December 01, 2009 - Msg 76377: That's Lucious Pyle to you Possum! teehee

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76378:
Wow, I swept with that line?
It's hard to see with that bucket on my head!!
(:MDC

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76379: Pretty good Sgt. Carter impersonation there, Possum. Though he usually says it three times; at least when he is really riled. :)

Nice sweep, MDC!

-Sterling Holobyte

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76380: Well hello gang!..im still here ...yall been eating good?...Well Miss Sherry and I have been cruising!,,,may her new Camaro is one sweet ride...It has everything on it...want go into detal but Race fans everything but the hans device!..(race fan will know what im talking about)...even tells you air presure in each tire!..a bit to high tech for me...she went through an hr class with the salesman to find out about everything....but enough of that...will get Ro some pics...got camping ones also...so how everybody been?...MDC,Sterling "Salty dog",possum...(fixing to mail ya)...gona go back and read the mail.....prayers...im hungry?..any leftovers?.Rev ya can smell the seats brother!...all leather!...SPOT

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76381: Hey ya'll - the tree was up Friday nite. A real live tree - as Jesse said, we ain't having no fake Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - a beautiful blue jar of Vicks! Keep it going . . . .

hm

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76382:
Hello porch family. Getting ready for the rain to move in. Hope it gets out of here by Thursday. Supose to get a new roof job Thursday.

Spot.....the car sounds nice. Smells nice too:)

Boo....countined prayers!

Gotta run. Love and prayers for all the porch family!
-REV.

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76383: Night Rev...hey HM...prayers Boo....and all...Im Hungry!!!...Dog Needs Food!....SPOT

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76384: Wow! Hey, Spot, if I send you a hanky, will you ask Miss Sherry just to carry it around in the car for a couple of days and let it absorb that new car smell, and then send it back? There's just nothing that smells any better than a new car.

Well, just as I feared - the rain got pretty heavy, and when the back yard lights (deer, twinkles, etc.) kicked on, the GFCI tripped and shut everything down, including the landscape lights and the pond pumps. So, out I went, in the rain, and unplugged the timers for all the Christmas stuff, then reset the GFCI and it stayed on. It's the same thing every year. As long as it's dry, I have Christmas lights. Let it rain a little bit, and off they go. Makes me so mad.

Got a lovely surprise, though. I was checking out the front lights - a couple of them have tripped GFCIs too - and when I went onto the front porch, there was an enormous box sitting there. I lugged it into the garage and opened it, and it's a compost tumbler!! I've been wanting one, but they're expensive, and the shipping is sky high, so I haven't ordered one. Now this one shows up, and not a clue who it's from. I'm sure it's one of my kids, but which one? Any one of them could be guilty - they're all good at listening for offhand comments through the year and remembering at Christmas. So I sent out a group email, urging the "sneaky elf" to come clean. This should be interesting. They'll probably string me along for a little while. Good kids, all of them.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - a big green compost bin....

Be blessed, porch! --Romeena

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76385: Oh, poor Spotty! Come on by, hungry pup! I've got lots of leftovers, if you don't mind them. I love leftovers myself, and it's a good thing, because I've been eating turkey since Saturday, and it looks like it's not going to change much for a couple more days. --Romeena

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76386: Thanks Romeena.....yer the cats.....SPOT

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76387: Hey, that's need about the compost bin, Romeena...almost as good as a septic tank, I'd say.;-)

AUH2O, the quote "Mom!...Don't move!'...is from Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. Remember the scene in which everyone is hysterical because there is a squirrel on the loose inside the house? Well, Clark's (chevy chase) mom faints and is lying unconsious on the floor and Clark is peering in from the hallway and says in a loud whisper, "Mom...Don't move", which is funny because is is passed out cold and looks pretty funny lying there on the living room floor.

That was pretty funny about "Charles Jones" DES! haha... I have not heard an update on Nathan, so I will try to find out something when i see his cousin at church tomorrow.

Thanks for the prayers, everyone. Things are going better each day. Bruce went to work today and straightened some things out and then took the rest of the week off to concentrate on finishing the painting, etc. I got Michelle settled in at the home she was in before she left for Dallas. We had the interview at Teen Challenge but there was an obstacle there because Michelle is bi-polar and on a couple of psch meds. We were told that she couldn't take them there since they are not a medical facility. Sounds crazy. Anyway, the man at her last job hired her back. It's part-time but it will help. She seems happy to be back where she has some support and people who really care about her.

It rained ALL day today and was in the 40's and 50's all day. The heater in my Yukon decided to go out TODAY, figures. Wonder how much that will cost to fix?!

I have been trying to figure out what to do about the christmas card list because I am not sure where I will be in the next few weeks. I guess anyone could send them to the adress on the old list from last year and I would probably get them.

Better go...I am READY to get some sleep.

Boo

December 01, 2009 - Msg 76388: supposed to be "neat" Romeena..not "need" about the compost bin. hehe

Boo

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76389:
on the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me..two jars of real mayonnaise...

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76390: Well, I heard from my kids, and the culprit has been identified. It was my oldest daughter, Robbi. She and her boyfriend (a really nice guy) and her kids sent it. It will definitely be put to good use.

