A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-25,26,27-08....T.G.I.F. at the Finest

[GodBlessUSA]

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 200,000 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

Welcome to TGIF at the Finest!   We hope you've been having as much fun as we have with our essays and/or spotlight on various FReepers. From the beginning, we've been kicking back on Saturdays and Sundays and simply reviewing the features of the week; our weekend threads now start on Friday and continue through Sunday. If you missed seeing any of this week's threads and want to say hello there now, just click on the link for that particular day. If you'd like to drop in and out of this thread today through Sunday, please feel free to do that also. One of us will try to be around to see the welcome mat is still out, put the coffee pot on, and maybe even bring fresh flowers for the table. : )

~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, GodBlessUSA ~




"Getting to Know You"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS


01-21,22-08 ~ Military Tribute
By Billie
Presented by The Mayor

01-23-08 ~ New York State
By GodBlessUsa

01-24-08 ~ Groundhog Day
By JohnHuang2
Presented by Dutchess

Have a wonderful weekend!

03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

"Wear Red" Friday

You will soon see a lot of people wearing Red on Fridays. Here's why..... The Americans, who support our troops, are the silent majority. We are not "organized" to reflect who we are, or to reflect what our opinions are. Many Americans, like yourself, and all their friends, simply want to recognize that Americans support our troops. Our idea of showing our solidarity and support for our troops is starting Friday and continuing on each and every Friday, until this is over, that every red-blooded American who supports our young men and women, WEAR SOMETHING RED.

Word of mouth, press, TV -- let's see if we can make the United States, on any given Friday, a sea of red much like a home football game at a University. If every one of our memberships share this with other acquaintances, fellow workers, friends, and neighbors, I guarantee that it will not be long before the USA will be covered in RED - and make our troops know there are many people thinking of their well-being. You will feel better all day Friday when you wear Red! So let's get the word out and lead by example; wear RED on Fridays.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. FOR US, THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED!! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I received this in my email June 10th, 2006 - the author is unknown.
I am wearing red today and every Friday ~ Billie

[GodBlessUSA]

[GodBlessUSA]

[MamaB]

Hi.

[GodBlessUSA]

Lord, We thank You for those who are serving in our armed forces. Each day they are making brave sacrifices so that our country can remain strong and free. Keep them safe under the shelter of Your wings. And Lord, for their families back home——whose loving support enables our armed forces, to do all that they are called on to do——we ask that You comfort them and give them Your peace...the peace that passes all understanding. Amen


Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dutchess; DollyCali; JustAmy; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart. Amen

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son Jen's Mom.................daughter Meg33......................grandson cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew Himyar.............................son jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend varina davis...............grandson weeder1.....................nephew MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew fatima...............granddaughter Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son JulieRNR21.....friend's grandson Scubachick.................husband Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty Hoosiersailor ...........active duty DCBryan1................active duty Col. Mike................active duty OhioWfan........................son ladtx...............................2 sons lilycicero..........................husband

debm29palms........(RIP) husband Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...............2 grandsons redhead...................grandnephew gonzo............................soninlaw Rivendell.......................daughter W.W.Smith...........................son vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband AgThorn & Lily4Jesus.............son 2ndDivisionVet..........brotherinlaw 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter GrandEagle........................friend DebWisconsin.................nephew jackv....................................son prophetic.................brotherinlaw GulfWar1Vet.................2 cousins Tina Kirby...........................son Kudsman.......................nephew JarhedAirmanPatriot......brother TADSLOS............................son Athelass........2 sons, 2 nephews ItsForTheChildren......2 nephews dwhole2th.............................son skimask...............................son VARepublican.......................son Katydidnt..............................son 007girl..........................nephew arbee4bush ....................daughter EdgewoodPilot.....son,nephew,nephew PERKY2004.......................husband Diver Dave......................cousin Mr. & Mrs TroopRally..............son

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Evening MamaB :)

[LUV W]

Wellllll, good evening/morning to you, Missy!

((((hugs))))

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Evening Luv :)
How are you this evening?
Hugs!

[MamaB]

Good evening to you too. I have been doing some genealogy stuff and decided to quit it for a while. I just printed out a map of people in my FTM. It took 116 pages for the map and all of the names. I thought about increasing the print size but that would have meant about 250 pages or more. I will just have to get out my magnifying glass to read some of the names. Guess 21,980 names will do that!

I am going to bed. I am tired!

[LUV W]

Alex Bugnon~Around 12:15am

:D

[LUV W]

I’m fine! Getting a bit tired and need to get ready for
bed so I can be bright-eyed tomorrow morning. :D

How are you this evening?

