A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-22-04....Deck The Finest Halls!

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

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~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Dansangel, Aquamarine ~

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THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-20-04 Military Monday 12-21-04 Welcome Home, Allegra!

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

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[Mama_Bear]

[Mama_Bear]

I am sorry I don't have an elaborate holiday post ready for today, but I suspect that most everyone is too preoccupied with shopping, wrapping, baking, cleaning and decking the halls in preparation for Christmas to be able to spend much time here anyway.

I will be absent most of the day also, but will leave some eggnog in the fridge and cookies (and a pineapple pie) on the counter....and, of course, The Mayor will surely be here soon with his hot coffee to warm our bodies and some Scripture to warm our souls. Enjoy!

If you would like to be added to, or removed from, the Finest ping list, FReepMail me.

[Mama_Bear]

[JohnHuang2]

Before I sign off, here's a Bear hug for you!

(((((((((((((Mama_Bear!))))))))))))

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Later, friend.

[Mama_Bear]

Before I sign off, here's a Bear hug for you!

Awwwww.....that's nice. Luv your hugs. Thank you.

And a bright and beautiful Christmas to ((((((you))))))!

[tina07]

Please add my soninlaw's friend Jay to your Prayer For Those Who Serve, he's in Baghdad. My soninlaw is also active duty but stateside. Thank you very much.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Mama.

[GailA]

Good morning FRiends..the coffee pot is on it's raining pretty hard here in Memphis with threats of that seldom seen S word SNOW in the forcast.

[The Mayor]

December 22, 2004

Small Spark, Big Fire

Read: James 3

The tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! —James 3:5

Bible In One Year: Micah 6-7; Revelation 13

---

In June 2002, the Hayman fire destroyed more than 137,000 acres of beautiful mountain forest in Colorado. Smoke darkened the skies, choking residents of cities 40 miles away. Thousands of people evacuated their homes, and millions of dollars were spent fighting a blaze that began with a single match.

Small spark, big fire. That's the way James described the damage done by our reckless and careless words. "See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. . . . It defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell" (3:5-6).

The Bible urges us not to underestimate the destructive potential of what we say. One incendiary remark can kindle an inferno of emotional harm. The best way to avert the flames of anger is to keep from striking that first match. We must let the wisdom of God check our thoughts before they leave our tongues. "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (v.17).

As we draw on God's wisdom through His Word, we can smother the sparks of dissension and instead speak words of peace. —David McCasland

One careless word can be a spark
Igniting anger into flame;
It can destroy relationships
And bring reproach to Jesus' name. —Sper

Words can't break bones, but they can break hearts.

[RaceBannon]

Posted with permission from the management::

Folks, our friends at Vietnam Veterans For Truth have done a wonderful job this year. They are the people who held the KERRY LIED rally in Washington DC, where many Freepers attended.

The folks at http://www.kerrylied.com are having some trouble, though. Through their attempts to educate the public about John Kerry and his slander of Vietnam Veterans, they have run up some operating costs that are over their budget.



You may mail a personal check (no corporate checks are permitted) to Vietnam Vets for the Truth, PO Box 49, Mt. Vernon, VA 22121.

Federal laws require that the name, address, occupation, and employer name be included with your contribution.

For credit card or Paypal contributions, press here:

PAYPAL link to donate to the Vietnam Veterans for Truth

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr

[Gabz]

Merry Christmas FRiends at the Finest!!!!

A Friend will be picking me up momentaily to go finish our last minute shopping. It will be the first time in nearly 3 years that I have had an opportunity to have a "girl's day" even though we have to be home by 1pm because of school having early dismissal for Christmas vacation.

Will be back later tis afternoon.

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning, all my fine friend. I've been here everyday but mostly just looking at the beautiful pictures. An update on my sister, Betty - this will be a long recovery period for her. She will not be able to walk for another 3-4 weeks. The surgeons are pleased with the results of her surgery. Hopefully, this long year of pain for her is over. She is already beginning to say that she feels good.

Both of her daughters and 5 grandchildren are here and will be till the New Year weekend. Last night she asked me to go get her a pizza. Just a little one, but she ate 2 slices and that was a great improvement for her.

I'll be leaving tomorrow for New Orleans to visit my family there. Am I ready? Not. But I will be.

My wish for each of you, and all who read this, is that you will have a very happy and blessed Christmas and that Santa will bring all of you exactly what you need.

I'll try to get back later today. Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

[visualops]

Good morning and Merry Christmas to all!