Boo, I'm glad things are getting a bit better, and I think Bruce is wise to just take a few days off and hit the house full-time and get it finished. Sounds like things are pretty good with Michelle, but could be better. Prayers continue.

About the Christmas card list, I haven't heard much from anyone - do you folks really want to do this? I think it's fun, and don't mind at all compiling the list, but I need an email from you with your snail address on it. Even if you know I have it, I'd appreciate it if you'd send it again this year. That email is my assurance of your permission to share your address with the porch family. It will not be posted here, but will go into an email that will go to everyone who sends me one. So - time is fleeting, friends. If you want to be on the list, email me your address, and please do it soon. I'll need time to compile them and send them out.

Be blessed, friends. --Romeena

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76391:

How nice of you, MDC. He went to Lackland H.S. in San Antonio between '71 and '73 or so, then he moved out of state. His nickname was "Chris," so I'm not sure which he went by.

One of these days I'm going to quit being so cheap and sign up for the Classmates.com gold membership. LOL

Thanks again!

~De§~



December 02, 2009 - Msg 76392: Romeena, I would love to be on the Christmas card mailing list but I can't seem to find your email address anywhere! could you please post it again? and thanks in advance.

A very windy, rainy and nasty day here in Northeast Tenn. Supposed to be for a few days I think. I am supposed to have a day out with my good friend on Friday, shopping and going to Dollywood to see the Christmas Shows and lights. Hope it is not too cold and nasty for that. I so look forward to that.

My husband and son are going on a 3 day hunting trip this weekend so please pray for their safety.

Good luck with the car repair and prayers for you as you begin to prepare for your big move. I know this is an exciting but stressful time for you Boo.

Lunch menu will be: chicken tortilla soup, grilled cheese, chips. Tea, kool aid to drinl. Brownies for dessert.

Blessing and prayers to all today.

Big Maude

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76393: Morning gang...rain and wind here in Ga..kinda busy here at work..Maude prayers for Hubbys safe trip..shoot us some meat!hey possum,Romeena check yer mail!...hey Des..Asa?..Lucy?..Rev you at home?...we head to Gatlinburg next Thu for 4 days...gona be fun!...well lets have hot dogs with all the toppings for lunch...chips and whole pickles.....Boo tea and for sure Maude Slaw...I like my dog a little burnt in the toaster over or grill.....SPOT

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76394: Well Maude we posted at the same time!...so yall have plenty for lunch now....SPOT

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76395:
APB for MAVIS and LUCY!
DES--If I find him there, I'll let you know here,
then we can go from there.
Prayers for Boo and family and the whole house thing. Also for Big Maude.
take care,
MDC
"on the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me ..three jars of Miracle Whip..."

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76396: On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, toe rings for my bare feet!

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76397: on the six day ofChristmas, my true love gave to me, season 7 of mayberry.



December 02, 2009 - Msg 76398: Y'all are trying to gross Me-They out,ain't ya?! LOL

Thanks,Ro, for taking charge of the Christmas card list again this year. Will e-mail you as soon as I leave the Porch.

Yeah,Sterling,I left out one-here you go: "MOVE IT!" Ha!

Here's the next line in our 12 Days of Christmas song:
" 5 bowls of slaw!" ( Big Maude's,of course!)

Maude,I will e-mail you Ro's e-mail address. Look for it shortly.

Y'all have a good day!
*******************
possum under a rock

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76399: Hey,the 6th day snuck in on me!

possum again

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76400: I'm rightchere! Sorry for being gone so long! I had bronchitis then the mumps. Then we went to Ohio for Thanksgiving and had no internet. So, here I am, back in my chair and I do appreciate y'all keeping it warm for me :0)!

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me 7 Homemaker's meatballs!

I hope all are doing well.
Ro- do you have my address? Please email everyone's addresses to me. I'm working on my cards today.
Msg 76397- Can your true love make copies and send them to me?

I guess my big news is that I am having my 5th and most horriblest (word?) ankle surgery next Friday and I am terrified!

Well, I need to get back to my cards. Just wanted to check in. Thanks Tom for letting me know about the APB.

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76401: Good afternoon, porch. I'm now up and running, but had to go buy a new monitor. Mine has been iffy for the past couple of months. If I turned it off, getting it to come back on was a challenge. It would blink for less than a second, then go off. Turn it back on, same thing. Finally it would catch and stay on, so I finally just quit turning it off. Had to last night, though, as the computer was bogging down and needed to be rebooted. When I did, no way would that monitor come on and stay on. So, I called my grandson, who builds and repairs computers for a living, and his advice was - trash it. Said it would cost almost as much to fix it as a new one would cost, and I'd still have an old, tired monitor. So, I took his advice and ran up to Office Depot and got a new ViewSonic. It's beautiful, but it's a wide screen and it's going to take some getting used to. My old one was a Samsung, and it was good, but I had a couple of ViewSonics in years past, and really liked them, so thought I'd try one again.

PLEASE - IF YOU DON'T MIND - EMAIL ME YOUR SNAIL ADDRESS EVEN IF YOU KNOW I HAVE IT. THAT EMAIL IS MY PERMISSION TO SHARE YOUR ADDRESS WITH EVERYONE ELSE. I'LL SAVE THOSE EMAILS IN A COMPUTER FILE - I CAN'T SAVE STATEMENTS MADE ON THE PORCH.

