February 01, 2019 - Msg 111584: Asa, Karen told a few of us at dinner that story one time. She had some good stories about him. She does a show “Tied up in Knotts” and one called “A Deputy’s Daughter” where she shares a lot of good stories about him...

I was fortunate to see it the first time she did it at a event in Don’s hometown of Morgantown WVA. I also met his wife, who I was NOT impressed with, but have met Karen’s Mother (Don’s first wife) who was a very nice lady...

Asa, Be sure to take your “Coopons” with you...lol

G-F.....(thawing out)
February 01, 2019 - Msg 111585: SHAZZAM a Sweep!...Just brushing off Home Plate for ya MDC...G-F
February 01, 2019 - Msg 111586: Hi everyone. It is warming up here in South Texas but really wet and yucky. Hope all of you are staying warm enough.

Frankie, glad to hear your mom is doing ok. Bless you for caring for her.

I was offered the job but there is bad news and good news. The bad news is that the pay is really awful. They pay the sub nurses what they pay the sub teachers, which only amounts to about 90 dollars for an 8 hour day! It would only be 2 days a week so I have a decision to make. The administrator told me that if I want to work full-time I could be hired on when the position opens (or when there is enough money in the budget to hire me on full time). If I were hired full time, starting pay is about 42,000 per year with 3 months off in the summer and holidays off, which sounds pretty good. So...I think I will take the job to see if I like it and if school nursing would be a fit for me. It cant hurt to try and if I do like it, it would be a good job to have full time. We shall see. In the meantime, I will keep working at Shoreline as often as I can, until it shuts down. Right now I can work a lot, as we have lost most of our nurses. I am working the next 4 days, so that will help. Anyway, I will let you know how it goes.

Erin's appointment went ok, I think. We didn't add medicine, just swapped one for another, just as needed. I am ok with that. She will start counseling again soon, too. She was better yesterday, so maybe things will improve.

Alright, now I have a problem with the dog. Last night the poor thing broke out in hives and her face started swelling up, so she got into something that caused an allergic reaction. I gave her some Benadryl and it helped but not entirely. The hives were mostly gone this morning but the poor little thing is still itchy. I just wish I knew what she reacted to. I think it might be from eating the cat food leftovers but I just don't know. I cant get her into the vet today and I have to work. I hope she does ok. I hate seeing her uncomfortable!

Better get the day started.

Boo
February 01, 2019 - Msg 111587: Oh, by the way, I had my dr's appointment yesterday and my hemoglobin A1C is 5.4! Terrific. Liver function is still great, too, and cholesterol is coming down.

Boo
February 01, 2019 - Msg 111588: Good morning, porch! Cloudy here this morning, and the grass is wet, so we must have had some rain. My sprinklers are turned off right now, so it had to be rain. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready for Spring!!! Maybe if I take my Christmas tree down, Spring will come - ya think?

Boo, that pay for a sub nurse is pathetic, and they should be ashamed of themselves. You didn't get your education and license so you could earn that kind of money. The full-time position sounds much better, though. I hope that comes through for you, if you want it.

Asa, it just makes me happy to hear you saying such positive things about your retirement. You earned it, and I'm just delighted that you're enjoying it so much. Don't even give a second thought to those who are having to do your job now. Their turn will come, but they have to earn it, just like you did. Life will go on, the job will be done - maybe not like you would have done it, but it will be done, and they will learn by experience, just like you did.

These days, when I hear an ambulance heading for the hospital, I just thank God I don't have to be the one dealing with whatever carnage they're carrying. I don't have to dodge the flying fists of the drunk that was pulled out of a bar fight. I don't have to put a surgical mask on a confused old lady who is trying to spit on me, and is quite capable of doing so. I won't get any more scars from another confused little person who bit me! Of course, I won't get to enjoy the euphoric, light-up-the-room smile from a new mom when she holds her newborn for the first time. I won't get any more tearful hugs and thank-yous from a person whose loved one was well cared for, and has just peacefully passed. I still have the adorable teddy bear given to me by a man who was grateful for his care, and the Christmas wreath on my front door was a gift from a lady whose mom I had cared for. Good memories.

I've got to get this desk shoveled off and cleaned. Robbi and Richard are leaving Florida today, heading here, and they're bringing my new computer with them. The man who "built" it for me is a friend of my son and his wife, and this is actually the third computer he has customized for me. The first one he actually built (that's what he does for a living) from scratch, and the one I'm using now was a basic Dell Vostro that he loaded and customized for me with the added software and settings I wanted. He's done the same thing with the one that's on its way here. I've had Windows 7 on the current one, and really like it. The new one will have Windows 10, and I just hope I like it as well.