Billie, I posted the pound cake recipe
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1305744/posts?page=249#249

Now I must go back to sort-of working- difficult to keep the mind on work when I'd rather daydream of plum pudding with hard sauce...yum!

[visualops]

So very very true- and advice that unfortunately has not been heeded by so many.

[Mama_Bear]

Please add my soninlaw's friend Jay to your Prayer For Those Who Serve, he's in Baghdad. My soninlaw is also active duty but stateside. Thank you very much.

Will do, tina07. God bless them both and all who serve.

Pinging the others who have Prayer Lists for this thread so they can add to their lists also.

[Mama_Bear]

Mornin', Aeronaut. That's a pretty snazzy plane you're piloting today. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Three pots of coffee! That should hold us for awhile. Thanks Gail.

Here's hoping you get at least a few flurries. Sounds like your weather in Memphis is about like ours. They say it snows here on the average of once every seven years, but I've lived in this valley for over 30 years and have only seen it snow twice.

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Mayor. Your coffee is particularly welcome on this frosty morn.

Words can't break bones, but they can break hearts.

How very true.

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for the link, Race. Sorry to hear about their budget problems. Yes, the Vietnam Veterans for Truth played a huge part in the reelection of President Bush. We owe them a great deal for getting the truth out here and keeping it out there.

[Mama_Bear]

Sounds like you are going to have a wonderful "girls day" out. Enjoy every minute of it. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

My wish for each of you, and all who read this, is that you will have a very happy and blessed Christmas and that Santa will bring all of you exactly what you need.

And a blessed Christmas to you and yours, ((((((Texagirl)))))).

[Mama_Bear]

I posted the pound cake recipe

Yummy! I've copied your recipe too. Looks easy enough. I was going to make a bundt cake tomorrow, but I might just try your pound cake instead.

[RaceBannon]

As I recently learned, it is almost shameful to have to stick your hand out and beg for money!

And that is where they are, they need cash!

Posted with permission from the management::

Folks, our friends at Vietnam Veterans For Truth have done a wonderful job this year. They are the people who held the KERRY LIED rally in Washington DC, where many Freepers attended.

The folks at http://www.kerrylied.com are having some trouble, though. Through their attempts to educate the public about John Kerry and his slander of Vietnam Veterans, they have run up some operating costs that are over their budget.



You may mail a personal check (no corporate checks are permitted) to Vietnam Vets for the Truth, PO Box 49, Mt. Vernon, VA 22121.

Federal laws require that the name, address, occupation, and employer name be included with your contribution.

For credit card or Paypal contributions, press here:

PAYPAL link to donate to the Vietnam Veterans for Truth

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr

[dutchess]

Hi Lori. Love the peguins!!! I'm getting ready to "dust off the car"...4 inches expected early today up to 14 inches tonight! Yikes! Need to do some last minute paperwork at the office as I have a feeling I'll be housebound tomorrow PLUS stock up on groceries. Poor dad..the early riser...got up...looked outside and headed straight back to bed where he remains LOL! ((((lori))))

[Mama_Bear]

SNOW! I know it can be very difficult to have to deal with that white stuff ALL winter, but it sure sounds like fun to this California bear. I would love to have some flurries here. It feels cold enough to snow! 14 inches is a little much though. LOL!

Take care, Sis. Drive carefully.

[dutchess]

SNOW! I know it can be very difficult to have to deal with that white stuff ALL winter, but it sure sounds like fun to this California bear

It's very very pretty! Can't wait to get my work done so I can get home and appreciate it! (...poor Rusty...think this California dog is a little overwhelmed!!!! When I let the kids back in he charged into our bedroom and is nestled in the middle of our bed LOL! Giz thinks he's a wimp!)

[Mama_Bear]

I need to take off and get some "stuff" done. Hope to get back here later today.

[visualops]

If you do, let me know what you think.
If you like pound cakes or that type sweet snack breads I have a recipe from my mother for "Dundee Cake" which is a hearty pound cake with dark and gold raisins. It'll "stick to your ribs" as my dad says. It's particularly good with tea on a cold afternoon.

[DollyCali]

good morning all.. thanks for opening the thread Mama.. everyone seems to share a lot on this thread & your are right. Everyone is very busy.

We are having extreme snow again..atop the foot that has not melted since in fell Sunday. I just made a quick run to store as I think I will get socked in again .