Sorry to be so dogmatic about that, but I just try to be careful, and protect everyone's privacy.

Well, back to the Christmas tree. It's about one-fourth decorated, but I've got all the set-up type things done, now I'm down to just hanging ornaments, and that goes pretty fast. Anybody want to stop by and help? I'll make you some hot chocolate! Be blessed, all. --Romeena

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76402: Who dat????

Mavis?

Sorry you've been ailing,and we've missed you-whoever you are!

possum again

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76403:
Hello porch family....man is it raining here in SC. It is pouring down here!

Love and prayers for all the porch family!
-REV.

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76404:
I think it was LUCY.
MDC

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76405: Msg. 76400 is from me, Lucy! Sorry

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76406: hey hey
Rev kep the rain there and stop sending here. hehe
how possum I wouldnever snuck up on you.
Lucy can run but can not hitd because I know how to fined you now, hehe
willmy Siss family gong back home now and i will send a photo of thim all to Ro,

TOM


December 02, 2009 - Msg 76407: Oh,well,Hey Lucy! I have missed you and sorry about all the sickness & surgery. Will keep you in my prayers,friend.

Tom, thanks for not ever sneaking up on me! A lot of the folks here like to do that for some reason-some even jab at me with long poinky sticks and try to smoke me out from under my rock! Ha!

Rev,the rain is just starting here. I think the worst of it is still over your way,though. We are under a tornado watch until 9pm. I believe that I saw your county on the list too. Praying for no tornados-anywhere!

Supper? Let's go eat some of Ro's leftovers!
************
possum again

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76408: It's me, it's me, it's *Mavis Neff! Wait, that doesn't rhyme! I've been informed there are APB's out on me (thanks Tom & Lucy) so thought I better get over here before Barney locks me up.
We've been fighting flu here on our porch for the last month! Just when one of us gets over it the other one gets it and we just keep passing it back & forth. I know I'm sick of being sick!
Been having some problems with my brother as well, and if any of you that are on FaceBook were unfortunate enough to read the rant he left on my profile over there, I'm sorry about that. It won't be happening again though, I deleted him from my list.
Now for the best news of all and answers to a lot of you folks' prayers~My sister & I are talking again! When Jake pulled his stunt a couple of months ago, I called her to give her a heads up since Jake goes over there alot, I let her know what was going on and we have been talking ever since. Things are not the same, probably never will be, but we it's a start. And I'm back in touch with both my nieces as well. thanks for all the prayers you guys I know they are the reason why things transpired the way they did, the Good Lord heard all of them, AND He opened my heart to letting it all happen.
Well, I'm being paged by a certain brindle Bull Terrier telling me his belly is growling and supper needs to be fixed NOW so guess I best *hop to it*
Mavis

December 02, 2009 - Msg 76409: Would you believe we had snow this morning? Yep, it was really coming down for about two hours, but unfortunately, it didn't stay because it was 38 degrees even as the snow fell! Ridiculous.

OK, I'm trying to like this widescreen monitor, but so far, I'm not terribly impressed. I got used to my widescreen TVs, so maybe I'll get used to the monitor too, but so far - hmmmm. I saved all the packaging, just in case, but now that I think about it, I didn't even see a regular monitor - they were all widescreens. Maybe in a bigger store it would be different.

The Christmas tree is about two hours from finished. Im determined to finish before I go to bed tonight, because I need to spend tomorrow cleaning up, and getting all the other stuff out. My Nativity takes at least an hour to set up, and the mantle and fireplace another hour, and at least another hour for all the little "sit-arounds" as my mother called them. That's all the little candles and Christmassy things. I have several ceramic things that I've done over the years, and will have to get them out and set up. I hope my ho, ho, ho doesn't become Bah Humbug! No, I'm kidding. I love Christmas!

The back yard is lovely tonight. Naturally, when the fifth raindrop fell last night, it all blew, but I restarted it this evening, and it's working fine right now. Dry - it works. Wet - it doesn't. I guess that's just the way it is.

Well, I'm off to eat a few more leftovers, then finish the tree, then to bed. My bunco group will be here Friday night, and I want things all Christmassy for them, but I have to work tomorrow night, so will need to sleep part of Friday. Therefore, it's tonight and tomorrow to get it done, or never.

Be blessed, my friends. Mavis, good news about your sister, and Lucy, special prayers for you, dear. --Romeena



December 02, 2009 - Msg 76410: Seven jugs of MDC's squeezin's...

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76411: eight meatball of homemarker


December 03, 2009 - Msg 76412:

Ro got snow! I thought of you when I saw it on the news. There's more coming, and supposedly we'll be getting some down here. I'll believe it when I see it.

Good luck on your ankle surgery, Lucy.

Will keep your hubby and son in my prayers, Big Maude.

I'm not crazy about wide screen monitors either, Ro. We got a new one for my computer at work last year and I declare I never got used to that crazy thing. My new laptop has a wide screen, but I think that's par for the course for laptops. I don't like touchpads, though! I've had a mouse in my hand for over 13 years so it's hard to get used to. I bought a wireless optical mouse but it fried after a couple weeks. Bah.