I'd keep using this one, but a lot of the software is out of date, the new software doesn't work well with Win7, and it's out of room, at over 90% full. The new one will have ten times the capacity of this one, and I doubt I'll ever see it filled. I have really enjoyed this one, it's been a work horse, very reliable and versatile, but it has served its hitch. It's got a book in it, and lots of short stories, and innumerable pictures. Many, many things are stored in there. They will all be in the new one as well, with room for ten times more.

Well, guess I'd better go hunt up something to eat. It's 11:00, so I'll call it brunch. Maybe a bagel with some cream cheese, and a glass of juice. I'm going to try to go play bunco tonight, and will have a good dinner there. I think I can do it, even though I don't have the portable O2 yet. I can drive just fine, and as long as I'm sitting down, I'm okay. It's walking, or any similar exertion, that I can't do. So, I will do what I can do. I can drive, and I can sit and play bunco. I refuse to just sit in that dratted chair and mold away. I suspect I'm going to be a trial to my kids as time goes by, but that's life, through and through! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
February 01, 2019 - Msg 111589: Romeena as far as Windows 10....Like Andy said...”Just Don’t OVEREXPECT”.... Just Sayin’ ...G-F
February 01, 2019 - Msg 111590: Good afternoon, Porch

This is John Masters checking in. I've been busy ordering more music from New York and looking for a first tenor.
I have been looking in on everyone while keeping my own trials and tribulations to myself. I know you are all one big shoulder to lean on, but I'll just make like Sam Becker and keep to myself. Right now, I'm middlin', middlin.
My best wishes to one and all!

JM
February 01, 2019 - Msg 111591: John Masters, you don't have to go into any details that you wish to keep to yourself. We don't need to know what it is in order to pray for you. God knows your need, and we will pray that He will answer it for you. Blessings and peace, my friend. --Romeena
February 01, 2019 - Msg 111592: Hey folks,
I thought you all would love this..... for a Valentine's day present, my wife bought me seasons 3 & 4 of TAGS!
She's the cats! I just might get me some of that cashew fudge and watch that sheriff's show on TV. ;)

Have a good night, all!

John Masters


February 01, 2019 - Msg 111593: GF--you are a real bobbydazzler with that fine sweep! (That's also a baseball term, ya know! ha)
BOO--just wondering if you are going to consider a holter monitor for Erin for a few days? As RO said, that could show something. Also, Could Sean take in the dog? Just a thought, as i obviously dont know yourwork schedules.
ROMEENA--glad you can get out and play some bunco. My wife and i often play
dominoes in the evening. Sure hope you get the portable O2 soon. Just please be
careful.
JOHN, great to see you. Ya think Rafe will do well at the mus-i-cal? :)
prayers for you and yours.
ASA--do you ever watch This Old house? I have learned quite a bit from it and
Ask This Old House. BTW, we are also suppose to get some rain from that california storm.
Well, keep warm and God bless,
MDC

February 02, 2019 - Msg 111594: Nice sweep G-F you did a fine job.
Boo, hope everything works out with your new job and you get on full time.
Romeena, The new computer sounds great. My Mom`s computer has windows 10. We had to replace hers about a half year ago. She used to have the windows 7 also and it ran good for years then one day it just completely crashed.
Everyone on the porch have a nice weekend.
Frankie
February 02, 2019 - Msg 111595: Good morning all.
Hey John Masters, good to see you. And as Romeena said, we are happy to pray for your situation, whatever it might be buddy. Sorry about your Chiefs. Poor old Andy seems to have the Schotenhiemer disease. I would like to see him win the big one some day. He's a good guy.

MDC, Yes sir, we are supposed to get rain tonight, then turn to snow by Sunday night. We have been near 50 the last few days. Sure has felt good. But that is gonna ness things up for the Golf tournament. That 16th hole sure is wild. lol I do watch a lot of Ask This Old House episodes. I enjoy Tom Silva and the plumber feller (I can't remember his name now).

Romeena, you go girl. I bet your family is happy to see you not vegging out in your Wheelerette. I hope you had fun at your Bunco game.

Boo, Sounds like a good game plan for sure with the job offer. Get your foot in the door and see if it is going to be a good fit. Congrats on the good health numbers. I am proud of you. Now that I am retired and have more time and energy, I have promised myself to do more exercising. I have a very nice treadmill in the garage. It has a huge deck which I really like. I prefer outdoors, but sometimes the weather doesn't want to be nice so I always have the treadmill option.

GF, They said you folks are gonna warm right up now. Is that correct? I remember the fixins for the white bean soup yesterday and made me a pot of it. Dang good. I had never thought of celery in it until you mentioned it, so I added some. Spot on buddy. Gave it a little crunch to boot. One thing I also put in mine is some cut up bacon. Maybe it is overkill with the ham also, but it adds a little bit of smokiness to it.