(((hugs)))

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL, get those magnifying glasses. :)
That is a job researching family. So interesting and worth it though. That sure is a lot of names.
Sweet Dreams!

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks! :)

[GodBlessUSA]

I’m fine. I’m listening to this song and then I’ll call it a night too. You have to get up early huh. I won’t tell you that I’m going to sleep a little late in the morning. ;)

[LUV W]

BRAT!! LOL!

I thought the song was pretty appropriate...and nearly right
on time for you!

((((hugs))))

I must go soon, too, so I can get some rest. I was up waaay
too late last night talking. ;D

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL
Talk to you tomorrow.
Good night :)

[LUV W]

Nighty-night!

Sweet dreams....and thanks for TGIF...it’s time for the
weekend! Yay!

[MEG33]

*Good Morning To The Finest*

Meg

To All Who Serve Our Country Thank You!

Thank you for our weekend thread, Gee Bee..I finally finished
the rearranging and started washing the bookcase woodwork.
One shelf and surround at a time lest I forget where I put things!
....It's always something..LOL.

[The Mayor]

January 25, 2008

The Most Depressing Day

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Exodus 6:1-9

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. —Matthew 14:27

Scientists in the UK have calculated that the most depressing day of the year comes in the third week of January. Winter days are dark and cold, holiday excitement has worn off just as Christmas debts are coming due, and New Year’s resolutions have all been broken. The celebrations, gift-giving, and good intentions that once made us feel happy now press us down and leave us feeling hopeless.

Long ago in Egypt, the Hebrew people had high hopes that Moses would rescue them from slavery. But their hopes were dashed when Moses’ good intentions led to worse conditions for them. Instead of gaining freedom, the people were pressed even harder by slave drivers who demanded that they produce the same amount of bricks with fewer resources.

Moses cried out to the Lord, “Since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all” (Ex. 5:23). As Moses and the Hebrew people were about to learn, God’s rescue plans sometimes don’t kick in until all hope seems to be gone.

If the circumstances of your life seem to be going from bad to worse, sending you into depression and despair, remember that God always hears and answers our cries—but it’s in His time, not ours.

Our strength and hope are in the Lord—
We rest secure in His sure Word;
And though we’re tempted to despair,
We know we’re kept within His care.  —D. De Haan

When you feel hopeless, look to the God of hope.

Bible in One Year:  Exodus 4–6; Proverbs 9:10-18

[MEG33]

Thank you, Mayor..Great lesson. I ventured out on the “after debate” threads last night..Some posters seem to need to hear this lesson!

[beachn4fun]

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Meg
You look lovely in red. How are you today?
I bet it is looking great!! I have been bad putting off painting. I think I had to recover from the living room ordeal. ;) I must get back to that project next week.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning The Mayor
Thank you!

[The Mayor]

I agree Meg, I agree.

We have all had our trials and tribulations but ultimately God is in control, we just have to realize and accept it and then let him take control and we follow.

We are humans and we want to be the pilot like that bumper sticker that says “God is my Co-Pilot” it needs to read God is my Pilot, all we are is passengers. We have free will, in so many cases this is our downfall.

[GodBlessUSA]

ROTFLOL!!!

TGIF Beachn! :)

[MEG33]

;o) I am tired..but fine...I will take a nap this afternoon.

That ceiling you need to paint sounds daunting..Just doing all you have to do to get ready to paint is daunting!

[MEG33]

MY free will is indeed the trouble maker many times.

[MEG33]

TOO CUTE! LOL

[GodBlessUSA]

You deserve a nice relaxing day with a nap in there too! :) The prep work is the worse. I can’t stand it. I have to force myself to do it. It’s not happening today. LOL ;)

It was so sweet. Yesterday I was outside on the deck and a Redbreasted Nut hatch landed to say hello ;) Very neat being so close. Just love when they are friendly like that. How’s your raccoon. Did you name him?

[MEG33]

Happy TGIF To The Finest

I have lovely Cardinal outside my sliding door brightening up
this drizzly, cold day.

[MEG33]

I had a very rare pair of redbreasted nuthatches show up some weeks ago ..I was so excited to have them..I would love to have had a friendly close up!

They darted to and from the tube feeder so fast it took a few days to firmly identify them.I noticed they were gone last week. This is about the time the orange crowned warbler and some robins showed up last year,IIRC..No new birds yet.

[GodBlessUSA]

Neat! You should be seeing the CedarWaxwings soon too? I have to look up orange crowned warbler now.