Thanks for looking up my friend, MDC.

~De§~



December 03, 2009 - Msg 76413: DES, MDC helped me find some old friends in the Phoenix area a couple of years ago. I was very grateful. Hope he finds yours.:-)

Well concerning the concerning the christmas card list. I would love to send out cards this year but honestly don't know when I would find the time. Life is really crazy at this point. Bruce told me yesterday that he gave the 30 day notice on the apartment which means that they can begin showing it to potential renters! OMGosh...I have boxes everywhere, everthing is a mess. I would just be mortified if anyone came in here now. My sister is coming over today to help me pack up some things and maybe I can bring back some sort of order. This kind of thing really stresses me out. On top of everything else, I hate having to feel like I have to keep everything up in case someone comes to look at the place. When we sold our house, we were already out of it and it was empty. This is harder. I know it will all be worth it soon so I am trying to keep a good attitude but I woke up with a terrible headache, probably due to stress because it is in the back of my neck and head. I have been having to deal with Michelle, too, but she is supposed to meet with a woman from Job Corps on Monday and do some orientation then she may leave for San Marcos, TX to stay at the Job Corp facility they have there. Its the largest in the nation and very nice. If she goes there it is rent-free and she will receive a small salary and get her GED and job training for a year or two. I would love it because i would know she was taken care of but i wouldn't have to be as much of a support to her as she needs. I know I can only help her so much and then I have to deal with the needs of my own family. I am trying to help her get to the point that she can make it without my help. This job corps thing looks promising...anyone know anything about it?

So it snowed on you, Ro? I hear there might be some snow as far south as San Antonio and Austin. Wish I could see it. I love the stuff. It is 41 degrees here which is pretty cold to us. Hope it stays cool for awhile because the blower on my air condtioner is out! Dang it. I am just going to have to do without it until afte we close on the house and pay the insur@nce and closing costs. So happy it didn't go out in the summer!

Have fun at Dollywood, Maude!! I think i will go looking for some lights around here soon. There will probably be alot to see by the weekend. I just love driving around looking at Christmas lights and I usually get the kids bundled up on a cold night, turn on the christmas cds and off we go, happy as clams....for about 15 minutes...then someone has to go to the bathroom, or someone is "dying of thirst", or I hear "Mom!!...tell her not to touch me!". I always end up cutting the trip short and getting a few more grey hairs. I think this year I will leave the kids and go alone!

Oh, you guys are mean...poor MDC might never come back after reading your 12 days of Christmas song!;-)

I missed the rant, MAVIS. Sorry you are dealing with that! Great news about your sister. :-)

Ro, may I say that you inspire me with your Christmas enthusiasm. I love the way you wouldn't think of not doing things up every year.

"On the fourth day of Christmas my true love have to me..."Four toilets from Lowe's!"

Boo


December 03, 2009 - Msg 76414:
Boo- I can take a lickin and keep on tickin! ha
BTW- your fan problem may just be a fuse.
have bruce check the Yukon's fuse panel. May be that simple.
Not too long ago, my compass and thermometer went out on my truck.
(They are imbedded in the rearview mirror.) So I took it to the dealer. The service writer reached in and pressed a button along the bottom of the mirror, and it came back on! He said, "you must have accidentally pressed the on-off button, now go have a cup of coffee and fresh-baked cookie!'
(Oh yeah, RO, my dealer does that too!:) I felt so dumb tho!
Boo: SERENITY NOW, SERENITY NOW! teehee
God bless all,
MDC

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76415: Morning porch folks, hope all is well today. Cool and cloudy today but the rain and wind have pretty much stopped. Lots of wind damage around our area last night.

Hang in there Boo, things will be okay. Just think in about another month or so you will be sitting in your brand spanking new house!

Looking forward to my day off tomorrow and my day trip with my friend. I need a break.

Hey to Mavis, hope you are feeling better.

Lunch menu will be: Olive Garden, my treat.

"On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... "5 jars of kersone cucumbers".

Have a blessed day.

Big Maude


December 03, 2009 - Msg 76416: Hi al.
It cold on this end of the porch, will someone kitck the sun on high.

tom


December 03, 2009 - Msg 76417: Morning Porch Family:
Just emailed Ro for the Christmas Card list. That was so much fun last year.
Let's see... "Eight Ernst T. rocks a flyin'"
Gotta get moving. ~New Neighbor

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76418:
DES-- I just did a Classmate.com search and I'm afraid I had no luck, sorry. Here is what I copied and pasted from the results. "No people by the name Charles , Jones , Lackland High School ( K-12 School ) , San Antonio , Texas were found."
I also looked under "Charlie" and "Chris."
Gave it my best shot.
MDC


December 03, 2009 - Msg 76419:
PS- the K-12 was the category, then one puts in the school name.

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76420: Good morning, porch. Still trying to convince myself I'm going to like this monitor, but it's not easy. It looks like somebody grabbed both ends and pulled.