I saw our Floyd on an old Alfred Hitchc@k show yesterday. He was a loan officer in a bank. I see John Masters in a lot of those shows also. Fun to see these TAGS folks in different roles.

Well need to get some laundry done. I put on my last pair of clean socks this morning I noticed.

Prayers for all for a nice day.

Asa
February 02, 2019 - Msg 111596: Yep supposed to warm up this weekend..They are even talking the upper 50’s Sunday & Monday...CRAZY!
February 02, 2019 - Msg 111597: Howdy, porch. Cloudy and gray outside, but no rain. I don't mind if the rain holds off for a few days, if it's going to be a really heavy rain. The sump pump (I think I told you) has failed in my yard drainage system, and I'm replacing it. It's a bit of a lightweight, and I've ordered a Zoeller M63 from Amazon, at about twice what I've paid for pumps in the past. Yes, pumps, plural. I've bought two of the silly things, all relatively inexpensive, and this time, I'm going to do it right. This one says it will pump cylindrical debris up to 2" in diameter without gagging on it. We shall see, but I'm hoping this will stop the events where I have to go out in a driving rain and unplug a wimpy pump before it burns itself up. I have a catch basin upline from the pump well, but small pieces of debris still get in, and the pump just faints at the thought. I guess you get what you pay for.

I did play bunco last night, had a lovely time, and only got short of breath a couple of times, just sat still until I got caught up. I drove, and picked up two friends on the way. I will be 80 next July, and I know the implications of that, but I'm not going to just sit down and wait for the chariot. If it wants me, it's going to have to hunt me down and catch me. So there!

Asa, that white bean soup sounds so good. You know, I think we might be kin somewhere up the line, because we seem to like the same things. I put bacon in a lot of things, yes, even when there's ham or other meat in the dish. There's just something about that smoky bacon flavor that I love! Last night, our hostess served a black-eyed pea soup that was delicious, but I remember thinking that if I made it, I'd put in some celery and some chopped bacon. She also made cornbread that was wonderful, tender and fragrant on the inside, light crispy on the outside. And...she made a banana pudding, from scratch, no instant pudding, and it was a heavenly delight. It made me wish I had eaten a little less of the soup, so I could have eaten more of the pudding!

Well, better get busy. Robbi texted me that they'll probably be here by around 8 pm, and my desk still looks like a trash heap, not ready for a new computer. The house is in pretty good shape, but the kitchen needs a little attention. As long as I have my long O2 line, I can get done whatever needs to be done. I'm so grateful that I was born when I was, so that all these new conveniences are available to me now. I can't imagine having to contend with those big old green bombs, the O2 tanks. They are heavy as lead, and when they run out, that's it. The concentrator I have just keeps on making little O's as long as I need them! Wonder of wonders.

Blessings, friends. --Romeena
February 02, 2019 - Msg 111598: Correction: Not "cylindrical" debris. I should have said "spherical" debris. --Romeena
February 02, 2019 - Msg 111599: Romeena, I think you made a good choice. Zoeller pumps are good uns in my book. I think you'll be happy. It wasn't all that long ago that anything I cooked had a smoky taste to it, because I would burn it to a turn. Pretty much everything turned out about like Andy's chicken did when Aunt Bee was off tending to her sister. lol I have come a long way and much of it has been because of you and others here who have coached me.

GF, those are some serious temperature swings for sure. Your weather has PMS maybe? lol

The laundry is done so I am watching some golf being played in MDC's backyard. Mercy sakes, the crowd on 16 gets rowdy. And they are playing a tribute to Johnny Miller. I guess he is retiring from announcing after this week. I had a friend who happened to be sitting next to him on an airplane years ago and she got his autograph for me. Said he was a real nice feller. Although he has had a reputation as an announcer of being a little harsh on the players. He was a heck of a good player in his prime.

Well I just got off the phone with DISH network. I am so sick of my bill creeping up all the time. I had them cut a bunch of stuff I never watch anyway and got the thing reduced to about half. But I am going to get a regular antenna and see what I can pick up over the air. I will miss the DVR bad though. I need to find something to replace that.