I'm surprised how friendly these Nuthatches are. I don't have the Flickers and Redbelly woodpeckers like the other house. I'll have to work on that. Downey woodpecker made a hole in the back of my birdhouse for Chickadees. I think that is his winter home. :)

I need to work on another nature thread. ;)

[GodBlessUSA]

Orange Crown Warbler is so beautiful!! Enjoy their visit. :)I saw little birds yesterday and I have to try to find an id for them.

[GodBlessUSA]

I don’t know how I missed this. :) Gorgeous picture of a Cardinal!

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning all. Happy TGIF!

Chachi update: We brought our little guy home from the hospital last Sunday evening and I am happy to report that he is doing great after his surgery. He is still wobbly on his hind legs, but seems to be feeling good and is showing signs of improvement each day. Healing from this surgery is a slow process and we are to keep him from walking as much as possible for the next week. Our vet here in town saw him on Wednesday and was beaming from ear to ear when he saw how well he was doing. He estimates that in five or six weeks he should be back to 100%.

We have Chachi ensconced in a large pen in the middle of the family room, which we call his “gated community”, where he has his comfortable bed and can see us and watch “Animal Planet” as he recovers. (He loves Meerkat Manor, LOL)

This has been a stressful experience for all of us, but I don’t think we could have had a more skilled and caring surgeon or a more compassionate hospital staff to care for him. And I KNOW that we could not have had a more caring, supportive group of FRiends. Your concern and prayers helped us get through this and we will be forever grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Chachi in his hospital room the day before he came home….

[La Enchiladita]

Good morning. We have got quite the storm over us now.
It's the 4th or 5th one this week, I lost count.
More coming in on the weekend. It's all a blessing, because last year was so dry.
A blessing as long as there are no serious mudslides or flooding.

[La Enchiladita]

Brave little fella...:)

[GodBlessUSA]

Yay, Chachi is home. I've been thinking of you all. A slow process but Chachi is doing great and will be 100% soon is the best news! He loves Meerkat Manor LOL! :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Even Snoopy has on his red ;)

[La Enchiladita]

I’m okay, how are you?
It’s great to be inside when it’s so stormy outside.

[La Enchiladita]

I forgot to say that is really cute...*big smile*.

[GodBlessUSA]

It is nice to be all cozy while a storm goes on. I hope it doesn’t get too bad though. Enjoy being inside and just relax and enjoy. I have to take the dog out walking later. I think I’m getting what Julia is recovering from. Back to tired. LOL

[Mama_Bear]

I am so sorry, dita, in my scatter-brained condition, I fogrot to ping you. I know I forgot others too. :-( Please forgive the oversight and know that your concern and prayers truly meant the world to me.

Yes, he is a brave little guy. Our little miracle boy. I am so anxious to have him up on all fours and running and playing again. I know I have to be patient, as does he. Each day, as he feels better and better, it is going to be harder and harder to keep him confined to his pen. He doesn't understand why he cannot roam the house as he always has.

[La Enchiladita]

No problem. It’s very easy to miss someone on pinging...:)
I was anticipating a report, and am so glad it is good.

[Mama_Bear]

He loves Meerkat Manor LOL! :)

LOL. He Does! and Orangutan Island, too. ;-)

We are so happy to have him home and on the mend. I just wish the weather was better. It's cold and wet and the poor little guy has to go out and piddle in a yard with water up to his ankles and he keeps falling over because he back legs are wobbly. Not much fun for him. We've had about enough rain for awhile, but I understand there is more coming. :-(

[GodBlessUSA]

That is annoying. I hope your weather clears soon. I have to practically push my dog out the door when it’s raining. She can’t stand the rain. Funny, when we watch Dog Whisper, sometimes it seems my dog is annoyed by the show and is just tolerating it. LOL

[Mama_Bear]

"fogrot"....

Sheesh, I'm not only scatterbrained, I can't type either. LOL. ;-)

[GodBlessUSA]

Big :) Back to You!

[GodBlessUSA]

I’m awful with missing pings. I can’t stand when I do it. I try so hard not to. Sometimes I don’t notice till hours later. Doh!

[Mama_Bear]

Funny, when we watch Dog Whisper, sometimes it seems my dog is annoyed by the show and is just tolerating it. LOL

LOL. Really? I dont think Chachi has ever watched it. He is more into the animal "reality" shows, I guess. ;-)

He is anxiously awaiting the debut of "Puppy Bowl" on Animal Planet next month. The previews look kind of cute.

[La Enchiladita]

LOL, I didn’t even notice. I think my brain is transposed also...;^)