Areonaut.. have you seen flight of Phoenix? Hate to even mention antoher movie, last time i did a few days ago (another thread) I had quite a controversy.. of course the other movie was a REAL R & this is a real PG.

The aviator is anther high on my list.

have a good day all..

[austingirl]

I've been out of town for the last 5 days visiting my two sons in California and Oregon. Glad to be home and connected again to my FR community. Prayers offered for our men and women in harm's way.

[Billie]

Billie, I posted the pound cake recipe http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1305744/posts?page=249#249

I got it, and guess what?! I have it in the oven right now! (and the batter tastes soooooooo good!) Thank you, visualops! Had not planned to make another cake for Christmas (I already have two in the freezer that I made for Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day, but we'll have 'choices' this way!) :)

[Billie]

Both your son-in-law and his friend have been added to my Prayer List, too, Tina. Thank you for letting us know.

[visualops]

Wow you don't waste time!!

Sounds like nobody will go hungry for lack of cake!

I worked at a banquet restaurant some years ago- 3 dining rooms, and nothing but weddings and retirements etc every weekend. I ate alot of cake :)

[GailA]

We snow every few years...the county next to ours seems to get it more frequently than we do. I'm only about 5 miles from that county and we get very little of their 'rough' weather. They even get tornadoes going through there every year it seems. The rain is turning to ice on my van windows.

[Billie]

Good morning! The news sounds very promising for Betty - how wonderful that she is finally on the mend, and the pain she's had so long will be in the past.

Please have a safe trip to New Orleans and a wonderful Christmas.

[Billie]

Thank you, sistah Lori, for today's pretty Christmas graphics - the Welcome package is just beautiful, and the penguins so cute.

Very cold here with snow coming down - as so much of the country is having - and I'm in the kitchen cookin' and cleanin' and all that fun stuff that we get to do this time every year. :)

Gifts have all been wrapped for several days though!

[Gabz]

Enjoy every minute of it. :-)

Thank you -- we did!!!!!.

I am finished with shopping (of course I'm also out of money LOL!!!)

I have some sewing to do, and I'm hoping hubby is willing to take the yung'un out of the house for a while for me tomorrow so I can get it done.

[Aeronaut]

Areonaut.. have you seen flight of Phoenix?

If you mean the Jimmie Stewart movie, I have. It isn't believable, but is enjoyable. Have I missed a remake?

[DollyCali]

I never saw the Jimmy Stewart movie.. would like to. the new onen is not rated very higly by rotten tomatoes & it also stretches you're "naw that coulnd't happen mentality" but the flight scenes over the dessert are beautiful

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for the Update, Texagirl! I'll keep her in my daily Prayers for a while Longer, as she Recuperates from her Surgery.

Have a Safe Trip to New Orleans, and a Beautiful and Blessed Christmas!

[Casloy]

Merry Christmas from Iraq. Spent Sunday and Monday in Mosul and my favorite time was eating lunch and dinner with the troops, most of whom were member of my old division in Vietnam, the Tropic Lightning. I am heartbroken over what was done to them. So many were weeks from going home and excited about seeing wives and babies. Pray for their families.

[deadhead]

Hi MamaBear, Billie and All. Been home sick for 2 days....and I am having Christmas dinner here. Still much to do, but on the plus side, my tree is decorated, my cards have been mailed, all my gifts have been purchased and I have all the food in the fridge. I am doing something different this year, no roast or turkey. I am making lasagna.

[deadhead]

Merry Christmas, Casloy. Prayers for all. Yes, it is heartbreaking.

My best to you and yours. Bless you

[deadhead]

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Continued prayers for Betty.

[WVNan]

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS to all my FRiends at the Finest. May you experience the real Spirit of Christmas.

[The Mayor]

Merry Christmas Nan!

[deadhead]

Thank You, Nan. Beautiful graphic.

Wishing you and yours a Blessed and Merry Christmas

[WVNan]

It is so awful to even contemplate what these families are going through. They will need our prayers for a long time. This incident looks like it could have been prevented, which makes it all the more paiinful. God bless you Casloy, and keep you ever safe. Thank you for your service. May you be blessed with the real meaning of Christmas.

[WVNan]

Merry Christmas Rus. Wouldn't you know it? I finally get a minute to post here and I have to leave now. Have to go to a visitation for the deceased father of a member of hubby's congregation. So many people seem to die at Christmas. We can always count on at least a couple of funerals. Sad. Later.

[The Mayor]

Pray for their families.

Always