Asa
February 02, 2019 - Msg 111600: Asa, I have cable and it was very reasonable at first. Then they keep raising it all the time. I have the phone internet and tv on there. So now in the bedrooms I have a rca antenna that picks up to forty miles range. The tv in the living room still has cable. I keep that for Mom. Other wise I would probably cut that off because of the cost. I don`t want to make any changes because it is so hard for her. So for now I am keeping as is. The antenna`s I put in the bedrooms pick up about fifteen stations. That is fine for me. Before I was splitting the cable and running it to the bedrooms but they won`t let us do that anymore. They scrambled it up so the splitters will not work. So now they wanted rent for box`s in each room and extra charge for each room. I went to Walmart and picked up the antenna`s for the rooms and they work good the price was great.
Frankie
February 03, 2019 - Msg 111601: HI ALL, Well, Phil did NOT see his shadow today, so it looks like an early spring for ya all.
HI ALL, Well, Phil did NOT see his shadow today, so it looks like an early spring for ya all.
HI ALL, Well, Phil did NOT see his shadow today, so it looks like an early spring for ya all.
OK, funny me, just a silly reference to the equally silly Bill Murray movie, Ground Hog Day, haha But he really did NOT see his shadow for what it's worth!

ASA--Yup, some crazy golf here today for sure. I have gone a few years in the past. In fact in 2007 the co I was working for gave me a free pass
for being employee of the month. Now THAT was fun! Free food and drink to boot in the well stocked hospitality areas. I almost wore my suit of them free gov'ment clothes! lol
Our rain is suppose to happen during the night, so play may be interrupted in the AM.
GF--you must think you are now living in Arizona! ha What a change!
ROMEENA--good on you for the proactive outlook! So many do indeed just "wheeler away" when you are saying "no way!" Keep up the good work.
TO everyone...Good Sabbath! :)
MDC

February 03, 2019 - Msg 111602: Good Sabbath all.
HA MDC, I haven't seen that movie in years but I got your pun right away. In fact now I can hear Sonny and Cher singing "I got you babe" in the back ground. lol Boy it feels like spring here today. Mild temps and raining. Very unusual for us this time of year.

Frankie, I will look into one of those antennas for sure. I know what you mean about trying to keep things the same for your Mom. You are a good Daughter Frankie.

I didn't make it to preaching this morning. Really had trouble sleeping last night. Actually the last few nights. And I knew I'd be pulling a Gomer and start snoring in the middle of a sermon. I am tense with all the stuff I am dealing with in the transition to retirement. I am doing COBRA for mine, and Debbie is already on Medicaid, but we had to get her a supplement because of her specialty medications. She found a pretty good one, but it is just trying to make the transition as smooth as we can has got me uptight. So I tend to lie in bed at night and just go nuts thinking about what if we didn't think of everything. I'll be glad for the next couple of months to be over and see that everything is working out right. Maybe I need to visit Col. Harvey in the meantime for some elixir.

Well I hope everyone has a great day.

Asa
February 03, 2019 - Msg 111603: Asa, If it’s any help, the transition IS difficult at times in the beginning. I know the feeling of what you are going through Buddy. It’s all about finding your NEW NORMAL and the letdown of not being “The Man” anymore. It is a kick to our ego’s and we have to find new things to occupy those needs.
Like maybe making copper Pipe Fitting men?...Sota like “Wanna buy a ship in a bottle?” Like Howard found out...lol

Don’t worry Brother it’s Normal, and you will be JUST FINE! You will find new things to keep sharp...Trust Me!...

Just Remember how good you feel when it snows and you can look out, and say:....I’ll Get to It when I GET to It!....👍

G-F
February 04, 2019 - Msg 111604: Asa I was on COBRA when I left my work. I left work to take care of Mom. Stayed on it as long as I could. Now I am on the Affordable Health Care Bill and hope I can stay on this tell I can sign up for medicare. That will be in just about a year. I have been so worried lately because of donald trump trying to get rid of the Affordable Health Care Bill. After my cobra ran out I was dropped by two big insur@nce companies. At that time they were able to do that any time they wanted. When I got signed up with Affordable Health Care Bill I felt relieved from some of the big insur@nce companies. In our area there are some good HMO`s you can sign up with through the medicare program. That is what my Mom is on and it has worked out great for her. So for now I am just hanging in there.

Sure was a good Super Bowl Game today. Was so close you hate to see one of them lose.
Frankie
February 04, 2019 - Msg 111605: ASA--you know me and my 'natural' ideas to issues,
so let me suggest just a single 1 mg tablet of Melatonin just before
you get in bed. I get Nature Bounty brand because it is tasteless,
and I chew it and let it go sub-lingual. It does NOT make you groggy
like a sleeping pill, rather it just naturally eases the mind. That way if you had to attend to Debbie you are not in a lala state. Just a tought my friend. Also, funny what you said about I've got You Babe song. :)

Well all, I watched about the last 10 minutes of the game today.
Was not the outcome that I had hoped for, but more power to 'em as Brisco would say.