Boo, for cryin' out loud, I declare you are your own worst enemy! Why on earth are you stressing over the clutter in an apartment you're moving out of? I'm sure you'll leave it clean and undamaged, but clutter? It's not like you're trying to keep a house prettied up to try to sell it. Believe me, your apartment people will rent the thing, clutter and all. If they're dumb enough to bring prospects in while you're trying to get moved out, then they deserve to trip over boxes. Girl, hit the "reset" button and get your priorities straight. Your landlord doesn't care that the apartment is cluttered, the potential renters understand (and if they don't, who cares?), and you're the one with the headache!

It's 39 degrees here, partly cloudy, light wind gusts. They're still predicting snow for tonight and tomorrow, but it's going to have to get a lot colder before any of it accumulates. It sure looked funny yesterday, with the big, blossom-laden Angel's Trumpet bowed low under a blanket of snow. It's a tropical plant, for pete's sake! The snow weighted it down to the ground, but as it melted, the stalks slowly rose and are now upright again, with some very confused, huge pink blossoms hanging from them.

Well, gotta get busy. I just have today to get everything finished up - bunco party is tomorrow night and after working tonight, I'll need to sleep at least part of the day tomorrow. Be blessed, all. --Romeena

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76421:
Boo- I agree with RO. An apartment that you're moving out of, who cares what it looks like?
Also, if your economy is like ours right now, there are apartmets-a-plenty around with no renters!
They even advertize free first month, and no takers, so you may not even get anyone come by.
And yes, if that has been the way the kids have been acting on "light nite", then by all means go by yourself and enjoy it.
"hey, you two are always arguing, so I'll see ya in an hour or so, bye."
The kids will wise up and be better next year,
(when Sean's driving!!) ha
MDC
PS: HEY TO LUCY AND MAVIS

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76422:

"Confused" pink blossoms! LOL! I bet they are. Saturday low here is supposed to be in the mid-20s, but the snow is supposed to be tomorrow. I don't see how it can stick either. I hope it does, though. Now if I can just get hold of some firewood!

Thanks so much for checking Classmates.com, MDC. I guess he hasn't registered there. I lost touch with him many years ago. He was one of us "Four Muskateers," and the two others have passed away. He always lived on the edge and was known to engage in borderline risky behavior. I try to fight the urge to be morbid, but it occurs to me that he might have passed as well. I pray not. Maybe someday I'll find out. But meanwhile, thanks again. I appreciate it.

Boo, don't worry about the apartment! You're moving, for goodness sakes. Congrats on the new house. I know that's gotta be fun. Hard work, but sooooo rewarding.

~De§~



December 03, 2009 - Msg 76423: He's right, Boo. Plan a fun evening - maybe a stop at their favorite burger joint, or ice cream place or whatever. Take along a container of something good to drink - hot or cold, whatever the current preference. Tell them before you start out that you will not tolerate squabbling, and if it starts, you will take them home and continue on alone, just you and Bruce. Have a pre-arrangement with someone to watch them if necessary. Then at the very first sign of trouble, just turn the car around and head home. When you get there, just say, "Out!" No discussion. Just do it. Drive away and leave them bawling on the curb if you must. (Call the sitter and let them know the kids are there.) You won't have to do this but once, maaaaaybe twice, and the car fights will stop. Dale used this, and it works. He never made empty threats. If he said he was going to do something, he did it, and the kids knew what to expect. No surprises.

Well, Eddie has been here and gone, and the yard looks terrific! He does such a good job, and is so pleasant. He has a little daughter, about four years old, and he's the custodial parent, with his mother's help. He's devoted to that child, and stops about every half hour to answer his phone, because she's calling her daddy, wanting to know when he's coming home! I send her little gifts now and then - a bag of candy, some cookies, a Beanie baby, whatever, and now Eddie tells me she tells people I'm her godmother! Never mind that Baptists don't do godparents - if she wants to call me that, I'm honored.

It will be interesting to see what the weather does tonight. It's 42 degrees right now, but as I sit at my window, it just looks cold out there. It's sundown, and the light is that peculiar blue-gray color of a deep winter day. Funny how that is - this time of day in the summer the light is always a greeny-gold, but it looks like pewter out there right now. Brrrr!

Well, back to my decorating. We were overstaffed again tonight, so I took the night off. I'm taking it as paid time though, can't afford any more unpaid absences on this check. I hate to burn up the PTO time, but I have nearly 130 hours, so I guess I can afford it. I just really need to be here tonight.

Be blessed, friends - keep those addresses coming. I'll probably work on that list over the weekend. --Romeena

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76424: Hey, De§. I didn't see you there. Strange how your area often is colder than we are, and you're 250 miles south of Dallas! My girls in Fredericksburg often report ice and snow, while we're in the 40s here. Weird.

Oh, firewood! How good that sounds! I converted my fireplace to gas logs about twelve years ago, after I went out one night to bring in some wood and fell on a patch of ice on the driveway. I couldn't get up, it was about 25 degrees, and I don't mind telling you I was scared. I thought I had broken my hip, but it was just badly bruised, and in a few minutes I was able to get up and get in the house. Shortly after that, I went to the gas logs. The fireplace already had a gas connection, so it was just a matter of choosing the gas logs and having them installed. It's nice, the fire absolutely looks like the real thing, but I know it's not, and it's just not the same. Also, it doesn't put out the heat that the real fires did, because there is no coal bed building up and radiating heat. Still, in my situation, it's probably safer, so I guess I'll leave it. I know I can always switch back at any time - just pull the gas logs out and put the old log cradle back in - but I probably never will.

