 foot deep hole with one of those Zoeller pumps, and it worked great for that. It sounds like some kind of screen or filters on your system would help, but then you have the problem of keeping those cleaned out. So it is a real catch 22. Do you know what is causing your failures? A larger pump will usually allow larger debris to pass through it. Anyway, like you said concerning your disposal, you get what you pay for. Funny story, I installed a 3/4 HP disposal in the breakroom at work a few years ago. Well I started getting complaints it wasn't working, and I would find the reset button tripped on it. I would reset it and it worked fine, but a few days later, the same thing. Well after almost a year of this going on every few days, I discovered what was going on. The thing was so quiet, you couldn't really hear it running, especially when they had the tv blaring away. Someone at night was turning it on and forgetting to turn it off. In time, the motor would get hot and the overload would trip it out. I finally had to but a countdown timer on the circuit so that it would shut itself off after several minutes. Walla, never had another problem with it again. Gf and I would call that "Idiot Proofing". 10-4 GF? He would probably tell you that I.P. would only go so far. Sadly the idiots outnumbered the proofing, but you do what you can. lol And here you guys thought with me retired, you were done hearing all my "war stories". HA, fat chance. I got millions more and now I have time on my hands to tell them! lol Remind me someday to tell you how I almost killed our Plant Manager. It involved a forklift and some timber.

Asa
December 28, 2018 - Msg 111357: Yep Asa...If We did a weekly TV show we’d have enough material for YEARS of episodes for sure!...G-F
December 28, 2018 - Msg 111358: Thinking about Romeena and wondering if she is exhausted by now (8pm). Certainly hope she is enjoying her time with the family and that wonderful dinner! The description of the meal sounded so good. I think it is so great when people have such large families that the celebration turns into more than one celebration and Christmas lasts longer!

Glad you are all charged up for a few years, Asa. :) You still enjoying retirement this holiday season? I'll bet you had fun with all the grandkids. I am really looking forward to that someday. It is one of the reasons I have taken measures to improve my health. Right now the only little one we have around here during the holidays is my niece, Emily, and can you believe she is already 11?! She is doing much better these days, dealing with the pain of her parent's divorce. It is a real relief for us to see her less emotional and coping better. We are concerned about the conditions she lives in with her mother but we are hoping she will soon be living with her dad full time. That is where she wants to be. Her mother is living a lifestyle that just isn't the healthiest and her live-in young boyfriend is very questionable. It is driving us all crazy but there is only so much we can do at this point.

MDC, thank you for your concern for Sean. It blesses me so much to know that you care. I know you all have watched him grow up and know of his difficulties and have prayed. I am more than a little concerned about his weight. I am so afraid that I will outlive him. I think his weight issues are kind of complex. For one thing, remember when he was very young he was started on medication because his Tourettes was so severe. He began gaining a lot of weight at that time and once that happened, it only began to come off once when he was so sick and throwing up every day for months. The meds he takes to control the Tourettes contributes to the weight issue, but more than that, he eats for emotional reasons due to his anxiety and, I believe, because of his same-s#x struggles. He is celibate but it is very difficult for him. I think he eats as a comfort. He has said that he does and I think he has a food addiction. He eats out a lot with his friends and that is his only recreation. I have noticed that his generation seems to place a great value on eating out and food, in general. His friends are that way but they are thin. I have tried talking with him, encouraged him to eat what I cook at home, and tried to keep bad food out of the house, which doesn't help when he is going out to eat fast food. I have offered to walk with him, cook for him, help him, but until, and if he decides to do something there isn't much I can do besides refuse to be an enabler. That is hard for me sometimes because I grew up with a mother who loved us with food and used it to comfort us. I sometimes want to do the same with my family. I have to fight it. I have considered helping him get gastric sleeve surgery but I don't think he would keep the weight off with the dependence he has on food. I have a niece that is in her 30s and had the gastric sleeve surgery 3 years ago. She lost a tremendous amount of weight but gained most all of it back, from what I can tell. She is such a sweet girl and married a super good guy and wants to have a baby, but they are just obsessed with food and eating out. Its crazy, but I am telling you that this younger generation is killing themselves with food. Sad.