We did have some rain today. Good to see Ricky Fowler win the Phx Open, but he almost blew it with that '8 shot' on 11!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Svz3nHOw0

Prayers for all,
MDC

February 04, 2019 - Msg 111606: Wow! MDC you sure don`t see that very often. Nice clip.
Frankie
February 04, 2019 - Msg 111607: Morning all.
Still warm and raining this morning here. No snow yet.

MDC, I was watching that drama on tv as it unfolded. I must confess, I have never cared much for Fowler. (He looks so very much like a nephew of mine who is a spoiled rich kid brat) But I felt bad for him when that second ball rolled in the hazard and he was penalized for it. He showed a lot of poise and determination to come back and win the thing after all that. Having played a lot of golf, a hole like that can often derail you. So he sure got my respect. I am sure he feels better knowing that. lol I will get some of that Melatonin and give it a try. Thanks for the tip.

Frankie, I have planned it out so that I will be eligible for medicare when my COBRA runs out. If everything goes as planned ill should be well. But it is still a big worry for me.

GF and Romeena, Thanks for your comments. One of the difficult parts of this is that I was hired on just prior to them building a new 12 million dollar facility. So I was a part of all of that from conception, to completion, then to maintaining it for the last 35 years. Most of that time by myself. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into that place. So it has left quite a void. But I know I will find other things to fill the void for sure.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that a Mayor of a nearby town here, a Father of 7, who served part time in the Army Reserves was killed late last year while serving in Afghanistan. I just read that his Widow has been invited to attend the State of the Union address by the Trump administration. I'm not sure if there are any plans for her to be recognized in his speech, but it wouldn't surprise me. She is a strong woman and has a lot of family and community support for sure.

I hope everyone has a great day.

Asa
February 04, 2019 - Msg 111608: Speaking of that tournament, Here is a heart warming moment that took place on the 16th hole.
https://youtu.be/rYSjFvCNP7Q

February 04, 2019 - Msg 111609: Whoops That was from me.

Asa
February 04, 2019 - Msg 111610: Yes ASA, I think Tuesday was Special Olympics day there. Quite a treat for those kids for sure! :)
MDC
February 05, 2019 - Msg 111611: Asa, that is a great video. And the young girl is a good golfer. She did not even look nervous out there in front of that big audience. Nice to see this.
Frankie
February 05, 2019 - Msg 111612: HI ALL, well, I have been "three-eighten" and "four-two-en" all day today, plus Fluffy got up in the tree again. In other words it was an errand day, and I got a lot done. :)
I liked tonight's episode about Opie trying for the affections of Karen.
We are suppose to get more rain on Tuesday. I sure hope so, as we sure could use it.
The rain you saw on the golf clip was 20 miles from me, and we just got enough at
my house to make a car windshield all spotty. Not you SPOTTY, you are just our cool dog of the porch with a 60 year old tractor! ha
! ha

Have a good evening all!
MDC

February 05, 2019 - Msg 111613: Floyd did a GREAT PODDCAST last night...It was a “Lost Episode” as they say...It should have been called...
“This is WHY we ARE who we ARE!”...It would be a great episode to show those who wonder WHY we have this compelsion!...Amen..Asa & Maude?..(They saw it too)

I’ll post the link later when Allan puts it online later today....G-F
February 05, 2019 - Msg 111614: Just saying "Hey!" I'll tell y'all what- a 75 degree day full of sunshine in February will get a possum out from under a rock! Gonna take myself on a nice little walk in a while-wish I could bottle this nice weather up like Colonel Harvey's elixir and send everyone a bottle! Y'all have a good day & remember to Act Like Somebody!

*************
possum u.a.r.
February 05, 2019 - Msg 111615: Good morning all.
Great to see you Possum. Glad it has warmed up for you to come out of that rock for sure.
GF, Amen Bro. Great episode last night. Floyd was spot on.

MDC and Frankie, I just loved that clip with that girl. She was so sweet and so pumped. I just loved how she kept telling herself, "I can do this, I've got this". And when she told that guy "they really like me", why it just melted my heart. What a sweetheart she is.

Well back to filling out more paperwork for insur@nce.

Asa
February 05, 2019 - Msg 111616: Good morning, porch! Balmy and partly sunny here today, little gentle breeze. The kind of day when I would like to be outside, planting bulbs and pulling weeds, but just not ready for that yet. I'm feeling better, with the changes my doc made in my meds, but still need my O2 to some extent. I can function without it, but can't be very active. Grrrr.

That beautiful girl in that clip is an inspiration. I'm thinking that she must have some strong, sensible and loving parents. Someone has gone to great effort to build her self-esteem, her confidence, and her positive, happy attitude. She is someone I'd love to get to know. Much can be learned from folks like her, and they will make you feel good every time. We had several employees at the hospital where I worked, who had developmental disabilities, and they were so sweet, and just so much fun to know and to be around. One of these days I'll tell you some stories!