Well, back to my doin's. The tree is up, I'm now working on the other stuff. Be blessed, all. --Romeena

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76425: Good evening everybody, getting cooler on my porch tonight too. Calling for a 'mix' of stuff tomorrow night into Saturday. I sure hope it misses us. Just not ready for winter weather yet. Hope you all are doing well this evening, I just took a German Chocolate cake out of the oven and put a pot of coffee on so ya'll come on over. That blasted Married with Children is on, but we can always watch TAGS dvd's. Stay warm tonight--Salty Dog

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76426: Hey there, Salty. I too have abandoned TVLand, at least while "Roseanne" and the sleazy "Married with Children" is on. However, Hallmark has been showing some great Christmas movies, and I just had TCM on, with an old version of "A Christmas Carol", the one with Reginald Owen. Not my favorite version, but good nevertheless. I loved Gene Lockhart as Bob Cratchitt. Actually, it's funny about that story. It has been told on film so many times, and each version has something about it that's better than all the others. The old one with Alistair Sim is classic, of course, and the newer one with George C. Scott is high on my list of favorites. He made a great Scrooge, but then he's one of my favorite actors. I guess with Dickens' masterpiece as a foundation, they're all good.

Well, back to work. I'm determined not to go to bed tonight until the decorating is finished and the living room, at least, is clean. I'll worry about the rest of it tomorrow. Be blessed, friends. --Romeena

December 03, 2009 - Msg 76427: Hey MDC! Thanks for the advice on the yukon. I will ask Bruce to check on it. Actually, I think I will take it into my mechanic friend and have him change the oil and check out the heater. I doubt its a fuse because sometimes it blows alittle, mostly it doesn't...curious.

Thanks for the encouragement, porch friends. Today was actually very "ther-a-pedic". I kept busy working and my mind didn't think or worry about everything else. Now I feel very tired but my mind is peaceful. I got ALOT done. Susan and Amy were here for a few hours and Amy cleaned the refrigerator, well one of them...remember I have two in here...my new one and the one that came with the apartment. They are both clean. YAY!! I packed up alot of boxes, took a couple of huge boxes to the St Vincent's thrift store and the place feels uncluttered and I can breathe again. I think I will sleep well. To me, having an uncluttered environment is peace of mind. Oh, and yes Ro, you are right. I am my own worst enemy. I think I have some sort of masachistic tendencies (did I spell that right?). ;-) and, I will take your advice and won't stress about it anymore. If it gets messy, it stays messy...hey, I like that.

MDC, I loved your post about "light night", haha! I laughed out loud about Sean driving next year...maybe I'll sit in the back seat, whine about being thirsty or having to go to the bathroom, and argue loudly with Erin! Sounds like great fun! oh, and great advice from you on how to train those kids, RO.

I'm on my way, Salty....keep the coffee hot for me.

Boo

Well, all I can say about the snow is that if it doesn't snow here tomorrow, I am getting in the car and driving north until I find some. DES, I heard on the news that it might snow and accumulate in Refugio, which is only 30 minutes from me, and in Victoria. They are predicting some snow flurries here but no accumulation. I love these cold winters but I sure wish i was in the house so I could burn some of my fire wood. Whatever happens tomorrow, rest assured that Julie will be enjoying the day and not working and stressing!:-)



December 04, 2009 - Msg 76428:

Ro, we're about 5 miles north of the beginning of the Hill Country so it gets a bit colder here than in San Antonio proper. It gets even colder in Fredericksburg, I guess due to the elevation.

My grandmother had a gas fireplace and it was so cozy! No having to shovel out ashes either. Our neighborhood doesn't have gas lines so it's wood or nothing. Drat.

They've updated our "rain/snow mix" to a Winter Weather Advisory and 70% chance of "snow showers." This makes me giddy. I bet y'all who live due north are giggling at us Texans, but those of us south of Lubbock seldom see the stuff. We got a dusting of it in '99 and again about 3 years ago, but that's it. Well, there was that freak snowstorm in '85 that dumped a foot of it! The prospect of snow this far south is a rare treat.

Boo, DH says it sounds like your fan switch might be going out, but first have the connections to the fan motor checked out. He said one of the positive or negative connections might just be loose, causing to engage and disengage at random.

~De§~



December 04, 2009 - Msg 76429:

Boo! I just saw that trough on TV and it's going a LOT further south than they were saying yesterday. I can't believe snow in Refugio (bet no one other than us knows how that's pronounced.. heh) and Victoria! I hope, hope, hope you get some of it!

~De§~



December 04, 2009 - Msg 76430: Mornin' y'all! Boo, you & De§ sound like we do around here when there's a chance of snow-we are on the phone calling each other- (" I just saw a couple of snowflakes!") Ha! Hope y'all get some- a early little Christmas treat for Texas! Maybe it'll make it's way over to SC!!