Anyway, on to something less glum...today I took the pup to work to pick up my check and I let the girls play with her for awhile. She loved it! She is such a sweet pup and loves everyone. She is konked out in Erin's bed now. Sweet little thing. I didn't know how much I would love a little dog like her. I used to have a weinie dog that lived in the house but she was a very strange personality that didn't really bond with me. She did, however, bond with with Dad and was the love his life in his last year. Lol..so, I guess that worked out for the best. This little pup is just adorable and impossible to not love.
By the way, Romeena, I actually found a little tray-like thing at Walmart that is made to be used with the puppy pads. It is a plastic tray that is shallow and just the right size and the pads attach to the corners of the tray to stay in place. She used it right away so I think it will prevent accidents on the rugs for good. She has been doing very well but now and then I see little puppy pellets on the rug near the front door and the puppy pads sometimes soak through onto the floor. This tray will prevent that. Eureka, what a find!

Better get off the porch before I talk your heads off!

Boo



December 29, 2018 - Msg 111359: SPOTTY amd POSSUM...hope you are doing OK in the snowstorm
that I saw on the news in your areas. Please check in. Thanks.
Hey, I just remembered that ASA's REAL retirement starts on January 1st! Up to this point he was using his PTO! Alright ASA, congrats yet again my friend! :)
BOO--please tell Sean about my nephew. It took a lot of will power as his
friends also do a lot of eating out, but he just
finally decided that he was indeed 'killing' himself with all the processed, high sodium, etc, restaurant foods. Gluteny is one of the forgotten sins these days, and you know what barney says about that subject! :)
I hope everyone has a good weekend. It is actually going to get down
to 31 degrees here tonight! (I know, I know) ha
Prayers for all,
MDC

December 29, 2018 - Msg 111360: Guess I have been watching to much tv. I ordered one of those granite rock fry pans tonight and it comes with a small pan that it just right for one egg. That would be perfect for me. I sure hope it works like it shows in the commercials. They say it does not stick. When I get it I will let you know if works as good as they say.

Had a nice visit with my niece her husband and two children from Colorado today. They are going to be out here for only a few days. It is like a whirl wind vacation for them. Tomorrow they are going to spend the day in San Francisco. It sure was nice seeing them.

The day started out so nice with the deacon from church coming over and bringing holy communion for Mom and I. He is such a nice man.

You all have a nice weekend.
Frankie
December 29, 2018 - Msg 111361: Good colder than a well diggers bottom morning y'all. 14 degree's on my porch this a.m. brrrr.

MDC, Yep. My official last day is January 4th. I have been on vacation and P.T. leave since October 1st. It has been quite an adjustment to be honest with you. When you have gotten up and headed out to work for 45 years, 35 of them with the same company, it is quite a shock to not have to do that anymore. But with each passing day, it gets more and more doable. lol I do enjoy being able to tend to Debbie more, she needs it. And my back is a lot happier I do believe. One of the things I have been doing is more fitness activities. I have always tried to stat active and try to stay somewhat in shape. But working full time and being a full time caregiver leaves you with little time or energy to do much. Now I have more time to exercise and stretch, and I am really enjoying that. And when spring gets here, I can do some projects in my shop that I am looking forward to doing, plus all the yard work. Living on a full acre lot, there is always plenty of yard work to keep you going. So it is all starting to come together nice I do believe. Thanks for remembering that. Hard to think that in just a few weeks the PGA Tour will be in your neck of the woods again for the Open. My goodness, time just moves right along.

Frankie, that's nice you are getting to visit with your family. I will be very interested to read your review on the new pan. I saw an add for another non stick pan and it sure looked good on t.v. But I read some reviews on folks who had bought them, and hardly any of them were favorable. So I hope the type you got works well.

Boo, I think you are so right with Sean. That has to start within him. I feel so bad for him. It sounds like he so desperately wants to do the right thing, but is fighting that inner turmoil. My prayers for you all. You are setting a good example for him though with what you have done. That is very important I do believe.