Guess I'll go feed Ms. Thang. She hasn't eaten yet this morning, and is sitting here staring holes through me. I can almost see the little cartoon bubble above her head, that says "Excuse me, but haven't you forgotten something?" What a little blessing she is. She keeps me up and moving, and that's a good thing. Blessings, all! --Romeena
February 05, 2019 - Msg 111617: Asa, that video reminds me of our “Miss Mayberry” Sarah...Even sounds like her...G-F
February 05, 2019 - Msg 111618: Hey Gang Here is the link to last nights Podcast..I encourage you to watch it.. https://youtu.be/93QPV_NdINo G-F
February 05, 2019 - Msg 111619: Good evening, folks.

I was hoping I could get some advice and guidance for computer shopping. Might be kinda crummy of me to be gone so long and then reappear to ask this, but I figured you all might be able to give me sound advice without steering me wrong.
I have a computer with the long worn out Windows Vista. My wife is trying to find me a new/used computer from a reputable dealer, but we are confused on one decision....
Do we get one with Windows 10 that SOME people like and is still updated....or....do we get one with Windows 7 that MORE people like but is in danger of discontinued updates??
*sigh*
Any help greatly appreciated!

My best to each and every one of you!

John Masters
February 06, 2019 - Msg 111620: G-F, That is a great video of two chairs no waiting. Is that on once a week? First time I have seen it. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Frankie
February 06, 2019 - Msg 111621: Yes Frankie Floyd does a LIVE episode every Monday night @ 7:00 CT.. He then he posts it to his Two Chairs site usually the next day for people who didn’t catch it live...Come on in and visit, Asa, Maude, Poor Horatio have...The More the merrier!

G-F
February 06, 2019 - Msg 111622:
HI GANG,
I am at the library writing this. Lost my T-mobile internet link yesterday and still not restored.
JOHN--I'm going with the Reverend Tucker...ha...actually
I have Windows 7, and have been a little wary of 10 because some who I know have it do not like it. But as you say, I guess it will HAVE to get it eventually.
RO--glad your med change is working. Did you ever get the portable O2 maker?
POSSUM--good to see you. So neat that you have a great weather day!!
We actually got some measurable rain last night, so that was good!

ALL--if you dont hear from me in a while, you at least know why.
Hope it gets resolved soon.
Prayers,
MDC
February 06, 2019 - Msg 111623: Just saw the mentions of party lines last week. We had one when I was 7-8, and my brother and I always hoped to listen to the older girls next door, who were something like 10 and 12. I don't know what we hoped to hear, but we were sure it'd be mysterious and interesting. We didn't quite understand phones to start with, and didn't realize how much noise it made when you picked up, but we still had hopes of listening in. Someone told us that the only chance was to pick it up on their ring at the same time they did so they wouldn't hear the obvious noise of someone else picking up, and be real quiet so they didn't hear you. Never happened.

Billy Ray the Eavesdroppin' Postman
February 06, 2019 - Msg 111624: G-F, I will try to remember and check in.
MDC, All the new computers have the windows 10. I have windows 8 on mine. My Moms computer has the 10 and it has been working fine for her.
Have a good evening Porch.
Frankie
February 07, 2019 - Msg 111625: Sorry it has been so long since I checked in. I have just been really busy dealing with life! I did work a stretch, too, which is good. The last few days I have been off but trying to catch up here at home and help Erin. She is just unable to attend school at this point so we are having to withdraw her and do online public school for the rest of the semester. We are doing everything we can for her but it is a real challenge. She had a check up with a regular dr today and will be staring counseling again next week. This anxiety is a real monster, I am telling you! I have watched her drop out of basketball, which she loved, then out of managing the team, then unable to stay in class, and now unable to attend at all. It is hard on her because she is one of these kids who is super smart and loves school. We have to do what we can to help her at this point. We have adjusted some medications but it will take some time for that to make a difference. I just keep wondering why she has these problems. I know she has had some trauma, but my gosh, this I tough. I was actually offered a full time position where I work doing insur@nce work, getting insur@nce approvals, etc, which is probably a pretty cushy job but I think I would hate it and now I cant be gone all day anyway. I am not the kind of nurse who wants to sit at a desk. I would miss the kids, terribly. I did finally get fingerprinted and should be starting at the school soon to see if I like it. It is only 2 days a week so I could manage that.

My stress level has really been kicked up to high gear lately and I need to get a grip on it. I have been feeling the effects of it and it isn't good. I am trying to take care of myself and eat well, etc. I just haven't been sleeping well and you know how that is. I put black out curtains in my bedroom and I take melatonin at night but I always wake up far too early. It makes for a long day.