**NEWS FLASH** MAMA POSSUM is coming home today!

Well,I can't rock long- lots to do today. Let's head over to the Diner for breakfast. Spot,i'll bring ya a paper,but you gotta leave the quarter tip,ok?!
*******************
possum under a rock

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76431: That's 'an' early Christmas treat.I recollect my articles from Miss Crump's grammar lessons!

possum again

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76432: Ah, sounds like that could be it. Thanks DES. I will mention it to Bruce. You are so right about the snow thing. We get pretty excited about such things down here. What was really incredible was the Christmas eve snow we had four years ago because no one expected or predicted it. It was like a huge Christmas surprise. People went to bed Christmas Eve thinking we were getting some sleet and woke up with 7 inches of snow on the ground. THAT never happened here on the coast in recorded history. I hope we get some today!! Yes Refugio, hard to prounounce, even harder to inhabit. Kind of a dumpy little town, isn't it? BUT they do have a Burger King, which we don't.;-)

I just forced the cat outside for a little while. I had to put food out for him. His litterbox is on the back porch because the litter needs to be replaced. He left a little deposit in Erin's room because of it. Well, actually not so little. I ended up having to throw away one of her shirts that she had left on the floor of the closet. Now why am I droning on about that? Sorry.

I was a little stiff and sore when I got out of bed this morning. I don't know what got into me yesterday but it was like I was on speed. I think I quit working at about 9:30 last night. Strange. Bruce and I both were walking like that old man that Tim Conway played on The Carol Burnett Show.

Better force Erin out of her warm bed, poor thing. It's really going to be pleasant driving her to school without a heater! haha Well, kids used to walk miles to school in the snow, right?

Be back later to tell you if it snows!

Boo

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76433: Hey Possum! So your mother is coming home in time for Christmas. Great news. God has been very good, hasn't he? Things looked pretty grim just a short time ago. I know what you mean about calling each other when you see a couple of snow flakes...makes you wonder who the real flakes are.;-) I remember when it snowed here on Christmas that it was pretty late at night and my departed friend Karen called me. She said, "Julie, it's snowing outside" and I told her "No way, its just some sleet". She said, "Julie, I grew up in New York and I know snow when I see it!". I went outside and looked up at one of the street lights and yep, it was snow. I can remember standing outside in the middle of the street in my pj's and robe, just letting it fall on me and wondering why everyone else in the neighborhood wasn't doing the same thing. To me it was like something out of a fantasy...strange stuff. I mean, have you ever seen 7 inches of snow on a palm tree?

Boo

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76434: It was actually 5 years ago...wow, time flies. If you are interested, you can see a neat little slide show of the big Christmas snow in Sout Texas at: www.texassnowbook.com/

Boo

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76435:

I remember that snow you got, Boo! Victoria got quite a bit, too. What a wonderful surprise. Someone said San Antonio's 13" in 1985 wasn't predicted either. I don't remember, but we sure were shocked!

One of our cats left my daughter a similar gift in her room a few days ago. Aren't they considerate? :-p

~De§~

P.S. Dumb ol' Refugio has a Burger King? Not fair.



December 04, 2009 - Msg 76436:
Possum, ya better put on the "full armor of God" with mama coming home!! Ha! (Ephesians 6)
I'll by ya the special at the diner...3 vienna sausages in a heavy sauce! 60 cents, quarter tip. teehee.
MDC

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76437:
On the tenth day of Christmas....ten prospects for big Jeff Pruitt...

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76438: Hey gang...thanks for b-fast possum...hey MDC,des,Ro,TOM,Rev,auh2o,Boo-Boo and all....suppose to get some snow here late night and early morning here in Ga..not much but some..slow here at work...but thats fine with me...gona finish putting up my lights tonight...well Lunch will be BLT"s and chips and bread and butter pickels,Maude slaw,Boo Tea...and I still got the paper from b-fast...SPOT

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76439: Good morning, porch! It's 35 degrees here in the Dallas area, skies look like lead, so guess anything could happen. Dry so far, though. As much as I'd love some snow, I kinda hope it holds off until tomorrow. I'm having the bunco group here tonight, and there are three or four of the group who absolutely would not drive if more than three snowflakes fell. Most of us would just take back roads and drive carefully, but there are some who wouldn't poke their little noses out at all, no way. Hope I don't get like that.

Hey, De§, I know how to pronounce Refugio! 'Course I'm a Texan, so I should. I can pronounce Boerne and Gruehn and Uvalde, too. How about Salado? Or Mexia? Or El Dorado or Alvarado? Those will throw you. There's the "proper" way, and there's the Texas way, and never the twain shall meet. Say them correctly, and every Texan within twenty feet will look at you funny.

Boo, Dale and I were sometimes accused of being hard on our kids - yes, we did take one home and leave her squalling into the sitter's skirt, while we continued our family outing. But you know what? We never had to do it again. As Dale put it, you gotta get the bluff in on 'em, let them know you mean it, and everything is a lot more peaceful. Anyway, my memories of car trips with the kids are very pleasant. If somebody got rambunctious, all it took was making eye contact with their dad in the rearview mirror, and peace would be restored. He would reach up and turn the mirror so he could see the offender, who of course would see him do it, they would lock eyes, and that would take care of it. The kids loved their dad completely, but you can bet they respected him too, and by extension, they obeyed me as well. They knew he was backing me all the way.