GF, Maybe we should collaborate on our experiences. Call it "The good, The bad, and The ugly", with emphasis on the ugly. lol

Well I think I am going to pop in roast in the crock pot to slow cook all day. Yep, that's the plan.

Asa
December 29, 2018 - Msg 111362: Boo, Amazingly I stumbled across this right after I posted and thought of Sean. A very inspiring story that might help Sean. I know he is not as big as this feller was, but it sounds like he could be heading that way. Best time to start is today. Anyway, I just wanted to share it with you as it came to me in the manner it did. Coincidence? :)

https://youtu.be/iz9nsEjSS1o

Asa
December 29, 2018 - Msg 111363: Good One Asa....We can name the first chapter...”Ain’t You Got a Torch?”...haha...G-F
December 29, 2018 - Msg 111364: Snowstorm?? No snow here, MDC! As a matter of fact,it was warm enough last night that I didn't even turn the heat on! Pretty good for late December! Who is reporting that we've had snow in these parts? Good grief! That's news to me! Thanks for your concern,though!

*****************
possum under a rock
December 29, 2018 - Msg 111365: This guy could have played for Freddy Fleet! Hope ya'll like this boogie woogie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox-Ay6jnEGs


Billy Ray the Boogie Woogie Lovin' Postman
December 29, 2018 - Msg 111366: Boo, so sorry to learn about Sean's weight problem. Here in Canada, we have a cable television program called "My 600 lb Life". Do you have it there in Texas? If not, check it out at https://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/my-600-lb-life/
Maybe Sean can get some inspiration from watching a few episodes. Good luck.

from Poor Horatio
December 29, 2018 - Msg 111367: POSSUM--yesterday our weather lady was showing clouds over Atlanta
heading straight for the Carolinas! Oh well, glad all
is good there.
Billy Ray, that was very cool, thanks
ASA--hope your pot roast turned out as good as Aunt Bee's! :)
Glad you have that extra time with Debie. When you get the box with the compression sleeves, you'll see two zippers parallel to each other on each sleeve, the 2nd is for more compression. Also the pump has a few settings for more pressure. It's best to start with the LEAST amount of compreession on both,
and then adjust accordingly. There IS an
instruction book enclosed.
FRANKIE-so glad you got to visit with your niece's family.
God bless,
MDC
December 29, 2018 - Msg 111368: Just reading...SNOW..It was 67 and rain here in Georgia MDC ... gona read some more ..SPOT

December 30, 2018 - Msg 111369: SPOT and Possum...nature has been very good to our weather lady, but I guess she can't predict what nature will do with the weather! ha. She said snow, but i guess it
really was just rain. :)
MDC
December 30, 2018 - Msg 111370: Well now MDC. It seems that maybe you were distracted by the purty weather gal and didn't quite hear correctly. Kinda like when Ellen Brown was fussing with her leg while sitting in the Barber shop, and the fellers trying to converse, while admiring her leg, and a conversation that made no sense what so ever. lol
I had to wait until today to put the roast in the crock pot. So it is in the pot now doing a slow long cooking. Thanks again for the compression sleeves. Very kind of you.

Billy Ray, that feller on the piano is amazing. I saw another of his videos when he had a young lady playing the piano with him. What talent.

Hey to Poor Horatio. Good to see you.

GF, Chapter two can be titled "Ain't you gotta jack"? A chapter devoted to the lifting and moving of heavy items by utilizing appropriate fulcrums and other apparatus. :)

Well better go shower and get dressed for Preachin. The last sermon of the year 2018.

Prayers for all for a safe and blessed day.

Asa
December 30, 2018 - Msg 111371: Asa....Chapter 3...”HEARTACHES...NUTHIN’ BUT HEARTACHES!”...
(For Those Jobs That Just DIDN’T go as planned)...10-4?

MDC I think Asa’s theory is correct....Just Sayin’ 😂😂

..G-F