Today on the way home from town, there was an accident and Erin and I saw a body covered on the road, which really didn't help our state of mind. Apparently and elderly homeless man tried to cross the expressway during rush hour. Poor thing was probably out of his mind. Seems like we get a lot of pedestrian fatalities in Corpus Christi.

Sorry about the tone of the post but that is just how it is right now. I hope all of you are doing well.

Boo
February 07, 2019 - Msg 111626: Just re-read my post and I sound like Lydia. By the way, I hate the guitar. (not really)

Boo
February 08, 2019 - Msg 111627: BOO--Just wondering if you took RO's advice and had a doctor check Erin's heart? I guess you could do that too, being an RN. it might just be a possibility.
Meanwhile all the prayers I can muster will be heading to the Lord above for you and yours.
ALL--I get internet from a T-Mobile 'hot spot' which
is a little box about the size of a cigarette lighter. It works great for me, but for somereason it went down. Customer service wasnt much help, just 'it should be up soon." Now it finally is back up, but
the funds i had in in my t-mobile acct are gone
and they cant tell me what's up.
Last nights tags ep on me-tv was Opie the Birdman. I really like that ep even tho
I have seen it about 30 times at least. ha
Billy Ray and Frankie Flint--thanks for dropping in. Always enjoy your posts. :)
more later,
MDC
February 08, 2019 - Msg 111628: Boo, I will keep you in my prayers and hope everything works out for you and Erin. I know the kids go through a lot more stress than I did when I was in school. Sounds like you are doing all you can and you are a great mom.

MDC, we watched that episode last night also on Me-TV. I like that station and they have some good westerns on during the daytime. That is one of the stations I get in the bedrooms with my tv antenna`s I purchased at the store.

Sounds like we have some heavy rain storms on the way again. Went up and did a little extra grocery shopping this evening so I can stay indoors. It is really nice that we have a wal-mart grocery store just down the road. I can run over there fast if I need anything. You all take care.
Frankie
February 08, 2019 - Msg 111629: Good morning all.

Hey Francis, I bet they have a nice cosmetic department at that Walmart also. :) (I hear those female do-dads are a weak spot for you) lol

MDC, Sorry you are having connection issues. Sounds like bigger wires would help. :) Glad you are back.

Boo, I am so sorry to read about Erin's problems. I will join those who have mentioned offering prayers for her, you and your family. You mentioned she had to quit the basketball team. I am sorry to read that. I know how important sports are to that age group. My Mariah has just made the team for her Jr. High. She is only in 7th grade, so I was surprised. But she is so excited to have made the final cut. I pray you are able to find the root of Erin's anxiety and they can treat it right. And I don't think you sound at all like Lydia. I saw you sitting out in the sun, tanning last week, while chit chatting with a neighbor, snacking on pretzels. You mentioned you had just come back from bowling, riding in the center seat of a bus. :)

Hey GF, Thanks for letting me know about Karen Knotts bringing her show to Utah. Provo is about 80 miles south of me, so not to far to go. I just need to find someone who would like to go with me. I actually visited her wed site, and shot her an e-mail telling her how excited I was she was coming here and how much I enjoyed her Dads work. So I do hope I can get down to see the show.

Colder than old man Weavers glare on my porch this morning. I show 8 degree's. I just might need two sets of long johns, except I have ne need to be out in it. :)

I hope everyone has a great day, and y'all act like somebody.

Asa
February 08, 2019 - Msg 111630: Boo...We ALL have your family in our prayers..It’s so complicated these days as what to do, so we have to just give it to God to sort out...

Asa, I hope you can get to go to Karen’s show, like her Dad she brings energy to her show. She does different versions, depending on the time and crowd. Like I had said, I saw it the first time she did it at a event in her Fathers home town, and about 3 times after that....
Not many Mayberry related events out your way so best to take advantage of it...Hope it works out for you to go.

After a wet warm day of 60 temps yesterday, back to the 20’s today!..Welcome to Ohio...

G-F
February 08, 2019 - Msg 111631: Good morning, porch. G-F, I think Ohio and Texas must be cousins. We were in the low 80s earlier this week, and at this moment, 9:30 a.m., it is 27° out there, with a wind chill of 16°. Now, to a warm-blooded Texan, that's dang cold! I have to get out in it, too! Got to go by the lab for a blood draw at 11:30, and stop off at the post office to mail a couple of things. Brrrr!