Well, enough of that. You know, I think you all touched on the thing that keeps me from getting a cat. I know they want outside, and I just couldn't bear it if one of them brought me a baby squirrel or a bird, and I know they would. It's their nature, they see it as a gift, but I really don't want those gifts. So, I have Toye Starr, who piddles on my bedroom carpet, but doesn't bring me any suffering sacrificial offerings.

Well, back to the decorating. I wore out and went to bed last night, now I have to finish this morning. Shouldn't take too long, though.

MDC's Snoopy Christmas scene is in the album, and it's delightful! Check it out.

Be blessed, friends. --Romeena

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76440: It's blowing sleet right now! I went outside and got my hair full of ice.

Ro, I sure could have used some lessons from Dale, but at least I have you to pass on the advice, thanks. :-)

Yes, DES, Refugio has a Burger King, and a Dairy Queen, and a Whataburger, and they did have a Sonic but it closed down. The citizens of Refugio must really like fast food...all 50 of them...haha.

Man, I am looking outside and my Yukon is freezing over... I would much prefer snow to ice and sleet but I'll take what I can get. My sister is on her way to San Antonio and she just called and told me and...WAIT A MINUTE...now it's snowing...gotta go....

Boo

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76441:
WooHoo for Boo--snow in south Texas!
Enuogh to make ole Davy Crockett shake in his boots! ha
Hope you all have a chance to mosey over to Ro's album and check out my Peanuts Christmas scene.

http://romeena.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

God bless,
MDC


December 04, 2009 - Msg 76442:
it's on page 2 of the porchsters album

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76443:

You're right, Ro. I said "we" but I definitely had you in mind, too! Mexia and Gruene are particularly tricky. How 'bout Nacogdoches? heehee I've sure heard that one butchered, and I bet you have too. Oh, and Seguin! People always pronounce it "Sequin." Locals even butcher New Braunfels. You hear "New Braunsfels" about as often as you do "New Braunfels." Go figure.

I did the same thing as you with my younguns when they were little. One day we were headed to the grocery store. One of the girls in particular had been getting a little grabby and whiny on our last couple trips to the grocery store, so the next time we had to go, I calmly told them they'd have to behave or we're headed home. We got to the store and I repeated the warning. When we got in the store I hadn't put a thing in my basket when she started up. I left the basket in the aisle, took them by the hand and walked out the door. Many tears and begging, "Noooo mommm!! I won't do it againnnn!!" Me: "No, we talked about this. Today's just not a good day; we'll try again tomorrow." A few more sniffles, then it was over. As promised, we tried again the next day, and you'd never seen a better behaved child. Your Dale was right - "get the bluff in on 'em." LOL No need to get all hysterical. Just calmly do what you say you're going to do.

Boo! So YOU'RE the one who took our snow! I could have counted the snowflakes on one hand. I am NOT a happy camper. LOL Seriously, enjoy it! Looks like your neck of the woods and points due east are getting all the pretty stuff. Sun's out here now. Oh well, maybe another time.

~De§~



December 04, 2009 - Msg 76444:
"I'm gonna vote to KEEP the cannon. Just wanted to let you know how I was gonna vote." (:

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76445: I want some snow too! Spot,y'all are gonna get some? Hmm.. perhaps there's a chance for SC-the Upstate at least. Rev,phone me if you see a snowflake,ok? Ha! The skies sure look "snowy" to me,but doubt we'll get any. BTW,Boo,I HAVE seen snow on palm trees! And a White Christmas! We had snow the Christmas after Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989. Y'all enjoy the snow!

I am curious about "Refugio"- can I take a guess at how it's pronounced? Let's see if this makes sense to y'all- Rah- FEW-gee- oh. The accent on "FEW". Is that how you say it?

Well,I hope and pray that Mama continues to do as well as she did during her stint in the nursing home.I hear ya,MDC!

Again,I ask- WHERE IS ASA?? Has anybody heard from him since he told us that his grandson was arriving? Sure hope all is well with mom & baby.

Hey to Mavis- miracles DO happen,girl! My "twisted" sister & I actually get along pretty dang good now. You never know!

Well, gonna go check my e-mail and see how much I've aggravated Spot today- in honor of his upcoming birthday ( The BIG 5-0),I've been e-mailing him old age related jokes every day! Ha!
(You get that rocking chair moving,yet,spotty? LOL)

Y'all have a good afternoon!
*******************
possum under a rock

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76446: Well we are officially under a winter storm watch until tomorrow, supposed to start out as snow, then turn into a 'mix' after daybreak tomorrow. Yuck, is it Spring yet?? So today, I'm getting all ready, laundry done, dishes done, the usual. Made sure I have plenty of coffee lol. Never did quite understand the whole milk and bread frenzy, mine is Mt Dew and coffee cant be without that stuff. Hope you all stay safe and warm during this thing. Love and prayers to you all--Salty Dog

December 04, 2009 - Msg 76447: Batteries and canned goods,Salty! That's what they drill into us down here during hurricane season-oh,and toilet paper! LOL

possum again