The good news is, I'm breathing a little better, thanks to the med changes my doc made, apparently. I'm still a little more comfortable when on the O2, but can function without it. That's a big change. He stopped my occasional Lasix, and ordered daily Torsemide (which is sort of a new generation of Lasix) and according to my digital scale, I lost 4 1/2 lbs the first day. Have lost a total of 9 1/2 lbs since I started taking it. All water. I had no idea. My feet and ankles don't swell, so I don't know where I was hiding all that fluid, but getting rid of it has improved things a lot. I have one of the little incentive spirometers that the hospital makes you use after surgery, and I was down to just 650 on that thing. Normal would be at least 1500. Now, after the med change, I'm up to 1100 on it. Significant improvement, and I can definitely feel it. God is good.

I remember the phone party lines very well. During the WWII years, we were living with my grandparents, and everyone who had a phone was on a party line. Ours was a 4-party line for a while, and that would severely limit the amount of time you had to use the phone. Later, we got a 2-party line, but since the one that stayed on our line was the most frequent user, it didn't help a whole lot. That was Mrs. Perez, who lived next door, and was an object of my grandma's strong disapproval. She was about 40, had a nice figure and dyed red hair, and worked in her yard wearing shorts and a shirt gathered and tied up almost like a halter top. My grandma would just sniff and mumble when she saw her. When she picked up the phone and heard Mrs. Perez talking (in Spanish), Grandma would mutter something about people who just "jabber in a foreign tongue", and slam the phone down! The PC police would be gunning for my grandma these days. Meantime, my cousins and I were learning Spanish from the Perez kids, to my grandma's horror. That's the way it was, back in those days.

Boo, my heart breaks for you and Erin, and Bruce and Sean as well. When one family member is in such distress, it's hard on everyone. Anxiety is such a difficult condition to identify, to explain, and to control. You are definitely in my prayers. Your family has definitely had to endure some hard situations in the past few years, including that awful mess you had next door. I think that affected Erin most of all. That wasn't something you can just shrug off and go on. It was horrible, and it came when Erin was at a very vulnerable age, bless her little heart.

Well, better go feed my little canine friend. She doesn't know I'm leaving, and if she did she wouldn't eat, so I have to feed her before I show any signs of preparing to leave. I can't help wondering....who has who trained around here?

Blessings, friends. --Romeena
February 08, 2019 - Msg 111632: You are all so kind and supportive, always. I always hesitate to put any burden on you with my problems, but its hard to explain but you all have a way of helping me so much. I have a support system in my life, with family and friends, but there is something really special about what we have here on the porch. Sometimes I think you friends here help me more than anyone. Bless you for the prayers! I am here for you all, too..

I have to go to the school in a little while to sign Erin out and it isn't easy. I don't see any other way right now, though. We found an online public school that she can do starting in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, she will get some needed rest and we will keep a close eye on her.

Asa, your Lydia comments really brightened my day..so funny!

Romeena, I am so happy to hear that you are seeing some improvement! Great news.

I wanted to mention that my pup is back to her normal mischeviously sweet self. The vet gave her a shot of steroids and we continued with the Benadryl for a few days and finally the hives and itching went away. I am still not sure exactly what did it but I suspect it was the cat food that she ate. I sure am happy to have that little Tasmanian devil back to her usual shinanigans.

Better get going. Have to go soon.

Boo
February 08, 2019 - Msg 111633: Oh, to answer your question MDC, she seems to be find, cardiac-wise, and sense we know some of what causes the panic, there doesn't seem to be a need to do a cardiac evaluation at this point. Thanks for asking, though. I appreciate your concern very much.

Boo
February 08, 2019 - Msg 111634: Good Friday afternoon porch family,

Boo: I am so sorry to read of Erin’s struggles. Anxiety is a terrible struggle for so many in this crazy world . Hopefully with her new meds and therapy she will feel better soon.

Romeena: I am glad your feeling better. It’s good to see your posts regularly.

Our weather is sunny today but cool and breezy.we were in the 70s yesterday. Our area had had so much rain lately and lots of flooded rivers, creeks and roads. Several cars and a school bus (thankfully no kids on the bus) were stranded. One poor woman had to be rescued from her truck with life jackets and ropes. She and her truck were almost swept into the river.
Our county schools closed yesterday and today because the buses could not safely travel on many back country roads where the flooding was so bad.

Mr. Maude is still looking for work. Guess we just pray and take things as they come. I am concerned his age will be a factor in his search. Chain drug stores can hire new graduates and pay them much less starting pay they he was making after 36 years . These younger graduates generally have a lot of student loan debt so they will take the job quickly. We have at least 5 college of pharmacy within a 2 hour drive of us.

Sorry to go on and on. Guess it’s time to get supper started

Supper menu: BBQ sandwhiches, potato wedges, Slaw
Brownies ala mode for dessert. Tea, lemonade or soda to drink
Prayers and blessings to all
Big Maude